A receiver that guides the balance of a watch
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a guide element for guiding the turning of a balance wheel of a timepiece. The present invention also relates to a timepiece module comprising said guide element. The present invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising said guide element or said timepiece module. The present invention finally relates to a timepiece comprising said guide element or said timepiece movement or said timepiece module. [Background technology]
[0002] Mechanical clock movements usually use an oscillator of the balance wheel-hairspring type. The balance wheel is guided to pivot about an axis thanks to bearings mounted on the frame of the movement. Traditionally, a first bearing is mounted on the plate of the movement via a first damper, and a second bearing is mounted on the balance bridge via a second damper. The damper provides a flexible mounting so that the balance stem is not damaged if the movement experiences a shock; since the balance wheel has a considerable inertia, the balance stem must have a pivot of reduced dimensions to optimize its range of motion.
[0003] However, the above-mentioned construction has the drawback of being bulky in the direction of the pivot axis of the balance wheel, i.e. generally in the direction of the thickness of the clock movement, which is a particular drawback in the realization of ultra-flat clock movements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a guide element which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and which improves on the guide elements known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a simple guide element which is compact in the thickness direction of the clock movement. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] According to the invention, the element makes it possible to guide the pivoting, about an axis, of the balance wheel of the timepiece. A first guide bearing having no shock absorber; The first blank, especially the first balance cock or cock; Including, The first blank is at least one first portion for fastening to another blank; a first receiving portion for receiving the first guide bearing; at least one first flexible arm mechanically connecting the first fixed portion to the first receiving portion; Includes.
[0006] The at least one first arm may be configured and / or designed to define a stiffness of movement of the first receiving portion along the axial direction of about 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, and / or the at least one first arm may be configured and / or designed such that the first receiving portion is movable along the axial direction by more than 0.05 mm, or about 0.1 mm.
[0007] The guide element may comprise a plurality of first flexible arms, in particular two, three or four first flexible arms, mechanically connecting the at least one first fixed portion to the first receiving portion.
[0008] The one or more first arms may have an openwork shape, and / or the one or more first arms may extend substantially radially relative to the direction of the axis, and / or each arm may include two parallel branches extending from the one or more first fixed portions and adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the first receiving portion for receiving the guide bearing.
[0009] The first fixing portion may be in the form of a lip and / or the first receiving portion for receiving the first guide bearing may have a thickness along the axis of approximately 0.2 mm, or less than 0.23 mm, or less than 0.14 mm.
[0010] One of the at least one first arms may include a hairspring stud holder.
[0011] The first fixed portion may include a first receiving portion for receiving a first guide bearing of the escape wheel.
[0012] The guide element is A second guide bearing without a shock absorber; a second blank, in particular a second balance bridge or plate; Including, The second blank is at least one second portion for fastening to the first blank; a second receiving portion for receiving the second guide bearing; at least one second flexible arm mechanically connecting the at least one second fixed portion to the second receiving portion; may include:
[0013] The at least one second arm may be configured or designed to define a stiffness of movement of the second receiving portion along the axial direction of about 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, and / or the at least one second arm may be configured and / or designed such that the second receiving portion is movable along the axial direction by more than 0.05 mm, or about 0.1 mm.
[0014] The guide element may comprise a plurality of second flexible arms, in particular two, three or four second flexible arms, mechanically connecting the at least one second fixed portion to the second receiving portion.
[0015] The one or more second arms may have an openwork shape, and / or the one or more second arms may extend substantially radially relative to the direction of the axis, and / or each arm may include two parallel branches extending from the one or more second fixed portions and adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the second receiving portion for receiving the guide bearing.
[0016] The second fixing portion may be in the form of a lip and / or the second receiving portion for receiving the second guide bearing may have a thickness along the axis of approximately 0.2 mm, or less than 0.23 mm, or less than 0.14 mm.
[0017] One of the at least one second arms may include a hairspring stud holder.
[0018] The at least one second fixed portion may include a second receiving portion for receiving a guide bearing of the escape wheel, and / or the at least one second fixed portion may include a second receiving portion for receiving a guide bearing of the pallet assembly.
[0019] According to the invention, the clock module comprises: A navigation element, as defined above; A balance wheel and An ankle assembly; Escape wheel and Includes.
[0020] According to the invention, a clock movement comprises a clock module as defined above and / or a guide element as defined above.
[0021] According to the invention, a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprises: A guidance element as defined above, and / or A clock module as defined above, and / or A clock movement as defined above, Includes.
[0022] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a watch module according to the invention, in which an embodiment of a watch module according to the invention is shown in detail in a perspective view. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a watch module according to the invention, the module being assembled on a plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] An embodiment of a watch 200 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The watch 200 is for example a small watch, in particular a wristwatch. The watch 200 comprises a watch movement 100, which is intended to be mounted in a watch case or casing to protect it from the external environment. The watch movement 100 may be a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement.
[0025] The clock movement 100 - Plank 99 and - a timepiece module 90, in particular an "escape wheel holder" module, which will be described in more detail below; The clock module 90 is attached or mounted on a plate, which may be achieved by screwing it to the plate 99 using screws passing through through holes 101 in the module.
[0026] The clock module 90 is an oscillator including a balance wheel 91 and a hairspring 92; - an ankle assembly 93; an escape wheel 94 including an escape wheel tooth and an escape wheel pinion; a guide element 1 for guiding the balance wheel 91 in its rotation about the axis A; Includes.
[0027] Advantageously, within the timepiece module, the guidance of the pivoting or rotation of the balance wheel, of the pallet assembly and of the escape wheel is guaranteed integrally.
[0028] The escape wheel 94 also meshes with the final gear train of the movement 100.
[0029] The guide element 1 is a first guide bearing 2 without a shock absorber; - a first blank 3, in particular a first balance bridge 3 or cock, as shown in the figure; Includes.
[0030] The first bearing preferably comprises a pivot stone 21 and a bearing stone 22. The first bearing is mounted, in particular driven, into a hole provided in the first blank. The first bearing, in particular said stone, is advantageously mounted directly on the first blank. There is no buffer between the first bearing (or the stone forming the bearing) and the first blank.
[0031] The first blank 3 is at least one first part 31 for fastening to another blank 4; a first receiving part 32 for receiving the first guide bearing 2, at least one first flexible arm 33 mechanically connecting the first fixed part 31 to the first receiving part 32; Includes.
[0032] At least one first fastening part advantageously has fastening means for fastening it to the second blank 4. These means may comprise through holes intended to receive screws to be screwed into the second blank 4.
[0033] Alternatively, the first fastening portion may be in the form of a lip. - one first portion extending generally through approximately 120° about axis A; - one of the first parts, which extends only a few degrees around axis A, These two first fixed portions may be considered as a single, identical, non-contiguous fixed portion.
[0034] Advantageously, the first fixed part 31 may include a first receiving part 311 which receives a first guide bearing 5 of the escape wheel 94. The first guide bearing is, for example, a stone driven into a hole formed in the first part 311.
[0035] The first receiving portion 32 may have an annular shape surrounding a hole intended to receive the first bearing 2 .
[0036] Depending on the preference, the first receiving part 32 receiving 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, said thickness being measured in the direction of the axis A, i.e. generally along the thickness direction of the movement.
[0037] At least one first arm preferably comprises: - to define a stiffness of movement of the first receiving part along the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing of approximately 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; and / or - the first receiving part is movable along the direction of the axis A by more than 0.05 mm, or by about 0.1 mm; The movement may be limited by a small watch element, such as the crystal or the back, or by an element of the movement, such as the plate.
[0038] The one or more first arms preferably extend substantially radially relative to the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing.
[0039] To obtain such flexibility characteristics of the first blank, the one or more first arms comprise an openwork shape. To form said openwork shape, each arm may comprise two parallel branches 331 extending from the one or more first fixed parts 31. However, these branches are adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the first receiving part 32 for receiving the guide bearing 2. At the part where the branches come into contact with the first receiving part 32 for receiving the guide bearing 2, they become parallel again. However, at the junction, the branches are separated by a narrow slot.
[0040] The geometric data of the arm are, for example, as follows: - the height of the branch (measured parallel to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 0.14 mm and 0.23 mm, - the width of the branch (measured radially at right angles to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 0.24 mm and 0.25 mm, - the distance between the branches (measured radially at right angles to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 1.4 mm and 1.7 mm, The width of the slot is, for example, approximately 0.1 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
[0041] Preferentially, as in the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the guide element 1 comprises: a second guide bearing 6, without a shock absorber; - a second blank 4, in particular a second balance cock or cock, as shown in the figure; Includes.
[0042] The second bearing preferably comprises a pivot stone 61 and a bearing stone 62. The second bearing is mounted, in particular driven, into a hole provided in the second blank 4. The second bearing, in particular said stone, is advantageously mounted directly on the second blank. There is no buffer between the second bearing (or the stone forming the bearing) and the second blank.
[0043] The second blank 4 is at least one second part 41 for fastening to the first blank 3; a second receiving portion 42 for receiving the second guide bearing 6, at least one second flexible arm 43 mechanically connecting the second fixed part 41 to the second receiving part 42; Includes.
[0044] At least one second fastening part advantageously has fastening means for fastening it to the first blank 3. These means may comprise threaded feet intended to receive the above-mentioned screws. Alternatively, the assembly may be realised by pins for positioning and screws for fastening.
[0045] Preferentially, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the second fastening portion is preferably in the form of a lip. Alternatively, as on the first blank shown, there may be a plurality of second fastening portions. These various second fastening portions may be considered as a single, identical, non-contiguous fastening portion.
[0046] Advantageously, the second fixed part 41 may comprise a second receiving part 411 for receiving the second guide bearing 7 of the escape wheel 94. The second guide bearing may for example be a stone driven into a hole provided in the second part 411.
[0047] The second receiving portion 42 may have an annular shape surrounding a hole intended to receive the second bearing 6 .
[0048] Preferentially, the second receiving part 42, for receiving 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, said thickness being measured in the direction of the axis A, i.e. generally along the thickness direction of the movement.
[0049] At least one second arm preferably comprises: - to define a stiffness of movement of the second receiving part along the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing of approximately 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; and / or - the second receiving part is movable along the direction of the axis A by more than 0.05 mm, or by about 0.1 mm; The movement may be limited by a small watch element, such as the crystal or the back, or by an element of the movement, such as the plate.
[0050] The stiffness for movement of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be the same or substantially the same as the stiffness for movement of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A. Alternatively, the stiffness for movement of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A and the stiffness for movement of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be different or substantially different. For example, the stiffness for movement of the second receiving portion along the direction of axis A may be about three or four times the stiffness for movement of the first receiving portion along the direction of axis A.
[0051] The one or more second arms preferably extend substantially radially relative to the direction of the axis A of the guide bearing.
[0052] To obtain such a flexibility feature of the second blank, the one or more second arms comprise an openwork shape. To form said openwork shape, each arm may comprise two parallel branches 431 extending from the one or more second fixed parts 41. However, these branches are adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the second receiving part 42 for receiving the guide bearing 2. At the contact point with the second receiving part 42 for receiving the guide bearing 2, the branches become parallel again. However, at the junction point, the branches are separated by a narrow slot.
[0053] The geometric data of the arm are, for example, as follows: - the height of the branch (measured parallel to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 0.18 mm and 0.23 mm, - the width of the branch (measured radially at right angles to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 0.14 mm and 0.2 mm, - the distance between the branches (measured radially at right angles to the direction A) ranges, for example, between 1.3 mm and 1.8 mm, The width of the slot is, for example, approximately 0.1 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
[0054] Advantageously, the second fixed part 41 may comprise a second receiving part 412 for receiving the first guide bearing 8 of the pallet assembly 93. The first guide bearing may be, for example, a stone driven into a hole provided in the second part 412. A pallet bridge 89 may be fixed to the second blank 4 for completing the guiding of the pallet assembly 93. To this end, the pallet bridge 89 may comprise a bearing 9.
[0055] In the described embodiments and variations, the first blank includes three arms and the second blank includes three arms. However, regardless of the embodiment or variation, the first blank may preferably comprise one, two, three or four flexible arms 33; and / or The second blank may preferably comprise one, two, three or four flexible arms 43. In general, there may be different and any number of arms on the first and second blanks. Preferentially, the number of arms on one and / or the other of the blanks is an odd number and / or the arms of any pair of arms on the same blank are not aligned or oriented parallel.
[0056] Regardless of embodiment or variant, the arms preferably have a wire-like or orthoradial cross section (relative to axis A) with a maximum ratio of length to width of less than 5 or 3 or 2.
[0057] In the described embodiment and variants, the first blank has a hairspring stud holder 332 on the first arm. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the hairspring stud holder may be arranged on the second blank or on the first blank, advantageously depending on which side of the balance wheel the hairspring 92 is on.
[0058] In the described embodiments and variants, the first and second blanks are carriers, which together form a guide cage. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the first blank or the second blank may also be a plate.
[0059] In the described embodiments and variations, the first and second blanks include flexible arms. However, regardless of the embodiment or variation, only one of the blanks may have a flexible arm. For example, the other blank may have a shock absorber mounted pilot bearing.
[0060] In the described embodiment and variations, the first blank may be made, for example, of a cobalt-based hardened austenitic superalloy (Phynox), or copper beryllium (CuBe).
[0061] In the described embodiment and variations, the second blank may be made, for example, of a cobalt-based hardened austenitic superalloy (Phynox), or copper beryllium (CuBe).
[0062] The solution described makes it possible to realize ultra-flat timepiece movements whilst benefiting from a balance wheel guidance solution that is particularly compact.
[0063] As mentioned above, the shape of the arms makes it possible to ensure a certain flexibility in the guiding of the balance wheel.
Claims
1. The first guide bearing (2) does not have a shock absorber, First blank (3), A guide element (1) for guiding the rotation of the balance wheel (91) of a clock (200) around an axis (A), including, The first blank (3) is, At least one first part (31) for fixing to another blank (4), A first receiving portion (32) for receiving the first guide bearing (2), The first fixed portion (31) is mechanically connected to the first receiving portion (32) by at least one first flexible arm (33), including, Guidance element.
2. The at least one first arm is configured and / or designed to define a rigidity of motion of the first receiving portion less than 100 N / mm along the direction of the axis (A), and / or The at least one first arm is configured and / or designed such that the first receiving portion is movable by more than 0.05 mm along the direction of the axis (A). The guide element according to claim 1.
3. The guide element includes a plurality of first flexible arms (33) that mechanically connect the at least one first fixed portion (31) to the first receiving portion (32). The guide element according to claim 1.
4. The one or more first arms have a filigree shape, and / or The one or more first arms extend substantially radially with respect to the direction of the axis (A), and / or Each arm extends from one or more first fixed portions (31) and includes two parallel branches (331) that are close to each other near the first receiving portion (32) for receiving the guide bearing (2), The guide element according to claim 1.
5. The first fixed portion is shaped like an edge, and / or The first receiving portion (32) for receiving the first guide bearing (2) has a thickness less than 0.23 mm along the shaft (A). The guide element according to claim 1.
6. One of the at least one first arm includes a hairspring holder (332), The guide element according to claim 1.
7. The first fixed portion (31) includes a first receiving portion (311) for receiving the first guide bearing (5) of the escape wheel (94). The guide element according to claim 1.
8. The aforementioned guide element is A second guide bearing (6) without a shock absorber, The second blank (4), especially the second support (4) or plate, Includes, The second blank (4) is, At least one second part (41) for fixing to the first blank (3), The second guide (2) bearing (6) has a second receiving portion (42), At least one second flexible arm (43) mechanically connects the at least one second fixed portion (41) to the second receiving portion (42), including, The guide element according to claim 1.
9. The at least one second arm is configured or designed to define a rigidity of motion of the second support portion less than 100 N / mm along the direction of the axis (A), and / or The at least one second arm is configured and / or designed such that the second receiving portion is movable by more than 0.05 mm along the direction of the axis (A). The guide element according to claim 8.
10. The guide element includes a plurality of second flexible arms (43) that mechanically connect the at least one second fixed portion (41) to the second receiving portion (42). The guide element according to claim 8.
11. The one or more second arms have a filigree shape, and / or The one or more second arms extend substantially radially with respect to the direction of the axis (A), and / or Each arm extends from one or more second fixed portions (41) and includes two parallel branches (431) that are close to each other near the second receiving portion (42) for receiving the guide bearing (2), The guide element according to claim 8.
12. The second fixed portion has the shape of an edge, and / or the second receiving portion (42) for receiving the second guide bearing (6) has a thickness of less than 0.23 mm along the shaft (A). The guide element according to claim 8.
13. One of the at least one second arm includes a hairspring holder, The guide element according to claim 8.
14. The at least one second fixed portion (41) includes a second receiving portion (411) for receiving the guide bearing (7) of the escape wheel (94), and / or The at least one second fixed portion (41) includes a second receiving portion (412) for receiving the guide bearing (8) of the ankle assembly (93), The guide element according to claim 8.
15. The guide element (1) described in claim 1, Tenrin (91) and, Ankle assembly (93), Elevator wheel (94) and including, Clock module (90).
16. A clock movement (100) including the guide element described in Claim 1.
17. Including the watch movement (100) described in Claim 16, Clock (200).
18. The first blank (3) is a first temperature receiver or cock. The guide element according to claim 1.
19. The at least one first arm is configured and / or designed to define a rigidity of motion of the first receiving portion less than 50 N / mm along the direction of the axis (A), The guide element according to claim 2.
20. The guide element includes two to four of the first flexible arms (33), The guide element according to claim 3.