Device for selecting and controlling functions of a timepiece movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for selecting and controlling functions of a clockwork movement, comprising a selector member (20) arranged so that, when activated, it causes the rotation, in a single direction of rotation, of a column wheel (40) comprising a plurality of coaxial cams (42) fixed to each other in rotation, said device comprising a plurality of transmission rockers (50) each of which is arranged to bear against a cam (42) specific to it so as to be able to occupy successively, according to the angular position of said cam (42), a rest position and an active position, each transmission rocker (50) being configured so that, when it occupies the active position, it is disposed on the path of a control member (30) which is intended, when activated from a rest position, to drive the transmission rocker (50) in an active position,towards a command position for a function specific to it.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular watch movements.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a device for selecting and controlling functions of a watch movement and a watch movement comprising said device. Technological background

[0003] Generally, the functions of a watch movement, such as setting the current time, winding the barrel spring, etc., are performed using the winding stem. In particular, each of these functions is controlled by rotating the winding stem when it occupies a particular axial position. There are also watches having a date indicator, in which the winding stem can be moved to a certain axial position in order to be able to set the date or day indicator, by rotating said stem, as in documents EP2367080A1 and EP1939699A1 for example.

[0004] In these watches, the number of functions to be adjusted is limited by the number of axial positions that can be occupied by the winding stem. It is understandable that, for reasons of ease of use, it is difficult to offer a watch whose winding stem has more than three axial positions.

[0005] Furthermore, beyond three axial positions of the winding stem, that is to say, beyond three functions to be controlled, the watch movement would be particularly complex to produce since, in each of its axial positions, the winding stem must be kinematically connected with specific components of the watch movement in order to be able to act on a given function.

[0006] Another disadvantage of these watches is that the winding stem is operated by the user via a crown attached to the free end of the winding stem. This crown, which is generally small in size, can be difficult to manipulate, especially when it comes to moving the winding stem into a given axial position to control a desired function.

[0007] To correct certain functions, such as complete calendars, moon phases, another time zone, etc., some watch movements have correctors that are activated by pressure, usually with a suitable tool. However, using these correctors is difficult and often requires removing the watch from the user's wrist. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention solves the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a solution allowing a user to select and control a function of a watch movement, simply and quickly.

[0009] Furthermore, another objective of the invention is to propose a device of simple design, to facilitate its integration within a watch movement, in particular by limiting the number of components while maximizing the number of functions that can be selected and controlled.

[0010] Another advantage of the invention is that it allows the display of the function that is selected.

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for selecting and controlling functions of a watch movement, comprising a selector member arranged so that, when it is activated, it causes rotation, in a single direction of rotation, of a column wheel comprising a plurality of coaxial cams integral with each other in rotation.The device further comprises a plurality of transmission rockers, each of which is arranged to bear against a cam specific to it so as to be able to successively occupy, depending on the angular position of said cam, a rest position and an active position, each transmission rocker being configured so that, when it occupies the active position, it is arranged on the path of a control member which is intended, when it is urged from a rest position, to drive the transmission rocker located in an active position, towards a control position of a function specific to it.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the cams are configured to cause the movement, between two successive angular positions of the column wheel, of only one of the transmission rockers from its rest position to its active position and to cause the movement of another of the transmission rockers from its active position to its rest position, the other transmission rockers then being maintained in their rest position.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the cams are configured so that when the column wheel occupies a predefined angular position, the set of transmission levers occupies its rest position.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the cams have an identical profile.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the device according to the invention comprises a display integral in rotation with the column wheel or kinematically connected to the column wheel, said display being configured to present a position representative of the angular position of said column wheel.

[0017] In particular embodiments, each cam has a profile comprising on the one hand at least one circular sector whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of said cam, and on the other hand at least one tooth extending radially beyond said circular sector.

[0018] In particular embodiments, each transmission lever comprises a lug adapted, when said lever is in the active position, to cooperate with a component of the watch movement so as to perform a given function specific to said lever.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the device according to the invention comprises a spring tending to move the selector member into a rest position in which it rests against the column wheel, a spring tending to move the control member into its rest position, and a plurality of springs, each of which is arranged so as to keep a transmission lever pressed against the column wheel.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the control member comprises a control lever against which a control push button is arranged to bear.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the selector member comprises a selector lever against which a selection pusher is arranged. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: there figure 1 represents a perspective view of a device for selecting and controlling functions of a watch movement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; figure 2 represents a top view of the device of the figure 1 .

[0023] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The device 10 for selecting and controlling a function of a watch movement according to the invention comprises a function selector member 20 and a control member 30 for the selected function. In the context of the present invention, the functions in question are, for example, setting a day, a date, a month and / or a year, starting, stopping and resetting a countdown, setting the seconds, hours and / or minutes of an alarm clock, setting the current time, etc.

[0025] The selection and control device 10 is intended to be arranged in a watch case (not shown in the figures) comprising the watch movement, the selector member 20 and the control member 30 being arranged so as to open outside the case in order to be accessible so as to be able to be activated by a user.

[0026] As described in detail below, the selector member 20 and the control member 30 are independent of each other, in the sense that they are not kinematically connected to each other.

[0027] The selection and control device 10 comprises a column wheel 40 with which the selector member 20 cooperates so that, when the latter is activated by a user, it causes the rotation of said column wheel 40, in a single direction of rotation and according to a predefined angle.

[0028] In particular, as shown by the figures 1 And 2in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selector member 20 comprises a selector lever 21 arranged to be rotatably movable relative to a structure of the watch movement at a first free end. The selector lever 21 comprises, at a second free end, a hook 22 and a beak 23 between which a recess is formed in which the column wheel 40 is arranged. In other words, the column wheel 40 is interposed between the hook 22 and the beak 23 in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Preferably, the selector member 20 is subjected to the action of a spring tending to maintain it in a rest position in which the hook 22 rests against the column wheel 40.

[0030] Advantageously, the hook 22 and the beak 23 are adapted to cooperate alternately with a ratchet 41 of the column wheel 40 each time the selector lever 21 is pressed by the user. Indeed, when the user applies pressure to the selector lever 21, the beak 23 comes into contact with a tooth of the ratchet 41 and subjects the column wheel 40 to a moment of force, causing it to rotate through a certain angle. When the user stops pressing the selector lever 21, the spring causes said selector lever 21 to move into its rest position and the hook 22 to engage between two teeth of the ratchet 41. The column wheel is then held in a stable position by the cooperation of the hook 22 and the ratchet 41.

[0031] The column wheel 40 comprises a plurality of cams 42 which are coaxial and superimposed on each other. The cams 42 are integral with each other in rotation, as well as with the ratchet 41. As shown in figures 1And 2 , each of the cams 42 receives in support a transmission rocker 50 which is specific to it, so that, during the rotation of the column wheel 40, the transmission rockers 50 are driven in alternating rotation by said cams 42, between two extreme positions called in the remainder of the text “rest position” and “active position”. In other words, the cams 42 are configured so that, during the rotation of the column wheel 40, they cause the transmission rockers 50 to move alternately between their active position and their rest position.

[0032] Preferably, the cams 42 are arranged so that only one transmission lever 50 at a time is moved into the active position, said transmission levers 50 being driven successively, one after the other, into their active position, during the rotation of the column wheel 40. In other words, when one of the transmission levers 50 is in the active position, all of the other cams 42 are in their rest position.

[0033] The cams 42 preferably all have the same cam profile and have an angular offset relative to each other, as shown in figures 1 And 2. In particular, the cams 42 each comprise, on the one hand, at least one circular sector 43 whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of said cam 42, and on the other hand, at least one tooth 44 extending radially beyond said circular sector 43. In the example shown in the figures, the cams 42 each comprise three circular sectors 43 separated from each other by a tooth 44.

[0034] As can be seen in the figures, the transmission levers 50 can be superimposed on each other and can be movable in rotation about the same axis of rotation in order to make the device more compact. Each transmission lever 50 extends between a first free end with which it is intended to cooperate with the column wheel 40 and a second free end with which it is able to cooperate with the control member 30.

[0035] The first free end of each transmission lever 50 comprises a feeler 51 intended to be held in abutment against one of the cams 42 under the action of a spring. When the feeler 51 of a transmission lever 50 rests in abutment against one of the circular sectors 43 of the cam 42 with which it is associated, the transmission lever 50 is in the rest position, and when the feeler 51 rests against one of the teeth 44 of the cam 42 with which it is associated, the transmission lever 50 is in the active position.

[0036] Advantageously, when one of the transmission levers 50 occupies the active position, it is arranged on the path of the control member 30 so that, when the latter is activated by a user from a rest position, it drives the transmission lever 50 located in an active position, towards a control position of a function specific to it. When a transmission lever 50 is driven into the control position, it is moved away from the column wheel 40 so that its feeler 51 is no longer in contact with the cam 42 associated with it.

[0037] In other words, and as shown by the figure 2 , when the transmission rockers 50 are in the rest position, they are not capable of being driven by the control member 30.

[0038] In particular, as visible on the figures 1 And 2, when one of the transmission rockers 50 is in the active position, it is capable of being subjected to a moment of force, at its second free end, by the control member 30 capable of moving it to the control position.

[0039] Preferably, the cams 42 are configured so that when the column wheel 40 occupies a predefined angular position, all of the transmission levers 50 occupy their rest position. Thus, the user can select a neutral state of the selection and control device 10, by actuating the selector member 20, in which no function of the watch movement can be actuated by the control member 30.

[0040] In order to be able to interact with a component of the watch movement (not shown) adapted to perform a given function specific to said transmission lever 50, when the control member 30 is activated, each transmission lever 50 comprises a lug 52.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lug 52 of each transmission rocker 50 is arranged at the second free end, and extends from a lateral flank of said transmission rocker 50. Advantageously, as visible in the figures 1 And 2, the lugs 52 are arranged respectively on the transmission levers 50 at different locations from each other, so as to be able to act on different components of the watch movement, or act in a different manner, so that each of the transmission levers is capable of controlling different functions. More precisely, the lugs are offset from each other in a direction extending between the axis of rotation of the transmission levers 50 and the second free end of the transmission levers 50.

[0042] It should be noted that a person skilled in the art is able to design the connection or the kinematic chain between each lug 52 and the component of the watch movement adapted to perform a given function with which it is intended to interact. Furthermore, the components of the watch movement other than the elements of the selection and control device 10 are therefore not shown in the figures without this prejudicing the proper understanding of the description of the invention, insofar as they do not form part as such of the present invention.

[0043] The control member 30 is preferably subjected to the action of a spring which tends to move it towards its rest position. Thus, when it is not requested by a user, the control member 30 is forced to occupy its rest position, then authorizing the movement of the transmission rockers 50 towards their active position.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the figures 1 And 2 , the control member 30 comprises a control lever 31 against which is arranged to bear a control pusher 32 intended to be activated by the user so that it controls the selected function. In addition, the selector lever 21 comprises a support zone 210 on which the user is intended to press to activate the selector member 20.

[0045] Alternatively, the selector member 20 may comprise a selection pusher (not shown in the figures) arranged against the support zone 210 of the selector lever 21 and on which the user is intended to press to actuate the selector member 20.

[0046] The device according to the present invention may advantageously include a display (not shown in the figures) indicating to the user the selected function, i.e. which function is likely to be actuated by the transmission rocker 50 if the control member 30 is activated, or possibly indicating the neutral state of said device.

[0047] In particular, the display is integral in rotation with the column wheel 40 or kinematically connected to the column wheel 40, and is configured to present a position representative of the angular position of said column wheel 40.

[0048] To summarize the operation of the selection and control device 10, each time the user presses the selector member 20, and in particular its support zone 210, causes the column wheel 40 to rotate by a predefined angle and a transmission rocker 50 to pivot to its active position. To select a desired function, the user must therefore press the selector member 20 as many times as necessary so as to pivot the transmission rockers 50 one after the other, until the transmission rocker 50 associated with the desired function is pivoted to the active position.

[0049] Once the desired function has been selected, it can be actuated by the user pressing on the control member 30, in particular on the control pusher 32 in the preferred embodiment of the invention, until the control lever 31 pushes the transmission lever 50 which is in the active position to its control position, which then interacts with a component of the watch movement adapted to perform a given function.

[0050] As can be understood from reading the present description of the invention, the device 10 for selecting and controlling a function of a watch movement comprises as many transmission levers 50 and cams 42 as there are functions to be selected and controlled.

[0051] More generally, it should be noted that the implementation and embodiment methods considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are consequently conceivable.

Claims

1. Device (10) for selecting and controlling functions of a horological movement, comprising a selector member (20) arranged such that, when it is acted on, it causes a column wheel (40) comprising a plurality of coaxial cams (42) which are integral with one another for rotation as one, to rotate in a single direction of rotation, said device comprising a plurality of transmission yokes (50), each of which is arranged such that it bears against a cam (42) specific thereto so as to be able to successively occupy, depending on the angular position of said cam (42), a rest position and an active position, characterised in that each transmission yoke (50) is configured such that when it occupies the active position, it is disposed in the path of a control member (30) which is intended, when it is acted on from a rest position, to drive the transmission yoke (50) located in an active position, towards a position for controlling a function specific thereto.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cams (42) are configured to cause only one of the transmission yokes (50) to move, between two successive angular positions of the column wheel (40), from its rest position to its active position, and to cause another of the transmission yokes (50) to move from its active position to its rest position.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cams (42) are configured such that when the column wheel (40) occupies a predefined angular position, all of the transmission yokes (50) occupy their rest position.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cams (42) have an identical profile.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a display that is integral with the column wheel (40) for rotation therewith or kinematically connected to the column wheel (40), said display being configured to take a position that is representative of the angular position of said column wheel (40).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each cam (42) has a profile comprising, on the one hand, at least one sector of a circle (43) whose centre is coincident with the axis of rotation of said cam (42), and on the other hand, at least one tooth (44) extending radially beyond said sector of a circle (43).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each transmission yoke (50) includes a catch (52) adapted, when said yoke is in the active position, to cooperate with a component of the horological movement so as to perform a given function specific to said yoke.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a spring biasing the selector member (20) into a rest position in which it rests against the column wheel (40), a spring biasing the control member (30) into its rest position, and a plurality of springs, each arranged to hold a transmission yoke (50) such that it bears against the column wheel (40).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control member (30) includes a control lever (31) against which a control push-piece (32) bears.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the selector member (20) includes a selector lever (21) against which a selection push-piece is arranged.

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