Timepiece movement comprising a device for displaying at least two time zones

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a device for displaying the time in at least two time zones, the display device comprising a minute display member (M), a member (H1) for displaying the current hour representing a first time zone, a member (H2) for displaying the local hour representing a second time zone, the member (H1) for displaying the current hour and the member (H2) for displaying the local hour being superimposed, the movement further comprising a mechanism for setting to the time in the second time zone, arranged to move the member (H2) for displaying the local hour, and a mechanism for synchronising the member (H1) for displaying the current hour and the member (H2) for displaying the local hour, arranged to reposition the member (H2) for displaying the local hour so as to be superimposed with the member (H1) for displaying the current hour in order to leave only one hour-indicating member (H1, H2) visible.

Description

[0001] CLOCKWORK MOVEMENT COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING AT LEAST TWO TIME ZONES

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking and more particularly concerns a watch movement comprising a device for displaying at least two time zones.

[0003] It is known from the state of the art that clock movements are arranged to display several time zones.

[0004] EP2008159 describes a wristwatch provided with a switching mechanism capable of selectively indicating the time of one or the other of two time zones by a single display member. The single hour hand selectively displays either the local time or the time of the second time zone, under the actuation of a push button. The switching mechanism comprises a heart and two levers. The difference between the local time and the time of the second time zone is determined by the relative position of one lever with respect to the other.

[0005] The switching mechanism described has the disadvantage of including display selection and adjustment mechanisms which are very complex and involve two differentials and a very large number of components.

[0006] Furthermore, the known dual time zone mechanisms allow the advancement of time from hour to hour, from half hour to half hour or to the nearest minute without a reset mechanism.

[0007] Depending on the mechanisms, the standard requires corrections equivalent to twelve or twenty-four steps to cover the 360° and return to the initial position.

[0008] CN101685292A describes a mechanism for displaying two time zones with correction of the second time zone by means of a crown. This mechanism does not allow for easy correction of the time zone by incremental advancement of the hand displaying the current time. Furthermore, resetting the second time zone and setting the time is more complex and more tedious. CH687494B5 describes a mechanism for displaying two time zones for which the second time zone is corrected by means of a pusher. Resetting the second time zone is tedious because it is implemented by means of incremental actuation of the number of hours to be adjusted.

[0009] Others, such as one of the applicant's creations, propose a dual time zone mechanism adjustable to the minute, allowing correction in both directions via an independent time mechanism stem.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to propose a watch movement comprising at least two time zones embedded in the center of the movement to take its driving force and allow it to be reset to zero at any time.

[0011] In the present case, the complication is constantly rotating with the current time and therefore completes 360° in twelve or twenty-four hours, which makes the traditional principles of correction and resetting unusable without the arrangement of the present invention.

[0012] According to the invention, a clockwork movement comprising a time display device for at least two time zones comprises:

[0013] - a minute display device;

[0014] - a current time display device representing a first time zone; and

[0015] - a local time display unit representing a second time zone; the current time and local time display units being superimposed.

[0016] The movement also includes:

[0017] - a mechanism for setting the time of the second time zone arranged to move the local time display member, and

[0018] - a mechanism for synchronizing the current time and local time display members arranged to reposition the local time display member to be superimposed with the current time display member so as to only show one time indicator member. In one embodiment, the mechanism for setting the time of the second time zone comprises an hour wheel of the local time display member cooperating with an hour wheel carrying the current time display member, a jumper being arranged on the hour wheel of the local time display member to drive a center wheel carrying the local time display member.

[0019] Preferably, the second time zone time setting mechanism comprises a lever arranged to drive the center wheel.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mechanism for synchronizing the current time and local time display members comprises another lever cooperating with the wheel driving a jumper arranged to cooperate with a star pressing on a heart cam causing the synchronization of the current time and local time display members when said synchronization mechanism is actuated.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the movement comprises a first control member arranged to move, each time said control member is actuated, the local time display member by a step of one twelfth of a revolution or by a step of one twenty-fourth of a revolution.

[0022] In one embodiment, the movement comprises a second control member arranged to synchronize, upon each actuation of said second control member, the current time display member and the local time display member, the local time display member moving in one direction or another towards the current time display member by covering the shortest distance.

[0023] The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of an embodiment given solely by way of example, in no way limiting, by referring to the schematic figures, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 represents a timepiece comprising a display of two time zones according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a part of the movement according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the rear part of the movement of Figure 2;

[0026] - Figure 4 shows an exploded view of hour wheels arranged in the movement for displaying the hours of each time zone;

[0027] - Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a center wheel;

[0028] - Figure 6A represents a view of the mechanism for correcting the hours at rest;

[0029] - Figure 6B shows a view of the hour correction mechanism in action;

[0030] - Figure 7A shows a view of the hour hand synchronization mechanism at rest; and

[0031] - Figure 7B shows a view of the hour hand synchronization mechanism in action.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 1, a timepiece has a time display device for two time zones. The display device includes:

[0033] - A display organ in the form of a minute hand M;

[0034] - A current time display device in the form of a current hour hand H1 representing a first time zone;

[0035] - A local time display in the form of a local hour hand H2 representing a second time zone.

[0036] The hands for the current time H1 and the local time H2 are superimposed and positioned in the center of the movement, coaxially and displaying a time difference of two hours between the current time H1 and the local time H2.

[0037] In the example illustrated, the hands of the current time H1 and the local time H2 are positioned one above the other so as to be merged when only the current time H1 is to be displayed. The movement further comprises a mechanism for setting the time of the second time zone arranged to move the hand of the local time H2 and a mechanism for synchronizing the hands of the current time H1 and the local time H2 arranged to reposition the hand of the local time H2 in a manner superimposed on the hand of the current time H1 so as to reveal only one hand H1, H2.

[0038] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the mechanism for setting the time of the second time zone comprises an hour wheel 52 of the local time hand cooperating with an hour wheel 9 carrying the current time hand, a jumper 3 being arranged on the hour wheel 52 of the local time hand to drive a center wheel 4 carrying the local time hand H2.

[0039] The hour wheel 52 of the local time hand is driven onto the hour wheel of the movement 51. This hour wheel 52 sends the information back to the hour wheel 9 carrying the current hour hand, thanks to a reference 10.

[0040] Jumper 3 is mounted on the hour wheel of the local time hand and drives a center wheel 4, which carries the local time hand.

[0041] In our example, in order to correct the time by two hours, it is necessary to exert two successive pressures on the push button 15 (see figure 1) which has the effect of actuating the rocker 1 (see figures 6A, and 6B). This rocker 1 drives the center mobile 4 by making it take a step of one twelfth of a turn with each press of the push button.

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the mechanism for synchronizing the current time and local time hands comprises another lever 2 cooperating with the wheel 53 (see Figure 4) driving a jumper 3 (see Figure 2) arranged to cooperate with a star 43 pressing on a heart cam 42 causing the current time and local time hands to be synchronized when said synchronization mechanism is actuated by pressing the push button 16 positioned at the level of the winding crown of the timepiece.

[0043] The push-button 16 is arranged to synchronize, at each actuation, the current time hand and the local time hand, the local time hand moving in one direction or another towards the current time hand by covering the shortest distance. In our example, pressing the push-button 16 positioned at the winding crown will move the local time hand in an anti-clockwise direction until it is positioned, in a coincident manner, with the current time hand. The complication is constantly rotating with the current time and therefore completes 360° in 12 hours.

[0044] According to the present invention, such as an operation corresponding to a split-seconds mechanism, the hour hands are synchronized but can be desynchronized in the clockwise direction, then if necessary to catch up with the position of the current hour hand in one direction or the other via a heart cam which defines the shortest path.

[0045] The present invention therefore makes it possible to display a second time zone embedded in the center of the movement to take over its driving force, and allow it to be reset to zero at any time.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A clockwork movement comprising a time display device for at least two time zones, the display device comprising: - a minute display device (M); - a current time display element (H1) representing a first time zone and a local time display element (H2) representing a second time zone, the current time display elements (H1) and the local time display elements (H2) being superimposed; - a mechanism for setting the time to the second time zone arranged to move the local time display (H2), and - a synchronization mechanism for the current time display elements (H1) and the local time display element (H2) arranged to reposition the local time display element (H2) superimposed with the current time display element (H1) so as to show only one time indicator element (H1, H2) characterized in that a control element (16) is arranged to synchronize, at each actuation of said second control element (16), the current time display element (H1) and the local time display element (H2), the local time display element (H2) moving in one direction or another towards the current time display element (H1) by traveling the shortest distance.

2. Movement according to claim 1, wherein the second time zone setting mechanism (H2) comprises an hour wheel (52) of the local time display member (H2) cooperating with an hour wheel (9) carrying the current time display member (H1), and a jumper (3) arranged on the hour wheel (52) of the local time display member (H2) to drive a center wheel (4) carrying the local time display member (H2). A movement according to claim 2, wherein the mechanism for setting the second time zone (H2) comprises a rocker (1) arranged to drive the center wheel (4). A movement according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism for synchronizing the current time (H1) and local time (H2) display elements comprises another rocker (2) cooperating with the wheel (53) driving a jumper (3) arranged to cooperate with a star (43) pressing on a heart-shaped cam (42) causing the synchronization of the current time (H1) and local time (H2) display elements when said synchronization mechanism is actuated. Movement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control member (15) arranged to move, at each actuation of said control member (15), the local time display member (H2) by a step of one-twelfth of a turn or by a step of one-twenty-fourth of a turn.A movement according to any one of claims 2 to 5, where claims 5 or 6 depend on claim 2, wherein the hour wheel of the movement (51) is driven onto the hour wheel (52) of the local time display element (H2). A timepiece comprising a movement according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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