EP3312682A1 - Resonator with a high quality factor for a mechanical watch - Google Patents

Abstract

Movement (500) comprising an escape mechanism (200) and a resonator (100) comprising an inertial element (2) subjected to the action of a flexible gimbal (3) and cooperating with an escape wheel (4) pivoting about a main axis (D), which comprises driving means (40) cooperating in continuous transmission of motion with complementary means (20) of the inertial mobile (2) in all the angular positions thereof, the flexible gimbal (3) tending to return these complementary means (20) towards the main axis (D), and comprising elastic return means (31; 32) about axes orthogonal to the main axis (D) and restricting the mobility of said inertial element (2) according to two rotational degrees of freedom around a fixed position of the center of inertia (G) of the inertial element (2) with respect to a plate (1).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch movement for a mechanical watch, comprising, arranged on a plate, a resonator mechanism and an exhaust mechanism subjected to the pair of motor means that comprises said movement, said resonator mechanism comprising an inertial element arranged to oscillate with respect to said plate, said inertial element being subjected to the action of elastic return means fixed directly or indirectly to said plate, and said inertial element being arranged to cooperate with an escape wheel that includes said exhaust mechanism and which pivots around a main axis.

The invention also relates to a mechanical watch comprising at least one such movement.

The invention relates to the field of resonator mechanisms constituting the time bases of mechanical watches.

Background of the invention

• l'entretien des va-et-vient du résonateur ;
• le comptage de ces va-et-vient.

Most of the current mechanical watches include a sprung-balance resonator, which is the time base of the watch, and an escapement mechanism, usually Swiss-anchored, which has two main functions:

• maintenance of the comings and goings of the resonator;
• Counting these back and forth.

The exhaust mechanism must be strong, shock-resistant, and designed to avoid pinching the movement (overturning).

A mechanical resonator combines at least one inertial element and an elastic return element. In the spiral balance, the spiral acts as an elastic return element for the inertial element that constitutes the balance.

The balance is guided in rotation by pivots which turn in smooth ruby bearings. This gives rise to friction, and therefore to energy losses and disturbances, which we seek to remove. The loss are characterized by quality factor Q. We seek to maximize this Q factor.

The Swiss lever escapement has a low fuel efficiency (about 30%). This low performance comes from the fact that the movements of the exhaust are jerky, that there are "falls" (path lost to accommodate machining errors) and, also, that several components are transmitted their movement via inclined planes that rub against each other.

The patent application EP2908189 in the name of ETA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse describes a synchronization mechanism of two clockwork oscillators with a gear train, where a watchmaking mechanism comprises, mounted mobile, at least pivotally relative to a plate, an arranged escape wheel to receive a motor torque via a train, and a first oscillator having a first rigid structure connected to this plate by first elastic return means. This regulating mechanism comprises a second oscillator, which comprises a second rigid structure, which is connected to the first rigid structure by second elastic return means, and which comprises guide means arranged to cooperate with complementary guide means that includes the escape wheel, synchronizing the first oscillator and the second oscillator with the wheel.

The patent application EP3054358 in the name of ETA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse describes a clock oscillator, which comprises a structure and separate primary resonators, temporally and geometrically out of phase, each comprising a mass biased towards the structure by an elastic return means. This clock oscillator comprises coupling means for the interaction of the primary resonators, comprising motor means for driving a mobile in motion which comprises driving and guiding means arranged to drive and guide an articulated control means with means for transmission each articulated, remote control means, with a mass of a primary resonator, and the primary resonators and the mobile are arranged such that the axes of the joints of any two of the primary resonators and the axis of articulation of the control means are never coplanar.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes to develop a clockwork movement combining a particular isochronous clock resonator mechanism, and an escape mechanism, arranged in relation to one another so as to improve the quality factor of the resonator, in particular by eliminating the friction associated with conventional pivots, and to increase the exhaust efficiency, by eliminating the usual saccades of the exhaust.

To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes a resonator in which the elastic return element also constitutes the guide, as well as mechanisms architectures allowing continuous interactions, without saccade, between resonator and escape wheel. To do this, we must concede the use of at least a second degree of freedom of the resonator, the second degree of freedom being out of phase with the first. So that the resonator is not sensitive to gravity or to shocks in translation, two degrees of freedom in rotation are chosen, the axes of which pass through the center of mass of the inertial element.

Thus, the invention relates to a watch movement according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a mechanical watch comprising at least one such movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et partielle, en perspective, un mouvement selon l'invention, comportant un résonateur à cardan flexible, et un mécanisme d'entretien continu, dans une variante comportant des moyens de guidage distincts des moyens de rappel élastique;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et partielle, en perspective, les angles d'Euler dans un référentiel théorique utilisé pour le calcul mathématique de l'isochronisme dans la description qui va suivre ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et partielle, en perspective, des guidages flexibles rotatifs, ici réalisés non limitativement sous forme de liaisons élastiques par lames croisées, dans un résonateur selon l'invention, d'une part entre une platine et un croisillon intermédiaire, et d'autre part entre ce croisillon intermédiaire et un élément inertiel;

• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en plan, un guidage flexible rotatif, notamment avec des liaisons élastiques entre deux solides par des lames croisées en projection, avec un agencement particulier des lames, en angle et en position de leur axe de croisement, assurant un excellent isochronisme ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une réalisation de guidage à lames croisées en projection, par la juxtaposition de deux plaques identiques montées recto-verso ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un mouvement selon l'invention, dans une variante comportant des moyens de guidage qui sont confondus avec des moyens de rappel élastique, et comportant un résonateur à cardan flexible positionné sur une platine représentée à la figure 7, avec des guidages flexibles rotatifs, notamment avec des liaisons élastiques selon la figure 3 et illustrées à la figure 8, et un élément inertiel illustré à la figure 9 comportant un doigt coopérant avec une rainure d'une roue sur chant, constituant le mobile d'échappement, et coopérant tel que visible sur la figure 10 par une denture oblique avec l'extrémité d'un rouage soumis au couple d'un barillet, non représenté sur les figures;
• les figures 11 et 12 illustrent, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un mouvement selon une autre variante de l'invention, comportant aussi des moyens de guidage confondus avec des moyens de rappel élastique, respectivement assemblé sur la figure 11 et en éclaté sur la figure 12, où une platine porte, par l'intermédiaire de guidages flexibles rotatifs, notamment avec des liaisons élastiques selon la figure 3, un élément inertiel sensiblement cruciforme et comportant une piste annulaire supérieure, sur laquelle roule un galet logé dans une encoche d'un mobile d'échappement, lequel est pivoté dans un logement de la platine et dans un pont non représenté, où ce galet exerce un effort de poussée déporté sur l'élément inertiel, soumettant celui-ci à un mouvement de rotation précessionnelle;
• la figure 13 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un tel mouvement.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and partially, in perspective, a movement according to the invention, comprising a flexible cardan resonator, and a continuous maintenance mechanism, in a variant comprising separate guide means of the elastic return means;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and partially, in perspective, the angles of Euler in a theoretical reference used for the mathematical calculation of isochronism in the description which follows;
• the figure 3 represents, diagrammatically and partially, in perspective, rotary flexible guides, here made nonlimitingly in the form of elastic links by crossed blades, in a resonator according to the invention, on the one hand between a plate and an intermediate cross, and secondly between the intermediate cross and an inertial element;

• the figure 4 represents schematically and in plan, a flexible rotary guide, in particular with elastic links between two solids by crossed blades in projection, with a particular arrangement of the blades, in angle and position of their crossing axis, ensuring excellent isochronism;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in perspective, a guide embodiment with crossed blades in projection, by the juxtaposition of two identical plates mounted recto-verso;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in perspective, a movement according to the invention, in a variant comprising guiding means which are coincident with elastic return means, and comprising a flexible cardan resonator positioned on a plate shown in FIG. figure 7 , with flexible rotating guides, in particular with elastic connections according to the figure 3 and illustrated at the figure 8 , and an inertial element illustrated in figure 9 comprising a finger cooperating with a groove of a wheel on edge, constituting the escape wheel, and cooperating as visible on the figure 10 by an oblique toothing with the end of a gear subjected to the torque of a barrel, not shown in the figures;
• the Figures 11 and 12 illustrate schematically and in perspective, a movement according to another variant of the invention, also comprising guide means merged with elastic return means, respectively assembled on the figure 11 and burst on the figure 12 , where a door plate, via rotary flexible guides, in particular with elastic connections according to the figure 3 , an inertial element substantially cruciform and having an upper annular track, on which rolls a roller housed in a notch of an escapement mobile, which is pivoted in a housing of the plate and in a not shown bridge, where the roller exerts a pushing force offset on the inertial element, subjecting it to a precessional rotational movement;
• the figure 13 is a block diagram representing a watch including such a movement.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a mechanical watch 1000, which is provided with a movement 500 which comprises, mounted on a plate 1, a flexible cardan resonator 100 and a continuous maintenance mechanism 200, subjected to the pair of motor means 300, such as than visible in Figure 16.

The flexible gimbal, visible on the figure 1 , and which will be detailed later, has the function of blocking an inertial element 2 of the resonator 100 and the plate 1 in three translations and a first rotation, while leaving flexible a second and a third rotation.

The axes of rotation of the flexible rotations are perpendicular and pass through the center of mass G of the inertial element 2 of the resonator 100.

• Les figures illustrant les mécanismes comportent un axe principal D, un premier axe D1, et un deuxième axe D2.
• La figure 2 précise la définition classique des angles d'Euler. Les directions d'Euler usuelles correspondent aux axes physiques selon la règle:
  • D= e2 ;
  • D1 = e3 ;
  • D2 = n.

The invention is here illustrated, without limitation, with a single inertial element 2.

• The figures illustrating the mechanisms comprise a main axis D, a first axis D1, and a second axis D2.
• The figure 2 specifies the classical definition of Euler angles. The usual Euler directions correspond to the physical axes according to the rule:
  • D = e2;
  • D1 = e3;
  • D2 = n.

• au moins un premier guidage rotatif flexible, notamment sans pivot, qui définit un axe de rotation D1= e3, encastré à une platine 1 d'un côté, et lié de l'autre côté à un composant intermédiaire 35 appelé croisillon,
• et au moins un deuxième guidage rotatif flexible, notamment sans pivot, définissant un axe de rotation n, dit aussi ligne des noeuds, lié à ce croisillon 35 d'un côté, et lié à l'élément inertiel 2 du résonateur 100 de l'autre.

According to the invention, the flexible gimbal comprises:

• at least one first flexible rotary guide, in particular without a pivot, which defines an axis of rotation D1 = e3, embedded in a plate 1 on one side, and connected on the other side to an intermediate component 35 called a cross,
• and at least one second flexible rotating guide, in particular without a pivot, defining an axis of rotation n, also called line of the nodes, linked to this crosspiece 35 on one side, and connected to the inertial element 2 of the resonator 100 of the other.

According to the invention, the flexibility of each of these flexible rotary guides causes a return torque proportional to the angle of rotation according to the rotation considered.

According to the invention, the inertial element 2 has an inertial matrix whose components along the directions e2 and e3 are substantially identical.

These last two characteristics make it possible to obtain the isochronism of the system, whatever the trajectory of the inertial element 2.

avec: $$\mathrm{T}={\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{cos\varphi }+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\theta }\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\varphi }\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\left(-\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\varphi }+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\theta }\mathrm{.}\mathrm{cos\varphi }\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\left(\mathrm{d\varphi }/\mathrm{dt}+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{cos\theta }\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

Le fait de bloquer une des rotations, dans la présente invention, se traduit, dans la variante illustrée, par le fait que, en permanence, φ= 0, ce qui simplifie l'expression du Lagrangien : $$\mathrm{Lag}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\varphi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)={\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{.}{\sin }^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{\theta }+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{.}{\cos }^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{\theta }+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\theta }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{\theta }}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\psi }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{\psi }}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

Si I2 = I3 = I23, on obtient alors: $$\mathrm{Lag}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\varphi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)={\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{23}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\theta }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{\theta }}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\psi }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{\psi }}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

Ce qui correspond au Lagrangien de deux oscillateurs isochrones selon θ et ψ.Indeed, these characteristics simplify the general Lagrangian, often called by a capital L cursory, and here expressed by the expression "Lag", which is equal to the difference between the kinetic energy Ec = T (total, which involves the velocity) and the potential energy Ep = V (total, which involves the position) of the system: $$\mathrm{The\; G}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\phi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)=\mathrm{T}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\phi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)-\mathrm{V}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\phi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)$$

with: $$\mathrm{T}={\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{power\; factor}+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\theta }\mathrm{.}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="sin\phi "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">sin\phi </figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\left(-\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\phi }+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{sin\theta }\mathrm{.}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="power\; factor"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">power\; factor</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="3"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\left(\mathrm{d\phi }/\mathrm{dt}+\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{dt}\mathrm{.}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="cos"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">cos</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

The fact of blocking one of the rotations, in the present invention, is translated, in the variant illustrated, by the fact that, permanently, φ = 0, which simplifies the expression of the Lagrangian: $$\mathrm{The\; G}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\phi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)={\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="dt"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">dt</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="dt"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">dt</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="sin"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">sin</figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{\theta }+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="3"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="dt"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">dt</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="cos"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">cos</figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{\theta }+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\theta }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\theta "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\theta </figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\psi }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\psi "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\psi </figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

If I2 = I3 = I23, then we obtain: $$\mathrm{The\; G}\left(\mathrm{\theta },\mathrm{\phi },\mathrm{\psi }\right)={\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="1⁄2I"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">½I</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}{\left(\mathrm{d\theta }/\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="dt"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">dt</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½I}}_{\mathrm{23}}{\left(\mathrm{d\psi }/\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="dt"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">dt</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\theta }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\theta "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\theta </figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}+{\mathrm{½C}}_{\mathrm{\psi }}\mathrm{.}{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\psi "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\psi </figure-callout>}}^{\mathrm{2}}$$

This corresponds to the Lagrangian of two isochronous oscillators according to θ and ψ.

The invention therefore makes it possible to achieve the best possible isochronism.

One can still, in a particular mode, impose that the frequency is identical between oscillations of angles θ and ψ.

In particular, the oscillation period according to the two rotations is substantially identical. Which means: $$2*\pi *\sqrt{\left\{\frac{\left\{{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="{\rm I}"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">{\rm I}</figure-callout>}}_1\right\}}{\left\{{\mathrm{VS}}_{\left\{\theta \right\}}\right\}}\right\}}=2*\pi *\sqrt{\left\{\left\{I_{23}\right\}/\left\{{\mathrm{VS}}_{\left\{\psi \right\}}\right\}\right\}}$$

The figure 1 shows the cooperation of a finger 21, which comprises the inertial element 2, with a groove 41 that comprises an exhaust mobile 4, typically the equivalent of an escape wheel, that includes the continuous maintenance mechanism 200. It is understood that, in the absence of such an escape wheel 4, the equilibrium position in the free state of the finger 21 would be on the axis D. The above equation ensures, in steady state, a circular trajectory of this finger 21 with respect to the pivot axis of the escapement wheel 4.

In application of this principle of flexible gimbal, the invention more particularly relates to a watch movement 500 for a mechanical watch 1000.

This movement 500 comprises, arranged on a plate 1, a resonator mechanism 100 and an escapement mechanism 200 subjected to the pair of motor means 300 that includes the movement 500.

The resonator mechanism 100 comprises at least one inertial element 2, which is arranged to oscillate with respect to the plate 1. This inertial element 2 is subjected to the action of elastic return means 3, 31, 32, which are fixed directly or indirectly to platen 1. And this inertial element 2 is arranged to cooperate with an escapement wheel 4 that includes the escape mechanism 200 and which pivots about a main axis D.

According to the invention, the escape wheel 4 comprises drive means 40, which are arranged to cooperate in continuous transmission of movement with complementary continuous drive means 20 that the inertial mobile 2 comprises in all the angular positions of this one.

And the elastic return means 3, 31, 32 are arranged to tend to bring the complementary continuous drive means 20 towards the main axis D.

These elastic return means 3, 31, 32 comprise first elastic return means 31 around a first axis D1 and which are arranged to tend to bring these complementary continuous drive means 20 towards this main axis D, and second elastic return means 32 around a second axis D2 and which are arranged to tend to bring the complementary continuous drive means 20 towards the main axis D.

The first axis D1 and the second axis D2 are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the main axis D.

And the elastic return means 3, 31, 32 constitute cardan-type guiding means and are arranged to prohibit the movement of the center of inertia G of the inertial element 2 according to the three linear degrees of freedom and to a degree of freedom in rotation, so as to allow the mobility of the inertial element 2 only in two degrees of freedom in rotation, around the first axis D1 and of the second axis D2, and around a central point constituting a fixed position of the center of inertia G with respect to the plate 1.

In particular, the main axis D, the first axis D1, and the second axis D2, are concurrent.

In an advantageous embodiment illustrated by the figures, the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 are arranged in series, the first elastic return means 31 being arranged between the plate 1 and an intermediate cross 35, and the second elastic return means 32 being arranged between the intermediate cross 35 and the inertial element 2, or vice versa.

In a particular embodiment, the first elastic return means 31 on the one hand, and the second elastic return means 32 on the other hand, are arranged to exert a return torque proportional to the angle of rotation which is printed to them, on at least part of their rotational stroke. More particularly, this proportionality applies for their entire angular travel. If necessary, angular limitation means are arranged to limit the flexibility of these elastic return means to the area where the return torque they exert is proportional to the angle of rotation which is printed to them.

To obtain the optimal isochronism of the resonator, the inertial element 2 has, with respect to the reference constituted by the main axis D, the first axis D1 and the second axis D2, a diagonal inertia matrix whose terms according to FIG. at least two of the main axis D, the first axis D1 and the second axis D2 are equal.

In particular, when, as visible on the figures 1 , 3 , 6 , and 12 , the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 are arranged in series, the first elastic return means 31 being arranged between the plate 1 and an intermediate cross 35, and the second elastic return means 32 being arranged between the intermediate crosspiece 35 and the inertial element 2, the inertial element 2 has, with respect to the reference frame consisting of the main axis D, the first axis D1 and the second axis D2, a diagonal inertia matrix, whose terms along the main axis D and the first axis D1 are equal.

In the variants of figures 1 and 6 , the drive means 40 comprise a groove 41 substantially radial with respect to the main axis D, and with which cooperates a finger 21 that comprises the drive means The continuous maintenance mechanism then comprises this finger 21 secured to the inertial element 2, which is driven in rotation by the grooved wheel 4, which cooperates by an oblique toothing with another wheel 49 to the end of a train, and is thus subjected to the torque of the motor means 300, in particular at least one barrel. Wheel 4 rotates here along an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes of rotation of the two flexible rotations.

Advantageously, and as illustrated by the figures, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second resilient return means 32 consist of flexible rotary guides without a pivot.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 together form a monolithic component.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, illustrated by the figures, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second resilient return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with two blades which are either crossed at the same level or blades located in two neighboring parallel levels and whose projections on a plane parallel to these levels intersect.

In this variant of flexible guide with two blades, the actual or projection crossover point of the two blades is, as visible on the figure 4 , advantageously located at a point between 0.12 and 0.14 times their length, and these blades form between them an angle of between 60 and 80 degrees.

In another variant, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second elastic return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with RCC pivots arranged head to tail.

In yet another variant, the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 are split, or more generally multiplied, to increase the rigidity of the flexible gimbal according to the degrees of freedom that must be linked.

In a particular variant, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second elastic return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with flexible blades, which blades are élinvar.

In another particular variant, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second elastic return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with flexible blades, which blades are made of oxidized silicon to compensate for the effects of temperature variations.

In another variant, as visible on the figure 5 the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second resilient return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with two blades which are blades located in two adjacent parallel levels and whose projections on a plane parallel to these levels intersect, each said blade belonging to a monolithic module 38 comprising the blade and its fixing means, and the flexible two-blade guide comprising two such modules 38 assembled recto-verso.

In a particular variant, the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 are calculated so that a first oscillation period T1, a function of a first inertia I1 and a first elastic constant k1 of the guide according to a first rotation about the first axis D1, equal to a second second oscillation period T2, a function of a second inertia I2 and a second elastic constant k2 of the guide according to a second rotation about the second axis D2.

More particularly, the first elastic return means 31 and the second elastic return means 32 have identical characteristics.

In a particular variant, as visible on the figure 6 the plane defined by the first axis D1 and the second axis D2, at equilibrium, is perpendicular to the plane of the plate 1, and the main axis D is parallel to the plane of the plate D.

In another variant, as visible on the figure 11 the plane defined by the first axis D1 and the second axis D2, at equilibrium, is parallel to the plane of the plate 1, and the main axis D is perpendicular to the plane of the plate D.

In a variant as illustrated in figure 11 , the drive means 40 comprise a slot 42 arranged to guide a roller 45. This roller 45 is arranged to roll on an annular track 250 that includes the inertial mobile 2, which track 250 constitutes the complementary continuous drive means 20. The roller 45 thus imparts to the inertial element a deported force, and a torque, which, in combination with the flexible gimbal 3, imparts to the inertial element 2 a precession movement, in the manner of a coin or a plate set in motion on a flat surface by the action of a couple, or a gyroscope or a spinning top. The continuous maintenance mechanism then consists of a ring carrying the annular track 250, and integral with the inertial element 2, driven in a precession movement by the wheel 4 to roller 45, subjected to the torque of the motor means 300, in particular of at least one barrel, the wheel 4 rotating along an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes of rotation of the two flexible rotations .

It will be noted, in this regard, that a three-ring gyroscope whose intermediate ring, similar to the cross described above, is connected by a spiral spring to each of the inner and outer rings, can constitute a resonator according to the invention. invention.

In a particular embodiment, the first elastic return means 31 and / or the second resilient return means 32 comprise flexible rotary guides with crossed blades, and are protected from rupture after impact by mechanical stops.

In a particular embodiment, the inertial element 2 comprises weights for adjusting the inertia and unbalance.

The invention also concerns a timepiece, in particular a mechanical watch 1000, comprising such a movement 500.

• l'obtention de l'isochronisme du résonateur, quelle que soit la trajectoire de l'élément inertiel ;
• la suppression des frottements de pivots du résonateur, grâce à leur remplacement par des guidages flexibles rotatifs, permettant d'augmenter le facteur de qualité ;
• la suppression des saccades à l'échappement, grâce à l'entretien continu, permettant d'augmenter le rendement d'échappement.

In sum, the present invention has particular advantages:

• obtaining the isochronism of the resonator, whatever the trajectory of the inertial element;
• the suppression of the pivots of the resonator pivots, thanks to their replacement by rotary flexible guides, making it possible to increase the quality factor;
• the suppression of saccades in the exhaust, thanks to the continuous maintenance, allowing to increase the exhaust efficiency.

Claims (24)

Movement (500) for a mechanical watch (1000), comprising, arranged on a plate (1), a resonator mechanism (100) and an exhaust mechanism (200) subjected to the pair of motor means (300) that comprises said movement (500), said resonator mechanism (100) comprising an inertial element (2) arranged to oscillate with respect to said plate (1), said inertial element (2) being subjected to the action of resilient return means ( 3; 31; 32) fixed directly or indirectly to said plate (1), and said inertial element (2) being arranged to cooperate with an escapement wheel (4) which comprises said exhaust mechanism (200) and which pivots around a main axis (D), characterized in that said mobile escapement (4) comprises drive means (40) arranged to cooperate in continuous transmission of motion with complementary continuous drive means (20) that includes said inertial mobile (2) in utes the angular positions thereof, and in that said elastic return means (3; 31; 32) are arranged to tend to bring said complementary drive means (20) back towards said main axis (D), and in that said elastic return means (3; 31; 32) comprise first elastic return means ( 31) about a first axis (D1) and arranged to tend to bring back said complementary continuous drive means (20) towards said main axis (D), and second elastic return means (32) around a second axis (D2) and arranged to tend to bring back said complementary continuous drive means (20) towards said main axis (D), said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2) being perpendicular to each other and to said main axis ( D), and in that said elastic return means (3; 31; 32) constitute cardan-type guiding means and are arranged to prohibit the movement of the center of inertia (G) of said inertial element (2) according to the three degrees of freedom linear and according to a deg re in freedom of rotation, so as to allow mobility of said inertial element (2) only in two degrees of freedom in rotation, around said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2) and around a central point constituting a fixed position of said center of inertia (G) relative to said plate (1). Movement (500) according to claim 1, characterized in that said main axis (D), said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2) are concurrent. Movement (500) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and said second elastic return means (32) are arranged in series, said first elastic return means (31) being arranged between said plate (1) and an intermediate cross (35), and said second elastic return means (32) being arranged between said intermediate cross (35) and said inertial element (2), or vice versa. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) on the one hand, and said second elastic return means (32) on the other hand, are arranged to exert a return torque proportional to the angle of rotation that is printed on them. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said inertial element (2) has, with respect to the reference constituted by said main axis (D), said first axis (D1) and said second axis ( D2), a diagonal inertia matrix, whose terms according to at least two of said main axis (D), said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2) are equal. Movement (500) according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that said inertial element (2) has, with respect to the reference constituted by said main axis (D), said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2), a diagonal inertia matrix whose terms along said main axis (D) and said first axis (D1) are equal. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said drive means (40) comprise a groove (41) substantially radial with respect to said main axis (D) and with which cooperates a finger (21). ) that comprise said complementary continuous drive means (20). Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second elastic return means (32) are constituted by flexible rotary guides without a pivot. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and said second elastic return means (32) together form a monolithic component. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second resilient return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides to two blades that are either crossed in the same level or blades located in two neighboring parallel levels and whose projections on a plane parallel to these levels intersect. Movement (500) according to claim 10, characterized in that , in a said flexible two-blade rotary guide, the actual or projection crossover point of the two blades is located at a point between 0.12 and 0.14 times their length, and these two blades form between them an angle of between 60 and 80 degrees. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second resilient return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides RCC type pivots arranged head -spade. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and said second elastic return means (32) are split to increase the rigidity of the flexible gimbal according to the degrees of freedom that must be linked. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second elastic return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides with flexible blades, which blades are in élinvar. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second elastic return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides with flexible blades, which blades are made of oxidized silicon to compensate for the effects of temperature variations. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second elastic return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides with two blades which are blades located in two adjacent parallel levels and whose projections on a plane parallel to these levels intersect each said blade belonging to a monolithic module (38) comprising said blade and its fixing means, and said flexible two-blade guide comprising two said modules (38) assembled double-sided. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a first oscillation period (T1), a function of a first inertia (I1) and of a first elastic constant (k1) of the guide according to a first rotation about said first axis (D1), is equal to a second first oscillation period (T2), a function of a second inertia (I2) and a second second elastic constant (k2) of the guide according to a second rotation about said second axis (D2). Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and said second elastic return means (32) have identical characteristics. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the plane defined by said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2), at equilibrium, is perpendicular to the plane of said platen (1 ), and in that said main axis (D) is parallel to the plane of said platen (D). Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the plane defined by said first axis (D1) and said second axis (D2), at equilibrium, is parallel to the plane of said platen (1 ), and in that said main axis (D) is perpendicular to the plane of said platen (D). Movement (500) according to claim 20, characterized in that said drive means (40) comprise a slot (42) arranged to guide a roller (45) arranged to roll on an annular track (250) that includes said inertial mobile (2), which constitutes said complementary continuous drive means (20). Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that said first elastic return means (31) and / or said second elastic return means (32) comprise flexible rotary guides with crossed blades and are protected breaking after a shock by mechanical stops. Movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that said inertial element (2) comprises flyweights for adjusting the inertia and unbalance. Mechanical watch (1000) comprising a movement (500) according to one of claims 1 to 23.

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