watch case

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of watch cases (1), it includes: intermediate piece (3);Sealing box (2), it is assembled in intermediate piece (3) using bayonet connector;And lock (16), it is assembled on bayonet connector to lock the relative rotation between sealing box (2) and intermediate piece (3), the sealing box (2) includes:- container (4), it is used to accommodate movement and detachable power source,- bottom cover (6) and watch mirror (8), they are closed container (4) respectively, wherein the bottom cover (6) is positioned to container (4) to prevent the relative rotation movement between bottom cover (6) and container (4) with antirotation,- waterproof washer (5) between container (4) and bottom cover (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a watch case suitable for electronic watches, and optionally smartwatches. More specifically, this utility model relates to a watch case comprising an intermediate component assembled using a bayonet connector and a waterproof sealed capsule. Background Technology

[0002] Portable electronic devices can be powered by one or more removable energy sources, such as batteries, accumulators, or cells.

[0003] For example, electronic or electromechanical watches are at least partially powered by a removable electrical energy source (e.g., a button cell) embedded in a compartment within the watch case, where electromechanical watches are involved. A removable cover is provided to enclose the cell inside the compartment, thereby ensuring that the compartment is at least waterproof.

[0004] To ensure easy cell replacement, the cover and case typically feature quick-release rotary coupling / disengagement devices that allow easy access to the cells and quick locking of the compartments once the cells have been replaced. Examples of these quick-release coupling / disengagement devices are quarter-turn assembly systems or bayonet assembly systems.

[0005] Additionally, the cover may have an indentation on its outer surface, which is configured to receive the end of a tool, allowing the cover to rotate. To make battery replacement even easier, the indentation often has a relatively simple, common shape (such as a groove), allowing the wearer to easily access various accessories to open the compartment without the need for special tools or to take the watch to a watchmaker for battery replacement.

[0006] However, these various promising and advantageous technological solutions for replacing battery cells also have drawbacks in some situations, especially if they are handled by children, particularly toddlers. In fact, these young children might manage to remove the cell cover and approach the cell compartment, leading to the risk of swallowing the cell and all the potentially serious consequences.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to secure the watch case to prevent unauthorized access to the battery compartment, especially by young children, while maintaining the benefit of quick and easy removal of the cover. Utility Model Content

[0008] This invention provides a case design that makes it possible to ensure access to the battery or battery cell.

[0009] According to this invention, the watch case is produced by assembling a waterproof sealing box and intermediate components using a bayonet connector. The waterproof sealing box includes a container that houses the movement and a removable electrical power source; a crystal and a case back, which respectively enclose the container. Inside the sealing box, the case back is mounted in a given position relative to the container. In other words, the case back is indexed to the container to prevent rotation. The entire assembly is secured by a bolt (French: verrou, English: bolt) that prevents the sealing box from rotating relative to the intermediate components.

[0010] More specifically, this utility model relates to a watch case comprising: a middle part; a sealing box assembled in the middle part using a bayonet connector; and a locking device fitted onto the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the sealing box and the middle part, the sealing box comprising: - A container used to hold the movement and removable electrical power source. - A bottom cover and a watch face, which respectively enclose the container, wherein the bottom cover is anti-rotation positioned to the container to prevent any relative rotational movement between the bottom cover and the container. - Waterproof gasket between the container and the bottom cover.

[0011] This arrangement allows electrical energy to be contained within a sealed enclosure using bolted devices that prevent access to the energy source without specialized tools. This makes it possible to assemble and disassemble the case while providing safe access to the battery or cells.

[0012] Furthermore, the sealed housing system allows the bottom cover to be anti-rotated and indexed into the container. This anti-rotation indexing provides a significant advantage for smartwatches. In effect, during assembly, the bottom cover containing the sensors remains in place relative to the container containing the movement. This means that relative movement between the bottom cover and the movement is impossible during assembly. Therefore, accidental disconnection between the sensors and the movement is prevented, as connections can be made using flexible components, springs, wires, etc. Similarly, installing the sensors inside the sealed housing before assembling the housing with the intermediate components allows for pre-testing.

[0013] Here is another advantage of this sealing box assembly. When using a sealing box, designs with different intermediate components can be created separately from the same sealing box. To reduce costs, plastic and metal can also be combined, for example, manufacturing a plastic sealing box and metal intermediate components. This utility model also relates to the following technical solutions: 1. A watch case (1) comprising: an intermediate part (3); a sealing box (2) assembled in the intermediate part (3) via a bayonet connector; and a locking device (16) fitted onto the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the sealing box (2) and the intermediate part (3), characterized in that the sealing box (2) comprises: - Container (4), which is used to hold the movement (28) and the removable electrical energy source (29). - A bottom cover (6) and a watch face (8), which respectively enclose the container (4), wherein the bottom cover (6) is anti-rotation positioned to the container (4) to prevent any relative rotational movement between the bottom cover (6) and the container (4). - Waterproof gasket (5) between the container (4) and the bottom cover (6). 2. The watch case (1) according to technical solution 1, wherein the container (4) includes a base (7) for receiving the movement (28) and the removable electrical power source (29), the base (7) being enclosed by a side wall (7a), the side wall including at least a first flange (10) radially disposed toward the outside of the container (4) at its end facing the bottom cover (6), the bottom cover (6) including at least one countersunk hole (11) for receiving the first flange (10) for anti-rotation positioning of the bottom cover (6) to the container (4). 3. The case (1) according to technical solution 2, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes at least a second flange (12) traversed by a groove (13) on its periphery (6a), and wherein the intermediate member (3) includes at least a third flange (14) protruding into the interior of the intermediate member (3), the groove (13) being open at one end such that the third flange (14) can engage when the sealing box (2) rotates and optionally being closed at the other end by a stop (12a) to prevent rotation, the engagement of the third flange (14) in the groove (13) forming a bayonet connection. 4. The watch case (1) according to technical solution 3, wherein the stop (12a) is formed of a material portion extending from the periphery (6a) of the bottom cover (6) toward the sealing box (2). 5. According to the watch case (1) of technical solution 3 or 4, wherein the second flange (12) gradually moves radially away from the periphery (6a) of the bottom cover (6) to the opening end of the groove (13) so as to form a passage ramp for the third flange (14). 6. The case (1) according to technical solution 3 or 4, wherein the locking device (16) is a flexible part attached to the intermediate part (3) and the sealing box (2), the opening (26) is made through the third flange (14) and the groove (13) communicates with the notch (15) made in the second flange (12), the notch (15) being positioned facing the opening (26) to jointly receive the locking device (16). 7. The watch case (1) according to technical solution 6, wherein the locking device (16) is a clamp. 8. The watch case (1) according to technical solution 7, wherein the clamp includes two hooks (16a, 16b) that are respectively hooked onto a latch (23) on the bottom cover (6), and a shoulder (24) on the intermediate piece (3). 9. The watch case (1) according to technical solution 6, wherein the recess (15) leads to the countersunk hole (11). 10. The case (1) according to technical solution 6, wherein a gap (27) is formed between the locking device (16) and the intermediate member (3) to allow the introduction of a first tool to retract the locking device (16). 11. The watch case (1) according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein the locking device (16) is positioned between the lugs (22) of the intermediate member (3). 12. The watch case (1) according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) and the container (4) are made of synthetic materials. 13. The case (1) according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate part (3) is made of a different material from the bottom cover (6) and the container (4). 14. The case (1) according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes a second groove (18) or opening (19) on its visible surface, the second groove or opening being used to position a second tool for installing and removing the bottom cover (6) relative to the intermediate piece (3). 15. The case (1) according to any one of technical solutions 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes one or more measuring sensors (30). Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 An exploded view of the three parts of the sealing box according to the present invention is shown, wherein the mechanism and the battery cell are positioned inside the sealing box.

[0015] Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the installed sealing box is shown.

[0016] Figure 3A three-dimensional view of the sealing box and the intermediate component is shown, with the sealing box mounting the bayonet onto the intermediate component.

[0017] In contrast to the previous attached figures, Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the sealing box with the bayonet mounted on the intermediate piece is shown, with the watch face in the raised position.

[0018] Figure 5 A variant of the locking device according to the present invention is shown, which is used to rotatably lock the sealing box relative to the intermediate piece.

[0019] Figure 6a and Figure 6b These are partial vertical cross-sectional views of the sealing box and intermediate components at the locking device and at the bayonet connector, respectively.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a partial view of the sealing box and middleware assembly, showing only the middleware and the locking device. Detailed Implementation

[0021] This utility model relates to a watch case 1, more specifically suitable for electronic watches or even smartwatches. The watch case comprises two parts formed by a waterproof sealed box 2 and an intermediate component 3. Figure 3 According to this invention, the sealing box and the intermediate component are assembled using a bayonet connector. For example, the sealing box, excluding the watch crystal and gasket, can be made of synthetic materials (such as plastic) or metal, and the intermediate component can be made of the same or different materials.

[0022] Sealed box 2 (which is in) Figure 1 (As can be seen in the image) includes a container 4, a gasket 5 (such as an O-ring) to ensure the water resistance of the sealed box, and a bottom cover 6, wherein these three parts are assembled along axis Z. The container 4 includes a base 7, for example, in a cylindrical shape, which is designed to house the movement 28 and a removable electrical power source 29 (such as a battery cell). The base 7 is closed at the front by a watch crystal 8, which can be fixed, for example, by thermal welding or ultrasonic welding, and at the rear by the bottom cover 6. The container 4, together with the gasket (not shown) for ensuring water resistance, is made as a single piece, wherein an opening 20 is used for the control button 21 (…). Figure 4 The bottom cover 6 has grooves 18 or circular openings 19 on its surface designed to provide accessibility after assembly, to accommodate tools for mounting and removing the sealing box from the intermediate component. The bottom cover 6 may also include sensors 30 for the smartwatch. The bottom cover 6 may also include a movement support 31.

[0023] The base 7 of container 4 is enclosed by a side wall 7a. The inner contour of this wall is recessed at its lower end to form the edge 9 of the support gasket 5 and the bottom cover 6. The “lower position” refers to the position facing the bottom cover (i.e., facing the rear), which is the opposite of the upper position, which faces the watch face (i.e., facing the front).

[0024] The lateral wall 7a includes at least one protrusion 10 (also referred to as a flange) at its lower end, the at least one protrusion being radially disposed toward the outside of the container 4. In the example shown, there are two diametrically opposed flanges. The purpose of these flanges is to anti-rotate and position the bottom cover 6 onto the container 4. For this purpose, the bottom cover 6 includes countersunk holes 11, the dimensions of which are similar to those of the flanges 10, which are fitted into these countersunk holes. These countersunk holes 11 are formed in flanges 12 on the bottom cover 6, which extend in an arc around the periphery 6a of the bottom cover 6. Each of these flanges 12 is used for a traverse of a groove 13 for a bayonet connection. The groove 13 opens at one end of the arc to allow engagement of a flange 14 protruding into the interior of the intermediate piece 3. Figure 3 Optionally, it is closed at the other end by a stop 12a, which is formed of a portion of material extending from the periphery 6a along axis Z. From the stop 12a toward the open end of the flange 12, the flange preferably moves gradually away from the periphery 6a of the bottom cover to form an access ramp for the flange 14.

[0025] Middleware 3 (which is in) Figure 3 (As can be seen in the image) includes a through base 3a for accommodating the sealing box 2. On its inner contour, an edge 17 is recessed, on which the upper end of the flange 10 is supported. Between this edge 17 and the lower end 3b of the intermediate piece 3 is a flange 14 of a bayonet connector, of which, in the example shown, there are two diametrically opposed flanges. One end of the flange 14 is designed to fit onto the ramp of the flange 12 on the bottom cover until it abuts against the stop 12a in a stopped position when a stop is present. Figure 6b A cross-sectional view of the bayonet connection is shown, in which the flange 14 on the intermediate piece 3 engages in the groove 13 in the bottom cover 6.

[0026] The bayonet connector is bolted together with a locking device 16, which is an accessory or optionally fixed to the bottom cover. In the example shown, this is the part attached to the intermediate piece 3 and the sealing box 2. For this purpose, a recess 13 in the bottom cover 6 communicates with a notch 15 in the flange 12. For example, the notch 15 also leads to a countersunk hole 11. The notch 15 is designed to face an opening 26 made in the wall of the intermediate piece 3 to jointly receive the locking device 16, which prevents the sealing box 2 from rotating relative to the intermediate piece 3 after assembly. Figure 4The opening 26 extends through the wall of the intermediate member at the flange 14, optionally at the middle of the flange 14. Preferably, the locking device 16 is positioned between the lugs 22 of the intermediate member 3 so as to be concealed once the wristband is attached.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, the locking device 16 for rotatably locking the sealing box relative to the intermediate member can be a clamp embedded in a notch 15 on the bottom cover 6 and an opening 26 in the intermediate member 3. The clamp 16 includes two hooks 16a, 16b that hook onto a latch 23 on the bottom cover 6, and a shoulder 24 on the intermediate member 3, which is supported on the periphery 6a of the bottom cover and on a surface 25 of the intermediate member facing the shoulder 24. Figure 6a The clamp can be made of synthetic or metallic materials, and for example, of the same material as the intermediate piece. To retract the locking device, a tool (not shown) is positioned from the outside of the intermediate piece in the gap 27 formed between the outer walls of the locking device 16 and the intermediate piece 3. Figure 4 ).

[0028] Assemble the case as follows. Place the gasket 5 on the edge 9 of the container 4 and place the bottom cover 6 on the container 4 along axis Z, wherein the positioning of the flange 10 of the container 4 in the recess 11 on the bottom cover 6 ensures anti-rotation positioning. Then, place the installed sealing box 2 in the recess 3a of the intermediate piece 3, wherein in the area without the flange 14, the flange 12 is positioned on the edge 17 of the intermediate piece 3. Then, by using a tool in the groove 18 or the orifice 19 to rotate the sealing box 2 relative to the intermediate piece 3, one end of the flange 14 engages the opening end of the groove 13. Then, insert the locking device 16 into the recess 15 and the opening 26, thereby preventing any rotation of the sealing box 2 relative to the intermediate piece 3. To disassemble the assembly, position the tool from the outside of the intermediate piece in the gap 27 formed between the locking device 16 and the outer wall of the intermediate piece 3. Figure 4 ).

Claims

1. A watch case (1), comprising: Intermediate component (3); sealing box (2), which is assembled in the intermediate component (3) using a bayonet connector; And a locking device (16), which is fitted onto the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the sealing box (2) and the intermediate piece (3), characterized in that the sealing box (2) comprises: - Container (4), which is used to hold the movement (28) and the removable electrical energy source (29). - A bottom cover (6) and a watch face (8), which respectively enclose the container (4), wherein the bottom cover (6) is anti-rotation positioned to the container (4) to prevent any relative rotational movement between the bottom cover (6) and the container (4). - Waterproof gasket (5) between the container (4) and the bottom cover (6).

2. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container (4) includes a base (7) for receiving the movement (28) and the removable electrical power source (29), the base (7) being enclosed by a lateral wall (7a) having at least one first flange (10) radially disposed toward the outside of the container (4) at its end facing the bottom cover (6), the bottom cover (6) including at least one countersunk hole (11) for receiving the first flange (10) for anti-rotation positioning of the bottom cover (6) to the container (4).

3. The case (1) according to claim 2, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes at least a second flange (12) traversed by a groove (13) on its periphery (6a), and wherein the intermediate member (3) includes at least a third flange (14) protruding into the interior of the intermediate member (3), the groove (13) being open at one end such that the third flange (14) can engage when the sealing box (2) rotates and optionally being closed at the other end by a stop (12a) to prevent rotation, the engagement of the third flange (14) in the groove (13) forming a bayonet connection.

4. The case (1) according to claim 3, wherein the stop (12a) is formed of a portion of material extending from the periphery (6a) of the bottom cover (6) toward the sealing box (2).

5. The case (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second flange (12) moves radially away from the periphery (6a) of the bottom cover (6) to the opening end of the groove (13) to form a passage ramp for the third flange (14).

6. The case (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the locking device (16) is a flexible portion attached to the intermediate part (3) and the sealing box (2), the opening (26) is made through the third flange (14) and the groove (13) communicates with the notch (15) made in the second flange (12), the notch (15) being positioned facing the opening (26) to jointly receive the locking device (16).

7. The case (1) according to claim 6, wherein the locking device (16) is a clamp.

8. The case (1) according to claim 7, wherein the clamp includes two hooks (16a, 16b) respectively hooked onto a latch (23) on the bottom cover (6), and a shoulder (24) on the intermediate piece (3).

9. The case (1) according to claim 6, wherein the notch (15) leads to the countersunk hole (11).

10. The case (1) according to claim 6, wherein a gap (27) is formed between the locking device (16) and the intermediate member (3) to allow the introduction of a first tool to retract the locking device (16).

11. The watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking device (16) is positioned between the lugs (22) of the intermediate member (3).

12. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) and the container (4) are made of synthetic material.

13. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate part (3) is made of a different material from the bottom cover (6) and the container (4).

14. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes a second groove (18) or aperture (19) on its visible surface, the second groove or aperture being used to position a second tool for mounting and removing the bottom cover (6) relative to the intermediate piece (3).

15. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom cover (6) includes one or more measuring sensors (30).

Images