CLOCK CONTAINER THAT FORMS A HOUSING FOR HANDLING AND / OR PRESENTATION OF A CLOCK MOVEMENT

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a watch case forming a case for handling and / or presenting a watch movement according to a caliber model belonging to a predetermined family, said movement comprising a control member projecting radially with respect to a movement axis and whose distal part of said control member is distant from said movement axis by a radial value specific to said model, said case comprising a transport ring specific to said caliber model and which is arranged to cooperate by interlocking in a unique angular position, on the one hand with a base, and on the other hand with a cover, for the enclosure of said movement with the exception of its said control member passing radially, in a radial direction, through at least one first clearance that includes said transport ring.

[0002] The invention relates to production equipment for handling and / or presenting on a manufacturing, control or storage station watch movements according to different models of calibers belonging to a predetermined family.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of assembly, handling, and testing of watch movements. Technological background

[0004] Document EP2015148B1, on behalf of ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, describes a system for handling and transporting watch movements of various types during their manufacture. The system includes different types of support rings, each corresponding to a specific movement type and arranged to support a movement plate in a predetermined position. Furthermore, the system comprises transport pallets, each with an opening designed to removably receive any of the support rings. The pallet openings and the outer contours of the support rings have mutually compatible, standardized configurations, and the system includes retaining means to secure the support ring within the pallet.This transport ring comprises internal elements arranged to support a movement plate in a predetermined position. The internal elements of the support ring include bearing surfaces and prestressing means. The external surface of the support ring includes reference surfaces that serve as supports for its precise positioning in space. These prestressing means are elastic and are arranged to deform elastically by spreading apart upon the introduction of the movement, thus ensuring precise positioning of the movement plate within the ring.

[0005] Such a transport pallet, more commonly called a watch movement cap, is very useful for protecting and transporting a watch movement. For any movement testing, particularly a rate or condition check, it is necessary to present the movement in a very precise position in front of one or more sensors, or even in contact with them. However, the wide variety of existing calibers makes this task difficult, due to the different caps designed for each caliber model. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to facilitate the control of watch movements of a predetermined family of calibers, by creating a family of caps having reference surfaces for its positioning, and such that an element of the movement is positioned at a dimension imposed relative to the contour of the cap which encloses it.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a watchmaking cap forming a case for handling and / or presenting a watch movement according to a caliber model belonging to a predetermined family, according to claim 1 as annexed.

[0008] The invention further relates to production equipment for handling and / or presenting on a manufacturing, control or storage station watch movements according to different models of calibers belonging to a predetermined family, comprising such a cap for each model of caliber of this family. Brief description of the figures

[0009] The aims, advantages and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached drawings, where: there figure 1The diagram schematically represents, in side view, a three-part cap according to the invention, fitted together in a single angular indexing position. This cap contains a watch movement, according to a caliber model belonging to a predetermined family, of which only a driving element protrudes in a radial direction; the distal part of this driving element, here the end of a crown, is at a predetermined distance from a cap axis, this predetermined distance being the same for all calibers in the family concerned; the figure 2 represents, schematically and in an exploded side view, the cap of the figure 1 comprising, from bottom to top of the figure, a base, a transport ring, and a lid, the base and the lid each having a flat face; the figure 3 represents, schematically and in top view, the cap of the figure 1, whose identical contours of the base, the transport ring, and the cover that compose it include flat or rounded reference surfaces, defining the axis of the cap which is located from the distal end of the control rod by this predetermined distance; the figure 4 represents, schematically and from a top view, the bottom of the figure 2 represented lying on its flat face; the figure 5 represents, schematically and from a top view, the lid of the figure 2 represented lying on its flat face; the figure 6 represents, schematically and in plan view, the lower face of the transport ring of the figure 2 represented in its angular cooperation position with the lid as shown in figure 5 ; there figure 7 represents, schematically and in plan view, the lower face of the transport ring of the figure 2represented in its angular cooperation position with the background as represented in figure 4 ; there figure 8 represents, schematically and in perspective, the transport ring whose upper part maintains a movement, and whose control rod passes through a first clearance of the transport ring; figure 9 represents, in a similar way to the figure 8 , the other side of the transport ring equipped with the movement; the Figure 10 represents, schematically and in a side view from the front at the distal end of the control rod, the transport ring equipped with the movement; the figure 11 represents, schematically and in section passing through both the axis of the cap and the axis of the movement, the transport ring equipped with the movement. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] The invention relates to a watch case 200 forming a case for handling and / or presenting a watch movement 400 according to a caliber model belonging to a predetermined family. The movement 400 comprises a control member 410, which is radially projecting with respect to a movement axis DM, and whose distal part 411 of this control member 410, for example the end of a crown, is distant from the movement axis DM by a radial value VR specific to this caliber model of the movement 400.

[0011] The cap 200 includes a transport ring 220, which is specific to this caliber of the movement 400, and which is arranged to cooperate by fitting in a unique angular position, on the one hand with a base 210, and on the other hand with a cover 230, for the enclosure of the movement 400 with the exception of its said control organ 410 which passes radially, in a radial direction DR, through at least a first clearance 221 which is included in the transport ring 220.

[0012] According to the invention, the cap 200 has the same external shape for all calibers in the family, and it has external reference bearing surfaces 240, at least some of which are symmetrical with respect to a cap axis DC.

[0013] And the transport ring 220 is arranged to position the axis of movement DM of the movement 400 eccentric relative to the axis of cap DC, according to the radial direction DR defined by this first clearance 221, according to an eccentricity value which is such that the distal part 411 of the control member 410 is distant from the axis of cap DC by a predefined value VP, the predefined value VP being identical for any caliber of the family.

[0014] More specifically, the cover 230 has a second opening 231 for the passage of the control element 410.

[0015] More specifically, the 210 case back is the same for all calibers in the family.

[0016] More specifically, the base 210 and the cover 230 each have, perpendicular to the axis of the cap DC, a flat outer plate 218, respectively 238, and of identical contour in projection with each other, in the closed position of the cap 200 where the base 210 and the cover 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it.

[0017] More particularly, the transport ring 220 has an outer lip 225, which, in the closed position of the cap 200 where the bottom 210 and the cover 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it, is salient relative to bearing surfaces 219, 239, which respectively comprise the bottom 210 and the cover 230.

[0018] In particular, the outer lip 225 has the same contour in projection with the outer flat plates 218, 238, of the bottom 210 and of the lid 230, in the closed position of the cap 200 where the bottom 210 and the lid 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it.

[0019] More specifically, the outer lip 225 and the outer flat plates 218, 238 each have a positioning notch 227, 217, 237, the positioning grooves 227, 217, 237 being aligned, parallel to the axis of the cap DC, in the closed position of the cap 200 where the bottom 210 and the cover 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it. And the outer lip 225 and the outer flat plates 218, 238 each have a keying notch 226, 216, 236, to distinguish the dial side from the bridge side of the movement 400, the keying grooves 226, 216, 236, being aligned, parallel to the axis of the crown DC, in the closed position of the crown 200.

[0020] More specifically, the cover 230 has internally cover projections 232, which are arranged to support the transport ring 220 in an axial position, along the direction of the cap axis DC, in a position of the cap 200 where the cover 230 is angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it.

[0021] More specifically, the transport ring 220 has ring projections 222, which are arranged to support the bottom 210 in axial position, along the direction of the cap axis DC, in a position of the cap 200 where the bottom 210 is angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it.

[0022] More particularly, the transport ring 220 has a lug or a ring groove 223 to cooperate with a bottom groove or respectively a bottom lug 213 which has the bottom 210, for the relative angular orientation of the bottom 210 with respect to the transport ring 220 in a position of the cap 200 where the bottom 210 is angularly indexed in position with respect to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it.

[0023] More specifically, the outer lip 225 is offset, according to the direction of the crown DC, relative to the crown 200, in the closed position of the crown 200 where the bottom 210 and the cover 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted with it, to delimit, on the side of the cover 230, an upper chamber for receiving the movement 400 on an upper face of the transport ring 220 arranged so as to make the dial side of the movement 400 visible and so as to ensure the radial passage of the control member 410, and, on the side of the bottom 210, a lower chamber, of lesser volume than that of the upper chamber, and delimited by an lower face of the transport ring 220 arranged so as to make the bridge side of the movement 400 visible.

[0024] More specifically, the base 210 and the cover 230 are transparent to allow optical control of the movement 400.

[0025] More specifically, the base 210 and the lid 230 are soundproof to soundproof a movement 400 contained in the dome 200 from other sound sources in its vicinity, for acoustic control of the movement 400.

[0026] More specifically, the base 210, the transport ring 220, and the lid 230 are arranged for a two-to-two elastic pinch fitting.

[0027] The invention further relates to production equipment 2000 for handling and / or presenting watch movements 400 at a manufacturing, inspection, or storage station, according to different caliber models belonging to a predetermined family. According to the invention, this production equipment 2000 comprises, for each caliber in this family, at least one such watch case 200. This case 200 includes a transport ring 220 and a cover 230 specific to the caliber. All the cases 200 included in the equipment 2000, in their closed position where the base 210 and the cover 230 are angularly indexed in position relative to the transport ring 220 and fitted together with it, have identical external dimensions.And, in the closed position of a cap 200 containing a movement 400, the distal part 411 of the control member 410 is distant from the cap axis DC by the predefined value VP which is identical for all calibers of the family, and oriented along a radial direction DR of unique angular position relative to positioning means and error-proofing means identical for all caps 200 that comprise the equipment 2000.

Claims

1. Horological calotte (200) forming a casing for handling and / or presenting a horological movement (400) according to a calibre model belonging to a predetermined family, said movement (400) comprising a control member (410) projecting radially relative to a movement axis (DM), and the distal part (411) of said control member (410) is distant from said movement axis (DM) by a radial value (VR) specific to said calibre model, said calotte (200) comprising a transport ring (220) specific to said calibre of said movement (400), and which is arranged to cooperate by fitting in a single angular position, on the one hand with a bottom (210), and on the other hand with a cover (230), for enclosing said movement (400) with the exception of said control member (410) thereof passing radially, in a radial direction (DR), through at least a first recess (221) comprised in said transport ring (220), characterised in that said calotte (200) has the same outer shape for all said calibres of said family, and comprises outer reference shoulders (240), at least some whereof are symmetrical relative to a calotte axis (DC), and in that said transport ring (220) is arranged to position said movement axis (DM) of said movement (400) eccentrically relative to said calotte axis (DC), in said radial direction (DR) defined by said first recess (221), according to an eccentricity value such that said distal part (411) of said control member (410) is distant from said calotte axis (DC) by a predefined value (VP), said predefined value (VP) being identical for all calibres of said family, in that said bottom (210) and said cover (230) each comprise, perpendicular to said calotte axis (DC), a flat outer plate (218; 238), having an identical contour when projected over one another, and when said calotte (200) is in the closed position where said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, in that said transport ring (220) comprises an outer lip (225) which, when said calotte (200) is in the closed position in which said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, projects from shoulders (219; 239) comprised in said bottom (210) and said cover (230) respectively, in that said outer lip (225) has an identical contour to that of said flat outer plates (218; 238) of said bottom (210) and of said cover (230) when projected over one another, and when said calotte (200) is in the closed position wherein said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, and in that said outer lip (225) and said flat outer plates (218; 238) each comprise a positioning notch (227; 217; 237), said positioning notches (227; 217; 237) being aligned, parallel to said calotte axis (DC), when said calotte (200) is in the closed position wherein said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, and in that said outer lip (225) and said flat outer plates (218; 238), each comprise a locating notch (226; 216; 236) to distinguish the dial side from the bridge side of said movement (400), said locating notches (226; 216; 236) being aligned, parallel to said calotte axis (DC), when said calotte (200) is in said closed position.

2. Horological calotte (200) according to claim 1, characterised in that said cover (230) comprises a second recess (231) allowing said control member (410) to pass therethrough.

3. Horological calotte (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said bottom (210) is the same for all said calibres of said family.

4. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said cover (230) comprises inner cover projections (232) arranged to support said transport ring (220) in an axial position, in the direction of said calotte axis (DC), when said calotte (200) is in a position wherein said cover (230) is angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith.

5. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said transport ring (220) comprises ring projections (222) arranged to support said bottom (210) in an axial position, in the direction of said calotte axis (DC), when said calotte (200) is in a position wherein said bottom (210) is angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith.

6. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said transport ring (220) comprises a ring groove (223) or lug for cooperation with a bottom groove or bottom lug (213), respectively, comprised in said bottom (210), for the relative angular orientation of said bottom (210) with respect to said transport ring (220) when said calotte (200) is in a position wherein said bottom (210) is angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith.

7. Horological calotte (200) according to claim 1, characterised in that said outer lip (225) is offset, in said calotte direction (DC), relative to said calotte (200), when said calotte (200) is in the closed position wherein said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, to delimit, on the side of said cover (230), an upper chamber for receiving said movement (400) on an upper face of said transport ring (220), arranged so as to make the dial side of said movement (400) visible and to ensure radial passage of said control member (410), and, on the side of said bottom (210), a lower chamber, of smaller volume than said upper chamber, and delimited by a lower face of said transport ring (220) arranged so as to make the bridge side of said movement (400) visible.

8. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are transparent to allow for optical inspection of said movement (400).

9. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are sound-isolating to sound-isolate a said movement (400) contained in said calotte (200) from other sound sources in its vicinity, for acoustic inspection of said movement (400).

10. Horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said bottom (210), said transport ring (220), and said cover (230) are arranged to fit together two-by-two with elastic clamping.

11. Piece of production equipment (2000) for handling and / or presenting horological movements (400) of different calibre models belonging to a predetermined family at a manufacturing, inspection or storage station, characterised in that said piece of production equipment (2000) comprises, for each said calibre, at least one said horological calotte (200) according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a said transport ring (220) and a said cover (230) specific to said calibre, and in that, in their closed position, wherein said bottom (210) and said cover (230) are angularly indexed in position relative to said transport ring (220) and fitted therewith, all said calottes (200) comprised in said piece of equipment (2000) have identical outer dimensions, and in that, when said calotte (200) is in said closed position enclosing a said movement (400), said distal part (411) of said control member (410) is distant from said calotte axis (DC) by said predefined value (VP), which is identical for all calibres of said family, and oriented in a radial direction (DR) with a single angular position in relation to positioning means and locating means which are identical for all said calottes (200) comprised in said piece of equipment (2000).