Arrangement of display module on plate

Abstract

To provide reliable techniques for arranging a display module on a plate.SOLUTION: In one embodiment, a horological assembly (10) includes a watch display module (1) and a plate (2) of a horological movement of the watch. The display module (1) is provided with at least one display component (4), and with a protective element (3) including an open recess in which the at least one display component (4) is arranged. The display component (4) is provided with a visible face (8) positioned facing a completely or partially transparent bottom of this recess. The protective element (3) includes tabs (6a, 6b) helping to arrange this element in the plate (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the arrangement of a display module on / in a plate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a timepiece assembly comprising a display module of a wristwatch and a plate of the timepiece movement of the wristwatch.

Background Art

[0002] Prior art documents describe the arrangement on a plate of a display module consisting only of a dial by a technique of locking tabs of this dial by corresponding dial keys.

[0003] One drawback of this technique is that the tabs of the dial are fragile and easily break when subjected to an impact. Since the tabs of the dial itself cannot be repaired, it is necessary to replace the entire dial if it is still available as a spare part, but it is not always available.

[0004] In this context, it is clear that a solution alternative to the prior art solution needs to be found.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to overcome the above and other drawbacks by providing a timepiece assembly in which a display module of a wristwatch is arranged on / in a plate using a new arrangement technique that is unobtrusive, simple, and highly reliable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a timepiece assembly comprising a display module of a wristwatch and a plate of a timepiece movement of the wristwatch. The display module is provided with at least one display component and a protective element including an opening recess in which at least one display component is arranged. The recess is provided with a visible surface positioned facing the completely or partially transparent bottom of the recess. The protective element comprises tabs / lugs useful for placing the protective element within the plate.

[0007] In other embodiments, - The plate comprises cavities for each tab, the cavity including a housing emerging from an opening in the upper surface of the plate, the housing being configured to receive the tab of the protective element, - The plate comprises cavities for each tab provided with a housing capable of receiving the tab, within which fastening elements can come into contact with the tab to fix the tab within the housing, - The plate comprises through-holes extending from the side walls of the plate into the housing of each cavity, the through-holes being configured to receive tab fastening elements useful for fixing the tab within the housing, - Each cavity extends in the thickness direction of the plate in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the plate, - The cavity extends in the thickness direction of the plate in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the side walls of the plate, - The protective element comprises a support element provided with a contact surface intended to abut against the plate when the display module is placed within the plate, - The support element further comprises elements for positioning the module relative to the plate, - The tabs and the support element are extensions of the ends of the peripheral wall of the protective element delimiting the opening in its recess, - The plate comprises an orifice in its upper surface configured to receive the positioning element, - The display module is kinematically coupled to the mechanism of the watch movement of the wristwatch and comprises a pivoting element configured to cooperate with the display components of this module to move the display components.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising such a watch assembly.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provided for illustrative purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Figures 1 to 5 show a watch assembly 10, particularly for a wristwatch. Such an assembly 10 may be a wristwatch and is included in this wristwatch. In this assembly 10, a display module 1 is arranged within / on a plate 2 of the watch movement of this wristwatch. Thus, such an assembly 10 comprises this display module 1 and plate 2. Such a display module is, in a non-limiting and non-restrictive manner, - the high-speed correction selector indicator of this wristwatch, or - the date display, and it should be noted.

[0012] In this configuration, the display module 1 comprises at least one display component 4, a protection element 3, and a pivoting element 5. The display component 4 is a movable, preferably rotatable timepiece that is directly involved in the selection, presentation, and / or display of watch information. In other words, this component 4 can be provided with a graphic representation that is particularly involved in this selection, or, for example, can be configured to perform this selection by its shape, or this component 4 is provided with at least one graphic representation corresponding to the watch information to be displayed / presented and is thus selected for this purpose. This component 4 can be a dial or a hand, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, this component 4 can be a component that is rotatable about its rotation axis A, for example, in this case, a movable dial or a movable hand. It should be noted that in this configuration, such a display component 4 is driven by such a rotational movement by a pivoting element 5 such as a pinion that is kinematically connected to the mechanism of the watch movement of the wristwatch. Such a pivoting element 5 passes through a passage zone 16 of the plate 2 that connects the display component 4 to this mechanism. It should be noted that such a mechanism can be configured to implement a high-speed correction selector indicator.

[0013] As already mentioned, this display component 4 can be a dial, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. In this configuration, this dial can be fixed by driving its mounting area 21 at the first end of the pivoting element 5 that forms the pivot. It should be noted that the second end of this pivoting element 5 also forms a pivot and can be attached to a bearing, particularly an impact-absorbing bearing.

[0014] Such a dial has a visible face 8 with at least one graphic representation used for the selection, presentation, and / or display of timekeeping information. It should be noted that when this component 4 is a hand, the hand is also driven at this pivot of the pivoting element 5.

[0015] In this display module 1, the protective element 3, also referred to as a cover, has an opening recess delimited by a peripheral wall 15 and a bottom that is completely or partially transparent. This recess is intended, in particular, to house or receive the display component 4. As shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, this protective element 3 is composed of two parts 7a, 7b, - The first part 7a is essentially annular in shape and has opposing openings of substantially the same cross-section, which are interconnected by the said peripheral wall 15, - The second part 7b is completely or partially transparent and is intended to be attached to one of the two openings so as to form the bottom of the recess defined in the protective element 3.

[0016] More specifically, this second part 7b can be made of crystal and is attached to the first opening of the first part 7a. It is understood that this first opening is specifically configured to be assembled with such a second part 7b.

[0017] Therefore, in this protective element 3, this second part 7b is - By having a graphic representation corresponding to the clock information, it is overall / fully transparent, and the selection and / or presentation of one of these information items is performed by a display component 4 such as a hand. - By having a graphic representation corresponding to the clock information, it is overall / fully transparent, and the selection and / or presentation of one of these information items is performed by a display component 4 such as a dial, and its visible surface 8 has a graphic representation such as an arrow or a hand representation. - By having a graphic representation such as an arrow or a hand representation to select and / or present one information item from the clock information included in the graphic representation existing on the visible surface 8 of a display component 4 such as a dial, it is overall / fully transparent. - It is transparent and partially transparent by being completely opaque except for a part of this portion 7b that selects and / or presents information from the clock information included in the graphic representation existing on the visible surface 8 of a display component 4 such as a dial, like an opening. - It is understood to be partially transparent by being completely opaque except for the opening made in this portion 7b that selects and / or presents information from the clock information included in the graphic representation existing on the visible surface 8 of a display component 4 such as a dial, like an opening.

[0018] In this first portion 7a, it should be noted that the second opening defined at the end of the peripheral wall 15 of this portion has an edge 19 of this portion 7a separated by this end.

[0019] In this configuration, such a first part 7a comprises tabs 6a, 6b that serve to arrange the display module 1 within / on the plate 2. In this embodiment of the module 1, in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner, there are two such tabs 6a, 6b. These tabs 6a, 6b are each an extension of the peripheral wall 15 of this first part 7a and extend perpendicularly in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation A when the protective element 3 is attached to the plate 2. In this context, these tabs 6a, 6b are understood to be extensions of this peripheral wall 15 starting from the edge 19 of this first part 7a.

[0020] Furthermore, such a first part 7a further comprises a support element 20 provided with a contact surface 18 intended to abut against the plate 2 when the display module 1 is arranged within the plate 2. Similar to the tabs 6a, 6b of the first part 7a, the support element 20 is also an extension of the peripheral wall 15. Such a support element 20 comprises an element 6c for positioning the display module 1 relative to the plate 2. This positioning element 6c is a protrusion or raised portion included in the contact surface 18 of the support element 20. This positioning element 6c is an extension of the support element 20.

[0021] In this assembly 10, the plate 2 preferably has a general shape similar to that of a watch case. This plate 2 comprises an upper surface 11a and a lower surface 11b, and a side wall 11c that joins these surfaces 11a, 11b together. Such upper surface 11a and lower surface 11b are in planes parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

[0022] Such a plate 2 comprises cavities 9a, 9b configured to receive the tabs 6a, 6b of the protective element 3 and, by extension, the tabs 6a, 6b of the display module 1. Each cavity 9a, 9b comprises a housing that opens onto the upper surface 11a. In other words, the cavities 9a, 9b comprise passage openings 13a, 13b within the housing included in this upper surface 11a of the plate 2.

[0023] The housing of these cavities 9a, 9b extends in the thickness direction of the plate 2 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 11a. It should be noted that this housing extends towards the lower surface 11b of the plate 2 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis A of the display component 4. As shown with reference to FIG. 1, these cavities 9a, 9b can have a rectangular shape. In other words, the cross-section of the housing can have this rectangular shape.

[0024] This plate 2 further includes through-holes 14a, 14b for each of the cavities 9a, 9b. These through-holes 14a, 14b have two openings, one opening leading to the housing of this cavity 9a, 9b and the other opening leading to the outer surface of the side wall 11c of the plate 2. These through-holes 14a, 14b include recesses defined between these openings, and fastening elements 17a, 17b for fixing tabs 6a, 6b positioned within the housing of the cavities 9a, 9b can be arranged in these recesses. In other words, this recess is configured to receive fastening elements 17a, 17b with one end protruding into the housing in order to contact the contact surface 18 of the tabs 6a, 6b positioned facing the second opening of this hole 14a, 14b for fixing the tabs 6a, 6b to this housing. In such a configuration, this recess is configured such that when the fastening elements 17a, 17b hold the tabs 6a, 6b within the housing, the other end of the fastening elements 17a, 17b does not protrude from the outer surface of the side wall 11c. These through-holes 14a, 14b extend linearly in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of the cavities 9a, 9b in the thickness of the plate 2, from the side wall 11c towards the housing. In other words, the central axes B, C of these through-holes 14a, 14b are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis A. Such through-holes 14a, 14b have a length longer than that of the fastening elements 17a, 17b in order to hide the fastening elements 17a, 17b within the plate 2. It should be noted that this hole 14a, 14b can be tapped to cooperate with fastening elements 17a, 17b such as screws.

[0025] On the one hand, this plate 2 further comprises an orifice 12 for receiving the positioning element 6c. Such an orifice 12 has a shape complementary to the shape of the positioning element 6c.

[0026] In this assembly 10, the display module 1, in particular, - fixes the tabs 6a, 6b of the protection element 3 to the cavities 9a, 9b of the plate 2 by means of fastening elements 17a, 17b that abut against the contact surfaces 18 of the tabs 6a, 6b, - abuts the protection element 3 against the upper surface 11a of the plate 2 via its support element 20, - holds the protection element 3 in the mounting position on / within the plate 2 by placing the positioning element 6c in the orifice 12 within the plate 2, - holds the display component 4 by means of the pivoting element 5 in the recess of the protection element 3, whereby it is arranged on the plate 2.

Description of the reference numerals

[0027] 1 Display module 2 Plate for the clock movement 3 Protection element 4 Display component 5 Pivoting element 6a, 6b Tabs of the protection element 6c Positioning element for positioning the protection element on the plate 7a, 7b First and second parts forming the protection element 8 Visible surface of the display component 9a, 9b First and second cavities 10 Assembly formed by the display module and the plate 11a Upper surface of the plate 11b Lower surface of the plate 11c Side wall of the plate 12 Orifice configured to receive the positioning element 13a, 13b Openings, cavities on the upper surface of the plate Through-holes for fastening elements 14a, 14b Peripheral wall of the protection element 15 Passage zone for the swivel element within the plate 16 Fastening elements 17a, 17b Contact surface of each tab for contacting the fastening element 18 Edge of the peripheral wall 19 Support element 20 Zone for attaching the display part to the swivel element 21

Claims

**Claim 1** A watch assembly (10) comprising a display module (1) of a wristwatch and a plate (2) of a timepiece movement of the wristwatch, wherein the display module (1) is provided with at least one display component (4) and a protective element (3) including an opening recess in which the at least one display component (4) is disposed, the display component (4) is provided with a visible surface (8) positioned facing a completely or partially transparent bottom of this recess, and the protective element (3) comprises tabs (6a, 6b) useful for disposing the protective element within the plate (2). **Claim 2** The plate (2) comprises cavities (9a, 9b) for each tab (6a, 6b), the cavities (9a, 9b) comprising a housing emerging from openings (13a, 13b) in an upper surface (11a) of this plate (2), the housing being configured to receive the tabs (6a, 6b) of the protective element (3). The watch assembly (10) according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The plate (2) comprises cavities (9a, 9b) for each tab (6a, 6b) provided with a housing capable of receiving this tab (6a, 6b), and within this housing, fastening elements (17a, 17b) can contact this tab (6a, 6b) in order to fix this tab (6a, 6b) within this housing. The watch assembly (10) according to claim 1. **Claim 4** The plate (2) comprises cavities (9a, 9b) for each tab (6a, 6b) provided with a housing capable of receiving this tab (6a, 6b), and within this housing, fastening elements (17a, 17b) can contact this tab (6a, 6b) in order to fix this tab (6a, 6b) within this housing. The plate (2) comprises through-holes (14a, 14b) extending from a side wall (11c) of the plate (2) into the housing of each cavity (9a, 9b), the through-holes (14a, 14b) being configured to receive fastening elements (17a, 17b) for fixing this tab (6a, 6b) in order to be useful for fixing this tab (6a, 6b) within this housing. The watch assembly (10) according to claim 1. **Claim 5** The plate (2) comprises cavities (9a, 9b) for each tab (6a, 6b), the cavities (9a, 9b) including a housing emerging from openings (13a, 13b) in the upper face (11a) of this plate (2), the housing being configured to receive the tabs (6a, 6b) of the protection element (3), each cavity (9a, 9b) extending in the thickness direction of the plate (2) in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the upper face (11a) of this plate (2), the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

6. The plate (2) comprises cavities (9a, 9b) for each tab (6a, 6b) provided with a housing capable of receiving this tab (6a, 6b), inside which housing fastening elements (17a, 17b) can come into contact with this tab (6a, 6b) in order to fix this tab (6a, 6b) inside this housing, the cavities (9a, 9b) extending in the thickness direction of the plate (2) in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the side wall (11c) of the plate (2), the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

7. The protection element (3) comprises a support element (20) provided with a contact face (18) intended to abut against the plate (2) when the display module (1) is arranged inside this plate (2), the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

8. The protection element (3) comprises a support element (20) provided with a contact face (18) intended to abut against the plate (2) when the display module (1) is arranged inside this plate (2), the support element further comprising an element (6c) for positioning the display module relative to the plate (2), the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

9. The tabs (6a, 6b) and the support element (20) are extensions of the ends of the peripheral wall (15) of the protection element (3) delimiting an opening in its recess, the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

10. The plate (2) comprises, on its upper face (11a), an orifice (12) configured to receive the positioning element (6c), the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

11. The display module (1) is kinematically connected to the mechanism of the timepiece movement of the wristwatch and comprises a pivoting element (5) configured to cooperate with the display part (4) of this module (1) to move the display part, the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

12. A wristwatch comprising the timepiece assembly (10) according to claim 1.

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