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EP4194964B1 - Balance wheel with inertia adjustment - Google Patents

Balance wheel with inertia adjustment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4194964B1
EP4194964B1 EP21213656.8A EP21213656A EP4194964B1 EP 4194964 B1 EP4194964 B1 EP 4194964B1 EP 21213656 A EP21213656 A EP 21213656A EP 4194964 B1 EP4194964 B1 EP 4194964B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
balance
pair
inertia
blocks
weights
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21213656.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4194964A1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Jeanneret
Emmanuel Graf
Marco Verardo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nivarox Far SA
Original Assignee
Nivarox Far SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nivarox Far SA filed Critical Nivarox Far SA
Priority to EP21213656.8A priority Critical patent/EP4194964B1/en
Priority to US17/815,392 priority patent/US20230185241A1/en
Priority to JP2022132985A priority patent/JP7487268B2/en
Priority to CN202211074838.6A priority patent/CN116256960A/en
Publication of EP4194964A1 publication Critical patent/EP4194964A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4194964B1 publication Critical patent/EP4194964B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/063—Balance construction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/006—Mechanisms for setting frequency by adjusting the devices fixed on the balance

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a balance wheel with inertia adjustment having means for adjusting the inertia.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a system as well as a timepiece equipped with such a movement.
  • a balance wheel is known whose moment of inertia is adjustable by means of adjustment screws which are arranged at its periphery.
  • This type of device is known in particular within mechanical oscillators whose base frequency of the oscillator is adjusted by the moment of inertia of the balance wheel.
  • a balance comprises a rim, arms and a certain arrangement of screws or weights fixed on the rim or the arm of the balance which allow, by adjusting their positions, to modify the moment of inertia of the balance. These screws or weights are positioned using wrenches or screwdrivers which allow their position to be adjusted.
  • CH 705 238 A2 discloses a balance wheel for a watch movement, comprising rigid parts constituted by a hub defining the pivot axis of said balance wheel, a rim, four arms connecting said rim to the hub, and comprising 2 slots for receiving and pinching in position of a flyweight, each slot being delimited on the one hand by an arm, and on the other hand by an elastic arm comprising a first end secured to said arm, and a second distal end free with respect to said hub, said arm, and by compared to serge.
  • the invention aims in particular to overcome the various disadvantages of these known techniques.
  • an objective of the invention is to provide a balance wheel with inertia adjustment allowing easy and rapid adjustment.
  • the invention also aims, at least in one particular embodiment, to provide a balance with inertia adjustment which is simple to implement and inexpensive to produce.
  • a balance wheel for a watch movement comprising rigid parts constituted by a hub defining the pivot axis of said balance, a serge, four arms connecting said serge to the hub, and comprising four slots for receiving and pinching in position a flyweight, each slot being delimited on the one hand by an arm, and on the other hand by an elastic arm comprising a first end secured to said arm, and a second distal end free relative to said hub, said arm, and said serge sector.
  • the balance comprises two pairs of weights, each pair of weights having different masses to ensure different regulatory powers, a first pair of weights allowing coarse adjustment, and a second pair of weights allowing fine adjustment.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a balance wheel according to the invention.
  • the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement according to the invention.
  • the balance wheel 1 for a watch movement provided with a device for adjusting its inertia making it possible to adjust the frequency of oscillation of said balance wheel, comprises rigid parts constituted by a hub 2 defining the pivot axis A of the balance wheel 1, a serge 3 of circular shape, four arms 4 connecting said serge 3 to the hub 2, and comprising four slots 7 for receiving and pinching in position a 6.6' weight.
  • Each slot 7 is delimited on the one hand by an arm 4, and on the other hand by an elastic arm 5 comprising a first end 5B secured to said arm 4, and a second distal end 5A free with respect to said hub 2, said arm 4 , and audit sector of serge 3.
  • the balance wheel 1 comprises four arms, forming a hub 4 at their intersection, the hub 4 being provided with an orifice 40 intended to receive a balance shaft.
  • the slot 7 is delimited by a rigid part of the arm 4 and by an elastic arm 5 which is permanently recalled towards the arm 4 when the flyweight is inserted into the slot 7.
  • the balance comprises two pairs of weights 6, 6', each pair of weights having different dimensions to ensure different regulating powers, a first pair of weights 6 allowing coarse adjustment, and a second pair of weights 6 ' allowing fine adjustment.
  • the weights 6, 6' of each pair are arranged in slots 7 facing each other with respect to the pivot axis A of the balance, or still arranged according to axial symmetry of axis A, for a balanced distribution of masses on the balance 1.
  • the weights 6 of the first pair are larger than the weights 6' of the second pair, or vice versa.
  • the weights 6 of the first pair and the weights 6' of the second pair are arranged on a separate radius of the balance wheel.
  • the weights 6 of the first pair are arranged on a first spoke near the rim 3 and the weights 6' of the second pair are arranged on a second spoke near the hub 2 of the balance, the pair of weights 6' near hub 2 of the balance wheel allowing fine adjustment.
  • the weights 6 of the first pair are heavier than the weights 6' of the second pair, or vice versa.
  • different materials can be used to make the 6.6' weights.
  • the weights 6 are made of gold or a gold alloy such as 18K 3N gold, and the weights 6' are made of titanium or a titanium alloy such as grade 5 titanium.
  • the 6.6' weights include a head 61 in the form of a disc and optionally a foot 62 of cylindrical shape.
  • the slot 7 has a shape complementary to that of the head 61 or the foot 62 of the weight 6, 6'.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to limit the thickness of the balance 1 once the weights 6.6' are mounted on the balance 1.
  • each flyweight 6.6' has a flat 64 on the disc forming the head 61.
  • Such a configuration therefore allows simple and rapid adjustment of the balance, the larger and/or heavier weights initially allowing a rough adjustment to be made, and the smaller and/or lighter weights allowing a second step to be made. fine-tune the setting.
  • the invention also relates to a watch movement and a timepiece equipped with a balance wheel according to the invention.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
  • Moving Of Heads (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)

Description

Domaine technique de l'inventionTechnical field of the invention

L'invention se rapporte à un balancier à réglage d'inertie présentant des moyens de réglage de l'inertie.The invention relates to a balance wheel with inertia adjustment having means for adjusting the inertia.

L'invention concerne également un mouvement d'horlogerie comprenant un tel système ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie équipée d'un tel mouvement.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a system as well as a timepiece equipped with such a movement.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnology background

Il est connu un balancier dont le moment d'inertie est ajustable par le biais de vis de réglage qui sont disposées à sa périphérie. Ce type de dispositif est connu notamment au sein d'oscillateurs mécaniques dont la fréquence de base de l'oscillateur est ajustée par le moment d'inertie du balancier. De manière générale, un tel balancier comprend une serge, des bras et un certain agencement de vis ou masselottes fixées sur la serge ou le bras du balancier qui permettent, en ajustant leurs positions, de modifier le moment d'inertie du balancier. Ces vis ou masselottes sont positionnées par le biais de clés ou de tournevis qui permettent d'ajuster leur position.A balance wheel is known whose moment of inertia is adjustable by means of adjustment screws which are arranged at its periphery. This type of device is known in particular within mechanical oscillators whose base frequency of the oscillator is adjusted by the moment of inertia of the balance wheel. Generally speaking, such a balance comprises a rim, arms and a certain arrangement of screws or weights fixed on the rim or the arm of the balance which allow, by adjusting their positions, to modify the moment of inertia of the balance. These screws or weights are positioned using wrenches or screwdrivers which allow their position to be adjusted.

Il est par exemple connu du brevet CH264669 un balancier doté de vis de réglage dénuées de tête qui sont vissées depuis l'extérieur de la serge de balancier et qui sont noyées dans son épaisseur. Cette réalisation vise à remplacer avantageusement les balanciers munis de vis dont les têtes sont disposées soit en saillie sur la périphérie de la serge, soit dans un évidement de la serge.It is for example known from the patent CH264669 a balance wheel equipped with headless adjustment screws which are screwed from the outside of the balance wheel rim and which are embedded in its thickness. This achievement aims to advantageously replace the balances fitted with screws whose heads are arranged either projecting on the periphery of the serge, or in a recess in the serge.

On connait également du brevet EP1837719B1 une serge de balancier comportant des plots de matière dirigés radialement vers l'intérieur du balancier, qui sont chacun traversés par un trou taraudé afin d'accueillir des masselottes qui sont vissées depuis l'intérieur du balancier. Dans cette configuration, la préhension des masselottes n'est pas aisée, et la serge de balancier risque ainsi d'être marquée lors du réglage.We also know of the patent EP1837719B1 a balance rim comprising pads of material directed radially towards the inside of the balance, which are each crossed by a tapped hole in order to accommodate weights which are screwed from the inside of the balance. In this configuration, gripping the weights is not easy, and the balance rim therefore risks being marked during adjustment.

CH 705 238 A2 divulgue un balancier pour mouvement d'horlogerie, comprenant des parties rigides constituées par un moyeu définissant l'axe de pivotement dudit balancier, une serge, quatre bras reliant ledit la serge au moyeu, et comportant 2 fentes pour la réception et le pincement en position d'une masselotte, chaque fente étant délimitée d'une part par un bras, et d'autre part par un bras élastique comportant une première extrémité solidaire dudit bras, et une deuxième extrémité distale libre par rapport audit moyeu, audit bras, et par rapport à la serge. CH 705 238 A2 discloses a balance wheel for a watch movement, comprising rigid parts constituted by a hub defining the pivot axis of said balance wheel, a rim, four arms connecting said rim to the hub, and comprising 2 slots for receiving and pinching in position of a flyweight, each slot being delimited on the one hand by an arm, and on the other hand by an elastic arm comprising a first end secured to said arm, and a second distal end free with respect to said hub, said arm, and by compared to serge.

Ces balanciers à vis de réglage présentent encore un autre inconvénient qui est la difficulté de garantir un réglage établi au cours du fonctionnement du mouvement, une ou plusieurs vis pouvant se dévisser partiellement ou totalement, ce qui nuit au bon fonctionnement et à la régularité du balancier.These balances with adjustment screws have yet another disadvantage which is the difficulty of guaranteeing an established adjustment during the operation of the movement, one or more screws being able to unscrew partially or completely, which harms the proper functioning and regularity of the balance. .

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'invention a notamment pour objectif de pallier les différents inconvénients de ces techniques connues.The invention aims in particular to overcome the various disadvantages of these known techniques.

Plus précisément, un objectif de l'invention est de fournir un balancier à réglage d'inertie permettant un réglage facile et rapide.More precisely, an objective of the invention is to provide a balance wheel with inertia adjustment allowing easy and rapid adjustment.

L'invention a également pour objectif, au moins dans un mode de réalisation particulier, de fournir un balancier à réglage d'inertie qui soit simple à mettre en oeuvre et peu coûteux à réaliser.The invention also aims, at least in one particular embodiment, to provide a balance with inertia adjustment which is simple to implement and inexpensive to produce.

Ces objectifs, ainsi que d'autres qui apparaîtront plus clairement par la suite, sont atteints selon l'invention à l'aide d'un balancier pour mouvement d'horlogerie, comprenant des parties rigides constituées par un moyeu définissant l'axe de pivotement dudit balancier, une serge, quatre bras reliant ledit la serge au moyeu, et comportant quatre fentes pour la réception et le pincement en position d'une masselotte, chaque fente étant délimitée d'une part par un bras, et d'autre part par un bras élastique comportant une première extrémité solidaire dudit bras, et une deuxième extrémité distale libre par rapport audit moyeu, audit bras, et audit secteur de serge.These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly later, are achieved according to the invention using a balance wheel for a watch movement, comprising rigid parts constituted by a hub defining the pivot axis of said balance, a serge, four arms connecting said serge to the hub, and comprising four slots for receiving and pinching in position a flyweight, each slot being delimited on the one hand by an arm, and on the other hand by an elastic arm comprising a first end secured to said arm, and a second distal end free relative to said hub, said arm, and said serge sector.

Selon l'invention, le balancier comprend deux paires de masselottes, chaque paire de masselottes présentant des masses différentes pour assurer des pouvoirs réglants différents, une première paire de masselottes permettant un réglage grossier, et une seconde paire de masselottes permettant un réglage fin.According to the invention, the balance comprises two pairs of weights, each pair of weights having different masses to ensure different regulatory powers, a first pair of weights allowing coarse adjustment, and a second pair of weights allowing fine adjustment.

Conformément à d'autres variantes avantageuses de l'invention :

  • chaque paire de masselottes présente des dimensions différentes, les masselottes de la première paire étant plus grandes que les masselottes de la seconde paire, ou inversement ;
  • les masselottes de la première paire sont plus lourdes que les masselottes de la seconde paire, ou inversement ;
  • les paires de masselottes sont réalisé en un matériau différent ;
  • les masselottes de la première paire et les masselottes de la seconde paire sont disposées sur un rayon distinct du balancier ;
  • les masselottes de la première paire sont disposées sur un premier rayon à proximité de la serge et les masselottes de la seconde paire sont disposées sur un second un rayon à proximité du moyeu du balancier ;
  • les bras, la serge et le moyeu forment un élément monobloc.
In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention:
  • each pair of weights has different dimensions, the weights of the first pair being larger than the weights of the second pair, or vice versa;
  • the weights of the first pair are heavier than the weights of the second pair, or vice versa;
  • the pairs of weights are made of a different material;
  • the weights of the first pair and the weights of the second pair are arranged on a separate radius of the balance;
  • the weights of the first pair are arranged on a first spoke near the rim and the weights of the second pair are arranged on a second spoke near the hub of the balance wheel;
  • the arms, the serge and the hub form a single piece element.

L'invention concerne aussi un mouvement d'horlogerie comprenant un balancier conforme à l'invention.The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a balance wheel according to the invention.

L'invention concerne également une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement horloger conforme à l'invention.The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement according to the invention.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description suivante d'un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, donné à titre de simple exemple illustratif et non limitatif, et des figures annexées, parmi lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un balancier conforme à l'invention selon un premier mode de réalisation.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended figures, among which :
  • there figure 1 is a perspective view of a balance wheel according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

Le balancier 1 pour mouvement d'horlogerie, muni d'un dispositif de réglage de son inertie permettant de régler la fréquence d'oscillation dudit balancier, comprend des parties rigides constituées par un moyeu 2 définissant l'axe de pivotement A du balancier 1, une serge 3 de forme circulaire, quatre bras 4 reliant ledit la serge 3 au moyeu 2, et comportant quatre fentes 7 pour la réception et le pincement en position d'une masselotte 6,6'.The balance wheel 1 for a watch movement, provided with a device for adjusting its inertia making it possible to adjust the frequency of oscillation of said balance wheel, comprises rigid parts constituted by a hub 2 defining the pivot axis A of the balance wheel 1, a serge 3 of circular shape, four arms 4 connecting said serge 3 to the hub 2, and comprising four slots 7 for receiving and pinching in position a 6.6' weight.

Chaque fente 7 est délimitée d'une part par un bras 4, et d'autre part par un bras élastique 5 comportant une première extrémité 5B solidaire dudit bras 4, et une deuxième extrémité distale 5A libre par rapport audit moyeu 2, audit bras 4, et audit secteur de serge 3.Each slot 7 is delimited on the one hand by an arm 4, and on the other hand by an elastic arm 5 comprising a first end 5B secured to said arm 4, and a second distal end 5A free with respect to said hub 2, said arm 4 , and audit sector of serge 3.

Tel qu'illustré, le balancier 1 comprend quatre bras, formant un moyeu 4 à leur intersection, le moyeu 4 étant muni d'un orifice 40 destiné à recevoir un axe de balancier.As illustrated, the balance wheel 1 comprises four arms, forming a hub 4 at their intersection, the hub 4 being provided with an orifice 40 intended to receive a balance shaft.

La fente 7 est délimitée par une partie rigide du bras 4 et par un bras élastique 5 qui en permanence rappelée vers le bras 4 lorsque la masselotte est insérée dans la fente 7.The slot 7 is delimited by a rigid part of the arm 4 and by an elastic arm 5 which is permanently recalled towards the arm 4 when the flyweight is inserted into the slot 7.

Selon l'invention, le balancier comprend deux paires de masselottes 6, 6', chaque paire de masselottes présentant des dimensions différentes pour assurer des pouvoirs réglants différents, une première paire de masselottes 6 permettant un réglage grossier, et une seconde paire de masselotte 6' permettant un réglage fin.According to the invention, the balance comprises two pairs of weights 6, 6', each pair of weights having different dimensions to ensure different regulating powers, a first pair of weights 6 allowing coarse adjustment, and a second pair of weights 6 ' allowing fine adjustment.

Les masselottes 6, 6' de chaque paire sont disposées dans des fentes 7 en vis-à-vis par rapport à l'axe de pivotement A du balancier, ou encore disposées selon un symétrie axiale d'axe A, pour une répartition équilibrée des masses sur le balancier 1.The weights 6, 6' of each pair are arranged in slots 7 facing each other with respect to the pivot axis A of the balance, or still arranged according to axial symmetry of axis A, for a balanced distribution of masses on the balance 1.

De manière à distinguer les masselottes 6, 6' et les positionner correctement, les masselottes 6 de la première paire sont plus grandes que les masselottes 6' de la seconde paire, ou inversement.In order to distinguish the weights 6, 6' and position them correctly, the weights 6 of the first pair are larger than the weights 6' of the second pair, or vice versa.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, les masselottes 6 de la première paire et les masselottes 6' de la seconde paire sont disposées sur un rayon distinct du balancier.According to one embodiment of the invention, the weights 6 of the first pair and the weights 6' of the second pair are arranged on a separate radius of the balance wheel.

Par exemple, les masselottes 6 de la première paire sont disposées sur un premier rayon à proximité de la serge 3 et les masselottes 6' de la seconde paire sont disposées sur un second un rayon à proximité du moyeu 2 du balancier, la paire de masselottes 6' à proximité du moyeu 2 du balancier permettant un réglage fin.For example, the weights 6 of the first pair are arranged on a first spoke near the rim 3 and the weights 6' of the second pair are arranged on a second spoke near the hub 2 of the balance, the pair of weights 6' near hub 2 of the balance wheel allowing fine adjustment.

De même, les masselottes 6 de la première paire sont plus lourdes que les masselottes 6' de la seconde paire, ou inversement. Pour cela, différents matériaux peuvent être utilisés pour réaliser les masselottes 6,6'. Par exemple, les masselottes 6 sont réalisées en or ou alliage d'or comme de l'or 18K 3N, et les masselottes 6' sont réalisées en titane ou en alliage de titane comme du titane grade 5.Likewise, the weights 6 of the first pair are heavier than the weights 6' of the second pair, or vice versa. For this, different materials can be used to make the 6.6' weights. For example, the weights 6 are made of gold or a gold alloy such as 18K 3N gold, and the weights 6' are made of titanium or a titanium alloy such as grade 5 titanium.

Les masselottes 6,6' comprennent une tête 61 sous la forme d'un disque et optionnellement un pied 62 de forme cylindrique.The 6.6' weights include a head 61 in the form of a disc and optionally a foot 62 of cylindrical shape.

De manière avantageuse, la fente 7 présente une forme complémentaire à celle de la tête 61 ou du pied 62 de la masselotte 6, 6'. Ce mode de réalisation est particulièrement avantageux car il permet de limiter l'épaisseur du balancier 1 une fois les masselottes 6,6' montées sur le balancier 1.Advantageously, the slot 7 has a shape complementary to that of the head 61 or the foot 62 of the weight 6, 6'. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to limit the thickness of the balance 1 once the weights 6.6' are mounted on the balance 1.

Lors de la mise en place des masselottes 6,6' dans les fentes 7, les masselottes 6,6' sont pincées dans les fentes 7 et sont maintenues par friction dans leur position sous l'effet de l'élasticité du bras élastique 5.When the weights 6.6' are placed in the slots 7, the weights 6.6' are pinched in the slots 7 and are held by friction in their position under the effect of the elasticity of the elastic arm 5.

Les masselottes 6,6' de réglage sont munies d'une fente 63 pour régler la position angulaire de la masselotte au moyen d'un outil coopérant avec le fente 63 pour transmettre un couple au tour de l'axe de rotation de la masselotte 6,6'. Selon le mode de réalisation illustré à la figure 1, chaque masselotte 6,6' présente un méplat 64 sur le disque formant la tête 61.The adjustment weights 6.6' are provided with a slot 63 for adjusting the angular position of the weight by means of a tool cooperating with the slot 63 to transmit a torque around the axis of rotation of the weight 6 .6'. According to the embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , each flyweight 6.6' has a flat 64 on the disc forming the head 61.

Bien évidemment, l'homme du métier saura adapter le balancier 1 et mettre en place tout autre type de masselotte 6,6' de manière à pouvoir régler l'inertie du balancier 1.Obviously, a person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the balance 1 and install any other type of 6.6' weight so as to be able to adjust the inertia of the balance 1.

Une telle configuration permet donc un réglage simple et rapide du balancier, les masselottes plus grande et/ou plus lourde permettant dans un premier temps d'effectuer un réglage grossier, et les masselottes plus petites et/ou plus légères permettant dans un second temps d'affiner le réglage.Such a configuration therefore allows simple and rapid adjustment of the balance, the larger and/or heavier weights initially allowing a rough adjustment to be made, and the smaller and/or lighter weights allowing a second step to be made. fine-tune the setting.

L'invention concerne également un mouvement horloger et une pièce d'horlogerie équipés d'un balancier conforme à l'invention.The invention also relates to a watch movement and a timepiece equipped with a balance wheel according to the invention.

Grâce à ces différents aspects de l'invention, on dispose d'un balancier compact permettant de régler la position des masselottes facilement et peu coûteux à fabriquer.Thanks to these different aspects of the invention, we have a compact balance wheel making it possible to adjust the position of the weights easily and inexpensively to manufacture.

Bien entendu, la présente invention ne se limite pas à l'exemple illustré et est susceptible de diverses variantes et modifications qui apparaîtront à l'homme du métier.Of course, the present invention is not limited to the example illustrated and is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

  1. Balance (1) for horological movement, comprising rigid portions consisting of a hub (2) defining the pivot axis (A) of said balance (1), a felloe (3), four arms (4) connecting said felloe (3) to the hub (2), and including four slots (7) for receiving and gripping in position an inertiablock (6,6'), each slot (7) being delimited on the one hand by an arm (4), and on the other hand by an elastic arm (5) including a first end (5B) integral with said arm (4), and a second distal end (5A) free in relation to said hub (2), to said arm (4), and in relation to the felloe (3),
    the balance (1) comprising two pairs of inertia-blocks (6,6'), each pair of inertia-blocks (6,6') having different masses to ensure different adjusting powers, a first pair of inertia-blocks (6) for a basic adjustment, and a second pair of inertia-blocks (6') for a precise adjustment.
  2. Balance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the inertia-blocks (6,6') of each pair are disposed in the slots (7) opposite in relation to the pivot axis (A) of the balance (1).
  3. Balance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each pair of inertia-blocks (6,6') has different dimensions, the inertia-blocks (6) of the first pair being larger than the inertia-blocks (6') of the second pair, or vice versa.
  4. Balance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the inertia-blocks (6) of the first pair are heavier than the inertia-blocks (6') of the second pair, or vice versa.
  5. Balance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pairs of inertia-blocks (6,6') are made from a different material.
  6. Balance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the inertia-blocks (6) of the first pair and the inertia-blocks (6') of the second pair are disposed on a distinct radius of the balance.
  7. Balance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the inertia-blocks (6) of the first pair are disposed on a first radius close to the felloe (3) and the inertia-blocks (6') of the second pair are disposed on a second radius close to the hub (2) of the balance.
  8. Balance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the arms (2), the felloe (10) and the hub (4) form a one-piece element.
  9. Horological movement comprising a balance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.
  10. Timepiece comprising a movement according to claim 9.
EP21213656.8A 2021-12-10 2021-12-10 Balance wheel with inertia adjustment Active EP4194964B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21213656.8A EP4194964B1 (en) 2021-12-10 2021-12-10 Balance wheel with inertia adjustment
US17/815,392 US20230185241A1 (en) 2021-12-10 2022-07-27 Balance with inertia adjustment
JP2022132985A JP7487268B2 (en) 2021-12-10 2022-08-24 Balance with inertia adjustment function
CN202211074838.6A CN116256960A (en) 2021-12-10 2022-09-02 Balance Wheel with Inertia Adjustment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21213656.8A EP4194964B1 (en) 2021-12-10 2021-12-10 Balance wheel with inertia adjustment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4194964A1 EP4194964A1 (en) 2023-06-14
EP4194964B1 true EP4194964B1 (en) 2024-07-24

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21213656.8A Active EP4194964B1 (en) 2021-12-10 2021-12-10 Balance wheel with inertia adjustment

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US20230185241A1 (en)
EP (1) EP4194964B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7487268B2 (en)
CN (1) CN116256960A (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230297028A1 (en) * 2022-03-15 2023-09-21 Flexous Mechanisms Ip B.V. Mechanical Watch

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH264669A (en) 1947-10-30 1949-10-31 Ernest Borel & Cie S A Balance with adjusting screws for watch movements and other timepieces.
US2880570A (en) * 1956-11-26 1959-04-07 Elgin Nat Watch Co Balance with adjustable moment of inertia
EP1351103B1 (en) * 2002-03-21 2008-07-30 Chopard Manufacture SA Balance wheel with adjusting mechanism
DE602006007101D1 (en) 2006-03-24 2009-07-16 Nivarox Sa Balance for clockwork
CH703605B1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2012-02-29 Complitime Sa Oscillator for use in tourbillon cage of watch movement, has felloe, counterweights and hair spring arranged such that rotation of counterweights diametrically opposite to each other from marks of scale corresponds to variation of inertia
DE202010018420U1 (en) * 2009-02-06 2016-06-22 Damasko Gmbh Mechanical oscillating system for a watch and balance spring for one watch
CH702176A2 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-13 Isa Swiss Sa Balance spring for resonator in mechanical timepiece movement of watch, has narrowed part arranged in manner such that deformation of narrowed part modifies inertia of spring to adjust daily operation of timepiece movement
EP2410386B1 (en) * 2010-07-19 2018-10-03 Nivarox-FAR S.A. balance wheel with inertia adjustment with insert
CH705238C1 (en) * 2011-07-15 2024-02-15 Nivarox Far Sa Balance wheel with inertia adjustment for clock movements.
JP6070937B2 (en) * 2013-02-20 2017-02-01 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Balance, movement for watch and mechanical watch
EP2990883A1 (en) * 2014-08-29 2016-03-02 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Clockwork balance wheel-hairspring assembly
EP3252546B1 (en) * 2016-06-03 2019-08-28 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Timepiece mechanism with balance wheel inertia adjustment
EP3736640B1 (en) 2019-05-07 2022-12-21 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Clock balance
EP3835879B1 (en) * 2019-12-09 2024-01-24 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Timepiece resonator mechanism with inertial mass wheel with inertia and unbalance adjustment
EP3839656B1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2023-12-13 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Horological balance
EP3839655A1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-23 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Horological balance
CH716970B1 (en) * 2019-12-18 2024-01-31 Nivarox Far Sa Clock balance
CH717059B1 (en) * 2020-01-22 2022-11-30 Patek Philippe Sa Geneve Adjustment weight.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP7487268B2 (en) 2024-05-20
JP2023086663A (en) 2023-06-22
US20230185241A1 (en) 2023-06-15
EP4194964A1 (en) 2023-06-14
CN116256960A (en) 2023-06-13

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