阅读说明：本技术 具有对电源无线充电的电子设备的表壳后盖 (Watch case back cover of electronic equipment with wireless charging to power supply ) 是由 M·申克 L·穆彻 于 2020-09-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种电子或电子机械手表表壳的可移除的表壳后盖(3)。该表壳后盖包括内部电子设备,其具有允许对电源无线充电或再充电的功能。该表壳后盖包括与电子设备分开的两个多功能子组件。第一多功能子组件(1)包括蜂鸣器、在印刷电路板上的或集成在印刷电路板中的感应线圈,所述感应线圈被表壳内侧的磁屏蔽件覆盖。在第一多功能子组件(1)上的第二多功能子组件包括用于容纳诸如电池或蓄电器之类的电源的围合结构。(The invention relates to a removable back cover (3) of a watch case of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch. The watch case back cover includes internal electronics that have the function of allowing wireless charging or recharging of the power source. The case back includes two multi-function subassemblies separate from the electronic device. The first multifunctional subassembly (1) comprises a buzzer, an induction coil on or integrated in the printed circuit board, said induction coil being covered by a magnetic shield inside the watch case. The second multi-function sub-assembly on the first multi-function sub-assembly (1) comprises an enclosure for accommodating a power source such as a battery or accumulator.)

1. Removable back cover (3) of a case of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch, the back cover comprising an internal electronic device having a function allowing wireless charging or recharging of a power source (24), and the back cover comprising two multi-function subassemblies (1, 2) separate from the internal electronic device, characterized in that the back cover comprises:

-a first multifunctional subassembly (1) in which a buzzer (13), an induction coil (14 ') on or integrated in a printed circuit board (14) are mounted, said induction coil (14') being covered by a magnetic shield (16) inside the watch case,

-a second multi-function sub-assembly (2) on the first multi-function sub-assembly (1), the second multi-function sub-assembly (2) comprising an enclosure (22) for housing a power source, such as a battery or an accumulator (24).

2. Watch case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the buzzer is a piezoelectric buzzer (13).

3. Watch case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the buzzer (13), the induction coil (14') and the base support (17) of the magnetic shield (16) of the first multifunctional subassembly (1) are parts made of injection molded or machined material and have a buzzer connector or a housing cavity (18) for accommodating the buzzer (13).

4. Watch case back (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that the base support (17) is made of ceramic or fibre reinforced polymer.

5. Case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the enclosure (22) for accommodating a battery or accumulator (24) is made of injection-molded material.

6. The case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that components and connectors are mounted on a printed circuit board (14) having an induction coil (14') and connected to conductive paths on the printed circuit board (14); the components and connectors include a pressure sensor, a compass and at least one flange connector.

7. Watch case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic shield (16) is a ferrite component able to allow the passage of the buzzer's contact spring when the buzzer (13) is positioned and glued in the buzzer connector or housing cavity (18).

8. Case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic shield (16) is covered by an insulating foam layer (19), the insulating foam layer (19) serving to crush the battery (24) and to ensure the shock resistance of the battery.

9. Case back (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second multifunctional subassembly (2) comprises, after assembly, a battery (24), at least a contact strip (23, 26) and a vibrator (21).

10. The back (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises two studs (31) machined on the base support (17) of the first multi-function subassembly (1) for positioning the second multi-function subassembly (2) on the first multi-function subassembly (1) and ensuring the contact of the contact strips (23, 26) and the vibrator (21).

11. The back (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second multi-function subassembly (2) comprises an edge portion (32), the edge portion (32) limiting the height position of the second multi-function subassembly (2) inside the watch case when the second multi-function subassembly (2) is sandwiched between the base support (17) and a middle part (43) of the watch case.

12. Electronic or electro-mechanical watch suitable for wireless charging or recharging operations of an internal power source (24), such as a battery or accumulator, having a case formed by a front part with a mirror (44), a middle part (43) and a removable back case cover (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, inside which case and above the second multifunctional subassembly (2) of said removable back case cover (3) there is provided a mechanical or electronic watch module.

13. The electronic or electromechanical watch according to claim 12, characterised in that said watch is an electronic smartwatch or an electromechanical wristwatch and in that said watch comprises a solar cell as an additional power source.

14. An assembly comprising an electronic or electro-mechanical watch according to claim 12 or 13, and a device for charging or recharging the power supply (24) of the watch.

15. Method for assembling a removable back case cover (3) of a watch case of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said back case cover having the function of allowing wireless charging or recharging of a power source (24), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

assembling a first multi-functional subassembly (1) according to the following steps:

-inserting the buzzer (13) into a housing cavity (18) in the inner part of the base support (17) and gluing it inside the housing cavity (18),

-gluing a printed circuit board (14) comprising an induction coil (14') on an inner portion of the base support (17) comprising the buzzer (13),

-gluing a ferrite magnetic shield (16) to the printed circuit board (14),

-an insulating foam layer (19) bonded to the ferrite magnetic shield (16),

assembling the second multi-functional subassembly (2) according to the following steps:

-gluing the vibrator (21) in a dedicated housing cavity on the battery enclosure structure (22),

-bringing a contact spring into contact with the buzzer (13) and the antenna connector in a dedicated hole in the battery enclosing structure (22),

-mounting contact strips (23, 26) on the cell enclosing structure (22),

-positioning the battery (24) in the battery enclosure (22).

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

placing said second multi-function sub-assembly (2) on a post (31) for centering and centering, so as to ensure connection with the buzzer (13), and bending a flexible tab (15) of the printed circuit board (14) having a connector (35) to ensure connection to a watch module or to a main printed circuit board of the watch module,

the multifunctional subassemblies (1, 2) assembled to the middle part of the watch case are brought into contact with each other by means of the height-positioning edge (32).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a removable watch case back with an electronic device having a function allowing wireless charging or recharging of the power supply of a networked electronic or electromechanical watch.

The invention also relates to an electronic or electromechanical watch comprising a removable case back with an electronic device for wireless charging of a power source in the watch.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling a removable case back with an electronic device for wireless charging of a power source.

Background

The life of a cell or battery in a networked watch (connected watch), such as a smart watch, has heretofore remained a major weakness in such products. This requires a rate of charging or recharging of the watch battery, which depends on the usage pattern of the watch wearer. Typically, for battery charging operations, an external wire connector connected to a voltage source may be connected to a corresponding connector on the watch case. Charging may be achieved by the solar cell of the watch or by using the inductance of the charging device.

Inductive charging techniques provide many advantages for products such as watches. On the one hand, from an aesthetic point of view, it is not necessary to integrate physical watertight connections in the external parts of the watch to connect the charging wires. On the other hand, the time of inductive charging is constant compared to solar charging, which is very dependent on ambient light.

Wireless charging may be based on the principle of inductance, where current flowing through a coil will generate current in a nearby coil. For a wristwatch, one of the coils (receiver coil) is mounted in the back cover of the case, while the other coil (charger coil) is located nearby and is powered by an electric current, which will generate a magnetic field that induces a current in the (receiver) coil in order to power the battery.

It should be noted that the proximity of metal elements (e.g., certain external components of the watch) can reduce efficiency during battery charging. Furthermore, the electromagnetic field between the two coils will induce a current in nearby metal parts. This induced current runs the risk of causing heating of these metal parts. In this case, it is envisaged to provide the watch coil with a shield to avoid field leakage. The shield may be ferrite.

Us patent No.10250064B2 discloses an electronic device comprising: a housing having an electrically conductive coil disposed inside the housing; a movable element operatively connected to at least one portion of the housing and comprising one or more magnets that generate a magnetic field through the electrically conductive coil; a first charging circuit electrically connected to the conductive coil for wirelessly receiving power from an external device using the conductive coil and providing the received power to a battery of the electronic device; and a second charging circuit electrically connected to the conductive coil for providing power induced in the conductive coil to a battery of the electronic device based on the movement of the movable element. The device may include a conductive element disposed in the housing cover, such as a coil for wireless charging to support wireless recharging.

WO patent No.2018/105773a1 discloses a mobile terminal including a wireless charging coil located in an inner space, wherein a shield plate has a blank space at a position where the wireless charging coil and a component mounted on a main board overlap each other. The battery unit is disposed in front of the main board. The wireless charging coil is located behind the motherboard to which it is bonded, and the rear housing covers the wireless charging coil and the motherboard.

In the aforementioned prior art, the charging coil is not arranged in a convenient manner in the watch case so as to cooperate with the battery to be charged. Space is wasted and the connection between the two components cannot guarantee proper charging without loss of current.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore a main object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a removable back cover for a watch case having an electronic device with a function allowing wireless charging or recharging of a power source, such as a battery or a single cell.

To this end, the invention relates to a removable back cover for a watch case comprising the features of independent claim 1, with an electronic device having the function of allowing wireless charging or recharging of the power supply.

Particular embodiments of the removable back cover of the watch case are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 11.

One advantage of a removable back cover of a watch case is that it is possible to provide an integrated power source, such as a large capacity rechargeable battery or accumulator, in a reduced space in the watch. The arrangement of the power supply in an enclosure structure ensures resistance to mechanical shocks. Furthermore, the battery enclosure is injection-molded, pre-assembled and separated from the rest of the movement. The removable back cover of the watch case is of small thickness and has a base support made of ceramic or plastic.

Advantageously, the induction coil is made or integrated in the printed circuit board of the first multi-functional subassembly. The printed circuit board may include components such as sensors or connectors. One of the connectors is arranged on a flexible tongue of a printed circuit board for connection to a main printed circuit board of a watch module of the watch.

Advantageously, the removable back cover of the watch case, fixed to the middle part closing the watch case, is waterproof at a pressure of at least 10 bar. The watch case back cover is designed to be easily compatible with inductive charging equipment.

To this end, the invention also relates to an electronic or electromechanical watch, suitable for wireless charging or recharging operations of an internal power supply, comprising the features of the independent claim 12.

Dependent claim 13 defines at least one particular embodiment of the watch.

To this end, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising an electronic or electro-mechanical watch and a device for charging or recharging the power supply of the watch.

To this end, the invention also relates to a method for assembling a removable back cover of a watch case, comprising the features of independent claim 15.

Dependent claim 16 defines at least one particular step of the method.

Drawings

The objects, advantages and features of a removable watch case back cover with an electronic device having the function of allowing wireless charging or recharging of a power source in a watch will appear more clearly in the following non-limiting description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a top view and a three-dimensional exploded view of one embodiment of a first multi-function sub-assembly of a back cover of a watch case of an electronic wireless charging device with a watch according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view and a three-dimensional exploded view of one embodiment of a second multi-function sub-assembly of a back cover of a watch case of an electronic wireless charging device with a watch according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the final assembly of two multi-functional subassemblies according to the invention, shown in fig. 1 and 2, respectively.

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a watch case according to the invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description, all those constituent parts of a watch (such as an electronic or electromechanical watch) which are well known to a person skilled in the art are described only in a simplified manner. Watches with an electronic device for wireless charging of the power supply are of the smart watch type, for example wristwatches, which can comprise means for wireless connection to a communication device or a charging device. A solar cell may also be provided as an additional power source for an electronic or electro-mechanical watch.

According to the invention, the removable back cover of the case of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch has a function that allows, in particular, the wireless charging or recharging of the power supply of the watch components. The removable back cover of the watch case comprises at least two multi-function subassemblies, which are mounted, for example, one on top of the other.

Figure 1 shows a top view and a three-dimensional exploded view of a first multi-function sub-assembly 1 with a removable back cover of a watch case. The first multi-functional sub-assembly 1 mainly comprises a buzzer 13, for example a piezoelectric buzzer, an induction coil 14' on a printed circuit board 14 or integrated in the printed circuit board 14. The induction coil 14' in the form of a spiral may be formed on the lower or upper surface of the printed circuit board 14. The induction coil 14' is covered by a magnetic shield 16 inside the watch case or watch.

The first multi-functional subassembly 1 can comprise a base support 17 as a base, which base support 17 can be screwed on the middle part of the watch case by means of screws passing through holes 41' at the periphery of the base support 17, as described below with reference to figure 4. The case back support 17 typically has a reduced thickness and may be produced by injection moulding or machining of a different material, such as a fibre reinforced polymer, ceramic or ferromagnetic material. Colors can be incorporated into these materials.

A housing chamber 18 is provided in the base support 17 to accommodate the piezoelectric buzzer 13. The piezoelectric buzzer 13 is positioned and bonded or held in the housing cavity 18. A connector may also be provided in the housing chamber for electrically connecting the piezoelectric buzzer 13. This enhances the sensation of vibrations produced by the buzzer 13 felt by the watch wearer, since the piezoelectric buzzer 13 is directly connected and glued in the housing 18 of the base support 17, which base support 17 is intended to be in direct contact with the wrist of the watch wearer. Normally, the contact spring of the buzzer 13 may also be provided when the buzzer 13 is positioned and glued in its housing cavity 18. Said contact springs, not shown, pass by the ferrite magnetic shield 16.

The base support 17 also comprises two studs or locating pins 31 machined from the bottom of the base support 17 and oriented vertically towards the top of the inside of the watch case. The struts 31 are cylindrical and have chamfered ends. The printed circuit board 14 and the magnetic shield 16 are placed on top of each other on the support column 31 passing through two holes 31' and the other two holes 31 ", respectively. The printed circuit board 14 including the induction coil 14' may be glued to the inner part of the base support 17 containing the buzzer 13. The magnetic ferrite shield 16 may also be bonded to the printed circuit board 14.

The posts 31 have the additional function of ensuring contact with the terminals of the voltage source, the buzzer and any vibrator once the second multi-functional sub-assembly is mounted on the first multi-functional sub-assembly 1. A border 33 may also be provided between the screw attachment flange and the interior of the base support 17, defining an internal cavity or portion. This border 33 may also be used to hold the second multi-function sub-assembly once it is mounted on the first multi-function sub-assembly 1.

The pressure sensor 11, in the form of a cylindrical post (stud), comprises an annular circumferential groove for receiving an annular sealing gasket 10 of the O-ring type, which annular sealing gasket 10 is to be housed in a cylindrical container 12 of complementary shape to the base support 17. At least one hole, or even two holes (not shown), are formed in the bottom of the container to provide access to the exterior of the watch case for the pressure measurement of the pressure sensor 11. The pressure sensor 11 is mounted on a printed circuit board 14. Further, the magnetic shield 16 is also arranged to be partially covered with the insulating foam layer 19, and the insulating foam layer 19 is adhered to the magnetic shield 16. This insulating foam layer 19, shown for example as a circle, makes it possible to compress the power source, for example a battery, and to ensure the shock resistance of the power source once the back cover is mounted on the middle part of the watch case.

It should also be noted that the printed circuit board 14 may be at least partially flexible. It includes a portion in the form of a flexible tab 15 for movement over a second multi-function sub-assembly described below. The tab 15 terminates in a connector 35, the connector 35 having a number of pins for connection to a complementary connector of the main printed circuit board of the watch module. Through this connector 35, the components of the watch module can be powered. Furthermore, any commands or controls may be provided by the control unit (e.g. microcontroller) from the watch module to the electronic components of the two multifunction subassemblies. The printed circuit board 14 may carry or electrically connect several components, such as a pressure sensor, a compass, various hardware components, a buzzer connector, a main connector 35 with the watch movement, and a rectifying circuit connected to the coil to rectify the induced voltage. These electronic components are connected to the conductive paths of the printed circuit board 14.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view and a three-dimensional exploded view of the second multi-function sub-assembly 2 with the back cover of the watch case removable. This second multi-function sub-assembly 2 is intended to be mounted, connected and positioned on the first multi-function sub-assembly.

The second multi-function sub-assembly 2 includes an enclosure 22 for housing a power source such as a battery or accumulator 24. Preferably, in the following description, the battery 24 will be mainly described as the power source, but this is not restrictive with respect to other power sources. The enclosing structure 22 is a special plastic injection molded part. Through holes complementary to the shape of the batteries are provided in the enclosure 22 to accommodate the batteries.

After assembly, the second multi-function sub-assembly 2 houses the battery 24, at least the contact strips 23, 26 and the vibrator 21. At the output end of the vibrator 21 a flange connector is provided for connection to a complementary flange connector of the printed circuit board of the first multi-function sub-assembly. One or two first contact strips 23 are used for connecting the negative poles of the batteries 24, while at least one second contact strip 26 is used for connecting the positive poles of the batteries 24.

During assembly of the watch case, the assembled enclosure 22 of the battery 24 is centred and aligned, using the two legs of the base support of the first multi-functional subassembly, as described below with reference to figures 3 and 4. This therefore ensures the contact of the belts 23, 26, the buzzer and the vibrator 21, the vibrator 21 being connected by a connector. The printed circuit board with induction coil comprises a flexible tab passing above the enclosure 22, equipped with a connector having several pins for connection to the watch module. The freedom of the assembled enclosing structure 22 of the battery 24 in the height Z is locked by its peripheral flange, which is sandwiched between the middle part of the watch case and the removable back cover.

It should be noted that the contact strips 23, 26 are in contact with conductive pads connected to conductive paths on the printed circuit board for supplying power to the various components.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the final assembly of two multi-functional subassemblies used to form a removable back cover 3 of a watch case. Fig. 3 shows the same elements as described above with reference to fig. 1 and 2, with the same reference numerals. And thus a description of these elements will not be repeated.

Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a watch case 4 of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch according to the invention. The removable back cover of the watch case comprises a first multi-function subassembly 1 and a second multi-function subassembly 2, of which only the enclosing structure 22 of the second multi-function subassembly 2 is shown for simplicity. A removable back cover is mounted to the lower part of middle part 43 of watch case 4 by means of a sealing gasket 42, which sealing gasket 42 takes the form of an O-ring type annular joint. For this purpose, a removable back cover is fixed to the lower part of the middle part 43 of the case by means of screws 41, the screws 41 passing through openings 41' of the peripheral edge of the base support 17. The case 4 is closed at the upper part of the case middle part 43 by a watch mirror surrounded by at least one watch mirror 44 or bezel. A watch module (not shown) is provided within the case 4, above the removable case back cover and generally below the display or dial below the watch mirror 44.

A method for assembling a removable case back for a watch case of an electronic or electro-mechanical watch is described below with reference to fig. 4. The assembly method comprises the step of mounting the first multi-function sub-assembly 1. These steps are as follows:

inserting the buzzer 13 into a housing 18 in the inner part of the base support 17 and retaining the buzzer 13 in this housing 18, for example by gluing,

holding the printed circuit board 14 including the induction coil 14' on the inner part of the base support 17 containing the buzzer 13, for example by gluing,

holding the ferrite magnetic shield 16 to the printed circuit board 14, for example by gluing,

the insulating foam layer 19 is held on the ferrite magnetic shield 16, for example by gluing.

The assembly method further comprises the step of mounting the second multi-function sub-assembly 2. These steps are as follows:

the vibrator 21 is held in a dedicated housing cavity on the battery enclosure 22, for example by gluing,

bringing the contact spring into contact with the buzzer 13 and the antenna connector in a dedicated hole in the battery enclosing structure 22,

mounting the contact strips 23, 26 on the cell enclosing structure 22,

positioning the battery 24 in the battery enclosure 22.

The method may further comprise the steps of: placing the second subassembly 2 on the post 31 of the base support 17 for centering and centering to ensure connection with the buzzer 13 and bending the flexible tab 15 of the printed circuit board 14 with the connector 35 to ensure connection with the watch module or the main printed circuit board of the watch module; and the multi-function subassemblies 1, 2 assembled to the middle part of the watch case are brought into contact with each other by means of the height positioning edge portion 32.

Once the watch case 4 is mounted with all the components of the watch module and the removable case back 1, 2, the electronic or electromechanical watch can be set up on a device for wirelessly charging or recharging the watch power supply 24.

It should also be noted that with such a removable back case cover for charging or recharging a power source (e.g. a battery) according to the invention, several advantages can be observed compared to previous electronic battery charging devices. Previously, any vibration of the buzzer in a watch or the generation of sound was not perceived in a suitable way. The removable back cover of the watch case of the invention makes it possible to easily integrate a standard compact buzzer commercially available directly on the base support, provided that the base support is also made of plastic material, for example. By placing such a buzzer on the base support, the experience of the watch wearer can be improved.

By integrating the induction coil on the printed circuit board in the removable back cover of the watch case, a surface complementary to the surface of the main printed circuit board for the hardware components is advantageously utilized and a high space saving is achieved. Thus, certain hardware components may be transferred to areas outside of the critical height.

All the components (95% of which are recyclable) in the case, and in particular in the removable back cover of the case, are very easily accessible, so that they can be easily replaced in the event of problems with the assembly line. The use of glue or adhesive is also minimized. The structure of the removable back cover of the watch case formed by the two subassemblies ensures great flexibility in intermediate inspection, intermediate stocking and aesthetic changes of the back cover of the watch case.

When a battery is used as a power source, a removable case back cover having a battery of a proprietary shape or a standard cylindrical shape that is more suitable for assembly and shock resistance can be provided. In general, the batteries or rechargeable accumulators used employ lithium-ion technology and can be combined with a continuous energy supply, for example from solar cells. Securing the battery in the battery enclosure structure of the second subassembly is critical to ensure good high impact resistance, in contrast to batteries on watch movements.

Finally, the structure of the removable back cover of the watch case according to the invention differs from the prior art in that it is a component of significantly reduced thickness, made of plastic material or ceramic, and which, once assembled in the watch, achieves a water resistance of 10 bar. It can be pretested with its card-to-card connector (card-to-card connector) independently of the watch and can be easily pretested with a mechanical connection without the need for adhesives or screws.

From the description just given, a person skilled in the art can devise several variants of a removable back cover of a watch case with an electronic device for wireless charging or recharging of the battery of the watch case without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. In addition to simple bonding, the components of the subassembly may be assembled and held mechanically.