Control device for a timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a manual control device for a timepiece to start and / or stop a function of the timepiece. The invention allows a user to control functions with a simple hand gesture without worrying about the precision of the gesture and even without seeing the timepiece. Thus, the user can start and / or stop the function of the timepiece even when the timepiece is worn under a thick sleeve and even by a user wearing gloves.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. More particularly, the invention relates to a manual control device for a timepiece for triggering and / or stopping a function of the timepiece, for example a chronograph function, a date function, a calendar function or a moon phase function. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] Some watches have one or more functions that can be activated, for example started and / or stopped, from outside the case in which the movement of the timepiece is located. In known watches, an external control member mounted on the case can actuate an element that passes through the case and which in turn actuates, directly or indirectly, a function control member that is mounted on the movement. As external control members, pressure types are known, such as the pushers of a chronograph. Translation types are also known, arranged to actuate a lever-type function control member, angularly movable in the plane of the watch. For example, a translation-type control member may be a winding lock for a striking mainspring. Such locks are normally slidably mounted on the external lateral face of the watch case.They are mounted integral with an element, for example a stem, passing through the case through an oblong opening made in it, the element itself being integral with a mounted part sliding inside the case and arranged to actuate a lever cooperating with the movement of the watch.

[0003] Impulse control assemblies are known for starting or stopping the chronograph function in a movement of the chronograph function type. In a known manner, such a control assembly is constituted by a fixed tube passing through a lateral opening of the case, and in which a rod is capable of sliding in connection, on the one hand with the control mechanism of the chronograph function located in the case, and on the other hand with an external manual actuating push-piece located at its other end to form a mobile assembly in translation in the tube, and between which is interposed an elastic return member.

[0004] In the state of the art, there are timepieces with a bezel, on which the control of a function can be achieved by turning the bezel on its axis by a rotary movement.

[0005] EP1742120B1 is known, which discloses a timepiece comprising a case and a movement provided with at least one control member accessible from outside the movement and intended for activating at least one function, the case comprising a fixed part and a movable part pivotally mounted on the fixed part along a pivot axis by means of at least one pivot to effect a tilting movement of the movable part relative to the fixed part, at least one actuating mechanism cooperating with the fixed and movable parts to transform the tilting movement of the movable part into an action on said at least one control member, the tilting movement being effected by targeted pressure on a portion of the periphery of the movable part.

[0006] The present invention proposes an alternative control device to those that are known, and which is ergonomic and easy to activate by a wearer of a watch on which such a device is deployed. For example, a device according to an embodiment of the present invention can operate under the wearer's sleeve, allowing the wearer to activate a function of his watch with a simple non-targeted gesture of his whole hand, even gloved, without having to release his watch from under his sleeve. The chronograph function is an example of types of functions concerned by the present invention. By "trigger and / or stop" is meant, in the case of a chronograph function, the activation of the counting (start or Start), the stopping of the counting (stop or Stop) and the reinitialization (reset to zero or Reset), for example. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the invention, a control device for a timepiece comprises a movement of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by a function control member mounted on the movement, the movement being intended to be housed in a case which is closed by a crystal.

[0008] The control device comprises an external manual actuating member operable by a user of the timepiece and arranged to cooperate with at least part of the function control member to actuate said triggering and / or stopping of said function of the movement.

[0009] The control device further comprises a contact element arranged to at least contact, directly or indirectly, said part of the function control member when the external manual actuating member is actuated, the contact element being configured to be suspended, by at least one elastic return member, in a housing arranged between the casing and the movement, said part of the function control member being accessible from the inside of said housing, said elastic return member tending to move the contact element away from said part of the function control member.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the glass is part of the external manual actuating member, the glass being fixed, directly or indirectly, to the contact element, or forming part of the contact element, so that by actuating the external manual actuating member by pressing on the glass in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the timepiece, the glass undergoes a displacement, over substantially its entire periphery, in the direction of said pressing, thus causing the contact element to move in the housing towards said part of the function control member against the action of the elastic return member.

[0011] In one embodiment, the function is a function whose triggering and / or stopping can be mechanically controlled, the control device being configured so that said movement of the contact element in the housing causes a movement of the function control member in the plane of the timepiece to trigger and / or stop said function.

[0012] In another embodiment, the function is a function whose triggering and / or stopping is electronically controllable, the control device being configured so that said movement of the contact element in the housing forms an electrical contact for actuating the function control member.

[0013] Preferably, the contact element is part of the glass.

[0014] In one embodiment, the contact element is formed by a glass support on which the glass rests or on which a bezel rests, the glass resting on the bezel. According to this embodiment, the contact element is formed by a part of the bezel on which the glass rests.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing takes the form of a peripheral groove.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of housings distributed around the periphery of the ice.

[0017] In one embodiment, the device is held by a housing.

[0018] In another embodiment, the device is held by retention screws positioned through the bottom of the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, a timepiece comprises a control device according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, the timepiece may be a mechanical watch or an electronic watch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 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, with reference to the schematic figures, in which: There figure 1 represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a watch bezel and a device for controlling a function according to the present invention; The figure 2 represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a device for controlling a function according to another embodiment of the present invention; The figure 3represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a bezel and a device for controlling a function according to another embodiment of the present invention; The figure 4 represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a bezel and a device for controlling a function according to another embodiment of the present invention; The Figure 5 represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a combined bezel-contact element assembly and a device for controlling a function according to another embodiment of the present invention; The figure 6 represents a schematic and partial sectional view of a watch case comprising a bezel and a device for controlling a function according to another embodiment of the present invention for an electronic watch; and The figure 7depicts a bezel with a contact element according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] As illustrated in the figure 1, a control device 100 for a timepiece 10 comprises a movement 20 of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by a function control member 15 mounted on the movement 20, the movement 20 being housed in a watch case 50 comprising a bezel 70, a caseband 55 which is closed by a crystal 60 and a back 65. The control device 100 comprises an external manual actuating member 120, a crystal in this example, actuable by a user of the timepiece 10 and arranged to cooperate with the function control member 15 to actuate said triggering and / or stopping of said function of the movement 20.The control device 100 comprises a contact element 110 arranged to contact, directly, the function control member 15 when the external manual actuation member 120 is actuated, the contact element 110 being configured to be suspended, by an elastic return member 130, in a housing 45 arranged in the middle 55, said elastic return member 130 tending to move the contact element 110 away from the function control member 15.The crystal 60 is part of the external manual actuating member 120, the crystal 60 being fixed, directly, to the contact element 110, so that by actuating the external manual actuating member 120 by pressing on the crystal 60 in a direction substantially perpendicular Y to the plane X of the timepiece 10, the crystal 60 undergoes a displacement, over substantially its entire periphery, in the direction of said pressing, thus causing the contact element 110 to move in the housing 45 towards the function control member 15 against the action or pressure of the elastic return member 130.

[0022] As illustrated in the figure 2, a control device 100 for a timepiece 10 comprises a movement 20 of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by a function control member 15 mounted on the movement 20, the movement 20 being housed in a watch case 50 comprising a middle 55 which is closed by a crystal 60 and a back 65. The control device 100 comprises an external manual actuating member 120, a crystal in this example, actuable by a user of the timepiece 10 and arranged to cooperate with the function control member 15 to actuate said triggering and / or stopping of said function of the movement 20.The control device 100 comprises a contact element 110 arranged to contact, directly, the function control member 15 when the external manual actuation member 120 is actuated, the contact element 110 being configured to be suspended, by an elastic return member 130, in a housing 45 arranged in the middle 55, said elastic return member 130 tending to move the contact element 110 away from the function control member 15.The crystal 60 is part of the external manual actuating member 120, the crystal 60 being fixed, directly, to the contact element 110, so that by actuating the external manual actuating member 120 by pressing on the crystal 60 in a direction substantially perpendicular Y to the plane X of the timepiece 10, the crystal 60 undergoes a displacement, over substantially its entire periphery, in the direction of said pressing, thus causing the contact element 110 to move in the housing 45 towards the function control member 15 against the action or pressure of the elastic return member 130.

[0023] As illustrated in the figure 3 , the control device 100 is held by retention screws 75 positioned through the bottom 65 of the housing 50. In this example, each retention screw 75 is connected directly to the contact element 110, the spring winding around said retention screw 75.

[0024] As illustrated in the figure 4, the control device 100 for a timepiece 10 comprises a movement 20 of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by a function control member 15 mounted on the movement 20, the movement 20 being housed in a watch case 50 comprising a bezel 70, a caseband 55 which is closed by a crystal 60 and a back 65. The control device 100 comprises an external manual actuating member 120, a crystal in this example, actuable by a user of the timepiece 10 and arranged to cooperate with the function control member 15 to actuate said triggering and / or stopping of said function of the movement 20.In this example, the crystal 60 comprises a peripheral edge 125 arranged under the bezel 70, the peripheral edge 125 being arranged to contact, directly, the function control member 15 when the external manual actuation member 120 is actuated, the peripheral edge 125 being configured to be suspended, by an elastic return member 130, in a housing 45 arranged in the caseband 55, said elastic return member 130 tending to move the peripheral edge 125 away from the function control member 15. By pressing on at least a portion of the crystal 60 in a direction substantially perpendicular Y to the plane X of the timepiece 10, the crystal 60 undergoes a displacement, over substantially its entire periphery, in the direction of said support, thus causing the peripheral edge 125 to move towards the function control member 15 against the action or pressure of the elastic return member 130.

[0025] As illustrated in the Figure 5 , the control device 100 for a timepiece 10 comprises a movement 20 housed in a watch case 50 comprising a bezel 70, a caseband 55 which is closed by a crystal 60 and a back 65. In this example, the bezel 70 and the contact element 110 are combined in a “bezel-contact element” assembly. The “bezel-contact element” assembly is positioned against the caseband 55, fixing means not illustrated, for example screws, retaining said assembly on the periphery of the caseband 55.

[0026] In the examples previously described, the function is a function whose triggering and / or stopping can be mechanically controlled, the control device 100 being configured so that the movement of the contact element 110 in the housing 45 causes a movement of the function control member 15 in the plane X of the timepiece to trigger and / or stop said function.

[0027] As illustrated in the figure 6 , the control device 100 for a timepiece 10 comprises an electronic movement 20 of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by an electronic function control member 15 actuable by pressure on the glass, which makes it possible to close or complete an electrical circuit or at least switch an element in an electronic circuit in the movement and thus trigger or stop a function. In this example, the function is a function of which the triggering and / or stopping is electronically controllable, the control device 100 being configured so that said movement of the contact element 110 in the housing 45 forms an electrical contact for actuating the function control member 15.

[0028] As illustrated in the figure 4, the contact element 110 is part of the glass. According to this design, the beveled glass portion directly presses on the function control member 15 when pressure is applied to the glass 60.

[0029] In a configuration not illustrated, the housing 45 takes the form of a peripheral groove arranged in the middle 55.

[0030] For better performance, the device comprises a plurality of housings 45 distributed around the periphery of the glass 60.

[0031] To preserve the device and reduce shocks linked to mechanical constraints exerted by a user, the elastic return member preferably includes an elastic seal between the crystal and the watch case.

[0032] In the examples illustrated, the ice can be driven into the bezel or glued to a receiving surface of the bezel or to the contact element, or welded, in particular in a traditional manner.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic return member is a spring. In another embodiment of the invention, the elastic return member is a seal having elastic properties, for example a rubber seal.

[0034] In a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention, the crystal functions as a pusher, which has the advantage that it can be actuated vertically, it occupies a relatively large surface, i.e. substantially the entire surface of the watch. This type of pusher differs from those known in that it can be actuated by a vertical movement relative to the plane of the watch. When the watch is worn on a wrist, this vertical movement of the pusher is very natural and there is great stability. Thus, its actuation of the pusher by the wearer of the watch is very ergonomic and efficient. The pusher can be actuated by the user by a simple gesture, even if the watch is under a thick sleeve and / or if the user is wearing gloves.

[0035] The invention may be deployed in a timepiece comprising a movement of the chronograph function type to control the chronograph function. Control devices according to other embodiments of the invention may be deployed in a timepiece, to control other functions, such as a date change function, a calendar function or a moon phase function, for example. References

[0036] 100control device 10timepiece 20movement 15function control member 50case (i.e. crown) 55case middle 60glass 65back 70bezel 75retaining screw 120external manual actuation member 16part of the function control member 110contact element 130elastic return member 45housing Ydirection perpendicular to the plane of the timepiece Xplane of the timepiece

Claims

1. Control device (100) for a timepiece (10) comprising a movement (20) of which a function can be triggered and / or stopped by a function control member (15) mounted on the movement (20), the movement (20) being intended to be housed in a watch case (50) comprising a caseband (55) which is closed by a crystal (60) and a back (65); the control device (100) comprising an external manual actuating member (120) actuable by a user of the timepiece (10) and arranged to cooperate with at least one part (16) of the function control member (15) to actuate said triggering and / or stopping of said function of the movement (20); characterized in that: the control device (100) comprises a contact element (110) arranged to at least contact, directly or indirectly, said part (16) of the function control member (15) when the external manual actuating member (120) is actuated, the contact element (110) being configured to be suspended, by at least one elastic return member (130), in a housing (45) arranged in the caseband (55) or in a bezel (70), said part (16) of the function control member (15) being accessible from the inside of said housing (45), said elastic return member (130) tending to move the contact element (110) away from said part (16) of the function control member (15);said glass (60) forming part of the external manual actuating member (120), the glass (60) being fixed, directly or indirectly, to the contact element (110), or forming part of the contact element (110), so that by actuating the external manual actuating member (120) by pressing on at least a part of the glass (60) in a direction substantially perpendicular (Y) to the plane (X) of the timepiece (10), the glass (60) undergoes a displacement, over substantially its entire periphery, in the direction of said pressing, thus causing the contact element (110) to move in the housing (45) towards said part (16) of the function control member (15) against the action of the elastic return member (130).; 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the function being a function whose triggering and / or stopping is mechanically controllable, the control device (100) being configured so that said movement of the contact element (110) in the housing (45) causes a movement of the function control member (15) in the plane (X) of the timepiece to trigger and / or stop said function.

3. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the function being a function whose triggering and / or stopping is electronically controllable, the control device (100) being configured so that said movement of the contact element (110) in the housing (45) forms an electrical contact for actuating the function control member (15).

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact element (110) is part of the glass (60).

5. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact element (110) is formed by a glass support on which the glass (60) rests or on which a bezel (70) rests, the glass (60) resting on the bezel (70).

6. Device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the contact element (110) is formed by a part of the bezel (70) on which the crystal (60) rests.

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (45) takes the form of a peripheral groove.

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of housings (45) distributed around the periphery of the ice (60).

9. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, held by a watch case (50).

10. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, held by retention screws positioned through the bottom (65) of the housing (50).

11. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic return member (130) comprises an elastic seal between the glass (60) and the watch case (50).

12. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic return member (130) comprises at least one spring between the housing (45) or a bottom of the peripheral groove and the contact element (110).

13. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass (60) is mounted on the watch case (50).

14. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the crystal (60) is mounted on a bezel (70), which is mounted on the watch case (50).

15. Timepiece comprising a control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Timepiece according to claim 15, the timepiece being a mechanical watch.

17. Timepiece according to claim 15, the timepiece being an electronic watch.

Images