CH713871B1 - Clock component comprising graphic elements of various aspects and method of manufacturing such a component. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a component for a timepiece having a plurality of graphic elements (31, 32, 33). The component comprises a substrate (2) of which at least a portion is covered with a coating (10) comprising a plurality of layers, including an outer layer (13) and at least one intermediate layer (12a, 12b) formed between the substrate (2) and the outer layer (13). The at least one intermediate layer (12a, 12b), the substrate (2) and the outer layer (13) have a different appearance. The coating (10) comprises at least a first opening (21) having a first depth and defining a first graphic element (31, 32, 33) and a second opening (22) having a second depth different from the first depth and defining a second graphic element (31, 32, 33). The component has at least two graphic elements (31, 32, 33) having a different appearance from each other. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a component.

Description

Description Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a component for a timepiece comprising a plurality of graphic elements. In particular, the invention relates to a dial comprising at least two graphic elements having a different appearance from one another. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a component.

STATE OF THE ART [0002] The manufacture of a timepiece component intended to be integrated into a watch or a timepiece may include the production of decorative elements or graphic elements on said component. These graphic elements can for example represent a name, a logo, a caliber number, or any other distinctive element. In the case of a sundial, these graphic elements can for example represent numbers and indexes.

Still in the case of dials, these graphic elements can be produced on the dial by stamping or by the application of graphic elements on a base forming the dial, for example decals, indexes or stickers. These graphic elements can also be produced by machining, by cutting or laser marking, or by chemical etching. In this case, prior masking of the areas which are not to be etched is generally necessary.

Brief summary of the invention [0004] According to the invention, these aims are achieved in particular by means of a component for a timepiece comprising a substrate and having a plurality of graphic elements, at least a portion of the substrate being covered a coating comprising a plurality of layers, including an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer formed between the substrate and the outer layer, said at least one intermediate layer having a different appearance from that of the outer layer; the covering comprising at least a first opening having a first depth and defining a first graphic element, and a second opening having a second depth different from the first depth and defining a second graphic element;

wherein the substrate has a different appearance from that of the at least one intermediate layer and that of the outer layer, the at least one first opening revealing said at least one intermediate layer, and the second opening revealing the substrate; or wherein said at least one intermediate layer comprises at least two intermediate layers each having a different appearance from each other; the at least one first opening revealing one of said at least two intermediate layers and the second opening revealing another of said at least two intermediate layers;

so the component has at least two graphical elements that look different from each other.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the component, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate;

forming successively at least one intermediate layer and one outer layer on the substrate;

forming at least a first opening with a first depth revealing said at least one intermediate layer so as to define one of the graphic elements;

forming a second opening with a second depth different from the first depth so as to define another graphic element having a different appearance from that of the graphic elements resulting from the at least one first opening;

in which the substrate has a different appearance from that of the at least one intermediate layer and that of the outer layer, the second depth revealing the substrate, or in which said at least one intermediate layer comprises at least two intermediate layers each having a different aspect from each other; the first depth revealing one of said at least two intermediate layers and the second depth revealing another of said at least two intermediate layers.

According to one embodiment, the openings are formed by laser irradiation using laser emission equipment.

This solution has the particular advantage over the prior art of providing a component comprising graphic elements having different aspects.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the production of graphic elements having different aspects, in particular by dispensing with a step of applying masking or saving. The method according to the invention offers great flexibility of implementation. For example, the graphic elements intended to be formed on the component can be programmed. In the case where the openings are formed by laser irradiation, the graphic elements can be programmed at the level of the laser emission equipment.

CH 713 871 B1

Brief description of the figures [0009] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

fig. 1 shows a top view of a dial for a timepiece, according to one embodiment;

fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the dial comprising a coating, according to one embodiment;

fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the dial, the coating of which has openings, according to one embodiment;

fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the dial, the coating of which has openings, according to another embodiment;

fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the dial, the coating of which has openings filled with a filling material, according to one embodiment;

fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the dial, according to another embodiment;

fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the dial, again according to another embodiment; and fig. 8 illustrates a dial, according to another embodiment.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention [0010] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a dial 1 for a timepiece, according to one embodiment. The dial 1 includes a plurality of graphic elements. The term graphic element means any motif, alphanumeric character, symbol, logo, motif or the like appearing on the dial. For example, in fig. 1, the graphic elements include numbers 31, indexes 32 and a logo 33.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the dial 1. The dial 1 comprises a substrate 2 of which at least a portion is covered with a coating 10. According to one embodiment, the coating 10 comprises two intermediate layers 12a, 12b formed between the substrate 2 and an outer layer 13 formed on the intermediate layers 12a, 12b. Each of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 has a different appearance from the appearance of the other layers. By aspect is meant everything that can influence the appearance or perception of the layer, such as color, texture, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the covering 10 comprises at least a first opening 21 having a first depth revealing one of the intermediate layers 12b so as to define at least one of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33, and a second opening 22 having a second depth revealing another of the intermediate layers 12a so as to define at least one other of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33. In this way, the dial comprises at least two graphic elements 31, 32, 33 having a different appearance. one of the other. Advantageously, the appearance of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33 contrasts with the appearance of the surface 5 of the dial 1 (given by the outer layer 13).

[0013]] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the dial 1 according to another embodiment in which the coating comprises an intermediate layer 12 and in which the substrate 2 has a different appearance from that of the intermediate layer 12 and of the outer layer 13. The first opening 21 reveals the intermediate layer 12 and the second opening 22 reveals the substrate 2.

The method of manufacturing the dial 1 comprises the steps of:

providing a substrate 2;

on the substrate 2, successively form at least one intermediate layer 12 and an external layer 13; and form at least a first opening 21 with a first depth revealing the intermediate layer 12 so as to define at least one of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33; and form at least a second opening 22 with a second depth so as to define at least one other graphic element 31, 32, 33 having a different appearance from that of the graphic element formed by the first opening 21.

Each of the intermediate layers 12a, 12b and the outer layer 13 can be formed with a thickness between 0.05 μm and 5 μm, but preferably with a thickness between 0.5 μm and 1.5 μm. These layer thicknesses correspond to the typical thicknesses of so-called “thin” decorative layers.

The coating 10 may also include so-called “functional / technical” layers in addition to the layers 12, 13. For example, bonding layers or layers of protection against oxidation.

According to one embodiment, the intermediate layers 12a, 12b and the outer layer 13 are metallic layers. For example, an intermediate layer 12a is a copper layer, another intermediate layer 12b is a silver layer and the outer layer 13 is a gold layer.

CH 713 871 B1 In this case, the first opening 21 reveals the intermediate layer 12b of silver and the second opening 22 reveals the intermediate layer 12a of copper. One of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33 will appear in the silver color and the other graphic element 31, 32, 33 will appear in the copper color, on a gold background defined by the outer layer 13.

For example, the first opening 21 can define the numbers 31 of the dial 1 (Fig. 1) so that they will appear in silver color on a gold background (of the outer layer 13). The indexes 32 and the logo 33 can be formed by the second opening 22 so that the latter will appear in copper color on a gold background. Obviously other combinations of graphic elements and aspects are possible.

For example, the intermediate layer 12a, the intermediate layer 12b and the outer layer 13 may be formed of a metal, especially from nickel, silver, gold, zinc or copper, or an alloy of one of these metals. The nature of the metal forming each of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 as well as the stacking sequence of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 can be chosen so as to obtain a favorable appearance contrast, between the graphic elements 31, 32, 33 and the surface 5 of the dial 1 (determined by the outer layer 13), as well as between some of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33 themselves.

The metal layers 12a, 12b, 13 can be deposited by a galvanic deposition process or any other suitable process. One could for example use a deposition technique such as a physical vapor deposition known as “PVD” (from the English “Physical Vapor Deposition”), a chemical vapor deposition known as “CVD” ”(from the English "Chemical Vapor Deposition") or an atomic deposit called "ALD" (from the English "Atomic Layer Deposition").

In an alternative embodiment, the method comprises a step of forming a third opening 23 which reveals the surface of the substrate 2. The substrate 2 can then have an appearance which differs from those of the other layers 12a, 12b, 13.

According to one embodiment, the step of forming the openings 21, 22, 23 comprises a step of removing material using pulsed laser emission equipment 6. For example, the pulses of the laser selectively impact one or more of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 of the coating 10. The laser emission equipment 6 allows the coating 10 to be etched by removing a predefined, localized part of one or more of the layers 12a, 12b, 13.

Dial 1 or the laser equipment can be mounted on a station equipped with a motorized x-y translation plate. Alternatively, the laser irradiation of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 can be carried out with a mask (not shown) having openings the size and shape of which correspond to those of the openings 21, 22, 23 to be etched.

The depth and the lateral dimensions of the openings 21, 22, 23 are then determined by the laser emission adjustment parameters such as the number of passes of the laser beam, the scanning speed, the emission power, or again the diameter of the laser beam. The depth of each opening 21, 22, 23 can be obtained by adapting the operating parameters of the laser emission equipment 6 (in particular the number of passes of the laser beam over the area to be etched and the power of the laser). In particular, the laser emission equipment can be programmed so as to obtain a given geometry and given dimensions for the openings 21, 22, 23 (for example by controlling the path of the laser beam).

According to one embodiment, the parameters for adjusting the emission of the nanosecond laser can comprise a power of the laser adjusted between 10% and 20% of its maximum value (which can for example be of the order of 20 watts ), a frequency of approximately 375 KHz, a scanning speed of approximately 3000 mm / s and a duration of the laser pulses of approximately 4 ns.

Typically, watch faces have a flatness tolerance of ± 50 μm. On the other hand, the depth of field of the laser beam (i.e. the active area of the laser beam) is twice the Rayleigh length. For example, a nanosecond laser has a Rayleigh length of 300 μm. In this case, the flatness of the dial 1 is less than this depth of field. The laser exposure time controls the depth of ablation.

During the formation of an opening 21, 22, 23 passing through several layers 12a, 12b, 13, the laser ablation of each of the layers can be done directly one after the other, by the same laser emission equipment

6. By “directly” one after the other, it is meant that the layers 12a, 12b, 13 are etched successively and without any intermediate step, apart from a possible temporary stop of the laser pulses to modify the laser emission adjustment parameters such as the number of passes of the laser beam, the scanning speed, the emission power, the emission frequency, or even the diameter of the laser beam.

The laser may include a pulsed nanosecond laser providing a duration of the order of a nanosecond. For example, a YAG type laser at 1064 nm with varying intensity and frequency can be used. Alternatively, the laser may include a pulsed femtosecond laser. A femtosecond laser produces pulses lasting from a few femtoseconds to a few hundred femtoseconds.

The use of laser emission equipment 6 provides high engraving precision, both in terms of lateral definition and depth. Such equipment also makes it possible to engrave the desired area adequately, without affecting the surrounding areas. It also allows the part to be engraved without modifying the material around the engraved area, in particular without thermally affecting the surroundings of the engraved area, without producing a machining burr or even without

CH 713 871 B1 form a bead of molten material and solidified again. These multiple advantages are particularly applicable to the pulsed femtosecond laser.

According to another embodiment, at least one of the layers 12a, 12b, 13 is formed from a non-metallic material. Such a layer formed in a non-metallic material makes it possible to obtain a different appearance from that which can be obtained with metallic layers.

Note that the laser pulses acting to etch one of the metallic layers 12a, 12b, 13 and the laser pulses acting to etch one of the non-metallic layers 12a, 12b, 13 can be produced by the same laser equipment. 6. The laser emission adjustment parameters may however have to be modified depending on the nature of the layer 12a, 12b, 13.

For example, the nanosecond laser emission control parameters can include a laser power set at 20% of its maximum value, a frequency of about 375 KHz, a scanning speed of about 3000 mm / s and a duration of the laser pulses of around 4 ns to burn a succession of layers comprising a layer of black nickel (nickel and zinc alloy), a layer of nickel and a layer of black gold (gold alloy and nickel). When etching a black nickel layer and a nickel layer, the laser power is then reduced to 10% of its maximum value.

The non-metallic layer 12a, 12b, 13 can be deposited by a PVD, CVD, ALD deposition process, spraying, by immersion, or any other process suitable for the deposition of a non-metallic layer. The non-metallic layer may comprise a varnish, a lacquer, a polymer or even a composite material.

According to a variant, the metallic layer or layers 12a, 12b, 13 can be formed with a composite metallic material, for example a metallic matrix comprising a ceramic, an oxide or another material.

According to one embodiment, the outer layer 13 is formed from a non-metallic material while the intermediate layers 12a, 12b are metallic.

In a variant illustrated in FIG. 4, the covering 10 comprises three intermediate layers 12a, 12b, 12c and an outer layer 13.

In such a configuration, at least a first opening 21 can be formed so as to reveal the intermediate layer 12c directly under the outer layer 13, at least a second opening 22 can be formed so as to reveal the intermediate layer 12b under the intermediate layer 12c, at least a third opening 23 can be formed so as to reveal the intermediate layer 12a on the substrate 2, and at least a fourth opening 24 can be formed so as to reveal the substrate 2. From the so, the dial 1 can contain graphic elements 31, 32, 33 having up to four different aspects.

According to one embodiment, the three intermediate layers 12a, 12b, 12c can be metallic and the outer layer 13 can be formed from a non-metallic material. For example, the three intermediate layers 12a, 12b, 12c may successively include a layer of copper, a layer of silver and a layer of gold. The outer layer 13 can be a lacquer or a varnish. The outer layer 13 can have a thickness of between 1 μm and 20 μm.

In the examples illustrated, the openings 21, 22, 23, 24 include vertical side walls and a horizontal bottom. One could however consider engraving other forms of openings 21, 22, 23, 24, such as in particular openings with inclined walls or with a non-rectangular profile, for example openings of concave shape.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, openings 21, 22, 23 are made in the coating 10. As described above, the openings can be formed so as to reveal one or the other of the intermediate layers 12a, 12b or even the substrate 2. In in a subsequent step, the openings 21, 22, 23 are filled with a filling material 40 so as to form a graphic element 31, 32, 33.

According to one embodiment, the filling material 40 is a metal. The growth of the metal in the openings 21, 22, 23 can be carried out by a galvanic deposition process. In this case, the outer layer 13 will advantageously be formed from a non-metallic electrically insulating material. This allows the metal 40 to grow in the opening 21, 22, 23 selectively. The layer (s) 11, 12 and / or the substrate 2 appearing in the opening 21, 22, 23 must then be metallic or made electrically conductive.

Alternatively, the metal 40 can be deposited in the opening 21, 22, 23 by any other suitable means. One could for example use a PVD, CVD or ALD deposition process.

The thickness of the metal deposited in each opening 21, 22, 23 may be equal to, less than or greater than the depth of the opening, depending on the desired aesthetic appearance.

In the case where the thickness is greater than the depth of the opening 21, 22, 23, the step of filling the openings with the filling material can be followed by a step of leveling the surface. 5, for example by polishing (as illustrated in FIG. 5 by the metallized openings 21 and 23).

Alternatively, the metal filling the openings 21, 22, 23 can be believed beyond the level of the surface 5 so as to form a three-dimensional structure above the surface 5 and to give a volume effect (simili -applies) to the graphic element 31, 32, 33 thus formed (as illustrated in FIG. 5 by the metallized opening 22).

CH 713 871 B1 Alternatively, the filling material 40 is a composite material with a metal matrix, an oxide, a carbide and / or a nitride. It is also conceivable to use another deposition process than a galvanic process for the growth of the filling material 40, such as a conversion process such as anodization. The filling material 40 can also comprise a non-metallic material, such as a paint, or even a lacquer.

The filling material 40 deposited in the opening 21, 22, 23 advantageously has an appearance which differs, or even contrasts, with the appearance of the outer layer 13. It is also possible to deposit different filling materials 40 in different openings 21, 22, 23, the filling materials 40 having different aspects.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the coating 10 comprises five intermediate layers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and an outer layer 13. At least one first opening 21 can be formed so as to reveal the intermediate layer 12e directly under the outer layer 13, at at least one second opening 22 can be formed so as to reveal another of the intermediate layers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d or even the substrate 2. Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain graphic elements 31, 32, 33 having up to six different aspects.

In yet another embodiment, each of the openings 21, 22, 23 can be configured so as to reveal more than one layer 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 13. In the example of the fig. 6, this embodiment is illustrated by the openings 21, 22 and 23. For example, the opening 21 has been etched with two distinct depths so as to reveal the intermediate layers 12e and 12d. Similarly, the opening 22 has been etched with two distinct depths so as to reveal the intermediate layers 12c and 12b. Finally, the opening 23 has been etched with three distinct depths so as to reveal the intermediate layers 12c, 12b and the substrate 2. Another opening could also reveal the intermediate layer 12a. So that each of the graphic elements 31, 32, 33 defined by the openings 21, 22, 23 will comprise up to six different aspects. It is also possible to etch at least one of the openings 21, 22 and 23 with a variable depth allowing more than one of the intermediate layers 12c-12e to appear, see at least one of the intermediate layers 12c-12e and the substrate 2.

Several configurations of the openings 21, 22, 23 are possible, making it possible to obtain different combinations of the layers which appear in the openings and therefore to obtain different combinations of aspects for the same graphic element 31, 32, 33.

In a possible variant, the coating 10 of FIG. 6 comprises metallic layers (metal or alloy) including an intermediate layer 12a of nickel, an intermediate layer 12b of gold, an intermediate layer 12c of silver, an intermediate layer 12d of black gold, an intermediate layer 12e of nickel and an outer layer 13 of black nickel. In this case, the surface of the dial will be black.

More generally, the coating 10 may include n intermediate layers 12. It may also include layers other than the intermediate layer 12 and the outer layer 13. The different layers can be combined according to the combinations of aspects of graphic elements 31, 32, 33 which one seeks to obtain.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. defined by the claims.

For example, the method described here can be used to manufacture a watch component other than a dial. For example, the method can be used to manufacture needles, indicator discs, or any other piece of clothing, or the movement of a timepiece comprising graphic elements 31, 32, 33 of various aspects.

FIG. 8 shows a dial 1 produced using the manufacturing process described here. The dial 1 includes two-tone numerals 31 of black color (defined for example by a layer of black nickel or black gold) and of gold color (defined for example by a layer of a metal or of a gold alloy), gold-colored indexes 32 on a black background, and a tricolor logo 33 comprising black and gray graphic elements on a gold background. A secondary display disc 34 in bronze color has indexes 32 in black color. A moon phase disc 36 of a moon phase display mechanism includes a pattern of moon and gold stars on a black background. The surface 5 of the dial 1 is gold in color. It could also be silver in color (defined for example by an outer layer 13 of a metal or of a silver alloy).

Reference numbers used in the figures [0057] substrate dial coating intermediate layer

CH 713 871 B1

12a-12e middle layer 13 outer layer 21 first opening 22 second opening 23 third opening 24 fourth opening 31, 32, 33 pattern or graphic element 34, 36 disk 40 filling material 5 coating surface 6 laser emission equipment

Claims (14)

claims 1. Component for a timepiece having a plurality of graphic elements (31, 32, 33), the component comprising a substrate (2) at least a portion of which is covered with a coating (10) comprising a plurality of layers , including an outer layer (13) and at least one intermediate layer (12) formed between the substrate (2) and the outer layer (13), said at least one intermediate layer (12) having an appearance different from that of the layer external (13); characterized in that the covering (10) comprises at least a first opening (21) having a first depth and defining a first graphic element (31, 32, 33), and a second opening (22) having a second depth different from the first depth and defining a second graphic element (31, 32, 33); and in that the substrate (2) has a different appearance from that of the at least one intermediate layer (12) and that of the outer layer (13), the at least one first opening (21) revealing said at least an intermediate layer (12), and the second opening revealing the substrate (2), or in that said at least one intermediate layer (12) comprises at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) each having a different appearance. one of the other; the at least one first opening (21) revealing one of said at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) and the second opening (22) revealing another of said at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d); so that the component has at least two graphic elements (31, 32, 33) having a different appearance from each other. 2. Component according to claim 1, wherein said substrate (2) has a different appearance from that of said at least one intermediate layer (12) and that of said outer layer (13), and wherein at least one openings (21,22) is configured so as to reveal said at least one intermediate layer (12) and the substrate (2) so that the graphic element (31, 32, 33) formed by said at least one of openings (21,22) has two different aspects. 3. Component according to claim 1, wherein said at least one intermediate layer (12) comprises at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) each having a different appearance from each other; and in which at least one of the openings (21, 22) is configured so as to reveal the at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) so that the graphic element (31, 32, 33) formed by said at least one of the openings (21,22) has at least two different aspects. 4. Component according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one intermediate layer (12, 12a-12d) and the outer layer (13) are metallic. 5. Component according to claim 4, in which the thickness of each of the metal layers (12, 12a-12d, 13) is between 0.5 μm and 5 μm, but preferably between 1 pm and 2 pm. CH 713 871 B1 6. Component according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the layers (12, 12a-12d, 13) is formed in a non-metallic material. 7. Component according to claim 6, wherein said at least one of the non-metallic layers comprises a varnish or a lacquer. 8. Component according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the outer layer (13) is non-metallic. 9. Component according to claim 8, in which the outer layer (13) has a thickness of between 1 μm and 10 μm. 10. Component, according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which at least one of the openings (21, 22) is filled with a filling material (40) having an appearance different from that of the outer layer ( 13). 11. Component according to claim 10, in which the external layer (13) is formed in an electrically insulating non-metallic material; and wherein at least the filling material (40) comprises a metal. 12. Component according to one of claims 1 to 11, forming a dial (1). 13. A method of manufacturing a component according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate (2); on the substrate (2), successively forming at least one intermediate layer (12) and an external layer (13); forming at least a first opening (21) with a first depth revealing said at least one intermediate layer (12) so as to define one of the graphic elements (31, 32, 33); forming a second opening (22) with a second depth different from the first depth so as to define another graphic element (31, 32, 33) having a different appearance from that of the graphic element formed by the at least one first opening (21); and in which the substrate (2) has a different appearance from that of the at least one intermediate layer (12) and that of the outer layer (13), the second depth revealing the substrate (2), or in which said at least one intermediate layer (12) comprises at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) each having a different appearance from each other; the first depth revealing one of said at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d) and the second depth revealing another of said at least two intermediate layers (12a-12d). 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the openings (21,22) are formed by laser irradiation using laser emission equipment (6). CH 713 871 B1

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