Classifications

• • 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
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a shock absorbing device for an axis of a component of a timepiece
• a shock absorbing device for an axis of a component of a timepiece
• a hollow support comprising a bottom cup surmounted by a peripheral rim delimited, opposite said cup, by a surface upper, said cup and the flange together defining a housing
• the device further comprising a pivot system extending along an axis, said pivot system being arranged in said housing and formed of a base having resilient return means at its periphery formed by at least one curved arm, and having an opening in which a pivot member adapted to cooperate with an axis is inserted.
• Shock absorbing devices for an axis of a component of a timepiece comprising a support in which a housing is arranged.
• This housing has a pierced bottom through which the spindle of the axis passes and an inner wall.
• the device further comprises a pivot system 1, visible in Figure 1, arranged in said housing and having a base 2 having elastic return means 3 at its periphery. These return means are in the form of arms 4 and are then connected by a first end to the base 2 and by a second end to a peripheral annular piece 5 as visible in Figure 1.
• the base has an opening 6 in which a pivot element adapted to cooperate with an axis is inserted.
• This pivot element and the base can be one piece.
• shock absorber devices are bulky. Indeed, these devices arm by nature have a larger surface than systems lyre. This space is further increased with the presence of the annular piece on which the second ends of the return means are fixed.
• this type of shock-absorbing device can only be used on large watch movements and not on watch movements with reduced dimensions.
• the object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing to provide a shock absorbing device that is both more compact and less stressed.
• the present invention relates to a shock absorbing device for an axis of a component of a timepiece
• a shock absorbing device for an axis of a component of a timepiece
• a hollow support having a bottom cup surmounted by a delimited peripheral rim, opposite said cup.
• said cup and the flange together defining a housing
• the device further comprising at least one pivot system extending in a direction perpendicular to an axis (D), said at least one pivot system being arranged in said housing and formed of a base (121) having resilient return means (1 23) at its periphery formed by at at least one curved arm (124), and comprising a pivot element (1 22) adapted to cooperate with said axis,
• the flange comprises in its thickness at least one cavity comprising a clearance parallel to said axis (D) and opening relative to the upper surface, and secant with said first clearance and opposite the upper surface , a blind groove used for bayonet immobilization of a curved arm of said at least one pivot system.
• the advantage of this device is that it is more compact and therefore can be used for watch movements of small sizes.
• the bayonet attachment mode has the advantage of being simple and easier to dismantle than the hunting usually used.
• said at least one arm has a free end, said free end engaging in said at least one groove.
• the groove comprises a recess in which a lug located at the free end of said at least one curved arm fits.
• the pivot element comprises a single stone.
• the pivot element comprises a kitten in which are immobilized a pierced stone traversed by the tigeron of the axis and a stone against pivot.
• the pivot element and the base are in one piece.
• the elastic return means are formed by three curved arms angularly offset by 120 ° said flange having, in its thickness, three cavities.
• the shock absorbing device further comprises an additional spring allowing, in the event of axial impact, to bring the axis back to its initial position.
• said additional spring is a lyre-type spring in the form of an open ring comprising a hinge and two locking lugs.
• said additional spring is an annular flat spring in the form of a closed ring having axially extending bearing surfaces.
• the device comprises two pivot systems using the same cavity for the bayonet immobilization of a curved arm of each pivot system.
• the device comprises two pivot systems each using a cavity for bayonet immobilization of a curved arm of said pivot system.
• FIG. 1 shows schematically a shock absorbing device according to the prior art
• FIG. 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of a shock absorber device according to the invention
• FIG. 3 shows schematically a sectional view of the shock absorbing device according to the invention
• FIG. 4 shows schematically the support of the shock absorbing device according to the invention
• FIG. 5 schematically shows a bottom view of the pivot system of the shock absorber device according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 6 and 7 show schematically examples of embodiments of a shock absorbing device according to the invention
• FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically represent a second embodiment of a shock-absorbing device according to the invention.
• FIG. 10 schematically shows a third embodiment of a shock absorbing device according to the invention.
• a shock absorbing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. This shock absorbing device can be used for a part of a timepiece.
• the shock absorbing device 100 or anti-shock device comprises a hollow support 1 10 having a bottom cup 1 1 1 surmounted by a delimited rim January 12, opposite said cup, by an upper surface 1 13.
• the cup and the flange together define a housing 1 14 visible in Figures 3 and 4.
• the support 1 10 can be either an independent part driven or fixed by any other means in the frame of the watch movement, or be part of another part of the movement, such as a bridge or a plate.
• a pivot system 120 extending along an axis (D) is placed.
• This system pivot 120 comprises a circular base 121 in the form of a pellet.
• This base 121 may be made of a metal type material or monocrystalline type such as silicon or polycrystalline such as ceramic or ruby or sapphire.
• This circular base 121 is a one-piece element 127 acting as a pivot element 122, that is to say that it is provided with a blind or through hole 1 in which the stem of the axis engages. Its diameter is calculated so that the tigeron that is engaged can rotate freely in with a minimum of frolicking.
• the pivot system 120 also comprises resilient return means 123.
• These elastic return means 1 23 are formed by at least one curved elastic arm 124 and are attached by one of their ends to the periphery of the circular base 121.
• These elastic return means 123 are chosen to have a reaction force both axially and perpendicularly to the axis. That is, pivot system 120 is able to react in the event of axial impact or radial impact.
• the ends of the curved arms 124 which are not attached to the circular base are left free. This feature makes it possible to have a pivot system 120 which is more compact compared to the prior art system because its surface area is smaller.
• the elastic return means 123 are formed by three curved arms 124 each having a point of attachment with the base 1 21 and which are angularly offset by 120 °. It is obvious that the elastic function could be provided with a different number of arms 124, or with other forms.
• the present invention is advantageously to use a bayonet type fixing system as shown in Figure 4.
• the flange January 1 comprises in its thickness, at least one cavity 1 16.
• This cavity 1 16 is formed by a clearance 1 17 parallel to said axis (D) and opening relative to the upper surface 1 13, and, secant with said first clearance and opposite the upper surface 1 13, a groove 1 18 blind.
• This groove 1 18 is used for bayonet immobilization of an arm 124 curved of said pivot system.
• the elastic return means 1 1 3 comprise three bent arms 124, three cavities 1 16 are provided.
• the pivot system 120 is mounted in the housing 1 14 so that the free ends of the curved arms 124 can be introduced into the clearance 1 17.
• the pivot system can then be introduced into the housing so as to approach the cup 1 1 1 background.
• the curved arms must face the grooves 1 18. Therefore, a rotational movement is made to introduce the free ends of the curved arms 124 into said grooves 1 18 and fix said pivot system in the support 1 1 0.
• This method of fixing the pivot system 120 in the housing of the support 1 10 has the advantage of generating fewer constraints. Indeed, as the ends of the curved arms are free, the curved elastic arms are independent of each other because not interconnected and can more simply deform.
• the geometry of the groove 1 18 or the clearance 1 17 can be varied. It will be understood that the groove 1 18 or the clearance 1 17 may be cylindrical or parallelepipedal or elliptical.
• the clearance 1 17 or the groove 1 1 8 it is possible to adapt the dimensions of the clearance 1 17 or the groove 1 1 8 as required.
• the clearance 1 17 which extends over all or part of the height of the flange 1 12. If the clearance extends over the entire height of the flange, the pivot system 1 20 will be after its mounting in the support 1 10, in contact with the bottom of the housing 1 14 that is to say the cup 1 1 1. By cons, if the clearance does not extend over the entire height of the flange 1 12, the pivot system is no longer in contact with the cup 1 1 1. This gives it greater freedom of movement than if the clearance 1 17 extends over the entire height of the flange 1 1 2.
• each curved arm 124 has at its free end a lug 141 extending radially relative to the central axis (D) of the circular base 121 as visible in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• Each blind groove 1 18 then comprises an additional recess 140 thus having a greater depth than that of the groove 1 1 8. This additional recess allows a spigot 141 to engage in it.
• the arms 124 provided with lug 141 engage in each clearance 1 1 7 and during the rotation, the difference in depth causes an elastic deformation of the arms 124.
• This elastic deformation is manifested by a reconciliation of the arms 124 curved towards the circular base 121.
• the lug 141 located at the free end of each arm 1 24 comes opposite the recess 140 of the groove 1 18, the stress applied to the arms 124 is released so that said arms tend to return to their position of rest.
• the lug of each arm thus fits into said recess and blocks the rotation of the pivot system.
• the circular base 121 has a central orifice 121a (not shown) in which a pivot member 122 is housed.
• This configuration makes it possible to have the circular base 121 and the elastic return means 123 in a first material and the pivot element 1 22 in a second material.
• the first and second materials can be chosen according to the needs. For example, a material having elastic properties will be preferred for the arms 124 while a hard material having certain friction and wear resistance properties will be preferred for the pivot element 122.
• the pivot element 1 22 is in the form of a single stone 127, for example ruby.
• This single stone 127 is placed in the orifice 121a of the circular base 121 and is provided with a blind or through hole in which the spindle of the axis engages. Its diameter is calculated so that the tigeron that is engaged can rotate freely in with a minimum of frolicking.
• the single stone 127 is fixed in the orifice 121a of the circular base 121 by driving or gluing or welding or any other possible methods.
• the advantage of this exemplary embodiment is that it makes it possible to have a pivot system 120 comprising only two parts: the single stone 127 acting as a pivot element and the circular base 121 which comprises the arms 124.
• the pivot element comprises a kitten 128 in which are immobilized a pierced stone 129 traversed by the axis of the tigeron and a counter-pivot stone 130.
• the kitten 128 is presented the shape of a tubular piece having an outer face and an inner face and an inner diameter D1.
• the inner face has a shoulder so that the kitten 1 28 has an area having a second inner diameter D2.
• the diameter D2 is larger than the diameter D1. This makes it possible to have the pierced stone 1 29 which fits into the diameter D1 and a counter-pivot stone 1 30 which will fit into the diameter D2 and abut against the shoulder.
• This kitten 1 28 is then placed in the orifice 121a of the circular base 121 and fixed, for example, by driving or gluing or welding.
• This second embodiment has the advantage of using the kitten 128 and pierced stones 129 and against pivots 130 used in a conventional shock absorber device. Second, this second example allows easier lubricant storage.
• the kitten 128 and the circular base 121 are monoblock so that the pierced stone 1 29 and the counter-pivot stone 130 are directly immobilized in said circular base.
• the shock absorbing device further comprises an additional spring 150.
• This additional spring 150 is a flat spring of the lyre type, that is to say that it is in the form of an open ring comprising a hinge and two locking tabs. The hinge and the two locking tabs are diametrically opposed. Fastening areas are then created at the rim of the support to secure said additional spring. This fixing must be done so that a preload is applied to the pivot system 120.
• a constraint is applied to the pivot system 120 via the axle spindle, the curved arms 124 deforming into result.
• a stress is then applied to the additional spring 150 which will deform elastically.
• the additional spring 1 50 tends to return to its initial position and bring back said pivot system 120 in its rest position.
• the additional spring may be a closed annular flat spring 151 having a plurality of blades 152 extending towards the central axis of said annular spring 151.
• This Annular spring 151 can then be glued or welded to the upper face of the rim as shown in FIG. 9.
• the shock absorbing device 100 comprises two pivot systems 1 20. These pivot systems are advantageously mounted in the housing 1 14 on a support 1 1 0 by a system of FIG. bayonet type fixing. For this, several possibilities are possible.
• a first possibility is to use the same cavity 1 16 for both pivot system 120.
• This cavity 1 16 is then formed by a clearance 17 parallel to said axis (D) and opening relative to the upper surface 1 1 3, and, secants with said first clearance and opposite the upper surface 1 13, two grooves 1 18 blind. These two grooves 1 18 are parallel and each of them is used for bayonet immobilization of an arm 124 curved with a pivot system.
• the spacing between the two pivot systems 120 is then defined by the spacing between the two grooves 1 18.
• a second possibility consists in having two distinct cavities 1 16, one for each pivot system 1 20.
• Each cavity 1 1 6 is formed by a clearance 1 17 parallel to said axis (D) and opening with respect to the upper surface 1 13, and secant with said first clearance and opposite the upper surface 1 13, a groove 1 1 8 blind.
• This groove 1 18 is used for bayonet immobilization of a curved arm 1 24 of said pivot system.
• the two cavities are then configured to be angularly offset and to be located on different planes. It will be understood that during assembly of the two pivot systems 120, a spacing appears between the two pivot systems 1 20.
• the pivot system can be all monoblock as in Figure 3 or have a kitten or a single stone inserted into the central hole 121a of the base 121.
• This configuration with two pivot systems also results in the most pivotal system bottom of the housing is provided with a through hole so that the shaft of the axis can be inserted and bear on the second pivot system.
• the offset angle between the two cavities may be arbitrary.
• this third embodiment is not limited to two pivot systems 120 and a plurality of pivot system 120 can be arranged in the housing 1 14 of the support 1 10.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
• Vibration Dampers (AREA)

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• 2013
  • 2013-05-24 EP EP13169101.6A patent/EP2806314A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2014
  • 2014-05-21 CN CN201480029841.3A patent/CN105247420B/zh active Active
  • 2014-05-21 US US14/890,055 patent/US9733621B2/en active Active
  • 2014-05-21 EP EP14725199.5A patent/EP3004992A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2014-05-21 JP JP2016514392A patent/JP6190521B2/ja active Active
  • 2014-05-21 WO PCT/EP2014/060441 patent/WO2014187858A1/fr active Application Filing
• 2016
  • 2016-04-19 HK HK16104475.8A patent/HK1216673A1/zh unknown
• 2017
  • 2017-06-07 JP JP2017112468A patent/JP6388687B2/ja active Active

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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