HK1162210B - Control & setting device for a timepiece movement - Google Patents

Description

Control and setting device for a timepiece movement

Technical Field

The invention relates to a control and setting device for a mechanical timepiece movement. The invention is particularly suitable for mechanical wristwatches of the alarm watch type.

Background

Setting devices based on a crown and a pull-out piece (pull-out piece) are known, in which the different functions are determined by rotating the crown according to the position of the pull-out piece.

Chronograph control devices using column wheels (column wheels) are also known, in which a push-button function determines the different operating modes of the chronograph.

A disadvantage of this type of control and setting mechanism is that it is not possible for the user to know what mode of operation is currently, which makes navigation between modes less practical and may also cause processing errors.

Electromechanical watches are also known in which a first control member, usually a button, is used to select a different mode and one or more other buttons are used to set a parameter. This type of mechanism has the advantage of providing more intuitive navigation, but cannot be applied to mechanical movements or modules, where the setting function includes a number of dedicated control components arranged at different positions on the watch middle. This space requirement also prevents additional modules from being easily integrated into the main clamping plate, since there is not enough space.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a new device and a new control method for a timepiece movement which do not have the limitations known in the prior art and which are more practical and take up less space on the main plate.

These objects are achieved by a timepiece movement comprising a barrel, a control member, a setting member and a mechanical display device, wherein said control member is able to select an operating mode of the timepiece movement, and said display device comprises a first display device coupled to the control member to display a current operating mode, characterized in that said setting member performs at least 3 different functions depending on the selected operating mode.

These objects are also achieved by a control method for a timepiece movement comprising a barrel, a control member, a setting member and a mechanical display device, wherein said control member is able to select an operating mode of the timepiece movement, and said display device comprises a first display device coupled with the control member to display a current operating mode, the method comprising the steps of:

-a first step of selecting a first operation mode for setting the first setting mode using the control means;

-a first step of selecting a parameter related to a first time using the setting means;

-a second step of selecting a second operating mode using the control means;

-a second step of setting a second time-related parameter different from the first time-related parameter using the setting means;

-a third step of selecting a third operating mode using the control means;

-a third step of winding the barrel of the timepiece movement using the setting member.

One advantage of the proposed solution is that the setting and control members are coupled so that a single setting member can perform several functions, which makes room on the main plate for other timepiece modules.

Further, the instant display of the current mode means that the function performed by the setting means can be determined. Thus, with the proposed solution, the setting is simple and fast, the use of any electronic components is avoided, and moreover a particularly user-friendly performance is maintained due to the immediate display of the operating mode and the setting steps.

A further advantage of the proposed solution is that there are dedicated setting and control components, making them more intuitive to use. Since the setting member has only one axial position regardless of the operating mode selected, it is easier to use than conventional drawer mechanisms that require cumbersome manipulation of the crown to change modes.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description and shown in the drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a table comprising a control and setting device according to a preferred variant of the invention;

figures 2A, 2B, 2C show respectively a perspective view, a section view and a top view of a release mechanism of an alarm device according to a preferred variant of the invention in a winding position;

figures 3A, 3B, 3C show a perspective view, a section view and a top view of a release mechanism of an alarm device according to a preferred variant of the invention in a release position;

4A, 4B, 4C show a perspective view, a section view and a top view of an alarm device, more particularly a gear train for setting an alarm release day, according to a preferred variant of the invention;

figures 5A, 5B, 5C show perspective, top and cross-sectional views of an alarm device, more particularly a gear train for setting the alarm release time, according to a preferred variant of the invention;

figures 6A and 6B show a detail of figures 4A and 4B, respectively, more particularly the control mechanism for the selection and display of the operating mode, and the hands on the gear train for setting the release date;

figures 7A and 7B show the detail of figures 5A and 5B, respectively, more particularly the control mechanism for the selection and display of the operating mode, and the hands on the gear train for setting the alarm release time;

figures 8A and 8B show a perspective view and a top view of a gear train for winding a striking barrel used according to a preferred variant of the invention;

figures 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D show respectively a perspective view and a top view of the dial side and of the movement side of a gear train for adjusting the date of the base movement and coupling it with an alarm device according to a preferred variant of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows the dial and the middle of a purely mechanical watch 101, i.e. a watch that does not contain any electronic components for any actuation or display function. The watch 101 is an alarm watch provided with an alarm device comprising a barrel 93 as an energy source, shown in the following fig. 8A and 8B, as well as several crowns 103, 105 and buttons 102, 104. A first crown-button pair 105, 104 is associated with the base movement of the alarm watch 101, while a second crown-button pair 103, 102 is associated with the alarm device. The alarm device controlled by the push-button 102 and set by the crown 103 is a preferred embodiment of the invention, which relates more generally to a timepiece movement different from the basic movement and which is herein adapted to an alarm module. According to this preferred embodiment, described below, the timepiece movement is therefore a module comprising a barrel, a control member, a setting member and a display device, which is formed according to the preferred embodiment described below by: a first means associated with the operating mode display of the watch, formed by the following elements 23, 23' and 108; a second display device subdivided into means dedicated to setting the alarm release date value associated with the first time setting parameter, in this case the release date 109', and means dedicated to setting the alarm release time forming the second time setting parameter 110, 110', 110 "', formed by the following elements 109, 109', 109".

According to this preferred embodiment, the alarm module described below actuates the striking means, but it can also actuate a vibrating alarm, i.e. an alarm that does not necessarily emit sound internally. It should also be clear that the use of the same setting means 103 for setting two different time-related parameters can be applied to other types of parameters.

On the dial, from the centre, the hands of the watch movement, the instant hand 106, the minute hand 106' and the second hand 106 ″ can be seen. At three o 'clock there is an aperture 107 through which the date can be seen, formed by the cross 14 and the wheel 15 shown in the following figures and in particular in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C and 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, as well as the tens 107' and units 107 ″ shown separately, which are located on different discs with their own drive means.

On the dial, a ring scale 109 ″ containing a mark corresponding to the date value is provided at nine o' clock. The pointer 109 points to the date value 109' selected for release, which will determine the day on which the alarm device is actuated. On the inner surface of the ring formed by the ring-shaped scale 109 "there is an aperture 108 which displays the operating mode of the alarm watch. In fig. 1, the mode displayed by this icon corresponds to the alarm deactivation mode D. As will be seen hereinafter, the alarm watch described below contains 4 different modes of operation A, B, C and D, particularly with reference to fig. 8A and 8B which show the mode display dial 23' as a whole. These modes are actuation mode a, respectively; release date setting mode B (displayed via the pointer 109); a release time setting mode C, which is displayed in an aperture 110 located at 6 o' clock on the dial, and a ring 110 ″ with a time indication associated with the release of the alarm device, which in the embodiment described is a quarter of a clock in time interval, rolls through the aperture 110; and a deactivated mode D in which the alarm cannot be activated. The selected time value is displayed in the middle of the aperture 110' by numbers or by half-hour or quarter-hour marks different from each other when the alarm is set, the quarter-hour mark being smaller than the half-hour mark for visual reading. Other display types are contemplated, however, so long as the alarm set time 110' can be easily read and checked accordingly. Rolling is preferably performed stepwise via an indexing element 111 acting on the ring 110 ″ via the orifice 110. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the time interval may be adjusted to a value less than one quarter of an hour or a drag display may be used for the desired release time value 110'. The presence of two specific indicating means formed by a hand 109 and a disc 110 ″ set at two different positions on the dial allows easy and intuitive reading of the respective setting parameters. Furthermore, the use of two different types of indicators displayed separately, i.e. a pointer versus a ring, also means that the parameters can be easily distinguished when reading the set value.

The alarm watch 101 has two buttons 102 and 104 in the middle. The button 104 is used to adjust the date value by increasing by one unit for each pressure applied to the button 104. The adjustment of the date and the coupling of the basic movement allowing the display of the current time by the hands 106, 106' and 106 ″ are explained in detail with reference to fig. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D. The button 102 is a control component that changes the display in the aperture 108 each time it is pressed, via a particular gear train described below, particularly with reference to fig. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 8A, 8B. According to the preferred embodiment described, the mode change causes the display disc 23 'to rotate, this display disc 23' comprising 4 different icons, two of which are associated with the setting of a parameter related to the same time; here date 109 'and release time 110', while the other two are associated with the activation or deactivation of an alarm. It should be clear from reading the foregoing that the described control mechanism for changing the mode and setting parameters of the alarm watch 101 can be duplicated in other types of timepiece modules, for example, requiring setting of other different time-related parameters (e.g. hours, minutes, lunar calendar) for the release of different functions such as a countdown timer or stopwatch mechanism.

Each mode change also has an effect on the function of setting crown 103, each time button 102 is pressed, which may be, for example, the following winding of striking barrel 93, adjusting date value 109' or adjusting release time value 110, shown in particular in fig. 8A, 8B. It is therefore clear that the function of the crown 103 serving as a setting member, which is opposite to the button 102 serving as a control member, changes according to the selected mode. The parts 102 and 103 are thus coupled and allow the alarm device described above to be set and actuated in a particularly intuitive manner, since it is possible to display simultaneously the entry into each date or time setting mode and then to apply pressure on the button each time followed by a setting step in order to actuate the alarm device. If the winding of the barrel is considered as the step of setting the alarm device, it should be noted that the alarm is actuated by a series of three steps of alternately pressing the button and rotating the crown 103 to wind the barrel, setting the date and setting the time. The series of steps may be performed in any order, i.e. not necessarily starting from a certain set-up step. However, in the described embodiment, the series of modes occur in a deterministic order, namely: A. d, B, C are provided. Striking barrel 93 may be wound in modes a and D in which the alarm is activated or deactivated, respectively. The alarm device actuation step a1 shown in fig. 3A comprises pivoting the release arm 10 by pressing on the button 102 after the alarm release time 110' has been set. Thus, a user of the alarm watch 101 enters alarm actuation mode A.

An advantage of using this crown 103 as a setting means is that the selected time-related parameter can be set in any trend, i.e. increasing or decreasing. The distinct locations of the different alarm release values for the date 109 'and time 110' also allow for an intuitively ordered setting, wherein the setting values are immediately visible. The instantaneous display of the operating modes, including the two setting modes B and C, facilitates the practical adjustment and observation of the time-dependent parameters that need to be set. Furthermore, the arrangement in which the release date values 109 'at 9 o' clock and 3 o 'clock, respectively, arranged on the dial are displayed in contrast to the basic movement date formed by the tens and units indicia 107', 107 ″, allows these date values to be compared quickly and thus easily read. Selecting a different display mode via 109 for alarm release and by numerical display for the current date also prevents any confusion in interpretation of the displayed date value. This number will easily give the desired current date identification, which is the identification the user most often consults and the user will instinctively focus on it first.

Finally, the alarm watch of fig. 1 comprises a further crown 105 for winding the barrel of the basic movement driving the movement and the hands 106, 106', 106 ", or for setting said hands. The function of crown 105 is preferably determined by the position of the pull-out piece, which, however, requires only two positions here, since the date is set with button 104.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show the release device of the alarm module according to the preferred embodiment in different views, FIG. 2A in a perspective view, FIG. 2B in a cross-sectional view and FIG. 2C in a top view. According to this embodiment, the alarm comprises striking means and therefore comprises a striking hammer 9 acting on a sound-generating element 92, here a gong, but it can also take the form of a bell or any other type of sound-generating element. Although not shown in this figure, and as will be seen below in the views of fig. 8A and 8B, the alarm device also comprises a striking barrel 93 and a striking pallet 91, so that the striking work can last for a certain length of time as required by the manufacturer of the alarm watch 101. The frequency of striking, the duration of actuation of the striking device and the intensity of the sound emitted depend on the energy available in striking barrel 93, i.e. on the moment of inertia it provides to the striking wheel set (not shown but serving as an escape wheel distributing energy from the barrel to the striking pallet) and on the moment of inertia of striking hammer 9. These parameters may be configured such that the dotting lasts about one minute. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the striking pallet 91 is integrated with the striking hammer 9.

Figures 2A and 2C show a motor device for the ones 107 "and the tens 107' of dates according to any one of claims 2 or 3, respectively and generally comprising a wheel 15 with 10 teeth and a star wheel 14 with four branches. The wheel 15 drives a disc with a value of the first decimal 107 "and the star wheel 14 drives a disc with a value of the first decimal 107'. The star wheel 14 and the wheel 15 are indicated by respective elastic indicating elements 14 'and 15', and the elements 15/15 'and 14/14' mesh on different planes. Wheel 15 meshes with a first date wheel 11 driven by a basic movement which drives in parallel a series of 4 teeth 13 on a slightly lower plane in order to indicate the tens of the date and the change from 31 to 1. Each of the 4 teeth meshes with a ten-digit star wheel 14 (for displaying the date). Also shown is a further date wheel 12 at a lower level, which is in engagement with an expiry date wheel 2 of the alarm device according to the present invention, which expiry date wheel 2 forms a first element of a release device (the device referenced 2, 2', 3', 4', 5, 6', 7', 8', 10 described below with reference to figure 2A). The release means is associated not only with a date value 109 'but also with a release time 110'. The release device comprises a date trigger element 4 and a time trigger element 6, which are different from each other and are both wound up by springs 4', 6'. The triggering element 4 allows the first release wheel 3 associated with the date to move vertically with respect to the expiry date wheel 2 coupled to the watch movement via the date wheel 12. According to a variant, it is possible to use the date wheel 12 directly as the expiration date wheel 2. However, this poses a particular processing problem for the wheel, which, as will be seen below, must comprise holes or projecting elements, as well as the limitation of integration in the date-programming wheel, formed by several superposed wheels, in particular with respect to the vertical space. The first release wheel 3 is pressed by the date trigger element 4 against the expiration date wheel 2 and the first release wheel 3 comprises a recess 3 'to be passed through by the catch 2' of the expiration date wheel 2 during release. It should be clear here that the recesses and/or fingers 2', 3' cooperate with each other and that their position on the respective wheel 2, 3 can be reversed.

The release means of the alarm device (means of reference numbers 2, 2', 3', 4', 5, 6', 7', 8', 10 in fig. 2A to 2C and in the following figures) comprise a second release wheel 7 which is pressed against an expiration time wheel 8 by a time trigger element 6, the time trigger element 6 acting similarly to the trigger element 4 which allows the first release wheel 2 to move vertically. The expiry time wheel 8 is coupled with the time wheels 1061, 1061' of the timepiece movement shown in fig. 9A to 9D below. Like the wheels 2 and 3, the second release wheel 7 and the expiry time wheel 8 comprise recesses and fingers 7', 8', respectively, which cooperate with each other. However, the projections may be provided on any of these wheels. The first release wheel 3 and the second release wheel 7 are kinematically connected to each other via a date release member 4, this date release member 4 being in the form of a biased elastic pivot, one end of which is arranged below a release lever 5 integral with the second release wheel 7. The release means shown comprise a time release element 6, preferably in the form of an elastic pivot, which is fixed at a first end to a second release wheel 7 and is fitted at a second end with a first clamping element 6 ″ engageable in a second clamping element 9' of a striking hammer 9. The respective clamping element 9' and time release element 6 of the hammer are shown particularly clearly in fig. 2B and 2C. They may take any form suitable for hooking or permanent retention. In the preferred embodiment, a male/female element is selected which can be provided on the hammer 9 or on the time release element 6. Any other release mechanism allowing the release of the striking pallet 92 at the date 109 'and time 110' set for the alarm, for example via a lever mechanism, is also conceivable as an alternative to the arrangement of the release elements 4, 6.

As can be seen in all of fig. 2A, 2B and 2C, the alarm device comprises a release arm 10 which can make the striking device wind up and let down. In all modes except the alarm actuation mode a, i.e. the mode of the alarm device shown in figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the release arm 10 is arranged below the release lever 5 and is related to the setting function, as will be seen in figure 4 below. In this mode, the arm is thus in a released position that allows wheels 2/3 and 7/8 to move vertically relative to each other as will be seen in fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C below. The release arm 10 also comprises a heel 10' cooperating with a control cam with column wheel 22 as described with reference to fig. 6 to 8. Column wheel 22 acts as a control for arm 10 via a cam at stage 224 seen in fig. 6 to 8 below, and arm 10 is released by acting on button 102. As will be seen below, the column wheel 22 determines the operating modes A, B, C and D of the alarm device. The release of the release arm 10 corresponds to the step a1 of entering mode a and actuating the alarm device, and similarly, when the arm 10 is released, i.e. in mode a, the engagement of the release arm 10 corresponds to the entry into the deactuated mode D and the action on the button 102 to enter this mode corresponds to the deactuation step D1. These steps a1 and D1 are indicated by arrows in fig. 3A, 3B, 3C. It should be understood that although according to the described embodiment the release arm 10 is used to activate and deactivate the striking module respectively, this release arm 10 can be used for any gear train powered by the barrel. Fig. 2B shows a third date wheel 16 and the associated indicator element 16'. The third date wheel 16 is used to adjust the current date value using the button 104. The calibration will be described below with reference to fig. 9A to 9D.

Figures 3A to 3C show the alarm device in the same striking actuation mode a, with all the same elements as those shown in figures 2A, 2B, 2C above and in the same views as figures 2A, 2B, 2C above, but at the moment when the striking work is released. This release occurs "in cascade" with respect to the respective releases associated with each release parameter, i.e. in this case firstly the date selected for the alarm and secondly the time selected for the alarm. When the selected date release value 109' is reached, the first release wheel 3 is pushed onto the expiration date wheel 2 by a vertical movement shown by arrow a 2. At the same time, the date trigger element 4 is also lowered along arrow a 4. Once this step has been carried out, when the selected time release value 110' is reached, the second release wheel 7 is pushed onto the expiration date wheel 2 by a vertical movement indicated by arrow a 4. At the same time, the time trigger element 6 is also lowered along arrow a5, thereby releasing the hammer 9 and producing a strike point. When the current date is no longer equal to the release date value 109', the finger 2' of the expiration date wheel pushes back to the first release wheel, and similarly, when the current time is no longer equal to the release time value 110', the finger 8' of the expiration time wheel pushes back to the second release wheel, so that the device is then in the position shown in the previous fig. 2A, 2B, 2C. Thus, the alarm is no longer released not only at a particular time but also on a particular day. The process is repeated only when these conditions are simultaneously met, i.e. at least once a month.

Although this variant is not illustrated or shown in detail here, it is conceivable, by means of this cascade mechanism, to add an additional release level for an expired month or even an expired year, or to add other time-related parameters, by coupling a third release wheel with the expired month wheel or even a fourth release wheel with the expired year wheel (unit wheels from 0 to 9).

The operation of the alarm device in the shown preferred embodiment may comprise a step D1 of deactivating the alarm device, which corresponds to the activation of a specific deactivation mode D by pressing the button 102. This deactivation step D1 can be carried out at any time independently of the actual release of the alarm device, the oscillation frequency of the hammers 9 and the arrangement of the clamping elements 6 ″ of the date trigger element 6 and 9' of the hammers allowing the striking work to stop instantaneously in the event of the mode D being activated, even if the striking work is working. Depending on the order in which the modes of the alarm watch 101 occur, the de-actuation step D1 corresponds to the application of pressure on the button 102 when the current operating mode is alarm actuation mode A, represented by the dotted icon in the aperture 108. The de-actuation mode D is represented by the dotted out icon displayed in the aperture 108 as shown in fig. 1.

For the following description of fig. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and fig. 8A, 8B, the release device, which is identical to the device shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C, will not be described in detail, since the reference numerals in these figures can be thoroughly understood from the reference numerals and description given in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C.

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show an alarm release device according to a preferred embodiment seen in the same set of 3 views as figures 3A to 3C, figure 4A being a perspective view, figure 4B being a cross-sectional view and figure 4C being a top view but now in mode B setting the release date value 109' of the alarm device. In this operating mode, as in time-setting mode C and deactuation mode D for the alarm device, the release arm 10 is placed below the release lever 5 adjacent to the time release wheel 7, so that said wheel is locked horizontally and can no longer be lowered. Thus, the time-trigger element 6 is no longer able to release the hammer 9 and thus prevent the striking work from being actuated. The set train of the first release wheel 3 in fig. 4A and 4C is explained in detail below. The cross-sectional view does not provide a clear illustration.

The set train of release date values 109' comprises a first wheel 31 provided with a pinion 31', the pinion 31' meshing with a second intermediate wheel 32, the second intermediate wheel 32 meshing with a third wheel 33, the third wheel 33 driving a release date display hand 109 located on a higher plane. The rotation of the third wheel 33 indicates the units of the date by means of the elastic indicating element 33'. The number of teeth of the wheels 33, 32, 31', 31 and 3 is chosen such that the angle of rotation of the third wheel 33 is transmitted precisely to the first release wheel 3, so that said wheels operate completely synchronously. To achieve this, for example, an equal number of teeth may be selected for the wheel 33 and the pinion 31' and for the wheels 31 and 3. Wheel 33 and pinion 31 'therefore have the same angular speed as wheel 31 and wheel 3, since first wheel 31 and pinion 31' also have the same speed, the speed of wheel 3 will be equal to that of third wheel 33 by transmissibility. The gear train then extends through a fourth wheel 34 and a fifth wheel 35, the fourth wheel 34 meshing with the third wheel 33 and the fifth wheel 35 meshing with the wheel 34. The fifth wheel 35 then meshes with a stem wheel 2522, starting from the crown 103, which meshes with a first stem wheel 2511 located on the same stem 251, the stem 251 being oriented differently according to the operating mode, more specifically between operating modes B and C, which are the setting modes. In the case of the operation mode B for setting the release date value 109' shown in fig. 4A to 4C, the lever is turned to the date setting gear train formed by the above-described elements 31 to 35. The first setting wheel 2511 finally meshes with a setting wheel 26 common to both setting modes B and C, this setting wheel 26 meshing with a sliding pinion formed by a first coupling gear 241 meshing with the setting wheel 26 and by a second coupling gear 242, usually used for winding a striking barrel 93, equipped with breguet toothing for unidirectional meshing. The position of the sliding pinion formed by the first coupling gear 241 and the second coupling gear 242 of the stem 1033 of the setting crown is determined by the position of the pivotal coupling element 24 shown below with particular reference to fig. 6A, 6B to 8A, 8B. Finally, the setting crown wheel 1031 is visible at the end of the stem 1033 that is rotationally actuated by the user turning the crown 103. The release date value 109' setting train forms a first kinematic chain on which the lever 251 can be engaged.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show an alarm release device according to a preferred embodiment described in the same set of 3 views as FIGS. 4A to 4C, FIG. 5A being a perspective view, FIG. 5B being a top view and FIG. 5C being a cross-sectional view but now in mode C setting the release time 110' of the alarm device. In this operating mode, as in the time-setting mode B and the deactuation mode D of the alarm device, the release arm 10 is placed below the release lever 5 adjacent to the time release wheel 7, so that said wheel is locked horizontally and can no longer be lowered. The release lever 5 is shown in fig. 5A and 5B, however it is not visible in fig. 5C, fig. 5C clearly showing the space between the release wheel 7 and the expiry time wheel 8, but not the release lever 5 above the time trigger element 6, above which time trigger element 6 the ring 110 ″ with the time indication can be seen.

Fig. 5A shows in a perspective view a set train of release time values 110' comprising a first wheel 71 of the set train of second release wheels directly engaging the second release wheel 7. This wheel 71 meshes with a second wheel 72 of the set train of second release wheels, which second wheel 72 meshes with the second lever wheel 2512 during actuation of the set mode C. The system for meshing this second lever wheel 2512 with the setting crown wheel 1031 is identical to that described for setting mode B, i.e. the second lever wheel 2512 meshes with a first lever wheel 2511 on the same lever 251, this first lever wheel 2511 then meshes with the setting wheel 26, this setting wheel 26 in turn meshes with a sliding pinion formed by a first coupling gear 241 meshing with the setting wheel 26 and by a second coupling gear 242 provided with crete teeth for unidirectional meshing, normally used for winding a striking barrel 93. The position of the sliding pinion formed by the first coupling gear 241 and the second coupling gear 242 of the stem 1033 of the setting crown is determined by the position of the pivoting coupling element 24, which is shown below with particular reference to fig. 6A, 6B to 8A, 8B, the position of this pivoting coupling element 24 being the same for the operating modes B and C. Set crown wheel 1031 at the end of stem 1033 is rotationally actuated by the user turning crown 103. The release time value 110' sets the train of wheels forming a second kinematic chain on which the lever 251 can be engaged.

Fig. 5A also shows a gear train in the vicinity of the inner teeth of the ring with the release time indication 110', which is actuated by a stepwise rotation of an indicator element 111 meshing with the inner teeth. The left part of the figure provides an exploded view showing the second wheel 72 of the set train of the release wheel meshing in the same plane with the first wheel 73 of the set train of the release time ring, which first wheel 73 rotates integrally with the second wheel 73 'of the set train of the release time ring, which second wheel 73' is coaxial with wheel 73 and lies in a higher plane. The wheel 73 'meshes in the same plane with a third wheel 74 of the set train of release time rings, this third wheel 74 rotating integrally with a fourth wheel 74' of the set train of release time rings, this fourth wheel 74 'being coaxial with the wheel 73 and lying in the plane of the internal teeth of the ring with the release time markers 110' meshing therewith. The arrangement of the coaxial wheels 73, 73 'and 74, 74' saves space on the main plate but has the disadvantage of requiring more vertical space. The gear ratio of the gear train is determined such that one full rotation of the ring with the release time indication 110' is synchronized with one full rotation of the second release wheel 7.

Fig. 5B shows the same set train of second release wheels 7 as shown in fig. 5A and a time ring with a release time stamp 110', in addition to the release means which have been described in detail with reference to fig. 2A, 2B, 2C. However, the plane-by-plane position of the various elements of the train cannot be determined in a top view, which only shows the transmission ratios of the various elements: 71-72-2512 forms a first kinematic chain relating to the position setting of the second release wheel 7, 72-73/73'-74/74' -110 "forms a second kinematic chain associated with the position setting of the loop 110" containing the release time value. The designations 73/73 'and 74/74' here indicate that the two elements referred to are coaxial and rotate as a unit, but that the elements are located in different gear planes. It should be noted that in fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, the preferred embodiment shown uses a line on the ring 110 "with the release time indication, whereas in fig. 1 the indication takes a different form. Any type of identification that clearly determines release time 110' may be selected by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 6A and 6B show a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of an alarm device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a control device based on a column wheel 22. These figures illustrate the selection of the mode, its meaning to the position of the dial 251, its display in the aperture 108 visible in fig. 1 and the association of the function of the crown 103 with the selected mode by means of the push-button 102. Fig. 6A and 6B show the alarm device in the same mode as fig. 4A to 4C, i.e., release date setting mode B. As already explained on the basis of the set of three views of fig. 4A to 4C, in mode B the lever is positioned such that the second lever wheel 2512 meshes with the fifth wheel 35 of the set train of the first release wheel. The position of the shift lever is controlled by the control cam of the shift lever pivot 25 positioned on the stage 222 of the column wheel formed by the 5 superimposed stages. (stage 222) the stage 223 immediately above is a stage for coupling the pivoting member 24, and the pivoting member 24 determines the position of the sliding pinion formed by the first coupling gear 241 and the second coupling gear 242. This stage thus couples alternately the coupling wheel 1032 shown in fig. 6A and 6B instead of fig. 4A and 4B to the first coupling gear 241, in order to be able to wind the striking barrel 93 or couple the second coupling gear 242 to the setting wheel. It is therefore clear that the modes of winding barrel 93 and of performing the setting are mutually exclusive, and therefore they each correspond to a different position of the sliding pinion. The stage immediately above stage 223 is stage 224 for controlling release arm 10, which includes a cam acting on heel 10' of release arm 10. Thus, the stage controls the activation and deactivation of the alarm. The last stage 225 on top of the superimposed column wheel 22 corresponds respectively to the mode display control, the wheel of the stage 225 being in mesh with the wheel 23, this wheel 23 rotating integrally with the wheel 23' of the disc with the icon indicating the operating mode of the alarm device. The wheels 23' not shown in fig. 6A and 6B are shown in fig. 7A and 7B below. For ease of understanding, the annular dial 109 ″ with the date label of the release date indicating pointer 109 is shown in fig. 6B, but not in fig. 6A. Finally, the bottom stage 221 is the stage of engagement of column wheel 22 with pawl 21 actuated by push-button 102, of which only stem 1021 is shown.

As can be seen in fig. 6A, the teeth of the bottom stage 221 are arranged so that exerting pressure on the button 102 moves the stem and actuates the pawl 21 to rotate the column wheel 22 counterclockwise. The wheels in stage 225 thus rotate the disk 23' clockwise, thereby rolling the modes through the apertures 108. The transmission ratio between the wheels in stage 225 and wheel 23 is determined so that after each actuation of the push button 102, the mode display dial 23' makes a quarter turn clockwise, changing from one mode to the other in the following order: deactivating mode D, date setting mode B, time setting mode C, and then activating mode a. While each mode is rolling through, it can be observed that the cams on stages 222, 223 and 224 each have two different positions, with a cycle 4 actuation pattern. The following of the stages were named "0" and "1", respectively:

222:0= position of pivot 24 for winding striking barrel 93, engaging elements 1032-241; 1= position of the pivot for setting the time-related parameter for engaging the elements 242-26;

223:0= position of the lever for engaging with the date setting train, engaging elements 2512-35; 1= position of the lever for engaging the time-setting train, engaging elements 2512-72;

224:0= arm in the wound, locked position; 1= arm in released position (mode a of the alarm device).

The overall condition of column wheel 22 can therefore be summarized in the following table, in which the change in condition of each stage corresponds to the angular displacement of one tooth of bottom stage 221. According to the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom stage wheel includes 12 teeth, thus showing 12 states. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that, given the observed periodicity, a number of teeth equal to any multiple of the period may be selected.

222:0110 0110 0110

223:1100 1100 1100

224:0001 0001 0001

It should be clear after reading stage by stage that the different states of the system (010, 110, 100, 001) are repeated after the bottom stage wheel 221 has been incremented by 4 teeth. The 4 states thus each correspond to a different mode of the system (010 = deactuation mode D; 110= date setting mode B, the first "1" indicating that the system is in setting mode and the second "1" indicating the type of setting being performed, 100= time setting mode C, and finally 001= actuation mode a of the alarm device). The actuated or deactuated position on the cams of stages 222 and 223 shows how the function performed by crown 103 is determined (0 = upper, 1= setting, 11= first class setting, 10= second class setting).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that operational constraints may be imposed on the system, for example, when the value of stage 222 is at 1, the value of stage 224 is preferably at 0 so that the alarm is not accidentally released during set-up, as is the case in the preferred embodiment shown herein which describes a separate control method for set-up mode B, C and actuation mode A. It is envisaged to impose other constraints on the column wheel 22 in question, which allow a number of potential modes equal to 8 (this number of stages (equal to 3) to the power of 2 possible states of the stages in which the cams are arranged).

The advantage of using such a column wheel 22 is that it is able to manage the state of the system by means of a centralized control component, the arrangement of which can be determined on the main deck. Actuation of the control member by a single button 102 enables the modes to scroll through in an intuitive manner, each application of pressure corresponding to a mode change step. This arrangement avoids the use of setting parts dedicated to specific functions. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, crown 103 performs 3 different functions. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the offset for the different set trains can be applied to other independent time-related parameters, not just to the combined hour and minute time value 110 "and day value 109'.

Figures 7A and 7B show a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of an alarm device according to the same preferred embodiment of the invention as in the previous figures. The illustration of the control device here is based on determining the column wheel 22 of time setting mode C, i.e. the same mode as in fig. 5A to 5C, wherein the lever 251 is oriented such that the second lever wheel 2512 meshes with the second wheel 72 of the setting train of the second release wheel. A first main difference between fig. 7A, 7B and fig. 5A, 5B is the addition of a column wheel 22 to fig. 7A, 7B, which controls the operating mode of the alarm device, as already explained with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. In fig. 7A and 7B, the position of the pivot of the control lever 25 differs from that of fig. 6A and 6B in that the lever is oriented slightly further upwards to obtain the desired engagement with the second wheel 72 of the setting train of the second release wheel. This difference in orientation is particularly clearly illustrated by comparing, for example, fig. 6B and 7B. A second major difference between fig. 7A, 7B and fig. 5A, 5B is that fig. 7A, 7B show the mode display wheel 23' almost entirely. Since all the icons are visible in fig. 8A and 8B, the element will be described in detail with reference to these figures in the following description of the invention. Since all other elements are identical to those in fig. 5A and 5B, this figure will be clear from the description given above for fig. 5A, 5B.

Fig. 8A and 8B show respectively a perspective view and a top view of an alarm device according to the same preferred embodiment of the invention as in the previous figures, with a control device shown on the basis of column wheel 22, here in one of the modes a or D in which a striking barrel 93 can be wound. These figures 8A and 8B also show the whole spring train for the barrel 93, starting from the crown wheel 1031 and the coupling wheel 1032, the coupling wheel 1032 being precisely coupled here by breguet toothing to the first coupling gear 241 of the sliding pinion mounted on the stem 1033, the first coupling gear 241 allowing the wheel 1032 to mesh in a certain direction of rotation arranged in the direction of the barrel 93 without producing any meshing in the opposite direction. The winding train continues to mesh with a crown wheel 901, which crown wheel 901 in turn meshes with a second barrel winding wheel 902', which second barrel winding wheel 902' rotates coaxially and integrally with the first barrel winding wheel 902, which meshes in a lower plane. The first barrel winding wheel 902 meshes with a third barrel winding wheel 903, the third barrel winding wheel 903 rotating coaxially and integrally with a fourth barrel winding wheel 903', the fourth barrel winding wheel 903' meshing in a lower plane with a fifth barrel winding wheel 904, the fifth barrel winding wheel 904 meshing with a barrel ratchet 93 ″ shown clearly in fig. 8B. Crown 103 is therefore actuated in a direction corresponding to the direction in which barrel 93 is wound, which according to the preferred embodiment described is chosen to be different from the direction of the basic movement, in order to avoid a reduction in the power reserve when the alarm device is actuated. When the alarm device is actuated, the energy stored in barrel 93 will be released, the striking train meshing with the external teeth 93' of the barrel. However, the striking wheel set serving as escapement is not shown, while only the striking pallet 91 fixed to the hammer 9 is visible in the figure.

As already explained in the above description, the release means of the alarm device described (the means with reference numbers 2, 2', 3', 4', 5, 6', 7', 8', 10) have been explained in the previous figures and will therefore not be described in detail with respect to fig. 8A and 8C. The illustration of the release device adjacent to the winding train for the barrel 93 shows the relative positioning of these elements and the space created on the main plate. The coaxial arrangement of the first winding wheel 902 and the second winding wheel 902 'and the coaxial arrangement of the third wheel 903 and the fourth wheel 903' can in particular reduce the space requirement in the plane of the main clamping plate.

Fig. 8A shows the entirety of the mode display dial 23', which shows four icons each representing one operation mode, namely:

-scratched-off bell: mode D, deactivated mode. This mode can be actuated independently of the actual actuation of the striking work, as described above.

- "d" stands for "day": i.e., mode B, for setting the release date 109'. This mode is a mode following mode D after applying pressure on the push button 102 connected to the stem 1021, because the pawl 21 then drives the column wheel 22 to rotate counterclockwise, thus driving the wheel 23 fixed with the display disk 23' to rotate clockwise. In this mode, the crown 103 can set the release date value 109'. Furthermore, it can be set in two directions, i.e. rotating the crown 103 in a first direction causes the pointer 109 to rotate in the first direction step by step via the elastic indicating element 33', while rotating the crown in the opposite direction causes the pointer 109 to rotate in the opposite direction. This function makes the setting operation much easier.

- "h" stands for "hour": i.e., mode C, for setting the release time 110'. This mode is a mode in which mode B is followed after another pressure is applied on the button 102. In this mode, according to the preferred embodiment described, crown 103 is able to set the release time value with an accuracy of one quarter according to the embodiment described. Furthermore, it can be set in two directions, i.e. rotating the crown 103 in a first direction causes the ring 110 ″ with the release time value to rotate in the first direction step by step via the indicating element 111, while rotating the crown in the opposite direction causes the ring to rotate in the opposite direction. This function also makes the setting operation much easier, and also facilitates its display by a separate display of the setting parameters, since the aperture 110 and the scale 110'″ displaying the release time are at 6 o' clock, while the pointer 109 pointing to the release date value 109 'is at 9 o' clock. It is also particularly intuitive as in an electronic watch to use the same setting means, namely, the crown 103, to set each time-related parameter in order.

However, once the second setting has been performed while the alarm device is still not actuated, a further different actuation step a1 must be performed in order to actuate the alarm, since in mode C the release arm is still located below the release lever 5, preventing any vertical movement of the release time wheel 7 and thus the release of the striking hammer 9. According to an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable that this actuation step a1 is unnecessary and that the actuation of the setting mode of the last parameter to be determined simultaneously actuates the striking device. However, this solution has the disadvantage of being able to accidentally release the alarm during the setting operation, which makes its use more difficult, and therefore it must be ensured that the setting step never results in a release when the time-related parameter coincides with the current time. The preferred solution comprising the different actuation steps a1 thus allows an improved setting comfort.

-a bell: representing an alarm actuation mode a which is actuated after the previous mode C by pressing the button 102. This pressure on the button 102 is the actuation step a1 required to actuate the alarm, which releases the release arm under the release lever 5. It should be noted, however, that according to the described embodiment, even this actuation step a1 is not sufficient to ensure that the alarm device according to the invention can generate a ringtone or any other type of notification. This can only be achieved by additional actuation of crown 103 in the direction of winding barrel 93. However, since this actuation has been performed beforehand and need not be performed in mode a as described above in order to be able to wind striking barrel 93, this winding step may also be performed in deactivation step D. However, in an alternative embodiment in which the striking work uses the barrel of the basic movement, this winding operation is not necessary, but it is only desirable to avoid using excessive power reserves. In this case, the only condition under which the alarm device can operate is that the basic timepiece movement itself is operating when the alarm is actuated.

The simultaneous display of all set modes A, B, C, D via corresponding icons on disc 23' in aperture 108 also makes the device more practical. The setting is then performed using the crown 103 each time after actuation of the mode determining its function and its rotation result by applying pressure to the button 102. According to the preferred embodiment described, the actuation of the alarm therefore requires three successive times of pressure on the button 102 and at least three actuations of the setting crown 103, for the two steps of winding the barrel and setting two different time-related parameters, here a release date value 109 'and a release time value 110', respectively, before or after the setting step.

Fig. 9A, 9C are perspective views of a coupling train wheel between the moving piece of the base movement and the expiration time wheel 8 and a date adjustment train wheel of the base movement on the dial side and the movement side, respectively. Fig. 9B and 9D show the same views as fig. 9A and 9C, respectively, but in top view. The purpose of these figures is to illustrate how the expiration date wheel 2 is synchronized with the date displayed in the aperture 107 of the dial visible in fig. 1 and how the expiration time wheel 8 is synchronized with the movement.

Fig. 9A and 9B show the stem of the button 104 at two o' clock in fig. 1 for setting the date displayed in the aperture 107. The setting operation consists in incrementing by one unit each time pressure is applied on the button 104. Pivotally secured to the bottom of the stem of the push button 104 is a date setting lever 1041 of the base movement, which acts on a date setting pawl 1042 of the base movement. The pawl 1042 drives the teeth of the third toothed date programming wheel 16 of the basic movement in increments of one tooth. The indicating elements 14', 15' and 16' are not shown in fig. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, but they are capable of univocally indicating the marked positions of the respective elements 14, 15 and 16 they ensure. Rotation of wheel 16 causes wheel 11 and teeth 13 to rotate, which via wheel 15 and star wheel 14 increments the values of ones 107 ″ and tens 107' displayed in aperture 107. The units of the date are each indicated by the base movement via an indicator cam 1043', which indicator cam 1043' is integral with a 24-hour wheel, which 24-hour wheel meshes with a first time wheel 1061 of the base movement, which first time wheel 1061 acts on a date-setting pawl 1042 of the base movement. The indicating cam 1043' increments the third toothed date program setting wheel 16 of the basic movement by one unit and thus increments the value of the ones bit 107 ″ displayed in the aperture 107 as explained in the preceding paragraph. The indicating cam 1043' is particularly clearly shown in fig. 9B and 9D.

The expiration date wheel 2 is synchronized with the date of the basic movement by the intermeshing of the second toothed date program setting wheel 12 of the basic movement with the expiration date wheel 2, as shown particularly clearly in fig. 9A. In fig. 9B and 9D, which show top views of the superposed expiration date wheel 2 and first release wheel 3, these two wheels cannot be distinguished, and they are therefore marked 2/3.

The basic movement comprises two different hour wheels located in different planes: a first hour wheel 1061 engaged with the moving member and a much larger second hour wheel 1061'. The first hour wheel 1061 is in engagement with a 24 hour wheel 1043, which 24 hour wheel 1043 is in turn in engagement with a transfer wheel 1062 in engagement with the expiration time wheel 8. The transfer wheel 1062 therefore acts as an intermediate wheel and ensures that the expiry time wheel 8 is permanently synchronised with the 24 hour wheel 1043, even when the hour hand 106 and minute hand 106 ″ of the base movement are being set via the crown 105.

By using the button 102 to actuate a mode (A, B, C, D) and using the crown 103 to set time-related parameters, the method for controlling and setting an alarm module according to the invention enables the alarm watch to be manipulated in a particularly efficient manner, similar to the known manner of manipulating an electromechanical watch which may comprise a single dedicated control and setting member. This solution therefore proposes to emulate such an environment in a fully mechanical watch. However, this crown also allows time-related parameters (in this case, date and time) for setting according to the rotation direction to be set incrementally and decrementally. Thus, the use of such mechanical components also has the additional advantage of faster setting, since it is not limited to unidirectional setting to obtain the desired setting.

Although the invention is described with respect to an alarm module coupled to a basic movement, it should be clear that the device and the control method described using the combination of push button 102, crown 103 and column wheel 22 can determine more than the 4 modes A, B, C and D of operation described and can also be used to activate and deactivate any type of gear train driven by the barrel and to perform various types of settings on said gear train. It is also conceivable to replace the push-button and the crown with other types of control and setting elements, as long as their practicality is not adversely affected. The crown and the push button may be replaced by a boss provided on the middle of the watch, for example.

Claims (13)

1. A timepiece movement comprising a barrel (93), a control member (102), a setting member (103) and a mechanical display device, wherein the control member (102) allows selection of an operating mode (a, B, C, D) of the timepiece movement, and the mechanical display device comprises a first display device (23, 23') coupled with the control member (102) to display a current operating mode, characterized in that the setting member (103) performs at least 3 different functions depending on the selected operating mode; and, the control member (102) is coupled with a pawl (21), the pawl (21) being engaged with a column wheel (22) having 5 stages, a first stage (225) of the column wheel (22) controlling the first display means (23, 23 '), a second stage (224) controlling the pivoting of the release arm (10) to activate and deactivate the gear train driven by the barrel (93), a third stage (223) controlling the position of a pull-out (24) associated with the setting member (102), and a fourth stage (222) controlling the position of a lever (25), the lever (25) being used to orient the setting member into engagement with the first kinematic chain (31, 31', 32, 33, 34, 35) or the second kinematic chain (71, 72) to set the first or second time-related parameter (109 ', 110').

2. Timepiece movement according to claim 1, wherein the barrel (93), the control member (102), the setting member (103) and the mechanical display device are dedicated to one timepiece module and are distinct from the barrel, control member, setting member and display device of the basic timepiece movement.

3. Timepiece movement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control member (102) is a push button and the setting member (103) is a crown.

4. Timepiece movement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting means allow setting at least two different time-related parameters (109 ', 110').

5. Timepiece movement according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises second display means coupled with the setting member (103) to display the values of the selected time-related parameters (109 ', 110'), said second display means comprising specific indicating means (109, 110 ") for each time-related parameter, and in that said specific indicating means (109, 110") are provided at different positions on the dial.

6. A timepiece movement according to claim 2, characterized in that it is an alarm device for an alarm watch (101) coupled with the basic timepiece movement, said alarm device being able to release a striking device or a vibrating alarm.

7. Timepiece movement according to claim 6, comprising at least 4 different operating modes (A, B, C, D), including an activation mode (A) and a deactivation mode (D) of the alarm device.

8. Timepiece movement according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the setting means are able to set at least two time-related parameters (109 ', 110') different from the actuation of the alarm device, and to wind a barrel (93) of the timepiece movement.

9. A method for controlling a timepiece movement comprising a barrel (93), a control member (102), a setting member (103), and a mechanical display device, wherein the control member (102) is capable of selecting an operating mode of the timepiece movement, the mechanical display device comprising a first display device (23, 23 ') coupled to the control member (102) to simultaneously display a current operating mode, the control member (102) being coupled to a pawl (21), the pawl (21) being engaged with a column wheel (22) having 5 stages, a first stage (225) of the column wheel (22) controlling the first display device (23, 23'), a second stage (224) controlling the pivoting of a release arm (10) to actuate and de-actuate a gear train driven by the barrel (93), a third stage (223) controlling the position of a pull-out (24) associated with the setting member (102), and a fourth stage (222) controlling the position of a dial (25), the dial (25) being used to orient the setting means in engagement with the first kinematic chain (31, 31', 32, 33, 34, 35) or the second kinematic chain (71, 72) to set the first or second time-related parameter (109 ', 110 '), the method comprising the steps of:

-a first step of selecting a first operation mode (B) for setting a first setting mode using said control means (102) and a first time-dependent parameter (109') using said setting means (103);

-a second step of selecting a second operation mode (C) using said control means and setting a second time-related parameter (110') different from said first time-related parameter using said setting means (103);

-a third step of selecting a third operating mode (a) using said control means (102) and winding a barrel (93) of said timepiece movement using said setting means (103).

10. A method for controlling a timepiece movement according to claim 9, wherein the set values of the time-related parameter (109 ', 110') are displayed simultaneously at different positions (109 ", 110) on the dial during the ordered first and second steps.

11. A method for controlling a timepiece movement according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step of selecting the operating mode (a, B, C, D) is performed using a push button (102), and the step of setting the time-related parameter is performed using a crown (103) that can set the time-related parameter in an incremental or decremental manner to determine the setting.

12. A method for controlling a timepiece movement according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control member (102) is able to select a fourth operating mode (D) of the timepiece movement to deactivate the gear train powered by the barrel (93), and the third step of winding the barrel (93) is also able to be performed in the fourth operating mode (D).

13. A method for controlling a timepiece movement according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the timepiece movement is an alarm mechanism for an alarm watch coupled to a base timepiece movement, the alarm mechanism being capable of releasing a striking device or a vibrating alarm at a predetermined time and date, the first step determining a date value and the second step determining a time value.