EP0556155A1 - Water-tight control device for a watch - Google Patents

Water-tight control device for a watch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0556155A1
EP0556155A1 EP93810069A EP93810069A EP0556155A1 EP 0556155 A1 EP0556155 A1 EP 0556155A1 EP 93810069 A EP93810069 A EP 93810069A EP 93810069 A EP93810069 A EP 93810069A EP 0556155 A1 EP0556155 A1 EP 0556155A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seal
crown
annular cavity
sleeve
cavity
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93810069A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0556155B1 (en
Inventor
Jacques-André Gallay
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rolex SA
Original Assignee
Montres Rolex SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Montres Rolex SA filed Critical Montres Rolex SA
Publication of EP0556155A1 publication Critical patent/EP0556155A1/en
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Publication of EP0556155B1 publication Critical patent/EP0556155B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems
    • G04B37/103—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems by screwing the crown onto the case

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control device for a watch, comprising a crown which has a central cavity surrounded by an annular cavity, a seal disposed in said annular cavity, a sleeve fixed by its end in said central cavity, a watch control rod, disposed inside the sleeve, this rod and this sleeve having complementary coupling means for driving the rod in rotation and in translation, a spring disposed in the sleeve between its end and that of the control rod for engaging said coupling means, and a tube integral with the middle part of the watch, inside which the sleeve is free to move and having a protruding part intended to be screwed into the annular cavity of the crown and, in the screwed position, compressing the seal by its end.
  • the seal placed in the annular cavity is a seal of rectangular section, obtained by cutting an elastomer sheet of desired thickness.
  • the face of this seal adjacent to the bottom of the annular cavity is bonded to prevent the seal from rotating in the cavity when the crown is screwed on.
  • the crown When the crown is connected to a winding and time-setting stem of an automatic winding watch, it can remain screwed on for several days, even several consecutive weeks.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved waterproof control device for a watch as defined by claim 1.
  • Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a watch case middle provided with this control device illustrated with the crown unscrewed.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 very partially illustrate the part of a case middle 1 crossed by the control device object of the invention.
  • This middle part 1 has a passage 2 provided with a thread 3 into which a tube 4 is screwed.
  • a metal seal 5 is interposed between a bearing surface 6 of the tube 4 and a clearance 7 surrounding the entrance to the passage 2.
  • the bottom of the annular cavity 15 has a groove 18 which extends the external lateral face of the annular cavity.
  • This groove 18 is narrower than the annular cavity, so as not to weaken the base of the tubular wall 16, urged by the screwing of the sleeve 11 against the metal seal 14.
  • a seal 19 of complementary shape that is to say that it comprises two annular portions of the same outside diameters, but of different inside diameters.
  • the portion of larger internal diameter 19a is that which engages in the groove 18 and that of smaller internal diameter 19b occupies the bottom of the annular cavity 15. It is against its free face that the end of the tube 4 is applied in the screwed position of the crown 13 (fig. 2).
  • the inner part of the sleeve 11 contains a coupling mechanism comprising a coupling member 20 comprising at one end a threaded hole 21 for receiving the end of a control rod, in particular a winding and setting rod on time, possibly date setting.
  • the coupling member 20 therefore forms an integral part of the control rod.
  • On the external face of this coupling member is a part of polygonal cross section 22. This cross section is complementary to that 23 which is formed at the end 11b of the sleeve 11.
  • a thin cylindrical section 24 is formed on the coupling member adjacent to the polygonal cross-section part 22 and on the opposite side thereof with respect to the threaded bore 21.
  • this cylindrical section 24 is chosen so as to allow it to slide freely inside the sleeve 11 and to abut against the polygonal cross-section end 23 of the sleeve 11.
  • a cylindrical part 25 of smaller diameter than the cylindrical section 24 terminates this coupling member 20.
  • the spring 26 applies the bearing formed between the cylindrical section 24 and the part of polygonal cross section 22 against the bearing formed at the end 11b of the sleeve 11 by the polygonal cross section 23, so that this sleeve 11 integral with the crown 13 and the coupling member 20 are integral in rotation.
  • the respective adjacent bearing surfaces of the polygonal cross section 23 and of the cylindrical section 24 also make it possible to axially move the coupling member 20 and therefore the rod which is integral with it outwards, in one or more positions, to set the time and possibly the date.
  • Hytrel is the trademark registered by Du Pont de Nemours for the range of its technical thermoplastic elastomers. They are block copolymers, consisting of hard (crystalline) segments of polybutylene terephthalate and soft (amorphous) segments based on long chain polyether glycols. Their properties are determined by the value of the ratio between hard and soft segments and by their arrangement.
  • the seal 19 is glued to ensure attachment making it impossible to attempt removal without destruction.
  • the sealing of the crown it is indeed necessary, if necessary, to change the whole crown and not to replace the seal. Indeed, its installation and bonding constitute a delicate operation which can only be ensured correctly during manufacture.
  • the bonding surface must be perfectly smooth and clean, which cannot be guaranteed if the joint is changed.
  • Hytrel (R) is a thermoplastic elastomer, a product that is very difficult to bond. To this is added the very small dimension of the joint and the fact that the adhesive must in no case come into contact with the free face of the joint. It must be fluid enough not to form a local excess thickness capable of deforming the flatness of the free face. Finally, it must not stick too quickly to allow it to work under industrial conditions.
  • the surfaces of the seal to be bonded are cleaned and degreased using a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone. Then allowed to dry 30 minutes to 1 hour before applying Thixon (R) 412/413 mixed in equal parts and which is left to dry for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone.
  • the other solution is to apply an activator against the surfaces of the joint to be bonded.
  • This activator is based on ethanol / ethyl acetate sold under the brand Pascoprime (R) . Then, an adhesive sold under the brand Pascopepp (R) is applied to this activator.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)

Abstract

This device includes a crown (13) having a central cavity (12) and an annular cavity (15), in the back of which a groove (18) is accommodated. The lateral external face of the annular cavity (15) has a threading (17) intended to be screwed onto a threading made on the external lateral face (8) of an outside part of a tube (4) screwed into a watchcase calibre (1). A seal (19) of injected thermoplastic elastomer is arranged inside the annular cavity (15). This seal includes two portions (19a, 19b) of like external diameters but of unlike inside diameters, the portion of larger outside diameter (19a) engaging into the groove (18) and the portion (19b) of smaller inside diameter being that acted upon by the tube (4) in the screwed-home position of the crown. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un dispositif de commande pour montre, comportant une couronne qui présente une cavité centrale entourée par une cavité annulaire, un joint d'étanchéité disposé dans ladite cavité annulaire, un manchon fixé par son extrémité dans ladite cavité centrale, une tige de commande de la montre, disposée à l'intérieur du manchon, cette tige et ce manchon présentant des moyens d'accouplement complémentaires pour l'entraînement de la tige en rotation et en translation, un ressort disposé dans le manchon entre son extrémité et celle de la tige de commande pour mettre en prise lesdits moyens d'accouplement, et un tube solidaire de la carrure de la montre, à l'intérieur duquel le manchon est libre de se déplacer et présentant une partie faisant saillie destinée à se visser dans la cavité annulaire de la couronne et, en position vissée, à comprimer le joint d'étanchéité par son extrémité.The present invention relates to a control device for a watch, comprising a crown which has a central cavity surrounded by an annular cavity, a seal disposed in said annular cavity, a sleeve fixed by its end in said central cavity, a watch control rod, disposed inside the sleeve, this rod and this sleeve having complementary coupling means for driving the rod in rotation and in translation, a spring disposed in the sleeve between its end and that of the control rod for engaging said coupling means, and a tube integral with the middle part of the watch, inside which the sleeve is free to move and having a protruding part intended to be screwed into the annular cavity of the crown and, in the screwed position, compressing the seal by its end.

Un dispositif de commande de ce type est décrit dans le brevet suisse N° 308.031.A control device of this type is described in Swiss patent N ° 308,031.

Le joint d'étanchéité disposé dans la cavité annulaire est un joint de section rectangulaire, obtenu par découpage d'une feuille d'élastomère d'épaisseur désirée. La face de ce joint adjacente au fond de la cavité annulaire est collée pour empêcher que le joint tourne dans la cavité lors du vissage de la couronne.The seal placed in the annular cavity is a seal of rectangular section, obtained by cutting an elastomer sheet of desired thickness. The face of this seal adjacent to the bottom of the annular cavity is bonded to prevent the seal from rotating in the cavity when the crown is screwed on.

Le fait de découper le joint dans une feuille impose que sa section soit rectangulaire. La place dont on dispose au fond de la cavité annulaire conduit à ce que le petit côté du rectangle corresponde à l'épaisseur du joint, de sorte que l'on a un joint plat. De ce fait, lorsque la couronne est vissée, le taux d'écrasement du joint est important compte tenu de sa faible épaisseur (de l'ordre de 0,3 mm).The fact of cutting the joint in a sheet imposes that its section is rectangular. The space available at the bottom of the annular cavity leads to the short side of the rectangle corresponding to the thickness of the joint, so that there is a flat joint. As a result, when the crown is screwed in, the seal crushing rate is high, given its small thickness (of the order of 0.3 mm).

Lorsque la couronne est reliée à une tige de remontoir et de mise à l'heure d'une montre à remontage automatique, elle peut rester vissée plusieurs jours, voire plusieurs semaines consécutives.When the crown is connected to a winding and time-setting stem of an automatic winding watch, it can remain screwed on for several days, even several consecutive weeks.

Compte tenu de ces contraintes, on a constaté qu'une légère déformation rémanente peut être induite à la longue dans l'épaisseur du joint, ce qui ne lui confère pas l'efficacité optimale.Given these constraints, it has been found that a slight residual deformation can be induced in the long term in the thickness of the joint, which does not give it optimum efficiency.

Par ailleurs, compte tenu des très petites dimensions d'un tel joint (son diamètre est de l'ordre de 3,5 mm et la largeur de sa section de 0,6 mm), son collage et sa pose constituent une opération extrêmement délicate.Furthermore, taking into account the very small dimensions of such a joint (its diameter is of the order of 3.5 mm and the width of its section of 0.6 mm), its bonding and its installation constitute an extremely delicate operation. .

On a, certes, déjà proposé dans le FR-A-2,002,866, de former des joints non par découpage, mais par moulage. Toutefois, de tels joints ne peuvent être obtenus que un par un. La dose précise de matière à mouler doit être introduite dans le moule avant de fermer celui-ci, ce qui, compte tenu des dimensions susmentionnées pose des problèmes difficiles à résoudre. Le rendement de la production de tels joints est évidemment très inférieur à celui des joints découpés. C'est la raison pour laquelle le moulage de joints n'est en pratique pas utilisé surtout pour des joints aussi petits que ceux des couronnes de remontoirs. En outre, le moulage ne permet pas de garantir une précision suffisante des dimensions, de sorte que cette technique de fabrication ne répond à aucune des exigences requises pour la fabrication de joints pour les dispositifs de commande étanche pour montres. Par ailleurs, les élastomères employés, naturels ou synthétiques n'étant par ailleurs pas injectables, seuls les joints découpés existent sur le marché.It has certainly been already proposed in FR-A-2,002,866 to form joints not by cutting, but by molding. However, such joints can only be obtained one by one. The precise dose of material to be molded must be introduced into the mold before closing it, which, given the above dimensions, poses problems which are difficult to solve. The production yield of such joints is obviously much lower than that of cut joints. This is the reason why the molding of seals is in practice not used especially for seals as small as those of crowns of winders. Furthermore, molding does not guarantee sufficient dimensional accuracy, so that this manufacturing technique does not meet any of the requirements required for the manufacture of seals for waterproof control devices for watches. In addition, the elastomers used, natural or synthetic not being moreover injectable, only the cut joints exist on the market.

Le but de la présente invention est de fournir un dispositif de commande étanche pour montre amélioré tel que défini par la revendication 1.The object of the present invention is to provide an improved waterproof control device for a watch as defined by claim 1.

Le principal avantage de ce dispositif vient du fait que l'on n'est plus limité à un joint de section rectangulaire comme pour les joints découpés. L'élastomère utilisé présente également des propriétés mécaniques répondant bien aux exigences et dont la qualité est parfaitement constante d'une série à l'autre. Le volume du joint peut être sensiblement augmenté sans nuire à la solidité de la couronne, ce qui permet de réduire le taux de compression de la matière. La surface de contact entre le joint et son logement dans la couronne peut également être fortement accrue. De ce fait, l'étanchéité entre le joint et la couronne est améliorée. Il en est de même pour la force de frottement entre le joint et la couronne. Cette force de frottement s'oppose à la rotation du joint dans sa rainure et réduit l'effort de cisaillement exercé sur la surface de collage du joint lors du vissage et du dévissage de la couronne.The main advantage of this device comes from the fact that one is no longer limited to a rectangular section joint as for cut joints. The elastomer used also has mechanical properties which meet the requirements well and whose quality is perfectly constant from one series to another. The volume of the seal can be significantly increased without affecting the strength of the crown, which reduces the compression ratio of the material. The contact surface between the seal and its housing in the crown can also be greatly increased. As a result, the seal between the seal and the crown is improved. It is the same for the force of friction between the seal and the crown. This friction force opposes the rotation of the joint in its groove and reduces the shearing force exerted on the bonding surface of the joint during screwing and unscrewing of the crown.

D'autres avantages apparaîtront à la suite de la description qui suit et du dessin annexé qui illustre, schématiquement et à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution du dispositif de commande objet de la présente invention.Other advantages will become apparent from the description which follows and from the appended drawing which illustrates, schematically and by way of example, an embodiment of the control device which is the subject of the present invention.

La figure 1 est une vue en coupe partielle d'une carrure de boîte de montre munie de ce dispositif de commande illustré avec la couronne dévissée.Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a watch case middle provided with this control device illustrated with the crown unscrewed.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe semblable à celle de la figure 1, illustrée avec la couronne vissée.Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 1, illustrated with the screwed crown.

Les figures 1 et 2 illustrent très partiellement la partie d'une carrure de boîte 1 traversée par le dispositif de commande objet de l'invention. Cette carrure 1 présente un passage 2 muni d'un filetage 3 dans lequel un tube 4 est vissé. Un joint d'étanchéité métallique 5 est interposé entre une portée 6 du tube 4 et un dégagement 7 entourant l'entrée du passage 2.Figures 1 and 2 very partially illustrate the part of a case middle 1 crossed by the control device object of the invention. This middle part 1 has a passage 2 provided with a thread 3 into which a tube 4 is screwed. A metal seal 5 is interposed between a bearing surface 6 of the tube 4 and a clearance 7 surrounding the entrance to the passage 2.

La partie du tube 4 située à l'extérieur de la carrure est évasée et sa face latérale externe 8 est filetée, alors qu'une gorge annulaire 9 est ménagée sur la face latérale interne de cette partie évasée du tube 4. Un joint O-ring 10 est disposé dans cette gorge et est comprimé entre cette dernière et un manchon 11 dont une extrémité 11a est vissée dans un filetage ménagé dans une cavité centrale 12 d'une couronne 13. Un joint métallique 14 en forme de disque est placé au fond de la cavité centrale 12 et l'extrémité 11a du manchon 11 s'engage contre la périphérie de ce joint 14 pour garantir l'étanchéité entre la couronne 13 et le manchon 11.The part of the tube 4 situated outside the middle part is flared and its external lateral face 8 is threaded, while an annular groove 9 is formed on the internal lateral face of this flared part of the tube 4. A seal O- ring 10 is disposed in this groove and is compressed between the latter and a sleeve 11, one end 11a of which is screwed into a thread formed in a central cavity 12 of a crown 13. A metal seal 14 in the form of a disc is placed at the bottom of the central cavity 12 and the end 11a of the sleeve 11 engages against the periphery of this seal 14 to guarantee sealing between the crown 13 and the sleeve 11.

Une cavité annulaire 15 entoure la cavité centrale 12, une paroi tubulaire 16 séparant ces deux cavités. La paroi latérale externe de la cavité annulaire 15 est munie d'un filetage 17 qui est complémentaire du filetage de la face latérale externe 8 de la partie évasée du tube 4.An annular cavity 15 surrounds the central cavity 12, a tubular wall 16 separating these two cavities. The external lateral wall of the annular cavity 15 is provided with a thread 17 which is complementary to the thread of the face lateral lateral 8 of the flared part of the tube 4.

Le fond de la cavité annulaire 15 présente une gorge 18 qui prolonge la face latérale externe de la cavité annulaire. Cette gorge 18 est plus étroite que la cavité annulaire, de manière à ne pas affaiblir la base de la paroi tubulaire 16, sollicitée par le vissage du manchon 11 contre le joint métallique 14.The bottom of the annular cavity 15 has a groove 18 which extends the external lateral face of the annular cavity. This groove 18 is narrower than the annular cavity, so as not to weaken the base of the tubular wall 16, urged by the screwing of the sleeve 11 against the metal seal 14.

Une partie de la cavité annulaire 15 et la gorge 18 sont occupées par un joint d'étanchéité 19 de forme complémentaire, c'est-à-dire qu'il comporte deux portions annulaires de mêmes diamètres extérieurs, mais de diamètres intérieurs différents. La portion de plus grand diamètre intérieur 19a est celle qui s'engage dans la gorge 18 et celle de plus faible diamètre intérieur 19b occupe le fond de la cavité annulaire 15. C'est contre sa face libre que l'extrémité du tube 4 est appliquée en position vissée de la couronne 13 (fig. 2).Part of the annular cavity 15 and the groove 18 are occupied by a seal 19 of complementary shape, that is to say that it comprises two annular portions of the same outside diameters, but of different inside diameters. The portion of larger internal diameter 19a is that which engages in the groove 18 and that of smaller internal diameter 19b occupies the bottom of the annular cavity 15. It is against its free face that the end of the tube 4 is applied in the screwed position of the crown 13 (fig. 2).

La partie intérieure du manchon 11 renferme un mécanisme d'accouplement comprenant un organe d'accouplement 20 comportant à une extrémité un perçage fileté 21 pour recevoir l'extrémité d'une tige de commande, en particulier d'une tige de remontage et de mise à l'heure, éventuellement de mise à la date. L'organe d'accouplement 20 fait donc partie intégrante de la tige de commande. Sur la face externe de cet organe d'accouplement se trouve une partie de section droite polygonale 22. Cette section droite est complémentaire de celle 23 qui est ménagée à l'extrémité 11b du manchon 11. Un mince tronçon cylindrique 24 est formé sur l'organe d'accouplement adjacent à la partie de section droite polygonale 22 et du côté opposé de celle-ci par rapport au perçage fileté 21. Le diamètre de ce tronçon cylindrique 24 est choisi de manière à lui permettre de coulisser librement à l'intérieur du manchon 11 et à buter contre l'extrémité à section droite polygonale 23 du manchon 11. Une partie cylindrique 25 de plus petit diamètre que le tronçon cylindrique 24 termine cet organe d'accouplement 20.The inner part of the sleeve 11 contains a coupling mechanism comprising a coupling member 20 comprising at one end a threaded hole 21 for receiving the end of a control rod, in particular a winding and setting rod on time, possibly date setting. The coupling member 20 therefore forms an integral part of the control rod. On the external face of this coupling member is a part of polygonal cross section 22. This cross section is complementary to that 23 which is formed at the end 11b of the sleeve 11. A thin cylindrical section 24 is formed on the coupling member adjacent to the polygonal cross-section part 22 and on the opposite side thereof with respect to the threaded bore 21. The diameter of this cylindrical section 24 is chosen so as to allow it to slide freely inside the sleeve 11 and to abut against the polygonal cross-section end 23 of the sleeve 11. A cylindrical part 25 of smaller diameter than the cylindrical section 24 terminates this coupling member 20.

Un ressort à boudin 26 est disposé dans le manchon 11 autour de la partie cylindrique 25. Il prend appui, d'une part, contre le joint métallique 14 et, d'autre part, contre la portée formée entre le tronçon cylindrique 24 et la partie cylindrique 25.A coil spring 26 is disposed in the sleeve 11 around the cylindrical part 25. It bears, on the one hand, against the metal seal 14 and, on the other hand, against the bearing formed between the cylindrical section 24 and the cylindrical part 25.

Comme on le voit sur la figure 2, lorsque la couronne 13 est vissée sur le tube 4, la tige solidaire de l'organe d'accouplement 20 empêche celui-ci de se déplacer axialement avec la couronne 13, de sorte que le ressort 26 se comprime et, en même temps, les parties 22 et 23 de sections droites polygonales complémentaires se séparent axialement, de sorte que l'organe d'accouplement 20 n'est pas entraîné en rotation pendant le vissage et le dévissage de la couronne 13.As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the crown 13 is screwed onto the tube 4, the rod secured to the coupling member 20 prevents the latter from moving axially with the crown 13, so that the spring 26 compresses and, at the same time, the parts 22 and 23 of complementary polygonal straight sections separate axially, so that the coupling member 20 is not rotated during the screwing and unscrewing of the crown 13.

Par contre, dès que la couronne 13 est dévissée, le ressort 26 applique la portée formée entre le tronçon cylindrique 24 et la partie de section droite polygonale 22 contre la portée formée à l'extrémité 11b du manchon 11 par la section droite polygonale 23, de sorte que ce manchon 11 solidaire de la couronne 13 et l'organe d'accouplement 20 sont solidaires en rotation. Les portées respectives adjacentes de la section droite polygonale 23 et du tronçon cylindrique 24 permettent, de plus, de déplacer axialement l'organe d'accouplement 20 et donc la tige qui lui est solidaire vers l'extérieur, dans une ou plusieurs positions, pour effectuer la mise à l'heure et éventuellement la mise à la date.On the other hand, as soon as the crown 13 is unscrewed, the spring 26 applies the bearing formed between the cylindrical section 24 and the part of polygonal cross section 22 against the bearing formed at the end 11b of the sleeve 11 by the polygonal cross section 23, so that this sleeve 11 integral with the crown 13 and the coupling member 20 are integral in rotation. The respective adjacent bearing surfaces of the polygonal cross section 23 and of the cylindrical section 24 also make it possible to axially move the coupling member 20 and therefore the rod which is integral with it outwards, in one or more positions, to set the time and possibly the date.

Compte tenu de sa forme, le joint 19 ne peut pas être obtenu par les techniques usuelles, c'est-à-dire par découpage d'un matériau en feuille ou par la technique de moulage employée pour la fabrication des joints O-ring. Comme on le sait, les élastomères utilisés pour fabriquer les joints susmentionnés ne sont pas des matières injectables. Ceci explique sans doute pourquoi, au moins dans le domaine de l'horlogerie qui nous intéresse, les joints ont soit une section rectangulaire, soit une section circulaire. Quant aux rares exceptions, on ne les trouve que dans la littérature.Given its shape, the seal 19 cannot be obtained by the usual techniques, that is to say by cutting a sheet material or by the molding technique used for the manufacture of O-ring seals. As is known, the elastomers used to manufacture the aforementioned seals are not injectable materials. This undoubtedly explains why, at least in the field of watchmaking which interests us, the seals have either a rectangular section or a circular section. As for the rare exceptions, they are found only in the literature.

Le joint 19 est réalisé par injection. A cet effet, on utilise un élastomère thermoplastique qui est un intermédiaire entre le caoutchouc et le plastique, c'est-à-dire qu'à température ambiante, il présente les propriétés du caoutchouc vulcanisé, alors qu'à température élevée, il fond comme un thermoplastique. De ce fait, un tel élastomère peut facilement être traité avec un équipement normal utilisé pour les matières thermoplastiques et peut notamment être moulé par injection. Aucun traitement ultérieur n'est nécessaire puisque cet élastomère ne vulcanise pas.The seal 19 is produced by injection. For this purpose, a thermoplastic elastomer is used which is an intermediate between rubber and plastic, that is to say that at room temperature it has the properties of vulcanized rubber, while at high temperature it melts like a thermoplastic. Therefore, such an elastomer can easily be treated with normal equipment used for thermoplastics and can in particular be injection molded. No further treatment is necessary since this elastomer does not vulcanize.

De préférence, on utilise un élastomère thermoplastique de type polyester, en particulier celui vendu sous la marque Hytrel(R) par DuPont et de préférence un Hytrel(R) de type haute performance qui offre des possibilités supplémentaires de résistance mécanique et de tenue en service pour les applications les plus exigentes. Parmi ce type d'élastomère thermoplastique on peut choisir Hytrel(R)7246, mais de préférence Hytrel(R) 5526 qui présente les meilleures propriétés pour la présente application.Preferably, a polyester type thermoplastic elastomer is used, in particular that sold under the brand Hytrel (R) by DuPont and preferably a Hytrel (R) of high performance type which offers additional possibilities of mechanical strength and service life. for the most demanding applications. Among this type of thermoplastic elastomer, it is possible to choose Hytrel (R) 7246, but preferably Hytrel (R) 5526 which has the best properties for the present application.

Hytrel est la marque déposée par Du Pont de Nemours pour la gamme de ses élastomères thermoplastiques techniques. Ce sont des copolymères blocs, constitués de segments durs (cristallins) de téréphtalate de polybutylène et de segments mous (amorphes) à base de polyéther glycols à longue chaîne. Leurs propriétés sont déterminées par la valeur du rapport entre les segments durs et mous et par leur arrangement.Hytrel is the trademark registered by Du Pont de Nemours for the range of its technical thermoplastic elastomers. They are block copolymers, consisting of hard (crystalline) segments of polybutylene terephthalate and soft (amorphous) segments based on long chain polyether glycols. Their properties are determined by the value of the ratio between hard and soft segments and by their arrangement.

L'Hytrel(R) est un élastomère thermoplastique technique réunissant nombre des caractéristiques les plus souhaitables attachées aux élastomères et plastiques souples de haute performance. Il présente notamment les propriétés suivantes : ténacité et résilience exceptionnelles; forte résistance au fluage; flexibilité à basse température et bonne conservation de ses propriétés à haute température. Il résiste en outre à la détérioration provoquée par de nombreux produits chimiques industriels, huiles et solvants.Hytrel (R) is a technical thermoplastic elastomer that combines many of the most desirable features attached to high performance flexible elastomers and plastics. In particular, it has the following properties: exceptional toughness and resilience; high creep resistance; flexibility at low temperatures and good preservation of its properties at high temperatures. It is also resistant to deterioration caused by many industrial chemicals, oils and solvents.

Ceci dit, le fait de réaliser un joint injecté 19 de la forme de celui illustré par le dessin augmente considérablement la surface de contact entre le joint et son logement par rapport à un joint plat présentant la forme de la seule partie 19b, de sorte que la force de friction est sensiblement accrue, ce qui est important dans le cas d'une couronne vissée. Toutefois, de préférence, le joint 19 est collé pour assurer une fixation rendant impossible toute tentative d'enlèvement sans destruction. Pour des questions de sécurité quant à l'étanchéité de la couronne, il est en effet nécessaire, si besoin est, de changer toute la couronne et non de remplacer le joint. En effet, sa mise en place et son collage constituent une opération délicate qui ne peut être assurée correctement que lors de la fabrication. En plus, la surface de collage doit être parfaitement lisse et propre, ce qui ne peut être garanti si on change le joint.That said, the fact of making an injected seal 19 of the shape of that illustrated by the drawing considerably increases the contact surface between the seal and its housing compared to a flat seal having the shape of the single part 19b, so that the friction force is appreciably increased, which is important in the case of a screwed crown. However, preferably, the seal 19 is glued to ensure attachment making it impossible to attempt removal without destruction. For security reasons as for the sealing of the crown, it is indeed necessary, if necessary, to change the whole crown and not to replace the seal. Indeed, its installation and bonding constitute a delicate operation which can only be ensured correctly during manufacture. In addition, the bonding surface must be perfectly smooth and clean, which cannot be guaranteed if the joint is changed.

Comme on l'a indiqué précédemment, le Hytrel(R) est un élastomère thermoplastique, produit très difficile à coller. A cela s'ajoute encore la très petite dimension du joint et le fait que la colle ne doit en aucun cas venir en contact avec la face libre du joint. Elle doit être suffisamment fluide pour ne pas former de surépaisseur locale susceptible de déformer la planéité de la face libre. Elle doit enfin ne pas coller trop rapidement pour permettre de travailler dans des conditions industrielles.As previously indicated, Hytrel (R) is a thermoplastic elastomer, a product that is very difficult to bond. To this is added the very small dimension of the joint and the fact that the adhesive must in no case come into contact with the free face of the joint. It must be fluid enough not to form a local excess thickness capable of deforming the flatness of the free face. Finally, it must not stick too quickly to allow it to work under industrial conditions.

Deux solutions ont été trouvées; l'une consiste à utiliser, d'une part, une colle à deux composants à base de polyuréthane vendue sous la marque Thixon(R)412/413 qui permet un collage optimum entre 10 et 20 minutes après application sur le joint, application qui peut être réalisée avec précision et régulièrement par pulvérisation, d'autre part, le Thixon(R) 403/404 qui est un agent d'adhérisation mono-couche bi-composant que l'on met sur les surfaces métalliques du fond de la cavité 15 et du fond de la gorge 18. Le Thixon(R) 403/404 est utilisé pour le collage sur métal de divers élastomères de polyuréthanes. Au préalable, on dégraisse le métal à la vapeur de trichloréthylène et on laisse sécher 30 minutes à température ambiante. Le mélange à part égale de Thixon(R) 403/404 peut être appliqué au pistolet (dilution volumique 60 parties du mélange 403/404, 40 parties de xylène). On laisse sécher durant 30 à 40 minutes à température ambiante. L'épaisseur du film sec de Thixon(R) à appliquer devra être de l'ordre de 25 à 30 µm.Two solutions have been found; one consists in using, on the one hand, a two-component adhesive based on polyurethane sold under the brand name Thixon (R) 412/413 which allows optimum bonding between 10 and 20 minutes after application to the joint, application which can be produced with precision and regularly by spraying, on the other hand, Thixon (R) 403/404 which is a two-component single-layer bonding agent which is put on the metal surfaces of the bottom of the cavity 15 and from the bottom of the throat 18. Thixon (R) 403/404 is used for bonding to metal various polyurethane elastomers. Beforehand, the metal is degreased with trichlorethylene vapor and allowed to dry for 30 minutes at room temperature. The mixture of equal parts of Thixon (R) 403/404 can be applied with a spray gun (volume dilution 60 parts of the mixture 403/404, 40 parts of xylene). It is left to dry for 30 to 40 minutes at room temperature. The thickness of the Thixon (R) dry film to be applied should be around 25 to 30 µm.

Les surfaces du joint à coller sont nettoyées et dégraissées au moyen d'un solvant comme le méthyl éthyl cétone. On laisse ensuite sécher 30 minutes à 1 heure avant l'application du Thixon(R) 412/413 mélangé à parts égales et que l'on laisse sécher 10 à 20 minutes.The surfaces of the seal to be bonded are cleaned and degreased using a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone. Then allowed to dry 30 minutes to 1 hour before applying Thixon (R) 412/413 mixed in equal parts and which is left to dry for 10 to 20 minutes.

L'autre solution consiste à appliquer un activateur contre les surfaces du joint à coller. Cet activateur est à base d'éthanol/acétate d'éthyle vendu sous la marque Pascoprime(R). Ensuite, on applique sur cet activateur une colle vendue sous la marque Pascopepp(R).The other solution is to apply an activator against the surfaces of the joint to be bonded. This activator is based on ethanol / ethyl acetate sold under the brand Pascoprime (R) . Then, an adhesive sold under the brand Pascopepp (R) is applied to this activator.

Claims (5)

Dispositif de commande étanche pour montre, comportant: - une couronne (13) qui présente une cavité centrale (12) entourée par une cavité annulaire (15); - un joint d'étanchéité (19) disposé dans ladite cavité annulaire (15); - un manchon (11) fixé par une extrémité (11a) dans ladite cavité centrale (12); - une tige de commande (20) de la montre, disposée à l'intérieur du manchon; - cette tige (20) et l'autre extrémité de ce manchon (11) présentant des moyens d'accouplement complémentaires (22,23) pour l'entraînement de la tige en rotation et en translation; - un ressort (26) disposé dans le manchon (11) entre son extrémité fixée dans ladite cavité centrale (12) et celle de la tige de commande pour mettre en prise lesdits moyens d'accouplement; - un tube (4) solidaire de la carrure (1) de la montre, à l'intérieur duquel le manchon (11) est libre de se déplacer et présentant une partie faisant saillie destinée à se visser dans la cavité annulaire (15) de la couronne et, en position vissée, à comprimer le joint d'étanchéité par son extrémité;    caractérisé en ce que ledit joint (19) est une pièce injectée en un élastomère thermoplastique de section droite complémentaire de celle de ladite cavité annulaire.Waterproof control device for a watch, comprising: - a crown (13) which has a central cavity (12) surrounded by an annular cavity (15); - a seal (19) disposed in said annular cavity (15); - a sleeve (11) fixed by one end (11a) in said central cavity (12); - a control rod (20) of the watch, disposed inside the sleeve; - This rod (20) and the other end of this sleeve (11) having complementary coupling means (22, 23) for driving the rod in rotation and in translation; - a spring (26) disposed in the sleeve (11) between its end fixed in said central cavity (12) and that of the control rod for engaging said coupling means; - A tube (4) integral with the middle part (1) of the watch, inside which the sleeve (11) is free to move and having a projecting part intended to be screwed into the annular cavity (15) of the crown and, in the screwed position, compressing the seal at its end; characterized in that said seal (19) is a part injected into a thermoplastic elastomer of cross section complementary to that of said annular cavity. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la cavité annulaire comporte une gorge (18) ménagée dans son fond et en ce que ledit joint (19) comporte deux portions annulaires (19a,19b) de mêmes diamètres extérieurs, mais de diamètres intérieurs différents, la portion annulaire (19a) de plus grand diamètre intérieur s'engageant dans ladite gorge (18) et la portion (19b) de plus faible diamètre intérieur étant celle sur laquelle agit le tube (4) en position vissée de la couronne.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular cavity comprises a groove (18) formed in its bottom and in that said seal (19) comprises two annular portions (19a, 19b) of the same external diameters, but of internal diameters different, the annular portion (19a) of larger inner diameter engaging in said groove (18) and the portion (19b) of smaller inner diameter being that on which acts the tube (4) in the screwed position of the crown. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élastomère thermoplastique est à base de 55 % en poids de segments souples de PTHF glycol d'un poids molaire d'environ 1000 et 45 % en poids de segments rigides dérivés de 1,4-butanédiol et méthyltérephthalate.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is based on 55% by weight of flexible segments of PTHF glycol with a molar weight of approximately 1000 and 45% by weight of rigid segments derived from 1.4 -butanediol and methylterephthalate. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'élastomère thermoplastique est de l'Hytrel(R)5526.Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is Hytrel (R) 5526. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le joint est collé à l'aide d'un système adhésif monocouche à deux composants à base de polyuréthane résistant à l'abrasion à l'huile et aux solvants, déposé sur l'élastomère et d'un agent d'adhérisation mono-couche bi-composant que l'on met sur le fond de la surface métallique de ladite cavité annulaire (15,18) de la couronne contre laquelle on veut coller ledit joint.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint is bonded using a two-component polyurethane adhesive system based on abrasion resistant oil and solvent based polyurethane, deposited on the elastomer and of a two-component single-layer adhesion agent which is placed on the bottom of the metal surface of said annular cavity (15, 18) of the crown against which it is desired to bond said seal.
EP93810069A 1992-02-12 1993-02-04 Water-tight control device for a watch Expired - Lifetime EP0556155B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH424/92A CH682968B5 (en) 1992-02-12 1992-02-12 A method of manufacturing a gasket and for waterproof control device for watch obtained by this process.
CH424/92 1992-02-12

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EP0556155A1 true EP0556155A1 (en) 1993-08-18
EP0556155B1 EP0556155B1 (en) 1995-12-27

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CH682968GA3 (en) 1993-12-31
DE69301104T2 (en) 1996-09-05
EP0556155B1 (en) 1995-12-27
US5383166A (en) 1995-01-17
DE69301104D1 (en) 1996-02-08
CH682968B5 (en) 1994-06-30

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