A watch equipped with a watch movement that includes a geospheric display device.

Abstract

To provide a way to simultaneously display the Earth's phases and the portion of the Earth's surface visible to an observer orbiting the Moon within a single dial aperture. [Solution] The present invention relates to a watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a watch movement (11) equipped with a device for displaying the Earth, wherein the Earth phase display device (12) comprises a display (120) with two diametrically opposed graphical displays (121) of the Earth on both rotation axes of the display (120), the display (120) being arranged facing an opening (130) made in the dial (13) having a shape that can mask one of the graphical displays (121) of the Earth when the display (120) rotates, and the Earth phase display device (12) comprises a mask (122) inserted between the displays (120) which is rotated by a drive device (14), and the display (120) and the mask (122) are driven at different rotation speeds.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watches, and more particularly to a device for displaying time values on a timepiece.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for displaying the Earth's phase for a watch movement within a watch. The display device can show which part of the Earth is visible from the moon, and in particular, can show the phase of the Earth when an observer perceives the part of the Earth from the moon.

Background Art

[0003] In the field of watches, particularly with regard to the complication of watches, it may be desirable to provide unexpected or commemorative displays so that the aesthetic appearance of the watch is particularly distinctive and attractive compared to others. Visual animation is one of the many solutions provided.

[0004] The display of the lunar phase, or equivalently the display of the part of the Earth visible from the moon, is quite common in the field of watches.

[0005] Devices for displaying the lunar or Earth's phase considerably complicate the watch movement into which these devices are incorporated.

[0006] The present invention meets the need to display an attractive Earth's phase.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable the simultaneous display of the Earth's phase and the part of the Earth's surface visible to an observer orbiting the moon within the opening of a single dial.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve this objective, the present invention relates to a watch comprising a dial and a watch movement equipped with a globe phase display device. The globe phase display device comprises displays showing two diametrically opposed graphic representations of the Earth on either side of the rotation axis of the display. The displays are arranged facing an opening created within the display panel, having a shape that can mask one of the graphic representations of the Earth when the display is rotated. The globe phase display device further comprises a mask inserted between the displays, which is rotated by a drive device, and the displays and the mask are driven at different rotational speeds. Preferably, the mask is driven at a speed faster than the speed of the displays.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the present invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which are addressed separately or in any technically possible combination:

[0010] In certain embodiments, the axis of rotation of the display and the axis of rotation of the mask coincide.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the mask has an opaque area in which a portion of the periphery forms two arc-shaped lobes arranged symmetrically to each other in the diametrical direction. The opaque area is designed to partially or completely cover and thus mask the graphic representation of the Earth when the mask is rotated.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the transparent and opaque areas are arranged facing each other in the diametrical direction, so that when the mask is in a first angular position, most or all of the transparent areas are aligned toward the opening, and when the mask is in a second angular position, which is oriented 180° with respect to the first angular position, the opaque areas are aligned toward the entire opening.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the mask is fastened to a pivot on a driveable object so as to rotate with itself via a mask pipe, and the driveable object comprises a drive wheel which is driven by a drive device. The indicator is fastened to a pivot so as to rotate via an indicator pipe, and the indicator pipe comprises an indicator pipe gear which is connected to a pinion on the drive mechanism via an intermediate gear.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the mask and display are rotated by the same drive mechanism formed by an electric motor designed to be powered by energy from a power source.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the mask and indicator are driven by the same drive mechanism formed by a mainspring barrel kinematically connected to the governor.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is provided as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] A front view of a watch equipped with a geophase display device according to a preferred representative embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows exploded perspective views of specific components of the watch, as well as a magnified view of the Earth phase display device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view along axis AA of the watch. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Please note that the diagrams are not necessarily drawn to be measured in the same units, for the sake of clarity.

[0019] The present invention relates to a watch 10 equipped with a watch movement 11 that includes a geophase display device 12.

[0020] As can be understood from the front view of FIG. 1, the watch 10 includes a dial 13 with an aperture 130 designed to show the Earth phase.

[0021] The Earth phase display device 12 includes a display 120 showing two graphic displays 121 of the Earth that are diametrically opposed on both sides of the rotation axis of the display 120. More specifically, the display 120 is arranged to face the aperture 130 and be rotatable with respect to the dial 13. Advantageously, each of the graphic displays 121 of the Earth can represent complementary hemispheres of the Earth, for example, the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.

[0022] In the representative embodiment of the present invention shown in the figure, the display 120 is in the form of a disk, and the aperture 130 is substantially semi-circular in shape. As a result, the dial 13 is composed of a mask, and behind the mask, a part of the display 120 may be hidden when rotated.

[0023] The Earth phase display device 12 further includes a mask 122, which is inserted between the display 120 and the dial 13 and is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the display 120 and the dial 13 so as to alternately hide and show one of the graphic displays 121 of the Earth. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotation axes of the display 120 and the mask 122 are coaxial.

[0024] Preferably, the graphical display 121 of the Earth is made on the back surface, and its appearance is the same as that of the mask 122. For example, the back surface and the mask 122 have the same solid color.

[0025] In a preferred representative embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the mask 122 has an opaque area 1220. In the opaque area 1220, a part of the peripheral edge forms two lobes in the shape of arcs that are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the diametrical direction. The opaque area 1220 is designed to partially or completely cover the graphic display 121 of the Earth when the mask 122 rotates, and thus mask it, as can be understood from FIG. 1.

[0026] In addition, the mask 122 also includes a transparent area 1221 formed, for example, by a through-opening or by a transparent material designed such that the display 120 is visible when the mask 122 is rotated. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, a part of the periphery of the opaque area 2220 forming the lobe is adjacent to the transparent area 1221.

[0027] The transparent area 1221 and the opaque area 1220 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. As a result, when the mask 122 is in the first angular position, most or all of the transparent area 1221 is arranged facing the opening 130, and when the mask 122 is in the second angular position, the opaque area 1220 faces the entire opening 130. At the second angular position of the mask 122, the mask 122 is oriented 180° with respect to the first angular position of the mask 122.

[0028] In summary, as can be understood from FIG. 1, one of the lobes can partially or completely cover the graphical display 121 of the Earth when moving towards the opening 130. Therefore, when one of the lobes rotates, the mask 122, more specifically, causes fluctuations in the visible surface of the graphical display 121 of the Earth by alternately increasing and decreasing this visible surface. In other words, the graphical display 121 of the Earth appearing through the opening 130 is gradually hidden and gradually appears by the mask 122.

[0029] In summary, by rotating the display 120, the part of the Earth visible from the Moon is displayed, and by rotating the mask 122 with respect to the display 120, the Earth phase, that is, the part of the Earth illuminated by the sun, is displayed.

[0030] Thus, the present invention can represent the view of an observer orbiting the Moon and facing the Earth by rotating both the mask 122 and the display 120 at different rotational speeds. As a result, the watch 10 features particularly attractive astronomical animations.

[0031] In particular, in a preferred representative embodiment of the present invention, the mask 122 rotates at a faster speed than the display 120.

[0032] In a typical embodiment of the present invention shown in the figures, the display 120 and mask 122 are rotated by a drive unit 14 formed by an electric motor, which can be understood particularly in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3. The electric motor is designed to be powered by energy from a power source, preferably consisting of a battery or a rechargeable battery connected to a solar cell.

[0033] In a preferred representative embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 3, the mask 122 can be fastened to the mask pipe 1223 so as not to rotate, and the mask 122 itself rotates together with the pivot shaft 151 on the driveable 150. The driveable 150 includes a drive wheel 152 which is driven by a drive device 14. The indicator 120 is fitted onto the pivot shaft 151 so as to be rotatable via the indicator pipe 1201. The indicator pipe 1201 includes an indicator pipe gear 1202 which is connected to a pinion on the driveable 150 via an intermediate gear 16.

[0034] As already shown, due to the characteristics of the present invention, the graphical display 120 of the Earth visible through the aperture 130 is designed to represent the Earth as seen by an observer orbiting the Moon. Preferably, the Earth phase display device 12 is configured such that the display 120 rotates once every two hours. Furthermore, to indicate the phase of the Earth, the mask 122 rotates 6.1° more per day than the display 120. Those skilled in the art can easily design a gear train with an appropriate gear ratio.

[0035] In another representative embodiment of the present invention, the indicator 120 and the mask 122 can be kinematically connected to an hour hand gear connected to the hour hand. Those skilled in the art can also easily design a gear train with an appropriate gear ratio.

[0036] Please note that, in order to keep this application concise, components of a clock movement known to those skilled in the art are not described in this text and are not shown in the figures.

[0037] Furthermore, please note that the above examples are not limited to the implementation forms and applications discussed, and therefore, other variations are possible.

[0038] In particular, the mask 122 and the display 120 can be driven by two separate electric motors designed to be powered by energy from a shared power supply or a separate power supply.

[0039] Furthermore, in the alternative configuration, the mask 122 and the indicator 120 can be driven by the same drive mechanism formed by a mainspring barrel kinematically connected to the speed control mechanism. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 10 Watches 11 Watch Movements 12 Earth phase display device 13 Dial 14 Drive unit 16 Intermediate gear 120 displays 121 Graphical representation of the Earth 122 masks 130 Aperture 150 Movable Animals 151 Pivot shaft section 152 drive wheels 1201 Display Pipe 1202 Display Pipe Gear 1220 Opaque Area 1221 Transparent area 1223 Mask Pipe

Claims

1. A watch (10) comprising a dial (13) and a watch movement (11) equipped with a device for displaying the Earth, wherein the Earth phase display device (12) comprises a display (120) with two diametrically opposed graphical displays (120) of the Earth on both sides of the rotation axis of the display (120), the displays (120) being arranged facing an opening (130) made in the dial (13) having a shape that can mask one of the graphical displays (121) of the Earth when the display (120) rotates, and the Earth phase display device (12) further comprises a mask (122) inserted between the displays (120) and rotated by a drive device (14), the displays (120) and the mask (122) being driven at different rotational speeds.

2. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) is driven at a faster rotational speed than the display (120).

3. The watch (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axis of rotation of the display (120) and the axis of rotation of the mask (122) coincide.

4. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) has opaque areas (1220) that form two arc-shaped lobes, the portions of which are arranged symmetrically in the diametrical direction, and the opaque areas (1220) are designed to partially or completely cover, and thus mask, the graphical representation of the globe (121) when the mask (122) is rotated.

5. The watch (10) according to claim 4, wherein the transparent area and the opaque area are arranged facing each other in the diametrical direction, and as a result, when the mask (122) is in a first angular position, most of the transparent area (1221) or all of the transparent area (1221) is arranged facing the opening (130), and when the mask (122) is in a second angular position oriented 180° with respect to the first angular position, the opaque area (1220) faces the entire opening (130).

6. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) is fastened to a pivot shaft portion (151) on a driveable body (150) so as to rotate with itself via a mask pipe (1223), the driveable body (150) comprises a drive wheel (152) that drives itself by the drive device (14), the indicator (120) is fastened to the pivot shaft portion (151) so as to be rotatable via an indicator pipe (1201), and the indicator pipe (1201) comprises an indicator pipe wheel (1202) that is connected to a pinion on the driveable body (150) via an intermediate wheel (16).

7. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) and the display (120) are rotated by the same drive unit (14) formed by an electric motor designed to be powered by energy from a power source.

8. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) and the display (120) are moved by the same drive unit (14) formed by a mainspring barrel kinematically connected to the speed control mechanism.

9. The watch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the mask (122) and the display (120) can be driven by two separate electric motors designed to be powered by energy from a shared power source or separate power sources.

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