EP2945028A1 - Anti-shock bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

Anti-shock bearing for a timepiece comprising:
- a cup (1) defining an interior cavity comprising an opening (2) adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker,
an elastic member (10) mounted coaxially in the cup (1), comprising a rigid ring (11) and a plurality of elastic arms (17) extending from the ring (11) inwards, deformable according to the radial and axial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing.

According to the invention, the elastic member (10) comprises a plurality of holding zones (12) which extend from the ring (11) outwards, cooperate with a corresponding housing (3) provided in the cup (1) and are intended to bear in said housing (3), said ring (11) further comprising gripping tabs (15, 16) extending outwardly of the ring (11).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, an anti-shock bearing for a timepiece.

State of the art

It is known to make anti-shock bearings to protect the pivots in case of shocks. These bearings are arranged so as to allow a displacement of a portion of the bearing in response to an impact, so that the shaft abuts against the block of the shock at the axle shank, more robust than the pivot. This avoids damage to the pivot. An elastic member ensures a return of the pivot to its normal operating position.

Many embodiments of such bearings are known. In particular, those described in the patent EP1696286 wherein the pivot members are suspended in an equilibrium position. The bearing described in this patent comprises a circular cup forming a cavity, and a spring, consisting of two concentric rigid parts, annular and connected by elastic arms. The outer annular portion is forcibly mounted in the cup. A pierced stone is driven into the inner annular portion and a counter-pivot stone is assembled on the inner annular portion with a cap permanently attached to the inner annular portion.

However, this type of bearing does not mount easily. The outer annular portion is forced into the cup and the pierced stone is driven directly into the inner annular portion which is unsatisfactory in view of the stresses experienced during assembly and residual stresses on the spring. otherwise this bearing does not disassemble, which complicates repair or maintenance interventions such as cleaning and lubrication. This requires the provision of through passages in the inner annular portion to access the space between the two stones and allow cleaning and lubrication. However, the lubricant can escape through this passage and impurities can penetrate which increases the frequency of revisions.

The present invention aims to provide a shockproof bearing of the above kind which is easier to assemble, on the one hand at the mounting of the pivot member on the spring, on the other hand at the mounting of the spring in the cup, and that is likely to be dismounted.

Disclosure of the invention

More specifically, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a shockproof bearing for a timepiece. This bearing comprises a cup defining an interior cavity comprising an opening adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker, a resilient member mounted coaxially in the cup, comprising a rigid ring and a plurality of resilient arms extending from the ring towards inside, deformable in radial and axial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing. According to the invention, the bearing comprises, extending towards the outside of the ring, a plurality of holding zones cooperating with a corresponding housing provided in the cup and intended to bear in said housing, said ring comprising in addition, gripping tabs extending outwardly of the ring. Preferably, the elastic member is secured to the cup by bayonet coupling. Still preferably, the housing has flanges separated by gaps without flanges.

This arrangement makes it possible to assemble, and possibly to disassemble, easily the elastic member and the cup, without exerting excessive stresses on the parts to be assembled.

Advantageously, the holding zones each comprise an elastic finger, extending adjacent to the ring or a profile of variable radius which allows a mounting without play and the centering of the elastic member in the cup, limiting the constraints exercised on the ring. Preferably, the resilient arms at least partially follow a spiral section.

Advantageously, the anti-shock bearing also comprises a kitten supported by the elastic member, said kitten housing at least one pivoting member, preferably a pierced stone and / or a counter-pivot stone.

Advantageously, the kitten and the elastic member are made in one piece.

Advantageously, the elastic member comprises an inner ring connected to the ring by the elastic arms in which the kitten is mounted by shore. A simple and reliable construction is thus proposed.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to an anti-shock bearing for a timepiece. This bearing comprises a cup defining an interior cavity comprising an opening adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker, a resilient member mounted coaxially in the cup, comprising a rigid ring and a plurality of resilient arms extending from the ring towards the inside, deformable in radial and axial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing, and a kitten supported by the elastic member. The elastic arms at least partially follow a spiral section, each elastic arm extending over an angular sector of at least 120 ° with respect to the geometric axis of the bearing. According to the invention, each elastic arm comprises at its end free a tab arranged to engage by clipping into a groove that includes the kitten.

This arrangement allows to easily assemble by clipping, and possibly also to disassemble, the kitten and the elastic member without exerting excessive stress on the parts to be assembled.

Advantageously, each tab has a width in a radial direction at least three times greater than the width of the elastic arm in a radial direction.

Advantageously, the elastic member is made of a crystalline material substantially without a plastic regime, such as a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon-based material, based on sapphire, diamond-based, corundum-based, ruby-based, or the like .

Advantageously, the thickness of the resilient arms along the axis of the bearing is at least twice their width, preferably at least four times.

Advantageously, the width of the elastic arms is less than one fiftieth of the outer diameter of the ring.

Advantageously, the kitten and the pivoting member are made in one piece.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 illustre un palier antichoc selon l'invention, respectivement en coupe transversale ;
• La figure 2 illustre une vue de dessus de l'organe élastique de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'un palier selon l'invention en coupe transversale ;
• La figure 4 illustre une vue de dessus de l'organe élastique de la figure 3 ;
• La figure 5 illustre une vue de dessus d'encore une variante d'un organe élastique ;
• La figure 6 représente une vue en perspective d'un palier incorporant l'organe élastique de la figure 5 ;
• La figure 7 représente une coupe transversale à travers le palier de la figure 6 ;
• La figure 8 illustre une vue de dessus d'encore une variante d'un organe élastique ; et
• La figure 9 représente une coupe transversale d'un palier incorporant l'élément élastique de la figure 8.

Other details of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• The figure 1 illustrates an anti-shock bearing according to the invention, respectively in cross section;
• The figure 2 illustrates a top view of the elastic member of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of a bearing according to the invention in cross section;
• The figure 4 illustrates a top view of the elastic member of the figure 3 ;
• The figure 5 illustrates a top view of yet another variant of an elastic member;
• The figure 6 represents a perspective view of a bearing incorporating the elastic member of the figure 5 ;
• The figure 7 represents a cross section through the bearing of the figure 6 ;
• The figure 8 illustrates a top view of yet another variant of an elastic member; and
• The figure 9 represents a cross section of a bearing incorporating the elastic element of the figure 8 .

Embodiments of the invention

We have shown on Figures 1 to 9 , several embodiments of an anti-shock bearing according to the invention, as well as corresponding elastic elements. These anti-shock bearings each include a cup 1 intended to be assembled on a timepiece frame, formed by a bridge or a deck not shown. This cup 1 may, for example, be mounted by driving, screwing, welding or gluing in an ad-hoc recess that includes the frame. It can also be formed directly in the frame and be integral with it. The cup 1 defines an interior cavity, in which is formed an opening 2 adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker. The axis of the opening 2, preferably coincides with the axis of the opening of the cup 1. In addition, each bearing comprises a pivot member 23 for receiving a pivot, as described in more detail below. .

The Figures 1 to 9 also represent different variants of elastic members 10 particularly adapted to the implementation of the invention, as well as bearings incorporating these elastic members. It can be noted that the elastic members 10 of all these variants are provided with spiral arms 17 extending inwardly from the ring 11 and adopt different shapes in its inner part. The elastic arms 17 have a rectangular section whose thickness (considered perpendicular to the plane of the elastic element and parallel to the axis of the bearing) is advantageously about four times the width in a radial direction (that is to say considered in the plane of the elastic element). Furthermore, the width of the arms 17 does not exceed one fiftieth of the outer diameter of the ring 11. Each of the arms 17 is elastically deformable in axial and radial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing.

In the variant of Figures 1 and 2 the arms 17 of the elastic element 10 extend over substantially 180 °. These arms 17 each have a free end provided with a tab 19 which serves to support a kitten 20 by clipping, as will be described in more detail below. These lugs 19 advantageously have a width in a radial direction at least three times greater than the width of the elastic arm 17 in a radial direction, that is to say considered in the plane of the elastic element 10, to lend them sufficient rigidity.

The elastic member 10 is interposed between the kitten 20 and the cup 1, and is arranged to exert on said kitten 20 restoring forces in the axial and radial directions relative to the axis of the bearing, tending to maintain or bring the kitten back to its equilibrium position. It is noted that the kitten is supported by the elastic means 10 in a "floating" manner, that is to say without contact with the cup 1.

In this variant, the kitten 20 supports a pivoting member comprising a pierced stone 23 disposed in the kitten 20 and provided with a hole 24 located substantially on the axis of the bearing when the bearing is in equilibrium position, in which can take up the end of the pivot (not shown in the figure 1 ). The pivoting member also comprises a counter-pivoting stone 25 disposed at least partially in the kitten 20 in a conventional manner. The end of the pivot can come to rest on the counter pivot stone 25. Thus, in this example, the pierced stone 23 and the counter pivot stone 25 are mounted rigidly in the kitten 20 and their relative position, one in reference to the other, is fixed.

In addition, in this variant, the kitten 20 further comprises a circumferential groove 21, arranged so that the tabs 19 that includes the elastic arms 17 can engage by clipping. To facilitate the introduction of the tabs 19 in the groove 21, the kitten 20 has on its lower outer edge (relative to the view of the figure 1 ), a chamfer 22.

Such a clipping assembly facilitates the mounting of the kitten 20 on the elastic member 10, to reduce the residual stresses inherent in assembly by driving the prior art and to remove the inner ring of the elastic member. The use of this type of assembly, also reduces the constraints during assembly and increase manufacturing tolerances on the assembled parts in comparison to the known solution where a part is driven into the elastic member. Finally, this device offers the advantage of allowing a possible disassembly of the kitten of the elastic member to facilitate the maintenance, maintenance or repair of the timepiece.

Another variant appears on the Figures 3 and 4 , which differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that the arms 17 extend about 270 ° and connect the ring to an inner ring 18 accommodating a kitten 20. In this variant, the kitten 20 is mounted in the ring 18 of the elastic member 10 by a means suitable for those skilled in the art, for example by driving, gluing or riveting as shown in FIG. figure 3 . Alternatively, the kitten 20 and the elastic member 10 are made integrally. Therefore, no groove 21 is present.

Other variants appear on the Figures 5 to 9 , in which the arms 17 extend about 360 ° and connect the ring to a pad 42 coaxial with the pivot member. In the variant of Figures 5 to 9 , the pivoting member comprises a tubular chimney 44 located in a recess 46 formed in the bottom of the cup 1 at the opening 2 in which is visible a pivot 48, this tubular chimney 44 supporting a pierced stone 23 as well as a counter-pivot stone 25, the latter being secured or not to the tubular chimney 44. In the variant of the Figures 8 and 9 , the counter-pivot stone 25 is removed, the pellet 42 acting as a counter-pivot stone itself. Note also that, in these variants, the pellet 42 serves to push the tubular chimney 44 against the bottom of the recess 46 under the force of the elastic arms 17.

Commonly to variants of all Figures 1 to 9 , the elastic element has a bayonet coupling system, which reversibly secures the elastic member 10 with the cup 1. To facilitate this operation, the ring 11 is provided with gripping lugs 15, 16 defining in pairs and between them, a working area 26 with which can cooperate a mounting tool. The elastic member 10 also has holding zones 12 projecting outwardly from the ring 11 and the role of which will appear hereinafter.

As shown by Figures 1 to 9 , the elastic member 10 is intended to be engaged in a housing 3 defined by flanges 4 formed by the cup 1. These flanges 4 are regularly distributed and separated by spaces 5 without a flange, allowing the engagement, in each of spaces 5, gripping lugs 15, 16 associated with a holding zone 12. Then, by insertion in an axial direction and a subsequent rotation of the elastic member 10 by means of the ad-hoc tool, the holding zones 12 are constrained in the housing 3 and pressed against the wall of the cup 1 to prevent inadvertent rotation of the elastic member 10. These holding zones 12 therefore allow a play without assembly allowing centering of the ring in the cup.

According to the variants represented Figures 1 to 7 , the holding zones 12 have an elastic finger 13 extending adjacent to the ring 11, substantially parallel to the ring 11, like a last turn of a spiral. All of the resilient fingers 13 may be oriented in the same direction, as illustrated, or in opposite directions. The end of the elastic fingers 13 comprises a pad 14 on its outer face for pressing on the wall of the cup 1. The elastic fingers 13 are attached directly to the ring 11, as shown on the Figures 1 to 4 , or are attached to a gripping tab 16, as shown on the Figures 5 to 7 . Once the gripping tabs 15, 16 and the elastic fingers 13 engaged in the spaces 5 of the cup 1, the rotation of the elastic member 10 causes the introduction and deformation of the elastic fingers 13 in the housing 3 and the pressure pads 14 against the side wall of the housing 3.

According to the variant shown in Figures 8 and 9 , the holding zones 12 have a wedging profile with two portions 27, 28 oriented concentrically at the center of the elastic member, respectively according to two different radii. The first portion 27 has a radius less than the radius of the housing 3 and can be inserted freely into the housing 3. The second portion 28 has a radius greater than the radius of the housing 3. The two portions are connected by an intermediate zone 29 having a radius gradually varying and likely to be wedged against the wall of the housing 3.

From an alignment position, the fixing and centering of the elastic member 10 in the cup 1 are thus obtained following two successive relative movements, the first in translation along the axis of the bearing, the second in rotation around this same axis. The inverse movements of rotation and translation allow the disassembly of the elastic member 10 and the cup 1.

Compared to the prior art, this arrangement simplifies the mounting of the elastic member 10 in the cup 1 by making it possible to grip the elastic member 10 more easily thanks to the external gripping tabs 15, 16. The use of specific holding zones 12, also reduces the constraints during assembly and increase the manufacturing tolerances on the dimensions of the housing 3 of the cup 1 in comparison with the known solution where the elastic member is mounted in force in the cup. Finally, this device offers the advantage of being removable and facilitates maintenance operations, maintenance or repair of the timepiece.

Those skilled in the art may also provide different variants from the embodiments described above, without departing from the scope defined by the claims. In particular, the pivot member may not comprise a pivoting stone if, for example, the pierced stone has a conical hole. The notion of stone must be understood in a broad way and not be limited to a traditional ruby stone. It will thus be possible to make it based on silicon, possibly in one piece with the kitten, at least for one of the stones. A stone can be covered with an aluminum oxide material so as to get closer to the conventional friction conditions known by the use of ruby stones. Those skilled in the art may choose to make this bearing, particularly the elastic member 10, in a material based on silicon or nickel-based or iron-based (steel). One or more of the following elements may be produced in one piece: the cup and the frame of the timepiece in which it is directly formed; The elastic member 10 and the kitten 20; the kitten and at least a part of the pivoting member (pierced stone or pivoting stone if appropriate).

Note also that the two main aspects of the invention, that is to say the bayonet mounting of the elastic member in the cup on the one hand and the clipping of the elastic member in the kitten of on the other hand, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , may be implemented jointly or separately. Therefore, it is possible to provide a clipping connection of a kitten with any kind of attachment of the elastic member 10 in the cup 1. It could, for example, drive the elastic member in the cup 1 of the way described in the EP 1 696 286 , or even by welding or gluing, while the kitten is linked to the elastic element 10 by clipping. In addition, as illustrated in the figures, the bayonet mounting can be applied independently of the shape of the central part of the elastic member, which may have a pellet (as is the case in the Figures 5 to 9 ), a ring for driving, crimping or riveting (as in figure 3 ) a stone or a kitten, or any other form.

Claims (16)

Anti-shock bearing for a timepiece comprising: - a cup (1) defining an interior cavity comprising an opening (2) adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker, an elastic member (10) mounted coaxially in the cup (1), comprising a rigid ring (11) and a plurality of elastic arms (17) extending from the ring (11) inwards, deformable according to the radial and axial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing, characterized in that , from the ring (11) extend outwardly, a plurality of holding zones (12) cooperating with a corresponding housing (3) provided in the cup (1) and intended to come into operation. support in said housing (3), said ring (11) further comprising gripping lugs (15, 16) extending outwardly of the ring (11). Anti-shock bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic member is secured to the cup (1) by bayonet coupling. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) has flanges (4) separated by gaps (5) without flanges. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said holding regions (12) each comprise an elastic finger (13) extending adjacent to the ring (11). Anti-shock bearing according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding zone (12) has a variable radius profile. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient arms (17) at least partially follow a spiral section. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a kitten (20) supported by the elastic member (10), said kitten (20) housing at least one pivoting member, preferably a pierced stone (23) and / or a counter pivot stone (25). Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kitten (20) and the elastic member (10) are made in one piece. Anti-shock bearing according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic member (10) has an inner ring (18) connected to the ring (11) by the elastic arms (17), in which the kitten (20) is mounted by shore. Anti-shock bearing for a timepiece comprising: - A cup (1) defining an interior cavity comprising an opening (2) adapted to receive a pivot of a watchmaker; an elastic member (10) mounted coaxially in the cup (1), comprising a rigid ring (11) and a plurality of elastic arms (17) extending from the ring (11) inwards, deformable according to the radial and axial directions with reference to the axis of the bearing, each of the elastic arms (17) extending over an angular sector of at least 120 ° with respect to the geometric axis of the bearing by following at least partially a section of spiral; a kitten (20) supported by the elastic member (10), characterized in that each of said elastic arms (17) comprises at its free end, a lug (19) arranged to engage by clipping in a groove (21) that comprises the kitten (20). Anti-shock bearing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tab (19) has a width in a radial direction at least three times greater than the width of the elastic arm (17) in a radial direction. Anti-shock bearing according to a combination of one of claims 1 to 5 and one of claims 10 or 11. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic member (10) is made of a crystalline material substantially without a plastic regime. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the resilient arms (17) along the axis of the bearing is at least twice their width, preferably at least four times. Anti-shock bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the elastic arms (17) is less than one-fiftieth of the outer diameter of the ring (11). Timepiece comprising a shockproof bearing according to one of the preceding claims.

Images