Actuating mechanism for a flexible display hand

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a flexible display hand, the hand comprising a first and a second drive tube connected to a first and a second flexible arm respectively at a first end, the first and second flexible arms being connected by a tip portion at a second end, the actuating mechanism comprising a first pinion shaft, the first drive tube of the hand being press-fitted to the first pinion shaft, the first pinion shaft being driven by a watch movement and driving an intermediate wheel set, the intermediate wheel set driving a second pinion shaft, the second drive tube being press-fitted to the second pinion shaft, the hand moving between an initial position and a final position, in the final position the hand jumps to return to the initial position, the hand changing shape and length in a desired manner during the movement, the kinematic link between the intermediate wheel set and the second pinion shaft being instantaneously interrupted when the hand makes the jump, causing the second pinion shaft to pivot, then the first pinion shaft and the second pinion shaft directly engaging, the first pinion shaft driving both the second pinion shaft and the intermediate wheel set until the second pinion shaft engages again with the intermediate wheel set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuation mechanism for a flexible display pointer. Background Technology

[0002] This invention relates to flexible display hands. Such hands known in the prior art include a first drive tube connected to a first end of a first flexible arm and a second drive tube connected to a first end of a second flexible arm. At their second ends, the first and second flexible arms are connected to each other via tip portions. In the stress-free, free state of the flexible display hand, the first and second drive tubes are spaced apart. Conversely, the working position in which the flexible display hand has a defined shape and length is a stressed position, in which the first and second drive tubes are coaxially arranged about the same axis of rotation. In the stressed position, the first drive tube is mounted at a defined first prestress angle, and the second drive tube is mounted at a defined second prestress angle in a direction opposite to that of the first drive tube. The flexible display hand is arranged to change its shape and length in a desired manner when the angular position of the second drive tube changes relative to the angular position of the first drive tube by pivoting about the axis of rotation. For this purpose, the first flexible arm of the flexible display hand rotates by an angle θ1, which is applied to the flexible display hand by a watch movement to display information. For the second flexible arm, due to the rotation angle θ1 applied to the flexible display hand by the watch movement, it is rotated by an actuation mechanism. Modulation, therefore, applies to the rotation angle of the second flexible arm of the flexible display pointer. The rotation of the flexible display pointer, as well as changes in its shape and length, were determined.

[0003] Actuation mechanisms for actuating flexible, variable-length display hands are known in the prior art. These different actuation mechanisms are all based on the same working principle: a rotation angle θ1 applied to the input of the actuation mechanism by the watch movement is rotated by the actuation mechanism at that angle. Modulation, the rotation angle The first and second flexible arms of the flexible display pointer are applied in opposite directions, which determines the rotation of the flexible display pointer as well as changes in its shape and length.

[0004] Using these existing technology drive mechanisms, the flexible display pointer traces a path of various shapes (circles, ellipses, triangles, etc.) as it rotates once; in other words, starting from a given starting point, the flexible display pointer performs a complete rotation, deforms in the desired manner, returns to the starting point, and the whole process starts again. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an actuation mechanism for a flexible display pointer, which enables the path traced by the flexible display pointer to be changed when the flexible display pointer is driven by such an actuation mechanism.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention relates to an actuation mechanism for actuating a flexible display hand, the flexible display hand comprising a first drive tube connected to a first end of a first flexible arm and a second drive tube connected to a first end of a second flexible arm, the first and second flexible arms being connected to each other via tips at their second ends, the first drive tube being mounted at a defined first prestress angle, and the second drive tube being mounted at a defined second prestress angle in a direction opposite to that of the first drive tube, such that the flexible display hand, subjected to elastic prestress, maintains the entire actuation mechanism under tension during normal operation, the actuation mechanism comprising a first cannon-pinion, the first drive tube of the flexible display hand being press-fitted onto the first cannon-pinion, the first cannon-pinion being driven by a watch movement, the first cannon-pinion driving an intermediate gear set, the intermediate gear set subsequently driving a second cannon-pinion, the second drive tube being press-fitted onto the second cannon-pinion, the flexible display hand operating between an initial position and a final position. In the final position, the flexible indicator pointer jumps to return to its initial position. During the movement, the flexible indicator pointer changes shape and length in a desired manner, causing additional elastic tension due to the change in the angular position of the second drive tube relative to the first drive tube. This additional elastic tension is added to the elastic tension caused by the mounting of the first and second drive tubes on their respective first and second index gear shafts. The kinematic connection between the intermediate gear pair and the second index gear shaft is temporarily interrupted during the jump of the flexible indicator pointer. The second index gear shaft then rotates freely for a short time and disconnects from the rest of the actuation mechanism, releasing the additional elastic tension. This causes the second index gear shaft to pivot, and then the first and second index gear shafts engage directly via a pin. This allows the second index gear shaft to be precisely positioned relative to the first index gear shaft. The first index gear shaft drives not only the second index gear shaft but also the intermediate gear pair until the second index gear shaft engages with the intermediate gear pair again. The position of the pin ensures proper actuation and prevents the tips from obstructing each other.

[0007] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention:

[0008] - The intermediate gear pair includes a first intermediate gear and a second intermediate gear, the second intermediate gear being rotatedly connected to the first intermediate gear, the first gear shaft driving the first intermediate gear, and the second intermediate gear driving the second gear shaft;

[0009] - The second gear shaft is provided with the pin, which extends into the groove cut out in the plate of the first gear shaft, and the second intermediate wheel has a toothless sector at a position on its outer periphery;

[0010] - The groove has the shape of an arc centered on the center of the first toothed shaft, and the groove is defined at its two ends by a first end and a second end;

[0011] - The slot extends over a corner sector determined by the desired variation in the shape and length of the flexible display pointer, and additional corner sectors must be added to the corner sector to take into account the overall size of the pin;

[0012] - The bisectors of the first and second flexible arms extend between the rotation axes of the first and second drive tubes and the tip of the flexible display pointer, and the angle α formed by the bisectors and their direction when the flexible display pointer is in its initial position is... Aig It is given by the following formula:

[0013]

[0014] in:

[0015] -θ1 is the rotation angle applied by the watch movement to the first flexible arm of the flexible display hand from its initial position;

[0016] -i is the gear ratio between the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm of the flexible display pointer.

[0017] Due to these features, the present invention provides an actuation mechanism arranged to drive a flexible display pointer, for example, to rotate two full revolutions, the second revolution having a different geometry than the first revolution. The flexible display pointer rotates a first revolution from a given initial starting point, then a second revolution after the first revolution, then returns to its initial starting point and repeats the path again. The actuation mechanism according to the invention is also known for its simplicity and low height.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the actuation mechanism includes a friction clutch arranged between a pointer setting mechanism and a first minute gear shaft, the pointer setting mechanism being controllable by a winding button, the pointer setting mechanism and the winding button being contained in the watch movement, the friction clutch being configured such that when the winding button is in the pointer setting position and is operated to move the flexible display pointer clockwise, the friction clutch transmits torque to the first minute gear shaft to drive the flexible display pointer clockwise.

[0019] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the friction clutch is configured such that when the upper button is operated and the upper button is in the pointer setting position, the friction clutch slips when subjected to a torque higher than a predetermined threshold in order to move the flexible display pointer in a counterclockwise direction.

[0020] According to a specific implementation, the first and second indexing gears are directly engaged via the pin, thereby precisely positioning the second indexing gear relative to the first indexing gear, so that the first indexing gear not only drives the second indexing gear but also drives the intermediate gear pair until the second indexing gear engages with the intermediate gear pair again. The position of the pin ensures proper restoration of drive, thereby preventing the tips from blocking each other. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the actuation mechanism according to the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0022] - Figure 1 It is a plan view of a flexible display pointer intended to be driven by an actuation mechanism according to the invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the actuation mechanism according to the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 3 This is a partial plan view of the actuation mechanism according to the invention in standard operating mode, wherein a phase angle is generated between the first and second flexible arms of the flexible display pointer;

[0025] - Figure 4 This is a partial plan view showing the situation where the actuation mechanism according to the invention is exactly before the flexible display pointer jumps and the phase angle between the first and second flexible arms of the flexible display pointer is at its maximum value, and the second gear shaft is still engaged with the second intermediate gear via the last tooth of the second intermediate gear located before the toothless sector;

[0026] - Figure 5 This is a partial plan view showing the actuation mechanism according to the invention just after the flexible display pointer has completed its jump and the phase angle between the first and second flexible arms is zero, wherein the second gear shaft is still not engaged with the second intermediate wheel, but is directly engaged with the first gear shaft via a pin;

[0027] - Figure 6 It is shown at a larger scale. Figure 5 Enlarged image;

[0028] - Figure 7 It is shown at a larger scale. Figure 3 Enlarged image;

[0029] - Figure 8 , 9 Figures 10 and 10 illustrate different path types that can be considered for flexible display pointers driven by the actuation mechanism according to the invention;

[0030] - Figure 11 A block diagram of the actuation mechanism according to the invention is shown, wherein the upper button is actuated to move the flexible display pointer in a clockwise direction;

[0031] - Figure 12 and Figure 11 Similarly, the top button is operated to make the flexible display pointer move counterclockwise. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This invention originates from the general inventive concept of obtaining an actuation mechanism for a flexible display hand in a watch movement, which allows for alteration of the path depicted by such a flexible display hand. More specifically, the actuation mechanism according to the invention is designed to drive the flexible display hand such that it continuously performs a first rotation from an initial starting point, then a second rotation with a different geometry than the first rotation, and then returns to its initial starting point at the end of the second rotation and repeats the same path again. One advantage of this invention is that different ranges of values ​​for the variable displayed can be shown on each of the first and second rotations. The actuation mechanism according to the invention is also very simple and occupies a very small height.

[0033] Embodiments of the actuation mechanism according to the invention will be described below by way of non-limiting example only, which may allow the display of a 24-hour time indication. A typical example involves the display of the current time, wherein the period from midnight to noon can be displayed during the first revolution, and the period from noon to midnight can be displayed during the second revolution.

[0034] exist Figure 1 The figure shows a flexible display pointer 1, generally indicated by general reference numeral 1, which can be driven by an actuation mechanism according to the invention. The flexible display pointer 1 includes a first drive tube 2 connected to a first end of a first flexible arm 4 and a second drive tube 6 connected to a first end of a second flexible arm 8. The first flexible arm 4 and the second flexible arm 8 are connected to each other at their second ends by a tip 10. Figure 1 In the free state of the flexible display pointer 1 shown, the first drive tube 2 and the second drive tube 6 are spaced apart.

[0035] Conversely, the working position in which the flexible display pointer 1 has a defined shape and length is the force-bearing position, in which the first drive tube 2 and the second drive tube 6 are arranged coaxially about the rotation axis D (see [reference]). Figure 2 At this stress position, the first drive tube 2 is installed at a defined first prestress angle, and the second drive tube 6 is installed at a defined second prestress angle in a direction opposite to that of the first drive tube 2. As will be better understood after reading the following description, the flexible display pointer 1 is arranged to change its shape and length in a desired manner when the angular position of the second drive tube 6 changes relative to the angular position of the first drive tube 2 by pivoting about the axis of rotation D.

[0036] exist Figure 2 The figure shows an embodiment of an actuation mechanism according to the invention for actuating a flexible display hand 1, generally indicated by general reference numeral 12. The actuation mechanism 12 includes a first gear shaft 14, to which the spindle 15 of the first drive tube 2 of the flexible display hand 1 is press-fitted. The first gear shaft 14 is driven, for example, clockwise by a watch movement (not shown). The watch movement can drive the first gear shaft 14 directly or via an inserted gear train.

[0037] Therefore, the first gear shaft 14 acts as a drive in the operation of the actuation mechanism 12. More specifically, the first gear shaft 14 drives the first intermediate gear 16 of the intermediate gear pair 18 in a counterclockwise direction. The intermediate gear pair 18 also includes a second intermediate gear 20, which is rotationally connected to the first intermediate gear 16 and therefore also rotates counterclockwise. Finally, the actuation mechanism 12 includes a second gear shaft 22, which is driven clockwise by the second intermediate gear 20. The second gear shaft 22 is mounted to be freely rotatable on the spindle 15 of the first gear shaft 14, and includes a spindle 24 on which the second drive tube 6 is press-fitted. It should be understood that the meshing between the first gear shaft 14 and the second gear shaft 22 and the intermediate gear pair 18 can occur directly or via additional wheels and pinions.

[0038] The actuation mechanism 12 is further characterized in that the second gear shaft 22 is provided with a pin 26 that extends into a groove 28 cut into the plate of the first gear shaft 14. The groove 28 is shaped as an arc centered on the center of the first gear shaft 14, and is defined at both ends by a first end 30 and a second end 32, respectively, and extends over an angular sector of 162.5° in the non-limiting example shown in the figure. The angle value of this angular sector is determined by the desired variation in the shape and length of the flexible display pointer 1, and an additional angular sector must be added to account for the overall size of the pin 26 (e.g., 20°) and a safety margin (typically equal to 2.5°). The figure also shows the second intermediate wheel 20 having a toothless sector 34 at a location on its outer periphery. The function of these different elements will be described in detail below.

[0039] For illustration only, let us now assume that the first minute gear 14 is driven clockwise by the watch movement at a rate of one revolution per day. Subsequently, the first minute gear 14, engaged with the first intermediate wheel 16, drives the first intermediate wheel 16 to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn causes the second intermediate wheel 20 to rotate counterclockwise. Finally, the second intermediate wheel 20 drives the second minute gear 22 clockwise.

[0040] Because of the gear ratio between the first gear shaft 14 and the second gear shaft 22 selected here for illustrating the actuation mechanism 12 according to the invention, and the first intermediate gear 16 and the second intermediate gear 20, the second gear shaft 22 rotates less than one revolution per day (0.799). This causes the first flexible arm 4 and the second flexible arm 8 of the flexible display pointer 1 to move away from each other, while the pin 26 begins to move into the slot 28. The angular distance / phase angle between the pin 26 and the first end 30 This represents the phase angle applied by the actuation mechanism 12, actuated by the watch movement, to the first flexible arm 4 and the second flexible arm 8 of the flexible display hand 1 (see...). Figure 3 It should be noted that during the normal operation of the actuation mechanism 12, i.e., when the toothless sector 34 of the second intermediate wheel 20 does not face the second gear shaft 22, in other words, when the second intermediate wheel 20 and the second gear shaft 22 are meshed, the flexible display pointer 1, subjected to elastic prestress, keeps the entire actuation mechanism 12 under tension, thereby keeping the second gear shaft 22 in the proper position. More specifically, the installation of the flexible display pointer 1 under stress generates elastic tension therein, which is used to bring the flexible arms 4, 8 of the flexible display pointer 1 closer together. In addition to this elastic tension caused by the installation of the flexible display pointer 1 under stress, there is additional elastic tension caused by changes in the shape and length of the flexible display pointer 1, which are caused by changes in the angular position of the second drive tube 6 relative to the first drive tube 2 by pivoting about the axis of rotation D.

[0041] When the second rotation of the flexible display pointer 1 ends, and the toothless sector 34 of the second intermediate wheel 20 begins to face the second gear shaft 22, as... Figure 4 As shown, the second gear shaft 22 will temporarily rotate freely and will be disconnected from the rest of the actuation mechanism 12. More specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the actuation mechanism 12 just before the flexible display pointer 1 makes a jump. The second gear shaft 22 rotates clockwise to compensate for the phase angle φ between it and the first gear shaft 14, while the second gear shaft 22 remains engaged with the second intermediate wheel 20 via the last tooth A. Subsequently, the second intermediate wheel 20 continues to rotate counterclockwise until the last tooth A, which the second gear shaft 22 used to maintain engagement with the second intermediate wheel 20, moves away and the toothless sector 34 of the second intermediate wheel 20 faces the second gear shaft 22. This has a direct result of releasing the additional elastic tension caused by the angular position change of the second drive tube 6 relative to the first drive tube 2, which causes the second flexible arm 8 to relax and the second gear shaft 22 to pivot clockwise. Thus, the second gear shaft 22 compensates for the phase angle φ between it and the first gear shaft 14, which has reached 140° at the end of the second rotation of the flexible display pointer 1. More specifically, the slot extends more than 162.5°, but the second gear shaft 22 only rotates 140°. During this pursuit, pin 26 abuts against the first end 30 of groove 28, and the phase angle between the first gear shaft 14 and the second gear shaft 22... Offset (see Figure 5 Following this transition, the toothless sector 34 of the second intermediate wheel 20 remains facing the second minute gear 22, thus the second minute gear 22 remains free. However, the elastic tension on the flexible display hand 1 holds the pin 26 at the first end 30 of the slot 28, causing the first minute gear 14 and the second minute gear 22 to be rotated together. The first minute gear 14, still driven by the watch movement, rotates and in turn drives the second minute gear 22. Since the first minute gear 14 and the second minute gear 22 are directly engaged with each other and there is no gear ratio between them, the first minute gear 14 and the second minute gear 22 rotate at the same speed. As a result, during this operating phase of the actuation mechanism 12, the path of the flexible display hand 1 is circular.

[0042] It goes without saying that when rotating, the first gear shaft 14 drives not only the second gear shaft 22, but also the first intermediate gear 16 and the second intermediate gear 20. At some point, the second gear shaft 22 thus comes into contact with the second intermediate gear 20. Therefore, the drive of the second gear shaft 22 changes at this point: the second gear shaft 22 changes from direct engagement with the first gear shaft 14 to being driven again by the second intermediate gear 20 in the standard manner.

[0043] The position of the adjusting pin 26 is crucial because it ensures that when the drive is restored, the second gear shaft 22 engages with the second intermediate gear 20 without the tips blocking each other.

[0044] It is important to note that the driving torque provided by the watch movement is applied to the first gear shaft 14 associated with the first flexible arm 4 of the flexible display hand 1. Therefore, the bisector of the first flexible arm 4 and the second flexible arm 8 extends between the axis of rotation D of the first drive tube 2 and the second drive tube 6 when they are in their working positions and the tip 10 of the flexible display hand 1, and the angle α formed by this bisector and its direction when the flexible display hand 1 is in its initial position. Aig The rotation angle θ1 applied by the watch movement to the first flexible arm 4 of the flexible display hand 1 does not completely coincide with the rotation angle α1. In the purely illustrative and non-limiting example shown in the accompanying drawings, this angle α... Aig This corresponds to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis. In other words, angle α Aig The mathematical relationship between the angle θ1 and the angle is given by the following formula:

[0045]

[0046] in:

[0047] -α Aig It is the angle formed by the bisector of the first and second flexible arms extending between the rotation axis D and the tip of the flexible display pointer, and the direction of the bisector when the flexible display pointer is in its initial position;

[0048] -θ1 is the rotation angle applied by the watch movement to the first flexible arm of the flexible display hand from its initial position;

[0049] -i is the gear ratio between the first and second flexible arms of the flexible display pointer (0.799 in this example).

[0050] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can consider various simple substitutions and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0051] In the example described above, from its starting point to the point in time when it jumps back to its initial position, the tip 10 of the flexible display pointer 1 traces a spiral path during two rotations (see [reference]). Figure 8 In other words, when the first gear shaft 14 and the second gear shaft 22 rotate two full revolutions between two consecutive jumps of the flexible display pointer 1, the second intermediate wheel 20 rotates one full revolution, because when the toothless sector 34 of the second intermediate wheel 20 faces the second gear shaft 22, the flexible display pointer 1 returns to its initial position.

[0052] It goes without saying, such as Figure 9 As shown, by adjusting the pitch and number of revolutions, other paths for the tip 10 of the flexible display pointer 1 can be envisioned. Similarly, refer to... Figure 10 According to the invention, the actuation mechanism 12 can be arranged such that the flexible display pointer 1 jumps multiple times during each rotation.

[0053] Due to the elastic tension of the pointer, any movement of the flexible display pointer 1 during pointer setting to perform a jump from the initial position to the final position—that is, referring to… Figure 2 and 8 An attempt to make a jump in the counterclockwise direction will cause the actuator 12 to be blocked or damaged.

[0054] To prevent this from happening, the actuation mechanism 12 includes a friction clutch 41, which is designed to be positioned between the first gear shaft 14 and the pointer setting mechanism 42, which includes a dial gear train controlled by the upwind knob 43. These features are... Figure 11 and 12 It is shown schematically in the middle.

[0055] The pointer setting mechanism 42 and the winding button 43 are contained in the watch movement, and the actuation mechanism 12 according to the invention is intended to be arranged in the watch movement, which is known to those skilled in the art.

[0056] In a known manner, the up button 43 can control the pointer setting mechanism 42, that is, when the up button 43 is in the pointer setting position, it acts on the pointer setting mechanism 42.

[0057] When the upper button 43 is operated in the pointer setting position, in order to move the flexible display pointer 1 clockwise, the friction clutch 41 is configured to transmit all or part of the torque applied to the friction clutch 41 by the pointer setting mechanism 42 to the first gear shaft 14, so as to drive the flexible display pointer 1 clockwise. This scenario is... Figure 11 As shown in the diagram, the transmission of motion is represented by arrows indicated by thick lines.

[0058] When the ramp button 43 is actuated and is in the pointer setting position, the friction clutch 41 is configured to slide when subjected to torque exceeding a predetermined threshold in order to move the flexible display pointer 1 counterclockwise, thus preventing excessive torque from being transmitted to the first gear shaft 14. The predetermined threshold torque is reached when the flexible display pointer 1 is in its initial position and the ramp button 43 is actuated to drive the pointer to jump to its final position.

[0059] Therefore, the friction clutch 41 allows torque to be transmitted from the upper lever 43 to the first gear shaft 14 so that the flexible display pointer 1 moves counterclockwise from its final position to its initial position, but interrupts the transmission of torque when it is in the initial position. This arrangement prevents the actuation mechanism 12 from being obstructed or damaged in any way, which would occur if the flexible display pointer 1 attempts to jump from its initial position to its final position. This scenario occurs in… Figure 12 As shown in the diagram, the arrows indicated by thin lines represent motion that is not transmitted.

[0060] The friction clutch 41 can be formed of any clutch known to those skilled in the art, such as a metal foil, a clutch with an arm, a friction drive wheel, etc., and is arranged in the dial gear train. Specifically, the friction clutch 41 is located between the sliding pinion and the first gear shaft 14, so it is not actuated when the movement is manually wound, which involves the winding pinion to a ratchet known to those skilled in the art.

[0061] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the watch movement also includes a manual setting clutch (not shown) intended to be positioned between the first minute gear 14 and the gear train. When setting the hands, such a hand setting clutch allows the first minute gear 14 to disengage from the gear train when a certain torque threshold is exceeded, thus preventing damage to the gear train or the motion escapement connected to it.

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] 1. Flexible display pointer

[0064] 2 First driving transistor

[0065] 4 First Flexible Arm

[0066] 6 Second drive tube

[0067] 8 Second Flexible Arm

[0068] 10. Tip

[0069] D. Rotation axis

[0070] 12 Actuation Mechanism

[0071] 14 First Gear Shaft

[0072] 15 mandrels

[0073] 16 First Intermediate Wheel

[0074] 18 Intermediate gear set

[0075] 20 Second Intermediate Wheel

[0076] 22 Second Gear Shaft

[0077] 24 mandrels

[0078] 26 sales

[0079] 28 slots

[0080] 30 First end

[0081] 32 Second end

[0082] 34 Gearless sectors

[0083] 41 Friction Clutch

[0084] 42. Pointer setting mechanism

[0085] 43 Upper button

Claims

1. An actuation mechanism for actuating a flexible display pointer (1), the flexible display pointer (1) comprising a first drive tube (2) connected to a first end of a first flexible arm (4) and a second drive tube (6) connected to a first end of a second flexible arm (8), the first flexible arm (4) and the second flexible arm (8) being connected to each other by a tip (10) at their second ends, the first drive tube (2) being mounted at a defined first prestress angle, and the second drive tube (6) being mounted at a defined second prestress angle in a direction opposite to that of the first drive tube (2), such that the flexible display pointer is subjected to an elastic prestress. The needle (1) maintains the entire actuation mechanism (12) under tension during normal operation. The actuation mechanism (12) includes a first gear shaft (14), the first drive tube (2) of the flexible display pointer (1) is press-fitted onto the first gear shaft (14), which is driven by the watch movement. The first gear shaft drives an intermediate gear set (18), which in turn drives a second gear shaft (22). The second drive tube (6) is press-fitted onto the second gear shaft (22). The flexible display pointer (1) moves between an initial position and a final position. At the final position, the flexible display pointer (1) jumps to return to its initial position. During the movement, the flexible display pointer (1) changes its shape and length in a desired manner, which causes additional elastic tension due to the change in the angular position of the second drive tube (6) relative to the first drive tube (2). This additional elastic tension is added to the elastic tension caused by the mounting of the first drive tube (2) and the second drive tube (6) on the corresponding first and second gear shafts (14 and 22). The kinematic connection between the intermediate gear pair (18) and the second gear shaft (22) is stated in the flexible display pointer (1). When the transition is temporarily interrupted, the second gear shaft (22) then rotates freely and disconnects from the rest of the actuation mechanism (12), causing the additional elastic tension to be released, thereby causing the second flexible arm (8) to relax and the second gear shaft (22) to pivot. Then the first gear shaft (14) and the second gear shaft (22) directly engage via a pin (26) in a slot (28). The first gear shaft (14) drives not only the second gear shaft (22) but also the intermediate gear pair (18) until the second gear shaft (22) engages with the intermediate gear pair (18) again.

2. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate gear pair (18) includes a first intermediate gear (16) and a second intermediate gear (20), the second intermediate gear (20) being rotatedly connected to the first intermediate gear (16), the first gear shaft (14) driving the first intermediate gear (16), and the second intermediate gear (20) driving the second gear shaft (22).

3. The actuation mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second gear shaft (22) is provided with the pin (26), which extends into the groove (28) cut in the plate of the first gear shaft (14), and the second intermediate wheel (20) has a toothless sector (34) at a position on its outer periphery.

4. The actuation mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The groove (28) has the shape of an arc centered on the center of the first toothed shaft (14), and the groove (28) is defined at its two ends by a first end (30) and a second end (32).

5. The actuation mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The slot (28) extends over a corner sector determined by the desired variation in the shape and length of the flexible display pointer (1), and additional corner sectors must be added to the corner sector to take into account the overall size of the pin (26).

6. The actuation mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The bisectors of the first flexible arm (4) and the second flexible arm (8) extend between the rotation axes of the first drive tube (2) and the second drive tube (6) and the tip (10) of the flexible display pointer (1), and are formed by the angle α between the bisectors and the direction of the bisectors when the flexible display pointer (1) is in its initial position. Aig It is given by the following formula: in: -θ1 is the rotation angle applied by the watch movement to the first flexible arm (4) of the flexible display pointer (1) from its initial position; -i is the gear ratio between the first flexible arm (4) and the second flexible arm (8) of the flexible display pointer (1).

7. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuation mechanism includes a friction clutch (41) intended to be arranged between a pointer setting mechanism (42) and a first gear shaft (14), the pointer setting mechanism (42) being controllable by a winding button (43), the pointer setting mechanism (42) and the winding button (43) being contained in the watch movement, the friction clutch (41) being configured such that when the winding button (43) is in the pointer setting position and is operated to move the flexible display pointer (1) clockwise, the friction clutch (41) transmits torque to the first gear shaft (14) to drive the flexible display pointer (1) clockwise.

8. The actuation mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The friction clutch (41) is configured such that when the upper button (43) is operated and the upper button (43) is in the pointer setting position, in order to make the flexible display pointer (1) move in the counterclockwise direction, the friction clutch (41) slips when subjected to a torque higher than a predetermined threshold.

9. The actuation mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indexing pinion (14) and the second indexing pinion (22) are then directly engaged via the pin (26), thereby precisely positioning the second indexing pinion (22) relative to the first indexing pinion (14) so ​​that the first indexing pinion (14) drives not only the second indexing pinion (22) but also the intermediate gear pair (18) until the second indexing pinion (22) engages with the intermediate gear pair (18) again. The position of the pin (26) ensures proper restoration of drive, thereby preventing the tips from blocking each other.

Images