Timepiece comprising rotor and damping mechanism

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising a case (10) in which an automatic chain-up movement (14) is housed, the automatic chain-up movement (14) comprising a pendulum (15), the case (10) being closed by a rear cover (12) and a watch mirror (11), characterized in that the timepiece (1) comprises a damping mechanism (16), the damping mechanism (16) being arranged in the case (10). The damping mechanism (16) is made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed within the case (10) and interposed between the rotor (15) and the rear cover (12) so as to prevent direct contact of the rotor (15) with the rear cover (12) when the timepiece (1) is subjected to vibrations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising an "automatic" timepiece movement, that is, a movement comprising an automatic winding mechanism equipped with a rotor.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a watch including a shock-absorbing mechanism for preventing contact between the rotor and the back cover of the watch case in the event of an unexpected shock. Background Technology

[0003] In the event of a watch being subjected to severe accidental shocks (such as being dropped), the rotor may strike the case back or the glass of the transparent case back, causing scratches on the surface of the rotor facing the case back, thus affecting the aesthetics of the movement. This effect is especially noticeable when the rotor can be seen through the case back.

[0004] In addition, repeated impacts and friction between the rotor and the case back may generate material particles, which can adversely affect the normal operation of the movement.

[0005] To overcome these shortcomings, various solutions have been proposed, including the use of axial stops (such as washers, screws, or jewels) to limit the axial movement of the rotor.

[0006] Such solutions are described in detail in document EP-924579. In this document, a notch-shaped end flange is provided at the outer edge of the pendulum, which is placed between two rings to limit the axial movement of the pendulum when axial vibration occurs.

[0007] Document CH-337785 also proposes another solution: to reduce friction caused by accidental contact between the rotor and the case back by embedding a watch-specific jewel in the surface of the rotor facing the case back.

[0008] However, these solutions are complex to implement and difficult to adapt to existing movement models, making them difficult to apply in after-sales service scenarios.

[0009] Therefore, improvements are needed for watches equipped with automatic winding movements. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Against this backdrop, the present invention provides a timepiece comprising a case housing an automatic winding movement with a rotor, the case being sealed by a back cover, characterized in that the timepiece includes a shock-absorbing mechanism made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed within the case and inserted between the rotor and the back cover, so as to prevent direct contact between the rotor and the back cover when the timepiece is subjected to vibration.

[0011] In addition to the features described above, the clocks according to the present invention may also have one or more of the following additional features, which may be used individually or in any technically feasible combination:

[0012] The shock absorption mechanism is supported by a pendulum or a rear cover;

[0013] The shock absorption mechanism is fixed to the surface of the pendulum or to the surface of the back cover.

[0014] The shock absorption mechanism is fixed by bonding, welding or snap-fitting.

[0015] The shock absorption mechanism is housed in at least one groove, which is located on the surface of the rotor or the surface of the rear cover.

[0016] The shape of the at least one groove is designed such that the shock-absorbing mechanism can be held in place by clamping it.

[0017] The at least one groove is provided on the surface of the rear cover facing the rotor;

[0018] The at least one groove is provided on the surface of the pendulum weight facing the rear cover;

[0019] The at least one groove extends on at least the peripheral portion of the rotor or the back cover;

[0020] The oscillating weight or the rear cover includes multiple grooves, and the shock absorption mechanism includes multiple shock absorption elements, which are respectively housed in the multiple grooves;

[0021] When the plurality of grooves are supported by the pendulum, the plurality of grooves are evenly distributed on the periphery of the pendulum. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, in which a shock-absorbing mechanism is inserted between the rotor and the back cover and is supported by the back cover;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, in which a shock-absorbing mechanism is inserted between the rotor and the back cover and is supported by the rotor;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A detailed perspective view of the rotor supporting the shock-absorbing mechanism in the second embodiment of the clock shown;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a watch according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the shock-absorbing mechanism consists of a plurality of shock-absorbing elements, which are supported by a rotor and distributed in a plurality of grooves on the peripheral portion of the rotor.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a clock according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the shock-absorbing mechanism consists of a plurality of shock-absorbing elements, which are supported by a rotor, extend radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor, and are distributed on the peripheral portion of the rotor.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, in which the shock-absorbing mechanism consists of a plurality of spherical elastic elements supported by a rotor and distributed in a plurality of grooves on the peripheral portion of the rotor.

[0029] In all the accompanying drawings, the same parts are referred to by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the clock 1 according to the present invention.

[0031] The watch 1 includes a case 10, which has a middle part 13. The upper part of the middle part 13 is closed by a crystal 11, and the lower part is closed by a back cover 12.

[0032] The back cover 12 may be a solid back cover or a back cover that is at least partially transparent so that the movement 14 can be observed from one side of the back cover 12.

[0033] Intermediate component 13 defines an internal space for receiving and accommodating movement 14 with central axis B.

[0034] Movement 14 is an automatic winding movement and includes a rotor 15.

[0035] The rotor 15 includes a central portion 15.2 and a peripheral portion 15.1. The central portion 15.2 forms the support structure for the rotor 15, and the peripheral portion 15.1 is the section that bears the weight. The rotor 15 is fixed to the movement 14 by a suitable fastening device.

[0036] Generally, the heavy section of the peripheral portion 15.1 is formed either by increasing the thickness or by using a high-density material.

[0037] The watch 1 also includes a shock-absorbing mechanism 16, which is housed within the case 10 and inserted between the rotor 15 and the case back 12.

[0038] Preferably, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is inserted between the peripheral portion 15.1 of the load-bearing section of the pendulum 15 and the rear cover 12.

[0039] Preferably, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is inserted between the rotor 15 and the back cover 12, and is located in the region near the radial end of the rotor 15. This is because the displacement generated mainly by the elastic deformation of the central portion 15.2 and the fastening device is greatest in this region, and when the watch 1 is subjected to vibration, the rotor 15 is most likely to come into contact with the back cover 12 in this region.

[0040] The shock absorption mechanism 16 is configured to prevent the rotor 15 from making direct contact with the back cover 12 when the watch 1 is subjected to vibration.

[0041] The damping mechanism 16 is made of damping material with damping properties.

[0042] The shock absorption mechanism 16 is made of an elastomeric polymer material.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the shock absorption mechanism 16 can be carried by the rear cover 12 and is located on the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 of the rear cover 12 facing the rotor 15.

[0044] Preferably, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is located on the surface of the rear cover 12 facing the peripheral end of the rotor 15.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the shock absorption mechanism 16 can be carried by the pendulum 15 and is located on the surface of the pendulum 15 facing the rear cover 12.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is located on the surface of the oscillating weight 15 or on the surface of the rear cover 12, and is fixed thereto, for example, by adhesive bonding, thermal welding or snap-fitting.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is accommodated and held in place within at least one recess 17, 117, which is provided on the surface of the oscillating weight 15 or the rear cover 12.

[0048] For example, at least one groove 117 is provided on the surface of the pendulum 15 facing the rear cover 12, such as Figure 2 As shown.

[0049] For example, the at least one groove 17 is provided on the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 of the rear cover 12 facing the rotor 15.

[0050] The at least one groove 17, 117 is used to accommodate the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 and to hold the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 in the corresponding position by clamping or elastically compressing the material of the shock-absorbing mechanism 16.

[0051] The shock-absorbing mechanism 16 can also be attached to the at least one groove 17, 117.

[0052] For example, the at least one groove 17 extends continuously or discontinuously on at least one annular section of the oscillating weight 15 or the rear cover 12.

[0053] For example, the at least one groove 17 is annular in shape, and correspondingly, the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is also annular in shape (e.g., an O-ring). This embodiment is particularly suitable for situations where the shock-absorbing mechanism 16 is carried by the rear cover 12.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment, the oscillating weight 15 or the rear cover 12 includes a plurality of grooves, and the damping mechanism consists of a plurality of damping elements, each of which is accommodated in a respective groove.

[0055] Figures 4 to 6 Various arrangements of the damping mechanism 16 are shown, in which the damping mechanism 16 consists of multiple damping elements distributed on the circumference of the rotor 15.

[0056] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the pendulum 15 may include multiple grooves, which are multiple annular segments located on a circle centered on the axis of rotation of the pendulum 15. In this embodiment, the damping mechanism 16 consists of multiple damping segments 16a, which are held in place within each groove.

[0057] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the damping mechanism 16 comprises a plurality of damping elements 16b, which are fixed to the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 of the pendulum 15. In this embodiment, each damping element 16b may be bonded to the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 of the pendulum 15 and oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation of the pendulum 15. Alternatively, the pendulum 15 may also be provided with a plurality of grooves, which are oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation of the pendulum 15 and are shaped to accommodate and hold the plurality of damping elements 16b in place.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the pendulum 15 may include a plurality of grooves distributed around the circumference of the pendulum 15, and the damping mechanism 16 is composed of a plurality of spherical damping elements 16c, which are held in place in each of the grooves.

Claims

1. A timepiece (1) comprising a case (10) housing an automatic winding movement (14) having a central axis (B) and including a rotor (15), the case (10) being closed by a back cover (12), characterized in that, The watch (1) includes a shock-absorbing mechanism (16) made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed within the watch case (10), and inserted between the rotor (15) and the back cover (12) to prevent the rotor (15) from directly contacting the back cover (12) when the watch (1) is subjected to vibration.

2. The clock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shock absorption mechanism (16) is supported by the oscillating weight (15) or the rear cover (12).

3. The clock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The shock absorption mechanism (16) is fixed to the surface of the pendulum (15) or to the surface of the rear cover (12).

4. The clock (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shock absorption mechanism (16) is fixed by means of bonding, welding or snap-fitting.

5. The clock (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The shock-absorbing mechanism (16) is housed in at least one groove (17, 117), the at least one groove being disposed on the surface of the pendulum (15) or the surface of the rear cover (12).

6. The clock (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shape of the at least one groove (17, 117) is designed to hold the shock-absorbing mechanism (16) in place by clamping it.

7. The clock (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The at least one groove (17) is provided on the surface of the rear cover (12) facing the oscillating weight (15).

8. The clock (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The at least one groove (117) is provided on the surface of the oscillating weight (15) facing the rear cover (12).

9. The clock (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, The at least one groove (17, 117) extends on at least the peripheral portion of the oscillating weight (15) or the rear cover (12).

10. The clock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The oscillating weight (15) or the rear cover (12) includes a plurality of grooves, and the shock-absorbing mechanism (16) includes a plurality of shock-absorbing elements (16a, 16b, 16c), which are respectively housed in the plurality of grooves.

11. The clock (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the plurality of grooves are supported by the pendulum (15), the plurality of grooves are evenly distributed on the peripheral portion (15.1) of the pendulum (15).

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