CH704149A2 - Method for pairing and adjusting physical characteristics, imbalance, inertia and/or oscillation frequency of hairspring-balance assembly of watch, involves correcting inertia of balance, and correcting elastic return torque of hairspring - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring elastic return torque exerted by an elastic unit of a component e.g. hairspring, of a sub-assembly on another component e.g. balance, of the sub-assembly about a pivoting axis. Inertia of the latter component is measured and corrected. The return torque of the former component is corrected by removal of material, addition of material, displacement of material and/or local or complete heat treatment.

Description

The invention relates to a method of adjusting the physical characteristics of a component or a subset of a timepiece, in particular for the purpose of adjusting inertia and / or balancing and / or frequency adjustment.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting inertia of a clockwork comprising a peripheral serge and movable pivotally about a balance shaft.

The invention also relates to a torque adjustment method of a watch winder.

The invention also relates to a method of adjusting a pendulum balance-spiral clockwork comprising at least one balance, which comprises a peripheral serge, and at least one spiral spring, attached one to the another at a ferrule, said sprung-balance assembly being movable in pivoting about a balance shaft.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one paired regulating member and adjusted according to this method.

The invention relates, in general, the field of micromechanics, and more particularly the field of watchmaking.

[0007] The invention particularly relates to the adjustments and adjustments of organs-regulating, and in particular the pendulums of watches or timepieces, or balance-spiral sets of watches or timepieces.

Background of the invention

Despite the extreme precision of machining and their high reproducibility, adjustments must almost always be made, either during an assembly operation, or, more frequently, during a setting operation or development , in particular for unbalance adjustment and inertia adjustment in the case of moving parts, and frequency adjustment in the case of an oscillator.

It is particularly at the assembled stage that it is necessary to perfect the pairing of certain components which, taken independently, are within the tolerances of machining or of realization, but which can not be assembled purely and simply in because of service constraints specific to the subassembly or mounted assembly.

This is particularly the case of the regulating organs of timepieces, and particularly balance-spiral assemblies. It appears that the unbalance and inertia adjustment settings, both static and dynamic, are already very delicate at the individual component stage, and that these debugging operations prove to be extremely complex when the components are assembled between them. In particular the dynamic settings are difficult to implement.

For the adjustment of a sprung-balance sub-assembly, different techniques are known, two of which are more commonly applied.

The so-called "Omegametric" system consists in performing: a classification of spirals; a classification of the balancers; a pairing of a pendulum chosen in a particular class, with a spiral chosen also in a particular class, these classes being compatible with each other.

This process imposes a large stock of components and relatively large classes.

[0014] In alternative, the so-called "Spiromatic" system is known: we generally assemble a spiral on a pendulum; this hairspring is cut to the right length, to obtain a torque adapted to the inertia of the pendulum

This method does not accurately guarantee the end position of the spring, hence loss of chronometric performance.

These conventional techniques are either expensive or mediocre as to the accuracy of the results obtained.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to overcome the limitations of the prior art, by providing a simple, efficient, and accurate method of constitution, pairing and adjustment of physical characteristics of a component or a device. timepiece subassembly, in particular for inertia adjustment and / or balancing and / or frequency adjustment purposes. In the case of a subset, it is a pivotally mobile subassembly, comprising on the one hand at least a first component and secondly at least a second component, one of said components comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around said pivot axis on at least one of said other components.

In particular the invention relates to a method of pairing and adjustment of a pendulum-spiral watch subassembly with a very good chronometric performance.

According to the invention, this method of pairing and adjusting a movable subassembly pivotally about a pivot axis, comprising firstly at least a first component and secondly at at least one second component, said at least one first component comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, about said pivot axis, on said second component, consists of: measuring the return torque of said at least one first component and measuring the inertia of said second component; then correcting the inertia of said second component and / or correcting the return torque of said at least one first component.

According to a feature of the invention, it is chosen to correct the inertia of said second component.

According to another characteristic of the invention, it is chosen to correct the return torque of said at least one first component.

According to a feature of the invention, it is chosen to correct the inertia of said second component, and to correct the return torque of said at least one first component.

According to a feature of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected at least by removal of material and / or by displacement of material.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected at least by material removal.

According to a feature of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected to at least by displacement of material.

According to a feature of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected to the more by adding material and / or material displacement.

According to a feature of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected to the more by adding material.

According to a feature of the invention, the inertia of said second component is corrected to the more by displacement of material.

According to a feature of the invention, the restoring torque of said at least one first component is corrected by removal of material and / or by addition of material and / or by material displacement.

According to a feature of the invention, said removal of material is carried out by machining with the tool.

According to a feature of the invention, said removal of material by ablation is carried out using a source of energy remote from the surface of said second component.

According to a feature of the invention, said addition of material is carried out by remote projection of the surface of said second component.

According to a feature of the invention, said movement of material is carried out by deformation or embossing.

According to a feature of the invention, said displacement of material by localized melting and displacement of the liquid phase resulting from said melting is carried out.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said method is applied to a said at least one first component which is a hairspring comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, about said pivot axis, on a pendulum which constitutes said second component.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one paired regulating member and adjusted according to this method.

Thus, preferably, the method of pairing and adjusting a pendulum-spiral sub-assembly of mobile watches pivoting about a pivot axis, comprising at least one spiral and a balance, said at least one hairspring comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around said pivot axis, on said balance, consists in successively performing the following operations: measuring the torque resulting from said spirals, and measuring the inertia of a pendulum; then correct the inertia of said balance and / or correct the return torque of said spirals.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments:

The invention relates, in general, the field of micromechanics, and more particularly the field of watchmaking.

[0040] The invention particularly relates to the adjustments and adjustments of organs-regulating, and in particular of the pendulums of watches or timepieces, or balance-spiral sets of watches or timepieces.

In particular the invention relates to a method of pairing and adjustment of a pendulum-spiral watch subassembly with a very good chronometric performance.

The invention consists in developing a method for adjusting physical characteristics, and / or unbalance, and / or inertia, and / or oscillation frequency, of a component, and, of preferably, a component or a subset movable pivotally about a pivot axis.

In the case of a subset, it is a pivotally movable subassembly comprising on the one hand at least a first component and secondly at least a second component, the one of said components comprising biasing means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around said pivot axis on at least one of said other components.

According to the invention, this method of pairing and adjusting a movable subassembly pivotally about a pivot axis, comprising firstly at least a first component and secondly at at least one second component, said at least one first component comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around this pivot axis, on the second component, consists of: measuring the return torque of said at least one first component, or the torque resulting from the first components if there is a plurality, and measuring the inertia of the second component; then correcting the inertia of the second component and / or correcting the return torque of said at least one first component, or the torque resulting from the first components if there is a plurality.

This correction of inertia or / and return torque is made according to tolerances specific to the operation of the subset concerned.

Naturally, each of the first components and second components may be constituted in the form of an elementary subassembly, and the corrections, as the case may be, of inertia, or / and of the return torque, may be applied to certain elementary components of such elementary subsets, which are chosen for the ease of implementation of these corrections, for example for their machinability, their deformability, their ability to receive a heat or surface treatment, for their memory properties. shape, for their density, or for any other characteristic or physical property allowing an easy and precise correction.

In a particular and preferred embodiment of the invention, the first component is a clockwork hairspring, and the second component is a clockwork pendulum. The corrections can then advantageously be applied, in the first case to turns or zones prepared for this purpose, or in the second case to flyweights, adjusting screws, pins or the like, these examples being by no means exhaustive.

In a particular mode of implementation of the method, it is applied to a plurality of second components, which pivot about the same pivot axis. In this case, instead of correcting the inertia of a single second component, the cumulative inertia of the plurality of these second components is corrected. Depending on the particular case, the inertial correction can be distributed over the different second components, or adopt another rule, for example depending on the ease of implementation of the selected correction technique, on one or the other second component. According to a preferred rule, the plurality of second components is corrected, so that their center of inertia remains on the pivot axis.

In a first embodiment of the invention, it is chosen to correct the inertia of the second component.

In a second embodiment of the invention, it is chosen to correct the return torque of the first component, or the resulting torque of the first components if there is a plurality. In the latter case, depending on the particular case, it is possible to distribute the correction of the restoring torque on the different first components, or to adopt another rule, for example as a function of the ease of implementation of the selected correction technique. , on one or the other first component. According to a preferred rule, the plurality of first components is corrected, so that at least their center of gravity, and if possible their center of inertia, remains on the pivot axis.

In a third embodiment of the invention, it is chosen to correct both the inertia of the second component, and the restoring torque of the at least one first component.

To reduce the inertia of the second component, different means are possible, and can be combined with one another: the inertia of the second component is corrected at least by removal of material and / or by displacement of material, and / or the inertia of the second component is corrected at least by removal of material, and / or the inertia of the second component is corrected at least by displacement of matter.

To increase the inertia of the second component, different means are possible, and can be combined with one another: the inertia of the second component is corrected towards the more by addition of material and / or by displacement of material, and / or the inertia of the second component is corrected to the most by addition of material, and / or the inertia of the second component is corrected towards the most by displacement of matter.

Of course, these inertial corrections can also, if necessary, be combined with corrections of main axis of inertia, and unbalance times. When the second component is already balanced, with appropriate tolerances of static and / or dynamic balancing, the inertia corrections are preferably carried out in a balanced or symmetrical manner as the case may be.

Similarly, according to the invention, it is provided to correct the restoring torque of the at least one first component by removal of material and / or by adding material and / or material displacement.

It is still possible, advantageously, to modify this restoring torque by a local or total heat treatment, without removal of material. This technology is advantageous in the case where the at least one first component is a watch winder, and the second component a watch wheel, in fact such a treatment can be performed at the assembled stage of the sprung balance.

In common with the correction operations performed on the first or the second component, one can perform the removal of material by machining the tool, for example by milling, turning, drilling, grinding, or other.

This removal of material can also be performed by ablation using a source of energy remote from the surface of the second component, or the first component as appropriate, by laser, microlaser, nanolaser, picolaser, femtolaser , electro-erosion, or other.

Of course, these different types of material removal can be combined, and their choice depends mainly on the morphology of the component and its accessibility, either statically or dynamically when it is desired to perform the inertia or torque corrections. on a moving component or subset.

Regarding the alternative where we add material on the first component or the second component, we can perform the addition of material by remote projection of the surface of the second component. This projection can be made with any suitable adhesion material relative to the receiving surface, and this filler material may in particular be a metal, an alloy, a glue, an ink, a resin, or other.

The vector of the projection may be mechanical, such as a printhead or jetting, or be constituted by a plasma torch, or other.

Naturally it is possible to accumulate operations of addition, removal, movement of material, which may be necessary depending on the fineness of the operations of addition, removal, displacement.

Regarding the latter, one can perform the movement of material by deformation or embossing, or other.

It is also possible to carry out the displacement of material by localized melting and displacement of the liquid phase resulting from this melting. In particular if the component concerned is in motion, for example pivoting, it is advantageous to use for example the centrifugal force to move a flow of material away from the pivot axis.

It is thus possible to apply the method to such a second component which is a clockwork comprising a peripheral serge and movable pivotally about a balance shaft, to correct its inertia.

It is also possible to apply this method to such a first component which is a spiral comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, to correct its return torque.

This arrangement offers the advantage of modifying the torque of the spiral, by implementing the techniques mentioned above, while maintaining the length of the spiral, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

In a preferred application of the invention, this method is applied to such a first component which is a spiral comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around the pivot axis, on a pendulum which constitutes the second component, this balance and this spiral constituting together a pendulum-balance assembly.

Thus, preferably, the method is a method of pairing and adjusting a regulating member, in particular a pendulum sub-assembly-spiral watch mobile pivoting about a pivot axis , comprising at least one hairspring and a balance wheel, the hairspring comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque around this pivot axis, on the balance, and consists in successively performing the following operations: measuring the torque resulting from said spirals, and measuring the inertia of a pendulum; then correct the inertia of the balance and / or correct the return torque of said spirals.

In short, the invention eliminates sorting by classes of components, especially the associated stock, which represents a strong financial immobilization. It allows easy pairing, depending on the functional tolerances of the subassembly.

As it is applied to a set clockmaker, it guarantees its perfect fit in frequency. It thus becomes unnecessary to keep a snowshoe to play on the point of attachment of the hairspring.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one regulating member, in particular a balance sprung-balance, paired and adjusted according to this method.

Claims (18)

A method of pairing and adjusting physical characteristics, and / or unbalance, and / or inertia, and / or oscillation frequency, of a movable subassembly pivoting about an axis of pivoting, comprising on the one hand at least a first component and secondly a second component, said at least one first component comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, about said pivot axis, on said second component, said method comprising: Measuring the return torque of said at least one first component and measuring the inertia of said second component; And then to correct the inertia of said second component and / or to correct the return torque of said at least one first component. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one chooses to correct the inertia of said second component. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one chooses to correct the restoring torque of said at least one first component. 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one chooses to correct the inertia of said second component, and to correct the return torque of said at least one first component. 5. Method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that corrects the inertia of said second component at least by removal of material 6. Method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that corrects the inertia of said second component at least by displacement of material. 7. The method of claim 2 or 4, characterized in that corrects the inertia of said second component to the more by adding material. 8. The method of claim 2 or 4, characterized in that corrects the inertia of said second component to the most by displacement of material. 9. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the restoring torque of said at least one first component is corrected by removal of material and / or by addition of material and / or by displacement of material and / or by heat treatment. local or total. 10. The method of claim 5, characterized in that said removal of material by machining with the tool. 11. The method of claim 5, characterized in that said removal of material by ablation using a power source remote from the surface of said second component. 12. The method of claim 7, characterized in that said addition of material by remote projection of the surface of said second component. 13. The method of claim 8, characterized in that said displacement of material by deformation or embossing. 14. The method of claim 8, characterized in that said displacement of material by localized melting and displacement of the liquid phase resulting from said melting. 15. Method according to one of claims 5 to 8 or 10 to 14, characterized in that said method is applied to a said second component which is a clockwork comprising a peripheral serge and movable pivotally about a balance axis, to correct its inertia. 16. The method of claim 3 or 9, characterized in that said method is applied to a said at least a first component which is a spiral comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, to correct its torque. recall. 17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said method is applied to a said at least a first component which is a spiral comprising return means arranged to exert an elastic return torque, about said axis of pivoting on a balance, which constitutes said second component, said balance and said balance constituting together a sprung balance assembly. 18. Timepiece comprising at least one regulating member, in particular a balance-spring assembly, paired and adjusted according to the method according to claim 17.