WO2017157869A1

WO2017157869A1 - Position-adjustable micromechanism, time-keeping movement and timepiece comprising such a mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2017157869A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/055874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Semon; Nima Tolou; Sjoerd VAN BRACHT; Justus Laurens Herder
Original assignee: Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa
Priority date: 2016-03-14
Filing date: 2017-03-13
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: FR3048793A1; FR3048793B1; CH713791B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a micromechanism comprising a first part (15), a second part (53) having a position that can be adjusted in relation to the first part, and a locking device (56) for locking the second part in position in relation to the first part. The locking device comprises an elastic bearing body (63) connected to the first part, a first adjustment finger (58a) connected to the first part, and a second adjustment finger (57a) connected to the second part and extending in the opposite direction to that of the first adjustment part, and the elastic bearing body (63) is designed to exert pressure on the second adjustment finger by frictionally locking it against the first adjustment finger.

Description

Micro mechanism with position adjustment, watch movement and timepiece including such mechanism

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to position-controlled micro mechanisms, as well as to watch movements and timepieces comprising such mechanisms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Micro mechanisms are known comprising a first portion, a second portion having an adjustable position relative to the first portion, and a locking device adapted to lock the second portion in position relative to the first portion.

Such a micro mechanism has been described for example by

Henneken et al. (VA Henneken, WP Sassen, W. van der Vlist, WHA Wien, M. Tichem, and PM Sarro.) Two-dimensional fiber positioning and clamping device for product-internal microassembly Microelectromechanical Systems, Journal of 17 (3): 724 -734, 2008).

This document describes a micro rack mechanism which has many drawbacks, in particular the amplitude of position adjustment is limited by the type of locking device, the locking force is relatively low, and this micro-mechanism requires two separate actuators. to adjust the relative position between the first and second parts.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended in particular to overcome all or part of these disadvantages.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a micro mechanism of the kind in question is characterized in that the locking device comprises at least one elastic support member connected to the first part, at least one first adjusting finger extending according to a direction of adjustment to a free end, at least a second adjusting finger extending in the direction of adjustment, in the opposite direction of the first adjusting finger to a free end, the first and second adjusting fingers being connected, the one to the first part and the other to the second part,

and in that the elastic support member is adapted to exert a bearing on the second adjusting finger substantially perpendicular to the direction of adjustment, by frictionally locking it against the first adjusting finger when the second part is in a position adjustment .

Thanks to these provisions, it avoids the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art:

the adjustment range in position depends solely on the length of the first and second adjustment fingers and can therefore be adapted to the needs,

the blocking force depends on the bearing force of the resilient support member, and can also easily be adapted to the needs by choosing a more or less stiff elastic support member,

the implementation blocking device does not require two separate actuations for adjustment and blocking; the locking is done here without actuation, by the simple elasticity of the elastic support member.

In various embodiments of the micro-mechanism according to the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used:

the first adjustment finger is linked to the first part and the second adjustment finger is linked to the second part;

the first and second adjusting fingers are flexible perpendicular to the direction of adjustment and the locking device further comprises a rigid stop, which is arranged facing the adapted support member to support the first and second adjusting fingers against the biasing of the resilient support member when the second portion is in a setting position;

the rigid abutment is integral with the first part;

the locking device further comprises a rigid spacer which is adapted to bear against the rigid abutment perpendicular to the direction of adjustment and to interpose between firstly the first and second adjusting fingers and secondly , the rigid abutment when the first and second adjusting fingers are in mutual contact, said rigid spacer being adapted to support, with the rigid abutment, the first and second adjusting fingers against the biasing of the elastic bearing member when the second part is in a setting position;

the locking device comprises a plurality of first fingers and a plurality of second fingers interposed with the first adjusting fingers, the first and second adjusting fingers being adapted for mutual contact perpendicular to the direction of adjustment when the second part is in a setting position - the locking device comprises between 3 and 10 first adjustment fingers;

- The first portion comprises a first rigid portion which carries the resilient support member and said at least a first adjusting finger and the rigid stop;

the second part comprises a second rigid portion which carries the said at least one second adjusting finger and the rigid spacer;

each of the first and second adjusting fingers comprises a flexible support rod and a head which is thicker than the support rod; said head has a certain length in the direction of adjustment and has a constant thickness over a major part of said length;

the micro mechanism is intended for a timepiece and comprises:

a support,

at least one inertial regulating organ,

an elastic suspension connecting said at least one inertial regulating member to the support and having a certain overall stiffness,

said at least one inertial regulating member being adapted to oscillate at a frequency f with respect to the support,

the elastic suspension comprising an elastic adjustment connection having a first end connected to said at least one inertial regulating member and a second end which is connected to the support by said locking device, said second end forming one of said first and second parts and the support forming the other of said first and second parts,

said locking device being adapted to change the position of the second end of said elastic adjustment link relative to the support, so as to modify the overall stiffness of the elastic suspension and therefore said frequency f;

the micro mechanism further comprises a frequency adjusting member which is connected to the second end of said elastic adjustment connection, said frequency adjustment member being adjustable in position relative to the support by the locking device so as to be able to deforming said elastic adjustment connection;

the micro mechanism further comprises an anchor adapted to cooperate with an energy distribution member provided with teeth and intended to be biased by an energy storage device, said anchor being controlled by said at least one inertial regulating member to regularly and alternately block and release the power distribution member, so that said power distribution member moves step by step under the stress of the energy storage device according to a repetitive cycle of movement, and said an anchor being adapted to transfer mechanical energy to said at least one inertial regulating member during this cycle of repetitive motion;

the regulator comprises first and second inertial regulating members interconnected so as to always have symmetrical and opposite movements,

the first inertial regulating member controls the anchor, the second inertial regulating member controls a balancing member for moving said balancing member in symmetrical and opposite movements to the anchor, and said elastic adjustment link comprises at least first and second elastic portions, the first elastic portion connecting the second inertial regulating member to the balancing member and the second elastic portion connecting said balancing member to the locking device;

the first and second inertial regulating members are mounted on the support to oscillate in translation in a first direction of translation, the anchor and the balancing member are mounted elastically on the support to oscillate in translation in a second translational direction; substantially perpendicular to the first direction of translation, and the locking device is adapted to adjust the position of the second end of the elastic adjustment connection relative to the support at least parallel to the second direction of translation;

each of the first and second inertial regulating members is mounted on the support by two elastic suspension arms substantially perpendicular to the first direction of translation,

the anchor and the balancing member being mounted on the support respectively by two elastic suspension arms substantially perpendicular to the second direction of translation;

the frequency adjusting member is connected to the support by two elastic branches substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation, the frequency adjusting member and the elastic branches of said frequency adjusting member being arranged in a space delimited by the member balancing, the support and the two elastic suspension arms of said balancing member,

and the locking device is disposed in a space delimited by the frequency adjusting member, the support and the two elastic branches of said frequency adjusting member;

said second elastic portion comprises at least one U-shaped portion, comprising two branches substantially parallel to the first translation direction, having free ends which are respectively connected to the frequency adjusting member and to the balancing member;

the first and second regulating members are interconnected by a pivoting balancing lever;

the anchor and the balancing member are respectively connected to the first and second regulating members by first and second driving elastic branches;

the micro mechanism is monolithic and made in a single plate;

the resilient support member comprises an elastic branch having two ends integral with the first part and having a curved shape of convexity turned towards the first and second adjusting fingers; the elastic support member is adapted to exert on the first and second adjusting fingers an elastic bearing force of between 40 and 100 m.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising the micro mechanism as defined above and said power distribution member.

Finally, the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a movement as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a timepiece that can include a micro mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the movement of the timepiece of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of part of the movement of FIG. 2, comprising the regulator, the anchor, the balancing member, the frequency adjusting member and the dispenser member; energy,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 3, showing different positions of the micro mechanism,

FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing the locking device of the frequency adjusting member of FIG. 3,

and Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 3 and 6, respectively, showing another position of the frequency adjusting member.

DESCRIPTION DETAILED

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1 represents a timepiece 1 such as a watch, comprising:

a housing 2,

a watch movement 3 contained in the case

2

generally, a winding 4,

- a dial 5,

a glass 6 covering the dial 5,

a time indicator 7, comprising for example two needles 7a, 7b respectively for hours and minutes, placed between the glass 6 and the dial 5 and actuated by the watch movement 3.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the watch movement 3 can comprise, for example:

a device 8 for storing mechanical energy, generally a mainspring,

a mechanical transmission 9 driven by the mechanical energy storage device 8,

the time indicator 7 mentioned above,

a power distribution member 10 (for example an escape wheel),

an anchor 11 adapted to sequentially retain and release the energy delivery member 10,

- A regulator 12, which is a mechanism comprising an oscillating regulating member controlling the anchor 11 to move it regularly so that the power distribution member is moved step by step at constant time intervals.

The anchor 11 and the regulator 12 form a micro mechanism 13 which can advantageously be monolithic, as will be explained below.

The watch movement 3 will now be explained in more detail with the aid of FIG. 3, which represents a particular case where the micro mechanism 13 is a system monolithic formed in the same plate 14 (usually flat) and whose moving parts are designed to move substantially in a mean plane of said plate 14. The invention is however not limited to such a monolithic system.

The plate 14 may be thin, for example about 0.05 to about 1 mm, depending on the nature of the material of the plate 14.

The plate 14 may have transverse dimensions, in the XY plane of the plate (in particular width and length, or diameter), between about 10 mm and 40 mm. X and Y are two perpendicular axes defining the plane of the plate 14.

The plate 14 may be made of any suitable rigid material, preferably having a low Young's modulus to exhibit good elasticity properties and a low oscillation frequency. Examples of materials usable for producing the plate 14 include silicon, nickel, iron / nickel alloy, steel, titanium. In the case of silicon, the thickness of the plate 14 may for example be between 0.2 and 0.6 mm.

The various members formed in the plate 14, are obtained by making openings in the plate 14, obtained by any manufacturing process used in micromechanics, in particular the processes used for the manufacture of MEMS.

In the case of a silicon plate 14, the plate can be locally hollowed out for example by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) or possibly by laser cutting for small series.

In the case of an iron / nickel plate 14, the plate could be made in particular by the LIGA method, or by laser cutting.

In the case of a plate 14 of steel or titanium, the plate 14 can be hollowed out, for example by electromechanical wire erosion (WEDM).

The constituent parts of the micro mechanism will now be described in more detail. Some of these parts are rigid and others (especially those called "elastic branches") are elastically deformable, mainly in flexion. The difference between the rigid parts and the elastic parts, is their stiffness in the XY plane of the plate 14, which is due to their shape and in particular to their slenderness. The slenderness can be measured in particular by the slenderness ratio (length / width ratio of the part concerned). For example, the rigid parts have a stiffness at least about 100 times higher in the XY plane than the elastic parts. Typical dimensions for the elastic links, for example the elastic branches which will be described below, include lengths for example between 5 and 13 mm and widths for example between 0.01 mm (10 μιη) and 0.04 mm (40 μιη), in particular approximately 0.025 mm (25 μιη). Given the widths of the beams and the thickness of the plate 14, the aspect ratio of these beams in longitudinal section is between 5 and 60. The largest aspect ratio possible is preferred to limit the modes oscillation off plane.

The plate 14 forms a fixed external frame 15 which is fixed to a support plate 14a, for example by screws or the like (not shown) passing through holes 15a of the frame 15. The support plate 14a is secured to the housing 2 of the timepiece 1. The frame 15 may at least partially surround the energy distribution member 10, the anchor 11 and the regulator 12.

The energy distribution member 10 may be an escapement wheel rotatably mounted for example on the support plate 14a, so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation Z0 perpendicular to the plane XY of the plate 14. The energy distribution member 10 is biased by the energy storage 8 in a single direction of rotation 16.

The energy distribution member 10 has external teeth 17.

The anchor 11 is a rigid piece which may comprise a rigid body 18 extending for example parallel to the axis X and two rigid parallel side arms 19, 20 extending for example parallel to the Y axis of the side and side. other of the power distribution member 10. The arms 19, 20 respectively comprise two stop members 21,

22 in the form of fingers projecting towards each other in the direction of the X axis from the arms 19, 20.

The anchor 11 is elastically connected to the frame 15, so as to be able to move parallel to the axis X, in a direction of translation 02. Advantageously, the anchor 11 can be connected to the frame 15 by an elastic suspension, comprising by example two elastic branches

23 substantially parallel to the axis Y. Optionally, the elastic branches 23 may be connected to the body 18 and disposed on either side of the side arms 19, 20, flanking these side arms.

The anchor 11 may further comprise a rigid arm

24 extending along the Y axis to the regulator 12, opposite the arm 20.

The anchor 11 may further comprise a monostable resilient member 11a, which may be in the form of a resilient tongue whose free end comes to bear on the teeth 17 of the energy dispensing member 10. monostable elastic member 11a may be connected to the rigid arm 19 of the anchor 11, for example by an elastic suspension comprising two parallel elastic branches 11b extending along the axis Y from the free end of the rigid arm 19, extending the rigid arm 19 to a rigid support 11c which carries the elastic member monostable lia. The monostable elastic member 11a may extend along the Y axis towards the regulator 12, from the rigid support 11c. The monostable elastic member 11a serves for the energy distribution member 10 to transfer a precisely determined mechanical energy to the regulator at each cycle of operation of the watch movement 3, as explained in European Patent Application No. 14197015.

The micro mechanism 13 further comprises a balancing member 25, which is also formed integrally with the frame 15 and which is carried by the frame 15 to oscillate parallel to the axis X, in the direction of translation 02. The balancing member 25 may for example comprise:

a rigid body 26 extending parallel to the axis X, symmetrically to the body 18 of the anchor relative to an axis of symmetry YO parallel to the aforementioned Y axis, and a rigid arm 28 extending along the axis Y to the regulator 12, symmetrically to the arm 24 of the anchor relative to the axis of symmetry YO.

The balancing member 25 may also be inside the frame 15 and may be connected to the frame 15 by an elastic suspension, comprising for example two elastic branches 27 substantially parallel to the axis Y and symmetrical elastic branches 23 of the anchor 11. Optionally, the elastic branches 23 may be connected to the body 26 of the balancing member 25.

The anchor 11 and the balancing member 25 are each mounted on the frame 15 to oscillate in circular translation, with an oscillation amplitude in the translation direction O2 and a secondary oscillation amplitude, non-zero, perpendicularly. at the second direction of translation. Said oscillation amplitude in the translation direction 02 is greater than the secondary oscillation amplitude of the anchor and the balancing member, for example at least 10 times more large than the secondary oscillation amplitude of the anchor and the balancing member.

The balancing member 25 may advantageously have a mass substantially identical to that of the anchor 11, for example between 90% and 110% of the mass of the anchor 11. The mass of the balancing member is very close to that of the anchor but is not necessarily identical to take into account the fact that the stresses applied to one or the other of these organs are not quite symmetrical (for example the anchor is in contact with the power distribution member while the balancing member is not).

The regulator 12 is a mechanical oscillator comprising first and second regulating members 29, 30 each forming a rigid inertial mass, each connected to the frame 15 by and an elastic suspension which is adapted so that the first and second regulating members 29, 30 oscillate according to the Y axis, in a translation direction 01.

The elastic suspension is formed by all of the elastic links 31; 36, 55 which connect (directly or indirectly) the first and second regulating members 29, 30 to the frame 15. This elastic suspension has a certain overall stiffness, on which depends the oscillation frequency f of the first and second regulating members 29, 30.

The elastic suspension of the first and second regulating members 29, 30 may comprise, for example, two elastic branches 31 for each regulating member 29, 30, extending substantially along the X axis and connected to the frame 15.

Each of the first and second regulating members 29, 30 is thus mounted on the frame 15 to oscillate in circular translation, with a first amplitude of oscillation in the translation direction 01 and with a non-zero secondary oscillation amplitude perpendicular to the translation direction 01. Said oscillation amplitude in the translation direction 01 is greater than the secondary oscillation amplitude of the first and second regulating members, for example at the less than 10 times larger than the secondary oscillation amplitude.

In the example shown, the first and second regulating members 29, 30 may each have a shape of C, with a main body 32 extending along the Y axis between two lateral arms 33 extending towards the inside of the frame 15. The aforementioned elastic branches 31 may advantageously be connected to the free ends of the lateral arms 33, which makes it possible to have long elastic branches 31 and therefore particularly flexible.

The first and second regulating members 29, 30 may be two pieces symmetrical with respect to the above-mentioned axis of symmetry YO, of identical or substantially identical mass. They can define between them a central free space 34.

The first and second regulating members 29, 30 may be respectively connected to the anchor 11 and to the balancing member 25, for example by elastic driving branches 36. Thus, the first regulating member 29 controls the movements of the anchor 11 and the second regulating member 30 control the movements of the balancing member 25.

The elastic drive arms 36 may, for example, extend substantially along the X axis. The driving elastic branches 36 may in particular be connected to the free ends of the rigid arm 24 of the anchor and of the rigid arm 28 respectively. balancing element.

Optionally, each of the first and second regulating members 29, 30 may comprise a notch 35 open along the X axis between the main body 32 and the rigid arm 33 closest to the anchor 11 or the balancing member 25, and the corresponding resilient driving arm 36 can be connected to the main body 32 at the bottom of said notch 35, which makes it possible to lengthen the driving elastic branches 36 and thus to increase its flexibility.

In the free interior space 34 is disposed a rigid balancing lever 37, pivotally mounted about a center of rotation P central. The balancing lever 37 may optionally have a shape substantially in M, with a central part 38 in V diverging from the center of rotation P and two lateral arms 39.

The lateral arms 39 may be respectively connected to the first and second regulating members 29, 30, for example by two elastic branches 40 extending substantially along the Y axis.

The balancing lever 37 can be mounted, by an elastic suspension 43, on a rigid support 40a rigidly connected to the frame 15. The rigid support 40a can for example comprise an arm 41 extending on the axis of symmetry Y0, since the frame 15 to a head 42 which may for example extend along the axis X giving the support 40a a T-shape.

The elastic suspension 43 may for example comprise:

a rigid pivoting member 44 disposed inside the balancing lever 37, comprising for example a central core 45 at the center of rotation P, extending along the X axis between two enlarged heads 46, two rigid intermediate bodies 47, 48 disposed on either side of the central core 45 near the center of rotation P,

two elastic branches 49 respectively connecting the free ends of the head 42 of the rigid support 40a to the rigid intermediate body 47, two elastic branches 50 respectively connecting the rigid intermediate body 47 to one of the free ends of the enlarged heads 46,

two elastic branches 51 symmetrical elastic branches 50, respectively connecting the rigid intermediate body 48 to the other of the free ends of the enlarged heads 46,

two elastic branches 52 connecting the rigid intermediate body 48 respectively to the ends of the central portion 38 of the balancing lever.

The balancing lever 37 imposes on the first and second regulating members 29, 30 to move symmetrically and opposite in the direction of translation 01, which, by means of the driving elastic branches 36, imposes on the anchor 11 and the balancing member 25 to move symmetrically and opposite in the direction of translation 02, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 which show the two end positions of the mechanism 13.

These opposing movements allow a dynamic balancing mechanism 13, which reduces the sensitivity of the mechanism 13 shock, gravity and more generally accelerations.

The micro mechanism 13 may further comprise a frequency adjusting member 53, which makes it possible to fine-tune the oscillation frequency of the regulator 12, in particular when mounting the movement 3. The frequency adjusting member 53 can for example be formed in one piece in the plate 14 with the other elements of the micro mechanism 13 mentioned above.

The frequency adjusting member 53 is connected, directly or indirectly, to at least one of the regulating members 29, 30 by a so-called adjustable elastic connection 36, 55. The frequency adjusting member 53 is furthermore adjustable in position relative to the frame 15 so as to be able to deform the elastic adjustment connection 36, 55 and thus apply an adjustable elastic stress on the regulating member in question, so as to influence the overall stiffness of the elastic suspension of the regulator 12, and therefore on the aforementioned frequency f.

The frequency adjusting member 53 may for example be connected to the frame 15 by two elastic branches 54 extending along the axis Y.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the elastic adjustment connection 36, 55 comprises two elastic parts:

a first elastic portion formed by the elastic branch connecting the second regulating member 30 to the balancing member 25,

and a second elastic portion 55 connecting the balancing member 25 to the frequency adjusting member 53.

The second elastic portion 55 may comprise at least one U-shaped portion, or be constituted by a U. In this case, the elastic connection 55 may comprise two branches substantially parallel to the Y axis which are interconnected at one end. close to the frame 15, and whose free ends are respectively connected to the frequency adjusting member 53 and to the balancing member 25.

The frequency adjusting member 53 is mounted movably relative to the frame 15 and to the support plate 14a, at least parallel to the axis X (that is to say parallel to the translation direction 02), by example thanks to the aforementioned elastic branches 54. The frequency adjusting member 53 comprises a blocking device 56 adapted to lock the frequency adjusting member 53 with respect to the frame 15.

The frequency adjusting member 53, the elastic branches 54, the elastic connection 55 and the blocking 56 may advantageously be entirely arranged in the space defined between the balancing member 25, the elastic branches 27 and the frame 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the locking device 56 may comprise two combs 57, 58 which are respectively integral with the frequency adjusting member 53 and the frame 15. Each comb may comprise at least one finger and preferably a plurality of adjusting fingers, respectively 57a, 58a. Each comb 57, 58 may advantageously have a number of adjusting fingers comprised between 3 and 10. For example, each comb 57, 58 has 5 adjusting fingers 57a, 58a in the particular case shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

All the adjusting fingers 57a, 58a extend in the same direction of adjustment, here the X axis (that is to say the direction of translation 02), from a first end secured respectively to the frame 15 or the body frequency adjusting device 53 to a free end. The adjustment fingers 58a secured to the frame 15 (so-called first adjustment fingers) extend in a first direction in the direction of adjustment (to the left in FIGS. 3 and 6). The adjusting fingers 57a integral with the frequency adjusting member 53 (said second adjusting fingers) extend in a second direction opposite the first direction in the direction of adjustment (to the right in Figures 3 and 6).

Each of the first and second adjustment fingers 58a, 57a may comprise a flexible support rod 58b, 57b which extends from their first end secured respectively to the frame 15 or to the frequency adjusting member 53, to a head 58c 57c wider than the support rod (the width is measured perpendicular to the direction of adjustment in the XY plane of the plate 14, that is to say in the Y direction in the example represent) . Said head forms said free end of the adjusting finger or is formed in the vicinity of said free end.

The support rod 58b, 57b has a length 11 in the direction of adjustment and the head 58c, 57c has a length 12 in the direction of adjustment. The lengths 11, 12 are identical for all the adjustment fingers of the same comb 57, 58, but may possibly be different from one comb 57, 58 to the other. The length 11 of the support rods 58b, 57b may for example be of the order of 1 to 2 mm, and the length 12 of the heads 58c, 57c may for example be of the order of 0.5 to 1 mm, even more according to the needs. The amplitude of adjustment of the position of the frequency adjusting member 53 in the direction of adjustment is determined by the length 12 of the heads 58c, 57c, as will be explained hereinafter.

The support rods 58b, 57b are elastic branches as defined above, and may have widths for example between 0.01 mm (10 μιη) and 0.04 mm (40 μιη), in particular around 0.025 mm ( 25 μιη), as previously explained.

The heads 58c, 57c have a width e which may be for example between 250 and 500 μιτι, and therefore constitute rigid parts. The width e may be constant over a major part of the length 12 of the head, or possibly variable, for example decreasing toward the free end of the adjusting finger.

The adjustment fingers 58b, 57b of the same comb are arranged with their heads aligned perpendicular to the direction of adjustment (along the Y axis in the example shown) and arranged with a constant pitch perpendicular to the direction of adjustment. The step in question is determined to leave between two heads of the same comb, a substantially equal free width or slightly smaller than the width of the heads of the other comb. The second adjustment fingers 57b are shifted by half a step relative to the first adjustment fingers 58b, so as to be inserted between the first adjustment fingers 58b when the frequency adjusting member 53 is displaced while moving away. of the anchor 11, that is to say to the right in the example of Figures 3 and 6.

In the example considered here, the first ends of the support rods 57b are integral with a rigid arm 59 extending perpendicularly to the direction of adjustment (hence here along the Y axis) and belonging to the adjustment member of FIG. frequency 53.

The frequency adjusting member 53 may also comprise a rigid spacer 60 which extends in the direction of adjustment projecting towards the comb 58, to a free end which may for example be aligned with the free ends of the second adjusting fingers 57a. The rigid spacer 60 may have a constant width perpendicular to the direction of adjustment. The rigid spacer 60 may be spaced from the head 57c of the second adjustment finger closest to it, so as to provide a free space identical or similar to the free space left between two heads 57c.

In the example considered here, the first ends of the support rods 58b are integral with a rigid arm 61 extending perpendicular to the direction of adjustment (hence here along the Y axis) and belonging to the frame 15.

The locking device 56 may further comprise a rigid stop 62 which extends in the direction of adjustment from the rigid arm 61, between the frequency adjusting member 53 and the comb 58. In the example under consideration, the rigid stop 62 is spaced from the first adjustment finger 58a closest, a distance sufficient to allow the rigid spacer 60 to enter between the rigid abutment 62 and said first adjustment finger 58a closest to the rigid abutment 62 when the frequency adjuster 53 is moved to the right in the example of Figures 3 and 6. The rigid spacer 60 is then in contact with the rigid stop 62 and said first adjustment finger 58a closest to the rigid stop 62.

The locking device 56 further comprises at least one resilient support member 63 integral with the frame 15. This elastic support member is elastically deformable perpendicularly to the adjustment direction 02. The elastic support member may comprise a portion support 64 which is aligned with the heads 58c of the first adjustment fingers 58a, and which is slightly spaced from the head 58c of the first adjustment finger 58a closest to it, leaving a free space which can be of the same order that the free spaces left free between the heads 58c of the first adjustment fingers 58a. The bearing portion 64 may for example be in the form of protruding stud towards the head 58c of the first adjustment finger 58a nearest, or have another form providing a substantially punctual contact with the head 58c.

The resilient support member 63 may in particular take the form of an elastic branch formed in the plate 14 and secured to the frame 15 at each of its ends. One end of the support member 63 may for example be secured to the frame 15 and the other end of the rigid arm 61.

The elastic support member 64 may in particular have a curved shape, having in all respects a convexity that turns towards the combs 57, 58.

When the frequency adjusting member 53 is moved so that the adjusting fingers 57a, 58a are interposed between each other, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the resilient support member 63 (and in particular the support portion 64) is adapted to exercise a resting on the head 57c of the second adjustment finger 57a closest to it, substantially perpendicular to the adjustment direction 02, by frictionally locking it against the first adjustment finger 58a closest to it, thereby blocking the organ frequency setting 53 in position.

The elastic bearing member 63 may be adapted to then exert on the head 57c of the second adjusting finger 57a closest to it, a bearing force Fs perpendicular to the direction of adjustment which is at least 40 mN ( 40 milli Newtons) and 100 mN, especially between 48 and 70 mN. The elastic support member 63 may for example have an elastic stiffness, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of adjustment, between 800 and 2000 N / m, for example of the order of 1000 N / m.

When the combs 57, 58 each have several adjusting fingers 57a, 58a, the heads 57c, 58c of the fingers are then in mutual contact perpendicular to the direction of adjustment, and block the frequency adjusting member in position by friction.

In the example considered here, the rigid spacer 60 is also in contact with the head 58c of the first adjustment finger closest to the rigid stop 62 and said rigid spacer 60 bears against the rigid stop 62, which reinforces the blocking of the frequency adjusting member 53.

The rigid spacer 60 could possibly be omitted, in which case the second adjusting finger 57a closest to the frequency adjusting member 53 could simply be inserted between the rigid stop 62 and the first adjustment finger 58a closest to the rigid stop 62. In this case, the comb 58 would have n first adjustment fingers 58a and the comb 57 would include n + 1 second adjustment fingers 57c.

In all cases, the rigid stop 62 is integral of the frame 15 and is arranged facing the resilient support member 63 to support the first and second adjustment fingers 58a, 57a against the biasing of the resilient support member 63.

The aforementioned blocking device 56 blocks the frequency adjusting member 53 when the heads 57a, 58a of the fingers of the combs are interposed between each other and urged into mutual contact by the elastic support member 63, as long as a force greater than a limit value FL is not applied to the frequency adjusting member 53 in the direction of adjustment. This limit value will be called hereinafter blocking force. The blocking force FL produced by the blocking device 56 may for example be between 50 and 200 mN, advantageously between 80 and 150 mN.

In FIGS. 3 and 6, the blocking device 56 is not activated, so that the frequency adjusting member 53 is the closest to the anchor 11 and does not impose elastic prestressing on the member The frequency f of the regulator 12 is then maximum.

The previously described mechanism operates according to the principle explained in the aforementioned European Patent Application No. 14197015. In the following explanation of this operation, we use the notions of up / down, right / left to clarify the description with respect to the orientation of the drawings of Figures 3 to 5, but these indications are not limiting.

In the situation of FIG. 3, the anchor 11 is in an extreme "right" position imposed by the elastic transmission branch 36 and the energy distribution member 10 has just pivoted under the effect of the storage device. energy 8, and during this movement the elastic member monostable lia has flexed and then released by transmitting its mechanical energy in the regulator 12, as explained in the European patent application No. 14197015 mentioned above. The tooth 17 of the energy distribution member located to the left in FIG. 3 is then in abutment against the stop member 21 situated on the left of the anchor 11. The elastic branches 31 are in the position of rest.

The first and second regulating members 29, 30 oscillate in the direction of translation 01 between the two extreme positions respectively represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, with a frequency f which can be for example between 20 and 30 Hz.

On a half cycle of movement, for example when the first regulating member 29 moves from the "high" end position of FIG. 4 to the "low" end position of FIG. 5, the second regulating member 30 moves from the extreme position 4, at the extreme "high" position of FIG. 5, because of the presence of the balancing lever 37. During this time, the anchor 11 moves from the extreme "left" position of the FIG. 4 at the extreme "right" position of FIG. 3 at the moment when the first and second regulating members pass into the neutral position of FIG. 3, then the anchor 11 returns to the left 5 to the "left" extreme position. of Figure 5, where the energy dispensing member 10 escapes again and turns a step under the stress of the energy storage device 8. During this time, the balancing member 25 follows a movement symmetrical and opposite to the anchor 11.

The anchor 11 and the balancing member 25 oscillate with a frequency 2f in the direction of translation 02.

The operation is the same when one then moves from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 4. The aforementioned steps are then repeated indefinitely.

When it is necessary to adjust end of the frequency f of the controller, for example at the initial assembly of the movement 3 or after maintenance, an operator can adjust the position of the frequency adjusting member 53 according to the adjustment direction 02, manually or by automated means, until the desired exact frequency (measured by conventional means) is obtained. This adjustment is effected by exerting on the adjusting member 53 a force greater than the blocking force FL in the direction of adjustment 02. The adjustment range corresponds to the entire range of position of the frequency adjusting member 53 where the heads 57c, 58c of the adjusting fingers are interposed between them in contact with each other, which corresponds, which corresponds to a slightly smaller adjustment distance than 2.12 in the example considered here.

In the position of FIGS. 7 and 8, the frequency adjusting member 53 is in a position farther away from the anchor 11 than FIGS. 3 to 6 (ie a more right-hand position on Figures 7 and 8), so that the second elastic portion 55 imposes a constraint to the right on the balancing member 25, thus changing the oscillation frequency f of the system.

The invention is of course not limited to micro clockmechanisms. It is applicable to any other micro mechanism requiring a position adjustment between two parts, for example to change the resolution of a micro sensor, change the resonance frequency of a micro energy recovery mechanism, etc.

In this case, the locking mechanism 56 may be identical or similar to that described above, the frame 15 being simply replaced by a first part of the micro mechanism and the frequency adjusting member 53 replaced by a second part of the micro mechanism of which the position can be adjusted with respect to the first part by means of the blocking device 56.

Claims

A micro mechanism comprising a first portion (15), a second portion (53) having an adjustable position relative to the first portion, and a locking device (56) adapted to lock the second portion (53) in position relative to in the first part (15),

characterized in that the locking device (56) comprises at least one elastic support member (63) connected to the first part (15), at least one first adjustment finger (58a) extending in a direction of adjustment (02) to a free end, at least a second adjusting finger (57a) extending in the direction of adjustment (02) in opposite directions of the first adjusting finger (58a) to a free end, the first and second adjustment fingers (58a, 57a) being connected, one to the first portion (15) and the other to the second portion (53),

and in that the resilient support member (63) is adapted to bear on the second adjusting finger (57a) substantially perpendicular to the direction of adjustment, by frictionally locking it against the first adjusting finger (58a). ) when the second part (53) is in a setting position.

The micro mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment finger (58a) is bonded to the first portion (15) and the second adjustment finger (57a) is bonded to the second portion (53).

The micro mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) are flexible perpendicular to the direction of adjustment (02) and the locking device (56) further comprises a rigid stop (62), which is arranged facing the resilient support member (63) adapted to support the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) against the biasing of the resilient support member (63) when the second portion (53) is in a setting position.

4. Micro mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the rigid stop (62) is integral with the first portion (15).

5. Micro mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the locking device (56) further comprises a rigid spacer (60) which is adapted to bear against the rigid stop (62) perpendicular to the direction of adjustment (02) and to interpose between firstly and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) and secondly, the rigid stop (62) when the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) are in position. mutual contact, said rigid spacer (60) being adapted to support, with the rigid stop (62), the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) against the biasing of the resilient support member (63) when the second portion (53) is in a setting position.

A micro mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device comprises a plurality of first fingers (58a) and a plurality of second fingers (57a) interposed with the first adjusting fingers, the first and second adjusting fingers (58a). , 57a) being adapted to be in mutual contact perpendicular to the direction of adjustment (02) when the second portion (53) is in a setting position.

7. Micro mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the locking device (56) comprises between 3 and 10 first adjusting fingers (58a).

A micro mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 4, wherein the first portion (15) includes a first rigid portion which carries the member resilient support (63), said at least one first adjusting finger (58a) and the rigid stop (62).

Micro mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 5, wherein the second portion (53) comprises a second rigid portion which carries said at least one second adjusting finger (57a) and one rigid spacer (60).

A micro mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) comprises a flexible support rod (58b, 57b) and a head (58c, 57c) thicker than the support rod.

The micro mechanism of claim 10 wherein said head (58c, 57c) has a length (12) in the direction of adjustment and has a constant thickness (e) over a major portion of said length (12).

12. Micro mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, for a timepiece, comprising:

a support (15),

at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30), an elastic suspension connecting said at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30) to the support (15) and having a certain overall stiffness,

said at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30) being adapted to oscillate at a frequency f with respect to the support (15),

the resilient suspension having an elastic control connection (36, 55) having a first end connected to said at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30) and a second end connected to the support (15) by said locking device (56); ), said second end forming one of said first and second parts and the support (15) forming the other of said first and second parts,

said locking device (56) being adapted to change the position of the second end of said elastic adjustment connection (36, 55) relative to the support (15), so as to modify the overall stiffness of the elastic suspension and therefore said frequency f.

The micro mechanism of claim 12, further comprising a frequency adjusting member (53) which is bonded to the second end of said elastic adjustment link (36, 55), said frequency adjusting member (53) being adjustable in position relative to the support (15) by the locking device (56) so as to deform said elastic adjustment connection (36, 55).

Micro mechanism according to claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising an anchor (11) adapted to cooperate with a power distribution member (10) provided with teeth (17) and intended to be biased by a device energy storage (8), said anchor (11) being controlled by said at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30) for regularly and alternately blocking and releasing the energy distribution member (10), so that said energy delivery member (10) is stepped under the stress of the energy storage device (8) in a repetitive motion cycle, and said anchor (11) is adapted to transfer mechanical energy at least one inertial regulating member (29, 30) being controlled during this repetitive motion cycle.

15. Device according to claim 14, comprising first and second inertial regulating members (29, 30) interconnected to always have symmetrical and opposite movements,

the first inertial regulating member (29) controls the anchor (11),

the second inertial regulating member (30) controls a balancing member (25) to move said balancing member (25) in symmetrical and opposite movements to the anchor (11),

and said adjustable elastic connection (36, 55) has at least first and second resilient portions (36, 55), the first resilient portion (36) connecting the second inertial regulating member (30) to the balance member ( 25) and the second elastic portion (55) connecting said balancing member (25) to the locking device (56).

16. Micro mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the first and second inertial regulating members (29, 30) are mounted on the support (15) to oscillate in translation in a first direction of translation (01),

the anchor (11) and the balancing member (25) are elastically mounted on the support (15) to oscillate in translation in a second direction of translation (02) substantially perpendicular to the first direction of translation (01),

and the locking device (56) is adapted to adjust the position of the second end of the elastic adjustment connection (36, 55) relative to the support (15) at least parallel to the second translation direction (02).

Micro mechanism according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and second inertial regulating members (29, 30) is mounted on the support (15) by two elastic suspension branches (31) substantially perpendicular to the first direction of translation ( 01),

the anchor (11) and the balancing member (25) being mounted on the support (15) respectively by two elastic suspension arms (23, 27) substantially perpendicular to the second direction of translation (02).

The micro mechanism according to claim 17 and claim 13, wherein the frequency adjusting member (53) is connected to the support (15) by two elastic branches (54) substantially perpendicular to the second direction of translation (02). , the frequency adjusting member (53) and the elastic branches (54) of said frequency adjusting member (53) being arranged in a space defined by the balancing member (25), the support (15) and the two elastic suspension arms (27) of said balancing member (25),

and the locking device (56) is arranged in a space delimited by the frequency adjusting member (53), the support (15) and the two resilient legs (54) of said frequency adjusting member (53).

19. Micro mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said second elastic portion (55) comprises at least a U-shaped portion, comprising two branches substantially parallel to the first direction of translation (01), having ends which are respectively connected to the frequency adjusting member (53) and to the balancing member (25).

20. Micro mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the first and second regulating members (29, 30) are interconnected by a pivoting balancing lever (37).

21. Micro mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the anchor (11) and the balancing member (25) are connected respectively to the first and second regulating members (29, 30) by first and second drive spring limbs (36).

22. Micro mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, monolithic and realized in a single plate (14).

23. Micro mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient support member (63) comprises an elastic branch having two ends integral with the first portion (15) and having a curved shape of convexity facing the first and second adjustment fingers (58a, 57a).

24. Micro mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient support member (63) is adapted to exert on the first and second adjusting fingers (58a, 57a) an elastic bearing force between 40 and 100 mN.

25. Watch movement (3) comprising a micro mechanism (13) according to any one of the preceding claims and said power distribution member (11).

26. Timepiece (1) comprising a watch movement (3) according to the preceding claim.