Watch case with control knob.

[0001]Awatch case, comprising a housing in which is movable at least in rotation at least a jog dial display or a function of the watch, said handle being arranged to be manipulated directly by the user of the watch at a peripheral surface contact.

[0002] Furthermore a watch with the collector.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of control mechanisms for watches clock function.

[0004] To use the many current functions of a watch, the user interfaces are limited. The most known are the crown, the pushers, and the augers. Also known ice touch, having zones corresponding to the selection of certain functions, or indeed rotating bezels.

[0005] Much of control means are fragile, or ill-suited for use in all conditions.

[0006] The aim is to bring a new user interface that is more desirable for watch, in particular to an intelligent watch comprising electronic functions and/or communication, that these conventional solutions, which can operate also in wet, or even in water, or with wet hands, while having good impact protection.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates according to claim 1.

[0008] Furthermore a watch with the collector, arranged to enclose a timepiece movement, whose display clock function or are arranged to be controlled by sensor means possessed by that box.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading of the detailed description which will follow, reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, a watch case according to the invention, comprising a housing for receiving a thumb wheel, interrupted by an opening in which is movable a pusher;

figure 2 represents, so as schematized, and in plan, the box of fig. 1, equipped with a sensing means proximate the pusher, and sensor means next to the housing;

figure 3 represents, so as schematized, and in plan, the box of the fig.. 2, equipped with the knob in its housing, a timepiece movement, and control means connected to the sensing means and the sensor means, in a rest position of the thumb wheel;

figure 4 represents, so as schematized, and in plan, the box of the fig.. 3, in an activated position of the thumb wheel by a push of a user;

figure 5 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, the box of the fig.. 3, in an alternative embodiment wherein a cover encloses the thumb wheel revolution;

the fig.. 6 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, a raised collar for insertion into the housing of the box under the thumb wheel, for a cogging effect;

the fig.. 7 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, the box of fig. 1, in which is inserted the toothed ring of the fig.. 6;

the fig.. 8 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, the box of the fig.. 7, wherein the knob is inserted above the toothed ring of the fig.. 6;

figure 9 represents, so as schematized, and perspective, a thumb wheel comprising transmitter means constituted by magnets, and having, in its lower portion, reliefs formed by V-shaped lugs arranged to cooperate with the broken line profile of the toothed ring of the fig. - 6;

represents, so as schematized, and perspective, the cooperation of the thumb wheel of fig. 9 and the toothed ring of the fig.. 6;

represents, so as schematized, and in plan, the detail of the housing of the box of the fig.. 1;

represent, so as schematized, 3 in plan view, the toothed ring of the fig.. 6;

represent, so as schematized, principles of some variations of the invention:

a box having openings through which the thumbwheel at 3 hr, 6 hr, 9 hr, 12 hr;

sectional, detail openings on the axis 3 hr 9 hr, and on the axle 6 hr 12 hr;

a box with two openings 3 H and to 9 hr, with a pusher facing each of the openings;

in cross section, a box with two wheels according to the invention, superimposed, each cooperating with an opening clean;

a box comprising sensor means housed in one horn, cooperating with the peripheral surface of the wheel;

a pusher combined with sensor means comprising a pinion cooperating with a toothing that includes the thumb wheel;

is a block diagram representing a watch comprising a movement and a box according to the invention.

[0010]Acan watch 1, has a housing 2 in which is movable, at least in rotation, at least one cutting wheel 3 for display control or a function of the watch. This wheel 3 is arranged to be directly manipulated by the user of the watch at a peripheral surface contact 4. The denomination of "box" is to be taken in a broad sense: the box 1 may naturally be a middle or the like.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 show the type of container 1, whereby the housing 2 is a groove-shaped groove, with, on either side of a base 20, an interior partition wall 21 and an outer partition wall 22. The outer wall 22 is interrupted between two edges 23 and 24, arranged to define an opening through which a user can maneuver a thumbwheel 3 inserted into the housing 2, as visible on Figure 5.

[0012] The geometry of the housing 2 allows the insertion, with play, such a knob 3, and in particular allows that the hand wheel 3 can rotate and translate a distance low, for example and not limited in the direction 3 H 9 H on the box 1 illustrated by Figures, and with an opening so that the user of the watch can perform two movements: radially force the knob 3, and the rotate.

[0013] According to the invention, the housing 2 is arranged to allow a limited movement of translation, between an inner end and an outer end, at least a portion of the thumb wheel 30 3 along a radial direction of the box 1, against the action of elastic return means which are arranged to 5 away from the part 30 of the inside of the box 1. It is understood that the portion 30 is not always the same: this is only part of the thumb wheel 3, which faces at a given point at the opening, defined in Figures by the two edges 23 and 24.

[0014] Figures illustrate a particular variant, where the housing 2 of the thumb wheel 3 is in close proximity to the periphery of the case 1. Thus the knob 3 surrounds a movement 100, without direct contact therewith.

[0015] Other variations are feasible, in particular with a small wheel, which does not run around the watch, but which is substantially tangent internally to its periphery, only a portion of the thumb wheel 30 3 being, as previously, accessible to the user. The housing 2 of the small wheel is also separate, sealed, the interior compartment of the box 1 which encloses the movement 100.

[0016] The elastic return means 5 functions as the repulsion of the thumbwheel 3 outwardly of the box 1 at rest, at the opening.

[0017] For the function of detecting pressure upon depression of the thumb wheel 3, next to the housing 2, the box 1 also comprises at least one first control detecting means 7, which is arranged to detect the presence of the portion of the thumb wheel 30 3 at closer to the center of the bearing box 1 during a predetermined by a user, and including an inner end.

[0018]Aparticular manner without limitation, and as visible on the Figures 1 to 4, the box 1 may be provided with a pusher 54 constituting these resilient return means 5, which constrain the thumbwheel 3 in an end position in the direction where it can translate, in position 3 H in particular of Figures. More particularly, the pusher 54 has a head 53 runner-shaped to facilitate rotation of the thumb wheel 3. On the inside of the box 1, the pusher 54, which penetrates the inner partition 21 herein, comprises a shank adapted for association with a first control detecting means 7. Due to its small dimensions, such a pusher 54 is fairly sealing problem. For a most demanding environment, such as diving watch or the like, it may be beneficial to dissociate, on the one hand the function of repulsion of the thumbwheel 3 outwardly of the box 1 at rest, at the opening, for example by a leaf spring or the like, and on the other hand the detection function of the abutment during depression of the knob 3, by a strain gauge in the inner partition 21, an inductive sensor, the use of a deformable septum, or other.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows the system at rest, the pusher 54 maintains the thumb wheel 3 from the position in 3 hr.

[0020] Fig. 4 shows the system down upon depression of the knob 3 by a user: 30 translates from its local area has position to the position to 3 hr 9 hr, the pusher 54 is pushed toward the inside of the box 1. For example pressure is detected by an electronic module in the movement of the watch 100 200.

[0021] This first detection means 7 is arranged to activate or deactivate sensors means 8 that includes the box 1 next to the housing 2, which sensing means 8 are arranged to detect, when a rotational movement by the user to the thumb wheel 3, the passage of emitter means 9 that includes the thumb wheel 3.

[0022] More particularly, the sensor means 8 are held remote transmitter means 9, it is considered a contactless interaction.

[0023] In one particular embodiment, at least one sensor means 8 is arranged to detect the flow direction or/and reversal of direction of movement of an emitting means 9.

[0024] In one particular embodiment, at least one sensor means 8 is arranged to detect the angular space between two successive emitter means 9.

[0025] In one particular embodiment, at least two sensor means 8 are arranged to detect the passage means transmitter 9.

[0026] In one particular embodiment, at least one sensor means 8 is arranged to measure the angle of rotation of the roller 3, traveled from command detection performed by the first detection means 7.

[0027] In one particular embodiment, at least one sensor means 8 is arranged to change position on passing a transmitter means 9 in proximity thereto. More particularly, such a sensor means 8 constitutes a mechanical rocker, arranged to control a mechanical or electronic function for clock movement 100 that encloses the transmission 1. The mechanism of the present invention may, thus, in a particular variant, be completely mechanical. The combination of the moving components of starting and stopping function may also be sequential. For example, any movement of rotating the thumb wheel can trigger successively, on a chronograph mechanism, startup, shutdown, and reset.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the box 1 comprises driving means 10, which are arranged to handle the transmitted and received signals at the first detection means 7 and sensor means 8, for activating or deactivating the means 8 sensors, and for, when the sensor means 8 are activated, analyzing the number of emitter means 9 identified by the sensor means 8, and/or the angular deviation transmitter means 9 pairs, and/or the direction of passage of the emitter means 9, for converting the results of the analysis in a display order or activation of a function of the watch, addressed to a timepiece movement 100 that encloses the transmission 1. More particularly, the detecting means 7, and/or the sensor means 8, and/or the control means 10, are electronic type.

[0029] In one particular embodiment, the knob 3 is flexible and itself constitutes the resilient return means 5. In this embodiment the housing 2 may be a groove of revolution, perfectly annular, and the pusher 54, configured for detecting the bearing pressure, advantageously acts as an additional tensioning said knurl 3 compliant, and gives locally circular to the thumb wheel 3 compliant.

[0030] In another particular variant, illustrated by Figures, the knob 3 is rigid, and the elastic return means 5 comprise a pusher 54, which is designed to rest on the thumbwheel 3 by its head 53.

[0031] In one particular embodiment, illustrated by Figures, the knob 3 is annular, and the housing 2 is an oval with two half-rings connected by two straight sections, as seen in Figure. 11. Alternatively each half ring is not strictly of revolution, but the outermost circle, emerging on the opening, has an eccentricity, a little higher than the value of the offset between the two inner rings, so that the thumb wheel 3 protrudes from one of the sides of the middle but not the other.

[0032] Other forms of housing are conceivable, for example substantially elliptical, or substantially annular, variable width, and whose projection on any parallel to the radial direction of the box 1 is at least equal to the distance between the inner end and the outer end. Preferably, the housing 2 is shaped such that the clear is the lowest possible between the cone 3 and the outer and inner walls 21 22, without causing excessive friction.

[0033] In one particular embodiment, the first detection means 7 is a switch actuated by the elastic return means 5 or by a pusher 54 that comprise the elastic return means 5.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the knob 3 is provided with magnets that constitute the transmitter means 9, in particular but not exclusively arranged uniformly around its circumference, thereby permitting the detection of the rotation of the wheel 3, via one or more sensors within the middle which constitute the sensor means 8.

[0035] Thus, in a particular variant, the sensor means 8 are magnetic sensors, which are arranged to detect, when activated, the passage of magnets 91 that include the transmitter means 9. More particularly, these magnets 91 are arranged with a constant angular pitch around the wheel 3. In another embodiment, the magnets 91 are arranged at different angular pitches around the wheel 3.

[0036] In one particular embodiment, the thumbwheel 3 comprises, on a face arranged to cooperate with the bottom 20 of the housing 2, a relief 31 which is arranged to cooperate with a complementary relief 21 that includes the bottom 20, for braking the latch upon rotation of the knob 3.

[0037] In one particular embodiment, the thumbwheel 3 comprises, on a face arranged to cooperate with the bottom 20 of the housing 2, a relief 31 which is arranged to cooperate with a raised ring 39 interposed between the roller 3 and the bottom 20, for braking the latch upon rotation of the knob 3. More particularly, this ring 39 relief is an elastic ring. More particularly, this ring 39 relief includes at least one tab 38 of radial stop, arranged to cooperate with a complementary recess 28 of the housing 2.

[0038] Is thus simply a latching system for the thumbwheel, more pleasant for the user that a simple friction. Such a ring 39 with a repetition of bumps and recesses 2 is inserted into the housing with the knob 3, which is provided on its underside with at least one relief 31. The Figure. 9, 10, 13, 14, show two such vanes 31 consist of lugs which vee. Thus, when the thumb wheel 3 rotates, each pin 31 engages in a V hopping away from a recess in the ring to the other.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the box 1 has a lid 19 or a telescope or a base, or an additional spacer, said component being arranged to enclose the thumb wheel 3 in the box 1, as visible on Figure 5.

The principle of the invention is applicable to many variants, according to the space available in the watch case, the thickness thereof, and the number of functions to drive.

Thus the fig.. 17 illustrates a box 1 with two openings 3 H and to 9 hr, with a pusher 54 facing each of these openings. The knob 3 is accessible to 3 H and 9 hr, and the presence of a pusher 54 on each side allows navigation of the menus: activating rotation detection to 3 H and 9 hr, then "enable an OK" to 3 "return" to H and 9 hr (or the reverse). Alternatively box, illustrated in fig.. 15 and 16, has four pushers not detailed (which may include certain are without rotation detection) and a matching geometry of the wheel to the elimination of a part for vertical (not spectacle nor bottom ring).

Yet another embodiment relates to a box with a plurality of knurls according the invention, superimposed, each cooperating with a clean opening, the fig.. 18 shows an example to 3x 3y and two wheels, the box 1 having such as well two diametrically opposed openings, one for each wheel. The same housing 2 may comprise a plurality of knurls 3, or each cutter 3 may have a separate housing 2.

The fig.. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a box comprising sensor means 8 housed in one horn 18, cooperating with the peripheral surface of the thumbwheel 4 3, either by mechanical contact friction or direct drive if for example this peripheral surface 4 is splined or the like, either by magnetic interaction, or other.

[0040] The fig.. 20 illustrates one variation where the plunger has, instead of a shoe, a pinion cooperating with a toothing 57 37 that has then the thumb wheel 3, or which is applied on the thumbwheel, the pushrod then allows the detection of translation and rotation.

[0041] Furthermore a watch 200 with the collector 1, arranged to enclose a clockwork 100, whose display clock function or are arranged to be controlled by sensor means 8 of the box 1.

[0042] The mechanism according to the invention has various advantages.

[0043] Firstly the system is without risk to the impermeability of the watch, the areas to be sealed regarding known systems and controlled, such as the links and tappet/ice box/box. The sensor which detects the pressure is mounted on the movement and is activated by the pusher which is easier to seal. The sensors which detect rotation are on the movement. As the magnetic detection is contactless, there is concern of sealing.

[0044] In principle the function of repulsion of the thumb wheel may be provided by a pusher which does not open on the inside of the box or the middle part. Especially in the embodiments illustrated, a suitable dimensioning of the toothing, the force and the position of the magnets, and the position of the magnetic sensors, allows detection of translation and rotation of the thumb wheel. Other other solutions without contact, in particular galvanic or optical, are feasible, but embodiment less economical. The use of a deformable septum, for a watch to plastic box especially, makes detection of translation without contact.

[0045] Another advantage of the invention is, in the preferred embodiment but not limited magnetic detection, the useability of the watch underwater or in a wet environment.

[0046] The area available for the user's finger can actuate the thumbwheel is extended, thereby enabling a detection resolution: in the case of an electronic watch or a watch connected or grille, the user is not forced to make numerous turns to scroll through the menus (relative to an electronic crown for example). This advantage results from the fact that the hand wheel the peripheral motion.

[0047] The latching system allows a good feeling to the user to determine how much not it advances.