Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K17/00—Use of the energy of nuclear particles in welding or related techniques
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0069—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for working with non-mechanical means, e.g. chemical, electrochemical, metallising, vapourising; with electron beams, laser beams
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
  • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
  • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
  • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
  • B23K26/066—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms by using masks
  • B23K26/0661—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms by using masks disposed on the workpiece
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
  • B23K26/36—Removing material
  • B23K26/362—Laser etching
  • B23K26/364—Laser etching for making a groove or trench, e.g. for scribing a break initiation groove
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C3/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing ornamental structures
  • B44C3/10—Producing and filling perforations, e.g. tarsia plates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C14/00—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material
  • C23C14/04—Coating on selected surface areas, e.g. using masks
  • C23C14/046—Coating cavities or hollow spaces, e.g. interior of tubes; Infiltration of porous substrates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
  • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
  • C23C16/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes
  • C23C16/04—Coating on selected surface areas, e.g. using masks
  • C23C16/045—Coating cavities or hollow spaces, e.g. interior of tubes; Infiltration of porous substrates
• • 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
  • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
  • G04B17/066—Manufacture of the spiral spring
• • 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
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/06—Dials
  • G04B19/12—Selection of materials for dials or graduations markings
• • 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
  • G04B37/00—Cases
  • G04B37/22—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases
• • 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
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/0023—Inscriptions or pictures moved by the clockwork, e.g. for advertising
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
  • G04D3/0028—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the escape mechanism
  • G04D3/003—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the escape mechanism for levers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0074—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment
  • G04D3/0089—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for treatment of the material, e.g. surface treatment for components of the regulating mechanism, e.g. coil springs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/22—Removing surface-material, e.g. by engraving, by etching
  • B44C1/227—Removing surface-material, e.g. by engraving, by etching by etching
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/22—Removing surface-material, e.g. by engraving, by etching
  • B44C1/228—Removing surface-material, e.g. by engraving, by etching by laser radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/26—Inlaying with ornamental structures, e.g. niello work, tarsia work
• • 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
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/06—Dials
  • G04B19/10—Ornamental shape of the graduations or the surface of the dial; Attachment of the graduations to the dial
  • G04B19/103—Ornamental shape of the graduations or the surface of the dial; Attachment of the graduations to the dial attached or inlaid numbers
• • 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
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/0076—Decoration of the case and of parts thereof, e.g. as a method of manufacture thereof
• • 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
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/0084—Pictures or inscriptions on the case or parts thereof, attaching complete pictures
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
  • G04D3/0035—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the regulating mechanism
  • G04D3/0038—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the regulating mechanism for balances
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
  • G04D3/0043—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the time-indicating mechanisms
  • G04D3/0048—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components of the time-indicating mechanisms for dials

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a watch movement component. It also relates to a watch movement component as such obtained by such a manufacturing process.
• a watch movement component is often smaller in size, and includes functional parts with very precise geometry, which above all must not be altered. Thus, it is very delicate to make a marking on such a component of a watch movement, for example for the purpose of identification or decoration.
• the aesthetic aspect remains very important, in particular for a watch movement component of a timepiece, beyond its functionality.
• the object of the present invention is to find a solution for marking and/or decorating a watch movement component, which makes it possible to achieve a particularly attractive visual effect without impairing the functionality of the component.
• the invention is based on a method for manufacturing a watch movement component comprising at least a first portion comprising a surface, in particular an upper surface, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:
• the invention also relates to a watch movement component, characterized in that it is a hairspring made of micro-machinable material comprising a first portion forming a connecting member comprising a surface, in particular an upper surface, and a second portion less rigid than the first portion comprising at least one blade wound in the form of a spiral forming a spring, and in that the surface of the first portion comprises at least one cavity in which is deposited a layer of material.
• a watch movement component characterized in that it is a hairspring made of micro-machinable material comprising a first portion forming a connecting member comprising a surface, in particular an upper surface, and a second portion less rigid than the first portion comprising at least one blade wound in the form of a spiral forming a spring, and in that the surface of the first portion comprises at least one cavity in which is deposited a layer of material.
• Figures 1 to 6 illustrate the successive steps of a method of manufacturing a spiral spring for a watch movement according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 7 illustrates a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 11 to 13 illustrate a third variant of the first embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the successive steps of a method of manufacturing a spiral spring for a watch movement according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 16 illustrates a first variant of the second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart schematically representing the steps and sub-steps of a method for manufacturing a watch movement component according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 18 shows a top view of a spiral spring produced by a manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the hairspring of figure 18.
• the invention implements a process for manufacturing a watch component which advantageously combines at least one step of etching at low depth and a step of coloring said etching obtained, so as to obtain a visible etching which does not impact the functional performance of a motion component.
• the manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the invention will be illustrated in the context of the manufacturing of a watch movement component, which can for example be a spiral spring.
• FIGS. 1 to 6 more particularly illustrate cross-sectional views of a watch movement component 1, or of a blank 1a of the component, during the various stages of its manufacture according to a first embodiment of a manufacturing method. of the watch movement component.
• the manufacturing process of the invention is particularly concerned with a specific phase of manufacturing, relating to a process for etching a surface.
• it is a method of etching a visible surface or an upper surface of the watch movement component 1, in particular for decorative purposes.
• it could also be a process for etching a non-visible surface or a lower surface, in particular for identification or marking purposes.
• This etching process can be implemented in a final component manufacturing phase, or alternatively at various more or less advanced stages of the component manufacturing process.
• the method comprises a first step consisting in making available to E1 at least a portion of a blank 1a of the watch movement component 1, specifically shown in section in the various figures illustrating the manufacturing method.
• a first step consisting in making available to E1 at least a portion of a blank 1a of the watch movement component 1, specifically shown in section in the various figures illustrating the manufacturing method.
• several blanks 1a can be linked to the same support or substrate 10a, and simultaneously form the subject of the method which will be described below and whose steps are summarized by the flowchart of Figure 17.
• the watch component blanks 1a can therefore be fabricated beforehand in a substrate 10a, which is preferably made of micro-machinable material, such as silicon, by micro-fabrication operations.
• a substrate 10a which is preferably made of micro-machinable material, such as silicon, by micro-fabrication operations.
• the term blank in the broadest sense, to designate any intermediate element in the manufacturing process of the watch component.
• the blank can be a substrate made available and not yet engraved, or a substrate already partially engraved, for example to define all or part of the outline of the future watch component.
• the portion of the blank 1a comprises a surface 11 which will be specifically treated by the method according to the invention, with the aim of creating visible patterns or indications on this surface, as will be detailed below.
• This surface 11 may comprise a layer of silicon dioxide S1O2 in one embodiment of use of a silicon substrate 10a.
• the method thus advantageously comprises a preliminary step of oxidation of the silicon.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a first sub-step E21 of a second step for producing a mask E2, which consists in depositing a layer of photosensitive resin 9 on surface 11 of blank 1a.
• This resin deposit can be made according to any technique known to those skilled in the art, for example by dip coating or by spray coating or by spin coating. .
• the layer of photosensitive resin is more particularly a layer of resin known by its trade name AZ® 9260, the thickness of which is approximately 6 ⁇ m.
• This sub-step E21 can be followed by an optional sub-step of annealing the layer of resin 9 deposited.
• FIG. 3 represents a second sub-step E22, in which the resin layer 9 is subjected to UV radiation through openings 910 of a mask 91 .
• These openings 910 prefigure the visible patterns or indications that one wishes to make on the watch movement component, as will be detailed below.
• the UV rays are here perpendicular to the plane in which the mask 91 extends, and perpendicular to the surface 11 of the blank 1a, so as to irradiate only the zones 13 of the resin layer 9 located in line with the openings 910 made in the mask 91.
• FIG. 4 represents a third sub-step E23, which consists in eliminating the irradiated resin in the zones 13 in line with the openings 910 of the mask 91 using a solvent.
• the layer of resin 9 comprises openings 92 at the level of the surface 11 whose patterns correspond to those of the openings 910.
• This layer of resin 9 with its openings 92 forms a mask 21 provided for implement the etching step which will be described below.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the implementation of a third etching step E3. In this first embodiment, this etching is carried out using a mask 21, made of resin, taking the form of a layer of resin 9 deposited on the surface of the component portion, as explained previously.
• the etching is carried out by the deep reactive ion etching technology (abbreviation DRIE in English).
• DRIE deep reactive ion etching technology
• This technique makes it possible to form cavities 7 with vertical or substantially vertical sides in line with the openings 92 of the layer of resin 9, without impacting the areas of the surface 11 still covered with the layer of resin 9.
• the step of etching first etches the layer of silicon dioxide present on the surface of surface 11 of blank 1a, then etches the silicon, so as to form at least one cavity 7.
• Each cavity 7 has a section of substantially rectangular shape , delimited by a surface forming a bottom 17, substantially parallel to the surface 11 of the component. The depth of a cavity is measured perpendicular to the surface 11, and corresponds to the respective distance between the planes of the surface 11 and the bottom 17 of the cavity.
• the depth of at least one or all of the cavities 7 is less than 10 miti, while being preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of the layer of silicon oxide.
• such an etching step carried out by deep reactive ion etching also makes it possible to obtain a bottom 17 whose surface condition is in particular characterized by a particularly low roughness, with in particular a bottom 17 having a lower roughness Ra at 50 nm, preferably of the order of 20 nm, or less than 20 nm, and/or a roughness Sa of less than 100 nm, preferably of the order of 80 nm, or less than 80 nm, which makes it possible to reveal the sheen of the layer of material subsequently deposited on such a bottom 17, as will be explained.
• the method then implements a fourth step of depositing a material E4 within at least one cavity 7, as represented by FIG. 6.
• the material is a metal or a metal alloy
• this deposition step forms a layer of metal material 8 or a metal alloy on the bottom 17 of the cavities 7.
• the material is a metal belonging to the Au, Ag, Cr, CrN, Ni, Pt, TiN, ZrN, Pd group or their alloys.
• the thickness of this at least one layer of material 8 can be of the order of a few nanometers. It is preferably at least 5 nm, or even at least 10 nm, or even at least 50 nm, or even at least 100 nm. More particularly, it is preferably between 5 nm and 1000 nm, or even between 100 nm and 1000 nm.
• the step of depositing an E4 material may comprise the deposit of a single and unique layer.
• this deposition step may comprise the successive deposition of two distinct layers, a first layer deposited directly on the bottom 17 being provided to act as a grip layer for a second layer, for example decorative, visible within a cavity 7.
• the step of depositing material E4 is carried out by physical vapor deposition (PVD acronym in English). More generally, this deposition can be vapor phase deposition, such as the aforementioned physical deposition (PVD) or chemical deposition (CVD) or atomic deposition (ALD).
• PVD physical vapor deposition
• CVD chemical deposition
• ALD atomic deposition
• mask 21 formed by resin layer 9 is also used as a mask for this step. This mask 21 makes it possible to guarantee the deposition of material on the bottom 17 of the cavities 7, by protecting the non-etched surface 11 of the portion of the blank 1a considered.
• the deposition of material takes place on the bottom 17 of the cavities, in line with the openings 92 of the mask 21, and also on the layer of resin 9 resting on the surface 11 .
• the method then implements a fifth step E5 of removal of the resin layer 9.
• This step can be performed, for example, by dissolving with a chemical product or by plasma treatment.
• the blank 1a of the watch movement component is ready.
• the method may comprise a step consisting in detaching E6 the blanks 1a from the substrate 10a.
• the component blank may include a partially etched rupture zone, in particular as described in document EP3632839A1.
• the mask 21 used can be implemented differently than according to the embodiment detailed above.
• FIG. 7 illustrates for this purpose a first embodiment variant, in which the second step of producing a mask E2 is based on the use of a laser.
• the method implements an etching step using a laser, in particular a laser with femtosecond pulses, whose radiation R is predefined according to the chosen pattern.
• the laser radiation thus etches both the layer of resin 9, which corresponds to the step of producing a mask E2 described above, and the upper layer 11 of the blank 1a, which corresponds to the step of E3 etching described previously.
• the process is continued with the material deposition step E4, as described previously.
• Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second variant embodiment, in which the mask 21 used is no longer made of resin, but is in the form of a plate 19 made of rigid material, for example silicon, which is first deposited on the surface 11 of the component blank 1a, as represented by FIG. 8.
• An intermediate layer 29 of parylene can be deposited between the plate 19 and the blank 1a, to allow the detachment of the plate 19.
• the method then uses R radiation from a laser, in particular from a pulsed laser femtoseconds, which, as in the previous case, forms openings 92 in the mask 21 then forms an engraving 7 in the surface 11 of the blank 1a.
• the two steps of producing a mask E2 with openings 92, and of etching E3 are carried out in the same etching step, simultaneously or almost simultaneously.
• the step of depositing material E4 is then carried out in a manner similar to the preceding description, as illustrated by FIG. 10, at the bottom of the cavities 7 through the rigid mask 21.
• Figures 11 to 13 illustrate a third variant embodiment, in which the mask 21 is placed on the surface 11 of the blank 1a after the etching step E3.
• the etching step E3 is carried out using a femtosecond laser, whose radiation R directly carries out the etching of the surface 11 of the blank 1a, according to a predefined trajectory corresponding to the chosen pattern, without the need for a mask.
• the method implements the step of producing a mask E2.
• This step includes a preliminary step consisting in preparing the mask 21 outside the component blank 1a, by forming an opening 92 in a rigid plate 19, according to the chosen pattern. Then, the mask 21 is placed on the surface 11 of the component blank 1a, as represented by FIG. 12. In this step, the positioning of the mask 21 on the blank 1a is such that its openings 92 are precisely superimposed on the cavities 7 previously made, preferably with an accuracy of the order of a micron, using any technique known to those skilled in the art.
• An intermediate layer 29 of parylene can be deposited between the mask 21 and the surface 11 of the blank 1a, to allow the detachment of the plate 19.
• the method then implements the step of depositing material E4, which is carried out in a manner similar to the preceding description, as illustrated by FIG. 13, at the bottom of the cavities 7 through the mask 21 .
• the mask is therefore only used for the material deposition step E4 and no longer for the etching step E3.
• the method implements a step E5 of removing the mask after its use.
• Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment in that no mask is used, neither for the etching step E3, nor for the material deposition step E4.
• This second embodiment comprises the initial steps identical to the third variant of the first embodiment, up to the production of the engravings 7 in the surface 11 of the blank 1a, as represented by FIG. 11.
• the process implements a step of depositing E4 material by means of a laser transfer technique, known as LIFT (Laser Induce Forward Transfer).
• LIFT Laser Induce Forward Transfer
• This technique consists first of all of interposing a transparent metallized plate 81, which comprises a metallic layer 810 in this embodiment, between laser equipment and the component blank 1a, as represented by FIGS. 14 and 15.
• a metallized film could be used instead of metallized plate.
• a laser is directed towards the metallized plate 81, so that the radiation R from the laser beam on the plate 81 strikes the metal layer 810 and generates a sufficient mechanical force on said metal layer 810 to generate a transfer of material from the plate.
• metallized 81 to the component blank 1a.
• the laser radiation is precisely generated according to the pattern formed by the engraving or engravings 7 of the blank 1a, in a manner precisely superimposed on this or these engravings 7.
• a layer of metallic material 8 coming from the metallic layer 810 of said metallized plate 81 is transferred to the bottom 17 of the cavity or cavities 7, as represented by the figure 15.
• this technique makes it possible to transfer at least a portion of the metal layer 810 using laser pulses, in particular using femtosecond laser pulses, on the bottom 17 of the cavity or cavities 7, so as to form the layer of material 8.
• the thickness of this layer of material 8 is at least 100 nm.
• the method implements a final step which makes it possible to detach the blank or blanks 1a from the substrate 10a.
• FIG. 16 illustrates a variant embodiment of the second embodiment, in which the step of depositing material E4 consists of a step of applying to the bottom 17 of the cavity or cavities 7 a layer of material 8 which is a layer of a paint 80, applied by any technique known to those skilled in the art, such as a spraying technique or by means of a brush. Alternatively, a layer of a lacquer, a varnish or a composite, in particular a luminescent composite, can be applied.
• the thickness of said layer of material 8 may correspond to the depth or substantially correspond to the depth of the cavity 7 in which it is deposited.
• the depth is greater than 10 miti, or even greater than 15 miti, or even greater than 20 miti.
• all the steps could be implemented on a single component blank, not bonded to a substrate. They can also be implemented at different stages of the manufacture of a watch movement component, that is to say on a blank of such watch movement component, during manufacture, or even directly on a finished or near-finished watch movement component.
• the invention can be implemented further upstream of the embodiments described above, in particular in the same operation as all or part of the etching of the blank 1 a serving to define the outline of the future component, or even upstream of the operation of etching the blank 1a serving to define all or part of the contour of the future component.
• the method can for example comprise a step of positioning a first mask on the substrate 10a, this first mask serving to implement an etching, in particular a blind etching, of at least one cavity, with a view to depositing a material in said at least one cavity, according to the principle of the invention.
• the method can also comprise another step of positioning a second mask on the substrate 10a, in particular on a second surface of the substrate 10a, this second mask serving to implement an etching of an outline of the blank 1 a of component.
• this second mask serving to implement an etching of an outline of the blank 1 a of component.
• the etching serving to cut out the component from the substrate and the etching forming at least one cavity according to the invention can be carried out in the same operation, or partially in the same operation. These two engravings are made from different masks.
• Such a process variant is particularly suitable for the manufacture of a hairspring, for which it is particularly advantageous to produce the cavity or cavities of the invention before engraving the turns, otherwise it would be difficult in practice to position a resin on turns to etch the cavities of the invention since the resin would flow between these turns.
• the invention achieves the objects sought by the combination of the following two essential steps applied to at least a first portion comprising a surface, in particular an upper surface, of a watch movement component blank or of a watch movement component: etching E3 said surface of the blank or of the watch movement component to form at least one cavity; depositing a material E4 in said at least one cavity.
• the depth of at least one cavity, and preferably of all the cavities is advantageously less than 10 miti, or even less than 6 ⁇ m.
• This depth is also optionally greater than 3 ⁇ m.
• this depth may be between 3 ⁇ m and 10 ⁇ m, or even between 3 ⁇ m and 6 ⁇ m.
• the depth of at least one cavity, and preferably of all the cavities is between 10 ⁇ m and 100 ⁇ m, or even between 15 ⁇ m and 80 ⁇ m, or even between 20 ⁇ m and 50 ⁇ m.
• the depth of at least one cavity, and preferably of all the cavities, can also be greater than or equal to the thickness of a coating of silicon oxide present on said surface.
• a silicon oxide coating can comprise a thickness of between 0.5 ⁇ m and 5 ⁇ m.
• At least one cavity can moreover have a length of at least 100 ⁇ m, even of at least 150 ⁇ m, even of at least 200 ⁇ m, even of at least 250 ⁇ m, in at least least one direction. This length can be less than or equal to 800 ⁇ m, or even less than or equal to 600 ⁇ m, even less than or equal to 500 ⁇ m, even less than or equal to 400 ⁇ m.
• the material deposited in the at least one cavity can be a metal or a metal alloy. As a variant, it can be a paint, a lacquer, a varnish, a composite, in particular in particular a luminescent composite, with optionally an intermediate metallic adhesion layer.
• the material deposited in the at least one cavity advantageously has a thickness strictly less than the depth of the cavity.
• the deposition thickness may be greater than or equal to 100 nm. It can be between 100 nm and 1000 nm. Alternatively, it may have a thickness equal or substantially equal to the depth of the cavity.
• the invention applies particularly well to any watch movement component made of micro-machinable material, that is to say obtained from micro-manufacturing techniques, in particular those involving photolithography or those involving use of a laser.
• a watch movement component in particular its general shape, can for example be obtained, at least partially, by a step of deep reactive ion etching (abbreviation DRIE).
• DRIE deep reactive ion etching
• such a watch movement component, in particular its general shape can for example be obtained, at least partially, by UV-Liga (Lithographie Galvanik Abformung) technology.
• the watch movement component according to the invention may comprise all or part of the silicon, in any form. It can thus comprise monocrystalline silicon regardless of its orientation, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, amorphous silicon dioxide, doped silicon regardless of the type and level of doping, or even porous silicon. It can in particular be made from an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate.
• SOI silicon on insulator
• the watch movement component according to the invention may also comprise silicon carbide, glass, ceramic, quartz, ruby or even sapphire.
• it may be made of metal or of a metal alloy, in particular an at least partially amorphous metal alloy.
• such a component may comprise Ni or NiP.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and it is possible to imagine other embodiments, for example by combining the embodiments and/or variants thereof.
• the etching step E3 can combine the implementation of deep reactive ion etching by photolithography and etching by laser, in particular by a femtosecond laser. It therefore appears that the invention achieves the desired objects by advantageously combining an etching on a surface of a component and its partial, or even total, filling with a material.
• This combination makes it possible to form a legible marking, in particular a visible and attractive marking, even on a small surface, without impacting the functionality of a watch movement component.
• this surface is an upper surface or a visible surface, in particular a visible surface when the component is assembled within a watch movement.
• this surface is a bottom surface or a non-visible surface.
• Marking may be provided for decorative purposes. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided for identification purposes.
• the variants of the method according to the invention which involve a laser, in particular a femtosecond laser, are particularly advantageous in order to individualize the marking on a particular component of the watch movement, in particular on a particular hairspring.
• the marking can for example form a serial number or a measurement result.
• the invention also relates to a watch movement component obtained by the manufacturing process described above.
• the watch movement component may be a rocker, a wheel, such as an escapement wheel, an anchor, a balance wheel or a hairspring, in particular an oscillator hairspring.
• the watch movement component may be a hairspring in micro-machinable material comprising a first portion forming a connecting member comprising a surface, in particular an upper or a visible surface, and a second portion less rigid than the first portion comprising at least one blade wound in the form of a spiral forming a spring, the surface of the first portion comprising at least one cavity in which a material according to the invention is deposited.
• the watch component, or at least the portion comprising the surface considered by the invention is advantageously based on a micro-machinable material, in particular based on silicon, that is to say comprising by weight at least 50% micro-machinable material.
• Figure 18 illustrates a hairspring obtained by a manufacturing method according to one of the embodiments described above. It comprises at least one blade 2 whose upper surface 12 is located in a plane P1, and whose outer end is manufactured with a connecting member 3 whose rigidity is substantially greater than that of the at least one blade. 2.
• the spiral spring 1 further comprises a ferrule 4 of axis A1, which is manufactured with the inner end of the at least one blade 2.
• the connecting member 3 comprises a first central portion 31 in the form of a ring portion arranged around the blade 2, the angular extent of which is of the order of 100 degrees with respect to the axis A1.
• This connecting member 3 also comprises two bent portions 32 arranged on either side of the first central portion 31, which each comprise a positioning element 5 and/or for fixing said spiral spring, which is here in the form of an opening.
• the connecting member 3 has the particularity of comprising patterns (or indications) 6 affixed to its upper surface 11, positioned in the plane P1, in particular at the level of its central portion 31.
• the upper surface 11 is here formed in the continuity of the upper surface 12 of at least one blade 2 of the hairspring.
• the patterns 6 result from the method described above, and include cavities 7 formed from the upper surface 11, in which a layer of material 8 is deposited.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a sectional view of such a spiral spring at the level of the central portion 31 of the connecting member 3, with the aim of highlighting the aforementioned patterns 6, formed by cavities 7 of depth p, whose bottom 17 is covered by a layer of material 8.
• the contrast between the patterns 6 and the upper surface 11 of the connecting member 3 is all the more marked when a cavity 7 has a depth p, measured perpendicular to the plane P1 respectively enters the upper surface 11 and the bottom 17 of the cavities 7, which is as low as possible.
• this depth can be considered between respectively the upper surface 11 and the upper surface of the layer of material 8 deposited on the bottom 17 of the cavities 7, the thickness of which is very small.
• the extent e of the patterns measured radially relative to the axis A1 , can itself be greater than 100 miti, or even greater than 150 miti, or even greater than 200 miti, or even greater than 250 miti.
• Such patterns or indications 6 can thus be visible or readable once the hairspring 1 is mounted within an assembled balance wheel, itself assembled within a watch movement.
• This hairspring may be a hairspring for a hairspring. It can be one-piece. It can be in silicon. The surface considered by the invention can be covered with a coating of silicon oxide. Alternatively, it can be made from an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate.
• SOI silicon on insulator
• the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a watch movement component. It also relates to a timepiece which comprises at least one such watch movement or such a watch movement component.

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• 2022
  • 2022-06-02 WO PCT/EP2022/065123 patent/WO2022253983A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2022-06-02 CH CH00677/22A patent/CH718694A2/fr unknown
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