Case element for a watch comprising a pusher made of bulk metallic glass

Abstract

The invention relates to a case element for a timepiece comprising a pushbutton made of bulk metallic glass. The case element (8) for a timepiece has a through hole (14) and bears a pushbutton (1) comprising a tube (2) housed inside said through hole (14) and closed at its end oriented towards the outside by an actuation surface (4) intended to be pressed by the user in order to actuate a timepiece movement arranged inside the case element (8), wherein the pushbutton (1) is made in one piece of bulk metallic glass and further comprises a connection surface (6) arranged against the case element (8) in order to establish a permanent waterproof connection with the case element, and wherein the actuation surface (4) is movable relative to said connection surface (6) in response to a pressure exerted on it by the user. A corresponding production method is also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing element for a watch, the housing element comprising an inner wall and an outer wall and having a through hole extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, the housing element supporting a push button comprising a tube at least partially housed within the through hole and closed at its end oriented toward the outside of the housing element by an actuating surface intended to be pressed by a user to actuate a watch mechanism disposed within the housing element.

[0002] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing element according to the invention is a middle component for a clock.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a watch comprising such a housing element and a method for manufacturing a housing element according to the present invention. Background Technology

[0004] This type of housing element (especially intermediate components) is known in the prior art.

[0005] Most watches on the market today have a minimum level of water resistance, allowing them to withstand splashes of water, or even, in some cases, immersion to greater depths. Therefore, the case of these watches must be waterproof, especially in sensitive areas represented by the channels used for external control components such as the pushers and crown.

[0006] Typically, to mount such a control component onto a housing element (e.g., an intermediate or rear intermediate component), a main tube is used, which is waterproofed and specifically secured to the corresponding housing element by welding, brazing, or adhesive bonding. The control component is then connected to an auxiliary tube or control handle shaft, which is housed within the main tube. Typically, multiple seals, either O-rings or lip seals, are arranged between the main tube and the auxiliary tube and / or control handle shaft to seal the interior of the main tube. This not only results in a complex assembly but also imposes limitations due to the necessary periodic maintenance, particularly the periodic replacement of the seals, which lose their elasticity and harden over time.

[0007] Various alternative solutions have been proposed to simplify the assembly of control components while ensuring their waterproofness and / or to simplify their maintenance over time.

[0008] For example, it has been proposed to form an intermediate part made of polymer material, wherein a silicone insert for the button is molded together with the intermediate part, so as to obtain an intermediate part and button formed as a single piece, and thus obtain a perfectly waterproof complete housing element.

[0009] Furthermore, patent application US 2020 / 0125034 A1 illustrates and describes an alternative method for forming a middle element comprising a button formed as a single piece with the middle element. To this end, the application proposes molding metallic glass to form a single-piece assembly, with a variable thickness formed depending on the region of the molded product, particularly to define a deformable portion at the button.

[0010] While this method simplifies the production of this type of intermediate component—that is, waterproof buttons formed as a single piece with the intermediate component—this simplification remains theoretical, given the highly precise molding operations involved in using metallic glass. Not only is the mold formation quite precise, but the metallic glass may crystallize in thicker areas, where it cools more slowly than in thinner areas, where it can remain amorphous. This can create internal stresses in the material at the end of the process. Consequently, products obtained in this way can prove to be relatively brittle and significantly less corrosion-resistant.

[0011] Finally, both of the aforementioned methods are limited by the choice of materials used to manufacture the intermediate components: polymers in the first case and metallic glass in the second. Therefore, these methods are incompatible with the production of watches whose cases may be made, for example, of conventional metal alloys such as steel, gold-based alloys, or titanium-based alloys. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The main objective of this invention is to provide a case element for watches with a structure different from that of known case elements in the prior art. Another main objective of this invention is to provide a corresponding manufacturing method that enables the manufacture of watch cases made of various materials while ensuring perfect water resistance.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention relates more specifically to housing elements of the type described above, wherein the button is made of a single piece of bulk metallic glass (or BMG) and further includes a connecting surface arranged against a connecting area of ​​the housing element to have a permanent waterproof connection with the housing element, and wherein the button is shaped such that at least a portion of the actuating surface is movable relative to the connecting surface in response to pressure applied by a user to the actuating surface.

[0014] In fact, the applicant's research has shown that, contrary to all expectations, the fact that the production of the housing element for the support button according to the invention is more complex than that in the prior art described above brings certain alternative advantages, particularly the advantage of being able to use a housing element base that is not made of a bulk metal glass. Therefore, the latter part (i.e., the button) is added to the housing element base, and the connection between the two parts is formed in a permanent manner, which makes it possible to ensure perfect waterproofing between them.

[0015] Preferably, a permanent waterproof connection can be established through direct contact between the button's connecting surface and the connecting area of ​​the housing element, without the need for a seal between them.

[0016] Advantageously, the button tube extends to the inner wall of the housing element and supports a base at its end inside the housing element. The base supports the connecting surface and is shaped in such a way that the connecting surface presses against the inner wall of the housing element all around the through hole to establish a permanent waterproof connection.

[0017] Typically, the button's connection surface can be welded, bonded with adhesive, or brazed to the connection area of ​​the housing component.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide a portion of the actuating surface that is movable relative to the connecting surface, fixed to a stem extending toward the interior of the housing element, the stem being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface.

[0019] Typically, it is advantageous to provide buttons arranged in such a way that a portion of the actuating surface that is movable relative to the connecting surface can move relative to the housing element by a distance between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in response to an applied pressure between 2 N and 10 N, preferably between 3 N and 5 N.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least the connecting area of ​​the housing element is made of bulk metallic glass, or of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold or gold alloys, steel, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum, and bronze. Similarly, it is preferable that the button is made of bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium, and platinum.

[0021] Typically, the housing element according to the invention can be provided as an intermediate or post-intermediate component.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a watch comprising a housing element having the above-described features and a corresponding manufacturing method.

[0023] More specifically, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a housing element for a watch, the housing element supporting a pushbutton having an actuating surface at its end oriented toward the outside of the housing element, the actuating surface being designed to be pressed by a user to actuate a watch mechanism disposed within the housing element, the mechanical connection between the housing element and the pushbutton being waterproof, the method being characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0024] - Provide a housing element comprising an inner wall and an outer wall and having a through hole extending between the inner wall and the outer wall;

[0025] - Preferably, the button is formed by molding from a block of metal glass into a single piece, and the button includes a tube, which is closed at one end of its end by an actuating surface and supports a connecting surface, the connecting surface being designed to provide a connection between the button and a housing element, the button being shaped such that at least a portion of the actuating surface is movable relative to the connecting surface in response to pressure applied by a user on the actuating surface;

[0026] - The tube of the button is arranged at least partially inside the through hole of the housing element, the actuating surface is oriented toward the outside of the housing element, and the connecting surface presses against the connecting area of ​​the housing element;

[0027] - The button's connecting surface is fixed to the housing element's connecting area by forming a permanent waterproof connection between the button's connecting surface and the housing element's connecting area.

[0028] Preferably, the button is formed such that the tube extends to the inner wall of the housing element and supports a base at its end inside the housing element. The base supports the connecting surface and is shaped such that the connecting surface presses against the inner wall of the housing element all around the through-hole to establish a permanent waterproof connection.

[0029] Typically, it is possible to produce buttons simultaneously with other similar or identical buttons, which are produced as a batch of buttons fixed to each other via their bases, and then separated by performing at least one cutting operation to separate the bases from each other.

[0030] Advantageously, a portion of the actuating surface that is movable relative to the connecting surface may be formed as fixed to a shank extending toward the interior of the housing element, the shank being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

[0032] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c These are simplified schematic diagrams showing a full view, a side view, and a full view, illustrating the manufacturing steps of a button designed to be connected to a housing element base for manufacturing a housing element with a button according to the invention; and

[0033] Figure 2 A simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of a housing element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following detailed description is intended to illustrate, by way of illustrative rather than limiting, a preferred embodiment of a watch case element according to the invention and a method for producing the case element, the case element supporting at least one button connected to the case element by means of a waterproof mechanical connection.

[0035] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c The figures shown are a full view, a side view, and a full view, respectively, of a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating the general steps in the manufacture of a button designed to be attached to a housing element base in order to manufacture a housing element having a button according to the invention. The following instructions relating to these steps in the manufacture of the button are provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and those skilled in the art will be able to implement different manufacturing steps than those described in order to manufacture a button capable of being attached to a housing element base according to the invention without departing from the scope defined in the appended claims.

[0036] Generally, the button 1 according to the invention is formed by molding a block of metallic glass and includes a tube 2, which is closed at one end by an actuating surface 4, and the tube supports a connecting surface 6, which is intended to provide a connection between the button 1 and the housing element. Figure 2 The subsequent connections between reference numerals 8) in the figures. The tube 2 can have any type of shape suitable for implementing the invention, particularly a circular, oval, elliptical, square, or rectangular cross-section.

[0037] The button is shaped in such a way that at least a portion or component of its actuating surface 4 can move relative to the connecting surface 6 in response to pressure applied to the actuating surface by a user.

[0038] According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the button 1 is formed such that its tube 2 supports a base at its end, the base being intended to be positioned inside the housing element, the button 1 being designed to be fixed to the housing element, the base supporting the connecting surface 6.

[0039] Therefore, advantageously, in a general manner, button 1 is produced simultaneously with other similar or identical buttons, the buttons being produced in the form of a batch of buttons fixed to each other via their bases, such as... Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown.

[0040] Then, the buttons are separated by performing at least one cutting operation to separate the bases from each other, so as to obtain... Figure 1c The multiple buttons shown are shown in Figure 1.

[0041] Advantageously, button 1 is made of bulk metallic glass selected from the group of bulk metallic glasses including palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

[0042] Figure 2 Then it is shown how to connect button 1 to housing element 8 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The housing element 8 typically includes an inner wall 10 and an outer wall 12, and has a through hole 14 extending between the inner wall 10 and the outer wall 12. The tube 2 of the button 1 is then at least partially housed inside the through hole 14, and the button has its actuating surface 4 positioned toward the outside of the housing element 8.

[0044] Advantageously, the tube 2 extends substantially to the inner wall 10 of the housing element 8, and then the base is located inside the housing element 8 and is shaped in such a way that the connecting surface 6 presses against the inner wall 10 of the housing element 8 all around the through hole 14 in order to establish a permanent waterproof connection.

[0045] Alternatively, a notch 16 may be formed in the inner wall 10 around the through hole 14, such that the base is ultimately positioned substantially flush with the inner wall 10.

[0046] Preferably, a permanent waterproof connection is established through direct contact between the connecting surface 6 of the button 1 and the connecting area of ​​the housing element 8, without inserting a seal between them.

[0047] Typically, the connecting surface 6 of the button 1 is preferably welded, bonded with adhesive, or brazed to the connecting area of ​​the housing element 8.

[0048] In addition, it may be provided that at least the connection area of ​​the housing element 8 or even the entire housing element 8 is made of bulk metallic glass, or is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold or gold alloys, steel, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum and bronze.

[0049] Figure 2 The actuating surface 4 of button 1 is shown. The cross-section of the actuating surface is thinner than the rest of button 1, so that the actuating surface can elastically deform to actuate the watch mechanism located inside the housing element 8.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will not find particular difficulty in implementing any suitable alternative form of button 1 to ensure the desired result. Thus, for example, the actuating surface may be defined by a portion of reduced thickness (which is particularly circular, elliptical, square, or rectangular), while its own thickness remains substantially the same as the average thickness of the rest of the button, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0051] Generally, it is possible to provide a portion of the actuating surface 4 that is movable relative to the connecting surface 6 fixed to the stem (not shown), or formed as a single piece together with the stem, which extends toward the interior of the housing element 8, and is designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface 4.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the button 1 may be arranged such that the movable portion of its actuating surface 4 is able to move relative to the housing element 8 by a distance between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in response to an applied pressure between 2 N and 10 N, preferably between 3 N and 5 N.

[0053] Regarding the establishment of a waterproof permanent mechanical connection between button 1 and housing element 8, according to a preferred but non-limiting variation, this is achieved by welding.

[0054] In this case, for example, the following operating conditions can be provided to perform welding of button 1 made of bulk metallic glass (BMG), which is selected from the group of bulk metallic glasses including palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum, and the first row of the table indicates the materials constituting housing element 8, and these parameters correspond to the use of fiber laser source:

[0055] 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

[0056] Specifically, the applicant conducted his tests using bulk metallic glasses made of palladium, zirconium (BMG-AMZ4), and copper (BMG-AMC4), which are available from the Heraeus Group (https: / / www.heraeus.com / en / group / products_and_solutions_group / amorphous_metals / about_amorphous_metals / about_amorphous_metals.html).

[0057] The above features result in a watch case element that supports a pushbutton, which is permanently and waterproofly fixed to the case element without the need for seals between them. This case element is simple, precise, and reliable to manufacture and assemble. The pushbutton's response to pressure applied by the user can be adjusted without any particular difficulty by modifying its shape and thickness.

[0058] The implementation of this invention is not limited to the precise geometry of the various components shown and described. In fact, those skilled in the art will not find particular difficulty in adapting this teaching to implementations of housing elements that match the features of this invention, which support one or more buttons according to their own requirements. The shapes of the buttons can be defined relatively freely, as long as they function as needed. The actuating surfaces of the buttons can also be arranged to protrude from, retract from, or set back from the outer wall of the housing element, or positioned flush with the outer wall. Thus, the buttons can be used as conventional buttons, such as timer buttons, or as correctors designed to adjust the functions of a corresponding clock. Furthermore, if the implementation of the base is preferred, it is conceivable to directly fix the tube to the wall of the through-hole of the housing element, provided that the connection with the housing element is more stable and robust, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0059] As described above, the housing element according to the invention can be advantageously used, and by way of non-limiting example, for the middle or back middle parts of a watch.

Claims

1. A housing element (8) for a clock, the housing element comprising an inner wall (10) and an outer wall (12) and having a through hole (14) extending between the inner wall (10) and the outer wall (12), the housing element (8) supporting a button (1), the button comprising a tube (2) at least partially housed within the through hole (14) and closed at its end oriented toward the outside of the housing element (8) by an actuating surface (4) designed to be pressed by a user to actuate a clock mechanism disposed within the housing element (8), Its features are, The button (1) is made of a single piece of bulk metal glass and also includes a connecting surface (6) that is arranged against the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8) to establish a permanent waterproof connection with the housing element (8). Furthermore, the button (1) is shaped in such a way that at least a portion of the actuating surface (4) is able to move relative to the connecting surface (6) in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface (4).

2. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The permanent waterproof connection is established through direct contact between the connection surface (6) of the button (1) and the connection area of ​​the housing element (8) without inserting a seal between them.

3. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tube (2) of the button (1) extends to the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) and supports a base at its end inside the housing element (8), the base supporting the connecting surface (6) and being shaped such that the connecting surface (6) presses against the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) all around the through hole (14) in order to establish the permanent waterproof connection.

4. The housing element (8) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tube (2) of the button (1) extends to the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) and supports a base at its end inside the housing element (8), the base supporting the connecting surface (6) and being shaped such that the connecting surface (6) presses against the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) all around the through hole (14) in order to establish the permanent waterproof connection.

5. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting surface (6) of the button (1) is welded, bonded with adhesive or brazed to the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8).

6. The housing element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting surface (6) of the button (1) is welded, bonded with adhesive or brazed to the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8).

7. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) is fixed to a stem extending toward the interior of the housing element (8), the stem being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface (4).

8. The housing element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) is fixed to a stem extending toward the interior of the housing element (8), the stem being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface (4).

9. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button (1) is arranged in such a way that the portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) can move relative to the housing element (8) by a distance between 0.1 mm and 1 mm in response to an applied pressure between 2 N and 10 N.

10. The housing element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The button (1) is arranged in such a way that the portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) can move relative to the housing element (8) by a distance between 0.1 mm and 1 mm in response to an applied pressure between 2 N and 10 N.

11. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least the connection area of ​​the housing element (8) is made of bulk metallic glass or of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold or gold alloys, steel, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum and bronze.

12. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

13. The housing element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

14. The housing element (8) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

15. The housing element (8) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

16. The housing element (8) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

17. The housing element (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing element (8) constitutes an intermediate component for a watch.

18. The housing element (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing element (8) constitutes an intermediate component for a watch.

19. A clock comprising a housing element (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A method for manufacturing a housing element (8) for a clock, the housing element supporting a pushbutton (1), the pushbutton having an actuating surface (4) at its end oriented toward the outside of the housing element (8), the actuating surface being designed to be pressed by a user to actuate a clock mechanism capable of being arranged inside the housing element (8), the mechanical connection between the housing element (8) and the pushbutton (1) being waterproof, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - Provide a housing element (8) including an inner wall (10) and an outer wall (12) and having a through hole (14) extending between the inner wall (10) and the outer wall (12). - A button (1) is formed as a single piece from a block of metal glass, the button including a tube (2), the tube being closed at one end by the actuating surface (4) and supporting a connecting surface (6), the connecting surface being designed to provide a connection between the button (1) and the housing element (8), the button (1) being shaped such that at least a portion of the actuating surface (4) is capable of moving relative to the connecting surface (6) in response to pressure applied by a user to the actuating surface (4); - The tube (2) of the button (1) is arranged at least partially inside the through hole (14) of the housing element (8), the actuating surface (4) is oriented toward the outside of the housing element (8), and the connecting surface (6) presses against the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8); - The connecting surface (6) of the button (1) is fixed to the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8) by forming a permanent waterproof connection between the connecting surface (6) of the button (1) and the connecting area of ​​the housing element (8).

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The button (1) is formed by molding.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The button (1) is formed such that the tube (2) extends to the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) and supports a base at its end inside the housing element (8), the base supporting the connecting surface (6) and being shaped such that the connecting surface (6) presses against the inner wall (10) of the housing element (8) all around the through hole (14) in order to establish the permanent waterproof connection.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The button (1) is produced by molding along with other similar or identical buttons, which are produced as a batch of buttons fixed to each other via their bases, and the buttons are then separated by performing at least one cutting operation to separate the bases from each other.

24. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The permanent waterproof connection is formed by welding, adhesive bonding or brazing between the connection surface (6) and the connection area.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The permanent waterproof connection is formed by welding, adhesive bonding or brazing between the connection surface (6) and the connection area.

26. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) is formed as a stem fixed to an interior extending toward the housing element (8), the stem being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface (4).

27. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The portion of the actuating surface (4) that is movable relative to the connecting surface (6) is formed as a stem fixed to an interior extending toward the housing element (8), the stem being designed to actuate the watch mechanism in response to pressure applied by the user to the actuating surface (4).

28. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, At least the connection area of ​​the housing element (8) is made of bulk metallic glass or of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold or gold alloys, steel, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum and bronze.

29. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, At least the connection area of ​​the housing element (8) is made of bulk metallic glass or of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold or gold alloys, steel, titanium, platinum, palladium, tantalum and bronze.

30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that, The button (1) is made of a bulk metallic glass selected from the group consisting of palladium, zirconium, copper, magnesium and platinum.

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