EP4080294B1 - External control mechanism for a timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an external control device for a timepiece, this device comprises a crown, which is arranged to be operated by a user, to control, through a driver, a rotation of an internal component to the timepiece.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such external control device.

The invention relates to the field of control mechanisms for timepieces, and more particularly for watches.

Technology background

The control by the user of a timepiece, in particular a watch, can prove inconvenient when this timepiece includes various functions and complications; pulling a control rod is sometimes difficult, and this component is fragile. Additional controls are often made with crowns, pushers, bolts, or even internal pushers that must be activated with a pointed tool. These control elements must ensure the watertightness of the timepiece. Furthermore, in certain cases it is important to only be able to carry out the maneuver in one direction, in particular in the case of diving watches, to ensure the necessary safety.

The document CH 706 221 discloses a one-way clutch activated in the pulled position of a crown.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to produce an external control mechanism for a timepiece, capable of controlling the rotation in one direction of a component internal to the timepiece.

To this end, the invention relates to an external control device for a timepiece, according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such external control device.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe passant par un axe autour duquel sont montés coaxiaux ses différents composants, et dans une position intermédiaire de vissage, un dispositif externe de commande selon l'invention, qui comporte du haut (extérieur) vers le bas (intérieur) de la figure et depuis la périphérie vers l'axe, une couronne manoeuvrable axialement et en rotation par l'utilisateur, un tube destiné à être inséré et vissé dans une pièce d'horlogerie, un premier canon solidaire de la couronne et coopérant par vissage avec le tube, et portant, à sa partie inférieure, une denture unidirectionnelle tournée vers l'extérieur ; ce premier canon renferme un deuxième canon porteur d'un entraîneur et comporte une denture unidirectionnelle antagoniste à la précédente et tournée vers l'intérieur ; le premier canon est poussé vers l'extérieur par un ressort en appui sur une paroi frontale du tube ; l'entraîneur assure le maintien axial du deuxième canon dans le tube ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, le même dispositif dans une position où la couronne est complètement vissée sur le tube, où les dentures sont en éloignement maximal l'une de l'autre, et où toute manoeuvre de l'entraîneur par la couronne est impossible ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, le même dispositif dans une position où la couronne est complètement dévissée par rapport au tube, où les dentures sont en engrènement, et où une manoeuvre de l'entraîneur par la couronne est possible ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, le même dispositif tel que le voit l'utilisateur, et qui constitue un sous-ensemble amovible prêt à être inséré dans une pièce d'horlogerie ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisé et en vue de bout, la couronne du même dispositif telle que la voit l'utilisateur ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une partie axiale du même dispositif, en transparence du tube non représenté, le premier canon et la couronne n'étant pas représentés et seule la denture solidaire du premier canon étant ici représentée avant sa solidarisation avec le premier canon ;
• les figures 7 à 18 schématisent différentes possibilités d'application du dispositif selon l'invention à une montre représentée en vue de face :
  • figure 7 : commande d'un réhaut ;
  • figure 8 : commande d'une position de réveil ;
  • figure 9 : commande d'un fuseau horaire pour une montre universelle ;
  • figures 10 à 17 affichages d'un quantième et du mois courant ;
  • figure 18 : commande de chronographe .

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will be better understood with reference to the figures illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and where:

• there figure 1 represents, schematically and in section passing through an axis around which its various components are mounted coaxially, and in an intermediate screwing position, an external control device according to the invention, which comprises from the top (exterior) to the bottom ( interior) of the figure and from the periphery towards the axis, a crown movable axially and in rotation by the user, a tube intended to be inserted and screwed into a timepiece, a first barrel secured to the crown and cooperating by screwing with the tube, and carrying, at its lower part, unidirectional teeth facing outwards; this first barrel contains a second barrel carrying a driver and has unidirectional teeth antagonistic to the previous one and turned inwards; the first barrel is pushed outwards by a spring resting on a front wall of the tube; the driver ensures the axial retention of the second barrel in the tube;
• there figure 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , the same device in a position where the crown is completely screwed onto the tube, where the teeth are at maximum distance from each other, and where any operation of the driver by the crown is impossible;
• there Figure 3 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , the same device in a position where the crown is completely unscrewed relative to the tube, where the teeth mesh, and where operation of the driver by the crown is possible;
• there Figure 4 represents, schematically and in perspective, the same device as seen by the user, and which constitutes a removable subassembly ready to be inserted into a timepiece;
• there Figure 5 represents, schematically and in end view, the crown of the same device as seen by the user;
• there Figure 6 represents, schematically and in perspective, an axial part of the same device, in transparency of the tube not shown, the first barrel and the crown not being represented and only the integral teeth of the first barrel being shown here before its attachment with the first cannon;
• THE figures 7 to 18 schematize different possibilities of application of the device according to the invention to a watch shown in front view:
  • figure 7 : control of a flange;
  • figure 8 : command of a wake-up position;
  • Figure 9 : command of a time zone for a universal watch;
  • figures 10 to 17 displays of a date and the current month;
  • Figure 18 : chronograph control.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention proposes to produce an external control mechanism for a timepiece, capable of controlling the rotation in one direction of a component internal to the timepiece.

The invention relates to an external control device 100 for a timepiece 1000. This device 100 comprises a crown 1, which is arranged to be operated by a user, to control, through a driver 7, a rotation of a component 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, internal to the timepiece 1000.

The device 100 comprises a tube 4, which is arranged to pass through an external wall of the timepiece 1000, and to be fixed there while ensuring the tight maintenance of the external control device 100. The crown 1 carries a first barrel 2, which is screwed onto the tube 4, by cooperation of a tapping 41 of the tube 4 with a thread 21 of the first barrel 2. In a variant, the crown 1 is in one piece with the first barrel 2. The first barrel 2 and/or the tube 4 ensures the guidance, along an axis D, of a second barrel 3 which is coaxial with the first barrel 2 and which is movable only in rotation around the axis D. This second barrel 3 comprises the driver 7, at a distal end which is arranged to be inserted into the timepiece 1000. More particularly, the second barrel 3 comprises a shoulder resting on an internal surface of a front wall of the tube 4, as visible on the figure 1 , and it is held axially, on the other side of this front wall of the tube 4, by a friction ring 6 which is held tight by the driver 7 which is screwed onto the second barrel 3, this configuration being in no way limiting. The first barrel 2 is movable axially in the direction of the axis D and in rotation around the axis D. The crown 1 and the tube 4 together delimit at least one chamber containing at least one seal 5, of the O-ring type or similar.

According to the invention, the first barrel 2 comprises a first unidirectional toothing 9, and the second barrel 3 comprises a second unidirectional toothing 8 which is coaxial and antagonistic to the first unidirectional toothing 9. And the tube 4 contains at least one return means elastic 11 resting lower on a lower front surface 101 of the tube 4 or of a support element 10 attached to the tube 4; this at least one elastic return means 11 tends to move the first barrel 2 away from the driver 7, by upper support on an upper front surface 211, 911, which comprises the first barrel 2 or respectively the first unidirectional toothing 9. Optional support element 10 is advantageously made in the form of a ring made of material with a low coefficient of friction, such as “Teflon” or the like.

There figure 2 illustrates the position of maximum distance between the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8, when the crown 1 is completely screwed onto the tube 4, and is as close as possible to the driver 7. When unscrewing the crown 1 , the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8 come together and arrive in meshing position with one another a little before the cooperation between the tapping 41 of the tube 4 and the threading 21 of the first stops. canon 2. The Figure 3 illustrates the extreme position, where the crown is only kinematically linked to the second barrel 3 by the meshing between the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8, and the crown 1, completely unscrewed, is then at the furthest from coach 7.

The cooperation between the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8 authorizes the rotational drive of the second barrel 3 in a first single direction of rotation of the crown 1, and prohibits the rotational drive of the second barrel 3 in a second direction opposite to the first direction by jumping against the elastic return means 11 like a ratchet. The screwing stroke of the crown 1 on the tube 4 is slightly greater than the distance between the extreme positions of the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8: we understand that after complete unscrewing of the crown 1, in the position visible on the Figure 3 , the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8 are then engaged with one another under the thrust of at least one elastic return means 11, illustrated without limitation in the form of a helical spring, and the continuation of a rotation imparted to the crown 1 in the first direction controls the rotation of the second barrel 3. In this same completely unscrewed position, a rotation of the crown 1 does not allow the second barrel 3 to be driven. After execution of the desired manipulation by the driver 7, an axial push by the user on the crown 1 towards the external wall of the timepiece 1000 makes it possible to release the first unidirectional toothing 9 from the second unidirectional toothing 8, and to bring back in cooperation the tapping 41 and the threading 21, to proceed with the screwing of the crown. Thus, safety is perfect with regard to the trainer 7, which cannot be caused to rotate by any accidental maneuver.

More particularly, the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8 constitute the only means of engagement between the crown 1 and the driver 7. This makes it possible both to limit the size and the production cost.

More particularly, the first unidirectional toothing 9 is integrally secured to the first barrel 2, or/and the second unidirectional toothing 8 is integrally secured to the second barrel 3. Such an unremovable connection can be made by welding, gluing, or any other method. another process capable of making the connection irreversible. It is also possible to join the crown 1 in a similar way with the first tube 2 in an unremovable manner. In the particular non-limiting case of the figures, these three non-removable connections are of the chased-welded type. Welding the first unidirectional toothing 9 on the first barrel 2 has the effect of immovably enclosing the second unidirectional toothing 8 previously made integral with the second barrel 3.

More particularly, the first unidirectional toothing 9 and the second unidirectional toothing 8 are Breguet teeth, or wolf tooth teeth, which are turned towards each other.

More particularly, the driver 7 comprises at least one tooth or at least one groove for driving a component 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, internal to the timepiece 1000. The figures illustrate a variant where the coach 7 is a pinion.

In the particular non-limiting variant illustrated by the figures, the crown 1 includes a marking 11, in particular a raised marking, which is oriented in a particular angular position in the completely screwed position of the crown 1 on the tube 4.

In a variant, the component internal to the timepiece 1000 is a display component 70, 71, 72, 73, or an intermediate component which is arranged to control a movement of a display component 70, 71, 72, 73

In another variant, the internal component of the timepiece 1000 is an internal control component 74 or an intermediate component arranged to control a movement of an internal control component 74 to trigger or stop a function or perform a reset. zero or one incremental jump.

More particularly, the external control device 100 is distinct from any control rod that the timepiece 1000 comprises.

More particularly, the external control device 100 constitutes a removable and unadjustable subassembly, which constitutes a Single component assembly, very easy to integrate. In particular the execution with non-removable connections between the unidirectional teeth and their respective tubes is particularly advantageous in this regard.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 comprising at least one such external control device 100.

In a particular execution, the timepiece 1000 comprises a flange 70 which is arranged to be driven by the driver 7, and/or an alarm time indicator 71 arranged to be driven by the driver 7, and /or a time zone display 72 arranged to be driven by the trainer 7, and/or a similar display.

In another particular execution, the timepiece 1000 comprises a calendar mechanism comprising at least one display 73 arranged to be driven by the driver 7. The figures 10 to 17 illustrate the example of the application to a simple date mechanism, for which the user must himself ensure the end of month or leap year corrections: the use of an external control device 100 according to the The invention makes it possible to avoid the usual and awkward adjustment maneuvers by pressing a tip on an internal pusher, or the tedious maneuvers using the control rod, and the user can, very easily and in complete safety, master the transition from February 28 to February 29 for a leap year, or to March 1 in the case of a normal year, by successive commands of one tooth each time; changing the month name can be done in the same way.

In yet another particular execution, the timepiece 1000 comprises a chronograph mechanism with a trigger 74 arranged to be driven by the driver 7.

In short, the crown 1 of the external control device 100 according to the invention can be screwed or unscrewed: when it is unscrewed, clutching is done by means of Breguet teeth or the like. This toothing makes it possible to drive the second barrel 3 carrying the driver 7 in one direction of rotation, and thus to rotate an internal component of the timepiece, in particular a watch, such as a flange; if the user moves the crown & in the other direction, the teeth jump, like the sliding pinions in traditional mechanical watch movements.

More particularly, timepiece 1000 is a watch.

Many other applications of the invention are possible, due to its simplicity, its controlled cost, and the ease of assembly since it suffices to insert a one-piece subassembly into a housing of a wall of 'a timepiece.

Claims (12)

1. An external control device (100) for a timepiece (1000), including a crown (1) arranged to be operated by a user, to control, through a driver (7), a rotation of a component (70, 71, 72, 73, 74) internal to said timepiece (1000), said device (100) including a tube (4) arranged to pass through an outer wall of said timepiece (1000) and to be fastened thereto while ensuring the water-resistant retention of said external control device (100), said crown (1) carrying a first barrel (2) screwed onto said tube (4), and said first barrel (2) and/or said tube (4) guiding, along an axis (D), a second barrel (3) which is coaxial with said first barrel (2) and which is movable only in rotation about said axis (D) and which includes said driver (7) at a distal end arranged to be inserted into said timepiece (1000), said first barrel (2) being movable axially in the direction of said axis (D) and in rotation around said axis (D), said first barrel (2) including a first unidirectional toothing (9), said second barrel (3) including a second unidirectional toothing (8) coaxial and opposing said first unidirectional toothing (9), and in which said tube (4) contains at least one elastic return means (11) bearing on a lower front surface (101) of said tube (4) or of a bearing element (10) attached to said tube (4), said at least one elastic return means (11) tending to move said first barrel (2) away from said driver (7) by bearing on an upper front surface (211, 911) included in said first barrel (2) or said first unidirectional toothing (9), and in which said first unidirectional toothing (9) and said second unidirectional toothing (8) are in the position of maximum separation from one another when said crown (1) is completely screwed onto said tube (4) as close as possible to said driver (7), and are in a position of meshing with each other when said crown (1) is completely unscrewed and is farthest from said driver (7), the cooperation between said first unidirectional toothing (9) and said second unidirectional toothing (8) allowing to rotate said first barrel (3) in a first single direction of rotation of said crown (1), and preventing the rotation of said first barrel (3) in a second direction opposite to said first direction by jumping against said elastic return means (11) in the manner of a pawl.
2. The external control device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said first unidirectional toothing (9) and said second unidirectional toothing (8) constitute the only engagement means between said crown (1) and said driver (7).
3. The external control device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said first unidirectional toothing (9) is irremovably secured to said first barrel (2) and in that said second unidirectional toothing (8) is irremovably secured to said second barrel (3).
4. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said first unidirectional toothing (9) and said second unidirectional toothing (8) are Breguet or ratchet toothing, which are facing each other.
5. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said driver (7) includes at least one toothing or at least one flute for driving said component (70, 71, 72, 73, 74) internal to said timepiece (1000).
6. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said component internal to said timepiece (1000) is a display component (70, 71, 72, 73) or an intermediate component arranged to control a movement of a display component (70, 71, 72, 73).
7. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said component internal to said timepiece (1000) is an internal control component (74) or an intermediate component arranged to control a movement of an internal control component (74) to initiate or stop a function or perform a reset or an incremental jump.
8. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said external control device (100) is separate from any control rod included in said timepiece (1000).
9. The external control device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said external control device (100) constitutes a removable and fool-proof sub-assembly.
10. A timepiece (1000) including at least one external control device (100) according to claim 6 and according to one of claims 1 to 5, 8 or 9, characterised in that said timepiece (1000) includes a flange (70) arranged to be driven by said driver (7), and/or an alarm hour indicator (71) arranged to be driven by said driver (7), and/or a time zone display (72) arranged to be driven by said driver (7).
11. The timepiece (1000) including at least one external control device (100) according to claim 6 and according to one of claims 1 to 5, 8 to 10, characterised in that said timepiece (1000) includes a calendar mechanism including at least one display (73) arranged to be driven by said driver (7).
12. The timepiece (1000) including at least one external control device (100) according to claim 7 and according to one of claims 1 to 5, 8 or 9, characterised in that said timepiece (1000) includes a chronograph mechanism with a trigger (74) arranged to be driven by said driver (7).

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