HK1219546B - Secure-mount antishock system - Google Patents

Description

Anti-seismic system with fastening inserts

Technical Field

The invention relates to an anti-shock system for the arbour of a timepiece wheel set. The spindle comprises a pivot shank comprising a support provided with a cavity for receiving a pivot system into which the pivot shank is inserted. The anti-seismic system further comprises resilient means arranged to exert at least an axial force on the journal system.

The technical field of the invention is the field of precision machinery.

Background

The present invention relates to bearings for timepieces, and more particularly to bearings of the shock absorber type. For a long time, designers of mechanical watches have devised devices which enable the arbour to absorb the energy resulting from shocks, in particular lateral shocks, by abutting against the wall of the hole in the base block through which said arbour passes, while allowing a temporary movement of the pivot stem before it returns to its rest position under the action of the spring.

Fig. 1 and 2 show a device known as an "inverted double cone device" which is currently used in commercially available timepieces.

The support 1 of the base comprising the hole 2 for the balance staff 3 ending in the pivot shank 3a allows the setting 20 to be positioned, the pierced jewel bearing 4 crossed by the pivot shank 3a and the endstone 5 being fixedly secured in the setting 20. The setting 20 is held in the cavity 6 of the support 1 by a spring 10, which spring 10 comprises a compression spring in this exampleA radial extension 9 of the endstone 5. The support 1 is a rotating part comprising a circular edge 11. Which is interrupted at two diametrically opposite positions by an opening 12 to form two semicircular edges 11a,11 b. The openings 12 are partially arranged in the two semicircular edges 11a,11b to form two reset portions. The setting 20 is held in the cavity 6 of the support 1 by elastic means, such as a spring 10, said spring 10 comprising, for example, a radial extension 9 compressing the endstone 5. The spring 10 is of the axial type and has a harp shape to rest on the return portion of the semicircular edges 11a,11 b. The cavity 6 comprises two shoulders 7,7a in the form of inverted cones, the complementary shoulders 8,8a of the insert 20 resting on said shoulders 7,7 a. The shoulder must be manufactured with great precision. In the event of an axial shock, the pierced jewel bearing 4, the endstone 5 and the balance staff move and the spring 10 acts alone to return said balance staff 3 to its initial position. Spring 10 is dimensioned with a travel limit so that, beyond said limit, balance staff 3 comes into contact with stop member 14 to allow balance staff 3 to absorb shocks that pivot shaft 3a of balance staff 3 cannot absorb without breaking. In the event of a lateral shock, i.e. when the end of the pivot shank unbalances the setting 20 out of its resting plane, the spring 10 cooperates with the complementary ramp 7,7 a; 8,8a cooperate to re-center the insert 20. These bearings have been described, for example, in trade marksAnd (5) selling. These springs may be made of cobalt chromium nickel alloy or brass and manufactured by conventional cutting means.

One drawback of these shock absorber systems is that they are not easy to install. In fact, some components, such as the support 1 and the spring 10, must be oriented and operated in a specific manner during the mounting operation to enable assembly. The assembly of the shock absorber system thus starts with the taking of the support and the subsequent taking of the setting with the jewel bearing. The insert is placed in a cavity in the support. Next, a harp-shaped axial spring is provided. The axial spring is operated such that it can rest under the reset portion of the semicircular edges 11a,11b of the support.

Therefore, a specific operation is required to set the spring in position and to fasten it to the support. Therefore, the shock absorber system must be partially assembled manually because a robot (automatic machine) cannot perform such complicated operations.

In addition, manual assembly is preferred, as one can immediately understand how the various components of the shock absorber system must be oriented relative to one another. In fact, regardless of the shape of the parts, one can immediately understand how to manipulate the parts to assemble them. Even if the robot is able to distinguish the orientation of one part relative to another, this requires a more complex and therefore more expensive robot and requires more time. Therefore, this adversely affects the production yield.

Therefore, complete automation of the assembly process is not possible, and the method of assembling the shock absorber system is therefore more costly.

In addition, automation of the installation process can lead to the occurrence of vibrations propagating in the shock absorber system. These shocks may cause the components of the shock absorber system to move such that they are no longer perfectly centered with respect to each other. Possible losses in the centering can cause other damage. In fact, during the mounting of a first component to a second component, a third component, which needs to be mounted between said first and second components, may be squeezed between said first and second components and thus damaged.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a shock absorber system whose assembly method is simple, reliable and easy to automate.

To this end, the invention relates to a damper device for a arbour of a timepiece element, comprising a support comprising a cup-shaped base, a peripheral edge located at the top of the cup-shaped base and delimited by an upper surface on the opposite side of the cup-shaped base and comprising an outer wall, the cup-shaped base and the peripheral edge together defining a cavity, the damper device further comprising at least one pivot module arranged in the cavity and able to cooperate with the arbour extending along a central axis C, the damper device further comprising a cover formed by a hollow part, the cover being fastened to the support on the peripheral edge and comprising an inner wall, characterized in that at least one groove is provided on the inner wall such that elastic means can be placed in the groove, such that the elastic means are axially retained at the top and at the bottom by the cover, the resilient means is arranged to apply a force to the pivot module.

A first advantage of the invention is that it combines automation of the assembly process with the reliability of the elastic means with always accurate positioning. In fact, the device according to the invention has the advantage of elastic means pre-positioned with respect to the cap, which retains the elastic means. There is therefore no risk of the elastic means being inaccurately positioned or damaged during the installation of the shock absorber means.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

In a first embodiment, the resilient means comprises a spring ring comprising at least two arms extending towards a central axis of the spring ring for pressing the pivot module into the cavity of the support.

In a second embodiment, the at least two arms are diametrically opposed.

In a third embodiment, the elastic means comprise a spring ring comprising an inner radial extension arranged between annular portions, the inner radial extension being formed by a strip forming the ring that is bent towards the inside of the spring ring.

In another embodiment, the hollow member is cylindrical and has a first diameter for fastening said annular portion to the peripheral edge of the support and a second diameter forming a support area for the elastic means when said elastic means is deformed during shocks.

In another embodiment, said inner radial extensions are regularly distributed.

In another embodiment, the spring ring further comprises at least two catches extending in a direction away from a central axis of the spring ring, the at least two catches being disposed on the annular portion.

In another embodiment, the cap is threaded to the circumferential edge.

In another embodiment, the cover is non-releasably secured to the peripheral edge.

In another embodiment, the cap is press-fit to the circumferential edge.

In another embodiment, the cap is bonded to the circumferential edge.

In another embodiment, the cap is welded to the circumferential edge.

Drawings

The objects, advantages and features of an anti-seismic or shock-absorber system according to the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of at least one embodiment of the invention, given purely by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figures 1 and 2, already cited, are schematic views of a shock absorber system for a timepiece according to the prior art.

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of a shock absorber system for a timepiece according to the invention, when the shock absorber system is removed and mounted.

Fig. 5 to 7 show different versions of the elastic means of the timepiece damper system according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of providing a shock absorber device which cannot be disassembled or a simple shock absorber device which is easy to install and provides less risk of problems during installation. The shock absorber system is arranged to be mounted on the bottom plate and/or on at least one lever of the timepiece movement. The timepiece movement is placed in a timepiece comprising an intermediate part, which is closed by a back cover and a mirror.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a shock absorber device or bearing 100 or anti-seismic system according to a first embodiment. The damper device or anti-shock system 100 is mounted in a base element of a timepiece movement. In particular, the plate or lever of the movement is the base element inside which the anti-seismic system 100 according to the invention is placed. The anti-seismic system 100 includes a support 200. The support 200 takes the form of a cup-shaped structure 201, said cup-shaped structure 201 being provided with a hole 202, at the top of which, opposite to said cup-shaped structure, is located a peripheral edge 203, said peripheral edge being defined by an upper surface 213. The peripheral edge 203 also has an outer wall 214 and an inner wall 215. The circumferential rim 203 and the base cup 201 define a cavity 206, into which cavity 206 the pivot module 400 is inserted. The conventional pivot module 400 includes an insert 401, i.e., a component having a circular central aperture, an outer wall, and an inner wall. A perforated jewel bearing 402 of a diameter corresponding to the size of the central aperture is inserted into the central aperture. The inner wall includes a shoulder to which the endstone 403 can be secured. The pivot module 400 is then placed within the pocket 206 of the support 200 and cooperates with the pivot shank of the mandrel.

The anti-seismic system 100 further comprises a resilient device 300 arranged to cooperate with the pivot module 400. This allows shocks to be absorbed and the pivot module 400 to be reset to its rest position when pressure is applied after the shock subsides. The elastic means 300 is fixed to the support 200. Preferably, the elastic means 300 is also provided on the hinge module 400. Anti-seismic system 100 is then inserted in an aperture in the bottom plate or in one of the levers of the movement.

The fixing device 500 comprises an additional member 510 for fixing the elastic means 300 to the support 200. The additional member 510 is in the form of a cap 510 fixed to the support member 200. The cover 510 is designed such that the elastic means 300 exerts a force on the hinge module 400 when it is fixed to the support 200. This force allows the pivot module 400 to be immovable, but does not impede its motion during a shock. In fact, during a shock, the spindle abuts the pivot module 400, the pivot module 400 moves and deforms the elastic means 300.

The cap 510 is in the form of a member 511 having an aperture 512. The block 511 has an inner wall 513, an outer wall 514, an upper end 515 and a lower end 516. The aperture of said member 511 has a first inner diameter so as to cooperate with the circumferential edge 203. In fact, the piece 511 is fixed to the peripheral edge 203 by a lower end 515. Thus, the support 20, the edge 203 and the lid 510 can be square or any other shape possible, as long as said part 511 can be fixed to the peripheral edge 203.

Preferably, the cap 510 is in the form of a cylindrical annular member 511 extending along the central axis (C) and having an aperture 512. The cylindrical annular member 511 has an inner wall 513 and an outer wall 514 in addition to an upper end 515 and a lower end 516. The aperture of the cylindrical annular component 511 has a first inner diameter D1 to cooperate with the circumferential edge 203. In fact, each cylindrical annular element 511 is inserted into the peripheral edge 203 through the lower end 515. The fastening of the cylindrical annular component 511 to the circumferential edge 203 is effected by positive insertion, screwing, welding or adhesive connection. In the case in which the fastening of the cylindrical annular component 511 to the circumferential edge 203 is achieved by a forced insertion, a threaded connection, welding or an adhesive connection, it is understood that the shock absorber means are not removable.

A holding region 520 is provided on the inner wall 513. The holding region 520 is in the form of a groove 520a (not shown) to enable the resilient means 300 to be inserted therein. This enables the resilient device 300 to be axially retained by the top and bottom and prevents the resilient device 300 from becoming trapped between the cap 510 and the support 200 during installation of the shock resistant device 100. The inner wall may have a different shape than the outer wall 514, for example, the inner wall 513 may be circular and the outer wall 514 may be square. Additionally, it is contemplated that the inner wall 513 has a first shape at an upper end 515 and a second shape at a lower end 516. The inner wall 513 may thus have a shape at its upper end 515 adapted to hold the area of the elastic means 300 and at its lower end 516 adapted to fasten said cap 510 to the support 200 by means of the circumferential edge 203.

In a first advantageous variant, shown in fig. 3, the upper end 515 of the cylindrical annular element 511 has a second inner diameter D2, which is smaller than the first inner diameter D1. The difference in diameter allows to form the bearing zone 517 for the elastic means 300. The holding region 520 is disposed at the upper end of the cylindrical annular member 511 having the second inner diameter D2.

The retention region 520 includes a ridge 512 extending from the inner wall 513 of the cylindrical ring shaped member 511. The ridge 512 and the support area 517 form a groove 522 into which the resilient means 300 is inserted. The resilient means 300 is supported on the raised portion 521. When the timepiece is shaken, the arbour abuts the anti-shock system 100, so that the pivot module 400 moves. The elastic means 300 are deformed and supported on the support zone 517.

The resilient means 300 is for example in the form of a spring ring 301. The spring ring 301 is of the flat type, i.e. it is formed by a strip or band, i.e. has a width greater than the thickness. The spring loop 301 formed by the strip or band is metallic and annular in shape extending along a central axis (C).

In a first embodiment of the spring ring 301 seen in fig. 5, the resilient element 300 is in the form of a spring ring 301 comprising two arms 302 extending towards a central axis of said spring ring 301. The arms 302 are diametrically opposed and are used to press the pivot module 400 into the cavity 206 of the support member 200.

In a second embodiment of the spring ring 301 seen in fig. 6, the spring ring 301 comprises inner radial extensions 303 arranged between annular portions 304. The inner radial extension 303 is formed by a strip forming the spring ring 301 being bent towards the inside of the spring ring 301. These inner extensions 303 are preferably regularly distributed over the outer circumference of the flat ring 301, so that said spring ring 301 can act uniformly, as seen in fig. 5. It will thus be appreciated that the spring ring 301 can be oriented in any manner relative to the support 200.

The spring ring 301 is then arranged to be inserted into the grooves 520a,522 located on the inner wall 513 of the cap 510. More specifically, the annular portion 303 is inserted into the groove 520 a. This arrangement provides a spring ring 301 that is integral with the cap 510, i.e., the spring ring is pre-assembled to the cap 510. Thus, the installation of the cap 510 is simplified.

The grooves 520a,522 have dimensions such that the spring ring 301, once installed, can move slightly. This allows the spring ring 301 to move and be accurately centered when the cap 510 is mounted on the support 200. So that the vibrations that may be generated during the automatic grouping process do not have an influence.

In a second variant, the spring ring 301 has a catch 305 on its annular portion 303 extending away from the central axis of said spring ring 301, as shown in fig. 7. These snap-in portions 305 are arranged to hold the spring ring 301 to the cap 510. In fact, the spring ring 301 and the cover 510 are dimensioned such that only the catch 305 is inserted into the groove 520 a.

This arrangement has the advantage of limiting the influence of the grooves 520a,522 on the spring ring 301. In fact, when the spring ring 301 is placed in said grooves 520a,522, said grooves change the mechanical response in the case of pressure, since it exerts a pressure on said spring ring, in particular on the annular portion 303 of the spring ring 301 described above. These annular portions 303 are active areas, i.e. they relate to the elastic action of the spring ring 301. Thus, the spring ring 301 reaction force can be varied, which should be taken into account in the design of the spring ring 301.

Due to the presence of the catch 305, the pressure exerted by the grooves 520a,522 of the cap 510 on the spring ring 301 is limited to be exerted only on the catch 305. Thus, since the snap 305 is a passive area, i.e., has no effect on the performance of the spring ring 301, the initial performance of the spring ring 301 is not changed by its arrangement in the groove 522,520a of the cap 510.

In a third variation, at least pocket 206, pivot module 400, and resilient device 300 are manufactured/arranged such that the various components are free angularly with respect to each other. This means that the various parts that make up shock absorber system 100, such as at least cavity 206, pivot module 400, and resilient device 300, are assembled to one another without any special handling. Thus, no rotation or manipulation or twisting occurs during installation. Preferably, at least the cavity 206, the pivot module 400, the cap 510 and the resilient means 300 are rotating parts, i.e. having a substantially circular shape and extending along the central axis (C). This circular shape allows for any shape of support 200. In fact, the circular shape of cavity 206, pivot module 400 and elastic means 300 without any particular orientation means that support 200 can have any shape, it can be positioned in any way during installation, and it has no effect on the installation process of shock absorber 100. The support member 200, the cavity 206, the pivot module 400 and the resilient means 300 may also be rotating parts, i.e. having a circular shape.

The configuration of the components of the shock absorber bearing 100 according to the present invention facilitates the assembly process. In fact, if these components have a specific orientation with respect to each other, they must be manipulated to enable assembly. For example, in order to fit two triangular geometric features one inside the other, each side must be parallel, and thus positioning is necessary.

By manufacturing support member 200, pocket 206, pivot module 400, and resilient device 300 such that the various components are angularly free with respect to one another, pivot module 400 may, for example, be captured and placed in pocket 206 without prior manipulation.

It is conceivable to manufacture the support 200 as a single component with the movement element in which the shock absorber bearing 100 is placed, so that the support 200 and the movement element are therefore in one piece. Thus, it will be appreciated that the base member has a bottom-penetrating cavity arranged to form a bore, the cavity forming the cavity 206 in which the pivot module 400 is placed. It will be appreciated that the second variant may co-exist with the first variant. In fact, since the bar and the main board can be of any shape, the arrangement of the mounting areas ensures that the fixing means can be mounted and that the pivot module 400 is retained in the cavity.

It will be clear that various modifications and/or improvements and/or combinations obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In fact, the pivot module 400 may be formed of a single jewel bearing or the perforated jewel bearing and the endstone may be fastened to each other. It will be appreciated that the perforated jewel bearing and the endstone may be pressed one into the other. These possibilities allow limiting the number of components of the shock absorber bearing.

Further, it is understood that any shape is conceivable for the resilient means, as long as they can be inserted into the grooves 520a, 522.

It is also contemplated that the cap 510 includes two grooves 520a,522 for insertion of two spring rings 301.

Claims (27)

1. A shock absorber device (100) for a arbour of a timepiece element, comprising a support (200) including a cup-shaped base (201) on top of which a peripheral edge (203) is located and delimited, on the opposite side of the cup-shaped base, by an upper surface (213) and comprising an outer wall (214), the cup-shaped base (201) and the peripheral edge (203) together defining a cavity (206), the shock absorber device further comprising at least one pivot module (400) arranged in the cavity and capable of cooperating with the arbour extending along a central axis (C), the shock absorber device further comprising a cap (510) formed by a hollow part (511) which is fastened to the support on the peripheral edge and comprises an inner wall (513), characterized in that at least one groove (520 a), 522) such that a resilient mechanism (300) can be placed in the groove such that the resilient mechanism is axially retained at the top and bottom by the cover, the resilient mechanism being arranged to apply a force to the pivot module, the cover retaining the resilient mechanism relative to the support in an angularly free orientation about the central axis when the cover is secured to the support.

2. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member (511) is cylindrical and has a first diameter (D1) for fastening the hollow member to the circumferential edge (203) of the support (200), and a second diameter (D2) forming a bearing region (517) for the elastic mechanism (300) when the elastic mechanism is deformed during shocks.

3. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 1, wherein the resilient mechanism (300) comprises a spring ring (301) comprising at least two arms (302) extending towards a central axis of the spring ring to press the pivot module into the cavity of the support.

4. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 2, wherein the resilient mechanism (300) comprises a spring ring (301) comprising at least two arms (302) extending towards a central axis of the spring ring to press the pivot module into the cavity of the support.

5. A shock absorber device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the at least two arms (302) are diametrically opposed.

6. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 4, wherein the at least two arms (302) are diametrically opposed.

7. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the resilient mechanism (300) comprises a spring ring (301) comprising inner radial extensions (303) arranged between annular portions (304), the inner radial extensions being formed by strips forming the spring ring that are bent towards the inside of the spring ring.

8. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the resilient mechanism (300) comprises a spring ring (301) comprising inner radial extensions (303) arranged between annular portions (304), the inner radial extensions being formed by strips forming the spring ring that are bent towards the inside of the spring ring.

9. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 7, wherein the inner radial extensions (303) are regularly distributed.

10. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 8, wherein the inner radial extensions (303) are regularly distributed.

11. A shock absorber device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from the centre axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

12. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 4, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

13. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 5, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

14. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 6, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

15. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 7, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

16. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 8, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

17. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 9, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

18. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 10, wherein the spring ring further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301).

19. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the spring ring (301) further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301), the at least two catches being provided on the annular portion (304).

20. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the spring ring (301) further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301), the at least two catches being provided on the annular portion (304).

21. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the spring ring (301) further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301), the at least two catches being provided on the annular portion (304).

22. The shock absorber device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the spring ring (301) further comprises at least two catches (305) extending in a direction away from a central axis (C) of the spring ring (301), the at least two catches being provided on the annular portion (304).

23. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 1, wherein the cap (510) is threaded to the circumferential edge.

24. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 1, wherein the cap (510) is non-releasably secured to the circumferential edge.

25. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 24, wherein the cap (510) is press-fit to the circumferential edge.

26. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 24, wherein the cap (510) is bonded to the circumferential edge.

27. The shock absorber device (100) of claim 24, wherein the cap (510) is welded to the circumferential edge.