CH708223A2 - A shock absorbing device for timepieces. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device (100) for an axis of a component of a timepiece comprising a support (200) comprising a bottom cup (201) surmounted by a peripheral rim (203), said cup (201) and the flange (203) together defining a housing, the device further comprising at least one pivot module (401, 402, 403) extending along an axis (C), said at least one pivot module being arranged in said housing and adapted to cooperate with said axis, characterized in that said device further comprises a cover (510) formed by a recessed part (511) attaching to the support at said peripheral flange, said cover comprising an inner wall on which at least one groove is arranged so that elastic means (300) can be placed there.

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 the event of a side impact, that is to say when the end of the tigeron imbalances the kitten 20 outside 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 presents 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 manual assembly is preferred because the human being is able to instantly know the orientation in which he must place the parts of the shock absorber system relative to each other. 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 and therefore 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.

Moreover, the automation of the assembly can cause the presence of vibrations that propagate at the shock absorber system. These vibrations can cause a displacement of the parts of the shock absorber system so that these parts are no longer perfectly centered relative to each other. This potential decentering can lead to further damage. Indeed, during the assembly of a first part on a second part, a third part to be placed between the first part and the second part can be pinched by said first and second parts and thus be damaged.

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 automated, simple and safe.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a shock absorbing device for an axis of an element of a timepiece comprising a support having a bottom cup surmounted by a delimited peripheral edge, the opposite of said cup, by an upper surface and comprising an outer wall, said cup and the flange together defining a housing, the device further comprising at least one pivot module extending along an axis, said at least one pivot module being arranged in said housing and adapted to cooperate with said axis, characterized in that said device further comprises a cover formed by a recessed part fixing to the support at said peripheral flange, said cover comprising an inner wall on which at least one groove is arranged of so that elastic means can be placed so that the elastic means are held by said hood to exert a contrai on the pivot module.

A first advantage of the present invention is to combine automation of the assembly with the security of always having the elastic means perfectly positioned. Indeed, the device according to the present invention has the advantage of having the elastic means previously positioned relative to the cover which retains said elastic means. Therefore, there is no risk that these elastic means are poorly positioned or damaged during mounting of said shock absorbing device.

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

In a first embodiment, said resilient means comprise a spring ring having at least two arms extending towards the axial center of said spring ring to press said pivot module into the housing of the support.

In a second embodiment, the at least two arms are diametrically opposed.

In a third embodiment, said resilient means comprise a spring ring having internal radial extensions disposed between annular parts, said internal radial extensions being constituted by the band forming the ring which is bent inwards from the inside. 'ring.

In another embodiment, the recessed piece is cylindrical and has a first diameter for fixing said annular piece to the peripheral edge of the support and a second diameter forming a bearing zone for the elastic means when said elastic means deform during a shock.

In another embodiment, said internal radial extensions are regularly distributed.

In another embodiment, the spring ring further comprises at least two lugs extending in a direction away from the axial center of said spring ring.

In another embodiment, the spring ring further comprises at least two lugs extending in a direction away from the axial center of said spring ring, the at least two lugs being located at the levels of the annular portions.

In another embodiment, the cover is fixed by force to said peripheral rim.

In another embodiment, the cover is screwed to said peripheral rim.

In another embodiment, the cover is glued to said peripheral rim.

In another embodiment, the cover is welded to said peripheral rim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects, advantages and characteristics of the shockproof system or shock-absorbing device 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 accompanying drawings in which: <tb> - figs. 1 and 2, <SEP> already mentioned, allow to schematically represent a shock absorber system of timepiece according to the prior art; <tb> - figs. 3 and 4 <SEP> schematically represent a timepiece shock absorber system according to the invention when disassembled and mounted; <tb> - figs. 5 to 7 <SEP> represent different solutions of the elastic means of the shock absorber system horiogerie piece according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea that is to provide a non-removable shock absorber or simple shockproof system, easy to mount and offering less risk of problems during assembly. 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 and 4, a device or shock-absorbing bearing 100 or shockproof system according to a first embodiment is shown. This shock absorbing device or shockproof system 100 is mounted in a base element of a timepiece movement. In particular, the plate or the bridges 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 cup 201, provided with a hole 202, surmounted by a peripheral rim 203 delimited, opposite said cup, by an upper surface. 213. This peripheral flange 203 also has an outer wall 214 and an inner wall 215. This flange 203 and the bottom cup 201 define 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 part having a circular central orifice, 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 resilient means 300 which are arranged to cooperate with the pivot module 400. This dampens the shock and bring the pivot module 400 in its rest position when the constraints exerted following the 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.

The fixing means 500 comprise an additional piece 510 for fixing the elastic means 300 on the support 200. This additional piece 510 is in the form of a cap 510 which is fixed on the support 200. This cover 510 is designed so that when attaching to the support 200, the elastic means 300 exert a stress on the pivot module 400. This constraint allows the pivot module 400 to be stationary without however hindering the movement thereof during a shock . Indeed, during an impact, the axis abuts on the pivot module 400 which moves and elastically deforms the elastic means 300.

This cover 510 is in the form of a part 511 having an opening 512. This part 511 has an inner wall 513 and an outer wall 514 and an upper end 515 and a lower end 516. The opening of the element 511 to a first inner dimension so as to cooperate with the peripheral rim 203. Indeed, the part 511 is fixed via the lower end 515 to the peripheral rim 203. Thus, the support 20, the rim 203 and the hood 510 may be square or have any other possible forms, it is just necessary that the element 511 can be attached to the peripheral rim 203

Preferably, the cap 510 is in the form of a cylindrical annular piece 511 extending along a central axis (C) and having an opening 512. This annular cylindrical piece 511 has an inner wall 513 and an outer wall 514 and an upper end 515 and a lower end 516. The opening of the cylindrical annular part 511 to a first inner diameter D1 so as to cooperate with the peripheral flange 203. Indeed, the cylindrical annular piece 511 is inserted by the lower end 515 to the peripheral rim 203. This attachment of the cylindrical annular part 511 to the peripheral rim 203 is by force insertion, screwing, welding or gluing.

A holding zone 520 is arranged on the inner wall 513. This holding zone 520 may be in the form of a groove 520a (not shown) so that the elastic means 300 can be inserted therein. This allows the resilient means 300 not to be gripped between the cover 510 and the support 200 during mounting of the anti-shock system 100. The inner wall may have a shape different from the outer wall 514, for example, the inner wall 513 may be circular and the outer wall 514 may be square. In addition, it is conceivable that the inner wall 513 has a first shape at the upper end 515 and a second shape at the lower end 516. Thus, it is possible to have an inner wall 513 having, at its upper end 515, a shape adapted for the holding region of the elastic means 300, and at its lower end 516, a shape adapted for fixing said cover 510 to the support 200 via the peripheral rim 203.

In a first advantageous variant illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper end 515 of the cylindrical annular element 511 has a second inner diameter D2 smaller than the first inner diameter D1. This difference in diameter makes it possible to create a bearing zone 517 for the elastic means 300. At this upper end of the cylindrical annular piece 511 having a second internal diameter D2, the holding zone 520 is arranged.

This holding zone 520 comprises an outgrowth 521 extending from the inner wall 513 of the annular cylindrical part 511. This protrusion 521 forms, with the bearing zone 517, a groove 522 in which the elastic means 300 fit. The elastic means 300 are supported on the protrusion 521. During an impact of the timepiece, the axis abuts on the shockproof system 100 so that the pivot module 400 moves. The elastic means 300 deform and come to bear on the bearing zone 517.

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 strip or ribbon c that is, having a width greater than the thickness. The band or ribbon constituting the spring ring 301 is metallic and circular extending along a central axis (C).

In a first embodiment of this spring ring 301 visible in FIG. 5, the elastic means 300 are in the form of a spring ring 301 which comprises two arms 302 extending towards the axial center of said spring ring 301. These arms 302 are diametrically opposed and serve to press said pivot module 400 into the housing 206 of the support 200.

In a second embodiment of this spring ring 301 visible in FIG. 6, the spring ring 301 comprises internal radial extensions 303 disposed between annular portions 304. These internal radial extensions 303 are constituted by the band forming the ring 301 which is curved towards the inside of the ring 301. These extensions internal radial 303 are preferably evenly distributed around 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 with respect to the support 200.

This spring ring 301 is then arranged to fit into the groove 520a, 522 located on the inner wall 513 of the cover 510. More particularly, it is the annular portions 303 which fit into said groove 520a. This arrangement makes it possible to have a spring ring 301 which is integral with the cover 510, that is to say that this spring ring 301 is pre-assembled with said cover 510. Thus, the mounting of said cap 510 is simplified.

The groove 520a, 522 has dimensions such that the spring ring 301, once installed, can move slightly. This allows the spring ring 301 to move and perfectly center when mounting the cover 510 on the support 200. The vibrations that can be generated during the automatic assembly are then of no consequence.

In a second variant, the spring ring 301 has, at the annular portions 303, lugs 305 extending so as to move away from the axial center of said spring ring 301 as shown in FIG. 7. These lugs 305 are arranged to maintain said spring ring 301 to said cover 510. Indeed, the dimensions of the spring ring 301 and the cap 510 are calculated so that only the lugs 305 fit into the groove 520a.

This arrangement has the advantage of allowing to limit the influence of the groove 520a, 522 on said spring ring 301. Indeed, when the spring ring 301 is placed in the groove 520a, 522, the latter changes the mechanical response during a stress since it exerts a stress on said spring ring, in particular on the annular portions 303 of the spring ring 301 previously described. These annular portions 303 are active zones, that is to say they intervene in the elastic action of the spring ring 301. The reactions of said spring ring 301 can then be modified, which involves taking them into account when of the design of the spring ring 301.

However, with the presence of the pins 305, the stress exerted on said spring ring 301 by the groove 520a, 522 of the cover 510 is only located on these pins 305. Therefore, as these pins 305 are passive areas c ' that is, without any influence on the behavior of the spring ring 301. As a result, the initial behavior of the spring ring 301 is not modified by its arrangement in the groove 522, 520a of the cover 510.

In a third variant, 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. 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 twisting is made during assembly. Preferably, at least the housing 206, the pivot module 400, the cover 510 and the elastic means 300 are parts of revolution that is to say having a generally circular shape and extending along a central axis (C). This circular shape makes it possible to adapt to all the support forms 200. Indeed, the circular, non-oriented shape 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. It is also possible that 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.

This configuration of the shock absorbing bearing parts 100 according to the invention facilitates 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, by producing 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.

One can imagine, the support 200 and the element of the movement in which the shock absorbing bearing 100 is placed are only one and the same piece, the support 200 and the element of movement are monoblock. 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, an assembly area arranged makes it possible to be sure to install the fastening means and thus to 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.

In addition, it will be understood that the shape of the elastic means may be possible as long as they can fit into the groove 520a, 522.

One can also imagine that the cover 510 comprises two grooves 520a, 522 to place two spring rings 301.

Claims (12)

A shock absorbing device (100) for an axis of a component of a timepiece comprising a support (200) having a bottom cup (201) surmounted by a peripheral rim (203) delimited to the opposite said cup, by an upper surface (213) and comprising an outer wall (214), said cup (201) and the flange (203) together defining a housing (206), the device further comprising at least one pivot module (400) extending along an axis (C), said at least one pivot module being arranged in said housing and adapted to cooperate with said axis, characterized in that said device further comprises a cover (510) formed by a part recess (511) attaching to the support at said peripheral flange, said cover comprising an inner wall (513) on which at least one groove (520a, 522) is arranged so that elastic means (300) can be placed therein so that the elastic means so held by said cover to exert a constraint on the pivot module. 2. shock absorbing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the recessed part (511) is cylindrical and has a first diameter (D1) for fixing said piece to the peripheral rim (203) of the support (200). ) and a second diameter (D2) forming a bearing zone (517) for the elastic means (300) when said elastic means deform during an impact. 3. shock absorbing device (100) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said elastic means (300) comprise a spring ring (301) having at least two arms (302) extending towards the axial center of said ring spring for pressing said pivot module into the support housing. 4. shock absorbing device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least two arms (302) are diametrically opposed. A shock absorbing device (100) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said means (300) comprises a spring ring (301) having internal radial extensions (303) disposed between annular portions (304), said internal radial extensions being constituted by the band forming the ring curved towards the inside of the ring. 6. shock absorbing device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that said internal radial extensions (303) are regularly distributed. 7. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the spring ring further comprises at least two lugs (305) extending in a direction away from the axial center ( C) of said spring ring (301). 8. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the spring ring (301) further comprises at least two lugs (305) extending in a direction away from the axial center of said spring ring (301), the at least two lugs being located at the level of the annular portions (304). 9. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of the preceding claim, characterized in that the cover (510) is fixed by force to said peripheral flange. 10. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (510) is screwed to said peripheral flange. 11. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (510) is bonded to said peripheral flange. 12. shock absorbing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (510) is welded to said peripheral rim.