Timepiece resonator mechanism with translation stage

Abstract

A timepiece resonator mechanism provided with a translation stage. The invention relates to a rotating resonator mechanism (1) comprising an oscillating mass (2), a flexible guide comprising at least two flexible blades (4) connecting a fixed support (3) to the oscillating mass (2), the resonator mechanism (1) extending substantially in the same plane to allow the oscillating mass to perform a rotational movement about a virtual pivot, the flexible guide (1) extending along a main symmetry axis (14), characterised in that the mechanism (1) comprises a translation stage (5) arranged between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass (2), the translation stage (5) being joined to the flexible blades (4) and / or to the oscillating mass (2). The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a resonator (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece resonator mechanism, which includes a translation stage. Background Art

[0002] Most mechanical watches today are equipped with a balance wheel and a Swiss-style escapement. The balance wheel forms the watch's time base; it is also called a resonator.

[0003] The escapement mechanism then performs two main functions:

[0004] - Maintain the reciprocating motion of the resonator;

[0005] - Count these reciprocating motions.

[0006] To construct a mechanical resonator, an inertial element, a guide element, and a resilient return element are required. Traditionally, a spiral hairspring serves as the resilient return element for the inertial element, which is a balance wheel. This balance wheel is guided to rotate by a pivot that rotates within a sliding ruby ​​bearing.

[0007] Today, flexible guides are used as springs to form virtual pivots. Flexible virtual pivot guides significantly improve timepiece resonators. The simplest is a pivot with intersecting blades, consisting of two guides with straight blades that intersect each other substantially perpendicularly. These two blades can be three-dimensional in two different planes or two-dimensional in the same plane, and are then welded at their intersection. However, there are also guides with non-intersecting blades of the RCC type (representing "Remote Centre Compliance"), which have straight blades that do not intersect each other. Such resonators are described in documents EP 2911012, EP 14199039, and EP16155039.

[0008] However, when it is desired to use flexible blades to pivot the rotating ring balance wheel in a manner similar to that of a balance wheel with a hairspring, gravity has a significant effect on the rate of the watch movement. In fact, when the mechanism is at rest, the flexible guides are oriented along the principal axis of symmetry. Therefore, if gravity points along this axis, its effect is very different from when gravity points perpendicular to this axis. Consequently, the center of mass of the mechanism shifts under the influence of gravity, resulting in differences in the precision timekeeping performance at different positions on the watch.

[0009] To address this issue, US application 202003805 proposed adding an unbalance element between the center of mass and the center of rotation along the principal axis of symmetry. However, the unbalance element would depress the balance wheel, leading to adjustment problems and energy loss. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to overcome all or part of the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a timepiece resonator mechanism that is less sensitive to the direction of gravity.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a rotary resonator mechanism comprising an oscillating mass and a flexible guide comprising at least two flexible blades that connect a fixed support to the oscillating mass. The resonator mechanism extends substantially in the same plane to allow the oscillating mass to rotate about a virtual pivot, and the flexible guide extends along a principal axis of symmetry.

[0012] A significant feature of this invention is that the mechanism includes a translation stage arranged in series between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass, the translation stage engaging with the flexible blade and / or the oscillating mass.

[0013] Thanks to the translation stage, the connection between the flexible guide and the balance wheel is more flexible. This flexibility, depending on the orientation of the translation stage, will alter the rate of the resonator mechanism. Therefore, in a specific direction of the mechanism relative to gravity, if the translation stage increases the flexibility in that direction, the rate in that direction increases, and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the rate decreases. The translation stage allows the center of mass to be moved closer to or further away from the center of rotation of the balance wheel under the influence of gravity. Thus, by correcting the rate of the resonator mechanism in a specific direction relative to gravity, the effect of gravity on the motion of the balance wheel is compensated.

[0014] In addition, the translation stage can be used for seismic protection. Therefore, the translation stage protects the flexible guide from the risk of breakage after impact.

[0015] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the translation stage is arranged to allow displacement of the flexible guide along the main axis of symmetry when the mechanism is in a stationary position.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the translation stage is arranged to allow displacement of the flexible guide in one direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry when the mechanism is in a stationary position.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the translation stage includes at least two secondary flexible blades and a rigid component, the secondary flexible blades being engaged at one end to the rigid component and at the other end to a balance wheel, and the blades of the flexible guide being connected to the rigid component of the translation stage.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the secondary flexible blades are substantially parallel and arranged in different directions.

[0019] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the two blades of the flexible guide are crossed.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the mechanism includes a second translation stage arranged in series between the first translation stage and the flexible guide.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second translation stage includes at least two three-stage flexible blades and a second rigid component. The three-stage flexible blades are engaged at one end to the rigid component of the first translation stage and at the other end to the second rigid component. Two blades of the flexible guide are connected to the second rigid component of the second translation stage.

[0022] The present invention also relates to watch movements that include such a resonator mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the several embodiments given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 A schematic top view of a resonator mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] - Figure 2 A top view schematically illustrates the resonator mechanism of the first embodiment in operation.

[0026] - Figure 3 A schematic top view of a resonator mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] - Figure 4 A schematic top view of the resonator mechanism of the second embodiment in operation is shown.

[0028] - Figure 5 A top view of a flexible guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic representation of a first embodiment of a rotating resonator mechanism 1 for a watch movement is shown. The resonator mechanism 1 extends substantially in a plane and includes a oscillating mass 2. The oscillating mass 2 is, for example, a ring balance wheel commonly used in watchmaking.

[0030] The resonator mechanism 1 also includes a flexible guide to allow the oscillating mass 2 to rotate about a rotation center 12. The flexible guide includes at least two flexible blades 4 connected to a fixed support 3. The flexible guide extends along a principal axis of symmetry 14, and is in a balanced position along this axis when in a rest position. The two blades 4 are intersecting, with one end of each blade 4 engaging the fixed support 3. When the mechanism is in a rest position, the blades 4 intersect each other on the principal axis of symmetry 14. The flexible guide allows the oscillating mass 2 to reciprocate in the plane of the oscillator mechanism. Figure 2 The mechanism in operation is shown, in which the flexible guide blade 4 bends to allow the balance wheel 2 to shift.

[0031] According to the invention, the mechanism includes a translation stage 5 arranged in series between a flexible guide and a oscillating mass 2. The translation stage 5 is engaged on one side with two flexible blades 4 of the guide and on the other side with the oscillating mass 2, which is then engaged with a balance wheel. The translation stage 5 includes at least one (in this case, two) secondary flexible blades 7 and a rigid member 6. The secondary flexible blades 7 are engaged at one end with the rigid member 6 and at the other end with the balance wheel 2. The blades 4 of the flexible guide are connected to the rigid member 6 of the translation stage 5. The secondary flexible blades 7 are substantially parallel and arranged in different directions.

[0032] The rigid member 6 includes an elbow-shaped body, comprising segments 11 and 9. Segment 11 is substantially parallel to the main axis of symmetry 14 when the mechanism is in a stationary position, and segment 9 is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry 14 when the mechanism is in a stationary position. A secondary blade 7 engages with segment 11, which is substantially parallel to the inner side of the elbow-shaped member; and a blade 4 of the flexible guide 1 engages with segment 9, which is substantially perpendicular to the outer side of the elbow-shaped member.

[0033] The balance wheel includes a lug 8 that extends inward into the ring in the plane of the balance wheel. The lug 8 allows for the attachment of secondary flexible blades 7 to the ring in a position substantially perpendicular to the flexible guide when the mechanism 1 is in the rest position. In this embodiment, the two secondary blades 7 are substantially perpendicular to the principal axis of symmetry 14 when the mechanism 1 is in the rest position.

[0034] The translation stage 5 is arranged to allow additional displacement of the flexible guide along the principal axis of symmetry 14, so that the center of mass 13 of the balance wheel moves closer to or away from the center of rotation 12. For example... Figure 2As seen, when the balance wheel is moving, it forms an angle θ with the initial principal axis of symmetry 14 of the stationary flexible guide. Therefore, when gravity is oriented along the principal axis of symmetry 14, the translation stage allows the center of mass 13 of the balance wheel to move closer to or further away from the center of rotation 12, thereby increasing the speed of the mechanism and compensating for the effect of gravity on the motion of the balance wheel. The displacement occurs in the direction of gravity.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A second embodiment of the resonator mechanism 10 according to the present invention is shown. The flexible guide and the oscillating mass 2 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0036] The resonator mechanism also includes a translation stage 15, which is arranged to allow displacement of the flexible guide in a direction perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry 14. In other words, the translation stage 15 is arranged perpendicular to the translation stage of the first embodiment and allows displacement of the flexible guide perpendicular to the displacement of the first embodiment.

[0037] The translation stage 15 includes at least one (preferably two) secondary flexible blades 17 and a rigid member 16. The secondary flexible blades 17 are engaged at one end to the rigid member 16 and at the other end to the balance wheel 2. The blades 4 of the flexible guide are connected to the rigid member 16 of the translation stage 15. The secondary flexible blades 17 are substantially parallel and arranged in different directions. The secondary flexible blades 17 are directly engaged to the ring so as to be substantially parallel to the flexible guide.

[0038] In this embodiment, the two secondary blades 17 are substantially parallel to the main axis of symmetry 14 in the rest position of the mechanism 10. The rigid member 16 includes an elongated body arranged perpendicular to the secondary flexible blades 17 and perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry 14 of the flexible guide.

[0039] The translation stage 5 is arranged to allow additional displacement of the flexible guide perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry 14, so as to shift the center of mass 13 of the balance wheel relative to the center of rotation 12. For example... Figure 4 As seen, when the balance wheel is moving, it forms an angle θ with the initial principal axis of symmetry 14 of the stationary flexible guide. Therefore, when gravity is oriented perpendicular to the principal axis of symmetry 14, the translation stage allows the center of mass 13 to move away from the center of rotation 12 of the balance wheel to increase the speed of the mechanism and compensate for the effect of gravity on the motion of the balance wheel.

[0040] Figure 5The third embodiment shows a resonator mechanism 20, which includes two translation stages 5, 25 arranged in series between a flexible guide and a oscillating mass 2. The two stages 5, 25 are substantially perpendicular to each other to allow compensation for the effects of gravity in both directions. The first translation stage 5 is arranged as in the first embodiment, and the second translation stage 25 is disposed between the flexible guide and the first translation stage 5. The second translation stage 25 is similar to the translation stage of the second embodiment and is oriented in the same direction.

[0041] The balance wheel includes an inner lug 8, on which the secondary blade 7 of the first translation stage 5 is engaged.

[0042] The second translation stage 25 includes a second rigid member 26 and a pair of tertiary blades 27, which engage with a substantially vertical segment 9 of the first curved rigid member 6 of the first translation stage 5. The cross blades 4 of the flexible guide engage with the fixed support 3 on one hand and with the second rigid member 26 of the second translation stage 25 on the other. The secondary blades 7 of the first translation stage 5 engage with a lug 8 on one hand and with a substantially parallel segment of the rigid member 6 of the first translation stage 5 on the other.

[0043] The combination of such translation stages 5 and 25 allows the rigidity of the flexible guide to be changed in both directions relative to gravity as needed.

[0044] In a variant embodiment, the stages are inverted relative to each other. Thus, a first translation stage is arranged between a flexible guide and a second translation stage, the second translation stage being engaged with the balance wheel.

[0045] In another variant embodiment, one of the translation stages is oriented along a direction different from the main axis of symmetry 14 of the pivot, and this direction may also be different from the axis perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry 14.

[0046] The present invention also relates to a watch movement, which is not shown in the accompanying drawings, and includes a rotating resonator mechanism as described above.

Claims

1. A rotary resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20), comprising: A swinging mass member (2); A flexible guide comprising at least two flexible blades (4) connecting a fixed support (3) to the oscillating mass member (2), the resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20) extending substantially in the same plane to allow the oscillating mass member to perform a rotational movement about a virtual pivot, the flexible guide extending along a main symmetry axis (14), the flexible blades crossing each other on the main symmetry axis when the resonator mechanism is in a stationary position, characterized in that the resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20) comprises a translation stage (5, 15) arranged in series between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass member (2), the translation stage (5, 15) being coupled to the flexible blades (4) and the oscillating mass member (2).

2. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that The translation stage (5) is arranged to allow displacement of the flexible guide along the main symmetry axis (14) when the resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20) is in a rest position.

3. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The translation stage (15) is arranged to allow displacement of the flexible guide in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main symmetry axis (14) when the resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20) is in a rest position.

4. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The translation stage (5, 15) comprises at least two secondary flexible blades (7, 17) and a rigid part (6, 16), wherein the secondary flexible blades (7, 17) are joined to the rigid part (6, 16) at one end and to the balance wheel (2) at the other end, and the blades (4) of the flexible guide are connected to the rigid part (6, 16) of the translation stage.

5. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The translation stage (5, 15) further comprises at least two secondary flexible blades (7, 17), wherein the secondary flexible blades (7, 17) are substantially parallel and arranged in different directions.

6. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two blades of the flexible guide are crossed.

7. The resonator mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It comprises a second translation stage (25) arranged in series between the translation stage (5) and the flexible guide.

8. The resonator mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that The second translation stage (25) comprises at least two tertiary flexible blades (27) and a second rigid component (26), wherein the tertiary flexible blades (27) are joined to the rigid component (6) of the translation stage (5) at one end and joined to the second rigid component (26) at the other end, and the two blades (4) of the flexible guide are connected to the second rigid component (26) of the second translation stage.

9. A timepiece movement comprising a resonator mechanism (1, 10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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