Watch comprising a solar cell

The watch design improves light capture for solar cells by using a translucent or transparent seal and intermediate part, enhancing power supply while maintaining a classic aesthetic by masking the solar cell, addressing limited light capture and aesthetic concerns in existing designs.

EP4266133B1Active Publication Date: 2025-07-16THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2022169468
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-04-22
Publication Date
2025-07-16
Estimated Expiration
2042-04-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing watch designs with solar cells positioned behind a transparent or translucent intermediate part surrounding the analog display capture limited light energy, especially when the dial is not highly reflective, and may compromise the aesthetic appeal of classic watches with opaque features.

Method used

The watch design incorporates a translucent or transparent seal and intermediate part that allows visible and/or infrared light to propagate from the glass to the solar cell, increasing light capture, while maintaining an opaque appearance by using semi-transparent films or reflective layers to mask the solar cell from view.

Benefits of technology

Enhances light capture by the solar cell, ensuring sufficient power for the watch movement and maintaining a classic aesthetic by masking the solar cell, particularly in watches with metallic or ceramic cases.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The watch includes a sealing gasket (18) arranged around the periphery of the glass (14), an intermediate portion (20) laterally surrounding the analog display and defining a radial surface forming an axial stop for the glass, and a solar cell (30) extending at least for the majority of its length between the lower level of the dial and the glass and arranged behind the intermediate portion, which is formed at least partially of a transparent or translucent material and configured to allow incident light to propagate through this intermediate portion and then reach the solar cell. The sealing gasket is also formed at least for the majority of its length of a transparent or translucent material and forms a continuous medium axially with the intermediate portion.In some variations, the sealing joint is arranged axially contiguous to the intermediate part or it is separated axially from this intermediate part by a transparent or translucent intermediate medium.
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Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watches equipped with at least one solar cell. More particularly, the invention relates to a watch having as its electrical power source a solar cell arranged at least for the most part between the movement incorporated in a case and the glass of this case covering an analog time display and behind an annular part, in particular a spacer or a flange, laterally surrounding the analog display, this annular part being at least partly transparent or translucent and arranged so as to allow light passing through the glass to reach the solar cell. Technological background

[0002] Documents EP 3093717 and JP 6474326B describe watches as defined in the field of the invention above. In both cases, the watch case comprises a caseband-bezel having an annular portion projecting relative to an inner wall of the caseband and forming a shoulder on which the edge of the glass rests. This annular portion is provided in the material of the caseband-bezel, this material generally being opaque, in particular a metal or a ceramic. In addition, the watch of document JP 6474326B comprises a conventional seal which is arranged at the periphery of the glass between a lateral surface of this glass and a vertical wall of the case. Document EP 3093717 does not show such a seal, but this certainly results from a simplified drawing.The watches described in these two documents have an intermediate portion laterally surrounding the analog display and a solar cell extending mostly axially between the movement and the glass, behind the intermediate portion relative to the analog display. This intermediate portion is formed by a material that at least partially allows light to pass through (this material therefore defining a transparent or translucent medium, i.e. a non-opaque medium) and being configured so as to allow visible and / or infrared light, which passes through the glass and arrives in the space of the analog display, to propagate in the transparent or translucent material and then to reach the solar cell. Finally, it will be noted that the solar cell is arranged in a region located radially beyond the periphery of the glass.

[0003] The embodiments described above make it possible to collect, for the solar cell, only the light which is in the space of the analog display between the glass and the dial and which passes radially through the intermediate part located between the projecting annular part of the case, forming the support of the glass, and the dial. The quantity of light energy which can be captured by the solar cell is therefore limited, especially if the dial is not very reflective. Then, the transparent or translucent nature of the intermediate part in these embodiments can pose an aesthetic problem for classic watches which generally include a flange, located between the dial and the glass, having an opaque appearance and in particular a metallic reflection.

[0004] Document JP 2006184059 A discloses a watch comprising a case, a movement provided with an analog display, a glass located above the analog display, an intermediate part located between the movement and the glass and laterally surrounding the analog display, and a solar cell arranged behind the intermediate part relative to the analog display and arranged to be able to receive light through the intermediate part. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to increase the quantity of light that can be received by the solar cell in a watch having a solar cell arranged mainly behind an intermediate part made of transparent or translucent material and surrounding the analog display or, alternatively, to allow the production of a watch having a solar cell arranged radially behind such an intermediate part while retaining an opaque appearance, in particular metallic, for an observer looking at the inner surface of this intermediate part through the watch glass, while ensuring that the solar cell receives sufficient light to allow it to power all or part of the movement incorporated in the watch.The second objective relates to the aesthetic appearance of a watch having a solar cell arranged behind an intermediate part laterally delimiting the space of the analog display, in particular a watch whose case is made of metal or ceramic.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch as defined in claim 1, in particular a watch comprising a case, a movement provided with an analog display and defining a main axis of the case which is orthogonal to the general plane of this case, a glass located above the analog display, a seal arranged at the periphery of the glass between a lateral surface of this glass and an axial wall of the case, an intermediate part laterally surrounding the analog display, a solar cell (being understood to be its active zone capturing visible and / or infrared light) extending at least for the most part between the movement and the glass and being arranged behind the intermediate part relative to the analog display.The intermediate portion is formed at least partially by a transparent or translucent material and is configured so as to allow visible and / or infrared light passing through the glass from outside the watch to propagate in said transparent or translucent material and then to reach the solar cell. This solar cell is arranged in a region located radially beyond the periphery of the glass. Then, the intermediate portion defines a radial surface forming an axial stop for a peripheral zone of the glass internally along its periphery. The seal is also formed at least in major part by a transparent or translucent material which defines at least in major part an axial surface against which the lateral surface of the glass presses.In addition, the seal forms with the outer part of the intermediate part a continuous medium or is arranged axially contiguously to this outer part or is separated axially from this outer part at least in major part by a transparent or translucent intermediate medium, the seal being configured so as to allow visible and / or infrared light incident on its axial surface or on its upper surface to propagate in the transparent or translucent material which forms it up to a lower geometric surface or lower surface inferiorly delimiting the seal.The outer portion of the intermediate portion is arranged so as to be able to substantially collect visible and / or infrared light passing through the lower geometric surface or bottom surface of the seal and to allow this collected visible and / or infrared light to propagate in the transparent or translucent material of the intermediate portion and then at least partly reach the solar cell.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment, the seal is integral with at least one outer portion of the intermediate portion and forms with this at least one outer portion a single portion made of the same transparent or translucent material. In an advantageous variant, the seal is integral with the intermediate portion and forms with this intermediate portion a single piece made of the same transparent or translucent material.

[0008] In a first particular variant, the intermediate portion comprises an inner portion delimiting a space for the analog display, this inner portion comprising a translucent diffuser defining the inner surface of the intermediate portion visible through the glass. Preferably, at least an outer portion of the intermediate portion is made of a transparent material.

[0009] In a second particular variant, the intermediate part comprises an inner part delimiting a space for the analog display, this inner part comprising a semi-transparent film defining the inner surface of the intermediate part visible through the glass, this semi-transparent film being arranged so as to partially allow the incident light to pass from the space reserved for the analog display while masking the solar cell for a user looking, under normal light conditions, at said inner surface through the glass. Preferably, the semi-transparent film is arranged so as to have a metallic appearance on the side of said space for the user looking at the inner surface of the intermediate part through the glass.

[0010] In a main variant, the radial surface of the intermediate part is at least mostly defined by the transparent or translucent material forming this intermediate part, which is arranged so as to allow visible and / or infrared light passing through the radial surface to propagate in the transparent or translucent material forming the intermediate part and then reach at least partly the solar cell.

[0011] In an advantageous variant, the intermediate portion has a lower surface which is covered by a reflective layer, this intermediate portion forming a transparent or translucent medium between at least the lower geometric surface or lower surface of the seal and the reflective layer. Brief description of the figures

[0012] The invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, in which: there Figure 1 is an axial section of a watch according to a first embodiment of the invention; the Figure 2 is a partial enlargement of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 3 is a perspective view of a solar cell that is incorporated into the watch case of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 4 is another axial section, along another radial direction, of the watch of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 5 is a view similar to that of the Figure 4 with in addition construction features defining the configuration of a piece of translucent material forming a flange between the dial and the glass and jointly a seal between this glass and an upper vertical wall of the case; Figure 6 is a section, according to the same cutting plane as that of the Figure 4, of an alternative embodiment; the Figure 7 is a section, according to the same cutting plane as that of the Figure 4 , of a first variant of a second embodiment of a watch according to the invention; the Figure 8 is a section, according to the same cutting plane as that of the Figure 4 , of a second variant of the second embodiment of a watch according to the invention; the Figure 9 is a section, according to the same cutting plane as that of the Figure 4 , of a third embodiment of a watch according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0013] With reference to the figures, various embodiments and variants of a watch according to the invention will be described below.

[0014] A first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 6 .

[0015] The watch 2 comprises a case 4, a movement 6 provided with an analog display 8 and defining a main axis 10 of the case, orthogonal to the general plane of this case which is parallel to the dial 12, a glass 14 located above the analog display 8, a part 16 forming in its upper part a seal 18 arranged at the periphery of the glass between a lateral surface 22 of this glass and an upper vertical wall 24 of the case. The part 16 also forms an intermediate part 20 laterally surrounding the analog display and located between the glass and the dial. The watch 2 also comprises a solar cell 30 extending between the movement 6 and the glass 14 and being arranged behind the intermediate part 20 relative to the analog display 8.The solar cell 30 comprises an active area 32 and a connection area 33 arranged below the active area, this connection area comprising an annular track 31 located on the inner side and forming a first electrode of the solar cell. The second electrode is formed by a very thin metal substrate located on the outer side of the solar cell, behind a photosensitive layer of silicon deposited on this metal substrate. By definition in the present description, the active area of the solar cell is constituted by its upper part which extends from the annular track 31, the separation line between the active area and the connection area being defined by the upper edge of the annular track.The solar cell 30 is arranged in a region located radially beyond the periphery of the glass 14, defined by the lateral surface 22, in a recess 28 forming a shallow, circular housing in the box 4 for this solar cell 30, which is thus located slightly set back from the upper vertical surface 24 of the box. At the . Figure 3, it is observed that the solar cell has two lateral parts which extend in a general horizontal plane respectively on both sides of a connector 34, which electrically connects the solar cell to an electronic module comprising a PCB 36, on which the connector is soldered or glued (using a conductive glue), and a voltage booster 38 which supplies a battery or a rechargeable storage capacity. The solar cell 30 has a certain elasticity so that it remains in position in the circular housing 28 once installed in this housing. Then, the length of the two lateral parts is provided so that the cell covers substantially the entire bottom of the recess 28, preferably by having the two respective ends of these two lateral parts which overlap a little in an area diametrically opposite to that of the connector 34. It will be noted that a point of glue can be provided between the two superimposed ends.It is also possible to provide glue at least partially on the back of the solar cell so that it is glued to the bottom of the housing 28.

[0016] The intermediate portion 20 is formed by a translucent material and is configured so as to allow visible and / or infrared light passing through the glass 14 from the outside of the watch to propagate in the translucent material and then reach the solar cell 30. The intermediate portion 20 defines a radial surface 42 forming an axial stop for a peripheral zone 15 of the glass running internally along its periphery. For the intermediate portion, an outer portion 46 is defined, in the vertical extension of the seal, and an inner portion 48 (separated at the Figure 5 by a geometric line 52) which forms the radial surface supporting the glass.

[0017] The seal 18 is also formed by a translucent material which defines an axial surface 44 against which the lateral surface 22 of the glass presses. The seal here forms a continuous translucent medium with the outer portion 46 of the intermediate portion 20 and is configured so as to allow visible and / or infrared light incident on its axial surface 44 and / or on its upper surface 45 to propagate in the translucent material which forms it up to a lower geometric surface 50 lowermostly delimiting the seal.The intermediate portion, in particular the outer portion 46 thereof, is arranged so as to be able to substantially collect the visible and / or infrared light passing through the lower geometric surface 50 of the seal and to allow this collected visible and / or infrared light to propagate in the translucent material of the intermediate portion, in particular of the outer portion thereof, and then to reach at least in part the solar cell 30. In this first advantageous embodiment, the seal 18 is integral with the intermediate portion 20 and forms with this intermediate portion a single piece 16 which is made of the same translucent material.

[0018] It results from the present invention that the arrangement of the translucent part 16 allows visible and / or infrared light incident on the inner axial surface 44 and on the upper surface 45 of the seal 18, formed by this part 16, to propagate in the translucent material which forms it and then in the intermediate part 20, in particular in its outer part 46, up to the solar cell 30, which is configured and arranged in the box 4 so as to be able to capture this visible and / or infrared light, in particular that corresponding to the maximum of the light spectrum captured efficiently by the solar cell.Thus, not only light having penetrated through the glass into the interior space 62 provided for the analog display can reach the solar cell via the interior surface 52 of the intermediate part, as in the prior art, but also light incident on the seal 18, namely on its upper surface 45 and on its inner axial / vertical surface 44. Thus, the quantity of light that can be captured by the solar cell is increased.

[0019] In a particular variant making it possible to further increase the quantity of light captured by the solar cell 30, the part 16 is made of a transparent material, that is to say forming a transparent medium for at least a useful part of the light spectrum of visible and / or infrared light. In variants or other embodiments, some of which are presented subsequently, the inner surface of the intermediate part is made opaque, semi-transparent or translucent for an observer who looks at this inner surface through the glass, so as to give a more classic appearance to the watch.

[0020] According to a preferred variant, the radial surface 42 of the intermediate part 20 is at least for the most part defined by the translucent material forming this intermediate part, more particularly its inner part, or, in the particular variant mentioned above, by the transparent material forming the intermediate part, more particularly its inner part. This makes it possible to increase the quantity of light incident on the upper face of the watch which can reach the solar cell 30. In the preferred variant described here, the radial surface 42 of the intermediate part 20, forming an axial stop for the glass which generally rests on this radial surface, is entirely defined by the translucent material forming the intermediate part 20, more particularly its inner part 48.It will be noted that, in other variants or other embodiments partly described below, the radial surface 42 is almost entirely or mainly defined by the translucent or transparent material forming the intermediate part, only a film or an internal annular part, defining an interior zone of the radial surface, not being translucent or transparent. In general, the radial surface of the intermediate part is therefore at least mainly defined by the transparent or translucent material forming this intermediate part, which is arranged so as to allow the visible and / or infrared light passing through the radial surface to propagate in the transparent or translucent material forming the intermediate part and then reach at least partly the solar cell.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the intermediate part 20 forms a spacer between the glass 14 and the dial 12, that is to say it defines, possibly with an additional lower reflective layer or sheet if necessary, the spacing between the dial and the glass which are both in contact with this spacer. This spacer also forms a flange according to watchmaking terminology, that is to say it extends on the inner side between the dial and the glass, without necessarily resting on the dial and therefore without necessarily being in contact with the dial but covering the edge of the dial and defining the inner surface which visually delimits the space for the analog display. In general, the flange also defines the radial surface forming an axial stop and a support for the edge of the watch glass, as is the case in the described embodiments.

[0022] As indicated in the Figure 5, according to an advantageous variant, the seal and the intermediate part are configured so that, in an axial plane parallel to the main axis 10, an oblique geometric line 54 passing through the middle 56 of the active zone 32 of the solar cell 30 and the junction point between the radial surface 42 of the intermediate part and the axial surface 44 of the seal 18 forms an angle α whose value is between 35° and 70°. In a preferred variant, the value of said angle α is between 40° and 65°.

[0023] There Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment. Watch 2A of this variant differs from the variant shown in Figure 4by the fact that the intermediate part 20A of the part 16A, more particularly its inner part 48A, comprises a semi-transparent film 60 defining the inner surface 52A of the intermediate part which is visible through the glass 14. This semi-transparent film partially lets the incident light pass from the space 62, reserved for the analog display, while masking the solar cell 30 for a user looking, under normal light conditions, at the inner surface 52A through the glass 14. This variant is particularly advantageous for conventional watches having a case formed from a metallic material. It will be noted that the semi-transparent film may in another variant have an appearance other than metallic, in particular an appearance similar to ceramic or, more generally, any opaque appearance.

[0024] According to another advantageous variant, also shown in the Figure 6, the intermediate part 20A has on its lower surface 66 a reflective lower layer, in particular a reflective metal film 64 which is deposited on the lower surface. This reflective layer or this reflective film reflects upwards the useful light which arrives on it, so as to return at least in part this incident light in the direction of the solar cell 30. According to various variants, this layer or this film can either generate a classic reflection, or generate a diffraction in reflection which concentrates the reflection in an oblique direction oriented towards the solar cell 30.In an alternative to the diffractive version, the inner surface of the reflective layer or reflective film or the lower surface 66 may have a structuring which mainly generates an oblique reflection for an incident light ray in the vertical / axial direction, so as to favor an oblique reflection in the direction of the solar cell. Generally, the intermediate portion has a lower surface which is covered by a reflective layer, this intermediate portion forming a transparent or translucent medium between at least the lower geometric surface or the lower surface (subsequent variants) of the seal and the reflective layer.

[0025] There Figure 7shows in section a first variant of a second embodiment of a watch 2B according to the invention, this first variant having several differences relative to the described variants of the first embodiment. The references already described will not all be described again. This second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment mainly by the fact that the seal 18B and the intermediate part 20B form two separate parts. In the first variant, these two separate parts are separated by an air gap 72 forming a transparent intermediate medium between the seal and the intermediate part.This first variant is distinguished from the previous embodiment variants by the fact that the solar cell 30 is not arranged in an internal circular recess of the box 4, as in the variants of the first embodiment shown in the figures, but against the internal vertical wall 24B of the box 4B which defines a cylindrical surface extending from the top of the seal 18B, against which the latter presses by its rear surface, to the bottom of the solar cell 30 (similar to that shown in the . Figure 3 ). Thus, the solar cell, which has a small thickness, is located in the vertical extension of the rear zone of the sealing gasket.

[0026] The seal 18B is made of a transparent or translucent material, that is to say it forms a transparent or translucent medium. The intermediate portion 20B of the watch 2B is formed by a transparent material and by a translucent diffuser 70 defining the inner surface 52B of the intermediate portion visible through the glass 14. More particularly, the outer portion of the intermediate portion is made of a transparent material and the inner portion 48B of this intermediate portion comprises an inner portion, integral with the outer portion and made of the same transparent material, and the translucent diffuser 70 which forms an inner ring blurring everything behind it, in particular the solar cell 30. In particular, the diffuser 70 blurs the contours and reliefs of the objects located behind it for a user who looks at the inner surface 52B through the glass 14.The diffuser may have a certain coloring chosen by the designer of the watch. This diffuser may generate diffusion with a selected angular aperture (relative to the direction orthogonal to the inner surface 52B) for the visible and / or infrared light incident from the space 62, so as to promote propagation of the visible and / or infrared light in the intermediate portion 20B in the direction of the solar cell 30. It will be noted that the first variant of the second embodiment does not have a reflective lower film arranged under the intermediate portion, but the dial 12 advantageously has a reflective surface which is possibly also diffusing.

[0027] It will be noted that in a variant not shown of the first embodiment, the intermediate part may also comprise a translucent diffuser 70 described above. In such a variant of the first embodiment, the seal is integral with the outer part and the inner part, similar to that mentioned above, of the intermediate part and forms with these outer and inner parts a single part made of the same transparent material. In a particular variant, the seal is integral with only the outer part of the intermediate part and forms with this outer part a single part made of the same transparent material. The inner part of the intermediate part is in the latter case formed entirely or in part by a translucent material arranged so as to diffuse the visible and / or infrared light coming from the space 62 provided for the analog display.Thus, generally speaking, the seal is made of a single material with at least one outer part of the intermediate part and forms with this at least one outer part a single part made of the same transparent material.

[0028] There Figure 8shows in section a watch 2C according to a second variant of the second embodiment. The seal 18C and the intermediate part 20C form two separate parts which are assembled by a layer of glue 76 forming a transparent or translucent intermediate medium between the seal and the intermediate part. The solar cell 30C is arranged, as in the described variants of the first embodiment, in a recess / housing 28C of the case 4C. The intermediate part 20C has a lower part which rests on the edge of the movement 6, or alternatively on a casing circle of this movement or on a part of the case having a horizontal surface on which also rests at least the edge of the dial 12 (as in Figures 1-6). This makes it possible to increase the height of the solar cell and to increase the quantity of light reaching behind the intermediate part, in particular on the active zone 32C, and captured by the solar cell. The intermediate part here forms a flange which does not rest on the dial, but which covers the edge of this dial at a short distance. As in the realization of the Figure 7, the intermediate portion 20C comprises a translucent diffuser 70 defining its inner surface 52B. The seal 18C is transparent or translucent, as is the adhesive layer 76. With the exception of the diffuser 70, the intermediate portion 20C is formed of a transparent material. This second variant also has a specific feature in that the solar cell 30C extends partly below the lower level of the dial 12. The movement 6 has a frustoconical peripheral surface 78 which frees up a lateral space to allow the propagation of light below the lower level of the dial, which makes it possible to further increase the height of the solar cell and to increase the quantity of incident light behind the intermediate portion which is captured by the solar cell. Light emerging from the lower surface of the intermediate portion is thus also captured.Preferably, the truncated surface 78 is a metallic surface which reflects light. It will be noted that the glass 14C is a flat glass, unlike the curved glass 14 of the embodiments described previously.

[0029] To the Figure 9A third embodiment of a 2D watch according to the invention is shown. The references already described will not all be described again. This third embodiment is distinguished mainly from the two previous embodiments by the fact that the intermediate part 20D comprises an inner ring 80 partially forming the inner part of the intermediate part. The inner ring 80 forms an opaque medium. It is preferably formed by a metal and thus has an inner surface 52D which is metallic and also an outer surface 82 which is metallic and which entirely reflects the light which propagates in the region of the intermediate part located outside this inner ring, which is preferably transparent. The seal 18D is separate from the intermediate part, but its lower surface 50D is in contact with the upper surface of the intermediate part.More specifically, the outer portion of the intermediate portion 20D and the seal 18B are contiguous. They are axially aligned, substantially without an air gap between them although they are not glued to each other. Then, the intermediate portion 20D bears via its lower surface 86 on a casing circle 7 provided for the movement 6 in the box 4D. Between the lower surface 86 and the inner metal ring 80, the intermediate portion has a frustoconical surface 84. Preferably, the surfaces 84 and 86 are covered by a metal film so as to reflect the incident light from the intermediate portion 20D and thus increase the amount of light which finally reaches the active area 32D of the solar cell 30D.

[0030] In an advantageous variant, the seal 18B and the transparent part of the intermediate part 20D are made in one piece and form a single part made of the same transparent material.

Claims

1. Watch (2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) comprising a case, a movement provided with an analogue display and defining a main axis (10) of the case that is orthogonal to the general plane of this case, a glass (14, 14C) located above the analogue display, a gasket (18, 18B, 18C) arranged at the periphery of the glass between a lateral surface of this glass and an axial wall of the case, an intermediate portion (20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) laterally surrounding the analogue display, a solar cell (30, 30C, 30D) extending at least mostly between the movement and the glass and being arranged behind the intermediate portion relative to the analogue display, the intermediate portion being formed at least partially by a translucent or transparent material and being configured in such a way as to make it possible for the visible and / or infra-red light passing through the glass from the outside of the watch to propagate in said translucent or transparent material and to subsequently reach the solar cell, the intermediate portion defining a radial surface (42) forming an axial stop for a peripheral area(15) of the glass following the inside of its rim; characterised in that the solar cell is arranged in a region located radially beyond the rim of the glass ;and in that the gasket is also formed at least mostly by a translucent or transparent material that defines at least mostly an axial surface against which the lateral surface of the glass presses, the gasket forming with the intermediate portion axially a continuous medium or being axially arranged adjacent to the intermediate portion or being axially separated from this intermediate portion at least mostly by a translucent or transparent intermediate medium, the gasket being configured in such a way as to make it possible for the incident visible and / or infra-red light on its axial surface (44) or on an upper surface (45) of this gasket to propagate in the translucent or transparent material that forms it up to a lower geometrical surface (50) or lower surface (50B, 50D) delimiting at the bottom the gasket, the intermediate portion being arranged in such a way as to be able to collect mostly the visible and / or infra-red light passing through the lower geometrical surface or lower surface of the gasket and to make it possible for this collected visible and / or infra-red light to propagate in the translucent or transparent material of this intermediate portion and to subsequently reach at least partly the solar cell.

2. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the gasket (18) is integral with at least one outer portion (46) of the intermediate portion (20, 20A) and forms with this at least one outer portion a single portion made of the same transparent material.

3. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the gasket (18) is integral with the intermediate portion (20) and forms with this intermediate portion a single part made of the same translucent or transparent material.

4. Watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the intermediate portion (20B, 20C) comprises an inner portion delimiting a space for the analogue display, this inner portion comprising a translucent diffuser (70) defining the inner surface (52B) of the intermediate portion visible through the glass.

5. Watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the intermediate portion (20A) comprises an inner portion delimiting a space for the analogue display, this inner portion comprising a semi-transparent film (60) defining the inner surface (52A) of the intermediate portion visible through the glass, this semi-transparent film being arranged in such a way as to partially transmit the incident light from said space while masking the solar cell (30) for a user looking, in normal light conditions, at said inner surface through the glass.

6. Watch according to claim 5, characterised in that the semi-transparent film is arranged in such a way as to have a metal appearance on the side of said space for the user looking at the inner surface of the intermediate portion through the glass.

7. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radial surface (42) of the intermediate portion is at least mostly defined by the translucent or transparent material forming this intermediate portion, which is arranged in such a way as to make it possible that the visible and / or infra-red light passing through the radial surface can propagate in the translucent or transparent material forming the intermediate portion and subsequently reach at least partly the solar cell.

8. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate portion has a lower surface that is covered by a reflective layer (64; 84, 86), this intermediate portion forming a translucent or transparent medium between at least the lower geometrical surface (50) or the lower surface (50B, 50D) of the gasket and the reflective layer.

9. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gasket and the intermediate portion are configured in such a way that, in an axial plane parallel to said main axis, an oblique geometrical line (54) passing through the medium (56) of the active area (32) of the solar cell and the junction point between the radial surface (42) of the intermediate portion and the axial surface (44) of the gasket forms an angle α the value of which is between 35° and 70°, this active area being the area located above an inner electrode (31) and able to capture light.

10. Watch according to claim 9, characterised in that said value of said angle α is between 40° and 65°.

11. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate portion forms a spacer between the glass (14) and a dial (12), associated with the analogue display, or a flange arranged in such a way as to rise above the edge of the dial and supporting the glass.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Electronic timepiece with solar cell

    EP1574919A1