Smartwatch with a common ground device for a watch movement

Abstract

To provide a smart watch with a device for connecting electrical members of a watch movement to a common ground.SOLUTION: A smart watch 1 includes a processing unit 13 and a communication module 12 that are electrically connected to an electrical connector 18 included in a watch movement 10. The smart watch 1 includes a common ground device formed by a conductive elastic ring 200 including an annular body 205 having a central axis Z and a fastening tab 210 provided on the annular body 205. The fastening tab 210 cooperates with an intermediate section 110 to form a bayonet locking system 300 by rotation of the conductive elastic ring 200 relative to the intermediate section 110 about the central axis Z between inserted and locked positions. The conductive elastic ring 200 includes a conductive lug 250 configured to electrically contact a conductor 18 of the watch movement 10 when the conductive elastic ring 200 is in the locked position within the intermediate section 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a smartwatch comprising an electronic or electromechanical watch movement having electrical or electronic components that require a common ground connection.

Background Art

[0002] A watch movement of a smartwatch may have electrical or electronic components that need to be connected to a common potential.

[0003] Such electrical components are usually connected to a common potential by a ground terminal, which may take the form of a tab on a flexible printed circuit connected to the movement.

[0004] However, this is not always sufficient, especially when a communication module, such as a Bluetooth® antenna, is incorporated into the watch movement.

[0005] Connecting such a communication module to a common potential requires a large number of connectors, and as a result of the large number of components, especially for the various operations required to arrange the various connectors, its implementation, the casing operation of the movement, and its ground are complicated. As a result, it has a great impact on the productivity of such a solution for connecting to a shared potential.

[0006] Furthermore, this operation of connecting to a common potential is usually performed when the movement is cased within the case of the smartwatch.

[0007] Casing such a watch movement of a smartwatch, i.e., fastening the movement within the case, is often also achieved by a number of fastening clamps inserted into grooves provided along the inner circumference of the case, and the assembly is firmly connected by clamp screws.

[0008] As a result, this casing operation involves a large number of components (connectors, clamps, screws, etc.) and various operations necessary for arranging the connectors, clamps, and screws, making it overall time-consuming and complex to implement. This has a significant impact on the productivity of such a solution for casing the watch movement of the smartwatch and connecting it to a common potential.

[0009] Consequently, it is necessary to improve the device for connecting the electronic or electromechanical watch movement of the smartwatch to a common potential, and in particular, to improve the entire casing operation.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention aims to propose a smartwatch comprising an electronic or electromechanical watch movement and a device for connecting electrical members of such a movement to a common ground, which overcomes at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0011] According to the present invention, such a common ground device takes the form of a conductive elastic ring and enables rapid connection of various electrical members of the electronic or electromechanical watch movement. Such a conductive elastic ring according to the present invention eliminates the need to use a large number of connectors.

[0012] In this context, the present invention relates to a smartwatch comprising a case having an intermediate portion and a watch movement housed in an internal space defined by the intermediate portion, the watch movement comprising a processing unit and a communication module electrically connected to an electrical connector included in the watch movement.

[0013] The smartwatch further comprises a common ground device formed by a conductive elastic ring having an annular body with a central axis Z and a fastening tab provided on the annular body, the fastening tab cooperating with the intermediate portion to form a bayonet lock system by rotation of the conductive elastic ring about the central axis Z between an insertion position and a lock position, the conductive elastic ring including a conductive lug configured to be in electrical contact with a conductor of the timepiece movement when the conductive elastic ring is in the lock position within the intermediate portion.

[0014] Preferably, the conductive lug is an elastic lug. Thus, the common ground device according to the invention also provides an elastic damping solution for the timepiece movement in case of shock to the watch case.

[0015] The common ground device according to the invention further provides a solution for casing the timepiece movement within the watch case, eliminating the need for a number of retaining clamps and clamp tightening screws, and thus eliminating a number of operations required for the screws and clamps.

[0016] In addition to the features mentioned in the previous paragraph, the smartwatch according to the invention can have one or more of the following complementary features considered individually or according to any technically possible combination. That is, the conductor is an electrical track provided on the surface of the timepiece movement, and when the conductive elastic ring is in the locked position within the intermediate part, the conductive lugs of the conductive elastic ring abut against the electrical track; the conductive lugs are conductive elastic lugs; the conductive lugs are configured to apply an axial force parallel to the central axis Z to the timepiece movement by elastic deformation of the conductive elastic lugs at least when the elastic casing ring is in the locked position within the intermediate part; the conductive lugs ensure that the timepiece movement is held within the intermediate part, preferably in an axial direction parallel to the central axis Z, by the axial force applied to the timepiece movement; the conductive lugs are configured to form damping means for the timepiece movement, preferably in an axial direction parallel to the central axis Z, during an impact on the smartwatch; the fastening tab extends radially with respect to the central axis Z; each of the conductive lugs comprises an elastic portion connected to the annular body and shaped to be elastically deformed; the elastic portion has a free contact end with at least one portion axially offset along the central axis Z with respect to the annular body, and the free contact end makes electrical contact with one of the conductors of the timepiece movement when the conductive elastic ring is in the locked position within the intermediate part; the conductive elastic ring comprises an angular locking member that cooperates with an elastic locking finger provided on the timepiece movement or the intermediate part to ensure that the conductive elastic ring is rotationally locked in the locked position by an elastic clip or lock; the angular locking member cooperates with an abutment surface of the timepiece movement or the intermediate part to form an angular positioning stop for the conductive elastic ring; the intermediate part has a support surface for receiving and supporting the fastening tab of the conductive elastic ring thereon; the intermediate part includes a bayonet groove, and the bayonet groove isTo form a bayonet lock system, cooperate with the fastening tab, the electrically conductive elastic ring comprises positioning and coding elements for assembly, the electrically conductive elastic ring comprises at least one recess, the shape of which is adapted to cooperate with an assembly tool, the electrically conductive elastic ring comprises a first recess configured to ensure rotation of the electrically conductive elastic ring and a second recess configured to ensure unlocking of the electrically conductive elastic ring, each recess having a shape adapted to cooperate with an assembly tool, and the electrically conductive elastic ring may have the feature of being made of a metallic or polymeric material having an electrically conductive filler.

[0017] The present invention further relates to an assembly tool for connecting the timekeeping movement of a smartwatch according to the present invention to a common ground.

[0018] The assembly tool comprises at least one protruding element configured to cooperate with at least one recess of the electrically conductive elastic ring.

[0019] Preferably, the assembly tool comprises protruding elements configured to cooperate with a plurality of recesses of the electrically conductive elastic ring, and the protruding elements rotate the electrically conductive elastic ring when the assembly tool is rotated by an operator, a controller or a robot.

[0020] Advantageously, the assembly tool comprises a release pin configured to disengage the elastic lock fingers when the assembly tool is in a predetermined position on the electrically conductive elastic ring so as to enable unlocking from the timekeeping movement.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a method for connecting an electronic or electromechanical timekeeping movement of a smartwatch according to the present invention to a common ground.

[0022] The method of connecting to a common ground according to the present invention includes the steps of inserting the timepiece movement into the middle part of the case, inserting the common ground device formed by the conductive elastic ring onto the timepiece movement, and connecting the electrical connector of the timepiece movement to the common ground. During this step, the conductive elastic ring is rotatably engaged about the central axis Z until it reaches the locked position, and by this rotation, the fastening tabs are engaged in a plurality of bayonet grooves in the middle part. The conductive lugs are in electrical contact with the conductors of the timepiece movement when the conductive elastic ring is in the locked position.

[0023] Preferably, during the step of inserting the common ground device formed by the conductive elastic ring, the fastening tabs of the conductive elastic ring abut against the bearing surface of the middle part.

[0024] Preferably, the step of connecting to the common ground casings the timepiece movement within the timepiece case and enables it to be held within the timepiece case.

[0025] Preferably, the step of connecting the electrical connector of the timepiece movement to the common ground is performed using an assembly tool having at least one protruding element that cooperates with at least one recess of the conductive elastic ring to rotatably engage the conductive elastic ring when the assembly tool is rotated by an operator, a controller, or a robot.

[0026] The method of connecting to the common ground may be performed manually, i.e., by an individual, or may be automated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description given below with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0028] In all the figures, common elements are given the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a smartwatch 1 according to the present invention, including a case 100 having a central axis B and an intermediate part 110 configured to be closed on either side by a case back (not shown) and a crystal (not shown).

[0030] The smartwatch 1 includes a watch movement 10 housed in an internal space 115 defined by the intermediate part 110.

[0031] For example, the intermediate part 110 is made of metal, ceramic or polymer material, or a combination of different materials.

[0032] The timepiece movement 10 can be an electromechanical or electronic movement.

[0033] The timepiece movement 10 has a central axis A perpendicular to the general plane P1. The general plane P1 of the timepiece movement 10 is parallel to the plane of the hands (not shown). The central axis A of the timepiece movement 10 is parallel or corresponds to the axis of rotation of the hands of the timepiece movement.

[0034] The central axis A of the timepiece movement 10 is parallel or corresponds to the central axis B of the intermediate part 110.

[0035] Preferably, the timepiece movement 10 comprises a time module, a processing unit 13, and a communication module 12, for example a Bluetooth® type antenna.

[0036] Such a communication module 12 needs to fix one of its potentials. Therefore, one of the potentials of the communication module 12 must be conductively coupled to a common ground device.

[0037] It goes without saying that other electrical or electronic components included in the timepiece movement 10 may also require a common ground.

[0038] The processing unit 13 and the communication module 12 have potentials that are electrically connected to at least one electrical connector 18 included in the timepiece movement 10.

[0039] Preferably, the timepiece movement 10 comprises a plurality of electrical connectors 18 provided on the surface of the timepiece movement 10.

[0040] Preferably, the electrical connectors 18 are distributed around the timepiece movement 10, that is, in a region radially distant from the central axis A.

[0041] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the connection to the common ground (or common potential) of the timepiece movement 10 is made from the case-back side. It goes without saying that the connection to the common ground of the timepiece movement 10 can also be made from the crystal side, and that is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] The main object of the present invention is to propose a common ground device for facilitating the operation of connecting various electrical or electronic members of the timepiece movement 10 to the common ground when assembling the timepiece movement 10 into the case 100.

[0043] Further, the common ground device according to the present invention simplifies the fastening to the intermediate portion 110 of the timepiece movement 10 during the casing operation, particularly by eliminating the need to use a plurality of clamps and screws.

[0044] The common ground device according to the present invention advantageously comprises means for fastening, fixing, and locking the timepiece movement 10 to the case 100. Therefore, the common ground device can also replace the device for casing the timepiece movement.

[0045] Therefore, with such a common ground device according to the present invention, the step of connecting the timepiece movement 10 to the common ground and the step of fastening the timepiece movement 10 to the intermediate portion 110 are simultaneously performed by a single locking operation of the common ground device.

[0046] The common ground device according to the present invention is a conductive elastic ring 200.

[0047] Figure 2 shows in more detail a top view of such a smartwatch 1 according to the present invention. Inside, a clock movement 10 is assembled within a case 100, and a conductive elastic ring 200 in an insertion position (i.e., not locked) is disposed on top of the clock movement 10. From this insertion position of the conductive elastic ring 200, when the conductive elastic ring 200 is rotated several degrees about the axis Z, as shown in Figure 3, the conductive elastic ring reaches a locked position. This locked position ensures that the electrical components of the clock movement, particularly the communication module 12, are connected to the common ground.

[0048] As an example, the locking direction is shown by an arrow to be clockwise on the conductive elastic ring 200 shown in Figure 2. However, the locking direction may also be counterclockwise.

[0049] Figure 3 particularly shows the conductive elastic ring 200 in the locked position and electrically connected to various electrical connectors 18 of the clock movement 10.

[0050] Advantageously, such a conductive elastic ring 200 is made of a metal or polymer material containing a conductive filler.

[0051] Such a conductive elastic ring 200 also has a damping function that reduces the influence of the movement of the clock movement 10, mainly the axial movement along the axis Z during an impact on the clock case 100. The conductive elastic ring 200 includes an annular body 205 having a central axis Z and fastening tabs 210 extending radially with respect to the axial direction Z.

[0052] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the central axis A of the clock movement 10 coincides with the central axis Z of the annular body 205 of the conductive elastic ring 200. However, other configurations are possible and are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] The fastening tab 210 of the conductive elastic ring 200 cooperates with the bayonet groove 113 formed in the intermediate part 110 to form a bayonet casing system 300. Such a bayonet lock system 300 allows the conductive elastic ring 200 to be rotated relative to the intermediate part 110 about the axis Z between the insertion position (not locked) shown in FIG. 2 where the connection to the common ground is not made and the locked position shown in FIG. 3 where the timepiece movement, particularly the communication module 12, is connected to the common ground, thereby connecting the timepiece movement 10 to the common ground and optionally casing it by simply rotating the conductive elastic ring 200 relative to the intermediate part 110.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the intermediate part 110, and more particularly, shows the part having the bayonet groove 113.

[0055] To receive the conductive elastic ring 200, the intermediate part 110 comprises a support surface 111 that forms a circular shoulder extending along the inner circumference of the intermediate part 110.

[0056] More specifically, when the conductive elastic ring 200 is inserted into the intermediate part 110, the fastening tab 210 is at least partially placed on the support surface 111 of the intermediate part 110.

[0057] Generally speaking, the terms "inner", "inside", "outer" and "outside" should of course be understood with respect to the axial direction Z shown in FIG. 1 that forms the central axis of the conductive elastic ring 200, and the "inner" elements are closer to the central axis than the "outer" elements.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment, a plurality of support surfaces 111 are arranged, extending across the corner portions of the inner peripheral portion of the intermediate part 110 and can be evenly or otherwise distributed along the inner peripheral portion of the intermediate part 110. In this alternative embodiment, the number of support surfaces 111 is preferably equal to the number of fastening tabs 210 of the elastic casing ring 200.

[0059] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the conductive elastic ring 200 includes six fastening tabs 210. However, the number of fastening tabs 210 is not limited to six, and this number can be any number greater than or equal to two. The bayonet groove 113 is formed between the support surface 111 and the retaining surface 114 facing the support surface 111.

[0060] The number of bayonet grooves 113 is at least equal to the number of fastening tabs 210.

[0061] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bayonet groove 113 is disposed in a plane parallel to the general plane P1 of the timepiece movement 10, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the central axis A of the timepiece movement 10.

[0062] In an alternative embodiment, the bayonet groove 113 may be arranged to include at least one portion inclined with respect to the general plane P1 of the timepiece movement 10 so as to guide the rotation and translation of the fastening tab 210 and impose a vertical displacement of the conductive elastic ring 200 towards the timepiece movement 10 along the axis Z when locking by rotation about the axis Z. For example, the bayonet groove 113 may have at least one portion with a gradient towards the crystal of the case 100 (i.e., towards the side opposite to the side where the timepiece movement 10 and the elastic casing ring 200 are inserted).

[0063] The space between the support surface 111 and the retaining surface 114 defines the width of the bayonet groove 113. The width of the bayonet groove 113 may be constant or variable. For example, it may have the widest width at the insertion end to facilitate the insertion of the fastening tab 210 and the narrowest width at the bottom of the bayonet groove 113, and may be, for example, close to the thickness of the fastening tab 210 or a corresponding width to further retain the fastening tab 210 by friction or wear.

[0064] However, as will be described below, since the conductive elastic ring 200 according to the present invention includes a plurality of conductive elastic lugs 250 that come into contact with the timepiece movement 10 and act elastically on the timepiece movement 10, such an arrangement is not essential. Thus, the conductive elastic lugs 250 act to hold the fastening tabs 210 of the conductive elastic ring 200 that are pressed against the holding surface 114 in the bayonet groove 113 by elastic reaction.

[0065] The bayonet groove 113 may include a bottom or an obstacle, such as a protrusion, for forming an angular positioning stop when the conductive elastic ring 200 is rotating.

[0066] The conductive elastic ring 200 further includes at least one positioning and coding element (assembly key) 245 for assembly, which is formed in the intermediate portion 110 and cooperates with a cavity 246 extending axially along the axis Z.

[0067] The conductive elastic ring 200 includes an angular locking member 220 that prevents the locking position of the conductive elastic ring 200 from rotating. The angular locking member 220 is configured to prevent the conductive elastic ring 200 from being accidentally loosened or unlocked, especially in the case of an impact on the case 100. Thus, such an angular locking member 220 ensures that the connection of the timepiece movement 10 to the common ground is reliably guaranteed even in the case of an impact on the smartwatch 1.

[0068] According to an alternative embodiment, the conductive elastic ring 200 includes a plurality of angular locking members 220.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a part of the conductive elastic ring 200 including the angular locking member 220.

[0070] In a first alternative embodiment, as shown, the angular locking member 220 has a portion 222 whose first end is connected to the annular body 205 of the conductive elastic ring 200. This portion 222 has a free end 221 that is axially offset along the axis Z with respect to the annular body 205 on the side opposite the first end. In this way, the free end 221 protrudes from the annular body 205 of the conductive elastic ring 200 and is directed towards the timepiece movement 10.

[0071] The angular locking member 220 is configured to cooperate with an elastic locking finger 230 provided on the intermediate part 110 or the timepiece movement 10. Such an elastic locking finger 230 is formed to prevent reverse rotation when the conductive elastic ring 200 is in contact. That is, the ring is in the locked position.

[0072] In a second alternative embodiment, the angular locking member 220 can take the form of irregularities, for example holes, provided on at least the lower surface of the annular body 205 (i.e., the surface intended to face the timepiece movement 10). The irregularities may or may not be through. Thus, the elastic locking finger 230 provided on the intermediate part 110 or the timepiece movement 10 is shaped to at least partially fit into the irregularities in order to prevent reverse rotation when the conductive elastic ring 200 comes into contact. That is, the ring is in the locked position.

[0073] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the elastic locking finger 230 belongs to the timepiece movement 10, and the timepiece movement 10 is locked against rotation of the intermediate part 110 by a catch, bar, or ad - hoc means that cooperate with a slot formed in the inner circumference of the intermediate part 110. These means also make it possible to form positioning - coding elements (assembly keys) for assembly in order to ensure the correct positioning and orientation of the timepiece movement 10 in the intermediate part 110 when assembling the timepiece movement 10 into the case 100.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, the angular locking member 220 of the conductive elastic ring 200 can also form an angular positioning stop of the conductive elastic ring 200 by contacting the intermediate part 110 or the contact surface 16 of the timepiece movement 10, thereby eliminating the need to form one or more angular stops in the groove 113 of the intermediate part 110. The manufacture of the intermediate part 110 is thus simplified in this way.

[0075] The angular locking member 220 and the elastic locking fingers 230 form a means of blocking by means of an elastic clip or lock of the conductive elastic ring 200. The anti-rotation means is reversible and releases the rotation of the angular locking member 220 and the conductive elastic ring 200 in the direction of unlocking and disassembling the conductive elastic ring 200 by applying stress to the elastic locking fingers 230, which in this case can be elastically deformed in the axial direction parallel to the axis Z, and can be unlocked by a point or an assembly / disassembly tool.

[0076] The elastic locking fingers 230 function as a detachable engagement element. This is inactive when the conductive elastic ring 200 is assembled and is configured to prevent the ring from rotating in the reverse direction once it reaches the locked position (the operating position of the smartwatch 1).

[0077] More specifically, in the alternative embodiment shown in the figures, when in the free position, the elastic locking fingers 230 are shaped such that their ends are axially above a portion of the free end 221 of the angular locking member 220 that is axially furthest from the annular body 205.

[0078] The elastic locking fingers 230 can be made from either a polymer or a metallic material.

[0079] The conductive elastic ring 200 has a conductive lug configured to support against the electrical connector 18 of the timepiece movement 10. For example, the electrical connector 18 is an electrical track provided on the surface of the timepiece movement 10.

[0080] Optionally, the conductive lug 250 is shaped to apply sufficient axial force to the timepiece movement 10 along an axis parallel to the axis Z of the timepiece movement 10, so that, in order to perform the casing operation, the timepiece movement can be held in the intermediate part 110 without relying on, for example, clamps and screws, or even other ad hoc devices such as a casing ring.

[0081] Advantageously, the conductive lug 250 is a conductive elastic lug.

[0082] Such a conductive elastic lug 250 forms means for absorbing the movement of the timepiece movement 10, particularly axial movement, during an impact on the case 100, while allowing the timepiece movement 10 to be axially stressed within the intermediate part 110 so as to be held in a predetermined position within the intermediate part 110 during normal use.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows, in particular, a part of the elastic casing ring 200 on one side of the conductive elastic lug 250.

[0084] The conductive elastic lug 250 comprises an elastic part 251 whose first end is connected to the annular body 205 of the conductive elastic ring 200. This elastic part 251 takes the form of, for example, a blade and is intended to deform elastically with respect to the annular body 205 of the elastic casing ring 200. The elastic part 251 comprises a free contact end 252, and at least one part 253 thereof is axially offset with respect to the annular body 205 of the elastic casing ring 200 and the fastening tab 210 along the axis Z. Thus, the free contact end 252 projects from the annular body 205 of the elastic casing ring 200 towards the timepiece movement 10.

[0085] Advantageously, the free contact end 252 of the conductive elastic lug 250 and the free end 221 of the angular locking member 220 are provided at different heights with respect to the plane formed by the annular body 205.

[0086] The free contact end 252 of the conductive elastic lug 250 is configured to contact various electrical connectors 18 of the timepiece movement 10 when the conductive elastic ring 200 is in the locked position inside the intermediate portion 110.

[0087] Preferably, the conductive elastic lug 250 is configured to apply sufficient force to ensure electrical contact and connection to the common ground of the timepiece movement 10 even in the case of an impact to the case 100.

[0088] Preferably, the free contact end 252 of the conductive elastic lug 250 is configured to apply an axial force parallel to the central axis Z to the timepiece movement 10 when the conductive elastic ring 200 is in the locked position inside the intermediate portion 110.

[0089] All the electrical connectors 18 are electrically contacted via the conductive elastic ring 200 by rotating the ring 200, and this rotation positions the various conductive elastic lugs 250 to be in electrical contact with the electrical connectors 18. Thus, the timepiece movement 10 is connected to the common ground by a single rotational operation when the elastic casing ring 200 is locked.

[0090] Preferably, the conductive elastic lug 250 is configured to apply stress to the timepiece movement within the intermediate portion 110 so as to hold the timepiece movement 10 in a predetermined position within the intermediate portion 110 while forming absorption or damping means for reducing the displacement of the timepiece movement 10 during an impact to the timepiece case 100.

[0091] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the conductive elastic lug 250 applies an axial stress to the timepiece movement 10 along the axis Z to attenuate the effect of the axial displacement of the timepiece movement 10.

[0092] The electrical connector 18 can be recessed in the upper surface of the watch movement 10 configured to receive and accommodate the conductive elastic lug 250. Thus, the recessed electrical connector 18 can contribute to providing an indication of the position of the conductive elastic ring 200 and / or locking the conductive elastic ring 200 in the locked position.

[0093] Also, the conductive elastic lug 250 received in these recessed electrical connectors 18 can at least partially prevent the watch movement 10 from being displaced within the plane P1 and / or attenuate or reduce the displacement of the watch movement 10 in the plane P1.

[0094] The conductive elastic ring 200 is preferably further provided with at least two recesses 260 configured to cooperate with a protruding element 460 such as a protrusion, pin or catch of an assembly tool 400 for assembling (locking) and disassembling (unlocking) the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0095] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the elastic ring is provided with five recesses 260.

[0096] The recesses 260 may be holes, notches, etc. and may have the same or different shapes.

[0097] The assembly tool 400 includes a body 410 for facilitating the handling, locking and unlocking of the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0098] FIG. 7 schematically shows such an assembly tool 400 according to the present invention for assembling the conductive elastic ring, connecting the watch movement 10 to a common potential, and optionally casing the watch movement 10 within the intermediate portion 110.

[0099] The assembly tool 400 can take the form of a sleeve having at least one pin 460 that is easily gripped by a watch manufacturer and configured to fit into the at least one recess 260 of the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0100] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the assembly tool 400 includes five pins 460 configured to fit into the five recesses 260 of the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0101] The conductive elastic ring 200 further includes a disassembly recess 270 configured to receive and pass through the unlocking pin 470 of the assembly tool 400. Such a disassembly recess 270 preferably has a specific shape different from that of the other recesses 260, and in particular, facilitates identification compared to the other recesses. It goes without saying that other means may be used to easily identify the disassembly recess 270 compared to the other recesses 260 used to rotate the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0102] The disassembly recess 270 is, for example, a slot or a notch, while the recess 260 may be circular.

[0103] The disassembly recess 270 is formed in the annular body 205 so as to be located above the elastic locking finger 230 when the conductive elastic ring 200 is in the locked position of the intermediate portion 110.

[0104] The unlocking pin 470 of the assembly tool 400 is configured to disengage the elastic locking finger 230 when the assembly tool 400 is positioned on the conductive elastic ring. The unlocking pin 470 is configured to press and elastically deform the elastic locking finger 230 to release it from the angular locking member 220 or remove it from the track of the angular locking member 220, thereby enabling the conductive elastic ring 200 to be rotated in the reverse direction.

[0105] Thus, when the assembly tool 400 is in a predetermined position on the conductive elastic ring 200, it becomes easy to disassemble the conductive elastic ring 200 by simply rotating the tool in the direction opposite to the assembly direction, thereby rotating the conductive elastic ring 200 as a result of the cooperation between the pins 460 and the recesses 260.

[0106] Advantageously, at the insertion position of the conductive elastic ring 200, that is, the position where the elastic casing ring 200 is only placed on the support surface 111 of the intermediate part 110 (the fastening tab 210 is not engaged with the bayonet groove 113), the conductive elastic lug 250 is not in electrical contact with the electrical connector 18 of the timepiece movement. Therefore, the conductive elastic lug 250 is in contact with the electrical connector 18 only when the conductive elastic ring 200 is locked to the intermediate part 110.

[0107] However, the conductive elastic lug 250 may also contact other non-conductive parts of the timepiece movement 10 at the insertion position.

[0108] Advantageously, the conductive elastic lug 250 applies a force, particularly an axial force, to the timepiece movement 10 only when the elastic casing ring 200 is in the locked position.

[0109] (Method for connecting the timepiece movement of a smartwatch according to the present invention to a common ground) To connect the timepiece movement 10 to a common ground, the first operation consists of inserting the timepiece movement 10 into the intermediate part 110 such that the various indexing elements of the movement 10 and the intermediate part 110 are aligned, if present. Thus, the timepiece movement 10 can be attached to the intermediate part 110 at a predetermined angular position. The various indexing elements hold the timepiece movement 10 in rotation within the intermediate part 110 with respect to the axis Z.

[0110] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the timepiece movement 10 is inserted from the case-back side.

[0111] Next, the second operation consists of inserting the conductive elastic ring 200 above the timepiece movement 10 until the fastening tab 210 abuts against the support surface 111 of the intermediate part 110.

[0112] According to an alternative embodiment, the conductive elastic ring 200 may be placed directly on the timepiece movement 10.

[0113] The third operation consists of rotating the conductive elastic ring 200 in a predetermined locking direction, for example, clockwise, so that the fastening tab 210 is inserted into the bayonet groove 113 until the stop position is reached, thanks to one or more angular positioning stops. That is, the conductive elastic ring 200 is in the locked position.

[0114] In the above exemplary embodiment, the angular locking member 220 of the conductive elastic ring 200 cooperates with the abutment surface of the clock movement 10 so as to form an angular positioning stop for the elastic casing ring 200. In the above exemplary embodiment, the angular locking member 220 of the conductive elastic ring 200 cooperates with the abutment surface 16 of the clock movement 10 so as to form an angular positioning stop for the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0115] During rotation, the operator may have to overcome the resistance force due to the elastic deformation of one or more conductive elastic lugs 250 that engage the surface of the clock movement 10.

[0116] For example, during rotation, the operator may have to overcome the resistance force due to the elastic deformation of one or more conductive elastic lugs 250 that contact the clock movement 10 during rotation of the ring 200, and / or the resistance force generated by the friction of one or more conductive elastic lugs 250 that contact the clock movement 10.

[0117] Also, the operator may need to apply an axial force along the axis Z to the conductive elastic ring 200 in order to elastically stress the conductive elastic lugs 250 so that the fastening tab 210 can be engaged with the groove 113.

[0118] Preferably, the conductive elastic ring 200 is rotated using the assembly tool 400 according to the present invention described above. Such a casing tool 400 facilitates the handling of the conductive elastic ring 200 according to the present invention.

[0119] For this purpose, the method may include a previous step consisting of positioning the assembly tool 400 on the conductive elastic ring 200 by aligning the various pins 460, 470 of the assembly tool 400 with the respective recesses 260, 270 of the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0120] During rotation of the conductive elastic ring, the free end 221 of the angular locking member 220 contacts the elastic locking finger 230 and elastically and gradually deforms as the ring 200 rotates or as soon as the conductive elastic ring 200 is positioned above the clock movement 10. When the conductive elastic ring 200 reaches its final angular position (contact position), the elastic locking finger 230 is no longer stressed and can return to its free rest position to cooperate with the angular locking member 220, thereby preventing the conductive elastic ring 200 from rotating in the reverse direction. That is, the conductive elastic ring 200 is locked in a predetermined position.

[0121] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the elastic locking finger 230 is axially (along the axis Z) disposed opposite or above the angular locking member 220, thereby preventing reverse rotation of the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0122] The angular locking member 220 cooperates with the elastic finger 230 of the clock movement 10 to enable the ring to be locked in the locked position and prevent, for example, unexpected unintentional disassembly or loosening of the conductive elastic ring 200 due to effects such as vibration, continuous expansion cycles, impacts, inadvertent use by the wearer, etc.

[0123] The conductive elastic ring 200 moves from the insertion position to the locked position and vice versa by rotating approximately 20°.

[0124] Once in the locked position, the various conductive elastic lugs 250 make electrical contact with the various electrical connectors 18 of the clock movement 10.

[0125] Advantageously, the rotational lock of the conductive elastic ring also ensures that the timepiece movement 10 is held in the intermediate part 110.

[0126] To disassemble the conductive elastic ring, preferably, an assembly tool 400 is used to disengage the elastic fingers 230 and release the angular lock member 220 so that it can be rotated in the unlocking direction.

[0127] Preferably, the tool described during the assembly of the conductive elastic ring 200 is also used to unlock and disassemble the conductive elastic ring 200. As described above, the tool 400 comprises an unlocking pin 470 configured to cooperate with the elastic locking fingers 230 to apply a stress to the axial position with respect to the axis Z when the tool is held by the operator at a predetermined position on the conductive elastic ring 200.

[0128] Preferably, the method of connecting the timepiece movement 10 according to the invention to a common ground makes it possible to house the timepiece movement 10 within the intermediate part 110.

[0129] In general, the present invention has been described in terms of operations performed by an operator. However, the present invention can also be applied to a controller or a robot such that the method of connecting the timepiece movement according to the present invention to a common ground is manual or automatic.

Claims

1. In a smartwatch comprising a case (100) having an intermediate part (110) and a watch movement (10) housed in an internal space (115) defined by the intermediate part (110), the watch movement (10) comprises a processing unit (13) and a communication module (12) that are electrically connected to an electrical connector (18) included in the watch movement (10). The smartwatch (1) comprises a common ground device formed by a conductive elastic ring (200) having an annular body (205) with a central axis (Z) and a fastening tab (210) provided on the annular body (205). The fastening tab (210) cooperates with the intermediate part (110) to form a bayonet lock system (300) by rotation of the conductive elastic ring (200) about the central axis (Z) between an insertion position and a lock position with respect to the intermediate part (110), and the conductive elastic ring (200) includes a conductive lug (250) configured to be in electrical contact with a conductor (18) of the watch movement (10) when the conductive elastic ring (200) is in the locked position within the intermediate part (110). A smartwatch (1), characterized in that.

2. The conductor (18) is an electrical track provided on the surface of the watch movement (10), and when the conductive elastic ring (200) is in the locked position within the intermediate part (110), the conductive lug (250) of the conductive elastic ring (200) abuts against the electrical track. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive lug (250) is a conductive elastic lug.

4. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductive lug (250) is configured to apply an axial force parallel to the central axis (Z) to the watch movement (10) by elastic deformation of the conductive lug (250) when at least the elastic casing ring (200) is in the locked position within the intermediate part (110).

5. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductive lug (250) ensures that the timepiece movement (10) is held within the intermediate part (110) by an axial force applied to the timepiece movement (10).

6. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the timepiece movement (10) is held axially parallel to the central axis (Z).

7. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductive lug (250) is configured to form a damping means for the timepiece movement (10) during an impact on the smartwatch.

8. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the conductive lug (250) is configured to form the damping means axially parallel to the central axis (Z).

9. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening tab (210) extends radially with respect to the central axis (Z).

10. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the conductive lugs (250) comprises an elastic portion (251) connected to the annular body (205) and shaped to deform elastically.

11. The elastic portion (251) comprises a free contact end (252) having at least one portion (253) offset axially along the central axis (Z) with respect to the annular body (205), the free contact end (252) being in electrical contact with one of the conductors (18) of the timepiece movement (10) when the conductive elastic ring (200) is in the locked position within the intermediate part (110). The smartwatch (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that it is in contact.

12. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive elastic ring (200) comprises an angular locking member (220) that cooperates with an elastic locking finger (230) provided on the timepiece movement (10) or the intermediate part (110) to ensure that the conductive elastic ring (200) is locked against rotation in the locked position by an elastic clip.

13. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 12, wherein the angular locking member (220) cooperates with the abutment surface of the timepiece movement (10) or the intermediate part (110) so as to form an angular positioning stop for the conductive elastic ring (200).

14. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate part (110) has a support surface (111) for receiving and supporting the fastening tab (210) of the conductive elastic ring (200).

15. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate part (110) comprises a bayonet groove (113), and the bayonet groove (113) cooperates with the fastening tab (210) so as to form a bayonet locking system (300).

16. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive elastic ring (200) comprises a positioning coding element (245) for assembly.

17. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive elastic ring (200) comprises at least one recess (260, 270), and the shape thereof is adapted to cooperate with an assembly tool (400).

18. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive elastic ring (200) comprises a first recess (260) configured to ensure rotation of the conductive elastic ring (200) and a second recess (270) configured to ensure unlocking of the conductive elastic ring (200), and each recess (260, 270) has a shape adapted to cooperate with an assembly tool (400).

19. The smartwatch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive elastic ring (200) is made of a metal or polymer material having a conductive filler.

20. In an assembly tool (400) for connecting the timepiece movement (10) of the smartwatch (1) according to claim 1 to a common ground, it comprises at least one protruding element (460) configured to cooperate with at least one recess (260) of the conductive elastic ring (200). A assembling tool (400) comprising a protruding element (460) configured to cooperate with a plurality of recesses (260) of the conductive elastic ring (200), wherein when the assembling tool (400) rotates, the protruding element (460) rotates the conductive elastic ring (200).

21. The assembling tool (400) according to claim 20, further comprising a unlocking pin (470) configured to disengage an elastic locking finger (230) provided on the timepiece movement (10) or the intermediate part (110) when the assembling tool (400) is in a predetermined position on the conductive elastic ring (200) so as to enable unlocking from the timepiece movement (10).

22. In a method for connecting an electronic or electromechanical timepiece movement (10) of a smartwatch (1) according to claim 1 to a common ground, inserting the timepiece movement (10) into an intermediate part (110) of a case (100); inserting a common ground device formed by the conductive elastic ring (200) onto the timepiece movement; connecting an electrical connector (18) of the timepiece movement (10) to the common ground, during which step the conductive elastic ring (200) is rotatably engaged about the central axis (Z) until it reaches a locked position, and by rotation, engaging the fastening tabs (210) into a plurality of bayonet grooves (113) in the intermediate part (110), and the conductive lugs (250) being in electrical contact with a conductor (18) of the timepiece movement (10) when the conductive elastic ring (200) is in the locked position; characterized by comprising the above steps.

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