EP4286959A1 - Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen - Google Patents

Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4286959A1
EP4286959A1 EP22176929.2A EP22176929A EP4286959A1 EP 4286959 A1 EP4286959 A1 EP 4286959A1 EP 22176929 A EP22176929 A EP 22176929A EP 4286959 A1 EP4286959 A1 EP 4286959A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
balance
oscillator
rotation
plane
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22176929.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
David Chabloz
Michael MILLIER
Pascal Perron
Mathieu MARANGÉ
Anthony Krüttli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Original Assignee
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patek Philippe SA Geneve filed Critical Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority to EP22176929.2A priority Critical patent/EP4286959A1/de
Publication of EP4286959A1 publication Critical patent/EP4286959A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/045—Oscillators acting by spring tension with oscillating blade springs
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flexible pivot oscillator intended to serve as a time base in a watch mechanism.
  • a flexible pivot oscillator is an oscillator whose oscillating member (balance) is guided in rotation by an arrangement of elastic parts and not by a physical axis of rotation sliding in bearings. In addition to its rotational guiding function, the flexible pivot exerts a restoring torque on the oscillating member like the hairspring of a balance-spring oscillator.
  • a flexible pivot oscillator does not produce dry friction during operation. It therefore has a better quality factor.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a flexible pivot oscillator whose arrangement of elastic parts comprises blades extending in different parallel planes, typically so-called separate crossed blades which cross in top view without touching each other.
  • Such watch oscillators are described for example in patent applications EP 2911012 , EP 2998800 , EP 3382470 , EP 3839651 , EP 3410229 , EP 3502784 , US 2020/0033804 , WO 2016/096677 , WO 2017/055983 , WO 2018/109584 And WO 2022/009102 .
  • An aim of the present invention is to improve the isochronism of such watch oscillators.
  • the present invention further proposes a watch regulator device and a timepiece comprising such a watch oscillator.
  • FIG 1 shows a watch oscillator 100 with separate crossed blades as described in the patent application WO 2022/009102 of the present applicant. It includes in particular a support 1, a balance 2, a flexible pivot 3 connecting the balance 2 to the support 1 and an impulse pin 4 secured to the balance 2.
  • the support 1 is intended to be mounted on a fixed or mobile frame of a watch mechanism.
  • the flexible pivot 3 comprises first and second elastic blades 5, 6 which are identical but extend in parallel planes and in different directions to cross without contact. The crossing of the blades 5, 6 defines a virtual axis of rotation A of the balance 2 relative to the support 1, an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to said parallel planes and to the plane of the balance 2.
  • the flexible pivot 3 thus serves to suspend the balance 2 to the support 1, to guide the balance 2 in rotation relative to the support 1 around the virtual axis of rotation A and to exert on the balance 2 an elastic return torque tending to bring it back into an equilibrium position relative to the support 1.
  • the impulse pin 4 is intended to receive impulses from a escape fork and transmit them to the balance 2 to maintain the oscillations of the latter.
  • FIG. 2 shows, by the graph G1, an isochronism curve of the oscillator 100.
  • the rate in seconds per day On the ordinate is plotted the rate in seconds per day and on the abscissa is plotted the amplitude of oscillation of the balance in degrees.
  • This graph G1 indicates more precisely the operating values measured during oscillations of the oscillator 100 maintained by a conventional escapement, in this case a Swiss anchor escapement.
  • a significant isochronism defect appears in zone Z, namely a pronounced drop in the rate followed by a rapid rise. In the example illustrated, this fault occurs around an amplitude Ao of between 23° and 24°.
  • Such a defect significantly affects the precision of time measurement and may require operating the oscillator in an amplitude range separate from zone Z.
  • This defect can be explained by a resonance phenomenon due to the excitation of 'a parasitic mode of pitching of the balance wheel.
  • the balance oscillates out of its plane around an axis Y which intersects the axis A perpendicularly.
  • the impulse pin 4 While in the oscillator 100 the impulse pin 4 is located at a height different from those of the balance 2 and the flexible pivot 3, the impulse pin in the present invention is arranged so that its functional zone, intended to be in contact with the fork of the escapement, crosses the plane of symmetry of the median planes of the blades 5, 6 perpendicular to the axis A. In this way, there is no longer, or almost no more, lever arm between the Y axis of pitch and the zone of interaction between the oscillator and the escapement and the resonance phenomenon mentioned above is eliminated or attenuated.
  • the invention proposes a 100' watch oscillator (cf. figures 3 and 4 ) which differs from the oscillator 100 in that the functional zone of the impulse pin 4' crosses the plane P3 of symmetry of the median plane P1, perpendicular to the axis A, of the blade 5 and of the median plane P2, perpendicular to axis A, of blade 6.
  • the exhaust fork 7, located at the same height as the functional zone of the impulse pin 4', is part of an anchor 8 and is raised relative to the body 9 of the anchor 8 to allow said body to extend in a plane different from that of the serge, 10, of the balance 2 and thus avoid any risk of collision between the anchor 8 and the balance 2 during the operation of the oscillator.
  • the G2 graph of the figure 2 shows the gait measurement results obtained with the oscillator 100'. We see that the isochronism defect mentioned above has disappeared, which makes it possible to choose a range of amplitudes for the operation of the oscillator independently of the parasitic frequencies.
  • the 100' oscillator as shown in figures 3 and 4 is formed of an assembly of stacked parts, namely a lower part 11, an upper part 12 and, between the two, the balance 2.
  • the lower part 11 comprises a lower stage 13 of the support 1, the elastic blade 6 and a lower arm 14 connected to the lower stage 13 of the support 1 by the elastic blade 6.
  • the upper part 12 comprises an upper stage 15 of the support 1, the elastic blade 5 and an upper arm 16 connected to the upper stage 15 of the support 1 by the elastic blade 5.
  • the balance 2 comprises a diametrical arm 17 interrupted in its central part so as not to interfere with the elastic blades 5, 6. This diametrical arm 17 is assembled to the lower and upper arms 14, 16 and serves as a spacer for the latter.
  • Each of the lower and upper parts 11, 12 is monolithic and made for example of silicon, optionally coated with a layer, for example a layer of silicon oxide.
  • the balance wheel 2 is typically made of a dense material such as beryllium copper, gold, platinum, nickel silver or other dense metal or alloy.
  • the lower and upper stages 13, 15 of the support 1 are superimposed, being separated by a spacer 18, for example metallic.
  • Parts 2, 11, 12 and 18 are assembled by pins 19.
  • a lower stop member 20 on the lower face of the lower arm 14, intended to cooperate in the event of an impact with a fixed stop relative to the support 1 to protect the elastic blades 5, 6, carries the impulse pin 4' which extends parallel to the axis A.
  • this impulse pin 4' could be carried by another member than the lower stop member 20 and could be in another form.
  • THE figures 5 and 6 show a 100" watch oscillator according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the impulse pin is replaced by a 4" impulse finger in one piece with the balance 2, therefore typically metallic, located in the same plane as the diametrical arm 17 and projecting radially from the two segments of the diametrical arm 17.
  • THE figures 7 and 8 illustrate a watch oscillator 100′′′ according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • this third embodiment there is no spacer between the lower and upper parts 11, 12 and the balance 2 is located above the stack of the lower and upper arms 14, 16.
  • a finger 4 '" formed by the superposition of two elementary fingers in one piece with the lower and upper arms 14, 16 respectively and projecting radially from these arms constitutes the impulse element which cooperates with the exhaust fork 7.
  • the pulse finger 4'" is typically made of silicon, optionally coated with a layer, for example a layer of silicon oxide.
  • the functional zone of the impulse finger 4′′′ crosses the plane P3 of symmetry of the median planes P1 and P2 blades 5, 6 and is even centered in relation to this plane P3, as visible on the figure 8 .
  • the present invention applies more generally to any type of watch oscillator with a flexible pivot comprising elastic blades extending in different parallel planes.
  • Other examples than separate cross blades are non-coplanar RCC (Remote Center Compliance) blades.
  • the present invention is also not limited to two elastic blades.
  • the flexible pivot comprises more than two blades extending in different parallel planes, for example three or four blades
  • the functional zone of the impulse element crosses the plane of symmetry of all the median planes of the blades, this plane of symmetry can be one of the median planes of the blades (for example in the case of three blades) or a plane which separates one half of the blades from the other half of the blades (for example in the case of four blades) .
  • Examples of flexible pivots with multiple blades to which the invention can be applied are described in the documents EP 2998800 , EP 2911012 , EP 3382470 , EP 3410229 And US 2020/0033804 .
  • the balance 2 preferably has an annular rim 10, as shown on the figures 3 , 5 And 7 , in order to maximize the inertia to mass ratio, but its serge could have any other desired shape, for example that of one or more segments, annular or not.
  • the escapement member which cooperates with the impulse element 4', 4", 4′′′ is not necessarily an anchor. It can be a wheel exhaust, particularly in the case of a direct impulse escapement, a rocker or other.
  • the watch oscillator according to the invention can equip a timepiece such as a watch, in particular a wristwatch, or a clock.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
EP22176929.2A 2022-06-02 2022-06-02 Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen Pending EP4286959A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22176929.2A EP4286959A1 (de) 2022-06-02 2022-06-02 Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22176929.2A EP4286959A1 (de) 2022-06-02 2022-06-02 Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4286959A1 true EP4286959A1 (de) 2023-12-06

Family

ID=81877707

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22176929.2A Pending EP4286959A1 (de) 2022-06-02 2022-06-02 Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP4286959A1 (de)

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE201823C (de) * 1907-12-22 1908-09-17 Lagerung für wippen für uhrhemmungen
EP2911012A1 (de) 2014-02-20 2015-08-26 CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement Oszillator einer Uhr
EP2998800A2 (de) 2014-09-16 2016-03-23 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrkomponente mit flexiblem zapfenlager
WO2016096677A1 (fr) 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Resonateur d'horlogerie a lames croisees
WO2017055983A1 (fr) 2015-09-29 2017-04-06 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Composant mécanique à pivot flexible et dispositif horloger le comprenant
WO2018109584A1 (fr) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Composant horloger a pivot flexible
EP3382470A1 (de) 2017-03-29 2018-10-03 Patek Philippe SA Genève Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen
EP3410229A1 (de) 2017-05-30 2018-12-05 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrkomponente mit flexiblem zapfen
EP3502784A1 (de) 2017-12-22 2019-06-26 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrresonator mit flexibler führung
US20200033804A1 (en) 2018-07-24 2020-01-30 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Method for making a flexure bearing mechanism for a mechanical timepiece oscillator
CH712958B1 (fr) * 2016-09-27 2021-01-15 Csem Ct Suisse Delectronique Microtechnique Sa Rech Developpement Elément oscillant et oscillateur mécanique horloger comprenant un tel élément oscillant.
EP3839651A1 (de) 2019-12-19 2021-06-23 Patek Philippe SA Genève Mechanischer oszillator einer uhr mit flexibler führung
EP3936946A1 (de) * 2020-07-10 2022-01-12 Patek Philippe SA Genève Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE201823C (de) * 1907-12-22 1908-09-17 Lagerung für wippen für uhrhemmungen
EP2911012A1 (de) 2014-02-20 2015-08-26 CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement Oszillator einer Uhr
EP2998800A2 (de) 2014-09-16 2016-03-23 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrkomponente mit flexiblem zapfenlager
WO2016096677A1 (fr) 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Resonateur d'horlogerie a lames croisees
WO2017055983A1 (fr) 2015-09-29 2017-04-06 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Composant mécanique à pivot flexible et dispositif horloger le comprenant
CH712958B1 (fr) * 2016-09-27 2021-01-15 Csem Ct Suisse Delectronique Microtechnique Sa Rech Developpement Elément oscillant et oscillateur mécanique horloger comprenant un tel élément oscillant.
WO2018109584A1 (fr) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Composant horloger a pivot flexible
EP3382470A1 (de) 2017-03-29 2018-10-03 Patek Philippe SA Genève Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen
EP3410229A1 (de) 2017-05-30 2018-12-05 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrkomponente mit flexiblem zapfen
EP3502784A1 (de) 2017-12-22 2019-06-26 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhrresonator mit flexibler führung
US20200033804A1 (en) 2018-07-24 2020-01-30 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Method for making a flexure bearing mechanism for a mechanical timepiece oscillator
EP3839651A1 (de) 2019-12-19 2021-06-23 Patek Philippe SA Genève Mechanischer oszillator einer uhr mit flexibler führung
EP3936946A1 (de) * 2020-07-10 2022-01-12 Patek Philippe SA Genève Oszillator einer uhr mit flexiblem zapfen
WO2022009102A1 (fr) 2020-07-10 2022-01-13 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Oscillateur horloger a pivot flexible

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