Analog display elements

Abstract

When manufacturing needles using synthetic materials, a problem arises where, after assembling the needles onto the drive shaft, plastic deformation due to creep causes these needles to remain attached to the pipes. [Solution] A display element 1 intended to be attached to a watch comprises a body 2 having a portion 4 including an assembly area 5 configured to receive an insert 3 by embedding, the embeddable insert having a shaft hole 13 configured to adjust the display element to a drive shaft, the body comprising a portion made of a material having softening properties which is embedded by melting the insert, the insert comprising a peripheral wall having a patterned outer surface which is connected to the portion of the body of the display element, the outer surface which is configured to ensure that the insert is mechanically fixed to the portion, and the peripheral wall protrudes in both directions from the opposing surface of the portion of the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watch manufacturing, and more particularly to the field of analog display elements such as watch hands or display disks. It relates to the field of log display elements.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a watch including such a display element.

Background Art

[0003] The manufacture of display elements such as hands intended for use as watch display indicators is particularly complex, especially when the hands are for high-end watches, and the hands need to have a particularly elaborate surface appearance and optionally have facets. The hands are usually made of brass, steel, gold, aluminum or special alloys. These hands may be subjected to zinc plating, painting, oxidation treatment, varnishing, PVD coating, bluing / anodizing, or roughing when the material used is gold. These

[0004] hands are typically manufactured by machining or stamping, and may be subjected to surface treatments such as polishing, sandblasting, satin finish, etc.

[0005] One drawback of these display hands is that, for example, when making hands with a transparent or translucent body, the possibilities for decoration are limited. Furthermore, the materials used for such hands have a high density. This means that the moment of inertia is large and the unbalance force is large, so floating and slipping of the hands occur during impact.

[0006]

[0007] One solution proposed in the prior art is to use synthetic materials to manufacture the hands. This is how it is made. However, when such a needle is assembled to the drive shaft, As a result of plastic deformation due to creep, these needles remained attached to those pipes. There is a problem in that this happens. [Overview of the project]

[0007] The objective of this invention is to overcome various drawbacks of the prior art.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is a hand having a non-metallic plate on the drive shaft of the display mechanism of a clock. The goal is to improve the retention of the eel display element.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display element with reduced weight and a display element of any desired shape. It is about gaining.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display element that is robust over time and has reduced manufacturing costs. It is about gaining.

[0011] To this end, one aspect of the present invention relates to a display element intended to be attached to a watch. This relates to the assembly configured to accept an insert by embedding. The main body includes a portion that includes a recessed area, and the embeddable insert has a surface A shaft hole is provided which is configured to adjust the indicator element to the drive shaft, and the main body is the The insert includes a portion made from a material with softening properties that is embedded by melting. The insert has a patterned outer surface that is connected to the portion of the body of the display element. The peripheral wall is provided with a portion thereof, and the outer surface is such that the insert is mechanically fixed to the portion thereof. The peripheral wall is configured to ensure that both the peripheral wall and the opposing surface of the part of the main body are separated. They protrude in each direction.

[0012] In other embodiments, • The peripheral wall is provided with an outer connection surface, and a portion of the outer connection surface corresponds to the thickness of the assembly area. The entire piece is patterned by including multiple relief patterns. The insert has a first portion that protrudes from both sides of the opposing surface of the part of the main body and and including the second part, The insert has a first portion that protrudes from both sides of the opposing surface of the part of the main body and and including the second part, The first and second parts of the insert have similar thicknesses. The free ends of the first and second parts are embedded by the insert through melting. The main body includes an insertion area configured for the material of that portion to pass through, • Materials with softening properties include, in whole or in part, plastic materials with softening properties. fruit, The embeddable insert has a softening point higher than the softening point of the material constituting the portion. Made from a material having points, • The part in question involves melting / integrating the materials that make up the insert and each of the parts. The embedded Includes insert, • The display element is symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 and / or its short plane of symmetry P2. Symmetrical, • The display element is a display needle, and its body includes a plate, which can be embedded. An assembly area is provided that includes a pipe formed by a functional insert.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a clock that includes at least one such display element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following given description of certain non - limiting specific embodiments of the invention provided for illustrative purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings. which will be well understood upon reading the following given description of certain non - limiting specific embodiments of the invention provided for illustrative purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a top view of a display element according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the display element is a display needle and includes a plate provided with a part including a pipe formed by an embeddable insert. [Figure 2] It is a top view of a part of a needle plate including a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view along the A - A line of the above - mentioned part of the needle plate shown in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a side view of an embeddable insert forming the pipe of the needle according to the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Refer to FIGS. 1 to 4. The present invention preferably relates to a display element 1 to be equipped in a timepiece such as a wristwatch. Such an element 1 may be a needle or a display disk, but is not limited thereto. not limited thereto.

[0017] The display element 1, also referred to as a "display indicator", includes a main body 2. The main body 2 is provided with an assembly area 5 included in a part 4 of the main body 2, and the assembly area 5 is configured to receive an insert 3 by embedding or insertion. In other words, the part 4 and thus the area 5 are made of a material having softening characteristics such that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) by melting. Under these conditions, the assembly area 2 is provided with an assembly area 5 included in a part 4 of the main body 2, and the assembly area 5 is configured to receive an insert 3 by embedding or insertion. In other words, the part 4 and thus the area 5 are made of a material having softening characteristics such that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) by melting. Under these conditions, the assembly area 4 and thus the area 5 are made of a material having softening characteristics such that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) by melting. Under these conditions, the assembly area 4 and thus the area 5 are made of a material having softening characteristics such that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) by melting. Under these conditions, the assembly area 5 is configured to receive the insert 3 by embedding or insertion. In other words, the part 4 and thus the area 5 are made of a material having softening characteristics such that the insert 3 can be embedded (or inserted) by melting. Under these conditions, the assembly area 5 is then formed by this embeddable insert 3. T3 is configured to adjust this display element 1 to the drive shaft of the clock's display mechanism. Includes shaft hole 13.

[0018] For the purpose of a better understanding of the present invention, the display element 1 described herein is defined as the display needle 1. In this context, the body 2 of this needle 1 includes a plate 2. A portion of this plate 2 4 The assembly area 5 includes a pipe 5 formed by an embeddable insert 3. Includes. Such inserts 3 are also called "sockets" and are formed by melting / associating / integrating. The present invention is configured to be embedded in a portion 4 of plate 2. This description applies to a limited case involving a rotating needle 1. Nevertheless, the principle of the present invention is as follows: It should be noted that this is also applicable to needles 1 with non-circular motion trajectories, such as linear cursors. This should be the case. This hand 1 can be included in the display mechanism, for example, by being the hour hand. It has a variable length or variable radial extension.

[0019] Refer to Figure 1. This indicator needle 1 has a first end that includes a counterweight, and for example, an indicator mechanism that time In the case of a meter, it includes a second opposite end that forms a tip 10 that indicates information such as time. As described above, the plate 2 of this needle 1 includes a portion 4 on which the pipe 5 is provided. 5 is also called the "adjustable diameter," which is intended to be driven by the pivot of the drive shaft of the display mechanism. The shaft includes a shaft hole 13. Such a drive shaft includes a gear train and a display mechanism. It should be noted that the present invention is included in the drive member. It is equally applicable to the analog display mechanism of a clock.

[0020] According to the illustrated embodiment, the plate 2 has a circular head 9. Inside it is a pipe 5 It is housed and permitted to be assembled to the clock's drive shaft. It forms a pipe 5. The shaft hole 13 of the insert 3 is adjusted to the drive shaft, for example, by the drive operation. It is intended to be so.

[0021] This pipe 5, and by extension the insert 3, can exert a clamping force on the drive shaft. This allows the needle 1 to be held on the drive shaft in both the axial and rotational directions.

[0022] As already mentioned, plate 2 further includes a tip 10. This tip 10 is attached to the main body 12 It is connected to the head 9 via the tip 10. In this case, the tip 10 has a triangular shape. However, it may take on other appropriate shapes to indicate a specific angular position on the watch face.

[0023] The plate 2 of the needle 1 is further connected to the head 9 as an extension of the main body 12, forming a rectangular fishing hook. It may include a counterweight 11. Similarly, the counterweight 11 may take any other shape. For example, it is conceivable that the counterweight 11 may take on the shape of a logo.

[0024] As mentioned above, the portion 4, including the assembly area 5, is made from a specific material. Plate 2 is made of, in whole or in part, plastic material, particularly thermoplastic material. It is made from a material that has softening properties. Preferably, such a material has softening properties. It is a hard material. Under these conditions, this material is heated sufficiently to soften and then cooled. When this happens, it becomes hard / rigid again. This plastic material deforms and molds under the influence of heat. It consists of a linear or branched polymer. This plastic material is, for example, thermoplastic. Contains polymers.

[0025] Therefore, it should be understood that this plate 2 is made only of this material which has this softening property. It can be made from, or entirely from, this material. Alternatively, such plate 2 Partially made from this material, and at least the part 4 including the insert 3 is made from this material It is made from ingredients.

[0026] The pipe 5 is formed by an embeddable insert 3, and this insert 3 is The drive shaft, also called the "rotating shaft," has a shaft hole 13 for adjusting the indicator needle 1. It takes the form of a cylindrical shape. It should be noted that such an insert 3 can take other shapes It may take the form of a polygon, for example. This insert 3 is such an insert From a material having a softening point higher than the softening point of the material constituting the part 4 into which part 3 is embedded. It can be made from materials such as aluminum, brass, steel, or titanium. Metals are preferred. Alternatively, this material may be a thermosetting material.

[0027] Such an insert 3 that forms this pipe 5 has a shaft hole 1 in this insert 3. It is intended to be pressed against a drive shaft having a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of 3. Therefore, due to the elastic and plastic properties of the material, the plate 2 of the indicator needle 1 does not need to be modified. This makes it possible to drive the drive shaft in such a way that it presses the pipe 5 against it.

[0028] According to the present invention, when such an insert 3 is assembled to a display mechanism, the drive mechanism It includes a peripheral wall 6 with an inner surface 7 suitable for working with the shaft. The outer surface 7a of the plate 2 of the indicator needle 1 is connected to the part 4 thereto, and more specifically, the patterned surface This peripheral wall 6 includes a connecting outer surface 7a. The outer surface 7a and the inner surface 7b are further connected to each other. It includes the following upper surface 7c and lower surface 7d.

[0029] This patterned outer surface 7a includes multiple raised patterns 8. These multiple patterns 8 are Preferably, these multiple parts extend across the entire outer surface 7a of the peripheral wall 6. Alternatively, these multiple parts Turn 8 may be distributed in a specific area of ​​this outer surface 7a, and this area is of this needle 1 It is configured to cooperate with the material constituting the portion 4 of plate 2. (Note) However, these patterns 8 may be identical, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 4. It may have a similar shape.

[0030] Such a patterned outer surface 7a is used on the portion 4 of the plate 5 including the pipe 5. This helps to increase the contact surface area of ​​this insert 3 with the material being used. Furthermore, this structure In the assembly, to ensure that plate 2 is securely held in this insert 3, Material can be inserted onto and between the raised patterns 8 on this surface 7a. Therefore, the retention of this insert 3 in this part 4 is improved in this case, and consequently It is understood that this helps to ensure optimal mechanical fastening in this part 4.

[0031] It should be noted that the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 preferably has a connecting outer surface 7a. The thickness E2 of the outer surface 7a of the connection corresponds to the thickness E2 of the portion 4 including the assembly area 5. A portion of it is patterned overall by including multiple raised patterns 8. In other words, this peripheral wall 6 includes multiple elevation patterns 8, and these multiple elevation patterns 8 extends over a portion of its patterned connection outer surface 7a.

[0032] In one alternative embodiment, the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 has a fully patterned outer A surface 7a is provided. In other words, this peripheral wall 6 has its patterned connecting outer surface 7a It includes multiple ridge patterns 8 that extend throughout the entire area.

[0033] As can be seen from Figure 3, the insert 3 is driven by pushing the needle 1 onto the drive shaft. An inner diameter D1 is configured to be useful, and a plate 2 larger than D1 receives the needle 1 and It has an outer diameter D2 configured to hold.

[0034] As already mentioned, this insert 3 is made of plate 2 in order to form the pipe 5 of the needle 1. Part 4 is embedded by melting / integrating / associating. For more details, see this insert. 3 melts / integrates / associates the materials constituting the insert 3 and the respective part 4. As a result of this process, it is embedded in this part 4. This process constitutes the part 4 The material that makes up the energy supply that ensures insert 3 is inserted into this part 4 It is softened by the supply. This energy is emitted in an indefinite and non-exclusive manner, such as ultrasound or It may be supplied by a heating element, laser, or vapor injection.

[0035] When using ultrasound, such operations are considered ultrasonic melting / integration / association operations. Good. This operation involves applying mechanical vibration to the material constituting the part 4. This softens the material, and the mechanical vibration is caused by ultrasound. In this case, these mechanical vibrations affect the portion 4 of the material that has softening properties. Frictional heat is generated, exciting the molecules, and causing those molecules to move. That is, the part in question 4 The material becomes more flexible as it softens, allowing for insertion / filling of insert 3 into this part 4. The material is permissible to be joined to this material.

[0036] In this configuration, the insert 3 is arranged on the plate 2 of the needle 1 to form a pipe 5. In this configuration, the peripheral wall 6 of the insert 3 is opposite the portion 4 of the plate 2 of the indicator needle 1. It should be noted that it protrudes on both sides. These two opposing surfaces are connected by the side walls of this needle 2. They are joined together and become one.

[0037] In more detail, this peripheral wall 6 protrudes from both sides of the opposing surface of the portion 4 of the main body 2. It includes a first part 14a and a second part 14b. These parts 14a and 14b are each This includes an opening in the shaft hole 13 of insert 3. Needless to say, these The openings face each other. In this configuration, these first parts 14a and of insert 3 The second portion 14b has thicknesses E3, E4 which are preferably similar. E3 and E4 are • Insert 3 is smaller than the thickness E1. • Part 4 is less than the thickness E2 • The thickness of assembly area 5 is smaller than E2.

[0038] Such an arrangement of inserts 3 in this part 4 causes the indicator needle 1 to rotate axially and in a circular motion. This helps to stabilize the direction. Furthermore, this arrangement means that needle 1 is mounted on the drive shaft. Not only when the needle 2 is attached to this shaft, but also after the needle 2 has been assembled to this shaft, the stress that the needle 2 may experience It helps to equalize the distribution. In other words, such stress is distributed evenly across the entire thickness E2 of the main body 2. It is distributed uniformly across. This uniform distribution gives the needle body 2, and by extension the reference number 4, It is guaranteed that the portion obtained will remain flat. That is, the body 2 of needle 1 is assembled It remains flat even after being found.

[0039] It is understood that this arrangement of inserts 3 in the body 2 of needle 1 widens The use of materials within a range is permitted. In particular, the needle that may result from such stress This is because it reduces the need to use materials that are explicitly reinforced to prevent deformation.

[0040] Furthermore, the free ends of the first part 14a and the second part 14b are inserted into the insertion area. Includes A15a and A15b. These areas are embedded by the melting of the insert 3. It is configured to allow the material of the aforementioned part 4 of the main body 2 to pass through, These insertion areas 15a and 15b each have one end that essentially terminates at the tip. It is preferable that it has a cross-sectional shape with a rare shape.

[0041] Furthermore, the indicator needle 1 is positioned relative to the longitudinal symmetry plane P1 and / or the short symmetry plane P2 of the needle 1. It should be noted that they are symmetrical. As can be understood, these two planes P1, P2 is perpendicular to each other. Due to symmetry, such indicator needle 1 is reversible. Therefore, the assembly of the display mechanism is simplified, and the time required for assembly is reduced. This is useful. In other words, by visually observing one of the two opposing surfaces of such an indicator needle 1. One possible aspect is that it can be assembled onto a shaft.

[0042] The above description corresponds to a preferred embodiment and is not limited in any circumstances. It is not possible to do so, and more specifically, it is considered limited with respect to the types of display elements being described. It is not possible to do so. For more information, see the disc, especially the date disc, and other display elements as well. It is part of the invention.

[0043] Furthermore, this specification describes various structural elements or materials that constitute display element 1. It is not limited to the form in which it is made. A person skilled in the art would know, for example, for the plate 2 of needle 1, There is no particular difficulty in selecting any other material that has the mechanical properties necessary for implementing the invention. It is likely.

[0044] There are a great many possible applications for such display elements. This invention is Any type of object or device, in particular a portable object including a display element This is because it can be implemented in a ct or device.

Claims

1. A display element (1) intended to be attached to a watch, Includes an assembly area (5) configured to receive an insert (3) by embedding. Including a main body (2) on which a part (4) is provided, The embeddable insert (3) is configured to adjust the display element (1) to the drive shaft. A shaft hole (13) is provided, configured in such a way. The main body (2) has softening properties such that the insert (3) is embedded by melting. It includes a portion (4) made from the materials, The insert (3) is in contact with the portion (4) of the main body (2) of the display element (1). It includes a peripheral wall (6) having a continuous patterned outer surface (7a), The outer surface (7a) is where the insert (3) is mechanically fixed to the portion (4). It is configured to guarantee that, The peripheral wall (6) is located in both directions from the opposing surface of the portion (4) of the main body (2). A display element (1) that protrudes.

2. The peripheral wall (6) is provided with a connecting outer surface (7a), and the thickness of the assembly area (5) A portion of the connecting outer surface (7a) corresponding to (E2) is a plurality of relief patterns (8) The display element (1) according to claim 1, which is patterned overall by including the following:

3. The insert (3) is located on both sides of the opposing surface of the portion (4) of the main body (2). The display element according to claim 1, comprising a first portion and a second portion (14a, 14b) protruding from the surface. （１）。

4. The insert (3) is located on both sides of the opposing surface of the portion (4) of the main body (2). It includes a first portion and a second portion (14a, 14b) that protrude to the front of the insert (3). The first and second parts (14a, 14b) have similar thicknesses (E3, E4), Display element (1) as described in item 1.

5. The insert (3) includes a first part and a second part (14a, 14b), and these first part The free ends of the first and second parts (14a, 14b) are located when the insert (3) is melted. Therefore, the material of the part (4) of the main body (2) becomes easier to embed. The display element (1) according to claim 1, including the configured insertion areas (15a, 15b).

6. The material having the aforementioned softening properties is, in whole or in part, a plastic material having the aforementioned softening properties. A display element (1) according to claim 1, including a material.

7. The embeddable insert (3) is located at a softening point of the material constituting the portion (4) The display element (1) according to claim 1, which is made from a material having a high softening point.

8. The aforementioned part (4) is made of the material that constitutes the insert (3) and the aforementioned part (4), respectively. By melting / integrating / associating materials, more specifically by ultrasonic melting / integrating / associating materials The display element (1) according to claim 1, including the embedded insert (3).

9. With respect to the longitudinal symmetry plane (P1) and / or the transverse symmetry plane (P2) of this element (1) The display element (1) according to claim 1, which is symmetrical.

10. An indicator needle, the body (2) of the indicator needle is embedded in the embeddable insert (3) A plate (2) is provided with an assembly area (5) that includes a pipe (5) formed by [the same process]. The display element (1) described in claim 1.

11. A clock characterized by including at least one of the display elements (1) described in claim 1.

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