EP2976682A1

EP2976682A1 - Anchor for a timepiece escapement mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP2976682A1
Application number: EP14710218.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc Stranczl; Thierry Hessler; Jean-Luc Helfer
Original assignee: Nivarox Far SA; Nivarox SA
Current assignee: Nivarox Far SA; Nivarox SA
Priority date: 2013-03-19
Filing date: 2014-03-06
Publication date: 2016-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-06
Also published as: EP2781966B1; EP2781966A1; WO2014146908A1; RU2015144671A; RU2645560C2; JP2016505151A; US9551976B2; US20150355599A1; CN104937500A; HK1215311A1; KR20150110709A; CN104937500B; EP2976682B1; JP6014778B2; KR101816373B1

Abstract

An intermittent blocking mechanism (6) for intermittently blocking at least one escape wheel (5), said intermittent blocking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulator (4) or balance wheel (41) which is driven in reciprocating motion under the action of elastic return means (7), said intermittent blocking mechanism (6) being pivoted in at least one lower plate (2). Said intermittent blocking mechanism (6) forms a non-detachable integral component (20) with said lower plate (2). Said intermittent blocking mechanism (6) comprises at least one anchor (61) integral with said plate (2), to which it is linked by elastic return means (65).

Description

Clockwork Exhaust Mechanism Anchor Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mechanism for intermittently locking at least one escape wheel, said intermittent locking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or a rocker which is reciprocated under the action of at least one a spiral spring or an alternative elastic return means, said intermittent locking mechanism being pivoted in at least one lower plate.

The invention also relates to an escape mechanism comprising at least one such intermittent locking mechanism.

The invention further relates to a mechanical clockwork comprising at least one such escape mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms, and more particularly to movements incorporating ready-to-use functional modules. In particular, the invention relates to the distribution of energy in an exhaust mechanism.

Background of the invention

The use of modular assemblies allows the realization of product families, using a common base, and each customized by different options or functionalities, including complications in the case of a mechanical watch movement.

The design of modules or cassettes of very high precision makes it possible to combine mass production with quality products.

Modular subsets of watch movements are thus known from the patent applications EP1 1 193173.9 and EP1 1 193174.7 in the name of ETA SA. The mechanical modules described in these applications are pre-set and assembled irreversibly to ensure the durability of their adjustments.

However, in a conventional embodiment, the modules do not always allow the reduction of the number of components, which can allow both a lowering of the cost of production, and a simplification of the range assembly, allowing average technical personnel to assemble and adjust the most complex functions, as is the one relating to the distribution of energy in an exhaust mechanism.

The document WO 201 1/120180 A1 in the name of ROLEX describes a locking mechanism for a toothed wheel, comprising an anchor, a plate and elastic return means, which constitute a planar monoblock assembly, in the plane of a wheel. exhaust.

Summary of the invention

Also, the invention proposes to provide modules with reduced number of components, and assembly and adjustment of average complexity.

The present invention uses for this purpose the new micro-component manufacturing technologies, MEMS, "LIGA", lithography, and the like, to optimize the manufacture of such modules, presented here as cassettes. These cassettes may, as the case may be assembled together irreversibly as in the two applications above, or be positioned and assembled in a conventional manner.

The invention proposes to facilitate the easy integration, in a modular construction, of an intermittent locking mechanism of exhaust mechanism, or of a complete exhaust mechanism.

To this end, the invention relates to an intermittent locking mechanism of at least one escape wheel, said intermittent locking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or a balance which is reciprocated under the action at least one spiral spring or a reciprocating elastic return means, said intermittent locking mechanism being pivoted in at least one lower plate, characterized in that said intermittent locking mechanism forms a single-piece component which can not be dismounted with said lower plate, which still forms a monolithic component with a first bearing of said escape wheel and with a second pivot bearing of said regulator member or said balance, said first bearing and said second bearing being spaced apart by a fixed distance, and said intermittent locking mechanism pivoting about a virtual axis whose theoretical position is defined with reference to the dudi positions t first landing and said second landing. According to a characteristic of the invention, said intermittent locking mechanism comprises at least one monoblock anchor with said plate to which it is connected by elastic return means.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said anchor comprises an upper part carrying pallets, horns and a dart, and which is attached and fixed on a lower part which is in the plane of said plate to which it is connected by resilient return means which are also in the plane of said platen.

The fact of making monolithic components, and in particular with the plate or bridges, has the advantage of reducing the number of parts, avoid assembly problems. The invention benefits from the precision of realization of these monolithic components (typically, the parts are for example made of silicon and thus benefit from a micrometric precision).

The monolithic cassette has the main advantage of guaranteeing the distances and forming a mechanism, particularly an oscillator in a preferred application, ready to use.

The invention integrates in particular flexible guides, the advantages of which are:

- guaranteed accuracy;

a level of friction that is very small or even nil;

the absence of hysteresis in the movements, because of the absence of friction or at least of their extremely reduced level;

- lack of lubrication;

- the lack of play;

- no wear.

Their manufacture induces limitations, including a limited displacement stroke, low return forces, and a limited load. However, these limitations are not prohibitive for many horological functions, particularly those relating to regulation. These limitations are largely offset by the high accuracy of the centers, the small number of components to achieve and therefore reduced complexity and assembly time. A cassette according to the invention has a great industrial advantage: the mechanism, in particular an oscillator, in a cassette forms a component ready to mount in a movement. Nothing prohibits, moreover, to design an entire movement in the form of a cassette according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

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

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an exhaust mechanism according to the invention, comprising an intermittent locking mechanism according to the invention comprising an anchor, arranged between a plate and a bridge, and cooperating with FIG. , on one side with an escape wheel, and on the other side with a balance spring-biased, and where the anchor is made integrally with a plate to which it is connected by means of integrated elastic back;

- Figure 2 shows, similarly to Figure 1, a variant where such an anchor has a foot in the plane of the plate, and these integrated elastic return means;

- Figure 3 shows, similarly to Figure 2, a variant where an anchor itself is reported on such a foot;

- Figure 4 shows, similarly to Figure 1, a variant where such an anchor is in the plane of the plate, and comprises excrescences such as dart, horns, and paddles, at least one upper level;

- Figure 5 shows, similarly to Figure 1, a variant where an anchor is pivoted at one of its ends in the plate, and at the other end thereof in a bearing holder substantially at the bridge and connected to the plate by a cross;

- Figure 6 shows, similarly to Figure 1, a variant where an anchor is rotated within the grip of the balance beam;

FIG. 7 represents, in plan view, a monolithic assembly comprising means for adjusting in position a component also integrated in this assembly, these adjustment means being immobilizable in position by locking means; it illustrates the adjustment of an index by elastic adjustment means comprising a comb, the locking position of the comb in a set position, and a locking mechanism controlling these locking means; the comb immobilizes the index located at the end of a flexible blade, the comb being pressed on this index by a locking spring blade itself immobilized by a locking finger;

- Figure 8 shows schematically a clockwork comprising such an exhaust mechanism.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to an intermittent locking mechanism 6 of at least one escape wheel 5. This intermittent locking mechanism cooperates with at least one regulating member 4 or a rocker arm 41, which is reciprocated under the action of at least one spiral spring or an alternative elastic return means 7. The intermittent locking mechanism 6 is pivoted in at least one lower plate 2.

According to the invention, this intermittent locking mechanism 6 forms a single-piece component that can not be dismounted with the lower plate 2.

Preferably, this bottom plate 2 still forms a monolithic component with a first bearing 51 of an escape wheel 5 and with a second bearing 52 of pivoting of this regulating member 4 or of the balance 41.

This first bearing 51 and second bearing 52 are spaced apart by a fixed distance.

And the intermittent blocking mechanism 6 pivots around a virtual axis 53, whose theoretical position is defined with reference to the positions of the first bearing 51 and the second bearing 52.

Preferably, this intermittent locking mechanism 6 comprises at least one integral anchor 61 with the plate 2, to which it is connected by elastic return means 65. In a particular variant, this anchor 61 comprises an upper portion 62 carrying pallets, horns and a stinger, and which is attached and fixed on a lower portion 63 which is in the plane of the plate 2. The lower part 63 is connected to the plate 2 by elastic return means 65 which are also in the plane of the plate 2, as visible in FIG.

In the variant of Figure 3, the anchor 61 is located between the plate 2 and a bridge 3, and comprises an upper portion 62 carrying pallets, horns and a dart in one or more parts and which is monobloc with a lower part 63 and extends above it in the direction of the bridge 3. This lower part 63 is in the plane of the plate 2, to which it is connected by elastic return means 65 which are also in the shot of platinum 2.

In the variant of Figure 2, the anchor 61 has a foot 64 in the plane of the plate 2, and these integrated elastic return means 65 which are also in the plane of the plate 2. Advantageously, the anchor 61 is monolithic with pivot points: in this figure 2, the component shown in gray is made monolithically. The anchor 61 is guided on flexible arms 65 connected to a frame / plate In accordance with the invention, pivot points are added to this frame / plate, in this case that of the wheel of FIG. The big advantage is that the center distances are very precisely defined.

And, while being monolithic, this component develops on several levels: on two substantially parallel planes for the realization of this FIG. 2. FIGS. 3 to 5 also illustrate monolithic components with several levels, with three levels for FIG.

In the variant of Figure 3, the upper portion 62 of the anchor 61 is attached to such a foot 63, and the upper portion 62 is not integral with the foot 63.

In the variant of Figure 4, the anchor is in the plane of the plate, and has protrusions 62A and 62B such that pallets and respectively dard and horns, at least one upper level.

Advantageously, this unbreakable integral component 20 comprises intrinsic elastic return means for the execution of a function of energy distribution and / or regulation and / or return and / or damping and / or locking in a setting position. In a particular arrangement, advantageous for the function of an anchor whose pivoting is not uniform, and which does not carry a uniform quantity of energy, these intrinsic elastic return means comprise at least one bistable or multistable flexible element.

FIG. 6 illustrates a variant in which the anchor 61 is pivoted inside the grip of the beam of the balance 41, and where, preferably, the entire anchor moves under the balance 41.

For adjusting and storing, in particular for a preset, at least one of the functional components that the mechanism 1 comprises, such a functional component, notably the anchor 61, or an anchor foot 64, or anchor lower part 63, or other, is adjustable in position and is immobilizable in a pre-set position by locking means.

FIG. 7 illustrates a monolithic assembly comprising adjustment means in position of a component also integrated in the mechanism 1, these adjustment means being immobilizable in position by locking means.

Thus, in a particular embodiment, at least the plate 2 comprises an adjustable mechanism in position 80 comprising a rigid carrier structure 81 (in particular constituted by the platinum plate itself), by means of at least one resilient blade 83 , an adjustable component in position 82. This adjustable component 82 carries, or the anchor 61, or an anchor foot 64, or a lower anchor 63. The mechanism 80 comprises indexing means 84 arranged to cooperate with complementary indexing means 91 that comprises an adjustment mechanism 90. These complementary indexing means 91 are detachably mounted indexing means 84, and are biocable in the cooperation position by a locking mechanism 94 fixed elastically to the structure 81.

The locking mechanism 94 is itself subjected to the action of a locking mechanism 98 which allows it to occupy, or a disengaged position in which the adjustment mechanism 90 is free, or an engaged position in which the The locking mechanism 94 obstructs the adjustment mechanism 90. This locking mechanism is also fixed elastically to the structure 81.

Thus, advantageously, at least one unbreakable integral component 20 comprises an adjustable mechanism in position 80 comprising a rigid structure 81. This rigid structure 81, in particular the plate 2, carries, via less an elastic blade 83, such a component adjustable in position 82 having indexing means 84 arranged to cooperate with complementary indexing means 91 that includes a control mechanism 90, said complementary indexing means 91 being mounted disengageable indexing means 84 and being biocable in the cooperation position by a locking mechanism 94 resiliently fastened to said structure81, said locking mechanism 94 itself being subjected to the action of a locking mechanism 98 which allows it to occupy, or a disengaged position in which said adjustment mechanism 90 is free, or an engaged position in which said locking mechanism 94 obstructs said adjustment mechanism 90, said locking mechanism 98 also being resiliently fixed to said structure 81.

This combination mechanism for adjusting, locking and locking is also applicable to a wide variety of applications: positioning a bearing, a stop, or other.

The design of mechanisms 1 according to the invention comprising unmountable monoblock components 20 further makes it possible to optimize the pivoting of the various mobiles, and, as required, to ensure their parallelism, or conversely to move at least one end of a mobile shaft to modify a setting micrometrically.

The action on the pivot points allows, in particular, to adjust the distance between mobile to adjust the penetration of the teeth and / or lifted. Adjustment of the center distance can be achieved monolithically with the deck or bridge. This principle of adjustment of the distances is valid for all the distances in a movement.

In an advantageous embodiment, the intermittent blocking mechanism 6 according to the invention, the plate 2 is integral with stroke limiting stops of the intermittent locking mechanism 6. In general, this incorporation of limiting elements, whether in the plate 2, the bridge 3, or another integral component unbreakable 20, is an advantage of the invention.

In particular, the unbreakable integral component 20 is made of silicon, and the intrinsic elastic return means of the unbreakable integral component 20 are prestressed in an oxidized state of silicon.

In an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism 1 is made of silicon. The pivot points are defined, for example, by engravings anisotropic (KOH) in a silicon substrate. The big advantage is the very precise positioning of the pivot points (center distance, verticality).

Anti-shock can thus be partially or completely made in the plate: the spring of the shock can be achieved in common with the plate. One of the two (or both) stones can be made in common with the plate. Pivoting is then done directly in the silicon. The pivot points can be made directly in silicon with surface coatings of the DLC or other type. So there is no more stone, and the rotation points are positioned very precisely.

In a particular embodiment, the unbreakable integral component 20 comprises breakable elements, intended to facilitate assembly in an upper assembly, it is sufficient to then break these breakable elements to give one or more degrees of freedom to some of its constituents.

In an advantageous embodiment of the cassette 1 according to the invention, the unbreakable monobloc component 20 is made of micro-machinable material, or silicon, or oxidized silicon, and the intrinsic elastic return means of the unbreakable monobloc component 20 are prestressed in an oxidized state of silicon. Other materials according to MEMS or "LIGA" technologies can be implemented. Quartz, DLC, at least partially amorphous materials, metallic glasses, can, and not exclusively, be used for these applications.

A particular structuring of the plate 2, or / and the bridge 3, and / or unbreakable monoblock components 20, may make it possible to compensate for the effects of the expansion of these structural elements, or the components of the mechanism of the cassette 1. It is for example possible to make the silicon board, then to oxidize it, in order to work coherently.

The invention also relates to an escape mechanism 200 comprising at least one such intermittent blocking mechanism 6.

In a particular embodiment, only the escape wheel and the rocker arm are independent components, the rest of the escapement mechanism 200 constituting such an unbreakable monoblock component 20.

The invention also relates to a mechanical clockwork movement 100 comprising at least one such escapement mechanism 200.

Claims

R EVE NDI CATI ON S

1. Intermittent locking means (6) of at least one escape wheel (5), said intermittent locking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member (4) or a rocker (41) which is reciprocated under the action of at least one spiral spring or an alternating elastic return means (7), said intermittent locking mechanism (6) being pivoted in at least one lower plate (2), characterized in that said locking mechanism intermittent (6) forms a non-removable integral component (20) with said bottom plate (2) which further forms a monolithic component with a first bearing (51) of said escape wheel (5) and with a second bearing (52) of pivoting said regulator member (4) or balance (41), said first bearing (51) and said second bearing (52) being spaced apart by a fixed distance, and said intermittent locking mechanism (6) pivoting about an axis virtual reality (53) whose theoretical position e is defined with reference to the positions of said first bearing (51) and said second bearing (52).

2. intermittent locking mechanism (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermittent locking mechanism (6) comprises at least one anchor (61) integral with said plate (2) to which it is connected by means of elastic return (65).

3. Intermittent locking mechanism (6) according to claim 2, characterized in that said anchor (61) comprises an upper portion (62) bearing pallets, horns and a sting, and which is attached and fixed on a lower part (63) which is in the plane of said plate (2) to which it is connected by elastic return means (65) which are also in the plane of said plate (2).

4. Intermittent locking mechanism (6) according to claim 2, characterized in that said anchor (61) is located between said plate (2) and a bridge (3), and comprises an upper portion (62) carrying pallets, of horns and a stinger in one or more parts (62A; 62B), and which is integral with and extends above a lower part (63) towards said bridge (3), which lower part (63) is in the plane of said plate (2) to which it is connected by elastic return means (65) which are also in the plane of said plate (2).

5. Intermittent blocking mechanism (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said integral component piece (20) comprises intrinsic elastic return means for performing a power distribution function or / and regulating and / or returning or / and damping or / and locking in a setting position.

6. Intermittent blocking mechanism (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said intrinsic elastic return means comprise at least one bistable or multistable flexible element.

Intermittent blocking mechanism (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the functional components that it comprises is adjustable in position and is immobilizable in a pre-set position by locking means. .

8. Intermittent blocking mechanism (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one said unbreakable integral component (20) comprises a mechanism adjustable in position (80) having a rigid structure (81) carrier, via at least one resilient blade (83), a positionally adjustable component (82) having indexing means (84) arranged to cooperate with complementary indexing means (91) provided by an adjusting mechanism ( 90), said complementary indexing means (91) being detachably mounted on the indexing means (84) and being biocable in the cooperation position by a locking mechanism (94) elastically fixed to said structure (81), said blocking mechanism ( 94) being itself subjected to the action of a locking mechanism (98) which allows it to occupy, or a disengaged position in which said adjustment mechanism (90) is free, or a position engaged insaid blocking mechanism (94) interferes with said adjustment mechanism (90), said locking mechanism (98) being also resiliently secured to said structure (81).

9. intermittent locking mechanism (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate (2) is integral with stroke limiting stops of said intermittent locking mechanism (6).

10. Intermittent blocking mechanism (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said integral component unbreakable (20) is made of silicon, and said intrinsic elastic return means of said non-removable integral component (20) are prestressed in an oxidized state of said silicon.

11. Exhaust mechanism (200) comprising at least one intermittent locking mechanism (6) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Mechanical clockwork (100) comprising at least one exhaust mechanism (200) according to the preceding claim.