EP1870784A2 - Micro-engineered mobile with impact controlled rotation - Google Patents

Micro-engineered mobile with impact controlled rotation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1870784A2
EP1870784A2 EP07110433A EP07110433A EP1870784A2 EP 1870784 A2 EP1870784 A2 EP 1870784A2 EP 07110433 A EP07110433 A EP 07110433A EP 07110433 A EP07110433 A EP 07110433A EP 1870784 A2 EP1870784 A2 EP 1870784A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mobile
arms
teeth
rotation
wheel
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
EP07110433A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1870784A3 (en
EP1870784B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Marmy
Benjamin Kraehenbuehl
Thierry Conus
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Omega SA
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Omega SA
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Priority to EP20070110433 priority Critical patent/EP1870784B1/en
Publication of EP1870784A2 publication Critical patent/EP1870784A2/en
Publication of EP1870784A3 publication Critical patent/EP1870784A3/en
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Publication of EP1870784B1 publication Critical patent/EP1870784B1/en
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    • 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
    • G04B15/06—Free escapements
    • G04B15/08—Lever escapements
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a micromechanical mobile, and in particular a wheel or pinion, the rotation of which is controlled by shocks at the teeth disposed at its periphery.
  • the invention will be more particularly illustrated by an escapement wheel of a balance-sprung system of a mechanical watch movement.
  • the escapement of a mechanical watch movement comprises a more or less complex set of parts, including an escape wheel whose regularly spaced teeth undergo the shock of pallets generally in rubies.
  • the shape of this wheel shown in Figure 2 has almost never changed. It comprises a rigid central zone 2 provided with an opening 4 for driving on a shaft, a rigid serge 12 provided with teeth 8, and generally four arms 6 also rigid, which leads to a rigid part. Improvements have focused on the number or shape of teeth in particular to facilitate lubrication and reduce wear. Licences CH 230 743 and DE 1,192,984 describe for example embodiments in which the teeth have notches for forming oil reservoirs.
  • the material used to make such escape wheels is almost always a metal or an alloy. However, this does not totally exclude the risk of damaging the teeth in case of violent shocks. This risk is further increased if the metal is replaced by a more shock-sensitive material.
  • the present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a mobile whose rotation is controlled by shocks on teeth designed so that they are not damaged by said shocks.
  • the invention relates to such a mobile comprising a central zone of a rigid material, and arms extending radially from the central zone to a peripheral zone comprising teeth, the arms being flexible to allow a small tangential displacement and / or radial teeth to absorb shocks likely to damage said teeth.
  • the invention is characterized in that that the arms are curved and gradually bend towards an orientation tangential to the rotation of the mobile, in that the thickness of the arms decreases and finally, in that the teeth are formed by the ends of the arms.
  • the arms are bent in the direction of rotation of said mobile.
  • the arms are bent in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said mobile, while at the end of the arms, the teeth are bent in the direction of rotation of said mobile.
  • the rigid central portion preferably comprises an opening for driving a shaft for rotating the mobile. This rotation can also be carried out by means of pivots coming from material with the rigid central zone.
  • the "mobile” will be more particularly illustrated by the escapement wheel of the balance-sprung system of a clockwork mechanical movement in which the teeth undergo shocks of pallets generally ruby.
  • the present invention will be more particularly illustrated by a coaxial anchor escapement in which the teeth of the escape wheel are subjected to the shocks of the pallets.
  • this mechanism comprises a first escape wheel 1 and a second escape wheel 11, also called an impulse pinion, mounted on the same axis 3.
  • the two escape wheels are integral in rotation and they have the same number of teeth.
  • the first escape wheel 1 has the form shown in Figure 2, that is to say the shape of a conventional Swiss lever escapement wheel.
  • the pinion gear 11 also acts as an escape pinion 15 meshing with an intermediate wheel 17, which has the advantage of reducing the height of the mechanism.
  • the large plate 19 of the balance carries a plate pin 21 and a direct pulse pallet 23 arranged to cooperate with the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1.
  • the anchor 25, whose fork 27 cooperates with the ankle plate 21, comprises an indirect pulse pallet 24 which cooperates with the teeth 13 of the second escape wheel 11, as well as two pallets of rest 26, 28, respectively inlet and outlet, which cooperate with the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1.
  • the construction of such a coaxial escapement requires tight tolerances, so that such an exhaust is mainly reserved for high-end timepieces.
  • the present invention is innovative in that the teeth have a certain flexibility radially and tangentially so as to absorb shocks.
  • Figure 3 corresponds to the escape wheel 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, to explain the operation of a coaxial escapement, and corresponds to a first embodiment.
  • the arms 6 are curved and gradually bend towards a tangential orientation, in the direction of rotation of the mobile.
  • the arms 6 are relatively thin given their length, which gives them some flexibility.
  • the wheel 1 has no serge, the teeth 8 being constituted by the ends of the arms 6.
  • the absence of serge has the advantage of giving each arm 6 the ability to flex independently of other arms. Since the arms 6 are not simply oriented radially like the wheel arms of the prior art, they have the possibility of flexing radially as well as tangentially.
  • the configuration of the arms that "roll up" around the wheel makes it possible to have longer arms for a wheel of a given diameter.
  • the curvature of the arms 6 is progressive so as to distribute the tensions caused by a shock throughout the length of the arms.
  • the thickness of the arms decreases as we approach their end. Indeed, it will be understood that, in the configuration shown, the shear stresses are greater at the birth of the arms than at their end. Under these conditions, the progressive thinning of the arms makes it possible to reconcile the contradictory imperatives of flexibility and solidity.
  • the escape wheel 1 has eight arms 6 and as many teeth 8. It is obvious that one could have another number of arms and teeth.
  • Figure 4 corresponds to a second embodiment. It differs from the previous mode in that the arms 6 "wind up" around the wheel in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the wheel. It can be seen that, in this embodiment, each tooth is formed by a portion 8 of the end of an arm which is bent in the direction of rotation of the wheel.
  • Figures 3 and 4 also shows that the central opening 4 comprises an arrangement 5 to have a certain elasticity.
  • This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the material used to make such an escapement is a material having a certain flexibility but being brittle such as glass, quartz or silicon.
  • the arms 6 comprise spikes 7. These spikes serve to angularly position the spur gear 11 relative to the escape wheel 1 during the assembly of the escapement mechanism. Once wheel and pinion correctly oriented relative to each other, these two parts are secured to one another by gluing or by any other suitable method. It will be observed that the escape pinion 11 could also have the characteristics of one of the configurations just described for the escape wheel 1.
  • Such a mobile according to the invention can be realized according to the techniques known in the field. If the material used is a metal or an alloy, the mobile can be cut into a plate by stamping, wire EDM, etc ... or be conformed by the LIGA technique. If the material used is a fragile material, such as glass, quartz and silicon, the mobile can be shaped by chemical etching.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Gears, Cams (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)

Abstract

The mobile has arms (6) radially extending from a rigid central zone (2) towards a peripheral zone comprising tooth (8), where the mobile is made of metal or alloy, or fragile material such as glass, quartz or silicon. The arms are flexible to allow a weak tangential and/or radial displacement of the tooth. The arms are curved and gradually inflected towards a orientation tangential to the rotation of the mobile, such that the thickness of the arms is decreased and the tooth are constituted by ends of the arms.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un mobile de micro-mécanique, et notamment une roue ou un pignon, dont la rotation est contrôlée par des chocs au niveau de dents disposées à sa périphérie. L'invention sera plus particulièrement illustrée par une roue d'échappement d'un système réglant balancier-spiral d'un mouvement horloger mécanique.The present invention relates to a micromechanical mobile, and in particular a wheel or pinion, the rotation of which is controlled by shocks at the teeth disposed at its periphery. The invention will be more particularly illustrated by an escapement wheel of a balance-sprung system of a mechanical watch movement.

Arrière plan technologiqueTechnological background

De façon connue l'échappement d'un mouvement mécanique horloger, qu'il soit à ancre suisse ou coaxial, comporte un assortiment plus ou moins complexe de pièces, dont une roue d'échappement dont les dents régulièrement espacées subissent le choc des palettes généralement en rubis. La forme de cette roue, représentée à la figure 2 n'a pratiquement jamais évolué. Elle comporte une zone centrale rigide 2 pourvue d'une ouverture 4 pour le chassage sur un arbre, une serge rigide 12 pourvue de dents 8, et généralement quatre bras 6 également rigides, ce qui conduit à une pièce rigide. Les perfectionnements ont porté sur le nombre ou la forme des dents en particulier pour faciliter la lubrification et réduire l'usure. Les brevets CH 230 743 et DE 1 192 984 décrivent par exemple des modes de réalisation dans lesquels les dents comportent des encoches pour former des réservoirs d'huile.In known manner the escapement of a mechanical watch movement, whether Swiss-anchored or coaxial, comprises a more or less complex set of parts, including an escape wheel whose regularly spaced teeth undergo the shock of pallets generally in rubies. The shape of this wheel, shown in Figure 2 has almost never changed. It comprises a rigid central zone 2 provided with an opening 4 for driving on a shaft, a rigid serge 12 provided with teeth 8, and generally four arms 6 also rigid, which leads to a rigid part. Improvements have focused on the number or shape of teeth in particular to facilitate lubrication and reduce wear. Licences CH 230 743 and DE 1,192,984 describe for example embodiments in which the teeth have notches for forming oil reservoirs.

Pour avoir la résistance mécanique suffisante, le matériau utilisé pour fabriquer de telles roues d'échappement est pratiquement toujours un métal ou un alliage. Cela n'exclut toutefois pas totalement d'avoir un risque de détérioration des dents en cas de chocs trop violents. Ce risque est encore accru si on remplace le métal par un matériau plus sensible aux chocs.To have sufficient mechanical strength, the material used to make such escape wheels is almost always a metal or an alloy. However, this does not totally exclude the risk of damaging the teeth in case of violent shocks. This risk is further increased if the metal is replaced by a more shock-sensitive material.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention vise donc à palier les inconvénients de l'art antérieur en procurant un mobile dont la rotation est contrôlée par chocs sur des dents conçues de telle sorte qu'elles ne soient pas endommagées par lesdits chocs.The present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a mobile whose rotation is controlled by shocks on teeth designed so that they are not damaged by said shocks.

A cet effet l'invention concerne un tel mobile comprenant une zone centrale en un matériau rigide, et des bras s'étendant radialement depuis la zone centrale vers une zone périphérique comportant des dents, les bras étant flexibles pour permettre un faible déplacement tangentiel et/ou radial des dents afin d'absorber des chocs susceptibles d'endommager lesdites dents. L'invention est caractérisée en ce que les bras sont courbes et s'infléchissent progressivement vers une orientation tangentielle à la rotation du mobile, en ce que l'épaisseur des bras va en diminuant et, enfin, en ce que les dents sont constituées par les extrémités des bras.For this purpose the invention relates to such a mobile comprising a central zone of a rigid material, and arms extending radially from the central zone to a peripheral zone comprising teeth, the arms being flexible to allow a small tangential displacement and / or radial teeth to absorb shocks likely to damage said teeth. The invention is characterized in that that the arms are curved and gradually bend towards an orientation tangential to the rotation of the mobile, in that the thickness of the arms decreases and finally, in that the teeth are formed by the ends of the arms.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation, les bras s'infléchissent dans le sens de rotation dudit mobile.According to a first embodiment, the arms are bent in the direction of rotation of said mobile.

Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation, les bras s'infléchissent dans le sens inverse du sens de rotation dudit mobile, alors qu'à l'extrémité des bras, les dents sont recourbées dans le sens de rotation dudit mobile.According to a second embodiment, the arms are bent in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said mobile, while at the end of the arms, the teeth are bent in the direction of rotation of said mobile.

La partie centrale rigide comporte de préférence une ouverture pour le chassage d'un arbre permettant la rotation du mobile. Cette rotation peut également s'effectuer au moyen de pivots venant de matière avec la zone centrale rigide.The rigid central portion preferably comprises an opening for driving a shaft for rotating the mobile. This rotation can also be carried out by means of pivots coming from material with the rigid central zone.

Dans la description détaillée qui suit, le "mobile" sera plus particulièrement illustré par la roue d'échappement du système réglant balancier-spiral d'un mouvement mécanique horloger dans lequel les dents subissent les chocs de palettes généralement en rubis.In the following detailed description, the "mobile" will be more particularly illustrated by the escapement wheel of the balance-sprung system of a clockwork mechanical movement in which the teeth undergo shocks of pallets generally ruby.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront dans la description suivante d'exemples de réalisation d'une roue d'échappement, donnés à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective d'un échappement coaxial à ancre de l'art antérieur ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de la roue d'échappement de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 représente un premier mode de réalisation d'une roue d'échappement conforme à la présente invention ;
  • la figure 4 représente un deuxième mode de réalisation ; et
  • les figures 5 et 6 sont des représentations schématiques d'une roue d'échappement selon la présente invention intégrée dans un mécanisme d'échappement.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments of an escape wheel, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a coaxial escapement anchor of the prior art;
  • Figure 2 is a top view of the escape wheel of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of an escape wheel according to the present invention;
  • Figure 4 shows a second embodiment; and
  • Figures 5 and 6 are schematic representations of an escape wheel according to the present invention integrated in an exhaust mechanism.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

La présente invention sera plus particulièrement illustrée par un échappement coaxial à ancre dans lequel les dents de la roue d'échappement subissent les chocs des palettes.The present invention will be more particularly illustrated by a coaxial anchor escapement in which the teeth of the escape wheel are subjected to the shocks of the pallets.

Un tel échappement coaxial est connu de l'art antérieur par exemple par le brevet EP 018 796 , dont un perfectionnement et le fonctionnement sont également décrit dans l'ouvrage de G. Daniels intitulé "La Montre: Principes et Méthodes de Fabrication", pages 249-252, éditions Scriptar S.A., La Conversion/Lausanne, 1993 . La version perfectionnée est illustrée par les figures 1 et 2.Such a coaxial escapement is known from the prior art for example by the patent EP 018 796 , which a refinement and operation are also described in the book G. Daniels entitled "The Watch: Principles and Methods of Manufacture", pages 249-252, Editions Scriptar SA, La Conversion / Lausanne, 1993 . The improved version is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.

Brièvement décrit, ce mécanisme comprend une première roue d'échappement 1 et une seconde roue d'échappement 11, également appelée pignon d'impulsion, montée sur le même axe 3. Les deux roues d'échappement sont solidaires en rotation et elles possèdent le même nombre de dents. La première roue d'échappement 1 a la forme représentée à la figure 2, c'est-à-dire la forme d'une roue d'échappement à ancre suisse classique. Dans cette version améliorée de l'échappement coaxial, le pignon d'impulsion 11 fait également office de pignon d'échappement 15 en engrenant avec une roue intermédiaire 17, ce qui a comme avantage de réduire la hauteur du mécanisme. Le grand plateau 19 du balancier, porte une cheville de plateau 21 et une palette d'impulsion directe 23 disposée pour coopérer avec les dents 8 de la première roue d'échappement 1. L'ancre 25, dont la fourchette 27 coopère avec la cheville de plateau 21, comporte une palette d'impulsion indirecte 24 qui coopère avec les dents 13 de la seconde roue d'échappement 11, ainsi, que deux palettes de repos 26, 28, respectivement d'entrée et de sortie, qui coopèrent avec les dents 8 de la première roue d'échappement 1. La construction d'un tel échappement coaxial exige des tolérances serrées, de sorte qu'un tel échappement est surtout réservé à des pièces d'horlogerie haut de gamme.Briefly described, this mechanism comprises a first escape wheel 1 and a second escape wheel 11, also called an impulse pinion, mounted on the same axis 3. The two escape wheels are integral in rotation and they have the same number of teeth. The first escape wheel 1 has the form shown in Figure 2, that is to say the shape of a conventional Swiss lever escapement wheel. In this improved version of the coaxial escapement, the pinion gear 11 also acts as an escape pinion 15 meshing with an intermediate wheel 17, which has the advantage of reducing the height of the mechanism. The large plate 19 of the balance, carries a plate pin 21 and a direct pulse pallet 23 arranged to cooperate with the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1. The anchor 25, whose fork 27 cooperates with the ankle plate 21, comprises an indirect pulse pallet 24 which cooperates with the teeth 13 of the second escape wheel 11, as well as two pallets of rest 26, 28, respectively inlet and outlet, which cooperate with the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1. The construction of such a coaxial escapement requires tight tolerances, so that such an exhaust is mainly reserved for high-end timepieces.

En fonctionnement normal, lorsque le grand plateau 19 est entraîné dans le sens horaire, comme représenté par la flèche de la figure 5, le repos s'effectue sur la palette d'entrée 26.In normal operation, when the large plate 19 is driven in the clockwise direction, as represented by the arrow in FIG. 5, the rest is performed on the entry pallet 26.

Lorsque le grand plateau 19 est entraîné dans le sens anti-horaire, comme représenté par la flèche de la figure 6, le repos s'effectue sur la palette de sortie 28 et on voit que la palette d'impulsion directe 23 passe très près d'une dent 8 de la première roue d'échappement 1, ce qui exige de construire un tel échappement avec des cotes très précises.When the large plate 19 is driven in the anti-clockwise direction, as represented by the arrow in FIG. 6, the rest is made on the output pallet 28 and it can be seen that the direct impulse pallet 23 passes very close to a tooth 8 of the first escape wheel 1, which requires the construction of such an escapement with very precise dimensions.

La présente invention est innovatrice en ce que les dents présentent une certaines flexibilité radialement et tangentiellement de façon à pouvoir absorber les chocs.The present invention is innovative in that the teeth have a certain flexibility radially and tangentially so as to absorb shocks.

La figure 3 correspond à la roue d'échappement 1 représentée dans les figures 5 et 6, pour expliquer le fonctionnement d'un échappement coaxial, et correspond à un premier mode de réalisation.Figure 3 corresponds to the escape wheel 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, to explain the operation of a coaxial escapement, and corresponds to a first embodiment.

Comme on peut le voir, les bras 6 sont courbes et s'infléchissent progressivement vers une orientation tangentielle, dans le sens de la rotation du mobile. Les bras 6 sont relativement minces compte tenu de leur longueur, ce qui leur confère une certaine flexibilité. De plus, la roue 1 ne comporte pas de serge, les dents 8 étant constituées par les extrémités des bras 6. L'absence de serge présente l'avantage de donner à chaque bras 6 la possibilité de fléchir indépendamment des autres bras. Les bras 6 n'étant pas simplement orientés radialement comme les bras des roues de l'art antérieur, ils ont la possibilité de fléchir radialement aussi bien que tangentiellement. De plus la configuration des bras qui « s'enroulent » autour de la roue, permet d'avoir des bras plus long pour une roue d'un diamètre donné.As can be seen, the arms 6 are curved and gradually bend towards a tangential orientation, in the direction of rotation of the mobile. The arms 6 are relatively thin given their length, which gives them some flexibility. In addition, the wheel 1 has no serge, the teeth 8 being constituted by the ends of the arms 6. The absence of serge has the advantage of giving each arm 6 the ability to flex independently of other arms. Since the arms 6 are not simply oriented radially like the wheel arms of the prior art, they have the possibility of flexing radially as well as tangentially. In addition, the configuration of the arms that "roll up" around the wheel makes it possible to have longer arms for a wheel of a given diameter.

On voit encore que les extrémités 8 des bras se terminent par un plat. Ce plat est prévu pour coopérer avec les palettes 23, 26, 28 à la manière du flanc des dents de la roue d'échappement de l'art antérieur représentée à la figure 2. L'élasticité des bras 6 est prévue pour amortir les chocs occasionnés par les collisions entre les dents 8 et les palettes. En effet, ces chocs engendrent des tensions considérables, et pourraient éventuellement briser un bras réalisé dans un matériau cassant.We can still see that the ends 8 of the arms end in a flat. This plate is intended to cooperate with the pallets 23, 26, 28 in the manner of the sidewall of the teeth of the escapement wheel of the prior art shown in Figure 2. The elasticity of the arms 6 is provided to dampen shocks caused by collisions between the teeth 8 and the pallets. Indeed, these shocks generate considerable tension, and could possibly break an arm made of a brittle material.

Selon la présente invention, la courbure des bras 6 est progressive de manière à distribuer les tensions occasionnées par un choc dans toute la longueur des bras. De plus, on peut encore voire sur la figure 3 que l'épaisseur des bras va en diminuant à mesure qu'on s'approche de leur extrémité. En effet, on comprendra que, dans la configuration représentée, les contraintes de cisaillement sont plus importantes à la naissance des bras qu'à leur extrémité. Dans ces conditions, l'amincissement progressif des bras permet de concilier les impératifs contradictoires de flexibilité et de solidité.According to the present invention, the curvature of the arms 6 is progressive so as to distribute the tensions caused by a shock throughout the length of the arms. In addition, we can still see in Figure 3 that the thickness of the arms decreases as we approach their end. Indeed, it will be understood that, in the configuration shown, the shear stresses are greater at the birth of the arms than at their end. Under these conditions, the progressive thinning of the arms makes it possible to reconcile the contradictory imperatives of flexibility and solidity.

Dans l'exemple représenté la roue d'échappement 1 comporte huit bras 6 et autant de dents 8. Il est bien évident qu'on pourrait avoir un autre nombre de bras et de dents.In the example shown, the escape wheel 1 has eight arms 6 and as many teeth 8. It is obvious that one could have another number of arms and teeth.

La figure 4 correspond à un deuxième mode de réalisation. Il diffère du mode précédent en ce que les bras 6 « s'enroulent » autour de la roue dans le sens inverse du sens de rotation de la roue. On peut voir que, dans ce mode de réalisation, chaque dent est formée par une portion 8 de l'extrémité d'un bras qui est recourbée dans le sens de rotation de la roue.Figure 4 corresponds to a second embodiment. It differs from the previous mode in that the arms 6 "wind up" around the wheel in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the wheel. It can be seen that, in this embodiment, each tooth is formed by a portion 8 of the end of an arm which is bent in the direction of rotation of the wheel.

Sur les figures 3 et 4 on voit également que l'ouverture centrale 4 comporte un agencement 5 permettant d'avoir une certaine élasticité. Cet agencement 5 est particulièrement avantageux lorsque le matériau utilisé pour réaliser un tel échappement est un matériau ayant une certaine flexibilité mais étant cassant tel que le verre, le quartz ou le silicium.Figures 3 and 4 also shows that the central opening 4 comprises an arrangement 5 to have a certain elasticity. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the material used to make such an escapement is a material having a certain flexibility but being brittle such as glass, quartz or silicon.

On voit également que les bras 6 comportent des pointes 7. Ces pointes servent à positionner angulairement le pignon d'impulsion 11 relativement à la roue d'échappement 1 lors de l'assemblage du mécanisme d'échappement. Une fois la roue et le pignon correctement orientés l'un relativement à l'autre, ces deux pièces sont solidarisées l'une avec l'autre par collage ou par tout autre procédé convenable. On observera que le pignon d'échappement 11 pourrait également posséder les caractéristiques de l'une des configurations qui viennent d'être décrites pour la roue d'échappement 1.It can also be seen that the arms 6 comprise spikes 7. These spikes serve to angularly position the spur gear 11 relative to the escape wheel 1 during the assembly of the escapement mechanism. Once wheel and pinion correctly oriented relative to each other, these two parts are secured to one another by gluing or by any other suitable method. It will be observed that the escape pinion 11 could also have the characteristics of one of the configurations just described for the escape wheel 1.

Un tel mobile selon l'invention peut être réalisé selon les techniques connues dans le domaine. Si le matériau utilisé est un métal ou un alliage, le mobile pourra être découpé dans une plaque par étampage, électroérosion à fil, etc... ou être conformé par la technique LIGA. Si le matériau utilisé est un matériau fragile, tel que le verre, le quartz et le silicium, le mobile peut être conformé par gravure chimique.Such a mobile according to the invention can be realized according to the techniques known in the field. If the material used is a metal or an alloy, the mobile can be cut into a plate by stamping, wire EDM, etc ... or be conformed by the LIGA technique. If the material used is a fragile material, such as glass, quartz and silicon, the mobile can be shaped by chemical etching.

Claims (10)

Mobile de micro-mécanique notamment à rotation contrôlée par chocs, comprenant une zone centrale (2) rigide et des bras (6) s'étendant radialement depuis la zone centrale (2) vers une zone périphérique comportant des dents (8), les bras (6) étant flexibles pour permettre un faible déplacement tangentiel et/ou radial des dents (8) afin d'absorber des chocs susceptibles d'endommager lesdites dents (8), caractérisé en ce que les bras (6) sont courbes et s'infléchissent progressivement vers une orientation tangentielle à la rotation du mobile, en ce que l'épaisseur des bras va en diminuant, et en ce que les dents sont constituées par les extrémités des bras.Micro-mechanical mobile in particular with shock-controlled rotation, comprising a rigid central zone (2) and arms (6) extending radially from the central zone (2) towards a peripheral zone comprising teeth (8), the arms (6) being flexible to allow a small tangential and / or radial displacement of the teeth (8) in order to absorb shocks likely to damage said teeth (8), characterized in that the arms (6) are curved and s' gradually bend towards an orientation tangential to the rotation of the mobile, in that the thickness of the arms decreases, and in that the teeth are formed by the ends of the arms. Mobile selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les bras (6) s'infléchissent dans le sens inverse du sens de rotation dudit mobile, et en ce qu'à l'extrémité des bras (6), les dents (8) sont recourbées dans le sens de rotation dudit mobile.Mobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms (6) bend in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said mobile, and in that at the end of the arms (6), the teeth (8) are curved in the direction of rotation of said mobile. Mobile selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les bras (6) s'infléchissent dans le sens de rotation dudit mobile.Mobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms (6) are bent in the direction of rotation of said mobile. Mobile selon l'une des revendications 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que la zone centrale rigide (2) est pourvue d'une ouverture (4) permettant son assujettissement à un arbre (3).Mobile according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the rigid central zone (2) is provided with an opening (4) for securing it to a shaft (3). Mobile selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que l'ouverture centrale (4) comporte un agencement (5) conférant une élasticité à ladite ouverture (4) pour l'assujettissement du mobile sur l'arbre (3).Mobile according to claim 4, characterized in that the central opening (4) comprises an arrangement (5) imparting elasticity to said opening (4) for securing the mobile on the shaft (3). Mobile selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit mobile est réalisé en métal ou alliage en étant usiné dans une plaque ou conformé par la technique LIGA.Mobile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mobile is made of metal or alloy being machined in a plate or shaped by the LIGA technique. Mobile selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit mobile est réalisé en un matériau fragile tel que le verre, le quartz ou le silicium en étant conformé par gravure.Mobile according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said mobile is made of a fragile material such as glass, quartz or silicon being shaped by etching. Mobile selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il constitue la roue d'échappement (1) du système réglant d'un mouvement mécanique horloger, comportant éventuellement un pignon d'impulsion (11) monté coaxialement sur la roue d'échappement (1).Mobile according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it constitutes the escape wheel (1) of the control system of a clockwork mechanical movement, possibly comprising a pulse pinion (11) mounted coaxially on the wheel of exhaust (1). Mobile selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les bras comportent des pointes (7) permettant d'indexer la position angulaire du pignon d'impulsion (11).Mobile according to claim 8, characterized in that the arms comprise points (7) for indexing the angular position of the impulse pinion (11). Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un boîtier fermé par une glace en dessous de laquelle est disposé un cadran comportant au moins un affichage analogique, ledit cadran délimitant un logement, pour un mouvement mécanique, caractérisé en ce que le système réglant dudit mouvement comporte une roue d'échappement (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.Timepiece comprising a housing closed by an ice below which is disposed a dial having at least one analog display, said dial delimiting a housing, for a mechanical movement, characterized in that the system regulating said movement comprises a wheel of exhaust (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP20070110433 2006-06-23 2007-06-18 Micro-mechanical wheel with impact-controlled rotation Active EP1870784B1 (en)

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EP06012946 2006-06-23
EP20070110433 EP1870784B1 (en) 2006-06-23 2007-06-18 Micro-mechanical wheel with impact-controlled rotation

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EP1870784A2 true EP1870784A2 (en) 2007-12-26
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008058013A (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-03-13 Seiko Instruments Inc Escapement of mechanical timepiece
WO2012010408A1 (en) 2010-07-19 2012-01-26 Nivarox-Far S.A. Oscillating mechanism with elastic pivot and mobile for the transmission of energy
EP2413202A1 (en) 2010-07-30 2012-02-01 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method for improving the wear and impact resistance of an horological component. Anchor for clock movement with wear and impact resistance
EP2455821A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2012-05-23 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Power transmission gear wheel
CN113406875A (en) * 2020-03-16 2021-09-17 精工时计株式会社 Timepiece part, movement and timepiece

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH6659A (en) * 1893-06-05 1893-12-30 Achille Lambert Watch wheel
US2717488A (en) * 1952-01-07 1955-09-13 Gen Horlogere Noiseless anchor-escapement, particularly for clock-works
EP1445670A1 (en) * 2003-02-06 2004-08-11 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Balance-spring resonator spiral and its method of fabrication

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH6659A (en) * 1893-06-05 1893-12-30 Achille Lambert Watch wheel
US2717488A (en) * 1952-01-07 1955-09-13 Gen Horlogere Noiseless anchor-escapement, particularly for clock-works
EP1445670A1 (en) * 2003-02-06 2004-08-11 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Balance-spring resonator spiral and its method of fabrication

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008058013A (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-03-13 Seiko Instruments Inc Escapement of mechanical timepiece
WO2012010408A1 (en) 2010-07-19 2012-01-26 Nivarox-Far S.A. Oscillating mechanism with elastic pivot and mobile for the transmission of energy
EP2894520A2 (en) 2010-07-19 2015-07-15 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Oscillating mechanism with mobile, resilient pivot for energy transmission
EP2413202A1 (en) 2010-07-30 2012-02-01 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method for improving the wear and impact resistance of an horological component. Anchor for clock movement with wear and impact resistance
US8540418B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2013-09-24 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Wear and shock resistant escapement lever for a timepiece movement
EP2455821A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2012-05-23 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Power transmission gear wheel
CN113406875A (en) * 2020-03-16 2021-09-17 精工时计株式会社 Timepiece part, movement and timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1870784A3 (en) 2008-06-04
EP1870784B1 (en) 2009-08-19

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