• 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 timepiece movement resonator comprising: a pinion (24), at least one movable part (20) having a toothing in engagement with the pinion, and a spring member exerting a restoring force on the movable part, wherein the movable part (20) is suspended from one end of the spring member (26) and wherein the spring member is formed by a plurality of flexible arms (26a, 26b).
    公开号:CH710679B1
    申请号:CH01952/14
    申请日:2014-03-06
    公开日:2020-02-28
    发明作者:Renaud Dominique
    申请人:Dominique Renaud Sa；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Description Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a watch movement resonator and to an assembly comprising such a resonator and an escapement mechanism. Also, this assembly comprises a balance associated with a spring to form the resonator, and an escapement wheel intended to receive a torque supplied by an energy source of the barrel spring type.
    The balance wheel and the escape wheel are connected by an alternative stop and transmission system arranged to intermittently block the escape wheel and release it under the action of the balance wheel and to transmit a parcel to the balance wheel. of energy to maintain its oscillations.
    STATE OF THE ART [0003] The escapement is an essential part of mechanical clockwork movements. It is generally placed between a transmission organ (cog) which transmits a torque supplied by the energy source and a resonator which defines the regulating organ, in order to maintain and count the oscillations of the regulating organ.
    In current movements, apart from the clock and pendulum movements equipped with a pendulum balance, the regulating member is a balance spring. The current balance springs have the disadvantage of developing eccentrically during their expansion and during their contraction.
    This defect causes an imbalance and pressures on the pivots, which translate into gait deviations.
    In addition, it is always difficult to master the manufacture of hairsprings on an industrial level. The efforts to be made to have the know-how and technologies necessary for reliable industrial production are very important.
    Some oscillators operate without spirals, but their system is partly magnetic. In the first case, the hairspring is replaced by magnets which oppose and repel each other. In another case, it is the balance and balance spring that no longer exist and are replaced by a resonant regulator using a magnetic rotor and a sound frequency oscillator.
    These partly magnetic systems leave the circle of purely mechanical movements. The purpose of the present invention is to propose a 100% mechanical oscillator-escapement escapement assembly without hairspring.
    Disclosure of the Invention More specifically, the invention relates to a timepiece movement resonator comprising a pinion, at least one movable part comprising a toothing in engagement with the pinion and a spring member formed by a plurality of flexible arms exerting a restoring force on the moving part and at one end of which the moving part is suspended.
    The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an exhaust mechanism and a resonator as presented in the previous paragraph.
    The dependent claims provide other features of the invention.
    Brief description of the drawings [0012] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
    fig. 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 provide illustrations of different variants of a watch movement resonator according to the invention, FIGS. 1,2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 12 illustrate other alternatives by way of example, outside the scope of the claims.
    Embodiment of the invention The invention relates to an assembly formed by an exhaust mechanism and a resonator comprising a mechanical oscillator, taking the usual form of a balance 10. The exhaust mechanism is intended to maintain the oscillations of the pendulum 10 by transmitting to it a parcel of energy supplied by an energy source not shown. This energy source can be, in a conventional manner, a barrel.
    This energy source is kinematically connected to an escape wheel 12. An alternative stop and transmission system 14 is arranged between the balance 10 and the escape wheel 12 to block the latter intermittently and release it under the action of the pendulum 10.
    CH 710 679 B1 In the example of FIG. 1, not covered by the claims, the alternative stop and transmission system 14 is an anchor pivotally mounted and provided with an inlet pallet 16a and an outlet pallet 16b intended to cooperate with the teeth of the wheel exhaust 12. In this variant, the pallets 16a and 16b are located at a different level from the general plane of the anchor. They are made in the form of cylindrical rollers mounted free in rotation on an axis 18a, 18b arranged orthogonally to the general plane of the anchor. These rollers, capable of turning, substantially reduce the friction between the escapement wheel 12 and the anchor, by replacing part of the sliding by rotations. The pallets 16a, 16b are arranged so as to carry out the conventional functions of a conventional exhaust: stop, release, impulse, as will be detailed below with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c.
    Coaxially with the anchor 14, an intermediate mobile 20 is mounted to rotate freely. It is pivoted on a pivot whose position is fixed with reference to the axis of the balance 10. This intermediate mobile 20 is here represented in the form of a truncated wheel so as to leave the other elements of the escapement clearly visible, but it can also be a complete wheel. As will be seen below, the term intermediate mobile must be interpreted broadly, which also includes a mobile part without pivot. The intermediate mobile 20 has a peripheral toothing 22, arranged to be kinematically connected with a pinion 24 coaxial and integral with the balance 10. The intermediate mobile 20 can be engaged directly with the pinion 24 or by means of a or several references forming a reduction train.
    The intermediate mobile 20 is subjected to the action of a spring member 26 to form a resonator with the balance
    10. In this example, the spring member 26 connects the intermediate mobile 20 and the alternative stop and transmission system 14. More particularly, a first end of the spring member 26 is fixed to the anchor 14, for example by a clamping pad 28, and on the intermediate mobile 20, by a bolt-type fastening system 30.
    The spring member 26 can be made of any material, it can be a rolled wire spring, a coil spring or a cut profile, but it is not a spiral spring. The consequence of introducing a reduction ratio between the balance 10 and the intermediate mobile 20 is to reduce the amplitude of this intermediate mobile, which therefore makes it possible to do without a hairspring. The spring member 26 can optionally be assimilated to a portion of a turn, but which defines an angle less than 180 °. It is arranged so that, in the rest position, the line of centers which connects the axes of the escapement wheel 12, the anchor and the balance 10, is substantially located in the center of the useful part of the peripheral toothing 22 of the intermediate mobile 20. The spring member 26 may be deformed in tension and in compression relative to its rest position.
    The spring member 26 therefore makes it possible to connect in rotation, but with a temporal and spatial offset due to its deformation, the anchor and the intermediate mobile.
    An adjustment system 32 can also be provided to adjust the extreme positions of the anchor. Advantageously, in the proposed variant, the adjustment system 32 comprises a first 32a and a second 32b spring blades, respectively intended for adjusting the first and second extreme positions of the anchor 14, by cooperating with a shank 34 which comprises the 'anchor. The position of the spring blades 32a, 32b can be adjusted by an eccentric 35. The advantage of the spring blades 32a, 32b is that their effect is adjusted according to the amplitude variations linked to the decrease in the torque transmitted by the source d 'energy. Thus, when the energy source is fully armed, the leaf springs 32a, 32b can limit and absorb a greater amplitude of the movements of the anchor. When the energy source is less armed, the spring blades 32a, 32b are less stressed. Any type of limitation and absorption stops could be used in place of the leaf springs 32a and 32b.
    In operation, we can see in fig. 2a the escapement wheel 12 in the stopped position on the output pallet 16b. The anchor is supported on the first leaf spring 32a. The pendulum 10 alternates clockwise, driving the intermediate mobile 20 clockwise. Under the combined action of the movement of the intermediate mobile 20 and the spring member 26, the anchor also pivots counterclockwise and releases the escape wheel 12. In the release phase (fig 2b), the escape wheel 12 impulses on the output pallet 16b. However, the two phases cannot be clearly identified on the drawings, since there are no separate plans in the usual sense of the term. Then, the escapement wheel 12 falls on the entry pallet 16a to be again at rest. The anchor is now supported on the second leaf spring 32b.
    Depending on the desired quality and precision, we can add a system specially adapted to promote the release of pallets, fork type on the anchor 14, and pin on a plate mounted integral on the axis of the balance 10 or mounted on another mobile connected to the balance by a gear.
    [0023] FIG. 3 proposes a second alternative not covered by the claims. We find, as in the example above, the intermediate mobile 20 kinematically connected to the pinion 24 secured to the balance 10, the intermediate mobile 20 being subjected to the action of the spring member 26 to form a resonator with the balance 10 However, in this embodiment, the intermediate mobile 20 and the alternative stop and transmission system 14 are mounted along two different axes. The intermediate mobile can only be partially toothed, depending on the amplitude provided for its rotation and the part of its periphery that will be used.
    The spring member 26 connects, by a first end, the intermediate mobile 20 and, by the other end, an attachment point 36. This attachment point 36 is preferably a movable peg associated with a racket of conventional type, except that the cock is not mounted on the axis of the balance 10, but on a cock bridge independent of the balance 10.
    CH 710 679 B1
    It is thus possible to adjust the active length of the spring member. Such an arrangement of the intermediate mobile 20 makes it possible to accommodate an alternative stop and transmission system 14 of conventional type. In the example, a Swiss anchor escapement has been shown, but we could also consider a detent escapement or any other escapement. Similarly, all frequencies are possible. It is also possible to replace the conventional balance 10 with a flywheel, of circular or cylindrical shape having the same function. This regulator can be tilted at any angle relative to the movement, the teeth connecting the regulator and the intermediate mobile being adjusted to ensure good cooperation between these elements, whatever the relative angle between them.
    Note that, in the example shown, the intermediate mobile 20 is balanced. In addition, there could be two spring members on the intermediate mobile 20, these two spring members being arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the intermediate mobile 20, so that the influence of gravity on the spring members is offset.
    [0026] FIG. 12 proposes a third example not covered by the claims in which two moving parts 20 are pivotally mounted on either side of the pinion 24. Each of the moving parts 20 have a toothing 22 engaged with the pinion 24 so that the moving parts 20 pivot in phase opposition. A spring member 26 connects the two moving parts 20 so as to exert a restoring force tending to bring the moving parts 20 and the pinion 24 into a rest position corresponding to the neutral position of the balance 10. The assembly formed by the two moving parts 20, the balance 10 and the spring member 26 thus forms a resonator. In the example presented, the spring member 26 is constituted by a coil spring working in traction, but any other form of spring member working in traction or in compression could be envisaged. In particular, it is possible to use a wire spring or a cut profile, forming an open or closed loop, thus making it possible to release the central part occupied by the pinion 24 and the axis of the balance 10. It is also possible to have a greater number of mobiles 20 engaged with the pinion 24, the mobile parts 20 being connected together by one or more spring members 26.
    In FIG. 4, a variant of a resonator according to the invention has been shown. Like the resonators proposed above, there is a balance 10 provided with a pinion 24 which is integral and coaxial with it. Advantageously, the mobile comprising the peripheral toothing 22 is here a mobile part 20 devoid of pivot. This configuration is therefore particularly advantageous from the point of view of friction. More particularly, the moving part 20 is suspended from one end of the spring member 26, of which it can form an extension.
    In the example proposed in FIG. 4, the moving part is connected to a frame 40 by the spring member 26 which is formed by a plurality of flexible arms. When the flexible arms are at rest, they are arranged parallel to each other and the pinion 24 meshes with the peripheral toothing 22 substantially in the middle of the latter. The flexible arms are arranged so that the peripheral toothing 22 is movable in translation, according to the oscillations of the pendulum.
    According to another arrangement presented in FIG. 6, the moving part 20 is connected to a central part 41 by a plurality of flexible arms.
    At rest, the movable part 20 can thus be connected by a first pair of flexible arms 26a arranged perpendicularly with reference to the peripheral toothing 22. The flexible arms 26a of this first pair join a connecting upright 42 parallel to the toothing peripheral 22, and from which a second pair of flexible arms 26b joins the frame 40 or the central part 41, parallel to the flexible arms 26a of the first pair. As can be seen in fig. 4, 5 and 6, during the movement of the moving part 20, the flexible arms are deformed according to different behaviors for each pair, allowing the peripheral toothing 22 to translate. The peripheral toothing therefore follows a rectilinear trajectory. Such a configuration with flexible blades has already been applied to other fields, so it does not need to be described in more detail. The movable part and the flexible blades can be made monolithically, by microfabrication techniques, for example based on thermocompensated silicon, diamond, rubies.
    Independently, the moving part 20 and the assembly that it forms with the spring member 26 could be produced in a composite manner using different materials adapted to each of the functions of the different parts. For example, a material with a low coefficient of friction could be used to make the toothing 22, and a material with a high yield of flexibility to make the flexible arms, each element being attached by suitable fixing means.
    As mentioned above, one can mesh on the pinion 24 two moving parts 20, the peripheral teeth of which mesh on either side of the pinion, symmetrically. In the example of fig. 4, the moving parts 20 are positioned on either side of a plane passing through the pinion and perpendicular to the plane of the balance wheel. The moving parts thus act in phase opposition. They are symmetrical and connected to the same frame 40.
    According to another embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 5, the resonator is provided with flexible arms, as for the variant of FIG. 4, but in this example it has only one moving part.
    According to another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11, the pairs of flexible arms 26a and 26b extend in two superposed planes.
    In the examples presented in figs. 7 to 10, the moving part 20 can be simply located at the end of a leaf spring 26 embedded in the frame. The peripheral toothing 22 is then liable to move in a rotation centered on the embedding point 23. As in the previous embodiment, the moving part 20 and the spring member 26 can be produced in a monolithic manner. In fig. 7, a single moving part 20 is engaged with the pinion
    CH 710 679 B1
    24, while in the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, two moving parts 20, balanced in mass, mesh with the pinion
    24, and act in phase opposition.
    It is possible to provide an adjustment device comprising two racket type pins or micrometric stops or any other adjustable stops, coming from either side of the elastic arm 26 to modify the active length of the elastic arm and thus vary the oscillation period of the resonator.
    In the examples presented in figs. 7 to 10, it is useful to limit the bending, outside of the plane of the figure, of the elastic arms 26, to avoid disengaging of the toothing 22 and of the pinion 24. For this it is possible to limit the displacements of the moving part 20 in a direction parallel to the axis of the pinion by means of limitation planes perpendicular to the axis of the pinion 24 which can be formed by washers or shoulders on either side of the pinion 24, by an external lug mounted on the balance bridge or by any other equivalent means. To avoid friction of the moving part 20 on these limiting planes, the thickness of the elastic arm can be increased in the direction normal to the plane of FIGS. 7 to 9. Another solution illustrated in fig. 10 consists in securing two elastic arms 26 by superimposing them and keeping them spaced from one another. There are for this purpose spacers 27 between the elastic arms at the level of the fitting, the movable part 20 making it possible to separate the elastic arms at their other end.
    The arrangements with two moving parts 20 working in phase opposition make it possible to compensate for the effects of gravity on the moving parts 20 when they are in the vertical position. According to other modes of the invention not shown, compensation for the effects of gravity could also be obtained by a different number of moving parts. For example, one could consider three moving parts moving in translation or in rotation and regularly arranged in three directions spaced 120 °. Thus, the number and arrangement of the spring members and of the moving parts are not limited to the examples presented.
    In resonators comprising a plurality of spring members 26 and moving parts 20, it may be advantageous, for reasons of space, to have these elements on the same side of the pinion 24, in different planes, as in the example in fig. 8 in which two moving parts 20 are fixed at the end of two leaf springs 26 located in two superimposed planes. In this case, although the moving parts 20 are positioned on the same side of the pinion 24, their respective peripheral teeth are engaged on either side of the pinion 24 in order to be able to work in phase opposition. To do this, a moving part has an opening 25 in which the pinion 24 is disposed, one of the internal faces of the opening being provided with a rack 22. This opening 25 also limits the movements of the moving part 20 by relative to the pinion 24 in the directions perpendicular to the axis of the pinion 24, in particular in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the rack 22. This makes it possible to avoid an accidental jump of a tooth of the toothing 22 on the pinion 24 which would cause a desynchronization at the level of the exhaust, and also to limit the maximum bending applicable on the flexible arms 26.
    In the variants with several moving parts 20, these will preferably have substantially the same mass to compensate for the effects linked to inertia or to gravity.
    The position of the spring member 26 can be adjusted using adjustment eccentrics to adjust the penetration of the teeth 22 radially relative to the pinion 24 and to position the teeth 22 tangentially relative to the pinion 24 to mark the balance.
    In general, the contact surfaces of the components of the invention such as, for example, the pinion 24, the toothing 22, the moving part 20, the means for limiting bending formed by the limiting planes and by the openings
    25, the articulated and pivoted elements on the anchor 14 can be produced using hard coating resistant anti-friction technologies of type N FC (Near Frictionless coating) DLC, Blacktop, or galvanic deposits and all other technologies suitable for reduce friction.
    With these configurations, the escapement wheel can be positioned with great flexibility relative to the pendulum 10, thus offering numerous possibilities to those skilled in the art for constructing its escapement.
    The moving parts 20 also have their own inertia which is added to that of the balance 10. By increasing the mass or the number of the moving parts 20, depending on the desired frequency and with the idea of achieving high frequencies, it is possible, for all the embodiments presented, to reduce the dimension of the balance 10 or even to eliminate it completely. In the case where the balance is deleted, it is the part or these are the movable parts (s) 20 which play (s) the role of the balance 10 and form (s) a resonator with the spring member 26. For this do, we can add to the moving part 20 an inertial mass 21. This allows, in embodiments where the moving part is suspended, to increase the mass of the moving part while retaining the advantages of microfabrication, with a moving part and monolithic springs. It is possible to vary the frequency of the resonator by modifying the inertial mass 21. In the case where the moving part describes a rotational movement, it is also possible to vary the oscillation frequency by modifying the distance of the inertial mass 21 in the center of rotation, with a controlled sliding system for example.
    Advantageously, the assembly according to the invention makes it possible to introduce a reduction ratio between the balance 10 and the intermediate mobile. Consequently, the amplitude of the intermediate mobile 20 can be reduced, which therefore makes it possible to do without a hairspring. This avoids all the disadvantages of hairsprings, including its adjustment, its asymmetry.
    CH 710 679 B1 In addition, the fact that the action of the spring does not apply to the balance 10, but further in the train, reduces the influence of the spring on the running of the watch, linked friction of the axes. We can even consider having a pendulum amplitude greater than 360 °.
    Thus a new type of assembly is proposed comprising an escapement mechanism and a mechanical oscillator for a mechanical watch, which makes it possible to dispense with a spiral spring and reduces the influence of the spring on the running of the watch. Those skilled in the art will be able to produce different variants on the basis of the above description, given by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the protection defined by the claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    Claims
    1. Clock movement resonator including
    - a pinion (24),
    - at least one movable part (20) comprising a toothing (22) engaged with the pinion (24), and
    - a spring member (26) exerting a restoring force on the movable part (20), characterized in that the movable part (20) is suspended at one end of the spring member (26) and in that the member spring (26) is formed by a plurality of flexible arms.
    [2]
    2. Clock movement resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that the moving part (20) further comprises an inertial mass (21).
    [3]
    3. Clock movement resonator according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a balance (10) mounted coaxially and integral with the pinion (24).
    [4]
    4. Resonator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of moving parts (20), associated in pairs, said moving parts (20) of each pair being arranged so as to move in phase opposition to each other.
    [5]
    5. Resonator according to claim 4, characterized in that the teeth (22) of the moving parts (20) of a pair are arranged symmetrically with respect to the pinion (24).
    [6]
    6. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two moving parts (20) connected together by the spring member (26).
    [7]
    7. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (26) is arranged so that the movable part or parts (20) is / are movable in translation .
    [8]
    8. Resonator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible arms extend in two superimposed planes.
    [9]
    9. Resonator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring member (26) is arranged so that the movable part (20) is movable in rotation.
    [10]
    10. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable part (20) has an opening (25) in which the pinion (24) is housed and an internal face of which has the toothing (22).
    [11]
    11. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means for limiting the flexion of the flexible arms.
    [12]
    12. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises eccentrics making it possible to adjust the position of the spring member (26).
    [13]
    13. Resonator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (26) and the movable part (20) are produced in a monolithic manner.
    [14]
    14. Assembly comprising an exhaust mechanism and a resonator according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an escape wheel (12) intended to receive a torque supplied by an energy source, the escape wheel ( 12) and the moving part (20) or the balance (10) being intended to be connected by an alternative stop and transmission system (14) arranged to intermittently block the escape wheel (12) and release it under the action of the balance (10) and / or the moving part (20) and to transmit to the balance (10) and / or the moving part (20) a piece of energy to maintain its oscillations.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    WO2015010797A1|2015-01-29|
    CH707187A2|2014-05-15|
    EP3044637A1|2016-07-20|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    CH19698A|1900-05-19|1900-09-15|K Silbermann|Watch escapement without hairspring|
    CH325529A|1955-06-07|1957-11-15|Motha Treuinstitut|Anchor escapement for watch movement|
    GB1365543A|1970-09-14|1974-09-04|Suwa Seikosha Kk|Vibrator device for a timepiece|
    JPS5641269Y2|1978-04-15|1981-09-28|
    法律状态:
    2016-12-15| PFA| Name/firm changed|Owner name: DOMINIQUE RENAUD SA, CH Free format text: FORMER OWNER: DOMINIQUE RENAUD SA, CH |
    2019-06-14| NV| New agent|Representative=s name: BOVARD SA NEUCHATEL CONSEILS EN PROPRIETE INTE, CH |
    2021-04-15| PUE| Assignment|Owner name: ERIC FREYMOND, GB Free format text: FORMER OWNER: DOMINIQUE RENAUD SA, CH |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    CH01317/13A|CH707187A2|2012-11-12|2013-07-26|Resonator clockwork and assembly comprising such a resonator and an escapement mechanism.|
    PCT/EP2014/054396|WO2015010797A1|2013-07-26|2014-03-06|Clock movement resonator and assembly comprising such a resonator and an escapement mechanism|
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