Timepiece comprising a microgenerator and a light source

Abstract

To provide a timepiece comprising a microgenerator for powering lighting means.SOLUTION: In one aspect, a timepiece comprises a microgenerator (100) and at least one light-emitting diode (31, 32). The microgenerator (100) is formed by a stator (20) and a rotor (10), and comprises at least one coil (11). The light-emitting diode (31, 32) is powered by the at least one coil (11) directly or indirectly via an electrical and / or electronic circuit. The coil (11) supplies an electrical current induced during its rotation relative to the stator (20). The rotor carries all electrical and electronic devices formed by the at least one light-emitting diode, the coil, and, if appropriate, the electrical and / or electronic circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of timepieces, and more particularly to the field of timepieces equipped with a mechanical movement having a microgenerator for powering a specific circuit, in particular lighting means.

Background Art

[0002] Mechanical portable timepieces (e.g., wristwatches, pocket watches) with various additional lighting systems are commercially available. In one particular form disclosed in European Patent Document EP3838424, a lighting device is driven by a microgenerator, also called a "generator", whose rotation is ensured by a mainspring, and this lighting device is arranged on a fixed support of the timepiece movement in a region located on the periphery of the rotor of the microgenerator. The coil of the microgenerator is carried by its stator, and the rotor typically carries a permanent magnet.

[0003] Known lighting systems pose major problems for portable timepieces with a mechanical movement, particularly for high-end portable timepieces where it is important to maintain the mechanical nature of the portable timepiece as much as possible. In fact, such known lighting systems comprise at least one light-emitting element and electronic and electrical circuits arranged on a fixed support on the periphery of the rotor of a microgenerator, which electronic and electrical circuits, on the one hand, incorporate electronics into the portable timepiece and, on the other hand, extend the lighting device itself (i.e., the elements involved in light generation) beyond the horizontal plane defined by the rotor. This is done first by the extent of the stator coil and then by the configuration of at least one light-emitting element, the electronic circuit, and said coil, and, for said at least one light-emitting element, the electrical circuit (typically a PCB) connecting the electronic circuit. These static electrical and electronic components together occupy a relatively large area over and on the surface defined by the rotor of the microgenerator, emphasizing the hybrid nature of the portable timepiece to the consumer.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims, in particular, to solve the above problems of the prior art. Other objects can also be understood by reading the following description of the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1, which timepiece comprises a microgenerator comprising at least one coil and a rotor carrying at least one light-emitting diode driven by said at least one coil, and a stator comprising a permanent magnet.

[0006] According to a first feature of the invention, the rotor carries all the electrical and electronic devices formed by the at least one light-emitting diode, the at least one coil, and, where appropriate, the electrical and / or electronic circuits arranged between the at least one coil and the at least one light-emitting diode.

[0007] According to one advantageous feature, the permanent magnet is arranged, in the axial projection, within the scope of the circular surface defined by the rotor when the rotor is rotating.

[0008] According to another advantageous feature, at least one of the light-emitting diodes, preferably the at least one light-emitting diode, is directly powered by at least one of the coils when rotating with respect to the stator of the microgenerator.

[0009] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention can be more clearly understood by reading the following detailed description while referring to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The present invention proposes to brighten a specific area of a timepiece using an optical microgenerator, and will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The present invention relates to a timepiece 1000 comprising a timepiece-type microgenerator 100. This microgenerator 100 is formed by a stator 20 comprising a permanent magnet 25, a rotor 10 including a coil 11 and at least one light-emitting diode 31, 32, and the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 are powered by at least one of the coils 11 that supplies an induced current when rotating relative to the stator 20, either directly or indirectly via electrical and / or electronic circuits 37, 38. According to the present invention, the rotor 10 is formed by the at least one light-emitting diode and the coil, and also by the electrical and / or electronic circuits arranged between the at least one coil and the at least one light-emitting diode (hereinafter also referred to as "LED") when appropriate, and carries all electrical and electronic devices.

[0013] Advantageously, the permanent magnet 25 is arranged within the range of the circular surface defined by the rotor 10 when the rotor 10 is rotating in the axial projection in the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor 10.

[0014] Figs. 1 to 5 show a rotor 10 including a coil 11, particularly a flat (wafer-shaped) coil, and a stator 20, which stator 20 includes an annular base 21 with an L-shaped radial cross-section carrying a first part of the permanent magnet 25, and an annular flange 22 closing the annular base 21 and carrying a second part of the permanent magnet 25. The annular base 21 and the annular flange 22 form a stator cage with a C-shaped (U-shaped) radial cross-section having three straight parts. The diameter of the microgenerator 100 is typically in the range of 6 mm to 15 mm.

[0015] The annular base 21 and the flange 22 are preferably made of a ferromagnetic material that forms an outer closure for the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 25, which is magnetized axially and is disposed inside the stator cage so as to face the coil 11 of the rotor 10. More generally, the coil 11 and the permanent magnet 25 are configured such that when the rotor 10 rotates and is driven directly or indirectly by the barrel 200 or any suitable driving means, the coil 11 passes at least partially over the permanent magnet 25. Thus, a microgenerator 100 of the type having a "three-level" structure is obtained in which the permanent magnet 25 is magnetized axially and the rotor 10 carries the coil 11 disposed at an intermediate level in the space between two levels of the permanent magnet 25 located respectively on both axial sides of the coil 11. The axially opposed magnets 25 have the same polarity, and two adjacent magnets at the same level have opposite magnetic polarities. Thus, in a traditional form, the polarities at each of the two levels of the magnets are in an alternating configuration.

[0016] In a preferred alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one light-emitting diode 31 or 32 is directly powered by at least one coil 11 as it rotates relative to the stator 20 of the microgenerator 100, and this power supply is effected without any electrical and / or electronic circuit between the at least one light-emitting diode and the at least one coil, with the exception of contact pads made of gold or the like and two annular tracks, and in particular without capacitors and / or other electrical and / or electronic components.

[0017] In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, at least one of the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 is indirectly powered by at least one coil 11 that supplies an induced current when rotating relative to the stator 20 of the microgenerator 100, via an electrical and / or electronic circuit comprising a Graetz bridge rectifier 37 and an output capacitor 38 of this rectifier 37.

[0018] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rotor 10 carries a pair of light-emitting diodes 31, 32 that are preferably located diametrically opposite and configured to have opposite polarities to each other.

[0019] Specifically, in one alternative embodiment not shown, the rotor 10 carries four light-emitting diodes (also referred to as "LEDs") that are located 90° apart from each other and configured to form pairs of opposite polarities (preferably two diametrically opposite LEDs of the same polarity).

[0020] In one advantageous alternative embodiment, any electrical and / or electronic devices provided in the timepiece are attached to the rotor 10 of the micro-generator 100. Thus, the mechanical timepiece can do without wiring or means for transmitting electrical energy to the outside of the rotor 10.

[0021] In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rotor 10 and the stator 20 are coaxially attached about the rotation axis D of the micro-generator 100, and the at least one light-emitting diode 31, 32 is attached eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis D. Thus, each light-emitting diode 31, 32 describes an annular surface when the rotor 10 is rotating. Also, the at least one light-emitting diode 31, 32 is configured to provide at least a majority of the light 70 emitted to at least one visible part of the timepiece 1000 that is visible to the user of the timepiece 1000, thereby brightening this at least one visible part.

[0022] Accordingly, the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 are arranged on the rotor 10 to obtain the best results, and the outer structure must be perforated on the side where the light is emitted so that most of the emitted light 70 can pass through this outer structure, thereby preferably enabling substantially all of the emitted light to pass through this outer structure.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotor 10 has a hub 19 with a drive pinion 19a. This hub 19 carries a lower annular structure 52, a disk 54 made of ceramics or the like, and a gear 18 with an opening 17. The disk 54 forms a support for the coil 11 disposed within the peripheral opening of this disk 54 and for two LEDs 31, 32 disposed within two corresponding openings 55 of the disk. The gear 18 is disposed above the light-emitting surfaces of the LEDs 31, 32. The opening 17 is configured such that the light 70 emitted by each of the LEDs 31, 32 can pass towards means for guiding this emitted light towards at least one visible portion of the timepiece. The gear 18 is a ratchet forming a device for locking and releasing the microgenerator 100. The lower annular structure 52 is preferably opaque and has no openings in order to mask the openings 55, the contact pads 65, the adhesive drops 68, and the annular track 66. The contact pads 60 and the connections between the coil 11 and these contact pads 60 are hidden by the base 22 of the stator cage so as not to be visible to an observer. Thus, with the exception of a small part of two contact pads 64 that may be visible through a circular groove located between the annular structure 52 and the base 22, the optical microgenerator 100 has a noble appearance and hides any electrical or electronic elements, with the exception of the LED light-emitting surfaces located in the inner region of the optical microgenerator. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for lighting devices incorporated into high-end mechanical movements. Also, the electrical connections can be made of gold.

[0024] The rotor 10 is driven by the barrel 200 through the barrel gear train 300. As described above, the microgenerator 100 comprises a device 400 for locking and releasing the rotor, which device 400 comprises a ratchet 18 and a click mechanism 92, and which device 400 makes it possible to activate the microgenerator on demand, in the same way as in the case of a governor in a portable timepiece with a music or strike function. This device 400 is used to start and stop the rotation of the microgenerator on demand. Thus, it is possible to quickly switch on the lighting system (optical microgenerator) several times during a single barrel charge.

[0025] The rotor 10 comprises a module consisting of a specific number of small coils 11 and a support disk 54 (in particular, one made of a ceramic material) carrying at least one light-emitting diode, in particular two LEDs 31, 32, on its periphery. The rotation of the coils 11 in the magnetic field of the magnets 25 of the stator 20 generates an induced voltage and thus an induced alternating current, which powers the light-emitting diodes according to the corresponding wiring diagram shown in FIG. 7. The coils 11 are connected in series such that their polarities alternate, and the inner ends 61 and outer ends 62 of each coil are connected to two contact pads 60 formed on the support disk 54, respectively. The plurality of coils are connected to the two LEDs via a printed circuit board comprising, in particular, two contact pads 64 for the two corresponding ends of the two end coils of a series of coils and for the electrical connection 67 of the first LED 31 to these coils, two contact pads 65 for the electrical connection 67 of the second LED 32, and two annular tracks 66 connecting the two contact pads 64 to the two contact pads 65, respectively. The two LEDs 31, 32 are reverse-biased in order to utilize the alternating nature of the current generated in this system to directly power the LEDs by the coils 11. In the advantageous alternative embodiment shown, the contact pads 64 and 65 and the two annular tracks 66 are printed / deposited directly on the support disk. This eliminates the need for a traditional PCB made of synthetic material. The electrical connection 67 is further protected by an adhesive drop 68 that serves to fix the LED in the corresponding opening 55 in the support disk 54.

[0026] Therefore, a simple electrical circuit as shown in FIG. 7 can be used.

[0027] And the current i flowing through each light-emitting diode 31, 32 LED takes the form shown in FIG. 8 over time.

[0028] What affects the rotational frequency of the microgenerator is the average current i shown in FIG. 9 LED AVGand thereby an average braking torque C as shown in FIG. 10 M FR is applied to the rotor.

[0029] In one particular example, the barrel initially outputs 20 μNm to the rotor and an initial rotational speed of about 140 Hz is obtained, which speed decreases as the barrel is discharged. Without the power consumed by the light emitting diode (LED), this assembly would rotate faster. With respect to the voltage induced in the coil, K U is the inductance coefficient of the coil (the maximum value of the induced voltage of the coil), n BOB is the number of turns of the coil, ω is the rotational speed (rad / s), and considering that all the coils are in an alternating configuration in series, the induced voltage is the following V IND as follows.

[0030] V IND = ω·n BOB ·K U ·sin(ω·n BOB / 2t) where.

[0031] The electrical pulsation is (n BOB / 2)·(rotational speed ω). This is because the induced voltage is the derivative of the change in magnetic flux, which first changes from + to - and then from - to +. Therefore, the induced voltage is a linear function of the rotational speed, and thus the rotational frequency.

[0032] The relationship between the induced voltage and current in the light emitting diode is given by the following Shockley equation. Here, Vt is 26 mV at room temperature and n is a quality parameter in the range of 1 to 2. I = I S (e VIND / nVt - 1)

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the dimensional configuration of the magnet and coil is optimized for a relatively small stator cage with an outer diameter of 8.4 mm and a total thickness of 1.4 mm excluding the hub.

[0034] The number of turns and the diameter of the wire are configured to ensure the operation of the light-emitting diode. Different numbers of coil turns, magnets, and different dimensional configurations are also possible. By increasing the volume of the magnet 25 or reducing the air gap, the coupling between the coil 11 and the magnet 25 can be increased. To maximize the magnetic flux variation, the magnet 25 and the coil 11 are placed as close to each other as possible. By increasing the volume of the coil 11 or reducing the diameter of the wire, the induced voltage coefficient Ku (defined as the ratio of the induced voltage to the rotational speed) can be increased, but the resistance of the coil also increases. In this case, although the intensity of the current in the light-emitting diode decreases, the rotational speed of the rotor also decreases, so the discharge time and the illumination time of the barrel increase. Figures 13 to 16 show the effects of the wire thickness of the coil 11 on the resistance (Figure 13), the current in the diode (Figure 14), the induced voltage (Figure 15), and the total discharge time of the barrel (Figure 16).

[0035] For example, if a wire diameter of 14 μm is selected, with the barrel charged, a rotor speed of 120 rotations per second can be obtained, which, with a power reserve of approximately 5500 rotations for the rotor, enables illumination to last longer than 40 seconds.

[0036] Then, using this potential light energy, an optimal effect is obtained to efficiently brighten the area of the timer 1000 visible to the user.

[0037] As described above, the rotor 10 carries the perforated wheel 18 with the opening 17, allowing the light 70 emitted by each of the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 to pass towards the means for guiding this emitted light towards at least one visible part of the timer.

[0038] Timer 1000 has at least one static optical guide structure 40 in the vicinity of the microgenerator 100. This static optical guide structure 40 collects at least the majority of the light emitted by each light-emitting diode 31, 32 when the rotor is at any angular position while the rotor is rotating, and guides this emitted light towards the at least one visible part of the timer, so as to obtain substantially constant and / or substantially uniform illumination of this visible part when the at least one light-emitting diode is emitting light.

[0039] Specifically, this at least one static optical guide structure 40 comprises at least one optical guide 45. On the one hand, this optical guide 45 has at least one introduction and injection region 41 configured to overlap the trajectory of the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 when the microgenerator 100 is rotating and introduce this emitted light into this optical guide 45. On the other hand, there is at least one exit and extraction region 42 where the light introduced into the optical guide 45 exits and light is extracted from the optical guide 45. This at least one exit and extraction region 42 is configured to obtain specific illumination of this at least one visible part of the timer 1000.

[0040] Specifically, the at least one introduction and injection region 41 faces the light-emitting regions of the light-emitting diodes 31, 32 and includes at least one coupling patterned region 805. This coupling patterned region 805 is patterned to have a diffusive and rough profile configured to couple the light in the optical guide 45 and provide a remote optical coupling between the optical guide 45 and the at least one light-emitting diode 31, 32. A part of its light rays is deflected into the acceptance cone of the optical guide 45 and continues to be guided by total internal reflection inside the optical guide 45 until it enters the at least one exit and extraction region.

[0041] Specifically, the at least one exit and extraction region 42 includes at least one extraction patterned region 804 having a distribution of small discrete reflective patterns each having a diameter of less than 0.2 mm, and this extraction patterned region 804 is provided to extract the light guided into the light guide 45 and distribute the light substantially uniformly toward the at least one visible portion of the timer 1000.

[0042] Specifically, the at least one introduction and injection region 41 and the at least one exit and extraction region 42 do not overlap in a projection onto a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis D of the micro generator 100.

[0043] It can be understood that a specific configuration of the light guide 45 that collects the light in the light guide 45 is also advantageous at any angular position of the at least one light emitting diode 31, 32.

[0044] One preferred alternative embodiment completely hides the ring of light generated by each light emitting diode 31, 32. Thus, more specifically, the light emitting regions of the at least one light emitting diode 31, 32 are made invisible to the user of the timer 1000 by the opaque portion 801.

[0045] Another alternative embodiment that exhibits different optical effects to emphasize that the light source is entirely annular can also be selected, in which case the ring of light is not hidden.

[0046] Specifically, the at least one static light guide structure 40 that can diffuse the light from the light emitting diodes 31, 32 and indirectly brighten a part of the timer 1000 includes at least one partially transmissive portion 802 in the at least one visible portion of the timer 1000.

[0047] Specifically, the at least one extraction patterned region 804 is patterned such that the extraction is not uniform and the coefficient of the intensity of the extracted light per unit area does not have a constant value over the entire area.

[0048] Specifically, the at least one extraction patterning region 804 is configured such that the intensity of the extracted light is substantially constant.

[0049] Specifically, the timer 1000 includes at least one dial 800. The first portion of the dial 800 is the visible portion of the timer as described above, and can be brightened by at least one partial transmission portion 802 of the at least one static light guide structure 40. The second portion of the dial 800 is hidden by the opaque portion 801 of the at least one static light guide structure 40. Specifically, for example, this opaque portion 801 hides the at least one micro generator 100 and each light emitting diode 31, 32.

[0050] Specifically, as described above, the dial is brightened by a sapphire light guide structure and a micro generator with a light micro generator, that is, a light source.

[0051] A special optical system was developed to brighten the peripheral part of the dial in the dark. This method involves modeling the system using, for example, the "Backlight Optimization" module of "LightTools (trademark)" ray tracing software. First, the properties of the light source were determined. As described above, two light emitting diodes are arranged at diametrically opposite positions on the rotor 10 of the micro generator 100. When the rotor 10 is rotating at high speed, these two light emitting diodes 31, 32 also rotate, generating a ring of light. Therefore, in this simulation, a static ring of light was used as the light source.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, a sapphire optical guide 45 is disposed under the dial 800. Sapphire was selected because it is suitable for high-end timepieces (high-end portable watches). The optical guide 45 is in the form of an annular disk having, for example, a thickness of 0.4 mm, an outer diameter of 38 mm, and an inner diameter of 14 mm. This form was selected to allow light to circulate around the part and concentrate it within the brightening area. On the lower surface of the disk (opposite the microgenerator 100), there are two types of patterns: a coupling patterned area 805 and an extraction patterned area 804.

[0053] The coupling patterned area 805 is patterned to have a rough diffusive profile, and its function is to couple the light within the disk. By moving the light source, close optical coupling with the optical guide can be prevented. Thus, the optical coupling is performed from a distance. A portion of the light rays from the light ring is deflected into the acceptance cone of the sapphire optical guide 45 as it passes through the coupling area and continues to be guided by total internal reflection therein. The size of the coupling area is adapted to the dimensional configuration of the microgenerator 100 and the distance between the microgenerator 100 and the optical guide 45. Enlarging the coupling area beyond the surface of the guide occupied by the light cone is unnecessary and, in some cases, harmful. In fact, the coupling structure can also contribute to the extraction of light that adversely affects the overall brightness of the brightening area.

[0054] The second surface patterning is an extraction patterning region 804 characterized by the distribution of small reflective patterns, which are particularly circular with a diameter of about 0.12 mm (but not limited to this), and has the function of extracting light from the inside of the light guide 45 by being uniformly distributed around this part. Such a distribution of reflective patterns is calculated by a software algorithm. This distribution of reflective patterns is not uniform, and the density locally varies so that the extracted light is the same and uniform around the periphery of the component. The starting point of the calculation is a uniform density in a circular shape distributed throughout the illuminated region. Then, the software algorithm searches for the pattern density distribution so that light is uniformly extracted throughout the periphery of the disk. When calculating this distribution, the software accurately takes into account the shape of the light guide, the material from which the light guide is made, the injection region where light is injected into the light guide, and the distribution of incident light across this injection region. The advantage of the method for calculating this pattern array, especially small individual circles, is that the uniformity of illumination is ensured, usually regardless of the actual reflection properties of the pattern.

[0055] When the reflectivity of the pattern is low, the total amount of light extracted is reduced. When the reflectivity of the pattern is high, the total amount of light extracted is increased. However, the uniformity of illumination is the same in both cases. The light extracted from the light guide passes through the peripheral region of the dial and brightens it from behind. To achieve this, the dial is made of a partially transmissive material such as fine white ceramics or enamel ceramics as more commonly used in the manufacture of portable watches.

[0056] The above-described surface patterning of the light guide is difficult to achieve mechanically for hard materials such as sapphire. However, it can be fully achieved by picosecond and femtosecond laser processing.

[0057] In order to achieve good results, considering that light is locally injected into the optical waveguide, it can be seen that the light extraction region must be configured such that the extraction is not constant, i.e., the coefficient of the intensity of the extracted light per unit area is not a constant coefficient. Advantageously, the structure of the light extraction region is configured such that the intensity of the extracted light is substantially constant.

[0058] Configurations of very different uses are possible. This is because the optical system developed for the present invention allows for a fairly large offset between a light source constituted by a ring of light emitted by each light-emitting diode and a brightened visible region that can be relatively far from the microgenerator of the timer.

[0059] For example, a configuration for brightening the dial 800 can be selected, in which at least one region of the dial 800 is brightened and the optical waveguide 45 is disposed under this dial 800. Also possible are rings of light that overlap the hour circle and / or the graduations.

[0060] Advantageously, the timepiece 1000 comprises at least one control device 400 for controlling the microgenerator 100, which control device is adapted to receive a command to release and stop the microgenerator 100 via a device for locking and releasing the rotor 10 included in this control device. The control device 400 can be actuated by the user to trigger and stop the driving of the rotor 10 of the microgenerator 100, and this control device comprises an outer control member, in particular a push button or a bolt. In another embodiment, the control device comprises an engagement mechanism 500 that can be actuated by a timepiece movement 600 included in the timepiece 1000. These mechanisms are well known in portable timepieces with a strike function or portable timepieces with a repeater function. In particular, the user can release the microgenerator by pressing a push button that actuates a lever. The light remains on until the push button is released. In the other embodiments described above, the mechanism for engaging the timepiece movement acts, for example, on the same lever, in particular an intermediate lever, preferably over a given period. Any similar system can be configured to switch the light on and off by means of a command. In particular, the various mechanisms described are configured to release the click mechanism 92 from the ratchet 18 for a short time and thus allow the rotor 10 to rotate.

[0061] Specifically, the timepiece 1000 comprises at least one drive mechanism configured to drive the rotor 10 of the microgenerator 100.

[0062] The present invention has many advantages as follows.

[0063] Placing the light-emitting diodes directly on the micro-generator means that no sliding contact connections, conducting wires, or PCB tracks are required. This ensures compatibility with the manufacture of high-end portable watches. Thanks to the advantageous configuration in the rotor, the presence of any electronic components made of materials unsuitable for the finest mechanical portable watches can be prevented. Thus, the light-emitting diodes are the only components that can be described as "electronic". However, their composition is inorganic, and most of their volume is made of crystals and metals. As a result, the proposed layout is not aesthetically obtrusive and is highly compatible with the configuration of skeleton watches where the system is exposed.

[0064] One or more light-emitting diodes can be powered without the need for a primary battery. Of course, a leveling capacitor embedded in the rotor can be used, but it is not necessarily required because the rotor rotates relatively fast and periodic variations in brightness are not perceptible to the human eye. In fact, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each diode can be directly powered from a coil without necessarily requiring an induction voltage rectifier or a leveling capacitor, which has the advantage that a passive circuit without any intermediate energy storage device can be achieved. When the current is off, the light-emitting diodes do not emit persistent light. However, the user's eyes will perceive persistent light. This is because, due to a rotation on the order of 100 Hz and, for example, 12 or 14 poles in a micro-generator, it blinks at an order of 1 kHz, which the eyes cannot perceive. Regarding the rotation of the micro-generator, a small braking torque generated 1000 times per second levels out the rotation speed. An energy storage capacitor is not desirable because the voltage variation does not follow the variation of the induced voltage fast enough and is not very effective in speed regulation.

[0065] Ensuring complete compatibility with the manufacture of high-end portable watches by means of a method in which no electronic components are embedded in the rotor except for (passive) Grets bridges and no battery is used.

[0066] It is highly advantageous that the lighting function can be activated and stopped after a set time. This option is not available in prior art portable watches.

[0067] When rotating at high speed, the light-emitting diode (LED) generates an annular light distribution that appears almost continuous and uniform to the human eye and has much greater reach to the surface than that of the LED. Also, the configuration of the light guide with a coupling region configured to collect light from the ring of light generated by the LED when the rotor rotates is highly advantageous. This is because this enables the conversion of the ring of light into the specific illumination of at least one visible part of the portable watch that is not the ring of light, preferably hidden from direct view by the observer, thereby improving the stability of the generated illumination.

[0068] Using a light microgenerator in combination with a remote light guide to distribute light to other locations in the portable watch is highly advantageous as it provides attractive optical effects (luminescent decoration) and functional optical effects (for reading time and other displays) thanks to one or more regions for extracting light from the light guide. This is preferably due to one or more regions for extracting light from the light guide configured, in particular, to brighten the ring of the dial of the portable watch including the time scale for substantially uniform extraction of the visible light-emitting surface.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] D Rotation axis of the microgenerator 10 Rotor 11 Coil 17 Opening in the ratchet 18 Ratchet 19 Hub 19a Pinion 20 Stator 21 Annular cover of the stator 22 Annular base of the stator 25 Permanent magnet 31, 32 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 37 Graetz bridge 38 Graetz bridge output capacitor 40 Static optical guide structure 41 Introduction and injection region 42 Exit and extraction region 45 Optical guide 52 Annular structure of the rotor 54 Support disk of the rotor 55 Opening in the support disk 60 Contact pad 61, 62 Ends of the coil 64, 65 Contact pads 67 Electrical connection of the LED 68 Drop of resin 70 Emitted light 100 Microgenerator 200 Barrel 300 Barrel gear train 400 Control device 500 Engagement mechanism 600 Movement 800 Dial 801 Opaque part 802 Partially transmissive part 1000 Timepiece

Claims

1. A timer (1000) comprising a micro-generator (100) and at least one light-emitting diode (31, 32), The microgenerator (100) is formed by a stator and a rotor and comprises at least one coil (11) and a permanent magnet (25); said light emitting diodes (31, 32) being powered by said at least one coil (11) directly or indirectly via an electrical and / or electronic circuit (37, 38); the stator carries the permanent magnets and the rotor carries the at least one coil that powers an induced current when the rotor rotates relative to the stator (20); The rotor (10) carries all the electrical and electronic devices formed by the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one coil and, if the at least one light emitting diode is indirectly powered, the electrical and / or electronic circuit. A timer (1000).

2. The permanent magnets are arranged, in axial projection, within a circular plane defined by the rotor when the rotor is rotating.

2. The timer (1000) of claim 1 .

3. The at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) is directly powered by the at least one coil (11) as the at least one light emitting diode rotates relative to the stator (20) of the micro-generator (100).

2. The timer (1000) of claim 1 .

4. The at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) is indirectly powered by the at least one coil (11) which provides an induced current when rotating relative to the stator (20) of the micro-generator (100) via the electrical and / or electronic circuit comprising a Graetz bridge rectifier (37).

2. The timer (1000) of claim 1 .

5. The rotor (10) carries at least a pair of the light emitting diodes (31, 32) arranged to be diametrically opposed and of opposite polarity. A timepiece (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Any electrical and / or electronic devices included in the timer are attached to the rotor (10) of the micro-generator (100). A timepiece (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The rotor (10) and the stator (20) are coaxially mounted around the rotation axis (D) of the micro-generator (100); The at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) is mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation (D); Thus, each light emitting diode (31, 32) describes a circular surface when said rotor (10) is rotating; The at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) is configured to provide at least a majority of the light emitted to at least one visible portion of the timepiece (1000) visible to a user of the timepiece (1000) to illuminate the at least one visible portion of the timepiece. A timepiece (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The rotor (10) has a hub (19) carrying a perforated ring (18) with an opening (17) that allows light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) to pass towards a means for directing the emitted light towards the at least one visible portion of the timepiece. A timer (1000) according to claim 7.

9. The timer has at least one static light guide structure (40) near the micro-generator (100), the static light guide structure (40) collects at least a majority of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) at any angular position of the rotor when the rotor is rotating; and directing the emitted light towards the at least one visible portion of the timepiece to obtain a constant and / or uniform illumination of the visible portion when the at least one light emitting diode is emitting. A timer (1000) according to claim 7.

10. The at least one static light guide structure (40) comprises at least one light guide (45), said light guide (45) has, on the one hand, at least one introduction and injection area (41) configured to receive light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) when said micro-generator (100) is rotating and to introduce said emitted light into said light guide (45); and on the other hand, at least one exit and extraction area (42) through which light introduced into the light guide exits and is extracted from the light guide; The at least one exit and extraction area is configured to obtain a specific illumination of the at least one visible portion of the timepiece (1000).

10. The timer (1000) of claim 9.

11. the at least one introduction and injection region (41) faces a light emitting region of the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) and includes at least one coupling patterned region (805) configured to couple light inside the light guide (45); This provides a remote optical coupling between the light guide (45) and the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32); Some of the light rays located in the receiving cone of the light guide (45) continue to be guided by total internal reflection of the light guide (45) until they are incident on the at least one exit and extraction region. A timer (1000) according to claim 10.

12. the at least one exit and extraction region (42) includes at least one extraction patterned region (804); The extraction patterned area (804) has a distribution of small discrete reflective patterns, each having a diameter of less than 0.2 mm, and is configured to extract light introduced into the light guide (45) and distribute the light uniformly towards the at least one visible portion of the timepiece (1000). A timer (1000) according to claim 10.

13. The at least one extraction patterned region (804) is patterned such that extraction is not uniform and the coefficient of extracted light intensity per unit area is not a constant value across the area. A timer (1000) according to claim 12.

14. The at least one extraction patterned region (804) is configured such that the intensity of the extracted light is constant. A timer (1000) according to claim 13.

15. The at least one inlet and injection area (41) and the at least one outlet and extraction area (42) do not overlap in projection onto a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D) of the micro-generator (100). A timer (1000) according to claim 10.

16. The light emitting area of ​​the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) is obscured from view by a user of the timepiece (1000) by an opaque portion (801).

16. A timer (1000) according to claim 15.

17. The timepiece comprises a face (800) disposed on the static light guide structure (40), a first portion of the face (800) being the visible portion of the timepiece that can be illuminated by the static light guide structure (40); The second portion of the face (800) is the opaque portion (801).

17. A timer (1000) according to claim 16.

18. The at least one static light guide structure (40), capable of diffusing light from the at least one light emitting diode (31, 32) to indirectly illuminate a portion of the timepiece (1000), comprises at least one partially transparent portion (802) in the at least one visible portion of the timepiece (1000).

10. The timer (1000) of claim 9.

19. the timer comprises a release stop device for releasing and stopping the micro-generator (100); the release stop device comprises a control device (400) that can be actuated by a user to trigger the actuation of the rotor (10) of the micro-generator (100); The control device (400) comprises an engagement mechanism (500) that can be actuated by a control member, and / or a push button, and / or a bolt, and / or a mechanism (600) included in the timepiece. A timepiece (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

20. At least one drive mechanism configured to drive the rotor of the micro-generator. A timepiece (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images