Clock device

Abstract

A watchmaking device for a balance regulator (2) - balance spring (1) includes a fixed or movable support (5, 105), a stud holder (4, 104) mounted directly or indirectly on the support (5, 105) and a stud (3, 103) arranged to fix the outer end (1b) of the balance spring (1) on the stud holder (4, 104), the support (5, 105) carrying a shock-absorbing bearing (8) intended to receive one end of a balance shaft (20). The watchmaking device includes fastening means (7,109) for fixing the stud holder (4, 104) onto the support (5, 105) and also a base plate (6, 106) comprising a portion (60, 160) formed by two arms allowing rotational adjustment of the position of the stud (3, 103) relative to the balance shaft (20) for setting the reference point of an associated escapement, the stud holder (4, 104) being rotationally fixed to the base plate (6, 106).The watchmaking device includes fine radial adjustment means (9, 109) allowing fine and precise adjustment of the radial position of the stud (3, 103) relative to the central axis of the spiral (1) by moving the stud holder (4, 104) relative to the support (5, 105) and the base plate (6, 106) in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the spiral (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a watchmaking device for a balance-spring type regulating organ comprising a support (fixed or mobile), a stud holder mounted on the support and a stud arranged to fix the outer end of the spring on the stud holder.

[0002] In watch regulating organs, the balance spring is generally attached by its inner end to the balance staff and by its outer end to the balance wheel frame, usually the balance bridge known as the cock. To achieve this, the outer end is secured, typically by pinning or gluing, to an attachment point comprising a stud which is fixed in a stud holder. The stud holder is itself mounted on the balance bridge.

[0003] To improve the timekeeping accuracy of a timepiece, the aim is to obtain an isochronous balance spring whose oscillations are regular and have the same period regardless of the starting point. Several types of adjustments exist for a regulating organ such as a balance wheel and its associated escapement.

[0004] The position of the balance staff is generally adjustable by rotation relative to the balance spring axis or the balance staff in order to synchronize the escapement. The purpose of this operation is to ensure that, at the equilibrium position of the regulating organ, the balance staff pin is centered on the balance staff axis. If this is not the case, the functions of the escapement will not be symmetrical with respect to the equilibrium position.

[0005] The frequency of the regulating organ can be adjusted by modifying the inertia of the balance wheel with screws or weights, or by modifying the elastic torque of the balance spring. For this latter adjustment, some regulating organs include a regulator with, in particular, a regulator and two pins or stops that allow the counting point to be changed by lengthening or shortening the active length of the balance spring (which changes the elastic torque).

[0006] There are also regulators without a regulator arm, in which the stud point at the outer end of the balance spring defines its active length. For these regulators without a regulator arm, the stud position can then affect the balance spring's adjustment. Thus, to allow adjustment of the counting point, the stud is frequently mounted to rotate freely on the stud holder.

[0007] In general, pinning is a delicate operation. Document FR1460220 explains in particular that the end of a spiral, held for example by pinching between two parts, exerts a force on the last coil of the spiral, thus modifying its original characteristics.

[0008] Regarding balance springs made of silicon or other similar materials without plastic deformation (glass, ceramic, etc.), these generally have a terminal curve on the last coil that is either fairly straight or slightly curved outwards. Since they are not plastically deformable, these balance springs are generally incompatible with the use of a regulator designed for metallic balance springs. Therefore, the possibilities for adjusting the regulating organ with this type of balance spring after assembly in a watch movement are limited, primarily to adjusting the balance wheel's inertia as described above.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of spirals made of silicon or other similar deformation-resistant materials, even if a batch of spirals is manufactured using the same process, there can be significant variability in the radius of the terminal curves of the spirals within the batch, with some having a larger radius and others a smaller radius than the theoretical radius targeted by the manufacturing process. Even though the elastic torque of these spirals is generally unaffected by a difference in the radius of their terminal curve—the active length and cross-section (thickness, height) remaining the same—it has been observed that regulating organs fitted with these spirals nevertheless exhibit a difference in isochronism. This difference is potentially due to a nonlinear torque related to the displacement of the center of gravity relative to the spiral axis and the assembly prestress, which forces the spiral to oscillate around a non-optimal position.The impact of friction in the rocker arm pivots must also be considered, which can be more or less pronounced depending on the level of preload.

[0010] Document EP 3 081 996 describes a watch balance spring made of micromachinable material comprising a plurality of stages, each constituting a spirally wound spring, all parallel to each other and arranged to be joined together at their respective inner ends by a common axial ferrule. Each stage has, at its respective outer end, its own means for attaching to a stud, which are independent of those of the other stages. These attachment means include means for adjusting the position relative to a stud, which are also independent of those of the other stages. According to this document, the attachment means and the position adjustment means together constitute intrinsic means for correcting the isochronism of the multistage balance spring.This document acknowledges that with a balance spring made of micromachinable material, the fine adjustment capability is generally limited, but indicates that by adjusting the external attachment position of the balance spring, it is also possible to control the isochronism of the regulating organ. However, the solution proposed in EP 3 081 996 is complex and not applicable to a conventional single-stage balance spring, regardless of its material.

[0011] Other documents, such as EP 1 918 791, CH 714 809, CH 717 088, and CH 707 742, describe the possibility of modifying the radial position of the stud and / or stud holder relative to the center of the balance spring (the balance staff). However, adjusting the isochronism requires very precise control and guidance of the radial position of the outer end of the balance spring, independent of any alignment of the escapement; control, guidance, and precision that the solutions in these documents do not allow. Furthermore, none of these documents prevents the introduction of undesirable preload on the balance spring that could occur during studding.

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a watchmaking device for a regulating organ of the balance-spring type comprising a support (fixed or mobile) such as a balance bridge or a cock, a stud holder mounted on the support, a base plate and a stud arranged to fix the outer end of the spring on the stud holder which allows fine and precise adjustment at least of the radial position of the stud with respect to the central axis of the spring, and this regardless of the material of said spring, the fine adjustment of the radial position of the stud being independent of the setting of an escapement associated with the balance-spring.

[0013] The present invention therefore relates to a watchmaking device according to claim 1. The dependent claims also describe preferred embodiments of a watchmaking device according to the invention.

[0014] The invention also relates to a timepiece such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch comprising such a timekeeping device.

[0015] The attached drawings schematically illustrate, by way of example, several embodiments of a clockwork device according to the invention. There figure 1 is a top view of a timepiece according to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrating in particular said timepiece and a regulating organ comprising a balance spring and a balance wheel. figure 2 is a bottom view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 1 . There figure 3 is an exploded view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 1 . There figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 1 along a plane passing through the central axis of the spiral and the fixing screw. The figure 5is a top view of a timepiece according to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating in particular said timepiece and a regulating organ comprising in particular a balance spring and a balance wheel. figure 6 is a bottom view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 5 . There figure 7 is an exploded view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 5 . There figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the clockwork mechanism of the figure 5 along a plane passing through the central axis of the spiral and the eccentric. The figure 9 is a perspective view of part of the watchmaking device of the figure 5 .

[0016] In this application, the term "adjustment" is used in its commonly accepted horological definition, namely, to bring a timepiece into proper working order, eliminating or reducing anything that might impair its operation. Adjustment is therefore a specific, reproducible operation, distinct from assembly and fastening operations, even though fastening means may be involved in the adjustment process. Furthermore, the adjective "fine" is used in this application to characterize what is applied with precision and accuracy.

[0017] THE figures 1 to 4 illustrate a regulating organ formed by a balance wheel 2 associated with a balance spring 1, as well as a clockwork device for a balance-spring type regulating organ according to a first embodiment of the invention. In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4The watchmaking device for the balance wheel and hairspring 2,1 comprises a cock-shaped support 5, a stud holder 4 mounted directly or indirectly on the support 5, a base plate 6, and a stud 3 arranged to fix the outer end 1b of the hairspring 1 to the stud holder 4. The support 5 may be fixed or movable, as is the case, for example, with a tourbillon. In this first embodiment, the support 5 is in the shape of a cock or balance bridge and will be simply called the cock hereafter. The inner end 1a of the hairspring 1 is fixed by any suitable means to the shaft 20 of the balance wheel 2. The hairspring 1 generally extends in a plane PP ( figure 4The stud 3 is intended to be fixed in the stud holder 4, which is itself intended to be mounted on the balance cock 5. The balance cock 5 can be fixed to the movement in one or more positions, and it can also include means for adjusting in height, or even in a direction extending parallel to the balance shaft 20. The balance cock 5 carries a shock-absorbing bearing 8 in which a first end 20a of the balance shaft 20 is pivoted.

[0018] The radial position of the stud holder 4 on the cock 5 relative to the central axis AA of the spiral 1 or the balance shaft 20 is finely adjustable.

[0019] In the first form of execution illustrated in Figures 1 to 4The stud holder 4 consists of a sliding plate 40 indirectly attached to the cock 5. To achieve this, the watchmaking device further includes a base plate 6. The sliding plate 40 and the base plate 6 are both semi-circular and arranged to be superimposed on the cock 5, the sliding plate 40 above the base plate 6, itself directly attached to the cock 5.

[0020] The eye pin 3 is fixed to the eye pin holder 4 and in particular to the sliding plate 40 by any suitable means: for example, it is held in an opening 41 of said sliding plate 40 by means of a lateral screw 31.

[0021] The balance cock 5 includes a hole 50 for receiving the shock-absorbing bearing 8 in which the balance shaft 20 is pivoted by its first end 20a. As illustrated, the base plate 6 here includes an essentially circular or semi-circular portion 60 formed by two arms arranged, preferably, to surround the shock-absorbing bearing 8. In this way, the base plate 6 is held or fixed in translation on the balance cock 5, both in a plane essentially parallel to the balance cock 5 and along an axis essentially parallel to the axis AA of the balance shaft 20.

[0022] In this first embodiment, the sliding plate 40 is intended to be positioned above the base plate 6 attached to the balance cock 5. This sliding plate 40 includes a first radial guide opening 90, oblong in shape and arranged radially with respect to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 and the balance staff 20 in the operating position of the sliding plate 40. This first radial guide opening 90 is intended to receive a pin 91 fixed to the base plate 6 to guide the movement of the sliding plate 40. Preferably, the first radial guide opening 90 is oblong and closed to ensure greater stability in the positioning of the stud holder 4.The first radial guide opening 90 and the pin 91 constitute radial guide means for guiding the radial movement of the sliding plate 40 on the base plate 6 and on the balance cock 5 relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 in the device's operating position. Preferably, the watchmaking device includes second radial guide means which, in the illustrated embodiment, are in the form of a second radial guide opening 92 present on the base plate 6 and arranged to receive and cooperate with a radial guide surface 93 of the sliding plate 40. In the illustrated embodiment, this radial guide surface 93 is the outer surface of an oblong portion 44 of the sliding plate 40 comprising the opening 41 receiving the pin 3.These second radial guide means 92, 93 also serve to ensure that the sliding plate 40 of the stud holder 4 is rotationally fixed to the base plate 6 when the watchmaking device is assembled. As illustrated in the figures, the first radial guide opening 90 in the sliding plate 40 is closed while the second radial guide opening 92 in the base plate 6 is open.

[0023] The watchmaking device includes means for fine radial adjustment of the radial position of the stud holder 4 on the balance cock 5 relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or the balance staff 20. In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4These adjustment means include an oblong opening 42 arranged on the sliding plate 40 radially with respect to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 and to the balance staff 20 in the service position of the watchmaking device and an eccentric 9 arranged to pass through said oblong opening 42 and to be fixed in the base plate 6. Preferably, the eccentric 9 is driven into a hole 62 in the base plate 6 and passes through said hole 62, a recess 52 being provided in the cock 5 to serve as clearance for the eccentric 9.As will be seen in detail later, the eccentric 9 cooperating with the oblong opening 42 of the sliding plate 40 and the hole 62 of the base plate 6 constitutes, in this embodiment, fine adjustment means allowing the movement of the sliding plate 40 on the cock 5 for the fine adjustment of the radial position of said sliding plate 40 and of the pin 3 with respect to the central axis AA of the spiral 1 in the service position of the device.

[0024] The sliding plate 40 further comprises a first curved segment 43 with an opening 45 intended to cooperate axially with a fixing screw 7 for fixing the sliding plate 40 on the cock 5. The fixing screw 7 passes through this opening 45 of the first curved segment 43 as well as an opening 65 in a second corresponding segment 63 on the base plate 6 and is screwed into a thread 53 provided for this purpose on the cock 5.

[0025] In an intermediate position of the fixing screw 7, its bearing surface 70 ensures that the sliding plate 40 is held along an axis parallel to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or to the balance staff 20. Once the position of the stud holder 4 is set, this fixing screw 7 can be screwed into a locking position in which it makes the stud holder 4 and the base plate 6 fixed to the balance cock 5. In its locking position, the fixing screw 7 also ensures that the device, the stud holder 4 and the base plate 6 are locked against any angular displacement in the event of an accidental shock.

[0026] To assemble the device according to this first embodiment, the base plate 6 is placed on the balance cock 5, its semi-circular portion 60 surrounding the shock-absorbing bearing 8 received in the hole 50. The pressing of the shock-absorbing bearing 8 into the hole 50 of the balance cock 5 ensures that the base plate 6 is held in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said base plate 6 or in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or to the balance staff 20. In this position, the arrangement of the shock-absorbing bearing 8 and the base plate 6 allows the latter to pivot on the balance cock 5 around said shock-absorbing bearing 8 but is fixed against the balance cock 5 in translation.

[0027] The sliding plate 40 is then superimposed on the base plate 6 such that the pin 91 of the base plate 6 passes through the first radial guide opening 90 of the sliding plate 40, and the guide surface 93 of the sliding plate 40 cooperates with the second radial guide opening 92 of the base plate 6. The first and second segments 43, 63 and their respective openings 45, 65 are essentially superimposed. The sliding plate 40 and the base plate 6 are arranged so that, in their superimposed position on the cock 5, the sliding plate 40 is rotationally fixed to the base plate 6, which can pivot around the shock-absorbing bearing 8 to allow the exhaust timing to be aligned.In this first illustrated embodiment, this is possible by the cooperation of the pin 91 of the base plate 6 with the first radial guide opening 90 of the sliding plate 40 and by the cooperation between the radial guide surface 93 of the sliding plate 40 with the second radial guide opening 92 of the base plate 6.

[0028] The eccentric 9 is driven through the oblong opening 42 of the sliding plate 40 into the hole 62 of the base plate 6, the recess 52 of the cock 5 avoiding any contact between the eccentric 9 and the cock 5.

[0029] The fixing screw 7 is screwed through the openings 45, 65 of the first and second segments 43, 63 into its thread 53 on the cock 5 at least in its intermediate position.

[0030] The device is then ready to receive the balance wheel 2-spiral 1 assembly: the balance wheel 2 is mounted pivoting by the first end 20a of its shaft 20 in the shock-absorbing bearing 8.

[0031] For the pinning, the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 must be inserted into the pin 3 fixed in the opening 41 of the pin holder 4 by means of the lateral screw 31 and then made solid to said pin 3 by gluing, pinning or any other suitable means.

[0032] The fixing screw 7 can then be screwed into the cock 5 in its locking position to ensure that the sliding plate 40 and the base plate 6 are locked together with respect to each other and made to be fixed to the cock 5.

[0033] In this first embodiment, to adjust the position of the stud holder 4 on the balance cock 5 in a radial direction relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or to the balance tree 20, it is necessary first to slightly unscrew the fixing screw 7 to bring it back to its intermediate position and allow the movement (translation) of the sliding plate 40 relative to the base plate 6. Then, by turning the eccentric 9 in one direction or the other, the sliding plate 40 moves relative to the base plate 6 and to the balance cock 5 radially relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1, preferably in a plane essentially parallel to the plane PP of the balance wheel 2 or of the balance spring 1.The movement of the sliding plate 40 is limited by the size of the eccentric 9 and is guided by the radial guiding means, namely the pin 91 of the base plate 6 passing through the first radial guide opening 90 of the sliding plate 40 and the second radial guide opening 92 of the base plate 6 cooperating with the radial guide surface 93 of the sliding plate 40. Depending on the direction of rotation of the eccentric 9, the stud 3 and therefore the outer end 1b of the balance spring 1 will thus move away from or towards radially the central axis AA of said balance spring 1 or the balance staff 20.

[0034] Once the radial position of the eyelet holder 4 is set, the fixing screw 7 is screwed back into the cock 5 in its locking position to ensure the locking of the two plates relative to each other and make them fixed to the cock 5.

[0035] In particular, with the device according to the present invention, it is possible during the pinning to introduce the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 into the pin 3 without constraining the spiral 1. Indeed, by actuating the eccentric 9 when the fixing screw 7 is in its intermediate position, the sliding plate 40 and therefore the pin 3 move radially with respect to the central axis of the spiral 1, which makes it possible to place the pin 3 in a position in which the outer end 1b of the spiral can be introduced into the pin 3 without exerting any constraint on the spiral 1.Once the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 is inserted into the pin 3 and it is ensured that no stress is exerted on said spiral 1, it is then possible to make the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 fixed to the pin 3 and to screw the fixing screw 7 into the cock 5 in its locking position to guarantee the locking of the two plates relative to each other and make them fixed to the cock 5.

[0036] The presence of the base plate 6 allows for a rotational adjustment of the position of the pin 3 for a timing of the escapement associated with the balance regulator 2-spiral 1. This timing operation can be done independently of the radial adjustment of the position of the pin 3 described above.

[0037] In the first form of execution illustrated in Figures 1 to 4For alignment, the fixing screw 7 is slightly loosened to allow the base plate 6 to rotate (possibly with friction) on the bracket 5 around the shock-absorbing bearing 8. The base plate 6 is then pivoted in one direction or the other, for example, by pushing it with any suitable means (tweezers). As the sliding plate 40 is rotationally fixed to the base plate 6, it will follow the rotation imposed on the base plate 6 for setting the alignment mark. As with the radial adjustment of the position of the eyelet holder 4, once alignment is complete, the fixing screw 7 must be tightened in the bracket 5 to ensure that the two plates are locked relative to each other and secured to the bracket 5.

[0038] Preferably, the first segment 43 of the sliding plate 40 and the corresponding second segment 63 of the base plate 6 and their respective openings 45, 65 are arranged to allow a rotation of the base plate 6 / sliding plate 40 assembly of at most ± 30° relative to a median position and preferably, of at most ±13° around the shock-absorbing bearing 8.

[0039] The pin 91 of the first radial guide means could be replaced by any similar projecting element. Furthermore, the pin could be carried by the sliding plate and the corresponding first radial guide opening by the base plate. In addition, the radial guide means could have other suitable shapes, such as grooves in the sliding plate and the base plate or the roach, arranged to cooperate with each other. In the first embodiment described above, the device includes both first and second radial guide means, but only one of these means would be sufficient.

[0040] THE figures 5 to 9illustrate a second embodiment of the watchmaking device according to the invention, again for a regulating organ formed of a balance wheel 2 associated with a balance spring 1. As in the first embodiment, the watchmaking device for balance wheel-balance spring 2, 1 according to the second embodiment comprises a support 105 (which may be fixed or movable), a stud holder 104 (constituted by a sliding plate 140) mounted on the support 105, a base plate 106, and a stud 103 arranged to fix the outer end 1b of the balance spring 1 onto the stud holder 104. The support 105, which is preferably a balance cock or bridge, also carries the shock-absorbing bearing 8, which is mounted in a hole 150 of the support 105, which is surrounded by a collar 155.As in the first embodiment, this bearing 8 is intended to receive one end of the shaft 20 of the balance wheel 2 and ensures the translational retention of the base plate 106 on the support 105, both in a plane essentially parallel to the support 105 and along an axis essentially parallel to the axis AA of the balance wheel shaft 20.

[0041] The stud holder 104 is rotationally fixed to the base plate 106, and the latter comprises a portion 160 formed by two arms, which are preferably arranged to surround the shock-absorbing bearing 8, in order to allow rotational adjustment of the position of the stud 103 relative to the balance shaft 20 for timing an associated escapement. As in the first embodiment, the radial position of the stud holder 104 on the support 105 relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or the balance shaft 20 is finely adjustable, but according to this second embodiment, the stud holder 104 is attached directly to the support 105 (preferably around the collar 155), and the base plate 106 is superimposed on the stud holder 104.The eye pin 103 can be fixed to the eye pin holder 104 and in particular to the sliding plate 140 forming said eye pin holder 104 by any suitable means: according to this second embodiment, it is notably retained in an opening 141 of the sliding plate 140 by means of a lateral screw 131.

[0042] According to this second embodiment, the stud holder 104 and the base plate 106 have simpler and generally lighter shapes, and the watchmaking device includes radial and angular guiding means which, as illustrated, include a guiding opening 192 present on the base plate 106 which is arranged to receive and cooperate with a guiding surface 193 of the sliding plate 140 of the stud holder 104. The guiding surface 193 is the outer surface of an oblong portion 144 of the sliding plate 140 comprising the opening 141 receiving the stud 103. In this second embodiment, there are no other radial and angular guiding means.

[0043] The watchmaking device includes means for fine-tuning the radial position of the stud holder 104 on the support 105 relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 or the balance shaft 20. In this second embodiment, these means include an oblong opening 142 arranged on the sliding plate 140 radially relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1 and to the balance shaft 20 in the service position of the watchmaking device and an eccentric 109 arranged to pass through said oblong opening 142 and to be fixed in the support 105 in its service position. Preferably, the eccentric 109 is driven into a hole 152 in the support 105. The eccentric 109 cooperating with the oblong opening 142 of the sliding plate 140 allows the sliding plate 140 to move on the support 105 to make fine adjustment of the radial position of said sliding plate 140 and of the pin 103 with respect to the central axis AA of the spiral 1.

[0044] In its service position, the eccentric 109 performs a second function, namely, fixing the eyelet holder 104 to the support 105, and a separate fixing screw is therefore no longer necessary in this embodiment. For this purpose, the eccentric 109 includes a head 109A ( figure 9 ) arranged to hold the plate 140 of the eyelet holder 104 high on the support 105, and the plate 140 can be mounted and guided in the center around the collar 155 as shown above.

[0045] To assemble the watchmaking device according to this second embodiment, the stud holder 104 is mounted on the support 105 by driving the eccentric 109 into the hole 152, and subsequently the base plate 106 is mounted on the support 105 by driving the shock-absorbing bearing 8 into the hole 150 of the support 105. The watchmaking device can then receive the balance wheel regulating organ 2-spring 1, by pivoting it by the first end 20a of its shaft 20 in the shock-absorbing bearing 8. For studding, the outer end 1b of the spring 1 is inserted into the stud 103 fixed in the opening 141 of the stud holder 104 by means of the lateral screw 131 and then this end is secured to the stud 103 by gluing, pinning or any other suitable means. As indicated above with reference to the first form of execution, it is possible during the pinning to introduce the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 into the pin 3 without constraining the spiral 1.Indeed, by actuating the eccentric 109, the sliding plate 140 and therefore the pin 103 move radially with respect to the central axis AA of the spiral 1, which allows the pin 103 to be placed in a position in which the outer end 1b of the spiral can be inserted into the pin 103 without exerting any stress on the spiral 1. Once the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 is inserted into the pin 103 and it is ensured that no stress is exerted on said spiral 1, it is then possible to make the outer end 1b of the spiral 1 fixed to the pin 103.

[0046] Subsequently, the alignment is performed by adjusting the position of the base plate 106 by rotating it around the balance staff 20, which, by virtue of the guiding means 192, 193, also adjusts the angular position of the stud holder 104 and therefore of the stud 103. Advantageously, this alignment operation is completely independent of a fine adjustment of the radial position of the stud holder 104. This fine radial adjustment is carried out as in the first embodiment by rotating the eccentric 109 in one direction or the other, so that the sliding plate 140 moves relative to the base plate 106 and the support 105 radially relative to the central axis AA of the balance spring 1. Preferably, this radial movement takes place in a plane essentially parallel to the plane PP of the balance wheel 2 or of the balance spring 1 ( figure 8 ).

[0047] Preferably, the watchmaking device according to the invention is arranged so that the stud can move radially by a maximum of ±0.50 mm, and even more advantageously by a maximum of ±0.20 mm, relative to a radial midpoint of the device. Such a range of radial movement can correspond, for example, to a 90° rotation of the eccentric in each direction for either of the above embodiments. The use of the eccentric ensures the precision necessary for fine-tuning the position of the stud holder and the stud.

[0048] Preferably, markings or graduations may be present on the eccentric 9, 109, on the plate 40, 140 of the stud holder 4, 104, and / or on the base plate 6, 106 to facilitate radial adjustment during an operation carried out manually or automatically using devices.

[0049] The above embodiments have been described by way of example only. Other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0050] For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the fine adjustment means for finely adjusting the radial position of the stud holder relative to the central axis AA of the spiral include an eccentric that cooperates with an oblong opening in the stud holder's sliding plate and is fixed either in the base plate or directly in the support / cock. The eccentric may, for example, have a cam-shaped surface. Alternatively, other fine adjustment means could be considered, such as a worm gear or an element bearing on a cam that can be moved for adjustment. These adjustment means may be distributed between the sliding plate and the base plate and / or the support / cock to allow radial movement of the sliding plate relative to the support / cock.

[0051] According to the invention, the spiral 1 can be made of any suitable material, metallic or non-metallic. The present invention applies in particular to a spiral made of silicon or another non-plastic material. Similarly, the pin 3 can have any suitable shape appropriate to the characteristics of the spiral. In particular, the device according to the invention may include a metallic spiral with a bent terminal curve.

[0052] As mentioned in the introduction, in the case of balance springs made of silicon or other similar materials, there can be significant variability in the radius of the terminal curves of springs from the same production batch. Even though the elastic torque of these springs is generally not affected by a difference in the radius of their terminal curve—the active length and cross-section remaining the same—it has been observed that regulating organs fitted with these springs nevertheless exhibit a difference in isochronism. The present invention allows the introduction of a radial preload at the stud, which impacts the isochronism of the balance wheel-spring assembly and therefore on chronometry. This effect is verified, in particular, for balance springs made of silicon or similar materials without deformation, but also for metallic balance springs.Thus, the watchmaking device according to the invention, which allows for the fine adjustment of the radial position of the stud holder, can be used to compensate for variations in the radius of the balance spring's terminal curve that could affect isochronism. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the device also allows for the studding of the outer end of a balance spring without exerting undesirable stress on the spring, thanks to the possible adjustment of the stud's radial position relative to the central axis of the spring.

[0053] In general, the present invention relates to a watchmaking device comprising, for a balance-spring regulating organ, a fixed or movable support, a stud holder mounted directly or indirectly on the support, and a stud arranged to fix the outer end of the spring to the stud holder. The support carries a shock-absorbing bearing for receiving one end of a balance staff. The watchmaking device includes fastening means for fixing the stud holder to the support and also a base plate comprising a portion formed by two arms allowing rotational adjustment of the stud's position relative to the balance staff for aligning an escapement associated with the regulating organ. The stud holder is rotationally fixed to the base plate.The watchmaking device includes means for fine radial adjustment allowing the radial position of the stud relative to the central axis of the balance spring to be finely and precisely adjusted by moving the stud holder relative to the support and the base plate in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the balance spring.

[0054] Thanks to this device, the radial position of the stud and the outer end of the balance spring relative to the central axis of the balance spring can be adjusted with accuracy and precision. This allows, in particular, for precise control of the isochronism of the regulating organ containing the balance spring. Specifically, it is possible to compensate for a variation in the radius of the balance spring's terminal curve relative to the theoretical curve—a variation due, for example, to the manufacturing process—which could affect the isochronism and the operation of the regulating organ containing the balance spring.

[0055] Preferably, the movement of the stud holder is done in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the spiral so as not to affect the flatness of said spiral.

[0056] Preferably, the device includes first radial guiding means for guiding the stud carrier in its movements relative to the support in a radial direction with respect to the balance spring axis. In one embodiment, second radial guiding means are also provided. These guiding means are preferably located on the stud carrier and the base plate, thus making the radial guidance independent of the support. The radial guiding means may also provide angular guidance between the stud carrier and the base plate so that the two rotate together around the balance staff.

[0057] Preferably, the means for fine radial adjustment include an eccentric passing through an opening in the eyelet holder and driven into the support, or an intermediate piece fixed to the support, or vice versa. The eccentric allows for very precise adjustment with ease. Other equally practical and precise adjustment methods are possible, such as a worm gear or an element bearing against a movable cam.

[0058] Preferably, the support is the balance bridge or the balance cock, and even more ideally, it is fixed within the watch movement. Alternatively, the support could be another element of the case, movable or fixed, intended to be mounted in any type of watch movement, as well as, in a suitable form, in tourbillon or carousel cages.

Claims

1. A clockwork device for a balance (2)-hairspring (1) regulating member comprising a fixed or mobile support (5, 105), a stud holder (4, 104) mounted directly or indirectly on the support (5, 105) and a stud (3, 103) arranged to fix the outer end (1b) of the hairspring (1) on the stud holder (4, 104), the support (5, 105) carrying a shock-absorbing bearing (8) intended to receive one end of a shaft (20) of the balance (2), and the clockwork device comprising fixing means (7, 109) for fixing the stud holder (4, 104) on the support (5, 105), characterized by the fact that the watchmaking device also comprises a base plate (6, 106) comprising a portion (60, 160) formed by two arms allowing rotational adjustment of the position of the stud (3, 103) relative to the balance shaft (20) for setting the reference of an escapement associated with the balance (2)-hairspring (1) regulating member, the stud holder (4, 104) being integral in rotation with the base plate (6, 106); and by the fact that the watchmaking device comprises fine radial adjustment means (9, 109) making it possible to finely and precisely adjust the radial position of the stud (3, 103) relative to the central axis of the hairspring (1) by moving the stud holder (4, 104) relative to the support (5, 105) and to the base plate (6, 106) in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the hairspring (1).

2. Clock device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is arranged so that the radial displacement of the stud holder (4, 104) takes place in a plane essentially parallel to the plane (PP) of the balance spring (1).

3. Clock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises radial guide means (90, 91, 92, 93, 192, 193) ensuring the guidance of the stud holder (4, 104) in its movements relative to the support (5, 105) and to the base plate (6, 106) in a radial direction relative to the axis of the balance spring (1).

4. Clock device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the radial guide means (90, 91, 92, 93, 192, 193) are provided partly on the stud holder (4, 104) and partly on the base plate (6, 106).

5. Clock device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that , the radial guide means (90, 91, 92, 93, 192, 193) comprise an opening (92, 192) in the base plate (6, 106) cooperating with a guide surface (93, 193) of the stud holder (4, 104).

6. Clock device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the fine radial adjustment means comprise an eccentric (9, 109) passing through an oblong opening (42, 142) of the stud holder (4, 104) and driven into the support (105) or into the base plate (6) or vice versa.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the fine radial adjustment means comprise a worm gear or a cam-bearing element.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the base plate (6) is attached directly to the support (5) and the stud holder (4) is superimposed on the base plate (6).

9. Clock device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the fixing means (7) for fixing the stud holder (4) to the support (5) are movable between a locking position in which the stud holder (4) is secured to the support (5) and an intermediate position in which the stud holder (4) is retained on the support (5) in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis of the balance spring (1) but can slide relative to the support (5) in a direction essentially radial relative to the central axis of the balance spring (1).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the piton holder (104) is attached directly to the support (105), and the base plate (106) is superimposed on the piton holder (104).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it is arranged so that the stud (3, 103) can be moved radially by at most ± 0.50 mm and preferably by at most ± 0.20 mm relative to a median radial position of the device.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the support (5, 105) is a balance bridge or another element of the frame, movable or fixed.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the two arms of the portion (60, 160) of the base plate (6, 106) surround the shock-absorbing bearing (8).

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the spiral (1) is made of silicon.

15. Timepiece such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch comprising a timepiece device according to claims 1 to 14.

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