CH718101A2 - Watch case comprising a near field communication device. - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a case (2) of a watch (1) comprising a middle part (6) and a hollow bezel (3) provided with a near-field communication device (4) comprising at least one microcircuit (5a ) connected to an antenna (5b), said bezel (3) being removably mounted on said middle part (6) and formed by an assembly of two trim elements capable of defining a housing in which said communication device is arranged (4) in the near field, said first and second bezel covering elements (3) being assembled with each other from a reversible fixing device (8).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch case comprising a near-field communication device, as well as a watch fitted with such a case.

Technology background

[0002] In the state of the art, portable contactless payment objects such as watches are known which are capable of participating in the making of an electronic payment. Such watches conventionally comprise near-field communication means composed of an electronic chip, or integrated circuit, electrically connected to an antenna. Most of the time, these means do not need an independent power supply and are intended to communicate automatically with a reader as soon as they approach it. The electromagnetic field of the reader generates an induced current in the antenna which powers the chip and allows it to in turn emit a signal via the antenna.

[0003] However, these near-field communication means have a lifespan limited by the life expectancy of the integrated circuit, more particularly that of its “electronic safe” part, which must not exceed ten years. Indeed, after this period, these means of communication no longer allow electronic payment to be made and must therefore be replaced. With regard to the particular arrangement of these means of communication in these watches of the state of the art, the maintenance operations that must lead to such replacements are often complex or even impossible and also costly because they may in particular require the replacement of other parts of the watch that are associated with these means of communication.

[0004] The state of the art does not offer a solution making it possible to overcome such drawbacks, there is consequently a need to propose an alternative to existing solutions.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing to provide a watch whose case includes a bezel which can be easily and quickly disassembled to ensure maintenance of the near field communication device that it contains without impacting the integrity or sealing of the product.

[0006] In this design, one aspect of the invention relates to a watch case comprising a middle part and a hollow bezel provided with a near-field communication device comprising at least one microcircuit connected to an antenna, said bezel being mounted in a removable manner on said middle part and formed by an assembly of two trim elements capable of defining a housing in which said near-field communication device is arranged, said first and second trim elements of the bezel being assembled one with each other from a reversible attachment device.

[0007] In other embodiments: the reversible fastening device comprises a clamping element, in particular a compressible seal; the first trim element comprises a reversible attachment zone comprising a groove defined on an outer peripheral wall of the first trim element; said groove is configured to receive said clamping element; said second trim element comprises a reversible connection zone which is capable of cooperating by friction with a clamping element arranged in a groove included in the first trim element; the bezel comprises a removable support element of the near-field communication device; the support element comprises on its upper face a reception zone, in particular in an inclined plane, capable of receiving said antenna; the reception zone of the support element comprises or is formed of a magnetic protection screen such as ferrite; the support element comprises a recess in which said at least one microcircuit may be arranged in whole or in part; the support element comprises on its underside at least two feet capable of resting on an internal face of the second trim element of the bezel when this second trim element is assembled to the first trim element; the first and second covering elements, the removable support element and the clamping element are made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. said bezel is fixed to the middle part using at least one removable fixing element, in particular of the clipping type; the near-field communication device comprises a coating of waterproof material capable of rendering said device impermeable to water and/or humidity; the near field communication device is a contactless electronic payment device.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a watch comprising such a box comprising a near-field communication device.

[0009] Advantageously, the watch is waterproof.

Brief description of figures

[0010] The purposes, advantages and characteristics... FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a watch provided with a case comprising a bezel in which a near-field communication device is arranged, according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a bottom view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 is an exploded view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a watch 1 comprising a case 2 comprising a middle part 6 and a hollow bezel 3 provided with a near-field communication device 4 of the NFC type (acronym for "Near Field Communication") ). Such a near-field communication device 4 can participate in the production of a contactless electronic payment. In this context, such a device 4 is then a contactless electronic payment device.

This communication device 4 in the near field comprises at least one microcircuit 5a which can be an integrated circuit and an antenna 5b preferably of circular shape which can be wound in an electrically conductive material, such as for example copper or made on a circuit printed (or PCB English "Printed Circuit Board") and which is connected to said microcircuit 5a.

In this configuration, the watch 1 according to the invention comprises a bezel 3 which can be easily disassembled/disassembled in particular to change the communication device 4 in near field which would be defective and this, without damaging this bezel 3 and by extension the box 2 of watch 1. In addition, this bezel 3 also participates in making it possible to integrate such a device 4 in this watch 1 in a simpler and more economical manner. It will be noted that such a bezel 3 can be unidirectional or bidirectional or even a non-rotating bezel.

[0014] This watch 1 can be a wristwatch or a mechanical watch or even a connected watch. This watch 1 can be waterproof and in this configuration it can be a sports watch such as a diving watch.

[0015] In this watch 1, the case 2 firstly comprises a middle part 6. The middle part 6 can be made of metal (for example steel, preferably stainless steel), or of a synthetic material (for example in a composite material comprising a polymer matrix loaded with fibers, typically carbon) or even in a dielectric, ceramic and/or electrically non-conductive material. As can be seen in FIG. 1, caseband 6 has a circular outline. The caseband 6 defines an interior space configured to accommodate a clock movement. This middle part 6 comprises horns on which a bracelet is intended to hang for wearing the watch 1 on the wrist. If the horns are disregarded, the caseband 6 has a general symmetry of revolution around a central axis X.

[0016] This box 2 of watch 1 comprises secondly, the bezel 3 which is removably mounted on the middle part 6. This bezel 3 is in fact mounted on this middle part 6 from at least one removable fixing element in particular of the clipping or interlocking type. Such a fixing element makes it possible to assemble and disassemble the bezel 3 from the middle part 6 easily, quickly and simply without damaging them in order to ensure, for example, the maintenance of the communication device 4 in the near field.

In Figures 1 to 4, this bezel 3 has an essentially annular shape. It comprises two covering elements 7a, 7b, a reversible fixing device 8 and a removable support element 11 of the communication device 4 in the near field. More specifically, this bezel 3 is formed by assembling the first trim element 7a with the second trim element 7b so as to define a housing in which the near-field communication device 4 is arranged. In particular, it will be noted that in this configuration the support element 11 is sandwiched between these two covering elements 7a, 7b. In this bezel 3, the reversible fixing device 8 comprises a fixing zone 9b and a connecting zone 9c as well as a tightening element 9a which we will describe later. Recall that such a device 8 participates in the assembly of the first and second covering elements 7a, 7b by fitting together by clamping.

The first covering element 7a comprises an outer face 15 on which is affixed or formed a graduation 16. In the example illustrated, the graduation comprises indexes, some of which are figurative and are in the form of numbers (preferably Arabs). One of the indexes, called zero index 17, is in the form of a triangle pointing inwardly of this first trim element 7a, to form an origin mark from which the user measures, in minutes, the time elapsed from a predetermined initial instant corresponding to a precise angular position of the bezel 3 with respect to the middle part 6. This first covering element 7a also comprises an internal face 18, an internal peripheral wall 19 and an outer peripheral wall.

This first trim element 7a comprises an arrangement zone 20 of said at least one microcircuit 5a of the communication device 4 which is formed both in a part of the internal peripheral wall 19 and a part of the internal face 18. This layout area 20 is preferably located behind the zero index 17.

The first trim element 7a also comprises the reversible attachment zone 9b comprising a groove 10 defined on its outer peripheral wall. Such a groove 10 is specifically configured to receive the clamping element 9a.

This clamping element 9a can be a compressible seal which is smaller than the periphery (circumference) of the groove 10. Such a clamping element 9a is therefore arranged in the groove 10 by being stretched. Despite its smaller circumference, the clamping element 9a finds its place in this groove 10 thanks to its elastic properties, which allow it to be relaxed and which, once placed in the groove 10, will shrink to press against the peripheral wall. external in groove 10.

This reversible attachment zone 9b is able to cooperate with the reversible connection zone 9c defined on an internal peripheral wall 21 of the second trim element 7b of the bezel 3. This connection zone 9c is able to cooperate with a external surface 20 of the clamping element 9a mounted in the groove 10 of the fixing zone 9b in order to reversibly connect the first covering element 7a with the second covering element 7b. It will be noted that the connecting zone 9c is capable of cooperating by friction with the outer surface 20 of the clamping element 9a arranged in the groove 10.

In this configuration, the diameter connecting two points of the outer surface 20 of the clamping element 9a mounted on the first covering element 7a is substantially greater or strictly greater than the diameter connecting two points of the connecting zone 9c of the second trim element 7b. It will be noted that the diameter connecting two points of the groove 10 of the first covering element 7a is substantially less or strictly less than the diameter connecting two points of the connecting zone 9c of the second covering element 7b. Furthermore, it is understood that the diameter of the first covering element 7a without the clamping element 9a is substantially less or strictly less than that of the second covering element 7b.

[0024] The second covering element 7b comprises an internal face which is contiguous to its internal peripheral wall 21. This internal face is in particular configured to be a support face for the support element 11 of the bezel 3 when the first and second trim elements 7a, 7b are assembled. This second trim element 7b comprises an outer face 22 opposite the inner face and which extends opposite the middle part 6, and more precisely opposite a part of the middle part 6 provided for the removable fixing of the bezel 3. This external face 22 comprises a toothed crown 23 of this bezel 3 which serves for the angular indexing of the bezel 3 with respect to the middle part 6. This toothed crown 23 comprises a peripheral series of teeth, each tooth of which is asymmetrical and comprises an inclined ramp and a vertical stopping surface, possibly connected by a horizontal plate.

This second trim element 7b is also provided with an outer peripheral wall on which is defined a gripping zone 24 of the bezel 3.

As we have mentioned, the bezel 3 comprises the removable support element 11 of the communication device 4 in the near field. More specifically, this support element 11 is provided with an upper face 13a comprising a zone 12b for receiving the antenna 5b of said communication device 4. This reception zone 12b on which said antenna 5b is arranged is in particular comprised in a inclined plane. This support element 11 also comprises a recess 12a, or a through opening, in which said at least one microcircuit 5a may be arranged in whole or in part.

[0027] In a variant, the reception zone 12b can comprise/form a magnetic protective screen such as ferrite by being covered with a layer of material based on ferrite. In this context, the part of the internal peripheral wall and the internal face of the second covering element 7b located close to said at least one microcircuit 5a, can also comprise such a layer of material in order to form a magnetic screen with this element of stand 11.

[0028] In addition, this support element 11 comprises a lower face 13b comprising a plurality of feet 14 capable of resting on the internal face of the second covering element 7b of this bezel 3 when this second covering element 7b is assembled. to the first trim element 7a.

In this bezel 3, the first and second covering elements 7a, 7b, the clamping element 9a and the support element 11 are adapted to the operation of the communication device 4 in the near field by being manufactured in dielectric and electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example plastic, ceramic, or any other synthetic material.

[0030] Furthermore, the communication device 4 comprises a coating of waterproof material which makes it impermeable to water and humidity. This coating of material is also able to make it resistant to high pressures that may be encountered during dives carried out by the wearer of watch 1. This coating of material may comprise organic or inorganic layers or a combination of these two types of layers .

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. .

Claims (16)

1. Case (2) of a watch (1) comprising a middle part (6) and a hollow bezel (3) provided with a near-field communication device (4) comprising at least one microcircuit (5a) connected to an antenna ( 5b), said bezel (3) being removably mounted on said middle part (6) and formed by an assembly of two trim elements (7a, 7b) capable of defining a housing in which said communication device ( 4) in the near field, said first and second covering elements (7a, 7b) of the bezel (3) being assembled with each other from a reversible fixing device (8). 2. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reversible fixing device (8) comprises a clamping element (9a) in particular a compressible seal. 3. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first covering element (7a) comprises a reversible fixing zone (9b) comprising a groove (10) defined on an outer peripheral wall of the first trim element (7a). 4. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said groove (10) is configured to receive said clamping element (9a). 5. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second covering element (7b) comprises a reversible connecting zone (9c) which is capable of cooperating by friction with a clamping element ( 9a) arranged in a groove (10) included in the first covering element (7a). 6. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (3) comprises a removable support element (11) of the near-field communication device (4). 7. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises on its upper face (13a) a reception zone (12b) in particular in an inclined plane capable of receiving said antenna (5b) . 8. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving zone (12b) of the support element (11) comprises or is formed of a magnetic protective screen such as ferrite. 9. Box (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises a recess (12a) in which is capable of being arranged in whole or in part said at least a microcircuit (5a). 10. Box (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises on its underside (13b) at least two feet (14) capable of bearing on a inner face (15) of the second trim element (7b) of the bezel (3) when this second trim element (7b) is assembled to the first trim element (7a). 11. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second covering elements (7a, 7b), the removable support element (11) and the clamping element (9a ) are made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. 12. Case (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bezel (3) is fixed to the middle part (6) from at least one removable fixing element, in particular of the clipping type. 13. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the near-field communication device (4) comprises a coating of waterproof material capable of rendering the said device (4) waterproof and /or humidity. 14. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the near-field communication device (4) is a contactless electronic payment device. 15. Watch (1) comprising a case (2) comprising a near-field communication device (4), according to claims 1 to 14. 16. Watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is waterproof.