• 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:
    Motor spring (100) intended to be mounted in a watch movement barrel, the motor spring (100) having a length (L) and being produced in a metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and fibers, in which each of the fibers has a length (I) of at least 50% of the length (L) of the spring (100).
    公开号:CH712359B1
    申请号:CH01052/17
    申请日:2016-02-26
    公开日:2020-01-31
    发明作者:Moyse Romain；Guerlesquin Gaël
    申请人:Cartier Int Ag；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Description Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a mainspring intended to be mounted in a watch motor barrel or other timepiece.
    STATE OF THE ART [0002] The barrel spring, or motor spring, is the member making it possible to store the mechanical energy necessary for the operation of the watch. Generally, its geometrical dimensions and the mechanical properties of the material that composes it determine the potential energy that the mainspring is capable of storing and the maximum torque that it delivers. The unwinding of the spring leaf produces the energy necessary for the watch to function. Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a mainspring 1 housed in a barrel drum 2. The shape of the leaf of the spring has evolved to a recognized shape in inverted S (see fig. 2 and "Clockwork theory" by CA Reymondin et al., Edited by the Federation of Technical Schools, Switzerland, 1998). This particular shape makes it possible to produce a relatively constant torque regardless of the arming state of the spring. The maximum energy is stored by the mainspring when the proportion between the surface occupied by the latter, when it is armed, and that which remains free in the drum is approximately 50 percent.
    Watch manufacturers have always sought to increase the energy storage capacity of motor springs and, thus, the power reserve of mechanical watches, without increasing the volume, that is to say, the '' bulk, barrels. Efforts have mainly been directed towards reducing energy losses, in particular due to friction.
    The use of composite materials, such as a glass fiber reinforced polymer or the like for the manufacture of motor springs makes it possible to obtain springs less likely than conventional metal springs to fatigue fractures and, therefore, to have longer service life. The use of such composite materials may require the dimensioning of the springs taking into account the specificities which differentiate these composite materials from the steels traditionally used. Indeed, if the steel rolling techniques allow blade thicknesses less than a tenth of a millimeter, such reduced dimensions are difficult with the mechanical performance targeted in the case of composite materials. The springs made of composite materials may also have a lower flexural strength than the metal springs.
    Document EP 2 511 229 describes a micromechanical component such as a mainspring, the support material of which can be made of a composite of ceramic material in a metallic matrix, for example metallic matrices based on nickel or cobalt trapping particles of tungsten carbides or titanium carbides.
    Document WO 2005 123 324 relates to the method of machining a timepiece component such as a spring. This can be a composite material, including an organic or metallic matrix / binder material and comprising in particular, without being exhaustive, phenolics, polyesters, epoxides, polyimides, fiber reinforced / additive reinforcements (mainly celluloses, glass E, C, S, R ..., boron, ...), whiskers AIO 3 , SIO 2 , ZrO 2 , MgO, TIO 2 , BeO, SIC, aramid low modulus, high modulus aramid, high tenacity carbon, high modulus carbon, boron, steel, aluminum, etc., as well as materials loaded with mineral matter, in particular chalk, silica, kaolin, titanium oxide, glass ball, etc.
    [0007] Thus, numerous attempts to manufacture a timepiece component, including an elastic component, have focused on the use of a metal matrix composite. When we talk about a metal matrix composite, it is a metal matrix into which we insert fibers, particles or even filaments which we call whiskers. Whiskers are fibers with a length ranging from 10 μm to 5 cm. For example, document CH 564 391 discloses the use of whiskers in a metallic matrix of Ni or Ag.
    However, to date no motor spring made of a metal matrix composite material has been able to meet the requirements linked to this essential part of a mechanical watch movement.
    Brief Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a mainspring intended to be mounted in a watch barrel or other timepiece, free from the limitations of documents of the state of the art known.
    Another object of the invention is to provide a motor spring intended to be mounted in a motor barrel, having a small thickness while having good mechanical properties, in particular good elastic properties.
    In particular, the present invention aims to provide a motor spring which can have mechanical properties, in particular predetermined and constant elastic properties over a significant part of the length of the spring.
    According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a mainspring intended to be mounted in a barrel, the mainspring having a length L and being produced in a metal matrix composite comprising a
    CH 712 359 B1 metallic matrix and fibers. Typically, each of the fibers has a length I of at least 50% of the length L of the spring.
    This solution has the particular advantage over the prior art of having improved characteristics in tensile strength in that the fibers extend in the same direction as the main direction of the ribbon constituting the spring and over a length I exceeding or equal to half the total length L of the spring. The total length L of the spring corresponds to the total length of the ribbon forming the spring, in a fully deployed configuration.
    Metallic matrix composites (CMM or MMC for "Metal Matrix Composite") use a ductile, relatively strong and rigid metal with reinforcements in the form of fibers which provide increased resistance, in particular for tensile stresses and for cyclical constraints (improvement of resistance to fatigue).
    The metal matrix composite material makes it possible to take advantage of the excellent rigidity and tensile strength of long fibers while retaining the ductility and the machinability of the base metal. It is thus possible to reduce the thickness of the ribbon forming the mainspring, while retaining good mechanical strength, or even to increase the mechanical characteristics at equal thicknesses.
    For fibers, it is therefore excluded according to the present invention to use short fibers but using long fibers (more than half or equal to half the length of the spring), or even very long fibers, which can be continuous single filament or multi filament fibers.
    According to the invention, it is therefore preferably used a composite material, generally shaped by foundry, consisting of at least one metallic phase (the binder or matrix) and at least one non-metallic phase.
    This non-metallic phase is preferably a ceramic phase or one containing ceramic, namely a refractory product. A material belonging to the family commonly called CERMET is therefore preferably used.
    The invention also relates to a barrel comprising a mainspring as described above as well as a watch equipped with a movement comprising such a barrel. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said mainspring.
    Brief description of the figures [0020] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:
    fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a mainspring housed in a barrel drum;
    fig. 2 illustrates a mainspring in its unwound position having an inverted S shape, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail III of FIG. 2, showing more precisely the structure of the material constituting the spring, according to the invention.
    Example (s) of embodiment of the invention In FIG. 2, there is, in a deployed configuration, a motor spring 100. This spring 100 is formed of a ribbon and extends between its two ends according to a total length L.
    To better understand the structure of the ribbon forming the spring 100, reference is now made to FIG. 3. We can see a section of the spring 100 (detail III in fig. 2). The material of the spring 100 comprises a matrix 10 in which fibers 20 are embedded.
    According to a variant not shown, other constituents such as particles or other additives are also embedded in the matrix 10.
    According to one embodiment, the matrix 10 comprises one of the metals or an alloy of one of the following metals: gold, magnesium, aluminum.
    According to one embodiment, the fibers 20 comprise one of the following materials: glass, quartz, boron, basalt, or a combination of these materials.
    According to one embodiment, the core of the fibers 20 is made of one of the aforementioned materials and the fibers 20 can be coated or coated with a layer of another material.
    According to the invention, the fibers 20 of the spring 100 are all of a length I at least equal to half the length L of the spring.
    According to one embodiment, part of the fibers 20, in particular at least half of the fibers 20, has a length of at least 70% of the length L of the spring 100.
    CH 712 359 B1 [0029] According to one embodiment, each of the fibers 20 has a length of at least 70% of the length L of the spring 100.
    According to one embodiment, part of the fibers 20, in particular at least half of the fibers 20, has a length equal to or almost equal to the length L of the spring 100.
    It is understood that the fibers 20 are advantageously arranged at least approximately parallel to one another and follow the shape of the mainspring 100 at rest as illustrated in FIG. 2. The fibers 20 are thus arranged unidirectionally in the motor spring 100.
    Furthermore, the fibers are preferably present in each section of the motor spring 100.
    The fibers 20 all preferably have substantially the same dimension in their section. In particular, the fibers 20 have a substantially circular section with a diameter between 3 and 20 micrometers.
    To benefit from the advantageous properties of the fibers, preferably, the surface area ratio between the section of the fibers 20 and the section of the matrix 10 is from 35 to 90.7% in each section of the ribbon forming the spring 100.
    For example, the volume ratio between the fibers 20 and the matrix 10 is 30 to 90.7%.
    Typically, the size of the ribbon forming the spiral spring 100 according to the invention has a length between 10 to 2000 millimeters. Preferably the length of the spiral spring 100 is at least 100 mm, and more preferably 200 mm. Furthermore, typically the section of the forming tape is between 0.05 and 1.5 mm 2 .
    The invention is not limited to a spiral spring but applies to any mainspring for a watch regulating member. Different manufacturing methods can be used to make the mainspring according to the invention. For example, and in a non-exhaustive manner, the following manufacturing process is cited. "Squeeze Casting" (also known as "liquid metal forging", and in French "liquid metal forging") which applies significant pressure to the molten metal in order to reduce porosity. In this case, the metal is pressurized in a mold containing a preform of fibers arranged unidirectionally with the casting of the metal alloy.
    A step of finishing the mainspring can consist of machining, which can be carried out for example by a laser ablation process as described in WO 2005/123 324. In this case, preferably, arrangements are made for not having to cut fibers, which could be detrimental to the elastic and mechanical strength properties of the mainspring. The preform is therefore placed in the mold with fibers placed and oriented parallel to each other and with respect to the walls of the mold in order to avoid leaving a cut portion, in particular a too short portion, of fiber in the part.
    Reference numbers used in the figures [0040]
    100 Spiral spring
    Matrix
    fibers
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1]
    claims
    1. Motor spring (100) intended to be mounted in a barrel of a movement of a timepiece, the motor spring (100) having a length (L) and being produced in a metal matrix composite comprising a matrix metallic (10) and fibers (20); wherein each of the fibers (20) has a length (I) of at least 50% of the length (L) of the spring (100).
    [2]
    2. Motor spring (100) according to claim 1, in which the matrix (10) comprises one of the metals or an alloy of one of the following metals: gold, magnesium or aluminum.
    [3]
    3. Motor spring (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibers (20) comprise at least one of the following materials: glass, quartz, boron, or basalt.
    [4]
    4. Motor spring (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fibers (20) comprise basalt.
    [5]
    5. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of the fibers (20) has a length of at least 70% of the length (L) of the spring (100).
    [6]
    6. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least half of the fibers (20) have a length equal to or approximately equal to the length (L) of the spring (100).
    [7]
    7. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the spring (100) is a spiral spring.
    [8]
    8. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume ratio between the fibers (20) and the matrix (10) is 30 to 90.7%.
    CH 712 359 B1
    [9]
    9. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the spring (100) is formed of a ribbon and extends between its two ends along a total length (L); and in which, in each section of the ribbon forming the spring (100), the surface area ratio between the sections of the fibers (20) and the section of the matrix (10) is from 35% to 90.7%.
    [10]
    10. Motor spring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, having a minimum length of 100 mm.
    [11]
    11. Motor spring (100) according to the preceding claim having a minimum length of 200 mm.
    [12]
    12. Method for manufacturing the mainspring (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising a step of arranging a fiber preform (20) unidirectionally in a mold and a step of forging metal in phase liquid, this step of forging metal in the liquid phase comprising pressurizing the metal of the metal matrix (10) in the mold containing the fiber preform (20).
    [13]
    13. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the preform is arranged in the mold with the fibers oriented parallel to the walls of the mold.
    [14]
    14. Barrel comprising the mainspring (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11.
    [15]
    15. Timepiece comprising a barrel according to the preceding claim.
    CH 712 359 B1
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    EP2788821B1|2019-04-10|Sliding layer for a barrel spring made of a composite material
    EP2104006A1|2009-09-23|Single-body double spiral and method for manufacturing same
    CA2632716C|2014-06-10|Brazed joint between a metal part and a ceramic part
    FR2650367A1|1991-02-01|HIGH PRESSURE BOTTLE WITH THIN METALLIC WALLS REINFORCED BY A COIL FIBER WINDING, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
    CA2828027A1|2012-09-13|Method for producing a composite including a ceramic matrix
    EP2191029A2|2010-06-02|Mechanical part including an insert made of a composite material
    EP3559759B1|2020-10-07|Timepiece component made of composite material
    CH712359B1|2020-01-31|Motor spring in a metal matrix composite material.
    EP2917786A2|2015-09-16|System and method for making a light guiding spiral of a watch movement
    EP0207861A1|1987-01-07|Castings and process for their preparation
    EP3106930A1|2016-12-21|Manufacturing method comprising a modified machining step
    EP2320280A1|2011-05-11|Anchor for clock escapement system
    CA2919590A1|2015-01-29|Process for fabricating composite parts by low melting point impregnation
    EP3106928A1|2016-12-21|Manufacturing method comprising a modified bar turning step
    EP3036057B1|2017-07-19|Composite reinforcement insert and manufacturing method
    EP3112955B1|2018-01-24|Method for manufacturing a part comprising a modified browning step
    EP3578760A1|2019-12-11|A composite material fan blade integrating large clearance
    FR3036409B1|2019-08-02|NICKEL-BASED METALLIC MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SUCH A COMPOSITE MATERIAL
    FR2915710A1|2008-11-07|Spoke of metal and composite material for spoked wheel has bridge as metal band with Young's modulus greater than or equal to 100,000 MPa, whereby band is inserted between and attached to two end pieces
    EP3175303B1|2019-01-02|Timepiece component with a surface comprising silk fibroin
    FR2671158A1|1992-07-03|REINFORCED STIFFENER AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD.
    EP3037463B1|2018-12-05|Composite material, in particular for horology
    FR2984794A1|2013-06-28|Method for manufacturing composite material part for aircraft, involves integrating protecting portion in extension part of another protection portion, which is simultaneously realized with former portion in single manufacturing device
    EP3839643A1|2021-06-23|Flexible timepiece component and clockwork comprising such a component
    EP2120105A1|2009-11-18|Improved micromechanical part comprising lubrication elements
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    WO2016135679A1|2016-09-01|
    CH710790A1|2016-08-31|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    CH343889A|1956-08-29|1959-12-31|Rolex Montres|Method of manufacturing a ribbon-shaped mainspring and mainspring obtained by this method|
    CH1240971A4|1971-08-25|1975-02-28|
    JP2008501534A|2004-06-08|2008-01-24|タグ−ホイヤー　エスアー|Manufacturing method of micro mechanical part or nano mechanical part by laser cutting process using femto laser|
    EP2511229B1|2011-04-12|2017-03-08|GFD Gesellschaft für Diamantprodukte mbH|Micromechanical component with reinforced flanks|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    CH00268/15A|CH710790A1|2015-02-27|2015-02-27|Mainspring composite metal matrix cylinder and watch.|
    PCT/IB2016/051051|WO2016135679A1|2015-02-27|2016-02-26|Mainspring made of a composite material with a metal matrix|
    [返回顶部]