EP3226082B1 - Timepiece movement component - Google Patents

Timepiece movement component Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3226082B1
EP3226082B1 EP17164652.4A EP17164652A EP3226082B1 EP 3226082 B1 EP3226082 B1 EP 3226082B1 EP 17164652 A EP17164652 A EP 17164652A EP 3226082 B1 EP3226082 B1 EP 3226082B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vitroceramic
component
timepiece movement
movement component
glass
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP17164652.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3226082A1 (en
Inventor
Nicolas Yoakim
Gregory Bruttin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Richemont International SA
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Richemont International SA
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Publication of EP3226082A1 publication Critical patent/EP3226082A1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B29/00—Frameworks
    • G04B29/02—Plates; Bridges; Cocks
    • G04B29/027—Materials and manufacturing
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon
    • G04B17/285—Tourbillons or carrousels
    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • 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
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
    • G04B21/06—Details of striking mechanisms, e.g. hammer, fan governor
    • 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
    • G04B23/00—Arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times
    • G04B23/02—Alarm clocks
    • G04B23/06—Alarm clocks adjustable for several preselected times with automatic stopping of the signal
    • 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
    • G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
    • G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
    • G04B5/16—Construction of the weights

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece movement component.
  • watch movement components are made of metal alloys which often have disadvantages, in particular internal stresses following shaping operations, a tendency to oxidation, limited hardness for certain alloys which must be compensated for by treatments subsequent to the machining steps, a certain sensitivity to wear, tribological characteristics requiring the use of lubricants, a high density resulting in significant inertia of the moving parts, and in certain cases, a sensitivity to magnetic fields which can disrupt the functioning of a watch movement.
  • ceramics most often require sintering and firing operations with an anisotropic withdrawal of the material. These methods also further limit the additional operations brought to the material, such as subsequent decoration or machining operations, these being only possible with specific tools, due in particular to the hardness and the brittleness of the material. material.
  • DRIE etching deep etching
  • the components produced in this family of materials have a certain brittleness and are brittle. Their assembly with other components also require special measures. Indeed, conventional assemblies such as driving or screwing are difficult to apply to components made of such materials.
  • glasses have seen their use spread following the development of hybrid production technologies, often involving the exposure of the material to a light wavelength and the etching of this irradiated area in an appropriate environment.
  • standard glasses like “fused silicate” (or quartz glass) or borosilicate, in the case of etching by exposure to a femtosecond laser.
  • the exposure and chemical attack times, the equipment required as well as the geometries that can be achieved to date greatly limit the use of such technologies.
  • the document DE102006059274 discloses the manufacture of a glass ceramic watch component.
  • An object of the invention is to overcome, at least in part, these drawbacks and to produce a timepiece movement component obtained by conventional machining techniques and having advantageous mechanical properties.
  • watch components made of such materials are particularly difficult to decorate. Indeed, to be decorated, they require complicated treatments.
  • the decoration of such watch components is sometimes essential, especially when it comes to display components.
  • Another object of the invention is therefore to obtain a decorated timepiece component which is easy to manufacture, that is to say a timepiece component comprising a localized modification of some of its optical properties which is achievable using easily reproducible treatments.
  • the subject of the invention is a timepiece movement component according to claim 1 and a method of manufacturing a timepiece component according to claim 9.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention comprises a glass ceramic, said glass ceramic comprising a crystalline phase representing at least 50% by volume of said glass ceramic, the rest of the glass ceramic being a vitreous matrix, said crystalline phase being at least 50% mica type.
  • glass ceramic with mica structure is used to denote such a glass ceramic.
  • the vitroceramic of the timepiece movement component according to the invention further comprises at least one additional element conferring on at least one zone of the vitroceramic a color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the vitroceramic.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention comprises at least two distinct glass-ceramic zones of different colors, shades or luminescence.
  • Said at least one zone of color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the glass ceramic may advantageously be obtained by exposure or irradiation of at least part of the glass ceramic comprising said at least one additional element to a laser beam or by implantation localized of the at least one additional element, the additional element being or not previously loaded, depending on the case.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention is typically obtained by at least one step of mechanical machining by removing material from a substrate of said glass-ceramic.
  • at least 50% of these machining steps are mechanical machining steps by removing material, chosen for example from the following conventional mechanical machining techniques: turning, milling, polishing, satin finishing, mechanical engraving, drilling or cutting.
  • the glass ceramic preferably has a density of less than 3 g / cm 3 .
  • said at least one additional element comprises metal oxides such as zirconium oxide and / or aluminum oxide.
  • a movement component a watchmaker comprising such a glass ceramic comprises at least two zones with different shades. These differences in shade can be obtained under the effect of targeted exposure to a laser beam.
  • said at least one additional element comprises metal ions of one of the elements of the rare earth group, such as for example europium or erbium ions, of one of the elements of the transition metal group, for example example of yttrium ions or of an element from the group of poor metals, for example bismuth ions, the presence of such metal ions in the glass ceramic giving said at least one zone of the component a luminescence different from that of the rest of the component.
  • This difference in luminescence can be obtained under the effect of exposure of at least part of the glass ceramic comprising said at least one additional element to a laser beam or by ion implantation of the at least one additional element in charged form. .
  • a timepiece movement component comprising at least two zones with different luminescence can be obtained.
  • said at least one additional element comprises metallic elements such as gold or copper giving a different color to the component in the area in which they are present. These elements can typically be supplied to the glass-ceramic by ion implantation in said at least one zone.
  • the glass-ceramic of the timepiece component according to the invention can comprise zones of different colors or shades, these differences being obtained by selective diffusion of a tinting element in the glass-ceramic of the component.
  • a tinting element such as enamel can for example be used.
  • Other tinting agents can be used and diffused in the glass ceramic of the timepiece movement component according to the invention by increasing the temperature.
  • the timepiece movement component preferably comprises at least one cavity, which may be blind or through, hollowed out at least in part in the glass ceramic.
  • it comprises a second material filling at least partially said cavity.
  • Said second material is typically a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of glass-ceramic, a material based on metal, and / or any other material making it possible to provide an optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention can also comprise a coating in a third material, said coating covering at least part of the surface of the glass ceramic.
  • Said third material is typically a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of said glass-ceramic, a metal-based material and / or any other material making it possible to provide optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.
  • the metal-based material constituting the second and / or the third material preferably has a density greater than the density of the glass ceramic, is chosen from the family of precious metals and / or from the family of transition metals, and / or comprises at least one element chosen from a nitride, an oxide and / or a carbide of a metallic element.
  • said second and third materials are identical.
  • the timepiece movement component is typically an element constituting a draft of a movement, for example a plate, a bridge or an element of a tourbillon cage. It can also be a striking hammer, an oscillating mass rotor, a display member, a cam, in particular a reset core, a rocker, of a mobile in particular comprising at least one toothed sector, for example a toothed wheel, of a pivot or of an escapement member, said timepiece movement component being optionally openwork.
  • the openwork part is typically a skeleton-type structure.
  • the timepiece movement components according to the invention partially offer the properties of the non-metallic materials mentioned above by overcoming the production difficulties of the latter. They have in particular advantages of stability of the material, in particular the absence of the known internal stresses in metals, a density close to that of glass, a hardness higher than that of certain metals, a resistance to wear and tribological properties higher. In addition, hunting and assembly with other components are easier than with fragile materials such as ceramics and silicon.
  • a watch movement component 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 comprises a glass ceramic comprising a crystalline phase representing at least at least 50% by volume of said glass ceramic, the rest of the glass ceramic being a vitreous matrix, said crystalline phase being at least 50% of mica type.
  • the mica-type crystalline phases are at least partly in the form of lamellae.
  • the latter favor the machinability of glass ceramic with mica structure.
  • Said glass ceramic contains silicon dioxide and other elements, in part oxides, a non-limiting composition of the material further comprising the following elements: MgO, Al 2 O 3 , K 2 O, B 2 O 3 and F. Those these can be supplemented, partially or entirely replaced by other elements, chosen in particular from magnesium fluoride, strontium oxide, oxides of iron, chromium or other metallic elements. Certain elements such as copper or gold can advantageously modify the colors of the glass-ceramic.
  • glass ceramics with a mica structure do not require a sintering or firing step during their shaping to obtain the timepiece component according to the invention, and have the advantage of being able to be machined without specific tools.
  • a timepiece movement component according to the invention is produced by machining a glass-ceramic substrate with a mica structure. It is typically obtained by at least one mechanical machining step, by removing material. Preferably, at least 50% of the component machining steps are mechanical machining steps by removing material chosen, for example, from the following conventional mechanical machining techniques: turning, milling, polishing, satin finishing, mechanical engraving, drilling or cutting.
  • a glass-ceramic with a mica structure as defined above typically has a density of less than 3 g / cm 3 , which makes its use advantageous for the production of mobile elements, the inertia of the components then being greatly reduced. These properties are also particularly advantageous for mobiles, subjected to low torques or to strong accelerations, or for display discs.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention is typically chosen from all of the elements constituting a draft of a movement, for example a plate 20, a bridge or an element of a tourbillon cage. It may also be a striking hammer 40, an oscillating mass rotor 50, a display member 30, a cam, in particular a reset core, a rocker, a mobile in particular comprising at least one toothed sector, for example a toothed wheel 10, a pivot or an exhaust member. It is typically a display member 30, for example a display disc or a fixed member such as a dial or a member constituting a part of a dial.
  • the timepiece component according to the invention can undergo various treatments and take various forms.
  • the openwork parts can typically constitute the indications of a display component 30 with a skeleton-type effect 31, as illustrated in the figures 3a and 3g .
  • An advantage of using a ceramic glass with a mica structure compared to the metals traditionally used in watch movement components, comes from the absence or reduction of internal stresses after machining, which makes it possible, in particular in the case strongly perforated parts such as bridges or blanks called skeletons (plate 20), to guarantee high geometries and tolerances during assemblies, overcoming warping or other problems encountered in thin metallic structures.
  • the glass-ceramic with mica structure used comprises certain compounds such as, for example, metal oxides, such as zirconium oxide and / or aluminum oxide
  • its reflectance is liable to be modified, in particular under the effect of laser exposure or irradiation to pulses of specific frequency, duration and wavelength.
  • it is possible to change the shade of the material most often in tones ranging from white to black, passing through intermediate grays, in a selective and localized manner. This can for example be used to write indications 32 on a display component 30 as shown in Figures 3a and 3c .
  • the presence of certain other metallic elements in the glass-ceramic with mica structure used such as copper or gold makes it possible in addition to vary the tint of the whole of the glass-ceramic in certain color spectra.
  • these metallic elements are brought to the glass-ceramic in a localized manner, typically by ion implantation, they confer a variation in the color of the glass-ceramic only in the part or parts of the glass-ceramic in which they are present.
  • Such irradiation makes it possible to obtain luminescence by excitation of photons and thus to modify the luminescence properties of the exposed area.
  • This can for example be used to write indications 32 on a display component 30 as shown in Figures 3a and 3c .
  • Another possibility consists in introducing these ions previously charged to the laser by ion implantation. It is for example possible to implant Er 3+ ions in a glass-ceramic with mica structure based on SiO 2 or to implant Bi 3+ ions at different charge levels in a glass-ceramic with mica structure comprising Er or Y- elements er.
  • the timepiece movement component according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one cavity 33, 43, 53, blind or through, hollowed out at least in part in the glass-ceramic.
  • a cavity 33, 43, 53 may in particular take the form of indications hollowed out in the glass ceramic of a display component 30 as shown in FIGS. figures 3a and 3d to 3f or of any geometric shape in a striking hammer 40 or in an oscillating mass rotor 50.
  • This cavity 33, 43, 53 can advantageously be filled, at least in part, with a second material 34, 44, 54.
  • This second material can be a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of said glass-ceramic, a metal-based material and / or any other material making it possible to provide an optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.
  • hybrid components the structure of which is made of ceramic glass with a mica structure, therefore rigid and of controllable hardness, comprising at least one cavity 43, 53 filled with a metal of density typically higher than that of glass-ceramic with a mica structure, such as a precious metal, to increase its inertia.
  • One possibility concerning the filling of a cavity 33, 43, 53 consists in first producing a metallic coating 46, 56, partial or complete, of at least one surface of said cavity and then filling it with a technique of growth of a metallic layer with a material identical or different from that constituting said metallic coating.
  • Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a striking hammer 40 machined in a glass ceramic substrate with mica structure and metallized with a metallic material 46, said material 46 having typically been deposited in a cavity 43 hollowed out in glass ceramic with mica structure constituting, at least in part, said hammer buzzer 40.
  • the cavity 43 metallized with a metallic material 46 was then filled by a technique of growing a metallic layer from the coating produced initially, in the same material 44 or in another metallic material than that used for metallization.
  • Such a striking hammer 40 which is brought to shock a resonant body, has favorable hardness, wear and inertia properties, or even interesting acoustic properties, depending on the thickness of its glass-ceramic wall with mica structure. , due to the crystalline timbre of this material.
  • the Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an oscillating mass rotor 50 machined in a ceramic glass with mica structure, said glass ceramic having been hollowed out to form a cavity 53, said cavity being filled with a material 54, typically with a metal denser than glass ceramic with mica structure used, for example with gold, to weigh it down.
  • the filling of the cavity 53 is typically carried out by a technique of growing a metal layer 54 from the coating 56 produced first of all in a material different or identical to the material of the metal layer 54.
  • a surface coating can be produced on at least part of the glass-ceramic surface with mica structure of the timepiece movement component according to the invention, for example to represent indications 32 on a display component, as illustrated in the figure 3b .
  • timepiece component according to the invention comprises at least one cavity 33, 43, 53
  • a surface coating can also be produced, at least in part, inside said at least one cavity 33, 43, 53.
  • Such a surface coating may consist of a metallization of part of the glass-ceramic surface of the timepiece movement component according to the invention.
  • Said metallization can be carried out by various known methods, for example, but without being limiting, by PVD or CVD. It can be used to promote the bonding of a glass-ceramic surface with mica structure of the timepiece movement component to another metallic or metallized element of the timepiece movement component or movement, by welding, soldering, pressing or by any other method carrying out the same connecting function between two metallic or metallized elements.
  • the material of the surface coating is typically chosen from materials comprising at least one metallic element, said metallic element having a density greater than the density of the glass ceramic and / or being chosen from the family of precious metals.
  • a surface coating with a metal or a metalloid can typically be completed by a step leading to an oxide, a nitride and / or a carbide of this element.
  • This can be advantageous, for example, to reinforce a surface of the component subjected to high friction and / or wear stresses, where the slip must be maximized or else a surface which must cooperate with another surface without liquid lubrication or with conditions. specific lubrication.
  • Such components may include pivots, cogs, exhaust components or any other component subjected to such actions.
  • a pivot can be produced in a monolithic manner in the ceramic glass with mica structure with the mobile which contains it, the surface of the pivot undergoing the stresses which can then be subjected to this process reinforcing its tribological properties.
  • timepiece movement components according to the invention are advantageously subjected to finishing or decoration treatments including in particular steps such as chamfering or engraving.
  • timepiece components according to the invention have numerous advantages. They are in particular easily achievable, mainly by mechanical machining in a glass-ceramic with mica structure, without requiring sintering or firing operations to obtain the timepiece component and without anisotropic withdrawal of the material. It will also be noted that the timepiece movement component according to the invention also comprises at least one zone of its vitroceramic with mica structure of color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of its vitroceramic, this zone typically showing indications or patterns constituting decorations on the surface of the component.
  • a watch movement component decorated according to the invention can be obtained by localized modification of some of its optical properties using easily reproducible treatments and without adding any additional thickness to the component.
  • the watch movement components according to the invention also have a relatively low density making it possible to reduce their inertia with respect to the metal watch movement components. They can also be perforated for example in the form of skeleton-type structures, while guaranteeing high geometries and tolerances during assemblies, eliminating the problems of warping or other encountered in thin metallic structures. In addition, they can be coated with a layer of a second material, typically metallic or photoluminescent for purposes such as improving tribological or joining properties with other components or for decorative purposes.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Surface Treatment Of Glass (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un composant de mouvement horloger.The present invention relates to a timepiece movement component.

Traditionnellement, les composants de mouvement horloger sont réalisés dans des alliages métalliques qui présentent souvent des désavantages, notamment des contraintes internes suite à des opérations de mise en forme, une tendance à l'oxydation, une dureté limitée pour certains alliages devant être compensée par des traitements ultérieurs aux étapes d'usinage, une certaine sensibilité à l'usure, des caractéristiques tribologiques nécessitant l'emploi de lubrifiants, une densité élevée résultant en des inerties importantes des pièces en mouvement, et dans certains cas, une sensibilité aux champs magnétiques qui peuvent perturber le fonctionnement d'un mouvement horloger.Traditionally, watch movement components are made of metal alloys which often have disadvantages, in particular internal stresses following shaping operations, a tendency to oxidation, limited hardness for certain alloys which must be compensated for by treatments subsequent to the machining steps, a certain sensitivity to wear, tribological characteristics requiring the use of lubricants, a high density resulting in significant inertia of the moving parts, and in certain cases, a sensitivity to magnetic fields which can disrupt the functioning of a watch movement.

Pour ces raisons, des composants dans des matériaux non métalliques ont été développés, ces derniers comprenant notamment les céramiques, le silicium, ou certains verres.For these reasons, components in non-metallic materials have been developed, the latter notably comprising ceramics, silicon, or certain glasses.

L'utilisation de ces matériaux présente cependant certains désavantages, notamment dans leur mise en forme.The use of these materials has certain disadvantages, however, particularly in their shaping.

En effet, les céramiques requièrent le plus souvent des opérations de frittage et de cuisson avec un retrait anisotrope de la matière. Ces procédés limitent aussi par ailleurs les opérations supplémentaires apportées à la matière, comme les opérations de décoration ou d'usinage ultérieurs, celles-ci n'étant possible qu'avec des outillages spécifiques, en raison notamment de la dureté et de la fragilité du matériau.Indeed, ceramics most often require sintering and firing operations with an anisotropic withdrawal of the material. These methods also further limit the additional operations brought to the material, such as subsequent decoration or machining operations, these being only possible with specific tools, due in particular to the hardness and the brittleness of the material. material.

Le silicium requiert, quant à lui, l'emploi de techniques de production très spécifiques comme par exemple la gravure profonde, dite gravure DRIE, qui ne peut être effectuée que dans des conditions connues sous le nom de salle blanche. L'utilisation d'une telle technologie n'est rentable qu'en cas de volumes de production importants. D'autre part, les composants réalisés dans cette famille de matériaux présentent une certaine fragilité et sont cassants. Leur assemblage avec d'autres composants requiert lui aussi des mesures particulières. En effet, des assemblages conventionnels comme le chassage ou le vissage sont difficilement applicables à des composants réalisés dans de tels matériaux.Silicon requires the use of very specific production techniques such as deep etching, known as DRIE etching, which can only be carried out under conditions known as the clean room. The use of such technology is only profitable in the event of large production volumes. On the other hand, the components produced in this family of materials have a certain brittleness and are brittle. Their assembly with other components also require special measures. Indeed, conventional assemblies such as driving or screwing are difficult to apply to components made of such materials.

Enfin, les verres ont vu leur utilisation se répandre suite au développement de technologies de production hybrides, faisant souvent appel à l'exposition de la matière à une longueur d'onde lumineuse et la gravure de cette zone irradiée dans un environnement approprié. On peut citer le cas des verres photostructurables, le plus souvent sensibles aux UV, ou des verres plus standards comme le « fused silicate » (ou verre de quartz) ou le borosilicate, dans le cas de la gravure par exposition à un laser femtoseconde. Les temps d'exposition et d'attaque chimique, l'équipement requis ainsi que les géométries à ce jour réalisables limitent fortement l'utilisation de telles technologies.Finally, glasses have seen their use spread following the development of hybrid production technologies, often involving the exposure of the material to a light wavelength and the etching of this irradiated area in an appropriate environment. We can cite the case of photostructurable glasses, most often sensitive to UV, or more standard glasses like “fused silicate” (or quartz glass) or borosilicate, in the case of etching by exposure to a femtosecond laser. The exposure and chemical attack times, the equipment required as well as the geometries that can be achieved to date greatly limit the use of such technologies.

Le document DE102006059274 divulgue la fabrication d'un composant horloger en vitrocéramique.The document DE102006059274 discloses the manufacture of a glass ceramic watch component.

Un but de l'invention est de pallier, au moins en partie, ces inconvénients et de réaliser un composant de mouvement horloger obtenu par des techniques d'usinage conventionnelles et présentant des propriétés mécaniques intéressantes.An object of the invention is to overcome, at least in part, these drawbacks and to produce a timepiece movement component obtained by conventional machining techniques and having advantageous mechanical properties.

Outre les désavantages précédemment cités, associés à l'utilisation de matériaux métalliques ou de matériaux non métalliques tels que les céramiques, le silicium ou le verre pour la réalisation de composants horlogers, des composants horlogers réalisés dans de tels matériaux sont particulièrement difficiles à décorer. En effet, pour être décorés, ils nécessitent des traitements compliqués. Or, la décoration de tels composants horlogers est parfois indispensable, notamment lorsqu'il s'agit de composants d'affichage.In addition to the aforementioned disadvantages, associated with the use of metallic materials or non-metallic materials such as ceramics, silicon or glass for the production of watch components, watch components made of such materials are particularly difficult to decorate. Indeed, to be decorated, they require complicated treatments. However, the decoration of such watch components is sometimes essential, especially when it comes to display components.

Un autre but de l'invention est donc d'obtenir un composant horloger décoré qui soit facile à fabriquer, c'est-à-dire un composant horloger comprenant une modification localisée de certaines de ses propriétés optiques qui soit réalisable à l'aide de traitements facilement reproductibles.Another object of the invention is therefore to obtain a decorated timepiece component which is easy to manufacture, that is to say a timepiece component comprising a localized modification of some of its optical properties which is achievable using easily reproducible treatments.

Ainsi, l'invention a pour objet un composant de mouvement horloger selon la revendication 1 et un procédé de fabrication d'un composant horloger selon la revendication 9.Thus, the subject of the invention is a timepiece movement component according to claim 1 and a method of manufacturing a timepiece component according to claim 9.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend une vitrocéramique, ladite vitrocéramique comprenant une phase cristalline représentant au moins 50% en volume de ladite vitrocéramique, le reste de la vitrocéramique étant une matrice vitreuse, ladite phase cristalline étant au moins à 50% de type mica. Dans la suite de la description, l'expression « vitrocéramique à structure mica » est utilisée pour désigner une telle vitrocéramique.The timepiece movement component according to the invention comprises a glass ceramic, said glass ceramic comprising a crystalline phase representing at least 50% by volume of said glass ceramic, the rest of the glass ceramic being a vitreous matrix, said crystalline phase being at least 50% mica type. In the following description, the expression “glass ceramic with mica structure” is used to denote such a glass ceramic.

La vitrocéramique du composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend en outre au moins un élément supplémentaire conférant à au moins une zone de la vitrocéramique une couleur, nuance ou luminescence différente de celle du reste de la vitrocéramique. Ainsi, le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend au moins deux zones distinctes en vitrocéramique de couleurs, nuances ou luminescences différentes.The vitroceramic of the timepiece movement component according to the invention further comprises at least one additional element conferring on at least one zone of the vitroceramic a color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the vitroceramic. Thus, the timepiece movement component according to the invention comprises at least two distinct glass-ceramic zones of different colors, shades or luminescence.

Ladite au moins une zone de couleur, nuance ou luminescence différente de celle du reste de la vitrocéramique peut avantageusement être obtenue par exposition ou irradiation d'au moins une partie de la vitrocéramique comprenant ledit au moins un élément supplémentaire à un faisceau laser ou par implantation localisée de l'au moins un élément supplémentaire, l'élément supplémentaire étant ou non préalablement chargé, selon le cas.Said at least one zone of color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the glass ceramic may advantageously be obtained by exposure or irradiation of at least part of the glass ceramic comprising said at least one additional element to a laser beam or by implantation localized of the at least one additional element, the additional element being or not previously loaded, depending on the case.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention est typiquement obtenu par au moins une étape d'usinage mécanique par enlèvement de matière d'un substrat de ladite vitrocéramique. De préférence, au moins 50% de ces étapes d'usinage sont des étapes d'usinage mécanique par enlèvement de matière, choisies par exemple parmi les techniques d'usinage mécanique conventionnelles suivantes : tournage, fraisage, polissage, satinage, gravure mécanique, perçage ou découpage.The timepiece movement component according to the invention is typically obtained by at least one step of mechanical machining by removing material from a substrate of said glass-ceramic. Preferably, at least 50% of these machining steps are mechanical machining steps by removing material, chosen for example from the following conventional mechanical machining techniques: turning, milling, polishing, satin finishing, mechanical engraving, drilling or cutting.

La vitrocéramique présente, de préférence, une densité inférieure à 3g/cm3.The glass ceramic preferably has a density of less than 3 g / cm 3 .

Dans un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit au moins un élément supplémentaire comprend des oxydes de métaux tels que l'oxyde de zirconium et/ou l'oxyde d'aluminium. Avantageusement, un composant de mouvement horloger comprenant une telle vitrocéramique comprend au moins deux zones avec des nuances différentes. Ces différences de nuance peuvent être obtenues sous l'effet d'une exposition ciblée à un faisceau laser.In a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one additional element comprises metal oxides such as zirconium oxide and / or aluminum oxide. Advantageously, a movement component a watchmaker comprising such a glass ceramic comprises at least two zones with different shades. These differences in shade can be obtained under the effect of targeted exposure to a laser beam.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, ledit au moins un élément supplémentaire comprend des ions métalliques d'un des éléments du groupe des terres rares, comme par exemple des ions europium ou erbium, d'un des éléments du groupe des métaux de transition, par exemple des ions yttrium ou d'un des éléments du groupe des métaux pauvres, par exemple des ions bismuth, la présence de tels ions métalliques dans la vitrocéramique conférant à ladite au moins une zone du composant une luminescence différente de celle du reste du composant. Cette différence de luminescence peut être obtenue sous l'effet d'une exposition d'au moins une partie de la vitrocéramique comprenant ledit au moins un élément supplémentaire à un faisceau laser ou par implantation ionique de l'au moins un élément supplémentaire sous forme chargée. De cette façon, un composant de mouvement horloger comprenant au moins deux zones avec des luminescences différentes peut être obtenu.In another embodiment, said at least one additional element comprises metal ions of one of the elements of the rare earth group, such as for example europium or erbium ions, of one of the elements of the transition metal group, for example example of yttrium ions or of an element from the group of poor metals, for example bismuth ions, the presence of such metal ions in the glass ceramic giving said at least one zone of the component a luminescence different from that of the rest of the component. This difference in luminescence can be obtained under the effect of exposure of at least part of the glass ceramic comprising said at least one additional element to a laser beam or by ion implantation of the at least one additional element in charged form. . In this way, a timepiece movement component comprising at least two zones with different luminescence can be obtained.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, ledit au moins un élément supplémentaire comprend des éléments métalliques tels que l'or ou le cuivre conférant une couleur différente au composant dans la zone dans laquelle ils sont présents. Ces éléments peuvent typiquement être apportés à la vitrocéramique par implantation ionique dans ladite au moins une zone.In another embodiment, said at least one additional element comprises metallic elements such as gold or copper giving a different color to the component in the area in which they are present. These elements can typically be supplied to the glass-ceramic by ion implantation in said at least one zone.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, la vitrocéramique du composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention peut comprendre des zones de couleurs ou de nuances différentes, ces différences étant obtenues par diffusion sélective d'un élément teintant dans la vitrocéramique du composant. Un élément teintant tel que l'émail peut par exemple être utilisé. D'autres agents teintant peuvent être utilisés et diffusés dans la vitrocéramique du composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention par augmentation de la température.In another embodiment, the glass-ceramic of the timepiece component according to the invention can comprise zones of different colors or shades, these differences being obtained by selective diffusion of a tinting element in the glass-ceramic of the component. A tinting element such as enamel can for example be used. Other tinting agents can be used and diffused in the glass ceramic of the timepiece movement component according to the invention by increasing the temperature.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend, de préférence, au moins une cavité, qui peut être borgne ou traversante, creusée au moins en partie dans la vitrocéramique. Avantageusement, il comprend un second matériau remplissant au moins en partie ladite cavité. Ledit second matériau est typiquement une peinture, une laque, un matériau présentant une photoluminescence supérieure à celle de la vitrocéramique, un matériau à base métallique, et/ou tout autre matériau permettant d'assurer un contraste optique avec ladite vitrocéramique.The timepiece movement component according to the invention preferably comprises at least one cavity, which may be blind or through, hollowed out at least in part in the glass ceramic. Advantageously, it comprises a second material filling at least partially said cavity. Said second material is typically a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of glass-ceramic, a material based on metal, and / or any other material making it possible to provide an optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention peut également comprendre un revêtement dans un troisième matériau, ledit revêtement recouvrant au moins une partie de la surface de la vitrocéramique. Ledit troisième matériau est typiquement une peinture, une laque, un matériau présentant une photoluminescence supérieure à celle de ladite vitrocéramique, un matériau à base métallique et/ou tout autre matériau permettant d'assurer un contraste optique avec ladite vitrocéramique.The timepiece movement component according to the invention can also comprise a coating in a third material, said coating covering at least part of the surface of the glass ceramic. Said third material is typically a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of said glass-ceramic, a metal-based material and / or any other material making it possible to provide optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.

Le cas échéant, le matériau à base métallique constituant le second et/ou le troisième matériau présente de préférence une densité supérieure à la densité de la vitrocéramique, est choisi dans la famille des métaux précieux et/ou dans la famille des métaux de transition, et/ou comprend au moins un élément choisi parmi un nitrure, un oxyde et/ou un carbure d'un élément métallique.Where appropriate, the metal-based material constituting the second and / or the third material preferably has a density greater than the density of the glass ceramic, is chosen from the family of precious metals and / or from the family of transition metals, and / or comprises at least one element chosen from a nitride, an oxide and / or a carbide of a metallic element.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, lesdits second et troisième matériaux sont identiques.In a particular embodiment of the invention, said second and third materials are identical.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention est typiquement un élément constituant une ébauche d'un mouvement, par exemple une platine, un pont ou un élément d'une cage de tourbillon. Il peut également s'agir d'un marteau de sonnerie, d'un rotor de masse oscillante, d'un organe d'affichage, d'une came, en particulier d'un cœur de remise à zéro, d'une bascule, d'un mobile notamment comprenant au moins un secteur denté, par exemple une roue dentée, d'un pivot ou d'un organe d'échappement, ledit composant de mouvement horloger étant optionnellement ajouré. La partie ajourée est typiquement une structure de type squelette.The timepiece movement component according to the invention is typically an element constituting a draft of a movement, for example a plate, a bridge or an element of a tourbillon cage. It can also be a striking hammer, an oscillating mass rotor, a display member, a cam, in particular a reset core, a rocker, of a mobile in particular comprising at least one toothed sector, for example a toothed wheel, of a pivot or of an escapement member, said timepiece movement component being optionally openwork. The openwork part is typically a skeleton-type structure.

Les composants de mouvement horloger selon l'invention offrent en partie les propriétés des matériaux non métalliques cités précédemment en s'affranchissant des difficultés de production de ces derniers. Ils présentent notamment des avantages de stabilité de la matière, notamment l'absence des contraintes internes connues dans les métaux, une densité proche de celle du verre, une dureté supérieure à celle de certains métaux, une résistance à l'usure et des propriétés tribologiques supérieures. En outre, le chassage et l'assemblage avec d'autres composants sont plus aisés qu'avec des matériaux fragiles comme les céramiques et le silicium.The timepiece movement components according to the invention partially offer the properties of the non-metallic materials mentioned above by overcoming the production difficulties of the latter. They have in particular advantages of stability of the material, in particular the absence of the known internal stresses in metals, a density close to that of glass, a hardness higher than that of certain metals, a resistance to wear and tribological properties higher. In addition, hunting and assembly with other components are easier than with fragile materials such as ceramics and silicon.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de face d'une roue d'un mouvement horloger selon l'invention.
  • la figure 2 est une vue de face d'une platine selon l'invention
  • la figure 3a est une vue de face d'un composant d'affichage selon l'invention
  • les figures 3b à 3g sont des coupes transversales de variantes du composant d'affichage de la figure 3a selon différents axes de coupe.
  • la figure 4a est une vue de dessus d'un marteau de sonnerie selon l'invention
  • la figure 4b est une coupe transversale du marteau de sonnerie de la figure 4a.
  • la figure 5a est une vue de dessus d'un rotor de masse oscillante selon l'invention.
  • la figure 5b est une coupe transversale partielle du rotor de masse oscillante de la figure 5a.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a front view of a wheel of a watch movement according to the invention.
  • the figure 2 is a front view of a plate according to the invention
  • the figure 3a is a front view of a display component according to the invention
  • the figures 3b to 3g are cross sections of variants of the display component of the figure 3a along different cutting axes.
  • the figure 4a is a top view of a striking hammer according to the invention
  • the figure 4b is a cross section of the striking hammer of the figure 4a .
  • the figure 5a is a top view of an oscillating mass rotor according to the invention.
  • the figure 5b is a partial cross section of the oscillating mass rotor of the figure 5a .

Un composant de mouvement horloger 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 selon l'invention comprend une vitrocéramique comprenant une phase cristalline représentant au moins 50% en volume de ladite vitrocéramique, le reste de la vitrocéramique étant une matrice vitreuse, ladite phase cristalline étant au moins à 50% de type mica.A watch movement component 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 according to the invention comprises a glass ceramic comprising a crystalline phase representing at least at least 50% by volume of said glass ceramic, the rest of the glass ceramic being a vitreous matrix, said crystalline phase being at least 50% of mica type.

Les phases cristallines de type mica se présentent au moins en partie sous forme de lamelles. Ces dernières favorisent l'usinabilité de la vitrocéramique à structure mica.The mica-type crystalline phases are at least partly in the form of lamellae. The latter favor the machinability of glass ceramic with mica structure.

Ladite vitrocéramique contient du dioxyde de silicium et d'autres éléments, en partie des oxydes, une composition non limitative du matériau comprenant en outre les éléments suivants : MgO, Al2O3, K2O, B2O3 et F. Ceux-ci peuvent être complétés, partiellement ou intégralement remplacés par d'autres éléments, choisis notamment parmi le fluorure de magnésium, l'oxyde de strontium, des oxydes de fer, de chrome ou d'autres éléments métalliques. Certains éléments tels que le cuivre ou l'or peuvent avantageusement modifier les couleurs de la vitrocéramique.Said glass ceramic contains silicon dioxide and other elements, in part oxides, a non-limiting composition of the material further comprising the following elements: MgO, Al 2 O 3 , K 2 O, B 2 O 3 and F. Those these can be supplemented, partially or entirely replaced by other elements, chosen in particular from magnesium fluoride, strontium oxide, oxides of iron, chromium or other metallic elements. Certain elements such as copper or gold can advantageously modify the colors of the glass-ceramic.

Contrairement aux céramiques traditionnelles, les vitrocéramiques à structure mica ne requièrent pas d'étape de frittage ni de cuisson lors de leur mise en forme pour obtenir le composant horloger selon l'invention, et présentent l'avantage de pouvoir être usinées sans outillage spécifique.Unlike traditional ceramics, glass ceramics with a mica structure do not require a sintering or firing step during their shaping to obtain the timepiece component according to the invention, and have the advantage of being able to be machined without specific tools.

Un composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention est réalisé par usinage d'un substrat vitrocéramique à structure mica. Il est typiquement obtenu par au moins une étape d'usinage mécanique, par enlèvement de matière. De préférence, au moins 50% des étapes d'usinage du composant sont des étapes d'usinage mécanique par enlèvement de matière choisies par exemple parmi les techniques d'usinage mécanique conventionnelles suivantes : tournage, fraisage, polissage, satinage, gravure mécanique, perçage ou découpage.A timepiece movement component according to the invention is produced by machining a glass-ceramic substrate with a mica structure. It is typically obtained by at least one mechanical machining step, by removing material. Preferably, at least 50% of the component machining steps are mechanical machining steps by removing material chosen, for example, from the following conventional mechanical machining techniques: turning, milling, polishing, satin finishing, mechanical engraving, drilling or cutting.

D'autres opérations minoritaires d'usinage pouvant faire appel à des procédés comme l'électroérosion, la gravure ou le polissage par laser, peuvent également entrer dans la fabrication d'un composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention. Dans le cas de l'électroérosion, il est possible d'appliquer un procédé d'usinage par étincelage (ex. µ-EDM) à une céramique non conductrice.Other minority machining operations that can use processes such as electroerosion, engraving or polishing by laser, can also be used in the manufacture of a timepiece movement component according to the invention. In the case of EDM, it is possible to apply a spark-cutting process (eg µ-EDM) to a non-conductive ceramic.

Une vitrocéramique à structure mica telle que définie ci-dessus présente typiquement une densité inférieure à 3g/cm3, ce qui rend son utilisation avantageuse pour la réalisation d'éléments mobiles, l'inertie des composants étant alors largement réduite. Ces propriétés sont également particulièrement avantageuses pour des mobiles, soumis à de faibles couples ou à de fortes accélérations, ou pour des disques d'affichage.A glass-ceramic with a mica structure as defined above typically has a density of less than 3 g / cm 3 , which makes its use advantageous for the production of mobile elements, the inertia of the components then being greatly reduced. These properties are also particularly advantageous for mobiles, subjected to low torques or to strong accelerations, or for display discs.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention est typiquement choisi parmi l'ensemble des éléments constituant une ébauche d'un mouvement, par exemple une platine 20, un pont ou un élément d'une cage de tourbillon. Il peut également s'agir d'un marteau de sonnerie 40, d'un rotor de masse oscillante 50, d'un organe d'affichage 30, d'une came, en particulier d'un cœur de remise à zéro, d'une bascule, d'un mobile notamment comprenant au moins un secteur denté, par exemple une roue dentée 10, d'un pivot ou d'un organe d'échappement. Il s'agit typiquement d'un organe d'affichage 30, par exemple d'un disque d'affichage ou d'un organe fixe tel qu'un cadran ou un organe constituant une partie d'un cadran.The timepiece movement component according to the invention is typically chosen from all of the elements constituting a draft of a movement, for example a plate 20, a bridge or an element of a tourbillon cage. It may also be a striking hammer 40, an oscillating mass rotor 50, a display member 30, a cam, in particular a reset core, a rocker, a mobile in particular comprising at least one toothed sector, for example a toothed wheel 10, a pivot or an exhaust member. It is typically a display member 30, for example a display disc or a fixed member such as a dial or a member constituting a part of a dial.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention peut subir divers traitements et prendre diverses formes.The timepiece component according to the invention can undergo various treatments and take various forms.

Il peut notamment être ajouré, comme cela est visible dans les figures 1, 2, 3a et 3g. Les parties ajourées peuvent typiquement constituer les indications d'un composant d'affichage 30 avec un effet de type squelette 31, comme illustré dans les figures 3a et 3g. Cela représente à la fois un gain en termes de poids et un effet esthétique particulièrement intéressant. Un avantage de l'utilisation d'une vitrocéramique à structure mica par rapport aux métaux traditionnellement utilisés dans les composants de mouvement horloger, vient de l'absence ou de la réduction des contraintes internes après usinage, ce qui permet, en particulier dans le cas de pièces fortement ajourées comme des ponts ou ébauches dits squelettes (platine 20), de garantir des géométries et tolérances élevées lors des assemblages, s'affranchissant des problèmes de gauchissement ou autres rencontrés dans les structures minces métalliques.It can in particular be perforated, as can be seen in the figures 1, 2 , 3a and 3g . The openwork parts can typically constitute the indications of a display component 30 with a skeleton-type effect 31, as illustrated in the figures 3a and 3g . This represents both a gain in terms of weight and a particularly interesting aesthetic effect. An advantage of using a ceramic glass with a mica structure compared to the metals traditionally used in watch movement components, comes from the absence or reduction of internal stresses after machining, which makes it possible, in particular in the case strongly perforated parts such as bridges or blanks called skeletons (plate 20), to guarantee high geometries and tolerances during assemblies, overcoming warping or other problems encountered in thin metallic structures.

Lorsque la vitrocéramique à structure mica utilisée comprend certains composés tels que, par exemple, des oxydes de métaux, comme l'oxyde de zirconium et/ou l'oxyde d'aluminium, sa réflectance est susceptible d'être modifiée, notamment sous l'effet d'une exposition ou irradiation par laser à des pulsations de fréquence, de durée et de longueur d'onde spécifiques. Ainsi, il est possible de changer la nuance du matériau, le plus souvent dans des tons allant du blanc au noir, en passant par des gris intermédiaires, de manière sélective et localisée. Ceci peut par exemple être utilisé pour écrire des indications 32 sur un composant d'affichage 30 tel que représenté aux figures 3a et 3c.When the glass-ceramic with mica structure used comprises certain compounds such as, for example, metal oxides, such as zirconium oxide and / or aluminum oxide, its reflectance is liable to be modified, in particular under the effect of laser exposure or irradiation to pulses of specific frequency, duration and wavelength. Thus, it is possible to change the shade of the material, most often in tones ranging from white to black, passing through intermediate grays, in a selective and localized manner. This can for example be used to write indications 32 on a display component 30 as shown in Figures 3a and 3c .

En outre, la présence de certains autres éléments métalliques dans la vitrocéramique à structure mica utilisée tels que du cuivre ou de l'or, permet en plus de faire varier la teinte de l'ensemble de la vitrocéramique dans certains spectres de couleurs. Dans le cas où ces éléments métalliques sont apportés à la vitrocéramique de manière localisée, typiquement par implantation ionique, ils confèrent une variation de la couleur de la vitrocéramique uniquement dans la ou les parties de la vitrocéramique dans lesquelles ils sont présents.In addition, the presence of certain other metallic elements in the glass-ceramic with mica structure used such as copper or gold, makes it possible in addition to vary the tint of the whole of the glass-ceramic in certain color spectra. In the case where these metallic elements are brought to the glass-ceramic in a localized manner, typically by ion implantation, they confer a variation in the color of the glass-ceramic only in the part or parts of the glass-ceramic in which they are present.

La vitrocéramique à structure mica du composant de mouvement horloger peut comprendre des ions métalliques d'un des éléments du groupe des terres rares, comme par exemple des ions europium ou erbium, d'un des éléments du groupe des métaux de transition, par exemple des ions yttrium ou d'un des éléments du groupe des métaux pauvres, par exemple des ions bismuth. De tels ions peuvent être introduits dans la vitrocéramique par toute technique appropriée, notamment par dopage ou par implantation ionique. Lorsque la vitrocéramique à structure mica du composant de mouvement horloger comprend de tels ions, la luminescence de ladite vitrocéramique à structure mica est susceptible d'être modifiée, notamment sous l'effet d'une irradiation par laser à des pulsations de fréquence, de durée et de longueur d'onde spécifiques. Une telle irradiation permet d'obtenir une luminescence par excitation de photons et ainsi de modifier les propriétés de luminescence de la zone exposée. Ceci peut par exemple être utilisé pour écrire des indications 32 sur un composant d'affichage 30 tel que représenté aux figures 3a et 3c.The mica-structured glass ceramic of the timepiece movement component can comprise metal ions from one of the elements of the rare earth group, such as, for example, europium or erbium ions, from one of the elements from the transition metal group, for example yttrium ions or one of the elements from the group of poor metals, for example bismuth ions. Such ions can be introduced into the glass-ceramic by any suitable technique, in particular by doping or by ion implantation. When the glass-ceramic with mica structure of the timepiece movement component comprises such ions, the luminescence of said glass-ceramic with mica structure is liable to be modified, in particular under the effect of irradiation by laser at pulsations of frequency, duration and specific wavelength. Such irradiation makes it possible to obtain luminescence by excitation of photons and thus to modify the luminescence properties of the exposed area. This can for example be used to write indications 32 on a display component 30 as shown in Figures 3a and 3c .

Une autre possibilité consiste à introduire ces ions préalablement chargés au laser par implantation ionique. Il est par exemple possible d'implanter des ions Er3+ dans une vitrocéramique à structure mica à base SiO2 ou d'implanter des ions Bi3+ à différents niveaux de charge dans une vitrocéramique à structure mica comprenant des éléments Er ou Y-Er.Another possibility consists in introducing these ions previously charged to the laser by ion implantation. It is for example possible to implant Er 3+ ions in a glass-ceramic with mica structure based on SiO 2 or to implant Bi 3+ ions at different charge levels in a glass-ceramic with mica structure comprising Er or Y- elements er.

Le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend avantageusement au moins une cavité 33, 43, 53, borgne ou traversante, creusée au moins en partie dans la vitrocéramique. Une telle cavité 33, 43, 53 peut notamment prendre la forme d'indications creusées dans la vitrocéramique d'un composant d'affichage 30 tel que représenté aux figures 3a et 3d à 3f ou d'une forme géométrique quelconque dans un marteau de sonnerie 40 ou dans un rotor de masse oscillante 50.The timepiece movement component according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one cavity 33, 43, 53, blind or through, hollowed out at least in part in the glass-ceramic. Such a cavity 33, 43, 53 may in particular take the form of indications hollowed out in the glass ceramic of a display component 30 as shown in FIGS. figures 3a and 3d to 3f or of any geometric shape in a striking hammer 40 or in an oscillating mass rotor 50.

Cette cavité 33, 43, 53 peut être avantageusement remplie, au moins en partie, avec un second matériau 34, 44, 54. Ce second matériau peut être une peinture, une laque, un matériau présentant une photoluminescence supérieure à celle de ladite vitrocéramique, un matériau à base métallique et/ou tout autre matériau permettant d'assurer un contraste optique avec ladite vitrocéramique.This cavity 33, 43, 53 can advantageously be filled, at least in part, with a second material 34, 44, 54. This second material can be a paint, a lacquer, a material having a photoluminescence greater than that of said glass-ceramic, a metal-based material and / or any other material making it possible to provide an optical contrast with said glass-ceramic.

Il est par exemple possible de réaliser des composants hybrides, dont la structure est réalisée en vitrocéramique à structure mica, donc rigide et d'une dureté contrôlable, comprenant au moins une cavité 43, 53 remplie d'un métal de densité typiquement plus élevée que celle de la vitrocéramique à structure mica, comme par exemple un métal précieux, pour en augmenter l'inertie.It is for example possible to produce hybrid components, the structure of which is made of ceramic glass with a mica structure, therefore rigid and of controllable hardness, comprising at least one cavity 43, 53 filled with a metal of density typically higher than that of glass-ceramic with a mica structure, such as a precious metal, to increase its inertia.

Une possibilité concernant le remplissage d'une cavité 33, 43, 53 consiste à réaliser dans un premier temps un revêtement métallique 46, 56, partiel ou complet, d'au moins une surface de ladite cavité et de la remplir ensuite par une technique de croissance d'une couche métallique avec un matériau identique ou différent de celui constituant ledit revêtement métallique.One possibility concerning the filling of a cavity 33, 43, 53 consists in first producing a metallic coating 46, 56, partial or complete, of at least one surface of said cavity and then filling it with a technique of growth of a metallic layer with a material identical or different from that constituting said metallic coating.

A titre d'exemple, les figures 4a et 4b illustrent un marteau de sonnerie 40 usiné dans un substrat vitrocéramique à structure mica et métallisé avec un matériau 46 métallique, ledit matériau 46 ayant typiquement été déposé dans une cavité 43 creusée dans la vitrocéramique à structure mica constituant, au moins en partie, ledit marteau de sonnerie 40. La cavité 43 métallisée avec un matériau 46 métallique a ensuite été remplie par une technique de croissance d'une couche métallique à partir du revêtement réalisé dans un premier temps, dans le même matériau 44 ou dans un autre matériau métallique que celui utilisé pour la métallisation. Un tel marteau de sonnerie 40, qui est amené à choquer un corps de résonance, possède des propriétés de dureté, d'usure et d'inertie favorables, voire des propriétés acoustiques intéressantes, selon l'épaisseur de sa paroi en vitrocéramique à structure mica, en raison du timbre cristallin de cette matière.For example, Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a striking hammer 40 machined in a glass ceramic substrate with mica structure and metallized with a metallic material 46, said material 46 having typically been deposited in a cavity 43 hollowed out in glass ceramic with mica structure constituting, at least in part, said hammer buzzer 40. The cavity 43 metallized with a metallic material 46 was then filled by a technique of growing a metallic layer from the coating produced initially, in the same material 44 or in another metallic material than that used for metallization. Such a striking hammer 40, which is brought to shock a resonant body, has favorable hardness, wear and inertia properties, or even interesting acoustic properties, depending on the thickness of its glass-ceramic wall with mica structure. , due to the crystalline timbre of this material.

Les figures 5a et 5b illustrent quant à elles un rotor de masse oscillante 50 usiné dans une vitrocéramique à structure mica, ladite vitrocéramique ayant été creusée pour former une cavité 53, ladite cavité étant remplie avec un matériau 54, typiquement avec un métal plus dense que la vitrocéramique à structure mica utilisée, par exemple avec de l'or, afin de l'alourdir. Le remplissage de la cavité 53 est typiquement réalisé par une technique de croissance d'une couche métallique 54 à partir du revêtement 56 réalisé dans un premier temps dans un matériau différent ou identique au matériau de la couche métallique 54.The Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an oscillating mass rotor 50 machined in a ceramic glass with mica structure, said glass ceramic having been hollowed out to form a cavity 53, said cavity being filled with a material 54, typically with a metal denser than glass ceramic with mica structure used, for example with gold, to weigh it down. The filling of the cavity 53 is typically carried out by a technique of growing a metal layer 54 from the coating 56 produced first of all in a material different or identical to the material of the metal layer 54.

Avantageusement, un revêtement de surface peut être réalisé sur au moins une partie de la surface en vitrocéramique à structure mica du composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention, par exemple pour représenter des indications 32 sur un composant d'affichage, comme illustré dans la figure 3b.Advantageously, a surface coating can be produced on at least part of the glass-ceramic surface with mica structure of the timepiece movement component according to the invention, for example to represent indications 32 on a display component, as illustrated in the figure 3b .

Dans le cas où le composant horloger selon l'invention comprend au moins une cavité 33, 43, 53, un tel revêtement de surface peut en outre être réalisé, au moins en partie, à l'intérieur de ladite au moins une cavité 33, 43, 53.In the case where the timepiece component according to the invention comprises at least one cavity 33, 43, 53, such a surface coating can also be produced, at least in part, inside said at least one cavity 33, 43, 53.

Un tel revêtement de surface peut consister en une métallisation d'une partie de la surface vitrocéramique du composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention. Ladite métallisation peut être réalisée par divers procédés connus, par exemple, mais sans être limitatif, par PVD ou CVD. Elle peut être utilisée pour favoriser la liaison d'une surface en vitrocéramique à structure mica du composant de mouvement horloger à un autre élément métallique ou métallisé du composant de mouvement horloger ou du mouvement, par soudure, brasage, pressage ou par toute autre méthode réalisant la même fonction de liaison entre deux éléments métalliques ou métallisés.Such a surface coating may consist of a metallization of part of the glass-ceramic surface of the timepiece movement component according to the invention. Said metallization can be carried out by various known methods, for example, but without being limiting, by PVD or CVD. It can be used to promote the bonding of a glass-ceramic surface with mica structure of the timepiece movement component to another metallic or metallized element of the timepiece movement component or movement, by welding, soldering, pressing or by any other method carrying out the same connecting function between two metallic or metallized elements.

A titre d'illustration, on peut par exemple métalliser les parois du centre de rotation 15 d'une roue 10, du centre de pivotement 45 d'un marteau de sonnerie 40 ou du centre de rotation 55 d'un rotor de masse oscillante 50 pour le rendre solidaire d'un axe de rotation métallique ou métallisé.By way of illustration, it is possible for example to metallize the walls of the center of rotation 15 of a wheel 10, of the center of pivot 45 of a striking hammer 40 or of the center of rotation 55 of a rotor of oscillating mass 50 to make it integral with a metallic or metallized axis of rotation.

Le matériau du revêtement de surface est typiquement choisi parmi les matériaux comprenant au moins un élément métallique, ledit élément métallique présentant une densité supérieure à la densité de la vitrocéramique et/ou étant choisi parmi la famille des métaux précieux.The material of the surface coating is typically chosen from materials comprising at least one metallic element, said metallic element having a density greater than the density of the glass ceramic and / or being chosen from the family of precious metals.

Un revêtement de surface avec un métal ou un métalloïde peut typiquement être complété par une étape menant à un oxyde, à un nitrure et/ou à un carbure de cet élément. Ceci peut être intéressant par exemple pour renforcer une surface du composant soumise à d'importantes contraintes de frottement et/ou d'usure, où le glissement doit être maximisé ou encore une surface devant coopérer avec une autre surface sans lubrification liquide ou avec des conditions de lubrification particulières. De tels composants peuvent inclure les pivots, les rouages, les organes d'échappement ou tout autre composant soumis à de telles actions. Ainsi, de manière avantageuse, un pivot peut être réalisé de manière monolithique dans la vitrocéramique à structure mica avec le mobile qui le contient, la surface du pivot subissant les efforts pouvant alors être soumise à ce procédé renforçant ses propriétés tribologiques.A surface coating with a metal or a metalloid can typically be completed by a step leading to an oxide, a nitride and / or a carbide of this element. This can be advantageous, for example, to reinforce a surface of the component subjected to high friction and / or wear stresses, where the slip must be maximized or else a surface which must cooperate with another surface without liquid lubrication or with conditions. specific lubrication. Such components may include pivots, cogs, exhaust components or any other component subjected to such actions. Thus, advantageously, a pivot can be produced in a monolithic manner in the ceramic glass with mica structure with the mobile which contains it, the surface of the pivot undergoing the stresses which can then be subjected to this process reinforcing its tribological properties.

Les composants de mouvement horloger selon l'invention sont avantageusement soumis à des traitements de finition ou de décoration incluant notamment des étapes telles que des anglages ou des gravures.The timepiece movement components according to the invention are advantageously subjected to finishing or decoration treatments including in particular steps such as chamfering or engraving.

Il apparaîtra clairement à l'homme du métier que la présente invention n'est en aucun cas limitée aux modes de réalisation présentés ci-dessus et illustrés aux figures. Il est en particulier très bien envisageable de combiner les différents modes de réalisation décrits.It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments presented above and illustrated in the figures. It is in particular very conceivable to combine the various embodiments described.

Les composants de mouvement horloger selon l'invention présentent de nombreux avantages. Ils sont en particulier facilement réalisables, principalement par usinage mécanique dans une vitrocéramique à structure mica, sans nécessiter d'opérations de frittage ou de cuisson pour obtenir le composant horloger et sans retrait anisotrope de la matière. On notera en outre que le composant de mouvement horloger selon l'invention comprend également au moins une zone de sa vitrocéramique à structure mica de couleur, nuance ou luminescence différente de celle du reste de sa vitrocéramique, cette zone faisant typiquement apparaître des indications ou des motifs constituant des décorations à la surface du composant. Ainsi, un composant de mouvement horloger décoré selon l'invention peut être obtenu par modification localisée de certaines de ses propriétés optiques à l'aide de traitements facilement reproductibles et sans ajouter de surépaisseur au composant.The timepiece components according to the invention have numerous advantages. They are in particular easily achievable, mainly by mechanical machining in a glass-ceramic with mica structure, without requiring sintering or firing operations to obtain the timepiece component and without anisotropic withdrawal of the material. It will also be noted that the timepiece movement component according to the invention also comprises at least one zone of its vitroceramic with mica structure of color, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of its vitroceramic, this zone typically showing indications or patterns constituting decorations on the surface of the component. Thus, a watch movement component decorated according to the invention can be obtained by localized modification of some of its optical properties using easily reproducible treatments and without adding any additional thickness to the component.

Les composants de mouvement horloger selon l'invention présentent en outre une densité relativement faible permettant de diminuer leur inertie par rapport aux composants de mouvement horloger métalliques. Ils peuvent également être ajourés par exemple sous forme de structures de type squelette, tout en garantissant des géométries et des tolérances élevées lors des assemblages, s'affranchissant des problèmes de gauchissement ou autres rencontrés dans les structures minces métalliques. En outre, ils peuvent être revêtus d'une couche d'un second matériau, typiquement métallique ou photoluminescent à des fins telles que l'amélioration des propriétés tribologiques ou d'assemblage avec d'autres composants ou à des fins décoratives.The watch movement components according to the invention also have a relatively low density making it possible to reduce their inertia with respect to the metal watch movement components. They can also be perforated for example in the form of skeleton-type structures, while guaranteeing high geometries and tolerances during assemblies, eliminating the problems of warping or other encountered in thin metallic structures. In addition, they can be coated with a layer of a second material, typically metallic or photoluminescent for purposes such as improving tribological or joining properties with other components or for decorative purposes.

Claims (9)

  1. Timepiece movement component (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) comprising a vitroceramic comprising a crystalline phase representing at least 50% by volume of said vitroceramic, the remainder of the vitroceramic being a vitreous matrix, at least 50% of said crystalline phase being of the mica type, said vitroceramic comprising at least one additional element providing at least one zone of the vitroceramic with a colour, shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the vitroceramic, characterised in that this zone defines indications or motifs constituting decorations of the surface of the component and in that said at least one additional element comprises:
    (a) a metal element selected from gold and copper and providing the at least one zone with a colour different from that of the rest of the component; or
    (b) a metal oxide such as aluminium oxide or zirconium oxide, the shade of the at least one zone being different from that of the rest of the component; or
    (c) metal ions of one of the elements of the group of rare earths, e.g. erbium or europium ions, of one of the elements of the group of transition metals, e.g. yttrium ions or of one of the elements of the group of post-transition metals, e.g. bismuth ions, the luminescence of the at least one zone being different from that of the rest of the component.
  2. Timepiece movement component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises at least one cavity (33, 43, 53), at least partially hollowed out of said vitroceramic, and at least one second material (34, 44, 54) at least partially filling said cavity (33, 43, 53).
  3. Timepiece movement component as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said second material (34, 44, 54) is a metal-based material having a density higher than the density of the vitroceramic material.
  4. Timepiece movement component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is an element constituting a plate (20), a bridge or an element of a tourbillon cage, a striking mechanism hammer (40), an oscillating weight rotor (50), a display member (30), a cam, in particular a resetting heart-piece, a lever arm, a mobile in particular comprising at least one toothed sector, e.g. a cog (10), a pivot or an escapement member.
  5. Timepiece movement component as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it is a display member (30), e.g. a display disc or a fixed member such as a dial or a member constituting a part of a dial.
  6. Timepiece movement component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is openwork.
  7. Timepiece movement component, characterised in that it comprises a first vitroceramic component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, mounted to at least one second element produced from another material.
  8. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement component as claimed in one of the preceding claims.
  9. Method of manufacturing a timepiece component (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) as claimed in claim 1, option (b) or (c), characterised in that it comprises a step of exposing at least a part of the vitroceramic comprising said at least one additional element to a laser beam, providing said at least one zone with a shade or luminescence different from that of the rest of the vitroceramic.
EP17164652.4A 2016-04-01 2017-04-03 Timepiece movement component Active EP3226082B1 (en)

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CH4312016 2016-04-01

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EP17164653.2A Withdrawn EP3226083A1 (en) 2016-04-01 2017-04-03 Movement blank
EP17164652.4A Active EP3226082B1 (en) 2016-04-01 2017-04-03 Timepiece movement component
EP17164654.0A Active EP3232276B1 (en) 2016-04-01 2017-04-03 Clock movement component

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CN109270818A (en) * 2018-11-07 2019-01-25 精时拓飞（深圳）科技有限公司 A kind of automatic energy supply module of micromachine

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1398315A (en) * 1972-08-15 1975-06-18 Dassortiments Reunies Fab Method for manufacturing dials for watches and dials for watches manufactured according to said method
DE102006059274A1 (en) * 2006-12-13 2008-06-26 Stein, Ralf Method for manufacturing ceramic component, particularly for movement of mechanical clock, involves milling out component from blank by micro milling technique, where component is rotationally symmetric and it is balance-wheel
JP3213040U (en) * 2014-08-27 2017-10-19 アップル インコーポレイテッド Sapphire cover for electronic devices

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EP3226083A1 (en) 2017-10-04
EP3232276B1 (en) 2020-08-26
EP3226082A1 (en) 2017-10-04

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