EP1529248A2 - Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case - Google Patents

Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case

Info

Publication number
EP1529248A2
EP1529248A2 EP03792255A EP03792255A EP1529248A2 EP 1529248 A2 EP1529248 A2 EP 1529248A2 EP 03792255 A EP03792255 A EP 03792255A EP 03792255 A EP03792255 A EP 03792255A EP 1529248 A2 EP1529248 A2 EP 1529248A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
concentration
watch
box
sensor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03792255A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
François Gueissaz
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.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab 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 Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to EP03792255A priority Critical patent/EP1529248A2/en
Publication of EP1529248A2 publication Critical patent/EP1529248A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G04D7/006—Testing apparatus for complete clockworks with regard to external influences or general good working
    • G04D7/007—Testing apparatus for complete clockworks with regard to external influences or general good working with regard to the sealing of the case

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device making it possible to ensure that a case of a timepiece is watertight vis-à-vis the outside.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for checking the tightness of such a box. It has already been proposed to make a pressure in a watch case prevail above atmospheric pressure, so as to avoid that an external pressure greater than the pressure in the box causes penetration of water, vapor, gas or of dust in the box (Swiss patent N ° 312740).
  • the case is provided with a valve allowing an inert gas to be injected therein under a pressure of 1, 1 to 1, 5 atmosphere and a manometer allowing the wearer of the watch to know the pressure prevailing at l inside the box.
  • a pressure gauge is, however, a complicated, delicate and expensive instrument which, in the event of failure of the watch case sealing device, risks being damaged in the same way as the movement, which considerably increases the repair costs. .
  • a device of the kind described above has the merit of being relatively simple and fairly robust, and of being less expensive than a pressure gauge.
  • such a device has the disadvantage of providing all-or-nothing information comparable to that provided by an indicator light for example.
  • this device will not go from its first to its second stable state in which it indicates to the wearer of the watch that the latter has a leakage, only when the overpressure inside the watch case has dropped. 'a predetermined value.
  • the watch may very well be that the watch has leaks, but that the overpressure prevailing therein has not yet reached the threshold value necessary for triggering the device for checking that the seal is maintained. The movement can therefore deteriorate without the wearer of the watch knowing anything about it.
  • the present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by proposing a device for monitoring the tightness of a watch case which allows its wearer to be alerted as soon as it begins. to have leaks.
  • the present invention relates to a device for controlling a case of an electronic timepiece comprising a time base for producing a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit for determining the time from of the standard signal, characterized in that it comprises an electronic sensor capable of measuring the fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere confined in the box, the results of the measurement carried out by the electronic sensor being processed by the unit central processing unit which, in response to the measurement signal, emits, if necessary, an audible or visual alarm.
  • the present invention provides a device for instantly alerting the wearer of a watch to a leak in the waterproofness of the case of his watch.
  • the watch causes a gas exchange between the surrounding air and the atmosphere contained in the watch case and leads to a concomitant decrease in the concentration of gas in the confined atmosphere. in said box, decrease which is detected by the sensor.
  • the wearer can bring it back to his watchmaker who can place it under a vacuum bell to test and repair it if necessary. The risks of the watch movement being deteriorated are thus greatly reduced.
  • Another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the gas sensor operates in association with the electronic means of the watch, using these means to generate, if necessary, an audible or visual alarm. There is therefore no need to place additional electronic components in the watch box, which allows substantial savings in terms of component costs and assembly time and saves space in the box. the watch.
  • the gas sensor comprises a differential measurement bridge.
  • a circuit is reliable, compact and consumes less energy when it is engaged only for brief moments at regular time intervals.
  • the gas present in the confined atmosphere of the watch case is a neutral and heavy gas having a thermal conductivity different from that of air such as, for example, carbon dioxide. After finding a loss of water resistance in the case and subsequent repair, the watch can be very easily put back into condition by a commercial watchmaker. It suffices, in fact, while the watch case is still open, to introduce into it the neutral and heavy gas whose concentration fluctuations are to be monitored.
  • the neutral gas can be blown into the can via a valve.
  • This variant proves to be particularly advantageous when it is wished to inject into the watch case a neutral gas lighter than air such as helium. Indeed, it would not be possible to fill the box with such a light neutral gas by simply opening it and filling it by means of an aerosol can because the gas would escape.
  • the coefficient of thermal conductivity of helium is in a ratio of ten compared to that of ambient air, which allows increased detection sensitivity.
  • a light gas such as helium diffuses more easily, which further contributes to enhancing the detection sensitivity.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for checking the tightness of a case of a timepiece, this method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a wristwatch equipped with the tightness control device according to the invention
  • - Figure 2 is a view of the watch case shown in Figure 1 when it is filled with gas by means of an aerosol can;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of a watch fitted with a valve allowing a gas to be blown into the watch case
  • FIG. 4 is an electronic diagram of the gas sensor and the central processing unit of the watch.
  • the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in measuring the fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere confined in a watch case. As soon as a decrease in the gas concentration is detected, an alarm is produced in order to warn the wearer of the watch that it has a leak.
  • the main advantage of the present invention is that it does not constitute a system. of the all or nothing type which provides information only when the parameter to be monitored reaches a trigger threshold value, but on the contrary provides an extremely sensitive system which will warn the wearer of the watch as soon as it begins to show signs of loss of tightness.
  • the system according to the invention measures a relative value and not an absolute value. It is therefore not necessary to fix the initial concentration of gas at a determined value, only the value of this initial concentration having to be known.
  • the device according to the invention is of the passive type, so that it does not comprise any moving part and is therefore very reliable.
  • FIG. 1 appended to this patent application is a sectional view of a timepiece provided with the gas detection device according to the invention.
  • this timepiece conventionally comprises a case 2 provided with a middle part 4 and a base 6 which delimits the case 2 in its lower part.
  • the bottom 6 is made in one piece with the middle part 4.
  • the housing 2 can be made, for example, of a plastic material according to well known injection techniques.
  • the present invention is not however limited to the choice of such a material and the housing 2 can be made of any type of material adapted to the needs of the watch industry such as, in particular, steel.
  • the timepiece 1 also includes a time movement 8 mounted in a casing ring 10.
  • This movement 8 is supplied with current by an electric battery 12 which can, if necessary, be recharged after exhaustion or replaced.
  • the battery 12 shown schematically in the drawing, typically has the shape of a pellet. It can be housed in the back 6 of watch 1.
  • the underside of the battery 12 which constitutes one of the poles of the latter is electrically connected to the ground of watch 1, for example by means of a spring contact 13 fixed to the bottom 6 of said watch 1.
  • the other pole of the battery 12 which is constituted by its upper face is, in the usual way, electrically connected to the horometric movement 8.
  • the housing 2 is delimited by a crystal 14 covering display means 16 for time information.
  • these display means 16 consist of a dial 18 above which an hour hand 20, a minute hand 22 and a second hand 24 move. It is therefore a matter of analog time display means. It could also be digital display means constituted by a liquid crystal cell.
  • the housing 2 has at its upper periphery a notch 26 in which is engaged a bezel 28 which ensures the fixing of the glass 14 on the housing 2.
  • the bezel 28 is fixedly mounted on the housing 2, for example by bonding or welding ultrasound or by hunting.
  • the glass 14 is made watertight relative to the housing 2 by the use of a seal 30 wedged between the glass and the housing.
  • the timepiece 1 also includes a sensor 32 housed in the housing 2.
  • This sensor 32 is capable of detecting fluctuations in the concentration of a gas such as, for example, dioxide of carbon, from the atmosphere confined in the housing 2.
  • the sensor 32 is preferably of the electronic type, of small dimensions and consuming little energy.
  • An example of such a sensor is that sold by the Swiss company Microsens Products under the reference MTCS 2200.
  • the operating principle of such a sensor is as follows.
  • the role of electric heating means is to maintain a thermally and electrically insulating membrane forming an integral part of the sensor at a predetermined set temperature.
  • the thermal conductivity of said atmosphere varies, and it is therefore necessary to provide more or less electrical energy to the heating means to maintain the membrane at its temperature. setpoint.
  • Correspondence tables make it possible to determine, as a function of the electric power supplied, the concentration of the atmosphere in neutral gas used.
  • concentration of the atmosphere in neutral gas used In the case of carbon dioxide, its thermal conductivity is one third lower than that of air, which makes it possible to detect variations in the concentration of this gas as low as 1%.
  • the heat flux between the heating membrane and a temperature sensor is measured, separated from each other by the gas whose concentration fluctuations are to be measured.
  • the first which is the simplest, consists in opening the case 2 of watch 1 and spraying the gas therein.
  • carbon dioxide which is a gas which is easy to obtain in the form of an aerosol can 34 (see FIG. 2)
  • no specific tool is necessary.
  • After filling the box 2 with gas it suffices to close it tightly.
  • the horometric movement 8 of watch 1 conventionally comprises a time base 42 for producing a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit 44 for, in particular, determining the time from the standard signal and supplying driving impulses to a motor 46 which will drive the hour hands 20, minutes 22 and seconds 24 via a cog, not shown.
  • the central processing unit 44 could also supply electrical control signals to a liquid crystal cell to display the time digitally.
  • the pressure sensor 32 comprises a differential measurement bridge 48 which can be supplied with the aid of a current generator 50 or voltage 52 and which is formed of four branches comprising each a resistor, respectively 54 and 56, and connected in series.
  • the resistors of the pair of branches which are mounted in parallel on the current source are equal, while the resistors 56 of the other pair of branches have a resistance which varies according to the concentration of neutral gas in the atmosphere. contained in box 2 of watch 1.
  • the balance is broken between the two pairs of branches, which creates a potential difference proportional to the concentration of neutral gas.
  • This potential difference is applied to the input of an analog / digital converter 58 via a differential amplifier 60.
  • the output of the converter 58 is connected to one of the inputs of the central processing unit. 44 of watch 1. If the watch is fitted with a liquid crystal display, the central processing unit 44 can indicate to the user the leak rate of its watch 1.
  • the leak rate is the ratio between a pressure difference expressed in millibars and a duration expressed in seconds, the whole being multiplied by the volume expressed in liters of the watch case.
  • the central processing unit calculates the difference between the last two pressure measurements made and then divides this result by the time which separates the moments at which the pressure measurements were made. It then only remains for the central unit to multiply this ratio by a constant which represents the volume of the watch case.
  • the actual value of the leak rate can be displayed on the liquid crystal display cell. You can also choose to enter a nominal value into the central unit which represents the maximum admissible leak rate by the watch, and express the value of the measured leak rate as a percentage of the nominal value.
  • the central processing unit can calculate an average of the leak rate for several pairs of pressure values measured in the past.
  • the advantage of calculating the leakage rate lies in the fact that it can take an exaggerated value even though the gas concentration of the atmosphere confined in the watch case has not yet fallen below the critical threshold. beyond which the alarm is triggered. The user can thus, by himself, check the quality of the water resistance of his watch 1 and decide whether it needs to be brought back to the watchmaker for repair.
  • the sensor 32 performs a measurement of the initial concentration of this gas, then performs subsequent measurements in continuously or intermittently. As soon as the sensor detects a variation in the concentration of neutral gas in the atmosphere confined in the housing greater than a predetermined value, it generates an alarm. Indeed, if the concentration of neutral gas varies, this means that air has entered the housing from outside of it.
  • the alarm can be visual and display as a message or symbol on a liquid crystal display.
  • the sensor can also control the lighting of an indicator light or the emission of an audible signal. Therefore, the wearer of watch 1 is warned that it has a leak and that it must be returned to the watchmaker for repair. The wearer is quickly informed, the risks that the movement of the watch is damaged is greatly limited.
  • the gas sensor performs a measurement of the ambient temperature before measuring the concentration of the desired gas.
  • a timepiece is typically designed to operate in a temperature range between -20 ° C and + 70 ° C. It is understood that such temperature differences affect the pressure inside the box. By measuring the ambient temperature beforehand, the sensor will be able to take the result of this measurement into account to correct the measurement of the pressure at which it will proceed subsequently.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for testing the leak-tightness of a case (2) belonging to an electronic timepiece (1) comprising a time base (42) which is used to produce a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit (44) which is used to determine the time from said standard signal. The invention is characterised in that it comprises an electronic sensor (32) which can measure fluctuations in the concentration of an atmospheric gas confined in the case (2). According to the invention, the results of the measurement taken by the electronic sensor (32) are processed by the central processing unit (44) which, if necessary, emits an audible or visible alarm in response to the measurement signal.

Description

DISPOSITI F ET PROCEDE DE CONTROLE DE L'ETANCHEITE D'UN E BOITE DE PI ECE D'HORLOGERI E PROVISION F AND METHOD FOR CHECKING THE SEALING OF A WATCHMAKING PIECE BOX
La présente invention concerne un dispositif permettant de s'assurer qu'une boîte d'une pièce d'horlogerie est étanche vis-à-vis de l'extérieur. La présente invention concerne également un procédé pour le contrôle de l'étanchéité d'une telle boîte. li a déjà été proposé de faire régner dans une boîte de montre une pression supérieure à la pression atmosphérique, de manière à éviter qu'une pression extérieure supérieure à la pression dans la boîte entraîne une pénétration d'eau, de vapeur, de gaz ou de poussière dans la boîte (brevet suisse N° 312740). A cet effet, la boîte est munie d'une soupape permettant d'y insuffler un gaz inerte sous une pression de 1 ,1 à 1 ,5 atmosphère et d'un manomètre permettant au porteur de la montre de connaître la pression régnant à l'intérieur de la boîte.The present invention relates to a device making it possible to ensure that a case of a timepiece is watertight vis-à-vis the outside. The present invention also relates to a method for checking the tightness of such a box. It has already been proposed to make a pressure in a watch case prevail above atmospheric pressure, so as to avoid that an external pressure greater than the pressure in the box causes penetration of water, vapor, gas or of dust in the box (Swiss patent N ° 312740). To this end, the case is provided with a valve allowing an inert gas to be injected therein under a pressure of 1, 1 to 1, 5 atmosphere and a manometer allowing the wearer of the watch to know the pressure prevailing at l inside the box.
Un manomètre est cependant un instrument compliqué, délicat et coûteux qui, en cas de défaillance du dispositif d'étanchéité de la boîte de montre, risque d'être détérioré au même titre que le mouvement, ce qui augmente considérablement les frais de remise en état.A pressure gauge is, however, a complicated, delicate and expensive instrument which, in the event of failure of the watch case sealing device, risks being damaged in the same way as the movement, which considerably increases the repair costs. .
Pour remédier à ces problèmes, il a été proposé (brevet suisse N° 544959) de remplacer le manomètre par un dispositif permettant également de vérifier le maintien de la surpression dans une boîte de montre, ce dispositif comprenant une membrane élastiquement déformable, bistable, séparant de façon étanche aux gaz la boîte d'une enceinte dans laquelle règne une pression différente, et des moyens pour rendre visibles à l'utilisateur l'un ou l'autre des deux états stables de la membrane.To remedy these problems, it has been proposed (Swiss Patent No. 544959) to replace the pressure gauge with a device also making it possible to check the maintenance of the overpressure in a watch case, this device comprising an elastically deformable, bistable, separating membrane gas-tight the box of an enclosure in which there is a different pressure, and means for making visible to the user one or the other of the two stable states of the membrane.
Un dispositif du genre susdécrit a pour mérite d'être relativement simple et assez robuste, et d'être moins coûteux qu'un manomètre. Un tel dispositif a cependant pour inconvénient de fournir une information du type tout ou rien comparable à celle fournie par un témoin lumineux par exemple. Ainsi, ce dispositif ne passera de son premier à son second état stable dans lequel il indique au porteur de la montre que celle-ci présente un défaut d'étanchéité, que lorsque la surpression à l'intérieur de la boîte de montre aura chuté d'une valeur prédéterminée. Ainsi, il se peut fort bien que la montre présente des défauts d'étanchéité, mais que la surpression qui y règne n'ait pas encore atteint la valeur de seuil nécessaire au déclenchement du dispositif de vérification du maintien de l'étanchéité. Le mouvement peut donc se détériorer sans que le porteur de la montre n'en sache rien. D'autre part, il est nécessaire d'insuffler le gaz inerte dans la boîte avec une pression déterminée supérieure au seuil de déclenchement du dispositif de vérification, ce qui nécessite un outillage approprié que tous les horlogers ne sont pas susceptibles de détenir. Enfin, les mesures effectuées par un tel dispositif peuvent être gravement entachées d'erreur par des variations de la température ambiante qui affectent la pression de l'air confinée dans la boîte.A device of the kind described above has the merit of being relatively simple and fairly robust, and of being less expensive than a pressure gauge. However, such a device has the disadvantage of providing all-or-nothing information comparable to that provided by an indicator light for example. Thus, this device will not go from its first to its second stable state in which it indicates to the wearer of the watch that the latter has a leakage, only when the overpressure inside the watch case has dropped. 'a predetermined value. Thus, it may very well be that the watch has leaks, but that the overpressure prevailing therein has not yet reached the threshold value necessary for triggering the device for checking that the seal is maintained. The movement can therefore deteriorate without the wearer of the watch knowing anything about it. On the other hand, it is necessary to inject the inert gas into the box with a determined pressure greater than the triggering threshold of the verification device, which requires appropriate tools that not all watchmakers are likely to have. Finally, the measurements made by such a device can be seriously vitiated by errors in the ambient temperature which affect the pressure of the air confined in the box.
La présente invention a pour but de remédier aux inconvénients susmentionnés ainsi qu'à d'autres encore en proposant un dispositif de surveillance de l'étanchéité d'une boîte de montre qui permette à son porteur d'être alerté aussitôt que celle-ci commence à présenter des défauts d'étanchéité.The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by proposing a device for monitoring the tightness of a watch case which allows its wearer to be alerted as soon as it begins. to have leaks.
A cet effet, la présente invention concerne un dispositif pour le contrôle d'une boîte d'une pièce d'horlogerie électronique comprenant une base de temps pour produire un signal de fréquence standard et une unité centrale de traitement pour déterminer l'heure à partir du signal standard, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un capteur électronique capable de mesurer les fluctuations de la concentration en un gaz de l'atmosphère confinée dans la boîte, les résultats de la mesure effectuée par le capteur électronique étant traités par l'unité centrale de traitement qui, en réponse au signal de mesure, émet, le cas échéant, une alarme sonore ou visuelle.To this end, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a case of an electronic timepiece comprising a time base for producing a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit for determining the time from of the standard signal, characterized in that it comprises an electronic sensor capable of measuring the fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere confined in the box, the results of the measurement carried out by the electronic sensor being processed by the unit central processing unit which, in response to the measurement signal, emits, if necessary, an audible or visual alarm.
Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la présente invention procure un dispositif permettant d'alerter instantanément le porteur d'une montre d'un défaut d'étanchéité de la boîte de sa montre. En effet, aussitôt que la montre présente un défaut d'étanchéité, cela provoque un échange gazeux entre l'air environnant et l'atmosphère contenue dans la boîte de la montre et entraîne une diminution concomitante de la concentration du gaz de l'atmosphère confinée dans ladite boîte, diminution qui est détectée par le capteur. Rapidement averti de la perte d'étanchéité de sa montre, le porteur peut ramener celle-ci chez son horloger qui pourra la placer sous une cloche à vide afin de la tester et la réparer le cas échéant. Les risques que le mouvement de la montre soit détérioré sont ainsi grandement réduits.Thanks to these characteristics, the present invention provides a device for instantly alerting the wearer of a watch to a leak in the waterproofness of the case of his watch. In fact, as soon as the watch has a leak, it causes a gas exchange between the surrounding air and the atmosphere contained in the watch case and leads to a concomitant decrease in the concentration of gas in the confined atmosphere. in said box, decrease which is detected by the sensor. Quickly warned of the loss of waterproofness of his watch, the wearer can bring it back to his watchmaker who can place it under a vacuum bell to test and repair it if necessary. The risks of the watch movement being deteriorated are thus greatly reduced.
Un autre avantage de la présente invention réside dans le fait que le capteur de gaz fonctionne en association avec les moyens électroniques de la montre, utilisant ces moyens pour générer, le cas échéant, une alarme sonore ou visuelle. Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de loger dans la boîte de la montre des composants électroniques supplémentaires, ce qui permet de réaliser des gains substantiels en termes de coûts des composants et de temps de montage et d'économiser de la place dans la boîte de la montre.Another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the gas sensor operates in association with the electronic means of the watch, using these means to generate, if necessary, an audible or visual alarm. There is therefore no need to place additional electronic components in the watch box, which allows substantial savings in terms of component costs and assembly time and saves space in the box. the watch.
Selon une caractéristique complémentaire de l'invention, le capteur de gaz comprend un pont de mesure différentiel. Un tel circuit est fiable, peu encombrant et consomme d'autant moins d'énergie qu'il n'est enclenché que pendant de brefs instants à intervalles de temps réguliers. En outre, il ne comporte aucun organe mobile, ce qui augmente encore davantage sa fiabilité. Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le gaz présent dans l'atmosphère confinée de la boîte de montre est un gaz neutre et lourd possédant une conductivité thermique différente de celle de l'air comme, par exemple, le dioxyde de carbone. Après constatation d'une perte d'étanchéité de la boîte et réparation subséquente, la montre peut être très facilement remise en condition par un horloger du commerce. Il suffit, en effet, alors que la boîte de montre est encore ouverte, d'introduire dans celle-ci le gaz neutre et lourd dont les fluctuations de la concentration sont à surveiller. Ainsi, dans le cas du dioxyde de carbone qui est un gaz qu'il est facile de se procurer sous forme de bombe aérosol, aucun outillage spécifique n'est nécessaire. Après avoir rempli la boîte de gaz, complètement ou partiellement, il suffit de refermer celle-ci de manière étanche sans avoir à se préoccuper de la concentration dudit gaz dans la mesure où le dispositif selon l'invention utilise des valeurs relatives de concentration et non des valeurs absolues. L'emploi d'un gaz neutre présente d'autres avantages. Ainsi, du fait de sa neutralité, il ne peut réagir avec les composants de la montre, de sorte que les variations de sa concentration dans l'atmosphère confinée de la boîte sont le reflet fidèle des échanges gazeux qui se produisent entre cette boîte et l'air ambiant. Bien entendu, le gaz neutre choisi devra être non toxique et peu répandu dans l'air, c'est-à- dire que sa concentration dans la boîte devra être plus élevée que sa concentration dans l'air.According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the gas sensor comprises a differential measurement bridge. Such a circuit is reliable, compact and consumes less energy when it is engaged only for brief moments at regular time intervals. In addition, it has no movable member, which further increases its reliability. According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the gas present in the confined atmosphere of the watch case is a neutral and heavy gas having a thermal conductivity different from that of air such as, for example, carbon dioxide. After finding a loss of water resistance in the case and subsequent repair, the watch can be very easily put back into condition by a commercial watchmaker. It suffices, in fact, while the watch case is still open, to introduce into it the neutral and heavy gas whose concentration fluctuations are to be monitored. Thus, in the case of carbon dioxide which is a gas which is easy to obtain in the form of an aerosol can, no specific tool is necessary. After filling the gas box, completely or partially, it suffices to close it tightly without having to worry about the concentration of said gas insofar as the device according to the invention uses relative concentration values and not absolute values. The use of a neutral gas has other advantages. Thus, due to its neutrality, it cannot react with the components of the watch, so that the variations in its concentration in the confined atmosphere of the box are a faithful reflection of the gas exchanges which occur between this box and the 'ambiant air. Of course, the neutral gas chosen must be non-toxic and not very widespread in the air, that is to say that its concentration in the box must be higher than its concentration in the air.
Selon une variante, le gaz neutre peut être insufflé dans la boîte via une soupape. Cette variante s'avère particulièrement avantageuse lorsqu'on veut insuffler dans la boîte de montre un gaz neutre plus léger que l'air tel que de l'hélium. En effet, il ne serait pas possible de remplir la boîte d'un tel gaz neutre léger en ouvrant simplement celle-ci et en la remplissant au moyen d'une bombe aérosol car le gaz s'échapperait. D'autre part, le coefficient de conductivité thermique de l'hélium est dans un rapport de dix par rapport à celui de l'air ambiant, ce qui permet une sensibilité de détection accrue. En outre, un gaz léger tel que l'hélium diffuse plus facilement, ce qui contribue encore davantage à renforcer la sensibilité de détection. La présente invention concerne également un procédé de contrôle de l'étanchéité d'une boîte d'une pièce d'horlogerie, ce procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes consistant à :Alternatively, the neutral gas can be blown into the can via a valve. This variant proves to be particularly advantageous when it is wished to inject into the watch case a neutral gas lighter than air such as helium. Indeed, it would not be possible to fill the box with such a light neutral gas by simply opening it and filling it by means of an aerosol can because the gas would escape. On the other hand, the coefficient of thermal conductivity of helium is in a ratio of ten compared to that of ambient air, which allows increased detection sensitivity. In addition, a light gas such as helium diffuses more easily, which further contributes to enhancing the detection sensitivity. The present invention also relates to a method for checking the tightness of a case of a timepiece, this method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:
- introduire un gaz avec une concentration de départ dans l'atmosphère confinée de la boîte; - mesurer la concentration de départ dudit gaz;- introduce a gas with a starting concentration in the confined atmosphere of the box; - measure the starting concentration of said gas;
- mesurer de façon continue ou intermittente la concentration du gaz, et - générer une alarme lorsque la concentration de gaz mesurée est différente de la concentration de départ dudit gaz ou lorsque le taux de fuite dépasse une valeur prédéterminée.- measure the gas concentration continuously or intermittently, and - generate an alarm when the measured gas concentration is different from the starting concentration of said gas or when the leak rate exceeds a predetermined value.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description détaillée qui suit d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif de contrôle selon l'invention, cet exemple étant donné à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif seulement, en liaison avec le dessin annexé dans lequel :Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the control device according to the invention, this example being given purely by way of non-limiting illustration, in conjunction with the attached drawing in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'une montre-bracelet équipée du dispositif de contrôle d'étanchéité selon l'invention; - la figure 2 est une vue de la boîte de la montre représentée sur la figure 1 au moment où l'on procède à son remplissage en gaz au moyen d'une bombe aérosol;- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a wristwatch equipped with the tightness control device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a view of the watch case shown in Figure 1 when it is filled with gas by means of an aerosol can;
- la figure 3 est une vue d'une montre équipée d'une soupape permettant d'insuffler un gaz dans la boîte de la montre, etFIG. 3 is a view of a watch fitted with a valve allowing a gas to be blown into the watch case, and
- la figure 4 est un schéma électronique du capteur de gaz et de l'unité centrale de traitement de la montre.- Figure 4 is an electronic diagram of the gas sensor and the central processing unit of the watch.
La présente invention procède de l'idée générale inventive qui consiste à mesurer les fluctuations de la concentration en un gaz de l'atmosphère confinée dans une boîte de montre. Aussitôt qu'une diminution de la concentration en gaz est détectée, une alarme est produite afin d'avertir le porteur de la montre que celle-ci présente un défaut d'étanchéité. Par rapport aux solutions connues de l'art antérieur qui consistent, pour la plupart, à établir une surpression dans la boîte de la montre et à surveiller une éventuelle diminution de cette surpression, la présente invention a comme principal avantage de ne pas constituer un système du type tout ou rien qui ne fournit une information que lorsque le paramètre à surveiller atteint une valeur seuil de déclenchement, mais au contraire de procurer un système extrêmement sensible qui avertira le porteur de la montre aussitôt que celle-ci commencera à présenter des signes de perte d'étanchéité. D'autre part, le système selon l'invention mesure une valeur relative et non une valeur absolue. Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de fixer la concentration initiale en gaz à une valeur déterminée, seule la valeur de cette concentration initiale devant être connue. Enfin, le dispositif selon l'invention est de type passif, de sorte qu'il ne comprend aucune pièce mobile et est par conséquent très fiable.The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in measuring the fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere confined in a watch case. As soon as a decrease in the gas concentration is detected, an alarm is produced in order to warn the wearer of the watch that it has a leak. Compared to the known solutions of the prior art which consist, for the most part, of establishing an overpressure in the watch case and monitoring a possible reduction in this overpressure, the main advantage of the present invention is that it does not constitute a system. of the all or nothing type which provides information only when the parameter to be monitored reaches a trigger threshold value, but on the contrary provides an extremely sensitive system which will warn the wearer of the watch as soon as it begins to show signs of loss of tightness. On the other hand, the system according to the invention measures a relative value and not an absolute value. It is therefore not necessary to fix the initial concentration of gas at a determined value, only the value of this initial concentration having to be known. Finally, the device according to the invention is of the passive type, so that it does not comprise any moving part and is therefore very reliable.
La présente invention va être décrite en liaison avec une pièce d'horlogerie du type montre-bracelet. Il va de soi que l'invention n'est pas limitée à une telle montre et qu'elle peut s'appliquer de façon identique à la mesure de la perte d'étanchéité de tout type de pièce d'horlogerie. La figure 1 annexée à la présente demande de brevet est une vue en coupe d'une pièce d'horlogerie munie du dispositif de détection de gaz selon l'invention. Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 1 , cette pièce d'horlogerie comporte de manière classique un boîtier 2 muni d'une carrure 4 et d'un fond 6 qui délimite le boîtier 2 dans sa partie inférieure. Dans l'exemple représenté au dessin, le fond 6 est fait d'une seule pièce avec la carrure 4. Il va néanmoins de soi que la présente invention s'applique de la même manière à une boîte qui ne serait pas monocoque et qui comprendrait un fond distinct de la carrure. Le boîtier 2 peut être réalisé, par exemple, en un matériau plastique selon des techniques d'injection bien connues. La présente invention ne se limite cependant pas au choix d'un tel matériau et le boîtier 2 pourra être réalisé en tout type de matériau adapté aux besoins de l'industrie horlogère tel que, notamment, de l'acier.The present invention will be described in conjunction with a timepiece of the wristwatch type. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to such a watch and that it can be applied identically to the measurement of the loss of water resistance of any type of timepiece. Figure 1 appended to this patent application is a sectional view of a timepiece provided with the gas detection device according to the invention. Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 1, this timepiece conventionally comprises a case 2 provided with a middle part 4 and a base 6 which delimits the case 2 in its lower part. In the example shown in the drawing, the bottom 6 is made in one piece with the middle part 4. It goes without saying, however, that the present invention applies in the same way to a box which would not be monocoque and which would include a background distinct from the middle. The housing 2 can be made, for example, of a plastic material according to well known injection techniques. The present invention is not however limited to the choice of such a material and the housing 2 can be made of any type of material adapted to the needs of the watch industry such as, in particular, steel.
La pièce d'horlogerie 1 comporte également un mouvement horométrique 8 monté dans un cercle d'encageage 10. Ce mouvement 8 est alimenté en courant par une batterie électrique 12 qui peut, le cas échéant, être rechargée après épuisement ou remplacée. La batterie 12, représentée de façon schématique au dessin, présente typiquement la forme d'une pastille. Elle peut être logée dans le fond 6 de la montre 1. La face inférieure de la batterie 12 qui constitue l'un des pôles de celle-ci est reliée électriquement à la masse de la montre 1 , par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un contact à ressort 13 fixé sur le fond 6 de ladite montre 1. L'autre pôle de la batterie 12 qui est constitué par sa face supérieure est, de manière habituelle, relié électriquement au mouvement horométrique 8.The timepiece 1 also includes a time movement 8 mounted in a casing ring 10. This movement 8 is supplied with current by an electric battery 12 which can, if necessary, be recharged after exhaustion or replaced. The battery 12, shown schematically in the drawing, typically has the shape of a pellet. It can be housed in the back 6 of watch 1. The underside of the battery 12 which constitutes one of the poles of the latter is electrically connected to the ground of watch 1, for example by means of a spring contact 13 fixed to the bottom 6 of said watch 1. The other pole of the battery 12 which is constituted by its upper face is, in the usual way, electrically connected to the horometric movement 8.
Dans sa partie supérieure, le boîtier 2 est délimité par une glace 14 recouvrant des moyens d'affichage 16 d'une information horaire. Dans l'exemple représenté au dessin, ces moyens d'affichage 16 se composent d'un cadran 18 au-dessus duquel se déplacent une aiguille des heures 20, une aiguille des minutes 22 et une aiguille des secondes 24. Il s'agit donc de moyens analogiques d'affichage de l'heure. Il pourrait également s'agir de moyens d'affichage digitaux constitués par une cellule à cristaux liquides. Enfin, le boîtier 2 comporte à sa périphérie supérieure un cran 26 dans lequel est engagée une lunette 28 qui assure la fixation de la glace 14 sur le boîtier 2. La lunette 28 est montée fixe sur le boîtier 2, par exemple par collage ou soudage aux ultrasons ou encore par chassage. La glace 14 est rendue étanche par rapport au boîtier 2 grâce à l'utilisation d'un joint 30 coincé entre la glace et le boîtier. Comme on peut le voir à la figure 1 , la pièce d'horlogerie 1 comprend également un capteur 32 logé dans le boîtier 2. Ce capteur 32 est capable de détecter les fluctuations de la concentration en un gaz tel que, par exemple, du dioxyde de carbone, de l'atmosphère confinée dans le boîtier 2. Le capteur 32 est préférentiellement de type électronique, de petites dimensions et consommant peu d'énergie. Un exemple d'un tel capteur est constitué par celui commercialisé par la société suisse Microsens Products sous la référence MTCS 2200. Le principe de fonctionnement d'un tel capteur est le suivant. Des moyens de chauffage électrique ont pour rôle de maintenir une membrane thermiquement et électriquement isolante faisant partie intégrante du capteur à une température de consigne prédéterminée. En fonction des fluctuations de la concentration en gaz neutre de l'atmosphère confinée dans la boîte, la conductivité thermique de ladite atmosphère varie, et il faut donc fournir plus ou moins d'énergie électrique aux moyens de chauffage pour maintenir la membrane à sa température de consigne. Des tableaux de correspondance permettent de déterminer, en fonction de la puissance électrique fournie, la concentration de l'atmosphère en gaz neutre utilisé. Dans le cas du dioxyde de carbone, sa conductivité thermique est inférieure d'un tiers à celle de l'air, ce qui permet de détecter des variations de la concentration de ce gaz aussi faibles que 1%. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, on mesure le flux thermique entre la membrane chauffante et un capteur de température, séparés l'un de l'autre par le gaz dont les fluctuations de la concentration sont à mesurer.In its upper part, the housing 2 is delimited by a crystal 14 covering display means 16 for time information. In the example shown in the drawing, these display means 16 consist of a dial 18 above which an hour hand 20, a minute hand 22 and a second hand 24 move. It is therefore a matter of analog time display means. It could also be digital display means constituted by a liquid crystal cell. Finally, the housing 2 has at its upper periphery a notch 26 in which is engaged a bezel 28 which ensures the fixing of the glass 14 on the housing 2. The bezel 28 is fixedly mounted on the housing 2, for example by bonding or welding ultrasound or by hunting. The glass 14 is made watertight relative to the housing 2 by the use of a seal 30 wedged between the glass and the housing. As can be seen in Figure 1, the timepiece 1 also includes a sensor 32 housed in the housing 2. This sensor 32 is capable of detecting fluctuations in the concentration of a gas such as, for example, dioxide of carbon, from the atmosphere confined in the housing 2. The sensor 32 is preferably of the electronic type, of small dimensions and consuming little energy. An example of such a sensor is that sold by the Swiss company Microsens Products under the reference MTCS 2200. The operating principle of such a sensor is as follows. The role of electric heating means is to maintain a thermally and electrically insulating membrane forming an integral part of the sensor at a predetermined set temperature. Depending on the fluctuations of the neutral gas concentration of the atmosphere confined in the box, the thermal conductivity of said atmosphere varies, and it is therefore necessary to provide more or less electrical energy to the heating means to maintain the membrane at its temperature. setpoint. Correspondence tables make it possible to determine, as a function of the electric power supplied, the concentration of the atmosphere in neutral gas used. In the case of carbon dioxide, its thermal conductivity is one third lower than that of air, which makes it possible to detect variations in the concentration of this gas as low as 1%. In another embodiment, the heat flux between the heating membrane and a temperature sensor is measured, separated from each other by the gas whose concentration fluctuations are to be measured.
Lors de la mise en service du capteur de gaz 32, il faut tout d'abord procéder au remplissage de la montre en gaz neutre. Pour cela, deux solutions sont envisageables. La première, qui est la plus simple, consiste à ouvrir la boîte 2 de la montre 1 et à pulvériser le gaz dans celle-ci. Ainsi, dans le cas du dioxyde de carbone qui est un gaz facile à se procurer sous forme d'une bombe aérosol 34 (voir figure 2), aucun outillage spécifique n'est nécessaire. Après avoir rempli la boîte 2 de gaz, il suffit de refermer celle-ci de manière étanche. Selon une variante, il est également possible de munir la montre 1 d'une soupape 36 (voir figure 3) destinée à s'ouvrir sous l'action d'une pression extérieure et comprenant une tubulure 38 sur laquelle peut être fixé un conduit d'amenée 40 d'un gaz sous pression.When putting the gas sensor 32 into service, you must first fill the watch with neutral gas. For this, two solutions are possible. The first, which is the simplest, consists in opening the case 2 of watch 1 and spraying the gas therein. Thus, in the case of carbon dioxide which is a gas which is easy to obtain in the form of an aerosol can 34 (see FIG. 2), no specific tool is necessary. After filling the box 2 with gas, it suffices to close it tightly. According to a variant, it is also possible to provide the watch 1 with a valve 36 (see FIG. 3) intended to open under the action of an external pressure and comprising a tube 38 to which a conduit can be fixed. '40 supply of gas under pressure.
Comme représenté à la figure 4, le mouvement horométrique 8 de la montre 1 comprend classiquement une base de temps 42 pour produire un signal de fréquence standard et une unité centrale de traitement 44 pour, notamment, déterminer l'heure à partir du signal standard et fournir des impulsions motrices à un moteur 46 qui va entraîner les aiguilles d'heures 20, de minutes 22 et de secondes 24 par l'intermédiaire d'un rouage non représenté. Selon une variante, l'unité centrale de traitement 44 pourrait également fournir des signaux électriques de commande à une cellule à cristal liquide pour afficher l'heure de façon numérique. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, le capteur de pression 32 comprend un pont de mesure différentiel 48 qui peut être alimenté à l'aide d'un générateur de courant 50 ou de tension 52 et qui est formé de quatre branches comportant chacune une résistance, respectivement 54 et 56, et connectées en série. Les résistances de la paire de branches qui se trouvent montées en parallèle sur la source de courant sont égales, tandis que les résistances 56 de l'autre paire de branches ont une résistance qui varie en fonction de la concentration en gaz neutre de l'atmosphère renfermée dans la boîte 2 de la montre 1. Lorsque la concentration en gaz diminue, l'équilibre est rompu entre les deux paires de branches, ce qui crée une différence de potentiel proportionnelle à la concentration du gaz neutre. Cette différence de potentiel est appliquée à l'entrée d'un convertisseur analogique/numérique 58 par l'intermédiaire d'un amplificateur différentiel 60. Finalement la sortie du convertisseur 58 est reliée à l'une des entrées de l'unité centrale de traitement 44 de la montre 1. Si la montre est munie d'un affichage à cristal liquide, l'unité centrale de traitement 44 pourra indiquer à l'utilisateur le taux de fuite de sa montre 1. Le taux de fuite est le rapport entre une différence de pression exprimée en millibars et une durée exprimée en secondes, le tout étant multiplié par le volume exprimé en litres du boîtier de la montre. Pratiquement, pour calculer le taux de fuite, l'unité centrale de traitement calcule la différence entre les deux dernières mesures de pression effectuées puis divise ce résultat par la durée qui sépare les moments auxquels ont été effectuées les mesures de pression. Il ne reste plus ensuite à l'unité centrale qu'à multiplier ce rapport par une constante qui représente le volume de la boîte de la montre. La valeur réelle du taux de fuite peut être affichée sur la cellule d'affichage à cristal liquide. On peut également choisir d'introduire en mémoire dans l'unité centrale une valeur nominale qui représente le taux de fuite maximum admissible par la montre, et exprimer la valeur du taux de fuite mesurée en pourcentage de la valeur nominale. De même, pour plus de précision, l'unité centrale de traitement peut calculer une moyenne du taux de fuite pour plusieurs paires de valeurs de la pression mesurées dans le passé. L'intérêt de calculer le taux de fuite réside dans le fait que celui-ci peut prendre une valeur exagérée alors même que la concentration en gaz de l'atmosphère confinée dans la boîte de la montre n'est pas encore passée sous le seuil critique au-delà duquel l'alarme est déclenchée. L'utilisateur pourra ainsi, de lui- même, vérifier la qualité de l'étanchéité de sa montre 1 et décider si celle-ci a besoin d'être rapportée chez l'horloger à fin de réparation.As shown in FIG. 4, the horometric movement 8 of watch 1 conventionally comprises a time base 42 for producing a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit 44 for, in particular, determining the time from the standard signal and supplying driving impulses to a motor 46 which will drive the hour hands 20, minutes 22 and seconds 24 via a cog, not shown. Alternatively, the central processing unit 44 could also supply electrical control signals to a liquid crystal cell to display the time digitally. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor 32 comprises a differential measurement bridge 48 which can be supplied with the aid of a current generator 50 or voltage 52 and which is formed of four branches comprising each a resistor, respectively 54 and 56, and connected in series. The resistors of the pair of branches which are mounted in parallel on the current source are equal, while the resistors 56 of the other pair of branches have a resistance which varies according to the concentration of neutral gas in the atmosphere. contained in box 2 of watch 1. When the gas concentration decreases, the balance is broken between the two pairs of branches, which creates a potential difference proportional to the concentration of neutral gas. This potential difference is applied to the input of an analog / digital converter 58 via a differential amplifier 60. Finally, the output of the converter 58 is connected to one of the inputs of the central processing unit. 44 of watch 1. If the watch is fitted with a liquid crystal display, the central processing unit 44 can indicate to the user the leak rate of its watch 1. The leak rate is the ratio between a pressure difference expressed in millibars and a duration expressed in seconds, the whole being multiplied by the volume expressed in liters of the watch case. In practice, to calculate the leak rate, the central processing unit calculates the difference between the last two pressure measurements made and then divides this result by the time which separates the moments at which the pressure measurements were made. It then only remains for the central unit to multiply this ratio by a constant which represents the volume of the watch case. The actual value of the leak rate can be displayed on the liquid crystal display cell. You can also choose to enter a nominal value into the central unit which represents the maximum admissible leak rate by the watch, and express the value of the measured leak rate as a percentage of the nominal value. Likewise, for greater accuracy, the central processing unit can calculate an average of the leak rate for several pairs of pressure values measured in the past. The advantage of calculating the leakage rate lies in the fact that it can take an exaggerated value even though the gas concentration of the atmosphere confined in the watch case has not yet fallen below the critical threshold. beyond which the alarm is triggered. The user can thus, by himself, check the quality of the water resistance of his watch 1 and decide whether it needs to be brought back to the watchmaker for repair.
Une fois le gaz introduit dans le boîtier 2, le capteur 32 effectue une mesure de la concentration initiale de ce gaz, puis effectue des mesures subséquentes en continu ou de façon intermittente. Aussitôt que le capteur détecte une variation de la concentration en gaz neutre de l'atmosphère confinée dans le boîtier supérieure à une valeur prédéterminée, il génère une alarme. En effet, si la concentration en gaz neutre varie, cela signifie que de l'air a pénétré dans le boîtier depuis l'extérieur de celui-ci. L'alarme peut être de type visuel et s'afficher sous forme d'un message ou d'un symbole sur un écran à cristaux liquides. Le capteur peut également commander l'allumage d'un témoin lumineux ou bien encore l'émission d'un signal sonore. Dès lors, le porteur de la montre 1 est averti que celle-ci présente un défaut d'étanchéité et qu'elle doit être ramenée chez l'horloger à fin de réparation. Le porteur étant rapidement informé, les risques que le mouvement de la montre soit détérioré est grandement limité.Once the gas has been introduced into the housing 2, the sensor 32 performs a measurement of the initial concentration of this gas, then performs subsequent measurements in continuously or intermittently. As soon as the sensor detects a variation in the concentration of neutral gas in the atmosphere confined in the housing greater than a predetermined value, it generates an alarm. Indeed, if the concentration of neutral gas varies, this means that air has entered the housing from outside of it. The alarm can be visual and display as a message or symbol on a liquid crystal display. The sensor can also control the lighting of an indicator light or the emission of an audible signal. Therefore, the wearer of watch 1 is warned that it has a leak and that it must be returned to the watchmaker for repair. The wearer is quickly informed, the risks that the movement of the watch is damaged is greatly limited.
Il va de soi que la présente invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation qui viennent d'être décrits et que diverses modifications et variantes simples peuvent être envisagées sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. En particulier, il peut être envisagé que le capteur de gaz procède à une mesure de la température ambiante avant de mesurer la concentration du gaz recherchée. En effet, une pièce d'horlogerie est typiquement prévue pour fonctionner dans un intervalle de température compris entre -20°C et +70°C. On comprend que de tels écarts de température affectent la pression à l'intérieur de la boîte. En mesurant préalablement la température ambiante, le capteur pourra tenir compte du résultat de cette mesure pour corriger la mesure de la pression à laquelle il procédera subséquemment. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it can be envisaged that the gas sensor performs a measurement of the ambient temperature before measuring the concentration of the desired gas. Indeed, a timepiece is typically designed to operate in a temperature range between -20 ° C and + 70 ° C. It is understood that such temperature differences affect the pressure inside the box. By measuring the ambient temperature beforehand, the sensor will be able to take the result of this measurement into account to correct the measurement of the pressure at which it will proceed subsequently.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif pour le contrôle de l'étanchéité d'une boîte (2) d'une pièce d'horlogerie électronique (1) comprenant une base de temps (42) pour produire un signal de fréquence standard et une unité centrale de traitement (44) pour déterminer l'heure à partir du signal standard, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un capteur électronique (32) capable de mesurer les fluctuations de la concentration en un gaz de l'atmosphère confinée dans la boîte (2), les résultats de la mesure effectuée par le capteur électronique (32) étant traités par l'unité centrale de traitement (44) qui, en réponse au signal de mesure, émet, le cas échéant, une alarme sonore ou visuelle.1. Device for checking the tightness of a case (2) of an electronic timepiece (1) comprising a time base (42) for producing a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit ( 44) to determine the time from the standard signal, characterized in that it comprises an electronic sensor (32) capable of measuring the fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere confined in the box (2), the results of the measurement carried out by the electronic sensor (32) being processed by the central processing unit (44) which, in response to the measurement signal, emits, if necessary, an audible or visual alarm.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que le capteur électronique (32) comprend un pont de mesure différentiel (48).2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic sensor (32) comprises a differential measurement bridge (48).
3. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le gaz présent dans l'atmosphère confinée de l'enceinte est un gaz neutre.3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas present in the confined atmosphere of the enclosure is a neutral gas.
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la concentration du gaz neutre dans l'atmosphère de l'enceinte est inférieure à sa concentration dans l'air ambiant.4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the concentration of the neutral gas in the atmosphere of the enclosure is lower than its concentration in the ambient air.
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que le gaz neutre est du dioxyde de carbone ou de l'hélium.5. Device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the neutral gas is carbon dioxide or helium.
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'enceinte est munie d'une soupape (36) pour y insuffler le gaz. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the enclosure is provided with a valve (36) for blowing gas therein.
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le capteur (32) mesure la concentration initiale du gaz, puis mesure cette concentration de façon continue ou intermittente et commande la production d'un signal d'alerte aussitôt qu'il détecte une fluctuation de la valeur de la concentration du gaz supérieure à une valeur prédéterminée. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor (32) measures the initial concentration of the gas, then measures this concentration continuously or intermittently and controls the production of an alert signal as soon as it detects a fluctuation in the value of the gas concentration greater than a predetermined value.
8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que le capteur (32) comprend des moyens de chauffage électriques dont le rôle est de maintenir constante la température d'une membrane thermiquement et électriquement isolante.8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor (32) comprises electric heating means whose role is to keep the temperature of a thermally and electrically insulating membrane constant.
9. Procédé de contrôle de l'étanchéité d'une boîte (2) d'une pièce d'horlogerie (1), ce procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes consistant à :9. Method for checking the tightness of a case (2) of a timepiece (1), this method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:
- introduire un gaz avec une concentration de départ dans l'atmosphère confinée de la boîte;- introduce a gas with a starting concentration in the confined atmosphere of the box;
- mesurer la concentration de départ du gaz; - mesurer en continu ou de façon intermittente la concentration du gaz, et - générer une alarme lorsque la concentration du gaz mesurée est différente de la concentration de départ dudit gaz ou lorsque le taux de fuite dépasse une valeur prédéterminée.- measure the starting concentration of the gas; - continuously or intermittently measure the gas concentration, and - generate an alarm when the measured gas concentration is different from the starting concentration of said gas or when the leak rate exceeds a predetermined value.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'avant de mesurer la concentration du gaz, on procède à une mesure de la température ambiante.10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that before measuring the concentration of the gas, a measurement of the ambient temperature is carried out.
11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, caractérisé en ce que la boîte est remplie de gaz en ouvrant celle-ci, en la remplissant de gaz, puis en la refermant de manière étanche.11. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the box is filled with gas by opening the latter, by filling it with gas, then by closing it tightly.
12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, caractérisé en ce que l'enceinte est remplie de gaz via une soupape. 12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the enclosure is filled with gas via a valve.
EP03792255A 2002-08-09 2003-08-06 Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case Withdrawn EP1529248A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03792255A EP1529248A2 (en) 2002-08-09 2003-08-06 Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02078340A EP1388766A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2002-08-09 Device and method for testing watertightness of an enclosure such as a watch case
EP02078340 2002-08-09
EP03792255A EP1529248A2 (en) 2002-08-09 2003-08-06 Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case
PCT/EP2003/008672 WO2004019141A2 (en) 2002-08-09 2003-08-06 Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case

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EP1529248A2 true EP1529248A2 (en) 2005-05-11

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EP02078340A Withdrawn EP1388766A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2002-08-09 Device and method for testing watertightness of an enclosure such as a watch case
EP03792255A Withdrawn EP1529248A2 (en) 2002-08-09 2003-08-06 Device and method for testing the leak-tightness of a timepiece case

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US (1) US20050270908A1 (en)
EP (2) EP1388766A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005535902A (en)
KR (1) KR20050035874A (en)
CN (1) CN1675598A (en)
AU (1) AU2003258575A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004019141A2 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1388766A1 (en) 2004-02-11
JP2005535902A (en) 2005-11-24
WO2004019141A8 (en) 2005-02-10
AU2003258575A1 (en) 2004-03-11
WO2004019141A2 (en) 2004-03-04
CN1675598A (en) 2005-09-28
KR20050035874A (en) 2005-04-19
WO2004019141A3 (en) 2004-07-15
US20050270908A1 (en) 2005-12-08

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