ISOTHERMAL CLOCK DEVICE

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an isothermal watchmaking device for mechanical and / or functional components of a watch, particularly adapted to operate under extreme temperatures. Such a device may also be called a Dewar watchmaking device or simply a Dewar device. Technological background

[0002] An electronic watch typically comprises a strap and a watch case containing several electrical or electronic components. It is known in the prior art that some of these components cannot withstand extreme temperatures and cease to function correctly at such temperatures. Typically, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens using light-emitting diodes or quartz crystals tolerate temperatures not exceeding approximately 80°C (degrees Celsius) and not falling below 0°C. However, in specific environments such as space or lunar missions, temperatures can frequently reach values ​​in the range of approximately -150°C to +125°C. CN 106 325 041 A discloses a watch movement protected by a closed, hollow case in a vacuum environment.The inner surface of the case is coated with a layer of silver, the outer surface of the case is coated with a thermally conductive material resistant to high and low temperatures.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to be able to use a watch, especially an electronic watch, in environments where such extreme temperatures may prevail. Summary of the invention

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a Dewar device for mechanical and / or functional components of a watch, according to claim 1.

[0005] Thanks to the Dewar gauze formed by the watch case and the watch box, the mechanical and / or functional components of the watch are protected from potentially extreme temperatures ranging from -150 to +125 degrees Celsius that may exist outside the gauze. Furthermore, at least one connecting element securing the watch box to the case contributes to excellent thermal insulation of the case by preventing any heat loss, particularly through radiation. Thus, such a Dewar gauze allows the use of mechanical and / or functional components in contexts and environments where temperatures can be extreme, such as during space exploration missions like the exploration of Mars or the Moon.This also helps to rationalize costs and maintain reasonable complexity for the components used in watches intended for such missions.

[0006] In other embodiments: Each member includes a contact area adapted to cooperate with a first pointed end of each bar; each bar includes a second end adapted to be connected to the attachment area, in particular to a horn of this attachment area; each bar includes a first part comprising a first end of the bar and a second part comprising a second end of this bar, the first and second parts being connected to each other by an elastic member, in particular a spring; the first part is adapted to slide in a housing defined in the second part; the elastic member is included in the housing defined in the second part; the contact area is made of a material having a hardness of between 7 and 10 on the Mohs scale, preferably a hardness of 9 on this same scale; the contact area is made of a material having a Vickers hardness index of between 1200 and 3500 kgf.mm -2< ; said fixing device achieves reversible fixing of the watch case to a case base ; said enclosure is under vacuum or almost under vacuum ; the case includes a crystal whose surface area is substantially greater or strictly greater than a crystal of the watch case; . Brief description of the figures

[0007] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, which is indicative and in no way exhaustive, with reference to the attached figures, in which: there figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic representation of a Dewar gauging device for mechanical and / or functional components of a watch, according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 2is a schematic representation of a Dewar device casing through which a case of said watch, mounted reversibly within an enclosure of said casing, is made visible, according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figure 3 is a larger scale view of a connecting element of a reversible watch case fixing device within the enclosure of the Dewar device housing, according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] THE figures 1 and 2represent an isothermal watchmaking device 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 2 of a watch 3, also called a Dewar watchmaking device or, more simply, in the following description, a "Dewar device." Such a Dewar device 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 2 of a watch 3 is capable of providing good thermal insulation to the mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3, a case 6 of which is arranged within the case 4 of the device 1 in order to ensure such insulation for these components 2. In other words, this Dewar device 1 is formed, in particular, by the combination of its case 4 and the case 6 of the watch 3 in order to achieve suitable thermal insulation for these mechanical and / or functional components 2.In this configuration, the watch case 6 is arranged in a compartment 5 of the case 4, being kept away from or at a distance from all the elements 10a to 10c of the case 4 defining this said compartment 5, namely a glass 10a, an inner peripheral wall 12 of a case 10c and a bottom 10b of this case 4. It should be noted that this inner peripheral wall 12 is also that of the said compartment 5.

[0009] This separation, distance, or gap is configured (e) by means of a fastening device 7 for the watch case 6 within the case 4. In other words, such a fastening device 7 is capable of configuring a gap between said case 6 and all the elements 10a, 10b, 10c of the case 4 forming said enclosure 5 of this case 4. This fastening device 7, which we will describe below, helps to reduce or even eliminate any thermal conduction between the inner peripheral wall 12a of the case 10c and / or the case back 10b and / or the crystal 10a with the watch case 6, in particular with an external face of this case 6. This external face comprises an upper face including the crystal 11 of the watch case 6, a lower face including a case back of said case 6, and an external peripheral wall of a case of this case 6. It is understood that the lower and upper faces are opposite each other.

[0010] It should be noted that such a box 6 is included in a watch 3 which can be an electronic watch for example a quartz watch, or even a mechanical watch.

[0011] The mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3, mentioned previously, include, but are not limited to: a watch movement, a dial, hands, rings, seals and / or electronic and / or electrical components 2. It should be noted in particular that such electronic and / or electrical components include, for example, a display device, a processor, a memory, an energy storage component, a motor, an integrated circuit and an electronic oscillator, etc.

[0012] It is therefore clear that in this configuration, this Dewar 1 device exhibits the same properties and characteristics as a Dewar tube / vase well known in the prior art. As previously mentioned, the properties and characteristics of this Dewar 1 device contribute to its good thermal insulation against extreme temperatures that may prevail in the external environment where such a device 1 may be located.

[0013] In this context, this device 1 therefore includes the case 4, which has the case middle 10c on which a strap is mounted, allowing a user of this device 1 to wear it. This case 4 also includes the crystal 10a and the case back 10b mentioned earlier. In this device 1, it should be noted that the crystal 10a preferably has a surface area that is substantially larger or strictly larger than a crystal 11 of the watch case 6 3.

[0014] As we have seen, the crystal 10a, the case 10c and the back 10b of this device 1 together define the enclosure 5 of this case 4 which is capable of receiving the watch case 6 3. These three elements 10a to 10c of the case 4, namely the case 10c, the crystal 10a and the back 10b, can be separate elements that are joined together to construct this enclosure 5. Alternatively, the case 10c and the back 10b of the case 4 can together form a single piece, said single piece defining an opening opposite the back 10b which can be closed by the crystal 10a in a reversible and watertight manner. Alternatively, the case 10c and the crystal 10a of the watch case 4 3 can together form a single piece, said single piece defining an opening opposite the crystal 10a which can be closed by the bottom 10b, also reversibly and waterproofly.

[0015] The case 10c and the base 10b are preferably made, without limitation or exhaustiveness, of a metallic material, glass, or thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer resins reinforced with carbon or glass fibers, or even ceramic materials. It should be noted that when the case 10c and the base 10b are transparent or semi-transparent, for example, by being made of glass, the peripheral wall 12 of the case 10c and the inner face of the base 10b may be coated with a metallic or similar reflective coating, such as, for example, a layer of silver.

[0016] In addition, the device 1 may include an interferometric filter arranged on an overall external face of the case 4, namely on an external peripheral wall of the case 10c and / or the external faces of the crystal 10a and the case back 10b of this watch case 6 3. This interferometric filter may be a grid or a lattice forming a coating on this overall external face of the case 4. This grid or lattice has a mesh whose dimensions are such that they only allow certain predetermined wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to pass through, typically the wavelengths of the visible range.

[0017] Furthermore, in this device 1, when the watch case 6 is arranged within the enclosure 5 of the case 4, the space defined between this case 6 and the inner peripheral wall 12 of the case 10c, the case back 10b, and the crystal 10a is empty or nearly empty. In other words, the enclosure 5 is under vacuum or nearly under vacuum.

[0018] In order to secure the watch case 3 within this enclosure 5, the Dewar 1 device, and in particular the case 4, includes the fastening device 7, which provides a reversible fastening of the watch case 3 to the inner peripheral wall 12 of this case 4. This fastening device 7, also called the "reversible fastening device," includes at least two connecting members 9a visible on the figures 1 to 3 which are each connected to an attachment zone 13 of said box 6 from at least one telescopic bar 9b, 9c.

[0019] In the embodiment shown on the figures 1 to 3The fastening device 7 comprises two connecting members 9a and four telescopic bars 9b, 9c. In this configuration, these two connecting members 9a are each able to cooperate with two telescopic bars 9b, 9c to secure the watch case 6 3 within the housing 5 of the case 4, using attachment points 13 on this case 4. Each connecting member 9a is arranged on the inner peripheral wall 12 of the housing 5 of the case 4, positioned opposite the attachment point 13 with which it will cooperate for this fastening. This arrangement of each connecting member 9a on the inner peripheral wall 12 can be achieved by clipping, fitting, welding, bonding, or screwing.

[0020] When this attachment area 13 includes a pair of horns as illustrated on the figure 2The body of each component 9a is then arranged, in whole or in part, within the space defined between the two lugs 16, preferably equidistant from these lugs 16. More specifically, in the context of securing the watch case 6 3 within the case 4, each connecting component 9a comprises two contact areas 17 arranged opposite each other within this component 9a, each positioned on a lateral wall of this component 9a. The arrangement of each contact area 17 on a lateral wall is carried out so that it is positioned opposite or aligned with an opening in the lug 16. As will be seen later, this opening is intended to be connected to this contact area 17 by means of a telescopic bar 9b, 9c.In this fixing device 7, the contact area 17 is suitable for receiving a first end 18a of the bar 9b, 9c and the opening present in the horn 16 which is preferably blind, is configured to receive a second end 18b of this said bar 9b, 9c.

[0021] The contact areas 17 of each of these components are made of a material with the following properties: a hardness of between 7 and 10 on the Mohs scale, preferably a hardness of 9 on this same scale, or a Vickers hardness index of between 1200 and 3500 kgf.mm-2. In this context, such a material could include, but is not limited to, corundum, ruby, sapphire, or even ceramic. It should also be noted that this material may exhibit low thermal conductivity.

[0022] In this fastening device 7, each telescopic bar 9b, 9c comprises a body formed of first and second parts 14a, 14b which are connected to each other, notably by an elastic element 15, for example, a spring positioned in this second part 14b of the body of the bar 9b, 9c. The first part 14a of this bar 9b, 9c, which is able to slide within the second part 14b, includes the first end 18a of the bar 9b, 9c, which is capable of cooperating with the contact area 17 of each connecting element 9a. The second part 14b of this bar 9b, 9c therefore includes the second end 18b of the bar 9b, 9c, which is intended to be positioned in the opening of the corresponding horn 16.

[0023] With reference to the figure 3In each bar 9b, 9c, the first end 18a is pointed. In other words, this first end 18a terminates in a very acute angle, contributing to minimizing the contact interface between this first end 18a and the contact area 17. In this context, the surface area of ​​this first end can be between 10 and 10 x 10⁶ µm². Such a small contact interface greatly reduces, or even eliminates, the thermal conductivity of the fastening device 7 and thus improves the thermal insulation of the components 2 with respect to the external environment of the Dewar 1 device.

[0024] In this configuration, when the watch case 6 is placed in the housing 5, the first and second ends 18a, 18b of each bar 9b, 9c are respectively arranged in the contact area 17 of each connecting member 9a and in the corresponding opening of the lug 16. To achieve this arrangement of these ends 18a, 18b, the spring 15 contained in the second part 14b of the bar 9b, 9c is compressed by the sliding of the first part 14a of the body of the bar 9b, 9c into this second part 14b. Thus, each bar 9b, 9c is positioned between the contact area 17 of the member and the opening of the lug 16 with a spring that is thereby compressed.It should be noted that in this configuration, the spring 15 of each bar 9b, 9c participates in maintaining / fixing the box 6 in the enclosure 5 in particular by helping to absorb any possible displacement of the box 6 relative to the housing 4 which may result from an acceleration, a deceleration and / or a sudden (e) / violent (e) / abrupt change of direction suffered by the Dewar 1 device.

[0025] It should be noted that, in an alternative, the fastening device 7 may comprise more than two connecting members. For example, it may comprise two pairs of connecting members, each arranged wholly or partly between the lugs 16 of an attachment zone 13 of the box 6. In this configuration, only the lateral wall of the member of the pair that is positioned opposite the opening of a lug 16 of the attachment zone 13 includes a contact area 17 to contribute to the fastening of the box 6 within this enclosure 5.

[0026] In addition, such a fixing device 7 helps to position the watch case 6 3 in this case 4 so that the glass 11 of this watch case 6 3 is arranged opposite the glass 10a of the case 4 so that the information included on the dial and / or the display interface of this watch 3 can be perceived through the transparent glass 10a of the case 4 by the user wearing the Dewar device 1.

[0027] Thus, such a Dewar 1 device provides the mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3 with excellent thermal insulation from the external environment by preventing heat loss from the watch case 6 through radiation. Therefore, when the temperature outside the device 1 reaches extreme values, typically on the order of -125 to +125 °C, the temperature inside the enclosure 5 remains essentially equal to the temperature inside the watch case 3 when it is placed in the case 4, typically around 20 °C. It should be noted that regardless of the temperature conditions in the environment of the Dewar 1 device, the temperature inside the watch case 3 is a temperature that does not impede the proper functioning of the watch.This temperature is maintained for a period 5 to 18 times longer than the duration for which such a watch case would be able to maintain the operating temperature of its components 2 if located directly in such an environment with such extreme temperatures (i.e., if located outside the Dewar rig). It is therefore understandable that such a configuration protects the mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3, and helps ensure their optimal operation under extreme external temperature conditions.

Claims

1. A Dewar device (1) for mechanical and / or functional components (2) of a watch (3), said device (1) being provided with a bracelet and a casing (4) including an enclosure (5) in which a case (6) of said watch (3) is capable of being arranged and a reversible fastening device (7) fastening said case (6) of a watch (3) in said enclosure (5) of the casing (4) by keeping it away from the set of elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the casing (4) defining this enclosure (5), said fastening device (7) including at least two connecting members (9a) each connected to an attachment area (13) of said case (6) from at least one telescopic bar (9b, 9c),said set of elements of the casing (4) forming said enclosure (5) comprising a crystal (10a), an inner peripheral wall (12) of a middle (10c) and a back (10b) of this casing (4), device in which each connecting member (9a) is arranged on an inner peripheral wall (12) of the enclosure of the casing (4) opposite to the attachment area (13), a crystal (11) of the case (6) of a watch (3) being disposed opposite to a crystal (10a) of the casing (4) when the case (6) of a watch (3) is arranged in said enclosure (5), the Dewar device comprising a middle (10c) on which said bracelet is fastened.

2. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each member (9a) comprises a contact area (17) capable of cooperating with a first pointed end (18a) of each bar (9b, 9c).

3. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that each bar (9b, 9c) comprises a second end (18b) capable of being connected to the attachment area (13), in particular to a horn of this attachment area (13).

4. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each bar (9b, 9c) comprises a first portion (14a) comprising a first end (18a) of the bar (9b, 9c) and a second portion (14b) comprising a second end (18b) of this bar (9b, 9c), the first and second portions (14a, 14b) being connected to each other by a resilient member (15), in particular a spring.

5. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the first portion (14a) is capable of sliding in a housing defined in the second portion (14b).

6. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the resilient member (15) is comprised in the housing defined in the second portion (14b).

7. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the contact area (17) is made of a material having a hardness comprised between 7 and 10 on the Mohs scale, preferably a hardness of 9 on the same scale.

8. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the contact area (17) is made of a material having a Vickers hardness number comprised between 1200 and 3500 kgf.mm-2.

9. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said fastening device (7) carries out a reversible fastening of the case (6) of a watch (3) to a back of the casing (4).

10. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said enclosure (5) is under vacuum or almost under vacuum.

11. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the casing (4) comprises a crystal (10a) whose surface is substantially greater or strictly greater than a crystal (11) of the case (6) of a watch (3).