EP2503404B1 - Method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular an horological component - Google Patents

Method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular an horological component Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2503404B1
EP2503404B1 EP11002390.0A EP11002390A EP2503404B1 EP 2503404 B1 EP2503404 B1 EP 2503404B1 EP 11002390 A EP11002390 A EP 11002390A EP 2503404 B1 EP2503404 B1 EP 2503404B1
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European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
component
length
attachment portion
plate
piece
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EP11002390.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2503404A1 (en
Inventor
James Hide
Frédéric Maier
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Priority to EP11002390.0A priority Critical patent/EP2503404B1/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
    • G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
    • G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
    • G04B5/04—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is limited
    • G04B5/06—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is limited acting in one direction only
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/063—Balance construction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular a watchmaker, and more particularly to a process for the micro-manufacture of such a component, that is to say a process whose machining precision is micron or less than one micron.
  • Silicon has several advantages, including its low density, elasticity, non-magnetism and ability to be machined by etching techniques.
  • the mechanical strength of the silicon, in particular its impact resistance is low because, on the one hand, the silicon does not deform plastically and, on the other hand, the rupture initiators propagate very easily along the its crystalline planes.
  • the micro-etching techniques used for the manufacture of silicon parts allow the simultaneous production of a batch of parts from the same silicon wafer.
  • silicon parts are left to form fasteners or bridges now each of the parts attached to the rest of the plate. These fasteners will later be broken to free the parts of the plate.
  • the fasteners may be broken only at the end of the manufacturing process, which implies that the reinforcing layer is formed, after etching, on the entire silicon wafer, including the parts and the fasteners.
  • the parts of the plate if there remain fastening parts on the parts, they are removed by machining or abrasion, for aesthetic reasons.
  • the areas of the surface of the final parts where the fasteners were located are made of silicon. In other words, they are not covered by the silicon oxide reinforcing layer since this layer was formed before the breakage of the fasteners.
  • a layer of silicon oxide can form naturally on these areas in contact with the ambient air, but this layer, because of its small thickness, has no effect on the mechanical strength of the parts.
  • These zones therefore constitute areas of weakness that will allow any breakaway primers to shock propagate inside the room and cause a rupture thereof.
  • the fragility of these areas is aggravated by the fact that their surface condition is generally worse than that of the rest of the room and they can form micro-cracks as soon as they form.
  • the fasteners if left on the final component, have a very advantageous technical effect in that they significantly increase the mechanical strength of the component. According to the present inventors, this effect is explained by the fact that the fasteners or attachment parts move the uncoated surfaces created by the detachment of the structure away from the rest of the outer surface of the component. This distance limits the propagation of the rupture primers.
  • said at least a portion of at least one fastener consists of at least a portion of each fastener.
  • the detachment step is preferably carried out by cutting the fasteners by machining means, for example by a laser.
  • the first material is, for example, silicon.
  • the second material is, for example, silicon oxide, diamond or silicon carbide.
  • the mechanical component consists of a composite part having at its periphery at least a part of greater density than the rest of the part.
  • the mechanical component consists for example of a pendulum or an oscillating weight for a watch mechanism.
  • a mechanical component manufactured by the method according to the invention is for example in the form of a balance 1 for a balance-type regulator-spiral member of a mechanical clockwork movement.
  • the rocker 1 comprises a structure 2 having a low density and, at the periphery of the structure 2, metal parts 3 having a high density.
  • the structure 2 comprises a board 4 of thickness e, which is typically constant.
  • the plate 4 has an annular central portion 5 through which can pass the shaft on which is intended to be mounted the balance, a serge 6, for example annular, arms 7 connecting the central portion 5 to the serge 6 and, in the serge 6, cavities 8 in which are located the metal parts 3.
  • the structure 2 also comprises flanges 9 projecting from the upper surface of the board 4.
  • the cavities 8 and the metal parts 3 have an elongated shape and a curve which follows the circular contour of the structure 2 and is regularly distributed along this circular contour.
  • the number and dimensions of the metal parts 3 may vary. Their function is to increase the serge 6 in order to increase the moment of inertia ratio on the mass of the pendulum.
  • the structure 2 is made of a base material 10, for example silicon, covered with a coating 11 intended to increase the mechanical strength of the component, in particular its impact strength.
  • the coating 11 is for example a silicon oxide layer or a layer of diamond or silicon carbide.
  • the pendulum 1 is manufactured according to a process similar to that described in the patent application WO 2008/135817 of the present applicant.
  • a plate of the base material is etched, preferably by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE), to form a batch of pieces each having the shape of the structure 2, each of these parts being attached to the rest of the material. the plate by fasteners or bridges of material left during engraving.
  • the coating 11 is formed on all surfaces of the plate, including the surfaces of the parts and fasteners.
  • the metal parts 3 are formed in cavities defined by the coated parts, namely the cavities 8, by electroforming (galvanic growth). Finally, the pieces are detached from the plate.
  • DRIE Deep Reactive Ion Etching
  • the coating 11 can be formed by applying a heat treatment to the plate to oxidize its surfaces, as in the patent application WO 2008/135817 .
  • the coating 11 may be formed for example by a chemical vapor deposition or a physical vapor deposition.
  • the detachment of the parts of the plate is carried out in a manner which leaves fastening portions 12 on the parts, the spare parts with their attachment parts 12 constituting final components of the type of balance 1 ready to be integrated into a movement.
  • the attachment portions 12 protrude on the edge of each piece. These attachment portions 12 are covered by the covering 11 except on their end surface 13 created by the detachment of the parts of the plate.
  • the figure 4 partially shows a piece 14 as obtained just before detaching the plate, designated by the reference 15.
  • the piece 14 is attached to the rest of the plate 15 by fasteners 16, only one is shown. Elsewhere at the level of the fasteners 16, the part 14 is separated from the rest of the plate 15 by the etching line 17 whose width is typically constant.
  • the engraving line 17 forms a bend on each side of the fasteners 16 so as to define recesses 18 in the remainder of the plate 15 which make it possible to increase the length of the fasteners 16.
  • Each fastener 16 thus connects the piece 14 at the bottom of a recess 18 and therefore has the length of the sum of the width of the engraving line 17 and the depth of the recess 18.
  • the detachment of the part 14 is performed by cutting the fasteners 16 along a line 19 located between the opening and the bottom of the recess 18 by machining means such as a laser.
  • the portion 12 of the fastener 16 remaining on the final component has a long length L, greater than or equal to its width l and / or its thickness e measured at the end surface 13 (cf. figures 2 and 5 ).
  • the length L of the fastening portion 12 remaining on the final component is greater than the width 1 of said fastening portion 12.
  • the length L of the fastening portion 12 is typically greater than or equal to half the length of the fastener 16.
  • the present invention is particularly advantageous in the example shown where the rocker 1 is weighted at its periphery by parts of high density, namely the metal parts 3, and where its inner portion formed by the annular central portion 5 and the arms 7 is light.
  • the stresses received by the periphery of the balance 1, where the unprotected surfaces 13 are located, in the event of an axial impact experienced by the balance 1 can be very high.
  • the fasteners 16 can be placed in places that are known to be less stress. In the example shown, the fasteners 16 are located, in the circumferential direction, between the metal parts 3.
  • the fasteners 16 could be broken mechanically by applying a force or torque. In this case, to ensure that the attachment portions 12 have a sufficient length, the fasteners 16 would include a weak area, i.e. of smaller section, determining where the breakage should occur . In another variant, the fasteners 16 could be cut by chemical etching.
  • each fastener 16 While it is preferred that at least a portion of each fastener 16 be left on the final component, the present invention does not preclude the removal of some of the fasteners 16 if desired.
  • the coating 11 may not be formed on all surfaces of the base material plate, but for example only on its upper or lower surface.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'un composant mécanique, notamment horloger, et plus particulièrement un procédé de micro-fabrication d'un tel composant, c'est-à-dire un procédé dont la précision d'usinage est de l'ordre du micron ou inférieure au micron.The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular a watchmaker, and more particularly to a process for the micro-manufacture of such a component, that is to say a process whose machining precision is micron or less than one micron.

Dans le domaine horloger, des composants tels que des roues dentées, des échappements, des balanciers et des spiraux sont maintenant faits en silicium. Le silicium présente plusieurs avantages, notamment sa faible densité, son élasticité, son amagnétisme et son aptitude à être usiné par des techniques de gravure. Par contre, la résistance mécanique du silicium, en particulier sa résistance aux chocs, est faible car, d'une part, le silicium ne se déforme pas plastiquement et, d'autre part, les amorces de rupture se propagent très facilement le long de ses plans cristallins. Pour cette raison, il a été proposé dans la demande de brevet WO 2007/000271 de renforcer des pièces en silicium par un revêtement d'un matériau amorphe épais, tel que l'oxyde, le nitrure ou le carbure de silicium, le nitrure ou le carbure de titane, l'oxyde de silicium étant le matériau préféré et son épaisseur étant, dans ce cas, au moins cinq fois supérieure à l'épaisseur de l'oxyde de silicium formé naturellement à la surface du silicium au contact de l'air ambiant. Des composants horlogers comprenant une structure en silicium recouverte d'une couche de renfort en oxyde de silicium sont également décrits dans la demande de brevet WO 2008/135817 de la présente demanderesse. D'autres composants horlogers en silicium sont décrits dans les demandes de brevet EP 1722281 et EP 2145857 .In the watchmaking field, components such as gears, exhausts, balances and spirals are now made of silicon. Silicon has several advantages, including its low density, elasticity, non-magnetism and ability to be machined by etching techniques. On the other hand, the mechanical strength of the silicon, in particular its impact resistance, is low because, on the one hand, the silicon does not deform plastically and, on the other hand, the rupture initiators propagate very easily along the its crystalline planes. For this reason, it has been proposed in the patent application WO 2007/000271 to reinforce silicon parts by a coating of a thick amorphous material, such as oxide, nitride or silicon carbide, nitride or titanium carbide, silicon oxide being the preferred material and its thickness being, in this case, at least five times greater than the thickness of the silicon oxide naturally formed on the surface of the silicon in contact with the ambient air. Watch components comprising a silicon structure covered with a silicon oxide reinforcement layer are also described in the patent application. WO 2008/135817 of the present applicant. Other silicon watch components are described in the patent applications EP 1722281 and EP 2145857 .

Les techniques de micro-gravure utilisées pour la fabrication de pièces en silicium permettent la réalisation simultanée d'un lot de pièces à partir d'une même plaque de silicium. Ainsi, lors de la gravure, des parties en silicium sont laissées pour constituer des attaches ou ponts maintenant chacune des pièces attachée au reste de la plaque. Ces attaches seront plus tard cassées pour libérer les pièces de la plaque. Comme l'indique la demande de brevet précitée WO 2008/135817 , les attaches peuvent n'être cassées qu'à la fin du procédé de fabrication, ce qui implique que la couche de renfort est formée, après la gravure, sur toute la plaque de silicium, y compris les pièces et les attaches. En pratique, après la libération des pièces de la plaque, s'il reste des parties d'attache sur les pièces, elles sont éliminées par usinage ou abrasion, pour des raisons esthétiques.The micro-etching techniques used for the manufacture of silicon parts allow the simultaneous production of a batch of parts from the same silicon wafer. Thus, during etching, silicon parts are left to form fasteners or bridges now each of the parts attached to the rest of the plate. These fasteners will later be broken to free the parts of the plate. As indicated in the aforementioned patent application WO 2008/135817 the fasteners may be broken only at the end of the manufacturing process, which implies that the reinforcing layer is formed, after etching, on the entire silicon wafer, including the parts and the fasteners. In practice, after the release of the parts of the plate, if there remain fastening parts on the parts, they are removed by machining or abrasion, for aesthetic reasons.

Les zones de la surface des pièces finales où se trouvaient les attaches sont en silicium. En d'autres termes, elles ne sont pas recouvertes par la couche de renfort en oxyde de silicium puisque cette couche a été formée avant la rupture des attaches. Une couche d'oxyde de silicium peut se former naturellement sur ces zones au contact de l'air ambiant mais cette couche, du fait de sa faible épaisseur, n'a pas d'effet sur la résistance mécanique des pièces. Ces zones constituent donc des zones de fragilité qui laisseront les éventuelles amorces de rupture consécutives à des chocs se propager à l'intérieur de la pièce et causer une rupture de celle-ci. De plus, la fragilité de ces zones est aggravée par le fait que leur état de surface est généralement moins bon que celui du reste de la pièce et qu'elles peuvent dès leur formation présenter des micro-fissures.The areas of the surface of the final parts where the fasteners were located are made of silicon. In other words, they are not covered by the silicon oxide reinforcing layer since this layer was formed before the breakage of the fasteners. A layer of silicon oxide can form naturally on these areas in contact with the ambient air, but this layer, because of its small thickness, has no effect on the mechanical strength of the parts. These zones therefore constitute areas of weakness that will allow any breakaway primers to shock propagate inside the room and cause a rupture thereof. In addition, the fragility of these areas is aggravated by the fact that their surface condition is generally worse than that of the rest of the room and they can form micro-cracks as soon as they form.

La présente invention vise à remédier ou au moins atténuer cet inconvénient et propose à cette fin un procédé de fabrication d'un composant mécanique destiné à être monté dans un mécanisme, notamment horloger, comprenant les étapes suivantes :

  • graver une pièce ayant une forme souhaitée pour le composant dans une plaque d'un premier matériau en laissant des attaches entre la pièce et le reste de la plaque,
  • couvrir la plaque d'un deuxième matériau destiné à augmenter la résistance mécanique du composant, le deuxième matériau couvrant ainsi la pièce et les attaches, et
  • détacher la pièce de la plaque,
caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une partie d'au moins une attache est laissée sur le composant final prêt à être monté dans le mécanisme, et en ce que ladite au moins une partie d'au moins une attache fait saillie sur la tranche du composant final et présente au moins l'une des caractéristiques suivantes :
  • une longueur au moins égale à sa largeur,
  • une longueur au moins égale à son épaisseur,
  • une longueur au moins égale à la moitié de la longueur qu'avait l'attache avant l'étape de détachement.
The present invention aims to remedy or at least mitigate this disadvantage and proposes for this purpose a method of manufacturing a mechanical component intended to be mounted in a mechanism, in particular a watchmaker, comprising the following steps:
  • etching a workpiece having a desired shape for the component in a plate of a first material leaving fasteners between the workpiece and the remainder of the plate,
  • covering the plate with a second material intended to increase the mechanical strength of the component, the second material thus covering the part and the fasteners, and
  • detach the piece from the plate,
characterized in that at least a portion of at least one fastener is left on the final component ready to be mounted in the mechanism, and in that said at least a portion of at least one fastener protrudes on the edge of the final component and has at least one of the following characteristics:
  • a length at least equal to its width,
  • a length at least equal to its thickness,
  • a length at least equal to half the length of the fastener before the detachment step.

De manière surprenante, il a été constaté que les attaches, si elles sont laissées sur le composant final, ont un effet technique très avantageux en ce qu'elles augmentent significativement la résistance mécanique du composant. Cet effet s'explique selon les présents inventeurs par le fait que les attaches ou parties d'attache éloignent du reste de la surface extérieure du composant les surfaces non revêtues créées par le détachement de la structure. Cet éloignement limite la propagation des amorces de rupture.Surprisingly, it has been found that the fasteners, if left on the final component, have a very advantageous technical effect in that they significantly increase the mechanical strength of the component. According to the present inventors, this effect is explained by the fact that the fasteners or attachment parts move the uncoated surfaces created by the detachment of the structure away from the rest of the outer surface of the component. This distance limits the propagation of the rupture primers.

De préférence, ladite au moins une partie d'au moins une attache consiste en au moins une partie de chaque attache.Preferably, said at least a portion of at least one fastener consists of at least a portion of each fastener.

L'étape de détachement est de préférence mise en oeuvre en coupant les attaches par des moyens d'usinage, par exemple par un laser.The detachment step is preferably carried out by cutting the fasteners by machining means, for example by a laser.

Le premier matériau est par exemple du silicium.The first material is, for example, silicon.

Le deuxième matériau est par exemple de l'oxyde de silicium, du diamant ou du carbure de silicium.The second material is, for example, silicon oxide, diamond or silicon carbide.

Dans une application avantageuse, le composant mécanique consiste en une pièce composite comportant à sa périphérie au moins une partie de plus grande masse volumique que le reste de la pièce.In an advantageous application, the mechanical component consists of a composite part having at its periphery at least a part of greater density than the rest of the part.

Le composant mécanique consiste par exemple en un balancier ou une masse oscillante pour un mécanisme horloger.The mechanical component consists for example of a pendulum or an oscillating weight for a watch mechanism.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un balancier fabriqué par le procédé selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de profil, partiellement coupée suivant un demi-axe II-II, du balancier illustré à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'une partie de la périphérie du balancier illustré aux figures 1 et 2 comprenant un reste d'attache ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue partielle de dessus du balancier à un stade de sa fabrication où il est encore attaché à la plaque dans laquelle il a été formé ; et
  • la figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'une partie d'attache restant sur le balancier.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a top view of a rocker manufactured by the method according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a profile view, partially cut along a half-axis II-II, of the balance shown in FIG. figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the periphery of the pendulum shown in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2 comprising a remainder of attachment;
  • the figure 4 is a partial view from above of the pendulum at a stage of its manufacture where it is still attached to the plate in which it was formed; and
  • the figure 5 is a top view of a fastening part remaining on the balance.

En référence aux figures 1 et 2, un composant mécanique fabriqué par le procédé selon l'invention est par exemple sous la forme d'un balancier 1 pour un organe régulateur de type balancier - spiral d'un mouvement d'horlogerie mécanique. Le balancier 1 comprend une structure 2 ayant une faible masse volumique et, à la périphérie de la structure 2, des parties métalliques 3 ayant une masse volumique élevée. La structure 2 comprend une planche 4 d'épaisseur e, typiquement constante. La planche 4 présente une partie centrale annulaire 5 à travers laquelle peut passer l'arbre sur lequel est destiné à être monté le balancier, une serge 6, par exemple annulaire, des bras 7 reliant la partie centrale 5 à la serge 6 et, dans la serge 6, des cavités 8 dans lesquelles sont situées les parties métalliques 3. La structure 2 comprend aussi des rebords 9 faisant saillie sur la surface supérieure de la planche 4. Ces rebords 9 prolongent en hauteur la paroi des cavités 8, permettant aux cavités 8 et donc aux parties métalliques 3 qui les remplissent d'avoir une plus grande hauteur ou épaisseur h que l'épaisseur e de la planche 4. Les cavités 8 et les parties métalliques 3 ont une forme allongée et courbe qui suit le contour circulaire de la structure 2 et sont régulièrement réparties le long de ce contour circulaire. Le nombre et les dimensions des parties métalliques 3 peuvent varier. Leur fonction est d'alourdir la serge 6 afin d'augmenter le rapport moment d'inertie sur masse du balancier. La structure 2 est en un matériau de base 10, par exemple du silicium, recouvert d'un revêtement 11 destiné à augmenter la résistance mécanique du composant, notamment sa résistance aux chocs. Le revêtement 11 est par exemple une couche d'oxyde de silicium ou une couche de diamant ou de carbure de silicium.With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , a mechanical component manufactured by the method according to the invention is for example in the form of a balance 1 for a balance-type regulator-spiral member of a mechanical clockwork movement. The rocker 1 comprises a structure 2 having a low density and, at the periphery of the structure 2, metal parts 3 having a high density. The structure 2 comprises a board 4 of thickness e, which is typically constant. The plate 4 has an annular central portion 5 through which can pass the shaft on which is intended to be mounted the balance, a serge 6, for example annular, arms 7 connecting the central portion 5 to the serge 6 and, in the serge 6, cavities 8 in which are located the metal parts 3. The structure 2 also comprises flanges 9 projecting from the upper surface of the board 4. These flanges 9 extend the height of the wall of the cavities 8, allowing the cavities 8 and therefore to the metal parts 3 which fill them to have a greater height or thickness h than the thickness e of the board 4. The cavities 8 and the metal parts 3 have an elongated shape and a curve which follows the circular contour of the structure 2 and is regularly distributed along this circular contour. The number and dimensions of the metal parts 3 may vary. Their function is to increase the serge 6 in order to increase the moment of inertia ratio on the mass of the pendulum. The structure 2 is made of a base material 10, for example silicon, covered with a coating 11 intended to increase the mechanical strength of the component, in particular its impact strength. The coating 11 is for example a silicon oxide layer or a layer of diamond or silicon carbide.

Le balancier 1 est fabriqué selon un procédé similaire à celui décrit dans la demande de brevet WO 2008/135817 de la présente demanderesse. Ainsi, une plaque du matériau de base est gravée, de préférence par gravure ionique réactive profonde DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching), pour former un lot de pièces ayant chacune la forme de la structure 2, chacune de ces pièces étant attachée au reste de la plaque par des attaches ou ponts de matière laissés pendant la gravure. Ensuite, le revêtement 11 est formé sur toutes les surfaces de la plaque, y compris les surfaces des pièces et des attaches. Puis les parties métalliques 3 sont formées dans des cavités définies par les pièces revêtues, à savoir les cavités 8, par électro-formage (croissance galvanique). Enfin, les pièces sont détachées de la plaque.The pendulum 1 is manufactured according to a process similar to that described in the patent application WO 2008/135817 of the present applicant. Thus, a plate of the base material is etched, preferably by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE), to form a batch of pieces each having the shape of the structure 2, each of these parts being attached to the rest of the material. the plate by fasteners or bridges of material left during engraving. Then, the coating 11 is formed on all surfaces of the plate, including the surfaces of the parts and fasteners. Then the metal parts 3 are formed in cavities defined by the coated parts, namely the cavities 8, by electroforming (galvanic growth). Finally, the pieces are detached from the plate.

Dans le cas d'un revêtement 11 d'oxyde de silicium sur un matériau de base 10 constitué de silicium, le revêtement 11 peut être formé en appliquant un traitement thermique à la plaque pour oxyder ses surfaces, comme dans la demande de brevet WO 2008/135817 . Dans les autres cas, le revêtement 11 peut être formé par exemple par un dépôt chimique en phase vapeur ou un dépôt physique en phase vapeur.In the case of a coating 11 of silicon oxide on a base material 10 made of silicon, the coating 11 can be formed by applying a heat treatment to the plate to oxidize its surfaces, as in the patent application WO 2008/135817 . In other cases, the coating 11 may be formed for example by a chemical vapor deposition or a physical vapor deposition.

Dans la présente invention, le détachement des pièces de la plaque est effectué d'une manière qui laisse des parties d'attache 12 sur les pièces, les pièces détachées avec leurs parties d'attache 12 constituant des composants finaux du type du balancier 1 prêts à être intégrés dans un mouvement. Comme montré aux figures 1 et 3, les parties d'attache 12 font saillie sur la tranche de chaque pièce. Ces parties d'attache 12 sont couvertes par le revêtement 11 sauf sur leur surface d'extrémité 13 créée par le détachement des pièces de la plaque.In the present invention, the detachment of the parts of the plate is carried out in a manner which leaves fastening portions 12 on the parts, the spare parts with their attachment parts 12 constituting final components of the type of balance 1 ready to be integrated into a movement. As shown to figures 1 and 3 , the attachment portions 12 protrude on the edge of each piece. These attachment portions 12 are covered by the covering 11 except on their end surface 13 created by the detachment of the parts of the plate.

La figure 4 montre partiellement une pièce 14 telle qu'obtenue juste avant son détachement de la plaque, désignée par le repère 15. La pièce 14 est attachée au reste de la plaque 15 par des attaches 16, dont une seule est représentée. Ailleurs qu'au niveau des attaches 16, la pièce 14 est séparée du reste de la plaque 15 par le trait de gravure 17 dont la largeur est typiquement constante. Dans la présente invention, le trait de gravure 17 forme un coude de chaque côté des attaches 16 de manière à définir des renfoncements 18 dans le reste de la plaque 15 qui permettent d'augmenter la longueur des attaches 16. Chaque attache 16 relie ainsi la pièce 14 au fond d'un renfoncement 18 et a donc pour longueur la somme de la largeur du trait de gravure 17 et de la profondeur du renfoncement 18. Le détachement de la pièce 14 est effectué en coupant les attaches 16 le long d'une ligne 19 située entre l'ouverture et le fond du renfoncement 18 par des moyens d'usinage tels qu'un laser. Ainsi, la partie 12 de l'attache 16 restant sur le composant final présente une grande longueur L, supérieure ou égale à sa largeur l et/ou à son épaisseur e mesurées au niveau de la surface d'extrémité 13 (cf. figures 2 et 5). Dans l'exemple représenté, la longueur L de la partie d'attache 12 restant sur le composant final est supérieure à la largeur l de ladite partie d'attache 12. De plus, la longueur L de la partie d'attache 12 est typiquement supérieure ou égale à la moitié de la longueur de l'attache 16.The figure 4 partially shows a piece 14 as obtained just before detaching the plate, designated by the reference 15. The piece 14 is attached to the rest of the plate 15 by fasteners 16, only one is shown. Elsewhere at the level of the fasteners 16, the part 14 is separated from the rest of the plate 15 by the etching line 17 whose width is typically constant. In the present invention, the engraving line 17 forms a bend on each side of the fasteners 16 so as to define recesses 18 in the remainder of the plate 15 which make it possible to increase the length of the fasteners 16. Each fastener 16 thus connects the piece 14 at the bottom of a recess 18 and therefore has the length of the sum of the width of the engraving line 17 and the depth of the recess 18. The detachment of the part 14 is performed by cutting the fasteners 16 along a line 19 located between the opening and the bottom of the recess 18 by machining means such as a laser. Thus, the portion 12 of the fastener 16 remaining on the final component has a long length L, greater than or equal to its width l and / or its thickness e measured at the end surface 13 (cf. figures 2 and 5 ). In the example shown, the length L of the fastening portion 12 remaining on the final component is greater than the width 1 of said fastening portion 12. In addition, the length L of the fastening portion 12 is typically greater than or equal to half the length of the fastener 16.

Des expériences de résistance aux chocs réalisées par la présente demanderesse au moyen d'un appareil de type mouton pendule sur des mouvements d'horlogerie équipés de balanciers comportant des parties d'attache sur leur tranche et sur des mouvements d'horlogerie équipés des mêmes balanciers mais sans parties d'attaches sur leur tranche, ont montré que, dans le premier cas, les balanciers supportaient des chocs bien plus grands que dans le second cas. En référence à la figure 5, ces résultats peuvent s'expliquer selon les présents inventeurs par le fait que les surfaces du balancier 1 non recouvertes par le revêtement 11, à savoir les surfaces 13 formant les extrémités des parties d'attache 12, sont éloignées radialement de la tranche du balancier 1 et donc d'une certaine manière isolées du reste du balancier 1. Ainsi, si une amorce de rupture se produit en un point donné A d'une surface non recouverte et donc non protégée 13 à cause d'un choc subi par le mouvement dans lequel est monté le balancier 1, cette amorce ne pourra se propager dans le balancier 1 que si la ligne de contraintes est située dans un angle α qui est d'autant plus petit que la longueur de la partie d'attache 12 est grande. Si la ligne de contraintes est en dehors de l'angle a, comme c'est le cas pour la ligne B illustrée à la figure 5, alors l'amorce de rupture ne se propagera pas plus loin qu'un côté de la partie d'attache 12, de sorte que le reste du balancier 1 ne sera pas affecté. Au contraire, dans l'état de la technique où les parties d'attache 12 sont éliminées avant l'intégration du balancier dans le mouvement, la surface non recouverte 13 affleure la tranche du balancier et donc la propagation des amorces de rupture n'est pas limitée. Avec la présente invention, le risque de rupture ou d'endommagement majeur du balancier 1 lors de chocs est statistiquement significativement réduit.Impact resistance experiments carried out by the present applicant by means of a pendulum-type device on watch movements equipped with pendulums comprising attachment parts on their edge and on clock movements equipped with the same pendulums but without parts of fasteners on their edge, have shown that, in the first case, the rockers bore shocks much larger than in the second case. With reference to the figure 5 , these results can be explained according to the present inventors in that the surfaces of the balance 1 not covered by the coating 11, namely the surfaces 13 forming the ends of the attachment portions 12, are radially away from the edge of the balance 1 and thus somehow isolated from the rest of the pendulum 1. Thus, if a breaking primer occurs at a given point A of a surface not covered and therefore unprotected 13 because of an impact suffered by the movement in which is mounted the balance 1, this primer can be propagated in the balance 1 if the stress line is located in an angle α which is even smaller than the length of the attachment portion 12 is large. If the stress line is outside the angle a, as is the case for line B illustrated in figure 5 , then the breakout will not propagate further than one side of the attachment portion 12, so that the balance of the balance 1 will not be affected. On the contrary, in the state of the art where the attachment parts 12 are eliminated before the integration of the balance in the movement, the uncoated surface 13 is flush with the edge of the balance and therefore the propagation of the breakaway primers is not limited. With the present invention, the risk of major breakage or damage of the balance 1 during impacts is statistically significantly reduced.

La présente invention est particulièrement avantageuse dans l'exemple représenté où le balancier 1 est alourdi à sa périphérie par des parties de masse volumique élevée, à savoir les parties métalliques 3, et où sa partie intérieure constituée par la partie centrale annulaire 5 et les bras 7 est légère. Dans cet exemple, en effet, les contraintes reçues par la périphérie du balancier 1, là où se trouvent les surfaces non protégées 13, en cas de choc axial subi par le balancier 1 peuvent être très élevées.The present invention is particularly advantageous in the example shown where the rocker 1 is weighted at its periphery by parts of high density, namely the metal parts 3, and where its inner portion formed by the annular central portion 5 and the arms 7 is light. In this example, in fact, the stresses received by the periphery of the balance 1, where the unprotected surfaces 13 are located, in the event of an axial impact experienced by the balance 1 can be very high.

Pour réduire encore les risques de rupture ou d'endommagement du balancier 1 en cas de choc, les attaches 16 peuvent être placées à des endroits dont on sait que les contraintes seront moins élevées. Dans l'exemple représenté, les attaches 16 sont situées, dans la direction circonférentielle, entre les parties métalliques 3.To further reduce the risk of breakage or damage of the balance 1 in case of impact, the fasteners 16 can be placed in places that are known to be less stress. In the example shown, the fasteners 16 are located, in the circumferential direction, between the metal parts 3.

Au lieu d'être coupées par des moyens d'usinage, les attaches 16 pourraient être rompues mécaniquement en leur appliquant une force ou un couple de torsion. Dans ce cas, pour s'assurer que les parties d'attache 12 présentent une longueur suffisante, les attaches 16 comporteraient une zone faible, c'est-à-dire de plus petite section, déterminant l'endroit où la rupture doit se produire. Dans une autre variante, les attaches 16 pourraient être coupées par gravure chimique.Instead of being cut by machining means, the fasteners 16 could be broken mechanically by applying a force or torque. In this case, to ensure that the attachment portions 12 have a sufficient length, the fasteners 16 would include a weak area, i.e. of smaller section, determining where the breakage should occur . In another variant, the fasteners 16 could be cut by chemical etching.

Bien qu'il soit préférable qu'au moins une partie de chaque attache 16 soit laissée sur le composant final, la présente invention n'exclut pas d'éliminer certaines des attaches 16 si cela est souhaité.While it is preferred that at least a portion of each fastener 16 be left on the final component, the present invention does not preclude the removal of some of the fasteners 16 if desired.

Le revêtement 11 pourrait ne pas être formé sur toutes les surfaces de la plaque de matériau de base, mais par exemple uniquement sur sa surface supérieure ou inférieure.The coating 11 may not be formed on all surfaces of the base material plate, but for example only on its upper or lower surface.

Enfin, il va de soi que la présente invention pourrait s'appliquer à d'autres balanciers que celui représenté, par exemple des balanciers plus traditionnels ne comportant pas les parties métalliques 3, ainsi qu'à d'autres composants que des balanciers, notamment des composants tels que les masses oscillantes qui, comme les balanciers, ont généralement une périphérie plus lourde que leur partie intérieure.Finally, it goes without saying that the present invention could be applied to other rockers than the one represented, for example more traditional rockers not comprising the metal parts 3, as well as to other components than rockers, in particular components such as oscillating masses which, like rockers, generally have a periphery heavier than their inner part.

Claims (11)

  1. Method for manufacturing a mechanical component intended to be mounted in a mechanism, in particular a timepiece mechanism, comprising the following steps:
    - etching a piece having a desired shape for the component in a plate made from a first material (10) while leaving attachment portions between the piece and the rest of the plate,
    - covering the plate with a second material (11) intended to increase the mechanical strength of the component, the second material (11) thus covering the piece and the attachment portions, and
    - detaching the piece (14) from the plate (15),
    characterised in that at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) is left on the final component (1) ready to be mounted into the mechanism, and in that said at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) projects from the edge of the final component (1) and has at least one of the following features:
    - a length (L) at least equal to its width (I),
    - a length (L) at least equal to its thickness (e),
    - a length (L) at least equal to half the length that the attachment portion (16) had before the detaching step.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) left on the final component (1) has a length (L) at least equal to its width (I).
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) left on the final component (1) has a length (L) at least equal to its thickness (e).
  4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) left on the final component (1) has a length (L) at least equal to half the length that the attachment portion (16) had before the detaching step.
  5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that that said at least a part (12) of at least one attachment portion (16) consists of at least a part (12) of each attachment portion (16).
  6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the detaching step is performed by cutting the attachment portions (16) by means of machining means.
  7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the detaching step is performed by cutting the attachment portions (16) by means of a laser.
  8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first material is silicon.
  9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the second material is silicon oxide, diamond or silicon carbide.
  10. Method according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the mechanical component consists of a composite piece (1) comprising at its periphery at least one part (3) of higher density than the rest of the piece (1).
  11. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the mechanical component consists of a balance (1) or an oscillating weight for a timepiece mechanism.
EP11002390.0A 2011-03-23 2011-03-23 Method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular an horological component Active EP2503404B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11002390.0A EP2503404B1 (en) 2011-03-23 2011-03-23 Method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular an horological component

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11002390.0A EP2503404B1 (en) 2011-03-23 2011-03-23 Method for manufacturing a mechanical component, in particular an horological component

Publications (2)

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EP2503404A1 EP2503404A1 (en) 2012-09-26
EP2503404B1 true EP2503404B1 (en) 2019-05-01

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3825782B1 (en) * 2019-11-25 2023-11-15 Patek Philippe SA Genève Reinforced timepiece component

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH696475A5 (en) * 2005-05-12 2007-06-29 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Body analog display crystalline material, timepiece provided with such a display element and method for its manufacture.
ATE416401T1 (en) 2005-06-28 2008-12-15 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse REINFORCED MICROMECHANICAL PART
CH714952B1 (en) 2007-05-08 2019-10-31 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Watchmaking component, its method of manufacture and application of this method.
CH699110A1 (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-15 Swatch Group Res & Dev Ltd Mechanical component i.e. escape wheel, fabricating method for timepiece, involves assembling attachment on component such that component is ready to be mounted without requiring to touch component, and liberating component from substrate
CH699974A2 (en) * 2008-11-21 2010-05-31 Nivarox Sa Micromechanical piece e.g. pallet, fabrication method for timepiece, involves stacking plates against support having mark, inserting pin in holes of corresponding stacked parts to form piece, and removing piece from plates

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3825782B1 (en) * 2019-11-25 2023-11-15 Patek Philippe SA Genève Reinforced timepiece component

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Publication number Publication date
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