Protective casing for watches

Abstract

To provide a watch casing capable of withstanding certain temperatures.SOLUTION: A Dewar casing 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 5 of a watch 10 is provided, comprising an enclosure 4 designed to allow a case 12 of the watch to be removably arranged in such a way that a display interface thereof is disposed facing a crystal 6 of the casing. The casing has a reversible fixing device 13 for fixing the watch case in the enclosure while keeping it away from functional elements 15 forming the enclosure of this case. The crystal of the casing comprises an element 7a for varying the transmittance of the crystal and an element 7b for generating illumination directed towards the display interface of the watch 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective casing for a watch of the Dewar casing type, in particular a protective casing for a watch which provides thermal protection for the mechanical and / or functional parts of the watch arranged inside said casing. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, a watch comprises a bracelet and a watch case containing several mechanical, electrical or electronic components, some of which are known in the prior art to be unable to withstand certain temperatures and to cease to function properly at these temperatures. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is therefore necessary to be able to use watches, especially electronic watches, in environments where such temperatures can prevail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a dewar casing for the mechanical and / or functional parts of a watch, comprising a compartment in which the case of the watch can be removably placed, a display interface of the watch arranged facing a crystal of the casing, the casing comprising a reversible fixing device for fixing the watch case in said compartment while keeping it away from the functional elements which form the compartment of the casing, the crystal of the casing comprising an element for varying the transmittance of the crystal and an element for generating illumination directed towards the display interface of the watch.

[0005] In another embodiment, The elements that change the transmittance and generate the light are contained in and superimposed on said crystal (6). The crystal is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element that modifies said transmittance, and a stack of functional layers forming the element that generates said illumination. The crystal is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, an outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element that modifies the transmittance, a stack of functional layers forming the element that generates the illumination, and an inner layer of transparent material. The crystal is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a first outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element that varies said transmittance, a second outer and inner layer of transparent material and a stack of functional layers forming the element that produces said illumination. The casing comprises a control unit connected via connecting elements to the element for varying the transmittance of the crystal and to the element for generating the illumination. The control unit comprises at least one event sensor, such as a light intensity sensor and / or a temperature sensor. The element that changes the transmittance is an electrochromic element, in particular a liquid crystal electrochromic element. The light generating element is a transparent lighting element of the OLED type. The casing comprises a control unit configured to drive / control / adjust the transmittance varying element to dynamically regulate the temperature within the confines of said casing. The casing comprises a control unit configured to drive / control / set the lighting generating elements to adjust / set the contrast of said watch display interface. The enclosure is in a vacuum or near vacuum state. The crystal has a surface that is substantially or strictly larger than the surface of the crystal of the watch case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and without limitation, with reference to FIG. [Figure 1]1 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a dewar casing according to various embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] 1 shows a dewar casing 1 for mechanical and / or functional components 5 of a watch 10. Such a dewar casing 1 is also called an "isothermal casing" or "thermal protection casing". Such a casing 1 can form a dewar arrangement, also called a "thermal protection device" or "watch dewar arrangement", which can be equipped with a bracelet and worn by a user.

[0008] Such a casing 1 can provide good thermal insulation for the mechanical and / or functional components 5 of the watch 10, and the case 12 of the watch 10 must be removably placed in the chamber 4 of this casing 1 in order to provide such thermal insulation for these components 5. In other words, this casing 1 is formed in particular by the combination of its functional elements 15 with the case 12 of the watch 10 in order to provide suitable thermal insulation for these mechanical and / or functional components 5. These functional elements 15 of the casing 1 forming this chamber 4 comprise the crystal 6, the inner peripheral wall 17 of the intermediate part 9a and the back part 9b of this casing 1. In this configuration, the case 12 of the watch 10 is placed in this chamber 4 at a distance or at a distance from the functional elements of the casing 1 forming this chamber 4. It should be noted that the inner peripheral wall 17 of this intermediate part 9a is also the inner peripheral wall of the chamber 4.

[0009] This casing 1 comprises a dynamic system 3 for controlling the temperature of its enclosure 4. Such a system 3 serves to regulate the temperature prevailing in this enclosure 4. For this purpose, this system 3 comprises a crystal 6 of the casing 1, which is a transparent crystal 6 having a variable opacity, also simply called variable opacity crystal 6, and a control unit 8 connected to this crystal 6 and configured to control / manage this opacity.

[0010] The case 1 comprises a control unit 8 including an electronic circuit with at least one processor cooperating with a controller provided with hardware resources, in particular a memory element, a data and control address bus, an energy storage device also called a battery. This control unit 8 comprises in its memory element several algorithms, including an algorithm for managing the temperature in the enclosure 4 and in the casing 1, and an algorithm for managing the dynamic contrast adjustment of the display of the watch 10. Such algorithms are executed by the processor of this control unit 8, taking into account data from event sensors included in the control unit 8, in particular, to ensure the management of the temperature of the enclosure 4 of the casing 1 and the management of the contrast of this display. It should be noted that such data may provide information on events detected by these sensors that are likely to contribute / link / cause a change in the temperature of the enclosure 4 of the casing 1 and / or a change in the ambient brightness prevailing around the casing 1, and that may disturb / alter the reading of the information present on / in the display. These events may include, but are not limited to and non-exhaustive, the detection of a certain level of luminosity, in particular solar radiation, in the surroundings of the casing 1 and / or the detection of a change in the temperature of the enclosure 4 relative to a settable reference temperature, etc.

[0011] In this context, event sensors include, in particular, but not exclusively, A light intensity sensor, including a solar radiation sensor and / or an infrared solar radiation sensor and / or an ultraviolet solar radiation sensor, and / or Temperature Sensor Equipped with.

[0012] It should be noted that each event sensor forms part of a control unit 8 and is connected to a controller of this unit 8. The temperature sensor is arranged in the enclosure 4 of the casing 1. The luminance sensor is arranged in the casing 1, in particular in at least one of the functional elements 15 of this casing 1, so as to be exposed to light coming from the environment outside the casing 1. By way of example, this luminance sensor can be arranged in the body of the crystal 6 of the casing 1 and / or on the internal surface 16 of this crystal 6.

[0013] In this casing 1, the control unit 8 comprises a substrate, such as a flexible PCB, on which its electronic circuitry is arranged, with the exception of a light intensity sensor, which may be arranged in the crystal 6 of the casing 1 or on the inner surface 16 of this crystal 6. In this connection, the circuitry may be assembled on this substrate by means of three-dimensional printing or polymer printing methods. This substrate is then arranged in the chamber 4 on one of the functional elements 15, such as the inner surface 18 of the back part 9b or on the inner peripheral wall 17 of the chamber 4.

[0014] As mentioned above, the control unit 8, in particular its controller, is coupled / connected to the crystal 6 of the casing 1 via the connection elements 14a, 14b. More specifically, the control unit 8 is coupled / connected to the transmittance changing element 7a and the illumination generating element 7b of the crystal 6 via these connection elements 14a, 14b. Such a crystal 6 comprises the transmittance changing element 7a and the illumination generating element 7b arranged one on top of the other. In other words, the transmittance changing element 7a and the illumination generating element 7b are arranged one on top of the other in the crystal 6. The elements 7a, 7b may be in contact with each other in the crystal 6 or may be separated from each other. The elements 7a, 7b may be included in the crystal 6 either connected to each other or separated from each other. The superposition of the transmittance changing element 7a and the illumination generating element 7b is configured such that the illumination generating element 7b is closer to the watch 10 than the transmittance changing element 7a.

[0015] More precisely, in the first variant, the crystal 6 is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming an element 7a that changes said transmittance, and a stack of functional layers forming an element 7b that generates said illumination.

[0016] In a second variant, the crystal 6 is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, an outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming said transmittance modifying element 7a, a stack of functional layers forming said light generating element 7b and an inner layer of transparent material. The outer layer of transparent material corresponds to the part of the crystal 6 forming the outer part of the casing 1. The inner layer of transparent material corresponds to the part of the crystal facing the case 12 of the watch 10 and thus the crystal 11 of the display device.

[0017] In a third variant, the crystal 6 is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a first outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming an element 7a that changes the transmittance, a second inner layer of transparent material and a stack of functional layers forming an element 7b that generates the illumination.

[0018] The layer of transparent material is made of glass-like materials such as mineral glass, optical ceramics, acrylic glass, sapphire glass, etc.

[0019] In this context, the element 7a for varying the transmittance is for example an electrochromic element, in particular a liquid crystal electrochromic element, the transmittance being the amount of energy (thermal or optical radiation) that the crystal 6 of the casing 1 is able to transmit for an incident flux of solar radiation.

[0020] Such a transmittance-changing element 7a, if it is an electrochromic device, comprises a layer of an electrochromic material capable of reversibly and simultaneously inserting cations and electrons, whose oxidation states corresponding to the insertion and desorption states are distinctly colored states, one state having a higher light transmittance than the other state. The insertion or desorption reaction is controlled by the application of a voltage by a control unit 8. The electrochromic material, usually based on tungsten oxide, must therefore be in contact with a source of electrons, such as a transparent conductive layer, and a source of cations, such as an ion-conducting electrolyte.

[0021] This transmittance-changing element 7a is formed, in a manner known per se, from a stack of functional layers. More specifically, in the case of a liquid crystal electrochromic element, this stack of functional layers comprises a film based on a polymer material, arranged between a first and a second conductive layer, in which droplets of liquid crystals, in particular nematic liquid crystals with positive dielectric anisotropy, are dispersed. When the film is supplied with power, the liquid crystals orient along their preferred axis and configure the crystals 6 in a first state in which the transmittance of said crystals 6 is maximum. When the power supply to the film is stopped, since there is no alignment of the liquid crystals, the film becomes diffusive and absorbing and the liquid crystals are consequently configured in a second state in which their transmittance is minimum or zero.

[0022] Alternatively, this stack of functional layers of the transmission-changing element 7a may be, for example a first conductive layer; A first layer of anodic electrochromic material made of hydrated iridium oxide (which can be replaced by a layer of hydrated nickel oxide); a layer of hydrated tantalum oxide having a protective function; A layer of electrolyte in a solid solution of polyoxyethylene and phosphoric acid; a second layer of cathodic electrochromic material based on tungsten oxide; A second conductive layer; It can be provided with:

[0023] It should be noted that the stack of functional layers forming the transmission modifying element 7a can comprise an additional layer of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyvinyl butyral, known by the acronym PVB, preferably containing an ultraviolet filtering agent. Such a layer can be placed underneath or directly underneath the first conductive layer.

[0024] The light generating element 7b is for example a transparent lighting element, in particular an organic light emitting diode lighting element, known by the acronym OLED.

[0025] Such an OLED-type lighting element comprises a stack of transparent functional layers with layers of organic electroluminescent material, the stack being supplied with electricity by transparent electrodes, generally in the form of first and second conductive layers of the stack, flanking this / these layers of material. Such an OLED-type lighting element 7b can be designed to emit polychromatic radiation defined at 0° by the coordinates (x1, y1) in the CIE XYZ 1931 colorimetric diagram, the coordinates therefore being given relative to normal radiation. This transparent lighting element 7b is configured to emit light radiation directed towards or towards the display device.

[0026] Without being limiting and without being exhaustive, the electroluminescent layer can include small molecules known as SM-OLEDs (Small Molecule Organic Light Emitting Diodes) or polymers known as PLEDs (Polymer Light Emitting Diodes).

[0027] In the various variants described above, the transmittance-changing element 7a and the illumination-generating element 7b can be arranged / applied / printed / deposited on each other or with one or more layers of transparent material.

[0028] In particular, in the first embodiment, the transmittance-changing element 7a and the illumination-generating element 7b can be arranged / attached / printed / deposited onto one another to form an assembly, which can be attached / placed on the underside of a layer of transparent material to form the inner surface 16 of this crystal 6.

[0029] In this configuration, the control unit 8 is able to vary the transmittance properties of the crystal 6 of the casing 1 between a first transmittance state and a second transmittance state by controlling / managing the variation of the voltage applied to the first and second conductive layers of the element 7a for varying the transmittance, the first state here relating to a maximum transmittance of this crystal 6, during which this crystal 6 of the casing 1 is transparent and allows the solar radiation to penetrate into the enclosure 4 of the casing 1. The second state relates to a minimum or zero transmittance of the crystal 6, during which the crystal 6 is completely or partially opaque and prevents or blocks the penetration of at least 99% of the solar radiation into this enclosure 4. In other words, in this second state, the solar radiation is no longer transmitted by the crystal 6 into the enclosure 4 of the casing 1.

[0030] The control unit 8 can also control / manage the variation of the voltages applied to the first and second conductive layers of the illumination generating element 7b in order to vary the illuminance / light intensity applied to the display device, in particular the distribution of the illuminance / light intensity in the display device. In this way, the control unit 8 can configure the contrast of the display device to adapt to the ambient lighting with the aim of facilitating the reading of the display device and / or providing reading comfort for the user of the Dewar device.

[0031] This change in illumination generated by the illumination generating element 7b, also called a change in light intensity, takes place between two states: a first state relates to maximum light intensity and a second state relates to zero light intensity.

[0032] Also, as mentioned above, the case 12 of the watch 10 is arranged in the casing 1 at a distance or interval 19 from the inner peripheral wall 17 of the chamber 4, thanks to a reversible fixing device 13 of the casing 1. In other words, such a fixing device 13 can set the interval 19 between said case 12 and the functional elements of the casing 1 forming said chamber 4. In this configuration, the fixing device 13 serves to reduce or eliminate the heat transfer between the inner peripheral wall 17 and / or the back 9b and / or the crystal 6 of the middle part 9a (or chamber 4) and the case 12 of the watch 10, in particular the entire outer surface of this case 12. This entire outer surface includes the upper surface comprising the crystal 11 of the case 12 of this watch 10, the lower surface comprising the back of said case 12 and the outer peripheral wall of the middle part of this case 12.

[0033] In this configuration, the fixing device 13 for reversibly fixing the case 12 of the watch 10 to the inner peripheral wall 17 of the chamber 4 of the casing 1 is connecting members each having a first end and a second end connectable to the case 12 of the watch 10 and to the inner peripheral wall 17 of the compartment 4 of the casing 1, the body of each member having a particular structure that serves to reduce heat loss to the external environment of the casing 1 of the Dewar arrangement and thus ensure a stable internal temperature within the case 12 of the watch 10; and / or connection elements configured to ensure the magnetic levitation of the case 12 of said watch 10 in said cavity 4 (indeed, these connection elements are configured to ensure and maintain a distance 19 between said case 12 and the functional elements 15 forming said cavity 4 of the casing 1. Such connection elements serve to reduce or eliminate thermal conduction between the inner peripheral wall 17 of the intermediate part 9a and / or the back part 9b and / or the crystal 11 and the case 12 of the watch 10, and in particular between the entire external surface of this case 12). It can be provided with:

[0034] It should be noted that case 12 is included in a watch 10, which may be an electronic watch, such as a quartz watch, or a mechanical or electromechanical watch.

[0035] The above mechanical and / or functional parts 5 of the watch 10 include, but are not limited to, and are not exhaustive of, the watch movement, a display device such as a dial, hands, rings, joints, and / or electronic and / or electrical components. It is particularly noted that such electronic and / or electrical components include, for example, a display device, a processor, a memory, an energy storage device, a motor, an integrated circuit, and an electronic oscillator.

[0036] In this regard, the casing 1 comprises a middle part 9a to which a bracelet 9c is attached so that it can be worn by a user of the Dewar arrangement. This casing 1 also comprises the above-mentioned crystal 6 and a back part 9b. It should be noted that in this casing 1, the crystal 6 preferably has a surface that is substantially or strictly greater than the crystal 11 of the case 12 of the watch 10. In other words, the inner surface 16 of the crystal 6 has a surface that is substantially greater or strictly greater than the upper surface of the crystal 11 of the watch 10.

[0037] As is evident, functional elements 15 such as the crystal 6, the middle part 9a and the back part 9b of this casing 1 together define a compartment 4 of this casing 1 capable of housing the case 12 of the watch 10. These three elements 15 of the casing 1, namely the middle part 9a, the crystal 6 and the back part 9b, can be separate elements joined together to form this compartment 4. Alternatively, the middle part 9a and the back part 9b of the casing 1 together can form an integral part, said integral part defining, opposite the back part 9b, an opening that can be closed in a reversible and sealed manner by the crystal 6. Alternatively, the middle part 9a and the crystal 6 of the case 12 of the watch 10 together can form an integral part, said integral part defining, opposite the crystal 6, an opening that can also be closed in a reversible and sealed manner by the back part 9b.

[0038] The middle and back portions 9a and 9b are preferably made of, but are not limited to and not exhaustively limited to, a metallic material, glass reinforced with carbon or glass fibers or a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer resin, or a ceramic material. However, if the middle and back portions 9a and 9b are transparent or translucent, e.g. made of glass, the inner peripheral wall 17 of the middle portion 9a and the inner surface 18 of the back portion 9b may be coated with a metallic coating, e.g. a layer of silver, or a similar reflective coating.

[0039] Furthermore, in this casing 1, when the case 12 of the watch 10 is placed in the chamber 4 of the casing 1, the space defined between the case 12 and the inner peripheral wall 17 of the middle part 9a, the back part 9b and the crystal 6 is free of material or is almost free of material. In other words, the chamber 4 is in a vacuum or near-vacuum state.

[0040] It is therefore understood that in this configuration, this casing 1 has the same properties and characteristics as Dewar tubes / vessels known from the prior art. As mentioned above, the properties and characteristics of this casing 1 serve to provide it with good insulation against the extreme temperatures that may prevail in the external environment in which such a casing 1 may be placed.

[0041] It should also be noted that the mechanical and / or functional parts 5 of the watch 10 may be non-magnetic and / or the case 12 of the watch 10 may be made of a material or covered with a coating capable of insulating these parts from magnetic fields.

[0042] Furthermore, the fixing device 13 serves to position the case 12 of the watch 10 within the casing 1 such that the crystal 11 of the case 12 of the watch 10 is positioned facing the crystal 6 of the casing 1 and such that the information contained in the dial and / or display interface of the watch 10 can be perceived through the transparent crystal 6 of the casing 1 by a user wearing the casing 1.

[0043] Such a casing 1 therefore provides the mechanical and / or functional components 5 of the watch 10 with very good insulation from the external environment, reducing or preventing heat loss by radiation from the components arranged in the case 12 of the watch 10 over a long period of time. Thus, when the temperature outside the casing 1 reaches an extreme value, the temperature of the enclosure 4 remains substantially equal to the temperature inside the case 12 of the watch 10 when the case 12 of the watch 10 is arranged in the casing 1, typically around 20° C. It should be noted that, regardless of the temperature conditions prevailing around the casing 1, the temperature inside the case 12 of the watch 10 is a temperature that does not prevent the correct operation of the watch 10. This temperature is maintained for a period of between 2 and 18 times longer than the operating temperature of the components of such a case 12 of the watch 10 would be maintained if it were placed directly in an environment where such temperatures, especially extreme temperatures, prevail, i.e. outside the casing 1. Such an arrangement is therefore considered to make it possible to protect the mechanical and / or functional components 5 of the watch 10 and to help ensure that they operate optimally in extreme external temperature conditions.

[0044] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments just described, and various simple modifications and variations can be thought of by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dewar casing (1) for mechanical and / or functional parts (5) of a timepiece (10), comprising a chamber (4) in which a case (12) of said timepiece (10) can be removably placed, a display interface of said timepiece (10) being placed facing a crystal (6) of said casing (1), said casing (1) comprising a reversible fastening device (13) for fastening said case (12) of said timepiece (10) in said chamber (4) while keeping said case (12) of said timepiece (10) away from functional elements (15) forming said chamber (4) of said casing (1), said crystal (6) of said casing (1) comprising an element (7a) for varying the transmittance of said crystal (6) and an element (7b) for generating illumination directed towards the display interface of said timepiece (10), said crystal (6) of said casing (1) having variable opacity.

2. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance-changing element (7a) and the illumination-generating element (7b) are contained in and superimposed on the crystal (6).

3. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the crystal (6) is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element (7a) that changes the transmittance, and a stack of functional layers forming the element (7b) that generates the illumination.

4. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the crystal (6) is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, an outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element (7a) that changes the transmittance, a stack of functional layers forming the element (7b) that generates the light, and an inner layer of transparent material.

5. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the crystal (6) is formed by an assembly comprising, in succession, a first outer layer of transparent material, a stack of functional layers forming the element (7a) that changes the transmittance, a second inner layer of transparent material and a stack of functional layers forming the element (7b) that generates the illumination.

6. 2. The casing (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (8) connected to an element (7a) for varying the transmittance of the crystal (6) and an element (7b) for generating the illumination via connecting elements (14a, 14b).

7. The casing (1) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (8) comprises a light intensity sensor and / or a temperature sensor.

8. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the element (7a) for varying the transmittance is an electrochromic element.

9. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light-generating elements (7b) are transparent lighting elements of the OLED type.

10. 2. The casing (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (8) configured to drive / control / adjust the permeability varying element (7a) to dynamically regulate the temperature of the interior (4) of the casing (1).

11. The casing (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (8) configured to drive / control / set the illumination generating element (7b) for adjusting / setting the contrast of a display interface of the watch (10).

12. The casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chamber (4) is under vacuum.

13. 2. A casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the crystal (6) has a surface greater than the surface of the crystal (11) of the case (12) of the watch (10).

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