Inlaid timepiece component and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To perfectly fill hollows so as to form decorations and graduations while obtaining an impeccable visual aspect thereof.SOLUTION: The invention relates to an inlaid timepiece component (1) including a body (10) made of metallic and / or ceramic material. The body (10) includes at least one hollow (11) forming the impression of a decoration (12). The at least one hollow is completely filled with successive strata (13, 14, 15) formed by agglomeration of particles (16) via a cold metallization, thereby forming the timepiece component (1) inlaid with at least one decoration (12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece component in which at least one metallic material and / or ceramic decoration is inlaid, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] A timepiece component such as a bezel for a timepiece, which is at least partially made of ceramics, metal or composite material, is formed so that deposits can be seen in a recess under the bezel to form graduations, commercial brand names, etc. It is known. This configuration has the advantage of protecting the deposits from mechanical degradation by completely covering the part made of sapphire. However, in this configuration, not only does the color tone of the deposits become distorted and filtered, but also the lack of difference between the color tone of the deposits and the color tone of the sapphire may make the decoration difficult to read.

[0003] In order to solve such problems, there is proposed an inlaid ceramic element including a body made of ceramics having at least one vacancy for forming an image of a decoration, wherein the at least one vacancy substantially has a first and a second conductive layer of 50 nm and is completely filled by metallic galvanic deposition to form at least one metallic decoration with improved visual quality.

[0004] However, the manufacture of such parts is still complex, costly, time-consuming, and requires the placement of a hook layer (conductive layer) to create the decoration. Also, in terms of appearance ​​​​​​​​​​​​It is difficult to form decorations and scales while perfectly filling gaps and eliminating defects. . Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Specifically, the present invention aims to solve various problems in the prior art.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention provides a body made of metallic and / or ceramic material. The present invention relates to an inlaid timepiece component having a body formed with a decorative image. According to the invention, the at least one void is formed by cold pressing. Completely filled with a continuous layer formed by the agglomeration of particles through the metallization. This forms a timekeeping component inlaid with at least one decoration. Complete.

[0007] Other advantageous alternative embodiments of the invention have the following features: the particles forming the layer are of metallic material and / or at least partially ceramic It is made of copper, zinc, tin, titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, chromium, , iron, zirconia and alumina. - each of said at least one void is at least 100 μm, preferably at least 200 μm This includes the area with a depth of 1 μm. - said at least one decoration is covered by a metal layer coloured by anodising; It can be done. - The said timepiece components are bezels, case backs, dials, case middles, wristwatches, These are external components such as the link, crown and push-pieces.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a timepiece comprising at least one component for an inlaid timepiece according to the present invention.

[0009] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a component for an inlaid timepiece, the method comprising: a) forming a body made of a metallic material and / or a ceramic material; and b) forming at least one recess on the surface of the body, each recess forming a decorative image; c) depositing a first layer having a thickness of at least 10 μm over the entire surface having the at least one recess by a cold spray process, in which the flow contains a carrier gas and particles for forming the coating; and d) repeating step c) one or more times to deposit one or more additional layers, each having a thickness of 20 μm, over the entire surface covered by the first layer of the at least one recess to completely fill the at least one recess and form an inlaid decoration; and e) polishing to remove the deposits from the surface of the body so that only the deposits of the layer remain in the at least one recess.

[0010] Other preferred variants of the method according to the present invention have the following features. - The flow of the carrier gas has a flow rate of 85 - 90 m 5 / h when the pressure is 45 - 60 × 10 2 (45 - 60 bar) and the temperature is 800 - 1000 °C. 3 ​​​​​​​​​​- The particles are made of metal or metal alloy, ceramics or cermet. . - The mass flow rate of the particles is 70 - 80 g / min. - The size of the particles is 45 μm or less. - The size of the particles is preferably 1 - 25 μm. - This method optionally includes, between step b) and step c), a step of improving the adhesiveness of the particles by engraving or texturing the voids through a laser. . - This method optionally includes, after step f), a step of anodizing the decoration so as to color the decoration.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention can be understood by reading the following detailed description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a timepiece component 1 is shown. The inlaid timepiece component 1 has a main body 10 made of a metallic material and / or a ceramic material, and at least one void 1 forming an image of a decoration 12 in this main body 10. There is 1. The at least one notch 11 is generally formed by the agglomeration of particles 16 through cold metallization called "cold spray" to form a continuous layer 13, 14, 15 that is completely filled by the agglomeration of particles 16 through cold metallization or "cold spray" technology, and at least one decoration 12 is inlaid to form a timepiece component 1 to form a timepiece component 1 with at least one decoration 12 inlaid.

[0014] This cold metallization or "cold spray" technology accelerates the filler material in the form of powder or particles to a speed faster than the critical speed (300 - 1500 m / s). Such a speed causes plastic deformation and / or fragmentation when the material collides with the substrate to be treated. Such a speed is fast enough to form a dense and adhesive coating. The temperature of this injection gas is low compared to the temperatures used in other processes (typically 300 - 1100 °C). Therefore, the material before collision is not melted. Also, ceramic materials can be injected. to a speed faster than the critical speed (300 - 1500 m / s). Such a speed causes plastic deformation and / or fragmentation when the material collides with the substrate to be treated. Such a speed is fast enough to form a dense and adhesive coating. The temperature of this injection gas is low compared to the temperatures used in other processes (typically 300 - 1100 °C). Therefore, the material before collision is not melted. Also, ceramic materials can be injected. to a speed faster than the critical speed (300 - 1500 m / s). Such a speed causes plastic deformation and / or fragmentation when the material collides with the substrate to be treated. Such a speed is fast enough to form a dense and adhesive coating. The temperature of this injection gas is low compared to the temperatures used in other processes (typically 300 - 1100 °C). Therefore, the material before collision is not melted. Also, ceramic materials can be injected. to a speed faster than the critical speed (300 - 1500 m / s). Such a speed causes plastic deformation and / or fragmentation when the material collides with the substrate to be treated. Such a speed is fast enough to form a dense and adhesive coating. The temperature of this injection gas is low compared to the temperatures used in other processes (typically 300 - 1100 °C). Therefore, the material before collision is not melted. Also, ceramic materials can be injected. In the following description, only the bezel 1 will be described, but of course, this description applies to all other timepiece components, especially the outer components of the timepiece such as the case back, the dial, the case middle part, the lugs, the balance weight, and the push parts. In the following description, only the bezel 1 will be described, but of course, this description applies to all other timepiece components, especially the outer components of the timepiece such as the case back, the dial, the case middle part, the lugs, the balance weight, and the push parts. In the following description, only the bezel 1 will be described, but of course, this description applies to all other timepiece components, especially the outer components of the timepiece such as the case back, the dial, the case middle part, the lugs, the balance weight, and the push parts.

[0015] Therefore, in the example described below, the present invention will be described based on a ring 10 made of a ceramic material with an inlaid metallic decorative element 12 forming the scale of the bezel 4. Of course, bezels made of metal or metal alloy, ceramic or composite materials are also possible. Therefore, in the example described below, the present invention will be described based on a ring 10 made of a ceramic material with an inlaid metallic decorative element 12 forming the scale of the bezel 4. Of course, bezels made of metal or metal alloy, ceramic or composite materials are also possible. Therefore, in the example described below, the present invention will be described based on a ring 10 made of a ceramic material with an inlaid metallic decorative element 12 forming the scale of the bezel 4. Of course, bezels made of metal or metal alloy, ceramic or composite materials are also possible.

[0016]

[0017]

[0017] The inlaid bezel 1 has at least one​​ It is intended to form a component with metallic decoration and extremely high wear resistance.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the inlaid timepiece component 1 has a body 10 made of ceramics, which has at least one vacancy 11 for forming the image of the decoration 12. There is. In Figure 3, it can be seen that each decoration 12 can be of any shape such as geometric figures or alphanumeric characters. According to the present invention, each vacancy 11 is completely filled with a plurality of layers 13, 14, 15 having a thickness of 10 to 50 μm. With this configuration, in the body 11 made of ceramics with extremely high wear resistance, each metallic decoration 12 can be protected. It can be seen that. Each vacancy 11 has a depth P of 100 to 200 μm, and the inner surface of each vacancy 11 can have a non-uniform geometric shape. For example, it is possible to imagine vacancies in the shape of a star, rectangle, triangle, or even a letter. It can be. It can be. It can be.

[0019] Each vacancy 11 has a depth P of 100 to 200 μm, and the inner surface of each vacancy 11 can have a geometric shape that is not constant. For example, it is possible to imagine vacancies in the shape of a star, rectangle, triangle, or even a letter. It can be. It can be.

[0020] The body 10 is made of a wide variety of materials, especially ceramics. Preferably, zirconia-based ceramics are used due to their mechanical properties, polishability, and the ability to provide a wide range of shades, although to a lesser degree. Of course, other ceramics such as titanium carbide-based ceramics and optically transparent polycrystalline ceramic mixes based on alumina or spinel can also be considered. It is used. It is used. It can be considered. It can be considered.

[0021] In another embodiment, the body 10 is obtained from a metal material or metal alloy.

[0022] The particles forming the layer are metallic and / or are made at least in part of ceramics, and are selected from copper, zinc, tin, titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, chromium, iron, zirconia or alumina. In one variant of the invention, layers made of different materials are used, for example the first part of the layer can be made of zinc and the second part of the layer can be made of titanium. Such alternative forms can reduce the manufacturing costs. The first layer 13 has a thickness of substantially 20 μm and is located at the bottom of the recess 11. Similarly, the second layer 15 and the subsequent layers can have a greater or equal thickness depending on the needs of the person skilled in the art. For example, the first layer can have a thickness of 20 μm, the second layer 30 μm, the third layer 30 μm, the fourth layer 40 μm and the fifth layer 50 μm. The succession of these layers continues until the recess is completely filled. Furthermore, according to the invention, when the body 10 is made of ceramics, for example by anodization 16, the appearance of each decoration 12 can be locally changed by coloring the last layer, i.e. the layer flush with the face of the timepiece component. In this context, in order to promote anodization, at least the last metallic layer is preferably made of aluminum or titanium. In the case of a metallic body 10, there is no problem with the filling part, but since both the body 10 and the last layer are conductive, coloring by anodization at the local level is not possible. Therefore,

[0023] The particles forming the layer are metallic and / or are made at least in part of ceramics, and are selected from copper, zinc, tin, titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, chromium, iron, zirconia or alumina. In one variant of the invention, layers made of different materials are used, for example the first part of the layer can be made of zinc and the second part of the layer can be made of titanium. Such alternative forms can reduce the manufacturing costs. The first layer 13 has a thickness of substantially 20 μm and is located at the bottom of the recess 11. Similarly, the second layer 15 and the subsequent layers can have a greater or equal thickness depending on the needs of the person skilled in the art. For example, the first layer can have a thickness of 20 μm, the second layer 30 μm, the third layer 30 μm, the fourth layer 40 μm and the fifth layer 50 μm. The succession of these layers continues until the recess is completely filled. Furthermore, according to the invention, when the body 10 is made of ceramics, for example by anodization 16, the appearance of each decoration 12 can be locally changed by coloring the last layer, i.e. the layer flush with the face of the timepiece component. In this context, in order to promote anodization, at least the last metallic layer is preferably made of aluminum or titanium. In the case of a metallic body 10, there is no problem with the filling part, but since both the body 10 and the last layer are conductive, coloring by anodization at the local level is not possible. Therefore,

[0024] Furthermore, according to the invention, when the body 10 is made of ceramics, for example by anodization 16, the appearance of each decoration 12 can be locally changed by coloring the last layer, i.e. the layer flush with the face of the timepiece component. In this context, in order to promote anodization, at least the last metallic layer is preferably made of aluminum or titanium. In the case of a metallic body 10, there is no problem with the filling part, but since both the body 10 and the last layer are conductive, coloring by anodization at the local level is not possible. Therefore,

[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, when the body 10 is made of ceramics, for example by anodization 16, the appearance of each decoration 12 can be locally changed by coloring the last layer, i.e. the layer flush with the face of the timepiece component. In this context, in order to promote anodization, at least the last metallic layer is preferably made of aluminum or titanium.

[0026] In the case of a metallic body 10, there is no problem with the filling part, but since both the body 10 and the last layer are conductive, coloring by anodization at the local level is not possible. Therefore, Deposit the last layer with a slight recession with respect to the surface of the body 10, and then color the whole by anodization for, and finally, for example, by a polishing operation, remove the excess on the surface of the body It is possible to consider removing it. (There is also another option of placing a mask via the LIGA process ).

[0027] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an embedded timepiece component.

[0028] Next, a method for manufacturing the embedded timepiece component 10 will be described. Of course, in the following description, only the case of manufacturing the bezel 1 will be described, but as described in detail above, it is applicable to any other timepiece component. Therefore, the description of the method according to the present invention will be made based on the ring 10 made of a ceramic material having an embedded metallic decoration 12 forming the scale of the bezel 1.

[0029] In the first step a), the method involves forming a body 10 made of a ceramic, for example, zirconia. In the case of a ceramic-based component, this component is preferably obtained by sintering. At the end of step a), the body 10 has its final dimensional configuration.

[0030] The method includes a second step b) intended to form at least one void 11, which can be non-penetrating in the surface F of the body 10 and, as shown in FIG. 1, forms an image of a future decoration 12. Each void 11 has a minimum depth P of 100 μm and preferably has a depth of 200 μm. Each void 11 is known to those skilled in the art Depending on the dies, it can have different geometric shapes. For example, star-shaped, rectangular, triangular shapes, and even voids in the shape of alphanumeric characters can be imagined.

[0031] Generally, step b) is performed using laser ablation that enables digging with high precision. At the end of step b), in an optional step, at least one of the voids is ablated or textured with a laser to improve the adhesion of the remaining particles in this method.

[0032] This method continues according to a third step c) intended to deposit a first layer 13 having a thickness of 20 μm over the entire surface F, that is, including each of the voids 11 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] The third step c) of this method involves coating the surface F by cold metallization generally called "cold spray". Thus, it becomes possible to deposit a particle layer that adheres completely to the body 10 without the presence of an adhesive layer.

[0034] The injected particles are made of metal or metal alloy, ceramics or cermet.

[0035] To form a deposit on the substrate 10, the particles are injected using a carrier gas through the entire de Laval type spray nozzle, accelerated and ejected at high speed, and thereby attached to the substrate.

[0036] In the example shown, the titanium particles further have a particle size of 1 to 50 μm, preferably 5 ​​​​​​​Inject those with a particle size of ~25 μm, more preferably 20 μm.

[0037] The primary gas is sent to the entire nozzle at a flow rate of 80 - 90 m 3 / h. This flow rate may vary depending on the nozzle or the gas used. Generally, helium and nitrogen are used alone or in combination. Helium has the advantage that it can operate at a lower temperature than nitrogen, and nitrogen has the advantage of being low - cost.

[0038] The temperature of the carrier gas is 900 - 1000 °C, and the spray pressure is 45 - 60 bar (45 - 60×10 N / m 5 N / m 2 ²).

[0039] In the case of particles made of titanium, very good results can be obtained at a temperature of 1000 °C and a pressure of 50 bar (50×10 5 N / m 2 ²).

[0040] The particles are sent to the nozzle at a flow rate of 70 - 80 g / min, preferably 75 g / min. Thus, the velocity of the particles is 800 - 1000 m / s.

[0041] The spray nozzle is maintained at a distance within the range of 50 mm from the surface F of the bezel 1 and advances at a speed of 0.15 m / s between the depositions of each layer. In the case of a substrate made of a ceramic material, one skilled in the art can ensure that the process parameters are adapted during the deposition of the first layer. The ceramic material is relatively fragile,

[0042] and in order to avoid the substrate from cracking or breaking, the particles are injected at a lower speed. and in order to avoid the substrate from cracking or breaking, the particles are injected at a lower speed. and in order to avoid the substrate from cracking or breaking, the particles are injected at a lower speed. It is necessary to output. Therefore, during the deposition of the first layer, the particles are sent to the nozzle at a flow rate of 20 g / min, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same.

[0043] This method follows the fourth step d). This fourth step d) is repeated one or more times to deposit one or more additional layers 14, 15, each at least 20 μm thick, over the entire surface F having at least one void 11 so as to cover the first layer 13. Step c) is repeated until the at least one void 11 is completely filled and the inlaid decoration 12 is formed in the bezel 1. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same.

[0044] Finally, in the fifth step e), as shown in FIG. 2, the layers 13, 14, 15 deposited on the surface F of the body 10 are removed so as to leave only up to the level of each void 11, and thus the method ends. In this way, the inlaid timepiece component 10 is completed and, in some cases, is immediately attached to the final part. This step can be obtained by common surface treatment processes such as grinding and lapping to remove excess material, followed by polishing. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same.

[0045] The method according to the present invention can optionally include a final step intended to deposit a metallization to color the decoration 12. For example, such a layer can be made by anodization. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same.

[0046] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and various alternative forms and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. and are sent thereto, and the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the carrier gas remain the same.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Timer component 10 Main body 11 Missing part 12 Decoration 13, 14, 15 Layers 16 Particles

Claims

[Claim 1] An inlaid timekeeping component (1) having a body (10) made of a metallic material and / or a ceramic material, The main body (10) has at least one void (11) that forms the image of the decoration (12), The at least one void is completely filled by a continuous layer (13, 14, 15) formed by the aggregation of particles (16) via cold metallization. This forms a timekeeping component (1) inlaid with at least one ornament (12). A timekeeping component (1) characterized by the following:

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