EP0860755A1 - Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP0860755A1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: guide; dial; illumination device; light; light source
Prior art date: 1997-02-20
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Granted

Application number

EP97102767A

Other languages

English (en)

French (fr)

Other versions

EP0860755B1 (de

Inventor

Jean-Charles Poli

Joachim Grupp

Juan Manuel Teijido

Hans Peter Herzig

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Asulab AG

Original Assignee

Asulab AG

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

1997-02-20

Filing date

1997-02-20

Publication date

1998-08-26

1997-02-20 Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG

1997-02-20 Priority to DE1997613269 priority Critical patent/DE69713269T2/de

1997-02-20 Priority to EP19970102767 priority patent/EP0860755B1/de

1998-08-26 Publication of EP0860755A1 publication Critical patent/EP0860755A1/de

2002-06-12 Application granted granted Critical

2002-06-12 Publication of EP0860755B1 publication Critical patent/EP0860755B1/de

2017-02-20 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Status Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
- G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands

Definitions

the present invention relates to a device uniform illumination of the dial of a device display thanks to the particular configuration of a guide of the light emitted by at least one source light, the guide and the light source being located the periphery of the dial in the substantially understood space between it and a shutter glass.
the object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of this prior art by providing a special arrangement of the light guide, allowing obtain a high uniformity of illumination of the dial a display device.
the invention relates to a device of illumination of the dial of a formed display device by a case closed by a glass arranged above the dial and maintained by a casing circle, said device comprising at least one light source arranged in at least one accommodation fitted out in a guide luminous positioned at the periphery of the dial, said guide having a polished internal surface oriented towards the dial and an external surface maintained in a space delimited by the dial, the crystal and the inner wall of the circle casing, characterized in that all or part of said outer surface of the guide is arranged to allow a gradual increase along the guide of the amount of light scattered by said outer wall at as we move away from one of the sources bright.
the new design of the guide according to the invention essentially allows to optimize the illumination of a dial by straightening a light ray incident on the external surface by diffusion according to a lobe oriented towards the internal surface, decreasing there, even the losses by total refraction on said surface, this diffusion being planned to be all the stronger away from a light source, compensating by somehow, the decrease in light energy along of the guide.
the diffusion will therefore maximum in the portion of the guide diametrically opposite to the light source.
a first embodiment therefore consists in apply a smooth outer surface of the guide coating in a Lambertian type diffusing material, in growing the covered area as you go away from a light source.
this coating will be applied as a priority on the small side opposite the surface internal polished. It can also be applied in the same way way on the other two surfaces held between the glass and the dial, still on three sides forming the outer surface.
this structure consists of grooves in the outer surface, oriented on the guide parallel to the line of curvature of said guide and of which the number increases as we move away of a light source.
the grooves are V-shaped.
the variation the amount of light scattered along the guide by the external surface is obtained by performing both a structuring of the external surface in grooves or in hollow, as indicated in the second embodiment, and by depositing in the hollow parts the material diffusing used in the first embodiment.
the shape of the straight section of the guide is not decisive for obtaining uniform illumination.
the straight section of the guide is rectangular, a short side perpendicular to the surface of the dial corresponding to the internal surface polished, while the other three sides correspond to the outer surface.
the uniform illumination device of a be applicable to any type of display, the description which follows will be made, for convenience, in reference to a timepiece and more specifically to a wristwatch. Likewise, this device is applicable to any display mode, but the detailed description will be made essentially by reference a display analog, i.e. a display in which at least a needle moves opposite marks carried by a dial.
the guide presents a interruption forming a housing in which is arranged a light source 13.
this light source consists of two LEDs 13a, 13b arranged back to back and glued to the straight sections of the guide, and allowing to inject the light in the guide in opposite directions.
Al-Ga-As diodes emitting at 639 nm with a supply voltage of 1.65 V.
the power source can be the same as that of the watch movement and power-up can be performed on demand by pressing a push button 6.
This arrangement consists of a structuring progressive of the entire external surface by grooves 24a, 24b, 25c oriented along the line of curvature of the guide, on the faces 22a, 22b, 22c forming the surface external 22.
Figure 3 shows the structure of the face upper 22a of the guide opposite the glass 8.
the number of grooves 24a counted transversely to the guide, increases on the one hand when moves away from the light source 13, on the other hand when we move away from the center of dial 4, and their density is therefore maximum in zone 23 from which they have a symmetrical arrangement on guide.
Structuring performed on face 22c oriented towards the dial has grooves 24c having the same configuration as those of the face 22a.
FIG. 5A The enlarged section of FIG. 5A, carried out at a point of the guide at some distance from the zone 23 of greatest density, gives an example of embodiment of these V-shaped grooves of angle ⁇ , separated by flats 25.
this angle may vary between 30 and 45 °.
the angle ⁇ will preferably have the value 40 °.
the maximum number of grooves and their densification along the curvature of the guide may vary depending on the dimensions of the guide.
FIG. 5B represents the same guide as that of the Figure 5A, in which the grooves 24a, 24b, 24c have been filled with a diffusing material 26.
the diffusing material is flush with the surface
the material diffusing form of the beads 27 above the grooves may be sufficient to maintain a small air space between the outer surface 22 of the guide and the facing surfaces of the crystal, the dial and the build, and thereby make the use of spacers 11.
the diffusing material 26 which has been found to be the most suitable consists of titanium oxide paint containing an equal part of barium sulfate and a small amount of powdered PTFE, for example in proportions 42/42/16.
FIG. 6 another mode of realization of a guide 30 which differs from that which comes to be described essentially in that its general form is oval and in that it has two light sources 33, 35 and a structuring of the external surface formed by recesses 34.
the light sources 33, 35 are diametrically opposed along the major axis and each is housed in a notch formed by the straight sections of the guide and a connecting base 36, 37.
These notches, or equivalent light sources therefore delimit in guide 30 two symmetrical sectors whose zones 31, 32 having the greatest density of valleys, and therefore the stronger diffusion power, are significantly located on the minor axis.
These recesses 34 will be made for example in the form conical with an angle which can vary, as already indicated for the grooves. For the distribution of these hollows on each of the faces forming the external surface, we will also refer to the description made for grooves.

Landscapes

Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

EP19970102767 1997-02-20 1997-02-20 Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0860755B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
DE1997613269 DE69713269T2 (de)	1997-02-20	1997-02-20	Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung
EP19970102767 EP0860755B1 (de)	1997-02-20	1997-02-20	Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
EP19970102767 EP0860755B1 (de)	1997-02-20	1997-02-20	Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung

Publications (2)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP0860755A1 true EP0860755A1 (de)	1998-08-26
EP0860755B1 EP0860755B1 (de)	2002-06-12

Family

ID=8226506

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP19970102767 Expired - Lifetime EP0860755B1 (de)	1997-02-20	1997-02-20	Vorrichtung zur gleichmässigen Beleuchtung des Zifferblattes einer Anzeigeeinrichtung

Country Status (2)

Country	Link
EP (1)	EP0860755B1 (de)
DE (1)	DE69713269T2 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP1050711A1 (de)	1999-05-07	2000-11-08	Asulab S.A.	Vorrichtung zur orientierten Flächenbeleuchtung durch einen mikroprismatischen Leiter
EP1094373A1 (de)	1999-10-19	2001-04-25	Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches	Elektrolumineszente Vorrichtung zur Beleuchtung eines Ziffernblattes
US6487143B1 (en)	1999-10-19	2002-11-26	Eta Sa Fabriques D' Ebauches	Electroluminescent lighting device for a dial
US6894440B2 (en)	2002-03-05	2005-05-17	Asulab S.A.	Method and device for lighting an electronic or electromechanical apparatus
CN102253734A (zh) *	2010-03-23	2011-11-23	意法半导体(研发)有限公司	光学导航装置中的或与其相关的改进
US20210223744A1 (en) *	2020-01-21	2021-07-22	Seiko Epson Corporation	Watch

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US8488418B2 (en) *	2009-06-18	2013-07-16	Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse	Timepiece with special aesthetic effects

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
FR889069A (fr) *	1941-04-10	1943-12-30	Askania Werke Ag	Dispositif d'éclairement pour instruments de mesure ou d'indication, à index et graduation de cadran apparaissant en clair sur fond sombre
CH336763A (fr)	1957-02-13	1959-02-28	Henri Sandoz & Fils	Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins une source de lumière électrique
FR1285829A (fr) *	1961-04-07	1962-02-23	Lampes Sa	Système de lentille de répartition de lumière
CH549237A (de)	1970-12-28	1974-05-15
GB2052114A (en) *	1980-06-27	1981-01-21	Timex Corp	Dial illuminator for analog timepiece
JPS5924284A (ja) *	1982-07-31	1984-02-07	Orient Watch Co Ltd	時計用の文字板照明装置
US4908739A (en)	1988-09-29	1990-03-13	Andre Brien	Light diffusing ring for wristwatch
JPH03231118A (ja) *	1990-02-06	1991-10-15	Nippondenso Co Ltd	計器用文字盤
JPH07248385A (ja) *	1994-03-09	1995-09-26	Citizen Watch Co Ltd	携帯時計の照明装置

1997
- 1997-02-20 DE DE1997613269 patent/DE69713269T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-02-20 EP EP19970102767 patent/EP0860755B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
FR889069A (fr) *	1941-04-10	1943-12-30	Askania Werke Ag	Dispositif d'éclairement pour instruments de mesure ou d'indication, à index et graduation de cadran apparaissant en clair sur fond sombre
CH336763A (fr)	1957-02-13	1959-02-28	Henri Sandoz & Fils	Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins une source de lumière électrique
FR1285829A (fr) *	1961-04-07	1962-02-23	Lampes Sa	Système de lentille de répartition de lumière
CH549237A (de)	1970-12-28	1974-05-15
GB2052114A (en) *	1980-06-27	1981-01-21	Timex Corp	Dial illuminator for analog timepiece
JPS5924284A (ja) *	1982-07-31	1984-02-07	Orient Watch Co Ltd	時計用の文字板照明装置
US4908739A (en)	1988-09-29	1990-03-13	Andre Brien	Light diffusing ring for wristwatch
JPH03231118A (ja) *	1990-02-06	1991-10-15	Nippondenso Co Ltd	計器用文字盤
JPH07248385A (ja) *	1994-03-09	1995-09-26	Citizen Watch Co Ltd	携帯時計の照明装置

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 16, no. 12 (P - 1297) 13 January 1992 (1992-01-13) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 8, no. 117 (P - 277) 31 May 1984 (1984-05-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 96, no. 1 31 January 1996 (1996-01-31) *

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP1050711A1 (de)	1999-05-07	2000-11-08	Asulab S.A.	Vorrichtung zur orientierten Flächenbeleuchtung durch einen mikroprismatischen Leiter
EP1094373A1 (de)	1999-10-19	2001-04-25	Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches	Elektrolumineszente Vorrichtung zur Beleuchtung eines Ziffernblattes
US6487143B1 (en)	1999-10-19	2002-11-26	Eta Sa Fabriques D' Ebauches	Electroluminescent lighting device for a dial
SG93274A1 (en) *	1999-10-19	2002-12-17	Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag	Electroluminescent lighting device for a dial
CN1310103C (zh) *	1999-10-19	2007-04-11	Eta草图制造公司	用于表盘的电致发光照明装置
US6894440B2 (en)	2002-03-05	2005-05-17	Asulab S.A.	Method and device for lighting an electronic or electromechanical apparatus
US7550930B2 (en)	2002-03-05	2009-06-23	Asulab S.A.	Method and device for lighting an electronic or electromechanical apparatus
CN102253734A (zh) *	2010-03-23	2011-11-23	意法半导体(研发)有限公司	光学导航装置中的或与其相关的改进
US8988391B2 (en) *	2010-03-23	2015-03-24	Stmicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited	Optical navigation devices
US20210223744A1 (en) *	2020-01-21	2021-07-22	Seiko Epson Corporation	Watch
US11953858B2 (en) *	2020-01-21	2024-04-09	Seiko Epson Corporation	Watch

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
DE69713269T2 (de)	2003-03-06
EP0860755B1 (de)	2002-06-12
DE69713269D1 (de)	2002-07-18

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