EP3410229B1 - Timepiece component with a flexible pivot - Google Patents

Timepiece component with a flexible pivot Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3410229B1
EP3410229B1 EP17173350.4A EP17173350A EP3410229B1 EP 3410229 B1 EP3410229 B1 EP 3410229B1 EP 17173350 A EP17173350 A EP 17173350A EP 3410229 B1 EP3410229 B1 EP 3410229B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable part
strips
support
timepiece component
monolithic
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EP17173350.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3410229A1 (en
Inventor
David Chabloz
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Priority to EP17173350.4A priority Critical patent/EP3410229B1/en
Publication of EP3410229A1 publication Critical patent/EP3410229A1/en
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    • 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
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/045—Oscillators acting by spring tension with oscillating blade springs
    • 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
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch component with a flexible pivot, that is to say a watch component comprising a movable part guided in rotation not by a physical axis but by elastic blades which connect the movable part to a support and which define a virtual axis of rotation.
  • the horological component is for example an oscillator which can serve as a time base in a mechanical horological movement.
  • the flexible pivot used in the present invention is of the type with separate crossed blades: the blades which connect the movable part to the support extend in different parallel planes and cross without contact.
  • the oscillator comprises first, second and third blades, the first and third blades being identical, the respective median planes of the first and third blades perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation appearing to be symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the second blade.
  • the patent FR 1,574,359 ( figure 3 ) describes a flexible pivot oscillator comprising three separate crossed blades arranged at 120 ° to each other.
  • the present invention aims to provide a watch component, in particular an oscillator, with separate crossed blades, the impact resistance of which is improved.
  • a watch component comprising a movable part, a support and a flexible pivot connecting the movable part to the support to guide the movable part in rotation with respect to the support about a virtual axis of rotation, the flexible pivot being arranged to elastically return the movable part to a rest position, the flexible pivot comprising first, second and third elastic blades crossing without contact, the respective median planes of said blades perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation being substantially parallel, said planes respective medians of the first and third blades being substantially symmetrical with respect to said median plane of the second blade, the first and third blades having substantially the same stiffness, horological component in which, in top plan view and when the movable part is in its position of rest, the respective neutral fibers of the first and third blades are substantially symmetrical ques with respect to a straight line defined by the neutral fiber of the second blade and the junction point of the second blade and the mobile part is located in a re-entering angular sector defined by the
  • the present invention further provides a horological movement and a watch comprising the horological component as defined above.
  • a clockwork oscillator 1 for a mechanical clockwork movement intended to be part of a watch such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch, comprises a support 2, a movable part or serge 3 and a flexible pivot 4 formed elastic blades 4a, 4b, 4c.
  • the serge 3 is typically in the form of a closed ring, as shown.
  • the support 2 is intended to be fixed on a fixed or mobile support of the movement, typically on the frame of the movement.
  • the blades 4a, 4b, 4c connect the support 2 to the serge 3, the latter being held only by said blades.
  • the blades 4a, 4b, 4c are three in number, respectively extend in three different planes which are parallel to the plane of the rim 3 and intersect, in plan view from above ( figure 1 ), at the same point O which is preferably coincident with the center of mass of the rim 3.
  • the point O corresponds more precisely to the intersection of the neutral fibers of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c.
  • the blades 4a, 4b, 4c guide the serge 3 in rotation around a virtual axis of rotation A perpendicular to the plane of the serge 3 and corresponding to the point O in plan view from above, and tend to return the serge 3 to a position of rest (equilibrium position) during its oscillations around axis A.
  • the blade 4b In the direction of the axis A, the blade 4b is located between the blades 4a, 4c.
  • the blades 4a, 4c have the same stiffness and are even typically identical with in particular the same thickness and the same height.
  • the blade 4b has the same stiffness as the blades 4a, 4c or even is identical to the blades 4a, 4c.
  • the respective median planes of the blades 4a, 4c perpendicular to the axis A are symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the blade 4b.
  • the respective neutral fibers of the blades 4a, 4c, or even the blades 4a, 4c themselves are symmetrical with respect to the straight line D, of which the neutral fiber of the blade 4b constitutes a segment, and the junction point 4b 'of the blade 4b to the rim 3 is located in the re-entering angular sector (sector with an angle greater than 180 °, equal to 360 ° minus the angle ⁇ shown in figure 1 ) defined by blades 4a, 4c.
  • the median plane of the blade 4b is preferably coincident with the median plane P of the rim 3.
  • the term “median plane of a blade” is understood to mean the plane perpendicular to the axis A which passes through the center of mass of each straight section of the blade and by “median plane of the rim” the plane perpendicular to the blade. the axis A which passes through the center of mass of the serge.
  • the blades 4a, 4b, 4c have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. In this case, the midplane of each blade is located at half the height of the blade.
  • the arrangement of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c as described above gives the oscillator 1 excellent impact resistance in that the rim 3 will tend to move vertically (in the direction of the axis of rotation virtual A) in the event of a vertical impact rather than in rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the rim 3. Indeed, the resultant of the reaction forces of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c on the rim 3 during a vertical shock will pass through point O rather than through a point away from the center of mass of the rim as in the flexible pivot oscillators of the prior art. The natural frequency of oscillator 1 as well as the interaction between oscillator 1 and the escapement of the watch movement will therefore be less disturbed.
  • Oscillator 1 can be made insensitive to gravity, in other words the frequency of oscillator 1 can be made independent of the position of the shows with respect to the gravitational field, by choosing a point O of crossing of the plates 4a, 4b, 4c located at 12.7% of the length of each plate measured from the support 2, according to the theory developed by WH Wittrick. Such a position of the point O minimizes the displacements of the virtual axis of rotation A during the operation of the oscillator 1.
  • the angle between the blades 4a, 4b, 4c is preferably equal to 120 °, as in the example shown. Such an angle is in fact optimal in terms of impact resistance and frequency independence with respect to the orientation of the watch.
  • the blades 4a, 4b, 4c can however have a different angular distribution.
  • the angle ⁇ between the blades 4a, 4c can in particular be between 80 ° and 160 °, and is typically between 100 ° and 140 °.
  • Oscillator 1 consists of three superimposed and assembled monolithic assemblies, each monolithic assembly comprising a stage 2a, 2b or 2c of the support 2, one of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage 3a, 3b or 3c of the rim 3, as shown in figure 2 .
  • the assembly is carried out for example by welding, brazing or gluing, preferably by thermocompression welding (thermocompression bonding), eutectic welding (eutectic bonding) or a polymer bond (polymer bonding).
  • the oscillator 1 consists of two monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled, a first of these assemblies comprising a stage of the support 2, two of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage of the rim 3, a second of these assemblies comprising a stage of the support 2, one of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage of the rim 3.
  • Each monolithic assembly forming part of oscillator 1 is made, for example, of silicon or any other suitable material according to the deep reactive ion etching technique known as "DRIE" (Deep Reactive Ion Etching), of nickel, nickel alloy or any other suitable material according to the LIGA technique (lithography, electroplating, casting), in steel, copper-beryllium, nickel silver or other metal alloy by milling, by electroerosion or by 3D printing, in metallic glass by molding, or in glass, sapphire or any other suitable material using the laser micro-structuring technique coupled with chemical attack.
  • DRIE Deep reactive ion etching technique
  • LIGA latitude, electroplating, casting
  • Each monolithic assembly forming part of the oscillator 1 can be completely or partially covered with a coating, for example a coating of silicon oxide in the case of a monolithic assembly made of silicon.
  • Holes 5 are made through the support 2 to allow its fixing, by means of fixing elements such as screws or pins, on a fixed or mobile support of the movement, typically the frame of said movement.
  • the stages of the serge 3 are assembled to each other by one of the techniques (welding, brazing or gluing) mentioned above and the stages of the support 2 are also assembled to each other by one of said techniques.
  • the stages of the support 2 may also not be fixed to each other before mounting the support 2 on said fixed or mobile support. They are then held together by the fixing elements which pass through the holes 5, each of the holes 5 being formed of aligned holes made respectively in the stages of the support 2.
  • the figure 3 shows the central monolithic assembly of a variant of oscillator 1, oscillator which is formed here of three monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled as in the example of figures 1 and 2 .
  • This central monolithic assembly comprises a central stage 2b of the support 2, the blade 4b and a central stage 3b of the rim 3, the other two monolithic assemblies, upper and lower, being identical to the assemblies 2a, 3a, 4a and 2c, 3c, 4c from the example of figures 1 and 2 .
  • the holes 5b made in the central stage 2b of the support 2 and intended to be traversed by said fixing elements are oblong and extend in the direction of the blade 4b at rest.
  • the upper stage 2a or the lower stage 2c of the support 2 which comprises the oblong holes.
  • This principle of giving one of the stages of the support 2 a degree of freedom in translation can also be applied in the case where the oscillator consists of two monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled, that of the two monolithic assemblies having only 'a blade then presenting the oblong holes.
  • the present invention is applicable to other horological components than an oscillator, for example to an escape lever, to a rocker or to a lever.
  • an escape lever for example to an escape lever
  • a rocker or to a lever By avoiding or attenuating the pivoting of the movable part of the component around an axis parallel to its plane during a vertical impact, this movable part can more easily continue to cooperate with its partner organ.

Description

La présente invention concerne un composant horloger à pivot flexible, c'est-à-dire un composant horloger comprenant une partie mobile guidée en rotation non pas par un axe physique mais par des lames élastiques qui relient la partie mobile à un support et qui définissent un axe de rotation virtuel. Le composant horloger est par exemple un oscillateur pouvant servir de base de temps dans un mouvement horloger mécanique.The present invention relates to a watch component with a flexible pivot, that is to say a watch component comprising a movable part guided in rotation not by a physical axis but by elastic blades which connect the movable part to a support and which define a virtual axis of rotation. The horological component is for example an oscillator which can serve as a time base in a mechanical horological movement.

Le pivot flexible utilisé dans la présente invention est du type à lames croisées séparées : les lames qui relient la partie mobile au support s'étendent dans des plans parallèles différents et se croisent sans contact.The flexible pivot used in the present invention is of the type with separate crossed blades: the blades which connect the movable part to the support extend in different parallel planes and cross without contact.

Des oscillateurs d'horlogerie à lames croisées séparées sont décrits dans les demandes de brevet EP 2 911 012 et WO 2016/096677 . Dans un mode de réalisation particulier illustré à la figure 3 de la demande EP 2 911 012 , l'oscillateur comprend des première, deuxième et troisième lames, les première et troisième lames étant identiques, les plans médians respectifs des première et troisième lames perpendiculairement à l'axe de rotation virtuel semblant symétriques par rapport au plan médian de la deuxième lame.Separate crossed-blade clock oscillators are described in patent applications. EP 2 911 012 and WO 2016/096677 . In a particular embodiment illustrated on figure 3 demand EP 2 911 012 , the oscillator comprises first, second and third blades, the first and third blades being identical, the respective median planes of the first and third blades perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation appearing to be symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the second blade.

Ces oscillateurs à lames croisées séparées connus présentent l'inconvénient d'une faible tenue aux chocs, la partie mobile ayant tendance à pivoter autour d'un axe parallèle à son plan lors de chocs verticaux.These known oscillators with separate crossed blades have the drawback of low resistance to shocks, the movable part having a tendency to pivot about an axis parallel to its plane during vertical shocks.

Le brevet FR 1 574 359 (figure 3) décrit un oscillateur à pivot flexible comprenant trois lames croisées séparées disposées à 120° les unes par rapport aux autres.The patent FR 1,574,359 ( figure 3 ) describes a flexible pivot oscillator comprising three separate crossed blades arranged at 120 ° to each other.

La demande de brevet EP 2 998 800 décrit un composant horloger à lames croisées séparées formé d'un assemblage de pièces monolithiques superposées.The patent application EP 2 998 800 describes a watch component with separate crossed blades formed from an assembly of superimposed monolithic parts.

La présente invention vise à proposer un composant horloger, en particulier un oscillateur, à lames croisées séparées dont la tenue aux chocs est améliorée.The present invention aims to provide a watch component, in particular an oscillator, with separate crossed blades, the impact resistance of which is improved.

A cette fin il est proposé un composant horloger comprenant une partie mobile, un support et un pivot flexible reliant la partie mobile au support pour guider la partie mobile en rotation par rapport au support autour d'un axe de rotation virtuel, le pivot flexible étant agencé pour rappeler élastiquement la partie mobile vers une position de repos, le pivot flexible comprenant des première, deuxième et troisième lames élastiques se croisant sans contact, les plans médians respectifs desdites lames perpendiculairement à l'axe de rotation virtuel étant sensiblement parallèles, lesdits plans médians respectifs des première et troisième lames étant sensiblement symétriques par rapport audit plan médian de la deuxième lame, les première et troisième lames ayant sensiblement la même raideur, composant horloger dans lequel, en vue plane de dessus et lorsque la partie mobile est dans sa position de repos, les fibres neutres respectives des première et troisième lames sont sensiblement symétriques par rapport à une droite que définit la fibre neutre de la deuxième lame et le point de jonction de la deuxième lame et de la partie mobile est situé dans un secteur angulaire rentrant défini par les première et troisième lames, le composant horloger comprenant des ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés, chaque ensemble monolithique comprenant un étage du support, un étage de la partie mobile et au moins une des lames élastiques, chaque étage du support présentant des trous permettant au support d'être traversé par des éléments de fixation pour fixer le composant horloger dans un mouvement horloger, les trous de l'étage du support de l'un des ensembles monolithiques étant oblongs et s'étendant dans la direction de la lame élastique au repos du même ensemble monolithique.To this end, a watch component is proposed comprising a movable part, a support and a flexible pivot connecting the movable part to the support to guide the movable part in rotation with respect to the support about a virtual axis of rotation, the flexible pivot being arranged to elastically return the movable part to a rest position, the flexible pivot comprising first, second and third elastic blades crossing without contact, the respective median planes of said blades perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation being substantially parallel, said planes respective medians of the first and third blades being substantially symmetrical with respect to said median plane of the second blade, the first and third blades having substantially the same stiffness, horological component in which, in top plan view and when the movable part is in its position of rest, the respective neutral fibers of the first and third blades are substantially symmetrical ques with respect to a straight line defined by the neutral fiber of the second blade and the junction point of the second blade and the mobile part is located in a re-entering angular sector defined by the first and third blades, the watch component comprising assemblies monolithic superimposed and assembled, each monolithic assembly comprising a stage of the support, a stage of the movable part and at least one of the elastic blades, each stage of the support having holes allowing the support to be crossed by fasteners to fix the watch component in a watch movement, the holes in the support stage of one of the monolithic assemblies being oblong and extending in the direction of the elastic blade at rest of the same monolithic assembly.

La présente invention propose en outre un mouvement horloger et une montre comprenant le composant horloger tel que défini ci-dessus.The present invention further provides a horological movement and a watch comprising the horological component as defined above.

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 dessus d'un oscillateur d'horlogerie qui, si modifié par remplacement d'une de ses parties par la partie illustrée à la figure 3, représente un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'oscillateur d'horlogerie illustré à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus d'une partie d'un oscillateur d'horlogerie selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description given with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a top view of a clockwork oscillator which, if modified by replacing one of its parts by the part illustrated on figure 3 , represents a particular embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a perspective view of the clockwork oscillator shown in figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a top view of part of a timepiece oscillator according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

En référence aux figures 1 et 2, un oscillateur d'horlogerie 1 pour un mouvement horloger mécanique destiné à faire partie d'une montre telle qu'une montre-bracelet ou une montre de poche, comprend un support 2, une partie mobile ou serge 3 et un pivot flexible 4 formé de lames élastiques 4a, 4b, 4c.With reference to figures 1 and 2 , a clockwork oscillator 1 for a mechanical clockwork movement intended to be part of a watch such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch, comprises a support 2, a movable part or serge 3 and a flexible pivot 4 formed elastic blades 4a, 4b, 4c.

La serge 3 est typiquement sous la forme d'un anneau fermé, comme représenté.The serge 3 is typically in the form of a closed ring, as shown.

Le support 2 est destiné à être fixé sur un support fixe ou mobile du mouvement, typiquement sur le bâti du mouvement.The support 2 is intended to be fixed on a fixed or mobile support of the movement, typically on the frame of the movement.

Les lames 4a, 4b, 4c relient le support 2 à la serge 3, cette dernière étant tenue uniquement par lesdites lames. Les lames 4a, 4b, 4c sont au nombre de trois, s'étendent respectivement dans trois plans différents qui sont parallèles au plan de la serge 3 et se croisent, en vue plane de dessus (figure 1), en un même point O qui est de préférence confondu avec le centre de masse de la serge 3. Le point O correspond plus précisément à l'intersection des fibres neutres des lames 4a, 4b, 4c. Les lames 4a, 4b, 4c guident la serge 3 en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation virtuel A perpendiculaire au plan de la serge 3 et correspondant au point O en vue plane de dessus, et tendent à rappeler la serge 3 vers une position de repos (position d'équilibre) pendant ses oscillations autour de l'axe A.The blades 4a, 4b, 4c connect the support 2 to the serge 3, the latter being held only by said blades. The blades 4a, 4b, 4c are three in number, respectively extend in three different planes which are parallel to the plane of the rim 3 and intersect, in plan view from above ( figure 1 ), at the same point O which is preferably coincident with the center of mass of the rim 3. The point O corresponds more precisely to the intersection of the neutral fibers of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c. The blades 4a, 4b, 4c guide the serge 3 in rotation around a virtual axis of rotation A perpendicular to the plane of the serge 3 and corresponding to the point O in plan view from above, and tend to return the serge 3 to a position of rest (equilibrium position) during its oscillations around axis A.

Dans la direction de l'axe A la lame 4b est située entre les lames 4a, 4c. Les lames 4a, 4c ont la même raideur et sont même typiquement identiques avec notamment la même épaisseur et la même hauteur. De préférence, la lame 4b a la même raideur que les lames 4a, 4c voire est identique aux lames 4a, 4c.In the direction of the axis A, the blade 4b is located between the blades 4a, 4c. The blades 4a, 4c have the same stiffness and are even typically identical with in particular the same thickness and the same height. Preferably, the blade 4b has the same stiffness as the blades 4a, 4c or even is identical to the blades 4a, 4c.

Conformément à l'invention, les plans médians respectifs des lames 4a, 4c perpendiculairement à l'axe A sont symétriques par rapport au plan médian de la lame 4b. En outre, en vue plane de dessus (figure 1) et lorsque la serge 3 est dans sa position de repos, les fibres neutres respectives des lames 4a, 4c, voire les lames 4a, 4c elles-mêmes, sont symétriques par rapport à la droite D dont la fibre neutre de la lame 4b constitue un segment, et le point de jonction 4b' de la lame 4b à la serge 3 est situé dans le secteur angulaire rentrant (secteur d'angle supérieur à 180°, égal à 360° moins l'angle α illustré à la figure 1) défini par les lames 4a, 4c. De plus, le plan médian de la lame 4b est de préférence confondu avec le plan médian P de la serge 3.According to the invention, the respective median planes of the blades 4a, 4c perpendicular to the axis A are symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the blade 4b. In addition, in top plan view ( figure 1 ) and when the rim 3 is in its rest position, the respective neutral fibers of the blades 4a, 4c, or even the blades 4a, 4c themselves, are symmetrical with respect to the straight line D, of which the neutral fiber of the blade 4b constitutes a segment, and the junction point 4b 'of the blade 4b to the rim 3 is located in the re-entering angular sector (sector with an angle greater than 180 °, equal to 360 ° minus the angle α shown in figure 1 ) defined by blades 4a, 4c. In addition, the median plane of the blade 4b is preferably coincident with the median plane P of the rim 3.

Dans la présente invention on entend par « plan médian d'une lame » le plan perpendiculaire à l'axe A qui passe par le centre de masse de chaque section droite de la lame et par « plan médian de la serge » le plan perpendiculaire à l'axe A qui passe par le centre de masse de la serge. Dans un exemple de réalisation typique, les lames 4a, 4b, 4c ont une section droite rectangulaire ou presque rectangulaire. Dans ce cas, le plan médian de chaque lame est situé à la moitié de la hauteur de la lame.In the present invention, the term “median plane of a blade” is understood to mean the plane perpendicular to the axis A which passes through the center of mass of each straight section of the blade and by “median plane of the rim” the plane perpendicular to the blade. the axis A which passes through the center of mass of the serge. In a typical embodiment, the blades 4a, 4b, 4c have a rectangular or almost rectangular cross section. In this case, the midplane of each blade is located at half the height of the blade.

L'agencement des lames 4a, 4b, 4c tel que décrit ci-dessus confère à l'oscillateur 1 une excellente tenue aux chocs en ce sens que la serge 3 aura tendance à se déplacer verticalement (dans la direction de l'axe de rotation virtuel A) en cas de choc vertical plutôt qu'en rotation autour d'un axe parallèle au plan de la serge 3. En effet, la résultante des forces de réaction des lames 4a, 4b, 4c sur la serge 3 lors d'un choc vertical passera par le point O plutôt que par un point éloigné du centre de masse de la serge comme dans les oscillateurs à pivot flexible de la technique antérieure. La fréquence propre de l'oscillateur 1 de même que l'interaction entre l'oscillateur 1 et l'échappement du mouvement horloger seront dès lors moins perturbées.The arrangement of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c as described above gives the oscillator 1 excellent impact resistance in that the rim 3 will tend to move vertically (in the direction of the axis of rotation virtual A) in the event of a vertical impact rather than in rotation around an axis parallel to the plane of the rim 3. Indeed, the resultant of the reaction forces of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c on the rim 3 during a vertical shock will pass through point O rather than through a point away from the center of mass of the rim as in the flexible pivot oscillators of the prior art. The natural frequency of oscillator 1 as well as the interaction between oscillator 1 and the escapement of the watch movement will therefore be less disturbed.

L'oscillateur 1 peut être rendu insensible à la gravité, en d'autres termes la fréquence de l'oscillateur 1 peut être rendue indépendante de la position de la montre par rapport au champ gravitationnel, en choisissant un point O de croisement des lames 4a, 4b, 4c situé à 12,7% de la longueur de chaque lame mesurée depuis le support 2, selon la théorie développée par W.H. Wittrick. Une telle position du point O minimise les déplacements de l'axe de rotation virtuel A pendant le fonctionnement de l'oscillateur 1.Oscillator 1 can be made insensitive to gravity, in other words the frequency of oscillator 1 can be made independent of the position of the shows with respect to the gravitational field, by choosing a point O of crossing of the plates 4a, 4b, 4c located at 12.7% of the length of each plate measured from the support 2, according to the theory developed by WH Wittrick. Such a position of the point O minimizes the displacements of the virtual axis of rotation A during the operation of the oscillator 1.

En vue plane de dessus et lorsque la serge 3 est dans sa position de repos l'angle entre les lames 4a, 4b, 4c est de préférence égal à 120°, comme dans l'exemple représenté. Un tel angle est en effet optimal en termes de résistance aux chocs et d'indépendance de la fréquence par rapport à l'orientation de la montre. Les lames 4a, 4b, 4c peuvent toutefois avoir une répartition angulaire différente. L'angle α entre les lames 4a, 4c peut notamment être compris entre 80° et 160°, et est typiquement compris entre 100° et 140°.In top plan view and when the rim 3 is in its rest position, the angle between the blades 4a, 4b, 4c is preferably equal to 120 °, as in the example shown. Such an angle is in fact optimal in terms of impact resistance and frequency independence with respect to the orientation of the watch. The blades 4a, 4b, 4c can however have a different angular distribution. The angle α between the blades 4a, 4c can in particular be between 80 ° and 160 °, and is typically between 100 ° and 140 °.

L'oscillateur 1 est constitué de trois ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés, chaque ensemble monolithique comprenant un étage 2a, 2b ou 2c du support 2, l'une des lames 4a, 4b, 4c et un étage 3a, 3b ou 3c de la serge 3, comme illustré à la figure 2. L'assemblage est réalisé par exemple par soudage, brasage ou collage, de préférence par un soudage par thermocompression (thermocompression bonding), un soudage eutectique (eutectic bonding) ou une liaison polymère (polymer bonding). Dans une variante, l'oscillateur 1 est constitué de deux ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés, un premier de ces ensembles comprenant un étage du support 2, deux des lames 4a, 4b, 4c et un étage de la serge 3, un deuxième de ces ensembles comprenant un étage du support 2, une des lames 4a, 4b, 4c et un étage de la serge 3.Oscillator 1 consists of three superimposed and assembled monolithic assemblies, each monolithic assembly comprising a stage 2a, 2b or 2c of the support 2, one of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage 3a, 3b or 3c of the rim 3, as shown in figure 2 . The assembly is carried out for example by welding, brazing or gluing, preferably by thermocompression welding (thermocompression bonding), eutectic welding (eutectic bonding) or a polymer bond (polymer bonding). In a variant, the oscillator 1 consists of two monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled, a first of these assemblies comprising a stage of the support 2, two of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage of the rim 3, a second of these assemblies comprising a stage of the support 2, one of the blades 4a, 4b, 4c and a stage of the rim 3.

Chaque ensemble monolithique faisant partie de l'oscillateur 1 est réalisé par exemple en silicium ou dans toute autre matière appropriée selon la technique de gravure ionique réactive profonde dite « DRIE » (Deep Reactive Ion Etching), en nickel, alliage de nickel ou toute autre matière appropriée selon la technique LIGA (lithographie, galvanoplastie, moulage), en acier, cuivre-béryllium, maillechort ou autre alliage métallique par fraisage, par électroérosion ou par impression 3D, en verre métallique par moulage, ou en verre, saphir ou toute autre matière appropriée selon la technique de micro-structuration laser couplée à une attaque chimique. Chaque ensemble monolithique faisant partie de l'oscillateur 1 peut être couvert totalement ou partiellement d'un revêtement, par exemple d'un revêtement d'oxyde de silicium dans le cas d'un ensemble monolithique en silicium.Each monolithic assembly forming part of oscillator 1 is made, for example, of silicon or any other suitable material according to the deep reactive ion etching technique known as "DRIE" (Deep Reactive Ion Etching), of nickel, nickel alloy or any other suitable material according to the LIGA technique (lithography, electroplating, casting), in steel, copper-beryllium, nickel silver or other metal alloy by milling, by electroerosion or by 3D printing, in metallic glass by molding, or in glass, sapphire or any other suitable material using the laser micro-structuring technique coupled with chemical attack. Each monolithic assembly forming part of the oscillator 1 can be completely or partially covered with a coating, for example a coating of silicon oxide in the case of a monolithic assembly made of silicon.

Des trous 5 sont pratiqués à travers le support 2 pour permettre sa fixation, au moyen d'éléments de fixation tels que vis ou goupilles, sur un support fixe ou mobile du mouvement, typiquement le bâti dudit mouvement.Holes 5 are made through the support 2 to allow its fixing, by means of fixing elements such as screws or pins, on a fixed or mobile support of the movement, typically the frame of said movement.

De préférence, dans l'oscillateur 1 constitué de plusieurs ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés, les étages de la serge 3 sont assemblés les uns aux autres par l'une des techniques (soudage, brasage ou collage) mentionnées plus haut et les étages du support 2 sont aussi assemblés les uns aux autres par l'une desdites techniques. Les étages du support 2 peuvent aussi ne pas être fixés les uns aux autres avant le montage du support 2 sur ledit support fixe ou mobile. Ils sont alors tenus ensemble par les éléments de fixation qui traversent les trous 5, chacun des trous 5 étant formé de trous alignés pratiqués respectivement dans les étages du support 2.Preferably, in the oscillator 1 consisting of several superimposed and assembled monolithic assemblies, the stages of the serge 3 are assembled to each other by one of the techniques (welding, brazing or gluing) mentioned above and the stages of the support 2 are also assembled to each other by one of said techniques. The stages of the support 2 may also not be fixed to each other before mounting the support 2 on said fixed or mobile support. They are then held together by the fixing elements which pass through the holes 5, each of the holes 5 being formed of aligned holes made respectively in the stages of the support 2.

La figure 3 montre l'ensemble monolithique central d'une variante de l'oscillateur 1, oscillateur qui est formé ici de trois ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés comme dans l'exemple des figures 1 et 2. Cet ensemble monolithique central comprend un étage central 2b du support 2, la lame 4b et un étage central 3b de la serge 3, les deux autres ensembles monolithiques, supérieur et inférieur, étant identiques aux ensembles 2a, 3a, 4a et 2c, 3c, 4c de l'exemple des figures 1 et 2. Dans la variante de la figure 3, les trous 5b pratiqués dans l'étage central 2b du support 2 et destinés à être traversés par lesdits éléments de fixation sont oblongs et s'étendent dans la direction de la lame 4b au repos. Ces trous oblongs 5b offrent à cet étage central 2b un degré de liberté en translation par rapport aux étages supérieur et inférieur du support 2 lors du montage du support 2 sur ledit support fixe ou mobile, l'étage central 2b étant ensuite tenu par serrage entre les étages supérieur et inférieur. De la sorte, selon l'invention, on peut corriger des imprécisions de fabrication et/ou d'assemblage et éviter le risque que le système devienne hyperstatique. On peut aussi monter le support 2 de telle manière que le degré de liberté en translation de l'étage central 2b soit conservé pendant le fonctionnement de l'oscillateur 1.The figure 3 shows the central monolithic assembly of a variant of oscillator 1, oscillator which is formed here of three monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled as in the example of figures 1 and 2 . This central monolithic assembly comprises a central stage 2b of the support 2, the blade 4b and a central stage 3b of the rim 3, the other two monolithic assemblies, upper and lower, being identical to the assemblies 2a, 3a, 4a and 2c, 3c, 4c from the example of figures 1 and 2 . In the variant of figure 3 , the holes 5b made in the central stage 2b of the support 2 and intended to be traversed by said fixing elements are oblong and extend in the direction of the blade 4b at rest. These oblong holes 5b offer this central stage 2b a degree of freedom in translation with respect to the upper and lower stages of the support 2 during the mounting the support 2 on said fixed or mobile support, the central stage 2b then being held by clamping between the upper and lower stages. In this way, according to the invention, it is possible to correct manufacturing and / or assembly inaccuracies and avoid the risk of the system becoming hyperstatic. It is also possible to mount the support 2 in such a way that the degree of freedom in translation of the central stage 2b is maintained during the operation of the oscillator 1.

Dans des variantes, selon l'invention, c'est l'étage supérieur 2a ou l'étage inférieur 2c du support 2 qui comporte les trous oblongs. Ce principe de donner à l'un des étages du support 2 un degré de liberté en translation peut aussi s'appliquer dans le cas où l'oscillateur est constitué de deux ensembles monolithiques superposés et assemblés, celui des deux ensembles monolithiques n'ayant qu'une lame présentant alors les trous oblongs.In variants, according to the invention, it is the upper stage 2a or the lower stage 2c of the support 2 which comprises the oblong holes. This principle of giving one of the stages of the support 2 a degree of freedom in translation can also be applied in the case where the oscillator consists of two monolithic assemblies superimposed and assembled, that of the two monolithic assemblies having only 'a blade then presenting the oblong holes.

La présente invention est applicable à d'autres composants horlogers qu'un oscillateur, par exemple à une ancre d'échappement, à une bascule ou à un levier. En évitant ou atténuant le pivotement de la partie mobile du composant autour d'un axe parallèle à son plan lors d'un choc vertical, cette partie mobile pourra plus facilement continuer à coopérer avec son organe partenaire.The present invention is applicable to other horological components than an oscillator, for example to an escape lever, to a rocker or to a lever. By avoiding or attenuating the pivoting of the movable part of the component around an axis parallel to its plane during a vertical impact, this movable part can more easily continue to cooperate with its partner organ.

Claims (11)

  1. Timepiece component (1) comprising a movable part (3), a support (2) and a flexible pivot (4) connecting the movable part (3) to the support (2) for guiding the movable part (3) in rotation with respect to the support (2) about a virtual axis of rotation (A), the flexible pivot (4) being arranged for elastically bringing the movable part (3) back towards a rest position, the flexible pivot (4) comprising first, second and third elastic strips (4a, 4b, 4c) crossing each other in a non-contacting manner, the respective median planes of said strips perpendicularly to the virtual axis of rotation (A) being substantially parallel, said respective median planes of the first and third strips (4a, 4c) being substantially symmetrical with respect to said median plane of the second strip (4b), the first and third strips (4a, 4c) having substantially the same stiffness, wherein, in plan view from above and when the movable part (3) is in its rest position, the respective neutral fibres of the first and third strips (4a, 4c) are substantially symmetrical with respect to a straight line (D) defined by the neutral fibre of the second strip (4b) and the point of junction (4b') of the second strip (4b) and of the movable part (3) is located in a re-entrant angular sector defined by the first and third strips (4a, 4c), the timepiece component (1) comprising superimposed and assembled monolithic assemblies, each monolithic assembly comprising a stage (2a, 2b, 2c) of the support (2), a stage (3a, 3b, 3c) of the movable part (3) and at least one of the elastic strips (4a, 4b, 4c), each stage (2a, 2b, 2c) of the support (2) being provided with holes (5) allowing the support (2) to be traversed by fastening elements for fastening the timepiece component (1) in a timepiece movement, the holes (5b) of the stage (2a, 2b, 2c) of the support (2) of one of the monolithic assemblies being oblong and extending in the direction of the elastic strip (4a, 4b, 4c) at rest of the same monolithic assembly.
  2. Timepiece component (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that, in plan view from above and when the movable part (3) is in its rest position, the first, second and third strips (4a, 4b, 4c) intersect at a point (O) located at approximately 12.7% of the length of each strip measured from the support (2).
  3. Timepiece component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in plan view from above and when the movable part (3) is in its rest position, the angle (a) between the first and third strips (4a, 4c) is between 80° and 160°, preferably between 100° and 140°.
  4. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in plan view from above and when the movable part (3) is in its rest position, the angle (a) between the first and third strips (4a, 4c) is approximately 120°.
  5. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second strip (4b) has substantially the same stiffness as the first and third strips (4a, 4c).
  6. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said median plane of the second strip (4b) is substantially coincident with the median plane of the movable part (3).
  7. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that, in plan view from above and when the movable part (3) is in its rest position, the first, second and third strips (4a, 4b, 4c) intersect at a point (O) which is substantially coincident with the centre of mass of the movable part (3).
  8. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises first, second and third said monolithic assemblies and in that said one of the monolithic assemblies is the second monolithic assembly, located between the first and third monolithic assemblies.
  9. Timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it is an oscillator, an anchor, a rocker or a lever.
  10. Timepiece movement comprising a timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
  11. Watch comprising a timepiece component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
EP17173350.4A 2017-05-30 2017-05-30 Timepiece component with a flexible pivot Active EP3410229B1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3812843A1 (en) * 2019-10-25 2021-04-28 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Flexible guide and set of stacked flexible guides for rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a clock movement
EP4273633A1 (en) * 2022-05-02 2023-11-08 CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement Mechanical oscillator with isochronism correction
EP4286959A1 (en) 2022-06-02 2023-12-06 Patek Philippe SA Genève Timepiece oscillator with flexible pivot

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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CH490701A (en) * 1967-08-02 1970-01-30 Meyer Hans Elastic transducer for timing device
EP2911012B1 (en) 2014-02-20 2020-07-22 CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement Timepiece oscillator
EP3457221B1 (en) * 2014-09-16 2022-08-10 Patek Philippe SA Genève Timepiece oscillator with flexible pivot
EP3035126B1 (en) 2014-12-18 2017-12-13 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Timepiece resonator with crossed blades

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