Annular rotor and timepiece comprising such rotor

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotor (1) for an automatic winding timepiece, said rotor (1) comprising a drive ring (2) and a counterweight part (3), said drive ring (2) comprising a first annular transmission part (20) provided with a coaxial toothing (21) for driving the winding of the timepiece and a second annular bearing part (22), said second annular transmission part (22) being provided with a coaxial toothing (21) for driving the winding of the timepiece. The counterweight portion (3) is attached to the second annular bearing portion (22) of the drive ring (2). According to the invention, the counterweight part (3) is attached to the drive ring (2) at a plurality of locations via a riveting column (4), the riveting column (4) having a machining plane to form a reservoir for accommodating an adhesive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ring-shaped pendulum / oscillating mass, which includes a drive ring (anneau The invention also relates to a watch movement and an automatic winding watch, each comprising the circular rotor of the present invention. Background Technology

[0002] Automatic watches equipped with a circular rotor are quite common. This rotor is housed within a circular recess arranged around the movement inside the watch case. Rolling pulleys are also arranged at the edge of the recess to support and guide the rotor, allowing it to rotate freely within the recess. For example, the drive ring may have internal teeth, thereby mechanically transmitting the rotor's rotational motion to the mainspring barrel of the movement. Thus, the rotor ensures the automatic winding of the mainspring.

[0003] One problem with these rotors is their susceptibility to deformation during assembly, especially when press-fit pins or rivets are used to assemble the components of a toroidal rotor. This deformation can affect the smooth operation of the rotor and the sensory quality of the watch.

[0004] Another problem with this type of rotor is that the pins or rivets may come off due to impact, causing damage to other parts of the movement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is particularly to overcome the various deficiencies of the prior art.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ring-shaped pendulum that does not generate stress that could affect the geometry of the toothed drive ring, while also providing better shock resistance.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a rotor for an automatic winding clock, the rotor comprising a drive ring and a counterweight portion, the drive ring comprising a first annular transmission portion and a second annular support portion, the first annular transmission portion having coaxial teeth to drive the clock to wind, and the counterweight portion being attached to the second annular support portion of the drive ring.

[0008] According to the invention, the counterweight portion is fastened to the drive ring at multiple locations via riveting posts, the riveting posts having machined surfaces to form storage portions for receiving adhesive.

[0009] Other advantageous variations according to the invention:

[0010] -The drive ring has a shoulder located between a first annular portion and a second annular portion of the drive ring, the first annular portion and the second annular portion extending in different parallel planes;

[0011] - The counterweight portion has a shoulder that complements the shoulder of the drive ring;

[0012] - The second annular portion and the counterweight portion each include an opening and a hole to accommodate the riveting post;

[0013] - The riveting post has a head and a body, wherein the machined plane extends from the base of the post toward the head over a portion of the length of the riveting post;

[0014] - Each riveted post has a chamfered portion on its body;

[0015] - The diameter of the hole is smaller than the diameter of the base of the riveting post;

[0016] - The head of the riveting post is flush with the surface of the second annular support portion.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a watch movement and a watch, which includes a rotor according to the invention.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a pendulum weight according to the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0019] - Provides drive ring and counterweight components;

[0020] - The drive ring and counterweight are machined to form openings and holes;

[0021] - Apply a drop of adhesive into each hole of the counterweight section;

[0022] - Insert the rivet post into the opening of the drive ring, and then press the rivet post into the hole to form a pendulum;

[0023] - Place the pendulum in an oven to bake, so that the adhesive can cure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] - Figure 1 This is a bottom view of the pendulum wheel according to the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 2 This is a perspective top view of the pendulum weight according to the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 3a This is an exploded view of the pendulum wheel according to the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 3b A detailed view of the riveting post of the oscillating weight according to the present invention is shown;

[0029] - Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the VV line in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the annular pendulum 1 according to the present invention.

[0031] This invention is described in the case of a ring-shaped pendulum, but it is also applicable to traditional pendulums with a half-disc shape.

[0032] The pendulum 1 shown includes a drive ring 2 and a counterweight portion 3. According to the present invention, the drive ring includes a first annular transmission portion 20 and a second annular support portion 22, the first annular transmission portion 20 being provided with teeth 21 for winding the clock. Figure 2 As shown, the counterweight part 3 is supported by the second annular part 22 and is integrated with it, while the first annular transmission part 20 has concentric internal teeth 21.

[0033] The counterweight is made of a high-density material, with a density higher than that of materials commonly used in pendulums, such as gold or tungsten.

[0034] The drive ring 2 has a shoulder 23 between its first annular portion 20 and its second annular portion 22, wherein the first and second annular portions lie in different parallel planes. The counterweight portion 3 also has a shoulder 30, the shape of which is complementary to the shoulder 23 of the annular portion. Therefore, the counterweight portion 3 has a first cylindrical portion 31 that contacts the second annular portion 22, and a second cylindrical portion 32 that rests on the teeth 21. Advantageously, a space is left between the teeth 21 and the second cylindrical portion 32 to compensate for the assembly gap generated when the counterweight portion is fastened to the drive ring.

[0035] refer to Figure 1 As shown in Figure 3, the counterweight portion 3 is connected to the second annular support portion 22 via rivet posts 4. These rivet posts 4 have a head 40 and a body 41, the body 41 including a machined surface 42 to form a storage portion 5 for accommodating adhesive during batch assembly.

[0036] These rivet posts 4 are arranged to be pressed into openings 220 and holes 222 respectively machined in the second annular portion 22 and the counterweight portion 3. For example... Figure 4As shown, the opening 220 has a first section and a second section. The diameter of the first section corresponds to the diameter of the head 40 of the rivet post 4, and the diameter of the second section corresponds to the diameter of the body 41 of the rivet post 4. The diameter of the second section is smaller than the diameter of the first section. This arrangement allows the head 40 of the rivet post 4 to be flush with the surface of the second annular portion 22.

[0037] The counterweight part 3 has multiple holes 222, preferably blind holes, with a diameter smaller than the main body diameter of the riveting post 4, to achieve an interference fit installation, i.e., assembly by press-fitting. Figure 3b and Figure 4 As can be seen, the main body 41 of the riveting post 4 has a machined surface 42 that extends from the bottom of the main body 41 toward the head 40 over a portion of the body height. This arrangement allows for the formation of an adhesive reservoir 5 when the three components (i.e., the drive ring 2, the counterweight 3, and the riveting post 4) are assembled. Therefore, the adhesive can provide a more reliable overall assembly while reducing stress during the assembly process.

[0038] Another advantage of this machined surface is that it makes pressing the rivet into place easier, because the machined surface creates a gap and prevents a piston effect when the rivet is pressed in. A piston effect would cause the counterweight part 3 to deform due to the rivet 4 trapping air in the hole 222, and would prevent the rivet 4 from being fully pressed into the hole.

[0039] from Figure 4 It can also be seen that the rivet post 4 has a chamfered part 43 on the free end of the main body, so as to facilitate the insertion of the rivet post 4 into the hole 222.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling the aforementioned pendulum.

[0041] The method for assembling a pendulum weight includes the following steps:

[0042] - Provides drive ring 2 and counterweight part 3;

[0043] - The drive ring and counterweight are machined to form opening 220 and hole 222;

[0044] - Apply a drop of adhesive into each hole 222 of the counterweight section;

[0045] - Insert the rivet post 4 into the opening 220 of the drive ring 2, and then press the rivet post 4 into the hole 222 to form the pendulum 1;

[0046] - Once the pendulum is assembled, place it in an oven to bake and cure the adhesive.

[0047] The oscillating weight according to the invention is intended to be installed in the movement of an automatic watch and to ensure the winding of the movement. Such watches typically include a power reserve, usually a mainspring barrel, designed to cooperate with the oscillating weight to ensure winding. Thus, the oscillating weight provides energy to the power reserve by winding the mainspring. The power reserve powers the time base of the movement, which in turn drives the gear train.

Claims

1. A rotor (1) for an automatic winding clock, the rotor (1) comprising a drive ring (2) and a counterweight portion (3), the drive ring (2) comprising a first annular transmission portion (20) and a second annular support portion (22), the first annular transmission portion (20) having coaxial teeth (21) for driving the clock to wind, the counterweight portion (3) being attached to the second annular support portion (22) of the drive ring (2), characterized in that, The counterweight (3) is attached to the drive ring (2) at multiple locations via rivet posts (4), the rivet posts (4) having machined surfaces (42) to form a storage section (5) for holding adhesive.

2. The pendulum (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive ring (2) has a shoulder (23) located between a first annular transmission portion (20) and a second annular support portion (22) of the drive ring (2), the first annular transmission portion and the second annular support portion extending in different parallel planes.

3. The pendulum (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The counterweight portion has a shoulder (30) that is complementary to the shoulder (23) of the drive ring (2).

4. The pendulum (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second annular support portion (22) and the counterweight portion (3) respectively include an opening (220) and a hole (222) to accommodate the riveting post (4).

5. The pendulum (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The riveting post (4) has a head (40) and a body (41), and the machining plane (42) extends from the body (41) toward the head (40) along a portion of the body length of the riveting post.

6. The pendulum (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each rivet post (4) has a chamfered portion (43) on its main body (41).

7. The pendulum (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The diameter of the hole (222) is smaller than the diameter of the base of the riveting post.

8. The pendulum (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The head (40) of the riveting post is flush with the surface of the second annular support portion (22).

9. A watch movement comprising a rotor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A timepiece comprising the timepiece movement according to claim 9.

11. A method for assembling a pendulum (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - Provides a drive ring (2) and a counterweight (3); - The drive ring and the counterweight are machined to form an opening (220) and a hole (222); - Apply a drop of adhesive into each hole (222) of the counterweight section; - Insert the rivet post (4) into the opening (220) of the drive ring (2), and then press the rivet post (4) into the hole (222) to form the pendulum (1); - The pendulum (1) is placed in an oven and baked to cure the adhesive.

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