EP2945025B1 - Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque - Google Patents

Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2945025B1
EP2945025B1 EP14168699.8A EP14168699A EP2945025B1 EP 2945025 B1 EP2945025 B1 EP 2945025B1 EP 14168699 A EP14168699 A EP 14168699A EP 2945025 B1 EP2945025 B1 EP 2945025B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
component
friction
boron
diamond
timepiece mechanism
Prior art date
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EP14168699.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2945025A1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Dubois
Christian Charbon
Cédric Faure
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Nivarox Far SA
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Nivarox Far SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Nivarox Far SA filed Critical Nivarox Far SA
Priority to EP14168699.8A priority Critical patent/EP2945025B1/en
Priority to CH00747/14A priority patent/CH709665A2/en
Priority to US14/707,696 priority patent/US9658597B2/en
Priority to TW104115262A priority patent/TWI551963B/en
Priority to KR1020150068073A priority patent/KR101700031B1/en
Priority to JP2015099694A priority patent/JP6073962B2/en
Priority to CN201510250452.XA priority patent/CN105093898B/en
Priority to RU2015118308/12A priority patent/RU2605828C1/en
Publication of EP2945025A1 publication Critical patent/EP2945025A1/en
Priority to HK16105842.1A priority patent/HK1218002A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2945025B1 publication Critical patent/EP2945025B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • 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
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/02—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots
    • G04B13/027—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots planar toothing: shape and design
    • 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
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49579—Watch or clock making
    • Y10T29/49581—Watch or clock making having arbor, pinion, or balance

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an improved tribology clock mechanism.
  • the invention more particularly relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising at least a pair of components comprising a first component comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the solid monocrystalline diamond, and the amorphous carbon said "diamond like carbon" or "DLC", and a first friction surface is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface that comprises a second antagonistic component.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such clock mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such clock mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a method for producing such a mechanism.
  • the invention further relates to a method of transforming such a mechanism.
  • the invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms comprising permanently moving components, and more particularly the field of escape mechanisms.
  • Watchmakers have always striven to increase the reliability of movements by reducing the frequency of interviews, while ensuring the precise movement of watch movements.
  • Lubrication of mobile and moving components is a difficult problem to solve. Long tribological experiments are needed to develop solutions to simplify or even eliminate lubrication.
  • the document EP 1 233 314 A1 in the name of DAMASKO describes an escapement mechanism with anchor and escape wheel, of which at least one of the contact surfaces is coated with DLC.
  • the document EP 0 732 635 A1 in the name of CSEM describes the manufacture of a micro-mechanical component, in particular an escape anchor, with a friction surface comprising silicon nitride, in an unspecified composition.
  • This document envisages a couple with a counterpart, with improved tribology: this document quotes the titanium nitride to titanium carbide pair, or the titanium nitride to silicon carbide pair.
  • the invention proposes to provide a solution to this problem.
  • the invention aims at a non-lubricated operation of the clock escapement by preventing blocking phenomena appearing in an exhaust having pallets and an exhaust wheel coated with CVD diamond.
  • the invention relates more particularly to the use of boron-containing materials in at least one of the contact surfaces within a watch mechanism.
  • the invention relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising at least one pair of components comprising a first component comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the solid monocrystalline diamond, and the amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon” or "DLC", and whose first friction surface is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface that comprises a second antagonistic component, characterized in that said second antagonistic component comprises at least at his second level friction surface, a material with a high concentration of boron, greater than 10 atomic%, and in that said second antagonistic component comprises at least one ceramic containing boron.
  • said second component comprises at least one ceramic containing boron, or at a surface layer, or in the mass of said second component.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such clock mechanism.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such clock mechanism.
  • the invention relates to the use of materials containing boron, and more particularly boron ceramics, in non-lubricated friction against diamond in a watch movement.
  • the invention consists in replacing one of the friction partners, usually diamond against diamond, with a material comprising boron, and more particularly with a ceramic containing boron. In particular non-oxide.
  • Non-lubricated diamond tribology non-lubricated diamond tribology
  • dangling bonds on the surface can lead to the creation of chemical bonds with the friction partner, leading to an increase in the coefficient of friction and possibly a bonding, especially if the other partner is of the same nature [ A. Erdemir, C. Donnet "Diamond Tribology, Diamond-Like Carbon, and Related Films” ].
  • the passivation of these pendant bonds can result from the ambient environment, humidity, gas.
  • boron ceramics such as BAM can be manufactured in thin layers or in massive form.
  • the manufacturing methods for obtaining ceramics in thin layers include, but are not limited to: PVD (sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.), CVD, LPCVD, PECVD.
  • the manufacture of massive ceramics is generally done by a process of sintering powder.
  • a particularly promising configuration concerns an escapement, and in particular a Swiss or coaxial anchor escapement, having an escape wheel (and / or pinion) made of silicon coated with CVD diamond, in friction against massive boron ceramic pallets.
  • the silicon substrate can be replaced by other materials such as metals, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, quartz, glasses or any other ceramic or material allowing the deposition and adhesion of the boron ceramic layer or the CVD diamond layer.
  • the thicknesses of the boron or diamond ceramic layer are typically from 100 nanometers to 10 microns.
  • the boron ceramic is advantageously chosen so as to have a high hardness close to that of the CVD diamond.
  • Sub-layers may be used to: promote the adhesion of the layer to boron and / or influence its state of stress.
  • the invention relates to carbon allotropes such as: micro-nanocrystalline CVD diamond, monocrystalline solid diamond and DLC (diamond like carbon).
  • carbon allotropes such as: micro-nanocrystalline CVD diamond, monocrystalline solid diamond and DLC (diamond like carbon).
  • these carbon allotropes are deposited in a thin layer by the usual techniques such as: CVD, PECVD, PVD, etc.
  • Synthetic or natural solid diamond can replace ruby pallets, diamond blades then rub against a wheel coated with a boron ceramic.
  • the invention relates to a watchmaking mechanism 100 comprising at least one pair 1 of components comprising a first component 2 comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond , solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon” or "DLC", and a first friction surface 21 is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface 31 that comprises a second component 3 antagonist.
  • a first component 2 comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond , solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon” or "DLC”
  • a first friction surface 21 is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface 31 that comprises a second component 3 antagonist.
  • the second component 3 comprises, at least at its second friction surface 31, a material with a high concentration of boron.
  • this material has a boron concentration greater than 10 atomic%.
  • This material with a high concentration of boron may be a ceramic, a metal alloy, a composite material, or the like.
  • the second antagonistic component comprises at least one boron-containing ceramic.
  • Ceramics are here understood to mean non-metallic and inorganic materials.
  • This second component 3 comprises at least one ceramic containing boron, or at a surface layer 30, or in the mass of this second component 3.
  • At least one surface layer 30 of the second component 3 consists solely of one or more ceramics containing boron.
  • the second component 3 consists solely of one or more ceramics containing boron.
  • the ceramic containing boron, which comprises the second component 3 is in a material taken from a second group comprising the orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14, the orthorhombic boride of formula Al0.75Mg0.75B14, the di-boride TiB2 titanium, AlB2 aluminum di-boride, ZrB2 zirconium di-boride, TaB2 tantalum di-boride, NiB nickel boride, VB3 vanadium tri-boride, SiB4 quad-boride , boron carbide B4C, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride CBN, hexagonal boron nitride, boric anhydride B2O3.
  • the orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14 the orthorhombic boride of formula Al0.75Mg0.75B14
  • the ceramic containing boron is a non-oxide ceramic.
  • the boron-containing ceramic comprises an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14.
  • the boron-containing ceramic comprises an orthorhombic boride of formula Al0.75Mg0.75B14.
  • the boron-containing ceramic comprises titanium di-boride TiB 2.
  • the boron-containing ceramic comprises, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14 or Al0.75Mg0.75B14, and, on the other hand, titanium di-boride TiB2.
  • the ceramic containing boron is aluminum-magnesium boride said BAM and comprising, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14, and on the other hand titanium di-boride TiB2.
  • the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20 made of micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond.
  • the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20
  • the second component 3 comprises a friction surface layer 30, and the first friction layer 20 and the friction surface layer 30 each have a thickness of between 100 nanometers and 10,000 nanometers.
  • the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20
  • the second component 3 comprises a friction surface layer 30
  • the first friction layer 20 and the friction surface layer 30 have surface hardnesses close to the surface.
  • first friction surface 21 and second friction surface 31 which they respectively comprise.
  • the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, and this first friction layer 20 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a third group comprising silicon, silicon oxide, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.
  • the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this surface friction layer 30 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a third group comprising silicon, silicon oxide, carbon dioxide and the like. silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.
  • the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this surface friction layer 30 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a fourth group comprising carbon steels, superalloys based on cobalt, "Phynox” K13C20N16Fe15D7, “Durnico” Z2NKDT 18-05-05, Cu Be1.9, brass, maraging steel, HIS steels.
  • the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, and this first component 2 is integral with this first friction layer 20 in a material taken from the first group presented above.
  • the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this second component 3 is integral with this surface layer 30 of friction in a material consisting of a ceramic containing boron, or comprising at least one ceramic containing boron.
  • the mechanism 100 is an escape mechanism, and comprises a plurality of such pairs 1, each formed on the basis of, on the one hand, a tooth 4 of an escape wheel 40, and on the other hand a pallet 5 of an anchor 50.
  • each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with boron ceramic
  • each said pallet 5 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond.
  • each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond
  • each pallet 5 is made of silicon coated with boron ceramic.
  • each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond, and each pallet 5 is made of solid boron ceramic.
  • the contact between the first friction surface 21 and the second friction surface 31 is a dry contact free of any lubricant.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement 200 comprising at least one such clock mechanism 100.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece 300 comprising at least one such watch movement 200 and / or at least one such 100 clock mechanism.
  • the invention is naturally applicable to other clock mechanisms that the escape mechanism described here and which represents an exemplary case, particularly advantageous, application of the invention.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)
  • Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sliding-Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)

Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

L'invention concerne un mécanisme d'horlogerie à tribologie améliorée.The invention relates to an improved tribology clock mechanism.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un mécanisme d'horlogerie comportant au moins un couple de composants comportant un premier composant comportant un matériau pris dans un premier groupe comportant le diamant naturel, le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin, le diamant massif monocristallin, et le carbone amorphe dit « Diamond like Carbon » ou « DLC », et dont une première surface de frottement est agencée pour coopérer avec une deuxième surface de frottement que comporte un deuxième composant antagoniste.The invention more particularly relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising at least a pair of components comprising a first component comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the solid monocrystalline diamond, and the amorphous carbon said "diamond like carbon" or "DLC", and a first friction surface is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface that comprises a second antagonistic component.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement d'horlogerie comportant au moins un tel mécanisme d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such clock mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie comportant au moins un tel mouvement d'horlogerie et/ou au moins un tel mécanisme d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such clock mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de réalisation d'un tel mécanisme.The invention also relates to a method for producing such a mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de transformation d'un tel mécanisme.The invention further relates to a method of transforming such a mechanism.

L'invention concerne le domaine des mécanismes horlogers comportant des composants en permanence en mouvement, et plus particulièrement le domaine des mécanismes d'échappement.The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms comprising permanently moving components, and more particularly the field of escape mechanisms.

Arrière-plan de l'inventionBackground of the invention

Les constructeurs horlogers se sont toujours efforcés d'accroître la fiabilité des mouvements, grâce à la réduction de la fréquence des entretiens, tout en assurant la marche précise des mouvements horlogers.Watchmakers have always striven to increase the reliability of movements by reducing the frequency of interviews, while ensuring the precise movement of watch movements.

La lubrification des mobiles et composants en mouvement est un problème difficile à résoudre. De longues expérimentations tribologiques sont nécessaires pour mettre au point des solutions permettant de simplifier ou même de supprimer la lubrification.Lubrication of mobile and moving components is a difficult problem to solve. Long tribological experiments are needed to develop solutions to simplify or even eliminate lubrication.

Plus particulièrement, on recherche un fonctionnement sans lubrification des mécanismes d'échappement, en tentant de définir des couples de matériaux en frottement présentant un coefficient de frottement bas et stable ainsi qu'une faible usure, et présentant une excellente tenue dans la durée.More particularly, it seeks an operation without lubrication exhaust mechanisms, trying to define pairs of materials in friction having a low coefficient of friction and stable and low wear, and having excellent durability.

Dans le cadre d'une utilisation de matériaux en frottement non-lubrifié dans l'échappement horloger, de récentes études tendent à montrer que le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin en frottement contre lui-même conduit à un arrêt de l'échappement après un temps limité de fonctionnement. Cette problématique nécessite une lubrification suivie d'un entretien régulier à la manière d'un échappement classique acier/rubis.In the context of using non-lubricated friction materials in the watch exhaust, recent studies tend to show that micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond in friction against itself leads to a stop of the exhaust after a limited time of operation. This problem requires lubrication followed by regular maintenance in the manner of a classic steel / ruby exhaust.

Le document EP 1 233 314 A1 au nom de DAMASKO décrit un mécanisme d'échappement avec ancre et roue d'échappement, dont au moins une des surfaces de contact est revêtue DLC.The document EP 1 233 314 A1 in the name of DAMASKO describes an escapement mechanism with anchor and escape wheel, of which at least one of the contact surfaces is coated with DLC.

Le document EP 0 732 635 A1 au nom de CSEM décrit la fabrication d'un composant de micro-mécanique, notamment d'une ancre d'échappement, avec une surface de frottement comportant du nitrure de silicium, dans une composition non précisée. Ce document envisage un couple avec une contre-pièce, avec une tribologie améliorée : ce document cite le couple nitrure de titane contre carbure de titane, ou le couple nitrure de titane contre carbure de silicium.The document EP 0 732 635 A1 in the name of CSEM describes the manufacture of a micro-mechanical component, in particular an escape anchor, with a friction surface comprising silicon nitride, in an unspecified composition. This document envisages a couple with a counterpart, with improved tribology: this document quotes the titanium nitride to titanium carbide pair, or the titanium nitride to silicon carbide pair.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'invention se propose de fournir une solution à ce problème.The invention proposes to provide a solution to this problem.

L'invention vise un fonctionnement non-lubrifié de l'échappement horloger en prévenant les phénomènes de blocage apparaissant dans un échappement ayant des palettes et une roue d'échappement revêtus de diamant CVD.The invention aims at a non-lubricated operation of the clock escapement by preventing blocking phenomena appearing in an exhaust having pallets and an exhaust wheel coated with CVD diamond.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement l'utilisation de matériaux contenant du bore, dans au moins une des surfaces de contact au sein d'un mécanisme horloger.The invention relates more particularly to the use of boron-containing materials in at least one of the contact surfaces within a watch mechanism.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un mécanisme d'horlogerie comportant au moins un couple de composants comportant un premier composant comportant un matériau pris dans un premier groupe comportant le diamant naturel, le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin, le diamant massif monocristallin, et le carbone amorphe dit « Diamond like Carbon » ou « DLC », et dont une première surface de frottement est agencée pour coopérer avec une deuxième surface de frottement que comporte un deuxième composant antagoniste, caractérisé en ce que ledit deuxième composant antagoniste comporte au moins au niveau de sa dite deuxième surface de frottement, un matériau avec une forte concentration de bore, supérieure à 10% atomique, et en ce que ledit deuxième composant antagoniste comporte au moins une céramique contenant du bore.For this purpose, the invention relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising at least one pair of components comprising a first component comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the solid monocrystalline diamond, and the amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon" or "DLC", and whose first friction surface is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface that comprises a second antagonistic component, characterized in that said second antagonistic component comprises at least at his second level friction surface, a material with a high concentration of boron, greater than 10 atomic%, and in that said second antagonistic component comprises at least one ceramic containing boron.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, ledit deuxième composant comporte au moins une céramique contenant du bore, ou bien au niveau d'une couche superficielle, ou bien dans la masse dudit deuxième composant.According to one characteristic of the invention, said second component comprises at least one ceramic containing boron, or at a surface layer, or in the mass of said second component.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement d'horlogerie comportant au moins un tel mécanisme d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such clock mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie comportant au moins un tel mouvement d'horlogerie et/ou au moins un tel mécanisme d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such clock mechanism.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de réalisation d'un tel mécanisme, caractérisé en ce que :

  • on réalise un dit premier composant et on le revêt d'une dite première couche de frottement dans un matériau pris dans ledit premier groupe ;
  • on réalise un dit deuxième composant et on le revêt d'une dite couche constituée par une céramique contenant du bore, ou comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore ;
  • on fait coopérer à sec, sans lubrifiant, une dite première surface de frottement de ladite première couche de frottement avec une dite deuxième surface de frottement de ladite couche superficielle.
The invention also relates to a method for producing such a mechanism, characterized in that:
  • said first component is made and coated with a said first friction layer in a material taken from said first group;
  • said second component is produced and coated with a said layer consisting of a ceramic containing boron, or comprising at least one ceramic containing boron;
  • said first friction surface of said first friction layer with a said second friction surface of said superficial layer is dryly co-operated with no lubricant.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de réalisation d'un mécanisme d'horlogerie du type comportant au moins un couple de composants comportant un premier composant comportant une première surface de frottement agencée pour coopérer avec une deuxième surface de frottement que comporte un deuxième composant antagoniste, caractérisé en ce que :

  • on applique sur ladite première surface de frottement une première couche de frottement dans un matériau pris dans un premier groupe comportant le diamant naturel, le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin, le diamant massif monocristallin, et le carbone amorphe dit « Diamond like Carbon » ou « DLC », pour constituer une nouvelle première surface de frottement dur, et
  • on applique sur ladite deuxième surface de frottement une couche de frottement constituée par une céramique contenant du bore, ou comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore, pour constituer une nouvelle deuxième surface de frottement dur, et
  • on fait coopérer à sec, sans lubrifiant, ladite nouvelle première surface de frottement dur avec ladite nouvelle deuxième surface de frottement dur.
The invention also relates to a method for producing a clockwork mechanism of the type comprising at least one pair of components comprising a first component comprising a first friction surface arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface that comprises a second antagonistic component characterized in that
  • a first friction layer is applied to said first friction surface in a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the monocrystalline solid diamond, and the so-called "Diamond like Carbon" amorphous carbon; "DLC", to constitute a new first surface of hard friction, and
  • applying to said second friction surface a friction layer consisting of a boron-containing ceramic, or comprising at least one boron-containing ceramic, to constitute a new second hard friction surface, and
  • said new first hard friction surface with said new second hard friction surface is dry cooperated with no lubricant.

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, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un mécanisme d'échappement comportant notamment une palette d'ancre coopérant en contact avec une roue d'échappement, au niveau de surfaces de contact agencées selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, la coopération entre les surfaces de contact antagonistes ;
  • la figure 3 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mouvement lequel comporte un mécanisme d'échappement qui comporte lui-même un couple de composants agencé 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 schematically and in plan view, an escape mechanism comprising in particular an anchor pallet cooperating in contact with an escape wheel, at contact surfaces arranged according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 schematically represents the cooperation between the antagonistic contact surfaces;
  • the figure 3 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece comprising a movement which comprises an escape mechanism which itself comprises a pair of components arranged according to the invention.

Description détaillée des modes de réalisation référésDetailed Description of the Embodiments Referred

L'invention concerne l'utilisation des matériaux contenant du bore, et plus particulièrement des céramiques au bore, en frottement non-lubrifié contre du diamant dans un mouvement horlogerThe invention relates to the use of materials containing boron, and more particularly boron ceramics, in non-lubricated friction against diamond in a watch movement.

L'invention consiste au remplacement de l'un des partenaires en frottement, habituellement diamant contre diamant, par un matériau comportant du bore, et plus particulièrement par une céramique contenant du bore. En particulier non-oxyde.The invention consists in replacing one of the friction partners, usually diamond against diamond, with a material comprising boron, and more particularly with a ceramic containing boron. In particular non-oxide.

Il est connu de l'homme de métier (tribologie non-lubrifiée du diamant) que des liaisons pendantes en surface peuvent amener à la création de liaison chimiques avec le partenaire en frottement, conduisant à un accroissement du coefficient de friction et éventuellement un collage, spécialement si l'autre partenaire est de même nature [ A. Erdemir, C. Donnet « Tribology of Diamond, Diamond-Like Carbon, and Related Films » ]. La passivation de ces liaisons pendantes peut résulter du milieu ambiant, humidité, gaz.It is known to those skilled in the art (non-lubricated diamond tribology) that dangling bonds on the surface can lead to the creation of chemical bonds with the friction partner, leading to an increase in the coefficient of friction and possibly a bonding, especially if the other partner is of the same nature [ A. Erdemir, C. Donnet "Diamond Tribology, Diamond-Like Carbon, and Related Films" ]. The passivation of these pendant bonds can result from the ambient environment, humidity, gas.

Dans le cas du frottement dans l'échappement du diamant CVD sur des surface de quelques dizaines de microns de largeur à de très faible force de contact (∼1mN), il semble que cette passivation par le milieu ambiant se produise difficilement, conduisant à une usure prononcée, à la formation de débris graphitiques, sp2, ce qui précipite le blocage de l'échappement par collage.In the case of the friction in the exhaust of the CVD diamond on surfaces of a few tens of microns in width to a very weak contact force (~1mN), it seems that this passivation by the ambient medium occurs. difficult, leading to pronounced wear, the formation of graphitic debris, sp2, which precipitates the blocking of the exhaust by gluing.

Les mécanismes de frottement entre le diamant et d'autres matériaux sont très complexes.The friction mechanisms between diamond and other materials are very complex.

Toutefois, un partenaire en frottement avec le diamant, capable de procurer directement des atomes libres pour former des liens avec les liaisons pendantes du carbone, permettrait de favoriser cette passivation aux faibles forces de contact rencontrées dans le mouvement. Cette passivation évite l'apparition de collage.However, a diamond friction partner, capable of directly providing free atoms to form bonds with the carbon bonds, would promote this passivation at the low contact forces encountered in the movement. This passivation avoids the appearance of collage.

Des coefficients stables et bas ont été obtenus en frottement avec du diamant CVD microcristallin contre une céramique au bore nommée BAM (AlMgB14+TiB2, « NewTech Ceramics »).Stable and low coefficients were obtained in friction with microcrystalline CVD diamond against a boron ceramic named BAM (AlMgB14 + TiB2, "NewTech Ceramics").

Un bon comportement tribologique sans collage est également obtenu avec d'autres types de céramiques au bore en frottement contre du diamant monocristallin, microcristallin ou nanocristallin.Good tribological behavior without bonding is also obtained with other types of boron ceramics in friction against monocrystalline diamond, microcrystalline or nanocrystalline.

Typiquement des céramiques au bore telles que BAM peuvent être fabriquées en couches minces ou sous forme massive. Les méthodes de fabrication pour obtenir des céramiques en couches minces sont notamment, de manière non exhaustive : PVD (sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc), CVD, LPCVD, PECVD. La fabrication de céramiques massives se fait généralement par un procédé de frittage de poudre.Typically boron ceramics such as BAM can be manufactured in thin layers or in massive form. The manufacturing methods for obtaining ceramics in thin layers include, but are not limited to: PVD (sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.), CVD, LPCVD, PECVD. The manufacture of massive ceramics is generally done by a process of sintering powder.

Dans le cadre d'une application horlogère, une configuration particulièrement prometteuse concerne un échappement, et notamment un échappement à ancre suisse ou coaxial, ayant une roue d'échappement (et/ou pignon) fabriquée en silicium revêtu de diamant CVD, en frottement contre des palettes en céramique au bore massives.In the context of a watch application, a particularly promising configuration concerns an escapement, and in particular a Swiss or coaxial anchor escapement, having an escape wheel (and / or pinion) made of silicon coated with CVD diamond, in friction against massive boron ceramic pallets.

On peut citer des configurations non-exhaustives découlant de cette invention:

  • roue en silicium revêtue de céramique au bore / palettes en silicium revêtue de diamant CVD ;
  • roue en silicium revêtue de diamant CVD / palettes en silicium revêtue de céramique au bore ;
  • roue en silicium revêtue de diamant CVD / palettes en céramique au bore massive.
Non-exhaustive configurations resulting from this invention may be mentioned:
  • boron ceramic coated silicon wheel / silicon pallets coated with CVD diamond;
  • silicon wheel coated with CVD diamond / silicon pallets coated with boron ceramic;
  • silicon wheel coated with CVD diamond / solid boron ceramic pallets.

Il est à noter que le substrat en silicium peut être remplacé par d'autres matériaux tels que métaux, carbure de silicium, nitrure de silicium, oxyde de silicium, quartz, verres ou tout autre céramiques ou matériaux autorisant le dépôt et l'adhésion de la couche de céramique au bore ou de la couche de diamant CVD.It should be noted that the silicon substrate can be replaced by other materials such as metals, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, quartz, glasses or any other ceramic or material allowing the deposition and adhesion of the boron ceramic layer or the CVD diamond layer.

Les épaisseurs de la couche en céramique au bore ou en diamant vont typiquement de 100 nanomètres à 10 micromètres.The thicknesses of the boron or diamond ceramic layer are typically from 100 nanometers to 10 microns.

La céramique au bore est avantageusement choisie de manière à avoir une dureté élevée proche de celle du diamant CVD. Des sous-couches peuvent être utilisées de manière à : favoriser l'adhésion de la couche au bore et/ou influencer son état de contrainte.The boron ceramic is advantageously chosen so as to have a high hardness close to that of the CVD diamond. Sub-layers may be used to: promote the adhesion of the layer to boron and / or influence its state of stress.

Parmi les céramiques au bore sont notamment utilisables :

  • borure d'aluminium-magnésium AlMgB14 ou BAM (Aluminium Magnesium boride) + di-borure de titane TiB2 (Titanium diboride)
  • borure d'aluminium-magnésium AlMgB14 ou BAM (Aluminium Magnesium boride)
  • borures: (TiB2,AlB2,ZrB2,TaB2,NiB,VB2,SiB4,carbure de bore B4C, et similaires)
  • nitrure de bore cubique ou Cubic boron nitride (CBN), notamment polycristallin
  • trioxyde de bore ou anhydride borique Boric oxide (B2O3)
Among the boron ceramics are especially usable:
  • aluminum-magnesium boride AlMgB14 or BAM (Aluminum Magnesium boride) + Titanium di-boride TiB2 (Titanium diboride)
  • aluminum-magnesium boride AlMgB14 or BAM (Aluminum Magnesium boride)
  • borides: (TiB 2, AlB 2, ZrB 2, TaB 2, NiB, VB 2, SiB 4, boron carbide B 4 C, and the like)
  • cubic boron nitride or Cubic boron nitride (CBN), in particular polycrystalline
  • boric trioxide or boric anhydride Boric oxide (B2O3)

L'invention concerne les allotropes du carbone tels que : diamant CVD micro-nanocristallin, diamant massif monocristallin et les DLC (diamond like carbon). Typiquement ces allotropes du carbone sont déposés en couche mince grâce aux techniques usuelles telles que : CVD, PECVD, PVD, etc.The invention relates to carbon allotropes such as: micro-nanocrystalline CVD diamond, monocrystalline solid diamond and DLC (diamond like carbon). Typically these carbon allotropes are deposited in a thin layer by the usual techniques such as: CVD, PECVD, PVD, etc.

Du diamant massif de synthèse ou naturel peut remplacer des palettes en rubis, les palettes en diamant frottant alors contre une roue revêtue d'une céramique au bore.Synthetic or natural solid diamond can replace ruby pallets, diamond blades then rub against a wheel coated with a boron ceramic.

Ainsi, dans une application préférée, l'invention concerne un mécanisme 100 d'horlogerie comportant au moins un couple 1 de composants comportant un premier composant 2 comportant un matériau pris dans un premier groupe comportant le diamant naturel, le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin, le diamant massif monocristallin, et le carbone amorphe dit « Diamond like Carbon » ou « DLC », et dont une première surface de frottement 21 est agencée pour coopérer avec une deuxième surface de frottement 31 que comporte un deuxième composant 3 antagoniste.Thus, in a preferred application, the invention relates to a watchmaking mechanism 100 comprising at least one pair 1 of components comprising a first component 2 comprising a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond , solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon" or "DLC", and a first friction surface 21 is arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface 31 that comprises a second component 3 antagonist.

Selon l'invention, le deuxième composant 3 comporte, au moins au niveau de sa deuxième surface de frottement 31, un matériau avec une forte concentration de bore.According to the invention, the second component 3 comprises, at least at its second friction surface 31, a material with a high concentration of boron.

De préférence, ce matériau a une concentration de bore supérieure à 10% atomique.Preferably, this material has a boron concentration greater than 10 atomic%.

Ce matériau à forte concentration de bore peut être une céramique, un alliage métallique, un matériau composite, ou similaire.This material with a high concentration of boron may be a ceramic, a metal alloy, a composite material, or the like.

Plus particulièrement, le deuxième composant 3 antagoniste comporte au moins une céramique contenant du bore.More particularly, the second antagonistic component comprises at least one boron-containing ceramic.

On entend ici par céramiques des matériaux non-métalliques et inorganiques.Ceramics are here understood to mean non-metallic and inorganic materials.

Ce deuxième composant 3 comporte au moins une céramique contenant du bore, ou bien au niveau d'une couche superficielle 30, ou bien dans la masse de ce deuxième composant 3.This second component 3 comprises at least one ceramic containing boron, or at a surface layer 30, or in the mass of this second component 3.

Dans une variante particulière, au moins une couche superficielle 30 du deuxième composant 3 est constituée uniquement par une ou plusieurs céramiques contenant du bore.In a particular variant, at least one surface layer 30 of the second component 3 consists solely of one or more ceramics containing boron.

Plus particulièrement encore, le deuxième composant 3 est constitué uniquement par une ou plusieurs céramiques contenant du bore.More particularly still, the second component 3 consists solely of one or more ceramics containing boron.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore, que comporte le deuxième composant 3, est dans un matériau pris dans un deuxième groupe comportant le borure orthorhombique de formule AlMgB14, le borure orthorhombique de formule Al0.75Mg0.75B14, le di-borure de titane TiB2, le di-borure d'aluminium AlB2, le di-borure de zirconium ZrB2, le di-borure de tantale TaB2, le borure de nickel NiB, le tri-borure de vanadium VB3, le quadri-borure de silicium SiB4, le carbure de bore B4C, le nitrure de bore cubique polycristallin CBN, le nitrure de bore hexagonal, l'anhydride borique B2O3.In a particular variant, the ceramic containing boron, which comprises the second component 3, is in a material taken from a second group comprising the orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14, the orthorhombic boride of formula Al0.75Mg0.75B14, the di-boride TiB2 titanium, AlB2 aluminum di-boride, ZrB2 zirconium di-boride, TaB2 tantalum di-boride, NiB nickel boride, VB3 vanadium tri-boride, SiB4 quad-boride , boron carbide B4C, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride CBN, hexagonal boron nitride, boric anhydride B2O3.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore est une céramique non-oxyde.In a particular variant, the ceramic containing boron is a non-oxide ceramic.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore comporte un borure orthorhombique de formule AlMgB14.In a particular variant, the boron-containing ceramic comprises an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore comporte un borure orthorhombique de formule Al0.75Mg0.75B14.In a particular variant, the boron-containing ceramic comprises an orthorhombic boride of formula Al0.75Mg0.75B14.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore comporte du di-borure de titane TiB2.In a particular variant, the boron-containing ceramic comprises titanium di-boride TiB 2.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore comporte, d'une part un borure orthorhombique de formule AlMgB14 ou Al0.75Mg0.75B14, et d'autre part du di-borure de titane TiB2.In a particular variant, the boron-containing ceramic comprises, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14 or Al0.75Mg0.75B14, and, on the other hand, titanium di-boride TiB2.

Dans une variante particulière, la céramique contenant du bore est du borure d'aluminium-magnésium dit BAM et comportant, d'une part un borure orthorhombique de formule AlMgB14, et d'autre part du di-borure de titane TiB2.In a particular variant, the ceramic containing boron is aluminum-magnesium boride said BAM and comprising, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula AlMgB14, and on the other hand titanium di-boride TiB2.

Dans une variante particulière, le premier composant 2 comporte une première couche de frottement 20 en diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin.In a particular variant, the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20 made of micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond.

Dans une variante particulière, le premier composant 2 comporte une première couche de frottement 20, le deuxième composant 3 comporte une couche superficielle 30 de frottement, et la première couche de frottement 20 et la couche superficielle 30 de frottement ont chacune une épaisseur comprise entre 100 nanomètres et 10000 nanomètres.In a particular variant, the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, the second component 3 comprises a friction surface layer 30, and the first friction layer 20 and the friction surface layer 30 each have a thickness of between 100 nanometers and 10,000 nanometers.

Dans une variante particulière, le premier composant 2 comporte une première couche de frottement 20, le deuxième composant 3 comporte une couche superficielle 30 de frottement, et la première couche de frottement 20 et la couche superficielle 30 de frottement ont des duretés superficielles voisines au niveau des première surface de frottement 21 et deuxième surface de frottement 31 qu'elles comportent respectivement.In a particular variant, the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, the second component 3 comprises a friction surface layer 30, and the first friction layer 20 and the friction surface layer 30 have surface hardnesses close to the surface. first friction surface 21 and second friction surface 31 which they respectively comprise.

Dans une variante particulière, le premier composant 2 comporte une première couche de frottement 20, et cette première couche de frottement 20 est réalisée dans un substrat dans un matériau pris dans un troisième groupe comportant le silicium, l'oxyde de silicium, le dioxyde de silicium, le carbure de silicium, le nitrure de silicium, le quartz, le verre.In a particular variant, the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, and this first friction layer 20 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a third group comprising silicon, silicon oxide, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.

Dans une variante particulière, le deuxième composant 3 comporte une couche superficielle 30 de frottement, et cette couche superficielle 30 de frottement est réalisée dans un substrat dans un matériau pris dans un troisième groupe comportant le silicium, l'oxyde de silicium, le dioxyde de silicium, le carbure de silicium, le nitrure de silicium, le quartz, le verre.In a particular variant, the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this surface friction layer 30 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a third group comprising silicon, silicon oxide, carbon dioxide and the like. silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.

Dans une variante particulière, le deuxième composant 3 comporte une couche superficielle 30 de frottement, et cette couche superficielle 30 de frottement est réalisée dans un substrat dans un matériau pris dans un quatrième groupe comportant les aciers au carbone, les super-alliages à base de cobalt, le « Phynox » K13C20N16Fe15D7, le « Durnico » Z2NKDT 18-05-05, le Cu Be1.9, les laitons, les aciers maraging, les aciers HIS.In a particular variant, the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this surface friction layer 30 is made in a substrate made of a material taken from a fourth group comprising carbon steels, superalloys based on cobalt, "Phynox" K13C20N16Fe15D7, "Durnico" Z2NKDT 18-05-05, Cu Be1.9, brass, maraging steel, HIS steels.

Dans une variante particulière, le premier composant 2 comporte une première couche de frottement 20, et ce premier composant 2 est monobloc avec cette première couche de frottement 20 dans un matériau pris dans le premier groupe présenté plus haut.In a particular variant, the first component 2 comprises a first friction layer 20, and this first component 2 is integral with this first friction layer 20 in a material taken from the first group presented above.

Dans une variante particulière, le deuxième composant 3 comporte une couche superficielle 30 de frottement, et ce deuxième composant 3 est monobloc avec cette couche superficielle 30 de frottement dans un matériau constitué par une céramique contenant du bore, ou comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore.In a particular variant, the second component 3 comprises a surface layer 30 of friction, and this second component 3 is integral with this surface layer 30 of friction in a material consisting of a ceramic containing boron, or comprising at least one ceramic containing boron.

Dans une application particulièrement avantageuse, le mécanisme 100 est un mécanisme d'échappement, et comporte une pluralité de tels couples 1, chacun formé sur la base, d'une part d'une dent 4 d'un mobile d'échappement 40, et d'autre part d'une palette 5 d'une ancre 50.In a particularly advantageous application, the mechanism 100 is an escape mechanism, and comprises a plurality of such pairs 1, each formed on the basis of, on the one hand, a tooth 4 of an escape wheel 40, and on the other hand a pallet 5 of an anchor 50.

Dans une variante, chaque dent 4 est en silicium revêtu de céramique au bore, et chaque dite palette 5 est en silicium revêtu de diamant CVD.In a variant, each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with boron ceramic, and each said pallet 5 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond.

Dans une variante, chaque dent 4 est en silicium revêtu de diamant CVD, et chaque palette 5 est en silicium revêtu de céramique au bore.In a variant, each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond, and each pallet 5 is made of silicon coated with boron ceramic.

Dans une variante, chaque dent 4 est en silicium revêtu de diamant CVD, et chaque palette 5 est en céramique au bore massive.In a variant, each tooth 4 is made of silicon coated with CVD diamond, and each pallet 5 is made of solid boron ceramic.

De façon préférée et avantageuse, le contact entre la première surface de frottement 21 et la deuxième surface de frottement 31 est un contact à sec exempt de tout lubrifiant.Preferably and advantageously, the contact between the first friction surface 21 and the second friction surface 31 is a dry contact free of any lubricant.

L'invention concerne encore un mouvement d'horlogerie 200 comportant au moins un tel mécanisme 100 d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a watch movement 200 comprising at least one such clock mechanism 100.

L'invention concerne encore une pièce d'horlogerie 300 comportant au moins un tel mouvement d'horlogerie 200 et/ou au moins un tel mécanisme 100 d'horlogerie.The invention also relates to a timepiece 300 comprising at least one such watch movement 200 and / or at least one such 100 clock mechanism.

L'invention est naturellement applicable à d'autres mécanismes horlogers que le mécanisme d'échappement décrit ici et qui représente un cas exemplaire, particulièrement avantageux, d'application de l'invention.The invention is naturally applicable to other clock mechanisms that the escape mechanism described here and which represents an exemplary case, particularly advantageous, application of the invention.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de réalisation d'un tel mécanisme 100 d'horlogerie. Selon l'invention :

  • on réalise un tel premier composant 2 et, ou bien on le revêt d'une première couche de frottement 20 dans un matériau pris dans ledit premier groupe, ou bien on le réalise de façon massive dans un matériau pris dans ledit premier groupe ;
  • on réalise un tel deuxième composant 3 et, ou bien on le revêt d'une couche superficielle 30 de frottement constituée par une céramique contenant du bore, ou comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore, ou bien on le réalise de façon massive dans un matériau comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore ;
  • on fait coopérer à sec, sans lubrifiant, une première surface de frottement 21 du premier composant 2, et notamment de la première couche de frottement 20 si ce premier mobile 2 est revêtu, avec une deuxième surface de frottement 31 du deuxième composant 3, et notamment de la couche superficielle 30 de frottement si ce deuxième mobile 3 est revêtu.
The invention also relates to a method for producing such a clock mechanism 100. According to the invention:
  • such a first component 2 is made and / or it is coated with a first friction layer 20 in a material taken from said first group, or it is made in a massive manner in a material taken from said first group;
  • such a second component 3 is made and / or it is coated with a friction surface layer 30 consisting of a boron-containing ceramic, or comprising at least one boron-containing ceramic, or it is carried out in a massive manner in a material comprising at least one ceramic containing boron;
  • a first friction surface 21 of the first component 2, and in particular of the first friction layer 20 is made to co-operate in the dry state, without lubricant, if this first mobile 2 is coated, with a second friction surface 31 of the second component 3, and in particular the surface layer 30 of friction if the second mobile 3 is coated.

L'invention concerne encore un procédé de transformation d'un mécanisme d'horlogerie du type comportant au moins un couple 1 de composants comportant un premier composant 2 comportant une première surface de frottement 21 agencée pour coopérer avec une deuxième surface de frottement 31 que comporte un deuxième composant 3 antagoniste. Selon l'invention :

  • on applique sur la première surface de frottement 21 une première couche de frottement 20 dans un matériau pris dans un premier groupe comportant le diamant naturel, le diamant CVD micro- ou nanocristallin, le diamant massif monocristallin, et le carbone amorphe dit « Diamond like Carbon » ou « DLC », pour constituer une nouvelle première surface de frottement dur 210, et
  • on applique sur la deuxième surface de frottement 31 une couche de frottement 30 constituée par une céramique contenant du bore, ou comportant au moins une céramique contenant du bore, pour constituer une nouvelle deuxième surface de frottement dur 310, et
  • on fait coopérer à sec, sans lubrifiant, cette nouvelle première surface de frottement dur 210 avec cette nouvelle deuxième surface de frottement dur 310.
The invention also relates to a method of transforming a clockwork mechanism of the type comprising at least one pair 1 of components comprising a first component 2 having a first friction surface 21 arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface 31 that comprises a second antagonistic component. According to the invention:
  • a first friction layer 20 is applied to the first friction surface 20 in a material taken from a first group comprising the natural diamond, the micro- or nanocrystalline CVD diamond, the monocrystalline solid diamond, and the amorphous carbon known as "Diamond like Carbon" Or "DLC", to constitute a new first hard friction surface 210, and
  • a friction layer 30 made of a boron-containing ceramic, or comprising at least one boron-containing ceramic, is applied to the second friction surface 31 to constitute a new second hard friction surface 310, and
  • this new first hard friction surface 210 is made to co-operate with this new second hard friction surface 310 without lubricant.

Claims (24)

  1. Timepiece mechanism (100) comprising at least one pair (1) of components including a first component (2) including a material taken from a first group including natural diamond, micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond, solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as diamond-like carbon or "DLC", and having a first friction surface (21) arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface (31) comprised in a second opposing component (3), characterized in that said second opposing component (3) includes, at least in said second friction surface thereof (31), a material with a high concentration of boron, greater than 10 atomic percent, and characterized in that said second component (3) includes at least one ceramic containing boron, or in the mass of said second component (3), on a surface layer (30) in which case said second component (3) is in one-piece with said surface layer (30) in a material comprised of a ceramic containing boron or containing at least one ceramic containing boron.
  2. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface layer (30) is formed exclusively by one or more ceramics containing boron.
  3. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said second component (3) is formed exclusively by one or more ceramics containing boron.
  4. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron is in a material taken from a second group including orthorhombic boride of formula: AlMgB14, orthorhombic boride of formula: Al0.75Mg0.75B14, titanium diboride (TiB2), aluminium diboride (AlB2), zirconium diboride (ZrB2), tantalum diboride (TaB2), nickel boride (NiB), vanadium triboride (VB3), silicon quadriboride (SiB4), boron carbide (B4C), polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (CBN), hexagonal boron nitride, anhydrous boric oxide (B2O3).
  5. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron is a non-oxide ceramic.
  6. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron includes an orthorhombic boride of formula: AlMgB14.
  7. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron includes an orthorhombic boride of formula: Al0.75Mg0.75B14.
  8. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron includes titanium diboride (TiB2).
  9. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron includes, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula: AlMgB14 or Al0.75Mg0.75B14, and on the other hand, titanium diboride (TiB2).
  10. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that said ceramic containing boron is aluminium-magnesium boride known as BAM and including, on the one hand, an orthorhombic boride of formula: AlMgB14, and on the other hand, titanium diboride (TiB2).
  11. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20) made of micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond.
  12. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20) and in that said second component (3) includes a surface friction layer (30), and in that said first friction layer (20) and said second friction layer (30) each have a thickness of between 100 nanometres and 10000 nanometres.
  13. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20) and in that said second component (3) includes a surface friction layer (30), and in that said first friction layer (20) and said second friction layer (30) have similar surface hardness on said first friction surface (21) and second friction surface (31).
  14. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20), and in that said first friction layer (20) is made in a substrate in a material taken from a third group including silicon, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.
  15. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said second component (3) includes a second surface friction layer (30), and in that said second friction layer (30) is made in a substrate in a material taken from a third group including silicon, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, quartz, glass.
  16. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said second component (3) includes a second surface friction layer (30), and in that said second friction layer (30) is made in a substrate in a material taken from a fourth group including carbon steels, cobalt- based superalloys, "Phynox" K13C20N16Fe15D7, "Durnico" Z2NKDT 18-05-05, Cu Be1.9, brasses, maraging steels, HIS steels.
  17. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20), and in that said first component (2) is in one-piece with said first friction layer (20) in a material taken from said first group.
  18. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said mechanism (100) is an escapement mechanism, and includes a plurality of said pairs (1), each formed on the basis, on the one hand, of a tooth of an escapement wheel set, and on the other hand, of a pallet-stone and characterized in that, either each said tooth is made of boron ceramic coated silicon and each said pallet-stone is made of CVD diamond coated silicon, or each said tooth is made of CVD diamond coated silicon and each said pallet-stone is made of boron ceramic-coated silicon or of solid boron ceramic.
  19. Timepiece mechanism (100) comprising at least one pair (1) of components including a first component (2) including a material taken from a first group including natural diamond, micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond, solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as diamond-like carbon or "DLC", and having a first friction surface (21) arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface (31) comprised in a second opposing component (3), characterized in that said second opposing component (3) includes, at least in said second friction surface (31) thereof, a material with a high concentration of boron, greater than 10 atomic percent, and characterized in that said first component (2) includes a first friction layer (20), and in that said first component (2) is in one-piece with said first friction layer (20) in a material taken from said first group.
  20. Timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the contact between said first friction surface (21) and said second friction surface (31) is a dry contact.
  21. Timepiece (200) including at least one timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20.
  22. Timepiece (300) including at least one timepiece mechanism (200) according to claim 21 and/or at least one timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20.
  23. Method for making a timepiece mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that:
    - one said first component (2) is made and coated with one said first friction layer (20) in a material taken from a first group including natural diamond, micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond, solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as diamond-like carbon or "DLC";
    - one said second component (3) is made and coated with one said surface friction layer (30) formed by a ceramic containing boron, or including at least one ceramic containing boron or a material with a concentration of boron greater than 10 atomic percent;
    - one said first friction surface (21) of said first friction layer (20) is made to cooperate in dry contact, without lubricant, with one said second friction surface (31) of said second friction layer (30).
  24. Method for transforming a timepiece mechanism of the type comprising at least one pair (1) of components including a first component (2) including a first friction surface (21) arranged to cooperate with a second friction surface (31) comprised in a second opposing component (3), characterized in that:
    - a first friction layer (20) in a material taken from a first group including natural diamond, micro- or nano-crystalline CVD diamond, solid monocrystalline diamond, and amorphous carbon known as diamond-like carbon or "DLC" is applied to said first friction surface (21) to form a new first hard friction surface (210), and
    - a surface friction layer (30), formed by a ceramic containing boron or including at least one ceramic containing boron or a material with a concentration of boron greater than 10 atomic percent, is applied to said second friction surface (31) to form a new second hard friction surface (310), and
    - said new first hard friction surface (210) is made to cooperate in dry contact, without lubricant, with said new second hard friction surface (310).
EP14168699.8A 2014-05-16 2014-05-16 Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque Active EP2945025B1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14168699.8A EP2945025B1 (en) 2014-05-16 2014-05-16 Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque
CH00747/14A CH709665A2 (en) 2014-05-16 2014-05-16 clockwork without lubrication in contact torque.
US14/707,696 US9658597B2 (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-08 Timepiece mechanism having a contact pair with no lubrication
TW104115262A TWI551963B (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-13 Timepiece mechanism having a contact pair with no lubrication
KR1020150068073A KR101700031B1 (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-15 Timepiece mechanism having a contact pair with no lubrication
JP2015099694A JP6073962B2 (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-15 Clock mechanism with non-lubricated contact pairs
CN201510250452.XA CN105093898B (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-15 Clockwork with unlubricated paired contact component
RU2015118308/12A RU2605828C1 (en) 2014-05-16 2015-05-15 Clock mechanism having contact pair without lubrication
HK16105842.1A HK1218002A1 (en) 2014-05-16 2016-05-23 Timepiece mechanism having a contact pair with no lubrication

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14168699.8A EP2945025B1 (en) 2014-05-16 2014-05-16 Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2945025A1 EP2945025A1 (en) 2015-11-18
EP2945025B1 true EP2945025B1 (en) 2018-02-07

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14168699.8A Active EP2945025B1 (en) 2014-05-16 2014-05-16 Clockwork mechanism with lubricant-free contact torque

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US9658597B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2945025B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6073962B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101700031B1 (en)
CN (1) CN105093898B (en)
CH (1) CH709665A2 (en)
HK (1) HK1218002A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2605828C1 (en)
TW (1) TWI551963B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2945025A1 (en) 2015-11-18
CH709665A2 (en) 2015-11-30
US9658597B2 (en) 2017-05-23
JP2015219242A (en) 2015-12-07
CN105093898B (en) 2017-10-03
RU2605828C1 (en) 2016-12-27
KR101700031B1 (en) 2017-01-26
CN105093898A (en) 2015-11-25
TW201606459A (en) 2016-02-16
TWI551963B (en) 2016-10-01
HK1218002A1 (en) 2017-01-27
KR20150132024A (en) 2015-11-25
JP6073962B2 (en) 2017-02-01
US20150331391A1 (en) 2015-11-19

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