EP1089144A1 - Contact bracket for multifunction push-button - Google Patents

Contact bracket for multifunction push-button Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1089144A1
EP1089144A1 EP99119316A EP99119316A EP1089144A1 EP 1089144 A1 EP1089144 A1 EP 1089144A1 EP 99119316 A EP99119316 A EP 99119316A EP 99119316 A EP99119316 A EP 99119316A EP 1089144 A1 EP1089144 A1 EP 1089144A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flange
contact
blade
rod
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99119316A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1089144B1 (en
Inventor
Clément Meyrat
Laurent Pantet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Swatch Group Management Services AG
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Swatch Group Management Services AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Swatch Group Management Services AG filed Critical Swatch Group Management Services AG
Priority to EP99119316A priority Critical patent/EP1089144B1/en
Priority to DE69940346T priority patent/DE69940346D1/en
Priority to AT99119316T priority patent/ATE421721T1/en
Publication of EP1089144A1 publication Critical patent/EP1089144A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1089144B1 publication Critical patent/EP1089144B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/048—Operation exclusively by axial movement of a push-button, e.g. for chronographs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multifunction contact flange in a single piece of simple and economical design which acts as key to prevent the extraction of the pusher after its installation, as return spring in neutral position and as contact means by example on a printed circuit board.
  • the invention also relates to a contact device in which several flanges of the previous type are placed end to end.
  • Such a flange, or such a contact device finds its application in a wide variety of fields, particularly in ordering small electronic devices, such as coins of watchmaking.
  • a control mechanism for watch movement includes a spring wire positioned between two supports arranged on either side of the push rod and the middle part of which is engaged in a groove in said rod, thereby filling the double key and return spring function, the contact as such being ensured by the action of the end of the push rod on a blade tilting.
  • a push mechanism is produced at using a flat metal spring cut into a complex outline substantially U-shaped by being fixed and / or guided by several studs integral with the platinum, so that one of the branches has sufficient flexibility to close a contact when a force is exerted on it via from the end of the push rod.
  • This mechanism therefore fulfills the functions return spring and contact means but has no function of key.
  • the mechanism proposed in patent GB 2,040,517 is formed by a pre-cut metal blade with a number of folds outside of its general plane parallel to the stage.
  • the blade is attached to one of its ends by a curved part anchored in the plate and by a stud secured to the plate.
  • the blade At the level of the push rod, and near its end the blade has a recess bringing its plane below the general plan of the plate in a recess made for this purpose.
  • This end comprises on the one hand an opening whose edge is engaged in a groove in the push rod to form a key and return spring, on the other hand a rigid tab, curved towards the outside of the plate and located in the axis of the push rod to form contact on an elastic blade located opposite.
  • a rigid spout extending beyond the rod abuts against an edge of the opening to properly position the pusher and arm the blade forming a spring.
  • the object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art aforementioned by providing a contact flange formed by a metal blade cut and folded to ensure at least the functions of spring, key and contact, further enabling a lower contact force to be obtained that the force to be exerted on the pusher head.
  • the invention relates to a multifunction contact flange associated with at least one pusher having a head and a rod crossing the middle of a case closed by at least one bottom and comprising a plate and a metal grid, characterized in that said flange is formed of a single part comprising a flat metal base substantially parallel to the bottom and provided with immobilization means in the housing on one side of the rod and at least one elastic blade substantially perpendicular to the base, extending beyond the stem following part of the inner circumference of the middle part, said blade having in line with the rod a first prestressed portion having a notch cooperating with a groove formed near the end of the rod to form a key and push back in position of rest, and a second portion having a flexibility greater than the first portion and the end of which closes a contact of a printed circuit with a force lower than that which is necessary to actuate the pusher.
  • flanges of the type previous can be arranged next to each pusher.
  • the bases of each flange are placed end to end tip to form a single base around the circumference of the middle and comprising a plurality of flexible blades.
  • FIG. 1 to 4 there is shown by way of example a case of an electronic timepiece with digital display comprising a middle part 2 and a case back 3 in one piece, commonly referred to as back case 4 and obtained for example by molding a plastic material.
  • the base 3 comprises a plate 5 and a metal grid 15 shaped to receive and position the various components of the timepiece, shown only partially in the drawings by an LCD display module 6, below which a printed circuit is disposed.
  • flexible 7 provided with a tab 8 curved on the edge of the display cell 6 to serve as a contact area.
  • the housing is closed by a window 9.
  • This housing 1 includes a mechanism making it possible to establish contact on a range of the curved tab 8 of the printed circuit 7.
  • This mechanism is simply composed of a multifunction metal flange 20 actuated by a pusher 10 on the head 11 of which a force is exerted F transmitted by the rod 12 which has near its end a groove 17 visible in Figure 3.
  • the flange 20 is obtained by cutting or stamping a metal sheet according to a particular contour and by folding, so that, after its implementation place in the housing, exercise both the functions of key and spring return push and contact means.
  • the flange 20 essentially comprises a base 21 parallel to the general plane of the housing and a blade 22, perpendicular to the base 21 and of which a first part 23 is connected thereto over part of its length by a fold 21a.
  • This first part 23 is extended beyond a fold 23a by a second part 24 intended to extend beyond the rod 12.
  • Part 24 includes in its middle part a notch 30 intended to come to engage in the groove 17 of the rod 12 to form a key.
  • the fold 23a and the positioning of the base 21 relative to the internal surface of the middle part 2 are made so that the free portion of the first part 23, beyond the fold 21a and the second part 24 are prestressed to form together the return spring of the pusher 10 in the rest position.
  • the blade 22 extends beyond the pusher by a band, connected to the second part 24 by a fold 24a and formed of three portions 25, 26, 27 connected together by folds 25a, 26a, the zone 27 having at its end a small curved tab 28 in a fold 27a made to deform the blade in a direction opposite to the deformations resulting from the folds 23a, 24a, 25a and 26a all carried out in the same direction to bend the blade according to a polygonal line which substantially follows the internal wall of the middle part 2.
  • the curved shape of the portion 25 results only from constraints of construction linked to the other components or supports of the movement.
  • the strip portion, formed of zones 26 and 27, is characterized by the fact that it presents over most of its length, for example from from the middle of zone 26, a section smaller than that of the rest of the blade.
  • this lower section is obtained by giving this distal portion of the blade 22 a width less than the portion joining the base as it also appears in the sectional representations of Figures 3 and 4.
  • This configuration gives the part distal greater flexibility so that the curved tab 28 presses on the contact pad 8 of the printed circuit 7 with force f less than force F to be exerted on the pusher.
  • the base 21 of the flange 20 further comprises a curved strip 29 outside the general plan of the case to establish contact for example between an area of the printed circuit 7 and the positive pole of the battery cover by through the grid 15.
  • this includes two holes 18, 19 into which two tenons 13, 15 secured to the plate to allow positioning precise in the horizontal plane, the assembly being held axially by two solder points 16 on the grid 15. It is obvious that other means equivalents can be used to obtain axial positioning, such as the deformation of the heads of the tenons 13, 14 or the engagement of washers on their end.
  • the multifunction flange according to the invention can be simple and economical, only requires the installation of two studs in the bottom of the case or in a plate secured to it, and can be set up with a reduced number of manipulations that can easily be executed by a robot in an assembly line automatic. Indeed, with particular reference to Figure 2, after fitting the pusher 10, it suffices to slightly compress the blade to engage the notch 30 in the groove 17 of the rod, then the pins 13, 15 in holes 18, 19 and make two weld points 16, for example at laser.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown schematically an embodiment a multifunction contact flange for a housing comprising two pushers 10a, 10b associated with two blades 22a, 22b, as described previously, the difference is that the basics of each blade are joined to form a ring 31 comprising two extensions radial 32, 33 in which the fixing holes 18, 19 are drilled. curved ends 28a, 28b obviously bear on areas of different contact of the printed circuit 7.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

Collar (20) has a base (21) fixed to the watch housing bottom and an elastic blade (22) extending from the base to a watch push button (10) and beyond. A sprung first part (23, 24) forms a key and a return spring, while a second part (25-27) of greater flexibility enables the collar end (28) to make an electrical contact with a force that is less than that exerted on the push button.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet une bride de contact multifonction en une seule pièce de conception simple et économique qui agisse comme clavette pour empêcher l'extraction du poussoir après sa mise en place, comme ressort de rappel en position neutre et comme moyen de contact par exemple sur une plage de circuit imprimé.The present invention relates to a multifunction contact flange in a single piece of simple and economical design which acts as key to prevent the extraction of the pusher after its installation, as return spring in neutral position and as contact means by example on a printed circuit board.

L'invention concerne également un dispositif de contact dans lequel plusieurs brides du type précédent sont mises bout à bout.The invention also relates to a contact device in which several flanges of the previous type are placed end to end.

Une telle bride, ou un tel dispositif de contact, trouve son application dans des domaines très variés, plus particulièrement dans la commande d'appareils électroniques de petites dimensions, telles que les pièces d'horlogerie.Such a flange, or such a contact device, finds its application in a wide variety of fields, particularly in ordering small electronic devices, such as coins of watchmaking.

Dans des dispositifs à poussoir, l'utilisation d'éléments flexibles est déjà connue pour remplir certaines des fonctions clavette/ressort de rappel/moyen de contact, étant fait observé qu'il est souhaitable que la force de contact soit inférieure à la force devant être exercée sur la tête du poussoir, notamment lorsque ledit contact est établi sur une plage de circuit imprimé.In pusher devices, the use of flexible elements is already known to perform some of the key / spring functions of reminder / means of contact, being observed that it is desirable that the force contact is less than the force to be exerted on the head of the push-button, in particular when said contact is established on a circuit range printed.

Dans le brevet CH 621 034, un mécanisme de commande pour mouvement de montre comprend un fil ressort positionné entre deux appuis disposés de part et d'autre de la tige de poussoir et dont la partie médiane est engagée dans une gorge de ladite tige, en remplissant ainsi la double fonction de clavette et de ressort de rappel, le contact en tant que tel étant assuré par l'action de l'extrémité de la tige de poussoir sur une lame basculante.In patent CH 621 034, a control mechanism for watch movement includes a spring wire positioned between two supports arranged on either side of the push rod and the middle part of which is engaged in a groove in said rod, thereby filling the double key and return spring function, the contact as such being ensured by the action of the end of the push rod on a blade tilting.

Dans le brevet US 4,818,830, un mécanisme à poussoir est réalisé au moyen d'un ressort métallique plat découpé selon un contour complexe sensiblement en U en étant fixé et/ou guidé par plusieurs plots solidaires de la platine, de sorte que l'une des branches ait une flexibilité suffisante pour fermer un contact lorsqu'une force est exercée sur celle-ci par l'intermédiaire de l'extrémité de la tige de poussoir. Ce mécanisme remplit donc les fonctions de ressort de rappel et de moyen de contact mais n'a point de fonction de clavette.In US patent 4,818,830, a push mechanism is produced at using a flat metal spring cut into a complex outline substantially U-shaped by being fixed and / or guided by several studs integral with the platinum, so that one of the branches has sufficient flexibility to close a contact when a force is exerted on it via from the end of the push rod. This mechanism therefore fulfills the functions return spring and contact means but has no function of key.

Le mécanisme proposé dans le brevet GB 2 040 517 est formé par une lame métallique prédécoupée qui comporte un certain nombre de pliures en dehors de son plan général parallèle à la platine. La lame est fixée à l'une de ses extrémités par une partie recourbée ancrée dans la platine et par un tenon solidaire de la platine. Au niveau de la tige de poussoir, et près de son extrémité la lame présente un décrochement amenant son plan en dessous du plan général de la platine dans un évidement pratiqué à cet effet. Cette extrémité comprend d'une part une ouverture dont un bord est engagé dans une gorge de la tige de poussoir pour former clavette et ressort de rappel, d'autre part une patte rigide, recourbée vers l'extérieur de la platine et située dans l'axe de la tige de poussoir pour former contact sur une lame élastique située en regard. Un bec rigide s'étendant au-delà de la tige vient en butée contre un bord de l'ouverture pour positionner convenablement le poussoir et armer la lame formant ressort. Cette construction permet au moyen d'une unique lame d'assurer les fonctions ressort/clavette/contact, mais on observera d'une part qu'il convient non seulement de conformer une lame mais aussi de prévoir des structurations en creux dans la platine, et d'autre part que la force exercée sur la tête de poussoir est directement appliquée au point de contact qui ne peut en conséquence être formé que par une lame ressort.The mechanism proposed in patent GB 2,040,517 is formed by a pre-cut metal blade with a number of folds outside of its general plane parallel to the stage. The blade is attached to one of its ends by a curved part anchored in the plate and by a stud secured to the plate. At the level of the push rod, and near its end the blade has a recess bringing its plane below the general plan of the plate in a recess made for this purpose. This end comprises on the one hand an opening whose edge is engaged in a groove in the push rod to form a key and return spring, on the other hand a rigid tab, curved towards the outside of the plate and located in the axis of the push rod to form contact on an elastic blade located opposite. A rigid spout extending beyond the rod abuts against an edge of the opening to properly position the pusher and arm the blade forming a spring. This construction allows by means of a single blade to perform the spring / key / contact functions, but will observe on the one hand that it is not only advisable to conform a blade but also to provide hollow structures in the plate, and other except that the force exerted on the pusher head is directly applied at the point of contact which can therefore only be formed by a blade spring.

L'objet de l'invention est de pallier les inconvénients de l'art antérieur précité en procurant une bride de contact formée par une lame métallique découpée et pliée pour assurer au moins les fonctions de ressort, clavette et contact, en permettant en outre d'obtenir une force de contact plus faible que la force devant être exercée sur la tête de poussoir.The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art aforementioned by providing a contact flange formed by a metal blade cut and folded to ensure at least the functions of spring, key and contact, further enabling a lower contact force to be obtained that the force to be exerted on the pusher head.

A cet effet l'invention a pour objet une bride de contact multifonction associée à au moins un poussoir ayant une tête et une tige traversant la carrure d'un boítier fermé par au moins un fond et comprenant une platine et une grille métallique, caractérisée en ce que ladite bride est formée d'une seule pièce comprenant une base métallique plane sensiblement parallèle au fond et pourvue de moyens d'immobilisation dans le boítier d'un côté de la tige et au moins une lame élastique sensiblement perpendiculaire à la base, s'étendant au-delà de la tige en suivant une partie du pourtour intérieur de la carrure, ladite lame ayant au droit de la tige une première portion précontrainte présentant une encoche coopérant avec une gorge ménagée près de l'extrémité de la tige pour former clavette et rappel de poussoir en position de repos, et une deuxième portion ayant une flexibilité supérieure à la première portion et dont l'extrémité ferme un contact d'un circuit imprimé avec une force inférieure à celle qui est nécessaire pour actionner le poussoir. To this end the invention relates to a multifunction contact flange associated with at least one pusher having a head and a rod crossing the middle of a case closed by at least one bottom and comprising a plate and a metal grid, characterized in that said flange is formed of a single part comprising a flat metal base substantially parallel to the bottom and provided with immobilization means in the housing on one side of the rod and at least one elastic blade substantially perpendicular to the base, extending beyond the stem following part of the inner circumference of the middle part, said blade having in line with the rod a first prestressed portion having a notch cooperating with a groove formed near the end of the rod to form a key and push back in position of rest, and a second portion having a flexibility greater than the first portion and the end of which closes a contact of a printed circuit with a force lower than that which is necessary to actuate the pusher.

Dans le cas où le boítier est pourvu de plusieurs poussoirs, par exemple lorsque le boítier est celui d'une montre chronographe, des brides du type précédent peuvent être disposées en regard de chaque poussoir. Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, les bases de chaque bride sont mises bout à bout pour former une base unique suivant le pourtour de la carrure et comprenant une pluralité de lames flexibles.In the case where the case is provided with several pushers, for example when the case is that of a chronograph watch, flanges of the type previous can be arranged next to each pusher. According to a advantageous embodiment, the bases of each flange are placed end to end tip to form a single base around the circumference of the middle and comprising a plurality of flexible blades.

D'autres avantages de l'invention et les moyens de la réaliser sont exposés plus en détails dans la description ci-après en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un boítier de montre comprenant un poussoir et une bride multifonction selon l'invention;
  • la figure 2 est une vue éclatée en perspective correspondant à la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe au niveau du poussoir selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe au niveau de la lame de contact selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'un mode de réalisation d'une bride adaptée à plus d'un poussoir.
Other advantages of the invention and the means of carrying it out are explained in more detail in the description below with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a top view of a watch case comprising a pusher and a multifunction flange according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view corresponding to Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view at the pusher along the line III-III of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view at the level of the contact blade along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1, and
  • Figure 5 is a top view of an embodiment of a flange adapted to more than one pusher.

En se référant plus particulièrement aux figures 1 à 4 on a représenté à titre d'exemple un boítier d'une pièce d'horlogerie électronique à affichage digital comprenant une carrure 2 et un fond 3 en une seule pièce, communément désignée par fond-carrure 4 et obtenue par exemple par moulage d'un matériau plastique. Le fond 3 comprend une platine 5 et une grille métallique 15 conformées pour recevoir et positionner les différents composants de la pièce d'horlogerie, représentés seulement partiellement sur les dessins par un module d'affichage LCD 6, en dessous duquel est disposé un circuit imprimé souple 7 pourvu d'une patte 8 recourbée sur le bord de la cellule d'affichage 6 pour servir de zone de contact. Le boítier est fermé par une glace 9. Ce boítier 1 comporte un mécanisme permettant d'établir un contact sur une plage de la patte recourbée 8 du circuit imprimé 7. Ce mécanisme est simplement composé d'une bride métallique multifonction 20 actionnée par un poussoir 10 sur la tête 11 duquel on exerce une force F transmise par la tige 12 qui comporte près de son extrémité une gorge 17 visible sur la figure 3. La bride 20 est obtenue par découpe ou estampage d'une feuille métallique selon un contour particulier et par pliage, de façon à, après sa mise en place dans le boítier, exercer à la fois les fonctions de clavette et de ressort de rappel de poussoir et de moyen de contact.Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown by way of example a case of an electronic timepiece with digital display comprising a middle part 2 and a case back 3 in one piece, commonly referred to as back case 4 and obtained for example by molding a plastic material. The base 3 comprises a plate 5 and a metal grid 15 shaped to receive and position the various components of the timepiece, shown only partially in the drawings by an LCD display module 6, below which a printed circuit is disposed. flexible 7 provided with a tab 8 curved on the edge of the display cell 6 to serve as a contact area. The housing is closed by a window 9. This housing 1 includes a mechanism making it possible to establish contact on a range of the curved tab 8 of the printed circuit 7. This mechanism is simply composed of a multifunction metal flange 20 actuated by a pusher 10 on the head 11 of which a force is exerted F transmitted by the rod 12 which has near its end a groove 17 visible in Figure 3. The flange 20 is obtained by cutting or stamping a metal sheet according to a particular contour and by folding, so that, after its implementation place in the housing, exercise both the functions of key and spring return push and contact means.

En se référant plus particulièrement aux figures 1 et 2, on voit que la bride 20 comprend essentiellement une base 21 parallèle au plan général du boítier et une lame 22, perpendiculaire à la base 21 et dont une première partie 23 est reliée à celle-ci sur une partie de sa longueur par une pliure 21a. Cette première partie 23 est prolongée au-delà d'une pliure 23a par une deuxième partie 24 destinée à s'étendre au-delà de la tige 12. La partie 24 comprend dans sa partie médiane une encoche 30 destinée à venir s'engager dans la gorge 17 de la tige 12 pour former clavette. Comme on le verra par la suite, la pliure 23a et le positionnement de la base 21 par rapport à la surface interne de la carrure 2 sont réalisés de telle sorte que la portion libre de la première partie 23, au-delà de la pliure 21a et la deuxième partie 24 soient précontraintes pour former ensemble le ressort de rappel du poussoir 10 en position de repos.With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the flange 20 essentially comprises a base 21 parallel to the general plane of the housing and a blade 22, perpendicular to the base 21 and of which a first part 23 is connected thereto over part of its length by a fold 21a. This first part 23 is extended beyond a fold 23a by a second part 24 intended to extend beyond the rod 12. Part 24 includes in its middle part a notch 30 intended to come to engage in the groove 17 of the rod 12 to form a key. As we will see by thereafter, the fold 23a and the positioning of the base 21 relative to the internal surface of the middle part 2 are made so that the free portion of the first part 23, beyond the fold 21a and the second part 24 are prestressed to form together the return spring of the pusher 10 in the rest position.

La lame 22 se prolonge au-delà du poussoir par une bande, reliée à la deuxième partie 24 par une pliure 24a et formée de trois portions 25, 26, 27 reliées entre elles par des pliures 25a, 26a, la zone 27 ayant à son extrémité une petite patte recourbée 28 selon une pliure 27a effectuée pour déformer la lame dans un sens opposé aux déformations résultant des pliures 23a, 24a, 25a et 26a effectuées toutes dans le même sens pour courber la lame selon une ligne polygonale qui suit sensiblement la paroi interne de la carrure 2. La forme courbe de la portion 25 résulte uniquement de contraintes de construction liées aux autres composants ou supports du mouvement. La portion de bande, formée des zones 26 et 27, est caractérisée par le fait qu'elle présente sur la plus grande partie de sa longueur, par exemple à partir du milieu de la zone 26, une section inférieure à celle du reste de la lame.The blade 22 extends beyond the pusher by a band, connected to the second part 24 by a fold 24a and formed of three portions 25, 26, 27 connected together by folds 25a, 26a, the zone 27 having at its end a small curved tab 28 in a fold 27a made to deform the blade in a direction opposite to the deformations resulting from the folds 23a, 24a, 25a and 26a all carried out in the same direction to bend the blade according to a polygonal line which substantially follows the internal wall of the middle part 2. The curved shape of the portion 25 results only from constraints of construction linked to the other components or supports of the movement. The strip portion, formed of zones 26 and 27, is characterized by the fact that it presents over most of its length, for example from from the middle of zone 26, a section smaller than that of the rest of the blade.

Dans l'exemple représenté cette section inférieure est obtenue en donnant à cette portion distale de la lame 22 une largeur inférieure à la portion rejoignant la base comme cela apparaít également sur les représentations en coupe des figures 3 et 4. Cette configuration confère à la partie distale une plus grande flexibilité de sorte que la patte recourbée 28 appuie sur la plage de contact 8 du circuit imprimé 7 avec une force f inférieure à la force F devant être exercée sur le poussoir.In the example shown this lower section is obtained by giving this distal portion of the blade 22 a width less than the portion joining the base as it also appears in the sectional representations of Figures 3 and 4. This configuration gives the part distal greater flexibility so that the curved tab 28 presses on the contact pad 8 of the printed circuit 7 with force f less than force F to be exerted on the pusher.

De façon équivalente cette différence de flexibilité pourrait être obtenue de différentes autres façons, par exemple en ayant une bande de même largeur d'un bout à l'autre, et en découpant une fenêtre dans la partie distale ou en rendant ladite partie plus mince. De même, on peut réaliser une lame présentant un plus grand nombre de pliures, jusqu'à être parfaitement courbe pour suivre le pourtour intérieur de la carrure.Equivalently this difference in flexibility could be obtained in different other ways, for example by having a band of the same width from one end to the other, and by cutting a window in the distal part or by making said part thinner. Similarly, we can make a blade with a greater number of folds, until it is perfectly curved to follow the inner circumference of the middle.

La base 21 de la bride 20 comporte en outre une lamelle 29 recourbée en dehors du plan général du boítier pour établir un contact par exemple entre une zone du circuit imprimé 7 et le pôle positif du couvercle de pile par l'intermédiaire de la grille 15.The base 21 of the flange 20 further comprises a curved strip 29 outside the general plan of the case to establish contact for example between an area of the printed circuit 7 and the positive pole of the battery cover by through the grid 15.

Pour permettre la fixation de la base 21 de la bride 20 sur la platine 5, celle-ci comprend deux trous 18, 19 dans lesquels viennent s'engager deux tenons 13, 15 solidaires de la platine pour permettre un positionnement précis dans le plan horizontal, l'ensemble étant maintenu axialement par deux points de soudure 16 sur la grille 15. Il est bien évident que d'autres moyens équivalents peuvent être utilisés pour obtenir le positionnement axial, telle que la déformation des têtes des tenons 13, 14 ou l'engagement de rondelles sur leur extrémité.To allow the base 21 of the flange 20 to be fixed on the plate 5, this includes two holes 18, 19 into which two tenons 13, 15 secured to the plate to allow positioning precise in the horizontal plane, the assembly being held axially by two solder points 16 on the grid 15. It is obvious that other means equivalents can be used to obtain axial positioning, such as the deformation of the heads of the tenons 13, 14 or the engagement of washers on their end.

Comme on le voit, la bride multifonction selon l'invention peut être fabriquée de façon simple et économique, ne nécessite que l'implantation de deux tenons dans le fond du boítier ou dans une platine solidaire de celui-ci, et peut être mise en place avec un nombre réduit de manipulations pouvant facilement être exécutées par un robot dans une chaíne d'assemblage automatique. En effet, en se référant plus particulièrement à la figure 2, après mise en place du poussoir 10, il suffit de comprimer légèrement la lame pour engager l'encoche 30 dans la gorge 17 de la tige, puis les tenons 13, 15 dans les trous 18, 19 et effectuer deux points de soudure 16, par exemple au laser.As can be seen, the multifunction flange according to the invention can be simple and economical, only requires the installation of two studs in the bottom of the case or in a plate secured to it, and can be set up with a reduced number of manipulations that can easily be executed by a robot in an assembly line automatic. Indeed, with particular reference to Figure 2, after fitting the pusher 10, it suffices to slightly compress the blade to engage the notch 30 in the groove 17 of the rod, then the pins 13, 15 in holes 18, 19 and make two weld points 16, for example at laser.

A la figure 5 on a représenté schématiquement un mode de réalisation d'une bride de contact multifonction pour un boítier comprenant deux poussoirs 10a, 10b associés à deux lames 22a, 22b, telles que décrites précédemment, la différence résidant dans le fait que les bases de chaque lame sont jointives pour former un anneau 31 comprenant deux extensions radiales 32, 33 dans lesquelles sont percés les trous de fixation 18, 19. Les extrémités recourbées 28a, 28b appuient évidemment sur des zones de contact différentes du circuit imprimé 7.In Figure 5 there is shown schematically an embodiment a multifunction contact flange for a housing comprising two pushers 10a, 10b associated with two blades 22a, 22b, as described previously, the difference is that the basics of each blade are joined to form a ring 31 comprising two extensions radial 32, 33 in which the fixing holes 18, 19 are drilled. curved ends 28a, 28b obviously bear on areas of different contact of the printed circuit 7.

Le même agencement est bien sûr réalisable avec plus de deux poussoirs et/ou avec un boítier n'ayant pas une forme circulaire.The same arrangement is of course achievable with more than two pushers and / or with a case not having a circular shape.

Claims (7)

Bride de contact multifonction (20) associée à au moins un poussoir (10) ayant une tête (11) et comprenant une platine (5) et une grille métallique (15), une tige (12) traversant la carrure d'un boítier fermé par au moins un fond (3), caractérisée en ce que ladite bride (20) est formée d'une seule pièce comprenant une base métallique (21) plane sensiblement parallèle au fond (3) et pourvue de moyens d'immobilisation (18, 19) dans le boítier d'un côté de la tige (12) et au moins une lame élastique (22) sensiblement perpendiculaire à la base (21), s'étendant au-delà de la tige (12) en suivant une parti du pourtour intérieur de la carrure (2) ladite lame ayant au droit de la tige (12) une première portion précontrainte (23, 24) présentant une encoche (30) coopérant avec une gorge (17) ménagée près de l'extrémité de la tige (12) pour former clavette et rappel de poussoir en position de repos, et une deuxième portion (25, 26, 27) ayant une flexibilité supérieure à la première portion et dont l'extrémité (28) ferme un contact (8) d'un circuit imprimé (7) avec une force inférieure à celle qui est nécessaire pour actionner le poussoir (10).Multifunction contact flange (20) associated with at least one pusher (10) having a head (11) and comprising a plate (5) and a grid metal (15), a rod (12) passing through the middle of a case closed by at at least one bottom (3), characterized in that said flange (20) is formed of single piece comprising a substantially parallel flat metal base (21) at the bottom (3) and provided with immobilization means (18, 19) in the housing on one side of the rod (12) and at least one elastic blade (22) substantially perpendicular to the base (21), extending beyond the rod (12) following part of the inner circumference of the middle part (2) said blade having the right to the rod (12) a first prestressed portion (23, 24) having a notch (30) cooperating with a groove (17) formed near the end of the rod (12) to form a key and push-button return in the rest position, and a second portion (25, 26, 27) having a flexibility greater than the first portion and the end (28) of which closes a contact (8) of a circuit printed (7) with a force lower than that which is necessary to actuate the pusher (10). Bride selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la deuxième portion (26, 27) de la lame (22) a une section droite inférieure à la section droite de la première portion (23, 24).Flange according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion (26, 27) of the blade (22) has a cross section smaller than the section right of the first portion (23, 24). Bride selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la deuxième portion (26, 27) de la lame a une largeur inférieure à la largeur de la première portion (23, 24).Flange according to claim 2, characterized in that the second portion (26, 27) of the blade has a width less than the width of the first portion (23, 24). Bride selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les moyens d'immobilisation (18, 19) de la base sont formés par deux ouvertures circulaires (18, 19) traversées par deux axes (13, 15) dont une extrémité est solidaire du fond (3) ou d'une platine (5) parallèle au fond (3), et par deux points de soudure sur la grille (15).Flange according to claim 1, characterized in that the means immobilization (18, 19) of the base are formed by two openings circular (18, 19) crossed by two axes (13, 15), one end of which is secured to the bottom (3) or a plate (5) parallel to the bottom (3), and by two welding points on the grid (15). Bride selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la base (21) comporte en outre une patte recourbée (29) en dehors du plan du boítier pour former un contact sur le circuit imprimé (7).Flange according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (21) further includes a curved tab (29) outside the plane of the housing to form a contact on the printed circuit (7). Bride selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la base (31) suit tout le pourtour de la carrure et comprend une pluralité de lames flexibles (22a, 22b) disposées en regard d'un nombre égal de poussoirs (10a, 10b).Flange according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (31) follows the entire circumference of the middle and includes a plurality of flexible blades (22a, 22b) arranged opposite an equal number of pushers (10a, 10b). Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins une bride de contact multifonction selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.Timepiece comprising at least one contact flange Multifunction according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.
EP99119316A 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Contact bracket for multifunction push-button Expired - Lifetime EP1089144B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99119316A EP1089144B1 (en) 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Contact bracket for multifunction push-button
DE69940346T DE69940346D1 (en) 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Contact clip for multifunctional push button
AT99119316T ATE421721T1 (en) 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 CONTACT BRACKET FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL PRESS BUTTON

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99119316A EP1089144B1 (en) 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Contact bracket for multifunction push-button

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1089144A1 true EP1089144A1 (en) 2001-04-04
EP1089144B1 EP1089144B1 (en) 2009-01-21

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ID=8239084

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99119316A Expired - Lifetime EP1089144B1 (en) 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Contact bracket for multifunction push-button

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1089144B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE421721T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69940346D1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7419297B2 (en) 2002-10-28 2008-09-02 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Control device for a push-piece, in particular for time piece, and portable electronic instrument comprising same
CN1708734B (en) * 2002-10-28 2010-09-01 Eta瑞士钟表制造股份有限公司 Control device for a push-piece and portable electronic instrument comprising same
NL2023823B1 (en) * 2019-09-12 2021-05-17 Flexous Mech Ip B V Watch

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE347620C (en) * 1919-09-23 1922-01-23 Edmund Magerle Push button contact
CH568612B5 (en) * 1973-04-25 1975-10-31 Suisse Horlogerie
GB2040517A (en) 1979-02-01 1980-08-28 Bulova Watch Co Ltd Manual contact actuating arrangement for an electronic watch
CH621034GA3 (en) 1974-12-26 1981-01-15 Control mechanism for watch movement
US4818830A (en) 1986-04-09 1989-04-04 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Pushpiece mechanism for a timepiece

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE347620C (en) * 1919-09-23 1922-01-23 Edmund Magerle Push button contact
CH568612B5 (en) * 1973-04-25 1975-10-31 Suisse Horlogerie
CH621034GA3 (en) 1974-12-26 1981-01-15 Control mechanism for watch movement
GB2040517A (en) 1979-02-01 1980-08-28 Bulova Watch Co Ltd Manual contact actuating arrangement for an electronic watch
US4818830A (en) 1986-04-09 1989-04-04 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Pushpiece mechanism for a timepiece

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7419297B2 (en) 2002-10-28 2008-09-02 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Control device for a push-piece, in particular for time piece, and portable electronic instrument comprising same
CN1708734B (en) * 2002-10-28 2010-09-01 Eta瑞士钟表制造股份有限公司 Control device for a push-piece and portable electronic instrument comprising same
NL2023823B1 (en) * 2019-09-12 2021-05-17 Flexous Mech Ip B V Watch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE421721T1 (en) 2009-02-15
EP1089144B1 (en) 2009-01-21
DE69940346D1 (en) 2009-03-12

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