An upper rotor with rotating decorative elements used in automatic movements of watches.

Abstract

The invention relates to a oscillating weight (1) for a timepiece movement, the oscillating weight (1) being designed to be rotatably mounted on the axis of the movement, characterised in that it comprises a main element (2), a part of which forms a weight (3) allowing the oscillating weight (1) to oscillate in response to the movement of the timepiece and to gravity, and a decorative element (10) mechanically linked to the main element (2) on which the decorative element (10) is rotatably mounted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding rotor provided with a rotating decorative element for an automatic movement of a timepiece. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a winding rotor for a watch equipped with a transparent back cover. The present invention also relates to a timepiece provided with such a winding rotor. Background Art

[0002] Watches are known that have a case with a transparent back to allow viewing of the movement. However, when these watches include an automatic movement, the winding rotor obscures the movement components.

[0003] Furthermore, the appearance of such rotors is not always pleasing, even though the material used to form the rotor can be engraved to make it more attractive. For example, a decorative element can be engraved, such as a logo representing the brand of the watch. But such a logo is usually not obvious enough to make the result aesthetically convincing. Moreover, simply coloring the logo is not enough to make the rotor more aesthetically pleasing, not to mention that the color will fade over time. In addition, the decorative element is stationary relative to the rest of the rotor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a winding rotor for a timepiece comprising a specific decorative element.

[0005] To this end, the object of the invention is a winding rotor for a timepiece movement, the winding rotor being intended to be rotatably mounted on an axle of the movement.

[0006] The invention is characterised in that it comprises a main element, a part of which forms a weight allowing the rotor to oscillate in response to the movement of the timepiece and to gravity, and a decorative element, such as a logo or an acronym, which main element gives the rotor its general shape, and a decorative element, which is mechanically linked to the main element and on which the decorative element is rotatably mounted.

[0007] Thanks to this novel winding rotor structure, the decorative element is rotatably connected to the main element of the winding rotor. As a result, the winding rotor has a more attractive aesthetic effect than the traditional winding rotors known in the prior art. In fact, the rotating decorative element, which may represent a brand logo or acronym, gives the winding rotor and therefore the timepiece more character. The main element and the decorative element may rotate together at different speeds, or the decorative element may rotate when the main element has just stopped. Therefore, the rotation of the decorative element relative to the main element provides a special aesthetic effect.

[0008] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the heavy part is formed by at least a portion of the main element.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the winding weight comprises a ball bearing to allow the decorative element to rotate.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, ball bearings are arranged on the main element.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the main element comprises an opening in which the decorative element is arranged.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a ball bearing is arranged in the inner surface of the opening.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the balls are arranged in the body of the main element.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the balls are distributed angularly in the inner surface of the opening.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, each ball is retained in a chamber whose dimensions allow the ball to be retained in a substantially predetermined position while rotating.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the cavity comprises a hole communicating with the opening, so that a portion of the ball protrudes from the cavity into the opening, thereby being able to come into contact with the decorative element.

[0017] According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the decorative element comprises a portion intended to come into contact with the balls of the bearing.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the decorative element consists—preferably consists entirely—of ceramic.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the primary element comprises an amorphous metal.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the inner surface of the opening comprises a track for retaining the decorative element in the opening, a portion of the decorative element preferably having a beveled shape.

[0021] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case formed by a middle piece closed by a crystal and an at least partially transparent back cover, housing an automatic timepiece movement equipped with a winding rotor as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further details of the present invention will become clearer from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a winding rotor according to the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 A magnified view of the rotor's walls, decorative elements and ball bearings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 An embodiment of a winding rotor according to the invention is shown, indicated by the general reference 1. This rotor 1 is intended to conventionally equip a self-winding movement of a timepiece, the timepiece comprising in particular a case formed by a middle piece closed by a crystal and a back cover, which is at least partially transparent so as to make the movement visible through it, the case not shown in the figures.

[0026] The rotor 1 comprises a main element 2 which gives the rotor 1 its general shape. The main element 2 comprises a weight 3 and a connection for connecting the weight 3 to an axle (not shown in the figures) integral with the timepiece movement on which the rotor 1 is intended to be rotatably mounted. The weight 3 allows the rotor 1 to oscillate in response to the movements of the timepiece and to gravity.

[0027] The connection comprises a substantially circular ring 4 and a substantially flat wall 5 connecting the ring 4 to the weight 3 of the winding weight 1. The ring 4 is intended to be arranged on the axis of the movement. Thus, the winding weight 1 performs a circular motion around the axis when it oscillates. The weight 3 and the ring 4 and the wall 5 of the connection are arranged substantially in the same plane.

[0028] The heavy part 3 has the shape of an arc of a circle forming an angle substantially equal to 180°. The wall 5 is connected to the heavy part 3 substantially in the middle of the arc of the circle, inside the curvature of the heavy part 3. The ring 4 is arranged at the other end of the wall 5.

[0029] According to the invention, winding weight 1 comprises a decorative element 10, such as a logo or an acronym, which is mechanically linked to main element 2 of winding weight 1. Decorative element 10 is here a logo in the shape of an anchor, having a substantially straight section 11 and a curved section 12 connected to curved section 12 in the middle of the curved section 12, on the inside of its curvature.

[0030] The main element 2 comprises an opening 6 in which a decorative element 10 is arranged. The opening 6 is formed in the wall 5 in the plane of the wall 5 of the connection. The decorative element is arranged in the same plane as the opening 6 and the wall 5. Preferably, the opening 6 passes through the wall 5 of the main element 2. The opening 6 here has a circular shape provided with a center. The opening 6 is delimited by an inner surface 7 defining the contour of the opening 6. The inner surface 7 has a cylindrical shape, the height of which corresponds to the thickness of the wall 5.

[0031] Decorative element 10 is rotatably mounted on main element 2 . To this end, winding weight 1 comprises bearings 8 with balls 9 .

[0032] In the first embodiment shown in the figures, balls 9 bearings 8 are arranged on the main element 2 to allow the decorative element 10 to rotate by sliding on the balls 9. The balls 9 bearings 8 are arranged in the opening 6 in the inner surface 7. The decorative element 10 can then rotate around an axis passing substantially through the center of the opening 6.

[0033] The balls 9 are distributed angularly in the inner surface 7 of the opening 6. The balls 9 are arranged in the body of the main element 2. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the bearing comprises twelve balls 9. Each ball 9 is held in a chamber whose size corresponds approximately to the size of the ball 9, thereby allowing the ball 9 to rotate inside. For this purpose, the chamber is generally spherical, with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 9. Thus, the chamber is configured to hold the ball 9 while leaving a clearance of a size that allows the ball to rotate inside the chamber.

[0034] Each cavity also comprises a hole 15 communicating with the opening 6. The hole 15 is arranged on the inner surface 7 of the opening 6. Thus, the ball 9 protrudes from the cavity into the opening 6 and can come into contact with the decorative element 10.

[0035] The decorative element 10 comprises a portion intended to come into contact with the balls 9 of the bearing 8. In the example of an anchor, this is the outer surface of the curved section 12 that slides on the balls 9 of the bearing 8.

[0036] In order to retain the decorative element 10 in the opening 6, the inner surface 7 of the opening 6 comprises rails 13, 14 for retaining the decorative element 10. The two rails 13, 14 are each arranged substantially on the edge of the cylinder defined by the inner surface 7.

[0037] The contact portion of the decorative element preferably has a beveled shape so as to be introduced and held between the two rails 13, 14. Thus, the decorative element 10 can slide against the ball 9 while being held in the opening 6 by the rails 13, 14.

[0038] The ball 9 is formed of, for example, a polycrystalline synthetic ruby ​​material.

[0039] The decorative element 10 is formed of a preferably opaque material to distinguish it from the main element 2. The material of the decorative element 10 contains, preferably entirely contains, a ceramic, for example zirconium oxide of the ZrO2 type. Such a material allows obtaining a specific color that is clearly visible, for example black.

[0040] In the first variant embodiment, the main element 2 is made of a material having a thickness greater than 10 g / cm 3 The high-density one-piece amorphous metal material is formed, for example, the density is 15.4g / cm 3 Therefore, the weight part 3 is formed of the same material. The high-density material provides the weight part 3 with sufficient inertia.

[0041] In a second variant embodiment, the main element 2 is partially made of a material having a thickness of less than 10 g / cm 3 The low-density amorphous metal is formed, for example, the density is 6.7g / cm 3 The weight part 3 is a separate component assembled to the main component 2. The weight part 3 is preferably made of a ZrVit106a type amorphous zirconium alloy with a density of more than 10 g / cm 3 High-density material, such as 19.3g / cm 3 of tungsten or tungsten alloy.

[0042] In order to form the ball 9 and the cavity in the wall 5, the following method is used, in which a ruby ​​ball is first formed, which is covered with a metal layer, for example a copper layer, deposited by electroplating growth. The metallized ball 9 is then embedded in the amorphous metal body of the main element 2 during the formation of the main element 2, and finally the metal layer is dissolved by chemical techniques. The dissolution of this metal layer releases the ball from the material of the main element and allows it to rotate in the cavity while being retained therein. For example, an overmolding method is used, such as thermoforming or injection molding of amorphous metals. This production method is described in patent EP2585238, in particular in paragraphs

[0044] and

[0045] .

[0043] In a second embodiment, not shown in the figures, the ball bearings are arranged in the decorative element. To this end, the decorative element is formed of an amorphous metal material so that the balls can be formed in the same way as in the first embodiment, but this time in the decorative element. The main element is preferably formed of another material that allows obtaining sufficient inertia.

[0044] In a third embodiment, not shown in the figures, the ball bearing is an additional element attached to the inner surface of the opening. The balls are therefore not embedded in the material of the additional element but are part of it. The additional element is fixed to the inside of the opening. The decorative element is held by the additional element while being able to rotate due to the ball bearing, as described previously. Figure 1 As in the embodiment of .

Claims

1. A winding rotor (1) for a watch movement, the winding rotor (1) being intended to be rotatably mounted on an axis of the watch movement, characterized in that: The oscillating weight (1) comprises a main element (2) and a decorative element (10), a part of which forms a weight (3) which allows the oscillating weight (1) to oscillate in response to the movement of the timepiece and to gravity, the main element (2) giving the oscillating weight (1) its general shape, the decorative element (10) being mechanically linked to the main element (2), the decorative element (10) being rotatably mounted on the main element (2), and the oscillating weight comprising a ball (9) bearing (8) to allow the decorative element (10) to rotate, the main element (2) comprising an opening (6) in which the decorative element (10) is arranged, wherein the decorative element or the main element in which the ball (9) is arranged is made of amorphous metal, and the inner surface (7) of the opening (6) comprises tracks (13, 14) for retaining the decorative element (10) in the opening (6).

2. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball (9) bearing (8) is arranged on the main element (2).

3. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ball (9) bearing (8) is arranged in the inner surface (7) of the opening (6).

4. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: A portion of the decorative element (10) has a sloped shape.

5. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The balls (9) are distributed at an angle in the inner surface (7) of the opening (6).

6. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ball bearing (9) is arranged in the body of the main element (2).

7. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each ball (9) is held in a chamber whose dimensions allow the ball (9) to be held in a substantially predetermined position while rotating.

8. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The chamber comprises a hole (15) communicating with the opening (6), so that a portion of the ball (9) protrudes from the chamber into the opening (6) so as to be able to come into contact with the decorative element (10).

9. The winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The ball (9) is made of ruby.

10. The winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The decorative element (10) comprises a portion intended to come into contact with the balls (9) of the bearing (8).

11. The winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The decorative element (10) comprises ceramic.

12. The winding rotor (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that: The decorative element (10) is entirely made of ceramic.

13. The winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The main element (2) comprises an amorphous metal.

14. The winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The decorative element (10) is a logo or an acronym.

15. A timepiece comprising a case formed by a middle piece closed by a crystal and an at least partially transparent back cover, in which a self-winding timepiece movement is housed, characterized in that: The timepiece movement is equipped with a winding rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for manufacturing a winding rotor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: - The first step is to form a ruby ​​ball (9), - In a second step, the balls (9) are covered with a metal layer, - a third step of embedding metallized balls (9) in the amorphous metal body of the main element (2) during its formation, - A fourth step is to dissolve the metal layer by chemical techniques to obtain the ball (9) bearing (8).

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