Damping support

Abstract

The invention relates to a support for a timepiece movement, in particular a bridge or a plate. The support comprises a base and an interface designed to receive a timepiece component. One remarkable feature of the support is that it further comprises a shock absorber arranged between the base and the interface and arranged to absorb vibrations between the timepiece component and the base of the support. The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a support, and to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horology. More specifically, it relates to a support member, such as a mainplate or plate, for a watch movement. The invention also relates to a watch movement including such a support member, and to a watch equipped with such a movement. Background Technology

[0002] To limit the propagation of vibrations within a watch movement, various methods have been employed. Most methods aim to limit the consequences of impacts on the watch, such as the effects of a drop. Other devices aim to reduce movement noise by limiting the propagation of vibrational waves.

[0003] In the latter category, application EP3418595 describes a ball bearing for a watch, designed to support a rotor used for automatic winding. It appears that the rotation of the balls on the raceways of a conventional bearing would produce vibrations, which would then propagate throughout the movement via the fastening of the bearing and bridges to the rotor. Vibrations can easily travel between hard materials in contact, such as between the movement and the watch case, and thus may be perceptible to the watch wearer. To reduce noise and vibration caused by the rotor bearing, it is proposed to add a damping ring between the inner ring of the bearing and its retaining ring, so that the bearing's vibrations are not transmitted to the rest of the movement without first being filtered by the damping material.

[0004] However, using this type of bearing also has some drawbacks. Adding a damping ring made of a material with a lower hardness than the original material to the bearing does not provide the same stiffness as a conventional bearing of the same size made of metal or ceramic. However, it is crucial to ensure the rotor is securely fixed in its plane to prevent contact with the crystal, centerpiece, movement plate, or bridge. Therefore, the dimensions of these bearings, especially their thickness, must be increased to achieve stiffness comparable to bearings without dampers.

[0005] In addition, most watches have a case back crystal that allows a view of the underside of the movement, especially the rotor and its bearings. Shock absorbers are made of non-precious metals (usually elastomers), and even seeing only a portion of them can affect the visual quality of the movement and prevent the use of these bearings in high-end products.

[0006] Therefore, there is interest in developing alternatives to overcome the limitations of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a support member (e.g., a plate or mainplate) in a watch movement, the support member comprising a base and an interface for receiving watch components. In an inventive embodiment, the support member further includes a shock absorber disposed between the base and the interface.

[0008] This configuration can absorb vibrations between the watch components and the support base, thereby absorbing vibrations between the watch components and the rest of the movement.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shock absorber is at least partially embedded within the thickness of the support member.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shock absorber is made of the following materials: elastomer (especially EPDM rubber), thermoplastic, shape memory material, epoxy resin or polyurethane resin.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shock absorber is obtained by overmolding on a base.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shock absorber is obtained by overmolding the interface.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shock absorber is clamped onto the base and the interface.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base includes an outer groove, and the interface includes an inner groove.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support member is a clamping plate, the interface of which is designed to receive the pendulum and its bearing.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support member is a clamping plate, and the interface of the clamping plate is designed to receive the machine plate.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support member is a machine plate, and the interface of the machine plate is designed to receive a clamping plate.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hardness of the shock absorber is between 40 and 95 Shore A.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising the support member as described above.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support member on the watch movement is a rotor bridge, the base of which is fastened to the movement plate, and the interface of which is fixed to a fastening device designed to keep the inner ring of the bearing carrying the rotor pressed against the shock absorber of the support member.

[0021] Finally, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

[0023] - Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of the oscillating weight clamp according to the prior art is shown.

[0024] - Figure 2 A similar cross-sectional view of the oscillating weight clamp according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] - Figure 3 It does not have shock absorbers Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the clamping plate in the middle.

[0026] - Figure 4 It shows the combination with shock absorbers. Figure 3 The same cross-sectional view,

[0027] - Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of a movement including the clamps according to the invention is shown.

[0028] - Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional view is shown, showing the clamp plate fixed to the machine plate, wherein the shock absorber according to the invention is located on the clamp plate.

[0029] - Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional view is shown, in which the shock absorber according to the invention is located on the machine plate. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figures 2 to 5 The first embodiment of the present invention is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment.

[0031] This invention relates to a support member, which is the common term used in this application for the mainplate or plate inside a watch movement. Figure 1 A conventional support 1' according to the prior art is shown, which is in the form of a rotor bridge. The entire bridge is made of a rigid material, which may be metal or ceramic. The conventional support 1' includes an opening in which a threaded insert 5 is press-fitted for receiving a bearing that carries the rotor. The inner ring of the bearing is pressed against the conventional support 1' by a nut that engages with the threaded insert 5. In this configuration, the contact formed by the direct pressing of the inner ring of the bearing against the rotor bridge facilitates the transmission of vibrations from the bearing to the rest of the movement.

[0032] Figures 2 to 5 A first embodiment of the support member 1 according to the present invention is shown, which is in the form of a pendulum clamp, and... Figure 1The support shown is similar. However, it differs from conventional support 1' in that it consists of multiple components, namely base 2, interface 3, and shock absorber 4 located between base 2 and interface 3.

[0033] Interface 3 is designed to receive a watch component, meaning that the interface can accommodate the component or a fastener designed to connect the support 1 to the watch component. In a first exemplary embodiment, the watch component is a rotor with its bearing, and interface 3 receives a fastening device for securing the bearing. The fastening device shown is a threaded insert 5 designed to engage with a nut 6. Other fastening devices are also suitable, such as screw seats and screws, or screws and nuts.

[0034] The term "watch component" should be interpreted broadly to refer to all watch elements that can be mounted or secured to a support. Examples include components (e.g., jewels) that can be mounted on a plate or clamp, as well as other support components (e.g., plates or clamps), as shown in other embodiments.

[0035] A shock absorber 4 is arranged between the base 2 and the interface 3 to absorb vibrations between the watch components and the base 2 of the support 1. The direction of vibration propagation is irrelevant because the shock absorber support according to the invention can be used to isolate components that are vibration sources (e.g., the rotor) and to protect components from vibrations or impacts from outside the watch.

[0036] To optimize the damping effect, the damper 4 is made of a vibration-absorbing material, such as an elastomeric polymer (e.g., EPDM rubber), thermoplastic, epoxy or polyurethane resin, or shape memory alloy (SMA).

[0037] Preferably, the hardness of the material used to manufacture the shock absorber is between 40 and 95 Shore A.

[0038] The shock absorber 4 can be manufactured by injection molding or die casting. Preferably, the shock absorber 4 can be overmolded onto the base 2 and the interface 3. For this purpose, the base 2 and the interface 3 are placed in a mold as follows: Figure 3 The position is shown. Then, the vibration-absorbing material is injected into the cavity formed by the base 2, the interface 3, and the mold.

[0039] To ensure a good bond between the shock absorber, base 2, and interface 3, the surfaces of the base 2 and interface 3 that contact the shock absorber 4 preferably have distinct irregularities, such as ribs, grooves, or cavities. In the example shown, the base 2 includes an outer groove 2.1, and the interface 3 includes an inner groove 3.1.

[0040] As an alternative to overmolding, the shock absorber 4 can be clamped onto the base 2 and the interface 3, or in other words, the shock absorber 4 can be press-fitted onto the base 2 and the interface 3 by utilizing the elastic properties of the material used to make the shock absorber 4.

[0041] Of course, overmolding and clamping methods can be used in combination. For example, the shock absorber 4 can be overmolded onto the base 2 first, and then clamped onto the interface 3. Conversely, the shock absorber 4 can also be overmolded onto the interface 3 first, and then clamped onto the base 2.

[0042] Once all the components of support 1 are assembled, a one-piece assembly is obtained, and its operation is as simple as that of a conventional support 1'.

[0043] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of a watch movement including a support member 1 according to the invention is shown. The support member in question is a rotor bridge with a base 2 fixed to a movement plate 9. An interface 3 is fastened to a threaded insert 5 that engages with a nut 6. The nut 6 holds the inner ring 7.1 of the bearing 7 carrying the rotor 8 against a shock absorber 4 of the support member 1. Preferably, a washer 10 is provided between the nut 6 and the inner ring 7.1 of the bearing 7. This design isolates the bearing from the base 2, thereby attenuating vibrations transmitted from the rotor and bearing to the rest of the movement.

[0044] Those skilled in the art can modify this exemplary design without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0045] In an advantageous variation, interface 3 serves as a direct fastening device for watch components. If it is a bearing, interface 3 can be a threaded rod or a screw seat with internal threads. If it is a jewel, interface 3 can be a setting for securing the jewel. This design reduces the number of parts, making movement assembly easier.

[0046] Of course, multiple shock absorbers can be mounted onto a single support 1. These shock absorbers can be manufactured in a single overmolding operation, which means lower manufacturing costs compared to a scheme where each component has a specific shock absorber insert.

[0047] For the oscillating weight plate, the proposed solution offers greater design freedom due to its compatibility with conventional bearings. By integrating the damper into the thickness of the plate, vibrations generated by the oscillating weight bearing can be filtered out without using thicker, dedicated bearings, and the damper will not be visible to the user.

[0048] Figure 6Another embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein the support 1 is in the form of a clamp 11, which consists of a base 2, an interface 3, and a shock absorber 4. The interface 3 is designed to receive a screw 12, which engages with a nut 6 to secure the clamp 11 to the machine plate 9. By tightening the nut 6 onto the screw 12, the interface 3 is pressed against the machine plate 9 via a washer 10. Preferably, the shock absorber 4 is slightly compressed when the nut is tightened. The interface 3 allows the shock absorber 4 to reach a predetermined degree of compression while preventing the shock absorber from being crushed during tightening. This design also allows the clamp to be precisely positioned vertically relative to the machine plate. Since the base 2 of the clamp 11 only contacts the shock absorber 4, vibration transmission between the base 2 of the clamp 11 and the machine plate 9 is significantly reduced. The clamp 11 preferably includes a shock absorber at each component that secures it to the machine plate 9.

[0049] Figure 7 A fastener for the clamp plate 11 and the movement plate 9 is shown, similar to the one in the previous figure. However, the difference is that in this example, the support 1 is the movement plate 9, which consists of a base 2, an interface 3, and a shock absorber 4, while the watch component is the clamp plate 11. All vibrations propagating between the clamp plate 11 and the base 2 of the movement plate 9 are attenuated by the shock absorber 4.

[0050] Another advantage of the invention lies in the positioning of the shock absorber, which is at least partially embedded within the thickness of the support member. Compared to the simple stacking of shock absorbers sandwiched between the support member and the watch components, this special arrangement allows for significant deformation of the shock absorber, thereby achieving higher absorption capacity, especially in the vertical direction, without increasing the thickness of the components.

[0051] the term

[0052] 1 Support component

[0053] 1' Conventional support components

[0054] 2. Base

[0055] 2.1 External trench

[0056] 3 Interfaces

[0057] 3.1 Internal Groove

[0058] 4 Shock absorbers

[0059] 5. Threaded inserts

[0060] 6 nuts

[0061] 7 bearings

[0062] 7.1 Inner Circle

[0063] 8. Pendulum

[0064] 9 circuit boards

[0065] 10 Washers

[0066] 11. Plywood

[0067] 12 screws

Claims

1. A support (1) for a watch movement, particularly a plate or movement plate, said support (1) comprising a base (2) and an interface (3) for receiving watch components, characterized in that, The support member (1) includes a shock absorber (4) arranged between the base (2) and the interface (3) and designed to absorb vibrations between the watch component and the base (2) of the support member (1).

2. The support member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shock absorber (4) is at least partially embedded within the thickness of the support (1).

3. The support member according to claim 2, characterized in that, The shock absorber (4) is made of a vibration-absorbing material, particularly an elastomer, EPDM rubber, thermoplastic, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin or shape memory alloy.

4. The support member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The shock absorber (4) is obtained by overmolding on the base (2).

5. The support member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The shock absorber (4) is obtained by overmolding on the interface (3).

6. The support member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The shock absorber (4) is clamped on the base (2) and the interface (3).

7. The support member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base (2) includes an outer groove (2.1), and the interface (3) includes an inner groove (3.1).

8. The support member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support member (1) is a clamping plate, and the interface (3) of the clamping plate is designed to receive the pendulum and its bearing.

9. The support member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The support member (1) is a clamping plate (11), and the interface (3) of the clamping plate (11) is designed to receive the machine plate (9); or, the support member (1) is a machine plate (9), and the interface (3) of the machine plate (9) is designed to receive the clamping plate (11).

10. The support member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hardness of the shock absorber is between 45 and 95 Shore A.

11. A watch movement comprising a support member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The watch movement according to claim 11, characterized in that, The support member (1) is a pendulum clamp plate, the base (2) of which is fastened to the machine plate (9), and the interface (3) of which is fixed to the fastening device (5, 6), which is designed to keep the inner ring (7.1) of the bearing (7) that carries the pendulum (8) pressed against the shock absorber (4) of the support member (1).

13. A timepiece comprising a timepiece movement according to claim 11 or 12.

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