Watch including external elements

Abstract

To provide customers with timepieces with an appearance that is aesthetic, surprising and functional.SOLUTION: A timepiece 1 is provided, including at least one external timepiece element 2a having a visible face 20a formed of at least a first opaque part and at least a second transparent or translucent part, the at least one external timepiece element 2a including an autonomous lighting device comprising functional elements including: at least one light source 4 capable of emitting light on the visible face 20a of the external timepiece element 2a; a self-contained power supply unit; and a control unit 7 configured to manage the operation of the light source 4. The at least one external timepiece element 2a is formed of an assembly 9a of a plurality of stacked layers 10, 11, 12, 13 connected together, each layer including one or more functional elements of the autonomous lighting device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece including at least one external timepiece element with a fully autonomous lighting device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a timepiece characterized by an original lighting effect for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes.

Background Art

[0002] Making a timepiece such as a wristwatch with an improved aesthetic appearance has always been a source of concern for watch manufacturers, especially for those responsible for designing various external elements. It would take too much time to list here all the solutions that have been considered to give the timepiece the cleanest and most visually appealing appearance possible. Examples include the engine turning technique used for the dial, the dial appliqué or the shape and / or color of the hands, and the addition of precious and semi-precious stones.

[0003] In this context, it is understood that there is a need to find a solution that does not have the drawbacks of the prior art and aims to provide customers with a timepiece with an aesthetic, unexpected and functional appearance.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a timepiece that has an original lighting effect for functional, aesthetic and / or entertainment purposes and can let light escape from the inside of the external elements of the timepiece with optimal light transmissibility.

[0005] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a timepiece including at least one external timepiece element, the at least one external timepiece element including a visible surface formed of at least a first opaque portion and a second transparent or translucent portion, the at least one external timepiece element including an autonomous lighting device, the autonomous lighting device including the following functional elements, namely, - at least one light source capable of generating light on the visible surface of the external timepiece element, - a self-powered power supply unit, - A control unit configured to manage the operation of the light source and including The at least one external clock element is formed by a plurality of stacked assemblies that are connected together and each include one or more functional elements of the self-powered lighting device.

[0006] In other embodiments, - The at least one external clock element includes a back portion, an intermediate portion, a dial, a bracelet strand, a bezel, a flange, a push button, a winding button, and / or a winding button cap, - The assembly consists of a first layer that forms the visible surface including the at least one light source, - The at least one light source is arranged in the first layer, and the arrangement is configured such that most or all of the light generated by the at least one light source passes through the at least one second portion of the visible surface, - The at least one second transparent or translucent portion allows light that can be received by the photovoltaic module of the self-powered power supply unit, specifically light including solar radiation, to pass through, - The at least one light source is a light source configured to produce continuous or quasi-continuous illumination in the at least one second portion of the first layer, - In addition to the first layer, the assembly includes the following successive layers, namely, · A second layer including a photovoltaic module that constitutes the self-powered power supply unit, · A third layer including an electric accumulator that constitutes the self-powered power supply unit, · A fourth layer that forms the hidden surface of the external clock element including the control unit including - In addition to the first layer, the assembly includes the following successive layers, namely, · A second layer including a photovoltaic module that constitutes the self-powered power supply unit, · A third layer including the hidden surface of the external clock element including the control unit and the electric accumulator that constitutes the self-powered power supply unit including - The first layer is rigid with respect to the other layers in the assembly, - An assembly is obtained in which a plurality of layers are joined together by connecting elements so that these layers are integrated to form a one-piece outer watch element, - The at least one opaque portion is a graphic representation included on and / or within the surface of a substrate used to help form a visible face, - Functional elements are printed on a substrate constituting a layer of the assembly forming the at least one outer watch element, - The at least one outer watch element includes a back part, an intermediate part, a dial, a bracelet strand, a bezel, a flange, a push button, a winding button, and / or a winding button cap.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] The objects, advantages and features of the watch according to the present invention will become clearly apparent in the following description given based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown via the drawings.

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is derived from a general inventive concept that consists of housing an autonomous lighting device 3 in the external clock elements 2a, 2b of a clock 1. These external clock elements 2a, 2b have a visible face 20a. The visible face 20a includes at least a first opaque portion and at least a second transparent or translucent portion.

[0010] In this clock 1, the external clock elements 2a, 2b correspond to all of the component parts of the clock 1 that surround the movement 31 and, in particular, contribute to its external appearance, protection, fixation, and control. These external clock elements further give the clock its aesthetic appearance and style and allow all of its functions to be shown. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, these component parts considered here include, in a non - exhaustive and non - limiting manner, the back part 24, the intermediate part 23, the dial 32, the bracelet strand 30, the bezel 26, the flange, the push buttons, the hands, the winding buttons, and / or the winding button caps.

[0011] In FIGS. 1 and 2, such a clock 1 includes a case 22 having an intermediate part 23 to which a back part 24 and a crystal 25 are fixed, a set of components forming a clock movement 31, and a dial 32 disposed between the clock movement 31 and the crystal 25.

[0012] In this configuration, the clock movement 31 drives the hands 27 including the hour hand, the minute hand, and optionally the second hand, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For this purpose, the dial 32 has through - holes for receiving the arbors of these hands.

[0013] As described above, the external clock elements 2a, 2b are related to all components surrounding the movement. For the sake of easier understanding, only the dial will be considered. It should be noted that such external clock elements 2a, 2b thus include a visible surface 20a, also referred to as the "visible part" or "visible upper part", and further include a hidden surface 20b, also referred to as the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of these elements 2a, 2b otherwise.

[0014] In this context, the external clock elements 2a, 2b - a so-called visible surface 20a that is visible from the outside of the clock 1 and is also referred to as the "visible part" or "visible upper part", and - a so-called hidden surface 20b that is arranged on the opposite side of the clock movement 31 in the enclosure of the case 22 of the clock 1, and otherwise, the hidden surface 20b, also referred to as the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of these elements 2a, 2b, and include two surfaces 20a, 20b including.

[0015] When the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32, the dial 32 includes at least one graphic representation, for example, - For example, regardless of the presence or absence of hands, numbers, indices, lines, or even points that contribute to the display of clock information / parameters or physical information / parameters measured by sensors included in the movement, etc., may also be reference (or display) elements, - including inscriptions, patterns, texts, logos, etc.

[0016] In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described herein, the clock movement 31 is a mechanical movement. In an alternative embodiment, this movement 31 may be an electronic movement or an electromechanical movement. The clock 1 is herein referred to as mechanical when its movement is mechanical, and as electromechanical or electronic when it includes each of the electromechanical or electronic movements 31.

[0017] In these external clock elements 2a, 2b, this lighting device 3 includes its own power supply means, as will be apparent from the following. Such a lighting device 3 can be said to be autonomous, particularly with respect to the movement 31 of the clock 1 and with respect to the power source of this movement 31, for example, in the case of an electromechanical movement or an electronic movement where the power source is an electrical power source. Under these conditions, it is understood that the power used by this lighting device 3 does not impair the autonomy of the movement 31.

[0018] Such a lighting device 3 includes the following functional elements, namely at least one light source 4, one power supply unit 21, and one control unit 7.

[0019] In this context, the light source 4 is preferably an extended light source that provides continuous or quasi - continuous illumination to the second transparent or translucent part of the external clock elements 2a, 2b under consideration. Light 28 leaks through this external clock element 2a, 2b. Such a light source 4 can correspond to any light - emitting element selected from the following non - exhaustive and non - limiting list. The list is namely, - A light - emitting capacitor known by the acronym LEC, - Light - emitting diodes of the LED, OLED (organic light - emitting diode), AMOLED (active - matrix organic light - emitting diode) or QLED (quantum light - emitting diode) type, - Any light - emitting material activated by a local electric field, - Any light - emitting material activated by an electric current, - Any combination of these light - emitting elements.

[0020] In this lighting device 3, the power supply unit 21 includes an electrical accumulator 6 and a photovoltaic module 5, also referred to as a solar cell. The photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical accumulator 6 via connection elements to which reference numerals 17b and 18 are assigned in FIGS. 4 and 6. The photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more unit cells of a hetero-junction or multi-junction type connected in parallel or in series. The photovoltaic cells of this module 5 may be made of a semiconductor material including copper, indium, gallium and selenium, a semiconductor material including cadmium telluride, a semiconductor material including single crystal gallium arsenide, or a semiconductor material including single crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon, or perovskite, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these examples are not limiting, and those skilled in the art may find a type of photovoltaic cell suitable for the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that the at least one first opaque portion and the at least one second transparent or semi-transparent portion of the visible surface of the external clock elements 2a, 2b are preferably configured such that light radiation or solar radiation can pass through to provide the photovoltaic module 5, and the photovoltaic module 5 can convert solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy. Specifically, the first portion may be configured to visually appear opaque, particularly to the human eye, while still allowing the passage of solar radiation.

[0022] In this lighting device 3, the control unit 7, also referred to as a microcontroller, includes an electronic circuit 8. The electronic circuit 8 includes hardware resources, particularly at least one processor cooperating with a memory element and an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. This control unit 7 includes, in its memory element, an algorithm for managing the emission of the at least one light source 4. Such an algorithm is executed by the processor of this control unit 7 to manage the operation of the at least one light source 4, particularly taking into account data from event sensors included in the lighting device 3.

[0023] It should be noted that such data may provide information related to events detected by these sensors, for example. The events are likely to contribute to the operation of the at least one light source 4. These events may include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, detection of a specific luminance level in the environment of the clock, detection of a specific sound element or a specific sound level, detection of a specific visual target, detection of movement made by a part of the body of the user in which this clock 1 is included, and the like.

[0024] In this context, the event sensors of this autonomous lighting device 3 are in particular, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, - a luminance sensor for detecting the ambient luminance level, - a motion sensor such as a gyroscope and / or an inertial sensor in the form of an electronic component of the gyroscope and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type, - a microphone-type sound sensor, and / or - a photo sensor-type light sensor.

[0025] It should be further noted that this control unit 7 can manage / control the operations of the plurality of light sources 4 simultaneously and / or continuously. Furthermore, each light source 4 is managed / controlled separately by this control unit. In this context, the management of the operation of each light source 4 can be, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, the following operations, that is, sequential switching on / off of two or more light sources 4, simultaneous switching on / off, flashing of one or more light sources 4, or definition of the flashing frequency of each light source 4, the flashing time of each light source 4, or the switching on / off time of each light-emitting source 4, etc.

[0026] Such a control unit 7 may further include, in its memory element, an algorithm for managing the electric accumulator 6, specifically an algorithm for managing its charging by the photovoltaic module 5, and an algorithm for managing the electric consumption of the light source 4.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, as described above, the autonomous lighting device 3 is therefore included in the external clock elements 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the functional elements of this lighting device 3, namely the light source 4, the electrical accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5 and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the external clock elements 2a, 2b.

[0028] In other words, the bodies of these external clock elements 2a, 2b are formed by assemblies 9a, 9b in which a plurality of laminates 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 each containing one or more functional elements of the lighting device 3 are connected together.

[0029] In these assemblies 9a, 9b, the layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are joined together by joining elements such as an adhesive substance so as to be integrated, obtaining monolithic assemblies 9a, 9b and thus forming integral external clock elements 2a, 2b. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are stacked in the assemblies 9a, 9b and arranged one on top of the other in a defined order.

[0030] That is, such integral external clock elements 2a, 2b (e.g., the dial) have the additional advantage of being removably attached to the case of the clock 1, in addition to the advantage of being easily integrated into or onto such a case.

[0031] Specifically, in the first and second alternative embodiments, this assembly 9a, 9b includes a first layer 10 forming / composing the visible surface 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b. Such a first layer 10 includes at least one light source 4 of the light-emitting device 3 of the external clock elements 2a, 2b.

[0032] The first layer 10 is formed from a substrate that includes at least a first portion that is non-transparent, non-translucent, opaque or substantially opaque, and at least a second portion that is transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent. It is to be understood that the second transparent or translucent portion forms part of the external clock elements 2a, 2b, through which - light 28 generated by the at least one light source 4 can escape outside the external clock elements 2a, 2b and thus outside the clock 1, - light from the environment of the clock 1 can pass through the external clock elements 2a, 2b in the direction of the photovoltaic module 5 of the lighting device 3, which light includes solar radiation in the case of natural origin.

[0033] This first layer 10 is preferably rigid or semi-rigid compared to the other layers 11, 12, 13, 14 which are preferably flexible or pliable. It is to be understood here that such a first layer 10 serves to structurally strengthen the assemblies 9a, 9b of the external clock elements 2a, 2b.

[0034] This first layer 10 is formed by a rigid or semi-rigid substrate that is transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent, or at least partially translucent. Such a substrate is made of a material having a transmittance of 65 to 95 percent for solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation also known as UVT (Ultra-Violet Transmission). This transmittance is preferably 85 percent. Such a material can be transparent or translucent. This material may be, in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner, a polymer, glass or ceramic.

[0035] It should be noted that the ceramic here may be zirconia, a material that is transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent, or at least partially translucent. This zirconia provides amazing lighting for the watch 1, giving the watch an expensive appearance and a scattered, subdued, soft, and comfortable lighting, even if there is a difference in degree. These characteristics can be changed substantially infinitely according to the desired aesthetic results, thereby enhancing the final aesthetic quality of the watch 1. Furthermore, zirconia stabilized in the tetragonal phase by the addition of yttria (Y-TZP, the initials of "yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals") is a technical ceramic that provides both the highest mechanical toughness and one of the highest light transmittance coefficients. By using it in the watch 1 and allowing light 28 to escape from the inside of the external elements 2a, 2b of the watch 1, very good light transmittance is obtained while allowing an original lighting effect for functional, aesthetic, and / or entertainment purposes.

[0036] In this configuration, such a material can be subjected to a process intended to provide the at least first opaque portion within and / or on the substrate. This process consists, for example, in creating within the substrate and / or on the upper surface of this substrate at least one first non-transparent, non-translucent, opaque, or substantially opaque portion intended to be illuminated by the light 28 generated by the at least one light source 4.

[0037] When this substrate is made of a material such as ceramic, for example zirconia, the first opaque portion can be formed on this substrate, for example, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, - by selectively carburizing and / or nitriding this surface, - by mechanically or by laser etching changing the thickness of the substrate (for example, to indent by a few millimeters per ten or per hundred into the ceramic), - an internal etching method of etching into the substrate, in particular by a laser etching process, - By changing the density of this substrate, - An opaque or translucent printing method for printing on the inside or the lower surface of the substrate (for example, one or more cavities formed on this lower surface), - A method of adhering an opaque or translucent coating, - A physical vapor deposition (PVD) or similar method for patterning on the inside or the surface of the substrate, - Or a combination of these methods can be used to make it.

[0038] That is, when light 28 is emitted from the light source, the graphic representation appears on the visible surface 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b by the backlight.

[0039] In one embodiment, the rigid or semi-rigid substrate may be made of a first material constituting the at least first portion and a second material constituting the at least second portion. In this context, the first material can be integrally made with the second material, and thus, this first layer 10 can be an integral part. Therefore, it is understood that this first layer 10 is composed only of the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion. The at least one first portion and the at least one second portion preferably extend within the thickness range of this substrate, and this thickness is defined between the upper surface and the lower surface of this substrate. By extending in this thickness range in this way, the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion connect these upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to each other.

[0040] In this version, the first material may be present in the substrate in a greater proportion than the second material. It should be noted that since this second material corresponds to at least one second transparent or translucent part or zone of this first layer 10, it is visually distinguishable in the substrate constituting this first layer 10. In this context, it is understood that the total surface area of the visible face 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b occupied by one or more first parts is greater than the total surface area of this same face 20a occupied by one or more second parts. In this example, some of the second parts can, for example, let the light 28 generated by at least one light source pass through by forming reference elements such as indices when the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32, and other parts can let the light from the environment of the clock 1, which may include solar radiation, pass through. In this version, the first material may constitute between 55 and 75%, preferably 65%, of the body of the external clock elements 2a, 2b.

[0041] In another example of this version, the ratio of the first material in the substrate of the first layer 10 may be smaller than the ratio of the second material. In this context, it is understood that the total surface area of the visible face 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b occupied by one or more first parts is smaller than the total surface area of this same face 20a occupied by one or more second parts. In this example, one or more first opaque parts can take one or more forms of the graphic representations described above. Thereby, each graphic representation can appear on the visible face 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b by backlight when these first parts are illuminated. It should be noted that in this configuration, the first material may therefore constitute from 20 to 30%, preferably 25%, of the body of the external clock elements 2a, 2b.

[0042] In this first layer 10, at least one light source 4 is arranged in or on the lower surface of the substrate. Arranging the light source 4 in or on this lower surface is configured to illuminate all or part of the visible surface 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b. For example, if the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32, this may include illuminating reference (or display) elements such as numbers, indices, lines, dots, or illuminating one or more hands, or even illuminating all or part of the surface of the visible surface 20a of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0043] This illumination may be backlighting or semi - direct illumination when the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate. Such a cavity may be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of this substrate. Specifically, this blind opening is - Made in a first opaque part and / or to serve to illuminate the graphic representation formed by this first part, and - Made in a second transparent or translucent part to illuminate a first part corresponding to a graphic representation included in the substrate and / or on the upper and / or lower surface (e.g., the bottom surface of the cavity) of this substrate.

[0044] This illumination may be direct illumination when the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate. Such a cavity may be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of this substrate. Specifically, this blind opening is made in a second transparent or translucent part to illuminate this second part that forms a small graphic representation, such as a reference element that is an index, for example, when the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32. This is the case, for example, when the total surface area of the visible surface 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b occupied by one or more first parts is larger than the total surface area of this same surface occupied by one or more second parts.

[0045] In this configuration, the light emission 28 or the light 28 generated by this light source 4 can escape to the outside of the external clock elements 2a, 2b through the visible surface 20a of these elements 2a, 2b, so that at least one graphic representation such as a reference element can be seen even in the dark.

[0046] This lighting may also be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in the through - openings made in the at least one first part and / or the at least one second part. Such an opening extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and both ends thereof open to the upper surface and the lower surface of this substrate respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of this substrate, and thus from the visible surface 20a of these external clock elements 2a, 2b. For example, in such a configuration, when the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32, at least one protruding light source 4 can form reference elements such as indices, numbers, dots, lines, etc.

[0047] Such lighting may also be indirect lighting when at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. This waveguide, also referred to as an optical guide, can transmit light from the point where the light 28 is incident on the guide to the substrate or to an area of the substrate near the upper surface of this substrate (for example, a cavity, a through - opening). Such an optical guide may be an optical fiber through which the light 28 escapes, and this optical fiber is allowed to bypass any obstacles that may appear between, for example, a light - emitting element and the substrate area near the upper surface of this substrate. In this alternative embodiment, the light 28 is delivered from the light - emitting element to this area of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0048] In such a configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4, and the second end of this waveguide is - arranged in a cavity that can be a blind opening made in the lower surface of this substrate of the first layer 10 in the first and / or second part of the substrate, or - It may be arranged in a through-opening that penetrates the first and / or second portion included in the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10. Both ends of the opening appear on the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate, and thus on the upper and lower surfaces of the first layer 10. Therefore, this second end may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus from the visible surface 20a of the external clock elements 2a, 2b. For example, in such a configuration, when the external clock elements 2a, 2b are the dial 32, at least one protruding light source 4 may form reference elements such as indices, numbers, dots, lines, etc.

[0049] In this context, indirect lighting can be achieved by a single light source 4 included in the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10. The light source 4 is coupled to several waveguides including the second end because these second ends are - A plurality of cavities each emitting light radiation from this light source 4, where this radiation escapes to the outside of the external clock elements 2a, 2b through their visible surface 20a, and thus at least one graphic representation is arranged in cavities that make it visible, especially in the dark, and / or - A plurality of through-openings that protrude or do not protrude from the upper surface of this first layer 10 to form a graphic representation such as a reference element, and each through-opening is arranged to emit light radiation from this light source 4.

[0050] In this first layer 10, the light source 4 is applied / adhered to the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 by printing or vapor deposition in the cavity or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 may have self-adhesiveness so as to contribute to the assembly with the second layer 11.

[0052] In assemblies 9a, 9b forming the external clock elements 2a, 2b, the second layer 11 includes a substrate that includes the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or pliable. Such a substrate may be in the form of a film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is arranged. For example, this substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family. Such a photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active area on the upper surface of this substrate of the second layer 11. This active area is a part of the upper surface of the substrate that can receive light entering from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the external clock elements 2a, 2b. This light that has passed through all or part of the first layer 10 is from the external environment of the external clock elements 2a, 2b and thus of the clock 1, and in this case, if it is of natural origin, it is mainly from solar radiation.

[0053] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using an inkjet or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Here, reference is made to the second layer 11 that includes the photovoltaic module 5, specifically the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material is deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of this substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 may serve as a self-adhesive layer that facilitates assembly / attachment / adhesion with other layers, specifically with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of this assembly 9a, 9b.

[0055] In this first alternative embodiment, the assembly 9a includes this third layer 12, and this third layer 12 further preferably includes a flexible or pliable substrate. This substrate includes the electrical accumulator 6 of the self-powered lighting device 3. This substrate may be in the form of a film on which the accumulator 6 is arranged. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0056] This accumulator 6 may be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such an accumulator 6 is placed on the upper surface of this substrate, - A printing process for a flexible polymer substrate, such as a lithium battery, or - A three-dimensional printing process for a semiconductor battery, such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery, is used for coating.

[0057] Here, reference is made to the third layer 12 including the printed electric accumulator 6, specifically the electric accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0058] Such a process is used to obtain the third layer 12 including this flexible and extremely thin accumulator 6.

[0059] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 5 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive or adhesive substance may be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of this substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 may serve as a self-adhesive layer that facilitates assembly / attachment / adhesion with other layers, specifically the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of this assembly 9a.

[0060] It should be noted that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release the electrical energy to supply power to the at least one light source 4 as required.

[0061] In the first alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this assembly 9a includes this fourth layer 13 that forms the hidden surface of the external clock element 2a. This fourth layer 13 is preferably formed by a flexible or pliable substrate including the control unit 7. Such a substrate may be, for example, a flexible PCB on which the control unit 7 is arranged, and this control unit 7 is specifically arranged on the upper surface of this PCB and thus of the substrate. In this context, the control unit 7 can be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0062] In the second alternative embodiment, an assembly 9b forming the external clock element 2b includes three interconnected layers 10, 11, 14. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first alternative embodiment in that it includes three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the electric accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is here included in the third and final layer 14 of this assembly 9b having the control unit 7.

[0063] Such a third layer 14 forming the hidden surface of the external clock element 2b preferably consists of a flexible or pliable substrate, on which, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate, the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. In this way, the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate may be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0064] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, the assembly 9b therefore - a first layer 10 forming the visible surface 20a of the external clock element 2b including said at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3, - a second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, and - a third layer 14 forming the hidden surface 20b of the external clock element 2b including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0065] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first and second layers 10, 11 are the same as those of the first alternative embodiment of the assembly 9a.

[0066] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a. The first connection element 15a is connected to the connection element 16 of the at least one light source 4 so as to manage the operation of this light source 4. This electronic circuit 8 further includes a second connection element 15b connected to the first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6. This accumulator 6 further includes a second connection element 17b connected to the connection element 18 of the photovoltaic module 5.

[0067] It should be further noted that the event sensors of the lighting device 3 described above are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the final layers 13, 14 of the assemblies 9a, 9b and are connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3.

[0068] In a third alternative embodiment (not shown), the assembly forming the external clock element includes two layers connected to each other. It should be noted that this third alternative embodiment differs from the second alternative embodiment in that it includes two layers instead of the three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second alternative embodiment. In this third alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic module 5 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is here included on the lower surface of the first layer, in particular the substrate forming this first layer. This photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer using an inkjet or screen printing process, or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Therefore, it should be noted that this first layer is thus similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second alternative embodiments, except that the first layer in this third alternative embodiment additionally includes a photovoltaic module.

[0069] Furthermore, also in the third alternative embodiment as in the second alternative embodiment, the electric accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is included in the second and final layer of this assembly together with the control unit 7. Such a second layer 14 forming the hidden face of the external clock element 2b preferably consists of a flexible or pliable substrate, on which the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are preferably constructed on the upper surface of this substrate. In this way, the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate may be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0070] In summary, in this third alternative embodiment, the assembly is therefore, - a first layer forming the visible face 20a of the external clock element including the at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5 of the lighting device 3, and - a second layer forming the hidden face 20b of the external clock element including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0071] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various simple modifications and alternative embodiments can be considered by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clock (1) comprising at least one external clock element (2a, 2b) including a visible surface (20a) of a substrate formed from at least one first opaque portion and at least one second transparent or translucent portion, said at least one external clock element (2a, 2b) including an autonomous lighting device, said autonomous lighting device comprising the following functional elements, namely, at least one light source (4) capable of generating light (28) at the visible surface (20a) of said at least one external clock element (2a, 2b), a self-powered power supply unit (21), a control unit (7) configured to manage the operation of said light source (4), and including, said at least one light source (4) being formed on said substrate, said at least one external clock element (2a, 2b) being formed between a movement (31) and a crystal (25) of said clock (1) by an assembly (9a, 9b) of a plurality of stacked layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) connected together, each layer including one or more functional elements of said autonomous lighting device (3), clock (1).

2. The clock (1) according to claim 1, wherein said assembly (9a, 9b) consists of a first layer (10) forming said visible surface (20a) including said at least one light source (4).

3. The clock (1) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one light source (4) is arranged in said first layer (10), and said arrangement is configured such that most or all of the light (28) generated by said at least one light source (4) passes through said at least one second transparent or translucent portion of said visible surface (20a).

4. The clock (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second transparent or translucent portion is configured such that light including solar radiation that can be received by a photovoltaic module (5) of said self-powered power supply unit (21) can pass through.

5. The at least one light source (4) is a light source configured to produce continuous or quasi - continuous illumination on the at least one second transparent or translucent portion of the first layer (10), the timepiece (1) according to claim 2.

6. The assembly (9a) includes, in addition to the first layer (10), the following successive layers, namely, A second layer (11) including the photovoltaic module (5) constituting the self - powered power unit (21); A third layer (12) including the electric accumulator (6) constituting the self - powered power unit (21); A fourth layer (13) forming the hidden face (20b) of the at least one external timepiece element (2a) including the control unit (7), the timepiece (1) according to claim 2. and, the timepiece (1) according to claim 2.

7. The assembly (9b) includes, in addition to the first layer (10), the following successive layers, namely, A second layer (11) including the photovoltaic module (5) constituting the self - powered power unit (21); A third layer (14) having the hidden face (20b) of the at least one external timepiece element (2a) including the control unit (7) and the electric accumulator (6) constituting the self - powered power unit (21), the timepiece (1) according to claim 2. and, the timepiece (1) according to claim 2.

8. The first layer (10) is more rigid than the other flexible layers (11, 12, 13, 14) in the assembly (9a, 9b), the timepiece (1) according to claim 2.

9. By joining together the plurality of laminates by connection elements, an assembly (9a, 9b) is obtained in which these layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are integrated to form a one - piece external timepiece element (2a, 2b), the timepiece (1) according to claim 1.

10. The clock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first opaque portion is a graphic representation included on and / or in the surface of a substrate used to form the visible face (20a).

11. The clock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is printed on a substrate constituting a stack (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the assembly (9a, 9b) forming the at least one external clock element (2a, 2b).

12. The clock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one external clock element (2a, 2b) includes a back portion (24), an intermediate portion (23), a dial (32), a bracelet strand (30), a bezel (26), a flange, a push button, a winding button, and / or a winding button cap.

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