Watch case with capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (1) comprising a case (3), a capsule (2) assembled with a bayonet connection in the case (3) and a lock (16) disposed at the bayonet connection to block any relative rotation between the capsule (2) and the case (3), said capsule (2) comprising: - a container (4) intended to receive a movement and a removable electrical power source, - a back (6) and a crystal (8) respectively closing the container (4) with said back (6) indexed to the container (4) to prevent any relative rotational movement between the back (6) and the container (4), - a sealing gasket (5) between the container (4) and the back (6).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a watch case adapted for an electronic watch, possibly connected. More specifically, it relates to a watch case comprising a case body and a waterproof capsule assembled with a bayonet connection. Technological background

[0002] Portable electronic devices can be powered by one or more removable power sources, such as batteries, accumulators, or cells.

[0003] For example, electronic, or electromechanical, watches are powered, at least in part in the case of electromechanical watches, by a removable electrical power source, such as a button cell battery, which is housed in a compartment within the watch case. A removable cover is provided to enclose the battery inside the compartment, ensuring at least some water resistance.

[0004] To ensure easy battery replacement, the cover and casing typically feature quick-release, rotating coupling / uncoupling mechanisms that allow rapid access to the battery and quick closure of the compartment after battery replacement. Examples of such quick-release coupling / uncoupling mechanisms include quarter-turn or bayonet-type assembly systems.

[0005] Furthermore, the cover may have an indentation on its outer surface designed to receive the end of a tool, allowing it to be rotated. To further facilitate battery replacement, this indentation is often a simple and common shape, such as a slot, so that the wearer can use various readily available tools to open the compartment without needing a specialized tool or taking the watch to a watchmaker for battery replacement.

[0006] However, these various interesting and advantageous technical solutions for battery replacement can also present drawbacks in certain situations, particularly when handled by children, and especially young children. Indeed, these young children could inadvertently manage to remove the battery cover and access the battery compartment, creating a risk of ingestion, with the serious consequences that this can entail.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to secure watch cases to prevent access to the battery compartment by an irresponsible person, and particularly young children, while retaining the advantages of easy and quick removal of the cover. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention proposes a watch case design that allows secure access to a rechargeable battery or cell.

[0009] According to the invention, the watch case is formed by joining a watertight capsule and a case middle with a bayonet fitting. The watertight capsule comprises a container housing the movement and the removable power source, a crystal, and a case back that closes the container. Within the capsule, the case back is mounted in a specific position relative to the container. In other words, it is indexed to the container. The entire assembly is secured by a lock that prevents the capsule from rotating relative to the case middle.

[0010] More specifically, the invention relates to a watch case comprising a case body, a capsule assembled with a bayonet fitting in the case body, and a lock disposed at the bayonet fitting to block any relative rotation between the capsule and the case body, said capsule comprising: a container intended to receive a movement and a removable electrical power source, a bottom and a glass respectively closing the container with said bottom indexed to the container to prevent any relative rotational movement between the bottom and the container, a sealing joint between the container and the bottom.

[0011] This design allows the electrical power source to be placed inside a capsule with locking mechanisms that prevent access to the power source without a specific tool. This makes it possible to assemble and disassemble a watch case while securing access to the accumulator or battery.

[0012] Furthermore, the capsule system allows the case back to be indexed to a container. This indexing offers a significant advantage for smartwatches. Indeed, the case back, equipped with sensors, is held in position relative to the container holding the movement during assembly. Consequently, no relative movement is possible between the case back and the movement during assembly. This prevents accidental loss of connection between the sensors and the movement, which could be made using a flexible cable, a pogo stick, a wire, etc. Similarly, mounting the sensors within a capsule before assembly with the case allows for pre-testing.

[0013] Another advantage of this capsule-based assembly is that it allows for the creation of different case designs independently of the capsule, all while using the same capsule. It is also possible, for cost reasons, to combine plastic and metal, for example, by using a plastic capsule and a metal case. Brief description of the figures

[0014] There figure 1 represents an exploded view of the three parts of the capsule according to the invention, with the movement and battery intended to be positioned within the capsule. figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the assembled capsule. figure 3 represents a three-dimensional view of the capsule and the receiver on which the capsule is intended to be bayoneted. figure 4 This represents a three-dimensional view of the capsule mounted with a bayonet on the case, with the glass in the upper position, the opposite of the previous figures. figure 5 represents a locking variant according to the invention for preventing the capsule from rotating relative to the case. figures 6a and 6b These are respectively partial vertical cross-sectional views of the capsule and frame assembly at the locking mechanism and at the bayonet lug. figure 7 is a partial view of the capsule and case assembly with only the case and lock shown. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] The invention relates to a watch case 1 more specifically adapted for an electronic watch, or even a connected watch. It comprises two parts consisting of a waterproof capsule 2 and a case 3 ( figure 3According to the invention, the capsule and the case are assembled with a bayonet joint. By way of example, the capsule, excluding the glass and gasket, can be made of a synthetic material such as plastic or of a metallic material, and the case can be made of the same material or of a different material.

[0016] Capsule 2 visible at the figure 1 comprises a container 4, a seal 5, for example an O-ring, ensuring the capsule is watertight, and a base 6 with the three parts assembled along a Z-axis. The container 4 includes a housing 7, for example cylindrical in shape, intended to receive a movement 28 and a removable electrical power source 29 such as a battery. This housing 7 is closed at the front by a glass 8 which can, for example, be fixed by heat welding or ultrasonic welding, and at the rear by the base 6. The container 4 is a single piece with openings 20 for the passage of the control pushers 21 ( figure 4The case back 6 is sealed by gaskets (not shown). Its face, intended to be accessible after assembly, is provided by a slot 18 or circular holes 19 to accommodate tools for mounting and dismounting the capsule from the case. The case back 6 may also include sensors 30 in the case of a smartwatch. The case back 6 may also incorporate a movement support 31.

[0017] The housing 7 of the container 4 is framed by a side wall 7a. The inner contour of this wall is hollowed out at its lower end to form an edge 9 which serves as a support for the joint 5 and the bottom 6. The lower position is understood to be the position towards the bottom, i.e. the rear, as opposed to the upper position which is turned towards the glass, i.e. the front.

[0018] The side wall 7a has at its lower end at least one projecting portion 10, also called a lip, distributed radially outwards from the container 4. In the illustrated example, there are two lips, diametrically opposed. Their purpose is to index the base 6 onto the container 4. To this end, the base 6 has recesses 11 of similar dimensions to the lips 10, into which the latter fit. These recesses 11 are formed in lips 12 of the base 6 extending in an arc around the perimeter 6a of the base 6. Each of these lips 12 has a groove 13 through it, used for the bayonet connection. The grooves 13 are open at one end of the arc to allow the engagement of protruding lips 14 inside the frame 3 ( figure 3) and possibly closed at the other end by a stop 12a formed by the portion of material extending along the Z axis from the perimeter 6a. From the stop 12a towards the open end of the rim 12, the latter preferably moves away radially in a progressive manner from the perimeter 6a of the bottom to form an access ramp for the rim 14.

[0019] The 3-frame size visible at the figure 3 It includes a through-hole 3a designed to hold the capsule 2. On its inner edge, a rim 17 is recessed against which the upper end of the flange 10 rests. Between this rim 17 and the lower end 3b of the case 3 are the two flanges 14 of the bayonet joint, diametrically opposed in the illustrated example. One end of the flange 14 is designed to be inserted onto the ramp of the bottom flange 12 until it stops against the stop 12a, if one is present. The figure 6brepresents a cross-sectional view of this bayonet connection with the rim 14 of the case 3 engaged in the groove 13 of the base 6.

[0020] The bayonet connection is locked with a lock 16 which is either an added part or possibly a part integral with the base. In the illustrated example, it is an added part on the frame 3 and on the cap 2. For this purpose, the groove 13 of the base 6 communicates with a notch 15 made in the rim 12. For example, the notch 15 also opens onto the recess 11. The notch 15 is intended to be positioned opposite an opening 26 made in the wall of the frame 3 to receive together the lock 16 preventing the rotation of the cap 2 relative to the frame 3 after assembly ( figure 4). Said opening 26 passes through the case wall at the level of the rim 14, possibly in the middle of the rim 14. Preferably, the lock 16 is positioned between the lugs 22 of the case 3 so as to be hidden once the bracelet is mounted.

[0021] As depicted in the figure 5 The lock 16, intended to prevent the capsule and case from rotating relative, can be a clip that fits into the notch 15 of the base 6 and into the opening 26 of the case 3. The clip 16 has two hooks 16a, 16b which hook onto a lug 23 of the base 6 and a shoulder 24 of the case 3, the clip bearing against the perimeter 6a of the base and on a face 25 of the case opposite the shoulder 24 ( figure 6a). This clip can be made of a synthetic material or a metallic material, for example, the same material as the case. To remove the lock, a tool (not shown) is positioned from outside the case in the gap 27 formed between the lock 16 and the outer wall of the case 3 ( figure 4 ).

[0022] The watch case assembly is carried out as follows. The gasket 5 is placed on the edge 9 of the container 4 and the bottom 6 is placed along the Z axis on the container 4 with the positioning of the edges 10 of the container 4 in the recesses 11 of the bottom 6 ensuring indexing. Next, the mounted capsule 2 is placed within the recess 3a of the case 3 with the rims 12 positioned on the edge 17 of the case 3 in the areas lacking the rims 14. Then, rotating the capsule 2 relative to the case 3 using a tool in the slot 18 or in the holes 19 allows one end of the rim 14 to engage with the open end of the groove 13. Next, the lock 16 is housed in the notch 15 and the opening 26, thereby blocking any further rotation of the capsule 2 relative to the case 3. To disassemble the assembly, a tool is positioned from outside the case in the gap 27 formed between the lock 16 and the outer wall of the case 3 ( figure 4 ).

Claims

1. Watch case (1) comprising a case body (3), a capsule (2) assembled with a bayonet connection in the case body (3) and a lock (16) disposed at the bayonet connection to block any relative rotation between the capsule (2) and the case body (3), said capsule (2) comprising: - a container (4) intended to receive a movement (28) and a removable electrical power source (29), - a case back (6) and a crystal (8) respectively closing the container (4) with said case back (6) indexed to the container (4) to prevent any relative rotational movement between the case back (6) and the container (4), - a sealing gasket (5) between the container (4) and the case back (6).

2. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the container (4) has a housing (7) for receiving the movement (28) and the removable electrical power source (29), said housing (7) being framed by a side wall (7a) having on its end facing the bottom (6) at least a first rim (10) distributed radially outwards from the container (4), the bottom (6) having at least a recess (11) receiving said first rim (10) for indexing the bottom (6) to the container (4).

3. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case back (6) has on its periphery (6a) at least one second rim (12) through which a groove (13) passes, and wherein the case middle (3) has at least one third rim (14) projecting inside said case middle (3), said groove (13) being open at one end to allow the engagement of the third rim (14) when rotating the capsule (2), and optionally closed at the other end by a stop (12a) to stop the rotation, the engagement of the third rim (14) in the groove (13) forming the bayonet connection.

4. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the stop (12a) is formed by a portion of material extending towards the capsule (4) from the periphery (6a) of the bottom (6).

5. Watch case (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second rim (12) moves radially away from the periphery (6a) of the bottom (6) progressively to the open end of the groove (13) so as to form an access ramp for the third rim (14).

6. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the lock (16) is a flexible part attached to the case (3) and the capsule (2), an opening (26) being provided through the third rim (14) and the groove (13) communicating with a notch (15) made in the second rim (12), said notch (15) being positioned opposite the opening (26) to jointly receive the lock (16).

7. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lock (16) is a clip.

8. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the clip has two hooks (16a,16b) which respectively hook a lug (23) of the bottom (6) and a shoulder (24) of the case (3).

9. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the notch (15) opens onto the clearance (11).

10. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which a gap (27) is provided between the lock (16) and the case (3) to allow the introduction of a first tool for removing the lock (16).

11. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lock (16) is positioned between lugs (22) of the case (3).

12. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (6) and the container (4) are made of a synthetic material.

13. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (3) is made of a material distinct from the base (6) and the container (4).

14. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case back (6) has on its visible face a slot (18) or holes (19) for positioning a second tool for mounting and dismounting the case back (6) relative to the case middle (3).

15. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom (6) has one or more measurement sensors (30).

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