Timepiece with localized illumination

Abstract

The utility model relates to a timepiece with localized lighting, which comprises at least one timepiece external element, the timepiece external element comprises a visible surface, the visible surface is formed by a transparent or semitransparent body comprising an autonomous lighting device, and the timepiece external element is formed by a plurality of stacked components which are connected together. The plurality of stacked layers each comprise one or more of the following functional elements of the lighting device:-at least one light source capable of generating light in a visible face of a timepiece outer element; -an autonomous power supply unit; and-a control unit configured to manage the operation of the light source; the at least one light source is configured to generate localized light on a point or punctuality area of a visible face of the timepiece outer element, thereby generating localized illumination on the timepiece outer element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece with localized illumination, the timepiece comprising at least one external element of the timepiece equipped with a fully autonomous illumination device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a timepiece featuring an original localized illumination effect for functional, aesthetic, and / or entertainment purposes. Background Art

[0002] Creating timepieces, such as wristwatches, with an improved aesthetic appearance is a constant concern for watchmakers, particularly those responsible for designing the various exterior elements. It would be too time-consuming to list all the solutions considered to give a timepiece the most clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Examples include the guilloché technique used on the dial, the shape and / or color of the dial appliqués or hands, and the addition of precious or semi-precious stones.

[0003] In this context, it will be understood that there is a need to find a solution that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art and that aims to provide the customer with an aesthetically pleasing, surprising and functional appearance of the watch. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a timepiece with localised illumination at several points on the timepiece that is simple to produce and provides original localised illumination effects for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one timepiece exterior element, said timepiece exterior element comprising a visible surface formed by a transparent or translucent body comprising an autonomous lighting device, said timepiece exterior element being formed by an assembly of a plurality of stacked layers connected together, each of said plurality of stacked layers comprising one or more of the following functional elements of said lighting device:

[0006] at least one light source capable of generating light in a visible face of an external element of the timepiece;

[0007] - an autonomous (autonomous) power supply unit; and

[0008] - a control unit configured to manage the operation of the light source;

[0009] The at least one light source is configured to generate localized light on a point or quasi-point area of ​​the visible surface of the timepiece exterior element, thereby generating localized illumination on the timepiece exterior element.

[0010] In other embodiments:

[0011] - said assembly consists of a first layer forming said visible surface, said visible surface comprising said at least one point light source;

[0012] - Each point light source is a light emitting element;

[0013] -Each point light source is a quantum box or quantum dot.

[0014] - In addition to the first layer, the assembly comprises the following successive layers:

[0015] ■ a second layer comprising photovoltaic modules constituting the autonomous power supply unit;

[0016] ■ a third layer, comprising the electrical accumulator constituting the autonomous power supply unit;

[0017] ■ a fourth layer, the fourth layer forming a hidden surface for the external elements of the timepiece, the hidden surface including the control unit;

[0018] - In addition to the first layer, the assembly comprises the following successive layers:

[0019] ■ a second layer comprising photovoltaic modules constituting the autonomous power supply unit; and

[0020] a third layer forming a hidden face of the external elements of the timepiece, said hidden face including the control unit and the electrical accumulator constituting the autonomous power supply unit;

[0021] - said functional element is printed on a substrate constituting a layer forming an assembly of said at least one timepiece exterior element;

[0022] - the first layer is rigid relative to the other layers in the assembly, which are flexible;

[0023] The point light sources are configured such that each point or quasi-point area of ​​the visible surface that can be illuminated can be illuminated by a single monochromatic point light source.

[0024] The point light sources are configured so that each point or quasi-point area of ​​the visible surface that can be illuminated can be illuminated by several point light sources with different light colors;

[0025] The at least one timepiece exterior element is chosen from one of the following: a bottom cover, a centerpiece, a dial, a wristband, a bezel, a flange, a push-button, a winder and / or a winder fitted with a cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The objects, advantages and features of the timepiece according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a case of a timepiece equipped with timepiece exterior elements such as a dial provided with an autonomous lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of an assembly of four stacked layers forming said dial provided with autonomous lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention, said layers each comprising one or more constituent elements of said lighting device;

[0029] - Figure 3 A diagrammatic view showing this first alternative embodiment of the assembly of layers forming a dial provided with autonomous lighting means according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] - Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of an assembly comprising three stacked layers forming said dial provided with autonomous lighting means, said layers each comprising one or more constituent elements of said lighting means, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] - Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of this second alternative embodiment of this assembly of layers forming a dial provided with autonomous lighting means according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] - Figure 6 shows a top view of timepieces according to embodiments of the present invention, each timepiece including timepiece exterior elements such as a bezel including a plurality of light sources;

[0033] - Figure 7 shows a top view of timepieces according to embodiments of the present invention, each timepiece including timepiece exterior elements such as a bezel including a plurality of light sources; and

[0034] - Figure 8 A top view of timepieces according to embodiments of the present invention is shown, each including timepiece exterior elements such as a bezel including a plurality of light sources. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention is derived from the following general inventive concept, which includes accommodating one or more point light sources 4 in at least one timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c of a timepiece 1. This timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c includes a visible surface 20a (also referred to as a "visible portion" or "visible upper portion") formed by a transparent or translucent body, and further includes a hidden surface 20b (also referred to as a "hidden portion" or "hidden lower portion") of this element 2a, 2b, 2c. In this configuration, the light generated by each light source 4 is confined to a point or punctual area 28 of this visible surface 20 of the relevant timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c, thereby producing localized illumination on the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c. This thus provides the timepiece 1 with localized illumination at several points of the timepiece 1, which is simple to produce and provides an original localized lighting effect for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes. When the lighting is switched on, the localised light areas 28 on the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, 2c transmit more or less intense and diffuse light, depending on the construction and the installed lighting power, thereby creating a functional and / or aesthetic effect by contrasting with the unilluminated parts of the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0036] It should be noted that this lighting can have a more or less diffuse, discreet, soft and pleasing appearance, and that these characteristics can be varied virtually infinitely according to the desired aesthetic result, which increases the final aesthetic quality of timepiece 1 .

[0037] Such a timepiece 1 according to the invention may be, for example, an electronic, electromechanical and / or mechanical watch, and in particular a sports watch or a so-called “luxury” watch.

[0038] In the context of the present invention, a “point or quasi-point area” is understood to mean any localized area on / in the visible surface 20a of the body of the relevant timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c and of such dimensions that it is perceived by the human eye as being separated from adjacent areas.

[0039] In this timepiece, the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, 2c correspond to all the components of the timepiece 1 around the movement 31, thus giving this timepiece 1 its beauty and style and further allowing all its functions to be indicated. Figure 1 and Figure 6 By way of non-exhaustive enumeration and non-limiting example, the components considered here include: bottom cover 24, centerpiece 23, dial 32, strap 29, bezel 26, pushers, flange, hands, winder and / or pusher caps.

[0040] In the following description, only all parts of timepiece 1 that are well known to a person skilled in the art will be explained in a simplified manner.

[0041] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the centerpiece which, together with the bottom cover 24 and the dial 32, delimits the interior volume of the case 22 of this timepiece 1. The case 22 is closed at the top by a crystal 25. For the purposes of this description, it will be assumed that the timepiece 1 is a mechanical watch and that its movement 31 is housed in the case 22. In this configuration, at least one of the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, 2c of this timepiece 1 comprises an autonomous lighting device 3 (at the Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 ). The light emitted by the at least one source 4 thereby illuminates the point or punctual area 28 to be illuminated of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c, i.e. Figure 1 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, the dial 32; or Figures 6 to 8 In one embodiment shown in FIG, a frame 26 is provided. To this end, the light emitted by each point light source 4 can be collimated or focused to the point or quasi-point area 28 in question, for example by any known collimating or focusing device.

[0042] It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention described, the timepiece movement 31 is a mechanical movement. In an alternative embodiment, this movement 31 may be an electronic movement or an electromechanical movement. When the movement is mechanical, the watch may be referred to herein as mechanical, and when it includes an electromechanical or electronic movement, the watch may be referred to as electromechanical or electronic, respectively.

[0043] In this configuration, the timepiece movement 31 drives the hands 27 , comprising the hour hand, the minute hand and optionally the seconds hand, in a manner known to those skilled in the art.For this purpose, the dials 32 , 2 a , 2 b comprise through holes that receive the stems of the hands.

[0044] exist Figure 1 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b (in this case, the dial 32) thus include an autonomous lighting device 3. This lighting device 3 has its own power supply, as will be seen below. This lighting device 3 is considered autonomous, in particular relative to the movement 31 of the timepiece 1, and in particular relative to the power supply of this movement 31, for example when this power supply is an electrical power supply, as in an electromechanical or electronic movement. Under these conditions, it should be understood that the power used by this lighting device 3 does not serve to compromise the autonomy of the movement 31.

[0045] This lighting device 3 includes the following functional elements: the at least one point light source 4 , a power supply unit 21 and a control unit 7 .

[0046] In this lighting device 3, the power supply unit 21 comprises an electrical storage device 6 and a photovoltaic module 5, also called a solar cell. Figure 3 and Figure 5The connecting elements designated by reference numerals 17b and 18 are connected to the electrical accumulator 6. This photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more heterojunction or multijunction cells connected in parallel or in series. The photovoltaic cells of this module 5 may be made of semiconductor materials containing copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, cadmium telluride, single-crystal gallium arsenide, or single-crystal or multicrystalline silicon or perovskite, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these examples are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will be able to find suitable types of photovoltaic cells for the present invention.

[0047] In this lighting device 3, a control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) includes an electronic circuit 8 comprising hardware resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements and address, data, and control buses. This control unit 7 includes in its memory elements an algorithm for managing the lighting of the at least one light source 4. This algorithm is executed by the processor of this control unit 7, in particular taking into account data from event sensors included in the lighting device 3, in order to manage the operation of the at least one light source 4.

[0048] It should be noted that such data may, for example, provide information relating to events detected by these sensors, said events being likely to contribute to the operation of the at least one light source 4. By way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, these events may include: the detection of a specific brightness level in the environment of the timepiece 1, the detection of a specific sound element or a specific sound level, the detection of a specific visual object, the detection of a movement generated by this timepiece 1, etc.

[0049] In this context, in particular and by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, the event sensors of this autonomous lighting device 3 include:

[0050] - Brightness sensor for detecting ambient brightness level;

[0051] - motion sensors, such as gyroscopes and / or inertial sensors in the form of electronic components of the gyroscope and / or inertial micro-electromechanical system circuit type;

[0052] - a microphone-type sound sensor, and / or

[0053] -Camera sensor type optical sensor.

[0054] It should be further noted that this control unit 7 is capable of managing / controlling the operation of the light sources 4 simultaneously and / or sequentially. Furthermore, each light source 4 is managed / controlled individually by this control unit. In this context, by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, managing the operation of each light source 4 may include the following operations: sequentially turning on or off or turning on or off two or more light sources 4 simultaneously, blinking one or more light sources 4, or defining the blinking frequency of each light source 4, the blinking duration of each light source 4, or the on or off duration of each light source 4, etc.

[0055] Such a control unit 7 may further comprise, in its memory elements, algorithms for managing the electrical accumulator 6 , in particular for managing its recharging by the photovoltaic module 5 , and for managing the power consumption of said light source 4 .

[0056] refer to Figures 2 to 8 , and as described above, the autonomous lighting device 3 is thus included in the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c. In this configuration, the functional elements of this lighting device 3 (i.e. the light source 4, the electrical accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5 and the control unit 7) are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0057] In other words, the body of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c is formed by a component 9a, 9b of a plurality of stacked layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 connected together and each comprising one or more functional elements of the lighting device 3.

[0058] In these assemblies 9a, 9b, the layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are joined together by a joining element, such as an adhesive substance, thereby integrating them into a single piece, so as to obtain a monolithic assembly 9a, 9b, thus forming a one-piece timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are stacked in the assemblies 9a, 9b and arranged one above the other in a defined order.

[0059] Thus, such a one-piece timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c (eg dial, bezel), besides facilitating its integration into or onto the case of timepiece 1, has the additional advantage of being removably mountable on such case.

[0060] More specifically, in the first and second alternative embodiments, this assembly 9a, 9b comprises a first layer 10 forming / constituting the visible face 20a of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c. This first layer 10 is formed by a transparent or translucent or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent substrate, which is rigid or semi-rigid. This substrate is made of a material having a transmittance of between 65% and 95% for optical radiation such as solar radiation, in particular for ultraviolet radiation, also called UVT ("ultraviolet transmittance"). This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material may be transparent or translucent. In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, this material may be a polymer, glass or ceramic.

[0061] In this context, it is understood that the substrate is configured such that:

[0062] - the light generated by said at least one light source 4 can escape to the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, 2c, and therefore to the exterior of the timepiece 1, and

[0063] Light coming from the environment of timepiece 1 can penetrate timepiece external elements 2 a , 2 b , 2 c in the direction of photovoltaic module 5 of lighting device 3 , this light including solar radiation when it is of natural origin.

[0064] In other words, this transparent or semi-transparent substrate is configured such that light radiation, such as solar radiation, can pass through it and power the photovoltaic module 5 , such that the photovoltaic module 5 can convert solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0065] This first layer 10 comprises the at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3 of the timepiece exterior element 2 a , 2 b , 2 c .

[0066] In this device 3, any type of point light source 4 can be used, such as a light emitting element, for example:

[0067] - Light Emitting Capacitor (LEC)

[0068] - light-emitting diodes of the LED, OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or QLED (Quantum Light-Emitting Diode) type;

[0069] - Any luminescent material activated by a localized electric field;

[0070] - Any luminescent material activated by electric current;

[0071] - Any combination of these light-emitting elements.

[0072] The at least one light source 4 is arranged in a specific manner on or in the substrate forming the first layer 10. This arrangement of the light sources 4 is configured to illuminate all or part of the visible surface 20a of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c. For example, when the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c is a dial 32 (e.g. Figure 1 ) or table frame 26 (as shown in Figures 6 to 8 ), all or part of the visible face 20a of this dial 32, 2a, 2b or of the bezel 26, 2c can be illuminated, or at least one graphical representation present in or on the lower surface of this visible face 20a can be illuminated, such as:

[0073] - reference (or display) elements such as, for example, numbers, indices, lines or even dots, with or without hands, which facilitate the display of horological information / parameters or physical information / parameters measured by sensors or the like included in the movement;

[0074] - Inscriptions, patterns, texts, logos, etc.

[0075] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct illumination. More specifically, the cavity can be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity includes a graphical representation, the light radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape to the outside of the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, thus allowing at least one graphical representation to be viewed in the dark. In particular, the light radiation escaping from the visible surface 20a draws the outline of the graphical representation. In this context, the graphical representation included in the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 or on the upper or lower surface is preferably opaque or non-translucent or non-transparent.

[0076] When light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be direct. This cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, without any graphical representation at its bottom. In this configuration, the optical radiation or light generated by light source 4 can escape through the bottom of the cavity toward the exterior of dial 2a, and thus through visible surface 20a of dial 2a.

[0077] This illumination can also be direct when the light source 4 is arranged in a through-opening formed in the substrate. In this context, the opening extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, opening at its ends to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and therefore from the visible surface 20a of the timepiece's external elements 2a, 2c.

[0078] This illumination can also be indirect when the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. This waveguide (also called a light guide) is used to carry light from the point where it is injected into the guide to the point or punctual area 28 of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c to be illuminated. This light guide is, for example, an optical fiber, which allows the light to escape through the fiber, bypassing any obstacles that may be present in the substrate between the light-emitting element and the relevant point or punctual area 28 of the substrate. In this alternative embodiment, the light is thus carried from the light-emitting element to the point or punctual area 28 of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0079] In this configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4 and the second end of this waveguide may be arranged in the following section:

[0080] - a cavity, which may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, or

[0081] a through-opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10 and opening at its two ends respectively onto the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate and therefore of the first layer 10. This second end can thus project from the upper surface of the substrate and therefore from the visible face 20a of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0082] In this context, indirect lighting can be achieved by a single light source 4 comprised on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 and coupled to several waveguides, the second ends of which are arranged in the following sections:

[0083] - cavities, each of which emits light radiation coming from this light source 4, this radiation escaping to the outside of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, 2c through the visible face 20a of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, 2c, thus allowing viewing, in particular in darkness, of at least one graphical representation situated at the bottom of this cavity, and / or

[0084] through-openings which project or do not project from the upper surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 in order to form graphic representations such as marking elements and which each emit light radiation from this light source 4 .

[0085] In the substrate of this first layer 10 , the light sources 4 are applied / attached by printing or evaporation to the lower surface of this substrate, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the above-mentioned through-opening.

[0086] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, light-emitting elements that each emit ultraviolet, violet, blue, white or infrared light are used in combination with a substrate forming the first layer 10 of the visible surface 20a of the external elements 2a, 2b, 2c of the timepiece, and include an at least partially transparent or translucent material filled with fluorescent and / or phosphorescent particles. This substrate of the first layer 10 is filled at one or more locations where light is intended to escape from within the substrate or from the lower surface of the substrate. In this way, these fluorescent and / or phosphorescent particles absorb the radiation emitted by each light-emitting element and re-emit uniform visible light. Depending on the type of fluorescent and / or phosphorescent particles selected, the luminous effect stops as soon as the light source 4 is turned off, or continues due to an afterglow effect. Alternatively, but not shown in the accompanying drawings, these point light sources can be quantum dots or quantum boxes.

[0087] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, each point light source 4 is a monochromatic light source, and each point or quasi-point area 28 of the substrate of the first layer 10 that can be illuminated is illuminated by a single monochromatic point light source 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the point light sources 4 are configured to have different light colors, and each point or quasi-point area 28 of the substrate that can be illuminated is illuminated by several of these point light sources 4. It should also be noted that in another embodiment, each light source 4 can change between different colors.

[0088] Furthermore, it should be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 may be self-adhesive, such that it may facilitate its assembly with the second layer 11 .

[0089] In the assembly 9a, 9b forming the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c, the second layer 11 comprises a substrate comprising the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or pliable. This substrate may be a film on which this photovoltaic module 5 is arranged, for example, this substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family. This photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active area of ​​the upper surface of this substrate of the second layer 11. This active area is the part of this upper surface of the substrate that is able to receive light coming from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c. This light that has passed all or part of the first layer 10 comes from the external environment of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b, 2c and therefore of the timepiece 1, in this case mainly from solar radiation when it is of natural origin.

[0090] It should be noted that the photovoltaic modules 5 are applied to the upper surface of this substrate using an inkjet or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Reference will be made here to the second layer 11 comprising the printed photovoltaic modules 5, in particular printed on its substrate.

[0091] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive or adhesive substance can be placed on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of this substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps facilitate its assembly / mounting / adhesion with the other layers, in particular with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of this assembly 9a, 9b.

[0092] In this first alternative embodiment, the assembly 9a comprises this third layer 12 further comprising a preferably flexible or pliable substrate comprising the electrical accumulator 6 from the autonomous lighting device 3. This substrate may be a film on which is placed the accumulator 6. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0093] This accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This accumulator 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using a process known in the art, such as:

[0094] - printing processes on flexible polymer substrates (e.g. lithium ion batteries), or

[0095] - For example, 3D printing processes for semiconductor batteries such as lithium-metal semiconductor batteries.

[0096] Reference will be made here to the third layer 12 comprising the printed electrical accumulator 6 , in particular the electrical accumulator 6 printed on its substrate.

[0097] This process is used to obtain a third layer 12 comprising this accumulator 6 , which is flexible and ultra-thin.

[0098] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the reservoir 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive or adhesive substance can be placed on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of this substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps facilitate its assembly / mounting / adhesion with the other layers, in particular with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of this assembly 9a.

[0099] It should be noted that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release this electrical energy as needed to power the at least one light source 4 .

[0100] exist Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3In the first alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG, the assembly 9a includes a fourth layer 13 that forms a hidden surface for the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2c. This fourth layer 13 is formed from a preferably flexible or pliable substrate that includes the control unit. This substrate can, for example, be a flexible PCB, on which the control unit 7 is arranged, particularly on the upper surface of the PCB and, therefore, the substrate. In this context, the control unit 7 can be fabricated on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0101] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the second alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG, the assembly 9b forming the timepiece exterior elements 2b, 2c comprises three interconnected layers 10, 11, 14. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first in that it comprises three layers 10, 11, 14, instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the electrical accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is now included in the third and final layer 14 of this assembly 9b, together with the control unit 7.

[0102] This third layer 14, which forms the hidden side of the timepiece exterior element 2b, is composed of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate, on which the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate. The accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that this substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0103] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, the assembly 9b thus comprises:

[0104] a first layer 10 forming a visible face 20a of a timepiece exterior element 2b, 2c, comprising said at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3;

[0105] - a second layer 11 comprising photovoltaic modules 5, and

[0106] A third layer 14 forming a hidden face 20 b of the timepiece exterior element 2 b , 2 c , this hidden face comprising the reservoir 6 and the control unit 7 .

[0107] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first and second layers 10, 11 are similar to those of the first alternative embodiment of assembly 9a.

[0108] In addition, reference Figure 3 and Figure 5The electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 comprises a first connection element 15a connected to a connection element 16 of the at least one light source 4 for managing the operation of this light source 4. This electronic circuit 8 further comprises a second connection element 15b connected to a first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6. This accumulator 6 further comprises a second connection element 17b connected to a connection element 18 of the photovoltaic module 5.

[0109] It should further be noted that the above-mentioned event sensors of the lighting device 3 are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13 , 14 of the components 9 a , 9 b and are connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3 .

[0110] Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment not shown, it should be noted that the timepiece exterior element may include components 9a, 9b, the first layer 10 of which comprises a substrate made of a transparent or translucent ceramic material, the substrate comprising one or more inserts made of an opaque material. It is also possible to provide a substrate made of a ceramic material that, during the injection molding process, in particular via a bi-injection molding process, is mixed with a plurality of ceramic colors, at least one of which is partially transparent or translucent in order to allow light to pass therethrough at predetermined locations generated by the bi-injection molding process.

[0111] According to another alternative embodiment not shown, the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, 2c, and in particular the first layer 10 thereof, may comprise a number of point sources of light 4, which may be combined with one or more graphic representations to be illuminated, engraved in the ceramic material substrate of this layer 10:

[0112] - by changing the thickness of the ceramic by means of mechanical or laser etching (e.g. making indentations of about one tenth or one hundredth of a millimeter in the ceramic);

[0113] - or by internal etching methods in the substrate, in particular by a laser etching process;

[0114] - or by changing the density of the ceramic;

[0115] - or by opaque or semi-transparent printing in or on the surface of an external element of a ceramic timepiece;

[0116] - either patterned in or on the surface of an external element of the timepiece by physical vapour deposition (PVD) or similar methods; or

[0117] -Through a combination of these methods.

[0118] Thus, when the lighting of the point light sources 4 is switched on, a normally invisible graphical representation appears on the visible face of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b, 2c by means of the backlight.

[0119] It should also be noted that the timepiece 1 according to the present invention can advantageously be used to provide various functional applications for the user of the timepiece 1. To this end, the point light sources 4 are turned on and off in such a manner that the timepiece 1 includes, on its external elements 2a, 2b, 2c illuminated by the point light sources 4, at least one visual indication of a function specific to the timepiece 1 and / or related to the measurement results of an external parameter or a parameter relevant to the user of the timepiece 1. The control unit 7 can control the turning on and / or off of the point light sources 4 simultaneously and / or sequentially.

[0120] For example, refer to Figure 6 Here, a possible functional application is illustrated for a timepiece 1, when such timepiece 1 is an electronic or electromechanical watch and when the control unit 7 of its timepiece external element 2c (in this case, bezel 26) includes a communication module capable of exchanging data with the movement of this timepiece 1. Localized illumination indicates the hour, i.e., 1 o'clock in the illustrated example, on a dot or sharp area 28 of this timepiece external element 2c (in this case, bezel 26 of this timepiece 1). The dot or sharp area 28 corresponds to the position of numerals or appliques 30 on the dial 32 of the timepiece 1. This localized illumination makes it possible to read the time at night.

[0121] exist Figure 7 , another possible functional application of this same timepiece 1 is illustrated in FIG. On a first o'clock or sharp zone 28a of the bezel 26 of this timepiece 1, a first localized illumination indicates the hour, i.e., 5 o'clock in the example shown. On a second o'clock or sharp zone 28b of the bezel 26 of this timepiece 1, a second localized illumination indicates the minute, i.e., 40 minutes in the example shown. The second illumination (corresponding to the minutes) can occur simultaneously with the first illumination (corresponding to the hours). The light colors of the first and second o'clock or sharp zones 28a, 28b can be the same (in the case of sequential illumination) or different (in the case of simultaneous illumination). In the latter case, the user of the timepiece 1 can distinguish between the hours and the minutes. In particular, the first and second localized illuminations enable the reading of the hours and minutes at night.

[0122] exist Figure 8 Another possible functional application of this timepiece is shown in FIG. At one or more points or punctual areas 28 (in this case, eight areas in the illustrated example) of the bezel 26 of this timepiece 1, a number of localized illuminations indicate a luminous countdown or time. As time passes, the points or punctual areas 28 on the bezel can illuminate or extinguish, respectively.

[0123] exist Figures 6 to 8In each of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the first layer 10 of the timepiece exterior element 2c (in this case, the bezel 26) typically includes twelve light-emitting elements for illuminating dot or punctual areas 28 on this bezel 26, these areas 28 becoming visible only when they are illuminated.

[0124] As Figures 6 to 8 As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in , a point or punctual area 28 of localized illumination may be provided on the periphery of the centerpiece 23 of this timepiece 1 instead of on the bezel 26 .

[0125] Another possible functional application of the timepiece according to the present invention (similar to Figure 6 The functional application (not shown in the drawings) includes displaying the date via localized illumination of a dot or hour zone 28 of the timepiece's bezel. The dot or hour zone 28 corresponds to the position of a numeral or applique 30 on the dial of the timepiece 1. For dates beyond the numeral 12, the two digits of the date, followed by the month, may be indicated sequentially (e.g., for January 23rd, first "2," then "3," then "1"). Different light colors may be used for the date and month. Localized illumination is particularly useful for reading the date at night.

[0126] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that a person skilled in the art may envisage various simple modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A timepiece (1) with localized illumination, characterized in that The timepiece comprises at least one timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b, 2c), the timepiece exterior element comprising a visible surface (20a) formed by a transparent or translucent body comprising an autonomous lighting device (3), the timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b, 2c) being formed by an assembly (9a, 9b) of a plurality of stacked layers connected together, each of the plurality of stacked layers comprising one or more of the following functional elements of the lighting device (3): at least one light source (4) capable of generating light in a visible face (20a) of said timepiece external element (2a, 2b, 2c); - autonomous power supply unit (21); as well as - a control unit (7) configured to manage the operation of the light source (4); The at least one light source (4) is configured to generate localized light on a point or punctual area (28) of the visible surface (20a) of the timepiece external element (2a, 2b, 2c), thereby generating localized illumination on the timepiece external element (2a, 2b, 2c).

2. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 1, characterized in that The assembly (9a, 9b) consists of a first layer (10) forming the visible surface (20a) comprising the at least one point light source (4).

3. The timepiece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Each point light source (4) is: - a light-emitting element; -Quantum dots or quantum boxes.

4. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 2, characterized in that In addition to the first layer (10), the assembly (9a) comprises the following successive layers: - a second layer (11) comprising photovoltaic modules constituting said autonomous power supply unit (21); - a third layer (12) comprising the electrical accumulator (6) constituting the autonomous power supply unit (21); - a fourth layer forming a hidden face (20b) of the timepiece exterior elements (2a, 2c), said hidden face comprising the control unit (7).

5. The timepiece with localized illumination according to claim 2, wherein: In addition to the first layer (10), the assembly (9b) comprises the following successive layers: - a second layer (11) comprising photovoltaic modules constituting said autonomous power supply unit (21); and - a third layer forming a hidden face (20b) of the timepiece exterior elements (2b, 2c), said hidden face comprising the control unit (7) and the electrical accumulator (6) constituting the autonomous power supply unit (21).

6. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The functional element is printed on a substrate constituting a layer forming an assembly (9a, 9b) of the at least one timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b, 2c).

7. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 2, characterized in that The first layer (10) is rigid relative to the other layers in the assembly (9a, 9b), which are flexible.

8. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 2, characterized in that The point light sources (4) are configured such that each point or quasi-point area (28) of the visible surface (20a) that can be illuminated can be illuminated by a single monochromatic point light source (4).

9. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 2, characterized in that The point light sources (4) are configured so that each illuminated point or quasi-point area (28) of the visible surface (20a) can be illuminated by several point light sources (4) having different light colors.

10. The timepiece (1) with localized illumination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The at least one timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b, 2c) is selected from one of the following: a bottom cover (24), a centerpiece (23), a dial (32), a wristband (30), a bezel (26), a flange, a button, a winder and / or a winder equipped with a cap.

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