CH706640B1 - Shockproof bearing for timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing bearing (100) for an axis of a moving part of a timepiece, said bearing comprising a support (200) provided with a housing (206) designed to receive 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 the support (200). The assembly of such a bearing can be automated.

Description

The present invention relates to an impact bearing for an axis of a mobile of a timepiece. The axle comprises a tigeron, the bearing comprises a support, said support being provided with a housing provided to receive a pivot system in which the tigeron is inserted. The shock-proof bearing 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.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to bearings for timepieces, more particularly of the type allowing shock absorption. Manufacturers of mechanical watches have long designed many devices allowing an axis to absorb the energy resulting from an impact, in particular a side impact, by abutting against a wall of the hole of the base block that it passes through. , while allowing a momentary displacement of the tigeron before it is returned to its rest position under the action of a spring.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a device called inverted double cone which is currently used in timepieces on the market.

A support 1, the base of which has a hole 2 for the passage of the balance axis 3 terminated by a tigeron 3a, allows to position a kitten 20 in which are immobilized a pierced stone 4 crossed by the tigeron 3a and a counter-pivot stone 5. The kitten 20 is held in a housing 6 of the support 1 by a spring 10 which in this example comprises radial extensions 9 compressing the counter-pivot stone 5. The support 1 is a part of revolution comprising a circular rim 11. This rim 11 is interrupted at two diametrically opposed locations by an opening 12 so as to create two semi-circular rims 11a, 11b. The opening 12 is formed in part in the two semi-circular flanges 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 radial extensions 9 compressing the counter-pivot stone 5. The spring 10 is of the axial type and has the shape of a lyre arranged to bear under the returns of the semi-circular flanges 11a, 11b. The housing 6 comprises two staves 7, 7a in the form of inverted cones on which bear complementary staves 8, 8a of the kitten 20, said staves having to be performed with very great precision. In the event of an axial impact, the pierced stone 4, the counter-pivot stone 5 and the axis of the balance move and the spring 10 acts alone to bring the balance axis 3 back to its initial position. The spring 10 is dimensioned to have a limit of movement so that beyond this limit, the balance axis 3 comes into contact with stops 14 allowing said axis 3 to absorb the shock, which the tigerons 3a of axis 3 can not do under penalty of breaking. In the event of a side impact, that is to say when the end of the shank unbalances the kitten 20 out of its rest plane, the spring 10 cooperates with the complementary inclined planes 7, 7a; 8, 8a to recenter the kitten 20. Such bearings have for example been sold under the brand Incabloc®. These springs can be made of phynox or brass and are made by traditional cutting means.

However, a drawback of these shock absorbing systems is that their assembly is not easy. Indeed, certain parts such as the support 1 and the spring 10 must be oriented and handled in a certain way during the assembly operation so that the assembly can be done. Thus, the assembly of the shock absorbing system begins by providing a support, then a kitten with its stones. The latter is placed in the housing of the support. Then, we use a spring of the axial type and which has the shape of a lyre. This is manipulated so that it can rest under the returns of the semi-circular edges 11a, 11b of the support.

[0007] Consequently, the installation of the spring and its fixing to the support requires special handling. Therefore, shock absorbing systems must be assembled partly manually because a robot cannot perform such a complex manipulation.

In addition, the current shock absorbing 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 absorbing system. compared to others. Indeed, regardless of the shape of the parts, man is able to instantly know how he must manipulate these parts to assemble them. However, even if a robot can distinguish the orientation of a part relative to another, this requires a more complex robot, more expensive while requiring a longer time. This consequently deteriorates the production efficiency.

[0009] Thus, the total automation of the assembly is not possible and the method of assembling the shock absorbing systems is therefore more expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing to provide a shock-absorbing bearing whose assembly can be automated.

To this end, the invention relates to a shock-absorbing bearing for an axis of a moving part of a timepiece, said bearing comprising a support provided with a housing receiving 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 one another, 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 geometry of revolution defined so to have a freedom of angular orientation with respect to the pivot module and to the housing and in that said fixing means are arranged to fix the elastic means to the support whatever or the angular orientation of the elastic means relative to the pivot module and to the housing.

A first advantage of the present invention is to allow the simplification of the assembly of a shock absorbing system allowing the automation of said process. Indeed, 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 relative to another so that a robot can assemble the shock absorbing 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 with respect to each other.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the fixing 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 fixing means comprise at least two fins arranged on the support and extending parallel to the central axis of said support, said at least two fins being able to be folded down 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.

To this end, 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 damper bearing and said plate are in one piece.

In another advantageous embodiment, the support of the damper bearing and said at least one bridge are in one piece.

To this end, the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a middle part closed by a case and a back, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a timepiece movement according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the shock-proof bearing according to the present invention will emerge 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 on which: FIGS. 1 and 2, already mentioned, make it possible to diagrammatically represent a shock-absorbing bearing for a timepiece according to the prior art; FIG. 3 schematically represents a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece according to the invention; FIGS. 4a and 4b represent a side view of the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention; FIG. 5 schematically represents a top view of a spring for the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention; FIG. 6 represents an exploded side view of the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention; FIGS. 7 and 8 represent different solutions for fixing the spring for the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention; FIG. 9 schematically represents a first variant of the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention; and FIG. 10 schematically represents a second variant of the shock-absorbing bearing of a timepiece according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in providing a non-removable shock-absorbing bearing that is simple and easy to assemble. This shock-absorbing system is designed 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 back and a crystal.

Figures 3, 4a and 4b is shown a shock absorbing bearing 100 according to a first embodiment. This shockproof bearing 100 is mounted in a basic element of a timepiece movement. In particular, the plate or the bridges 600 of the movement are the basic element in which the shock-proof bearing 100 according to the invention is placed. This shockproof bearing 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 outer flank 204, a sidewall internal 205 and a vertex 203a. This rim 203 makes it possible to define a housing 206 in which a pivot module 400 is inserted. A conventional pivot module 400 comprises a chaton 401, that is to say a part having a circular central orifice, an external wall and an internal wall. In the central orifice is inserted a pierced stone 402, the diameter of which corresponds to that of the central orifice. The internal wall includes a shoulder so that a counter-pivot stone 403 can be fixed. The pivot module 400 is then placed in the housing 206 of the support 200 and cooperates with the shank of an axis.

The shock-proof bearing 100 further comprises elastic means 300 which are arranged to cooperate with the pivot module 400 so as to absorb shocks and bring it back to its rest position when the stresses associated with 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 shock-proof bearing 100 is then inserted into an orifice of the plate or into 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 with respect to each other. This is understood to mean that the different parts which make up the shock-absorbing bearing 100 such as at least the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are assembled into each other without any particular handling being 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 shape, without orientation, of the housing 206, of the pivot module 400 and of 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 assembly process of the shock absorbing bearing 100.

In a first embodiment visible in Figure 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 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 arranged between annular parts 303. These internal radial extensions 302 are formed by the band forming the ring 301 which is curved. towards the inside of the ring 301. These internal radial extensions 302 are preferably regularly distributed around the circumference of the flat ring 301 so that the spring ring 301 can act homogeneously as shown in FIG. 5 It will then be understood that the spring ring 301 can be oriented in any way whatsoever with respect to the support 200.

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

However, by making the support 200, the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 so that these different parts are angularly free with respect to 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 makes it possible to eliminate the orientation of the parts relative to each other. In addition, this makes it possible to simplify the fixing of the spring and therefore to 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 the shape of a lyre can be supported under the returns of the semi-circular edges 11a, 11b of the support. The shock absorbing bearing 100 can then be mounted vertically or axially. This means that the different parts constituting the shock absorbing bearing 100 can be assembled by placing them on top of each other from above.

[0036] Consequently, the obstacles to the 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 different parts, including the fixing means 500, remain angularly free with respect to one another. In the remainder of the description, we will take the example according to which the support 200, the housing 206, the pivot module 400 and the elastic means 300 are circular parts.

In a first solution visible in Figures 4a, 4b and 6, the fixing means 500 comprise an additional part 510 for fixing the elastic means on the support. This additional part is in the form of a cover 510 which is fixed to the support 200. This cover 510 is designed so that when fixing to the support 200, the elastic means 300 located between said cover 510 and said support 200 are partly clamped by the cover 510 and the support 200. Preferably, the clamping is carried out on a specific zone of the elastic means 300, preferably on the annular parts 303, so that the elastic properties are not altered.

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 facing 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 level of the outer flank 204. The dimensions of the cover 510 allow the latter to be pushed out onto the support 200. A cover 510 is therefore obtained which can be removable.

In an alternative to this first solution, the support 200 comprises a slot in which the blade of the cover 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 fixing of the blade 513 in the slot and therefore of the cover 510 on the support 200.

In a second solution visible in Figure 8, the fixing means 500 comprise rivets. These rivets are in the form of strips or fins 530 arranged on the support 200 at the level of the top 203a of the rim 203. These strips are arranged so that their width extends parallel to the central axis of the support and that their length extends perpendicular to the central axis of the support. Preferably, the bands are arranged to take the shape of the internal flank of the rim of the support 200. Indeed, if the support 200 is of circular shape, the internal flank of the rim has a circular shape and the bands have a curvature which follows the shape of the internal flank of the rim 203. The different bands are therefore arranged to form a circle. When mounting the spring ring 301, that is to say the elastic means 300, the annular parts 303 are placed on the top 203a of the flange 203. The spring ring is fixed by folding back the bands forming the rivets on said spring ring 301. These bands thus folded down clamp the annular parts 303 of the spring ring so that the latter can no longer move. To fix said spring ring 301, it will be understood that the fixing means 500 comprise at least two bands, knowing that the greater the number of bands, the more effective the fixing and the centering will be. Indeed, the greater the number of bands, the greater the surface area of the spring ring 301 pinched by the bands will be. Likewise, the greater the number of bands, the more stable the spring ring 301 will be during assembly.

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

These different solutions allow vertical assembly. It is understood by this 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 process consists in providing the support 200. Then, the module is provided. pivot 400 which is placed in the housing of the support 200. Then, the spring is provided which is placed on the support. Finally, the fixing means 500 are placed and fixed on the support 200. By combining the advantage of being able to produce a vertical (axial) assembly with the fact that the parts have no orientation with respect to each other, we obtains 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 with respect to one another and are preferably circular. This configuration makes it possible to take each part as it comes without orienting it.

In a first variant of the first embodiment visible in Figure 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 mounting the elastic means 300. This mounting zone 209 has a shape similar to that of the housing 206, of the pivot module 400 and of 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 zone 209 having a shape similar to that of the housing 206, of the pivot module 400 and of the elastic means 300 allows a simplified assembly in all cases. Indeed, this specific zone 209 allows the use of the fixing means 500 according to the three solutions explained previously since a specific zone is specially arranged. This mounting area 209 requires a design of the support 200 whose dimensions take into account the presence of said mounting area 209. For example, if the support 200 has any shape such as a triangular shape, the space to use the brackets. fixing means 300 according to the three solutions explained above is not necessarily present. It is on this mounting zone 209 that the elastic means 300 will take up, in part, support and that they will be fixed. Thus, the mounting zone 209 will be the zone to which the elastic means 300 will be fixed by a material link such as welding or gluing. This zone can also be used so that a cover 510 can be attached to it, a slot which is the negative of the blade 513 of the cover 510 is hollowed out to allow the fixing of said cover. Finally, this mounting zone 209 can be the zone on which the bands serving as rivets are arranged.

In a second variant visible in Figure 10, the support 200 and the basic element of the movement 500 in which the shock-absorbing bearing 100 is placed are one and the same part, the support 200 and the 'basic element are therefore in one piece. It is then understood that the base element 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 plate has any shape, a mounting zone 209 arranged makes it possible to be sure of being able to install the fixing means and therefore to maintain the pivot module 400 in the housing.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to a person 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 in 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 moving part of a timepiece, said bearing comprising a support (200) provided with a housing (206) 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 present a freedom of angular orientation with respect to one another, said bearing (100) further comprising fixing means (500) for fixing the elastic means (300) to the support ( 200), characterized in that at least the elastic means have a geometry of revolution defined so as to present a freedom of angular orientation with respect to the pivot module and to the housing and in that said fixing means (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 to 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 defined geometry so as to have a freedom of angular orientation with respect to each other. 3. shock-absorbing bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means (500) are a material link (520) between said support (200) and said elastic means (300). 4. Shock absorbing bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means (500) comprise a cover (510) fixed to said support (200) in order to press said elastic means (300) against said support. 5. Shock absorbing bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means (500) comprise at least two fins (530) arranged on the support and extending parallel to the central axis of said support, said at least two fins (530) which can be folded down to clamp said elastic means. 6. Shock absorbing bearing according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing means (500) comprise a plurality of fins (530) 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 internal radial extension (302) extending towards the center of said spring ring. . 8. Shock absorbing bearing according to claim 7, characterized in that said spring ring comprises three internal radial extensions (302). 9. Watch movement comprising a plate (1000) 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 (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 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 claims 1 to 8. 11. Watch movement according to claim 9, characterized in that the support (200) of the damper bearing (100) and said plate are in one piece. 12. Watch movement according to claim 10, characterized in that the support (200) of the damper bearing (100) and said at least one bridge are in one piece. 13. Timepiece comprising a middle part closed by a back, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a timepiece movement according to one of claims 9 to 12.