HK40011754B - Method for producing a smart bracelet provided with an insert for electronic components - Google Patents

Description

Method for producing a smart belt provided with an electronic component insert

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for producing a smart strip provided with an electronic component insert.

The invention also relates to a tape obtained by said tape manufacturing method.

Background Art

Typically, a watch strap is made of leather, synthetic materials, fabric, rubber-like materials, or metal. It also includes an insert placed within a lining or sheath, or between the upper and lower strap elements, which are then connected. This insert primarily serves mechanical and flexibility functions.

In the case of leather straps, the insert is formed from tear-resistant reinforcements and a lining made of leather and non-woven fabric to give the strap its convex shape. A leather lining and an upper part of leather or synthetic material are also available. The upper part is "edge-wrapped," or completely wrapped around the lining, resulting in a very durable strap.

According to one variant, the watch strap has an upper part which is turned over only on the side of the strap and is therefore of the “half-turned” or turned-edge type. Half-turned or turned-edge watch straps are made using a mould and a platen machine.

Cut-edge leather straps are also conceivable, in which all layers are bonded together. A press can then cut the preform into the shape of each strap segment. Edge coating or lacquer is then used to protect the strap's edges. However, the insert in this type of strap serves only as a flexible tear-proof reinforcement.

Currently, electronic components can be integrated into the watch strap, but it should be noted that this makes it difficult to ensure adequate protection from varying environmental conditions, humidity, or perspiration when the watch is worn. Several watch straps have been proposed that incorporate electronic components for wireless connection to other devices, such as mobile phones or other devices. However, protection for the electronic components remains insufficient, which is a disadvantage. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the watch strap is often too great, and the electronic components remain visible, which also detracts from the watch strap's aesthetics.

In this regard, reference may be made to French patent application FR 2 641 092 A2, which discloses a watch strap. This watch strap comprises a portion for electrical connection to the watch case, as well as a set of electronic components, including at least an integrated circuit and an energy source. However, this lack of adequate protection of the electronic components from environmental conditions constitutes a disadvantage. The electronic components remain visible inside the watch strap, which detracts from its aesthetics.

Patent application WO 2016/125034 A1 discloses a conventional watch strap in which a plurality of electronic components are integrated along one or two strap sections. These electronic components are not protected from environmental conditions and shocks, which is a disadvantage.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the prior art by proposing a method for manufacturing a smart band provided with an insert whose electronic components are well protected from environmental conditions and whose thickness is small.

To this end, the present invention therefore relates to a method for producing a smart belt comprising the features defined in independent claim 1 .

Specific steps of the method for manufacturing a smart belt are defined in dependent claims 2 to 14 .

One advantage of the method for manufacturing a smart band is that the electronic components are inserted into the final three-dimensional shape of the band, protecting the electronic components from sweat, or more generally from moisture, and from various mechanical shocks and environmental conditions during the wearing of the watch or band. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the insert produced using plastronic (plasticronics) or MID (Molded Interconnect Device) technology is sufficiently reduced to be able to replace traditional reinforcing inserts in band linings made of leather or synthetic materials without increasing the conventional thickness of such bands.

The invention also relates to a belt manufactured according to the belt manufacturing method, comprising the features defined in independent claim 15 .

Particular embodiments of the belt are defined in dependent claims 16 to 17.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, advantages and features of the method for manufacturing a smart band provided with an electronic component insert will appear more clearly in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1a to 1d show the individual steps of a method according to the invention for producing an electronic component insert for a tape, and

FIG. 2 shows a brin (strand) provided with a plastoelectric insert according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, only those electronic components installed in the strip that are well known to those skilled in the art will be described in a simplified manner. These components may include microprocessors, oscillators, sensors for measuring physical parameters, wireless communication circuits, flexible batteries, and displays (e.g., OLED-type displays). An electronic component insert is defined as an insert of the type produced using plastoelectronics technology.

Figures 1a to 1d show side views of the various steps in the manufacture of a plastoelectric insert 1', in which several electronic components for a strap (e.g. a watch strap) are assembled. The insert can consist of a flexible plastic support. This support can be of various colors, have a hardness of approximately 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A and withstand at least 500 positive and negative bending cycles at 180°. It must be able to withstand traction forces of more than 250N. It must have good chemical resistance to adhesives and solvents, sweat and water, as well as cosmetics. It must also have good chemical compatibility with chloroprene and polyurethane adhesives. The material used for the plastic is transparent to electromagnetic waves.

To create a smart band equipped with an electronic component insert 1′, it is essential to manufacture a flexible support 2 in the form of a thin band, as shown in FIG1a. This flexible support 2 must be made of a flexible plastic material. This flexible support 2 is the fundamental component of the electronic component insert 1′ and is designed to be placed within a conventional sheath, between the upper and lower band elements of at least one section of the final band, or covered with a vulcanized elastomer of the band, as described below.

In a favorable method of the present invention, the flexible support 2 forms the base of the printed circuit board. In the first step of the method, it is made into the form of a tape using plastic or thermoplastic material, which is then subjected to selective plasma metallization (plasma coating 3D process, PlasmaCoat 3D process). It can be manufactured by extruding a thermoplastic material through a mold suitable for the shape of the tape or the shape of at least one band segment. It can also be made by injection molding. The flexible support can be a polyurethane thermoplastic with a hardness of 65 Shore A to 90 Shore A. It can also be another thermoplastic elastomer that meets the desired requirements. Vulcanized elastomers, such as nitrile rubber or fluorinated rubber, silicone or cross-linked polyurethane, can also be used, which will be implemented by extrusion method.

In another advantageous method, the flexible molded support 2 can contain special additives in the form of organometallic complexes (LDS laser direct structuring additives) to enable selective metallization using the MID (Molded Interconnect Device) process developed by LPKF, which involves a physicochemical reaction induced, in particular, by a focused laser beam. This method is described in patent application WO 2012/056416 A1.

In the second step of the method, shown in FIG1b, conductive paths 3 are formed on or in the flexible support 2, making it possible to subsequently position and connect the electronic components of the insert. The conductive paths 3 can be obtained using a process comparable to a plasma coating 3D process, or by activation with a focused laser beam L programmed according to the electrical connection pattern of the components, as in the MID process developed by LPKF. For this purpose, reference can be made to the article “Laser-supported activation and additive metallization of thermoplastics for 3D-MIDS” by M. Hüske, J. Kickelhain, J. Müller, G. Esser (Proceedings of the 3rd LANE 2001, August 28-31, 2001, Erlangen, Germany), which is incorporated herein by reference.

It should be noted that the plasma coating 3D process provides an advantage in that it avoids the electroplating process of the components to deposit copper on the conductive paths.

In the third step, shown in Figure 1c, various electronic components 4, 5, and 6 are placed, secured, and electrically connected to the surface of a flexible support 2, which includes a conductive path 3. To manufacture the plastic electrical insert, one or more sensors 4, a microprocessor 5, and an energy source, such as a flexible battery 6, may be provided. The sensor 4 may be a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an acceleration sensor, or other sensor types. NFC, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication circuitry, a display device (e.g., an OLED), an oscillator, and a switch may also be provided.

Finally, in the fourth step shown in FIG1 d , the electronic components 4, 5, and 6 are covered with a protective layer 7, which can be transparent or opaque. This protective layer 7 protects all electronic components 4, 5, and 6 from environmental conditions, from perspiration when the band is worn on the wrist, and from moisture, cosmetics, and mechanical shock. Protective layer 7 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material that is resistant to environmental and mechanical shock, such as polyurethane overmolded onto the plastic insert 1 ′. It can also be made of elastomeric materials such as silicone, fluorinated elastomers, or polyurethane.

It should also be noted that the protective layer 7 can also have an aesthetic function. In this respect, it can contain fillers, such as pigments with special effects.

In an advantageous case, there may also be present a combination of thermochromic pigments and fillers which improve the thermal conductivity of the protective layer 7. Thus, the thermal activity of some electronic components can change the color of the protective layer 7.

In another advantageous case, a special resin that can be cross-linked by thermal or optical radiation can be poured onto some sensitive electronic components before the protective layer 7. This protects them from the subsequent harsh manufacturing operations. This can be a thermally, electrically or electromagnetically insulating resin.

In another variant, the flexible support 2 can be made by coextrusion of multiple materials and can include at least two strips, one of which has a technical function and another of which has a decorative function. For example, the three strips can also be arranged one above the other or side by side (side by side) when viewed from above. In this latter case, the central strip is phosphorescent and the two side strips are fluorescent or pearlescent or variochromatic. The die head of the equipment used to manufacture the flexible support allows the manufacture of slightly concave profiles. This therefore allows the central strip to be used to create a decoration that illuminates the strip at night, thereby making the information to be displayed clear. The fluorescent strips on the sides can be used to create a decoration that is visible during the day.

It should also be noted that the flexible support 2 can be made of a variety of injection-molded or extruded materials, using thermochromic materials that change color at different temperature thresholds. This makes it possible to create smart decorations that react during the operation of the plastic electrical insert.

Shape memory materials can also be used to make the flexible support 2, such as DESMOPAN 2795A SMP, which allows the manufacture of different three-dimensional decorations by thermoforming. Materials containing fillers can also be used to improve the comfort of the belt wearer (encapsulation of fragrances, antibacterial, antiperspirant...).

Once the plastic-electric insert 1' is completed, it can be covered with a layer of vulcanized elastomer to obtain a belt. The insert 1' can also be placed in a sheath made of leather or synthetic material or woven material, or between an upper belt and a lower belt, in particular made of leather, which are fixed to each other to obtain a belt.

Figure 2 shows only a section of strap 1. The plastic electrical insert 1' is placed within the leather lining 9. As previously mentioned, once completed, the insert 1' can be placed within the leather sheath 9 or between the upper and lower leather strap pieces. An opening can be made in the leather lining 9 or in the upper part of the strap, exposing the flexible support or the protective layer of the plastic electrical insert 1'. For example, a central opening 8 in strap 1, near its attachment to the watch case, is proposed to provide a phosphorescent finish.

In the case of a flexible support of an insert 1 ′ consisting of three side-by-side strips, the central strip is phosphorescent and the two side strips are fluorescent, so as to make the information to be displayed visible, for example, through openings at the edges of the strip 1 .

Based on the description just given, a person skilled in the art can devise several variations of the method for manufacturing a strap with a plastic electrical insert without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The conductive paths on the flexible support of the insert can be produced by a metal layer deposited in a structured manner on the surface of the flexible support, or by another type of structured conductive layer. The strap can be manufactured in the form of a ring worn on the wrist. Alternatively, the plastic electrical insert can be placed in a strap with metal links and electrically connected to the electronic components disposed within the watch case.

Claims (14)

1. A method for manufacturing a strip (1) having an electronic component insert (1') attached to a watch case, the method comprising the steps of: - A flexible support member (2) for the base of the insert (1') is manufactured in the form of a strip, said flexible support member (2) being obtained from a plastic or thermoplastic material by molding in a mold suitable for the shape of said strip (1), and comprising at least two strips arranged one above the other or side by side, one strip having a technical function and the other strip having a decorative function. - A conductive path (3) is formed on or in the flexible support member (2). - Various electronic components (4, 5, 6) connected to the conductive path (3) are disposed on the flexible support (2), and - The electronic components (4, 5, 6) disposed on the flexible support (2) are covered with a transparent or opaque protective layer (7) to complete the insert (1') of the strip (1). The electronic component insert (1') is disposed and fixed inside the sheath of the belt (1) or between the upper and lower belt components. The protective layer (7) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer that is resistant to environmental influences and mechanical impacts, and The protective layer (7) comprises a combination of thermochromic pigments and fillers to allow the color of the protective layer (7) to change according to the thermal activity of the electronic components (4, 5, 6). 2. The method for manufacturing a belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible support (2) is obtained by injection molding or extruding a thermoplastic material or a variety of plastics or thermoplastic materials in a suitable mold. 3. The tape manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the tape with technical function provides thermal conductivity or electromagnetic shielding for the electronic components, and the tape with decorative function is fluorescent, pearlescent, color-changing, or phosphorescent. 4. The method for manufacturing a belt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible support (2) contains an additive in the form of an organometallic complex. 5. The method for manufacturing a strip according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductive path (3) is obtained on the flexible support (2) or in the flexible support (2) or in the layer on the flexible support (2) by activating a physicochemical reaction induced by a focused laser beam (L) programmed according to the electrical connection mode of the element. 6. The method of manufacturing a strap according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component insert (1') is disposed and fixed within a sheath of at least one segment of the watch strap (1) or between the upper and lower strap components. 7. The method for manufacturing a belt according to claim 1, wherein the sheath or upper belt and lower belt of the belt (1) are made of leather, synthetic material or woven material. 8. The method for manufacturing a strip according to claim 1, wherein the conductive path is formed by a selective plasma spraying process. 9. The method of manufacturing the tape according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component insert (1') is covered with a vulcanized elastomer, such as nitrile rubber or fluorinated rubber, or covered with a siloxane or cross-linked polyurethane. 10. The method for manufacturing a belt according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material (7) is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves. 11. The method for manufacturing a strip according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer (7) is made of overmolded polyurethane. 12. A strap (1) obtained by a strap manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, the strap being attachable to a watch case, characterized in that the strap includes an electronic component insert (1'), the electronic component insert including a flexible support (2), a conductive path (3), electronic components (4, 5, 6) connected to the conductive path (3), and a protective layer (7) on the electronic components (4, 5, 6) and the flexible support (2), and the insert (1') being disposed within a sheath of at least a segment of the strap (1). The upper and lower strips may be covered with a vulcanized elastomer, siloxane, or cross-linked polyurethane, and the flexible support (2) of the insert (1') includes three strips arranged one above the other or side by side, wherein the central strip is phosphorescent and the two side strips are fluorescent. The protective layer (7) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer resistant to environmental influences and mechanical shocks, and the protective layer (7) includes a combination of thermochromic pigments and fillers to allow the color of the protective layer (7) to change according to the thermal activity of the electronic components (4, 5, 6). 13. The belt (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the insert (1’) is confined within a lining made of leather, synthetic material or woven material, and a central opening (8) is provided in the lining on the central phosphorescent belt of the flexible support (2). 14. The strip (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the insert (1’) is confined within a lining made of leather, synthetic material or woven material, and an opening is provided in a portion of the edge of the lining on the fluorescent strip of the flexible support (2) for displaying information.