Date and moon phase display mechanism for watches

A date and moon phase display mechanism for watches, including a date ring with an inner toothing arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement, or arranged to cooperate with a date ring with an inner toothing of a timepiece movement, this mechanism including a moon display wheel set held in position by a moon jumper, this mechanism including drive devices, which are actuated by this inner toothing during each rotation of this date ring, and which are arranged to drive this moon display wheel set by a first constant angular pitch during each this rotation of this date ring.

This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 17168584.5 filed on Apr. 28, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a date and moon phase display mechanism for watches, comprising a date ring with an inner toothing arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement, or arranged to cooperate with a date ring with an inner toothing of a timepiece movement, said mechanism comprising a moon display wheel set held in position by a moon jumper, wherein said mechanism comprises drive means, which are arranged to be actuated by said inner toothing during each rotation of said date ring, and which are arranged to drive said moon display wheel set by a first constant angular pitch during each said rotation of said date ring.

The invention also concerns a timepiece movement comprising a date ring with an inner toothing or comprising a drive wheel arranged to drive such a date ring with an inner toothing.

The invention also concerns a watch including such a timepiece movement and/or which includes such a mechanism.

The invention concerns the field of timepiece displays, more particularly astronomical and date displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Astronomical and date displays in watches are complications that require space, are not always easy to integrate in an existing movement and can be quite expensive.

EP Patent Application No 0629932A1 in the name of Fabrique d'ébauches de Sonceboz discloses a timepiece having a date indicator with an internal toothing that moves angularly one step per day, at least one rotating indication means driven by said date indicator and intended to indicate cyclical parameters, such as the date, lunar phase or other. Several types of indications, all controlled by the date indicator, make it possible produce a variety of watches, of simple design, with different display combinations.

EP Patent Application No 1677165A1 in the name of ASULAB discloses a calendar mechanism actuated by a moon indicator and actuating Chinese calendar indicators. The mechanism has a month wheel set driven by a lever to make one revolution for each common year of twelve months and for each leap year of thirteen months. The moon indicator displays a lunar date on a scale and is driven by the clock movement to make one revolution for one or two synodic months.

CH Patent Application No 706266A2 in the name of OMEGA discloses a mechanism that comprises display devices including two drive mechanisms which are combined with each other to form a common drive mechanism. This common drive mechanism is driven by a timepiece movement. The display devices comprise two correction mechanisms which are combined to form a common correction mechanism. The common correction mechanism is driven by an actuator independent of the common drive mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes to simplify the driving of date and moon phase mechanisms for watches, by creating a simple and reliable mechanism. The invention further proposes to develop a system for displaying the moon phase with a date mechanism having a coaxial hand,

To this end, the invention concerns a date and moon phase display mechanism for watches according to claim1.

The invention also concerns a timepiece movement comprising a date ring with an inner toothing or comprising a drive wheel arranged to drive such a date ring with an inner toothing.

The invention also concerns a watch including such a timepiece movement and/or which includes such a mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention concerns a date and moon phase display mechanism100for watches.

In a first variant, this mechanism100comprises a date ring1with an inner toothing2, arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement200. In a second variant, this mechanism100does not have a date ring1and is then arranged to cooperate with such a date ring1with an inner toothing2of a timepiece movement200.

In one or other variant, mechanism100comprises a moon display wheel set3, which is held in position by a moon jumper39.

Mechanism100comprises drive means5, which are arranged to be actuated by inner toothing2during each rotation of date ring1. These drive means5are arranged to drive moon display wheel set3, by a constant angular pitch, during each rotation of date ring1.

The principle of the invention consists in driving a set of levers actuating moon phase and date wheels. In a particular, but non-limiting manner, the invention makes it possible to use a standard date indicator (the ETA 2824-2 movement, for example), and to add a module which is driven by the date indicator of the basic movement. It is to be noted that the two levers driving the moon phase and date mechanisms are preferably connected by an articulation, particularly on a pin.

According to the invention, drive means5comprise an entry lever50pivoting about an entry axis A5. This entry lever50comprises a first end51, which is arranged to cooperate with inner toothing2, and a second end52, which is arranged to engage and push with a bearing surface72comprised in a main lever7. This main lever7pivots about a main axis A7and is arranged to directly or indirectly control the rotation of moon display wheel set3.

More particularly, main lever7is arranged to indirectly control the rotation of moon display wheel set3, via a secondary lever8pivoting about a secondary axis A8.

More particularly, main lever7and secondary lever8are arranged relative to one another to ensure a delay in movement of secondary lever8relative to main lever7, when main lever7is driven by entry lever50.

In a particular, non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the Figures, main lever7comprises a pin71moving inside an oblong slot81comprised in secondary lever8, to prevent blocking of main lever7and secondary lever8since main axis A7and secondary axis A8are distinct. In a particular application, this oblong slot81can be adjusted in length to ensure the delay in movement of secondary lever8relative to main lever7, when main lever7is driven by entry lever50. This delay can prevent a peak in energy consumption, which would occur in the event that the date display and moon phase display were driven simultaneously.

More particularly, main lever7is resting on a main jumper79, which tends to oppose the thrust force imparted by entry lever50to main lever7.

More particularly, mechanism100comprises a date display wheel set6, which is held in position by a date jumper69. Main lever7is arranged to directly control the rotation of date display wheel set6by a second constant angular pitch during each rotation of date wheel1.

In the variant illustrated by the Figures, main lever7comprises a main beak78arranged to drive a main ratchet wheel forming date display wheel set6, and secondary lever8comprises a secondary beak88arranged to drive a secondary ratchet wheel forming moon display wheel set3.

In the illustrated variant, moon display wheel set3and date display wheel set6are coaxial, and the latter is arranged to carry a hand coaxially. In this particular variant, moon display wheel set3has the same direction of rotation as date display wheel set6.

More particularly, moon display wheel set3and date display wheel set6are two ratchet wheels with opposite directions.

More particularly, mechanism100includes moon display correction means9, which are arranged to be operated by a user, for example via a pusher, against a moon correction jumper99. In the particular illustrated example, the corrector is rotated over an angular displacement of approximately 10° about its axis; its actuation is made possible by an intermediate wheel system in the basic movement, which allows a rapid correction to be made via the control stem of the movement.

More particularly, mechanism100includes, in a similar manner, date display correction means4, which are arranged to be operated by a user, for example via a pusher, against a date correction jumper49.

More particularly, mechanism100forms an independent module, which can be superposed on a timepiece movement200, this movement200comprising a date ring1with an inner toothing2or comprising a drive wheel arranged to drive such a date ring1with an inner toothing2.

The invention also concerns a timepiece movement200comprising a date ring1with an inner toothing2, or comprising a drive wheel arranged to drive such a date ring1with an inner toothing2. According to the invention, this timepiece movement200comprises such a mechanism100, which is arranged to be driven by date ring1, or respectively which includes a date ring1arranged to be driven by the drive wheel.

The invention also concerns a watch1000including such a timepiece movement200and/or which includes such a mechanism100.

The invention allows a standard date indicator (for example of the ETA 2824-2 type) to be used for driving.

Naturally, alternatively and/or in addition to the moon phase display, the invention makes it possible to produce, in the same manner, a similar display, such as a tide or other display.

The invention offers an alternative to the usual date display inside an aperture, with the possibility, based on the same mechanism and at the cost of few transformations, of a display using the date hand.

The common driving of the moon phase and date mechanisms limits the number of components.

The invention is well suited for making an additional module.