858results about "Frequency stabilisation mechanism" patented technology

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece rate control device that realizes statistical pulse control with zero average external force using a single or opposing actuator, and electronic hacking including a contactless brake with zero wear. [Solution] A rate control device comprising: at least one actuator arranged opposite a balance oscillator; detection means for detecting the oscillator phase; and a control circuit for selectively executing a statistical control mode in which a probability function is generated based on the phase difference between the output of the detection means and an external reference oscillator, and symmetrical pulses are applied in an even half-cycle phase window to make the average external force zero, and a stop mode in which the actuator is continuously or intermittently driven in response to an external command to apply a brake torque and stop the oscillator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece rate stabilizer that uses an external reference but does not directly inject mechanical vibrations into the balance, and that can stabilize the rate over a long period of time with extremely low power consumption. [Solution] We provide a rate stabilizer for mechanical watches that is based on a statistical driving method with constant pulse width and amplitude and autonomously switches between four modes based on actual current consumption: normal mode using phase shift, ΔΣ1 bit stream mode, low detune frequency hopping mode, and chirp search mode.Without modifying the hairspring at all, we achieve both rate stability and low power consumption while maintaining constant instantaneous energy.

To provide a method for separating a balance spring, based on mechanically crushing the balance spring.SOLUTION: One aspect of the invention relates to a tool (100) for separating plates (123) of a balance spring (1, 2, 3) after winding. The tool has substantially parallel lower and upper rolling surfaces (4, 5) that are movable vertically or longitudinally relative to one another to deform the plate (123) by ovalization to cause the plate (123) to undergo a rolling movement between the rolling surfaces (4, 5). The invention further uses this tool (100) to separate the balance springs (1, 2, 3) from the plates and mechanically crush the balance springs within their elastic range, initiating the sequence of compressing and rolling the plate (123).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Method for testing a balance spring or a balance spring blank arranged to form a balance spring, the balance spring being required to have at least one predetermined expected resonance frequency, the testing method including the following steps:a. applying to the balance spring or balance spring blank, a vibratory excitation that varies over time in order to cover a predetermined frequency range,b. identifying at least one characteristic of a resonance frequency of the balance spring or balance spring blank, such as a resonance peak, during, or in response to, the vibratory excitation over the predetermined frequency range,c. subjecting the resonance frequency characteristic identified in step b. to a prediction machine in order to determine if the balance spring or balance spring blank is affected by a defect.

The invention relates to the technical field of mechanical watch tourbillon, in particular to a rotation inertia adjustable double-shaft tourbillon structure which comprises a frame plate, a first direction shaft, an outer tourbillon, a second direction shaft, an inner tourbillon, an escapement mechanism and a transmission wheel train. The inner tourbillon is rotationally connected with the outer tourbillon through a second direction shaft, the escapement mechanism is arranged in the inner tourbillon and comprises an escapement wheel, an escapement fork and a hairspring balance wheel, four adjusting columns are arranged on the surface of the hairspring balance wheel in the circumferential direction of the hairspring balance wheel at equal intervals, the adjusting columns are sleeved with C-shaped weights, and the C-shaped weights are in interference fit with the adjusting columns; the transmission wheel train is used for driving the inner tourbillon to rotate around the second direction shaft while driving the outer tourbillon to rotate around the first direction shaft and driving the escapement wheel to rotate at the same time. The balance wheel has the effect that the rotation inertia of the balance wheel can be flexibly adjusted.

The present invention relates to an escapement mechanism (1) arranged to supply mechanical impulses from a driving source to an oscillating regulator (2) of a clock movement via a leaf spring (6) operating in buckling around an inflection point (I). The mechanism comprises a winding rocker (10), a release rocker (12), and a locking rocker (14). The leaf spring (6), in normal operation, is capable of accumulating energy from the driving source transmitted by winding elements (40a, 40b) during a winding phase, remaining in a wound state during a locking phase, and then releasing the accumulated energy to the oscillating regulator (2) during a pulse phase preceded by a release phase. The locking rocker (14) comprises two locking arms (56a, 56b), each equipped with a locking member. (58a, 58b) arranged to cooperate with a locking member (46a,46b) respective complement of the cocking lever (10) to block said cocking lever (10) during the locking phase. Each locking arm (56a, 56b) of said locking rocker (14) has, at its free end, an inclined plane (66a, 66b) configured to cooperate with the starting inclined plane (61a, 61b) provided correspondingly on the arming rocker (10) during a self-start phase during which an activation of the drive source causes the arming rocker (10) to move, the free passage of which is permitted by the locking rocker (14) which was previously positioned by the detent rocker (12) under the influence of the oscillating regulator (2) at rest, said angular movement of the arming rocker causing a displacement of the locking rocker (14) by pushing one of the starting inclined planes (61a, 61b) on the corresponding inclined plane (66a, 66b) of the locking rocker (10),so that said locking lever (14) rotates the oscillating regulator (2) out of the lifting angle, the escapement mechanism (1) positioning itself in a position corresponding to a locking phase ready to be followed by an unlocking phase and a pulse phase of normal operation.

A flexible guide assembly for a rotating resonator mechanism, the assembly including a fixed support and two flexible guides extending in substantially the same plane or in two different parallel planes, the first flexible guide including a first element movable with respect to the fixed support, a first pair of flexible strips connected to the first movable element, such that the first movable element can move by bending the strips of the first pair in a circular motion about a first centre of rotation, the second flexible guide includes a second element movable with respect to first movable element, a second pair of flexible strips connecting the second movable element to the first movable element, such that the second movable element can move with respect to the first movable element by bending the strips of the second pair in a circular motion about a second centre of rotation. The first centre of rotation and the second centre of rotation are offset by a first predefined distance belonging to a plane of the assembly.

A method for manufacturing a plurality of timepiece components (90) in an SOI-type manufacturing wafer (10) is disclosed. The SOI wafer (10) comprises a support layer (20), a working layer (30), and a buried layer (40). The method comprises the steps of: (a) structuring the support layer (20) by removing part of said support layer (20); (b) forming the timepiece components (90) in the working layer (30), the structured support layer (20') acting as support during this formation; (c) releasing the timepiece components (90) formed in step (b) by removing at least those parts of the buried layer (40) which are beneath the timepiece components (90); and (d) performing at least one subsequent manufacturing step on the released timepiece components (90).

The invention relates to a regulating organ (1) for a clockwork movement comprising an inertial mass, for example an annular balance wheel (23), a balance spring (25), and a regulator system (20) for adjusting the rate of the balance spring (25). The balance spring (25) comprises a wound ribbon (2) and means for adjusting the stiffness of the balance spring having an elastic element (5) arranged in series with the wound ribbon (2). The regulator system (20) comprises a stud holder (31) having a first stud (34) and a second stud (35). The elastic element (5) is arranged between the first stud (34) and the second stud (35), the first stud (34) being movable relative to the second stud (35), the movement of the first stud (34) modifying the stiffness of the balance spring (25).

A wearable electronic device disclosed in the present document may comprise: a housing including a main frame including an opening, a front plate exposed through the opening, and a rear member coupled to the main frame in a direction opposite to the front plate; a display disposed inside the housing so as to be visible through the opening; and a rotary wheel surrounding the front plate and rotatably seated on the main frame. The main frame may include a first portion disposed between the front plate and the rotary wheel, and a second portion on which the rotary wheel is seated and which forms a side of the wearable electronic device. A first deposition surface may be formed on the first portion by a deposition process, and a second deposition surface may be formed on the second portion by a deposition process separate from the above deposition process. Other embodiments understood from the specification are also possible.

Disclosed is an adjustment method for a timepiece oscillator including a balance, a support and a flexure pivot connecting the balance to the support and guiding the balance in rotation as to the support about a virtual axis of rotation, the flexure pivot having, in orthogonal projection in a plane perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation, an axis of symmetry which is also an axis of symmetry for the points where the flexure pivot joins the balance. In the method, the unbalance of the balance is adjusted so, in orthogonal projection in the plane, the center of mass of the balance is substantially on the axis of symmetry and at a position distinct from that of the virtual axis of rotation and chosen to reduce, and preferably render minimal, the dependency of the oscillation frequency with respect to the orientation of gravity for a predetermined amplitude of oscillation.

The invention discloses a silicon hairspring and a preparation method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of clock precision machinery manufacturing. At present, a silicon hairspring is mainly prepared based on an SOI wafer, but the preparation of the SOI needs special equipment such as ion implantation and a complex process, so that the production cost of the silicon hairspring is relatively high. The silicon hairspring is prepared by using a monocrystalline silicon wafer as a raw material instead of an SOI wafer in the prior art. The preparation method comprises the following steps: etching the polished surface of the monocrystalline silicon wafer to form a silicon hairspring structure, and then carrying out thermal oxidation; one surface of the silicon hairspring structure is uniformly coated with liquid resin, then a layer of hard material is pasted, and after the liquid resin is completely cured, temporary bonding of the monocrystalline silicon wafer and the hard material layer is completed; and thinning one surface, deviating from the silicon hairspring structure, of the monocrystalline silicon wafer until the silicon hairspring structure is exposed, and then removing the cured resin to obtain the free silicon hairspring. According to the preparation method, the preparation cost of the silicon hairspring is remarkably reduced, and large-scale use of the silicon hairspring in the mechanical watch industry is facilitated.

The invention discloses a mechanical watch movement, relates to the technical field of mechanical watch movements, and aims to solve the problem that a biaxial tourbillon movement is affected by gravitational attraction when placed on a movement plane. The mechanical watch movement comprises a middle clamping plate, a three-clamping plate, a lower clamping plate and a bottom clamping plate, and further comprises a second upper supporting assembly and a transmission assembly; a second gear shaft is rotationally connected between the second upper supporting assembly and the bottom clamping plate, the top end of the second gear shaft is in interference connection with a second shaft support, a fixed planet wheel and a movable planet wheel are arranged on the second shaft support, and the movable planet wheel is in meshed connection with a rail wheel; the spherical frame is rotationally arranged between the fixed planet wheel and the movable planet wheel; a second clamping plate connecting piece is rotationally connected to the bottom of the interior of the spherical frame, a fixed second wheel sheet is fixedly connected to the interior of the spherical frame, and a swing clamping plate is fixedly connected to the second clamping plate connecting piece; and an escapement mechanism is also arranged.

The invention relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising an oscillator (1) with a flexible pivot, and a stop device (6) for stopping the oscillator (1), the oscillator (1) comprising: a base (20) for attaching the oscillator (1) to a stationary or mobile frame of a timepiece movement; an oscillating member (3, 21, 4) intended to oscillate in rotation about a virtual axis of rotation (A), the oscillating member (3, 21, 4) comprising a radial element (31, 21, 4) with respect to the virtual axis of rotation (A), the radial element (31, 21, 4) comprising at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b); and a flexible pivot (2a, 2b) for suspending the oscillating member (3, 21, 4) from the base (20) and defining the virtual axis of rotation (A); the stop device (6) comprising: a stop member (7) with at least one abutment (71); the stop member (7) being configured to be movable between an active position in which the at least one abutment (71) engages with the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) to lock the oscillating member (3, 21, 4) in a predetermined position in which the elastic return force of the flexible pivot (2a, 2b) is non-zero, and an inactive position in which the at least one abutment (71) is spaced apart from the path travelled by the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) during the oscillation of the oscillating member (3, 21, 4), the stop member (7) being configured such that, during the movement of the stop member (7) in a first direction from the inactive position to the active position, the at least one abutment (71) follows a circular trajectory centred about an axis parallel to the virtual axis of rotation (A), the at least one abutment (71) and the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) being configured so that, when the at least one abutment (71) engages with the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) to lock the oscillating member (3, 21, 4), the force exerted by the at least one abutment (71) on the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) is essentially tangential with respect to the rotational movement performed by the at least one stop element (5a; 5a, 5b) during the oscillation of the oscillating member (3, 21, 4), the stop member (7) being further configured to be returned from the active position to the inactive position in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a timepiece mechanism, and to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.

To provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional horology component of a shape that is complex on a micrometric or nanometric scale.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a horology component 6 at least comprises: a step of manufacturing, from a first photosensitive resin, a first structure comprising at least one photosensitive resin layer comprising a first pattern obtained by polymerizing the first photosensitive resin by irradiation through at least one mask, and then developing the first photosensitive resin; and a step of transforming the first structure into a second structure by structuring at least one surface of the first structure by addition of a second photosensitive resin to the at least one surface, the second structure being intended to at least partially form a manufacturing mold for the horology component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

An object of the present invention is to provide an accuracy improvement device that achieves high accuracy comparable to that of a quartz clock and solves the accuracy problems of conventional mechanical clocks without significantly changing the existing clock structure. 【Means for solving the problem】 A mechanical clock is built-in with an external transmitter separate from the balance wheel, and its pulsation is converted into mechanical vibration by a piezo element, and the vibration energy is transmitted to the balance wheel. As a result, mechanical vibration is transmitted to the balance wheel of the mechanical clock, and the balance wheel is resonated by utilizing the pulling-in phenomenon. Due to this resonance, the vibration of the balance wheel is forcibly synchronized with the frequency of the quartz transmitter, and the accuracy is significantly improved.

To provide an actuation mechanism that is adaptable to a linear displacement actuator.SOLUTION: A clock movement-purpose speed governing member 1 comprises: means for adjusting inertia mass, for example, a balance spring 25 including a balance with hairspring 23 and a wound ribbon, and rigidity of the balance spring. The speed governing member includes a mechanism for actuating the adjustment means, and an actuation mechanism includes: an actuator 30 that includes a movable part mechanically linked to the adjustment means; and means for adjusting the actuator. The adjustment means includes a pivotal control lever 45, and the control lever includes a support arm and pivotal arm cooperating with the movable part of the actuator for mechanically displacing the movable part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

The invention relates to an actuation system (20) for a timepiece movement, the actuation system (20) being configured to be able to at least partially displace a component between a plurality of positions, the actuation system (20) comprising a micromechanical actuator (30) intended to engage with said component, the actuator (30) comprising a stationary portion (33) intended to be mounted such as to remain stationary relative to a board of the timepiece movement, the invention relates to an actuation system comprising a stationary part (33), and a movable part (37) movable relative to the stationary part (33), the actuator (30) comprising a spring part (35) connecting the movable part (37) to the stationary part (33), the spring part (35) carrying the movable part (37), the actuation system further comprising setting means cooperating with the actuator (30), the spring portion (35) is arranged to be able to displace the movable portion (37) of the actuator (30) between a plurality of positions, the spring portion (35) comprising a guide with flexible vanes.

1. A timepiece movement comprising: a main frame serving as a support for a power source and at least one base gear train arranged to be driven by said power source; and at least one levitating bridge mounted in cantilever fashion on a member of said main frame and extending over said main frame, said levitating bridge carrying at least one functional member dynamically connected to said base gear train via a levitating gear train, said functional member and at least some members of said levitating gear train being entirely supported by said levitating bridge.

A method for manufacturing a batch of horological balance springs (2a), the average of whose stiffnesses lies within a predetermined range, includes forming in a wafer the horological balance springs (2b, 2c) with dimensions that differ from the dimensions required to obtain the batch of horological balance springs (2a), the average of whose stiffnesses lies within said predetermined range; determining the stiffnesses of said systems; computing a dimensional correction to be applied to the horological balance springs; andmmodifying the dimensions of the horological balance springs (2b, 2c) formed, on the basis of a dimensional correction computed to obtain the batch of horological balance springs (2a).

In particular, a clockwork mechanism (10T) is described comprising a rotating regulating system (SR) kinematically linked to a finishing train (RF), the rotating regulating system (SR) including a rotating cage (CR) carrying an escapement (EC) and a regulating member (BL), the rotating regulating system (SR) being capable of operating according to a first operating mode where the rotating cage (CR) is driven in rotation and at least according to a second operating mode where the rotating cage (CR) is immobilized while ensuring continuity of operation of the escapement (EC) and the regulating member (BL). The finishing train (RF) is kinematically linked to the rotating regulating system (SR) via a drive device (100) switchable between a first configuration and at least a second configuration.In the first configuration of the drive device (100), the rotating regulating system (SR) is operated according to the first operating mode and the going train (RF) is kinematically linked to the rotating cage (CR) via the drive device (100). In the second configuration of the drive device (100), the rotating regulating system (SR) is operated according to the second operating mode and the going train (RF) is disengaged from the rotating cage (CR), allowing the rotating cage (CR) to be immobilized, the going train (RF) remaining kinematically linked to the escapement (EC).

To provide a balance spring for a horological regulating member, the balance spring being provided with temperature-dependent adjustment means.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a balance spring, in particular, for a horological regulating member, the balance spring (100) including a flexible strip (2) wound about its own axis multiple turns, the strip (2) having a predefined stiffness. The balance spring (100) has means of adjusting the stiffness of the strip (2) The balance spring (1) also has actuating means (10) for actuating the adjustment means, the actuating means (10) being configured to actuate the adjustment means depending on ambient temperature. The invention also relates to a horological regulating member including such balance spring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

A method of manufacturing a plurality of silicon watch components (90) in a wafer is described.The method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a wafer (10, 110) having a lower side (10A, 110A) and an upper side (10B, 110B), the wafer (10, 110) comprising a single silicon layer (30, 130) without a support layer, the single layer (30, 130) having a thickness (e30, e130) greater than a maximum thickness (e90) of the watch components; (b) forming the watch components (90) by etching patterns in the silicon layer (30, 30', 130, 130') from the upper side (10B, 110B) of the wafer (10, 110); and (c) either before or after step (b), etching the wafer (10, 110) from its lower side (10A, 110A) to thin the wafer at least locally by forming at least one thinned zone (36, 38, 38', 136) in which the watch components (90) have been or will be formed, the at least one thinned zone (36, 38, 38', 136) having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum thickness (e90) of the watch components.

A balance-spring stud holder includes a clamping part defining three contact zones intended to press against a lateral wall of a projecting part of the balance bridge, a first contact zone being connected to a second contact zone by a first part and to the third contact zone by a second part of the clamping part. The first part has a first stiffness at a second median point of the second contact zone, relative to a first median point of the first contact zone, which is greater than three times a second stiffness that the second part has at a third median point of the third contact zone relative to the first median point of the first contact zone. The first stiffness can be seven times greater than the second stiffness.

To provide a horological assembly comprising a balance spring and a stud.SOLUTION: The invention relates to an assembly (1) for attaching a free end (8) of an outer last coil (10) of a balance spring (12) for a horological movement. The attachment assembly (1) includes a stud (2) and a blocking element (14). The stud (2) comprises a groove (6) with which the free end (8) of the outer last coil (10) of the balance spring (12) is engaged. The blocking element (14) is also engaged with the groove (6) so as to contact the outer last coil (10) of the balance spring (12). The attachment assembly (1) further includes a clamping member (16) which presses the blocking element (14) against the free end (8) of the outer last coil (10) of the balance spring (12) so that the free end (8) of the outer last coil (10) of the balance spring (12) is immobilized in the groove (6) of the stud (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

A method for the fine adjustment of the rate of a mechanical oscillator with an oscillating inertial mass, equipped, in a first step, with an actuator made of material suitable for irreversible local micro-expansion under the action of laser fires, to impart to an inertia-block a radial travel during suitable laser fires on a writing zone of the actuator, in a second step, the initial rate of the oscillator is set and measured, in a third step, the direction and the value of the deviation required to achieve a predetermined rate range, and of the travel to be imparted to inertia-blocks are calculated, in a fourth step, a writing zone is subjected to femtosecond laser fires to create expansion lines by local molecular expansion to radially deform the actuator, in a fifth step the rate is measured and the third step and fourth step are repeated if required.

The present invention relates to an escapement mechanism (1) arranged to supply mechanical impulses from a driving source to an oscillating regulator (2) of a clock movement via a leaf spring (6) operating in buckling around an inflection point (I). The mechanism comprises a winding rocker (10), a release rocker (12), and a locking rocker (14). The leaf spring (6), in normal operation, is capable of accumulating energy from the driving source transmitted by winding elements (40a, 40b) during a winding phase, remaining in a wound state during a locking phase, and then releasing the accumulated energy to the oscillating regulator (2) during a pulse phase preceded by a release phase. The locking rocker (14) comprises two locking arms (56a, 56b), each equipped with a locking member. (58a, 58b) arranged to cooperate with a locking member (46a,46b) respective complement of the cocking lever (10) to block said cocking lever (10) during the locking phase. Each locking arm (56a, 56b) of said locking rocker (14) has, at its free end, an inclined plane (66a, 66b) configured to cooperate with the starting inclined plane (61a, 61b) provided correspondingly on the arming rocker (10) during a self-start phase during which an activation of the drive source causes the arming rocker (10) to move, the free passage of which is permitted by the locking rocker (14) which was previously positioned by the detent rocker (12) under the influence of the oscillating regulator (2) at rest, said angular movement of the arming rocker causing a displacement of the locking rocker (14) by pushing one of the starting inclined planes (61a, 61b) on the corresponding inclined plane (66a, 66b) of the locking rocker (10),so that said locking lever (14) rotates the oscillating regulator (2) out of the lifting angle, the escapement mechanism (1) positioning itself in a position corresponding to a locking phase ready to be followed by an unlocking phase and a pulse phase of normal operation.

The invention relates to a horological movement comprising a striking mechanism of a watch including a vibrating element and a striking device of said vibrating element comprising a hammer fixed overhanging a structure of the horological movement by means of strips of a flexible guide, said strips being both arranged so as to extend in directions intersecting at a point materialising an instantaneous centre of rotation C disposed along an axis T tangent to the vibrating element.

The present invention relates to a device (6) for autonomous adjustment of the active length of a balance spring (5), for a balance-spring type oscillator (4, 5), comprising a cock (12) mounted on a plate (13) of a watch movement (2) and in which a balance shaft pivots, the balance spring (5) having an inner end fixed to the balance shaft and an outer end fixed to a stud (8) attached to a stud holder (10), the stud holder (10) being pivotally mounted on the cock (12) concentrically with the balance shaft, and means for modifying the active length of the balance spring (5).