EP0884657B1 - Actuating device with a seal gasket for a watch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an actuating means with seal for a watch according to the generic term of Claim 1.

To seal actuators of a watch usually used O-rings. Since this is the inside of the watch but do not always seal to a satisfactory degree, have been extensive efforts for some time in progress, seals with better sealing properties to develop by the cross-sectional shape apart from O-rings.

CH-562 468 is a dustproof crown for Watches are known which have an elastically deformable sealing sleeve with an S-shaped cross section Has shape. Although this sealing sleeve is in contrast is shaped differently on the inside of the O-rings, than on the side facing the environment this cuff is approximately the same in both directions, i.e. that if there is overpressure in the interior of the watch, Has sealing behavior, as with ambient pressure.

On the one hand provides a cuff of such a shape sure that it doesn't form a substantial Overpressure in the inside of the watch can come because it is one has a tapered cuff part which is in a solves such a situation from the bore wall.

However, the ambient pressure takes one with one watch equipped with such a crown, for example at Submerge, so this cuff provides the penetration of Fabrics inside the watch due to the shape of the above Cuff part also little resistance opposite.

Furthermore, this solution has the disadvantage that the Resetting the elevator axis from the pointer direction in the basic position, dirt particles from the tapered Cuff part transported into the inside of the watch can be. Due to the contamination of the sealing area consequently there is also the risk of water ingress much bigger.

In addition, such a crown requires an accurate one Cutting and assembling the elevator shaft.

The CH-453 221 has an actuator with a L-shaped seal shown that has a conical sealing surface which is in contact with the outer wall a sleeve arranged in the watch case stands. This sealing surface is therefore conical so that Simply attach the crown to the sleeve is. When plugged in, the seal is deformed to the extent that the conical sealing surface into a cylindrical passes over and accordingly fully full and rests against the sleeve under a relatively large prestress. In order to increase the contact pressure the seal is designed so that it extends towards the inside towards the axis.

This solution basically implies one in both Directions different sealing behavior, however it causes substances to penetrate inside the watch only a limited curb is provided and that a rapid overpressure reduction in the watch is not possible.

According to CH-324 259 there is a hole in the Crown and the outer wall of the sleeve a sealing ring arranged with a V-shaped cross section, in its wedge-shaped Ring groove a metal ring is arranged axially from a spring is applied. By the spring pressure the two legs of the V-shaped sealing ring radially spread to a contact pressure against the outer wall the sleeve on the one hand and the bore of the crown on the other to create.

Even with this solution, it can form a considerable Overpressure inside the watch.

CH-304 shows 789 sealing washers, each deformed and under tension on an annular Area.

Although with this solution an overpressure reduction in the watch is possible the axial path of the elevator shaft is limited.

It is also necessary to cut the elevator shaft to length.

CH-237 996 shows an actuating means in a watch, the one Has lip seal that separates the interior of the watch from the environment. This seal, which has a base area and a rotationally symmetrical lip has, lies between a housing-fixed element and a movable Element. This lip that starts from the base area and towards Environment shows, leads conically to a cylindrical jacket Surface area of the housing-fixed element and is below Preload on this cylinder jacket-shaped surface area.

Although this solution can also be used to relieve pressure in the watch, the interior overpressure must be considerable, since the seal is already very is deformed and is under considerable tension.

Furthermore, the construction of this seal requires the use of a Washer to hold the above seal in place.

• bei Umgebungsüberdruck ausgezeichnet abdichtet,
• bei Umgebungsunterdruck einen raschen Druckausgleich ermöglicht,
• kein genaues Ablängen und Montieren der Welle erfordert,
• einen genügend grossen Bewegungsweg der Welle zulässt,
• sowie Schmutzpartikel vom Dichtungsbereich und vom Uhreninnern fernhält.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an actuating means which

• seals excellently at ambient pressure,
• enables rapid pressure equalization at ambient negative pressure,
• does not require precise cutting and mounting of the shaft,
• allows a sufficiently large movement path of the shaft,
• as well as dirt particles from the sealing area and from the inside of the watch.

The achievement of this task according to the invention results from the Features of claim 1.

The fact that the actuating means according to the invention with a Lip seal that is oriented so that the concentric, apron-shaped lip pointing from the interior of the watch to the surroundings Lip with increasing ambient pressure on the pressed cylindrical surface area, from which a excellent sealing results.

Conversely, the lip is advantageously such in the case of overpressure in the watch deformed that they are pushed away from the cylindrical surface area and forms a passage for rapid pressure reduction.

The lip seal thus acts as without additional, displaceable elements automatic valve.

Furthermore, a lip seal in the proposed orientation has the Advantage that it works as a dirt deflector and thus the access of Dirt particles to the sealing area and to the inside of the watch are prevented. This keeps the sealing area clean and the risk of Water entry is significantly reduced. For example there remains an additionally provided O-ring on this Way also clean and its sealing quality, in particular against water, is retained.

Contact areas of the seal are under the sealing area as well as the parts of the Means of actuation or of the clock, i.e. surface areas the seal and surface areas for example the outer and inner walls of the sleeve, the Lid, the watch case, etc., depending on the embodiment of the inventive actuating means.

Opposite an O-ring is the lip seal yet another advantage of great importance: O-rings have a circular seam due to the manufacturing process is at the location of the largest circumference. This seam is for seals with small dimensions, as in the Watch industry is the case due to striking irregularities marked on the surface, which is their sealing quality significantly affect. With a lip seal however, at the sealing points, i.e. in the areas in contact with the drilling wall there are no seams. This also contributes significantly to improve the tightness.

The actuating means according to the invention has further the advantage of using a lip seal no exact cutting to length and assembling one predictable shaft is required and easily big way this wave can be provided. there can be, for example, a pointer actuating and winding shaft or act like that.

According to an advantageous embodiment according to the invention a screwed crown has another O-ring which is compressed when the cover is screwed on, which is the advantage of further sealing security for the If there is an increase in external pressure, such as, for example occurs when diving. The sealing properties the lip seal of the inventive actuating means are so excellent, however, that when diving, too then there is no water ingress if the lid is not was screwed on.

The actuating means according to the invention can, for example a screwed or unscrewed crown, a pusher, a corrector, a switch or the like his.

• die Figuren 1a, 1b und 1c eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Betätigungsmittels in Form einer geschraubten Krone 10 im Axialschnitt, jeweils in verschiedenen Positionen des Kronendeckels.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

• Figures 1a, 1b and 1c an embodiment of the actuating means according to the invention in the form of a screwed crown 10 in axial section, in each case in different positions of the crown cover.

The following is the description of the inventive screwed Crown 10. For the three figures 1a, 1b and 1c the same reference numerals apply to all parts shown, the entry of these reference numerals for the sake of clarity is distributed over the three figures 1a to 1c.

The essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis 11, screwed crown 10 points according to the figure 1a on a continuously hollow sleeve 12, which only in one partially shown middle part or a housing 14 a watch is pressed in. There is one in the clock Drawing below interior 16 defined by the surrounding area 18 hermetically in the drawing is locked.

The sleeve 12 has one with respect to the axis 11 outward facing paragraph 20 with respect to the Axis 11 annular, the housing 14 facing Contact surface 22. Between this bearing surface 22 and one with this corresponding bearing surface 24 of Housing 14 is a sealing washer 26 is arranged, which has a thickening in its outer peripheral area or has an annular bead 28 which extends from Expands housing 14 and the sealing washer 26th gives an approximately L-shaped cross section.

The sealing washer 26 is exceptionally in the Figure 1a shown only on the left of the axis 11, on the right side a clear description of the contact surfaces To enable 22 and 24.

For pressing in the sleeve 12 or the actuator 10 in the housing 14 has the sleeve 12 a cylindrical jacket-shaped shaft 30 which is press-fit in a bore passing through the housing 14 32 is arranged.

The inside of the hollow sleeve 12 is stepped several times and has on one side facing the housing 14 a bore 34 on. At this bore 34 closes in Direction away from the housing 14 with respect to the axis 11 radially outwardly directed paragraph 36, from which an internal thread 38 leads up to a further paragraph 40. Following this paragraph 40, that of the internal thread 38 in turn leads radially outwards there is a bore 42 with a cylindrical wall 44 further in the direction away from the housing 14. Finally the sleeve 12 faces away from the housing 14 Page 45 a groove 46. This groove 46 is by a the bore 42 adjacent, annular support surface 48, a starting from this, cylindrical jacket-shaped support surface 50 and a short, tapering to axis 11 or tapered support surface 52 is formed. An O-ring 54 is arranged in the groove 46, and this only to the left of axis 11 is shown to be on the right Page a clear description of the groove 46 and the To allow contact surfaces 48, 50 and 52.

The bore 42 is in the region of a shaft 56 Arranged sleeve 12 which protrudes from the housing 14. This shaft 56 has a cylindrical outer surface Surface 58 opens and runs in the area of the upper sleeve end 45 tapered to axis 11. Between the surface 58 of the shaft 56 and the bead 28 of the sealing washer 26 is a small recess 60 approximately in shape wedge-shaped annular groove provided.

In the sleeve 12 is an axially movable relative to it Tube 62 arranged in one shown above Lid 63 is fixed. The tube 62 faces outside a cylindrical surface 64 on which the O-ring accommodated in the groove 46 is preloaded 54 abuts with its inside 65. On the bottom of the tube 62, the surface 64 goes into an external thread 66, which fits with the internal thread 38. The inside of the tube 62 is almost completely continuous Hole 67 on the shortly before its lower end in a short hexagon socket 68 passes over from the figures does not emerge.

The following reference numerals are entered in Figure 1b.

The lid 63 has a head 69 in which the Tube 62 is pressed into a short blind hole 70, and a hollow cylindrical skirt 71 for the purpose better grip when screwing the lid on and off 63 is provided on the outside with a longitudinal border 72. In the area between head 69 and apron 71 is inside Cover 63 is an annular support surface 73 for the 0-ring 54 is provided, partly through the tube 62 is formed. The apron 71 has an inside Bore 74, which starts from the head 69 and in the direction leads to the housing 14 up to a gradation 75. This Gradation 75 includes an annular, related to the Axis 11 radially outward bearing surface 76 and forms a transition to a short bore 77, the Diameter exceeds that of the bore 74. The short bore 77 has a cylindrical wall or bearing surface 78 which extends to the lower, i.e. the Housing 14 facing end 79 of the apron 71 is sufficient.

The bore 77 with the step 75 thus forms one one-sided open inner ring groove or an annular Free space 80 in which a lip seal 81 is arranged is. This lip seal 81 is exceptionally in Figure 1b to the right of axis 11, not shown, for a clear Designation of the free space 80, the bore 77 and of the contact surfaces 76 and 78.

The lip seal 81 has a rotationally symmetrical, elastic lip 82, which extends towards Housing 14 and tapered towards axis 11 and conical up leads to the cylindrical surface 58 as well as on this under tension. The rotationally symmetrical In other words, lip 82 or apron is designed and oriented with respect to the axis 11, that their inner dimension or their inner diameter decreases continuously towards the housing 14 and essentially the surface of a truncated cone forms. Between that surface, the first Surface area 83 is called, and the surface 58th the sleeve 12 is a rotationally symmetrical free space 84 with a substantially wedge-shaped cross section and defined an acute angle 85 of, for example, 10 °.

The interior space 16 shown at the bottom in FIG. 1a leads to the O-ring 54. Between the O-ring 54, the lip 82, the sleeve 12 and the cover 63 is an intermediate area 86 included. Regarding the function of the lip seal 81, this intermediate space 86 as to the interior 16 can be considered as belonging.

In addition to the first surface area 83, the Lip seal 81 a second, rotationally symmetrical Surface area 87 on. This second surface area 87 also approaches the surface 58 of the sleeve 12 continuously towards the housing 14 and the axis 11 and essentially forms the surface of a truncated cone. Both surface areas 83 and 87 have therefore in a similar direction, i.e. towards Housing 14 and to axis 11. Between the second surface area 87 and the surface 58 of the sleeve 12 is located an angle 88 that is less than 90 °, i.e. for example Is 45 °. Thus, the lip 82 is wedge-shaped formed at an angle of, for example, 35 ° and points in the contact area with the surface 58 an approximately pointed edge area 90.

Furthermore, the lip seal 81, which is also called Cuff can be referred to a base region 91 in which an L-shaped reinforcing ring 92 is arranged is that generates the necessary preload so that the Lip seal 81 pressed into the short bore 77 remains immovably attached to it. The rotationally symmetrical Support surface 76 forms an axial stop.

A domed transition zone 93, starting from End 79 of the skirt 71 radially in the direction of the axis 11, first away from the housing 14. With approach to the axis 11, the transition zone 93 progressively runs, a curve descriptive towards housing 14 to finally transition into the second surface area 87.

Further reference signs are used to relieve the two Figures 1a and 1b only entered in Figure 1c.

A projection 94 is located inside the head 69 of the cover 63 provided for centering a compression coil spring 95. The Compression coil spring 95 leads into a blind hole 96 of a pin 97 in. This pin 96 points on the housing 14 inner side 98 an internal thread for receiving a control or elevator shaft, not shown, and on the outside an external hexagon 99, which is shown in FIGS to 1c to the left of axis 11 is shown more clearly. The Outside hexagon 99 engages with the inside hexagon 68 and connects the pin 97 to the tube in a rotationally fixed manner 62, but allows relative movements in the axial direction.

In Figure 1a, the cover 63 is unscrewed and drawn, i.e. shown in the position removed from the housing 14. In this crown position it is in the apron 71 of the cover 63 fixed lip seal 81 in the upper region the shaft 56 of the sleeve 12 on the cylindrical jacket Surface 58 on, while the in the groove 46th arranged O-ring 54 in the lower region of the surface 64 of tube 62 is located. In this position of the lid 63 is the pin 97 and thus not shown Actuating or elevator shaft pulled out of the housing 14, because the top of the short hexagon socket 68 at the top End of the hexagon socket 99.

In Figure 1b, the cover 63 is also unscrewed Position shown, but is in the Elevator position, i.e. in a position not pulled out. In this crown position, too, the upper end of the short hexagon socket 68 at the upper end of the hexagon socket 99 on, i.e. that the tube 62 and the pen 97 are in the same position relative to each other as in Figure 1a. The lip seal 81 and the O-ring 54 lie in Figure 1b each in the central region of the surfaces 58 and 64 respectively.

In FIG. 1c, however, the cover 63 is screwed shut Position shown. The external thread 66 and that Internal threads 38 are engaged, the shoulder 40 with the end of the external thread without a reference number 66 is in stop to the end position of the screwed Define cover 63. The pin 97 is in the same, not drawn position, as in Figure 1b. The however, the upper end of the short hexagon socket 68 strikes no longer at the upper end of the hexagon socket 99. The However, both hexagon 68 and 99 are still in Engage and couple the pin 97 to the tube in a rotationally fixed manner 62 or the cover 63. The one fixed in the apron 71 Lip seal 81 lies in the lower region of the shaft 56 the sleeve 12 on the cylindrical surface 58, while the O-ring 54 is in the upper area of the surface 64 of the tube 62 is located. Screwed into this Position of the cover 63 presses the bearing surface 73 against the O-ring 54 and reinforces its sealing Effect between sleeve 12 and tube 62. The annular bead 28 enters the lip seal 81 inside, i.e. presses on the surface 87 so that the Lip 82 closer to surface 58 of tube 12 is pressed and thereby seals better. It offers the small recess 60 space to accommodate the pointy Edge area 90 of the lip 82, so that this is not disadvantageous is deformed.

When the cover 63 is screwed on, the sealing effect of the actuating means 10 according to the invention increased twice by reinforcing lip 82 on the one hand closes and on the other hand the O-ring 54 is compressed to a greater extent becomes. However, it should be expressly pointed out that the effect of lip seal 81 alone is sufficient, to meet the requirements, such as those for Diving occurs to meet. The lid 63 can for example, screwed down before submerging maximum security against intrusion under extreme conditions of water and dirt in the interior 16 o'clock to grant.

As mentioned, the lip seal 81 in the proposed installation orientation the advantage of that the system pressure of, for example, the apron-shaped lip 82 with enlarging Ambient overpressure increases.

Conversely, the lip 82 becomes overpressure in the watch deformed to push away from surface 58 and effective relaxation of the interior 4 p.m.

The fact that the lip seal 81 of the environment 18 is the closest component and it acts as a dirt scraper works, dirt particles cannot continue advance towards interior 16.

The angles 85 and 88 shown in FIGS. 1b do not have to correspond to the selected 10 ° or 45 °. The angle 85 of the wedge-shaped free space 84 is decisive for the opening behavior of the lip seal Internal pressure and must therefore always be less than Be 90 °. The angle 88, however, is crucial for that Closing and sealing behavior of the lip seal with external overpressure and therefore basically also has to be less than 90 °. So the lip itself has one Angle that is between 0 ° and 90 °, here It should be noted that the shape of this lip is not one of those of Figures 1a to 1c must correspond. For example the two surfaces 83 and 87 can also be parallel run to each other instead of a pointed edge area 90 to flow. The edge area 90 must also not be pointed, but can vary depending Lip seal requirements should be relatively thick. The Dirt deflector function is however from a tapered Edge area 90 met particularly well. According to the 1a to 1c, the lip 82 lies on the surface 58 the sleeve 12 essentially only in the edge area 90 thereof on. Of course, the contact area between Lip 82 and surface 58 can also be significantly larger and take the form of a cylinder jacket.

According to Figures 1a, 1b and 1c is the lip seal 81 fixed in the cover 63. But it is fundamental also possible to base region 91 of lip seal 81 in to fix a groove provided on the outside in the sleeve 12, while the lip 82 tapers away from the axis 11 and abuts inside the cover 63. Starting from Figures 1a To 1c the cross section of the lip seal 81 would have to do this so be mirrored on a vertical axis.

However, it is advantageous to use it as a dirt barrier acting lip seal 81 or the surface zone 87 to be in contact with the environment, as in the Figures 1a to 1c is shown, i.e. the transition between Arrange surroundings 18 and interior 16 in such a way that as possible all components of the actuator from the environment 18 are isolated and protected. Heard in this sense according to Figures 1a to 1c between the surfaces 58 and 74 no longer lie gap to the environment 18, since it is sealed off from it by means of the lip seal 81 is. According to this embodiment, dirt particles get the invention does not even provide access to columns, Cracks and the various components such as O-ring, Threads etc.

Of course, it is also possible to find a solution propose in which the lip 82 is not as in Figure 1a to 1c pointing towards the housing 14, but from the housing 14 is arranged pointing away. Based on these figures the cross-section of the lip seal 81 would have to do this be mirrored on a horizontal axis. Such Arrangement would be useful, for example, if the lip seal 81 is provided at a point at which the O-ring 54 is located in FIGS. 1a to 1c. If no further seal in the groove 80 of the cover 63 is provided, the environment 18 is sufficient in such Fall into space 86.

Basically, the arrangement of the lip seal is on the various places of the inventive actuating means possible, but its orientation is from vitally important. As stated several times, the elastic lip should be directed so that it closes when the external pressure is greater than the pressure in the The inside of the watch is and that it opens when there is internal pressure is present. One is generally sufficient for this extremely slight deformation of the lip.

Of course, several can, regarding their effects lip seals connected in series are provided become.

As mentioned, the actuating means according to the invention can for example in the form of a screwed or unscrewed crown, pusher, switch, corrector or the like can be provided. The previous one in connection with the crown 10 mentioned applies equally equally for other actuating means, since the Of course, the advantages of a lip seal do not apply a crown is tied. Because, for example, a pusher or push button is designed differently than a crown, Depending on the case, a lip seal must be provided, which is different from that in FIGS. 1a to 1c, i.e. for example, as mentioned above, from the housing is arranged pointing away. For a proofreader it can be sensible, the lip seal stationary on the ram to be attached with the lip facing outwards Bore wall of the sleeve is applied.

However the lip seal depending on the Actuator type is molded and arranged A matter of optimization in the individual case. Is crucial their orientation, i.e. the alignment of the elastic Lip, so that on the one hand with an interior overpressure a pressure equalization between interior and surroundings can take place and on the other hand at an ambient pressure the interior is isolated from the surroundings remains.

Claims (16)

1. Operating means (10) for a timepiece, which comprises an element (12) rigid with the housing (14), an operable element (62, 63) movable with respect to the fixed element as well as a seal (81) arranged between the two elements (12, 62, 63), which delimits the timepiece inner space (16) from the surroundings (18),
      the seal (81) being a lip seal which comprises a base region (91) as well as a rotationally symmetric lip (82), the lip (82) comprising two rotationally symmetric surface zones (83, 87), of which a first (83) of these surface zones faces the timepiece inner space (16) and the second (87) of these surface zones is in contact with the surroundings (18), the second surface zone (87) blending into a curving (93) at the base region (91),
      the base region (91) being arranged in a stationary manner in a first (62, 63) of said elements (12, 62, 63),
      the lip (82) bearing on a cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) of a second (12) of said elements (12, 62, 63), and
      the lip (82), proceeding from the base region (91) and facing in the direction of the surroundings (18), being led conically onto the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58), characterised in that said curving (93) firstly faces away from said housing (14) radially in the direction of the axis (11) of said operating means (10), in that said curving (93) describes a curve while approaching said axis (11), said curve running increasingly in the direction of said housing (14) in order finally to blend into said second surface zone (87), and in that said lip (82) bears on said cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) with pretensioning,
   in order on the one hand to release itself from the surface region (58) for the purpose of pressure compensation between the inner space (16) and the surroundings (18) given an inner space excess pressure and
   in order on the other hand to be more strongly pressed on the surface region (58) for the purpose of sealing the inner space (16) with respect to the surroundings (18) given an excess pressure of the surroundings.
2. Operating means according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the first surface zone (83) essentially, proceeding from the base region (91) and facing in the direction of the surroundings (18), leads conically to the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58), in that between the first surface zone (83) and the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) there is provided a rotationally symmetric free space (84) which in cross section is formed essentially wedge-shaped and is delimited from the surroundings (18) by the lip (82), and in that the second surface zone (87) essentially, proceeding from the base region (91) and facing in the direction of the surroundings (18), leads conically to the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58).
3. Operating means according to claim 2,
   characterised in that the two surface zones (83, 87) approach in the direction towards the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) and open into an essentially pointedly formed lip edge (90).
4. Operating means according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that in the base region (91) of the lip seal (81) there is provided a reinforcement element (92).
5. Operating means according to claim 4,
   characterised in that the reinforcement element (92) is a metal ring completely enclosed by the lip seal (81).
6. Operating means according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the base region (91) is arranged in a stationary manner in the movable element (62, 63) and the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) is provided on the outer side on the element (12) rigid with the housing.
7. Operating means according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the base region (91) is arranged in a stationary manner in the element (12) rigid with the housing and the cylinder jacket shaped surface region (58) is provided on the inner side on the movable element (62, 63).
8. Operating means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating means (10) is a crown.
9. Operating means according to claim 8,
   characterised in that the operating means (10) is a screwable crown.
10. Operating means according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the movable element (62, 63) is a crown cover (63) and the element (12) rigid with the housing is a sleeve which is provided for fastening in a timepiece housing (14) and is at least partly surrounded by the crown cover (63).
11. Operating means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the operating means is a push-piece.
12. Operating means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the operating means is a corrector.
13. Operating means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating means (10) comprises a further seal (54).
14. Operating means according to claim 13,
    characterised in that the further seal (54) is arranged on the inner space side of the lip seal (81) and forms an intermediate space (86) between it and the lip seal (81), or between the surroundings (18) and the inner space (16).
15. Operating means according to claim 14,
    characterised in that the further seal (54) is an O-ring.
16. A timepiece with an operating means according to any one of the preceding claims.

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