HK1248001B - Sub-assembly of external parts for watch - Google Patents

Description

Subassemblies for the exterior components of watches

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a subassembly consisting of an external part for a watch, comprising at least one waterproof joint located between a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be screwed together with each other by enclosing each of the waterproof joints so as to form a waterproof structure together in a waterproof position where at least one of the waterproof joints has maximum compression according to the axial direction.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a subassembly of external parts.

Background Art

External parts of watches and similar instruments are subject to numerous restrictions, in particular as to water resistance, robustness, appearance, and must be manufactured so as to avoid any involuntary disassembly that could prove irreversible through after-sales interventions for replacing water-resistant joints, cleaning, lubrication or even repairs.

Some external components or control components must also be indexed angularly relative to one another in order to locate an initial reference position, an inactive position or an actuated position, or even to facilitate the reading of indicators or scales, or to ensure the continuity of warping and/or decorative surfaces. This angular indexing is often difficult to achieve well when combined with a good tightness of the components and a good waterproofness of the joints.

Document CH665522G, in the name of MONTAVON, describes a watch with a rotating bezel rotatably mounted around a cylindrical shoulder of a fixed bezel that forms part of the middle of the watch case. The rotating bezel has an axial shoulder, via which it is axially retained on the fixed bezel by the annular axial shoulder of the fixed bezel. The rotating bezel is provided with serrated teeth that cooperate with pawls integral with the fixed ring to allow unidirectional rotation of the bezel and to manually retain the rotating bezel in place. The teeth of the rotating bezel are radial teeth formed directly in the rotating bezel, and the pawls of the pawl support ring operate radially.

Document CH703400A2 in the name of CARTIER describes a watch case comprising a case middle, a bezel pivoting on the case middle, a retaining element for axially retaining the bezel in the direction of the case top, a bezel on the case middle, and indexing means for defining stable angular positions of the bezel on the case middle. The bezel, retaining element, and indexing means are arranged so that, in normal operation, when rotated by the user, the bezel rotates with the retaining element while being axially retained by the retaining element. The bezel, retaining element, and indexing means are also arranged so as to define unstable angular positions of the bezel on the case middle, so that only when the bezel stops in one of these unstable angular positions can it be displaced relative to the retaining element, successively by axial movement in the direction of the case base and by rotational movement, until it reaches a position in which it can axially escape the retaining element and thereby be removed from the case middle.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention proposes to produce a waterproof and robust assembly of external components with easily adjustable angular indexing and small increments for adjusting the position in a precise manner.

To this end, the invention relates to a subassembly consisting of an exterior part for a watch according to claim 1 .

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a subassembly of external parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 schematically shows, in section through the axis of the movement, a watch comprising a subassembly consisting of an exterior part according to the invention, and a case middle and a base comprising sealed waterproof joints, connected by a mechanism comprising inclined teeth and elastic means, allowing the indexing of positions and the unidirectional variation of the indexed position;

- FIG. 2 schematically shows a partial subassembly of the external components of FIG. 1 in an enlarged perspective view;

FIG3 shows, similarly to FIG2 , a detail of the cooperation between a first strut arranged to house a first ring carrying a first oblique toothing oriented toward the bottom, and a second bearing strut of a second oblique toothing oriented toward the top;

- FIG. 4 shows, similarly to FIG. 3 , the first ring housed in the first seat, one upper annular surface of which is arranged to receive the second elastic ring shown above it;

FIG. 5 schematically shows, in section, the assembly of components of FIG. 4 in a stable indexed position;

- FIG. 6 shows, similarly to FIG. 5 , the same components in a transition position for changing the indexing;

- FIG. 7 is a basic diagram similar to FIG. 5 of an inclined toothing for plane mating;

- Figure 8 is a basic schematic view from above of an inclined toothing for a cylindrical fit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention proposes to produce a waterproof and robust assembly of external components with easily controllable angular indexing and small increments for adjusting the relative angular positions in a precise manner.

The accompanying figures show non-limiting examples of angular indexing of the base relative to the case middle.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a subassembly 100 consisting of external parts of a watch, which subassembly 100 includes at least one waterproof joint 9 located between a first part 1 and a second part 2, and the first part 1 and the second part 2 are configured to be assembled with each other by encapsulating each waterproof joint 9, in particular screwing, so as to form a waterproof structure together in a waterproof position where at least one waterproof joint 9 has maximum compression according to the axial direction D.

Here, a "component" is understood as a basic component, or a component combining a plurality of elements or basic components, or even a subassembly.

In this waterproof position, the first component 1 and the second component 2 can no longer move closer to each other, and this waterproof position corresponds to the maximum compression of the waterproof joint 9, matching its physical characteristics.

According to the invention, the first component 1 carries directly or indirectly a first oblique toothing 11 arranged to cooperate with an opposing second oblique toothing 21 carried directly or indirectly by the second component 2 .

The first component 1 and/or the second component 2 and/or the second ring 5 interposed between the first component 1 and the second component 2 include at least one region that is elastically deformable in response to relative rotation of the first component 1 relative to the second component 2 about an axial direction D. This relative rotation is caused by an external force applied to the subassembly 100 formed by the external components, in particular, by a torque applied relative to one of the first component 1 and the second component 2. The deformation range of the at least one elastically deformable region is sized to allow it to compress during the application of such an external force, with sufficient travel to allow it to pass over the tooth tip during relative rotation of one tooth portion relative to the other. This deformation range also allows for elastic recovery during release of the external force, allowing the tooth tip 110, 210 of one tooth portion to fully engage the tooth hollow 220, 120 of the other tooth portion at a new relative angular position.

In short, applying an external force, particularly a torque, allows the tooth segment with the smallest pitch to be crossed. Specifically, the pitch of the first tooth segment 11 is equal to the pitch of the second tooth segment 21, but it can also be an integer multiple or a submultiple of the pitch of the second tooth segment 21. Each jump in pitch corresponds to crossing a tooth tip. Due to the elastic recovery after the jump, the new position reached is stable.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, each of the inclined teeth 11 and 21 comprises alternating long bevels 118, 218 and steep faces 119, 219 having a slope greater than that of the other bevels or even perpendicular to the vertical. These steep faces 119, 219 are arranged so as to allow, in the locked, compressed position of each waterproof joint 9, the first and second parts 1, 2 to be joined in the indexed position, while preventing the first part 1 from being disassembled relative to the second part 2 without the use of tools. Disassembly is only possible using a tool suitable for transmitting a torque greater than that which a user could directly apply by direct pressure on the first and second parts 1, 2, using their bare hands. In particular, in the preferred application of the invention for the indexed joining of the base to the case middle, a notched tool for disassembling the base is essential both for precise angular positioning in the desired position and for disassembly of the assembly.

This configuration makes it possible to ensure reverse locking of the mechanism, preventing accidental release of the first part 1 and the second part 2. When a force (in particular a torque) is applied to the first part 1 and the second part 2 that is greater than the resistance formed by the elastic restoring force and the toothing angle of the elastically deformable area, the first part 1 and the second part 2 can be rotated relative to each other to achieve relative angular adjustment in the first direction, but the rotation of the first part 1 and the second part 2 in the opposite direction requires the application of a much greater force, in particular in the case of the vertical steep surfaces 119, 219 in the non-restrictive variant shown in the figure, or even if a less steep inclined tooth profile is selected, wherein the first inclined surfaces 118, 218, which are not as steep as the inclined surfaces in the opposite direction, alternately descend into the tooth valley.

Therefore, several implementation variants are possible, in particular:

- two opposing elastic teeth similar to a serrated lock washer, made for example of plastic material or stamped metal sheet;

- two elastic teeth, one of which is supported by an elastic support;

- two elastic teeth, each supported by an elastic support;

- one rigid tooth section and the other elastic tooth section;

- one rigid tooth section and the other elastic tooth section, one of which is supported by an elastic support;

- one rigid tooth section and the other elastic tooth section, each tooth section being supported by an elastic support;

- two rigid teeth, one of which is supported by an elastic support;

- Two rigid teeth, each supported by an elastic support.

The invention is illustrated in a non-limiting manner by a single one of these variants, in which both toothings are equally elastic or rigid and in which the second ring 5 ensures the elastic function for traveling over the tooth tips and the elastic restoring force.

In this particular embodiment, the first part 1 comprises a first support 3 carrying a first oblique toothing 11, and the second part 2 comprises a second support 4 carrying a second oblique toothing 21. The opposite alternative is not described here, but a person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in exchanging the functions of the various components of the subassembly 100 consisting of the external part according to the invention.

More specifically, this first component 1 comprises a first seat 3 and comprises a first thread 15 arranged to cooperate with a first complementary thread 35 comprised by the first seat 3. The first component 1 also comprises a first axial stop bearing surface 16 arranged to cooperate as a stop bearing with a first complementary axial stop bearing surface 36 comprised by the first seat 3.

More specifically, the first part 1 comprises a first seat 3 and a first ring 6 comprising a first inclined toothing 11 , the first seat 3 comprising first actuating means 38 arranged to cooperate with first complementary actuating means 68 comprised by the first ring 6 .

In a particular embodiment, the first seat 3 and the first ring 6 constitute a single-piece component.

Similarly, in a particular embodiment, the second component 2 comprises a second seat 4 and comprises a second thread 25 arranged to cooperate with a second complementary thread 45 comprised by the second seat 4. The second component 2 comprises a second axial stop bearing surface 26 arranged to cooperate as a stop bearing with a second complementary axial stop bearing surface 46 comprised by the second seat 4.

More specifically, the subassembly 100 of the outer part comprises a second ring 5, which is inserted between the first part 1 and the second part 2 and comprises at least one elastically deformable area. More particularly, the second ring 5 is made entirely of an elastically deformable material. The second ring 5 bears, by means of a contact surface 57 it comprises, against a complementary contact surface 37 comprised by the first support 3.

Its operation is very simple.First need screw first component 1 and lock it, then carry out angular indexing.

As in the embodiment shown, the second support 4 is preferably fixed to the second part 2 by screwing. The first support 3 is closed with the first ring 6 and clamped between the second ring 5 and the second support 4. The second ring 5 can be made of silicone or other elastic material and is compressed between the second part 2 and the first support 3. The first support 3 is held between the second ring 5 and the second support 4.

First ring 6 and second support 4 are provided with a first toothing 11 and a second toothing 21, respectively. The number of teeth determines the positioning accuracy of the orientable element, in this case first part 1 (specifically the base), if second part 2 (specifically the case middle) is considered fixed. Thus, an embodiment with 180 teeth can achieve an accuracy of 2 degrees.

Due to the elasticity of the second ring 5 , the first toothing 11 and the second toothing 21 allow the first support 3 and the first ring 6 to rotate relative to each other in a single direction by the action of the pawls, the system being thus unidirectional.

First component 1 is screwed onto first support 3. Once first support 3 is in its stopped position on first component 1, via the engagement of the first complementary axial stop bearing surface 36 and the first axial stop bearing surface 16, the two components become one, and the waterproof joint 9 is placed and compressed in its housing 29 of second component 2 and on the joint stop surface 19 of the first component. The various engagements for the stop mechanism between first component 1 and first support 3, on the one hand, and between second component 2 and second support 4, on the other, make it possible, in particular, to ensure a maximum level of compression of this waterproof joint 9.

If the operator continues to apply a torque on the first part 1 in order to turn it, the first part 1 and the first seat 3 and the first ring 6 constituting an integral mounting begin to slide on the inclined surfaces acting as detents of the second seat 4 allowing axial positioning of the first part 1 .

For disassembly, it is sufficient to unscrew the first part 1. Due to the teeth of the first ring 6 and the second support 4, they are locked to each other and become one piece with the second part 2, and the first part 1 can be unscrewed.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the first inclined tooth portion 11 and the second inclined tooth portion 21 comprise tooth tips defining a first plane P1 and a second plane P2 perpendicular to the axial direction D, respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 , the tooth-containing components are coaxial, and the first and second inclined tooth portions 11 , 21 comprise tooth tips defining first and second cylinders C1 , C2 , respectively, coaxial and parallel to the axial direction D.

In one particular application shown in Figures 1 to 6, the first part 1 is the base and the second part 2 is the case middle. Of course, the opposite configuration can also be implemented very well.

In another application, the first part 1 is a case middle and the second part 2 is a raised part or a fixed bezel. This variant is interesting for a dive watch that also includes a unidirectional bezel.

In yet another application, the first component 1 is a watch case middle or a tube mounted on a watch case middle, and the second component 2 is a ring support.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising such a subassembly 100 of external parts.

In short, the invention allows precise angular adjustment between two parts of an external part of a watch or even a scientific instrument, which can be integrated into the watch through the structure of its external part, the angular adjustment accuracy being determined by the minimum pitch of the inclined teeth included in the subassembly constituting the external part according to the invention.

The present invention ensures that the waterproof joint is well held between the first and second components.

The invention also prevents relative angular misalignment of the assembly of the two components and accidental, involuntary disassembly, since its design requires the application of much greater force for disassembly than for assembly.

Claims (13)

1. A sub-assembly (100) comprising an external component of a watch, comprising at least one waterproof joint (9) located between a first component (1) and a second component (2), the first component (1) and the second component (2) being configured to be screwed together with each of the waterproof joints (9) so as to together form a waterproof structure at a waterproof position having maximum compression according to an axial direction (D) of at least one of the waterproof joints (9), characterized in that the first component (1) carries a first inclined tooth (11) configured to engage with an opposing second inclined tooth (21) carried by the second component (2); and the first component (1) and/or the second component (2) and/or a second ring (5) inserted between the first component (1) and the second component (2) comprises at least one region that is elastically deformable under the action of relative rotation of the first component (1) relative to the second component (2) about the axial direction (D), the relative rotation being applied to the external component The deformation range of the at least one region is determined to allow the elastically deformable at least one region to compress during the application of the external force, thereby allowing the tips of the first and second inclined teeth to pass over each other during the relative rotation, and allowing a return to full engagement of the tip (110, 210) of one tooth with the groove (220, 120) of the other tooth at a new relative angular position when the external force is released. Both the helical tooth portion (11) and the second inclined tooth portion (21) include alternating long inclined surfaces (118, 218) and steep surfaces (119, 219), the steep surfaces (119, 219) having a greater slope than the long inclined surfaces (118, 218), the steep surfaces (119, 219) being configured to allow the first component (1) and the second component (2) to be integral at the indexing position, and to prevent angular misalignment and relative disassembly of the first component (1) and the second component (2) without the use of tools. 2. The sub-assembly (100) of the external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first component (1) and the second component (2) each include at least one region, the at least one region being elastically deformable under the action of relative rotation of the first component (1) relative to the second component (2) about the axis (D), the relative rotation being caused by an external force applied to the sub-assembly (100) of the external components. 3. The sub-assembly (100) consisting of external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first component (1) includes a first support (3) for carrying the first inclined tooth (11), and the second component (2) includes a second support (4) for carrying the second inclined tooth (21), or vice versa. 4. The sub-assembly (100) of the external component according to claim 3, characterized in that the first component (1) includes a first support (3) and includes a first thread (15) and a first axial stop support surface (16), the first thread (15) being configured to engage with a first complementary thread (35) included in the first support (3), and the first axial stop support surface (16) being configured to engage with the first complementary axial stop support surface (36) included in the first support (3) as a stop support member. 5. The sub-assembly (100) of the external component according to claim 3, characterized in that the first component (1) includes a first support (3) and includes a first ring (6), the first ring (6) including the first inclined tooth (11), the first support (3) including a first actuation device (38) configured to cooperate with a first complementary actuation device (68) included in the first ring (6). 6. The sub-assembly (100) of the external component according to claim 3, characterized in that the second component (2) includes a second support (4) and includes a second thread (25) and a second axial stop support surface (26), the second thread (25) being configured to engage with a second complementary thread (45) included in the second support (4), and the second axial stop support surface (26) being configured to engage with the second complementary axial stop support surface (46) included in the second support (4) as a stop support member. 7. The sub-assembly (100) formed by the external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-assembly formed by the external components includes a second ring (5) inserted between the first component (1) and the second component (2), and includes at least one of the elastically deformable regions. 8. The sub-assembly (100) formed by the external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inclined tooth (11) and the second inclined tooth (21) include tooth tips that define a first plane (P1) and a second plane (P2) perpendicular to the axial direction (D), respectively. 9. The sub-assembly (100) of the external component according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inclined tooth (11) and the second inclined tooth (21) include tooth tips that define a first cylinder (C1) and a second cylinder (C2) that are coaxial and parallel to the axis (D). 10. The sub-assembly (100) consisting of external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first component (1) is a base and the second component (2) is a middle part of the case, or vice versa. 11. The sub-assembly (100) consisting of external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first component (1) is the middle part of the case, and the second component (2) is a raised portion or a fixed bezel. 12. The sub-assembly (100) consisting of external components according to claim 1, characterized in that the first component (1) is a central part of the watch case or a tubular component mounted on the central part of the watch case, and the second component (2) is a ring support. 13. A watch (1000) comprising a sub-assembly (100) consisting of external components as described in claim 1.