EP3559755A2

EP3559755A2 - Flexible monolithic component for timepiece

Info

Publication number: EP3559755A2
Application number: EP17825498.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yann Mabillard; Stefano Bottinelli; Tiavina NIARITSIRY; Nicolas BURRIDGE; Giulio Papi
Original assignee: Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Current assignee: Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-19
Also published as: US12055896B2; JP7105779B2; US20190332061A1; WO2018115014A2; JP2020502525A; EP3559755B1; CN109952541B; CH713288A1; WO2018115014A3; CN109952541A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monolithic component for a timepiece, in particular for a mechanical timepiece, comprising at least a rigid part and an elastically flexible part and designed to transmit the movement of an actuator (1, 1') of the timepiece to a driven piece (5) of the timepiece. A monolithic component according to the present invention is characterised in that it comprises: a rigid frame (6); a first rigid driving member (3); and a first elastically flexible structure (2, 2', 2"', 7) connecting the frame to the first driving member (3). In addition, a monolithic component according to the present invention is also characterised in that the first elastically flexible structure (2, 2', 2"', 7) is configured to allow the movement of the first driving member (3) with at least two degrees of freedom, whereby said movement can be generated by the actuator (1, 1') coming into contact with the first driving member (3).

Description

Flexible monolithic component for timepiece

Fields of the invention

The subject of the present invention is a monolithic component intended for a timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, designed to transmit the movement of an actuator of the timepiece to a driven part of the workpiece. watchmaking. State of the prior art

In this context, the patent application WO 2012/010408 discloses elastic pivot oscillating mechanisms and energy transmission mobiles comprising such oscillating mechanisms, which are intended to replace a rocker, respectively a conventional exhaust, so as to achieve a regulating organ using monobloc components.

The patent application EP 1 306 733 discloses a control member of which at least two parts are manufactured in one piece, but which also comprises other articulated parts, which are not all located in the same plane.

Japanese patent JP 4 917 909 has a jumper consisting of a base fixed to the bridge and a rigid end serving as an indexing tip, two elastic arms serving as a link between the base and the indexing tip, the jumper allowing to secure the position of a toothed ring.

Objectives of the invention

The present invention aims to reduce the number of components constituting a complete mechanism or a functional subset, with a view to to reduce the problems related to the friction and the games between these components constituting a conventional clock mechanism, to control the positions, and thus to guarantee the reliability of the mechanism. More specifically, the purpose of the invention is to provide functional monolithic components of the defined input type, enabling the transmission of energy by means of driving along paths of various directions. Another object of the invention is to provide monolithic components forming a constant force transmission member which allows a better reproducibility and a better safety of the actuation of the driven part. In addition, the object of the invention is to produce such monolithic components by means of known manufacturing techniques of the watchmaking construction.

Solution according to the invention

The present invention proposes for this purpose monolithic components for a timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, comprising at least a rigid part and an elastically flexible part and designed to transmit the movement of an actuator of the timepiece to a driven part of the timepiece, said monolithic components comprising

- a rigid frame,

a first rigid drive member, and

a first elastically flexible structure connecting said frame with said first drive member,

said first resiliently flexible structure being configured to provide at least two degrees of freedom of movement of said first drive member, said movement being generated by movement of the actuator. The present invention therefore proposes monolithic components formed of a plurality of rigid zones and flexible zones. The terms "rigid" and "flexible" are to be understood here in the context of the watchmaking domain, that is to say that a flexible zone suffers sufficient flexion for the desired motion transmission under the effect of the mechanical force. that the actuator is capable of producing, whereas in this situation a rigid zone does not deform significantly.

In the context of the invention, the actuator may be an independent part of the monolithic component, coming into contact with said first drive member to generate said displacements. The actuator may also be integral with the monolithic component.

The components of said displacement with two degrees of freedom are chosen from translations, rotations and combinations thereof.

The first resiliently flexible structure may comprise two flexible blades each extending between said frame and said first drive member. The points of contact of the two flexible blades with the first drive member may be arranged in different areas of said first drive member. One of said two flexible blades may comprise a bent portion substantially at right angles. A rigid intermediate portion may be arranged between two flexible portions of the flexible structure. The first elastically flexible structure may also comprise one or more flexible necks arranged between two rigid elements of said monolithic component. According to one embodiment of the invention, the monolithic component preferably comprises a second functional member and a second elastically flexible structure connecting said frame to said second functional member, said second elastically flexible structure being configured so as to put said second member into position. functional member in contact with a driven part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said second functional member is a holding member, configured to temporarily secure a workpiece driven by said first drive member in its position.

In an application of the invention, said driven part is a toothed disk, the actuator is a control wheel equipped with a drive finger, said first drive member is a rocker, and said second functional member is a necklace.

In another application of the invention, the monolithic component constitutes an automatic winding mechanism, integrating an oscillating weight as an actuator, the driven part being an automatic winding wheel, and said first driving member comprising two fingers which both play, alternately, the role of coach finger.

The aforementioned components are preferably made of hardenable steels, also called maraging steels, for example Durnico steel. Such materials, in sheets or thin sheets, can be machined by wire cutting, by stamping, or by femtoprint to make components extending in a single plane.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example several embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings show schematically and by way of example several embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic top view illustrating by way of example a kinematic actuator - monolithic component - driven part made using a monolithic component according to the present invention. Figures 2a to 2h are schematic views showing eight alternative embodiments of a monolithic flexible leaf component according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a monolithic component according to the present invention adapted to be integrated into an instantaneous date mechanism.

Figures 4a to 4f are schematic views showing six alternative embodiments of a holding member with its flexible structure that can be part of a monolithic component according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an automatic winding mechanism comprising a monolithic component according to the present invention. FIG. 6 represents a kinematic diagram of the embodiments of a monolithic component according to the present invention presented in FIGS.

2 and 3. The same reference numbers and the same graphics (hatching, cross, gray, ...) are used throughout the figures to designate identical or similar elements.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows an actuator kinematic - monolithic component - driven part illustrating schematically and by way of example the inventive concept. This chain comprises an actuating finger 1, a monolithic component according to the invention, and a driven part 5 which may for example consist of a toothed wheel or a ring / toothed disc. The monolithic component comprises several parts, namely a first rigid drive member 3, a second rigid functional member 4, namely in the embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1, a holding member 4, a rigid frame 6, a first elastically flexible structure - comprising in the embodiment illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 two flexible blades 2, 2 '- which connects the first rigid drive member 3 to the frame 6, and a second elastically flexible structure - constituted in the embodiment illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 by a flexible blade 2 "- which connects the second functional member 4, in the illustrated example the holding member 4, 6. The frame 6 is the part of the monolithic component according to the present invention making it possible to fix it to the timepiece, normally to a bridge of this timepiece, in which the monolithic component has to be made. If the monolithic component necessarily includes a first rigid drive member

3 fixed to the rigid frame 6 by said first resiliently flexible structure 2, 2 ', the presence of a second rigid functional member 4 fixed to the rigid frame 6 by a second elastically flexible structure 2 "is only optional.

During the operation of the corresponding timepiece incorporating a kinematic chain as illustrated in Figure 1, the actuating finger 1, fixed on a control wheel rotatably mounted in said timepiece, slides during the progressive rotation of said control wheel, on a suitable portion 31 of the first rigid drive member 3, generating a displacement of the latter controlled by the first elastically flexible structure, that is to say in the example shown in Figure 1 by the two blades 2, 2 ', and limited by the contact of said first drive member 3 with the driven wheel 5. The skilled person will observe that the end of the drive member Rigid 3 in the form of a hook constitutes a drive means 34 adapted to engage with the toothing of the driven wheel 5 in order to drive it. The drive means 34 performs a displacement having a component parallel to the circumference of said driven wheel 5 and a component perpendicular to said circumference. Thus, the assembly of the first drive member 3 performs an alternating two-dimensional oscillation movement. This movement is possible thanks to the elastic deformation of the blades 2, 2 ', of the first elastically flexible structure, and causes, when the drive means 34 engages in the toothing of the driven wheel 5, the rotation of the wheel 5 in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the displacement of the driven part 5 is a rotation but could also be a pivoting, a translation, or any other displacement as a function of the concrete application for which the monolithic component according to the present invention is used. In the case where the second functional member performs, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a holding member 4, the elastic contact of this holding member 4 with the driven wheel 5 secures, outside the training phases of the driven wheel 5 by the first member rigid drive 3, this driven wheel 5 against inadvertent rotation. Likewise, the function of the second functional element 4 may, in general, consist of a function other than the maintenance of a given part of a corresponding timepiece, this part not necessarily being the part driven by the first rigid drive member 3, but may also be another part of this timepiece.

Therefore, a kinematic chain as shown by way of example in FIG. 1 can be realized, using a monolithic component according to the present invention, using at most three separate physical parts, know the actuator, the monolithic component, and the driven part. It remains to be specified in this context that the principle illustrated by means of the example of FIG. 1 can be implemented in the form of a multitude of variants, in particular by modifying the arrangement of the first elastically flexible structure and / or of the second elastically flexible structure and, alternatively or additionally, the function and / or the arrangement of the first rigid drive member and / or the second functional member.

FIGS. 2a to 2h are schematic views illustrating the inventive concept of guidance with several degrees of freedom by means of a connection by an elastically flexible structure 2, 2 ', in particular by a plurality of flexible blades, between a rigid frame 6 and A rigid functional member 3. Eight embodiments of a monolithic component with flexible blades, in these cases with a single functional member, are shown therein, to show by way of example at least a part of the multitude of variants. potentially feasible, since it is not possible to describe here all feasible variants. The frames 6 are shown with crosses, the functional members 3 are shown hatched, and the blades 2, 2 'elastically flexible structures do not have hatching since they are thin enough, rigid intermediate parts 7 which may be part of the elastically flexible structures - as indicated schematically in Figures 2c and 2h - are greyed out. The rigid intermediate portions 7 are areas of the monolithic component significantly thicker than the areas constituting flexible blades 2, 2 '. To simplify the figures, the actuator, respectively the actuating finger 1, which impacts the rigid functional member 3, preferably at the end of the functional member 3 opposite its engaging hook-shaped end in the driven part 5 and thus having the role of a driving finger, but which can also impact a rigid intermediate portion 7 of an elastically flexible structure, and the driven part 5 are not shown in the figures. Arrows symbolize the movements of the functional member 3 and in particular of its driving finger as predefined by the corresponding elastically flexible structure. In examining these figures, one skilled in the art will readily understand that the arrangement of an elastically flexible structure - comprising at least two flexible blades 2, 2 'as well as possibly at least one rigid intermediate portion 7 - between the rigid frame 6 and the functional member 3 allows a predefined displacement at least two degrees of freedom of the latter. Those skilled in the art will note in particular that the presence of at least one elbow at approximately 90 ° in at least one of the flexible blades 2, 2 'of the elastically flexible structure allows, respectively considerably increases, the freedom of movement of the functional member 3 in one of the directions of its displacement. For example, the flexible blade 2 of the embodiments of a monolithic component according to Figures 2a, 2b, 2d, 2e, 2f, and 2g form a bend at about 90 °. Thus, by taking the drawing plane of these figures as a reference system, the functional member 3 of the corresponding monolithic component can not only move in a substantially horizontal direction in this plane, but, thanks to this elbow, also a displacement in a direction substantially vertical in this plane. As shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2d, 2e, 2f, and 2g, the bend at approximately 90 ° is preferably formed on the flexible blade 2 located towards the end of the functional member 3 in the form of hook engaging in the driven part 5 and thus having the role of coach finger. It is also possible that an elastically flexible structure forms a bend at about 90 ° through at least one rigid intermediate portion 7, as illustrated in Figures 2c and 2h. In the embodiments illustrated in these figures, the flexible blade 2 comprises a plurality of flexible portions oriented perpendicularly to each other and separated by a rigid intermediate portion 7. In this case also, the flexible blade 2, which is formed by several parts separated by a rigid intermediate portion 7 so as to form a bend at about 90 °, is preferably located towards the end of the hook-shaped functional member 3 engaging in the driven part 5 and therefore having the role of a coach finger. Moreover, FIGS. 2c and 2h show that a flexible blade 2 'or also 2 may be fixed either directly to the rigid frame 6 or to the rigid intermediate portion 7.

FIGS. 2a to 2h also show, schematically with the aid of the arrows and by way of example, the types of movement combinations that can be achieved by a monolithic component according to the present invention that provides guidance with at least two degrees of freedom a rigid functional member by means of a connection by an elastically flexible structure, in particular by at least two flexible blades, between a rigid frame and this rigid functional body. In particular, FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2d, 2e, 2f, and 2g show a monolithic component whose first elastically flexible structure comprises flexible blades 2, 2 'configured so as to provide a displacement of at least two degrees of freedom of said first drive member 3, that is to say the functional member, the two degrees of freedom of the predefined movement of the functional member 3 consisting of a rotation combined with a movement according to a center of distance of elasticity ( CÉÉ / also called "remote center of compliance (RCC)). FIGS. 2c and 2h show a monolithic component whose first elastically flexible structure comprises flexible blades 2, 2 'configured so as to ensure displacement of at least two degrees of freedom of the functional member 3, the two degrees of freedom of the predefined movement of the functional member 3 consisting of two combined translations, respectively in a translation combined with a movement according to a remote center of elasticity. Obviously, other configurations are imaginable, including combinations of the configurations described above. Figure 3 shows a monolithic component according to the present invention adapted to be integrated into an instantaneous date mechanism of a corresponding timepiece. This component is intended to be interposed in a kinematic chain such as that shown in Figure 1. The reference numbers and graphics are the same as above, as well as the structure and operation of the device, respectively of the kinematic chain. , as explained in the context of FIG. 1. In particular, in this application of a monolithic component according to the present invention, said driven part, not illustrated in FIG. 3, is a disk / date ring, presenting preferably a toothing on its inner periphery, the actuator is a control wheel equipped with an actuating finger, also not illustrated in Figure 3, said first drive member 3 is formed by a drive rocker one end of which is capable of being actuated by said actuating finger and the other end of which is equipped with a drive finger is able to engage in the toothing it calendar ring to drive it in steps, and said second functional member 4 is a jumper suitable for securing said date ring in its position, outside the drive phases of this ring by the first drive member 3 Thus, this monolithic component serves as drive member and securing a disc / date ring. It remains to be noted in this context that a functional body, in In particular, said second functional element serving as a jumper 4 can have two functions, since this holding element can become, during a lapse of time during operation of the mechanism, a driving element. The general arrangement, respectively the operation, of an instantaneous date mechanism are known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described at this point, the description being limited to the monolithic component according to the present invention. Thus, the monolithic component shown in Figure 3 alone allows to replace more than a dozen parts, including pins and pins, usually used in a date mechanism construction according to the state of the art.

FIG. 6 represents a principle kinematic diagram of a monolithic component according to the invention in which the flexible blades 2, 2 'have been replaced by rigid elements articulated at their ends by pivot links. This component extends in a work plane which is that of Figures 1 to 3. The kinematic diagram of Figure 6 corresponds to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 except Figure 2c and will be used in the following to explain more generally the function of the parts of a monolithic component according to the present invention.

Thus, in general, the first elastically flexible structure of a monolithic component according to the present invention comprises a first flexible blade 2 extending between the frame 6 and the drive member 3 and defining a first mounting point 32 at the drive member 3. This first mounting point 32 is movable with reference to the frame 6 along a linear path to a degree of freedom located in the work plane. This trajectory may be an arc as in Figures 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h or 6. The shape of the flexible blade 2 may have two parts extending in substantially opposite directions so that the displacement of the point recess 32 is substantially rectilinear as is the case on the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2a, 2b and 3. Furthermore, the flexibility of the blade 2 is that the rigid drive member 3 is movable in rotation with reference to the frame 6 about an axis perpendicular to the work plane.

In addition, the first elastically flexible structure of a monolithic component according to the present invention comprises a second flexible blade 2 'defining a second embedding point 33 at the driving member 3. In the embodiments presented by As shown in FIGS. 1, 2a, and 2b, the second flexible blade 2 'has (in addition) two parts extending in substantially perpendicular directions and interconnected by a bend 35 shown in FIG. 6 symbolically by a pivot connection. Alternatively the two parts of the second flexible blade 2 'can be separated physically by a rigid intermediate portion 7 as in the configuration of Figure 2h. The second embedding point 33 is movable with reference to the frame 6 in a plane path with two degrees of freedom located in the work plane. It is understood that the invention is not limited to monolithic components whose second flexible blade 2 'comprises two separate parts separated by a bend or a rigid intermediate portion. The second flexible blade 2 'may have any kind of geometry adapted so that the second blade 2' can bend causing displacement of the second embedding point 33 in the work plane.

The first 32 and second 33 embedding points of the first 2 and second 2 'flexible blades in the first drive member 3 are arranged in different areas of said first drive member 3. Preferably, the distance of the points d recess 32 and 33 is at least a quarter of the length of the flexible blade 2. More concretely, to move away the mounting points 32, 33 can greatly increase the moment quadratic of the first flexible structure along an axis of the work plane, in other words, to improve the guiding of the first drive member 3 in the work plane. Alternatively, for the same rigidity of the first drive member 3 in the work plane, moving the mounting points 32, 33 away reduces the quadratic moment and therefore the section of each of the flexible blades.

Preferably, the drive means 34 is also remote from the embedding point 32 so that its movement is effected by two degrees of freedom in the work plane. It is advantageous to provide abutments cooperating with the first drive member 3 and / or the flexible arms 2, 2 'to limit the deformation of the elastically flexible structure to its elastic domain. The stops may for example be integrated in the rigid frame 6. With or without stops, the deformations of the flexible blades 2, 2 'are limited and define a working area 36 in which the drive means 34 is movable, schematically illustrated in FIG. Figure 6 by a hatched area. The flexible blades 2, 2 'exert an elastic restoring force which tends to bring the drive means 34 back to a rest position substantially in the center of the working zone 36.

The actuator 1 acting on the adapted portion 31 of the first drive member 3 causes a displacement of the drive means 34 which describes a working path 37 shown, by way of example, in FIG. 1. Preferably, the Work path 37 delimits a non-zero surface forming a loop, that is, the return path to the home position is not superimposed on the forward path. This loop can be obtained in response to the movement of the actuator 1 alone. The actuator 1 may, for example, be an eccentric guiding a circular displacement of the adapted portion 31 which will cause a working path 37 in the form of a loop. In other embodiments, the displacement of the driving member 3 is also generated by the driven part 5. This is the case in the example of Figure 1 where the driven part 5 deviates the outward path of the driving means 34, the drive means 34 sliding on a tooth of the driven part 5 to the over to drive on the return path.

In still other embodiments not shown, the displacement of the drive member 3 can also be generated by an additional guide member intended to come into contact with the first drive member 3 moving under the action of the actuator. The additional guide member may be from the frame 6 or be attached to a bridge, the plate or other element of the timepiece. In general, the actuation of a mechanism by a variable actuating force has several disadvantages. This is for example the case when a user actuates a mechanism directly using a controller. The mechanism must be dimensioned to support the most powerful actuations, which can for example result from a shock on a pusher. In addition, additional safety devices may have to be provided to secure the position of the moving parts.

The actuating force also varies when the actuator of the mechanism is moved by the energy source of the timepiece whose engine torque varies with the reassembly. In this second case, it will be necessary to ensure the operation of the mechanism over a range of extended actuating force which, in the case of positioning by a jumper, can complicate the design of the mechanism. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing a monolithic component providing a constant force actuating device. The monolithic component according to the invention makes it possible to accumulate energy coming from the actuator in elastic form and to restore it with a constant force to the driven part, independently of the actuating force of the actuator. Indeed, the driving of the driven part 5 is caused solely by the return to the rest position of the drive means 34 under the action of the flexible blades 2, 2 '. The indirect transmission of the actuating force using the monolithic component of the invention thus makes it possible to make reliable and secure the mechanisms to be actuated and to simplify their design.

FIGS. 4a to 4f are diagrammatic views illustrating with the same reference numbers and graphics as above in the context of FIG. 1 six embodiments of a second functional member 4, in particular of a holding member such as used in the application illustrated in Figure 3. This holding member 4 is connected to a portion of a rigid frame 6 by means of a second resiliently flexible structure consisting of one or two blades 2 ". Those skilled in the art will easily understand by observing these figures that the configuration of the flexible blade or blades 2 "allows the displacement of the holding member 4, forming a holding finger, respectively a jumper 4, according to the arrows indicated in these figures and symbolizing the direction of the corresponding movement consisting in these cases in a translation. In particular, the flexible blade (s) 2 "of a second elastically flexible structure according to the embodiments of FIGS. 4a to 4f may be configured as a straight blade, shaped complete or partial U, V-shaped complete or partial, or double straight blade, respectively double U-shaped blade or V, or combinations of these configurations. FIG. 5 shows a monolithic component constituting with the driven part an automatic winding mechanism capable of being integrated into a timepiece. The reference numbers and graphics are the same as above, especially in the context of Figure 1. Unlike the embodiments described above, this monolithic component is permanently secured to an actuator formed of an oscillating mass. ', so that the kinematic actuator - monolithic component - driven part is in this case feasible using only two separate physical parts, namely the monolithic component according to the present invention and the driven part. The oscillating mass is connected to the frame 6 of the monolithic component by two flexible necks 2 "', that is to say by two short parts having a central narrowing allowing their flexion and thus acting as a flexible blade.These two flexible necks 2 "'are each secured to one end of a rigid intermediate portion 7 of substantially straight shape, each of the two intermediate portions 7 corresponding being in turn connected at its other end by a flexible neck 2"' to said frame 6. Therefore , the oscillating mass is connected to the frame 6 by means of two elastically flexible structures each comprising a rigid intermediate portion 7 of substantially straight shape and two flexible necks 2 "'integral with the ends of the rigid intermediate portion 7. The flexible necks 2 "'are functionally equivalent to the above-mentioned flexible blades 2, 2', the term flexible" neck "being used here primarily for That this structure is shorter and thus allows to define a reduced amplitude of the corresponding movement in comparison with the movement defined by a "blade" flexible longer length. The frame 6 may comprise a wider surface bridge serving as a point of attachment of said two flexible necks 2 '' linking the two intermediate parts 7 to the frame 6 and a substantially circular peripheral portion surrounding said oscillating mass and the intermediate parts rigid 7. Two other flexible necks 2 "', preferably attached near the corresponding ends of the two intermediate parts 7 which are integral with the oscillating mass 1', connect said two rigid intermediate portions 7 of substantially straight shape to a third rigid intermediate portion 7 of shape substantially square with a rounded corner This third rigid intermediate portion 7 is located centrally between said two rigid intermediate portions 7 of substantially straight shape arranged parallel to each other The third rigid intermediate portion 7 surrounds a winding wheel automatic 5, which forms in this application of the monolithic component the driven part, and carries two flexible blades 2, 2 'arranged tangentially with respect to said winding wheel 5. Each of the two flexible blades 2, 2' is terminated by a first member rigid drive 3, respectively by a second drive member ment 4, in particular by driving pins 3, 4-shaped hook. Therefore, each of the first and second rigid drive members 3, 4 is connected to the frame 6 by means of a corresponding first elastically flexible structure comprising two rigid intermediate portions 7 of substantially straight shape, a third rigid intermediate portion 7 , four flexible collars 2 "'integral rigid intermediate portions 7 of right shape and, in part, the third rigid intermediate portion 7, and a flexible blade 2, 2' .It should be noted in this context that each of these first resiliently flexible structures, which are distinguished only by the flexible blade 2 or 2 ', forms a bend at about 90 °, analogically to what has been explained above with respect to Figures 2c and 2h.This is possible in particular by means of the flexible blades 2, 2 'as well as flexible blades formed by the flexible necks 2 "', these portions of each first elastically flexible structure being separated by means of rigid intermediate members 7 and oriented perpendicular to each other, so as to allow respectively to increase considerably, the freedom of movement of the corresponding functional member 3, 4 in one of the directions of its displacement. Thus, the rigid functional members in the form of the driving fingers 3, 4 are able to engage in the teeth of the winding wheel 5 and both play, alternatively, the role of a driving finger when the mass oscillates from left to right. right and vice versa and that the two flexible blades 2, 2 'perform a corresponding movement. The monolithic component therefore drives with the aid of the driving fingers 3, 4, at each oscillation of sufficient amplitude of the oscillating mass 1 ', respectively at each sufficient movement of one of the two flexible blades 2, 2', the automatic winding wheel 5 in rotation, so that it rotates one or more notches in the direction of the arrow, depending on the oscillation amplitude of the oscillating mass. It should be noted in this context that the presence of the second rigid drive member 4 is optional in this monolithic component, in order to increase the efficiency of the automatic winding, the monolithic component can also be used with only the first member rigid drive 3. The general operation of a self-winding mechanism is also known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in more detail here. In this application also, the monolithic component described above makes it possible to replace a set of at least a dozen parts constituting an automatic winding mechanism, for example of the Pellaton type, of the prior art.

In general, the monolithic component according to the invention for producing an automatic winding mechanism comprises a frame 6, a flexible structure and a drive member 3 comprising a drive means 34 adapted to cooperate with a driven member. 5 of the mechanism, in this case an output mobile. The drive means 34 constitutes a unidirectional drive device of the output mobile. The flexible structure is positioned between the frame 6 and the drive member so as to make the drive means 34 movable with reference to the frame in two degrees of freedom in a work plane which is that of the figure in the example of Figure 5. The flexible structure may comprise rigid intermediate portions 7 as in the examples of the Figures 2c and 2h.

At least one mass is integral with the flexible structure. The mass can be reported or be part of the monolithic component as in the example shown in Figure 5. The mass is movable with reference to the frame according to at least one degree of freedom in the work plane. The resilient members of the flexible structure return the mass to a rest position such that their assembly constitutes an oscillator. The accelerations supplied to the timepiece cause the displacement of the mass which drives the drive means 34 and consequently the driven member 5 in its movement. Numerous configurations having these common characteristics are possible. In particular, the mass can be rotatable or with several degrees of freedom in the work plane.

Regardless of the application for which the monolithic component is used, it may be made of hardenable steel, preferably Durnico steel. Moreover, it can be machined by wire cutting, by stamping, or by femtoprint which consists of a modification of the physical properties and a machining of transparent material by means of a femtosecond laser, followed by a hetching, but in all cases to extend in one plane. Other techniques for manufacturing such a monolithic component are possible, for example, Liga, 3D printing, and all silicon-related manufacturing processes. Moreover, the height of such a monolithic component is preferably in a range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and the width of the flexible blades of its first elastically flexible structure is, of preferably, in a range from 5 μηπ to 1 mm, but these values may also be somewhat outside these ranges.

In view of the above description of the principle of a monolithic component according to the present invention, options at its parts, as well as the two applications of such a monolithic component mentioned by way of example, it is obvious on the one hand, that this monolithic component can be realized in a multitude of embodiments arranged differently according to the needs of the specific watch application, so that it can be used for a considerable number of horological applications. On the other hand, as long as the monolithic component is arranged according to the above principles and, in particular, so that said first resiliently flexible structure connecting the first rigid drive member to the rigid frame is configured to providing a displacement at least two degrees of freedom of said first drive member, this monolithic component provides several important advantages. It effectively reduces the number of components constituting a complete mechanism or a functional subset of a corresponding timepiece, which simultaneously decreases the problems related to friction and play between these components, such as pins or pins, constituting a conventional clock mechanism. At the same time, this makes it possible, because of having a single physical part arranged in a single plane, to better control the positioning and thus to guarantee the reliability of the mechanism as well as to optimize the thickness of a corresponding clock component. . This results in a transmission of energy by means of a drive along predefined trajectories having at least two degrees of freedom in the plane of movement, these paths being able to be simple or more complex and of varied directions depending on the arrangement monolithic component, respectively of its flexible blades. In addition, such monolithic components can be made using materials and techniques of manufacture known horological construction, so at a moderate cost, while having an attractive aesthetic appearance to be used in the Haute Horlogerie.

Claims

claims

Monolithic component intended for a timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, designed to transmit the movement of an actuator (1, l ') of the timepiece to a driven part (5) of the timepiece, characterized in that said monolithic component comprises a rigid frame (6),

a first rigid drive member (3), and

a first elastically flexible structure (2, 2 ', 2 "', 7) connecting said frame (6) with said first drive member (3),

and in that said first resiliently flexible structure (2, 2 ', 2 "', 7) is configured to provide at least two degrees of freedom of displacement of said first drive member (3), said displacement being generated by the effect of the actuator (1, l ').

2. Monolithic component according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement is generated under the effect of a contact of the first drive member (3) with the driven part (5).

3. monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement is generated under the effect of a contact of the first drive member (3) with an additional guide elements.

4. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator (1) is an independent piece adapted to come into contact with said monolithic component to generate said displacement.

5. monolithic component according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said actuator () is integral with said monolithic component.

6. monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the components of said displacement at least two degrees of freedom are selected from translations, rotations, movements according to a center of distance elasticity (CES), and their combinations.

7. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first resiliently flexible structure comprises two flexible blades (2, 2 ') each extending between said frame (6) and said first drive member ( 3).

8. Monolithic component according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the points of contact of the two flexible blades (2, 2 ') with the first drive member (3) are arranged in different areas of said first drive member. (3).

9. monolithic component according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that one of said two flexible blades (2, 2 ') comprises a bent portion substantially at right angles.

10. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rigid intermediate portion (7) is arranged between two flexible portions of said first resiliently flexible structure, in particular between two portions of the flexible blades (2, 2 '). ) of this first elastically flexible structure.

11. monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first elastically flexible structure comprises one or more flexible necks (2 "') arranged (s) between two rigid elements (6, 7) of said monolithic component.

12. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second functional member (4) and a second elastically flexible structure (2 ") connecting said frame (6) to said second functional member (4) said second resiliently flexible structure (2 ") being configured to bring said second functional member (4) into contact with a driven part.

13. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driven part (5) is a disk or date ring, the actuator is a control wheel equipped with an actuating finger (1). ), that said first rigid drive member (3) is a rocker connected to the rigid frame (6) by a first resiliently flexible structure having flexible blades (2, 2 '), and that said second functional member (4) is a jumper connected to the rigid frame (6) by a second elastically flexible structure (2 "), so that said monolithic component serves as a drive member and securing a disk or date ring of a mechanism date of the corresponding timepiece.

14. Monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said driven part (5) is an automatic winding wheel, the actuator is an oscillating weight (Γ) integral with the monolithic component, and said first rigid drive member (3) comprises two drive fingers (3, 4) which are each connected to the rigid frame (6) by a first elastically flexible structure comprising flexible blades (2, 2 ', 2 "') as well as rigid intermediate parts (7) and which both play, alternatively, the role of a driving finger adapted to drive said wheel automatic winding, so that said monolithic component serves as a drive member of a winding wheel of an automatic winding mechanism of the corresponding timepiece.

15. Timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a monolithic component according to one of the preceding claims.