EP3561604B1 - Timepiece regulator mechanism with hinged resonators - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clock regulating mechanism according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 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 clockwork oscillators and resonators has evolved a great deal with the appearance of techniques for producing components in silicon or materials with similar characteristics, which have enabled the advent of flexible guides, in particular with blades, defining virtual pivots, and allowing to overcome the traditional pivots, energy consumers, subject to wear, and requiring adequate lubrication.

Many parameters still need to be improved: the low amplitudes of oscillation, the transmission of significant forces, the sensitivity to shocks, and, in general, the sensitivity to disturbances when carried, in particular with regard to rotation.

The document FR2928015A1 in the name of LENOBLE describes a tangential impulse anchor escapement device for a watch, comprising a toothed escape wheel, an anchor and at least one sprung balance, the anchor being in two parts each pivoting on a separate axis , the two parts being articulated to each other by means of two transmission arms terminating at their adjacent ends by a common articulation in order to rotate the two parts of the anchor at the same speed but in opposite directions, each part of the anchor comprising a rest lift and an impulse lift, the latter receiving thrusts from the teeth of the escape wheel in a tangential manner. This device comprises two spiral balances with distinct oscillatory rotation axes, and each part of the anchor comprises a fork which can come into drive engagement on an ellipse of the corresponding sprung balance.

The document EP3206089A1 in the name of THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Ltd describes a clockwork resonator mechanism comprising a first support with a first anchor and a second anchor to which is attached a flexible pivoting guide mechanism, which defines a virtual pivot axis around which rotates rotatably a pivoting mass, and which comprises at least one anterior flexible pivot RCC and one rear flexible pivot RCC mounted in series and head-to-tail with respect to each other about the virtual pivot axis. The anterior RCC flexible pivot comprises, between the first support and an intermediate rotary support, two anterior straight flexible blades of the same anterior length between their recesses, defining two anterior linear directions which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis and which define with it an anterior angle, and the respective anchorages of the two anterior straight flexible blades furthest from the virtual pivot axis are both at the same anterior distance from the virtual pivot axis. The posterior RCC flexible pivot comprises, between the intermediate rotary support, which comprises a third anchor and a fourth anchor, and the pivoting mass, two straight rear flexible blades of the same rear length between their recesses, defining two posterior linear directions which intersect at the level of the virtual pivot axis and which define a posterior angle with it, and whose respective anchorages of the two rear straight flexible blades furthest from the virtual pivot axis are both at the same posterior distance from the axis virtual pivot. This flexible pivoting guide mechanism is plane, and the center of inertia of the assembly formed by the pivoting mass and any added inertial mass that the pivoting mass carries is on the virtual pivot axis or in its immediate vicinity. The anterior angle expressed in degrees is determined by inequalities according to the anterior lengths and the anterior distances, and the posterior angle expressed in degrees is determined by similar inequalities according to the posterior lengths and posterior distances.

The document EP3128380A1 in the name of ETA describes a clockwork regulating mechanism comprising a plate and, mounted movable at least in pivoting movement relative to the plate, an escapement mobile which pivots about an escape axis and is subjected to a engine torque, and at least a first resonator comprising a first rigid structure connected to the plate by first elastic return means. The first rigid structure carries at least one inertial arm, including a first inertial arm arranged to cooperate with the escape wheel set by means of magnetized or / and electrified tracks that comprise both this first inertial arm and the mobile unit. exhaust, to form a synchronization device between the exhaust mobile and the first resonator. This synchronization device is protected from stalling during an accidental increase in torque by a mechanical anti-stalling mechanism comprising mechanical exhaust stops carried by the exhaust mobile and at least one mechanical inertial arm stop. carried by the first inertial arm, and arranged together to maintain the stop stop during an accidental increase in torque.

The document FR1574359A in the name of MEYER describes an elastic oscillator comprising a fixed support and at least one rotary member as well as springs arranged radially relative to the rotary member, on the one hand subject on the one hand to the support and on the other hand to the rotating organ. The springs have a configuration such that, within the limits of their useful oscillation amplitude, at their points of contact with the rotating member, these springs describe an arc of a circle, the center of which is on the axis of rotation of the rotary member. The springs have a prismatic shape, their length is equal to 1.5 times the value of the radius of the arc of a circle. The rotary member is fixed to the support by two spring elements arranged at 90 ° relative to each other, or by three spring elements arranged at 120 ° relative to each other. A common support can carry two rotary members arranged one beside the other and oscillating in the opposite direction. The rotary members can include meshing members determining the direction of oscillation. The rotating members can be operated by a common magnetic system. A common support can carry two coaxial rotary members oscillating in opposite directions.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to produce a regulator with flexible pivots for a mechanical watch, which is insensitive to these disturbances during wear, which is not very sensitive to shocks, easy to produce, and with the best possible efficiency by minimizing friction.

To this end, the invention relates to a clockwork regulating mechanism according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 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 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 selon l'invention, 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 characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

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

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention relates to a clockwork regulator 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 restrictively, to resonators on flexible pivots with short travel, for mechanical watches, which are usually very sensitive to disturbances during wearing, and in particular very sensitive to angular accelerations, in particular in rotation.

The figures illustrate, in a nonlimiting manner, only the variant with two such primary resonators 100, 200, and those skilled in the art will easily be able to extrapolate the characteristics of the invention to a greater number of resonators.

These primary resonators 100, 200, each comprise at least one inertial mass 102, 202, which is movable in a pivoting manner relative to a fixed structure 101, 201, to which the inertial mass 102, 202, is suspended by a plurality of blades. flexible 103, 203. These flexible blades define, in a known manner, a virtual pivot axis around which the inertial mass concerned pivots, with a very small difference, of a few micrometers or tens of micrometers, in particular 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 regulating mechanism 300 comprises mechanical means for synchronizing at least two such primary resonators 100, 200. These mechanical synchronizing means comprise an articulated connection between two inertial masses 102, 202, which the two primary resonators comprise. 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 neighboring values of angles of rotation. And the articulated connection is designed to prevent, 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 suitable shape: more particularly, one of the two inertial masses 102, 202, comprises a pin 104, which slides with play in a slot 204 that comprises the other of the two inertial masses 102, 202. This slot 204 is vee-shaped, so as to allow in normal operation 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 seen 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 by 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 towards its opening 205 away from the second virtual pivot axis D2 of the second inertial mass 202, this vee-shape allows the first resonator 100 and the second resonator 200 to be able to have the same angle of opposite rotation, and makes it possible to prevent the pin 104 and the slot 204 from touching each other, so as not to alter the mechanical efficiency of the resonator.

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

The maintenance of the resonators can be carried out in different ways.

The figure 3 illustrates a configuration which does not form part of the invention 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 maintenance on 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 in the name of ETA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, published under the number EP3327515A1 , and in the requests which 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 . , published under the numbers WO2018 / 095592 A1 , WO2018 / 095593A2 , WO2018 / 099616A2 , WO2018 / 095594A1 , WO2018 / 095595A1 , WO2018 / 095596A2 , WO2018 / 103978A2 , WO2018 / 095997A2 , respectively

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

A second means of maintaining the resonators, which does not form part of the invention, is to use an escapement at rubbing rest, which acts alternately on the first resonator 200 and the second resonator 200. Thus, as visible on the figures figures 4 and 5 , the regulating mechanism 300 comprises an oscillator which comprises an escapement mechanism 400 at rubbing 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 these two primary resonators 100, 200 comprise.

The advantages of this variant are numerous.

Indeed, the energy is distributed equally on the two resonators. When the two primary resonators 100, 200 have the same frequency and balancing adjustment, the articulated connection is in mechanical contact only in the event of an impact: the pin 104 and the slot 204 never touch each other, except in the event of external disturbance. . This makes it possible to minimize the disturbance of the march 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 friction-rest escapement, which has both vanes on the same mobile, the configuration with one vane per mobile, allows the vane geometry to be chosen with the same efficiency, without having to use curved vanes such as than 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 vanes 121, 221, which are straight. This configuration allows making ruby paddles which remains economical, and it is possible to combine ruby paddles with an escape wheel 420 made of silicon or the like, and thus to avoid the high contact forces of a. silicon-silicon pair, if curved silicon pallets were to be produced. Indeed, the execution of the escapement wheel 420 in silicon remains very advantageous because it makes it possible to minimize its inertia, which can be further improved with a maximum recess and a minimum thickness. The pallets are thicker than the wheel, and ruby fabrication by the traditional method is quite appropriate.

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

According to the invention, a third means of maintaining the resonators consists in using an articulated regulator mechanism 300, which comprises an oscillator which comprises a free escape mechanism 400 with direct double tangential pulse, as visible on the figure. figure 9 . This regulating mechanism 300 comprises a kinematic connection 600 between two inertial masses 102, 202, which two primary resonators 100, 200 comprise, and which are arranged to pivot in the opposite direction. These two inertial masses 102, 202, comprise vanes 121, 221, arranged to cooperate with teeth 421, which an escape wheel 420 that comprises the escape mechanism 400 comprises, so as to produce a direct impulse from the wheel exhaust 420 to one of the vanes 121, 221, at each alternation of the oscillation. This kinematic link 600 advantageously comprises the articulated link 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 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 a pin 207 that includes one of the two inertial masses 102, 202. This stopper with two stable positions, which looks like an anchor, only serves as a rest to stop the escape wheel by this first arm 701. The pivoting of the second inertial mass causes the pin 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 with double direct tangential impulse.

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 with each alternation of the oscillation.

It is tangential impulse, because the contact which produces the impulse occurs substantially on the line which connects the center of inertia of the inertial mass considered to the center of the escape wheel (as opposed to the friction impulse of a traditional Swiss lever escapement).

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

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

The dashed lines A, B, C, D of the figure 9 illustrate advantageous relative arrangements: the straight 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 perpendicular bisector of these two pivots, the impulse between a tooth 421 and a pallet 121, 221, taking place in the vicinity of this straight line B; one of the pivots defines with the axis of the stopper 700 a straight line C, perpendicular to the straight line D joining the axis of the escape wheel and the axis of the stopper; the contact between the pin 207 and the fork 703 takes place in the vicinity of this straight line C.

Regarding the flexible pivots, different configurations can be used.

The figure 6 illustrates the case where the plurality of flexible blades 103, 203 comprises at least one pivot comprising head-to-tail ves, 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 pivot with blades in two planes parallel and crossed in projection, this configuration also being known to be insensitive to the positions of the watch, under conditions of angle and specific crossing points.

The figure 8 illustrates the case where the plurality of flexible blades 103, 203 comprises at least one Vee pivot of the Wittrick type, which is known to be sensitive to the positions of the watch when worn. However, thanks to the means of synchronization with the articulated link, this configuration can also be used, since the articulated link cancels out the position sensitivity. This variant is particularly simple to produce.

The invention also relates to a clockwork movement 500 comprising at least one such clockwork regulator 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 (9)

1. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) having a plurality of primary resonators (100; 200) each including at least one inertial weight (102; 202), which is pivotable with respect to a fixed structure (101, 201) to which said inertial weight (102; 202) is suspended by a plurality of flexible strips (103; 203), wherein said regulating mechanism (300) includes mechanical means for synchronisation of at least two said primary resonators (100; 200) which include an articulated connection between the two said inertial weights (102; 202) included in said two primary resonators (100; 200), this articulated connection is arranged, under normal conditions, to allow pivoting of said two inertial weights (102, 202) in opposite directions of rotation and with close rotation angle values, and is arranged to prevent, during a shock, pivoting of said two inertial weights (102; 202) in the same direction of rotation, characterised in that said regulating mechanism (300) includes an oscillator which includes a free escapement mechanism (400) with direct tangential double impulse, includes a kinematic connection (600) including said articulated connection, between said two inertial weights (102; 202) which are included in said two primary resonators (100; 200) and which are arranged to pivot in contrary directions, these said two inertial weights (102; 202) include pallet stones (121, 221) arranged to cooperate with teeth (421) of an escapement wheel (420) which is included in said escapement mechanism (400), so as to produce a direct impulse of said escapement wheel (420) to one of said pallet stones (121; 221) on each alternation of the oscillation.
2. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to claim 1, characterised in that said articulated connection is a connection in which there is play.
3. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one of said two inertial weights (102; 202) includes a pin (104) that slides with play in a slot (204) included in the other of said two inertial weights (102; 202), said slot (204) being V-shaped so as to allow, under normal conditions, pivoting of said two inertial weights (102; 202) in opposite directions of rotation and with the same rotation angle value.
4. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said timepiece regulating mechanism (300) includes a bistable stop (700) arranged to cooperate, on the one hand, via a first arm (701) with one of said teeth (421) and, on the other hand, with a fork (703) with a pin (207) that is included in one of said two inertial weights (102; 202).
5. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said plurality of flexible strips (103; 203) includes at least one position insensitive pivot including head-to-tail V-shaped portions.
6. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said plurality of flexible strips (103; 203) includes at least one position insensitive pivot with strips in two parallel planes that cross in projection.
7. Timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said plurality of flexible strips (103; 203) includes at least one Wittrick-type V-shaped pivot, wherein said articulated connection removes position sensitivity.
8. Timepiece movement (500) including at least one timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Watch (1000) including at least one timepiece movement (500) according to claim 8 and/or including at least one timepiece regulating mechanism (300) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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