EP3115853A1 - Timepiece module and electromechanical watch comprising such a timepiece module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a watch module (10) comprising a printed circuit board (12), a first platinum ring (14) comprising a bottom wall (142) and a cylindrical side wall (143) delimiting a housing ( 141), said side wall (143) extending orthogonal to the bottom wall (142) and being provided with first locking members (1431), and a second ring (16) equipped with first locking members (1631), wherein the printed circuit board (12) is adapted to be retained in said housing (141) when the first latch members (1431) cooperate with the first latch members (1631) in a locked position.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a watch module, in particular a watch module containing a watch movement for an electromechanical watch.

State of the art

There are generally for electromechanical watches a printed circuit board (or PCB for "Printed Circuit Board") of some or all electronic and electrical components such as motors, which make it possible to move and adjust the watch movement and in particular needles.

Generally, this printed circuit board is fixed on the watch plate and is specific to each model of watch. In the case where the watch performs several functions, it is generally used several printed circuit boards, each circuit board can be dedicated to a particular function of the watch.

Thus, the documents US2004240323 , US2006140065 , US5446703 and US2010220559 have a system for fixing the printed circuit board with screws on fixing studs.

We still find in the document EP1211578 a system for fixing the printed circuit board by compression on fixing lugs. Also, the document DE202014008505U1 discloses a system for fixing the printed circuit board using a latching system with hooks comprising an elastically deformable arm.

In these different systems, the withdrawal and the change of the circuit board is done by a manipulation requiring most of the time the use of a dedicated tool. In addition, in the case of use of screws, there is the risk of loss of these screws in particular in the housing, and in the case of elastic portions, there is a risk of breaking them, thus making their reuse impossible. It follows the loss of the part which carries these broken elastic portions, and in particular of the circuit board when it carries these elastic portions.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a watch module with a printed circuit board free from the limitations of such known watch modules.

Another object of the invention is to provide a watch module with a printed circuit board whose removal or change of printed circuit board is easy, and if possible without special tools.

Another object of the invention is to propose a watch module with a single printed circuit board for carrying the watch movement, making the watch module adaptable to a large number of configurations, in particular to different configurations of the watch movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a watch module with a single printed circuit board for carrying the watch movement, making the watch module capable of performing several functions.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a watch module comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), a first platinum ring comprising a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall delimiting a housing, said wall side extending orthogonal to the bottom wall and being provided with first locking elements, and a second ring equipped with second locking elements, wherein the printed circuit board is adapted to be retained in said housing when the first locking elements cooperate with the second locking elements in a locked position.

It is understood that the first ring and the second ring form, when they cooperate in the locked position, a cage, in the sense of an enclosure with openings, enclosing and retaining the printed circuit board. Indeed, in this locked position, the printed circuit board is trapped in the housing formed between the first ring and the second ring: the printed circuit board is retained in this housing as long as the first locking elements are engaged with the second locking elements in the locked position. Then, to release the printed circuit board, simply disengage the first elements of the second locking elements, whereby the first ring and the second ring are separable and the circuit board is able to leave the housing, for be replaced, repaired or reconfigured (change of components carried by the printed circuit board).

In the locked position, the first ring and the second ring leave free access to at least one of the two faces of the printed circuit board, and preferably to both sides of the printed circuit board. In addition, advantageously, the configuration is such that it is the greater part of the surface of one (or both) faces of the circuit board that is available to carry the required components, because not covered by the first ring and the second ring.

This solution has the advantage over the prior art not to use a portion of the printed circuit board for attaching the printed circuit board to a support. In this way there is no risk of damaging the printed circuit board during its removal / change and further releases the location (s) previously used for the fasteners, increasing the surface area and the possibilities of arrangement of elements on the printed circuit board.

Preferably, the watch module comprises a single printed circuit board (PCB). This single circuit board can advantageously carry all the elements of the watch movement. This single circuit board can advantageously fulfill all the functions of the electromechanical watch with the watch module according to the invention.

The first locking elements and the second locking elements preferably form a bayonet type reversible locking system.

In this way, the locking / unlocking operation between the first locking elements and the second locking elements, therefore between the first ring and the second ring, is effected by a relative movement between the first ring and the second ring, which can be manual or automatic, without any particular tool. Indeed, this relative movement for locking / unlocking between the first ring and the second ring comprises a relative rotation between the first ring and the second ring about their radial axis of symmetry.

Advantageously, said printed circuit board is reversible in that it can be mounted in said housing with one or the other of its faces directed towards the bottom wall of the first ring, in said locked position. This provides a significant advantage since, thanks to this arrangement, the same printed circuit board can be used with the assembly formed by the first ring and the second ring, not only in the configuration where it is one of two faces. (use recto) which receives and carries the components, especially electronic, and especially those of the watch movement, but also in the configuration where it is the other of its two sides (use back) that carries receives and carries the components.

According to a preferred arrangement, the bottom wall of the first ring comprises at least one first positioning element and the printed circuit board comprises at least one second positioning element capable of cooperating with said first positioning element in order to maintain the first ring. and the printed circuit board in a predetermined relative angular position. In this way, it ensures the proper angular placement, and maintaining in this correct angular position of the printed circuit board in the housing, and therefore the circuit board printed with respect to the first ring.

Preferably, the first positioning elements and the second positioning elements comprise either notches or tongues. In a first case, the first positioning elements are notches and the second positioning elements are tabs. In a second case, the first positioning elements are tabs and the second positioning elements are notches. In other cases, some of the first positioning elements are tabs and others are notches and some of the second locating elements are tabs and others are notches. Each time, the nature of each of the pair of elements comprising a first positioning element and a second positioning element is chosen so that the tabs cooperate with the notches by shape complementarity, that is to say a tongue housed in a notch. Thus, the radial position (polar coordinates) of the notch allows the reception of the corresponding tab. Preferably, the extent of the notch allows the reception of the corresponding tongue, with a possibility of relative movement between the tongue and the notch almost zero or very limited. In particular, the angular extent of the notch allows the reception of the corresponding tongue, with a possibility of relative angular movement between the tongue and the notch almost nil or very limited (less than 5 °).

The second positioning elements may be located along the edge of the printed circuit board. In this way, the entire surface of the printed circuit board available for other uses is retained.

The present invention also relates to an electromechanical watch comprising a watch module as described in the present patent application.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 illustre un mode de réalisation d'un module horloger selon l'invention, en projection depuis le dessus;
• la figure 2 montre en perspective éclatée le module horloger de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 montre en perspective éclatée la carte de circuit imprimé du module horloger de la figure 1 et les composants portés par cette carte de circuit imprimé;
• les figures 4 à 6 montrent trois variantes d'un support pour moteur, destiné à être monté sur une carte de circuit imprimé;
• la figure 7 montre le module horloger de la figure 1 depuis le dessus complété par des cadrans de calendrier; et
• la figure 8 est similaire à la figure 7, pour un autre agencement du module horloger de la figure 1.

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• The figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a watch module according to the invention, projecting from above;
• the figure 2 exploded perspective watch the watchmaking module of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 exploded perspective watch the circuit board of the watchmaker module of the figure 1 and the components carried by this printed circuit board;
• the Figures 4 to 6 show three variants of a motor support, intended to be mounted on a printed circuit board;
• the figure 7 shows the watchmaking module of the figure 1 from the top completed by calendar dials; and
• the figure 8 is similar to the figure 7 , for another arrangement of the watchmaking module of the figure 1 .

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

We refer to figures 1 and 2 , showing a watch module 10 according to the present invention, respectively assembled and disassembled. It comprises a printed circuit board 12 intended to carry the components of a watch and in particular all the electrical or electronic components, but also the elements of the watch movement if it is a watch module for an electromechanical watch. Elements of the watch movement include, inter alia, needles, calendar dials and / or other mechanisms capable of being included in a watch movement.

A first platen ring 14 is disposed below and around the periphery of the printed circuit board 12. In other words, the printed circuit board 12 is received in a housing 141 delimited by the first ring 14. More specifically, the first ring 14 comprises an annular bottom wall 142 and a cylindrical side wall 143 of circular section. Thus, the printed circuit board 12 is able to be placed on the bottom wall 142, being surrounded by the side wall 143 (see FIG. figure 2 ).

The watchmaker module 10 further comprises a second ring 16 intended to cover the printed circuit board 12, while being partially disposed in the housing 141, namely with the side wall 143 of the first ring 14 which encircles the second ring (see it figure 1 ). This second ring 16 is annular and comprises a side wall 163 of generally cylindrical shape of circular section, extended at one of its ends in a radially internal direction by a terminal wall 162 in the form of a flange.

Thus, in the mounted position, the side wall 163 of the second ring 16 is located inside the side wall 143 of the first ring 14, forming a ring whose underside corresponds to the bottom wall 142 of the first ring 14 and whose upper face corresponds to the end wall 162 of the second ring 16.

To allow reversible locking between the first ring 14 and the second ring 16, and thus make the printed circuit board 12 trapped in the housing 141, a locking system is used. More specifically, the side wall 143 of the first ring 14 comprises first locking elements 1431 turned in radially internal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen on the figure 2 these first locking elements 1431 comprise tabs extending over an angular sector of a few degrees. In addition, the side wall 163 of the second ring 16 comprises second locking elements 1631 rotated radially externally. In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen on the figure 2 these second locking elements 1631 comprise grooves extending over an angular sector of a few degrees.

A preferred locking system is bayonet, namely that the first locking elements 1431 cooperate with the second locking elements 1631 to achieve a reversible locking, in a relative rotational movement between the first ring 14 and the second ring 16, a once the first ring 14 is mounted in the second ring 16. This is the case on the locking system shown in FIG. figure 2 in which the tabs cooperate in complementary form with the grooves, or more generally the first locking elements 1431 cooperate in complementary form with the second locking elements 1631. In an alternative embodiment, the first locking elements 1431 comprise grooves and the second locking members 1631 comprise tabs.

As can be seen from the figures, and in particular from figure 2 the first ring 14 and the second ring 16 have a symmetry radial, their central axis, respectively A1 and A2, forming the radial axis of symmetry, being coaxial with each other in the locked position. In addition, in the locked position, the bottom wall 142 of the first ring 14 and the end wall 163 of the second ring 16 are spaced from each other, on either side of the housing 141.

According to one embodiment, and as seen on the figure 2 , the bottom wall 142 of the first ring 14 comprises a compression element 1421 against which the printed circuit board 12 (PCB) bears in said locked position. One can provide a single compression element 1421 as in the case shown, or at least one compression element 1421 or several compression elements 1421. With this compression element 1421 which bears on the underside of the circuit board printed 12 (PCB), the latter is locked in the axial direction (direction parallel to the axes A1 and A2) in the housing 141. This compression element 1421 is for example a compression pin, and is therefore used to ensure the locking force and limit the games of the assembly.

The angular position of the printed circuit board 12 in the housing 141 is kept fixed. For this purpose, the transition zone between the bottom wall 142 and the side wall 143 of the first ring carries a plurality of first positioning elements 1422 each able to cooperate with one of several second positioning elements 121 of the border of the card. printed circuit 12 (PCB), in particular by complementarity of form. In the illustrated embodiment, as it appears on the figures 2 and 3 the first positioning elements 1422 are projections and the second positioning elements 121 are notches adapted to receive one of said projections.

The printed circuit board 12 is thus locked in the housing 141 in the locked position of the rings 14 and 16 (see FIG. figures 1 , 7 and 8 ). For this purpose, as indicated above, the printed circuit board 12 is also blocked vertically (in axial direction considering the direction of the needle axis) between the bottom wall 142 (and in particular bearing on the compression element 1421) of the first ring 14 and the second ring 16.

Also, the side wall 143 of the first ring 14 is provided with at least one opening 1432 for the passage of a rod of an operating member, such as a push button or a winding. Depending on the height of the side wall 163, the second ring 16, the latter can also be provided with a lateral opening 1632 for the passage of a rod of an actuating member, in correspondence with the lateral opening 1432 of the first ring 14.

Advantageously, the bottom wall 142 of the first ring 14 is annular and defines an opening 1423 adapted to receive a battery 18. In this way, said battery 18 is in physical and electrical contact with the underside of the printed circuit board 12 when the latter is disposed in the housing 141 in the locked position between the first ring 14 and the second ring 16.

Advantageously, as it appears partially on Figures 1 to 3 , 7 and 8 , the printed circuit board (PCB) 12 carries the elements of a watch movement. Preferably, the printed circuit board (PCB) 12 carries all the elements of a watch movement.

For this purpose, at least one bi-directional motor 20a is mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) 12. Such a motor 20a makes it possible to set in motion a mobile element of the watch movement, in particular according to a rotational movement about an axis vertical. Preferably, at least two bidirectional motors 20a, 20b are mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) 12.

On the embodiments illustrated on the Figures 1 to 3 , 7 and 8 three bidirectional motors 20a, 20b and 20c make it possible to set each of one of three needles not shown (needle hours, minute hand and seconds hand). In these embodiments, two other bidirectional motors 20d and 20e make it possible to set in motion two other needles not represented and constituting calendar hands (respectively day and month).

To facilitate the mounting of bidirectional motors 20a to 20e, the watch module 10 further comprises at least one support 21, 22 or 23 receiving said one or one bidirectional motor (or several bidirectional motors), this support 21, 22 or 23 being mounted on said printed circuit board 12. According to a first variant visible on the Figures 1 to 4 , said support 21 has a star shape with three branches, forming between them preferably 120 °. According to a second variant visible on the figure 5 , said support 22 has a shape with two branches which form a V (the two branches forming between them preferably 120 °). According to a third variant visible on the Figures 1 to 3 and 6 said support 23 has a tongue shape (single branch shape).

These different forms possible for the support, allow to support as much bi-directional motor as branches, and thus allow to achieve multiple arrangement between these supports 21 and / or 22 and / or 23, distributed on the surface of the printed circuit board 12, with one or more supports. For example, one can mount together a support 21 with three branches with one, two or three supports 23 to a branch. According to another possibility, two supports 22 with two branches can be mounted together. According to yet another possibility of arrangement, it is possible to mount together a support 22 with two branches with one, two, three or four supports 23 to a branch. According to yet another possibility of arrangement, it is possible to mount together from one to six supports 23 to a branch.

Preferably, at least one first support is disposed on the printed circuit board and carries at least one bidirectional motor for controlling a first function and at least one second support is disposed on the printed circuit board and carries at least one engine bidirectional for controlling a second function. According to another preferred embodiment, a first support is disposed on the printed circuit board and carries at least one bidirectional motor for controlling a first function and a second support is disposed on the printed circuit board and carries at least one motor. bidirectional for controlling a second function. Thus, in this case the watch module 10 according to the invention allows the implementation of a multifunction watch.

Thus, for example, the first function is the indication of the time and the second function is a calendar.

Referring to the embodiments illustrated on the Figures 1 to 3 , 7 and 8 it is a watch module 10 or 10 'comprising a single support 21 with three branches with two supports 23 to a branch. The support 21 with three branches forms a star centered in the middle of the printed circuit board 12 and which is dedicated to the control of three needles rotating around the central axis of the watch module (controlled by bidirectional motors 20a, 20b and 20c ). This three-star star shape delimits three free zones on the surface of the printed circuit board 12, one between each pair of branches of the support 21. In FIGS. 10 and 10 ', two of these three zones are occupied by a support 23 single-handed, each for a bidirectional motor 20d and 20th ordering a calendar needle.

In the arrangement of the watch module 10 of the figure 7 the support 21 with three branches is arranged with two branches in the upper part of the dial delimited by the watch module 10 and the two supports 23 with one branch are arranged in the lower part of the dial delimited by the watch module 10: this way , the calendar function is housed in the lower part of the dial delimited by the watchmaker module 10.

In the arrangement of the watch module 10 'of the figure 8 the support 21 with three branches is arranged with two branches in the lower part of the dial delimited by the watch module 10 and the two supports 23 with one branch are arranged in the upper part of the dial delimited by the watch module 10: this way , the calendar function is housed in the upper part of the dial delimited by the watch module 10 '.

To allow such versatility of mounting of the supports 21 and / or 22 and / or 23 on the printed circuit board 12, the latter is equipped with a multiplicity of fixing holes 12 (see FIG. figure 3 ) allowing the attachment of these supports 21 and / or 22 and / or 23, themselves drilled, for example by means of fixing screws 123.

Reference numbers used in the figures

10

Clock module

10 '

Clock module

12

Printed circuit board (PCB)

121

Second positioning elements

122

Fixing holes

123

Screw

14

First ring

141

Housing

142

Bottom wall

1421

Compression element

1422

First positioning elements

1423

Opening

143

Side wall

1431

First locking elements

1432

Lateral opening

16

Second ring

162

end wall in the form of a collar

163

Side wall

1631

Second locking elements

1632

Lateral opening

18

Drums

20a-20e

Bidirectional motor

21

Star-shaped support with three branches

22

Support with two branches (V shape)

23

Branch support (tongue shape)

A1

Central axis of the first ring

A2

Central axis of the second ring

Claims (14)

Watchmaker module (10) comprising a printed circuit board (12) (PCB), a first platinum ring (14) comprising a bottom wall (142) and a side wall (143) delimiting a housing (141), said wall lateral member (143) extending orthogonal to the bottom wall (142) and being provided with first locking members (1431), and a second ring (16) equipped with first locking members (1631),
wherein the printed circuit board (12) is adapted to be retained in said housing (141) when the first latch members (1431) cooperate with the first latch members (1631) in a locked position; characterized in that
said printed circuit board (12) is reversible in that it can be mounted in said housing (141) with one or other of its faces directed towards the bottom wall (142) of the first ring ( 14) in said locked position. Clock module (10) according to claim 1,
wherein the first locking elements (1431) and the first locking elements (1631) form a reversible bayonet type locking system. Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the bottom wall (142) of the first ring (14) has at least one first positioning element (1422) and the printed circuit board (12) has at least one second positioning element (121) adapted to cooperate with said first positioning member to maintain the first ring (14) and the printed circuit board (12) in a predetermined relative angular position. Watchmaker module (10) according to the preceding claim,
wherein said first positioning member (1422) and said second positioning element (121) comprise either notches or protrusions. Clock module (10) according to any one of claims 3 and 4,
wherein said second positioning elements (121) are located along the edge of the printed circuit board (12). Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein at least one bidirectional motor (20a-20e) is mounted on the printed circuit board (12) (PCB). Watchmaker module (10) according to the preceding claim,
which further comprises at least one support (21; 22; 23) for said bidirectional motor (20a-20e) mounted on said printed circuit board (12). Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the bottom wall (142) of the first ring (14) has a compression member (1421) against which the printed circuit board (12) (PCB) bears in said locked position. Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the side wall (143) of the first ring (14) is provided with at least one lateral opening (1423) for the passage of a rod of an operating member. Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the bottom wall (142) is annular and defines an opening (1423) adapted to receive a battery (18). Watchmaker module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the printed circuit board (12) (PCB) further carries the elements of a watch movement. An electromechanical watch having a watch module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Electromechanical watch according to the preceding claim, comprising a watch module (10) according to claim 8,
wherein at least one first support (21; 22; 23) is disposed on the printed circuit board (12) and carries at least one bidirectional motor (20a-20e) for controlling a first function and at least one second support (21; 22; 23) is arranged on the printed circuit board (12) and carries at least one bidirectional motor (20a-20e) for controlling a second function. Electromechanical watch according to the preceding claim, wherein the first function is the indication of the time and the second function is a calendar.

Images