EP2450757B1 - Anti-tripping device for escapement mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an anti-gallop device for an escape mechanism, arranged to cooperate with a rocker pivoting about a first axis of pivoting of fixed position relative to a platen.

The invention also relates to an escapement mechanism comprising, pivotally movable with respect to a plate, at least one pivoting arm about a balance shaft

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

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement or / and at least one such escape mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, in particular the field of escape mechanisms, and more particularly the field of relaxation escapements.

Background of the invention

The trigger escapement mechanisms are considered the most accurate, and have long been reserved for marine chronometers.

Their efficiency is indeed greater than that of anchor escapements, because the escape wheel communicates an impulse to the rocker once per oscillation, during which the escape wheel pivots with an angular pitch. As a result, the energy loss of The inertia of the escape wheel occurs once by oscillation, as against once alternately on the anchor escapements.

Their use on wristwatches is more delicate, because of their vulnerability to shocks.

During shocks, particularly lateral, if the rocker is pivoted beyond its normal amplitude, a tooth of the escape wheel can leave the pallet rest, there are two clearances and two pulses during the same alternation this phenomenon called gallop has the effect of distorting the isochronism of the oscillator.

The patent EP 1 708 047 in the name of WATCHES BREGUET SA describes a rocker having an arm carrying both a first finger to cooperate with the second actuating finger, and a beaked probe cooperating with a notched cam similar to the previous. In a first pivoting direction of the balance and its trays, the first finger drives the second finger to disengage the pallets or rest of the escape wheel. The spout of the arm-probe is then driven by a rising edge of the notched cam, to re-engage the locking means in the escape wheel. When the rocker pivots in the opposite direction, the first finger drives the second finger to maintain the locking means engaged in the escape wheel. The meeting of the first and the second finger, whatever the pivoting direction of the trays, generates a rotating and natural force on the axis of the rocker. This meeting does not generate any risk of breakage of the mechanism. No elastic member or stop pin is required. In a particular embodiment, this mechanism comprises two juxtaposed rest palettes comprising contiguous but non-aligned resting planes, which makes it possible to accommodate the tip of the wheel tooth. exhaust on a line of rest at the junction of these rest planes, creating a pull effect to overcome any stop pin. The rest plan of the stopping pallet closest to the escape wheel is in effect before the tooth, and prevents him from continuing on his way. In this position of total rest of the tooth of the escape wheel, the beak of the arm-probe takes off from the periphery of the plate, and leaves full freedom to the balance to complete its first alternation. This construction makes the escapement resistant to shocks, indeed a shock brings the spout to the periphery of the corresponding plate, without however disengaging the pallets of rest, because the return of the tooth to the line of rest takes place immediately thanks to this pull effect. When, then, during the reverse movement of the balance in the opposite direction, towards the end of the second alternation, the first finger and the second finger come into cooperation, they give rise to a couple of the trigger rocker about its pivot axis, causing a slight recoil of the tooth of the escape wheel, before, during the separation of the fingers, the tooth returns to the line of rest in a counter-pulling effect.

The patent EP 1 708 046 on behalf of WATCHES BREGUET SA discloses a safety finger fixed on the balance plate, and arranged to cooperate with the teeth of the escape wheel and block if the pulse pallet was to be released by accident of the teeth of wheel. This arrangement prevents any panic of the escape wheel in the event of shock resulting in the reversal of the direction of rotation of the trays at the precise moment of the impulse of the wheel. The encounter of a tooth of the wheel with this safety finger blocks the wheel, brings back the trays in the correct direction of rotation.

The document EP 1,522,001 in the name of Detra SA and Patek Philippe SA offers an exhaust mechanism with locking parts and toothed wheels with tooth gaps. A first mobile is subjected to a periodic torque, obtained for example by a rotor mounted in a stator. This first mobile comprises, firstly in a base plane a first wheel having teething gaps on its periphery, and secondly on a second plane a first blocker having a plurality of fingers and adapted to block a release lever that includes a balance plate, in a first pivoting direction of this last. This first mobile cooperates, depending on its position, either by the first blocker, or by its first wheel, with a second mobile. This second mobile comprises, in the base plane, a second wheel having teething gaps, in the second plane a shaped piece having a plurality of fingers and adapted to lock the release lever of the balance plate, in a second pivoting direction. opposed to the first, and the second mobile further comprises, in a first plane parallel to the previous plans a locking piece. This second mobile cooperates, depending on its position, either by the locking piece or by its second wheel, with an escape wheel, which comprises, in the base plane, a toothed wheel having teething gaps, and in the first plan impulse wheel receiving a continuous mechanical torque such as that of a cylinder, similar to a conventional escape wheel, and adapted to cooperate with a lever pulse that includes the balance plate, to maintain the movement of oscillation of this denier. According to the respective angular positions of the different mobiles, the locking pieces, or of shape, or the teeth, cooperate with each other, so that the device has, for each revolution of rotation of the first axis, four stable locking positions, between which it has so many unlocking positions. The combination of two locking means and two means of unlocking the mechanical torque, and the particular sequence imposing an unlocking operation between two blocking operations realize the prevention of any runaway or gallop in case of impact on the mechanism. Such a mechanism is complex, relatively expensive, and unfolds in several planes, which makes its thickness significant.

The patent application EP 1 770 452 in the name of Peter Baumberger is an enhancement of the patent Voigt US 180,290 , designed to minimize the bulk, and describes a conventional expansion exhaust with a detent rocker pivoted and recalled by a spiral spring, an arm of this rocker carries one end of a leaf spring whose other end is held in support on a stop carried by another arm of the flip-flop, and is arranged to cooperate with a release pallet secured to a small balance plate. Another arm of the rocker, beyond a pallet of rest, comprises a finger which cooperates with the periphery of this small plate, and in particular with a truncated portion making cam, at a lower level than that of the leaf spring . A large platform of the balance typically carries a pulse pallet, preceded by a first recess, and followed by a second recess, to allow the release of the pallet rest when the release pallet rotates the trigger rocker. The choice of a particular geometry, both in terms of the positioning of the pallet of rest and the pallet of impulse in quasi-symmetry of the line of the centers of the escape wheel and the pendulum during the phase of rest, which 'at the fork formed by the finger and the free end of the leaf spring, limit the disruptive effect related to the inertia of the trigger on the pendulum oscillations. The amplitude of the pivoting movements of the trigger, in case of shock, is limited by the interaction of the pallet rest and large plateau. In a complementary embodiment, this mechanism comprises an anti-gallop rocker, in the vicinity of the small plate, pivotally mounted on the movement between two stable end positions held by a jumper on stops with which can cooperate a first end, and a fork-shaped second end interacts with the release pallet: at each passage through the fork, the release pallet exerts pressure to tilt the anti-gallop rocker from one to the other of its stable positions. The fork is thus two stops for the small plateau in case of galloping, and prevents the pendulum to do more than one turn in pivoting.

The document EP 1 860 511 in the name of Christophe Claret SA describes a moving bridge movement, providing protection against side impacts of a detent escapement. This movable bridge carries the pivot axis of the sprung balance, the pivot axis of the escape wheel, the pivot axis of the trigger, and a part of the finishing gear. It is rotated elastically on the axis of one of the wheels of the cogwheel finishing, for example the second wheel. Forces, such as a side impact, capable of disengaging the pallet of rest, then drive the movable bridge in its entirety, and the relative positions of the trigger and the escape wheel are maintained. Thus, a constant step of the exhaust is ensured. This movable bridge can, again, be damped by a damping system that allows to dissipate some of the energy due to impact.

The patent application CH 700 091 in the name of Christophe Claret SA describes a detent escapement, with a trigger rocker pivotally mounted on a spiral spring and cooperating at the other end with a first recessed spring blade in the vicinity of the pivot. The balance plate has two separate pallets. A movable member disposed on the opposite side of the escape wheel, relative to the trigger rocker, carries a pivoting cam, holding a cam spring blade, and biased toward the trigger by a spiral spring at a stop position. This cam is arranged to cooperate the cam spring-blade, or in a first state with the end of the load-bearing latch of the leaf spring, or in a second state with the pallets of release of the balance. The first release pallet is arranged to cooperate with the first leaf spring and operate the trigger when the first paddle crosses the first blade in a first direction, and to cooperate only with the first blade and without actuating the trigger when it crosses in the opposite direction. The cam, in its first state, cooperates with the trigger to limit the movements thereof. The second clearance pallet is arranged to move the cam into its second state where the trigger is free to perform its release and release the exhaust wheel tooth of the pallet rest. The two clearance pallets are close together, and arranged in such a way that the cam is brought into its second state just before the detent makes its release. The spiral return cam spring, stronger than the cam spring blade, tends to return the cam to its first state. Thus, the cam, in its first state, is positioned to oppose everything inadvertent movement of the trigger that would result in an untimely release of the pallet rest, and the exhaust is less sensitive to the effects of a shock. The adjustment of this mechanism is difficult because it depends on the characteristics of the springs it comprises, the number of at least three.

The patent application EP 2,224,292 in the name of Rolex SA discloses a direct impulse escapement, including expansion. Its trigger rocker is arranged in a particular way, pivoting between two stops, it has, turned towards the escape wheel, a finger successively comprising a stop surface serving as a pallet of rest, a safety surface which, depending on the position of pivoting of the rocker, interferes or not with the trajectory of the escape wheel, and a sliding surface which forces the rocker to tilt, during the pivoting of the escape wheel, in order to reduce the sliding surface and therefore the stop surface in the interference zone with the escape wheel to stop the pivoting thereof. The balance plate conventionally comprises a pulse pallet and a release finger. During the alternation in a first pivoting direction of the balance, the rocker is in a first pivoted position in abutment which leaves the passage to the release finger, while in the other alternation in the other direction of pivoting, the pivoted rocker in another abutment position encounters, at a resilient clearance element that it comprises, the release finger. The elastic travel of this resilient release member allows the balance to continue its course, the pulse pallet passes between two adjacent teeth of the escape wheel. Shortly afterwards, the balance is stopped by its spring-spiral and pivots in opposite directions. During this elastic race, the rocker remains braced on its stop, and the stop surface of the rocker slides on the tooth of the escape wheel that keeps it in stop. The safety of this mechanism is ensured by the arrangement of the finger of the rocker, with a stop surface and a sliding surface which penetrate alternately in the path of the toothing of the escape wheel. The length of the safety surface between the stop surface and the sliding surface corresponds to the angle traveled by the wheel to communicate the driving energy to the balance, to prevent the premature return of the stop element in the path of the wheel , which constitutes a complementary security. Part of the energy of the cylinder is however consumed in friction during the sliding phase.

Few patent documents are specifically dedicated to anti-gallop mechanisms.

The document EP 1 645 918 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET SA describes such a mechanism, comprising a finger fixed on an arm of the balance. The balance bridge has two columns, between which can pass this finger. A locking arm is fixed on the outer turn of the spiral, in particular by pinching, and is likely, when the pendulum tends to pack under the effect of a shock, and exceed its normal amplitude, to come in support on the columns to prohibit the passage of the finger.

The document EP 1 801 668 in the name of WATCHES BREGUET SA discloses the equipment of the balance shaft with a pinion, which cooperates with a toothed sector movable between two stop positions and preventing the balance to pivot beyond its normal amplitude.

In short, the known realizations are often complex, and difficult to transpose from one escape mechanism to another. The stop mode of the balance is usually very abrupt, and does not always guarantee a restart of the movement without intervention.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, by proposing a mechanism that is both simple and reliable, inexpensive, and easily adaptable to existing exhaust mechanisms.
For this purpose the invention relates to an anti-gallop device for an escape mechanism, arranged to cooperate with a rocker pivoting about a first axis of pivoting of fixed position relative to a plate, characterized in that said device comprises a limiting pin arranged to be fixed to said plate, as well as at least one mobile bistable assembly which comprises, on the one hand at least one rotor arranged to be fixed on said balance and to rotate synchronously with it, and secondly a bistable flip-flop pivotally movable relative to said rotor about a second pivot axis parallel to said first pivot axis on a limited angular sector between two indexing positions that can occupy indexing means that includes said bistable assembly for memorizing the position of said balance, at least a part of the trajectory of said flip-flop when pivoting said balance being interfering with ec said peg, and said bistable assembly further comprising amplitude limiting means for limiting the amplitude of the angular pivoting of said rocker in case of shock.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said amplitude limitation means comprise at least first abutment means between said flip-flop and said pin, arranged to constitute, on the one hand, a pivot limit end stop when a pivoting of normal amplitude of the balance and on which a support of said bistable assembly generates a change of position of said indexing means, and secondly an abutment stop of said balance in case of rebate during an impact on said pendulum or on a set including said pendulum.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said first abutment means comprise at least one first abutment abutment surface that comprises said bistable flip-flop and which is arranged to cooperate with a first front surface that comprises said peg and directed towards said first axis of pivoting, and they also comprise at least a second rebate abutment surface that comprises said flip-flop and which is arranged to cooperate with a second lateral surface that comprises said pin and directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to that joining said pin to said first pivot axis.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said amplitude limitation means comprise at least second stop means between said flip-flop and said rotor.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said second stop means comprise at least a third abutment surface that comprises said flip-flop and which is arranged to cooperate in abutment position with at least one rotor abutment surface that includes said rotor.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said indexing means comprise, at said bistable flip-flop, for each said indexing position, a rocker arm, respectively a rocker notch, arranged to cooperate with a rotor notch, respectively a rotor arm, which comprises said rotor.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said flip-flop comprises at least a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm corresponding to said indexing positions between which said flip-flop can pivot, each recalled by elastic return means towards said second pivot axis, arranged to cooperate each in turn with said rotor notch formed at the periphery of said rotor.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said bistable assembly is made integrally, and that the connection between said rotor and said flip-flop is made by elastic return means.

According to a feature of the invention, said bistable assembly is made integrally with a balance.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said bistable assembly is made integrally with said balance which is itself integrally formed with a spiral spring.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said rotor or / and said flip-flop is made of silicon, or quartz or one of their compounds, or an at least partially amorphous material.

The invention also relates to an escapement mechanism comprising, pivotally movable relative to a plate, at least one rocker pivoting about a balance shaft, characterized in that it is a trigger escapement mechanism, and in that it comprises such an anti-gallop device, said limiting pin is fixed to said plate, said rotor is fixed to a shaft that includes said balance, and said flip-flop is mounted pivotally mounted around a second pivot axis parallel to said first pivot axis.

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

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement or / and at least one such escape mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un mécanisme d'échappement selon l'invention avec un dispositif anti-galop selon l'invention, associé à un balancier associé à un ressort-spiral et à une platine non représentée ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, le dispositif anti-galop de la figure 1, dans une position de montage;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, le dispositif anti-galop de la figure 1, dans une position d'activation d'un état horaire;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, le dispositif anti-galop de la figure 1, dans une position d'activation d'un état anti-horaire ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, le dispositif anti-galop de la figure 1, dans une position de rebat en état horaire ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, le dispositif anti-galop de la figure 1, dans une position de rebat en état anti-horaire ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, une variante de dispositif anti-galop selon l'invention, dans une position de montage.

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

• the figure 1 represents schematically and in perspective, an escape mechanism according to the invention with an anti-gallop device according to the invention, associated with a balance associated with a spiral spring and a not shown plate;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and in front view, the anti-gallop device of the figure 1 in a mounting position;
• the figure 3 represents, schematically and in front view, the anti-gallop device of the figure 1 in an activation position of a time state;
• the figure 4 represents, schematically and in front view, the anti-gallop device of the figure 1 in an activation position of a counterclockwise state;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in front view, the anti-gallop device of the figure 1 in a rebate position in the hourly condition;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in front view, the anti-gallop device of the figure 1 in a rebate position in a counter-clockwise state;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically and in front view, an alternative anti-gallop device according to the invention, in a mounting position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking.

The invention relates to an anti-gallop device 1 for escape mechanism 10: This anti-gallop device 1 is arranged to cooperate with a rocker 2, which pivots about a first pivot axis D1 of fixed position with respect to a platinum 3.

The anti-gallop device 1 according to the invention is very simple because it is composed of three components at most: an anchor 5 fixed to the plate of the escapement mechanism, or movement, or the timepiece, a rotor 9 attached to the balance 9, and a flip-flop 11. It will be seen later that in a particular version, it can be reduced to two components.

Thus, according to the invention, the device 1 comprises a limiting pin 5 arranged to be fixed to the plate 3, as well as at least one mobile bistable assembly 8.

This bistable assembly 8 comprises, firstly at least one rotor 9 arranged to be fixed on the rocker 2 and to pivot synchronously with it, and secondly a bistable rocker 11, which is pivotally movable relative to the rotor 9 about a second pivot axis D2 parallel to the first pivot axis D1. This relative mobility is done on a limited angular sector, of opening α, between two extreme indexing positions that can occupy indexing means 12 that includes the bistable assembly 8 to memorize the state of the balance 2.

The integration of such a bistable assembly 8 on the balance 2 makes it possible to memorize the position of the latter, and thus to limit the over-amplitudes in the event of an impact, which represents a notable improvement over the prior art. The flip-flop 11 pivots with a limited stroke on a center of rotation off-center with respect to that of the balance.

At least part of the trajectory of the flip-flop 11 is, during the pivoting of the rocker 2, interfering with the pin 5. The bistable assembly 8 further comprises amplitude limiting means 15 for limiting the amplitude of the angular pivoting. balance 2 in case of shock.

As visible on the figures 3 and 4 , the bistable set 8 can occupy two stable states: a so-called hour state whose figure 3 illustrates activation, and a so-called counter-clockwise state, whose figure 4 illustrates the activation. In normal operation, only these two states are used, except during the transition from one state to another. This transition occurs when one end of the rocker 11 encounters the pin 5, thus toggling the rocker 11 in the opposite state to the one it previously occupied. The bistable assembly 8 changes state twice by complete oscillation of the balance.

These amplitude limiting means 15 comprise at least first abutment means 16 between the flip-flop 11 and the peg 5, which are arranged to constitute, on the one hand, a pivot limit stop when pivoting. of normal amplitude of the balance and on which a support of this bistable assembly 8 generates a change of position of the indexing means 12, and secondly a stop stop of the balance 2 in case of rebate during a shock on the balance 2 or on a set including the pendulum 2.

The first abutment means 16 comprise at least a first abutment abutment surface 17, which comprises the flip-flop 11, and which is arranged to cooperate with a first front surface 6 that includes the pin 5 and which is directed towards the first pivot axis D1. The first abutment means 16 also comprise at least a second rebate abutment surface 18, which comprises the flip-flop 11, and which is arranged to cooperate with a second lateral surface 7 that comprises the pin 5, this second surface 7 being directed in a direction substantially orthogonal to that joining the pin 5 to the first pivot axis D1. Stopping the balance is obtained in this stop position, if the balance 2 tends to pack in case of shock.

Preferably and advantageously, the amplitude limiting means 15 comprise at least second stop means 20 between the flip-flop 11 and the rotor 9, which constitute an additional safety in the event of an impact.

In a preferred embodiment, as can be seen in the figures, the second abutment means 20 comprise at least one third abutment surface 21, which comprises the flip-flop 11, and which is arranged to cooperate in an abutment position with at least a rotor abutment surface 22 that includes the rotor 9.

Returning means, such as leaf springs, preferably symmetrical, and integral with the bistable assembly 8, are integral with the flip-flop 11 as shown in the figures, or integral with the rotor 9 in another embodiment not shown in the figures, allow to maintain the state of the rocker clipping to the next half-oscillation. It should be noted that any change in state of the bistable assembly 8, which would not be caused by the action of the ankle 5, causes an immediate stop of the exhaust mechanism, for example in the event of rupture of such blades -spring.

Preferably, the indexing means 12 comprise, at the level of the flip-flop 11, for the extreme indexing positions, and preferably for each indexing position, a rocker arm 13, respectively a rocker notch, arranged to cooperate with a rotor notch 14, respectively a rotor arm, that includes the rotor 9. Intermediate indexing positions may be useful to mobilize the resistant torque, exhaust efficiency destroyer, only gradually . However, the preferred embodiment is that shown in the figures, with only two extreme indexing positions, each relating to a specific state of the pendulum 2.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated by the figures, the flip-flop 11 comprises at least a first rocker arm 13A and a second rocker arm 13B corresponding to the indexing positions between which the flip-flop 11 can pivot, each recalled by means of FIG. elastic return to the second pivot axis D2, arranged to cooperate each in turn with the rotor notch 14 formed at the periphery of the rotor 9. Preferably, the rotor 9 is symmetrical with respect to an axis passing through the two axes pivoting D1 and D2, and the flip-flop 11 is also symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the pivot axis D2. This symmetry facilitates the balancing, particularly dynamic, of the bistable assembly 8.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the arms 13A and 13B are leaf springs, each having an arranged end to cooperate with the rotor notch 14. Their dimensioning is carried out so that their active length is sufficient to consume the least energy possible during the change of state, and so that the maintenance of the position of the rocker is ensured in case of shock.

Thus, in this preferred version, the flip-flop 11 comprises a first so-called right lug abutment surface 17A on the side of the first flip-flop arm 13A, and a first so-called left lug abutment surface 17B on the side of the second flip-flop arm 13B, each arranged to cooperate, during the pivoting of the rocker 2, with the first end surface 6 of the pin 5 to bow-flip the flip-flop 11 on the latter while allowing the continuation of the stroke of the balance 2 to change position indexing. While the rocker 2 continues its course, successively it picks up the rocker arm which was engaged in the rotor notch 14, continues its pivoting stroke during a limited angular sector of amplitude α to hang the other rocker arm in the rotor notch 14.

In case of shock, the back of one end of the rocker 11 bounces on the ankle 5: the balance is stopped and can not continue its course, as visible on the figures 5 and 6 .

Thus the flip-flop 11 comprises a second right rebate abutment surface 18A on the side of the first latch arm 13A, and a second left rebate abutment surface 18B on the side of the second latch arm 13B, each arranged to cooperate, during the pivoting of the balance 2, with a second lateral surface 7 of the peg 5, to bow-flip the flip-flop 11 on the latter while allowing the continuation of the stroke of the balance 2 to change indexing position.

When the rocker 2 continues its course, successively it picks up the rocker arm which was engaged in the rotor notch 14, and continues its pivoting stroke during a limited angular sector to hang the other rocker arm in the rotor notch 14, then, in the only case where the shock energy transmitted to the balance 2 tends to rotate beyond this extreme indexing position, the rocker 2, pivoting, brings a rotor abutment surface 22 of the rotor 9 abuts on a third abutment surface 21 of the flip-flop 11 in the final stop position in this abutment position. Subsequently, the return torque of the spiral spring is sufficient to clear the balance 2, and the normal movement can resume, without any disturbance.

These rotor stops 22 are only stressed in case of shocks, and are not solicited in normal operation.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the bistable assembly 8 comprises resilient damping means at the level of the second rebate abutment surface 18A; 18B, or / and at the level of the third abutment surface 21A. ; 21B, or / and a rotor abutment surface 22A; 22B, to provide additional security when the energy imparted by a shock pendulum 2 tends to rotate the latter beyond an extreme indexing position.

It is naturally possible to equip the anti-gallop device 1 according to the invention with means for axially holding the bistable assembly 8 or at least the latch 11. Such means have not been shown in the figures in a FIG. simplification.

Preferably, the bistable assembly 8 is dynamically balanced around the first pivot axis D1 of the balance 2 as a function of the maximum angular speed of pivoting of the balance 2 around the first pivot axis D1.

In an advantageous and preferred embodiment, as visible on the figure 7 , the bistable assembly 8 is made integrally, and the connection between the rotor 9 and the flip-flop 11 is made by a connecting surface 24 preferably constituted by elastic return means, arranged to rotate the rocker bistable 11 around a virtual pivot axis D2.

In an even more integrated embodiment, the bistable assembly 8 is made in one piece with a rocker 2, or even the bistable assembly 8 is made in one piece with the rocker 2 which is itself integrally formed with a spring -spiral.

Advantageously, the rotor 9 or / and the flip-flop 11 is made of 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 method DRIE or "LIGA", or at least partially amorphous material.

The invention also relates to an escapement mechanism 10 comprising, pivotally movable relative to a plate 3, at least one rocker 2 pivoting about a balance shaft D1. Advantageously, it is a trigger escapement mechanism, and it comprises an anti-gallop device 1 according to the invention, whose limiting pin 5 is fixed to the plate 3, the rotor 9 is fixed, in particular by shrinking or similar, at a bore 19 that includes this rotor, a shaft 4 that includes the balance 2, and whose flip-flop 11 is pivotally mounted to pivot about a second pivot axis D2 parallel to the first axis pivoting D1.

In an advantageous embodiment of this escapement mechanism 10, the assembly consisting of the rocker 2 and the rocker 3 is preferably monobloc, and is made of 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 DRIE or "LIGA" method, or an at least partially amorphous material. This assembly can also be made in one piece with a spiral spring, as described in the European patent application. EP 2 104 008 in the name of the plaintiff.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such escape mechanism, or at least one anti-gallop device 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such escapement mechanism, or at least one such anti-gallop device 1.

The invention thus offers a reliable solution, very easy to implement, which has the advantage of being applicable to any existing expansion escapement model at the cost of minor modifications consisting in the attachment of a rotor to the rotor. balance shaft, and the fixing of a limiting pin on the plate. This anti-gallop device is elegant, integrates easily, has few components, and is especially reliable, and allows the exhaust mechanism to resume normal operation after a shock.

Claims (18)

1. Anti-trip device (1) for an escape mechanism (10), arranged to cooperate with a balance (2), which pivots about a first pivot axis (D1), whose position is fixed relative to a plate (3), and including a banking pin (5) arranged to be fixed to said plate (3), characterized in that said anti-trip device (1) includes at least one moveable bistable assembly (8) which includes, on the one hand, at least one rotor (9) arranged to be fixed to said balance (2) and to pivot synchronously therewith, and on the other hand, a moveable bistable lever (11) that pivots relative to said rotor (9) about a second pivot axis (D2), parallel to said first pivot axis (D1), over a limited angular sector between two indexing positions that can be occupied by indexing means (12) comprised in said bistable assembly (8) for memorising the position of said balance (2), wherein at least one part of the trajectory of said bistable lever (11) interferes with said banking pin (5) when said balance (2) pivots, and said bistable assembly (8) further includes amplitude limiting means (15) for limiting the amplitude of angular pivoting of said balance (2) in the event of a shock.
2. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said amplitude limiting means (15) includes at least first stop means (16) between said bistable lever (11) and said banking pin (5), arranged to form, on the one hand a limit of pivot travel stop, when the amplitude of pivoting of the balance is normal and which, when said bistable assembly (8) abuts thereon, generates a change of position in said indexing means (12), and on the other hand, a stop member for said balance (2) if any knocking occurs in the event of a shock to said balance (2) or to an assembly including said balance (2).
3. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first stop means (16) includes at least a first shake stop surface (17) which is comprised in said bistable lever (11) and arranged to cooperate with a first frontal surface (6) of said banking pin (5) and which points towards said first pivot axis (D1), and said means further includes at least a second knocking stop surface (18) which is comprised in said bistable lever (11) and arranged to cooperate with a second lateral surface (7) of said banking pin (5) and which points in a substantially orthogonal direction to that joining said pin (5) to said first pivot axis (D1).
4. Anti-trip device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said amplitude limiting means (15) includes at least second stop means (20) between said bistable lever (11) and said rotor (9).
5. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second stop means (20) includes at least a third stop surface (21), which is comprised in said bistable lever (11) and arranged to cooperate in a stop position with at least one rotor stop surface (22) of said rotor (9) to form a second security device when the energy transmitted by a shock tends to cause said balance to pivot beyond an extreme indexing position.
6. Anti-trip device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on said bistable lever (11), said indexing means (12) includes, for each said indexing position, a lever arm (13), or respectively a lever notch, arranged to cooperate respectively with a rotor notch (14) or respectively a rotor arm of said rotor (9).
7. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bistable lever (11) includes at least a first lever arm (13A) and a second lever arm (13B) corresponding to the indexing positions between which said bistable lever (11) can pivot, each returned by elastic return means towards said second pivot axis (D2), and each arranged to cooperate in turn with said rotor notch (14), arranged at the periphery of said rotor (9).
8. Anti-trip device (1) according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that said bistable lever (11) includes a first right shake stop surface (17A) on the side of said first lever arm (13A), and a first left shake stop surface (17B) on the side of said second lever arm (13B), each of which is arranged to cooperate, when said balance (2) is pivoting, with said first frontal surface (6) of said banking pin (5) to butt bistable lever (11) thereon while allowing the travel of said balance (2) to continue so as to change indexing position.
9. Anti-trip device (1) according to claims 5 and 8, characterized in that said bistable lever (11) includes a second right knocking stop surface (18A) on the side of said first lever arm (13A) and a second left knocking stop surface (18B) on the side of said second lever arm (13B), each of which is arranged to cooperate, when said balance (2) is pivoting, with one said second lateral surface (7) of said pin (5), to butt said bistable lever (11) thereon while allowing the travel of said balance (2) to continue so as to change indexing position.
10. Anti-trip device (1) according to claims 3, 5 and 7, characterized in that it includes elastic dampening means on said second knocking stop surface (18A, 18B), and/or on said third stop surface (21 A, 21 B), and/or a rotor stop surface (22A, 22B).
11. Anti-trip device (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotor (9) is symmetrical relative to an axis passing through said first and second pivot axis (D1, D2) and in that said bistable lever (11) is symmetrical relative to a plane passing through said second pivot axis (D2).
12. Anti-trip device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bistable assembly (8) is made in a single-piece and in that the connection between said rotor (9) and said bistable lever (11) is achieved by elastic return means.
13. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bistable assembly (8) is made in a single-piece with a balance (2).
14. Anti-trip device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bistable assembly (8) is made in a single-piece with said balance (2,) which is in turn made in a single-piece with a balance spring.
15. Anti-trip device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotor (9) and/or said bistable lever (11) is made of silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or of an at least partially amorphous material.
16. Escape mechanism (10) including at least one balance (2), pivotally moveable relative to a plate (3) and pivoting about a balance axis (D1), characterized in that the mechanism is a detent escape mechanism, and in that it includes an anti-trip device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said banking pin (5) is fixed to said plate (3), wherein said rotor (9) is fixed to an arbour (4) of said balance (2) and wherein said bistable lever (11) is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis (D2) parallel to said first pivot axis (D1).
17. Timepiece movement incorporating at least one escape mechanism according to claim 16, or at least one anti-trip device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15.
18. Timepiece including at least one timepiece movement according to claim 17, and/or at least one escape mechanism according to claim 16, or at least one anti-trip device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15.

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