ORGAN FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE MAIN FUNCTION OF A CLOCK MOVEMENT

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control member for at least one first function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a crown having a head and a central rod integral with the head and intended to be connected to a control rod, and a guide tube of longitudinal axis A in which said central rod is mounted movable at least in axial rotation about said axis A, the crown being arranged to occupy at least one non-pressed position in which said crown is movable in axial rotation in at least one direction between at least one stable neutral angular position, and at least one unstable actuation angular position in which said first function is capable of being actuated via the control rod.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such control element. State of the art

[0003] Such a control element is used, for example, in a timepiece described in application WO 2022 / 175002 filed by the applicant, said timepiece comprising, in particular, a month indicator mechanism, the first function being a month correction function. To actuate the month correction function, the control element, in the unpressed position, is movable in axial rotation, for example through an angle of approximately 60°, in one direction between its stable central angular position and a first unstable actuation angular position, corresponding to a rapid correction of the month +1, and through an angle of approximately 60° in the other direction between its stable central angular position and a second unstable actuation angular position corresponding to a rapid correction of the month -1.

[0004] The timepiece described in application WO 2022 / 175002 also includes a chronograph mechanism, the control element being arranged so that, in response to pressure, it moves axially between its unpressed position and a pressed position in which a second function is activated, namely one of the chronograph functions, and more specifically the Reset or Flyback function. The control element automatically returns to its unpressed position after pressure is released, like a pusher.

[0005] During the monthly correction, the return to the stable central angular position of the control member is ensured by a mechanism comprising a cam-core kinematically linked to the control member and returned to its central position by a spring once the torque applied to the control member has been released and the correction carried out.

[0006] However, this mechanism is not always efficient enough to guarantee an automatic return of the control unit from one of its unstable correction positions to its stable central position.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a control element that ensures its automatic return to a neutral position after being pivoted into an unstable position to actuate a function of a watch movement, such as a rapid correction.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a single control element allowing rapid control of a first function by rotation of the control element with an automatic return to the neutral position, like a quick control rod, and also allowing to actuate a second function, different from the first function, by pressing on said control element with an automatic return to the unpressed position, like a push button. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a control element for at least one function of a watch movement, said control element comprising a crown having a head and a central rod integral with the head and intended to be integral with a control rod, and a guide tube of longitudinal axis A in which said central rod is mounted movable at least in axial rotation about said longitudinal axis A, the crown being arranged to occupy at least one non-pressed position in which said crown is movable in axial rotation in at least one direction between at least one neutral, stable angular position, and at least one unstable actuation angular position in which said first function is capable of being actuated via the control rod.

[0010] According to the invention, the control member comprises an automatic return device for the crown from its actuated position to its neutral position, comprising a first tubular cam fixedly mounted around the central rod and a second tubular cam housed in the guide tube, mounted freely in axial translation on the central rod and arranged to essentially slide axially in said guide tube and to cooperate with a spring provided in the guide tube, said first and second cams having working surfaces arranged to be in contact at least when the crown is in its neutral position, said working surfaces having a profile obtained by cutting said first and second cams with at least one inclined plane on axis A, such that an axial rotation of the first cam via a rotation of the crown in its actuated position causes, by cooperation of the working surfaces,An axial translation of the second cam compresses the spring, and an axial translation of the second cam returned by the spring when rotation in the actuation position ceases, causes, through cooperation of the working surfaces, an axial rotation of the first cam which automatically returns the crown to its neutral position.

[0011] Thus, the invention makes it possible to guarantee the automatic return of the crown to its neutral position after having performed a rapid command of a first function.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the central rod is also mounted to move axially in the guide tube, the crown also being arranged so that, in response to pressure on said crown, it is movable axially between its unpressed position and a pressed position in which a second function distinct from the first function is capable of being actuated via the control rod, such that an axial translation of the first cam causes, by cooperation of the working surfaces, an axial translation of the second cam compressing the spring, and to return to its unpressed position when the pressure on the crown ceases, an axial translation of the second cam brought back by the spring causes, by cooperation of the working surfaces, an axial translation of the first cam which returns the crown to its unpressed position.

[0013] Thus, the invention makes it possible to control two different functions, such as two functions of different complications, independent of each other, by means of a single control member, one of the functions being controlled by said control member in the non-pressed position, like a quick control rod, and the other of the functions being controlled by said control member in the pressed position like a push button.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the first function is the correction of the month of a month indicator mechanism and the second function is the Reset or Flyback function of a chronograph mechanism.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one control element as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the control element according to the invention, the crown of said control element being in the unpressed and neutral position; the figure 2 is an isometric view of the control element according to the invention; the figure 3 is a schematic view of a control rod capable of being attached to the control member of the present invention, arranged to control a Reset or Flyback function of a chronograph mechanism and a month correction function of a month indicator mechanism, of a timepiece, the control member being in its non-pressed and neutral position; there figure 4is an isometric view of the automatic return device according to the invention; the figure 5 is an isometric view of the first female cam of the figure 4 ; there figure 6 is an isometric view of the second male cam of the figure 4 ; THE figures 7a, 7b and 7c are cross-sectional views representing the control unit with the crown respectively in its neutral unpressed position, in its unstable and unpressed angular actuation position, and in its pressed position. Embodiments of the invention

[0017] With reference to figures 1 to 3The present invention relates to a control element 1 for at least one, and advantageously several, different functions of a watch movement, said control element 1 comprising a crown 2 for being secured to a control rod 3 arranged to actuate said functions. The control element 1 is mounted on the case (not shown) of a watch case such that said crown 2 protrudes from said case. To this end, the control element 1 comprises a guide tube 4 for being fixed by screwing or pressing into the case. The guide tube 4 may, preferably, have overall rotational symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis A constituting the axis of rotation, and also preferably the axis of translation, of the crown 2.

[0018] The crown 2 is arranged to occupy a non-pressed or resting position shown on the figure 1, wherein said crown 2 is mobile in axial rotation in at least one direction between at least one stable neutral angular position and at least one unstable actuation angular position in which a first function is capable of being actuated via the control rod 3, said first function being for example a rapid correction function of a mechanism, the at least one unstable actuation angular position typically corresponding to a correction position of the mechanism.

[0019] Advantageously, the ring 2 is arranged to be movable in axial rotation in one direction between the stable neutral angular position, defining a stable, preferably central, angular position, and a first unstable actuation angular position, and to be movable in axial rotation in the other direction between said neutral position and a second unstable actuation angular position. When the first function is a correction function of a mechanism, the first unstable actuation angular position typically corresponds to a first correction position of the mechanism, and the second unstable actuation angular position typically corresponds to a second correction position of the mechanism.

[0020] Advantageously, the crown 2 is mobile in axial rotation over an angle of less than 360°, preferably less than 180°, and more preferably less than or equal to 70° in each direction of rotation.

[0021] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the crown 2 is also arranged so that, in response to pressure on said crown 2, it is movable in axial translation between its unpressed or rest position shown in the figure 1and a depressed position in which a second function, distinct from the first function, for example a function of a chronograph mechanism, can be actuated via the control stem 3, and to return to its unpressed or rest position when pressure on the crown 2 ceases. In this description, the "rest position" or "unpressed position" is defined with respect to the axial translational movement of the crown 2, the rest or unpressed position being defined as a position that the crown takes when it is not subjected to an axial force or pressure, in which the first function can be actuated, the rest or unpressed position designating the state in which the crown is when it is not subjected to any external force on the case.

[0022] The ring 2 comprises a head 6, an axial skirt 8 integral with the head 6, and a central rod 10 connected to or integral with the head 6. The assembly formed by the ring 2 and the central rod 10 exhibits rotational symmetry about the axis A. The central rod 10 is mounted to rotate axially, and preferably to translate axially, about the longitudinal axis A within the guide tube 4. The head 6 and the skirt 8 are mounted to rotate, and preferably to translate, about the guide tube 4 about the axis A.

[0023] The central rod 10 is intended to be secured to the control rod 3 by means, for example, of a female drive square 12 fixed to the free end of the central rod 10 by screwing and into which a male square 14 is intended to fit (cf. figure 3) provided at the end of the control rod 3. The square end of the control rod 3 is slid, during the assembly of the movement in the case, into the female drive square 12 through its open face. Once engaged, the female square 12 of the crown 2 continuously drives the male square of the control rod 3 in rotation. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment in which the crown 2 also functions as a pusher, the base of the drive square 12 can push the end of the control rod 3 axially into the depressed position when pressure is applied to the crown 2. The control rod 3 has its own return spring which holds its square end in the drive square 12 to return the control rod 3 to its rest position when the pressure is released.It is quite obvious that the drive of the control rod by a square can be replaced by a drive with another suitable shape, such as a triangle, two flats or another polygonal shape.

[0024] Thus, the crown 2, with the central stem 10, and the control stem 3, once mounted on the central stem 10, are always fixed together during movement (rotation and translation). They can be rotated around the axis A like a control stem and, in the preferred embodiment in which the crown 2 also functions like a pusher, they can be moved in axial translation along the axis A into a position pressed by a user in order to control two different functions of the timepiece, and more specifically functions of two different complications, as will be described in more detail below.

[0025] More specifically, the timepiece includes a primary complication, the primary function being linked to this primary complication and potentially, for example, a quick-correction function for a mechanism. The unstable angular position(s) of actuation correspond to one or more correction positions of the mechanism. For example, the timepiece may include a month indicator mechanism or a chronograph mechanism, the primary function being a month correction function, or at least one chronograph function such as the START / STOP function, the Reset function, or Flyback, preferably the Reset function. It is understood that any other complication that could be corrected by a quick rotation of the crown 2, such as a moon phase indicator, may be used.

[0026] The timepiece may include a second complication, such as a chronograph mechanism, and the second function is one of the chronograph functions like START / STOP, RESET, or FLYBACK. It goes without saying that any other complication that can be adjusted by pressing crown 2, such as the day or week, can also be used.

[0027] For example, the timepiece may include a month indicator mechanism and a chronograph mechanism, the first function being a month correction function, the second function being one of the chronograph functions, preferably the Reset or Flyback function.

[0028] Any other suitable complication may be used.

[0029] In order to be able to control a first function via the control rod 3 by a rotation of the crown 2, and preferably a second function via said control rod 3 by a pressure on the crown 2, the control rod 3 is arranged to be rotationally fixed to a first actuation device of the first function, and preferably to be arranged to cooperate with a second actuation device of the second function when moving the crown 2 into its pressed position, while being free in axial translation relative to the first actuation device.

[0030] Details of such a control rod 3 are given in application WO 2022 / 175002. For this reason, it will simply be described here that the first actuation device comprises a gear 16 mounted on the square 18 of the control rod 3, to be rotationally fixed to said control rod 3 and preferably only able to slide relative to each other, said gear 16 being arranged to actuate the first function, for example the month correction function of a month indicator mechanism. The gear 16 moves, like the ring 2 and the control rod 3, between three angular positions, namely a first neutral position, a first unstable angular position for rapid correction, for example at +65° relative to the neutral position, corresponding to the addition of a month, and a second unstable angular position for rapid correction, for example at -65° relative to the neutral position, corresponding to the subtraction of a month.In the example shown, the first actuation device also includes a centering rocker 20 of the control rod 3 and a centering spring 22 of the control rod 3, arranged to act on a core 24 linked to the linkage 16, in order to reposition in particular the control rod 3 in the central position.

[0031] Advantageously, the control rod 3 also has a groove 26 and the second actuation device includes a pull tab 28 pivotally mounted on a frame element, engaged in said groove 26 and arranged to actuate the second function, for example the Reset function of a chronograph mechanism, when pressure is applied to the crown 2 causing an axial translation of the control rod 3.

[0032] In the example shown, during a rapid rotation of the crown 2 and therefore of the control rod 3, the spring 22 and the centering rocker 20 act on the heart 24. As soon as the torque transmitted to the control rod 3 is released, the spring 22 and the centering rocker 20 act on the walls of the heart 24 to reposition it, including the control rod 3, and thus reposition the crown 2 in its stable central neutral angular position.

[0033] According to the invention, the control member 1 includes its own automatic return device for the crown 2 from one of its unstable actuation positions to its stable neutral position.

[0034] In the example shown, the automatic return-to-stable-position device integrated into the control member according to the invention is used to reinforce the automatic return-to-stable-position device of the control rod 3. But it is quite clear that the automatic return-to-stable-position device integrated into the control member according to the invention can be provided alone, without any return-to-stable or equivalent device provided in particular on the control rod.

[0035] The automatic return device for the control member 1 comprises a first tubular cam 30, fixedly mounted around the central rod 10 on the side of the base 10a of said central rod 10, which is fixed to the head 6 of the crown 2, such that the first cam 30 rotates with the central rod 10 about axis A when the crown 2, in its unpressed position, is rotated in one direction or the other. In the preferred embodiment in which the crown 2 also functions as a pusher, the first cam 30 is also moved translationally about axis A with the central rod 10 when pressure is applied to the crown 2.

[0036] The automatic return device also includes a second tubular cam 32 housed in the guide tube 4, mounted freely in axial translation on the central rod 10 and arranged to be able to slide essentially, or even exclusively, axially in said guide tube 4 by being guided mainly in axial translation in said guide tube 4, its rotation relative to said guide tube 4 being minimal, or even impossible, and to cooperate with a spring 34 provided in the guide tube 4, wound around the central rod 10 between the bottom of the guide tube 4 and the second cam 32.

[0037] With particular reference to figures 4 to 6 The first cam 30 and the second cam 32 have, at their opposite ends, working surfaces 30a, 32a respectively arranged to be in direct contact with each other at least when the ring 2 is in its neutral position, as shown in the Figures 1 And 7aThe working surfaces 30a, 32a have a profile obtained by cutting the first and second tubular cams 30, 32 with at least one inclined plane about axis A, i.e., not perpendicular to axis A. Thus, an axial rotation of the first cam 30 about axis A via a rotation of the ring 2 in one of the unstable actuation positions causes, through the cooperation of the working surfaces 30a, 32a, an axial translation of the second cam 32 in the guide tube 4, compressing the spring 34. An axial translation of the second cam 32 about axis A, brought back or pushed by the spring 34 when the rotation of the ring 2 in said actuation position ceases, causes, through the cooperation of the working surfaces 30a, 32a, an axial rotation, in the opposite direction, of the first cam 30, and therefore of the central rod 10, which brings and replaces automatically the crown 2 in its stable neutral position.

[0038] Advantageously, the working surfaces 30a, 32a are in direct contact with each other, preferably over the entire cam profile when the crown 2 is in its neutral position.

[0039] Advantageously, the first cam 30 is a female cam and the second cam 32 is a male cam so that the second male cam 32 penetrates, and preferably fits into, the first female cam 30 when they are sufficiently close together, the working surface 32a at the end of the second male cam 32, opposite the first female cam 30, being able to then engage with the working surface 30a at the end of said first female cam 30.

[0040] Preferably, the working surface 30a of the first female cam 30 has a profile obtained by cutting said first cam 30 with at least one inclined plane on axis A at an angle preferably between |30°| and |45°|, so as to obtain, for example, an opening angle of the first cam of 70° + / - 10°. The working surface 32a of the second male cam 32 preferably has a complementary profile, so that the working surface 32a of the second male cam 32 can engage with the working surface 30a of the first female cam 30.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the working surfaces 30a, 32a of the first and second cams 30, 32 have a profile obtained by cutting said first and second cams 30, 32 with two planes P1 and P2 inclined about axis A and symmetrical with respect to said axis A, as shown in the figure 7a .

[0042] Thus, the first cam 30 is preferably a female cam whose working surface 30a has a profile obtained by cutting said first cam 30 with two planes P1, P2 inclined on the axis A at an angle preferably between 30° and 45° for one, here P1, and preferably between -45° and -30° for the other, here P2, said planes P1 and P2 being symmetrical with respect to said axis A. The second cam 32 is a male cam whose working surface has a complementary shape profile, so that the working surface 32a of the second male cam 32 can engage with the working surface 30a of the first female cam 30.

[0043] Preferably, the first cam 30 has, at its end opposite the second cam 32, a working surface 30a whose profile comprises, for example, two inclined planes about the axis A and symmetrical, giving this first cam 30 a cylindrical shape notched in V. The first cam 30 has, at its end opposite the working surface 30a, a circular section 30b, perpendicular to the axis A, bearing against the base 10a of the central rod 10.

[0044] The second cam 32 has, at its end opposite the first cam 30, a working surface 32a whose profile comprises, for example, two symmetrical inclined planes about axis A, giving this second cam 32 a shape complementary to that of the first cam 30, as defined by the working surface 30a. The second cam 32 has, at its end opposite the working surface 32a, a bearing surface 32b arranged to be housed in the guide tube 4 and to cooperate with the spring 34 provided at the bottom of the guide tube 4.

[0045] The second cam 32 is arranged to be housed sliding in the guide tube 4 and blocked in rotation.

[0046] For this purpose, the inner wall of the guide tube 4 typically has longitudinal grooves 36 shown on the figure 4and the bearing surface 32b of the second cam 32 has a contour of shape substantially complementary to said grooves, for example a polygonal contour.

[0047] Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment in which the crown 2 also functions as a pusher, the spring 34 is also the spring which serves to return the crown 2 from its depressed position to its undepressed position when the pressure exerted from outside the case on the crown 2 ceases.

[0048] Indeed, when pressure is exerted on the crown 2, the first cam 30, moved in translation along axis A with the central rod 10, causes, by cooperation of the working surfaces 30a, 32a which preferably remain in contact over the entire cam profile, an axial translation of the second cam 32 in the guide tube 4, compressing the spring 34. An axial translation of the second cam 32, brought back or pushed by the spring 34 when the pressure exerted from the outside on the crown 2 ceases, causes, by cooperation of the working surfaces 30a, 32a which thus remained in contact, an axial translation of the first cam 30, and therefore of the central rod 10, which brings back and replaces the crown 2 in its unpressed position.

[0049] With reference to figures 7a to 7c The operation of the automatic rotary return device to the stable position integrated into the control element according to the invention is as follows.

[0050] When the crown 2 is in its unpressed, neutral position, the first and second cams 30 and 32 are positioned on the central rod 10, nested one inside the other, so that their working surfaces 30a, 32a are in direct contact with each other, typically over the entire cam profile, as shown in the figure 7a .

[0051] In this position, when the crown 2 is rotated in one direction or the other, into one of its unstable angular actuation positions, by an angle of ±65° for example, to perform a rapid correction of month ±1, for example, the axial rotation of the crown 2 causes the axial rotation of the first cam 30, which is fixed to the central rod 10. Thus, the working surface 30a of the first cam 30 pushes the working surface 32a of the second cam 32, which, blocked or essentially blocked from rotation in the guide tube 4, moves away from the first cam 30 by sliding along the central rod 10 towards the bottom of the guide tube 4. The bearing surface 32b of the second cam 32 compresses the spring 34 in the bottom of the guide tube 4, as shown in the figure. figure 7b .

[0052] In parallel, the central rod 10, driven in rotation by the ring 2, drove the control rod 3 in rotation via the squares 12 and 14, so as to carry out the rapid correction required in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the ring 2.

[0053] When the rapid correction is complete and the user releases the crown 2, the torque transmitted to the central rod 10 to rotate it into the unstable actuation position ceases. The second cam 32, no longer constrained by the first cam 30, is returned by the spring 34 by sliding along the central rod 10 towards the first cam 30. Thus, the working surface 32a of the second cam 32, engaging with the working surface 30a of the first cam 30, causes the latter to rotate in the opposite direction, and therefore the central rod 10, until the first and second cams 30, 32 are again engaged. The rotation of the central rod 10 in the opposite direction has returned the crown 2 to its neutral position, as shown in the figure. figure 7a .

[0054] In the preferred embodiment in which the crown 2 also functions as a pusher, when the crown 2 is in its stable angular position, as shown in the figure 7a , it is possible to activate a second function, for example resetting a chronograph mechanism by pressing crown 2.

[0055] During its axial movement following pressure on the crown 2, the central rod 10 moves the first cam 30 with it in axial translation. Remaining engaged with the second cam 32, which is blocked or essentially blocked from rotating in the guide tube 4, the cam pushes the second cam, essentially or exclusively sliding it within the guide tube 4. The bearing surface 32b of the second cam 32 compresses the spring 34 at the bottom of the guide tube 4, as shown in the diagram. figure 7c .

[0056] Simultaneously, the central rod 10, in axial translation, moved the control rod 3, also in axial translation, via the squares 12 and 14, so as to actuate the second function, for example, the chronograph reset. After releasing the pressure on the crown 2 and therefore on the central rod 10, the second cam 32, pushed by the spring 34, slides outwards in the guide tube, pushing on the first cam 30, and therefore on the central rod 10, so that the central rod 10 and the crown 2 return to the unpressed position shown in the diagram. figure 7a .

[0057] The timepiece may include one or more control organs of the invention, arranged to actuate different first and second functions, including functions of several complications.

[0058] The invention makes it possible to control at least one function of a watch movement by rotation of a control member such as a quick control rod, guaranteeing an automatic return to the neutral position once the function has been activated.

[0059] Furthermore, the invention also advantageously allows two different functions to be controlled, in particular functions of different complications, independent of each other, by means of a single control element, one of the functions being controlled by said control element in the manner of a push button and the other of the functions being controlled by said control element in the manner of a rapid control rod, the automatic return to the neutral position, once the function has been activated being reliable and therefore guaranteed.

[0060] The single control element combining rotary and pressure control is a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is quite evident that the control element of the invention can be used only with rotary control, without a push-button function.

Claims

1. A control member (1) for controlling at least one first function of a timepiece movement, said control member (1) comprising a crown (2) comprising a head (6) and a central rod (10) rigidly connected to the head (6) and intended to be rigidly connected to a control rod (3), and a guide tube (4), having a longitudinal axis A, in which said central rod (10) is mounted such that it can at least rotate axially according to said longitudinal axis A, the crown (2) being arranged to occupy at least one non-pressed position in which said crown (2) can rotate axially in at least one direction between at least one stable neutral angular position and at least one unstable angular actuation position in which said first function can be actuated via the control rod (3), characterized in that the control member (1) comprises an automatic bringing-back device for automatically bringing the crown (2) from its actuation position back to its neutral position, comprising a first tubular cam (30) mounted around the central rod (10) such that it is rigidly connected thereto, and a second tubular cam (32) which is housed inside the guide tube (4), and is mounted such that it can freely translate axially on the central rod (10) and arranged so as to be able to essentially slide axially within the guide tube (4) and to cooperate with a spring (34) provided in said guide tube (4), said first cam (30) and said second cam (32) having working surfaces (30a, 32a) arranged to be in contact at least when the crown (2) is in its neutral position, said working surfaces (30a, 32a) having a profile obtained by having at least one plane inclined on the axis A intersect said first and second cams (30, 32) such that, by the cooperation of the working surfaces (30a, 32a), an axial rotation of the first cam (30) via a rotation of the crown (2) into its actuation position results in an axial translation of the second cam (32), compressing the spring (34), and such that, by the cooperation of the working surfaces (30a, 32a), an axial translation of the second cam (32) returned by the spring (34), when the rotation into the actuation position ceases, results in an axial rotation of the first cam (30), which automatically returns the crown (2) to its neutral position.

2. The control member (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first cam (30) is a female cam, the working surface (30a) of which has a profile obtained by having at least one plane inclined on the axis A at an angle of between |30° | and l45° | intersect said first cam (30), the second cam (32) being a male cam, the working surface (32a) of which has a complementarily shaped profile.

3. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working surfaces (30a, 32a) of the first and second cams (30, 32) have a profile obtained by having two planes (P1, P2) inclined on the axis A and symmetrical with respect to said axis A intersect said first and second cams (30, 32).

4. The control member (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first cam (30) is a female cam, the working surface (30a) of which has a profile obtained by two planes (P1, P2) inclined on the axis A at an angle of between -45° and -30° for one and of between 30° and 45° for the other, symmetrical with respect to said axis A, intersect said first cam (30), the second cam (32) being a male cam, the working surface (32a) of which has a complementarily shaped profile.

5. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall of the guide tube (4) has longitudinal flutes (36) and in that the second cam (32) comprises a shoulder (32b) which is housed inside the guide tube (4) arranged to cooperate with the spring (34) provided at the back of the guide tube (4), said shoulder (32b) having a periphery with a form which substantially complements said flutes (36).

6. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first function is a correction function of a mechanism and in that the at least one unstable angular actuation position corresponds to a correction position of the mechanism.

7. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crown (2) is arranged such that it can rotate axially in one direction between the stable neutral angular position and a first unstable angular actuation position, and such that it can rotate axially in the other direction between said neutral position and a second unstable angular actuation position.

8. The control member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first function is a correction function of a mechanism and in that the first unstable angular actuation position corresponds to a first correction position of the mechanism, the second unstable angular actuation position corresponding to a second correction position of the mechanism.

9. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central rod (10) is mounted such that it can translate axially in the guide tube (4), the crown (2) also being arranged, in response to a pressure on said crown (2), such that it can translate axially between its non-pressed position and a pressed position in which a second function which is distinct from the first function can be actuated via the control rod (3), such that, by the cooperation of the working surfaces (30a, 32a), an axial translation of the first cam (30) results in an axial translation of the second cam (32), compressing the spring (34), and to resume its non-pressed position when the pressure on the crown (2) ceases, by the cooperation of the working surfaces (30a, 32a), an axial translation of the second cam (32) returned by the spring (34) resulting in an axial translation of the first cam (30) which returns the crown (2) to its non-pressed position.

10. The control member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second function is one of the chronograph functions.

11. The control member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central rod (10) has at its free end a female driving square (12) in which it is intended to fit a male square (14) provided at the end of the control rod (3).

12. A timepiece comprising at least one control member (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

13. The timepiece according to Claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a month indicating mechanism or a chronograph mechanism and in that the first function is a correction function for the month, or respectively at least one function of the chronograph.

14. The timepiece comprising at least one control member (1) according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a month indicating mechanism and a chronograph mechanism and in that the first function is a correction function for the month, the second function being one of the chronograph functions.

15. The timepiece according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the second function is the Zero-Resetting or Flyback function of the chronograph.