Watch dial and watch

Abstract

One aspect of the utility model relates to a dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1), the dial comprises an autonomous device used for determining events related to a waterproof defect (3) of the watch (1), the dial (2a, 2b) comprises a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the dial (2a, 2b) is formed by stacking (9a, 9b) of material thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) extending between the two surfaces (20a, 20b), each of the layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprises one or more of the functional elements contained in the device (3):-a control module (23) for checking the waterproofness of the watch (1); -a module (4) for reporting waterproof defect events; -an independent power supply unit (21); and a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the reporting module (4) and the control module (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a watch that includes a dial and means for determining events related to a water resistance defect of the watch, the means being fully autonomous. Background Technology

[0002] A watch's water resistance is measured in bar (a bar is a unit of pressure, where 1 bar equals 1 atmosphere (atm)). A watch's water resistance is usually expressed in meters (m). Watches described as water-resistant are intended for everyday use where protection against water must be ensured, such as during activities like swimming or simply in the shower. So-called dive watches must meet more stringent standards and, according to current standards, are guaranteed to be water-resistant up to a minimum depth of 100 meters. Dials 2a and 2b are also referred to as "autonomous dials" because they are not electrically connected to the movement of watch 1. Dials 2a and 2b can be considered separate parts attached to watch 1.

[0003] To ensure water resistance, watches typically feature a set of watertight seals located at assembly points of certain parts of the watch, such as the crystal, bezel, and case back, as well as moving parts like the crown and pushers. Over time and with use, the mechanical properties of these seals change, and the watch's water resistance sometimes deteriorates. This makes the watch more susceptible to penetration by water or water vapor. This can lead to condensation on the inner surface of the crystal, or worse, oxidation of some metal components or degradation of some polymer components. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to monitor the relative humidity level inside the watch periodically without opening the case, as opening the watch case requires systematic replacement of the seals and watchmaker intervention, which is expensive. Excessive water vapor inside the watch can indicate the need to replace one or more seals in the short to medium term.

[0004] In this context, it becomes clear that a solution is needed to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a dial that is fitted to a watch and includes means for determining events related to a defect in the watch's water resistance, thus allowing the detection of a loss of water resistance in the watch case by monitoring the humidity inside the case without opening it. Such a dial with this determining means is cost-effective, easy to use, and enables a reliable and rapid measurement of the relative humidity level inside the watch case.

[0006] One aspect of this utility model relates to a watch dial including an autonomous device for determining events related to a defect in the watch's water resistance. The dial includes a visible surface and a hidden surface, the dial being formed by stacking thin layers of material extending between the two surfaces, each of the layers including one or more functional elements contained in the device.

[0007] - A control module used to check the water resistance of the table;

[0008] - A module for reporting waterproofing defect incidents;

[0009] - Independent power supply unit; and

[0010] - A control unit for managing the operation of the reporting module and the control module.

[0011] In other embodiments:

[0012] - The control module includes at least one humidity sensor and / or at least one pressure sensor;

[0013] - The reporting module includes at least one element capable of generating optical signals;

[0014] - The reporting module includes at least one element capable of generating vibration signals;

[0015] - The reporting module includes at least one element capable of generating sound signals;

[0016] - The material thin-layer stack includes a first layer, which has a visible surface of the dial and includes the control module and the reporting module;

[0017] - The control module is housed in a cavity formed in the hidden surface of the dial;

[0018] - The first layer is configured such that light radiation, especially solar radiation, can pass through completely or partially;

[0019] - The first layer is wholly or partially transparent or semi-transparent;

[0020] - Wherein, the material thin-layer stack includes a second layer, which includes a photovoltaic module constituting an independent power unit;

[0021] - The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic modules are printed;

[0022] - The photovoltaic module is disposed on the active region of the second layer, the region being configured to receive light radiation originating from the first layer of the material thin-layer stack;

[0023] - The stack includes a third layer, which includes an energy accumulator that constitutes an independent power unit;

[0024] - The third layer includes a substrate on which the energy storage device is printed;

[0025] - The stack includes a fourth layer that forms the hidden surface of the dial, including the control unit;

[0026] - The stack includes a third layer, which includes a hidden surface of the dial that includes a control unit and an energy accumulator constituting an independent power unit;

[0027] - Compared to other layers in a stack of thin-layer materials, the first layer is rigid, while the other layers are flexible;

[0028] - The gaseous fluid is air containing water vapor;

[0029] - The visible and hidden surfaces are flat or dome-shaped.

[0030] Another aspect of this utility model relates to a watch including such a dial.

[0031] Advantageously, the watch includes a mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical watch movement. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The purpose, advantages, and features of the table according to this utility model will become more apparent in the following description, which is given based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective view of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The watch includes a dial with means for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance. The means is autonomous and included within the watch.

[0034] Figure 2 An exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of a dial formed by stacking four layers according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, each layer including one or more components of a means for determining events related to a defect in the watch's water resistance;

[0035] Figure 3 The first alternative embodiment of the dial according to the first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically, the dial being provided with means for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance;

[0036] Figure 4An exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of a dial formed by stacking three layers according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, each layer including one or more components of a means for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance; and

[0037] Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates a second alternative embodiment of a dial according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the dial being provided with means for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 Table 1 is shown schematically and includes: a case 19 having a back and a crystal 22 to which the middle portion is attached; a group of components forming a watch movement; and dials 2a and 2b disposed between the watch movement and the crystal 22.

[0039] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, a watch movement drives a group of hands, including an hour hand, a minute hand, and an optional second hand. For this purpose, dials 2a and 2b include openings for receiving the axes of the hands. The dials 2a and 2b also include two surfaces 20a and 20b:

[0040] - The so-called visible surface 20a, which can be seen from the outside of Table 1, is also referred to as the "visible portion" or "visible upper portion" of the dials 2a and 2b; and

[0041] - A so-called hidden surface 20b is set in the case 19 of Table 1, facing the watch movement. This surface 20b is also called the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a and 2b.

[0042] This visible representation 20a can include at least one graphical representation in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, for example:

[0043] - Reference (or display) elements, such as numbers, indices, lines, or even dots, whether or not they have pointers, help to display a type of watch information / watch measurement or a type of physical information / physical measurement obtained by sensors included in the movement;

[0044] - Engraving, patterns, text, logos, etc.

[0045] The visible surface 20a and the hidden surface 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or opposite to each other. It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, the dials 2a and 2b may include dome-shaped visible surfaces and hidden surfaces that may be dome-shaped or flat. These surfaces 20a and 20b are also connected to each other via the peripheral walls of the dials 2a and 2b.

[0046] It should also be noted that, Figures 1 to 5In the illustrated embodiment, dials 2a and 2b are preferably circular. It is understood that the present invention can also be implemented with dials 2a and 2b having other shapes, such as triangular or quadrilateral-like shapes.

[0047] In embodiments of this invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, the movement may be an electromechanical movement or an electronic movement. In the following description, when the movement is mechanical, reference will be made to a mechanical watch; when the movement includes an electronic movement, reference will be made to an electronic watch; and when the movement includes an electromechanical movement, reference will be made to an electromechanical watch.

[0048] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 The dials 2a and 2b include a device 3 for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance; this device 3 is autonomous. The determining device 3 includes its own power supply, as described below. This device 3 is autonomous, particularly with respect to the movement of the watch 1, and more specifically with respect to the power source of that movement, for example, when the source is a power source such as that in the watch movement. In these cases, it can be understood that the power used by the determining device 3 does not compromise the autonomy of the movement.

[0049] In this paper, regardless of the type of Table 1, dials 2a and 2b can be detachably mounted in Table 1. The only requirement is that dials 2a and 2b include the determining device 3, which is therefore autonomous relative to the movement of Table 1.

[0050] The determining device 3 included in the dials 2a and 2b includes: a module 4 for reporting water resistance defect events, an independent power supply unit 21, a control module 23 for checking the water resistance of the dial, and a control unit 7.

[0051] In this device 3, the reporting module includes:

[0052] - At least one element capable of generating light signal 4, such as light source 4, which allows device 3 to broadcast visual messages related to the identified waterproofing defect event;

[0053] - At least one element capable of generating vibration signals, such as a piezoelectric vibrator, a vibrator including an ERM motor (eccentric rotating mass vibrating motor) or an LRA motor (linear resonant actuator vibrating motor), which allows device 3 to broadcast messages related to the identified waterproofing defects in the form of vibration; and / or

[0054] - At least one element capable of generating sound signals, such as a loudspeaker, which allows device 3 to broadcast sound messages related to the identified waterproofing defect event.

[0055] As described above, the at least one light source 4 is specifically configured to assist in displaying visual messages related to the identified water resistance defect event. Each light source 4 may correspond to any light-emitting element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list, which includes:

[0056] - Light-emitting capacitor or LEC;

[0057] - LED (Light Emitting Diode) type, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) type, AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) type, or QLED (Quantum Light Emitting Diode) type light-emitting diode;

[0058] - Any luminescent material activated by a local electric field;

[0059] - Any luminescent material activated by an electric current;

[0060] - Any combination of these light-emitting elements.

[0061] It should be noted that in some embodiments of this invention, the light source 4 may be a light source 4 capable of forming a regional light source. This allows the regional light source to be given a predetermined shape, typically, but not exclusively or restrictively, a shape relating to a graphic representation of numbers, letters, logos, or text. It should also be noted that the light source 4 can produce light of any color and / or in any direction.

[0062] In this determining device 3, the control module 23 is configured to measure the humidity and / or pressure present in the housing 19 of the meter 1. The control module 23 is capable of converting the measured humidity and / or pressure into an electrical signal.

[0063] The control module 23 includes a humidity sensor. This sensor may be a capacitive sensor, preferably composed of a substrate, typically made of glass, silicon, or ceramic, on which a thin film of a hygroscopic polymer or metal oxide (e.g., alumina) is deposited between two conductive electrodes. The electrodes opposite the substrate are porous to allow ambient humidity to pass through to the dielectric and vice versa. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor may be a resistive humidity sensor, which utilizes, for example, the resistive properties of a hygroscopic polymer. It should be noted that in another alternative embodiment, the humidity sensor may be a combination of at least two of these sensors.

[0064] The control module 23 includes a pressure sensor. This sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor, capable of converting physical pressure into an electrical signal. The pressure sensor may be a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or an optical sensor. It should be noted that, in another alternative embodiment, the pressure sensor may be a combination of at least two of these sensors.

[0065] In this determining device 3, the independent power supply unit 21 includes an energy storage device 6 and a photovoltaic module 5, which includes at least one photovoltaic cell, also known as a solar cell. The photovoltaic module 5... Figure 3 and Figure 5 The connecting elements, indicated by reference numerals 17b and 18 in the accompanying drawings, are connected to the energy storage device 6. The photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more heterojunction or multijunction type cell cells connected in parallel or series. Each photovoltaic cell of the module 5 may be made of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium-based semiconductor materials, cadmium telluride-based semiconductor materials, monocrystalline gallium arsenide-based semiconductor materials, monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon-based semiconductor materials, or perovskite semiconductor materials 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 photovoltaic cell types suitable for this invention.

[0066] In this determining device 3, the control unit 7, also known as a microcontroller, includes electronic circuitry 8, which includes hardware resources, particularly at least one processor that works with memory elements and address, data, and control buses. The control unit 7 is connected to the reporting module 4, the control module 23, and the independent power supply unit 21.

[0067] The memory element 4 of this control unit 7 includes an algorithm for determining events related to defects in the watch's water resistance.

[0068] It should be noted that the algorithm executed by the processor of the control unit 7 can also consider other types of events to improve the determination of events related to the waterproofing defect based on data from the event sensors included in the determining device 3. These events can include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, the detection of a specific brightness level in the environment of Table 1, the detection of a specific visual object, or the detection of the temperature within the casing of Table 1, etc. In this context, the event sensors of the determining device 3 specifically and in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner include:

[0069] - A brightness sensor to detect the ambient brightness level;

[0070] - Temperature sensor; and / or

[0071] - Photographic optical sensor.

[0072] Furthermore, when the reporting module 4 includes multiple light sources 4, their operation can be managed / controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by the control unit 7. Additionally, each light source 4 is managed / controlled individually by the control unit 7. In this context, the management of the operation of each light source 4 can be carried out in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner by performing the following operations: sequentially turning on or off, simultaneously turning on or off two or more light sources 4, flashing one or more light sources 4, defining the flashing frequency of each light source 4, the flashing duration of each light source 4, or the on / off duration of each light source 4, etc.

[0073] The memory element of this control unit 7 may also include algorithms for managing the energy storage device 6, particularly for managing the charging of it by the photovoltaic module 5 and for managing the power consumption of the control module 23 and the reporting module.

[0074] As described above, the determining device 3 is therefore included in the dials 2a and 2b. In this configuration, the components of the determining device 3, namely the reporting module 4, the energy storage device 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the control module 23, and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 forming the dials 2a and 2b.

[0075] refer to Figures 2 to 5 The dials 2a and 2b are formed or constituted by stacks 9a and 9b of multiple thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. These layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are joined together by connecting elements such as adhesives to unify them, thereby obtaining a single-piece stack of thin layers 9a and 9b, thus forming a one-piece dial 2a and 2b. The connecting element can also be a clip or a screw. These layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stacked in the layer stacks 9a and 9b, i.e., they are arranged one above the other in a defined order within the dials 2a and 2b. It should be noted that these layer stacks 9a and 9b can also be referred to as layer assemblies. In these stacks 9a and 9b, the layers are substantially similar, having upper and lower surfaces of substantially the same area, thus contributing to the formation of the non-relief peripheral walls of the dials 2a and 2b.

[0076] It should be noted that these thin layers are each a few micrometers thick. More specifically, the thickness of each layer can be between 1 and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm or more preferably 3 μm. Regarding the thickness of the dials 2a and 2b, it can be between 8 and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, more preferably 12 μm, more preferably 100 μm, more preferably 200 μm or more preferably 300 μm.

[0077] In addition to being easy to integrate into the watch case 19, these one-piece dials 2a and 2b have the additional advantage of being detachably mounted in the watch case 19 of the watch 1.

[0078] exist Figure 3 In a first alternative embodiment of the layer stack 9a shown, it consists of four consecutive thin layers 10, 11, 12, and 13:

[0079] - The first layer 10, which forms / constitutes the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, including the control module 23 and / or the reporting module 4;

[0080] - The second layer 11 includes photovoltaic module 5;

[0081] - The third layer 12 includes an energy storage device 6, also known as a rechargeable battery; and

[0082] - The fourth layer 13 forms the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2a, which includes the control module 23 and / or the control unit 7.

[0083] Compared to the preferred flexible or supple second, third, and fourth thin layers 11, 12, and 13, the first layer 10 of the stack 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. It is understood that this first layer 10 contributes to the thin-layer stack 9a and thus to the structural stiffness of the dial 2a.

[0084] In the stack 9a, the first, second, third and fourth layers 10, 11, 12 and 13 each include an upper surface and a lower surface.

[0085] The first layer 10 is formed of a transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent, or at least partially translucent rigid or semi-rigid substrate. This substrate is made of a material with a transmittance between 65% and 95% to solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation (also known as UVT (an abbreviation for “ultraviolet transmission”)). This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material can be transparent or translucent. Such material can be, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, a polymer, glass, or ceramic.

[0086] In this context, it should be understood that the basis is constructed such that:

[0087] - The light generated by the at least one light source can escape outside the dials 2a and 2b and thus outside the table 1; and

[0088] - Light from the environment in Table 1 can penetrate dials 2a and 2b toward the photovoltaic module 5 of the device 3. When the light is from a natural source, the light includes solar radiation.

[0089] In other words, the transparent or semi-transparent substrate is constructed to allow light, particularly solar radiation, to be supplied to the photovoltaic module 5, through which the photovoltaic module 5 can convert solar energy from the radiation into electrical energy.

[0090] The first layer 10 also includes a reporting module 4 disposed within the body of the substrate. In this configuration, the light source of the module 4 is positioned within the substrate to ensure illumination of all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, such as illuminating graphic representations, like reference elements (or displays) (e.g., numbers, indices, lines, dots); or illuminating one or more pointers; or even illuminating all or part of the visible surface of the dial 2a. In alternative embodiments, the light source 4 may have a predetermined shape, such as the shape of numbers, letters, indices, lines, dots, logos, or even text.

[0091] When the light source 4 is disposed within a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct illumination. More specifically, the cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity includes a graphic representation, the illumination radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to the outside of the dial 2a, thus allowing at least one graphic representation to be viewed in the dark. Specifically, the light radiation emanating from the visible surface 20a outlines the shape of the graphic representation. In this context, the graphic representation included on the upper or lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque, non-transparent, or opaque.

[0092] When the light source 4 is disposed in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be direct illumination. The cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, with no graphic representation of its bottom. In this configuration, the illumination radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the bottom of the cavity toward the outside of the dial 2a and thus through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0093] When the light source 4 is positioned in an opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, the illumination can also be direct illumination, with the opening leading to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate at its two ends, respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate and thus from the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to form a graphic representation, such as an index, numbers, dots, or lines.

[0094] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, this illumination can also be remote illumination. The waveguide, also called an optical guide, is used to transmit light from a point injected into the guide to a region (e.g., a cavity, a port) in the substrate near the upper surface of the substrate. This optical guide can be an optical fiber, which allows it to bypass any obstacles that may be present in the substrate, such as obstacles located between the electroluminescent element and the region in the substrate near the upper surface through which light will escape. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, light is transmitted via the waveguide from the electroluminescent element to the area in the substrate to be illuminated.

[0095] In this configuration, the first end of the waveguide is connected to the light source 4, and the second end of the waveguide can be configured as follows:

[0096] - A cavity, which may be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10; or

[0097] - A through-hole extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10 and opens at its two ends to the substrate and thus to the upper and lower surfaces of the first layer 10, respectively. Therefore, the second end may protrude from the substrate or the upper surface of the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to form a graphic representation of the dial 2a, such as reference elements like indices, numbers, dots, or lines.

[0098] In this context, indirect illumination can be achieved by connecting a single light source 4, which is included on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, to multiple waveguides, the second ends of which are disposed in the following:

[0099] - Each cavity emits light radiation from the light source 4, which escapes through the visible surface 20a to the outside of the dial 2a, thus allowing at least one graphic representation to be viewed in the dark. In this context, the graphic representation, including in or on the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a or on the upper surface of the substrate, is preferably opaque; and / or

[0100] - Ports, which may or may not protrude from the upper surface of the substrate to form reference elements, such as indices, lines, or even points, and each of these ports emits light radiation from the light source 4.

[0101] In the first layer 10, the reporting module 4 is applied / fixed to the lower or upper surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, the inner wall of the cavity or the aforementioned opening by printing or vapor deposition. In other words, the light source of the module 4 is applied / fixed to the lower or upper surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, the inner wall of the cavity or the aforementioned opening by printing or vapor deposition.

[0102] In the first layer 10, the control module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate such that it can contact the gaseous fluid contained in the housing of the case 19 of Table 1, which is air in this example. The control module 23 can be disposed on or within the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10. When disposed in the substrate, the control module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface, which thus opens to the surface. In an alternative embodiment, it can be arranged in a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.

[0103] It should also be noted that the lower surface of the first layer 10 may be self-adhesive, allowing it to be assembled with the second layer 11.

[0104] In this stack 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate containing the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or tough. The substrate of the second layer 11 can be a thin film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is disposed, or it can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0105] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module 5 preferentially extends over the entire so-called active area on the upper surface of the substrate. This active area is part of the upper surface of the substrate, which is capable of receiving light from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the dial 2a. All or part of the light passing through the first layer 10 comes from the external environment of the dial 2a and therefore from the external environment of Table 1, in which case, when the light is a natural source, it mainly comes from solar radiation.

[0106] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using inkjet or screen printing processes or thermal evaporation printing processes. Reference will also be made herein to a second layer 11, including the printing of the photovoltaic module 5, and particularly to the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0107] It should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material may be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the substrate. In these cases, the second layer 11 may be a self-adhesive layer, which helps to facilitate its assembly with other layers, particularly with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of the stack 9a.

[0108] In stack 9a, the third layer 12 also includes a preferably flexible or resilient substrate, comprising an energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous determining device 3. This substrate of the third layer 12 may be a thin film on which the accumulator 6 is disposed. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0109] The accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This battery 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes known in the prior art, for example:

[0110] - Printing processes on flexible polymer substrates, such as those involving lithium batteries; or

[0111] - 3D printing processes, such as those involving semiconductor batteries (e.g., lithium metal semiconductor batteries).

[0112] This article will also refer to the third layer 12, including the printed energy storage device 6, and in particular the energy storage device 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0113] This process makes it possible to obtain a third layer 12 including the accumulator 6, which is flexible and ultra-thin.

[0114] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material can be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the substrate. In these cases, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps to facilitate its assembly with other layers, particularly with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of the stack 9a.

[0115] It should be noted that the accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and release the electrical energy when needed to power the determination device 3, the reporting module 4 and the control module 23.

[0116] In this stack 9a, the fourth and final layer 13 forms the hidden surface of the dial 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed from a preferably flexible or resilient substrate, including a control unit 7. The substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB, on which the control unit 7 is disposed, particularly on the upper surface of the PCB and therefore the substrate. In this context, the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0117] In this fourth and final layer 13, the control module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate such that it can contact the gaseous fluid contained in the housing of the case 19 of Table 1, which in this example is air. The control module 23 may be disposed on or within the lower surface of the substrate forming the fourth layer 13. When disposed in the substrate, the control module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface, which thus opens to the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the control module may be disposed in a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.

[0118] In a second alternative embodiment, the stack 9b forming the dial 2b comprises three thin layers 10, 11, and 14 connected together. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first alternative embodiment in that it comprises three layers 10, 11, and 14, instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, and 13 as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the energy storage device 6 of the determining device 3 is now included, along with the control unit 7, in the third and final layer 14 of this stack 9b.

[0119] The third and final layer 14 of the stack 9b, which forms the hidden surface of the dial 2b, is preferably made of a flexible or resilient substrate on which the battery 6 and the electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate. The accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0120] In the third and final layer 14 of this second alternative embodiment, the control module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate such that it can contact the gaseous fluid contained in the housing of the case 19 of Table 1, which is air in this example. The control module 23 may be disposed on or within the lower surface of the substrate forming the final layer 14. When disposed in the substrate, the control module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface, which thus opens to the surface. In an alternative embodiment, it may be arranged in a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.

[0121] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, stack 9b includes:

[0122] - The first layer 10, which forms the visible surface 20a of the dial 2b, including at least one control module 23 and / or reporting module 4;

[0123] - The second layer 11 includes photovoltaic module 5; and

[0124] - The third layer 14 forms the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2b, which includes the control module 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0125] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first layer 10 and the second layer 11 are similar to those in the first alternative embodiment of stack 9a.

[0126] In addition, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 The electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connecting element 15a, which is connected to a connecting element 16, which is connected to:

[0127] - Reporting module 4, which manages the operation of module 4, particularly for broadcasting messages related to identified waterproofing defect events; and

[0128] - To control module 23 for determining waterproofing defect events.

[0129] The electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connecting element 15b connected to the first connecting element 17a of the accumulator 6.

[0130] Furthermore, it should be noted that the event sensor of the aforementioned determining device 3 is preferably disposed in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13, 14 of the layer stack 9a, 9b and connected to the control unit 7 of the device 3.

[0131] In a third alternative embodiment (not shown), the thin-layer stack forming the dial includes two interconnect layers. It should be noted that this third alternative embodiment differs from the second alternative embodiment in that it includes two layers, rather than the three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second alternative embodiment. In this third alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic module 5 of the autonomous determining device 3 is now included in the first layer, and particularly on the lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer. The photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer using inkjet or screen printing processes or using thermal evaporation printing processes. Therefore, it should be noted that the first layer is thus similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second alternative embodiments, except that in this third alternative embodiment, the first layer additionally includes the photovoltaic module.

[0132] In a third alternative embodiment, and similar to the second alternative embodiment, the energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous determining device 3 is included together with the control unit 7 in the second and final layer of this stack. This second layer, forming the hidden surface of the dial, consists of a preferably flexible or resilient substrate on which the battery 6 and the electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate. This accumulator 6 and control unit 7 can be constructed on the 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.

[0133] In summary, in this third alternative embodiment, the layer stack therefore includes:

[0134] - The first layer, which forms the visible surface 20a of the dial, including the control module 23 and / or the reporting module 4 and the photovoltaic module 5; and

[0135] - The second layer forms a hidden surface 20b of the dial including the control module 23 and / or accumulator 6 and control unit 7.

[0136] In the final layers 13, 14 of various alternative embodiments, the control module 23 is applied / secured by printing or vapor deposition to the lower or upper surface of the substrate of these layers, in the cavity of the previous volume opening, or on the inner wall.

[0137] Therefore, in the dials 2a and 2b, the determining device 3 includes a control module 23 that performs at least one measurement on the humidity present in the gaseous fluid contained in the case 19 of the watch 1. The control module 23 transmits the at least one measurement as data to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 processes this data based on an algorithm for determining events related to a water resistance defect in the watch. This processing allows for the identification of water resistance defect events through comparisons between the following:

[0138] - The average of the at least one humidity measurement or a sample of humidity measurements, compared with a humidity threshold; and / or

[0139] - The change in humidity measurements taken over a given time period, compared to the threshold change value.

[0140] In this context, once an event related to a waterproofing defect is identified, the control unit 7 generates visual, vibration, and / or sound messages via the control / drive reporting module 4.

[0141] It goes without saying that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art can consider various simple substitutions and modifications without departing from the scope of this utility model as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1), the dial including an autonomous device (3) for determining events related to a defect in the water resistance of the watch (1), the dial (2a, 2b) comprising a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material extending between the visible surface (20a) and the hidden surface (20b), each of the layers comprising one or more of functional elements included in the device (3): - Control module (23), which is used to check the water resistance of the table (1); - Reporting module (4), which is used to report waterproofing defect events; - Independent power supply unit (21); and - Control unit (7), which manages the operation of the reporting module (4) and the control module (23).

2. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein, The control module (23) includes at least one humidity sensor and / or at least one pressure sensor.

3. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The reporting module includes: - At least one element capable of generating optical signals; - At least one element capable of generating a vibration signal; and / or - At least one element capable of generating sound signals.

4. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The material thin-layer stack (9a, 9b) includes a first layer (10) of the visible surface (20a) on which the dial (2a, 2b) is provided, and the first layer (10) includes the control module (23) and the reporting module (4).

5. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control module (23) is disposed in a cavity formed in the hidden surface of the dial (2a, 2b).

6. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 4, wherein, The first layer (10) is configured such that light radiation, especially solar radiation, can pass through completely or partially.

7. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 4, wherein, The first layer (10) is wholly or partially transparent or semi-transparent.

8. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 4, wherein, The material thin-layer stack (9a, 9b) includes a second layer (11) which includes a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the independent power unit (21).

9. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 8, wherein, The second layer (11) includes the substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed.

10. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 8, wherein, The photovoltaic module (5) is disposed on the active region of the second layer (11), the region being configured to receive light radiation from the first layer (10) of the material thin-layer stack (9a, 9b).

11. The dial (2a) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The stack (9a) includes a third layer (12) which includes an energy storage device (6) constituting the independent power unit (21).

12. The dial (2a) according to claim 11, wherein, The third layer (12) includes a substrate on which the energy storage device (6) is printed.

13. The dial (2a) according to claim 11, wherein, The stack (9a) includes a fourth layer (13) that forms the hidden surface (20b) of the dial (2a) including the control unit (7).

14. The dial (2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stack (9b) includes a third layer (14), which includes the hidden surface (20b) of the dial (2a) including the control unit (7) and the energy accumulator (6) constituting the independent power unit (21).

15. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 4, wherein, The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other layers in the material thin-layer stack (9a, 9b), which are flexible.

16. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Gaseous fluid is air containing water vapor.

17. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The visible surface (20a) and the hidden surface (20b) are flat or dome-shaped.

18. A table (1) comprising a dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The table (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, It includes mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical watch movements.

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