Classifications

• • 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
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• • 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
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/0015—Light-, colour-, line- or spot-effects caused by or on stationary parts
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
  • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
  • G04G9/0029—Details
  • G04G9/0035—Details constructional
  • G04G9/0041—Illumination devices

Definitions

• Electronic device comprising an optical guide provided with at least two groups of intertwined optical extractors
• the present invention relates to an electronic device such as a timepiece comprising a box closed by an ice and inside which is housed an optical device for forming a figurative image visible through said ice.
• Timepieces of this type are known from the prior art.
• patent application EP 0 786 685 A1 filed on January 16, 1997 in the name of SMH Management Services AG, describes a timepiece comprising a device for displaying a colored decorative pattern.
• This document provides for the implementation of an optical valve located between a film on which is printed the decorative pattern and the ice of the timepiece. When the optical valve is not supplied with electrical energy, it appears black while when it is powered, it becomes transparent thus making visible the decorative pattern.
• the optical valve is preferably made in the form of a liquid crystal cell carrying transparent electrodes on each of its main faces allowing the polarization of the liquid crystals.
• the deposition of the electrodes on the faces of the cell uses a method whose costs are not negligible, particularly if the optical system is intended to be implemented on a device for the general public at low cost.
• such an optical system has a significant complexity in terms of electrical connections as regards the power supply of the liquid crystal control electrodes.
• the main object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing a device, in particular for a timepiece, enabling the display of a decorative motif whose implementation can be carried out at a lower cost.
• the invention notably provides a timepiece of the type mentioned above characterized in that the optical device comprises a first optical guide having two extended faces and at least one lateral face, a plurality of extractors being arranged in one of the extended faces, each of the extractors having predefined geometric characteristics including at least one reflecting surface.
• the optical device according to the present invention further comprises at least one light source arranged facing the side face in a predefined direction to emit light inside the optical guide and cooperate with the reflection surfaces to form the image. figurative defined directly according to the geometric characteristics of the extractors, by reflection of the light on the reflection surfaces.
• the optical extractors each comprise at least one refractive surface, as an extraction surface of the light, in place of the reflection surface.
• the invention proposes in particular an electronic device comprising a housing inside which is housed an optical device intended to form at least one figurative image in a predefined first direction relative to the housing, the optical device comprising, on the one hand, at least one optical guide having two extended faces and at least one lateral face and, secondly, at least one light source which emits light inside the optical guide, of the type in which the light emitted by the source light cooperates with optical extractors which are arranged in one of said extended faces to form the figurative image, characterized in that it comprises at least two groups of optical extractors, a first group of optical extractors corresponding to a first figurative image and a second group of optical extractors corresponding to a second figurative image, a first light source being arranged for operating with the first group of optical extractors and a second light source being arranged to cooperate with the
• optical guide according to the present invention can be disposed on the dial of the timepiece, can perform the function of a dial, alternatively, or be made directly in the ice of the timepiece.
• the light source is disposed at the periphery of the box so as not to be visible through the ice, for obvious aesthetic reasons.
• the timepiece according to the invention has an attractive display for its wearer because the decorative pattern, or figurative image, thus obtained is light when the light source is powered, while the optical guide is almost invisible when the light source is not powered.
• the formation of a multicolored figurative image can be provided by the implementation of a plurality of groups or networks of extractors in the optical guide, each group of extractors being associated with its own light source.
• the different groups of extractors may be arranged in different regions of the optical guide or may be interwoven in the same region. It is possible to provide, alternatively or additionally, the superposition of two or more optical guides, each of the optical guides carrying at least one group of extractors.
• FIG. 1 represents an exploded and schematic perspective view of the display means of an analog display timepiece according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the optical guide shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 2bis is a view similar to that of Figure 2 which shows an alternative embodiment in which the light source is oriented orthogonally to one of the extended faces of the light guide;
• FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d schematically represent an example of images formed successively to define an animation
• FIG. 4 shows a simplified sectional view of a timepiece according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 1 and 2 show schematic views respectively in perspective and in section of an optical guide 1 according to the present invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a possible arrangement of the optical guide 1 in a timepiece, namely between the dial 2 and the hands of the hours 3 and minutes 4.
• the dial 2 and the hands 3 and 4 are conventional type, the dial
• the dial and the optical guide each comprise a central opening 6, respectively 7, to allow the passage of the means for driving the needles
• the optical guide 1 operates in collaboration with three diodes 8, identical or, possibly, of different colors, in order to form a visible figurative image above the dial 2 of the part watchmaking. From the point of view of the basic principle, a single diode 8 is sufficient to form, in association with a network of optical extractors as described below, a figurative image.
• the optical coupling between the light beam emitted by each of the diodes 8 with the optical guide 1 is performed through an input surface 9.
• the input surfaces 9 each have substantially the shape of a portion of the cylinder shell, so that the beams emitted by the diodes are refracted at the entrance into the optical guide.
• the angular aperture of each of the Light beams are increased to cover most of the surface of the light guide.
• the optical guide 1 has two main extended faces 10 and 1 1, shown in Figure 1 substantially disk-shaped for illustrative non-limiting, connected to one another by a side face 12 in the general shape of a ring.
• the input surfaces 9 of the light are formed in the lateral surface 12.
• FIG. 2 The principle of operation of the optical system described in relation to FIG. 1 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, in which the optical guide 1 is shown alone in a cross-sectional view, along a plane intersecting one of the diodes 8.
• the optical guide 1 comprises a plurality of optical extractors 19, only one of which is visible in FIG. 2, arranged on the extended face 11 located on the side of the dial 2.
• the optical extractors 19, each of which has at least one reflection surface 20, are distributed according to a predefined network on the extended face 11, such a network being defined to correspond to a precise figurative image, as explained below. .
• the reflection surface 20 has a normal (n) oriented to face the corresponding diode 8, with a certain predefined angle. Thus, a certain proportion of the light beams emitted by the diode 8 falls on the reflection surface 20, either in direct incidence or after one or more prior reflections on at least one of the extended faces 10 and 11.
• the proportion of the light beams that interact with the reflection surface 20 can be adjusted according to certain geometrical parameters of a given extractor, in particular as a function of the distance separating the diode 8 from the reflection surface 20 and the height of the reflection. the optical extractor 19 with respect to the thickness of the optical guide 1. The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt these parameters according to his needs.
• all the optical extractors intended to form a predefined figurative image, have the same angle with respect to the extended face. 1 1.
• Such a characteristic has the consequence that the light beams falling on the reflection surfaces 20 are all deflected in the same direction.
• each reflection surface 20 of the grating gives rise to the formation of a reflected light beam.
• the set of reflected light beams forms a network of light beams giving rise to a figurative image in a given direction.
• the angle between the reflection surface 20 and the extended face 1 1 is substantially 45 degrees, causing the formation of a figurative image in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extended face.
• the wearer of the timepiece according to the present invention can see a bright image when looking at the dial in a substantially normal direction, provided of course that the diodes 8 are supplied with electrical energy.
• the invention is not limited to the formation of a figurative image in a direction perpendicular to the dial.
• the direction of formation of the figurative image is adjusted by the angle that the reflection surface forms with respect to the incident light beams, the normal (n) of the reflection surface corresponding to the bisector of the diode directions.
• the optical guide 1 can be made of any material having the required qualities, including in particular the transparency vis-à-vis the propagation of light, especially in the visible range.
• the optical waveguide can be made of a plastic material of the PMMA type, by injection, by replication, or by any other suitable method, the advantages of these solutions residing mainly in the ease of the corresponding manufacturing processes and in the lower part. cost price of the product obtained. From the foregoing explanation, it is understood that the reflection surfaces 20 constitute a set of pixels for forming a figurative image. Therefore, the smaller the reflective surfaces, the better the resolution and therefore the image quality.
• the higher the height of an optical extractor the greater its effective area is large and therefore, the amount of light extracted from the optical guide at the corresponding location is important.
• the luminous intensity of each of the reflected light beams can be finely adjusted by means of the characteristics of the corresponding optical extractor.
• optical extractors with dimensions of the order of 10 microns.
• the reflection surface 20 may have various shapes, planar or curved to modulate the shape of the reflected beam and make it slightly divergent, for example.
• the optical extractors belonging to the same network have at least one common geometrical characteristic, namely that the normal to the reflection surface is contained in a plane which is both perpendicular to the optical waveguide 1 and to the surface of the light. corresponding entry 9.
• This characteristic schematically in FIG. 1 ensures that the extraction of light is optimal, which is more advantageous from the point of view of the electrical energy consumption of the timepiece in which the luminous decoration of the present invention is set. implemented.
• the structure shown in FIG. 1, implementing an optical guide 1 illuminated by three light sources advantageously makes it possible to form a multicolored image.
• each of the three optical extractor networks may be arranged in a region of the optical guide 1 located near the diode 8 associated therewith, as shown diagrammatically in FIG.
• each of the three networks is extended over a large part of the total surface of the optical waveguide, the latter possibly being interlaced.
• An exemplary figurative image obtained with such a configuration is described below, in connection with the detailed description of Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d.
• Figures 3a to 3c schematically represent the figurative image formed by each of three networks of optical extractors cooperating with a given light source.
• the timepiece corresponding to the diagrams of FIG. 3 comprises three diodes 8 arranged substantially opposite the 6 o'clock positions (reference 8a in FIG. 3), 2 o'clock (reference 8b) and 10 o'clock (reference 8c).
• FIG. 3a represents the figurative image formed, as it appears to the wearer of the timepiece according to the present invention, when the diode 8a is powered to emit light in the direction of the network associated therewith.
• FIGS. 3b and 3c represent the figurative images respectively formed during operation of the diodes 8b and 8c.
• FIG. 3d represents the multicolored figurative image formed when the three diodes 8a, 8b and 8c are simultaneously powered.
• the electronic circuits of the watch according to the present invention can be programmed in such a way that the three diodes 8a, 8b and 8c are powered simultaneously in response to the activation of a control member by the user.
• the corresponding function has an interest beyond the simple aesthetic contribution, in that the formed figurative image is bright and can therefore allow the wearer of the watch to locate the position of the hands while he is in a dark environment.
• the electronic circuits of the watch can be programmed so that the diodes 8a, 8b and 8c are fed sequentially in response to a different activation of the control member or in response to the activation of an additional control member. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the nature and modes of operation of the or control members. For example, it can be provided that the three diodes are fed simultaneously in response to shock detected by an accelerometer arranged in the watch.
• the display of the first figurative image of the animation has been schematized, obtained by the collaboration of the light beams emitted by the first diode 8a with a first network of optical extractors.
• the wearer of the watch can see a luminous figurative image symbolizing the trail left by rockets during a firework from the top of the dial.
• the display of the second figurative image of the animation obtained by the collaboration of the light beams emitted by the second diode 8b with a second network of optical extractors, has been schematized.
• the wearer of the watch can see a luminous figurative image symbolizing the main explosions of the rockets fired in the first stage of the fireworks.
• the display of the third figurative image of the animation obtained by the collaboration of the light beams emitted by the third, has been schematized.
• diode 8c with a third network of optical extractors The wearer of the watch can see a luminous figurative image symbolizing secondary explosions of rockets.
• the wearer of the watch can view the fire of a fireworks followed by two sets of explosions.
• two networks of optical extractors can be arranged on the same waveguide, for which the reflection directions of the light beams are different.
• the two directions of reflection have an angle between them such that the two images formed constitute a stereogram when the observer places his eyes at a given distance above the optical guide.
• FIG 4 An example of a particular embodiment is shown in Figure 4, schematically, in the form of a partial cross section of a timepiece incorporating a display device of a light pattern according to the present invention.
• it is intended to drive an optical guide in a rotational movement about the drive axis of the hour and minute hands.
• the timepiece 40 comprises at least a first and a second light source 8 arranged to emit light inside said optical guide according to different transmission directions, additional means 52, 54, 55 being provided for driving the optical guide 51 in rotation so that the plurality of optical extractors cooperates alternately with the first and the second light sources 8.
• the timepiece 40 electromechanical comprises a bottom-middle 41, closed by a bezel 42 and a mirror 43.
• a conventional type of electronic movement has been schematized by a block 44 to not clutter the figure.
• the bottom-middle 41 can be made by plastic injection molding, a central pin 45 being formed integrally with the bottom-middle, the main function of the latter being to wear the roadway 46 and the hour wheel 47
• the roadway and the hour wheel are conventionally connected by means of a timer wheel 48 formed of a timer gear 49 and a timer wheel 50.
• a dial 2 itself surmounted by an optical guide 51 similar to the optical guide 1 described in connection with the description of Figure 1.
• the dial and the optical guide may be centered by the central pin 45 and / or maintained in their respective axial positions by conventional means (not shown), for example by resting on shoulders adapted to the middle part.
• an additional intermediate mobile 52 the pinion 53 meshes with the timer wheel 50.
• the optical guide 51 has a shoulder 54 annular and perpendicular to its extended faces, arranged on the periphery of the optical guide and extending towards the movement of the timepiece.
• the shoulder 54 carries a toothing 55 arranged on its inner surface and intended to mesh with the wheel 56 of the intermediate mobile 52. Due to the kinematic chain implemented between the pavement and the optical guide, the latter can be rotated in the same direction of rotation as the indicator hands (not shown).
• the diode 8 is intended to have at least one diode 8 in a suitable location of the middle facing the optical guide 51, electrical connection means being provided for connecting the electrical terminals of the diode to the power terminals of the stack (symbolized with reference 57 in Figure 4) used for the power supply of the timepiece.
• the diode 8 is advantageously arranged in a region of the middle part covered by the bezel to prevent it being visible through the ice of the timepiece.
• four diodes 8 are arranged, respectively, between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, between the 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions, between the 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions and between the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions.
• One or more input surfaces 9 similar to those described in connection with the description of FIG. 1 may be provided at particular locations of the lateral face of the optical guide 51.
• the characteristics of the kinematic chain responsible for driving the optical guide are such that the optical guide 51 is driven at the same speed as the minute hand.
• an optical extractor network 20 inside a region corresponding to one quadrant of the total surface of the optical guide 51, this quadrant being for example arranged in such a way that the minute hand constitutes the bisector.
• the four diodes 8 emit light beams in different colors.
• the quadrant carrying the network of optical extractors called decorative quadrant
• the diodes 8 When the quadrant carrying the network of optical extractors, called decorative quadrant, is centered opposite one of the diodes 8, the latter being powered to emit light, the formation of a decorative pattern of luminous intensity is obtained. Max. When the decorative quadrant is in a position different from its centered position, as just defined, the luminous intensity of the formed decorative pattern decreases as the quadrant moves away from the centered position.
• the wearer can activate the display of the decorative pattern, for example by the activation of a control member, the pattern having a color and a light intensity depending on the position of the minute hand with respect to the dial. the timepiece.
• the decorative pattern when the latter is fed, the decorative pattern is formed with increasing light intensity as the bisector of the quadrant approaches the diode.
• the example which has just been described is presented as a non-limiting illustration. It can be provided, alternatively, that the decorative pattern covers a larger area than a quadrant of the optical guide. It can also be provided that the optical guide 51 comprises a plurality of optical extractor networks without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as, for example, a quadrant network making it possible to simultaneously form four decorative patterns, the color of each pattern being different from those of the other reasons.
• an optical guide (not shown) superimposed on the optical guide 51 and slaved to the rotation of the hour hand.
• an optical guide of this type by driving it directly on the barrel of the hour wheel before putting the hour hand in place.
• an additional set of diodes can be arranged in the middle, facing the additional optical guide.
• the implementation of the present invention consists in producing the hour and minute indication discs in the form of two optical guides.
• a first of the two optical guides then comprises a network of optical extractors which, when illuminated, form a light pattern having the shape of an hour hand.
• the second optical guide includes an array of optical extractors which, when illuminated, form a light pattern in the form of a minute hand.
• the diode 8 is here arranged under the optical guide 1, always in the vicinity of the side face 12.
• the input surface 9 is here parallel to the extended faces 10, 1 1.
• the peripheral portion 60 of the upper extended face 10 of the optical guide 1 is curved towards the lower extended face 1 1 so that the light rays, which are emitted by the diode 8 towards the periphery of the optical guide 1, can be totally reflected on the peripheral portion 60 and go towards the reflection surfaces 20 associated with the diode 8.
• This variant embodiment makes it possible to use diodes 8 called upward emission diodes, or “top emitting diodes”, relative to the face of the printed circuit board on which they are mounted, as opposed to so-called side emission diodes, or “side emitting diode”.
• the diodes are not permanently powered for reasons of energy saving.
• the display of light patterns respectively having the shape of the hour hand and the minute hand can be controlled by the electronic circuits of the watch in response to the activation of a control member, for example .
• the timepiece then has an original and discreet appearance while providing excellent readability when the diodes are powered to implement the time display.
• each of the optical extractors can be made in the form of a boss having at least one light extraction surface through which the light is refracted when it leaves the optical guide.
• the optical guide is directly formed by the ice of the watch.
• the ice includes optical extractors formed in its inner face, one or more light sources being arranged in the region of the telescope so as to emit light beams in the direction of the edge of the ice.

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• 2004
  • 2004-12-02 EP EP04028559A patent/EP1666992A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2005
  • 2005-11-11 KR KR1020077013837A patent/KR101174535B1/ko active IP Right Grant
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• 2008
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• 2011
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