Watch control device

Abstract

To provide a control device for a watch that allows functions thereof to be controlled without the need for an actuating tool.SOLUTION: A control device 1 for a watch is provided, including a crown 2 mounted movably on a support part 3 of the device 1 and intended to be fixed with respect to a movement of the watch. The crown 2 can be displaced axially with respect to a longitudinal axis (A) thereof towards a control position, in which a rotational drive element of the crown 2 can cooperate with a ring 10 mounted movably in a casing ring 29 of a control member 4 of the control device 1. The ring 10 is configured to actuate a mechanism of the watch movement implementing a function of the watch when the crown 2 is rotated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, in particular to watch control devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In the prior art, controls such as push buttons are used on certain timepieces, particularly so-called "grand complication" watches, which may feature multiple functions. These push buttons are of various types, including small push buttons that are typically recessed into the middle of the watch.

[0003] Such miniature push buttons are generally very small and therefore save space, particularly within the case housing of these watches, and, since they do not protrude from the middle section, there is no risk of accidental operation.

[0004] However, one drawback of such push buttons is that their operation in order to control watch functions such as setting the time, date, moon phase or calendar necessarily requires the use of a sharp actuating tool, which carries with it a considerable risk of damaging the watch case and thus altering its aesthetic appearance.

[0005] In this context, it can be seen that there is a need to find a solution to overcome these shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a control device for a timepiece which makes it possible to control the functions of the timepiece without the need for an actuation tool.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the need for push buttons in the middle of the watch case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a control device for a timepiece, comprising a crown movably mounted on a support of the device and intended to be fixed relative to a movement of the timepiece, said crown being movable axially relative to its longitudinal axis towards a control position, in which a rotary drive element of said crown is capable of cooperating with a ring movably mounted in a casing ring of a control member of the device, said ring being configured to activate mechanisms of the timepiece movement which perform the timepiece functions when the crown is rotated.

[0009] In another embodiment, The casing ring is provided on its inner circumferential wall with a ring and drive element cooperation zone, said zone comprising stop elements which are movably mounted within the casing ring and which define the travel path of said ring. The drive element has a free end with a connecting portion for connecting to the ring. The connecting portion extends substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of said free end. The casing ring is provided with a through hole interconnecting the inner and outer peripheral walls of said casing ring, the hole having a passage zone for said free end. The passage zone comprises a central portion configured to place a main portion of the free end in said hole and an eccentric portion forming a passageway allowing the connecting portion to pass through the body of said casing ring. The ring comprises an actuating element for a pivoting element of a member adapted to actuate a mechanism which performs the functions of the watch. The control member comprises a first elastic return element configured to automatically return the ring to the rest position. The driving element is integral with the crown head.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece equipped with such a control device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given purely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and from the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1A-1D show different views of a device for controlling at least one function of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1A-1D show different views of a device for controlling at least one function of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a view of the crown of a control device disposed in an "original" axial position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows a diagram of the crown of a control device arranged in an axial "control" position, in which rotation of the crown effects at least one function of the timepiece, according to an embodiment of the invention; [Diagram 5] 1 shows a diagram of the crown of a control device arranged in an axial "control" position, in which rotation of the crown effects at least one function of the timepiece, according to an embodiment of the invention; [Figure 6a-6b] FIG. 1 shows a view of a portion of the outer peripheral wall of a casing ring of a control member of a control device according to an embodiment of the invention, said portion comprising a through hole with at least one passage zone for a free end of a crown drive element for controlling at least one function of the timepiece. [Figure 7] 1 shows a view of the portion of the outer peripheral wall of the casing ring when the free end of the rotary drive element is inserted into the corresponding passage zone of the through hole for controlling at least one function of the watch according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows a view of the crown in its control position after it has been rotated to control the at least one function according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 shows a view of the crown in its control position after it has been rotated to control the at least one function according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] With reference to figures 1 to 9, the present invention relates to a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, also called a timepiece, comprising a control device 1 for at least one function performed by a clock movement contained in said timepiece. Such a timepiece typically comprises a case 5, preferably formed by a circular middle 6, defining a central internal housing designed to receive a clock movement, the external contour of which follows the internal shape of a casing ring 29. The timepiece may be fitted with screws or clamps to hold the movement in said casing ring 29 and to hold said casing ring 29 in the middle 6 of the watch case 5.

[0013] Such a clock movement may be mechanical or quartz. As indicated above, this movement is configured to perform at least one horological function, in this embodiment two horological functions. These functions are controlled from a control device 1 with the purpose of adjusting, correcting or activating the mechanisms of this movement. It should be noted that such functions are preferably controlled independently of each other by a user from this clock control device 1. In this context, this device 1 can be considered as a control device 1 of the mechanisms of a movement performing horological functions.

[0014] It will be understood that this movement is adapted to perform functions, in particular from separate mechanisms of the movement which can be kinematically coupled to one another. By way of example, each mechanism may in fact provide a separate display on the watch, such as an indication of the current time on the one hand and an indication of the date or the phase of the moon on the other hand. The movement and its functions are controlled and / or monitored by the control device 1.

[0015] For this purpose, the control device 1 for the functioning of the movement comprises a support 3, a crown 2, a control member 4 and a tension member 31.

[0016] In this device 1, the support 3, which may also be called "support guide", is preferably a tube with a through opening configured for a sliding guide. This tube is designed to engage fixedly in a radially extending through hole of the watch middle 6. In this configuration, this support 3 is arranged fixedly with respect to the watch movement.

[0017] A crown 2 is in turn movably mounted in this opening in the support 3. Such crown 2 is intended to engage through a middle part 6 of the case 5 of the watch with the support 3. This crown 2 can take the form of a push-button crown, a winding crown or any crown 2 used to operate a watch movement. This crown 2 comprises a crown head 7 and a rotary drive element 8 formed by a tubular extension integral with this head 7.

[0018] In this crown 2, the drive element 8 is arranged substantially in the support 3 and is arranged to move or slide through an opening in this support 3. More precisely, the drive element 8 comprises a body made up of three parts: a fixed part 9a connected to the head 7 of the crown 2, an insertable part 9b that can be inserted into the through hole 12 and a connecting part 9c arranged to cooperate with the control member 4 to participate in the control of one of the functions of the watch. In the hollow body of this drive element 8, the insertable part 9b is arranged after the fixed part 9a. These two parts 9a, 9b are also connected to each other by a shoulder 16 formed on the outer surface of the body of this drive element 8, as can be seen in figures 3 to 5. The insertable part 9b consists of a main part 23a and an end part 23b. In this arrangement, the main part 23a is located between the shoulder 16 and the end part 23b.

[0019] In this drive element 8, the connecting portion 9c extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the insertable portion 9b. More precisely, this connecting portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to a zone of this surface that is included in the end 23b of the insertable portion 9b. In other words, this connecting portion 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0020] The insertable portion 9b and the connecting portion 9c therefore together form a free end of the drive element 8. In other words, such free end is formed by the main portion 23a and the end portion 23b and by the connecting portion 9c. In this regard, the connecting portion 9c extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of this free end.

[0021] The fixed part 9a of the drive element 8 may also be hammered into or made integral with the head 7 of the crown 2. As mentioned above, this drive element 8 has a shoulder, referenced 16 in figures 3 to 5, which connects the fixed part 9a and the insertable part 9b to each other. Such shoulder 16 preferably has a flat surface. It should be noted that such surface is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2.

[0022] As mentioned above, in this device 1 the rotary drive element 8 can cooperate with an actuating member 4. Such member 4 is preferably configured to be connected to a clock movement, in particular when the mechanism of this movement is actuated to perform a clock function. To this end, this member 4 comprises a casing ring 29, a ring 10, at least one first elastic return element 18 and at least one movable actuating element 30.

[0023] In this component 4, the casing ring 29 can have various shapes, as long as it surrounds the watch movement and is placed inside the middle part 6 of the case 5. In this embodiment, this casing ring 29 is preferably substantially circular. Such a casing ring 29 comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and inner and outer peripheral walls connecting these two surfaces to each other.

[0024] In this configuration, the upper surface of the casing ring 29 comprises a support zone designed to house or receive the ring 10 as part of its placement in this casing ring 29. This support zone comprises a flat surface, the side edges of which are wholly or partly raised along the entire length of this zone in order to ensure that the ring 10 is held and guided on this surface, in particular when this ring 10 is moved. Such surface of the support zone also comprises an open housing adapted to receive a first elastic return element 18 of each of this members 4. In this configuration, the first elastic return element 18, which may be a helical spring, is arranged below the ring 10. As will be explained below, the first elastic return element 18 is designed to automatically return the ring 10 to its rest position after it has been actuated to control a timepiece function.

[0025] The casing ring 29 of this part 4 also comprises a through hole 12 which interconnects its inner and outer circumferential walls 15a, 15b. Such hole 12 has a central axis B which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the crown 2. In this configuration, the geometry of this hole 12 and its position within the casing ring 29 are defined so that a drive element 8 can pass through this hole 12. This hole 12 comprises at least one passage zone 24a, 24b for the free end of a drive element 8 to control at least one function of said watch.

[0026] With reference to figures 6a, 6b and 7, this hole 12 has a first and a second passage zone 24a, 24b, each configured to control a timepiece function. In other words, these two passage zones 24a, 24b make it possible to structurally configure such a through hole 12 to control two timepiece functions. In this context, each passage zone 24a, 24b comprises a central portion 26 configured to place the main part 23a of the insertable part 9b, and thus the free end, in the through hole 12, and an eccentric portion 25a, 25b configured to pass the connecting part 9c through this hole 12. This eccentric portion 25a, 25b forms a passage that allows the connecting part 9c to pass through the body of said casing ring 29 up to the cooperating zone 11 defined in the inner circumferential wall 15b, which will be described later. In this context, it is understood that the two passage zones 24a, 24b share the same central portion 26. In other words, the central portions 26 of these two zones 24a, 24b coincide. In this configuration, central portion 26 extends a distance from outer peripheral wall 15a to inner peripheral wall 15b of casing ring 29 that is substantially less than the length of main portion 23a of insertable portion 9b. A "substantially less" distance means that the distance is "strictly less" or "substantially less" than the length of main portion 23a.

[0027] The casing ring 29 also comprises a through opening 17 forming a housing for receiving at least one pivoting element 14, such as a rocker, which can be actuated by the ring 10 to interact with the mechanism of the movement that performs a function. This casing ring 29 comprises a second elastic return element and a retaining element arranged in this housing and intended to cooperate with the pivoting element 14, in particular to set it in an initial rest position. This pivoting element 14 then alternates between an initial position and an operating position in which a part of this element 14 protrudes from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the casing ring 29 to interact with the mechanism that performs the controlled function. The positioning of this pivoting element 14 in the operating position is controlled by the ring 10, in particular by an actuating element 30 of this ring 10. It should be noted that this pivoting element 14 moves from the operating position to the initial position under the action of the second elastic return element, whereby this pivoting element 14 moves in a direction opposite to the direction intended to put it in its operating position, until this element 14 abuts against the retaining element.

[0028] As mentioned above, the casing ring 29 comprises a cooperation zone 11 between the rotary drive element 8 and the control member 4. More precisely, this zone 11 is the place where the connecting portion 9c of the drive element 8 cooperates with the connecting element 13 of the ring 10 in order to move the ring 10 in the casing ring 29. Such a zone 11 is comprised in the inner peripheral wall 15b of the casing ring 29. This zone 11 includes in particular the part of this inner peripheral wall 15b in which the through-hole 12 opens. In this configuration, the zone 11 has a stop element 28 which can cooperate with the connecting element 13 of the ring 10 in order to define the travel path of the ring 10 which is movable in the casing ring 29.

[0029] In this device 1, the ring 10, also known as the "mobile ring", has a shape configured to ensure its location and movement within the support zone of the casing ring 29. In this embodiment, this ring 10 has a substantially circular shape. This ring 10 comprises a top and a bottom surface and inner and outer sides.

[0030] As mentioned above, the ring 10 comprises said at least one actuating element 30, a connecting element 13 and at least one connecting element for connecting to the first elastic return element 18. The ring 10 comprises as many actuating elements and connecting elements 30 as the control device 1 is able to control functions. More precisely, if the control device 1 is adapted to control a single function, the ring 10 comprises a single actuating element 30, a single connecting element and a single connecting element. In this connection, the casing ring 29 comprises a single first elastic return element 18. If the device 1 is adapted to control two functions, the ring 10 comprises two actuating elements 30, a single connecting element 13 and two connecting elements capable of cooperating with two different first elastic return elements 18, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0031] In this ring 10, the actuating element 30 of the pivoting element 14 is included on the outer side of the ring 10. The actuating element 30 is configured to extend towards the area 27 of the housing that accommodates the pivoting element 14, said area being located near the pivoting element 14 to be actuated. In other words, the actuating element 30 extends substantially perpendicularly towards this area 27, opposite the pivoting element 14. It will be understood that the position of the actuating element 30 in this area 27 of the housing allows the actuating element 30 to be placed in close proximity to the pivoting element 14. Such a placement allows the actuation of the pivoting element 14 by the actuating element 30, so that the pivoting element 14 can move from its initial position to its actuated position. The actuating element 30, which projects from the outer side of the ring 10, is formed by a first portion substantially perpendicular to this plane and a second portion substantially parallel to this same plane, said portions being substantially perpendicular to each other, and thus has a shape substantially similar to that of the letter "L".

[0032] The ring 10 also comprises a connection element for connecting to a first elastic return element 18 arranged in a housing contained in the support zone of the casing ring 29. The connection element is located on the bottom side of the ring 10. It extends substantially vertically from this bottom side towards the bottom of the corresponding housing comprising the first elastic return element. In other words, the connection element is partially arranged in the housing in the support zone between a first end of the first elastic return element 18 and the wall of the housing. The connection element has a shape configured to exert or apply a restraining force on the first end with which it is in contact, and a second end of the first return element 18 can contact or be supported by a support wall of the housing arranged opposite the connection element. It will be understood that in this configuration, since the connection element is partially located in the housing, it can move within the enclosure of the housing to compress the return element 18 when the ring 10 is moving.

[0033] 2, 8 and 9, the connecting element 13 of the ring 10 is located on the inner side of said ring 10. This element 13, which is preferably integral with the body of the ring 10, forms on this side a relief that is substantially polygonal in shape, this shape being particularly suitable for achieving an optimal connection to the connecting part 9c of the drive element 8.

[0034] As mentioned above, the device 1 also includes a tension member 31 configured to improve the cooperation of the coupling part 9c with the coupling element 13 in order to ensure an optimal movement of the ring 10 in the support zone of the casing ring 29. More precisely, such member 31 serves to maintain the contact established between the coupling part 9c and the inner side of the ring 10, and thus the surface of the cooperation zone 11, in order to ensure that the coupling of the coupling part 9c with the coupling element 13 is achieved as part of the movement of the ring 10 in the casing ring 29. Such a tension member 31 comprises a spring 19 freely mounted in a cylindrical housing defined by a fixed part 9a of the drive element 8 fixed to the head 7 of the crown, and a compression part 20 of this spring 19 supported on a stem 21, for example the winding setting stem of a watch. This compression part 20 comprises a shoulder 22 forming a support zone for a first end of the spring 19, the shoulder 22 being located on the opposite side of the head of the crown forming another support zone capable of cooperating with a second end of this spring 19.

[0035] It will be understood that in this embodiment, such a control device 1 allows the implementation of a method for controlling a timepiece, in particular a method for controlling at least one function of this timepiece. To this end, the method provides a process for operating this device 1 to control a timepiece function. During this process, the crown 2 is operated from its initial position to a control position, which is a position in which the crown 2, in particular the crown head 7, is located closest to the middle part 6. During this operation, the crown 2 is moved axially from its initial position in the direction of the through hole 12 by compressing the spring 19 arranged between the head 7 of the crown 2 and a compression part 20 contained in this crown 2. When the free end of the drive element 8 of this crown 2 is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral wall 15a of the casing ring 29 of the control member 4, the crown 2 is rotated to insert this free end into at least one passage zone 24a, 24b of the through hole 12. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the through hole 12 can be provided with two passage zones 24a, 24b for controlling two different timepiece functions. In this connection, the crown 2 is rotated in a first direction until the shoulder 16 connecting the fixed part 9a and the insertable part 9b of the drive element 8 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 15a of the casing ring 29 in order to select a passage zone 24a, 24b for the function to be controlled and to insert this free end into this zone. When this shoulder 16 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 15a, the crown 2 is operated in a second direction opposite / reverse to the first direction and is set in its control position for cooperation with the connecting element 13 of the ring 10. In the latter configuration, this crown 2 is consequently in a control position and can cooperate with the connecting element 13 of the ring 10 via the connecting part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2. It should be noted that in this control position, the connecting part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2 is held in abutment against the inner peripheral wall 15b of the casing ring 29 by the action of the spring 19 exerting an elastic return force on the crown 2. It should be noted that the control position is the position in which the drive element 8 and thus the free end of the crown 2 engages in the through hole 12 and / or in which the free end cooperates with or is connected to the ring 10. In other words, it is the position in which the main part 23a of the free end of the crown 2 is located in the through hole 12.

[0036] Thereafter, when the crown 2 is operated in a second direction of rotation, the ring 10 moves in the support zone of the casing ring 29 as a result of the cooperation of the connecting part 9c of the drive element 8 of the crown 2 with the connecting element 13 of the ring 10. This movement takes place until the connecting element 13 comes into contact with a corresponding stop element 28 of the cooperation zone 11. Such a movement of the ring 10 generates, via its connecting element, a tension in the first elastic return element 18 arranged in a housing defined in the support zone under said ring 10. During this movement, the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 actuates the corresponding pivoting element 14 by changing the position of this pivoting element 14 towards an actuated position, in which a part of this element 14 projects from the inner circumferential wall 15b of the casing ring 29 and interacts with a corresponding mechanism of the movement to perform a controlled function. When the crown 2 is then operated, the ring 10 is automatically placed in its rest position by the action of the first elastic return element 18, which returns to its rest shape. By placing the ring 10 in its rest position, the pivoting element 14 is automatically placed in its initial position, since it is no longer constrained by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10.

[0037] The method can then comprise a process of stopping the device 1, during which the crown 2 is operated to return from its control position to its initial position. In this connection, the crown 2 is rotated in a first direction until the connecting portion 9c of the drive element 8 is arranged opposite the eccentric portion 25a, 25b of the corresponding passage zone 24a, 24b of the through hole 12 of the casing ring 29. In such a configuration, the spring 19 arranged in the crown 2 regains its rest shape and causes an axial movement of the crown 2, as a result of which the free end of the drive element 8 is withdrawn from this passage zone 24a, 24b and this crown 2 is automatically arranged in its initial position.

[0038] It should also be noted that in this specification, "substantially vertical" or "substantially vertically" means "strictly vertical" or "essentially vertical".

[0039] The invention has been described above by way of example only. It goes without saying that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. By way of example, it is understood that the control device 1 can be configured to perform more than the two functions described herein in this embodiment, in particular by comprising a casing ring 29 whose through-hole 12 comprises three or more passage zones for the free ends of the drive elements 8 of the crown 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Control device 2 Crown 3 Support part 4. Control Unit 5. Watch Case 6 Middle Section 7 Crown Head 8 Driving Elements 9a Fixed part 9b Insertable part 9c Connecting part 10. Ring 11 Collaboration Zone 12 Through holes 13 Connected Elements 14 Swirling Elements 15a Outer wall 15b Inner wall 16 Shoulder on the outer surface of the driving element 17 Through opening 18 First elastic return element 19 Spring 20 Compression section 21 Stem 22 Shoulder formed in compression section 23a Main part of insertable part 23b End of insertable part 24a First Passing Zone 24b Second Passing Zone 25a Eccentric part of the first passing zone 25b Eccentric part of the second passing zone 26 Central section common to the first and second passing zones 27 Area of ​​through opening close to pivot element 28 Stopping elements within the collaboration zone 29 Casing Ring 30 Ring actuation element 31 Tensile members

Claims

1. A control device (1) for a timepiece, comprising a crown (2) movably mounted on a support (3) of the device (1) and intended to be fixed relative to a movement of the timepiece, said crown (2) being movable axially relative to its longitudinal axis (A) towards a control position, in which a rotary drive element (8) of said crown (2) is cooperable with a ring (10) movably mounted in a casing ring (29) of a control member (4) of said device (1), said ring (10) being configured to activate a mechanism of the timepiece movement which performs the timepiece functions when said crown (2) rotates.

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the casing ring (29) comprises on its inner circumferential wall (15b) a cooperation zone (11) between the ring (10) and the drive element (8), the zone (11) comprising stop elements (28) movably mounted in the casing ring (29) and defining the travel path of the ring (10).

3. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive element (8) has a free end provided with a connection portion (9c) for connection to the ring (10).

4. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive element (8) has a free end provided with a connecting portion (9c) for connecting to the ring (10), the connecting portion (9c) extending substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the free end.

5. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the casing ring (29) comprises a through hole (12) interconnecting the inner and outer peripheral walls (15a, 15b) of the casing ring (29), the hole (12) having a passage zone (24a, 24b) for the free end.

6. 6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the casing ring (29) comprises a through hole (12) interconnecting the inner and outer circumferential walls (15a, 15b) of the casing ring (29), the hole (12) having a passage zone (24a, 24b) for the free end, the passage zone (24a, 24b) comprising a central portion (26) configured to place a main part (23a) of the free end in the hole (12) and an eccentric portion (25a, 25b) forming a passage allowing the connecting portion (9c) to pass through the body of the casing ring (29).

7. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said ring (10) comprises an actuating element (30) for a pivoting element (14) of said member (4) adapted to actuate a mechanism which performs the functions of the timepiece.

8. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control member (4) comprises a first elastic return element (18) configured to automatically return the ring (10) to its rest position.

9. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control member (4) comprises a first elastic return element (18) configured to automatically return the ring (10) to its rest position, and the drive element (8) is integral with the head (7) of the crown (2).

10. A watch comprising a control device (1) according to claim 1.

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