EP2690507B1 - Holorological hairspring - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch assembly comprising a hairspring mounted between a pin and a shell, the assembly also comprising means which act, during accelerations in contraction or extension of said hairspring greater than set values, to modify the rigidity resultant of said hairspring.

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

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

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking mechanisms, and more particularly watch regulators.

Background of the invention

In mechanical watches, regulating bodies, including the exhausts must meet several criteria called "security". One of the safeties, the anti-gallop system, aims to prevent the angular extension of the balance beyond a normal angle of rotation.

The technical problem is to design a safety mechanism, including anti-gallop, making a limitation of the pivot angle of a rocker during excessive acceleration, especially during shocks, especially for a detent escapement. Such an anti-gallop mechanism must be able to act in both directions of pivoting of the balance, that is to say both in extension and contraction of the spiral.

One solution consists in modifying the spiral geometry by co-operating in abutment with consecutive coil lugs, so as to make certain turns inactive, and thus to modify the rigidity of the spiral and its response to the pulses. Such a mechanism is known, capable of limiting the angular travel of the balance in both directions of pivoting, by the document EP 2 434 353 A1 in the name of WATCHES BREGUET SA, which describes a spiral anti-gallop by the hooking between them of notches belonging to consecutive turns, as well in contraction as in extension of the spiral.

The document US 2009/116 343 A1 in the name of LEVINGSTON GIDEON describes a hairspring comprising, at the level of its outer turn, an attachment stud with two lips that may come into contact with the hairspring during extensions or contractions greater than normal, and then modify its active length.

The document EP 1 857 891 A1 in the name of PATEK PHILIPPE describes a monobloc spiral-ferrule assembly, the outer contour of the ferrule having at least one stop with which the spiral cooperates in support during an impact before exceeding the elastic limit of the inner coil.

The document EP 1 818 736 A1 in the name of SWATCH GROUP R & D describes a shock-proof shell whose asymmetrical contour follows the inner coil of the spiral at a substantially constant distance, this contour being able to take the form of a festooned curve with discrete points of support.

The document US 3,041,819 A in the name of ENSIGN GEORGE describes a spring-balance, the arm of the pendulum carries a gouille provided with a balanced blade, this blade being arranged for, according to its angular orientation relative to the arm, to exert a braking action to prevent galloping . Alternatively, the outer coil of the spiral carries a block capable of interfering with a pin carried by an arm of the balance.

The present invention aims to improve safety, by disturbing only very slightly the inertia of the balance, and limiting its angular travel in both directions of rotation.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the invention relates to watch assemblies as defined in claims 1, 2 and 4.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said watch assembly comprises a balance-balance assembly comprising at least one balance pivoting about said axis and to which is fixed said inner end or said outer end of said spiral, and the pivoting amplitude of said pendulum is less than 360 °.

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

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

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un ensemble horloger selon l'invention, comportant un spiral destiné à osciller autour d'un axe de pivotement, et attaché par son extrémité extérieure à un piton qui comporte des moyens de freinage agencés pour modifier la rigidité résultante du spiral en cas d'amplitude supérieure à la normale, pouvant être provoquée par un choc ou par une impulsion trop grande, quand une spire du spiral vient en contact avec ces moyens de freinage ; ces derniers sont figurés dans une variante où le piton comporte une lèvre intérieure et une lèvre extérieure, comportant chacune une piste de frottement respectivement convexe et concave ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et analogue à la figure 1, une autre variante d'ensemble horloger où des moyens de freinage similaires sont agencés à proximité de la spire intérieure du spiral, solidaires d'une virole de fixation à un balancier;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, la combinaison des réalisations des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et analogue à la figure 1, un détail d'une autre variante où le ressort-spiral comporte des moyens complémentaires de friction tels qu'un gaufrage du spiral, destinés à coopérer avec des surfaces de friction avec relief que compotent une lèvre intérieure et une lèvre extérieure ;
• la figure 5 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mouvement lequel inclut un ensemble-horloger selon la variante de la figure 3, et où le spiral est attaché à son extrémité intérieure, par une virole, à un balancier.

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

• the figure 1 represents schematically and in plan view, a watch assembly according to the invention, comprising a spiral for oscillating around a pivot pin, and attached by its outer end to a stud which comprises braking means arranged to change the resulting rigidity of the spiral in case of amplitude greater than normal, which can be caused by a shock or an impulse too big, when a spiral turn comes into contact with these braking means; these are figured in a variant where the stud has an inner lip and an outer lip, each having a friction track respectively convex and concave;
• the figure 2 represents, in a schematic form and analogous to the figure 1 another variant of a watch assembly in which similar braking means are arranged close to the inner coil of the spiral, integral with a ferrule for fastening to a rocker arm;
• the figure 3 represents, in a schematic way, the combination of the achievements of the Figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 4 represents, in a schematic form and analogous to the figure 1 a detail of another variant in which the spiral spring comprises complementary friction means such as an embossing of the spiral, intended to cooperate with friction surfaces with relief compotent an inner lip and an outer lip;
• the figure 5 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a movement which includes a watch assembly according to the variant of FIG. figure 3 , and where the spiral is attached to its inner end, by a ferrule, to a pendulum.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking mechanisms, and more particularly watch regulators.

The present invention aims to improve the safety of an oscillating mechanism or energy storage, comprising a spiral spring, including a balance spring-balance mechanism.

The principle adopted is to modify the resulting stiffness of the spring in the event of a greater amplitude than normal, which can be caused by a shock or an impulse too large, when an incident occurs, under conditions of use which differ from the normal operation, especially during strong acceleration or shock.

The modification of the rigidity of the hairspring may have other applications, and the present description, which relates to a preferred application of this invention to the anti-gallop system of an escapement mechanism, is in no way limiting.

The application to a sprung-balance assembly aims to limit the angle of rotation of the balance in mechanical watches to a given value, especially for amplitudes greater than 360 °. The limitation of the angular stroke is in both directions of rotation and this without modifying the inertia of the balance. The sprung balance is said to be "free" during its normal angular stroke (compared to the anti-gallop system) in that it does not cause any shocks during the normal movement of the balance spring.

The principle of the proposed system is based on a modification of the spiral geometry. During the extension or contraction of the hairspring due to the rotation of the balance, a relative angular and radial movement between the turns occurs.

The system described below limits, depending on the angle of rotation, and according to the movement of the turns, the number of active turns. The rigidity of the hairspring, depending on the angle of rotation, can therefore be changed momentarily.

The watch assembly 1 described here has a stop system based on the absolute radial displacement of the hairspring 4. Its application relates to the first outer turns of the hairspring.

A careful design ensures balance of the center of gravity of the spiral. The geometry, distribution, position and number of abutment surfaces require a thorough design and this document summarizes only the principle.

The manufacture of such a spiral is based on micro-manufacturing processes allowing great freedom of planar design. It is possible to make such a spiral in silicon technology. The present invention is not limited to this technology, "LIGA" processes and other micro-manufacturing processes commonly used for timepiece components, and in particular exhaust mechanisms, are usable.

The invention relates to a watch assembly 1. It comprises at least one stud 3, comprising fastening means to a plate 2 or a bridge.

The assembly 1 comprises at least one watch winder 4, itself comprising at least one strand 5 wound in turns 6 between an inner end 7 and an outer end 8. The inner end 7 is fixed to a shell 9 and is mobile pivoting about a pivot axis D, and the outer end 8 is integral with the pin 3.

According to the invention, the stud 3 or / and the shell 9 comprises braking means 10. These means 10 are arranged to cooperate with at least a first turn 61, among the turns 6, during acceleration in contraction or extension. the spiral 4 above set values, to modify the resulting stiffness of the spiral 4. This change in rigidity results from the modification of the number of active turns of the spiral 4, by local coupling of at least this first turn 61 with the means It will be understood that the fact that one turn is coupled with another, or several others, for example the inner neighboring turn and / and the outer neighboring turn, annihilates the effect of this or these turns, and modifies the resulting features of the entire spiral 4.

The pin 3 is, thus, a piton-stop, which acts, preferably, on the outer turn or the outer turns of the spiral 4. This stop is based on an absolute radial displacement of the spiral, when it comes to the turn the outermost of the spiral, in fact, the attachment of the spiral to the stud leaves little possibility of elongation spiral, and most of its deformation is radial with respect to the axis D.

As visible on the figure 4 , the braking means 10 are arranged to cooperate with complementary friction means 11 that comprises at least the first turn 61. The braking means or / and the friction means 11 can be arranged in different ways: surface state to strong roughness, surface coating with a high coefficient of friction, embossed or fluted or stamped surface of the hairspring 4.

Thus, the complementary friction means 11 consist of an embossed or fluted or stamped surface of the spiral 4.

In another variant, the braking means 10 comprise at least one friction surface 14 arranged to cooperate with a complementary friction surface 15 that comprises the complementary friction means 11.

In an advantageous embodiment of embodiment visible in the figure 1 , the braking means 10 comprise at least one substantially helical concave friction track 12, which is arranged to receive the external part of at least one turn 6 during the extension of the latter during an acceleration at the set value.

In an advantageous embodiment also visible in the figure 1 , the braking means 10 comprise at least one substantially helical convex friction track 13, which is arranged to receive the inner part of at least one turn 6 during the contraction of the latter during an acceleration beyond of the set value.

In a variant also illustrated by the figure 1 , the stud 3 comprises at least a first inner lip 16 and at least a second outer lip 17 each having braking means 10.

In a variant, the watch unit 1 comprises a plate 2 carrying the pin 3, which plate 2 comprises at least a first inner lip 16 and at least a second outer lip 17 each having braking means 10.

In the variant of the figure 2 , the ferrule 9 comprises at least a first inner lip 96 and at least a second outer lip 97 each having braking means 10.

The invention is advantageously made for a watch assembly 1 comprising a balance 21 carrying the shell 9. According to this variant, the balance 21 comprises at least a first inner lip 96 and at least a second outer lip 97 each having braking means 10. This first inner lip 96 and this second outer lip 97 rotate with the balance 21, and for this purpose are secured, or the shell 9, or the balance 21 in the case where the shell 9 and the balance 21 are separate components.

In these embodiments with lips, advantageously the stud 3 or / and the shell 9 carries a first inner lip 16, 96, bearing the convex friction track 13, or / and carries a second outer lip 17, 97, bearing the friction track concave 12.

In a particular embodiment where the stud 3 or / and the shell 9 are arranged to participate in the damping of a possible impact, the stud 3 or / and the shell 9 carries at least a first inner lip 16, 96, and at the minus a second outer lip 17, 97, each having braking means 10, and the first inner lip 16, 96, or / and the second outer lip 17, 97, is flexible.

In a particular embodiment, the stud 3 carries at least a first inner lip 16 and at least a second outer lip 17, each having braking means 10, and the first inner lip 16 and / or the second lip external 17 is pivotable relative to the pin 3 or is fixed on a plate 18 pivoting relative to the pin 3. This pivoting assembly can be braked, either by friction, or preferably by the action of return of a resilient biasing means , spring or the like. In a particular embodiment of micro-machinable material, each of these lips can conveniently be made to pivot by elastic flexion.

In a variant allowing adjustment, the first inner lip 16 and / or the second outer lip 17 is pivotable relative to the pin 3 or is fixed on a plate 18 pivoting relative to the pin 3.

In the platinum variant, the first inner lip 16 and / or the second outer lip 17 may be pivotally mounted relative to this plate 2.

In a variant, the pin 3 is fixed relative to a plate 2 that includes the assembly 1 or on which it is attached.

In another variant, the bolt 3 is fixed on a bolt carrier which is movable relative to a plate 2 that includes the assembly 1 or on which it is attached.

The figures 3 and 5 show an assembly 1, where means 10 are arranged both facing the innermost coil 7 and the outermost turn 8 of the spiral 4. The numbering of the first turn 61 is retained in each case: this first turn 61, which is in fact a local fraction of turn, is a part of the spiral 4 which plays a particular role during a shock, which is why the numbering is identical, despite different positioning.

The invention also relates to a watch assembly 1, which comprises a sprung-balance assembly 20 comprising at least one rocker 21 pivoting about the axis D and to which is fixed by such a shell 9 the inner end 7 of a spiral 4 and, according to the invention, the pivoting amplitude of the balance 21 is less than 360 °.

In a particular variant embodiment, the stud 3 and the spiral 4 form a one-piece assembly made of micro-machinable material. Preferably, the spiral 4 then has at its inner end 7 such a ferrule 9 for attachment to a balance shaft. In such an embodiment, pin and spiral can be made in the same single layer.

In another particular variant, the stud 3 and the spiral 4 and a rocker 21 form a one-piece assembly made of micro-machinable material. This one-piece assembly may in particular be made, in no way limiting, from an SOI wafer comprising two silicon layers, one for the balance 21, and the other for the peak 3 and the spiral 4, separated by a layer of oxide corresponding to the necessary functional clearance between the balance spring and the balance. It can also be achieved with three silicon layers separated by two oxide layers, the intermediate silicon layer and the two oxide layers together defining the value of this functional set.

Naturally, the invention is applicable to the case of a balance provided with several spirals, or conversely, the number of layers of the wafer is then modified accordingly. Advantageously, when for example two spirals are arranged on either side of a median balance, each spiral is surrounded by a stud having abutment limiting surfaces as described above.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 30 comprising at least one such watch ensemble 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 40 comprising at least one such movement 30, or / and at least one such watch ensemble 1.

The system has the advantage of limiting the travel of the balance in both directions of rotation. This limitation is made by modifying the rigidity of the hairspring. This modification of the rigidity can be adapted by the choice of the number and the distribution of the abutment surfaces incorporated in the spiral or in the stud or in the plate.

The inertia of the balance spring system is modified only by the modification of the spiral inertia. The anti-gallop system does not disturb the normal oscillations of the sprung balance, it influences its operation only when exceeding the amplitude of rotation.

Claims (20)

1. Timepiece assembly (1) comprising at least one balance spring stud (3) including means of attachment to a plate (2) or to a bridge, said assembly (1) including at least one timepiece balance spring (4) comprising at least one strip (5) wound into coils (6) between an inner end (7) and an outer end (8), said inner end (7) fixed to a collet (9) being pivotally movable about a pivot axis (D), and said outer end (8) being integral with said balance spring stud (3), said balance spring stud (3) including at least a first inner lip (16) and at least a second outer lip (17) each including braking means (10) arranged to cooperate with at least a first coil (61) of said coils (6) during accelerations due to contraction or extension of said balance spring (4) which are higher than set values, to modify the resulting rigidity of said balance spring (4) when the number of active coils thereof is modified by locally coupling at least said first coil (61) to said braking means (10), said braking means (10) being arranged to cooperate with complementary friction means (11) comprised in at least said first coil (61), characterized in that said complementary friction means (11) are formed by an embossed or grooved or stamped surface of said balance spring (4).
2. Timepiece assembly (1) comprising at least one balance spring stud (3) including means of attachment to a plate (2) or to a bridge, said assembly (1) including at least one timepiece balance spring (4) comprising at least one strip (5) wound into coils (6) between an inner end (7) and an outer end (8), said inner end (7) fixed to a collet (9) being pivotally movable about a pivot axis (D), and said outer end (8) being integral with said balance spring stud (3), said collet (9) including braking means (10) arranged to cooperate with at least a first coil (61) of said coils (6) during accelerations due to contraction or extension of said balance spring (4) which are higher than set values, to modify the resulting rigidity of said balance spring (4) when the number of active coils thereof is modified by locally coupling at least said first coil (61) to said braking means (10), said braking means (10) being arranged to cooperate with complementary friction means (11) comprised in at least said first coil (61), characterized in that said complementary friction means (11) are formed by an embossed or grooved or stamped surface of said balance spring (4), and in that said collet (9) includes at least a first inner lip (16) and at least a second outer lip (17) each including said braking means (10).
3. Timepiece assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly includes a plate (2) carrying said balance spring stud (3), said plate (2) includes at least a first inner lip (16) and at least a second outer lip (17) each including said braking means (10).
4. Timepiece assembly (1) including a plate (2) carrying said balance spring stud (3), said assembly (1) including at least one timepiece balance spring (4) comprising at least one strip (5) wound into coils (6) between an inner end (7) and an outer end (8), said inner end (7) fixed to a collet (9) being pivotally movable about a pivot axis (D), and said outer end (8) being integral with said balance spring stud (3), characterized in that said plate (2) includes at least a first inner lip (16) and at least a second outer lip (17) each including braking means (10) arranged to cooperate with complementary friction means (11) comprised in at least a first coil (61) of said balance spring (4), said complementary friction means (11) being formed by an embossed or grooved or stamped surface of said balance spring (4).
5. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said braking means (10) include at least one friction surface (14) arranged to cooperate with a complementary friction surface (15) comprised in said complementary friction means (11).
6. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said braking means (10) include at least one substantially helical concave friction path (12) arranged to receive in abutment the outer portion of at least one said coil (6) during the extension thereof in an acceleration beyond said set value.
7. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said braking means (10) include at least a substantially helical convex friction path (13) arranged to receive in abutment the inner portion of at least one said coil (6) during the contraction thereof in an acceleration beyond said set value.
8. Timepiece assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 or 5 to 7, characterized in that said collet (9) further includes at least a first inner lip (96) and at least a second outer lip (97) each including said braking means (10).
9. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the assembly includes a balance (21) carrying said collet (9).
10. Timepiece assembly (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said balance spring stud (3) or/and said collet (9) carries a first inner lip (16; 96) carrying said convex friction path (13), and carries a second outer lip (17; 97) carrying said concave friction path (12).
11. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first inner lip (16; 96) or/and said second outer lip (17; 97) is flexible.
12. Timepiece assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 or 4 to 11, characterized in that said first inner lip (16) or/and said second outer lip (17) pivots with respect to said balance spring stud (3) or is fixed to a plate (18) which pivots with respect to said balance spring stud (3).
13. Timepiece assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said first inner lip (16) or/and said second outer lip (17) pivots with respect to said balance spring stud (3).
14. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said balance spring stud (3) is fixed with respect to a plate (2) comprised in or affixed to said assembly (1).
15. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said balance spring stud (3) is fixed to a balance spring stud holder which is movable with respect to a plate (2) comprised in or affixed to said assembly (1).
16. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said balance spring stud (3) and said balance spring (4) form a one-piece assembly made of micromachinable material, said balance spring (4) including at the inner end (7) thereof a said collet (9) for attachment to a balance staff.
17. Timepiece assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly includes a sprung balance assembly (20) including at least one balance (21) pivoting about said axis (D) and to which is fixed by a said collet (9) said inner end (7) of a said balance spring (4), characterized in that the amplitude of pivoting of said balance (21) is less than 360°.
18. Timepiece assembly (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that said balance spring stud (3) and said balance spring (4) and said balance (21) form a one-piece assembly made of micromachinable material.
19. Timepiece movement (30) including at least one timepiece assembly (1) according to claim 17 or 18.
20. Timepiece (40) including at least one movement (30) according to claim 19, and/or at least one timepiece assembly (1) according to claim 17 or 18.

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