A device with an adjustable lateral stopper for timekeeping movements.

Abstract

This facilitates the positioning of devices equipped with lateral restraints and shortens the minimum safety distance. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for a timekeeping movement, in particular a resonant mechanism having a guide that is flexible in the rotational direction, comprising an adjustable lateral stopper (1, 20). The device comprises a block (2) having a bed (3), a partition (4) having a first hole (5), a movable element (10) positioned on the partition (4) on the bed (3), the movable element (10) having a second hole (11), the movable element (10) being configured such that the second hole (11) is opposite to the first hole (5), a movable body (6) passes through the first hole (5) and the second hole (11) and the movable body (6) is held laterally by the movable element (10), the movable element (10) being configured such that the second hole (11) can be in multiple positions, the second hole (11) being slightly radially off-center with respect to the first hole (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device with an adjustable lateral stop for a timepiece movement, in particular a resonant mechanism, comprising a guide that is flexible in the rotational direction.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The torsional rigidity of the suspension is important for many timepiece oscillators, in particular crossed-blade oscillators, which comprise at least one balance spring or elastic blades forming a flexible guide. Shock resistance also depends on this torsional rigidity. In practice, when subjected to an impact, the stress applied to the blades quickly reaches a very high level, reducing the travel distance that the component can move before breaking. There are various variants of shock absorbers for timepieces. However, the main purpose of shock absorbers is to protect the fragile pivots on the axis of the oscillator, not to protect elastic elements such as traditional balance springs.

[0003] According to patent application EP18168765 or application EP3561607 and its related applications granted to ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse, the configuration of the novel mechanism uses a flexible guide in combination with a pallet escapement with a small lift angle to maximize the quality factor (Q factor) of the oscillator. This teaching can be directly used in the present invention to improve the oscillator with respect to sensitivity to impacts in specific directions. The purpose is to prevent the blades from breaking even when subjected to an impact.

[0004] Devices with axial stops are available to protect the flexible blades and in particular to prevent the blades from breaking. They generally comprise a pin mounted on the balance and a fixed axial stop mounted on a bar in the movement, for example a balance cock.

[0005] Some devices feature lateral stoppers, which are configured with pins that pass through holes in bulkheads that function as lateral stoppers.

[0006] However, to avoid unnecessary contact, the partitions, and therefore the holes, must be precisely positioned. Precise placement of these elements is crucial for effective protection while maintaining an appropriate safety distance. However, if the precision of these positions is low, the safety distance will be significantly increased, resulting in insufficient protection of the flexible guide. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to facilitate the positioning of devices equipped with lateral restraints and to shorten the minimum safety distance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device for a timekeeping movement, in particular a resonant mechanism having a guide that is flexible in the rotational direction, the device having an adjustable lateral stopper, the device having a block having a bed and a partition having a first hole.

[0009] In the present invention, the device has a movable element positioned on the partition wall in the bed, the movable element has a second hole, the movable element is configured such that the second hole faces the first hole, the movable body passes through the first hole and the second hole and is held laterally by the movable element, the movable element is configured such that the second hole can be in multiple positions, and the center of the second hole is slightly radially offset from the first hole depending on the position.

[0010] Therefore, the position of the second hole can be adjusted relative to a movable body such as a pin in the balance, so that the movable body is centered relative to the second hole. Thanks to the present invention, the safety distance from the pin can be shortened so that the pin is properly centered.

[0011] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the movable element can move in the angular direction, and the axis of the second hole can move in the angular direction about the axis of the first hole.

[0012] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first hole and the second hole are opposite each other regardless of the position of the movable element.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the movable element includes an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring being positioned inside the outer ring, and the inner ring having the second hole.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the inner ring is offset from the outer ring.

[0015] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second hole is offset from the center of the inner ring.

[0016] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first hole is centered in the partition wall of the block.

[0017] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the second hole is smaller than the diameter of the first hole.

[0018] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the outer ring has a flexible arm that contacts the block and provides a positioning moment.

[0019] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the outer ring has an annular first outer contour that is centered relative to the first hole, and an annular first inner contour that is offset from the center of the first hole.

[0020] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the inner ring has an annular second outer contour that is offset from the center of the first hole, and the second outer contour corresponds to the first inner contour of the outer ring.

[0021] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, changing the angular position of the inner ring relative to the outer ring changes the radial position of the second hole relative to the first hole.

[0022] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, simultaneously changing the angular positions of the outer ring and the inner ring in the bed relative to the block changes the angular position of the second hole relative to the first hole.

[0023] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an axial stop arranged on the bed above the second hole.

[0024] The present invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising an adjustment mechanism fitted with a balance and a balance return spring such as a flexible guide, the movement comprising the above-described device with an adjustable lateral stop, and the balance is fitted with a movable body that can be retained laterally through the first hole and the second hole.

[0025] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention can be understood more clearly by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device with an adjustable lateral stop according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device with the adjustable lateral stop of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of the device with the adjustable lateral stop of Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic top view of the adjustment part of the device with the adjustable lateral stop of Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the first configuration of the adjustment part of Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the second configuration of the adjustment part of Figure 4. [Figure 7] This is a schematic top view of the device with the adjustable lateral stop according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0027] Figures 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, which is provided with an adjustable lateral stop 1 for a timepiece movement.

[0028] The device with the adjustable lateral stop 1 has a block 2 with a bed 3, which is preferably annular, and a partition wall 4 with a first hole 5 that allows the movable body 6 to pass through. The movable body 6 includes, for example, a pin 18. The movable body 6 is, for example, attached to the balance of an adjustment mechanism in a timepiece movement. The partition wall 4 forms the back surface of the bed 3, and the block 2 has a peripheral flange 7 that defines the bed 3.

[0029] The bed 3 is preferably cylindrical, and the peripheral flange 7 is substantially annular.

[0030] The device with the adjustable lateral stop 1 further includes an axial stop 8 arranged on the bed 3. The axial stop 8 functions to retain the pin 18 when the pin 18 abuts against this axial stop 8. Therefore, when subjected to an impact, the pin 18 comes into contact with the axial stop 8, and the component carrying the pin 18 is locked in this direction.

[0031] The device, which includes an adjustable lateral stopper 1, further includes a spring 9 that abuts against and is positioned above the axial stopper 8. The spring 9 is fixed in the bed 3 at least partially above the axial stopper 8 in order to hold the axial stopper 8 in place.

[0032] According to the present invention, a device comprising an adjustable lateral stopper 1 includes a movable element 10 having a second hole 11. An axial stopper 8 is positioned above the movable element 10 in the bed 3.

[0033] The movable element 10 is positioned above the bulkhead 4 in the bed 3 such that the second hole 11 faces the first hole 5. Thus, the movable body 6 can pass through the first hole 5 and the second hole 11 and be held laterally by the movable element 10.

[0034] The movable element 10 is rotatable, and the second hole 11 can have multiple positions above the first hole 5. Depending on the position of the movable element 10 on the bed, the axis of the second hole A2 is slightly off-center with respect to the axis of the first hole A1.

[0035] Preferably, the axis of the second hole A2 can be located in a range of positions from a position centered with respect to the axis of the first hole A1 to a position considerably off-center with respect to the axis of the first hole A1, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0036] Preferably, the second hole 11, regardless of its position, always faces the first hole 5, even if their centers are misaligned. Therefore, the movable body 6 can pass through both holes, regardless of the position of the second hole 11.

[0037] The movable element 10 includes an outer ring 12 and an inner ring 13. The inner ring 13 has a second hole 11. The inner ring 13 is positioned inside the outer ring 12. Both rings are positioned in the same plane and preferably have a flat ring shape.

[0038] The outer ring 12 has an annular first outer contour 14. The first outer contour 14 corresponds to the diameter of the bed 3 and is centered with respect to the first hole 5.

[0039] The outer ring 12 has an annular first inner contour 15. The first inner contour 15 is offset from the center of the first hole 5, i.e., the axis of the first hole A1.

[0040] The inner ring 13 has an annular second outer contour 16 that corresponds to the first inner contour 15 of the outer ring 12. Therefore, the second outer contour 16 is also off-center relative to the first hole 5.

[0041] Furthermore, the second hole 11 is offset from the second outer contour 16. In other words, the second hole 11 is offset from the inner ring 13.

[0042] Therefore, the inner ring 13 is off-center relative to the outer ring 12, and the second hole 11 is off-center relative to the inner ring 13.

[0043] As a result, the second hole 11 can be in multiple positions, and the axis of the second hole A2 is more or less offset from the axis of the first hole A1, depending on the position of the movable element in the bed 3.

[0044] In particular, the aforementioned multiple positions depend on the arrangement of the inner ring 13 relative to the outer ring 12.

[0045] In fact, because the second outer contour 16 of the inner ring 13 is off-center from the first hole 5, when the inner ring 13 is rotated, the axis of the second hole A2 moves closer to or further away from the axis of the first hole A1, depending on the angular position relative to the first hole 5 and the angular position relative to the outer ring 12.

[0046] Therefore, changing the angular position of the inner ring 13 relative to the outer ring 12 changes the radial position of the axis of the second hole A2 relative to the axis of the first hole A1.

[0047] Figures 5 and 6 show the two end positions of the inner ring 13. At one end position, the axis of the first hole A1 and the axis of the second hole A2 are coaxial, while at the other end position, the axis of the second hole A2 is offset from the axis of the first hole A1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the outer ring 12 has a first inner contour 15 with a first set of teeth 17, and the inner ring 13 has a second outer contour 16 with a second set of teeth 27 that engages with the first set of teeth 17. Both sets of teeth are configured to engage in a way that locks the position of the inner ring 13 relative to the outer ring 12. This means that when one ring is rotated, the other ring is driven to rotate together.

[0049] The dental arch allows these rings to be aligned with respect to each other. In fact, these rings can be separated from each other and reassembled in different angular orientations relative to each other. This changes the position of the second hole 11 relative to the first hole 5, and therefore the position of the axis of the second hole A2 relative to the axis of the first hole 5. Each tooth in the dental arch causes a different angular position between the two rings, and therefore a different offset between the axes of the two holes.

[0050] In addition to adjusting the radial position of the axis of the second hole A2, the angular position of the axis of the second hole A2 can also be changed by rotating the two inner rings 13 and the outer ring 12 together in the bed 3.

[0051] Thanks to these two types of adjustments, the second hole 11 can be optimally positioned around the pin 18 or around the pin's axis, so that the space around it is substantially the same. The pin 18 is then centered relative to the second hole 11, which allows the second hole to be smaller than in traditional devices that do not perform this type of adjustment.

[0052] To rotate the inner ring 13 and the outer ring 12, these rings have, for example, two openings 28 and 29 each, located on either side of the second hole 11 and the first inner contour 15. Thanks to these openings 28 and 29, a tool can be inserted to engage the rings together.

[0053] In Figure 7, a second embodiment of the device with an adjustable lateral stopper 20 includes a flexible arm 19 provided on the first outer contour 25 of the outer ring 32, which contacts the circumferential wall 7 of the block 2 and positions it in conjunction with the block 2. This prevents the outer ring 32 from rotating unintentionally and maintains the angular position of the outer ring 32. The flexible arm 19 preferably includes a curved flexible strand 21 and a pallet stone 22 positioned at the free end of the flexible strand 21 to contact the block 2. In this example, there are three flexible arms 19 distributed around the first outer contour 14 and extending in the plane of the outer ring 12. The flexible arm 19 applies pressure to the circumferential wall 7 of the block 2.

[0054] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and variations can be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. 20 Adjustable lateral stopper 2 blocks 3 beds 4 Bulkhead 5. The first hole 6 Movable body 7 Peripheral wall 8. Axial stop 10 movable elements 11. The second hole 12, 32 outer ring 13 Inner ring 14. First outer contour 15 First Inner Contour 16. Second outer contour 19 Flexible Arm A1 First hole A2 Second hole

Claims

1. A device for a timekeeping movement, in particular a resonant mechanism having a guide that is flexible in the direction of rotation, comprising an adjustable lateral stopper (1, 20), The device comprises a block (2) having a bed (3) and a partition wall (4) having a first hole (5), The device comprises a movable element (10) positioned on the partition wall (4) within the bed (3), The movable element (10) is provided with a second hole (11), The movable element (10) is positioned such that the second hole (11) faces the first hole (5), and the movable body (6) passes through the first hole (5) and the second hole (11), and the movable body (6) is held laterally by the movable element (10). The movable element (10) is configured such that the second hole (11) can be in multiple positions, and the second hole (11) is slightly radially offset from the center of the first hole (5). device.

2. The movable element (10) can move in the angular direction, and the axis of the second hole (A2) can move in the angular direction around the axis of the first hole (A1). The device according to claim 1.

3. The first hole (5) and the second hole (11) face each other regardless of the position of the movable element (10). The device according to claim 1.

4. The movable element (10) includes an outer ring (12, 32) and an inner ring (13). The inner ring (13) is positioned inside the outer rings (12, 32). The inner ring (13) has the second hole (11). The device according to claim 1.

5. The inner ring (13) is offset from the outer rings (12, 32) by its center. The device according to claim 4.

6. The second hole (11) is offset from the center of the inner ring (13). The device according to claim 4.

7. The outer ring (12, 32) has an annular first outer contour (14) that is centered with respect to the first hole (5), and an annular first inner contour (15) that is offset from the center with respect to the first hole (5). The device according to claim 4.

8. The inner ring has an annular second outer contour (16) whose center is offset from the first hole (5), The second outer contour (16) corresponds to the first inner contour (15) of the outer ring (12, 32), The device according to claim 7.

9. By changing the angular position of the inner ring (13) relative to the outer ring (12, 32), the radial position of the second hole (11) relative to the first hole (5) is changed. The device according to claim 4.

10. By simultaneously changing the angular positions of the outer rings (12, 32) and the inner ring (13) in the bed (3) relative to the block (2), the angular position of the second hole (11) relative to the first hole (5) is changed. The device according to claim 4.

11. The outer ring (32) has a flexible arm (19) that contacts the block (2) and provides a positioning moment. The device according to claim 4.

12. The first hole (5) is centered in the partition wall (4) of the block (2). The device according to claim 4.

13. The diameter of the second hole (11) is smaller than the diameter of the first hole (5). The device according to claim 4.

14. The bed (3) is provided with an axial stopper (8) positioned above the second hole (11), A device comprising adjustable lateral stoppers (1, 20) as described in claim 4.

15. A timekeeping movement having a balance and an adjustment mechanism fitted with a balance return spring such as a flexible guide, A device comprising the adjustable lateral stoppers (1, 20) described in claim 1, A movable body (6) is attached to the balance, which can be held laterally through the first hole (5) and the second hole (11). Timekeeping movement.

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