EP4105737A1 - Dewar device for timepiece comprising a pivoting bezel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a Dewar device (1) for mechanical and/or functional components (2) of a watch (3), said device (1) being provided with a strap and a case (4) comprising an enclosure (5) in which a case (6) of said watch (3) can be arranged so that a crystal of said case (6) is arranged opposite a crystal (10a) d a set of elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the case (4) defining this enclosure (5) and at least one fastening device (7) fixing said watch case (6) (3) in said enclosure (5 ) of the box (4) by keeping it away from all the elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the box (4) defining this enclosure (5), said Dewar device (1) comprising an actuating device (19 ) of at least one push button per rotation (20) of a pivoting bezel (13) of said case (4). An aspect of the invention relates.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a Dewar device for mechanical and/or functional components of a watch, the device comprising a device for actuating at least one push button of a watch included in an enclosure of the device from in particular a pivoting bezel of said case.

Technology background

A watch and in particular an electronic watch conventionally comprises a strap and a watch case comprising several electrical or electronic components. It is known in the state of the art that some of these components cannot withstand extreme temperatures, and cease to operate correctly at these temperatures. Typically, LCD liquid crystal displays using light-emitting diodes or quartz tolerate temperatures not exceeding approximately 80°C (degrees Celcius), and not dropping below 0. °C. However, in particular environments such as for example space or lunar missions, the temperatures can frequently reach values of the order of substantially −150° C. to +125° C.

There is therefore a need to be able to use a watch, in particular an electronic watch, in environments where such extreme temperatures can prevail.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to a Dewar device for mechanical and/or functional components of a watch, said device being provided with a strap and a case comprising an enclosure in which is capable to be arranged a case of said watch so that a crystal of said box is arranged opposite a crystal of a set of elements of the case defining this enclosure and at least one fixing device fixing said case of the watch in said enclosure of the case by keeping it away from all the elements of the case defining this enclosure, said Dewar device comprising a device for actuating at least one push button by rotation of a pivoting bezel of said case.

• ledit dispositif d'actionnement dudit moins un bouton poussoir comprend ladite lunette pivotante qui est configurée pour participer à l'actionnement dudit au moins un bouton poussoir lorsqu'elle réalise un déplacement en rotation autour de son axe central ;
• ladite lunette pivotante est mobile en rotation relativement à la carrure du boitier ;
• le dispositif d'actionnement comprend la lunette pivotante, la carrure du boitier et au moins un élément de levier déformable ;
• ledit au moins un élément de levier comprend une première extrémité fixée à une carrure du boitier et une deuxième extrémité fixée à la lunette ;
• ledit au moins un élément de levier comprend des première et deuxième pièces de tailles différentes reliées mobiles entre elles par un élément de fixation ;
• ledit au moins un élément de levier comprend des éléments de liaison susceptibles d'assurer une fixation mobile de cet élément de levier à la carrure et à la lunette du boitier ;
• lesdites première et deuxième pièces sont reliées entre elles en des extrémités de liaison formant une zone d'actionnement dudit au moins un élément de levier ;
• ledit au moins un élément de levier comprend une zone d'actionnement susceptible d'activer le bouton poussoir de la montre en entrant en contact avec au moins une zone d'activation de la carrure ;
• la zone d'activation comprend un organe coulissant, notamment un bouton poussoir, agencé dans la carrure susceptible d'entrer en contact avec le bouton poussoir de la montre dès lors qu'il est sollicité par ledit au moins un élément de levier ;
• ledit au moins un élément de levier comprend une zone d'actionnement susceptible d'activer le bouton poussoir de la montre en entrant en contact directement avec ledit bouton ;
• ladite enceinte est sous vide ou quasi sous vide.

In other embodiments:

• said device for actuating said at least one push button comprises said pivoting bezel which is configured to participate in the actuation of said at least one push button when it performs a rotational movement around its central axis;
• said pivoting bezel is rotatable relative to the case middle;
• the actuating device comprises the pivoting bezel, the middle part of the case and at least one deformable lever element;
• said at least one lever element comprises a first end fixed to a middle part of the case and a second end fixed to the bezel;
• said at least one lever element comprises first and second parts of different sizes movably connected together by a fixing element;
• said at least one lever element comprises connecting elements capable of ensuring movable attachment of this lever element to the middle part and to the bezel of the case;
• said first and second parts are interconnected at connecting ends forming an actuation zone of said at least one lever element;
• said at least one lever element comprises an actuation zone capable of activating the push button of the watch by coming into contact with at least one activation zone of the middle part;
• the activation zone comprises a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the caseband capable of coming into contact with the push button of the watch when it is acted upon by said at least one lever element;
• said at least one lever element comprises an actuation zone capable of activating the push button of the watch by coming into direct contact with said button;
• said enclosure is under vacuum or quasi-vacuum.

Brief description of figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de Dewar pour des composants mécaniques et/ou fonctionnels d'une montre pourvu d'un dispositif d'actionnement d'au moins un bouton poussoir d'une montre, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• les figures 2 à 4 sont des représentations schématiques fonctionnelles décrivant les différents modes opératoires relatifs à la mise en œuvre du dispositif d'actionnement, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages will emerge clearly from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the following appended figures:

• the figure 1 is a sectional view of a schematic representation of a Dewar device for mechanical and/or functional components of a watch provided with a device for actuating at least one push button of a watch, according to a embodiment of the invention, and
• them figures 2 to 4 are functional schematic representations describing the various operating modes relating to the implementation of the actuation device, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an isothermal timepiece device 1 for mechanical and/or functional components 2 of a watch 3 also called "Dewar timepiece device" or "protection device" or more simply in the following description "device of Dewar'. Such a Dewar device 1 is capable of participating in particular in conferring good thermal insulation on mechanical and/or functional components 2 of the watch 3 whose case 6 is arranged in the case 4 of this device 1.

This Dewar device 1 is in particular formed by the combination of its case 4 and the case 6 of the watch 3 in order to achieve suitable thermal insulation for these mechanical and/or functional components 2. In this configuration, the case 6 of the watch 3 is arranged in an enclosure 5 of the case 4 while being kept remote or at a distance from all of the elements 10a to 10c of the case 4 defining this said enclosure 5, namely the crystal 10a, an inner peripheral wall 12 of a middle part 10c and a bottom 10b of this box 4. It will be noted that this inner peripheral wall 12 is also that of said enclosure 5.

In this context, this device 1 therefore comprises the case 4 which comprises the middle part 10c preferably provided with two pairs of lugs 14 on which is mounted a bracelet allowing a user of this device 1 to wear it for example on the wrist. This case 4 also includes a crystal 10a and bottom 10b visible on the figure 1 . In this device 1, it will be noted that crystal 10a preferably comprises a surface which is substantially greater or strictly greater than crystal 11 of case 6 of watch 3.

This case 4 also includes a pivoting bezel 13 which is rotatably mounted relative to the middle part 10c. Such bezel 13 has an essentially circular shape. It comprises a body having internal and external peripheral walls as well as internal and external faces, the external face possibly being provided with a graduation.

This Dewar device 1 also comprises an actuation device 19 by rotation of the bezel 13 of at least one push button of the case 6 of the watch 3 arranged in the enclosure 5 of its case 4. This actuation device 19 therefore comprises the pivoting bezel 13, the middle part 10c of the case 4 and at least one deformable lever element 15a, 15b. On the figures 2 to 3 , this device 19 comprises two lever elements 15a, 15b each capable of actuating a push button of the case 6 of the watch 3.

Each deformable lever element 15a, 15b is capable of passing from a so-called "inactivation" state during which the first and second parts 16a, 16b together form an obtuse angle to a so-called "activation" state during which these first and second parts 16a, 16b form an angle less than or equal to a right angle. In this state of activation, this lever element 15a, 15b has a folded shape substantially similar to that of the letter "L" which is generated by the rotational movement 20 of the bezel 13 during its manipulation by the user / wearer of the Dewar device 1 and this, with the aim of activating the push button of the watch 3.

Such a deformable lever element 15a, 15b comprises a first end 21a movably fixed to a body of the middle part 10c of the case 4 from one of the fixing elements 17c which compose it. More precisely, this first end 21a is movably fixed to this body of the middle part 10c around a first common axis with the central axis of the fixing element 17c. This lever element 15a, 15b also comprises a second end 21b fixed to the body of the bezel 13 from another fixing element 17c of this actuating device 19. Again, this second end 21b is movably fixed to this body of the middle part 10c around a second common axis with the central axis of the corresponding fixing element 17c. It will be noted that these first and second axes are substantially parallel or strictly parallel to each other and to a central axis O of the case 4 and therefore of the middle 10c and of the bezel 13.

Each lever element 15a, 15b therefore also comprises the fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c mentioned previously as well as first and second parts 16a, 16b which are preferably rigid and/or of different sizes. These first and second parts 16a, 16b are interconnected at so-called connecting ends from the connecting element referenced 17b. In this configuration, the first part 16a which has a smaller size than the second part 16b comprises the first end 21a of the lever element 15a, 15b which is connected to the middle part 10c and its connecting end which is connected to that of the second part 16b. With regard to the second part 16b, it comprises the second end 21b of the lever element 15a, 15b which is connected to the bezel 13 and its connecting end which is connected to that of the first part 16a.

The connecting ends together form an actuation zone 18 of the lever element 15a, 15b. The first and second parts 16a, 16b of the lever element 15a, 15b are interconnected so as to be movable relative to each other and this, around a third axis common with the central axis of the corresponding fixing element 17b which connects them together. It will be noted that this third axis is substantially parallel or strictly parallel to the first and second axes mentioned above.

As we mentioned above, the actuation zone 18 formed by these two connecting ends is capable of participating in the activation of the push button of the watch as soon as the pivoting bezel 13 is driven by the wearer of the device. of Dewar in a displacement in rotation 20.

This activation of the push button is preferably indirect. Indeed, the actuation zone 18 is capable of activating the push button of the watch 3 by coming into contact indirectly with the latter and this, via an activation zone of the case middle 10c. This activation zone can comprise a sliding member, in particular a push button arranged in the caseband 10c and which is capable of coming into direct contact with the push button of the watch 3 as soon as it is actuated by this zone of activation. Alternatively, this activation zone can be a portion of the peripheral wall of the middle part 10c which is capable of deforming in order to come into contact with the push button of the watch 3. In this configuration, this zone of activation is part of the actuation device 19.

In other embodiments of the invention, this activation can be direct when this actuation zone 18 comes into direct contact with this push button.

In addition, the Dewar device 1 can comprise a housing defined both in the bodies of the bezel 13 and of the middle part 10c and in which the lever element 15a, 15b can be arranged. In this context, the actuation zone 18 of this lever element 15a, 15b is then capable of moving in this housing in the direction of the push button of the watch or on the contrary of moving away from the latter according to the rotational movement performed by the pivoting bezel 13.

With reference to figures 2 to 4 , the Dewar device 1 comprises two lever elements 15a, 15b provided for activating two separate push buttons of the case 6 of the watch 3. These two lever elements 15a, 15b are arranged near or in the vicinity of the corresponding push buttons of the box 6 with which they are intended to cooperate indirectly or directly. On these figures 2 to 4 , the first and second push buttons are arranged on a middle part of the watch case 6 respectively in the “2 o'clock” and “4 o'clock” zones.

On the picture 2 , the pivoting bezel 13 of the Dewar device 1 is driven in a rotational movement 20 carried out in a direction counterclockwise to that of the hands of a watch, ie from right to left. This movement of the bezel 13 makes it possible to configure the first lever element 15a in the activation state during which its actuation zone 18 causes the activation of the first push button of the case 6 of the watch 3. It will be noted during this configuration of this first lever element 15a in this state of activation that the first and second parts 16a, 16b of the second lever element 15b articulate with each other so that the three fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c are substantially aligned or strictly aligned. This alignment of the fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c of this second lever element 15b contributes in that the latter has a generally rectilinear shape.

On the picture 3 , the pivoting bezel 13 of the Dewar device 1 is rotated in a direction similar to that of the hands of a watch, ie from left to right. This displacement of the bezel 13 makes it possible to configure the second lever element 15b in the activation state during which its actuation zone 18 causes the activation of the second push button of the case 6 of the watch 3. It will be noted during this configuration of this second lever element 15b in this state of activation that the first and second parts 16a, 16b of the first lever element 15a articulate with each other so that its three fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c are substantially aligned or strictly aligned. This alignment of the fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c of this first lever element 15a contributes in that the latter has a generally rectilinear shape.

In addition, as we mentioned previously, the first and second lever elements 15a, 15b illustrated in the figure 4 are both in the state of inactivation during which the first and second parts 16a, 16b of each of them together form an obtuse angle.

It is understood that such an actuation device 19 makes it possible to improve the use of the Dewar device 1, in particular when the user of this device 1 is not very skilful of the part of his body. which allows him to manipulate it. This lack of skill can result from a handicap or from the fact that this user wears thick gloves on his hands which prevent him from being precise with his fingers to manipulate this Dewar 1 device. In this context, it should be noted that such a Dewar 1 device is particularly suitable for use by astronauts dressed in their spacesuits or more generally by users/adventurers in spacesuits operating in environments where extreme conditions prevail in terms, for example, of pressure, temperature, humidity , etc...

As we have seen previously, the case 6 of the watch 3 is arranged in the enclosure 5 of the case 4 while being kept remote or at a distance from all the elements 10a to 10c of this case 4. This distance or this distance or even this spacing is configured from at least one fixing device 7 of the case 6 of the watch 3 in the case 4. In other words, the fixing device 7 is configured to create or maintain a spacing between said box 6 and all of the elements 10a, 10b, 10c of the case 4 forming said enclosure 5 of this case 4. This fixing device 7 participates in reducing or even eliminating any thermal conduction between the inner peripheral wall 12a of the middle part 10c and / or the bottom 10b and/or the crystal 10a with the case 6 of the watch 3 in particular with an external overall face of this case 6. This external global face comprises an upper face comprising the crystal 11 of the case 6 of this watch 3 , an underside comprising a bottom of said box 6 and an outer peripheral wall of a middle part of this box 6. It is understood that the lower and upper faces are opposite one another. It will be noted that the fixing device 7 is arranged on an inner peripheral wall 12 of the enclosure of the case 4. In this configuration the fixing device 7 mechanically connects, in particular in a reversible manner, the case 6 of the watch 3 to the peripheral wall interior 12 of the enclosure of the box 4. In addition, the Dewar device 1 can comprise two fixing devices 7 arranged in the enclosure 5 being opposite one another.

It will be noted that such a box 6 is included in a watch 3 which can be an electronic watch, for example a quartz watch, or even a mechanical watch.

The mechanical and/or functional components 2 of the watch 3, mentioned above, include in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: mechanical elements of the movement such as a balance-spring, wheels, a striking mechanism, a dial, needles, rings, seals and/or electronic and/or electrical components 2. It will be noted in particular that such electronic and/or electrical components 2 comprise for example a display device, a processor, a memory, a component energy storage, a motor, an integrated circuit and an electronic oscillator, etc...

It is therefore understood that in this configuration, this Dewar device 1 has the same properties and characteristics as a Dewar tube/vase well known in the state of the art. As we have previously mentioned, the properties and characteristics of this Dewar device 1 participate in giving it good thermal insulation with regard to particularly extreme temperatures that may prevail in the external environment in which such a device 1 can be located.

As we have seen, crystal 10a, middle 10c and bottom 10b of this device 1 together define enclosure 5 of this case 4 which is capable of receiving case 6 of watch 3. These three elements 10a to 10c of the case 4, namely the middle 10c, the crystal 10a and the back 10b can be separate elements which are joined together to build this enclosure 5. Alternatively, the middle 10c and the back 10b of the case 4 can together form a one-piece piece, said one-piece piece defining an opening opposite the bottom 10b which is capable of being closed by the glass 10a and this, in a reversible and sealed manner. Alternatively, middle 10c and crystal 10a of watch case 3 3 can together form a one-piece piece, said one-piece piece defining an opening opposite to the ice 10a which is capable of being closed by the bottom 10b and this, also in a reversible and sealed manner.

The middle 10c or the back 10b can also be like the glass 10a a transparent covering element of the case 4 of the Dewar device 1. In such a configuration, the inner peripheral wall 12 of the middle 10c and the inner face of the back 10b may be coated with a metallic or similar reflective coating, such as for example a layer of silver.

It will however be noted that the caseband 10c or the back 10b are preferably made in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner from a metallic material or from thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer resins reinforced with carbon or glass fibers or even from ceramic materials.

In addition, the device 1 can comprise an interferometric filter arranged on an outer overall face of the case 4, namely on an outer peripheral wall of the middle part 10c and/or of the outer faces of the crystal 10a and of the bottom 10b of this box 6 of shows 3. This interferometric filter can be a grid or a lattice forming a coating on this external overall face of the case 4. This grid or lattice has a mesh whose dimensions are such that they only allow certain predetermined wavelengths to pass of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically the wavelengths of the visible range.

Furthermore, when the device 1 is intended to be used in an environment comprising air, the enclosure 5 of the case 4 comprising the case 6 of the watch, is under vacuum or almost under vacuum. In other words, in this enclosure, the space defined between this box 6 and the inner peripheral wall 12 of the middle part 10c, the back 10b and the crystal 10a is empty of material or almost empty. It will be noted that when this device 1 is used in an environment devoid of air or substantially devoid of air, its enclosure may not be under vacuum, or on the contrary also be under vacuum or quasi-vacuum.

Such a Dewar device 1, the use or manipulation of which is facilitated thanks to the actuation device, contributes to providing the mechanical and/or functional components 2 of the watch 3 with very good thermal insulation with respect to the external environment by reducing or even preventing heat loss by radiation from the components arranged in the case 6 of the watch for a long time. Thus, when the temperature outside the device 1 reaches extreme values, typically of the order of −125 to +125° C., the temperature inside the enclosure 5 remains substantially equal to the temperature present in case 6 of watch 3 during its arrangement in case 4, typically around 20°C. It will be noted that whatever the temperature conditions prevailing in the environment of the Dewar device 1, the temperature present in the case 6 of the watch 3 is a temperature which does not hinder the correct operation of the watch. This temperature is maintained over a period which is 5 to 18 times greater than the period during which such a watch case would be capable of preserving an operating temperature of its components 2 by being located directly in such an environment where such temperatures prevail. in particular extreme (that is to say by being located outside the case of the Dewar device). It is thus conceivable that such a configuration makes it possible to protect the mechanical and/or functional components 2 of the watch 3, as well as to participate in ensuring their operation in an optimal manner under extreme outside temperature conditions.

Claims (12)

Dewar device (1) for mechanical and/or functional components (2) of a watch (3), said device (1) comprising: - a bracelet ; - a box (4) comprising an enclosure (5) in which a box (6) of said watch (3) can be arranged so that a crystal of said box (6) is arranged opposite a mirror (10a) of said box (4); - at least one fixing device (7) fixing said watch case (6) (3) in said enclosure (5) of the case (4) by keeping it away from all the elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the box (4) defining this enclosure (5), and - an actuating device (19) of at least one push button by rotation (20) of a pivoting bezel (13) of said case (4). Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuation device (19) of said at least one push button comprises said pivoting bezel (13) which is configured to participate in the actuation of said at least one push button when it performs a rotational movement (20) around its central axis (O). Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said pivoting bezel (13) is rotatable relative to the middle part (10c) of the case (4). Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (19) comprises the pivoting bezel (13), the middle part (10c) of the case (4) and at least one element deformable lever (15a, 15b). Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises a first end (21a) fixed to a middle part (10c) of the case (4) and a second end (21b) fixed to the bezel (13). Dewar device (1) according to any one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises first and second parts (16a, 16b) of different sizes movably connected between them by a fixing element (17b). Dewar device (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises connecting elements (17a, 17c) capable of ensuring a mobile fixing of this lever element (15a, 15b) to the middle part (10c) and to the bezel of the case (4). Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first and second parts (16a, 16b) are interconnected at connecting ends forming an actuation zone (18) of said at least one lever element (15a, 15b). Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises an actuation zone (18) capable of activating the push button of the watch (3) by coming into contact with at least one activation zone of the caseband. Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the activation zone comprises a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the caseband (10c) capable of coming into contact with the push button of the watch when it is acted upon by said at least one lever element (15a, 15b). Dewar device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises an actuation zone (18) capable of activating the button pusher of the watch (3) by coming into direct contact with said button. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said enclosure (5) is under vacuum or almost under vacuum.

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