CH709006A2 - A tombstone for the control components. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a setting device comprising a support (6) comprising a body (12), a working surface (20) arranged on one side of the support, a field concentration element (10) mounted in a housing (15) of the support, and a field generator (8). The field concentration element comprises a base portion (22) and a flow concentration portion (24) disposed proximate the work surface, the base portion including an axial base surface (26) having a width average or diameter D2 at its periphery greater than a diameter D2 of the flux concentration portion has an axial end surface (28). The base portion is connected to the flux concentration portion by a curved surface (33). This device can in particular be used for the measurement or control of watch components.

Description

The present invention relates to a setting device for measuring or controlling small components, in particular for centering a rotating or rotating mobile component. A particular field of application of the invention relates to measuring or controlling components of watch mechanisms.

The measurement of the axes and watchmakers must be performed by positioning the samples, without inducing measurement uncertainty. Conventionally, several measurement technologies are used to control all the geometries of mobile components, these control operations requiring substantial resources of qualified personnel and equipment.

[0003] Vision control methods would allow a measurement of several geometries to be controlled, but the difficulty of these methods is to ensure that the position of the parts does not mask the surfaces to be controlled. Moreover, for the setting of the rotating watch parts, it must be ensured that the axis of rotation is kept continuously in equilibrium, without any noticeable vibration, during the test of rotation of the part.

The conventional measurement techniques used to date do not measure inclination defects mobile with a precision less than 100 microns, the radial distance between the two ends of the axis of the mobile.

An object of the invention is to provide a setting device for the control or measurement of small components, millimeter scale or less, which is accurate, reliable, and economical to implement.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a setting device for control or measurement by an apparatus for viewing components of small size, which is accurate, reliable, and economical to implement.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a setting device for the control or measurement by an apparatus for viewing components of watch mechanisms, which is accurate, reliable, and economical to implement.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a measuring and control device comprising a setting device for the control or measurement by an apparatus for viewing small components such as components of watch mechanisms, that is accurate, reliable, and economical to implement.

It is advantageous to provide a setting device incorporating an axial bearing with very low wear for a rotary member.

It is advantageous to provide a setting device incorporating an axial bearing having a high efficiency.

It is advantageous to provide a compact and robust laying device.

It is advantageous to provide a setting device for ensuring the rapid implementation of a piece to be measured or controlled by an unqualified operator.

It is advantageous to provide a setting device for maintaining in a stable position of the rotating parts during the measurement.

It is advantageous to provide a setting device for ensuring the orientation of the axis of rotation of the parts of revolution during the control of dimensions in static and dynamic.

It is advantageous to provide a measuring device for accepting various shapes of parts, such as long axes, short, stages, with wheel and pinion, and other components of watch mechanisms.

Objects of the invention are realized by a setting device according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe advantageous aspects of the invention.

In the present there is described a setting device comprising a support comprising a body, a working surface disposed on one side of the support, a field concentration element mounted in a housing of the support, and a magnetic field generator and or electric according to the variant. The field concentration element comprises a base portion and a field concentration portion disposed proximate the work surface, the base portion including an axial base surface having an average width or diameter D2 at its larger periphery. a diameter D1 of the flux concentration part at an axial end surface. The base portion is connected to the flux concentration portion by a curved surface.

The curved surface of the concentration element preferably has a continuous shape. In a variant, the curved surface follows a toric shape with a constant radius of curvature. In another advantageous embodiment, the curved surface follows a toric shape with a variable radius of curvature, the curvature portion having a large radius disposed on the side of the flux concentration portion. The curved surface may advantageously join the flow concentration part tangentially. The flux concentration portion may advantageously comprise a cylindrical section and a planar or substantially flat axial end surface orthogonal to the axis of the setting device.

In a particular embodiment, the diameter of the axial end surface of the concentration element is between 0.15 and 0.6 millimeters, the diameter or width of the base portion is included between 2 and 3 millimeters, and the radius of the curved surface is between 1.5 and 4 millimeters.

In a particular embodiment, the material of the field concentration element is a magnetically soft steel, characterized by a maximum magnetic permeability μRequal or greater than 100 and a coercive field Hc equal to or less than 5 kA / m.

In a particular embodiment, the material of the field concentration element is a dielectric whose dielectric strength is equal to or greater than 10 kV / mm.

In a particular embodiment, the field generator is a rare earth permanent magnet having a saturation field greater than 1 Tesla.

In one embodiment, the field generator may comprise an electrical capacitor.

The field generator may be mounted in a cavity formed in the body of the support, the field generator abutting or near an axial base surface of a portion of the field concentration element.

The material of the working surface may advantageously be selected from materials having a high hardness and good tribological properties, including corundum, diamond or other precious stones, and ceramic materials.

The working surface may be part of a nozzle assembled on an end wall closing the housing. The housing may comprise cylindrical walls and the end wall is substantially in the form of a circular disk with a hole in the center for attachment of the tip.

Objects of the invention are achieved by a small coin measuring or control instrument according to claim 15.

A measurement or control instrument is described herein comprising a frame supporting a first setting device and a second complementary setting device, the first setting device comprising a support comprising a body, a working surface arranged on one side. of the support, a field concentration element mounted in a housing of the support, and a magnetic and / or electric field generator according to the variant. The field concentration element comprises a base portion and a field concentration portion disposed proximate the work surface, the base portion including an axial base surface having a larger average width or diameter at its periphery. that a diameter of the flux concentration part at an axial end surface, the two laying devices being aligned on the same axis A, the laying devices being oriented relative to each other in opposite manner and configured to receive a member to be measured or controlled between the passage devices.

The frame may advantageously comprise a slide device for varying the distance between the two setting devices in order to measure or control organs of different lengths.

In an advantageous embodiment, the instrument is configured so that a first end of a control member bears against a first of the setting devices, the other end being separated by a small space of additional setting device. This configuration is obtained by having a magnetic and / or electrical attraction force applied by the first laying device greater than by the complementary setting device.

The setting device of the instrument may advantageously comprise one or more characteristics of the device described above.

Objects of the invention are also achieved by an optical measurement or control apparatus comprising an optical camera and integrating the measuring or control instrument.

Other objects and advantageous aspects of the invention will appear on reading the claims, as well as the detailed description of the embodiments below, and the attached drawings, in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> is a view of a measuring instrument according to one embodiment of the invention; <tb> Figs. 2a and 2b <SEP> are sectional and front views of a setting device according to one embodiment of the invention; <tb> Fig. 3a <SEP> is a perspective view of a field concentration element of a setting device according to one embodiment of the invention; <tb> Fig. 3b <SEP> is a side view of a variant of a field concentration element of a setting device according to one embodiment of the invention; <tb> Figs. 4a, 4b <SEP> are photographs taken by an optical camera of a measuring or control apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, a member to be inspected being under inspection, FIG. 4a showing the entire organ and FIG. 4b a detailed view of one end of the organ.

Referring to the figures, a measuring instrument 1 according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 9 supporting a setting device 2 and a complementary setting device 4, the two setting devices being aligned on a same axis A, the positioning devices being oriented relative to each other in opposite manner and configured to receive a member to be measured or controlled 3 between the devices. The frame 9 may comprise a slide device or other removable elements for varying the distance between the two setting devices 2, 4 in order to measure or control different lengths of organs.

The setting device is configured to focus and direct a magnetic field, or alternatively an electric field, or alternatively a combination of an electric field and a magnetic field, to center an organ to control or measure 3 by applying, depending on the variant, a magnetostatic and / or electrostatic force on the member.

As illustrated in FIG. 4a in a preferred embodiment, the measuring instrument is configured so that a first end 7a of an axis 5 of the control member 3 bears against one of the setting devices 2, the another end 7b being separated by a small space from the surface of the complementary setting device 4. This configuration can be obtained by having a magnetostatic attraction force, and / or electrostatic according to the variant, applied by the greater setting device 2 only by the additional setting device 4. The support of a control member 3 at one end allows a reduced friction force and to ensure accurate centering of the body to be controlled depending solely or mainly on magnetic flux lines of the magnetic field, and / or electric field lines according to the variant, between the two laying devices passing through the body to be controlled 3. The frame 9 little t comprise means for fine-tuning the position of one or both of the setting devices to optimize the free space between the end 7b of the axis 5 and the surface of the setting device 4.

In an advantageous embodiment, the setting device is configured to focus and direct a magnetic field. The use of magnetic components in measuring or control instruments for the measurement or control of rotating members of watch movements or mechanisms or other micromechanical mechanisms, is advantageous because it allows to create large and localized forces accompanied by low friction. This allows the maintenance in continuous equilibrium, watch revolutions motives, having at least one ferromagnetic shaft or very magnetically permeable, by a magnetic field created by 2 parallel magnetic poles and oriented so that they attract.

The complementary setting device 4 may have a construction following the same principles as the setting device 2, but having a slightly different field strength for the reasons mentioned above. In situations where the control member 3, because of its construction comprises one end which is attracted more strongly than the other, the two surface devices may also be identical.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 2b, a setting device 2 according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a support 6, a field concentration element 10 mounted in the support 6, and a field generator 8. In one embodiment preferred the field generator comprises a magnet, the magnet can also be mounted in the support 6. The magnet can also be mounted outside the support 6 depending on the geometry of the support, as long as the function of the magnet is filled, that is, configured to apply a magnetic field of a desired intensity to the field concentration element 10.

The support 6 may comprise a body 12 with a cavity 13 in which the field generator 8 may be housed or inserted or only part of a field generator, and a housing 15 configured for assembly and positioning of the field concentration element in the support. The support 6 may further comprise an end wall 14 for closing an opening giving access to the housing 15, the end wall 14 comprising a support part 16 and a tip 18 having a working surface 20.

Alternatively, the housing 15 for the assembly of the field concentration element 10 may be accessible from the side of the cavity 13, the end wall 14 in this case may be formed integrally with the body 12. The working surface 20, in a variant, can be directly applied and secured to an axial end surface 28 of the field concentration element 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing 15 comprises cylindrical walls and the end wall 14 is substantially in the form of a circular disk with a hole in the center for fixing the end piece 18.

The material of the working surface 20 is selected from materials having good mechanical properties, and in particular having a high hardness as well as good tribological properties. Examples of materials meeting these criteria include corundum, diamond and other precious crystalline stones and some ceramic materials. Natural gemstones can be used to form the tip, or alternatively, apply a synthetic layer by known deposition techniques such as plasma or CVD (chemical vapor deposition).

The magnet 8 can be made in the form of a permanent magnet, or an electromagnetic magnet. In this second variant, the induction coils may be arranged outside the cavity 13 formed in the body 12, the magnetic field being formed by an insert made of a magnetic material, namely a material having a high maximum magnetic permeability, equal to or greater than 100, which is housed in the cavity 13 and abuts or in proximity to an axial base surface 26 of a base portion 22 of the field concentration element.

In another embodiment, the setting device 2 may comprise an electric field generator, for example an electrical capacitor, in place and in place of the magnet, in order to apply an electric field, the field concentration element 10 for concentrating the electric field. In this embodiment, the setting device can be used for the measurement or control of non-magnetic organs, or having a low magnetic permeability. In another embodiment, the setting device may comprise a magnetic field generator and an electric field generator for optionally applying, or simultaneously, an electric field and a magnetic field for centering the device to be measured or control, regulate.

The measuring apparatus may comprise an electrical circuit with a control system for switching off or switching on the magnetic or electrical field and controlling the intensity of the field as a function of time.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2a, 2b and in figs. 3a, 3b, the setting device 2 comprises a field concentration element 10 comprising a base portion 22 and a flux concentration portion 24. The base portion 22 comprises an axial base surface 26 having a mean width or diameter D2 at its periphery 30b. At the other end of the field concentration element, the flux concentration portion 24 has an axial end surface 28 with a diameter D1 smaller than the diameter D2. The base portion 22 is connected to the flux concentration portion by a curved surface 33. In a preferred embodiment, the curved surface 33 has a continuous shape, i.e. without discontinuity and in a form. In particular, this curved surface may follow a substantially toroidal shape with a constant or variable radius of curvature R. In variants, the profile of the curved surface 33 has an elliptical or parabolic shape, the curvature portion having a large radius being disposed on the side of the flux concentration portion 24. The axial height H defining the distance between the surface of the axial end 28 and the base portion 22 is preferably larger than the radius of curvature R. The curved surface joining the flow concentrating portion 24 may be tangentially connected to this portion. In one embodiment, the flux concentration portion 24 includes a cylindrical section and the axial end surface 28 may have a planar or substantially planar surface orthogonal to the axis A of the setting device.

The base portion 22 may have an axial thickness for fixing the field concentration element in a support 6. The base portion 22 may have different shapes configured for fixing the setting device in the support. Fig. 3a illustrates a field concentrating element with a base portion comprising a flange 34 and a reduced section 36 forming a step sitting in a complementary housing shape as illustrated in FIG. 2a. The flange 34 may be provided with a polarizing portion, for example a plate 38, to fix the orientation of the field concentration element 10 in the body 12. The latter feature may be useful in variants where the element field concentration is placed in the housing 15 and could rotate in the absence of a polarization element due to a rotating magnetic force due to the rotation of the member to be measured or control 3. The curved shape 33 and the cylindrical extension of the flux concentration part makes it possible to optimize the concentration of flux, in particular of a magnetic flux, but also the concentration of an electric field in an optimal manner while avoiding a local saturation of the high point. Indeed, the toric or essentially toric shape makes it possible to concentrate the flow in a very small diameter D1 at the end of the field concentration element 10 with field lines in the portion approaching and leaving the end surface. axial 28 aligned with the axial direction A for applying to the member to be measured or to control 3 a high intensity magnetic or electrical field concentrated around the axis A and directed in the direction of the axis.

In an advantageous embodiment, particularly for a device for measuring or controlling moving axes of movement of watch parts, the diameter D1 of the axial end surface is between 0.15 and 0.6. millimeters, the diameter or width D2 of the base portion 22 is between 2 and 3 millimeters, the radius R is between 1.5 and 3 millimeters, for example at 2 millimeters, and the height H between the surface of axial end and the base is between 1 and 2 millimeters for example between 1 and 1.5 millimeters.

The measuring instrument 1 can be integrated in an optical control or measuring device, for example comprising an optical camera, in a spectrum of electromagnetic waves visible or not visible to the human eye, for example in a X-ray or infrared apparatus. The measuring instrument 1 can also be integrated in a machine with other means for detecting solid forms, for example using ultrasound. The measuring apparatus according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to provide a field of view for the member to be measured or controlled free of obstacles.

In a particular embodiment using a magnetic field, one can use soft steel AFK502 for the magnetic field concentration element and rare earth magnets having a saturation field greater than 1Tesla for the field generator magnetic.

In a particular embodiment using an electric field, it is possible to use using electric capacitors in place of the magnets and an electrically conductive material forming the field concentration element or covering the field concentration element, by example plated in gold.

Finally, it will be noted that the flow concentration portion may be according to a magnetically inhomogeneous embodiment and have a higher permeability near its axis of revolution.

The advantages of this invention include the following features:

List of references

[0055]

Claims (21)

A setting device (2) comprising a support (6) comprising a body (12), a working surface (20) disposed on one side of the support, a field concentrating element (10) mounted in a housing (15), ), and a field generator (8), the field concentrating element comprising a base portion (22) and a flow concentration portion (24) disposed proximate to the work surface, the portion of base comprising an axial base surface (26) having a mean width or diameter D2 at its periphery greater than a diameter D1 of the flux concentration portion at an axial end surface (28), the portion base being connected to the flux concentration portion by a curved surface (33). 2. Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the curved surface has a continuous shape. 3. Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the curved surface follows a toric shape with a constant radius of curvature R. 4. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the curved surface follows a toric shape with a variable radius of curvature R, the curvature portion having a large radius disposed on the side of the flux concentration portion. 5. Device according to one of the three preceding claims characterized in that the curved surface joins the flow concentration portion tangentially. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the flux concentration portion comprises a cylindrical section and an axial end surface (28) flat or substantially flat orthogonal to the axis A of the setting device. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the diameter D1 of the axial end surface is between 0.15 and 0.6 millimeters, the diameter or width D2 of the base portion is between 2 and 3 millimeters, the radius R of the curved surface is between 1.5 and 4 millimeters. 8. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the material of the field concentration element is a mild steel, characterized by a coercive field equal to or less than 5 kA / m and magnetic permeability. maximum equal to or greater than 100. 9. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the field generator is a rare earth permanent magnet having a saturation field greater than 1Tesla. 10. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the field generator comprises an electric capacitor. 11. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the field generator is disposed in a cavity (13) formed in the body of the support, the field generator abutting or in proximity to a surface of axial base (26) of a portion of the field concentration element. 12. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the material of the working surface is selected from corundum, diamond and ceramic materials. 13. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the working surface is on a tip (18) assembled on an end wall (14) closing the housing (15). 14. Fixing device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the housing comprises cylindrical walls and the end wall is formed substantially in the form of a circular disk with a hole in the center for fixing the tip. 15. Installation device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the flux concentration portion is magnetically inhomogeneous, having a higher permeability near its axis of revolution. 16. Measuring or control instrument (1) characterized in that it comprises a frame (9) supporting a first setting device (2) and a second complementary setting device (4), the two setting devices being aligned on the same axis A, the positioning devices being oriented relative to each other in opposite directions and configured to receive a member to be measured or controlled (3) between the devices, the first setting device comprising a support (6) comprising a body (12), a working surface (20) disposed on one side of the carrier, a field concentrating element (10) mounted in a housing (15) of the carrier, and a field generator (8) ), the field concentrating element comprising a base portion (22) and a flow concentration portion (24) disposed proximate the work surface, the base portion including an axial base surface (26) having an average width or diameter D2 at its periphery greater than a diameter D1 of the flux concentration portion at an axial end surface (28). 17. Instrument according to the preceding claim characterized in that the frame comprises a sliding device for varying the distance between the two setting devices in order to measure or control different length of organs. 18. Instrument according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured so that a first end (7a) of an axis (5) of a member to be controlled (3) bears against a first setting devices (2), the other end (7b) being separated by a small space from the complementary setting device (4), the magnetic and / or electrical attraction force applied by the first setting device being greater that by the complementary device of setting. 19. Instrument according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the first setting device comprises one or more of the characteristics of the setting device according to claims 1 to 14. 20. Instrument according to one of the four preceding claims characterized in that the second setting device comprises one or more of the characteristics of the setting device according to claims 1 to 14. An optical measuring or control apparatus comprising an optical camera and an instrument according to one of the five preceding claims.