Timepiece component resulting from the assembly of two parts and method for manufacturing said component

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch component (10) comprising a first part (11) having a body (110) having a first and a second cavity (112), said second cavity (112) receiving in engagement a second part (12), said first and second cavities (111, 112) being connected to each other by a capillary channel (13) configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity (111) to the second.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of watch components, and relates in particular to a watch component resulting from the assembly of at least two parts and a method for manufacturing said component.

[0002] In particular, the watchmaking component can form a watch movement and more specifically an escape wheel.

[0003] The invention is particularly suited to constituting a magnetic escape wheel capable of cooperating magnetically with a magnetic anchor. Technological background

[0004] In the watchmaking industry, the manufacture of components is often complicated by their small size. In particular, when components result from the assembly of several parts, it can be especially complex to reliably join these parts together to ensure they are securely held and that the component meets manufacturing tolerances. Document EP 3 570 118 A1 shows a watch component assembled by bonding.

[0005] In particular, for example, some watch movements include magnetic systems, that is, sub-assemblies implementing components that cooperate together through magnetic interaction, in order to minimize friction and thus the associated energy losses.

[0006] For example, document EP3208667 describes a magnetic escapement mechanism comprising a magnetic escapement mobile including magnets.

[0007] One difficulty in implementing these devices lies in the creation of mobiles incorporating magnets. Indeed, since the dimensions of the magnets are on the order of a few tens of thousandths of a millimeter, their attachment is complex.

[0008] The present invention proposes a solution to overcome this drawback. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a watch component comprising a first part having a body with a first and a second cavity, said second cavity receiving a second part by means of an engagement, said first and second cavities being connected to each other by a capillary channel configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity to the second. The second part is thus fixed in the second cavity by bonding. Note that the first cavity is designed to facilitate the application of the adhesive. In particular, its dimensions are adapted to the tool used to apply the adhesive.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, in compliance with the subject matter of the annexed claims.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the body has as many first cavities as second cavities.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the body has fewer first cavities than second cavities.

[0013] In particular embodiments, each first cavity is connected to a second cavity by a capillary channel which is specific to the latter.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the first cavity or cavities, the second cavity or cavities and the capillary channels are not through-holes.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the first cavity or cavities, the second cavity or cavities and the capillary channels are through-holes.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the body has, at the level of the or each second cavity, an elastic deformation capacity so as to apply an elastic clamping force on the second part.

[0017] The invention also relates, according to another object, to a clockwork mechanism formed by a clockwork component as described above, said clockwork mechanism comprising several second cavities arranged at the periphery of the first piece and regularly distributed around an axis of rotation of said mechanism, the second pieces being formed by magnets.

[0018] In particular embodiments, the body is made of a non-magnetic material.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the body is made of silicon and has a silicon oxide coating.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the body of the first part comprises a serge from which extend a plurality of teeth in a radial plane, each tooth comprising a free end in which the second cavities are arranged and the first cavities being arranged in the serge.

[0021] The invention also relates, according to another object, to a magnetic escape wheel formed by a clockwork mechanism as mentioned above.

[0022] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watch component comprising the following steps: fabrication of a body of a first part so that it includes a first and a second cavity connected to each other by a capillary channel, fabrication of a second part so that it has a shape complementary to the shape of the second cavity, engagement of the second part in the second cavity, deposition of an adhesive in the first cavity so that it flows by capillary action through the capillary channel, to the second cavity. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 schematically represents a top view of a magnetic mobile according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as well as a detail view of a tooth of said mobile; the figure 2represents a perspective view of the mobile of the figure 1 .

[0024] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] As can be seen in the figures and in particular in the detail view of the figure 1 The present invention relates to a watch component 10 comprising a first part 11 having a body 110 having at least one first and at least one second cavity 111 and 112, the or each second cavity 112 receiving in engagement a second part 12.

[0026] In the following text, the invention is described by referring to a single first and a single second cavity 111 and 112 in order to simplify the reading and understanding of this description. It should be noted, however, that, as described above, the watch component 10 may comprise one or more first cavities 111 and one or more second cavities 112, each receiving a second part 12 by engagement.

[0027] The second cavity 112 and the second part 12 have complementary shapes so that they are adapted to cooperate with each other according to a relationship of interlocking, i.e. of adjustment, with or without mechanical play.

[0028] The first and second cavities 111 and 112 are connected to each other by a capillary channel 13 configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity 111 to the second cavity 112. This feature allows the second part 12 to be fixed to the first part 11 by gluing, in a simple, fast and repeatable manner.

[0029] Indeed, the fixing of the second part 12 to the body 110 of the first part 11 is greatly simplified insofar as it is sufficient to deposit glue in the first cavity 111 for it to flow by capillary action through the capillary channel 13 to the second cavity 112. It is understood here that once the glue has flowed to the second cavity 112, a film of glue forms between the second part 12 and the first part 11, and in particular between the second part 12 and the wall of the second cavity 112 with which said second part 12 is opposite, thanks to the same physical phenomenon of capillarity.

[0030] It should be noted that a person skilled in the art is capable of finding a commercially available watchmaking adhesive suitable for carrying out the invention.

[0031] Thanks to the present invention, the assembly of the watch component 10 does not require any special skills from an operator or investment in a complex and expensive assembly machine.

[0032] Preferably, as seen on the figure 2 The first cavity 111, the second cavity 112 and the capillary channel 13 are not through-holes; they extend only partially through the thickness of the body 110 of the mobile, as can be seen on the figure 2 .

[0033] This feature ensures that the glue deposited in the first and second cavities 111 and 112 does not flow anywhere other than into the capillary channels 13. Therefore, in addition to facilitating the manufacture of the watch component 10 insofar as it is not necessary to provide special positioning to guide the capillary flow of the glue or to prevent any leakage thereof, this feature ensures the bonding of the second part 12 against the second cavity 112.

[0034] However, in another embodiment of the invention, the first cavity 111, the second cavity 112 and the capillary channel 13 are through-holes, that is to say they open on both sides of the body 110 of the first part 11.

[0035] This feature has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing of the body 110 of the first part 11, since the first cavity 111, the second cavity 112, and the capillary channel 13 can be produced without dimensional constraints regarding depth. Furthermore, the second cavity 112 can exhibit elastic deformation, allowing an elastic clamping force to be applied to the second part 12, thus ensuring that the second part 12 is held in position within the second cavity 112 before bonding. This clamping force also ensures that the second part 12 is fixed to the body 110 of the first part 11, in addition to the bonding.

[0036] The body 110 can have as many first cavities 111 as second cavities 112, as shown in the figures 1 and 2 This feature ensures a uniform distribution of the glue within all the second cavities 112.

[0037] Alternatively, however, it is conceivable that the body 110 of the first part 11 has fewer first cavities 111 than second cavities 112. In this embodiment of the invention, the first cavity or cavities 111 are connected to several capillary channels 13. This feature simplifies the manufacture of the watch component 10 insofar as the application of the glue is to be carried out in few first cavities 111 and these have larger dimensions since they are each adapted to receive a volume of glue sufficient for the bonding of all the second parts 12 housed in the second cavities 112 to which they are connected.

[0038] Preferably, each first cavity 111 is connected to a second cavity 112 by a capillary channel 13 specific to the latter. It is possible to have the same capillary channel 13 connect several second cavities 112 to simplify the fabrication of the body 110 of the first part 11, but this solution is less preferred since the distribution of the glue to each of these second cavities 112 is more complex to control in order to ensure uniformity.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clockwork component 10 forms a clockwork mechanism comprising a plurality of second cavities 112. As shown in the figures 1 and 2The second cavities 112 are arranged at the periphery of the first part 11 and are regularly distributed around an axis of rotation of said mobile, as are the first cavities 111, in order to avoid any imbalance during rotation of the mobile. Advantageously, the second part(s) 12 are formed by magnets.

[0040] As seen on the figures 1 and 2 The body 110 of the first part 11 comprises a band 14 from which extend a plurality of teeth 15 in a radial plane. Each tooth 15 comprises a free end in which the second cavities 112 and the magnets are arranged, the first cavities 111 being arranged in the band 14.

[0041] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnets and the second cavities 112 have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and each magnet cooperates with a second cavity 112 in a friction fit to allow it to be held in position before gluing.

[0042] Advantageously, the clockwork mechanism forms a magnetic escape wheel, as depicted on the figures 1 and 2 .

[0043] Advantageously, the body 110 is made of a non-magnetic material, meaning that this material is neither attracted nor repelled by a magnet. Examples include, but are not limited to, silicon, silicon oxide, glass, etc. The use of silicon for the body 110 with a silicon oxide coating offers the advantage of combining good mechanical strength with low density, and therefore low moment of inertia 10.

[0044] Advantageously, the axis of the magnetic escape wheel is also made of a non-magnetic, or possibly weakly magnetic, material.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the watch component 10 comprising the following steps: fabrication of the body 110 of the first part 11 so that it comprises a first and a second cavity 111 and 112 connected to each other by a capillary channel 13, fabrication of a second part 12 so that it has a shape complementary to the shape of the second cavity 112, engagement of the second part 12 in the second cavity 112, deposition of an adhesive in the first cavity 111 so that it flows by capillary action through the capillary channel 13, to the second cavity 112.

[0046] More specifically, the manufacturing step of the body 110 of the first part 11 may include the machining operations of the body 110 from a blank and the engraving of the first and second cavities 111 and 112 and the capillary channel 13.

[0047] The steps for making the first and second parts 11, 12 are independent of each other in the sense that they can be carried out in parallel or one before the other.

[0048] More generally, it should be noted that the implementation and realization methods considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are therefore conceivable.

Claims

1. Horological component (10) comprising a first part (11) having a body (110) provided with a first and a second cavity (111, 112), said second cavity (112) receiving a second part (12) by engagement therewith characterised in that , said first and second cavities (111, 112) are connected to each other by a capillary channel (13) configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity (111) to the second.

2. Horological component (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body (110) has as many first cavities as second cavities.

3. Horological component (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body (110) has fewer first cavities than second cavities.

4. Horological component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each first cavity (111) is connected to a second cavity (112) by a capillary channel (13) specific thereto.

5. Horological component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more first cavities, the one or more second cavities and the capillary channels (13) are not through-going.

6. Horological component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more first cavities, the one or more second cavities and the capillary channels (13) are through-going.

7. Horological component (10) according to claim 6, wherein the body (110) is elastically deformable at the or at each second cavity (112) so as to apply an elastic clamping force to the second part (12).

8. Horological wheel set characterised in that it is formed by a horological component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, said horological wheel set comprising several second cavities arranged at the periphery of the first part (11) and evenly distributed around an axis of rotation of said wheel set, the second parts (12) being formed by magnets.

9. Horological wheel set according to claim 8, wherein the body (110) of the first part (11) comprises a felloe (14) from which extends a plurality of teeth (15), in a radial plane, each tooth (15) comprising a free end in which the second cavities (112) are arranged, the first cavities (111) being arranged in the felloe (14).

10. Horological wheel set according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the body (110) is made of a non-magnetic material.

11. Horological wheel set according to claim 10, wherein the body (110) is made of silicon and has a silicon oxide coating.

12. Magnetic escape wheel characterised in that it is formed by a horological wheel set according to one of claims 8 to 11.

13. Method for manufacturing a horological component (10), characterised in that it comprises the following steps of: - producing a body (110) of a first part (11) such that it comprises a first and a second cavity (111, 112) connected to each other by a capillary channel (13), - producing a second part (12) such that it has a shape complementary to the shape of the second cavity (112), - engaging the second part (12) in the second cavity (112), - depositing an adhesive in the first cavity (111) such that it flows by capillary action through the capillary channel (13) to the second cavity (112).

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