CH718752A2 - Dewar device for components of a watch and comprising an actuating device. - 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) comprising a bracelet, a case (4) comprising an enclosure (5) in which a case (6) of the watch (3) can be arranged so that a crystal (11) of the said box (6) is arranged facing a crystal (10a) of the case ( 4), at least one fixing device (7) fixing said case (6) of the watch (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 the angular displacement (13) of a free end of at least one lever element said actuating device relative to the housing (4), said at least one lever element having another end movably fixed to said housing (4). The invention allows the watch (3) to be used under extreme temperature conditions.

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 arranged in an enclosure of this device of Dewar.

Technology background

[0002] A watch and in particular an electronic watch conventionally comprises a bracelet 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.

[0003] 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

[0004] The invention relates to a Dewar device for mechanical and/or functional components of a watch, said device comprising: a strap, a case comprising an enclosure in which a watch case of so that a crystal of said box is arranged opposite a crystal of a set of elements of the case defining this enclosure, at least one fixing device fixing said watch case in said enclosure of the case by holding it remote from all the elements of the case defining this enclosure, and a device for actuating at least one push button by the angular displacement of a free end of at least one lever element of said device relative to the case, said at least one lever element having another end movably fixed to said housing.

[0005] In other embodiments: said actuating device comprises said at least one lever element which is configured to actuate said at least one push button by angular displacement of the free end of said at least one lever element relative to the housing, said at least one element lever having its other end movably fixed to said housing; said other end of said at least one lever element is movably fixed to one horn of a pair of horns of said case; said other end of said at least one lever element is movably fixed to a crown of said case; said actuating device comprises at least one element for limiting an angular displacement of the free end when said free end is operated counter-clockwise; said at least one lever element comprises a one-piece body having an essentially rectilinear shape; said at least one lever element comprises a connecting element capable of ensuring movable attachment of the other end of this lever element to a horn or a crown of the case; said at least one lever element comprises an actuation zone in particular defined on said free end, said actuation zone being capable of activating the push button of the watch by coming into contact with at least one activation zone of the middle of the case; the activation zone comprises a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the middle part capable of coming into contact with the push button of the watch as soon as the push button of this activation zone is actuated by said at least a lever element; the Dewar device comprises two lever elements each movably fixed to a horn of the case or to a protrusion defined on a side part of the case; said enclosure is under vacuum or quasi-vacuum.

Brief description of figures

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: FIG. 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 one embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 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

In Figure 1 is shown schematically an isothermal watch device 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 2 of a watch 3 also called "Dewar watch device" or "protection device" or more simply in the following the description „Dewar device“. 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 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 case 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 box 4 also comprises a crown, a crystal 10a and a bottom 10b visible in Figures 1 to 3. In this device 1, it will be noted that the crystal 10a preferably comprises a surface which is substantially greater than or strictly greater than a crystal 11 of watch case 6 3.

[0010] This case 4 also comprises a bezel which can be mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the middle part 10c. Such a bezel has an essentially circular shape.

This Dewar device 1 also comprises an actuating device 19 of at least one push button of the case 6 of the watch 3 arranged in the enclosure 5 of its case 4. This actuating device 19 comprises at least at least one lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d of the box 4 which is movably mounted on this box 4. Such a lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is capable of performing a movement 13 relative to the box 4 in order to actuate said push button of case 6 of watch 3.

This lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d comprises a one-piece rigid body having an essentially rectilinear shape. This lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d comprises two ends 16a, 16b. A first end 16a called "free end" which is able to come into contact indirectly with the push button of the box 6 and a second end 16b called "attachment end" which is fixed / mounted movable in rotation around a fixing axis B on the housing 4 of the Dewar device 1. Such a fixing axis B is defined at the level of the point of attachment 18 to the housing 4 of the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, this axis attachment B being parallel or substantially parallel to a central axis O of the housing 4 of the Dewar device 1. It is understood that this second end 16b is movably fixed at this attachment point 18 from a connecting element 24 .

Under these conditions, it is understood that the free end 16a of this lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is then capable of performing an angular displacement 13 relative to the attachment end 16b when the lever 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is requested by the user of the Dewar device 1 in order to activate the push button of the case 6 of the watch 3. In other words, the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c , 15d is configured to actuate said push button during a realization of an angular displacement 13 of the first end 16a of this said at least one lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d relative to the housing 4 and more particularly relative to an outer peripheral wall 17 of this case 4 and therefore to an outer face 23 of its middle part 10c.

In Figure 2, this actuation device 19 comprises two lever elements 15a, 15b each capable of actuating a push button of the box 6 of the watch 3. In this configuration, the second end 16b of each element lever 15a, 15b, is fixed/mounted movably in rotation to the horn of the pair of horns 14 of said case 4. In this configuration, these lever elements 15a, 15b are movably fixed to horns of pairs of horns 14 different from the box 4.

In Figure 3, this actuation device 19 comprises two lever elements 15c, 15d each capable of actuating a push button of the box 6 of the watch 3. In this configuration, the second end 16b of each element of lever 15c, 15d, is fixed/mounted movably in rotation to the crown of said case 4. in the center of the box 4 crossed by the central axis O. In other words, this protrusion 20 is defined on a side part of the box 4. These lever elements 15c, 15d are fixed preferably at two points of attaches 18 different from this protrusion 20. It will be noted that this protrusion 20 can be a mobile ring only in translation along a direction parallel to the central axis A of this protrusion 20. This central axis A is under these conditions p perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis O.

[0016] Each lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is capable of alternating between a so-called "inactivation" state during which the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is configured in a position in which it does not participate in actuating the push button of the case 6 of the watch 3 and a so-called "activation" state during which the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is configured in a position in which it participates in actuating this push button.

In addition, the actuation device 19 also comprises at least one return element capable of recalling the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d from an inactivation state to an activation state. It will also be noted that the actuation device 19 can comprise in this configuration an element 13 for limiting an angular displacement of the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d with respect to the housing 4 and therefore with respect to the middle part 10c of this case 4 when this lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is operated in a direction of movement opposite to that of the hands of a watch, also called “counterclockwise direction”, for example by the element of reminder.

In this actuation device 19, the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d comprises an actuation zone 21 capable of activating the push button of the watch 3 by coming into contact with at least one zone activation 22 of middle part 10c of case 4. This activation is performed when this lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is operated in an angular displacement 13 relative to this activation zone 22 of middle part 10c, this movement 13 being carried out in the direction of movement of the needles of a clock, otherwise called "clockwise".

[0019] Such an actuation zone 21 is defined on a part of an outer surface of the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. This part is arranged facing a portion of the outer face 23 of the middle part 10c where the activation zone 22 is located. This part can be between the point of attachment 18 to the case 4 of this lever element 15a , 15b, 15c, 15d and its free end included. By way of example, this actuation zone 21 can be defined at this free end 16a.

In this configuration, activation of the push button of the box 6 of the watch 3 by the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is indirect. Indeed, the actuation zone 21 is capable of activating the push button of the watch 3 by coming into contact indirectly with the latter and this, via the intermediary of the activation zone 22 of the middle part 10c.

This activation zone 22 is included in the actuation device 19 and is configured to interact with the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. Such an activation zone 22 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 this button is actuated by the zone actuation 21 of the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. Alternatively, this activation zone 22 can be a portion of the caseband 10c which is liable to deform in order to come into contact with the push button of the watch 3.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the Dewar device 1 comprises two lever elements 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d provided to activate two separate push buttons of the box 6 of the watch 3. These two lever elements 15a , 15b, 15c, 15d are arranged near or in the vicinity of the corresponding push buttons of the box 6 with which they are intended to cooperate indirectly. By way of example, the first and second push buttons are arranged on a middle part of the case 6 of the watch 3 respectively in the “2 o'clock” and “4 o'clock” zones.

[0023] In addition, it is therefore understood that in this actuation device 19 the push button of the watch 3 is activated by the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, from the angular displacement 13 of the zone of actuation 21 included on the lever element 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d relative to the activation zone 22 included in the middle part 10c of the case 4.

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 skilled in 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 box 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 included in the case 4. In other words, the fixing device 7 is configured to produce or maintaining a distance between said box 6 and all of the elements 10a, 10b, 10c of the box 4 forming the said enclosure 5 of this box 4. This fixing device 7 participates in reducing or even eliminating any heat conduction between the inner peripheral wall 12 of the middle part 10c and/or the back 10b and/or the crystal 10a with the case 6 of the watch 3 in particular with an outer overall face of this case 6. This outer overall face comprises an upper face comprising the crystal 11 of the case 6 of this watch 3, u lower face 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, 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.

[0027] 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 energy storage component, 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, the glass 10a, the middle part 10c and the bottom 10b of this device 1 together define the enclosure 5 of this case 4 which is capable of receiving the box 6 of the 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 crystal 10a and this, in a reversible and sealed manner. Alternatively, middle 10c and crystal 10a of watch case 3 3 may together form a one-piece piece, said one-piece piece defining an opening opposite crystal 10a which is capable of being closed by bottom 10b and this, too. reversibly and tightly.

[0030] The middle part 10c or the bottom 10b can also be like the crystal 10a, transparent elements of the case 4 of the Dewar device 1. In such a configuration, the peripheral wall 12 of the middle part 10c and the inner face of the bottom 10b can be coated with a metallic or similar reflective coating, such as for example a layer of silver.

[0031] It will however be noted that the caseband 10c or the bottom 10b are preferably made in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner of a metallic material or of thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer resins reinforced with carbon or glass fibers or even of ceramic materials .

[0032] In addition, the device 1 may comprise an interferometric filter arranged on an overall external face of the case 4, namely on an external peripheral wall of the middle part 10c and/or of the external faces of the crystal 10a and of the bottom 10b of this box 6 of watch 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 lengths to pass predetermined wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically the wavelengths of the visible domain.

Furthermore when the device 1 is intended to be used in an environment comprising air, the enclosure 5 of the case 4 comprising the box 6 of the watch, is under vacuum or near 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.

[0034] Such a Dewar device 1, the use or handling of which is facilitated thanks to the actuating device, contributes to providing the mechanical and/or functional components 2 of the watch 3 with very good thermal insulation vis-à-vis from 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 period. 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 3. This temperature is maintained over a period which is 5 to 18 times longer than the period during which such a watch case 3 would be capable of preserving an operating temperature of its components 2 by being located directly in such an environment where such temperatures in particular extremes prevail (that is to say by being located outside the housing 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 (11)

1. 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 the watch (3) can be arranged so that a crystal of said box (6) is arranged opposite 'a mirror (10a) of a set of elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the case (4) defining this enclosure (5); – 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 – a device (19) for actuating at least one push button by the angular displacement (13) of a free end (16a) of at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) of said device (19) relative to the box (4) said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) having another end (16b) movably fixed to said box (4). 2. Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuating device (19) comprises said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) which is configured to actuate said at least a push button by angular displacement (13) of the free end (16a) of this said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) relative to the case (4), said at least one lever element ( 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) having its other end (16b) movably fixed to said box (4). 3. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said other end (16b) of said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) is movably fixed to a horn of a pair of horns (14) of said box (4). 4. Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said other end (16b) of said at least one lever element (15c, 15d) is movably fixed to a crown (20) of said box (4). 5. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating device (19) comprises at least one element for limiting an angular displacement (13) of the free end ( 16a) when said free end (16a) is operated counter-clockwise. 6. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises a one-piece body having an essentially rectilinear shape. 7. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding, characterized in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises a connecting element (24) capable of securing mobile from the other end (16b) of this lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) to a horn or a crown (20) of the case (4). 8. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises an actuation zone (21) in particular defined on said free end (16a), said actuation zone (21) being capable of activating the push button of the watch (3) by coming into contact with at least one activation zone (22) of the middle part (10c) of the box (4). 9. Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the activation zone (22) comprises a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the middle part (10c) capable of coming into contact with the push button of the watch when the push button of this activation zone (22) is acted upon by said at least one lever element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d). 10. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two lever elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) each movably fixed to a horn of the housing (4) or to one to a protrusion (20) defined on a side part of the box (4). 11. Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said enclosure (5) is under vacuum or near vacuum.