Watch control device

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a watch control device (1) comprising a crown (2) movably mounted in a support part (3) of the watch control device (1), the support part (3) being intended to be fixed relative to a watch movement, the crown (2) being axially displaceable with respect to its longitudinal axis (A) towards a control position in which the crown (2) is movable relative to its longitudinal axis (A). The rotation drive element (8) of the crown (2) can cooperate with a ring (10) movably mounted in a collar (29) of a control member (4) of the watch control device (1), the ring (10) being configured such that, when the crown (2) is rotated, the ring (10) actuates a mechanism of the watch movement for implementing a watch function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watch manufacturing, and in particular to a watch control device. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, some watches, especially so-called "grand complications" watches with a large number of functions, use control devices such as buttons. These buttons are of various types, including micro buttons that are usually embedded in the middle of the watch.

[0003] Such micro-buttons are usually very small, thus saving space, especially in the case of these watches. In addition, they do not protrude from the middle piece, so there is no risk of accidental operation.

[0004] However, one of the disadvantages of such buttons is that they necessarily require the use of a sharp actuating tool when an operation controlling a watch function is to be performed (e.g. setting the time, date, moon phase or calendar). Such use presents a considerable risk of damaging the watch case and thus altering its aesthetics.

[0005] Under these circumstances, it is understandable that a solution needs to be found to overcome these shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a control device for a watch making it possible to control the functions of the watch without the need for an actuating tool.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the need for push buttons in the middle of a watch case.

[0008] The present invention relates to a watch control device, which includes a crown movably mounted in a supporting component of the watch control device, wherein the supporting component is intended to be fixed relative to a watch movement, and the crown is capable of axially shifting toward the watch control position about the longitudinal axis of the crown, in which the rotational drive element of the crown is capable of cooperating with an annular piece movably mounted in a casing ring of a control member of the watch control device, wherein the annular piece is configured to actuate a mechanism of the watch movement for realizing a watch function when the crown is rotated.

[0009] In other embodiments:

[0010] - the collar comprises, on its inner peripheral wall, a cooperation zone between the annular element and the rotary drive element, the cooperation zone comprising a stop element which limits the displacement stroke of the annular element movably mounted in the collar;

[0011] - the rotary drive element has a free end comprising a coupling portion for coupling to the annular member;

[0012] - the coupling portion extends substantially perpendicularly to the outer surface of the free end;

[0013] - the collar comprises a through hole, the through hole connects the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall of the collar to each other, the through hole having a through area for the free end to pass through;

[0014] - the passage zone comprises a central portion configured for the main part of the free end to be arranged in the through hole and an eccentric portion forming a passage allowing the coupling portion to pass through the body of the collar;

[0015] - said ring comprises an actuating element for a pivoting element of said control member, said pivoting element being configured to actuate said mechanism for realizing a watch function;

[0016] - the control member comprises a first elastic return element configured to automatically return the ring to the rest position;

[0017] - The rotary drive element is integral with the head of the crown.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising such a watch controlling device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, given purely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows different views of a device for controlling at least one function of a watch according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] - Figure 3 A view showing the crown of the control device arranged in the “initial” axial position according to this embodiment of the invention;

[0022] - Figure 4 and Figure 5 A view showing the crown of the control device arranged in an axial “control” position in which rotation of the crown activates at least one function of the watch according to this embodiment of the invention;

[0023] - Figure 6a and Figure 6ba view showing a portion of the peripheral wall of the collar of the control member of the control device according to this embodiment of the invention, said portion comprising a through hole having at least one passage area for the free end of a crown actuating element for controlling at least one function of the watch;

[0024] - Figure 7 shows a view of said portion of the peripheral wall of the collar when the free end of the rotary drive element is inserted into a corresponding passage area of ​​the through hole for controlling at least one function of the watch according to this embodiment of the invention, and

[0025] - Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A view of the crown is shown in its control position after it has been rotated to control the at least one function according to this embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] refer to Figures 1 to 9 The invention relates to a watch (also called a timepiece), for example a wristwatch, comprising control means 1 for at least one function implemented by a watch movement contained in the watch. Such a watch generally comprises a case 5 formed by a preferably circular middle piece 6, defining a central internal housing cavity designed to receive the watch movement, the external contour of which follows the internal shape of a collar 29. The watch may be equipped with screws or clamps to retain the movement in this collar 29 and also retain this collar 29 in the middle piece 6 of the case 5.

[0027] Such a watch movement can be mechanical or quartz. As previously indicated, the movement is configured to implement at least one watch function, and in the present embodiment two watch functions. These functions are controlled by the control device 1 for the purpose of adjusting, correcting or starting the mechanism of the movement. It should be noted that these functions are preferably controlled by the user independently of each other from the watch control device 1. In this context, the device 1 can be considered as a control device 1 of the movement mechanism implementing the watch functions.

[0028] It will be appreciated that the movement is adapted to perform these functions in particular by separate movement mechanisms which may be kinematically linked together. For example, each mechanism may in practice result in a separate display on the watch, such as the current time on the one hand and the date or the moon phase on the other. The movement and its functions are controlled and / or monitored via control device 1.

[0029] To this end, control device 1 for the functions of the movement comprises support 3 , crown 2 , control member 4 and tensioning member 31 .

[0030] In this device 1, the support part 3 (also referred to as "support and guide") is preferably a tube with a through opening configured for sliding guidance. The tube is designed to be fixedly engaged in a radially extending through hole of the watch middle piece 6. In this configuration, the support part 3 is therefore fixedly arranged relative to the watch movement.

[0031] For its part, the crown 2 is movably mounted in the through opening of the support 3. Such a crown 2 is intended to be engaged through the middle piece 6 of the case 5 of the watch by means of the support 3. The crown 2 may take the form of a push-button crown, a winding crown or any crown 2 for operating a watch movement. The crown 2 comprises a crown head 7 and a rotary drive element 8 formed by a tubular extension integral with the crown head 7.

[0032] In this crown 2, the drive element 8 is basically arranged in the support part 3 and is also configured to move or slide through the opening in the support part 3. More precisely, the drive element 8 includes a body composed of three parts, namely: a fixed part 9a connected to the head 7 of the crown 2, an insertable part 9b that can be introduced into the through hole 12, and a connecting part 9c configured to cooperate with the control member 4 to participate in controlling one of the functions of the watch. In the hollow body of the drive element 8, the insertable part 9b is arranged behind the fixed part 9a. The two parts 9a, 9b are also connected to each other by a shoulder 16, which is formed on the outer surface of the body of the drive element 8, as shown in FIG. Figures 3 to 5 The insertable portion 9b is composed of a main portion 23a and a terminal portion 23b. In this configuration, the main portion 23a is located between the shoulder 16 and the terminal portion 23b.

[0033] In this drive element 8, the coupling portion 9c extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the insertable portion 9b. More specifically, this coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to a region of this surface contained in the terminal portion 23b of the insertable portion 9b. In other words, this coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0034] Thus, the insertable portion 9b and the coupling portion 9c together form the free end of the drive element 8. In other words, this end is formed by the main portion 23a and the terminal portion 23b and the coupling portion 9c. In this context, the coupling portion 9c therefore extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the free end.

[0035] Alternatively, the fixed portion 9a of the drive element 8 may be crimped into the head 7 of the crown 2 or made integrally therewith. As previously mentioned, the drive element 8 comprises a shoulder, Figures 3 to 5Reference numeral 16 in the figure, this shoulder connects the fixed part 9a and the insertable part 9b to each other. Such shoulder 16 preferably has a flat surface. It should be noted that such a surface is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0036] As mentioned above, in this device 1, the rotary drive element 8 can cooperate with the actuating member 4. Such member 4 is preferably configured to be connected to a watch movement, in particular when the mechanism of the movement is activated to perform a watch function. To this end, the member 4 comprises a collar 29, a ring 10, at least one first elastic return element 18 and at least one movable actuating element 30.

[0037] In this component 4, the collar 29 can have a variety of shapes as long as it surrounds the watch movement and is positioned in the middle piece 6 of the watch case 5. In this embodiment, the collar 29 is preferably substantially circular. This collar 29 includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall connecting the two surfaces together.

[0038] In this configuration, the top surface of the collar 29 includes a bearing area designed to accommodate or receive the ring 10 as part of its arrangement in the collar 29. The bearing area includes a flat surface whose side edges are raised in whole or in part along the entire length of the bearing area so as to ensure that the ring 10 is held and guided on the surface, in particular when the ring 10 moves. This surface of the bearing area also includes an open housing configured to receive each first elastic return element 18 of the member 4. In this configuration, the first elastic return element 18 can be a helical spring and is arranged below the ring 10. As will be shown later, the first elastic return element 18 is designed to automatically return the ring 10 to its rest position after the ring 10 has been activated to control the watch function.

[0039] Collar 29 of member 4 also comprises a through hole 12 which connects its inner peripheral wall 15a and its outer peripheral wall 15b to each other. Such hole 12 comprises a central axis B which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of crown 2. In this configuration, the geometry of this hole 12 and its position in collar 29 are defined so as to enable drive element 8 to pass through it. This hole 12 comprises at least one passage area 24a, 24b for the free end of drive element 8, in order to control at least one function of said watch.

[0040] Reference Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 7, the hole 12 has a first through area 24a and a second through area 24b, each of which is configured to control a watch function. In other words, the two through areas 24a, 24b allow this through hole 12 to be structurally configured to control two watch functions. In this context, each through area 24a, 24b comprises a central portion 26 configured to arrange the main part 23a of the insertable part 9b and therefore the free end in the through hole 12 and an eccentric portion 25a, 25b configured to allow the coupling part 9c to pass through the through hole 12. The eccentric portions 25a, 25b form a passage that allows the coupling part 9c to pass through the body of the collar 29 up to the cooperation area 11 defined in the inner peripheral wall 15b, which will be discussed later. In this context, it should be understood that the two through areas 24a, 24b share the same central portion 26. In other words, the central portions 26 of the two areas 24a, 24b are coincident. In this configuration, the central portion 26 extends over a distance from the outer peripheral wall 15a to the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 that is significantly less than the length of the main portion 23a of the insertable portion 9b. A distance "significantly less than" means that the distance is "strictly less than" or "significantly less than" the length of the main portion 23a.

[0041] The collar 29 also includes a through opening 17 forming a housing cavity for receiving at least one pivoting element 14, such as a rocker, which can be actuated by the ring 10 to interact with the movement mechanism that realizes the function. The collar 29 includes a second elastic reset element and a retaining element, which are arranged in the housing cavity and are intended to cooperate with the pivoting element 14, so as to configure the pivoting element 14 in an initial rest position in particular. Then, the pivoting element 14 alternates between the initial position and the start position, in which a part of the element 14 protrudes from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 in order to interact with the mechanism that realizes the function to be controlled. The arrangement of the pivoting element 14 in the start position is controlled by the ring 10, in particular by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10. It should be noted that the pivoting element 14 moves from the start position to the initial position under the action of the second elastic reset element, which moves the pivoting element 14 in the direction opposite to the direction that makes it reach the start position until the element 14 abuts against the retaining element.

[0042] As mentioned above, the collar 29 comprises a cooperation area 11 between the rotary drive element 8 and the control member 4. More precisely, this area 11 is where the coupling portion 9c of the drive element 8 cooperates with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 so that the ring 10 moves in the collar 29. Such an area 11 is included on the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29. This area 11 in particular comprises a portion of this inner peripheral wall 15b into which the through hole 12 leads. In this configuration, the area 11 has a stop element 28, which can cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10, thereby limiting the displacement stroke of the movable ring 10 in the collar 29.

[0043] In the device 1, the ring 10, also called "movable ring", has a shape that is configured to ensure the arrangement and movement of the ring 10 in the bearing area of ​​the collar 29. In the present embodiment, the ring 10 has a substantially circular shape. The ring 10 comprises a top face and a bottom face as well as an inner side face and an outer side face.

[0044] As described above, the ring 10 comprises the at least one actuating element 30, the coupling element 13, and at least one connecting element for connecting to the first elastic return element 18. The ring 10 comprises as many actuating and connecting elements 30 as the control device 1 is capable of controlling. More precisely, when the control device 1 is configured to control a single function, the ring 10 comprises a single actuating element 30, a single coupling element and a single connecting element. In this context, the collar 29 then comprises a single first elastic return element 18. If the device 1 is configured to control two functions, the ring 10 comprises two actuating elements 30, a single coupling element 13, and two connecting elements capable of cooperating with two different first elastic return elements 18, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0045] In this ring 10, the actuating element 30 of the pivoting element 14 is included on the outer side of the ring 10. This actuating element 30 is configured to extend toward a region 27 of the housing cavity that accommodates the pivoting element 14, and the region is located near the pivoting element 14 to be actuated. In other words, this actuating element 30 extends substantially vertically toward this region 27 and relative to the pivoting element 14. It is understood that the position of the actuating element 30 in this region 27 of the housing cavity allows this actuating element 30 to be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pivoting element 14. This arrangement allows this actuating element 30 to start this pivoting element 14, so that this pivoting element 14 can move to the start position from its initial position. This actuating element 30 protruding from the outer side of the ring 10 has a shape substantially similar to the letter "L", which is formed by a first portion substantially perpendicular to the outer side and a second portion substantially parallel to the same outer side, and these portions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0046] The ring 10 also includes a connecting element for connecting to the first elastic reset element 18, which is arranged in the shell cavity in the support area contained in the collar 29. The connecting element is located at the bottom side of the ring 10. The connecting element extends substantially vertically from the bottom side toward the bottom of the corresponding shell cavity including the first elastic reset element. In other words, the connecting element is partially arranged in the shell cavity in the support area, between the first end of the first elastic reset element 18 and the wall of the shell cavity. The connecting element has the following shape: that is, the shape is configured to apply or load a restraining force on the first end with which the connecting element contacts, and the second end of the first reset element 18 can contact or lean against the supporting wall of the shell cavity arranged relative to the connecting element. It should be understood that in this configuration, since the connecting element is partially located in the shell cavity, when the ring 10 is in motion, the connecting element can move in the enclosed space of the shell cavity to squeeze the reset element 18.

[0047] See also Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 is located on the inner side of the ring 10. The element 13 is preferably integral with the main body of the ring 10 and forms a substantially polygonal relief on the inner side. This shape is particularly suitable for achieving an optimal connection with the coupling portion 9c of the drive element 8.

[0048] As previously mentioned, device 1 also comprises a tensioning member 31 configured to improve the cooperation between coupling portion 9c and coupling element 13 so as to ensure an optimal displacement of ring 10 in the bearing area of ​​collar 29. More precisely, such member 31 contributes to maintaining the contact established between coupling portion 9c and the inside face of ring 10 (and therefore with the surface of cooperation area 11) so as to ensure that the coupling between coupling portion 9c and coupling element 13 is achieved as part of the movement of ring 10 in collar 29. Thus, such tensioning member 31 comprises a spring 19, freely mounted in a cylindrical housing defined by fixed portion 9a of drive element 8 fixed to crown head 7, and a compression part 20 of this spring 19, bearing against a stem 21, for example a watch winding and setting stem. This compression member 20 comprises a shoulder 22 forming a bearing area for a first end of the spring 19 , opposite the crown head which in turn forms another bearing area able to cooperate with a second end of this spring 19 .

[0049] In this embodiment, it will be understood that such a control device 1 enables a method for controlling a watch, in particular for controlling at least one function of the watch. To this end, the method provides a process for activating the device 1 to control a watch function. In this process, the crown 2 is manipulated from its initial position to its control position, which is a position in which the crown 2, in particular the crown head 7, is arranged closest to the middle piece 6. During this manipulation, the crown 2 is moved axially from its initial position in the direction of the through hole 12 by compressing the spring 19 arranged between the head 7 of the crown 2 and the compression member 20 included in the crown 2. When the free end of the drive element 8 of the crown 2 is in a position close to or in contact with the peripheral wall 15a of the collar 29 of the control member 4, the crown 2 is then rotated to introduce the free end into at least one through area 24a, 24b of the through hole 12. As previously mentioned, in this embodiment, the through hole 12 may include two through areas 24a, 24b for controlling two different watch functions. In this context, crown 2 is rotated in a first direction so as to select passage through zones 24a, 24b relative to the function to be controlled and to introduce the free end into said zones until shoulder 16 connecting fixed portion 9a and insertable portion 9b of drive element 8 abuts against peripheral wall 15a of collar 29. Once this shoulder 16 abuts against peripheral wall 15a, crown 2 is manipulated in a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to configure it in its control position so as to cooperate with coupling element 13 of ring 10. In said configuration, crown 2 is thus in the control position and is able to cooperate with coupling element 13 of ring 10 via coupling portion 9c of drive element 8 of crown 2. It should be noted that, in this control position, coupling portion 9c of drive element 8 of crown 2 is held against inner peripheral wall 15b of collar 29 by the action of spring 19 exerting an elastic restoring force on crown 2. It should be noted that the control position is a position in which the free end of drive element 8 (and therefore the free end of crown 2) engages in through hole 12 and / or cooperates or is coupled to ring 10. In other words, the control position is a position in which the main part 23a of the free end of crown 2 is arranged in through hole 12.

[0050] Subsequently, by manipulating the crown 2 in the second rotational direction, the ring 10 is caused to move in the bearing area of ​​the collar 29, due to the cooperation between the coupling portion 9c of the driving element 8 of the crown 2 and the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. This movement is carried out until the coupling element 13 comes into contact with the corresponding stop element 28 of the cooperation area 11. This movement of the ring 10 generates a tension force on the first elastic return element 18 via its connection element, which is arranged in a housing defined in the bearing area below the ring 10. During this movement, the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 actuates the corresponding pivoting element 14 by causing the position of the corresponding pivoting element 14 to change towards the start position, in which a part of this element 14 protrudes from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29, so as to interact with the corresponding mechanism of the movement to realize the controlled function. Subsequently, once the crown 2 has been manipulated, the ring 10 is automatically placed in its rest position under the action of the first elastic return element 18, which thus returns to its rest shape. By thus placing the ring 10 in its rest position, the result is that the pivoting element 14 is automatically placed in its initial position, since it is no longer constrained by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 .

[0051] Subsequently, the method may include a process of deactivating device 1, during which crown 2 is manipulated from its control position back to its initial position. In this context, crown 2 is then rotated in a first direction until coupling portion 9c of drive element 8 is located opposite eccentric portions 25a, 25b of corresponding passage areas 24a, 24b of through hole 12 of collar 29. In this configuration, spring 19 arranged in crown 2 resumes its rest shape, thereby causing an axial movement of crown 2, which causes the free end of drive element 8 to be extracted from these passage areas 24a, 24b and automatically places crown 2 in its initial position.

[0052] Furthermore, it should be noted that “substantially vertical” in this specification means “strictly vertical” or “generally vertical”.

[0053] The invention has been described above by way of example only. It goes without saying that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. By way of example, it is understood that control device 1 may be configured to implement more functions than the two functions described in the present embodiment, in particular by including a collar 29 in which through hole 12 includes more than two passage areas for the free end of drive element 8 of crown 2.

[0054] Parts List :

[0055] 1. Control device

[0056] 2. Crown

[0057] 3. Support components

[0058] 4. Control unit

[0059] 5. Watch case

[0060] 6. Middleware

[0061] 7. Crown head

[0062] 8. Driving components

[0063] 9a. Fixed part

[0064] 9b. Insertable part

[0065] 9c.Connection part

[0066] 10. Ring parts

[0067] 11. Collaboration Area

[0068] 12. Through hole

[0069] 13. Connecting elements

[0070] 14. Pivoting element

[0071] 15a. Outer wall

[0072] 15b. Inner wall

[0073] 16. Shoulder on the outer surface of the driving element

[0074] 17.Through opening

[0075] 18.First elastic restoring element

[0076] 19. Spring

[0077] 20.Compression components

[0078] 21. Arbor

[0079] 22. Shoulder formed on compression component

[0080] 23a. Main part of the insertable part

[0081] 23b. Terminal portion of the insertable portion

[0082] 24a. First Pass Area

[0083] 24b. Second Pass Area

[0084] 25a. Eccentric part of the first pass area

[0085] 25b. Eccentric portion of the second pass area

[0086] 26. The central part common to the first and second passing areas

[0087] 27. The area of ​​the through opening near the pivoting element

[0088] 28. Stop elements in the collaboration area

[0089] 29. Ring

[0090] 30.Actuating element of ring

[0091] 31.Tension member

Claims

1. A watch control device (1), comprising a crown (2) movably mounted in a support part (3) of the watch control device (1), the support part (3) being intended to be fixed relative to a watch movement, the crown (2) being capable of axial displacement about its longitudinal axis (A) towards a control position, in which a rotational drive element (8) of the crown (2) is capable of cooperating with a ring (10) movably mounted in a collar (29) of a control member (4) of the watch control device (1), the ring (10) being configured such that when the crown (2) is rotated, the ring (10) actuates a mechanism of the watch movement for realizing a watch function.

2. The wristwatch control device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The collar (29) includes, on its inner peripheral wall (15b), a cooperation area (11) between the ring (10) and the rotary drive element (8), wherein the cooperation area (11) includes a stop element (28) which limits the displacement stroke of the ring (10) movably mounted in the collar (29).

3. The wristwatch control device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The rotary drive element (8) has a free end including a coupling portion (9c) for coupling to the ring (10).

4. The wristwatch control device (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The coupling portion (9c) extends substantially perpendicularly to the outer surface of the free end.

5. A wristwatch control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The collar (29) comprises a through hole (12) which connects the inner peripheral wall (15b) and the outer peripheral wall (15a) of the collar (29) to each other, and the through hole (12) has a passing area (24a, 24b) for the free end to pass through.

6. The wristwatch control device (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The passage area (24a, 24b) comprises a central portion (26) configured to allow the main portion (23a) of the free end to be arranged in the through hole (12), and an eccentric portion (25a, 25b) forming a passage allowing the coupling portion (9c) to pass through the body of the collar (29).

7. A wristwatch control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The ring (10) comprises an actuating element (30) for a pivoting element (14) of the control member (4), the pivoting element (14) being configured to actuate a mechanism for implementing a watch function.

8. A wristwatch control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control member (4) comprises a first elastic return element (18) configured to automatically return the ring (10) to a rest position.

9. The wristwatch control device (1) according to claim 8, wherein: The rotary drive element (8) is integral with the head (7) of the crown (2).

10. A watch comprising a watch control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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