Flexible guide with translation stage for a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible guide for a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement. The guide comprises a fixed support, a movable element movable relative to the fixed support, and at least two main flexible blades. By bending the main flexible blades, the movable element is allowed to move relative to the fixed support via a rotational movement about a center of rotation. The flexible guide is substantially arranged in a plane. The flexible guide comprises at least two translation stages, each translation stage being connected to one end of a main flexible blade such that each translation stage is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the bending of the corresponding main flexible blade. The flexible guide comprises at least one tertiary flexible blade connecting the two translation stages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible guide with a translation stage for a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement. The present invention also relates to a rotary resonator mechanism provided with such a flexible guide. Background Art

[0002] Most current mechanical watches are equipped with a balance wheel and a Swiss lever escapement. The balance wheel constitutes the time base of the watch. It is also referred to as a resonator.

[0003] The escapement has two main functions:

[0004] - To maintain the reciprocating movement of the resonator;

[0005] - To count these reciprocating movements.

[0006] An inertial element, a guide, and an elastic return element are required to constitute a mechanical resonator. Conventionally, a hairspring serves as the elastic return element of the inertial element constituted by the balance wheel. The balance wheel is rotationally guided by a pivot that rotates inside a sliding ruby bearing. This results in friction and thus energy loss and operating interference, which are position-dependent and should ideally be eliminated.

[0007] Flexible guides are currently used as springs to form virtual pivots. The virtual pivot flexible guide allows for a significant improvement in watch resonators. The simplest of these is the crossed leaf pivot, which consists of two guiding devices having straight leaves that usually cross each other at right angles. These two leaves can be three-dimensional leaves in two different planes or two-dimensional leaves in the same plane, and thus are like welded at the intersection between them.

[0008] However, when it is desired to pivot a rotating annular balance wheel in a manner similar to the movement of a balance wheel with a hairspring, an isochronous movement cannot be obtained. More specifically, a perfect periodic rotational movement of the mass element cannot be obtained. The restoring torque is non-linear, which results in isochronism as a function of the displacement amplitude of the mass element and the change in the movement rate. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to propose a flexible guide for a rotary resonator mechanism that is not affected by the above problems.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a flexible guide for a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement, the guide comprising a fixed support, a movable element movable relative to the fixed support, and at least two main flexible blades, by bending the main flexible blades, allowing the movable element to move relative to the fixed support via a rotational movement about a center of rotation, the flexible guide being substantially arranged in a plane.

[0011] Notably, the flexible guide comprises at least two translation platforms, each translation platform being connected to one end of a main flexible blade such that each translation platform is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the bending of the corresponding main flexible blade, the flexible guide comprising at least one tertiary flexible blade connecting the two translation platforms.

[0012] Thus, the present invention provides an isochronous flexible blade guide. More specifically, the translation platforms allow the main blades to move when they bend, thus maintaining a substantially constant restoring coefficient. Such a flexible guide ensures an isochronous movement.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide comprises at least three pairs, each pair being formed by a main blade and a translation platform, these pairs being angularly distributed to form a symmetric pivot, the guide comprising at least two tertiary flexible blades, preferably three tertiary flexible blades, connecting the translation platforms in pairs.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, each translation platform is arranged in series between the fixed support and the corresponding main flexible blade, the translation platform being connected to the fixed support and the first end of the main flexible blade, the main flexible blade being connected to the movable element at the second end.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, each translation platform is arranged in series between the corresponding main flexible blade and the movable element, the translation platform being connected to the movable element and the second end of the main flexible blade, the main flexible blade being connected to the fixed support at the first end.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the movable element comprises the central part of the flexible guide.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fixed support comprises the central part of the flexible guide.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the main translation platform comprises at least one secondary flexible blade (preferably two secondary flexible blades) and a rigid part, the secondary flexible blade being connected to the rigid part at one end and to the fixed support or the movable element at the other end.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the secondary flexible blades are arranged in different rows.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the secondary flexible blades are substantially parallel.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the flexible guide includes at least one secondary translation stage arranged in series between two main translation stages, each secondary translation stage being connected to the two main translation stages by a tertiary flexible blade of each main translation stage.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the secondary translation stage includes a quaternary flexible blade (preferably two quaternary flexible blades) and a rigid part, the quaternary flexible blade being connected at one end to the rigid part of the secondary translation stage and at the other end to a fixed support or a movable element.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the quaternary flexible blades are arranged in different rows.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the quaternary flexible blades are substantially parallel.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the tertiary flexible blade is connected to the rigid parts of the two translation stages thus connected.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rigid part forms a bend such that when the guide is in the rest position, one or more main flexible blades are substantially perpendicular to one or more secondary flexible blades of the translation stage connected to the main flexible blade.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, the movable element includes a balance wheel.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the translation stage is only connected to one main blade.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the tertiary blade only connects the two translation stages to each other.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement, the mechanism comprising a flexible guide according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge after reading several embodiments which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] - Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0033] - Figure 2 is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0034] - Figure 3Is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0035] - Figure 4 Is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

[0036] - Figure 5 Is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

[0037] - Figure 6 Is a diagrammatic top view of two alternative embodiments of a flexible blade according to the present invention,

[0038] - Figure 7 Is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and

[0039] - Figure 8 Is a diagrammatic top view of a flexible guide according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0040] Figure 1 Shows a first embodiment of a flexible guide 1 for a rotary resonator mechanism, particularly for a watch movement. The flexible guide 1 is substantially arranged in a plane. The flexible guide includes a fixed support 2, a movable element 26 movable relative to the fixed support 2, and two main flexible blades 3, 4. The main flexible blades 3, 4 allow the movable element 20 to move relative to the fixed support 2. By bending the main flexible blades 3, 4, the movable element 20 can move relative to the support 2 in a rotational movement about its own center of rotation. The main blades 3, 4 preferably have equal lengths and are evenly angularly distributed around the movable element 20 and the central part 6 of the flexible guide 1 to form a symmetric pivot.

[0041] According to the present invention, the flexible guide 1 includes two translation stages 10, 11, each translation stage being connected to one end of a different main flexible blade 3, 4. In this embodiment, each translation stage 10, 11 is arranged in series between the fixed support 2 and the corresponding main flexible blade 3, 4. The translation stages 10, 11 are connected to the fixed support 2 and the first ends of the corresponding main flexible blades 3, 4, and the main flexible blades 3, 4 are connected to the central part 6 by the second ends.

[0042] Thus, the flexible guide 1 includes two pairs, each pair consisting of main flexible blades 3, 4 and translation platforms 10, 11. These pairs are angularly distributed around the central part 6, each main blade 3, 4 being connected at one end to the central part 6, and the translation platforms 10, 11 being connected to the fixed support 2. These pairs, and in particular the main blades 3, 4, form an angle of, for example, approximately 120° with each other. The central part 6 is, for example, part of a cylinder. In this embodiment, the movable element 20 includes the central part 6.

[0043] Each translation platform 10, 11 is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the movement of the main flexible blades 3, 4. Each translation platform 10, 11 includes at least one secondary flexible blade 7, 8 (in this case, two substantially parallel secondary flexible blades 7, 8) and rigid parts 13, 14. The secondary flexible blades 7, 8 are arranged in different rows. Preferably, the secondary flexible blades 7, 8 are connected at one end to the same face of the rigid parts 13, 14 and at the other end to the fixed support 2. The rigid parts 13, 14 form a right-angled bend that includes three segments 113, 114, 115 connected together at their ends. The second intermediate segment 115 is substantially perpendicular to the other two segments 113, 114. The first segment 113 and the third segment 114 are bent at their free ends to maintain a substantially concentric shape of the guide 1. The first segment 113 and the third segment 114 of each translation platform 10, 11 are long enough such that the end of the third segment 114 of the first platform and the free end of the first segment 113 of the second adjacent platform overlap with respect to the center of the flexible guide 1.

[0044] The guide 1 includes a tertiary flexible blade 17 connecting the two translation platforms 10, 11. The tertiary flexible blade 17 is connected to the rigid parts 13, 14 of the translation platforms 10, 11. More particularly, the tertiary flexible blade 17 connects the end of the third segment 114 of the first platform 11 to the end of the first segment 113 of the second platform 10. When the guide 1 is in the rest position, the tertiary flexible blade 17 is guided in the radial direction through the center of the flexible guide 1.

[0045] The tertiary flexible blade 17 prevents the translation platforms 10, 11 from moving due to gravity. More specifically, when one platform 10, 11 moves towards the center of the guide 1, due to the tertiary flexible blade 17, the other platform 10, 11 also moves towards the center. Conversely, the translation platforms 10, 11 move together towards the periphery of the guide 1 by means of the tertiary flexible blade 17. Thus, the platforms 10, 11 follow the same displacement with respect to the center of the guide 1. This improves the accuracy of the movement rate that is less sensitive to gravity.

[0046] The main flexible blades 3, 4 are connected to the first section 113, while the secondary blades 7, 8 are connected to the second section 115. Thus, when the guide 1 is in the rest position, the main flexible blades 3, 4 are substantially perpendicular to the secondary flexible blades 7, 8 of the translation stages 10, 11. The rest position is defined as when the main blades 3, 4 and the secondary blades 7, 8 are straight, i.e., not bent.

[0047] The movable element 26 also includes a balance wheel, for example in the form of a ring, not shown in the figures. The balance wheel includes an outer annular part and arms, for example three arms, which connect the annular part to an axial joint with the annular part. The arms are concentric and of equal length. The balance wheel is assembled on the central part 6 by means of the joint. Preferably, the central part and the joint are made in one piece. Thus, the balance wheel is centered with respect to the central part 6. In this alternative embodiment, the balance wheel is made of the same material, i.e., it is made in one piece.

[0048] When the balance wheel moves, it performs a periodic rotational movement in one direction and then in the other direction in the plane of the balance wheel about an axis passing through the joint and the central part 6. The main flexible blades 3, 4 bend and act as a return spring for the balance wheel to rotate it in the other direction and vice versa. The translation stages 10, 11 allow the main blades 3, 4 to move longitudinally when they bend. When the main blades 3, 4 bend, the rigid parts 13, 14 of the translation stages 10, 11 move towards the central part 6 by means of the secondary blades 7, 8 and move away from the central part 6 when the main blades 3, 4 straighten. Thanks to the translation stages 10, 11, this ensures that the movement of the balance wheel remains isochronous. Preferably, when the guide 1 is in the rest position, the tertiary blade 17 is oriented along the bisector of the angle formed between the main blades 3, 4. Equivalently, the tertiary blade 17 is preferably oriented along the bisector of the angle formed between the directions of the blades of the translation stages 10, 11.

[0049] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a flexible guide 50 for a rotary resonator mechanism, in particular for a watch movement, is shown. The flexible guide 50 is substantially arranged in one plane. The flexible guide includes a fixed support 2, a movable element 26 movable relative to the fixed support 2, and three main flexible blades 3, 4, 5. The main flexible blades 3, 4, 5 allow the movable element 20 to move relative to the fixed support 2. By bending the main flexible blades 3, 4, 5, the movable element 20 can move relative to the support 2 in a rotational movement about itself around the center of rotation. The main blades 3, 4, 5 preferably have equal lengths and are evenly angularly distributed around the movable element 20 and the central part 6 of the flexible guide 1 to form a symmetric pivot.

[0050] According to the present invention, the flexible guide 1 includes translation stages 10, 11, 12, each translation stage being connected to one end of a different main flexible blade 3, 4, 5. In this embodiment, each of the translation stages 10, 11, 12 is arranged in series between the fixed support 2 and the corresponding main flexible blades 3, 4, 5. The translation stages 10, 11, 12 are connected to the fixed support 2 and the first ends of the corresponding main flexible blades 3, 4, 5, and the main flexible blades 3, 4, 5 are connected to the central part 6 by their second ends.

[0051] Thus, the flexible guide 1 includes three pairs, each pair consisting of a main flexible blade 3, 4, 5 and a translation stage 10, 11, 12. These pairs are angularly distributed around the central part 6 to form a symmetric pivot, each main blade 3, 4, 5 being connected to the central part 6 at one end and the translation stages 10, 11, 12 being connected to the fixed support 2. These pairs, and in particular the main blades 3, 4, 5, form an angle of approximately 120° with each other. The central part 6 is, for example, a part of a cylinder. In this embodiment, the movable element 20 includes the central part 6.

[0052] Each translation stage 10, 11, 12 is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the movement of the main flexible blade 3, 4, 5. Each translation stage 10, 11, 12 includes at least one secondary flexible blade 7, 8, 9 (in this case, two substantially parallel secondary flexible blades 7, 8, 9) and a rigid part 13, 14, 15. The secondary flexible blades 7, 8, 9 are arranged in different rows. Preferably, the secondary flexible blades 7, 8 are connected to the rigid parts 13, 14, 15 at one end and to the fixed support 2 at the other end. The rigid parts 13, 14, 15 form a right-angled bend that includes three sections 113, 114, 115 joined together at their ends. The second intermediate section 115 is substantially perpendicular to the other two sections 113, 114. The first section 113 and the third section 114 are bent at their free ends to maintain a substantially concentric shape of the guide 1. The first section 113 and the third section 114 of each translation stage 10, 11, 12 are long enough such that the end of the third section 114 of the first stage and the free end of the first section 113 of the second adjacent stage overlap with respect to the center of the flexible guide 1.

[0053] The guide 1 includes three tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18, and each tertiary flexible vane 16, 17, 18 connects two different translation stages 10, 11, 12. The tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18 are connected to the rigid portions 13, 14, 15 of the translation stages 10, 11, 12. More specifically, the tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18 connect the ends of the third segments 114 of the first stages 10, 11, 12 to the ends of the first segments 113 of the second stages 10, 11, 12. When the guide 1 is in the rest position, the tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18 are guided radially through the center of the flexible guide 1.

[0054] The tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18 prevent the translation stages 10, 11, 12 from moving due to gravity. More specifically, when one stage 10, 11, 12 moves towards the center of the guide 1, due to the tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18, the other working stages 10, 11, 12 also move towards the center. Conversely, the translation stages 10, 11, 12 move together towards the periphery of the guide 1 through the tertiary flexible vanes 16, 17, 18. Thus, the stages 10, 11, 12 follow the same displacement with respect to the center of the guide 1. This improves the accuracy of the movement rate that is less sensitive to gravity.

[0055] The primary flexible vanes 3, 4, 5 are connected to the first segment 113, while the secondary vanes 7, 8, 9 are connected to the second segment 115. Thus, when the guide 1 is in the rest position, the primary flexible vanes 3, 4, 5 are substantially perpendicular to the secondary flexible vanes 7, 8, 9 of the translation stages 10, 11, 12. The rest position is defined as when the primary vanes 3, 4, 5 and the secondary vanes 7, 8, 9 are straight, i.e., not bent.

[0056] The balance wheel is assembled on the central portion 6 through the engagement portion. Preferably, the central portion and the engagement portion are integrally formed. Thus, the balance wheel is centered with respect to the central portion 6. In this alternative embodiment, the balance wheel is made of the same material, i.e., it is integrally formed.

[0057] In this embodiment, the movable element 26 includes at least two members forming the balance wheel. The first member 21 includes arms 22 (three arms in this case) and an axially integrated engagement portion 25. The arms 22 are concentric and have equal lengths. The arms 22 are equipped with attachment platforms 23 at their free ends, and the attachment platforms are provided with holes 24 for assembling a ring, and the ring defines the second member of the movable element 26 and is not shown in Figure 2 Preferably, the central portion 6 and the axially integrated engagement portion 25 of the first member 21 are integrally formed.

[0058] When the balance wheel moves, it performs a periodic rotational movement in one direction and then in the other direction within the balance wheel plane about an axis passing through the joint and the central portion 6. The main flexible blades 3, 4, 5 bend and act as a return spring for the balance wheel to rotate the balance wheel in the other direction and vice versa. The translation tables 10, 11, 12 allow the main blades 3, 4, 5 to move longitudinally when they bend. When the main blades 3, 4, 5 bend, the rigid portions 13, 14, 15 of the translation tables 10, 11, 12 move towards the central portion 6 by means of the secondary blades 7, 8, 9 and move away from the central portion 6 when the main blades 3, 4, 5 straighten. Due to the translation tables 10, 11, 12, this ensures that the movement of the balance wheel remains isochronous. Preferably, the tertiary blades 16, 17, 18 are oriented along the bisector of the angle formed between the main blades 3, 4, 5. Equivalently, the tertiary blades 16, 17, 18 are preferably oriented along the bisector of the angle formed between the directions of the blades of the translation tables 10, 11, 12.

[0059] Figure 3The third embodiment in [description] shows an example of a flexible guide 20 that does not include a central part as in the second embodiment. The flexible guide 20 includes a fixed support 25, a balance wheel 32 of a movable element 26, and three pairs consisting of main flexible blades 36, 37, 38 and translation platforms 33, 34, 35. Each main blade 36, 37, 38 is connected to the balance wheel 32 at the first end and to the rigid parts of the translation platforms 33, 34, 35 at the second end. These pairs are angularly distributed such that the angle between the main blades 36, 37, 38 is 120°. Each translation platform 33, 34, 35 is arranged in series between the main flexible blades 36, 37, 38 and the fixed support 25. The translation platforms 33, 34, 35 are connected to the fixed support 25 and to the second ends of the main flexible blades 36, 37, 38. The balance wheel 32 is arranged around the translation platforms 33, 34, 35. Thus, the translation platforms 33, 34, 35 are located at the center of the flexible guide 20, and the balance wheel 26 is at the periphery. The translation platforms 33, 34, 35 have the same structure, the same arrangement relative to each other, and the same shape as the translation platforms of the second embodiment. The secondary blades 27, 28, 29 of the translation platforms 33, 34, 35 are substantially perpendicular to the main blades 36, 37, 38. The rigid parts of the translation platforms 33, 34, 35 include four segments. The first three segments 116, 117, 118 are arranged in the same way as in the second embodiment, while the fourth segment 119 is assembled with the second segment 118, and the second segment 118 is perpendicular to the other two segments 116, 117. The fourth segment 119 is substantially parallel to the third segment 117 and the corresponding secondary blades 27, 28, 29. The third segment 117 and the fourth segment 119 are arranged on either side of the secondary blades 27, 28, 29. The main blades 36, 37, 38 are connected to the translation platforms 10, 11, 12 through the fourth segment 119. Preferably, the tertiary blades 31, 39, 41 are preferably oriented along the angle bisectors formed between the main blades 36, 37, 38. Equivalently, the tertiary blades 31, 39, 41 are preferably oriented along the angle bisectors formed between the directions of the translation platforms 33, 34, 35.

[0060] Figure 4 The fourth embodiment of the flexible guide 30 shown includes a fixed support 52, a movable element 26 movable relative to the fixed support 52, and three main flexible blades 42, 43, 44 that allow the movable element 20 to move relative to the fixed support 52. By bending the main flexible blades 42, 43, 44, the movable element 20 can move relative to the support 52 in a rotational motion about its own center of rotation. The main blades 42, 43, 44 preferably have equal lengths and are evenly angularly distributed around the central part of the movable element 26 to form a symmetric pivot.

[0061] The flexible guide 30 includes translation stages 48, 49, 51, each translation stage being connected to one end of a different main flexible blade 42, 43, 44. In this embodiment, the translation stages 48, 49, 51 are arranged in series between a fixed support 52 and the corresponding main flexible blades 42, 43, 44. The translation stages 48, 49, 51 are connected to the fixed support 52 and the first ends of the corresponding main flexible blades 42, 43, 44, and the main flexible blades 42, 43, 44 are connected to the movable element 26 by their second ends.

[0062] Thus, the flexible guide 30 includes three pairs, each pair consisting of a main flexible blade 42, 43, 44 and a translation stage 48, 49, 51. These pairs are angularly distributed around the movable element 26 to form a symmetric pivot, each main blade 42, 43, 44 being connected at one end to the central part 6, and the translation stages 48, 49, 51 being connected to the fixed support 52. These pairs, and in particular the main blades 42, 43, 44, form an angle of approximately 120° with each other.

[0063] Each translation stage 48, 49, 51 is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the movement of the main flexible blade 42, 43, 44. Each translation stage 48, 49, 51 includes at least one secondary flexible blade (in this case, two secondary flexible blades) and a rigid part 45, 46, 47. The secondary flexible blades are connected at one end to the rigid part 45, 46, 47 and at the other end to the fixed support 52. In this case, the rigid parts 45, 46, 47 form a right-angled bend that includes two substantially perpendicular sections. The main flexible blades 42, 43, 44 are connected to the first section, while the secondary blades are connected to the second section. Thus, when the guide 30 is in the rest position, the main flexible blades 42, 43, 44 are substantially perpendicular to the secondary flexible blades of the translation stages 48, 49, 51. The rest position is defined as when the main blades 42, 43, 44 and the secondary blades are straight, i.e., not bent.

[0064] The movable element 26 includes at least two members. The first member 21 includes arms 22 (in this case, three arms) and an integrally formed axial engagement portion 25. The arms 22 are equipped at their free ends with attachment platforms 23, which are provided with holes 24 for assembling inertial elements such as inertial blocks or preferably rings, the inertial elements defining the second member and not being shown in Figure 4 FIG. Preferably, the central part 6 and the first member 21 are integrally formed.

[0065] In addition, the flexible guide 30 includes at least one secondary translation stage 42, 43, 44, which are arranged in series between two main translation stages. In Figure 4In [the figure], the flexible guide 30 includes three secondary translation stages 42, 43, and 44. Each of the secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 is disposed between two translation stages 48, 49, 51. The secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 include two four-stage flexible blades and a rigid portion, and the four-stage flexible blades are connected to the rigid portion of the secondary translation stage. The four-stage flexible blades are substantially parallel and are disposed in different rows. Preferably, the secondary flexible blades are connected to the same side of the rigid portion.

[0066] Each of the secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 is connected to two main translation stages 48, 49, 51 by three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58. The three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 connect the main translation stages 48, 49, 51 to the secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44. The secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 include two three-stage flexible blades and a rigid portion. In this case, the rigid portion has a parallelepiped shape and is oriented toward the center of the flexible guide 30. The four-stage flexible blades connect the rigid portion of the secondary translation stage to the support 52. The flexible guide 30 thus includes the three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 that connect the secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 to the main translation stages 48, 49, 51. Each of the three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 connects the secondary translation stage 42, 43, 44 to an adjacent main translation stage 48, 49, 51. The three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 are connected to the rigid portions 45, 46, 47 of the main translation stages 48, 49, 51, preferably to a section of the rigid portions 45, 46, 47 that is perpendicular to the main flexible blades 42, 43, 44. The three-stage flexible blades 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 are substantially of equal length. Each of the secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 is equidistantly arranged from the two main translation stages 48, 49, 51 to which it is connected. The secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 can move in a direction toward the center of the flexible guide 30. The secondary translation stages 42, 43, 44 further improve the accuracy of the flexible guide 30 with respect to the rate of the influence of gravity.

[0067] Figure 5 An embodiment of the flexible guide 40 in [the figure] further includes main translation stages 64, 65, 66 and secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69, but the translation stages include movable elements 26 disposed at the periphery of the flexible guide 40 and do not include a central portion as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 The arrangement of the main translation stages 64, 65, 66 and the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 shown.

[0068] The flexible guide 40 includes a fixed support 72, a movable element 26 movable relative to the fixed support 72, and three main flexible blades 61, 62, 63 that allow the movable element 26 to move relative to the fixed support 72. By bending the main flexible blades 61, 62, 63, the movable element 26 can move in a rotational motion about its own center of rotation relative to the support 72. The main blades 61, 62, 63 preferably have equal lengths and are evenly angularly distributed around the central portion of the movable element 26 to form a symmetric pivot.

[0069] The flexible guide 40 includes main translation platforms 64, 65, 66, each translation platform being connected to one end of a different main flexible blade 61, 62, 63. In this embodiment, the main translation platforms 64, 65, 66 are arranged in series between the fixed support 72 and the corresponding main flexible blades 61, 62, 63. The main translation platforms 64, 65, 66 are connected to the fixed support 72 and the first ends of the corresponding main flexible blades 61, 62, 63, and the main flexible blades 61, 62, 63 are connected to the movable element 26 by the second ends.

[0070] Thus, the flexible guide 40 includes three pairs, each pair consisting of a main flexible blade 61, 62, 63 and a main translation platform 64, 65, 66. These pairs are angularly distributed to form a symmetric pivot, with each main blade 61, 62, 63 being connected to the movable element 26 at one end, while the translation platforms 64, 65, 66 are connected to the fixed support 72. These pairs, especially the main blades 61, 62, 63, form an angle of approximately 120° with each other.

[0071] Each main translation platform 64, 65, 66 is configured to translate at least partially under the influence of the movement of the main flexible blades 61, 62, 63. Each main translation platform 64, 65, 66 includes at least one secondary flexible blade (in this case, two secondary flexible blades) and a rigid portion. The secondary flexible blades are substantially parallel and arranged in different rows. Preferably, the second flexible blade is connected to the same side of the rigid portion at one end and to the fixed support 72 at the other end. In this case, the rigid portion forms a U-shaped bend that includes three segments 121, 122, 123. The main flexible blades 61, 62, 63 are connected to the first segment 123, while the secondary blades are connected to the second segment 122. Thus, when the guide 40 is in the rest position, the main flexible blades 61, 62, 63 are substantially perpendicular to the secondary blades of the translation platforms 64, 65, 66. The rest position is defined as when the main blades 61, 62, 63 and the secondary blades are straight, i.e., not bent.

[0072] In addition, the flexible guide 40 includes at least one secondary translation platform 67, 68, 69, which are arranged in series between two main translation platforms 64, 65, 66.Figure 5 In this case, the flexible guide 30 includes three secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69. Each of the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 is disposed between two translation stages 64, 65, 66.

[0073] Each of the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 is connected to two primary translation stages 64, 65, 69 by tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78. The tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 connect the primary translation stages 64, 65, 69 to the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69. The secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 include two quaternary flexible blades and a rigid portion. The quaternary flexible blades are connected to the rigid portion of the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 and the support 72. In this case, the rigid portion has a parallelepiped shape and is oriented towards the center of the flexible guide 40. The flexible guide 40 includes the tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 that connect the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 to the primary translation stages 64, 65, 69. Each of the tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 connects a secondary translation stage 67, 68, 69 to an adjacent primary translation stage 64, 65, 69. The tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 are connected to the rigid portion of the translation stage, preferably to a third section 121 of the rigid portion that is perpendicular to the primary flexible blades 61, 62, 63. The tertiary flexible blades 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 are substantially of equal length. Each of the secondary translation stages 67, 68, 69 is equidistantly arranged from the two primary translation stages 64, 65, 69 to which it is connected.

[0074] In the figures showing different embodiments, the flexible blades are flat blades. However, the flexible blades may also include thicker or thinner portions, or may include necks, such as Figure 6 those shown in. Thus, the top blade 80 includes a thicker portion 82 in the middle, which is more rigid, and thinner portions 83 at the ends. The bottom blade 81 is thick throughout its length 84, but includes two necks 85 that thin at the ends to allow the blade 81 to bend.

[0075] In Figure 7 and 8 the illustrated embodiments, the fixed support includes central portions 89, 93 to which the first ends of the primary flexible blades are connected, while the translation stage is connected to the movable element.

[0076] In Figure 7 the sixth embodiment of the flexible guide 50 is similar to Figure 2The flexible guide 1 therein, except that the secondary blades of the main translation stages 90, 91, 92 are connected to the movable element 26, while the main blades 83, 84, 85 are connected to the central part of the fixed support 82 on the one hand and to the rigid parts of the main translation stages 90, 91, 92 on the other hand. The tertiary flexible blades 125, 126, 127 are arranged in series between the main translation stages 90, 91, 92 in the same configuration as in the second embodiment. The central part 89 also has the shape of a cylindrical part. Preferably, the movable element 32 includes inner extensions 84 oriented towards the inner side of the ring in a plane to allow the assembly of the secondary flexible blades of each translation stage 90, 91, 92. When in the rest position, the extensions 84 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the main flexible blades 86, 87, 88, such that the secondary flexible blades of each translation stage 90, 91, 92 point perpendicular to this direction. Thus, for the same pair, the secondary flexible blades are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main flexible blades 86, 87, 88. In this embodiment, the translation stages 90, 91, 92 are not directly connected to the fixed support 89, but to the movable element 26.

[0077] In Figure 8 the seventh embodiment shown, the flexible guide 60 is similar to Figure 4 the flexible guide 30 therein, except that the secondary blades of the main translation stages 94, 95, 96 are connected to the movable element 26, while the main blades 97, 98, 99 are connected to the central part of the fixed support 93 on the one hand and to the rigid parts of the main translation stages 94, 95, 96 on the other hand. The tertiary flexible blades 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 are arranged in series between the main translation stages 90, 91, 92 and the secondary translation stages 100, 101, 102 in the same configuration as in the fourth embodiment. The central part of the support 93 also has the shape of a cylindrical part. Preferably, the movable element 32 includes inner extensions 103, 104 oriented towards the inner side of the ring in a plane to allow the assembly of the secondary and quaternary flexible blades of the main translation stages 94, 95, 96 and the secondary translation worktables 100, 101, 102. When in the rest position, the extensions 103, 104 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the main flexible blades 97, 98, 99, such that the secondary flexible blades of the main translation stages 94, 95, 96 point perpendicular to this direction. Thus, the secondary flexible blades are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main flexible blades 97, 98, 99. In this embodiment, the translation stages 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102 are not directly connected to the fixed support 93, but to the movable element 32.

[0078] The invention also relates to a resonator mechanism, in particular a resonator mechanism for a watch movement, which is not shown in the figures. The resonator mechanism is provided with a flexible guide according to one of the above embodiments.

[0079] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings and that alternatives can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, a greater or lesser number of pairs consisting of a main flexible blade and a translation stage than the examples described can be considered.

Claims

1. A flexible guide for a rotary resonator mechanism, the guide comprising a fixed support, a movable element (26) movable relative to the fixed support, at least two main flexible blades, by bending the main flexible blades, allowing the movable element (26) to move relative to the fixed support via a rotational movement about a center of rotation, the flexible guide being arranged in a plane, characterized in that, the flexible guide comprises at least two translation stages, each translation stage being connected to only one end of a main flexible blade, such that each translation stage is configured to translate at least partially under the action of the corresponding main flexible blade, the flexible guide comprising at least one tertiary flexible blade connecting the two translation stages.

2. The flexible guide according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises at least three pairs of flexible guides, each pair of flexible guides being formed by a main blade and a translation stage, the at least three pairs of flexible guides being angularly distributed so as to form a symmetric pivot, the guide comprising at least two tertiary flexible blades connecting the translation stages in pairs.

3. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, each translation stage is arranged in series between the fixed supports and between the corresponding main flexible blade, the first end of the translation stage and the main flexible blade, the main flexible blade being connected to the movable element (26) at the second end.

4. The flexible guide according to claim 3, characterized in that, each translation stage is arranged in series between the corresponding main flexible blade and the movable element (26), the translation stage being connected to the movable element (26) and the second end of the main flexible blade, the main flexible blade being connected to the fixed support at the first end.

5. The flexible guide according to claim 3, characterized in that, the movable element (26) comprises the central part (6) of the flexible guide.

6. The flexible guide according to claim 4, characterized in that, the fixed support comprises the central part of the flexible guide.

7. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the flexible guide comprises a main translation stage, the main translation stage comprising at least one secondary flexible blade and a rigid part, the secondary flexible blade being connected to the rigid part at one end and to the fixed support or the movable element (26) at the other end.

8. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, it comprises at least one secondary translation stage arranged in series between two main translation stages, each secondary translation stage being connected to the two main translation stages by a tertiary flexible blade of each main translation stage.

9. The flexible guide according to claim 8, characterized in that, the secondary translation stage comprises a quaternary flexible blade and a rigid part, the quaternary flexible blade being connected to the rigid part of the secondary translation stage at one end and to the fixed support or the movable element (26) at the other end.

10. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each translation stage includes a rigid part, and the three-stage flexible blades are connected to the rigid parts of the two translation stages thus connected.

11. The flexible guide according to claim 10,[[]] characterized in that the rigid part forms a bent part such that when the guide is in the rest position, one or more main flexible blades are perpendicular to one or more secondary flexible blades of the translation stage connected to the main flexible blades.

12. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2,[[]] characterized in that the movable element (26) includes a balance wheel (32).

13. The flexible guide according to claim 1 or 2,[[]] characterized in that the rotary resonator mechanism is for a watch movement.

14. The flexible guide according to claim 2,[[]] characterized in that the guide includes three three-stage flexible blades.

15. The flexible guide according to claim 7,[[]] characterized in that the main translation stage includes two secondary flexible blades.

16. The flexible guide according to claim 9,[[]] characterized in that the secondary translation stage includes two four-stage flexible blades.

17. A rotary resonator mechanism,[[]] characterized in that it includes a flexible guide according to any one of the preceding claims.

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