Watch comprising a clock movement comprising a device for displaying a moon phase and a device for displaying a ground phase

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a watch movement (100) including a moon phase display device (11), an Earth phase display device (12), the Earth phase display device (12) including a graphic representation of the Earth (120) arranged in a fixed position relative to the dial (13) and opposite a first aperture (130) made in the dial (13), a mask (123) driven in rotation by a drive member and interposed between the graphic representation of the Earth (120) and the dial (13), the moon phase display device (11) including a display (110) arranged opposite a second aperture (131) made in the dial (13) and driven in rotation relative to the dial (13) by a drive member, the display (110) including two graphic representations of the Moon (111).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of watchmaking and in particular devices for displaying a temporal quantity on a timepiece.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a watch comprising a watch movement including a moon phase display device and an Earth phase display device. Technological background

[0003] The display of moon phases is well known in the watchmaking field, as is the display of Earth phases, that is to say the display of the part of the Earth visible from the Moon.

[0004] Moon or Earth phase display devices considerably complicate the watch movement in which they are integrated.

[0005] Furthermore, for aesthetic reasons, it may be desirable to display the phases of the Moon and the Earth simultaneously.

[0006] The invention meets this need, while simplifying as much as possible the kinematics allowing the simultaneous display of the phases of the Moon and the Earth. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates, for this purpose, to a watch comprising a dial and a watch movement including a moon phase display device and an Earth phase display device.

[0008] The Earth phase display device includes a graphic representation of the Earth arranged in a fixed position relative to the dial and opposite a first aperture made in the dial and a mask driven in rotation by a drive element and interposed between the graphic representation of the Earth and the dial.

[0009] The moon phase display device includes a display arranged opposite a second window made in the dial and driven in rotation relative to the dial by a drive mechanism, the display having two graphic representations of the moon.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the mask and the display are driven into motion by two separate drive elements formed respectively by an electric motor intended to be powered by an electricity source.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the mask and the display are driven in motion by the same drive element formed by an electric motor intended to be powered by an electricity source.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the mask and the display are driven in motion by the same drive element formed by a barrel kinematically connected to a regulating element.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the mask of the Earth phase display device has two masking elements arranged diametrically opposite to each other and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end by which they are driven in rotation and a second free end.

[0015] In particular embodiments, each masking element comprises two lateral edges symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, each forming a lobe.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the lobes have a vertex whose orthogonal projection onto the longitudinal axis is closer to the first end of the masking element than to the second end.

[0017] In particular embodiments, the graphic representation of the Earth is made on a support in the form of a fixed disk without degrees of freedom, for example glued, onto a structure of the clockwork movement.

[0018] In particular embodiments, the mask is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner with an Earth phase gun, to which is fixed a gun wheel which meshes with a drive unit by means of a linkage, said drive unit comprising a pin on which the Earth phase gun is freely mounted in rotation.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the display of the Moon phase display device and the mask of the Earth phase display device are driven in rotation in opposite directions. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1represents a front view of a watch comprising a device for displaying a moon phase and an Earth phase according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of certain components of the watch figure 1 , there figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view along axis AA of the watch figure 1 , there figure 4 represents a perspective view of a mask of the Earth phase display device of the figure 1 .

[0021] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] The present invention relates to a watch 10 comprising a watch movement 100 including a moon phase display device 11 and an earth phase display device 12.

[0023] The watch 10 also features a dial 13 in which are made a first and a second aperture 130 and 131 intended respectively to display an Earth phase and a Moon phase, as seen in the front view of the figure 1 .

[0024] The Earth phase display device 12 comprises a graphic representation of the Earth 120 arranged in a fixed position relative to the dial 13 and opposite the first aperture 130. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the graphic representation of the Earth 120 is displayed on a disc-shaped support 121, and the first aperture 130 has a substantially semi-circular shape. It should be noted generally that the support 121 is in the form of a plate whose outline can be of any suitable geometric shape. The support 121 is fixed without degrees of freedom, preferably bonded, for example, by means of an adhesive film 122, to a structure of the watch movement 100. Thus, the assembly of the Earth phase display device 12 within the watch movement 100 can be easily industrialized.

[0025] The Earth phase display device 12 further includes a mask 123 interposed between the graphic representation of the Earth 120 and the dial 13.

[0026] The mask 123 is arranged so as to be driven in rotation by a drive element, so as to be able to conceal the graphic representation of the Earth 120. Such a drive element is preferably formed by a first electric motor 125 whose output is visible in the cross-sectional view of the figure 3 .

[0027] Advantageously, the graphic representation of Earth 120 is made on a background 124 whose appearance is identical to that of the mask 123. For example, the background 124 and the mask 123 have the same solid color.

[0028] In a preferred example of implementation, as seen on the figure 3The mask 123 can be driven onto a ground phase gun 126, to which a gun wheel 127 is attached. The gun wheel 127 meshes with a drive unit 128 via a linkage 129. The drive unit 128 is preferably directly connected to the first electric motor 125 and includes a stud 1280 onto which the ground phase gun 126 is fitted by means of a sliding fit. In other words, the mask 123 is rotationally fixed to the gun 126, which is free to pivot relative to the stud 1280.

[0029] Advantageously, the moon phase display device 11 comprises a display 110 arranged opposite the second aperture 131 and rotatably free to rotate relative to the dial 13. The display 110 has two diametrically opposed graphic representations of the moon 111. The display 110 is preferably in the shape of a disc, as shown in the exploded view of the figure 2 The second window 131 is shaped so that the dial constitutes, in a manner known per se, a mask behind which the display 110 is able to hide during its rotation.

[0030] Thus, the Earth phase and the Moon phase are visible through two separate apertures which contribute to the decoration of the watch 10.

[0031] The display 110 of the moon phase display 11 is driven in rotation by a drive element preferably formed by a second electric motor, different from the first electric motor 125 connected to the mask 123. Thus, the drive for the moon phase display and that for the Earth phase display are independent of each other. This feature is particularly advantageous because it allows independent adjustment of the moon and Earth phase displays.

[0032] The electric motors driving the mask 123 and the display 110 of the Moon phase display device 11 are intended to be powered by an electricity source, preferably consisting of the same electric battery.

[0033] It should be noted that the watch 10 according to the present invention may advantageously include an electric motor intended to power each function with which the watch 10 is equipped, such as the indication of the current time, a chronograph function, the indication of an additional time zone, a date indicator, etc.

[0034] THE figures 2 And 4 represent a preferred embodiment of mask 123, in which the latter has two identical masking elements 1230 diametrically opposed to each other. Each masking element 1230 has an elongated shape and extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end by which it is driven in rotation and a second end, which is a free end.

[0035] Each masking element 1230 comprises two lateral edges symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, said lateral edges each forming a lobe 1231.

[0036] As seen on the figure 4 In particular, the lobes 1231 have a vertex whose orthogonal projection onto the longitudinal axis is closer to the first end of the masking element 1230 than to the second end. The vertex is defined as the point on each lateral edge furthest from the longitudinal axis.

[0037] These characteristics allow the projection of the Moon's shadow on the Earth to be reproduced as faithfully as possible, when the mask 123 partially or totally covers the graphic representation of the Earth 120.

[0038] In order to represent the phases of the Moon and Earth as faithfully as possible and to make the appearance of the watch 10 as attractive as possible, the display 110 of the Moon phase display device 11 and the mask 123 of the Earth phase display device 12 are driven in rotation in opposite directions.

[0039] In particular, in the preferred embodiment example, the control of the first and second electric motors is achieved by an electronic circuit to which they are electrically connected, known as such by a person skilled in the art.

[0040] It should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, the components of the 100-hour watch movement known to a person skilled in the art are not described in this text and do not appear in the figures.

[0041] Furthermore, more generally, it should be noted that the implementation and execution methods considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are therefore conceivable.

[0042] In particular, the mask 123 and the display 110 can be driven into motion by the same electric motor intended to be powered by a common or non-common source of electricity.

[0043] Alternatively, the mask 123 and the display 110 can be driven into motion by the same drive element formed by a barrel kinematically connected to a regulating element.

[0044] In the last two examples mentioned above, the display 110 of the Moon phase display device 11 and the mask 123 of the Earth phase display device 12 can be driven in rotation in opposite directions by a return moving part arranged in the kinematic chain, the integration of which is within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a watch movement (100) including a moon phase display device (11), an earth phase display device (12), the watch (10) being characterized in that the Earth phase display device (12) includes a graphic representation of the Earth (120) arranged in a fixed position relative to the dial (13) and opposite a first window (130) made in the dial (13), a mask (123) driven in rotation by a drive member and interposed between the graphic representation of the Earth (120) and the dial (13), the Moon phase display device (11) includes a display (110) arranged opposite a second window (131) made in the dial (13) and driven in rotation relative to the dial (13) by a drive member, the display (110) having two graphic representations of the Moon (111).

2. Watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (123) and the display (110) are driven into motion by two separate drive members formed respectively by an electric motor intended to be powered by an electricity source.

3. Watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (123) and the display (110) are driven into motion by the same drive member formed by an electric motor intended to be powered by an electricity source.

4. Watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (123) and the display (110) are driven in motion by the same drive member formed by a barrel kinematically connected to a regulating member.

5. Watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mask (123) of the Earth phase display device (12) has two masking elements (1230) arranged diametrically opposite to each other and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end by which they are driven in rotation and a second free end, each masking element (1230) comprising two lateral edges symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis each forming a lobe (1231).

6. Watch (10) according to claim 5, wherein the lobes (1231) have an apex whose orthogonal projection onto the longitudinal axis is closer to the first end of the masking element (1230) than to the second end.

7. Watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the graphic representation of the Earth (120) is made on a support (121) having the shape of a disk fixed without degree of freedom on a structure of the watch movement (100).

8. Watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mask (123) is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner with an Earth phase cannon (126), to which is fixed a cannon wheel (127) meshing with a drive wheel (128) by means of a linkage (129), said drive wheel (128) comprising a pinion (1280) on which the Earth phase cannon (126) is freely mounted in rotation.

9. Watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display (110) of the moon phase display device (11) and the mask (123) of the Earth phase display device (12) are driven in rotation in opposite directions.

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