EP2410386A1 - Balance wheel with inertia adjustment with insert - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves equipping a balance (1) and/or an insert (7) of elastic maintaining units (10) arranged to allow insertion of the insert into a housing (8) in an insertion position in which the maintaining units are under stress and to prohibit extraction of the insert out of the housing in a maintaining position in which the maintaining units are released. The insert is inserted into the housing by binding the maintaining units in the insertion position, and the maintaining units are released in the maintaining position after full insertion of the insert into the housing. An independent claim is also included for a timepiece incorporating a hairspring or a balance.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a rocker equipped with a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balancing and / or its oscillation frequency, comprising on the one hand a rocker comprising itself a hub arranged to cooperate with a pendulum axis perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge connected to said hub by at least one junction surface, said equilibrium equipped with the other hand at least an insert, said balance comprising, at the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for receiving said at least one insert, said insert comprising complementary guide means complementary profile guide means that includes said housing.

The invention also relates to a balance for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment to adjust its inertia and / or its balance or / and its frequency of oscillation, designing such a balance equipped, and having a hub arranged to cooperate with a pendulum axis perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge, connected to said hub by at least one joining surface, said balance having at least, at the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for receiving at least one insert, said insert of the type comprising complementary guide means complementary profile guide means that includes said housing.

The invention also relates to a rocker arm equipped with a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balancing and / or its oscillation frequency, assembled according to this method, and comprising a balance wheel comprising itself a hub arranged for cooperate with a balance shaft perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge, connected to said hub by at least one joining surface, said balance having, at the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for receiving at least one insert that includes said balance equipped, said insert of the type comprising complementary guide means complementary profile guide means that includes said housing.

The invention further relates to a sprung balance incorporating such a balance.

The invention also relates to a timepiece incorporating such a sprung balance or such a balance.

The invention relates to the field of regulating organs for timepieces, and particularly the balance or the balance spring.

Background of the invention

The accuracy of the calibres depends on the quality of their regulating organ, and the obtaining of very high oscillation frequencies, for example of 10 Hz, to be compared to the usual frequencies of 2.5 to 4 Hz, can only be obtained with the design of suitable regulating members, particularly with regard to the pendulum.

Indeed, the energy to be provided, in the form of elastic torque of the spiral, for the maintenance of the oscillation is proportional to the product, on the one hand of the inertia of the balance around its axis of rotation, by the square frequency on the other hand. Thus, for example, at equal energy, the passage of a frequency from 4 Hz to 10 Hz results in about the division by 6 of the inertia. For a frequency of 4 Hz, a pendulum inertia of 12 mg.cm ² is considered good, such a balance typically having a diameter of 9 to 10 mm. Thus, a balance for use at 10 Hz must have a low value inertia, especially less than 2 mg.cm ² .

A rocker for use at 10 Hz must still, for optimal operation, be of minimum mass, especially less than 30 mg, so as to reduce friction in the bearings, so as to avoid disturbances of isochronism in the different positions of use.

While being of mass and low inertia, the balance of a high frequency oscillator must, still, allow the adjustment of unbalance and a perfect balancing, static as dynamic, and its construction must authorize operations of adjustment and / or adjustment. It is therefore not possible to use conventional technologies, or even lightened balance solutions such as spokes with spoke serge as described by the patent FR 1275357 in the name of Straumann, or by the patent FR 1 301 938 on behalf of LIP. Indeed, their mass, even reduced, prohibits to obtain as low inertia as desired. Similarly, a titanium beam according to the patent EP 1 562 087 in the name of WATCHES BREGUET SA, designed with a serge and titanium arms and reduced sections, remains of mass and inertia that are greater than what is desired for optimal operation.

It is also sought a quality factor of the order of 500, so significantly higher than those of traditional oscillators where it is close to 220 to 280 for good quality watches. Such a quality factor can only be obtained by the combination of a spiral silicon or the like and a balance fulfilling the above conditions. Obtaining a high quality factor, combined with adjustment and adjustment possibilities, must, again, allow the elimination of the raquetterie.

In addition, the mass of the assembly being limited, the number of components as small as possible is preferred.

However, micro-machinable materials, such as silicon, quartz, which are in principle made in finite dimensions, with very precise tolerances, as part of their production process, are not easily machinable a posteriori.

It is therefore necessary, for regulating members made of such materials or incorporating at least one component in such a material, to have adjustment possibilities in frequency, and / or inertia, avoiding machining, and giving priority to the adjustment possibilities.

Summary of the invention

The inventive step consisted in creating the conditions of a balance structure, including the hub, the serge, and the connections between these two components, as light as possible, moving as far as possible from the hub of the masses of density if possible higher than that of this structure, and to incorporate in this structure adjustment means for making adjustments and adjustments by avoiding rework machining.

• on équipe ledit balancier ou/et ledit insert de moyens de maintien élastique agencés pour autoriser, dans une première position d'insertion où lesdits moyens de maintien élastique sont sous contrainte, l'insertion dudit insert dans ledit logement, et pour interdire, dans une deuxième position de maintien où lesdits moyens de maintien élastique sont libérés, l'extraction dudit insert hors dudit logement ;
• on insère chaque dit insert dans un dit logement en contraignant lesdits moyens de maintien élastique dans ladite première position d'insertion ;
• on libère lesdits moyens de maintien élastique dans ladite deuxième position de maintien après insertion complète de chaque dit insert dans son dit logement.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for producing a rocker arm equipped with a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balance or / and its oscillation frequency, comprising on the one hand a rocker itself having a hub arranged to cooperate with a balance shaft perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge connected to said hub by at least one junction surface, said balance equipped with other share at least one insert, said balance having, at the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for receiving said at least one insert, said insert having additional profile guiding means complementary to guide means that includes said housing , and characterized in that:

• said pendulum or / and said insert of resilient holding means arranged to allow, in a first insertion position where said elastic holding means are under stress, insertion of said insert into said housing, and to prohibit, in a second position of maintaining where said elastic holding means are released, extracting said insert from said housing;
• inserting each said insert into a said housing by constraining said elastic holding means in said first insertion position;
• said elastic holding means is released in said second holding position after complete insertion of each said insert into its said housing.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said guiding means and said complementary guiding means are determined so as to allow, in said second holding position, mobility by translation or / and by pivoting said insert in said housing.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means are determined to maintain said insert in said housing in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means are determined to maintain said insert in said housing in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft by constituting a bearing surface tending to push said insert against at least one fixed or resilient abutment which team said housing.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means are determined to maintain said insert in said housing in a direction tangential to said serge.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means is determined to maintain said insert in said housing in an angular pivoting position with respect to a pivot axis of said insert in said housing.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means is arranged to control, under the effect of an effort tending to away from said second holding position, a pivoting of said insert in said housing relative to a pivot axis of said insert in said housing.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means are cut into first resilient holding means and second elastic holding means, said first elastic holding means, respectively said second elastic holding means, acting as a ratchet of retained when said second resilient holding means, respectively said first elastic holding means, cause said insert to pivot.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said insert is produced so as to have, after insertion into said balance, at least one visible surface made of a material capable of being micro-machined or to undergo a removal of material by a laser.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said elastic holding means are made in said serge of said balance.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said serge is made in a monoblock manner with said junction surface and said hub in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz or one of their compounds, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology. , or an alloy as obtained by the "LIGA" process.

The invention also relates to a balance for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balance or / and its frequency of oscillation, designing such a balanced balance made according to the method according to one of the preceding claim, said balance having a hub arranged to cooperate with a pivoting shaft about a balance axis perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge, connected to said hub by at least one joining surface, said balance having, on the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for receiving at least one insert, said insert of the type comprising complementary guide means of complementary profile to guide means that comprises said housing, and characterized in that said housing comprises elastic holding means for holding said insert in said housing after insertion into the latter.

The invention also relates to a rocker arm equipped with a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balancing and / or its oscillation frequency, assembled according to this method, and comprising a balance wheel comprising itself a hub arranged to cooperate with a balance shaft perpendicular to a balance plane, and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge, connected to said hub by at least one junction surface, said balance having, at the periphery of said serge, at least one housing for the reception of at least one insert that includes said equipped balance, said insert of the type comprising complementary guide means of profile complementary to guide means that comprises said housing, and characterized in that said insert comprises means for elastic support for its maintenance in said housing after insertion into the latter.

The invention also comprises a balance spring incorporating at least one such balance.

The invention also relates to a timepiece incorporating at least one such sprung balance or at least one such balance.

The preferred use of silicon makes it possible to obtain a beam structure that is both very light and very rigid, which can be dimpled in the junction zone between the hub and the serge. The postponement periphery of inserts, which can be equipped with screws, is favorable to obtaining a properly sized inertia despite the very low total mass of the balance. The adjustment and balancing functions are ensured and facilitated.

Such a balance is perfectly suitable for good operation at the frequency of 10 Hz, and at frequencies above 10 Hz.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en section perpendiculaire à l'axe de balancier, un détail en périphérie de la serge d'une première variante de balancier équipé réalisé selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, une deuxième variante de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, une troisième variante de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, une quatrième variante de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une cinquième variante de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, un détail de la cinquième variante de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 représente de façon schématisée, partielle, et en vue de face, un détail d'une structure particulière de balancier ;
• la figure 8 représente de façon schématisée, partielle, et section passant par l'axe du balancier, un détail de la cinquième variante de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en perspective, une sixième variante de balancier selon l'invention ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en vue de bout, la sixième variante de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en vue de face, un balancier équipé selon la sixième variante.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, partially, and in section perpendicular to the axis of balance, a detail at the periphery of the serge of a first embodiment equipped balance made according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 a second variant of the invention;
• the figure 3 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 a third variant of the invention;
• the figure 4 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 a fourth variant of the invention;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in perspective, a fifth variant of the invention;
• the figure 6 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 , a detail of the fifth variant of the figure 5 ;
• the figure 7 shows schematically, partially, and in front view, a detail of a particular pendulum structure;
• the figure 8 represents schematically, partially, and section passing through the axis of the balance, a detail of the fifth variant of the figure 5 ;
• the figure 9 represents, schematically, partially and in perspective, a sixth variant of the balance according to the invention;
• the figure 10 represents, schematically, partially and end-to-end, the sixth variant of the figure 9 ;
• the figure 11 represents, schematically, partially and in front view, a balance equipped with the sixth variant.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of regulating organs for timepieces, and particularly the balance or the balance spring.

The invention is particularly directed to the production of pendulums for high oscillation frequencies, 10 Hz or more.

Five non-limiting embodiments are shown in the figures.

The invention relates to the production of a balance equipped 100 for timepiece with inertia adjustment to adjust its inertia and / or its balance or / and its frequency of oscillation.

This equipped balance 100 includes a rocker 1 itself having a hub 2 arranged to cooperate with a shaft pivoting about a balance axis 3 perpendicular to a balance plane 4, and a peripheral serge 5 continuous or discontinuous. This serge 5 can indeed be discontinuous in the context of a search for relief. A serge 5 continues, as visible on the figure 5 , offers the advantage of good rigidity and good aerodynamics, and limits localized flexion by preventing any warping of the balance 1.

This serge 5 is connected to the hub 2 by at least one junction surface 6, which may be constituted by a continuous surface such as a perforated disc or not, or by one or more arms 20. The preparation of a junction surface 6 openwork , in particular with cutouts, crossing or not, between longitudinal members ensuring a good triangulation, makes it possible to further reduce the weight of the balance.

Preferably, in all the variants of all the embodiments described below, to obtain a balance with good performance, at an oscillation frequency of 10 Hz or more, the serge 5 is made in one piece with the junction surface 6 and the hub 2 in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or one of their compounds, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy as obtained by the "LIGA" process including but not limited to nickel base alloy or aluminum obtained by the "LIGA" process. The choice of silicon gives particularly good results and is the preferred solution.

This equipped balance 100 also comprises at least one housing 8, located at the periphery of the serge 5 for receiving an insert 7.

This equipped balance wheel 100 also comprises at least one insert 7. Such an insert 7 is attached to or in the serge 5 at such a housing 8. This housing 8 comprises guide means 9. This insert 7 comprises complementary guide means 9A, of complementary profile to these guide means 9.

Preferably, this insert 7, or each of the parts which constitutes it, is made of a material which is denser than a first constituent material of the serge 5.

• on équipe ce balancier 1 ou/et cet insert 7 de moyens de maintien élastique 10 agencés pour autoriser, dans une première position d'insertion où les moyens de maintien élastique 10 sont sous contrainte, l'insertion de cet insert 7 dans ce logement 8, et pour interdire, dans une deuxième position de maintien où les moyens de maintien élastique 10 sont libérés, l'extraction de l'insert 7 hors du logement 8 ;
• on insère chaque insert 7 dans un logement 8 en contraignant les moyens de maintien élastique 10 dans la première position d'insertion ;
• on libère les moyens de maintien élastique 10 dans la deuxième position de maintien après insertion complète de chaque insert 7 dans son logement 8.

According to the invention:

• this balance 1 or / and this insert 7 of resilient holding means 10 is arranged to allow, in a first insertion position where the elastic holding means 10 are under stress, the insertion of this insert 7 into this housing 8 and to prohibit, in a second holding position where the elastic holding means 10 are released, the extraction of the insert 7 out of the housing 8;
• inserting each insert 7 in a housing 8 by constraining the elastic holding means 10 in the first insertion position;
• the elastic holding means 10 are released in the second holding position after complete insertion of each insert 7 into its housing 8.

These elastic holding means 10 are thus arranged to allow the introduction of this insert 7 in its housing 8 and to prohibit its extraction, as visible in the figures. They are preferably constituted by clipping means and complementary clipping means, which, preferably, the assembly is irreversible.

Preferably, the guiding means 9 and the complementary guiding means 9A are determined so as to allow mobility in the second holding position by translation or / and by pivoting of the insert 7 in the housing 8.

Mobility with a degree of freedom in translation is illustrated by the figures 1 and 11 .

Mobility with a degree of freedom in pivoting is illustrated by the Figures 2 to 7 . In this case, preferably, but not limited to, the guide means 9 and the complementary guide means 9A are substantially cylindrical, or are cylindrical.

• au niveau du balancier 1 ;
• au niveau du ou des inserts 7 ;
• à la fois au niveau du balancier 1 d'une part, et du ou des inserts 7 d'autre part.

The invention thus makes it possible to constitute a balanced rocker 100 capable of oscillating at high frequency, in particular greater than or equal to 10 Hz, and to allow adjustment or fine-tuning operations. This equipped balance 100 may have different architectures, depending on whether the elastic holding means 10 are chosen:

• at the level of the balance 1;
• at the level of the inserts 7;
• both at the level of the balance 1 on the one hand, and the inserts 7 on the other hand.

In a first embodiment, the elastic holding means 10 are located on the balance 1.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the housings 8, which includes the rocker 1, comprises elastic holding means 10 for holding such an insert 7 in the housing 8 after insertion into the latter. Preferably, several of these housings 8, and more preferably all of them, comprise such elastic holding means 10, which can be arranged in different variants which will be described below. The properties of the silicon, when the balance 1 is made in this material, are particularly suitable for the execution of such elastic holding means 10 incorporated in the body of the balance 1.

In a second embodiment, the elastic holding means 10 are located on the insert 7.

The elastic holding means 10 are then made at the level of the inserts 7, the equipped balance 100 then comprises a rocker 1, which is different from that of the first mode, in that it comprises, at the periphery of the serge 5 at least one housing 8 for receiving at least one insert 7, and that the housing 8 does not necessarily comprise elastic holding means. Indeed, in this second embodiment, it is the insert 7 which comprises elastic holding means 10 for its retention in the housing 8 after insertion into the latter, as visible on the figure 4 or the figure 7 , where the insert 7 has a slot 16 which provides sufficient flexibility. This insert 7 thus constitutes an unbalanced split weight, because of the slot 16, and this configuration makes it possible to accommodate one part with the other, without forcing beyond the breaking limits of the balance 1, especially when this one is made of silicon or the like. This slot 16 is, again, advantageously used to receive the end of a tool for adjusting its pivoting relative to its pivot axis 17 in the housing 8.

In a third embodiment, not shown in the figures, the elastic holding means 10 are made both at the level of the balance 1 on the one hand, and the inserts 7 on the other hand. The insert 7 then comprises such elastic holding means 10, and the housing 8 also comprises elastic holding means 10 for holding the insert 7 in the housing 8 after insertion into the latter.

In these three embodiments, the housings 8, the inserts 7, and the elastic holding means 10 can take different configurations, some preferred and in no way limiting configurations are described below.

In a preferred manner, the elastic holding means 10 are produced in the serge 5 of the balance 1.

In a first radial configuration, illustrated by the first variant of the figure 1 or by the sixth variant of the figure 11 the elastic holding means 10 are determined to maintain the insert 7 in the housing 8 in a radial direction relative to the balance shaft 3. Preferably, as visible on the figure 1 the insert 7 is maintained in this radial direction by constituting a bearing surface 11 tending to push the insert 7 against at least one fixed or resilient abutment 12 of which the housing 8 is fitted.

In a second tangential configuration, illustrated by the second, third, fourth, fifth variants of Figures 2 to 7 the elastic holding means 10 are determined to ensure insertion or / and maintenance of the insert 7 in the housing 8 in a direction tangential to the serge 5.

In yet another configuration, the elastic holding means 10 are determined to maintain the insert 7 in the housing 8 both in a radial direction relative to the balance shaft 3 and in a tangential direction relative to to the serge 5.

In the first variant of the figure 1 , the insert 7 is slid radially by the outside diameter of the serge 5, for its insertion into the rocker 1, and it is held in place in the housing 8 by the elastic holding means 10 for radial and tangential holding. In an advantageous embodiment, the elastic holding means 10 are cut out into first resilient holding means 13 and second elastic holding means 14. These elastic holding means 10 are in the form of a double spring system and of clips, constituted here by a first elastic lip 13, which has a bearing surface 11 arranged to serve as a lower stop for the insert 7, and by a second elastic lip 14, the latter comprising a stop 12 arranged to serve The first resilient holding means 13 and the second elastic holding means 14 advantageously consist of elastic lips, preferably movable in non-parallel directions to one another, and in particular orthogonal directions. one to another.

In this first variant embodiment of the figure 1 the insert 7 advantageously comprises at least one tapping, not shown in the figure, for receiving a regulating screw for adjusting and balancing the balance, this adjusting screw being movable radially in this tapping with respect to the axis 3 of the balance.

In the second tangential configuration of embodiment, the housing 8 and the insert 7 are preferably determined so as to ensure insertion of the insert 7 into the housing 8 in a direction parallel to the balance shaft 3.

The second embodiment variant of the figure 2 presents this provision. The insert 7 is slid or driven axially, by the upper face or the lower face of the serge 5, in a cylindrical housing 8, which is formed in part by an elastic lip 13 also constituting the elastic holding means 10, forming spring and now the insert 7 in place. This insert 7 has an unbalance relative to its pivot axis 17. This unbalance can come for example from a notch 15 made in the insert and remaining empty, allowing the passage of a tool for angular adjustment in pivoting. But it can also come from the mounting of a reported component, of higher density than that of the insert 7, in such an indentation 15 or in a suitable housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic holding means 10 are determined to maintain the insert 7 in the housing 8 in an angular position of pivoting with respect to a pivot axis 17 of this insert 7 in the housing 8. preferably this pivot axis 17 of the insert is parallel to the balance shaft 3, this is the case of the variants of the Figures 2 to 6 .

Advantageously, as visible on the third variant of the figure 3 , the elastic holding means 10 are arranged to control, under the effect of a force tending to move them away from the second holding position, a pivoting of the insert 7 in the housing 8 with respect to such a pivot axis 17. This insert 7 is preferably of the unbalance type, similar to that of the second variant of the figure 2 , but it has complementary guide means 9A made in the form of a toothing 18, which cooperates with the guide means 9, in particular constituted by a cylindrical bore, of the housing 8. In this third variant, the first holding means elastic member 13, respectively the second elastic holding means 14, with which they constitute the elastic holding means 10, advantageously act as a retaining pawl when the second elastic holding means 14, respectively the first elastic holding means 13, cause the elastic retaining means 10, insert 7 in pivoting. Again, the first elastic holding means 13 and the second elastic holding means 14 are advantageously constituted by elastic lips, whose directions are intersecting to one another, and whose ends 13A, 14A, cooperate with the teeth 18 that the insert 7 carries at its periphery. This third variant makes it possible to carry out adjustment by means of a double ratchet adjustment in both pivoting directions about the pivot axis 17 of the insert 7.

Such an embodiment of the insert 7 with a peripheral toothing 18 is naturally usable in the other variants, because it facilitates the maintenance in a particular angular position.

In a fifth variant shown on the Figures 5 and 8 the insert 7 is sandwiched between at least two flanges 7A and 7B, which are arranged to bear on either side of the serge 5, and to be assembled to one another by means of permanent assembly, for example driven, clipped, glued or the like, in the manner of a rivet, or a bolt, or the like, so that the subassembly made by the assembly of these two flanges 7A and 7B has at most one degree of freedom in pivoting or in translation relative to the serge 5. This embodiment prevents the insert 7 from disengaging the serge 5 of the balance 1. It is still possible to make the insert 7 in at least two complementary parts in the manner of these flanges 7A and 7B.

In a particular embodiment that can be combined with the second, third and fourth variants of Figures 2 to 4 all or part of the inserts 7 that includes the equipped balance 100 is made in the form of inserts 7 in two parts 7A and 7B as described above.

In order to reserve further fine-adjustment possibilities, it is advantageously realized, as visible on the figure 5 , preferably the insert 7 so as to have, after insertion into the rocker 1, at least one visible surface, which is made of a material capable of being micro-machined or to undergo a removal of material by a laser. Indeed, it must be possible to achieve balancing by adjusting the unbalance on the one hand, and correct the inertia on the other hand, and especially adjust very precisely the frequency of the oscillator. Balance balancing is an important operation, for which we seek a high balancing accuracy, of the order of one microgram x cm.

• un équilibrage facilité par l'existence d'au moins une surface plane, qui est constituée, soit par une surface plane dite parallèle, qui est parallèle au plan de balancier 4, soit par une surface plane de bout qui est perpendiculaire au plan de balancier 4 et à une radiale issue de l'axe de balancier 3. Un même insert 7 peut comporter à la fois une ou plusieurs surfaces parallèles, et une ou plusieurs surfaces de bout ;
• une traînée aérodynamique réduite, l'insert 7 comportant alors, dans toute section perpendiculaire au plan 4 de balancier et à un plan passant par l'axe de balancier 3, un profil aérodynamique rayonné ou/et pentu pour réduire son frottement dans l'air. Afin de limiter la traînée aérodynamique, chaque insert 7 est de préférence en retrait d'un cylindre circonscrit à la serge 5, dans toute position relative des parties qui constituent, le cas échéant, cet insert 7, qui peut avantageusement comporter des éléments rapportés, tels des vis réglantes ou similaires.

Advantageously, each insert 7 is profiled in a particular way, so as to allow, separately or at the same time:

• balancing facilitated by the existence of at least one plane surface, which is constituted either by a so-called parallel flat surface, which is parallel to the balance plane 4, or by a flat end surface which is perpendicular to the balance plane 4 and a radial end of the balance shaft 3. The same insert 7 may comprise both one or more parallel surfaces, and one or more end surfaces;
• a reduced aerodynamic drag, the insert 7 then comprising, in any section perpendicular to the balance plane 4 and to a plane passing through the balance shaft 3, a radiated aerodynamic profile and / or sloping to reduce its friction in the air . In order to limit the aerodynamic drag, each insert 7 is preferably set back from a cylinder circumscribed in the serge 5, in any relative position of the parts which constitute, if necessary, this insert 7, which may advantageously comprise inserts, such as adjusting screws or the like.

It is then easy to achieve balancing by milling or etching or other on one of these surfaces, or by adding material, especially by soldering, welding or plasma if the visible surface of the insert 7 is metallic.

In a preferred embodiment, the joining surface 6 consists of at least one arm 20. Thanks to the use of a silicon technology, such an arm can adopt any profile, including a curve, or other. It may also include lightenings, through or not, for example in the form of triangular pockets, which provide rigidity while allowing a significant weight loss. The figure 5 represents an even number version of arms diametrically opposed two by two.

The figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment with an arm 20 having a perforated structure, in a mixed manner, separated by ribs 30, pockets 29 through the entire thickness of the junction surface 6, in particular the arm 20, and / or blind pockets 31, not through, on only part of the thickness of the junction surface 6, in particular the arm 20, for example a third, each separate another similar blind pocket located on the other side of the arm 20 by a canvas of comparable thickness. The good triangulation carried out allows a sensible economy of mass, a conventional finite element calculation makes it possible to determine the longitudinal members 30 which are essential for the mechanical strength and the resistance to twisting. Of course, the annular portion of the serge 5 can also be perforated similarly. It is the same if it is preferred a continuous junction surface 6 such as a disk or the like.

For purposes of further relief, the serge 5 may comprise one or more cutouts 23, peripheral, or on the inner part of the serge 5.

The first radial configuration of the invention, with insertion and radial adjustment of the insert 7 relative to the balance shaft 3, is further illustrated by a sixth variant, shown in FIGS. Figures 9 to 11 , where the insert 7 is constituted by a regulating screw 23 visible on the figure 11 . This adjusting screw 23 cooperates with sections of threaded tracks 21 and 21 A, located opposite each other, substantially at the median plane 4A of the rocker 1. These threaded sections 21 and 21 A are obtained , in a balance 1 preferably made of silicon, by creating a recess, of shape approaching that of a substantially circular profile groove, when performing two straight teeth 22 and 22A facing each other. The "DRIE" method makes it possible to obtain either sloped bodies or remains in this form, which is preferred here, because it allows, combined with the making of elastic holding means in the form of less a resilient lip 13, to hold by pinching the adjusting screw 23, the threading 25 cooperates, in a conventional manner, with the teeth of progressive profile 28, respectively 28A, from the making of the circular draft, in one direction in advance perpendicular to the plane 4A, which reproduce the right-hand teeth 21, respectively 21 A. In sum, these toothing elements 28 and 28A reproduce correctly a tapping truncated. The choice of a regulating screw 23 in gold or the like, provided with an adjusting slot 24 or the like, allows precise adjustment. The tightening of this adjusting screw 23 in its housing 8 is achieved by the adapted dimensioning of the elastic lip 13, or of the lips if there are several, for example on either side of the housing 8.

It is also possible to improve this variant by a surface coating constituting a deformable layer for plastic deformation, low elastic modulus, lower than that of the base material, including silicon or its compounds. Preferably, in combination with silicon or one of its compounds, the Young's modulus of this surface coating is chosen to be less than 8 GPa, and preferably less than 4 GPa. This deformable layer may especially consist of a polymeric layer deposited in the gas phase.

This surface coating must be chosen for its good affinity with the base material, in particular silicon and silicon compounds, and can be used to directly form a housing 8 for an insert 7 or for a control screw 23.

The invention also relates to a sprung balance incorporating at least one such rocker 1, or at least one such equipped balance 100, according to any one of the embodiments and any of the variants presented above.

The invention also relates to a timepiece incorporating at least one such sprung balance, or at least one such balance 1 or at least one such equipped balance 100.

The use of silicon allows dimensioning in diameter substantially greater than one would, at similar inertia, with a balance of traditional invoice. The good elasticity of the silicon is particularly advantageous for the realization of the elastic holding means 10 of the invention.

The choice of silicon, in particular, authorizes the production, in the serge, of elastic holding means 10, in particular in the form of an elastic lip 13 or 14. In the same way, stop means in the form of ratchets can be combined to such blades or springs made in the silicon serge.

This choice of silicon or alloys obtained by the "LIGA" process, or generally derived from MEMS technology, makes it possible, by the excellent resolution during shaping, to ensure a very precise geometry of the serge. , and thus to avoid all games generating vibrations and detrimental to the proper functioning of the oscillator.

The choice of silicon allows moreover to insert the pendulum engravings, decorations, and perform a surface structuring.

Preferably, each part of each insert 7, or / and each control screw 23, is made of a material, which is a heavy metal, or beryllium bronze, or gold or platinum or tantalum or molybdenum, or one of their oxides or their nitrides, or one of their alloys, or one of the complexes developed on their bases.

It is possible, thanks to the invention, to achieve a quality factor measured at an oscillator incorporating a silicon balance spring and a balance or a balance equipped with the invention, is close to 500.

On the one hand, this high quality factor comes into being, and on the other hand, the adjustment and adjustment possibilities offered by the inserts, which, in addition to their own adjustment functions, fulfill a new function, which is to serve as machining platform for adding or removing material in the balancing and frequency adjustment adjustment operations, allows the elimination of the racking.

The design of the balance allows a very precise adjustment of the oscillation frequency of the sprung balance in which it is integrated. Adjustment and adjustment of the balance are very precise, and allow the pendulum to be used in a high frequency oscillator, 10 Hz or more.

The aims which the invention intended to attain are thus perfectly attained.

Claims (22)

Method for producing a balance wheel (100) for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or its balance or / and its oscillation frequency, comprising on the one hand a balance (1) itself comprising a hub (2) arranged to cooperate with a shaft pivoting about a balance shaft (3) perpendicular to a balance plane (4), and a continuous or discontinuous peripheral serge (5) connected to said hub (2) by at least one junction surface (6), said equipped balance (100) further comprising at least one insert (7), said balance (1) comprising, at the periphery of said serge (5) at least one housing (8) for receiving said at least one insert (7), said insert (7) having complementary guiding means (9A) of complementary profile to guiding means (9) that comprises said housing ( 8) and characterized in that : said pendulum (1) or / and said insert (7) is equipped with elastic holding means (10) arranged to allow, in a first insertion position where said elastic holding means (10) are under stress, insertion of said insert (7) into said housing (8), and to prohibit, in a second holding position where said elastic holding means (10) are released, extracting said insert (7) from said housing (8); inserting each said insert (7) in a said housing (8) by forcing said elastic holding means (10) in said first insertion position; - Release said elastic holding means (10) in said second holding position after complete insertion of each said insert (7) in said housing (8). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said guide means (9) and said complementary guidance (9A) to allow, in said second holding position, mobility by translation or / and by pivoting said insert (7) in said housing (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is determined to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft ( 3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is determined to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft ( 3) constituting a bearing surface (11) tending to push said insert (7) against at least one stop (12) fixed or elastic which team said housing (8). Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is determined to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) in a direction tangential to said serge (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is determined to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) in an angular position of pivoting with respect to an axis pivoting (17) of said insert (7) in said housing (8). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is arranged to control, under the effect of a force tending to move them away from said second holding position, a pivoting of said insert (7) in said housing (8) with respect to a pivot axis (17) of said insert (7) in said housing (8). Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) are cut into first elastic holding means (13) and second elastic holding means (14), said first means elastic holding means (13), respectively said second elastic holding means (14), acting as a retaining paw when said second elastic holding means (14), respectively said first elastic holding means (13), cause said insert ( 7) in pivoting. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is determined to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) both in a radial direction with respect to said axis arm (3) and in a direction tangential to said serge (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insert (7) sandwiched is made between at least two flanges (7A; 7B) arranged to bear on either side of said serge (5) and to be assembled to one another by means of permanent assembly so that the subassembly formed by the assembly of said two flanges (7A; 7B) has at most one degree of freedom in pivoting or in translation with respect to said serge (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insert (7) is produced so as to have, after insertion into said balance (1), at least one visible surface made of a material capable of being micro-shaped. machined or to undergo a removal of material by a laser. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) is made in said serge (5) of said balance (1). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said serge (5) is produced integrally with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz or one of their compounds, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy as obtained by the "LIGA" process. Pendulum (1) for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment to adjust its inertia and / or its balance and / or oscillation frequency, designing such equipped balance (100) made according to the method according to one of the preceding claim, said rocker (1) having a hub (2) arranged to cooperate with a shaft pivoting about a balance shaft (3) perpendicular to a balance plane (4), and a continuous peripheral serge (5) or discontinuous, connected to said hub (2) by at least one junction surface (6), said rocker (1) having, at the periphery of said serge (5), at least one housing (8) for receiving at least an insert (7), said insert (7) of the type comprising complementary guiding means (9A) of profile complementary to guiding means (9) that comprises said housing (8), and characterized in that said housing (8 ) comprises elastic holding means (10) for holding said insert (7) in a ledi t housing (8) after insertion into the latter. Balance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) are formed in said serge (5) of said balance (1) and arranged to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8). ) in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft (3). Pendulum (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) are formed in said serge (5) of said balance (1) and arranged to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8) in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft (3) by forming a bearing surface (11) tending to pushing said insert (7) against at least one stop (12) fixed or elastic which is equipped with said housing (8). Pendulum (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) are made in said serge (5) of said balance (1) and arranged to maintain said insert (7) in said housing in a direction tangential to said serge (5). Pendulum (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said elastic holding means (10) are made in said serge (5) of said rocker (1) and arranged to maintain said insert (7) in said housing (8). ) both in a radial direction relative to said balance shaft (3) and in a direction tangential to said serge (5). Pendulum (1) according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that said serge (5) is made in one piece with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro material -usinable, or silicon, or quartz or one of their compounds, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy as obtained by the process "LIGA". Balance equipped (100) for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting its inertia and / or balance and / or oscillation frequency, produced according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 13, and comprising a pendulum (1) according to one of claims 14 to 19, and comprising at least one insert (7) of the type comprising complementary guide means (9A) complementary profile guide means (9) that includes said housing (8), and characterized in that said insert (7) comprises elastic holding means (10) for its retention in said housing (8) after insertion into the latter. Spiral balance incorporating at least one balance (1) according to one of claims 14 to 19 or at least one equipped balance (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that said serge (5) is integral with said junction surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or one of their compounds, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy as obtained by the "LIGA" process. Timepiece incorporating at least one sprung balance according to the preceding claim, or at least one balance (1) according to one of claims 14 to 19 or at least one equipped balance (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that said serge (5) is integral with said junction surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology , or an alloy as obtained by the "LIGA" process.

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