Timepiece comprising an oscillating weight and a shock-absorbing member

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising a case (10) in which is housed an automatic timepiece movement (14) comprising an oscillating weight (15), said case (10) being closed by a base (12) and by a glass (11), characterized in that the timepiece (1) comprises a shock-absorbing element (16), made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed in the case (10) and interposed between the oscillating weight (15) and the base (12) to prevent direct contact between the oscillating weight (15) and the base (12) in the event of shocks suffered by the timepiece (1).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a so-called automatic clock movement, that is to say a movement having an automatic winding mechanism equipped with an oscillating weight.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a shock-absorbing element to prevent contact between the oscillating mass and the bottom of the timepiece case during accidental shocks. Technological background

[0003] When the timepiece suffers a significant accidental shock, for example a fall, the oscillating weight can hit against the back, or the glass of a transparent back, which causes a marking of the surface of the oscillating weight opposite the back, and which detracts from the aesthetics of the timepiece movement, especially when the oscillating weight is visible through the back.

[0004] Furthermore, repeated shocks and friction between the oscillating mass and the case back can generate particles of matter that can impair the proper functioning of the watch movement.

[0005] To remedy these drawbacks, several solutions have been proposed, including limiting the axial play of the oscillating mass by using axial stops formed, for example, by pads, screws or stones.

[0006] One such solution is described in document EP-924579. In this document, a crenellated end bead located at the outer edge of the oscillating mass is arranged between two rings to limit the axial play of the oscillating mass during axial shocks.

[0007] It was also proposed in document CH-337785, a solution to reduce friction between the oscillating mass and the case back in case of accidental contact by using watch jewels housed in the surface of the oscillating mass opposite the case back.

[0008] However, these solutions are complex to implement and are not easily adaptable to existing calibers, for example in after-sales service.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to improve timepieces equipped with an automatic watch movement. Summary of the invention

[0010] In this context, the invention proposes a timepiece comprising a case in which is housed an automatic timepiece movement comprising an oscillating weight, said case being closed by a base, characterized in that the timepiece comprises a shock-absorbing element, made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed in the case and interposed between the oscillating weight and the base to prevent direct contact between the oscillating weight and the base in the event of shocks suffered by the timepiece.

[0011] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the timepiece according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: The shock-absorbing element is supported by the oscillating mass or by the bottom; the shock-absorbing element is attached to a surface of the oscillating mass or to a surface of the bottom; the shock-absorbing element is attached by gluing, welding, or clipping; the shock-absorbing element is housed in at least one recess formed in a surface of the oscillating mass or in a surface of the bottom; said at least one recess is shaped to hold the shock-absorbing element in position by pinching the shock-absorbing element; said at least one recess is formed on a surface of the bottom opposite the oscillating mass; said at least one recess is formed on a surface of the oscillating mass opposite the bottom; said at least one recess extends over at least a peripheral portion of the oscillating mass or the bottom;said oscillating mass or said base comprises a plurality of recesses and in that the shock-absorbing member is composed of a plurality of shock-absorbing elements housed in said plurality of recesses; the recesses of the plurality are uniformly distributed at the level of a peripheral part of the oscillating mass when they are carried by the oscillating mass. Brief description of the figures

[0012] The aims, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, which refers to the following figures: there figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a first embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention comprising a shock-absorbing element interposed between the oscillating mass and the case back; in this first embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is supported by the case back; the figure 2is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a second embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention comprising a shock-absorbing element interposed between the oscillating mass and the case back; in this second embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is supported by the oscillating mass; the figure 3 illustrates more particularly in perspective the oscillating mass carrying the shock-absorbing element of the second example of the realization of the timepiece illustrated in figure 2 ; there figure 4 illustrates a third example of the embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention, in which the shock-absorbing element is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements carried by the oscillating mass and distributed over a peripheral portion of the oscillating mass in a plurality of recesses; the figure 5illustrates a fourth embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention, in which the shock-absorbing element is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements carried by the oscillating mass, extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the oscillating mass and distributed over a peripheral portion of the oscillating mass; the figure 6 illustrates a fifth example of the embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention in which the shock-absorbing element is formed by a plurality of spherically shaped elastic elements carried by the oscillating mass, and distributed over a peripheral portion of the oscillating mass in a plurality of recesses.

[0013] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] There figure 1is a schematic representation, according to a partial cross-section of a first example of the realization of a watch part 1 according to the invention.

[0015] The timepiece 1 comprises a case 10 with a case 13 closed at the top by a glass 11 and at the bottom by a base 12.

[0016] The base 12 can be a solid base or a base at least partially transparent to make a clockwork movement 14 visible from the base 12.

[0017] The case 13 delimits an internal space configured to receive and house the central axis B clock movement 14.

[0018] The clock movement 14 is an automatic clock movement comprising an oscillating weight 15.

[0019] The oscillating weight 15 comprises a central portion 15.2 forming the support for the oscillating weight 15 and a peripheral portion 15.1 carrying a heavy sector. The oscillating weight 15 is secured to the clock movement 15 by appropriate fastening means.

[0020] Generally, the heavy sector of the peripheral part 15.1 is formed by an overthickness or by a high-density material.

[0021] The timepiece 1 also includes a shock-absorbing element 16 housed in the case 10 and interposed between the oscillating weight 15 and the base 12.

[0022] Preferably, the shock-absorbing element 16 is interposed between the peripheral part 15.1 carrying the heavy sector of the oscillating mass 15 and the base 12.

[0023] Preferably, the shock-absorbing element 16 is interposed between the oscillating mass 15 and the base 12, in a region close to the radial end portion of the oscillating mass 15. Indeed, it is in this region that the displacements by elastic deformation, mainly of the central part 15.2 and of the fixing means, are the most important, and that the oscillating mass 15 is likely to come into contact with the base 12 in the event of shocks suffered by the timepiece 1.

[0024] The shock-absorbing element 16 is configured to prevent direct contact between the oscillating mass 15 and the base 12 in the event of shocks suffered by the timepiece 1.

[0025] The shock-absorbing element 16 is made of a damping and shock-resistant material.

[0026] The shock-absorbing element 16 is made of an elastomeric polymer material.

[0027] As illustrated by the figure 1, the shock-absorbing element 16 can be carried by the bottom 12 and positioned at the level of a surface of the bottom 12 opposite the peripheral part 15.1 of the oscillating mass 15.

[0028] Preferably, the shock-absorbing element 16 is positioned at a surface of the bottom 12 opposite the peripheral end of the oscillating mass 15.

[0029] As illustrated in the figure 2 , the shock-absorbing element 16 can be carried by the oscillating mass 15 and be positioned at the level of a surface of the oscillating mass 15 opposite the bottom 112.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the shock-absorbing element 16 is positioned on the surface of the oscillating mass 15 or the bottom 12 and secured for example by gluing, hot welding, clipping.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the shock-absorbing element 16 is housed and held in position in at least one recess 17, 117 provided at the level of a surface of the oscillating mass 15 or of the bottom 12.

[0032] For example, said at least one recess 117 is provided at the level of a surface of the oscillating mass 15 opposite the bottom 12 as illustrated in the figure 2 .

[0033] For example, said at least one recess 17 is provided at the level of a surface of the bottom 12 opposite the peripheral part 15.1 of the oscillating mass 15.

[0034] Said at least one recess 17, 117 is configured to receive and hold in position, by pinching or elastic compression of the material of the shock-absorbing organ 16.

[0035] The shock-absorbing element 16 can also be glued into said at least one recess 17, 117.

[0036] For example, said at least evidently 17 extends over at least one annular sector of the oscillating mass 15 or of the base 12, in a continuous or discontinuous manner.

[0037] For example, the aforementioned at least evident 17 is annular in shape and the shock-absorbing element 16 is annular in shape, for example an O-ring seal. This embodiment is particularly well suited when the shock-absorbing element 16 is supported by the base 12.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment, the oscillating mass 15 or the base 12 have a plurality of recesses and the shock-absorbing organ is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements housed in the different recesses.

[0039] THE figures 4 to 6 illustrate examples of arrangement of the shock absorber organ 16 in the form of a plurality of shock absorber elements distributed over the circumference of the oscillating mass 15.

[0040] For example, as illustrated in the figure 4 , the oscillating mass 15 can include a plurality of recesses in the form of a plurality of annular sectors inscribed on a circle whose center belongs to the axis of rotation of the oscillating mass 15. In this example of an embodiment, the shock-absorbing element 16 is made up of a plurality of sections 16a held in position in the different recesses.

[0041] For example, as illustrated in the figure 5The shock-absorbing element 16 is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements 16b attached to the surface of the peripheral part 15.1 of the oscillating mass 15. In this embodiment, the various shock-absorbing elements 16b can be glued to the surface of the peripheral part 15.1 and oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the oscillating mass 15. Of course, the oscillating mass 15 can also include a plurality of recesses oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the oscillating mass 15 shaped to receive and hold in position the plurality of shock-absorbing elements 16b.

[0042] For example, as illustrated in the figure 6, the oscillating mass 15 may have a plurality of recesses distributed over the circumference of the oscillating mass 15 and the shock-absorbing element 16 may be formed by a plurality of spherically shaped shock-absorbing elements 16c held in positions in the different recesses.

Claims

1. Timepiece (1) comprising a case (10) in which is housed an automatic timepiece movement (14) with a central axis (B) comprising an oscillating weight (15), said case (10) being closed by a back (12), characterized in that The timepiece (1) includes a shock-absorbing element (16), made of an elastomeric polymer material, housed in the case (10) and interposed between the oscillating mass (15) and the base (12) to prevent direct contact between the oscillating mass (15) and the base (12) in the event of shocks suffered by the timepiece (1).

2. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shock-absorbing element (16) is carried by the oscillating mass (15) or by the bottom (12).

3. Timepiece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing element (16) is fixed to a surface of the oscillating mass (15) or to a surface of the bottom (12).

4. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shock-absorbing element (16) is secured by gluing, welding or clipping.

5. Timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shock-absorbing organ (16) is housed in at least one recess (17, 117) provided at the level of a surface of the oscillating mass (15) or at the level of a surface of the bottom (12).

6. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one recess (17, 117) is shaped to hold the shock absorber (16) in position by pinching the shock absorber (16).

7. Timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that said at least one recess (17) is provided on a surface of the bottom (12) opposite the oscillating mass (15).

8. Timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in thatsaid at least one recess (117) is provided on a surface of the oscillating mass (15) opposite the bottom (12).

9. Timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said at least one recess (17, 117) extends over at least a peripheral portion of the oscillating mass (15) or of the bottom (12).

10. Timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said oscillating mass (15) or said base (12) comprises a plurality of recesses and in that the shock-absorbing organ (16) is composed of a plurality of shock-absorbing elements (16a, 16b, 16c) housed in said plurality of recesses.

11. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recesses of the plurality are distributed uniformly at the level of a peripheral part (15.1) of the oscillating mass (15) when they are carried by the oscillating mass (15).

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