• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The invention relates to a ferrule for ensuring accurate positioning of the spiral and to prevent the risk of breakage when engaged on the axis of the balance. The invention comprises a balance-spiral assembly equipped with said ferrule and a timepiece comprising such an assembly. On the outer periphery of the ferrule (50) is a welding surface (57) on which the inner end (43) of a spiral (40) is welded. When the shell (50) is mounted on the axis of a rocker (30), it is provided on a straight line (T) joining a central point (P1) of the welding surface (57) in the center (O) the ferrule (50), two abutment points, respectively (P2) and (P3), on the ferrule (SO) providing contact with the axis of the balance (30). It is also provided, in at least one zone distinct from the straight line (T), a section (54) of the ferrule whose thickness is smaller than the distance separating the central point (P1) from the welding surface (57). ) of the nearest stop point (P2).
    公开号:CH706526B1
    申请号:CH00903/13
    申请日:2013-05-02
    公开日:2017-11-15
    发明作者:Ibata Takayoshi；Hirano Kei；Kikuchi Satoshi；Tada Kentaro
    申请人:Seiko Instr Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Description
    FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a ferrule, a sub-assembly for a balance spring, a spiral balance comprising this ferrule, and a timepiece.
    Description of the Prior Art [0002] As is known, a mechanical timepiece comprises an escape / regulation mechanism for controlling the rotation of a movement cylinder, a center mobile, a third mobile, and a second mobile forming a front wheel. An ordinary escapement / regulation mechanism comprises an escape wheel and a sprung balance. The balance spring is formed of a balance wheel, a balance shaft defining the center of rotation of the balance wheel, a spiral spiral spiral along a spiral of Archimedes and configured to make turn the balance wheel by expansion and contraction, and a ferrule configured to attach the spiral to the balance shaft.
    In general, the ferrule is a substantially annular element which can be threaded on the balance shaft, and comprises, on its radially outer side surface, a welding surface to which an end of the inner side of the spiral is welded. The hairspring and the shell are attached to the balance shaft by threading the ferrule on the balance shaft, the hairspring and the ferrule being fixed to each other by welding.
    It is known that the accuracy of a mechanical timepiece depends on the deviation between the central axis of the balance shaft defining the center of rotation of the balance-spiral and the central axis of the spiral (c that is, the central axis of Archimedes' spiral). Therefore, a positioning with great precision is required so that, when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, the central axis of the balance spring and the central axis of the balance shaft can coincide with the one with the other.
    For example, JP A 2005-300532 (Patent Document 1) discloses a ferrule (corresponding to what is designated with the term "ferrule" in the claims of the present application) formed by a metal strip, whose inner contour has an opening for mounting the shell on the balance shaft (corresponding to what is designated with the expression "balance shaft" in the claims of the present application). On its outer contour, the action point (corresponding to what is designated by the term "welding surface" in the claims of the present application) between the ferrule and the balance spring (corresponding to what the the term "spiral" in the claims of the present application) is arranged at one end of the arm where the distance from the central axis is greater than at other points on the outer contour.
    The pendulum spring is fixed to the ferrule by welding an end of an internal curvature of the balance spring (corresponding to what is designated by the expression "inner side end" in the claims of the present application ) at the point of action of the ferrule. The shell to which the balance spring has been fixed is mounted on the balance shaft by driving the opening of the strip on the balance shaft. In other words, the balance spring is mounted on the balance shaft via the ferrule.
    When the opening of the strip is driven on the balance shaft, the inner side in the radial direction of the action point (that is to say the inner peripheral surface of the strip) is spaced from the balance shaft, and a space is formed between the ferrule and the balance shaft.
    However, the conventional ferrule has the following problems.
    It is to be considered that the conventional ferrule is driven on the balance shaft by elastically deforming the portion on the inner side radially of the welding surface, by virtue of the hole between the inner side portion radially. of the welding surface and the balance shaft. As a result, the welding surface is deflected inwards in the radial direction, so that there is a risk that the hairspring can not be accurately arranged. As a result, a deviation is generated between the central axis of the balance shaft and the central axis of the balance spring (ie the central axis of the Archimedean spiral), so that it there is the risk that the accuracy of the mechanical timepiece is deteriorated.
    In addition, when welding the end of the inner side of the hairspring to the welding surface of the ferrule, the heat released at the time of welding is conducted from the welding surface to the ferrule. At this time, the radially outer side portion of the ferrule, in particular, which is close to the weld surface, reaches a high temperature, and has its hardness reduced as a result of annealing. On the other hand, the radially inner side portion of the ferrule, which is remote from the welding surface, is not annealed, so that it undergoes no change in hardness, but has a relatively high hardness, by comparison at the radially outer side portion, which is annealed. As a result, the relatively high hardness portion (i.e., the non-annealed portion) of the ferrule after the welding of the hairspring is thinner in the radial direction compared to that of the ferrule before the welding the spiral. Accordingly, when the ferrule is driven on the balance shaft by an elastic deformation of the radially inner portion on the inner side of the welding surface, a tension is concentrated on the thinner part, radially inner side, the ferrule, which is of a high hardness, resulting in that there is fracture, so that there is the risk that a manufacturing defect is generated.
    In addition, in recent years, a method of manufacturing using electroforming has been adopted to make a special form of ferrule at low prices. In general, by making a shell using electroforming, nickel and a nickel alloy are adopted as the material of the ferrule. Here, the melting point of the nickel and the nickel alloy is higher than that of other metals such as iron, so that the welding temperature when welding the spiral to the ferrule is high. As a result, the radially outer side portion of the ferrule, which is closer to the weld surface, is more subject to annealing. As a result, the portion on the radially inner side of the ferrule, which is of relatively high hardness, becomes extremely thin in the radial direction, so that the above problem is especially visible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a ferrule capable of preventing a fracture at the time of the action of putting it on the balance shaft, a balance-spring comprising this ferrule, and a timepiece comprising the same.
    To achieve the purpose mentioned above, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, a ferrule adapted to be threaded on a rocker shaft and fixed thereto, and to fix an end on the inside of a spiral to the balance shaft. This ferrule is such that: on a radially outer side surface of the ferrule, there is provided a welding surface where to weld the end of the inner side of the spiral; in a straight line joining a central part of the welding surface in the circumferential direction of the ferrule and the central axis of the ferrule as seen in the axial direction of the ferrule, the ferrule comprises a bearing portion intended to be resting against the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft; and other than where there is the straight line, the ferrule has a portion of smaller width whose width is smaller than the distance of which the central portion of the welding surface and the bearing portion are spaced apart from one another. the other.
    According to the invention, the lower width portion is provided elsewhere than where there is the straight line on which the support portion is formed. In this way, the portion of smaller width undergoes elastic deformation when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, making it possible to eliminate a deformation of the portion between the bearing portion and the welding surface. In addition, the bearing portion is provided on the straight line connecting the central portion in the peripheral direction of the ferrule and the central axis of the ferrule as viewed in the axial direction of the ferrule. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the deflection of the welding surface relative to the central axis of the ferrule by eliminating the deformation of the portion between the bearing portion and the welding surface. Therefore, in the ferrule according to the invention, when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, it is possible to eliminate a deflection between the central axis of the spiral fixed to the welding surface and the central axis of the armature. axis of balance, so that it is possible to precisely arrange the balance on the balance shaft.
    In addition, the radially inner side of the weld surface of the ferrule does not readily receive heat at the time of welding and is not easily annealed, so that the relatively high hardness portion becomes thinner. in the radial direction to become prone to fracture generation when pressure is applied to it. In this respect, according to the invention, when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, the portion of smaller width undergoes an elastic deformation, so that it is possible to eliminate the pressure applied to the bearing portion of which the portion of relatively high hardness has become thinner and at its periphery, making it possible to prevent a fracture of the shell when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft.
    Accordingly, in the ferrule according to the invention, it is possible to accurately arrange the spiral and prevent a fracture likely to occur at the time of implementation on the balance shaft.
    In addition, in a shell according to an embodiment of the invention, when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, the portion of smaller width is spaced from the balance shaft.
    According to one embodiment of the invention, the portion of smaller width can be configured to be spaced from the balance shaft, so that a space is formed between the lower width portion and the axis. balance. As a result, the smaller width portion can greatly undergo elastic deformation to move radially inwardly when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft, so that the applied tension can be reliably removed. to the bearing portion of the ferrule whose part of relatively high hardness has become thinner, as well as to its periphery. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a ferrule fracture that may occur when it is threaded onto the balance shaft.
    According to one embodiment of the invention, the ferrule comprises a main body delimiting an opening in which the balance shaft is passed coaxially, and a support portion which projects outwards in the direction of the main body and to weld the hairspring, while the welding surface is formed on a radially outer side surface of the support portion, and that at least one of the two end surfaces of the support portion according to the Axial direction has a reentrant.
    According to this embodiment of the invention, a reentrant is present in the support part, so that, compared to the case where no reentrant is present, it is possible to reduce the section of the conduction path of the heat by which heat is conducted at the time of welding. As a result, it is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity of the support portion from the welding surface to the main body. In addition, the heat at the time of welding is conducted from the welding surface to the main body as a re-entrant. Therefore, compared to the case where no reentry is present, the path of heat conduction from the welding surface to the main body is longer, so that it is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity of the part. of support. In addition, due to the presence of the reentrant, the support portion has a larger area than in the case where no reentrant is provided, so that it is possible to radiate the heat in a more satisfactory manner.
    In this way, the heat at the time of welding is not easily conducted from the welding surface to the main body, so that it is possible to limit the annealed region to that from the welding surface to the vicinity returning. In other words, at the bearing portion of the main body of the ferrule and in its periphery, no annealing takes place, and it is possible that the portion of relatively high hardness has a significant thickness in the direction radial. In addition, when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft, the portion of smaller width undergoes elastic deformation, so that it is possible to reliably remove the voltage applied to the bearing portion of the ferrule which is of relatively high hardness, as well as on its periphery. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent a ferrule fracture that may occur when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft.
    According to one embodiment of the invention, the ferrule comprises a main body delimiting an opening in which the balance shaft is passed coaxially, as well as a plurality of support portions which project outwardly according to the invention. radial direction of the main body and each having an external lateral surface where there is one of several copies of said welding surface, the support portions being provided at regular intervals in the peripheral direction, a plurality of copies of said portion of lesser width. being provided at regular intervals in the peripheral direction.
    According to this embodiment of the invention, several support parts and several parts of smaller width are provided at regular intervals in the peripheral direction, and it is possible to arrange the center of gravity of the shell in the center of rotation of the shell. As a result, the ferrule can rotate in a stable manner, causing no oscillation. Thus, when a sprung balance and a timepiece are manufactured using, as a component, the ferrule according to this embodiment of the invention, the error affecting the rotation period is small, making it possible to guarantee a performance satisfactory.
    In addition, when there are provided several support portions each having a welding surface, it follows that, when welding the spiral to the ferrule, it is provided a mutual positioning between one of the welding surfaces and the end of the inner side of the hairspring. Accordingly, compared to the case where there is only one welding surface of the support portion, the mutual positioning between the ferrule welding surface and the inner side end of the hairspring can be performed more quickly. In addition, each of the support portions has a recess, so that it is possible to suppress the annealing of the main body portion near the welding surface independently of the support portion at the welding surface of which the end of the inner side of the hairspring is welded. Thus, it is possible to precisely arrange the hairspring, and to improve the operating efficiency when welding the hairspring to the ferrule, while preventing a ferrule fracture from occurring when the ferrule is threaded onto the hairspring. balance shaft.
    In addition, the ferrule according to one embodiment of the invention is a ferrule made by electroforming.
    During the manufacture of a ferrule using electroforming, nickel and a nickel alloy are adopted as materials. As a result, the welding temperature when the hairspring is welded to the ferrule rises a lot, and the annealed region of the ferrule widens, so that the bearing portion and the periphery portion, which are hardness relatively high, becomes more thin, and there is a risk that there is a fracture when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft.
    However, according to the invention, when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft, the portion of smaller width undergoes elastic deformation, and it is possible to suppress the voltage applied to the support portion and its periphery. , which are of high hardness, so that it is possible to avoid a fracture of the ferrule. Thus, it is possible to form a special-shaped ferrule at a low price, and to avoid a fracture of the ferrule when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft. In this way, the invention is especially suitable for a shell made by electroforming.
    The sprung balance according to the invention comprises a ferrule as defined above.
    The timepiece according to the invention comprises a sprung balance as defined above.
    According to the invention, it is possible to accurately arrange the spiral, and to prevent a fracture of the ferrule occurs when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft. In this way, it is possible to form a sprung balance and a timepiece that are of high precision and devoid of manufacturing defect.
    According to the invention, the part of smaller width is provided elsewhere than where there is the straight line mentioned above on which the support portion is formed. In this way, the part of smaller width undergoes an elastic deformation during the action of threading the ferrule on the balance shaft, allowing the removal of a deformation of the portion between the bearing portion and the surface welding. In addition, the bearing portion is arranged on the straight line joining the central portion in the circumferential direction of the ferrule and the central axis of the ferrule as seen in the axial direction of the ferrule, so that by removing the deformation of the portion between the bearing portion and the welding surface, it is possible to avoid a deflection of the welding surface relative to the central axis of the ferrule.
    Therefore, in the ferrule according to the invention, when the ferrule is threaded on the balance shaft, it is possible to eliminate a deflection between the central axis of the spiral fixed to the welding surface and the central axis of the armature. axis of balance, so that it is possible to precisely arrange the balance on the balance shaft.
    In addition, the heat generated at the time of welding is not easily conducted from the welding surface to the part on the inner side in the radial direction of the welding surface of the ferrule, and the part is not readily annealed, so that the relatively high hardness portion becomes thinner in the radial direction to be subject to fracture when a voltage is applied thereto. On the other hand, according to the invention, when the ferrule is threaded onto the balance shaft, the part of smaller width undergoes an elastic deformation, so that it is possible to eliminate the tension applied to the support part and its periphery, a part of relatively high hardness has become thinner, making it possible to avoid a fracture of the ferrule during the action of threading the ferrule on the balance shaft.
    Therefore, in the ferrule according to the invention, it is possible to precisely arrange the spiral, and to prevent a fracture occurs during the establishment on the axis of balance.
    Brief description of the drawings [0034]
    Fig. 1 is a plan view and represents the front side of a complete timepiece.
    Fig. 2 is a plan view and represents the front side of a movement.
    Fig. 3 is a plan view of a sprung balance as seen in the axial direction.
    Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 3.
    Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of a hairspring.
    Fig. 6 is a plan view of a ferrule according to a first embodiment.
    Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 6.
    Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating how the hairspring is welded to the ferrule.
    Fig. 9 is an axial sectional view of a ferrule according to a first modification of the first embodiment.
    Fig. 10 is an axial sectional view of a ferrule according to a second modification of the first embodiment.
    Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a ferrule manufacturing process.
    Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating how an electroforming mold is immersed in an electroforming liquid.
    Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating how a metal body is made to grow by electroforming in an outer contour forming a footprint.
    Fig. 14 is a plan view of a ferrule according to a second embodiment.
    Fig. 15 is a sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 14.
    Fig. 16 is a plan view of a ferrule according to a third embodiment.
    Fig. 17 is a sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 16.
    Fig. 18 is a plan view of a ferrule according to a fourth embodiment.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0035] In the following, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In what follows, a timepiece and a sprung balance will be described first, and then a ferrule according to the first embodiment and a method of manufacturing the ferrule will be described.
    Timepiece [0036] A mechanical assembly including the driving part of a timepiece is generally called a "movement". The finished product obtained by attaching a dial and hands to the movement and putting it in a timepiece box is called a "complete timepiece". Of the two sides of a platen constituting the base of the timepiece, the side where the glass of the timepiece case, that is to say the side where the dial is located, is called the "back" or the "glass side" or the "dial side" of the movement. Of the two sides of the turntable, the side where the back of the timepiece case, i.e. the opposite side of the dial, is located is called the "front side" or the "bottom side of the dial. case "of movement.
    FIG. 1 is a plan view and shows the front side of a timepiece 1 which is a complete timepiece 1a.
    As shown in FIG. 1, the complete timepiece 1a comprises a dial 2 having a scale 3 or the like indicative of time information, and needles 4 including a hour hand 4a indicating the time, a minute hand 4b indicating the minutes, and a seconds hand 4c indicating the seconds.
    FIG. 2 is a plan view and shows the front side of a movement. In fig. 2, a part of the timepiece components forming a movement 100 is omitted.
    The movement 100 of a mechanical timepiece has a plate 102. A winding rod 110 is rotatably inserted into a winding stem guide hole 102a of the plate 102. The position in the axial direction of this winding stem 110 is determined by a switching device including an adjusting lever 190, a rocker 192, a rocker spring 194 and a control lever jumper 196.
    And, when the winding rod 110 is rotated, a winding pinion 112 rotates by the rotation of a sliding pinion (not shown). By rotating the winding pinion 112, a crown wheel 114 and a ratchet wheel 116 rotate, and a motor spring (not shown) received in a movement barrel 120 is wound (cocked).
    The movement barrel 120 is rotatably supported between the plate 102 and a barrel bridge 160. A center mobile 124, a third mobile 126, a second mobile 128, and an escape mobile 130 are supported. rotatively between the plate 102 and a gear wheel 162.
    When the movement cylinder 120 is rotated by the force produced by the mainspring, the center mobile 124, the third mobile 126, the second mobile 128 and the mobile 130 exhaust rotate by the rotation of the barrel of movement 120. The center mobile 124, the third mobile 126 and the second mobile 128 constitute the front wheel.
    When the center wheel 124 is rotating, a barrel pinion (not shown) rotates simultaneously, and the minute hand 4b (see Fig. 1) attached to this barrel gear indicates the "minutes". Further, based on the rotation of the cannon pinion, an hour wheel (not shown) is rotated by the rotation of a minute wheel (not shown), and the hour hand 4a (see FIG. 1) attached to this hour wheel indicates "hour".
    An exhaust / regulation device for controlling the rotation of the front wheel is formed by the escapement mobile 130, an anchor 142 and a sprung balance 10.
    Teeth 130a are formed on the outer periphery of the escapement mobile 130. The anchor 142 is rotatably supported between the plate 102 and an anchor bridge 164, and includes a pair of pallets 142a and 142b. The escape wheel 130 is temporarily at rest, a pallet 142a of the anchor 142 being engaged with a tooth 130a of the escape wheel 130.
    The spring balance 10 rotates back and forth with a fixed period, whereby the pallet 142a and the other pallet 142b of the anchor 142 are alternately engaged and released with the teeth 130a of the mobile As a result, the escape wheel 130 is driven to escape at a fixed speed.
    In what follows, the structure of the sprung balance 10 is described in detail.
    Spiral balance [0049] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sprung balance 10 as seen in the axial direction from the front side of the movement (see Fig. 2). In fig. 3, a peg 106 is shown in dotted line with two dashes.
    FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 3. In fig. 4, the side above the plane of the diagram with respect to the plate 102 constitutes the front side of the movement 100 (see Fig. 2), and the side below the plane of the diagram with respect to the plate 102 constitutes the back of the movement 100. The plate 102, the balance bridge 104 and the peak 106 are shown in dotted line with two dashes.
    As shown in FIG. 3, the spring balance 10 comprises mainly a balance wheel 20, a balance shaft 30, a balance spring 40 and a ferrule 50.
    Balance wheel [0052] The balance wheel 20 is made of a metal such as brass, and has a balance wheel main body 21 having a substantially annular shape. The central axis of the balance wheel main body 21 coincides with the central axis O, which is the axis of rotation of the balance-spring 10.
    Four arms 23 (23a to 23d) extend in the radial direction towards the central axis O, from an inner peripheral surface 21a of the balance wheel main body 21. The four arms 23a to 23d are formed substantially at regular intervals, at an angle of 90 ° in the peripheral direction of the balance wheel main body 21.
    The four arms 23a to 23d are shaped so as to widen gradually as they go towards the central axis O from the inner peripheral surface 21a of the balance wheel main body 21, and are connected together in the vicinity of the central axis O.
    As shown in FIG. 4, an engagement hole 25a coaxial with the central axis O is formed in a connecting portion 25 of the four arms 23a to 23d.
    Balance Pin [0056] The spring balance 10 comprises the balance shaft 30 disposed coaxially with the central axis O. The balance shaft 30 is an element such as a bar made of a metal such as brass .
    At its two axial ends, the balance shaft 30 comprises pivots 31 (31a and 31b). A pivot 31a is pivoted on the balance bridge 104 by a bearing (not shown), and the other pivot 31b is pivoted on the plate 102 by a bearing (not shown), whereby the balance shaft 30 can rotate around of the central axis O.
    The engagement hole 25a of the balance wheel 20 is driven on the central portion, substantially in the axial direction, of the balance shaft 30. As a result, the balance wheel 20 and the balance shaft 30 are integrated with each other.
    The balance shaft 30 comprises a double plate 35 of substantially cylindrical shape. The double plate 35 has a radially projecting flange portion 36. On the radially outer side of the flange portion 36 there is provided, at a predetermined position, a pulse pin (not shown). The impulse pin alternately appears on a pallet 142a (see Fig. 2) and the other pallet 142b (see Fig. 2) of the anchor 142 synchronously with the period of rotation in the va- and- The pallet 142a and the other pallet 142b of the anchor 142 are engaged with and released from the teeth 130a (see Fig. 2) of the escape wheel 130.
    Spiral [0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the spring balance 10 comprises the hairspring 40.
    FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the hairspring 40. In FIG. 5, the hairspring 40 is shown in a system of polar coordinates whose origin is the central axis O. An Archimedes X spiral, the balance shaft 30 and the ferrule 50 described below are shown in dotted lines two dashes.
    As shown in FIG. 5, the hairspring 40 is a spring made of a metal such as iron or nickel, and is formed by a spiral main body 41 having a plurality of turns, and an arcuate portion 42 outer side of the hairspring main body 41.
    The main body spiral 41 is shaped to extend along a spiral called Archimedes X spiral.
    An Archimedean spiral X is a curve whose polar equation in the polar coordinate system is as follows: r = a0 (a is a constant) (1) [0065] The main spiral body 41 is formed so as to extend along the Archimedes X spiral, whereby when seen from the axial direction, the spiral main body 41 is arranged spirally and as being adjacent to substantially equal radial intervals.
    As shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral side of the spiral main body 41 is the arcuate portion 42 formed to have a larger radius of curvature than the spiral main body 41. An end 42a of the arcuate portion 42 is attached to the stud 106, standing upright towards the rocker bridge 104 (see Fig. 4) by means of a piton support (not shown). An inside end 43 of the hairspring 40 is fixed to the shell 50.
    Ferrule according to the first embodiment [0067] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment as seen in the axial direction. In fig. 6, the balance shaft 30 and the hairspring 40 are shown in dotted lines two dashes. In addition, in fig. 6, a lower width portion 54 described below is indicated by shadows.
    FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 6. In fig. 7, the left side of the drawing is the swing bridge side 104 (see Fig. 4), and the right side of the drawing is the platen side 102 (see Fig. 4). In figs. 6 and 7, the boundary between a main body 51 and a support portion 55 described below is indicated by a dashed line.
    As shown in FIG. 6, the ferrule 50 is an annular element made of a metal such as nickel or a nickel alloy, and comprises the main body 51 threaded on the balance shaft 30 coaxially with the central axis O, and the part of support 55 formed to protrude outward in the radial direction from the main body 51. As shown in FIG. 7, the thickness in the axial direction of the main body 51 of the ferrule 50 is greater than the thickness in the axial direction of the spiral 40 (that is to say the width of the spiral 40).
    As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 51 has a substantially elliptical annular shape. It has a major axis extending in a first direction F, which is in the radial direction (the horizontal direction in Fig. 6), and a minor axis extending in a second direction S (the vertical direction in fig. 6) orthogonal to the first direction F.
    Over its entire periphery, the main body 51 has a fixed width in the radial direction, and an opening 53 in the center. In correspondence with the outer contour of the main body 51, the opening 53 has a substantially elliptical shape which has a major axis in the first direction F and a minor axis in the second direction S. Due to the opening 53, the body main 51 is formed to be able to be threaded on the balance shaft 30.
    The ferrule 50 has a pair of support portions 55 each formed to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the main body 51. The two support portions 55 are formed on both radial sides in the second direction. S, with the central axis O between them, and are integrated with the main body 51. The support portions 55 have a pointed shape so that they gradually thin in the first direction F, from the radially inner side to direction of the radially outer side. The two support portions 55 are formed at equal angle (an angle of 180 ° in the present embodiment) in the peripheral direction of the main body 51.
    Welding surfaces 57 are respectively formed on the radially outer side surfaces of the pair of support portions 55. The inner peripheral surface 43a of the inner end 43 of the spiral main body 41 of the hairspring 40 is welded to the welding surfaces 57 by, for example, laser welding. At the time of laser welding, a solder core 71 is formed to an axial end surface of a support portion 55 and the hairspring 40 so as to be on either side of a sealing surface 57.
    Each welding surface 57 has the shape, for example, of a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the Archimedes X spiral (see Fig. 5) and extending along an inner peripheral surface 43a of the inner end 43 of the hairspring 40.
    In correspondence with the pair of support portions 55, the two welding surfaces 57 are formed on both radial sides, with the central axis O between them. Therefore, as described below, when welding the hairspring 40 to the shell 50, it is only necessary to perform mutual positioning and welding between one of the welding surfaces 57 and the inner side end 43 of the hairspring. 40. Therefore, compared to the case where there is only a welding surface 57, it is possible to perform more quickly the mutual positioning between the welding surface 57 of the shell 50 and the inner end 43 of the hairspring 40. As a result, an improvement in operating efficiency is allowed when welding the hairspring 40 to the shell 50.
    The error affecting the period of rotation of the sprung balance 10 depends on the accuracy of the position where the hairspring 40 is fixed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the design is carried out so that the central axis of the Archimedes X spiral corresponding to the spiral main body 41 coincides with the central axis O of the sprung balance 10 when viewed in the axial direction, so that the less positional offset therebetween (hereinafter referred to as the "horizontal offset"), the smaller the error affecting the period of rotation of the balance sprung balance 10 is.
    In addition, when viewed from the outer side in the radial direction, there is less angular offset between the central axis of the Archimedes X spiral corresponding to the main body spiral 41 and the central axis O spiral balance 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "vertical offset"), plus the error affecting the period of rotation of the sprung balance 10 is small.
    Here, the welding surface 57 has the shape of a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the Archimedes X spiral, so that, when welding the inner end 43 of the spiral 40 to the welding surface 57, it is possible to bring the welding surface 57 of the support portion 55 and the inner peripheral surface 43a of the hairspring 40 into close contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the positional shift between the welding surface 57 and the hairspring 40, and to perform the welding in a stable manner involving a small horizontal offset or vertical shift of the hairspring 40, so that it is possible to form a sprung balance 10 whose imprecision on the rotation period is small.
    Support Point [0079] As shown in FIG. 6, in a straight line T joining the central portions P1 in the peripheral direction of the welding surfaces 57 and at an inner peripheral surface 51a of the main body 51, there is a pair of bearing points P2 and P3 ( corresponding to what is called the "support part" in the claims) configured to abut the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30.
    The first bearing point P2 is provided on the side (the upper side in Fig. 6) where the hairspring 40 is welded to the inner peripheral surface 51a of the main body 51. The second bearing point P3 is provided on the side (the lower side in Fig. 6) where the hairspring 40 is not welded, on the inner peripheral surface 51a of the main body 51.
    The central portion P1 of the welding surface 57 and the first bearing point P2 are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance L1.
    The two bearing points P2 and P3 are in contact with the balance shaft 30, on both sides in the second direction S, in which the main body 51 holds the balance shaft 30. It is also possible for the main body 51 to hold the balance shaft 30 by bringing the inner peripheral surfaces 51a on both sides in the peripheral direction of the bearing points P2 and P3 in close contact with the balance shaft 30 from both sides in the second direction S, with the bearing points P2 and P3 and the straight line T being between them.
    Here, the first bearing point P2 is provided on the radially inner side of the welding surface 57 of the ferrule 50 and on the inner peripheral surface 51a of the main body 51. When the spiral 40 is welded to the ferrule 50, the portion which is radially on the outer side of the main body 51, near the sealing surface 57, and which is in the vicinity of a portion 61 described below reaches a particularly high temperature, and its hardness is reduced by annealing. On the other hand, the radially inner side part of the main body 51, remote from the welding surface 57, that is to say the first bearing point P2 and its periphery, is not annealed so that it undergoes no change in hardness since it is not annealed; on the contrary, it has a relatively high hardness, compared to the annealed portion in the vicinity of the portion 61.
    Lesser width portion [0084] The main body 51 includes a pair of smaller width portions 54, in the area other than the straight line T. Of the main body area 51 other than the straight line T, the smaller width portions 54 according to the embodiment constitute a zone R not connected to the support portion 55 (the shaded area in Fig. 6).
    On both sides in the first direction F, with the central axis O between them, the two parts of smaller width 54 are formed so as to have a fixed width L2 in the radial direction. In other words, the two parts of smaller width 54 are provided at positions offset from the support portion 55, 90 ° in the peripheral direction.
    In addition, the portions of smaller width 54 are shaped so as to be expanded radially outward, and are shaped so as to be spaced from the balance shaft 30. As a result, a gap is formed between the internal peripheral surfaces 54a portions of smaller width 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30.
    Here, the distance L1 between the central part P1 and the first bearing point P2 and the width L2 of the part of smaller width 54 satisfy the following equation: L1> L2 (2) [0088] In d other words, the width L2 of the smaller width portions 54 is smaller than the distance L1 between the central portion P1 and the first support point P2. In addition, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surfaces 54a of the smaller width portions 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30. Thus, when the main body 51 of the ferrule 50 is driven on the axis of balance 30, the parts of smaller width 54 can easily undergo elastic deformation to move radially inwardly. Consequently, it is possible to reliably remove the tension exerted at the first bearing point P2 of the shell 50 and at its periphery, so that it is possible to avoid a fracture of the shell 50 when it is threaded on the balance shaft 30, and it is possible to guarantee a holding force that is appropriate with respect to the balance shaft 30.
    Part 61 [0089] As shown in FIG. 7, of the two end surfaces 56 (56a and 56b) of the support portion 55 in the axial direction, the end surface 56a (on the right side in Fig. 7, see Fig. 4) of side of the plate 102 has the part 61 which has the shape of a reentrant 60. The portion 61 is formed by means of a recess in the end surface 56a, from the main body 51, on the side of the surface of Accordingly, a support 62 is formed on the support portion 55 with a flange 62 that faces radially outwards.
    The depth, in the axial direction, of the portion 61 is, for example, approximately half the thickness, in the axial direction, of the main body 51. Due to the presence of the portion 61, a zone 55a of the support portion 55 radially on the outer side of the flange 62 is thinner in the axial direction than a zone 55b on the radially inner side of the flange 62.
    It is desirable that the thickness in the axial direction of the zone 55a (that is to say the width in the axial direction of the welding surface 57) is wider than the thickness in the axial direction the hairspring 40 (that is, the width of the hairspring 40). As a result, the inner peripheral surface 43a of the hairspring 40 may be welded while being held in contact without exiting the welding surface 57 in the axial direction. Thus, it is possible to perform robust welding by avoiding a positional shift between the welding surface 57 and the hairspring 40. It is further desirable that the width in the axial direction of the sealing surface 57 is, for example, equal to or less than 1.2 times the width of the hairspring 40.
    Here, L3 is the minimum distance between the flange 62 of the portion 61 and the opening 53, while L4 is the minimum distance between the flange 62 of the portion 61 and the welding surface 57. The portion 61 is formed so that the following equation is satisfied: L3> L4 (3) [0093] In other words, by forming part 61 so that formula (3) is satisfied, the minimum distance L3 between flange 62 of the portion 61 and the opening 53 is larger than the minimum distance L4 between the flange 62 of the portion 61 and the welding surface 57. Accordingly, when the inner end 43 of the spiral 40 is welded to the surface welding 57 of the ferrule 50, it is possible to restrict the heat-annealed region at the time of welding to the small distance between the welding surface 57 of the portion in the vicinity of the flange 62.
    In addition, by providing a long heat conduction path from the flange 62 to the main body 51, it is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity, so that the part of the heat that has not been radiated. from the flange 62 of the portion 61 is not easily conducted to the main body 51 from the flange 62 of the part 61. As a result, it is possible to obtain that is even greater the thickness of the body part a non-annealed main head 51 which is of relatively high hardness, making it possible to prevent the relatively high hardness part from being thin, so that a fracture of the body can be reliably prevented; main 51 occurs during the driving of the shell 50 on the balance shaft 30.
    In addition, the portion 61 is formed on each of the two support portions 55. Accordingly, the two support portions 55 are substantially of the same weight, so that it is possible to position the center of gravity of the ferrule 50 towards the center of rotation (that is to say the central axis O) of the shell 50. Thus, it is possible for the shell 50 to rotate in a stable manner without involving any oscillation, so that when the sprung balance 10 (see Fig. 3) and the timepiece 1 (see Fig. 1) are manufactured using, as a component, the ferrule 50 according to the embodiment, the error affecting the rotation period involved is small, and it is possible to guarantee a satisfactory performance.
    In addition, each of the two support portions 55 has the part 61, so that regardless of the welding surface 57 at which the inner side end 43 of the spiral 40 is welded, it is possible to remove the annealing of the part of the main body 51 close to the welding surface 57. Consequently, it is possible to obtain an improvement in terms of operating efficiency when welding the hairspring 40 to the shell 50, and to prevent a fracture of the main body 51 occurs during the driving of the ferrule 50 on the balance shaft 30.
    Welding Between the Ferrule and the Spiral [0097] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating how the hairspring 40 is welded to the ferrule 50.
    As shown in FIG. 8, the inner end 43 of the hairspring 40 is welded to the welding surface 57 of the ferrule 50 mentioned above, for example laser welding. More specifically, by performing the welding, the end surface 56b, in the axial direction, of the support portion 55 and the end surface 41b, in the axial direction, of the spiral main body 41 are brought against a tabular position gauge 86, and the positioning of the end surface 56b of the support portion 55 and the end surface 41b of the hairspring 41 is performed so that they are substantially aligned with each other .
    Then, using a laser welding machine 85 having a predetermined output laser and an irradiation range, a laser beam 88 is directed from the end surface side 56a where the portion 61 is formed on the part in the vicinity of the welding surface 57 of the shell 50, to perform in this manner a laser welding. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a weld core 71 is formed on an end surface 56a of the support portion 55 and an end surface 41a of the spiral main body 41 so as to be on either side of the welding 57, thereby welding the hairspring 40 to the shell 50.
    Here, because of the presence of the portion 61 on the support portion 55, the area 55a of the support portion 55 is thinner in the axial direction than the area 55b. Thus, the section orthogonal to the second direction S, that is to say the section of the heat conduction path through which the heat at the time of welding is conducted, is smaller than in the case where no part 61 is is present, and the thermal conductivity is lower. In this way, because of the part 61, the conduction of the heat at the time of welding to the main body 51 is suppressed, so that the annealed region is restricted to the region from the welding surface 57, to the part in the vicinity of the portion 61. As a result, it is possible to obtain that the thickness of the portion of the main body 51 which is not annealed and which is of relatively high hardness is significant, making it possible to prevent the Part of relatively high hardness is thin.
    Modifications of the first embodiment [0101] Ferrules 50 according to modifications of the first embodiment will be described.
    [0102] FIG. 9 is a sectional view, including the central axis O, of a ferrule 50 according to a first modification of the embodiment.
    [0103] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, including the central axis O, of a ferrule 50 according to a second modification of the embodiment.
    In the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment, the portion 61 is formed on an end surface 56a in the axial direction of the ferrule 50 (see Fig. 7). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the ferrule 50 according to the first modification differs from that of the first embodiment in that the portion 61 is formed on the other end surface 56b in the axial direction of the shell 50. As shown in FIG. 10, the sleeve 50 according to the second modification differs from that of the first embodiment in that the parts 61a and 61b having the form of reentrants 60a and 60b are formed in the two end surfaces 56a and 56b in the axial direction of ferrule 50. For parts of similar construction to parts of the first embodiment, their detailed description will be omitted.
    As shown in FIG. 9, in the first modification, the portion 61 is formed by means of a recess in the end surface 56b of the support portion 55, in the axial direction, from the main body 51, on the side of the welding surface 57.
    As shown in FIG. 10, in the second modification, the first portion 61a is formed by means of a recess in the end surface 56a of the support portion 55, in the axial direction, from the main body 51, on the side of the surface of the The second portion 61b is formed by means of a recess in the end surface 56b of the support portion 55, in the axial direction, from the main body 51, on the welding surface side 57.
    Effects [0107] According to the embodiment and the modifications, there is provided a part of smaller width 54 in the zone other than the straight line T, on which are located the bearing points P2 and P3, so that the part lesser width 54 undergoes elastic deformation when the ferrule 50 is threaded onto the rocker shaft 30, to avoid deformation of the portion between the first bearing point P2 and the welding surface 57. In addition, the bearing points P2 and P3 are arranged on the straight line T joining the central portion P1 in the peripheral direction of the ferrule 50 and the central axis O of the ferrule 50, so that, by eliminating a deformation of the part between the first bearing point P2 and the welding surface 57, it is possible to avoid a displacement of the welding surface 57 with respect to the central axis O of the shell 50. Consequently, in the shell 50, when the ferrule 50 is threaded on the axis of 30, it is possible to avoid a displacement of the central axis of the hairspring 40 fixed to the welding surface 57, with respect to the central axis O of the balance shaft 30, so that it is possible to precisely arrange the hairspring 40 on the balance shaft 30.
    In addition, the heat generated at the time of welding is not easily conducted to the part of the ferrule 50 on the radially inner side of the welding surface 57, and the part is not easily annealed, so that the relatively high hardness portion becomes thinner in the radial direction, and a fracture is easily generated when pressure is applied thereto. On the other hand, according to the embodiment and the modifications, when the ferrule 50 is threaded onto the balance shaft 30, the part of smaller width 54 undergoes an elastic deformation, so that it is possible to eliminate the pressure applied to the part corresponding to the first bearing point P2 and at its periphery, making it possible to prevent a fracture of the shell 50 during the action of threading the shell 50 onto the balance shaft 30.
    Thus, in the ferrule 50 according to the embodiment and the modifications, it is possible to precisely arrange the hairspring 40, and to avoid a fracture of the ferrule 50 by threading it on the balance shaft 30.
    Method of manufacturing ferrule [0110] A method for manufacturing ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment described above (see Fig. 6) will be described with reference to the drawings.
    [0111] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the method of manufacturing ferrule 50.
    [0112] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating how an electroforming mold is immersed in an electroforming liquid W.
    [0113] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how a metal body 99 is made to grow in an outer contour forming imprint 95.
    As shown in FIG. 11, the method for manufacturing ferrule 50 according to the embodiment includes an electroforming step S10, a thickness adjusting step S20, and an eliminating step S30. In what follows, each step is described.
    S10 Electroforming Step [0115] First, the electroforming step S10 is performed to form the outer shape of the ferrule 50 (see Fig. 6).
    As shown in FIG. 12, in the electroforming step S10, the outer shape of the ferrule 50 is formed using the electroforming mold 94 made as described below.
    The electroforming mold 94 is made using photolithography.
    More specifically, a silicone substrate 90 is prepared first, and then a conductive film 91 whose main component is gold, silver, copper, nickel or the like is formed on the surface of the silicone substrate. 90. Next, a first photosensitive material 94a is applied in the conductive film 91. The first photosensitive material 94a may be positive or negative resistance; the embodiment uses a negative resistance. Next, the first photosensitive material 94a is exposed using a mask (not shown) which is shaped according to the outer shape of the ferrule 50 and of which another zone is open. Then, the exposed portion is processed since the first photosensitive material 94a is at negative resistance.
    Then, the first photosensitive material 94a is developed using a developing liquid (not shown). Then, since the first photosensitive material 94a is negative resistance, the unexposed area is dissolved. Then, to form the outer shape of the portion 61 (see Fig. 6), a second photosensitive material 94b is superimposed on the first photosensitive material 94a. Then, in the same manner as described above, the second photosensitive material 94b is exposed and developed.
    Accordingly, an outer contour imprint 95 is formed in the first photosensitive material 94a and the second photosensitive material 94b in accordance with the outer shape of the ferrule 50 having the portion 61, and the conductive film 91 is exposed. whereby the electroforming mold 94 capable of forming the ferrule 50 is made.
    In the electro-forming step S10, the silicone substrate 90 is completely immersed in the electroforming liquid W contained in a treatment container 96. By performing this electro-forming step S10, the electroforming liquid W is selected according to the metal material to be electroformed. For example, to perform electroforming of nickel, a bath of amidosulfonic acid, a watt bath, a sulfuric acid bath or the like is used.
    In the case where an electroforming of nickel is carried out using a bath of amidosulphonic acid, a sulphonic acid bath whose main component is hydrous nickel sulphamate salt is placed in the treatment container 96. furthermore, an anodic electrode 97 made of metallic material for electroforming (which, in the embodiment, is nickel) is immersed in the amidosulfonic acid bath. To form the anode electrode 97, there is prepared, for example, a plurality of balls formed of the metallic material for electroforming, and the metal balls are placed in a metal basket formed of titanium or the like.
    After the silicone substrate 90 has been immersed in the amidosulfonic acid bath, the conductive film 91 formed on the silicone substrate 90 is connected to the cathode of a power source 98, and the electrode Anode 97 is connected to the anode of the power source 98, to start the electroforming. Then, the metal forming the anode electrode 97 is ionized so as to move in the amidosulfonic acid bath, and is deposited as a metal on the conductive film 91 discovered within the outer contour forming imprint 95 , this metal growing gradually. As shown in FIG. 13, the metal is allowed to grow until it becomes a metal body 99. In this regard, the outer contour forming imprint 95 is formed, as described above, in accordance with the external form of the ferrule 50 (see Fig. 6) having the portion 61, so that the growing metal body 99 is also with the outer shape of the ferrule 50 (see Fig. 6) having the portion 61 as described above. At some point when the outer shape of the ferrule 50 is formed, the electroforming step S10 is completed.
    S20 thickness adjustment step [0124] Next, the thickness adjustment step S20 is performed, wherein an adjustment is made so that the thickness of the metal body 99 is the thickness of the shell 50 (see Fig. 6).
    In the thickness adjustment step S20, the silicone substrate 90 is extracted from the treatment container 96, and is cleaned in pure water or the like. After that, the portion of the metal body 99 is removed, and the thickness adjustment is made so that the thickness of the remaining metal body 99 is the thickness of the ferrule 50 (see Fig. 6). As an adjustment technique, it is possible to use a polishing technique such as the CMP technique (chemical-mechanical polishing technique).
    Elimination step S30 Finally, the elimination step S30 is carried out, in which the first photosensitive material 94a, the second photosensitive material 94b, the conductive film 91 and the silicone substrate 90 are removed.
    In the removal step S30, the first photosensitive material 94a and the second photosensitive material 94b are removed by an incineration process, a liquid separation method or the like, and, at the same time, the silicone substrate. 90 and the conductive film 91 are removed by the CMP method or the like. Therefore, it is possible to make the ferrule 50 by electroforming.
    Once the silicone substrate 90 and the conductive film 91 have been removed, the elimination step S30 is completed, and at the same time, the ferrule 50 of the manufacturing process is fully completed.
    Effects [0129] To form a ferrule 50 of a special configuration at a low price, a method using electroforming is adopted. Here, by forming the ferrule 50 by electroforming, nickel and a nickel alloy are often adopted as the material. In general, the melting point of nickel and a nickel alloy is higher than that of a metal such as iron, so that the welding temperature when welding spiral 40 to ferrule 50 is high. . As a result, the annealed region extending from the welding surface 57 on the inner side in the radial direction widens, and the portion corresponding to the first bearing point P2 and its peripheral portion of relatively high hardness becomes even thinner. , and there is a risk of occurrence of fracture when the ferrule 50 is threaded on the balance shaft 30.
    According to the embodiment, however, when the ferrule 50 is threaded onto the balance shaft 30, the lower width portion 54 undergoes elastic deformation, making it possible to eliminate the voltage applied to the first support point P2. ferrule 50 relatively high hardness and at its periphery, so that it is possible to avoid a fracture of the ferrule 50. Accordingly, it is possible to form a ferrule 50 of special shape at low prices, and of prevent a fracture occurs during the action of threading the ferrule 50 on the balance shaft 30. In this way, the invention is particularly suitable for a ferrule 50 formed by electroforming.
    Second Embodiment [0131] The ferrule 50 according to the second embodiment will be described.
    [0132] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the ferrule 50 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 14 shows the ferrule 50 as seen from its end surface 56a.
    [0133] FIG. 15 is a sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 14.
    In the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment, the portion 61 is formed on an end surface 56a of the ferrule 50, in the form of the recess 60 (see Fig. 7). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the ferrule 50 according to the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a groove 64 is formed in an end surface 56a of the ferrule 50, as a recess 60. A detailed description of the Parts having a constitution similar to parts of the first embodiment will be omitted.
    The groove 64 is formed in an end surface 56a of the shell 50, so as to extend in the peripheral direction of the main body 51. An inner flange 64a on the inner side in the peripheral direction of the groove 64 is formed to extend along the main body 51 and to be spaced, by a predetermined distance, from the opening 53 of the main body 51, on the outer side in the radial direction of the main body 51. A rim external 64b on the outer side in the peripheral direction of the groove 64 is formed to be spaced from the welding surface 57 of the support portion 55 by a predetermined distance. The depth, in the axial direction, of the groove 64 is, for example, approximately half of the thickness, in the axial direction, of the main body 51. Due to the presence of the groove 64, an area with groove 55a of the support portion 55, where the groove 64 is formed, is thinner in the axial direction than a groove-free zone 55b on the radially outer side and the radially inner side of the groove 64.
    Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in the first embodiment, the portion 61 is formed by removing a wedge portion of an end surface 56a and the weld surface 57. Thus, when welding the hairspring 40 and the ferrule 50 the to one another, it is necessary to bring the other end flat surface 56b in contact with a position control template 86, and to position relative to the end surface 41b of the hairspring 41 before welding from an end surface 56a.
    [0137] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, in the second embodiment, the groove 64 is formed by removing the radially inner side of a corner portion from an end surface 56a and a sealing surface 57, and an end surface 56a. on the radially inner side and the radially outer side of the groove 64 is substantially aligned. Thus, it is possible to position relative to the end surface 41a or the end surface 41b of the spiral main body 41 by causing the end surface 56a and the end surface 56b to contact the end surface 41a. the position control template 86 (see Fig. 8) without making any distinction, so that it is possible to reduce the time of the welding step.
    In the first embodiment, the welding surface 57 is formed in the area 55a (see Fig. 7), whereas, in the second embodiment, the welding surface 57 is formed in the area without groove 55b. Therefore, it is desirable that the thickness, in the axial direction, of the groove-free zone 55b (i.e. the width in the axial direction of the weld surface 57) be greater than the thickness, according to the axial direction. the axial direction of the hairspring 40 (i.e., the width of the hairspring 40).
    In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the following formula is satisfied: L5> L6 (4), [0140] where L5 is the minimum distance between the groove 64 and the aperture 53, and where L6 is the minimum distance between the groove 64 and the welding surface 57, [0141] Accordingly, it is possible to restrict the heat-annealed region of the welding to the short region from the welding surface 57 to the portion in the vicinity of the groove 64.
    Effects of the Second Embodiment [0142] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to restrict the heat-annealed region at the time of welding to the short region from the welding surface 57 to the portion in the vicinity of the rim external 64b of the groove 64. In addition, because of the presence of the groove 64, the surface of the support portion 55 is larger than in the case where no groove 64 is present, so that the heat can to radiate satisfactorily. As a result, it is possible to ensure a greater thickness for the non-annealed main body portion 51 which is of relatively high hardness, making it possible to further prevent the relatively high hardness portion being thin, so that it is possible more reliably to avoid a fracture of the main body 51 by driving the shell 50 on the balance shaft 30.
    In addition, by making the reentrant 60 in the form of the groove 64, it is possible to easily form the reentrant 60 by electroforming, machining or the like.
    Third Embodiment [0144] The ferrule 50 according to the third embodiment will be described.
    [0145] FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the ferrule 50 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 16 shows the ferrule 50 as seen from its end surface 56a.
    [0146] FIG. 17 is a sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 16.
    In the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment, the portion 61 is formed as a recess 60 in the end surface 56a among the two end surfaces 56a and 56b in the axial direction of the ferrule 50 (FIG. see Fig. 7). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the ferrule 50 according to the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that as a recess 60 there is formed a through-hole 66 extending so as to establish communication between the two surfaces. end 56a and 56b in the axial direction of the ferrule 50. A detailed description of the parts having the same constitution as parts of the first embodiment will be omitted.
    As shown in FIG. 17, the through hole 66 is formed to provide communication between the end surface 56a and the end surface 56b of the ferrule 50. An inner peripheral surface 66a of the through hole 66 is formed to extend along the outer contour of the support portion 55 and the main body 51, on the outer side, in the radial direction, of the main body 51. The inner peripheral surface 66a of the through hole 66 is formed so as to be spaced from the welding surface 57 of the support portion 55 and the opening 53 of the main body 51, by a predetermined distance. As in the second embodiment, in the third embodiment as well, it is possible to position relative to the end surface 41a or the end surface 41b of the hairspring 41, with the surface of end 56a and the end surface 56b being brought into contact with the position control template 86 (see Fig. 8) without making any distinction between them, so that it is possible to reduce the time required for the process welding.
    In the first embodiment, the welding surface 57 is formed in the area 55a (see Fig. 7), whereas, in the present embodiment, the sealing surface 57 is formed in an area without hole 55b. Accordingly, it is desirable that the thickness, in the axial direction, of the holeless area 55b (i.e., the width, in the axial direction, of the sealing surface 57) is greater than the thickness in the axial direction of the hairspring 40 (i.e. the width of the hairspring 40).
    As in the second embodiment, the through hole 66 is formed so that the following formula is satisfied: L5> L6 (4), [0151] where L5 is the minimum distance between the through hole 66 and the opening 53, and where L6 is the minimum distance between the through hole 66 and the welding surface 57.
    Accordingly, it is possible to restrict the heat-annealed region of the welding to the short region from the welding surface 57 to the portion in the vicinity of the through-hole 66.
    Effects of the Third Embodiment [0153] As in the first embodiment, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to guarantee an even greater thickness for the part of the main body 51 which is not annealed and which is of relatively high hardness, and further avoid a thinness of the relatively high hardness portion, so that it is possible to reliably avoid a fracture of the main body 51 occurs when the ferrule 50 is threaded Moreover, by forming the reentrant 60 in the form of the through hole 66, it is possible to easily realize the reentrant 60 by electroforming, machining or the like.
    Fourth Embodiment [0154] The ferrule 50 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.
    [0155] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of the ferrule 50 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 18 shows the ferrule 50 as viewed from the end surface 56b.
    In the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment, the main body 51 has a substantially elliptical annular shape having the major axis in the first direction F and the minor axis S in the second direction S, and a pair of portions of Support 55 is formed at an angle of 180 ° in the circumferential direction of the main body 51 (see Fig. 6). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the ferrule 50 according to the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the main body 51 is substantially heart-shaped and only a support portion 55 is formed on the main body 51. A description detailed parts having the same constitution as parts of the first embodiment will be omitted.
    As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 51 of the ferrule 50 according to the fourth embodiment has substantially the shape of a heart symmetrically linear with respect to the axis along the second direction S. The main body 51 has a fixed width in the direction radial, on all its periphery, and has an opening 53 in its center. The opening 53 has substantially the shape of a heart in correspondence with the outer shape of the main body 51.
    The support portion 55 is formed to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the main body 51, at a position on the second direction S, corresponding to the pointed portion of the core shape. The welding surface 57 is provided on the radially outer side surface of the support portion 55. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the portion 61 is formed on the support portion 55 as a recess 60.
    On the straight line T of the inner peripheral surface 51a of the main body 51, there are provided two bearing points P2 and P3 provided to abut the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30. The central portion P1 of the welding surface 57 and the first bearing point P2 are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance L1. The pair of bearing points P2 and P3 is in linear contact with the balance shaft 30 from both sides in the second direction S, by which the main body 51 holds the balance shaft 30.
    The zone R of the main body 51 which is other than the straight line T and which is not connected to the support part 55 (the shaded area in Fig. 18) constitutes a part of smaller width 54 having a smaller diameter. fixed width L2 in the radial direction.
    The distance L1 between the central part P1 and the first bearing point P2 and the width L2 of the part of smaller width 54 satisfy the following formula: L1> L2 (2) [0162] On both sides of the first direction F with the central axis O between them, the lower width portion 54 is formed in a curved configuration corresponding to the core shape of the main body 51. The lower width portion 54 is formed so as to be remote of the balance shaft 30, and a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface 54a of the lower width portion 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30.
    Effects of the fourth embodiment According to the fourth embodiment, the main body 51 has substantially the shape of a heart, and a pair of support points P2 and P3 is in linear contact with the balance shaft From two sides in the second direction S, so that it is possible to ensure an even larger gap between the inner peripheral surface 54a of the lower width portion 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30, in comparison with the first embodiment. Accordingly, when the ferrule 50 is threaded onto the balance shaft 30, the lower width portion 54 can undergo elastic deformation to move even more inwardly in the radial direction, so that it is possible reliably suppressing the pressure applied to the first fulcrum P2 of the shell 50 and its periphery which are thinned and of relatively high hardness. Thus, it is possible to reliably avoid that a fracture of the ferrule 50 occurs when the ferrule 50 is threaded onto the balance shaft 30.
    The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above; various modifications are possible without departing from the essence of the invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (8)
    [1]
    The outer shape of the ferrule 50 is not limited to that of the embodiments described above. For example, the main body 51 of the ferrule 50 according to the first embodiment has a substantially elliptical annular outer shape. In this regard, it is also possible that the main body 51 of the ferrule 50 has a substantially circular annular shape. It should be noted, however, that, by giving the main body 51 a substantially elliptical annular shape, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface 54a of the lower width portion 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft 30, allowing the portion of smaller width 54 to easily undergo elastic deformation to move inwardly in the radial direction. Thus, the first embodiment is superior in that it is possible to reliably suppress the pressure applied to the first bearing point P2 of the shell 50 and at its periphery, to prevent a fracture of the ferrule 50 and that it is possible to guarantee an appropriate holding force for the balance shaft 30. [0166] While in the first embodiment described above, a laser welding is adopted as an example of a method for welding the hairspring 40 to the shell 50, the welding technique is not restricted to laser welding. For example, it is also possible to weld the hairspring 40 to the shell 50 by arc welding, resistance welding, frictional bonding or the like. Due to the presence of the part of smaller width 54, it is possible to achieve the effects of the invention, not important which welding method is adopted. claims
    1. Ferrule adapted to be threaded on a rocker shaft (30) and fixed thereto, and for fixing an inner end (43) of a spring (40) to the rocker shaft (30), in which: on a radially outer side surface of the ferrule is provided a welding surface (57) to weld the inner end (43) of the spiral (40); in a straight line (T) joining a central portion (P1) of the welding surface (57) in the circumferential direction of the ferrule and the central axis (O) of the ferrule as seen in the axial direction of the ferrule , the shell comprises a bearing portion (P2, P3) provided to bear against the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft (30); and other than where there is the straight line (T), the ferrule comprises a portion of smaller width (54) whose width (L2) is smaller than the distance (L1) whose central portion (P1) of the welding surface (57) and the bearing part (P2, P3) are spaced from one another.
    [2]
    The ferrule according to claim 1, comprising: a main body (51) defining an opening (53) to coaxially pass the balance shaft (30); and a support portion (55) projecting outward in the radial direction of the main body (51) and to which the hairspring (43) is welded, wherein the sealing surface (57) is formed on a surface radially outer side of the support portion (55); and at least one of the two end surfaces (56a, 56b) of the axially extending support portion (55) has a recess (60; 64; 66).
    [3]
    The ferrule according to claim 1, comprising: a main body (51) defining an opening (53) to coaxially pass the balance shaft (30); and a plurality of support portions (55) projecting outwardly in the radial direction of the main body (51) and each of which has an outer side surface where one of a plurality of said solder surface (57) is located , the support portions (55) being provided at regular intervals in the peripheral direction, a plurality of copies of said lower width portion (54) being provided at regular intervals in the peripheral direction.
    [4]
    4. Ferrule according to one of claims 1 to 3, which is a ferrule made by electroforming.
    [5]
    5. Subassembly for sprung balance, comprising a balance shaft (30) and a ferrule (50) according to one of the preceding claims, this ferrule (50) being threaded on the balance shaft (30) and fixed to it, the bearing portion (P2, P3) bearing against the outer peripheral surface of the balance shaft (30).
    [6]
    6. Subassembly according to claim 5, wherein the portion of smaller width (54) is spaced from the balance shaft (30).
    [7]
    7. Spiral balance comprising a ferrule (50) according to claim 1.
    [8]
    8. Timepiece comprising a balance spring (10) according to claim 7.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CN103389642A|2013-11-13|
    CN103389642B|2017-06-13|
    JP6118037B2|2017-04-19|
    CH706526A2|2013-11-15|
    JP2013234901A|2013-11-21|
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    JP2012107056A|JP6118037B2|2012-05-08|2012-05-08|Beardball, balance and watch|
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