EP3355130B1 - Timepiece resonator mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clockwork resonator mechanism comprising a first support with a first anchor and a second anchor to which is fixed a flexible pivoting guide mechanism, which defines a virtual pivot axis around which a pivoting mass pivots, and which comprises at least one anterior RCC flexible pivot and one posterior RCC flexible pivot mounted in series and head-to-tail relative to each other around said virtual pivot axis, said anterior RCC flexible pivot comprising, between said first support and an intermediate rotary support, two straight anterior flexible blades of the same anterior length between their embeddings, defining two anterior linear directions which intersect at said virtual pivot axis and which define with said virtual pivot axis an anterior angle, and whose respective anchors of said two straight anterior flexible blades furthest from said virtual pivot axis are both at the same anterior distance from said virtual pivot axis, and said posterior RCC flexible pivot comprising, between said intermediate rotary support, which comprises a third anchoring and a fourth anchor, and said pivoting mass, two straight posterior flexible blades of the same posterior length between their sockets, defining two posterior linear directions which intersect at said virtual pivot axis and which define with said virtual pivot axis a posterior angle, and whose respective anchorings of said two straight posterior flexible blades furthest from said virtual pivot axis are both at the same posterior distance from said virtual pivot axis.

The invention also relates to a clock movement comprising at least one such resonator mechanism.

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

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking resonator mechanisms.

Background of the invention

It is known that the use of a flexible guided pivot makes it possible to replace the real pivot of a balance wheel as well as the elastic return spiral spring. This has the advantage of eliminating pivot friction. However, the guided pivots flexible are known to have a non-linear elastic restoring force which makes the resonator anisochronous, that is to say that the frequency depends on the amplitude of the oscillation, and to have a parasitic movement of the axis instantaneous rotation, which makes the operation of the resonator sensitive to its position in the gravity field.

The problem of the non-linearity of the elastic restoring force is difficult to solve, and the existing geometric solutions, to improve the linearity of the elastic restoring force and consequently make the resonator isochronous for a given angular amplitude range, require manufacturing on several levels. The patent application WO2016096677 , on behalf of The Swatch Group Research & Development Ltd, thus describes a watch resonator with crossed blades in two superimposed planes and explains the importance of the value of a particular angle, to optimize the linearity of the elastic and return force. therefore making the resonator isochronous for a given angular amplitude range. However, such a flexible guided pivot cannot be engraved in 2D in one go, which complicates its manufacturing.

The document EP3021174 in the name of LVMH SWISS MFT SA describes a monolithic timepiece regulator made in a single plate, comprising a rigid exterior element, an internal rigid element, and elastic suspensions connecting the external rigid element to the interior rigid element and allowing oscillating movements. The rigid internal element comprises arms which are rigidly connected to each other, leaving between them free angular spaces, in which the elastic suspensions are located. This document clearly illustrates a compact system, comprising pivots which include flexible blades, but this document does not describe any characteristic capable of ensuring isochronism (walking independent of amplitude), nor insensitivity to positions in space. , in the gravity field (position independent walking). The architecture of the blades and the intermediate supports is particular: we can notice that the ends of the two blades close to the axis of rotation are connected to two different intermediate supports, and are not connected to the same rigid element, it is not It is therefore not about RCC (Remote Compliance Center) pivots; it can also be noted that the embeddings close to the pivot axis of the first pivot are not rigidly linked by the intermediate support to the embeddings distant from the pivot axis of the second pivot. Finally, the system described is made up of three elementary flexible structures identical, repeated every 120° and combined like springs in parallel. Since each of these structures defines its own axis of rotation, the entire system is obviously hyperstatic, that is, there are more constraints than are necessary for the system to function. This has the consequence of destroying the linearity of the relationship between the deformation and the elastic return torque, so that the resonator cannot be isochronous. The teachings of this document do not make it possible to determine its particular geometric parameters.

The document WO2012/010408 in the name of NIVAROX-FAR describes an oscillating mechanism for a watch movement, comprising a first rigid element and a second rigid element, each arranged to be fixed to a different element of the movement, and one of which is movable relative to the other and pivots around a theoretical pivot axis. This oscillating mechanism is flexible with variable geometry, while being produced in a single piece, and comprises first elastic return means providing a direct or indirect elastic connection between said first rigid element and an intermediate rigid element, and comprises at least second means elastic return, which provide a direct or indirect elastic connection between the intermediate rigid element and the second rigid element. The first rigid element, the first elastic return means, the intermediate rigid element, the second elastic return means, and the second rigid element, are coplanar, and are arranged to deform in this plane. More particularly, the first elastic return means comprise at least one elastic blade, and the second elastic return means comprise at least one elastic blade. Again, the system described is hyperstatic since it is made up of two elementary flexible structures which are repeated every 180° and combined in parallel.

The document EP2645189 in the name of NIVAROX-FAR describes a watchmaking escapement mechanism comprising a balance wheel and an escape wheel. The transmission of impulses between the balance wheel and the escape wheel is carried out by a one-piece flexible mechanism comprising at least one cooperation sensor with the escape wheel or respectively the balance wheel, and this one-piece flexible mechanism is connected by at least one flexible blade to a fixed structure of said timepiece, or respectively to the escape wheel. More particularly, this flexible one-piece mechanism is an anchor, or an anchor Swiss, flexible with constant force, bistable in buckling, this anchor comprising a rod provided with a fork with a stinger and comprising a flexible pivoting and guided rod, this anchor cooperating with a two-level escape wheel, comprising pins on these two respective levels, and the anchor still carrying, on another level than the flexible rod, a pin arranged to cooperate with the escape wheel for the movement of the anchor near its tilting point.

The document EP2911012 in the name of CSEM describes a rotary oscillator for a timepiece comprising a support element intended to allow the assembly of the oscillator on a timepiece, a balance wheel, a plurality of flexible blades connecting the support element to the balance and capable of exerting a return torque on the balance, and a serge mounted integral with the balance. This plurality of flexible blades comprises at least a first flexible blade disposed in a first plane perpendicular to the plane of the oscillator, and a second flexible blade disposed in a second plane perpendicular to the plane of the oscillator and intersecting with the first plane. The geometric axis of oscillation of the oscillator is defined by the intersection of the first plane and the second plane, this geometric axis of oscillation crossing the first and second blades at 7/8 of their respective length. More particularly, the plurality of flexible blades comprises a pair formed of a first and a second blade of identical geometry and arranged in the first plane, and a third blade arranged in the second plane, interposed between the first and the second blade and having a height double that of the first or second blade.

The patent EP3206089B1 on behalf of The Swatch Group Research & Development Ltd, forming part of the prior art within the meaning of Art.54(3) EPC for the subject matter of appended claim 1, describes a watch resonator mechanism comprising a first support with a first anchor and a second anchor to which is attached a flexible pivot guide mechanism, which defines a virtual pivot axis around which a pivoting mass rotatably pivots, and which comprises at least one anterior flexible RCC pivot and a pivot flexible posterior RCC mounted in series and head to tail relative to each other around the virtual pivot axis. The anterior flexible pivot RCC comprises, between the first support and an intermediate rotary support, two straight anterior flexible blades of the same anterior length LA between their sockets, defining two anterior linear directions which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis, and which define with it an anterior angle, and whose respective anchorings of the two flexible blades right anteriors furthest from the virtual pivot axis are both distant from it by the same anterior distance DA. In the same way, the posterior flexible pivot RCC comprises, between the intermediate rotary support, which comprises a third anchoring and a fourth anchoring, and the pivoting mass, two straight posterior flexible blades of the same posterior length LP between their embeddings, defining two directions posterior linear which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis and which define with it a posterior angle, and whose respective anchorings of the two straight posterior flexible blades furthest from the virtual pivot axis are both distant from it 'the same posterior distance DP. This flexible pivoting guide mechanism is planar. The center of inertia of the assembly formed by the pivoting mass and any reported inertial mass carried by the pivoting mass is on the virtual pivot axis or in its immediate vicinity. The anterior length (LA) and the posterior length (LP) are equal to a common length (L), and the anterior distance (DA) and the posterior distance (DP) are equal to a common distance (D), the angle anterior (αA) and said posterior angle (αP) are equal to a common angle α which expressed in degrees is between: 109.5 + 5 / [(D/L) - (2/3)] and 114.5 + 5 / [( D/L)-(2/3)].

The document EP2273323A2 in the name of ULYSSE NARDIN describes a mechanical oscillator oscillating around an oscillation axis without a pivot, and which comprises a rim centered on the oscillation axis and mounted on a first attachment portion located on the axis of oscillation. oscillation, a fixing portion intended to be fixed to a frame of a watch movement, and a plurality of elastic systems connecting the serge and the fixing portion. At least some of the elastic systems are suspended and are free with reference to the frame. More particularly, this oscillator comprises an even number of return members comprising a pair of elastic blades consisting of a first and a second blade located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of oscillation and connected, by a first of their ends, to an intermediate attachment portion located on the axis of oscillation, and a suspended frame connected to the blades of a pair by their second end, this frame being coplanar with the blades which it connects; the blades of a pair define between them an angle of between 45 and 120°;
a lower return member and your upper return member are rigidly connected in pairs only by their suspended frame to form a first elastic system, the intermediate attachment portion of the lower return member being connected to the attachment portion intermediate of an upper return member of a second elastic system or to the first attachment portion, the intermediate attachment portion of the upper return member being connected to the attachment portion of a return member lower of a third elastic system or to the last attachment portion; in particular the oscillator comprises a plurality of elastic systems regularly distributed around the axis of oscillation. According to different variants, all the elastic blades are of the same length, or these suspended frames are concentric to the axis of oscillation, or the first and second return members of an elastic system are superimposed, or the first and second return members return of an elastic system are angularly offset, or the return members are made of silicon, in particular covered with a layer of oxide.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to produce a mechanical resonator with a high quality factor using an inertial part such as a balance wheel, supported by a guide with flexible rotating blades, also called a flexible guide pivot, which also acts as a means of elastic return. We want this resonator to be isochronous (operation independent of amplitude) and insensitive to positions in the gravity field (operation independent of positions).

The invention seeks to combine the advantages of the two known geometries, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, in a simple and economical, therefore two-dimensional, execution.

The invention thus relates to a clockwork resonator mechanism according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a clock movement comprising at least one such resonator mechanism.

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

Summary description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en perspective, un résonateur mécanique selon l'invention, comportant, entre un premier support agencé pour être fixé directement ou indirectement à la structure d'un mouvement d'horlogerie, et une masse pivotante mobile sur laquelle est rapporté un balancier à bras, deux pivots flexibles RCC montés en série, et tête-bêche, autour d'un support rotatif intermédiaire et de même axe de pivotement virtuel, et comportant chacun deux lames flexibles droites, avec le centre de masse de l'ensemble constitué par la masse pivotante mobile et le balancier rapporté coïncidant avec l'axe de pivotement virtuel;
• la figure 2 est une variante où le balancier rapporté comporte une serge circulaire ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, la partie centrale du résonateur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est un détail de la même partie centrale, mettant en évidence les différentes surfaces de limitation pour la protection anti-chocs, que comporte ce résonateur ;
• la figure 5 est un graphique représentant la valeur optimale de l'angle entre les deux lames de chaque pivot flexible RCC, en fonction du ratio entre, d'une part la distance de l'encastrement d'une lame, opposé à l'axe de pivotement, et d'autre part avec la longueur de la lame concernée ;
• les figures 6 à 8 illustrent d'autres variantes d'arrangements géométriques;
• la figure 9 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre avec un mouvement incorporant un résonateur selon l'invention, lequel comporte plusieurs mécanismes flexibles de guidage en pivotement disposés en série ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un pivot RCC ;
• la figure 11 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un pivot à lames flexibles comportant deux pivots RCC symétriques mis en série et disposés tête-bêche.

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

• there figure 1 represents, schematically and in perspective view, a mechanical resonator according to the invention, comprising, between a first support arranged to be fixed directly or indirectly to the structure of a watch movement, and a movable pivoting mass on which a pendulum is reported to arms, two flexible RCC pivots mounted in series, and head to tail, around an intermediate rotating support and with the same virtual pivot axis, and each comprising two straight flexible blades, with the center of mass of the assembly constituted by the movable pivoting mass and the reported balance coinciding with the virtual pivot axis;
• there figure 2 is a variant where the reported balance has a circular rim;
• there Figure 3 represents, schematically and in plan view, the central part of the resonator of the figure 1 ;
• there Figure 4 is a detail of the same central part, highlighting the different limiting surfaces for anti-shock protection, which this resonator includes;
• there Figure 5 is a graph representing the optimal value of the angle between the two blades of each flexible RCC pivot, as a function of the ratio between, on the one hand the distance from the embedding of a blade, opposite the pivot axis, and on the other hand with the length of the blade concerned;
• THE figures 6 to 8 illustrate other variations of geometric arrangements;
• there Figure 9 is a block diagram representing a watch with a movement incorporating a resonator according to the invention, which comprises several flexible pivoting guide mechanisms arranged in series;
• there Figure 10 represents, schematically and in plan view, an RCC pivot;
• there Figure 11 represents, schematically and in plan view, a pivot with flexible blades comprising two symmetrical RCC pivots placed in series and arranged head to tail.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention relates to a clockwork resonator mechanism 1000, comprising a first rigid support 100, fixed or movable, with a first anchor 1 and a second anchor 2, to which is fixed a flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10, which defines an axis virtual pivot point A, around which a rigid pivoting mass 200 rotates.

This flexible pivoting guiding mechanism 10 is a 2D flexible guiding pivot, that is to say achievable in a plane.

This flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10 allows the rigid pivoting mass 200 to rotate the virtual pivot axis A, relative to the first rigid support 100. It is composed of two flexible RCC (Remote Center Compliance, i.e. offset center of rotation) pivots whose axes of rotation coincide and which are connected by a rigid intermediate rotating support 20. The two RCC pivots are thus placed in series, but head to tail with respect to each other, so that their parasitic movements compensate for each other.

The invention is isostatic in the sense that the relative movement of the parts takes place without excessive constraint, thanks to the absence of other elements placed in parallel.

An elementary pivot with flexible blades is an assembly made up of 2 rigid parts R1 and R2 which are connected by two flexible blades L1 and L2 which do not touch. At rest the blades L1 and L2 are straight and not parallel so that their extension defines a crossing point A. The two rigid parts R1 and R2 can perform a relative rotational movement around the axis perpendicular to the plane and passing through A .

An RCC (Remote Compliance Center) pivot, illustrated in Figure 10 , is an elementary pivot with flexible blades whose crossing point A is located outside the blades. It is made up of two blades L1 and L2 of the same length L, and the points of engagement of the blades L1 and L2 in the rigid part R1 are equidistant from the axis of rotation A. The RCC pivot is well known to the skilled person (see the book by S. Henein, “Design of flexible guides”, Presses polytechniques et universitaire romandes, 2001, page 101 ).

The geometry of an RCC pivot is characterized by two parameters:
(1) the angle α between its two blades and (2) the ratio D/L where D is the distance between the axis of rotation A and the recess of the blades which is furthest away from it, and L is the length of each of the two blades.

• les deux pivots RCC qui le composent sont situés dans un même plan ;
• les deux pivots RCC qui le composent ont le même axe de rotation A ;
• les deux pivots RCC qui le composent ont les mêmes paramètres α et D/L ; De plus, la partie rigide la plus proche de l'axe de rotation de l'un des deux pivots (R1A dans la figure 11) est rigidement liée à la partie rigide la plus éloignée de l'axe de rotation de l'autre pivot (R2B dans la figure 11). On dit alors que les deux pivots RCC sont mis en série et tête-bêche, tel que visible sur la figure 11.

The invention comprises a flexible pivoting guide mechanism composed of two RCC pivots placed in series, such as:

• the two RCC pivots which compose it are located in the same plane;
• the two RCC pivots which compose it have the same axis of rotation A;
• the two RCC pivots which compose it have the same parameters α and D/L; In addition, the rigid part closest to the axis of rotation of one of the two pivots (R1A in the Figure 11 ) is rigidly linked to the rigid part furthest from the axis rotation of the other pivot (R2B in the Figure 11 ). We then say that the two RCC pivots are placed in series and head to tail, as visible on the Figure 11 .

The flexible pivoting guide mechanism that the invention comprises is thus made up only of three rigid parts and four blades located in the guide plane. In order to guarantee that the pivoting guidance is isostatic, it is important that there is no other flexible connection in said plane of the guide between said three rigid parts. However, it is entirely possible to arrange another flexible pivoting guide mechanism in another plane, parallel to the plane of the first guide and distant from it. This second flexible pivoting guide mechanism can be connected in series, or in parallel, to the first pivoting guide as required.

We can fix the first rigid part (R1B on the Figure 11 ) to the plate and fix an inertial mass, in particular a balance wheel, on the third rigid part (R2A on the Figure 11 ). The reverse is also possible.

One of the four segments of the intermediate rigid part can be interrupted. This is the case in the figures of the non-limiting variant illustrated. However, it is important that the four slots of the slats in the intermediate part (L1A, L2A in R1A and L1B, L2B in R2B in the Figure 11 ) are rigidly linked to each other.

It is understood that the embeddings close to the virtual pivot axis A of the first pivot RCC are rigidly connected, by the intermediate rotary support 20, to the embeddings distant from the virtual pivot axis A of the second pivot RCC, or vice versa, as visible on the figures 6 and 7 .

Thus, the flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10 comprises a flexible anterior RCC pivot 10A and a flexible posterior RCC pivot 10P, which are mounted in series with one another, and head to tail, around the pivot axis virtual A common, and which incorporate elastic flexible elements.

The anterior RCC flexible pivot 10A comprises, between the first support 100 and an intermediate rotary support 20, two anterior elastic assemblies 11, 21, formed, in the embodiment of the figures, by two straight anterior flexible blades 110, 210, likewise anterior length LA between their embeddings, defining two anterior linear directions D1, D2, which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis A, and which define with this virtual pivot axis A a anterior angle αA, and whose respective anchorages of the two flexible blades right anteriors 110, 210, the furthest from the virtual pivot axis A are both at the same anterior distance DA from the virtual pivot axis A.

Similarly, the posterior flexible RCC pivot 10P comprises, between the intermediate rotary support 20, which comprises a third anchor 3 and a fourth anchor 4, and the pivoting mass 200, two posterior elastic assemblies 31, 41, formed, in the mode for producing the figures, by two straight posterior flexible blades 310, 410 of the same posterior length LP between their embeddings, defining two posterior linear directions D3, D4, which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis A, and which define with this virtual pivot axis has a posterior angle αP, and whose respective anchorings of the two straight posterior flexible blades 310, 410, furthest from the virtual pivot axis A are both at the same posterior distance DP from the axis virtual pivot A.

In addition, the flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10 is planar.

The invention consists of optimizing the angle between the elastic elements of each flexible RCC pivot, so that the pivot has a linear elastic restoring force, so that the mechanical resonator is isochronous in a given angular amplitude domain.

• l'angle antérieur αA exprimé en degrés est compris entre :
  107+ 5/[(DA/LA)-(2/3)] et 114.5 + 5/[(DA/LA)-(2/3)],
• et l'angle postérieur αP exprimé en degrés est compris entre :
  107+ 5/[(DP/LP)-(2/3)] et 114.5 + 5/[(DP/LP)-(2/3)].

The center of inertia of the assembly formed by the pivoting mass 200 and any reported inertial mass 201 that the pivoting mass 200 carries, as in the non-limiting variants illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , is on the virtual pivot axis A or in its immediate vicinity, and the mechanical resonator is isochronous if:

• the anterior angle αA expressed in degrees is between:
  107+ 5/[(DA/LA)-(2/3)] and 114.5 + 5/[(DA/LA)-(2/3)],
• and the posterior angle αP expressed in degrees is between:
  107+ 5/[(DP/LP)-(2/3)] and 114.5 + 5/[(DP/LP)-(2/3)].

According to the invention, the anterior angle αA and the posterior angle αP are equal to a common angle α. More particularly, this common angle α is close to 118°.

According to the invention, the anterior distance DA and the posterior distance DP are equal to a common distance D, and the anterior length LA and the posterior length LP are equal to a common length L.

The common angle α is then between:
107+ 5/[(D/L)-(2/3)] and 109.5 + 5/[(D/L)-(2/3)].

The value of the optimum angle α depends mainly on the D/L ratio, but it also depends on the radii at which the blades are fitted, the aspect ratio of the blade section, and the thickness of the SiO2 layer. used for thermal compensation.

An optimal curve, close to the invention, for particular values of embedding radii and aspect ratio of the blades, is represented in solid lines on the Figure 5 , which shows the evolution of the optimal angle α, as a function of the D/L ratio.

Naturally, different values of embedding radii, and aspect ratio of the section of the blades, lead to different values of the optimal angle α. This angular range is represented on the figure 5 between the broken lines.

According to the invention, the angle α and the parameter D/L satisfy the relationship: 107+5/((D/L)-(2/3)) < α < 109.5+5/((D/L)- (2/3)).

More particularly, in the variants illustrated in the figures, the first anterior elastic assembly 11, the second anterior elastic assembly 21, the first posterior elastic assembly 31, and the second posterior elastic assembly 41 each consist of a straight flexible blade 110, 210, 310, 410.

In another variant not illustrated in the figures, the first anterior elastic assembly 11, the second anterior elastic assembly 21, the first posterior elastic assembly 31, and the second posterior elastic assembly 41 each comprise an alternation of straight flexible blades and elements intermediates more rigid than these straight flexible blades, aligned in the respective directions D1, D2, D3, D4.

To obtain a mechanical resonator with a high quality factor, it is advantageous to attach an inertial element 201 to the pivoting mass 200, or to integrate it therein, and to fix the first rigid support 100 to a plate or a bridge of the watch movement, or any other element capable of acting as a support for the flexible pivot resonator, for example, without limitation, a connecting element of a tuning fork, or even an anti-shock element which is authorized to move only in the event of a violent impact, so as to reduce the acceleration experienced by the resonator. Naturally, the fixed part and the mobile part represented here are interchangeable. This inertial element can be a disc, a ring such as a balance wheel as visible on the figure 2 , or a simple arm as visible on the figure 1 . It is important that the center of mass of the inertial element is substantially aligned with the virtual pivot axis A.

To avoid undesirable natural modes, it is advantageous to skeletonize the rigid intermediate rotary support 20 with recesses 209, so as to reduce its inertia, while giving it a rigidity much greater than that of the flexible blades constituting the elastic assemblies 11, 21 , 31, and 41, as visible on the figures 1 to 4 .

In the same way, when the elastic elements include intermediate elements that are more rigid than the straight flexible blades, these intermediate elements are advantageously also skeletonized.

Another advantageous variant, concerning all the embodiments, consists of arranging the rigid parts 100, 20, 200, very close to each other around the virtual pivot axis A, so that they act as anti-shock stops, radial and/or angular, in order to prevent breakage of the blades, as visible with the surfaces 105, 25, 26, 206, 28, 208, of the figure 4 , in particular the oblique faces 28 and 208 which contribute greatly to the shock resistance of the system. Or even to equip certain of the rigid parts with limitation arms 27 arranged to cooperate in abutment, in the event of an impact, with complementary surfaces 107 which the first support 100 comprises, as visible on the figure 4 where the intermediate rotary support 20 carries such limiting arms 27.

The invention can be implemented with blades having variable thicknesses. The optimum angle between the blades must then be adapted accordingly.

The essential thing is to respect the symmetry of flexibility with respect to the bisector of the angle αA, and with respect to the virtual pivot axis A.

The invention lends itself particularly well to monolithic execution.

According to the invention, the first support 100, the pivoting mass 200, and the flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10 form a one-piece assembly. This monobloc assembly can be produced, either by conventional machining, or, in a particular and non-exhaustive manner, by technologies such as “MEMS” or “LIGA” or 3D printing or additive manufacturing by laser or similar, in silicon, quartz , DLC, metal alloys, glass, ruby, sapphire or other ceramics, or polymers, charged or not, or the like, thermally compensated, in particular by a particular local growth of silicon dioxide, in certain areas of the part arranged for this purpose, when this one-piece assembly is made of silicon. Naturally, other materials can be used, some at the cost of temperature compensation. Mention will be made in particular and not limited to amorphous or crystalline metal alloys.

When the pivoting mass 200 carries an added inertial mass 201, the flexible pivoting guide mechanism 10 is advantageously made of silicon, oxidized in such a way that the complete resonator mechanism 1000, with this added inertial mass 201, is thermally compensated.

The clockwork resonator mechanism 1000 may comprise a plurality of such flexible pivoting guide mechanisms 10 mounted in series, to increase the total angular travel, arranged in parallel planes, and around the same virtual pivot axis A, by joining together rigid parts between them. Such a part can be formed by assembling two parts engraved on a single level, or it can be etched in SOI silicon at two levels.

It is possible, advantageously, to use two flexible pivoting guiding mechanisms in tuning fork configuration, to eliminate the reaction to the support; this can be generalized to a number N of flexible pivoting guiding mechanisms.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 2000 comprising at least one such resonator mechanism 1000.

The invention also relates to a watch 3000 comprising at least one such movement 2000.

• bon isochronisme, marche indépendante des positions dans le champ de gravité, marche indépendante de l'amplitude;
• facilité de fabrication, grâce au regroupement des éléments fonctionnels dans un seul plan, réalisable en deux dimensions, par gravure en une seule fois dans du silicium ou similaire, ou bien par découpage dans une plaque, par électro-érosion, laser, jet d'eau, fabrication additive ou autre.

The invention provides several advantages:

• good isochronism, walking independent of positions in the gravity field, walking independent of amplitude;
• ease of manufacturing, thanks to the grouping of the functional elements in a single plane, achievable in two dimensions, by engraving in one go in silicon or similar, or by cutting in a plate, by electro-erosion, laser, jet jet water, additive manufacturing or other.

Claims (9)

1. A timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) including a first support (100) with a first anchor (1) and a second anchor (2) to which is attached a flexural pivot guide mechanism (10), which defines a virtual pivot axis (A) about which rotatably pivots a pivoting mass (200), and which includes at least one front RCC flexural pivot (10A) and one back RCC flexural pivot (10P) mounted in series and head-to-tail relative to each other about said virtual pivot axis (A),

   said front RCC flexural pivot (10A) including, between said first support (100) and an intermediate rotary support (20), two straight flexible front blades (110, 210) of the same front length (LA) between the clamping points thereof, defining two linear front directions (D1, D2) which intersect at said virtual pivot axis (A) and which define with said virtual pivot axis (A) a front angle (αA), said first (1) and second (2) anchors forming the respective anchors of said two straight flexible front blades (110, 210) farthest from said virtual pivot axis (A) and being both at the same front distance (DA) from said virtual pivot axis (A),

   and said back RCC flexural pivot (10P) including, between said pivoting mass (200) and said intermediate rotary support (20), which includes a third anchor (3) and a fourth anchor (4), two straight flexible back blades (310; 410) of the same back length (LP) between the clamping points thereof, defining two linear back directions (D3, D4) which intersect at said virtual pivot axis (A) and which define with said virtual pivot axis (A) a back angle (αP), said third (3) and fourth (4) anchors forming the respective anchors of said two straight flexible back blades (310, 410) farthest from said virtual pivot axis (A) and being both at the same back distance (DP) from said virtual pivot axis (A),

   said flexural pivot guide mechanism (10) being planar, the centre of inertia of the assembly formed by said pivoting mass (200) and any added inertial mass (201) carried by said pivoting mass (200) being on said virtual pivot axis (A) or in the immediate proximity thereof, said front length (LA) and said back length (LP) being equal to a common length L, said front distance (DA) and said back distance (DP) being equal to a common distance D, said front angle (αA) and said back angle (αP) being equal to a common angle α expressed in degrees, which satisfies the relationship 107+5/((D/L)-(2/3)) < α < 109.5+5/((D/L)-(2/3)), function of the ratio D/L between said common length L and said common distance D, characterised in that said first support (100), said pivoting mass (200), and said flexural pivot guide mechanism (10) form a one-piece assembly.
2. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate rotary support (20) is formed into a skeleton by recesses (209) to minimise its mass and prevent unwanted natural frequencies.
3. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said first support (100), said pivoting mass (200), and said flexural pivot guide mechanism (10) are arranged very close to each other about said virtual pivot axis (A) and include surfaces (105, 25, 26, 206) forming anti-shock stops to prevent breakage of said flexible blades (11, 21, 31,41).
4. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to claim 3, characterised in that said intermediate rotary support (20) includes limitation arms (27) arranged to cooperate forming a stop in case of shock with complementary surfaces (107) included in said first support (100).
5. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said one-piece assembly is a temperature-compensated silicon assembly.
6. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said pivoting mass (200) carries an added inertial mass (201), and in that said flexural pivot guide mechanism (10) is made of silicon, oxidised so that said complete resonator mechanism (1000) with said added inertial mass (201) is temperature-compensated.
7. The timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it includes a plurality of said flexural pivot guide mechanisms (10) mounted in series, to increase the total angular travel, disposed in parallel planes, and about the same said virtual pivot axis (A).
8. A horological movement (2000) including at least one timepiece resonator mechanism (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 7.
9. A watch (3000) including at least one movement (2000) according to claim 8.

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