EP3882712B1 - Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement including an elastically deformable anchor - Google Patents

Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement including an elastically deformable anchor Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3882712B1
EP3882712B1 EP20164019.0A EP20164019A EP3882712B1 EP 3882712 B1 EP3882712 B1 EP 3882712B1 EP 20164019 A EP20164019 A EP 20164019A EP 3882712 B1 EP3882712 B1 EP 3882712B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
anchor
mechanical
escapement
fork
magnetic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP20164019.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3882712A1 (en
Inventor
Gianni Di Domenico
Dominique Lechot
Marc Stranczl
Benoît LÉGERET
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Swatch Group Research and Development SA filed Critical Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Priority to EP20164019.0A priority Critical patent/EP3882712B1/en
Priority to US17/169,618 priority patent/US11927917B2/en
Priority to JP2021028340A priority patent/JP7093864B2/en
Priority to CN202110292176.9A priority patent/CN113495474B/en
Publication of EP3882712A1 publication Critical patent/EP3882712A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3882712B1 publication Critical patent/EP3882712B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/06—Free escapements
    • G04B15/08—Lever escapements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/10—Escapements with constant impulses for the regulating mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/26—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of the impulses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency

Definitions

  • the invention relates to watch movements comprising an escapement provided with an anchor cooperating, on the one hand, with an escape wheel and, on the other hand, with a mechanical resonator, the anchor having a different axis of rotation from that of the mechanical resonator.
  • the invention relates to a watch movement provided with an escapement comprising a magnetic coupling system between an escape wheel and an anchor.
  • the anchor presents an alternating movement which is synchronous with the periodic movement of the mechanical resonator, but different.
  • Magnetic escapement means an escapement provided with magnets arranged partly on the lever and partly on the escapement wheel so as to generate a magnetic coupling between the lever and the escapement wheel.
  • the Swiss lever escapement has been known for a very long time.
  • the teeth of the escape wheel cooperate with two pallets of the lever in a determined manner allowing a step-by-step rotation of the escape wheel which is synchronous with the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, namely generally a balance-spring.
  • the sustaining pulses generated by the escapement and transmitted to the resonator gradually decrease in intensity so that when the wheel d escapement ends up stopping when said torque becomes less than a limit value, the energy stored in the resonator is relatively low.
  • the document CH 703 449 A2 describes an escapement mechanism in which the lever rod can deform elastically outside the plane of the lever during axial shocks on the balance wheel axis. It is still known from the demand CH 703 476 A2 , elastically deformable anchors, in particular using slots created on the horns of said fork.
  • the sustain pulses are magnetic pulses having a constant value as long as the force torque supplied to the escape wheel is greater than or equal to a certain lower limit. Then, as soon as said force torque is below this lower limit, the escape wheel can no longer properly climb the next ramp of magnetic potential energy, so that the escape wheel will not stop in a next normal stop angular position, but substantially at the bottom of or along a magnetic potential energy ramp.
  • the present invention relates to a watch movement comprising a mechanical resonator, in particular a balance-spring, and an escapement, associated with this mechanical resonator, which is formed by an escape wheel comprising a plurality of projecting parts, in particular teeth, and by an anchor provided with a fork, intended to cooperate with a pin of the mechanical resonator, and with two mechanical pallets which are intended to cooperate with the plurality of teeth at least in a certain phase of operation of the watch movement.
  • a mechanical resonator in particular a balance-spring
  • an escapement associated with this mechanical resonator, which is formed by an escape wheel comprising a plurality of projecting parts, in particular teeth, and by an anchor provided with a fork, intended to cooperate with a pin of the mechanical resonator, and with two mechanical pallets which are intended to cooperate with the plurality of teeth at least in a certain phase of operation of the watch movement.
  • This horological movement is arranged in such a way that, when the lever tilts from a first of its two rest positions towards the second rest position while the escape wheel is positioned in any angular position ⁇ of a plurality of ranges of angular positions corresponding respectively to the plurality of protruding parts, one of the two mechanical pallets of the anchor abuts against one of these protruding parts before this anchor can reach the angular position of disengagement of the pin, integral with the mechanical resonator, on the side of the second rest position.
  • the anchor is arranged so as to be able, during said rocking of the anchor, to bend, in a general plane of the anchor parallel to its fork, by undergoing an elastic deformation under the action of a force exerted by the pin of the mechanical resonator, engaged in the fork, on one of the two lugs of this fork while said mechanical pallet abuts against said projecting part and the mechanical resonator is braked by the lever.
  • this anchor has an elastic capacity, between each of the two mechanical pallets and the fork, allowing it to absorb in the form of elastic energy, during said elastic deformation, a maximum mechanical energy that the mechanical resonator can have during normal operation of the watch movement.
  • the escapement comprises a magnetic system magnetically coupling the escapement wheel and the lever, this magnetic system being arranged so as to generate, during normal operation of the watch movement, magnetic pulses having an energy substantially constant to maintain an oscillation of the mechanical resonator via an interaction between the pin of this mechanical resonator and the fork of the anchor.
  • said magnetic pulses are generated at the level of the two mechanical pallets which respectively support two magnets forming two magnetic pallets.
  • the anchor is arranged so as to be able, during normal operation of the watch movement, to substantially transmit a torque of magnetic force generated by each of the magnetic pulses to its fork to maintain oscillation of the mechanical resonator.
  • a main embodiment of a watch movement according to the invention will be described below, which is of the mechanical type and comprises a mechanical resonator 2, of which only the axis 4, the small plate 6 having a notch and the pin 10 have been shown.
  • the watch movement includes an escapement 12 which is associated with the mechanical resonator whose small plate and peg are elements forming this escapement.
  • the escapement 12 further comprises an escape wheel 16 and an pallet 14 which is a separate member from the mechanical resonator and whose single axis of rotation is different from that of this mechanical resonator.
  • the anchor 14 is formed, on the one hand, of a rod 20 terminated by a fork 18, comprising two horns 19a and 19b, and by a dart 8 and, on the other hand, of two arms 24 and 26 whose free ends respectively form two mechanical pallets 28 and 29.
  • the two mechanical pallets respectively support two magnets 30 and 32 which form two magnetic pallets of the anchor 14.
  • the mechanical resonator 2 is coupled to the anchor so that, when the resonator mechanism oscillates normally, this anchor undergoes an alternating movement, synchronized with the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, between two rest positions, defined by two limiting pins 21 and 22, in which the anchor remains alternately during successive time intervals.
  • the escapement wheel 16 comprises a periodic magnetized structure 36 which is arranged on a disc 34, preferably made of non-magnetic material (which does not conduct magnetic fields in such a way as not to make the escapement wheel sensitive to external magnetic fields which could exert a significant torque on this escape wheel if this disc was made of ferromagnetic material).
  • the structure 36 has magnetized portions 38, globally in an arc of a circle, which define increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy for the two magnetic pallets 30 and 32, which each have an axial magnetization with a polarity opposite to that of the magnetization axial of the periodic magnetized structure so as to generate magnetic repulsion between the magnetic pallets and the magnetized structure.
  • Each magnetized portion has a monotonically increasing width.
  • the width of the magnetized portions 38 increases, over their entire useful length, linearly as a function of the angle at the center.
  • the periodic magnetized structure 36 is arranged so that its outer periphery is circular, the magnetized arcuate portions of this magnetized structure having the same configuration and being arranged circularly around the axis of rotation of the wheel exhaust.
  • each increasing ramp of magnetic potential energy is provided so that each of the two magnetic pallets can climb it when the anchor is in a given rest position, among its two rest positions, and that a torque of force supplied to the escape wheel is substantially equal to a torque of nominal force (case of a mechanical movement equipped with a constant force system for driving the escape wheel) or included in a range of values provided to ensure normal operation of the watch movement (case of a conventional mechanical movement having a variable force torque applied to the escape wheel depending on the level of winding of the barrel or barrels if several are provided in series).
  • Increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy are climbed, when the anchor undergoes an alternating movement between its two rest positions and when the force torque supplied to the escape wheel is equal to said nominal force torque or included in the range of values provided for this force torque in normal operation, successively by each of the first and second magnetic pallets while the anchor is respectively in its first and second rest positions, and alternately by these first and second magnetic pallets during the reciprocating movement of the anchor.
  • the two magnetic paddles and the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy are arranged so that the anchor can experience an impulse of magnetic force in the direction of its movement, after any one of the two magnetic paddles has climbed any of said ramps increasing magnetic potential energy, when the anchor swings from the rest position corresponding to any ramp of magnetic potential energy to its other rest position.
  • the periodic magnetized structure further defines for each of the two magnetic pallets magnetic barriers 46 which are located respectively following the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy defined by the magnetized portions 38, these magnetic barriers being formed in particular by magnetic pads 46 of the structure 36, the radial dimension of which is substantially equal to or greater than the longitudinal dimension of each of the two magnets 30 and 32 forming the magnetic pallets of the anchor.
  • the magnetic barriers are not provided, the magnetized portions 38 then extending partially under the projecting parts 42 described below.
  • the escape wheel further comprises protrusions which are respectively associated with the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy.
  • These projecting parts are formed by teeth 42 extending radially from a plate 40 which is integral with the escape wheel and located above the disc 34 carrying the magnetic structure 36. These teeth are located respectively following the magnetic portions 38, on the side of their widest end, and are partially superimposed on the corresponding magnetic pads 46.
  • the teeth and mechanical pallets are formed by a non-magnetic material.
  • the plate 40 is also formed by a non-magnetic material and it is integral with the teeth.
  • the teeth 42 extend in a general plane in which the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 of the anchor also extend.
  • the two magnets 30, 32 are respectively supported by the two mechanical pallets and are also located in said general plane.
  • the figures only show a lower magnetized structure, located below the general plane.
  • the escape wheel also comprises an upper magnetic structure, of the same configuration as the lower magnetic structure and supported by an upper disc, preferably formed of a non-magnetic material.
  • the lower and upper magnet structures together form the periodic magnet structure. They have the same magnetic polarity, opposite to that of the two magnets of the anchor, and are arranged on either side of the geometric plane in which these two magnets forming the two magnetic pallets are located, preferably at the same distance.
  • the lever 14 and the escapement wheel 16 are arranged so that, in normal operation, one of the teeth 42 of the escapement wheel undergoes at least one shock on one or the other of the two mechanical pallets after the corresponding magnetic paddle has climbed any one of the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy following a tilting of the anchor.
  • This impact occurs in such a way as to at least partially dissipate a kinetic energy of the escape wheel acquired following said tilting.
  • the teeth of the escape wheel are designed to be able to absorb the kinetic energy of this escape wheel, at each step of the escape wheel, after an accumulation of magnetic potential energy in the escapement for a next sustain pulse of the mechanical resonator, and to thereby limit terminal oscillation during each step of its stepwise rotation.
  • a tooth 42 presses against a mechanical stop of the anchor formed by one or the other of the two mechanical pallets.
  • the escapement is therefore a hybrid escapement, that is to say magnetic and mechanical.
  • the teeth 42 and the mechanical pallets 28, 29 are arranged in such a way that, during a new winding of the barrel spring following a stoppage of the watch movement and allowing the escapement wheel 16 to start rotating again in the intended direction of rotation, at least one of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 comes into contact with a tooth 42 of the escape wheel, which are configured so that the escape wheel can provide the anchor 14 a torque of mechanical starting force and therefore a mechanical starting impulse.
  • a tooth 42 of the escape wheel which are configured so that the escape wheel can provide the anchor 14 a torque of mechanical starting force and therefore a mechanical starting impulse.
  • each of the teeth 42 has, in a system of polar coordinates of the escapement wheel 16 which is centered on its axis of rotation, a first inclined surface which is inclined so that each of the first and second mechanical pallets 28, 29 can, in a start-up phase, slide on this first inclined surface while the escape wheel passes through a corresponding range of angular positions ⁇ .
  • a first inclined surface which is inclined so that each of the first and second mechanical pallets 28, 29 can, in a start-up phase, slide on this first inclined surface while the escape wheel passes through a corresponding range of angular positions ⁇ .
  • each of the two mechanical paddles of the anchor has, in the system of polar coordinates associated with the escapement wheel, a second inclined surface when the paddle in question is in contact with one of the teeth 42 of the escapement wheel. .
  • the second inclined surface is configured in such a way that each of the teeth 42 can, in a starting phase, slide on this second inclined surface when the escape wheel crosses a range of angular positions ⁇ which correspond
  • the connecting part, the rod and the two arms are formed by a single piece.
  • the one-piece part is made of a metallic material.
  • teeth 42 to allow one and/or the other of the two functions described previously, namely the damping of oscillations of the escape wheel during a step-by-step rotation of the latter in normal operation and/or a self-starting of the assembly formed by the mechanical resonator and the escapement, in particular an escapement of the magnetic type, has the consequence that, during a tilting of the lever 14 from a first of its two rest positions in the direction of the second rest position while the escapement wheel 16 is positioned in any angular position ⁇ of a plurality of ranges of angular positions corresponding respectively to the plurality of teeth, one of the two mechanical pallets abuts against one of these teeth before the anchor can reach the angular position for disengaging the ankle on the side of the second rest position, as shown in Figure 1B .
  • the escapement wheel 16 can stop in any angular position ⁇ d a plurality of ranges of angular positions, corresponding respectively to the plurality of teeth 42, for which one of the two mechanical pallets then abuts against one of these teeth before the anchor can reach the angular position of release of the ankle, as depicted in Figure 1B .
  • the Figure 1B shows a particularly unfavorable case where an end part 48 of the mechanical pallet 29 undergoes an impact on the top of the head 43 of a tooth 42 against which this mechanical pallet abuts.
  • the total force exerted by the lever on the tooth 42 concerned is substantially radial, in a system of polar coordinates associated with the escapement wheel, so that the escapement wheel is not driven in rotation and undergoes a major shock.
  • the radial force impulse has several components, firstly a component arising from the inertia of the moving anchor 14 which is stopped; secondly a principal component due to the mechanical energy stored in the oscillating mechanical resonator 2 which is stopped in its oscillation while its kinetic energy is almost maximum, via the coupling between the fork 18 and the pin 10; and thirdly a magnetic component arising from the fact that the shock occurs while a magnetic impulse is being supplied to the anchor (represented by an arrow at the Figure 1B ).
  • the anchor is arranged to be able to elastically absorb the energy transmitted to it by the mechanical resonator stopped in its oscillation.
  • the anchor 14 is arranged so as to be able, during a tilting during which a shock described above occurs, to bend, in a general plane of the anchor parallel to the fork 18 (this is that is to say parallel, including coincident, to a general plane in which the horns of the fork extend), by undergoing an elastic deformation under the action of a force F RO exerted by the pin 10, engaged in the fork , on one of its two horns 19a, 19b while the mechanical pallet concerned abuts against a tooth and that the mechanical resonator is braked by the anchor.
  • this anchor has an elastic capacity, between each of the two mechanical pallets 18, respectively 29 and the fork 18, allowing it to elastically absorb, during said elastic deformation, a maximum mechanical energy that the mechanical resonator 2 can have during normal operation of the watch movement.
  • this elastic capacity presents a certain margin of safety, because during the impact there is a certain dissipation of energy in particular at the level of the bearings of the escape wheel, the mechanical resonator and the anchor, and also in the various structures concerned, in particular the plate 40. Any breakage or deterioration of the escapement and of the mechanical resonator can thus be avoided.
  • 'elastic capacity' we understand an elastic energy absorption capacity. Thanks to the characteristics of the anchor according to the invention, a sudden shock is avoided and a gradual dissipation of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator is allowed.
  • the anchor undergoes an elastic deformation in order to be able to absorb most of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator, even if this mechanical energy corresponds to a nominal energy in normal operation of the watch movement.
  • the rod 20 which is arranged to be able to substantially absorb said major part of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator.
  • the rod is provided curved, in particular with a general shape in 'gooseneck'. Other shapes are possible, also a substantially rectilinear rod.
  • the curved configuration has an advantage in that it generally makes it possible to increase the length of the stick between the connecting part 25 and the fork 18.
  • the 'gooseneck' shape allows a relatively long length of the stick, while having the fork relatively close to one of the two mechanical paddles.
  • the person skilled in the art would connect the shortest fork with the arm 26, in the extension of the mechanical pallet 29. Thus, there would be almost no absorption of kinetic energy from the oscillating resonator.
  • a median geometric line of the anchor 14 between an end surface (terminal inclined plane) of each of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 and the fork 18, has a total length, on the two sections 20a and 24a, respectively 20a and 26a which are defined by the mechanical pallet considered together with the corresponding arm 24 or 26 and by the rod 20 (see dashed lines at Figure 1A ), which is at least twice a length of a straight line 52 between a point on the median geometric line 24a on the end surface closest to the fork and the middle of the bottom of a cavity defined by the two horns of this fork (see Figure 1B ).
  • the elastic deformation capacity can be provided over the entire total length defined above or only over parts of this total length.
  • the rod and the arms have a capacity for elastic deformation, which may be different, whereas in a second variant, it is substantially the rod which has this elastic capacity. In a third variant, it is substantially the arms 24 and 26 which have an elastic capacity.
  • the anchor must therefore have a capacity for elastic deformation and a capacity that is large enough to absorb elastic energy, these associated capacities being a function of several parameters that those skilled in the art will be able to select and determine in order to obtain the desired values.
  • the shape can play a role, as well as the length of the material path between the mechanical paddles and the fork. Other parameters also play a role, including the selected material and the various cross-sections. It should be noted that the minimum cross-section of the anchor also plays a role, which should not be planned too small by favoring the flexibility of a portion of the anchor to the detriment of the absorption of elastic energy.
  • magnetic pulses for maintaining the oscillation of the mechanical resonator are generated at the level of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 which respectively support two magnets 30, 32 forming two magnetic pallets.
  • the lever 14 is arranged so as to be able, during normal operation of the watch movement and therefore of the escapement, to substantially transmit a torque of magnetic force, generated by each of the magnetic pulses, to its fork to maintain a oscillation of the mechanical resonator. It will be noted that this condition can easily be implemented due to the fact that the quantity of energy in a magnetic pulse is much lower than the mechanical energy possessed by the mechanical resonator 2 in normal operation.
  • the resonator having at this moment a nominal and therefore significant mechanical energy, essentially in the form of kinetic energy, it then presses against the horn 19a by exerting a decreasing force F RO while the anchor, here especially the rod 20, bends in absorbing most of the resonator's kinetic energy as elastic energy.
  • the angle defined above therefore increases, as shown in Figure 1C where its value a2 is greater than value a1, for example approximately one value double, the Figure 1C showing a configuration as the mechanical resonator has lost most of its velocity (and therefore kinetic energy).
  • the mechanical resonator passes through an angular stop position and a premature inversion of the direction of its movement, as shown in Figure 1D where the resonator rotates counter-clockwise whereas it previously rotated clockwise.
  • the resonator recovers most of the elastic energy stored in the anchor and it thus undergoes an acceleration which leaves it with a certain amplitude of oscillation, although less than that he presented before the shock.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Or Mechanical Vibrators, Or Delay Or Filter Circuits (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention est relative aux mouvements horlogers comprenant un échappement muni d'une ancre coopérant, d'une part, avec une roue d'échappement et, d'autre part, avec un résonateur mécanique, l'ancre ayant un axe de rotation différent de celui du résonateur mécanique.The invention relates to watch movements comprising an escapement provided with an anchor cooperating, on the one hand, with an escape wheel and, on the other hand, with a mechanical resonator, the anchor having a different axis of rotation from that of the mechanical resonator.

En particulier, l'invention concerne un mouvement horloger muni d'un échappement comprenant un système de couplage magnétique entre une roue d'échappement et une ancre. Comme dans le cas d'une ancre suisse, l'ancre présente un mouvement alternatif qui est synchrone du mouvement périodique du résonateur mécanique, mais différent. Par échappement magnétique, on comprend un échappement muni d'aimants agencés en partie sur l'ancre et en partie sur la roue d'échappement de manière à engendrer un couplage magnétique entre l'ancre et la roue d'échappement.In particular, the invention relates to a watch movement provided with an escapement comprising a magnetic coupling system between an escape wheel and an anchor. As in the case of a Swiss anchor, the anchor presents an alternating movement which is synchronous with the periodic movement of the mechanical resonator, but different. Magnetic escapement means an escapement provided with magnets arranged partly on the lever and partly on the escapement wheel so as to generate a magnetic coupling between the lever and the escapement wheel.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnology background

L'échappement à ancre suisse est connu depuis très longtemps. En fonctionnement normal, les dents de la roue d'échappement coopèrent avec deux palettes de l'ancre de manière déterminée permettant une rotation pas-à-pas de la roue d'échappement qui est synchrone avec l'oscillation du résonateur mécanique, à savoir en général un balancier-spiral. Lorsque le couple de force fourni à la roue d'échappement diminue par le fait que le ressort de barillet se détend, les impulsions d'entretien générées par l'échappement et transmises au résonateur diminuent progressivement en intensité de sorte que, lorsque la roue d'échappement finit par s'arrêter alors que ledit couple de force devient inférieur à une valeur limite, l'énergie emmagasinée dans le résonateur est relativement faible. Ainsi, le risque qu'une palette ou une dent de la roue d'échappement soit détériorée lors d'un choc terminal éventuel entre une palette et une dent, selon la position angulaire d'arrêt de la roue d'échappement, est relativement faible bien que pas exclu. La situation est plus problématique dans le cas d'un mouvement horloger muni d'un système d'entraînement à force constante pour la roue d'échappement, car le résonateur conserve sensiblement une même énergie mécanique tout au long du fonctionnement de l'échappement jusqu'à l'arrêt de la roue d'échappement et de son entraînement. Le risque d'un événement accidentel en fin de marche du mouvement horloger est donc augmenté.The Swiss lever escapement has been known for a very long time. In normal operation, the teeth of the escape wheel cooperate with two pallets of the lever in a determined manner allowing a step-by-step rotation of the escape wheel which is synchronous with the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, namely generally a balance-spring. When the force torque supplied to the escape wheel decreases due to the fact that the barrel spring relaxes, the sustaining pulses generated by the escapement and transmitted to the resonator gradually decrease in intensity so that when the wheel d escapement ends up stopping when said torque becomes less than a limit value, the energy stored in the resonator is relatively low. Thus, the risk that a pallet or a tooth of the escape wheel is damaged during a possible terminal impact between a pallet and a tooth, depending on the angular stop position of the escape wheel, is relatively low although not ruled out . The situation is more problematic in the case of a watch movement fitted with a constant-force drive system for the escapement wheel, since the resonator retains substantially the same mechanical energy throughout the operation of the escapement until when the escape wheel and its drive stop. The risk of an accidental event at the end of the running of the watch movement is therefore increased.

Pour pallier aux problèmes susmentionnés, le document CH 703 449 A2 par exemple, décrit un mécanisme d'échappement dans lequel la baguette de l'ancre peut se déformer élastiquement hors du plan de l'ancre lors de chocs axiaux sur l'axe du balancier. Il est encore connu de la demande CH 703 476 A2 , des ancres déformables élastiquement, notamment à l'aide de fentes créées sur les cornes de ladite fourchette.To overcome the aforementioned problems, the document CH 703 449 A2 for example, describes an escapement mechanism in which the lever rod can deform elastically outside the plane of the lever during axial shocks on the balance wheel axis. It is still known from the demand CH 703 476 A2 , elastically deformable anchors, in particular using slots created on the horns of said fork.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'inventeur a constaté que le problème indiqué précédemment devient un inconvénient majeur dans le cas d'un mouvement horloger comprenant un échappement hybride, magnétique et mécanique. En effet, on a observé que le risque d'un choc terminal entre l'ancre et la roue d'échappement augmente fortement dans le cas d'un échappement hybride, à savoir d'un échappement muni d'un système magnétique de couplage entre l'ancre et la roue d'échappement, avec des rampes d'énergie potentielle magnétique permettant d'accumuler de l'énergie magnétique potentielle dans l'échappement à chaque pas de la rotation pas-à-pas de la roue d'échappement avant de générer une impulsion magnétique en fin de pas alors que cette roue d'échappement est à l'arrêt, et dont la roue d'échappement comprend des dents prévues pour coopérer avec des palettes mécaniques de l'ancre dans au moins une phase du fonctionnement de l'échappement (par exemples au démarrage et/ou lors du fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger pour absorber à chaque pas de l'énergie cinétique de la roue d'échappement et éventuellement définir des positions angulaires d'arrêt pour la roue d'échappement, comme ceci sera exposé dans la description détaillée de l'invention). En effet, ce type d'échappement cumule les risques d'un arrêt de la roue d'échappement dans une position angulaire à risque alors que le résonateur possède encore une énergie mécanique nominale. Premièrement, les impulsions d'entretien sont des impulsions magnétiques présentant une valeur constante tant que le couple de force fourni à la roue d'échappement est supérieur ou égal à une certaine limite inférieure. Ensuite, dès que ledit couple de force est en-dessous de cette limite inférieure, la roue d'échappement ne peut plus gravir correctement la prochaine rampe d'énergie potentielle magnétique, de sorte que la roue d'échappement ne s'arrêtera pas dans une prochaine position angulaire d'arrêt normale, mais sensiblement au bas d'une rampe d'énergie potentielle magnétique ou le long de celle-ci. Dès lors, comme le résonateur mécanique oscille normalement lors d'un tel événement puisqu'il a reçu précédemment des impulsions magnétiques d'intensité sensiblement constante (intensité nominale), si une palette mécanique se présente en face d'une dent lors du prochain basculement de l'ancre, un choc important peut avoir lieu et endommager la roue d'échappement ou l'ancre, voire le résonateur mécanique. Ce problème technique accru, mis en lumière par l'inventeur, nécessite donc une solution technique appropriée.The inventor has observed that the problem indicated above becomes a major drawback in the case of a watch movement comprising a hybrid, magnetic and mechanical escapement. In fact, it has been observed that the risk of a terminal impact between the lever and the escapement wheel greatly increases in the case of a hybrid escapement, namely an escapement equipped with a magnetic coupling system between pallet and escape wheel, with magnetic potential energy ramps allowing potential magnetic energy to accumulate in the escapement at each step of the step-by-step rotation of the front escape-wheel to generate a magnetic pulse at the end of the pitch while this escapement wheel is stationary, and the escapement wheel of which comprises teeth designed to cooperate with the mechanical pallets of the anchor in at least one phase of operation of the escapement (for example when starting and/or during normal operation of the watch movement to absorb the kinetic energy of the escape wheel at each step and possibly define angular stop positions for the escape wheel , as will be shown in the detailed description of the invention). Indeed, this type of escapement combines the risks of the escapement wheel stopping in a position angular at risk while the resonator still has nominal mechanical energy. First, the sustain pulses are magnetic pulses having a constant value as long as the force torque supplied to the escape wheel is greater than or equal to a certain lower limit. Then, as soon as said force torque is below this lower limit, the escape wheel can no longer properly climb the next ramp of magnetic potential energy, so that the escape wheel will not stop in a next normal stop angular position, but substantially at the bottom of or along a magnetic potential energy ramp. Consequently, as the mechanical resonator oscillates normally during such an event since it has previously received magnetic pulses of substantially constant intensity (nominal intensity), if a mechanical pallet is presented in front of a tooth during the next rocking lever, a major impact may occur and damage the escapement wheel or the lever, or even the mechanical resonator. This increased technical problem, brought to light by the inventor, therefore requires an appropriate technical solution.

De manière générale, la présente invention concerne un mouvement horloger comprenant un résonateur mécanique, en particulier un balancier-spiral, et un échappement, associé à ce résonateur mécanique, qui est formé par une roue d'échappement comprenant une pluralité de parties saillantes, notamment des dents, et par une ancre munie d'une fourchette, destinée à coopérer avec une cheville du résonateur mécanique, et de deux palettes mécaniques qui sont destinées à coopérer avec la pluralité de dents au moins dans une certaine phase de fonctionnement du mouvement horloger. Ce mouvement horloger est agencé de manière que, lors d'un basculement de l'ancre depuis une première de ses deux positions de repos en direction de la seconde position de repos alors que la roue d'échappement est positionnée dans une quelconque position angulaire θ d'une pluralité de plages de positions angulaires correspondant respectivement à la pluralité de parties saillantes, une des deux palettes mécaniques de l'ancre bute contre une de ces parties saillantes avant que cette ancre ne puisse atteindre la position angulaire de dégagement de la cheville, solidaire du résonateur mécanique, du côté de la seconde position de repos. Selon l'invention, l'ancre est agencée de manière à pouvoir, lors dudit basculement de l'ancre, fléchir, dans un plan général de l'ancre parallèle à sa fourchette, en subissant une déformation élastique sous l'action d'une force exercée par la cheville du résonateur mécanique, engagée dans la fourchette, sur une des deux cornes de cette fourchette alors que ladite palette mécanique bute contre ladite partie saillante et que le résonateur mécanique est freiné par l'ancre. De plus, cette ancre présente une capacité élastique, entre chacune des deux palettes mécaniques et la fourchette, lui permettant d'absorber sous forme d'énergie élastique, lors de ladite déformation élastique, une énergie mécanique maximale que peut avoir le résonateur mécanique lors du fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger.In general, the present invention relates to a watch movement comprising a mechanical resonator, in particular a balance-spring, and an escapement, associated with this mechanical resonator, which is formed by an escape wheel comprising a plurality of projecting parts, in particular teeth, and by an anchor provided with a fork, intended to cooperate with a pin of the mechanical resonator, and with two mechanical pallets which are intended to cooperate with the plurality of teeth at least in a certain phase of operation of the watch movement. This horological movement is arranged in such a way that, when the lever tilts from a first of its two rest positions towards the second rest position while the escape wheel is positioned in any angular position θ of a plurality of ranges of angular positions corresponding respectively to the plurality of protruding parts, one of the two mechanical pallets of the anchor abuts against one of these protruding parts before this anchor can reach the angular position of disengagement of the pin, integral with the mechanical resonator, on the side of the second rest position. According to the invention, the anchor is arranged so as to be able, during said rocking of the anchor, to bend, in a general plane of the anchor parallel to its fork, by undergoing an elastic deformation under the action of a force exerted by the pin of the mechanical resonator, engaged in the fork, on one of the two lugs of this fork while said mechanical pallet abuts against said projecting part and the mechanical resonator is braked by the lever. In addition, this anchor has an elastic capacity, between each of the two mechanical pallets and the fork, allowing it to absorb in the form of elastic energy, during said elastic deformation, a maximum mechanical energy that the mechanical resonator can have during normal operation of the watch movement.

Dans un mode de réalisation principal, l'échappement comprend un système magnétique couplant magnétiquement la roue d'échappement et l'ancre, ce système magnétique étant agencé de manière à générer, lors du fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger, des impulsions magnétiques ayant une énergie sensiblement constante pour entretenir une oscillation du résonateur mécanique via une interaction entre la cheville de ce résonateur mécanique et la fourchette de l'ancre.In a main embodiment, the escapement comprises a magnetic system magnetically coupling the escapement wheel and the lever, this magnetic system being arranged so as to generate, during normal operation of the watch movement, magnetic pulses having an energy substantially constant to maintain an oscillation of the mechanical resonator via an interaction between the pin of this mechanical resonator and the fork of the anchor.

Dans une variante particulière, lesdites impulsions magnétiques sont générées au niveau des deux palettes mécaniques qui supportent respectivement deux aimants formant deux palettes magnétiques. L'ancre est agencée de manière à pouvoir, lors d'un fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger, transmettre substantiellement un couple de force magnétique engendré par chacune des impulsions magnétiques à sa fourchette pour entretenir une oscillation du résonateur mécanique.In a particular variant, said magnetic pulses are generated at the level of the two mechanical pallets which respectively support two magnets forming two magnetic pallets. The anchor is arranged so as to be able, during normal operation of the watch movement, to substantially transmit a torque of magnetic force generated by each of the magnetic pulses to its fork to maintain oscillation of the mechanical resonator.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of figures

L'invention sera décrite ci-après de manière plus détaillée à l'aide des dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs, dans lesquels les Figures 1A à 1F montrent partiellement un mouvement horloger, selon un mode de réalisation principal de l'invention, représenté dans des positions successives suite à un arrêt de la roue d'échappement dans une position angulaire particulière.The invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which the Figures 1A to 1F partially show a watch movement, according to a main embodiment of the invention, represented in successive positions following the stoppage of the escape wheel in a particular angular position.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

A l'aide des figures annexées on décrira ci-après un mode de réalisation principal d'un mouvement horloger selon l'invention, lequel est du type mécanique et comprend un résonateur mécanique 2, dont seulement l'axe 4, le petit plateau 6 présentant une encoche et la cheville 10 ont été représentés. Le mouvement horloger comprend un échappement 12 qui est associé au résonateur mécanique dont le petit plateau et la cheville sont des éléments formant cet échappement. L'échappement 12 comprend en outre une roue d'échappement 16 et une ancre 14 qui est un organe séparé du résonateur mécanique et dont l'unique axe de rotation est différent de celui de ce résonateur mécanique.With the aid of the appended figures, a main embodiment of a watch movement according to the invention will be described below, which is of the mechanical type and comprises a mechanical resonator 2, of which only the axis 4, the small plate 6 having a notch and the pin 10 have been shown. The watch movement includes an escapement 12 which is associated with the mechanical resonator whose small plate and peg are elements forming this escapement. The escapement 12 further comprises an escape wheel 16 and an pallet 14 which is a separate member from the mechanical resonator and whose single axis of rotation is different from that of this mechanical resonator.

L'ancre 14 est formée, d'une part, d'une baguette 20 terminée par une fourchette 18, comprenant deux cornes 19a et 19b, et par un dard 8 et, d'autre part, de deux bras 24 et 26 dont les extrémités libres forment respectivement deux palettes mécaniques 28 et 29. Les deux palettes mécaniques supportent respectivement deux aimants 30 et 32 qui forment deux palettes magnétiques de l'ancre 14. Le résonateur mécanique 2 est couplé à l'ancre de manière que, lorsque le résonateur mécanique oscille normalement, cette ancre subit un mouvement alternatif, synchronisé sur l'oscillation du résonateur mécanique, entre deux positions de repos, définies par deux goupilles de limitation 21 et 22, dans lesquelles l'ancre demeure alternativement durant des intervalles de temps successifs.The anchor 14 is formed, on the one hand, of a rod 20 terminated by a fork 18, comprising two horns 19a and 19b, and by a dart 8 and, on the other hand, of two arms 24 and 26 whose free ends respectively form two mechanical pallets 28 and 29. The two mechanical pallets respectively support two magnets 30 and 32 which form two magnetic pallets of the anchor 14. The mechanical resonator 2 is coupled to the anchor so that, when the resonator mechanism oscillates normally, this anchor undergoes an alternating movement, synchronized with the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, between two rest positions, defined by two limiting pins 21 and 22, in which the anchor remains alternately during successive time intervals.

La roue d'échappement 16 comprend une structure aimantée périodique 36 qui est agencée sur un disque 34, de préférence en matériau amagnétique (ne conduisant pas les champs magnétiques de manière à ne pas rendre la roue d'échappement sensible à des champs magnétiques extérieurs qui pourraient exercer un couple de force important sur cette roue d'échappement si ce disque était en matériau ferromagnétique). La structure 36 présente des portions aimantées 38, globalement en arc de cercle, qui définissent des rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique pour les deux palettes magnétiques 30 et 32, lesquelles présentent chacune une aimantation axiale avec une polarité opposée à celle de l'aimantation axiale de la structure aimantée périodique de sorte à engendrer de la répulsion magnétique entre les palettes magnétiques et la structure aimantée. Chaque portion aimantée présente une largeur monotone croissante. En particulier, la largeur des portions aimantées 38 augmente, sur l'entier de leur longueur utile, de manière linéaire en fonction de l'angle au centre. Selon une variante avantageuse, la structure aimantée périodique 36 est agencée de sorte que son pourtour extérieur est circulaire, les portions aimantées en arc de cercle de cette structure aimantée ayant une même configuration et étant agencées circulairement autour de l'axe de rotation de la roue d'échappement.The escapement wheel 16 comprises a periodic magnetized structure 36 which is arranged on a disc 34, preferably made of non-magnetic material (which does not conduct magnetic fields in such a way as not to make the escapement wheel sensitive to external magnetic fields which could exert a significant torque on this escape wheel if this disc was made of ferromagnetic material). The structure 36 has magnetized portions 38, globally in an arc of a circle, which define increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy for the two magnetic pallets 30 and 32, which each have an axial magnetization with a polarity opposite to that of the magnetization axial of the periodic magnetized structure so as to generate magnetic repulsion between the magnetic pallets and the magnetized structure. Each magnetized portion has a monotonically increasing width. In particular, the width of the magnetized portions 38 increases, over their entire useful length, linearly as a function of the angle at the center. According to an advantageous variant, the periodic magnetized structure 36 is arranged so that its outer periphery is circular, the magnetized arcuate portions of this magnetized structure having the same configuration and being arranged circularly around the axis of rotation of the wheel exhaust.

De manière générale, chaque rampe croissante d'énergie potentielle magnétique est prévue de sorte que chacune des deux palettes magnétiques puisse la gravir lorsque l'ancre est dans une position de repos donnée, parmi ses deux positions de repos, et qu'un couple de force fourni à la roue d'échappement est sensiblement égal à un couple de force nominale (cas d'un mouvement mécanique muni d'un système à force constante pour l'entraînement de la roue d'échappement) ou compris dans une plage de valeurs prévues pour assurer le fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger (cas d'un mouvement mécanique classique présentant un couple de force variable appliqué à la roue d'échappement en fonction du niveau d'armage du barillet ou des barillets si plusieurs sont prévus en série). Les rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique sont gravies, lorsque l'ancre subit un mouvement alternatif entre ses deux positions de repos et lorsque le couple de force fourni à la roue d'échappement est égal audit couple de force nominale ou compris dans la plage de valeurs prévues pour ce couple de force en fonctionnement normal, successivement par chacune des première et deuxième palettes magnétiques alors que l'ancre est respectivement dans ses première et deuxième positions de repos, et alternativement par ces première et deuxième palettes magnétiques lors du mouvement alternatif de l'ancre. Les deux palettes magnétiques et les rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique sont agencées de manière que l'ancre puisse subir une impulsion de force magnétique dans le sens de son mouvement, après qu'une quelconque des deux palettes magnétiques a gravi une quelconque desdites rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique, lorsque l'ancre bascule de la position de repos correspondant à cette quelconque rampe d'énergie potentielle magnétique vers son autre position de repos.In general, each increasing ramp of magnetic potential energy is provided so that each of the two magnetic pallets can climb it when the anchor is in a given rest position, among its two rest positions, and that a torque of force supplied to the escape wheel is substantially equal to a torque of nominal force (case of a mechanical movement equipped with a constant force system for driving the escape wheel) or included in a range of values provided to ensure normal operation of the watch movement (case of a conventional mechanical movement having a variable force torque applied to the escape wheel depending on the level of winding of the barrel or barrels if several are provided in series). Increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy are climbed, when the anchor undergoes an alternating movement between its two rest positions and when the force torque supplied to the escape wheel is equal to said nominal force torque or included in the range of values provided for this force torque in normal operation, successively by each of the first and second magnetic pallets while the anchor is respectively in its first and second rest positions, and alternately by these first and second magnetic pallets during the reciprocating movement of the anchor. The two magnetic paddles and the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy are arranged so that the anchor can experience an impulse of magnetic force in the direction of its movement, after any one of the two magnetic paddles has climbed any of said ramps increasing magnetic potential energy, when the anchor swings from the rest position corresponding to any ramp of magnetic potential energy to its other rest position.

La structure aimantée périodique définit en outre pour chacune des deux palettes magnétiques des barrières magnétiques 46 qui sont situées respectivement à la suite des rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique définies par les portions aimantées 38, ces barrières magnétiques étant formées notamment par des plages aimantées 46 de la structure 36 dont la dimension radiale est sensiblement égale ou supérieure à la dimension longitudinale de chacun des deux aimants 30 et 32 formant les palettes magnétiques de l'ancre. Dans une autre variante, les barrières magnétiques ne sont pas prévues, les portions aimantées 38 s'étendant alors partiellement sous des parties saillantes 42 décrites ci-après.The periodic magnetized structure further defines for each of the two magnetic pallets magnetic barriers 46 which are located respectively following the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy defined by the magnetized portions 38, these magnetic barriers being formed in particular by magnetic pads 46 of the structure 36, the radial dimension of which is substantially equal to or greater than the longitudinal dimension of each of the two magnets 30 and 32 forming the magnetic pallets of the anchor. In another variant, the magnetic barriers are not provided, the magnetized portions 38 then extending partially under the projecting parts 42 described below.

La roue d'échappement comprend en outre des parties saillantes qui sont associées respectivement aux rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique. Ces parties saillantes sont formées par des dents 42 s'étendant radialement depuis un plateau 40 qui est solidaire de la roue d'échappement et situé au-dessus du disque 34 portant la structure aimantée 36. Ces dents sont situées respectivement à la suite des portions aimantées 38, du côté de leur extrémité la plus large, et sont partiellement superposées aux plages aimantées 46 correspondantes. Les dents et les palettes mécaniques sont formées par un matériau amagnétique. De préférence, le plateau 40 est aussi formé par un matériau amagnétique et il est venu de matière avec les dents.The escape wheel further comprises protrusions which are respectively associated with the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy. These projecting parts are formed by teeth 42 extending radially from a plate 40 which is integral with the escape wheel and located above the disc 34 carrying the magnetic structure 36. These teeth are located respectively following the magnetic portions 38, on the side of their widest end, and are partially superimposed on the corresponding magnetic pads 46. The teeth and mechanical pallets are formed by a non-magnetic material. Preferably, the plate 40 is also formed by a non-magnetic material and it is integral with the teeth.

Dans la variante avantageuse représentée, les dents 42 s'étendent dans un plan général dans lequel s'étendent également les deux palettes mécaniques 28, 29 de l'ancre. Les deux aimants 30, 32 sont supportés respectivement par les deux palettes mécaniques et sont aussi situés dans ledit plan général. Les figures ne montrent qu'une structure aimantée inférieure, située en-dessous du plan général. Toutefois, dans une variante avantageuse, la roue d'échappement comprend en outre une structure aimantée supérieure, de même configuration que la structure aimantée inférieure et supportée par un disque supérieur, formé de préférence d'un matériau amagnétique. Les structures aimantées inférieure et supérieure forment ensemble la structure aimantée périodique. Elles ont une même polarité magnétique, opposée à celle des deux aimants de l'ancre, et sont agencées de part et d'autre du plan géométrique dans lequel sont situés ces deux aimants formant les deux palettes magnétiques, de préférence à même distance.In the advantageous variant represented, the teeth 42 extend in a general plane in which the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 of the anchor also extend. The two magnets 30, 32 are respectively supported by the two mechanical pallets and are also located in said general plane. The figures only show a lower magnetized structure, located below the general plane. However, in an advantageous variant, the escape wheel also comprises an upper magnetic structure, of the same configuration as the lower magnetic structure and supported by an upper disc, preferably formed of a non-magnetic material. The lower and upper magnet structures together form the periodic magnet structure. They have the same magnetic polarity, opposite to that of the two magnets of the anchor, and are arranged on either side of the geometric plane in which these two magnets forming the two magnetic pallets are located, preferably at the same distance.

Avant de décrire plus en détails l'objet de la présente invention, on décrira des caractéristiques particulières de l'échappement du mode de réalisation principal qui permettent, d'une part, d'améliorer son comportement en fonctionnement normal (c'est-à-dire lors d'un fonctionnement stable, intervenant après une phase de démarrage, avec un couple de force MRE fourni à la roue d'échappement qui est sensiblement égal à un couple de force nominale ou compris dans une plage de valeurs prévue pour assurer le fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger, notamment une rotation pas-à-pas correcte de la roue d'échappement) et, d'autre part, d'obtenir un auto-démarrage de l'ensemble formé de l'échappement et du résonateur mécanique.Before describing the object of the present invention in more detail, particular characteristics of the escapement of the main embodiment will be described which make it possible, on the one hand, to improve its behavior in normal operation (i.e. i.e. during stable operation, occurring after a start-up phase, with a force torque M RE supplied to the escape wheel which is substantially equal to a nominal force torque or included in a range of values provided to ensure normal operation of the watch movement, in particular correct step-by-step rotation of the escape wheel) and, on the other hand, to obtain a self-starting of the assembly formed by the escapement and the mechanical resonator.

Premièrement, l'ancre 14 et la roue d'échappement 16 sont agencées de manière que, en fonctionnement normal, une des dents 42 de la roue d'échappement subit au moins un choc sur une ou l'autre des deux palettes mécaniques après que la palette magnétique correspondante a gravi une quelconque des rampes croissantes d'énergie potentielle magnétique suite à un basculement de l'ancre. Ce choc intervient de manière à dissiper au moins partiellement une énergie cinétique de la roue d'échappement acquise suite audit basculement. Les dents de la roue d'échappement sont prévues pour pouvoir absorber de l'énergie cinétique de cette roue d'échappement, à chaque pas de la roue d'échappement, après une accumulation d'énergie potentielle magnétique dans l'échappement pour une prochaine impulsion d'entretien du résonateur mécanique, et pour limiter ainsi une oscillation terminale lors de chaque pas de sa rotation pas-à-pas.Firstly, the lever 14 and the escapement wheel 16 are arranged so that, in normal operation, one of the teeth 42 of the escapement wheel undergoes at least one shock on one or the other of the two mechanical pallets after the corresponding magnetic paddle has climbed any one of the increasing ramps of magnetic potential energy following a tilting of the anchor. This impact occurs in such a way as to at least partially dissipate a kinetic energy of the escape wheel acquired following said tilting. The teeth of the escape wheel are designed to be able to absorb the kinetic energy of this escape wheel, at each step of the escape wheel, after an accumulation of magnetic potential energy in the escapement for a next sustain pulse of the mechanical resonator, and to thereby limit terminal oscillation during each step of its stepwise rotation.

Dans une variante préférée, en fonctionnement normal et une fois la roue d'échappement momentanément à l'arrêt, une dent 42 presse contre une butée mécanique de l'ancre formée par une ou l'autre des deux palettes mécaniques. L'échappement est donc un échappement hybride, c'est-à-dire magnétique et mécanique. Ainsi, pour un mouvement classique, il est prévu, en fonctionnement normal et pour toute la plage de valeurs PVM du couple de force MRE, que la roue d'échappement s'immobilise momentanément, après au moins un premier choc d'une quelconque de ses dents contre une quelconque des deux palettes mécaniques et avant un basculement suivant de l'ancre, à une position angulaire d'arrêt dans laquelle la quelconque dent presse contre la quelconque palette mécanique. Chaque position angulaire d'arrêt est ainsi définie par une dent en appui contre une palette mécanique.In a preferred variant, in normal operation and once the escape wheel has momentarily stopped, a tooth 42 presses against a mechanical stop of the anchor formed by one or the other of the two mechanical pallets. The escapement is therefore a hybrid escapement, that is to say magnetic and mechanical. Thus, for a conventional movement, provision is made, in normal operation and for the entire range of values PV M of the force couple M RE , for the escape wheel to stop momentarily, after at least a first shock of a any of its teeth against any of the two mechanical pallets and before a subsequent rocking of the anchor, to an angular stop position in which any tooth presses against any mechanical pallet. Each angular stop position is thus defined by a tooth resting against a mechanical pallet.

Ensuite, les dents 42 et les palettes mécaniques 28, 29 sont agencées de manière que, lors d'un nouvel armage du ressort de barillet faisant suite à un arrêt du mouvement horloger et permettant à la roue d'échappement 16 de se remettre à tourner dans le sens de rotation prévu, au moins une des deux palettes mécaniques 28, 29 entre en contact avec une dent 42 de la roue d'échappement, lesquelles sont configurées de sorte que la roue d'échappement peut fournir à l'ancre 14 un couple de force mécanique de démarrage et donc une impulsion mécanique de démarrage. Ainsi, un auto-démarrage efficace et rapide de l'ensemble formé de l'échappement 12 et du résonateur mécanique 2, et donc du mouvement mécanique horloger, est rendu possible. En particulier, la roue d'échappement soumise audit couple de démarrage n'est pas arrêtée par le contact entre la dent et la palette mécanique concernées, mais la dent peut transmettre au moins en majeure partie le couple de démarrage à l'ancre.Then, the teeth 42 and the mechanical pallets 28, 29 are arranged in such a way that, during a new winding of the barrel spring following a stoppage of the watch movement and allowing the escapement wheel 16 to start rotating again in the intended direction of rotation, at least one of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 comes into contact with a tooth 42 of the escape wheel, which are configured so that the escape wheel can provide the anchor 14 a torque of mechanical starting force and therefore a mechanical starting impulse. Thus, efficient and rapid self-starting of the assembly formed of the escapement 12 and the mechanical resonator 2, and therefore of the mechanical watch movement, is made possible. In particular, the escape wheel subjected to said starting torque is not stopped by the contact between the tooth and the mechanical pallet concerned, but the tooth can transmit at least a major part of the starting torque to the anchor.

Dans la variante avantageuse représentée aux figures, chacune des dents 42 présente, dans un système de coordonnées polaires de la roue d'échappement 16 qui est centré sur son axe de rotation, une première surface inclinée qui est inclinée de manière que chacune des première et deuxième palettes mécaniques 28, 29 peut, dans une phase de démarrage, glisser sur cette première surface inclinée alors que la roue d'échappement traverse une plage de positions angulaires θ correspondante. Par 'surface inclinée' dans un système de coordonnées polaires, on comprend une surface qui n'est ni radiale, ni tangentielle. De plus, chacune des deux palettes mécaniques de l'ancre présente, dans le système de coordonnées polaires associé à la roue d'échappement, une deuxième surface inclinée lorsque la palette considérée est en contact avec une des dents 42 de la roue d'échappement. La deuxième surface inclinée est configurée de manière que chacune des dents 42 peut, dans une phase de démarrage, glisser sur cette deuxième surface inclinée lorsque la roue d'échappement traverse une plage de positions angulaires θ qui correspond à une zone de contact entre la dent et la palette mécanique considérées.In the advantageous variant represented in the figures, each of the teeth 42 has, in a system of polar coordinates of the escapement wheel 16 which is centered on its axis of rotation, a first inclined surface which is inclined so that each of the first and second mechanical pallets 28, 29 can, in a start-up phase, slide on this first inclined surface while the escape wheel passes through a corresponding range of angular positions θ. By 'inclined surface' in a polar coordinate system, we understand a surface which is neither radial nor tangential. In addition, each of the two mechanical paddles of the anchor has, in the system of polar coordinates associated with the escapement wheel, a second inclined surface when the paddle in question is in contact with one of the teeth 42 of the escapement wheel. . The second inclined surface is configured in such a way that each of the teeth 42 can, in a starting phase, slide on this second inclined surface when the escape wheel crosses a range of angular positions θ which corresponds to a contact zone between the tooth and the mechanical pallet considered.

Par la suite, on décrira plus en détails l'objet spécifique de la présente invention. Dans le cadre du mode de réalisation principal décrit, l'ancre 14 comprend :

  • un seul axe de pivotement 50 qui est centré sur un unique axe géométrique de rotation prévu pour l'ancre ;
  • une partie de liaison rigide 25 à laquelle est fixé l'axe de pivotement, lequel traverse cette partie de liaison et présente classiquement à ses deux extrémités deux pivots guidés en rotation par deux pierres percées ;
  • deux bras 24 et 26 liés, à leurs premières extrémités, à la partie de liaison 25 et présentant respectivement, à leurs secondes extrémités, les deux palettes mécaniques 28, 29 qui sont susceptibles d'entrer en contact, au moins lors d'une certaine phase de fonctionnement de l'échappement, avec une quelconque partie saillante / dent parmi la pluralité de parties saillantes / dents 42 de la roue d'échappement et qui sont agencées pour pouvoir coopérer avec ces parties saillantes, comme exposé précédemment ;
  • une fourchette 18 ayant classiquement deux cornes 19a, 19b et agencée pour coopérer avec le résonateur mécanique 2 via sa cheville 10 qui est solidaire de l'axe central 4 de ce résonateur mécanique ; et
  • une baguette 20 liée à sa première extrémité à la partie de liaison 25 et à sa seconde extrémité à la fourchette 18, cette baguette étant libre entre sa première extrémité et sa seconde extrémité.
Next, the specific object of the present invention will be described in more detail. As part of the main embodiment described, the anchor 14 comprises:
  • a single pivot axis 50 which is centered on a single geometric axis of rotation provided for the anchor;
  • a rigid connecting part 25 to which is fixed the pivot axis, which passes through this connecting part and conventionally has at its two ends two pivots guided in rotation by two pierced stones;
  • two arms 24 and 26 connected, at their first ends, to the connecting part 25 and having respectively, at their second ends, the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 which are likely to come into contact, at least during a certain operating phase of the escapement, with any projecting part/tooth among the plurality of projecting parts/teeth 42 of the escapement wheel and which are arranged to be able to cooperate with these projecting parts, as explained previously;
  • a fork 18 conventionally having two horns 19a, 19b and arranged to cooperate with the mechanical resonator 2 via its pin 10 which is integral with the central axis 4 of this mechanical resonator; and
  • a rod 20 connected at its first end to the connecting part 25 and at its second end to the fork 18, this rod being free between its first end and its second end.

Dans une variante avantageuse, la partie de liaison, la baguette et les deux bras sont formés par une pièce monobloc. Dans une variante préférée, la pièce monobloc est constituée d'un matériau métallique.In an advantageous variant, the connecting part, the rod and the two arms are formed by a single piece. In a preferred variant, the one-piece part is made of a metallic material.

L'incorporation de dents 42 pour permettre l'une et/ou l'autre des deux fonctions décrites précédemment, à savoir l'amortissement d'oscillations de la roue d'échappement lors d'une rotation pas-à-pas de cette dernière en fonctionnement normal et/ou un auto-démarrage de l'ensemble formé du résonateur mécanique et de l'échappement, en particulier un échappement du type magnétique, a pour conséquence que, lors d'un basculement de l'ancre 14 depuis une première de ses deux positions de repos en direction de la seconde position de repos alors que la roue d'échappement 16 est positionnée dans une quelconque position angulaire θ d'une pluralité de plages de positions angulaires correspondant respectivement à la pluralité de dents, une des deux palettes mécaniques bute contre une de ces dents avant que l'ancre ne puisse atteindre la position angulaire de dégagement de la cheville du côté de la seconde position de repos, comme ceci est représenté à la Figure 1B. Par 'position angulaire de dégagement' pour la cheville du résonateur mécanique, notamment un balancier-spiral, on comprend la position angulaire (de part et d'autre d'une position médiane définissant une position angulaire zéro pour l'ancre) à partir de laquelle la cheville peut se dégager, pour une raison ou une autre, de la fourchette, c'est-à-dire sortir de la cavité formée par les deux cornes 19a et 19b sans buter contre une de ces cornes pour amener l'ancre justement jusqu'à cette position de dégagement qui intervient avant que l'ancre atteigne une ou l'autre de ses deux positions de repos. On remarquera que ce dernier fait résulte d'un angle de sécurité usuel prévu pour assurer que la cheville puisse correctement sortir de la fourchette sans subir un choc ou frottement terminal qui lui ferait perdre de l'énergie à chaque alternance et perturberait l'oscillation du résonateur mécanique.The incorporation of teeth 42 to allow one and/or the other of the two functions described previously, namely the damping of oscillations of the escape wheel during a step-by-step rotation of the latter in normal operation and/or a self-starting of the assembly formed by the mechanical resonator and the escapement, in particular an escapement of the magnetic type, has the consequence that, during a tilting of the lever 14 from a first of its two rest positions in the direction of the second rest position while the escapement wheel 16 is positioned in any angular position θ of a plurality of ranges of angular positions corresponding respectively to the plurality of teeth, one of the two mechanical pallets abuts against one of these teeth before the anchor can reach the angular position for disengaging the ankle on the side of the second rest position, as shown in Figure 1B . By 'disengagement angular position' for the pin of the mechanical resonator, in particular a balance-spring, we understand the angular position (on either side of a median position defining a zero angular position for the lever) from which the pin can disengage, for one reason or another, from the fork, that is to say leave the cavity formed by the two horns 19a and 19b without abutting against one of these horns to precisely bring the anchor up to this release position which occurs before the anchor reaches one or the other of its two rest positions. It will be noted that this last fact results from a usual safety angle provided to ensure that the peg can correctly exit the fork without undergoing a shock or terminal friction which would cause it to lose energy at each alternation and disturb the oscillation of the mechanical resonator.

Comme déjà indiqué, lorsque le ressort de barillet se détend, il arrive un moment où le mouvement horloger cesse de fonctionner normalement étant donné que le couple de force que le barillet peut fournir au rouage et à la roue d'échappement devient insuffisant pour assurer un tel fonctionnement normal. A un certain instant, comme représenté à la Figure 1A, la roue d'échappement 16 arrête finalement de tourner pas-à-pas et s'immobilise dans une certaine position angulaire θ, mais le résonateur mécanique est à cet instant-là toujours oscillant et peut même posséder une énergie mécanique sensiblement nominale et donc relativement importante, spécialement dans le cas d'un échappement 12 muni du système magnétique décrit précédemment. Comme mentionné au paragraphe précédent, en particulier dans le cas d'un échappement 12 muni du système magnétique, décrit précédemment, pour fournir des impulsions d'entretien magnétiques, la roue d'échappement 16 peut s'arrêter dans une quelconque position angulaire θ d'une pluralité de plages de positions angulaires, correspondant respectivement à la pluralité de dents 42, pour laquelle une des deux palettes mécaniques vient ensuite buter contre une de ces dents avant que l'ancre ne puisse atteindre la position angulaire de dégagement de la cheville, comme représenté à la Figure 1B. La Figure 1B montre un cas particulièrement défavorable où une partie d'extrémité 48 de la palette mécanique 29 subit un choc sur le sommet de la tête 43 d'une dent 42 contre laquelle cette palette mécanique vient buter. Dans un tel cas, la force totale exercée par l'ancre sur la dent 42 concernée est sensiblement radiale, dans un système de coordonnées polaires associé à la roue d'échappement, de sorte que la roue d'échappement n'est pas entraînée en rotation et subit un choc important.As already indicated, when the barrel spring relaxes, there comes a time when the watch movement ceases to operate normally, given that the force torque that the barrel can supply to the gear train and the escape wheel becomes insufficient to ensure a such normal operation. At a certain instant, as shown in Figure 1A , the escapement wheel 16 finally stops rotating step by step and comes to a standstill in a certain angular position θ, but the mechanical resonator is at that moment still oscillating and may even possess a substantially nominal mechanical energy and therefore relatively large, especially in the case of an exhaust 12 provided with the system magnet described above. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, in particular in the case of an escapement 12 equipped with the magnetic system, described previously, to supply magnetic sustaining pulses, the escapement wheel 16 can stop in any angular position θ d a plurality of ranges of angular positions, corresponding respectively to the plurality of teeth 42, for which one of the two mechanical pallets then abuts against one of these teeth before the anchor can reach the angular position of release of the ankle, as depicted in Figure 1B . The Figure 1B shows a particularly unfavorable case where an end part 48 of the mechanical pallet 29 undergoes an impact on the top of the head 43 of a tooth 42 against which this mechanical pallet abuts. In such a case, the total force exerted by the lever on the tooth 42 concerned is substantially radial, in a system of polar coordinates associated with the escapement wheel, so that the escapement wheel is not driven in rotation and undergoes a major shock.

On remarquera que le choc important en question ne concerne pas que l'instant auquel la palette mécanique et la dent entrent en contact, mais il s'agit d'une impulsion de force radiale qui a une certaine durée étant donné que ce choc a lieu alors que la cheville du résonateur oscillant est insérée entre les deux cornes 19a et 19b de la fourchette 18 et qu'une impulsion magnétique est fournie à l'ancre. Lors du choc susmentionné, l'impulsion de force radiale a plusieurs composantes, premièrement une composante provenant de l'inertie de l'ancre 14 en mouvement qui est stoppée; deuxièmement une composante principale du fait de l'énergie mécanique emmagasinée dans le résonateur mécanique oscillant 2 qui est arrêté dans son oscillation alors que son énergie cinétique est quasi maximale, via le couplage entre la fourchette 18 et la cheville 10; et troisièmement une composante magnétique provenant du fait que le choc intervient alors qu'une impulsion magnétique est fournie à l'ancre (représentée par une flèche à la Figure 1B). Ainsi, il est probable que, lorsque la partie d'extrémité 48 de la palette mécanique 29 entre en contact avec la tête 43 d'une dent en butant contre cette tête, ce soit l'ancre 14 qui entraîne le résonateur mécanique 2 par sa corne 19b en appui contre la cheville 10, et seulement ensuite, après un très court intervalle de temps, cette cheville arrive en butée contre la corne 19a de la fourchette et subit alors une forte décélération due à l'arrêt prématuré de l'ancre dans son basculement.It will be noted that the significant shock in question does not only concern the moment at which the mechanical pallet and the tooth come into contact, but it is a question of a radial force impulse which has a certain duration since this shock takes place while the pin of the oscillating resonator is inserted between the two lugs 19a and 19b of the fork 18 and a magnetic pulse is supplied to the anchor. During the aforementioned shock, the radial force impulse has several components, firstly a component arising from the inertia of the moving anchor 14 which is stopped; secondly a principal component due to the mechanical energy stored in the oscillating mechanical resonator 2 which is stopped in its oscillation while its kinetic energy is almost maximum, via the coupling between the fork 18 and the pin 10; and thirdly a magnetic component arising from the fact that the shock occurs while a magnetic impulse is being supplied to the anchor (represented by an arrow at the Figure 1B ). Thus, it is probable that, when the end part 48 of the mechanical pallet 29 comes into contact with the head 43 of a tooth by abutting against this head, it is the anchor 14 which drives the mechanical resonator 2 by its horn 19b pressing against pin 10, and only then, after a very short interval of time, this pin comes into abutment against horn 19a of the fork and then undergoes a sharp deceleration due to the premature stopping of the anchor in its tipping.

Plus le freinage du résonateur mécanique lors du choc susmentionné est violent / a une forte intensité, plus la force FRO exercée orthogonalement sur la corne 19a par le résonateur mécanique, et par construction de manière sensiblement tangentielle dans un système de coordonnées polaires associé à l'ancre, et la force FFR de réaction de l'ancre, qui freine ce résonateur, sont fortes au début du choc (direction et sens de ces forces sont représentées à la Figure 1C). Ceci pose un problème majeur, raison pour laquelle l'ancre 14 est agencée et configurée pour pouvoir éviter une casse ou une détérioration d'elle-même, d'une partie de la roue d'échappement ou même d'une partie du résonateur mécanique lors d'un événement tel que montré aux Figures 1A à 1C. Pour diminuer l'intensité de la force exercée par la cheville du résonateur lors dudit choc important et donc éviter une contrainte instantanée trop violente, il est prévu une durée de choc relativement longue pour réduire l'intensité de la décélération. Ensuite, l'ancre est agencée pour pouvoir absorber élastiquement l'énergie que lui transmet le résonateur mécanique stoppé dans son oscillation.The more the braking of the mechanical resonator during the aforementioned shock is violent / has a strong intensity, the more the force F RO exerted orthogonally on the horn 19a by the mechanical resonator, and by construction in a substantially tangential manner in a system of polar coordinates associated with the anchor, and the reaction force F FR of the anchor, which slows down this resonator, are strong at the beginning of the shock (direction and direction of these forces are represented on the Figure 1C ). This poses a major problem, which is why the anchor 14 is arranged and configured to be able to avoid breakage or deterioration of itself, of part of the escape wheel or even of part of the mechanical resonator. at an event as shown at Figures 1A to 1C . To reduce the intensity of the force exerted by the pin of the resonator during said significant impact and therefore avoid excessively violent instantaneous stress, a relatively long impact duration is provided to reduce the intensity of the deceleration. Then, the anchor is arranged to be able to elastically absorb the energy transmitted to it by the mechanical resonator stopped in its oscillation.

A cet effet, l'ancre 14 est agencée de manière à pouvoir, lors d'un basculement au cours duquel intervient un choc décrit ci-avant, fléchir, dans un plan général de l'ancre parallèle à la fourchette 18 (c'est-à-dire parallèle, incluant confondu, à un plan général dans lequel les cornes de la fourchette s'étendent), en subissant une déformation élastique sous l'action d'une force FRO exercée par la cheville 10, engagée dans la fourchette, sur une de ses deux cornes 19a, 19b alors que la palette mécanique concernée bute contre une dent et que le résonateur mécanique est freiné par l'ancre. De plus, cette ancre présente une capacité élastique, entre chacune des deux palettes mécaniques 18, respectivement 29 et la fourchette 18, lui permettant d'absorber élastiquement, lors de ladite déformation élastique, une énergie mécanique maximale que peut avoir le résonateur mécanique 2 lors du fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger. On remarquera que cette capacité élastique présente une certaine marge de sécurité, car lors du choc il y a une certaine dissipation d'énergie notamment au niveau des paliers de la roue d'échappement, du résonateur mécanique et de l'ancre, et aussi dans les diverses structures concernées, notamment le plateau 40. Toute casse ou détérioration de l'échappement et du résonateur mécanique peut ainsi être évitée. Par 'capacité élastique', on comprend une capacité d'absorption d'énergie élastique. Grâce aux caractéristiques de l'ancre selon l'invention, on évite un choc brutal et on permet une dissipation progressive de l'énergie mécanique du résonateur mécanique.For this purpose, the anchor 14 is arranged so as to be able, during a tilting during which a shock described above occurs, to bend, in a general plane of the anchor parallel to the fork 18 (this is that is to say parallel, including coincident, to a general plane in which the horns of the fork extend), by undergoing an elastic deformation under the action of a force F RO exerted by the pin 10, engaged in the fork , on one of its two horns 19a, 19b while the mechanical pallet concerned abuts against a tooth and that the mechanical resonator is braked by the anchor. In addition, this anchor has an elastic capacity, between each of the two mechanical pallets 18, respectively 29 and the fork 18, allowing it to elastically absorb, during said elastic deformation, a maximum mechanical energy that the mechanical resonator 2 can have during normal operation of the watch movement. It will be noted that this elastic capacity presents a certain margin of safety, because during the impact there is a certain dissipation of energy in particular at the level of the bearings of the escape wheel, the mechanical resonator and the anchor, and also in the various structures concerned, in particular the plate 40. Any breakage or deterioration of the escapement and of the mechanical resonator can thus be avoided. By 'elastic capacity', we understand an elastic energy absorption capacity. Thanks to the characteristics of the anchor according to the invention, a sudden shock is avoided and a gradual dissipation of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator is allowed.

Lors d'un premier choc entre une palette mécanique et une dent de la roue d'échappement qui intervient dans la situation décrite précédemment, l'ancre subit une déformation élastique pour pouvoir absorber la majeure partie de l'énergie mécanique du résonateur mécanique, même si cette énergie mécanique correspond à une énergie nominale en fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger. Dans la variante représentée, c'est la baguette 20 qui est agencée pour pouvoir absorber substantiellement ladite majeure partie de l'énergie mécanique du résonateur mécanique. Dans la variante représentée, la baguette est prévue courbe, notamment avec une forme générale en 'col de cygne'. D'autres formes sont envisageables, aussi une baguette sensiblement rectiligne. La configuration courbe présente un avantage par le fait qu'elle permet généralement d'augmenter la longueur de la baguette entre la partie de liaison 25 et la fourchette 18. La forme en 'col de cygne' permet une relativement grande longueur de la baguette, tout en ayant la fourchette relativement proche d'une des deux palettes mécaniques. Dans une configuration avec un positionnement relatif de l'axe central 4 du résonateur tel que représenté aux figures, l'homme du métier relierait la fourchette au plus court avec le bras 26, dans le prolongement de la palette mécanique 29. Ainsi, on aurait quasi aucune absorption d'énergie cinétique du résonateur oscillant.During a first impact between a mechanical pallet and a tooth of the escape wheel which occurs in the situation described above, the anchor undergoes an elastic deformation in order to be able to absorb most of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator, even if this mechanical energy corresponds to a nominal energy in normal operation of the watch movement. In the variant represented, it is the rod 20 which is arranged to be able to substantially absorb said major part of the mechanical energy of the mechanical resonator. In the variant shown, the rod is provided curved, in particular with a general shape in 'gooseneck'. Other shapes are possible, also a substantially rectilinear rod. The curved configuration has an advantage in that it generally makes it possible to increase the length of the stick between the connecting part 25 and the fork 18. The 'gooseneck' shape allows a relatively long length of the stick, while having the fork relatively close to one of the two mechanical paddles. In a configuration with a relative positioning of the central axis 4 of the resonator as shown in the figures, the person skilled in the art would connect the shortest fork with the arm 26, in the extension of the mechanical pallet 29. Thus, there would be almost no absorption of kinetic energy from the oscillating resonator.

Dans la variante particulière représentée, une ligne géométrique médiane de l'ancre 14 entre une surface d'extrémité (plan incliné terminal) de chacune des deux palettes mécaniques 28, 29 et la fourchette 18, présente une longueur totale, sur les deux tronçons 20a et 24a, respectivement 20a et 26a qui sont définis par la palette mécanique considérée ensemble avec le bras correspondant 24 ou 26 et par la baguette 20 (voir lignes en trait interrompu à la Figure 1A), qui est au moins le double d'une longueur d'une droite 52 entre un point de la ligne géométrique médiane 24a sur la surface d'extrémité la plus proche de la fourchette et le milieu du fond d'une cavité définie par les deux cornes de cette fourchette (voir Figure 1B). La capacité de déformation élastique peut être prévue sur toute la longueur totale définie ci-avant ou seulement sur des parties de cette longueur totale. Ainsi, dans une première variante, la baguette et les bras présentent une capacité de déformation élastique, laquelle peut être différente, alors que dans une deuxième variante, c'est substantiellement la baguette qui a cette capacité élastique. Dans une troisième variante, ce sont substantiellement les bras 24 et 26 qui présentent une capacité élastique.In the particular variant shown, a median geometric line of the anchor 14 between an end surface (terminal inclined plane) of each of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 and the fork 18, has a total length, on the two sections 20a and 24a, respectively 20a and 26a which are defined by the mechanical pallet considered together with the corresponding arm 24 or 26 and by the rod 20 (see dashed lines at Figure 1A ), which is at least twice a length of a straight line 52 between a point on the median geometric line 24a on the end surface closest to the fork and the middle of the bottom of a cavity defined by the two horns of this fork (see Figure 1B ). The elastic deformation capacity can be provided over the entire total length defined above or only over parts of this total length. Thus, in a first variant, the rod and the arms have a capacity for elastic deformation, which may be different, whereas in a second variant, it is substantially the rod which has this elastic capacity. In a third variant, it is substantially the arms 24 and 26 which have an elastic capacity.

L'ancre doit donc présenter une capacité de déformation élastique et une capacité assez importante pour absorber de l'énergie élastique, ces capacités associées étant fonction de plusieurs paramètres que l'homme du métier saura sélectionner et déterminer pour obtenir les valeurs souhaitées. Comme on l'a mentionné, la forme peut jouer un rôle, ainsi que la longueur du chemin matériel entre les palettes mécaniques et la fourchette. D'autres paramètres jouent aussi un rôle, notamment le matériau sélectionné et les diverses sections transversales. On remarquera que la section transversale minimale de l'ancre joue aussi un rôle, laquelle ne doit pas être prévue trop petite en favorisant la flexibilité d'une portion de l'ancre au détriment de l'absorption d'énergie élastique. Dans le mode de réalisation principal décrit, des impulsions magnétiques pour l'entretien de l'oscillation du résonateur mécaniques sont générées au niveau des deux palettes mécaniques 28, 29 qui supportent respectivement deux aimants 30, 32 formant deux palettes magnétiques. Ainsi, l'ancre 14 est agencée de manière à pouvoir, lors d'un fonctionnement normal du mouvement horloger et donc de l'échappement, transmettre substantiellement un couple de force magnétique, engendré par chacune des impulsions magnétiques, à sa fourchette pour entretenir une oscillation du résonateur mécanique. On notera que cette condition peut aisément être implémentée du fait que la quantité d'énergie dans une impulsion magnétique est très inférieure à l'énergie mécanique que possède le résonateur mécanique 2 en fonctionnement normal.The anchor must therefore have a capacity for elastic deformation and a capacity that is large enough to absorb elastic energy, these associated capacities being a function of several parameters that those skilled in the art will be able to select and determine in order to obtain the desired values. As mentioned, the shape can play a role, as well as the length of the material path between the mechanical paddles and the fork. Other parameters also play a role, including the selected material and the various cross-sections. It should be noted that the minimum cross-section of the anchor also plays a role, which should not be planned too small by favoring the flexibility of a portion of the anchor to the detriment of the absorption of elastic energy. In the main embodiment described, magnetic pulses for maintaining the oscillation of the mechanical resonator are generated at the level of the two mechanical pallets 28, 29 which respectively support two magnets 30, 32 forming two magnetic pallets. Thus, the lever 14 is arranged so as to be able, during normal operation of the watch movement and therefore of the escapement, to substantially transmit a torque of magnetic force, generated by each of the magnetic pulses, to its fork to maintain a oscillation of the mechanical resonator. It will be noted that this condition can easily be implemented due to the fact that the quantity of energy in a magnetic pulse is much lower than the mechanical energy possessed by the mechanical resonator 2 in normal operation.

Finalement, on décrira à l'aide des Figures 1B à 1F une succession d'événements intervenant à divers instants spécifiques pour un cas hypothétique où la roue d'échappement 16 s'arrête dans la position défavorable représentée à la Figures 1A et demeure dans cette position jusqu'à l'arrêt du résonateur mécanique 2. A la Figure 1B, comme indiqué précédemment, la cheville 10, après avoir pénétré dans la fourchette 18, bute contre la corne 19a alors que l'ancre est stoppée dans son mouvement de la position de repos où la fourchette est en appui contre la goupille 22 vers la position de repos où cette fourchette est prévue en appui contre la goupille 21. Lors du début du choc entre la palette mécanique et la dent, l'angle au centre de rotation de l'ancre entre la corne 19b et la goupille 22 a une certaine valeur α1. Le résonateur ayant à cet instant une énergie mécanique nominale et donc importante, essentiellement sous forme d'énergie cinétique, il presse ensuite contre la corne 19a en exerçant une force FRO dégressive alors que l'ancre, ici surtout la baguette 20, fléchit en absorbant la majeure partie de l'énergie cinétique du résonateur sous forme d'énergie élastique. L'angle définit ci-avant s'agrandit donc, comme représenté à la Figure 1C où sa valeur a2 est supérieure à la valeur a1, par exemple environ une valeur double, la Figure 1C montrant une configuration alors que le résonateur mécanique a perdu la majeure partie de sa vitesse (et donc de son énergie cinétique). Ensuite, impérativement avant que la cheville 10 n'atteigne l'angle de dégagement qui lui permettrait de sortir de la fourchette, le résonateur mécanique passe par une position angulaire d'arrêt et une inversion prématurée du sens de son mouvement, comme montré à la Figure 1D où le résonateur tourne dans le sens anti-horaire alors qu'il tournait auparavant dans le sens horaire. Sous l'action de l'ancre via la corne 19a, le résonateur récupère la majeure partie de l'énergie élastique emmagasinée dans l'ancre et il subit ainsi une accélération qui lui laisse une certaine amplitude d'oscillation, bien que moindre que celle qu'il présentait avant le choc.Finally, we will describe with the help of Figures 1B to 1F a succession of events occurring at various specific instants for a hypothetical case where the escape wheel 16 stops in the unfavorable position represented in Figure 1A and remains in this position until the mechanical resonator 2 stops. Figure 1B , as indicated previously, the pin 10, after having entered the fork 18, abuts against the horn 19a while the anchor is stopped in its movement from the rest position where the fork is in contact with the pin 22 towards the position of rest where this fork is provided bearing against the pin 21. At the start of the shock between the mechanical pallet and the tooth, the angle at the center of rotation of the anchor between the horn 19b and the pin 22 has a certain value α1. The resonator having at this moment a nominal and therefore significant mechanical energy, essentially in the form of kinetic energy, it then presses against the horn 19a by exerting a decreasing force F RO while the anchor, here especially the rod 20, bends in absorbing most of the resonator's kinetic energy as elastic energy. The angle defined above therefore increases, as shown in Figure 1C where its value a2 is greater than value a1, for example approximately one value double, the Figure 1C showing a configuration as the mechanical resonator has lost most of its velocity (and therefore kinetic energy). Then, imperatively before the pin 10 reaches the clearance angle which would allow it to come out of the fork, the mechanical resonator passes through an angular stop position and a premature inversion of the direction of its movement, as shown in Figure 1D where the resonator rotates counter-clockwise whereas it previously rotated clockwise. Under the action of the anchor via the horn 19a, the resonator recovers most of the elastic energy stored in the anchor and it thus undergoes an acceleration which leaves it with a certain amplitude of oscillation, although less than that he presented before the shock.

En se dégageant de la fourchette 18, propulsé par la baguette 20 de l'ancre 14, la cheville 10 peut alors sortir de la fourchette, comme montré à la Figure 1E. Ensuite, lors d'une alternance suivante, une nouvelle séquence, similaire à celle présentée en référence aux Figures 1A à 1E, intervient à nouveau. Toutefois, le résonateur mécanique 2 ayant perdu de l'énergie lors du premier choc, il engendrera alors une moindre flexion de l'ancre 14. L'oscillation du résonateur mécanique est ainsi amortie rapidement et il finit par s'arrêter, comme représenté à la Figure 1F, sans avoir endommagé le mouvement mécanique, en particulier l'échappement hybride.By disengaging itself from the fork 18, propelled by the stick 20 of the anchor 14, the peg 10 can then come out of the fork, as shown in Figure 1E . Then, during a following alternation, a new sequence, similar to that presented with reference to the Figures 1A to 1E , intervenes again. However, the mechanical resonator 2 having lost energy during the first impact, it will then generate less bending of the anchor 14. The oscillation of the mechanical resonator is thus quickly damped and it ends up stopping, as shown in the Figure 1F , without having damaged the mechanical movement, in particular the hybrid escapement.

Claims (10)

  1. Horological movement comprising a mechanical resonator (2) and an escapement (12) which is connected to this mechanical resonator, the escapement comprising an escapement wheel (16), which has a plurality of projecting parts (42), and an anchor (14) which is separated from the mechanical resonator and which has a single geometric axis of rotation; the mechanical resonator being coupled to the anchor such that when this mechanical resonator is maintained in oscillation, the anchor is subject to an alternative movement between two rest positions in which the anchor rests alternatively during successive time intervals, wherein the anchor comprises:
    - a single pivoting axis (50) centred on said single geometric axis of rotation,
    - a rigid connecting portion (25) to which the pivoting axis is fixed,
    - two arms (24, 26) connected, at their firsts ends, to the connecting portion and having respectively, at their second end, two mechanical pallets (28, 29) which are each able to come into contact with any projecting part of the plurality of parts projecting from the escapement wheel and which are arranged to cooperate with these projecting parts at least in a start-up phase or during normal functioning of the horological movement,
    - a fork (18) having two horns (19a, 19b) and arranged to cooperate with the mechanical resonator via a pin (10) integral with an axis (4) of this mechanical resonator, and
    - a stick (20) connected at its first end to said connecting portion (25) and at its second end to the fork, said stick being free between its first end and its second end;
    wherein, during rocking of the anchor from a first of its two rest positions in the direction of its second rest position while the escapement wheel is positioned in any angular position θ of a plurality of ranges of angular positions corresponding respectively to said plurality of projecting parts, one of the two mechanical pallets abuts against one of these projecting parts before the anchor can reach an angular position of disengagement of the pin from the side of the second rest position; characterised in that the anchor is arranged, during said rocking of the anchor, to be able to bend in a general plane of the anchor parallel to the fork, by being subjected to elastic deformation from the action of a force exerted by the pin engaged in the fork on one of the two horns of this fork while said mechanical pallet abuts against said projecting part and the mechanical resonator is braked by the anchor; said anchor having an elastic capacity, between each of the two mechanical pallets and the fork, enabling it to absorb elastically, during said elastic deformation, a maximum mechanical energy which the mechanical resonator can have during the normal functioning of the horological movement.
  2. Horological movement according to claim 1, wherein the escapement or a drive mechanism of the escapement wheel is arranged such that, during normal functioning of the horological movement, the escapement wheel (16) provides to the anchor maintenance pulses of an oscillation of the mechanical resonator (2) which have a substantially constant energy while the horological movement functions normally.
  3. Horological movement according to claim 2, wherein the escapement comprises a magnetic system (30, 32, 36) magnetically coupling the escapement wheel and the anchor, this magnetic system being arranged so as to generate, during the normal functioning of the horological movement, magnetic pulses which form said maintenance pulses at constant energy.
  4. Horological movement according to claim 3, wherein the projecting parts (42) are arranged so as to permit an absorption of kinetic energy of the escapement wheel (16) by shocks, between these projecting parts alternatively with the two mechanical pallets, respectively at the end of successive steps of a step-by-step rotation of the escapement wheel during the normal functioning of the horological movement.
  5. Horological movement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the projecting parts (42) are arranged so as to permit an auto-start of the assembly formed by the mechanical resonator (2) and the escapement (12) when the barrel spring is reset, following a stop of the horological movement, and the escapement wheel is again driven in rotation.
  6. Horological movement according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said magnetic pulses are generated at two mechanical pallets (28, 29) which support respectively two magnets (30, 32) forming two magnetic pallets; and wherein the anchor is arranged, during the normal functioning of the horological movement, to be able to transmit substantially a magnetic force couple generated by each of the magnetic pulses to its fork (18) to maintain an oscillation of the mechanical resonator.
  7. Horological movement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stick (20) is curved, in particular with a general form of a 'swan's neck'.
  8. Horological movement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a median geometric line of the anchor, between an end surface of each of the two mechanical pallets and the fork, has a total length, over two sections (24a, 20a; 26a, 20a) defined respectively by the mechanical pallet considered (28, respectively 29) together with the corresponding arm (24; 26) and by the stick (20), which is at least double the length of a straight line (52) between a point of the median geometric line on said end surface and the middle of the base of a cavity defined by the two horns of the fork.
  9. Horological movement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (25), the stick (20) and the two arms (24, 26) are formed by a one-piece part.
  10. Horological movement according to the preceding claim, wherein said one-piece part is made from a metal material.
EP20164019.0A 2020-03-18 2020-03-18 Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement including an elastically deformable anchor Active EP3882712B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20164019.0A EP3882712B1 (en) 2020-03-18 2020-03-18 Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement including an elastically deformable anchor
US17/169,618 US11927917B2 (en) 2020-03-18 2021-02-08 Mechanical horological movement provided with an escapement comprising an anchor
JP2021028340A JP7093864B2 (en) 2020-03-18 2021-02-25 Mechanical timekeeping movement with escape with anchors
CN202110292176.9A CN113495474B (en) 2020-03-18 2021-03-18 Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement mechanism comprising an anchor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20164019.0A EP3882712B1 (en) 2020-03-18 2020-03-18 Mechanical timepiece movement provided with an escapement including an elastically deformable anchor

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EP3882712A1 EP3882712A1 (en) 2021-09-22
EP3882712B1 true EP3882712B1 (en) 2022-11-16

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EP (1) EP3882712B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7093864B2 (en)
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US11927917B2 (en) 2024-03-12
JP7093864B2 (en) 2022-06-30
CN113495474A (en) 2021-10-12
JP2021148781A (en) 2021-09-27
EP3882712A1 (en) 2021-09-22
CN113495474B (en) 2022-12-13
US20210294269A1 (en) 2021-09-23

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