EP2998800A2 - Timepiece component with flexible pivot - Google Patents

Abstract

Watch component with flexible pivot (1), comprising a first monolithic part (9) defining a first rigid part (11) and a second rigid part (12) connected by at least one first elastic blade (7), and a second monolithic part (10) defining a third rigid portion (13) and a fourth rigid portion (14) connected by at least one second resilient blade (8), and in that the first and second monolithic pieces (9, 10) are assembled together; to one another so that the first and third rigid portions (11, 13) are integral with each other, the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) are integral with each other , and the first and second resilient blades (7, 8) intersect without contact and define a virtual axis of rotation (5) for the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) with respect to the first and third rigid portions (11, 13).

Description

The present invention relates to a watch component with a flexible pivot.

Flexible pivot watch components have been proposed in the documents EP 2645189 , EP 2037335 , WO 2011/120180 and WO 2012/010408 . The components proposed in these documents are essentially exhaust anchors and oscillators. They are pivotable around a virtual axis defined by an elastic member. The advantage of such a flexible pivot is that it eliminates friction and pivoting games.

The flexible pivoting clock components known to date most often use flexible pivots with fairly high stiffness, which require a significant amount of energy to rotate the component. However, in some parts of a watch movement, little energy is available to move the various components.

Flexible pivots with separate crossed blades, known for their low stiffness, are described in the documents GB 422862 and EP 2645189 , but the proposed achievements are either difficult to implement or lack compactness.

• une première pièce monolithique définissant une première partie rigide et une deuxième partie rigide reliées par au moins une première lame élastique, et
• une deuxième pièce monolithique définissant une troisième partie rigide et une quatrième partie rigide reliées par au moins une deuxième lame élastique,
  et en ce que les première et deuxième pièces monolithiques sont assemblées l'une à l'autre de telle sorte que :
• les première et troisième parties rigides soient solidaires l'une de l'autre,
• les deuxième et quatrième parties rigides soient solidaires l'une de l'autre, et
• ladite au moins une première lame élastique et ladite au moins une deuxième lame élastique se croisent sans contact et définissent un axe de rotation virtuel pour les deuxième et quatrième parties rigides par rapport aux première et troisième parties rigides.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a flexible pivoting watch component, characterized in that it comprises:

• a first monolithic part defining a first rigid portion and a second rigid portion connected by at least one first elastic blade, and
• a second monolithic part defining a third rigid part and a fourth rigid part connected by at least one second elastic blade,
  and in that the first and second monolithic parts are assembled to one another so that:
• the first and third rigid parts are integral with one another,
• the second and fourth rigid parts are integral with each other, and
• said at least one first resilient blade and said at least one second resilient blade intersect without contact and define a virtual axis of rotation for the second and fourth rigid portions with respect to the first and third rigid portions.

In a particular embodiment, the first and second monolithic pieces are flat and superimposed.

Preferably, the first and third rigid portions form a central or inner portion of the watch component and the second and fourth rigid portions form a peripheral portion of the watch component.

Said peripheral portion may completely or nearly completely surround the central or inner portion.

The first and third rigid parts may form a fixing portion of the watch component, for mounting the watch component on a support.

Advantageously, the first rigid portion extends at least partially outside the plane of the second rigid portion to allow its attachment to a support without contact between the support and the second and fourth parts.

Preferably, the assembly formed by the second and fourth rigid parts is arranged to abut against the assembly formed by the first and third rigid parts during a rotation of the second and fourth rigid parts relative to the first and third rigid parts. , in order to limit the deformation of said at least one first elastic blade and said at least one second elastic blade and prevent their elastic limit can be exceeded.

The watch component according to the invention may comprise at least one guiding or fastening element integral with the second and fourth rigid parts and intended to guide or fix an additional element.

This guiding or fixing element may be a bearing intended to guide the rotation of a movable element about an axis distinct from the virtual axis of rotation and substantially parallel thereto.

In embodiments, the at least one first elastic blade and the at least one second elastic blade are located entirely in different planes substantially perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation.

In other embodiments, at least a portion of said at least one first elastic blade is in the same plane, substantially perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation, at least a portion of said at least one second elastic blade. .

Advantageously, the watch component according to the invention may comprise a third monolithic piece defining fifth and sixth rigid parts respectively integral with the first and second rigid parts and connected by at least one third elastic blade, said at least one third elastic blade defining with said at least one first elastic blade and said at least one second blade elastic the virtual axis of rotation.

The watch component according to the invention may further comprise a fourth monolithic piece defining seventh and eighth rigid parts secured respectively to the first and second rigid parts and connected by at least a fourth elastic blade, said at least one third elastic blade and said at least one fourth elastic blade intersecting without contact and defining with said at least one first elastic blade and said at least one second elastic blade the virtual axis of rotation.

In particular applications of the invention, the watch component is, or includes, a flip-flop, such as a clutch rocker carrying a clutch wheel, a lever, an oscillator or an escapement anchor.

• les figures 1 à 3 montrent respectivement en vue de dessus, en perspective de dessus et en perspective de dessous un composant horloger selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 4 à 6 montrent respectivement en vue de dessus, en perspective de dessus et en perspective de dessous une première pièce faisant partie du composant horloger illustré aux figures 1 à 3 ;
• les figures 7 à 9 montrent respectivement en vue de dessus, en perspective de dessus et en perspective de dessous une deuxième pièce faisant partie du composant horloger illustré aux figures 1 à 3 ;
• la figure 10 montre en perspective un composant horloger selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 11 et 12 montrent des variantes du composant horloger illustré à la figure 10 ;
• les figures 13 à 17 montrent en perspective des composants horlogers ou parties de composants horlogers selon des variantes de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the Figures 1 to 3 respectively show in top view, in perspective from above and in perspective from below a clock component according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 4 to 6 respectively show in plan view, in perspective from above and in perspective from below a first piece forming part of the watch component illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 ;
• the Figures 7 to 9 respectively show in plan view, in perspective from above and in perspective from below a second piece forming part of the watch component illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 ;
• the figure 10 perspective watch a watch component according to another embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 11 and 12 show variations of the watch component illustrated in the figure 10 ;
• the Figures 13 to 17 show in perspective watch components or parts of watch components according to variants of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 , a flexible pivoting watch component 1 according to a particular embodiment of the invention comprises a central fixing portion 2 and a mobile peripheral portion 3, both rigid. The mobile peripheral portion 3 surrounds the central fixing portion 2. The central fixing portion 2 serves to mount the watch component 1 on a support 4 (shown schematically), which support may be fixed (for example the plate of a movement) or mobile. The mobile peripheral portion 3 is pivotable relative to the central fixing portion 2 and the support 4 about a virtual axis of rotation 5 defined by an elastic member.

In the example illustrated, the watch component 1 is a rocker, more specifically a clutch rocker carrying a clutch wheel (not shown). The clutch wheel pivots about an axis 6 which is parallel to the virtual axis of rotation 5 but distinct from the latter. This clutch rocker is intended to be used, for example, in a chronograph mechanism.

The elastic member defining the virtual axis of rotation 5 comprises two elastic strips 7, 8 called "separate crossed". These two blades 7, 8 intersect in two different planes parallel to the plane of the component 1 (that is to say on the plane of the figure 1 ). Contrary to so-called "non-separated cross-slide" systems, the two blades 7, 8 do not physically cross each other. This arrangement of the blades 7, 8 decreases by a factor of 4 the stiffness of the elastic member relative to non-separated cross-slide systems. The virtual axis of rotation substantially corresponds to the straight line which is perpendicular to the plane of the component 1 and which passes through the two blades 7, 8. This virtual axis of rotation is not completely fixed during the movements of the mobile peripheral part. 3. It is known in theory that there is a parasitic translation of the axis of rotation which increases with the angle of rotation. This parasitic translation can be canceled by an arrangement of known blades or elastic parts, for example that described in the patent application. WO 2011/120180 .

Thus, the mobile peripheral portion 3 can pivot around the virtual axis of rotation 5 without friction and without play. The height of the blades 7, 8 is large enough so that the stiffness of the elastic member is very high perpendicular to the plane of the component 1. In this way, in the case of the clutch rocker illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 component 1 does not tilt under the effect of the weight of the clutch wheel. This is an advantage over conventional clutch rockers mounted around a physical axis. Due to the games in the bearings of the physical axis, these conventional clutch rockers indeed have a tendency to incline relative to the horizontal, which can prevent the clutch wheel from properly exerting its function. meshing.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 , the watch component 1 comprises two monolithic parts 9, 10 assembled to one another. The parts 9, 10 are flat and superimposed in the direction of the virtual axis of rotation 5. The lower part 9 (cf. Figures 4 to 6 ) comprises a central portion 11 and a peripheral portion 12 connected to each other by the elastic blade 7. The central portion 11 is lower than the peripheral portion 12, or comprises a portion which extends below the plane of the peripheral portion 12, to be able to rest on the support 4 leaving the peripheral portion 12 without contact with the support 4. As a variant, the support 4 may comprise an elevated part on which the central part 11 of the lower part 9 can rest to avoid contact between the peripheral part 12 and said support 4. The upper part 10 (cf. Figures 7 to 9 ) comprises a central portion 13 and a peripheral portion 14 connected to each other by the elastic blade 8. The central portion 13 has a greater thickness than the peripheral portion 14, or comprises a portion which extends beyond below the plane of the peripheral portion 14, to engage in the central opening of the peripheral portion 12 and against the central portion 11 of the lower part 9. The central portion 11 and the peripheral portion 12 of the lower part 9 have the same shape as the central portion 13 and the peripheral portion 14 of the upper piece 10, respectively. The lower and upper parts 9, 10 can thus be pressed against each other to form the component 1. The lower part 9, however, has an extension 15 which forms a bearing receiving a stone 16 in which pivots a first pivot of the clutch wheel shaft. Alternatively, this extension 15 which receives the stone 16 could be part of the upper part 10.

The peripheral portions 12, 14 each define two lugs 17, 18 each pierced with a hole. The hole in each ear 17 of the lower piece 9 is aligned with the corresponding ear hole 18 of the upper piece 10 but has a smaller diameter. Tubes 19 are driven into the holes of the lugs 17 of the lower part 9 and are received in the holes of the lugs 18 of the upper part 10 so as to position and secure in rotation the two parts 9, 10 relative to each other. the other. The tubes 19 are threaded to allow the screwing of a bridge on the component 1, bridge which comprises the bearing for the second pivot of the shaft of the clutch wheel. The central portion 11 of the lower piece 9 is pierced with holes 20 which are aligned with corresponding holes 21 of the part 13 of the upper part 10. These holes 20, 21 allow pins fixed to the support 4 to pass through the lower and upper parts 9, 10 to position the component 1 on the support 4. Another hole 22 of the lower part 9 aligned with a hole 23 of the upper part 10 allows a screw to pass through the lower and upper parts 9, 10. This screw is screwed into the support 4 and plates the component 1 against said support 4.

It can thus be seen that the lower and upper parts 9, 10 are fixed to each other axially by being fastened together to the support 4. In a variant, the parts 9, 10 could be directly attached to each other , for example by gluing or welding, before being mounted on the support 4.

Thus assembled, the lower and upper parts 9, 10 have their respective central parts 11, 13 which are integral to form together the central fixing portion 2 of the component 1 and their peripheral parts 12, 14 which are integral to form together the peripheral part mobile 3 of component 1.

As visible at figure 1 , the empty space 24 between the central fixing part 2 and the surrounding mobile peripheral part 3 has a width I which allows the mobile peripheral part 3 to be rotated relative to the central fixing part 2 in a certain range. . From a certain amplitude of rotation, in one direction or in the other, the mobile peripheral portion 3 abuts against the central fixing portion 2 to limit the deformation of the elastic strips 7, 8. The width I is chosen sufficiently small so that the elastic limit of the blades 7, 8 can not be exceeded. Thus, the blades 7, 8 can not deform plastically or break. In a variant, to limit the deformation of the elastic strips 7, 8, it is possible to provide an abutment fixed to the support 4 and against which the mobile peripheral part 3 could be supported.

The lower and upper parts 9, 10 are typically made of metal, for example steel or titanium, or a metal alloy such as a nickel-based alloy, and can be obtained by wire machining, for example. They can also be produced by electroforming, for example according to the LIGA technique, in suitable materials such as gold, nickel or a nickel-based alloy such as nickel-phosphorus. The lower and upper parts 9, 10 may also be of a fragile material such as silicon and obtained by an etching technique, for example of the DRIE type. In the case of silicon parts 9, 10, electroformed metal elements may be associated with them in the silicon or at its periphery, as described in the patent application. EP 2145237 , or silicon welded, as described in the patent application EP 2579104 . Thus, for example, the watch component may comprise two silicon monolithic parts each defining two rigid parts connected by an elastic blade, and the rigid parts or one of them may be connected to complementary rigid metal parts serving by example of fixing parts.

With its two assembled parts 9, 10, each comprising one of the elastic blades 7, 9, the watch component 1 according to the invention is relatively easy to manufacture and can have a small footprint.

The present invention could be applied to other watch components that a clutch rocker, for example to another type of rocker or lever such as a blocker, a feeler, a hammer or a corrector, to an oscillator serving time base (that is to say fulfilling the function of a sprung balance) or an escape anchor. In the case of a rocker, it could carry another element that a wheel, for example a finger or ratchet, mounted fixed or pivoting on the rocker. The rocker could also carry several different elements.

The functions of the central portion 2 and peripheral 3 could be reversed. Thus, the peripheral portion 3 could be a fixing part for mounting the watch component on a support, while the central portion 2 could be an active part, movable relative to the support.

The number of separate crossed elastic blades 7, 8 may be greater than two. In other words, the watch component 1 could comprise three, four or more superimposed monolithic pieces of the type of the parts 7, 11, 12 and 8, 13, 14, in particular to increase the stiffness, perpendicular to the plane of the component, of the elastic member defining the virtual axis of rotation 5. By way of example, the figure 10 shows an oscillator 25 for performing the function of a balance-spring, comprising four assembled monolithic parts 26, 27, 28, 29 together forming an inner fixing portion 30, a movable peripheral portion 31 and two elastic members 32, 33 connecting the inner fixing part 30 and the moving peripheral part 31. In the illustrated example, the mobile peripheral part 31 has an annular shape and the inner fixing part 30 has an annular arc shape concentric with the mobile peripheral part 31. The mobile peripheral portion 31 acts as an oscillating piece of inertia (pendulum) while the elastic members 32, 33 play the role of the hairspring. The elastic members 32, 33 are superimposed and define an axis of rotation Z for the balance. Each resilient member 32, 33 comprises two separate crossed blades 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b which connect the fixing portion 30 and the mobile peripheral portion 31. Spacers 34, 35 can separate the monolithic pieces 26, 27 from the monolithic pieces 28, 29.

Thanks to its superimposed elastic members 32, 33, this clock component 25 has a low rigidity in the direction of rotation Rz about the Z axis, but a very high rigidity in the rotation directions Rx, Ry around X axes, Y perpendicular to the Z axis, as well as a very high translational stiffness along the X, Y and Z axes.

Many modifications of the oscillator 25 are possible. For example, the figure 11 shows an oscillator 25 'which differs from the oscillator 25 in that the monolithic pieces 28, 29 have been inverted to change the relative vertical position of the blades 33a, 33b. The figure 12 shows an oscillator 25 "which differs from the oscillator 25 in that the monolithic parts 28, 29 have been rotated 180 ° with respect to the monolithic parts 26, 27, the oscillator 25" thus comprising two inner fixing parts 30a, 30b diametrically opposed and defined respectively by the monolithic parts 26, 27 and by the monolithic parts 28, 29. The monolithic parts 28, 29 can also be rotated relative to each other. to the monolithic parts 26, 27 of an angle different from 180 ° so that, at rest, the elastic blades 32a and 33a, respectively 32b and 33b, are not in the same vertical plane, unlike the examples of the Figures 10 to 12 where they are aligned.

Other modifications of the oscillator 25 may be to change the shape of the inner fixing portion 30 and the movable peripheral portion 31. For example, the inner fixing portion 30 could be a central portion such as the central portion 2 of the Figures 1 to 3 , and the mobile peripheral portion 31 could be an interrupted ring.

Moreover, it goes without saying that the principle illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 to increase the stiffness of the component in directions other than the direction of rotation about the Z axis can be applied to other components than an oscillator.

The present invention is also not limited to monolithic parts each having a single elastic blade. The figure 13 shows a watch component (such as an oscillator) or a part of a watch component, each monolithic piece of which comprises two elastic strips 36, 37, respectively 38, 39, which are parallel (as shown) or non-parallel. The figure 14 shows another watch component or part of a watch component of which each monolithic piece comprises two elastic strips 40, 41, respectively 42, 43, which are parallel (as shown) or non-parallel.

Finally, the elastic blades of the different monolithic pieces are not necessarily located in different planes, the essential being that they intersect in a non-physical way, that is to say without contact. The Figures 15 to 17 show elastic blades of two respective monolithic pieces intersecting without contact while they are generally in the same plane. To the figure 15 , the elastic blades 44, 45 are in the same plane but have notches 46, 47 to allow their crossing. To the figure 16 each elastic blade 48, 49 leaves its plane before crossing the blades 48, 49 and then returns to its plane after crossing. To the figure 17 each elastic blade 50, 51 change of plane before the crossing of the blades. Of course, many other configurations are possible in which at least part of each elastic blade is in the same plane as at least part of the other blade. This type of configuration has the advantage of making the component more compact.

Claims (15)

Clock component with flexible pivot, characterized in that it comprises: a first monolithic part (9) defining a first rigid portion (11) and a second rigid portion (12) connected by at least one first elastic blade (7), and a second monolithic part (10) defining a third rigid portion (13) and a fourth rigid portion (14) connected by at least one second elastic blade (8), and in that the first and second monolithic parts (9, 10) are assembled to one another so that: the first and third rigid parts (11, 13) are integral with one another, the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) are integral with one another, and said at least one first elastic blade (7) and said at least one second elastic blade (8) intersect without contact and define a virtual axis of rotation (5) for the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) relative to each other; at the first and third rigid portions (11, 13). Watch component according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second monolithic parts (9, 10) are flat and superimposed. Timepiece component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and third rigid portions (11, 13) form a central or inner portion (2) of the timepiece component and in that the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14 ) form a peripheral part (3) of the watch component. Watch component according to Claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral part (3) completely or almost completely surrounds the central or inner part (2). Watch component according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and third rigid parts (11, 13) form a fastening part (2) of the watch component for mounting the watch component on a support ( 4). Watchmaking component according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first rigid part (11) extends at least partially outside the plane of the second rigid part (12) to allow it to be fixed on a support ( 4) without contact between the support (4) and the second and fourth parts (12, 14). Watchmaking component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the assembly formed by the second and fourth rigid parts (12, 14) is arranged to be able to abut against the assembly formed by the first and third rigid parts (11, 13) during a rotation of the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) with respect to the first and third rigid portions (11, 13), in order to limit the deformation of said at least one first elastic blade (7 ) and said at least one second elastic blade (8) and prevent their elastic limit can be exceeded. Watch component according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one guiding element or fastener (15, 16) secured to the second and fourth rigid portions (12, 14) and for guiding or securing an additional member. Watch component according to Claim 8, characterized in that the guide or fixing element is a bearing (15, 16) intended to guide the rotation of a movable element about a shaft (6) which is distinct from the axis virtual rotation (5) and substantially parallel thereto. Watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said at least one first elastic blade (7) and said at least one second elastic blade (8) are located entirely in different planes substantially perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation (5). Watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least a portion of said at least one first elastic blade (44; 48; 50) is in the same plane, substantially perpendicular to the axis of virtual rotation, that at least part of said at least one second elastic blade (45; 49; 51). Watch component according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a third monolithic part (28) defining fifth and sixth rigid parts integral respectively with the first and second rigid parts and connected by at least one third blade elastic member (33a), said at least one third elastic blade (33a) defining with said at least one first elastic blade (32a) and said at least one second elastic blade (32b) the virtual axis of rotation (Z). Watchmaking component according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a fourth monolithic part (29) defining seventh and eighth rigid parts secured respectively to the first and second rigid parts and connected by at least a fourth elastic blade (33b), said at least one third elastic blade (33a) and said at least one fourth elastic blade (33b) intersecting without contact and defining with said at least one first elastic blade (32a) and said at least one second elastic blade (32b) virtual rotation axis (Z). Watchmaking component according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is, or comprises, a rocker, lever, oscillator or escapement anchor. Watch component according to claim 14, characterized in that it is, or comprises, a clutch rocker carrying a clutch wheel.

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