Composite component of a timepiece regulation mechanism comprising a mass

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite timepiece component (20) of a regulating mechanism (10) of a watch, comprising an anchor (21) having a stem (210) on which an axial bearing (211) is arranged, said anchor (21) being provided with pallets (212) intended to interact intermittently with an escapement wheel (30), the composite component (20) further comprising a mass (213) fixed to the anchor (21), said mass (213) being made of a denser material than that constituting the anchor (21), such that the mass (213) has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to a maximum radial dimension of the anchor (21).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of watchmaking and in particular watch movement components.

[0002] The invention relates to a composite watch component comprising a mass. The composite component is a component of a regulating mechanism. Technological background

[0003] Controlling the inertia of watch mechanism components, and in particular of regulating mechanism components, is essential because the dynamic behaviour of these components depends on their inertia.

[0004] The production of watch components using micro-manufacturing processes, such as "LIGA" (from the German "Lithographische Galvano Abformung" meaning "galvanic structuring by lithography"), or similar, makes it possible to obtain components with a very fine geometry, optimizing functional contacts. However, these components are very light, while a certain inertia is often necessary to maintain a movement, ensure an impulse, or other.

[0005] For example, in a regulating mechanism operating on the basis of repeated shocks between an escapement wheel and an anchor, the oscillation frequency is partly dependent on the inertia of the anchor. In addition, since the mechanical stresses applied to the escapement wheel and the anchor are relatively high due to the repeated shocks, the choice of materials concerning their interaction surfaces is important.

[0006] Furthermore, in certain circumstances, it is necessary to obtain a particular inertia for the anchor while respecting space constraints in the watch movement in which it is intended to be arranged. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a composite watch component of a regulating mechanism, said composite component comprising a mass making it possible to control its inertia.

[0008] More specifically, the invention relates to a composite watchmaking component of a watch regulating mechanism, comprising an anchor having a stem on which an axial bearing is arranged, said anchor being provided with pallets intended to interact intermittently with an escapement wheel. The composite component further comprises a mass fixed to the anchor, said mass being made of a denser material than that constituting the anchor so that the mass has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to a maximum radial dimension of the anchor.

[0009] The present invention therefore makes it possible, on the one hand, to resist the mechanical constraints undergone by the anchors of regulation mechanisms, and on the other hand to control the inertia of the composite component, while allowing it to retain reduced dimensions, and therefore to be able to be used in watch movements presenting strong space constraints.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the mass is made of a material having a density greater than 15.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the mass is made of a material having a density preferably greater than 19.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the mass is made of gold, platinum or their alloys.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the mass is arranged to bear against the axial bearing, opposite the pallets.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the mass has a central hole through which it is driven onto the anchor rod.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the mass comprises a stack of several revolution-shaped elements. Brief description of the figures

[0017] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which the Figures 1 and 2illustrates in perspective a composite watchmaking component respectively according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] The invention relates to a composite watch component 20 of a regulating mechanism 10 of a watch movement, arranged to be able to pivot about an axis of rotation.

[0019] Such a regulation mechanism 10 is particularly suitable for regulating the driving of a date, for example as described in patent EP3540524.

[0020] As shown in the Figure 1, the composite component 20 comprises an anchor 21 formed in a single piece and in a single material. The anchor 21 has a rod 210 on which is arranged an axial bearing 211, for example of a shape of revolution around the axis of rotation D. The rod 210 extends along the axis of rotation of the composite mobile. The anchor 21 further has pallets 212, for example arranged on the axial bearing 211, intended to interact intermittently with an escapement mobile 30, and in particular a toothing 300 of the latter, as illustrated in the Figure 1 The interaction of the pallets 212 with the toothing 300 of the escapement wheel 30 defines an alternation of shocks between one and the other of the pallets 212 and the teeth of the toothing 300. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the pallets 212 can constitute the axial bearing 211, and then extend radially from the rod 210.

[0021] In order to mechanically resist the stresses resulting from the interaction between the pallets 212 and the teeth 300, the anchor 21 is made of a suitable material, for example titanium, ceramic, copper beryllium, etc. The anchor 21 may also have a coating, for example within the reach of those skilled in the art, such as nickel phosphorus.

[0022] In order to have an inertia suitable for the regulation function of the regulation mechanism 10, the composite component 20 comprises a mass 213 fixed to the anchor 21. In particular, the mass 213 is arranged to bear against the axial bearing surface 211, opposite the pallets 212. For example, the mass 213 is driven onto the anchor 21. In particular, the mass 213 comprises for this purpose a central hole opening through which the rod 210 of the anchor 21 is engaged when the mass 213 is driven.

[0023] The mass 213 is made of a denser material than that constituting the anchor 21, and is chosen so that the mass 213 has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to the maximum radial dimension of the anchor 21. In other words, the material of the mass 213 is chosen so that the maximum radial dimension of the mass 213 does not impact the maximum radial envelope of the composite component 20, taking into account the space constraints of the watch movement. As visible on the Figures 1 and 2 , the mass 213 advantageously has a shape of revolution around the axis of rotation of the composite component 20.

[0024] Mass 213 is preferably made of gold, but can be made of any other material having a density greater than 15, preferably 19, for example platinum, gold or platinum alloy.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the Figure 1, the mass 213 is constituted by a single element of revolution shape. However, it is conceivable, in another exemplary embodiment of the invention, that the mass 213 comprises a stack of several elements of revolution shape, as shown in the Figure 2 This feature has the advantage of being able to adjust the volume of the mass 213, and therefore its mass, and consequently, the inertia of the composite component 20.

[0026] In short, thanks to the fact that it is composite, that is to say made of two different materials, the composite component 20 makes it possible to present a desired inertia according to the function that it must perform, while occupying the smallest possible useful volume.

[0027] Advantageously, the composite component 20 replaces the non-ballasted base component.

Claims

1. Composite watchmaking component (20) of a regulating mechanism (10) of a watch characterized in that it comprises an anchor (21) having a rod (210) on which an axial bearing (211) is arranged, said anchor (21) being provided with pallets (212) intended to interact intermittently with an escapement wheel (30), the composite component (20) further comprising a mass (213) fixed to the anchor (21), said mass (213) being made of a denser material than that constituting the anchor (21), so that the mass (213) has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to a maximum radial dimension of the anchor (21).

2. Composite component (20) according to claim 1, in which the mass (213) is made of a material having a density greater than 15.

3. Composite component (20) according to claim 1, in which the mass (213) is made of a material having a density preferably greater than 19.

4. Composite component (20) according to claim 1, wherein the mass (213) is made of gold, platinum or their alloys.

5. Composite component (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the mass (213) is arranged to bear against the axial bearing surface (211), opposite the vanes (212).

6. Composite component (20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the mass (213) comprises a central opening hole through which it is driven onto the rod (210) of the anchor (21).

7. Composite component (20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the mass (213) comprises a stack of several elements of revolution shape.

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