Bridge for guiding a balance wheel in a watch part.
The guiding element with flexible arms and guide bearings addresses the bulkiness issue in conventional watch movements, enabling the production of ultra-thin designs by enhancing flexibility and reducing thickness.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022002010
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-08
AI Technical Summary
Conventional watch movements with balance-spring oscillators are bulky in the direction of the balance wheel's pivot axis, hindering the creation of ultra-thin movements.
A guiding element for the balance wheel that includes guide bearings without shock absorbers, featuring flexible arms with openwork geometry to provide compact pivoting guidance, allowing a displacement rigidity of less than 100 N/mm and a movement of up to 0.1 mm, reducing thickness and enhancing flexibility.
Enables the production of ultra-thin watch movements by providing compact balance wheel guidance, ensuring rotational stability while minimizing bulkiness.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Bridge for guiding a balance wheel of a timepiece. Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a guiding element for the pivoting guidance of a balance wheel in a timepiece. The invention also relates to a timepiece module comprising such a guiding element. The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a guiding element or such a timepiece module. Finally, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising such a guiding element, such a timepiece movement, or such a timepiece module. Prior art
[0002] In mechanical watch movements, a balance-spring type oscillator is usually used. The balance wheel is guided to pivot around an axis by means of bearings mounted in a movement frame. Conventionally, a first bearing is mounted in a movement plate via a first shock absorber, and a second bearing is mounted in a balance bridge via a second shock absorber. The shock absorbers provide flexibility to the assembly to prevent damage to the balance staff when the movement is subjected to a shock, as the balance wheel has significant inertia and the balance staff must have small pivots to optimize the movement's autonomy.
[0003] However, an architecture such as the one described above has the disadvantage of being bulky in the direction of the balance wheel's pivot axis, that is to say, generally in terms of the thickness of the watch movement. This is particularly detrimental to the creation of an ultra-thin movement. Presentation of the invention
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a guiding element that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above and improves upon the guiding elements known in the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a simple and compact guiding element in the direction of the thickness of the watch movement. Summary of the invention
[0005] According to the invention, an element allows the pivoting guidance, around an axis, of a balance wheel of a timepiece. The element comprises: - a first guide bearing without a shock absorber, and - a first draft, in particular a first balance bridge or cock, the first draft comprising: - at least one first portion of attachment to another blank, - a first portion of reception of the first guide bearing, and - at least one first flexible arm mechanically linking the first portion of attachment to the first portion of reception.
[0006] At least one first arm can be configured and / or arranged so as to define a displacement rigidity of the first receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm depending on the direction of the axis and / or at least one first arm can be configured and / or arranged so that the first receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm depending on the direction of the axis.
[0007] The guide element may include several first flexible arms, in particular 2, 3 or 4 first flexible arms mechanically connecting at least one first fastening portion to the first receiving portion.
[0008] The first arm or arms may include an openwork geometry and / or the first arm or arms may extend substantially radially to the direction of the axis and / or each arm may include two parallel branches extending from the first fixing portion or portions and approaching each other near the first receiving portion of the guide bearing.
[0009] The first fixing portion may have a rim shape and / or the first receiving portion of the first guide bearing may have a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm depending on the axis.
[0010] One of the at least one first arm may include a piton holder.
[0011] The first fixing portion may include a first receiving portion of a first guide bearing of an escapement mobile.
[0012] The guiding element may include: - a second guide bearing without a shock absorber, and - a second rough draft, in particular a second balance bridge or a mainplate, the second rough draft comprising: - at least one second fixing portion to the first blank, - a second receiving portion of the second guide bearing, and - at least one second flexible arm mechanically connecting the at least one second fixing portion to the second receiving portion.
[0013] At least one second arm can be configured and / or arranged so as to define a displacement rigidity of the second receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm depending on the direction of the axis and / or at least one second arm can be configured and / or arranged so that the second receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm depending on the direction of the axis.
[0014] The guide element may include several second flexible arms, in particular 2, 3 or 4 second flexible arms, mechanically connecting at least one second fixing portion to the second receiving portion.
[0015] The second arm or arms may include an openwork geometry and / or the second arm or arms may extend substantially radially to the direction of the axis and / or each arm may include two parallel branches extending from the second fixing portion or portions and approaching in close proximity to the second receiving portion of the guide bearing.
[0016] The second fixing portion may have a rim shape and / or the second receiving portion of the second guide bearing may have a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm depending on the axis.
[0017] One of the at least one second arm may include a piton holder.
[0018] The at least one second fastening portion may include a second receiving portion of a guide bearing of an escapement wheel and / or the at least one second fastening portion may include a second receiving portion of a guide bearing of an anchor.
[0019] According to the invention, a watch module comprises: - a previously defined guiding element, - a balance wheel, - an anchor, and - an escapement mechanism.
[0020] According to the invention, a watch movement comprises a watch module defined previously and / or a guiding element defined previously.
[0021] According to the invention, a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprises: - a previously defined guidance element, and / or - a previously defined clock module, and / or - a previously defined clock movement. Presentation of the figures
[0022] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are set out in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment given by way of non-limiting agreement in relation to the accompanying figures.
[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention, an embodiment of a timepiece module according to the invention being shown in detail in perspective.
[0024] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the watch module according to the invention, the module being assembled on a plate. Detailed description
[0025] An embodiment of a timepiece 200 is described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The timepiece 200 is, for example, a watch, in particular a wristwatch. The timepiece 200 comprises a watch movement 100, intended to be mounted in a watch case or box to protect it from the external environment. The watch movement 100 may be a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement.
[0026] Movement 100 comprises: - a 99 turntable, and - a 90-unit watchmaking module, specifically an "escapement door" module which is detailed below, The clock module 90 is attached or mounted on the plate. This mounting can be achieved using screws passing through holes 101 provided in the module and screwed into the plate 99.
[0027] The clock module 90 comprises: - an oscillator comprising a balance wheel 91 and a balance spring 92, - a 93 anchor, and - an escapement mechanism 94 comprising an escape wheel and an escape pinion, and - a guide element 1 to guide the balance wheel 91 in pivoting around an axis A.
[0028] Advantageously, in the watch module, the pivoting or rotational guidance of the balance wheel, the anchor and the escapement mobile is fully ensured.
[0029] The escapement mobile 94 also meshes with a finishing gear of the movement 100.
[0030] The guiding element 1 comprises: - a first guide bearing 2 without a shock absorber, and - a first draft 3, in particular a first balance bridge 3 or cock as shown in the figures.
[0031] The first bearing preferably comprises a pivot stone 21 and a counter-pivot stone 22. This first bearing is mounted, in particular pressed in, in a bore provided in the first blank. The first bearing, in particular the stones mentioned above, is advantageously mounted directly in the first blank. No damper is provided between the first bearing (or the stones that compose it) and the first blank.
[0032] The first draft 3 comprises: - at least a first portion 31 for fixing to another blank 4, - a first portion 32 for receiving the first guide bearing 2, and - at least one first flexible arm 33 mechanically connecting the first fixing portion 31 to the first receiving portion 32.
[0033] At least a first portion of the fastener advantageously provides means for its attachment to a second blank 4. These means may include through holes intended to receive screws screwed into the second blank 4.
[0034] In one embodiment, the first fastening portion may be rim-shaped. In the embodiment shown, there are two first fastening portions: - one of the first portions extending roughly over 120° around axis A, and - one of the first portions extending over only a few degrees around axis A.
[0035] These first two fixation portions can be seen as a single discontinuous fixation portion.
[0036] Advantageously, the first fixing portion 31 can include a first portion 311 for receiving a first guide bearing 5 of the escapement mobile 94. The first guide bearing is, for example, a stone driven into a hole provided in the first portion 311.
[0037] The first receiving portion 32 may have an annular shape surrounding the hole provided to receive the first bearing 2.
[0038] Preferably, the first receiving portion 32 of the first guide bearing 2 has a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm, this thickness being measured in the direction of the axis A, i.e. generally along the direction of the thickness of the movement.
[0039] At least one first arm is preferably configured and / or arranged: - so as to define a displacement rigidity of the first receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm depending on the direction of axis A of the guide bearing, and / or - so that the first receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm along the direction of axis A. This movement can be limited by a watch case element, such as a crystal or a case back, or by a movement element, such as the mainplate.
[0040] Preferably, the first arm or arms extend substantially radially in the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing.
[0041] To achieve such flexibility characteristics in the first draft, the or The first arms have an openwork geometry. To achieve this openwork geometry, each arm may include two parallel branches 331 extending from the first mounting portion(s) 31. However, these branches approach each other near the first receiving portion 32 of the guide bearing 2. The branches are again parallel where they rejoin the first receiving portion 32 of the guide bearing 2. They are, however, separated by a narrow slot at this junction.
[0042] The geometric data of the arms are, for example, as follows:
[0043] - the height of the branches (measured parallel to direction A) is, for example between 0.14 mm and 0.23 mm, - the width of the branches (measured orthoradially to direction A) is, for example, between 0.24 mm and 0.25 mm, - the distance between the branches (measured orthoradially to direction A) is, for example, between 1.4 mm and 1.7 mm, - the width of the slot is, for example, on the order of 0.1 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
[0044] Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the guide element 1 comprises: - a second guide bearing 6 without a shock absorber, and - a second draft 4, in particular a second balance bridge or cock as shown in the figures.
[0045] The second bearing preferably comprises a pivot stone 61 and a counter-pivot stone 62. This second bearing is mounted, in particular pressed in, in a bore provided in the second blank 4. The second bearing, in particular the stones mentioned above, is advantageously mounted directly in the second blank. No damper is provided between the second bearing (or the stones that compose it) and the second blank.
[0046] The second draft 4 comprises: - at least one second portion 41 for fixing to the first blank 3, - a second portion 42 for receiving the second guide bearing 6, and - at least one second flexible arm 43 mechanically connecting the second portion 41 for fixing to the second portion 42 for receiving.
[0047] At least one second fastening portion advantageously provides fastening means for attaching it to the first blank 3. These means may include screw feet for receiving the aforementioned screws. Alternatively, the assembly may be achieved by pins for positioning and by screws for fastening.
[0048] Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the second fastening portion preferably has a rim shape. Alternatively, As in the first sketch shown, there may be several secondary fixation portions. These different secondary fixation portions can be viewed as a single discontinuous fixation portion.
[0049] Advantageously, the second fixing portion 41 can include a second portion 411 for receiving a second guide bearing 7 of the escapement mobile 94. The second guide bearing is, for example, a stone driven into a hole provided in the second portion 411.
[0050] The second receiving portion 42 may have an annular shape surrounding the hole provided to receive the second bearing 6.
[0051] Preferably, the second receiving portion 42 of the second guide bearing 6 has a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm, this thickness being measured in the direction of the axis A, i.e. generally along the direction of the thickness of the movement.
[0052] At least one second arm is preferably configured and / or arranged: - so as to define a displacement rigidity of the second receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm depending on the direction of axis A of the guide bearing, and / or - so that the second receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm along the direction of axis A. This movement can be limited by a watch case element, such as a crystal or a case back, or by a movement element, such as the mainplate.
[0053] The displacement stiffness of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be equal to or substantially equal to the displacement stiffness of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A. Alternatively, the displacement stiffness of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A and the displacement stiffness of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be different or substantially different. For example, the displacement stiffness of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be on the order of three or four times greater than the displacement stiffness of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A.
[0054] Preferably, the second arm or arms extend substantially radially in the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing.
[0055] To achieve such flexibility characteristics of the second blank, the second arm(s) comprise an openwork geometry. To realize this openwork geometry, each arm may comprise two parallel branches 431 extending from the second mounting portion(s) 41. However, these branches approach each other near the second receiving portion 42 of the bearing. guide 2. The arms are again parallel at the place where they join the second portion 42 of the receiving bearing of the guide 2. They are however separated by a narrow slot at the level of this junction.
[0056] The geometric data of the arms are, for example, as follows:
[0057] - the height of the branches (measured parallel to direction A) is, for example between 0.18 mm and 0.23 mm, - the width of the branches (measured orthoradially to direction A) is, for example, between 0.14 mm and 0.2 mm, - the distance between the branches (measured orthoradially to direction A) is, for example, between 1.3 mm and 1.8 mm, - the width of the slit is for example on the order of 0.1 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
[0058] Advantageously, the second fixing portion 41 may include a second portion 412 for receiving a first guide bearing 8 of the anchor 93. The first guide bearing is, for example, a stone driven into a hole provided in the second portion 412. An anchor bridge 89 may be fixed to the second blank 4 in order to complete the guidance of the anchor 93. For this purpose, the anchor bridge 89 may include a bearing 9.
[0059] In the described embodiments or variants, the first draft comprises three arms and the second draft comprises three arms. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant: - the first draft may preferably include one, two, three or four flexible arms 33, and / or - the second draft may preferably include one, two, three or four flexible arms 43.
[0060] In general, the number of arms on the first and second drafts can be different and arbitrary.
[0061] In the embodiments or variants described, the first blank includes, on a first arm, a stud holder 332. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the stud holder may be located on the second blank or on the first blank. This advantageously depends on the side of the balance wheel where the balance spring 92 is located.
[0062] In the described embodiments or variants, the first and second blanks are bridges. These bridges together form a guide cage. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the first or second blank may be a plate.
[0063] In the described embodiments or variants, the first and second blanks include flexible arms. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, only one of the blanks may be equipped with flexible arms. By For example, the other draft may feature a guide bearing mounted in a shock absorber.
[0064] In the embodiments or variants described, the first blank can be made for example in a hardenable austenitic superalloy based on cobalt (Phynox) or in cuproberyllium (CuBe).
[0065] In the embodiments or variants described, the second blank can be made for example in a hardenable austenitic superalloy based on cobalt (Phynox) or in cuproberyllium (CuBe).
[0066] Thanks to the solutions described above, it is possible to produce extra-thin watch movements by benefiting from a balance wheel guidance solution that is particularly compact.
[0067] As seen previously, the geometries of the arms allow for a certain flexibility in the guidance of the balance wheel.
Claims
Demands
1. A guiding element (1) for pivoting a balance wheel (91) of a timepiece (200) about an axis (A), comprising: - a first guide bearing (2) without a damper, and - a first blank (3), in particular a first balance bridge or balance cock, the first blank (3) comprising: - at least a first portion (31) for attachment to another blank (4), - a first portion (32) for receiving the first guide bearing (2), and - at least a first flexible arm (33) mechanically connecting the first attachment portion (31) to the first receiving portion (32), the guiding element comprising: - a second guide bearing (6) without a damper, and - a second blank (4), in particular a second balance bridge (4) or a plate, the second blank (4) comprising: - at least a second portion (41) for attachment to the first blank (3),- a second receiving portion (42) for the second guide bearing (6) (2), and - at least one second flexible arm (43) mechanically connecting at least one second fastening portion (41) to the second receiving portion (42).
2. A guide element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one first arm is configured and / or arranged so as to define a displacement rigidity of the first receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm along the direction of the axis (A) and / or in that at least one first arm is configured and / or arranged so that the first receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm along the direction of the axis (A).
3. A guide element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element comprises several first flexible arms (33), in particular 2, 3 or 4 first flexible arms (33) mechanically connecting at least one first fastening portion (31). to the first portion (32) of reception.
4. A guide element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first arm or arms comprise an openwork geometry and / or in that the first arm or arms extend substantially radially in the direction of the axis (A) and / or in that each arm comprises two parallel branches (331) extending from the first fixing portion or portions (31) and approaching each other in the vicinity of the first receiving portion (32) of the guide bearing (2).
5. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fixing portion has a rim shape and / or in that the first receiving portion (32) of the first guide bearing (2) has a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm along the axis (A).
6. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of at least one first arm comprises a stud holder (332).
7. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fixing portion (31) comprises a first receiving portion (311) of a first guide bearing (5) of an escapement mobile (94).
8. A guide element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second arm is configured and / or arranged so as to define a displacement stiffness of the second receiving portion of the order of 8 N / mm or less than 10 N / mm or less than 20 N / mm or less than 50 N / mm or less than 100 N / mm along the direction of the axis (A) and / or in that at least one second arm is configured and / or arranged so that the second receiving portion can move more than 0.05 mm or about 0.1 mm along the direction of the axis (A).
9. A guide element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element comprises several flexible second arms (43), in particular 2, 3 or 4 flexible second arms (43), mechanically connecting at least one second fastening portion (41) to the second receiving portion (42).
10. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second arm(s) comprise an openwork geometry and / or in that the second arm(s) extend substantially radially to the direction of the axis (A) and / or in that each arm comprises two parallel branches (431) extending from the second portion(s) of attachment (41) and approaching near the second portion (42) of receiving the guide bearing (2).
11. A guiding element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second fixing portion has a rim shape and / or in that the second receiving portion (42) of the second guide bearing (6) has a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm or less than 0.23 mm or less than 0.14 mm along the axis (A).
12. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of at least a second arm comprises a stud holder.
13. A guiding element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second fastening portion (41) comprises a second portion (411) for receiving a guide bearing (7) of an escapement wheel (94) and / or in that at least one second fastening portion (41) comprises a second portion (412) for receiving a guide bearing (8) of an anchor (93).
14. Watch module (90) comprising: - a guiding element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - a balance wheel (91), - an anchor (93), and - an escapement mobile (94).
15. Watch movement (100) comprising a watch module according to the preceding claim and / or a guiding element according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
16. Timepiece (200), in particular wristwatch (200), comprising: - a guiding element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or - a timepiece module (90) according to claim 14, and / or - a timepiece movement (100) according to the preceding claim.