Device for displaying a sequence of periodic events forming an annual cycle, and a clock comprising such a display device.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for displaying a succession of periodic events that form an annual cycle. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for displaying the sequence of zodiac periods. The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a display device. Technological background of the invention

[0002] An annual cycle can be divided into a number of periods, each comprising the same number of days or different numbers of days.

[0003] For example, a twelve-month annual cycle can be divided into twelve periods, each corresponding to one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. The distinctive feature of these zodiacal periods is that their durations are not identical: they range from 29 to 32 days. Furthermore, the transition from one zodiacal period to the next occurs between the 20th and 23rd of the month in question, depending on the length of the zodiac sign. For instance, the zodiac period corresponding to the sign of Sagittarius lasts 29 days, from November 23rd to December 21st, while the zodiac period corresponding to the sign of Cancer lasts 31 days, from June 22nd to July 22nd.

[0004] An annual cycle can also be divided into twelve periods corresponding to the twelve months of the year. These months are of unequal lengths, ranging from 28 to 31 days.

[0005] Devices for displaying these periods are already known. The most rudimentary forms involve a disc on which the different periods of an annual cycle are represented by angular sectors whose angle varies according to the number of days in the period. One method consists of rotating the disc beneath a dial in which a window is cut through which the current period is visible. Another method consists of rotating the disc in front of an index that points to the current period. Yet another method consists of rotating a pointer above the disc, the pointer also pointing to the current period.

[0006] The drive mechanisms of the disc on which the different periods of an annual cycle are displayed, or of the hand that moves above such a disc, are of the jumping or trailing type, and their advance is regular, so the display of the current period lacks precision, particularly during the transition from one period to the next. Furthermore, displaying time indications of varying lengths on a component of a timepiece, while time itself flows at a constant rate, provides a rather poor perception of the timepieces in question.

[0007] A display device for periods forming an annual cycle is known from document EP 3 029 531 A1 in the name of Blancpain. The core of this display device consists of a differential mechanism with two inputs and one output. The first input is a reference drive wheel arranged to complete one revolution according to a reference period. The second input is an activating member arranged to cooperate with a cam whose profile is arranged so that the interaction between the activating member and the differential causes a period indicator to advance or retract according to the difference between the displayed period and the reference period. Finally, the output is a drive member for the indicator member.

[0008] Thanks to these features, the Blancpain display allows for the regular representation of periods that are not necessarily all equal. Furthermore, the choice of a differential mechanism to power the display allows the period indicator to be positioned anywhere on the dial of the timepiece equipped with this display. However, as is well known, a differential mechanism requires a large number of parts and is complex to develop. Consequently, such a display is generally reserved for high-end timepieces with a high production cost. Other devices are also known, such as document EP0634711A1. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy the problems mentioned above, as well as others, by providing, in particular, a device for displaying equally a succession of periodic events of unequal durations that form an annual cycle.

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a display device according to the terms of claim 1 as annexed.

[0011] According to special embodiments of the invention: The date indicator mechanism includes a date drive wheel which makes one full rotation per day and which drives a date indicator wheel at a rate of one full rotation every thirty-one days; the month finger includes a first beak whose first point describes a first conchoidal trajectory; at the end of each month, when the date indicator mechanism changes from the date indication "31" to the date indication "1", the first point of the first beak of the month finger engages with a first tooth of a month indicator wheel on which is fixed the cam for managing the display duration of periodic events and advances this month indicator wheel by one step, this month indicator wheel making one full rotation per year;a rocker, held against a profile of the cam for managing the display duration of periodic events, is disposed between this management cam and the finger of periodic events; the finger of periodic events is mounted between the rocker and the date indicator wheel; the finger of periodic events is pivotally mounted on the date indicator wheel and is guided in translation and pivoting by a second pin mounted fixed in the rocker; the finger of periodic events includes a second beak of which a second point describes a second conchoidal trajectory;Once a month, when transitioning from one periodic event to the next, the second point of the second beak of the periodic event finger engages with a second tooth of the periodic event indicator organ to advance this periodic event indicator organ by one step, this periodic event indicator organ completing one full rotation per year; at the beginning of months where the change of periodic event is to take place on a day of that month which is different from the day of the month on which the previous periodic event change took place, the control cam controls the adjustment of the position of the periodic event finger which pre-positions itself in order to then advance the periodic event indicator organ on the day of the current month on which the transition from one periodic event to the next periodic event takes place;the periodic event indicator organ is a periodic event indicator wheel which is indexed by a jumper and with which the periodic event finger meshes once a month, when passing from one periodic event to the immediately following periodic event;when the periodic events indicator organ is adapted to display the zodiacal periods, the management cam profile has a first ray which allows the indicator organ to change zodiacal period on the night of the 22nd to the 23rd of the months of July, August, September, October and November, a second ray different from the first ray which allows the indicator organ to change zodiacal period on the night of the 21st to the 22nd of the months of December and June, a third ray, different from the first and second rays, which allows the indicator organ to change zodiacal period on the night of the 20th to the 21st of the months of January, March, April and May, and a fourth ray, different from the first, second and third rays, which allows the indicator organ to change zodiacal period on the night of the 19th to the 20th of the month of February;The management cam profile presents a first portion of constant first radius for the months of July, August, September, October and November, then a second portion of second radius for the month of December, then a third portion of third radius for the month of January, then a fourth portion of fourth radius for the month of February, then a fifth portion of constant third radius for the months of March, April and May, and finally a sixth and last portion of second radius corresponding to the month of June.

[0012] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a display device for a succession of periodic events that form an annual cycle of the kind described above.

[0013] Thanks to these features, the present invention provides a mechanism for displaying periodic events forming an annual cycle, with a relatively simple and compact construction. Due to its relative simplicity of construction, the display mechanism according to the invention uses fewer components, making it more economical to produce and more reliable in operation. Furthermore, its compact size allows the present display mechanism to be more easily accommodated in a wider range of calibers without requiring constant modifications to these calibers. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of an example of an embodiment of a device for displaying zodiacal periods forming an annual cycle, this example being given purely for illustrative purposes and not as a limitation, only in connection with the attached drawing in which: there Figure 1A is a top view of the display device according to the invention designed to display the succession of zodiacal periods in the position it occupies on February 19, just before the change of zodiacal period from Aquarius to Pisces; the figure 1B is a larger-scale, detailed view of the Figure 1A ; there figure 2 is a view analogous to that of the figure 1 which illustrates the position of the display device when it was moved to the date "31" to change it to March 1st; the figure 3is a view of the display device according to the invention in an intermediate position on March 10; the figure 4 is a close-up view illustrating the tip of the month's finger when it engages with the teeth of the month indicator wheel between the date "31" of March and the date "1" of the following month; the figure 5 is a view of the display device according to the invention in the position it occupies on April 1st, and the figure 6 is a schematic representation of the conchoid-type circle trajectory of the tip of the beak of the finger of the months, respectively of the tip of the beak of the finger of the zodiacs. Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0015] The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of ​​providing a device for displaying, in an equal and continuous manner, periodic events that form an annual cycle and whose durations are not equal. To this end, the present invention provides a display device comprising a cam driven by a date and month indicator device, which, at the end of each month where necessary, pre-positions a rocker switch so that, when the day of transition from one periodic event to the immediately following periodic event occurs, a display element shows the relevant periodic event. Thanks to these features, the present invention thus provides a display device for periodic events forming an annual cycle that is continuously repositioned according to the day of the month on which the periodic event in question begins.It is therefore possible to display periodic events that do not necessarily follow one another regularly over time without this being perceptible to the owner of the timepiece.

[0016] Care should be taken to note that, in the figures attached to this patent application, the directions of rotation of the different moving parts are indicated by arrows.

[0017] Designated as a whole by the general numeral 1, the display device for a succession of periodic events forming an annual cycle according to the invention comprises a date indicator mechanism 3 which, in a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, is provided with a date drive wheel 2 that is driven by a clockwork movement (not shown) at a rate of one revolution per day. In turn, this date drive wheel 2 drives a date indicator wheel 4 at a rate of one step per day, this date indicator wheel 4 completing one full revolution in thirty-one days.

[0018] A month finger 6 is pivotally mounted on the date indicator wheel 4 around a first pivot axis 8 carried eccentrically by said date indicator wheel 4. This month finger 6 also includes a first beak 10, a first point 12 of which describes a first trajectory 14 of substantially conchoidal shape, which is determined by an appropriate choice of the position of the pivot axis 8 on the date indicator wheel 4 and the length of this month finger 6. In order for the point 12 of the beak 10 to describe a conchoidal trajectory 14, the month finger 6 is also provided with a first oblong hole 16 in which a first pin 18 is engaged, fixedly mounted in a plate of the clock movement, and which ensures the pivoting and translational guidance of the month finger 6.

[0019] The display device 1 according to the invention also includes a month indicator wheel 20 that advances one step per month and completes one full rotation per year. To this end, the month indicator finger 6 is arranged so that, at each transition from the date "31" to the date "1" of the following month, the tip 12 of the beak 10 engages with a first tooth 22 of this month indicator wheel 20 and advances it by one step. After advancing the month indicator wheel 20, the tip 12 of the beak 10 of the month indicator finger 6 disengages from the tooth 22 of the month indicator wheel 20 and will only re-engage with this tooth 22 at the transition from the date "31" to the following date "1". In the interim, the position of the month indicator wheel 20 is indexed by a first jump spring 24.

[0020] When the month indicator wheel 20 advances one step, it takes with it a management cam 26 for the duration of display of periodic events which is fixedly mounted on this month indicator wheel 20.

[0021] The display device 1 described here is designed to display the sequence of the 12 signs of the zodiac. It should be understood, however, that this example is given for illustrative purposes only and that, with an adaptation of the control cam 26, it is quite possible to display another sequence of periodic events that form an annual cycle. One example is the display of the Chinese horoscope.

[0022] In the tropical zodiac system, which is the focus here, the 12 zodiac periods begin on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, or 23rd of the month in question. Furthermore, when two successive zodiac periods do not begin on the same day of the month, there is never more than one day's difference between the start of the first zodiac period and the start of the immediately following one. More specifically, from March to May, the relevant zodiac periods—Aries, Taurus, and Gemini—all begin on the 21st of the month. The following zodiac period, Cancer, begins on June 22nd. From July to November, the corresponding zodiac periods—Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius—all begin on the 23rd of the month. In December, the Capricorn period begins on the 22nd, in January, the Aquarius period begins on the 21st, and in February, the Pisces period begins on the 20th.

[0023] As will become clearer later, the control cam 26 is arranged so that the display device 1 changes its zodiacal period on the first day of the zodiacal period in question. Thus, a profile 28 of the control cam 26 has a first ray R1 which allows the display device 1 to change its zodiacal period on the night of the 22nd to the 23rd of July, August, September, October, and November. Similarly, the profile 28 of the control cam 26 has a second ray R2, different from the first ray R1, which allows the display device 1 to change its zodiacal period on the night of the 21st to the 22nd of June and December. Similarly, the profile 28 of the management cam 26 has a third ray R3, different from the first and second rays R1 and R2, which will allow the display device 1 to change zodiacal period on the night of the 20th to the 21st of the months of January, March, April and May.Finally, the profile 28 of the management cam 26 has a fourth radius R4, different from the first, second and third rays R1, R2 and R3, which will allow the display device 1 according to the invention to change its zodiacal period during the night of the 19th to the 20th of February.

[0024] Thus, the profile 28 of the management cam 26 presents a first portion of constant radius R1 for the months of July, August, September, October and November, then a second portion of radius R2 for the month of December, then a third portion of radius R3 for the month of January, then a fourth portion of radius R4 for the month of February, then a fifth portion of constant radius R3 for the months of March, April and May, and finally a sixth and last portion of radius R2 corresponding to the month of June.

[0025] According to the invention, the display device 1 also includes a rocker 30 pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis 32 fixed in the movement's mainplate. This rocker 30 has a feeler finger 34 by which it is pressed against the profile 28 of the control cam 26. This rocker 30 also carries a second pin 36 that protrudes into a second oblong hole 38 in a periodic events finger 39, which it guides both in pivoting and translation. This periodic events finger 39, which, in the example relating to the display of the zodiac system described here, takes the form of a zodiac finger 40, is pivotally mounted on the date indicator wheel 4 about a third pivot axis 42 carried eccentrically by said date indicator wheel 4.This zodiac finger 40 also includes a second beak 44, a second point 46 of which describes a second trajectory 48 of substantially conchoidal shape, which is determined by the positioning of the third pivot axis 42 on the date indicator wheel 4 and by the length of this zodiac finger 40.

[0026] The display device 1 according to the invention also includes a zodiac indicator 49. In the example shown in the drawing for illustrative purposes only, this indicator is a zodiac indicator wheel 50 that advances one step at each change of zodiacal period and completes one full rotation per year. To this end, the zodiac finger 40 is arranged so that, at each change of zodiacal period, the tip 46 of its beak 44 engages with a tooth 52 of the zodiac indicator wheel 50 and advances the latter one step. After advancing the zodiac indicator wheel 50 one step, the tip 46 of the beak 44 of the zodiac finger 40 disengages from the tooth 52 of the zodiac indicator wheel 50 and will only re-engage with this tooth 52 at the next change of zodiacal period. In the meantime, the position of the zodiac indicator wheel 50 is indexed by a second jump spring 54.The assembly is completed for example by a zodiac indicator disc 56 on which the zodiac indications are recorded, these zodiac indications being for example visible through a window made in a dial of the timepiece and whose position is indicated by a double arrow on the drawing.

[0027] It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment just described and that various simple modifications and variations can be envisaged by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, it will be understood that, although the present invention has been described in connection with the display of the twelve periods of the zodiac, this invention is not limited to such an embodiment and can be applied to the display of other periodic events forming an annual cycle. One thinks, in particular, of the display of the Chinese horoscope.It will also be understood that although the present description only considers the case in which the month finger 6 and the zodiac finger 40 are pivotally mounted on the date indicator wheel 4 around two coincident pivot axes 8, 42 carried by said date indicator wheel 4, a simplified embodiment in which the month finger 6 and the zodiac finger 40 are pivotally mounted around two separate pivot axes carried by the date indicator wheel 4 is also conceivable. It will also be understood that, as illustrated in Figure 1. figure 6 The first point 12 of the first beak 10 of the finger of months 6 describes a trajectory of roughly conchoidal shape. By "conchoid of a circle," we mean a two-dimensional curve that represents the trajectory of a point PI of a connecting rod, namely the finger of the 6 months, constrained to slide by a fixed pole F, namely the first pin 18 fixedly mounted in the movement plate of the watch, and of which a point C The connecting rod describes a circle. Considering point PE of the connecting rod located, starting from the circle described by point C, after the fixed pole F , we obtain the trajectory schematically illustrated at the Figure 1A What does the tip 12 of the beak 10 of the finger of the months 6 do? The tip 46 of the beak 44 of the finger of the zodiacs 40 also describes a conchoid trajectory of a circle. Nomenclature

[0028] 1. Display device for a succession of periodic events that form an annual cycle 2. Date drive wheel 3. Date indicator mechanism 4. Date indicator wheel 6. Month finger 8. First pivot axis 10. First beak 12. First point 14. First trajectory 16. First oblong hole 18. First pin 20. Month indicator wheel 22. First toothing 24. First jump spring 26. Control cam 28. Control cam profile 30. Rocker 32. Second pivot axis 34. Feeler finger 36. Second pin 38. Second oblong hole 39. Periodic events finger 40. Zodiac finger 42. Third pivot axis 44. Second beak 46. Second point 48. Second trajectory 49. Indicator of periodic events and zodiacs 50. Zodiac indicator wheel 52. Second set of teeth 54. Second jumping spring 56. Zodiac indicator disc

Claims

1. A device for displaying a sequence of periodic events that form an annual cycle, this display device (1) comprising: • a periodic event indicator (49); • a mechanism for managing the duration of the display of periodic events by the periodic event indicator, this management mechanism comprising: - a cam (26) for managing the duration of the display of periodic events, arranged to control the change from the indication of one periodic event to the indication of the next periodic event by the periodic event indicator; - a date indicator mechanism (3) driven by a horological movement; - a month finger (6) controlled by the date indicator mechanism so that the management cam (26) is constantly driven in the same direction by one step per month, the month finger (6) being pivotally fitted on the date indicator wheel (4) on the said date indicator mechanism (3), and being translationally and pivotally guided by a first pin (18) immovably fitted in the horological movement, and - a periodic event finger (39) positioned between the management cam (26) and the periodic event indicator and arranged to drive the periodic event indicator when a periodic event changes.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterised in that the date indicator mechanism comprises a date drive wheel (2) that completes one full turn per day and drives a date indicator wheel (4) at a rate of one full turn every thirty-one days.

3. The display device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the month finger (6) comprises a first beak (10) on which a first point (12) follows a first conchoidal path (14).

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterised in that, at the end of each month, when the date indicator mechanism (3) moves from the date indication "31" to the date indication "1," the first point (12) on the first beak (10) of the month finger (6) engages with a first toothing (22) on a month indicator wheel (20) to which the cam (26) for managing the duration of the display of periodic events is fastened, and moves this month indicator wheel (20) forward by one step, with this month indicator wheel (20) making one complete turn per year.

5. The display device according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a lever (30) which, held against a profile (28) of the cam (26) for managing the duration of the display of periodic events, is positioned between this management cam (26) and the periodic event finger (39).

6. The display device according to claim 5, characterised in that the periodic event finger (39) is fitted between the lever (30) and the date indicator wheel (4).

7. The display device according to claim 6, characterised in that the periodic event finger (39) is pivotally fitted on the date indicator wheel (4) and is translationally and pivotally guided by a second pin (36) immovably fitted in the lever (30).

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterised in that the periodic event finger (39) comprises a second beak (44) on which a second point (46) follows a second conchoidal path (48).

9. The display device according to claim 8, characterised in that once a month, when a periodic event moves to the next periodic event, the second point (46) on the second beak (44) of the periodic event finger (39) engages with a second toothing (52) on the periodic event indicator (49) to move this periodic event indicator (49) forward by one step, this periodic event indicator (49) making one full turn per year.

10. The display device according to claim 9, characterised in that, at the beginning of months in which the periodic event change is to take place on a day of that month that is different from the day of the month on which the previous periodic event change took place, the management cam (26) controls the adjustment of the position of the periodic event finger (39), which pre-positions itself so that it can then move the periodic event indicator (49) forward on the day of the current month in which the transition from one periodic event to the next periodic event takes place.

11. The display device according to claim 10, characterised in that the periodic event indicator (49) is a periodic event indicator wheel that is indexed by a jumper spring (54) and with which the periodic event finger (39) meshes once a month, when a periodic event moves to the next periodic event.

12. The display device according to claim 11, characterised in that, when the periodic event indicator (49) is adapted to display the zodiacal periods, the profile (28) of the management cam (26) has a first radius that enables the indicator to change zodiacal periods on the night of the 22nd to the 23rd of July, August, September, October and November, a second radius different from the first radius that enables the indicator to change zodiacal periods on the night of the 21st to the 22nd of December and June, a third radius, different from the first and second radii, that enables the indicator to change zodiacal periods on the night of the 20th to the 21st of January, March, April and May, and a fourth radius, different from the first, second and third radii, that enables the indicator to change zodiacal periods on the night of the 19th to the 20th of February.

13. The display device according to claim 12, characterised in that the profile (28) of the management cam (26) has a first portion with a constant first radius for the months of July, August, September, October and November, then a second portion with a second radius for the month of December, then a third portion with a third radius for the month of January, then a fourth portion with a fourth radius for the month of February, then a fifth portion with a constant third radius for the months of March, April and May, and lastly a sixth and final portion with a second radius for the month of June.

14. A timepiece comprising a device for displaying a sequence of periodic events that form an annual cycle according to any of claims 1 to 13.