EP3561603A1 - Timepiece regulator mechanism with hinged resonators - Google Patents

Abstract

Clock control mechanism (300) having primary resonators (100; 200) each having at least one inertial mass (102; 202) pivotally movable relative to a fixed structure (101; 201) to which it is suspended by flexible blades (103; 203), this regulating mechanism (300) comprises mechanical means for synchronizing at least two primary resonators (100; 200) which comprise an articulated connection, in particular with a clearance, between the two inertial masses (102 202) which comprise these two primary resonators (100; 200), which articulated connection is arranged to allow in the normal regime the pivoting of the two inertial masses (102; 202) in opposite directions of rotation and with values of angles of rotation, and is arranged to prohibit, during an impact, the pivoting of the two inertial masses (102; 202) in the same direction of rotation.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a time clock control mechanism comprising a plurality of primary resonators each comprising at least one inertial mass pivotally movable relative to a fixed structure to which said inertial mass is suspended by a plurality of flexible blades.

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

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such movement, and / or comprising at least one such regulating mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of regulation mechanisms for mechanical watchmaking.

Background of the invention

The technology of clock oscillators and resonators has evolved considerably with the emergence of techniques for producing silicon components or materials with similar characteristics, which have led to the advent of flexible guides, in particular blades, defining virtual pivots, and to overcome the traditional pivots, energy consumers, subject to wear and requiring adequate lubrication.

Many parameters nevertheless remain to be improved: the low amplitudes of oscillation, the transmission of large forces, the sensitivity to shocks, and, in general, the sensitivity to disturbances of the bearing, in particular with regard to rotation.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide a flexible pivot controller for mechanical watch, which is insensitive to these disturbances during the wear, which is very sensitive to shocks, easy to produce, and with the best possible performance by minimizing friction.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a clock control mechanism according to claim 1.

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

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such movement, and / or comprising at least one such regulating mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue en plan, un mécanisme régulateur selon l'invention, comportant deux résonateurs comportant chacun une masse inertielle suspendue par lames flexibles, lesquelles masses définissent l'une avec l'autre une liaison articulée avec du jeu, dans une première position angulaire de repos de chaque résonateur;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, le même mécanisme, dans une position intermédiaire d'oscillation ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un mécanisme similaire, avec échappement sur un des résonateurs ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un mécanisme similaire, avec échappement sur les deux résonateurs, dans une première position angulaire de repos de chaque résonateur;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 4, le même mécanisme, dans une position intermédiaire d'oscillation ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue en plan, un guidage flexible sous forme d'un pivot en vé tête-bêche ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue en plan, un guidage flexible sous forme d'un pivot à lames croisées en projection ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue en plan, un guidage flexible sous forme d'un pivot de type Wittrick ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un mécanisme similaire, avec échappement libre à double impulsion tangentielle directe ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un mouvement d'horlogerie incluant un tel mécanisme régulateur.

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

• the figure 1 schematically represents, in plan view, a regulating mechanism according to the invention, comprising two resonators each comprising an inertial mass suspended by flexible blades, which masses define with each other a link articulated with play, in a first angular rest position of each resonator;
• the figure 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 the same mechanism in an intermediate position of oscillation;
• the figure 3 represents, similarly to the figure 1 a similar mechanism with exhaust on one of the resonators;
• the figure 4 represents, similarly to the figure 1 a similar mechanism, with exhaust on the two resonators, in a first angular rest position of each resonator;
• the figure 5 represents, similarly to the figure 4 the same mechanism in an intermediate position of oscillation;
• the figure 6 schematically shows, in plan view, a flexible guide in the form of a pivot vee head to tail;
• the figure 7 schematically shows, in plan view, a flexible guide in the form of a pivot with crossed blades in projection;
• the figure 8 schematically shows, in plan view, a flexible guide in the form of a Wittrick type pivot;
• the figure 9 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , a similar mechanism, with free exhaust with direct tangential double impulse;
• the figure 10 is a block diagram showing a watch comprising a watch movement including such a regulating mechanism.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a timepiece control mechanism 300, comprising a plurality of primary resonators 100, 200. This regulator mechanism 300 is a mechanism with articulated resonators

The invention is applicable in particular, but not exclusively, to resonators on flexible pivots with short stroke, for mechanical watches, which are usually very sensitive to disturbances when worn, and in particular very sensitive to angular accelerations, especially in rotation.

The figures do not illustrate, in a nonlimiting manner, that the variant with two such primary resonators 100, 200, and the skilled person will easily extrapolate the features of the invention to a higher number of resonators.

These primary resonators 100, 200, each comprise at least one inertial mass 102, 202, which is pivotally movable relative to a fixed structure 101, 201, in which the inertial mass 102, 202 is suspended by a plurality of blades. These flexible blades define, in known manner, a virtual pivot axis around which rotates the inertial mass concerned, with a very small difference, of a few micrometers or tens of micrometers, especially less than 30 micrometers, between the position of the instantaneous pivot axis and the theoretical virtual axis imposed by the shape and positioning of the flexible blades.

According to the invention, this regulator mechanism 300 comprises mechanical means for synchronizing at least two such primary resonators 100, 200. These mechanical synchronization means comprise an articulated connection between two inertial masses 102, 202, which comprise the two primary resonators. 100, 200.

This articulated connection is arranged to allow, in normal operation, the pivoting of the two inertial masses 102, 202, in opposite directions of rotation, and with values of neighboring rotation angles. And the articulated connection is arranged to prohibit, during an impact, the pivoting of the two inertial masses 102, 202 in the same direction of rotation.

In a particular embodiment, this articulated connection is with play.

More particularly and without limitation, and as visible on the Figures 1 to 8 , this articulated connection results from the cooperation of a pin or the like, with a groove of adapted shape: more particularly, one of the two inertial masses 102, 202 comprises a pin 104, which slides with play in a slot 204 which comprises the other of the two inertial masses 102, 202. This slot 204 is vee-shaped, so as to allow in the normal regime the pivoting of the two inertial masses 102, 202, in opposite directions of rotation and according to the same angle of rotation value.

Thus, as visible on the Figures 1 and 2 , the two resonators are synchronized by the pin 104 mounted on a first arm of the first inertial mass 102 of the first resonator 100, whose first virtual pivot axis is designated D1. The pin 104 slides in the slot 204 in a second arm of the second inertial mass 202 of the second resonator 200. There is a space between the pin 104 and the slot 204, so as to minimize friction. The slot 204 is vee-shaped, widening toward its opening 205 away from the second virtual pivoting axis D2 of the second inertial mass 202, this vee shape allows that the first resonator 100 and the second resonator 200 can have the same opposite angle of rotation, and prevents the pin 104 and the slot 204 from touching, so as not to affect the mechanical efficiency of the resonator.

In the event of a rotary impact, the first resonator 100 and the second resonator 200 tend to rotate in the same direction, and the articulated connection prevents them, which guarantees a correct operation of the exhaust with which at least one of the two resonators cooperates. . There is no untimely shutdown as it would be the case for a single resonator on flexible pivot with short stroke.

The maintenance of the resonators can be done in different ways.

The figure 3 illustrates the configuration where the regulator mechanism 300 comprises an oscillator, which comprises an escape mechanism 400 and one of the primary resonators 100, 200. The mechanical synchronization means according to the invention, in particular in the variant with pin and slot, as illustrated, are arranged to perform the maintenance of each other primary resonator 100, 200: here the first resonator 100 cooperates with the exhaust 400, and the second resonator 200 is maintained by the first.

More particularly, this oscillator comprises an enlarged anchor 401, as described in the application EP16200152 on behalf of ETA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, and in the requests that depend on it: PCT / EP2017 / 069037 , PCT / EP2017 / 069038 , PCT / EP2017 / 069039 , PCT / EP2017 / 069040 , PCT / EP2017 / 069041 , PCT / EP2017 / 069043 , PCT / EP2017 / 078497 , PCT / EP2017 / 080121 .

An arm 110, which includes the primary resonator 100, 200, with which the escape mechanism 400 is arranged to cooperate, the first resonator 100 in the case of the figure 3 , is arranged to cooperate with this enlarged anchor 401.

A second means of maintaining the resonators is to use a friction-resting escapement, which acts alternately on the first resonator 200 and the second resonator 200. Thus, as visible on the Figures 4 and 5 , the regulator mechanism 300 comprises an oscillator which comprises an escapement mechanism 400 with frictional rest which is arranged to cooperate alternately with two primary resonators 100, 200, at the level of vanes 121, 221, which comprise the two inertial masses 102, 202 , which comprise these two primary resonators 100, 200.

The advantages of this variant are numerous.

Indeed, the energy is distributed equally on both resonators. When the two primary resonators 100, 200, have the same frequency adjustment and balancing, the articulated connection is in mechanical contact only in case of shock: the pin 104 and the slot 204 never touch, except in case of external disturbance . This minimizes the disturbance of the gait due to the friction between the pin 104 and the slot 204.

Preferably, the geometry of the vanes 121, 221 is the same for the two resonators, which makes it possible to optimize the friction paths. Compared to a traditional rubbing rest escapement, which has the two pallets on the same mobile, the configuration according to the invention, with a pallet per mobile, makes it possible to choose the pallet geometry with the same efficiency, without being obliged to use curved vanes as known from the Graham exhaust. The Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred variant, with an escape wheel 420 with curved teeth 421, and arranged to cooperate with the pallets 121, 221, which are straight. This configuration allows the manufacture of ruby pallets which remains economical, and it is possible to combine ruby vanes with a silicon escapement wheel 420 or the like, and thus to avoid the high contact forces of a silicon-silicon pair, if one had to realize curved pallets made of silicon. Indeed, the execution of the silicon escapement wheel 420 remains very advantageous because it minimizes its inertia, which can be further improved with a maximum recess and a minimum thickness. The pallets are thicker than the wheel, and ruby manufacturing by the traditional method is quite appropriate.

Thus, more particularly, the escape mechanism 400 at rest rubbing comprises an escape wheel 420 made of silicon and / or silicon dioxide, and the pallets 121; 221 are in ruby so as to minimize the contact forces between the teeth 421 of the escape wheel 420 and the pallets 121, 221.

A third means of maintaining the resonators consists in using an articulated regulating mechanism 300, which comprises an oscillator which comprises a free-tangential escape mechanism 400 with a direct tangential double pulse, as visible on FIG. figure 9 . This regulator mechanism 300 comprises a kinematic connection 600 between two inertial masses 102, 202, which comprise two primary resonators 100, 200, and which are arranged to pivot in opposite directions. These two inertial masses 102, 202 comprise pallets 121, 221, arranged to cooperate with teeth 421, which comprises an escape wheel 420 that includes the exhaust mechanism 400, so as to produce a direct impulse of the wheel exhaust 420 to one of the pallets 121, 221, with each alternation of the oscillation. This kinematic link 600 advantageously comprises the articulated connection with clearance, according to the invention, between the two inertial masses 102, 202.

This mechanism is comparable to a coaxial escapement, in which the direct impulse of the anchor is replaced here by a direct impulse on the inertial mass of the second resonator.

More particularly, in a variant illustrated by the figure 9 , the regulating mechanism 300 comprises a bistable stopper 700, which is arranged to cooperate on the one hand by a first arm 701 with one of the teeth 421 for stopping the escape wheel 420, and on the other hand by a fork 703 with an ankle 207 that comprises one of the two inertial masses 102, 202. This stop with two stable positions, which looks like an anchor, serves only rest to stop the escape wheel by the first arm 701. The pivoting the second inertial mass causes the ankle 207 to escape from the fork 703, and then releases the pivoting of the stopper 700, and thus allows the rotation of the escape wheel.

According to this third means, the escape mechanism 400 is free to double direct tangential pulse.

Indeed, it is free because the resonator is free during part of its oscillation, which is favorable from a chronometric point of view.

It is double pulse, because a pulse occurs at each alternation of the oscillation.

It is a tangential impulse because the contact that produces the impulse occurs substantially on the line that connects the center of inertia of the inertial mass considered at the center of the escape wheel (as opposed to the rubbing impulse of a traditional Swiss anchor escapement).

It is a direct impulse because the impulse is given directly from the wheel to the resonator, without necessarily passing through an anchor.

It is understood that this double direct impulse is only possible because the two inertial masses rotate in opposite directions. Thus, the escape wheel, which always rotates in the same direction, can push one of the inertial masses during the first alternation, and the other during the second alternation.

The lines in broken lines A, B, C, D of the figure 9 illustrate advantageous relative arrangements: the line A joining the virtual pivots of the two flexible guides is perpendicular to the direction B coming from the center of the escape wheel which is the mediator of these two pivots, the pulse between a tooth 421 and a pallet 121, 221, being in the vicinity of this line B; one of the pivots defines with the axis of the stopper 700 a straight line C, perpendicular to the line D joining the axis of the escape wheel and the axis of the stop; the contact between the ankle 207 and the fork 703 is in the vicinity of this straight line C.

With regard to the flexible pivots, different configurations are usable.

The figure 6 illustrates the case where the plurality of flexible blades 103, 203 comprises at least one pivot having vés head to tail, this configuration being known to be insensitive to the positions of the watch.

The figure 7 illustrates the case where the plurality of flexible blades 103, 203 comprises at least one blade pivot in two parallel planes and crossed in projection, this configuration being also known to be insensitive to the positions of the watch, under angle conditions and of particular crossing points.

The figure 8 illustrates the case where the plurality of flexible blades 103, 203, comprises at least one Wittrick V-shaped pivot, which is known to be sensitive to the positions of the watch when worn. However, thanks to the synchronization means with the articulated connection, this configuration is also usable because the articulated connection cancels the position sensitivity. This variant is particularly simple to achieve.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 500 comprising at least one such watch clock mechanism 300.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising at least one such movement 500, and / or comprising at least one such regulating mechanism 300.

Claims (16)

A timepiece control mechanism (300) comprising a plurality of primary resonators (100; 200) each having at least one inertial mass (102; 202) pivotally movable relative to a fixed structure (101; 201) to which said mass inertial (102; 202) is suspended by a plurality of flexible blades (103; 203), characterized in that said regulating mechanism (300) comprises mechanical means for synchronizing at least two so-called primary resonators (100; 200) which comprise an articulated connection between the two said inertial masses (102; 202) that comprise said two primary resonators (100; 200), which articulated connection is arranged to allow in a normal regime the pivoting of said two inertial masses (102; 202) according to direction of rotation opposite and with values of neighboring rotation angles, and is arranged to prohibit, during an impact, the pivoting of said two inertial masses (102; 202) s the same direction of rotation. Clock control mechanism (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulated connection is a link with clearance. Timepiece control mechanism (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of said two inertial masses (102; 202) comprises a pin (104) which slidably slides in a slot (204) of the other said two inertial masses (102; 202), said slot (204) being vee-shaped so as to allow pivoting of said two inertial masses (102; 202) in opposite rotational directions in the normal regime and in accordance with the same value. angle of rotation. Timepiece control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said regulating mechanism (300) comprises an oscillator which comprises an escape mechanism (400) and one of said primary resonators (100) 200), and in that said mechanical synchronization means are arranged to carry out the maintenance of each other said primary resonator (100; 200). Timepiece control mechanism (300) according to claim 4, characterized in that said oscillator comprises an enlarged anchor (401) with which is arranged to cooperate an arm (110) that includes said primary resonator (100; 200) with which said exhaust mechanism (400) is arranged to cooperate. Clock control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said regulator mechanism (300) comprises an oscillator which comprises an escapement mechanism (400) at rest rubbing which is arranged to cooperate alternately with two said primary resonators (100; 200), at the level of vanes (121; 221) that comprise the two said inertial masses (102; 202) that comprise said two primary resonators (100; 200). Timepiece controller mechanism (300) according to claim 6, characterized in that said two primary resonators (100; 200) have the same frequency and balancing adjustment, and that said articulated connection is in mechanical contact only in case of choc. A timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said rub-off escapement mechanism (400) comprises an escape wheel (420) with teeth (421) which are curved, and arranged to cooperate with said pallets (121; 221) which are straight. Clock control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said escaping mechanism (400) at rest friction comprises an escape wheel (420) made of silicon and / or silicon dioxide , and in that said vanes (121; 221) are ruby so as to minimize the contact forces between the teeth (421 of said escape wheel (420) and said vanes (121; 221). Clock control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said regulator mechanism (300) comprises an oscillator which comprises a free escape mechanism (400) free direct tangential double pulse, comprises a kinematic link (600), comprising said hinged connection, between two said inertial masses (102; 202) that comprise two said primary resonators (100; 200) and which are arranged to rotate in opposite directions, which two said inertial masses (102; 202) comprise vanes (121; 221) arranged to cooperate with teeth (421) that comprise an escape wheel (420) that includes said exhaust mechanism (400), so as to produce a direct impulse of said wheel exhaust (420) to one of said vanes (121; 221) at each alternation of the oscillation. Clock control mechanism (300) according to claim 10, characterized in that said regulating mechanism (300) comprises a bistable stop (700) arranged to cooperate on the one hand by a first arm (701) with one of said teeth (421), and secondly by a fork (703) with an anchor (207) that includes one of said two inertial masses (102; 202). Clock control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said plurality of flexible blades (103; 203) comprises at least one pivot having vés head to tail and insensitive to the positions. Timepiece control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said plurality of flexible blades (103; 203) comprises at least one blade pivot in two parallel planes and crossed in projection, insensitive to positions. Clock control mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said plurality of flexible blades (103; 203) comprises at least one Wittrick-type vee pivot, said hinged connection cancels the sensitivity at positions. Timepiece movement (500) comprising at least one watchmaking mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 14. Watch (1000) comprising at least one clockwork movement (500) according to claim 17, and / or comprising at least one watchmaking mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 15.

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