EP3631582A1 - Movement holder for a movement of a watch - Google Patents

Movement holder for a movement of a watch

Info

Publication number
EP3631582A1
EP3631582A1 EP18730238.5A EP18730238A EP3631582A1 EP 3631582 A1 EP3631582 A1 EP 3631582A1 EP 18730238 A EP18730238 A EP 18730238A EP 3631582 A1 EP3631582 A1 EP 3631582A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movement
webs
holder
watch
holding structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18730238.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Phillipp ROLL
David Robertson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Timelink AG
Original Assignee
Timelink AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Timelink AG filed Critical Timelink AG
Publication of EP3631582A1 publication Critical patent/EP3631582A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
    • G04B37/0409—Fixed mounting relating to wall clocks and pendulums
    • G04B37/0418—Fixed mounting relating to wall clocks and pendulums with shock damping means
    • 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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
    • 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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
    • G04B37/05—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches
    • G04B37/055—Fixed mountings for pocket or wrist watches with shock damping means including the winding stem
    • 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
    • G04B43/00—Protecting clockworks by shields or other means against external influences, e.g. magnetic fields
    • G04B43/002—Component shock protection arrangements
    • 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
    • G04B43/00—Protecting clockworks by shields or other means against external influences, e.g. magnetic fields
    • G04B43/005—Protection against temperature influences
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings
    • G04G17/08—Housings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a movement holder for a movement of a watch, comprising an inner holding structure engaging the movement to be held inside the watch case of the watch and an outer holding structure engaging the watch case.
  • the watch case is exposed to shocks through movements of the arm of the bearer of the watch and is also exposed to vibrations and changes of external temperature while the watch is at the arm of its owner.
  • EP 2 755 094 Al discloses a timepiece having a clockwork movement placed in a watch case and connected to the case by a tension element which is shown to be a metal traction cable and metal strand.
  • the tension element is manufactured from tempered steel and/or an iron alloy.
  • the tension element includes multiple individual elements.
  • An anchoring device of the tension element is provided on the watch case.
  • the clock movement is installed in an envelope that includes a fastening device of the tension element.
  • EP 2 629 160 A2 discloses a shock buffering structure which has a side buffer member arranged between a wristwatch case and a watch module within the wristwatch case, wherein the side buffer member is layered and formed by a plurality of buffer layers having respectively different vibration transmissibility for predetermined frequencies. Accordingly, when the wristwatch case receives vibration from external shock, the plurality of buffer layers of the side buffer member attenuate and absorb low-frequency vibration and high-frequency vibration, respectively.
  • a watch having a movement holder with the features of the preamble of the invention further comprises a dampening grate or lattice extending between the inner holding structure and the outer holding structure.
  • Such a movement holder can have a grate comprising a plurality of webs extending between the inner holding structure and the outer holding structure, providing for the suspension of the movement inside the watch case.
  • Such a plurality of webs can comprise a lower set of webs between the lower end of the inner holding structure and the lower end of the outer holding structure.
  • the movement holder can have a plurality of webs with an upper set of webs between the upper end of the inner holding structure and the upper end of the outer holding structure.
  • the lower and upper webs can be provided at the same time one above and below the other or they can be interposed in especially regular angular distances. There can be e.g. between 10 and 30 lower and/or upper webs in angular distances between 36° and 12°.
  • the grate or lattice can comprise a cavity near the pathway between the intended position of the actuating stem of a crown assembly and the movement to accommodate a flexible coupling.
  • an insulating foam especially, such as an aerogel (eg Airloy), closed cell polyethylene foam, silicone rubber (e.g. Viton), or polymer like Plastiform.
  • the inner holding structure can comprise a form fit for the movement and an attachment means like a set of screws to attach the movement at the inner structure of the movement holder.
  • the movement can of course also be glued to the movement holder.
  • the outer holding structure can be made in one piece with the watch case. Then the outer wall of the movement holder is also the watch case outer wall. The outer holding structure can be made in one piece with the watch case. The movement holder can be produced, in whatever geometric form, in a different material to that of the watch case.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows the watch of Fig. 1 in an exploded view perspective
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a watch having a movement holder according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view along line V-V of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of a different lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder
  • Fig. 7 shows the basic structure used to build up the lattice of Fig. 6;
  • Fig. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of a further different lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
  • Fig. 9 shows the basic structure used to build up the lattice of Fig. 8.
  • Fig. 10 shows an embodiment for connecting a crown with the movement via a flexible coupling
  • Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic side view of the flexible coupling of Fig. 10;
  • Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the coupling of Fig. 1 1;
  • Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a stochastic lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
  • Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of a basic element of a further geometric lattice
  • Fig. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a further basic element of another further geometric lattice
  • Fig. 16 shows a schematic perspective view of a warped lattice of a non-radial type of lattice to follow the cylindrical shape of the movement holder
  • Fig. 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows the same cross sectional view as exploded view.
  • Identical features in the drawings receive identical reference numerals. Similar features receive similar reference numerals.
  • the watch according to Fig. 1 comprises a watch case 100 having a circular flange 101 with a central opening 102.
  • On the upper side of the circular flange 101 is an annular recess 103 at the outer edge creating a shoulder 104 oriented towards the center of the watch case 100.
  • a crystal 10, especially a sapphire crystal, is positioned on this annular recess 103 wherein the lower surface 11 of the crystal 10 is orientated in parallel to the surface of recess 103.
  • the surface of the recess 103 can be parallel or oriented at an angle to the plane of the watch face.
  • the watch case back 20 comprises an inner shoulder 21 extending into the back of the watch case 100.
  • the back cover 20 can be attached to the watch case 100 by a single screw thread on the inner shoulder 21, or with an array of screws located around the periphery of the back cover 20, which fix to threads located in the movement holder 200.
  • the movement holder 200 has an exterior surface 202 being complementary to the inner surface 1 12 of the watch case 100.
  • the exterior surface 202 could be profiled with, for example, a radial groove or axial grooves, to reduce the contact area between watch case 100 and movement holder 200.
  • the resultant voids could be filled with vibration isolating material such as synthetic rubber to further isolate the movement. 30.
  • the fit extends to the underside 113 of the circular flange 101 with a corresponding upper surface 203 of the movement holder 200.
  • the outer wall 220 of the movement holder 200 is held within the watch case 100 through the back cover 20 since an underside 204 of the movement holder 200 is held under pre-stress by the back cover 20 which is movably attached at the back of the watch case 100 especially through screws not shown in the drawings.
  • the lower surface 204 of the movement holder 200 could have a compressible material attached, such as a synthetic rubber, where contact with the case back 20 is made. This will allow the case back 20 to seat correctly, whilst providing some compression to the movement holder 200.
  • the movement holder 200 could also be held within the watch case 100 using an engineered fit between the watch case recess inner surface 112, and the movement holder external surface 202. It could also be glued, welded, brazed or screwed into position.
  • the purpose of the watch case 100 is to provide a structure to mount the other components of the watch, to provide a barrier between the internal watch parts against foreign objects and impact and to provide a mounting point for the strap, not shown in the drawings.
  • the movement holder 200 is designed to uncouple the movement 30 from the watch case 100 so that the movement 30 is not exposed to the same level of vibration or impact shocks or exterior thermal fluctuations as the watch case 100.
  • the movement holder 200 essentially comprises three major parts which can be provided in one single piece as in the present embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
  • the inner wall 210 encompassing the movement 30 can also comprise an upper flange 211 directed to the interior against which the movement is pushed.
  • the movement 30 could be retained within the movement holder 200 using screws positioned radially or even axially, with a locking ring or retaining tags.
  • the outer wall 220 On the outer side of the movement holder 200 is provided the outer wall 220 with the mentioned upper surface 203 to be pushed against the circular flange 101 of the watch case 100. Between the inner wall 210 and the outer wall 220 is provided a plurality of webs 230. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 are provided lower webs 230 extending from the lower free annular end 222 of the outer wall 220 to the lower free annular end 212 of the inner wall 210 as well as webs 230 extending from the upper free annular end of the outer wall 220 to the upper free annular end of the inner wall 210 between the inner shoulder 21 1 and the inner wall 210. The upper webs 230 are positioned directly above the lower webs 230.
  • Fig. 1 shows nine webs 230 behind the drawing plan and one sectional view of a web on the left side as well as on the right side of the drawing so that in this embodiment twenty lower and twenty upper webs 230 are provided.
  • the webs 230 all comprise a thickening 231 at both ends when connecting the inner wall 210 as well as the outer wall 220.
  • the webs 230 are parts of a grate or lattice structure and are providing one example of such a grate or lattice structure.
  • This grate or lattice structure of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 has a void 240 extending between the inner wall 210 and the outer wall 220 in a toroid form with interlaced webs 230.
  • This void 240 is provided as one contiguous space inside the movement holder 200.
  • the example of the webs 230 for a grate or lattice structure shows that this lattice structure is to be assigned to absorb and dissipate the energy of input shocks so that the movement 30 is exposed to a lower level of shocks or vibration.
  • the lattice structure is formed of a uniform geometric distribution of material.
  • Other embodiments can provide a variable or random geometric distribution. All parts of inner wall 210 and inner shoulder 211 are positioned in a distance from other parts of the watch case 100, the dial and the back cover 20 to ensure that in case of shocks on the watch case 100 the movement 30 as well as the inner movement holder parts does not hit these other watch parts.
  • the lattice structure in form of webs 230 and an associated void 240 also provide a thermal isolation of the movement 30 from the watch case 100 thereby protecting the movement 30 from fluctuations in external temperature; allowing the movement to maintain a more consistent time period.
  • the movement holder 200 in Fig. 1 and 2 is integrated into the lattice structure and can be described to comprise the inner wall 210.
  • the inner wall 210 and inner shoulder 211 of the movement holder are parts of the lattice structure and securely retain the movement in the correct position within the watch case 100.
  • the movement holder 200 When the movement holder 200 is provided in a suitable metallic material, it acts as a faraday cage protecting the movement 30 from magnetic fields. It can also support a component of a suitable metallic material which surrounds the movement 30.
  • the movement holder 200 with its inner wall 210 and its outer wall 220 as well as the lattice structure with its webs 230 is made from the same material, especially produced via additive manufacturing to form one single structure.
  • the movement holder can also be made in separate parts of entirely different materials, but nevertheless with additive manufacturing techniques.
  • the void(s) around the webs 230 can be filled with additional, especially foamlike material such as an aerogel, closed cell polyethylene foam, silicone rubber, or polymer like Plastiform to further enhance this shock absorption and temperature isolating performance of the movement holder 200.
  • foamlike material such as an aerogel, closed cell polyethylene foam, silicone rubber, or polymer like Plastiform to further enhance this shock absorption and temperature isolating performance of the movement holder 200.
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a watch having a movement holder according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3
  • Fig. 5 provides a schematic sectional view along line V-V of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a watch case 300 with a crystal 10 covering the upper opening of the watch case 300 and a back cover 20 closing the watch case 300 from behind.
  • the watch essentially comprises four different parts: the sapphire 10, the movement 30, the back cover 20 as well as the integrated watch case movement holder 300. Therefore, in this embodiment watch case and movement holder is one single element with the reference numeral 300.
  • the integrated watch case movement holder 300 provides the outer wall 320 which is in this case also provides the watch case wall 320 comprising the upper inner circular flange 301 unto which exterior edge recess 103 is positioned the sapphire 10.
  • the annular groove 106 On the underside of the integrated watch case movement holder 300 is provided the annular groove 106 with an O-ring (not shown) on which the back side cover 20 is applied and fixedly attached.
  • the outer wall 330 extends at the lower side into an inner flange like inner annular end 332 to provide the inner shoulder 21.
  • the movement 30 is provided within a cavity, complementary to its outer form, provided and delimited by the inner wall 310 and the upper inner shoulder 211 in the same way as in the first embodiment.
  • the watch case and movement holder 300 with the outer wall 330 and with the inner wall 310 is made together with the webs 330 in one single piece especially if made through additive manufacturing, providing the webs 330 as well as the voids 340 in between.
  • twenty upper webs 330 and twenty lower webs 330 are connecting respective parts of the outer wall 320 with the inner wall 310.
  • a lower horizontal slit 341 is provided between the lower annular free end 332 and the lower free annular end of the inner wall 310.
  • a lower horizontal slit 341 as well as between the inner shoulder 21 1 and the circular inner flange 301 is provided an upper horizontal slit 342.
  • the movement 30 can be retained within the movement holder 300 with retaining tabs, axial screws or some bonding technique.
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of a different lattice structure according to a further embodiment to be provided between outer wall 220 and inner wall 210 as movement holder.
  • Fig. 7 shows the basic structure which is then repeated several times to build up the lattice of Fig. 6.
  • the tetrahedron combines with the octahedron to fill space, providing a lattice known to crystallographers as the face-centered cubic (fee), and to Fuller as the isotropic vector matrix (IVM).
  • This isotropic vector matrix is a lattice of rods connecting the centers of spheres of equal radius. Every sphere is a nucleus surrounded by twelve others in a cuboctahedral conformation (not the only option).
  • Lattice structure 400 comprises a plurality of webs 410 which are connecting at nodes 420.
  • the lattice structure 400 is used as intermediate part built - as an example - within an embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, wherein the outer attachment side 430 of the lattice structure is connected with the outer wall 220 or 320, respectively, and the inner attachment side 440 is connected with the inner wall 210 or 310, respectively.
  • the inner and outer attachment sides 440 and 430, respectively, are incorporated within the respective walls through overlaying the control file of the additive manufacturing device for building the lattice structure 400 with the control file to build the respective fully solid wall. It is well known in additive manufacturing to make such connections in one single piece. It is also possible to change the composition of the additive manufactural material between a more stiff material for the outer wall 320 of the watch case wall to a more elastic web 330 material and coming back to a more rigid inner wall structure 310 to connect the movement 30.
  • Fig. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of a further different lattice structure 401 of a further embodiment to be provided between outer wall 220 and inner wall 210 as movement holder.
  • Fig. 9 shows one regular octahedron element of the lattice structure 401 , providing webs 41 1 and nodes 421 to build the frame of such an element, wherein the plan between webs 41 1 always build an equilateral triangle.
  • the lattice structure 401 is used as intermediate part built - as an example - within an embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, wherein the outer attachment side 431 of the lattice structure is connected with the outer wall 220 or 320, respectively, and the inner attachment side 441 is connected with the inner wall 210 or 310, respectively.
  • attachment sides 431 and 441 are realized in the plan of the nodes. It is noted that these transitions can also be realized in the web 411 part of the structure and that there can be thickenings 231 as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 10 shows an embodiment for connecting a crown assembly 50 with the movement 30 via a flexible coupling 55.
  • the movement 30 is maintained with improved shock-resistance in the watchcase 100.
  • watches are actuated via one or more crown assemblies 50.
  • These one or more crown assemblies 50 comprise a crown 52 extending beyond the watchcase 100 and are connected with the movement 30 through a winding stem 51 which is also usable as regulating stem. Since the passage through the watchcase 100 has to be - inter alia - water-proof, usually the winding stem 51 and/or the crown 52 of any of these crown assemblies 50 is to some extent held fast within the watchcase 100 and its passage.
  • the movement 30 with the movement shaft 31 is maintained in the movement holder 30 and follows its displacements.
  • Fig. 10 now shows the crown assembly 50 with the movement 30 via a flexible coupling 55, while using a lattice structure (not shown in Fig. 10) to dampen the movement 30.
  • Winding stem 51 is placed in a passage through and within the watch case 100 and usually the crown assembly 50 is mounted that the inner volume of the watch is separated from the surrounding space in a watertight and/or gastight way. In other words, crown assembly 50 is not damped and moves according to the shocks imparted on the watch case 100.
  • Shaft 31 from the movement 30 and stem 51 from the crown assembly 50 are connected via a flexible coupling 55 which is intended to sit between the movement 30 and the crown 50 assembly within a free space of any lattice structure to allow the decoupling of the movement 30.
  • the flexible coupling 55 is made of a metal alloy especially titanium, aluminium, steel or a polymer compound.
  • the coupling of the movement 30 is achieved with a sleeved design which is shown in greater detail in Fig. 11 and 12.
  • Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic side view of the flexible coupling 55 and Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the coupling 55 of Fig. 1 1.
  • the sleeve of the flexible coupling 55 comprises a central part 56 with two opposite free ends 57. Each free end 57 has a central inner opening 58 with an inner diameter to accommodate the respective shaft or stem 31 or 51 in the first portion until the first occurrence of a slit.
  • Slit 59 is a helicoid slit, having two and a half turns or convolutions until the middle mainly solid part 56 in order to allow a misalignment of shafts 31 and 51 on both sides of the coupling 55.
  • Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a stochastic lattice structure 402 to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
  • Said stochastic lattice structure 402 has webs 412 which are stochastically distributed over the 3D-space. They are interconnected at stochastically distributed nodes 422. Here usually well-defined inner and outer walls are built between the stochastically distributed webs 412.
  • Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show different schematic perspective views of basic elements of further geometric lattices 403. It can be seen in these drawings that such geometrical structures can have the shape of polygon edges with e.g. four, five or six nodes 423.
  • the nodes 423 can span a polygon in one plan or the nodes 423 of a polygon can be distributed in the 3D- space.
  • the webs 413 can have different diameters and therefore different strengths to provide a different resilient response when shocks are applied to such a lattice 403 through the watchcase 100.
  • the webs 413 can have - seen in cross-section - cylindrical or polygonal forms, provide thickenings at the nodes 423.
  • the attachment side related elements can be chosen to be integrated into a specific plan, where webs 423 extending in such a plan are changing and become part of the inner 210, 310 or outer 220, 320 wall or the additive manufacturing can also provide a gradient transition to a different wall material from an initial web and node material of the lattice.
  • the watch case 100 as well as the movement holder 200 can be manufactured from e.g. either titanium or cobalt-chrome although with current additive manufacturing this can also be stainless steel, aluminum or a precious metal. It is also possible to incorporate into the watch case 100 ceramics, high entropy alloys such as NanoSteel, or gradient alloys. Fig.
  • FIG. 16 shows a schematic perspective view of a warped lattice of a non-radial type of lattice to follow the cylindrical shape of the movement holder 200.
  • Nodes 424 and webs 414 are shown as usual, but here as in all embodiments, where a cylindrical watchcase is provided there should be an outer attachment side 434 and an inner attachment side 444 wherein nodes 424 neighbouring these sides are warped to a jacket or cylinder shaped edge (in cross-section view) for the outer 434 respective inner 444 attachment side.
  • Fig. 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the watch according to Fig. 17 comprises a watch case 300' having a circular flange 301 with a central opening 102.
  • On the upper side of the circular flange 301 is an annular recess 103 to mount a crystal 10 as within the embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4. All identical features already disclosed in relationship with the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4 are not re-discussed here.
  • a movement 30 held in a complementary cavity 201 of a movement holder 200' Inside the watch case 100, enclosed on one side by the sapphire crystal 10 and on the other side by the back cover 20, is positioned a movement 30 held in a complementary cavity 201 of a movement holder 200'.
  • the movement holder 200' is provided similar to the embodiment of Fig. 4 in one piece, but it is also possible that he has an exterior surface 202 being complementary to the inner surface 1 12 of the watch case 100 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the movement holder 200' is designed to uncouple the movement 30 from the watch case 300' so that the movement 30 is not exposed to the same level of vibration or impact shocks or exterior thermal fluctuations as the watch case 300'.
  • the movement holder 200' essentially comprises three major parts which can be provided in one single piece as in the present embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
  • the inner wall 310 encompassing the movement 30 can also comprise an upper flange 21 1 directed to the interior against which the movement is pushed.
  • the movement 30 could be retained within the movement holder 200' using screws positioned radially or even axially, with a locking ring or retaining tags.
  • the outer wall 320 of the integrated watch case 300' On the outer side of the movement holder 200' is provided the outer wall 320 of the integrated watch case 300'. Between the inner wall 310 and the outer wall 320 is provided a plurality of webs 330. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17 are provided one set of webs 330 extending from the lower portion of the outer wall 320 to the upper free annular end 312 of the inner wall 310. Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of nine webs 330 behind the drawing plan and one sectional view of a web on the left side as well as on the right side of the drawing so that in this embodiment twenty webs 330 are provided. The webs 330 all comprise a thickening 231 at both ends when connecting the inner wall 310 as well as the outer wall 320 of the integrated watch case 300'.
  • the webs 330 are parts of a lattice, mesh or grate structure and are providing one example of such a lattice structure.
  • This lattice structure of Fig. 17 has a void 340 extending between the inner wall 310 and the outer wall 320 in a toroid form with interlaced webs 330.
  • This void 340 is provided as one contiguous space inside the movement holder 300'.
  • the example of the webs 330 for a lattice structure shows that this lattice structure is to be assigned to absorb and dissipate the energy of input shocks so that the movement 30 is exposed to a lower level of shocks or vibration.
  • the lattice or mesh structure is formed of a uniform geometric distribution of material.
  • the predetermined number of webs i.e. from a low number like six up to twenty can maintain the movement 30 in the case without prestress, since the movement 30 is just positioned in a form fit inside the inner walls of the cavity for the movement 30. It is preferred to provide an inclination of the webs as shown in Fig. 17 to accommodate production tolerances, i.e.
  • the movement holder 200 or 200' just retain the movement 30 in the correct position within the watch case 100. It is an especially favorable manufacturing method, if the movement holder 200' with its inner wall 310 and its outer wall 320 as well as the webs 330 are made from the same material, especially produced via additive manufacturing to form one single structure. As mentioned above, the movement holder can also be made in separate parts of entirely different materials, but nevertheless with additive manufacturing techniques.
  • stochastic lattice structure 430 outer attachment side further geometric lattice 431 outer attachment side web 434 outer attachment side web 440 inner attachment side stochastic web 441 inner attachment side web 444 inner attachment side

Abstract

A movement holder (200) for a movement (30) of a watch comprises an inner holding structure (210) engaging the movement (30) to be held inside the watch case (100) of the watch and an outer holding structure (220) engaging the watch case (100). The movement holder (200) further comprises a dampening lattice comprising webs (230) extending between the inner holding structure (210) and the outer holding structure (220) to support the movement (30) independent from the watch case (100) and thus effectively protect the movement (30) against any kind of exterior shocks and thermal gradients.

Description

TITLE
MOVEMENT HOLDER FOR A MOVEMENT OF A WATCH TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a movement holder for a movement of a watch, comprising an inner holding structure engaging the movement to be held inside the watch case of the watch and an outer holding structure engaging the watch case. PRIOR ART
It is known to provide a movement holder for watches in order to accommodate a specific movement inside a predetermined watch case. The watch case is exposed to shocks through movements of the arm of the bearer of the watch and is also exposed to vibrations and changes of external temperature while the watch is at the arm of its owner.
EP 2 755 094 Al discloses a timepiece having a clockwork movement placed in a watch case and connected to the case by a tension element which is shown to be a metal traction cable and metal strand. The tension element is manufactured from tempered steel and/or an iron alloy. The tension element includes multiple individual elements. An anchoring device of the tension element is provided on the watch case. The clock movement is installed in an envelope that includes a fastening device of the tension element.
EP 2 629 160 A2 discloses a shock buffering structure which has a side buffer member arranged between a wristwatch case and a watch module within the wristwatch case, wherein the side buffer member is layered and formed by a plurality of buffer layers having respectively different vibration transmissibility for predetermined frequencies. Accordingly, when the wristwatch case receives vibration from external shock, the plurality of buffer layers of the side buffer member attenuate and absorb low-frequency vibration and high-frequency vibration, respectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on this prior art it is an object of the present invention to provide a watch with an improved resistance to shocks and vibrations and to minimise thermal fluctuations of the movement.
A watch having a movement holder with the features of the preamble of the invention further comprises a dampening grate or lattice extending between the inner holding structure and the outer holding structure.
Such a movement holder can have a grate comprising a plurality of webs extending between the inner holding structure and the outer holding structure, providing for the suspension of the movement inside the watch case.
Such a plurality of webs can comprise a lower set of webs between the lower end of the inner holding structure and the lower end of the outer holding structure. On the other side the movement holder can have a plurality of webs with an upper set of webs between the upper end of the inner holding structure and the upper end of the outer holding structure. The lower and upper webs can be provided at the same time one above and below the other or they can be interposed in especially regular angular distances. There can be e.g. between 10 and 30 lower and/or upper webs in angular distances between 36° and 12°.
The grate or lattice can comprise a cavity near the pathway between the intended position of the actuating stem of a crown assembly and the movement to accommodate a flexible coupling.
Around the webs of the grate or lattice is free space or void which can be filled with an insulating foam, especially, such as an aerogel (eg Airloy), closed cell polyethylene foam, silicone rubber (e.g. Viton), or polymer like Plastiform.
The inner holding structure can comprise a form fit for the movement and an attachment means like a set of screws to attach the movement at the inner structure of the movement holder. The movement can of course also be glued to the movement holder.
The outer holding structure can be made in one piece with the watch case. Then the outer wall of the movement holder is also the watch case outer wall. The outer holding structure can be made in one piece with the watch case. The movement holder can be produced, in whatever geometric form, in a different material to that of the watch case.
Further embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,
Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows the watch of Fig. 1 in an exploded view perspective;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a watch having a movement holder according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view along line V-V of Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of a different lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
Fig. 7 shows the basic structure used to build up the lattice of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of a further different lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
Fig. 9 shows the basic structure used to build up the lattice of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment for connecting a crown with the movement via a flexible coupling;
Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic side view of the flexible coupling of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the coupling of Fig. 1 1;
Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a stochastic lattice structure to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder;
Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of a basic element of a further geometric lattice;
Fig. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a further basic element of another further geometric lattice; Fig. 16 shows a schematic perspective view of a warped lattice of a non-radial type of lattice to follow the cylindrical shape of the movement holder; and
Fig. 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to a further embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows the same cross sectional view as exploded view. Identical features in the drawings receive identical reference numerals. Similar features receive similar reference numerals.
The watch according to Fig. 1 comprises a watch case 100 having a circular flange 101 with a central opening 102. On the upper side of the circular flange 101 is an annular recess 103 at the outer edge creating a shoulder 104 oriented towards the center of the watch case 100. A crystal 10, especially a sapphire crystal, is positioned on this annular recess 103 wherein the lower surface 11 of the crystal 10 is orientated in parallel to the surface of recess 103. The surface of the recess 103 can be parallel or oriented at an angle to the plane of the watch face.
This allows for a direct welding of the sapphire crystal 10 onto the watch case 100 using technology which uses a solder to activate the metallic surface, which then interacts with the atoms of the ceramic (sapphire glass) to form a hermetic seal. On the underside 1 14 of the side wall 105 of the watch case 100 is provided an annular groove 106. The annular groove 106 receives an O-ring not shown in the drawings, when the back cover 20 is positioned at the underside 114 of the watch case 100. Preferably, the watch case back 20 comprises an inner shoulder 21 extending into the back of the watch case 100. The back cover 20 can be attached to the watch case 100 by a single screw thread on the inner shoulder 21, or with an array of screws located around the periphery of the back cover 20, which fix to threads located in the movement holder 200.
Inside the watch case 100, enclosed on one side by the sapphire crystal 10 and on the other side by the back cover 20, is positioned a movement 30 held in a complementary cavity 201 of a movement holder 200.
The movement holder 200 has an exterior surface 202 being complementary to the inner surface 1 12 of the watch case 100. The exterior surface 202 could be profiled with, for example, a radial groove or axial grooves, to reduce the contact area between watch case 100 and movement holder 200. The resultant voids could be filled with vibration isolating material such as synthetic rubber to further isolate the movement. 30. Preferably the fit extends to the underside 113 of the circular flange 101 with a corresponding upper surface 203 of the movement holder 200. The outer wall 220 of the movement holder 200 is held within the watch case 100 through the back cover 20 since an underside 204 of the movement holder 200 is held under pre-stress by the back cover 20 which is movably attached at the back of the watch case 100 especially through screws not shown in the drawings.
The lower surface 204 of the movement holder 200 could have a compressible material attached, such as a synthetic rubber, where contact with the case back 20 is made. This will allow the case back 20 to seat correctly, whilst providing some compression to the movement holder 200.
The movement holder 200 could also be held within the watch case 100 using an engineered fit between the watch case recess inner surface 112, and the movement holder external surface 202. It could also be glued, welded, brazed or screwed into position. The purpose of the watch case 100 is to provide a structure to mount the other components of the watch, to provide a barrier between the internal watch parts against foreign objects and impact and to provide a mounting point for the strap, not shown in the drawings.
The movement holder 200 is designed to uncouple the movement 30 from the watch case 100 so that the movement 30 is not exposed to the same level of vibration or impact shocks or exterior thermal fluctuations as the watch case 100.
The movement holder 200 essentially comprises three major parts which can be provided in one single piece as in the present embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The inner wall 210 encompassing the movement 30 can also comprise an upper flange 211 directed to the interior against which the movement is pushed. The movement 30 could be retained within the movement holder 200 using screws positioned radially or even axially, with a locking ring or retaining tags. There can be provided a back cover for the movement holder 200 attaching it from behind. On the other side, there can be screws provided through bores in the inner flange 211 from above to be attached in the upper surface 32 of the movement 30.
On the outer side of the movement holder 200 is provided the outer wall 220 with the mentioned upper surface 203 to be pushed against the circular flange 101 of the watch case 100. Between the inner wall 210 and the outer wall 220 is provided a plurality of webs 230. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 are provided lower webs 230 extending from the lower free annular end 222 of the outer wall 220 to the lower free annular end 212 of the inner wall 210 as well as webs 230 extending from the upper free annular end of the outer wall 220 to the upper free annular end of the inner wall 210 between the inner shoulder 21 1 and the inner wall 210. The upper webs 230 are positioned directly above the lower webs 230. It is also possible that these two groups of webs are interposed. Fig. 1 shows nine webs 230 behind the drawing plan and one sectional view of a web on the left side as well as on the right side of the drawing so that in this embodiment twenty lower and twenty upper webs 230 are provided. The webs 230 all comprise a thickening 231 at both ends when connecting the inner wall 210 as well as the outer wall 220.
The webs 230 are parts of a grate or lattice structure and are providing one example of such a grate or lattice structure. This grate or lattice structure of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 has a void 240 extending between the inner wall 210 and the outer wall 220 in a toroid form with interlaced webs 230. This void 240 is provided as one contiguous space inside the movement holder 200.
The example of the webs 230 for a grate or lattice structure shows that this lattice structure is to be assigned to absorb and dissipate the energy of input shocks so that the movement 30 is exposed to a lower level of shocks or vibration. In the present embodiment of Fig. 1, the lattice structure is formed of a uniform geometric distribution of material. Other embodiments can provide a variable or random geometric distribution. All parts of inner wall 210 and inner shoulder 211 are positioned in a distance from other parts of the watch case 100, the dial and the back cover 20 to ensure that in case of shocks on the watch case 100 the movement 30 as well as the inner movement holder parts does not hit these other watch parts. The lattice structure in form of webs 230 and an associated void 240 also provide a thermal isolation of the movement 30 from the watch case 100 thereby protecting the movement 30 from fluctuations in external temperature; allowing the movement to maintain a more consistent time period. The movement holder 200 in Fig. 1 and 2 is integrated into the lattice structure and can be described to comprise the inner wall 210. The inner wall 210 and inner shoulder 211 of the movement holder are parts of the lattice structure and securely retain the movement in the correct position within the watch case 100. When the movement holder 200 is provided in a suitable metallic material, it acts as a faraday cage protecting the movement 30 from magnetic fields. It can also support a component of a suitable metallic material which surrounds the movement 30.
It is an especially favorable manufacturing method, if the movement holder 200 with its inner wall 210 and its outer wall 220 as well as the lattice structure with its webs 230 is made from the same material, especially produced via additive manufacturing to form one single structure. As it will be seen with other embodiments, the movement holder can also be made in separate parts of entirely different materials, but nevertheless with additive manufacturing techniques.
In an alternative arrangement for the embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2, not shown in these drawings, the void(s) around the webs 230 can be filled with additional, especially foamlike material such as an aerogel, closed cell polyethylene foam, silicone rubber, or polymer like Plastiform to further enhance this shock absorption and temperature isolating performance of the movement holder 200.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a watch having a movement holder according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 provides a schematic sectional view along line V-V of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a watch case 300 with a crystal 10 covering the upper opening of the watch case 300 and a back cover 20 closing the watch case 300 from behind. According to this second embodiment of the watch case and movement holder, the watch essentially comprises four different parts: the sapphire 10, the movement 30, the back cover 20 as well as the integrated watch case movement holder 300. Therefore, in this embodiment watch case and movement holder is one single element with the reference numeral 300.
The integrated watch case movement holder 300 provides the outer wall 320 which is in this case also provides the watch case wall 320 comprising the upper inner circular flange 301 unto which exterior edge recess 103 is positioned the sapphire 10. On the underside of the integrated watch case movement holder 300 is provided the annular groove 106 with an O-ring (not shown) on which the back side cover 20 is applied and fixedly attached. Preferably the outer wall 330 extends at the lower side into an inner flange like inner annular end 332 to provide the inner shoulder 21. The movement 30 is provided within a cavity, complementary to its outer form, provided and delimited by the inner wall 310 and the upper inner shoulder 211 in the same way as in the first embodiment.
The difference between the embodiment according to the present Fig. 3 and the embodiment of Fig. 1 is that here the watch case and movement holder 300 with the outer wall 330 and with the inner wall 310 is made together with the webs 330 in one single piece especially if made through additive manufacturing, providing the webs 330 as well as the voids 340 in between. In the present embodiment, similar to Fig. 1 , twenty upper webs 330 and twenty lower webs 330 are connecting respective parts of the outer wall 320 with the inner wall 310. Between the lower annular free end 332 and the lower free annular end of the inner wall 310 is provided a lower horizontal slit 341 as well as between the inner shoulder 21 1 and the circular inner flange 301 is provided an upper horizontal slit 342. . The movement 30 can be retained within the movement holder 300 with retaining tabs, axial screws or some bonding technique.
Fig. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of a different lattice structure according to a further embodiment to be provided between outer wall 220 and inner wall 210 as movement holder. Fig. 7 shows the basic structure which is then repeated several times to build up the lattice of Fig. 6. The tetrahedron combines with the octahedron to fill space, providing a lattice known to crystallographers as the face-centered cubic (fee), and to Fuller as the isotropic vector matrix (IVM). This isotropic vector matrix is a lattice of rods connecting the centers of spheres of equal radius. Every sphere is a nucleus surrounded by twelve others in a cuboctahedral conformation (not the only option). The IVM is also known as the octet truss and is quite widely used in architecture and engineering. Lattice structure 400 comprises a plurality of webs 410 which are connecting at nodes 420. The lattice structure 400 is used as intermediate part built - as an example - within an embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, wherein the outer attachment side 430 of the lattice structure is connected with the outer wall 220 or 320, respectively, and the inner attachment side 440 is connected with the inner wall 210 or 310, respectively. It is also possible that the inner and outer attachment sides 440 and 430, respectively, are incorporated within the respective walls through overlaying the control file of the additive manufacturing device for building the lattice structure 400 with the control file to build the respective fully solid wall. It is well known in additive manufacturing to make such connections in one single piece. It is also possible to change the composition of the additive manufactural material between a more stiff material for the outer wall 320 of the watch case wall to a more elastic web 330 material and coming back to a more rigid inner wall structure 310 to connect the movement 30.
Fig. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of a further different lattice structure 401 of a further embodiment to be provided between outer wall 220 and inner wall 210 as movement holder. Fig. 9 shows one regular octahedron element of the lattice structure 401 , providing webs 41 1 and nodes 421 to build the frame of such an element, wherein the plan between webs 41 1 always build an equilateral triangle. The lattice structure 401 is used as intermediate part built - as an example - within an embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, wherein the outer attachment side 431 of the lattice structure is connected with the outer wall 220 or 320, respectively, and the inner attachment side 441 is connected with the inner wall 210 or 310, respectively. Here, the attachment sides 431 and 441 are realized in the plan of the nodes. It is noted that these transitions can also be realized in the web 411 part of the structure and that there can be thickenings 231 as in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3.
Usually, nowadays CAD software used to create such lattice structures has a function where the outer ends of the lattice struts can be warped and forced to attach to a defined surface. An example of the warped lattice will be shown in connection with Fig. 16.
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment for connecting a crown assembly 50 with the movement 30 via a flexible coupling 55. The movement 30 is maintained with improved shock-resistance in the watchcase 100. However, watches are actuated via one or more crown assemblies 50. These one or more crown assemblies 50 comprise a crown 52 extending beyond the watchcase 100 and are connected with the movement 30 through a winding stem 51 which is also usable as regulating stem. Since the passage through the watchcase 100 has to be - inter alia - water-proof, usually the winding stem 51 and/or the crown 52 of any of these crown assemblies 50 is to some extent held fast within the watchcase 100 and its passage. On the other side, the movement 30 with the movement shaft 31 is maintained in the movement holder 30 and follows its displacements.
Fig. 10 now shows the crown assembly 50 with the movement 30 via a flexible coupling 55, while using a lattice structure (not shown in Fig. 10) to dampen the movement 30. In Fig. 10 only the relevant elements relating to the mounting of the crown assembly 50 are shown. Winding stem 51 is placed in a passage through and within the watch case 100 and usually the crown assembly 50 is mounted that the inner volume of the watch is separated from the surrounding space in a watertight and/or gastight way. In other words, crown assembly 50 is not damped and moves according to the shocks imparted on the watch case 100.
On the other side a movement shaft 31 is extending out of the movement case.
Shaft 31 from the movement 30 and stem 51 from the crown assembly 50 are connected via a flexible coupling 55 which is intended to sit between the movement 30 and the crown 50 assembly within a free space of any lattice structure to allow the decoupling of the movement 30. The flexible coupling 55 is made of a metal alloy especially titanium, aluminium, steel or a polymer compound. The coupling of the movement 30 is achieved with a sleeved design which is shown in greater detail in Fig. 11 and 12.
Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic side view of the flexible coupling 55 and Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the coupling 55 of Fig. 1 1. The sleeve of the flexible coupling 55 comprises a central part 56 with two opposite free ends 57. Each free end 57 has a central inner opening 58 with an inner diameter to accommodate the respective shaft or stem 31 or 51 in the first portion until the first occurrence of a slit. Slit 59 is a helicoid slit, having two and a half turns or convolutions until the middle mainly solid part 56 in order to allow a misalignment of shafts 31 and 51 on both sides of the coupling 55.
Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a stochastic lattice structure 402 to be provided between outer wall and inner wall in the movement holder; Said stochastic lattice structure 402 has webs 412 which are stochastically distributed over the 3D-space. They are interconnected at stochastically distributed nodes 422. Here usually well-defined inner and outer walls are built between the stochastically distributed webs 412.
Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show different schematic perspective views of basic elements of further geometric lattices 403. It can be seen in these drawings that such geometrical structures can have the shape of polygon edges with e.g. four, five or six nodes 423. The nodes 423 can span a polygon in one plan or the nodes 423 of a polygon can be distributed in the 3D- space. The webs 413 can have different diameters and therefore different strengths to provide a different resilient response when shocks are applied to such a lattice 403 through the watchcase 100. The webs 413 can have - seen in cross-section - cylindrical or polygonal forms, provide thickenings at the nodes 423. The attachment side related elements can be chosen to be integrated into a specific plan, where webs 423 extending in such a plan are changing and become part of the inner 210, 310 or outer 220, 320 wall or the additive manufacturing can also provide a gradient transition to a different wall material from an initial web and node material of the lattice. The watch case 100 as well as the movement holder 200 can be manufactured from e.g. either titanium or cobalt-chrome although with current additive manufacturing this can also be stainless steel, aluminum or a precious metal. It is also possible to incorporate into the watch case 100 ceramics, high entropy alloys such as NanoSteel, or gradient alloys. Fig. 16 shows a schematic perspective view of a warped lattice of a non-radial type of lattice to follow the cylindrical shape of the movement holder 200. Nodes 424 and webs 414 are shown as usual, but here as in all embodiments, where a cylindrical watchcase is provided there should be an outer attachment side 434 and an inner attachment side 444 wherein nodes 424 neighbouring these sides are warped to a jacket or cylinder shaped edge (in cross-section view) for the outer 434 respective inner 444 attachment side.
Fig. 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a watch according to a further embodiment of the invention. The watch according to Fig. 17 comprises a watch case 300' having a circular flange 301 with a central opening 102. On the upper side of the circular flange 301 is an annular recess 103 to mount a crystal 10 as within the embodiment of Fig. 1 or Fig. 4. All identical features already disclosed in relationship with the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4 are not re-discussed here.
Inside the watch case 100, enclosed on one side by the sapphire crystal 10 and on the other side by the back cover 20, is positioned a movement 30 held in a complementary cavity 201 of a movement holder 200'. The movement holder 200' is provided similar to the embodiment of Fig. 4 in one piece, but it is also possible that he has an exterior surface 202 being complementary to the inner surface 1 12 of the watch case 100 as shown in Fig. 1.
The movement holder 200' is designed to uncouple the movement 30 from the watch case 300' so that the movement 30 is not exposed to the same level of vibration or impact shocks or exterior thermal fluctuations as the watch case 300'.
The movement holder 200' essentially comprises three major parts which can be provided in one single piece as in the present embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The inner wall 310 encompassing the movement 30 can also comprise an upper flange 21 1 directed to the interior against which the movement is pushed. The movement 30 could be retained within the movement holder 200' using screws positioned radially or even axially, with a locking ring or retaining tags. There can be provided a back cover for the movement holder 200' attaching it from behind. On the other side, there can be screws provided through bores in the inner flange 211 from above to be attached in the upper surface 32 of the movement 30.
On the outer side of the movement holder 200' is provided the outer wall 320 of the integrated watch case 300'. Between the inner wall 310 and the outer wall 320 is provided a plurality of webs 330. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17 are provided one set of webs 330 extending from the lower portion of the outer wall 320 to the upper free annular end 312 of the inner wall 310. Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of nine webs 330 behind the drawing plan and one sectional view of a web on the left side as well as on the right side of the drawing so that in this embodiment twenty webs 330 are provided. The webs 330 all comprise a thickening 231 at both ends when connecting the inner wall 310 as well as the outer wall 320 of the integrated watch case 300'.
The webs 330 are parts of a lattice, mesh or grate structure and are providing one example of such a lattice structure. This lattice structure of Fig. 17 has a void 340 extending between the inner wall 310 and the outer wall 320 in a toroid form with interlaced webs 330. This void 340 is provided as one contiguous space inside the movement holder 300'.
The example of the webs 330 for a lattice structure shows that this lattice structure is to be assigned to absorb and dissipate the energy of input shocks so that the movement 30 is exposed to a lower level of shocks or vibration. In the present embodiment of Fig. 17, the lattice or mesh structure is formed of a uniform geometric distribution of material. The predetermined number of webs, i.e. from a low number like six up to twenty can maintain the movement 30 in the case without prestress, since the movement 30 is just positioned in a form fit inside the inner walls of the cavity for the movement 30. It is preferred to provide an inclination of the webs as shown in Fig. 17 to accommodate production tolerances, i.e. that they are not oriented directly radially towards the movement 30 but comprise an orientation in the direction parallel to the main axis of the movement 30. It is also possible to provide webs in the form of an C, S, or N, where only the free ends are connected to the corresponding walls to gain elasticity.
The movement holder 200 or 200' just retain the movement 30 in the correct position within the watch case 100. It is an especially favorable manufacturing method, if the movement holder 200' with its inner wall 310 and its outer wall 320 as well as the webs 330 are made from the same material, especially produced via additive manufacturing to form one single structure. As mentioned above, the movement holder can also be made in separate parts of entirely different materials, but nevertheless with additive manufacturing techniques.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
10 crystal / sapphire crystal 113 underside
11 lower surface 114 underside
20 back / watch case back 200 movement holder
21 inner shoulder 200' movement holder
30 movement 201 cavity
31 movement shaft 202 exterior surface
32 upper surface of the movement 203 upper surface
40 dial 204 underside
50 crown assembly 210 inner wall
51 winding stem 211 inner shoulder
52 crown 212 lower free annular end
55 flexible coupling 220 outer wall
56 central part 222 lower free annular end
57 free end 230 webs
58 inner opening 231 thickening
59 slit 240 void
100 watch case 300 integrated watchcase movement
101 circular flange holder
102 opening 300' integrated watchcase movement
103 annular recess holder
104 shoulder 301 circular inner flange
105 side wall 310 inner wall
106 groove 320 outer wall / watchcase wall
1 12 inner surface 330 webs free inner annular end 414 web
voids 420 node
lower horizontal slit 421 node
upper horizontal slit 422 stochastic distributed node lattice structure 423 node
lattice structure 424 node
stochastic lattice structure 430 outer attachment side further geometric lattice 431 outer attachment side web 434 outer attachment side web 440 inner attachment side stochastic web 441 inner attachment side web 444 inner attachment side

Claims

1. A movement holder (200; 200', 300) for a movement (30) of a watch, comprising an inner holding structure (210; 310) engaging the movement (30) to be held inside the watch case (100) of the watch and an outer holding structure (220; 320) engaging the watch case (100), characterized in that the movement holder (200; 200'; 300) further comprises a dampening grate or lattice (230, 330; 400; 401 ; 402; 403) extending between the inner holding structure (210; 310) and the outer holding structure (220; 320).
2. The movement holder (200; 200': 300) according to claim 1, wherein the dampening grate comprises a plurality of webs (230; 330; 410; 411 ; 412; 413) extending between the inner holding structure (210; 310) and the outer holding structure (220; 320).
3. The movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of webs (230; 330) comprise a lower set of webs (230; 330) between the lower end (212) of the inner holding structure (210; 310) and the lower end (222) of the outer holding structure (220; 320).
4. The movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of webs (230; 330) comprise a upper set of webs (230; 330) between the upper end of the inner holding structure (210, 310) and the upper end of the outer holding structure (220, 320).
5. The movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dampening grate or lattice (230, 330; 400; 401 ; 402; 403) comprises a cavity near the pathway between the intended position of the actuating stem (51) of a crown (52) and the movement to accommodate a flexible coupling (55) and/or pushers.
6. The movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein free space around the webs (230; 330; 410; 411; 412; 413) of the dampening grate or lattice (230; 330; 400; 401 ; 402; 403) is filled with an insulating foam, especially, aerogel, closed cell polyethylene foam, or a silicone moulding compound.
7. The movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner holding structure (210; 310) comprises a form fit for the movement (30) and an attachment means to attach the movement (30) at the inner structure of the movement holder (200; 300).
8. The movement holder (200'; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer holding structure (320) is made in one piece with the watch case (100).
9. The movement holder (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in whatever geometric form, produced in a different material to that of the watch case (100).
10. Watch comprising a movement holder (200; 200'; 300) according to any of the preceding claims.
EP18730238.5A 2017-05-22 2018-05-22 Movement holder for a movement of a watch Withdrawn EP3631582A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17172235 2017-05-22
PCT/EP2018/063418 WO2018215491A1 (en) 2017-05-22 2018-05-22 Movement holder for a movement of a watch

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EP3631582A1 true EP3631582A1 (en) 2020-04-08

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JP7112025B2 (en) * 2020-03-09 2022-08-03 カシオ計算機株式会社 case and watch
US20240000182A1 (en) * 2020-11-25 2024-01-04 Gentex Corporation Lattice Structure for Impact Attenuation
EP4105736A1 (en) * 2021-06-18 2022-12-21 Omega SA Dewar device for timepiece comprising an operable device
EP4105737A1 (en) * 2021-06-18 2022-12-21 Omega SA Dewar device for timepiece comprising a pivoting bezel
EP4105735A1 (en) * 2021-06-18 2022-12-21 Omega SA Operable trim element
EP4206828A1 (en) * 2021-12-28 2023-07-05 Omega SA Housing for thermal protection for a timepiece
CN114404244B (en) * 2022-03-01 2023-12-12 浙江豪中豪健康产品有限公司 Anti-collision control mode of double-movement massage chair on same track

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JP4905815B2 (en) * 2009-10-28 2012-03-28 カシオ計算機株式会社 Cushioning member, impact buffering structure of wristwatch, and wristwatch
JP5910999B2 (en) 2012-02-17 2016-04-27 カシオ計算機株式会社 Buffer structure and electronic equipment
EP2755094B1 (en) 2013-01-14 2020-07-22 Audemars Piguet (Renaud et Papi) SA Watch

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