HK1215311B - Anchor for a timepiece escapement mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Escapement fork for a timepiece escapement

Technical Field

The invention concerns a timepiece assembly including a plate and a mechanism for intermittently stopping at least one escape wheel, said intermittently stopping mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or balance wheel arranged to be actuated with an alternating movement/reciprocating movement under the action of at least one balance spring or an alternating elastic return device arranged to pivot in at least said plate.

The invention also relates to an escapement comprising at least one such timepiece component.

The invention also relates to a mechanical timepiece movement including at least one such escapement.

The present invention relates to the field of horological mechanisms, and more particularly to a movement integrated with a functional module of the ready-to-use type. In particular, the invention relates to the distribution of energy in an escapement.

Background

The use of modular assemblies allows to manufacture a family of products employing a common base, each personalized with different options or functions, in particular complex functions in the case of mechanical timepiece movements.

The concept of extremely high precision modules or plug-ins (cases) allows mass production to be combined with high quality goods.

Modular subassemblies for timepiece movements are therefore known from european patent applications 11193173.9 and 11193174.7 in the name of ETA SA. The mechanical modules disclosed in these patent applications are irreversibly pre-conditioned and assembled to ensure the durability of their arrangement.

However, in conventional embodiments, the module does not always allow to reduce the number of component parts, which both allows to reduce the production costs and to simplify the assembly solutions, thus enabling the medium-level technicians to assemble and adjust the most complex functions, including the distribution of energy in the escapement.

Patent application No. WO2011/120180a1 in the name of roex discloses a stop mechanism for a gear comprising a pallet fork, a main plate and an elastic return device forming a planar integral assembly in the plane of the escape wheel.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention therefore proposes to provide a module with a reduced number of component parts and a general assembly and adjustment complexity.

To this end, the present invention utilizes new micro-component fabrication techniques, MEMS, "LIGA", photolithography, etc. to optimize the fabrication of the modules shown here as cards. These inserts may be irreversibly assembled to each other as in the two above patent applications, or positioned and assembled in a conventional manner.

The invention proposes to facilitate a simple integration of the mechanism for intermittent stop escapement or of the entire escapement in a modular configuration.

To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece assembly including a plate and a mechanism for intermittently stopping at least one escape wheel, said intermittent stopping mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or balance arranged to be actuated in an alternating movement by at least one balance spring or an alternating elastic return means, said intermittent stopping mechanism being arranged to pivot in at least said plate, characterized in that said intermittent stopping mechanism forms an inseparable integral part with said plate, said plate also forming an integral part with a first bearing for said escape wheel and a second pivot bearing for said regulating member or balance, said first and second bearings being distanced from each other by a fixed central distance and said intermittent stopping mechanism pivoting about a virtual axis, the theoretical position of the virtual axis is defined with reference to the positions of the first and second bearings.

According to one feature of the invention, the intermittent stop mechanism comprises at least one pallet fork integral with the plate, wherein the pallet fork is connected to the plate by elastic return means.

According to one feature of the invention, the pallet comprises a top carrying pallet stones, horns and a fork pin, said top being added and fixed to a bottom lying in the plane of the plate, wherein the pallet is connected to the plate by elastic return means, and said elastic return means also lie in the plane of the plate.

The invention also relates to an escapement comprising at least one such timepiece component.

The invention also relates to a mechanical timepiece movement including at least one such escapement.

The advantage of making the component in one piece, in particular with the main board or the bar clamp, is: the number of parts is reduced and assembly problems are avoided. The invention benefits from the precision with which these integral parts are manufactured (typically, the parts are made of silicon for example and therefore provided with micrometric precision).

The integrated plug-in has the main advantages that: the distance between the centres is ensured and a ready-to-use mechanism is formed, in particular an oscillator in the preferred application.

In particular, the invention incorporates a flexible guide which has the following advantages:

-the precision ensured;

-a substantially reduced or zero friction level;

no hysteresis in the movement, due to the absence of friction or at least to an extremely reduced level of friction;

-no lubrication;

-no play;

no wear.

The manufacture of these flexible guides results in limitations, especially limited stroke, low return force and limited load. However, these limitations do not prohibit a variety of timepiece functions, particularly those related to speed regulation.

These limitations are adequately compensated by the high precision of the distance between the centres, the small number of parts to be manufactured and therefore the reduced complexity and assembly time. The insert according to the invention has great industrial advantages: the mechanism insert (in particular the oscillator) forms a part that can be assembled at any time in the movement. Furthermore, the entire movement can of course be designed in the form of an insert according to the invention.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an escapement according to the invention, comprising an intermittent stop according to the invention, comprising a pallet fork arranged between a main plate and a bar-clamping plate, which pallet fork cooperates on one side with an escape wheel and on the other side with a balance reset by a balance spring, the pallet fork being made in one piece with the main plate, the pallet fork being connected to said main plate by an integrated elastic reset device.

Fig. 2 shows, in a similar way to fig. 1, a variant in which, in addition to the integrated elastic return means, a pallet of this type also comprises a base lying in the plane of the bottom plate.

Fig. 3 shows, in a similar way to fig. 2, a variant in which the actual pallet fork is fixed on a base of the type described above.

Fig. 4 shows, in a similar way to fig. 1, a variant in which the pallet of this type is located in the plane of the bottom plate and comprises, on at least one top level, projecting parts such as a fork pin, a horn and a pallet stone.

Fig. 5 shows, in a similar manner to fig. 1, a variant in which the pallet pivots in the bottom plate at least one of its ends and in a bearing holder at its other end, said bearing holder being located approximately at the level of the bar and being connected to the bottom plate by a cross-piece.

Fig. 6 shows, in a similar way to fig. 1, a variant in which the pallet pivots inside the balance rim.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a one-piece assembly comprising means for adjusting the position of the components also integrated in the assembly, said adjustment means being able to be fixed in position by stop means; this figure shows the adjustment of the index by means of an elastic adjustment device comprising a comb, stopping the comb in position in the adjusted position, and controlling the locking mechanism of the stopping device; the comb immobilizes the indicator at the end of the flexible band, the comb being forced against said indicator by a locking band spring which is fixed by means of a locking finger.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a timepiece movement including an escapement of this type.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to the field of horological mechanisms, and more particularly to a movement integrated with a functional module of the ready-to-use type. In particular, the invention relates to the distribution of energy in an escapement.

The invention relates to a mechanism 6 for intermittently stopping at least one escape wheel 5. The intermittent stop mechanism cooperates with at least one regulating member 4 or balance 41, said at least one regulating member 4 or balance 41 being actuated with an alternating movement by at least one balance spring or an alternating elastic return device 7. The intermittent stop mechanism 6 pivots in at least one of the main boards 2.

According to the invention, the intermittent stop mechanism 6 forms an inseparable integral part 20 with the main plate 2.

Preferably, the plate 2 also forms an integral part with a first bearing 51 for the escape wheel 5 and a second pivot bearing 52 for the regulating member 4 or the balance 41.

The first bearing 51 and the second bearing 52 are spaced apart from each other with a fixed distance between their centers.

The intermittent stop mechanism 6 pivots about a virtual axis 53, the theoretical position of which virtual axis 53 is defined with reference to the positions of the first bearing 51 and the second bearing 52.

Preferably, the intermittent stop mechanism 6 comprises at least one pallet 61 integral with the plate 2 and connected to said plate by elastic return means 65.

In a particular variant, this pallet 61 comprises a top 62 carrying pallet stones, corners and a fork pin, this top 62 being added and fixed to a bottom 63 located in the plane of the plate 2. The bottom 63 is connected to the main board 2 by means of elastic return means 65, said elastic return means 65 also being located in the plane of the main board 2 as shown in fig. 3.

In the variant of fig. 3, pallet 61 is located between bottom plate 2 and bar clamp 3 and comprises a top 62 carrying pallet stones, corners and a dart in one or more parts, this top 62 being integral with a bottom 63 and extending above this bottom 63 in the direction of bar clamp 3. The bottom 63 is located in the plane of the main board 2, the bottom 63 being connected to the main board 2 by means of a resilient return 65 also located in the plane of the main board 2.

In the variant of fig. 2, the pallet 61 comprises, in addition to an integrated elastic return device 65 also located in the plane of the plate 2, a base 64 located in the plane of the plate 2. Advantageously, the pallet 61 is integral with a pivot point (pivotpoint): in fig. 2, the hatched parts are made in an integral manner. The pallet 61 is guided on a flexible arm 65 connected to the frame/bottom plate. In particular, according to the invention, the pivot point is added on the frame/plate, in this case on the frame/plate of the escape wheel and of the balance. The great advantages are that: the distance between the centres is very accurately defined.

Furthermore, although integral, the component is developed in several levels; in the embodiment of fig. 2, is developed in two substantially parallel planes. Fig. 3 to 5 also show an integral component with several levels, three in fig. 5.

In the variant of fig. 3, the top 62 of the pallet 61 is arranged on a base 63 of the type described above, and the top 62 is not integral with said base 63.

In the variant of fig. 4, the pallet lies in the plane of the plate and comprises, on at least one top level, projections 62A and 62B, such as pallet stones or brads and horns.

Advantageously, this non-separable one-piece part 20 comprises integrated elastic return means for performing the functions of energy distribution and/or speed regulation and/or return and/or damping and/or locking in the adjustment position.

In a particular arrangement, these integrated elastic return means comprise at least one flexible bistable or multistable element, in order to facilitate the function of pallets whose pivoting is not uniform and which do not transmit a uniform amount of energy.

Fig. 6 shows a variant in which the pallet 61 pivots inside the felloe of balance 41, and preferably the whole pallet moves below balance 41.

In order to adjust and store at least one of the functional components comprised in the mechanism 1 in a suitable position, in particular pre-adjusted, the position of the functional component of the type described above, in particular of the pallet 61 or pallet foot 64 or bottom 63 of the pallet or other element, is adjustable and can be fixed in a pre-adjusted position by the locking device.

Fig. 7 shows an integrated assembly comprising means for adjusting the position of the components also integrated in the mechanism 1, said adjustment means being able to be fixed in position by stop means.

Thus, in a particular embodiment, at least the bottom plate 2 comprises a position-adjustable mechanism 80, which mechanism 80 comprises a rigid structure 81 (which is in particular formed by a plate of the bottom plate) carrying a position-adjustable member 82 via at least one elastic band 83. The position-adjustable member 82 carries the pallet fork 61 or pallet jack 64 or the bottom 63 of the pallet fork. The mechanism 80 comprises an indicator means 84, which indicator means 84 is arranged to cooperate with a complementary indicator means 91 comprised in the adjustment mechanism 90. These complementary indicating means 91 are detachably mounted to the indicating means 84 and can be stopped in the engaged position by a stop mechanism 94 elastically secured to the structure 81.

While the stop mechanism 94 is subject to the action of a locking mechanism 98, the locking mechanism 98 allowing the mechanism 94 to occupy either an uncoupled position, in which the adjustment mechanism 90 is free, or a coupled position, in which the stop mechanism 94 obstructs the adjustment mechanism 90. The locking mechanism is likewise resiliently secured to the structure 81.

Advantageously, therefore, at least one non-separable one-piece component 20 comprises a position-adjustable mechanism 80, which mechanism 80 comprises a rigid structure 81. The rigid structure 81, in particular the bottom plate 2, carries, via at least one elastic band 83, a position-adjustable member 82, the member 82 comprising an indicator device 84, the indicator device 84 being arranged to cooperate with a complementary indicator device 91 comprised in the adjustment mechanism 90, said complementary indicator device 91 being detachably mounted to the indicator device 84 and being stopped in position by a stop mechanism 94 elastically fixed to said structure 81, while said stop mechanism 94 is subjected to the action of a locking mechanism 98, the locking mechanism 98 allowing the mechanism 94 to occupy an uncoupled position, in which the adjustment mechanism 90 is free, or a coupled position, in which said stop mechanism 94 obstructs said adjustment mechanism 90, said locking mechanism 98 also being elastically fixed to said structure 81.

This combined adjustment, stop and locking mechanism may also be used in a variety of applications: a bearing, stop member or other element is positioned.

The design of the mechanism 1 according to the invention, comprising the non-separable integral part 20, also optimises the pivoting of the various wheel sets and ensures their parallelism as required, or conversely allows at least one end of the wheel set spindle to move for micrometric modification of the setting.

In particular, the action on the pivot point allows the centre distance between the wheel sets to be adjusted to adjust the degree of penetration (duration) of the toothed ring and/or of the pallet-stone. The distance between the centers can be adjusted in an integrated manner by means of a main board or a bar clamp. This principle of adjusting the distance between the centers is valid for all the distances between the centers in the movement.

In an advantageous embodiment of the intermittent stop mechanism 6 according to the invention, the main plate 2 is integral with the travel limit stop of the intermittent stop mechanism 6. In general, the integration of the limiting elements, whether they are located in the main board 2, the bar clamp 3 or in other non-separable integral parts 20, is an advantage of the present invention.

In particular, the non-separable one-piece part 20 is made of silicon, and the integrated elastic return means of the non-separable one-piece part 20 is prestressed in the silicon oxide state.

In an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism 1 is made of silicon. The pivot point is defined, for example, by anisotropic (KOH) etching in the silicon substrate. The great advantages are that: very accurate positioning of the pivot points (distance from the respective centers, perpendicularity).

Thus, the shock absorber can be made partially or completely in the motherboard: the damper springs may be formed in engagement with the main plate. One (or both) of the two jewel bearings may be made in engagement with the main plate. Pivoting thus occurs directly in the silicon. The pivot point may be formed directly in the silicon with a DLC or other surface coating. There are no longer any jewel bearings and the rotation point is positioned very precisely.

In one particular embodiment, the non-separable unitary component 20 includes a breakable element whose purpose is to facilitate assembly of the component into a larger assembly, which then only needs to be broken to have one or more degrees of freedom in some of its constituent components.

In an advantageous embodiment of the insert 1 according to the invention, the non-separable one-piece part 20 is made of a micro-machinable material or silicon dioxide, and the integrated elastic return means of said non-separable one-piece part are pre-stressed in the silicon oxide state. Other materials may be employed in MEMS or "LIGA" technology. Quartz, DLC, at least partially amorphous materials or metallic glasses may be used for these applications, but this list is not limiting.

A specific construction process of the mother board 2 and/or of the bar 3 and/or of the non-separable integral part 20 can compensate for the expansion of the structural elements or parts of the mechanism of the insert 1. For example, for consistency, the master plate may be formed from silicon and then oxidized.

The invention also relates to a timepiece escapement 200 comprising at least one intermittent stop mechanism 6 of this type.

In a particular embodiment, only the escape wheel and the balance are separate components, the remainder of the escapement mechanism 200 constituting the inseparable integral component 20.

The invention also relates to a mechanical timepiece movement 100 including at least one escapement mechanism 200 of this type.

Claims (12)

1. Timepiece assembly comprising a main plate (2) and an intermittent stop mechanism (6) for intermittently stopping at least one escape wheel (5), cooperating with at least one regulating member (4) or balance (41), said at least one regulating member (4) or balance (41) being arranged to be actuated in an alternating movement by at least one balance spring or an alternating elastic return means (7), said intermittent stop mechanism being arranged to pivot in at least said main plate (2), characterized in that said intermittent stop mechanism (6) forms an inseparable integral part (20) with said main plate (2), said main plate also forming an integral part with a first bearing (51) for said escape wheel (5) and a second bearing (52) for said regulating member (4) or balance (41), the first bearing (51) and the second bearing (52) are distanced from each other by a fixed central distance, and the intermittent stop mechanism (6) pivots about a virtual axis (53) whose theoretical position is defined with reference to the positions of the first bearing (51) and the second bearing (52).

2. Timepiece assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent stop mechanism (6) is a pallet fork (61) integral with the plate (2), connected to the plate (2) by elastic return means (65).

3. Timepiece assembly according to claim 2, wherein the escapement fork (61) comprises a top part (62) carrying the pallet stones, the corners and the fork pins, said top part (62) being added and fixed on a bottom part (63), said bottom part (63) lying in the plane of the plate (2), wherein the escapement fork is connected to the plate (2) by means of elastic return means (65), said elastic return means (65) also lying in the plane of the plate (2).

4. Timepiece assembly according to claim 2, wherein the escapement fork (61) is located between the plate (2) and the plate (3) and comprises a top portion (62) carrying the pallet stones, the corners and the fork head nails in one or more portions (62A; 62B), integral with a bottom portion (63) and extending above the bottom portion (63) towards the plate (3), the bottom portion (63) lying in the plane of the plate (2) and being connected to the plate (2) by means of an elastic return means (65) also lying in the plane of the plate (2).

5. Timepiece assembly according to claim 1, wherein the non-separable one-piece part (20) comprises an integrated elastic return means for performing the function of stopping and/or damping and/or return and/or speed regulation and/or energy distribution in the adjustment position.

6. Timepiece assembly according to claim 5, wherein said integrated elastic reset means comprise at least one flexible bistable or multistable element.

7. Timepiece assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent stop mechanism (6) comprises functional parts, at least one of which is position-adjustable and can be fixed in a pre-adjusted position by locking means.

8. Timepiece assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the non-separable integral parts (20) comprises a position-adjustable mechanism (80), the position-adjustable mechanism (80) comprising a rigid structure (81) carrying a position-adjustable part (82) via at least one elastic band (83), the position-adjustable part (82) comprising an indicator device (84) arranged to cooperate with a complementary indicator device (91) comprised in an adjustment mechanism (90), the complementary indicator device (91) being detachably mounted on the indicator device (84) and being able to be stopped in an engaged position by a stop mechanism (94) elastically fixed on the rigid structure (81), while the stop mechanism (94) is subjected to the action of a locking mechanism (98), the locking mechanism (98) allowing the stop mechanism (94) to occupy either an uncoupled position or a coupled position, in the uncoupled position the adjustment mechanism (90) is free, in the coupled position the stop mechanism (94) obstructs the adjustment mechanism (90), the locking mechanism (98) also being elastically fixed to the rigid structure (81).

9. Timepiece assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plate (2) is integral with a travel limit stop of the intermittent stop mechanism (6).

10. Timepiece assembly according to claim 5, wherein the non-separable one-piece part (20) is made of silicon and the integrated elastic return means of the non-separable one-piece part (20) are pre-stressed in the oxidized state of the silicon.

11. Escapement mechanism (200) comprising at least one timepiece assembly according to claim 1.

12. A mechanical timepiece movement (100) including at least one escapement mechanism (200) according to claim 11.