CH710979A2 - Spiral of micro-machinable material with correction of isochronism. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch winder (1) of micro-machinable material comprising a plurality of stages (10A, 10B) each constituting a spirally wound spring, all parallel to each other and arranged to be joined together at their inner ends. (20A, 20B) at a common axial shell. Each said stage (10A, 10B) comprises, at its respective outer end (30A, 30B), its own fixing means (40A, 40B) at a peak (3) which are independent of those of the other said stages (10A, 10B ), said fastening means (40A, 40B) having position setting means (50A, 50B) with respect to a stud (3) which are also independent of those of said other stages (10A, 10B), said means for fixing (40A, 40B) and said position adjusting means (50A, 50B) together constituting intrinsic means for correcting isochronism of said hairspring (1). The invention also relates to an escape mechanism whose position of a peg (3) which hooks the outer end (30A, 30B) of at least one hairspring (10A, 10B) is movable and adjustable.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch winding micromachinable material comprising a plurality of stages, each constituting a spirally wound spring, all parallel to each other and arranged to be assembled integral at their respective internal ends at the level of a common axial shell.

The invention relates to an escapement mechanism comprising such a spiral.

The invention also relates to an escapement mechanism comprising at least one sprung-balance assembly, the outer end of at least one spiral is attached to a stud.

The invention relates to a mechanical clockwork movement comprising at least one escape mechanism.

The invention relates to a watch comprising at least one mechanical clockwork movement.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms comprising spiral springs of micro-machinable material, and more particularly the exhaust mechanisms.

Background of the invention

The new technologies for manufacturing spiral springs made of micro-machinable materials, such as silicon, silicon oxide, DLC, or the like, implemented by "MEMS", "DRIE", "LIGA" or similar processes, have led to significant advances, and the spirals thus manufactured have significant advantages: they are geometrically very close to the nominal geometries, much more in conformity than the steel spirals of the prior art; they have more stable mechanical properties than steel spirals, due to the absence of plastic deformation; they are amagnetic; they are feasible on several stages (double spirals in particular), and / or with a terminal curve, with an increased precision compared to the previous technology of steel spirals.

However, with this type of hairspring made of micro-machinable material, the fine adjustment is strongly limited, because the hairspring does not include a control system independent of the average frequency and the isochronism, which can be used after assembly.

If the isochronism slope is modified by a modification of the active length, the average frequency of the corresponding balance-hairspring assembly is strongly modified, and a correction of the pendulum screws is generally not sufficient to compensate for this defect. .

While we can adjust a traditional steel spiral, even after assembly, with respect to its average frequency and isochronism slope, independently, using the raquet, and thanks to the possibility of deforming plastically the spiral.

In addition, the manufacturing systems do not allow the manufacture of balance springs sufficiently close to the nominal geometry to ensure increased chronometric performance, an error of the order of ppm remaining even with the most careful machining.

Summary of the invention

The invention therefore proposes to produce a spiral of micro-machinable material which comprises intrinsic means of adjusting its isochronism.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a hairspring according to claim 1.

The invention further relates to an exhaust mechanism according to claim 21.

The invention further relates to an exhaust mechanism according to claim 25.

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

The invention further relates to a watch comprising at least one such mechanical clockwork movement.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> represents, schematically and in perspective, a hairspring according to the invention, comprising two stages of coils cooperating with a single rectilinear peak and parallel to the axis of the hairspring, each turn stage having at its outer end , adjusting means and hooking to a pin, in a first adjustment position relative to a single rectilinear pin and parallel to the axis of the spiral, <tb> fig. 2 <SEP> represents, schematically and in projection on a plane parallel to the planes along which the two stages extend, the spiral of FIG. 1, in the same first position; <tb> fig. 3 <SEP> represents, analogously to FIG. 1, the same hairspring in a second adjustment position; <tb> fig. 4 <SEP> represents, similarly to FIG. 2, the same hairspring in the second position of FIG. 3; <tb> fig. 5 <SEP> represents, schematically and in perspective, a hairspring according to the invention, comprising three stages of spirals, hooked to a single rectilinear stud and parallel to the axis of the hairspring, in a particular setting position according to which the two extreme spirals are superimposed in projection with respect to each other; <tb> fig. 6 <SEP> represents, schematically and in projection on a plane parallel to the planes along which the three stages extend, the spiral of FIG. 5, in the same particular position; <tb> a fig. 7 <SEP> lrepresent, schematically and in perspective, another variant of the spiral according to the invention, comprising two stages of turns, and whose adjusting means and hooking froment a matrix structure allowing extensive possibilities of adjustment of each turn, represented in a free state of the turns; <tb> fig. 8 <SEP> represents, schematically and in projection on a plane parallel to the planes along which the two stages extend, the spiral of FIG. 7, in a particular adjustment position with respect to a single rectilinear peg and parallel to the axis of the hairspring; <tb> fig. 9 <SEP> represents, analogously to FIG. 8, the same spiral, in a position where each turn cooperates with a separate peak; <tb> fig. 10 <SEP> represents, schematically and in projection on a plane parallel to the planes along which the two stages extend, the spiral of FIG. 9, in the same particular position; <tb> fig. 11 <SEP> represents, schematically, the force system applied to the single peak cooperating with the three-stage hairspring of FIG. 5; <tb> fig. 12 <SEP> is a block diagram showing a watch comprising a watch movement which comprises a peg and a balance-hairspring assembly including a hairspring according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a watch winder 1 micro-machinable material, including but not limited to silicon, or silicon and silicon oxide.

This hairspring 1 comprises a plurality of stages 10, each constituting a coil spring spiral. The stages 10 are all parallel to each other and are arranged to be assembled integral at their respective inner ends 20 at a common axial shell, not shown in the figures.

Each stage 10 is made of micro-machinable material.

In a particular variant, but which is suitable, in the current state of technology, only to certain embodiments where the profiles of the different stages are superimposable in the free state of the spiral, this spiral 1 is monobloc.

In most cases, and particularly in the embodiments illustrated by the figures, each stage 10 is made independently, and the final constitution of the spiral 1 is by assembly on a common shell or directly on a balance 2. Advantageously, each stage 10 then comprises angular indexing means arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with complementary angular indexing means, which comprise the other stages, to form together a spiral 1 compound, of fixed geometry and perfectly reproducible.

The invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, in a simplified case with two stages 10A and 10B, this particular variant offers sufficient adjustment accuracy to suit most horological applications. Those skilled in the art will be able to extrapolate the invention to a higher number of stages.

[0025] A particular application, illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises three spirals, attached to the ferrule at non-aligned points, for example at 120 ° from each other, and offset in height.

In a simple variant of the invention, with two stages illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, each stage 10, 10A, 10B, has, at its respective outer end 30, here 30A, 30B, its own fixing means 40 to a pin, here 40A, 40B, which are independent of those other so-called floors.

To avoid overloading figs. 1 to 3, the peak 3 is not shown in detail in the figures, nor its attachment to the deck or bridge, as appropriate.

The invention is used both in an environment with a single peak 3, with which cooperate all the stages in superposition, in an environment where each floor 10 corresponds a particular piton. It is this variant which is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10: a peg 3A, for example integral with a bridge, cooperates with an upper stage 10A of the hairspring 1, and another peg 3B, for example integral with a plate, cooperates with a lower stage 10B of the hairspring 1.

These fixing means 40, 40A, 40B, comprise adjustment means in position 50 relative to a peak, here 50A, 50B, which are also independent of those of the other stages.

So each floor can be set independently of the others, and also set independently of the others.

Preferably, these adjustment means in position 50, of a given stage 10, comprise a plurality of discrete positions 60 of adjustment in position, which constitute as many counting points.

On the simplified and non-limiting version illustrated by the figures, these discrete positions correspond to housing 6, U or the like, each arranged for the maintenance of a peak 3. The manufacture of micro-machinable material allows geometries more complex, in particular with clamping housings, omega-shaped or the like, between deformable flexible walls during the relative introduction of the piton relative to the housing chosen by the adjuster or by an automaton determining the optimal adjustment position, these walls are then arranged to ensure a firm hold on the stud after installation.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the adjustment means in position 50 are arranged, for each stage 10A / B / C, in scale on one side of the strand of the spring concerned, and are essentially designed for a modification of the useful length of the concerned floor, and its rigidity.

In the more complex embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, the adjustment means offer, on each floor, the possibility of positioning a peak in a matrix-type structure, in a sort of grid, or network, with cells 601A to 605A or 601B to 605B, arranged in two substantially parallel rows, on either side of the strand of the concerned spring: it is then possible to play both on the length, and on the radial position to choose the attachment point. More complex implementations, with more rows and columns of matrix, are easily achievable thanks to the use of micro-machinable materials, the only limit being that of the accessibility to the peak and the passage of the installation tool .

The example of FIG. 8 shows a single stud 3 cooperating with housings 604A of the stage 10A, and 605B of the stage 10B, which enclose it in the manner of a clamp. The example of fig. 10 shows a housing 601 of the stage 10A which cooperates with a first pin 3A, while a housing 605B of the stage 10B cooperates with a second pin 3B.

In this same example, the fixing means 40 comprise limiting hooks of each box, in the form of U or H main axis parallel to the spring strand, and arranged to secure the piton concerned to meet the return torque of the stage 10 considered. It is possible to proceed, at the end of the adjustment operations, to the fastening of the housing 6 with the pin 3, for example by gluing. In a particular and advantageous variant, the U-shaped profile, or the like, comprises lugs enabling the U to be clipped onto the stud 3, which then makes it possible to avoid sticking.

The fastening means 40 and the adjusting means in position 50 together constitute intrinsic means for correcting the isochronism of the hairspring 1.

Figs. 7 to 10 also illustrate a particular variant, according to which the fixing means 40 are of variable rigidity depending on the position of the adjustment means in position 50. The adjustment means in position 50 of a given stage 10 comprise, in this variant, a plurality of elastic multi-arm assemblies 70, which also define these discrete position adjustment positions 60 exposed above, and which support the housings 6.

In the particular application of FIGS. 7 to 10, the elastic multi-arms 70 are of different stiffness between them. These elastic multi-arms 70 are illustrated here with parallel flexible blades, which is authorized by the method of producing the spiral 1. They are arranged in groups of decreasing or increasing rigidity, with three blades 701 A, 704A, 701B, and then two blades 702A, 702B, up to a blade 703A, 703B, in the particular and nonlimiting case of the figures. It will be understood that, thanks to the choice of the stiffness of the final multi-arm, the stiffness of the outermost segment of each stage 10 can be adjusted as desired, and it is therefore possible to act on the variable rigidity of the entire spiral 1. The stiffness of these elastic arms may, depending on the case, be chosen decreasing from the outer end 30 of the stage concerned as in the case of the figures, or conversely, or other.

These multiple multi-arm 70 with multiple blades can change more quickly, with the change of the angular position, the stiffness of different spiral springs.

However, it is possible to choose a simplified variant, not illustrated by the figures, where it acts only on the relative position of the peak and adjusting means in position 50 of a given stage. The adjustment means in position 50 of a given stage 10 may then comprise a plurality of elastic multi-arm assemblies 70, which are likewise stiff between them.

In the variant of FIGS. 7 to 10, the resilient multi-arm assemblies 70 each comprise at least one internal attachment point on a first inner range, and at least one external attachment point on a second outer range, further from the pivot axis spiral 1 that the first range, which allows very differentiated positioning of the piton concerned with respect to this stage.

Preferably, the discrete positions 60 are angularly offset, relative to the axis of the spiral, a constant pitch between 4 ° and 12 °.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 6, the discrete positions 60 are angularly offset by a constant pitch between 8 ° and 12 °, in particular close to 10 °.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 7 to 10, the discrete positions 60 are angularly offset by a constant pitch between 4 ° and 6 °, in particular close to 5 °, with respect to the axis of pivoting of the hairspring 1.

In a particular variant, at least two stages 10 have, in the free state, their respective attachment means 40 superimposed on each other.

Advantageously, to allow a differential adjustment of the different stages, and thus better adjust the resulting stiffness of the spiral 1, at least two stages 10 comprise springs of different stiffness between them.

More particularly, at least two stages 10 comprise springs of different section between them.

Similarly, in a particular embodiment, at least two stages 10 comprise springs of different active length between them.

Similarly, in a particular variant, at least two stages 10 comprise springs in silicon oxidation states different from each other, for example one in a non-oxidized state of silicon, and the other in an oxidized state of silicon.

In a particular variant, at least two stages 10 comprise opposing coil direction springs. This is the case of all figures.

Preferably, the total rigidity of all the stages 10 wound in a first direction is equal to the total rigidity of all the stages 10 wound in a second direction opposite to this first direction.

Thanks to the invention, once the hairspring 1 is assembled, it is possible to change the active fastening position, even when the hairspring is already assembled with a pendulum and in a movement.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate an advantageous variant with three superimposed spiral stages 10A, 10B, 10C. As before, each has an inner end 20A, 20B, 20C, and an outer end 30A, 30B, 30C, and fastening means, which comprise position adjustment means, not listed in the figures to not weigh them down. In these figures, these position adjustment means comprise housings 6 which are here U-shaped profiles, arranged to cooperate with a stud 3 of rectangular or square section, this example section piton and shape profiles being in no way limiting. In this particular variant, the stud 3 is straight, parallel to the common axis of the spiral stages. This version is very easy to build, and therefore very economical.

In this non-limiting variant of FIGS. 5 and 6, the housings 6: 601A, 602A, 603A, 601B, 602B, 603B, 601C, 602C, 603C, position adjusting means all have an outward opening. Fig. 5 shows a particular hooking position where the housings 602A, 602B and 602C cooperate with a common pin 3. The adjustment modifications are easy, because each spiral spring can be conveniently compressed to allow a change of hooking position to the piton considered . Above all, this particular arrangement allows adjustment on one of the stages independently of the settings on the other stages, conveniently enough for the operator performing the adjustment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the preferred case where the resultant of the forces brought back to the peak is zero, this is the case of a three-stage hairspring, the upper 10A and the lower 10C being identical and with the same winding direction, and each of rigidity half of the median stage 10B wound in the opposite direction. The forces FA and FC are exerted on both sides of the force FB in the opposite direction, substantially in a plane tangential to the ends of these springs, and parallel to the common axis of the spirals, the resulting torque is thus minimized or even zero.

This configuration of the invention increases the rigidity of a spiral stage by reducing accordingly that of the other spiral stages, or vice versa. And, in this particular and preferred case where the stiffness of the two most flexible spirals is half of the stiffness of the stiffest hairspring, the average frequency remains the same, for all configurations of fixing the spiral stages to the pin 3.

In these different embodiments of the invention, it is thus possible to adjust the average frequency and the isochronism slope.

In particular when the fixing means to a single peak are superimposed, during the modification of the active attachment, the rigidity of the two stages 10A and 10B of the illustrated variants changes in opposite manner: the spring of a floor becomes more rigid, while the other becomes less rigid. The geometry of the two springs can therefore be defined and adjusted, so that the resulting total stiffness, and therefore the oscillation frequency of the sprung balance constituted by a spiral 1 according to the invention, changes little during the procedure of adjustment of the isochronism slope. In this case, the usual adjustment of the balance screws always makes it possible to adjust the average frequency of the balance sprung-balance assembly.

Conversely, the modification of the isochronism slope as a function of the fixing position remains important, and allows to correct manufacturing defects or assembly, for example gluing.

The invention also relates to a sprung-balance assembly 100 comprising a rocker 2 coupled with at least one such spiral 1.

The invention also relates to an escapement mechanism 200, comprising at least one such sprung-balance assembly 100, and having at least one pin 3 for hooking in position of the outer end 30 of at least one said floor 10.

As explained above, in a first variant at least one same peak 3 is devoted to the attachment of several external ends 30 of different stages 10. While in a second variant the escapement mechanism 200 comprises a separate stud 3 for the attachment in position of the outer end 30 of each stage 10.

The above explanation relates to the shape of the spirals.

The solution of a particular peak, simple or combined, can, still, alone or in combination with these particular spirals, provide an original solution to the problem of adjusting the isochronism.

Indeed, the fact that for a plurality of spirals, to play on the external attachment position, angular and / or radial, also allows to control the isochronism.

In particular we can consider the variant with at least two independent pitons, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which is usable, or with spirals as described above, or with conventional spirals. Of course, the mobility of the pitons complicates the execution of the decks and bridges considered, but is within the grasp of the watchmaker who wishes to continue to use standard spirals. It should be noted a particular advantage of multi-stage spirals 1 as described above, which is to control the bulk in thickness, which can be reduced to the bare minimum corresponding to the game necessary for operation and service safety.

Also, in a particular embodiment, the exhaust mechanism 200 comprises at least one pin 3 whose position is movable is adjustable, for attachment in position of the outer end 30 of at least one stage 10.

In a particular variant, the escape mechanism 200 comprises at least one pin 3 whose position is movable and adjustable, for attachment in position of the outer end of at least one standard hairspring is that is to say having a single outer turn in the continuity of the turns of the winding, without particular arrangement, and of similar or identical section to that of the other turns. Naturally this arrangement applicable to a standard hairspring is applicable to a multi-stage hairspring 1 as presented above.

More particularly, at least one such position adjustable pin is arranged to occupy one of a plurality of discrete positions in a plate or a deck that includes the exhaust mechanism 200. In a particular embodiment, this pin is pluggable in a housing or a bore among a network of holes of known positions, and reproducible from one mechanism to another.

Of course, such an arrangement of piton is generalizable to several independent peaks, and in particular in a variant with as many independent peaks as spiral.

In a particular embodiment, the escape mechanism 200 is devoid of raquetry.

The invention also relates to a mechanical clockwork movement 300 comprising at least one such escape mechanism 200.

The invention also relates to a watch 400 comprising at least one such mechanical watch movement 300.

In short, the invention allows the watchmaker finely adjust the isochronism of a combined spiral, made in a plastically deformable material, such as silicon derivatives, replacing the system of racking usually used for a hairspring in steel.

Claims (29)

1. Watchmaking spiral (1) of micro-machinable material comprising a plurality of stages (10) each constituting a spirally wound spring, all parallel to each other and arranged to be assembled arranged to be joined together at their inner ends ( 20) at a common axial shell, characterized in that each said stage (10) has, at its respective outer end (30), its own means of attachment (40) to a pin which are independent of those of other said stages, said fixing means (40) having position adjustment means (50) with respect to a pin which are also independent of those of said other stages, said fixing means (40) and said adjusting means position (50) together constituting intrinsic means for correcting isochronism of said hairspring (1). 2. Watchdog (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing means (40) are variable in rigidity according to the position of said adjustment means in position (50). 3. Watchdog (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said adjustment means in position (50) of a said stage (10) comprise a plurality of discrete positions (60) of adjustment in position comprising housings (6) each arranged to hold a peg (3). 4. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said adjustment means in position (50) of a said stage (10) comprise a plurality of elastic multi-arm assemblies (70) defining said discrete positions (60) of adjustment in position. 5. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said position adjustment means (50) of a said stage (10) comprise a plurality of elastic multi-arm assemblies (70) which are of different stiffness between them. 6. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said position adjustment means (50) of a said stage (10) comprise a plurality of elastic multi-arm assemblies (70) which are likewise stiffness between them. 7. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said elastic multi-arm assemblies (70) each comprise at least one internal attachment point on a first inner range, and at minus one external attachment point on a second outer range, further from the pivot axis of said balance spring (1) than said first range. 8. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said elastic multi-arm assemblies (70) each comprise a U-profile housing facing outwardly of said spiral (1) . 9. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said discrete positions (60) are angularly offset by a constant pitch between 4 ° and 12 ° relative to the axis pivoting said spiral (1). 10. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) have said respective fixing means (40) superimposed on each other. 11. Watchdog (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) comprise springs of different stiffness between them. 12. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) comprise springs of different section between them. 13. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) comprise springs of active length different from each other. 14. Watchdog (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) comprise springs in oxidation states of silicon different from each other. 15. Watchmaker (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least two said stages (10) comprise opposite winding direction springs. 16. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the total rigidity of all of said stages (10) wound in a first direction is equal to the total rigidity of all of said stages (10). wound in a second direction opposite to said first direction. 17. Clock spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each said stage (10) comprises angular indexing means arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with complementary angular indexing means , which comprises the other said stages (10), to together constitute said spiral (1) compound, in a fixed and reproducible geometry. 18. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said spiral (1) consists of two said stages (10). 19. Watchmaking spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said spiral (1) consists of three said stages (10). 20. Spiral balance assembly (100) comprising a rocker (2) coupled with at least one said spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19. 21. Exhaust mechanism (200) comprising at least one sprung balance assembly (100) according to claim 20, and comprising at least one stud (3) for the attachment in position of said outer end (30) of at least one said floor (10). 22. Exhaust mechanism (200) according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one said said pin (3) is devoted to the attachment of a plurality of said outer ends (30) of said different stages (10). 23. Exhaust mechanism (200) according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises a said peg (3) rectilinear and parallel to the axis of said hairspring (1). 24. Exhaust mechanism (200) according to claim 21, characterized in that said exhaust mechanism (200) comprises a said piton (3) separate for the attachment in position of said outer end (30) of each said floor (10). 25. Exhaust mechanism (200) comprising at least one sprung-balance assembly, whose outer end of at least one hairspring is attached to a bolt, characterized in that said exhaust mechanism (200) comprises at least a stud (3) whose position is movable and adjustable, for attachment in position of the outer end of at least one said spiral. 26. Exhaust mechanism (200) according to claim 25, characterized in that said exhaust mechanism (200) comprises at least one plate or a bridge arranged to receive a said piton (3) among a plurality of discrete positions. 27. Exhaust mechanism (200) according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that said exhaust mechanism (200) comprises a sprung-balance assembly (100) comprising a rocker (2) coupled with at least one said spiral (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19. 28. Mechanical watch movement (300) comprising at least one escape mechanism (200) according to one of claims 21 to 27. 29. Watch (400) comprising at least one mechanical clockwork movement (300) according to claim 28.