EP2887157B1 - Optimised escapement - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch exhaust mechanism comprising a stop between a resonator and an escapement mobile.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such escape mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement and / or having at least one such escape mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms for the transmission of movement, and more particularly the field of escape mechanisms.

Background of the invention

The Swiss lever escapement is a widely used device that is part of the regulating organ of mechanical watches. This mechanism simultaneously maintains the movement of a sprung balance resonator and synchronize the rotation of the drive train to the resonator.

To fulfill these functions, the escape wheel interacts with the anchor using mechanical contact forces, and the Swiss lever escapement uses this mechanical contact between the escape wheel and the Swiss anchor so as to perform a first function of transmitting the energy of the escape wheel to the sprung balance on the one hand, and to fulfill on the other hand a second function which consists in releasing and locking the escape wheel by jerks so that it advances a step at each alternation of the pendulum.

The mechanical contacts necessary for the accomplishment of these first and second functions alter the performance, the isochronism, the power reserve, and the lifetime of the watch.

Different studies have proposed to synchronize the rotation of a drive wheel to a mechanical resonator using a non-contact force, such as "Clifford" type escapements. These systems all use an interaction force of magnetic origin which makes it possible to transfer energy from the drive wheel to the resonator at a rate imposed by the natural frequency of the resonator. However, they all suffer from the disadvantage of not completing the second function of jerky release and blockage of the escape wheel with certainty. More precisely, following an impact, the wheel can become out of sync with the mechanical resonator, and consequently the functions of the regulator are no longer ensured.

The document US 3518464 in the name of KAWAKAMI TSUNETA discloses an electromagnetic drive mechanism of a wheel by a resonator. This document mentions that the use of a magnetic drive mechanism as an escapement has an adverse effect on the frequency. This mechanism includes a vibrating blade, but no stop, let alone a multistable stop. During the rotation of the wheel and for a fixed position of the resonator, the force between the wheel and the resonator varies gradually between a minimum (negative) and a maximum (positive) over an angular period.

The document DE 1935486U in the name of JUNGHANS discloses a magnetic ratchet drive mechanism. This mechanism also includes a vibrating blade, but no stop, let alone a multistable stop. This mechanism includes ramps and barriers that involve the combined and simultaneous movements of the wheel and the resonator.

The document US 3183426A in the name of HAYDON ARTHUR discloses an all-magnetic escapement comprising a magnetic escape wheel, in which the energy varies continuously and progressively between a minimum and a maximum when the wheel rotates over a half-period, then the energy returns to its minimum value over the half-cycle. next period. In other words, the magnetic force on the wheel varies gradually between a minimum (negative) and a maximum (positive) over an angular period.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes to replace the mechanical contact force between the anchor and the escape wheel by a non-contact force of magnetic or electrostatic origin, with an arrangement which makes it possible to ensure with certainty and in complete safety the second release function and jerky locking of the escape wheel.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a clock escapement mechanism comprising a stop between a resonator and an escapement mobile, characterized in that said escapement mobile comprises at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic track, respectively electrified or electrostatically conductive, with a running period in which its magnetic characteristics, respectively electrostatic, are repeated, said stop having at least one magnetized polar mass or ferromagnetic, respectively electrified or electrostatically conductive, said polar mass being movable in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of at least one element of a surface of said track, and at least said polar mass or said track creating a magnetic or electrostatic field in an air gap between said at least one polar mass and said at least one surface, and further characterized in that said polar mass is opposed to a magnetic or electrostatic field barrier on said track just before each transverse movement l of said stop controlled by the periodic action of said resonator.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said exhaust accumulates potential energy received from said mobile during each half of said period, and returns it to said resonator between said half-periods during said transversal movement of said stop controlled by the periodic action of said resonator , wherein said polar mass passes from a first relative transverse half-stroke with respect to said escapement wheel to a second relative transverse half-stroke with respect to said escapement wheel, or vice versa.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at least said polar mass or said track creates said magnetic or electrostatic field of greater intensity in said first half-stroke than in said second half-stroke during a first half of period, and vice versa during a second half of the period.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such escape mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement and / or having at least one such escape mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, un premier mode de réalisation d'un mécanisme d'échappement selon l'invention, comportant un arrêtoir sous la forme d'une ancre-baguette avec une masse polaire magnétique unique, au niveau d'une baguette d'ancre, et qui coopère avec une roue d'échappement laquelle est magnétisée avec plusieurs pistes secondaires concentriques, chacune de ces pistes comportant une succession de zones magnétisées avec des intensités différentes, et exerçant des efforts de répulsion différents en interaction avec la masse polaire de l'ancre-baguette quand cette dernière est dans leur voisinage immédiat, les zones immédiatement voisines de deux pistes concentriques voisines étant aussi de niveau de magnétisation différent. Cette figure 1 représente une version simplifiée à deux pistes, intérieure et extérieure ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de dessus, la répartition d'énergie potentielle d'interaction magnétique vue par la masse polaire de l'ancre-baguette de la figure 1 en fonction de sa position par rapport à la roue d'échappement, et la ligne brisée crénelée illustre la trajectoire de la masse polaire de l'ancre lors de son fonctionnement, en regard alternativement de la piste intérieure et de la piste extérieure de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est un diagramme illustrant, toujours pour le premier mode de réalisation des figures 1 et 2, la variation de l'énergie potentielle, en ordonnée, le long des pistes magnétisées, en fonction de l'angle au centre en abscisse, pour chacune des deux pistes de la figure 1 : piste intérieure en trait plein, et piste extérieure en trait interrompu, ce diagramme montrant l'accumulation d'énergie potentielle prélevée de la roue d'échappement sur les tronçons P1-P2 et P3-P4 correspondant chacun à une demi-période, et sa restitution par l'ancre au balancier lors du changement de piste de la masse polaire P2-P3 et P4-P5 ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un mécanisme d'échappement selon l'invention, comportant une ancre comportant une pluralité de masses polaires magnétiques, ici sous la forme de deux fourches avec chacune deux masses polaires de part et d'autre du plan d'une roue d'échappement, les deux fourches étant réparties de part et d'autre du point de pivotement de l'ancre, de façon similaire aux palettes d'une ancre suisse classique. La roue d'échappement est munie d'une succession de rampes chacune formée d'une séquence d'aimants d'intensité variable et croissante, chaque rampe étant limitée par une barrière d'aimants, ces différents aimants étant agencés pour interagir successivement avec les deux fourches de l'ancre ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe d'une fourche de l'ancre de la figure 4, et le sens des champs des différents secteurs magnétisés de l'ancre et de la roue d'échappement ;
• la figure 6 représente, en section dans un plan transversal dans lequel coopèrent un mobile d'échappement et un arrêtoir selon l'invention, différentes variantes d'agencement d'aimants en coopération pour concentrer un champ magnétique dans une zone d'entrefer ;
• les figures 7 à 10 illustrent, en vue en coupe dans un plan passant par l'axe d'un mobile d'échappement et par une masse polaire antagoniste d'un arrêtoir en position de coopération, leurs composition respective dans différentes variantes d'exécution :
• la figure 7 illustre une structure magnétisée d'épaisseur ou intensité variable déposée sur une roue d'échappement, en interaction avec un champ magnétique créé par un circuit magnétique solidaire d'une ancre, l'interaction pouvant alors être répulsive ou attractive ;
• la figure 8 illustre une structure ferromagnétique d'épaisseur variable au niveau d'une piste de roue d'échappement, créant un entrefer variable en interaction avec le champ magnétique créé par un circuit magnétique solidaire d'une ancre ;
• la figure 9 représente une roue d'échappement avec deux disques constitués de structures magnétisées d'épaisseur ou intensité variable déposées sur deux surfaces d'une roue d'échappement en interaction avec le champ magnétique créé par un aimant solidaire d'une ancre, qu'encadrent ces deux surfaces, l'interaction pouvant être répulsive ou attractive ;
• la figure 10 représente une structure mécaniquement similaire à la figure 9, avec, sur les deux surfaces de la roue d'échappement se faisant face, des structures ferromagnétiques d'épaisseur variable créant un entrefer variable en interaction avec le champ magnétique créé par un aimant solidaire de l'ancre ;
• les figures 11 à 14 représentent, de façon schématisée, la répartition de champ magnétique dans un plan transversal, passant par l'axe de pivotement de la roue d'échappement du mécanisme de la figure 1, sur les deux pistes secondaires, interne et externe, en corrélation avec les positions illustrées aux figures 2 et 3 : figure 11 : point P1 (et équivalente au point P5 décalé d'une période entière), figure 12 : point P2, figure 13 : point P3, figure 14 : point P4 ;
• la figure 15 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mouvement lequel incorpore un mécanisme d'échappement selon l'invention ;
• la figure 16 illustre une variante où le mobile d'échappement est un cylindre, l'arrêtoir comportant une masse polaire mobile à proximité d'une génératrice de ce cylindre ;
• la figure 17 illustre une autre variante où le mobile d'échappement est une bande continue ;
• la figure 18 illustre le débattement d'une masse polaire en regard d'une surface d'une piste d'un mobile d'échappement gauche ;
• la figure 19 montre la périodicité de déplacement d'une masse polaire le long d'une piste comportant deux pistes secondaires parallèles ;
• les figures 20 à 25 illustrent des profils de rampe et de barrière, et l'énergie transmise correspondant à chacun de ces profils ;
• la figure 26 illustre, de façon partielle, une réalisation similaire à celle de la figure 4, mais comportant deux rangées concentriques d'aimants de magnétisation croissante, ceux de la piste intérieure étant polarisés vers le haut, et ceux de la piste extérieure étant polarisés vers le bas ;
• la figure 27 illustre schématiquement l'orientation des lignes de champ dans une section transversale correspondant à la réalisation de la figure 26 ;
• la figure 28 illustre la répartition de potentiel dans ce même exemple, avec en trait interrompu un centrage sur la piste, et en trait plein un tirage.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of an escapement mechanism according to the invention, comprising a retainer in the form of a rod-anchor with a single magnetic pole mass, at a rod of anchor, and which cooperates with an escape wheel which is magnetized with a plurality of concentric secondary tracks, each of these tracks comprising a succession of magnetized zones with different intensities, and exerting different repulsion forces in interaction with the polar mass of the magnet. anchor-rod when the latter is in their immediate vicinity, the zones immediately adjacent to two concentric neighboring tracks being also of different magnetization level. This figure 1 represents a simplified version with two tracks, inside and outside;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and in a view from above, the distribution of potential energy of magnetic interaction seen by the polar mass of the rod-anchor of the figure 1 according to its position relative to the escape wheel, and the crenellated broken line illustrates the trajectory of the polar mass of the anchor during its operation, alternately facing the inner track and the outer track of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a diagram illustrating, again for the first embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 , the variation of the potential energy, along the ordinate, along the magnetized tracks, as a function of the angle at the center on the abscissa, for each of the two tracks of the figure 1 : internal track in full line, and outer track in broken line, this diagram showing the accumulation of potential energy taken from the escape wheel on sections P1-P2 and P3-P4 each corresponding to half a period, and its restitution by the pendulum anchor during the change of track of the polar mass P2-P3 and P4-P5;
• the figure 4 represents schematically and in perspective, a second embodiment of an escapement mechanism according to the invention, comprising an anchor comprising a plurality of magnetic polar masses, here in the form of two forks each with two polar masses of on either side of the plane of an escape wheel, the two forks being divided both sides of the pivot point of the anchor, similar to the pallets of a classic Swiss anchor. The escape wheel is provided with a succession of ramps each formed of a sequence of magnets of variable and increasing intensity, each ramp being limited by a barrier of magnets, these different magnets being arranged to interact successively with the two forks of the anchor;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view of a fork from the anchor of the figure 4 , and the direction of the fields of the different magnetized sectors of the anchor and the escape wheel;
• the figure 6 represents, in section in a transverse plane in which cooperate an escapement mobile and a stopper according to the invention, different variants of arrangement of magnets in cooperation for concentrating a magnetic field in an air gap zone;
• the Figures 7 to 10 illustrate, in sectional view in a plane passing through the axis of an escape wheel and by an opposing polar mass of a stop in the cooperation position, their respective compositions in different variant embodiments:
• the figure 7 illustrates a magnetized structure of variable thickness or intensity deposited on an escape wheel, in interaction with a magnetic field created by a magnetic circuit integral with an anchor, the interaction then being able to be repulsive or attractive;
• the figure 8 illustrates a ferromagnetic structure of variable thickness at an exhaust wheel track, creating a variable air gap interacting with the magnetic field created by a magnetic circuit integral with an anchor;
• the figure 9 represents an escapement wheel with two disks consisting of magnetized structures of variable thickness or intensity deposited on two surfaces of an escape wheel interacting with the magnetic field created by a magnet secured to an anchor, which is framed by two surfaces, the interaction can be repulsive or attractive;
• the figure 10 represents a structure mechanically similar to the figure 9 , with, on the two surfaces of the escapement wheel facing each other, ferromagnetic structures of variable thickness creating a variable air gap interacting with the magnetic field created by a magnet secured to the anchor;
• the Figures 11 to 14 schematically represent the magnetic field distribution in a transverse plane, passing through the axis of pivoting of the escape wheel of the mechanism of the figure 1 , on the two secondary tracks, internal and external, in correlation with the positions illustrated in figures 2 and 3 : figure 11 : point P1 (and equivalent to point P5 shifted by an entire period), figure 12 : point P2, figure 13 : point P3, figure 14 : point P4;
• the figure 15 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece comprising a movement which incorporates an escape mechanism according to the invention;
• the figure 16 illustrates a variant where the escape wheel is a cylinder, the stopper having a polar mass movable near a generator of the cylinder;
• the figure 17 illustrates another variant where the escape wheel is a continuous strip;
• the figure 18 illustrates the deflection of a polar mass facing a surface of a track of a left exhaust mobile;
• the figure 19 shows the periodicity of movement of a polar mass along a track with two parallel secondary tracks;
• the Figures 20 to 25 illustrate ramp and barrier profiles, and the energy transmitted corresponding to each of these profiles;
• the figure 26 illustrates, in a partial way, an achievement similar to that of the figure 4 but having two concentric rows of magnets of increasing magnetization, those of the inner track being polarized upwards, and those of the outer track being polarized downwards;
• the figure 27 schematically illustrates the orientation of the field lines in a cross section corresponding to the realization of the figure 26 ;
• the figure 28 illustrates the distribution of potential in this same example, with broken line centering on the track, and full line a draw.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention proposes to replace the usual mechanical contact force between a stop and an escape wheel by a non-contact force of magnetic or electrostatic origin.

The invention relates to a watch exhaust mechanism comprising a stop 30 between a resonator 20 and an escape wheel 40.

According to the invention, this escapement wheel 40 comprises at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic track 50, respectively electrified or electrostatically conductive, with a running period PD according to which its magnetic characteristics, respectively electrostatic, are repeated. According to this running period PD this track 50 has identical characteristics, geometric and physical, including its constitution (materials), its relief, its possible coating, its magnetization or possible electrification.

This stop 30 comprises at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic polar mass 3, respectively electrified or electrostatically conductive. This polar mass 3 is movable in a transverse direction DT with respect to the direction of movement DD of at least one element of a surface 4 of the track 50. This transverse mobility does not imply a total output of the track concerned, the arrangement is variable according to the embodiments, and in some of them, the polar mass leaves the track during part of the movement.

At least the polar mass 3 or the track 50 creates a magnetic or electrostatic field in an air gap 5 between this at least one polar mass 3 and this at least one surface 4.

The polar mass 3 is opposite a barrier 46 of magnetic or electrostatic field on the track 50 just before each transverse movement of the stop 30, which transverse movement is controlled by the periodic action of the resonator 20.

In a particular embodiment, this escapement mechanism 10 accumulates energy received from the escape wheel 40 during each half of the PD period, stores a portion of it in the form of potential energy, and periodically restores it to the resonator. 20. By analogy, this accumulation function is equivalent to the progressive arming of a spring in a mechanism. This restitution of energy takes place between these half-periods, during the transversal movement of the stop 30 controlled by the periodic action of the resonator 20. The polar mass 3 then passes a first half-stroke PDC transverse relative to the exhaust mobile 40 to a second relative transverse DDC half relative to the escapement mobile 40, or vice versa. This polar mass 3 faces such a field barrier 46 magnetic or electrostatic on the track 50 just before each transverse movement of the stop 30 controlled by the resonator 20 by tilting from one half-stroke to another.

In a particular embodiment, the magnetic or electrostatic field, generated by the polar mass 3 and / or the track 50, is of greater intensity in the first half-stroke PDC than in the second half-stroke DDC during a first half. of said scrolling period PD, and of a greater intensity in the second half-stroke DDC than in the first half-stroke PDC during a second half of the scrolling period PD.

More particularly, the resonator 20 comprises at least one oscillator 2 with periodic movement. The escape wheel 40 is powered by a power source such as a barrel or the like. On the one hand, the stopper 30 provides a first function for transmitting the energy of the escapement wheel 40 to the resonator 20, and on the other hand a second function of release and blocking by jerks of the escapement wheel 40 for its advance of one step during a movement of the stop 30 controlled by the resonator 20 with each alternation of the oscillator 2. The at least one track 50 is animated by a scrolling movement along a TD scrolling path .

Preferably each pole mass 3 is movable in a transverse direction DT relative to the track 50, according to a first half-path PDD and a second half-stroke DDC on either side of a fixed central position PM, according to a transverse trajectory TT, preferably substantially orthogonal to the TD trajectory of the track 50.

It is at the level of an air gap 5 between such a polar mass 3 and a surface 4 that comprises such a track 50 and which faces this polar mass 3, that this track 50 or / and this polar mass 3 creates this magnetic or electrostatic field which allows to create a system of magnetic or electrostatic forces on the stop 30 and on the escape wheel 40, instead of the mechanical forces of the prior art.

The escape mechanism 10 according to the invention accumulates potential energy transmitted from the energy source via the escape wheel 40 during each first half or second half of the run period PD. At the end of each half-period, polar mass 3 is then faced with a barrier 46 of magnetic or electrostatic field at the level of the part of the track 50 opposite which it evolves, just before the transverse movement of the stop 30 controlled by the resonator 20. It is then that the escape mechanism 10 returns the energy corresponding to the oscillator 2 when transverse movement of the stop 30 periodically controlled by the resonator 20 between the first half and second half of the running period PD. During this transverse movement, this polar mass 3 goes from the first half-stroke PDC to the second half-stroke DDC, or vice versa.

The escape mobile 4 can be constituted in different ways: in the conventional form of an escape wheel 400 as on the figures 1 and 4 , a double wheel as on the Figures 9 and 10 , or in the form of a cylinder as visible on the figure 16 , or a continuous band as visible on the figure 17 , Or other. This presentation relates to the general case of a mobile (not necessarily pivoting), and the watchmaker will be able to apply it to the component that interests him, including a single or multiple wheel.

Preferably, the characteristics of the magnetic or electrostatic field are alternated between the first half-stroke PDC and the second half-stroke DDC, with a phase shift of one half of the running period PD of the track 50 with respect to the polar mass 3. But it is also possible to operate the device with, for example, different field strengths, while respecting the differential distribution of the field between different sectors. This may be the case for example in the realization of the figure 1 where angular sectors delimited by different radii will not necessarily have exactly the same characteristics.

Here is called transverse direction DT a direction which is substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory TT of the polar mass 3, or which the tangent in its median position PM, as visible on the figure 18 .

An axial direction DA is here called a direction that is orthogonal both to a transverse direction DT substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory TT of the polar mass, and to the direction of movement DF of the track 50, tangent to the trajectory of movement TD at the middle position PM.

The plane defined by the median position PM, the transverse direction DT and the direction of movement DF is called the plane plane PP.

Preferably, at least one of the two antagonistic components (here "antagonists" means that these components face each other, without however that there is between them a repulsion, an annoyance, or another interaction), constituted by the polar mass 3 and the track 50 carrying the surface 4 which faces it at the gap 5 at least on a part their relative course comprises magnetic active means, respectively electrostatic, which are arranged to create this magnetic field, respectively electrostatic.

Here we mean by "active" means that creates a field, and by "passive" means that undergoes a field. The term "active" does not imply here that a component is traversed by a current.

In a particular variant, the component of this field in the axial direction DA is greater than its component in this plane PP, at their interface in the gap 5 between the polar mass 3 and the surface 4 which makes it face.

In a particular variant, the direction of this magnetic or electrostatic field is substantially parallel to this axial direction DA of the escapement wheel 40. By "substantially parallel" is meant a field whose component in the axial direction DA is at least four times greater than its component in the PP plan.

The other antagonistic component at the level of the air gap 5 then comprises, or magnetic passive means, respectively electrostatic, to cooperate with the field thus created, or also magnetic means, respectively electrostatic, which are arranged to create a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic at the gap 5, this field may, depending on the case, be in concordance or in opposition to the field emitted by the first component, so as to generate a repulsion or otherwise an attraction at the level of the gap 5.

In a particular embodiment, visible in the first embodiment at the figure 1 and in a second embodiment at the figure 4 , the stop 30 is disposed between a spiral balance spring resonator 2 of pivot axis A, and at least one escape wheel 400 which pivots about a pivot axis D (which defines with the axis of rotation). pivoting of the balance-spring A angular reference direction DREF). This stop 30 provides the second function of releasing and blocking by jerks of the escapement wheel 40 for its advance of one step at each alternation of the sprung balance 2.

The polar mass 3 is arranged to move, over at least part of its transverse travel, facing at least one element of a surface 4 of the escapement wheel 40. In the first mode of the figure 1 the polar mass is always facing such a surface 4; in the second mode of the figure 4 , the stop 30 comprises two polar masses 3A, 3B, and each of them is, for a half-period facing such a surface 4, and during the other half-period remote from this surface 4, in a position where the magnetic or electrostatic interaction between them is negligible.

In a variant, each of the two antagonistic components on either side of the air gap 5, constituted by the polar mass 3 and the bearing track 50 of the surface 4 which faces it at least over part of their relative course, comprises magnetic or electrostatic active means, which are arranged to create a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, of direction substantially parallel to the axial direction DA, at their interface in the gap 5.

In an advantageous embodiment, the polar mass 3 and / or the track 50 carrying the surface 4 facing it at this gap 5 comprises magnetic means, respectively electrostatic, which are arranged to create in the gap 5, in at least one transverse plane PT defined by the median position PM of the polar mass 3, the transverse direction DT and the axial direction DA, and in the transverse range, in the said transverse direction, the relative displacement of the polar mass 3 and the surface 4, a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, variable intensity and non-zero both as a function of the transverse position of the polar mass 3 in the transverse direction DT, and as a periodic function of time.

In a particular embodiment, each such polar mass 3 and each such track 50 carrying the surface 4 facing it comprises such magnetic means, respectively electrostatic, which are arranged to create a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, between at least one such Polar mass 3 and at least one surface 4, in at least this transverse plane PT. This magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, created by these antagonistic components, is variable intensity and non-zero both as a function of the radial position of the polar mass 3 in the transverse direction DT, and as a function of time.

It will be understood that the object is to create the conditions for creating a force of magnetic or electrostatic origin between the stop 30 and the escapement wheel 40, so as to allow driving, or conversely braking, between these two components, without direct mechanical contact between them.

The conditions of creation of a magnetic or electrostatic field by one of the components, and of the reception of this field by the antagonistic component, which is capable of emitting a magnetic or electrostatic field, make it possible to envisage different types of operation, repulsion or relative attraction of these antagonistic components. In particular, multi-level architectures allow a balancing of forces in a direction of pivoting of the escapement wheel 40 (in particular the direction of the pivot axis if the mobile 40 pivots about a single axis), and a maintenance relative position in the axial direction DA between the stop 30 and the escapement 40, as will be discussed below.

In a particular embodiment, the component of the magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, in the axial direction DA, is in the same direction over the entire range of the relative displacement of the polar mass 3 and the surface 4 facing it.

Different configurations are feasible, depending on the nature of the field, and depending on whether the stop 30, and / or the escape wheel 40, plays an active or passive role with respect to the establishment of a magnetic or electrostatic field in at least one gap between this retainer 30, and the escapement mobile 40, in fact, there may exist several air gaps 5 between different polar masses 3 of the retainer 30 and different tracks of the escapement mobile 40. Non-limiting way various advantageous variants are described below.

Thus, in a variant, each polar mass 3 carried by the stopper 30 is magnetized, respectively permanently electrified, and generates a constant magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, and each surface 4 cooperating with each polar mass 3 defines with the such polar mass 3 concerned a gap 5 in which the magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, is variable according to the advance of the escapement wheel 40 on its path and is variable according to the relative transverse position of the polar mass 3 concerned with respect to the mobile exhaust 40 and which is related to angular movement of the stop 30 if it is pivoting as in the case of an anchor, or its transverse displacement if it is otherwise driven by the resonator 20.

In another variant, each polar mass 3 carried by the stopper 30 is ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive, permanently, and each surface 4 cooperating with each polar mass 3 defines with the polar mass 3 concerned a gap 5 in which the field magnetic, respectively electrostatic, is variable according to the advance of the escape wheel 40 on its trajectory and is variable according to the relative transverse position of the polar mass 3 concerned with respect to the escapement wheel 40 and which is related to the angular deflection of the stop 30 if it is pivoting as in the case of an anchor, or its transverse movement if it is otherwise driven by the resonator 20.

In another variant, each track 50 carrying such an antagonistic surface 4 is magnetized, respectively electrified, permanently and uniformly, and generates a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, constant at its surface facing the polar mass 3 concerned, and comprises a relief arranged to generate a variable gap height in the gap 5, which gap height varies according to the advance of the escapement wheel 40 on its trajectory, and varies according to the relative angular position of the polar mass 3 concerned with respect to the escapement mobile 40.

In another variant, each track 50 carrying such a surface 4 is ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive permanently, and comprises a relief arranged to generate a gap height in the gap 5, which gap height is variable according to the advance of the escape wheel 40 on its trajectory, and is variable according to the relative transverse position of the pole mass 3 concerned with respect to the escapement wheel 40.

In another variant, each track 50 carrying such a surface 4 is magnetized, respectively electrified, permanently and variable depending on the local position on this track, and generates a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, which is variable according to the advance of the escape wheel 40 in its trajectory, and is variable according to the relative transverse position of the pole mass 3 concerned with respect to the escapement wheel 40, at its surface facing the polar mass 3 concerned.

In another variant, each track 50 carrying such a surface 4 is ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive, permanently and variable depending on the local position on this track, so as to vary the magnetic force, respectively electrostatic, exerted between stopping device 3 and the escapement wheel 40 under the effect of their relative movement, which force is variable according to the advance of the escapement wheel 40 on its trajectory and is variable according to the relative transverse position of the polar mass 3 concerned relative to the escape wheel 40, at its surface facing the polar mass 3 concerned.

In another variant, each polar mass 3 circulates between two surfaces 4 of the escapement wheel 40, and such a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, is exerted on each side of the polar mass 3 in the axial direction DA in a symmetrical manner. on either side of the polar mass 3 so as to exert equal and opposite forces on the polar mass 3 in the axial direction DA. This results in axial balancing and minimal effort on the possible pivots, and thus minimal friction losses.

In another variant, each surface 4 of the escapement wheel 40 circulates between two surfaces 31, 32, of each polar mass 3, and such a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, is exerted on each side of the surface 4 in the direction axial axis DA symmetrically on either side of the surface 4, so as to exert equal and opposite forces on the bearing track 50 of the surface 4 in the axial direction DA.

In another variant, the track 50 of the escapement wheel 40 comprises, on one of its two lateral surfaces 41, 42, a plurality of secondary tracks 43 adjacent to each other.

In the particular application where the escape wheel 40 is an escape wheel 400, these tracks are concentric with each other with respect to the pivot axis D of the escape wheel 400, as visible on the Figures 1 and 2 which show two such secondary tracks, internal 43 INT and external 43 EXT, and where each secondary track 43 comprises an angular succession of elementary primary zones 44, each primary zone 44 having a magnetic behavior, respectively electrostatic, which is different, a from that of each other primary zone 44 adjacent to the secondary runway 43 to which it belongs, and from that of each other primary zone 44 which is adjacent to it and which is located on another secondary runway 43 adjacent to his.

In other embodiments where the track 50 is not comparable to a disk, for example on the examples of Figures 16 and 17 , the secondary tracks 43 are not concentric, but adjacent and preferably substantially parallel to each other. But the difference in magnetic behavior, respectively electrostatic, of two primary zones 44 immediately adjacent, applies in the same way. The Figures 18 and 19 show the deflection of a polar mass 3 in a variant comprising two parallel tracks 43A and 43B, adjacent and parallel, phase shifted by half a period.

More particularly, the succession of these primary zones 44 on each such given secondary track 43 is periodic according to a spatial period T, angular or linear as the case may be, constituting an integer submultiple of a revolution of the escape mobile 40. spatial period T corresponds to the run period PD of track 50.

In an advantageous embodiment, each such secondary track 43 comprises, on each such spatial period T, a ramp 45 comprising a succession, particularly monotonous, of such primary zones 44 interacting increasingly with such a polar mass 3 with a magnetic field, respectively electrostatic, the intensity of which varies so as to produce an increasing potential energy from a minimum interaction area 4MIN to a maximum interaction area 4MAX, the ramp 45 taking energy from the escape mobile 40.

In a particular way and specific to the invention, the escape wheel 40 comprises, between two such successive ramps 45 and in the same direction, such a barrier 46 of magnetic field potential, respectively electrostatic, to trigger a momentary shutdown of the mobile phone. exhaust 40 prior to a tilting of the stop 30 under the action of the resonator 20, in particular a spring balance 2.

Preferably, each such potential barrier 46 is steeper than each such ramp 45, with respect to its potential gradient.

It is a matter of creating energy barriers: in the embodiments presented, these barriers are constituted by field barriers. The illustrated variants thus correspond to magnetic fields, respectively electrostatic field field, and field barriers.

More specifically, the escapement wheel 40 stops in a position where the potential gradient is equivalent to the driving torque.

This immobilization is not instantaneous, there is indeed a rebound phenomenon, which is damped, either by the natural friction, in particular of pivoting, in the mechanism, or by friction created for this purpose, viscous type such as friction by eddy currents (for example on a copper surface or the like integral with the escapement wheel 40) or aerodynamic or other friction, or else dry friction type spring jumper or other. Typically, the escape wheel 40 is stretched by an upstream mechanism with constant torque or constant force, typically a cylinder. The escapement wheel 4 therefore oscillates, before stopping in position, before the transverse tilting of the polar mass 3, and the losses are necessary to stop the oscillation in a time interval compatible with the kinematics.

The transition between the ramp and the barrier can be designed and adjusted so as to obtain a particular dependence of the energy transmitted to the resonator as a function of the driving torque.

If a ramp without a break in slope makes it possible to operate the invention, it is more advantageous to combine a ramp 45 with a certain gradient, and a barrier 46 with another gradient, the shape of the transition zone between the ramp 45 and the barrier 46 having a significant influence on the operation.

It is understood that, according to the invention, the system accumulates energy during the ramp ramp, and restores energy to the resonator during the transverse movement of the polar mass. The stopping point defines the quantity of energy thus restored, which depends on the shape of this transition zone between ramp and barrier.

The Figures 20, 22, and 24 illustrate non-limiting examples of ramp profile and barrier, with the abscissa scrolling, here a pivot angle e, and ordered the energy Ui expressed in mJ. The Figures 21, 23, and 25 illustrate the transmitted energy, correlated with each ramp and barrier profile, with the same abscissa, and, on the ordinate, the CM cut in mN.m.

The Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a smooth transition with a radius between the ramp and the barrier, the breakpoint of the system depends on the torque applied, and the energy transmitted to the resonator also depends on this applied torque.

The Figures 22 and 23 show a transition with slope break between ramp and barrier, the point where the system stops then does not depend on the applied torque, and the energy transmitted to the resonator is constant.

The Figures 24 and 25 relate to an exponential transition between ramp and barrier, chosen so that the energy transmitted to the resonator, which is approximately proportional to the applied torque, and in particular in a particular variant, is substantially equal to the driving torque. This example is interesting because it approaches closer to a Swiss lever escapement and thus allows to incorporate the present invention in an existing movement with the minimum of changes.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the escape wheel 40 further comprises, at the end of each such ramp 45 and just before each barrier 46, a transverse variation of magnetic or electrostatic field distribution when the surface 4 is magnetized, respectively electrified, or a profile variation when the surface 4 is ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive, so as to cause a pull on the polar mass 3.

Advantageously, the escape wheel 40 comprises, after each such barrier 46 of magnetic or electrostatic field potential, an anti-shock mechanical stop.

In a variant, when the escape wheel 40 has several secondary tracks 43, at least two such adjacent secondary tracks 43 comprise, with respect to each other, an alternation of such minimal interaction zones 4MIN and such 4MAX maximum interaction zones with an angular phase shift corresponding to half of the spatial period T.

In a variant of the invention, the stop 30 comprises a plurality of such polar masses 3 arranged to cooperate simultaneously with such separate secondary tracks 43, as can be seen in particular in the second embodiment of the invention of the invention. figure 4 , with separate polar masses 3A and 3B, each having two magnets 31 and 32 on each side of the escape wheel 400.

In particular, in a particular embodiment not shown, the retainer 30 may comprise a comb extending parallel to the surface 4 of the escapement wheel 40 and comprising such polar masses 3 arranged side by side.

In a variant of the invention, the stopper 30 is pivotable about a real or virtual pivot 35 and comprises such a single polar mass 3 arranged to cooperate with primary zones 44 that comprise such surfaces 4 located on beaches different from the escapement wheel 40 (or respectively different diameters in the case of an escape wheel 400), with which the polar mass 3 has a variable interaction during the advance (or respectively the revolution) of the mobile 40. These primary zones 44 are alternately arranged around the periphery (or respectively the periphery) of the escapement 40 to constrain the polar mass 3 to a transverse movement relative to the escape wheel 40 during the search balance position of polar mass 3.

In another variant of the invention, the stopper 30 is pivoted about a real or virtual pivot 35 and comprises a plurality of such polar masses 3 arranged to cooperate each with primary zones 44 that comprises at least one such surface 4 located on at least one range (respectively a diameter) of the escapement wheel 40, with which each such pole mass 3 has a variable interaction during the advance (or respectively of the revolution) of the escape wheel 40. These zones 44 are alternately disposed around the periphery or the periphery of the escapement 40 to constrain the polar mass 3 to a transverse movement with respect to the escapement 40 during the search for equilibrium position of the polar mass 3 .

In a particular embodiment, at each instant at least one such polar mass 3 of the stopper 30 is in interaction with at least one such surface 4 of the escapement wheel 40.

In a particular embodiment, the stopper 30 cooperates, on both sides, with a first exhaust mobile and a second exhaust mobile.

In a particular embodiment, these first and second exhaust mobiles pivot integrally.

In a particular embodiment, these first and second exhaust mobiles pivot independently of one another.

In a particular embodiment, these first and second escape mobiles are coaxial.

In a particular embodiment, the stop 30 cooperates, on both sides, with a first escape wheel 401 and a second escape wheel 402, each forming such an escape wheel 40.

In a particular embodiment, these first 401 and second 402 escape wheels pivot integrally.

In a particular embodiment, these first 401 and second 402 escape wheels pivot independently of one another.

In a particular embodiment, these first 401 and second 402 escape wheels are coaxial.

In a variant illustrated by the figure 16 , the escapement wheel 40 comprises at least one cylindrical surface 4 around a pivot axis D parallel to the transverse direction DT, and which carries magnetic tracks, respectively electrostatic, and the at least one polar mass 3 of the stop 30 is movable parallel to this pivot axis D.

The figure 17 shows a generalization according to which the escapement wheel 40 is a mechanism extending in a direction D, represented here by an endless band running on two rollers of axes parallel to the transverse direction T, this band being carrying at least minus one surface 4.

Naturally other configurations are conceivable to ensure a spatial periodicity of surfaces 4 on the track or tracks 50, for example on a chain, a ring, a helix, or other.

According to the invention, and not limitation, the surface 4 may comprise a magnetized layer of variable thickness, or respectively an electrified layer of variable thickness, or a magnetized layer of constant thickness but variable magnetization, or respectively an electrified layer of constant thickness but of variable electrification, or a variable surface density of micro-magnets, or respectively a variable surface density of electrets, or a ferromagnetic layer of variable thickness, or respectively an electrostatically conductive layer of variable thickness , or a ferromagnetic layer of variable shape, or respectively a conductive layer electrostatically of variable form, or a ferromagnetic layer with a variable surface density of holes, or respectively an electrostatically conductive layer with a variable surface density of holes.

In a particular embodiment, the stop 30 is an anchor.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 100 comprising at least one such escape mechanism 10.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 200, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such movement 100 and / or comprising at least one such escape mechanism 10.

The invention is applicable to different scales of timepieces, including watches. It is interesting for static parts such as clocks, living room clocks, morbiers, and the like; the spectacular and innovative character of the operation of the mechanism according to the invention brings an additional new interest in the highlighting of the mechanism, and an attraction for the user or the viewer.

The figures illustrate a particular, nonlimiting embodiment, in which the stopper 30 is an anchor, and show how the invention makes it possible to replace the usual mechanical contact force between an anchor and an escape wheel by a contactless force of magnetic or electrostatic origin.

Two nonlimiting embodiments are proposed: a first mode with a single polar mass and a second mode with several polar masses.

The first mode is illustrated, in a magnetic version only, by the Figures 1 to 3 .

The figure 1 schematically represents a magnetic retainer escapement mechanism 10, where this retainer 30 is an anchor. The regulator device comprises a spiral balance resonator 20, a magnetic anchor 30, and an escapement wheel 40 formed by a magnetized escape wheel 400. The magnet 3 of the anchor interacts repulsively with concentric magnetized secondary tracks 43 INT, 43 EXT, of the escapement wheel 40.

The symbols - / - / + / ++, on the secondary tracks 43 are representative of the intensity of the magnetization, increasing from - to ++: a zone - weakly pushes the magnet 3 of the anchor 30 then that an area ++ rejects it strongly.

In this schematic diagram of the figure 1 , the interaction force between the stop 30,, and the escape wheel 40 results from the interaction between a polar mass 3, in particular a magnet, placed on the anchor 30 and a magnetized structure placed on the mobile 40. This magnetized structure is composed of two secondary tracks 43 (inner 43 INT and outer 43 EXT) whose magnetization intensity varies as a function of the angular position so as to produce the magnetic interaction potential represented on FIG. figure 2 . Along each secondary track 43, there is a succession of ramps 45 and barriers 46 of potential as indicated on the figure 3 . The ramps 45 have the effect of taking energy from the escapement mobile 40, and the barriers 46 have the effect of blocking the advance of the mobile 40. The energy taken by a ramp 45 is then restored to the resonator 20. balance-spring when the anchor 30 rocking from one position to another.

The figure 2 represents, schematically, the potential magnetic interaction energy seen by the magnet 3 of the anchor 30 as a function of its position on the escapement wheel 40. The dashed line shows the trajectory of a point reference M of the magnet 3 of the anchor 30 in operation.

The figure 3 represents schematically the variation of the potential energy along the magnetized secondary tracks 43 of the mobile 40. When the polar mass 3 of the anchor passes from the point P1 to the point P2 on the internal secondary track 43 INT, the system draws energy from the escape wheel 40 to store it as potential energy. The system then stops at P2 under the combined effect of the potential barrier 46 and the friction of the mobile 40. Finally, when the anchor 30 tilts under the action of the balance-spring 2 on the opposite end of the anchor 30, the previously stored energy is restored to the balance spring resonator 20, while the system goes from P2 to P3, which corresponds to the change of track, the polar mass 3 coming in P3 on the external secondary track 43 EXT. The same cycle then starts again on the other secondary track 43 EXT passing from P3 to P4 and from P4 to P5 with the return to P5 on the inner track 43 INT.

• les rampes 45 de potentiel sont conçues de sorte que l'énergie fournie au résonateur 20 à balancier-spiral soit suffisante pour entretenir son mouvement ;
• la hauteur des barrières 46 de potentiel est suffisante pour bloquer le système.

In this magnetic variant of this first embodiment, the form of the magnetic interaction potential is preferably such that:

• the ramps 45 of potential are designed so that the energy supplied to the balance spring resonator 20 is sufficient to maintain its movement;
• the height of the barriers 46 of potential is sufficient to block the system.

The friction of the mobile 40 allows the immobilization of the system at the foot of the barrier 46 potential.

In order to maintain the safety of the anchor in the event of an impact, it is advantageous to have mechanical stops immediately after each magnetic potential barrier 46 (these mechanical stops are not shown in FIG. figure 1 to avoid overloading). In normal operation, the magnetic anchor never touches these mechanical stops. However, in case of shock large enough for the system to come through a barrier 46 potential, these mechanical stops can block it to not lose step.

In this variant, the amount of energy transmitted to the sprung balance resonator 20 is still almost the same, provided that the potential barriers 46 are much steeper than the energy ramps 45. This condition is easy to achieve in practice.

The tilting of the anchor 30 is decoupled from the movement of the escapement wheel 40. More specifically, when the anchor 30 tilts, the potential energy can be restored to the balance spring resonator 20 2, even if the mobile of Exhaust 40 remains motionless. The speed of the pulse is thus not limited by the inertia of the escapement wheel 40.

• une couche magnétisée d'épaisseur variable ;
• une couche magnétisée d'épaisseur constante mais de magnétisation variable ;
• une densité surfacique variable de micro-aimants ;
• une couche ferromagnétique d'épaisseur variable (dans ce cas la force est toujours attractive) ;
• une couche ferromagnétique de profil ou/et de forme variable (emboutissage, découpage) ;
• une couche ferromagnétique avec une densité surfacique de trous variable,

ces agencements étant cumulables entre eux.Several solutions are possible to create the potential proposed in the figure 1 . The magnetized structure placed on the escape wheel may be, without limitation, made with:

• a magnetized layer of variable thickness;
• a magnetized layer of constant thickness but variable magnetization;
• a variable surface density of micro-magnets;
• a ferromagnetic layer of variable thickness (in this case the force is always attractive);
• a ferromagnetic layer of profile and / or of variable shape (stamping, cutting);
• a ferromagnetic layer with a variable surface density of holes,

these arrangements being cumulative with each other.

• il y a une seule piste 50 magnétisée sur le mobile d'échappement 40, comportant une succession d'aimants 49, mais l'ancre 30 porte deux structures magnétisées 3A, 3B, de sorte à reproduire le même potentiel d'interaction avec rampes et barrières alternées que celui présenté dans les figures 2 et 3 du premier mode ;
• les aimants 49 de la roue d'échappement 400 sont pris en sandwich entre les aimants 31 et 32 de l'ancre 30, de sorte que les forces de répulsion axiales se compensent. Il ne reste alors plus que la composante de force dans le plan du mobile d'échappement 40 qui est utile au fonctionnement de l'échappement.

The second embodiment is illustrated by the Figures 4 to 10 . This second embodiment operates in the same way as the first embodiment. The main differences are:

• there is a single track 50 magnetized on the escape wheel 40, having a succession of magnets 49, but the anchor 30 carries two magnetized structures 3A, 3B, so as to reproduce the same interaction potential with ramps and alternating barriers than the one presented in figures 2 and 3 the first mode;
• the magnets 49 of the escape wheel 400 are sandwiched between the magnets 31 and 32 of the anchor 30, so that the axial repulsion forces compensate each other. All that remains is the force component in the plane of the escapement wheel 40 which is useful for the operation of the escapement.

Advantageously, a polar mass 3, instead of being exactly above a track 50 (or 43 as the case may be), is slightly offset in a transverse direction DT with respect to the axis of the track concerned, so that that the interaction between the mobile 40 and the pole mass 3 permanently produces a small transverse force component, which keeps the stopper 30 in position. The value of the offset is then adjusted so that the force produced stably maintains the polar mass 3 in each of its extreme positions, first half-stroke and second half-stroke.

The figure 4 thus illustrates a regulating device consisting of a resonator 20 with balance spring 2, a magnetic anchor 30, and a magnetized escape wheel 40. The escapement wheel 40 is provided with a magnet track 49 of variable intensity which interact with the two magnets 31 and 32 of the anchor 30. figure 4 shows the disposition of magnets 49 of increasing magnetization (in particular by increasing dimensions) so as to form ramps 45 (from P11 to P18) before stopping on barriers 46 formed for example of several magnets P20.

A major part of the draw is produced by a fine adjustment of the transverse position of the polar mass 3 with respect to the track 50 with which it interacts. More specifically, when the stopper 30 is positioned at the end of the first half-stroke (PDC) or at the end of the second half-stroke (DDC), the transverse position of the polar mass 3 which interacts with the track 50 is adjusted (by a small transverse shift) so that the polar mass 3 undergoes a transverse force, called pulling force, large enough to maintain the polar mass 3 in its end position stably. At the moment when the resonator 20 triggers the tilting of the stop 30, it must overcome this pulling force before the magnetic or electrostatic force takes over to cause the stop 30 in the following tilting, and thus transmit the potential energy accumulated at the resonator 20. The effect of a draw obtained by a transverse shift of 2mm is illustrated on the figure 28 , on the particular achievement of Figures 26 and 27 .

It will be understood that, on an escapement mechanism according to the invention, the resonator 20, in particular the balance 2, gives the initial impetus to the stop 30. But, as soon as the draft is overcome, the forces of magnetic origin or electrostatic take over and do their work to move in a transverse direction DT polar mass 3 to its new position.

Advantageously, at least one recessed magnet 48 (here placed on an upper positioning radius), with respect to the centering of a ramp 45 along a given radius, reinforces the pulling effect just before barrier 46. effect of the ramps 45 and barriers 46 is similar to that of the first mode, the relative distribution is similar to the figure 2 .

The figure 5 shows the detail of their arrangement of the magnets 31 and 32 of the anchor relative to the magnets 49 of the escape wheel 40.

The figure 26 illustrates an achievement similar to that of the figure 4 but having two concentric rows of magnets of increasing magnetization, those of the inner track 431NT being upwardly polarized, and those of the outer track 43 EXT being polarized downwards. The polar masses 3 have the inverse configurations: an upper inner polar mass 3SINT is polarized downward, an upper outer polar mass 3SEXT is polarized upwards, a lower inner polar mass 3IINT is polarized downwards, and a lower polar mass 3IEXT exterior is polarized upwards. The figure 27 schematically illustrates the orientation of the field lines in a cross section corresponding to this embodiment, where the field lines are substantially normal to the plane PP of the wheel 40 in the magnets, and substantially parallel to this plane in each air gap 5. The potential resulting, visible on the figure 28 , has ramps and alternate gates.

• La figure 6 montre comment renforcer la concentration du champ dans un entrefer 5, dans un exemple magnétique :
• en A des aimants de polarités opposées sont disposés tête-bêche de chaque côté de l'entrefer 5, lequel ne voit localement que des polarités opposées les unes aux autres ;
• en B l'efficacité d'au moins un aimant, ici l'aimant supérieur, est renforcée par au moins un aimant disposé selon une direction transversale DT à son champ ;
• en C, deux entrefers de part et d'autre d'un aimant (comme aussi en figure 5) sont bordés de part et d'autre par deux assemblages d'aimants selon l'exemple B ci-dessus ;
• en D, le champ est circulant par une barre de couplage ferromagnétique ou magnétisée, qui joint les aimants transversaux, dans la continuité de leur sens d'aimantation dans sa variante magnétisée.

In this second mode, the anchor 30 is tilting. Preferably, at a given moment, at most only one polar mass 3A or 3B is opposite the surface 4 of magnets 49 of the escapement wheel 40.

• The figure 6 shows how to strengthen the concentration of the field in a gap 5, in a magnetic example:
• at A magnets of opposite polarities are arranged head to tail on each side of the gap 5, which locally only sees polarities opposite to each other;
• in B the efficiency of at least one magnet, here the upper magnet, is reinforced by at least one magnet disposed in a transverse direction DT at its field;
• in C, two air gaps on both sides of a magnet (as also in figure 5 ) are bordered on both sides by two magnet assemblies according to Example B above;
• at D, the field is flowing through a ferromagnetic or magnetized coupling rod, which joins the transverse magnets, in the continuity of their magnetization direction in its magnetized variant.

Still in this purely magnetic example, one can consider several ways to create the magnetic interaction between a retainer 30 (in particular anchor) and an escape wheel 40 (including escape wheel). Four possible configurations are presented to Figures 7 to 10 , and are in no way limiting. The configurations of Figures 9 and 10 have the advantage of better confining the magnetic field lines, which is important to reduce the sensitivity of the system to external magnetic fields.

According to figure 7 a magnetized structure of variable thickness or intensity deposited on an escape wheel comes into interaction with a magnetic field created by a magnetic circuit integral with an anchor. The interaction can be repulsive or attractive.

In figure 8 , a ferromagnetic structure of variable thickness (or with a variable air gap) comes into interaction with a magnetic field created by a magnetic circuit integral with an anchor.

The figure 9 shows two magnetized structures of variable thickness or intensity deposited on two faces of an escape wheel, interacting with a magnetic field created by a magnet secured to an anchor, or with a circuit magnetic field source integral with an anchor. The interaction can be repulsive or attractive.

The figure 10 illustrates two ferromagnetic structures of variable thickness (or with a variable gap) on two faces of an escape wheel, which interact with a magnetic field created by a magnet or a magnetic circuit with a field source integral with a anchor.

On the opposite side to the polar mass 3, or to the polar masses 3 if the retainer comprises several, the retainer 30, in particular an anchor, comprises means of cooperation with the resonator 20 (in particular a balance-spring 2), which interact with this resonator to trigger the transverse movement of the polar mass 3. In known manner, these cooperation means can use a mechanical contact, such as an anchor fork cooperating with a rocker pin. The extrapolation of the arresting-mobile escape cooperation proposed by the invention is conceivable for the resonator-stop cooperation, which then makes it possible to use here also a force of magnetic or electrostatic origin with the aim of further minimizing the friction. An additional advantage due to the removal of a plateau pin is to allow cooperation over angular ranges greater than 360 °, for example with a helical track.

In a particular variant of the invention, the polar mass 3 is symmetrical in the transverse direction.

• Inertie de la roue d'échappement : 2*10^-5 kg*m²
• Couple d'entraînement : 1*10^-2 Nm
• Inertie du balancier : 2*10^-4 kg*m²
• Constante élastique du spiral : 7*10^-4 Nm
• Fréquence du résonateur : 0.3 Hz
• Facteur de qualité du résonateur : 20
• Hauteur de la rampe d'énergie : 2*10^-3 Joule
• Hauteur de la barrière d'énergie : 8*10^-3 Joule
• Aimants :
  • ▪ Les masses polaires de l'ancre sont constituées de quatre aimants rectangulaire de dimensions 5mm x 5mm x 2.5mm en NdFeB (néodyme-fer-bore).
  • ▪ La piste est constituée de rampes et de barrières comme suit. Les rampes de champ sont produites par des aimants cylindriques en NdFeB de diamètre 1.5mm et de hauteur variant entre 0 et 4mm. Chaque barrière est constituée de quatre aimants cylindriques en NdFeB de diamètre 2mm et hauteur 4mm.

In an exemplary embodiment based on the second embodiment of the figure 4 , satisfactory results are obtained with the following values:

• Inertia of the escape wheel: 2 * 10 ^-5 kg * m ²
• Training torque: 1 * 10 ^-2 Nm
• Inertia of the pendulum: 2 * 10 ^-4 kg * m ²
• Constant elastic of the spiral: 7 * 10 ^-4 Nm
• Resonator frequency: 0.3 Hz
• Resonator quality factor: 20
• Height of the energy ramp: 2 * 10 ^-3 Joule
• Height of the energy barrier: 8 * 10 ^-3 Joule
• Magnets:
  • ▪ The polar masses of the anchor consist of four rectangular magnets of dimensions 5mm x 5mm x 2.5mm in NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron).
  • ▪ The track consists of ramps and barriers as follows. Field ramps are produced by cylindrical NdFeB magnets with a diameter of 1.5mm and a height of between 0 and 4mm. Each barrier consists of four cylindrical NdFeB magnets of diameter 2mm and height 4mm.

In summary, the potential for magnetic interaction, or / and electrostatic, composed of alternating ramps with barriers provides a behavior as close as possible to the traditional Swiss anchor escapement. The optimization of the shape of the potential gradients makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the exhaust.

• éliminer les frottements et par conséquent réduire l'usure, donc augmenter la durée de vie ;
• augmenter le rendement de l'échappement, et par conséquent augmenter la réserve de marche ;
• concevoir la transition entre les rampes et les barrières de potentiel afin d'obtenir une dépendance particulière désirée entre le couple d'entraînement et l'énergie transmise au résonateur, En particulier et de façon avantageuse, on peut rendre la quantité d'énergie transmise à l'oscillateur à chaque alternance quasiment constante et indépendante du couple d'entraînement ;
• découpler le basculement de l'arrêtoir du mouvement du mobile d'échappement de sorte que la rapidité de l'impulsion ne soit pas limitée par l'inertie du mobile d'échappement.

The replacement of the mechanical contact force by a non-contact force of magnetic or electrostatic origin, according to the invention, thus provides numerous advantages because it makes it possible to:

• eliminate friction and therefore reduce wear, thus increase the service life;
• increase the efficiency of the exhaust, and therefore increase the power reserve;
• design the transition between the ramps and the potential barriers in order to obtain a particular desired dependence between the driving torque and the energy transmitted to the resonator. In particular and advantageously, the quantity of energy transmitted can be made to the oscillator at each alternation is almost constant and independent of the driving torque;
• decouple the tilting of the stop of the movement of the mobile exhaust so that the speed of the pulse is not limited by the inertia of the mobile escape.

Claims (40)

1. Timepiece escapement mechanism (10) including a stopper (30) between a resonator (20) and an escape wheel set (40), said escape wheel set (40) including at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic, or respectively, electrically charged or electrostatically conductive track (50) with a period of travel (PD) over which its magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic characteristics are repeated, said stopper (30) including at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic, or respectively, electrically charged or electrostatically conductive pole shoe (3), said pole shoe (3) being movable in a transverse direction (DT) relative to the direction of travel (DD) of at least one element of a surface (4) of said track (50), and at least said pole shoe (3) or said track (50) creating a magnetic or electrostatic field in a pole gap (5) between said at least one pole shoe (3) and said at least one surface (4), said pole shoe (3) being confronted with a magnetic or electrostatic field barrier (46) on said track (50) just before each transverse motion of said stopper (30) actuated by periodic action of said resonator (20), characterized in that each said track (50) includes, before each said magnetic or electrostatic field barrier (46), a magnetic or electrostatic field ramp (45) interacting in an increasing manner with a said pole shoe (3) with a magnetic or respectively, electrostatic field whose intensity varies so as to produce increasing potential energy, said ramp (45) taking energy from said escape wheel set (40), and further characterized in that, between two said successive ramps (45) of the same said track (50) or two of said neighbouring tracks (50) in said direction of travel (DD), said escape wheel set (40) includes a said magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic field barrier of potential (46), for triggering a momentary stop of said escape wheel set (40) prior to a tilting of said stopper (30) under the periodic action of said oscillator (20).
2. Timepiece escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one said pole shoe (3) is slightly shifted in a transverse direction (DT) with respect to the axis of said track (50) opposite which said pole shoe moves, such that the interaction between said wheel set (40) and said pole shoe (3) permanently produces a small transverse force component, which holds said stopper (30) in position, the value of the shift being adjusted so that the force generated holds said pole shoe (3) in a stable manner in each of its extreme positions.
3. Timepiece escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said escapement (10) accumulates potential energy received from said wheel set (40) during each half of said period (PD), and returns energy to said resonator (20) between said half-periods during said transverse motion of said stopper (30) actuated by periodic action of said resonator (20), wherein said pole shoe (3) changes from a first relative transverse half-travel (PDC) with respect to said escape wheel set (40) to a second relative transverse half-travel (DDC) with respect to said escape wheel set (40), or vice versa.
4. Timepiece escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said magnetic or electrostatic field created by at least said pole shoe (3) or said track (50) is of greater intensity in said first half-travel (PDC) than in said second half-travel (DDC) during a first half-period, and inversely during a second half-period.
5. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said resonator (20) includes at least one oscillator (2) with periodic motion, in that said escape wheel set (40) is powered by an energy source, in that said at least one track (50) is animated with a travel motion along a trajectory of travel (TD) and has physical characteristics reproduced over said period of travel (PD), and in that said pole shoe (3) is movable in a transverse direction (DT) with respect to the direction of travel (DD) of said track (50) on a transverse trajectory (TT) substantially orthogonal to said trajectory of travel (TD) and effecting said first half-travel (PDC) on a first side of a fixed median position (PM) and said second half-travel (DDC) on a second side of said median position (PM), and wherein, in said pole gap (5), said track (50) and/or said pole shoe (3) creates said magnetic or electrostatic field whose intensity is greater in said first half-travel (PDC) than in said second half-travel (DDC) during the first half of said period of travel (PD), and whose intensity is greater in said second half-travel (DDC) than in said first half-travel (PDC) during the second half of said period of travel (PD), and in that said escapement mechanism (10) accumulates potential energy transmitted from said energy source via said escape wheel set (40) during each said first half or second half of said period of travel (PD), and in that said escapement mechanism (10) returns said energy to said oscillator (2) during said transverse motion of said stopper (30) actuated by said resonator (20) between said first half and second half of said period of travel (PD), during which transverse motion said pole shoe (3) changes from said first half-travel (PDC) to said second half-travel (DDC), or vice versa, under the effect of the periodic action of said oscillator (2) on said stopper (30), said pole shoe (3) being then opposite a said magnetic or electrostatic field barrier (46) on the part of said track (50) opposite to which said pole shoes moves just before said transverse motion.
6. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the characteristics of said magnetic or electrostatic field are alternated between said first half-travel (PDC) and said second half-travel (DDC) with a phase shift of one half of said period of travel (PD) of said track (50) with respect to said pole shoe (3).
7. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the two opposing components, formed by said pole shoe (3) and said track (50) carrying said surface (4) which faces said pole shoe at said pole gap (5) at least over part of their relative travel, includes active magnetic, respectively electrostatic means, which are arranged to create said magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, in which the component in an axial direction (DA), which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) tangent to said trajectory of travel of said track (50) at a median position (PM) between said first half-travel (PDC) and said second half-travel (DDC), is greater than its component in a plane (PP) perpendicular to said axial direction (DA), at their interface in a pole gap (5) between said pole shoe (3) and said surface (4) facing said pole shoe.
8. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the two opposing components, formed by said pole shoe (3) and said track (50) carrying said surface (4) facing said pole shoe at least over part of their relative travel, includes active magnetic, respectively electrostatic means, which are arranged to create a magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, in a direction substantially parallel to said axial direction (DA), at their interface in said pole gap (5) between said pole shoe (3) and said surface (4) facing said pole shoe.
9. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said escapement (10) accumulates potential energy received from said wheel set (40) during each half of said period (PD), and returns energy to said resonator (20) between said half-periods during said transverse motion of said stopper (30) actuated by periodic action of said resonator (20), wherein said pole shoe (3) changes from a first relative transverse half-travel (PDC) of said pole shoe (3) with respect to said escape wheel set (40) to a second relative transverse half-travel (DDC) of said pole shoe (3) with respect to said escape wheel set (40), or vice versa, and in that said magnetic, respectively electrostatic field is of variable and non-zero intensity in both said first half-travel (PDC) and said second half-travel (DDC).
10. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said escapement (10) accumulates potential energy received from said wheel set (40) during each half of said period (PD), and returns energy to said resonator (20) between said half-periods during said transverse motion of said stopper (30) actuated by periodic action of said resonator (20), wherein said pole shoe (3) changes from a first relative transverse half-travel (PDC) of said pole shoe (3) with respect to said escape wheel set (40) to a second relative transverse half-travel (DDC) of said pole shoe (3) with respect to said escape wheel set (40), or vice versa, and characterized in that the component of said magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, in an axial direction (DA) which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), is in the same direction on said first half-travel (PDC) and on said second half-travel (DDC).
11. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each said pole shoe (3) borne by said stopper (30) is permanently magnetized, or respectively, electrically charged and generates a constant magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic field, and in that each said surface (4) cooperating with each said pole shoe (3) defines with said pole shoe (3) concerned a pole gap (5), in which the magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic field is variable according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory and is variable according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40), and which is linked to the angular travel of said stopper (30).
12. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each said pole shoe (3) borne by said stopper (30) is permanently ferromagnetic, or respectively, electrostatically conductive, and in that each said surface (4) cooperating with each said pole shoe (3) defines with said pole shoe (3) concerned a pole gap (5) in which the magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic field is variable according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory and is variable according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40) and which is linked to the angular travel of said stopper (30).
13. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each said track (50) carrying said surface (4) is magnetized, respectively electrically charged, in a permanent and uniform manner, and generates a constant magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, on the surface thereof facing said pole shoe (3) concerned, and includes a raised portion arranged to produce a variable pole gap height in said pole gap (5), which height varies according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory, and varies according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40).
14. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that each said track (50) carrying said surface (4) is permanently ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive, and includes a raised portion arranged to produce a pole gap height in said pole gap (5), which height is variable according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory, and is variable according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40).
15. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each said track (50) carrying said surface (4) is permanently magnetized, respectively electrically charged, in a variable manner according to its angular position with respect to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to said transverse trajectory (TT), on said escape wheel set (40), and generates a magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, which is variable according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory, and is variable according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40), on the surface thereof facing said pole shoe (3) concerned.
16. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that each said track (50) carrying said surface (4) is permanently ferromagnetic, respectively electrostatically conductive, in a variable manner according to its angular position with respect to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to said transverse trajectory (TT), on said escape wheel set (40), so as to vary the magnetic, respectively electrostatic force, exerted, between said stopper (3) and said escape wheel set (40) under the effect of their relative motion, which force is variable according to the progress of said escape wheel set (40) on its trajectory, and is variable according to the relative angular position of said pole shoe (3) concerned with respect to said escape wheel set (40), on the surface thereof facing said pole shoe (3) concerned.
17. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each said pole shoe (3) moves between two said surfaces (4) of said escape wheel set (40), and in that a said magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, is exerted on each side of said pole shoe (3) in an axial direction (DA) which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), symmetrically on either side of said pole shoe (3) so that equal and opposite stresses are exerted on said pole shoe (3) in said axial direction (DA).
18. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each said surface (4) of said escape wheel set (40) moves between two surfaces (31; 32) of each said pole shoe (3), and in that a said magnetic, respectively electrostatic field, is exerted on each side of said surface (4) in an axial direction (DA) which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), symmetrically on either side of said surface (4), so that equal and opposite stresses are exerted on said surface (4) in said axial direction (DA).
19. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said escape wheel set (40) includes, on one of its two lateral surfaces (41, 42), a plurality of secondary tracks (43) concentric to one another with respect to an axial direction (DA), which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to the direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), each said secondary track (43) including an angular series of elementary primary areas (44), each said primary area (44) exhibiting a magnetic, or respectively electrostatic behaviour which is different, on the one hand, from that of every other adjacent primary area (44) on said secondary track (43) to which said primary area belongs, and on the other hand, from that of every other primary area (44) which is adjacent thereto and which is situated on another said secondary track (43), adjacent to its own said secondary track.
20. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that said series of said primary areas (44) on each said given secondary track (43) is periodic according to a spatial period (T) forming an integer sub-multiple of one revolution of said escape wheel set (40).
21. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that each said secondary track (43) includes, over each said spatial period, a ramp (45) including a monotone series of said primary areas (44) interacting in an increasing manner with a said pole shoe (3) with a magnetic, or respectively, electrostatic field whose intensity varies so as to produce increasing potential energy from an area of minimum interaction (4MIN) to an area of maximum interaction (4MAX), said ramp (45) taking energy from said escape wheel set (40).
22. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said each said barrier of potential (46) is steeper than each said ramp (45).
23. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 1 or 22, characterized in that said escape wheel set (40) includes, at the end of each said ramp (45) and just before each said barrier (46), a radial variation in the distribution of the magnetic or electrostatic field when said surface (4) is magnetized, or respectively, electrically charged, or a variation in profile when said surface (4) is ferromagnetic, or respectively, electrostatically conductive, causing a draw on said pole shoe (3).
24. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 or 22 or 23, characterized in that said escape wheel set (40) includes, after each said magnetic or electrostatic field barrier of potential (46), a mechanical shock absorber stop member.
25. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 19 to 23 characterized in that two said adjacent secondary tracks (43) comprise together an alternation of said areas of minimum interaction (4MIN) and of said areas of maximum interaction (4MAX) with an angular phase shift corresponding to half of said spatial period (T).
26. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that said stopper (30) includes a plurality of said pole shoes (3) arranged to cooperate simultaneously with distinct said secondary tracks (43).
27. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 26, characterized in that said stopper (30) includes a comb extending parallel to said surface (4) of said escape wheel set (40) and including said pole shoes (3) arranged side by side.
28. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that said stopper (30) pivots about a real or virtual pivot (35) and includes a single said pole shoe (3) arranged to cooperate with primary areas (44) comprised in said surfaces (4) located on different diameters of said escape wheel set (40) with which said pole shoe interacts in a variable manner during the revolution of said escape wheel set (40), said primary areas (44) being arranged alternately on the periphery of said escape wheel set (40) to restrict said pole shoe (3) to a radial motion, with respect to an axial direction (DA) which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), of said escape wheel set (40) during the search for the position of equilibrium of said pole shoe (3).
29. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that said stopper (30) pivots about a real or virtual pivot (35) and includes a plurality of said pole shoes (3) each arranged to cooperate with primary areas (44), which are comprised in at least one said surface (4) located on an area of said escape wheel set (40), and with which each said pole shoe (3) interacts in a variable manner during the revolution of said escape wheel set (40), said primary areas (44) being arranged alternately on the periphery of said escape wheel set (40) to restrict said pole shoe (3) to a radial motion with respect to an axial direction (DA) which is orthogonal both to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to the transverse trajectory (TT) of said pole shoe (3), and to a direction of travel (DF) of said track (50), of said escape wheel set (40) during the search for the position of equilibrium of said pole shoe (3).
30. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 29, characterized in that, at each instant, at least one said pole shoe (3) is in interaction with at least one said surface (4) of said escape wheel set (40).
31. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that said escape wheel set (40) is an escapement wheel (400).
32. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that said stopper (30) cooperates, on either side, with a said escape wheel set (40) formed, on one hand by a first escape wheel (401), and on the other hand, by a second escape wheel (402).
33. Escapement mechanism (10) according to claim 32, characterized in that said first (401) and second (402) escape wheels pivot integrally.
34. Escapement mechanism according to claim 32, characterized in that said first (401) and second (402) escape wheels pivot independently of each other.
35. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that said first (401) and second (402) escape wheels are coaxial.
36. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that said escape wheel (40) includes at least one cylindrical surface, whose axis of pivoting (D) is parallel to a transverse direction (DT) substantially parallel to said transverse trajectory (TT), and in that said at least one pole shoe (3) of said stopper (30) is movable parallel to said axis of pivoting (D).
37. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that said surface (4) includes a magnetized layer of variable thickness, or respectively an electrically charged layer of variable thickness, or a magnetized layer of constant thickness but variable magnetization, or respectively an electrically charged layer of constant thickness but variable electrical charge, or a variable surface density of micromagnets, or respectively a variable surface density of electrets, or a ferromagnetic layer of variable thickness, or respectively an electrostatically conductive layer of variable thickness, or a ferromagnetic layer of variable shape, or respectively an electrostatically conductive layer of variable shape, or a ferromagnetic layer with a variable surface density of holes, or respectively an electrostatically conductive layer with a variable surface density of holes.
38. Escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 37, characterized in that said stopper (30) is a pallet fork.
39. Timepiece movement (100) including at least one escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 38.
40. Timepiece (200) including at least one movement (100) according to the preceding claim and/or including at least one escapement mechanism (10) according to any of claims 1 to 38.

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