EP2952976A1 - Part for covering a timepiece made of welded materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Cladding part (21) for a timepiece comprising a first part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27), a second part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24 , 25, 26, 27) based on metal. A surface (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) of the first portion is electromagnetically welded to a surface of the second portion to secure them.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a covering part made of welded materials and in particular such a part comprising a material based on silicon or ceramic.

Background of the invention

Current assemblies comprising a silicon-based or ceramic-based part may be joined together by gluing. It has also been developed intermediate parts capable of deforming plastically to be driven while protecting the silicon-based part or ceramic. However, they do not always give satisfaction because, depending on the applications, they can be difficult to implement.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages mentioned above by providing a trim part formed from a part comprising a silicon-based material or ceramic which is directly welded electromagnetic radiation to another part as, for example, a metal or a metal alloy.

For this purpose, according to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a cladding part for a timepiece comprising a first silicon-based part, a second metal-based part characterized in that The surface of the first part is welded by electromagnetic radiation to a surface of the second part in order to secure them.

According to the invention, the first silicon-based part comprises monocrystalline silicon, doped monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, doped polycrystalline silicon, porous silicon, silicon oxide, quartz, silica, silicon nitride or silicon carbide.

According to a second embodiment, the invention relates to a trim piece for a timepiece comprising a first ceramic-based portion, a second metal-based portion characterized in that a surface of the first part is welded by electromagnetic radiation on a surface of the second part to secure them.

According to the invention, the first ceramic-based part comprises photostructurable glass, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz glass, zerodur, monocrystalline corundum, polycrystalline corundum, alumina, oxide of aluminum, aluminum nitride, monocrystalline ruby, polycrystalline ruby, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, tungsten nitride, carbide tungsten, boron nitride or boron carbide.

Advantageously according to the two embodiments of the invention, it is understood that it is not necessary to provide the material for joining the two materials. In addition, the already developed parts can be used and now welded with a better adhesion and a guarantee of holding in the time higher than with the collage. Finally, the direct welding of the surfaces makes the fastening substantially invisible.

• la première pièce à base de silicium ou de céramique comporte en outre au moins un revêtement partiel d'oxyde de silicium, de nitrure de silicium, de carbure de silicium ou d'un allotrope du carbone ;
• l'une des première et deuxième pièces est opaque à la longueur d'onde dudit rayonnement électromagnétique afin de souder lesdites surfaces des première et deuxième pièces lorsqu'elles sont l'une contre l'autre ;

• les première et deuxième pièces sont transparentes à la longueur d'onde dudit rayonnement électromagnétique, un matériau intermédiaire étant déposé à l'interface des première et deuxième pièces afin de souder lesdites surfaces des première et deuxième pièces ;
• la première partie et/ou la deuxième partie forme un boîtier, une carrure, une corne, un cadran, un réhaut, une lunette, un poussoir, une couronne, un fond de boîtier, une aiguille, un bracelet, un maillon, un fermoir, un décor, une applique, une glace, un pied de cadran, une tige de couronne, une tige de poussoir ;
• la deuxième pièce comporte un alliage de fer, un alliage de cuivre, un alliage de nickel, du titane ou un de ses alliages, de l'or ou un de ses alliages, de l'argent ou un de ses alliages, du platine ou un de ses alliages, du ruthénium ou un de ses alliages, du rhodium ou un de ses alliages ou du palladium ou un de ses alliages.

According to other advantageous variants of the two embodiments of the invention:

• the first silicon-based or ceramic-based part also comprises at least one partial coating of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or a carbon allotrope;
• one of the first and second parts is opaque to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation in order to weld said surfaces of the first and second parts when they are against each other;

• the first and second parts are transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, an intermediate material being deposited at the interface of the first and second parts to weld said surfaces of the first and second parts;
• the first part and / or the second part forms a case, a caseband, a horn, a dial, a flange, a bezel, a pusher, a crown, a caseback, a needle, a bracelet, a link, a clasp , a decoration, an applique, an ice cream, a dial foot, a crown rod, a push rod;
• the second piece comprises an iron alloy, a copper alloy, a nickel alloy, titanium or one of its alloys, gold or one of its alloys, silver or one of its alloys, platinum or one of its alloys, ruthenium or one of its alloys, rhodium or one of its alloys or palladium or one of its alloys.

Finally, the invention relates to a timepiece characterized in that it comprises a dressing part according to one of the previous variants.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective de pièces d'habillage selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'une pièce d'habillage selon l'invention.

Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective representation of trim parts according to the present invention;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view of a dressing part according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As explained above, the invention relates to a cladding part formed using a part whose material does not comprise a usable plastic field, that is to say with a very restricted plastic field , with a second part comprising the same type of material or another type of material.

This piece of clothing has been designed for applications in the field of watchmaking and is made necessary by the growing share of fragile materials such as those based on silicon or ceramic. It is possible, for example, to form a case, a dial, a flange, an ice, a bezel, a pusher, a crown, a case back, a needle or a bracelet wholly or partially based on materials. fragile.

However, the fact of always being able to use usual parts such as, for example, corundum mirrors whose production is controlled, is a constraint which is difficult to reconcile with the use of parts that do not comprise a plastic field.

This is why, according to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a trim piece for a timepiece comprising a first silicon-based part, a second metal-based part characterized in that a surface of the first part is welded by electromagnetic radiation to a surface of the second part to secure them.

Advantageously according to the invention, it is understood that it is not mandatory to provide the material to secure the two parts as for gluing or the use of an intermediate portion. Thus, for example, a simple hole for cooperating with a housing of corresponding section is sufficient, the hole being formed in the first part or in the second part.

It is therefore understood that the already developed parts can be used and now welded by electromagnetic radiation with better adhesion and a guarantee of staying with time higher than with a collage. Finally, the direct welding of the surfaces makes the fastening substantially invisible. Indeed, it suffices that one of the first and second parts is opaque and another transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation to weld said surfaces of the first and second parts when they are one against the other. Such welding by electromagnetic radiation is, for example, explained in the document EP 1 436 830 incorporated by reference in the present description. In addition, as explained in the document EP 1 436 830 if the first and second pieces are transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, optionally an intermediate material for promoting bonding between the two materials may be used. Thus, this intermediate material forms a layer intended to induce a sufficiently intense heating to generate the melting of the two materials.

According to the first embodiment, the first silicon-based part preferably comprises monocrystalline silicon, doped monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, doped polycrystalline silicon, porous silicon, silicon oxide, quartz, silica, silicon nitride or silicon carbide. In addition, the first silicon-based portion may further optionally comprise at least one partial coating of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or a carbon allotrope according to the intended applications of the part of silicon. dressing.

According to a second embodiment, the invention relates to a covering part for a timepiece comprising a first ceramic-based part, a second metal-based part characterized in that a surface of the first part is welded by electromagnetic radiation on a surface of the second part to secure them.

Advantageously according to the invention, it is understood that it is not mandatory to provide the material to secure the two parts as for gluing or the use of an intermediate portion. Thus, by way of example, a simple hole making it possible to cooperate with an ice cream of corresponding section is sufficient, the hole being formed in the first part or in the second part.

It is therefore understood that the already developed parts can be used and now welded by electromagnetic radiation with better adhesion and a guarantee of staying with time higher than with a collage. Finally, the direct welding of the surfaces makes the fastening substantially invisible. Indeed, it suffices that one of the first and second parts is opaque and another transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation to weld said surfaces of the first and second parts when they are one against the other. Such welding by electromagnetic radiation is, for example, explained in the document EP 1 436 830 incorporated by reference in the present description. In addition, as explained in the document EP 1 436 830 if the first and second pieces are transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, optionally an intermediate material for promoting bonding between the two materials may be used. Thus, this intermediate material forms a layer intended to induce a sufficiently intense heating to generate the melting of the two materials.

According to the second embodiment, the first ceramic-based part comprises photostructurable glass, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz glass, zerodur, monocrystalline corundum, polycrystalline corundum, alumina, aluminum oxide, aluminum oxide, monocrystalline ruby, polycrystalline ruby, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, tungsten nitride, tungsten carbide, boron nitride or boron carbide. In addition, the first ceramic-based portion may further optionally comprise at least one partial coating of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or a carbon allotrope according to the intended applications of the component part. dressing.

According to the two embodiments, the second part preferably comprises an iron alloy such as 15P, 20AP or 316L steel, a copper alloy such as brass, a nickel alloy such as nickel silver, titanium or one of its alloys , gold or one of its alloys, silver or one of its alloys, platinum or one of its alloys, ruthenium or one of its alloys, rhodium or any of its alloys or palladium or one of its alloys its alloys.

According to the two embodiments of the invention, the first portion and / or the second portion can form a wide variety of trim parts for a timepiece. As non-limiting examples and in relation to the figure 1 the first part and / or the second part can thus form in particular a housing 1 such as the middle part 2 and the horns 3, a dial 4, a flange, a bezel 5, a pusher 6, a crown 7, a bottom 8 of the housing , a needle 9, a bracelet 10 as a link 11, a decoration 12, a wall 13, an ice 14, a clasp, a dial foot, a crown rod, a push rod.

For example, the figure 2 has a dressing part 21 forming a dial 22. The body of the dial 22 comprises several appliques 23, 24 forming for example a timehole, a decor 25 may for example represent a trademark and several feet 26, 27 of dial for fixing the dial 22 to a timepiece.

It is thus understood, for example, that the dial 22 can be directly welded by electromagnetic radiation such as a laser at its contact surfaces 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 with the appliques 23, 24 and / or the decoration 25 and / or the feet 26, 27. It suffices that either the dial 22, or the appliques 23, 24 and / or the decor 25 and / or the feet 26, 27, is transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation for welding the surfaces in contact. Of course, other types of contact surfaces may be provided such as sloped surfaces or non-rectilinear surfaces.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible of various variations and modifications that will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the second part may be of another type of material than a metal or a metal alloy. Thus, without limitation, the second part may also be of the same material as the first part, ceramic or a semiconductor material.

However, in this case, as explained in the document EP 1 436 830 if the first and second pieces are transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, optionally an intermediate material for promoting bonding between the two materials should be used. Indeed, this intermediate material would then form a layer intended to induce heating sufficiently intense to generate the fusion of the two transparent materials at the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation.

As explained above, the first portion and / or the second portion may form a variety of trim pieces. As additional examples to the figure 2 , the housing 1 could be formed from a first part forming the middle part 2 and several second parts forming the horns 3 or the bracelet 10 could be formed from several first parts forming several links 11 each first part being secured to several second parts forming decorations.

In addition, a first part could form a lens 14 and be integral with a second part forming a bezel 5, a first part could form a pusher 6 and be integral with a second part forming a push rod, a first part could forming a ring 7 and being secured to a second part forming a rod of crown, a first part could form a bottom 8 of the housing and be integral with a second portion forming an ice intended to show the watch movement, a first part could form a bracelet attachment link and be integral with a second part forming a clasp or a first part could form a bracelet link 11 and be integral with a second part forming a counter-link.

Finally, said at least one optional partial coating is not limited to silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or an allotrope of carbon. Thus, according to the intended applications of the covering part, other materials may be envisaged to, for example, improve the tribological, thermal or visual qualities of the dressing room. By way of example, at least one partial antireflection coating may be deposited.

Claims (11)

Cladding part (21) for a timepiece comprising a first part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27), a second part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24 , 25, 26, 27) based on metal characterized in that a surface (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) of the first part is electromagnetically welded to a surface of the second part to secure them. Cladding part (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first silicon-based part comprises single-crystal silicon, doped single-crystal silicon, polycrystalline silicon, doped polycrystalline silicon, porous silicon, oxide silicon, quartz, silica, silicon nitride or silicon carbide. Cladding piece (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first silicon-based portion further comprises at least one partial coating of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or a carbon allotrope. Cladding part (21) for a timepiece comprising a first part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27), a second part (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24 , 25, 26, 27) based on metal characterized in that a surface (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) of the first part is electromagnetically welded to a surface of the second part to secure them. Cladding part (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first ceramic-based part comprises photostructurable glass, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz glass, zerodur, monocrystalline corundum, corundum polycrystalline, alumina, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, monocrystalline ruby, polycrystalline ruby, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, tungsten nitride, tungsten carbide, boron nitride or boron carbide. Cladding piece (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first ceramic-based portion further comprises at least one partial coating of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or a carbon allotrope. Cladding part (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the first and second parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) is opaque to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation to weld said surfaces of the first and second parts when they are against each other . Cladding part (21) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and second parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) are transparent to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation, an intermediate material being deposited at the interface of the first and second parts to weld said surfaces of the first and second pieces. Cladding part (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part and / or the second part forms a housing (1), a middle part (2), a horn (3), a dial ( 4, 22), a flange, a bezel (5), a pusher (6), a crown (7), a bottom (8) of a casing, a needle (9), a bracelet (10), a link (11) ), a clasp, a decoration (12, 25), an applique (13, 23, 24), an ice cream (14), a dial foot (26, 27), a crown rod, a push rod. Cladding part (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part comprises an iron alloy, a copper alloy, nickel or one of its alloys, titanium or one of its alloys, gold or one of its alloys, silver or one of its alloys, platinum or one of its alloys, ruthenium or one of its alloys, rhodium or any of its alloys or palladium or one of its alloys. Timepiece characterized in that it comprises a dressing part (21) according to one of the preceding claims.

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