Display mechanism, for a timepiece movement, enabling two concentric display members to be controlled in order to display two different items of information

Abstract

The invention relates to a display mechanism (2) comprising two going-train wheels (100, 200), each intended to control the movements of a display member (8, 10) and, for each going-train wheel (100, 200): - two cams (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b), the angular orientation of which is representative of a predefined item of information, - two levers, each bearing a toothing and able to occupy an active state, in which it cooperates with a cam (102a, 202a) to move according to the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with the going-train wheel (100, 200) to drive it, and an inactive state, in which the kinematic connection is inactive, - a movable selection member (20) able to cooperate simultaneously with all the levers and define their respective states, in such a way that only one lever at a time can be in its active state for each going-train wheel (100, 200).

Description

Description DISPLAY MECHANISM, FOR A CLOCKWORK MOVEMENT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL OF TWO CONCENTRIC DISPLAY ORGANS TO DISPLAY TWO DIFFERENT INFORMATION Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display mechanism, for a watch movement, comprising: - a counter mobile intended to control the movements of a display device, - first and second cams, each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a first drive member, respectively a second drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with the first cam, respectively with the second cam, to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with the counter mobile to drive it, and an inactive state, in which this kinematic connection is inactive, - a movable selection member capable of cooperating with the first and second drive members and defining their respective states, in such a way that only one drive member at a time can be in its active state. State of the art

[0002] Various constructions have already been proposed in the past to implement a display mechanism for controlling a display member so that it can alternately display two or more different pieces of information, either on demand, temporarily, or by implementing two stable display modes.

[0003] Patent application CH 709256 A2 describes a timepiece with a retrograde display comprising a single indicator hand capable of being controlled to display, in a first display mode, a first information opposite a first indicator scale and, in a second display mode, a second information opposite a second indicator scale. An external pushbutton allows a user to switch from one display mode to the other. This document merely mentions the use of a "cam and feeler system" to control the movements of the indicator needle, without however providing any concrete clue for the corresponding construction, while the latter is far from being obvious.

[0004] This lack of evidence is particularly evident from the disclosure of patent CH 709538 B1, the filing date of which is close to that of the application cited above. Indeed, this patent describes a relatively complex construction for controlling the movements of a prismatic display member, comprising in particular an index intended to move linearly to display three different predefined information items in three respective display modes. For this purpose, this document provides for the implementation of a synchronization wheel comprising a pinion connected to the display index, and the movements of which are controlled alternately by three racks carried by three respective levers arranged around the synchronization wheel, each of which is associated with one of the predefined information items.Each lever is held under stress by a spiral spring and carries a feeler capable of cooperating with the periphery of a specific cam whose angular orientation is a function of the corresponding predefined information. A selection gear train is provided to control the angular orientation of a selection wheel, arranged on the synchronization wheel set, relative to the different levers. The selection wheel has a shape such that it can cooperate with the levers sequentially, so that only one lever at a time can be in an active state, in which its feeler is positioned in abutment against the corresponding cam, under the effect of its spiral spring, and its rack is engaged with the pinion, to control the movements of the latter according to the angular orientation of the cam. At the same time, the selection wheel cooperates with the other two levers to keep them in an inactive state, in. which their rakes are out of reach of the pinion and their feelers are out of reach of the corresponding cams.

[0005] This construction presents a significant overall size, both in plan, with the central location of the synchronization wheel and the distribution of the levers and their spiral springs around it, as well as with its complex display train, and in the direction of the thickness, in particular because of the structure of the synchronization wheel and all its numerous stages, necessary to ensure its proper functioning. In addition, the mode of cooperation chosen between the synchronization wheel and the various levers requires great precision in the manufacture and assembly of the various components involved, without any possibility of adjustment after assembly, in particular with regard to the selection wheel. It will be noted more specifically the fact that perfect synchronization is required in the operations of meshing and uncoupling the various racks with the central pinion during changes of the display mode.

[0006] Although, in theory, such a construction could be doubled to ensure the drive of two display indexes like the one described in the patent, its probability of seeing the light of day is extremely low, in particular because it would lead to a really significant bulkiness of the corresponding watch movement. Thus, a possible implantation of this construction in a portable timepiece case seems unrealistic, especially if one considers a possible implantation in a wristwatch.

[0007] Consequently, it remains interesting to be able to construct a display mechanism, for a watch movement, which would make it possible to control two display organs so that each of them can alternately display two different pieces of information, at the request of a user, without however presenting too great a bulk which would prevent its integration into a timepiece case of reasonable dimensions, in particular a portable watch or even a wristwatch. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] A main object of the present invention is to propose a display mechanism, making it possible to control two display members so that each of them can alternately display two different pieces of information, of a different construction from those of known display mechanisms, and which has a reasonable size and limited manufacturing and assembly complexity.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a display mechanism of the type indicated above, characterized by the fact that it comprises: - an additional counter mobile intended to control the movements of an additional display device, - first and second additional cams, each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a first additional drive member, respectively a second additional drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with the first additional cam, respectively with the second additional cam, to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with the additional counter mobile to drive it, and an inactive state, in which this kinematic connection is inactive, and by the fact that the selection member is furthermore capable of cooperating with the first and second additional drive members and defining their respective states, in such a way that only one additional drive member at a time can be in its active state.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, a display mechanism is obtained which makes it possible to control the triggering of changes in display modes of two display elements in a perfectly controlled while reducing the size of the corresponding construction along the direction of its thickness with reference to that of the patent cited above, thanks in particular to a different arrangement of the selection member, in such a way that it has an extent in the plane greater than that of the drive wheel of the prior construction, thus making it possible both to reduce the thickness of the display mechanism and to guarantee perfect synchronization of the changes of display modes for the two display members according to the present invention, while simplifying the construction and assembly of the display mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, it can be provided that each of the drive members comprises a sensor intended to be positioned in abutment against the corresponding cam in its active state, under the effect of the action of an elastic member.

[0012] Furthermore, it is also possible to advantageously provide that the selection member is arranged and shaped in such a way that the changes of state of the first drive member and the first additional drive member, respectively of the second drive member and the second additional drive member, are synchronized.

[0013] Generally, it is preferable to provide that the selection member comprises a rotating crown arranged around a volume containing the counter mobiles, the drive members and the cams, and that the rotating crown comprises an internal surface defining a selection cam arranged to be able to cooperate at least indirectly with the drive members, to move them and maintain them in their inactive state.

[0014] Such an arrangement of the selection organ, around the mobiles of the display mechanism, makes it possible to significantly reduce the total thickness of the display mechanism and to simplify its construction, in particular by limiting the number of levels in which these mobiles are distributed.

[0015] In this case, it is preferable to provide that the selection cam cooperates with each of the drive members, to move it to and maintain it in its inactive state, by means of a corresponding rocker, partially elastically deformable.

[0016] Furthermore, it may be more particularly advantageous to provide in this case that the selection cam has a plurality of inactive portions, located on a first radius and associated with an inactive state of the drive members, and a plurality of active portions, located on a second radius and associated with an active state of the drive members, the rockers being intended to pivot between two extreme angular orientations by passing from an active portion to an inactive portion of the selection cam, and vice versa, and that the distribution of the active and inactive portions along the selection cam and the location of the rockers are such that only one at a time among the drive members associated with a given counter mobile can be in its active state.

[0017] Furthermore, it is generally possible to provide, in a preferred manner, that the display mechanism according to the invention comprises a mobile jumper associated with each of the counter mobiles, and arranged to cooperate: - with the selection member, to move between a rest position and a locking position, and - with the counter mobile with which it is associated, when it is in its locking position, to lock it, when all the drive members associated with this counter mobile are in their inactive state.

[0018] In this case, and when the selection member comprises a selection cam, it is also advantageous to provide that the selection member carries a locking cam arranged to control simultaneous changes in position of the movable jumpers, with each displacement of a step of the selection member, and that the selection cam is shaped in such a way that two steps of the selection member are necessary to pass from a configuration in which a first drive member associated with a given counter mobile is in its active state in a configuration in which the second drive member associated with the same counter mobile is in its active state.

[0019] Thanks to these additional characteristics, it is possible to provide that the change from the inactive state to the active state of a given drive member necessarily involves the prior change from the active state to the inactive state of the other drive member associated with the same counter wheel set, which makes it possible to eliminate any risk of conflict between the teeth likely to cooperate with this counter wheel set. In addition, the actuation of the mobile jumpers, at each step of the selection member, makes it possible to guarantee the locking of the counter wheels during changes of display modes, during the transition phases during which none of the drive members is engaged with them, in other words when all the drive members are simultaneously in the inactive state.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the display mechanism comprises first and second display mobiles intended to carry respective display members and arranged in permanent kinematic connection with the counter mobile, respectively with the additional counter mobile, and that the first and second display mobiles are coaxial.

[0021] Generally, it can also be provided that one of the cams associated with one of the counter mobiles and one of the cams associated with the other of the counter mobiles together define a pair of coaxial cams.

[0022] In the case of coaxial display mobiles, it is also possible to provide that the pair of coaxial cams is coaxial with them.

[0023] Generally speaking, it is advantageous to provide that the selection organ carries indications intended to be visible from the outside of a timepiece housing the watch movement, to indicate at any time, to a user, on the basis of which information the counter mobiles are driven, among the predefined information.

[0024] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide that the display mechanism includes: - a second additional counter mobile intended to control the movements of a second additional display device, - third and fourth additional cams, each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a third additional drive member, respectively a fourth additional drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with the third additional cam, respectively with the fourth additional cam, to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with the second additional counter mobile to drive it, and an inactive state, in which the kinematic connection is inactive. In this case, the selection member is advantageously capable of cooperating with the third and fourth additional drive members and defining their respective states, in such a way that only one additional drive member at a time, among the third and fourth additional drive members, can be in its active state.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a display mechanism according to the preceding characteristics.

[0026] More particularly, it can advantageously be provided that the watch movement according to the invention comprises at least two drive mobiles arranged to drive the first and second cams and first and second additional cams, in such a way that at least two of them can be driven in rotation with different angular speeds.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, it is also possible to provide, when the display mechanism comprises two coaxial display mobiles, that the first display mobile is capable of being driven to display either the current minutes or the minutes of a measured time, and that the second display member is capable of being driven to display either the current hours or the hours of a measured time.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement according to the preceding characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

[0030] - Figure 1 shows a simplified partial front view of a display mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a first mode of operation, - figure 2 represents a simplified partial front view of the display mechanism of figure 1, in a second mode of operation, - figure 3 represents a simplified partial front view of the display mechanism of figure 1, in a third mode of operation, and - Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show similar simplified front views of three different variant embodiments of displays which can be implemented with the display mechanism according to the invention, two different display modes being illustrated in each case. Method(s) of carrying out the invention

[0031] Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent the same simplified view of a part of a timepiece comprising a display mechanism 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in three different respective operating or display modes.

[0032] Most of the elements of the timepiece are not shown for the sake of simplification and to the extent that they do not play a particular role in the implementation of the present invention. Furthermore, the timepiece is deliberately presented here in a basic form for the same sake of simplification, and the person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching according to his own needs, and in producing a timepiece whose elements not directly linked to the implementation of the invention may differ from those presented here, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0033] The display mechanism 2 is shown here in the form of a display module superimposed on a watch movement or base caliber (not visible), but it could also be integrated directly into the watch movement, as an alternative, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached set of claims.

[0034] The display mechanism 2 comprises first and second display wheels 4, 6, coaxial here and arranged at the center of the watch movement by way of non-limiting illustration. Each of the display wheels 4, 6 is intended to carry a display member 8, 10 taking here the form of an indicator hand by way of non-limiting illustration. Advantageously, it may in particular be provided that the display members 8, 10 can be driven from the watch movement, via the display mechanism 2, to indicate respectively the current hours and the current minutes. For this purpose, each of the display wheels 4, 6 comprises a toothing, making it possible to ensure its drive, and a barrel, making it possible to make a display member integral therewith.

[0035] Each of the display mobiles 4, 6 is connected to a counter mobile 100, 200 via a return wheel 16, 18. By way of non-limiting illustration, each of the counter mobiles 100, 200 comprises a wheel meshing with the corresponding return wheel 16, 18, and a pinion for driving the counter mobile, in a manner which will be explained later.

[0036] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display mechanism 2 is arranged so as to be able to drive each of the display members so that it can display two different predefined information items, in two respective operating or display modes. Of course, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching according to their own needs, in particular to provide at least a third operating mode for at least one of the display members, in which it can occupy a different predefined angular position, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0037] For this purpose, each of the counter mobiles 100, 200 is associated with two assemblies each comprising a cam 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b and a lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, the latter playing the role of a drive member for the counter mobile 100, 200 with which it is associated, as will emerge from the remainder of the description.

[0038] Each lever is rotatably mounted on a frame element of the display mechanism 2 or of the watch movement, for example an additional plate when the display mechanism 2 takes the form of an additional module or the main plate of the watch movement when the display mechanism 2 is integrated. Furthermore, each lever comprises two actuating surfaces 106a, 108a, 106b, 108b, 206a, 208a, 206b, 208b, intended to receive suitable forces making it possible to place the lever in an active state or in an inactive state, as will be detailed later, and located here close to its axis of rotation. Each lever also has an arm, extending from its axis of rotation, at the end of which are provided a rake 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b and a feeler 112a, 112b, 212a, 212b, separated from each other by a cutout 114a, 114b, 214a, 214b.Thus, it will be noted that the rake and the feeler of a given lever are located here substantially on the same radius, in reference to the axis of rotation of the lever, but it could be envisaged to position them on different radii as an alternative.

[0039] Each lever is associated with a rocker 116a, 116b, 216a, 216b comprising here a rigid portion, provided with a beak 118a, 118b, 218a, 218b, and a slightly elastic portion, arranged on either side of its axis of rotation, the elastic portion carrying an actuating finger 120a, 120b, 220a, 220b intended to cooperate with one of the actuating surfaces 106a, 106b, 206a, 206b of the corresponding lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b.

[0040] Finally, a spring or elastic member 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b is associated with each of the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, in such a way that it is capable of exerting pressure on the other of its actuating surfaces 108a, 108b, 208a, 208b.

[0041] It will be noted at this stage that the force exerted by this spring on the associated lever is weaker than that likely to be exerted by the elastic portion of the corresponding rocker 116a, 116b, 216a, 216b.

[0042] Furthermore, the display mechanism 2 comprises a selection member 20 having the shape of a rotating crown arranged outside or around a volume containing the counter mobiles 100, 200, the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, and the cams 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b, more precisely here, at the periphery of the display mechanism 2, or even of the watch movement, by way of non-limiting illustration.

[0043] The rotating crown comprises an internal surface defining a selection cam 22 arranged to be able to cooperate with each of the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, via the rocker 116a, 116b, 216a, 216b which is associated with it, to be able to control its changes of state.

[0044] For this purpose, the selection cam 22 has a plurality of inactive portions 24, located on a first radius and associated with an inactive state of the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, and a plurality of active portions 26, located on a second radius greater than the first radius, being produced in the form of notches provided in the selection member 20, and associated with an active state of the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b. The rockers 116a, 116b, 216a, 216b are thus intended to pivot between two extreme angular orientations by passing from an inactive portion 24 to an active portion 26 of the selection cam 22, and vice versa. In addition, the distribution of the inactive portions 24 and the active portions 26 along the internal surface of the rotating crown, or of the selection cam 22, as well as the location of the rockers 116a, 116b, 216a, 216b, are such that only one at a time among the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b associated with a given counter mobile 100 or 200 can be in its active state. In other words, only one of the levers 104a, 104b associated with the counter 100 can be active at a time, and only one of the levers 204a, 204b associated with the counter 200 can be active at a time.

[0045] Thus, Figure 1 represents the display mechanism 2 according to a preferred embodiment, in a first operating or display mode in which the display members 8, 10 are controlled to display the current time.

[0046] In this first display mode, the beaks 118b, 218b of the rockers 116b, 216b are positioned in abutment against inactive portions 24 of the selection cam 22, while the beaks 118a, 218a of the rockers 116a, 216a are positioned in abutment against active portions 26 of the selection cam 22. In this configuration, it can be seen that the actuating fingers 120a, 220a of the rockers 116a, 216a do not exert pressure on the associated levers 104a, 204a, which are consequently in their active state, while the actuating fingers 120b, 220b of the rockers 116b, 216b are arranged in abutment against the actuating surfaces 106b, 206b of the associated levers 104b, 204b, which are therefore in their inactive state.

[0047] In fact, the feelers 112a, 212a of the levers 104a, 204a are held in abutment against the periphery of the corresponding cams 102a, 202a, under the effect of the action of the springs 122a, 222a which are associated with them, while their racks 110a, 210a are engaged with the pinions of the counter mobiles 100, 200.

[0048] The cams 102a, 202a are driven in rotation by adapted drive wheels of the watch movement in such a way that their respective angular orientations are respectively representative of the current hours and current minutes. Consequently, the respective angular orientations of the levers 104a, 204a are also function respectively of the current hours and current minutes, and ensure suitable training of the display members 8, 10 to display the current time, here 9:12.

[0049] At the same time, the levers 104b, 204b, which are in their inactive state, are pushed back by the corresponding rockers 116b, 216b, against the force exerted by the springs 122b, 222b associated with them, until they are positioned in abutment against a stop 124b, 224b secured to a frame element of the watch movement or the display mechanism 2. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that, in this position, the cutouts 114b, 214b of the levers 104b, 204b are located opposite the pinion of the corresponding counter wheel set 100, 200, leaving the latter free to rotate due to its meshing with the rack 110a, 210a of the other lever 104a, 204a associated with it.We can thus understand why it is necessary to ensure that only one lever at a time is in its active state at any time, for each counter mobile, since otherwise two rakes could act simultaneously on the counter mobile in such a way as to drive it according to respective incompatible movements.

[0050] It is clear from the above explanations that, as long as the watch movement operates with the display mechanism 2 maintained in the first display mode, the levers 104a, 204a are driven according to periodic retrograde movements, the period of which corresponds to the drive period of the corresponding cam 102a, 202a, i.e. preferably here twelve hours for the cam 102a and one hour for the cam 202a. It is also understood that the display members 8, 10 are driven according to retrograde movements of the same periods, and the gear ratios between the counter mobiles 100, 200 and the display mobiles 4, 6 may be adapted according to the desired scanning angular range for each of the display members 8, 10, for example between 120 and 360 degrees.The person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching according to his own needs, in particular in adapting the angle swept by the display members 8, 10 according to the possible presence of other indicators on the dial of the corresponding timepiece. Par. Furthermore, it is clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to the implementation of concentric display members 8, 10. Indeed, those skilled in the art will be able to arrange the display members so that they pivot along distinct axes of rotation without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0051] A jumper 28 has been shown, by way of non-limiting illustrative example, being arranged to cooperate with an external toothing 30 of the selection member 20, and ensure the maintenance of the angular orientation of the latter, in a given display mode. The external toothing 30 defines the rhythm of the movements of the selection member 20 in response to suitable actions of a user.

[0052] Generally, an external control member (not shown in Figure 1) is preferably associated with the selection member 20 to allow a user to advance it step by step, overcoming the action of the jumper 28 at each step. A person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing any control member adapted for this purpose, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached set of claims.

[0053] Now examining Figure 2, which represents a simplified partial front view of the display mechanism 2, in a second operating or display mode, it is seen that the state of each of the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b of the display mechanism 2 is reversed compared to the configuration of Figure 1.

[0054] Indeed, the selection member 20 has undergone a rotation, in response to an adapted action of a user, to pass from the configuration of FIG. 1 to that of FIG. 2, in such a way that the beaks 118b, 218b of the rockers 116b, 216b are now positioned in abutment against active portions 26 of the selection cam 22, while the beaks 118a, 218a of the rockers 116a, 216a are positioned in abutment against inactive portions 24 of the selection cam 22. In this configuration, it can be seen that the actuating fingers 120b, 220b of the rockers 116b, 216b do not exert pressure on the associated levers 104b, 204b, which are consequently in their active state, while the fingers actuating surfaces 120a, 220a of the rockers 116a, 216a are arranged to bear against the actuating surfaces 106a, 206a of the associated levers 104a, 204a, which are consequently in their inactive state.

[0055] Thus, the feelers 112b, 212b of the levers 104b, 204b are held in abutment against the periphery of the corresponding cams 102b, 202b, under the effect of the action of the springs 122b, 222b associated with them, while their racks 110b, 210b are engaged with the pinions of the counter mobiles 100, 200. The cams 102b, 202b are driven in rotation by adapted drive mobiles of the watch movement, in such a way that their respective angular orientations are respectively representative of the hours and minutes of a measured time, by way of non-limiting illustration.Consequently, the respective angular orientations of the levers 104b, 204b are also a function respectively of the hours and minutes of a measured time, and ensure suitable driving of the display members 8, 10 to display the value of a measured time, here thirty-seven hours and twenty-six minutes (with driving of the display member 8 such that it makes a complete revolution in sixty hours, the display member 10 making a complete revolution in sixty minutes, as in the first mode of displaying the current time).

[0056] At the same time, the levers 104a, 204a, which are in their inactive state, are pushed back by the corresponding rockers 116a, 216a, against the force exerted by the springs 122a, 222a associated with them, until they are positioned in abutment against a stop 124a, 224a secured to a frame element of the watch movement or the display mechanism 2. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that, in this position, the cutouts 114a, 214a of the levers 104a, 204a are located opposite the pinion of the corresponding counter wheel set 100, 200, leaving the latter free to rotate due to its meshing with the rack 110b, 210b of the other lever 104b, 204b associated with it.

[0057] As long as the clockwork movement is operating with the display mechanism 2 held in the second display mode, the levers 104b, 204b are driven in retrograde movements, periodic here (but that is not necessarily the case depending on the quantities to be displayed), the period of which corresponds to the drive period of the corresponding cam 102b, 202b, i.e. preferably here sixty hours for the cam 102b and one hour for the cam 202b. The display members 8, 10 are therefore also driven following retrograde movements of the same respective periods as the cams 102b and 202b.

[0058] Generally speaking, it could be provided that the displacement of one step of the selection member 20, that is to say of its external toothing 30, has the consequence of simultaneously reversing the states of all the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b and therefore, for each counter wheel 100, 200, of swapping the active lever and the inactive lever.

[0059] However, it is well understood that such operation requires extreme precision in the synchronization of the various levers, so that the lever entering its active state engages with the corresponding counter wheel at the exact moment when the other lever, which leaves its active state, releases it. In the event of imperfect synchronization, the display organs could be momentarily free to rotate randomly, which is not desirable.

[0060] According to the present embodiment of the invention, a safety mechanism is provided as part of an optional preferred embodiment variant, making it possible to avoid any imperfect synchronization without requiring the extreme level of precision mentioned above, which is achievable but demanding.

[0061] This variant embodiment will be described in relation to figures 1 and 2, as well as with figure 3 representing a simplified partial front view of the display mechanism 2 of figures 1 and 2, in a third, intermediate, operating mode.

[0062] It will be noted first that the jumper 28 of Figure 1 has been replaced by a pawl 32 in Figures 2 and 3, by way of non-limiting illustrative example. The pawl 32 is in the form of a rocker, a first end 34 of which fulfills the role of a jumper for the external toothing 30 of the selection member 20, while the other end 36 fulfills the role of an actuator, adapted to act on the external toothing 30 and rotate the selection member 20 by one step in the clockwise rotation direction (in the view of figures 1 to 3, without limitation) in response to a suitable action of a user. Such an action therefore makes it possible to move from the configuration illustrated in figure 1 to that illustrated in figure 3, then another identical action makes it possible to move from the configuration illustrated in figure 3 to that illustrated in figure 2.

[0063] As regards the safety mechanism, the display mechanism 2 here advantageously comprises a movable jumper 40 associated with each of the counter mobiles 100, 200. Each movable jumper 40 is carried by a lever 42 rotatably mounted on a frame element of the display mechanism 2 or of the associated watch movement. Each lever 42 has a beak 44 held in abutment against a locking cam 46 secured to the selection member 20, under the effect of the action of an integrated spring 48, to be able to place the corresponding movable jumper 40 either in a rest state or in a locked state. When the beak 44 of a given lever 42 is positioned in a hollow of the locking cam 46, the corresponding movable jumper 40 is in its rest state. When the beak 44 of a given lever 42 is positioned on a boss of the locking cam 46, the corresponding movable jumper 40 is in its locking state.A comparison of the views of Figures 1 and 3 shows that the two movable jumpers 40 are in their rest state in Figure 1 while they are both in their locked state in Figure 3.

[0064] In the locked state, each movable jumper 40 cooperates with a lock 50 of the corresponding counter wheel 100, 200. Each lock 50 is in the form of a board, secured to the wheel and pinion of the corresponding counter wheel and, in which a V-shaped recess is provided, in which the movable jumper 40 can be inserted to lock the rotation of the counter wheel, as is more particularly apparent from the view in FIG. 3.

[0065] Thanks to these characteristics, a third intermediate operating mode is obtained, between the two operating modes described previously, and which is more of a locked or frozen mode. than a display mode as such, even though a predefined position could be provided for the display members 8, 10, in this third operating mode, which would make it possible to display a predefined fixed quantity possibly chosen by the user.

[0066] The components of the safety mechanism are advantageously located, depending on the thickness of the display mechanism 2, at a different level from the main level containing the components enabling the display to be ensured in the first and second display modes, in order to avoid any collision during changes of operating mode.

[0067] Thus, the locking cam 46 is adjacent to the selection cam 22, but is shaped in such a way that with each rotation of the selection member 20 by one step, the movable jumpers 40 change state, whereas the selection cam 22 is a four-stroke cam. Indeed, the selection member 20 must rotate by four steps for the entire display mechanism 2 to complete a complete cycle, that is to say so that, starting from a given initial operating mode, it is commanded to change configuration several times until returning to the initial operating mode.

[0068] Consequently, during two consecutive passages of a mobile jumper 40 from its locked state to its rest state, for a given counter mobile 100, 200, it is not the same lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b which passes from its inactive state to its active state.

[0069] Furthermore, for a given counter mobile 100, 200, the transition from one of the first and second display modes to the third operating mode systematically causes the transition of only the lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b which was active in its inactive state, so that the corresponding mobile jumper 40 can interact freely with the associated lock 50.

[0070] More precisely, we saw above that when a lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b is in its inactive state, its cutout 114a, 114b, 214a, 214b is located opposite the pinion of the corresponding counter wheel 100, 200, that is to say that its rack 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b is no longer engaged with the pinion. Thus, when passing from one of the first and second modes display in the third operating mode, it is understood that the lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b which was in its active state moves to position its cutout 114a, 114b, 214a, 214b opposite the pinion. During this operation, the pinion is rotated at an angle slightly greater than the maximum drive angle currently being displayed (when the position of the lever 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b concerned is dictated by the angular orientation of the cam 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b with which it is associated), and the corresponding lock 50 is also rotated to an orientation suitable for being able to cooperate with the corresponding movable jumper 40, the latter effectively moving substantially simultaneously.The V-shapes of the movable jumper 40 and the lock 50 make it possible to provide a certain tolerance in their alignments when they come into contact with each other or, conversely, when the movable jumper 40 disengages from the lock 50, during the transition from the third operating mode to one of the first two operating modes.

[0071] Thus, and thanks to this tolerance, the safety mechanism, preferred but optional, makes it possible to ensure correct indexing of the counter mobiles 100, 200 with the levers 104a, 104b, 204a, 204b, i.e. correct positioning of the display members 8, 10 opposite any graduations, at all times, including in the case of an impact which would occur just at the moment of a change of operating mode.

[0072] By way of non-limiting illustration, indications 52 have been shown on the selection member 20, which can advantageously be visible on the corresponding timepiece, possibly through a suitable window, arranged in a dial. The indications 52 here comprise alternating "C"s and "H"s, the "C" being intended to appear through the window, if applicable, when the operating mode corresponding to the chronograph mode is active, while the "H" is intended to be visible when the operating mode corresponding to the current time display mode is active. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the selection member 20 is oriented to reveal a gap between two consecutive indications 52 in the third operating mode. Of course, The person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the indications and the manner in which they are possibly made visible to a user according to his own needs, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, a third type of indication 52 may be provided for the third mode of operation, such as an "F" for "Frozen" or even a specific symbol.

[0073] The general principle of the display mechanism 2 according to the present invention opens up countless possibilities in terms of quantities which can be displayed, while maintaining great simplicity and excellent readability of the corresponding display.

[0074] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c represent similar simplified front views of three different embodiments of displays which can be implemented using the general principle of the display mechanism according to the invention, by way of non-limiting illustration. Each of Figures 4a, 4b and 4c represents the corresponding display in two different respective display modes.

[0075] Thus, Figure 4a illustrates an implementation of the display mechanism according to which the latter is arranged to be able to display the current time in a first display mode "T" on the left view, or the date in a second display mode "D" on the right view, with the hour display member 8 driven to display the current month, in relation to the hour indexes, and the minute display member 10 driven to display the date, in relation to the graduations from 1 to 31 of the standard timer.

[0076] Figure 4b illustrates an implementation of the display mechanism according to which the latter is arranged to be able to display the current time in a first display mode "T" on the left view, or the time in a second time zone, in a second display mode "DF" on the right view, with the hour display member 8 driven to display the time in the second time zone on a 24-hour basis, and the minute display member 10 driven in a conventional manner.

[0077] Figure 4c illustrates a particular example of a display controlled by the display mechanism 2 which has been described in relation to Figures 1 to 3, the latter being arranged to be able to display the current time in a first display mode "T" on the left view, or a measured time in a second display mode "C" on the right view, with the hour display member 8 driven to display the time over 60 hours in the second mode, and the minute display member 10 driven in a conventional manner. An additional hand 54 for displaying the seconds of a measured time has also been illustrated here, its drive being able to be ensured in a conventional manner.

[0078] Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, a display mechanism is obtained, of conventional appearance and offering excellent readability, while allowing the display on demand of additional information, this mechanism being furthermore capable of being easily combined with an existing display mechanism or with an existing basic watch caliber. Even if this is not necessarily the case, it will be recalled that the display mechanism according to the invention allows the production of a display with multiple display modes comprising two display members arranged concentrically, while having a relatively limited bulk, in particular a reduced thickness, thanks to the particular characteristics of its selection member which allows to act in a precise, reliable and, preferably, simultaneous manner on the components controlling the two display members.Furthermore, thanks to its optional securing mechanism, its assembly and adjustment can be greatly simplified in reference to previous devices.

[0079] It will be noted that the implementation of such a security mechanism also opens the way, more generally, to the implementation of display mechanisms which would comprise a single display member capable of being driven according to at least two different display modes, and in which the display member could be carried directly by the corresponding counter mobile, with totally reliable operation since the transition from one display mode to another would be systematically carried out by means of a fixed mode, as described above, ensuring the indexing of the pinion of the counter wheel when it is not driven. Such a counter wheel could then advantageously be arranged in the center of the corresponding watch movement.

[0080] The implementation of the present invention is not limited to certain particular characteristics as illustrated and described. Indeed, a person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to his own needs and implementing a display mechanism incorporating only part of these characteristics without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Thus, for example, one or more display members could have a retrograde translational movement. In general, the drive wheel, in the watch movement, as well as the transmission chain to the display wheel, via the corresponding cam, may take different forms while remaining within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0081] The invention is not limited by the number of display modes available, nor by the nature of the information displayed by the display members, neither in one display mode nor in another. It could also be provided that the two display members are superimposed to display a single quantity in one or other of the display modes without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Display mechanism (2), for a clock movement, comprising: - a counter mobile (100) intended to control the movements of a display member (8), - first and second cams (102a, 102b) each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a first drive member, respectively a second drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with said first cam (102a), respectively with said second cam (102b), to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with said counter wheel (100) to drive it, and an inactive state, in which said kinematic connection is inactive, - a movable selection member (20) capable of cooperating with said first and second drive members and defining their respective states, in such a way that only one drive member at a time can be in its active state, the display mechanism (2) being characterized in that it comprises: - an additional counter mobile (200) intended to control the movements of an additional display member (10), - first and second additional cams (202a, 202b), each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a first additional drive member, respectively a second additional drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with said first additional cam (202a), respectively with said second additional cam (202b), to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with said additional counter mobile (200) to drive it, and an inactive state, in which said kinematic link is inactive, and in that said selection member (20) is further capable of cooperating with said first and second additional drive members and defining their respective states, in such a way that only one additional drive member at a time can be in its active state.

2. Mechanism (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said drive members comprises a feeler (112a, 112b, 212a, 212b) intended to be positioned in abutment against the corresponding cam (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) in its active state, under the effect of the action of an elastic member (122a, 122b, 222a, 222b).

3. Mechanism (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the selection member (20) is arranged and shaped in such a way that the changes of state of said first drive member and said first additional drive member, respectively of said second drive member and said second additional drive member, are synchronized.

4. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selection member (20) comprises a rotating crown arranged around a volume containing said counter mobiles (100, 200), said drive members and said cams (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b), and in that said rotating crown comprises an internal surface defining a selection cam (22) arranged to be able to cooperate at least indirectly with said drive members, to move them to and maintain them in their inactive state.

5. Mechanism (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that said selection cam (22) cooperates with each of said drive members, to move it to and maintain it in its inactive state, by means of a corresponding rocker (116a, 116b, 216a, 216b), partially elastically deformable.

6. Mechanism (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that said selection cam (22) has a plurality of inactive portions (24), located on a first radius and associated with an inactive state of said drive members, and a plurality of active portions (26), located on a second ray and associated with an active state of said drive members, said rockers (116a, 116b, 216a, 216b) being intended to pivot between two extreme angular orientations by passing from an active portion to an inactive portion of said selection cam (22), and vice versa, and in that the distribution of said active (26) and inactive (24) portions along said selection cam (22) and the location of said rockers (116a, 116b, 216a, 216b) are such that only one at a time among the drive members associated with a given counter mobile (100, 200) can be in its active state.

7. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a movable jumper (40) associated with each of said counter mobiles (100, 200), and arranged to cooperate: - with said selection member (20), to move between a rest position and a locking position, and - with said counter mobile (100, 200) with which it is associated, when it is in its locking position, to lock it, when all of said drive members associated with this counter mobile (100, 200) are in their inactive state.

8. Mechanism (2) according to claims 4 and 7, characterized in that said selection member (20) carries a locking cam (46) arranged to control simultaneous changes in position of said movable jumpers (40), at each displacement of one step of said selection member (20), and in that said selection cam (22) is shaped in such a way that two steps of said selection member (20) are necessary to pass from a configuration in which a first drive member associated with a given counter mobile (100, 200) is in its active state to a configuration in which the second drive member associated with the same counter mobile (100, 200) is in its active state.

9. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first and second display wheels (4, 6) intended to carry respective display members (8, 10) and arranged in permanent kinematic connection with said counter wheel (100), respectively with said additional counter wheel (200), and in that said first and second display mobiles (4, 6) are coaxial.

10. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of said cams (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) associated with one of said counter mobiles (100, 200) and one of said cams (102a, 102b, 202a, 202b) associated with the other of said counter mobiles (100, 200) together define a pair of coaxial cams.

11. Mechanism (2) according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said pair of coaxial cams is coaxial with said first and second display mobiles (4, 6).

12. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selection member (20) carries indications (52) intended to be visible from the outside of a timepiece housing the display mechanism (2), to indicate at each instant, to a user, on the basis of which information said counter mobiles (100, 200) are driven, among said predefined information.

13. Mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a second additional counter mobile intended to control the movements of a second additional display device, - third and fourth additional cams, each of which is intended to be driven in rotation by a drive wheel of the watch movement, in such a way that its angular orientation is representative of predefined information, - a third additional drive member, respectively a fourth additional drive member, carrying a toothing and capable of occupying an active state, in which it can cooperate with said third additional cam, respectively with said fourth additional cam, to move according to the angular orientation of the latter, and in which its toothing can have a kinematic connection with said second additional counter mobile to drive it, and an inactive state, in which said kinematic connection is inactive, and in that said selection member (20) is further capable of cooperate with said third and fourth additional drive members and define their respective states, such that only one additional drive member at a time, among said third and fourth additional drive members, can be in its active state.

14. Watch movement comprising a display mechanism (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Clockwork movement according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least two drive mobiles arranged to drive said first and second cams (102a, 102b) and first and second additional cams (202a, 202b), in such a way that at least two of them can be driven in rotation with different angular speeds.

16. Watch movement according to claim 15, comprising a display mechanism (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that said first and second display mobiles (4, 6) are capable of being driven to display a pair of information chosen from the group comprising: - current hours and current minutes, - the hours of a timed time and the minutes of a timed time, - hours in an additional time zone and current minutes, - the current month and the date.

17. Timepiece comprising a watch movement according to one of claims 14 to 16.

Images