Timepiece mechanism comprising a seal
A single-piece watchmaking seal with optimized geometry reduces assembly complexity and user effort by minimizing rotation and contact points, ensuring effective sealing and durability for watch components.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LVMH SWISS MFG SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing watchmaking seals for moving components like crown stems or push-button screws are complex to assemble, prone to damage, and require excessive user effort due to rotation during operation, leading to inefficiency and potential contamination.
A single-piece watchmaking seal with distinct central, lateral, and transition regions, designed to minimize rotation and reduce contact points, ensuring effective sealing without additional components like springs.
The seal provides efficient sealing with reduced actuation force and minimized contamination risk, maintaining durability and efficiency during component movement.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062851_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Clockwork mechanism including a sealing gasket technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal, arranged to surround a watchmaking component that can move with a translational movement, such as, for example and without limitation, a push button, a crown, etc. State of the art
[0002] In watchmaking, it is common to integrate external moving components, such as, but not limited to, crown stems or push-button screws, which perform functions like setting the time or triggering mechanisms. These components pass through the watch case, creating potential points of entry for water, dust, and other contaminants.
[0003] To ensure sealing, seals, for example O-rings or flat seals, are generally placed around these moving components in translation.
[0004] A known solution, illustrated in Figure 1 and already implemented by the applicant, consists of using two seals 10' to improve the sealing of a push button l' which can be moved along a longitudinal direction x by a user. These seals 10' are installed in a common housing, where they are separated by a washer 20'. The seals 10' are identical and have a circular cross-section in the xy plane. TAG-130-PCT
[0005] This solution has several drawbacks. First, assembling the seals 10' and the washer 20' is complex, and it is common for some components to be omitted during assembly. Second, during the movement of the screw 2', interactions between the seals 10' and the washer 20' can damage the seals 10' and thus reduce the seal. In addition, the resistive force of the two seals 10' can cause the push button 1' to jam.
[0006] There are also solutions in which the seals and washer are replaced by a one-piece seal.
[0007] In this context, the adjective "monobloc" indicates that the joint is made monolithically or in a single piece. In other words, the joint does not consist of separate parts assembled together. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is made of a single material. A monobloc joint can be made of two materials or even multiple materials, incorporating different materials fused or combined coherently into a single structure.
[0008] However, conventional one-piece gaskets present a drawback when the watch component is moved: in the case of O-rings, they not only move in the direction of the component but also rotate around the geometric center of their cross-section in the xy plane, thus performing a roto-translation as the component they surround moves. The angle of this rotation is quite significant, often exceeding 30°. This requires more effort from the user to operate the watch component and results in a loss of efficiency due to increased friction and wear. Another disadvantage of rolling gaskets is the potential loss of sealing when the watch component is operated: because they roll, they can introduce water, dust, or other contaminants into the area that is supposed to be sealed. TAG-130-PCT
[0009] Document FR2786574 concerns a watch gasket in the shape of an annular band, the outer part of which has annular bosses. This configuration is specifically designed for use in high-pressure conditions, for example, during diving.
[0010] Document DE712018 relates to a winding device with a sealing gasket positioned in grooves between the case and the winding crown. This solution includes additional components such as one or more springs to press the center of the gasket against a sealing surface. Brief summary of the invention
[0011] One aim of the present invention is to propose a watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal free from the limitations of watchmaking mechanisms comprising known watchmaking seals.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to propose a watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal which allows a reduced actuation effort of the watch component by the user compared to known solutions, while guaranteeing the sealing of the watch component.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to propose a watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal as an alternative to known watchmaking seals.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to propose a watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal that has fewer components compared to known solutions. TAG-130-PCT
[0015] According to the invention, these goals are achieved in particular by means of the watchmaking mechanism comprising a watchmaking seal according to claim 1, preferred embodiments being given in the dependent claims.
[0016] The clockwork mechanism according to the invention comprises: - a watch component that translates along a longitudinal direction, - a sealing gasket.
[0017] The watchmaking seal according to the invention is arranged to surround the watch component which translates along a longitudinal direction; it is a single piece and comprises: - a central region (or central body), - at least one lateral extremity region, - a transition region separating the central region from the lateral extremity region.
[0018] These three regions are adjacent and distinct, meaning they do not overlap.
[0019] According to the invention, the central region has a maximum dimension in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal one, which is greater than that of the lateral end region, the dimension in the transverse direction of the lateral end region being equal to or greater than that of the transition region.
[0020] In other words, the lateral end region is or includes a lobe of the watchmaking seal according to the invention. In this context, a lobe is a projecting region that does not necessarily have a rounded shape. TAG-130-PCT
[0021] The geometry of the watchmaking seal according to the invention ensures the watertightness of the watch component it surrounds. Tests carried out by the applicant have demonstrated that the watertightness of the seal according to the invention is equivalent to that of the solution shown in Figure 1. This also applies to the maximum stresses in the seal during operation.
[0022] According to the invention, the sealing gasket is arranged to rotate around the center of its section in the plane including the longitudinal and transverse direction when the watch component is moved by an angle within the range of 10°-20°.
[0023] The seal according to the invention therefore allows a reduction of its angle of rotation during the translation of the watch component, which is therefore lower compared to that of known solutions in which this angle is greater than 30°: indeed, thanks to its dimensioning, the points of contact of the seal with the walls defining its housing are reduced in correspondence of the transition region and the lateral end region, which reduces the actuation force of the watch component which translates.
[0024] Furthermore, the watchmaking mechanism according to the invention, thanks to its geometry and / or dimensioning, does not require additional components such as prior art springs to increase the efficiency and durability of the provided sealing.
[0025] In one embodiment, the end region is a first end region, the transition region is a first transition region, the joint includes a second end region opposite the first, and a second transition region separating the central region from the second end region. In this embodiment, the central region has a maximum dimension in the transverse direction greater than that of the second end region. TAG-130-PCT in the transverse direction of the second lateral end region being equal to or greater than that of the second transition region.
[0026] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket is symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction. This embodiment simplifies the assembly of the gasket according to the invention onto the watch component whose sealing it ensures.
[0027] In one embodiment, the first and / or second lateral end region has a cross-section in a plane comprising the longitudinal and transverse directions in the shape of a circular arc. In other words, in this embodiment, the seal comprises two rounded lobes. This allows for simplified manufacturing of the seal.
[0028] In one embodiment, the radius defining this arc of a circle is within the range 0.10 mm - 0.30 mm.
[0029] In one embodiment, the joint comprises a section having a substantially cross-shaped form, with one arm of the cross in the longitudinal direction, in particular linking one lobe to the other, and the other arm of the cross in the transverse direction, this arm forming in particular part of the rounded central region.
[0030] In one embodiment, the central region has a cross-section in a plane comprising the longitudinal and transverse directions that is at least partially circular. This embodiment optimizes the contact pressures of the central region of the seal with the walls defining its housing.
[0031] In one embodiment, the radius defining this circle is within the range 0.35 mm - 0.80 mm. TAG-130-PCT
[0032] In one embodiment, the watch component is a screw of a push button.
[0033] In one embodiment, the watch component is a crown stem.
[0034] The present invention also relates to a timepiece, for example a wristwatch, comprising the timekeeping component according to the invention. Brief description of the figures
[0035] Examples of implementation of the invention are given in the description illustrated by the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art push button. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing joint according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing joint in Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a push button including the sealing gasket of Figure 2, in a rest position of the push button. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the push button of Figure 4 in the push button actuation position. TAG-130-PCT Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing joint according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a push button including the sealing gasket of Figure 6, in the push button actuation position. Example(s) of embodiment(s) of the invention
[0036] In the following description provided as an example, for simplicity, we will refer to a push-button sealing gasket. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to a sealing gasket for a push button, but also includes sealing gaskets arranged to surround any watch component that is arranged to move by translation.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing joint 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sealing gasket 10 is a single piece and comprises: - a central region 100, - two lateral end regions 300, - two transition regions 200 separating the central region 100 from the respective lateral extremity region 300.
[0039] However, it should be understood that the presence of two lateral end regions 300 and two transition regions 200 is not necessary and that a single lateral end region 300 and a single transition region 200 are sufficient.
[0040] An embodiment of a joint 10 comprising a single lateral end region 300 and a single transition region 200 TAG-130-PCT according to the invention (namely, a single lobe) is shown in Figure 6, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing joint according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0041] Although Figure 6 illustrates a joint with a single lobe located on the left side of the figure, this configuration is not limiting: the lobe can just as easily be positioned on the right. Furthermore, the presence of a single lobe is independent of the specific geometry shown in Figure 6.
[0042] The sealing gasket 10 is generally made of a resistant, durable material capable of maintaining a seal over a long period. It can, for example, be made of nitrile rubber (NBR), for example NBR70 (Shore A hardness 70), silicone (VMQ), fluoroelastomer (FKM), ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, such as Teflon) or polyurethane (PU).
[0043] As best seen in Figure 3, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing joint 10 of Figure 2, the central region 100 has a maximum dimension in the transverse y direction (i.e., a height) di which is greater than that ds of the lateral end region 300, and the dimension ds of the lateral end region 300 is equal to or greater than that d2 of the transition region 200.
[0044] Each lateral end region 300 is or includes a lobe of the sealing joint 10. Although in the embodiments of figures 2 to 5 each lobe has a rounded section in the xy plane, i.e. an arc of a circle, this is not necessary and the lobe could have any other shape, for example a polygonal shape (e.g. rectangular, square, etc.), elliptical, oval, etc.
[0045] A rounded section simplifies the manufacture of the sealing gasket 10. TAG-130-PCT
[0046] In the embodiments of figures 2 to 5, the sealing gasket 10 is symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction x. This simplifies the assembly of the gasket 10 onto the watch component 1, which it seals.
[0047] In one embodiment, the radius, visible in Figure 3 and defining the arc of the circle of each lateral end region 300 in the xy plane, is within the range 0.10 mm - 0.30 mm.
[0048] In one embodiment, the central region 100 has a cross-section in the xy plane that is at least partially circular. This embodiment optimizes the contact pressures of the central region 100 of the sealing joint 10 with the walls defining its housing 4, visible for example in Figures 4 and 5.
[0049] In one embodiment, the radius n, visible in figure 3 and defining this circle, is within the range 0.35 mm - 0.80 mm.
[0050] In the embodiment of Figure 6, the central region 100 has a maximum dimension in the transverse y direction (i.e., a height) di which is greater than that ds of the lateral end region 300 (on the right in Figure 6), and the dimension ds of the lateral end region 300 is equal to or greater than that d2 of the transition region 200. This lateral end region 300 is therefore or includes the (single) lobe of the sealing joint 10 of Figure 6. The end region 300 on the left in Figure 6 is devoid of lobes: in this case, the maximum dimension in the transverse y direction (i.e., the height) decreases without intermediate increases from the central region 100 to the left lateral end region 300, i.e. di > d4 > ds.
[0051] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of a push button 1 including the sealing gasket 10, in the push button 1's rest position. Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the button- TAG-130-PCT push button 10 of figure 4 in the actuation position of push button 1.
[0052] In the embodiment of figures 4 and 5, the push button 1, and in particular its screw 2, is arranged to be moved with a translational movement by a user along the longitudinal direction x, for example in order to perform a function.
[0053] In the embodiment of figures 4 and 5, the sealing gasket 10 surrounds the screw 2.
[0054] When the seal 10 is inserted into its housing 4, which in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 is substantially rectangular and defined by a lateral surface of the screw 2 and a lateral surface of the pusher body 5, the central region 100 of the seal 10 is compressed in the y direction. This is due to the fact that, in one embodiment, the maximum dimension h4 in the y direction of the housing 4 is smaller than the maximum dimension di of the central region 100. This ensures the sealing of the screw 2.
[0055] In one embodiment, the maximum dimension h4 in the y direction of housing 4 is within the range 0.30 mm - 0.80 mm.
[0056] Conversely, in one embodiment, when the seal 10 is inserted into its housing 4, the lateral end region 300 of the seal 10 is not compressed in the y direction. This depends on the fact that the maximum dimension h4 in the y direction of the housing 4 is larger compared to the maximum dimension ds of the lateral end region 300. This prevents contact pressure on the lateral end region 300 in the rest position of the push button 1, thus reducing the actuation effort required from the user. TAG-130-PCT
[0057] When the seal 10 is inserted into its housing 4, its central region 100 always has a maximum dimension di in the y direction which is greater than that of the lateral end region 300, even if this dimension is smaller than that which the seal 10 had outside housing 4, following its compression by the housing 4.
[0058] When the seal 10 is inserted into its housing 4, there are no changes in dimension in the y direction of the lateral end region 300 and the transition region 200 compared to the same dimensions ds respectively d2 outside housing 4.
[0059] When the push button 1 is activated by a user, as illustrated in Figure 5, during the translational movement of the screw 2 along the x direction, the joint 10 performs a roto-translation, in particular a translational movement along the x direction and a rotation around its center C in the direction of rotation of arrow A in Figure 5.
[0060] During this rotation, the lateral end region 300 including the lobe acts as a stop, allowing the rotation angle of the joint 10 to be reduced.
[0061] This is also the case when joint 10 comprises only one lobe, as illustrated in Figure 7.
[0062] Indeed, thanks to its dimensioning, the contact points of the joint 10 with the walls defining its housing 4 are reduced in correspondence of the transition region 200 and the lateral end region 300, which reduces the actuation force of the push-button 1 which translates. TAG-130-PCT
[0063] In other words, the joint 10 allows a reduction in its angle of rotation during the translation of the screw 2, this angle being able to be within the range of 10°-20°. TAG-130-PCT Reference symbols used in figures 1' State-of-the-art push button 2' State-of-the-art push-button screw 1 Push button 2 Pushbutton screws 4 Housing Units 5 Pusher body 10' Joint state of the art 20' State of the art washer 100 Central Region 200 Transition Region 300 Lateral end region A Arrow (direction of rotation of the joint) C Center of the joint di Maximum dimension of the central region in the y direction d2 Maximum dimension of the transition region in the y direction in the presence of a lobe ds Maximum dimension of the lateral end region in the y direction in the presence of a lobe d4 Maximum dimension of the transition region in the y direction in the absence of a lobe ds Maximum dimension of the lateral end region in the y direction in the absence of a lobe F14 Maximum housing dimension in the y direction ri Radius of the central region in the xy plane rs Radius of the lateral end region in the xy plane x Longitudinal direction y Transverse direction TAG-130-PCT
Claims
Demands 1. Clockwork mechanism comprising: - a watch component (2) which translates along a longitudinal direction (x), - a watchmaking seal (10), arranged to surround said watchmaking component (2), the seal (10) being a single piece and comprising: - a central region (100), - at least one lateral end region (300), - a transition region (200) separating the central region (100) from the lateral end region (300), in which the central region (100) has a maximum dimension (di) in a transverse direction (y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (x), which is greater than that (ds) of the lateral end region (300), the dimension (ds) in the transverse direction (y) of the lateral end region (300) being equal to or greater than that (d2) of the transition region (200) in which the sealing gasket (10) is arranged to rotate about the center (C) of its section in the plane (xy) comprising the longitudinal direction (x) and transverse direction (y) when the watch component (2) is moved by an angle in the range 10°-20°.
2. A clockwork mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lateral end region (300) is a first lateral end region, the transition region (200) is a first transition region, the joint comprising a second lateral end region (300) opposite the first and a second transition region (200) separating the central region from the second lateral end region (300), the central region (100) having a maximum dimension (di) in the transverse direction (y) greater than that (ds) of the second lateral end region (300), the maximum dimension (ds) in the direction TAG-130-PCT transverse (y) of the second lateral end region (300) being equal to or greater than that (d2) of the second transition region (200).
3. Clock mechanism according to one of claims 1 or 2, the sealing gasket (10) being symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction (x).
4. Clock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and / or second lateral end region (300) has a section in a plane (xy) comprising the longitudinal (x) and transverse (y) direction in the form of an arc of a circle.
5. Clock mechanism according to claim 4, the radius ( ) defining the arc of the circle being within the range 0.10 mm - 0.30 mm.
6. Clock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central region (100) has a section in a plane (xy) comprising the longitudinal (x) and transverse (y) direction which is at least partially circular.
7. Clock mechanism according to claim 6, the radius (ri) defining this circle being within the range 0.35 mm - 0.80 mm.
8. Watchmaking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the watchmaking component (2) being a screw of a push-button.
9. Watchmaking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the watchmaking component (2) being a crown stem.
10. Timepiece, for example a wristwatch, comprising the timekeeping mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9. TAG-130-PCT