DEWAR VESSEL FOR WATCHES, COMPLIMENTING WITH A SWIVEL OUTER RING

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a Dewar device for mechanical and / or functional components of a watch, the device comprising a device for actuation of at least one push button of a watch contained within an enclosure of the device from in particular a pivoting bezel of said case. Technological background

[0002] A watch, and particularly an electronic watch, typically consists of 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 ​​ranging from approximately -150°C to +125°C.

[0003] We also know in the prior art documents CH716913A2 and W2018 / 215491A1 which relate to Dewar devices for watch components, the device comprising a strap, a case having an enclosure in which these components are likely to be placed and at least one fixing device fixing said components in said enclosure of the case keeping them away from a set of elements forming said enclosure.

[0004] 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

[0005] The invention relates to a Dewar device for a watch, said device being provided with a strap and a case comprising an enclosure in which a case of said watch can be disposed so that a glass of said case is arranged opposite a glass of a set of elements of the case defining this enclosure and at least one fixing device fixing said watch case in said enclosure of the case keeping it away from the set of elements of the case defining this enclosure, said Dewar device comprising a device for actuating at least one push button of said watch by rotation of a pivoting bezel of said case.

[0006] In other embodiments: said actuation device, said at least one push button, includes said rotating bezel, which is configured to participate in the actuation of said at least one push button when it undergoes a rotational movement about its central axis; said rotating bezel is rotationally movable relative to the case; the actuation device includes the rotating bezel, the case, and at least one deformable lever element; said at least one lever element includes a first end fixed to a case and a second end fixed to the bezel; said at least one lever element includes first and second parts of different sizes connected movably to each other by a fastening element; said at least one lever element includes connecting elements capable of providing movable attachment of this lever element to the case and the bezel;said first and second parts are connected to each other at connecting ends forming an actuation zone for said at least one lever element; said at least one lever element includes an actuation zone capable of activating the watch's push button by coming into contact with at least one activation zone of the case; the activation zone includes a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the case capable of coming into contact with the watch's push button when it is actuated by said at least one lever element; said at least one lever element includes an actuation zone capable of activating the watch's push button by coming into direct contact with said button; 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 following attached figures: there figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic representation of a Dewar gyroscope for mechanical and / or functional components of a watch equipped with a device for actuation of at least one push button of a watch, according to an embodiment of the invention, and the figures 2 to 4 are functional schematic representations describing the different operating modes relating to the implementation of the actuation device, according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] There figure 1This shows a schematic representation of an isothermal watchmaking device 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 2 of a watch 3, also called a "Dewar watchmaking device" or "protection device," or more simply, in the following description, a "Dewar device." Such a Dewar device 1 is capable of providing, in particular, good thermal insulation to mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3, the case 6 of which is arranged within the casing 4 of this device 1.

[0009] This Dewar 1 device is formed in particular by the combination of its case 4 and the watch case 6 3 in order to achieve suitable thermal insulation for these mechanical and / or functional components 2. In this configuration, the watch case 6 3 is arranged in an enclosure 5 of the case 4, being kept away from all the elements 10a to 10c of the case 4 defining this said enclosure 5, namely the crystal 10a, an inner peripheral wall 12 of a case 10c and a base 10b of this case 4. It should be noted that this inner peripheral wall 12 is also that of the said enclosure 5.

[0010] In this context, this device 1 therefore includes the case 4, which comprises the case body 10c, preferably equipped with two pairs of lugs 14 on which a strap is mounted, allowing a user of this device 1 to wear it, for example, on the wrist. This case 4 also includes a crystal 10a and case back 10b visible on the figure 1. In this device 1, it will be noted that the glass 10a preferably comprises a surface which is substantially greater or strictly greater than a glass 11 of the watch case 6 3.

[0011] This case 4 also includes a rotating bezel 13 which is mounted to rotate relative to the case middle 10c. Such a bezel 13 has an essentially circular shape. It comprises a body having inner and outer peripheral walls as well as inner and outer faces, the outer face possibly being graduated.

[0012] This Dewar 1 device also includes an actuation device 19, activated by rotation of the bezel 13, of at least one push-button on the case 6 of the watch 3 arranged within the housing 5 of its case 4. This actuation device 19 therefore includes the rotating bezel 13, the case middle 10c of the case 4, and at least one deformable lever element 15a, 15b. On the figures 2 to 3, this device 19 includes two lever elements 15a, 15b capable of each actuating a push button on the case 6 of the watch 3.

[0013] Each deformable lever element 15a, 15b is capable of transitioning from an "inactivation" state, in which the first and second parts 16a, 16b together form an obtuse angle, to an "activation" state, in which these first and second parts 16a, 16b form an angle less than or equal to a right angle. In this activation state, this lever element 15a, 15b has a folded shape substantially similar to that of the letter "L," which is generated by the rotational movement 20 of the bezel 13 during its manipulation by the user / wearer of the Dewar device 1, with the aim of activating the push button of the watch 3.

[0014] Such a deformable lever element 15a, 15b comprises a first end 21a movably fixed to a body of the case 10c of the housing 4 by means of one of the fastening elements 17c that compose it. More precisely, this first end 21a is movably fixed to this body of the case 10c about a first axis common to the central axis of the fastening element 17c. This lever element 15a, 15b also comprises a second end 21b fixed to the body of the bezel 13 by means of another fastening element 17c of this actuation device 19. Here too, this second end 21b is movably fixed to this body of the case 10c about a second axis common to the central axis of the corresponding fastening element 17c. It should be noted that these first and second axes are substantially parallel or strictly parallel to each other and to a central axis O of the case 4 and therefore of the case 10c and of the bezel 13.

[0015] Each lever element 15a, 15b therefore also includes the previously mentioned fastening elements 17a, 17b, 17c, as well as first and second parts 16a, 16b, which are preferably rigid and / or of different sizes. These first and second parts 16a, 16b are connected to each other at connecting ends from the referenced connecting element 17b. In this configuration, the first part 16a, which is smaller than the second part 16b, includes the first end 21a of the lever element 15a, 15b, which is connected to the frame 10c, and its connecting end, which is connected to that of the second part 16b. As regards the second part 16b it includes the second end 21b of the lever element 15a, 15b which is connected to the telescope 13 and its connecting end which is connected to that of the first part 16a.

[0016] The connecting ends together form an actuation zone 18 of the lever element 15a, 15b. The first and second parts 16a, 16b of the lever element 15a, 15b are connected to each other so as to be movable relative to each other around a third axis common to the central axis of the corresponding fixing element 17b that connects them. It should be noted that this third axis is substantially parallel or strictly parallel to the first and second axes mentioned previously.

[0017] As we mentioned earlier, the actuation zone 18 formed by these two connecting ends is capable of participating in the activation of the watch's push button when the rotating bezel 13 is driven by the wearer of the Dewar device in a rotational movement 20.

[0018] This activation of the push button is preferably indirect. Indeed, the actuation zone 18 is capable of activating the push button of the watch 3 by making indirect contact with it via an activation zone in the case 10c. This activation zone may include a sliding element, in particular a push button arranged in the case 10c, which is capable of making direct contact with the push button of the watch 3 when it is activated by this activation zone. Alternatively, this activation zone may be a portion of the peripheral wall of the case 10c that is capable of deforming in order to make contact with the push button of the watch 3. In this configuration, this activation zone forms part of the actuation device 19.

[0019] In other embodiments of the invention, this activation can be direct when this actuation zone 18 comes into direct contact with this push button.

[0020] Furthermore, the Dewar device 1 may include a housing defined in both the bezel 13 and the case 10c, in which the lever element 15a, 15b may be arranged. In this context, the actuation zone 18 of this lever element 15a, 15b is then capable of moving within this housing towards the watch's push button or, conversely, away from it, depending on the rotational movement of the pivoting bezel 13.

[0021] With reference to figures 2 to 4The Dewar 1 device comprises two lever elements 15a, 15b intended to activate two separate pushbuttons on the case 6 of the watch 3. These two lever elements 15a, 15b are arranged near or in the vicinity of the corresponding pushbuttons on the case 6 with which they are intended to cooperate indirectly or directly. On these figures 2 to 4 , the first and second push buttons are arranged on a case of the watch case 6 respectively in the "2 o'clock" and "4 o'clock" zones.

[0022] On the figure 2The rotating bezel 13 of the Dewar 1 device is rotated 20 in a counter-clockwise direction, i.e., from right to left. This movement of the bezel 13 allows the first lever element 15a to be configured in the activated state, in which its actuating zone 18 triggers the first push button of the watch case 3. It should be noted that, in this configuration of the first lever element 15a in this activated state, the first and second parts 16a, 16b of the second lever element 15b articulate with each other such that the three fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c are substantially aligned or perfectly aligned. This alignment of the fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c of this second lever element 15b contributes to the latter having a generally rectilinear shape.

[0023] On the figure 3The rotating bezel 13 of the Dewar 1 device is rotated in a direction similar to that of a clock's hands, i.e., from left to right. This rotation of the bezel 13 allows the second lever element 15b to be configured in the activated state, in which its actuating zone 18 triggers the second push button of the watch case 3. It should be noted that, in this configuration of the second lever element 15b in this activated state, the first and second parts 16a, 16b of the first lever element 15a articulate with each other such that its three fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c are substantially aligned or perfectly aligned. This alignment of the fixing elements 17a, 17b, 17c of this first lever element 15a contributes to the latter having a generally rectilinear shape.

[0024] Furthermore, as we mentioned earlier, the first and second lever elements 15a, 15b illustrated on the figure 4 are both in the inactivated state in which the first and second pieces 16a, 16b of each of them together form an obtuse angle.

[0025] It is understood that such an actuation device 19 improves the use of the Dewar 1 device, particularly when the user of this device 1 lacks dexterity in the part of their body used to manipulate it. This lack of dexterity may result from a disability or from the fact that the user is wearing thick gloves, which prevents them from being precise with their fingers when manipulating the Dewar 1 device. In this context, it should be noted that such a Dewar 1 device is particularly well-suited for use by astronauts wearing spacesuits or, more generally, by users / adventurers in spacesuits operating in environments with extreme conditions in terms of, for example, pressure, temperature, humidity, etc.

[0026] As we saw previously, the watch case 6 of the case 3 is arranged within the enclosure 5 of the case 4, being kept separate from all the elements 10a to 10c of this case 4. This separation is configured (e) by means of at least one fastening device 7 of the watch case 6 of the watch 3 within the case 4. In other words, the fastening device 7 is configured to create or maintain a separation 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 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 and the watch case 6 of the watch 3, in particular with an overall external face of this case 6.This overall external face comprises an upper face including the crystal 11 of the case 6 of this watch 3, a lower face including a back of said case 6, and an external peripheral wall of a case section of this case 6. It is understood that the lower and upper faces are opposite each other. It should be noted that the fastening device 7 is arranged on an internal peripheral wall 12 of the housing of the case 4. In this configuration, the fastening device 7 mechanically connects, notably reversibly, the case 6 of the watch 3 to the internal peripheral wall 12 of the housing of the case 4. Furthermore, the Dewar 1 device may include two fastening devices 7 arranged within the housing 5, opposite each other.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3, mentioned previously, include, but are not limited to: mechanical elements of the movement such as a balance wheel and hairspring, wheels, a striking mechanism, 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 2 include, for example, a display device, a processor, a memory, an energy storage component, a motor, an integrated circuit and an electronic oscillator, etc.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 which 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.

[0031] The case 10c or the base 10b can also be, like the glass 10a, a transparent covering element of the case 4 of the Dewar device 1. In such a configuration, the inner peripheral wall 12 of the case 10c and the inner face of the base 10b can be coated with a metallic or similar reflective coating, such as, for example, a layer of silver.

[0032] It should be noted, however, that the case 10c or the base 10b are preferably made in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner from a metallic material or from thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer resins reinforced with carbon or glass fibers or from ceramic materials.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Furthermore, when device 1 is intended for use in an environment containing air, the enclosure 5 of the case 4, which includes the watch case 6, is under vacuum or nearly under vacuum. In other words, within this enclosure, 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. It should be noted that when this device 1 is used in an environment devoid of air or substantially devoid of it, its enclosure is also under vacuum or nearly under vacuum.

[0035] Such a Dewar 1 device, whose use or manipulation is facilitated by the actuation device, helps to provide the mechanical and / or functional components 2 of the watch 3 with very good thermal insulation from the external environment by reducing or even preventing heat loss by radiation from the components arranged in the watch case 6 over a long period. Thus, 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 present in the watch case 3 when it was arranged in the case 4, typically on the order of 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 does not impede the proper functioning of the watch. This temperature is maintained for a period 5 to 18 times longer than the period during 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 1 device housing). 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 a watch (3), said device (1) comprising: - a bracelet; - a casing (4) including an enclosure (5) wherein a case (6) of said watch (3) can be disposed so that a crystal of said case (6) is arranged opposite a crystal (10a) of said casing (4); - at least one fastening device (7) fastening said watch (3) case (6) in said enclosure (5) of the casing (4) by keeping it remote from all the elements (10a, 10b, 10c) of the casing (4) defining this enclosure (5), and - a device (19) for actuating at least one push button of said watch by rotating (20) a pivoting bezel (13) of said casing (4).

2. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said device (19) for actuating said at least one push button comprises said pivoting bezel (13) which is configured to participate in the actuation of said at least one push button when it performs a rotational movement (20) around its central axis (O).

3. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said pivoting bezel (13) is movable in rotation relative to a middle (10c) of the casing (4).

4. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the actuating device (19) comprises the pivoting bezel (13), the middle (10c) of the casing (4) and at least one deformable lever element (15a, 15b).

5. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises a first end (21a) fastened to said middle (10c) of the casing (4) and a second end (21b) fastened to the bezel (13).

6. The Dewar device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises first and second parts (16a, 16b) of different sizes movably connected together by a fastening element (17b).

7. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises connecting elements (17a, 17c) capable of ensuring a movable fastening of this lever element (15a, 15b) to the middle (10c) and to the bezel of the casing (4).

8. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim and claim 6, characterised in that said first and second parts (16a, 16b) are interconnected at connecting ends forming an actuation area (18) of said at least one lever element (15a, 15b).

9. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims when they depend on claim 4, characterised in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises an actuation area (18) capable of activating the push button of the watch (3) by contacting at least one activation area of the middle.

10. The Dewar device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the activation area comprises a sliding member, in particular a push button, arranged in the middle (10c) capable of contacting the push button of the watch when it is acted upon by said at least one lever element (15a, 15b).

11. The Dewar device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that said at least one lever element (15a, 15b) comprises an actuation area (18) capable of activating the push button of the watch (3) by directly contacting said button.