EP3540528A1 - Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement the oscillating rate of which is controlled by an electronic device - Google Patents

Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement the oscillating rate of which is controlled by an electronic device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3540528A1
EP3540528A1 EP18162191.3A EP18162191A EP3540528A1 EP 3540528 A1 EP3540528 A1 EP 3540528A1 EP 18162191 A EP18162191 A EP 18162191A EP 3540528 A1 EP3540528 A1 EP 3540528A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
regulating device
mechanical
period
electrodes
spiral
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP18162191.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3540528B1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Nagy
Alexandre Haemmerli
Lionel TOMBEZ
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Swatch Group Research and Development SA filed Critical Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Priority to EP18162191.3A priority Critical patent/EP3540528B1/en
Priority to JP2019042361A priority patent/JP6797227B2/en
Priority to CN201910193381.2A priority patent/CN110275420B/en
Priority to US16/354,217 priority patent/US11415946B2/en
Publication of EP3540528A1 publication Critical patent/EP3540528A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3540528B1 publication Critical patent/EP3540528B1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • G04C3/047—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using other coupling means, e.g. electrostrictive, magnetostrictive
    • 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
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/063—Balance construction
    • 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
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/066—Manufacture of the spiral spring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/22—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature
    • G04B17/227—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature composition and manufacture of the material used
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement, provided with a mechanical oscillator which is formed by a balance and a hairspring, and an electronic control device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator which controls the movement of the mechanical movement.
  • the electronic control device comprises an auxiliary oscillator of the electronic type that is generally more accurate than the mechanical oscillator, in particular a quartz oscillator, and a measuring device arranged to be able to measure, if necessary, a time drift of the oscillator. mechanical oscillator relative to the auxiliary oscillator.
  • the hairspring consists of a piezoelectric material or has two side layers of piezoelectric material on a silicon core, two external side electrodes being arranged on the side surfaces of the hairspring. These two electrodes are connected to the electronic control circuit which comprises a plurality of switchable capacitors arranged in parallel and connected to the two electrodes of the spiral.
  • Figure 1 only the mechanical resonator 2 of the mechanical movement of the timepiece, this resonator comprising a rocker 4 oscillating about a geometric axis 6 and a spiral 8 whose terminal curve 10 passes conventionally through a stud 12 secured to a balance bridge (not shown) of the mechanical movement.
  • the Figure 2 schematically shows a portion of the spiral 8.
  • This spiral is formed by a central body 14 of silicon, two side layers 16, 18 of piezoelectric material, in particular aluminum nitride (AlN), and two external metal electrodes 20, 22.
  • the two electrodes are connected by conductive wires 26, 28 (schematic representation) to an electronic control circuit 24.
  • the Figure 3 (which reproduces the figure 1 the previous document considered with some additional information from the figures 2 and 7 ) shows the general arrangement of the regulating device 32 which is incorporated in the timepiece in question and in particular the electronic control circuit 24.
  • This circuit 24 comprises a first capacitor 34 connected to the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral and a plurality switchable capacitors 36a to 36d which are arranged in parallel with the first capacitor, so as to form a variable capacity Cv so as to be able to vary the value of the capacitance connected to the electrodes of the spiral and thus vary, according to the teaching of the document, the rigidity of the spiral.
  • the circuit 24 further comprises a comparator 38 whose two inputs are respectively connected to the two electrodes of the spiral 8, this comparator being provided to provide a logic signal making it possible to determine, by successive changes in the logic state of this logic signal, the passages by zero of the voltage induced between the two electrodes of the spiral.
  • the logic signal is supplied to a logic circuit 40 which also receives a reference signal from a clock circuit 42 associated with a crystal resonator 44. On the basis of a comparison between the reference signal and the logic signal provided speak comparator 38, the logic circuit 40 controls the switches of the switchable capacitors 36a to 36d.
  • a full-wave rectifier circuit 46 conventionally formed of a four-diode bridge, which supplies a DC voltage V DC and charges a storage capacitor 48.
  • This electrical energy supplied by the piezoelectric hairspring allows a supply of the device 32. It is therefore an autonomous electrical system because it is self-powered in that the electrical energy comes from the mechanical energy supplied to the mechanical resonator 2 including the piezoelectric spiral 8, when the resonator mechanical oscillates, forms an electromechanical transducer (an electric current generator).
  • the electronic control circuit 24 can only reduce the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator 2 by increasing the value of the variable capacitance Cv.
  • This finding is confirmed by the graph of the Figure 4 which shows the curve 50 giving the deviation as a function of the value of the variable capacitance Cv. It can be seen that the difference obtained is always less than zero and increases in absolute value as the value of the variable capacity increases.
  • the control system requires that the natural frequency of the mechanical oscillator (frequency in the absence of regulation) is greater than the nominal frequency (reference frequency) of this mechanical oscillator.
  • the present invention aims to propose a timepiece, provided with a mechanical resonator comprising a spiral formed at least partially of a piezoelectric material and an electronic control system associated with the piezoelectric spiral, which does not present the disadvantages of the timepiece of the prior art described above, in particular that can be associated with a mechanical movement whose gait is initially set optimally, that is to say to the best of its ability.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an electronic control system which is discrete and autonomous thanks to the use of a piezoelectric spiral and which is really complementary to the mechanical movement by making it possible to increase its precision without degrading otherwise a optimal initial setting of this mechanical movement.
  • the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical watch movement, provided with a mechanical oscillator formed by a balance and a hairspring and arranged to clock the movement of the watch movement, and a control device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, said regulator comprising an auxiliary time base formed by an auxiliary oscillator and providing a reference frequency signal, and a device for measuring a time drift in the movement of the watch movement relative to a frequency set point for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the auxiliary time base.
  • the hairspring is formed at least partially by a piezoelectric material and by at least two electrodes arranged so as to be able to present between them an induced voltage generated by the material piezoelectric when the latter is placed under mechanical stress during an oscillation of the mechanical oscillator, the two electrodes being electrically connected to the regulating device which is arranged to be able to vary the impedance of the regulation system, formed by the piezoelectric material, said at least two electrodes and the regulating device, as a function of a measurement signal of the time drift provided by the measuring device.
  • the regulating device is arranged in such a way as to be able to momentarily vary the electrical resistance generated by this regulating device between the two electrodes of the spiral and in order to be able to generate temporally separated regulation pulses, each consisting of a momentary decrease of this electrical resistance relative to a nominal electrical resistance which is generated by the regulating device between said two electrodes outside the regulation pulses.
  • each of the aforementioned control pulses generates a gait deviation for the mechanical movement which is variable as a function of the instant of its beginning in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the regulating device is arranged to be able to determine whether a time drift measured by the measuring device corresponds to at least some advance or at least some delay and to generate at least one control pulse with a pulse start provided selectively , depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or at least a certain delay in said first time zone or in said second time zone of respectively at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention it is therefore possible to correct both an advance and a delay in the running of a mechanical movement by acting by regulation pulses, each having a limited duration, which vary the resistance between the two spiral electrodes in different time zones of corresponding half-periods according to whether an advance or a delay has been detected in the course of the mechanical movement.
  • the regulating device comprises a switch arranged between the two electrodes of the spring, this switch being controlled by a control circuit which is arranged to momentarily close this switch so as to make it conductive during the control pulses. which then define short-circuit pulses.
  • the timepiece according to the invention comprises, as the timepiece of the prior art described above, a mechanical watch movement provided with a mechanical oscillator formed by a balance and a piezoelectric spiral and arranged to clock the running of the movement watchmaker.
  • the timepiece comprises a regulating device 62 whose electrical circuit diagram is shown in FIG. Figure 5 .
  • This regulating device which is intended to regulate the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, comprises an electronic control circuit 52 and an auxiliary time base which is formed by an auxiliary oscillator and which supplies a reference frequency signal to the electronic circuit regulation.
  • This time base comprises, for example, a quartz resonator 44 and a clock circuit 42 which supplies the reference frequency signal to a divider having at least two stages DIV1 and DIV2.
  • the piezoelectric spiral 8 is formed at least partially by a piezoelectric material and by at least two electrodes 20, 22 (see FIG. Figures 2 , 5 and 11 ) which are arranged so as to be able to present between them an induced voltage U (t) by said piezoelectric material when the latter is subjected to mechanical stress during an oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (see FIG. Figure 7 ).
  • the two electrodes are electrically connected to the electronic control circuit 52.
  • the electronic control circuit comprises a device for measuring a possible time drift in the movement of the watch movement relative to a reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the auxiliary time base 42,44.
  • the measurement device is formed by a hysteresis comparator 54 whose two inputs are connected to the two electrodes 20,22 of the piezoelectric coil 8. It will be noted that in the example given, the electrode 20 is electrically connected to an input of comparator 54 via the mass of the regulating device.
  • the hysteresis comparator provides a digital 'Comp' signal (see Figures 5 and 7 ) whose logic state changes just after each passage of the mechanical oscillator by its neutral position (angular position ⁇ (t) equal to zero), more particularly after each zero crossing of the mechanical resonator forming the mechanical oscillator.
  • the induced voltage U (t) generated by the piezoelectric spiral is zero during the passage of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position (angular position 'zero'), while it is maximum, for a given load applied between the two electrodes, when the mechanical resonator is in one or the other of its two extreme positions (defining the amplitude of the mechanical oscillator respectively on both sides of the neutral position).
  • the signal 'Comp' is supplied, on the one hand, to a first input 'Up' of a bidirectional counter CB forming the measurement device and, on the other hand, to a control logic circuit 56.
  • the bidirectional counter is thus incremented by one unit at each oscillation period of the mechanical oscillator. It therefore continuously receives a measurement of the instantaneous oscillation frequency of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the bidirectional counter receives at its second input 'Down' a clock signal S hor supplied by the frequency divider DIV1 and DIV2, this clock signal defining a reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the oscillator auxiliary auxiliary time base.
  • the bidirectional counter supplies the control logic circuit 56 with a signal corresponding to a cumulative error over time between the oscillation frequency of the mechanical oscillator and the reference frequency, this cumulative error defining the time drift of the oscillator. mechanical oscillator relative to the auxiliary oscillator.
  • the regulating device is arranged in such a way as to be able to momentarily vary the electrical resistance generated by this regulating device between the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral as a function of a signal for measuring the time drift of the walking of the timepiece which is provided by a device for measuring this time drift. More particularly, the regulating device is arranged to be able to generate temporally separated regulation pulses and each consisting of a momentary reduction of the above-mentioned electrical resistance with respect to a nominal electrical resistance which is generated by the control device. regulation between the two electrodes outside the control pulses.
  • the regulation device 62 comprises a switch 60 arranged between the two electrodes of the spring, this switch being controlled by the control logic circuit 56 which is arranged to momentarily close this switch so as to make it conductive during said control pulses, which then define short-circuit pulses.
  • the abscissa of the graph of the Figure 6 corresponds to the time interval ⁇ t between the beginning of the short-circuit pulses in the respective oscillation periods and the beginning of the half-period considered in these oscillation periods.
  • the deviation in seconds per day [s / d] is given according to the moment when the short-circuit pulses start on a half-period of 100 ms, between two successive passes of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position. during each of the successive oscillation periods.
  • the short-circuit pulses each last 10 ms in the example shown, but this is not limiting.
  • the electronic control circuit is arranged to be able to determine if a time drift measured by the measuring device corresponds to at least some advance (CB> N1) or at least some delay (CB ⁇ -N2), the state of the bidirectional counter CB being supplied to the control logic circuit 56 by the signal S DT which gives the state of the bidirectional counter.
  • the regulating device is arranged to generate at least one control pulse with a selectively provided start, depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or audit at least some delay, in the first time zone ZT1 or in said second time zone ZT2 of respectively at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator.
  • a limited duration short-circuit pulse starting in the first time zone generates a certain delay for the mechanical oscillator (negative phase shift) which can correct at least partly a detected advance in the running of the timepiece
  • a short-duration pulse of a limited duration beginning in the second time zone generates a certain advance for the mechanical oscillator (positive phase shift) which can correct at least partly a detected delay in the running of the piece of watchmaking.
  • the Figures 9 and 10 show the graph of the induced voltage U (t) between the electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral during a short-circuit pulse beginning respectively at the instant ti in the first time zone ZT1 of any oscillation period and at the instant t 2 in the second time zone ZT2 of any oscillation period, respectively before and after a passage of the mechanical oscillator by an extreme position between two successive passages of this mechanical oscillator by its neutral position defining the half-period considered (see Figure 7 ).
  • the regulation pulses each have a duration less than one quarter of the reference period which is equal to the inverse of said reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator.
  • the duration of the regulation pulses is less than or equal to one-tenth of a set period. At most one control pulse is generated per half-period of the mechanical oscillator and preferably at most one regulation pulse per oscillation period. Then, the regulating device is arranged to generate at least one control pulse with a selectively provided start, depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to at least some advance or at least some delay, in a first interval Int1 located at within the first time zone ZT1, for which the difference in direction given by said characteristic function 66 is greater, in absolute values, than at least half of a maximum deviation of this characteristic function on the first zone time, or in a second interval Int2 located within the second time zone ZT2 and for which the difference in direction given by the characteristic function is greater than at least half of a maximum deviation of this characteristic function on the second time zone.
  • a relatively large effect is ensured during the control pulses, in particular during short-circuit pulses.
  • a regulation method according to the invention is described which is implemented by the regulating device 62, this regulation method being in accordance with the characteristics of the invention previously described.
  • the hysteresis comparator 54 supplies a signal 'Comp' to the control logic circuit 56, which also receives a signal S DT for measuring the time drift of the mechanical oscillator, and therefore of the timepiece considered .
  • Each rising edge and each falling edge of the signal 'Comp' indicate that the mechanical resonator has just passed through its neutral position, respectively during two successive alternations of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the control circuit selectively provides a control signal S com to a timer 58 which controls a transistor 60 forming the switch by applying a signal Dcc thereto.
  • control circuit determines the instant of the beginning of each short-circuit pulse 88a, 88b by triggering or resetting the timer ('Timer') which directly turns on / off the transistor 60 (closed switch), the timer determining the duration T R of each short-circuit pulse.
  • the timer opens the switch again so that the transistor 60 is no longer passing, that is to say non-conducting.
  • the control logic circuit is associated with a time counter CT which makes it possible to measure at least two time intervals ⁇ t 1 and ⁇ t 2 in order to be able to selectively trigger the timer 58 in the first interval Int 1 and the second interval Int2 of one half-period, as considered in Figure 6 , depending on whether the control circuit has determined a certain advance or a certain delay, namely a positive or negative time drift, in the step of the mechanical oscillator. More precisely, when the control circuit detects in the signal 'Comp' a falling edge (or alternatively a rising edge), it resets ('reset') the counter CT.
  • the control circuit waits a time interval ⁇ t 1 to activate the timer by a signal S com (1), this timer then generating a DC signal D (1) which turns transistor 60 on at time ti (in the first time zone ZT1, preferably in the first interval Int1) for a duration T R , thus generating a first short-circuit pulse 88a which generates a negative phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (increase of a period of oscillation and therefore decrease of the instantaneous frequency).
  • the control circuit waits a time interval ⁇ t 2 to activate the timer by a signal S com (2), this timer then generates a DC signal D (2) which turns on transistor 60 at time t 2 (in the second time zone ZT2, preferably in the second interval Int2) also for a duration T R , thereby generating a second pulse of short circuit 88b which generates a positive phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (decrease of a period of oscillation / increase of the instantaneous frequency).
  • the algorithm given by the organization chart of the Figure 8 can present various variants.
  • a subsequence when a certain advance or a certain delay has been found, in which a plurality of short-circuit pulses are performed in a respective plurality of oscillation periods.
  • the plurality of short-circuit pulses is carried out in successive oscillation periods or another variant in which these short-circuit pulses are periodically made every N oscillation periods.
  • N being an integer greater than one (N> 1).
  • This spiral 70 shown in cross section, comprises a central body 72 of silicon, a layer of silicon oxide 74 deposited on the surface of the central body so as to thermally compensate the spiral, a conductive layer 76 deposited on the silicon oxide layer, and a piezoelectric material deposited in the form of a piezoelectric layer 78 on the conductive layer 76.
  • Two electrodes 20a and 22a are arranged on the piezoelectric layer 78 respectively of the two lateral sides of the hairspring (the two electrodes being able to partly cover the lower and upper sides of the hairspring without however joining).
  • the first part 80a and the second part 80b of the piezoelectric layer respectively extending on the two lateral sides of the central body 72 have, by their growth from the conductive layer 76, respective crystallographic structures which are symmetrical with respect to a plane median 84 parallel to these two lateral sides.
  • the piezoelectric layer has two same same piezoelectric axes 82a, 82b which are perpendicular to the piezoelectric layer and of opposite directions. There is therefore a reversal of the sign of the induced voltage between the internal electrode and each of the two external lateral electrodes for the same mechanical stress.
  • the piezoelectric layer consists of an aluminum nitride crystal formed by a growth of this crystal from the conductive layer 76 (internal electrode) and perpendicular to it.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

La pièce d'horlogerie comprend un oscillateur mécanique, formé par un balancier et un spiral piézoélectrique (8), et un dispositif de régulation (62) pour réguler la fréquence de l'oscillateur mécanique qui est agencé pour pouvoir engendrer des impulsions de régulation (Dcc) temporellement séparées et consistant chacune en une diminution momentanée d'une résistance électrique appliquée par le dispositif de régulation entre deux électrodes (20, 22) du spiral relativement à une résistance électrique nominale. Chaque impulsion de régulation engendre un écart de marche qui est variable en fonction de l'instant de son début dans une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique, la fonction caractéristique de cet écart de marche relativement à l'instant où débute au moins une impulsion de régulation respectivement dans au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique étant négative sur une première zone temporelle de ladite au moins une demi-période et positive sur une deuxième zone temporelle de ladite au moins une demi-période.The timepiece comprises a mechanical oscillator, formed by a balance and a piezoelectric spiral (8), and a regulating device (62) for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator which is arranged to be able to generate regulation pulses ( Dcc) temporally separated and each consisting of a momentary reduction of an electrical resistance applied by the regulating device between two spiral electrodes (20, 22) relative to a nominal electrical resistance. Each regulation pulse generates a gait deviation which is variable as a function of the moment of its beginning in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator, the characteristic function of this difference of gait relative to the moment when at least one control pulse respectively in at least half a period of the mechanical oscillator being negative on a first time zone of said at least half a period and positive on a second time zone of said at least half a period.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement mécanique, muni d'un oscillateur mécanique qui est formé par un balancier et un spiral, et un dispositif électronique de régulation pour réguler la fréquence de l'oscillateur mécanique qui contrôle la marche du mouvement mécanique.The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement, provided with a mechanical oscillator which is formed by a balance and a hairspring, and an electronic control device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator which controls the movement of the mechanical movement.

En particulier, le dispositif électronique de régulation comprend un oscillateur auxiliaire du type électronique généralement plus précis que l'oscillateur mécanique, en particulier un oscillateur à quartz, et un dispositif de mesure agencé pour pouvoir mesurer, le cas échéant, une dérive temporelle de l'oscillateur mécanique relativement à l'oscillateur auxiliaire.In particular, the electronic control device comprises an auxiliary oscillator of the electronic type that is generally more accurate than the mechanical oscillator, in particular a quartz oscillator, and a measuring device arranged to be able to measure, if necessary, a time drift of the oscillator. mechanical oscillator relative to the auxiliary oscillator.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnological background

Plusieurs documents concernent la régulation électronique d'un oscillateur mécanique dans une pièce d'horlogerie. En particulier, la demande de brevet US 2013/0051191 concerne une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un balancier-spiral et un circuit électronique de régulation de la fréquence d'oscillation de ce balancier-spiral. Le spiral est constitué d'un matériau piézoélectrique ou comporte deux couches latérales en matériau piézoélectrique sur un noyau en silicium, deux électrodes latérales externes étant agencées sur les surfaces latérales du spiral. Ces deux électrodes sont reliées au circuit électronique de régulation qui comprend une pluralité de capacités commutables agencées en parallèle et reliées aux deux électrodes du spiral.Several documents concern the electronic regulation of a mechanical oscillator in a timepiece. In particular, the patent application US 2013/0051191 relates to a timepiece comprising a sprung balance and an electronic circuit for regulating the oscillation frequency of this sprung balance. The hairspring consists of a piezoelectric material or has two side layers of piezoelectric material on a silicon core, two external side electrodes being arranged on the side surfaces of the hairspring. These two electrodes are connected to the electronic control circuit which comprises a plurality of switchable capacitors arranged in parallel and connected to the two electrodes of the spiral.

A l'aide des Figures 1 à 4, on décrira une pièce d'horlogerie du type décrit dans la demande de brevet américaine mentionnée ci-avant. Pour ne pas charger le dessin, on a représenté à la Figure 1 seulement le résonateur mécanique 2 du mouvement mécanique de la pièce d'horlogerie, ce résonateur comprenant un balancier 4 oscillant autour d'un axe géométrique 6 et un spiral 8 dont la courbe terminale 10 passe classiquement au travers d'un piton 12 solidaire d'un pont de balancier (non représenté) du mouvement mécanique. La Figure 2 montre schématiquement une portion du spiral 8. Ce spiral est formé par un corps central 14 en silicium, deux couches latérales 16, 18 en matériau piézoélectrique, notamment en nitrure d'aluminium (AlN), et deux électrodes métalliques externes 20, 22. Les deux électrodes sont reliées par des fils conducteurs 26, 28 (représentation schématique) à un circuit électronique de régulation 24.With the help of Figures 1 to 4 a timepiece of the type described in the aforementioned US patent application will be described. In order not to load the drawing, we have shown Figure 1 only the mechanical resonator 2 of the mechanical movement of the timepiece, this resonator comprising a rocker 4 oscillating about a geometric axis 6 and a spiral 8 whose terminal curve 10 passes conventionally through a stud 12 secured to a balance bridge (not shown) of the mechanical movement. The Figure 2 schematically shows a portion of the spiral 8. This spiral is formed by a central body 14 of silicon, two side layers 16, 18 of piezoelectric material, in particular aluminum nitride (AlN), and two external metal electrodes 20, 22. The two electrodes are connected by conductive wires 26, 28 (schematic representation) to an electronic control circuit 24.

La Figure 3 (qui reproduit la figure 1 du document antérieur considéré avec quelques informations supplémentaires provenant des figures 2 et 7) montre l'agencement général du dispositif de régulation 32 qui est incorporé dans la pièce d'horlogerie en question et en particulier le circuit électronique de régulation 24. Ce circuit 24 comprend une première capacité 34 reliée aux deux électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique et une pluralité de capacités commutables 36a à 36d qui sont agencées en parallèle de la première capacité, de manière à former une capacité variable Cv pour pouvoir varier la valeur de la capacité reliée aux électrodes du spiral et ainsi varier, selon l'enseignement du document, la rigidité du spiral. Le circuit 24 comprend en outre un comparateur 38 dont les deux entrées sont reliées respectivement aux deux électrodes du spiral 8, ce comparateur étant prévu pour fournir un signal logique permettant de déterminer grâce aux changements successifs de l'état logique de ce signal logique les passages par zéro de la tension induite entre les deux électrodes du spiral. Le signal logique est fourni à un circuit logique 40 qui reçoit également un signal de référence d'un circuit d'horloge 42 associé à un résonateur à quartz 44. Sur la base d'une comparaison entre le signal de référence et le signal logique fourni par le comparateur 38, le circuit logique 40 commande les interrupteurs des capacités commutables 36a à 36d.The Figure 3 (which reproduces the figure 1 the previous document considered with some additional information from the figures 2 and 7 ) shows the general arrangement of the regulating device 32 which is incorporated in the timepiece in question and in particular the electronic control circuit 24. This circuit 24 comprises a first capacitor 34 connected to the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral and a plurality switchable capacitors 36a to 36d which are arranged in parallel with the first capacitor, so as to form a variable capacity Cv so as to be able to vary the value of the capacitance connected to the electrodes of the spiral and thus vary, according to the teaching of the document, the rigidity of the spiral. The circuit 24 further comprises a comparator 38 whose two inputs are respectively connected to the two electrodes of the spiral 8, this comparator being provided to provide a logic signal making it possible to determine, by successive changes in the logic state of this logic signal, the passages by zero of the voltage induced between the two electrodes of the spiral. The logic signal is supplied to a logic circuit 40 which also receives a reference signal from a clock circuit 42 associated with a crystal resonator 44. On the basis of a comparison between the reference signal and the logic signal provided speak comparator 38, the logic circuit 40 controls the switches of the switchable capacitors 36a to 36d.

De plus, il est prévu à la suite du circuit de capacités commutables un circuit redresseur double alternance 46, formé classiquement d'un pont à quatre diodes, qui fournit une tension continue VDC et charge une capacité de stockage 48. Cette énergie électrique fournie par le spiral piézoélectrique permet une alimentation du dispositif 32. On a donc un système électrique autonome car il est autoalimenté en ce sens que l'énergie électrique provient de l'énergie mécanique fournie au résonateur mécanique 2 dont le spiral piézoélectrique 8, lorsque le résonateur mécanique oscille, forme un transducteur électromécanique (un générateur de courant électrique).In addition, there is provided, following the switchable capacitance circuit, a full-wave rectifier circuit 46, conventionally formed of a four-diode bridge, which supplies a DC voltage V DC and charges a storage capacitor 48. This electrical energy supplied by the piezoelectric hairspring allows a supply of the device 32. It is therefore an autonomous electrical system because it is self-powered in that the electrical energy comes from the mechanical energy supplied to the mechanical resonator 2 including the piezoelectric spiral 8, when the resonator mechanical oscillates, forms an electromechanical transducer (an electric current generator).

Comme indiqué dans le document US 2015/0051191 à son paragraphe 0052, le circuit électronique de régulation 24 ne peut que réduire la fréquence d'oscillation du résonateur mécanique 2 en augmentant la valeur de la capacité variable Cv. Cette constatation est confirmée par le graphe de la Figure 4 qui montre la courbe 50 donnant l'écart de marche en fonction de la valeur de la capacité variable Cv. On observe en effet que l'écart de marche obtenu est toujours inférieur à zéro et augmente en valeur absolue lorsque la valeur de la capacité variable augmente. Ainsi, le système de régulation demande que la fréquence naturelle de l'oscillateur mécanique (fréquence en l'absence de régulation) soit supérieure à la fréquence nominale (fréquence de consigne) de cet oscillateur mécanique. En d'autres termes, il est prévu de régler l'oscillateur mécanique de manière à ce que sa fréquence naturelle corresponde à une fréquence supérieure à la fréquence de consigne, le circuit de régulation ayant pour fonction de faire diminuer plus ou moins cette fréquence naturelle pour que la marche corresponde à la fréquence de consigne. Ainsi, un grand désavantage d'un tel système réside dans le fait que la marche du mouvement mécanique n'est pas optimale en l'absence de régulation électronique. Pour un mouvement horloger mécanique de haute précision, on doit en effet dégrader ses propres caractéristiques mécaniques par un réglage non optimal. On peut conclure qu'un tel système de régulation électronique n'a de sens que pour des mouvements mécaniques de qualité moyenne, voire de mauvaise qualité, la précision de ces mouvements mécaniques dépendant du système de régulation électronique.As indicated in the document US 2015/0051191 in its paragraph 0052, the electronic control circuit 24 can only reduce the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator 2 by increasing the value of the variable capacitance Cv. This finding is confirmed by the graph of the Figure 4 which shows the curve 50 giving the deviation as a function of the value of the variable capacitance Cv. It can be seen that the difference obtained is always less than zero and increases in absolute value as the value of the variable capacity increases. Thus, the control system requires that the natural frequency of the mechanical oscillator (frequency in the absence of regulation) is greater than the nominal frequency (reference frequency) of this mechanical oscillator. In other words, it is intended to adjust the mechanical oscillator so that its natural frequency corresponds to a frequency higher than the target frequency, the regulation circuit having the function of decreasing more or less this natural frequency for walking to match the set frequency. Thus, a major disadvantage of such a system lies in the fact that the march of the mechanical movement is not optimal in the absence of electronic regulation. For a mechanical watch movement of high precision, one must indeed degrade its own mechanical characteristics by a non optimal setting. It can be concluded that such an electronic control system only makes sense for mechanical movements of average quality, or even of poor quality, the accuracy of these mechanical movements depending on the electronic control system.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention a pour but de proposer une pièce d'horlogerie, munie d'un résonateur mécanique comprenant un spiral formé au moins partiellement d'un matériau piézoélectrique et d'un système de régulation électronique associé au spiral piézoélectrique, qui ne présente pas les inconvénients de la pièce d'horlogerie de l'art antérieur précédemment décrite, en particulier qui puisse être associé à un mouvement mécanique dont la marche est réglée initialement de manière optimale, c'est-à-dire au mieux de ses possibilités. Ainsi, l'invention a pour objectif de fournir un système de régulation électronique qui soit discret et autonome grâce à l'utilisation d'un spiral piézoélectrique et qui soit réellement complémentaire au mouvement mécanique en permettant d'augmenter sa précision sans dégrader par ailleurs un réglage initial optimal de ce mouvement mécanique.The present invention aims to propose a timepiece, provided with a mechanical resonator comprising a spiral formed at least partially of a piezoelectric material and an electronic control system associated with the piezoelectric spiral, which does not present the disadvantages of the timepiece of the prior art described above, in particular that can be associated with a mechanical movement whose gait is initially set optimally, that is to say to the best of its ability. Thus, the object of the invention is to provide an electronic control system which is discrete and autonomous thanks to the use of a piezoelectric spiral and which is really complementary to the mechanical movement by making it possible to increase its precision without degrading otherwise a optimal initial setting of this mechanical movement.

L'invention a pour objet une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement horloger mécanique, muni d'un oscillateur mécanique formé par un balancier et un spiral et agencé pour cadencer la marche du mouvement horloger, et un dispositif de régulation pour réguler la fréquence de l'oscillateur mécanique, ce dispositif de régulation comprenant une base de temps auxiliaire, formée par un oscillateur auxiliaire et fournissant un signal de fréquence de référence, et un dispositif de mesure d'une dérive temporelle dans la marche du mouvement horloger relativement à une fréquence de consigne pour l'oscillateur mécanique qui est déterminée par la base de temps auxiliaire. Le spiral est formé au moins partiellement par un matériau piézoélectrique et par au moins deux électrodes agencées de manière à pouvoir présenter entre elles une tension induite générée par le matériau piézoélectrique lorsque ce dernier est mis sous contrainte mécanique lors d'une oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique, les deux électrodes étant reliées électriquement au dispositif de régulation qui est agencé pour pouvoir varier l'impédance du système de régulation, formé par le matériau piézoélectrique, lesdites au moins deux électrodes et le dispositif de régulation, en fonction d'un signal de mesure de la dérive temporelle fourni par le dispositif de mesure. Plus particulièrement, selon l'invention, le dispositif de régulation est agencé de manière à pouvoir varier momentanément la résistance électrique engendrée par ce dispositif de régulation entre les deux électrodes du spiral et pour pouvoir engendrer des impulsions de régulation temporellement séparées et consistant chacune en une diminution momentanée de cette résistance électrique relativement à une résistance électrique nominale qui est engendrée par le dispositif de régulation entre lesdites deux électrodes en dehors des impulsions de régulation. Selon une caractéristique physique remarquable mise en lumière par les inventeurs, chacune des impulsions de régulation susmentionnées engendre un écart de marche pour le mouvement mécanique qui est variable en fonction de l'instant de son début dans une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique, la fonction caractéristique de cet écart de marche relativement à l'instant où débute au moins une impulsion de régulation respectivement dans au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique étant négative sur une première zone temporelle de cette au moins une demi-période et positive sur une deuxième zone temporelle de cette au moins une demi-période. Le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour pouvoir déterminer si une dérive temporelle mesurée par le dispositif de mesure correspond à au moins une certaine avance ou à au moins un certain retard et pour engendrer au moins une impulsion de régulation avec un début d'impulsion prévu sélectivement, selon que la dérive temporelle mesurée correspond à ladite au moins une certaine avance ou audit au moins un certain retard, dans ladite première zone temporelle ou dans ladite deuxième zone temporelle de respectivement au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique.The invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical watch movement, provided with a mechanical oscillator formed by a balance and a hairspring and arranged to clock the movement of the watch movement, and a control device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, said regulator comprising an auxiliary time base formed by an auxiliary oscillator and providing a reference frequency signal, and a device for measuring a time drift in the movement of the watch movement relative to a frequency set point for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the auxiliary time base. The hairspring is formed at least partially by a piezoelectric material and by at least two electrodes arranged so as to be able to present between them an induced voltage generated by the material piezoelectric when the latter is placed under mechanical stress during an oscillation of the mechanical oscillator, the two electrodes being electrically connected to the regulating device which is arranged to be able to vary the impedance of the regulation system, formed by the piezoelectric material, said at least two electrodes and the regulating device, as a function of a measurement signal of the time drift provided by the measuring device. More particularly, according to the invention, the regulating device is arranged in such a way as to be able to momentarily vary the electrical resistance generated by this regulating device between the two electrodes of the spiral and in order to be able to generate temporally separated regulation pulses, each consisting of a momentary decrease of this electrical resistance relative to a nominal electrical resistance which is generated by the regulating device between said two electrodes outside the regulation pulses. According to a remarkable physical characteristic brought to light by the inventors, each of the aforementioned control pulses generates a gait deviation for the mechanical movement which is variable as a function of the instant of its beginning in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator. the characteristic function of this difference in operation relative to the moment when at least one control pulse respectively starts in at least half a period of the mechanical oscillator being negative on a first time zone of this at least half a period and positive on a second time zone of this at least half a period. The regulating device is arranged to be able to determine whether a time drift measured by the measuring device corresponds to at least some advance or at least some delay and to generate at least one control pulse with a pulse start provided selectively , depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or at least a certain delay in said first time zone or in said second time zone of respectively at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator.

Grâce aux caractéristiques de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, il est donc possible de corriger aussi bien une avance qu'un retard dans la marche d'un mouvement mécanique en agissant par des impulsions de régulation, ayant chacune une durée limitée, qui varient la résistance entre les deux électrodes du spiral dans des zones temporelles différentes de demi-périodes correspondantes selon qu'une avance ou un retard a été détecté dans la marche du mouvement mécanique.Thanks to the characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention, it is therefore possible to correct both an advance and a delay in the running of a mechanical movement by acting by regulation pulses, each having a limited duration, which vary the resistance between the two spiral electrodes in different time zones of corresponding half-periods according to whether an advance or a delay has been detected in the course of the mechanical movement.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le dispositif de régulation comprend un interrupteur agencé entre les deux électrodes du spiral, cet interrupteur étant commandé par un circuit de commande qui est agencé pour fermer momentanément cet interrupteur de manière à le rendre conducteur durant les impulsions de régulation, lesquelles définissent alors des impulsions de court-circuit.In a preferred embodiment, the regulating device comprises a switch arranged between the two electrodes of the spring, this switch being controlled by a control circuit which is arranged to momentarily close this switch so as to make it conductive during the control pulses. which then define short-circuit pulses.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

L'invention sera décrite ci-après de manière plus détaillée à l'aide des dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs, dans lesquels :

  • La Figure 1, déjà décrite, montre une pièce d'horlogerie de l'art antérieur comprenant un résonateur mécanique horloger, ayant un spiral piézoélectrique, et un circuit électronique de régulation qui est relié aux deux électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique ;
  • La Figure 2 est un agrandissement d'une portion du spiral piézoélectrique de la Figure 1 ;
  • La Figure 3 montre partiellement le schéma électrique du dispositif de régulation de la pièce d'horlogerie de la Figure 1 ;
  • La Figure 4 donne l'écart de marche pour la pièce d'horlogerie des figures précédentes en fonction d'une capacité variable appliquée entre les deux électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique ;
  • La Figure 5 montre le schéma électrique d'un dispositif de régulation incorporé dans un mode de réalisation d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention qui comprend un résonateur mécanique avec un spiral piézoélectrique ;
  • La Figure 6 montre l'écart de marche par jour, pour la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, qui est engendré par le dispositif de régulation de la Figure 5 en fonction du début d'impulsions de court-circuit, au cours de périodes d'oscillation respectives, sur une demi-période entre deux passages par la position neutre du résonateur mécanique dans chacune de ces périodes d'oscillation ;
  • La Figure 7 montre un mode de génération des impulsions de court-circuit dans le dispositif de régulation de la Figure 5 en fonction d'une dérive temporelle mesurée dans la marche de la pièce d'horlogerie ;
  • La Figure 8 est un organigramme d'un procédé de régulation implémenté dans le dispositif de régulation de la Figure 5 ;
  • Les Figures 9 et 10 montrent le graphe de la tension induite entre les électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique lors d'une impulsion de court-circuit produite respectivement avant et après un passage du résonateur mécanique par une position extrême (entre deux passages successifs du résonateur mécanique par sa position neutre) ; et
  • La Figure 11 est une coupe transversale d'un mode de réalisation préféré d'un spiral piézoélectrique formant le résonateur mécanique d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention.
The invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:
  • The Figure 1 , already described, shows a timepiece of the prior art comprising a clock mechanical resonator, having a piezoelectric spiral, and an electronic control circuit which is connected to the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral;
  • The Figure 2 is an enlargement of a portion of the piezoelectric spiral of the Figure 1 ;
  • The Figure 3 partially shows the electrical diagram of the control device of the timepiece of the Figure 1 ;
  • The Figure 4 gives the time difference for the timepiece of the preceding figures as a function of a variable capacitance applied between the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral;
  • The Figure 5 shows the electrical diagram of a control device incorporated in an embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention which comprises a mechanical resonator with a piezoelectric spiral;
  • The Figure 6 shows the time difference per day, for the timepiece according to the invention, which is generated by the control device of the Figure 5 as a function of the beginning of short-circuit pulses, during respective oscillation periods, over a half-period between two passages by the neutral position of the mechanical resonator in each of these oscillation periods;
  • The Figure 7 shows a mode of generating the short-circuit pulses in the control device of the Figure 5 according to a time drift measured in the running of the timepiece;
  • The Figure 8 is a flowchart of a control method implemented in the control device of the Figure 5 ;
  • The Figures 9 and 10 show the graph of the induced voltage between the electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral during a short-circuit pulse produced respectively before and after a passage of the mechanical resonator by an extreme position (between two successive passages of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position); and
  • The Figure 11 is a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a piezoelectric spiral forming the mechanical resonator of a timepiece according to the invention.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

La pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comprend, comme la pièce d'horlogerie de l'art antérieur décrite précédemment, un mouvement horloger mécanique muni d'un oscillateur mécanique formé par un balancier et un spiral piézoélectrique et agencé pour cadencer la marche du mouvement horloger. Ensuite, la pièce d'horlogerie comprend un dispositif de régulation 62 dont le schéma électrique est représenté à la Figure 5. Ce dispositif de régulation, qui est prévu pour réguler la fréquence de l'oscillateur mécanique, comprend un circuit électronique de régulation 52 et une base de temps auxiliaire qui est formée par un oscillateur auxiliaire et qui fournit un signal de fréquence de référence au circuit électronique de régulation. Cette base de temps comprend par exemple un résonateur à quartz 44 et un circuit d'horloge 42 qui fournit le signal de fréquence de référence à un diviseur présentant au moins deux étages DIV1 et DIV2. Le spiral piézoélectrique 8 est formé au moins partiellement par un matériau piézoélectrique et par au moins deux électrodes 20,22 (voir Figures 2, 5 et 11) qui sont agencées de manière à pouvoir présenter entre elles une tension induite U(t) par ledit matériau piézoélectrique lorsque ce dernier est mis sous contrainte mécanique lors d'une oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique (voir Figure 7). Les deux électrodes sont reliées électriquement au circuit électronique de régulation 52.The timepiece according to the invention comprises, as the timepiece of the prior art described above, a mechanical watch movement provided with a mechanical oscillator formed by a balance and a piezoelectric spiral and arranged to clock the running of the movement watchmaker. Next, the timepiece comprises a regulating device 62 whose electrical circuit diagram is shown in FIG. Figure 5 . This regulating device, which is intended to regulate the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, comprises an electronic control circuit 52 and an auxiliary time base which is formed by an auxiliary oscillator and which supplies a reference frequency signal to the electronic circuit regulation. This time base comprises, for example, a quartz resonator 44 and a clock circuit 42 which supplies the reference frequency signal to a divider having at least two stages DIV1 and DIV2. The piezoelectric spiral 8 is formed at least partially by a piezoelectric material and by at least two electrodes 20, 22 (see FIG. Figures 2 , 5 and 11 ) which are arranged so as to be able to present between them an induced voltage U (t) by said piezoelectric material when the latter is subjected to mechanical stress during an oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (see FIG. Figure 7 ). The two electrodes are electrically connected to the electronic control circuit 52.

Le circuit électronique de régulation comprend un dispositif de mesure d'une dérive temporelle éventuelle dans la marche du mouvement horloger relativement à une fréquence de consigne pour l'oscillateur mécanique qui est déterminée par la base de temps auxiliaire 42,44. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté à la Figure 5, le dispositif de mesure est formé par un comparateur à hystérèse 54 dont les deux entrées sont reliées aux deux électrodes 20,22 du spiral piézoélectrique 8. On remarquera que dans l'exemple donné, l'électrode 20 est reliée électriquement à une entrée du comparateur 54 via la masse du dispositif de régulation. Le comparateur à hystérèse fournit un signal digital 'Comp' (voir Figures 5 et 7) dont l'état logique change juste après chaque passage de l'oscillateur mécanique par sa position neutre (position angulaire θ(t) égal à zéro), plus particulièrement après chaque passage par zéro du résonateur mécanique formant cet oscillateur mécanique. La tension induite U(t) générée par le spiral piézoélectrique est nulle lors du passage du résonateur mécanique par sa position neutre (position angulaire 'zéro'), alors qu'elle est maximale, pour une charge donnée appliquée entre les deux électrodes, lorsque le résonateur mécanique est dans une ou l'autre de ses deux positions extrêmes (définissant l'amplitude de l'oscillateur mécanique respectivement des deux côtés de la position neutre).The electronic control circuit comprises a device for measuring a possible time drift in the movement of the watch movement relative to a reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the auxiliary time base 42,44. In the embodiment shown at Figure 5 , the measurement device is formed by a hysteresis comparator 54 whose two inputs are connected to the two electrodes 20,22 of the piezoelectric coil 8. It will be noted that in the example given, the electrode 20 is electrically connected to an input of comparator 54 via the mass of the regulating device. The hysteresis comparator provides a digital 'Comp' signal (see Figures 5 and 7 ) whose logic state changes just after each passage of the mechanical oscillator by its neutral position (angular position θ (t) equal to zero), more particularly after each zero crossing of the mechanical resonator forming the mechanical oscillator. The induced voltage U (t) generated by the piezoelectric spiral is zero during the passage of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position (angular position 'zero'), while it is maximum, for a given load applied between the two electrodes, when the mechanical resonator is in one or the other of its two extreme positions (defining the amplitude of the mechanical oscillator respectively on both sides of the neutral position).

Le signal 'Comp' est fourni, d'une part, à une première entrée 'Up' d'un compteur bidirectionnel CB formant le dispositif de mesure et, d'autre part, à un circuit logique de commande 56. Le compteur bidirectionnel est ainsi incrémenté d'une unité à chaque période d'oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique. Il reçoit donc en continu une mesure de la fréquence d'oscillation instantanée de l'oscillateur mécanique. Le compteur bidirectionnel reçoit à sa deuxième entrée 'Down' un signal d'horloge Shor fourni par le diviseur de fréquence DIV1 et DIV2, ce signal d'horloge définissant une fréquence de consigne pour l'oscillateur mécanique qui est déterminée par l'oscillateur auxiliaire de la base de temps auxiliaire. Ainsi, le compteur bidirectionnel fournit au circuit logique de commande 56 un signal correspondant à une erreur cumulée au cours du temps entre la fréquence d'oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique et la fréquence de consigne, cette erreur cumulée définissant la dérive temporelle de l'oscillateur mécanique relativement à l'oscillateur auxiliaire.The signal 'Comp' is supplied, on the one hand, to a first input 'Up' of a bidirectional counter CB forming the measurement device and, on the other hand, to a control logic circuit 56. The bidirectional counter is thus incremented by one unit at each oscillation period of the mechanical oscillator. It therefore continuously receives a measurement of the instantaneous oscillation frequency of the mechanical oscillator. The bidirectional counter receives at its second input 'Down' a clock signal S hor supplied by the frequency divider DIV1 and DIV2, this clock signal defining a reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the oscillator auxiliary auxiliary time base. Thus, the bidirectional counter supplies the control logic circuit 56 with a signal corresponding to a cumulative error over time between the oscillation frequency of the mechanical oscillator and the reference frequency, this cumulative error defining the time drift of the oscillator. mechanical oscillator relative to the auxiliary oscillator.

De manière générale, le dispositif de régulation selon l'invention est agencé de manière à pouvoir varier momentanément la résistance électrique engendrée par ce dispositif de régulation entre les deux électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique en fonction d'un signal de mesure de la dérive temporelle de la marche de la pièce d'horlogerie qui est fourni par un dispositif de mesure de cette dérive temporelle. Plus particulièrement, le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour pouvoir engendrer des impulsions de régulation temporellement séparées et consistant chacune en une diminution momentanée de la résistance électrique susmentionnée relativement à une résistance électrique nominale qui est engendrée par le dispositif de régulation entre les deux électrodes en dehors des impulsions de régulation. Ainsi, on a un système de régulation de la marche de la pièce d'horlogerie, et donc de la fréquence moyenne de l'oscillateur mécanique, qui est formé par le matériau piézoélectrique du spiral 8, les deux électrodes 20,22 de ce spiral et le dispositif de régulation selon l'invention.In general, the regulating device according to the invention is arranged in such a way as to be able to momentarily vary the electrical resistance generated by this regulating device between the two electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral as a function of a signal for measuring the time drift of the walking of the timepiece which is provided by a device for measuring this time drift. More particularly, the regulating device is arranged to be able to generate temporally separated regulation pulses and each consisting of a momentary reduction of the above-mentioned electrical resistance with respect to a nominal electrical resistance which is generated by the control device. regulation between the two electrodes outside the control pulses. Thus, there is a system for regulating the step of the timepiece, and therefore of the average frequency of the mechanical oscillator, which is formed by the piezoelectric material of the spiral 8, the two electrodes 20, 22 of this spiral. and the regulating device according to the invention.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le dispositif de régulation 62 comprend un interrupteur 60 agencé entre les deux électrodes du spiral, cet interrupteur étant commandé par le circuit logique de commande 56 qui est agencé pour fermer momentanément cet interrupteur de manière à le rendre conducteur durant lesdites impulsions de régulation, lesquelles définissent alors des impulsions de court-circuit.In a preferred embodiment, the regulation device 62 comprises a switch 60 arranged between the two electrodes of the spring, this switch being controlled by the control logic circuit 56 which is arranged to momentarily close this switch so as to make it conductive during said control pulses, which then define short-circuit pulses.

Dans le cadre de l'invention, les inventeurs ont mis en lumière que les impulsions de régulation mentionnées précédemment engendrent chacune un écart de marche pour le mouvement mécanique qui est variable en fonction de l'instant du début de l'impulsion de régulation considérée dans une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique. Cette observation est représentée à la Figure 6 où est donnée la fonction caractéristique 66 de l'écart de marche de la pièce d'horlogerie sur un jour relativement à l'instant où débute des impulsions de court-circuit respectivement dans toutes les périodes d'oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique au cours d'un jour, plus particulièrement dans des demi-périodes respectives de ces périodes d'oscillation qui sont définies, dans chaque période d'oscillation, par les deux passages successifs par la position neutre de cet oscillateur mécanique. Ainsi, l'abscisse du graphe de la Figure 6 correspond à l'intervalle de temps Δt entre le début des impulsions de court-circuit dans les périodes d'oscillation respectives et le début de la demi-période considérée dans ces périodes d'oscillation. De manière remarquable, les inventeurs ont mis en lumière le fait que l'écart de marche est négatif sur une première zone temporelle ZT1 = ZT1.1 & ZT1.2 de la demi-période considérée pour le début des impulsions de court-circuit et qu'il est positif sur une deuxième zone temporelle ZT2 de cette demi-période. On notera encore que la fonction caractéristique 66 représentée à la Figure 6 concerne une variante de réalisation dans laquelle la fréquence d'oscillation est sensiblement égale à 5 Hz (période d'oscillation = 200 ms). L'écart de marche en secondes par jour [s/j] est donné en fonction de l'instant où débutent les impulsions de court-circuit sur une demi-période de 100 ms, entre deux passages successifs du résonateur mécanique par sa position neutre, au cours de chacune des périodes d'oscillation successives. Les impulsions de court-circuit durent chacune 10 ms dans l'exemple représenté, mais ceci n'est pas limitatif.In the context of the invention, the inventors have brought to light that the regulation pulses mentioned above each generate a gait deviation for the mechanical movement that is variable as a function of the instant of the beginning of the regulation pulse considered in half a period of the mechanical oscillator. This observation is represented in Figure 6 where is given the characteristic function 66 of the time difference of the timepiece on a day relatively to the moment when short-circuit pulses start respectively in all oscillation periods of the mechanical oscillator during by one day, more particularly in respective half-periods of these oscillation periods which are defined, in each oscillation period, by the two successive passages by the neutral position of this mechanical oscillator. Thus, the abscissa of the graph of the Figure 6 corresponds to the time interval Δt between the beginning of the short-circuit pulses in the respective oscillation periods and the beginning of the half-period considered in these oscillation periods. Remarkably, the inventors have brought to light the fact that the deviation is negative on a first time zone ZT1 = ZT1.1 & ZT1.2 of the half-period considered for the beginning of the short-circuit pulses and that he is positive about a second zone temporal ZT2 of this half-period. It will also be noted that the characteristic function 66 represented in FIG. Figure 6 relates to an alternative embodiment in which the oscillation frequency is substantially equal to 5 Hz (oscillation period = 200 ms). The deviation in seconds per day [s / d] is given according to the moment when the short-circuit pulses start on a half-period of 100 ms, between two successive passes of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position. during each of the successive oscillation periods. The short-circuit pulses each last 10 ms in the example shown, but this is not limiting.

Le circuit électronique de régulation est agencé pour pouvoir déterminer si une dérive temporelle mesurée par le dispositif de mesure correspond à au moins une certaine avance (CB > N1) ou à au moins un certain retard (CB < -N2), l'état du compteur bidirectionnel CB étant fourni au circuit logique de commande 56 par le signal SDT qui donne l'état du compteur bidirectionnel. Le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour engendrer au moins une impulsion de régulation avec un début prévu sélectivement, selon que la dérive temporelle mesurée correspond à ladite au moins une certaine avance ou audit au moins un certain retard, dans la première zone temporelle ZT1 ou dans ladite deuxième zone temporelle ZT2 de respectivement au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique. En effet, une impulsion de court-circuit de durée limitée débutant dans la première zone temporelle engendre un certain retard pour l'oscillateur mécanique (déphasage négatif) qui peut corriger au moins en partie une avance détectée dans la marche de la pièce d'horlogerie, alors qu'une impulsion de court-circuit de durée limitée débutant dans la deuxième zone temporelle engendre une certaine avance pour l'oscillateur mécanique (déphasage positif) qui peut corriger au moins en partie un retard détecté dans la marche de la pièce d'horlogerie.The electronic control circuit is arranged to be able to determine if a time drift measured by the measuring device corresponds to at least some advance (CB> N1) or at least some delay (CB <-N2), the state of the bidirectional counter CB being supplied to the control logic circuit 56 by the signal S DT which gives the state of the bidirectional counter. The regulating device is arranged to generate at least one control pulse with a selectively provided start, depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or audit at least some delay, in the first time zone ZT1 or in said second time zone ZT2 of respectively at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator. Indeed, a limited duration short-circuit pulse starting in the first time zone generates a certain delay for the mechanical oscillator (negative phase shift) which can correct at least partly a detected advance in the running of the timepiece , whereas a short-duration pulse of a limited duration beginning in the second time zone generates a certain advance for the mechanical oscillator (positive phase shift) which can correct at least partly a detected delay in the running of the piece of watchmaking.

Les Figures 9 et 10 montrent le graphe de la tension induite U(t) entre les électrodes du spiral piézoélectrique lors d'une impulsion de court-circuit débutant respectivement à l'instant ti dans la première zone temporelle ZT1 d'une quelconque période d'oscillation et à l'instant t2 dans la deuxième zone temporelle ZT2 d'une quelconque période d'oscillation, soit respectivement avant et après un passage de l'oscillateur mécanique par une position extrême entre deux passages successifs de cet oscillateur mécanique par sa position neutre définissant la demi-période considérée (voir Figure 7).The Figures 9 and 10 show the graph of the induced voltage U (t) between the electrodes of the piezoelectric spiral during a short-circuit pulse beginning respectively at the instant ti in the first time zone ZT1 of any oscillation period and at the instant t 2 in the second time zone ZT2 of any oscillation period, respectively before and after a passage of the mechanical oscillator by an extreme position between two successive passages of this mechanical oscillator by its neutral position defining the half-period considered (see Figure 7 ).

Dans une variante générale, les impulsions de régulation ont chacune une durée inférieure au quart de la période de consigne qui est égale à l'inverse de ladite fréquence de consigne pour l'oscillateur mécanique.In a general variant, the regulation pulses each have a duration less than one quarter of the reference period which is equal to the inverse of said reference frequency for the mechanical oscillator.

Dans une variante de réalisation préférée, la durée des impulsions de régulation est inférieure ou égale à un dixième d'une période de consigne. Au plus une impulsion de régulation est engendrée par demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique et de préférence au plus une impulsion de régulation par période d'oscillation. Ensuite, le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour engendrer au moins une impulsion de régulation avec un début prévu sélectivement, selon que la dérive temporelle mesurée correspond à au moins une certaine avance ou à au moins un certain retard, dans un premier intervalle Int1 situé à l'intérieur de la première zone temporelle ZT1, pour lequel l'écart de marche donné par ladite fonction caractéristique 66 est supérieur, en valeurs absolues, à au moins la moitié d'un écart de marche maximal de cette fonction caractéristique sur la première zone temporelle, ou dans un deuxième intervalle Int2 situé à l'intérieur de la deuxième zone temporelle ZT2 et pour lequel l'écart de marche donné par la fonction caractéristique est supérieur à au moins la moitié d'un écart de marche maximal de cette fonction caractéristique sur la deuxième zone temporelle. Ainsi, on assure un effet relativement important lors des impulsions de régulation, en particulier lors des impulsions de court-circuit.In a preferred embodiment variant, the duration of the regulation pulses is less than or equal to one-tenth of a set period. At most one control pulse is generated per half-period of the mechanical oscillator and preferably at most one regulation pulse per oscillation period. Then, the regulating device is arranged to generate at least one control pulse with a selectively provided start, depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to at least some advance or at least some delay, in a first interval Int1 located at within the first time zone ZT1, for which the difference in direction given by said characteristic function 66 is greater, in absolute values, than at least half of a maximum deviation of this characteristic function on the first zone time, or in a second interval Int2 located within the second time zone ZT2 and for which the difference in direction given by the characteristic function is greater than at least half of a maximum deviation of this characteristic function on the second time zone. Thus, a relatively large effect is ensured during the control pulses, in particular during short-circuit pulses.

En référence aux Figures 7 et 8, on décrira un procédé de régulation selon l'invention qui est mis en oeuvre par le dispositif de régulation 62, ce procédé de régulation étant conforme aux caractéristiques de l'invention décrites précédemment. Comme déjà indiqué, le comparateur à hystérèse 54 fournit un signal 'Comp' au circuit logique de commande 56, lequel reçoit également un signal SDT de mesure de la dérive temporelle de l'oscillateur mécanique, et donc de la pièce d'horlogerie considérée. Chaque flanc montant et chaque flanc descendant du signal 'Comp' indiquent que le résonateur mécanique vient de passer par sa position neutre, respectivement au cours de deux alternances successives de l'oscillateur mécanique. Le circuit de commande fournit sélectivement un signal de commande Scom à un minuteur 58 qui commande un transistor 60 formant l'interrupteur en lui appliquant un signal Dcc. Plus précisément, le circuit de commande détermine l'instant du début de chaque impulsion de court-circuit 88a, 88b en déclenchant ou réinitialisant le minuteur ('Timer') qui rend directement passant / conducteur le transistor 60 (interrupteur fermé), le minuteur déterminant la durée TR de chaque impulsion de court-circuit. A la fin de chaque impulsion de court-circuit, le minuteur ouvre à nouveau l'interrupteur de sorte que le transistor 60 n'est plus passant, c'est-à-dire non conducteur.With reference to Figures 7 and 8 a regulation method according to the invention is described which is implemented by the regulating device 62, this regulation method being in accordance with the characteristics of the invention previously described. As already indicated, the hysteresis comparator 54 supplies a signal 'Comp' to the control logic circuit 56, which also receives a signal S DT for measuring the time drift of the mechanical oscillator, and therefore of the timepiece considered . Each rising edge and each falling edge of the signal 'Comp' indicate that the mechanical resonator has just passed through its neutral position, respectively during two successive alternations of the mechanical oscillator. The control circuit selectively provides a control signal S com to a timer 58 which controls a transistor 60 forming the switch by applying a signal Dcc thereto. More precisely, the control circuit determines the instant of the beginning of each short-circuit pulse 88a, 88b by triggering or resetting the timer ('Timer') which directly turns on / off the transistor 60 (closed switch), the timer determining the duration T R of each short-circuit pulse. At the end of each short-circuit pulse, the timer opens the switch again so that the transistor 60 is no longer passing, that is to say non-conducting.

En exploitant la fonction caractéristique 66 décrite précédemment, le circuit logique de commande est associé à un compteur temporelle CT qui permet de mesurer au moins deux intervalles de temps Δt1 et Δt2 pour pouvoir déclencher sélectivement le minuteur 58 dans le premier intervalle Int1 et le deuxième intervalle Int2 d'une demi-période, telle que considérée à la Figure 6, selon que le circuit de commande a déterminé une certaine avance ou un certain retard, à savoir une dérive temporelle positive ou négative, dans la marche de l'oscillateur mécanique. Plus précisément, lorsque le circuit de commande détecte dans le signal 'Comp' un flanc descendant (ou alternativement un flanc montant), il réinitialise ('reset') le compteur CT. Si le signal SDT indique une avance, soit CB > N1, N1 étant un nombre naturel positif, alors le circuit de commande attend un intervalle de temps Δt1 pour activer le minuteur par un signal Scom(1), ce minuteur engendrant alors un signal DCC(1) qui rend conducteur le transistor 60 au temps ti (dans la première zone temporelle ZT1, de préférence dans le premier intervalle Int1) pour une durée TR, engendrant ainsi une première impulsion de court-circuit 88a qui génère un déphasage négatif dans l'oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique (augmentation d'une période d'oscillation et donc diminution de la fréquence instantanée). Par contre, si le signal SDT indique un retard, soit CB < -N2, N2 étant un nombre naturel positif, alors le circuit de commande attend un intervalle de temps Δt2 pour activer le minuteur par un signal Scom(2), ce minuteur engendrant alors un signal DCC(2) qui rend conducteur le transistor 60 au temps t2 (dans la deuxième zone temporelle ZT2, de préférence dans le deuxième intervalle Int2) également pour une durée TR, engendrant ainsi une deuxième impulsion de court-circuit 88b qui génère un déphasage positif dans l'oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique (diminution d'une période d'oscillation / augmentation de la fréquence instantanée).By exploiting the characteristic function 66 described above, the control logic circuit is associated with a time counter CT which makes it possible to measure at least two time intervals Δt 1 and Δt 2 in order to be able to selectively trigger the timer 58 in the first interval Int 1 and the second interval Int2 of one half-period, as considered in Figure 6 , depending on whether the control circuit has determined a certain advance or a certain delay, namely a positive or negative time drift, in the step of the mechanical oscillator. More precisely, when the control circuit detects in the signal 'Comp' a falling edge (or alternatively a rising edge), it resets ('reset') the counter CT. If the signal S DT indicates an advance, ie CB> N1, N1 being a positive natural number, then the control circuit waits a time interval Δt 1 to activate the timer by a signal S com (1), this timer then generating a DC signal D (1) which turns transistor 60 on at time ti (in the first time zone ZT1, preferably in the first interval Int1) for a duration T R , thus generating a first short-circuit pulse 88a which generates a negative phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (increase of a period of oscillation and therefore decrease of the instantaneous frequency). On the other hand, if the signal S DT indicates a delay, ie CB <-N2, where N2 is a positive natural number, then the control circuit waits a time interval Δt 2 to activate the timer by a signal S com (2), this timer then generates a DC signal D (2) which turns on transistor 60 at time t 2 (in the second time zone ZT2, preferably in the second interval Int2) also for a duration T R , thereby generating a second pulse of short circuit 88b which generates a positive phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical oscillator (decrease of a period of oscillation / increase of the instantaneous frequency).

On notera que l'algorithme donné par l'organigramme de la Figure 8 peut présenter diverses variantes. Ainsi, en particulier, il est possible de prévoir une sous-séquence, lorsqu'une certaine avance ou un certain retard a été constaté, dans laquelle on effectue une pluralité d'impulsions de court-circuit dans une pluralité respective de périodes d'oscillation. Dans un tel cas, on peut prévoir une variante où la pluralité d'impulsions de court-circuit est effectuée dans des périodes d'oscillation successives ou une autre variante où ces impulsions de court-circuit sont effectuées périodiquement toutes les N périodes d'oscillation, N étant un nombre entier supérieur à un (N > 1). Dans une variante a priori moins avantageuse, il est cependant possible d'effectuer une pluralité d'impulsions de régulation dans une pluralité de demi-périodes consécutives. Dans ce dernier cas on déclenchera une impulsion de régulation alternativement lors de l'apparition d'un flanc descendant et d'un flanc montant dans le signal 'Comp'.Note that the algorithm given by the organization chart of the Figure 8 can present various variants. Thus, in particular, it is possible to provide a subsequence, when a certain advance or a certain delay has been found, in which a plurality of short-circuit pulses are performed in a respective plurality of oscillation periods. . In such a case, it is possible to provide a variant in which the plurality of short-circuit pulses is carried out in successive oscillation periods or another variant in which these short-circuit pulses are periodically made every N oscillation periods. , N being an integer greater than one (N> 1). In a less advantageous variant, it is however possible to perform a plurality of control pulses in a plurality of consecutive half-periods. In the latter case, a regulation pulse will be triggered alternately when a falling edge and a rising edge appear in the signal 'Comp'.

A l'aide de la Figure 11 (page 4/7 des dessins annexés), on décrira un mode de réalisation préféré du spiral piézoélectrique 70 de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention. Ce spiral 70, représenté en coupe transversale, comprend un corps central 72 en silicium, une couche d'oxyde de silicium 74 déposée en surface du corps central de manière à compenser thermiquement le spiral, une couche conductrice 76 déposée sur la couche d'oxyde de silicium, et un matériau piézoélectrique déposé sous forme d'une couche piézoélectrique 78 sur la couche conductrice 76. Deux électrodes 20a et 22a sont agencées sur la couche piézoélectrique 78 respectivement des deux côtés latéraux du spiral (les deux électrodes pouvant recouvrir en partie les côtés inférieur et supérieur du spiral sans toutefois se rejoindre).Using the Figure 11 (page 4/7 of the accompanying drawings) will describe a preferred embodiment of the piezoelectric spiral 70 of the timepiece according to the invention. This spiral 70, shown in cross section, comprises a central body 72 of silicon, a layer of silicon oxide 74 deposited on the surface of the central body so as to thermally compensate the spiral, a conductive layer 76 deposited on the silicon oxide layer, and a piezoelectric material deposited in the form of a piezoelectric layer 78 on the conductive layer 76. Two electrodes 20a and 22a are arranged on the piezoelectric layer 78 respectively of the two lateral sides of the hairspring (the two electrodes being able to partly cover the lower and upper sides of the hairspring without however joining).

Dans la variante particulière représentée à la Figure 11, la première partie 80a et la deuxième partie 80b de la couche piézoélectrique s'étendant respectivement sur les deux côtés latéraux du corps central 72 présentent, de par leur croissance depuis la couche conductrice 76, des structures cristallographiques respectives qui sont symétriques relativement à un plan médian 84 parallèle à ces deux côtés latéraux. Ainsi, dans les deux parties latérales 80a et 80b, la couche piézoélectrique présente deux mêmes axes piézoélectriques respectifs 82a, 82b qui sont perpendiculaires à la couche piézoélectrique et de sens opposés. On a donc une inversion du signe de la tension induite entre l'électrode interne et chacune des deux électrodes latérales externes pour une même contrainte mécanique. Or, lorsque le spiral se contracte ou se dilate depuis sa position de repos, il y a une inversion de la contrainte mécanique entre les première et deuxième parties 80a et 80b, c'est-à-dire que l'une de ces parties subit une compression alors que l'autre de ces parties subit une traction, et inversement. Au final il résulte de ces considérations que les tensions induites dans les première et deuxième parties présentent, selon un axe perpendiculaire aux deux côtés latéraux, une même polarité de sorte que la couche conductrice 76 peut former une seule et même électrode interne qui s'étend des deux côtés latéraux du corps central 72, cette électrode interne n'ayant pas de liaison électrique propre avec le dispositif de régulation. Dans une variante particulière, la couche piézoélectrique est constituée d'un cristal de nitrure d'aluminium formé par une croissance de ce cristal depuis la couche conductrice 76 (électrode interne) et perpendiculairement à celle-ci.In the particular variant shown in Figure 11 the first part 80a and the second part 80b of the piezoelectric layer respectively extending on the two lateral sides of the central body 72 have, by their growth from the conductive layer 76, respective crystallographic structures which are symmetrical with respect to a plane median 84 parallel to these two lateral sides. Thus, in the two lateral portions 80a and 80b, the piezoelectric layer has two same same piezoelectric axes 82a, 82b which are perpendicular to the piezoelectric layer and of opposite directions. There is therefore a reversal of the sign of the induced voltage between the internal electrode and each of the two external lateral electrodes for the same mechanical stress. However, when the hairspring contracts or expands from its rest position, there is a reversal of the mechanical stress between the first and second parts 80a and 80b, that is to say that one of these parts undergoes a compression while the other of these parts undergoes traction, and vice versa. In the end it results from these considerations that the voltages induced in the first and second parts have, along an axis perpendicular to the two lateral sides, the same polarity so that the conductive layer 76 can form a single internal electrode which extends on both lateral sides of the central body 72, this internal electrode having no own electrical connection with the regulating device. In a particular variant, the piezoelectric layer consists of an aluminum nitride crystal formed by a growth of this crystal from the conductive layer 76 (internal electrode) and perpendicular to it.

Claims (7)

Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement horloger mécanique, muni d'un oscillateur mécanique formé par un balancier (4) et un spiral (8; 70) et agencé pour cadencer la marche du mouvement horloger, et un dispositif de régulation (62) pour réguler la fréquence de l'oscillateur mécanique, ce dispositif de régulation comprenant une base de temps auxiliaire (42,44), formée par un oscillateur auxiliaire et fournissant un signal de fréquence de référence, et un dispositif de mesure (54, CB) d'une dérive temporelle dans la marche du mouvement horloger relativement à une fréquence de consigne (Shor) pour l'oscillateur mécanique qui est déterminée par la base de temps auxiliaire, le spiral étant formé au moins partiellement par un matériau piézoélectrique et par au moins deux électrodes (20,22; 20a,22a) agencées de manière à pouvoir présenter entre elles une tension induite par ledit matériau piézoélectrique lorsque ce dernier est mis sous contrainte mécanique lors d'une oscillation de l'oscillateur mécanique, les deux électrodes étant reliées électriquement au dispositif de régulation qui est agencé pour pouvoir varier l'impédance du système de régulation, formé par ledit matériau piézoélectrique, lesdites au moins deux électrodes et le dispositif de régulation, en fonction d'un signal de mesure de ladite dérive temporelle fourni par le dispositif de mesure ; caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de régulation (62) est agencé de manière à pouvoir varier momentanément la résistance électrique engendrée par ce dispositif de régulation entre lesdites deux électrodes, le dispositif de régulation étant agencé pour pouvoir engendrer des impulsions de régulation (88a, 88b) temporellement séparées et consistant chacune en une diminution momentanée de ladite résistance électrique relativement à une résistance électrique nominale qui est engendrée par le dispositif de régulation entre lesdites deux électrodes en dehors desdites impulsions de régulation, chacune desdites impulsions de régulation engendrant un écart de marche pour le mouvement mécanique qui est variable en fonction de l'instant de son début dans une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique, la fonction caractéristique (66) dudit écart de marche relativement audit instant où débute au moins une desdites impulsions de régulation respectivement dans au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique étant négative sur une première zone temporelle (ZT1.1 & ZT1.2) de ladite au moins une demi-période et positive sur une deuxième zone temporelle (ZT2) de ladite au moins une demi-période ; et en ce que le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour pouvoir déterminer si une dérive temporelle mesurée par le dispositif de mesure correspond à au moins une certaine avance ou à au moins un certain retard, le dispositif de régulation étant agencé pour engendrer au moins une desdites impulsions de régulation (88a, 88b) avec un début prévu sélectivement, selon que la dérive temporelle mesurée correspond à ladite au moins une certaine avance ou audit au moins un certain retard, dans ladite première zone temporelle ou dans ladite deuxième zone temporelle de respectivement au moins une demi-période de l'oscillateur mécanique.Timepiece comprising a mechanical horological movement, provided with a mechanical oscillator formed by a rocker (4) and a spiral (8; 70) and arranged to clock the movement of the clock movement, and a regulating device (62) for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, said regulating device comprising an auxiliary time base (42,44), formed by an auxiliary oscillator and providing a reference frequency signal, and a measuring device (54, CB) of a time drift in the movement of the watch movement relative to a set frequency (S hor ) for the mechanical oscillator which is determined by the auxiliary time base, the spiral being formed at least partially by a piezoelectric material and by at least two electrodes (20,22; 20a, 22a) arranged so as to be able to present between them a voltage induced by said piezoelectric material when the latter is subjected to mechanical stress; that during an oscillation of the mechanical oscillator, the two electrodes being electrically connected to the regulating device which is arranged to be able to vary the impedance of the regulation system, formed by said piezoelectric material, said at least two electrodes and the device regulator, as a function of a measurement signal of said time drift provided by the measuring device; characterized in that the regulating device (62) is arranged to be able to momentarily vary the electrical resistance generated by this regulating device between said two electrodes, the regulating device being arranged to be able to generate regulation pulses (88a, 88b ) temporally separated and each consisting of a momentary decrease of said electrical resistance with respect to a nominal electrical resistance which is generated by the regulating device between said two electrodes outside said regulation pulses, each of said regulation pulses causing a difference of gait for the mechanical movement which is variable as a function of the moment of its beginning in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator, the characteristic function (66) of said operating deviation relative to said instant when at least one of said regulation pulses starts respectively in at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator being negative on a first time zone (ZT1.1 & ZT1.2) of said at least one half-period and positive on a second time zone (ZT2) of said at least half a period; and in that the regulating device is arranged to be able to determine if a time drift measured by the measuring device corresponds to at least some advance or at least a certain delay, the regulating device being arranged to generate at least one of said control pulses (88a, 88b) with a selectively provided start, according to whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or audit at least some delay, in said first time zone or in said second time zone of respectively less than half a period of the mechanical oscillator. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdites impulsions de régulation (88a, 88b) ont chacune une durée (TR) inférieure au quart de la période de consigne qui est égale à l'inverse de ladite fréquence de consigne.Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said regulation pulses (88a, 88b) each have a duration (T R ) less than a quarter of the reference period which is equal to the inverse of said reference frequency . Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que la durée (TR) desdites impulsions de régulation (88a, 88b) est inférieure ou égale à un dixième d'une période de consigne ; et en ce que le dispositif de régulation est agencé pour engendrer au moins une desdites impulsions de régulation avec un début prévu sélectivement, selon que la dérive temporelle mesurée correspond à ladite au moins une certaine avance ou audit au moins un certain retard, dans un premier intervalle (Int1) situé à l'intérieur de ladite première zone temporelle (ZT1.1) et pour lequel ledit écart de marche donné par ladite fonction caractéristique est supérieur, en valeurs absolues, à au moins la moitié d'un écart de marche maximal de cette fonction caractéristique sur la première zone temporelle ou dans un deuxième intervalle (Int2) situé à l'intérieur de ladite deuxième zone temporelle (ZT2) et pour lequel ledit écart de marche donné par ladite fonction caractéristique est supérieur à au moins la moitié d'un écart de marche maximal de cette fonction caractéristique sur la deuxième zone temporelle.Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the duration (T R ) of said control pulses (88a, 88b) is less than or equal to one-tenth of a set period; and in that the regulating device is arranged to generate at least one of said control pulses with a selectively provided start, depending on whether the measured time drift corresponds to said at least some advance or audit at least some delay, in a first interval (Int1) located within said first time zone (ZT1.1) and for which said difference in speed given by said characteristic function is greater, in absolute values, than at least half of a maximum deviation of this a characteristic function on the first time zone or in a second interval (Int2) situated inside said second time zone (ZT2) and for which said difference in speed given by said characteristic function is greater than at least half of a maximum deviation of this characteristic function on the second time zone. Pièce d'horlogerie selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de régulation (62) comprend un interrupteur (60) agencé entre les deux électrodes (20,22) du spiral, cet interrupteur étant commandé par un circuit de commande (56) qui est agencé pour fermer momentanément cet interrupteur durant lesdites impulsions de régulation de manière à le rendre passant / conducteur, ces impulsions de régulation définissant alors des impulsions de court-circuit.Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said regulating device (62) comprises a switch (60) arranged between the two electrodes (20,22) of the spiral, this switch being controlled by a circuit control unit (56) which is arranged to momentarily close this switch during said control pulses so as to turn it on / off, these control pulses then defining short-circuit pulses. Pièce d'horlogerie selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que ledit spiral (70) comprend un corps central (72) en silicium, une couche d'oxyde de silicium (74) déposée en surface dudit corps central de manière à compenser thermiquement le spiral, une couche conductrice (76) déposée sur la couche d'oxyde de silicium, et ledit matériau piézoélectrique déposé sous forme d'une couche piézoélectrique (78) sur ladite couche conductrice, lesdites deux électrodes (20a, 20b) étant agencées sur la couche piézoélectrique respectivement des deux côtés latéraux du spiral.Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said spiral (70) comprises a central body (72) of silicon, a silicon oxide layer (74) deposited on the surface of said central body so thermally compensating the hairspring, a conductive layer (76) deposited on the silicon oxide layer, and said piezoelectric material deposited in the form of a piezoelectric layer (78) on said conductive layer, said two electrodes (20a, 20b) being arranged on the piezoelectric layer respectively of the two lateral sides of the spiral. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que des première et deuxième parties (80a,80b) de la couche piézoélectrique, qui s'étendent respectivement sur les deux côtés latéraux dudit corps central (72), présentent des structures cristallographiques respectives qui sont symétriques relativement à un plan médian (84) parallèle à ces deux côtés latéraux ; et en ce que ladite couche conductrice (76) forme une seule et même électrode interne qui s'étend sur les deux côtés latéraux du corps central, cette électrode interne n'ayant pas de liaison électrique propre avec le dispositif de régulation.Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that first and second portions (80a, 80b) of the piezoelectric layer, which extend respectively on the two lateral sides of said central body (72), have respective crystallographic structures which are symmetrical relative to a median plane (84) parallel to these two lateral sides; and in that said conductive layer (76) forms one and the same internal electrode which extends on both lateral sides of the central body, this internal electrode having no own electrical connection with the regulating device. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que ladite couche piézoélectrique (78) est constituée d'un cristal de nitrure d'aluminium formé par une croissance de ce cristal perpendiculairement à ladite couche conductrice (76) et depuis cette couche conductrice.Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that said piezoelectric layer (78) consists of an aluminum nitride crystal formed by a growth of this crystal perpendicularly to said conductive layer (76) and from this conductive layer .
EP18162191.3A 2018-03-16 2018-03-16 Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement the oscillating rate of which is controlled by an electronic device Active EP3540528B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18162191.3A EP3540528B1 (en) 2018-03-16 2018-03-16 Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement the oscillating rate of which is controlled by an electronic device
JP2019042361A JP6797227B2 (en) 2018-03-16 2019-03-08 A timekeeper with a mechanical movement whose speed is controlled by an electronic device
CN201910193381.2A CN110275420B (en) 2018-03-16 2019-03-14 Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement and an electronic device for adjusting the rate of the movement
US16/354,217 US11415946B2 (en) 2018-03-16 2019-03-15 Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement whose rate is regulated by an electronic device

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EP4130890A1 (en) 2021-08-04 2023-02-08 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Timepiece movement provided with an oscillator comprising a piezoelectric hairspring

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EP4130890A1 (en) 2021-08-04 2023-02-08 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Timepiece movement provided with an oscillator comprising a piezoelectric hairspring

Also Published As

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CN110275420A (en) 2019-09-24
JP2019158882A (en) 2019-09-19
US20190286063A1 (en) 2019-09-19
JP6797227B2 (en) 2020-12-09
EP3540528B1 (en) 2020-08-05
CN110275420B (en) 2020-11-27
US11415946B2 (en) 2022-08-16

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