Control device for a watch

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a watch control device (1) comprising a crown (2) mounted movably in a support piece (3) of this device (1) intended to be fixed relative to the watch movement, said crown (2) being capable of being moved axially relative to its longitudinal axis (A) to a control position in which a rotating drive element (8) of said crown (2) is able to cooperate with a ring (10) mounted movably in a casing circle (29) of a control member (4) of said device (1), said ring (10) being configured to actuate a mechanism of the watch movement implementing a function of the watch when the crown (2) is rotated.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular to control devices for watches. Technological background

[0002] In the state of the art, control devices such as push buttons are known which equip certain watches, in particular so-called grand complication watches which can have a large number of functions. These push buttons are of different types, including miniature push buttons which are typically embedded in the case of the watch.

[0003] Such miniature pushbuttons are typically very small, which saves space, particularly within the case of these watches. Furthermore, they do not protrude from the caseband and therefore do not risk being activated accidentally.

[0004] However, one of the disadvantages of such push buttons is that they necessarily require the use of a sharp actuating tool when carrying out operations aimed at controlling a function of the watch, for example setting the time, a date, a moon phase or even a calendar. Indeed, such use carries a significant risk of damage to the watch case and therefore an alteration of the aesthetic appearance of this case.

[0005] Under these conditions, we therefore understand that there is a need to find a solution aimed at overcoming these drawbacks of the state of the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a control device for a watch making it possible to control the functions of this watch without it being necessary to use an actuating tool.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to reduce or even eliminate the presence of a push button in the middle of the watch case.

[0008] The invention relates to a control device for a watch comprising a crown mounted movably in a support part of this device intended to be fixed relative to the watch movement of the watch, said crown being capable of being moved axially relative to its longitudinal axis towards a control position during which a rotational drive element of said crown is capable of cooperating with a ring mounted movably in a casing circle of a control member of said device, said ring being configured to actuate a mechanism of the watch movement implementing a function of the watch when the crown is rotated.

[0009] In other embodiments: the circle comprises on its internal peripheral wall a zone of cooperation between the ring and the drive element, said zone comprising stop elements defining a travel of movement of this ring mounted movably in the circle; the drive element comprises a free end comprising a coupling part with the ring; the coupling part extends substantially perpendicularly relative to an external surface of said free end; the circle comprises a through hole connecting together internal and external peripheral walls of said circle, the hole comprising a passage zone of said free end; the passage zone comprises a central part configured for the arrangement of a main portion of the free end in said hole and an eccentric part forming a passage allowing the coupling part to pass through the body of said circle;the ring comprises an actuating element of a pivoting element of the member configured to actuate the mechanism implementing the function of the watch; the control member comprises a first elastic return element configured to automatically return the ring to a rest position; the drive element is secured to a head of the crown.;

[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising such a control device. Brief description of the figures

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended figures, among which: THE figures 1 to 2represent different views of the device for controlling at least one function of a watch, according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 3 represents a view of a crown of the control device arranged in an axial position called " initial » , according to the embodiment of the invention; the figures 4 And 5 represent views of the crown of the control device arranged in an axial position called " control » during which a rotation of this crown controls the performance of at least one function of the watch, according to the embodiment of the invention; the Figures 6a and 6brepresent a view of a part of an external peripheral wall of a casing ring of a control member of the control device, said part comprising a through hole comprising at least one passage zone of a free end of a driving element of the crown for controlling at least one function of the watch, according to the embodiment of the invention; figure 7 represents a view of the part of the external peripheral wall of the casing circle when the free end of the rotational drive element is inserted into the corresponding passage zone of the through hole for controlling at least one function of the watch, according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figures 8 and 9 represent views of the crown in its control position after performing a rotation of the crown for the control of said at least one function, according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0012] In reference to the figures 1 to 9 , the present invention relates to a watch, also called a timepiece, such as a wristwatch comprising a control device 1 for at least one function which is implemented by a watch movement included in this watch. Such a watch comprises, in a conventional manner per se, a case 5 formed from a middle 6 preferably of circular shape, defining an internal central housing intended to receive the watch movement, the external contour of which matches the internal shape of a casing ring 29. This watch may provide screws or flanges to ensure that the movement is held in this ring 29 and also that this ring 29 is held in the middle 6 of the watch case 5.

[0013] Such a watch movement may be mechanical or quartz. As we have seen previously, this movement is configured to implement at least one watch function and in the present embodiment two watch functions. These functions are controlled from the control device 1 for the purposes of adjustment, corrections or activation of mechanisms of this movement. It will be noted that such functions are preferably controlled independently of one another by a user from this control device 1 of the watch. In this context, this device 1 can be considered as being a control device 1 of a mechanism of the movement, implementing a function of the watch.

[0014] It is understood that this movement is adapted to perform the functions, in particular from the separate mechanisms of the movement which can be kinematically linked together. For example, each mechanism can lead in practice to a separate display of the watch, such as for example the display of the current time on the one hand and a date or a moon phase on the other hand. The movement and its functions are controlled and / or monitored via the control device 1.

[0015] To do this, this control device 1 for movement functions then comprises a support part 3, a crown 2, a control member 4 and a constraint member 31.

[0016] In this device 1, the support part 3 which can also be called " support and guide part", is preferably a tube provided with a through opening which is configured to provide sliding guidance. This tube is intended to be fixedly engaged in a through hole extending radially in the caseband 6 of the watch. Thus in this configuration, this part 3 is then arranged in a fixed manner relative to the watch movement.

[0017] As regards the crown 2, it is mounted movably in this opening of the support part 3. Such a crown 2 is intended to be engaged through the middle 6 of the case 5 of this watch by means of the support part 3. This crown 2 can take the form of a push-piece crown, a winding crown or any crown 2 allowing action on the watch movement. This crown 2 comprises a crown head 7, and a rotating drive element 8 which is formed of a tubular extension integral with this head 7.

[0018] In this crown 2, the drive element 8 is arranged essentially in the support part 3 and is also configured to be moved or even slid in the opening provided in this part 3. More precisely, the drive element 8 comprises a body consisting of three parts, namely: a fixing part 9a connected to the head 7 of the crown 2, an insertable part 9b capable of being introduced into the through hole 12 and a coupling part 9c configured to cooperate with the control member 4 in order to participate in the control of one of the functions of the watch. In the hollow body of this drive element 8, the insertable part 9b is arranged successively to the fixing part 9a. These two parts 9a, 9b are moreover connected to each other by a shoulder 16 formed on the external surface of the body of this drive element 8 as can be seen in the figures 3 to 5. The insertable part 9b consists of a main portion 23a and an end portion 23b. In this configuration, the main portion 23a is between the shoulder 16 and the end portion 23b.

[0019] In this drive element 8, the coupling portion 9c extends perpendicular to an external surface of the insertable portion 9b. More particularly, this coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicular to an area of ​​this surface included in the terminal portion 23b of the insertable portion 9b. In other words, this coupling portion 9c extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0020] Thus, the insertable and coupling parts 9b, 9c together form a free end of the drive element 8. In other words, such an end is then formed of the main and terminal portions 23a, 23b and also of the coupling part 9c. In this context, the coupling part 9c therefore extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of this free end.

[0021] Furthermore, the fixing part 9a of the drive element 8 can be driven into the head 7 of the crown 2 or even made of the same material as the latter. As mentioned previously, this drive element 8 comprises a shoulder referenced 16 on the figures 3 to 5 , which connects the fixing and insertable parts 9a, 9b together. Such a shoulder 16 preferably has a flat surface. It will be noted that such a surface is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0022] As mentioned above, in this device 1 the rotational drive element 8 is capable of cooperating with the control member 4. Such a member 4 is preferably configured to be connected to the watch movement, in particular when activating a mechanism of this movement to perform a function of the watch. To do this, this member 4 comprises the casing ring 29, a ring 10, at least one first elastic return element 18 and at least one movable actuating element 30.

[0023] In this member 4, the casing ring 29, also called the casing ring, can have various shapes insofar as it surrounds the watch movement and is placed inside the middle 6 of the case 5. In the present embodiment, this ring 29 is preferably of essentially circular shape. Such a ring 29 comprises upper and lower faces as well as internal and external peripheral walls connecting these two faces together.

[0024] In this configuration, the upper face of the circle 29 comprises a support zone provided to accommodate or receive the ring 10 as part of its arrangement in this circle 29. This support zone comprises a flat surface whose lateral edges are wholly or partly raised over the entire length of this zone, in order to ensure the maintenance and guidance of the ring 10 on this surface, in particular when this ring 10 moves. Such a surface of the support zone also comprises an open housing configured to receive each first elastic return element 18 of this member 4. In this configuration, the first elastic return element 18, which may be a helical spring, is then arranged below the ring 10.As we will see later, the first elastic return element 18 aims to automatically place the ring 10 in its rest position after it has been activated as part of the control of a function of the watch.

[0025] The casing ring 29 of this member 4 also comprises a through hole 12 connecting its inner and outer peripheral walls 15a, 15b together. Such a hole 12 comprises a central axis B which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2. In this configuration, the geometry of this hole 12 as well as its location in the ring 29 are defined so that the drive element 8 can pass through it. This hole 12 comprises at least one passage zone 24a, 24b of the free end of the drive element 8 for controlling at least one function of said watch.

[0026] In reference to the Figures 6a, 6b And 7, this hole 12 comprises first and second passage zones 24a, 24b each configured for the control of a function of the watch. In other words, these two passage zones 24a, 24b make it possible to structurally configure such a through hole 12 for the control of two functions of the watch. In this context, each passage zone 24a, 24b comprises a central part 26 configured for the arrangement of the main portion 23a of the insertable part 9b and therefore of the free end in the through hole 12, and an eccentric part 25a, 25b configured for the passage of the coupling part 9c in this hole 12. This eccentric part 25a, 25b forms a passage allowing the coupling part 9c to pass through the body of said circle 29 to a cooperation zone 11 defined in the internal peripheral wall 15b which we will discuss later.It is understood in this context that the two passage zones 24a, 24b share the same central portion 26. In other words, the central portions 26 of these two zones 24a, 24b are merged. In this configuration, the central portion 26 extends over a distance going from the external peripheral wall 15a to the internal peripheral wall 15b of the circle 29, this distance being substantially less than the length of the main portion 23a of the insertable portion 9b. A distance is understood to mean ". significantly lower " that this distance is " strictly inferior " Or " essentially inferior » to the length of the main portion 23a.

[0027] The casing ring 29 also comprises a through opening 17 forming a housing for receiving at least one pivoting element 14 such as a rocker, capable of being actuated by the ring 10 in order to interact with the mechanism of the movement implementing the function. This ring 29 comprises a second elastic return element and a retaining element which are arranged in this housing and which are provided to cooperate with the pivoting element 14 in order in particular to configure it in an initial rest position. This pivoting element 14 then alternates between the initial position and an activation position in which a portion of this element 14 projects from the internal peripheral wall 15b of the ring 29 in order to interact with the mechanism implementing the function to be controlled. The arrangement of this pivoting element 14 in the activation position is controlled by the ring 10 and in particular by an actuating element 30 of this ring 10.It will be noted that this pivoting element 14 passes from the activation position to the initial position under the action of the second elastic return element which causes the displacement of this pivoting element 14 in a direction opposite to that intended to lead it to its activation position and this, until this element 14 comes into abutment against the retaining element.

[0028] As mentioned previously, the circle 29 comprises a cooperation zone 11 between the rotational drive element 8 and the control member 4. More precisely, this zone 11 is the location of the cooperation of the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8 with a coupling element 13 of the ring 10 in order to cause a movement of this ring 10 in the circle 29. Such a zone 11 is included on the internal peripheral wall 15b of the circle 29. This zone 11 notably comprises a portion of this peripheral wall 15b into which the through hole 12 opens. In this configuration, the zone 11 comprises stop elements 28 capable of cooperating with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 so as to define the movement path of this movable ring 10 in the circle 29.

[0029] In this device 1, the ring 10 otherwise called “ movable ring» has a shape which is configured to ensure its arrangement and its movement in the support zone of the circle 29. In the present embodiment, this ring 10 has a shape which is essentially circular. This ring 10 comprises upper and lower faces and internal and external lateral faces.

[0030] As mentioned above, the ring 10 comprises said at least one actuating element 30, the coupling element 13, at least one connecting element with the first elastic return element 18. This ring 10 comprises as many actuating elements 30 and connecting elements as the control device 1 is capable of controlling functions. More precisely, when this control device 1 is configured to control a single function, the ring 10 then comprises a single actuating element 30, a single coupling element and a single connecting element. In context, the circle 29 then comprises a single first elastic return element 18. If this device 1 is configured to control two functions, the ring 10 then comprises two actuating elements 30, a single coupling element 13 and two connecting elements capable of cooperating with two different first elastic return elements 18 as illustrated moreover by Figures 1 and 2 .

[0031] In this ring 10, this actuating element 30 of the pivoting element 14 is included on the external lateral face of the ring 10. This actuating element 30 is configured to extend towards a region 27 of the housing receiving the pivoting element 14, said region being located near this pivoting element 14 to be actuated. In other words, this actuating element 30 extends substantially vertically towards this region 27 and opposite the pivoting element 14. It is understood that the location of the actuating element 30 in this region 27 of the housing allows an arrangement of this actuating element 30 in the immediate vicinity of the pivoting element 14. Such an arrangement allows the activation of this pivoting element 14 by this actuating element 30 so that it passes from its initial position to its activation position.This actuating element 30 projecting from the external lateral face of the ring 10 has a shape substantially similar to that of the letter “L” by being formed of a first part substantially perpendicular to this face and a second part which is substantially parallel to this same face, said parts being substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0032] This ring 10 also comprises a connecting element to the first elastic return element 18 arranged in a housing included in the support zone of the circle 29. This connecting element is included on the lower face of this ring 10. This element extends substantially perpendicularly from this lower face and this, in the direction of the bottom of the corresponding housing comprising this first elastic return element. In other words, this connecting element is partly arranged in this housing of the support zone and this, between a first end of the first elastic return element 18 and a wall of this housing. This connecting element has a shape which is configured to apply or exert a constraint force on this first end with which it is in contact, the second end of this first return element 18 being capable of being supported or of bearing on a support wall of this housing which is arranged opposite this connecting element.It is understood that in this configuration, the connecting element, being partly located in the housing, is therefore capable of being moved within the enclosure of this housing to compress this return element 18 when the ring 10 is in movement.

[0033] In reference to the figures 2 , 8 and 9 , the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 is included on the internal lateral face of this ring 10. This element 13 which is preferably made in one piece with the body of the ring 10, forms a relief on this face which essentially has the shape of a polygon. This shape is particularly suitable for achieving optimal coupling with the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8.

[0034] As mentioned previously, the device 1 also comprises a constraining member 31 which is configured to improve the cooperation between the coupling part 9c and the coupling element 13, in order to ensure optimal movement of the ring 10 in the support zone of the circle 29. More precisely, such a member 31 helps to ensure the maintenance of the contact established between the coupling part 9c and the internal lateral face of the ring 10 and therefore of the surface of the cooperation zone 11 in order to guarantee the creation of the coupling between the coupling part 9c and the coupling element 13 within the framework of the movement of the ring 10 in the circle 29.Such a constraint member 31 then comprises a spring 19 which is mounted freely in a cylindrical housing defined by the fixing part 9a of the drive element 8 fixed to the head 7 of the crown, and also a compression part 20 of this spring 19 bearing on a stem 21, for example a winding and time-setting stem of the watch. This part 20 comprises a shoulder 22 forming a bearing zone for a first end of the spring 19, the shoulder 22 being located opposite the head of the crown which in turn forms the other bearing zone capable of cooperating with the second end of this spring 19.

[0035] In this embodiment, it is understood that such a control device 1 makes it possible to implement a method for controlling the watch and in particular for controlling at least one function of this watch. To do this, this method provides a process for activating this device 1 for controlling a function of the watch. During this process, the crown 2 is manipulated by moving from its initial position to its control position which is the position where the crown 2 and in particular the crown head 7 is arranged closest to the caseband 6. During this manipulation, the crown 2 is moved axially from the initial position in the direction of the through hole 12 and this, by generating a compression of the spring 19 arranged between the head 7 of the crown 2 and the compression part 20 included in this crown 2.When the free end of the drive element 8 of this crown 2 is located close to or even in contact with the external peripheral wall 15a of the circle 29 of the control member 4, the crown 2 is then manipulated in rotation to introduce this free end into at least one passage zone 24a, 24b of the through hole 12. As we have previously mentioned, in the present embodiment the through hole 12 can comprise two passage zones 24a, 24b intended for carrying out the control of two different functions of the watch. In this context, the crown 2 is then manipulated in rotation in a first direction in order to select the passage zone 24a, 24b relating to the function to be controlled and to introduce this free end there until the shoulder 16 connecting the fixing and insertable parts 9a, 9b of the drive element 8, comes into abutment against the external peripheral wall 15a of the circle 29.Once this shoulder 16 is in abutment against the external peripheral wall 15a, the crown 2 is then manipulated in a second direction opposite to the first, to be configured in its control position in order to cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. In this latter configuration, this crown 2 is then in the control position and can then cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 via the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2. It will be noted that in this control position, the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2 is held in abutment on the internal peripheral wall 15b of the circle 29 under the action of the spring 19 which exerts an elastic return force on the crown 2.It will be noted that the control position is that where the free end of the drive element 8 and therefore of the crown 2 is engaged in the through hole 12 and / or the free end cooperates or is coupled with the ring 10. In other words, the control position is that where the main portion 23a of the free end of the crown 2 is arranged in the through hole 12.

[0036] Subsequently, the manipulation of the crown 2 in the second direction of rotation causes a movement of the ring 10 in the support zone of the circle 29 following the cooperation of the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2 with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. This movement is carried out until the coupling element 13 is in contact with the corresponding stop element 28 of the cooperation zone 11. Such a movement of the ring 10 causes, via its connecting element, a stressing of the first elastic return element 18 arranged in the housing defined in the support zone below this ring 10.During this movement, the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 actuates the corresponding pivoting element 14 by causing a change in position of this pivoting element 14 to an activation position in which a portion of this element 14 projects from the internal peripheral wall 15b of the circle 29 in order to interact with the corresponding mechanism of the movement for the implementation of the controlled function. Subsequently, once the manipulation of the crown 2 is completed, the ring 10 is automatically placed in its rest position under the action of the first elastic return element 18 which then returns to its rest shape. This placement of the ring 10 in its rest position causes an automatic placement of the pivoting element 14 in its initial position because it is no longer constrained by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10.

[0037] Then, the method may comprise a process of deactivating the device 1 during which the crown 2 is manipulated by moving from its control position to its initial position. In this context, the crown 2 is then manipulated in rotation in the first direction until the coupling part 9c of the drive element 8 is placed opposite the eccentric part 25a, 25b of the corresponding passage zone 24a, 24b of the through hole 12 of the circle 29. In such a configuration, the spring 19 arranged in the crown 2 returns to its rest shape by causing an axial displacement of the crown 2 which causes the extraction of the free end of the drive element 8 from this passage zone 24a, 24b and which automatically places this crown 2 in its initial position.

[0038] Furthermore, it will be noted that in this description by " substantially perpendicular " Or " substantially perpendicularly”, we hear " strictly perpendicular " Or " essentially perpendicular » .

[0039] The invention has been described above by way of example only. It goes without saying that modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. By way of example, it is understood that the control device 1 can be configured to implement more than the two functions described here in this embodiment, in particular by comprising a circle 29 whose through hole 12 comprises more than two passage zones for the free end of the drive element 8 of the crown 2. Nomenclature

[0040] 1. Control device 2. Crown 3. Supporting part 4. Control member 5. Watch case 6. Middle part 7. Crown head 8. Driving element 9a. Fixing part 9b. Insertable part 9c. Coupling part 10. Ring 11. Cooperation zone 12. Through hole 13. Coupling element 14. Pivoting element 15a. Outer peripheral wall 15b. Inner peripheral wall 16 Shoulder included on the outer surface of the driving element 17. Through opening 18. First elastic return element 19. Spring 20. Compression part 21. Stem 22. Shoulder formed on the compression part 23a. Main portion of the insertable part 23b. End portion of the insertable part 24a. First passage zone 24b. Second passage zone 25a. Off-center part of the first passage zone 25b. Off-center part of the second passage zone 26. Central part common to the first and second passage zones 27.Region of the through opening arranged near the pivoting element 28. Stop elements of the cooperation zone 29. Casing circle 30. Ring actuating element 31. Constraint member.

Claims

1. Control device (1) for a watch comprising a crown (2) mounted movably in a support part (3) of this device (1) intended to be fixed relative to the watch movement of the watch, said crown (2) being capable of being moved axially relative to its longitudinal axis (A) towards a control position during which a rotational drive element (8) of said crown (2) is capable of cooperating with a ring (10) mounted movably in a casing circle (29) of a control member (4) of said device (1), said ring (10) being configured to actuate a mechanism of the watch movement implementing a function of the watch when the crown (2) is rotated.

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the circle (29) comprises on its internal peripheral wall (15b) a cooperation zone (11) between the ring (10) and the drive element (8), said zone (11) comprising stop elements (28) defining a movement path of this ring (10) mounted movably in the circle (29).

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (8) has a free end comprising a coupling part (9c) with the ring (10).

4. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the coupling portion (9c) extends substantially perpendicularly relative to an external surface of said free end.

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circle (29) comprises a through hole (12) connecting together inner and outer peripheral walls (15a, 15b) of said circle (29), the hole (12) comprising a passage zone (24a, 24b) of said free end.

6. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the passage zone (24a, 24b) comprises a central part (26) configured for the arrangement of a main portion (23a) of the free end in said hole (12) and an eccentric part (25a, 25b) forming a passage allowing the coupling part (9c) to pass through the body of said circle (29).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ring (10) comprises an actuating element (30) of a pivoting element (14) of the member (4) configured to actuate the mechanism implementing the function of the watch.

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control member (4) comprises a first elastic return element (18) configured to automatically return the ring (10) to a rest position.

9. Device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the drive element (8) is integral with a head (7) of the crown (2).

10. Watch comprising a control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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