EP4071557A1 - Element of case for a timepiece comprising a solid metallic glass push button - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a case element (8), for a timepiece, having a through hole (14) and carrying a pusher (1) comprising a tube (2) housed inside the through hole (14) and closed by an actuating surface (4) at its end facing outward, the actuating surface (4) being intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a timepiece mechanism arranged inside the box (8), in which the pusher (1) is made in one piece, of solid metallic glass, and further comprises a connecting surface (6) arranged against the box element (8) by presenting a permanent sealed connection with the latter, andin which the actuating surface (4) is able to move, in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to the connection surface (6). A corresponding method of manufacture is also described.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a case element for a timepiece comprising an internal wall and an external wall and having a through hole extending between the internal and external walls, the watch case element carrying a pusher comprising a tube at the less partially housed inside the through-hole and closed by an actuating surface at its end oriented towards the outside of the box element, the actuating surface being intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a watch mechanism capable of being arranged inside the case element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the case element according to the present invention is a middle part for a timepiece.

The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a case element, as well as a method of manufacturing a case element according to the invention.

State of the art

Case elements, in particular casebands, of this type are already known in the prior art.

Nowadays, most of the timepieces on the market have a minimum level of tightness allowing them to withstand splashes of water or even, for some of them, allowing them to be submerged at great depths. Thus, the cases of these timepieces must be sealed, in particular at the level of the sensitive zones constituted by the passages for the external control members such as the crowns and the control pushers.

Typically, to ensure the mounting of such a control member on a case element, such as for example a middle part or a case back, a main tube is used which is secured to the corresponding box element in a sealed manner, in particular by welding, brazing or gluing. The actuator is then assembled with a tube additional or a control rod housed inside the main tube. Generally, several seals, O-ring or lip, are arranged between the main tube and the additional tube and/or the control rod to seal the inside of the main tube. This gives rise not only to complex assemblies but to constraints due to essential periodic maintenance, in particular the periodic replacement of the seals which lose their elastic properties and dry out over time.

Various alternative solutions have already been proposed to simplify the assembly of the control members while ensuring their sealing and/or to simplify their maintenance over time.

For example, the production of a middle part in polymer material has already been proposed, silicone inserts for the pushers being molded with the middle part to obtain a middle part and pushers made from a single piece, therefore a complete case element perfectly waterproof.

Furthermore, the patent application US 2020/0125034 A1 illustrates and describes an alternative method of making a middle part comprising pushers made in one piece with the middle part. To this end, this application proposes making a molding of metallic glass to form the assembly in one piece, providing variable thicknesses depending on the regions of the molded product, in particular to define deformable portions at the level of the pushers.

If such a method makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of a middle part of this type, that is to say including watertight pushers made in one piece with the middle part, this simplification remains theoretical since the corresponding molding, with a metallic glass, is very delicate. Not only is the production of the corresponding mold delicate, but in addition a metallic glass can crystallize in regions of significant thickness, in which its cooling is slower than in regions of reduced thickness, in which it can retain its amorphous state. , which can give rise to internal tensions in the material at the end of the process. The product obtained in this way may therefore prove to be relatively fragile and much less resistant to corrosion.

Finally, the two prior methods mentioned above have the same limitation in the choice of the material in which the middle part is made, of polymer in the first case and of metallic glass in the second case. Thus, these methods are not compatible with the production of timepieces whose case would be made, for example, of a conventional metal alloy, such as steel, an alloy based on gold or titanium.

Disclosure of Invention

A main object of the present invention is to propose a case element for a timepiece having an alternative construction to the case elements known in the state of the art, as well as a corresponding manufacturing process, allowing in particular the production of boxes for timepieces made of a wide variety of materials, while offering a perfect seal.

• par le fait que le poussoir soit réalisé d'une seule pièce, en un verre métallique massif (ou BMG pour "Bulk Metallic Glass"), et comprenne en outre une surface de liaison agencée contre une région de liaison de l'élément de boite de manière à présenter une liaison permanente étanche avec ce dernier, et
• par le fait que le poussoir soit conformé de telle manière qu'au moins une partie de la surface d'actionnement soit susceptible de se déplacer, en réponse à une pression de l'utilisateur sur elle, en référence à la surface de liaison.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a box element of the type indicated above, characterized

• in that the pusher is made in one piece, in a solid metallic glass (or BMG for "Bulk Metallic Glass"), and further comprises a connecting surface arranged against a connecting region of the case element so as to present a permanent sealed connection with the latter, and
• in that the pusher is shaped in such a way that at least part of the actuating surface is able to move, in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to the connecting surface.

Indeed, the Applicant has found during his research that, against all expectations, the fact of making the manufacture of the box element carrying a pusher according to the present invention more complex than in the case of the aforementioned prior art, provides certain alternative advantages, in particular that of being able to use a basic box element which is not made of a solid metallic glass as is the case with the pusher. Thus, the latter is a piece added to the basic box element, the assembly between these two components being carried out in a permanent manner making it possible to ensure a perfect seal between them.

Preferably, provision may be made for the permanent sealed connection to be made by direct contact between the connecting surface of the pusher and the connecting region of the case element, without the interposition of a seal.

Advantageously, provision can be made for the tube of the pusher to extend as far as the internal wall of the box element and to carry a base at its end located inside the box element, the base carrying the connecting surface and being shaped in such a way that the connecting surface is applied against the inner wall of the box element all around the through hole to define the permanent sealed connection.

In general, provision can be made for the connecting surface of the pusher to be welded, glued or brazed to the connecting region of the box element.

Furthermore, provision can advantageously be made for the part of the actuating surface capable of moving with reference to the connecting surface to be integral with a rod extending in the direction of the inside of the box element and intended to actuate the timepiece mechanism in response to pressure from the user on the actuating surface.

In general, provision can advantageously be made for the pusher to be arranged in such a way that the part of the actuating surface is capable of moving along a distance of between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0, 5 mm, with reference to the box element, in response to a pressure force applied to it of between 2 and 10 N, preferably between 3 and 5 N.

Furthermore, provision can preferably be made for at least the connecting region of the case element to be made of a solid metallic glass or of a metal taken from the group comprising gold or gold alloys, steels, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum, bronzes. Similarly, provision may preferably be made for the pusher to be made of a solid metallic glass taken from the group comprising solid metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

In general, provision can be made for the case element according to the invention to be a caseband or a caseband back.

The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case element corresponding to the characteristics which have just been described, as well as a corresponding method of manufacture.

• se munir d'un élément de boite comportant une paroi interne et une paroi externe et présentant un trou traversant s'étendant entre les parois interne et externe,
• réaliser un poussoir en un verre métallique massif, en une seule pièce, préférablement par moulage, et comprenant un tube fermé par la surface d'actionnement à l'une de ses extrémités et portant une surface de liaison destinée à assurer la liaison entre le poussoir et l'élément de boite, le poussoir étant conformé de telle manière qu'au moins une partie de la surface d'actionnement soit susceptible de se déplacer, en réponse à une pression de l'utilisateur sur elle, en référence à la surface de liaison,
• agencer au moins partiellement le tube du poussoir à l'intérieur du trou traversant de l'élément de boite, la surface d'actionnement étant orientée en direction de l'extérieur de l'élément de boite, et la surface de liaison étant appliquée contre une région de liaison de l'élément de boite,
• rendre solidaires la surface de liaison du poussoir et la région de liaison de l'élément de boite en créant une liaison permanente étanche entre elles.

More specifically, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a case element, for a timepiece, carrying a pusher comprising an actuating surface, at its end oriented in the direction of the outside of the case, intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a watch mechanism capable of being arranged inside the case element, the mechanical connection between the case element and the pusher being sealed, this method being characterized by the fact that it has the steps of:

• provide a box element comprising an inner wall and an outer wall and having a through hole extending between the inner and outer walls,
• produce a plunger from solid metallic glass, in one piece, preferably by molding, and comprising a tube closed by the actuating surface at one of its ends and carrying a connecting surface intended to ensure the connection between the pusher and the box element, the pusher being shaped in such a way that at least a part of the actuating surface is able to move, in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to the surface of connection,
• arranging at least partially the tube of the pusher inside the through hole of the box element, the actuating surface being oriented in the direction of the outside of the box element, and the connecting surface being applied against a connecting region of the box element,
• making the connecting surface of the pusher and the connecting region of the case element integral by creating a permanent sealed connection between them.

Preferably, provision can be made for the pusher to be made in such a way that the tube extends as far as the internal wall of the box element and carries a base at its end located inside the box element. box, the base carrying the connecting surface and being shaped in such a way that the connecting surface is applied against the inner wall of the box element, all around the through hole, to define the permanent sealed connection.

In general, provision can be made for the pusher to be manufactured simultaneously with other similar or identical pushers, manufactured in the form of a batch of pushers integral with each other via their base, the pushers then being individualized by the implementation of at least one cutting operation aimed at separating the bases from each other.

Provision can advantageously be made for the part of the actuating surface capable of moving with reference to the connecting surface to be made so as to be integral with a rod extending in the direction of the inside of the box element and intended to actuate the timepiece mechanism in response to pressure from the user on the actuating surface.

Brief description of the drawings

• les figures 1a, 1b et 1c représentent des vues schématiques simplifiées, respectivement de face, de côté et de face, illustrant des étapes de fabrication d'un poussoir destiné à être assemblé à un élément de boite de base pour fabriquer un élément de boite avec poussoir selon la présente invention, et
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe transversale simplifiée d'une partie d'un élément de boite selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• them figures 1a, 1b and 1c represent simplified schematic views, respectively from the front, from the side and from the front, illustrating the steps for manufacturing a pusher intended to be assembled with a base box element to manufacture a box element with pusher according to the present invention, and
• the picture 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of a box member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiment(s) of the Invention

The following detailed description sets out to describe a case element for a timepiece carrying at least one pusher assembled to the case element by means of a sealed mechanical connection, as well as its method of manufacture, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by way of non-limiting illustrative example.

The figures 1a, 1b and 1c represent simplified schematic views, respectively from the front, side and face, illustrating general steps for the manufacture of a pusher intended to be assembled with a basic box element to manufacture a box element with pusher according to the present invention. The indications which follow, relating to these manufacturing steps of the pusher are provided by way of non-limiting illustrative example, and the person skilled in the art may implement manufacturing steps different from those described to produce a pusher capable of being assembled to a base box element in accordance with the present invention, without departing from the scope of the latter as defined in the appended claims.

In general, the pusher 1 according to the present invention is produced by molding a solid metallic glass, and comprises a tube 2 closed by an actuating surface 4 at one of its ends and carrying a connecting surface 6 intended to ensure the subsequent connection between the pusher 1 and a box element (numeral reference 8 on the figure 2 ). The tube 2 can have any type of shape suitable for the implementation of the present invention, in particular a circular, oval, oblong, square or rectangular section.

The pusher is shaped in such a way that at least part of its actuating surface 4 is capable of moving, in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to the connecting surface 6.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the pusher 1 is made in such a way that its tube 2 carries a base at its end intended to be located inside the box element from which the pusher 1 is intended to be made integral, the base carrying the connecting surface 6.

Thus, in general, it may be advantageous to provide for the pusher 1 to be manufactured simultaneously with other similar or identical pushers, manufactured in the form of a batch of pushers from each other via their base, as shown in the figures 1a and 1b .

The pushers are then individualized by the implementation of at least one cutting operation aimed at separating the bases from each other, so as to obtain a plurality of pushers 1 as illustrated in the figure 1c .

It can advantageously be provided for the pusher 1 to be made of a solid metallic glass taken from the group comprising solid metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

The figure 2 then illustrates how the pusher 1 can be assembled to a box element 8 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The box element 8 typically comprises an inner wall 10 and an outer wall 12 and has a through hole 14 extending between the inner 10 and outer 12 walls. The tube 2 of the pusher 1 is then at least partially housed at the inside the through hole 14 with its actuating surface 4 located in the direction of the outside of the box element 8.

Advantageously, the tube 2 extends substantially as far as the internal wall 10 of the box element 8, the base thus being located inside the box element 8 and being shaped in such a way that the connecting surface 6 is applied against the inner wall 10 of the box element 8 all around the through hole 14 to define the permanent sealed connection.

Provision can be made, optionally, for a recess 16 to be made in the internal wall 10, around the through-hole 14, so that the base is finally positioned substantially flush with the internal wall 10.

The sealed permanent connection is preferably made by direct contact between the connection surface 6 of the pusher 1 and said connection region of the box element 8, without the interposition of a seal.

In general, the connecting surface 6 of the pusher 1 is preferably welded, glued or brazed to the connecting region of the box element 8.

Furthermore, provision can be made for at least the connecting region of the box element 8, or even the entirety of the box element 8, to be made of a solid metallic glass or of a metal taken from the group comprising gold or gold alloys, steels, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum, bronzes.

We see on the figure 2 that the actuating surface 4 of the pusher 1 has a section of reduced thickness relative to the rest of the pusher 1, thus giving it the ability to deform elastically to actuate a timepiece mechanism located inside the box 8.

A person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing any alternative form of the pusher 1 adapted to guarantee obtaining the desired result. Thus, for example, the actuating surface could be delimited by a portion of reduced thickness (in particular circular, oblong, square or rectangular) while itself having a thickness substantially identical to the average thickness of the rest of the pusher without however, departing from the scope of the invention.

In general, it is also possible to provide that the part of the actuating surface 4 capable of moving with reference to the connecting surface 6 is integral with a rod (not shown), or made in one piece with it, extending towards the inside of case element 8 and intended to actuate a timepiece mechanism in response to pressure from the user on actuating surface 4.

According to a preferred embodiment, provision can be made for the pusher 1 to be arranged in such a way that the mobile part of its actuating surface 4 is capable of moving over a distance of between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0 2 and 0.5 mm, with reference to the box element 8, in response to a pressure force applied to it of between 2 and 10 N, preferably between 3 and 5 N.

As regards the production of the sealed permanent mechanical connection between the pusher 1 and the box element 8, provision is made for it to be carried out by welding according to a preferred embodiment variant, in a non-limiting manner.

In this case, it is possible, for example, to implement the following operating conditions to ensure the welding of a plunger 1 made of solid metallic glass (BMG) taken from the group comprising solid metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium, copper , magnesium and platinum, the first line of the table indicating the material from which the box element 8 is made, these parameters corresponding to the use of a fiber laser source: BMG White gold You Steel 1.4441 5N gold Time [min ] 2 2 2 2 2 Laser power [KW] 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 Impact time [ms] 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 Impact diameter [mm] 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Impact frequency [Hz] 8 8 8 8 8

The Applicant has in particular carried out its tests using massive metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium (BMG-AMZ4) and copper (BMG-AMC4) available from Heraeus Group ( https://www.heraeus.com/en/group/ products_and_solutions_group/amorphous_metals/about_amorphous_metals/about_amorphous_metals.html ).

Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, a case element for a timepiece carrying a pusher is obtained, secured to the case element in a permanent and sealed manner without it being necessary to provide for the interposition of a seal, presenting a manufacture and a method of assembly that are at the same time simple, precise and reliable. The response of the pusher to the pressure of a user can be adapted without any particular difficulty by adjusting the shape and the thickness of the pusher.

The implementation of the present invention is not limited to the exact geometry of the various components involved as it has been illustrated and described. Indeed, the person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to the implementation of a box element meeting the characteristics of the present invention, carrying one or more pushers according to his own needs, the shape of the pushers can be defined relatively freely as long as they are able to fulfill their function. The actuation surface of the pusher can either be arranged so as to protrude from the external wall of the box element either towards the exterior or towards the interior, or it can also be positioned flush with the external wall. Thus, the pusher can fulfill the function of a conventional pusher, such as for example a chronograph pusher, or even the function of a corrector intended to correct functions of the corresponding timepiece. Furthermore, if the implementation of a base is preferred, insofar as the connection with the resulting box element is more stable and robust, it is possible to make the tube directly integral with the wall of the hole crossing the box element without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

As already specified above, the case element according to the invention can advantageously be a caseband or caseband back for a timepiece, by way of non-limiting examples.

Claims (18)

Case element (8) for a timepiece comprising an internal wall (10) and an external wall (12) and having a through hole (14) extending between said internal (10) and external (12) walls, the box element (8) carrying a pusher (1) comprising a tube (2) at least partially housed inside said through hole (14) and closed by an actuating surface (4) at its end oriented in the direction from the outside of the case element (8), said actuating surface (4) being intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a timepiece mechanism capable of being arranged inside the case element (8), characterized in that said pusher (1) is made in one piece, of solid metallic glass, and further comprises a connecting surface (6) arranged against a connecting region of the box element (8) of so as to present a permanent waterproof connection with the latter, and in that said pusher (1) is shaped in such a way that at least part of said actuating surface (4) is capable of moving, in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to said connecting surface (6). Case element (8) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said permanent sealed connection is made by direct contact between the said connection surface (6) of the said pusher (1) and the said connection region of the case element (8 ), without the interposition of a seal. Box element (8) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said tube (2) of the said pusher (1) extends as far as the said internal wall (10) of the box element (8) and carries a base at its end located inside the box element (8), said base bearing said connecting surface (6) and being shaped in such a way that said connecting surface (6) is applied against said internal wall (10) of the box element (8) all around said through-hole (14) to define said sealed permanent connection. Box element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said connecting surface (6) of the said pusher (1) is welded, glued or brazed on the said connecting region of the box element (8) . Box element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said part of the said actuating surface (4) capable of moving with reference to the said connecting surface (6) is integral with a rod s extending towards the inside of the case element (8) and intended to actuate the timepiece mechanism in response to pressure from the user on said actuating surface (4). Box element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said pusher (1) is arranged in such a way that the said part of the said actuating surface (4) is able to move along a distance between 0.1 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, with reference to the box element (8), in response to a pressure force applied to it of between 2 and 10 N, preferably between 3 and 5 N. Case element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the said connection region of the case element (8) is made of a solid metallic glass or of a metal taken from the group comprising gold or gold alloys, steels, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum, bronzes. Case element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said pusher (1) is made of a solid metallic glass taken from the group comprising solid metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum. Case element (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it constitutes a middle part for a timepiece. Timepiece comprising a case element (8) according to one of the preceding claims. Method of manufacturing a case element (8), for a timepiece, carrying a pusher (1) comprising an actuating surface (4), at its end oriented in the direction of the exterior of the case (8), intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a watch mechanism capable of being arranged inside the case element (8), the mechanical connection between the said case element (8) and the said pusher (1) being waterproof,
characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: - provide a box element (8) comprising an internal wall (10) and a outer wall (12) and having a through hole (14) extending between said inner (10) and outer (12) walls, - making a pusher (1) in a solid metallic glass, in one piece, comprising a tube (2) closed by said actuating surface (4) at one of its ends and carrying a connecting surface (6) intended to ensure the connection between the said pusher (1) and the said box element (8), the said pusher (1) being shaped in such a way that at least a part of the said actuating surface (4) is able to move , in response to pressure from the user on it, with reference to said connecting surface (6), - arranging at least partially said tube (2) of said pusher (1) inside said through hole (14) of said box element (8), said actuating surface (4) being oriented in the direction of the outside of said box element (8), and said connecting surface (6) being applied against a connecting region of said box element (8), - making integral said connecting surface (6) of said pusher (1) and said connecting region of the box element (8) by creating a permanent sealed connection between them. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the said pusher (1) is produced by moulding. Method according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the said pusher (1) is produced in such a way that the said tube (2) extends as far as the said internal wall (10) of the box element (8) and carries a base at its end located inside said box element (8), said base carrying said connecting surface (6) and being shaped in such a way that said connecting surface (6) is applied against said internal wall ( 10) of said box element (8) all around said through-hole (14) to define said sealed permanent connection. Method according to claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said pusher (1) is manufactured simultaneously with other similar or identical pushers, manufactured in the form of a batch of pushers integral with each other via their base, said pushers then being individualized by the implementation of at least one cutting operation aimed at separating said bases from each other. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the said sealed permanent connection is made by welding, gluing or brazing between the said connection surface (6) and the said connection region. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the said part of the said actuating surface (4) capable of moving with reference to the said connecting surface (6) is produced in such a way as to be integral with a rod extending towards the inside of the case element (8) and intended to actuate the timepiece mechanism in response to pressure from the user on said actuating surface (4). Method according to one of Claims 11 to 16, characterized in that at least the said connecting region of the box element (8) is made of a solid metallic glass or of a metal taken from the group comprising gold or gold alloys, steels, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum, bronzes. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the said pusher (1) is made of a solid metallic glass taken from the group comprising solid metallic glasses of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum .

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