CH718425A2 - Solar watch comprising a shutter device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch (10) comprising a case provided with a back, a crystal (12), a set of components forming a horological movement (13), and a dial (14) arranged between the movement and the crystal (12), said dial (14) comprising a module of photovoltaic cells (16) connected to an electric accumulator (17) intended to supply a source of electric energy to the watch (10), said dial ( 14) further comprising a shutter device (18) arranged between the photovoltaic cell module (16) and the crystal (12) of the watch (10), and configured to occupy a shutter state in which it masks the whole of the photovoltaic cell module (16) and an exposure state in which it exposes all or part of the photovoltaic cell module (16).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular to the field of solar watches comprising an electric accumulator powered by a photovoltaic cell.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a solar-powered watch comprising a shutter device.

Technology background

[0003] Solar watches comprise, in known manner, an electric accumulator powered by photovoltaic cells in order to supply energy to an electronic quartz watch movement or an auxiliary electronic function.

[0004] The photovoltaic cells are arranged under the crystal of the watch, generally on the dial so as to absorb a maximum of light and generate enough energy to supply the electric accumulator and thus confer on the electronic watch movement or on the function auxiliary electronics suitable autonomy for a user.

[0005] However, photovoltaic cells have a particular aesthetic appearance which may not be compatible with the potential expectations of users.

[0006] It has therefore been sought by certain watch manufacturers to mask the photovoltaic cells.

[0007] In particular, the state of the art is known for watches in which the photovoltaic cells are arranged under a dial made of a translucent material. For example, the dial can be constituted by a thin sheet of ceramic or mother-of-pearl, or by at least one translucent ink deposited on a transparent substrate.

[0008] There are also dials comprising a plurality of through-holes invisible to the naked eye, a particular surface state or a particular treatment, making it possible to expose the photovoltaic cells to light while concealing them from the view of the 'user.

[0009] However, these solutions are not entirely satisfactory in the sense that, during their implementation, the photovoltaic cells generally have a relatively low overall efficiency, and consequently, the charging time of the accumulator is particularly long.

[0010] There is therefore a need to provide a solar watch whose photovoltaic cells can be concealed from the view of a user, so that the dial of said watch can present a desired visual appearance, while allowing the photovoltaic cells to maintain a high yield if necessary.

Summary of the invention

The invention solves the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a solar watch allowing efficient recharging of the electric accumulator while making it possible to retain as often as possible an aesthetic appearance corresponding to the wishes of the user, for example a visual appearance of a traditional watch, that is to say comprising a dial with or without decorations.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a watch comprising a case provided with a middle part to which are attached a back and a crystal, a set of components forming a watch movement, and a dial arranged between the movement and crystal, the dial comprising a module of photovoltaic cells connected to an electric accumulator intended to supply a source of electric energy.

[0013] The dial further comprises a shutter device arranged between the photovoltaic cell module and the crystal of the watch, and configured to be able to occupy a shutter state in which it masks the entire photovoltaic cell module and an exposure state in which it exposes all or part of the photovoltaic cell module.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the invention may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the watch comprises a control mechanism comprising a movement transmission system configured to move shutter elements of the shutter device under the stresses of an actuating member, so driving the shutter device into the shutter state or the exposure state.

[0016] The exposure and shutter states of the shutter device are respectively defined by distinct positions taken by said device.

[0017] In particular embodiments, the actuating member consists of a motor controlled by instructions delivered by a control unit.

[0018] In particular embodiments, the control unit comprises a brightness sensor configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device into the shutter state when the brightness is below a certain threshold and in the exposure state when the brightness is above said threshold.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the control unit comprises a sensor capable of delivering information relating to the state of charge of the accumulator, to the control unit, the latter being configured to control the motor so as to drive the shutter device into the exposure state when the information provided by said sensor is representative of a state of charge of the accumulator below a predefined threshold.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the control unit is configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device into the exposure state, in response to the request from motion sensors and/or geolocation, when said request causes the emission of a signal representative of a physical or sporting activity of the user.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the control unit is configured to control the motor on the basis of instructions resulting from the processing by automatic learning of data collected and accumulated over time by movement sensors, geolocation and /or brightness.

[0022] In particular embodiments, the actuating member consists of a bezel, a crown or a push button.

[0023] In particular embodiments, the actuating member is constituted by the watch movement, so that the shutter device is controlled to occupy the shutter state at a predefined time and is controlled to occupy exposure status at a preset time.

[0024] In particular embodiments, the shutter device is formed by a slatted iris, said slats being configured to be housed in the caseband when the shutter device is in the exposure state and being configured to be deployed so as to cover the module with photovoltaic cells when the shutter device occupies the shutter state.

In particular embodiments, the closure device comprises two discs comprising opaque circular sectors and transparent circular sectors, said discs being arranged coaxially facing each other and movable in rotation relative to each other.

The disks are configured so that the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of one disk are arranged respectively opposite the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of the other disk, so that the shutter device occupies the exposure state, and so that the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of one disk are arranged respectively opposite the transparent circular sectors and the opaque circular sectors of the other disk, so that the device shutter occupies the shutter state.

[0027] In particular embodiments, the closure device is formed by a set of slats in the form of circular sectors, arranged so as to be able to move in rotation about the axis of the needles with respect to each other so to be adjacent to each other for the shutter device to occupy the shutter state, and to be superimposed on each other for the shutter device to occupy the exposure state.

In particular embodiments, the closure device is formed by a set of flaps extending in length parallel to each other, said flaps being configured to be driven in rotation about their longitudinal axis so that the side flanks of a flap adjoin the side flanks of the adjacent flaps so that the shutter device occupies the shutter state.

In particular embodiments, the photovoltaic cell module is covered with a layer of lubricant, said layer being interposed between said module and the closure device.

[0030] In particular embodiments, the shutter device comprises a disk having negative photochromic properties, that is to say that the disk is adapted to have an opaque appearance when the ambient light is less than a certain threshold and to present a transparent appearance when the ambient luminosity is greater than said threshold.

[0031] In particular embodiments, the shutter device comprises a disc having electrochromic properties, the watch comprising a management module connected to a light sensor and configured to subject the disc to an electrical voltage of predetermined intensity. so that said disk takes on an opaque appearance when the ambient luminosity is below a predefined threshold.

In particular embodiments, the management module is configured so as to subject the disc to an electric voltage of predetermined intensity so that said disc takes on an opaque appearance, when the electric accumulator is fully charged.

[0033] In particular embodiments, the watch comprises an actuating member configured to control, at the request of the user, the management module so as to, alternatively, apply or not apply a voltage to the disc so that it take on an opaque or transparent appearance.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a sectional view of a case of a watch comprising a shutter device according to one embodiment of the invention, in which a shutter device occupies a shutter state in which it conceals the assembly of a photovoltaic cell module; FIG. 2 represents a front view of the watch of FIG. 1 comprising an example of a shutter device according to another embodiment of the invention, said shutter device being formed by a slatted iris and being in the shutter status; FIG. 3a represents a sectional view of a case of a watch according to FIG. 2 comprising another example of a closure device, FIGS. 3b and 3c represent an isolated front view of the shutter device of FIG. 3a respectively occupying an exposure state and the shutter state, FIGS. 4a and 4b show an isolated front view of another example of the shutter device respectively occupying an intermediate state and an exposure state. FIGS. 5a to 5c show an isolated front view of another example of the shutter device respectively occupying a shutter state, an intermediate state and an exposure state. FIG. 6 schematically represents in perspective an example of a control mechanism with which the watch of FIG. 2 is provided, said example being applied to the embodiment of the shutter device represented in FIGS. 5a to 5c, FIG. 7 schematically represents in perspective an example of a transmission system with which the watch of FIG. 2 is provided, said example being applied to the embodiment of the shutter device represented in FIGS. 5a to 5c FIG. 8 represents a block diagram of the case of a watch of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention,

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a watch 10 schematically shown in the sectional view of Figure 1 comprising a case provided with a middle part 11 to which are fixed a bottom and a crystal 12, a set of components forming a movement watchmaker 13, and a dial 14 placed between the watchmaker movement 13 and the glass 12.

[0036] The watch movement 13 drives, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, a switch 15 comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and possibly a second hand. To this end, the dial 14 includes a through hole receiving the axis of the hands.

In the embodiment of the invention described in this text, the watch movement 13 is a quartz movement.

In order to provide a source of electrical energy to power the watch movement 13, the dial 14 includes a module of photovoltaic cells 16 connected to an electric accumulator 17. The photovoltaic cells 16 preferentially extend over the whole of the visible surface of dial 14, as shown in the sectional view of Figure 1.

The photovoltaic cell module 16 may comprise one or more elementary cells of the heterojunction or multijunction type, connected in parallel or in series. The photovoltaic cells 16 can be made, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, from semiconductor materials based on copper, indium, gallium and selenium, based on cadmium telluride, based on monocrystalline gallium arsenide or based on monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, or with perovskites. It should be noted that these examples are non-limiting and that those skilled in the art will know how to find the type of photovoltaic cells suitable for the invention.

[0040] Alternatively, if the watch movement 13 is a mechanical movement, the source of electrical energy may be intended to power a mechanism of an auxiliary electronic function, for example a compass, an altimeter, a temperature sensor, a device lighting, etc., said auxiliary electronic function not being shown in the figures.

The dial 14 further comprises a shutter device 18 arranged between the photovoltaic cell module 16 and the crystal 12 of the watch 10.

Preferably, for reasons of compactness of the watch 10, the shutter device 18 can be arranged against the photovoltaic cell module 16. In this case, said module is then advantageously covered with a layer of lubricant, said layer then being interposed between said module and the shutter device 18. The lubricant is advantageously selected for its limited impact on the electro-optical performance of the photovoltaic cells chosen.

[0043] The shutter device 18 is configured to be able to occupy a shutter state in which it masks the entire photovoltaic cell module 16, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, and an exposure state in which it exposes all or part of the photovoltaic cell module 16.

It should be noted here that in some cases, for example when the photovoltaic cell module consists of several cells, all of said cells must be exposed to a substantially similar light intensity to ensure the proper functioning of said module. .

In one embodiment of the invention shown schematically in Figure 1, the shutter device 18 comprises a disc comprising negative photochromic properties, that is to say that the disc is adapted to present an aspect opaque when the ambient luminosity is below a certain threshold and to present a transparent appearance when the ambient luminosity is above said threshold.

[0046] The term "ambient luminosity" is understood in the present text to mean the optical radiation impacting the dial 14 of the watch 10.

For example, such a disk can be made using a complex of iron and magnesium.

This embodiment of the invention is advantageously simple and inexpensive to develop and produce.

Furthermore, thanks to the disk, the photovoltaic cell module 16 can extend over an area equal to that of the dial 14, the whole of this surface being able to be masked or exposed by said disk.

The surface of the photovoltaic cell module 16 can be fully exposed when the conditions are adequate, the efficiency of charging the electric accumulator 17 is advantageously considerably increased.

Alternatively, the disc may have electrochromic properties, that is to say that the opaque or transparent appearance of the material which constitutes it may vary by applying an electric voltage to it or not.

[0052] To this end, the watch 10 may include a management module connected to a light sensor and configured to subject the disk to an electrical voltage of predetermined intensity so that said disk takes on an opaque appearance when the ambient light is lower. at a predefined threshold.

Furthermore, the rest of the time, the management module does not apply electrical voltage to the disc so that it retains its transparent appearance and the electric accumulator 17 can be recharged.

In addition, the management module can be configured so as to subject the disc to an electrical voltage of predetermined intensity so that said disc takes on an opaque appearance when the electric accumulator 17 is fully charged.

[0055] Thus, when it has an opaque appearance, the disc makes it possible to protect the electric accumulator 17 from a possible overload.

[0056] Furthermore, the watch 10 may comprise an actuation member 19 configured to control the management module, at the request of the user, so as to alternatively apply or not apply an electric voltage to the disk so that it take on an opaque or transparent appearance. In other words, the actuating member 19 is configured to drive the shutter device 18 alternately in the shutter state and in the exposure state according to the choice of the user. Examples of actuating member are cited in the following text.

In another embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 8, the watch 10 comprises a control mechanism comprising a movement transmission system 20 configured to move shutter elements 180 of the shutter device 18 under the stresses of the actuating member 19, so as to cause the shutter device 18 alternately in the shutter state and in the exposure state.

Advantageously, when the shutter device 18 occupies the shuttered state, the shutter elements 180 extend opposite the entire surface of the photovoltaic cell module 16 and have a visible external face. , called the "covering face", and an internal face intended to face the photovoltaic cell module 16.

When the shutter device 18 occupies the shuttered state, the covering face is visible to the user and allows the watch 10 to retain a desired aesthetic appearance, depending on the visual appearance of the face. of dressing.

In exemplary embodiments of this embodiment described below, the closure elements 180 can be made of metallic material or polymeric material, such as plastic, or any other suitable material.

[0061] As such, said covering face may comprise a coating, for example produced by any type of thin layer deposition method known as such by those skilled in the art.

[0062] Furthermore, preferably, when the shutter device 18 occupies the exposure state, the shutter elements 180 are not or are not very visible to a user, which makes it possible to maximize the surface of the module of photovoltaic cells 16 exposed to ambient light.

Examples of closure elements 180 are described in detail below and are shown in Figures 2 to 5c.

In Figure 2 is shown a front watch 10 comprising an example of shutter device 18 formed by a slatted iris, which is in the shuttered state. The shutter elements 180 are then formed by the slats which are configured to be housed in the middle part 11, or for example under a bezel, in order to hide from the view of a user when the shutter device 18 occupies the exposure state, and to be deployed so as to cover the photovoltaic cell module 16 when the shutter device 18 occupies the shutter state.

[0065] More particularly, the lamellae are superposed with each other and each extend between an end called the "proximal end" and an end called the "distal end", the said proximal end being fixed in a free rotation manner in a ring fixed relative to the caseband 11 or directly in said caseband 11.

[0066] The proximal end comprises a pin or a stud extending so as to cooperate with a slot formed in a ring that can rotate around an axis substantially coaxial with that of the needles. The openings extend helically in the ring, so that the rotation of said ring causes the pivoting of the slats, and thus the formation of a more or less large central opening around the axis of the needles.

[0067] Determining the most appropriate shape of the slats is, as such, within the reach of those skilled in the art.

[0068] In other variant embodiments of the iris with blades, the blades are driven in rotation during the rotation of the mobile ring by any suitable mechanism, the design of which is, as such, within the reach of the skilled person.

One of the advantages of making the shutter device 18 in the form of a slatted iris resides in the fact that the shutter elements 180, here the slats, are completely disengaged from the photovoltaic cell module 16 when said shutter device 18 occupies the exposure state.

In another exemplary embodiment of the shutter device 18 shown in Figures 3a to 3c, the shutter device 18 is formed by two discs arranged coaxially facing each other, said discs being provided with a through hole through which the axis of the needles extends.

The discs are for example made of polycarbonate.

As visible in Figures 3b and 3c, each of the discs comprises, on its face facing the other disc, a plurality of opaque circular sectors regularly distributed, at a distance from each other, around the center of each disc. In this way, each disc comprises an alternation of opaque and transparent circular sectors; that is to say that each transparent sector is interposed between two opaque sectors, and that each opaque sector is interposed between two transparent sectors, as shown in particular in the front view of FIG. 3b.

The opaque circular sectors form the closure elements 180 and can be produced by printing or thin layer deposition methods. Advantageously, the opaque circular sectors of the discs are arranged on the faces of said discs by which they face each other.

[0074] The opaque circular sectors of one disk have complementary dimensions to the circular sectors of the other disk, in the sense that when the shutter device 18 is in the shuttered state, the opaque sectors of a disk are located opposite the entire surface of the transparent sectors of the other disk, as shown in the front view of FIG. 3c.

For the shutter device 18 to reach the shutter state, one of the disks is configured to be driven in rotation by the control mechanism around the axis of the hands relative to the other disk, the latter being fixed with respect to the caseband 11.

When the shutter device 18 is in the exposure state, the opaque circular sectors of each disc are superimposed on each other, so as to expose the photovoltaic cell module 16 to ambient light, as shown. in Figures 3b and 4b.

In the exposure state, the shutter device 18 exposes substantially 50% of the surface of the dial 14.

By way of non-limiting example, the discs each comprise six opaque sectors and six transparent sectors.

In another exemplary embodiment of the closure device 18 not shown in the figures, the closure device 18 may be similar to that described above except that the discs are formed by sets of blades extending radially between the caseband 11 and the axis of the hands, said strips being separated from each other by through holes. The slats can be interconnected, at each of their ends, by a peripheral ring extending around said slats and by a central ring arranged around the axis of the needles.

The slats and the through holes each have the shape of a disc sector, said slats being dimensioned so as to cover the entire surface of the dial 14 when the shutter device 18 is in the shuttered state. .

[0081] The discs are rotatable relative to each other. More particularly, one of the discs comprises slats, called "moving slats", and is configured to be driven in rotation around the axis of the needles relative to the other disc, said other disc comprising slats, called "fixed slats". , arranged in a fixed manner relative to the middle part 11.

As described in the previous embodiment of the closure device 18, the discs preferably have an identical number of blades, for example six.

The slats are arranged so that a fixed slat is adjacent to a mobile slat, that is to say so that each fixed slat is interposed between two mobile slats and each mobile slat is interposed between two slats fixed, when the shutter device 18 is in the shutter state.

Thus, when the shutter device 18 is in the exposure state, each movable slat is superimposed on a fixed slat or vice versa.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the shutter device 18, shown here schematically in Figures 4a and 4b, the shutter elements 180 may be formed by a set of slats in the form of circular sectors, arranged in adjacent to each other and so as to be suitable for overlapping each other.

[0086] More particularly, the slats are all mobile in rotation around the axis of the hands, with the exception of a fixed slat, the mobile slats being configured so as to be successively driven in rotation in order to progressively expose the photovoltaic cell module 16, when the shutter device 18 changes from the shutter state to the exposure state. Such an arrangement is schematically illustrated in Figure 4a.

Thus, the movable slats are superimposed on the fixed slat, or vice versa, when the shutter device 18 occupies the exposure state, as shown in Figure 4b.

It should be noted that when the shutter device 18 according to this embodiment occupies the shutter state, it conforms to the schematic representation of Figure 3c.

[0089] This feature allows the shutter device 18 in particular to have intermediate states between the exposure and shutter states. In addition, this characteristic makes it possible to be able to choose the surface occupied on dial 14 by shutter device 18 and by photovoltaic cell module 16. By way of example, shutter device 18 may comprise slats intended to release only a predefined circular sector of the dial 14 when it occupies the exposure state, for example half or a quarter of the dial 14.

[0090] In addition, it can be envisaged that the movable slats are gradually driven in rotation according to predefined time intervals. For example, the control mechanism can be configured so as to cause a slat to rotate every hour, so that the shutter device 18 occupies the exposure state when the sun is at its zenith, or during the day, and its shutter state at night.

In yet another embodiment of the closure device 18 shown in Figures 5a to 5c, the closure elements 180 are formed by a set of flaps extending in length parallel to each other. Between their longitudinal ends, each flap extends between two lateral flanks.

[0092] The flaps delimit, in the present embodiment, circular segments in the caseband 11 of the watch 10.

The flaps are fixed to the caseband 11 by their longitudinal ends and are configured to be driven in rotation around their longitudinal axes.

[0094] They are also dimensioned so that the side flanks of a shutter adjoin the side flanks of the adjacent shutters so that the shutter device 18 occupies the shuttered state, as illustrated in FIG. 5a.

It should be noted that other examples of this embodiment of the shutter device 18 can also be envisaged, although not described in this text, provided that it comprises shutter elements 180 movable between a position in which they cover the entire surface of the photovoltaic cell module 16 so as to hide said module from the view of the user, and a position in which they expose said module to the view of the user, and consequently, to the ambient luminosity.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuation member 19 consists of a mobile component of the watch 10, for example a bezel, a crown or a push button.

More particularly, the rotation of the bezel or of the crown, or the pressure of a push button can, by means of the movement transmission system 20, allow the change of state of the shutter device 18.

Thus, the user can advantageously, when he wishes, manually modify the state of the shutter device 18 and choose whether he wants the covering face or the photovoltaic cell module 16 to be visible.

In particular, as shown schematically in Figures 6 and 7 in an example of a control mechanism and transmission system 20 applied to the embodiment of the shutter device 18 shown in Figures 5a to 5c, the watch 10 may comprise a splined bezel cooperating with a toothed wheel secured to a flap, called “motor flap”, the longitudinal axis of which is preferably secant with the axis of the needles.

[0100] Figure 7 illustrates in particular a transmission system 20 arranged so as to drive the flaps in rotation. The transmission system 20 comprises connecting members, here consisting of flexible links, for example belts, arranged between each flap and configured to subject their rotation to the rotation of the motor flap.

[0101] In other words, the flaps are secured to each other by the connecting members, so that a movement of the motor flap caused by the stress of the bezel causes the rotation of all the other flaps.

[0102] The connecting members may consist of any element known per se to those skilled in the art, for example by gears.

These examples of control mechanism and transmission system 20 can also be applied to the embodiments of the shutter device 18 shown in Figures 2 to 4c, with adjustments within the reach of those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown in the figures), the actuating member 19 is constituted by the watch movement 13 so that the shutter device 18 is controlled to occupy the shutter state at a preset time and be driven to occupy the exposure state at a preset time.

[0105] For example, the shutter device 18 can be controlled to occupy the shutter state at a time representative of a significant decrease in ambient light, for example the time of sunset, and to be driven to occupy the exposure state at a time representative of a significant increase in ambient light, for example the time of sunrise.

In yet another embodiment of the invention represented by the block diagram of FIG. 8, the actuating member 19 to which the movement transmission system 20 is connected can be constituted by a motor driven by instructions delivered by a control unit 21. The motor is advantageously supplied with electricity by the electric accumulator 17.

Such a motor can be a Lavet-type stepper motor and can be arranged in a manner known to those skilled in the art within the watch 10, between the dial 14 and the back.

The control unit 21 described here can include calculation means, such as a microprocessor.

[0109] For example, the control unit 21 can be connected to a brightness sensor 22, as shown in Figure 8, and be configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device 18 in the shutter state when the ambient brightness is below a certain threshold and in the exposure state when the ambient brightness is above said threshold.

[0110] Advantageously, the watch 10 comprises an electric power management module 23, known as such to those skilled in the art, connected to the control unit 21, to the motor, to the electric accumulator 17, to the photovoltaic cells 16 and possibly to the luminosity sensor 22.

In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the light sensor 22 can advantageously be formed by the photovoltaic cell module 16.

The motor can also be controlled by the control unit 21 according to predefined times to drive the shutter device 18 into the shutter state at a predefined time, for example a time representative of sunset, and in the exposure state at a predefined time, for example a time representative of sunrise.

For this purpose, the control unit 21 can implement position sensors linked to the watch movement 13 or to the hour and/or minute hands.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 21 can control the motor in response to the request from motion and/or geolocation sensors.

In particular, the control unit 21 can be configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device 18 into the exposure state when the signal emitted by the motion and/or geolocation sensors is representative of a physical or sports activity of the user. In a complementary manner, the control unit 21 can be configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device 18 into the shutter state if the signal emitted by the motion and/or geolocation sensors does not is not representative of a physical activity or sport of the user.

Finally, the control unit 21 can be connected to a sensor capable of delivering information relating to the state of charge of the electric accumulator 17, to said control unit 21, the latter being configured to control the motor so as to drive the shutter device 18 into the exposure state when the information provided by said sensor is representative of a state of charge of the electric accumulator 17 below a predefined threshold.

[0117] Alternatively or additionally to these characteristics, the control unit 21 can be configured to communicate with an electronic device such as a computer, an electronic tablet or a smart mobile phone, so as to receive motor control instructions. to change the state of the shutter device 18 via the control mechanism 21.

[0118] Advantageously, the control of the motor can be achieved by implementing one of the aforementioned characteristics or a combination of the latter, that is to say that it can be achieved according to instructions transmitted by the unit control 21 on the basis of information supplied by one or more of the sensors described in the aforementioned examples and/or supplied by an electronic device.

In other words, the control unit 21 can control the motor according to a single criterion or several criteria combined together.

Advantageously, the control unit 21 can control the motor on the basis of instructions resulting from the processing of data collected and accumulated over time by the motion, geolocation and/or brightness sensors 22, said data being representative of the lifestyle of the user of the watch 10. This processing is advantageously carried out by any method of analyzing the data by automatic learning, for example methods of the deep learning type, the analysis being able in this case to make use of neural networks.

It should be specified that the invention also relates to any technically possible combination of the examples and embodiments described above.

Indeed, it is for example possible to make a watch 10 according to the present invention, comprising a disc with negative photochromic properties combined with one of the shutter elements 180 described above, connected to a mechanism of command 21.

Furthermore, the present text has considered a watch 10 whose case is round in shape. However, the case of the watch 10 can be of different shape, for example oval or square, the shape of the closure elements 180 then being adapted to the shape of said case.

Claims (18)

1. Watch (10) comprising a case provided with a middle part (11) to which are attached a back and a crystal (12), a set of components forming a watch movement (13), and a dial ( 14) disposed between said movement and crystal (12), the dial (14) comprising a module of photovoltaic cells (16) connected to an electric accumulator (17) intended to supply a source of electric energy, said watch (10) being characterized in that said dial (14) further comprises a shutter device (18) arranged between the photovoltaic cell module (16) and the crystal (12) of the watch (10), and configured to be able to occupy a shutter state in which it masks the whole of the photovoltaic cell module (16) and an exposure state in which it exposes all or part of the photovoltaic cell module (16). 2. Watch (10) according to claim 1, comprising a control mechanism (21) comprising a movement transmission system (20) configured to move shutter elements (180) of the shutter device (18) under the stresses of an actuating member (19), so as to drive the shutter device (18) into the shuttered state or into the exposed state. 3. Watch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the actuating member (19) consists of a motor driven by instructions delivered by a control unit (21). 4. Watch (10) according to claim 3, in which the control unit (21) comprises a luminosity sensor (22) configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device (18) into the state shutter when the brightness is below a certain threshold and in the exposure state when the brightness is above said threshold. 5. Watch (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the control unit (21) comprises a sensor capable of delivering information relating to the state of charge of the electric accumulator (17), to the control unit (21), the latter being configured to drive the motor so as to drive the shutter device (18) into the exposure state when the information supplied by the said sensor is representative of a state of charge of the electric accumulator (17) below a predefined threshold. 6. Watch (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to control the motor so as to drive the shutter device (18) in the state of exposure, in response to the solicitation of motion and/or geolocation sensors, when said solicitation causes the emission of a signal representative of a physical or sporting activity of the user. 7. Watch (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, in which the control unit (21) is configured to control the motor on the basis of instructions resulting from the processing by automatic learning of data collected and accumulated in time by motion, geolocation and/or light sensors. 8. Watch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the actuating member (19) consists of a bezel, a crown or a push button. 9. Watch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the actuating member (19) is constituted by the watch movement (13), so that the shutter device (18) is controlled to occupy the state shutter at a preset time and is driven to occupy the exposure state at a preset time. 10. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shutter device (18) is formed by an iris with blades, said blades being configured to be housed in the caseband (11) when the device shutter occupies the exposure state and being configured to be deployed so as to cover the photovoltaic cell module (16) when the shutter device (18) occupies the shutter state. 11. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shutter device (18) comprises two discs comprising opaque circular sectors and transparent circular sectors, said discs being arranged coaxially facing each other. screw one another and rotatable one relative to the other, said discs being configured so that the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of a disc are arranged respectively opposite the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of the other disc, so that the shutter device (18) occupies the exposure state, and so that the opaque circular sectors and the transparent circular sectors of one disc are respectively arranged in regard of the transparent circular sectors and the opaque circular sectors of the other disc, so that the shutter device (18) occupies the shutter state. 12. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shutter device (18) is formed by a set of slats in the form of circular sectors, arranged so as to be able to move in rotation around the axis of the needles with respect to each other so as to be adjacent to each other so that the obturation device (18) occupies the obturation state, and so as to be superimposed on each other so that the device shutter (18) occupies the exposure state. 13. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shutter device (18) is formed by a set of flaps extending in length parallel to each other, said flaps being configured to be driven in rotation about their longitudinal axis so that the lateral flanks of a shutter adjoin the lateral flanks of the adjacent shutters so that the shutter device (18) occupies the shutter state. 14. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the photovoltaic cell module (16) is covered with a layer of lubricant, said layer being interposed between said module and the sealing device. 15. Watch (10) according to claim 1, in which the shutter device (18) comprises a disc having negative photochromic properties, that is to say the disc is adapted to present an opaque appearance when the luminosity ambient light is below a certain threshold and to present a transparent appearance when the ambient luminosity is above said threshold. 16. Watch (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the shutter device (18) comprises a disc having electrochromic properties, said watch (10) comprising a management module connected to a light sensor and configured to subject the disc to an electrical voltage of predetermined intensity so that said disc takes on an opaque appearance when the ambient luminosity is below a predefined threshold. 17. Watch (10) according to claim 16, in which the management module is configured so as to subject the disc to an electric voltage of predetermined intensity so that said disc takes on an opaque appearance when the electric accumulator (17) is fully loaded. 18. Watch according to one of claims 16 or 17, comprising an actuating member (19) configured to control, on request from the user, the management module so as to, alternatively, apply or not apply a voltage to the disc so that it takes on an opaque or transparent appearance.