Timepiece comprising cover glass with anti-fogging means
By applying a transparent conductive oxide layer and thermal interface member of the thermally conductive material on the protective glass of the timer, passive heating is performed using body temperature, the problem of mist formation in hot and humid environments is solved, and the excellent anti-fogging is achieved Coordinate effect and aesthetics.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410922170.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-10
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing timers are prone to fog in hot and humid environments, causing users to mistakenly believe that the product is no longer waterproof, affecting the product image and leading to returns. The existing solutions have limited anti-fogging capabilities or are not coordinated with aesthetics.
The thermal interface member composed of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a thermally conductive material is passively heated by the wearer's body temperature when the timer is worn through heat exchange technology to prevent the formation of cold spots of the protective glass, thereby effectively preventing the appearance of mist.
It achieves an excellent anti-fogging effect that is not limited by time and absorption capacity in various environments, avoids the formation of fog, makes users unable to see fog, and improves the waterproof performance and aesthetic effect of the product.
Smart Images
Figure CN119292028A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a protective glass, the timepiece having an anti-fogging device for preventing or limiting the formation of fog or fine water drops on the inner surface of the protective glass. Background Art
[0002] The timepiece is worn daily in an environment with large variations in relative humidity, pressure and temperature. The timepiece is constructed to prevent moisture from penetrating into the body, but despite being watertight, gas exchange still occurs between the interior of the body and the external environment.
[0003] This gas exchange (known as permeation) takes place via the joints, which are mainly made of polymer materials with variable, but never zero, permeability characteristics. Therefore, in very hot and humid environments, water vapor will often penetrate the timepiece, which in itself is not a problem, as it is invisible to the user as long as there is no visible fogging on the inside of the protective glass.
[0004] Fogging most often occurs when the wearer is exposed to lower temperatures, such as when swimming or entering an air-conditioned environment that is several degrees cooler than before. Since the protective glass is in closest contact with the outside environment, fine water droplets formed by condensation will naturally adhere to the inner surface of the protective glass. Wearers notice the presence of fog on the inside of the timepiece and often mistakenly believe that the product is no longer waterproof. This phenomenon is the reason for a large number of product returns and loss of trust among users, and thus damages the image of the watch brand.
[0005] There are hydrophilic treatments that consist of coating the inner surface of the cover glass with a surfactant to prevent small water droplets from adhering to the surface of the cover glass. These hydrophilic layers allow the water to diffuse over the entire inner surface of the cover glass, making it invisible to the wearer. However, these hydrophilic layers do not always coordinate with good aesthetic effects (coloring, diffusion effects, etc.).
[0006] Another method is based on the principle of absorbing the moisture contained in the water vapor entering the timer. However, these solutions are limited both in time and in absorption capacity (in terms of quantity). Therefore, these solutions are not completely satisfactory.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need to improve the anti-fogging capability of the protective glass and the timepiece equipped with such protective glass. Summary of the invention
[0008] To this end, the present invention provides a solution to the problems existing in the prior art, namely, a timer equipped with protective glass, which includes a transparent anti-fogging device and has excellent anti-fogging ability to prevent the formation of fog in various usage environments. Its effectiveness is not limited by time and is not limited by maximum absorption capacity.
[0009] In this context, the invention proposes a timepiece comprising a middle piece housing a watch movement, the middle piece being enclosed by a back cover and a protective glass, the timepiece being characterized in that it comprises an anti-fogging device for the protective glass, the anti-fogging device comprising:
[0010] - a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover glass;
[0011] - a thermal interface member having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / m·K, arranged in the intermediate piece, and configured as
[0012] a) ensuring heat exchange between the conductive oxide layer and the intermediate piece by contact, the intermediate piece and the back cover being made of a heat-conducting material, or
[0013] b) ensuring heat exchange between the conductive oxide layer and the back cover by contact, the back cover comprising at least one portion made of a thermally conductive material in contact with the thermal interface member.
[0014] The anti-fogging device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain passive heating of the protective glass by exploiting the heat-conducting properties of the transparent conductive oxide layer and bringing it into contact with a back cover made of a thermally conductive material in order to benefit from the body temperature of the wearer when the timepiece is worn. The protective glass is therefore no longer a cold spot of the timepiece.
[0015] Therefore, such an anti-fogging device is not limited by time, and its anti-fogging ability is also not limited.
[0016] The back cover is thermally conductive and in contact with the wearer's skin, allowing heat exchange with the thermal interface member through "direct" conduction when the thermal interface member is in contact with the back cover; or when the thermal interface member is only in contact with the middle member, the back cover allows heat exchange with the thermal interface member through "indirect" conduction via the middle member 11 made of a thermally conductive material.
[0017] In addition to the features mentioned in the previous paragraph, the timepiece according to the invention may also have one or more of the following additional features, which may be considered individually or in any technically arbitrary combination:
[0018] - The transparent conductive oxide layer is composed of tin-doped indium oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, zinc oxide or fluorine-doped tin dioxide;
[0019] - the thermally conductive member is a thermally conductive elastomeric joint formed between the intermediate piece and the cover glass;
[0020] -Thermal conductive elastomer joints are made of silicone-based or fluorosilicone-based elastomers;
[0021] -Thermal conductive elastomer joint seals the intermediate piece to the protective glass;
[0022] - the thermal interface member is a thermally conductive pad received in a recess in the intermediate piece;
[0023] - The thermally conductive pad is composed of one or more polymers and metal, ceramic or carbon-based particles and / or carbon fibers or a mixture of these particles and / or fibers;
[0024] - The thermal pad is composed of an elastomer (preferably silicone) and ceramic particles;
[0025] -The thermal interface member is formed by a plurality of thermally conductive pads;
[0026] -The thermal interface member is annular in shape.
[0027] According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the thermal interface member is a thermally conductive pad disposed in the intermediate member, the thermal interface member being in contact with the transparent conductive oxide layer and at least a portion of the back cover to ensure heat exchange by conduction between the conductive oxide layer and the back cover.
[0028] In this first alternative embodiment of the invention, the timer may further comprise a system for positioning the thermal interface member, the system being at least partially made of a thermally insulating material and configured to ensure heat conduction between the back cover and the conductive oxide layer while thermally insulating the thermal interface member from the intermediate piece.
[0029] According to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, the thermal interface member is a thermally conductive pad disposed in the intermediate member, the thermal interface member is in contact with the transparent conductive oxide layer and the intermediate member to ensure heat exchange by conduction between the conductive oxide layer and the intermediate member. The intermediate member and the back cover are made of a thermally conductive material to ensure heat exchange by conduction between the intermediate member and the back cover.
[0030] In this second alternative embodiment, the intermediate piece may include a thermally insulating insert that prevents heat exchange between the external environment and the thermal interface member via the intermediate piece by conduction followed by convection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given with reference to the following drawings:
[0032] - Figure 1 Diagrammatically shows a partial cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a timer including an anti-fogging device according to the present invention;
[0033] - Figure 2 The diagram shows Figure 1An alternative to the first example embodiment shown;
[0034] - Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a timer including an anti-fogging device according to the invention is diagrammatically shown.
[0035] Unless otherwise indicated, common elements in all drawings have the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a timer 10 comprising an anti-fogging device 100 according to the invention is schematically shown.
[0037] The timepiece 10 , such as a wristwatch, is intended to be worn in contact with the skin of a wearer, for example on the wrist.
[0038] Timepiece 10 comprises a middle piece 11 intended to receive timepiece movement 1 .
[0039] The watch movement 1 can be a mechanical, electromechanical or electronic movement. Preferably, the watch movement 1 is a mechanical movement.
[0040] Middle part 11 is closed at the bottom by a back cover 12 and at the top by a protective glass 13 , thus protecting timepiece movement 1 .
[0041] Timer 10 also includes a flexible or articulated bracelet (not shown), the two ends of which are intended to be connected (for example, detachably connected) to middle piece 11 via an adhoc fastening system that will not be described in the present application, thereby allowing the user to wear timer 10 (for example, on the wrist) and allowing the outer surface of back cover 12 to come into contact with the wearer's skin.
[0042] The back cover 12 has at least one portion 12a made of a heat-conducting material, such as a metal and / or ceramic and / or carbon fiber-filled polymer-based material, and is arranged to be in contact with the wearer's skin.
[0043] Preferably, the back cover 12 is made entirely of a thermally conductive material, preferably a metallic and / or ceramic and / or carbon fiber filled polymer based material.
[0044] Generally speaking, in this application, a thermally conductive material is considered to have a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / m·K (Watt / meter·Kelvin).
[0045] Preferably, the back cover 12 or at least the portion 12a of the back cover 12 is made of a thermally conductive material having a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W / m·K.
[0046] Timepiece 10 also comprises an anti-fogging device 100 for said protective glass 13 to prevent the formation of fog on the inner surface of protective glass 13 (ie the surface facing watch movement 1 ) or to limit / reduce the appearance of visible fog after a significant thermal shock.
[0047] To this end, the anti-fogging device 100 includes a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer 105 disposed directly on at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover glass 13 .
[0048] Advantageously, the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 is provided on the entire inner surface of the cover glass 13 .
[0049] If the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the protective glass 13, its extent must be large enough to ensure that the protective glass 13 reaches the temperature and prevents fogging.
[0050] The transparent conductive oxide layer 105 has thermal and conductive properties, which are used in the anti-fogging device 100 according to the present invention.
[0051] Preferably, the transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the cover glass 13 by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. However, other thin film deposition methods known to those skilled in the art are also feasible.
[0052] The transparent conductive oxide layer 105 is composed of, for example, tin-doped indium oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, zinc oxide, or fluorine-doped tin dioxide.
[0053] The anti-fogging device 100 also includes a thermal interface component 106, which is arranged in the middle piece 11 and is configured to make the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 thermally contact with the back cover 12 by conduction, or if the back cover 12 is not completely made of a thermally conductive material, at least thermally contact with the thermally conductive portion 12a of the back cover 12.
[0054] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, thermal interface member 106 may be configured to bring transparent conductive oxide layer 105 into thermal contact with intermediate member 11 by conduction, and intermediate member 11 provides heat exchange with rear cover 12 or thermally conductive portion 12 a of rear cover 12 if intermediate member 11 is made of a thermally conductive material.
[0055] If desired, the thermal interface member 106 may be made of a material that facilitates heat exchange by conduction while being electrically insulating.
[0056] The thermal interface member 106 is, for example, a thermally conductive pad having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / m·K, preferably greater than 2 W / m·K.
[0057] The thermal interface member 106 is arranged (eg, via a positioning system) within a recess in the intermediate piece 11 .
[0058] Such a positioning system may, for example, include a thermal insulation element, or be made entirely of a thermal insulation material, thereby promoting heat conduction between the back cover 12 and the transparent conductive oxide layer 105, while thermally insulating the thermal interface component 106 from the intermediate piece 11 to prevent heat loss due to conduction with the intermediate piece 11, which is in contact with the external environment.
[0059] The thermal interface member 106 is, for example, a thermally conductive pad composed of one or more polymers (eg, elastomers) and metal, ceramic or carbon-based particles and / or carbon fibers, or a mixture of such particles and / or fibers.
[0060] The thermal interface member 106 is, for example, a thermally conductive pad composed of silicone and metal and / or ceramic particles.
[0061] The thermal interface member 106 is, for example, a thermally conductive pad in a ring shape so as to contact the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 at the peripheral edges of the protective glass 13 and the back cover 12 .
[0062] The thermal interface member 106 may be formed of a plurality of thermally conductive pads distributed inside the middle piece 11 to form a plurality of heat conduction points between the back cover 12 , the portion 12 a of the back cover 12 , or the middle piece 11 and the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 .
[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, a sealing joint 17 may be provided between the protective glass 13 and the middle piece 11 to ensure that the timepiece 10 is watertight.
[0064] When the timepiece 10 is worn, the anti-fogging device 100 according to the present invention utilizes the body temperature of the wearer to cause passive heating of the protection glass 13 by conduction.
[0065] The back cover 12 is heat conductive and in contact with the wearer's skin. When the thermal interface member 106 is in contact with the back cover 12, the back cover 12 allows heat exchange with the thermal interface member 106 through "direct" conduction; or when the thermal interface member 106 is in contact with the middle piece 11 only, the back cover allows heat exchange with the thermal interface member 106 through "indirect" conduction via the middle piece 11 made of a heat conductive material.
[0066] The thermal interface member 106 also ensures heat exchange with the transparent conductive oxide layer 105 by conduction, so as to eliminate possible cold spots at the cover glass 13 .
[0067] Thanks to the invention, the cold spot is no longer located on the protective glass 13. Therefore, if fog forms, it will form elsewhere in the cold zone that is not visible to the wearer, for example under the dial.
[0068] Figure 3 A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0069] In this second exemplary embodiment, the thermal interface component 106' is a thermally conductive elastomeric joint positioned between the protective glass 13 and the intermediate piece 11. In this second exemplary embodiment, the thermal interface component 106' must be made of a thermally conductive material or include a thermally conductive internal portion so as to be able to exchange heat with the back cover 12 or the thermally conductive portion 12a of the back cover 12.
[0070] In this second example embodiment, the thermal interface member 106 ′ also provides a watertight seal between the cover glass 13 and the intermediate piece 11 .
[0071] The thermally conductive elastomeric joint forming the thermal interface member 106 ′ is, for example, a silicone-based or fluorosilicone-based elastomer.
[0072] The thermally conductive elastomeric joint forming the thermal interface member 106 ′ is, for example, filled with a metallic material (eg, aluminum), with carbon (eg, graphite), with a ceramic material, or with a mixture of these materials.
Claims
1. A timer (10), comprising a middle piece (11) enclosed by a back cover (12) and a protective glass (13), the timer (10) being characterized in that it comprises an anti-fogging device (100) for the protective glass (13), the anti-fogging device (100) comprising: - a transparent conductive oxide layer (105) arranged on at least a portion of the inner surface of the protective glass (13); - a thermal interface member (106) having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / m·K, disposed in the intermediate member (11) and configured as a) ensuring heat exchange between the conductive oxide layer (105) and the intermediate member (11) by contact, the intermediate member (11) and the back cover (12) being made of a heat-conducting material, or b) ensuring heat exchange between the conductive oxide layer (105) and the back cover (12) through contact, the back cover (12) comprising at least one portion (12a) made of a thermally conductive material in contact with the thermal interface member (106).
2. Timer (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The transparent conductive oxide layer (105) is made of tin-doped indium oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, zinc oxide or fluorine-doped tin dioxide.
3. The timer (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The heat-conducting member (106) is a heat-conducting elastomer joint disposed between the intermediate member (11) and the protective glass (13).
4. Timer (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The thermally conductive elastomer joint is made of a silicone-based or fluorosilicone-based elastomer.
5. Timer (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The thermally conductive elastomer joint seals the intermediate piece (11) at the protective glass (13).
6. Timer (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The thermal interface component (106) is a thermally conductive pad received in a recess in the intermediate member (11).
7. Timer (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The thermally conductive pad consists of a polymer matrix and metal, ceramic or carbon-based particles and / or carbon fibers or a mixture of these particles and / or these fibers.
8. Timer (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The thermally conductive pad is composed of an elastomeric matrix and ceramic particles, and the elastomeric matrix is preferably silicone-based.
9. The timer (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The thermal interface member is formed from a plurality of conductive pads.
10. The timer (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The thermal interface member (106) has an annular shape.
11. Timer (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It comprises a system for positioning the thermal interface member (106), the system being configured to ensure heat conduction between the back cover (12) and the conductive oxide layer (105) while thermally insulating the thermal interface member (106) from the intermediate piece (11).