EP1543386A2 - Mechanical parts - Google Patents

Mechanical parts

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Publication number
EP1543386A2
EP1543386A2 EP03702274A EP03702274A EP1543386A2 EP 1543386 A2 EP1543386 A2 EP 1543386A2 EP 03702274 A EP03702274 A EP 03702274A EP 03702274 A EP03702274 A EP 03702274A EP 1543386 A2 EP1543386 A2 EP 1543386A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diamond
mechanical part
parts
mechanical
manufacture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03702274A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1543386B1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Gygax
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fore Eagle Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Fore Eagle Co Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fore Eagle Co Ltd filed Critical Fore Eagle Co Ltd
Publication of EP1543386A2 publication Critical patent/EP1543386A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1543386B1 publication Critical patent/EP1543386B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B31/00—Bearings; Point suspensions or counter-point suspensions; Pivot bearings; Single parts therefor
    • G04B31/02—Shock-damping bearings
    • G04B31/04—Shock-damping bearings with jewel hole and cap jewel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B1/00—Driving mechanisms
    • G04B1/10—Driving mechanisms with mainspring
    • G04B1/14—Mainsprings; Bridles therefor
    • G04B1/145—Composition and manufacture of the springs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/066—Manufacture of the spiral spring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/06—Dials
    • G04B19/12—Selection of materials for dials or graduations markings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the use of a particular material, diamond, for the manufacture of mechanical parts, in particular of parts entering into a watch movement or in a micromechanical device.
  • the invention also relates to a mechanical part at least partially made of diamond as well as a timepiece and a micromechanical device using such parts.
  • diamonds in industry is known; especially as a precious stone, for decorative purposes, or in comparison with the hardness qualities of the diamond, as a cutting element or an abrasive element.
  • the diamond has other qualities, low coefficient of friction, impact resistance, mechanical resistance, low density, high elastic modulus, low coefficient of thermal expansion, ability not to be scratchable and transparent. These various qualities can advantageously be used, alone or in combination, for the manufacture of mechanical parts, such as for example parts in friction and having to resist wear or parts having to resist shocks or parts having to be totally or partially transparent. as well as elastic parts, parts of this kind being commonly used in watchmaking or micromechanics.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to propose using diamond, natural or synthetic, for making mechanical parts subjected to friction or mechanical parts subjected to shocks or parts comprising at least one transparent portion or parts elastic.
  • FIG. 1 represents a first example of the use of diamond for making mechanical parts, that is to say for making cam parts,
  • FIG. 2 represents another example of the use of diamonds for making mechanical parts, that is to say making parts for a timepiece escapement
  • FIG. 3 represents yet another example of the use of diamonds for making mechanical parts, either for making discs or date display crowns,
  • FIG. 4 represents yet another example of the use of a diamond for making mechanical parts, that is to say for making a spiral spring, and
  • Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a diamond spiral spring.
  • the first example of a mechanical part shown in FIG. 1 relates to the use of the diamond for making cam parts, in particular in the example shown of the hour cam of a mechanical timepiece.
  • the wear of the diamond parts is much less than that of the corresponding parts of common materials; this characteristic brings yet another advantage, that is to say the great longevity of the parts where the sharp angles must persist as they are found on certain cams.
  • the advantage of the high mechanical strength of the diamond, combined with its low density of the order of 3.5 kg / dm 3, makes it possible to produce a movable lever 11 that is significantly thinner, that is to say with a significantly smaller section and mass. , that the corresponding lever made of conventional material this leading to a marked reduction in the inertia of this element.
  • FIG. 2 Another example of the use of the diamond is shown in Figure 2 where we see a portion of an escapement device of a clockwork movement of known type in an operating position.
  • many mechanical shocks occur between the various components; in particular between two teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2 coming into contact, between the blocking lever 201 of the blocker 20 and the teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2, between the blocking portions 202 and the teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2, as well as between the horns 203 of the blocker 20 and respectively the stop pins 21 and the lift 22 of the pendulum.
  • the impact resistance of diamonds significantly higher than that of usual materials, all or part of some or all of the constituent parts of the above exhaust device, or any other mechanical device subjected to shocks repetitive, can be made in diamond.
  • the thickness of the pieces in question can simply be greatly reduced by using very thin diamond blades.
  • the use of thin parts makes it possible to greatly reduce the masses in motion, which reduces their inertia as well as the energy required to set them in motion.
  • the reduction in the dimensions of the mechanical parts of a timepiece movement obviously makes it possible to produce such movements of reduced dimensions.
  • FIG. 3 shows a date display device 3 comprising two discs or crowns 30 and 31, normally superimposed but shown here shifted laterally in order to better understand their operation.
  • Each of the discs 30 and 31 carries a numbering, engraved or printed, the numbering 300 of the disc 30 going from 1 to 15 while the numbering 301 of the disc 31 goes from 16 to 31.
  • Each of the discs 30 and 31 is rotated by the clockwork movement of the watch on which they are mounted so that during the first 15 days of the month, each digit of the numbering 300 of the disc 30 is successively visible behind a window on the watch face, not shown on FIG, while the I6 th to the last day of the month, the disc 30 is stationary and has its portion behind said aperture 302, this portion 302 being transparent so as to make visible the scroll dial 310 of the disk 31.
  • Such a device known in itself, has the advantage of allowing a larger date display than by a device with a single disc.
  • the known devices using materials customary to such devices have a relatively large thickness, consequently increasing that of the watch.
  • the numbering 300 of the disc 30 is arranged on the underside of said disc, while that 310 of the disc 31 is arranged on its upper face, so that the planes on which the two numberings are arranged are the closest possible from each other to facilitate the convenience of reading the date.
  • the portion of the disc 30 carrying the numbering 300 will be coated with an opaque layer 301, so as to hide the numbering 310 of the disc 31 during the first 15 days of the month.
  • the disc 31 can also be provided with an opaque layer 311. It should be noted that for the operation of the device it is not absolutely essential that the lower disc 31 is also made of diamond since it is not this disc must be transparent on one of its portions.
  • the spiral spring 4 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is obtained by a known method of engraving a thin diamond plate.
  • it includes the flange 40 for fixing the inner end of the spiral spring and the turns 41 of the spiral spring, while the example of Figure 5 further includes a flange 42 for fixing the ferrule on the outer end of the spiral spring.
  • a first advantage of manufacturing a spiral spring by engraving a thin diamond plate rather than by stretching a wire therefore appears from these figures, namely the possibility of including in one piece one or two flanges d end 40 or 42 with the turns 41.
  • Yet another advantage of this manufacturing method is that it is possible to obtain a last turn 43, or a portion of the latter, with a circular path and not in a spiral. The engraving therefore making it possible to give the desired shape and section to each portion of the spiral spring, it thus becomes possible to balance the spiral spring directly during the engraving as well as to soften or stiffen it in one or more selected zones.
  • the intrinsic physical parameters of the diamond still make it advantageous to use this material for the manufacture of spiral springs.
  • the modulus of elasticity of the diamond being approximately six times higher than that of the steel usually used for this purpose and its mechanical resistance to rupture being approximately ten times higher than that of steel, it is possible, for a determined oscillation frequency, to greatly reduce the section , respectively the mass of the diamond spiral spring.
  • the low density of the diamond further enhances this effect.
  • Such a diamond spiral spring despite its small section, will have a much better impact resistance than a conventional balance spring since the stresses to which it is subjected depend essentially on its mass and its acceleration.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
  • Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)

Abstract

The use of diamond as raw material for producing mechanical parts offers many advantages: the low friction factor of said material makes it usable for friction parts as well as the impact strength thereof makes it appropriately usable for certain parts. The mechanical strength of the material makes it possible to reduce the sizes of the mechanical parts and even to cut out holes therein. The high value of the coefficient of elasticity makes it possible to produce the parts exposed to elastic stress such as spiral springs.

Description

I I
Pièces mécaniquesMechanical parts
La présente invention concerne l'utilisation d'un matériau particulier, le diamant, pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, notamment de pièces entrant dans un mouvement d'horlogerie ou dans un dispositif micromécanique. L'invention concerne aussi une pièce mécanique au moins partiellement en diamant ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie et un dispositif micromécanique utilisant de telles pièces.The present invention relates to the use of a particular material, diamond, for the manufacture of mechanical parts, in particular of parts entering into a watch movement or in a micromechanical device. The invention also relates to a mechanical part at least partially made of diamond as well as a timepiece and a micromechanical device using such parts.
L'utilisation du diamant dans l'industrie est connue ; notamment comme pierre précieuse, à titre décoratif, ou alors en regard des qualités de dureté du diamant, comme élément de coupe ou élément abrasif.The use of diamonds in industry is known; especially as a precious stone, for decorative purposes, or in comparison with the hardness qualities of the diamond, as a cutting element or an abrasive element.
A côté de cette qualité de dureté, le diamant possède encore d'autres qualités, faible coefficient de frottement, résistance aux chocs, résistance mécanique, faible masse volumique, module d'élasticité élevé, faible coefficient de dilatation thermique, capacité de ne pas être rayable et transparence. Ces diverses qualités peuvent avantageusement être utilisées, seules ou en combinaison, pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, comme par exemple des pièces en frottement et devant résister à l'usure ou des pièces devant résister aux chocs ou des pièces devant être totalement ou partiellement transparentes ainsi que des pièces élastiques, des pièces de ce genre étant couramment utilisées en horlogerie ou en micromécanique.Besides this quality of hardness, the diamond has other qualities, low coefficient of friction, impact resistance, mechanical resistance, low density, high elastic modulus, low coefficient of thermal expansion, ability not to be scratchable and transparent. These various qualities can advantageously be used, alone or in combination, for the manufacture of mechanical parts, such as for example parts in friction and having to resist wear or parts having to resist shocks or parts having to be totally or partially transparent. as well as elastic parts, parts of this kind being commonly used in watchmaking or micromechanics.
Le but de l'invention est donc de proposer d'utiliser du diamant, naturel ou synthétique, pour la confection de pièces mécaniques soumises à des frottements ou des pièces mécaniques soumises à des chocs ou des pièces comportant au moins une portion transparente ou des pièces élastiques.The object of the invention is therefore to propose using diamond, natural or synthetic, for making mechanical parts subjected to friction or mechanical parts subjected to shocks or parts comprising at least one transparent portion or parts elastic.
Ce but est atteint par une utilisation telle que décrite dans l'une des revendications 1 à 4, des pièces conformes à l'invention étant décrites dans l'une ou l'autre des revendications, 5 à 11 des variantes d'exécution étant mentionnées dans les revendications dépendantes, etThis object is achieved by a use as described in one of claims 1 to 4, parts in accordance with the invention being described in one or other of the claims, 5 to 11 of the variant embodiments being mentioned in the dependent claims, and
BESTÀTIGUNGSKOPIE enfin l'intégration de telles pièces dans un mouvement d'horlogerie ou un dispositif micromécaniques étant décrite dans les revendications 18 et 19BESTÀTIGUNGSKOPIE finally the integration of such parts into a clockwork movement or a micromechanical device being described in claims 18 and 19
La description ci-dessous montre à titre d'exemple quelques applications pratiques du diamant pour la fabrication de pièces mécaniques, étant bien entendu que d'autres applications peuvent encore être envisagées. Dans cette description, d'autres avantages de l'utilisation du diamant à cet usage sont mentionnés. Cette description est à considérer en regard du dessin annexé comportant les figures où :The description below shows, by way of example, some practical applications of diamond for the manufacture of mechanical parts, it being understood that other applications can also be envisaged. In this description, other advantages of using diamond for this purpose are mentioned. This description is to be considered with regard to the appended drawing comprising the figures where:
la figure 1 représente un premier exemple d'utilisation de diamant pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, soit pour la confection de pièces de came,FIG. 1 represents a first example of the use of diamond for making mechanical parts, that is to say for making cam parts,
la figure 2 représente un autre exemple d'utilisation de diamant pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, soit pour la confection de pièces d'un échappement d'horlogerie,FIG. 2 represents another example of the use of diamonds for making mechanical parts, that is to say making parts for a timepiece escapement,
la figure 3 représente encore un autre exemple d'utilisation de diamant pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, soit pour la confection de disques ou couronnes d'affichage de date,FIG. 3 represents yet another example of the use of diamonds for making mechanical parts, either for making discs or date display crowns,
la figure 4 représente encore un autre exemple d'utilisation de diamant pour la confection de pièces mécaniques, soit pour la confection d'un ressort spiral, etFIG. 4 represents yet another example of the use of a diamond for making mechanical parts, that is to say for making a spiral spring, and
la figure 5 représente une autre forme d'exécution d'un ressort spiral en diamant.Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a diamond spiral spring.
Le premier exemple de pièce mécanique montré à la figure 1 concerne l'utilisation du diamant pour la confection de pièces de came, notamment dans l'exemple représenté de la came des heures d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique.The first example of a mechanical part shown in FIG. 1 relates to the use of the diamond for making cam parts, in particular in the example shown of the hour cam of a mechanical timepiece.
On y voit la came des heures 1 , entraînée en rotation par la roue dentée 10 sur l'axe 100, et actionnant séquentiellement le levier mobile 11. Dans une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique, l'énergie à disposition est extrêmement faible ; en conséquence les frottements doivent être réduits au minimum, notamment pour les pièces en contact qui peuvent difficilement être lubrifiées, comme c'est le cas pour les pièces représentées ici. En confectionnant la came 1 et le levier mobile 11 en diamant, le frottement entre ces deux pièces est réduit d'un facteur 20 par rapport aux pièces correspondantes en métal ou en Si et d'un facteur 10 par rapport aux mêmes pièces recouvertes de téflon. L'énergie nécessaire à l'actionnement de la came est donc réduite d'un facteur correspondant. Par ailleurs, l'usure des pièces en diamant est nettement moindre que celle des pièces correspondantes en matériaux usuels ; cette caractéristique amène encore un avantage supplémentaire, soit la grande longévité des pièces où les angles vifs doivent perdurer comme on les trouve sur certaines cames. De plus, l'avantage de la forte résistance mécanique du diamant, alliée avec sa faible masse volumique de l'ordre de 3.5 kg/dm3 permet de réaliser un levier mobile 11 nettement plus fin, soit de section et de masse nettement plus faibles, que le levier correspondant réalisé en matériau conventionnel ceci amenant à une nette diminution de l'inertie de cet élément.We see the hour cam 1, driven in rotation by the toothed wheel 10 on the axis 100, and sequentially actuating the movable lever 11. In a mechanical timepiece, the energy available is extremely weak; consequently, the friction must be reduced to a minimum, in particular for the parts in contact which can hardly be lubricated, as is the case for the parts shown here. By making the cam 1 and the movable lever 11 in diamond, the friction between these two parts is reduced by a factor of 20 compared to the corresponding metal or Si parts and by a factor of 10 compared to the same parts coated with Teflon. . The energy required to actuate the cam is therefore reduced by a corresponding factor. In addition, the wear of the diamond parts is much less than that of the corresponding parts of common materials; this characteristic brings yet another advantage, that is to say the great longevity of the parts where the sharp angles must persist as they are found on certain cams. In addition, the advantage of the high mechanical strength of the diamond, combined with its low density of the order of 3.5 kg / dm 3, makes it possible to produce a movable lever 11 that is significantly thinner, that is to say with a significantly smaller section and mass. , that the corresponding lever made of conventional material this leading to a marked reduction in the inertia of this element.
Un autre exemple d'utilisation du diamant est représenté à la figure 2 où on voit une portion d'un dispositif d'échappement d'un mouvement d'horlogerie de type connu selon une positon de fonctionnement. On distingue les deux roues d'échappement 2, le bloqueur 20 oscillant entre les deux goupilles d'arrêt 21 ainsi qu'une portion du balancier portant la levée 22. Lors du fonctionnement du dispositif d'échappement, de nombreux chocs mécaniques surviennent entre les divers composants ; notamment entre deux dents 200 des roues d'échappement 2 entrant en contact, entre le levier de blocage 201 du bloqueur 20 et les dents 200 des roues d'échappement 2, entre les portions de blocage 202 et les dents 200 des roues d'échappement 2, ainsi qu'entre les cornes 203 du bloqueur 20 et respectivement les goupilles d'arrêt 21 et la levée 22 du balancier. Vu la résistance aux chocs du diamant, nettement plus élevée que celle des matériaux usuels, tout ou partie, de certaines ou de l'ensemble des pièces constitutives du dispositif d'échappement ci-dessus, ou de tout autre dispositif mécanique soumis à des chocs répétitifs, peut être réalisé en diamant.Another example of the use of the diamond is shown in Figure 2 where we see a portion of an escapement device of a clockwork movement of known type in an operating position. There are two escape wheels 2, the blocker 20 oscillating between the two stop pins 21 and a portion of the balance carrying the lift 22. During operation of the exhaust device, many mechanical shocks occur between the various components; in particular between two teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2 coming into contact, between the blocking lever 201 of the blocker 20 and the teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2, between the blocking portions 202 and the teeth 200 of the escape wheels 2, as well as between the horns 203 of the blocker 20 and respectively the stop pins 21 and the lift 22 of the pendulum. Considering the impact resistance of diamonds, significantly higher than that of usual materials, all or part of some or all of the constituent parts of the above exhaust device, or any other mechanical device subjected to shocks repetitive, can be made in diamond.
Par ailleurs, dans un dispositif d'échappement comme ci-dessus, en plus des chocs mentionnés, certaines des pièces constitutives sont aussi soumises à des frottement d'une pièce contre l'autre ; par exemple les dents 200 des roues 2 entre elles ou contre le levier de blocage 201 ou les portions de blocage 202 du bloqueur 20, ainsi qu'entre la levée 22 et les cornes 203 du bloqueur 20. Les mêmes avantages que mentionnés précédemment concernant le frottement et l'usure de pièces en contact se retrouvent donc pour ces pièces.Furthermore, in an exhaust device as above, in addition to the shocks mentioned, some of the constituent parts are also subjected to friction from one part against the other; for example the teeth 200 of the wheels 2 between them or against the blocking lever 201 or the blocking portions 202 of the blocker 20, as well as between the lift 22 and the horns 203 of the blocker 20. The same advantages as mentioned previously concerning the friction and wear of parts in contact are therefore found for these parts.
Vu la forte résistance mécanique du diamant, environ 10 fois supérieure à celle des métaux usuels et 8 fois supérieure à celle du Si, il devient possible d'ajourer les pièces mécaniques soumises aux chocs, comme on le voit pour la roue dentée de gauche sur la figure, pour le bloqueur 20 ainsi que la levée 22 du balancier, il est évident que les pièces décrites dans l'exemple précédent montrant une came peuvent aussi être ajourées.Considering the strong mechanical resistance of the diamond, approximately 10 times higher than that of usual metals and 8 times higher than that of Si, it becomes possible to perforate the mechanical parts subjected to shocks, as we see for the toothed wheel on the left on the figure, for the blocker 20 as well as the lifting 22 of the balance, it is obvious that the parts described in the previous example showing a cam can also be perforated.
En complément ou au lieu d'un tel ajourage, on peut simplement fortement diminuer l'épaisseur des pièces en question en utilisant des lames de diamant de très faible épaisseur. L'utilisation de pièces de faible épaisseur permet de fortement diminuer les masses en mouvement, ce qui en diminue l'inertie ainsi que l'énergie nécessaire à leur mise en mouvement. La diminution des dimensions des pièces mécaniques d'un mouvement d'horlogerie permet évidemment de produire de tels mouvements de dimensions réduites.In addition to or instead of such an openwork, the thickness of the pieces in question can simply be greatly reduced by using very thin diamond blades. The use of thin parts makes it possible to greatly reduce the masses in motion, which reduces their inertia as well as the energy required to set them in motion. The reduction in the dimensions of the mechanical parts of a timepiece movement obviously makes it possible to produce such movements of reduced dimensions.
Encore une autre utilisation du diamant est représentée à la figure 3 où c'est la caractéristique de transparence, associée à celle de forte résistance mécanique de ce matériau qui sont utilisées ici. La figure 3 montre un dispositif d'affichage de date 3 comprenant deux disques ou couronnes 30 et 31 , normalement superposés mais représentés ici décalés latéralement afin de mieux comprendre leur fonctionnement. Chacun des disques 30 et 31 porte une numérotation, gravée ou imprimée, la numérotation 300 du disque 30 allant de 1 à 15 alors que la numérotation 301 du disque 31 va de 16 à 31. Chacun des disques 30 et 31 est entraîné en rotation par le mouvement d'horlogerie de la montre sur laquelle ils sont montés de manière à ce que durant les 15 premiers jours du mois, chaque chiffre de la numérotation 300 du disque 30 soit successivement visible derrière un guichet du cadran de la montre, non représenté sur la figure, alors que du I6eme au dernier jour du mois, le disque 30 reste immobile et présente sa portion 302 derrière ledit guichet, cette portion 302 étant transparente de manière à rendre visible le défilement de la numérotation 310 du disque 31.Yet another use of the diamond is shown in Figure 3 where it is the transparency characteristic, associated with that of high mechanical strength of this material which are used here. FIG. 3 shows a date display device 3 comprising two discs or crowns 30 and 31, normally superimposed but shown here shifted laterally in order to better understand their operation. Each of the discs 30 and 31 carries a numbering, engraved or printed, the numbering 300 of the disc 30 going from 1 to 15 while the numbering 301 of the disc 31 goes from 16 to 31. Each of the discs 30 and 31 is rotated by the clockwork movement of the watch on which they are mounted so that during the first 15 days of the month, each digit of the numbering 300 of the disc 30 is successively visible behind a window on the watch face, not shown on FIG, while the I6 th to the last day of the month, the disc 30 is stationary and has its portion behind said aperture 302, this portion 302 being transparent so as to make visible the scroll dial 310 of the disk 31.
Un tel dispositif, connu en soi, a l'avantage de permettre un affichage de date de plus grande dimension que par un dispositif à un seul disque. Par contre, les dispositifs connus utilisant des matériaux habituels à de tels dispositifs ont une épaisseur relativement importante, augmentant en conséquence celle de la montre.Such a device, known in itself, has the advantage of allowing a larger date display than by a device with a single disc. On the other hand, the known devices using materials customary to such devices have a relatively large thickness, consequently increasing that of the watch.
Au contraire, dans le dispositif d'affichage utilisant des disques ou de des couronnes 30 et 31 en diamant, vu la forte résistance mécanique du diamant, il devient possible d'obtenir des disques ou couronnes 30 et 31 de très faible épaisseur, réduisant d'autant l'épaisseur de la montre.On the contrary, in the display device using discs or crowns 30 and 31 made of diamond, given the high mechanical strength of the diamond, it becomes possible to obtain discs or crowns 30 and 31 of very small thickness, reducing d 'as much the thickness of the watch.
De manière préférentielle la numérotation 300 du disque 30 est disposée sur la face inférieure dudit disque, alors que celle 310 du disque 31 est disposée sur sa face supérieure, de manière à ce que les plans sur lesquels sont disposées les deux numérotations soient le plus proche possible l'un de l'autre afin de faciliter le confort de lecture de la date. De préférence la portion du disque 30 portant la numérotation 300, à l'exception de la portion 302, sera revêtue d'une couche opaque 301 , de manière à cacher la numérotation 310 du disque 31 durant les 15 premiers jours du mois. Afin d'uniformiser la lecture de la date sur tout le mois, le disque 31 peut aussi être muni d'une couche opaque 311. 11 est à remarquer que pour le fonctionnement du dispositif il n'est pas absolument indispensable que le disque inférieur 31 soit aussi en diamant vu qu'il n'est pas nécessaire que ce disque soit transparent sur une de ses portions.Preferably the numbering 300 of the disc 30 is arranged on the underside of said disc, while that 310 of the disc 31 is arranged on its upper face, so that the planes on which the two numberings are arranged are the closest possible from each other to facilitate the convenience of reading the date. Preferably the portion of the disc 30 carrying the numbering 300, with the exception of the portion 302, will be coated with an opaque layer 301, so as to hide the numbering 310 of the disc 31 during the first 15 days of the month. In order to standardize the reading of the date on all month, the disc 31 can also be provided with an opaque layer 311. It should be noted that for the operation of the device it is not absolutely essential that the lower disc 31 is also made of diamond since it is not this disc must be transparent on one of its portions.
Vu que les deux disques 30 et 31 sont en rotation l'un par rapport à l'autre dans des plans très proches, la qualité de résistance aux rayures du diamant est aussi appréciée dans ce cas, évitant que la portion transparente 302 ne se raye à l'usage. Cette qualité est donc utilisée en combinaison avec les qualités de transparence et de résistance mécanique déjà mentionnées.Since the two discs 30 and 31 are rotated relative to each other in very close planes, the quality of scratch resistance of the diamond is also appreciated in this case, preventing the transparent portion 302 from being scratched in use. This quality is therefore used in combination with the qualities of transparency and mechanical strength already mentioned.
Le ressort spiral 4 des figures 4 et 5 est obtenu par un procédé connu de gravage d'une plaque mince en diamant. Dans l'exemple de la figure 4 il comprend la flasque 40 de fixation de l'extrémité intérieure du ressort spiral et les spires 41 du ressort spiral, alors que l'exemple de la figure 5 comprend en outre une flasque 42 de fixation de la virole sur l'extrémité extérieure du ressort spiral.The spiral spring 4 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is obtained by a known method of engraving a thin diamond plate. In the example of Figure 4 it includes the flange 40 for fixing the inner end of the spiral spring and the turns 41 of the spiral spring, while the example of Figure 5 further includes a flange 42 for fixing the ferrule on the outer end of the spiral spring.
Un premier avantage d'une fabrication d'un ressort spiral par gravage d'une plaque mince en diamant plutôt que par estrapadage d'un fil apparaît donc de ces figures, soit la possibilité d'inclure en une seule pièce une ou deux flasques d'extrémité 40 ou 42 avec les spires 41. Encore un autre avantage de ce mode de fabrication est qu'il est possible d'obtenir une dernière spire 43, ou un portion de cette dernière, avec un tracé circulaire et non en spirale. Le gravage permettant donc de donner la forme et la section voulue à chaque portion du ressort spiral, il devient ainsi possible d'équilibrer le ressort spiral directement au gravage ainsi que de l'assouplir ou le rigidifier dans une ou des zones sélectionnées.A first advantage of manufacturing a spiral spring by engraving a thin diamond plate rather than by stretching a wire therefore appears from these figures, namely the possibility of including in one piece one or two flanges d end 40 or 42 with the turns 41. Yet another advantage of this manufacturing method is that it is possible to obtain a last turn 43, or a portion of the latter, with a circular path and not in a spiral. The engraving therefore making it possible to give the desired shape and section to each portion of the spiral spring, it thus becomes possible to balance the spiral spring directly during the engraving as well as to soften or stiffen it in one or more selected zones.
Les paramètres physiques intrinsèques du diamant rendent encore avantageuse l'utilisation de cette matière pour la fabrication de ressorts spiraux. Le module d'élasticité du diamant étant environ six fois plus élevé que celui de l'acier utilisé habituellement à cet usage et sa résistance mécanique à la rupture étant environ dix fois plus élevée que celle de l'acier, il est possible, pour une fréquence d'oscillation déterminée, de fortement diminuer la section, respectivement la masse du ressort spiral en diamant. La faible masse volumique du diamant améliore encore cet effet. Un tel ressort spiral en diamant, malgré sa faible section, aura une bien meilleure résistance aux chocs qu'un spiral conventionnel vu que les sollicitations auxquelles il est soumis dépendent essentiellement de sa masse et de son accélération.The intrinsic physical parameters of the diamond still make it advantageous to use this material for the manufacture of spiral springs. The modulus of elasticity of the diamond being approximately six times higher than that of the steel usually used for this purpose and its mechanical resistance to rupture being approximately ten times higher than that of steel, it is possible, for a determined oscillation frequency, to greatly reduce the section , respectively the mass of the diamond spiral spring. The low density of the diamond further enhances this effect. Such a diamond spiral spring, despite its small section, will have a much better impact resistance than a conventional balance spring since the stresses to which it is subjected depend essentially on its mass and its acceleration.
A côté de ces caractéristiques constructives, le comportement à l'usage d'un spiral en diamant sera meilleur que celui d'un spiral conventionnel vu que son coefficient de dilatation thermique vaut la moitié de celui de l'Invar.Besides these constructive characteristics, the behavior when using a diamond hairspring will be better than that of a conventional hairspring since its coefficient of thermal expansion is half that of Invar.
D'autres qualités du diamant sont très favorables à l'utilisation de ce matériau pour la fabrication de pièces mécaniques telles ou de même nature que celles décrites précédemment. En particulier lors de la fabrication d'une pièce par masking et gravage chimique d'une lame de diamant, on peut obtenir une précision d'usinage de l'ordre du micron, ce qui est nettement meilleur que la précision qu'il est possible d'obtenir sur des pièces métalliques. De même, la verticalité des flancs est améliorée relativement à celle obtenue avec des pièces en Si. La stabilité dimensionnelle d'une pièce en diamant est aussi nettement supérieure à celle obtenue sur les pièces connues ; ceci est aussi un avantage important pour les pièces de grande précision. Un autre aspect intéressant est le fait que le diamant est inrayable, ce qui permet de manipuler facilement les pièces en diamant sans risque de les endommager. Finalement l'aspect esthétique d'une pièce en diamant, à fortiori si elle est ajourée, améliore sensiblement l'aspect visuel favorable de la portion visible d'un mouvement d'horlogerie.Other qualities of the diamond are very favorable to the use of this material for the manufacture of mechanical parts such or of the same nature as those described above. In particular during the production of a part by masking and chemical engraving of a diamond blade, it is possible to obtain a machining precision of the order of a micron, which is much better than the precision that is possible. to get on metal parts. Likewise, the verticality of the flanks is improved relative to that obtained with Si parts. The dimensional stability of a diamond part is also significantly greater than that obtained on known parts; this is also an important advantage for high precision parts. Another interesting aspect is the fact that the diamond is scratch-resistant, which allows the diamond parts to be easily handled without the risk of damaging them. Finally, the aesthetic appearance of a diamond piece, a fortiori if it is perforated, significantly improves the favorable visual appearance of the visible portion of a watch movement.
Plusieurs exemples d'application possible du diamant à la fabrication de pièces mécaniques ont été représentés et décrits ci- dessus, uniquement à titre illustratif des possibilités d'utilisation du diamant pour la fabrication de pièces mécaniques. Il est donc bien entendu que le diamant peut être utilisé pour encore bien d'autres types de pièces ou de dispositifs mécaniques que ceux décrits précédemment. Dans certains des exemples ci-dessus, les deux pièces en contact étaient décrites comme entièrement en diamant. Selon les applications seules les parties en contact de frottement ou de choc ou devant être transparentes de deux pièces mécaniques peuvent être faites en diamant. Par ailleurs, par diamant, il est entendu qu'il peut s'agir tout autant de diamant naturel que de diamant synthétique, soit de diamant cristallisé à base de carbone. Several examples of possible application of the diamond to the manufacture of mechanical parts have been represented and described above, only by way of illustration of the possibilities of use of the diamond for the manufacture of mechanical parts. It is therefore understood that the diamond can be used for many other types of parts or mechanical devices than those described above. In some of the examples above, the two parts in contact were described as entirely diamond. Depending on the applications, only the parts in contact with friction or shock or which must be transparent of two mechanical parts can be made of diamond. Furthermore, by diamond, it is understood that it can be just as much natural diamond as synthetic diamond, or crystallized diamond based on carbon.

Claims

Revendications claims
1. Utilisation du diamant pour la fabrication d'au moins une portion d'une pièce mécanique devant subir des frottements.1. Use of the diamond for the manufacture of at least a portion of a mechanical part which must undergo friction.
2. Utilisation du diamant pour la fabrication d'au moins une portion d'une pièce mécanique devant subir des chocs mécaniques.2. Use of the diamond for the manufacture of at least a portion of a mechanical part which must undergo mechanical shock.
3. Utilisation du diamant pour la fabrication d'au moins une portion d'une pièce mécanique devant être transparente.3. Use of the diamond for the manufacture of at least a portion of a mechanical part which must be transparent.
4. Utilisation du diamant pour la fabrication d'au moins une portion d'une pièce mécanique élastique.4. Use of the diamond for the manufacture of at least a portion of an elastic mechanical part.
5. Pièce mécanique dont au moins une portion est destinée à subir des frottements, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins ladite portion de pièce mécanique est faite en diamant.5. Mechanical part of which at least a portion is intended to undergo friction, characterized in that at least said portion of mechanical part is made of diamond.
6. Pièce mécanique dont au moins une portion est destinée à subir des chocs mécaniques, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins ladite portion de pièce mécanique est faite en diamant.6. Mechanical part of which at least a portion is intended to undergo mechanical shocks, characterized in that at least said portion of mechanical part is made of diamond.
7. Pièce mécanique dont au moins une portion est transparente, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins ladite portion de pièce mécanique est faite en diamant.7. Mechanical part of which at least a portion is transparent, characterized in that at least said portion of mechanical part is made of diamond.
8. Pièce mécanique dont au moins une portion est destinée à subir un effort élastique, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins ladite portion de pièce mécanique est faite en diamant.8. Mechanical part of which at least a portion is intended to undergo an elastic force, characterized in that at least said portion of mechanical part is made of diamond.
9. Pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisée en ce que qu'elle est ajourée.9. Mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it is perforated.
10. Pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisée en ce que le diamant utilisé pour sa fabrication est du diamant naturel. 10. Mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the diamond used for its manufacture is natural diamond.
11. Pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisée en ce que le diamant utilisé pour sa fabrication est du diamant synthétique.11. Mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the diamond used for its manufacture is synthetic diamond.
12. Dispositif de came caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'une de ses pièces constitutives est une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 11.12. Cam device characterized in that at least one of its constituent parts is a mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 11.
13. Dispositif d'échappement caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'une de ses pièces constitutives est une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 11.13. Exhaust device characterized in that at least one of its constituent parts is a mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 11.
14. Dispositif d'affichage caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'une de ses pièces constitutives est une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 11.14. Display device characterized in that at least one of its constituent parts is a mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 11.
15. Ressort spiral caractérisé en ce qu'il constitue une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 11.15. Spiral spring characterized in that it constitutes a mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 11.
16. Ressort spiral selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce que les spires du ressort sont obtenues en une seule pièce avec au moins une flasque de fixation d'extrémité16. Spiral spring according to claim 15, characterized in that the turns of the spring are obtained in one piece with at least one end fixing flange
17. Ressort spiral selon l'une des revendications 15 ou 16, caractérisé en ce que la section des spires varie sur la longueur dudit ressort spiral.17. Spiral spring according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the section of the turns varies over the length of said spiral spring.
18. Pièce d'horlogerie comportant au moins une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 17.18. Timepiece comprising at least one mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 17.
19. Dispositif micromécanique comportant au moins une pièce mécanique selon l'une des revendications 5 à 17. 19. Micromechanical device comprising at least one mechanical part according to one of claims 5 to 17.
EP03702274A 2002-09-25 2003-03-04 Mechanical parts Expired - Lifetime EP1543386B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH161702 2002-09-25
CH16172002 2002-09-25
CH18582002 2002-11-06
CH185802 2002-11-06
PCT/CH2003/000151 WO2004029733A2 (en) 2002-09-25 2003-03-04 Mechanical parts

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EP1543386A2 true EP1543386A2 (en) 2005-06-22
EP1543386B1 EP1543386B1 (en) 2008-10-22

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EP1837721A1 (en) * 2006-03-24 2007-09-26 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Micro-mechanical piece made from insulating material and method of manufacture therefor
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AU2003205503A8 (en) 2004-04-19
WO2004029733A3 (en) 2004-07-08
AU2003205503A1 (en) 2004-04-19
WO2004029733A2 (en) 2004-04-08
ATE412205T1 (en) 2008-11-15
DE60324292D1 (en) 2008-12-04
EP1543386B1 (en) 2008-10-22

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