Analog display element

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a display element (1) for use in a timepiece, comprising a body (2) having a portion (4) including a mounting area (5) configured to receive an insert (3) by embedding, said embedding insert (3) having a pivot hole (13) configured to adjust the display element (1) onto a drive shaft, the body (2) comprising a portion (4) made of a material having the property of softening, into which said insert (3) is embedded by fusion, said insert (3) comprising on a peripheral wall (6) having a structured outer surface (7a) for contact with said portion (4) of said body (2) of the display element (1), the outer surface (7a) being configured to provide mechanical anchoring of the insert (3) in said portion (4), said peripheral wall (6) projecting on either side of opposite faces of said portion (4) body (2).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular to the field of analog display elements such as a hand or a display disc of a timepiece.

[0002] The invention also relates to the timepiece comprising such a display element. Technological background

[0003] The manufacture of a display element such as a hand intended for use as a display indicator in a timepiece is particularly complex, especially when it is a hand intended to equip a high-end timepiece, for which the hand must have a particularly neat surface appearance, possibly with facets.

[0004] Needles are typically made of brass, steel, gold, aluminum, or a special alloy. They may be galvanized, painted, oxidized, varnished, PVD coated, bluing / anodized, or left raw when gold is used. They are generally machined or stamped and may undergo surface finishing treatments such as polishing, sandblasting, satin finishing, etc.

[0005] One drawback of these display hands is their limited decorative possibilities, for example, when it comes to making hands with a transparent or translucent body. Furthermore, the materials used for such hands have a high density, which implies a high moment of inertia and a high unbalance force, resulting respectively in hand wobble and slippage upon impact.

[0006] One solution, according to the prior art, is to manufacture needles from synthetic materials. However, such needles mounted on a drive shaft encounter problems with their stability on their shaft resulting from plastic deformation due to creep. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is intended, in particular, to overcome the various drawbacks of the prior art.

[0008] Another objective of the invention is to improve the holding of a display element such as a hand having a non-metallic plate on a drive shaft of a display mechanism of a timepiece.

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to provide a display element with reduced weight, and in any desired shape.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide a display element that is robust over time and whose manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0011] In this purpose, one aspect of the invention relates to a display element intended to equip a timepiece, comprising a body having a portion including a mounting area configured to receive by embedding an insert, said embedding insert being provided with an axis hole configured to adjust the display element on a drive axis, the body comprising a portion made of a material having the property of softening into which said insert is embedded by fusion, this insert comprising on a peripheral wall having a structured outer surface for connection with said portion of said body of the display element, the outer surface being configured to ensure mechanical anchoring of the insert in said portion, said peripheral wall projecting on either side of opposite faces of the portion of said body respectively.

[0012] In other embodiments: The peripheral wall is provided with an external bonding surface, a portion of which, corresponding to the thickness of the mounting area, is entirely structured comprising a plurality of raised patterns; the insert comprises first and second parts projecting on either side of opposite faces of the portion of said body; the insert comprises first and second parts projecting on either side of opposite faces of the portion of said body; the first and second parts of the insert have similar thicknesses; the first and second parts comprise, at their free end, insertion zones configured to pass through the material of the portion of said body into which said insert is embedded by fusion; the material having the property of softening comprises, in whole or in part, a plastic material having the property of softening;said recessed insert is made of a material having a softening temperature higher than the softening temperature of the material constituting said portion; the portion comprises said recessed insert by fusion / integration / association of the materials constituting respectively the insert and the portion, in particular by fusion / integration / association using ultrasound; the display element is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 and / or a transverse plane of symmetry P2 of this element; the display element is a display needle whose body comprises a board provided with the mounting area comprising a barrel formed by the recessed insert.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such display element. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying figures, among which: there figure 1 is a top view of a display element, here a display needle comprising a board provided with a portion having a barrel formed by a recessed insert, according to an embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 is a top view of the portion of the needle board comprising the barrel, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line AA of said portion of the needle plate shown on the figure 2 , according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figure 4is a side view of the recessed insert forming the needle barrel, according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] With reference to figures 1 to 4 The invention relates to a display element 1, preferably for equipping a timepiece such as a wristwatch. Such an element 1 may be, without limitation, a hand or a display disc.

[0016] This display element 1, also called " display indicatorThe device comprises a body 2 having a mounting zone 5 included in a portion 4 of this body 2, said mounting zone 5 being configured to receive an insert 3 by embedding or insertion. In other words, said portion 4, and therefore said zone 5, are made of a material having the property of softening so that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) into it by melting. Under these conditions, said mounting zone 5 is then formed by this embedding insert 3. Such an insert 3 includes a shaft hole 13 configured to fit this display element 1 onto a drive shaft of a display mechanism of the timepiece.

[0017] To allow for a better understanding of the invention, the display element 1 described herein shall be the display needle 1. In this context, the body 2 of this needle 1 comprises a plate 2. Within the portion 4 of this plate 2 is included the mounting area 5 comprising a barrel 5 formed by the recessed insert 3. Such an insert 3 is also called " socket The invention is configured to be embedded by fusion / association / integration into a portion 4 of the plate 2. The invention is described here in the particular, but not limiting, case of a rotating hand 1. It should be noted, however, that the principle of the invention is applicable to a hand 1 having a mobility trajectory other than circular, for example, a linear slider, or the like. This hand 1 is suitable for inclusion in a display mechanism, for example, as an hour hand, and has a variable length or a variable radial extension.

[0018] With reference to the figure 1This display hand 1 comprises a first end with a counterweight and a second opposite end forming a point 10 indicating information such as the time when the display mechanism is a clockwork component. As we have seen, plate 2 of this hand 1 includes a portion 4 equipped with the shaft 5 having an axle hole 13, also called " adjustment diameter "intended to be driven onto the pivot of the drive shaft of the display mechanism. Such a drive shaft is contained within a drive element of the display mechanism comprising gears. It should be noted that the invention is equally applicable to analog display mechanisms for mechanical, electronic, or hybrid timepieces."

[0019] According to the embodiment shown, plate 2 has a circular head 9 in which the barrel 5 is housed to allow the hand 1 to be mounted on the drive shaft of the timepiece. The shaft hole 13 of the insert 3 forming the barrel 5 is designed to be fitted onto the drive shaft, for example by means of a pressing operation.

[0020] This barrel 5, and therefore the insert 3, is capable of exerting a clamping force on the drive shaft which allows the needle 1 to be held axially and in rotation on this drive shaft.

[0021] As we have mentioned, plate 2 also includes the point 10. This point 10 is linked to the head 9 by a body 12. Such a point 10 here has the shape of a triangle but could take any other suitable shape in order to indicate a determined angular position on a dial of the timepiece.

[0022] The needle 1 plate 2 can also include a rectangular counterweight 11, linked to the head 9 in the extension of the body 12. Similarly, the counterweight 11 can take any other form, for example one could imagine that the counterweight 11 takes the form of a logo.

[0023] As previously mentioned, section 4, including assembly area 5, is made of a specific material. More broadly, board 2 is made entirely or partially of this material, which has the property of softening, such as a plastic, particularly a thermoplastic. Preferably, this material is a rigid material with the property of softening. Under these conditions, this material can be heated sufficiently to soften and then become rigid / hard again upon cooling. This plastic material is composed of linear or branched-chain polymers that are capable of deforming and being shaped under the effect of heat. This plastic material includes, for example, thermoplastic polymers.

[0024] It is therefore understood that this plate 2 can be made entirely or entirely of this material, which has the property of softening. Alternatively, such a plate 2 can be partially made of this material, with at least the portion 4, including the insert 3, being made of this material.

[0025] The barrel 5 is formed by the recessed insert 3, which is in the form of a cylinder in which is provided a shaft hole 13 arranged to adjust the display needle 1 on the drive shaft, also called " rotation shaftIt should be noted that such an insert 3 can take other forms, for example, a polygon. This insert 3 can be made of a material with a softening temperature higher than that of the material constituting the portion 4 in which such an insert 3 is embedded. This material is preferably metallic, such as aluminum, brass, steel, or titanium. Alternatively, it can also be a thermosetting material.

[0026] Such an insert 3 forming this barrel 5 is intended to be forced onto the drive shaft which has a diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 13 of this insert 3, the elastic and plastic properties of the material which constitutes it, make it possible to drive the barrel 5 onto this drive shaft without altering the plate 2 of the display needle 1.

[0027] According to the invention, such an insert 3 comprises a peripheral wall 6 having an inner surface 7b adapted to cooperate with the drive shaft when mounted in the display mechanism. This peripheral wall 6 also comprises an outer surface 7a for connecting with the portion 4 of the display pointer 2, in particular a structured outer surface 7a for connection. This peripheral wall 6 also comprises upper and lower surfaces 7c, 7d which connect the outer and inner surfaces 7a, 7b.

[0028] This structured outer surface 7a comprises a plurality of raised motifs 8. This plurality of motifs 8 preferably extends over the entire outer surface 7a of the peripheral wall 6. Alternatively, this plurality of motifs 8 may be distributed over particular areas of this outer surface 7a, which areas are configured to cooperate with the material constituting portion 4 of plate 2 of this needle 1. It should be noted that these motifs 8 may be identical, that is, have a similar shape, as can be seen on the figures 2 and 4 .

[0029] Such a structured outer surface 7a contributes to increasing the contact area of ​​this insert 3 with the material used in the portion 4 of the plate 2 comprising the barrel 5. Furthermore, in this configuration, the material can fit onto and between the raised patterns 8 of this surface 7a in order to ensure that the plate 2 is securely held onto this insert 3. It is therefore understood that the hold of this insert 3 in this portion 4 is thus improved and contributes to ensuring its optimal mechanical anchoring in this portion 4.

[0030] It should be noted that the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 is preferably provided with an external bonding surface 7a, a portion of which corresponds to the thickness E2 of the portion 4 comprising the mounting zone 5, which is entirely structured by including a plurality of raised patterns 8. In other words, this peripheral wall 6 comprises a plurality of raised patterns 8, this plurality extending over a part of its structured external bonding surface 7a.

[0031] In one variant, the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 is provided with a fully structured outer surface 7a. In other words, this peripheral wall 6 comprises a plurality of relief patterns 8 which extend over the entire structured outer surface 7a of connection.

[0032] As can be seen in the figure 3, the insert 3 includes an internal diameter D1 configured to participate in the realization of the driving of the needle 1 on the drive shaft, and an external diameter D2 greater than D1 configured to receive and hold the board 2 of the needle 1.

[0033] As we have mentioned, this insert 3 is embedded by fusion / integration / association in portion 4 of plate 2 in order to form the barrel 5 of this needle 1. More precisely, this insert 3 is embedded in this portion 4 through a fusion / integration / association operation of the materials constituting the insert 3 and the portion 4 respectively. Such an operation softens the material constituting portion 4 by the application of energy, in order to ensure the introduction of the insert 3 into this portion 4. This energy application can be implemented, without limitation, by ultrasound or a heating element, by a laser or even by a steam jet.

[0034] In an ultrasonic process, this operation can be an ultrasonic fusion / integration / bonding operation. This operation softens the material constituting portion 4 by applying mechanical vibrations to said portion 4, these mechanical vibrations resulting from the ultrasound. In this context, these mechanical vibrations generate frictional heat within the material portion 4, which has the property of softening and exciting its molecules, causing them to move. Thus, the material of this portion 4 softens, allowing the insert 3 to be introduced / embedded into this portion 4 and bond to it.

[0035] In this configuration where the insert 3 is arranged in the plate 2 of the needle 1 to form the barrel 5, it will be noted that the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 protrudes on either side respectively of the opposite faces of the portion 4 of said plate 2 of the display needle 1. These two opposite faces are connected to each other by a lateral wall of this needle 1.

[0036] More precisely, this peripheral wall 6 comprises first and second parts 14a, 14b which project from opposite faces of this portion 4 of said body 2. These parts 14a, 14b each comprise an opening for the axis hole 13 of the insert 3. These openings are, of course, opposite each other. In this configuration, these first and second parts 14a, 14b of the insert 3 have thicknesses E3, E4 which are preferably similar. Such thicknesses E3, E4 are less than the thickness: E1 of insert 3; E2 of portion 4; E2 of mounting area 5.

[0037] This arrangement of the insert 3 within this portion 4 helps to stabilize the display needle 1 axially and rotationally. Furthermore, this arrangement helps to even out the distribution of stresses that the needle 1 may experience during its mounting on the drive shaft and also after its mounting. In other words, these stresses are distributed uniformly over the entire thickness E2 of the body 2. This uniform distribution ensures that the body 2 of the needle, and therefore the referenced portion 4, remains flat. Thus, this arrangement maintains the flatness of the body 2 of the needle 1 after its mounting.

[0038] It is understood that such an arrangement of the insert 3 in the body 2 of the needle 1 allows the use of a wider range of materials, in particular by making it more necessary to use materials that are expressly reinforced to avoid deformations of the needle that may result from such stresses.

[0039] Furthermore, such first and second parts 14a, 14b include at their free ends insertion zones 15a, 15b. These zones are configured to penetrate the material of the portion 4 of said body 2 into which said insert 3 is likely to be embedded by fusion. Indeed, each insertion zone 15a, 15b preferably has a flared cross-section with an end that essentially terminates in a point.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that the display pointer 1 is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 and a transverse plane of symmetry P2 of this pointer 1. It is understood that these two planes P1 and P2 are perpendicular to each other. Being symmetrical in this way, such a display pointer 1 is reversible, which helps to simplify and reduce the time required for its assembly in a display mechanism. In other words, such a display pointer 1 can be mounted on the shaft with either of its two opposite faces facing outwards.

[0041] The preceding description corresponds to a preferred embodiment and should in no way be considered limiting, particularly with regard to the type of display element described. Indeed, other display elements such as discs, including date discs, are also part of the invention.

[0042] Furthermore, this description is not limited to the form described for the various structural elements composing the display element 1 or their materials. A person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in choosing, for example for the plate 2 of the needle 1, any other material exhibiting the mechanical properties necessary for the implementation of the present invention.

[0043] The possible applications for such a display element are very numerous since the present invention can be implemented for any type of object or device, including portable devices, comprising a display element.

Claims

1. Display element (1) intended to equip a timepiece, comprising a body (2) provided with a portion (4) including a mounting area (5) configured to receive by embedding an insert (3), said embedding insert (3) being provided with an axle hole (13) configured to adjust the display element (1) on a drive axle, the body (2) comprising a portion (4) made of a material having the property of softening in which said insert (3) is embedded by melting, this insert (3) comprising on a peripheral wall (6) provided with a structured outer surface (7a) for connection with said portion (4) of said body (2) of the display element (1), the outer surface (7a) being configured to ensure mechanical anchoring of the insert (3) in said portion (4), said peripheral wall (6) projecting on either side respectively of opposite faces of the portion (4) of said body (2).

2. Display element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall (6) is provided with an outer connecting surface (7a) of which a portion corresponding to the thickness (E2) of the mounting area (5) is entirely structured by comprising a plurality of relief patterns (8).

3. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (3) comprises first and second parts (14a, 14b) projecting on either side of the opposite faces of the portion (4) of said body (2).

4. Display element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts (14a, 14b) of the insert (3) have thicknesses (E3, E4) which are similar.

5. Display element (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the first and second parts (14a, 14b) comprise at their free end insertion zones (15a, 15b) configured to pass through the material of the portion (4) of said body (2) in which said insert (3) is capable of being embedded by fusion.

6. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material having the property of softening comprises in whole or in part a plastic material having the property of softening.

7. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said recessed insert (3) is made of a material having a softening temperature higher than a softening temperature of the material constituting said portion (4).

8. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the portion (4) comprises said insert (3) embedded by fusion / integration / association of the materials constituting respectively the insert 3 and the portion 4 in particular by fusion / integration / association by ultrasound.

9. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P1) and / or a transverse plane of symmetry (P2) of this element (1).

10. Display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which it is a display needle whose body (2) comprises a board (2) provided with the mounting area (5) comprising a barrel (5) formed by the insert (3) which can be fitted.

11. Timepiece characterized in that it comprises at least one display element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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