Bimaterial anti-shock system for timepieces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10012955-B2
Application number	US-201415102104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2014
Priority date	Dec 11, 2013
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

Abstract

A shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece wheel. The arbor includes a pivot-shank, the bearing includes a support including a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot mechanism, and the pivot mechanism is arranged to absorb, at least in part, any shocks experienced by the timepiece wheel.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece mobile part, the arbor including a pivot-shank and a pivot, the bearing comprising:
a support including a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot structure, the pivot structure is arranged to absorb, at least in part, any shocks experienced by a timepiece wheel, wherein
the pivot structure is made of a metallic material and includes a recess in which is inserted an insert made of synthetic material and with which the arbor pivot cooperates,
the insert is fitted forcibly in the recess,
the housing includes an aperture through which the arbor pivot is insertable in an axial direction of the arbor, and
a maximum width of the insert in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction is less than a minimum width of the aperture in the perpendicular direction.

2. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the insert is made of a polymer material.

3. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 2 , wherein the insert material is a loaded material.

4. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 2 , wherein the polymer of the insert is chosen from the group of polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, and polyphenylene sulphide.

5. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 3 , wherein the polymer of the insert is chosen from the group of polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polyetheretherketone, and polyphenylene sulphide.

6. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot structure is a disc including an annular portion, a central portion, and resilient arms connecting the central portion to the annular portion, the central portion including a recess to insert an insert, with which the pivot can cooperate for free rotation.

7. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 6 , wherein the pivot structure includes three resilient arms angularly offset at an angle of 120°.

8. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 6 , wherein the insert includes a hole to insert the pivot structure, the hole including an opening having a first straight or rectangular portion followed by a trapezoidal portion.

9. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a curved outer periphery.

10. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a molded hole that is molded over the pivot so that the hole is perfectly fitted to the pivot.

11. The shock absorber bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the maximum width of the insert in the perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction is less than the minimum width of the aperture in the perpendicular direction so that the arbor pivot with the insert disposed on the arbor pivot are insertable together through the aperture to insert the insert in the recess of the pivot structure.

12. A method for fabrication of a shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece mobile part, the arbor including a pivot-shank and a pivot, the bearing including a support provided with a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot structure, the method comprising:
taking the support and the pivot structure including a recess and then placing the pivot structure inside the housing in the support;
taking the arbor and an insert including a hole to insert the pivot therein;
placing the insert on the arbor so that the arbor pivot is inserted inside the hole in the insert;
inserting the arbor pivot with the insert disposed on the arbor pivot together through an aperture of the housing; and
mounting the shock absorber bearing by manipulating the arbor so that the insert mounted on the arbor penetrates the recess.

13. The method for fabrication of a shock absorber bearing according to claim 12 , wherein the pivot structure is made of a metallic material and the insert is made of synthetic material.

14. A method for fabrication of a shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece mobile part, the arbor including a pivot-shank and a pivot, the bearing including a support provided with a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot structure, the method comprising:
taking the support and the pivot structure including a recess and then placing the pivot structure inside the housing in the support;
taking the arbor and over molding the pivot with a material to form an insert; and
mounting the shock absorber bearing by manipulating the arbor so that the insert on the arbor penetrates the recess.

15. The method for fabrication of a shock absorber bearing according to claim 14 , wherein the pivot structure is made of a metallic material and the insert is made of synthetic material.

16. The method for fabrication of a shock absorber bearing according to claim 12 , wherein a maximum width of the insert in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the arbor is less than a minimum width of an aperture of the housing in the perpendicular direction.

Assignees

• Swatch Group Res & Dev Ltd

Inventors

• Born Jean-Jacques
• Martin Jean-Claude

Classifications

• G04B31/06

  Manufacture or mounting processes · CPC title

• G04B31/02 Primary

  Shock-damping bearings {(shock damping in the case G04B37/052, G04B37/055, G04B37/0418)} · CPC title

• G04B31/016 Primary

  Plastic bearings · CPC title