EP2977834B1 - Shock absorber bearing for timepiece - Google Patents

Shock absorber bearing for timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2977834B1
EP2977834B1 EP15176877.7A EP15176877A EP2977834B1 EP 2977834 B1 EP2977834 B1 EP 2977834B1 EP 15176877 A EP15176877 A EP 15176877A EP 2977834 B1 EP2977834 B1 EP 2977834B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shock absorber
absorber bearing
springs
imaginary axis
spring
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EP15176877.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2977834A2 (en
EP2977834A3 (en
Inventor
Carla Lambert
Aurélien BLONDEAU
Olivier Karlen
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Richemont International SA
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Richemont International SA
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Publication of EP2977834A2 publication Critical patent/EP2977834A2/en
Publication of EP2977834A3 publication Critical patent/EP2977834A3/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B31/00—Bearings; Point suspensions or counter-point suspensions; Pivot bearings; Single parts therefor
    • G04B31/02—Shock-damping bearings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B31/00—Bearings; Point suspensions or counter-point suspensions; Pivot bearings; Single parts therefor
    • G04B31/004—Bearings; Point suspensions or counter-point suspensions; Pivot bearings; Single parts therefor characterised by the material used
    • G04B31/008—Jewel bearings
    • G04B31/0082—Jewel bearings with jewel hole and cap jewel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B31/00—Bearings; Point suspensions or counter-point suspensions; Pivot bearings; Single parts therefor
    • G04B31/02—Shock-damping bearings
    • G04B31/04—Shock-damping bearings with jewel hole and cap jewel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece.
  • the pivots of the axes of the mobiles turn in bearings mounted in the plate or in bridges.
  • the pivots of the axis of a beam are generally thin and the weight of the balance is relatively high, said pivots can break under the effect of a shock in the absence of damper system.
  • a shock absorbing bearing comprising a one-piece piece itself comprising a central portion, a peripheral portion and a resilient member connecting the central portion to the peripheral portion.
  • the central portion has a hole for receiving a pivot.
  • the elastic member comprises elastic arms wound spirally.
  • This one-piece piece is fixed in a cup-shaped intermediate piece mounted in a frame member (plate, bridge), or is fixed directly in the frame member.
  • the elastic member comprises laced arms each connecting the central portion of the one-piece piece to the central portion of a respective circular elastic ring segment supported by its two ends against the inner wall of the intermediate piece.
  • Each lacy arm forms with the respective elastic segment a spring.
  • the elastic segments participate in the deformation and the displacement of the axis of the mobile is relatively important.
  • the active length of said spring is reduced and the restoring force is increased. Moving the axis of the mobile during a great shock is therefore smaller in proportion than in a small shock. This feature improves the effectiveness of the anti-shock system.
  • this bearing offers little flexibility to obtain a displacement / force curve of the desired impact.
  • the stressing of the lace arms and peripheral elastic segments by the intermediate piece during assembly makes said curve dependent on the machining accuracy of the intermediate piece.
  • Another disadvantage of this bearing is that it is able to differentiate small and large shocks only in the radial direction. To obtain the same effect in the axial direction, a particular assembly, with an additional monoblock piece superimposed, is proposed. This assembly increases the size and complicates the manufacture.
  • the present invention aims to remedy, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece, comprising a one-piece piece defining a central portion, a peripheral portion and an elastic member connecting the portion central to the peripheral portion, the central portion having a hole for receiving a pivot, characterized in that the elastic member comprises at least one movable intermediate portion surrounding the imaginary axis of said hole, a first spring comprising at least one elastic arm connecting the central portion to one or more movable intermediate portions and a second spring comprising at least one elastic arm connecting the one or more of the movable intermediate portions to the peripheral portion, and in that the first and second springs have different stiffnesses in at least one of the direction of said imaginary axis and the radial direction by port to said imaginary axis.
  • the first and second springs have different stiffnesses both in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis.
  • the stiffness of the first spring in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis is smaller than that of the second spring.
  • the first and second springs have different heights.
  • height is meant in the context of the present invention the dimension in the direction of said imaginary axis.
  • the height of each of the first and second springs can be constant.
  • the height of the elastic member may vary gradually.
  • each resilient arm of each of the first and second springs may be spirally wound about said imaginary axis.
  • the first and second springs may each comprise a plurality of resilient arms.
  • said elastic arms are preferably regularly distributed around said imaginary axis.
  • Stops may be provided on the at least one of the movable intermediate portions and / or on the peripheral portion to limit the deformation of at least one of the first and second springs.
  • said hole is blind.
  • the or each mobile intermediate portion and / or the peripheral portion are rigid, that is to say they do not deform or almost not in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction relative to said imaginary axis.
  • the one-piece piece may be made of silicon, amorphous metal alloy or nickel or nickel-phosphorus alloy, for example.
  • the shock absorbing bearing comprises a single movable intermediate portion.
  • a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece comprises a one-piece piece 1 fixed in a hole 2 of a frame member 3 such as a plate or a bridge.
  • the one-piece piece 1 has the shape of a circular plate of variable height. It may be made in a silicon (monocrystalline or polycrystalline) plate or other crystalline material by a known etching process.
  • the one-piece piece 1 may alternatively be made of an amorphous metal alloy (metal glass), for example by casting and molding, or in a nickel or nickel-phosphorus alloy compatible with the LIGA manufacturing process.
  • the frame member 3 may itself be made of a conventional metal such as brass.
  • the one-piece part 1 comprises a central portion 4, a peripheral portion 5 and an elastic member 6 connecting the central portion 4 to the peripheral portion 5.
  • the central portion 4 has a blind hole 7 for receiving a pivot 8 of an axis mobile 9, such as a balance shaft.
  • the peripheral portion 5 has an annular shape and is dimensioned to be fixed, for example by gluing, in the hole 2 of the frame member 3.
  • the elastic member 6 comprises a first spring 10a, a second spring 10b and a mobile intermediate portion 11 of annular shape surrounding the part 4 and providing the connection between the first and second springs 10a, 10b.
  • the central, peripheral and intermediate portions 4, 5, 11 are typically rigid, and they are at least stiffer than the first and second springs 10a, 10b.
  • Each of the springs 10a, 10b comprises elastic arms 12a, 12b spirally wound around the common imaginary axis 13 of the hole 7, the one-piece part 1 and the mobile axis 9.
  • Each arm 12a of the first spring 10a is joined to the central portion 4 by one of its ends and the movable intermediate portion 11 by its other end.
  • Each arm 12b of the second spring 10b is joined to the movable intermediate portion 11 at one of its ends and to the peripheral portion 5 at its other end.
  • the arms 12a, 12b of each of the springs 10a, 10b are regularly distributed around the imaginary axis 13 and, in the example shown, are three in number.
  • the spiral shape of each arm 12a, 12b may comprise two arcs of circle centered on the imaginary axis 13, of different radii and connected to each other, as shown.
  • the height of the monobloc piece 1 is variable. More specifically, the assembly consisting of the central portion 4 and the first spring 10a has a height h1 less than the height h2 of the assembly constituted by the movable intermediate portion 11, the second spring 10b and the peripheral portion 5, thereby defining a central recess 14 in the surface of the one-piece piece 1 facing the mobile carried by the axis 9.
  • the springs 10a, 10b have different stiffnesses, the stiffness of the second spring 10b being larger than the stiffness of the first spring 10a.
  • bumps 15 are provided on the outer surface of the movable intermediate portion 11 and on the inner surface of the peripheral portion 5 to serve as radial stops to the arms 12b of the second spring 10b limiting the deformation of the latter.
  • Such bumps could also be provided on the inner surface of the movable intermediate portion 11 and on the surface of the central portion 4 to limit the deformation of the arms 12a of the first spring 10a.
  • the bearing according to the invention further comprises, typically, axial and radial abutments to prevent deformation of the elastic member 6 beyond a certain limit.
  • These stops are defined by a washer 16 fixed to the frame member 3 and whose central hole 17 is traversed with a certain clearance by the mobile axis 9, more precisely by a tigger 18 of this axis carrying the pivot 8.
  • the wall of the hole 17 constitutes the radial abutment, against which the tigeron 18 can come to rest during a large radial shock.
  • the surface 19 of the washer 16 facing the mobile carried by the axis 9 constitutes the axial abutment, against which a shoulder 20 of the axis 9 can come to bear during a large axial impact.
  • the figure 4 shows the radial or axial displacement curve of the pivot 8 as a function of the impact force, obtained with the bearing according to the invention.
  • a threshold S1 trigger threshold
  • the forces generated by the acceleration of the mass of the mobile are less than the force of the first spring 10a, there is therefore no movement of the elastic member 6.
  • the force due to the acceleration of the mass of the mobile is greater than that of the first spring 10a and lower than that of the second spring 10b.
  • the axis of mobile 9 moves by deforming the first spring 10a without deforming the second spring 10b or moving the movable intermediate portion 11, and without coming into contact with the Washer 16.
  • the height of the springs 10a, 10b is an easily manipulated parameter.
  • other parameters such as the thickness of the arms 12a, 12b can be varied.
  • the thickness of the arms 12b of the second spring 10b is greater than that of the arms 12a of the first spring 10a to compensate for the fact that the arms 12b have a greater length than the arms 12a.
  • each of the springs 10a, 10b is not necessarily constant.
  • the figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which the height of the elastic member 6 ', and even of the one-piece piece 1' as a whole, varies progressively, giving for example to the surface of the one-piece piece opposite to the surface turned towards the mobile, a bowl shape.
  • the number of springs 10a, 10b in the bearing according to the invention is not necessarily limited to two. It can be equal to three, four, etc.
  • the second spring 10b could connect the movable intermediate portion 11 to a second movable intermediate portion
  • a third spring could connect the second movable intermediate portion to the peripheral portion 5.
  • the stiffness of the springs 10a, 10b can be reversed.
  • the springs located closer to the central portion 4 could have a high stiffness and the springs located closer to the periphery 5 could have a small stiffness.
  • the one-piece character of the part 1 facilitates the mounting of the bearing.
  • the bearing according to the invention does not need an intermediate piece or cage between the one-piece piece 1 and the frame member 3 (cf. figure 1 ). However, the use of such an intermediate part is not excluded in the present invention.
  • a coating of a material known for its good tribological properties can be formed on the one-piece part 1 (or only on the wall of its hole 7) and / or on the pivot 8.
  • said material may be sapphire, diamond, amorphous carbon (DLC: Diamond-Like Carbon) or silicon oxide.

Description

La présente invention concerne un palier amortisseur de choc pour pièce d'horlogerie.The present invention relates to a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece.

Dans l'horlogerie, les pivots des axes des mobiles tournent dans des paliers montés dans la platine ou dans des ponts. Pour certains mobiles, en particulier le balancier, il est d'usage d'équiper les paliers d'un système amortisseur antichoc. En effet, comme les pivots de l'axe d'un balancier sont généralement fins et la masse du balancier est relativement élevée, lesdits pivots peuvent casser sous l'effet d'un choc en l'absence de système amortisseur.In watchmaking, the pivots of the axes of the mobiles turn in bearings mounted in the plate or in bridges. For some mobiles, particularly the balance, it is customary to equip the bearings with a shock-absorbing system. Indeed, as the pivots of the axis of a beam are generally thin and the weight of the balance is relatively high, said pivots can break under the effect of a shock in the absence of damper system.

On connaît par la demande de brevet EP 2015147 A2 un palier amortisseur de choc comprenant une pièce monobloc comprenant elle-même une partie centrale, une partie périphérique et un organe élastique reliant la partie centrale à la partie périphérique. La partie centrale présente un trou destiné à recevoir un pivot. L'organe élastique comprend des bras élastiques enroulés en spirale. Cette pièce monobloc est fixée dans une pièce intermédiaire en forme de coupelle montée dans un élément de bâti (platine, pont), ou est fixée directement dans l'élément de bâti. Dans une variante de réalisation, illustrée aux figures 9 et 10 de ce document EP 2015147 A2 , l'organe élastique comprend des bras en lacets reliant chacun la partie centrale de la pièce monobloc à la partie centrale d'un segment élastique circulaire périphérique respectif s'appuyant par ses deux extrémités contre la paroi interne de la pièce intermédiaire. Chaque bras en lacets forme avec le segment élastique respectif un ressort. Lors d'un petit choc, les segments élastiques participent à la déformation et le déplacement de l'axe du mobile est relativement important. Dès que la partie centrale d'un segment élastique entre en contact avec la pièce intermédiaire, arrêtant ainsi la déformation du segment élastique, la longueur active dudit ressort est réduite et la force de rappel est augmentée. Le déplacement de l'axe du mobile lors d'un grand choc est donc plus petit, en proportion, que lors d'un petit choc. Cette caractéristique améliore l'efficacité du système antichoc.It is known from the patent application EP 2015147 A2 a shock absorbing bearing comprising a one-piece piece itself comprising a central portion, a peripheral portion and a resilient member connecting the central portion to the peripheral portion. The central portion has a hole for receiving a pivot. The elastic member comprises elastic arms wound spirally. This one-piece piece is fixed in a cup-shaped intermediate piece mounted in a frame member (plate, bridge), or is fixed directly in the frame member. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 of this document EP 2015147 A2 , the elastic member comprises laced arms each connecting the central portion of the one-piece piece to the central portion of a respective circular elastic ring segment supported by its two ends against the inner wall of the intermediate piece. Each lacy arm forms with the respective elastic segment a spring. In a small shock, the elastic segments participate in the deformation and the displacement of the axis of the mobile is relatively important. As soon as the central part of an elastic segment comes into contact with the intermediate part, thereby stopping the deformation of the elastic segment, the active length of said spring is reduced and the restoring force is increased. Moving the axis of the mobile during a great shock is therefore smaller in proportion than in a small shock. This feature improves the effectiveness of the anti-shock system.

Cependant, la conception de ce palier, avec ses bras élastiques en lacets et ses segments élastiques périphériques, offre en pratique peu de souplesse pour l'obtention d'une courbe déplacement / force du choc souhaitée. De plus, la mise sous contrainte des bras en lacets et des segments élastiques périphériques par la pièce intermédiaire lors de l'assemblage rend ladite courbe dépendante de la précision d'usinage de la pièce intermédiaire. Un autre inconvénient de ce palier est qu'il n'est capable de différencier les petits et grands chocs que dans la direction radiale. Pour obtenir le même effet dans la direction axiale, un assemblage particulier, avec une pièce monobloc supplémentaire superposée, est proposé. Cet assemblage augmente l'encombrement et complique la fabrication.However, the design of this bearing, with its elastic arms laces and peripheral elastic segments, in practice offers little flexibility to obtain a displacement / force curve of the desired impact. In addition, the stressing of the lace arms and peripheral elastic segments by the intermediate piece during assembly makes said curve dependent on the machining accuracy of the intermediate piece. Another disadvantage of this bearing is that it is able to differentiate small and large shocks only in the radial direction. To obtain the same effect in the axial direction, a particular assembly, with an additional monoblock piece superimposed, is proposed. This assembly increases the size and complicates the manufacture.

Le même type de palier amortisseur de chocs est encore décrit dans le document EP2781972 .The same type of shock absorbing bearing is still described in the document EP2781972 .

La présente invention vise à remédier, au moins en partie, aux inconvénients précités et propose à cette fin un palier amortisseur de choc pour pièce d'horlogerie, comprenant une pièce monobloc définissant une partie centrale, une partie périphérique et un organe élastique reliant la partie centrale à la partie périphérique, la partie centrale présentant un trou destiné à recevoir un pivot, caractérisé en ce que l'organe élastique comprend au moins une partie intermédiaire mobile entourant l'axe imaginaire dudit trou, un premier ressort comprenant au moins un bras élastique reliant la partie centrale à la ou une des parties intermédiaires mobiles et un deuxième ressort comprenant au moins un bras élastique reliant la ou une autre des parties intermédiaires mobiles à la partie périphérique, et en ce que les premier et deuxième ressorts ont des raideurs différentes dans l'une au moins de la direction dudit axe imaginaire et de la direction radiale par rapport audit axe imaginaire.The present invention aims to remedy, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece, comprising a one-piece piece defining a central portion, a peripheral portion and an elastic member connecting the portion central to the peripheral portion, the central portion having a hole for receiving a pivot, characterized in that the elastic member comprises at least one movable intermediate portion surrounding the imaginary axis of said hole, a first spring comprising at least one elastic arm connecting the central portion to one or more movable intermediate portions and a second spring comprising at least one elastic arm connecting the one or more of the movable intermediate portions to the peripheral portion, and in that the first and second springs have different stiffnesses in at least one of the direction of said imaginary axis and the radial direction by port to said imaginary axis.

De préférence, les premier et deuxième ressorts ont des raideurs différentes à la fois dans la direction dudit axe imaginaire et dans la direction radiale par rapport audit axe imaginaire.Preferably, the first and second springs have different stiffnesses both in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, la raideur du premier ressort dans la direction dudit axe imaginaire et dans la direction radiale par rapport audit axe imaginaire est plus petite que celle du deuxième ressort.In a particular embodiment, the stiffness of the first spring in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis is smaller than that of the second spring.

Typiquement, les premier et deuxième ressorts ont des hauteurs différentes. Par le terme « hauteur » on entend dans le cadre de la présente invention la dimension selon la direction dudit axe imaginaire.Typically, the first and second springs have different heights. By the term "height" is meant in the context of the present invention the dimension in the direction of said imaginary axis.

La hauteur de chacun des premier et deuxième ressorts peut être constante.The height of each of the first and second springs can be constant.

En variante, la hauteur de l'organe élastique peut varier progressivement.Alternatively, the height of the elastic member may vary gradually.

Le ou chaque bras élastique de chacun des premier et deuxième ressorts peut être enroulé en spirale autour dudit axe imaginaire.The or each resilient arm of each of the first and second springs may be spirally wound about said imaginary axis.

Les premier et deuxième ressorts peuvent comprendre chacun plusieurs bras élastiques. Dans ce cas, lesdits bras élastiques sont de préférence régulièrement répartis autour dudit axe imaginaire.The first and second springs may each comprise a plurality of resilient arms. In this case, said elastic arms are preferably regularly distributed around said imaginary axis.

Des butées peuvent être prévues sur la ou l'une au moins des parties intermédiaires mobiles et/ou sur la partie périphérique pour limiter la déformation de l'un au moins des premier et deuxième ressorts.Stops may be provided on the at least one of the movable intermediate portions and / or on the peripheral portion to limit the deformation of at least one of the first and second springs.

De préférence, ledit trou est borgne.Preferably, said hole is blind.

De préférence également, la ou chaque partie intermédiaire mobile et/ou la partie périphérique sont rigides, c'est-à-dire qu'elles ne se déforment pas ou quasiment pas dans la direction dudit axe imaginaire et dans la direction radiale par rapport audit axe imaginaire.Also preferably, the or each mobile intermediate portion and / or the peripheral portion are rigid, that is to say they do not deform or almost not in the direction of said imaginary axis and in the radial direction relative to said imaginary axis.

La pièce monobloc peut être faite en silicium, en alliage métallique amorphe ou en alliage nickel ou nickel-phosphore, par exemple.The one-piece piece may be made of silicon, amorphous metal alloy or nickel or nickel-phosphorus alloy, for example.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le palier amortisseur antichoc comprend une seule partie intermédiaire mobile.In a particular embodiment, the shock absorbing bearing comprises a single movable intermediate portion.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un palier amortisseur de choc selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention monté sur un élément de bâti d'un mouvement d'une pièce d'horlogerie ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue plane de dessus d'une pièce monobloc faisant partie du palier illustré à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de ladite pièce monobloc ;
  • la figure 4 montre une courbe de déplacement d'un pivot en fonction de la force du choc obtenue avec le palier selon l'invention ; et
  • la figure 5 est une vue en perspective coupée d'une pièce monobloc faisant partie d'un palier selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a sectional view of a shock absorbing bearing according to a first embodiment of the invention mounted on a frame member of a movement of a timepiece;
  • the figure 2 is a plan view from above of a one-piece part forming part of the bearing illustrated in FIG. figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a perspective view of said one-piece piece;
  • the figure 4 shows a curve of displacement of a pivot according to the force of the shock obtained with the bearing according to the invention; and
  • the figure 5 is a perspective cut view of a one-piece part forming part of a bearing according to a second embodiment of the invention.

En référence à la figure 1, un palier amortisseur de choc pour pièce d'horlogerie selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention comprend une pièce monobloc 1 fixée dans un trou 2 d'un élément de bâti 3 tel qu'une platine ou un pont. La pièce monobloc 1 a la forme d'une plaque circulaire de hauteur variable. Elle peut être réalisée dans une plaque de silicium (monocristallin ou polycristallin) ou d'un autre matériau cristallin par un procédé connu de gravure. La pièce monobloc 1 peut en variante être réalisée dans un alliage métallique amorphe (verre métallique), par exemple par coulage et moulage, ou dans un alliage nickel ou nickel-phosphore compatible avec le procédé de fabrication LIGA. L'élément de bâti 3 peut, lui, être réalisé dans un métal classique comme le laiton.With reference to the figure 1 , a shock absorbing bearing for a timepiece according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a one-piece piece 1 fixed in a hole 2 of a frame member 3 such as a plate or a bridge. The one-piece piece 1 has the shape of a circular plate of variable height. It may be made in a silicon (monocrystalline or polycrystalline) plate or other crystalline material by a known etching process. The one-piece piece 1 may alternatively be made of an amorphous metal alloy (metal glass), for example by casting and molding, or in a nickel or nickel-phosphorus alloy compatible with the LIGA manufacturing process. The frame member 3 may itself be made of a conventional metal such as brass.

En référence aux figures 1 à 3, la pièce monobloc 1 comprend une partie centrale 4, une partie périphérique 5 et un organe élastique 6 reliant la partie centrale 4 à la partie périphérique 5. La partie centrale 4 présente un trou borgne 7 destiné à recevoir un pivot 8 d'un axe de mobile 9, tel qu'un axe de balancier. La partie périphérique 5 présente une forme annulaire et est dimensionnée pour pouvoir être fixée, par exemple par collage, dans le trou 2 de l'élément de bâti 3. L'organe élastique 6 comprend un premier ressort 10a, un deuxième ressort 10b et une partie intermédiaire mobile 11 de forme annulaire entourant la partie centrale 4 et assurant la liaison entre les premier et deuxième ressorts 10a, 10b. Les parties centrale, périphérique et intermédiaire 4, 5, 11 sont typiquement rigides, et elles sont du moins plus rigides que les premier et deuxième ressorts 10a, 10b.With reference to Figures 1 to 3 , the one-piece part 1 comprises a central portion 4, a peripheral portion 5 and an elastic member 6 connecting the central portion 4 to the peripheral portion 5. The central portion 4 has a blind hole 7 for receiving a pivot 8 of an axis mobile 9, such as a balance shaft. The peripheral portion 5 has an annular shape and is dimensioned to be fixed, for example by gluing, in the hole 2 of the frame member 3. The elastic member 6 comprises a first spring 10a, a second spring 10b and a mobile intermediate portion 11 of annular shape surrounding the part 4 and providing the connection between the first and second springs 10a, 10b. The central, peripheral and intermediate portions 4, 5, 11 are typically rigid, and they are at least stiffer than the first and second springs 10a, 10b.

Chacun des ressorts 10a, 10b comprend des bras élastiques 12a, 12b enroulés en spirale autour de l'axe imaginaire commun 13 du trou 7, de la pièce monobloc 1 et de l'axe de mobile 9. Chaque bras 12a du premier ressort 10a est joint à la partie centrale 4 par l'une de ses extrémités et à la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 par son autre extrémité. Chaque bras 12b du deuxième ressort 10b est joint à la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 par l'une de ses extrémités et à la partie périphérique 5 par son autre extrémité. Les bras 12a, 12b de chacun des ressorts 10a, 10b sont régulièrement répartis autour de l'axe imaginaire 13 et, dans l'exemple représenté, sont au nombre de trois. La forme spiralée de chaque bras 12a, 12b peut comprendre deux arcs de cercle centrés sur l'axe imaginaire 13, de rayons différents et raccordés l'un à l'autre, comme représenté.Each of the springs 10a, 10b comprises elastic arms 12a, 12b spirally wound around the common imaginary axis 13 of the hole 7, the one-piece part 1 and the mobile axis 9. Each arm 12a of the first spring 10a is joined to the central portion 4 by one of its ends and the movable intermediate portion 11 by its other end. Each arm 12b of the second spring 10b is joined to the movable intermediate portion 11 at one of its ends and to the peripheral portion 5 at its other end. The arms 12a, 12b of each of the springs 10a, 10b are regularly distributed around the imaginary axis 13 and, in the example shown, are three in number. The spiral shape of each arm 12a, 12b may comprise two arcs of circle centered on the imaginary axis 13, of different radii and connected to each other, as shown.

Comme déjà mentionné et visible sur les figures 1 et 3, la hauteur de la pièce monobloc 1 est variable. Plus précisément, l'ensemble constitué par la partie centrale 4 et le premier ressort 10a présente une hauteur h1 inférieure à la hauteur h2 de l'ensemble constitué par la partie intermédiaire mobile 11, le deuxième ressort 10b et la partie périphérique 5, définissant ainsi un évidement central 14 dans la surface de la pièce monobloc 1 tournée vers le mobile porté par l'axe 9. Par cette différence de hauteur, les ressorts 10a, 10b ont des raideurs différentes, la raideur du deuxième ressort 10b étant plus grande que la raideur du premier ressort 10a. Cette différence de raideur est valable à la fois dans la direction axiale (c'est-à-dire pour des chocs reçus par l'axe de mobile 9 dans la direction de l'axe imaginaire 13) et dans la direction radiale (c'est-à-dire pour des chocs reçus par l'axe de mobile 9 dans l'une quelconque des directions radiales par rapport à l'axe imaginaire 13). Il en résulte un amortissement différent selon la force du choc, comme cela sera expliqué ci-après. Dans une variante, l'évidement central 14 pourrait être formé dans la surface de la pièce monobloc 1 opposée à celle tournée vers le mobile porté par l'axe 9.As already mentioned and visible on figures 1 and 3 , the height of the monobloc piece 1 is variable. More specifically, the assembly consisting of the central portion 4 and the first spring 10a has a height h1 less than the height h2 of the assembly constituted by the movable intermediate portion 11, the second spring 10b and the peripheral portion 5, thereby defining a central recess 14 in the surface of the one-piece piece 1 facing the mobile carried by the axis 9. By this difference in height, the springs 10a, 10b have different stiffnesses, the stiffness of the second spring 10b being larger than the stiffness of the first spring 10a. This difference in stiffness is valid both in the axial direction (that is to say for shocks received by the axis of mobile 9 in the direction of the imaginary axis 13) and in the radial direction (c ' that is to say for shocks received by the mobile axis 9 in any of the radial directions with respect to the imaginary axis 13). This results in a different damping according to the force of the shock, as will be explained below. In a variant, the recess central 14 could be formed in the surface of the one-piece piece 1 opposite that facing the mobile carried by the axis 9.

De manière avantageuse, des bosses 15 sont prévues sur la surface extérieure de la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 et sur la surface intérieure de la partie périphérique 5 pour servir de butées radiales aux bras 12b du deuxième ressort 10b limitant la déformation de ces derniers. De telles bosses pourraient aussi être prévues sur la surface intérieure de la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 et sur la surface de la partie centrale 4 pour limiter la déformation des bras 12a du premier ressort 10a.Advantageously, bumps 15 are provided on the outer surface of the movable intermediate portion 11 and on the inner surface of the peripheral portion 5 to serve as radial stops to the arms 12b of the second spring 10b limiting the deformation of the latter. Such bumps could also be provided on the inner surface of the movable intermediate portion 11 and on the surface of the central portion 4 to limit the deformation of the arms 12a of the first spring 10a.

Le palier selon l'invention comprend en outre, typiquement, des butées axiale et radiale pour empêcher une déformation de l'organe élastique 6 au-delà d'une certaine limite. Ces butées sont définies par une rondelle 16 fixée à l'élément de bâti 3 et dont le trou central 17 est traversé avec un certain jeu par l'axe de mobile 9, plus précisément par un tigeron 18 de cet axe portant le pivot 8. La paroi du trou 17 constitue la butée radiale, contre laquelle le tigeron 18 peut venir s'appuyer lors d'un grand choc radial. La surface 19 de la rondelle 16 tournée vers le mobile porté par l'axe 9 constitue la butée axiale, contre laquelle un épaulement 20 de l'axe 9 peut venir s'appuyer lors d'un grand choc axial.The bearing according to the invention further comprises, typically, axial and radial abutments to prevent deformation of the elastic member 6 beyond a certain limit. These stops are defined by a washer 16 fixed to the frame member 3 and whose central hole 17 is traversed with a certain clearance by the mobile axis 9, more precisely by a tigger 18 of this axis carrying the pivot 8. The wall of the hole 17 constitutes the radial abutment, against which the tigeron 18 can come to rest during a large radial shock. The surface 19 of the washer 16 facing the mobile carried by the axis 9 constitutes the axial abutment, against which a shoulder 20 of the axis 9 can come to bear during a large axial impact.

La figure 4 montre la courbe de déplacement radial ou axial du pivot 8 en fonction de la force du choc, obtenue avec le palier selon l'invention. En fonctionnement normal de la pièce d'horlogerie, c'est-à-dire pour des chocs de force inférieure à un seuil S1 (seuil de déclenchement), les forces engendrées par l'accélération de la masse du mobile sont inférieures à la force du premier ressort 10a, il n'y a donc pas de mouvement de l'organe élastique 6. En cas de faible choc, au-dessus du seuil de déclenchement S1 et au-dessous d'un seuil S2, la force due à l'accélération de la masse du mobile est supérieure à celle du premier ressort 10a et inférieure à celle du deuxième ressort 10b. L'axe de mobile 9 se déplace en déformant le premier ressort 10a sans déformer le deuxième ressort 10b ni déplacer la partie intermédiaire mobile 11, et sans venir en contact avec la rondelle 16. Le choc est ainsi ralenti, ce qui évite un effort trop grand sur le pivot 8. En cas de choc plus fort, au-dessus du seuil S2 et au-dessous d'un seuil S3, la force due à l'accélération de la masse du mobile est supérieure à celle du deuxième ressort 10b. Par conséquent, la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 est déplacée, le deuxième ressort 10b est sollicité et la force de rappel exercée par l'organe élastique 6 devient plus grande, ce qui ralentit davantage le choc. En cas de choc très fort, au-dessus du seuil S3, l'axe de mobile 9 vient buter contre la rondelle 16.The figure 4 shows the radial or axial displacement curve of the pivot 8 as a function of the impact force, obtained with the bearing according to the invention. In normal operation of the timepiece, that is to say for shocks of force below a threshold S1 (trigger threshold), the forces generated by the acceleration of the mass of the mobile are less than the force of the first spring 10a, there is therefore no movement of the elastic member 6. In case of low shock, above the trigger threshold S1 and below a threshold S2, the force due to the acceleration of the mass of the mobile is greater than that of the first spring 10a and lower than that of the second spring 10b. The axis of mobile 9 moves by deforming the first spring 10a without deforming the second spring 10b or moving the movable intermediate portion 11, and without coming into contact with the Washer 16. The impact is thus slowed, which avoids an excessive effort on the pivot 8. In case of a stronger impact, above the threshold S2 and below a threshold S3, the force due to the acceleration of the mass of the mobile is greater than that of the second spring 10b. Therefore, the movable intermediate portion 11 is moved, the second spring 10b is biased and the restoring force exerted by the elastic member 6 becomes larger, which further slows the shock. In the event of a very strong shock, above the threshold S3, the mobile axis 9 abuts against the washer 16.

En jouant sur les dimensions des ressorts 10a, 10b, il est possible d'obtenir de manière assez aisée la forme que l'on souhaite pour la courbe de la figure 4 (position des seuils S1, S2, S3, pente de la courbe, etc.). En particulier, la hauteur des ressorts 10a, 10b est un paramètre facilement manipulable. Toutefois, en plus de la hauteur ou en alternative à celle-ci, on peut faire varier d'autres paramètres tels que l'épaisseur des bras 12a, 12b. Sur la figure 2 on peut voir que l'épaisseur des bras 12b du deuxième ressort 10b est supérieure à celle des bras 12a du premier ressort 10a pour compenser le fait que les bras 12b ont une plus grande longueur que les bras 12a.By varying the dimensions of the springs 10a, 10b, it is possible to obtain quite easily the shape that one wishes for the curve of the figure 4 (position of the thresholds S1, S2, S3, slope of the curve, etc.). In particular, the height of the springs 10a, 10b is an easily manipulated parameter. However, in addition to the height or as an alternative thereto, other parameters such as the thickness of the arms 12a, 12b can be varied. On the figure 2 it can be seen that the thickness of the arms 12b of the second spring 10b is greater than that of the arms 12a of the first spring 10a to compensate for the fact that the arms 12b have a greater length than the arms 12a.

La hauteur de chacun des ressorts 10a, 10b n'est pas nécessairement constante. La figure 5 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel la hauteur de l'organe élastique 6', et même de la pièce monobloc 1' dans son ensemble, varie progressivement, donnant par exemple à la surface de la pièce monobloc opposée à la surface tournée vers le mobile, une forme de cuvette.The height of each of the springs 10a, 10b is not necessarily constant. The figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which the height of the elastic member 6 ', and even of the one-piece piece 1' as a whole, varies progressively, giving for example to the surface of the one-piece piece opposite to the surface turned towards the mobile, a bowl shape.

Le nombre de ressorts 10a, 10b dans le palier selon l'invention n'est pas nécessairement limité à deux. Il peut être égal à trois, quatre, etc. Ainsi, le deuxième ressort 10b pourrait relier la partie intermédiaire mobile 11 à une deuxième partie intermédiaire mobile, et un troisième ressort pourrait relier la deuxième partie intermédiaire mobile à la partie périphérique 5.The number of springs 10a, 10b in the bearing according to the invention is not necessarily limited to two. It can be equal to three, four, etc. Thus, the second spring 10b could connect the movable intermediate portion 11 to a second movable intermediate portion, and a third spring could connect the second movable intermediate portion to the peripheral portion 5.

De plus, la raideur des ressorts 10a, 10b peut être inversée. En d'autres termes, les ressorts situés plus près de la partie centrale 4 pourraient avoir une grande raideur et les ressorts situés plus près de la périphérie 5 pourraient avoir une petite raideur.In addition, the stiffness of the springs 10a, 10b can be reversed. In other words, the springs located closer to the central portion 4 could have a high stiffness and the springs located closer to the periphery 5 could have a small stiffness.

Le caractère monobloc de la pièce 1 facilite le montage du palier. Le palier selon l'invention n'a pas besoin d'une pièce intermédiaire ou cage entre la pièce monobloc 1 et l'élément de bâti 3 (cf. figure 1). Cependant, l'emploi d'une telle pièce intermédiaire n'est pas exclu dans la présente invention.The one-piece character of the part 1 facilitates the mounting of the bearing. The bearing according to the invention does not need an intermediate piece or cage between the one-piece piece 1 and the frame member 3 (cf. figure 1 ). However, the use of such an intermediate part is not excluded in the present invention.

Pour améliorer le contact entre le pivot 8, généralement en acier, et la pièce monobloc 1, un revêtement d'un matériau connu pour ses bonnes propriétés tribologiques peut être formé sur la pièce monobloc 1 (ou seulement sur la paroi de son trou 7) et/ou sur le pivot 8. Dans le cas d'une pièce monobloc 1 en silicium, ledit matériau peut être du saphir, du diamant, du carbone amorphe (DLC : Diamond-Like Carbon) ou de l'oxyde de silicium.To improve the contact between the pivot 8, generally made of steel, and the one-piece part 1, a coating of a material known for its good tribological properties can be formed on the one-piece part 1 (or only on the wall of its hole 7) and / or on the pivot 8. In the case of a one-piece piece 1 of silicon, said material may be sapphire, diamond, amorphous carbon (DLC: Diamond-Like Carbon) or silicon oxide.

Claims (15)

  1. Shock absorber bearing for a timepiece, comprising a one-piece element (1) defining a central part (4), a peripheral part (5) and a resilient member (6) connecting the central part (4) to the peripheral part (5), the central part (4) having a hole (7) intended to receive a pivot (8), characterised in that the resilient member (6) comprises at least one mobile intermediate part (11) surrounding the imaginary axis (13) of said hole (7), a first spring (10a) comprising at least one resilient arm (12a) connecting the central part (4) to the or one of the mobile intermediate parts (11) and a second spring (10b) comprising at least one resilient arm (12b) connecting the or another one of the mobile intermediate parts (11) to the peripheral part (5), and in that the first and second springs (10a, 10b) have different stiffnesses in at least one of the direction of said imaginary axis (13) and the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis (13).
  2. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first and second springs (10a, 10b) have different stiffnesses in both the direction of said imaginary axis (13) and the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis (13).
  3. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stiffness of the first spring (10a) in the direction of said imaginary axis (13) and in the radial direction with respect to said imaginary axis (13) is smaller than that of the second spring (10b).
  4. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first and second springs (10a, 10b) have different heights.
  5. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the height of each of the first and second springs (10a, 10b) is constant.
  6. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the height of the resilient member (6) varies progressively.
  7. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the or each resilient arm (12a, 12b) of each of the first and second springs (10a, 10b) is wound in a spiral around said imaginary axis (13).
  8. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first and second springs (10a, 10b) each comprise a plurality of resilient arms (12a, 12b).
  9. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the resilient arms (12a, 12b) of each of the first and second springs (10a, 10b) are distributed uniformly around said imaginary axis (13).
  10. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises stops (15) on the or at least one of the mobile intermediate parts (11) and/or on the peripheral part (5) in order to limit the deformation of at least one of the first and second springs (10a, 10b).
  11. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said hole (7) is a blind hole.
  12. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the or each mobile intermediate part (11) is rigid.
  13. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the peripheral part (5) is rigid.
  14. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the one-piece element (1) is made of silicon, of amorphous metal alloy, or of nickel-phosphorus or nickel alloy.
  15. Shock absorber bearing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a single mobile intermediate part (11).
EP15176877.7A 2014-07-22 2015-07-15 Shock absorber bearing for timepiece Active EP2977834B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH01109/14A CH709908A1 (en) 2014-07-22 2014-07-22 Landing shock absorber for a timepiece.

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EP2977834A2 EP2977834A2 (en) 2016-01-27
EP2977834A3 EP2977834A3 (en) 2016-03-23
EP2977834B1 true EP2977834B1 (en) 2019-02-20

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EP15176877.7A Active EP2977834B1 (en) 2014-07-22 2015-07-15 Shock absorber bearing for timepiece

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EP3067756B1 (en) * 2015-03-09 2017-11-22 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Swivel assembly for a timepiece

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2015147A2 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-14 Manufacture et fabrique de montres et chronomètres Ulysse Nardin Le Locle SA Shock-absorbing bearing for a timepiece

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DE602005025585D1 (en) * 2005-02-23 2011-02-10 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Shock absorbing watch storage
CH705112B1 (en) * 2007-11-07 2012-12-31 Manuf Et Fabrique De Montres Et Chronometres Ulysse Nardin Le Locle Sa shock absorber bearing for a timepiece.
EP2400355A1 (en) * 2010-06-22 2011-12-28 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Shockproof system for a timepiece
CH707809B1 (en) * 2013-03-19 2017-05-31 Nivarox Far Sa Bearing for clockwork mechanism.

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2015147A2 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-14 Manufacture et fabrique de montres et chronomètres Ulysse Nardin Le Locle SA Shock-absorbing bearing for a timepiece

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EP2977834A3 (en) 2016-03-23
CH709908A1 (en) 2016-01-29

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