EP2784601B1 - Arbor of a pivotable clock mobile - Google Patents

Arbor of a pivotable clock mobile Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2784601B1
EP2784601B1 EP13161124.6A EP13161124A EP2784601B1 EP 2784601 B1 EP2784601 B1 EP 2784601B1 EP 13161124 A EP13161124 A EP 13161124A EP 2784601 B1 EP2784601 B1 EP 2784601B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arbor
field
shaft
pivot axis
magnetic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP13161124.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2784601A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Zaugg
Davide Sarchi
Nakis Karapatis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Montres Breguet SA
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Montres Breguet SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Priority to EP13161124.6A priority Critical patent/EP2784601B1/en
Application filed by Montres Breguet SA filed Critical Montres Breguet SA
Priority to CH00664/13A priority patent/CH707790B1/en
Priority to JP2016504560A priority patent/JP6315727B2/en
Priority to US14/779,773 priority patent/US9915923B2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2014/055267 priority patent/WO2014154510A2/en
Priority to CN201480018533.0A priority patent/CN105103057B/en
Priority to EP14710311.3A priority patent/EP2979139B1/en
Publication of EP2784601A1 publication Critical patent/EP2784601A1/en
Priority to HK16105845.8A priority patent/HK1217776A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2784601B1 publication Critical patent/EP2784601B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G04B13/026—
    • 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
    • G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
    • 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
    • G04B1/00—Driving mechanisms
    • G04B1/10—Driving mechanisms with mainspring
    • G04B1/16—Barrels; Arbors; Barrel axles
    • 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
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/02—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
    • 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
    • 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
    • G04B43/00—Protecting clockworks by shields or other means against external influences, e.g. magnetic fields
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • G04C3/042—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using mechanical coupling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C5/00—Electric or magnetic means for converting oscillatory to rotary motion in time-pieces, i.e. electric or magnetic escapements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a mobile rotating watch-making shaft, said shaft being made in one or more aligned parts.
  • the invention also relates to a rotating clock watch comprising such a shaft.
  • the invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile, including an escape mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile and / or such a mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece, including a watch, including such a shaft and / or such a mobile, and / or such a mechanism, and / or such a movement.
  • the invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms, in particular the field of regulating members, in particular for mechanical watches.
  • the regulating organ of a mechanical watch is constituted by a harmonic oscillator, the sprung balance, whose oscillation natural frequency depends mainly on the inertia of the balance and the elastic rigidity of the spiral.
  • the oscillations of the sprung balance, otherwise damped, are maintained by the pulses provided by an escapement generally composed of one or two pivoting mobiles.
  • these pivoting mobiles are the anchor and the escape wheel.
  • the movement of the watch is determined by the frequency of the sprung balance and by the disturbance generated by the impulse of the escapement, which generally slows the natural oscillation of the sprung balance and therefore causes a delay in running.
  • gait defects related to the residual effect of the field
  • the origin of these defects is the permanent magnetization of the fixed ferromagnetic components of the movement or the cladding and the permanent or transient magnetization of the moving magnetic components forming part of the regulating organ (sprung balance) and / or the exhaust .
  • magnetically or magnetically permeable mobile components (balance, hairspring, exhaust) are subjected to magnetostatic torque and / or magnetostatic forces.
  • these interactions modify the apparent rigidity of the sprung balance, the dynamics of the escape mobiles and the friction. These modifications produce a fault that can range from a few tens to a few hundred seconds a day.
  • the interaction of the watch movement with the external field, during the exhibition, can also lead to the stop of the movement.
  • the arrest in the field and the residual run-out are not correlated, because the arrest in field depends on the transient magnetization, sub-field, of the components (and therefore of the permeability and the saturation field). components), while the residual run fault depends on the residual magnetization (and therefore, mainly, the coercive field of the components) which can be low even in the presence of a significant magnetic permeability.
  • the anchor body and the escape wheel can be made of very low paramagnetic materials, without their mechanical performance being affected.
  • the shafts of the mobiles require very good mechanical performances (good tribology, low fatigue) to allow an optimal and constant pivoting in the time, and it is therefore preferable to manufacture them in hardened steel (typically carbon steel type 20AP or the like).
  • hardened steel typically carbon steel type 20AP or the like.
  • such steels are materials sensitive to magnetic fields because they have a high saturation field combined with a high coercive field.
  • the balance, anchor and escape wheel shafts are currently the most critical components in the face of the magnetic disturbances of the watch.
  • the document WO 2004/008258 A2 DETRAPATEK PHILIPPE describes a rotor-stator system consisting of a wheel consisting of a pre-magnetized permanent magnet in a fixed diametral direction, as well as an oscillator maintenance solution.
  • This document discloses a production shaft of an electromagnetic torque on which are mounted a rotor and a second pinion, which are not parts of the shaft but are mounted on the shaft, this shaft being a standard shaft without any property specific magnetic.
  • parts mounted on the balance shaft are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of monel, silver, nickel, copper, a beryllium alloy, and a copper-manganese alloy or a nickel alloy.
  • the anchor and the escape wheel are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, a copper-beryllium alloy, and a nickel alloy. or manganese-copper.
  • the balance shaft comprises trunnions, and, with the exception of the bearing pins, is integrally formed from a material having a magnetic permeability ⁇ less than 1.01.
  • the set of the balance shaft is formed of a material having a magnetic permeability ⁇ less than or equal to 1.01.
  • the balance shaft may, again, be made of a hardenable bronze.
  • the document CH 705 655 A2 ROLEX describes the minimization of the residual effect, that is to say, of the difference of market that a watch subjected to variations of external magnetic fields. This minimization is correlated as a surprising effect, with the geometry of the axis of the balance.
  • this document describes an oscillator comprising a spiral made of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material, and an assembled balance wheel comprising a shaft on which are mounted a balance, a plate, a shell integral with the spiral, and where, or the maximum diameter of the shaft is less than 3.5 / 2.5 / 2.0 times the minimum diameter of the shaft on which one of the other elements is mounted, or the maximum diameter of the shaft is less than 1.6 / 1.3 times the maximum diameter of the shaft on which is mounted one of the other elements.
  • This document discloses a tree having homogeneous intrinsic magnetic properties, in this case a strongly ferromagnetic tree. However, the plateau is not an integral part of the tree.
  • the invention proposes to limit the magnetic interaction on the shafts of a watch mechanism, within a movement incorporated into a timepiece, in particular a watch.
  • the invention relates to a rotating swivel watchdog shaft according to claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a rotating clock watch comprising such a shaft.
  • the invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile, including an escape mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile and / or such a mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece, including a watch, including such a shaft and / or such a mobile, and / or such a mechanism, and / or such a movement.
  • the aim of the invention is to limit the magnetic interaction on the shafts 1 of the mobiles 10 of a watch mechanism 20, within a movement 30 incorporated in a timepiece 40, in particular a watch, and, in particular for maintenance (exhaust) and control (sprung balance) components which constitute a preferred application on the balance wheel, anchor and escape wheel shafts.
  • the invention can allow watches with spiral, anchor body and nonmagnetic escape wheel to withstand, without stopping, magnetic fields of the order of a Tesla, and without the mechanical performance (chronometry and mobile aging) are affected.
  • the invention makes it possible to reduce the residual effect of watches with spiral, anchor body and non-magnetic escape wheel to less than one second per day.
  • the geometry of the shaft of a pendulum is generally more complex than the geometry of the anchor rod, and that of the shaft of the escape wheel.
  • Two alternative variants, non-limiting, using the same principle are illustrated for the case of a balance shaft.
  • Their generalization in the case of the anchor rod and the escape wheel, or other mobiles, will be obvious to the skilled person.
  • axis refers to a virtual geometric element such as a pivot axis, and “shaft” to a real mechanical element, made in one or more parts.
  • a pair of pivots 2A and 2B aligned and reported on either side of a median portion 6 of a mobile 10, to guide it in pivoting is also called “tree”.
  • magnetically permeable materials are defined as materials having a relative permeability of between 10 and 10,000, such as steels, which have a relative permeability close to 100 for balance shafts for example. or around 4000 for steels commonly used in electrical circuits, or other alloys whose relative permeability reaches values of 8000 to 10000.
  • Magnetic materials for example in the case of polar masses, will be called materials capable of being magnetized so as to have a residual field of between 0.1 and 1.5 Tesla, such as for example the "Neodymium Iron Boron". a magnetic energy density Em close to 512 kJ / m 3 and giving a residual field of 0.5 to 1.3 Tesla. A lower residual field level, towards the lower part of the range can be used when combining, in a magnetization couple, such a magnetic material with a magnetically permeable antagonist component of high permeability, closer to 10000, in the range of 100 to 10,000.
  • Magnetic materials will be referred to as materials having a relative magnetic permeability of between 1.0001 and 100, for example for spacers interposed between a magnetic material and a magnetically permeable antagonist component, or alternatively between two magnetic materials, for example a spacer between a component and a polar mass.
  • weakly paramagnetic materials are: aluminum, gold, brass or the like (magnetic permeability less than 2).
  • Magnetic materials will be referred to as materials of relative magnetic permeability less than 1 (negative magnetic susceptibility, less than or equal to -10 -5 ), such as graphite or graphene.
  • soft magnetic materials not to say non-magnetic, especially for shielding, materials with high permeability but high saturation, because we do not want them to be permanently magnetized: they must drive the best possible the field, so as to reduce the field to their outside. Such components can then also protect a magnetic system from external fields.
  • These materials are preferably chosen to have a relative magnetic permeability of between 50 and 200, and with a saturation field greater than 500 A / m.
  • Non-magnetic have a relative magnetic permeability very slightly greater than 1, and less than 1.0001, as typically silicon, diamond, palladium and the like. These materials can generally be obtained by MEMS technologies or by the "LIGA” process.
  • the shaft 1 of rotating mobile watch 10 is made of one or more parts 2, which are then aligned on a pivot axis D.
  • this tree 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous.
  • this shaft 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous, with a variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties of this shaft 1, either in the axial direction of the pivot axis D of the shaft 1, or radially with a symmetry of revolution relative to to this pivot axis D, both in the axial direction of the pivot axis D and radially with a symmetry of revolution with respect to this pivot axis D.
  • the shaft 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties radially with respect to the pivot axis D.
  • this variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties of the shaft 1 is made radially with a symmetry of revolution with respect to the pivot axis D.
  • inhomogeneous tree in the radial direction is meant here that the magnetic properties of the shaft vary in the radial direction from the center of the shaft to the periphery (while the shaft may or may not be magnetically homogeneous in the axial direction).
  • central zone 3 Only the material located in the heart of the tree, in an area hereinafter called central zone 3, that is to say in the vicinity of the pivot axis D, has a high saturation field (Bs> 1 T ), a magnetic permeability ⁇ R maximum greater than 50, and a coercive field Hc greater than 3 kA / m (all these properties are typical of 20AP steel preferably used for pivoting shafts because of good mechanical performance). Naturally, if other materials are used, these threshold values must be adapted by routine tests.
  • peripheral zone 4 While the material on the periphery of the shaft, in a zone hereinafter referred to as the peripheral zone 4, is either weakly paramagnetic or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field (Bs ⁇ 0.5 T), a low maximum magnetic permeability ⁇ R ⁇ 10, and a low coercive field.
  • FIG 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of the first variant.
  • the balance shaft 1 is composed of a strongly ferromagnetic central zone 3 (grayed out) and a 4paramagnetic or weakly ferromagnetic peripheral zone (in white).
  • the two regions (strongly ferromagnetic in central zone 3, and weakly paramagnetic in peripheral zone 4) are precisely separated by a steep interface zone 7: the interface between the two regions 3 and 4 may however have a finite width , in correspondence of a regular gradient of the magnetic properties, without the results being affected.
  • the strongly ferromagnetic region in the central zone 3 in the heart of the shaft 1 is preferably contained in a cylinder with a radius less than 100 micrometers (and centered on the pivot axis D) to achieve the desired performance.
  • the magnetic inhomogeneity described here can be obtained by combining two different materials (by brazing, welding or depositing one material on the other), or, in the case where an alloy is used (for example, steel carbon), by the heat treatment or under electric or magnetic field of all or part of the finished component.
  • the figure 3 shows the remanent field of a radially inhomogeneous balance shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention.
  • This tree 1 has the same geometry as that of the figure 2 , but only the heart, in central zone 3, is made of steel AP, while its periphery, in peripheral zone 4, is weakly paramagnetic.
  • the shaft is subjected to an external field of 0.2 T oriented in the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis D.
  • the remanent field is about 0.4 T and concentrated in the core in central zone 3.
  • the magnetic shaft of the balance is subjected to a magnetic torque which tends to orient it in the direction of the external field.
  • the moment of this pair may be high enough to stop the movement of this balance-spring.
  • the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is subjected to a magnetic torque, whose moment is more than 10 times higher than that which is applied to the inhomogeneous tree of the figure 3 .
  • the shaft 1 according to the invention comprises a field of remanent field on a very small radius, while in the prior art areas of high remanent field are precisely in the areas of larger radius.
  • Stopping movement occurs if the torque acting on the shaft is greater than the restoring moment exerted by the hairspring for angles lower than the lifting angle, and the maintenance torque applied by the anchor to the balance.
  • the figure 4 illustrates the comparison of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance shafts: the graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is shown in broken lines, and the graph G3 corresponding to the inhomogeneous tree 1 according to the invention (first variant of the figure 3 , or second variant of the figure 7 explained later) is shown in solid lines.
  • On the abscissa is the angle in degrees, and in ordinate the torque exerted on the balance, in mN.mm. In both cases, the torque varies sinusoidally with the rotation angle of the balance spring (here the zero is fixed arbitrarily).
  • the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is subjected to a magnetic torque much greater than the pair of the spiral and the maintenance torque. In this case, the sprung balance will be stopped for a field smaller than 0.2 T.
  • the inhomogeneous shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention is subjected to a torque less than the torque exerted by the hairspring in the lifting angle ( ⁇ 30 °) and the maintenance torque. In this case, the sprung balance will not be stopped under a field of 0.2 T.
  • the figure 5 illustrates the comparison of the magnetic pairs on a balance shaft, homogeneous according to the prior art, and inhomogeneous according to the invention (first variant, or second variant exposed later), imposed by an external field of 0.2 T, compared to torque of the spiral and the torque applied to the balance by the anchor.
  • the figure 5 illustrates the comparison, on a small angular amplitude, of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance shafts: the graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree is shown in broken lines, and the graph G3 corresponding to the inhomogeneous tree is shown in solid line.
  • the interrupted mixed line G4 represents the return torque exerted by the spiral.
  • the maintenance torque, applied to the balance by the anchor is represented in the form of a horizontal G5 dotted line.
  • the shaft 1 of the balance 10 is immersed in the magnetic field created by the fixed ferromagnetic components of the movement 30, or / and the timepiece 40, of which it forms part. .
  • the shaft 1 is then subjected to a torque similar to that shown in FIG. figure 4 but from a weaker moment. This disturbance torque is responsible for the residual running error.
  • a movement equipped with an inhomogeneous shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention is therefore affected by a walking defect which is between 3 and 10 times less than that which affects a movement equipped with a traditional homogeneous tree.
  • the second variant of the invention relates to a shaft which is inhomogeneous in the axial direction, parallel to the axis of pivoting of the shaft.
  • the inhomogeneity of the magnetic properties is this time realized in the axial direction.
  • the ends 2 of the shaft 1, constituted by the pivots 2A and 2B, which must have optimum mechanical properties, are generally made of magnetic materials, while the median part 6 of the shaft 1 is of weakly paramagnetic material.
  • the length (in the axial direction) accumulated of the magnetic parts of the shaft 1 is advantageously less than a third of the total length of the shaft 1.
  • the difference in length between the magnetic parts is advantageously kept below 10%.
  • This second variant is schematized on the figure 6 , on which preferably only the pivots 2A and 2B are made of ferromagnetic material.
  • Tree 1 of the figure 6 comprises, in the direction of the pivot axis D, a median portion 6 surrounded on either side by two end zones 8,. And only these end zones 8, preferably made of pivoted steel, have a high saturation field of Bs greater than 1 T, a maximum magnetic permeability ⁇ R greater than 50, and a coercive field Hc greater than 3 kA / m. While the material in the middle part 6 is either weakly paramagnetic or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field Bs of less than 0.5 T, a low maximum magnetic permeability ⁇ R less than 10, and a low coercive field.
  • the remanent field is smaller (and more localized) than in the case of a homogeneous tree according to the figure 2 as shown in figure 7 .
  • This figure 7 represents the remanent field, after magnetization at 0.2 T, of an inhomogeneous balance shaft 1 according to the second variant of the invention.
  • the pivots are made of 20 AP steel.
  • the middle part 6 is weakly paramagnetic.
  • the torque acting on the shaft 1 in this case is equivalent to that obtained for the first variant ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).
  • the desired magnetic inhomogeneity can be obtained by combining two different materials (by brazing, welding or depositing a material on the other) or, in the case where an alloy is used (for example, carbon steel), by heat treatment or under electric or magnetic field of all or part of the finished component.
  • the shaft 1 is then magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation of its intrinsic magnetic properties both in the axial direction of the pivot axis D and radially with respect to this pivot axis D.
  • the invention is easy to implement and inexpensive, since, in practice, a simple two-material embodiment makes it possible to obtain the desired result.
  • a balance rod constituting the peripheral zone 4 which is produced, according to the desired inertia, of aluminum, gold, brass or the like, while the central zone 3 is made in the form of a 20AP steel bar or similar: a low inertia beam is obtained with a light alloy serge, in particular of aluminum, easy to machine and to drill through, and a core of drawn or drawn steel, or cleavage, with a diameter less than 100 micrometers.
  • a rocker according to the second variant and with very low inertia has a machined middle portion 6 of aluminum alloy and having at its axial ends two housings for driving pivots 2A and 2B pivoted steel.
  • the invention also relates to a pivoting mobile watch 10 having a shaft 1 according to the invention.
  • the invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10, in particular an escape mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a clockwork movement comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10 and / or such a mechanism 20.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece 40, in particular a watch, comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10, and / or such a mechanism 20, and / or such a movement 30.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)
  • Soft Magnetic Materials (AREA)
  • Hard Magnetic Materials (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Magnetic Bearings And Hydrostatic Bearings (AREA)

Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

L'invention concerne un arbre de mobile pivotant d'horlogerie, ledit arbre étant réalisé en une ou plusieurs parties alignées.The invention relates to a mobile rotating watch-making shaft, said shaft being made in one or more aligned parts.

L'invention concerne encore un mobile pivotant d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre.The invention also relates to a rotating clock watch comprising such a shaft.

L'invention concerne encore un mécanisme d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile, notamment un mécanisme d'échappement.The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile, including an escape mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile ou/et un tel mécanisme.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile and / or such a mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile, ou/et un tel mécanisme, ou/et un tel mouvement.The invention also relates to a timepiece, including a watch, including such a shaft and / or such a mobile, and / or such a mechanism, and / or such a movement.

L'invention concerne le domaine des mécanismes d'horlogerie, en particulier le domaine des organes réglants, en particulier pour des montres mécaniques.The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms, in particular the field of regulating members, in particular for mechanical watches.

Arrière-plan de l'inventionBackground of the invention

L'organe réglant d'une montre mécanique est constitué par un oscillateur harmonique, le balancier-spiral, dont la fréquence propre d'oscillation dépend principalement de l'inertie du balancier et de la rigidité élastique du spiral.The regulating organ of a mechanical watch is constituted by a harmonic oscillator, the sprung balance, whose oscillation natural frequency depends mainly on the inertia of the balance and the elastic rigidity of the spiral.

Les oscillations du balancier-spiral, autrement amorties, sont entretenues par les impulsions fournies par un échappement généralement composé par un ou deux mobiles pivotants. Dans le cas de l'échappement à ancre suisse, ces mobiles pivotants sont l'ancre et la roue d'échappement. La marche de la montre est déterminée par la fréquence du balancier-spiral et par la perturbation générée par l'impulsion de l'échappement, qui généralement ralentit l'oscillation propre du balancier-spiral et donc provoque un retard de marche.The oscillations of the sprung balance, otherwise damped, are maintained by the pulses provided by an escapement generally composed of one or two pivoting mobiles. In the case of the Swiss lever escapement, these pivoting mobiles are the anchor and the escape wheel. The movement of the watch is determined by the frequency of the sprung balance and by the disturbance generated by the impulse of the escapement, which generally slows the natural oscillation of the sprung balance and therefore causes a delay in running.

La marche de la montre est donc perturbée par tous les phénomènes qui peuvent altérer la fréquence propre du balancier-spiral et/ou la dépendance temporelle de l'impulsion fournie par l'échappement.The march of the watch is therefore disturbed by all the phenomena that can alter the natural frequency of the sprung balance and / or the time dependence of the impulse provided by the escapement.

En particulier, suite à l'exposition transitoire d'une montre mécanique à un champ magnétique, des défauts de marche (liés à l'effet résiduel du champ) sont généralement observés. L'origine de ces défauts est la magnétisation permanente des composants ferromagnétiques fixes du mouvement ou de l'habillage et la magnétisation permanente ou transitoire des composants magnétiques mobiles faisant partie de l'organe réglant (balancier-spiral) et/ou de l'échappement.In particular, following the transient exposure of a mechanical watch to a magnetic field, gait defects (related to the residual effect of the field) are generally observed. The origin of these defects is the permanent magnetization of the fixed ferromagnetic components of the movement or the cladding and the permanent or transient magnetization of the moving magnetic components forming part of the regulating organ (sprung balance) and / or the exhaust .

Après l'exposition au champ, les composants mobiles (balancier, spiral, échappement) magnétisés ou perméables magnétiquement sont soumis à un couple magnétostatique et/ou à des forces magnétostatiques. En principe, ces interactions modifient la rigidité apparente du balancier-spiral, la dynamique des mobiles d'échappement et les frottements. Ces modifications produisent un défaut de marche qui peut aller de quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de secondes par jour.After exposure to the field, magnetically or magnetically permeable mobile components (balance, hairspring, exhaust) are subjected to magnetostatic torque and / or magnetostatic forces. In principle, these interactions modify the apparent rigidity of the sprung balance, the dynamics of the escape mobiles and the friction. These modifications produce a fault that can range from a few tens to a few hundred seconds a day.

L'interaction du mouvement horloger avec le champ externe, lors de l'exposition, peut aussi mener à l'arrêt du mouvement. En principe, l'arrêt sous champ et le défaut de marche résiduel ne sont pas corrélés, parce que l'arrêt sous champ dépend de l'aimantation transitoire, sous-champ, des composants (et donc de la perméabilité et du champ de saturation des composants), tandis que le défaut de marche résiduel dépend de l'aimantation résiduelle (et donc, principalement, du champ coercitif des composants) qui peut être faible même en présence d'une perméabilité magnétique importante.The interaction of the watch movement with the external field, during the exhibition, can also lead to the stop of the movement. In principle, the arrest in the field and the residual run-out are not correlated, because the arrest in field depends on the transient magnetization, sub-field, of the components (and therefore of the permeability and the saturation field). components), while the residual run fault depends on the residual magnetization (and therefore, mainly, the coercive field of the components) which can be low even in the presence of a significant magnetic permeability.

Après l'introduction des spiraux fabriqués en matériaux très faiblement paramagnétiques (par exemple, en silicium), le spiral n'est plus responsable du défaut de marche des montres. Les perturbations magnétiques encore observables pour des champs d'aimantation inférieurs à 1,5 Tesla sont donc dues à l'aimantation de l'arbre de balancier et à l'aimantation des mobiles d'échappement. Le corps d'ancre et la roue d'échappement peuvent être fabriqués en matériaux très faiblement paramagnétiques, sans que leur performance mécanique en soit affectée. Au contraire, les arbres des mobiles nécessitent de très bonnes performances mécaniques (bonne tribologie, faible fatigue) pour permettre un pivotement optimal et constant dans le temps, et il est donc préférable de les fabriquer en acier trempable (typiquement en acier au carbone de type 20AP ou similaire). Or de tels aciers sont des matériaux sensibles aux champs magnétiques parce qu'ils présentent un champ de saturation élevé combiné à un champ coercitif élevé. Les arbres de balancier, ancre et roue d'échappement sont actuellement les composants les plus critiques face aux perturbations magnétiques de la montre.After the introduction of spirals made of very weakly paramagnetic materials (for example, silicon), the spiral is no longer responsible for the lack of running watches. The magnetic disturbances still observable for magnetization fields below 1.5 Tesla are therefore due to the magnetization of the balance shaft and to the magnetization of the escapement wheels. The anchor body and the escape wheel can be made of very low paramagnetic materials, without their mechanical performance being affected. On the contrary, the shafts of the mobiles require very good mechanical performances (good tribology, low fatigue) to allow an optimal and constant pivoting in the time, and it is therefore preferable to manufacture them in hardened steel (typically carbon steel type 20AP or the like). However, such steels are materials sensitive to magnetic fields because they have a high saturation field combined with a high coercive field. The balance, anchor and escape wheel shafts are currently the most critical components in the face of the magnetic disturbances of the watch.

Le document WO 2004/008258 A2 DETRA- PATEK PHILIPPE décrit un système rotor-stator composé d'une roue constituée d'un aimant permanent pré-aimantée dans une direction diamétrale fixée, ainsi qu'une solution d'entretien d'un oscillateur. Ce document divulgue un arbre de production d'un couple électromagnétique sur lequel sont montés un rotor et un deuxième pignon, lesquels ne sont pas des parties de l'arbre mais sont montés sur l'arbre, cet arbre étant un arbre standard sans aucune propriété magnétique spécifique.The document WO 2004/008258 A2 DETRAPATEK PHILIPPE describes a rotor-stator system consisting of a wheel consisting of a pre-magnetized permanent magnet in a fixed diametral direction, as well as an oscillator maintenance solution. This document discloses a production shaft of an electromagnetic torque on which are mounted a rotor and a second pinion, which are not parts of the shaft but are mounted on the shaft, this shaft being a standard shaft without any property specific magnetic.

Le document US 3 683 616 A STEINEMANN (Institut STRAUMANN), décrit un mécanisme d'échappement où toutes les parties montées sur l'axe de balancier, et sur l'ancre, la roue d'échappement, ainsi que au moins la partie principale de l'axe de balancier sont fabriquées à partir d'un matériau très faiblement paramagnétique, ayant une perméabilité magnétique µ inférieure à 1,01. Une variante concerne l'application d'une couche au moins au niveau des points d'appui de l'axe de balancier. Dans des variantes particulières, certains des composants de l'échappement sont formés uniquement à partir d'un tel matériau très faiblement paramagnétique. Le spiral peut, quant à lui être réalisé dans un tel matériau très faiblement paramagnétique, ou d'un métal anti-ferromagnétique ayant une perméabilité magnétique µ inférieure à 1,01. Dans une autre variante encore, des parties montées sur l'axe de balancier sont formées à partir d'un matériau choisi dans le groupe constitué du monel, de l'argent, du nickel, du cuivre, d'un alliage de béryllium, et d'un alliage cuivre-manganèse ou d'un alliage de nickel. Dans une autre variante encore, l'ancre et la roue d'échappement sont formées d'un matériau choisi dans le groupe constitué de l'argent, du nickel, d'un alliage de cuivre-béryllium, et d'un alliage de nickel ou de manganèse-cuivre. Plus particulièrement, l'arbre de balancier comprend des tourillons, et, à l'exception des broches de palier, est intégralement formé à partir d'un matériau ayant une perméabilité magnétique µ inférieure à 1,01. Dans une autre variante, l'ensemble de l'arbre de balancier est formé d'un matériau ayant une perméabilité magnétique µ inférieure ou égale à 1,01. L'axe de balancier peut, encore, être constitué d'un bronze durcissable.The document US 3,683,616 A STEINEMANN (STRAUMANN Institute), describes an escapement mechanism where all the parts mounted on the balance shaft, and on the anchor, the escape wheel, as well as at least the main part of the balance shaft are manufactured from a very weakly paramagnetic material, having a magnetic permeability μ less than 1.01. One variant relates to the application of a layer at least at the points of support of the balance shaft. In particular variants, some of the components of the exhaust are formed solely from such a very weakly paramagnetic material. The hairspring can, for its part, be made of such a very weakly paramagnetic material, or an anti-ferromagnetic metal having a magnetic permeability μ less than 1.01. In still another variant, parts mounted on the balance shaft are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of monel, silver, nickel, copper, a beryllium alloy, and a copper-manganese alloy or a nickel alloy. In yet another variant, the anchor and the escape wheel are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, a copper-beryllium alloy, and a nickel alloy. or manganese-copper. More particularly, the balance shaft comprises trunnions, and, with the exception of the bearing pins, is integrally formed from a material having a magnetic permeability μ less than 1.01. In another variant, the set of the balance shaft is formed of a material having a magnetic permeability μ less than or equal to 1.01. The balance shaft may, again, be made of a hardenable bronze.

Le document CH 705 655 A2 ROLEX décrit la minimisation de l'effet résiduel, c'est-à-dire de la différence de marche que subit une montre soumise à des variations de champs magnétiques externes. Cette minimisation est corrélée en tant qu'effet surprenant, avec la géométrie de l'axe du balancier. Plus particulièrement, ce document décrit un oscillateur comprenant un spiral en matériau paramagnétique ou diamagnétique, et un balancier assemblé comprenant un arbre sur lequel sont montés un balancier, un plateau, une virole solidaire du spiral, et où, ou bien le diamètre maximal de l'arbre est inférieur à 3,5/2,5/2,0 fois le diamètre minimal de l'arbre sur lequel est monté l'un des autres éléments, ou bien le diamètre maximal de l'arbre est inférieur à 1,6/1,3 fois le diamètre maximal de l'arbre sur lequel est monté l'un des autres éléments. Ce document divulgue un arbre ayant des propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques homogènes, en l'occurrence un arbre fortement ferromagnétique. Toutefois le plateau n'est pas une partie intégrante de l'arbre.The document CH 705 655 A2 ROLEX describes the minimization of the residual effect, that is to say, of the difference of market that a watch subjected to variations of external magnetic fields. This minimization is correlated as a surprising effect, with the geometry of the axis of the balance. More particularly, this document describes an oscillator comprising a spiral made of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material, and an assembled balance wheel comprising a shaft on which are mounted a balance, a plate, a shell integral with the spiral, and where, or the maximum diameter of the shaft is less than 3.5 / 2.5 / 2.0 times the minimum diameter of the shaft on which one of the other elements is mounted, or the maximum diameter of the shaft is less than 1.6 / 1.3 times the maximum diameter of the shaft on which is mounted one of the other elements. This document discloses a tree having homogeneous intrinsic magnetic properties, in this case a strongly ferromagnetic tree. However, the plateau is not an integral part of the tree.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'invention se propose de limiter l'interaction magnétique sur les arbres des mobiles d'un mécanisme horloger, au sein d'un mouvement incorporé à une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre.The invention proposes to limit the magnetic interaction on the shafts of a watch mechanism, within a movement incorporated into a timepiece, in particular a watch.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un arbre de mobile pivotant d'horlogerie, selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the invention relates to a rotating swivel watchdog shaft according to claim 1.

L'invention concerne encore un mobile pivotant d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre.The invention also relates to a rotating clock watch comprising such a shaft.

L'invention concerne encore un mécanisme d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile, notamment un mécanisme d'échappement.The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile, including an escape mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile ou/et un tel mécanisme.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a shaft and / or such a mobile and / or such a mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un tel arbre ou/et un tel mobile, ou/et un tel mécanisme, ou/et un tel mouvement.The invention also relates to a timepiece, including a watch, including such a shaft and / or such a mobile, and / or such a mechanism, and / or such a movement.

Description sommaire des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui va suivre, en référence aux dessins annexés, où :

  • la figure 1 représente, sous forme d'un schéma tridimensionnel, une première variante d'arbre de mobile selon l'invention, comportant une zone centrale de propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques différentes de celles de la zone périphérique qui entoure cette zone centrale axée sur l'axe de pivotement du mobile ;
  • la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, en vue en coupe et avec une coloration grisée d'autant plus intense que le champ rémanent est élevé, un arbre homogène de l'art antérieur après son exposition à un champ magnétique ;
  • la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et similaire à la figure 2 , l'arbre de la figure 1 , avec un champ rémanent concentré sur sa zone centrale et axiale ;
  • la figure 4 illustre, sous forme d'un graphe, la comparaison des couples magnétiques exercés sur ces deux modèles d'arbres de balancier de la figure 2 et de la figure 3 , le graphe G2 correspondant à l'arbre homogène de la figure 2 est représenté en trait interrompu, et le graphe G3 correspondant à l'arbre inhomogène selon l'invention est représenté en trait continu. En abscisse figure l'angle en degrés, et en ordonnée le couple exercé sur le balancier, en mN.mm ;
  • la figure 5 illustre, sous forme d'un graphe, la comparaison des couples magnétiques exercés sur ces deux modèles d'arbres de balancier de la figure 2 et de la figure 3 , comparés au couple de rappel du spiral et au couple appliqué au balancier par l'ancre. Le graphe G2 correspondant à l'arbre homogène de la figure 2 est représenté en trait interrompu, et le graphe G3 correspondant à l'arbre inhomogène selon l'invention est représenté en trait continu. Le trait mixte interrompu G4 représente le couple de rappel exercé par le spiral. Le couple d'entretien, appliqué au balancier par l'ancre, est représenté sous la forme d'une horizontale G5 en trait pointillé.
  • la figure 6 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, une deuxième variante d'arbre de mobile selon l'invention, comportant une partie médiane de propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques différentes de celles de deux zones d'extrémité qui entourent cette partie médiane, de part et d'autre selon la direction de l'axe de pivotement du mobile ;
  • la figure 7 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 3, la répartition du champ rémanent sur l'arbre de la figure 6, avec un champ rémanent concentré sur ses deux zones d'extrémité axiales ;
  • la figure 8 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie, comportant un mouvement comportant un mécanisme comportant un mobile équipé d'un arbre selon l'invention.
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, in the form of a three-dimensional diagram, a first variant of a mobile tree according to the invention, comprising a central zone of intrinsic magnetic properties different from those of the peripheral zone which surrounds this central zone centered on the pivot axis mobile
  • the figure 2 represents schematically, in sectional view and with a greyish color all the more intense as the remnant field is high, a homogeneous tree of the prior art after exposure to a magnetic field;
  • the figure 3 represents, schematically and similar to the figure 2 , the tree of the figure 1 , with a remnant field concentrated on its central and axial zone;
  • the figure 4 illustrates, in the form of a graph, the comparison of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance figure 2 and some figure 3 , the graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is shown in broken lines, and the graph G3 corresponding to the inhomogeneous tree according to the invention is shown in solid lines. On the abscissa is the angle in degrees, and in ordinate the torque exerted on the balance, in mN.mm;
  • the figure 5 illustrates, in the form of a graph, the comparison of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance figure 2 and some figure 3 , compared to the return moment of the hairspring and the torque applied to the balance by the anchor. The graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is represented in broken line, and the graph G3 corresponding to the tree inhomogeneous according to the invention is shown in solid line. The interrupted mixed line G4 represents the return torque exerted by the spiral. The maintenance torque, applied to the balance by the anchor, is represented in the form of a horizontal G5 dotted line.
  • the figure 6 represents, similarly to the figure 1 a second variant of a mobile shaft according to the invention, comprising a median part of intrinsic magnetic properties different from those of two end zones which surround this median part, on either side according to the direction of the axis pivoting the mobile;
  • the figure 7 represents, in a similar way to figure 3 , the distribution of the remnant field on the tree of the figure 6 , with a remnant field focused on its two axial end zones;
  • the figure 8 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece, comprising a movement comprising a mechanism comprising a mobile equipped with a shaft according to the invention.

Description détaillée des modes de réalisation préférésDetailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

L'invention vise à limiter l'interaction magnétique sur les arbres 1 des mobiles 10 d'un mécanisme horloger 20, au sein d'un mouvement 30 incorporé à une pièce d'horlogerie 40, notamment une montre, et, en particulier pour les organes d'entretien (échappement) et de régulation (balancier-spiral) qui constituent une application préférée, sur les arbres du balancier, de l'ancre et de la roue d'échappement.The aim of the invention is to limit the magnetic interaction on the shafts 1 of the mobiles 10 of a watch mechanism 20, within a movement 30 incorporated in a timepiece 40, in particular a watch, and, in particular for maintenance (exhaust) and control (sprung balance) components which constitute a preferred application on the balance wheel, anchor and escape wheel shafts.

L'invention est décrite ici pour cette seule application aux organes d'entretien (échappement) et de régulation (balancier-spiral). L'homme du métier, constructeur horloger, saura l'extrapoler à d'autres mécanismes.The invention is described here for this application only to the maintenance (exhaust) and regulating (balance spring) components. The skilled person, watchmaker, will extrapolate it to other mechanisms.

L'invention peut permettre à des montres avec spiral, corps d'ancre et roue d'échappement amagnétiques de résister, sans s'arrêter, à des champs magnétiques de l'ordre de un Tesla, et sans que les performances mécaniques (chronométrie et vieillissement des mobiles) soient affectées.The invention can allow watches with spiral, anchor body and nonmagnetic escape wheel to withstand, without stopping, magnetic fields of the order of a Tesla, and without the mechanical performance (chronometry and mobile aging) are affected.

L'invention permet de réduire l'effet résiduel des montres avec spiral, corps d'ancre et roue d'échappement amagnétiques à moins de une seconde par jour.The invention makes it possible to reduce the residual effect of watches with spiral, anchor body and non-magnetic escape wheel to less than one second per day.

La géométrie de l'arbre d'un balancier est généralement plus complexe que la géométrie de la tige d'ancre, et que celle de l'arbre de la roue d'échappement. Deux variantes alternatives, non limitatives, exploitant le même principe sont illustrées pour le cas d'un un arbre de balancier. Leur généralisation au cas de la tige d'ancre et de la roue d'échappement, ou à d'autres mobiles, sera évidente à l'homme du métier.The geometry of the shaft of a pendulum is generally more complex than the geometry of the anchor rod, and that of the shaft of the escape wheel. Two alternative variants, non-limiting, using the same principle are illustrated for the case of a balance shaft. Their generalization in the case of the anchor rod and the escape wheel, or other mobiles, will be obvious to the skilled person.

Par convention, on appelle, dans la présente description « axe » un élément géométrique virtuel tel qu'un axe de pivotement, et « arbre » un élément mécanique réel, réalisé en une ou plusieurs parties. Par exemple, une paire de pivots 2A et 2B alignés et rapportés de part et d'autre d'une partie médiane 6 d'un mobile 10, pour le guider en pivotement est aussi dénommée « arbre ».By convention, the term "axis" refers to a virtual geometric element such as a pivot axis, and "shaft" to a real mechanical element, made in one or more parts. For example, a pair of pivots 2A and 2B aligned and reported on either side of a median portion 6 of a mobile 10, to guide it in pivoting is also called "tree".

Dans la suite de l'exposé, on définit par matériaux « perméables magnétiquement », des matériaux qui ont une perméabilité relative comprise entre 10 et 10000, comme des aciers, qui ont une perméabilité relative voisine de 100 pour des arbres de balanciers par exemple, ou voisine de 4000 pour les aciers utilisés couramment dans les circuits électriques, ou encore d'autres alliages dont la perméabilité relative atteint des valeurs de 8000 à 10000.In the remainder of the description, "magnetically permeable" materials are defined as materials having a relative permeability of between 10 and 10,000, such as steels, which have a relative permeability close to 100 for balance shafts for example. or around 4000 for steels commonly used in electrical circuits, or other alloys whose relative permeability reaches values of 8000 to 10000.

On appellera matériaux « magnétiques », par exemple dans le cas de masses polaires, des matériaux aptes à être aimantés de façon à présenter un champ rémanent compris entre 0,1 et 1,5 Tesla, comme par exemple le « Neodymium Iron Boron » d'une densité d'énergie magnétique Em voisine de 512 kJ/m3 et donnant un champ rémanent de 0,5 à 1.3 Tesla. Un niveau de champ rémanent inférieur, vers la partie inférieure de la fourchette peut être utilisé en cas de combinaison, dans un couple d'aimantation, d'un tel matériau magnétique avec un composant antagoniste perméable magnétiquement de perméabilité élevée, plus proche de 10000, dans la fourchette de 100 à 10000."Magnetic" materials, for example in the case of polar masses, will be called materials capable of being magnetized so as to have a residual field of between 0.1 and 1.5 Tesla, such as for example the "Neodymium Iron Boron". a magnetic energy density Em close to 512 kJ / m 3 and giving a residual field of 0.5 to 1.3 Tesla. A lower residual field level, towards the lower part of the range can be used when combining, in a magnetization couple, such a magnetic material with a magnetically permeable antagonist component of high permeability, closer to 10000, in the range of 100 to 10,000.

On appellera matériaux « ferromagnétiques » des matériaux dont les caractéristiques sont : champ de saturation Bs > 0 à la température T = 23°C, champ coercitif Hc > 0 à la température T = 23°C, perméabilité magnétique maximale µR > 2 à la température T = 23°C, température de Curie Tc > 60°C. Plus particulièrement, on qualifiera de « faiblement ferromagnétiques » ceux dont les caractéristiques sont : champ de saturation Bs < 0,5 T à la température T = 23°C, champ coercitif Hc < 1'000 kA/m à la température T = 23°C, perméabilité magnétique maximale µR < 10 à la température T = 23°C, température de Curie Tc > 60°C.Ferromagnetic materials are materials whose characteristics are: saturation field Bs> 0 at temperature T = 23 ° C, coercive field Hc> 0 at temperature T = 23 ° C, maximum magnetic permeability μ R > 2 at the temperature T = 23 ° C, Curie temperature Tc> 60 ° C. More particularly, those whose characteristics are: saturation field Bs <0.5 T at temperature T = 23 ° C, coercive field Hc <1000 kA / m at temperature T = 23, will be described as "weakly ferromagnetic". ° C, maximum magnetic permeability μ R <10 at temperature T = 23 ° C, Curie temperature Tc> 60 ° C.

Plus particulièrement, on qualifiera de « fortement ferromagnétiques » ceux dont les caractéristiques sont : champ de saturation Bs > 1 T à la température T = 23°C, champ coercitif Hc > 3'000 kA/m à la température T = 23°C, perméabilité magnétique maximale µR > 50 à la température T = 23°C, température de Curie Tc > 60°CMore particularly, those whose characteristics are: saturation field Bs> 1 T at temperature T = 23 ° C, coercive field Hc> 3,000 kA / m at temperature T = 23 ° C, will be described as "strongly ferromagnetic". , maximum magnetic permeability μ R > 50 at temperature T = 23 ° C, Curie temperature Tc> 60 ° C

On appellera matériaux « paramagnétiques » des matériaux de perméabilité magnétique relative comprise entre 1.0001 et 100, par exemple pour des entretoises interposées entre un matériau magnétique et un composant antagoniste perméable magnétiquement, ou encore entre deux matériaux magnétiques, par exemple une entretoise entre un composant et une masse polaire. Par exemple, des matériaux faiblement paramagnétiques sont : aluminium, or, laiton ou similaire (perméabilité magnétique inférieure à 2)."Paramagnetic" materials will be referred to as materials having a relative magnetic permeability of between 1.0001 and 100, for example for spacers interposed between a magnetic material and a magnetically permeable antagonist component, or alternatively between two magnetic materials, for example a spacer between a component and a polar mass. For example, weakly paramagnetic materials are: aluminum, gold, brass or the like (magnetic permeability less than 2).

On appellera matériaux «diamagnétiques » des matériaux de perméabilité magnétique relative inférieure à 1 (susceptibilité magnétique négative, inférieure ou égale à -10-5), tels que graphite ou graphène."Diamagnetic" materials will be referred to as materials of relative magnetic permeability less than 1 (negative magnetic susceptibility, less than or equal to -10 -5 ), such as graphite or graphene.

On appellera enfin matériaux «magnétiques doux», pour ne pas dire amagnétiques, notamment pour des blindages, des matériaux ayant une perméabilité élevée mais une haute saturation, car on ne veut pas qu'ils soient aimantés de manière permanente: ils doivent conduire le mieux possible le champ, de manière à réduire le champ à leur extérieur. De tels composants peuvent alors protéger aussi un système magnétique des champs externes. Ces matériaux sont choisis de préférence de perméabilité magnétique relative comprise entre 50 et 200, et avec un champ de saturation supérieur à 500 A/m.Finally, we will call "soft magnetic" materials, not to say non-magnetic, especially for shielding, materials with high permeability but high saturation, because we do not want them to be permanently magnetized: they must drive the best possible the field, so as to reduce the field to their outside. Such components can then also protect a magnetic system from external fields. These materials are preferably chosen to have a relative magnetic permeability of between 50 and 200, and with a saturation field greater than 500 A / m.

Des matériaux qualifiés d'«amagnétiques », ont quant à eux une perméabilité magnétique relative très légèrement supérieure à 1, et inférieure à 1.0001, comme typiquement le silicium, le diamant, le palladium et similaires. Ces matériaux peuvent en général être obtenus par des technologies MEMS ou par le procédé « LIGA ».Materials described as "non-magnetic" have a relative magnetic permeability very slightly greater than 1, and less than 1.0001, as typically silicon, diamond, palladium and the like. These materials can generally be obtained by MEMS technologies or by the "LIGA" process.

Ainsi, l'arbre 1 de mobile pivotant 10 d'horlogerie est réalisé en une ou plusieurs parties 2, qui sont alors alignées sur un axe de pivotement D.Thus, the shaft 1 of rotating mobile watch 10 is made of one or more parts 2, which are then aligned on a pivot axis D.

Selon l'invention, cet arbre 1 est magnétiquement inhomogène.According to the invention, this tree 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous.

Notamment, cet arbre 1 est magnétiquement inhomogène, avec une variation des propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques de cet arbre 1, soit selon la direction axiale de l'axe de pivotement D de l'arbre 1, soit de façon radiale avec une symétrie de révolution par rapport à cet axe de pivotement D, soit à la fois selon la direction axiale de l'axe de pivotement D et de façon radiale avec une symétrie de révolution par rapport à cet axe de pivotement D.In particular, this shaft 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous, with a variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties of this shaft 1, either in the axial direction of the pivot axis D of the shaft 1, or radially with a symmetry of revolution relative to to this pivot axis D, both in the axial direction of the pivot axis D and radially with a symmetry of revolution with respect to this pivot axis D.

L'arbre 1 est magnétiquement inhomogène avec une variation des propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques de façon radiale par rapport à l'axe de pivotement D.The shaft 1 is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties radially with respect to the pivot axis D.

Dans une réalisation préférée, cette variation des propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques de l'arbre 1 est faite de façon radiale avec une symétrie de révolution par rapport à l'axe de pivotement D.In a preferred embodiment, this variation of the intrinsic magnetic properties of the shaft 1 is made radially with a symmetry of revolution with respect to the pivot axis D.

Par « arbre inhomogène dans la direction radiale », on entend ici que les propriétés magnétiques de l'arbre varient selon la direction radiale, du centre de l'arbre vers la périphérie (tandis que l'arbre peut être, ou non, magnétiquement homogène selon la direction axiale).By "inhomogeneous tree in the radial direction" is meant here that the magnetic properties of the shaft vary in the radial direction from the center of the shaft to the periphery (while the shaft may or may not be magnetically homogeneous in the axial direction).

Seule la matière située au coeur de l'arbre, dans une zone dite ci-après zone centrale 3, c'est-à-dire au voisinage de l'axe de pivotement D, présente un champ de saturation élevé (Bs > 1 T), une perméabilité magnétique µR maximale supérieure à 50, et un champ coercitif Hc supérieur à 3 kA/m (toutes ces propriétés sont typiques de l'acier 20AP utilisé préférablement pour les arbres pivotants à cause des bonnes performances mécaniques). Naturellement, en cas d'emploi d'autres matériaux, ces valeurs seuils sont à adapter par des essais de routine.Only the material located in the heart of the tree, in an area hereinafter called central zone 3, that is to say in the vicinity of the pivot axis D, has a high saturation field (Bs> 1 T ), a magnetic permeability μ R maximum greater than 50, and a coercive field Hc greater than 3 kA / m (all these properties are typical of 20AP steel preferably used for pivoting shafts because of good mechanical performance). Naturally, if other materials are used, these threshold values must be adapted by routine tests.

Tandis que la matière en périphérie de l'arbre, dans une zone dite ci-après zone périphérique 4, est, soit faiblement paramagnétique, soit ferromagnétique avec un faible champ de saturation (Bs < 0,5 T), une faible perméabilité magnétique maximale µR < 10, et un faible champ coercitif.While the material on the periphery of the shaft, in a zone hereinafter referred to as the peripheral zone 4, is either weakly paramagnetic or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field (Bs <0.5 T), a low maximum magnetic permeability μ R <10, and a low coercive field.

Un schéma de cette solution est montré en figure 1, qui est un schéma tridimensionnel de la première variante. L'arbre 1 de balancier est composé d'une zone centrale 3 fortement ferromagnétique (grisée) et d'une zone périphérique 4paramagnétique ou faiblement ferromagnétique (en blanc).A diagram of this solution is shown in figure 1 which is a three-dimensional diagram of the first variant. The balance shaft 1 is composed of a strongly ferromagnetic central zone 3 (grayed out) and a 4paramagnetic or weakly ferromagnetic peripheral zone (in white).

Dans ce cas les deux régions (fortement ferromagnétique en zone centrale 3, et faiblement paramagnétique en zone périphérique 4) sont précisément séparées par une zone d'interface 7 abrupte : l'interface entre les deux régions 3 et 4 peut toutefois avoir une largeur finie, en correspondance d'un gradient régulier des propriétés magnétiques, sans que les résultats en soient affectés. La région fortement ferromagnétique en zone centrale 3 au coeur de l'arbre 1 est de préférence contenue dans un cylindre de rayon inférieur à 100 micromètres (et centré sur l'axe de pivotement D) pour atteindre les performances souhaitées.In this case, the two regions (strongly ferromagnetic in central zone 3, and weakly paramagnetic in peripheral zone 4) are precisely separated by a steep interface zone 7: the interface between the two regions 3 and 4 may however have a finite width , in correspondence of a regular gradient of the magnetic properties, without the results being affected. The strongly ferromagnetic region in the central zone 3 in the heart of the shaft 1 is preferably contained in a cylinder with a radius less than 100 micrometers (and centered on the pivot axis D) to achieve the desired performance.

En pratique, l'inhomogénéité magnétique décrite ici peut être obtenue en combinant deux matériaux différents (par brasure, soudure ou dépôt d'un matériau sur l'autre), ou bien, dans le cas où un alliage est utilisé (par exemple, acier carbone), par le traitement thermique ou sous champ électrique ou magnétique de tout ou partie du composant fini.In practice, the magnetic inhomogeneity described here can be obtained by combining two different materials (by brazing, welding or depositing one material on the other), or, in the case where an alloy is used (for example, steel carbon), by the heat treatment or under electric or magnetic field of all or part of the finished component.

La figure 2 montre l'art antérieur, sous la forme d'un arbre 1 de balancier classique, homogène, en acier 20 AP. Cette figure illustre le champ rémanent, après aimantation à 0,2 T, Lors de cette aimantation, cet arbre est soumis à un champ externe de 0,2 T orienté dans la direction orthogonale à l'axe de pivotement, l'arbre est magnétisé dans tout son volume, son champ rémanent étant compris entre 0,3 T et 0,6 T, comme le montre la figure 2 qui fait apparaître :

  • en grisé foncé les zones avec un champ rémanent de 0,6T ;
  • en grisé moyen les zones avec un champ rémanent de l'ordre de 0,2 à 0,4T ;
  • et en gris très clair ou en blanc les zones avec un champ rémanent inférieur à 0,2T.
L'aimantation est supérieure en correspondance du rayon maximum de l'arbre.The figure 2 shows the prior art, in the form of a conventional arm shaft 1 homogeneous, AP steel. This figure illustrates the remanent field, after magnetization at 0.2 T, during this magnetization, this shaft is subjected to an external field of 0.2 T oriented in the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis, the shaft is magnetized throughout its volume, its residual field being between 0.3 T and 0.6 T, as shown in FIG. figure 2 which shows:
  • in dark gray areas with a remnant field of 0.6T;
  • in medium shaded areas with a remnant field of the order of 0.2 to 0.4T;
  • and in very light gray or white areas with a remnant field less than 0.2T.
The magnetization is greater in correspondence of the maximum radius of the tree.

La figure 3 montre le champ rémanent d'un arbre 1 de balancier inhomogène radialement selon la première variante de l'invention. Cet arbre 1 a la même géométrie que celui de la figure 2, mais seul le coeur, en zone centrale 3, est en acier 20 AP, tandis que sa périphérie, en zone périphérique 4, est faiblement paramagnétique. L'arbre est soumis à un champ externe de 0,2 T orienté dans la direction orthogonale à l'axe de pivotement D. Le champ rémanent est d'environ 0,4 T et concentré dans le coeur en zone centrale 3.The figure 3 shows the remanent field of a radially inhomogeneous balance shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention. This tree 1 has the same geometry as that of the figure 2 , but only the heart, in central zone 3, is made of steel AP, while its periphery, in peripheral zone 4, is weakly paramagnetic. The shaft is subjected to an external field of 0.2 T oriented in the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis D. The remanent field is about 0.4 T and concentrated in the core in central zone 3.

Quand la pièce d'horlogerie est soumise à l'action d'un champ magnétique externe, pendant l'oscillation du balancier-spiral, l'arbre aimanté du balancier est soumis à un couple magnétique qui tend à l'orienter dans la direction du champ externe. Le moment de ce couple peut être suffisamment élevé pour arrêter le mouvement de ce balancier-spiral.When the timepiece is subjected to the action of an external magnetic field, during the oscillation of the sprung balance, the magnetic shaft of the balance is subjected to a magnetic torque which tends to orient it in the direction of the external field. The moment of this pair may be high enough to stop the movement of this balance-spring.

A cause de l'aimantation très différenciée, l'arbre homogène de la figure 2 est soumis à un couple magnétique, dont le moment est plus de 10 fois supérieur à celui qui est appliqué à l'arbre inhomogène de la figure 3. En effet, l'arbre 1 selon l'invention comporte une zone de champ rémanent sur un très faible rayon, alors que dans l'art antérieur les zones de champ rémanent élevé sont précisément dans les zones de plus grand rayon.Because of the highly differentiated magnetization, the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is subjected to a magnetic torque, whose moment is more than 10 times higher than that which is applied to the inhomogeneous tree of the figure 3 . Indeed, the shaft 1 according to the invention comprises a field of remanent field on a very small radius, while in the prior art areas of high remanent field are precisely in the areas of larger radius.

L'arrêt du mouvement a lieu si le couple agissant sur l'arbre est supérieur au couple de rappel exercé par le spiral pour des angles inférieurs à l'angle de levée, et au couple d'entretien appliqué par l'ancre au balancier. Ces deux couples, obtenus pour des paramètres typiques, sont comparés au couple magnétique agissant sur l'arbre homogène et sur l'arbre inhomogène, sur le graphique de la figure 5.Stopping movement occurs if the torque acting on the shaft is greater than the restoring moment exerted by the hairspring for angles lower than the lifting angle, and the maintenance torque applied by the anchor to the balance. These two pairs, obtained for typical parameters, are compared with the magnetic torque acting on the homogeneous tree and on the inhomogeneous tree, on the graph of the figure 5 .

La figure 4 illustre la comparaison des couples magnétiques exercés sur ces deux modèles d'arbres de balancier: le graphe G2 correspondant à l'arbre homogène de la figure 2 est représenté en trait interrompu, et le graphe G3 correspondant à l'arbre 1 inhomogène selon l'invention (première variante de la figure 3, ou deuxième variante de la figure 7 exposée plus loin) est représenté en trait continu. En abscisse figure l'angle en degrés, et en ordonnée le couple exercé sur le balancier, en mN.mm. Dans les deux cas, le couple varie sinusoïdalement avec l'angle de rotation du balancier-spiral (ici le zéro est fixé de manière arbitraire).The figure 4 illustrates the comparison of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance shafts: the graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is shown in broken lines, and the graph G3 corresponding to the inhomogeneous tree 1 according to the invention (first variant of the figure 3 , or second variant of the figure 7 explained later) is shown in solid lines. On the abscissa is the angle in degrees, and in ordinate the torque exerted on the balance, in mN.mm. In both cases, the torque varies sinusoidally with the rotation angle of the balance spring (here the zero is fixed arbitrarily).

L'arbre homogène de la figure 2 est soumis à un couple magnétique largement supérieur au couple du spiral et au couple d'entretien. Dans ce cas, le balancier-spiral sera donc arrêté pour un champ inférieur à 0,2 T.The homogeneous tree of the figure 2 is subjected to a magnetic torque much greater than the pair of the spiral and the maintenance torque. In this case, the sprung balance will be stopped for a field smaller than 0.2 T.

L'arbre 1 inhomogène selon la première variante de l'invention est soumis à un couple inférieur au couple exercé par le spiral dans l'angle de levée (< 30°) et au couple d'entretien. Dans ce cas, le balancier-spiral ne sera pas arrêté sous un champ de 0,2 T.The inhomogeneous shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention is subjected to a torque less than the torque exerted by the hairspring in the lifting angle (<30 °) and the maintenance torque. In this case, the sprung balance will not be stopped under a field of 0.2 T.

La figure 5 illustre la comparaison des couples magnétiques sur un arbre de balancier, homogène selon l'art antérieur, et inhomogène selon l'invention (première variante, ou deuxième variante exposée plus loin), imposé par un champ externe de 0,2 T, comparé au couple de rappel du spiral et au couple appliqué au balancier par l'ancre. De la même façon que la figure 4, la figure 5 illustre la comparaison, sur une faible amplitude angulaire, des couples magnétiques exercés sur ces deux modèles d'arbres de balancier: le graphe G2 correspondant à l'arbre homogène est représenté en trait interrompu, et le graphe G3 correspondant à l'arbre inhomogène est représenté en trait continu. Le trait mixte interrompu G4 représente le couple de rappel exercé par le spiral. Le couple d'entretien, appliqué au balancier par l'ancre, est représenté sous la forme d'une horizontale G5 en trait pointillé.The figure 5 illustrates the comparison of the magnetic pairs on a balance shaft, homogeneous according to the prior art, and inhomogeneous according to the invention (first variant, or second variant exposed later), imposed by an external field of 0.2 T, compared to torque of the spiral and the torque applied to the balance by the anchor. In the same way as figure 4 , the figure 5 illustrates the comparison, on a small angular amplitude, of the magnetic couples exerted on these two models of balance shafts: the graph G2 corresponding to the homogeneous tree is shown in broken lines, and the graph G3 corresponding to the inhomogeneous tree is shown in solid line. The interrupted mixed line G4 represents the return torque exerted by the spiral. The maintenance torque, applied to the balance by the anchor, is represented in the form of a horizontal G5 dotted line.

A la suite de l'aimantation de la montre, l'arbre 1 du balancier 10 se trouve immergé dans le champ magnétique crée par les composants ferromagnétiques fixes du mouvement 30, ou/et de la pièce d'horlogerie 40, dont il fait partie. L'arbre 1 est alors soumis à un couple similaire à celui qui est montré en figure 4, mais de moment plus faible. Ce couple de perturbation est responsable du défaut de marche résiduel. Un mouvement équipé d'un arbre 1 inhomogène selon la première variante de l'invention est donc affecté d'un défaut de marche qui est entre 3 et 10 fois inférieur à celui qui affecte un mouvement équipé d'un arbre homogène traditionnel.As a result of the magnetization of the watch, the shaft 1 of the balance 10 is immersed in the magnetic field created by the fixed ferromagnetic components of the movement 30, or / and the timepiece 40, of which it forms part. . The shaft 1 is then subjected to a torque similar to that shown in FIG. figure 4 but from a weaker moment. This disturbance torque is responsible for the residual running error. A movement equipped with an inhomogeneous shaft 1 according to the first variant of the invention is therefore affected by a walking defect which is between 3 and 10 times less than that which affects a movement equipped with a traditional homogeneous tree.

La deuxième variante de l'invention concerne un arbre qui est inhomogène dans la direction axiale, parallèle à l'axe de pivotement de l'arbre.The second variant of the invention relates to a shaft which is inhomogeneous in the axial direction, parallel to the axis of pivoting of the shaft.

L'inhomogénéité des propriétés magnétiques est cette fois réalisée dans la direction axiale. Les extrémités 2 de l'arbre 1, constituées par les pivots 2A et 2B, qui doivent avoir des propriétés mécaniques optimales, sont généralement en matériaux magnétiques, tandis que la partie médiane 6 de l'arbre 1 est en matériau faiblement paramagnétique.The inhomogeneity of the magnetic properties is this time realized in the axial direction. The ends 2 of the shaft 1, constituted by the pivots 2A and 2B, which must have optimum mechanical properties, are generally made of magnetic materials, while the median part 6 of the shaft 1 is of weakly paramagnetic material.

La longueur (dans la direction axiale) cumulée des parties magnétiques de l'arbre 1 est avantageusement inférieure a un tiers de la longueur totale de l'arbre 1.The length (in the axial direction) accumulated of the magnetic parts of the shaft 1 is advantageously less than a third of the total length of the shaft 1.

La différence de longueur entre les parties magnétiques est avantageusement maintenue inférieure à 10%.The difference in length between the magnetic parts is advantageously kept below 10%.

Cette deuxième variante est schématisée sur la figure 6, sur laquelle de préférence seuls les pivots 2A et 2B sont en matériau ferromagnétique.This second variant is schematized on the figure 6 , on which preferably only the pivots 2A and 2B are made of ferromagnetic material.

L'arbre 1 de la figure 6 comporte, selon la direction de l'axe de pivotement D, une partie médiane 6 entourée de part et d'autre par deux zones d'extrémité 8,. Et seules ces zones d'extrémité 8, réalisées de préférence en acier à pivots, présentent un champ de saturation élevé de valeur Bs supérieure à 1 T, une perméabilité magnétique maximale µR supérieure à 50, et un champ coercitif Hc supérieur à 3 kA/m. Tandis que la matière dans la partie médiane 6 est, soit faiblement paramagnétique, soit ferromagnétique avec un faible champ de saturation Bs de valeur inférieure à 0,5 T, une faible perméabilité magnétique maximale µR inférieure à 10, et un faible champ coercitif.Tree 1 of the figure 6 comprises, in the direction of the pivot axis D, a median portion 6 surrounded on either side by two end zones 8,. And only these end zones 8, preferably made of pivoted steel, have a high saturation field of Bs greater than 1 T, a maximum magnetic permeability μ R greater than 50, and a coercive field Hc greater than 3 kA / m. While the material in the middle part 6 is either weakly paramagnetic or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field Bs of less than 0.5 T, a low maximum magnetic permeability μR less than 10, and a low coercive field.

Comme pour la première variante, le champ rémanent est inférieur (et plus localisé) que dans le cas d'un arbre homogène selon la figure 2, comme le montre la figure 7.As for the first variant, the remanent field is smaller (and more localized) than in the case of a homogeneous tree according to the figure 2 as shown in figure 7 .

Cette figure 7 représente le champ rémanent, après aimantation à 0,2 T, d'un arbre 1 de balancier inhomogène selon la deuxième variante de l'invention. Les pivots sont en acier 20 AP. La partie médiane 6 est faiblement paramagnétique.This figure 7 represents the remanent field, after magnetization at 0.2 T, of an inhomogeneous balance shaft 1 according to the second variant of the invention. The pivots are made of 20 AP steel. The middle part 6 is weakly paramagnetic.

Le couple agissant sur l'arbre 1 dans ce cas est équivalent à celui obtenu pour la première variante (figure 4 et figure 5).The torque acting on the shaft 1 in this case is equivalent to that obtained for the first variant ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

En pratique, comme pour la première variante, l'inhomogénéité magnétique souhaitée peut être obtenue en combinant deux matériaux différents (par brasure, soudure ou dépôt d'un matériau sur l'autre) ou, dans le cas où un alliage est utilisé (par exemple, acier carbone), par le traitement thermique ou sous champ électrique ou magnétique de tout ou partie du composant fini.In practice, as for the first variant, the desired magnetic inhomogeneity can be obtained by combining two different materials (by brazing, welding or depositing a material on the other) or, in the case where an alloy is used (for example, carbon steel), by heat treatment or under electric or magnetic field of all or part of the finished component.

Il est encore possible de panacher la première et la deuxième variante, l'arbre 1 est alors magnétiquement inhomogène avec une variation de ses propriétés magnétiques intrinsèques à la fois selon la direction axiale de l'axe de pivotement D et de façon radiale par rapport à cet axe de pivotement D.It is still possible to mix the first and the second variant, the shaft 1 is then magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation of its intrinsic magnetic properties both in the axial direction of the pivot axis D and radially with respect to this pivot axis D.

Dans l'une ou l'autre de ces variantes, l'invention est de réalisation aisée et peu coûteuse, puisque, en pratique, une simple réalisation bimatière permet d'obtenir le résultat souhaité. Par exemple une exécution selon la première variante avec une serge de balancier constituant la zone périphérique 4 qui est réalisée, selon l'inertie recherchée, en aluminium, or, laiton ou similaire, tandis que la zone centrale 3 est réalisé sous forme d'un barreau en acier 20AP ou similaire : un balancier de faible inertie est obtenu avec une serge en alliage léger, notamment d'aluminium, facile à usiner et à percer de part en part, et un noyau en acier brut d'étirage ou de tréfilage, ou encore décolleté, d'un diamètre inférieur à 100 micromètres. De façon similaire, un balancier selon la deuxième variante et à très faible inertie comporte une partie médiane 6 usinée en alliage d'aluminium et comportant à ses extrémités axiales deux logements pour le chassage de pivots 2A et 2B en acier à pivots.In one or the other of these variants, the invention is easy to implement and inexpensive, since, in practice, a simple two-material embodiment makes it possible to obtain the desired result. For example, an embodiment according to the first variant with a balance rod constituting the peripheral zone 4 which is produced, according to the desired inertia, of aluminum, gold, brass or the like, while the central zone 3 is made in the form of a 20AP steel bar or similar: a low inertia beam is obtained with a light alloy serge, in particular of aluminum, easy to machine and to drill through, and a core of drawn or drawn steel, or cleavage, with a diameter less than 100 micrometers. Similarly, a rocker according to the second variant and with very low inertia has a machined middle portion 6 of aluminum alloy and having at its axial ends two housings for driving pivots 2A and 2B pivoted steel.

L'invention concerne encore un mobile pivotant 10 d'horlogerie comportant un arbre 1 selon l'invention.The invention also relates to a pivoting mobile watch 10 having a shaft 1 according to the invention.

L'invention concerne encore un mécanisme 20 d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre 1 ou/et un tel mobile 10, notamment un mécanisme d'échappement.The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10, in particular an escape mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement 30 d'horlogerie comportant un tel arbre 1 ou/et un tel mobile 10 ou/et un tel mécanisme 20.The invention also relates to a clockwork movement comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10 and / or such a mechanism 20.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie 40, notamment une montre, comportant un tel arbre 1 ou/et un tel mobile 10, ou/et un tel mécanisme 20, ou/et un tel mouvement 30.The invention also relates to a timepiece 40, in particular a watch, comprising such a shaft 1 and / or such a mobile 10, and / or such a mechanism 20, and / or such a movement 30.

L'invention, dans l'une ou l'autre de ses variantes, présente d'importants avantages :

  • intensité du champ d'arrêt sous-champ augmentée pour les montres avec spiral, corps d'ancre et roue d'échappement amagnétique ; ceci signifie qu'une montre devrait être soumise à des champs magnétiques beaucoup plus élevés que ceux que peut rencontrer l'utilisateur dans sa vie normale, avant de risquer une perturbation risquant de mener à l'arrêt du mouvement ;
  • effet résiduel réduit pour les montres avec spiral, corps d'ancre et roue d'échappement amagnétique ;
  • performances mécaniques identiques aux montres de l'état actuel de la technique, puisque les surfaces de contact tribologiques continuent à être réalisées dans des matériaux validés pour ces applications.
The invention, in one or the other of its variants, has important advantages:
  • increased subfield field arrest strength for watches with hairspring, anchor body and non-magnetic escape wheel; this means that a watch should be subjected to magnetic fields much higher than those which the user may encounter in his normal life, before risking a disturbance likely to lead to the cessation of movement;
  • reduced residual effect for watches with spiral, anchor body and non-magnetic escape wheel;
  • mechanical performance identical to the watches of the current state of the art, since the tribological contact surfaces continue to be made in materials validated for these applications.

Claims (11)

  1. Arbor (1) of a pivoting movable timepiece component (10), said arbor being made in one or more aligned parts (2), characterized in that said arbor (1) is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation in the intrinsic magnetic properties of said arbor (1) axially and/or radially with respect to said pivot axis (D), and characterized in that only the material located at the core of said arbor (1), in a central area (3) in proximity to the pivot axis (D1) of said arbor made of steel, has a high saturation field of value (Bs) higher than 1 T, a maximum magnetic permeability (µR) higher than 50, and a coercive field (Hc) higher than 3 kA/m, whereas the material in a peripheral area (4) of said arbor (1) is either weakly paramagnetic, or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field (Bs) of value lower than 0.5 T, a low maximum magnetic permeability (µR) less than 10, and a low coercive field.
  2. Arbor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said arbor (1) is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation in the intrinsic magnetic properties of said arbor (1) radially with respect to said pivot axis (D).
  3. Arbor (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said arbor (1) is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation in the intrinsic magnetic properties of said arbor (1) radially with a symmetry of revolution with respect to said pivot axis (D).
  4. Arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said arbor (1) is magnetically inhomogeneous with a variation in the intrinsic magnetic properties of said arbor (1) axially with respect to said pivot axis (D).
  5. Arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strongly ferromagnetic region of said central area (3) at the core of said arbor (1) is contained in a cylinder of radius less than 100 micrometres and centred on said pivot axis (D) of said arbor (1).
  6. Arbor (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the arbor includes, in the direction of said pivot axis (D), a median portion (6) surrounded on either side by two end areas (8), and in that only said end areas (8), made of steel, have a high saturation field of value (Bs) higher than 1 T, a maximum magnetic permeability (µR) higher than 50, and a coercive field (Hc) higher than 3 kA/m, whereas the material in said median portion (6) of said arbor (1) is either weakly paramagnetic, or ferromagnetic with a low saturation field (Bs) of value lower than 0.5 T, a low maximum magnetic permeability (µR) less than 10, and a low coercive field.
  7. Arbor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic inhomogeneity of the arbor is obtained either by a combination of two different materials by soldering, welding or deposition of one material on the other, or by using an alloy subjected to a heat treatment or to the action of an electric or magnetic field on all or part of said arbor (1) or of said movable component (10).
  8. Movable timepiece component (10) including a said arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7.
  9. Timepiece mechanism (20) including a said arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7 and/or a said movable component (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that said timepiece mechanism is an escapement mechanism.
  10. Timepiece mechanism (30) including a said arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, and/or a said movable component (10) according to claim 8 and/or a said mechanism (20) according to claim 9.
  11. Timepiece (40) or watch, including a said arbor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, and/or a said movable component (10) according to claim 8 and/or a said mechanism (20) according to claim 9 and/or a said movement (30) according to claim 10.
EP13161124.6A 2013-03-26 2013-03-26 Arbor of a pivotable clock mobile Active EP2784601B1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00664/13A CH707790B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2013-03-26 Magnetically non-homogenous rotational watchmaking tree.
EP13161124.6A EP2784601B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2013-03-26 Arbor of a pivotable clock mobile
US14/779,773 US9915923B2 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Arbor of a pivoting movable timepiece component
PCT/EP2014/055267 WO2014154510A2 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Pivoting train arbor of a timepiece
JP2016504560A JP6315727B2 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Arbor of pivotable watch components
CN201480018533.0A CN105103057B (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 The mandrel of the removable clock and watch component pivoted
EP14710311.3A EP2979139B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Pivoting train arbor of a timepiece
HK16105845.8A HK1217776A1 (en) 2013-03-26 2016-05-23 Pivoting train arbor of a timepiece

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13161124.6A EP2784601B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2013-03-26 Arbor of a pivotable clock mobile

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EP2784601A1 EP2784601A1 (en) 2014-10-01
EP2784601B1 true EP2784601B1 (en) 2017-09-13

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EP14710311.3A Active EP2979139B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Pivoting train arbor of a timepiece

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EP14710311.3A Active EP2979139B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-17 Pivoting train arbor of a timepiece

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US (1) US9915923B2 (en)
EP (2) EP2784601B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6315727B2 (en)
CN (1) CN105103057B (en)
CH (1) CH707790B1 (en)
HK (1) HK1217776A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2014154510A2 (en)

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JP6915602B2 (en) * 2018-10-24 2021-08-04 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Watch parts and watches
WO2023036928A1 (en) 2021-09-09 2023-03-16 Rolex Sa Inertia element for a clock movement

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WO2014154510A9 (en) 2015-03-05
WO2014154510A3 (en) 2014-12-31
US9915923B2 (en) 2018-03-13
CH707790A2 (en) 2014-09-30
US20160085213A1 (en) 2016-03-24
WO2014154510A4 (en) 2015-01-29
WO2014154510A2 (en) 2014-10-02
EP2979139A2 (en) 2016-02-03
CN105103057A (en) 2015-11-25
JP6315727B2 (en) 2018-04-25
EP2979139B1 (en) 2018-05-09
CH707790B1 (en) 2017-12-15
HK1217776A1 (en) 2017-01-20
CN105103057B (en) 2018-04-13
JP2016514834A (en) 2016-05-23
EP2784601A1 (en) 2014-10-01

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