PORTABLE MODULAR UNIT FOR EXAMINATION OF A WATCH FOR THE PRESENCE OF A LUBRICANT OR EPILAM

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to the inspection, revision and maintenance of watch parts.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a portable modular assembly making it possible to combine and modulate different commonly used watchmaking equipment for inspecting a timepiece, and more particularly for checking the presence of a lubricating agent or an epilame having fluorescent markers in a timepiece under excitation of a luminous flux of white light. Technological background

[0003] There are lubricating agents, such as oils, greases, or even epilames that incorporate fluorescent markers into their composition, facilitating their visibility when these lubricating agents or epilames are subjected to a particular light excitation.

[0004] The use of these lubricating agents, or epilames, containing such fluorescent markers, is particularly appreciated for the inspection and maintenance of a watch movement with a large number of parts and lubrication points.

[0005] These fluorescent markers emit green light under the excitation of a light flux having a wavelength range of approximately 350 nm to 480 nm.

[0006] Thus, it is possible to excite these fluorescent markers by means of an ultraviolet (UV) radiation light source (wavelength less than 400nm) which is notoriously harmful to the eyes, or by means of a blue light source (wavelength of the order of 470nm) by using several optical filters to obtain the wavelength, or range of wavelengths, desired for the excitation of the fluorescent markers. WO 2006 / 077304 A1 shows a portable detection apparatus for detecting fluorescently labeled elements in the field.

[0007] However, none of these solutions is entirely satisfactory, because it requires either special visual protection or a special blue light source to excite the fluorescent markers.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to facilitate the inspection in watch parts of these lubricating agents or epilames having fluorescent markers. Summary of the invention

[0009] In this context, the invention proposes a portable modular assembly for inspecting a watch part for the presence of a lubricating agent or an epilame having fluorescent markers, of simple design, easy to implement and making it possible to simplify this inspection operation occurring during the various maintenance and revisions of watch parts.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a portable modular assembly for inspecting in a timepiece the presence of a lubricating agent, or an epilame, having fluorescent markers, from a white light excitation light flux, said portable modular assembly being characterized in that it comprises an optical housing, forming a first module, a portable white light source emitting an excitation light flux, forming a second module, a portable magnifying device, forming a third module; said optical housing carrying: an excitation filter configured to select from the excitation light flux of said portable white light source, the appropriate wavelength range for the excitation of the fluorescent markers of the lubricating agent or epilame to be inspected, and to transmit a filtered excitation light flux; a dichroic filter configured to reflect said filtered excitation light flux and to orient said filtered excitation light flux towards an inspection orifice capable of being positioned opposite said timepiece, said dichroic filter also being configured to allow a reflection light flux emitted by said timepiece to pass under excitation of said filtered excitation light flux;an emission filter configured to filter the reflection light flux and transmit a fluorescence light flux corresponding to the fluorescence of the fluorescent markers of said lubricating agent or of the epilame to be inspected; ; said optical housing comprising: a first mounting interface for removably mounting said portable white light source on the optical housing, said first mounting interface being a female type interface having a first cavity of circular cylindrical shape, so as to correspond to the circular shape of the portable white light source formed by a flashlight or a penlight, the first mounting interface being configured so that said excitation light flux emitted by said portable white light source is directed towards said excitation filter; a second mounting interface for removably mounting said portable magnifying device on the optical housing, said second mounting interface being configured so that said magnifying device is located opposite the inspection port.

[0011] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the portable modular assembly of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations: the first mounting interface and / or the second mounting interface are configured to provide mechanical and / or magnetic coupling; thus the mounting is simple to achieve; said first mounting interface is configured so that the excitation light flux emitted by said portable white light source is oriented perpendicular to the excitation filter; said portable white light source is a flashlight or a penlight; thus, it is not necessary to obtain a specific and expensive light source, a simple flashlight or a penlight can excite the fluorescent markers of a fluorescent lubricating agent; said portable magnifying device is a watchmaker's loupe; said dichroic filter has an inclination of 45° relative to the filtered excitation light flux; said optical housing is made of polymer material or composite material;thus, manufacturing costs are minimized; said optical housing is made of polymer material by 3D printing; thus, the manufacturing of such an optical housing and portable modular assembly is facilitated, economical and accessible to the greatest number; it is in fact sufficient to then integrate optical filters available on the market; the first mounting interface and / or the second mounting interface comprise locking means for reversibly locking the coupling of said portable white light source and / or said magnifying device on said optical housing; thus the mounting of the different modules is secure, which makes it possible to avoid unwanted uncoupling when using such a portable modular assembly; the second mounting interface comprises notches to facilitate the positioning and / or disassembly of the emission filter. Brief description of the figures

[0012] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below with reference to the following figures: there figure 1 schematically represents a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable modular assembly according to the invention; the figure 2 schematically represents an exploded view of the portable modular assembly illustrated in figure 1 ; there figure 3 schematically represents a sagittal sectional view of the portable modular assembly illustrated in figure 1 .

[0013] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] There figure 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of a portable modular assembly 1000 according to the invention, the different modules of the assembly being assembled together in this figure.

[0015] There figure 2 represents an exploded view of the portable modular assembly 1000 according to the invention.

[0016] There figure 3 is a sagittal sectional view of the portable modular assembly 1000 shown in figure 1 .

[0017] In reference to the figures 1 to 3 , the portable modular assembly 1000 according to the invention makes it possible to inspect a timepiece 10 (shown diagrammatically in the figure 3 ), such as a watch movement.

[0018] The portable modular assembly 1000 according to the invention makes it possible more particularly to inspect the presence or absence, in sufficient quantity or not, of a lubricating agent or an epilame having fluorescent markers reacting to light excitation, by means of a white light source.

[0019] In the present application, the term "lubricating agent" means a grease, an oil or any other lubricating substance conventionally used in the field of watchmaking.

[0020] The 1000 Portable Modular Assembly is an assembly of three separate modules.

[0021] A first module of the portable modular assembly 1000 is formed by an optical housing 100 comprising the various optical elements necessary for the excitation of the fluorescent markers and for the transmission of a fluorescence light flux resulting from this excitation.

[0022] A second module of the portable modular assembly 1000 is formed by a portable white light source 200, of common use, such as for example a flashlight or a penlight. The portable white light source 200 obviously emits a luminous flux of white light at the user's request. This flux is called and referenced hereinafter as the excitation luminous flux 201.

[0023] A third module of the portable modular assembly 1000 is formed by a portable magnifying device 300 commonly used in the field of watchmaking, such as for example a watchmaker's loupe.

[0024] The combination of these three modules, and their interfacing in a removable and reversible manner, makes it possible to easily and economically construct a portable modular assembly 1000 for the inspection of a lubricating agent or an epilame having fluorescent markers by means of a white light source. The portable modular assembly 1000 according to the invention makes it possible to address the various drawbacks linked to the use of light sources harmful to the eyes by using a portable white light source 200 in common use, easily available in a watchmaking workshop for example.

[0025] The optical housing 100 comprises a first mounting interface 110 allowing the coupling, in a removable and reversible manner, of the portable white light source 200.

[0026] The first mounting interface 110 is a female type interface comprising a first cavity 111, for example of cylindrical shape, and more particularly of circular cylindrical shape so as to correspond to the circular shape of the portable white light source 200 formed by a flashlight or a penlight. The flashlight constitutes the male part of the assembly. The portable white light source 200 is thus mounted on the housing 100 by introducing an end portion of the portable white light source 200 into the first cavity 111.

[0027] The first cavity 111 of the first mounting interface 110 communicates with an internal chamber 150 provided inside the optical housing 100.

[0028] The optical housing 100 comprises a second mounting interface 120 allowing the coupling, in a removable and reversible manner, of the magnifying device 300, of the watchmaker's loupe type.

[0029] The second mounting interface 120 is also a female type interface comprising a second cavity 121, for example of cylindrical shape, and more particularly of circular cylindrical shape, so as to correspond to the circular shape of the magnifying device 300 of the watchmaker's loupe type. The magnifying device 300 constitutes the male part of the assembly. The magnifying device 300 is thus mounted on the housing 100 by introducing an end portion of the magnifying device 300 into the second cavity 121.

[0030] The second cavity 121 of the second mounting interface 120 also communicates with the internal chamber 150 of the optical housing 100.

[0031] The inner chamber 150 is divided into two parts by a dichroic filter 102 positioned inside the inner chamber 150.

[0032] The first cavity 111 extends along a first axis of revolution C1 and the second cavity 121 extends along a second axis of revolution C2, the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 being arranged so that their respective axes of revolution C1, C2 are orthogonal and intersect at the level of the internal chamber 150.

[0033] The dichroic filter 102 is positioned substantially at the intersection of these two axes of revolution C1, C2, at an angle of 45° relative to each of these axes of revolution C1, C2.

[0034] The optical housing 100 comprises a first housing for receiving and carrying an excitation filter 101 having properties for selecting in the excitation light flux 201, coming from the white light source 200, an appropriate range of wavelengths for the excitation of the fluorescent markers of the lubricating agent or epilame to be inspected in the timepiece 10, and for transmitting a filtered excitation light flux 202 into the internal chamber 150.

[0035] The excitation filter 101 is advantageously positioned perpendicular to the axis of revolution C1 of the cavity 111 between the internal chamber 150 and the first mounting interface 110 so that the filtered excitation light flux 202 can propagate inside the internal chamber 150 of the optical housing 100 and arrive with an angle close to 45° on the dichroic filter 102.

[0036] The excitation filter 101 thus forms the interface between the internal chamber 150 and the first cavity 111 of the first mounting interface 110 communicating with the exterior of the optical housing 100.

[0037] The dichroic filter 102 has properties for reflecting the filtered excitation light flux 202 arriving in the internal chamber 150 and for directing it, by its inclination, towards an inspection orifice 105 located opposite the second mounting interface 120 receiving the magnifying device 300.

[0038] The dichroic filter 102 also has properties for allowing a resulting reflection light flux 203 to pass, emitted by reflection by the timepiece 10 under the excitation of the filtered excitation light flux 202.

[0039] The optical housing 100 comprises a second housing for receiving and carrying an emission filter 103 having properties for filtering the reflection light flux 203 and for transmitting only a fluorescence light flux 204 corresponding to the fluorescence of the fluorescent markers of the lubricating agent or epilame to be inspected.

[0040] The emission filter 103 is advantageously positioned perpendicular to the axis of revolution C2 of the cavity 121 between the internal chamber 150 and the second mounting interface 120 so as to filter the reflection light flux 203 and to transmit a fluorescence light flux 204 inside the second cavity 121 of the second mounting interface 120 of the housing 100 and through the magnifying device 300.

[0041] Thus, the emission filter 103 forms the interface between the internal chamber 150 and the second cavity 121 of the second mounting interface 120 communicating with the exterior of the optical housing 100.

[0042] The first mounting interface 110 and the second mounting interface 120 are configured to provide mechanical coupling.

[0043] The mechanical coupling is for example ensured by the particular shape and / or the material of the first mounting interface 110 and the second mounting interface 120.

[0044] For example, the first mounting interface 110 and / or the second mounting interface 120 may have at least one portion made of flexible polymer material having elastic properties, or even of elastomeric material making it possible to exert a retaining force by elastic or viscoelastic response of the material around the portable white light source 200 and / or the magnifying device 300.

[0045] The first cavity 111 of the first mounting interface 110 and / or the second cavity 121 of the second mounting interface 120 may also have, at the peripheral wall delimiting the cavity 111, 121, a coating or an elastomeric seal capable of improving the friction and / or the holding in position of the portable white light source 200 or the magnifying device 300.

[0046] According to an alternative embodiment or in addition to a mechanical coupling, as described previously, the first mounting interface 110 and / or the second mounting interface 120 are configured to perform a coupling by magnetic effect. In this case, the first interface 110 and / or the second interface 120 comprise a portion made of magnetic material or a permanent magnet housed or embedded at the first mounting interface 110 and / or the second mounting interface 120. This alternative embodiment is particularly advantageous when the portable white light source 200 or the magnifying device 300 has at least one portion made of ferromagnetic material. Thus, the coupling is ensured and facilitated by magnetic attraction.

[0047] The first mounting interface 110 and the second mounting interface 120 may further comprise locking means to temporarily and reversibly ensure the locking of the different modules, respectively the portable white light source 200 and the magnifying device 300 in position on the optical housing 100, and thus secure the mounting of the modules.

[0048] The locking means are, for example, screw locking means or bayonet locking means.

[0049] The locking means are for example formed by a locking member 106 having a mounting head and a threaded body cooperating with a tapped orifice provided in a radial direction at a mounting interface.

[0050] In the example embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the locking member 106 cooperates with a threaded orifice provided on the periphery of the first mounting interface 110 so as to lock, by screwing the locking member 106, the portable white light source 200 in position on the optical housing 100.

[0051] Of course, such a locking member in cooperation with a threaded hole can be provided at the second mounting interface 120 for locking the magnifying device 300 in position on the optical housing 100.

[0052] The first mounting interface 110 and the second mounting interface 120 may be the same or different, and provide the same or different coupling. Furthermore, the first mounting interface 110 and the second mounting interface 120 may have the same or different locking means.

[0053] Although the presence of additional locking means makes it possible to secure the coupling and the holding in position of the different modules 200, 300, in particular during the different manipulations of the portable modular assembly 1000, these locking means are not obligatory to ensure the coupling and the holding in position of the portable white light source 200 or the magnifying device 300 on the optical housing 1000. Indeed, it is sufficient that the first mounting interface 110 and / or the second mounting interface 120 have(s) a cavity 111, 121 whose dimensions are configured to ensure the introduction and the holding in position of the portable white light source 200 and the magnifying device 300, with the appropriate mounting clearances.Thus, with a sufficiently large length of the cavity 111, 121 and a suitable diameter, the portable white light source 200 and the magnifying device 300 can perfectly be removably mounted on the optical housing 100 and held in position during use of the portable modular assembly 1000.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the optical housing 100 further comprises a slot 107 for positioning the excitation filter 101 in its housing inside the optical housing 100. The slot-shaped slot 107 makes it easier to position the excitation filter 101 in its housing between the internal chamber 150 and the cavity 111 of the first mounting interface 110.

[0055] The optical housing 100 may include a cap 108 which closes the light 107 after the positioning of the excitation filter 101. The cap 108 may be configured to exert slight compression on the excitation filter 101 so as to ensure that the excitation filter is held in position in its housing.

[0056] The optical housing 100 may also include notches 115 provided at the mounting interfaces 110, 120 to facilitate the mounting and / or extraction of the optical filters. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 3, such notches 115 have been shown only at the level of the second mounting interface 120 receiving the magnifying device 300. At the level of the second mounting interface 120, the notches 115 make it possible to facilitate handling for the purpose of mounting or extracting the emission filter 103 positioned at the bottom of the second cavity 121. These notches 115 are particularly useful when the emission filter 103 to be mounted or extracted has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the second cavity 121 receiving the magnifying device 300.

[0057] The optical housing 100 is advantageously made of polymer material or composite material. For example, the optical housing 100 is made of polymer material, for example via a three-dimensional printing process so as to facilitate the manufacture and accessibility of such an optical housing 100. Once the housing has been produced by 3D printing, it is easy to integrate the various optical filters 101, 102, 103, available on the market, into various housings provided for this purpose at the level of the optical housing 100.

Claims

1. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent, or of an epilame, having fluorescent markers, from an excitation luminous flux of white light, said portable modular unit (1000) comprising an optical housing (100), forming a first module, a portable white light source (200) emitting an excitation luminous flux (201), forming a second module, a portable magnifying device (300), forming a third module; said optical housing (100) supporting: - an excitation filter (101) configured to select in the excitation luminous flux (201) of said portable white light source (200), the wavelength range suitable for the excitation of the fluorescent markers of the lubricating agent or of the epilame to be inspected, and to transmit a filtered excitation luminous flux (202); - a dichroic filter (102) configured to reflect said filtered excitation luminous flux (202) and to orient said filtered excitation luminous flux (202) in the direction of an inspection opening (105) capable of being positioned opposite said timepiece (10), said dichroic filter (102) also being configured to allow a reflection luminous flux (203) emitted by said timepiece (10) under excitation of said filtered excitation luminous flux (202) to pass through; - an emission filter (103) configured to filter the reflection luminous flux (203) and transmit a fluorescence luminous flux (204) corresponding to the fluorescence of the fluorescent markers of said lubricating agent or of the epilame to be inspected; said optical housing (100) comprising: - a first mounting interface (110) for removably mounting said portable white light source (200) on the optical housing (100), the first mounting interface (110) being an interface of the female type comprising a first cavity (111), of circular cylindrical shape, in such a way as to correspond to the circular shape of the portable white light source (200) formed by a torch or a penlight, the first mounting interface (110) being configured so that said excitation luminous flux (201) emitted by said portable white light source (200) is directed in the direction of said excitation filter (101); - a second mounting interface (120) for removably mounting said portable magnifying device (300) on the optical housing (100), said second mounting interface (120) being configured so that said magnifying device (300) is opposite the inspection opening (105).

2. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the first mounting interface (110) and / or the second mounting interface (120) are configured to perform a mechanical and / or magnetic effect coupling.

3. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first mounting interface (110) is configured so that the excitation luminous flux (201) emitted by said portable white light source (200) is oriented perpendicularly to the excitation filter (101).

4. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said portable magnifying device (300) is a watchmakers' eyeglass.

5. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said dichroic filter (102) has an inclination of 45° in relation to the filtered excitation luminous flux (202).

6. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said optical housing (100) is made of polymer material or of composite material.

7. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said optical housing (100) is made of polymer material by 3D printing8. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first mounting interface (110) and / or the second mounting interface (120) comprise locking means to reversibly lock the coupling of said portable white light source (200) and / or of said magnifying device (300) on said optical housing (100).

9. Portable modular unit (1000) for inspecting in a timepiece (10) the presence of a lubricating agent or of an epilame having fluorescent markers from an excitation luminous flux of white light according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second mounting interface (120) comprises notches (115) to facilitate the positioning and / or the dismantling of the emission filter (101).