Portable watch with a humidity control device inside the watch case.

Abstract

The humidity control device used in a portable watch does not require a power supply and is designed to be inconspicuous when housed inside the watch. [Solution] The present invention relates to a portable watch (1) comprising a portable watch case (2), wherein the portable watch case (2) includes a humidity control device (3) inside the portable watch (1). According to the present invention, the humidity control device (3) is in the form of a film made of at least one thermoplastic polymer containing absorbent natural fibers, configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the portable watch case (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable timepiece (e.g., a wristwatch, a pocket watch) provided with a portable timepiece case, wherein the portable timepiece case includes a humidity adjustment device inside the portable timepiece.

Background Art

[0002] The waterproofness of a portable timepiece is expressed in bars (a bar is a unit of pressure, and 1 bar corresponds to 1 atmosphere (atm)). The degree of waterproofness of a portable timepiece is often also expressed in meters (m). A portable timepiece defined as being waterproof is intended for daily use, which means that it also needs to be waterproof during activities such as swimming and taking a shower.

[0003] To ensure waterproofness, a portable timepiece usually has a combination of waterproof joints attached to specific parts of the portable timepiece such as the windshield, bezel, back of the case, and the assembly locations of movable elements such as screws and buttons. Over time and with use, the mechanical properties of the joints change, and the waterproofness of the portable timepiece may decrease. When this happens, the portable timepiece becomes more susceptible to further penetration of water and water vapor. As a result, condensation may occur on the inner surface of the windshield of the portable timepiece, and more seriously, specific metal parts may oxidize or specific polymer parts may deteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to check the degree of relative humidity of the portable timepiece at any time without necessarily opening the case of the portable timepiece. This is because opening the case of the portable timepiece requires systematically replacing the joints and the intervention of a watch technician. If the amount of water vapor inside the portable timepiece is too high, it may indicate that one or more joints need to be replaced in the short to medium term.

[0004] To meet this need, certain portable watches incorporate a device for measuring the relative humidity inside the watch. Such a measuring device consists of an electronic module capable of measuring and recording values ​​for various environmental parameters, including relative humidity. Because such an electronic module is small, it can be installed inside the watch case, and a dedicated sensor can be used to measure the relative humidity inside the watch case. The measured relative humidity value is transmitted wirelessly, usually via infrared or radio frequency, to the watch's docking station. The infrared signal emitted by the electronic module passes through the light-transmitting part of the watch case, usually the crystal, and is received by an infrared sensor in the docking station. The user of the watch can then view the measured relative humidity value via a computer or smartphone connected to the docking station and equipped with dedicated software.

[0005] However, a challenge with such electronic measuring devices is that they often require batteries to power various electronic components. Therefore, such devices are completely unsuitable, especially for mechanical portable watches. Furthermore, in the case of electronic portable watches, they may negatively impact the product's autonomy or require the use of larger capacity batteries, potentially increasing the size of the watch.

[0006] Another challenge is that such devices can be relatively bulky and conspicuous when housed in a portable watch. Furthermore, these electronic measuring devices are relatively expensive, increasing the manufacturing cost of portable watches. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to improve, in particular, various problems of these known technologies.

[0008] Specifically, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a material suitable for creating elastomer components designed to be in direct or indirect contact with the skin for extended periods, and to obtain an elastomer that possesses properties that improve comfort while maintaining good color realizability and good resistance to aging (in terms of UV, perspiration, and aesthetics). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] These objectives, and other objectives which will become clearer hereafter, are achieved by using a portable watch equipped with a portable watch case according to the present invention. This portable watch case is equipped with a humidity control device within the portable watch, The humidity control device is in the form of a film made of at least one thermoplastic polymer containing absorbent natural fibers, configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside a portable watch case.

[0010] Other preferred variants of the present invention have the following characteristics: - The thermoplastic polymer is a superabsorbent polymer. - The aforementioned natural fibers are selected from cellulose, hemp, ramie, and silk. - The film contains a hydrochromic pigment. - The film comprises a second thermoplastic polymer. - The film is in the form of a flat ring. - Only a portion of the ring-shaped ring is highly absorbent, forming a unique pattern. - The film is attached to or beneath the front face of the portable watch. - The film is attached to the back of the case of the portable watch.

[0011] The purpose, advantages, and features of the portable watch equipped with the portable watch case according to the present invention will become even clearer from the following description, with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a top view of a front panel to which a humidity control device has been attached according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This shows a portable watch equipped with a humidity control device according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 shows an assembly for measuring relative humidity in a portable watch 2. In relation to the present invention, "humidity" means "the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in the air to the saturated vapor pressure (or water vapor pressure) at the same temperature." In other words, measuring relative humidity corresponds to calculating the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that can be contained under the same temperature conditions.

[0014] The portable watch 1 includes a portable watch case 2. The portable watch case 2 is equipped with a measuring device 3 for measuring the relative humidity inside the portable watch 1. The portable watch case 2 further comprises a case middle section, a display dial 10, and a time display means (the time display means is not shown for simplicity), and the measuring device 3 is positioned on the display dial 10 inside the portable watch case 2, for example, as shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The measuring device 3 is a device in the form of a thin film made of at least one thermoplastic polymer, which is filled with absorbent natural fibers and a superabsorbent polymer configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside a portable watch case. This film may also contain a second thermoplastic polymer and may be composed of multiple thermoplastic polymers.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent polymer is selected from the family of crosslinked polyacrylates.

[0017] The thermoplastic polymer used contains at least one additive such as a superabsorbent polymer composed of sodium polyacrylate or potassium polyacrylate with a cation concentration greater than 0.05 g / kg. The amount of cations generally exceeds 5% of the polymer weight.

[0018] The thermoplastic polymer further contains natural fibers selected from cellulose, hemp, ramie, and silk. Such fibers have excellent absorbency and can enhance the absorption effect of the polymer.

[0019] The thin film is configured to change in volume and / or color due to the presence of water vapor inside the portable watch case. For this reason, the film contains a hydrochromic pigment deposited on the dial and added to the thermoplastic polymer, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] The film may be in the form of a flat ring with a central region cut out to form a ring shape.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, only a part of the ring-shaped ring has absorbency, and when the film absorbs moisture, a characteristic pattern is formed.

[0022] Depending on whether the absorption film is to be made visible, the film may be pasted on the dial of the portable watch or placed under it. The film can also be pasted on the back of the case of the portable watch.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1 Portable watch 2 Portable watch case 3 Humidity adjustment device 10 Dial

Claims

1. A portable watch (1) comprising a portable watch case (2), The portable watch case (2) includes a humidity control device (3) inside the portable watch (1). The humidity control device (3) is configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the portable watch case (2) and is in the form of a film made of at least one thermoplastic polymer, including a superabsorbent polymer or absorbent natural fibers. Portable watch.

2. The thermoplastic polymer is a superabsorbent polymer. The portable watch according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned natural fiber is selected from among cellulose, hemp, ramie, and silk. The portable watch according to claim 1.

4. The film contains a hydrochromic pigment. The portable watch according to claim 1.

5. The film comprises a second thermoplastic polymer. The portable watch according to claim 1.

6. The film is in the form of a flat ring. The portable watch according to claim 1.

7. Only a portion of the ring-shaped ring is highly absorbent, forming a unique pattern. The portable watch according to claim 6.

8. The film is attached to or beneath the front face (10) of the portable watch. The portable watch according to claim 1.

9. The film is attached to the back of the case of the portable watch. The portable watch according to claim 1.

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