WO2014146842A1

WO2014146842A1 - Unitary coaxial escapement anchor

Info

Publication number: WO2014146842A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/053055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Stranczl
Original assignee: Omega Sa
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: JP3203513U; DE212014000091U1; TW201506561A; CN205157985U

Abstract

The invention relates to a unitary coaxial escapement anchor (55, 65) comprising a first level (50) forming the main body of the anchor (55, 65) provided with a fork (57) and being arranged to receive a first series of pallets (56, 58). According to the invention, the anchor (55, 65) comprises a second level (52) forming a guard pin (53) on top of said fork and being arranged to receive a second series of pallets (54) on top of said first series of pallets (56, 58), the first (50) and second (52) levels being unitary in order to reduce problems of alignment relative to each other.

Description

Monobloc coaxial escapement anchor

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a monobloc coaxial escapement anchor and in particular such an anchor formed on two levels.

Background of the invention

It is known to form a coaxial exhaust anchor made on three levels to cooperate with a double coaxial escapement wheel and a plate. However, it is difficult to properly reference the different parts of such an anchor between them.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a monobloc coaxial escapement anchor formed on only two levels.

For this purpose, according to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a monoblock coaxial escapement anchor comprising a first level forming the main body of the anchor provided with a fork and being arranged to receive a first series of pallet characterized in that the anchor comprises a second level forming a stinger above said fork and being arranged to receive a second pallet series above said first pallet series, the first and second levels being monobloc in order to reduce the problems of alignment of one with respect to the other.

According to an alternative of the first embodiment, the palette series of one of the two levels has come form with its associated level. According to a second embodiment, the invention relates to a monoblock coaxial escapement anchor comprising a first level forming the main body of the anchor provided with a fork and a first pallet series characterized in that the anchor includes a second level forming a stinger above said fork and a second pallet series above said first pallet series, the first and second levels being integral to reduce alignment problems of one compared to each other.

It is understood, advantageously according to the two embodiments of the invention, that not only the levels between them are ideally referenced but also that the overall thickness can be advantageously reduced compared to current anchors.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

the first level and / or the second level comprises at least one additional level in order to mount at least one other functional element in a monobloc manner;

said at least one other functional element is an axis for rotatably mounting said anchor;

the anchor is formed from at least one metal, at least one metal alloy or silicon-based alloy.

In addition, the invention relates to a coaxial exhaust system for a timepiece characterized in that it comprises a monobloc coaxial exhaust anchor according to one of the preceding variants, said anchor co-operating with a mobile device. coaxial escapement, the first pallet series of the anchor cooperating with the escape wheel of the mobile, the second series of pallet of the anchor cooperating with the escape pinion of the mobile.

Brief description of the drawings Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figures 1 to 4 are representations of the successive steps of a method of manufacturing an exhaust anchor according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 5 to 8 are representations of the successive steps of a method of manufacturing an exhaust anchor according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective representation of a coaxial escapement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of a coaxial escapement according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention relates to an improved coaxial escapement system for a timepiece. The exhaust system 51, 61 according to the invention comprises a mobile 15 formed of a first 1 and a second 1 1 escape wheels. The second escape wheel January 1, also called impulse pinion, is mounted on the same axis 3. The angular position of the teeth 13 of the second escape wheel January 1 is indexed to the angular position of the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1.

The first escape wheel 1 is in the form of a classic Swiss anchor escapement wheel. The second escape wheel 1 1 also acts as an exhaust pinion by meshing with an intermediate wheel of the wheel 17 of the timepiece, which has the advantage of reducing the height of the mechanism. However, a pinion can be mounted in addition to two escape wheels to mesh with the gear 17 which imposes, in this alternative, three levels to the mobile coaxial escapement. The large plate 19 of the balance (not shown), carries a plate pin 21 and a pulse pallet 23. The plate pin 21 is intended to drive, in a back-and-forth motion, the anchor 55, 65 and the pulse pallet 23 is intended to cooperate with the teeth 8 of the first escape wheel 1.

According to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, the anchor 55 is in one piece and comprises two levels 50, 52 with distinct patterns one above the other. Advantageously according to the invention, the first level 50 forms the main body of the anchor 55. It is provided with a fork 57 with two horns intended to cooperate with the ankle 21 of the large plate 19. The first level 50 also includes housings adapted to receive a first series of pallets 56, 58 intended to cooperate with the teeth 8 of the escape wheel 1.

The second level 52 of the anchor 55, according to the first embodiment of the invention, comprises a dart 53 cantilevered above the fork 57 and centered between its horns. The second level 52 also comprises a base 59 formed in shape above the first level 50 and, in particular, having a housing adapted to receive a second series of pallet 54 intended to cooperate with the teeth 13 of the escape pinion 11. It is therefore understood, according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, that the second pallet series 54 is mounted above the first series of vanes 56, 58.

As explained below, the first 50 and second 52 levels are, advantageously according to the invention, monoblocs in order to reduce the problems of alignment with respect to one another. The pallets 54, 56, 58, preferably made of ruby, only have to be mounted in the housings suitable for mounting the anchor 55 in the exhaust system 51. The anchor 55 may be, preferably, formed from at least one metal, at least one metal alloy or even silicon-based.

According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10, the anchor 65 is in one piece and comprises two levels 60, 62 to distinct patterns one above the other. Advantageously according to the invention, the first level 60 forms the main body of the anchor 65. It is provided with a fork 67 with two horns intended to cooperate with the pin 21 of the large plate 1 9. The first level 60 also comprises a first series of pallets 66, 68 shaped and intended to cooperate with the teeth 8 of the escape wheel 1.

The second level 62 of the anchor 65, according to the second embodiment of the invention, comprises a dart 63 cantilevered above the fork 67 and centered between its horns. The second level 52 also comprises a base 69 formed in shape above the first level 50 and, in particular, comprising a second series of pallet 64 intended to cooperate with the teeth 1 3 of the escape pinion 1 1. It is thus understood, according to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10, that the second pallet series 64 is mounted above the first series of vanes 66, 68.

As explained below, the first 60 and second 62 levels are, advantageously according to the invention, monoblocs in order to reduce the problems of alignment with respect to one another. In addition, the anchor 65 may be, preferably, formed from at least one metal, at least one metal alloy or even silicon-based.

Of course, these two embodiments of Figures 9 and 10 can be formed using other materials. However, an electroformable material, on the one hand, or a micro-machinable material, on the other hand, are preferred. Indeed, to date, the reactive ion etching and electroforming type LIGA are the only processes capable of producing parts with the precision of the order of a few microns necessary for the proper operation of the anchor 55, 65. However any other process capable of meeting the same manufacturing tolerances is applicable.

An electroformable material may be formed with gold and / or copper and / or silver and / or indium and / or platinum and / or palladium and / or nickel without these compounds being exhaustive. Indeed, others Compounds such as phosphorus can be added in smaller amounts.

A micro-machinable material can be formed by silicon carbide, crystallized silicon, crystallized alumina or crystallized silica without these compounds being equally exhaustive.

Of course, the anchor 55, 65 may also include resilient fixing means to mount it to a rotation on an axis 70, 71. Such elastic means may, for example, take the form of those disclosed in FIGS. 10A to 10E of EP 1 655 642 or those disclosed in FIGS. 2 to 5 of document WO 2007/099068, which documents are incorporated by reference in FIG. this description.

Alternatively, the anchor 55, 65 may also include flexible means to be rotatably mounted along a virtual axis. Such flexible means may, for example, take the form of those disclosed in WO 201 2/01 0408, which document is incorporated by reference in the present description.

It is also understood that the configuration that the axis 70, 71 may have come in form with the anchor 55, 65 or mounted on it at the level of the first level 50, 60 and / or the second level 52, 62, is that is to say that an opening of one level could be greater than that of the other level which would comprise or not means of fixing. Similarly, nothing prevents each opening in each level includes its own fastening means.

In addition, the resilient fixing means could alternatively be replaced by plastic fixing means in particular when using boards based on a micro-machinable material. By way of example, they could be formed by a metal material washer allowing the anchor 55, 65 to be driven against the axis 70, 71 by plastic deformation without subjecting the material to stress. used to form the anchor 55, 65. Of course, other plastic fixing means are possible.

The two types of manufacture will be presented respectively in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 5 to 8. FIGS. 1 to 4 present successive main stages of a micromachining for a better understanding. Preferably, the method comprises a first step consisting in providing a substrate 31 comprising an upper layer 33 and a lower layer 35 made of micro-machinable materials which are interconnected by an intermediate layer 34. This type of substrate 31 is also known. under the abbreviation SOI from the English words "Silicon On Insulator".

In a second step, etching of at least one pattern 36 in the upper layer 33 to find the intermediate layer 34 to form a first level 50, 60, 52, 62 of the anchor 55, 65. This second step thus makes it possible to form one or more first pattern (s) of the anchor 55, 65 in the upper layer 33.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a mask 37 is formed, for example by photolithography, to protect the part of the upper layer 33 that it is desired to retain, and then, as illustrated by broken lines, the upper part of the substrate 31 is subjected. to an anisotropic attack of the deep reactive ion etching type also known by the abbreviation DRIE from the English words "Deep Reactive Ion Etching". As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first pattern 36 having a first level 50, 60, 52, 62 of the anchor 55, 65 is obtained.

In a third step, etching of at least one second pattern 38 in the lower layer 35 until the intermediate layer 34 is discovered in order to form, in one piece with the first level 50, 60, 52, 62, at the at least a second level 52, 62, 50, 60 of the anchor 55, 65. This third step thus makes it possible to form one or more second pattern (s) of the anchor 55, 65 in the lower layer 35. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a mask 39 is formed, for example by photolithography, to protect the part of the lower layer 35 that it is desired to retain and, as illustrated by broken lines, the lower part of the substrate 31 is subjected. an anisotropic attack of the deep reactive ion etching type (DRIE). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second pattern 38 having at least one second level 52, 62, 50, 60 is formed in one piece with one of the first levels 50, 60, 52, 62 formed in the preceding steps.

It remains more than to release each anchor 55, 65 on two levels thus formed of the substrate 31 and, possibly, the exposed parts of the intermediate layer 34 to mount the anchor 55, 65 in the exhaust system 51, 61 . Preferably, when the anchor 55, 65 is formed of silicon, an additional oxidation step is performed to form at least a portion of silicon dioxide at its outer surface in order to make it more mechanically resistant.

Figures 5 to 8 show successive main steps of electroforming for better understanding. Preferably, the method comprises a first step of providing a substrate 41 having an electrically conductive upper layer. This layer can be obtained by the deposition of an electrically conductive material on an insulating material or in that the substrate is formed of an electrically conductive material.

The main steps of electroforming consist in forming a mold and then filling the mold with a material, for example, using electroplating. This type of electroforming is known by the abbreviation LIGA from the German terms "rontgenLIthographie, Galvanoformung &Abformung". There are several types of LIGA-type processes depending on whether the multi-level mold is formed between each electroplating or is formed entirely to be filled only after. For the explanation below, the technique presented consists of to form each level, that is to say, to form a level of the mold and fill it before going to the next level. Of course, any type of electroforming, LIGA type or not, capable of forming a monoblock anchor at least two distinct levels is possible.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a first step, the first level 47 of the mold is formed using, for example, a photolithography of a resin as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is formed at least one cavity of corresponding shape a first level 50, 60, 52, 62 of the anchor 55, 65. Said at least one cavity is then filled by electrodeposition of a metal material 46.

As illustrated in Figure 7 similarly to the first time, in a second step, a second level 49 of resin is formed using, for example, also a photolithography. At least one recess of corresponding shape is formed at the second level 52, 62, 50, 60 of the anchor 55, 65 and communicating with said at least one cavity of the first level 47 of resin. The second level 49 of resin is then filled by electrodeposition of a metallic material 48.

It remains more than to release the anchor 55, 65 on two levels thus formed of the substrate 41 and the resins 47, 49 as illustrated in FIG. 8 in order to mount the anchor 55, 65 in the exhaust system 51, 61. In the example of an anchor 55, 65 obtained by electroforming, it is understood that it is no longer necessary to form the elastic or plastic fixing means because the metal material can be driven directly on the axis 70, 71.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible of various variations and modifications that will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, it should be understood that at least two levels are made integrally. Thus, it is perfectly conceivable that at least one additional level is formed against the first and / or second levels 50, 60, 52, 62, for add other functional elements in one-piece fashion, such as, for example, the axis 70, 71.

In addition, the two embodiments of Figures 9 and 10 may be combined. It is thus understood, in particular, that a level of the first embodiment can be combined with a level of the second embodiment to form a coaxial escapement anchor which comprises at least one level of the anchor 55 and at least one other anchor level 65.

Finally, other levels can be added to further space the functional elements between them. By way of non-limiting example, the stinger 53, 63 could have a base on a first level and the element cantilevered on a level above in order to further space the element bearing over the range 57, 67 to, for example, allow the use of a pin 21 higher.

Claims

1. Monobloc coaxial escapement anchor (55, 65) having a first level (50) forming the main body of the anchor (55, 65) having a fork (57) and being arranged to receive a first pallet series ( 56, 58) characterized in that the anchor (55, 65) has a second level (52) forming a stinger (53) above said fork and being arranged to receive a second pallet series (54) over the above said first pallet series (56, 58), the first (50) and second (52) levels being one-piece to reduce misalignment with respect to each other.

2. Anchor (55, 65) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pallet series (54, 56, 58) of one of the two levels (50, 52) has come form with its associated level.

3. Anchor (55, 65) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second pallet series (54, 56, 58) have a shape with its associated level (50,52).

4. Anchor (55, 65) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first level (50, 60) and / or the second level (52, 62) comprises at least one additional level to rise from at least one other functional element (70, 71) integrally.

5. Anchor (55, 65) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one other functional element (70, 71) is an axis for rotatably mounting said anchor.

6. Anchor (55, 65) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed from at least one metal or at least one metal alloy.

7. Anchor (55, 65) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is formed based on silicon.

8. Coaxial escapement system (51, 61) for a timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a single-piece coaxial escapement anchor (55, 65) according to one of the preceding claims, said anchor cooperating with a coaxial escapement wheel (15), the first pallet series (56, 58, 66, 68) of the anchor (55, 65) cooperating with the escape wheel (1) of the mobile (1 5), the second pallet series (54, 64) of the anchor (55, 65) cooperating with the escape pinion (1 1) of the mobile (1 5).