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
  • 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
  • G04B29/00—Frameworks
  • G04B29/04—Connecting or supporting parts
• • 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
  • G04B41/00—Locking or holding devices for pendulums, chimes, or the like, for use during transport

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for maintaining or limiting movement of a watch component.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement.
• the invention relates to the field of clockwork mechanisms, and in particular means for limiting movement, and means for holding in the clamped position, designed for initial factory settings or for settings in operations of after-sales.
• Watchmakers have implemented various means of limiting the axial movement of a component, such as cover plates, eccentric hole plates, eccentrics, including groups of eccentric locks on the periphery of a component, keys, circlips, bearing screws, or other limiting elements.
• the invention proposes to provide the watchmaker with a simple and reliable mechanism for limiting movement, axial and/or radial, of a component, compact and reversible.
• this mechanism is still capable of ensuring that the component is actually held in position, blocking the axial and/or radial movements of the component.
• the invention relates more particularly to a device for maintaining or limiting movement, axial and/or radial, of a watch component, according to claim 1.
• the device according to the invention may have one or more additional features from among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:
• said second angular position, called locking position, of the rotary lock is a single position, and is defined and indexed by a relief that comprises said structure, the relief is arranged to cooperate with a boss that comprises said rotary lock, the cooperation of the boss and the relief making it possible to define a stable and secure position of the rotary lock in the absence of action by a user on said rotary lock;
• the structure comprises at least one angular stop to limit the angular travel of said rotary lock at least in one direction;
• the structure comprises at least one axial stop arranged to limit the axial travel of said rotary lock in said axial direction A at least in one direction;
• said device for maintaining or limiting movement is a device for maintaining or limiting movement in axial direction A, and in that said rotary lock is arranged to limit the axial travel of said component in said axial direction A, by relative to said fixed structure
• the invention also relates to a system for holding components concentric with one another of a clock movement comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement forming first means for maintaining or limiting movement. of a first component and comprising second means for maintaining or limiting movement of a second component concentric with the first component.
• the second means for maintaining or limiting play are configured to block or limit the play or even the axial play in the axial direction A and/or radial in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A, of the second component.
• the second means for maintaining or limiting movement are a stop or an eccentric rotary lock making it possible to limit the axial play in the axial direction A and/or radial in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the second component, or allowing axial retention in the axial direction A and/or radial in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the second component.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement or such a system for maintaining concentric components.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement or such a system for maintaining concentric components.
• FIG. 1 shows, schematically and in plan, an embodiment of a device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, in a holding position configured to maintain locked, axially and radially, a component between a lower structure and a leg forming part of a rotary lock
• FIG. 2 represents, like FIG. 1, the same exemplary embodiment of the device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, it can be seen that the rotary lock comprises, at the end of a spring arm, a boss which cooperates with a relief that comprises the fixed structure, for the immobilization of the rotary lock in an angular locking position; another rigid arm, separate from the spring arm, can be used to operate the rotary lock;
• FIG. 1 shows, schematically and in plan, an embodiment of a device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, in a holding position configured to maintain locked, axially and radially, a component between a lower structure and a leg forming part of a rotary lock
• FIG. 2 represents, like FIG. 1, the same
• FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment of a device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, in an unlocking position of the rotary lock, such an unlocking position authorizing the insertion or extraction of the component; the rotary lock is free to rotate;
• FIG. 4 represents a locking position of the rotary latch of the device for maintaining or limiting movement illustrated in FIG. 3, such a locking position prohibiting the insertion or extraction of the component; in this locking position, the rotary lock is constrained counter-clockwise by a stop;
• FIG. 4 represents a locking position of the rotary latch of the device for maintaining or limiting movement illustrated in FIG. 3, such a locking position prohibiting the insertion or extraction of the component; in this locking position, the rotary lock is constrained counter-clockwise by a stop;
• FIG. 4 represents a locking position of the rotary latch of the device for maintaining or limiting movement illustrated in FIG. 3, such a locking position prohibiting the insertion or extraction of the component; in this locking position, the rotary lock is constrained counter-clockwise by a
• FIG. 5 represents, schematically and in plan, a watch movement containing several devices for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention configured to immobilize a component, here a central disc, centered on the main axis of the movement ; an intermediate disc of larger diameter is held by eccentrics forming second means for holding or limiting movement;
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, in which the relief of the fixed structure comprises two bumps framing a hollow defining a locking notch;
• Figures 7 and 8 are, in side view, simple diagrams of embodiments of rotary support with a deformable spring out of plane and cooperating with a left profile;
• FIGS 9 and 10 are, similarly to Figures 3 and 4, illustrations of a second embodiment of a device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention, in the unlocking and locking position whose rotary lock comprises an S-shaped spring arm, the distal end of which bears the boss, and comprises a bore which is used to operate the rotary lock; another additional boss, forming a beak at the distal end of the spring, is an axial safety device to limit any axial displacements during shocks or handling;
• FIG. 11 is a block diagram representing a timepiece comprising a device for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention.
• the invention relates to a device for maintaining or limiting movement 100, axial and/or radial, of a watch component 30.
• This device for maintaining or limiting movement 100 comprises a fixed structure 20, which is arranged to receive support at least one surface of a component 30.
• the fixed structure 20 cooperates with a rotary lock 10, which is movable in rotation around an axial direction A, and which is configured to allow freedom of movement of the component 30, in a first angular position, called unlocking position, of the rotary lock 10, and to maintain or limit the play in at least one direction of the component 30, in a second angular position, called locking position, of the rotary lock 10.
• Such a device for maintaining or limiting movement 100 can be used for limiting movement in one or more directions of component 30, for example in an axial direction and/or in a radial direction.
• the rotary lock 10 is arranged to limit in particular the axial travel in the axial direction A, of the component 30, relative to the fixed structure 20, when the rotary lock 10 is in the second angular position, called the locking position.
• the rotary lock 10 occupies a particular angular position with respect to the fixed structure 20 making it possible to block or limit the axial play of the component 30.
• This second angular position of the rotary lock 10 is secured by the action of elastic return means 3.
• these elastic return means 3 are integrated into the rotary lock 10.
• the second angular position of the rotary lock 10 making it possible to block or limit the axial movement of the component 30, is a single position or formed by a set of a plurality of angular positions of the rotary lock 10 on a given angular sector.
• the second angular position of the rotary latch 10 making it possible to block or limit the axial movement of the component 30 is a single position, defined and indexed by a relief 25 that comprises the structure 20, the relief 25 is arranged to cooperate with a boss 4, which comprises the rotary lock 10, the cooperation of the boss 4 and the relief 25 makes it possible to define a stable and secure position of the rotary lock 10 in the absence of action by a user on the lock rotary 10.
• the elastic return means 3 define a blocking torque, the particular value of which is configured to ensure the maintenance in position of the rotary lock 10 and therefore securing the component 30 even in the event of untimely movement imparted to the timepiece 2000 incorporating this device 100, for example when a watch falls.
• the structure 20 comprises at least one angular stop 24, which is arranged to limit the angular travel of the rotary lock 10 at least in one direction.
• the structure 20 comprises at least one axial stop 21, which is arranged to limit the axial travel of the rotary lock 10 in the axial direction A, at least in one direction, in order to avoid excessive movement of the rotary lock 10 during a shock for example.
• the rotary lock 10 comprises at least one lug 1, which is arranged to constitute, in the second angular position, called locking position, of the rotary lock 10, an axial stop, in the axial direction A, of a component 30, held prisoner between the structure 20 and the rotary lock 10 to limit the axial movement of the component 30.
• the lug 1 can also be arranged to form a first holding jaw by clamping the component 30, in cooperation with the structure 20 constituting a second jaw opposite the first jaw to axially lock the component 30.
• the boss 4 is carried by at least one spring arm which comprises the elastic return means 3 or which constitutes the elastic return means 3. More particularly still, this spring arm is formed of a single elastic blade carrying the boss 4 at its end.
• the rotary lock 10 comprises at least one gripping member 2 arranged to be manipulated by a watchmaker or an automated watchmaking production means, to control a rotation of the rotary lock 10 between the first angular position, called unlocking, and the second angular position, called locking, and proceed with the locking and/or unlocking of the component 30 positioned between the structure 20 and the rotary lock 10, and more particularly on the structure 20 and under the rotary lock 10.
• the gripping member 2 is separate from the boss 4 and is carried by an arm, which is more rigid than the elastic return means 3, which comprises the rotary lock 10 .
• the gripping member 2 is integral with the boss 4 and is carried by the elastic return means 3.
• the boss 4 carries a bore 204, which constitutes such a gripping member 2, for its operation by a watchmaker or by an automated production means.
• the boss 4 can also carry a pin, not shown, which is arranged to follow the relief 25.
• the boss 4 comprises a peripheral part 2530, substantially semi-cylindrical.
• the relief 25 comprises at least one projection 252, which faces the axis of rotation of the rotary lock 10, and at least one cavity 251, 253, which is further from the axis of rotation of the rotary lock 10 as the projection 252, and with which this cavity 251, 253, constitutes a notch of stabilization of the rotary lock 10, the cavity 253 being advantageously of complementary shape to the peripheral part 2530 of the boss 4.
• the structure 20 forms a yoke, to cover axially (by at least one side delimited in particular by the projection 252 and the cavity 251) part of the boss 4, when the peripheral part 2530 of the boss 4 is in contact with the cavity 253. Removing the cavity 251 makes it possible to guarantee access to the bore 204, when the boss 4 has one, for handling the gripping member 2.
• the elastic return means 3 may comprise a plurality of leaf spring segments 31, 32, in the form of circular arcs, butt joints and connected in pairs by loops. More particularly, these circular arcs are concentric, all centered on the axis of rotation of the rotary lock 10.
• the rotary lock 10 is substantially flat, perpendicular to its axis of rotation.
• the cooperation between the boss 4 and the relief 25 is essentially flat, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary lock 10, and the elastic return means 3 are deformable in an essentially flat manner.
• the cooperation between the boss 4 and the relief 25 is essentially out of plane, the relief 25 comprising successive zones 26, 27, 28, which are of variable altitude relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary lock 10, and forming at least one notch for stabilizing the rotary lock 10 by maintaining a front surface 47 of the boss 4, and the elastic return means 3 are deformable in three-dimensional space.
• the rotary lock 10 is in one piece.
• the lug 1 of the rotary lock 10 which covers the component 30 to be maintained is itself covered with an axial stop 21 integral with the fixed structure 20, in particular a blank, in order to avoid too much movement. important rotary lock 10 during a shock for example.
• the elastic return means 3 of the rotary lock 10 guarantee the maintenance of the rotary lock 10 in its angular locking position.
• the elastic return means 3 of the rotary lock 10 can also participate in ensuring that the rotary lock 10 is maintained in its angular unlocking position.
• Such a relief of the fixed structure 20 can also be provided so as to cooperate with the boss 4 of the elastic return means 3 when the lock is in its angular unlocking position, in particular to index and secure these two angular positions of locking and unlocking. Thus, it is ensured that the rotary lock 10 is correctly positioned.
• the rotary lock 10 fulfills its functions of axial limiter of the component 30, for example a central disc, in the plane, the system will work just as well, and the relief 25 placed between the locked and unlocked positions will always guarantee the position and maintenance of the rotary lock in one or the other of its extremes as well as the notch effect when switching from one to the other of these two extreme positions.
• the elastic return means 3 of the rotary latch 10 can be declined in several variants: spring blade working in height instead of working in the plane, as in Figures 7 and 8.
• the watchmaker To unlock the rotary lock 10 from its locking position, the watchmaker must retract the spring manually, which requires having access to it.
• the advantage is that the closed position of the spring is guaranteed, even through enormous external force.
• the device 100 for maintaining or limiting movement according to the invention has been described mainly for maintaining or limiting the axial movement of the component 30.
• the device 100 according to the invention is also configured to maintain or limit the radial play of the component 30, either in addition to maintaining or limiting the axial play, or alternatively.
• a portion 12 of the leg 1 of the rotary lock 10 is configured to come, when the rotary lock 10 is in the locking position, tangentially opposite and close to, or even in contact with a peripheral portion 33 (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) of component 30 so as to block or limit the radial movements of component 30 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.
• at least two devices 100 are positioned opposite each other with respect to the central axis of the timepiece movement 1000 to block the two directions of radial movement of the component 30, or to limit the radial movements of the component 30.
• the lug 1 can cooperate with a portion of the fixed structure 20 to block or limit the radial movements of the component 30 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.
• the lug 1 also forms a radial stop capable of blocking or limiting the radial movement of the component 30 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.
• the device 100 makes it possible to maintain axially and/or radially and/or to limit the axial and/or radial movement of a watch component 30 in a watch movement 1000.
• several devices 100 according to the invention are positioned around component 30, and preferably distributed circumferentially around component 30.
• the invention also relates to a system 500 for holding concentric timepiece components 30, 60 of a timepiece movement 1000 comprising at least one such device for holding or limiting movement 100 forming first means for holding or for limiting swing of a first component 30 and comprising second means for maintaining or limiting swing 50 of a second component 60 concentric with the first component.
• the second means for maintaining or limiting play 50 are configured to block or limit the play or even the axial play in the axial direction A and/or radial in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A
• the second means 50 for maintaining or limiting movement are, for example, a stop or an eccentric lock allowing to limit the axial and/or radial play of the second component 60, or allowing the axial and/or radial retention of the second component 60.
• Figure 5 thus illustrates the maintenance of a first component, here a central disc 30, centered on the main axis of the movement, by several rotary locks 10 according to the invention, and access to the gripping members 2 , including control arms, is easy through a radial peripheral window; a second component, which is an intermediate disc 60 of larger diameter DE is held by eccentrics 50; all of the maintenance of the central disc 30, and of the intermediate disc 60, and of the movement of the control arms, is done in a circular zone whose maximum access diameter DM is small compared to the maximum diameter of the blank 20 , of the order of two-thirds, which allows the peripheral implantation of other mechanisms.
• the invention therefore ensures a secure hold by proposing a very compact architecture.
• the invention also relates to a clock movement 1000 comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement 100.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece 2000, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such device for maintaining or limiting movement 100.
• the invention makes it possible to: lock the component axially despite impossible access to it, in addition to limited access in the movement; make concentric and coaxial mobiles like axially independent discs; ensure better management of frolics and anticipation of behavior to shocks; simplify assembly, disassembly and reassembly of mobiles, particularly in the case of central discs (total access from the dial side with no further disassembly necessary); locking the latch in its position (closed or open) generated by the force of the spring rising on the lug; guarantee the open or closed position of the lock (avoiding an intermediate position) thanks to the notch effect generated by the rise of the spring on the lug during rotational manipulation of the lock.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electric Clocks (AREA)
• Springs (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=75801439

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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• 2022
  • 2022-05-02 CN CN202280032483.6A patent/CN117280285A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-05-02 KR KR1020237036359A patent/KR20230158120A/ko unknown
  • 2022-05-02 EP EP22726725.9A patent/EP4334783A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-05-02 JP JP2023567019A patent/JP2024516013A/ja active Pending
  • 2022-05-02 US US18/287,592 patent/US20240201632A1/en active Pending
  • 2022-05-02 WO PCT/EP2022/061716 patent/WO2022233790A1/fr active Application Filing

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