MOTOR MODULE FOR A HOROLOGICAL MOVEMENT

Abstract

A motor module for a horological movement, the motor module including a plate bearing one or more cogs, and a cog bridge mounted on the plate, wherein the cog bridge includes a device for clipping the cog bridge onto the plate.

Claims

1. A motor module for a horological movement, the motor module comprising a plate bearing one or more cogs, and a cog bridge mounted on the plate, wherein the cog bridge comprises means for clipping the cog bridge onto the plate.

2. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the clipping means comprise at least one clipping tab, preferably three clipping tabs, projecting from a lower face of the cog bridge.

3. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein at least one clipping tab is provided in a recessed portion of the cog bridge, and comprises a first part for holding the tab extending in a main extension plane defined by the cog bridge, and a second part formed integrally with the first part and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the first part.

4. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein a second part formed integrally with a first part of at least one clipping tab has a free end, said free end forming a resilient clipping member having a central recessed portion and a continuous closed periphery delimiting said central recessed portion.

5. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the plate is provided with complementary means for cooperating with the clipping means of the cog bridge, for locking the cog bridge onto the plate in translation, in particular vertically.

6. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the complementary means for cooperating with the clipping means comprise at least one locking lug projecting from a lateral face of the plate, said lug being configured to cooperate resiliently with the clipping lug or one of the clipping lugs.

7. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the continuous closed periphery of the resilient clipping member has a resilient stressing part configured to cooperate resiliently with the locking lug when the lug extends inside the central recessed portion, for locking the cog bridge onto the plate in translation.

8. The motor module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pin for prepositioning the cog bridge on the plate; and wherein the cog bridge is provided with at least one through hole for receiving the pin.

9. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the cog bridge is made from a non-magnetic material.

10. The motor module according to claim 1, wherein the cog bridge is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: a hardenable austenitic cobalt-chromium-nickel-based alloy, in particular an alloy known by the trade name PHYNOX©; a non-magnetic stainless steel, in particular a non-magnetic stainless steel known by the trade name SANDVIK 13RM19©; a non-magnetic copper-nickel-zinc-based alloy, in particular a non-magnetic alloy known by the trade name ARCAP©; and brass.

11. The motor module according to claim 1, further comprising means for vertically fixing the cog bridge onto the plate, with one or more fixing screws.

12. A horological movement comprising a motor module, wherein the motor module is in accordance with claim 1.

13. A timepiece comprising a horological movement, wherein the horological movement is in accordance with claim 12.

14. A method of assembling a motor module for a horological movement, the motor module comprising a plate bearing one or more cogs, and a cog bridge, the method comprising a phase of mounting the cog bridge on the plate, wherein the cog bridge comprises clipping means and wherein the phase of mounting the cog bridge onto the plate comprises a step of clipping the cog bridge onto the plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] The aims, advantages and features of the motor module for the horological movement according to the invention are given in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a motor module for a horological movement according to a first embodiment of the invention, the motor module comprising a cog bridge provided with three clipping tabs;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the module motor of FIG. 1, in an assembled configuration;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the clipping tabs of the motor module of FIG. 1, in the exploded configuration of the motor module;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of FIG. 3, in the assembled configuration of the motor module represented in FIG. 2; and

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a motor module for a horological movement according to a second embodiment of the invention, in an assembled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In the following description reference is made to a horological movement provided with a motor module. The usual components of the horological movement, which are well known to a person skilled in the art in this technical field, are only described in a simplified manner or not described at all. The person skilled in the art would know how to adapt these different components and make them cooperate for the operation of the horological movement.

[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 show part of a timepiece 1, which comprises a horological movement 2. The timepiece 1 is for example a mechanical watch or a quartz watch. The horological movement 2 includes a motor module 4, which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The motor module 4 is configured to be fixed, for example by screwing, adhesion or thermal riveting, to a printed circuit board (not shown) of the horological movement 2. The motor module 4 comprises a plate 6 and a cog bridge 8 mounted on the plate 6. The motor module 4 also comprises a plurality of electromechanical components 10, such as for example a stator 10A, a rotor (not shown in the Figures) and one or more coils 10B. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electromechanical components 10A, 10B are arranged in housings 11 provided for this purpose underneath the cog bridge 8, such housings 11 being for example arranged within the plate 6. The electromechanical components 10A, 10B are thus mounted on the printed circuit board. Corresponding access openings 13 are formed for example in the cog bridge 8. Such openings 13 are arranged opposite the electromechanical components 10A, 10B in vertical direction. The openings 13 allow access to these components 10A, 10B from the exterior of the motor module 4 without having to disassemble the latter. Each opening 13 forms a recessed portion in the cog bridge 8. Preferably, the motor module 4 also comprises at least one pin 14 for pre-positioning the cog bridge 8 on the plate 6. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate 6 comprises two pre-positioning pins 14. Such pins 14 are used as a reference for mounting the cog bridge 8 on the plate 6.

[0023] The plate 6 bears a plurality of cogs 12. The plate 6 comprises for examples a plurality of support tabs 15 which raise a plate support 17 on which the cogs are mounted 12.

[0024] The cog bridge 8 has a substantially flat shape which defines a main extension plane P1. The cog bridge 8 comprises means 18 for clipping the cog bridge 8 onto the plate 6. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cog bridge 8 also comprises at least one through hole 20 for receiving the pin. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cog bridge 8 comprises two through holes 20 for receiving the pin. Each through hole 20 receives one of the pins 14. The cog bridge 8 is made for example from a non-magnetic material. The modulus of elasticity of the non-magnetic material typically has a value greater than or equal to 190 000 MPa. Preferably, the cog bridge 8 is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: a hardenable austenitic cobalt-chromium-nickel-based alloy, in particular an alloy known by the trade name PHYNOX©; a non-magnetic stainless steel, in particular a non-magnetic stainless steel known by the trade name SANDVIK 13RM19©; a non-magnetic copper-nickel-zinc-based alloy, in particular a non-magnetic alloy known by the trade name ARCAP©; and brass. The cog bridge 8 and the clipping means 18 are preferably formed by the same piece of material, and are manufactured for example by a stamping process (without this being limiting in the context of the present invention).

[0025] Preferably, the plate 6 includes complementary means 22 for cooperating with the clipping means 18. The complementary means 22 are configured to cooperate with the clipping means 18 to allow the cog bridge 8 to be locked onto the plate 6 in translation, particularly vertically. Preferably, the clipping means 18 comprise at least one clipping tab 24 which projects from a lower face 26 of the cog bridge 8. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clipping means 18 comprises three clipping tabs 24. According to this particular embodiment, the complementary means 22 comprise three locking lugs 28. Each locking lug 28 projects from a lateral face 30 of the support plate 17 and is configured to cooperate resiliently with one of the clipping tabs 24.

[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the cooperation between one of the clipping tabs 24 of the cog bridge 8 and one of the locking lugs 28 of the plate 6. More precisely, in the particular embodiment illustrated in these Figures, each clipping tab 24 is arranged in one of the recessed portions 13 of the cog bridge 8, and comprises a first part 32 and a second part 34. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first part 32 extends in the main extension plane P1 defined by the cog bridge 8 and forms a holding part of the tab 24. The second part 34 is integral with the material of the first part 32 and is folded in an inclined direction with respect to the main extension plane P1. More precisely, the second part 34 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the first part 32, and is oriented downwards from the lower face 26 of the cog bridge 8.

[0027] The second part 34 of each clipping tab 24 has a free end 36. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the free end 36 of the second part 34 forms a resilient clipping member which has a recessed central portion 38 and a continuous closed periphery 40. The continuous closed periphery 40 delimits the recessed central portion 38. The continuous closed periphery 40 of the resilient clipping member 36 preferably has a resilient stressing part 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the resilient stressing part 42 is configured to cooperate resiliently with one of the locking lugs 28 when the lug 28 extends into the central recessed portion 38 of the free end 36. This cooperation between each locking lug 28 and each resilient stressing part 42 of a corresponding clipping tab 24 allows the cog bridge 8 to be locked onto the plate 6 in translation, in particular vertically.

[0028] The method of assembly of the motor module 4 according to the invention is described in the following. The cogs 12 and the electromechanical components 10 are initially placed in their respective locations and housings 11 within the plate 6. The method comprises a phase of mounting the cog bridge 8 on the plate 6. This mounting phase comprises for example an initial step of prepositioning the cog bridge 8 on the plate 6. To achieve this, the cog bridge 8 is guided on the prepositioning pins 14, by inserting the latter into the receiving holes 20 of the cog bridge 8. The mounting phase comprises a following step of clipping the cog bridge 8 onto the plate 6. To achieve this, in the particular embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the free end 36 of each clipping tab 24 is brought up to the position shown in FIG. 4, so that the resiliently stressed part 42 cooperates resiliently with one of the lugs 28 of the plate 6 for locking the cog bridge 8 onto the plate 6 in translation, in particular vertically.

[0029] The motor module 4 according to a second embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to FIG. 5. In this second embodiment of the invention, the elements described with the same numerical references as those in the first embodiment are identical to the latter and are therefore not described in detail again. In this second embodiment of the invention, the motor module 4 further comprises means 46 for vertically fixing the cog bridge 8 onto the plate 6. The vertical fixing means 46 are formed for example by one or more fixing screws, typically three fixing screws as in the example shown in FIG. 5.