Watch and method for attaching the dial to the plate of the watch

Abstract

The watch according to the invention comprises a movement having a board (1). A dial plate (2) of the watch is fixed on the board. The dial plate comprises dial plate support legs (3) fixed on the back surface of the dial plate (2). The legs are inserted into apertures (4) which penetrate the board from the front face (5) to the back face (6) of the board. The aperture (4) comprises a circumferential stop (7) which is preferably recessed inwardly from the rear face (6) of the panel such that the end (11) of the foot moves away from said stop (7). A fastening element (13), such as a nut, is mounted on the foot (3) on the side with said end, and an axial damping element (14) is provided between the fastening element (13) and the stop (7) on the orifice (4). The damping elements (14) are made of a flexible material and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the stop (7) in order to attenuate the effect of front impact on the entire board and dial.

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202511865168.3 (22) Application Date 2025.12.11 (30) Priority Data 24221431.0 2024.12.19 EP (71) Applicant ETA Swiss Watch Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Address Switzerland (72) Inventor G. Schneider C. Rufenacht (74) Patent Agency Beijing Zhongzi Law Firm 11247 Patent Agent Leng Ni Wan Liujun (51) Int.Cl. G04B 19 / 06 (2006.01) G04B 19 / 14 (2006.01) (54) Invention Title Watch and Method for Fixing Dial to Watch Plate (57) Abstract The watch according to the invention comprises a movement having a plate (1). The watch dial (2) is fixed to the movement plate. The dial includes a dial support (3) fixed to the back of the dial (2). The support is inserted into an opening (4) that extends from the front (5) to the back (6) of the movement plate. The opening (4) includes a circumferential stop (7), which is preferably recessed inward from the back (6) of the movement plate, such that the end (11) of the support moves away from the stop (7). A fastening element (13), such as a nut, is mounted to the support (3) on the side having the end, and an axial damping element (14) is provided between the fastening element (13) and the stop (7) on the opening (4). The damping element (14) is made of a flexible material, and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the stop (7) to attenuate the effect of frontal impacts on the entire movement plate and dial. Claims 2 pages, Description 4 pages, Drawings 3 pages, CN 122260750 A 2026.06.23 CN 1 22 26 07 50 A 1. A watch, the watch comprising a movement and a dial (2), the movement comprising a plate (1) having a front (5) and a back (6), the dial being attached to the front of the plate, characterized in that the dial is attached to the plate by means of: - at least two legs (3) fixed to the dial, the legs being inserted into openings (4) penetrating the plate (1), each opening (4) having a circumferential stop (7), the legs being inserted such that the end (11) of the legs extends away from the circumferential stop (7) of the opening, - A fastening element (13), which is correspondingly mounted on the foot (3) at one side of the end (11) having the foot, so as to attach the dial (2) to the plate (1); - An axial damping element (14) made of flexible material, which is arranged on the fastening element.(13) and the circumferential stop (7) on the orifice (4), and is partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the circumferential stop (7) of the orifice. 2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein: - each leg (3) is further provided with a circumferential stop (15), - the fastening element (13) is in direct or indirect physical contact with the circumferential stop (15) of the leg. 3. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg (3) on the dial (2) is provided with a threaded portion (12) on the side having the end (11), wherein the fastening element (13) is a nut screwed onto the threaded portion (12) of the leg. 4. The watch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the axial damping element is an O-ring (14) provided around the leg (3) on the dial (2). 5. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential stop (7) on the aperture (4) is recessed inward from the back (6) of the movement plate (1). 6. The watch according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element (13) has an outer surface flush with the back (6) of the movement plate (1). 7. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the watch further comprises a plurality of lateral shock-absorbing elements (20) arranged laterally between the legs (3) of the dial and the wall (21) of the aperture (4), the lateral shock-absorbing elements being partially compressed between the legs (3) and the wall (21). 8. The watch according to claim 7, wherein the lateral shock-absorbing element is an O-ring (20) disposed around the legs (3) on the dial (2). 9. The watch according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each aperture (4) is provided with a radial groove (18) configured to retain the lateral damping element (20) arranged around a foot (3) inserted into the aperture. 10. The watch according to claim 9, wherein each foot (3) includes a head (17) having a larger diameter relative to a cylindrical portion (16) of the foot, wherein the lateral damping element (20) is arranged between the head (17) of the foot and the back surface (18a) of the radial groove (18). 11. The watch according to claim 10, wherein the back surface (18a) of the radial groove (18) is tapered. 12. The watch according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the aperture (4) has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the foot (3) of the dial. 13. A method for assembling a movement plate (1) and a dial (2) of a watch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the steps of: - placing the movement plate (1) on a support surface, wherein the back side (6) of the movement plate is hidden, claimsPage 1 / 2 2 CN 122260750 A - Then, by inserting the dial's foot (3) into the hole (4) in the plate, the dial (2) is mounted on the front (5) of the plate to obtain a non-fixed assembly. - The non-fixed assembly is inverted on the support surface. - Then, the axial damping element (14) is mounted on the dial's foot (3). - Then, the fastening element (13) is fastened to the end of the foot (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed. 14. A method for assembling a watch movement and dial according to any one of claims 7 to 12, the method comprising the steps of: - placing a movement (1) on a support surface, wherein the back side (6) of the movement is hidden; - mounting a lateral damping element (20) on a dial foot (3); - then mounting a dial (2) on the front side (5) of the movement by inserting the dial foot (3) into an opening (4) in the movement to obtain a non-fixed assembly; - inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface; - then mounting an axial damping element (14) on the dial foot (3); - then fastening a fastening element (13) to the end of the foot (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed. Claims 2 / 2 Page 3 CN 122260750 A Watch and Method for Fixing a Dial to a Watch Movement Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of horology. This invention relates particularly to securing a dial to a plate on a watch movement. Background Art

[0002] In the watchmaking industry, dials are typically secured by bolts or keys that fasten the dial to the plate of a watch movement. The rigidity of this type of fastening system makes the dial highly susceptible to damage from shocks. Almost all the energy (especially from frontal impacts) is transferred to the dial, which may break.

[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a solution that better protects the dial from watch shocks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems. This objective is achieved by the watch and method according to the appended claims.

[0005] The watch according to the invention comprises a movement having a plate. The watch dial is attached to the plate. The dial includes a dial leg fixed to the back of the dial. The leg is inserted into an aperture extending through the plate from the front to the back. The aperture includes a circumferential stop, which is preferably recessed inward from the back of the plate such that the end of the leg extends away from the stop. Fastening elements, such as nuts, are mounted to the support feet on one side having the said end, and axial damping elements are provided between the fastening elements and the orifice stop. The damping elements are made of flexible material, and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening elements and the stop to attenuate the impact of frontal impacts on the entire plate and dial.

[0006] According to a particular embodiment, the watch also includes a lateral damping element disposed between the dial feet and the wall of the aperture, so as to also reduce the effect of lateral impacts. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0008] FIG1 shows a rear view of a watch movement plate according to the invention, wherein the dial is attached to the front of the watch movement plate;

[0009] FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG1;

[0010] FIG3 is a close-up of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG2, to show the location of an axial damping element configured to absorb front impacts from the dial;

[0011] FIG4 shows an embodiment of the invention, further including a lateral damping element disposed between the dial feet and the movement plate. Detailed Description

[0012] FIG1 is a plan view of the rear of a watch movement plate 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The dial 2 is attached to the front of the movement plate. FIG2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along plane II-II shown in FIG1. The II-II plane in the cross-sectional view extends through the central axis of the two dial feet 3.

[0013] Figure 3 shows in detail how one foot 3 on the dial 2 is attached to the plate 1, and the other foot is attached in the same way. The foot 3 is fastened to the back of the dial 2, for example, by welding, press-fitting, or equivalent means. The foot 3 is inserted into the orifice 4, which extends through the plate 1 from the front 5 to the back 6. The through orifice 4 includes a circumferential stop 7 arranged between a first portion 4a and a second portion 4b of the orifice, the first portion 4a extending between the front 5 of the plate 1 and the stop 7, and the second portion 4b extending between the stop 7 and the back 6 of the plate 1. In a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis 10 of the orifice 4, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 4a of the orifice is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion 4b of the orifice. However, when the orifice 4 is empty, the stop 7 is visible and can be approached / touched from the back side 6 of the plate 1. Figure 1 shows the orifice 4 near the outer edge of the plate 1, such that the second portion 4b of the orifice is partially laterally open near the outer edge, while the first portion 4a is completely surrounded by the material of the plate. In other embodiments, the orifice 4 may be further away from the edge of the plate, such that the second portion 4b is also completely surrounded by the material of the plate 1.

[0014] Figure 3 shows that when the foot 3 of the dial 2 is inserted into the orifice 4, the end 11 of the foot 3 moves away from the stop 7 until the dial 2 is fitted into the front side 5 of the plate 1. The portion of the foot 3 extending beyond the stop 7 of the orifice is provided with an externally threaded portion 12. A nut 13 is screwed onto the foot, the nut 13 having threads corresponding to the external threads of the foot. Between the nut 13 and the orifice stop 7, an axial damping element 14 in the form of an O-ring made of flexible material is provided. O-ring 14 is partPartial compression occurs between the nut 13 and the stop 7 of the orifice 4. Due to the elasticity of the axial damping element 14, the connection between the dial 2 and the plate 1 is more resistant to frontal impact transmission. This reduces the risk of the dial breaking due to such impact.

[0015] For the purposes of this specification, partial compression is defined as compression that keeps the damping element in a flexible state, which allows for the absorption of frontal impacts while keeping the dial on the plate. The degree of compression depends on the size of the components and the choice of damping element material. An example of a material that can be used in this invention is Hytrel 7246 from the manufacturer Celanese. The following are examples of suitable but non-limiting dimensions for the O-ring 14 in embodiments of the invention: inner diameter between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. Ring diameter in cross-section (diameter of the “O”): approximately 0.3 mm. Both the foot 3 and the nut 13 can be made of steel or any other equivalent material capable of achieving the above-described function.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the leg 3 is further provided with a circumferential stop 15 disposed between the threaded portion 12 of the leg and the rest of the leg (which includes the cylindrical portion 16). The nut 13 is screwed onto the leg 3 until it is fixed against the stop 15 of the leg. At this point, the nut 13 is in direct contact with the stop 15. An equivalent effect of direct contact can be achieved by adding a rigid element, such as a washer, between the nut 13 and the stop 15. For the purposes of description, this type of contact is defined as indirect contact.

[0017] When the leg 3 is fully inserted into the orifice 4, the position of the stop 15 of the leg relative to the stop 7 of the orifice is designed such that the O-ring 14 is partially compressed between the tightened nut 13 and the stop 7 of the orifice. This configuration ensures that the nut 13 can be screwed against the stop 15 with the predetermined tightening force necessary to ensure the attachment of the dial 2. Simultaneously, this force produces a predetermined compression of the O-ring 14. This configuration is advantageous because it can apply a definite damping effect based on the elasticity of the ring material.

[0018] The positions of the legs 3 and the orifices 4 determine the orientation of the dial 2 relative to the plate 1. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in FIG3, one of the orifices 4 is circular (in cross-section) and configured to receive one of the legs 3 of the dial, with substantially no gap between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg and the wall 21 of the orifice, while the other orifice is oblong. This configuration allows for slight adjustment of the dial's orientation and ensures that the dial 2 is securely fastened to the plate 1 without introducing stress that could damage the dial.

[0019] According to one embodiment, in addition to the axial damping described above, lateral damping is also provided. An example of this implementation is shown in FIG4.

[0020] FIG4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the central axis 10 of one of the legs 3 on the dial 2.In the aforementioned configuration, the axial damping ring 14 is positioned between the nut 13 and the stop 7 on the orifice 4. Furthermore, the second ring 20 is positioned between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg 3 and the inner wall 21 of the orifice 4. The ring 20, acting as a lateral damping element, absorbs lateral vibrations from the watch.

[0021] In the illustrated configuration, the leg 3 has a head 17 with a diameter larger than the cylindrical portion 16, which is attached to the dial 2. Additionally, the orifice 4 is provided with a radial bed 18 for holding the second O-ring 20 within it. The radial bed 18 is sized and positioned such that the ring 20 can be positioned within it without being substantially compressed in the axial direction of the leg 3, while being partially compressed laterally between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg 3 and the wall 21 of the orifice 4. According to the embodiment shown in FIG4, the back side 18a of the radial groove 18 is conical when viewed from the front side 5 of the plate 1. This arrangement makes it easier to hold the ring 20 axially between the back side 18a of the radial groove 18 and the head 17 of the leg 3.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in FIG4, the two orifices 4 are preferably circular (cross-sectional view). The lateral damping element 20 will automatically center the leg 3 of the dial without any risk of stress.

[0023] Certain features of the embodiments described above do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. For example, other fastening elements, such as rivets or fasteners connected to the leg 3 by setting or driving in, may be used instead of the nut 13.

[0024] As can be seen from the drawings, for each orifice 4, the stop 7 of the orifice is recessed inward from the back side 6 of the plate 1, and when the nut 13 is fastened to the leg 3 of the dial, the outer surface of the nut 13 is flush with the back side 6. This means that the position of the stop 7 and the size of the nut 13 are selected and set to achieve the aforementioned positioning flush with the back 6.

[0025] However, a nut (or equivalent) having an outer surface that is not flush with the back 6 of the movement plate is not beyond the scope of the invention. For example, this may be the case when the distance between the stop 7 and the back 6 is less than the height of the nut 13. An extreme case is also within the scope of the invention, wherein the stop of the orifice coincides with the back 6 of the movement plate, which means that when the dial is attached, the nut (or equivalent) is above the back 6 of the movement plate.

[0026] Preferably, two dial feet are provided, but having more than two dial feet attached to the movement plate as described above or equivalently is also not beyond the scope of the invention.

[0027] The watch according to the invention is manufactured by a manufacturing process including a method for attaching the dial 2 to the movement plate 1 of the watch movement. According to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 or their equivalents, the assembly of the dial 2 and the movement plate is carried out by means of a method for attaching the dial 2 to the movement plate 1 of the watch movement.The method for plate 1 includes the following steps:

[0028] - Placing plate 1 on a preferably horizontal support surface, wherein the back side 6 of the plate is hidden;

[0029] - Then mounting the dial 2 on the front side 5 of the plate by inserting the dial foot 3 into the hole 4 in the plate, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly;

[0030] - Inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface;

[0031] - Then, mounting the axial damping element on the dial foot. In Figures 1 to 3, an O-ring 14 is mounted around the foot 3 until the O-ring contacts the stop 7 on the hole 4;

[0032] - Then, fastening elements are tightened to the end of the foot until the axial damping element is partially compressed. In Figures 1 to 3, a nut 13 is screwed against the stop 15 of the dial foot. This action automatically applies a predetermined pressure to the O-ring 14.

[0033] According to the embodiment shown in FIG4, a preferred method for assembling the dial 1 and the platen includes the following steps:

[0034] - Placing the platen on a preferably horizontal support surface, wherein the back of the platen is hidden,

[0035] - Then, mounting a lateral damping element on the dial foot, in the example of FIG4, mounting an O-ring 20 around the dial foot 3 until the O-ring contacts the head 17 on the foot,

[0036] - Then mounting the dial 2 on the front 5 of the platen by inserting the dial foot 3 into the hole 4 in the platen, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly,

[0037] - Inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface,

[0038] - Then, mounting an axial damping element 14 on the dial foot, - Fastening the fastening element 13 to the end of the foot until the axial damping element is partially compressed. Instruction manual, page 4 / 4, CN 122260750 A, Figure 1, Figure 2, Appendix 1 / 3, page 8, CN 122260750 A, Figure 3, Appendix 2 / 3, page 9, CN 122260750 A, Figure 4, Appendix 3 / 3, page 10, CN 122260750 A. Abstract: A watch according to the invention comprises a movement having a main plate (1). A dial (2) of the watch is fixed to the main plate. The dial comprises dial feet (3) fixed to the rear face of the dial (2). The dial feet...are inserted into openings (4) extending through the main plate from a front face (5) to a rear face (6) thereof. Each opening (4) comprises a circumferential stop surface (7), preferably recessed inwardly from the rear face (6) of the main plate, such that an end portion (11) of the corresponding dial foot is movable away from the stop surface (7). A fastening element (13), such as a nut, is mounted on the dial foot (3) on the side provided with the end portion (11), and an axial shock-absorbing element (14) is arranged between the fastening element (13) and the stop surface (7) of the opening (4). The shock-absorbing element (14) is made of a resilient material and is partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the stop surface (7) so as to attenuate the effect of frontal impacts on the main plate and the dial as a whole.

Claims

1. A watch comprising a movement and a dial (2), the movement comprising a mainplate (1) having a front (5) and a back (6), the dial being attached to the front of the mainplate, characterized in that, The dial is attached to the circuit board via the following structure: - At least two feet (3) are fixed to the dial, the feet being inserted into holes (4) penetrating the plate (1), each hole (4) having a circumferential stop (7), the feet being inserted such that the ends (11) of the feet extend away from the circumferential stops (7) of the holes. - A fastening element (13), which is correspondingly mounted on the foot (3) at one side of the end (11) having the foot, so as to attach the dial (2) to the plate (1). - An axial damping element (14) made of flexible material is arranged between the fastening element (13) and the circumferential stop (7) on the orifice (4) and is partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the circumferential stop (7) of the orifice.

2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein: - Each support leg (3) is also provided with a circumferential stop (15), - The fastening element (13) is in direct or indirect physical contact with the circumferential stop (15) of the support leg.

3. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support leg (3) on the dial (2) has a threaded portion (12) on one side having the end (11), wherein the fastening element (13) is a nut screwed onto the threaded portion (12) of the support leg.

4. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The axial damping element is an O-ring (14) arranged around the foot (3) on the dial (2).

5. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The circumferential stop (7) on the orifice (4) is recessed inward from the back (6) of the machine plate (1).

6. The watch according to claim 5, wherein, The fastening element (13) has an outer surface that is flush with the back (6) of the machine plate (1).

7. The watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The watch also includes a plurality of lateral shock-absorbing elements (20) arranged laterally between the legs (3) of the dial and the wall (21) of the aperture (4), the lateral shock-absorbing elements being partially compressed between the legs (3) and the wall (21).

8. The watch according to claim 7, wherein, The lateral damping element is an O-ring (20) arranged around the foot (3) on the dial (2).

9. The watch according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, Each orifice (4) is provided with a radial groove (18) configured to retain the lateral damping element (20) arranged around the foot (3) inserted into the orifice.

10. The watch according to claim 9, wherein, Each leg (3) includes a head (17) having a larger diameter relative to the cylindrical portion (16) of the leg, wherein the lateral damping element (20) is arranged between the head (17) of the leg and the back (18a) of the radial groove (18).

11. The watch according to claim 10, wherein, The back side (18a) of the radial groove (18) is tapered.

12. The watch according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein, The aperture (4) has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the support (3) of the dial.

13. A method for assembling a watch movement (1) and a dial (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: - Place the machine plate (1) on the support surface, wherein the back side (6) of the machine plate is hidden. -Then, by inserting the dial's feet (3) into the holes (4) in the circuit board, the dial (2) is mounted on the front side (5) of the circuit board, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly. - Invert the non-fixed component on the support surface. -Then the axial damping element (14) is installed on the dial's support (3). -Then the fastening element (13) is fastened to the end of the leg (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed.

14. A method for assembling a movement plate and dial of a watch according to any one of claims 7 to 12, the method comprising the following steps: - Place the machine plate (1) on the support surface, wherein the back side (6) of the machine plate is hidden. - The lateral damping element (20) is mounted on the dial's support (3). -Then, by inserting the dial's feet (3) into the holes (4) in the circuit board, the dial (2) is mounted on the front side (5) of the circuit board, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly. - Invert the non-fixed component on the support surface. -Then the axial damping element (14) is installed on the dial's support (3). -Then the fastening element (13) is fastened to the end of the leg (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed.

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