CH720371A2 - Timepiece comprising a covering element comprising an autonomous lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising at least one covering element (2a) comprising a visible face (20a) formed of at least a first opaque part and at least a second transparent or translucent part , said at least one covering element (2a) comprising an autonomous lighting device comprising the following functional elements: – at least one light source (4) capable of generating light in the visible face (20a) of the element dressing (2a); – an autonomous power supply unit (21), and – a control unit (7) configured to manage the operation of the light source (4); said at least one covering element (2a) being formed by an assembly (9a) of a plurality of superimposed layers (10, 11, 12, 13) connected together and each comprising one or more functional elements of the device autonomous lighting.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one covering element provided with a completely autonomous lighting device. More precisely, the present invention relates to a timepiece presenting original effects of light, for a functional, aesthetic and/or playful purpose.

Technology background

[0002] Creating timepieces such as wristwatches with an improved aesthetic appearance is a constant concern among watch manufacturers and in particular among those responsible for designing the various exterior elements. It would be too long to list here all the solutions that have been considered to give a timepiece as neat and aesthetic an appearance as possible. As an example only, we can cite the technique of guilloché dials, the shape and/or color of the dial appliques or hands or even the addition of precious or semi-precious stones.

[0003] In this context, we understand that there is a need to find a solution, which does not present the disadvantages of the prior art and which aims to offer customers watches whose appearance is both aesthetic, surprising and functional.

Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a timepiece allowing light to escape from the inside of a covering element of the part with optimal light transmission, while presenting original effects of light, for a functional, aesthetic and/or fun purpose.

[0005] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one covering element comprising a visible face formed of at least a first opaque part and at least a second transparent or translucent part, said at least one covering element comprising an autonomous lighting device comprising the following functional elements: – at least one light source capable of generating light in the visible face of the covering element; – an autonomous electrical power supply unit, and – a control unit configured to manage the operation of the light source; said at least one covering element being formed by an assembly of a plurality of superimposed layers connected together and comprising each one or more functional elements of the autonomous lighting device.

[0006] In other embodiments: – said at least one trim element comprises a back, a middle part, a dial, a bracelet section, a bezel, a flange, a push button, a winding crown and/or a crown headdress; – the assembly consists of a first layer forming said visible face comprising said at least one light source; – said at least one light source is arranged in the first layer, said arrangement being configured so that most or all of the light produced by said at least one light source passes through said at least a second part of the visible face; – said at least one second transparent or translucent part is configured to be passed through by light in particular comprising solar radiation capable of being received by a photovoltaic module of the autonomous electrical power supply unit; – said at least one light source is a light source configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous lighting on said at least a second part of the first layer; – the assembly comprises, in addition to the first layer, the following successive layers: • a second layer comprising a photovoltaic module constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit; • a third layer comprising an electrical energy accumulator constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit; • a fourth layer forming a hidden face of the covering element comprising the control unit; – the assembly comprises, in addition to the first layer, the following successive layers: • a second layer comprising a photovoltaic module constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit, and • a third layer comprising a hidden face of the covering element comprising the control unit and an electrical energy accumulator constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit; – the first layer is rigid relative to the other layers included in the assembly which are flexible; – the plurality of layers are connected together by a connecting element so as to unify these layers to obtain an assembly forming a one-piece covering element; – said at least one first opaque part is a graphic representation included on and/or in a substrate participating in forming the visible face; – the functional elements are printed on substrates constituting the layers of the assembly forming said at least one covering element; – said at least one trim element comprises a back, a caseband, a dial, a bracelet strand, a bezel, a flange, a push button, a winding crown and/or a crown cap.

Brief description of the figures

[0007] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which: – Figure 1 is a sectional view of a box of the timepiece equipped with a covering element such as a dial provided with an autonomous lighting device according to embodiments of the invention; – Figure 2 shows a top view of a watch comprising this dial, according to the embodiments of the invention; – Figure 3 represents an exploded view of a first variant of the assembly of four superimposed layers forming said dial provided with the autonomous lighting device, said layers each comprising one or more constituent elements of the lighting device according to the modes of realization of the invention; – Figure 4 represents a schematic view of this first variant of the assembly of layers forming the dial provided with the autonomous lighting device according to the embodiments of the invention; – Figure 5 represents an exploded view of a second variant of the assembly comprising three superimposed layers forming said dial provided with the autonomous lighting device, said layers each comprising one or more constituent elements of the lighting device according to the modes of embodiment of the invention, and – Figure 6 represents a schematic view of this second variant of this assembly of layers forming the dial provided with the autonomous lighting device, according to the embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists of housing an autonomous lighting device 3 in a covering element 2a, 2b of a timepiece 1, which covering element 2a, 2b being provided with a visible face 20a comprising at least a first opaque part and at least a second transparent or translucent part.

[0009] In this timepiece 1, the covering elements 2a, 2b correspond to all of the constituent parts of the timepiece 1 surrounding a movement 31, contributing in particular to its external presentation, to its protection, to its fixing, to its order. These trim elements also give this watch its aesthetic and style, and also allow all of its functions to be indicated. More precisely and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, these constituent parts considered here include in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner: a back 24, a middle part 23, a dial 32, bracelet strands 30, a bezel 26, a flange, a push button, a hand, a winding crown and/or a crown cap.

[0010] In these Figures 1 and 2, such a timepiece 1 comprises a case 22 provided with the middle part 23 to which the back 24 and a crystal 25 are fixed, of a set of components forming the watch movement 31, and the dial 32 placed between the watch movement 31 and the crystal 25.

[0011] In this configuration, the watch movement 31 drives, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, hands 27 comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and possibly a second hand. For this purpose, the dial 32 has a through hole receiving the axis of the hands.

[0012] As we have previously mentioned, the covering elements 2a, 2b concern all the components surrounding the movement. For a better understanding, we only consider the dial. Note that such a covering element 2a, 2b therefore comprises the visible face 20a which is also called "visible part" or "visible upper part", and also includes a hidden face 20b otherwise called "hidden part" or "part hidden lower“ of this element 2a, 2b.

[0013] In this context, the covering element 2a, 2b comprises two faces 20a, 20b including: - the so-called visible face 20a from the outside of the timepiece 1 also called "visible part" or even " visible upper part", and - the so-called hidden face 20b arranged opposite the watch movement 31 in an enclosure of the case 22 of the timepiece 1, this face 20b being otherwise called "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of this element 2a, 2b.

[0014] When the covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32, it then comprises at least one graphic representation such as: – a reference (or display) element such as for example a number, an index, a line or even a point contributing to participating with/without the hands in the display of horological information/quantity or physical information/quantity measured by a sensor or the like included in the movement; – an inscription, a pattern, a text, a logo, etc.

[0015] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention described in the present text, the watch movement 31 is a mechanical movement. In a variant, this movement 31 can be an electronic movement or even an electromechanical movement. We can speak here of a mechanical timepiece 1 when its movement is mechanical and of electromechanical and electronic timepieces 1 when they respectively comprise electromechanical and electronic movements 31.

[0016] In this covering element 2a, 2b, this lighting device 3 includes its own electrical power supply means as we will see later. Such a lighting device 3 is said to be autonomous in particular with respect to the movement 31 of the timepiece 1 and in particular to the energy source of this movement 31, for example when this source is an electrical supply as in an electromechanical movement or another electronic movement. Under these conditions, we understand that the energy used by this lighting device 3 is not to the detriment of the autonomy of the movement 31.

Such a lighting device 3 comprises the following functional elements: at least one light source 4 also called light source, an electrical power supply unit 21 and a control unit 7.

[0018] In this context, the light source 4 is preferably an extended light source which produces continuous or quasi-continuous lighting on the second transparent or translucent part of the covering element 2a, 2b considered by which light 28 will escape. Such a light source 4 can correspond to any electroluminescent element selected from a list comprising in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner: – an electroluminescent capacitor better known by the acronym LEC for “Light-Emitting Capacitor”; – a light-emitting diode such as LED (acronym for “Light-Emitting Diode”), OLED (acronym for “Organic Light-Emitting Diode”), AMOLED (acronym for “Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode”) or even QLED ( acronym for “Quantum Light-emitting diode”; – any electroluminescent material activated by a local electric field; – any electroluminescent material activated by an electric current;

[0019] In this lighting device 3, the electrical power unit 21 comprises an electrical energy accumulator 6 and a photovoltaic module 5 also called solar cells. This photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6 via connection elements referenced 17b and 18 in Figures 4 and 6. This photovoltaic module 5 can comprise one or more elementary cells of the heterojunction or multijunction type, connected in parallel or in series. The photovoltaic cells of this module 5 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 be able to find the type of photovoltaic cells suitable for the invention.

[0020] It will be noted that said at least one first opaque part and at least one second transparent or translucent part of the visible face of the covering element 2a, 2b are preferably configured to be penetrated by light or solar radiation, capable of powering the photovoltaic module 5 so that the latter can convert the solar energy coming from this radiation into electrical energy. In particular, the first part can be configured to appear visually opaque, in particular to the human eye, while being able to be penetrated by such solar radiation.

[0021] In this lighting device 3, the control unit 7, also called a microcontroller, comprises an electronic circuit 8 comprising hardware resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements as well as address buses, data and control. This control unit 7 comprises in its memory elements an algorithm for managing the illumination of said at least one light source 4. Such an algorithm is executed by the processor of this control unit 7 taking into account in particular data coming from event sensors included in the lighting device 3 in order to ensure management of the operation of said at least one light source 4.

[0022] It will be noted that such data can for example provide information relating to events detected by these sensors, said events being capable of contributing to the operation of said at least one light source 4. These events can include, in a non-limiting manner and non-exhaustive: the detection of a particular level of brightness in the environment of the timepiece, the detection of a particular sound element or a particular sound level, the detection of a particular visual object, the detection of a movement carried out by a part of the user's body on which this part 1 is included, etc.

[0023] In this context, the event sensor of this autonomous lighting device 3, comprises in particular and in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: – a brightness sensor making it possible to detect the ambient brightness level; – a movement sensor such as a gyroscopic and/or inertial sensor in the form of an electronic component of the gyroscopic and/or inertial electromechanical microsystems circuit type; – a microphone-type sound sensor, and/or – an optical sensor such as a photographic sensor.

Furthermore, it will be noted that this control unit 7 is capable of managing/controlling the operation of the light sources 4 simultaneously and/or in sequence. In addition, each light source 4 is managed/controlled by this control unit separately. In this context, the management of the operation of each light source 4 can consist in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner of carrying out the following operations: a sequential switching on or off (the), a simultaneous switching on or off (e) of two or more light sources 4, a flashing of one or more light sources 4, a definition of a flashing frequency for each light source 4, a flashing duration for each light source 4, an on or off duration extinction for each light source 4, etc.

Such a control unit 7 can also include in its memory elements an algorithm for managing the electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular the management of its recharging by the photovoltaic module 5 and the management of electrical consumption by said light source 4.

[0026] With reference to Figures 1, 3 and 5 and as we mentioned previously, the autonomous lighting device 3 is therefore included in the covering element 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the functional elements of this lighting device 3, namely the light source 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5 and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10 , 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the covering element 2a, 2b.

In other words, the body of this covering element 2a, 2b is formed by the assembly 9a, 9b of a plurality of superimposed layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 connected together and each comprising one or several functional elements of the lighting device 3.

[0028] In this assembly 9a, 9b, the layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are connected together by a connecting element such as an adhesive substance so as to unify them in order to obtain a monolithic assembly 9a, 9b forming thus a one-piece covering element 2a, 2b. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are superimposed in the assembly 9a, 9b, being arranged one above the other in a defined order.

[0029] Thus such a one-piece covering element 2a, 2b (e.g.: dial), also has the advantage of being able to be mounted removably in a timepiece box 1 in addition to facilitating its integration in or on such a box.

More precisely, in first and second variants, this assembly 9a, 9b comprises a first layer 10 forming/constituting a visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b. Such a first layer 10 comprises at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3 of the covering element 2a, 2b.

This first layer 10 is formed of a substrate which comprises at least a first non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque part, and at least a second transparent or translucent or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent part. . It is understood that the second transparent or translucent part constitutes a portion of the covering element 2a, 2b through which: – the light 28 produced by said at least one light source 4 can escape towards the outside of the the covering element 2a, 2b, and therefore of the timepiece 1, and – the light coming from the environment of the timepiece 1 can penetrate into the covering element 2a, 2b in the direction of the photovoltaic module 5 of the lighting device 3, this light comprising solar radiation when it is of natural origin.

This first layer 10 is preferably rigid or semi-rigid in comparison with the other layers 11, 12, 13, 14 of the assembly 9a, 9b, which are preferably soft or flexible. It is understood here that such a first layer 10 contributes to structurally stiffening the assembly 9a, 9b of the covering element 2a, 2b.

This first layer 10 is formed by a transparent or translucent or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent substrate which is rigid or semi-rigid. Such a substrate is made of a material having a transmittance to solar radiation, in particular to ultraviolet radiation, also called UVT (acronym for “Ultra-Violet Transmission”) which is between 65 and 95 percent. This transmittance is preferably 85 percent. Such material can be transparent or translucent. This material can be, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, a polymer, glass or even ceramic.

It will be noted that the ceramic here can be zirconia which is a transparent or translucent material or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent. This zirconia makes it possible to provide a surprising illumination for the timepiece 1, giving the piece a precious appearance and a more or less diffuse, discreet, soft and pleasant illumination, these characteristics being able to be varied practically infinitely depending on the desired aesthetic rendering, which increases the final aesthetic quality of the timepiece 1. In addition, zirconia stabilized in the tetragonal phase by the addition of yttria (Y-TZP acronym for “yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals”) is the technical ceramic which offers both the best mechanical toughness and one of the best light transmission coefficients. Its use in a timepiece 1 to let light 28 escape from the inside of a covering element 2a, 2b of the part 1 therefore makes it possible to give the latter very good light transmission, while by allowing original light effects, for functional, aesthetic and/or fun purposes.

[0035] In this configuration, such a material can undergo a treatment aimed at creating said at least one first opaque part in and/or on the substrate. This treatment consists for example of carrying out in the substrate and/or on an upper surface of this substrate said at least one first non-transparent or non-translucent or opaque or substantially opaque part, intended to be illuminated by the light 28 produced by said at least a light source 4.

[0036] When this substrate is made of a material such as ceramic such as zirconia, the first opaque part can for example be carried out on this substrate, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, by: – a carburizing method and/or selective nitriding of this surface; – a method of varying the thickness of the substrate by mechanical or laser engraving (e.g.: a withdrawal of a few 10<lème>or 100<lème>millimeters in the ceramic); – a method of internal engraving in the substrate in particular by a laser engraving process; – by variation in density of this substrate; – a method of opaque or semi-transparent printing inside or on the lower surface of the substrate (e.g.: in the cavity(ies) formed in this lower surface); – a method of bonding an opaque or semi-transparent coating; – a physical vapor deposition method PVD (acronym for “Physical Vapor Deposition”) or other, structured inside or on the surface of the substrate; – a combination of these methods.

[0037] Thus, when the light 28 is emitted by the light source, the graphic representation appears by backlighting on the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b.

[0038] In one version, the rigid or semi-rigid substrate can be made of a first material constituting said at least one first part and of a second material constituting said at least one second part. In this context, the first material can be made integrally with the second material, thus making this first layer 10 a single piece. It will be understood that this first layer 10 is then made up solely of this said at least one first part and this said at least one second part. Said at least a first and a second part preferably extend in the thickness of this substrate, which thickness being defined between upper and lower surfaces of this substrate. By thus extending in this thickness, said at least one first part and said at least one second part connect these upper and lower surfaces of the substrate together.

[0039] In this version, the first material can be present in the substrate in a greater proportion than the second material. It is recalled that this second material is visually identifiable in the substrate constituting this first layer 10 because it corresponds to said at least one second transparent or translucent part or zone of this first layer 10. It is understood that in this context the total surface occupied on the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b by the first part(s), is greater than the total surface occupied, on this same face 20a, by the second part(s). In this example, part of the second parts can allow the passage of light 28 produced by said at least one light source, for example by forming reference elements such as indexes when this covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32, and another part can allow the passage of light coming from the environment of the timepiece 1 which may include solar radiation. In this version, the first material can constitute between 55 and 75% of the body of the covering element 2a, 2b, preferably 65%.

[0040] In another example of this version, this first material can be in a less significant proportion than the second material in the substrate of this first layer 10. We understand that in this context, the total surface occupied on the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b, by the first part(s), is less than the total surface occupied on this same face by the second part(s). In this example, the first opaque part(s) may have the shape of one or more graphic representations mentioned previously, each graphic representation being able to appear by backlighting on the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b when these first parts are illuminated. It will be noted that in this configuration, the first material can then constitute between 20 and 30% of the body of the covering element 2a, 2b, preferably 25%.

[0041] In this first layer 10, at least one light source 4 is arranged in or on a lower surface of the substrate. Such an arrangement of the light source 4 in or on this lower surface is configured to ensure lighting of all or part of the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b. For example, when this covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32, it may be lighting of a reference element (or display) such as a number, an index, a line, a dot or lighting of one or more hands, or even lighting of all or part of the surface of the visible face 20a of this dial 2a, 2b.

This lighting can be backlighting or semi-direct type lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate. Such a cavity may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of this substrate. More precisely, this blind opening is made in: – the first opaque part in order to participate in the lighting of the graphic representation formed by this first part, and/or; – the second transparent or translucent part for lighting the first part corresponding to the graphic representation included in the substrate and/or on the upper surface and/or on the lower surface (e.g.: the bottom of the cavity) of this substrate.

This lighting can be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in the cavity defined in the substrate. Such a cavity may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of this substrate. More precisely, this blind opening is made in the second transparent or translucent part for lighting of this second part forming a small graphic representation such as a reference element such as an index when the covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32. This is for example the case when the total surface occupied on the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b by the first part or parts is greater than the total surface occupied on this same face by the or the second parts.

[0044] In this configuration, the light radiation 28, or the light 28, produced by this light source 4 can escape towards the outside of the covering element 2a, 2b via said visible face 20a of this element 2a, 2b, thus allowing the visualization of at least one graphic representation such as a reference element in the dark or darkness.

This lighting can also be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in a through opening made in said at least one first part and/or said at least one second part. Such an opening extends into the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, opening at its two ends respectively into the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can project from the upper surface of this substrate and therefore from the visible face 20a of this covering element 2a, 2b. By way of example in such a configuration when the covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32, said at least one projecting light source 4 can then form a reference element such as an index, a number, a point, line, etc.

Such lighting can also be indirect lighting when said at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. This wave guide, also called a light guide, makes it possible to bring the light 28 from the point where it is injected into the guide into the substrate or to a zone of the substrate (e.g.: cavity, through opening) close to the upper surface of this substrate. Such a light guide can be an optical fiber which makes it possible to bypass any obstacles which may arise in the substrate, for example between the electroluminescent element and the zone of the substrate close to the upper surface of this substrate, through which the light 28 will escape. In this variant embodiment, it is therefore the light 28 which is brought, via the waveguide, from the electroluminescent element to this zone of the substrate to be illuminated.

[0047] In such a configuration, a first end of the waveguide is coupled with the light source 4 and a second end of this guide can be arranged in: – a cavity which can be a blind opening made in said first and/or said second part(s) of the substrate and this, in the lower surface of this substrate of the first layer 10, or - a through opening extending in said first and/or said second part(s) included in the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, said opening opening at its two ends respectively into the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate and therefore of the first layer 10. Thus this second end can project from the upper surface of the substrate and therefore of the visible face 20a of the covering element 2a, 2b. By way of example in such a configuration when the covering element 2a, 2b is a dial 32, said at least one projecting light source 4 can then form a reference element such as an index, a number, a point, line, etc.

[0048] In this context, indirect lighting can be carried out by a single light source 4 included on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 by being coupled to several waveguides whose second ends when they are arranged in: – cavities each emitting light radiation, coming from this light source 4, this radiation escaping towards the outside of the covering element 2a, 2b via its visible face 20a, thus authorizing the visualization of at least a graphic representation in particular in the dark, and/or – through openings projecting or not from the upper surface of this first layer 10 in order to form graphic representations such as marker elements, and each emitting radiation light, coming from this light source 4.

[0049] In this first layer 10, the light source 4 is applied/fixed to the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, in a cavity or on an internal wall of a through opening mentioned above, by printing or evaporation.

[0050] Furthermore, it will be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 can be self-adhesive in order to participate in its assembly with the second layer 11.

[0051] In the assembly 9a, 9b forming the covering element 2a, 2b, the second layer 11 comprises a substrate comprising the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or flexible. Such a substrate can be a film on which this photovoltaic module 5 is placed. For example, this substrate can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family. Such a photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active zone of an upper surface of this substrate of the second layer 11. This active zone is a portion of this upper surface of the substrate which is capable of receiving the light coming from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the covering element 2a, 2b. This light which has passed through all or part of the first layer 10, comes from the external environment of the covering element 2a, 2b, and therefore from the timepiece 1, here mainly from solar radiation when it is of natural origin.

[0052] It will be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using inkjet printing processes or even by screen printing or using a thermal evaporation printing process. We will also speak here of a second layer 11 comprising a printed photovoltaic module 5. In particular, a photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0053] Furthermore, it will be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of a self-adhesive or adhesive substance can be deposited on all or part of the upper surface and/or the surface lower part of this substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 can be a self-adhesive layer which helps to facilitate its assembly/mounting/gluing with the other layers, in particular with the first layer 10 and/or a third layer 12 of this assembly 9a, 9b.

[0054] In this first variant, the assembly 9a comprises this third layer 12 also comprising a preferably flexible or flexible substrate, comprising the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3. This substrate can be a film on which the accumulator 6 is included. Such a substrate can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0055] This accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or even a semiconductor battery. Such an accumulator 6 is applied to an upper surface of this substrate using processes known from the state of the art such as: – printing processes on a flexible polymer substrate when it is for example a battery lithium, or – three-dimensional printing processes when it concerns for example a solid-state battery such as a solid-state lithium-metal battery.

[0056] We will also speak here of a third layer 12 comprising a printed electrical energy accumulator 6. In particular, an electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0057] Thus, such methods make it possible to obtain a third layer 12 comprising this accumulator 6 which is flexible and ultrathin.

[0058] Furthermore, it will be noted that once the accumulator 5 is applied to the substrate, a layer of a self-adhesive or adhesive substance can be deposited on all or part of the upper surface and/or the lower surface of this substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer which helps to facilitate its assembly/mounting/gluing with the other layers, in particular with the second layer 11 and/or a fourth layer 13 of this assembly 9a.

[0059] It will be noted that this accumulator 6 serves to store the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic module 5 and to restore it on demand to power said at least one light source 4.

[0060] In the first variant illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, this assembly 9a comprises this fourth layer 13 forming the hidden face of the covering element 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed by a preferably flexible or flexible substrate, comprising the control unit 7. Such a substrate can for example be a flexible PCB on which this control unit 7 is arranged, in particular on the upper surface of this PCB and therefore the substrate. In this context, the construction of the control unit 7 on this upper surface of the substrate can be carried out using three-dimensional printing processes or even polymer printing processes.

[0061] In the second variant, the assembly 9b forming the covering element 2b, comprises three layers 10, 11, 14, connected together. It will be noted that this second variant differs from the first variant in that it therefore comprises three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13, as in the first variant. In this second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is now included in the third and last layer 14 of this assembly 9b with the control unit 7.

[0062] Such a third layer 14 forming the hidden face of the covering element 2b, is made up of a preferably flexible or flexible substrate, on which are built, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate, the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7. Such construction of the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 on this upper surface of the substrate can be carried out using three-dimensional printing processes or still polymer printing processes. It will be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0063] In summary, in this second variant, the assembly 9b then comprises: – a first layer 10 forming the visible face 20a of the covering element 2b including said at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3; – a second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, and – the third layer 14 forming the hidden face 20b of the covering element 2b including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

It will be noted that in this second variant, the first and second layers 10, 11 are similar to those of the first variant of the assembly 9a.

[0065] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 4 and 6, the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 comprises first connection elements 15a which are connected to connection elements 16 of said at least one light source 4 for managing the operation of this light source 4. This electronic circuit 8 also comprises second connection elements 15b connected to first connection elements 17a of the accumulator 6. This accumulator 6 also comprises second connection elements 17b connected to connection elements 18 of the photovoltaic module 5.

[0066] Furthermore, it will be noted that the event sensors of the lighting device 3, mentioned previously, are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and/or the last layer 13, 14 of the assembly 9a, 9b, being connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3.

[0067] In a third variant not shown, the assembly forming the covering element comprises two layers connected together. It will be noted that this third variant differs from the second variant in that it therefore comprises two layers instead of three layers 10, 11, 14, as in this second variant. In this third variant, the photovoltaic module 5 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is now included in the first layer and in particular on the lower surface of the substrate forming this first layer. This photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to this lower surface of the substrate of this first layer using inkjet printing processes or even by screen printing or using thermal evaporation printing processes. It will therefore be noted that this first layer is then similar to the first layers 11 of the first and second variants, with the exception of the fact that in this third variant, the first layer additionally comprises the photovoltaic module.

[0068] Furthermore, in the third variant, and in a manner similar to the second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is included in the second and last layer of this assembly with the unit of control 7. Such a second layer forming the hidden face of the covering element, is made up of a preferably flexible or flexible substrate, on which the accumulator 6 is built, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate. and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7. This construction of the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 on the upper surface of the substrate can be carried out using three-dimensional printing processes or even processes printing on polymer. It will be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0069] In summary, in this third variant, the assembly then comprises: – a first layer forming the visible face 20a of the covering element including said at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5 of the lighting device 3, and – a second layer forming the hidden face 20b of the covering element including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0070] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and that various simple modifications and variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. Timepiece (1) comprising at least one covering element (2a, 2b) comprising a visible face (20a) formed of at least a first opaque part and at least a second transparent or translucent part, said at least one covering element (2a, 2b) comprising an autonomous lighting device (3) comprising the following functional elements: – at least one light source (4) capable of generating light (28) in the visible face (20a) of the covering element (2a, 2b); – an autonomous power supply unit (21), and – a control unit (7) configured to manage the operation of the light source (4); said at least one covering element (2a, 2b) being formed by an assembly (9a, 9b) of a plurality of superimposed layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) connected together and each comprising one or more functional elements of the autonomous lighting device (3). 2. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly (9a, 9b) consists of a first layer (10) forming said visible face (20a) comprising said at least one light source (4). 3. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one light source (4) is arranged in the first layer (10), said arrangement being configured so that most or all of the light (28) produced by said at least one light source (4) passes through said at least a second part of the visible face (20a). 4. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one second transparent or translucent part is configured to be crossed by a light in particular comprising solar radiation capable of being received by a photovoltaic module (5) of the autonomous power supply unit (21). 5. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one light source (4) is a light source configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous lighting on said at least one second part of the first layer (10). 6. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (9a) comprises, in addition to the first layer (10), the following successive layers: – a second layer (11) comprising a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the autonomous power supply unit (21); – a third layer (12) comprising an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit (21); – a fourth layer (13) forming a hidden face (20b) of the covering element (2a) comprising the control unit (7). 7. Timepiece (1) according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the assembly (9b) comprises in addition to the first layer (10) the following successive layers: – a second layer (11) comprising a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the autonomous electrical power supply unit (21), and – a third layer (14) comprising a hidden face (20b) of the covering element (2a) comprising the control unit (7) and an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the power supply unit autonomous electric (21). 8. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first layer (10) is rigid relative to the other layers (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the assembly (9a , 9b) which are flexible. 9. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of layers are connected together by a connecting element so as to unify these layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) to obtain an assembly (9a, 9b) forming a one-piece covering element (2a, 2b). 10. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first opaque part is a graphic representation included on and/or in a substrate participating in forming the visible face (20a) . 11. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional elements are printed on substrates constituting the layers (10, 11, 12, 13,14) of the assembly (9a , 9b) forming said at least one covering element (2a, 2b). 12. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one trim element (2a, 2b) comprises a back (24), a middle part (23), a dial (32), a bracelet strand (30), a bezel (26), a flange, a push-button, a winding crown and/or a crown cap.