Three-dimensional function selection mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-dimensional function selection device for a watch movement, intended to connect a driving wheel guided on the winding stem or shaped axis to driven wheels corresponding to different functions on several levels. [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Three-dimensional function selection mechanism Summary of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a three-dimensional function selection device for a watch movement, intended to connect a driving wheel guided on the winding stem or shaped axis to driven wheels corresponding to different functions on several levels. Description of prior art

[0002] Watch movements include mechanisms for winding, setting the time, quick-setting the date, setting the alarm, or setting a time zone (to name just a few). These mechanisms, generally referred to as "time-setting mechanisms," have two positions: one for winding and another for setting the time. A watch with a date function has a three-position "time-setting mechanism": one for winding, one for setting the time, and one for quick-setting the date. Watches with more than three positions are rare, for several reasons.

[0003] Applying a crown with more than three positions is complex using the conventional solution of time-setting mechanisms. This conventional solution includes a (winding) stem that acts on a sliding pinion (sliding pinion). In a two-position mechanism, pulling the stem causes a rocker mechanism to position the sliding pinion on the winding pinion or on the small pinion. In a three-position mechanism, pulling the stem causes a rocker mechanism to position the sliding pinion on the winding pinion (position 1) or on the small pinion (position 2), and for the third position there are two solutions. The first consists of moving the sliding pinion to a third position with the small pinion on another pinion. In the second solution, the sliding pinion has only two positions, and the third position is achieved by engaging and / or disengaging pinions located after the sliding pinion.In a mechanism with more than three positions, subsequent positions become very complex for the user to achieve and find.

[0004] The commonly used solution consists of positioning several time-setting mechanisms, with several crowns, correctors or pushers in different locations around the case.

[0005] EP 2 112 564 relates to a clutch device, particularly for a clockwork movement, intended to connect a driving wheel to a driven wheel. The invention also relates to a clockwork movement and a clockwork component. including such a clutch device. More particularly, the invention is intended to be implemented in a chronograph mechanism, the chronograph wheel corresponding to the driven wheel.

[0006] CH 534 381 relates to a timepiece comprising a manually actuated control rod, capable of occupying at least two axial positions.

[0007] FR 2 157 863 relates to a calendar watch equipped with a control mechanism comprising a rod arranged so as to be able to occupy at least two different axial positions.

[0008] EP 1 939 699 relates to a multifunctional coaxial correcting device allowing, for example in a watch part, the selection and / or modification of the information displayed on a dial by means of a single control element.

[0009] EP 2 444 861 B1 relates to a device which offers a function selection solution among several possible functions by connecting a driving wheel to different driven wheels in the same plane. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks present in known solutions. The present invention therefore proposes a solution for selecting a function from among several possible functions by using the Z-axis displacement of the driving wheel in order to reduce the footprint in the XY plane, as explained in detail below.

[0011] The present invention therefore proposes a simple solution comprising an extremely small number of parts.

[0012] The present invention also makes it possible to overcome the ceiling of three actionable functions as mentioned in the description of the prior art.

[0013] This device can be actuated by an element in the housing such as a push button or a slide.

[0014] The winding stem is fixed here, without axial displacement possible, only its rotation is permitted. Brief description of the figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and referring to the attached drawings, which schematically represent: - [Fig. 1]: In perspective, a three-dimensional function selector construction according to an embodiment of the present invention, - [Fig.2]: a cross-sectional view along AA ([Fig.3]) of the function selector three-dimensional of the [Fig.1], - [Fig.3]: a top view of the three-dimensional function selector device of [Fig.1], - [Fig.4]: an exploded view of the three-dimensional function selector device shown in [Fig.1], - [Fig. 5]-7: Views of the three-dimensional function selector device presented in [Fig. 1] during the transition between different modes or functions, - [Fig. 8]: A perspective view of shuttle 201 and column wheel 401 - [Fig. 9]: a perspective view of the winding stem 101 and the wheel leading 204 Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0016] With reference to the drawings, some non-limiting embodiments of a three-dimensional function selector device according to the present invention are now explained in more detail.

[0017] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional function selection device for a watch movement, intended to connect a driving wheel guided in translation on Z and driven in rotation also in Z directly or indirectly by the winding stem to driven wheels corresponding to different functions on several levels. This device has a three-dimensional construction with the movement of the driving wheel on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the wheel. The device is not necessarily placed on the axis of the winding stem of a watch movement, but it can just as well be mounted on an independent axis and thus be driven in rotation indirectly by the winding stem. In all cases, the winding stem or the independent axis does not have axial displacement; it is therefore fixed in translation, only rotation is permitted.

[0018] Thus we have ([Fig.1]-4) the winding stem 101 which in the example presented directly drives the driving wheel 204 in rotation, it is also guided in translation on the stem 101, the shuttle 201 guided by axes 102 and 103 allows the translation of the driving wheel 204, the shuttle 201 and the wheel 102 are held coupled by means of a spring 205 to a column or stage wheel 401 guided on the stem 101 and positioned by a spring 402, the wheel 401 is moved angularly by an element of the housing pusher or slide 403.

[0019] The transition from one mode to another, presented here for the example of three positions ([Fig.5]-7), is done by the action of the covering element 403, the shuttle 201 sensing the height controlled by the wheel 401 moves in the Z axis perpendicular to the plane of the driving wheel 102 and thus positions the wheel 102 at the level of the driven wheel 50X corresponding to the desired function.

[0020] ([Fig.8]) The number of functions is defined by the number of positions and stages of the 401 wheel as well as of course the number of 50X driven wheels each distributed on their own level.

[0021] The return to the initial position is achieved under the effect of the spring 205 and allows the "fall" of the shuttle 201 driving wheel 204 assembly.

[0022] The driving wheel 204, translating on an axis of shape ([Fig.9]), here in the example square, can be driven in rotation and allows the driving of the driven wheels.

Claims

Demands

1. The invention relates to a 3-dimensional function selection device for a watch movement, intended to connect a driving wheel guided on the winding stem or shaped axis to driven wheels corresponding to different functions on several levels. This device comprises: a) a driving wheel 204 and a shuttle 201 translating on an axis Z perpendicular to the plane of the wheel, b) a column or stage wheel 401 being moved angularly by a casing element 403 pushes by these stages the shuttle 201 which itself pushes the driving wheel 204 so that it can mesh with the different driven wheels 50X corresponding to the different functions, c) a helical spring 205 which maintains the probing coupling between the shuttle 201 and the wheel 401 and also allows the return to the initial position with the fall of the shuttle 201.

2. The function selection device according to claim 1, the elements 201 and 204 translate on the shape axis or winding stem 101 causing the wheel 204 to rotate.

3. The function selection device according to the preceding claims may have a variable number of functions or modes, in particular beyond three, the number of angular positions and stages of the wheel 401 will vary according to the number of modes defined, thus a neutral position may also be included in which the wheel 204 does not mesh with driven wheels 50X.

4. The function selection device according to the preceding claims has a winding stem 101 guiding the driving wheel 204 in translation and also driving it in rotation.

5. The function selection device according to the preceding claims has a winding stem without axial displacement possible, only rotation is permitted.

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