CH706640A2 - Shock-absorbing bearing for axis of mobile of clockwork movement of timepiece, has fixing units arranged to fix resilient units at support irrespective of angular orientation of resilient units relative to pivot module and housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The bearing (100) has resilient units (300) arranged to exert axial force on a pivot module (400) to maintain the module in a housing (206). The module and the housing provide defined revolution geometry to present a freedom of angular orientation relative to one another. The resilient units provide defined revolution geometry to present an angular orientation freedom relative to the module and the housing. Fixing units (500) are arranged to fix the resilient units at a support (200) irrespective of the angular orientation of the resilient units relative to the module and the housing. An independent claim is also included for a clockwork movement.

Description

The present invention relates to an anti-shock system for an axis of a mobile of a timepiece. The shaft comprises a beam, having a support, said support being provided with a housing adapted to receive a pivot system in which the tigeron is inserted. The shockproof system further comprises elastic means arranged to exert on said pivot system at least one axial force.

The technical field of the invention is the technical field of fine mechanics.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to bearings for timepieces, particularly of the type for damping shocks. The mechanical watch manufacturers have long since designed numerous devices allowing an axis to absorb the energy resulting from an impact, in particular a side impact, by abutment against a wall of the hole of the base block that it crosses. while allowing a momentary movement of the tigeron before it is brought back to its rest position under the action of a spring.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an inverted double-cone device that is currently used in timepieces on the market.

A support 1, whose base comprises a hole 2 for the passage of the balance shaft 3 terminated by a tigeron 3a, allows positioning a kitten 20 in which are immobilized a pierced stone 4 crossed by the tigeron 3a and 5. The kitten 20 is held in a housing 6 of the support 1 by a spring 10 which comprises in this example radial extensions 9 compressing the counter-pivot stone 5. The support 1 is a part of revolution comprising a circular rim 11. This flange 11 is interrupted in two diametrically opposite locations by an opening 12 so as to create two semi-circular flanges 11a, 11b. The opening 12 is formed partly in the two semicircular edges 11a, 11b so as to materialize two returns 13. The kitten 20 is held in a housing 6 of the support 1 by elastic means such as a spring 10 which comprises in this example of the radial extensions 9 compressing the counter-pivot stone 5. The spring 10 is of the axial type and has a form of lyre arranged to bear under the return semicircular flanges 11a, 11b. The housing 6 comprises two bearing surfaces 7, 7a in the form of inverted cones on which support complementary bearing surfaces 8, 8a of the kitten 20, said bearing surfaces to be executed with very high accuracy. In the event of an axial impact, the pierced stone 4, the counter pivot stone 5 and the axis of the balance arm move and the spring 10 acts alone to bring the balance shaft 3 back to its initial position. The spring 10 is dimensioned to have a limit of displacement so that beyond this limit, the balance shaft 3 comes into contact with abutments 14 allowing said axis 3 to absorb the shock, which the rods 3a Axis 3 can not do without breaking. In case of lateral impact, that is to say when the end of the tigeron imbalances the kitten 20 out of its resting plane, the spring 10 cooperates with the complementary inclined planes 7, 7a; 8, 8a to refocus the kitten 20. Such bearings have for example been sold under the trademark Incabloc®. These springs can be made of phynox or brass and are manufactured by traditional means of cutting.

However, a disadvantage of these shock absorber systems is that their assembly is not easy. Indeed, some parts such as the support 1 and the spring 10 must be oriented and manipulated in a certain way during the assembly operation for the assembly can be done. Thus, the assembly of the shock absorber system begins by providing a support, then a kitten with these stones. The latter is placed in the support housing. Then, one is equipped with a spring of the axial type and which has a form of lyre. It is manipulated so that it can take support under the returns of semicircular flanges 11a, 11b of the support.

Therefore, the establishment of the spring and its attachment to the support requires special handling. As a result, the shock-absorbing systems must be assembled in part manually because a robot can not perform such complex manipulation.

In addition, the current shock absorber systems are assembled in part manually and not by a robot because the human being is able to instantly know the orientation in which he must place the parts of the shock absorber system some compared to others. Indeed, regardless of the shape of the pieces, the man is able to know instantly how he must manipulate these pieces to assemble. However, even if a robot can distinguish the orientation of a room relative to another, it requires a more complex robot, more expensive while requiring a longer time. This consequently deteriorates the production yield.

Thus, the total automation of the assembly is not possible and the assembly method of the shock absorbing systems is therefore more expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing to provide a shock absorber system whose assembly is automatable.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a shock absorbing bearing for an axis of a mobile of a timepiece, said bearing comprising a support provided with a housing adapted to receive a pivot module arranged to cooperate. with said axis, said bearing further comprising elastic means arranged to exert on said pivot module at least one axial force to maintain said pivot module in its housing, the pivot module and the housing having a geometry of revolution defined so as to present a freedom of angular orientation with respect to each other, said bearing further comprising fixing means for fixing the elastic means to the support, characterized in that in addition at least the elastic means have a defined geometry of revolution so as to have a freedom of angular orientation relative to the pivot module and the housing and in that said fixing means are agen to fix the elastic means to the support regardless of the angular orientation of the elastic means relative to the pivot module and the housing.

A first advantage of the present invention is to allow the simplification of the assembly of a shock absorber system for automating said method. Indeed, the fact that the support, its housing, the pivot module and the elastic means are configured to be angularly free with respect to each other. This feature makes it possible not to have to worry about the angular position of one element with respect to another so that a robot can assemble the shock absorber system.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the support, the housing, the pivot module and the elastic means each have a geometry defined so as to have a freedom of angular orientation relative to each other.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the fastening means are a material link between said support and said elastic means.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the fixing means comprise a cover fixed to said support in order to press said elastic means against said support.

In another advantageous embodiment, the fastening means comprise at least two fins disposed on the support and extending parallel to the central axis of said support, said at least two fins being folded to clamp said elastic means. .

In another advantageous embodiment, the fixing means comprise a plurality of fins arranged in a circle and regularly distributed.

In another advantageous embodiment, the elastic means comprise a spring ring having at least one internal radial extension extending towards the center of said spring ring.

In another advantageous embodiment, said spring ring comprises three internal radial extensions.

For this purpose, the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a plate and at least one bridge, said plate comprising an orifice, characterized in that in said orifice of said plate is inserted a shock absorbing bearing according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment, said at least one bridge comprising an orifice, characterized in that in said orifice of said at least one bridge is inserted a shock absorbing bearing according to the invention.

In another advantageous embodiment, the support of the damping bearing and said plate are monobloc.

In another advantageous embodiment, the support of the damping bearing and said at least one bridge are monobloc.

For this purpose, the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a middle part closed by a box and a bottom, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a watch movement according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects, advantages and features of the anti-shock system according to the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the drawings. annexed in which: <tb> figs. 1 and 2 <sep> already mentioned, allow to schematically represent a shock absorber system timepiece according to the prior art; <tb> fig. 3 <sep> schematically represents a shock absorber system of a timepiece according to the invention; <tb> figs. 4a and 4b <sep> represent a side view of the shock absorber system of timepiece according to the invention; <tb> fig. <Sep> schematically represents a top view of a spring for the timepiece shock absorber system according to the invention; <tb> fig. 6 <sep> represents an exploded profile view of the timepiece shock absorber system according to the invention; <tb> figs. 7 and 8 <sep> represent different spring fixing solutions for the timepiece shock absorber system according to the invention; <tb> fig. 9 <sep> schematically represents a first variant of the shock absorber of a timepiece according to the invention; and <tb> fig. <Sep> schematically represents a second variant of the shock absorber of a timepiece according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea that provides a non-removable shock absorbing bearing simple and easy to assemble. This shock absorber system is arranged to be mounted on a plate and / or at least one bridge of a watch movement. The watch movement is placed in a timepiece comprising a middle part closed by a bottom and an ice.

In FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b is a shock absorbing bearing 100 or shockproof system according to a first embodiment. This shockproof system 100 is mounted in a base element of a timepiece movement. In particular, the plate or bridges 600 of the movement are the basic element in which the anti-shock system 100 according to the invention is placed. This anti-shock system 100 comprises a support 200. This support 200 is in the form of a base 201, provided with a hole 202, from which extends a peripheral rim 203. The latter has an external flank 204, a sidewall internal 205 and a vertex 203a. This flange 203 defines a housing 206 in which a pivot module 400 is inserted, a conventional pivot module 400 comprises a kitten 401 that is to say a room having a central circular hole, an outer wall and an inner wall. In the central orifice is inserted a pierced stone 402 whose diameter corresponds to that of the central orifice. The inner wall includes a shoulder so that a counter pivot stone 403 can be attached. The pivot module 400 is then placed in the housing 206 of the support 200 and cooperates with the shank of an axis.

The shockproof system 100 further comprises elastic means 300 which are arranged to cooperate with the pivot module 400 so as to dampen shocks and bring it back to its rest position when the constraints related to shocks fade. The elastic means 300 are fixed on the support 200. Preferably, the elastic means 300 are also placed on the pivot module 400. The shockproof system 100 is then inserted into an orifice of the plate or in one of the bridges of the movement.

Advantageously according to the invention, at least the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are made / arranged so that the different parts are angularly free from each other. By this is meant that the various parts that make up the shock absorbing system 100 such that at least the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are assembled into each other without any particular manipulation is necessary. Thus no rotation or manipulation or torsion is made during assembly. Preferably, at least the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are parts of revolution that is to say having a generally circular shape. This circular shape makes it possible to adapt to all forms of support 200. Indeed, the circular, non-oriented form of the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 makes it possible to have a support 200 of any shape which, during assembly, will be positioned in any way without affecting the mounting process of the shock absorbing bearing 100.

In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the support 200, the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are parts of revolution that is to say having a circular shape.

The elastic means 300 are, for example, in the form of a spring ring 301. This spring ring 301 is of the flat type that is to say that it consists of a circular metal strip having a width greater than the thickness. To press said pivot module 400 into the housing 206 of the support 200, the spring ring 301 comprises internal radial extensions 302 disposed between annular portions 303. These internal radial extensions 302 are constituted by the band forming the ring 301 which is bent inwardly of the ring 301. These internal radial extensions 302 are preferably regularly distributed over the round of the flat ring 301 so that the spring ring 301 can act homogeneously as can be seen in FIG. 5. It is then understood that the spring ring 301 can be oriented in any way whatsoever with respect to the support 200.

This configuration of the shock absorbing bearing parts 100 according to the invention facilitates the assembly. Indeed, if the parts have an orientation between them, it is necessary to manipulate them so that the assembly can be done. For example, to fit two triangular geometric figures into each other, each side must be parallel, an orientation is necessary.

However, realizing the support 200, the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 so that these different parts are angularly free from each other, it is possible to take, for example, the module pivot 400 and place it in the housing 206 without any prior manipulation.

The present invention eliminates the orientation of the parts relative to each other. In addition, it simplifies the fixing of the spring and thus simplify the assembly process. Indeed, these parts of the shock absorbing bearing 100 are arranged so that the elastic means 300 are placed on the support 200 and then fixed without the need for manipulation so that the spring of FIG. 1 which is of the axial type and which has a lyre shape can bear under the return semicircular flanges 11a, 11b of the support. The shock absorbing bearing 100 can then be mounted vertically or axially. This means that the various parts constituting the shock absorbing bearing 100 can be assembled by placing them on top of each other from above.

Therefore, the obstacles to complete and efficient automation of the assembly process are removed.

So that the elastic means 300 can be fixed on the support 200, fixing means 500 are used. Advantageously, these fixing means 500 are arranged so that the various parts, including the fixing means 500, remain angularly free relative to each other. We will take, in the following description, the example that the support 200, the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are circular parts.

In a first solution visible in FIGS. 4a, 4bet 6, the fixing means 500 comprise an additional piece 510 for fixing the elastic means on the support. This additional piece is in the form of a cover 510 which is fixed on the support 200. This cover 510 is designed so that during attachment to the support 200, the elastic means 300 located between said cover 510 and said support 200 are partially clamped by the cover 510 and the support 200. Preferably, the pinching is performed on a specific area of the resilient means 300, preferably on the annular portions 303, so that the elastic properties are not impaired.

This cover is in the form of a ring 511. This ring comprises a flat ring having a lower face 512, that is to say the face opposite the support 200, from which a peripheral blade 513 extends. This peripheral blade 513 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the flat ring. The dimensions are defined so that, when the cover 510 is placed on the support 200, the blade 513 is in contact with the support at the outer side 204. The dimensions of the cover 510 allow the latter to be driven on the 200 support. So we get a cap 510 which can be dismountable.

In an alternative to this first solution, the support 200 comprises a slot in which the hood blade is inserted. This slot is the negative of the blade so that it can fit perfectly into said slot. The interaction between the blade 513 and the walls of the slot generate a friction ensuring the attachment of the blade 513 in the slot and thus the cover 510 on the support 200.

In a second solution visible in FIG. 8, the fixing means 500 comprise rivets. These rivets are in the form of strips or fins 520 arranged on the support 200 at the top 203a of the support 203. These strips are arranged so that their width extends parallel to the central axis of the support and that their length extends perpendicularly to the central axis of the support. Preferably, the strips are arranged to take the shape of the inner flank of the flange of the support 200. Indeed, if the support 200 is circular in shape, the inner flank of the flange has a circular shape and the strips have a curvature which follows the shape the inner flank of the flange 203. The different strips are arranged to form a circle. When mounting the spring ring 301, that is to say elastic means 300, the annular portions 303 are placed on the top 203a of the flange 203. The fixing of the spring ring is done by folding the bands forming the rivets on said spring ring 301. These strips thus folded pinch the annular portions 303 of the spring ring so that the latter can not move. To fix said spring ring 301, it will be understood that the fixing means 500 comprise at least two strips, knowing that the higher the number of strips, the more effective the fixing and centering will be. Indeed, the higher the number of bands will be and the more the surface of the ring spring 301 pinched by the bands will be important. Similarly, the higher the number of bands will be and the more the spring ring 301 will be stable during assembly.

In a third solution visible in FIG. 7, the fastening means for fixing the spring ring comprise a hardware link. This material link is placed between the support 203 and the spring ring. This material bond is in the form of a solder / solder or glue used to secure, integrally, the spring ring 301 to the support 200. This material link may consist of a multitude of solder points or solder or glue or continuous line running through the entire perimeter of the spring ring 301. This embodiment has the advantage of using a proven and simple technology so that the assembly process does not is not complicated.

These different solutions allow vertical assembly. By this is understood that the various parts are assembled according to their arrangement in the structure of the shock absorbing bearing 100. Thus, for said bearing 100, the assembly method consists in providing the support 200. Then, the module is equipped with pivot 400 that is just placed in the housing of the support 200. Then, we equip ourselves with the spring that we just put on the support. Finally, the fastening means 500 are placed and fixed on the support 200. By combining the advantage of being able to achieve a vertical or axial assembly to the fact that the parts have no orientation relative to each other, we obtain an easily automated assembly process.

Advantageously, all the parts forming the shock absorbing bearing 100 are made so that they are angularly free with respect to each other. Thus the housing 206, the pivot module 400, the elastic means 300 are angularly free relative to each other and are, preferably, circular. This configuration makes it possible to take each piece as it comes without guiding it.

In a first variant of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the support 200 is not circular, it can be of any shape. In this variant, the support has a mounting zone 209 representing the zone reserved for the mounting of the elastic means 300. This mounting zone 209 has a shape similar to that of the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 c '. that is to say circular in the example taken for the first embodiment. The fact that the support 200 has a mounting area 209 having a shape similar to that of the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and elastic means 300 allows a simplified assembly in all cases. Indeed, this specific area 209 allows the use of the fixing means 500 according to the three solutions previously explained since a specific area is specially arranged. This mounting zone 209 requires a design of the support 200 whose dimensions take into account the presence of said mounting zone 209. For example, if the support 200 has any shape such as a triangular shape, the space to use the fixing means 300 according to the three solutions explained previously is not necessarily present. It is on this mounting zone 209 that the resilient means 300 will take, in part, support and they will be fixed. Thus, the mounting zone 209 will be the area on which the elastic means 300 will be fixed by a material link such as welding or gluing. This zone can also be used for a cap 510 to be attached to it, a slot which is the negative of the blade 513 of the cover 510 is hollowed to allow the attachment of said cover. Finally, this mounting area 209 may be the area on which the rivet strips are arranged.

In a second variant visible in FIG. 10, the support 200 and the base member of the movement 500 in which the shock absorbing bearing 100 is placed are one and the same piece, the support 200 and the base member are therefore one-piece. It is then understood that the base member has a recess arranged to form a bottom pierced with a hole and forming the housing 206 in which the pivot module 400 is placed. It is also understood that this second variant can coexist with the first variant. Indeed, as a bridge or a platen has any shape, a mounting area 209 arranged to be sure to install the fasteners and thus maintain the pivot module 400 in the housing.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Indeed, it is possible that the pivot module 400 may be made of a single stone or that the pierced stone and the counter-pivot stone are integral with one another. It is understood that the pierced stone and the counter-pivot stone can be driven into one another or be one-piece. These possibilities make it possible to limit the number of parts of the shock-absorbing bearing.

Claims (13)

1. Shock absorbing bearing (100) for an axis of a mobile of a timepiece, said bearing comprising a support (200) provided with a housing (206) provided for receiving a pivot module (400) arranged to cooperate with said axis, said bearing further comprising elastic means (300) arranged to exert on said pivot module at least one axial force to maintain said pivot module in its housing (206), the pivot module (400) and the housing having a geometry of revolution defined so as to have a freedom of angular orientation with respect to each other, said bearing (100) further comprising fixing means (500) for fixing the elastic means (300) to support (200), characterized in that in addition at least the elastic means have a geometry of revolution defined so as to have a freedom of angular orientation relative to the pivot module and the housing and in that said means of e fixation (500) are arranged to fix the elastic means to the support regardless of the angular orientation of the elastic means relative to the pivot module and the housing. 2. shock absorbing bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (200), the housing (206), the pivot module (400) and the elastic means (300) each have a geometry defined to present a freedom of angular orientation relative to each other. 3. shock absorbing bearing according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means (500) are a material link (520) between said support (200) and said resilient means (300). 4. shock absorbing bearing according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means (500) comprises a cover (510) fixed to said support (200) for pressing said elastic means (300) against said support. 5. shock absorbing bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means (500) comprise at least two fins (520) disposed on the support and extending parallel to the central axis of said support, said at least two fins that can be folded down to clamp said elastic means. 6. shock absorbing bearing according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means (500) comprise a plurality of fins (520) arranged in a circle and regularly distributed. 7. shock absorbing bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means (300) comprise a spring ring (301) having at least one inner radial extension (302) extending towards the center of said spring ring . 8. Shock absorber bearing claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said spring ring comprises three inner radial extensions (302). 9. Watch movement comprising a plate (2000) and at least one bridge (2000), said plate comprising an orifice, characterized in that in said orifice of said plate is inserted a shock absorbing bearing (100) of shocks according to one of preceding claims. 10. Watch movement comprising a plate and at least one bridge, said at least one bridge comprising an orifice, characterized in that in said orifice of said at least one bridge is inserted a shock absorbing bearing (100) according to one of the claims. 1 to 8. 11. Watch movement according to claim 9, characterized in that the support (200) of the damping bearing (100) and said plate are monobloc. 12. Watch movement according to claim 10, characterized in that the support (200) of the damping bearing (100) and said at least one bridge are monobloc. 13. Timepiece comprising a middle part closed by a box and a bottom, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a watch movement according to one of claims 9 to 13.