Patent Publication Number: US-11650546-B2

Title: Universal watch winding and time-setting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 18208249.5, filed on Nov. 26, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a universal device for the winding and time-setting of a watch comprising an oscillating resonator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency, said universal device comprising means for rewinding and correcting the state of said watch, comprising an automatic winding mechanism for a mechanical or automatic watch which comprises at least one watch reception support, said universal device comprising state measurement means for measuring the state of said watch relative to a reference clock to which refer said state measurement means which comprise a viewing system. 
     The invention further relates to a watch bank comprising such a universal winding and time-setting device, and at least one said watch comprising a time base comprising at least one oscillating resonator, state correction means by means of a control rod provided with a state adjustment organ accessible to the user, power storage means or at least one barrel, and power recharging means. 
     The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the state of a watch. 
     The invention relates to the field of watch maintenance, and devices for quickly providing the user with a watch from their collection, with an updated state setting, a satisfactory running setting, and full power recharge. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current winding mechanisms use a conventional gear between an electric motor and a watch support. This type of transmission is sufficient for continuous rotation, in an economical production at reduced costs, and at low consumption. However, if such a winding mechanism is used for relatively rapid to-and-fro movements, in particular dither, which consists of subjecting the watch to vibrations, by moving with modulated, in particular periodical, adjustment movement, up to a frequency of 10 Hz or more, shock noises are liable to occur, and cause discomfort for the user. 
     Document DE 10 2013 012854 B3 held by GODER describes a watch support device with synchronisation, wherein the running of the watch is detected and corrected automatically by means of the running deviation of the watch according to the position, preferably adopting suitable positions. In an alternative embodiment, the running analysis is carried out according to the temperature. In a further alternative embodiment, the running analysis is carried out in correlation with the degree of winding of the driving spring of the watch. 
     Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,871A held by BONNET describes a mechanical watch winding mechanism apparatus, which comprises a case, a wrist-sized chuck, the watch being placed and kept in the case. A claw mechanism grips the crown of the watch, and is driven by an electric motor. The claws pivot the crown of the watch to rotate same automatically by a predetermined value, and at regular intervals. A control circuit adjusts the frequency at which the watch is rewound, as well as the duration during which the claws are driven by the motor whenever the watch is wound. 
     Document DE10 2008 032124 held by GEHRING describes a device for setting a watch, comprising action means for acting externally upon the watch to set the data and the functions thereof, some of these action means are mechanical action means for acting mechanically upon mechanical interfaces of the watch, such as buttons and/or crowns. 
     A dither method is described by patent applications CH713821 or EP3410235, and CH713822 or EP3410236, of the same applicant, relating respectively to the running adjustment and state correction or a movement or of a watch, and is very advantageous for the correction of slight drifts, for example of the order of a few tens of seconds in one day. However, it does not yet enable correction in less than one day of a state error greater than more or less one minute, for example for time setting after stoppage, or changing to summertime or wintertime, for example. 
     Application CH00624/18, or EP3422119, of the same applicant, relates to a universal watch preparation device, and uses the teachings of the above-mentioned patent applications relative to dither. 
     There is further known, essentially for clocks, Breguet Sympathique Clock type systems, which are only suitable for the time setting of specific watches, by means of a mechanical interaction with a specific interface. 
     Finally, if the minute and second hands are poorly indexed in relation to one another, the information can currently be reported to the Client, but the indexing cannot be corrected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention proposes to set the time of an automatic oscillating watch using a device/apparatus/support. The device enables the winding of the watch, but the principle of the invention is that of only starting when the watch actually displays the current time. 
     For this purpose, the invention relates to a universal device for the winding and time-setting of a watch according to claim  1 . 
     The invention further relates to a watch bank according to claim  11 . 
     The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the state of a watch according to claim  16 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings, where: 
         FIG.  1    represents, schematically, and in a front view, a portion of a universal winding and time-setting device according to the invention, which comprises a winding mechanism which supports a plurality of different watches mounted on the same device, each on a support suitable for at least an oscillation movement, particularly with pivoting; this winding mechanism comprises state measurement means with particularly a fixed viewing system for assessing the state of each watch, and suitable for comparing the time read to a reference clock, herein illustrated by a GPS link; this winding mechanism further comprises a microphone for assessing the frequency and running of the watch; this winding mechanism is a rotary winding mechanism, suitable for bringing successively each watch opposite the viewing system and the microphone, which are herein unique in this particular embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    represents, similarly to  FIG.  1   , a winding mechanism wherein the viewing system and the microphone are mobile, and where the supports are in a fixed position; control means collect the data from the sensors on the running of the watches, on the state thereof, in order to set the automatic winding mechanism in motion at the suitable time; 
         FIG.  3    represents, similarly to  FIG.  2   , a further winding mechanism wherein the viewing system and the microphone are mobile, and where the supports are in a fixed position; 
         FIGS.  4  to  7    illustrate the steps of a method for setting the state of a watch, with a further portion of the universal winding and time-setting device, which comprises a robotic manipulator, and whereby: 
       in  FIG.  4   , a first removable cap suitable for a first crown of the watch is identified; 
       in  FIG.  5    this first crown is pulled; 
       in  FIG.  6    the first crown is equipped with this first removable cap; 
       in  FIG.  7    the watch is placed on a support; 
       in  FIG.  8    an action is performed on a control means to activate the state measurement means and measure the state of the watch; 
       in  FIG.  9    the state of the watch is adjusted by a robotic manipulator controlled by said state control means, and which manipulates this first removable cap; 
       in  FIG.  10   , after a certain time, the user is informed, optionally, of the completion of the setting of the state of their watch by a signal at the level of the control means; 
         FIG.  11    represents, in a schematic, partial, perspective view, the oscillator of a watch held on a support, subject to the action of a state correction device which comprises state control means for controlling a state correction oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency, and subjecting the watch to an oscillation at this correction frequency and/or to a modulated movement, the state correction device comprising state control means arranged to control the oscillation of the state correction oscillator and interfaced with state measurement means for measuring the state of the watch; 
         FIG.  12    represents, in a schematic, partial, perspective view, the oscillator of the watch in  FIG.  11   , where the state control means are further arranged to control an excitation oscillation generated by a master oscillator at an excitation frequency, approximately equal to the nominal frequency of the oscillator of the watch, or to a whole multiple thereof, and which are interfaced with running measurement means for measuring the running deviation of the watch; 
         FIG.  13    represents, in a schematic, partial, perspective view, set on a support, a watch which comprises a barrel and an automatic rewinding mass, a first state correction crown comprising a handling groove, a second rewinding crown comprising a handling groove and herein equipped with a second removable cap arranged to cap same with gripping to allow the handling thereof by a robotic manipulator, and an actuator also suitable for handling by a motorised manipulator; 
         FIG.  14    represents, in the form of a block diagram, a watch bank, which comprises such a universal winding and time-setting device, and watches each comprising an oscillating resonator time base, with running checking means disposed in the vicinity of each resonator, state correction means by means of a control rod provided with a first crown, power storage means or a barrel, power recharging means, particularly arranged completely or partially in the manner of the watch represented in  FIG.  13   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Patent applications CH713821 or EP3410235, and CH713822 or EP3410236, of the same applicant, describe a smart winding mechanism suitable for slaving the frequency of at least one mechanical watch. Different embodiments have been envisaged, in particular alternative embodiments suitable for slaving a plurality of watches on the same device, which represents a recurrent demand from watch enthusiasts and collectors. 
     Naturally, the description provided herein for a watch, in the particular aim of an embodiment of the invention by a user, is applicable to an uncased movement, in a factory or servicing department. The term “watch” is therefore used by simplification, equally well for a complete watch as for the movement thereof alone. 
     The invention, preferably to be included in a winding mechanism, is intended to stop the watch, or at least allow the watch to stop, using the natural discharge of the barrel when it is immobile, before winding same to restart it when the current time matches the time displayed. 
     Application CH713821 or EP3410235 describes a device for winding an automatic watch as well as measuring the winding level thereof. Therefore, it particularly makes it possible to measure or check the stoppage thereof. 
     Once the watch has stopped, the device stops the winding activity thereof until the information displayed by the watch matches the current time. Thus, for a watch only displaying the time in the twelve-hour format, with two or three hands, the maximum duration for time setting is the total power reserve thereof and twelve hours. For example, for a change to summertime (going forward one hour), the time required is the total power reserve thereof and eleven hours. 
     For a watch displaying the date, it is possible to set the time within a maximum duration which is the total power reserve thereof and twenty-four hours at most, provided that the watch is equipped with a quick date setting and that this setting is left up to the client. As a general rule, the maximum time required for time setting with this device is equal to the total power reserve, on one hand, and, on the other, the period at which the dial indications return to the same position, with the exception of those left up to the client to set. 
     The majority of watches have a power reserve between 30 and 80 hours, and have a display in twelve-hour format, without the date, or with quick date setting, therefore the time is set in a few days, which corresponds well to the occasional use of users possessing winding mechanisms. 
     When an automatic watch is stopped, the exact time that it is restarted by means of rotary movements is poorly known. Further, with an almost empty barrel, the running of the watch is frequently not as good as with a full barrel. Thus, this time-setting device is liable to cause running errors of a few seconds. 
     Therefore, it is advantageously associated with the fine state setting described in applications CH713821 or EP3410235, and CH713822 or EP3410236, and CH00624/18, or EP3422119, the content whereof is incorporated herein by way of reference. Furthermore, this procedure requires knowledge of the time displayed by the watch, as described in the above-mentioned applications. 
     More particularly, the invention relates to a universal device  1000  for the winding and time-setting of a watch  1  comprising an oscillating resonator  2 . This resonator  2  is arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0. 
     The universal device  1000  comprises means for rewinding and correcting the state of the watch  1 , which comprise an automatic winding mechanism  304  for a mechanical or automatic watch, which comprises at least one watch reception support  305 . 
     The universal device  1000  comprises state measurement means  303  for measuring the state of the watch  1  relative to a reference clock  1001 , to which refer these state measurement means  303 , which comprise a viewing system  1002 . 
     The universal device  1000  comprises stoppage monitoring means  500 , which are arranged to observe the stoppage or running of such an oscillating resonator  2  of a watch  1 . Also, the universal device  1000  comprises control means  900 , which are arranged, upon observation of a stoppage by the stoppage monitoring means  500 , to identify, according to data transmitted by the state measurement means  303 , the stoppage time displayed by the watch  1  in the stoppage position thereof. These control means  900  are further arranged to compute the time remaining until a next synchronisation time between the actual time indicated by the reference clock  1001  and this stoppage time, and to, when this remaining time has elapsed, activate the automatic winding mechanism  304  for rewinding the power storage means of the watch  1 , and thus allow the restart thereof. 
     More particularly, the universal device  1000  comprises at least one state correction device  300  for correcting the state of the watch  1 . 
     This state correction device  300  comprises this automatic winding mechanism  304 , the support  305  whereof is subjected to the oscillations or movements generated by a state correction oscillator  301 . This state correction oscillator  301  is arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency NC, and to subject the watch  1  to an oscillation at the correction frequency NC and/or to a modulated movement. 
     The state correction device  300  further comprises state control means  302 , which are arranged to control the oscillation of the state correction oscillator  301 , and which are interfaced with the state measurement means  303 . 
     According to the invention, the universal device  1000  comprises running monitoring means  800  of such an oscillating resonator  2 . Also, in the event of activation of the automatic winding mechanism  304 , the control means  900  are arranged to await the determination of the stabilisation of the running of the oscillating resonator  2  at the nominal frequency N0 thereof by these running monitoring means  800 , before allowing a fine adjustment of the state of the watch  1 . 
     Thus, more particularly, in the event of activation of the automatic winding mechanism  304 , the control means  900  are arranged to await the determination of the stabilisation of the running of the oscillating resonator  2  at the nominal frequency N0 thereof by the running monitoring means  800 , before activating the state correction device  300  for the fine adjustment of the state of the watch  1  with reference to the reference clock  1001 . 
     When the universal device  1000  comprises a state correction device  300  with state control means  302 , these state control means  302  are advantageously interfaced with running measurement means  203  for measuring the running deviation of a watch  1 . Also, these state control means  302  are then arranged to control a running setting of the oscillating resonator  2  of this watch  1 , and to control an excitation oscillation generated by a master oscillator  201  at an excitation frequency NE, approximately equal to the nominal frequency N0 of the watch  1 , or to a whole multiple thereof, with a master running deviation value AM relative to a reference  202 , which is less than the initial running deviation value DI of the watch  1 . Also, in the event of activation of the automatic winding mechanism  304 , the control means  900  are arranged to control on the state control means  302  the triggering of a running setting of the oscillating resonator  2 . More particularly, the same oscillator forms both the state correction oscillator  301  and the master oscillator  201 . 
     Particularly, the rewinding and state correction means comprise at least one robotic manipulator  306  for handling a state setting organ of a watch  1  accessible to the user, such as a crown, bezel, or similar. This robotic manipulator  306  is advantageously arranged for handling a cap closing with gripping this state setting organ, or for gripping a peripheral groove comprised by this state setting organ. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the automatic winding mechanism  304  comprises at least one robotic manipulator  306  for recharging power storage means  5  with power, comprised by the watch  1 , by direct handling of a rewinding organ accessible to the user, such as a crown, bolt, button, or similar, or for handling a cap closing with gripping this rewinding organ. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the automatic winding mechanism  304  for a mechanical or automatic watch is motorised, and suitable for performing automatic rewinding of an automatic watch by setting in motion the watch  1  and the oscillating mass thereof, and/or by magnetic drive of the oscillating mass thereof. 
     When the universal device  1000  comprises a state correction device  300  with state control means  302 , these state control means  302  are advantageously arranged to generate, if the state deviation with the reference clock  1001  is less than one minute, the oscillation of the state correction oscillator  301  to return the state of the watch to the value of the reference clock  1001 , or, if the state deviation with the reference clock is greater than one minute, the handling of a robotic manipulator  306  on a state setting organ of a watch  1  accessible to the user, for adjusting the state of the watch  1 . 
     When the state control means  302  are interfaced with running measurement means  203 , the latter comprise, in an advantageous alternative embodiment, at least one microphone  1003  for assessing the frequency, running, and amplitude of the oscillating resonator  2 . Also, in the event of the observation of a running deviation greater than a predetermined threshold, the state control means  302  are arranged to control at least one excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator  201  at the excitation frequency NE, to return the running deviation to an intermediate value between the master value AM and the initial running deviation value DI. 
     Patent applications CH00624/18 and EP3422119 describe further particular features, which relate to various embodiments and alternative embodiments of the cited devices, directly applicable to and integrable in the universal device according to the present invention. 
     Similarly, the invention advantageously applies to a watch bank  2000 , which may be a user&#39;s collection, or the stock of a retail store, or other. 
     Such a watch bank  2000  advantageously comprises such a universal winding and time-setting device  1000  described above, and at least one watch  1 . This at least one watch  1  comprises a time base comprising at least one oscillating resonator  2 , state correction means by means of a control rod provided with a state setting organ of a watch  1  accessible to the user, such as a crown, bezel or similar, power storage means  5  or at least one barrel, and power recharging means  6 . More particularly, these power recharging means  6  comprise an automatic rewinding mechanism comprising at least one oscillating mass  7  and/or a manual rewinding mechanism by means of the control rod or by means of a winding mechanism  8  comprising a rewinding organ accessible to the user. 
     More particularly, at least one watch  1  of this watch bank  2000  comprises, for the automatic recharging thereof with power, a groove about the rewinding organ thereof, and/or a cap arranged to cap with gripping this rewinding organ to allow the translational and/or rotational handling thereof by a robotic manipulator  306 . 
     According to the invention, the power recharging means  6  comprise an automatic rewinding mechanism comprising at least one mobile component inside the case of a watch  1  and arranged to be driven contactlessly by contactless drive means comprised by the automatic winding mechanism  304  or the support  305 , or by a magnetic or electrostatic field. 
     More particularly, at least one watch  1  of the watch bank  2000  comprises a removable watch cap, of complementary internal profile to a state setting organ or to a rewinding organ or to an actuator  10 , accessible to the user, comprised by the watch  1 , which removable cap is hinged and/or elastically deformable between a first presentation position where the removable cap is radially or frontally insertable on a state setting organ or on a rewinding organ or on an actuator  10 , and a second gripping position where the removable cap is suitable for closing the state setting organ or the rewinding organ or the actuator  10  with longitudinal and/or radial gripping. Also, this removable cap comprises external gripping means  11 , which are arranged, in the second gripping position thereof, to allow the handling thereof in all the degrees of freedom by a robotic manipulator  306 . 
     More particularly, each watch  1  comprised by the watch bank  2000  comprises, for the automatic state setting thereof, a groove about a state setting organ thereof, and/or a cap arranged to cap with gripping a state setting organ accessible to the user to allow the translational and/or rotational handling thereof by a robotic manipulator  306 . 
     Here again, patent applications CH00624/18 and EP3422119 describe further particular features, which relate to various embodiments and alternative embodiments of the cited devices, directly applicable to and integrable in the watch bank according to the present invention. 
     Also similarly, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the state of a watch  1  of such a watch bank  2000 : a removable cap suitable for a state setting organ or for an actuator  10  of the watch  1  is identified, this state setting organ or this actuator  10  is pulled (or compressed depending on the case), the state setting organ of the actuator  10  is equipped with the removable cap, the watch  1  is placed on a support  305  of the universal winding and time-setting device  1000 , an action is carried out on a control means  18  to activate the state measurement means  303  and make a state measurement of the watch  1 , and the state of the watch  1  is adjusted by the robotic manipulator  306  controlled by the state control means  302 . 
     Here again, patent applications CH00624/18 and EP3422119 describe further particular features, which relate to various embodiments and alternative embodiments of the cited devices, directly applicable to and integrable in this adjustment method according to the present invention.