Timepiece comprising a shock-absorbing fastening device for a timepiece movement
By using a shock-absorbing and fastening device made of flexible blades and super-elastic materials, the problems of loosening and acceleration amplification of watch movements under vibration are solved, achieving a damping effect and stable connection, and improving the reliability and water resistance of the device.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The fastening devices of existing watch movements are prone to loosening or bending under vibration, which leads to amplification of acceleration. Furthermore, existing damping structures are not effective in dynamic modes, increasing stress.
The shock-absorbing fastening device, which employs a flexible blade design, provides a damping effect through the elastic strain of the blades, controlling the axial and rotational displacement of the movement within the watch case. It utilizes a super-elastic shape memory alloy material, such as NiTiN, combined with a concentric but radially offset design of the anchor points to achieve damping and stable connection.
It effectively reduces or controls the acceleration of the movement during vibration, improves the reliability and stability of the device, prevents loosening, maintains water resistance, and adapts to vibration environments.
Smart Images
Figure CN122239402A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a shock-absorbing fastening device for a watch movement, the shock-absorbing fastening device being able to reduce the impact of vibration on the watch movement. Background Technology
[0002] Two or three case clamps are typically used to assemble or secure the watch movement within the case, especially within the middle section.
[0003] For example, document CH 315649 describes a fastening device for securing a watch movement to a watch case. This fastening device secures the watch movement by means of several flexible case clamps. These case clamps have support sections connected to the watch movement and fastening sections inserted into blanks formed on the inner periphery of an intermediate piece.
[0004] In particular, the blank can be shaped such that the case clamp can generate sufficient pretension on the watch movement in order to clamp and hold the watch movement in place in the intermediate piece.
[0005] These fastening devices are rarely sized to withstand the effects of vibrations on the watch case. Such vibrations can cause the clamps on the middle section to loosen or even bend, which amplifies the acceleration experienced by the watch movement and can potentially damage it.
[0006] To compensate for the loosening of the clamps after vibration, document CH 720282 proposes using a support structure to suspend the watch movement within the case. This support structure comprises multiple suspension triangles, each with a plate attached to the movement and an end attached to the case. However, such a solution is statically indeterminate in dynamic mode, providing almost no damping to the movement and leading to increased stress at the anchor points.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need to improve the shock-absorbing fastening device with damping effect used in watch movements. Summary of the Invention
[0008] To address this, the present invention provides a timer that includes a shock-absorbing fastening device for a watch movement, thereby making it possible to overcome at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0009] This invention provides a flexible shock-absorbing fastening solution for damping stresses transmitted to the movement during vibrations, while controlling and limiting the axial displacement of the watch movement within the case. Compared to solutions in the prior art, this invention provides a solution that enables the resolution of stresses associated with the maximum permissible axial displacement of the watch movement within the case, thereby avoiding the amplification effect of acceleration on the watch movement.
[0010] In particular, the present invention provides a timer that includes a shock-absorbing fastening device for a watch movement, the shock-absorbing fastening device being designed to hold the watch movement within the case of the timer while providing a damping effect to reduce the acceleration experienced by the watch movement when the case or glass is subjected to vibration.
[0011] Furthermore, the present invention includes a timer comprising a shock-absorbing fastening device that offers improved reliability and robustness compared to solutions in the prior art, thereby ensuring proper functioning under repeated vibrations.
[0012] Therefore, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a case housing a watch movement held within the case by a shock-absorbing fastening device comprising at least two blades, each blade having two opposing ends attached directly or indirectly to the case and the watch movement by fastening elements engaging with a first anchor point on the watch movement and a second anchor point on the case, characterized in that the first anchor point on the watch movement is inscribed in a first circle and the second anchor point is inscribed in a second circle, the first and second circles being concentric, and the first and second anchor points being radially offset relative to the centers of circles C1 and C2 such that the first anchor point is not radially aligned with the second anchor point.
[0013] The shock-absorbing fastening device according to the invention allows the watch movement to be connected to the watch case while providing a damping effect to reduce or control the acceleration experienced by the watch movement during vibration.
[0014] Preferably, the blades are arranged between the watch movement and the watch case to allow for relative rotational displacement of the watch movement relative to the watch case about a rotational axis extending through the center Z of the circles C1 and C2, under elastic strain on the blades. Therefore, the damping fastening device according to the invention enables damping by combining axial movement along the central axis extending through the center Z and rotational movement about the central axis extending through the Z.
[0015] The watch movement is damped to ensure the water resistance of the case, especially at the winding crown. A disconnectable winding crown may be necessary to allow axial and rotational movement of the movement without a winding crown or degradation of the case's water resistance at the winding crown. Disconnection may occur at the connection between the watch movement and the winding crown, or at the connection between the winding crown and the intermediate components.
[0016] Preferably, the winding stem has predetermined flexibility, which is sufficient to allow the watch movement to rotate under vibration and / or allow the watch movement to move axially under vibration.
[0017] In addition to the features mentioned above, the timer according to the invention may also have one or more supplementary features, either individually or in any technically possible combination, from the following: - The at least two blades ensure the damping of the watch movement through the elastic strain of the at least two blades; - The at least two blades are arranged such that the elastic strain of the at least two blades allows the watch movement to be displaced relative to the watch case in response to vibration, thereby causing the watch movement to rotate about a rotation axis extending through the center of the first circle C1 and the second circle C2; - At least two blades are arranged equidistantly from each other at an angle around the watch movement; - The at least two blades form a circular repeating pattern around the watch movement, the circular repeating pattern being symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis extending through the center Z of circles C1 and C2; - The at least two blades extend tangentially or substantially tangentially relative to the first circle C1; a direction is considered tangential or substantially tangential when it forms an angle of 90°+ / -5° with the radius of circle C1 at any point on circle C1. - The at least two blades have the same dimensions and / or mechanical properties; - The at least two blades have different sizes and / or the same mechanical properties; - The at least two blades are made of a material selected from the following: steel, elastic steel, superelastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite material, or mixtures or combinations thereof; - The fastening element includes at least one screw; - The anchor points on the watch movement are directly placed on the plate on the watch movement; - The watch movement includes a case support attached to a plate on the watch movement, and anchor points on the watch movement are arranged on the case support; - Each blade is formed by stacking several overlapping blades. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Referring to the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, in which: - Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a watch movement and a shock-absorbing fastening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; in this embodiment, the shock-absorbing fastening device includes four stacks and a case support member, to which the watch movement is clamped; - Figure 2 It is located in the assembly structure of the watch movement and shock-absorbing fastening device, such as Figure 1 The perspective view shown; - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The perspective view of the components shown is displayed on top of the housing within the timer's case. - Figure 4 This is a top view of a timepiece, which includes a watch movement assembled in a case using a shock-absorbing fastening device according to the invention.
[0019] For clarity, the same or similar elements in different embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals in all the figures. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A shock-absorbing fastening device 10 for a watch movement 2 is depicted, which is designed to hold the watch movement 2 in the case 4 of the timer 1.
[0021] The shock-absorbing fastening device 10 according to the invention enables the watch movement 2 to be connected to the watch case 4, while simultaneously damping the watch movement 2 in the event of vibration. Specifically, the shock-absorbing fastening device 10 according to the invention makes it possible to reduce or control the acceleration experienced by the watch movement 2 during vibration.
[0022] According to the illustrated embodiment, the shock-absorbing fastening device 10 includes a case support 5 to which the watch movement 2 is attached, for example, via a retainer clamp 51. For example, the case support 5 is a case ring. The case support 5 is an optional element that facilitates the insertion of the watch movement 2 into the watch case. However, according to the invention, the watch movement 2 can also be directly inserted into the watch case 4 without using, for example, the intermediate case support 5 shown.
[0023] The shock-absorbing fastening device 10 according to the invention includes at least two blades 3, which serve as case clamps for a watch movement and as dampers for the watch movement in the event of vibration.
[0024] In the example shown, the damping fastener 10 includes four blades 3. However, the damping fastener 10 may include at least two blades 3, and for example, up to six blades 3.
[0025] The individual blades 3 in the damping fastening device 10 may have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties, such as in terms of width and / or thickness and / or Young's modulus.
[0026] Each blade 3 in the shock-absorbing fastening device 10 may have the same size and / or the same mechanical properties.
[0027] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the example shown, blades 3 have the same size.
[0028] The number of blades 3 will be selected based on the desired damping and displacement of the watch movement relative to the case 4 for a given vibration.
[0029] Preferably, the material of the blade 3 is selected from the following list: steel, elastic steel, superelastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite material, or mixtures or combinations thereof.
[0030] Preferably, the blade 3 is made of a superelastic shape memory material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, like nitinol.
[0031] Nickel-titanium is a superelastic shape memory alloy. The composition of nickel-titanium (i.e., the percentage of nickel and titanium) is selected such that within a temperature range using a timer (e.g., from -10°C to 50°C), nickel-titanium is in the austenitic phase and is therefore superelastic.
[0032] In this article, "superelastic alloy" refers to an alloy with a yield point deformation of more than 2%, or even more than 5%, or even more than 8%.
[0033] For example, blade 3 may have one or more of the following characteristics: thickness between 0.2 and 2 mm, width between 2 and 6 mm, and length between 8 and 25 mm.
[0034] Each blade 3 has two opposing ends, namely a first case end 3c and a second movement end 3d. Each end 3c, 3d has an axial or cylindrical hole adapted for the passage of a fastening element 7 for attaching the blade 3 to the case 4 and the watch movement 2 respectively via a case support 5 (if present) so as to fit the watch movement 2 into the case 4.
[0035] The fastening element 7 is configured to pass through holes in the ends 3c and 3d of the blade 3 and engage with a first anchor point 8a arranged on the case support 5 (or directly on the plate 9 of the watch movement 2 when there is no case support 5) and a second anchor point 8b arranged on the case 4.
[0036] For example, the fastening element 7 is a screw with a threaded body designed to pass through a hole in the end of the blade 3, and the anchor points 8a and 8b are tapping holes designed to hold the threaded body of the screw.
[0037] Therefore, the ends 3c and 3d of the blade 3 are rigidly and reversibly screwed to the case support 5 (or the plate 9 of the watch movement 2) and the case 4. The blade 3 can also be attached by other equivalent means known to those skilled in the art.
[0038] According to the present invention, a first anchor point 8a on the watch movement is inscribed in a first circle C1, and a second anchor point 8b is inscribed in a second circle C2, wherein the first circle C1 and the second circle C2 are concentric and have a center Z.
[0039] Preferably, anchor points 8a and 8b are arranged between the watch movement 2 and the watch case 4, such that when the blade 3 elastically strains, the blade 3 can generate a relative rotational displacement of the watch movement 2 about a rotational axis extending through the center Z relative to the watch case 4. Therefore, when the blade 3 elastically deforms, the shock-absorbing fastening device 10 according to the invention combines axial movement along the axis extending through the center Z with rotational movement.
[0040] The first anchor point 8a and the second anchor point 8b are radially offset relative to the center of circles C1 and C2, such that the first anchor point is not radially aligned with the second anchor point.
[0041] Preferably, the blades 3 are arranged equidistantly from each other at an angle around the watch movement 2.
[0042] Preferably, each blade 3 forms a circular repeating pattern around the watch movement 2, and this pattern is preferably symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis extending through the center Z of circles C1 and C2.
[0043] Preferably, the blade 3 is arranged to extend in a direction tangent to the first circle C1.
[0044] Now for reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Once the blade 3 has been fastened to the watch movement 2 (directly to the plate 9 or via the case support 5), the assembly formed by the watch movement 2 and the blade 3 is assembled into the base in the case middle part 4.
[0045] According to the example shown, the case 4 has a surface for holding and supporting the case end 3c of the blade 3. Preferably, the anchor point 8b of the case 4 is provided on these holding surfaces. Of course, the case 4 includes at least as many holding surfaces as the blades 3 used to fasten the watch movement 2.
[0046] The proposed arrangement is compact and reliable, thereby minimizing displacement under vibration while damping the watch movement to protect it.
[0047] Furthermore, the shock-absorbing fasteners according to the present invention prevent the watch movement from separating from the watch case under vibration.
[0048] According to a variant embodiment, each blade 3 on the damping fastener 10 is formed by a stack of several overlapping blades.
[0049] Preferably, the vibration damping fastener may include one or more of the following manufacturing steps: waterjet cutting, triaxial machining, machining, turning, laser cutting, stamping.
[0050] The above description of the present invention is provided by way of example. It is to be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to obtain different modifications of the invention without departing from its scope.
Claims
1. A timepiece (1) comprising a case (4) housing a watch movement (2), the watch movement (2) being held in the case (4) by means of a shock-absorbing fastener (10), the shock-absorbing fastener (10) comprising at least two blades (3), each blade (3) having two opposing ends (3c, 3d), the ends (3c, 3d) being directly or indirectly attached to the case (4) and the watch movement (2) by means of a fastening element (7), the fastening element (7) engaging with a first anchor point (8a) on the watch movement (2) and with a second anchor point (8b) on the case (4), characterized in that, The first anchor point (8a) on the watch movement is inscribed in the first circle (C1), and the second anchor point (8b) is inscribed in the second circle (C2). The first circle (C1) and the second circle (C2) are concentric, and the first anchor point (8a) and the second anchor point (8b) are not radially aligned.
2. The timer (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) ensure the damping of the watch movement through the elastic strain of the at least two blades (3).
3. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least two blades are arranged such that the elastic strain of the at least two blades (3a, 3b) allows the watch movement (2) to be displaced relative to the watch case (4) in response to vibration, thereby causing the watch movement (2) to rotate about a rotation axis extending through the center (Z) of the first circle (C1) and the second circle (C2).
4. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) are arranged equidistantly from each other at an angle around the watch movement (2).
5. The timer (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) form a circular repeating pattern around the watch movement (2), the circular repeating pattern being symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis extending through the center (Z) of the circles (C1) and (C2).
6. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) extend tangentially relative to the first circle (C1).
7. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) have the same size and / or the same mechanical properties.
8. The timer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties.
9. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least two blades (3) are made of a material selected from the following: steel, elastic steel, superelastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite material or mixtures or combinations thereof.
10. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fastening element (7) includes at least one screw.
11. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The anchor point (8a) on the watch movement (2) is directly arranged on the plate (9) on the watch movement (2).
12. The timer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The watch movement (2) includes a case support (5) attached to a plate (9) on the watch movement (2), and an anchor point (8a) on the watch movement (2) is arranged on the case support (5).
13. The timer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each blade (3) is formed by stacking multiple overlapping blades.