EP2703911B1 - Regulating element for watch - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch regulator member, comprising at least one rocker pivoting about a pivot axis and subjected to a return torque exerted by torsion return means.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such regulator member pivoting between a plate and a bridge.

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

The invention relates to the field of watch clock mechanisms.

Background of the invention

The losses of a regulating organ directly influence the quality of the running of a watch, as well as its power reserve.

The regulating organ is traditionally sensitive to the different vertical or horizontal positions of the watch, and the differences between the flat / hung positions are often important.

Various attempts have been made in the past to eliminate the hairspring, most of the time in static applications such as clocks or counters for fluid consumption.

The document GB 616 969 TO CLEMEN JORGENSEN describes a static application of a pendulum less sensitive to shocks, and can be moved unhindered. For this purpose the return member of the regulating member is constituted by a torsion wire anchored at both ends and carrying a rocker in the middle, the wire being in the vertical of the place. The tension of the thread is achieved by the elasticity of its end supports. The useful length of the wire is limited at one of its ends by a fork adjustable in position, whose point of contact with the wire determines this useful length. The support of the fork can be a bimetallic, to achieve temperature compensation.

Two documents: US 3 635 013 TO BERTSCH HANNS , and DE 251 558 C BRUNO KRAUSZE , also describe torsion tube regulators, or torsion wires mounted in parallel, or single twist wire.

The document US 5,772,803 A PEKER ATAKAN discloses a spring made of an amorphous metal alloy, such as coil spring, torsion bar, torsion tube, which is not particularly intended for a watch application.

Documents describe metal glass springs having a curvature: EP 2 133 756 A2 ROLEX SA, describes a method for shaping a barrel spring formed of a monolithic ribbon made of metal glass, according to which the free theoretical shape to be given to this monolithic ribbon made of metallic glass is calculated so that each segment, a Once the spring loaded in the barrel is subjected to the maximum bending moment, this ribbon is shaped by giving it curvatures characteristic of this free theoretical shape, to take account of a decrease in curvatures once the ribbon has been released. the ribbon is relaxed to fix its shape by heating it, and this ribbon is cooled. This ROLEX document focuses on the case of a barrel spring with a thickness greater than 50 micrometers. The other document WO2011 / 069273 A1 ROLEX SA describes a method of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece, of similar size, comprising at least one monolithic metal glass ribbon comprising at least one curvature, this method comprising a step of forming by plastic deformation of said ribbon monolithic to obtain at least a portion of said curvature. The document EP 2 154 581 A1 ROLEX SA describes a monolithic metal glass cylinder spring with a thickness greater than 40 micrometers.

Summary of the invention

The invention seeks to improve the efficiency of the regulator, by reducing losses, in all positions of a watch.

And, especially, in the case of a high-frequency wristwatch, that is to say with an oscillator frequency greater than or equal to 5 Hz.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch regulator member, comprising at least one pivoting pivoting arm about a pivot axis and subjected to a restoring torque exerted by torsion return means, said at least one balance comprising fastening means making it pivotally integral with a torsion wire which constitutes said torsion-return means of said at least one rocker arm, and said torsion wire being made of at least partially amorphous metal glass or alloy, or of silicon or and / or silicon oxide, or monocrystalline diamond or polycrystalline diamond, and said torsion wire having a modulus of elasticity greater than 100 GPa, and an elastic limit greater than 2000 MPa.

According to a feature of the invention, said balance beam comprises, on either side of said fastening means along said pivot axis, first and second means for limiting the radial clearance between said torsion wire and said beam.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said torsion wire is at least partially amorphous alloy composed solely of zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium, and comprising between 41 and 44% by weight of zirconium, between 11 and 14% by weight of titanium, between 9 and 13% by weight of copper, between 10 and 11% by weight of nickel, and between 22 and 25% by weight of beryllium.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such regulating member, pivoting between a plate and a bridge, characterized in that it comprises, for the embedding of said torsion wire, means for anchoring said regulating member constituted by first anchoring means to said bridge and by second anchoring means to said plate, and which together define said pivot axis of said regulating member.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said movement comprises means for adjusting the tension of said torsion wire by adjusting the distance between said bridge and said plate.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such watch movement, characterized in that said regulating member oscillates at a frequency greater than or equal to 5 Hz.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, en coupe selon l'axe de pivotement du balancier, un organe régulateur à fil de torsion selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et similaire à la figure 1, un détail d'une pièce d'horlogerie, au niveau d'un mouvement comportant un organe régulateur selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 illustre, de façon schématisée, une variante monobloc de l'invention, avec un bâti formant cadre maintenant tendu un fil de torsion portant un balancier réalisé sous forme d'une poutre ;
• la figure 4 est une variante de la figure 3, comportant des moyens de réglage de tension du fil de torsion.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents schematically, in section along the axis of pivoting of the balance, a torsion wire regulating member according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and similar to the figure 1 , a detail of a timepiece, at a movement comprising a regulating member according to the invention;
• the figure 3 illustrates, schematically, a monobloc variant of the invention, with a frame frame now stretched a torsion wire carrying a beam made in the form of a beam;
• the figure 4 is a variant of the figure 3 , comprising means for adjusting the tension of the torsion thread.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a timepiece regulating member 1, comprising at least one rocker 2, which rocker 2 pivots about a pivot axis D and is subjected to a return torque exerted by torsion return means 4, alternative way in both directions of rotation.

This balance 2 can be achieved without limitation in different forms: disc, annular, with flyweights, or reduced to a simple beam

According to the invention, this at least one rocker 2 comprises fastening means 10 making it pivotally integral with a torsion wire 5. This torsion wire 5 constitutes said torsion return means 4 specific to this at least one rocker 2. And this torsion wire 5 has a modulus of elasticity greater than 100 GPa, and preferably greater than 120 GPa, and a yield strength greater than 2000 MPa.

In a particular embodiment, and not limiting, visible to the figure 2 , the balance 2 comprises a serge 29 making flywheel, which is pivotally integral with a balance shaft 3. This shaft 3 is tubular, so as to allow the crossing of the torsion wire 5, and comprises a first bore 31 and a second bore 32, separated by a narrowed section area, for example at a shoulder 33, as visible on the figure 2 . In an economic variant embodiment, the first bore 31 and the second bore 32 are of different diameters and the shoulder 33 is constituted simply by the surface which joins to one another. The fastening means 10 may consist, in a non-limiting manner, of connecting element 6 fixed to the torsion wire 5, by crimping, pinching, driving, gluing, brazing, welding, or other suitable process ensuring sufficient strength to withstand the torque maximum in service and at high accelerations, typically of the order of 5000g, occurring during possible shocks on the timepiece accommodating the regulating member 1. For example, the connecting element 6 has a passage 61 for the wire 5, and at which the latter is immobilized, and it further comprises a support 63 arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment on the shoulder 33.

In another variant, the connecting element 6 is not pre-crimped on the torsion wire 5, it is only after threading the wire 5 in the bore of the shaft 3 and proper positioning.

To limit the relative fretting between this beam 2 and the torsion wire 5 associated with it, in particular during a lateral bending of the torsion wire 5, the balance 2 advantageously comprises, on either side, means of rotation. fixation 10 along the pivot axis D, first 15 and second 16 means for limiting the radial clearance between the torsion wire 5 and the balance 2.

In a variant that is not illustrated, means of limitation of frolicking can equip a movement 100, at a plate 7 and a bridge 8, between which pivots the balance 2, in place of these first 15 and second 16 means for limiting the radial clearance between the torsion wire 5 and the balance 2, or in addition to these.

In this same embodiment of the figure 2 , the first 15 and the second 16 limiting means are constituted by stones having a passage corresponding to the diameter of the largest radial dimension of the torsion wire 5. Thus, in an advantageous case, where the torsion wire 5 is section rectangular (or square section which is a special case of the rectangular section), these stones each comprise a diameter bore slightly greater than the diagonal of the section of the torsion wire, a value which is preferably included in a fork at the diagonal of the section of the torsion wire, and in a particular embodiment, greater than or equal to 10 micrometers.

To obtain a high modulus of elasticity, in particular transverse, and thus allow a better efficiency of the regulator, it is necessary to choose a material which allows, for a given torsion torque, to have an amplitude of elastic deformation greater than that which could be obtained with a conventional thread made of crystalline material, and thus which makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the balance 2, and the quality factor of the regulator 1.

Thus, in a first variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of metal glass, or else at least partially amorphous alloy composed solely of zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium, and comprising between 41 and 44% by mass of zirconium, between 11 and 14% by weight of titanium, between 9 and 13% by weight of copper, between 10 and 11% by weight of nickel, between 22 and 25% by mass of beryllium.

In a particular application of this first variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of "Liquidmetal" metal glass ©. This metal glass has the advantage of combining high values of modulus of elasticity and yield strength.

In a second variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of metal glass, or else at least partially amorphous alloy comprising 75.44% by weight of nickel, 13% of chromium, 4.2% of iron, 4.5% by weight silicon, 0.06% carbon, 2.8% boron.

In a particular application of this second variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of "Metglas®" metal glass of reference "MBF20".

In yet another variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of silicon and / or silicon oxide.

In yet another variant, the torsion wire 5 is made of monocrystalline diamond or polycrystalline diamond.

The achievements with twist wire made of micro-machinable material also make it possible to achieve, as visible on the figure 3 , a one-piece cage made of silicon or the like, with adjustment of the tension at an anchor of the torsion wire 5. The complete frame 40 can be made, preferably in one piece, of silicon or the like. This frame 40 comprises a rigid frame 41, in which is stretched the torsion wire 5, the rocker 2 is here made in the form of a beam. The figure 4 shows a variant comprising tension adjustment means 20 of the torsion thread 5, made for example in the form of an eccentric 43 or wedge inserted in a slot 42, or the like.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the torsion wire 5 is of rectangular section.

Naturally, if this choice is dictated by a convenience of realization, combined with the obtaining of good performances, other sections can be implemented: square, triangle, hexagon, polygon, circle, ellipse, or other

Preferably, the material of the torsion wire 5 is chosen, such that this torsion wire 5 has a modulus of elasticity, in particular transverse in a direction perpendicular to this pivot axis D, greater than 100 GPa, and preferably greater than 100 GPa. 120 GPa. This condition is achieved with an elaboration in an at least partially amorphous alloy described above, or "Liquidmetal ©" metal glass, or "Metglas®" reference metal glass "MBF20".

The invention also relates to a clockwork movement 100 comprising at least one such regulator member 1 pivoting between a plate 7 and a bridge 8.

According to the invention, this movement 100 comprises, for the embedding of the torsion wire 5, anchoring means 30 of the regulating member 1. These anchoring means 30 are constituted by first anchoring means 301 to bridge 8, and by second anchoring means 302 to the plate 7, and they together define the pivot axis D of the regulating member 1.

In the non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the figure 2 , the first anchoring means 301 of the torsion wire 5 to the bridge 8 comprise a first clamp 11, in particular a split clamp comprising a slot 114 for the passage of the torsion wire 5. This first clamp 11 comprises a bearing face 111 , facing towards the rocker 2, and which is arranged to bear on a complementary bearing face 91 that the bridge 8 comprises, or, as shown in FIG. figure 2 , an orientable support 9 attached to this bridge 8.

This orientable support 9 is preferably, but not exclusively, driven onto deck 8 with sufficient friction to hold it in position. It is steerable like a bolt carrier, allowing fine adjustment of the alignment of the pins of the plate pin, the fork, and the exhaust line. This orientable support can, still, be maintained in its angularly adjusted position by holding means, not shown in the figure. The figure 2 represents the orientable support 9 provided with a shoulder 93 cooperating in abutment with an upper surface 89 of the bridge 8. Naturally, it is possible, in an alternative embodiment, to give the support 9 a longitudinal stroke along the axis D, so as to constitute at the same time the voltage adjustment means 20, in an embodiment with a gun for example. The first clamp 11 further comprises a male cone 113, which cooperates with a female cone 123, open towards the balance 2, and comprises a first bushing 12. This first bushing 12 comprises a thread, which cooperates with a tapping 92 of the steerable support 9. When screwing on the first bushing 12, the first clamp 11 encloses the torsion wire 5 and immobilizes its end, at the same time as the bearing face 111 of the first clamp 11 bears on the bearing face complementary 91.

In a similar and substantially symmetrical manner, the second anchoring means 302 of the torsion wire 5 to the plate 7 comprise a second clamp 13, in particular a split clamp comprising a slot 134 for the passage of the wire. This second clamp 13 comprises a bearing face 131, turned towards the rocker 2, and which is arranged to bear on a complementary bearing face 71 which comprises, on this side, the plate 7 directly. second clamp 13 further comprises a male cone 133, which cooperates with a female cone 143, open towards the balance 2, and that comprises a second bushing 14. This second bushing 14 comprises a thread 142, which cooperates with a tapping 72 of the platen 7. When screwing on the second bushing 14, the second clamp 13 encloses the torsion wire 5 and immobilizes its end, at the same time as the bearing face 131 of the second clamp 13 bears against the bearing face complementary 71.

In another variant, at one end of the wire 5, material is melted around the wire 5 so as to form an outgrowth, which is stopped when pulling the wire at its opposite end, at a conical crucible or a spherical bowl, or the like, blocking this outgrowth.

In yet another variant, the anchoring of the torsion wire 5 is performed by crimping.

These anchoring variants of the torsion wire are not limiting.

Thus, the torsion wire 5, provided with fixing means 10 fixed in position, is introduced into the shaft 3 of the balance 2, which is provided with its serge 29, its trays and dowels. The wire 5 is pulled in abutment abutment between the bearing surface 63 and the shoulder 33. A second end of the torsion wire 5, on the side of the plate 7, is introduced into the second clamp 13, and pre- tightened in position, thanks to the second sleeve 14. A first end of the wire 5, the side of the bridge 8, is introduced into the first clamp 11, and pre-clamped in position, thanks to the first sleeve 12. The action on the first bushing 12 and the second bushing 14 make it possible to adjust the lug, on the side of the plate 7, of the rocker 2 relative to this plate 7 and to the components that it carries, as well as to ensure pre-tension of the thread 5.

In a particular variant, as visible on the figure 2 , the regulating member 1 further comprises shock-absorbing means 34 limiting the radial displacement of the shaft 3. These shock-absorbing means 34 constitute a security type "Incabloc" and can be multiple, arranged at different levels of the shaft 3 in the direction D, and be made in the form of a stone, or magnetic or / and electrostatic repulsion means of an opposing surface 35 that includes the shaft 3. Such means 34 may advantageously be located at first and second means for limiting the radial clearance of the torsion wire 5.

The traction of the torsion wire 5, and the adjustment of the play of the balance 2 with respect to the bridge 7 and the components carried by the latter, is advantageously effected by means of an auxiliary device: the watch movement 100 then comprises means 20 for adjusting the tension of the torsion thread 5 by adjusting the distance between the bridge 8 and another component, namely the plate 7, or a blade in flexion (especially at the level of at least one of the anchors 301). or 302) to perform this adjustment, or the like.

In a variant not shown, the voltage adjustment is performed by at least one spring.

As visible on the figure 2 , in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, these voltage adjustment means 20 comprise a threaded bushing 23 which cooperates complementary to a tapping 74 of the plate 7. At least one screw 22 cooperating with a nut 25 integral with the plate 7 is arranged to push the bridge 8 to the plate 7, bearing on the sleeve 23 in its adjustment position. This screw 22 cooperates, by a thread 221 that it comprises, with a tapping 251 of a nut 25, which is driven into a housing 77 of the plate 7, or which is an integral part thereof. This screw 22 is concentric with a threaded bush 23, a thread 24 cooperates complementary to a tapping 74 of the plate 7. The sleeve 23 tends to move away from the plate 7 under the action of a biasing means elastic 21, such as conical spring, Belleville washer, Schnorr washer, or the like, bearing both on a bearing face 76 of the plate 7 and on a bearing face 232 of the sleeve 23, which has a flange 233 arranged to exert a thrust on a support surface 1 of the bridge 8. After an altitude adjustment of the sleeve 23, bridge 8 removed, by the operator performing the tension adjustment of the torsion wire 5, this operator puts in place the bridge, and inserts the screw 22. When screwing the screw 22 in the nut 5, a lower surface 225 of the head of the screw 22 bears on an upper bearing face 82 of the bridge 8, a lower bearing face 81 of the bridge 8 cooperates in abutment with an upper bearing surface 231 of the sleeve 23. The position of the bridge 8 determines the tension of the thread 5. The limit of adjustment is given by an upper surface 78 of the plate 7 and a lower surface 88 of the bridge 8.

Preferably, the tension in the torsion wire is greater than 0.1 N. It is indeed necessary to guarantee the voltage with less than 5 micrometers of displacement in vertical.

Preferably, the adjustments are made so that the maximum bending supportable vertical position is less than or equal to 5 micrometers.

The movement 100 may comprise a plurality of such voltage adjustment means 20, in particular two, distributed substantially symmetrically with respect to the pivot axis D, so as to move the bridge 8 parallel to the plate 7; failing this, guidance on columns can make it possible to guarantee this parallelism with a single voltage adjusting screw 22.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 200 comprising at least one such movement 100 clock. Preferably, this piece 200 is a watch. And especially such a watch 200 is provided with such a regulating member 1, which oscillates at a frequency greater than or equal to 5 Hz, and makes the best use of the advantages of the regulating member 1 with a torsion wire 5 according to the invention .

Claims (21)

1. Watch regulating member (1), comprising at least one balance (2) pivoting about a pivot axis (D) and subjected to a return torque exerted by torsion return means (4), wherein said at least one balance (2) includes means of attachment (10) causing said balance to pivot integrally with a torsion wire (5) which forms said torsion return means (4) specific to said at least one balance (2), and said torsion wire (5) is:

   - made of metallic glass or of an at least partially amorphous alloy,

   - or of silicon and/or of silicon oxide,

   - or of single crystal diamond or of polycrystalline diamond,

   and said torsion wire (5) having a modulus of elasticity of more than 100 GPa, and an elastic limit of more than 2000 MPa.
2. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said torsion wire (5) is made of an at least partially amorphous alloy composed only of zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium, and containing between 41 and 44% by mass of zirconium, between 11 and 14% by mass of titanium, between 9 and 13% by mass of copper, between 10 and 11% by mass of nickel, and between 22 and 25% by mass of beryllium.
3. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said torsion wire (5) is made of metallic glass.
4. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said torsion wire (5) is made of an at least partially amorphous alloy comprising by mass 75.44% of nickel, 13% of chromium, 4.2% of iron, 4.5% of silicon, 0.06% of carbon, and 2.8% of boron.
5. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said torsion wire (5) has a modulus of elasticity of more than 120 GPa.
6. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said balance (2) comprises, on both sides of said attachment means (10) along said pivot axis (D), first (15) and second (16) means for limiting the radial clearance between said torsion wire (5) and said balance (2).
7. Watch regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said torsion wire (5) is of rectangular cross-section.
8. Watch regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regulating member (1) comprises shock resistant means (34) limiting the radial clearance of said arbor (3) in the form of means of magnetic and/or electrostatic repulsion of an antagonistic surface (35) comprised in said arbor (3).
9. Watch regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said watch regulating member (1) includes a one-piece structure (40) that comprises said torsion wire (5), said balance (2), and a rigid frame (41), in which said torsion wire (5) is stretched.
10. Watch regulating member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said balance (2) is made in the form of a beam.
11. Watch regulating member (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said one-piece structure (40) is made of silicon.
12. Watch regulating member (1) according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said watch regulating ember (1) comprises means (20) for adjusting the tension of said torsion wire (5), made in the form of a cam (43) or a wedge inserted in a slot (42) of said structure (40).
13. Watch movement (100) comprising at least one said regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, pivoting between a plate (7) and a bridge (8), characterized in that, for embedding said torsion wire (5), said watch movement (100) includes means (30) for anchoring said regulating member (1), formed by first means (301) for anchoring to said bridge (8) and by second means (302) for anchoring to said plate (7), and which together define said pivot axis (D) of said regulating member (1).
14. Watch movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first means (301) for anchoring said torsion wire (5) to said bridge (8) comprise a first clamp (11) which includes a first bearing face (111), turned towards said balance (2), and which is and arranged to come to bear on a complementary bearing face (91) comprised in said bridge (8), or comprised in an orientable support (9) placed on said bridge (8).
15. Watch movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first bearing face (111) is arranged to come to bear on a complementary bearing face (91) comprised in an orientable support (9) placed on said bridge (8), said orientable support (9) being driven onto said bridge (8) with sufficient friction to hold it in position, and orientable in the manner of a balance-spring stud holder, for fine alignment adjustment of the markings of the impulse pin, the fork and the escapement line.
16. Watch movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said orientable support (9) has a longitudinal travel along said axis (D) and forms said tension adjusting means (20).
17. Watch movement (100) according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said first clamp (11) comprises a first male cone (113), which cooperates with a first female cone (123), open towards said balance (2), and comprised in a first bush (12) which has an external thread that cooperates with a first internal thread (92) of said orientable support (9), so as to grip said torsion wire (5) and immobilise its end when said first bush (12) is screwed on, at the same time that said first bearing surface (111) of said first clamp (11) is bearing on said complementary bearing face (91).
18. Watch movement (100) according to any of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that said second means (302) for anchoring said torsion wire (5) to said plate (7) comprise a second clamp (13) which comprises a second bearing face (131), turned towards said balance (2) and which is arranged to come to bear on a complementary bearing face (71) comprised, on this side, directly in said plate (7), said second clamp (13) comprising a second male cone (133), which cooperates with a second female cone (143), open towards said balance (2), and comprised in a second bush (14) which has a second external thread (142), which cooperates with a second internal thread (72) of said plate (7), so as to grip said torsion wire (5) and immobilise its end when said second bush (14) is screwed on, at the same time that said bearing face (131) of said second clamp (13) is bearing on said second complementary face (71).
19. Watch movement (100) according to any of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that said watch movement (100) includes means (20) for adjusting the tension of said torsion wire (5) through adjustment of the distance between said bridge (8) and said plate (7).
20. Watch movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tension adjustment means (20) include a threaded bush (23) which cooperates in a complementary manner with an internal thread (74) of said plate (7), and in that at least one screw (22) cooperating with a nut (5) integral with said plate (7) is arranged to push said bridge (8) towards said plate (7), bearing on said bush (23) in its adjustment position.
21. Watch (200) including at least one watch movement (100) according to any of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that said regulating member (1) oscillates at a frequency higher than or equal to 5 Hz.

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