CH715982B1 - Wristwatch with integrated battery in the clasp. - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery-operated wristwatch according to the invention comprises a watch case (8), two strap parts (6, 7) and a clasp, in which a battery housing (15) comprising a battery is integrated into the clasp. One of the bracelet parts (7) includes power transmission wires. The battery housing (15) is coupled to the power transmission bracelet part (7) by a first coupling (16) which enables the transmission of supply power. Likewise, the power transmission bracelet part (7) is coupled to the watch case (8) by a second coupling (17) which allows the transmission of power supply from the battery to the watch case. Particular embodiments relate to a watch provided with a deployable clasp comprising clasp portions (20, 21) which can be folded together, and in which the battery housing (15) is attached to one of the clasp portions .

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to battery-powered wristwatches, not exclusively but mainly watches of the smart watch type.

State of the art

[0002] Smart watches require power sources of greater capacity than standard watches. The batteries are therefore more bulky and integrating the battery into the watch itself becomes difficult. Currently known solutions to this problem include power sources built into the bracelet and connected to the watch case by standard plug-in connectors, making the bracelet stiff and uncomfortable to wear.

Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to provide a wristwatch which overcomes the drawbacks described above. This aim is achieved by a wristwatch as described in the appended claims. A battery-operated wristwatch according to the invention comprises a watch case, two strap parts and a clasp, in which a battery housing comprising a battery is integrated into the clasp. One of the bracelet parts, hereinafter referred to as the power transmission or power supply bracelet part, includes power transmission wires. The battery housing is coupled to the power transmission bracelet portion by a first connection which allows the transmission of a power signal. Likewise, the power transmission bracelet part is connected to the watch case by a second connection which allows the transmission of the power signal from the battery to the watch case.

[0004] The clasp can be any type of clasp known in the art, with the addition of the battery housing fixed to a portion of the clasp. The securing of the battery housing to the clasp portion may be an immovable securing, that is to say the battery housing is permanently fixed on the clasp portion or integral with said portion, or the housing may be fixed to the clasp portion while still allowing relative movement of the housing relative to the clasp portion. In particular, the battery housing can be fixed with the ability to rotate relative to the clasp portion.

[0005] Particular embodiments relate to a wristwatch comprising a deployable clasp, which includes a first and a second clasp portion arranged to pivot relative to each other. According to the invention, the battery housing is fixed to one of the two clasp portions, and the housing is further coupled in rotation to the power transmission bracelet part, by a rotary and power transmission coupling or connection. power. A preferred embodiment of the deployable clasp in a watch according to the invention includes clasp portions in the form of frame elements, one of the elements of which is fixed in rotation to the battery housing and in which the frame elements are configured to fit around the battery compartment when the clasp is in the closed position.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the rotary coupling capable of transmitting a power signal includes rounded contacts arranged on a rod having a circular section. The rod is itself mounted laterally on a groove section. The rotary coupling further includes a hollow cylindrical tab provided with spring contacts and a locking lobe. The locking lobe is configured to permit axial insertion and withdrawal of the shank and groove section in the tab in a defined angular position of the shank, while blocking withdrawal of the shank in other angular positions , thus achieving an easily detachable coupling.

[0007] The invention proposes to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. The battery compartment is located on the outside of the watch case and outside of the watch band. According to preferred embodiments, the battery housing is easily exchangeable, thereby facilitating replacement of the battery and/or replacement of the bracelet parts. Specific embodiments further enable improved solutions for charging the battery.

Brief description of the figures

[0008] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate the concept of a wristwatch equipped with a deployable buckle clasp of the prior art. Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a wristwatch according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the battery housing is immovably fixed to the surface of one of the deployable buckle clasp portions. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a wristwatch according to a second embodiment, in which the battery housing is fixed in rotation to a clasp portion and in which the clasp portions are frame elements which are positioned around the housing battery when the clasp is in the closed position. Figures 4a and 4b show two different 3D views of the battery housing used in the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, in order to illustrate part of a rotary and power transmission coupling according to one embodiment of the 'invention. Figure 4c illustrates the second part of the rotary coupling illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the assembly and attachment of the rotary coupling shown in Figures 4a to 4c. Figures 6a and 6b illustrate two possible embodiments of spring contacts used in the rotary coupling shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 7a illustrates a charging device suitable for charging the watch shown in Figures 3a and 3b. Figure 7b illustrates how the watch is mounted on the charging device.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0009] In order to define part of the terminology used in the present description, the well-known principle of a wristwatch comprising a deployable buckle clasp is illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b, showing a watch in the open and closed positions. closed respectively. The clasp comprises two curved clasp portions 1 and 2 which are rotatably coupled to each other by means of a central pivot 3. The clasp portions 1 and 2 are further coupled by rotary couplings 4 and 5 at the respective ends of the two bracelet parts 6 and 11 of the wristwatch. The bracelet parts are coupled or connected at their opposite ends to the watch case 8, preferably by rotary couplings 9 and 10. As illustrated in Figure 1b: to close the clasp, the two portions 1 and 2 are folded on top of each other, and a locking mechanism is operated to lock the clasp portions 1 and 2 to each other in the closed position. This mechanism is not shown in the schematic drawings of Figure 1, as it is well known in the art. It may be a snap closure or the like. The curved bracelet portions 1 and 2 can be curved plate elements, one plate element being housed on the other element in the closed position. Alternatively, the clasp portions may be curved beam or frame elements shaped so that one element fits within the other when folded over each other, so that the two elements are in the same curved plane when the clasp is closed.

[0010] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a battery-powered wristwatch according to one embodiment of the invention. Some of the components designated in Figures 1a and 1b are indicated by the same numerical references: the clasp portions 1 and 2, the central pivot 3, the first bracelet part 6, the watch case 8 and the couplings (preferably) rotary 4 and 9. The clasp portions 1 and 2 are curved plate elements, and the battery housing 15 comprising the battery is fixed to the surface of the second clasp portion 2, for example by welding or gluing the housing to the surface of the clasp portion 2. The housing 15 could also be integral with the clasp portion 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 15 itself is shaped like a rectangular box (i.e. a prism having a rectangular base) which is slightly curved and has the same curvature as the curved clasp portion 2 to which it is attached. In any embodiment of the invention, the housing 15 is formed of a material having suitable properties in order to protect the battery from mechanical forces and impacts. Various suitable metal or plastic materials can be used. In variants, the housing could take a different shape, for example the shape of a prism having a circular or elliptical base.

The housing 15 is coupled in rotation to the second bracelet part 7, hereinafter referred to as the power transmission or power supply bracelet part 7, by a rotary coupling 16 which allows the transmission of a signal power supply from the battery to the watch case 8, via electric wires (not shown) integrated into the power transmission bracelet part 7. A preferred embodiment of the rotary coupling 16 will be described below. A second power transmission coupling 17, preferably a rotary coupling and preferably of the same type as the first rotary coupling 16, is arranged between the power transmission bracelet part 7 and the watch case 8. Figures 2a and 2b are again concept drawings. The exact shape of the battery housing 15 and the clasp portions 1 and 2 can be optimized to maximize user comfort. A locking mechanism for locking the clasp is not shown in this drawing but can be made according to any system known in the art.

[0012] According to another embodiment illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the clasp portions are formed as rectangular frame elements 20 and 21 which are positioned around the battery housing 15 when the clasp is in the closed condition. Figure 3a shows the watch in the open condition. The battery compartment is again shaped like a rectangular, slightly curved box. A number of the components described above are again recognizable: the watch case 8, the first bracelet part 6 and the power transmission bracelet part 7, the battery housing 15, the pivot 3, the standard couplings (that is to say not transmitting power) 4 and 9, the power transmission couplings 16 and 17. The first clasp portion 20 is coupled in rotation to the first bracelet part 6, as in the mode previous achievement. The second clasp portion 21 is secured in rotation to the battery housing 15 by a non-removable rotary coupling 22. It could also be a removable coupling of any known type. The frame-shaped clasp portions 20 and 21 are preferably slightly curved of the same curvature as the battery housing 15, and sized to fit around the circumference of the battery housing 15.

[0013] The operation of the clasp shown in Figures 3a and 3b is described below. The second clasp portion 21 is pivoted by the wearer around the axis of the coupling 22, said axis being positioned on the lower side of the thickness of the housing so that, when the second clasp portion 21 is folded over the housing 15 , it surrounds said lower side in the closed position of the clasp (see Figure 3b). By folding the second clasp portion 21 in this way, the first clasp portion 20 is positioned around the upper side of the thickness of the housing, that is to say that the battery housing 15 is housed at the inside of each of the clasp portions 20 and 21 which surround the housing respectively at its lower end and its upper end as is visible in the direction perpendicular to the curved surface of the housing. The second clasp portion 21 further comprises an instant closure 23 configured to snap onto a pin 24 located on the side of the battery housing 15, opposite the side where the coupling 22 is located. By snapping the closure 23 onto the pin 24, the clasp is locked. The advantage of this embodiment is that in the closed position, the thickness of the clasp is the same as the thickness of the housing, thus allowing a thinner clasp design in comparison to the first embodiment described above.

[0014] In any of the embodiments described above, the rotary coupling 16 between the battery housing 15 and the power transmission bracelet portion 7 must be configured to allow the transmission of a signal. supply of the battery inside the housing 15 to the watch case 8, via power transmission wires integrated in the power transmission bracelet part 7, and through a second power transmission coupling 17 between the bracelet part 7 and the watch case 8. Preferably, the first and second power transmission couplings 16 and 17 are constructed in the same way. A rotary and power transmission coupling suitable for this purpose can be practiced in a variety of ways, and possibly according to designs known in the art. A new mechanism for producing the couplings 16 and/or 17 is used in the watch illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, and described in more detail below, with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The additional advantage of this embodiment particular is that the coupling can be decoupled by the wearer of the watch, allowing easy replacement of the bracelet parts 6 and 7 and/or the battery housing 15.

[0015] Figures 4a and 4b show separate 3D views taken from different angles of the battery housing 15 used in the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, illustrating a part of the rotary coupling 16 between the housing 15 and the part of power transmission bracelet 7. A rod 25 of circular section is secured to a short side of the housing 15. The rod is immovably secured to the housing via a groove section 26. The rod 25 and the groove section 26 can be uniform with the housing 15. The rod 25 comprises two rounded contacts 27, the curvature of the contacts being essentially the same as that of the external surface of the rod. The contacts 27 are spaced apart and can be placed symmetrically with respect to the middle section of the rod 25. Inside the rod 25 and the groove section 26, there are conductive paths, which connect the contacts 27 directly to the terminals of the battery or first to the circuits in the battery case and then to the terminals of the battery.

[0016] Below the rod 25, a groove 29 extends from one end of the rod, passing the two contacts 27, to a point beyond the two contacts 27. Alternatively, the groove 29 can extend the entire length of the rod 25. Along the circumference of the rod 25, the rounded contacts 27 extend from the groove 29 to the upper side of the groove section 26. The rod 25 and the section groove 26 may be formed of metal which may be the same metal as the material of the battery housing when the groove section and the stem are uniform with the housing 15. The rounded contacts 27 may be gold-plated metal portions or angled flexible circuit board portions. The rounded contacts 27 could also be formed of electrically conductive plastic materials.

[0017] Figure 4c illustrates the second part of the rotary coupling 16, arranged at the distal end of the power transmission bracelet part 7. This second part comprises a hollow cylindrical tab 30 secured to the distal end of the bracelet part 7. The tab 30 comprises a closed end 31 and an open end 32, and a perforated portion 33 in the side wall of the tab. The perforated portion 33 exposes at least part of the distal end of the power transmission bracelet part 7, the distal end in which two spring-loaded electrical contacts 34 are integrated, connected to integrated electrical conductors (not shown). in the bracelet part 7. In the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tab 30, the perforated portion 33 extends between the closed end 31 of the tab, and a blocking lobe 35 on the opposite side of the tab. The locking lobe 35 is rounded so as to define a round entry passage 36 for axial insertion or withdrawal of the rod 25 into or from the interior of the tab 30. The spacing between the distal end of the blocking lobe 35 and the side wall of the tab 30 allows the passage of the groove section 26.

The insertion of the rod 25 into the tab is illustrated in Figure 5a. The groove section 26 and the blocking lobe 35 are positioned so that insertion is possible - by the passage of the groove section 26 through the gap between the end of the blocking lobe 35 and the side wall of the tab 30 - only when the watch is not worn around the wrist of the wearer, and at an angle or in a very limited range of the angle between the power transmission bracelet part 7 and the housing 15. As the shows Figure 5a, at this angle or in this angular range, the bracelet part 7 is folded practically completely towards the battery housing 15. The groove 29 is positioned so that at this angular position, the groove is aligned with the spring contacts 34. The width and depth of the groove 29 are configured so that the spring contacts 34 do not contact any conductive material at the angular position which is required for insertion or removal of the rod 25. In this way, a short circuit during insertion or removal of the rod 25 is prevented. The groove 29 could be filled with an electrically insulating material, or could be replaced by a strip of insulating material. Once the rod 25 is fully inserted into the tab 30, and the groove section 26 has passed the blocking lobe 35, the bracelet portion 7 can be folded, thus establishing electrical contact between the spring contacts 34 and the rounded contacts 27, in any of the angular positions appearing when the watch is worn by the user. The blocking lobe 35 obstructs the release of the coupling in these angular positions, preventing axial movement of the groove section 26, so that the rod 25 remains securely housed within the tab 30.

The coupling can be disengaged by the wearer after removing the watch. The power transmission bracelet portion 7 is again bent towards the battery housing 15 until the groove section 26 is aligned with the gap, after which the rod 25 can slide out of the tab, while groove 29 again prevents a short circuit. Preferably, the same rotary coupling is mounted between the watch case 8 and the power transmission bracelet part 7, and similar couplings, but without the contacts, are used between the other bracelet part 6, of a on one hand, the watch case 8 and, on the other hand, the clasp. This allows easy replacement of the two bracelet parts 6 and 7.

[0020] The spring contacts 34 are incorporated into the distal end of the power transmission bracelet portion 7, and ensure that a conductive path is created between the rounded contacts 27 on the rod 25 and the wires embedded in the bracelet part 7. Figures 6a and 6b illustrate two possible ways of putting the spring contacts 34 into practice. Figure 6a shows an embodiment with a helical spring. Figure 6b shows an embodiment with a flat V-shaped spring. None of these drawings show the wires integrated into the bracelet part 7, nor the conductive paths within the rod 25 and the groove section 26 .

[0021] The rotary coupling illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 can be provided with a sealing material to make the coupling watertight. The sealing material can for example be placed inside the tab 30 (as shown) or on the rod 25, so as to be pressed between the rod 25 and the tab 30 when the rod is fully inserted into the tab .

[0022] The rotary coupling shown in Figures 4 and 5 is compact in comparison to existing solutions involving standard plug-in connectors intended to connect the battery to the watch case and to a charger. The watch shown in Figures 3a and 3b can be charged by coming into direct contact with the rounded contacts 27. A suitable charging device is shown in Figure 7a. It includes a rounded cylindrical body 40 sized approximately like an average human wrist, and two charging contacts 41 spaced the same distance as the rounded contacts 27 on the stem 25 coupled to the battery housing 15. The watch can be placed on the device load as shown in Figure 7b. The rounded contacts 27 are placed on the charging contacts 41, in order to charge the battery.

[0023] The rotary coupling of Figures 3 to 5 can be reversed, that is to say that the rod 25 and the groove section 26 can be mounted on the distal end of the power transmission bracelet part 7 , while the tab 30 and the spring contacts 34 are mounted on the battery housing 15.

[0024] The battery housing in any embodiment according to the invention comprises the battery as it is, and may further comprise one or more of the following components: a charging circuit, a battery management circuit , a voltage converter, a display intended to indicate the state of charge of the battery (for example an LED or a light strip). The state of charge of the battery is preferably also transmitted to the watch case, and indicated by the watch. This can be achieved by transmitting a state of charge signal over separate wires incorporated in the power transmission bracelet portion, i.e. wires separate from the power transmission wires. Alternatively, the state of charge could be transmitted by covering the power transmission wires with frequency signals.

[0025] In any of the embodiments described above, the bracelet parts 6 and 7 can be formed of any bracelet material known in the field, such as leather, plastic or metal provided that the respective power transmission wires having different polarity are isolated from each other. The power transmission bracelet part 7 can for example be made of plastic, the power transmission wires being encapsulated by the plastic material by plastic injection molding. Alternatively, the threads could be sewn into the leather strap portion.

[0026] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail using the drawings and the preceding description, these drawings and descriptions should be considered as illustrative or as non-limiting examples. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and carried out by those skilled in the art in implementing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the plural. The mere fact that certain measures are specified in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of those measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference sign in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (13)

1. Battery-operated wristwatch comprising a watch case (8), a first bracelet part (6) and a second bracelet part (7) coupled to opposite sides of the watch case, and a clasp for closing the bracelet parts around the wrist of a wearer, characterized in that the watch comprises a battery housing (15) containing a battery intended to power the watch case (8), and in which: – the battery housing (15) is integrated into the clasp, – one of the bracelet parts comprises power transmission wires, and is hereinafter referred to as the power transmission bracelet part (7), – the battery housing (15) is coupled to the power transmission bracelet part (7), by a first power transmission coupling (16) which allows the transmission of power to the watch case (8), by through the power transmission bracelet part (7), – the power transmission bracelet part (7) is coupled to the watch case (8) by a second power transmission coupling (17). 2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the clasp is a deployable buckle clasp mounted between the distal ends of the bracelet parts (6, 7), the clasp comprising a first and a second curved clasp portion (1, 2; 20, 21) which can pivot relative to each other so that they can be folded over one another, the clasp further comprising a mechanism (23, 24) intended to lock the clasp around the wearer's wrist when the clasp portions are completely folded over one another, and in which: – the battery housing (15) is fixed to the first or second clasp portion, – the first power transmission coupling (16) between the battery housing (15) and the power transmission bracelet part (7) is a rotary coupling. 3. Wristwatch according to claim 2, in which the clasp portions (20, 21) are frame elements dimensioned and configured to be positioned around the battery housing (15) when the frame elements are folded one on the other. 4. Wristwatch according to claim 3, wherein the frame elements are respectively positioned around a lower portion and an upper portion of the battery housing when the clasp is in the closed position. 5. Wristwatch according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the battery housing (15) is curved, having substantially the same curvature as the clasp portion (2, 21) to which it is fixed. 6. Wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first power transmission coupling (16) is a rotary coupling comprising: – a cylindrical rod (25) having a circular section, in which a portion of the side wall of the rod is immovably secured to a groove section (26), and in which the rod further comprises rounded contacts (27 ) spaced in the longitudinal direction of the rod and an insulating strip or groove (29) adjacent to the groove section (26) and extending at least from one end of the rod (25) to a location beyond both rounded contacts (27), – a pair of spring contacts (34) spaced at the same distance as the pair of rounded contacts (27), – a hollow cylindrical tab (30) comprising a closed end (31) and an open end (32), and a perforated portion (33) of the side wall of the tab (30) extending between the closed end and the open end, said perforated portion being configured to expose the pair of spring contacts (34), and in which: o The open end (32) includes a blocking lobe (35) configured to define a circular inlet passage (36) interrupted by a gap, the inlet passage being dimensioned to allow axial insertion of the rod ( 25) in the tab, while the spacing allows the insertion of the groove section (26), o the groove section (26) is positioned so that insertion or withdrawal of the rod (25) into or from the tab (30) is only possible at angular positions of the rod at which the insulating strip or groove (29) is aligned with the spring contacts (34), while at other angular positions the rounded contacts (27) contact the spring contacts (34) when the rod is fully inserted into the tab , o the angular positions at which the band or groove (29) is aligned with the spring contacts are not accessible when the wristwatch is worn around a user's wrist. 7. Wristwatch according to claim 6, wherein the rotary coupling (16) further comprises an articulation. 8. Wristwatch according to claim 6, wherein the groove section (26) is immovably secured to the battery housing (15), and wherein the tab (30) is immovably secured to a distal end of the power transmission bracelet part (7) and wherein the spring contacts (34) are incorporated in said distal end of said power transmission bracelet part (7). 9. Wristwatch according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the same type of rotary coupling is mounted between the power transmission bracelet part (7) and the watch case (8). 10. Wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery housing (15) is shaped like a rectangular box, optionally like a curved rectangular box. 11. Wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the battery housing (15) comprises one or more of the following components: a voltage converter circuit, a battery management circuit, a charging circuit, a charging indicator. 12. Wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wristwatch is a smart watch. 13. Wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery housing (15) and the frame elements (20, 21) are rectangular in shape.