Watch, preferably a wristwatch, comprising at least one electric battery unit

Abstract

A watch (10), preferably a wristwatch, is provided with a housing (11), an electronic and / or mechanical device (25) therein for operating visible display means, and at least one electrical battery unit at least for operating the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) and the display means. The at least one battery unit is provided in the form of a redox flow cell (20), which is integrated at least into the housing (11) in each case and by means of which current energy for operating the watch (10) can be generated. The housing (11) contains at least two cell chambers (22, 23) for receiving a positively charged and, separately therefrom, a negatively charged electrolyte (26, 27) that flow through the cell chambers, at least one membrane (24) that is permeable to ions and separates the cell chambers (22, 23), a respective electrode wall (28, 29) that delimits each cell chamber (22, 23), and a respective electrical line (28', 29') that leads from each electrode wall to the device (25) in order to supply power. The liquid electrolytes can be used, as it were, for the decorative design of the watch.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Clock, preferably a wristwatch, with at least one electric battery unit

[0003] The invention relates to a clock, preferably a wristwatch, comprising a case containing an electronic and / or mechanical device for operating visible display means, and at least one electric battery unit for operating at least the electronic and / or mechanical device and the display means. Known clocks are manufactured in a variety of designs, with clockworks consisting of purely mechanical or electromechanical gears and other components, while electronic clockworks generally have no gears and only a minimum of moving mechanical parts. In contrast, digital clocks with electro-optical numerical displays have no moving parts other than the oscillating quartz crystals used. All of these clocks, regardless of their design, frequently utilize electric battery units to supply the clockworks with the necessary energy.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a watch with an electronic and / or mechanical device with display means, which can be manufactured based on a conventional watch movement by means of a novel construction with a long-lasting functionality.

[0005] According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of claim 1 or by the use of a battery unit according to the features of claim 13.

[0006] This inventive watch with at least one electric battery unit uses a redox flow cell, a fuel cell, or the like, each of which is integrated at least in the watch case and through which electrical energy can be generated for operating the electronic and / or mechanical device as well as the display means of the watch. Such a compact battery unit enables the watch to be designed with a novel shape, in which functional media, such as in particular liquid electrolytes, can also be used for the decorative design of the watch.

[0007] When providing a redox flow cell as a battery unit, preferably in the watch case, it contains at least two cell chambers, each for accommodating a positively charged and a negatively charged electrolyte, in particular one flowing through it, at least one ion-permeable membrane separating these cell chambers, one electrode wall externally bounding each of the cell chambers, and one electrical line outlet for the power supply leading from each of the cell chambers to the electronic and / or mechanical device. The cell chambers are preferably connected to at least one storage chamber each accommodating the positively charged and negatively charged electrolyte, respectively, by at least one supply and return line.

[0008] Very advantageously, the outer electrode walls, the cell chambers, and the membrane between them are formed together as a disc-shaped capsule, which is preferably integrated with its central axis approximately concentrically into the cylindrical housing. With this design, the capsule with the storage chambers can also be interchangeably integrated into the housing.

[0009] The invention provides that the storage chambers of the electrolytes are each arranged approximately concentrically one above the other in a disc-shaped container in the housing and are connected to the cell chambers for the circulation of the electrolytes by the supply and return lines running between them and the housing, so that a modular construction is possible in the housing of the watch.

[0010] In one variant, the electrolyte storage chambers are each provided with a plug connection on the housing, which is intended for charging the electrolytes with an electrical battery charger via a plug-in cable connection.

[0011] Alternatively, the storage chambers can each be provided with at least one plug connection on the housing for draining or refilling the electrolytes into the storage chambers in order to easily bring the battery unit back into the charging state, which can be done by means of charging cartridges or the like.

[0012] The invention is further characterized in that preferably for both electrolytes at least one storage chamber in and / or on the watch case is provided with at least one transparent outer wall, so that the liquid electrolytes, for example as salt solutions, in these storage chambers are visible to a user from the outside through this at least one transparent outer wall.

[0013] It is very advantageous to have storage chambers in the case wall with a transparent outer wall so that the liquid electrolyte flowing through these storage chambers is visible to the user from the outside. They can also be provided in the watch strap and / or in the strap connection on the case.

[0014] Alternatively, these storage chambers for the electrolytes can be arranged in the cavity formed between the dial and the digits. This allows for a wide variety of possible shapes for these storage chambers, with correspondingly transparent outer walls. The liquid, viscous, or gel-like electrolytes could, for example, be blue for positively charged substrates or red for negatively charged ones.

[0015] The invention consists in the use of an electrical battery unit which is designed as a redox flow cell, as a fuel cell or the like, by means of which electrical energy can be generated, by means of which an electronic and / or mechanical device of a piece of equipment is supplied with electrical energy, in which according to the invention the equipment is in particular a clock, preferably a wristwatch, which is provided with a housing and therein with the electronic and / or mechanical device for the operation of visible display means, wherein the at least one electrical battery unit is at least integrated in the housing and by means of which the electronic and / or mechanical device is supplied with electrical energy at least for the operation of the display means.

[0016] Further advantageous details of this inventive watch are defined in the dependent claims within the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a clock shown in half;

[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-section through the watch according to Fig. 1 along the line II - II, which is provided with a redox flow cell whose electrolytes can be electrically charged by a plug-in external charger;

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-section through a watch equipped with a redox flow cell with storage chambers and collection tanks for the electrolytes, whereby the electrolytes can be emptied or filled from the outside;

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a watch equipped with a redox flow cell with a storage chamber for each of the electrolytes, the electrolytes being exchangeable from the outside;

[0021] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a clock shown in half;

[0022] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section through the clock according to Fig. 5 along the line VI - VI, which is provided with a redox flow cell and with several visible storage chambers.

[0023] Fig. 1 schematically shows a wristwatch 10 with a case 11, a dial 14 located therein and hands 12, 13 as display means, as well as a rotary knob 18 protruding from the outside of the case 11, a push button 17 and conventional linkages 16 for a bracelet 15. In this watch 10, which is not explained in more detail, the parts can vary in shape and number depending on needs and requirements, but this is not the subject of the invention. It can be a women's or a men's watch and the watch can be built with conventional hands or with a display with shown hands or numbers and in each case with a corresponding device as a clockwork. Chronographs with one or more stopwatches can be used.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section of the clock 10, which is provided on the outside with the single- or multi-part housing 11, a housing cover 11' preferably removably attached at the bottom, and a glass pane 19 at the top. Integrated inside the housing 11 are the electronic and / or mechanical device 25 (shown in the figure) and at least one electric battery unit for operating the device 25 and the hands 12, 13 as display means. The hands 12, 13 are rotatably mounted on axes 12', preferably in a central axis Z of the clock.

[0025] Such a device 25 as a clockwork mechanism can be obtained as a complete unit from various manufacturers; therefore, it is not explained in detail. It is mounted in the housing 11 in a known manner and is coupled to the at least one rotary knob 18 or push button 17 by a correspondingly rotatable and / or reciprocating axis 21, which is not shown in detail.

[0026] According to the invention, a redox flow cell 20 is used for the at least one electrical battery unit, which is integrated in the housing 11 and by means of which electrical energy can be generated for operating the electronic and / or mechanical device 25 and the hands 12, 13 as display means. This redox flow cell 20 in the housing 11 of the watch 10 contains two cell chambers 22, 23, each for accommodating a positively charged and separately a negatively charged electrolyte 26, 27 flowing through, at least one ion-permeable membrane 24 separating these cell chambers 22, 23, an electrode wall 28, 29 externally bounding each of the cell chambers, and an electrical line 28', 29' leading from the latter to the device 25 for the power supply. The cell chambers 22, 23 are each connected to a storage chamber 31, 32 containing the positively and negatively charged electrolyte 26, 27, respectively, by a supply and return line 33, 34, each with a feed pump 36, 37.The latter are advantageously placed laterally at the respective storage chamber 31, 32 within the housing 11 and are driven by indicated control cables 36', 37', wherein these control cables 36', 37' are led to a control element, preferably in the device 25, which supplies the feed pumps 36, 37 with power and controls whether they should be switched on or off.

[0027] The outer electrode walls 28, 29, the cell chambers 22, 23, and the membrane 24 located therebetween form, for example, a disc-shaped capsule 35, which is preferably integrated approximately concentrically with its central axis Z within the cylindrical housing 11. A capsule housing 20' encloses the redox flow cell 20, whereby the electrode walls 28, 29 can form the side walls of the capsule 35. The electrical lines 28', 29' leading from the capsule housing 20' are plugged or clamped into corresponding connection points on the device 25 for the power supply of the latter.

[0028] The storage chambers 31, 32 for the electrolytes 26, 27 are arranged in disc-shaped container cans, also approximately concentrically one above the other in the housing 11 and are connected to the cell chambers 22, 23 for the circulation of the electrolytes by the supply and return lines 33, 34 running laterally next to them and the housing 11.

[0029] The manner of fastening the device 25, the capsule housing 20', and the storage chambers 31, 32 in the housing 11 is also not described in detail. However, they can be centered within the housing by appropriate recesses and secured by fastening means such as screws.

[0030] In addition, the storage chambers 31, 32 are each provided with a plug connection 38, 39, by means of which an electrical charging of the electrolytes 26, 27 can be carried out by a battery charger (not shown in detail), as is carried out in a similar manner in a conventional battery unit, wherein a charge controller is preferably integrated in the charger.

[0031] In principle, the container cans with the electrolytes 26, 27 could also be installed replaceably in the watch case such that they are firmly inserted into the case, while the connections of the supply and return lines 33, 34 to the cell chambers 22, 23 could be automatically plugged in or detached when the container cans are removed. This would allow the electrolytes to be easily replaced when used up. Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows the outer circumferences of the capsule housing 20' and the storage chamber 32 with the supply line and the feed pump 37, each of which is cylindrical in shape, but could of course also be rectangular, polygonal, or otherwise shaped depending on the external shape of the watch. Advantageously, they are dimensioned such that they almost fill the interior of the housing 11 in the specified area, thus enabling the maximum possible volume for the electrolytes in the watch.

[0032] Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a clock 30, which is essentially identical to the one shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used below for the same components and only the differences compared to clock 10 are shown. The housing 11 contains the redox flow cell 20 according to the invention and the device 25 forming the clockwork for driving the hands 12, 13.

[0033] In contrast to the watch 10, in addition to the storage chambers 41, 42, the housing 11 contains separate integrated collection tanks 43, 44 into which the electrolytes 26, 27 can be conducted when discharged. The storage chambers 41, 42 and the collection tanks 43, 44 are arranged next to one another and, as half-disks, together form an approximately cylindrical shape in order to fill the interior of the housing 11 as maximally as possible. The storage chambers 41, 42 and the collection tanks 43, 44 are connected to the cell chambers 22, 23 by lines 46, 47, with valves 48, 49 in these lines 46, 47 enabling a controlled switching of the latter either back into the storage chambers 41, 42 or into the collection tanks 43, 44. As long as the electrolytes 26, 27 deliver current, the valves 48, 49 are switched as shown, and the electrolytes are circulated into the storage chambers 41, 42 and by the feed pumps 36, 37 through the lines 46, 47 into the cell chambers 22, 23.On the other hand, the valves 48, 49 are switched when the power supply from the electrolytes to the device 25 is too low and accordingly the electrolytes are led into the collection tanks and stored therein.

[0034] They can then be emptied from these collection tanks 43, 44 through valve connections 51, 52, whereby if necessary the electrolytes from the cell and storage chambers are also channeled into the collection tanks and released during emptying. However, additional valve connections 53, 54 are provided at the storage chambers 41, 42, which enable the electrolytes to be emptied or filled. This emptying or filling can be achieved by connecting charging cartridges or pressure cans, which would press the electrolytes into the chambers. Additional valve-controllable line connections could be provided between the respective collection tank 43, 44 and the storage chamber 41, 42, which would enable both to be filled with a charged electrolyte and the electrolytes to be channeled from the collection tanks into the storage chamber.

[0035] Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of a clock 40, which is essentially identical to the one according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and in which the same reference numerals are used below for the same components, and only the differences compared to clock 10 are shown. A housing 45 of the clock 40 contains the redox flow cell 20 according to the invention and the device 25 forming the clockwork for driving the hands 12, 13.

[0036] In contrast to the watch 10, in addition to the storage chambers 31, 32, storage chambers 55, 56 are separately integrated into the wall of the housing 45. Each storage chamber is provided with a transparent outer wall 55', 56' so that the liquid electrolytes 26, 27 flowing through these storage chambers 55, 56 are visible to a user from the outside. These storage chambers 55, 56 extend along the outer circumference of the housing 45, for example, from a linkage 16 on one side to a linkage on the opposite side. They each form a partially annular segment and are connected to the cell chambers and the other storage chambers 31, 32 by a supply line 57, 58 and a return line 59, 61 in such a way that they each form a circulation of the electrolytes through the chambers.At least the transparent outer walls 55', 56', which are made of an impact- and scratch-resistant material such as glass, Plexiglas, crystal glass, or another material with equivalent properties, are fixed in the housing 45 in such a way that they are held compactly and protected. The transparent liquid, viscous, or gel-like electrolytes are produced, for example, in blue or red for the positively or negatively charged substrates, respectively, and they enable an extremely aesthetic design in combination with the preferably metal housing 45 of the watch 40. These outer walls 55', 56' could additionally be surrounded by a partial ring or reinforced with metal bars.

[0037] The storage chambers 31, 32 of the watch 40 are each provided, as in the watch 10, with a plug connection 38, 39, by means of which the electrolytes 26, 27 can be reversibly charged electrically using a battery charger (not shown in detail), with a charge controller preferably being integrated into the charger. Of course, valve connections 53, 54 could also be provided for the storage chambers 31, 32, which enable the electrolytes to be emptied or filled, whereby these could also be installed in addition to the plug connections 38, 39 and thus the electrolytes could be repeatedly electrically charged and replaced after a certain period of use. These storage chambers 55, 56 could also be used as collection tanks, as explained above for the watch 30, whereby corresponding valves 48, 49 and line guides would have to be used for this purpose.

[0038] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a clock 50, which is also partially identical to the one according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and in which the same reference numerals are used below for the same parts or components, and only the differences from the clock 10 are shown. The housing 61 contains the redox flow cell 20 according to the invention and the device 25 forming the clockwork for driving the hands 12, 13. The actual difference in this clock 50 is that four storage chambers 64, 65 for holding the electrolytes 26, 27 are arranged between a clock face 14 and the numbers 12, 13. The axes 12' of the hands 12, 13 in the central axis Z extend between the storage chambers 64, 65 to the device 25.

[0039] Within the scope of the invention, the visible storage chambers 64, 65 are provided with a transparent outer wall 64', 65', each of which is transparent both at the top and at the sides, so that the liquid electrolytes 26, 27 flowing through these storage chambers are visible to a user from the outside. These storage chambers 64, 65 are each connected to the cell chambers 22, 23 by a supply line 66, 67 and a return line 68, 69 in such a way that they circulate the electrolytes 26, 27 through the chambers by means of the feed pumps 36, 37 in the supply lines 66, 67.

[0040] The four storage chambers 64, 65 are cylindrical and arranged at equal distances from each other and from the central axis Z in a cavity 63 formed at the bottom by the dial 14, at the periphery by the housing 61, and at the top by the covering glass plate 19. These storage chambers 64, 65 could vary in number and size, as well as be designed differently from the round cross-section. Thus, only one or more than four storage chambers could be provided, and these could also be polygonal, rectangular, elliptical, or any other shape in cross-section, instead of round.

[0041] Two clockworks could also be designed side by side as a wristwatch, in which, for example, the respective cavity 63 could be filled and circulated entirely with an electrolyte, in which one cavity is provided with one color and the other with a different color, for example red and blue.

[0042] The storage chambers 64, 65 of the clock 40 are, as in the case of the clock 10, each provided with a plug connection 38, 39, by means of which an electrical charging of the electrolytes 26, 27 can be carried out reversibly by means of a battery charger (not shown in detail), wherein the charging regulator is preferably integrated in the charger.

[0043] Regarding the electrolytes, as mentioned above, a negative electrolyte (anolyte) and a positive electrolyte (catholyte) are used, which are respectively fed into the cell chambers 22, 23. These electrolytes typically consist of mineral acids or organic acids dissolved in water, e.g., methanesulfonic acid as an electrolyte component, or simple saline solutions can also be used.

[0044] Preferably, the cation of the ionic liquid as the one electrolyte is selected from imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrazolium, quinolinium, thiazolium, triazinium, pyrrolidinium, phosphonium, ammonium, sulfonium, or mixtures thereof.

[0045] The anion of the ionic liquid as the other electrolyte is selected from halide, phosphate such as hexafluorophosphate, arsenate, antimonate, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate such as alkyl sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, phosphonate, phosphinate, borate such as tetrafluoroborate, sulfonate such as tosylate or methanesulfonate, carboxylate such as formate, imide, or mixtures thereof. So-called vanadium redox flow cells are also suitable, as described, for example, in publication W02004082056A1. The charged vanadium halide redox flow cell consists of a positive half-cell containing a positive half-cell solution containing a halide electrolyte, a polyhalide complex, vanadium (IV) halide, and vanadium (V) halide.One negative half-cell contains a solution comprising a halide electrolyte and vanadium(II) halide, wherein the molar concentration of vanadium(V) and polyhalide complex molar concentration of vanadium(II) halide is approximately stoichiometrically balanced.

[0046] Graphite electrodes or metallic electrodes are typically used as electrode walls 28, 29. The membrane 24, also referred to as a separator, is intended to prevent the mixing of the two electrolytes while allowing the ions to pass through. This membrane 24 can be made of carbon or a carbon compound, for example. Its material structure can be manufactured as a nanoporous membrane, produced or treated using a CVD nanoprocess, thus forming a multilayer membrane surface that is x-fold enlarged, resulting in a much larger reaction area for the electrolyte ions.

[0047] The invention is sufficiently illustrated by the above embodiments. Of course, it could be illustrated by further variants. Instead of a wristwatch, it could be a pocket watch, a wall clock, an alarm clock, a grandfather clock, or the like, each of which could be equipped with conventional hands or a digital display. The clocks explained above can advantageously also incorporate luminous elements, which, for example, provide special luminous effects within the transparent storage chambers and / or can be used to illuminate the numerals and the dial, or for other purposes. Such luminous elements are also powered by the redox cell and can be controlled by the device.

[0048] For example, these electrode walls, which border the cell chambers on the outside, could each extend into the cell chambers like rods, leading the electrical wires for the power supply from them. The electrodes are dimensioned with a surface in contact with the electrolyte such that a certain transmission power is provided for the required power requirements of the device and the clock's display. This depends on other factors, such as the composition and thus the concentration of the electrolytes.

[0049] The redox cell with its cell chambers, membrane, and electrodes could also be arranged or designed differently than shown. For example, it could be arranged perpendicular to the clock face instead of parallel to it. Two such redox cells could be arranged side by side and connected to each other by appropriate lines. Likewise, the storage chambers could be arranged perpendicular to the clock face instead of parallel to it, and function with a vertical flow of the respective electrolyte. The electrodes and membrane could also be ring-shaped, with one electrode on the inside, a membrane surrounding it, and the other electrode on the outside, all concentric to one another, so that the ring-shaped cell chambers are formed between them. The device could be integrated into the inner electrode as a clockwork.

[0050] Instead of the at least one redox flow cell, a fuel cell could be used that would function similarly to the battery units explained above, each of which is integrated at least in the case of a watch and through which electrical energy could be generated to operate the electronic and / or mechanical device as well as the display means of the watch. The structure of this fuel cell could be similar to the redox flow cell, with liquid electrolytes in each cell chamber, a membrane between them, and electrodes for power generation. Preferably, hydrogen or methanol would be used on the one hand, and oxygen or similar on the other, as is known.

Claims

L130-P10-PCT PATENT CLAIMS 1. A watch, preferably a wristwatch, which is provided with a housing (11, 61) and therein with an electronic and / or mechanical device (25) for operating visible display means and with at least one electrical battery unit at least for operating the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) and the display means, characterized in that the at least one electrical battery unit is provided as a redox flow cell (20), a fuel cell or the like, which is in each case integrated at least in the housing (11, 61) and by means of which electrical energy can be generated for operating the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) and the display means in the watch.

2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that when a redox flow cell (20) is provided, preferably in the housing (11, 61) of the watch (10, 30, 40, 50), at least two cell chambers (22, 23) for accommodating a positively charged and separately a negatively charged, in particular flowing, electrolyte (26, 27), at least one intermediate ion- or proton-permeable membrane (24) separating these cell chambers (22, 23), one electrode wall (28, 29) delimiting the cell chambers (22, 23) on the outside, and one of the latter to the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) carrying an electrical line (28', 29') for the power supply, wherein the cell chambers (22, 23) are preferably connected to at least one storage chamber (31, 32) each accommodating the positively or the negatively charged electrolyte (26, 27) by at least one supply and return line (33, 34).

3. Clock according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer electrode walls (28, 29), the cell chambers (22, 23) and the membrane (24) located therebetween form a disc-shaped capsule (35) in the redox flow cell (20) which is integrated with its central axis (Z) preferably approximately concentrically in the cylindrical housing (11, 61).

4. Clock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the storage chambers (31, 32) of the electrolytes (26, 27) are arranged in disc-shaped container cans approximately concentrically one above the other in the housing (11) and are connected by the supply and return lines (33, 34) running laterally next to them and the housing (11), in each of which a Feed pump (36, 37) is connected, which are connected to the cell chambers (22, 23) for the circulation of the electrolytes (26, 27).

5. Watch according to claim 4, characterized in that the storage chambers (31, 32) of the electrolytes (26, 27) are each provided with a plug connection (38, 39) on the housing (11, 61), which are intended for charging the electrolytes with a battery charger, and / or that the storage chambers (28, 29) are each provided with at least one plug connection (53, 54) with a valve on the housing (11, 61) for draining or filling the electrolytes into the storage chamber (28, 29).

6. Watch according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in addition to the storage chambers (41, 42), collecting tanks (43, 44) are separately integrated in the housing (11), into which the electrolytes (26, 27) can be conducted in the discharged state, wherein these collecting tanks (43, 44) are connected by lines (46, 47) at least to the cell chambers (22, 23) and the electrolytes (26, 27) can be conducted from the latter into the collecting tanks (43, 44) and can be emptied or filled by them through valve connections (51, 52).

7. Watch according to claim 6, characterized in that the storage chambers (41, 42) are provided with valve connections (53, 54) for filling charged electrolytes (26, 27), wherein the electrolytes are conducted from the storage chambers (41, 42) through the cell chambers (22, 23) and back into them as long as they are in the charged state.

8. Clock according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the charge state of the electrical current energy conducted from the electrodes (28, 29) into the device (25) can be measured by means of a control device and the electrolytes (26, 27) are conducted into the collecting tanks (43, 44) when the current energy falls below a target range.

9. Watch according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that preferably for both electrolytes (26, 27) at least one storage chamber (55, 56, 64, 65) is arranged in and / or on the housing of the watch (40, 60) in such a way and is each provided with at least one transparent outer wall (55', 56') so that the liquid electrolytes (26, 27) in these storage chambers (55, 56, 64, 65) are visible to a user from the outside through said at least one transparent outer wall (55', 56').

10. Clock according to claim 9, characterized in that these storage chambers (64, 65) with a transparent outer wall (64', 65') are arranged at least between a dial (14) and the numerals (12, 13).

11. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that the storage chambers are each formed with a transparent outer wall at least in the case (11, 61), in the bracelet (15) of the watch and / or in the holder (16) of the bracelet.

12. Clock according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that these at least partially transparent storage chambers (55, 56) are assigned supply and return lines (57, 58, 59, 61) which lead into a respective storage chamber (31, 32) in the housing (11) or directly into the cell chambers (22, 23).

13. Use of an electrical battery unit which is designed as a redox flow cell, as a fuel cell or the like, by means of which electrical energy can be generated, by means of which an electronic and / or mechanical device of a piece of equipment is supplied with electrical energy, characterized in that the piece of equipment which can be used is in particular a watch (10, 30, 40, 60), preferably a wristwatch, which is provided with a housing (11, 61) and therein with the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) for the operation of visible display means, wherein the at least one electrical battery unit is integrated at least in the housing (11, 61) and by means of which the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) is supplied with electrical energy at least for the operation of the display means.

14. Use of an electric battery unit according to claim 13, characterized in that a redox flow cell (20) is used for the operation of the watch (10, 30, 40, 60) as equipment, which preferably has in the housing (11, 61) at least two cell chambers (22, 23) for receiving one positively and separately one negatively charged, in particular flowing Electrolytes (26, 27), at least one intermediate ion-permeable membrane (24) separating these cell chambers (22, 23), one electrode (28, 29) delimiting the cell chambers on the outside, and one electrical line (28', 29') leading from the latter to the electronic and / or mechanical device (25) for the power supply.

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