WO2004029730A2 - Watch - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a watch (1) comprising a housing (2, 7), at least one clockwork (13, 14) that is disposed within said housing, and at least one unit (3, 4, 6) for displaying the time or other information, at least one part of said watch being movable, particularly rotatable. The housing consists of an outer housing (2) and an inner housing (7) which is fastened in a movable manner to the outer housing such that a previously invisible side of the movable inner housing (7) of the watch faces upwards. Operating elements (5, 12, 29) of the watch are disposed on the outer housing (2) and cooperate with functional elements (15, 26, 32, 33) that are arranged on or inside the inner housing.

Description

 Clock

Technical field

The invention is based on a watch according to the preamble of the first claim.

State of the art

A watch is known from EP 562 522 A1, which can be folded up and then rotated through 180 ° in order then to be fastened again in a frame to which the bracelets are fastened. Such a watch has only one dial, so that the time can be read in one position, while in the other position the possibly decorated case back is visible.

A watch with two opposing dials is known from US 4,493,561. Such a clock essentially consists of two clockworks, which are mutually attached to the bottom. The housing thus obtained can be rotated about an axis which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the watch strap. The individual mechanical movements can be operated independently of each other via a crown assigned to the movement. This construction is relatively complex and requires a relatively high height of the clock. Due to the two crowns that protrude on both sides, the wearer of the watch can easily get stuck to the watch with his clothes or other items. Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object to avoid the known disadvantages in a clock of the type mentioned and thus to provide a reversible clock with a low profile and to avoid unnecessarily protruding parts.

According to the invention, this is achieved by the features of the first claim.

The essence of the invention is therefore that control elements of the watch are arranged on the outer housing and that these control elements interact with functional elements arranged on or in the inner housing.

The advantages of the invention can be seen, inter alia, in the fact that the same or equivalent functional elements can always be operated by the fixed operating elements when the watch is turned. This means that even if two displays are used, the watch only has a crown and / or pushers that protrude from the case.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims. Brief description of the drawing

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the various figures. The direction of movement of the elements is indicated by arrows.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view of the inventive clock in the closed state.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the clock according to the invention in the partially opened and rotated state with respect to FIG. 1;

3A shows a plan view of the display side of a watch according to the invention in the closed state;

3B shows a plan view of the display side of a watch according to the invention in the partially opened state; 3C shows a plan view of a watch according to the invention in the further opened state, other display side;

3D shows a top view of a watch according to the invention in the fully opened state and rotated by 90 °;

3E shows a plan view of the other display side of a watch according to the invention in the partially opened state and rotated by 180 ° with respect to FIG. 3A;

3F shows a plan view of the other display side of a watch according to the invention in the closed state;

4A shows a partial cross section of the clock according to the invention with a device for switching the displays on and off;

4B shows a partial longitudinal section of the watch according to the invention from FIG. 4A in the partially opened state; 4C shows a partial cross section of the clock according to the invention with a device for switching the displays on and off, with the other display side visible;

4D shows a partial longitudinal section of the watch according to the invention from FIG. 4C in the partially opened state, rotated, and another display side; 5 shows a cross section through a watch case with crown and pushers.

FIG. 6 shows the detailed view of the crown from FIG. 5;

7 shows a cross section through a watch case with crown and pushers in a further embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the operating mechanism of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 installation diagram for a battery.

Only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown.

Way of carrying out the invention

1 and 2, a watch 1 with a first watch case 2, a first dial 3 and a second dial 4 is shown. 3A, for example, the dial 3 is an analog display with pointers, the dial 4 according to FIG. 3F is a digital display, the analog display 3 can also be replaced by a digital display and the digital display by an analog display or a combination thereof become. On the side of the first watch case 2 is a crown 5 for setting the time or other functions of the watch, such as arranged according to the date.

The clock can now be opened, for which the clockwork of the clock is arranged in a second, inner housing 7, see also FIGS. 3A to 3F. The crown is arranged in the first housing 2 and does not move with the second housing 7. The inner housing can be opened manually or electronically, for example by actuating the crown or a push button 12.

The second, inner watch case 7 is connected to the first, outer case 2 via a swivel joint 9. The swivel joint is designed so that the inner housing can be folded out of the outer housing after the opening movement. On the swivel joint 9, or between the outer 2 and the inner housing 7, there are notches, which are not shown, by means of which the inner housing is held in a position in which an optimal view of a side display 6 described in more detail below can take place. Additional detents for intermediate locking in the unfolded state can be provided.

The opening takes place via an ejection element 10, which e.g. can consist of a spring. Arranged on the lower part of the inner housing 7 is a locking element 11, which locks the inner housing 7 in the outer housing 2 when the inner housing 7 is pressed down into the outer housing 2. The locking can be done mechanically or electronically by means of the crown, or via further push-buttons 12 arranged on the watch in the outer housing 2, or via mechanical elements (not shown), or via a locking button (not shown), or by pushing the inner housing into the outer Housing are operated. After folding out, the inner housing is rotated by 180 ° and folded back into the outer housing and locked again by means of the locking element 11 also arranged here, as is e.g. is known from the prior art mentioned at the outset. The invisible display is kept currentless to save energy.

The clock can be opened so that the third, side display 6 is visible. The side display 6 allows the wearer of the watch 1 to read information from the display without twisting the arm from its natural position. Information such as a second time zone, an alarm, an appointment, an incoming SMS, etc. can be shown on the display. Unfold the display can be done automatically by a defined event according to the above examples, or manually as described above. As long as the side display 6 is not visible, the display is kept currentless in order to save energy. In the opened part of the inner housing 7 push buttons 8 can also be arranged, by means of which functions of the side display can be selected or selected and changed. If the inner housing is turned to display a different display page 3 or 4, the side display fonts and numbers also turn so that the side display 6 can always be read.

3A to 3F further show how the display 3 or 4 also rotates analogously to the display 6 described above, so that it is always optimally visible to the wearer of the watch. By opening the inner housing 7, the display 4 is activated according to Fig. 3C, i.e. the digital display is supplied with power and therefore legible. In the case of an analog display with stepper motors, the pointers are brought back into the correct position by the stepper motors. By turning the inner housing 7, see FIG. 3D, and folding it down to the lower grid position, see FIG. 3E, the writing and the digits of the display 6 and the display 4 rotate by 180 ° so that the watch wearer can display 4 can read normally again, ie the writing and the numbers are no longer displayed on the head for the viewer. The same happens for the now covered display 3 when the display is turned back. For this purpose, the display 3 is also correctly displayed to the viewer when it is opened in accordance with FIG. 3C, so that the pointers are not upside down. The display rotation is therefore also possible for an analog display with a stepper motor-supported clockwork, but the hour markers should not be provided with fixed numbers.

The opening movement can also be carried out electrically, for example by an alarm, incoming SMS, etc. The push buttons 12 arranged in the outer housing can be used for other functions of the watch, such as time stop, setting alarms, etc., as in known chrono watches. If the pushers and the crown operate the functions of the watch using electrical contacts, the pushers, and possibly the crown, are connected to the movement 13 of the watch using cables. This means that the handles can also be operated when they are open. The clockwork 13 can be electronic or mechanical. In the case of an electronic clockwork, the lateral display can be controlled directly via this electronic clockwork, as can the horizontal displays 3 and 4; when pointers are used, these are controlled by means of stepper motors. When a mechanical clockwork is used, a second electronic clockwork 14 is arranged in the inner housing 7 for the lateral display and possibly one of the two horizontal displays 3 or 4. When using a mechanical clockwork, the crown 5 is then used to set the usual clock functions; the pushers can have a double function, ie act mechanically on the mechanical clockwork and, via sensors, also electronically on the displays.

One possibility for switching off the display that is not required in each case, or respectively rotating the display as described above and displaying it correctly for the viewer, is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. In the inner housing 7, a switch button 40 is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation X, which can be configured, for example, cylindrical. This switch button 40 comprises a plurality of position sensors or switches 41, 42, 43, 44 and a displaceable piston pin 45 with a metal ring 49 and a spring 46. The piston pin 45 is pressed by means of the spring against cams 47, 48 of different lengths, which depend on the respective display 3 or 4 above. When the housing is opened and closed, the piston pin is moved to different positions and the sensors 41, 42, 43 and 44 are addressed differently depending on the position and opening angle of the inner housing. 4A and 4C only show the sensors for the respective position that can be addressed by the piston pin. In order to be able to read the information on the display 6, the inner housing 7 is opened into the position of the first catch, see FIG. 4B. As a result, the piston pin 45 moves outwards under the spring force of the spring 46, depending on the opening angle of the inner housing 7 to the outer housing 2, and now no longer responds to a sensor 42 but a sensor 41. The software in the watch can see from this that not only the display 3, but also the display 6 and the display 4 below it should now be supplied with power. At the same time, the software sets the previously invisible displays to the actual time, or the required information such as the stopwatch, actual date, etc. is displayed. The software also recognizes the sensor in which position the numbers and fonts are to be displayed so that they can be read by the viewer. When the inner housing 7 is folded up, all representations on the displays are retained, although the piston pin no longer responds to the sensors 41 to 44. 4D, the piston pin 45 is pressed by means of the spring 46 onto the second cam 48, which has a different length than the cam 47. A sensor 43 is then addressed by means of this piston pin position and by means of the software the writing and the numbers are rotated by 180 ° so that they can be read by the viewer.

If the inner housing 7 is now completely closed, the piston pin 45 is moved even further inward to the sensor 44. Display 3 and 6 are then de-energized using the software. The variant described above can also be solved by inductive measurement or other longitudinal and angle measurement methods.

5 and 6 the crown 5 and the push buttons 12 are shown in detail, the push button 12 is held in the outer housing 2. By pushing in the direction of the housing, the pusher is moved inward and actuates a button 15 arranged in the inner housing 7 which then functions in the clockwork 13. triggers. Via a spring 16, the pusher 12 is moved from the outer housing 2 to the original position when released, the same thing happens with the button 15 in the inner housing 7. However, the pusher 12 can also be used to actuate a sensor 17, by means of which the clockwork 13 or 14 the side display can be intervened. In contrast to the examples shown, the side display is shown in FIG. 5. This allows the use of conventional LCD displays and makes it easier to read, and a special cover (not shown) can also prevent the effects of sunlight. The cover can be created, for example, by the horizontal, circular display.

The crown 5 is designed in such a way that when it is unscrewed it engages in the crown shaft 19 by means of a coupling bolt 18 and can thus actuate the crown shaft. For this purpose, the crown is connected to a rotatable crown sleeve 21 via driving pins 20. This rotatable crown sleeve engages in the coupling pin 18 via a thread 22 with a large pitch and an intermediate element 23, which is rotatably mounted in the crown, and an opposite thread 24 arranged on the intermediate element 23. By turning the crown, the coupling pin is thus moved in the direction of the clockwork 13 and engages via a coupling toothing 25 in a coupling toothing 26 of the clockwork 13 and thus in the crown shaft 19. Due to the design of the engagement mechanism described above, the crown shaft can be actuated by turning the crown after the coupling has been produced. To release the coupling again, the crown is screwed back into the housing.

If the inner housing is now rotated by 180 °, so that the other display side 3 or 4 is at the top, the push buttons 12 no longer actuate the buttons 15, but rather the buttons 32 located on the opposite side in FIG. 5. These buttons work together with display page 3 or 4 on the top. The crown 5 also no longer engages in the coupling toothing 26, but in the coupling toothing 33, which also interacts with the display side now at the top. 7 and 8 show a further variant for actuating the crown and the pushers. The crown is connected to a rocker 29 which is arranged in the interior of the housing 2. This rocker 29 is rotatably supported about a swivel joint 27 such that the rocker can be moved horizontally by correspondingly pressing on the crown, as a result of which the button 15 can be actuated by an arm 28a of the rocker 26. When the crown is pressed in the opposite direction, the opposite button 15 can be actuated via a further arm 28b of the rocker 29. By pressing the button 15, functions of the watch are triggered, such as the stopwatch, etc. The rocker 29 is brought back into the basic position after actuation of the crown by means of restoring elements, not shown, for example springs.

The crown 5 can also be vertical to the clock plane, i.e. the plane of the clock face. The rocker 29 follows this movement into a further plane, whereby further buttons 30 can be operated by means of the rocker 29. By pushing the crown down vertically towards the case back, e.g. also a sensor 31 can be operated. To operate the button 30, the crown must first be moved vertically and then horizontally. By using several buttons in different levels, the buttons 30 can also be operated when the watch is open, without the rocker 29 having to be moved vertically.

If the inner housing is now rotated through 180 ° so that the other display side 3 or 4 is at the top, the rocker 29 no longer actuates the buttons 15, but rather the buttons 32 located on the opposite side in FIG. 7. These buttons work together with display page 3 or 4 on the top. The crown 5 also no longer engages in the coupling toothing 26, but in the coupling toothing 33, which also interacts with the display side now at the top. According to FIG. 9, a battery 35 can be inserted laterally into the inner housing 7 by means of a holder 36 and locked there, for example by means of screws 38, to supply power to the clockwork or the clockworks. A sealing element 39 secures the battery against external contamination and water or moisture - action. 3, however, the power supply can also take place via solar cells 34, which are arranged on the watch glasses, and / or the display, and / or the outer housing and / or the bracelet. The energy required can also be provided by a generator arranged in the clock, which is driven by the arm movement and which stores the excess energy in a battery and / or capacitor. The energy management of the watch is designed in such a way that only the visible display or displays are / are supplied with power, the invisible display or displays are kept currentless. In the chip belonging to the de-energized display or to the de-energized ads, however, the time and the additional functions are processed further.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown and described. The outer shape of the clock can be chosen freely. When using an electronic clockwork, both display pages 3 and 4 and even the side display 6 can be controlled with a clockwork. When using an electronic and a mechanical clockwork, both display sides 3 and 4 are controlled separately by the two clockworks, the side display 6 can be controlled by the electronic clockwork. One of the displays 3 or 4 can also not be equipped as a display and can only be used as jewelry. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Watch first watch case first dial second dial

Crown

Display of the second, inner watch case

Pusher inner housing

swivel

discharge element

locking

handle

Movement second movement

button

feather

sensor

coupling pin

crown wave

driving pin

crown sleeve

Threaded crown sleeve

Intermediate thread in opposite direction

Clutch toothing crown

Clutch gear mechanism

swivel

poor b arm

seesaw

button

sensor

button

Clutch gear mechanism

solar cells

battery

bracket

receiving opening

screw

sealing element

switching button

position sensor

position sensor

position sensor

position sensor

piston pin

feather

cam

cam

metal ring

axis of rotation

Claims

claims 1. Clock (1) with a housing (2, 7), at least one clockwork (13, 14) arranged in the housing and at least one display (3, 4) for displaying the time or other information, at least part of the clock ( 7) is movable, in particular rotatable, the housing consisting of an outer housing (2) and an inner housing (7) and the inner housing (7) being movably attached to the outer housing, as a result of which a previously invisible side of the movable inner housing (7) of the watch comes to rest, characterized in that control elements (5, 12, 29) of the watch are arranged on the outer housing (2) and that these control elements (5, 12, 29) are located on or in the inner housing arranged functional elements (15, 26, 32, 33) interact. 2. Clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner housing (7) has two opposite displays (3, 4). 3. Clock according to claim 2, characterized in that by means of the operating elements (5, 12, 29) only the functional elements (15, 26, 32, 33) of the visible display (3 or 4, 6) can be operated. 4. Clock according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the inner housing (7) can be folded out of the outer housing (2) in such a way that a side display (6) is visible. 5. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side display (6) is unlocked mechanically or electronically and can be opened via an ejection element (10). 6. Clock according to claim 8, characterized in that the electronic unlocking of the side display (6) is carried out automatically by an electronic signal, in particular by an alarm, or by an incoming SMS. 7. Clock according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the ejection element (10) is a spring. 8. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner housing (7) accommodates at least one clockwork. 9. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed state, the invisible display (3 or 4) and the invisible side display (6) are de-energized. 10. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the opened state, the displays (3, 4, 6) visible to the viewer are shown and readable for the viewer. 11. Clock according to claim 10, characterized in that by means (40, 41, 42) when turning the inner housing (7) the side display (6) and the display that becomes visible when opened (3 or 4) is rotatable by 180 °. 12. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a crown (5) for setting functions of the clock on the outside Housing (2) is arranged and that the crown comprises elements (18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) by means of which it engages in a crown shaft (19, 26) of the clockwork. 13. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pusher (12) for setting functions of the watch is arranged in the outer housing (2) and the pusher comprises elements (16) by means of which an in the inner housing (7 ) arranged button (15, 32) can be operated. 14. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pusher (12) and / or the crown (5) electronically with the first display (3) and / or the second display (4) and / or that of the side Display (6) associated clockwork (13, 14) is connected. 15. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a battery (35) the multiple clockworks (13, 14) and / or more Displays (3, 4, 6) powered. 16. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery (35) can be inserted laterally into the inner housing (7) and can be fastened by means of holding elements (36, 38). 17. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the watch glasses and / or at least one of the displays (3, 4) and / or the outer housing (2) and / or the inner housing (7) and / or the Wristband solar cells (34) are arranged. 18. Clock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner housing (7) by means of grids, which are arranged on the swivel joint (9) and / or between the outer housing (2) and the inner housing (7), in different Position can be locked.