Display mechanism for a time zone watch

Abstract

The invention relates to a display mechanism (1) for a timepiece comprising: a finishing gear; - a correction device comprising a brake (102); - a differential (6) comprising: - a first input (632) kinematically connected to the finishing gear; - a second input (64) kinematically connected to the correction device; and - an output (61); - a first indicating member kinematically connected to the finishing gear and allowing the display of the time of a first time zone; - a second indicating member (614) kinematically connected to the output (61) of the differential (6) and allowing the display of the time of a second time zone; and - a time zone display disc (71) bearing indications designating the twenty-four distinct time zones and intended to be read through an aperture.The entire assembly is arranged so that, during normal operation of the display mechanism (1), the movements of the second indicator element (614) result from those of the first input (632) of the differential (6), and so that, when the correction device is actuated to correct the position of the second indicator element (614), it corrects both: - the position of the second indicator element (614) via the second input (64), the brake (102) of the correction device blocking the first input (632); and - the position of the time zone display disc (71). The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a display mechanism (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display mechanism for a timepiece such as a time zone watch. Document CH 665 930 G A3 discloses a watch indicating different times, comprising, in addition to the ordinary indicators of the current time, at least one additional indicator of the hours subject to the action of a manual control mechanism allowing it to be adjusted independently of the ordinary indicators.

[0002] Watches with a "universal" display typically have a local time display via a 12-hour hand and city names corresponding to the twenty-four time zones around the dial, allowing you to know the time in different parts of the world, typically by reading it on a rotating 24-hour scale, coupled with a 24-hour hand.

[0003] Dual time zone watches or GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) watches allow the time in two separate time zones to be displayed simultaneously. Generally, they display the local time called "Local Time" on a 12-hour scale and the time at home called "Home Time" (or other time depending on the user's needs) on a fixed 24-hour scale, in relation to a corresponding hand.

[0004] GMT watches have the advantage of allowing simple and intuitive reading of the time for two time zones but have the disadvantage that to set it, the wearer of such a watch must know the time difference between the two zones he wants to display.

[0005] Watches with a universal display have the advantage of "calculating" the difference between different time zones themselves, but reading the time in each of these zones is less intuitive.

[0006] The objective of the invention is to propose a watch comprising an alternative display to those known, typically a watch whose display is a hybrid between the two types of display previously described, which allows the time of two distinct time zones to be displayed intuitively, typically via hands on a dial, and which also allows the user to display the time of the time zone of his choice without necessarily knowing the time difference existing between the two zones that he wants to display.

[0007] The invention proposes for this purpose a display mechanism for a timepiece comprising: a finishing gear train; a correction device comprising a brake; a differential comprising: a first input kinematically connected to the finishing gear train; a second input kinematically connected to the correction device; and an output a first indicator member kinematically connected to the finishing gear train and allowing the display of the time in a first time zone; a second indicator member kinematically connected to the output of the differential and allowing the display of the time in a second time zone; and a time zone display disc bearing indications designating the twenty-four distinct time zones and intended to be read, one at a time, through an aperture.

[0008] The whole is arranged so that, during the normal operation of the display mechanism, the movements of the second indicator member result from those of the first input of the differential, and so that, when the correction device is actuated to correct the position of the second indicator member, it corrects at the same time, in a synchronized manner: the position of the second indicator member via the second input, the brake of the correction device blocking the first input; and the position of the spindle display disc.

[0009] In order to avoid any risk of breakage, the display mechanism according to the invention typically comprises a disengageable kinematic link between the finishing gear and the first input when the brake blocks the first input of the differential.

[0010] The differential of the mechanism according to the invention typically comprises a planet carrier, a sun pinion forming the first input and a crown wheel with internal and external teeth forming the second input pivotally mounted around an axis. It also comprises a satellite wheel mounted on the planet carrier and meshing both with the sun pinion around which it pivots and with the internal teeth of the crown wheel with internal and external teeth. The second indicator member is integral with the planet carrier which forms the output of the differential.

[0011] Advantageously, the display mechanism according to the invention comprises a minute pinion associated with the first time zone and driven in rotation by the going train. It preferably comprises another minute pinion associated with the second time zone and driven in rotation by said minute pinion via a minute return wheel. More preferably, the display mechanism according to the invention comprises another minute return wheel, frictionally mounted on said minute return wheel to allow the kinematic connection between the going train and the first input to be disengaged when the brake blocks the first input of the differential, said other minute return wheel meshing with a coaxial sun wheel and integral in rotation with the sun pinion.

[0012] Advantageously, the differential plays the role of the timer.

[0013] Advantageously, the correction device comprises a correction wheel and this correction wheel comprises, coaxial and integral in rotation: a first toothed wheel meshing with the internally and externally toothed crown; a second toothed wheel meshing with a toothed wheel secured to the time zone display disc; and a correction star.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the correction device also comprises a correction rocker comprising a corrector intended to cooperate with the correction star to pivot it.

[0015] The display mechanism according to the invention preferably comprises a braking lever carrying said brake, the correction rocker being capable of actuating the pivoting of the braking lever allowing the blocking of the sun wheel by the brake in coordination with the cooperation of the corrector with the correction star.

[0016] The braking lever typically comprises a groove in which a pin of the correction lever is housed. The whole is typically arranged so that the pivoting of the correction lever along a first part of the stroke causes the pin to advance in a first portion of the groove and the pivoting of the braking lever allowing the sun wheel to be blocked by the brake; and so that the pivoting of the correction lever along a second part of the stroke following the first part of the stroke further causes the pin to advance in a second portion of the groove and thus the pivoting of the correction star by one step.

[0017] The invention also relates to a timepiece such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch comprising such a display mechanism.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given with reference to the appended drawings in which: there figure 1 represents in perspective a display mechanism according to a particular embodiment of the invention for a watch intended to display the time of two different time zones; the figure 2 is a sectional view along a broken line of the display mechanism illustrated in figure 1 ; THE figures 3 à 7 illustrate, in perspective, successive views by adding level by level the elements of the display mechanism illustrated in figure 1 ; THE figures 8 And 9 illustrate successive top views of the correction device of the display mechanism illustrated in figure 1 during a correction of the display of one of the said two time zones.

[0019] In the following description, the clockwise / counterclockwise rotation directions are given for information purposes with reference to the figures 1 And 3 à 9 .

[0020] With reference to the figures, a display mechanism 1 for a watch according to a particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to simultaneously display the time of a first time zone typically corresponding to the place of residence of the wearer of the watch (home time) and the time of a second time zone of choice, corresponding for example to a travel location in which the wearer of the watch is located (local time). The time associated with the second time zone is displayed in association with the name of a major city in this time zone.

[0021] The display mechanism 1 allows for easy reading of the time in two separate time zones, by means of two hour hands, on fixed hourly graduations, like a GMT watch. It also allows the time in each of the world's time zones to be displayed by selecting the city corresponding to the time zone of interest to the user.

[0022] Unlike a conventional GMT watch, a watch incorporating such a display mechanism 1 allows a user to display the time in two separate time zones without knowing the time difference between the two locations.

[0023] The display mechanism 1 typically comprises a frame 100, typically a plate or an additional module board, a home time minute pinion 2 meshing with a first minute return wheel 3 on the barrel of which a second minute return wheel 4 is frictionally mounted.

[0024] The minute hand wheel 3 meshes with a local time minute pinion 5.

[0025] The local time 5 minute pinion is intended to pivot relative to the frame 100 around an axis of rotation A1 illustrated in the figures.

[0026] The display mechanism 1 also comprises a differential gear device, hereinafter called differential 6, with main axis A1, comprising a satellite carrier 61 comprising a lower part 611 and an upper part 612 assembled by screws 613, a satellite pinion 62, a sun wheel 63 comprising a sun wheel 631 and a sun pinion 632 coaxial and integral in rotation with each other, and a crown 64 with internal and external teeth.

[0027] The sun pinion 632 (or more generally the sun wheel 63) forms the first input of the differential 6, the crown 64 forms the second input of the differential 6 and the planet carrier 61 forms the output of the differential 6.

[0028] The planet gear 62 is carried by the planet carrier 61. It comprises two pivots, pivoting in stones carried respectively by the lower part 611 and by the upper part 612 of the planet carrier 61.

[0029] The satellite pinion 62 meshes with the sun pinion 632 around which it can roll when the sun pinion 632 is fixed in rotation and the planet carrier 61 is itself driven in rotation.

[0030] The solar mobile 63 is pivotally mounted around the barrel of the local time minute pinion 5 which serves as a central shaft for the differential 6 and its solar wheel 631 meshes with the minute return pinion 4.

[0031] The upper part 612 of the satellite carrier 61 is secured to a local time hour hand 614. Its hollow barrel is mounted freely rotatable on the barrel of the local time minute hand 5.

[0032] The crown 64 is mounted between the upper 612 and lower 611 parts so as to be guided in rotation around the axis A1 by the satellite carrier 61. Its internal teeth mesh with the satellite pinion 62 and its external teeth mesh with a wheel of a correction wheel set 8 which will be described later.

[0033] The display mechanism 1 also comprises a city display wheel 7 and a time zone correction device comprising the correction wheel 8, a correction lever 9 and a braking lever 10.

[0034] The city display mobile 7 comprises a city display disc 71 and a city display wheel 72, coaxial and integral in rotation around an axis, which in the construction example, is parallel to the axis A1. It could be confused with the axis A1.

[0035] The correction wheel 8 is pivotally mounted on the frame 100 around an axis of rotation A2. It comprises a first toothed wheel 81 which meshes with the external teeth of the crown 64, a second toothed wheel 82 which meshes with the teeth of the city display wheel 72, and a correction star 83, coaxial and integral in rotation around the axis A2. This correction star 83 is typically positioned by a jumper (not shown).

[0036] The purpose of the city display disk 71 is to allow the reading, through a window (not shown), of a city name chosen by the user, corresponding to the second time zone. Preferably, the second zone is the “local time” time zone for the user.

[0037] The local time correction feature allows this 71 city display disc to be rotated to change the displayed time zone.

[0038] The correction lever 9 comprises a corrector 91 intended to cooperate with the correction star 83 to pivot it counterclockwise. The correction lever 9 also comprises, typically at one of its ends, a pin 92, carried by an arm 93 and engaged in a groove 101 of the braking lever 10 (see figures 8 And 9 ).

[0039] The braking lever 10 carries a brake 102 capable of coming to bear on the periphery of the sun wheel 631 so as to prevent its rotation during the correction of the time of the local zone. For this purpose, the brake 102 typically comprises at the end of its arm, teeth 1021, 1022 sized to be able to engage in the teeth of the sun wheel 631 to block its rotation. As will be understood subsequently, the arm of the brake 102 is elastically deformable.

[0040] The operation of the display mechanism 1 is as follows: The finishing gear of the watch comprising the display mechanism 1 enables the driving of the home time minute pinion 2 and the home time minute display hand 21 which is attached to it at a rate of one revolution per hour.

[0041] This gear train also traditionally allows the rotation of a home time hour wheel (not shown) and the display hand it carries.

[0042] During normal operation of the mechanism, the home time 2 minute pinion drives, via the first minute return wheel 3, the rotation of the local time 5 minute pinion and the local time 51 minute hand it carries. The home 21 and local 51 minute display hands therefore pivot jointly, i.e. at the same speed and in desmodromic connection.

[0043] The second minute wheel 4 pivots in solidarity with the first minute wheel 3 and drives the solar mobile 63 in rotation.

[0044] Outside of correction, during normal operation of the mechanism, the correction wheel set 8 is held stationary by the jumper of the correction star 83 and so is the crown 64. The pivoting of the sun wheel set 63 causes the satellite pinion 62 to pivot around the sun pinion 632, in the internal teeth of the crown 64 (fixed). This causes the satellite carrier 61 to rotate and therefore the local hour hand 614 which is secured to it.

[0045] The gear ratios of the various cogs of the differential 6 are chosen so that it plays the role of the timer in that it transmits the rotation of the home time minute pinion 2 to the local hour hand 614. The local hour hand 614 pivots advantageously at a rate of one revolution every 24 hours.

[0046] When the user wants to change the time zone displayed by the local time hand 614, he acts on the correction wheel 8 by activating the correction lever 9, for example by means of a pusher or a corrector.

[0047] The correction rocker 9 is arranged to be pivoted clockwise about an axis of rotation A3 shown in the figures by the user. The position of the correction rocker 9 shown in the figure 8 is preferably a “rest” position, the correction lever 9 being typically held in this position, against a stop (not shown) by a return spring (not shown). This stop also has the role of preventing the pin 92 from coming out of the groove 101. The return of the correction lever 9 to said rest position after its actuation is also done by means of said return spring.

[0048] During the pivoting of the correction lever 9 in the clockwise direction from said rest position, the pin 92 travels through a first portion 1011 of the groove 101 ( figure 8 ). This causes the braking lever 10 to pivot around a rotation axis A4 in a clockwise direction so as to bring the teeth 1021, 1022 into the teeth of the sun wheel 631 to block its rotation. At this stage, the corrector 91 has not yet reached the teeth of the correction star 83.

[0049] Then, if the rotation of the correction rocker 9 is continued, the pin 92 travels the second portion 1012 of the groove 101 ( figure 9 ). The teeth 1021, 1022 of the brake 102 continue to block the rotation of the sun wheel 631 and the corrector 91 advances the correction star 83 by one step in the counterclockwise direction. figure 9illustrates the moment when the corrector 91 comes into contact with a tooth of the correction star 83 to pivot it. The brake 102 deforms elastically to absorb the stress experienced when the pin 92 travels through the second portion 1012 of the groove 101 and avoid the risk of breakage.

[0050] The correction star 83 being integral with the first 81 and second 82 correction wheels, its pivoting causes the pivoting of the first correction wheel 81 then of the crown 64 with which it meshes. The sun wheel 63 being blocked by the brake 102, the pivoting of the crown 64 in the clockwise direction causes the pivoting of the satellite pinion 62 around the sun pinion 632 in the clockwise direction and thus the rotation of the satellite carrier 61 in the clockwise direction. The gear ratios are such that each step of the correction star 83 corresponds to the advancement of the display given by the local hour hand 614 of one hour, i.e. 1 / 24th of a turn and the coordinated advancement of the display given by the city display disc 71 of one step (also 1 / 24th of a turn) to adapt the corresponding time zone.

[0051] More generally, the correction lever 9 therefore makes it possible to actuate the pivoting of the braking lever 10 which allows the blocking of the sun wheel 631 by the brake 102 in coordination with the cooperation of the corrector 91 with the correction star 83.

[0052] When the brake 102 blocks the solar wheel 63 and the corrector 91 sets the differential 6 in motion (via the second input corresponding to the crown 64), the second minute return wheel 4 is detached in rotation from the first minute return wheel 3 thanks to its friction mounting so as not to interact with the Home Time hour and avoid any breakage. The home 21 and local 51 minute hands pivot together, the home time hour hand continues to pivot normally and the local hour hand 614 only pivots under the influence of the correction wheel 8, in one-hour steps, together with the city display disc 71.

[0053] For the adjustment of a watch comprising a display mechanism such as display mechanism 1, the hour hands may be desynchronized, independently of the minute hands which remain synchronized.

[0054] If one wants to use such a watch so that the first time zone corresponds to the place of residence and the second time zone corresponds to the (local) location in which the user is located, the setting is carried out as follows.

[0055] First, you need to set all displays to the time in your place of residence. To do this, you must: a. choose the city of the place of residence (home time), b. set the time in the time display window of the second time zone (local time) to the time in the first time zone (home time), via the time-setting crown (both sets of hands move), then c. set the main time of the first time zone (place of residence) by blocking the input of the differential 6 to disengage the connection between the times of the two displays. Concretely, the push-piece controlling the correction lever 9 is pressed in the intermediate position, to actuate the brake 102 without the corrector 91 actuating the correction star 83 (it makes the pin 92 travel only the first portion 1011 of the groove 101) and the main time is set via the time-setting crown.

[0056] In a second step, typically when going on a trip, the city display disc 71 is positioned so as to display in the corresponding window the city associated with the time zone of our place of travel (local time). To do this, the pusher controlling the control lever 9 is pressed to bring it to its maximum position, in order to bring the pin 92 to the bottom of the second portion 1012 of the groove 101. The hand 614 displaying the local time follows in synchronism with the city disc. The hand 614 thus displays the time corresponding to the city visible in the window.

[0057] The display mechanism 1 allows an alternative display to those offered by GMT type watches and by universal watches since it allows the time of two distinct time zones to be displayed (typically place of residence and place of travel (local)), by coordinating the display of the time of one of these zones with the display of the name of the city associated with this time zone (typically for local time).

[0058] This display mechanism 1 allows for a home time display and a local time display, which are synchronized and advance together in normal operation, while the city disc remains in its aperture. Home time is displayed by the main hands, local time by additional hands and in a coordinated manner with the reference city of the local time zone.

[0059] Advantageously, the cog associated with the first time zone (home time) controls the rest of the caliber's information (calendar and other).

[0060] The preceding description seeks to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration, and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as for example the structure of the differential or the shapes represented for the different constituents.

[0061] In variants, it is obvious that the shape of the different organs can vary infinitely as long as their functions are ensured. Typically, the number of teeth of the different toothed rotating organs (wheels and pinions) can vary while maintaining gear ratios consistent with the desired display.

Claims

1. Display mechanism (1) for a timepiece comprising : - a finishing going train; - a correction device comprising a brake (102); - a differential (6) comprising : - a first input (632) kinematically connected to the finishing going train; - a second input (64) kinematically connected to the correction device; and - an output (61); - a first indicator member kinematically connected to the finishing going train and enabling the time of a first time zone to be displayed; - a second indicator member (614) kinematically connected to the output (61) of the differential (6) and enabling the time of a second time zone to be displayed; and - a time zone display disc (71) having indications designating the twenty-four distinct time zones and intended to be read through an aperture; the whole being arranged so that, during ordinary operation of the display mechanism (1), the movements of the second indicator member (614) result from those of the first input (632) of the differential (6), and so that, when the correction device is actuated to correct the position of the second indicator member (614), it corrects both: - the position of the second indicator member (614) via the second input (64), the brake (102) of the correction device immobilising the first input (632); and - the position of the time zone display disc (71).

2. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a disconnectable kinematic link between the finishing going train and the first input when the brake (102) immobilises the first input of the differential (6).

3. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the differential (6) comprises a planet carrier (61) forming the output of the differential (6), a sun gear (632) forming the first input of the differential (6) and a crown with internal and external teeth (64) forming the second input of the differential (6), which are mounted to pivot about an axis (A1) as well as a planet wheel (62) mounted on the planet carrier (61) and meshing at the same time with the sun gear (632) about which it pivots and with the internal teeth of the crown with internal and external teeth (64), the second indicator member (614) being fixedly attached to the planet carrier (61).

4. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises a minute pinion (2) associated with the first time zone and driven in rotation by the finishing going train.

5. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that it comprises another minute pinion (5) associated with the second time zone and driven in rotation by said minute pinion (2) via an intermediate minute wheel (3).

6. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 5 and as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that it comprises another intermediate minute wheel (4), frictionally mounted on said intermediate minute wheel (3) to enable the disconnection of the kinematic link between the finishing going train and the first input when the brake (102) immobilises the first input of the differential (6), said other intermediate minute wheel (4) meshing with a coaxial sun wheel (631) connected for conjoint rotation to the sun gear (632).

7. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the differential (6) acts as the motion work.

8. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the correction device comprises a correction mobile (8) comprising, being coaxial and connected for conjoint rotation : - a first toothed wheel (81) meshing with the second input of the differential (6); - a second toothed wheel (82) meshing with a toothed wheel (72) fixedly attached to the time zone display disc (71); and - a correction star (83).

9. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the correction device comprises a correction lever arm (9) comprising a corrector (91) intended to cooperate with the correction star (83) to cause it to pivot.

10. Display mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that it comprises a braking lever (10) carrying said brake (102), in that the correction lever arm (9) is suitable for actuating the pivoting of the braking lever (10) enabling immobilisation of the sun wheel (631) by the brake (102) in coordination with the cooperation of the corrector (91) with the correction star (83).

11. Display mechanism as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the braking lever (10) comprises a groove (101) in which is housed a pin (92) of the correction lever arm (9), in that the pivoting of the correction lever arm (9) according to a first path section causes the pin (92) to advance in a first portion (1011) of the groove (101) and the braking lever (10) to pivot, enabling the immobilisation of the sun wheel (631) by the brake (102); and in that the pivoting of the correction lever arm (9) according to a second path section following the first path section further causes the pin (92) to advance in a second portion (1012) of the groove (101) and thus the correction star (83) to pivot by one step.

12. Timepiece comprising a display mechanism (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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