CH704239A2 - Single block watch making mobile e.g. escape mechanism, for use during movement of mechanical watch, has guide surface located close to plane so as to maintain mobile in recessed or overhang manner, where mobile does not have guide shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

The mobile (1) has a guide surface cooperating directly or indirectly with another guide surface associated to a bridge (50) in a complementary manner for pivotally mounting the mobile with respect to the bridge around a pivot axis (D), where the mobile is made of silicon. The former guide surface is unique and located close to a median plane of the mobile, and is orthogonal to the pivot axis so as to maintain the mobile in recessed or overhang manner with respect to the axis, where mobile does not have a guide shaft along a direction of the axis on both sides of the former guide surface.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch mobile, chosen from an oscillator mechanism, or an escape mechanism, or a display mechanism, or a time setting wheel, or a striking mechanism, or a calendar mechanism, or a chronograph mechanism, or a counter mechanism, or a split-second mechanism, said mobile having a first guide surface arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner, directly or indirectly, with a second guide surface associated with a bridge for pivotally mounting said mobile relative to said bridge about a pivot axis.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one bridge and at least one such mobile.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement, and / or at least one bridge and at least one such mobile.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms, and in particular the field of mechanical watches.

Background of the invention

Very often, the performance of watch movements, or the possibility of housing complications or special features, are limited by the need to guide the pivoting mobile pivots fixed on decks or bridges. These guides are generally made, at least for mobile high angular speed, by the cooperation, each side of the mobile, between an axis that includes this mobile, and a stone that includes the plate or bridge.

Mountings cantilever, which would clear the space at least one side of the mobile, to allow the housing of other components of the movement, are rare, because of the care necessary to their manufacture , and the high cost associated with their manufacture. An example is provided by the patent CH 682871 in the name of FREDERIC PIGUET, for the manufacture of an ultra-thin movement, in which all the mobiles are mounted cantilever on a single plate, using each a ball bearing mounted on the one hand on the plate, and on the other hand on an axis that includes the mobile. In this same patent, a ratchet is in the form of a drum surrounding the barrel, and is pivoted on its periphery by three rollers each pivoted on a ball bearing, and the barrel is pivoted in the ratchet by means of a ball bearing. Such an arrangement greatly improves accessibility within the movement compared to conventional movements, but the mobiles remain equipped with small diameter axes, and their adjustment in the bearings requires a high precision, and it is necessary to provide axial holding means. This axial retention can be done by shrinking the axis in the inner race of the bearing, which spreads its application to mobiles made of fragile materials such as silicon or the like.

It is also known, for mobile large dimensions, and slow angular velocity, such as swirls, carousels, or barrels, a maintenance on a relatively large diameter range and with a ball bearing thick, as in CH 687 795 in the name of OMEGA, which describes a cantilever vortex supported on its base only by such a bearing. A flying carousel such as that of the patent application EP 1 995 650 in the name of BLANCPAIN comprises a cage carried by a large diameter mobile, carried by a ball bearing fixed to a bridge.

However, these applications are only mobile high inertia, and there is no alternative to traditional guidance axis and pivot for mobile lower inertia, and / or higher angular velocity.

Furthermore, it is generally necessary to equip the pivots of the most sensitive organs, such as those of the regulator mechanism, by shock, which represent a significant cost and space.

For these same regulating mechanisms, it is still necessary to limit the influence of the play compensations of the pivots according to the position in the space of the timepiece, which generally lead to operating parameters. different according to this position, and, in particular, to variations in amplitude of the oscillation of the rockers.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a guidance of mobiles, particularly watch mobiles of lower inertia, and / or greater angular velocity, which guarantees a perfect and identical guidance in all positions, a very low shock sensitivity, which frees, in a complicated timepiece, space to accommodate complications without the hindrance of trees making it difficult to insert these mechanisms of complication .

When, in a preferred but non-limiting application, the invention relates to the guidance of rockers, it ensures the regularity of the oscillation amplitude regardless of the position of the balance in space.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch mobile, selected from an oscillator mechanism, or an escape mechanism, or a display mechanism, or a time-setting wheel, or a mechanism ring gear, or a calendar mechanism, or a chronograph mechanism, or a counter mechanism, or a split-second mechanism, said movable having a first guide surface arranged to cooperate complementarily, directly or indirectly, with a second surface guide associated with a bridge, for pivotally mounting said mobile relative to said bridge about a pivot axis, characterized in that said first guide surface is of revolution about said pivot axis, is unique and located in the vicinity a median plane that includes said mobile and which is substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis, so as to maintain said mobile recessed or cantilever ar relation to said bridge, and in that said mobile is free of guide shaft in the direction of said pivot axis on either side of said guide surface.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said mobile comprises, on either side of said median plane, first means for applying a torque with respect to said pivot axis and second application means for a torque relative to said pivot axis, so as to distribute the stresses exerted on said mobile at said first application means and said second application means on either side of said first guide surface.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said first guide surface constitutes an inner race of ball rolling.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said mobile constitutes, with said bridge on the one hand, and a plurality of balls on the other hand, a ball bearing whose said first guide surface constitutes an internal track of rolling said balls, and an outer bearing race of said balls is constituted by said second guide surface that includes said bridge or which is reported on said bridge.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said mobile is made of silicon or a material derived from MEMS or "LIGA" technologies.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said mobile comprises a plurality of balls and constitutes a ball bearing of which said first guide surface constitutes an internal rolling track of said balls, and said mobile comprises an outer cage comprising said second guiding surface which constitutes an outer race of rolling said balls, said outer cage being arranged to be mounted on said bridge.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one bridge and at least one such mobile, characterized in that said at least one bridge comprises at least one surface which either constitutes said second guide surface and is then revolution about said pivot axis D, or is arranged to receive an outer cage comprising said second guide surface oriented about said pivot axis D, said second guide surface being arranged to cooperate coaxially with said first guide surface that comprises said mobile, either directly or by means of balls.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said bridge comprising said second guide surface, and said mobile having said first guide surface, constitute, with a plurality of balls inserted and held between said second guide surface and said first surface. guide, a ball bearing.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement, and / or at least one bridge and at least one such mobile, characterized in that said at least one bridge comprises at least one surface which either constitutes said second guide surface and is then of revolution about said pivot axis, or is arranged to receive an external cage comprising said second guide surface oriented about said pivot axis, said second guide surface being arranged to cooperate coaxially with said first guide surface that includes said at least one mobile, either directly or by means of balls.

When, in a preferred but non-limiting application, the invention relates to the guidance of rockers, it ensures the regularity of the amplitude of oscillation regardless of the position of the balance in space.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <tb> - fig. 1 <sep> represents, schematically and in view from below, a mobile, in this case a clockwork balance-spring, whose beam shank constitutes an inner guide surface of a ball bearing, whose outer cage is driven in a bridge, this sprung-balance being mounted careened in this bridge; <tb> - fig. 2 <sep> represents, schematically and in plan view, the mobile of FIG. 1; <tb> - fig. 3 <sep> represents, schematically and in elevation, the mobile of FIG. 1; <tb> - fig. 4 <sep> shows, schematically and in section through its axis of pivoting, the mobile of Figs. 1 to 3, in mounting position with the outer race of the bearing driven into the bridge; <tb> - fig. 5 <sep> represents, schematically and in perspective in top view, the mobile of FIG. 1; <tb> - fig. 6 <sep> represents, schematically and in perspective in a view from below, the mobile of FIG. 1 <tb> - fig. 7 <sep> shows, schematically and in section through a plane passing through its pivot axis, a detail of the periphery of a mobile according to a variant of the invention; <tb> - fig. 8 <sep> represents, analogously to FIG. 7, a detail of another variant of the invention, <tb> - fig. 9 <sep> represents, schematically and in a view from below, a mobile, in this case a watch-balance spring, of which a bushing fixed on the balance constitutes an inner guide surface of a ball bearing, whose outer cage is driven in a bridge, this sprung balance being mounted flying in this bridge; <tb> - fig. 10 <sep> represents, schematically and in plan view, the mobile of FIG. 9; <tb> - fig. 11 <sep> represents, schematically and in section along the line AA of FIG. 10, the mobile of FIG. 9, in mounting position with the outer race of the bearing driven into the bridge; <tb> - fig. 12 <sep> represents, schematically and in section along the line BB of FIG. 10, the mobile of FIG. 9; <tb> - fig. 13 <sep> shows, schematically and in perspective in top view, the mobile of FIG. 9; <tb> - fig. 14 <sep> shows, schematically and in perspective in a view from below, the mobile of FIG. 9.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms, and in particular the field of mechanical watches.

The invention relates, as visible in the figures, a watch mobile 1. This mobile 1 is of the type of lower inertia, and / or of greater angular velocity, and is chosen from an oscillator mechanism, or an escape mechanism, or a display mechanism, or a setting wheel. time, or a striking mechanism, or a calendar mechanism, or a chronograph mechanism, or a counter mechanism, or a split-second mechanism. This list is by no means exhaustive of the possibilities of the invention, but includes the preferred applications. This mobile 1 is arranged to pivot about a pivot axis D.

According to the invention, the mobile 1 comprises a first guide surface 2, which is arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner, directly or indirectly, with a second guide surface 3 associated with a bridge 50, for pivotal mounting. of the mobile 1 relative to this bridge 50 about a pivot axis D.

According to the invention, the first guide surface 2 is of revolution about the pivot axis D, is unique, and is located in the vicinity of a median plane P that comprises the mobile 1 and which is substantially orthogonal. said pivot axis D, so as to maintain the mobile 1 recessed or cantilever relative to the bridge 50.

Advantageously, the mobile 1 is free of guide shaft in the direction of the pivot axis D on either side of the guide surface 2, which allows its use in extra flat movements, and which allows to use for other applications the outer space on either side of the mobile 1.

Preferably, the first guide surface 2 is on the largest possible diameter of the mobile 1, and preferably at its periphery, that is to say in the area radially furthest from the pivot axis. D.

In a preferred application, the mobile 1 comprises, on either side of this median plane P, first application means 4 of a first pair with respect to the pivot axis D and second application means 5 of a second pair with respect to the pivot axis D, so as to distribute the stresses exerted on the mobile 1 at these first application means 4 and these second application means 5 on either side of the first guide surface 2.

As visible in FIGS. 5 and 6, preferably the first guiding surface 2 is constituted by at least one peripheral guiding surface 6 that comprises the mobile 1, and / or by at least one track surface 7 that includes at least one track 8 attached to the mobile 1. Preferably, as visible in FIG. 7, a peripheral surface 6 is integrated in the mobile 1, and a removable track 8 is attached thereto, which allows the insertion of intermediate components, such as balls 11 in this case. The first guide surface 2 may also be constituted by two tracks 8 attached to the mobile 1, as shown in FIG. 8.

Naturally, a number of tracks 8 greater than 2 is possible, but in practice it is preferably limited to two essentially for reasons of size and cost of production.

In a preferred manner, according to the invention, the first guiding surface 2 constitutes an internal race 9 of ball bearing 11.

In a manner peculiar to the invention, the watch mobile 1 constitutes, alone or with the bridge 50, a ball bearing 10.

In a first version, the mobile 1 constitutes, with said bridge 50 on the one hand, and a plurality of balls 11 on the other hand, a ball bearing 10 whose first guide surface 2 constitutes an internal track 9 of rolling of these balls 11, and an outer race of rolling balls 11 is constituted by the second guide surface 3 that includes the bridge 50, or which is attached to the bridge 50, for example at a ring or similar. In an advantageous variant of this first version, the mobile 1 is monobloc. Preferably, it is made of silicon or a material from MEMS or "LIGA" technologies, which allows it to accumulate complex geometry, very precise tolerances, and elasticity of certain zones that it comprises. These materials are of particular interest for the manufacture, in particular, low inertia mobiles and high angular speed, such as rockers and the like. The invention provides an even greater flexibility of use of such mobiles, by freeing their design from the presence of guide pins at the pivot axis. The combination of the type of ducted or flying assembly proposed by the invention, and such materials, is therefore particularly advantageous.

In a second version, preferred because more versatile, the mobile 1 comprises a plurality of balls 11 and is a ball bearing 10 whose first guide surface 2 is an inner race 9 of rolling balls 11. The mobile 1 then comprises an outer cage 12, which comprises the second guiding surface 3, which constitutes an outer rolling track of the balls 11, this outer cage 12 being arranged to be mounted on the bridge 50. The mobile 1 can thus constitute a subset assembly ready to be mounted on a bridge 50. Advantageously, the outer cage 12 is then made of a non-brittle material, including a metal alloy, allowing its insertion by driving into a housing or a bore of the bridge 50. Preferably, in this second version, the mobile 1 consists of this outer cage 12, the plurality of balls 11, and a one-piece body which is made, as above, silicon or in a material derived from MEMS or "LIGA" technologies.

A mixed embodiment is also possible with a one-piece mobile body of silicon or the like, and the variant with one or more tracks 8 reported periphery 2 of the mobile 1 is advantageous in case of use of a mobile body 1 made of fragile or shock-sensitive material.

In a particularly advantageous application of the invention, the mobile 1 is a spiral balance 13 or a rocker 14 having a serge 15, and the first guide surface 2 is at the periphery of this serge 15, and preferably on the largest diameter of said serge 15 relative to the pivot axis D. The first torque application means 4 are constituted by a pin 16 of plate 17 that includes the sprung balance 13 or balance 14 of a first side of the serge 15, and the second torque application means 5 are constituted by a pin 18 when the mobile 1 is a balance-spiral 13, or a spiral 19 when the mobile 1 is a rocker 14. Preferably, the first guide surface 2 is directed radially towards the opposite side to the pivot axis D.

The figures illustrate a mobile 1 consisting of a sprung balance 13 having a rocker 14 provided with a plate 17 and a pin 16 so as to cooperate with an exhaust mechanism, and a spiral 19 conventionally attached to a point of attachment on the balance 14 on the one hand, and a pin 18 fixed to a plate or a bridge 50, which is hereinafter referred to as "bridge", on the other hand.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 100, comprising at least one bridge 50 and at least one such mobile 1. According to the invention, this bridge 50 comprises at least one surface which, or is the second surface 3 and then is of revolution about the pivot axis D, or is arranged to receive an outer cage 12 having the second guide surface 3 centered around the pivot axis D, the second guide surface 3 being arranged to cooperate coaxially with the first guide surface 2 that this mobile 1 comprises, either directly or by means of balls 11.

In a preferred manner and as visible in the figures, in this movement 100, the bridge 50 comprising the second guide surface 3, and the mobile 1 comprising the first guide surface 2, constitute, with a plurality of balls 11 inserted and held between the second guide surface 3 and the first guide surface 2, a ball bearing 10.

Preferably, the balls 11 are kept at a distance from one another by spacing means 20, such as a basket or a plurality of housings, that includes the bridge 50, and / or the mobile 1, or / and the movement 100.

In a preferred application shown in the figures, the movement 100 comprises a sprung balance or a balance, and the bridge 50 comprises a housing 21 of a stud 18 hooking a spiral and fixing means or and / or position adjustment 22 of such a stud 18, or comprises means for fixing a secondary bridge comprising such a housing 21 of a stud 18 and such fixing means and / or position adjustment 22 These can be made in the form of a screw bearing on one or more surfaces of the peak to adjust its position, for example pivoting in the case of a peak faceted, or height, or other.

In the application shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the movement 100 comprises a mobile 1 which is a spiral balance 13 streamlined in a bridge 50 and comprises a spiral 19 fixed to a pin 18 itself attached to the bridge 50 or a secondary bridge fixed on the bridge 50 The invention thus makes it possible to produce a finished and preset subassembly comprising a bridge, a bolt, a sprung balance, means for pivoting the sprung balance, which is ready to be mounted on another bridge or on another plate, thus rationalizing the assembly and the adjustments, and simplifying the final assembly. The invention also makes the after-sales service easier since it may be sufficient to exchange a simple block consisting of such a subset.

In the application shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the movement 100 comprises a mobile 1 which is a flying balance, which is not fully ducted, but guided on an intermediate diameter, at a bushing 23 that includes the balance 14 or which is fixed on the ci, this sleeve 23 then carries the first guide surface 2. This arrangement allows easy reuse existing balances, which can be modified by removing their guide pins and by laying by driving, gluing, or the like, such a socket 23.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 comprising at least one such watch movement 100, or / and at least one bridge 50 and at least one such mobile 1.

In this timepiece, such as a watch, at least one bridge 50 has at least one surface which either constitutes the second guide surface 3 and is then of revolution about the pivot axis D or is arranged to receive an outer cage 12 comprising this second guide surface 3 centered around the pivot axis D, the second guide surface 3 being arranged to cooperate coaxially with the first guide surface 2 that includes this mobile 1, either directly or via balls 11.

In another embodiment, the support between the first guide surface 2 and the second guide surface 3 can be made directly at the level of antagonistic surfaces, but it is difficult to ensure a level of losses by friction sufficiently low while being compatible with the great longevity required by a timepiece.

In short, by this innovative design, the invention ensures, for mobiles such as balances, a perfect and identical guidance in all positions, a very low sensitivity to shocks.

The streamlined or flying arrangement of the mobile makes it possible to overcome the guiding axes, the corresponding pivots, and releases, in a complicated timepiece, space to accommodate complications without hindrance. 'trees making it difficult to insert these complicating mechanisms. In addition, lubrication problems are reduced thanks to the choice of guides made in the form of ball bearings.

The combination with mobiles made of silicon or with MEMS or "LIGA" technologies makes it possible, again, to reduce the number of components, to reduce their inertia, to increase their sizing accuracy, and thus to facilitate them. The settings.

The invention still allows the production of subsets oscillators ready to be mounted, preset and ready for use.

Claims (18)

A watch mobile (1), selected from an oscillator mechanism, or an escape mechanism, or display mechanism, or a time-setting train, or a striking mechanism, or a mechanism calendar, or a chronograph mechanism, or a counter mechanism, or a split-second mechanism, said mobile (1) having a first guide surface (2) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner, directly or indirectly, with a second surface of guide (3) associated with a bridge (50), for pivotally mounting said mobile (1) with respect to said bridge (50) about a pivot axis (D), characterized in that said first guide surface ( 2) is of revolution about said pivot axis (D), is unique and located in the vicinity of a median plane (P) that comprises said mobile (1) and which is substantially orthogonal to said pivot axis (D), so to maintain said mobile (1) recessed or in por overhang with respect to said bridge (50), and in that said mobile (1) is free of guide shaft in the direction of said pivot axis (D) on either side of said guide surface (2). 2. Watchmaker (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, on either side of said median plane (P), first application means (4) of a couple by ratio to said pivot axis (D) and second application means (5) of a torque with respect to said pivot axis (D), so as to distribute the stresses exerted on said mobile (1) at said first means application device (4) and said second application means (5) on either side of said first guide surface (2). 3. Watchmaker (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first guide surface (2) is constituted by at least one peripheral surface (6) for guiding said mobile (1), or and by at least one track surface (7) that comprises at least one track (8) attached to said mobile (1). 4. Watchmaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first guide surface (2) constitutes an inner race (9) of ball bearing (11). 5. Watchmaker (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it constitutes, with said bridge (50) on the one hand, and a plurality of balls (11) on the other hand, a ball bearing (10) of which said first guiding surface (2) constitutes an inner race (9) of rolling said balls (11), and an outer race of rolling said balls is constituted by said second guide surface (3) that includes said bridge (50) or which is attached to said bridge (50). 6. Watchmaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is monobloc. 7. Watchmaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made of silicon or a material from MEMS or "LIGA" technologies. 8. Watchmaker (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of balls (11) and constitutes a ball bearing (10) of which said first guide surface (2) constitutes an internal track (9) rolling said balls (11), and in that said mobile (1) comprises an outer cage (12) having said second guide surface (3) which constitutes an outer race of said ball rolling (11), said outer cage (12) being arranged to be mounted on said bridge (50). 9. Watchmaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it consists of said outer cage (12), said plurality of balls (11), and a one-piece body which is made of silicon or in a material derived from MEMS or "LIGA" technologies. 10. Watchmaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a sprung balance (13) or a balance (14) having a serge (15), and that said first surface of guide (2) is at the periphery of said serge (15). 11. Watchmaker (1) according to claims 2 and 10, characterized in that said first torque application means (4) are constituted by a dowel (16) plate (17) that comprises said sprung balance (13) or rocker (14) of a first side of said serge (15), and in that said second means (5) for applying torque are constituted by a peak (18) when said mobile (1) is a balance sprung (13) or a spiral (19) when said mobile (1) is a pendulum (14). 12. Watchmaker (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said first guide surface (2) is located on the largest diameter of said serge (15) with respect to said pivot axis (D) . 13. Watch movement (100) comprising at least one bridge (50) and at least one mobile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one bridge (50) comprises at least one surface which either constitutes said second guide surface (3) and is then of revolution about said pivot axis (D), or is arranged to receive an external cage (12) comprising said second guide surface (3) centered around said pivot axis (D), said second guide surface (3) being arranged to cooperate coaxially with said first guide surface (2) that includes said at least one mobile (1), either directly or via balls (11). 14. Movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bridge (50) comprising said second guiding surface (3), and said mobile (1) comprising said first guiding surface (2) constitute, with a plurality of balls (11) inserted and held between said second guide surface (3) and said first guide surface (2), a ball bearing (10). 15. Movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said balls (11) are kept at a distance from each other by spacing means (20) that includes said bridge (50), or / and said mobile (1), or / and said movement (100). 16. Movement (100) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that said at least one bridge (50) comprises a housing (21) of a peg (18) for hooking a hairspring and fixing means or / and position adjustment (22) of such a stud (18), or comprises means for fixing a secondary bridge comprising such a housing (21) of a stud (18) and such fixing means and / or position adjustment (22). 17. Movement (100) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that said mobile (1) is a sprung balance (13) streamlined in said bridge (50) and comprises a spiral (19) fixed to a stud (18) itself attached to said bridge (50) or to a secondary bridge fixed on said bridge (50). 18. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one watch movement (100) according to one of claims 13 to 17, and / or at least one bridge (50) and at least one such mobile (1). according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said at least one bridge (50) comprises at least one surface which either constitutes said second guide surface (3) and is then of revolution about said pivot axis (D), or is arranged to receive an outer cage (12) comprising said second guide surface (3) centered around said pivot axis (D), said second guide surface (3) being arranged to cooperate coaxially with said first guide surface (2) that comprises said at least one mobile (1), either directly or by means of balls (11).