Stud-holder for horological regulating member provided with means for adjusting rate and / or isochronism

The stud holder with a flexible element and prestressing means addresses the challenge of precise speed and isochronism adjustment in mechanical watches, enabling compatibility with standard trimmers and enhancing operational consistency.

JP2025097914AActive Publication Date: 2025-07-01THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024202103
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-19
Filing Date
2024-11-20
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Estimated Expiration
2044-11-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing mechanical watch mechanisms face challenges in precisely adjusting speed and isochronism due to sensitivity to play in the index key, leading to potential errors and incompatibility with conventional beard trimmers, and require complex indexing systems that are not compatible with standard trimmers.

Method used

A stud holder for a speed regulating member with a flexible element and prestressing means that applies a variable force or torque to adjust the stiffness of the hairspring, allowing for precise control of speed and isochronism without requiring complex mechanisms or special trimmers.

Benefits of technology

Enables precise adjustment of speed and isochronism in mechanical watches using conventional beard trimmers, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms and ensuring consistent operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a stud-holder which is compatible with conventional balance springs, and which can provide the advantages of accuracy in adjusting the rate and / or isochronism as a balance spring with adjustment means.SOLUTION: In a stud-holder for a regulating member 150 of a horological movement, the regulating member 150 includes an inertial mass, for example a balance 41, a balance spring 44 including a strip wound around itself in several turns, and a balance cock 42, the stud-holder 120 includes a main body 2 intended to be mounted on the balance cock 42 and a sub-body 3 arranged at a distance from the main body 2 and configured to suspend the balance spring 44, the regulating member 150 includes a flexible element connecting the main body 2 to the sub-body 3, and the stud-holder 120 includes prestressing means for applying a variable force or torque to the flexible element in order to adjust the rate and / or isochronism slope of the regulating member 150.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watch manufacturing, and more particularly to the field of mechanical watch manufacturing in which the adjustment of the driving energy is performed by a speed regulating member.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a stud holder for a watch speed regulating member provided with means for adjusting speed and / or isochronism, a speed regulating member provided with such a stud holder, and a movement for a watch provided with such a speed regulating member.

Background Art

[0003] In most mechanical watches, the energy required to rotate the hands (e.g., the minute hand and the hour hand) is stored in a barrel and then supplied by a spring-loaded temple mechanism. This mechanism comprises a flywheel called a temple which combines a helical spring, which is a strip-shaped spring wound in a spiral.

[0004] The inner end of the helical spring is attached to a shaft that rotates integrally with the temple. The outer end of the helical spring is attached to a stud attached to a stud holder, and the stud holder itself is firmly connected to a fixed support.

[0005] The rotation of the temple is maintained by an escapement mechanism comprising an anchor lever operating with a low-amplitude vibration provided with two anchors meshing with the teeth of a wheel, and the vibrations are counted. When the wheel meshes in this way, the wheel rotates step by step. The frequency of its rotation is determined by the frequency of the vibration of the anchor, which itself is set in accordance with the frequency of the vibration of the temple.

[0006] In a conventional escapement mechanism, the vibration frequency is about 4 Hz, that is, about 28,800 vibrations per hour (V / h). One of the aims of excellent watch manufacturers is to ensure the isochronism and regularity (or constancy of speed) of the vibrations of the anchor.

[0007] The speed of the beard escapement can be controlled in a known manner by adjusting the effective length of the beard escapement, which is defined as the curved length between the inner end of the beard escapement and a counting point located in the vicinity of the outer end of the beard escapement, and is usually defined by a pair of banks carried by a key attached to the indexing mechanism.

[0008] During operation, this indexing mechanism cannot rotate about the axis of the beard escapement. However, its angular position can be manually fine-tuned, for example, by using a driver to rotate an eccentric body acting like a cam on the indexing mechanism.

[0009] An assembly comprising a stud holder to which one end of the beard escapement is attached, an indexing mechanism with play left in the key of the indexing mechanism so that the beard escapement can move between two stops, is generally called a "speed regulating member". Examples of speed regulating members are shown in international patent WO2016 / 192957 filed by watchmaker ETA and European patent EP2 876 504.

[0010] There is an indexing mechanism having a stud holder to which one end of the beard escapement is attached and with play left in the key of the indexing mechanism so that the beard escapement can move between two stops. However, the chronometer characteristics, in particular the non-isochronism as a function of the amplitude, are very sensitive to the play in the index key and it is difficult to control this play precisely.

[0011] In some devices, the stopper can be adjusted to clamp the beard trimmer in order to eliminate play, especially when the beard trimmer is operating. In this case, first move the index key to adjust the speed, and then fix the beard trimmer to the index key. However, when the beard trimmer is clamped to the index key, stress is applied to the beard trimmer, and there is a risk that the center of winding will shift, especially, causing an error in the chronometer. Furthermore, removing the play also changes the speed, and once the beard trimmer is clamped, the index key cannot be moved along the beard trimmer to complete fine adjustment of the speed.

[0012] Speed adjustment means are also incorporated in other beard trimmers. In these beard trimmers, the speed is adjusted not by changing the effective length of the beard trimmer, but by applying a force or torque to a flexible element arranged in series with the beard trimmer. In this way, the rigidity of the flexible element, and thus the rigidity of the entire beard trimmer, can be changed. By adjusting the rigidity of the beard trimmer, the speed of the speed regulating member can be adjusted. A beard trimmer provided with such a flexible element is described, for example, in patent applications EP21202213.1 and CH0700385 / 2021.

[0013] In such cases, the normal mechanism cannot be used because it is not compatible with the beard trimmer adjustment device. Furthermore, since it is necessary to adjust the speed very finely, it is essential that there is no play between the location where the beard trimmer and the index assembly interact. More specifically, if not, there is a risk that the speed will change if the beard trimmer does not relocate itself in exactly the same way after an impact.

[0014] For using such a beard trimmer, an indexing mechanism is described in patent applications EP22177059.7 and CH000678 / 2022. This indexing mechanism comprises a stud holder with two parts movable relative to each other, each element comprising a stud with a flexible element attached on one side and prestressing means acting on the flexible element on the other side. Thus, by moving the two elements relative to each other, the force or torque applied to the flexible element is changed in order to adjust the stiffness of the beard trimmer.

[0015] However, the implementation of the indexing mechanism is complex because the movable elements of the stud holder each perform a rotational movement above the beard trimmer.

[0016] Furthermore, in these patent applications, the beard trimmer has a special shape such that the flexible element and the prestressing means are directly attached to the beard trimmer or the beard trimmer and the adjusting means are integrated. Therefore, a conventional beard trimmer cannot be used with this indexing system.

[0017] Furthermore, it may be necessary to adjust the isochronous gradient of the speed regulating member. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An object of the present invention is to overcome all or some of the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a stud holder that is compatible with a conventional beard trimmer and can provide the same advantages as a beard trimmer with adjusting means as in the prior art in terms of the adjustment accuracy of speed and / or isochronism.

[0019] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a stud holder for a speed regulating member of a timepiece movement, said speed regulating member comprising an inertial mass, such as a bob, a hairspring wound around itself several times, and a bob support, said stud holder comprising a main body intended to be attached to said bob support, and a secondary body arranged at a distance from said main body and configured to suspend said hairspring, said speed regulating member comprising a flexible element connecting said main body and said secondary body.

[0020] According to the invention, said stud holder is characterized in that it comprises prestressing means for applying a variable force or torque to said flexible element in order to adjust the speed and / or the isochronism gradient of said speed regulating member.

[0021] According to the invention, a hairspring of a conventional shape, i.e. a hairspring without a flexible element attached to or directly formed on the hairspring, can be used. More specifically, since the flexible element is arranged on the stud holder, in order to obtain the same advantages as a hairspring with stiffness adjustment means of the prior art, the hairspring only needs to be attached to the stud holder.

[0022] The flexible element and the prestressing means of the stud holder form means for adjusting the speed and / or the isochronism of a speed regulating member provided with a hairspring.

[0023] By acting on the prestressing means, the force or torque applied to the flexible element is changed, and as a result, the stiffness of the assembly comprising the flexible element and the strip is changed. More specifically, the flexible element arranged in series with the strip provides additional stiffness to the strip, which is added after the strip. Thus, when the prestressing means apply a variable force or torque to the flexible element, the stiffness of the flexible element and thus the stiffness of the assembly comprising the strip and the flexible element are changed.

[0024] Therefore, on the one hand, in order to adjust the speed of the speed regulating member, the rigidity of the flexible element may be adjusted. On the other hand, the flexible element enables the sub-body to rotate relative to the main body, and as a result, it becomes possible to adjust the isochronous gradient of the speed regulating member.

[0025] This eliminates the need to manufacture complex beard trimmers.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element comprises two intersecting flexible blades connecting the main body to the sub-body.

[0027] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the two flexible blades are connected to each other at their intersection.

[0028] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element comprises two non-intersecting flexible blades connecting the main body to the sub-body.

[0029] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element comprises a flexible neck connecting the main body to the sub-body.

[0030] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element comprises a flexible blade connecting the main body to the sub-body.

[0031] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element comprises two substantially parallel flexible blades connecting the main body to the sub-body to form a translation stage.

[0032] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the main body comprises an arm to which the flexible element is assembled.

[0033] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element is harder than a strip.

[0034] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the torque or force can be continuously adjusted by prestressing means.

[0035] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the prestressing means includes a movable lever arranged to support the flexible element.

[0036] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the prestressing means includes a spring connected to the secondary body and a first movable body for extending or compressing the spring.

[0037] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the spring includes a second flexible blade.

[0038] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the spring includes a plurality of third flexible blades connecting the main body to the first movable body.

[0039] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the spring includes a plurality of fourth flexible blades connecting the first movable body to a second movable body of the prestressing means.

[0040] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the prestressing means includes a plurality of rigid sections connected by a flexible neck or a flexible blade.

[0041] The present invention further relates to a regulating member for a timepiece, which includes an inertial mass, such as a bobbin, a beard dynamo with a strip wound around itself several times, a bobbin holder, and a template receiver.

[0042] The present invention further relates to a timepiece movement including such a regulating member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent after reading several embodiments provided for illustrative purposes only with reference to the accompanying drawings and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

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Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0044] Figs. 1 to 16 illustrate different embodiments of stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 according to the present invention. Such stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 are intended to be arranged on the speed regulating member of a timepiece movement. The stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 preferably extend substantially on the same plane.

[0045] The speed regulating member usually includes an inertial mass, such as a balance wheel, hairspring, balance wheel carrier, and can be assembled to the plate of the timepiece movement.

[0046] In particular, the stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 have the function of suspending a hairspring that extends substantially on one plane. Such a hairspring includes a flexible strip wound several times around its own circumference, and the strip has a predefined rigidity.

[0047] In Figs. 1 to 16, the stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 include a main body 2 intended to be attached around a receiving member for a balance wheel, such as a bearing for holding the axis of the balance wheel. The main body 2 is, for example, ring-shaped and can be arranged around the bearing.

[0048] The stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 further comprise a secondary body 3 disposed at a distance from the main body 2. The secondary body 3 preferably includes a recess for inserting and holding the first end of the stud towards the lower side of the template receiver.

[0049] In some embodiments, the secondary body 3 has an annular or rectangular shape.

[0050] The main body 2 and the secondary body 3 are preferably connected only by a flexible element 5. Thus, the rigidity of the flexible element 5 is added to the rigidity of the beard trimmer. The rigidity of the flexible element 5 is preferably greater than the rigidity of the beard trimmer. Due to the deformation of the flexible element 5, the secondary body 3 can be moved relative to the main body.

[0051] According to the present invention, the stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 comprise prestressing means 6 for applying a variable force or torque to the flexible element 5 in order to adjust the speed of the beard trimmer. Thus, the rigidity of the assembly comprising the beard trimmer and the flexible element 5 can be adjusted.

[0052] The prestressing means 6 preferably enables the flexible element 5 to move translationally or rotationally within the plane of the beard trimmer in order to change the isochronous gradient of the speed regulating member.

[0053] Thus, the rigidity of the flexible element 5 can be changed with little deformation under the action of the prestressing means 6, preferably with the beard trimmer in the rest position. The flexible element 5 deforms more or less when the prestressing means 6 acts thereon. Thus, the rigidity of the flexible element 5 is changed by changing the force or torque supplied by the prestressing means 6.

[0054] Preferably, in order to change the speed without affecting the isochronous curve, the ends of the strip remain substantially stationary regardless of the adjustment of the prestressing means 6. The force or torque applied to the flexible element 5 does not substantially change the position of the end of the strip to which the flexible element is connected. It acts only on the flexible element 5 to change its stiffness without acting directly on the strip. Thus, since only one element is used to adjust the stiffness, even higher accuracy can be obtained. During oscillation, the end 4 of the strip is movable.

[0055] Furthermore, the torque or force can be continuously adjusted by the prestressing means 6. In other words, the torque or force is not limited to discrete values. Therefore, the stiffness of the flexible element 5 can be adjusted very precisely.

[0056] In most embodiments of the stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 described below, the prestressing means 6 is represented more or less by the secondary body 3 or by the screw 7 supporting the intermediate structure. However, it is obvious that other prestressing means 6, such as levers, push pieces, eccentrics, etc. are also possible.

[0057] The prestressing means 6 is applied directly to the secondary body 3.

[0058] In the first embodiment of the stud holders 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 shown in FIG. 1, a flexible element 5 is described which comprises a substantially linear flexible blade 4 connected to the main body 2 and the secondary body 2. The action of the prestressing means 6 changes the stiffness of the flexible blade 4.

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the flexible element 5 of the beard trimmer 1 includes a neck 8 formed by reducing the thickness of the material, and the neck 8 is flexible. Therefore, by applying a variable force or torque to the sub-body, the rigidity of the neck 8, and thus the rigidity of the assembly including the strip 2 and the flexible element 5, is changed.

[0060] In FIG. 3, the flexible element 5 includes a translation stage. The translation stage includes at least one flexible blade, in this case two flexible blades 9, and a rigid part 11 provided with a sub-body 3. One end of the flexible blade 9 is connected to the sub-body 3 and the other end is connected to the main body 2. The flexible blades 9 are substantially parallel and are arranged in different rows.

[0061] The sub-body 3 is preferably arranged at the center of the rigid part 11. In the figure, a variable force or torque is applied to the rigid part 11 in the direction of the flexible blade 9. Due to the bending of the flexible blade 9, the rigid part 11 can be slightly displaced. The displacement of the rigid part 11 changes the rigidity of the flexible element 5.

[0062] In the embodiments of the stud holders 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the main body 2 includes an arm 12 that extends substantially tangentially to the ring. The flexible element 5 is connected to the arm. In these embodiments, the force or torque is directed perpendicular to the arm 12, towards the arm 12, rather than towards the main body as in the first embodiment.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the stud holder 30 is configured with a translation stage similar to the third embodiment of FIG. 3, but the translation stage is attached perpendicular to the arm 12. The flexible blades 9 of the translation stage are connected to the arm 12 and extend in the tangential direction of the main body 3.

[0064] The flexible element 5 of the stud holder 40 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a pivot with crossed flexible blades, the pivot comprising two crossed flexible blades 13 connected on the one hand to the secondary body 3 and on the other hand to the main body 2. The pivot with crossed flexible blades 13 is arranged such that the flexible blades 13 cross on an extension line in the direction in which a variable force or torque is applied to the secondary body 3.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a stud holder 50 comprising a pivot with crossed flexible blades 14, the pivot being formed by joining two crossed flexible blades 14 at an intersection 15. The flexible blades 14 are connected on the one hand to the main body 2 and on the other hand to the secondary body 3.

[0066] In the embodiments of the stud holders 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, the flexible element 5 comprises a pivot with non-crossed flexible blades. The pivot comprises two non-crossed flexible blades 16. The flexible blades 16 are connected on the one hand directly or laterally to the main body 2 or to the peripheral arm 12 and on the other hand to the secondary body 3 by moving towards each other. The center of rotation of the pivot with non-crossed flexible blades is the virtual intersection point of the blades 16. This center of rotation is preferably located at the center of the secondary body 3 or on the axis of the stud 41.

[0067] The stud holder 60 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 comprises arms 12 with different orientations, and a pivot with non-crossed blades 16 is attached to the arms 12.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a stud 41 extending below the stud holder 70 for holding the beard trimmer 17. The stud 41 has a notch 42 at its second end. The notch 42 is configured to hold the outer end of the beard trimmer 17. The stud 41 and the recess are preferably substantially cylindrical. The stud 41 and the beard trimmer 17 are assembled, for example, by adhesion, brazing, welding, deformation of metallic glass, or mechanical fastening.

[0069] In the embodiment of the stud holder 80 shown in FIG. 9, the flexible blades 16 of the flexible element 5 extend on both sides of the main body 2 so as to be connected to tabs connected to the main body 2.

[0070] The prestressing means 6 is directly supported against the secondary body 3 at the first end 18 and comprises a lever 19 with fastening means 22 at the second end. The prestressing means 6 further includes a cam 21 on which the lever 19 is placed. Thus, by operating the cam 21, the lever 19 acts more or less on the secondary body 3 in order to change the stiffness of the flexible element 5. The blades 16 preferably intersect at the first end 18.

[0071] The prestressing means 6 of the stud holder 90 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 comprises a spring 24 and a movable body 25. The spring 24 is connected on the one hand to the secondary body 3 and on the other hand to the movable body 25. Thus, by moving the movable body 25, the spring 24 transmits a variable force or torque to the secondary body 3 in order to adjust the stiffness of the flexible element 5.

[0072] The embodiment of the stud holder 100 shown in FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, A second flexible blade 28 is arranged following the spring 24 between the spring 24 and the secondary body 3.

[0073] For this purpose, the prestressing means 6 comprises a second movable body 29 to which the spring 24 is connected on the one hand and the second flexible blade 28 is connected on the other hand. The second flexible blade 28 is connected to the second movable body 29 and the secondary body 3. By acting on the first movable body 25, the prestressing means 6 changes the variable force or torque acting on the secondary body 3 via the second movable body 29 and via the second flexible blade 28.

[0074] In the stud holders 90, 100, 110 shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the main body 2 includes second arms 27, 32 extending from the main body 2 so as to form a guide volume for the first movable body 25 together with the first arm 12.

[0075] In FIG. 12, the sub-body 3 of the stud holder 110 includes a third arm 31 extending laterally from the sub-body 3. The prestressing means 6 supports the first arm 12 more or less. When the stud holder 110 is in the rest position, the second arm 32 and the third arm 31 are substantially parallel. In this case, the second arm 32 has a screw of the prestressing means 6 and supports the third arm 31 offset with respect to the sub-body 3.

[0076] Therefore, when the screw of the prestressing means 6 supports the third arm 31, the third arm 31 rotates around the rotation center located at the intersection of the non-intersecting blades 16 and rotates the sub-body 3. By the movement of the end of the non-intersecting blade 16 connected to the sub-body 3, the rigidity between the non-intersecting blades 16 substantially changes. Due to this difference in rigidity between the non-intersecting blades 16, it becomes possible to change the isochronous gradient of the governor member.

[0077] The embodiment of the stud holder 120 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 includes prestressing means 6 including a spring formed by a flexible blade guide. The second flexible blade 28 connects the sub-body 3 to a first elongated rigid body 34 continuously extending from the second flexible blade 28.

[0078] The prestressing means 6 comprises a second rigid body 37, and a third blade 36 connecting the two rigid bodies 34, 37, in this case three blades. The two rigid bodies 34, 37 are movable and have segments which form a substantially parallel pair when the prestressing means 6 is in the rest position. The third blade 36 is substantially perpendicular to the second blade 28 when the prestressing means 6 is in the rest position. The prestressing means 6 further comprises two fourth blades 33 connecting the first main body 34 to a third arm 35 extending from the main body 2. The third arms are substantially parallel and are oriented in the same direction as the second arms.

[0079] The fourth blade 33 is substantially parallel to the third blade 36 and is arranged on the same side of the second rigid body 37. By applying a variable force or torque to the second rigid body 37, the prestressing means 6 changes the stiffness of the flexible element 5 in order to change the speed of the governor member. The prestressing means 6 is arranged on the axis of the flexible element 5.

[0080] In FIG. 14, a folded alternative embodiment of the stud holder 120 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is attached to a governor member 150 comprising a beard clipper 44, a template 41, a template receiver 42 and a bearing 43. The main body 2 of the stud holder 120 is attached to the template receiver 42 about the bearing 43. The template 41 is located below the template receiver 42 and above the beard clipper 44. The main body 3 comprises a clamp for holding the stud.

[0081] In the embodiment of the stud holder 130 shown in FIG. 15, the prestressing means 6 is configured to be able to adjust the speed and the isochronism gradient. The main body 2 comprises a first linear arm 12 and a second U-shaped arm 32.

[0082] The prestressing means 6 includes a peripheral armature 45 that partially surrounds the main body 2 and the sub-body 3, which depicts a pentagonal shape with substantially one face missing. The peripheral armature 45 is connected to the sub-body 3 by a first pair of non-intersecting flexible blades 16 and is connected to the first linear arm 12 of the main body 2 by a second pair of flexible blades 46.

[0083] The prestressing means 6 includes a second blade 28 connected to the sub-body 3, a first L-shaped movable body 25, and a second U-shaped movable body 29. The second flexible blade 28 is connected to the inside of the U-shape of the second movable body 29 facing the sub-body 3.

[0084] The prestressing means 6 includes two third blades 33 and two fourth blades 36 that are continuous with each other and are arranged perpendicular to the second flexible blade 28 in the stationary position of the prestressing means 6. The third blade 33 connects the second movable body 29 to the peripheral armature, while the fourth flexible blade 36 connects the second movable body 29 to the first movable body 25.

[0085] The prestressing means 6 includes two screws. The first screw 7 is arranged to penetrate the first curved end 48 of the peripheral armature 45 so as to support the first movable body 25. The second screw 47 is arranged to penetrate the second arm 32 of the main body 2 so as to support the second end 49 of the peripheral armature 45.

[0086] The first screw 7 is used to change the speed of the speed regulating member, and the second screw 47 is used to change the isochronous gradient of the speed regulating member.

[0087] More specifically, by actuating the second screw 47, the peripheral armature 45 rotates around the center of rotation corresponding to the intersection between the second pair of flexible blades 46 and the sub-body 3. Due to this rotation, the rigidity between the two non-intersecting blades 16 is changed, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

[0088] In the embodiment of the stud holder 140 shown in FIG. 16, the flexible element 5 is a neck 8 similar to the stud holder 10 shown in FIG. 2, and the prestressing means 6 comprises a plurality of elongated rigid sections, in this case two rigid sections 51, 52 joined by flexible necks 53, 54. In the rest position, the rigid sections 51, 52 and the flexible neck portions 53, 54 are arranged substantially linearly.

[0089] In this embodiment, the flexible necks 53, 54 can be replaced by flexible blades of a length similar to that of the neck.

[0090] The prestressing means 6 also comprises a spring formed by a flexible blade, similar to the embodiment of the stud holder 120 shown in FIG. 13. The third flexible blade 33 and the fourth flexible blade 36 are connected to the second section 52 of the prestressing means 6.

[0091] By applying a variable displacement to the rigid movable body 37, the prestressing means 6 changes the rigidity of the flexible element 5. The force or torque is partly transmitted to the second rigid section 52 and then, via the flexible necks 53, 54 and the first rigid section 51, to the flexible element 5. In this way, the speed of the governor member changes.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the governor member described with reference to the figures, and it goes without saying that alternatives can be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stud holder for a regulating member (150) of a timepiece movement, said regulating member (150) comprising an inertial mass, e.g. a balance (41), a hairspring (17, 44) comprising a strip wound around itself several times, and a balance bridge (42), said stud holder (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140) being arranged at a distance from a main body (2) intended to be attached to said balance bridge (42), a secondary body (3) configured to suspend said balance spring (17, 44), said regulating member comprising a flexible element (5) connecting said main body (2) to said secondary body (3), said stud holder (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140) comprising prestressing means (6) for applying a variable force or torque to said flexible element (5) in order to adjust the speed and / or the isochronal gradient of said regulating member (150).

2. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) comprises two crossed flexible blades (13, 14) connecting the main body (2) to the secondary body (3).

3. 3. A stud holder according to claim 2, wherein the two flexible blades (14) are connected to each other at their intersection (15).

4. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) comprises two non-intersecting flexible blades (16) connecting the main body (2) to the secondary body (3).

5. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) comprises a flexible neck (8) connecting the main body (2) to the secondary body (3).

6. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) comprises a flexible blade (4) connecting the main body (2) to the secondary body (3).

7. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) comprises two substantially parallel flexible blades (9) connecting the main body (2) to the secondary body (3) so as to form a translation stage.

8. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the main body (2) comprises an arm (12) to which the flexible element (5) is assembled.

9. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element (5) is stiffer than the strip.

10. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the torque or force is continuously adjustable by means of the prestressing means (6).

11. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the prestressing means comprises a movable lever (19) arranged to bear against the flexible element (5).

12. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the prestressing means (6) comprises a spring (24) connected to the sub-body (3) and a first mobile body (25, 34) for stretching or compressing the spring (24).

13. A stud holder according to claim 12, wherein the spring comprises a second flexible blade (28).

14. 13. The stud holder according to claim 12, wherein the spring comprises a plurality of third flexible blades (33) connecting the main body (2) to the first movable body (34).

15. 15. The stud holder according to claim 14, wherein the spring comprises a plurality of fourth flexible blades (36) connecting the first mobile body (34) to a second mobile body (37) of the prestressing means (6).

16. 2. A stud holder according to claim 1, wherein the prestressing means (6) comprises a number of rigid sections (51, 52) connected by flexible necks (52, 54) or flexible blades (101).

17. A regulating element for a timepiece movement, said regulating element (150) comprising an inertial mass, for example a balance (41), a hairspring (44) with a strip wound around itself several times, a balance cock (42), and a stud holder (120) according to claims 1 to 16.

18. A timepiece movement comprising a regulating member (150) according to claim 17.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • indexing device for a pendulum timepiece.

    CH257460A

  • Spiral spring for watch resonator mechanism equipped with means for adjusting rigidity.

    CH718113A2

  • FR2011021A1