HK40003913A - Watch case with control bezel - Google Patents

Description

Watch case with control thumbwheel

Technical Field

The invention relates to a watch case comprising a housing having at least one at least rotatably movable thumbwheel therein for controlling the display or function of the watch, said thumbwheel being arranged to be directly operated by a user of the watch via a peripheral contact surface, said housing being arranged to allow limited translational movement of at least a portion of said thumbwheel in a radial direction of said case between an inner end position and an outer end position against elastic return means arranged to move said portion away from the interior of said case, said case comprising at least first control detection means arranged to detect the presence of said thumbwheel portion near the centre of said case or at said inner end position upon the application of pressure by a user, said first detection means being arranged to activate or deactivate sensor means close to said housing and included in said case, the sensor means is arranged to detect the passage of the conveyor means comprised in the thumbwheel when a user applies a rotational movement to the thumbwheel.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising a watch case of this type.

The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for controlling the watch functions of a watch.

Background

In order to use the various functions of current watches, there is a limited user interface. The most well known are the crown, the push-button and the pull-out piece. There are also touch screens or rotating bezels that have areas for selecting certain functions.

Many control devices are fragile or otherwise unsuitable for use under all conditions.

U.S. patent application No.2002/101457a1, in the name of MICROSOFT, discloses a user interface for a small computing device. The user interface includes a display screen and a bezel surrounding the display screen. The bezel is designed to move relative to the display screen in one or more axes. The bezel may pivot about the display, pivot about a pivot point, or move in a planar direction. A cursor displayed in the display screen reacts to the movement of the bezel.

European patent application No. ep3032360a1 in the name of swing Group Research & Development Ltd (swavqi Group Research Ltd) discloses a timepiece comprising a middle case enclosed by a back cover and a glass, in which an electronic system is arranged, the middle case comprising a peripheral shoulder comprising a side wall and a base parallel to a central axis of the middle case, the timepiece comprising a bezel which is rotationally locked on the peripheral shoulder about the central axis, the bezel having at least one degree of freedom to allow the electronic system to control the timepiece.

European patent application No. ep0974879a1 in the name of SEIKO discloses an information processing apparatus into which data can be input by using a rotating bezel. The pulse number detection unit and the rotation direction detection unit read the optical pattern formed by the rotating bezel to generate a series of pulse signals. The pulse number detection unit and the rotation direction detection unit are arranged so that a phase difference is generated between their signals, whereby the rotation direction of the rotating bezel can be determined. The data signal generating element generates 2 a data signal based on the detected rotation angle and the number of pulses generated by the pulse number detecting unit.

French patent application No. fr2763710a1 in the name of JDC Electronic discloses a device for mounting in a timepiece comprising means for generating a variable inductive magnetic flow, the means being constituted by a movable element having a portion made of a material conducting the inductive magnetic flow and a non-conducting portion. The device comprises means for detecting a variably induced magnetic current, means for processing signals from said detecting means and means for controlling the function of the watch. The device makes it possible to control a timepiece without the need for elements passing through the case, so that the timepiece can be sealed.

SPILLMANN, swiss patent application No. ch514877a discloses a waterproof watch with a rotary bezel, in which the bezel and the rotary bezel are fixed by a single identical annular part which constitutes the bezel and has a cylindrical cover which snaps into a groove in the middle of the case, the inner shoulder of said part holding the bezel by its heel and the outer shoulder holding the rotary bezel.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to provide a novel user interface that is more suitable for watches than traditional solutions, in particular smart watches with electronic and/or communication functions, which can also function in humid environments or even in water, or with wet hands, while providing good shock protection.

To this end, the invention relates to a watch case according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a case arranged to contain a timepiece movement, wherein a display or watch function is arranged to be controlled by a sensor arrangement comprised in said case.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a watch case according to the invention, comprising a housing for receiving a thumbwheel, interrupted by an opening in which a pusher can move.

Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the watch case of figure 1 provided with sensor means close to the pusher and sensor means close to the chamber.

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the watch case of figure 2, in whose housing the thumbwheel of the timepiece movement is located, which thumbwheel is in the rest position, and the control means connected to the detection means and the sensor means.

Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of the watch case of figure 3 with the thumbwheel in a position activated by pressure exerted by the user.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the watch case of figure 3 in a variant in which the circular lid surrounds the thumbwheel.

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a notch ring intended to be inserted in the housing of a watch case below the thumbwheel for a notch effect.

Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the watch case of figure 1, in which the notch ring of figure 6 is inserted.

Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the watch case of figure 7, in which the thumbwheel is inserted above the notch ring of figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a thumbwheel comprising a transmission constituted by a magnet and, in the lower part, a raised portion constituted by a V-shaped lug arranged to cooperate with the dashed outline of the notch ring of figure 6.

Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the fit between the thumbwheel of figure 9 and the notch ring of figure 6.

Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of a detail of the housing of the watch case of figure 1.

Figures 12, 13, 14 show three schematic plan views of the notch ring of figure 6.

Figures 15 to 20 show schematic diagrams of the principle of some variants of the invention:

figure 15 is a watch case with openings for the thumbwheel at 3 o 'clock, 6 o' clock, 9 o 'clock, 12 o' clock;

FIG. 16 is a section of a detail of the opening along the 3 o 'clock-9 o' clock axis and the 6 o 'clock-12 o' clock axis;

figure 17 is a watch case with two openings at 3 o 'clock and 9 o' clock, with a pusher opposite each of said openings;

figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a watch case according to the invention with two superposed thumbwheels, each cooperating with its own opening;

figure 19 is a watch case comprising a sensor device housed in a horn, the sensor device cooperating with the peripheral surface of the thumbwheel;

figure 20 shows a pusher associated with the sensor device, comprising a pinion cooperating with a toothing comprised by the thumbwheel.

Figure 21 is a block diagram showing a watch comprising a movement and a watch case according to the invention.

Figure 22 shows a watch case comprising a micro thumbwheel which hardly encroaches on the surface area of the movement.

Detailed Description

The invention relates to a watch case 1 comprising a housing 2, in which housing 2 at least one thumbwheel 3 is arranged, which can be moved at least in rotation, for controlling the display or the function of the watch. The thumbwheel 3 is arranged to be directly manipulated by a user of the watch through the peripheral contact surface 4. The term "watch case" should be interpreted in a broad sense: the watch case 1 may naturally be a case middle (middle frame) or the like.

Fig. 1 and 2 show one such watch case 1 in which the housing 2 is a slotted groove having an inner wall 21 and an outer wall 22 on either side of a bottom 20. The outer wall 22 is interrupted between two edges 23 and 24 arranged to define an opening through which a user can operate the thumbwheel 3 inserted into the cavity 2, as shown in figure 5.

The geometry of the housing 2 allows such a thumbwheel 3 to be inserted with clearance, in particular so that the thumbwheel 3 can be moved both in rotation and in translation over a short distance, for example but not limited to the 3 o 'clock-9 o' clock direction on the watch case 1 shown in the figures. This chamber 2 has an opening allowing the watch user to perform two movements: pushing and rotating the thumbwheel 3 radially.

According to the invention, this housing 2 is arranged to allow limited translational movement of at least one portion 30 of thumbwheel 3 in a radial direction of case 1 between an inner end position and an outer end position against elastic return means 5, this elastic return means 5 being arranged to move this portion 30 away from the inside of case 1. It should be understood that the portions 30 are not always identical: at a given moment, it is only the part of the thumbwheel 3 that faces the opening defined in the figures by the two edges 23 and 24.

The figures show a particular variant in which the housing 2 of the thumbwheel 3 is located immediately adjacent to the periphery of the case 1. Thus, the thumbwheel 3 surrounds the movement 100 without being in direct contact therewith.

Other variants are possible, in particular those with a small thumbwheel which does not always surround the watch, but is substantially inscribed in its periphery, as described above, the user having access to only one portion 30 of the thumbwheel 3. The housing 2 of the small thumbwheel is also separated in a sealed manner from the internal compartment of case 1 containing movement 100.

Elastic return means 5 perform the function of pushing thumbwheel 3 back to the outside of case 1 at the opening at rest.

In order to perform the pressure detection function when thumbwheel 3 is pressed, case 1 further comprises, in the vicinity of cavity 2, at least a first control detection means 7, which first control detection means 7 is arranged to detect the presence of portion 30 of thumbwheel 3 in the vicinity of the centre of case 1, in particular in the inner end position, when the user applies pressure.

In particular, but not exclusively, as shown in figures 1 to 4, watch case 1 may be provided with a pusher 54 constituting said elastic return means 5, which pusher 54 biases thumbwheel 3 in the direction in which it can move in translation to an end position, in the particular case of the figures a 3 o' clock position. More specifically, the pusher 54 includes a pad-like head 53 to facilitate rotation of the thumbwheel 3. Inside watch case 1, pusher 54, which here passes through inner wall 21, has a tail arranged to cooperate with first control and detection means 7. Due to its small size, the pusher 54 does not cause any sealing problems. For more demanding environments, such as in a diving watch or the like, it may be advantageous to separate the function of pushing the thumbwheel 3 at the opening at rest towards the outside of the watch case 1, for example by a strip spring or the like, from the function of pressure detection by means of a strain gauge in the inner wall 21, an inductive sensor, using a deformable wall or in other ways when the thumbwheel 3 is pressed.

Figure 3 shows the system at rest with the pusher 54 holding the thumbwheel 3 in the 3 o' clock position.

Fig. 4 shows the system when the user presses the thumbwheel 3: its partial region 30 is thus moved in translation from the 3 o 'clock position to the 9 o' clock position, the pusher 54 being pushed towards the inside of the watch case 1. This pressure is detected, for example, by an electronic module in the movement 100 of the watch 200.

The first detection means 7 are arranged to activate or deactivate sensor means 8 comprised in the watch case 1 near the cavity 2, which sensor means 8 are arranged to detect the passage of transmission means 9 comprised in the thumbwheel 3 when a user applies a rotational movement to the thumbwheel 3.

More specifically, the conveyor 9 is discontinuous and arranged at different angular intervals around the thumbwheel 3.

More specifically, the sensor means 8 are kept separate from the conveying means 9. This is thus a contactless interaction.

In a particular variant, at least one sensor device 8 is arranged to detect the direction of travel and/or the reverse direction of travel of the conveyor 9.

In a particular variant, at least one sensor device 8 is arranged to detect the angular spacing between two successive conveyors 9.

In a particular variant, at least two sensor devices 8 are arranged to detect the passage of the same conveyor 9.

In a particular variant, at least one sensor device 8 is arranged to measure the angle of rotation of the travelling thumbwheel 3 after the first detection device 7 has achieved control detection.

In a particular variant, at least one sensor device 8 is arranged to change position when the conveyor 9 passes in its vicinity. More specifically, such sensor means 8 constitute a mechanical switch arranged to control the mechanical or electronic functions of timepiece movement 100 contained in case 1. Thus, in a particular variant, the mechanism according to the invention may be entirely mechanical. The combination of movable parts for activating and deactivating a function may also be sequential. For example, in a chronograph mechanism, any rotational movement of the thumbwheel may continuously activate the start, stop, and reset functions.

In an advantageous variant, watch case 1 comprises control means 10, which control means 10 are arranged to control the signals transmitted and received in first detection means 7 and sensor means 8, to activate or deactivate said sensor means 8, and, when sensor means 8 are activated, to analyze the number of transmission means 9 identified by sensor means 8 and/or the angular distance between each pair of transmission means 9 and/or the direction of travel of transmission means 9, to convert the analysis into a command to display or activate a watch function, which command is addressed to a watch movement 100 contained in watch case 1. More specifically, the detection means 7 and/or the sensor means 8 and/or the control means 10 are electronic.

In a particular variant, the thumbwheel 3 is flexible and in fact constitutes the elastic return means 5. In this variant, the housing 2 may comprise a circular slot, which is perfectly annular, the pusher 54 arranged for detecting the application of pressure advantageously performing the additional function of tensioning the flexible thumbwheel 3, thereby locally giving said flexible thumbwheel 3 a circular shape.

In another particular variant, shown in the figures, the thumbwheel 3 is rigid, the elastic return means 5 comprising a pusher 54, the pusher 54 being arranged to rest on the thumbwheel 3 by its head 53.

In one particular variant shown in the figures, the thumbwheel 3 is annular and the housing 2 is oval, comprising two half-rings connected by two straight sections, as shown in figure 11. In a variant, each half-ring is not strictly circular, but the outermost turn leading to the opening has an eccentricity slightly greater than the difference between the two turns, so that the thumbwheel 3 projects from one side of the middle of the watch case and not from the other.

Other cavity shapes are envisaged, such as a substantially oval or substantially annular shape with variable width, the projection of which on any straight line parallel to the radial direction of case 1 is at least equal to the distance between the inner end position and the outer end position. Preferably, the housing 2 is shaped so that the clearance between the thumbwheel 3 and the inner and outer walls 21, 22 is as small as possible, but does not create excessive friction.

In a particular variant, the first detection means 7 are switches activated by the elastic return means 5 or by pushers 54 comprised in the elastic return means 5.

In the variant shown in the figures, the thumbwheel 3 is provided with magnets which constitute a transmission 9, in particular but not exclusively, the transmission 9 being regularly arranged over the entire periphery of the thumbwheel 3, which makes it possible to detect the rotation of the thumbwheel 3 by means of one or more sensors in the middle of the watch case, which constitute the sensor means 8.

Thus, in a particular variant, the sensor means 8 is a magnetic sensor arranged to detect the passage of the magnet 91 comprised in the conveying means 9 when activated. More specifically, these magnets 91 are arranged at constant angular intervals around the thumbwheel 3. In another variant, these magnets 91 are arranged at different angular intervals around the thumbwheel 3.

In a particular variant, the thumbwheel 3 comprises, on a surface arranged to cooperate with the bottom 20 of the housing 2, a raised portion 31, which raised portion 31 is arranged to cooperate with a complementary raised portion 21 comprised in the bottom 20, to stop through a notch (opening, notch) during rotation of the thumbwheel 3.

In a particular variant, the thumbwheel 3 comprises, on a surface arranged to cooperate with the bottom 20 of the housing 2, a raised portion 31, which raised portion 31 is arranged to cooperate with a notched ring 39 interposed between the thumbwheel 3 and the bottom 20, to be stopped by the notch during rotation of the thumbwheel 3. More specifically, the notch ring 39 is an elastic ring. More specifically, the notch ring 39 comprises at least one radial stop lug 38 arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with the recess 28 of the housing 2.

Thus, a notch system is achieved for the thumbwheel in a simple manner, which is more comfortable for the user than a small amount of friction. The ring 39 has a series of elevations and depressions which are inserted into the housing 2 with the thumbwheel 3, the thumbwheel 3 being provided with at least one raised portion 31 on its lower surface. Fig. 9, 10, 13, 14 show two such raised portions 31 consisting of V-shaped lugs. Thus, as the thumbwheel 3 rotates, each V-shaped lug jumps from one depression in the ring to the next.

In a variant, case 1 comprises a cover 19 or bezel or bottom, or an additional spacer, arranged to enclose thumbwheel 3 in case 1, as shown in figure 5.

The principle of the invention is applicable to many variants, depending on the space available in the watch case, the thickness of said case and the number of functions to be controlled.

Thus, figure 17 shows watch case 1 having two openings at 3 o 'clock and 9 o' clock, with pusher 54 facing each of these openings. The thumbwheel 3 can be accessed at 3 o 'clock and 9 o' clock, with the pusher 54 appearing on each side to allow menu navigation: rotation detection is activated at 3 o 'clock and 9 o' clock, then OK is "confirmed" at 3 o 'clock and back "at 9 o' clock (or vice versa).

Another variant of the watch case, as shown in figures 5 and 16, comprises a geometry of four pushers (some of which may not have rotation detection) and one thumbwheel, not shown in detail, suitable for omitting the vertical locking member (without bezel or bottom ring).

A further variant relates to a watch case according to the invention with a plurality of superposed thumbwheels, each cooperating with its own opening. Figure 18 shows an example with two thumbwheels 3X and 3Y, in which case 1 has, for example but not exclusively, two diametrically opposite openings, one for each thumbwheel. The same pocket 2 may enclose a plurality of thumbwheels 3 or each thumbwheel 3 may have a separate pocket 2.

Figure 19 shows a variant of a watch case comprising a sensor device 8 housed in a horn 18, this sensor device 8 cooperating with the peripheral surface 4 of the thumbwheel 3 by mechanical friction or-if for example the peripheral surface 4 is grooved or similar-direct driving contact, or by magnetic interaction or otherwise cooperating with the peripheral surface 4.

Fig. 20 shows a variant in which the pusher comprises a pinion 57 instead of a pad, this pinion 57 cooperating with the toothing 37 thus comprised in the thumbwheel 3, or resting on the thumbwheel, the pusher rod thus allowing translation and rotation detection.

The invention also relates to a watch 200 comprising such a watch case 1, arranged to house a watch movement 100, wherein the display or watch functions are arranged to be controlled by the sensor means 8 of the watch case 1.

The mechanism according to the invention provides a number of advantages.

First of all, this system does not pose any risk to the sealing of the watch, since the areas to be sealed involve known and mastered systems, such as the watch glass/case and the pusher/case connector. A sensor detecting pressure is mounted in the movement and is activated by a pusher which can easily be made waterproof. The sensor for detecting the rotation is on the movement. Since the magnetic detection is contactless, there is no sealing problem.

In principle, the thumbwheel pushing function can be achieved by a pusher that does not open into the interior of the watch case or the middle of the watch case. In particular, in the variant shown, a suitable design of the notch system, of the force and position of the magnets and of the position of the magnetic sensor makes it possible to detect the translation and rotation of the thumbwheel. Other contactless solutions, in particular galvanic or optical solutions, can be realized, but are less economical to produce. The use of a deformable wall, particularly for a plastic watch case, makes it possible to detect the translation without contact.

In a preferred but non-limiting variant of the magnetic detection, another advantage of the invention is that the watch can be used underwater or in a humid environment.

The user's finger can use a wide area to activate the thumbwheel, which provides good detection resolution: in the case of an electronic watch or a linked or smart watch, the user does not have to turn the thumbwheel multiple times to scroll through menus (as compared to, for example, a crown of the watch). This advantage stems from the fact that the thumbwheel is always moving around the movement.

The notch system enables the user to feel the number of steps he is going through.

The invention can be used for crowns, bezels, wherein the thumbwheels have different dimensions: a bezel surrounding all or part of the movement, or a micro thumbwheel occupying as little as possible of the geometric area of the movement.

Claims (16)

1. Watch case (1) of a watch comprising a housing (2) in which at least one thumbwheel (3) is arranged to be moved in rotation at least for controlling the display or the function of the watch, said thumbwheel (3) being arranged to be directly operated by a user of the watch via a peripheral contact surface (4), said housing (2) being arranged to allow limited translational movement of at least one portion (30) of said thumbwheel (3) along a radial direction of said watch case (1) between an inner end position and an outer end position against elastic return means (5) arranged to move said portion (30) away from the inside of said watch case (1), said watch case (1) comprising at least first control detection means (7) arranged to detect the presence of said portion (30) of said thumbwheel (3) near the centre of said watch case (1) when a user applies pressure, Or in the inner end position, said first detection means (7) being arranged to activate or deactivate sensor means (8) adjacent to said cavity (2) and included in said watch case (1), which sensor means (8) are arranged to detect the passage of transmission means (9) included in said thumbwheel (3) when a user applies a rotary motion to said thumbwheel (3), characterized in that said transmission means (9) are discontinuous and are arranged around said thumbwheel (3) at different angular intervals.

2. Watch case (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one of the sensor means (8) is arranged to detect the direction of travel and/or the reverse direction of travel of the conveyor means (9).

3. Watch case (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that at least one of said sensor means (8) is arranged to detect the angular distance between two of said conveyor means (9).

4. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least two of the sensor means (8) are arranged to detect the passage of the same conveying means (9).

5. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one of the sensor means (8) is arranged to measure the angle of rotation of the thumbwheel (3) after the first detection means (7) has achieved a control detection.

6. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the watch case (1) comprises control means (10) arranged to control the signals transmitted and received in the first detection means (7) and the sensor means (8) to activate or deactivate the sensor means (8) and to analyse, when the sensor means (8) are activated, the number of the transmission means (9) identified by the sensor means (8) and/or the angular distance between pairs of the transmission means (9) and/or the direction of travel of the transmission means (9) to convert the analysis result into a command to display or activate a watch function, this command being addressed to a watch movement (100) contained in the watch case (1).

7. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the thumbwheel (3) is flexible and constitutes the elastic return means (5) itself.

8. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the thumbwheel (3) is rigid; and the elastic return means (5) comprise a pusher (54) arranged to rest on the thumbwheel (3).

9. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the thumbwheel (3) is annular; and said housing (2) is a substantially annular groove of variable width and whose projection on any straight line parallel to the radial direction of said case (1) is at least equal to the distance between said inner end position and said outer end position.

10. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the first detection means (7) are a switch activated by the elastic return means (5) or by a pusher (54) comprised in the elastic return means (5).

11. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the sensor means (8) is a magnetic sensor arranged to detect the passage of a magnet (91) comprised in the transfer means (9) when activated.

12. Watch case (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the transmission means (91) are arranged around the thumbwheel (3) at different angular intervals.

13. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the thumbwheel (3) comprises a raised portion (31) on the surface arranged to cooperate with the bottom (20) of the cavity (2), said raised portion being arranged to cooperate with a complementary raised portion (21) comprised in the bottom (20) to be braked by a notch during rotation of the thumbwheel (3).

14. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the thumbwheel (3) comprises a raised portion (31) on the surface arranged to cooperate with the bottom (20) of the cavity (2), arranged to cooperate with a notched ring (39) inserted between the thumbwheel (3) and the bottom (20) to be braked by the notch during rotation of the thumbwheel (3).

15. Watch case (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14 characterized in that the watch case (1) comprises a cover (19) or bezel or watch back to enclose the thumbwheel (3) in the watch case (1).

16. Watch (200) comprising a watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, arranged to contain a watch movement (100), wherein a display or watch function is arranged to be controlled by the sensor means (8) of the watch case (1).