Watch

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a timepiece movement (11), the timepiece movement (11) comprising a geophase display device, the watch (10) being characterized in that the geophase display device (12) comprises a display element (120) comprising two diametrically opposite earth representations (121) on both sides of the axis of rotation of said display element (120), the display element (120) being arranged to face a hole (130) formed in the dial (13), the shape of the hole (130) is such that when the display (120) is rotated, the dial can shield one of the earth illustrations (121); the earth phase display device (12) includes a shield (122) which is rotatably driven by a drive mechanism (14) and is interposed between a display (120) and a dial (13), the display (120) and the shield (122) being driven at different rotational speeds.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clocks and watches, and more particularly to a device for displaying time values ​​on clocks and watches.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a geodetic display device for a watch movement in a wristwatch. This geodetic display device is capable of indicating the portion of the Earth visible from the Moon, and in particular, of indicating the geodetic features as seen by an observer from the Moon. Background Technology

[0003] In the world of watchmaking, especially in the area of ​​complications, it may be necessary to offer some unexpected or commemorative displays to make the watch's aesthetic appearance exceptionally unique and eye-catching. Visual animation is one of the many solutions offered.

[0004] Moon phase displays are quite common in the watchmaking industry, as are terrestrial phase displays, which are, in other words, displays showing the portion of the Earth visible from the Moon.

[0005] Moon phase or terrestrial phase displays significantly increase the complexity of the watch movements that integrate them.

[0006] This invention satisfies the need to display attractive landforms. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to enable both the Earth's surface as seen by an observer orbiting the Moon and the portion of the Earth's surface visible to the observer simultaneously in a single dial aperture.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a dial and a watch movement, the watch movement including a geodetic display device. The geodetic display device includes a display element that displays two diametrically opposed globe images on either side of its axis of rotation. The display element is arranged to face a hole formed in the dial, the shape of which allows the dial to obscure one of the globe images when the display element rotates. The geodetic display device also includes a shielding element, which is driven to rotate by a drive mechanism and inserted between the display element and the dial, the display element and the shielding element being driven at different rotational speeds. Preferably, the drive speed of the shielding element is higher than the drive speed of the display element.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the invention may also include one or more of the following features, which may be used individually or in any technically feasible combination.

[0010] In a particular embodiment, the rotation axis of the display element and the rotation axis of the shielding element are coincident.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the shielding element has an opaque area, a portion of which is surrounded by two arc-shaped lobes arranged symmetrically about its diameter. The opaque area is designed to partially or completely cover and thus obscure the Earth illustration when the shielding element is rotated.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the shielding member has a transparent area, and the transparent and opaque areas are arranged to be diametrically opposite each other, such that when the shielding member is in a first angular position, most or all of the transparent areas are arranged to face the hole, while when the shielding member is in a second angular position, the opaque areas face the entire hole, and in the second angular position, the shielding member is oriented 180 degrees relative to the first angular position.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, a shielding element is mounted to a pivot on a drive mechanism via a shielding element tube so as to rotate with the pivot. The drive mechanism includes a drive wheel and is driven by a drive mechanism via the drive wheel. A display element is mounted to the pivot in a rotatable manner relative to the pivot via a display element tube, which includes a display element tube wheel and is connected to a pinion on the drive mechanism via an intermediate wheel.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the shielding element and the display element are driven to rotate by the same drive mechanism, which is formed by an electric motor designed to be powered by energy from a power source.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the shielding element and the display element are driven to move by the same drive mechanism, which is formed by a spring barrel kinematically connected to the speed regulating mechanism.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the shielding element and the display element are capable of movement driven by two independent electric motors, which are designed to be powered by energy from a shared or independent power source. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 A front view of a watch including a geodetic display device according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of certain parts of the watch, and an enlarged view of the geodetic display device;

[0020] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the watch along axis AA.

[0021] It should be noted that these figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention relates to a watch 10, which includes a watch movement 11 and a time display device 12.

[0023] Watch 10 has a dial 13 with a hole 130 through which the ground can be seen, such as... Figure 1 The front view is shown in the image.

[0024] The geodetic display device 12 includes a display element 120 that displays two diameter-opposing globe diagrams 121 located on either side of the axis of rotation of the display element 120. More specifically, the display element 120 is arranged to rotate relative to the dial 13 and face the aperture 130. Advantageously, each globe diagram 121 can represent a complementary hemisphere of the Earth, such as the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the display 120 is in the form of a disc, and the hole 130 is substantially semi-circular, such that the dial 13 constitutes a shield, and when the display 120 is rotated, a portion of the display 120 is hidden behind the shield.

[0026] The geodetic display device 12 also includes a shielding member 122, which is inserted between the display member 120 and the dial 13 and arranged to be rotatable relative to the display member 120 and the dial 13, so as to alternately hide and reveal one of the globe diagrams 121. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the rotation axis of the display component 120 is coaxial with the rotation axis of the shielding component 122.

[0027] Preferably, the globe illustration 121 is generated on a substrate and has the same appearance as the masking element 122. For example, the substrate and the masking element 122 have the same monochrome color.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the shielding member 122 includes an opaque region 1220, a portion of which has two arc-shaped convex edges forming around its periphery. These two convex edges are symmetrical about their diameter. Figure 1 As shown, the opaque area 1220 is designed to partially or completely cover and thus obscure the Earth when the shielding member 122 rotates. (Figure 121)

[0029] Furthermore, the shielding member 122 also includes a transparent area 1221, which is formed, for example, by a through-hole or a transparent material, and the display member 120 is designed to be visible through this transparent area 1221 when the shielding member 122 is rotated. Figure 2 As shown in the magnified view, the peripheral portion of the convex edge of the opaque region 1220 is adjacent to the transparent region 1221.

[0030] The transparent area 1221 and the opaque area 1220 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other, such that when the shielding member 122 is in the first angular position, most or all of the transparent area 1221 faces the hole 130, while when the shielding member 122 is in the second angular position, the opaque area 1220 faces the entire hole 130. In its second angular position, the shielding member 122 is oriented 180 degrees relative to its first angular position.

[0031] In conclusion, such as Figure 1 As shown, when one of the protruding edges moves to face the aperture 130, it can partially or completely cover the globe illustration 121. Therefore, as the shielding member 122 rotates, it causes the visible surface of the globe illustration 121 to change; more specifically, it alternately increases and decreases the visible surface. In other words, the globe illustration 121 presented through the aperture 130 is gradually obscured and revealed by the shielding member 122.

[0032] In summary, the rotating display 120 displays the portion of the Earth visible from the Moon, while the rotating shielding member 122 relative to the display 120 displays the Earth phase, that is, the portion of the Earth illuminated by the Sun.

[0033] Therefore, by rotating the shielding member 122 and the display member 120 at different speeds, the present invention can present an image of an observer orbiting the moon and facing the earth. Thus, the watch 10 presents a highly attractive astronomical animation effect.

[0034] In particular, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the shielding member 122 rotates at a higher speed than the display member 120.

[0035] The display element 120 and the shielding element 122 are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism 14. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the drive mechanism 14 is formed by an electric motor, which is particularly capable of... Figure 3 As seen in the cross-sectional view, the electric motor is designed to be powered by a power source, preferably a battery or a rechargeable battery connected to a solar cell.

[0036] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the shielding member 122 is fastened to the shielding member tube 1223 in a manner that prevents it from rotating relative to the shielding member tube 1223, while the shielding member tube 1223 itself rotates together with the pivot handle 151 on the drive motion member 150. The drive motion member 150 includes a drive wheel 152, which is driven by the drive mechanism 14. The display member 120 is mounted on the pivot handle 151 via the display member tube 1201 in a manner rotatable relative to the pivot handle 151. The display member tube 1201 includes a display member tube wheel 1202, through which the display member tube 1201 is connected to a pinion on the drive motion member 150 via an intermediate wheel 16.

[0037] As noted above, due to the features of the present invention, the Earth diagram 121 visible through the aperture 130 is designed to represent the Earth as seen by an observer orbiting the Moon. Preferably, the Earth phase display device 12 is configured such that the display element 120 rotates once every two hours. Furthermore, to indicate the Earth phase, the shielding element 122 rotates 6.1 degrees more per day than the display element 120. Those skilled in the art can readily design a gear train with an appropriate gear ratio.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, the display element 120 and the shielding element 122 can be kinematically connected to an hour wheel connected to the hour hand. Those skilled in the art can also easily design a gear train with an appropriate gear ratio.

[0039] It should be noted that, for the sake of brevity in this application, components of watch movements known to those skilled in the art are not described herein and are not shown in the figures.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments and usages considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples, and other variations are therefore conceivable.

[0041] Specifically, the shielding element 122 and the display element 120 can be driven by two independent motors, which are designed to be powered by energy from a shared or independent power source.

[0042] Alternatively, the shielding element 122 and the display element 120 can be driven by the same drive mechanism, which is formed by a spring barrel kinematically connected to the speed regulating mechanism.

Claims

1. A watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a watch movement (11), said watch movement (11) including a phase display device, characterized in that, The geodetic display device (12) includes a display element (120) having two diametrically opposed globe diagrams (121) on either side of the rotation axis of the display element (120), the display element (120) being arranged to face a hole (130) formed in the dial (13), the shape of the hole (130) being such that the dial (13) can obscure one of the globe diagrams (121) when the display element (120) is rotated; the geodetic display device (12) also includes a shielding element (122) driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (14) and inserted between the display element (120) and the dial (13), the display element (120) and the shielding element (122) being driven at different rotational speeds.

2. The watch (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shielding element (122) is driven at a higher rotational speed than the display element (120).

3. The watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rotation axis of the display (120) coincides with the rotation axis of the shielding (122).

4. The watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The shielding element (122) has an opaque area (1220) with two arc-shaped convex edges formed around a portion of the periphery of the opaque area (1220). The two convex edges are arranged symmetrically about their diameters. The opaque area (1220) is designed to partially or completely cover and thus obscure the globe illustration (121) when the shielding element (122) rotates.

5. The watch (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The shielding member has a transparent area (1221) and the opaque area is arranged to be diametrically opposite each other, such that when the shielding member (122) is in a first angular position, most or all of the transparent area (1221) is arranged to face the hole (130), and when the shielding member (122) is in a second angular position, the opaque area (1220) faces the entire hole (130), and in the second angular position, the shielding member (122) is oriented 180 degrees relative to the first angular position.

6. The watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The shielding element (122) is mounted on the pivot handle (151) of the drive motion element (150) via the shielding element tube (1223) so as to rotate with the pivot handle (151). The drive motion element (150) includes a drive wheel (152) and is driven by the drive mechanism (14) via the drive wheel (152). The display element (120) is mounted on the pivot handle (151) via the display element tube (1201) in a manner rotatable relative to the pivot handle (151). The display element tube (1201) includes a display element tube wheel (1202) and is connected to a pinion on the drive motion element (150) via an intermediate wheel (16) through the display element tube wheel (1202).

7. The watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The shielding element (122) and the display element (120) are driven to rotate by the same drive mechanism (14), which is formed by an electric motor designed to be powered by energy from a power source.

8. The watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The shielding member (122) and the display member (120) are driven by the same drive mechanism (14), which is formed by a spring barrel kinematically connected to the speed regulating mechanism.

9. The watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The shielding element (122) and the display element (120) are capable of being driven by two independent electric motors, which are designed to be powered by energy from a shared or independent power source.

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