CH714015A1 - Display system comprising two mobile element display modules around flexible links, and a timepiece comprising such a display system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display system comprising: a first and a second display module (1, 1) arranged concentrically with respect to each other around a common geometric center (C) and each comprising at least two display members (31, 32, 33; 31 ', 32', 33 ') movable relative to a frame (2, 2') between a rest position and a display position under the action at least one actuator for forming a pattern (M, M'), and an actuating device (6) arranged to cooperate with the actuator of each display module (1, 1') and move said actuators mobile display (32, 33; 32', 33') from the rest position to the display position to simultaneously form a said pattern (M, M') on each display module (1, 1'). The first and second display modules are arranged in rotation about an axis (A) passing through the center (C) and each comprise a kinematic connecting member to a rotary drive device comprising a connecting member. complementary kinematic, and in that the actuating device comprises a fixed cam (61) arranged coaxially with the axis (A) of rotation to cooperate with the actuator of each display module (1, 1') in all angular position in rotation of said display modules around the axis (A). The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a display system.

Description

Description

Field of the invention The invention relates to the general field of microtechnology and in particular the manufacture of parts by etching of silicon. The invention relates more particularly to a display system comprising a mechanical display module comprising a plurality of movable elements relatively to each other around at least one deformable connection of the flexible blade type.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a display system.

The display module and the display device of the invention find particular application in the watch industry, in particular for the production of watch faces or animated clocks.

State of the art Analog display systems, in particular needle displays, have been known and used for decades in a multitude of applications in order to provide direct indication, for example on a graduated scale, a dial or other system. representation of a measurement value of a physical quantity such as speed, temperature, pressure, intensity, voltage or electrical resistance, of any information, or even and probably most widely used for measuring time.

In a large majority of cases, the hands of a display device consist of a rigid unitary body secured to an axis of rotation mu by a movement, for example a watch movement in the case of a timepiece. At each rotation step of the axis of rotation, the needle performs a corresponding rotation, at least one of its free ends describing a trajectory of circular section thus pointing at each of its positions on the circular trajectory with information indicating value. measured physics, a calendar of times, or generally any information to indicate to a user. The indication is thus carried out essentially in the longitudinal axis of the needle at one and / or the other of its opposite ends in collaboration, where appropriate, with an underlying display, such as a scale by example.

Also known, in particular for clocks, mechanical display systems, for example with pallets, which indicate time information by aligning numbers printed on the pallets, the latter being pivoted about an axis by gravity during the release of blocking locks at each calendar date to be indicated.

Other variants of displays actuated by mechanical systems have also been proposed in the state of the art, essentially in the watchmaking field. We can cite among others the digital display of the “nail board” type of the “Opus 8” model, marketed by the company Harry Winston SA or the digital display device of the current time by rotation of a disc underlying a dial provided with a window as proposed in Swiss patent application CH 691 833 A5.

Some proposals are essentially based on the use of a secondary dial, rotating discs comprising an index pointing to minute digits (EP 2 439 600 A1), or discs comprising the values of the minutes which are displayed sequentially. by following the hour hand (EP 2 977 831 A1; US 2017 108 832 A1).

Alternatively, other proposals consist in using a stack of transparent discs to combine the patterns which they contain in order to create an animated display (US 2003 099 159 A1).

Finally, there are also displays using large mechanical complications, for example by animating a multitude of radial "needles" (EP 2 796 941 B1).

These different displays all have the drawback of proceeding from a complex structure of different superimposed elements and requiring actuation mechanisms additional to the basic clockwork mechanism to which these actuation mechanisms should be coupled, which disturbs the progress of the watch movement or at the very least negatively affects energy consumption.

On the other hand, we do not know to date display devices of simple unitary structure and allowing direct display of information or pattern, in particular of a date of time, if necessary without associated hands, equipped with '' an animation capacity without disturbances of the main display and indication function or actuation or animation mechanism complementary to the basic watch movement of a timepiece such as a watch or a clock.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a display system comprising an animated display module, in particular for timepieces, comprising elements movable around deformable links of the blade type or flexible pivots, more particularly for the mechanical display of a current time calendar, and an actuation device which is simple to implement.

CH 714 015 A1 [0014] The present invention provides an alternative method of presenting hours and minutes by animating 3D patterns sequentially forming the different values of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a display system whose actuation device does not require modification of a basic watch movement but which can link kinematically to one or more mobiles of the train of finishing it directly or indirectly.

A particular application of the invention consists in the production of animated watch dials which mechanically selectively display the current hour and minutes in digital or other form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timepiece provided with such a display system.

To this end, the present invention provides a display system comprising:

at. first and second display modules arranged concentrically with respect to each other around a common geometric center (C) and each comprising at least two display members movable relative to a frame between a position of rest and a display position under the action of at least one actuator to form a pattern, and

b. an actuating device arranged to cooperate with the actuator of each display module and to move said movable display members from the rest position to the display position to simultaneously form a said pattern (Μ, Μ ') on each display module.

This display system is characterized by the fact that the first and second display modules are arranged to be movable in rotation about an axis (A) passing through the center (C) and each comprise a connecting member kinematic to a rotary drive device comprising a complementary kinematic connecting member, and in that the actuating device comprises a fixed cam arranged coaxially with the axis (A) of rotation to cooperate with the actuator of each module display in any angular position in rotation of said display modules around the axis.

According to one embodiment, the cam has first and second cam paths arranged on the cam surface so as to cooperate and mobilize in at least one angular position around the axis of rotation of the actuator of each display module.

Each of the display modules can be produced by molding and / or machining of metal alloys, glasses, ceramics (AI ₂ O ₃ ), hard machinable and / or photocurable polymers (epoxy, PEEK). Preferably, however, the display modules are made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon and obtained by deep silicon etching processes.

In one embodiment, said at least one actuator of each display module is integral with the frame and movable relative thereto via a plurality of flexible connections and preferably extends in a radial direction with respect to the geometric center (C).

According to one embodiment, said kinematic connecting members of the display modules comprise an annular sector or a center ring (C) integrated into the frame.

According to one embodiment, said kinematic connecting members comprise a toothed sector or a center gear (C).

In one embodiment, the actuating device is arranged to exert in at least one angular position around the axis of rotation an effort capable of mobilizing the actuator of each display module so as to move said displays display elements movable from the rest position to the display position to simultaneously form a said pattern on each display module.

In one embodiment, the at least two display members are integral and movable relative to the frame around a flexible connection at least between said rest position and said display position.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment the at least two display members comprise a display portion of a said complementary pattern of a display portion of another display member of a same display module at least to form said pattern in at least one relative position of said display members.

In one embodiment, each said display module forms a monolithic part comprising said display members, the frame, the actuator and one or more deformable links connecting said display members and said actuator to the frame.

Preferably, each display module comprises n display members, n being an integer greater than 1, at least one display member being integral with the frame and immobile with respect thereto.

According to one embodiment, the display system comprises a first and a second circular dial superimposed and concentric with respect to the geometric center (C), each dial comprising m so-called display modules,

CH 714 015 A1 m being an integer, juxtaposed to each other around the actuating device concentrically to the geometric center so that the cam cooperates simultaneously, in a given angular position around the center (C) with a push button actuation of a first and a second display module of each said dial.

In a preferred embodiment for the production of watch displays by animated dials, the number m of display modules of each of the dials is between 4 and 24, preferably between 12 and 24.

For the production of such animated dials for watchmaking each said circular dial preferably forms a monolithic part, in particular of mono- or polycrystalline silicon, comprising said m display modules integral with each other obtained by deep etching processes . Such an embodiment allows in particular an incalculable number of aesthetic variations of the dial while making it possible to produce very precisely each of the functional parts of each of the display modules, in particular the display members, the frame, the actuator as well as the flexible connections. between the frame and the display members and the actuator in particular.

In the context of a display module and dials made of silicon, the flexible connections are for example made up of flexible blades with a width of between 2 and 50 microns, the thickness of the frame and of the member (s) display being greater than 30 microns. This dimensioning thus effectively gives an elastic character to the flexible blades forming the flexible connections while the thicker portions of the frame and of the display members are completely rigid and devoid of elastic character.

According to a second object, the invention relates to a timepiece characterized in that it comprises a display system as defined above, a first display module being kinematically linked to the hours mobile and a second module display being kinematically linked to the minutes mobile or the carriageway of a timepiece movement, the cam of the actuating device being arranged stationary in contact with the actuators (of said first and second display module at least coaxially with the rotation (A) of said modules, the pattern of each said display module being configured to display a date of time.

According to one embodiment, the timepiece comprises a timepiece mechanism arranged in kinematic link with the timepiece movement through a well formed in the cam along the axis of rotation of the display modules.

Description of the figures The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment made with reference to the appended figures among which:

fig. 1A and 1B represent in top view a display module for a display system according to the present invention, in the rest position and in the display position respectively; fig. 2 shows a top view of a dial comprising a plurality of display modules for a display system according to the present invention, for displaying the time for a timepiece according to the principle of the unitary display module of the fig. 1A and 1B; Fig. 3 represents a display system according to the present invention comprising two superimposed dials according to the principles of FIG. 2, to simultaneously display the hours and minutes in a timepiece; Fig. 4 shows an actuating device for a display system as shown in fig. 3; Fig. 5 represents the display system according to the present invention comprising two superimposed dials according to FIG. 3, to simultaneously display the hours and minutes in alignment in a timepiece and freeing up central space for another horological device.

Description of embodiments of the invention The present invention relates to an analog display system comprising display modules driven by means of a mechanical actuation device, in particular but not exclusively for the display of time information in a timepiece, as shown and described below in FIGS. 1 to 5. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a display system.

Although a preferred application of the invention relates to the field of watchmaking, it is not limited to a display of time information and can also be implemented in any field requiring the use of '' a system for displaying any information or representation in animated form.

Is shown in Figs. 1A and 1B a display module 1 as described in the co-pending application CH 01 143/16 in the name of the applicant, which is included by reference to the present application.

In the simplest form such a display module 1 consists of a display module of a pattern M such as a number or a number comprising a fixed frame 2 of which are secured at least two organs of display, in this case

CH 714 015 A1 three display elements 31, 32, 33 to form the number "6" (fig. 1 B). The display members 31, 32, 33 are integral with the frame 2 and each comprise a display portion 31a, 32a, 33a of the pattern M, said display portions being complementary to one another so that they form said pattern in at least one relative position of said display members 31, 32, 33.

To this end, the display members 31, 32, 33 are integral with the frame 2 and the members 32, 33 are also movable relative to the frame 2 by means of at least one flexible connection 4 formed by at at least one flexible blade 41 between a first rest position, shown in FIG. 1A, in which the display portions of the display members

31, 32, 33 are distant from each other and a display position, shown in FIG. 1B, in which said display portions 31a, 32a, 33a are counter-affixed to each other to form and display the pattern M, in this case a number "6".

The displacement of the display members 32, 33 relative to the frame 2 around their flexible connection 4 between the rest and display positions advantageously results according to the invention from the cooperation of said display members

32, 33 with an actuating pusher 5 arranged relative to the frame 2 and to the display members for transmitting a force capable of inducing a displacement of said display members by elastic deformation around flexible connections also 4 following the action of an actuating device 6 distinct from the display module 1, such as a cam 61 movable in rotation about an axis A in FIGS. 1A and 1B, on the actuation button 5.

The display module 1 of the invention advantageously consists of a monolithic part formed of a rigid material, which is understood in the context of the present invention as any material whose Young's module is greater at 2.3 GPa. As such, a preferred embodiment of the display module 1 of the invention is silicon, monocrystalline or polycrystalline, from which it is easy, for example by deep etching processes (in particular DRIE - for Deep Reactive-ion Etching in English), form the frame 2 and the display members 31, 32, 33 connected to each other by at least one flexible connection 4, resulting in particular advantageously from the formation during the deep etching process of one or more flexible blades 4 with a width of between 2 and 50 microns, the thickness of the frame 2 and of the display member (s) being preferably greater than 30 microns.

The mobile display members 32, 33 and their display portions 32a, 33a are directly connected to the actuating button 5. The display member 31 remains identical to that of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

This embodiment has the particularity of not having any interruption in the chain of motion control, from the actuating pusher 5 to the display portions 32a, 33a. There is no friction within the display module 1 due to movements, only deformations, therefore a minimum loss of energy. The display portions 32a, 33b are connected to the upper ends of two flip-flops 32b and 33b, in rotation around flexible connections 4 in the form of flexible “butterfly” pivots 42 secured to the frame 2. The lower end of each of the flip-flops and directly connected through a set 7 of flexible serpentine blades to a plate 51 of the actuating plunger 5, which is also integral with the frame 2 by a structure 8 for guiding in linear translation with flexible blades 81.

The operation and animation of such a display module 1 results from the actuation of the pusher 5, which forms the actuator of the module 1, by an actuation device 6 comprising a cam 61 or a movable lug in rotation about an axis A to give it a pushing force causing the passage of the display members 32, 33 and their display portions 32a, 33a in particular from the rest position shown in FIG. 1A in the display position shown in FIG. 1B.

The structural and functional principles of the display module 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be extended to produce an animated circular dial I comprising a plurality of display modules 1 as shown in FIG.

2. Such a dial can be used in a timepiece such as a watch or a clock for displaying the time in an animated form with an actuating device 6 for the pushers 5 arranged movable in rotation in the center of the dial and of the display modules 1 is kinematically connected to the hour wheel of a timepiece movement of the timepiece.

The operation of such a display system is described below with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B. The actuating device 6 is represented by a ring carrying on its periphery a protuberance forming a cam 61. Thus, during the rotation of the ring 6, the cam 61 comes to push the free end of the actuating pusher 5 (fig. 1B) which acts as a follower contact, and causes a translational movement of the actuating pusher 5 which then pushes on the intermediate rockers 32b, 33b which pivot relative to the frame 2 and thus cause the displacement of the display portions 32a , 33a to the display position in which said display portions adjust with portion 31a to form the pattern "6" in FIG. 1 B.

After the passage of the cam 61 the follower contact of the actuating pusher 5 returns to bear on the ring 6, urged by the return forces of the flexible blades of the deformable connection 4 to the frame 2. The display portions 32a, 33a, then move back to return to the rest position (fig. 1 A) and the pattern is no longer visible.

This produces an animated display system comprising movable display portions over a determined period to generate a visual animation effect within the display.

CH 714 015 A1 In order to be able to provide a display of hourly-hour type hourly information for a timepiece, the present invention completes the teaching of the request CH 01 143/16 by providing a system of display 100 constituted by the assembly of at least two display modules 1, 1 'and preferably two dials 11, 12 as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 3 to 5, each dial each comprising 12 display modules 1, 1 ′ arranged concentrically in a monolithic piece forming the dial 11, I2 around a geometric center C through which passes an axis of rotation A of a device actuation 6 comprising a cam 61 as described below with reference to FIG. 4. Each of the display modules 1.1 ′ thus forms a district or sector for the hourly display of the dials 11, I2.

Each dial 11. I2 consists of a circular frame 10, 20 incorporating radial beams 11, 21 which support the display modules 1,1 'set in motion by the movement of actuating pushers 5, 5 'present in each of the time zones.

The first dial 11 is intended to display the hours sequentially in each of the time zones according to the value displayed. The second dial I2 is intended to display the minutes, in increments of five minutes for example. This dial I2 is not located in the same plane as the dial 11 but it is advantageously superimposed coaxially with the axis A.

In the example presented in fig. 3, the dial I2 is located under the dial 11 and the minute number is displayed on a different diameter, larger than the hour display diameter so as not to disturb the reading of these different values.

The first dial 11 is intended to display the hour digit Μ sequentially. The dial 11 is fixed to a rotary ring 13, for example by means of an extension of radial beams 11. The ring 13 is advantageously arranged in kinematic connection, by any conventional means known to those skilled in the watchmaking profession, with the hour wheel of the final train of a timepiece movement of the timepiece, the case B of which includes an arrangement of the middle part to adjust the ring 13. The watch movement thus prints on the ring 13 and on the dial 11 which is attached to it a rotation speed of 30 ° / hour (for n dial displaying the hours from 1 to 12).

This rotation brings the actuating pusher 5 of the display modules 1 of the dial 11 into contact with the fixed cam 61. In this embodiment, the cam is fixed and integral with a well 40 integral with the box B of the timepiece or a plate of the watch movement contained therein, thus allowing the sequential display of the hours in a single quarter, fixed by the position of the stationary cam 61.

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the well 40 may be mobile and include the cam 61, a kinematic link connecting the housing B to said well 40 and adapted to angularly reposition said well 40 relative to the housing B without departing from the scope of the invention.

The second dial I2 is intended to display the digit of the minutes Μ 'in increments of five minutes for example. This dial I2 is not located in the same plane as dial 11. In the example presented, dial I2 is located under dial 11 and the number of minutes chiffre 'is displayed on a diameter different from the diameter of the hour display Μ so as not to disturb the reading of these different values. The dial I2 is fixed to a rotary peripheral element, a disc or as shown here a ring 22, for example by means of an extension of radial beams 21. The ring 22 is advantageously arranged in kinematic connection, by any known means of a person skilled in the watchmaking profession, with the minute wheel of the clockwork for the finishing of the watch movement, which imparts a rotation speed of 3607 hours to the ring 22 and to the dial I2 which is integral with it. This rotation brings the actuating push-button 5 'of each display module 1' into contact with the stationary cam 61, thus allowing the sequential display of the minutes in a single quarter, fixed by the position of the stationary cam 61, which is the district where the hours are also displayed.

As shown in fig. 4, the well 40 frees a passage making it possible, if necessary, to draw kinematic links between the watch movement, located under the display system 100, and a space 50 located above the display system 100 in order to bring there additional functions, such as a needle dial. This space can also accommodate a part of the watch movement, for example the time regulating organ (anchor, escape wheel, ...), This space could accommodate a tourbillon rotating in five minutes by driving an index pointing at a dial graduated from 1 to 4, thus creating a secondary display of the minute.

Claims (18)

claims 1. Display system comprising: at. first and second display modules (1,1 ') arranged concentrically with respect to each other around a common geometric center (C) and each comprising at least two display members (31,32 , 33; 31 ', 32', 33 ') movable relative to a frame (2, 2) between a rest position and a display position under the action of at least one actuator (5, 5') to form a pattern (Μ, Μ '), and b. an actuating device (6) arranged to cooperate with the actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, Γ) and move said movable display members (32, 33; 32', 33 ' ) from the rest position to the display position to simultaneously form a said pattern (Μ, Μ ') on each display module (1, 1'), characterized in that the first and second display modules are arranged mobile in rotation about an axis (A) passing through the center (C) and each comprise a kinematic connecting member (13, 23) to a device CH 714 015 A1 rotary drive comprising a complementary kinematic connecting member, and in that the actuating device (6) comprises a fixed cam (61) arranged coaxially with the axis (A) of rotation to cooperate with the actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, 1 ") in any angular position in rotation of said display modules around the axis (A). 2. Display system according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, 1') is integral with the frame (2, 2) and movable by relative thereto via a plurality of flexible connections (4, 4 '). 3. Display system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, Γ) extends in a radial direction relative to the center geometric (C). 4. Display system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating device (6) is arranged to exert in at least one angular position around the axis of rotation (A) a force able to mobilize the actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, Γ) so as to move said mobile display members (32, 33; 32', 33 ') from the rest position towards the display position to simultaneously form a said pattern (M, M ') on each display module (1, 1'). 5. Display system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cam (61) has first and second cam paths arranged on the cam surface so as to cooperate and mobilize in at least one angular position around the axis of rotation (A) the actuator (5, 5 ') of each display module (1, 1'). 6. Display system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said kinematic connecting members (13, 23) of the display modules (1, Γ) comprise an annular sector or a center ring ( C) integrated into the frame (2, 2). 7. Display system according to claim 6, characterized in that said kinematic connecting members (13, 23) comprise a toothed sector or a center gear (C) 8. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two display members (32, 33; 32 ', 33') are integral and movable relative to the frame (2, 2 ' ) around a flexible connection (4, 4 ') at least between said rest position and said display position. 9. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two display members (32, 33; 32 ', 33') comprise a display portion (31a, 32a, 33a; 31a ', 32a', 33a ') of a said pattern (M, M') complementary to a display portion of another display member of the same display module (1, 1 ') at least to form said pattern (M, M ') in at least one relative position of said display members (31, 32, 33; 31', 32 ', 33). 10. Display system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each said display module (1, 1 ') forms a monolithic part comprising said display members (31, 32, 33; 31 ', 32', 33 '), the frame (2, 2'), the actuator (5, 5 '), said kinematic connection members (13, 23) and one or more deformable connections (4, 4') connecting said display members and said actuator to the frame (2, 2). 11. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said display module (1, 1 ') consists of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. 12. Display system according to one of the preceding claims 14, characterized in that each display module comprises n display members (31,32,33; 31 ', 32', 33 '), n being a whole number greater than 1, at least one display member (31, 31 ') being integral with the frame and immobile with respect thereto. 13. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first and a second circular dial (11,12) superimposed and concentric with respect to the geometric center (C), each dial (11, 12) comprising m said display modules (1, 1 ′), m being an integer, juxtaposed to each other around the actuating device (6) concentrically with the geometric center (C) so that the cam ( 61) cooperates simultaneously, in a given angular position around the center (C) with an actuating pusher (5, 5 ') of a first and a second display module (1, 1') of each said dial (11, I2). 14. Display system according to claim 13, characterized in that the number m of display modules (1, 1 ') of each of the dials (11, I2) is between 4 and 24, preferably between 12 and 24. 15. Display system according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that each said circular dial (11, 12) forms a monolithic part comprising said m display modules. 16. Display system according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that each said dial (11,12) consists of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. 17. Timepiece characterized in that it comprises a display system according to one of claims 1 to 16, a first display module (1) being kinematically linked to the hours mobile and a second module display (1 ') being kinematically linked to the minute mobile or the carriageway of a clock movement, the cam (61) of the actuating device being arranged stationary in contact with the actuators (5,5') of said first and second modules CH 714 015 A1 display at least coaxially with the axis of rotation (A) of said modules, the pattern (Μ, Μ ') of each said display module being configured to display a date of time. 18. Timepiece according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a timepiece mechanism arranged in kinematic link with the timepiece movement through a well (40) formed in the cam (61) along the axis ( a) rotation of the display modules. CH 714 015 A1