Watch case with dual-function bezel
The multi-function bezel with axial rotation and translation mechanisms addresses the difficulty of watch adjustments in professional settings by enabling simple, intuitive operation through a dual-bezel system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CERTINA
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-17
AI Technical Summary
Watch display mechanisms require user intervention, which can be difficult in professional environments due to protective equipment or thermal conditions, necessitating a solution that minimizes manipulations, particularly for diving and multi-time zone watches.
A multi-function bezel with a first bezel that rotates and translates axially and a second bezel that rotates, controlled by axial pressure and rotation, utilizing an annular spring for locking and unlocking mechanisms.
Facilitates easy and intuitive adjustments on large contact surfaces, reducing the need for complex manipulations, especially in challenging conditions.
Smart Images
Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a watch case comprising a multi-function bezel, comprising a first bezel and a second bezel coaxial around the same bezel axis.
[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a watch case.
[0003] The invention relates to the field of display mechanisms for watch parts. Technological background
[0004] Watch display mechanisms require user intervention, particularly for diving watches, multi-time zone watches, or similar devices. This intervention is not always easy in a professional environment where the user wears protective equipment such as gloves or is subjected to specific thermal conditions.
[0005] In such cases, it is best to limit, or better yet avoid, manipulations of the watch's crown. Summary of the invention
[0006] The invention aims to equip a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising several display functions, with simple display adjustment means, requiring few manipulations, and allowing these manipulations at the level of large-sized contact surfaces.
[0007] The proposal consists of equipping the timepiece with a multi-function bezel, comprising a first bezel directly manipulable by the user, with manipulations limited to axial pressure and rotation, and a second bezel controlled by these user manipulations.
[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch case according to claim 1. By "watch case" is meant here in a broad sense any case containing at least one watch movement.
[0009] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a watch case. Brief description of the figures
[0010] The goals, advantages, and characteristics will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached figures, where: there figure 1This schematic, partial, exploded-view diagram represents a watch comprising a watch case according to the invention, featuring a dual-function bezel. This bezel comprises a first, external bezel, which rotates about a bezel axis and also translates axially along the direction of this axis under the effect of a compressive force applied by the user and symbolized by an arrow. This compressive force acts against a first spring housed within the case. The bezel includes a second bezel, which is only rotationally mobile and has no axial freedom. An annular spring is also housed within the case, internal to this first spring, and this annular spring bears against both the lower part of the first bezel and the lower part of the second bezel, here an internal bezel, which has locking teeth.The annular spring includes both locking leaf springs and other rotating leaf springs; details show a particular embodiment where the first and second scopes have complementary drive means, which can cooperate when the first scope is fully depressed; the . figure 2 schematically represents, in cross-section through the telescope axis, the cooperation between the first telescope, the first spring, the second telescope, and the annular spring, in a rest position of the first telescope in which the first spring is in its maximum relaxation position, and the second telescope is locked against rotation; figure 3 , similarly to the figure 2The same components, with the first scope fully depressed in its operating position and the first spring under maximum compression, allow the second scope to be rotated by the user imparting a rotation to the first scope; figure 4 represents, schematically and in perspective, a first variant of the annular spring, allowing the rotation of the second bezel in only one direction, and well suited for use in a diving watch; figure 5 , similarly to the figure 4 , a second variant of the annular spring, allowing the second bezel to rotate in both directions, usable for example in a multi-time zone watch; the Figures 6 and 7 represent, in a simplified way, the positions of the components of figures 2 and 3 the leaf springs of the annular spring are not shown. Detailed description of the invention
[0011] The invention relates to a watch case 100 comprising a multi-function bezel, comprising a first bezel 1 and a second bezel 2 coaxial around the same bezel axis D.
[0012] According to the invention, the box 100 includes a rotation locking mechanism for the second bezel 2 which is in a fixed axial position along the direction of the bezel axis D.
[0013] The unlocking of this second scope 2 is carried out by axial pressure from a user, according to the direction of the scope axis D, on the first scope 1 to unlock the second scope 2 and cause it to rotate under the action of a rotational movement imparted by the user to the first scope 1.
[0014] And the locking mechanism includes an annular spring 5 substantially of revolution around the axis of the scope D, and which is in permanent contact with the first scope 1 on one side, and the second scope 2 on the other.
[0015] The invention is illustrated in the particular, non-limiting case where the first lens 1 is an external lens, and where the second lens 2 is an internal lens.
[0016] More specifically, the first telescope 1 and the second telescope 2 are mounted on a case 10, pivoting around the telescope axis D and rotating independently of each other. The second telescope 2 is axially fixed along the direction of the telescope axis D relative to the case 10.
[0017] The first telescope 1 is axially mobile against a first spring 3 housed in the frame 10, between a stable rest position in which the first spring 3 is relaxed, and a transient operating position in which the first spring 3 is compressed under the action of an axial force applied by a user to the first telescope 1 along the direction of the telescope axis D.
[0018] The second bezel 2 is mobile between locked rest positions via a transient unlocked position.
[0019] The annular spring 5 extends between the case 10 on one side and the lower ends of the first bezel 1 and the second bezel 2 on the other, around the bezel axis D, and is arranged to lock the angular position of the second bezel 2 when the first bezel 1 is in its rest position, and to permit, at least in a first direction of rotation, the rotation of the second bezel 2 when the first bezel 1 is in its operating position in which it exerts a unlocking pressure on the annular spring 5 to release the second bezel 2 and when it is subjected to a rotational movement imparted by the user.
[0020] The spring 5 is substantially flat, it has a lug 59 for its angular indexing in fixed position in the case 10. The spring 5 has locking and drive spring blades, which can be made by stamping, and / or cutting, and / or bending.
[0021] More particularly, the first telescope 1 includes first drive means 18, which are arranged to cooperate with complementary second drive means 28 that comprise the second telescope 2 in the maneuvering position of the first telescope 1 to drive in rotation, at least in the first direction of rotation, the second telescope 2 during a rotation imparted by the user to the first telescope 1.
[0022] More particularly, the annular spring 5 comprises, connected to each other, a first annular surface 56 arranged to cooperate with a first lower support surface 16 that comprises the first bezel 1, and a second annular surface 57 arranged to cooperate with a locking tooth 29 that comprises the second bezel 2. And the annular spring 5 comprises locking leaf springs 500, 52, 53, which extend over the first annular surface 56 and over a part of the second annular surface 57, and which are arranged to exert a locking of the second bezel 2 by action on its locking tooth 29 when the first bezel 1 is in its rest position.
[0023] More specifically, the first bearing surface 16 is arranged so that, when a compressive force is applied to the first telescope 1 in its operating position, it compresses the locking spring-blades 500, 52, 53, which comprise the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5, in order to disengage the locking spring-blades 500, 52, 53, and allow a rotation of the second telescope 2.
[0024] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 has locking leaf springs 500, all arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in only one direction. Even more specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 has locking leaf springs 500, arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in only a clockwise direction.
[0025] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 has first locking spring blades 52 which are arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in a first direction, and second locking spring blades 53 which are arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in a second direction.
[0026] More specifically, the first clockwise locking spring blades 52 are arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in a first clockwise direction, and the second counter-clockwise locking spring blades 53 are arranged to lock the second bezel 2 in a second counter-clockwise direction.
[0027] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 has spring-shaped blades with a rotation function 50, 51, allowing the rotational drive of the second telescope 2.
[0028] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 has single rotational spring blades 50 allowing the second telescope 2 to be driven in rotation in a single direction of rotation.
[0029] In particular, the locking spring blades 500 of the first annular surface 56 are opposed to the spring blades with a simple rotation function 50 of the second annular surface 57.
[0030] More specifically, the second bezel 2 is graduated for a diving watch application with unidirectional rotation.
[0031] More specifically, the second bezel 2 has a 60-minute over 360° indication.
[0032] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 has double-function rotational spring blades 51 allowing the rotation of the second telescope 2 in both directions of rotation.
[0033] More specifically, the second bezel 2 is graduated for a GMT application for indicating the time in different time zones with bidirectional rotation, and carries a 24-hour indication over 360°.
[0034] Advantageously, the first scope 1 is free to rotate in both directions of rotation, in its stable rest position and when the second scope 2 is in a locking position.
[0035] More particularly, the second telescope 2 has a groove 26 of revolution around the telescope axis D, which is arranged to cooperate with a substantially annular elastic element 6 which is also housed in a case groove 60 that has the case 10.
[0036] More specifically, the first telescope 1 represents the cardinal points.
[0037] More specifically, the first lens 1 is an external lens, the second lens 2 is an internal lens.
[0038] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 is an external annular surface, and the second annular surface 57 is an internal annular surface 57.
[0039] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch 1000, comprising such a watch case 100.
Claims
1. Watch case (100) comprising a multifunction bezel, comprising a first bezel (1) and a second bezel (2) coaxial around the same bezel axis (D), characterized in that said box (100) includes a rotation locking mechanism for said second bezel (2) which is in a fixed axial position along the direction of said bezel axis (D), the unlocking of which is effected by axial pressure from a user, along the direction of said bezel axis (D), on said first bezel (1) to unlock the second bezel (2) and cause it to rotate under the action of a rotational movement imparted by the user to said first bezel (1), and in that said locking mechanism includes an annular spring (5) substantially of revolution about said scope axis (D) and which is in permanent contact with said first scope (1) on the one hand, and said second scope (2) on the other hand.
2. Watch case (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first telescope (1) and said second telescope (2) are mounted on a case (10), pivoting around said telescope axis (D) and independent of each other in rotation, said second telescope (2) being axially immobilized along the direction of said telescope axis (D) relative to said case (10), in that said first scope (1) is axially mobile against a first spring (3) housed in said frame (10), between a stable rest position in which said first spring (3) is relaxed, and a transient operating position in which said first spring (3) is compressed under the action of an axial force applied by a user to said first scope (1) along the direction of said scope axis (D), in that said second bezel (2) is movable between locked rest positions via a transient unlocked position, and in thatsaid annular spring (5) extends between said case (10) on the one hand and lower ends of said first bezel (1) and said second bezel (2) on the other hand, around said bezel axis (D), and is arranged to lock the angular position of said second bezel (2) when said first bezel (1) is in its said rest position, and to permit, at least in a first direction of rotation, the rotation of said second bezel (2) when said first bezel (1) is in its said operating position in which it exerts a unlocking support on said annular spring (5) to release said second bezel (2) and when it is subjected to a rotational movement imparted by the user.
3. Watch case (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatsaid first scope (1) includes first drive means (18) arranged to cooperate with second complementary drive means (28) included in said second scope (2) in said operating position of said first scope (1) to drive in rotation, at least in said first direction of rotation, said second scope (2) during a rotation imparted by the user to said first scope (1).
4. Watch case (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said annular spring (5) comprises, connected to each other, a first annular surface (56) arranged to cooperate with a first lower bearing surface (16) comprising said first bezel (1), and a second annular surface (57) arranged to cooperate with a locking tooth (29) comprising said second bezel (2), and in thatsaid annular spring (5) includes locking spring blades (500, 52, 53) which extend over said first annular surface (56) and over a part of said second annular surface (57) and which are arranged to exert a locking of said second bezel (2) by action on its said locking teeth (29) when said first bezel (1) is in its said rest position.
5. Watch case (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first bearing surface (16) is arranged so that, when a compressive force is applied to said first telescope (1) in its said operating position, it compresses said locking spring-blades (500, 52, 53) that comprise said first annular surface (56) of said annular spring (5), to disengage said locking spring-blades (500, 52, 53) and allow a rotation of said second telescope (2).
6. Watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in thatsaid first annular surface (56) of said annular spring (5) comprises said locking spring blades (500) which are all arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in one direction only.
7. Watch case (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said first annular surface (56) of said annular spring (5) includes said locking spring blades (500) which are arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in the clockwise direction only.
8. Watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that said first annular surface (56) of said annular spring (5) includes first said locking spring-blades (52) which are arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in a first direction, and second said locking spring-blades (53) which are arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in a second direction.
9. Watch case (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that said first clockwise locking spring-blades (52) are arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in a first clockwise direction, and said second counter-clockwise locking spring-blades (53) are arranged to lock said second bezel (2) in a second counter-clockwise direction.
10. Watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that said second annular surface (57) has spring blades with rotation function (50, 51) allowing the rotational drive of said second telescope (2).
11. Watch case (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said second annular surface (57) has spring blades with a single rotation function (50) allowing the rotation of said second telescope (2) to be driven in a single direction of rotation.
12. Watch case (100) according to claims 4 and 11, characterized in thatsaid locking spring-blades (500) of said first annular surface (56) are opposed to said spring-blades with a simple rotation function (50) of said second annular surface (57).
13. Watch case (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said second bezel (2) is graduated for a diving watch application with unidirectional rotation.
14. Watch case (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that said second telescope (2) bears an indication of 60 minutes over 360°.
15. Watch case (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said second annular surface (57) has double rotation function spring blades (51) allowing the rotation of said second telescope (2) to be driven in both directions of rotation.
16. Watch case (100) according to claim 15, characterized in thatsaid second bezel (2) is graduated for a GMT application for indicating the time in different time zones with bidirectional rotation, and bears a 24-hour indication over 360°.
17. Watch case (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that said first telescope (1) is free to rotate in both directions of rotation, in its said stable rest position and when said second telescope (2) is in a locking position.
18. Watch case (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said second telescope (2) has a groove (26) of revolution about said telescope axis (D), which is arranged to cooperate with a substantially annular elastic element (6) which is also housed in a groove in the case (60) that is included in said case (10).
19. Watch case (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in thatsaid first telescope (1) represents the cardinal points.
20. Watch case (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that said first telescope (1) is an external telescope, in that said second lens (2) is an inner lens.
21. Watch case (100) according to claims 4 and 20, characterized in that said first annular surface (56) is an outer annular surface, and in that said second annular surface (57) is an inner annular surface (57).
22. Watch (1000) comprising a watch case (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.