Device for fixing a clock movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device (10) for a clock movement (2) arranged to hold said clock movement (2) in a case (4) of a clock part (1) characterized in that it comprises at least one stack (3) composed of at least two blades (3a, 3b), said at least one stack (3) having two opposite ends, a first case end (3c) and a second movement end (3d), and in that it comprises first fixing means (7) for fixing the second movement end (3d) of said at least one stack (3) to the clock movement (2), said at least one stack (3) being configured to ensure rigid retention of said clock movement (2) in the case (4).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fixing a watch movement in a watch part case.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a fastening device. Technological background

[0003] Two or three mounting flanges are generally used for assembling or fixing a watch movement within a case, particularly within a case body.

[0004] The casing flanges ensure rigid retention of the watch movement within the watch case.

[0005] These casing flanges are rarely designed to withstand the effects of shocks to the case. Such shocks can lead to a loss of anchor points or to plastic deformation of the flanges, amplifying the acceleration experienced by the watch movement and potentially causing damage to the movement.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve the devices for fixing watch movements. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a device for fixing a watch movement in a case which makes it possible to remedy at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] In particular, the invention proposes a device for fixing a watch movement with improved rigidity and limited bulk to ensure that the watch movement is held in a case of a watch part in a manner sufficiently rigid to minimize the accelerations experienced by the watch movement during a shock.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention proposes a fastening device whose reliability and robustness are improved compared to solutions of the prior art.

[0010] According to the invention, the fastening device comprises: at least one stack consisting of at least two blades, said at least one stack having two opposite ends, a first end of the case and a second end of the movement, and first means of fastening for fastening the second end of the movement of said at least one stack to the clockwork movement, said at least one stacking being configured to ensure rigid retention of said clockwork movement in the case.

[0011] The fastening device according to the invention allows the watch movement to be rigidly attached to the case. The stacking of several blades increases the rigidity of known prior art flanges while minimizing the required space.

[0012] The fixing device according to the invention applies equally to the blade-type fixing device whose blades are clamped on both sides by fixing means, such as screws, and to retaining flanges attached to the movement and which constrain the watch movement in support on a bearing surface of the case in cooperation with notches provided for this purpose in the case.

[0013] Stacking several blades also makes it possible to push back the limit of plastic deformation of the fixing device of a watch movement during an impact.

[0014] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the fastening device according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: The fastening device includes secondary fastening means for securing the first end of the box of said at least one stack to the box; the first end of the box of said at least one stack is clamped to the box by cooperation with a recess provided in the box; the at least two blades of a stack are at least partially in contact with each other; the at least two blades of a stack are spaced by at least one spacer provided between the at least two blades; the at least two blades have identical dimensions and / or mechanical properties; for example in terms of width and / or thickness and / or Young's modulus and / or yield strength of the material considered; the at least two blades have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties; for example in terms of width and / or thickness and / or Young's modulus and / or yield strength of the material considered;the fastening device comprises at least two stacks, preferably at least three stacks, preferably at least four stacks, preferably at least five stacks, preferably six stacks; the at least two stacks are arranged so as to form a circular repeating pattern; the at least two stacks are arranged angularly at equidistant points from each other around the clock movement; the first fastening means comprise at least one screw; the second fastening means comprise at least one screw; the at least two blades of said at least one stack comprise a material selected from: steel, elastic steel, superelastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite materials, or a mixture or combination thereof;The fastening device includes a casing support adapted to receive the watch movement by clamping, and said at least one stack being fixed to the casing support via its second movement end.

[0015] Preferably, at least two blades are at least partially overlapped.

[0016] For example, the fastening device may comprise at least two stacks extending substantially tangentially with respect to a circle passing through the points of attachment of the stacks to the clock movement. Substantially tangential is understood to mean a direction making an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the radius of the circle passing through the points of attachment of the stacks to the clock movement.

[0017] According to another aspect, the invention proposes a watchmaking device comprising a watch movement and a case configured to receive said watch movement comprising a fixing device according to one or more characteristics described above connecting the watch movement to the case. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the attached figures, in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a clockwork movement and a fastening device according to a first embodiment of the invention; in this first embodiment, the fastening device comprises four stacks of several blades intended to be clamped by screwing; the figure 2 is a perspective view of the whole, illustrated in the figure 1, presented above a housing in a watch case; the figure 3 is a perspective view of a timepiece comprising the watch movement housed in the case via the fastening device according to the invention; the figure 4 is a perspective view of a clockwork movement and a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the invention; in this second embodiment, the fastening device comprises four stacks of several blades.

[0019] For clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference symbols across all figures. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] In relation to figures 1 to 3 , a fixing device 10 of a clock movement 2 is described, arranged to hold said clock movement 2 in a box 4 of a clock part 1.

[0021] In this first embodiment, the fastening device is of the type comprising at least one interlocking blade secured at its two ends by screwing.

[0022] The fastening device 10 according to the invention makes it possible to connect the watch movement 2 to the case 4 in a rigid manner and to minimize or control the acceleration suffered by the watch movement 2 in case of shock.

[0023] The fastening device 10 according to the invention can also be used to connect the watch movement 2 to an intermediate casing support (not shown) and to connect an intermediate casing support to the case 4.

[0024] The fixing device 10 according to the invention comprises at least one stack 3 formed by at least two blades 3a, 3b ensuring the function of a mounting flange for the watch movement 2.

[0025] Preferably, the at least two blades 3a, 3b of a stacking 3 are at least partially superimposed on each other.

[0026] The blades 3a and 3b of a stack of 3 can be in direct contact, or a gap can be left between two overlapping blades, at least over a portion of the stack of 3, so that they are not in direct contact at least over that portion. The gap between two overlapping blades can be created by adding spacers between two consecutive overlapping blades.

[0027] In the example shown, the fastening device 10 comprises four stacks 3, each stack 3 being composed of two superimposed blades, preferably in direct contact with each other.

[0028] However, the fastening device 10 may include at least two stacks 3, preferably up to six stacks having identical or different mechanical or geometric characteristics.

[0029] Each stack 3 of the fastening device 10 can comprise a plurality of blades, preferably superimposed and in contact.

[0030] The number of overlapping blades in a 3-layer stack and the thickness of the blades will be chosen according to the desired target stiffness.

[0031] In the example shown in figures 1 to 3 , blades 3a, 3b are of identical dimensions.

[0032] However, the different blades 3a, 3b forming a stack 3 may have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties, for example in terms of width and / or thickness and / or Young's modulus.

[0033] The different blades 3a, 3b of two distinct stacks 3 may also have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties, for example in terms of width and / or thickness and / or Young's modulus.

[0034] Preferably, the material of blades 3a, 3b is chosen from the following list: steel, elastic steel, super-elastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite materials, or a mixture or combination thereof.

[0035] For example, blades 3a, 3b have a straight shape.

[0036] For example, blades 3a, 3b 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.

[0037] Each stack 3 has two opposite ends, a first end of the case 3c and a second end of the movement 3d. Each end 3c, 3d has an axial or cylindrical hole arranged for the passage of a means of fixing the stack 3 ensuring the reversible attachment of the stack 3 to the case 4 and to the watch movement 2, so as to rigidly fit the watch movement 2 into the case 4.

[0038] The fastening device 10 includes first and second fastening means 7, for example screws, whose threaded body is arranged to pass through the holes in the stacks 3 and to cooperate with fastening points, formed by tapped holes, arranged on the watch movement 2 and on the case 4.

[0039] The stacks 3 are thus rigidly clamped by screwing at their two ends 3d, 3c, respectively on the watch movement 2 and on the case 4. The stacks 3 can also be clamped by other equivalent means known to those skilled in the art allowing rigid and reversible fastening.

[0040] Preferably, the different stacks 3 of the fixing device 10 are arranged angularly at equidistances from each other around the clock movement 2.

[0041] Preferably, the different stacks 3 form a circular repeating pattern around the clockwork movement 2.

[0042] Preferably, the fixing points of the clock movement are arranged to be inscribed on a first circle.

[0043] Preferably, the fixing points of box 4 are arranged to be inscribed on a second circle, concentric with the first circle.

[0044] According to the embodiment shown, the stacks 3 are arranged so as to extend tangentially or substantially tangentially to the first circle on which the fixing points of the clockwork movement 2 are inscribed.

[0045] With reference to figures 2 And 3 , once the stacks 3 are fixed to the clock movement 2, the assembly formed by the clock movement 2 and the stacks 3 is inserted into a housing in the case of the box 4.

[0046] According to the example shown, the box 4 has surfaces designed to support the ends of the boxes 3c of the stacks 3. Preferably, the box's fixing points are located on these surfaces. Naturally, the box 4 has at least as many surfaces as there are stacks 3 for securing the watch movement 2.

[0047] There figure 4This illustrates a second embodiment of the fastening device 100 according to the invention. This second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment described above, except for the stack clamping elements, which will be specified later. In this second embodiment, the fastening device 100 comprises at least one stack 30 formed by at least two blades 3a, 3b, which serve as a clamp for the casing of the watch movement 20.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the fastening device 100 is formed by a plurality of stacks 30 of two superimposed blades 3a, 3b.

[0049] The 3d movement end of the stacks 30 is secured in the same way as in the first embodiment by means of fixing, such as screws cooperating with threads forming the fixing points of the watch movement 20.

[0050] The ends of the boxes 3c are intended to cooperate with notches 42 made in the box, the notches 42 being arranged so that the stacks 30 hold the clock movement 20 under stress by keeping it pressed against a bearing surface 43 of the box 40.

[0051] The use of stacked blades increases the overall rigidity of the mounting brackets while minimizing their size. This eliminates the need for plastic coating on the mounting brackets. The use of stacked blades is advantageous regardless of how the stacks are attached and / or clamped to the watch movement and case.

[0052] Furthermore, stacking multiple blades minimizes stress at the stacking points, and therefore on the screws, under the same shock load. Thus, the fastening device according to the invention prevents any loss of the watch movement's secure connection within the case during an impact.

[0053] Preferably, the fastening device may include one or more of the following manufacturing steps: waterjet cutting, three-axis machining, machining, turning, laser cutting, stamping.

[0054] The invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Fixing device (10, 100) for a clock movement (2, 20) arranged to hold said clock movement (2, 20) in a case (4, 40) of a clock part (1) characterized in that it comprises at least one stack (3, 30) composed of at least two blades (3a, 3b), said at least one stack (3, 30) having two opposite ends, a first box end (3c) and a second movement end (3d), and in that it includes first fastening means (7) for fastening the second movement end (3d) of said at least one stack (3, 30) to the clock movement (2, 20), said at least one stack (3, 30) being configured to ensure rigid retention of said clock movement (2, 20) in the case (4).

2. Fixing device (10) according to the preceding claim characterized in thatit includes second means of attachment (7) for attaching the first end of box (3c) of said at least one stack (3) to the box (4).

3. Fixing device (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that the first end of box (3c) of said at least one stack (30) is clamped to the box (40) by cooperation with a notch (42) provided in the box (40).

4. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least two blades (3a, 3b) of a stack (3, 30) are at least partially in contact with each other.

5. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least two blades (3a, 3b) of a stack (3, 30) are spaced by at least one spacer provided between said at least two blades (3a, 3b).

6. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatsaid at least two blades (3a, 3b) have identical dimensions and / or mechanical properties.

7. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least two blades (3a, 3b) have different dimensions and / or mechanical properties.

8. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two stacks (3, 30), preferably at least three stacks (3, 30), preferably at least four stacks (3, 30), preferably at least five stacks (3, 30), preferably six stacks (3, 30).

9. Fixing device (10, 100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least two stacks (3, 30) are arranged so as to form a circular repeating pattern.

10. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in thatsaid at least two stacks (3, 30) are arranged angularly at equidistance from each other around the clockwork movement (2, 20).

11. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means of fastening (7) include at least one screw.

12. Fixing device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second means of fastening (7) include at least one screw.

13. Fixing device (10, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two blades (3a, 3b) of said at least one stack (3, 30) comprise a material selected from: steel, elastic steel, superelastic shape memory alloy, amorphous metal, nickel-based superalloy, iron-nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, spring steel, composite materials, or a mixture or combination thereof.

14. Timepiece (1) comprising at least one timepiece movement (2, 20) and a case (4, 40) housing said timepiece movement (2, 20) characterized in that it includes a fastening device (10, 100) according to one of the preceding claims connecting said watch movement (2, 20) to the case (4).

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