Watch parts, movements and watches

By setting the inclination angle and groove on the sliding surface of the watch parts to maintain the lubricating oil, the problems of sliding surface wear and rotation energy are solved, and lower wear and energy consumption are achieved.

CN113406875BActive Publication Date: 2025-03-28SEIKO CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202110279897.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2020-03-16
Filing Date
2021-03-16
Publication Date
2025-03-28
Estimated Expiration
2041-03-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In watch parts, the wear and rotation of the sliding surface is difficult to effectively suppress.

Method used

A timepiece part is designed, with a sliding surface inclined with respect to the rotation center line of the rotating body, and a groove portion orthogonal to the sliding direction is provided on the sliding surface to maintain lubricating oil.

Benefits of technology

By tilting the sliding surface and retaining the lubricant, the energy required for wear and rotation of the sliding surface is reduced.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a watch component, a movement and a watch, which suppresses the wear of a sliding surface and reduces the energy required for the rotation of a rotating body. An escape wheel (26) has: a sliding surface (42) which is inclined relative to an opposed surface (44) of an escape fork (28) and slides relative to the opposed surface (44) by the rotation of the escape wheel 26; and one or more grooves (46) which extend on the sliding surface (42) in a direction intersecting the sliding direction and can retain lubricating oil (48).
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a timepiece component, a movement and a timepiece. Background Art

[0002] Among timepiece components provided in a timepiece, there are cases where a component having a sliding surface that faces an opposed surface of a counterpart member and slides relative to the opposed surface as it rotates is used.

[0003] For example, an escape wheel provided in a mechanical watch has a sliding surface that slides with a pallet jewel mounted on an escapement fork as it rotates. In the past, a structure has been proposed in which lubricating oil is retained on the sliding surface to reduce wear of the sliding surface because the pallet jewel is made of a high-hardness material such as ruby ​​or ceramic.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes an escape wheel having a plurality of teeth arranged radially on a rim mounted on a wheel hub, wherein a finger-shaped body of the tooth has a first portion arranged on a side close to the rim and a second portion arranged on a side close to the front end of the finger-shaped body and having a smaller thickness than the first portion, and a boundary between the two portions is a raised portion forming an oil retaining portion.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes an electroformed component having a sliding portion having high lubricating oil retention properties by forming minute vertical rebar-like projections and depressions extending in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction on the sliding portion on the surface of the electroformed body.

[0006] Patent Document 3 describes a timepiece component which is a precision mechanical component having at least three layers stacked together, wherein a portion of the precision mechanical component substantially parallel to the stacking direction has a sliding portion in contact with other components, and at least a portion of the sliding portion has a recessed portion.

[0007] [Prior technical literature]

[0008] [Patent Literature]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-506073;

[0010] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-176714;

[0011] [Patent document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-91544. Summary of the invention

[0012] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0013] In a watch component having a sliding surface that faces an opposed surface of a counterpart component and slides with the opposed surface as it rotates, it is desired to suppress wear of the sliding surface and reduce the energy required for the rotation of the watch component. In the techniques described in the above-mentioned patent documents, lubricating oil is retained on the sliding surface, so that wear of the sliding surface caused by the sliding between the sliding surface and the opposed surface is suppressed, but there is room for improvement in reducing the energy required for rotation.

[0014] An object of the present application is to suppress wear of the sliding surface and reduce energy required for rotation of a rotating body in a timepiece component having a sliding surface that faces an opposing surface of a counterpart member and slides on the opposing surface as it rotates.

[0015]

Solutions to Solve Issues

[0016] In the first mode of watch parts, there are: a rotating body, which can rotate around a rotating axis; a sliding surface, which is provided on the aforementioned rotating body, is inclined and opposed to the opposing surface of the counterpart component, and slides relative to the aforementioned opposing surface through the rotation of the aforementioned rotating body; and one or more grooves, which extend on the aforementioned sliding surface in a direction intersecting with the sliding direction and can retain lubricating oil.

[0017] In this timepiece component, since the sliding surface provided on the rotating body is inclined and opposed to the opposed surface of the counterpart member, when the sliding surface slides on the opposed surface due to the rotation of the rotating body, the sliding surface contacts the opposed surface in a linear or point manner.

[0018] Furthermore, the sliding surface is provided with grooves in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the grooves can retain lubricating oil.

[0019] In this way, the sliding surface contacts the opposing surface in a linear or point manner, and the friction is reduced due to the lubricating oil retained by the groove portion, thereby reducing the sliding resistance of the sliding surface. That is, the wear of the sliding surface when the sliding surface slides against the opposing surface can be suppressed, and the energy required for the rotation of the rotating body can be reduced.

[0020] A second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the sliding surface is inclined with respect to the rotation center line of the rotating body.

[0021] Therefore, a configuration is achieved in which the sliding surface moves in the rotation circumferential direction while maintaining a state of being inclined with respect to the rotation center line even when the rotating body rotates.

[0022] A third aspect is the second aspect, wherein an inclination angle of the sliding surface on a plane including the rotation center line relative to the rotation center line is greater than or equal to 1 degree and less than or equal to 5 degrees.

[0023] The inclination angle is 1 degree or more, so that even when the rotation center line is inclined relative to the design value, for example, the sliding surface can reliably maintain a state of sliding in linear or point contact with the opposing surface.

[0024] Furthermore, by setting the inclination angle to 5 degrees or less, it is possible to suppress positional deviation of the front end portion of the sliding surface (i.e., the portion that contacts and slides with respect to the opposing surface) and maintain the relative positional relationship between the sliding surface and the opposing surface.

[0025] A fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a depth of the groove from the sliding surface is not less than 0.1 μm and not more than 3.0 μm.

[0026] The groove portion has a depth of 0.1 μm or more, so that the lubricating oil can be reliably retained.

[0027] In addition, the depth of the groove is 3.0 μm or less, so that the groove does not become excessively deep, thereby reducing the amount of lubricating oil that remains in the groove and cannot be used and is wasted.

[0028] A fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a groove width of the groove portion in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the sliding surface is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0029] The groove width of the groove portion is 1 μm or more, so that the lubricating oil can be reliably retained.

[0030] In addition, the groove width of the groove portion is 20 μm or less, so that a state in which the sliding surface slides smoothly with respect to the opposing surface can be achieved.

[0031] The movement of the sixth aspect comprises the watch component of any one of the first to fifth aspects and the counterpart member having the opposed surface, and a portion of the sliding surface slides while in line contact or point contact with the opposed surface due to the rotation of the rotating body.

[0032] In this movement, since it has any one of the first to fifth types of watch parts, when a part of the sliding surface makes line contact or point contact with the opposing surface and slides simultaneously due to the rotation of the rotating body, the wear of the sliding surface can be suppressed and the energy required for rotation can be reduced.

[0033] The seventh type of timepiece includes the sixth type of movement.

[0034] In this timepiece, there is a sixth type of movement, which has the timepiece parts of any one of the first to fifth types. Therefore, when a part of the sliding surface and the opposed surface are in line contact or point contact and slide at the same time due to the rotation of the rotating body, wear of the sliding surface can be suppressed and the energy required for rotation can be reduced.

[0035] [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] In the present application, it is possible to suppress wear of the sliding surface and reduce the energy required for the rotation of the rotating body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 1 is a plan view showing a movement including the escape wheel and the pallet fork according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the escape wheel and the bearing according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing a state in which the sliding surface of the escape wheel and the opposed surface of the pallet stone according to the first embodiment face each other.

[0040] Figure 4 It is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the sliding surface of the escape wheel and the opposed surface of the pallet stone according to the first embodiment face each other.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the escape wheel & pinion according to the first embodiment in an enlarged manner near the sliding surface.

[0042] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the sliding surface of the escape wheel and the opposed surface of the pallet stone of the first embodiment face each other. Figure 4 Cross-sectional view along line 6-6.

[0043] Figure 7 The escape wheel of the first embodiment is shown in an enlarged manner near the sliding surface. Figure 5 The arrow 7 points to the view.

[0044] Figure 8 The escape wheel of the first embodiment is shown in an enlarged manner near the sliding surface. Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of line 8-8.

[0045] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing an escape wheel and pinion tip end portion of the escape wheel and pinion according to the first embodiment in an enlarged manner.

[0046] Fig.10 This is an explanatory diagram showing an escape wheel and pinion tip end portion of the escape wheel and pinion according to the first embodiment in an enlarged manner.

[0047] Fig.11 1 is a coordinate diagram showing the relationship between the tenon gap and the inclination angle of the rotation axis of the escape wheel and pinion according to the first embodiment.

[0048] Fig.12 It is a coordinate diagram showing the relationship between the dimensions of the escape wheel and the inclination angle of the sliding surface according to the first embodiment.

[0049] Fig.13 1 is a coordinate diagram showing the relationship between the oil film surface depth and the groove width in the groove portion of the escape wheel and pinion according to the first embodiment.

[0050] Fig.14 1 is a front view of a timepiece illustrating the technology of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] A timepiece component according to a first embodiment and a timepiece 22 using the timepiece component will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0052] Fig.14 The clock 22 shown is a self-winding mechanical watch having an internal Figure 1 The movement 24 shown. The movement 24 includes an escape wheel 26 and an escape fork 28. The escape wheel 26 is an example of a watch component, and the escape fork 28 is an example of a counterpart component.

[0053] The escape wheel 26 has a plurality of arms 32 extending radially obliquely around the rotation shaft 30. The plurality of arms 32 are arranged at a certain angle in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 30. The surface on the extending front end side of each arm 32 is a sliding surface 42.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotating shaft 30 is inserted through the bearing 34 provided in the timepiece 22. Figure 1 The direction of arrow R1 shown is maintained in a rotatable manner.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, the pallet fork 28 is held to be swingable in the direction of arrow Y1 and the opposite direction, i.e., the direction of arrow Y2, with the pallet fork shaft 36 as the center. Moreover, the pallet fork 28 is swung by changing the rotation of a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow Y1 and the rotation of a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow Y2 by a pendulum drill not shown.

[0056] The pallet 28 has two square pieces 38, and the input stone 40A is held by one of the square pieces 38, and the output stone 40B is held by the other. In the following description, the input stone 40A and the output stone 40B are not distinguished, and are simply referred to as the pallet stone 40.

[0057] In the escapement fork stone 40, as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 2 , an opposed surface 44 is provided. The opposed surface 44 is a surface that the sliding surface 42 of any arm 32 may sometimes oppose, depending on the rotation angle of the escape wheel & pinion 26 .

[0058] The escape wheel 26 receives a rotational driving force from a driving source (not shown) in the direction of arrow R1. The rotation of the escape wheel 26 in the direction of arrow R1 is temporarily blocked by one of the arms 32 abutting against the inlet tread 40A or the outlet tread 40B. Figure 1 As shown, one of the arms 32 abuts against the escapement wheel 40B, so that the rotation in the direction of arrow R1 can be prevented. Here, if the pallet fork 28 is rotated in the direction of arrow Y1 by the pendulum drill (not shown), the escapement wheel 40B is separated from the arm 32, and the escapement wheel 26 can rotate in the direction of arrow R1.

[0059] While the escape wheel 40B is moving away from the arm 32 , the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44 of the escape wheel 40B, and at the same time, the escape wheel 26 rotates.

[0060] The escape wheel 26 rotates in the direction of arrow R1, and at the same time, the pallet fork 28 rotates in the direction of arrow Y1 by a predetermined angle. When the rotation angle of the escape wheel 26 reaches the predetermined angle, the inlet shoe 40A contacts the arm 32 of the escape wheel 26 (an arm different from the arm contacted by the outlet shoe 40B). As a result, the rotation of the escape wheel 26 is blocked again. Next, if the pallet fork 28 rotates in the direction of arrow Y2, the inlet shoe 40A separates from the arm 32, and the escape wheel 26 can rotate in the direction of arrow R1 again.

[0061] As such, while the wheel 40A is moving away from the arm 32 , the sliding surface 42 also slides relative to the opposed surface of the wheel 40A, and at the same time, the escape wheel 26 also rotates.

[0062] When the escape wheel 26 rotates by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow R1, the outlet wheel 40B contacts the arm 32 of the escape wheel 26 (an arm different from the arm contacted by the inlet wheel 40A), thereby preventing the escape wheel 26 from rotating. The escape wheel 26 is a watch component that marks a certain time by performing such intermittent rotation (rotation by a certain angle and stopping rotation).

[0063] In the technology disclosed in the present invention, Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the sliding surface 42 of the escape wheel 26 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 relative to the rotation center line CL-1. Figure 5 As shown, consider the plane PL including the rotation center line CL-1, and the sliding surface 42 on the plane PL relative to the rotation center line CL-1 (at Figure 5 In the embodiment, the angle of the reference line CL-2) parallel to the rotation center line CL-1 is taken as the inclination angle θ1 of the sliding surface 42. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 is greater than 1 degree and less than 5 degrees. Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10In order to make the inclination of the sliding surface 42 clearer, the inclination angle θ1 is shown larger than the actual one.

[0064] In contrast, Figure 6 As shown, the opposed surface 44 of the pallet stone 40 is parallel to the rotation center line CL-1 of the escape wheel 26. Therefore, the sliding surface 42 of the escape wheel 26 is opposed to the opposed surface 44 of the pallet 28 in accordance with the rotation angle of the escape wheel 26, but in such an opposed state, the sliding surface 42 is inclined relative to the opposed surface 44.

[0065] When the sliding surface 42 and the facing surface 44 are facing each other, the escape wheel tip 26T of the sliding surface 42 contacts the facing surface 44. In this contact state, the escape wheel 26 rotates in the direction of arrow R1, and the sliding surface 42 contacts and slides with respect to the facing surface 44 in a linear or point manner.

[0066] like Figure 4-Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of grooves 46 are formed on the sliding surface 42. Each groove 46 is formed in a direction intersecting with the direction (arrow S1 direction) in which the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44. Figure 7 As shown, when the sliding surface 42 is viewed from the front, the extending direction of the groove 46 coincides with the thickness direction (arrow T1 direction) of the escape wheel 26 and is orthogonal to the sliding direction (arrow S1 direction).

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the sliding surface 42 is inclined relative to the opposed surface 44, so that a wedge-shaped gap WG is formed between the sliding surface 42 and the opposed surface 44 when the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44. In addition, lubricating oil 48 is applied to the sliding surface 42. When the escape wheel front end portion 26T of the sliding surface 42 is in contact with the opposed surface 44, the lubricating oil 48 can be temporarily accumulated in the gap WG. The lubricating oil 48 plays a role in reducing friction when the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44.

[0068] like Figure 8 As shown, a portion of the lubricating oil 48 applied to the sliding surface 42 is retained in each groove portion 46. In other words, the groove portion 46 is a recessed portion provided to retain the lubricating oil 48. Even when the amount of the lubricating oil 48 decreases due to repeated sliding of the sliding surface 42 relative to the opposed surface 44, the lubricating oil 48 is retained in the groove portion 46.

[0069] The "retention" of the lubricating oil 48 mentioned here means that the lubricating oil 48 is maintained in the groove 46 without leaking out due to viscosity or surface tension. Therefore, for example, in the case where the lubricating oil 48 retained in the groove 46 is not continuous with the lubricating oil 48 on the sliding surface 42 (including the case where the lubricating oil on the sliding surface 42 disappears), the lubricating oil 48 is maintained in a state where it does not leak out from the groove 46 regardless of the orientation of the sliding surface 42. Even if the lubricating oil 48 flows vertically downward in the groove 46 due to gravity, it does not leak out of the groove 46. On the other hand, in the state where the lubricating oil 48 retained in the groove 46 is continuous with the lubricating oil 48 on the sliding surface 42, a part of the lubricating oil 48 may be exchanged between the groove 46 and the sliding surface 42, but even in this case, the retained lubricating oil 48 does not completely escape from the groove 46.

[0070] Furthermore, in reality, due to the above-mentioned surface tension, a portion of the lubricating oil 48 slightly rises from the groove portion 46, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, a meniscus 48A that bulges in a convex shape is sometimes formed. In this case, if the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44, the lubricating oil 48 is reliably attached to the pallet fore end portion 28T of the pallet stone 40.

[0071] In contrast, as in Figure 8 As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 , the meniscus of the lubricating oil 48 formed in the groove 46 may be a concave meniscus 48B that is recessed into the groove 46. Even in this case, the front end portion 28T of the pallet fork stone 40 (see FIG. 1 ) Figure 4 ) slightly enters the groove portion 46, so that the lubricating oil 48 also adheres to the pallet fork front end portion 28T of the pallet fork stone 40.

[0072] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the groove portion 46 has a predetermined groove width W1 along the sliding direction. In the present embodiment, the groove width W1 is not less than 1 μm and not more than 20 μm.

[0073] Furthermore, the groove portion 46 has a predetermined groove depth D1 from the sliding surface 42. In the present embodiment, the groove depth D1 is 0.1 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

[0074] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , the sliding surface 42 of the escape wheel 26 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 relative to the rotation center line CL-1. In contrast, the opposed surface 44 of the escape fork 28 is parallel to the rotation center line CL-1. Therefore, the sliding surface 42 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1 relative to the opposed surface 44 when it is opposed to the opposed surface 44. Furthermore, in the direction of arrow R1 (refer to FIG. 1 ), the escape wheel 26 is inclined at an inclination angle θ1. Figure 1-Figure 3 ) rotates and the sliding surface 42 slides on the opposed surface 44, the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44 in linear or point contact.

[0076] The lubricating oil 48 is retained in the groove 46 provided on the sliding surface 42. The lubricating oil 48 reduces the friction of the sliding when the sliding surface 42 slides against the opposed surface 44, and also reduces the sliding resistance.

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, compared with the structure in which the sliding surface 42 is not inclined and the lubricating oil 48 is not retained by the groove portion 46, even if the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposing surface 44, the wear of the sliding surface 42 can be suppressed, and the energy required for the rotation of the escape wheel 26 can be reduced.

[0078] In this embodiment, the sliding surface 42 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ1 with respect to the rotation center line CL-1 of the escape wheel and pinion 26. Therefore, even if the escape wheel and pinion 26 rotates, the sliding surface 42 is maintained inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ1 with respect to the rotation center line CL-1.

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotating shaft 30 of the escape wheel 26 is inserted into the bearing 34 that passes through the timepiece 22, and a gap GP is generated between the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 30 and the inner periphery of the bearing 34. This gap is the so-called "tenon gap", and sometimes, as in Figure 2 As shown by the double-dashed line in FIG. 1 , the rotation axis 30 is inclined relative to the original rotation center line CL-1 of the escape wheel 26. In this way, in the present embodiment, the lower limit value of the inclination angle θ1 is determined in such a manner that even if the rotation axis 30, i.e., the actual rotation center line CL-1, becomes inclined relative to the designed rotation center line, the state in which the sliding surface 42 is in linear or point contact with the opposed surface 44 can be maintained.

[0080] exist Fig.11 , the relationship between the inclination of the rotating shaft 30 and the gap GP (tenon gap) is shown in each case where the shaft length L1 is 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm. Figure 2 As shown, the axial length L1 in the rotating shaft 30 is the length of the entire rotating shaft 30 .

[0081] Specifically, in the escape wheel 26 of the timepiece 22, the maximum value of the gap GP is about 10 μm, and the minimum value of the axial length L1 of the bearing 34 is about 1 mm. Fig.11 It is found that the maximum inclination angle of the rotating shaft 30 in this case is 0.57 degrees. Thus, in order to maintain the linear or point contact state of the sliding surface 42 with the facing surface 44 even when the rotating shaft 30 is inclined, the lower limit of the inclination angle θ1 may be 1 degree.

[0082] As such, from the viewpoint of maintaining the state in which the sliding surface 42 is in linear or point contact with the opposed surface 44, there is no limit on the upper limit of the inclination angle θ1. However, if the inclination angle θ1 is made too large, the thickness of the escape wheel front end portion 26T becomes thinner, and the strength decreases. Therefore, from the viewpoint of ensuring the strength of the escape wheel front end portion 26T, it is preferable to set the upper limit to the inclination angle θ1.

[0083] In addition, if Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, regarding the sliding surface 42, the escape wheel tip 26T may be curved due to the accuracy limit in manufacturing, and the curvature radius R of the curved shape may vary within the range of 0 μm or more and 20 μm. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the figure, the escape wheel front end portion 26T shown by the solid line is the case where the curvature radius R is relatively small (as R=R1), and the escape wheel front end portion 26T shown by the double-dashed line is the case where the curvature radius R is large (as R=R2). Fig. 9 This is the case where the inclination angle θ1 of the sliding surface 42 is relatively small. Fig.10 This is the case where the inclination angle θ1 of the sliding surface 42 is relatively large. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the figure, the inclination angle is shown to be larger than the actual inclination angle.

[0084] As from Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As can be seen from either side, the larger the radius of curvature R of the escape wheel front end portion 26T, the greater the impact on the size L2 of the escape wheel 26. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As can be seen, the larger the inclination angle θ1 is, the larger the dimension L2 becomes, and this tendency becomes more significant when the radius of curvature R is larger. In addition, the dimension L2 is the position of the escape wheel tip 26T in each arm 32 when the radius of curvature R=0 (zero) (see Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The reference line L3 shown is the length measured to the actual escape wheel front end 26T.

[0085] exist Fig.12, the relationship between the dimension L2 and the inclination angle θ1 is shown when the radius of curvature R of the escape wheel tip 26T is 20 μm, 10 μm, 5 μm, and 2 μm. Here, if the allowable value of the deviation of the dimension due to the radius of curvature R is 2 μm, then Fig.12 As can be seen, when the curvature radius R is 20 μm, the inclination angle θ1 corresponding to the dimension L2 of 2 μm is 5.71 degrees. Therefore, if the upper limit of the inclination angle θ1 is set to 5 degrees, the variation of the dimension L2 when the curvature radius R is large can be reduced.

[0086] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , as long as the lubricating oil 48 can be retained in the groove 46, the groove width W1 of the groove 46 (i.e., the opening width of the groove 46 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the groove 46) is not limited. However, if the groove width W1 is excessively increased, when the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44, the pallet fork front end portion 28T abuts against the groove 46 in a manner of falling in, thereby becoming a resistance to sliding. When the minimum value of the curvature radius of the pallet fork front end portion 28T is set to 20 μm, the maximum value of the groove width W1 of the groove 46 is set to 20 μm, thereby reducing the resistance when the sliding surface 42 slides relative to the opposed surface 44.

[0087] The groove depth D1 of the groove 46 from the sliding surface 42 is not limited as long as the lubricating oil 48 can be retained in the groove 46. For example, if the lower limit of the groove depth D1 is 0.1 μm, the lubricating oil 48 can be retained in the groove 46.

[0088] However, if the groove 46 is made too deep, the lubricating oil 48 accumulates near the groove bottom 46B of the groove 46, and the lubricating oil 48 that is not supplied between the sliding surface 42 and the facing surface 44 increases. Figure 8 As shown, in the groove portion 46 , when the meniscus 48B of the lubricating oil 48 is concave, there is a possibility that the lubricating oil 48 in the range indicated by the one-dot chain line N1 is not used.

[0089] exist Fig.13 , the relationship between the oil film surface depth D2 of the lubricating oil 48 retained in the groove portion 46 and the groove width W1 is shown. The oil film surface depth D2 is as follows Figure 8 4 shows the depth of the deepest portion measured from the sliding surface 42 in the concave meniscus 48B of the lubricating oil 48 retained in the groove portion 46. The deepest portion appears at the center position within the range of the groove width W1.

[0090] In addition, the sliding surface 42 may be subjected to a so-called oil retention treatment. The oil retention treatment is to increase the contact angle θ2 (refer to Figure 8) treatment, the lubricating oil 48 becomes easy to be retained on the sliding surface 42 (including the groove portion 46) by the oil retention treatment. As an example, the contact angle θ2 in the case of the oil retention treatment is 70 degrees, while the contact angle θ2 in the case of the oil retention treatment is 30 degrees.

[0091] As described above, the maximum value of the groove width W1 of the groove portion 46 can be set to 20 μm due to the relationship with the opposed surface 44 of the pallet stone 40. Fig.13 , the oil film surface depth becomes 2.7 μm. That is, even if the groove depth D1 of the groove portion 46 is made deeper than 2.7 μm, unusable lubricating oil 48 is generated. If the upper limit value of the groove depth D1 of the groove portion 46 is set to 3 μm in consideration of this point, the amount of unusable lubricating oil 48 can be reduced.

[0092] In the technology disclosed in the present invention, the number of grooves 46 is not limited, and for example, only one groove 46 may be formed on the sliding surface 42. Figure 7 As shown in the figure, an example is given in which the extending direction of the groove 46 is along the thickness direction (arrow T1 direction) of the escape wheel 26 when the sliding surface 42 is viewed from the front, but the extending direction of the groove 46 may be inclined relative to the thickness direction of the escape wheel 26. Moreover, regarding the groove 46, the constant depth and groove width along the extending direction may not be constant.

[0093] In the technology disclosed in the present invention, the manufacturing method of the escape wheel 26 is not limited, but it can be manufactured by, for example, electroforming. In this case, a conductive film is formed on one surface of a silicon wafer to form a substrate, and a photoresist layer is formed on the substrate. By providing a tapered portion corresponding to the inclination of the sliding surface 42 in the photoresist layer in advance, when the escape wheel 26 is manufactured by electroforming, an escape wheel 26 having a sliding surface inclined relative to the rotation center line CL-1 is obtained.

[0094] In the above, the escape wheel 26 is cited as an example of a watch component, but the watch component is not limited to this, and for example, it may be various gears or cams provided inside the watch. Moreover, as a movement, it is not limited to a structure having an escape wheel 26 and an escapement fork 28. For example, the technology disclosed in the present invention may also be applied to a mechanism that transmits a rotational force by meshing a plurality of gears.

[0095]

Explanation of symbols

[0096] 22 Clocks

[0097] 24 Movement

[0098] 26 Escape wheel (an example of a rotating body)

[0099] 26T escape wheel front end

[0100] 28 Pallet fork (an example of a counterpart component)

[0101] 28T Pallet fork front end

[0102] 30 Rotation axis

[0103] 32 Arm

[0104] 34 Bearings

[0105] 36 Pallet shaft

[0106] 40 Pallet Stone

[0107] 42 Sliding surface

[0108] 44 Opposed surface

[0109] 46 Groove

[0110] 46B Slot bottom

[0111] 48 Lubricating oil

[0112] CL-1 Rotation Centerline

[0113] PL plane including the center line of rotation

[0114] D1 Groove depth (depth from sliding surface)

[0115] θ1 Tilt angle

[0116] W1 Slot width.

Claims

1. An escape wheel having: A rotating body that can rotate around a rotation axis; a sliding surface provided on the rotating body, facing the opposed surface of the pallet with an inclination, and sliding relative to the opposed surface by the rotation of the rotating body; and One or more rectangular grooves extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction on the sliding surface and capable of retaining lubricating oil, In such a manner that when the sliding surface slides on the opposed surface due to the rotation of the rotating body, the sliding surface slides in linear or point contact with the opposed surface, the inclination angle of the sliding surface on the plane including the rotation center line of the rotating body relative to the rotation center line is greater than 1 degree and less than 5 degrees, and the opposed surface of the escapement fork is parallel to the rotation center line.

2. The escape wheel according to claim 1, wherein: The depth of the groove from the sliding surface is 0.1 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

3. The escape wheel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The groove portion has a groove width of 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the sliding surface.

4. A movement comprising: An escape wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and The pallet fork having the opposed surface, Due to the rotation of the rotating body, a part of the sliding surface slides while coming into line contact or point contact with the opposed surface.

5. A timepiece comprising the movement according to claim 4.

Citation Information

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