Watch case with capsule

Abstract

The present invention provides a watch case that maintains the advantage of quick and easy cover removal while preventing unauthorized access to the battery compartment, especially by young children. [Solution] A watch case 1 comprising a middle 3, a capsule 2 assembled to the middle 3 with a bayonet connector, and a bolt 16 attached to the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the capsule 2 and the middle 3, wherein the capsule 2 comprises a container 4 holding a movement and a removable electrical energy source, a case back 6 and a glass 8 that each close the container 4, the case back 6 being positioned on the container 4 to prevent any relative rotational movement between the case back 6 and the container 4, and a waterproof joint 5 between the container 4 and the case back 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch case suitable for an electronic watch and optionally a smartwatch. More specifically, the present invention relates to a watch case including a middle and a waterproof capsule assembled with a bayonet connector.

Background Art

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

[0003] For example, an electronic watch or an electromechanical watch is powered, at least in the part related to the electromechanical watch, by a removable electrical energy source, such as a button battery, embedded in a compartment within the watch case. A removable cover is provided to enclose the battery inside the compartment, and it is ensured that the compartment is at least water-resistant.

[0004] To ensure easy battery replacement, the cover and the case usually feature quick-release rotary connection / disconnection means. These means enable easy access to the battery and quick fastening of the compartment after the battery has been replaced. Examples of these quick-release connection / disconnection means are quarter-turn type assembly systems or bayonet type assembly systems.

[0005] In addition, the cover may have a recess on its outer surface configured to receive the tip of a tool so that the cover can be rotated. To make battery replacement even easier, this recess often has a relatively simple and common shape, such as a slot, so that various accessories readily available to the wearer can be used to open the compartment without the need for a specific tool or without taking the watch to a watchmaker to replace the battery.

[0006] However, these various interesting and advantageous technological solutions for replacing batteries can also have drawbacks in some situations, particularly when handled by children, especially toddlers. In fact, these toddlers may succeed in removing the battery cover and accessing the battery compartment, which could result in the risk of them swallowing the batteries and any serious consequences that may arise.

[0007] Therefore, while maintaining the advantage of quick and easy cover removal, it is necessary to protect the watch case to prevent unauthorized access to the battery compartment, especially by young children. [Overview of the project]

[0008] This invention provides a watch case design that allows for protection of a rechargeable battery or access to a battery.

[0009] According to the present invention, a watch case is obtained by assembling a waterproof capsule and a middle with a bayonet connector. The waterproof capsule includes a container for holding the movement and a removable electrical energy source, and a glass and a case back that respectively close off the container. Within the capsule, the case back is mounted in place relative to the container. In other words, the case back is positioned relative to the container. The entire assembly is secured by bolts that prevent the capsule from rotating relative to the middle.

[0010] More specifically, the present invention relates to a watch case comprising a middle, a capsule assembled within the middle with a bayonet connector, and a bolt attached to the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the capsule and the middle, wherein the capsule is • A container for holding the movement and a removable electrical energy source, A case back and glass that closes each container, wherein the case back is positioned on the container to prevent any relative rotational movement between the case back and the container, • Waterproof joint between the container and the back cover Includes.

[0011] This configuration allows the electrical energy source to be placed inside the capsule using bolts that prevent access to the energy source without specific tools. This enables the assembly and disassembly of the watch case while providing safe access to the battery or rechargeable battery.

[0012] In addition, the capsule system allows for the positioning of the case back within the container. This positioning offers significant advantages for smartwatches. In fact, during assembly, the case back with the sensor attached is held in place relative to the container containing the movement. This means there is no relative movement between the case back and the movement during assembly. Therefore, accidental disconnection between the sensor and the movement is prevented, as connections can be made using flex, pogo, wires, etc. Similarly, pre-testing is possible by mounting the sensor inside the capsule before assembly with the middle section.

[0013] The following are other advantages of this capsule assembly: It is possible to create designs with different middles separately from the capsule itself, while using the same capsule. To reduce costs, plastic can be combined with metal; for example, a plastic capsule and a metal middle can be produced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] An exploded view of the three components of the capsule according to the present invention is shown, along with the movement and battery located inside the capsule. [Figure 2] A three-dimensional diagram of the assembled capsule is shown. [Figure 3] This shows a three-dimensional diagram of the capsule and middle section, to which the capsule is mounted using a bayonet mount. [Figure 4] In contrast to the previous diagrams, this shows a three-dimensional view of a capsule mounted in the middle using a bayonet mount, with the glass in the raised position. [Figure 5] A modified example of a bolt according to the present invention for locking the capsule in place relative to the middle is shown. [Figure 6a] Figures 6a and 6b are partial vertical cross-sectional views of the capsule and middle assemblies in the bolt and bayonet connectors, respectively. [Figure 6b] Figures 6a and 6b are partial vertical cross-sectional views of the capsule and middle assemblies in the bolt and bayonet connectors, respectively. [Figure 7] This is a partial diagram of the capsule and middle assembly, showing only the middle and bolts. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The present invention relates more specifically to a watch case 1 suitable for an electronic watch, or even a smartwatch. The watch case 1 comprises two components formed by a waterproof capsule 2 and a middle 3 (Figure 3). According to the present invention, the capsule and the middle are assembled with a bayonet connector. For example, the capsule may be made of a composite material such as plastic or a metallic material, excluding the glass and joints, and the middle may be made of the same or different materials.

[0016] The capsule 2 shown in Figure 1 includes a container 4, a joint 5 such as an O-ring to ensure the capsule's waterproofness, and a back cover 6, the three components of which are assembled along the Z-axis. The container 4 includes, for example, a cylindrical bed 7, which is intended to hold a movement 28 and a removable electrical energy source 29, such as a battery. The bed 7 is closed at the front by a glass 8, which can be secured, for example, by thermal or ultrasonic soldering, and closed at the rear by the back cover 6. The container 4 is fabricated as a single piece with an opening 20 for control buttons 21 (Figure 4), along with a joint (not shown) to ensure waterproofness. The back cover 6 has a slot 18 or circular orifice 19 on a surface designed for post-assembly accessibility. The slot 18 or circular orifice 19 houses a tool for mounting and removing the capsule from the middle. The back cover 6 may include sensors 30 on the smartwatch. The back cover 6 may include a movement support 31.

[0017] The bed 7 of container 4 is enclosed by a side wall 7a. The inner contour of this wall is recessed at its lower end, forming a rim 9 that supports the joint 5 and the back cover 6. The "downward position" refers to the position toward the back cover, i.e., toward the rear. This is in contrast to the upward position toward the glass, i.e., toward the front.

[0018] The side wall 7a includes at least one projection 10, also called a flange, at its lower end, which is radially positioned toward the outside of the container 4. In the illustrated example, there are two flanges facing each other in the radial direction. Their purpose is to position the back cover 6 on the container 4. For this purpose, the back cover 6 includes countersunk holes 11 having similar dimensions to the flanges 10. The flanges 10 are embedded in the countersunk holes 11. These countersunk holes 11 are formed in flanges 12 on the back cover 6 that extend in an arc around the periphery 6a of the back cover 6. Each of these flanges 12 is crossed by a groove 13 used for bayonet connection. The groove 13 is open at one end of the arc to allow engagement of a flange 14 projecting inward from the middle 3 (Figure 3), and optionally the other end is closed by a stopper 12a formed by a portion of material extending along the Z-axis from the periphery 6a. It is preferable that the flange 12 gradually moves away from the periphery 6a of the back cover so as to form an access ramp for the flange 14, from the stopper 12a toward the open end of the flange 12.

[0019] The middle section 3 shown in Figure 3 includes a through-bed 3a for holding the capsule 2. A rim 17 is recessed in its inner contour, and the upper end of the flange 10 is supported on the rim 17. Between this rim 17 and the lower end 3b of the middle section 3 is a bayonet connector flange 14, of which there are two diametrically opposed flanges 14 in the illustrated example. One end of the flange 14 is designed to fit onto the ramp of the flange 12 on the back cover, to its stopping position relative to the stopper 12a, if a stopper is present. Figure 6b shows a cross-sectional view of this bayonet connector, where the flange 14 on the middle section 3 engages with the groove 13 of the back cover 6.

[0020] The bayonet connector is bolted with bolt 16. Bolt 16 is an attachment or an optionally fixed part to the back cover. In the illustrated example, this is a part attached to the middle 3 and the capsule 2. For this purpose, the groove 13 of the back cover 6 communicates with the notch 15 of the flange 12. For example, the notch 15 also opens to the dish hole 11. The notch 15 is designed to be arranged opposite to the opening 26 provided in the wall of the middle 3, and receives the bolt 16 that prevents the capsule 2 from rotating relative to the middle 3 after assembly (Figure 4). The said opening 26 penetrates the wall of the middle at the flange 14, optionally at the center of the flange 14. Preferably, the bolt 16 is arranged between the horns 22 of the middle 3 so as to be hidden after the listeret is attached.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the bolt 16 that locks the capsule from rotating relative to the middle may be a clip embedded in the notch 15 of the back cover 6 and the opening 26 of the middle 3. The clip 16 includes two hooks 16a, 16b that catch on the catch 23 on the back cover 6 and the shoulder 24 on the middle 3, and the clip is supported at the peripheral edge 6a of the back cover and on the surface 25 of the middle facing the shoulder 24 (Figure 6a). This clip can be made from a synthetic material or a metallic material, for example, the same material as the middle. To pull out the bolt, a tool (not shown) is arranged in the gap 27 formed between the bolt 16 and the outer wall of the middle 3 from the outside of the middle (Figure 4).

[0022] The watch case is assembled as follows: The joint 5 is placed on the rim 9 of the container 4, and the case back 6 is placed on the container 4 along the Z-axis, ensuring that the flange 10 of the container 4 is positioned in the countersunk hole 11 of the case back 6. Next, the assembled capsule 2 is placed in the recess 3a of the middle 3, and the flange 12 is positioned on the rim 17 of the middle 3 in the area without flange 14. Next, by rotating the capsule 2 relative to the middle 3 using a tool in the slot 18 or orifice 19, one end of the flange 14 engages with the open end of the groove 13. Next, the bolt 16 is embedded in the notch 15 and opening 26, thereby preventing any rotation of the capsule 2 relative to the middle 3. To disassemble the assembly, a tool is positioned from the outside of the middle in the gap 27 formed between the bolt 16 and the outer wall of the middle 3 (Figure 4).

Claims

1. A watch case (1) comprising a middle (3), a capsule (2) assembled to the middle (3) with a bayonet connector, and a bolt (16) attached to the bayonet connector to lock any relative rotation between the capsule (2) and the middle (3), wherein the capsule (2) - A container (4) that holds the movement (28) and a detachable electrical energy source (29), - A case back (6) and glass (8) that each close the container (4), wherein the case back (6) is positioned on the container (4) to prevent any relative rotational movement between the case back (6) and the container (4), - Waterproof joint (5) between the container (4) and the back cover (6) and A watch case (1), including the watch case.

2. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container (4) includes a bed (7) for holding the movement (28) and the removable electrical energy source (29), the bed (7) being surrounded by a side wall (7a), the side wall (7a) including at least a first flange (10) radially positioned toward the outside of the container (4) at the end facing the case back (6), and the case back (6) includes at least one countersunk hole (11) for accommodating the first flange (10) to position the case back (6) in the container (4).

3. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back cover (6) includes at least a second flange (12) on its periphery (6a) through which a groove (13) crosses, the middle (3) includes at least a third flange (14) projecting inward from the middle (3), the groove (13) being open at one end to allow the third flange (14) to engage when the capsule (2) rotates, and optionally closed at the other end by a stopper (12a) to stop the rotation, the engagement of the third flange (14) in the groove (13) forming the bayonet connection.

4. The watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stopper (12a) is formed by a portion of material extending from the periphery (6a) of the back cover (6) toward the container (4).

5. The watch case (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second flange (12) gradually moves radially away from the periphery (6a) of the back cover (6) to the open end of the groove (13) so as to form an access ramp for the third flange (14).

6. The watch case (1) according to claim 3, wherein the bolt (16) is a flexible component attached to the middle (3) and the capsule (2), and has an opening (26) that penetrates the third flange (14), the groove (13) communicates with a notch (15) provided in the second flange (12), and the notch (15) is positioned to face the opening (26) and receive the bolt (16) together.

7. The watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bolt (16) is a clip.

8. The watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the clip includes two hooks (16a, 16b) that hook onto a catch (23) on the back cover (6) and a shoulder portion (24) on the middle (3), respectively.

9. The watch case (1) according to claim 6, wherein the notch (15) opens into the countersunk hole (11).

10. The watch case (1) according to claim 6, wherein a gap (27) is formed between the bolt (16) and the middle (3) to allow the introduction of a first tool for pulling out the bolt (16).

11. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bolt (16) is positioned between the horns (22) of the middle (3).

12. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back cover (6) and the container (4) are made from a synthetic material.

13. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the middle (3) is made from a different material from the back cover (6) and the container (4).

14. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the case back (6) includes a second slot (18) or orifice (19) on its visible surface for positioning a second tool for attaching and removing the case back (6) from the middle (3).

15. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back cover (6) includes one or more measuring sensors (30).

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