Coupling device for operating system of timepiece movement

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an operating system (1) for operating a timepiece movement of a timepiece, comprising coupling means (40) configured to operate at least one function of the movement by comprising control means (2) and a support (3) intended to be stationary relative to the timepiece movement of the timepiece, the invention relates to a control device (2) comprising a support (3), and the control device (2) is movably mounted in the support (3), the control device (2) comprising a gripping element (7) that can be driven in rotational movement, a first drive element (31) comprising a first coupling end (32) and a first drive region (36), and a second drive element (8) mounted rigidly connected to the gripping element (7), the first drive region (36) comprising a second coupling end (32) and a second drive region (36), the second drive element (8) comprises a second coupling end (33) and a second drive region (37).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watch manufacturing, in particular to an operating system for operating a watch movement, the operating system comprising a connecting device. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, it is known that some watches are equipped with operating systems such as buttons, especially those with multiple complex functions, which may include a large number of functions. These buttons are of various types, including micro buttons usually embedded in the middle part of the watch.

[0003] Such micro-buttons are usually very small, which saves space, in particular in the case of these watches, and they do not protrude from the middle part, so that they cannot be actuated unintentionally.

[0004] However, one of the drawbacks of such push-buttons is that they necessarily require the use of a pointed actuation tool when performing operations to operate a watch function (such as setting the time, date, moon phase or date of the month). More specifically, such use presents a considerable risk of damaging the watch case and thus altering its aesthetics.

[0005] Under these circumstances, it is clear that there is a need to find a solution to overcome these shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an operating system for operating a watch, making it possible to operate the functions of the watch without using an actuating tool.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an operating system for operating a watch movement, said operating system comprising a coupling device provided with a first coupling end and a second coupling end and with a first drive area and a second drive area, said coupling device being configured to operate at least one function of said watch movement by comprising a control device and a support intended to be immobile relative to the watch movement, said control device being movably mounted in said support, said control device comprising:

[0008] - a gripping element which can be driven in rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the coupling device;

[0009] - a first drive element, comprising said first coupling end and said first drive region;

[0010] a second drive element mounted rigidly connected to the gripping element, comprising the second coupling end and the second drive region, the second drive region being engageable with the first drive region in order to drive the first drive element so as to cause it to rotate;

[0011] The first and second drive elements are configured to transmit the rotational movement to a functional component of the timepiece movement when the gripping element is arranged in an axial position to operate the function.

[0012] In other embodiments:

[0013] - the body of the first drive element is arranged within the hollow body of the second drive element;

[0014] - a portion of the body of the first drive element provided with the first coupling end protrudes from an opening formed in the second coupling end of the hollow body of the second drive element;

[0015] - the first drive element and the second drive element are coaxial;

[0016] - said first coupling end of said first drive element is configured to be arranged in said timepiece movement when said gripping element is in any axial position thereof;

[0017] - said second coupling end of said second drive element is configured to be arranged outside said timepiece movement when said gripping element is in any axial position thereof;

[0018] a first coupling end configured to transmit the rotational movement to an actuating member of a manual winding mechanism of the operating system capable of storing mechanical energy when the gripping element is arranged in a first axial position in which the first drive area is engaged with the second drive area for operating a first function of the watch;

[0019] a first coupling end configured to transmit the rotational movement to a hand-setting member of the operating system when the gripping element is arranged in a second axial position in which the first drive area engages with the second drive area for operating a second function of the watch;

[0020] - the second coupling end is configured to transmit the rotational movement to an operating member of the operating system when the gripping element is arranged in a third axial position in which the first drive area (36) is separated from the second drive area for operating the third and fourth functions of the watch;

[0021] - the first drive element is axially translatable and rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the second drive element;

[0022] The first driving region is formed on an outer surface of the first driving element, and the second driving region is formed on an inner surface of the second driving element;

[0023] - the first drive region and the second drive region are arranged opposite each other in the coupling device;

[0024] The first drive region and the second drive region are configured to cooperate with each other in frictional contact in order to transmit a rotational movement of the gripping element via the second drive element to the first drive element.

[0025] The invention also relates to a table comprising such an operating system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of a non-limiting specific embodiment of the invention given for illustrative purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - Figures 1 to 3 shows different views of an operating system for operating a timepiece movement according to one embodiment of the invention, the operating system comprising a coupling device provided with two coupling ends and two drive areas capable of participating in the operation / control / management of the functions of the timepiece movement;

[0028] - Figure 4 A view showing a coupling device according to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprising a control device comprising a first drive element and a second drive element, the second drive element being mounted rigidly connected to a gripping element of the control device, the gripping element being in a first axial position to control a first function of a watch;

[0029] - Figure 5 A view showing a coupling device according to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprising a control device comprising a first drive element and a second drive element, the second drive element being mounted rigidly connected to a gripping element of the control device, the gripping element being in a second axial position for controlling a second function of the watch;

[0030] - Figure 6 A view showing a coupling device according to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprising a control device comprising a first drive element and a second drive element, the second drive element being mounted rigidly connected to a gripping element of the control device, the gripping element being in a third axial position for controlling a third function of the watch;

[0031] - Figure 7A view showing a coupling device according to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprising a control device comprising a first drive element and a second drive element, the second drive element being mounted rigidly connected to a gripping element of the control device, the gripping element being in a third axial position for controlling a fourth function of the watch;

[0032] - Figure 8a and Figure 8b A view showing a portion of the peripheral wall of a collar of an operating member of an operating system according to an embodiment of the present invention, said portion comprising a through hole having at least one through area for the passage of a second coupling end of a second drive element of a control device for operating a third function and a fourth function of a watch;

[0033] - Fig. 9 A view showing a portion of the peripheral wall of the collar according to an embodiment of the invention in which the free end of the rotary drive element is inserted into the corresponding passage area of ​​the through hole to operate the third function and the fourth function of the watch;

[0034] - Fig.10 A view showing a control device including a gripping element according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gripping element being placed in a third axial control position after the gripping element has been rotated to operate a third function; and

[0035] - Fig.11 A view showing a control device comprising a gripping element according to an embodiment of the invention, the gripping element being placed in a third axial control position after the gripping element has been rotated to operate a fourth function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] refer to Figures 1 to 11 The present invention relates to a watch, also called a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, comprising an operating system 1 for operating a timepiece movement of the watch, the operating system 1 comprising a coupling device 40 provided with a first coupling end 32 and a second coupling end 33 and a first drive area 36 and a second drive area 37. The coupling device 40 is configured to operate at least one function of the movement. For a better understanding of the invention, the embodiments described herein relate to an operating system 1 configured to perform four functions in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, namely: a first function, a second function, a third function and a fourth function.

[0037] In conventional manner, this watch comprises a case 5 formed by a middle part 6, preferably circular, defining a central internal housing cavity for receiving a timepiece movement, the external contour of which matches the internal shape of a collar 29. The watch may be equipped with screws or clamps to fix the movement in this collar 29 and to fix collar 29 in middle part 6 of case 5.

[0038] This watch movement can be a mechanical movement or a quartz movement. As shown above, the movement is configured to perform at least one watch function, in the present embodiment, four watch functions. These functions are controlled by a coupling device 40 for the purpose of adjusting, correcting or actuating the mechanism of the movement or its functional components. It should be noted that these functions are preferably operated independently of each other by actuating the gripping element 7 of the control device 2 included in the coupling device 40. In this context, the coupling device 40 can be considered as a device that allows it to participate in controlling or managing the mechanism of the movement or its functional components to perform the watch function.

[0039] It is understood that the movement is adapted to perform functions, in particular by means of separate movement mechanisms and / or separate movement functional components, which can be kinematically coupled together. For example, each mechanism or component can actually lead to a separate display on the watch, for example, the current time on the one hand and the date or the moon phase on the other hand. The mechanism or component may also include a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy. The movement and its functions are operated and / or controlled by an operating system, in particular by the coupling device 40.

[0040] To this end, the operating system 1 therefore comprises a coupling device 40 and functional components allowing one or more functions of the watch to be operated. These functional components include, for example, an actuating member for actuating a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy, a hand setting member or an operating member 4, the operation of which will be described in more detail below.

[0041] In this configuration, coupling device 40 comprises support 3 and control device 2 , which may be, for example, a push-button or a crown with a rotating head or a crown with a push-button, a winding push-button or any crown allowing the operation of a timepiece movement.

[0042] In this coupling device 40, the support 3 (which may also be called "support and guide") is preferably a tube provided with a through opening configured to provide a sliding guide. This tube is intended to be fixedly engaged in a through hole extending radially in the middle part 6 of the watch. Therefore, in this configuration, the support 3 is arranged immobile relative to the timepiece movement.

[0043] Control device 2 is movably mounted in this through opening of support 3. This control device 2 is intended to be engaged in middle part 6 of case 5 of the watch by means of this support 3. This control device 2 comprises:

[0044] - gripping element 7;

[0045] a first rotary drive element 31 comprising a first coupling end 32 of the coupling device 40 and a first drive region 36;

[0046] a second rotary drive element 8 formed by a hollow body consisting of a tubular extension rigidly connected to the gripping element 7 , the second rotary drive element 8 comprising a second coupling end 33 of a coupling device 40 and a second drive zone 37 .

[0047] In this control device 2 , the second drive element 8 is basically arranged in the support 3 and is also configured to move, or even slide, in an opening provided in the support 3 .

[0048] The hollow body of the second drive element 8 comprises three parts, namely: a fastening portion 9a connected to the gripping element 7, an insertable portion 9b which can be inserted into the through hole 12, and a coupling portion 9c configured to cooperate with the operating member 4 so as to participate in the third function or the fourth function of the operating table. It should be noted that the coupling portion 9c is included in the second coupling end 33 of the second drive element 8 of the coupling device 40. In the body of the second drive element 8, the insertable portion 9b is arranged successively with the fastening portion 9a. The two parts 9a, 9b are also connected to each other by a shoulder 16 formed on the outer surface of the body of the second drive element 8, as shown in FIG. Figures 4 to 7 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.

[0049] In this second drive element 8, the coupling portion 9c extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the insertable portion 9b. More specifically, the coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the region of the outer surface contained in the terminal portion 23b of the insertable portion 9b. In other words, the coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the control device 2. The longitudinal axis A is also the central axis of the coupling device 40 and therefore also the central axis of the control device 2 and the support 3.

[0050] Thus, the insertable portion 9b and the coupling portion 9c together form the second coupling end 33 of the second drive element 8. In other words, the second coupling end 33 is thus formed by the main portion 23a, the terminal portion 23b and the coupling portion 9c. In this context, the coupling portion 9c thus extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the second coupling end 33.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be noted that the fastening portion 9a of the second drive element 8 can be pressed into the gripping element 7 or formed integrally with the gripping element 7. In this configuration, it should be understood that the second drive element 8 is axially translated or rotated under the push / actuation of the gripping element 7. As described above, the second drive element 8 is included in Figures 4 to 7A shoulder is referenced 16 in the figure, which connects the fastening part 9a and the insertable part 9b together. Such a shoulder 16 preferably has a flat surface. It should be noted that this surface is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the second drive element 8 includes a second drive region 37 formed in its inner surface. More specifically, the second drive region 37 is formed in a portion of the inner surface located in the fastening portion 9a of the second drive element 8. The second drive region 37 includes a contact surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0053] In this control device 2, the first drive element 31 comprises a first coupling end 32 of a coupling device 40, which is mounted rigidly connected to the gripping element 7. The first coupling end 32 is one end of a rod 21 which the first drive element 31 comprises.

[0054] The first drive element 31 also comprises a spring 19, which is freely mounted in a cylindrical housing defined in the hollow body of the second drive element 8, in particular in a fastening portion 9a of a gripping element 7 fastened to the control device 2. The first drive element 31 also comprises a compression member 20 for compressing the spring 19, which is supported on a rod 21. The compression member 20 comprises a shoulder 22 forming a bearing area for a first end of the spring 19, the shoulder 22 being positioned facing the gripping element 7, which in turn forms another bearing area capable of cooperating with the second end of the spring 19. It should be noted that the shoulder 22 is positioned facing the inner surface of the gripping element 7, which forms another bearing area capable of cooperating with the second end of the spring 19.

[0055] In this configuration, the first drive element 31 is partially arranged in the hollow body of the second drive element 8. More specifically, in this configuration, a portion of the body of the first drive element 31 provided with the first coupling end 32 protrudes from an opening 34 formed in the second coupling end 33 of the hollow body of the second drive element 8.

[0056] Furthermore, as described above, the first drive element 31 comprises a first drive region 36 formed in an outer surface thereof. The first drive region 36 comprises a contact surface which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0057] It should be noted that the first drive region 36 and the second drive region 37, in particular their contact surfaces, are arranged facing each other in the coupling device 40. In addition, the first drive region 36 and the second drive region 37, in particular their contact surfaces, are configured to cooperate with each other in a frictional contact manner so as to transmit the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to the first drive element 31 via the second drive element 8.

[0058] In the coupling device 40, the first drive element 31 and the second drive element 33 are coaxial. In other words, the first drive element 31 and the second drive element 8 and the first coupling end 32 and the second coupling end 33 have the same central axis, ie, the longitudinal axis A.

[0059] In this context, the first coupling end 32 is configured to be arranged in the movement of the watch when the grip element 7 is in any axial position that it can occupy, while the second coupling end 33 is configured to be arranged outside the movement of the watch when the grip element 7 is in any axial position that it can occupy. Finally, it should be noted that the first drive element 31 is axially translatable relative to the second drive element 8 and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A. Similarly, the first coupling end 32 is axially translatable relative to the second coupling end 33 and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A.

[0060] In the coupling device 40, the first coupling end 32 is particularly configured as follows:

[0061] - The rotational movement of the gripping element 7 applied to the control device 2 is communicated / transmitted by:

[0062] to communicate / transmit to the actuating member of the manual-winding mechanism a rotational movement applied to grip element 7 of control device 2 when said grip element 7 is arranged in a first axial position for operating a first function of the watch, in which first axial position first drive area 36 and second drive area 37 are engaged together so as to participate in the transmission of this rotational movement; or

[0063] a rotational movement of gripping element 7 applied to control device 2 is communicated / transmitted to the hand-setting member when said gripping element 7 is arranged in a second axial position for operating a second function of the watch, in which second axial position the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are engaged together so as to participate in the transmission of this rotational movement;

[0064] Improved cooperation between the coupling portion 9 c and the coupling element 13 , in order to ensure optimal displacement of the ring 10 in the bearing region of the collar 29 .

[0065] In these cases, the first coupling end 32 may be referred to as the winding and / or hand setting end of the watch.

[0066] The second coupling end 33 of the first drive element 31 is in particular configured to transmit the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to the operating member 4 of the operating system 1 when the gripping element 7 is arranged in a third axial position for operating the third or fourth function of the watch. In this third axial position of the gripping element 7, the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are separated. In other words, in this configuration, when the gripping element 7 is rotationally actuated, only the second drive element 8 performs this rotational movement, since the second drive element 8 is mounted in rigid connection with the gripping element 7, while the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are separated from each other, i.e. do not contact each other.

[0067] As described above, operating system 1 is able to perform various functions of the movement depending on the different axial positions of gripping element 7 relative to the movement or to outer surface 35 of middle part 6 of the watch and also on the direction of rotation of gripping element 7 in the selected axial position.

[0068] More specifically, the control device 2 including the gripping element 7 is mounted so as to be movable in the support 3, i.e. to be rotationally actuated and to be pulled away from or pushed towards the support 3 along its longitudinal axis A. In these cases, the gripping element 7 is configured to be axially displaced relative to its longitudinal axis A between first, second and third axial control positions in order to respectively perform a first function, a second function, a third function and a fourth function of the watch.

[0069] More specifically, when the gripping element 7 is placed in the first control position to operate the first function of the watch, the first coupling end 32 is then mechanically connected to the actuating member, and the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are engaged together. In this configuration, the first coupling end 32 then transmits the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to the actuating member, since the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 cooperate with each other.

[0070] This first control position may also be referred to as the winding position. It should be noted that this first control position may also be referred to as the neutral axial position or the initial axial position, as it may be the default or rest or initial position of the gripping element 7 or the control device 2 .

[0071] In this case, the first control position is preferably located between the second and third axial control positions. In other words:

[0072] - to place grip element 7 in the second control position, thereby displacing grip element 7 and therefore control device 2 axially starting from the first control position along longitudinal axis A of this first control position in a direction opposite to that directed towards outer surface 35 of movement or watch middle part 6, i.e. in a direction that moves grip element 7 away from outer surface 35 of movement or watch middle part 6, and during this axial displacement, first actuation area 36 and second actuation area 37 remain engaged together;

[0073] - In order to place the gripping element 7 in the third control position, the gripping element 7 and therefore the control device 2 are axially displaced starting from the first control position along the longitudinal axis A of the first control position in the direction of the outer surface 35 of the movement or middle part 6 of the watch, and during this axial displacement, the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are thus separated from each other.

[0074] When the gripping element 7 is placed in the second control position to operate the second function of the watch, the first coupling end 32 is then mechanically connected to the pointer setting member, and the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are engaged together. In this configuration, the first coupling end 32 then transmits the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to the pointer setting member because the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 cooperate with each other.

[0075] Finally, when the gripping element 7 and therefore the control device 2 are placed in the third control position, a mechanical link is then established between the second coupling end 33 and the ring 10 of the operating member 4 to transmit the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to said ring 10 to perform the third or fourth function of the watch. In this configuration, the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are separated, that is, they are no longer in contact, so that the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 is not transmitted to the first drive element 31.

[0076] The operating member 4 is preferably configured to be connected to a watch movement, particularly when the mechanism of the movement is actuated to perform the third or fourth function of the watch. To this end, the operating member 4 comprises a collar 29, a ring 10, at least one first elastic reset element 18 and at least one movable actuating element 30.

[0077] In the operating member 4, the collar 29 (also referred to as an encapsulation ring) may have various shapes as long as it surrounds the watch movement and is placed inside the middle part 6 of the case 5. In the present embodiment, the collar 29 is preferably substantially circular. The collar 29 includes an upper surface and a lower surface and an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall connecting the two surfaces together.

[0078] In this configuration, the upper surface of the collar 29 includes a bearing area for accommodating or receiving the ring 10 as part of its arrangement in the collar 29. The bearing area includes a flat surface, the side edges of which are raised in whole or in part over the entire length of the bearing area to ensure that the ring 10 is retained on the surface and guided, particularly when the ring 10 is displaced. The surface of the bearing area also includes an open shell cavity, which is configured to receive each first elastic reset element 18 of the operating member 4. In this configuration, the first elastic reset element 18 (which may be a coil spring) is therefore arranged below the ring 10. As will be seen below, the first elastic reset element 18 is used to automatically return the ring 10 to its rest position after the ring 10 is biased to operate the third or fourth function of the watch.

[0079] The collar 29 of the operating member 4 also comprises a through hole 12, which connects its outer peripheral wall 15a and inner peripheral wall 15b to each other. The through hole 12 has a central axis B, which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the coupling device 40. In this configuration, the geometry of the through hole 12 and its position in the collar 29 are defined so that the second coupling end 33 can pass therethrough. The through hole 12 comprises through areas 24a, 24b for the passage of the second coupling end 33 so as to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch.

[0080] refer to Figures 8a to 11 , the through hole 12 comprises a first through area 24a and a second through area 24b, which are respectively configured for operating the third and fourth functions of the watch. In other words, the two through areas 24a, 24b make it possible to structurally configure such a through hole 12 to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch. In this context, each through area 24a, 24b comprises a central portion 26 configured for arranging the main portion 23a of the insertable portion 9b and therefore the second coupling end 33 in the through hole 12, and an eccentric portion 25a, 25b configured for the passage of the coupling portion 9c in the through hole 12. The eccentric portions 25a, 25b form a passage that allows the coupling portion 9c to pass through the body of the collar 29 until the cooperation area 11 defined in the inner peripheral wall 15b, which will be discussed below. 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 through 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 substantially shorter than the length of the main portion 23a of the insertable portion 9b. A distance "substantially shorter than" is to be understood as a distance "strictly shorter than" or "significantly shorter than" the length of the main portion 23a.

[0081] The collar 29 also comprises a through opening 17, which forms a housing for receiving at least one pivoting element 14 (e.g. a lever), which can be actuated by the ring 10 in order to interact with the mechanism of the movement performing the third or fourth function. The collar 29 comprises a second elastic reset element and a retaining element, which are arranged in the housing and are intended to cooperate with the pivoting element 14 in order to place it in an initial rest position in particular. Thus, the pivoting element 14 alternates between an initial position and an actuating position in which a portion of the pivoting element 14 extends from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 in order to interact with the mechanism performing the third or fourth function to be operated. The arrangement of the pivoting element 14 in the actuating 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 actuating position to the initial position under the action of the second elastic return element, which causes the pivoting element 14 to move in the direction opposite to the direction that brought it to its actuating position until it abuts against the retaining element.

[0082] As mentioned above, the collar 29 includes a cooperation area 11 for cooperation between the second coupling end 33 and the operating member 4. More specifically, the cooperation area 11 is where the coupling portion 9c of the second coupling end 33 cooperates with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 to cause the ring 10 to move in the collar 29. The cooperation area 11 is included on the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29. Specifically, the cooperation area 11 includes a portion of the inner peripheral wall 15b to which the through hole 12 leads. In this configuration, the cooperation area 11 includes a stop element 28, which can cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10, thereby limiting the travel of the ring 10 that can move in the collar 29.

[0083] In the operating device 1, the ring 10 is also called a "movable ring" and has a shape configured to ensure its arrangement and movement in the support area of ​​the collar 29. In the present embodiment, the ring 10 has a substantially circular shape. The ring 10 includes an upper surface and a lower surface and an inner side and an outer side.

[0084] 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 elements and connecting elements as there are functions to be operated. In the present embodiment, the ring 10 comprises two actuating elements 30, a single coupling element 13 and two connecting elements, the two connecting elements being able to cooperate with two different first elastic return elements 18, such as Figures 1 to 3 as shown, in order to operate or control the third and fourth functions.

[0085] In the operating member 4, the actuating element 30 of the pivoting element 14 is on the outer side of the ring 10. The actuating element 30 is configured to extend toward the region 27 of the housing cavity that receives the pivoting element 14, and the region is located near the pivoting element 14 to be actuated. In other words, the actuating element 30 extends approximately vertically toward the region 27 and relative to the pivoting element 14. It is understood that the position of the actuating element 30 in the region 27 of the housing cavity allows the actuating element 30 to be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pivoting element 14. This arrangement allows the pivoting element 14 to be actuated by the actuating element 30 so that it moves from its initial position to its actuating position. The actuating element 30 extending from the outer side of the ring 10 has a shape roughly similar to the letter "L", formed by a first portion roughly perpendicular to the face and a second portion roughly parallel to the same face, and these portions are roughly perpendicular to each other.

[0086] The ring 10 also comprises a connection element for connecting to the first elastic return element 18, which is arranged in a housing in the bearing area of ​​the collar 29. The connection element is on the lower surface of the ring 10. The connection element extends from the lower surface substantially vertically towards the bottom of the corresponding housing comprising the first elastic return element.

[0087] In other words, the connecting element is partially arranged in the housing of the supporting area between the first end of the first elastic reset element 18 and the wall of the housing. The connecting element has a shape configured to apply or exert stress on the first end in contact with it, and the second end of the first elastic reset element can be against or supported by the supporting wall of the housing arranged opposite to the connecting element. It can be understood that in this configuration, the connecting element partially located in the housing can therefore move within the space of the housing to compress the first elastic reset element when the ring 10 moves.

[0088] refer to Figure 2 , 9 10, the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 is on the inner side of the ring 10. The coupling element 13 is preferably made integrally with the main body of the ring 10, and a substantially polygonal convex portion is formed on the inner side. This shape is particularly suitable for achieving the best connection with the coupling portion 9c of the second coupling end 33.

[0089] As mentioned above, the control device 2 also comprises a first drive element 31 configured to improve the cooperation between the second coupling end 33 including the coupling portion 9c and the coupling element 13 so as to ensure an optimal displacement of the ring 10 in the bearing area of ​​the collar 29. More specifically, this first drive element 31 helps to ensure that the contact established between the coupling portion 9c of the second coupling end 33 and the inner side of the ring 10 and therefore the surface of the cooperation area 11 is maintained in order to guarantee the connection between this coupling portion 9c and the coupling element 13 required for the displacement of the ring 10 in the collar 29.

[0090] In this embodiment, it should be understood that the operating system 1 makes it possible to execute a method of operating a watch movement, in particular a method of operating at least one function of the watch (for example the first, second, third or fourth function mentioned above).

[0091] For this reason, the method provides the process of actuating the coupling device 40 to operate the first, second, third or fourth function of the watch. In the process, the first coupling end 32 or the second coupling end 33 is mechanically connected to the functional component corresponding to the function to be operated, which is achieved by manipulating the gripping element 7 to be placed in an axial control position that allows mechanical connection with the functional component, i.e.:

[0092] - placed in a first axial control position, in which first drive area 36 is engaged with second drive area 37 to participate in the transmission of the rotational movement from grip element 7 to first drive element 31, so as to establish a mechanical connection between first coupling end 32 and an actuating member of the manual winding mechanism in order to perform a first function;

[0093] - placed in a second axial control position, in which the first drive area 36 is engaged with the second drive area 37, in order to participate in the transmission of the rotational movement from the gripping element 7 to the first drive element 31, so as to establish a mechanical connection between the first coupling end 33 and the pointer-setting member, in order to perform the second function;

[0094] - placed in a third axial control position to establish a mechanical connection between the second coupling end 33 and the operating member 4 to perform a third or fourth function, in which third axial control position the first drive area 36 and the second drive area 37 are separated from each other to prevent / prohibit / deactivate the transmission of rotational movement from the gripping element 7 to the first drive element 31.

[0095] By manipulating grip element 7 and therefore control device 2, it is possible to move from one control position to another in order to select a functional member for performing one of the functions of the watch. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, grip element 7 is initially placed in a first axial control position corresponding to the position in which first coupling end 32 is mechanically connected to the actuating member of the winding mechanism to perform a first function.

[0096] As described above, when gripping element 7 is manipulated so as to be in the first and second control positions, first coupling end 32 is then mechanically connected to the actuating member and the hand-setting member of the manual winding mechanism, respectively.

[0097] It should be noted that when grip element 7 is placed in the first control position and the manual winding function performed during the rotational movement of grip element 7 in this position is completed, the method may then include a process of deactivating coupling device 40, during which grip element 7 remains placed in the first control position. When grip element 7 is placed in the second control position and the hand setting function performed during the rotational movement of grip element 7 in this position is completed, the method may then include a process of deactivating coupling device 40. In this process, grip element 7 is pushed axially towards outer surface 35 of movement or middle part 6, moving from the second control position to the first control position.

[0098] Furthermore, when the gripping element 7 is manipulated so as to be arranged in the third control position, the second coupling end 33 is mechanically connected to the operating member 4 by moving from the first control position to the third control position, the third control position being the position in which the gripping element 7 is arranged closest to the outer surface 35 of the middle part 6. During this manipulation, the gripping element 7 is axially displaced from this first control position towards the through hole 12 by compressing the spring 19 arranged between the gripping element 7 and the compression piece 20 comprised by the control device 2. When the second coupling end 33 is located near or in contact with the peripheral wall 15a of the collar 29 of the operating member 4, the gripping element 7 is then rotated to insert the second coupling end 33 provided with the coupling portion 9c into the through areas 24a, 24b of the through hole 12, depending on which of the third or fourth functions is to be operated. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the through hole 12 can include two through areas 24a, 24b for operating the third and fourth functions of the watch. In this context, the gripping element 7 is thus rotated in a first direction to select the passage zone 24a, 24b associated with the function to be operated and to insert the second coupling end 33 therein until the shoulder 16 connecting the fastening portion 9a and the insertable portion 9b of the second drive element 8 abuts against the peripheral wall 15a of the collar 29. Once this shoulder 16 abuts against the peripheral wall 15a, the gripping element 7 is then manipulated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to be placed in a third control position in order to cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. In this last configuration, the gripping element 7 is in the third control position and the second coupling end 33 can then cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 via the coupling portion 9c. It should be noted that in this third control position, the coupling portion 9c is kept in abutment against the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 under the action of the spring 19, which exerts an elastic return force on the gripping element 7. It should be noted that the third control position is a position where the second coupling end 33 engages in the through hole 12 and / or cooperates with or is coupled to the ring 10. In other words, the third control position is a position where the main portion 23a of the insertable portion 9b is arranged in the through hole 12.

[0099] Subsequently, the gripping element 7 is manipulated in the second rotational direction, resulting in a displacement of the ring 10 in the bearing region of the collar 29, due to the cooperation between the coupling portion 9c of the second coupling end 33 and the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. This displacement continues until the coupling element 13 comes into contact with the corresponding stop element 28 of the cooperation region 11. This displacement of the ring 10 causes the first elastic return element 18, which is arranged in a housing defined in the bearing region below the ring 10, to be stressed by means of its connecting element. During this displacement, the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 actuates the corresponding pivoting element 14, causing the position of this pivoting element 14 to change and move to the actuated position, in which a part of this pivoting 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 perform the operated function. Subsequently, once the manipulation of the gripping element 7 has been completed, the ring 10 is automatically placed in its rest position under the action of the first elastic return element 18, which then resumes its rest shape. Placing the ring 10 in its rest position automatically places the pivoting element 14 in its initial position, since it is no longer stressed by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10.

[0100] Subsequently, the method may comprise a process of deactivating the coupling device 40, during which the gripping element 7 is manipulated to move from the third control position to the first control position. In this context, the gripping element 7 is thus rotated in the first direction until the coupling portion 9c of the second coupling end 33 is positioned facing the eccentric portion 25a, 25b of the corresponding through-region 24a, 24b of the through-hole 12 in the collar 29. In this configuration, the spring 19 arranged in the first drive element 31 returns to its rest shape, thereby causing an axial displacement of the gripping element 7, which causes the second coupling end 33 to be withdrawn from the through-region 24a, 24b and automatically places the gripping element 7 in the first control position.

[0101] It should also be noted that, in the present specification, “substantially vertical” or “substantially vertically” should be understood as “strictly vertical” or “apparently vertical”.

[0102] The invention has been described above by way of example only. It goes without saying that modifications may be made while still remaining within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, it will be appreciated that the operating system 1 may be configured to perform more than the four functions described herein in this embodiment, in particular by including a collar 29 whose through hole 12 includes more than two areas for the passage of the second coupling end 33.

[0103] Technical terms

[0104] 1. Operating System

[0105] 2. Control device

[0106] 3. Support

[0107] 4. Operation components

[0108] 5. Watch case

[0109] 6. Middle parts

[0110] 7. Grip element of the coupling device

[0111] 8. Second drive element

[0112] 9a. Fastening part

[0113] 9b. Insertable part

[0114] 9c.Connection part

[0115] 10. Ring parts

[0116] 11. Collaboration Area

[0117] 12. Through hole

[0118] 13. Connecting elements of ring parts

[0119] 14. Pivoting element of the operating member

[0120] 15a. Outer wall of the collar

[0121] 15b. The inner peripheral wall of the collar 16. The shoulder on the outer surface of the second drive element 17. The through opening

[0122] 18.First elastic restoring element

[0123] 19. Spring

[0124] 20.Compression parts

[0125] 21. Rod

[0126] 22. Compression Shoulder

[0127] 23a. Main part of the insertable part

[0128] 23b. Terminal portion of the insertable portion

[0129] 24a. First Pass Area

[0130] 24b. Second Pass Area

[0131] 25a. Eccentric part of the first pass area

[0132] 25b. Eccentric portion of the second pass area

[0133] 26. The central part common to the first passing area and the second passing area

[0134] 27. The area of ​​the through opening arranged near the pivot element

[0135] 28. Stop element in the collaboration area

[0136] 29. Ring

[0137] 30.Actuating element of ring

[0138] 31.First driving element

[0139] 32.First connection end

[0140] 33. Second connection end

[0141] 34. Opening in the hollow body of the second drive element

[0142] 35. The outer surface of the middle part of the watch

[0143] 36. First driving region of the first driving element

[0144] 37. Second driving region of the second driving element

[0145] 40.Connection device

Claims

1. An operating system (1) for operating a watch movement, the operating system (1) comprising a coupling device (40), the coupling device (40) being provided with a first coupling end (32) and a second coupling end (33) and a first drive area (36) and a second drive area (37), the coupling device (40) being configured to operate at least one function of the watch movement by comprising a control device (2) and a support (3), the support (3) being intended to be fixed relative to the watch movement, the control device (2) being movably mounted in the support (3), the control device (2) comprising: - a gripping element (7) which can be driven in rotational motion about the longitudinal axis (A) of the coupling device (40); - a first drive element (31), comprising the first coupling end (32) and the first drive region (36); a second drive element (8) mounted rigidly connected to the gripping element (7), the second drive element (8) comprising the second coupling end (33) and the second drive region (37) capable of engaging with the first drive region (36) in order to drive the first drive element (31) so as to cause the first drive element (31) to rotate; The first drive element (31) and the second drive element (8) are configured to transmit the rotational movement to a functional component of the timepiece movement when the grip element (7) is arranged in an axial position to operate the function.

2. The operating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The body of the first drive element (31) is arranged within the hollow body of the second drive element (8).

3. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A portion of the body of the first drive element (31) provided with the first coupling end (32) protrudes from an opening (34) formed in the second coupling end (33) of the hollow body of the second drive element (8).

4. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first drive element (31) and the second drive element (8) are coaxial.

5. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first coupling end (32) of the first drive element (31) is configured to be arranged in the timepiece movement when the gripping element (7) is in any axial position thereof.

6. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The second coupling end (33) of the second drive element (8) is configured to be arranged outside the timepiece movement when the gripping element (7) is in any axial position thereof.

7. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first connection end (32) is configured as: - the first coupling end (32) transmits the rotational movement to an actuating member of a manual winding mechanism of the operating system (1) capable of storing mechanical energy when the gripping element (7) is arranged in a first axial position for operating a first function of the watch, in which first axial position the first drive area (36) is engaged with the second drive area (37); - When the gripping element (7) is arranged in a second axial position for operating a second function of the watch, the first coupling end (32) transmits the rotational movement to a pointer-setting member of the operating system (1), in which second axial position the first drive area (36) engages with the second drive area (37).

8. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The second coupling end (33) is configured such that when the gripping element (7) is arranged in a third axial position to operate the third function and the fourth function of the watch, the second coupling end (33) transmits the rotational movement to the operating member (4) of the operating system, in which the first drive area (36) and the second drive area (37) are separated from each other.

9. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first drive element (31) is axially translatable and rotatable relative to the second drive element (8) about the longitudinal axis (A).

10. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first driving region (36) is formed on an outer surface of the first driving element (31), and the second driving region (37) is formed on an inner surface of the second driving element (8).

11. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first drive region (36) and the second drive region (37) are arranged opposite each other in the coupling device (40).

12. An operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first drive region (36) and the second drive region (37) are configured to cooperate with each other in a frictional contact manner in order to transmit the rotational movement of the gripping element (7) via the second drive element (8) to the first drive element (31).

13. A table, characterized in that The table comprises an operating system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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