• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
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    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to a metal component (1) having at least a portion (6) covered with a substantially uniform blue-colored oxide layer (8), said portion (6) consisting essentially of an alloy based on copper, the oxide layer (8) of blue color containing a copper oxide. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a metal component (1) comprising in particular a bluing thermal treatment step carried out under particular conditions, in terms of temperature, oxygen content and moisture content.
    公开号:CH713674A2
    申请号:CH00463/17
    申请日:2017-04-06
    公开日:2018-10-15
    发明作者:bourgeois Patrick；Noailles Alexandre
    申请人:Cartier Int Ag；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a metal watch component having at least one portion covered with a substantially uniform blue color oxide layer. In particular, the invention relates to such a metal component in the field of watchmaking, including a display needle, and a timepiece comprising at least one such metal component.
    The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a metal watch component comprising in particular the steps of: - to provide a metal piece to be processed, shaped and dimensioned appropriately, - submit this metal piece to a bluing thermal treatment leading to the formation of a blue color oxide layer on at least a portion of its surface.
    STATE OF THE ART [0003] Such metal components as well as corresponding manufacturing processes have already been disclosed in the prior art.
    Thus, for example, the patent application CH 708938 A2 presents an inventory at the end of 2013 in the field of watchmaking, specifically for the manufacture of display needles. It is stated in this application that different methods of manufacturing metal components are known which make it possible to obtain a blue surface coloration imparting a qualitative impression to the components concerned.
    In particular, for high-end needles, a specific steel alloy subjected to a precisely defined blueing heat treatment makes it possible to obtain a particularly desired blue coloration. The blue coloring results from an interference phenomenon of the light which is reflected on the surface of the component, in particular on the oxide layer which forms on the surface of the component under the effect of the heat treatment.
    The coloring of the component therefore depends precisely on the thickness of the oxide layer and its composition. In general, with the type of steel most commonly used, the oxide layer that forms during the blueing heat treatment is actually composed of several different oxides, essentially hematite and magnetite. As a result, the components thus produced are slightly magnetic and can have a negative impact on the progress of a watch movement.
    It is also apparent from this patent application that methods have been developed to provide alternatives, in particular for manufacturing non-magnetic metal components. In particular, different processes had to be developed in connection with the use of copper-based, and thus non-magnetic alloys, since these copper-based alloys would not be compatible with the thermal treatments of blueing (paragraph [ 0010]). Thus, a blue color is provided to certain metal components by implementing a vapor deposition, the deposited compound typically being a titanium oxide.
    These methods are not entirely satisfactory, the company that filed the earlier Swiss application has itself developed an alternative method for manufacturing blue-colored metal components, especially needles. Assuming that the use of a cuprous support is not compatible with the implementation of a blueing heat treatment, it has identified austenitic metal alloys whose austenitic, nonmagnetic phase is stabilized. and capable of being oxidized by heat treatment to take a blue color. Examples of alloys provided are based on iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium or molybdenum. The presence of copper is mentioned in this patent application, among other possible elements, to fulfill a stabilizing element role of the austenitic phase, therefore in minority proportions. The implementation of this method always has the risk of seeing part of the austenitic phase turn into martensite which is ferromagnetic and therefore undesirable.
    Furthermore, the hardness of the alloy used, before and after heat treatment, is an important parameter to consider in the manufacture of metal components, depending on the nature of this component as well as depending on the steps of the process. manufacturing process considered in its entirety. The use of austenitic alloys seems tricky when it comes to modifying the hardness of a given alloy since each modification of the composition of the alloy is likely to compromise the stability of the austenitic phase and lead to martensite formation at some point in the process.
    Therefore, it is always desirable, particularly in the field of watchmaking, to have a method for manufacturing a metallic blue color component of high quality perceived and non-magnetic.
    DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0010] A main object of the present invention is to provide a metallic component of blue coloration, of high perceived quality, non-magnetic, as well as a method of manufacturing such a metallic component, offering at the same time a certain flexibility in the choice of alloys that can be used as needed and the guarantee of obtaining a non-magnetic metal component.
    For this purpose, the present invention more particularly relates to a metal watch component having at least one portion covered with a substantially uniform blue coloring oxide layer, wherein this portion consists essentially of a base alloy. copper and wherein the blue color oxide layer contains a copper-based oxide, i.e., an oxide in which the copper has higher bulk ratios than any other metal that may be present.
    With these characteristics, the metal component according to the present invention is certainly non-magnetic, variations in the composition of the base alloy used for its manufacture being possible without calling into question this assurance, to allow the man of the to manufacture a metal component that meets its own needs, for example in terms of hardness.
    Preferably, the blue color oxide layer is mainly composed of a copper-based oxide such as copper oxide or a mixed oxide composed of copper and one or more other metals (for example example of nickel) in which copper is the metal having the largest proportion by weight. More particularly, the composition of the blue color oxide layer advantageously corresponds to the composition of the product obtained by oxidative heat treatment of the copper-based alloy used to manufacture the metal component.
    Advantageously, the copper-based alloy used may be an alloy selected from the group comprising: Cupronickels such as Pfinodal (Trade Mark, Cu Ni 15 Sn 8) or copper-nickel-zinc alloys without lead -preferably ARCAP type (trademark, Cu 65 Ni 25 Zn); copper-tin-zinc alloys; and unleaded brasses.
    According to a preferred embodiment, the metal clock component may be a display pointer. In this case, it can advantageously be provided that the component has a hardness substantially between 320 and 550 HV (hardness according to the Vickers scale), preferably between 320 and 400 HV.
    The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a metal watch component of the type that has just been presented, that is to say comprising at least one copper-based alloy portion and having a layer of blue color oxide containing a copper-based oxide.
    Indeed, against all expectations, the Applicant has managed to develop operating conditions by which a copper-based metal alloy can undergo an oxidative heat treatment giving rise to the appearance of a layer of oxide of blue colored copper.
    Thus, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a metal component comprising the steps of: - to provide a metal part to be treated, shaped and dimensioned appropriately, - to submit the metal part to a bluing thermal treatment leading to the formation of a blue color oxide layer on at least a portion of its surface, the metal part being made of a copper-based alloy and the bluing step being carried out in the following operating conditions: at a temperature of substantially between 300 and 450 ° C., with an oxygen content of substantially between 10 and 20%, with a moisture content of substantially between 10 and 25%.
    Preferably, the blueing step may be carried out in a temperature range extending substantially between 325 and 420 ° C.
    According to a preferred embodiment, the metal part to be treated is made of a copper alloy having a hardness substantially between 190 and 220 HV before the implementation of the blueing step, and between 320 and 550 HV, preferably between 320 and 400 HV, after the implementation of the blueing step.
    More particularly, when the metal component is a display needle for a timepiece, the method may include a prior heat treatment step of the metal part to be processed implemented before the implementation of the step blueing. This prior heat treatment step may in particular include an income operation.
    In addition, the method may then also comprise at least one additional step, between the preliminary heat treatment step and the blueing step, comprising one or more operations taken in the group comprising the polishing, washing, straightening and tumbling.
    In general, the bluing heat treatment step preferably has a duration of substantially between 1 and 10 minutes.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-exemplary example. in which: FIG. 1 is a simplified front view of a metal component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the metal component of FIG. 1. Embodiment (s) of the invention [0025] FIG. 1 shows a simplified front view of a metal watch component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, more specifically a needle 1.
    The implementation of the present invention is not limited to a needle in the watchmaking field, in terms of component and manufacturing method of this component. Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to the manufacture of other watchmaking components or movement, such as for example screws.
    The needle 1 is illustrated here schematically in that its shape does not matter for the implementation of the present invention and the skilled person can conform and size according to his own needs without going out of the scope of the invention.
    The needle 1 typically comprises a barrel 2 having an opening 4 intended to ensure the assembly of the needle 1 to an axis of a mobile display of a watch movement (not shown here).
    Fig. 2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of the needle 1, to detail the structure.
    According to the present invention, the metal watch component is made of a copper-based alloy, so that it is not magnetic when its manufacture is complete. Thus, the metal watch component comprises at least a portion 6 made of a copper-based alloy subjected to a blueing heat treatment, during the implementation of the manufacturing method according to the present invention, leading to the formation of An oxide layer 8. This oxide layer 8 contains in particular a copper-based oxide and imparts the desired blue coloring to the metal component.
    Indeed, contrary to the conventional wisdom that a blueing heat treatment can not be applied to a copper-based alloy, as is apparent for example from the teaching of the patent application CH 708 938 A2 cited above, the Applicant has succeeded in identifying particular operating conditions that make it possible to perform such a treatment. It will be noted that these operating conditions differ in all of those typically used in connection with known bluing processes, ie a temperature of about 300 ° C. is generally applied to the workpiece. treat for a period of about 3 to 5 minutes.
    Thus, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal component consisting of a copper-based alloy comprising the steps of: -se provide a metal part to be treated, consisting of an alloy to copper base, suitably sized and shaped, - subjecting said metal part to a step of preparing its surface - subjecting said metal part to a bluing thermal treatment leading to the formation of a blue color oxide on at least one part of its surface, this blueing step being carried out under the following operating conditions: at a temperature of substantially between 300 and 450 ° C., more preferably between 325 and 420 ° C., with an oxygen content of substantially between and 20%, with a moisture content substantially between 10 and 25%.
    The bluing heat treatment step is advantageously carried out in an oven allowing, in addition to controlling the temperature, to control the level of oxygen present in the heating chamber, or possibly the moisture content. However, these last two parameters can also be controlled by one or more additional devices independent of the oven without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    In general, the heat treatment step according to the present invention can be applied to the workpiece for a period of between 1 and about 10 minutes.
    The metal component according to the present invention is a component in the field of watchmaking. Advantageously, the component according to the invention is a visible component on the finished product, that is to say the corresponding timepiece. Thus, it may be for example a rough part such as a bridge, a screw or, preferably, a display needle, as mentioned above.
    In the case of a display needle for a timepiece, a typical manufacturing process comprises the following operations, starting from a metal strip whose composition corresponds here to a suitable alloy, based on copper: 1 / Creep 2 / Cutting 3 / Washing 4 / Heat treatment (tempering) 5 / Washing 6 / Straightening 7 / Polishing 8 / Washing 9 / Tonnaging 10 / Straightening 11 / Surface preparation (stripping, neutralization, washing) 12 / Heat treatment [0037] The preparation step before the bluing heat treatment step is an important preliminary step for the creation of the oxide layer.
    Different types of copper-based alloys can be used to make a blued metal component, generally, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    In the case of the manufacture of a watch component, and more particularly of a needle, it is preferable to have a rather soft material initially for the shaping steps (creep and cutting), c ' that is to say, whose hardness is preferably of the order of 190 to 220 HV, while it will be made harder during the heat treatment steps (quenching and thermal treatment of blueing), that is to say say with a hardness that will increase to 320 to 550 HV, preferably 320 to 400 HV, which is more suitable for the implementation of finishing operations (polishing, striking, tribofinition).
    It will be noted that the selected copper-based alloy may advantageously be a commercially available alloy and taken from the group comprising, by way of non-limiting examples, Pfinodal (registered trademark, Cu Ni 15 Sn 8, 15% of nickel, 8% of tin, less than 0.5% of other elements and the balance of copper), lead-free copper-nickel-zinc alloys - preferably ARCAP type (registered trademark, for example for ARCAP AP1, Cu 65 Ni 25 Zn, 65% copper, 25% nickel, 2% addition metals and the zinc balance), copper-tin-zinc alloys and lead-free brasses.
    The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, as for example the nature of the blue metal component manufactured as mentioned or the copper-based alloys mentioned above. Indeed, as previously reported, the manufacturing method that has been described allows the skilled person to achieve a wide variety of blue-colored metal components, starting from a wide variety of copper-based alloys depending of his own needs, without any difficulty and, therefore, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    1. Metallic watch component (1) having at least one portion (6) covered with a substantially uniform blue-colored oxide layer (8), characterized in that said portion (6) consists essentially of an alloy based on copper and in that said blue-colored oxide layer (8) contains a copper-based oxide. 2. Component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said blue-colored oxide layer (8) is mainly composed of copper oxide or a mixed oxide composed of copper and one or more other metals and in which the copper has higher proportions by weight than any other metal that may be present. 3. Component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the composition of said blue-colored oxide layer (8) substantially corresponds to the composition of the product obtained by oxidative heat treatment of said copper-based alloy. 4. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said copper-based alloy is an alloy from the group comprising cupronickels, copper-tin-zinc alloys and unleaded brasses. 5. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a hardness substantially between 320 and 550 HV, preferably between 320 and 400 HV, and in that it constitutes a display needle . 6. Timepiece comprising at least one metal component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    In the case of a display needle for a timepiece, a typical manufacturing process comprises the following operations, starting from a metal strip whose composition corresponds here to a suitable alloy, based on copper: 1 / Creep 2 / Cutting 3 / Washing 4 / Heat treatment (tempering) 5 / Washing 6 / Straightening 7 / Polishing 8 / Washing 9 / Tonnaging 10 / Straightening 11 / Surface preparation (stripping, neutralization, washing) 12 / Heat treatment [0037] The preparation step before the bluing heat treatment step is an important preliminary step for the creation of the oxide layer. Different types of copper-based alloys can be used to make a blued metal component, generally, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the case of the manufacture of a watch component, and more particularly of a needle, it is preferable to have a rather soft material initially for the shaping steps (creep and cutting), c ' that is to say, whose hardness is preferably of the order of 190 to 220 HV, while it will be made harder during the heat treatment steps (quenching and thermal treatment of blueing), that is to say say with a hardness that will increase to 320 to 550 HV, preferably 320 to 400 HV, which is more suitable for the implementation of finishing operations (polishing, striking, tribofinition). It will be noted that the selected copper-based alloy may advantageously be a commercially available alloy and taken from the group comprising, by way of non-limiting examples, Pfinodal (registered trademark, Cu Ni 15 Sn 8, 15% of nickel, 8% of tin, less than 0.5% of other elements and the balance of copper), lead-free copper-nickel-zinc alloys - preferably ARCAP type (registered trademark, for example for ARCAP AP1, Cu 65 Ni 25 Zn, 65% copper, 25% nickel, 2% addition metals and the zinc balance), copper-tin-zinc alloys and lead-free brasses. The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, as for example the nature of the blue metal component manufactured as mentioned or the copper-based alloys mentioned above. Indeed, as previously reported, the manufacturing method that has been described allows the skilled person to achieve a wide variety of blue-colored metal components, starting from a wide variety of copper-based alloys depending of his own needs, without any difficulty and, therefore, without departing from the scope of the present invention. claims
    1. metal watch component (1) having at least a portion (6) covered with a layer of oxide (8) substantially uniform blue coloring, characterized in that said portion (6) consists essentially of an alloy to copper base and in that said blue-colored oxide layer (8) contains a copper-based oxide.
    [2]
    2. Component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said blue-colored oxide layer (8) is mainly composed of copper oxide or a mixed oxide composed of copper and one or more other metals and in which the copper has higher proportions by weight than any other metal that may be present.
    [3]
    3. Component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the composition of said blue-colored oxide layer (8) substantially corresponds to the composition of the product obtained by oxidative heat treatment of said copper-based alloy.
    [4]
    4. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said copper-based alloy is an alloy from the group comprising cupronickels, copper-tin-zinc alloys and unleaded brasses.
    [5]
    5. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a hardness substantially between 320 and 550 HV, preferably between 320 and 400 HV, and in that it constitutes a display needle .
    [6]
    6. Timepiece comprising at least one metal component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5.
    [7]
    7. A method of manufacturing a metal watch component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of: - to provide a piece of metal to be treated, shaped and dimensioned appropriately, - submit this metal part at a stage of preparation of its surface - subjecting said metal part to a bluing thermal treatment leading to the formation of a blue-colored oxide layer (8) on at least a part of its surface, characterized in said metal part consists of a copper-based alloy and in that said blueing step is carried out under the following operating conditions: at a temperature of substantially between 300 and 450 ° C, with a degree of oxygen substantially between 10 and 20%, with a moisture content substantially between 10 and 25%.
    [8]
    8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said blueing step is preferably carried out in a temperature range extending substantially between 325 and 420 ° C.
    [9]
    9. The method of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said metal part to be treated is made of a copper alloy having a hardness substantially between 190 and 220 HV before the implementation of said step of blueing, and between 320 and 550 HV, preferably between 320 and 400 HV, after the implementation of said blueing step.
    [10]
    10. Process according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the said metal part to be treated consists of at least one of the alloys taken from the group comprising cupronickels, copper-tin-zinc alloys and unleaded brasses.
    [11]
    11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that said metal component (1) is a display needle for a timepiece, the method comprising a step of prior heat treatment of said metal part to be treated implementation before the implementation of the blueing step.
    [12]
    12. The method of claim 11, characterized in that said prior heat treatment step comprises a revenue operation.
    [13]
    13. The method of claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it also comprises at least one additional step, between said preliminary heat treatment step and said blueing step, comprising an operation taken in the group comprising polishing, washing , straightening and tumbling.
    [14]
    14. Method according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that said bluing thermal treatment step has a duration of substantially between 1 and 10 minutes.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CH713674B1|2021-09-15|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    CH00463/17A|CH713674B1|2017-04-06|2017-04-06|Blue colored metal watch component and corresponding manufacturing process.|CH00463/17A| CH713674B1|2017-04-06|2017-04-06|Blue colored metal watch component and corresponding manufacturing process.|
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