A watch equipped with a vibrating mass and shock-absorbing members.

Abstract

To improve watches equipped with automatic clock movements. [Solution] A watch (1) comprising a case 10 into which an automatic watch movement 14 having a vibrating mass 15 is incorporated, the case being closed by a case back 12 and a glass 11, wherein the watch is characterized by comprising a shock-absorbing member 16 made of an elastic polymer material, incorporated into the case and inserted between the vibrating mass and the case back to prevent direct contact between the vibrating mass and the case back in the event of an impact on the watch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch provided with an "automatic" watch movement, meaning a movement provided with an automatic winding mechanism having a vibrating mass.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a watch provided with a shock-absorbing member for preventing contact between the vibrating mass and the back cover of the watch case during accidental shocks.

Background Art

[0003] When a watch is subjected to a major accidental shock such as a drop, the vibrating mass hits the back cover or the glass of the transparent back cover, leaving a mark on the surface of the vibrating mass facing the back cover, thereby impairing the aesthetic appearance of the watch movement, especially when the vibrating mass is visible through the back cover.

[0004] In addition, repeated collisions and friction between the vibrating mass and the back cover may generate small pieces of substances that may affect the smooth functioning of the watch movement.

[0005] To remedy these drawbacks, several solutions have been proposed, particularly using axial stoppers such as pads, screws or stones to limit the axial sway of the vibrating mass.

[0006] Such a solution is described in particular in European Patent No. 924579. In this document, a notched end bead located at the outer edge of the vibrating mass is arranged between two rings to limit the axial sway of the vibrating mass during an axial shock.

[0007] Swiss Patent Application Publication No. 337785 also proposes a solution for reducing the friction between the vibrating mass and the back cover in case of accidental contact by using watch stones embedded in the surface of the vibrating mass facing the back cover of the case. However, these solutions are complex to implement and not easily adaptable to existing calibers, for example in after-sales service. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 924579 [Patent Document 2] Swiss Patent Application Publication No. 337785 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to improve watches equipped with automatic watch movements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention provides a watch comprising a case incorporating an automatic watch movement having an oscillating mass, the case being closed by a case back, the watch comprising a shock-absorbing member made of an elastic polymer material, incorporated into the case and inserted between the oscillating mass and the case back to prevent direct contact between the oscillating mass and the case back in the event of an impact on the watch.

[0011] In addition to the features described in the previous paragraph, the clock according to the present invention may have one or more of the following complementary features individually or in any technically possible combination. The shock-absorbing member is supported by the vibrating mass or by the back cover. The shock-absorbing member is fixed to the surface of the vibrating mass or the surface of the back cover. The shock-absorbing components are fixed in place by adhesive, soldering, or clamping. The shock-absorbing member is embedded in at least one recess formed on the surface of the vibrating mass or on the surface of the back cover. The at least one recess is shaped to hold the shock-absorbing member in a predetermined position by sandwiching the shock-absorbing member between them. The at least one recess is formed on the surface of the back cover facing the vibrating mass. The at least one recess is formed on the surface of the vibrating mass facing the back cover. The at least one recess extends over the vibrating mass or at least the peripheral portion of the case back. The vibrating mass or the back cover is provided with a plurality of recesses, and the shock absorbing member is composed of a plurality of shock absorbing elements embedded in the plurality of recesses. • The multiple recesses are uniformly distributed across the periphery of the vibrating mass when they are supported by the vibrating mass. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] The object, advantages, and features of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description in relation to the following figures. [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, which includes a shock-absorbing member inserted between a vibrating mass and a case back. In this first exemplary embodiment, the shock-absorbing member is supported by the case back. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, which includes a shock-absorbing member inserted between the vibrating mass and the case back. In this second exemplary embodiment, the shock-absorbing member is supported by the vibrating mass. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a more specific perspective view of the vibration mass supporting the shock-absorbing member in a second exemplary embodiment of the clock. [Figure 4] A third exemplary embodiment of the clock according to the present invention is shown, in which the shock-absorbing member is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements that are supported by a vibrating mass and distributed in a plurality of recesses over the peripheral portion of the vibrating mass. [Figure 5] A fourth exemplary embodiment of the clock according to the present invention is shown, in which the shock-absorbing member is supported by a vibrating mass and is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements that extend radially with respect to the rotation axis of the vibrating mass and are distributed over the peripheral portion of the vibrating mass. [Figure 6]FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a clock according to the present invention, in which the shock absorbing member is formed by a plurality of elastic spherical members carried by the vibration mass and distributed in a plurality of recesses over the peripheral portion of the vibration mass.

[0013] In all the figures, unless otherwise specified, common elements have the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a clock 1 according to the present invention.

[0015] The clock 1 includes a case 10 having a middle case 13 that is closed at the top by a glass 11 and at the bottom by a back cover 12.

[0016] The back cover 12 can be a solid back or a back cover that is at least partially transparent so that the clock movement 14 can be seen through the back cover 12.

[0017] The middle case 13 defines an internal space configured to receive and incorporate a clock movement 14 having a central axis B.

[0018] The clock movement 14 is an automatic clock movement including a vibration mass 15.

[0019] The vibration mass 15 includes a central portion 15.2 forming a support for the vibration mass 15 and a peripheral portion 15.1 carrying a weight sector. The vibration mass 15 is fixed to the clock movement 15 by suitable fastening means.

[0020] Generally, the weight sectors of the peripheral portion 15.1 are formed by thick portions or by high-density materials.

[0021] The clock 1 also includes a shock absorbing member 16 embedded in the case 10 and inserted between the vibration mass 15 and the back cover 12.

[0022] Preferably, the shock-absorbing member 16 is inserted between the peripheral portion 15.1 that supports the weight sector of the vibrating mass 15 and the back cover 12.

[0023] Preferably, the shock-absorbing member 16 is inserted between the vibrating mass 15 and the case back 12 in a region close to the radial end of the vibrating mass 15. In fact, in this region, the displacement due to elastic strain of the central portion 15.2 and the fastening means is the greatest, and there is a high probability that the vibrating mass 15 will come into contact with the case back 12 when the watch 1 is impacted.

[0024] The shock-absorbing member 16 is configured to prevent direct contact between the vibrating mass 15 and the case back 12 when the watch 1 is subjected to an impact.

[0025] The shock-absorbing member 16 is made of vibration-damping shock-absorbing material.

[0026] The shock-absorbing member 16 is made of an elastic polymer material.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the shock-absorbing member 16 may be supported by the case back 12 and positioned on the surface of the case back 12 facing the peripheral edge 15.1 of the vibrating mass 15.

[0028] Preferably, the shock-absorbing member 16 is positioned on the surface of the back cover 12 facing the peripheral end of the vibrating mass 15.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the shock-absorbing member 16 may be supported by the vibration mass 15 and positioned on the surface of the vibration mass 15 facing the back cover 112.

[0030] According to one exemplary embodiment, the shock-absorbing member 16 is positioned on the surface of the vibrating mass 15 or the back cover 12 and is fixed in place, for example, by adhesive, hot soldering or clamping.

[0031] According to another exemplary embodiment, the shock-absorbing member 16 is embedded in at least one recess 17, 117 made on the surface of the vibrating mass 15 or the back cover 12 and held in place.

[0032] For example, the at least one recess 117 is formed on the surface of the vibrating mass 15 facing the back cover 12, as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] For example, the at least one recess 17 is formed on the surface of the back cover 12 facing the peripheral edge 15.1 of the vibrating mass 15.

[0034] The at least one recess 17, 117 is configured to receive and hold the impact absorbing member 16 in a predetermined position by clamping or elastic compression of the material.

[0035] The shock-absorbing member 16 can also be bonded to the at least one recess 17, 117.

[0036] For example, the at least one recess 17 extends continuously or discontinuously to the vibrating mass 15 or at least one annular sector of the back cover 12.

[0037] For example, the at least one recess 17 is annular in shape, and the shock-absorbing member 16 is annular in shape, for example, an O-ring. This embodiment is particularly suitable when the shock-absorbing member 16 is supported by the back cover 12.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment, the vibration mass 15 or the back cover 12 is provided with a plurality of recesses, and the shock absorbing member is formed by a plurality of shock absorbing elements embedded in the various recesses.

[0039] Figures 4 to 6 show exemplary arrangements of an impact absorbing member 16 in the form of multiple impact absorbing elements distributed around the circumference of the vibrating mass 15.

[0040] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the vibrating mass 15 may have a plurality of recesses in the form of a plurality of annular sectors arranged circumferentially, the center of which is part of the axis of rotation of the vibrating mass 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the shock absorbing member 16 is composed of a plurality of sections 16a held in place by various recesses.

[0041] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the shock-absorbing member 16 is formed by a plurality of shock-absorbing elements 16b fixed to the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 of the vibrating mass 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the various shock-absorbing elements 16b may be bonded to the surface of the peripheral portion 15.1 and oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the vibrating mass 15. Naturally, the vibrating mass 15 may also have a plurality of recesses oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the vibrating mass 15 and shaped to receive and hold the plurality of shock-absorbing elements 16b in place.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the vibrating mass 15 has a plurality of recesses distributed around the circumference of the vibrating mass 15, and the shock absorbing member 16 can be formed by a plurality of spherical shock absorbing elements 16c that are held in predetermined positions in the various recesses.

Claims

1. A watch (1) comprising a case (10) into which an automatic watch movement (14) having a vibrating mass (15) having a central axis (B) is incorporated, the case (10) being closed by a case back (12), wherein the watch (1) comprises a shock-absorbing member (16) made of an elastic polymer material, incorporated within the case (10) and inserted between the vibrating mass (15) and the case back (12) to prevent direct contact between the vibrating mass (15) and the case back (12) in the event of an impact on the watch (1).

2. The watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shock-absorbing member (16) is supported by the vibration mass (15) or by the back cover (12).

3. The watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shock-absorbing member (16) is fixed to the surface of the vibrating mass (15) or the surface of the back cover (12).

4. The watch (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the shock-absorbing member (16) is fixed by adhesive, soldering, or clamping.

5. The watch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the shock-absorbing member (16) is embedded in at least one recess (17, 117) formed on the surface of the vibrating mass (15) or the surface of the back cover (12).

6. The clock (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one recess (17, 117) is shaped to hold the shock-absorbing member (16) in a predetermined position by sandwiching the shock-absorbing member (16).

7. The watch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one recess (17) is formed on the surface of the back cover (12) facing the oscillating mass (15).

8. The watch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one recess (117) is formed on the surface of the vibrating mass (15) facing the back cover (12).

9. The watch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one recess (17, 117) extends to at least the peripheral portion of the oscillating mass (15) or the back cover (12).

10. The watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrating mass (15) or the back cover (12) is provided with a plurality of recesses, and the shock absorbing member (16) is composed of a plurality of shock absorbing elements (16a, 16b, 16c) embedded in the plurality of recesses.

11. The clock (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the plurality of recesses are uniformly distributed over the peripheral edge (15.1) of the vibrating mass (15) when they are supported by the vibrating mass (15).

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