EP4428628A1 - Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4428628A1
EP4428628A1 EP24154223.2A EP24154223A EP4428628A1 EP 4428628 A1 EP4428628 A1 EP 4428628A1 EP 24154223 A EP24154223 A EP 24154223A EP 4428628 A1 EP4428628 A1 EP 4428628A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hairspring
arm
active length
pins
balance
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP24154223.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4428628B1 (de
Inventor
Paulo Bravo
Andrés Cabezas Jurin
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.)
Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Original Assignee
Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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 Swatch Group Research and Development SA filed Critical Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Publication of EP4428628A1 publication Critical patent/EP4428628A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4428628B1 publication Critical patent/EP4428628B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
    • G04B17/325—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton for fastening the hairspring in a fixed position, e.g. using a block
    • 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
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/04—Adjusting the beat of the pendulum, balance, or the like, e.g. putting into beat
    • G04B18/06—Adjusting the beat of the pendulum, balance, or the like, e.g. putting into beat by setting the collet or the stud of a hairspring
    • 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
    • G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
    • 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
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/02—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes
    • 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
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/02—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes
    • G04B18/023—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes with means for fine adjustment of the indexing device
    • 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
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/02—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes
    • G04B18/026—Locking the hair spring in the indexing device, e.g. goupille of the raquette

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an autonomous device for adjusting the active length of a hairspring, for a hairspring-balance type oscillator.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising the autonomous device for adjusting the active length of a hairspring and a balance-spring type oscillator.
  • the invention further relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising the watch movement.
  • the outer end of the hairspring is immobilized by a stud fixed to a stud holder secured to a balance cock.
  • a rotating indexing lever relative to the stud holder is provided to adjust the active length of the hairspring, thus making it possible to adjust the frequency of the sprung balance.
  • the indexing lever is a lever, generally provided with two arms, which pivots centered on the coordinate of the balance shaft.
  • a first arm of the indexing lever carries, for example, two pins between which the hairspring is free.
  • a second arm of the indexing lever can be manually actuated to pivot the indexing lever through a certain angle around the balance shaft. This makes it possible to modify the actual position of the counting point.
  • the active length of the hairspring is reduced or increased.
  • a disadvantage of such a manual adjustment device is that the Earth's gravity influences the frequency of the oscillations of the balance-spring depending on the orientation of the corresponding watch movement.
  • the rate of a watch may have a significant rate deviation between its horizontal and vertical positions, in particular.
  • the oscillations of the balance-spring cause a disturbance of its active length and therefore a slight variation in the frequency of the oscillations of the balance-spring assembly.
  • a solution implementing a device for adjusting the active length of the hairspring in which the index carries clamping means intended to clamp a terminal portion of the hairspring to define the active length of the latter.
  • the external end of the hairspring is furthermore integral with a fixing system mounted movably relative to the index and arranged to cooperate with the latter.
  • the clamping means consisting for example of a pin-eccentric clamping system in which the terminal portion of the hairspring is clamped, can be loosened or tightened at will by a watchmaker.
  • the invention therefore aims to provide a device for adjusting the active length of a balance spring, for a balance-spring type oscillator, making it possible to counterbalance in a simple, precise and autonomous manner the effects of gravity, in particular the disturbances of the isochronism of the balance of the oscillator, and overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art.
  • the invention relates to a device for autonomously adjusting the active length of a hairspring, for a balance-spring type oscillator, comprising a cock mounted on a plate of a watch movement and in which a balance shaft pivots, the hairspring comprising an internal end secured to the balance shaft and an external end secured to a stud fixed to a stud holder, the stud holder being pivotally mounted on the cock concentrically to the balance shaft, and means for modifying the active length of the hairspring.
  • An advantage of the adjustment device according to the invention lies in the fact that it comprises a weight mounted to rotate freely and cooperating indirectly with a movable arm arranged to act on the external coil of the balance spring.
  • a rotation of the weight, freely subjected to gravity thus causes a movement of the arm, between a rest position and a correction position of the device, and simultaneously acts on the balance spring to modify the active length of the balance spring, making it possible to adjust the latter in order to compensate for the disturbances of the isochronism of the balance due to gravity.
  • the adjustment device according to the invention makes it possible to precisely compensate for the rate of the oscillator according to its position in space, by counterbalancing the disturbances of the isochronism of the balance due to gravity, and this autonomously.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising the adjustment device described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in dependent claim 14.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising the watch movement described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in dependent claim 15.
  • FIG. 1 represents a part of a timepiece 1, which comprises a watch movement 2.
  • the timepiece 1 is a watch.
  • the watch movement 2 comprises an oscillator provided with a balance wheel 4 and a hairspring 5, and a device 6 for autonomously adjusting the active length of the hairspring 5.
  • the hairspring 5 is fixed to a balance shaft by its internal end (not visible).
  • the balance shaft has one end pivotally mounted in a balance bridge (the latter not being visible in the figures for clarity).
  • the outer end of the hairspring 5 is conventionally attached to a stud 8 fixed to a stud holder 10, the stud holder 10 being secured to a cock 12 by slight tightening. More precisely, the stud holder 10 is pivotally mounted on the cock 12 concentrically to the balance shaft 4, as illustrated in the figure 2 .
  • the balance shaft is pivotally mounted in cock 12.
  • the means 6 for modifying the active length of the hairspring 5 are capable of modifying the active length of the hairspring 5 by acting on the length of the external coil of the hairspring 5.
  • the means for modifying the active length of the hairspring 5 comprise a first arm 60 capable of moving between a rest position and a correction position of the device, the first arm having a first free end 600 and a second end 601 cooperating with a first pair of pins 19 forming a guide fork for the first arm 60, the first pair of pins 19 being mounted on the stud holder 10 and angularly offset relative to the stud 8 via a first support 8'.
  • the position of the first support 8' can be modified radially relative to the stud holder 10.
  • the second end 601 of the arm 60 can slide between the two pins 19 and comes into contact with the outer coil of the hairspring 5 in the correction position to modify the active length of the hairspring.
  • the adjustment device also comprises a second arm 61 capable of moving between a rest position and a correction position of the device, the second arm 61 having a first free end 610 and a second end cooperating with a second pair of pins 19' forming a guide fork for the second arm 61, the second pair of pins 19' being mounted on the stud holder 10 and angularly offset relative to the stud and to the first pair of pins 19 via a second support 8".
  • the position of the second support 8" can be modified radially relative to the stud holder 10.
  • the second end 611 of the second arm 61 can slide between the two pins 19' and comes into contact with the external coil of the hairspring in the correction position to modify the active length of the hairspring.
  • the means 6 for modifying the active length of the hairspring also comprise a spherical weight 40 movable in rotation about two axes A, B perpendicular to each other.
  • the spherical weight 40 is arranged to move in rotation about at least one of the axes A, B as a function of gravity, the movement of the weight 40 rotating a shaft 30 on which a cam 31 is mounted and/or the movement of a lever 49.
  • the rotation of the cam 31 causes a movement of the arm 60 to act on the hairspring and simultaneously modify the active length of the hairspring 5, and the same is true for the lever 49 which is arranged to cooperate with the second arm 61 and move the latter to act on the hairspring and simultaneously modify the active length of the hairspring 5.
  • the weight 40 is in the form of a spherical body rotating around the axis A and comprising a solid portion 400 and an openwork portion 401 with openwork elements 43, each portion forming one half of the spherical weight 40.
  • the solid portion 400 forms an unbalance and allows the weight 40 to return to its rest position.
  • the spherical weight comprises a first ring 41 on a large circle of the spherical weight, and a second ring 46 rotating about the axis B and encircling the spherical weight, the weight 40 being arranged to rotate in the second ring 46.
  • each ring rotates about an axis and defines a degree of rotation of the spherical weight 40.
  • the first ring 41 and the spherical weight 40 form a single-piece element and the first ring comprises at least one hollow 42 arranged to cooperate with a feeler 48 secured to the lever 49, the lever moving when the feeler 49 passes through the hollow 48.
  • the hollow 42 corresponding to a correction position, and it can obviously have several hollows on the surface of the first ring 41 so as to define a plurality of correction positions.
  • the sphere 40 and the second ring 46 are fixed to the plate 13 via a semi-circular frame 47, each end of the frame 47 having an opening to respectively allow the passage of the lever 49 acting on the second arm 61 and of a drive shaft 45 driving a first pinion 21 meshing with a second pinion 22 secured to the shaft 30 on which the cam 31 is mounted which acts on the first arm 60.
  • the adjustment device comprises elastic constraint means configured to exert an elastic return action in position on the arms 60, 61.
  • the elastic constraint means are in the form of a rod 62 secured to the arm 60 and a spring blade 63 secured to the stud holder 10, the spring blade 61 exerting a return force on the rod 62 and exerting an elastic return action in position on the arm 60.
  • Elastic constraint means are also associated with the second arm 61, and comprise a rod 64 secured to the second arm 61 and a spring blade 65 secured to the stud holder 10, the spring blade 65 exerting a return force on the rod 64 and exerting an elastic return action in position on the second arm 61.
  • the adjustment device 6 also comprises means for adjusting the arms 60, 61, the free end 600, 610 of the first and second arms 60, 61 comprising elastically deformable adjustment means for lengthening or shortening the length of the arms.
  • the adjustment means are in the form of a spring blade, a first end of which is secured to the arm and another end is free, the free end being arranged to be placed under stress and adjust the length of the arms 60, 61, the spring blade forming a space between it and the free end of each arm. Such an adjustment is necessary depending on the position of the hairspring and the correction to be made to the latter.
  • the means for modifying the active length of the hairspring 5 comprise two pins 19 fixed to the second stud 8', the second end 601 of the arm 60 being arranged so that it slides between the two pins 19 and comes into contact with the external coil of the hairspring 5 in the correction position and thus modifies the active length of the hairspring.
  • the means for modifying the active length of the balance spring 5 further comprise two other pins 19' fixed to the third stud 8", the second end 611 of the second arm 61 being arranged so that it passes between the two pins 19' and comes into contact with the external coil of the balance spring 5 in the correction position.
  • each arm 60, 61 comprises means for adjusting the elastic stress, the adjustment means being in the form of a screw, the screw passing through the free end of the spring blade and bearing against the arm.
  • the adjustment means being in the form of a screw, the screw passing through the free end of the spring blade and bearing against the arm.
  • the weight 40 is free to move in rotation, around the two axes A and B.
  • movement of the weight 40 causes a rotation of the first ring 41 and/or of the second ring 46, and respectively a rotation of the drive shaft 45 which drives the first pinion 21 meshing with the second pinion 22 secured to the shaft 30 on which the cam 31 is mounted, and/or a translation of the lever 49.
  • a movement of the weights 40 causes a movement of at least one of the arms 60, 61 to act simultaneously on the means for modifying the active length of the balance spring 5.
  • the movement of the arms under the effect of the movement of the weights 40 subjected to the gravity is carried out between a rest position of the device, and a correction position of the device.
  • Each of the arms allows a distinct correction according to the position of the watch, and thus to continuously adjust the active length of the balance spring in order to compensate for the disturbances of the isochronism of the balance due to gravity.
  • the cam is secured to the shaft 30 and is in contact with the free end 600 of the first arm 60.
  • the cam 31 is a radial cam with an external profile.
  • a radial cam with a substantially circular external profile is shown in the Figures 1 to 3 , in practice the shape envisaged for the external profile of the cam will depend on the type of spiral 5 used and the correction to be made to it.
  • a radial cam with a triangular, oblong or even ovoid external profile can also be used in the context of the present invention.
  • a flat portion of the cam 31 is in contact with the first arm 60, while in the correction position of the device 6, a corner or an angle of the cam 31 is in contact with the arm 60. More preferably, as visible in the figures, the cam 31 is in contact with the first arm 60 whatever the position of the weight 40.
  • the spherical weight 40 freely subjected to gravity can pivot and cause a movement of the arms 60, 61.
  • the movement of the weight makes it possible to act simultaneously on the means for modifying the active length of the balance spring 5, making it possible to continuously adjust the active length of the balance spring in order to compensate for the disturbances of the isochronism of the balance wheel due to gravity.
  • the device will return to its rest position by itself thanks to the action of the unbalance formed by the solid portion 400 of the weight 40.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement 2 comprising an oscillator 4, 5 of the balance-spring type and a device 6 for autonomous adjustment of the active length of the balance spring 5 as described previously.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece 1 comprising a watch movement 2 provided with a device 6 for autonomous adjustment of the active length of the balance spring 5 as described previously.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
EP24154223.2A 2023-03-06 2024-01-26 Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder Active EP4428628B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23160133 2023-03-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4428628A1 true EP4428628A1 (de) 2024-09-11
EP4428628B1 EP4428628B1 (de) 2025-12-03

Family

ID=85505726

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24154223.2A Active EP4428628B1 (de) 2023-03-06 2024-01-26 Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20240302795A1 (de)
EP (1) EP4428628B1 (de)
JP (1) JP7642886B2 (de)
CN (1) CN118625624A (de)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH705605B1 (fr) 2011-10-14 2016-10-14 Frederique Constant S A Dispositif de réglage de la longueur active d'un spiral.
EP3502788A1 (de) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-26 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Vorrichtung zur selbstregulierung der aktiven länge einer spirale

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH705605B1 (fr) 2011-10-14 2016-10-14 Frederique Constant S A Dispositif de réglage de la longueur active d'un spiral.
EP3502788A1 (de) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-26 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Vorrichtung zur selbstregulierung der aktiven länge einer spirale

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP7642886B2 (ja) 2025-03-10
CN118625624A (zh) 2024-09-10
EP4428628B1 (de) 2025-12-03
JP2024126008A (ja) 2024-09-19
US20240302795A1 (en) 2024-09-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3502788B1 (de) Vorrichtung zur selbstregulierung der aktiven länge einer spirale
CH709052B1 (fr) Balancier-spiral, mouvement et pièce d'horlogerie.
CH705605A2 (fr) Dispositif de réglage de la longueur active d'un spiral.
EP3839651A1 (de) Mechanischer oszillator einer uhr mit flexibler führung
EP4428627B1 (de) Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder
EP4194964A1 (de) Unruh mit trägheitsregulierung
CH718113B1 (fr) Ressort-spiral pour mécanisme résonateur d'horlogerie muni de moyens d'ajustement de la rigidité
EP4428628B1 (de) Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder
EP1798609A2 (de) Mechanische Vorrichtung zur Einstellung der Hemmung eines Regulierorgans
CH720580A2 (fr) Dispositif de réglage autonome de la longueur active d'un spiral
EP4428626B1 (de) Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder
EP4428624B1 (de) Vorrichtung zur autonomen einstellung der aktiven länge einer spiralfeder
CH720584A2 (fr) Dispositif de réglage autonome de la longueur active d'un spiral
EP3391154B1 (de) Schwingsystem für eine uhr
EP4432020A1 (de) Uhrwerk
CH720583A2 (fr) Dispositif de réglage autonome de la longueur active d'un spiral
EP3997525B1 (de) Einstellverfahren eines uhrwerk-oszillators mit flexiblem zapfen
CH720582A2 (fr) Dispositif de réglage autonome de la longueur active d'un spiral
EP4521173A1 (de) Uhrvorrichtung
EP4492157A1 (de) Verfahren zur einstellung des isochronismus eines spiral-unruh-reglers
EP4462193A1 (de) Mechanisches uhrwerk, das ein bewegliches element umfasst, das ein anzeigeelement mit einer bremsvorrichtung umfasst
EP4498174A1 (de) Regulierorgan für uhren, das ein betätigungssystem mit einer steuerwippe umfasst
EP4498176A1 (de) Regulierungsorgan für uhren, das mit einem linearem betätigungssystem augerustet ist
CH720948A1 (fr) Procédé de réglage de l'isochronisme d'un organe régulateur de type balancier-spiral
EP4498175A1 (de) Uhreinstellorgan mit hakenbetätigungssystem

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Free format text: CASE NUMBER: APP_6838/2025

Effective date: 20250210

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20250311

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: G04B 18/02 20060101AFI20250717BHEP

Ipc: G04B 18/06 20060101ALI20250717BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20250811

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: F10

Free format text: ST27 STATUS EVENT CODE: U-0-0-F10-F00 (AS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE)

Effective date: 20251203

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: R17

Free format text: ST27 STATUS EVENT CODE: U-0-0-R10-R17 (AS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE)

Effective date: 20251217

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602024001443

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH