Luminous display device for a timepiece, in particular for a watch, comprising means for improving the visual appearance of the timepiece
Patent Information
- Application Number
- HK42026127141
- Authority / Receiving Office
- HK · HK
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-09
- Filing Date
- 2026-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-08-06
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Abstract
Description
(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202511100915.4 (22) Application Date 2025.08.07 (30) Priority Data 24193808.3 2024.08.09 EP (71) Applicant Swatch Group Research & Development Ltd. Address Marin, Switzerland (72) Inventor C. Gnez (74) Patent Agency China Patent Agency (Hong Kong) Ltd. 72001 Patent Attorney Moody Wang Lei (51) Int.Cl. G04B 19 / 30 (2006.01) G04B 19 / 02 (2006.01) G04B 19 / 04 (2006.01) F21V 33 / 00 (2006.01) F21V 19 / 00(2006.01) F21Y 115 / 10(2016.01) (54) Invention Title: Light-emitting display device for timepieces, particularly for watches, including means for improving the visual appearance of the timepiece (57) Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a light-emitting display device configured to be mounted in a watch case, the display device comprising: The dial includes a dial body having a central aperture and an upper surface; at least one hand, arranged above the dial and mounted on a rotating stem passing through the central aperture in the dial body, the hand including a layer forming a light guide arranged to diffuse all or part of the luminous flux emitted by an illumination module, the illumination module including an open, spaced space defined by a back surface formed by a dial bushing and a peripheral wall forming a screen integral with the dial, the wall being positioned around the rotating stem of the hand and extending above the dial body to a defined height, the illumination module including a light source located on the back surface of this space and arranged to emit luminous flux toward the hand, thereby illuminating the hand from below. Claims 2 pages, Description 5 pages, Drawings 2 pages, CN 121500706 A 2026.02.10 CN 1 21 50 07 06 A 1. A light-emitting display device (1) configured to be mounted in a watch case, the display device (1) comprising: a dial (2) including a dial body (20) having a central hole and an upper surface (21); at least one hand (3, 4, 5) arranged above the dial (2) and mounted on a rotating stem passing through the central hole in the dial body (20), the hand (3, 4) including a layer forming a light guide (31, 41) arranged to diffuse all or part of the luminous flux emitted by an illumination module (70), the illumination module (70) includingAn open, spaced space (10) is defined by a back surface (26) formed by a dial bezel (7) and a peripheral wall (22) forming a screen integral with the dial, the wall (22) being positioned around the rotation axis of the hands (3, 4, 5) and extending to a defined height above the dial body (20), the illumination module (70) comprising a light source (6) located on the back surface (26) of this space (10) and arranged to emit luminous flux toward the hands (3, 4, 5) thereby illuminating the hands (3, 4, 5) from below. 2. The light-emitting display device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back surface (26) of the spaced space (10) comprises a printed circuit board comprising the light source. 3. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (6) comprises at least one electroluminescent diode and / or a micro laser source. 4. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (6) comprises a plurality of electroluminescent diodes (60) and / or micro laser sources mounted on a printed circuit board and arranged to be distributed around the rotating shaft. 5. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (22) has an inner surface (23) capable of reflecting the luminous flux emitted by the light source (6). 6. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall is made of metal, polymer, or ceramic. 7. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height defines a gap, referred to as a spatial ventilation gap (10), between the top (24) of the wall (22) and the inner surface of the lower pointer (4). 8. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointers (3, 4, 5) have a pointer body comprising at least two layers, one layer being an opaque layer (32, 42) and the other being a transparent layer forming the light guide layer (31, 41). 9. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is vertically aligned with the lower transparent layer (31) forming the light guide layer. 10. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spaced space (10) leads to a flat or substantially flat portion of the lower pointer (4). 11. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower pointer (4) includes a flat or substantially flat portion of its inner surface, the flat or substantially flat portion completely obscuring / covering the opening in the spaced space (10). 12. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of pointers (3, 4, 5).Pointers (3, 4, 5) are respectively attached to corresponding rotating stems (30, 40, 50) mounted coaxially to each other for rotation about a common axis of rotation, and at least the lower pointer (4) positioned closest to the dial (2) has at least one aperture positioned near the rotating stem (40) to allow light to pass through the lower pointer (4), such that at least a portion of the light is absorbed by a light-guiding layer (31) on the pointer (3) located directly above the lower pointer (4). 13. A watch comprising a case including a light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. The watch according to the preceding claim, which is a wristwatch. Claims 2 / 2 Page 3 CN 121500706 A Light-emitting display device for timepieces, particularly for watches, including means for improving the visual appearance of the timepiece Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display devices for timepieces, particularly watches, and particularly to light-emitting display devices for such timepieces.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a light-emitting display device for timepieces, the device comprising: a dial including a dial body having a central hole and an upper surface; at least one hand arranged above the dial and mounted on a rotating stem passing through the central hole of the dial body, the hand including a layer forming a light guide, the light guide being arranged to transmit all or part of the luminous flux emitted by a light source and at least one light source, the at least one light source being arranged to emit luminous flux toward the hand, thereby illuminating the hand from below, the light source being located below the upper surface of the dial. Background Art
[0003] Patent application EP3845974 describes a light-emitting display device for a timepiece, comprising: a light-emitting display pointer that rotates about a rotation axis, the light-emitting display pointer including a transparent light guide layer arranged to receive and transmit the luminous flux of a light source; a dial arranged below the display pointer; and at least one stationary light source arranged to illuminate the pointer from below. The stationary light source advantageously comprises an LED arranged about the axis of the display pointer.
[0004] To avoid or at least limit unwanted strong light-emitting points (hot spots) when viewed directly, the LED is positioned below the upper surface of the dial.
[0005] A disadvantage of positioning the LED away from the display pointer is that it affects optical performance. Furthermore, in the case of a simple design, i.e., in a design where, on the one hand, the display device has no additional optical elements between the LED and the display pointer, and on the other hand, the distance and size have been optimized to help improve optical performance, the user can see the LED when the display device is viewed at an angle greater than approximately 30 degrees relative to the rotation axis of the pointer. Figure 1 illustrates a drawing of the minimum angle at which the LED can be seen.In this figure, reference numerals C, L, and A refer to the dial, LED, and display hands, respectively, while reference numeral a refers to the viewing angle.
[0006] The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing a light-emitting display device for timepieces, particularly for watches (especially wristwatches), which avoids hot spots and direct views of the light source, while achieving optimal sizing and arrangement of the components of the display device.
[0007] The light-emitting display device according to the invention also aims to reduce light leakage.
[0008] The light-emitting display device according to the invention also aims to improve optical performance.
[0009] The light-emitting display device according to the invention also aims to provide an improved visual appearance in terms of both the optical appearance and the external aesthetic appearance of the timepiece including such a display device.
[0010] To this end, the present invention provides a light-emitting display device configured to be mounted in a watch case, the display device comprising: a dial, the dial including a dial body having a central hole and an upper surface; at least one hand, the at least one hand being arranged above the dial and mounted on a rotating stem passing through the central hole in the dial body, the hand including a layer forming a light guide, the light guide being arranged to diffuse all or part of the light flux emitted by an illumination module, the illumination module including an open cloisonné space, the open cloisonné space being defined by a back surface formed by a dial bushing and a peripheral wall forming a screen integral with the dial, the wall being positioned around the rotating stem of the hand and extending above the dial body to a defined height, the illumination module including a light source located on the back surface of this space and arranged to emit light flux toward the hand, thereby illuminating the hand from below.
[0011] “Defined height” means the height sufficient to shield the light source when viewed by a user from any angle of observation. Therefore, this height is defined according to the dimensions of the specific components of the timepiece (dial, hands, light source) and their positions relative to each other. This height is also defined to provide sufficient clearance for ventilation of the separated space to regulate the temperature within this space, which may change under the influence of any heat generated by the light source. This height defines a clearance, referred to as the ventilation clearance, between the top 24 of wall 22 and the inner surface 25 of the lower hand 4.
[0012] Thus, due to the presence of the peripheral wall defined above, the light source is hidden from view regardless of the angle from which the timepiece is viewed, and directly visible hot spots are avoided. This allows for the provision of a light-emitting display device that has optimal size and arrangement, avoids the disadvantages of prior art display devices (hot spots, light leakage), and has optimized optical performance.
[0013] Advantageously, the back side of the separated space includes a printed circuit board that includes the light source.
[0014] Advantageously, the light source includes, for example, at least one electroluminescent diode and / or VCSEL-type microlaser source.
[0015] Advantageously, the light source includes a plurality of electroluminescent diodes and / or microlaser sources mounted on a printed circuit board and arranged to be distributed around the rotating stem.
[0016] Advantageously, the peripheral wall and the dial body are integrally formed. In other words, the peripheral wall and the dial form a single piece.
[0017] Advantageously, the peripheral wall includes a top sized adjacent to the lower pointer.
[0018] Advantageously, the peripheral wall has an inner surface capable of reflecting the luminous flux emitted by the light source.
[0019] Advantageously, the peripheral wall is made of metal, polymer, or ceramic.
[0020] Advantageously, the pointer has a pointer body comprising at least two layers, one of which is an opaque layer and the other is a transparent layer forming a light guide layer.
[0021] Advantageously, the light source includes, for example, electroluminescent diodes and / or VCSEL-type microlaser sources distributed around the rotating stem of the pointer.
[0022] Advantageously, the light source is vertically aligned with the transparent lower layer forming the light guide layer.
[0023] Advantageously, the spaced-apart space leads to the flat or substantially flat portion of the lower pointer.
[0024] Advantageously, the lower pointer includes a flat or substantially flat portion of its inner surface that completely obscures / covers the opening in the spaced-apart space.
[0025] Advantageously, the display device includes a plurality of pointers, each attached to a corresponding rotating stem coaxially mounted to each other for rotation about a common axis of rotation, and at least the lower pointer closest to the dial has at least one aperture positioned near the rotating stem, allowing light flux to pass through the lower pointer such that at least a portion of the light flux is absorbed by the light guide layer on the pointer directly above the lower pointer.
[0026] The invention also relates to a watch, such as a wristwatch, comprising a case including the display device as previously described.
[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, provided by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] - FIG1 shows a partial schematic diagram of a prior art light-emitting display device, which shows a drawing of the minimum angle at which the LEDs can be seen; Specification 2 / 5 pages 5 CN 121500706 A
[0029] - FIG2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a light-emitting display device for a watch according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0030] - FIG3 shows a view of a dial fitted into the light-emitting display device of FIG2. Detailed Description
[0031] FIG2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a light-emitting display device 1 designed to be fitted into a case of a timepiece (such as a watch case).
[0032] Thus, in this context, the watch case includes this display device 1, which in particular includes: a dial 2;Hands 3, 4, and 5 are arranged above the dial 2; and a light source 6 is arranged to emit light flux toward the hands 3, 4, and 5, thereby illuminating the hands 3, 4, and 5 from below. As shown, the light source 6 is located below the upper surface of the dial 2.
[0033] More specifically, and conventionally, the dial 2 includes a frame body 20 having an upper surface 21, which is provided with indicators for hours and optionally minutes and / or seconds, for example, in the form of numbers or any other predetermined symbols (such as dots).
[0034] The hands 3, 4, and 5 (three in the illustrated example) include an hour hand 3, a minute hand 4, and a second hand 5. The lower hand closest to the dial 2 is the minute hand 4, the upper hand directly above the lower hand is the hour hand 3, and the upper hand furthest from the dial 2 is the second hand 5. Of course, this is obviously an exemplary embodiment, and different numbers of hands and different positions of the hands relative to each other can be anticipated depending on the desired function of the watch.
[0035] The hands 3, 4, and 5 are securely attached to their respective coaxial stems 30, 40, and 50. The stems 30, 40, and 50 rotate about a common axis of rotation via a watch movement (not shown). The hands 3, 4, and 5, arranged above the dial 2, together with the indicators on the upper surface 21 of the dial body 20, form a time display device.
[0036] The hour hand 3 and minute hand 4 each have a hand body comprising at least two stacked layers 31, 32, 41, and 42, the lower layers 31 and 41 being transparent layers forming a light guide layer, which is arranged to transmit all or part of the light flux emitted by the light source 6; while the upper layers 32 and 42 are opaque layers, advantageously metallic layers. Depending on the specific configuration, an optical insulating layer may be provided between the light guide layer and the opaque layer (not shown).
[0037] The lower pointer (in this example, the minute hand 4) advantageously includes at least one aperture 43 located near the rotating stem 40 on which the lower pointer is mounted, thereby allowing light flux emitted by the light source 6 to pass through the lower pointer via the aperture 40, such that at least a portion of the light flux is absorbed by the light-guiding layer 31 on the pointer located directly above the lower pointer. Obviously, this is an exemplary embodiment, and it is foreseeable that the pointer directly above the lower pointer and the optional upper pointer (i.e., the pointer furthest from the dial) are provided with apertures located near the rotating stem, such that the lower pointer, the pointer directly above the lower pointer, and the optional upper pointer are illuminated. In this case, these pointers would advantageously include a layer forming a light guide.
[0038] The dial 2 located below the pointers 3, 4, and 5 has a generally flat dial body 20, which is provided with a central hole through which the rotating stems 30, 40, and 50 on which the corresponding pointers 3, 4, and 5 are mounted respectively pass. The dial body includes a peripheral wall 22 formed by a neck of the dial extending toward the hands, the wall 22 defining a central hole. Figure 3 shows a view of the dial 2.
[0039] The dial 2 rests on an annular bushing 7, which, in the illustrated example, has a central hole through which coaxial stems 30, 40, and 50 pass. The central hole of the bushing has a diameter smaller than that of the dial 2, such that a circular peripheral countersunk hole 8 is provided on the inner side of the bushing 7. “Inner side of the bushing” refers to the side closest to the central hole of the bushing 7. In the watch case, this bushing 7 separates the dial 2 from the movement. In other words, the movement is arranged between this bushing and the back of the watch case.
[0040] In this configuration, the dial body 20 is preferably made of metal using a manufacturing method involving stamping and / or machining operations. Alternatively, this body 20 can be made of polymer using a manufacturing method involving injection molding operations. As another alternative, it can be made of ceramic using a manufacturing method involving pressing or sintering operations.
[0041] The light source 6 is located below the upper surface 21 of the dial 2. In the example shown, it is positioned near the lower portion of the dial 2, at the horizontal plane of the circular countersunk hole 8 formed between the coaxial stem and the dial 2.
[0042] The light source 6 advantageously includes an electroluminescent diode 60 mounted on a printed circuit board and arranged to be distributed around the stem. Advantageously, the printed circuit board is carried by or incorporated into the dial bushing 7.
[0043] According to the invention, the display device 1 includes at least one element forming a screen positioned around the coaxial stems 30, 40, 50 and extending above the dial body 20 at a defined height, thereby defining the spaced space in which the light source 6 is embedded. Thus, the light source 6 is shielded from any viewing angle of the watch.
[0044] This spaced space 10 is an open cavity or blind hole. Thus, it includes an opening arranged to face the inner surface of the lower pointer 4. In this configuration, the spaced space 10 opens to the flat or substantially flat portion of the lower pointer 4. In other words, the lower pointer 4 includes a flat or substantially flat portion on its inner surface that completely obscures or covers the opening in the spaced space 10.
[0045] In the illustrated example, the elements forming the screen are formed by a peripheral wall 22 (also called the dial neck), which is preferably made / formed during the manufacture of the dial body. If the dial body is made of metal, this element forming the screen is produced / formed by stamping and / or machining operations on the strip of the dial body 20 around the edge of the central hole. These operations produce a raised layer of material sufficient to form a peripheral wall 22 extending to a certain height, such that when the dial 2 is assembled in the display device 1, the raised layer extending toward the pointers 3, 4, 5 blocks the light source 6 while ensuring a gap E sufficient to allow ventilation of the spaced space 10. Preferably, the peripheral wall 22 forming the screen extends to the vicinity of the lower pointer. Advantageously, the inclusion of the peripheral wall on the visible surface of the dial 2.The height of the portion between the lower pointer 4 and the inner surface includes between 0.32 mm and 0.38 mm, and preferably about 0.35 mm.
[0046] Therefore, in addition to shielding the light source 6, the peripheral wall 22 of the dial 2 also acts as a reflector, because a portion of the visible light from the light source 6 can be reflected back to the pointers 3, 4, and 5 on the inner surface 23 of this wall 22. This has the advantage of improved optical performance. The optical performance is further improved by the fact that a portion of the visible light reflected by the pointer can be reflected back to the pointer by the inner surface of the wall 22. According to a variant embodiment in which the dial 2 is made of a material other than metal, it is foreseeable that the inner surface 23 of the peripheral wall 22 will be coated with a reflective layer.
[0047] It should be noted that the light source and the transparent lower layer 31 of the lower pointer 4 are vertically aligned, thereby forming a light guide layer.
[0048] Advantageously, the peripheral wall 22 is in the shape of a frustoconical and extends outward toward the pointers 3, 4, and 5. This has the following advantages: the visible light reflected from the inner surface 23 of this wall 22 is redirected toward the pointers 3, 4, and 5.
[0049] In the example just described, the peripheral wall 22 is made as one piece with the dial body 20. In other words, this wall 22 is made of the same material as the dial 2. More specifically, it forms a component of the dial 2. The advantage of forming the screen element by twisting the dial is that it limits the risk of the part disintegrating upon impact. Furthermore, the resulting assembly (dial and screen forming element) is more robust, and since no assembly is required, it makes the assembly of the parts easier.
[0050] It should be noted that in variant embodiments, this peripheral wall 22 may be an attached or added part, for example, in a tubular shape, separate from the dial 2, and therefore separate from the dial body. In this configuration, this part is inserted between the dial 2 or dial body and the light source 6. Therefore, in this context, the material used to make this insert is compatible with all materials, including mother-of-pearl, aventurine, glass, etc.
[0051] Although specific embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and alternatives can be developed in light of the overall teachings provided by the disclosure of this invention. Therefore, the specific arrangements and / or methods described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Specification 4 / 5 pages 7 CN 121500706 A
[0052] List of reference numerals
[0053] 1 – Display device
[0054] 2 – Dial
[0055] 3, 4, 5 – Hour hand, minute hand, and second hand, respectively
[0056] 6 – Light source
[0057] 7 – Dial bushing
[0058] 8 – Circular countersunk hole
[0059] 10 – Spaced space
[0060] 20 – Dial body
[0061] 21 – Upper surface of the dial
[0062] 22 – Peripheral wall of the spaced space
[0063] 30, 40, 50 – Rotating stem
[0064] 31, 41 – light guide layer
[0065] 32, 42 – opaque layer
[0066] 60 – electroluminescent diode
[0067] 70 – lighting module. Description Page 5 / 5 8 CN 121500706 A Figure 1 Figure 2 Description of the Drawings Page 1 / 2 9 CN 121500706 A Figure 3 Description of the Drawings Page 2 / 2 10 CN 121500706 A Abstract One aspect of the invention relates to a luminous display device configured to be fitted in a watch case, the display device comprising a dial comprising a dial body provided with a central hole and having an upper face, at least one hand arranged above the dial and mounted on a rotary arbor passing through the central hole in the dial body, the hand comprising a layer forming a light guide arranged to diffuse all or part of a luminous flux emitted by a lighting module comprising an open partitioned space delimited by a back formed by a dial rest and by a peripheral wall forming a screen made in one piece with said dial, said wall being positioned around the rotary arbor of the hand and extending above the dial body over a defined height, said lighting module comprising a light source located on the backof this space and being arranged to emit a luminous flux towards the hand so as to illuminate the latter from below.
Claims
1. A light-emitting display device (1) configured to be mounted in a watch case, the display device (1) comprising: A dial (2), the dial (2) comprising a dial body (20) having a central hole and an upper surface (21); at least one hand (3, 4, 5), the at least one hand (3, 4, 5) being arranged above the dial (2) and mounted on a rotating shaft passing through the central hole in the dial body (20), the hand (3, 4) comprising a layer forming a light guide (31, 41), the light guide (31, 41) being arranged to diffuse all or part of the luminous flux emitted by an illumination module (70), the illumination module (70) comprising an open space ( 10), the spaced space (10) is defined by a back surface (26) formed by the dial bushing (7) and a peripheral wall (22) forming a screen integral with the dial, the wall (22) being positioned around the rotation axis of the pointers (3, 4, 5) and extending to a defined height above the dial body (20), the illumination module (70) including a light source (6) located on the back surface (26) of this space (10) and arranged to emit light flux toward the pointers (3, 4, 5) thereby illuminating the pointers (3, 4, 5) from below.
2. The light-emitting display device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back side (26) of the spaced space (10) includes a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including the light source.
3. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (6) comprises at least one electroluminescent diode and / or a micro laser source.
4. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (6) comprises a plurality of electroluminescent diodes (60) and / or micro laser sources, which are mounted on a printed circuit board and arranged to be distributed around the rotating shaft.
5. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall (22) has an internal surface (23) capable of reflecting the light flux emitted by the light source (6).
6. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall is made of metal, polymer or ceramic.
7. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height defines a gap between the top (24) of the wall (22) and the inner surface of the lower pointer (4), referred to as a spatial ventilation gap (10).
8. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointers (3, 4, 5) have a pointer body comprising at least two layers, one layer being an opaque layer (32, 42) and the other layer being a transparent layer forming the light guide layer (31, 41).
9. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is vertically aligned with the lower transparent layer (31) forming the light guide layer.
10. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spaced space (10) leads to the flat or substantially flat portion of the lower pointer (4).
11. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower pointer (4) includes a flat or substantially flat portion of its inner surface, the flat or substantially flat portion completely obscuring / covering the opening in the spaced space (10).
12. The light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of pointers (3, 4, 5), the pointers (3, 4, 5) being respectively attached to corresponding rotating shanks (30, 40, 50) coaxially mounted to each other for rotation about a common axis of rotation, and at least the lower pointer (4) positioned closest to the dial (2) having at least one aperture positioned near the rotating shank (40) to allow light flux to pass through the lower pointer (4) such that at least a portion of the light flux is absorbed by a light guide layer (31) on the pointer (3) located directly above the lower pointer (4).
13. A watch comprising a case including a light-emitting display device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. The watch according to the preceding claim is a wristwatch.