Timepiece resonator mechanism with rotary flexible guide provided with retaining means

Abstract

To provide a resonator mechanism including a flexible rotational guide and retaining means.SOLUTION: A timepiece resonator mechanism 100 includes a structure 1 and an anchor unit from which at least one inertial element 2 is suspended, the at least one inertial element being configured to oscillate, with a first degree of rotational freedom RZ, about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z. The inertial element 2 is subjected to return forces exerted by a flexible guide 200 forming a virtual pivot, the anchor unit being suspended from the structure by a flexible suspension 300 configured to allow the anchor unit to move with a plurality of degrees of freedom, at least two of the plurality of degrees of freedom being in a plane XY defined by a second direction X and a third direction Y perpendicular to the second direction X. The timepiece resonator mechanism includes retaining means for the flexible suspension, the retaining means being configured to damp rotation of the inertial element and of the flexible suspension about the second direction X and / or about the third direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece resonator mechanism having a flexible rotary guide and equipped with holding means.

[0002] The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such resonator mechanism.

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of timepiece resonators, and more particularly to timepiece resonators with elastic strips acting as return means for the running of an oscillator. [Background technology]

[0004] The torsional stiffness of the suspension is a delicate issue for most timepiece oscillators, which have at least one hairspring or elastic strip forming a flexible guide, especially for resonators with crossed strips. Furthermore, the shock resistance also depends on this torsional stiffness. More specifically, during an impact, the stress experienced by the strip quickly reaches very high values, correspondingly reducing the distance the part can travel before breaking. Numerous variations of dampers for timepieces are available. However, in the conventional examples, the purpose of the damper is essentially to protect the fragile pivot of the resonator axle, and not the elastic element such as the hairspring.

[0005] According to Swiss Patent Application CH15442016 filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse and its derivatives, a new mechanism design utilizes a lever escapement with a fairly small arresting angle and, by using flexible guides, maximizes the quality factor of the resonator. The teachings of this application can be directly used in the present invention, further improving the resonator's sensitivity to shocks in certain specific directions. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to protect the strip from breakage during shock. It is clear that previously proposed shock protection systems for resonators with flexible guides protect the strip from shocks only in certain directions, not all directions, or that such systems have the disadvantage of slightly shifting the setting of the virtual pivot as the resonator rotates. The movement of the virtual pivot should be avoided as much as possible.

[0006] Swiss Patent Application No. CH5182018 or European Patent Application No. EP18168765 filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse describes a timepiece resonator mechanism comprising a structure supporting a mooring unit on which an inertial element is suspended via flexible suspensions, the inertial element oscillating in a first rotational degree of freedom RZ under the action of a restoring force exerted by a virtual pivot comprising first elastic strips, each of which is fixed to the inertial element and to the mooring unit, the flexible suspensions being configured in such a way that the mooring unit is movable to a certain level in all degrees of freedom except for the first rotational degree of freedom RZ, in which only the inertial element may move so as to avoid any disruption of the oscillations of the inertial element, the stiffness of the suspension in the first rotational degree of freedom RZ being significantly higher than the stiffness of the virtual pivot in this same first rotational degree of freedom RZ.

[0007] Swiss Patent Application No. CH715526 or European Patent Application No. EP3561607 filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse describes a timepiece resonator mechanism comprising a structure and a mooring unit on which at least one inertial element is suspended, the at least one inertial element being adapted to oscillate with a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, the inertial element being subjected to a restoring force exerted by a virtual pivot body comprising a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic strips, each elastic strip being fixed at a first end to the mooring unit and at a second end to the inertial element, each elastic strip being essentially deformable in a plane XY perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0008] However, there are other erroneous motions of the inertial element and translation stage, in particular further rotational motions either about the second direction X or the third direction Y. These erroneous motions are caused by sudden movements of the timepiece or even when the escapement mechanism is driven by the inertial element. Current devices are unable to avoid these erroneous motions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Swiss Patent Application No. CH15442016 [Patent Document 2] Swiss Patent Application No. CH5182018 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application No. EP18168765 [Patent Document 4] Swiss Patent Application No. CH715526 [Patent Document 5] European Patent Application No. EP3561607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention proposes an improvement to the resonator mechanism of Swiss patent application CH715526 or European application EP3561607 filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse in order to protect the flexible suspension from the drawbacks mentioned above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece resonator mechanism comprising a structure and a tethering unit on which at least one inertial element is suspended, the at least one inertial element being configured to oscillate with a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, said inertial element being subjected to a return force exerted by a flexible guide forming a virtual pivot, the tethering unit being suspended from the structure by a flexible suspension configured to allow the tethering unit to move with multiple degrees of freedom, at least two of the multiple degrees of freedom lying in a plane XY in a second direction X and in a third direction Y perpendicular to said second direction X.

[0012] The invention is characterized in that the mechanism comprises means for holding the flexible suspension, which means are configured to restrain the inertial element and the flexible suspension from rotating about the direction X and / or the direction Y.

[0013] Thus, any erroneous rotational movement of the suspension is restrained by the elastic restraining means of the mechanism in at least one direction, for example direction X or direction Y. This restraint reduces disruptions to the operation of the governor member.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible guide comprises a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic strips, each elastic strip fastened at a first end to the anchoring unit and at a second end to the inertial element, each elastic strip being essentially deformable in a plane XY perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the holding means comprises a connection body rigidly connected to the flexible suspension, the connection body being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to direction X or substantially perpendicular to direction Y, i.e. in direction Z.

[0016] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the connecting body comprises an arm extending from the flexible suspension.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said retaining means comprise an elastically deformable restraining element configured to damp the displacement of the connecting body.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the restraining element is arranged on a first intermediate plate of the flexible suspension.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the connecting body extends substantially in the plane XY.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the suppression element comprises a movable comb, a non-movable comb, and a dissipative liquid disposed between the movable comb and the non-movable comb.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the restraining element comprises a spring in contact with the connecting body.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the spring comprises a bending flexible strip.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the suppression element comprises a stop and, preferably, a viscous liquid.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the restraining element comprises a resilient body, for example made from a polymer material.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible suspension comprises a transverse translation stage between the mooring unit and the first intermediate plate, the transverse translation stage comprising a transverse strip extending in the second direction X.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible suspension comprises a second intermediate mass and a longitudinal translation stage, the longitudinal translation stage being arranged between the mooring unit and the second intermediate mass, the longitudinal translation stage comprising a longitudinal strip extending in the third direction Y, and the transverse translation stage being between the second intermediate mass and the first intermediate plate.

[0027] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the mobility of the mooring unit is enabled by five degrees of freedom of the flexible suspension: a first translational degree of freedom in the first direction Z, a second translational degree of freedom in a second direction X orthogonal to the first direction Z, a third translational degree of freedom in a third direction Y orthogonal to the second direction X and the first direction Z, a second rotational degree of freedom RX about an axis extending in the second direction X, and a third rotational degree of freedom RY about an axis extending in the third direction Y.

[0028] The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising a resonator mechanism according to the invention.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a resonator mechanism comprising an inertial mass having elastic strips and suspended from a mooring unit by flexible guides; FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the resonator mechanism of FIG. 1 showing a retaining means according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic top view of a portion of the first embodiment of the resonator arrangement of FIG. 2; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of a second embodiment of a resonator arrangement according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a portion of a third embodiment of a resonator arrangement according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a portion of a fourth embodiment of a resonator arrangement according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention relates to a timepiece resonator mechanism which constitutes an alternative to the resonators described in Swiss Patent Application No. CH 5182018 or European Patent Application No. EP 18168765 filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse and incorporated herein by reference, and a person skilled in the art will know how to combine the features of this alternative with the features specific to the present invention.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this timepiece resonator mechanism 100 comprises a structure 1 and a mooring unit 30 on which at least one inertial element 2 is suspended, the at least one inertial element 2 being configured to oscillate with a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis D extending in a first direction Z. The inertial element 2 comprises a balance 20. The balance 20 is bone-shaped and comprises a straight section 11 with a stem 12 at each end. Each stem 12 may include a small inertial block 29 that adjusts the inertia of the inertial element 2. The inertial element 2 is subjected to a return force exerted by a flexible guide 200 that forms a virtual pivot.

[0033] The flexible guide 200 comprises a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic strips 3, in this case two elastic strips 3, each fastened at a first end to the anchoring unit 30 and at a second end to the inertial element 2. Each elastic strip 3 is essentially deformable in a plane XY perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0034] The mooring unit 30 is suspended from the structure 1 by a flexible suspension 300, the flexible suspension 300 being configured such that the mooring unit 30 is movable with five flexible suspension degrees of freedom, the five flexible suspension degrees of freedom being: - a first translational degree of freedom in a first direction Z, a second translational degree of freedom in a second direction X perpendicular to the first direction Z, a third translational degree of freedom in a third direction Y perpendicular to the second direction X and to the first direction Z, a second rotational degree of freedom RX about an axis extending in a second direction X, and a third rotational degree of freedom RY about an axis extending in a third direction Y; is.

[0035] The mooring unit 30 is assembled inside the first U-shaped intermediate mass 304 .

[0036] The principle is to use the torsional flexibility of the translation stage to better manage the torsional stiffness of the suspension, which is achieved by orienting the strips of the XY stage so that the direction of maximum torsional flexibility is towards the axis of rotation of the resonator.

[0037] The flexible suspension 300 therefore comprises a transverse translation stage 32 with a transverse strip 320 between the mooring unit 30 and a first intermediate plate 303 attached to the structure 1 in a first direction Z, the transverse strip 320 being preferably straight and extending in a second direction X.

[0038] As shown, the flexible suspension 300 further comprises a longitudinal translation stage 31 between the mooring unit 30 and the second intermediate mass 305, the longitudinal translation stage 31 comprising two longitudinal strips 310, which are preferably straight and extend in the third direction Y. The longitudinal strips 310 extend along the sides of the U-shaped intermediate mass 304, thereby connecting the ends of the U-shaped intermediate mass 304 to the second intermediate mass 305.

[0039] The second intermediate mass 305 is elbow-shaped, the elbow preferably being approximately perpendicular, with the two longitudinal strips 310 assembled on the same inner side of the first arm of the elbow.

[0040] Furthermore, between the second intermediate mass 305 and the first intermediate plate 303, the transverse translation stage 32 comprises two transverse strips 320, which are preferably straight and extend in the second direction X. The transverse strips 320 are therefore substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal strips 310.

[0041] Two cross strips 320 connect the same outer side of the second arm of the elbow to the first intermediate plate 303 .

[0042] The first intermediate plate 303 is intended to be assembled onto the structure 1 .

[0043] The first intermediate plate 303 further comprises an opening 33 through which a broom stud 28 for a screw can pass.

[0044] According to the invention, the resonator arrangement 100 comprises a retaining means 10 for the flexible suspension 300, the retaining means 10 being configured to restrain the inertial element 2 and the flexible suspension 300 from rotating about the second direction X and / or the third direction Y.

[0045] In the figures, the retaining means 10 of the flexible suspension 300 is configured to restrain rotation of the flexible suspension 300 about the second direction Y.

[0046] Alternatively, the retaining means 10 of the flexible suspension 300 may be configured to inhibit rotation of the flexible suspension 300 about the second direction X by modifying the direction of movement of the retaining means 10 .

[0047] The holding means 10 comprises a connection body 13 connecting the flexible suspension 300 to the first intermediate plate 303. The connection body 13 is rigidly connected to the flexible suspension 300 and is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to each of the third direction Y or the second direction X. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the connection body 13 moves in the first direction Z.

[0048] In this case, the connecting body 13 takes the form of an arm that extends from the flexible suspension 300 towards the first intermediate plate 303. The connecting body 13 connects the second intermediate mass 305 to one side of the first intermediate plate 303. The arm is substantially curved and extends from the end of the second intermediate mass 305 along the side of the first intermediate plate 303.

[0049] Preferably, the connection body 13 extends in the same plane as the plane of the flexible suspension 300 .

[0050] The holding means 10 further comprises an elastically deformable restraining element 15 which is configured to damp and restrain the movement of the connecting body 13 .

[0051] The restraining element 15 is disposed between the connecting body 13 and the first intermediate plate 303. For example, the restraining element 15 is disposed partially on the first intermediate plate 303 at the end of the arm of the connecting body 13.

[0052] 2 and 3, the suppression element 15 comprises a movable comb 16 arranged on the connecting body 13 and a non-movable comb 17 assembled on the structure 1. The movable comb 16 and the non-movable comb 17 are arranged opposite each other in the same plane and are nested inside each other. Each comb 16, 17 comprises a number of teeth 18, 19. Each tooth 18 of the movable comb 16 is arranged between two teeth 19 of the non-movable comb 17 and vice versa.

[0053] The movable comb 16 extends laterally from the arm towards the first intermediate plate 303. The non-movable comb 17 is formed in the first intermediate plate 303. The combs 16, 17 also extend in the plane of the first intermediate plate 303. The movable comb 16 therefore moves in a first direction Z.

[0054] Preferably, the suppression element 15 further comprises a dissipative liquid 14 arranged between the teeth 18 of the movable comb 16 and the teeth 19 of the non-movable comb 17. Thus, when the movable comb 16 moves relative to the non-movable comb 17, this movement is partially damped by the dissipative liquid 14. The dissipative liquid is, for example, glycerol.

[0055] In the second embodiment, the restraining element 15 comprises a spring 21 mounted on the first intermediate plate 303, against which the connection body 13 abuts when the spring 21 is actuated according to the further rotation mode. The end 24 of the arm of the connection body 13 is bent so as to abut against the spring, which extends perpendicular to the first intermediate plate 303. The spring 21 comprises a flexible strip, which is bent at its end 22 to form a hook shape and extends from the structure 1. The spring 21 prevents or reduces rotation of the inertia element 2 by friction against the end 24 of the arm of the connection body 13. More specifically, when the end 24 of the arm comes into contact with the spring 21, movement of the end 24 in the direction Z is prevented.

[0056] Preferably, an eccentric 23 is also positioned relative to the spring to hold the spring in place and prevent it from moving under the influence of movement of the connecting body 13. Thus, only the bent end 22 of the spring 21 is used to restrain movement of the connecting body 13.

[0057] 5 represents a connecting body 13 with an arm, the bent end 24 of which forms a rounded protrusion, in this case in the shape of a disk. The end 24 of the connecting body 13 is inserted into a cavity 26 formed through the first intermediate plate 303. A stop 34 is arranged on the protrusion of the end 24 to prevent displacement of the end 24 in the direction Z and therefore rotation of the inertial element 2 in the second direction Y. The end 24 and the stop 34 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, the stop 34 may be located below the end 24. For example, the stop 34 may also be disk-shaped, and the stop 34 may be rigidly connected to the first intermediate plate 303 by directly or indirectly assembling it to the first intermediate plate 303. The end 24 moves in the first direction Z within the cavity 26.

[0059] Preferably, the viscous liquid is arranged between the end 24 of the connection body 13 and the stop 34, and by virtue of its viscosity, partially absorbs the energy due to the displacement of the connection body. Thus, if the connection body 13 and its end 24 move in the first direction Z within the cavity 26, this movement is suppressed by the viscous liquid and the stop 34. For this embodiment, for example, glycerol can be used as the viscous liquid, or in the watchmaking industry, grease can be used.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the viscous liquid is disposed and held between two disks, namely the disk of the stop body 34 and the disk of the rounded end 24 .

[0061] 6, the restraining element 15 comprises an elastic body 27 made of a polymer material, for example an elastomer or polyoxymethylene, which connects the bent ends 24 of the arms of the connecting body 13 to the first intermediate plate 303. In this case, the elastic body 27 is bone-shaped, with its flared ends embedded in the ends 24 and the first intermediate plate 303, respectively.

[0062] Thus, when the connecting body 13 moves relative to the first intermediate plate 303, the elastic body 27 deforms, in this case in the first direction Z, absorbing part of the energy and keeping the connecting body 13 moving.

[0063] The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such resonator mechanism 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 structure 2 Inertia element 3 Elastic strips 10 Retention means 13 Connection body 30 Mooring Units 100 Timekeeping resonator mechanism 200 Flexible guide 300 Flexible suspension body

Claims

1. A timepiece resonator mechanism (100) comprising a structure (1) and a tethering unit (30) on which at least one inertial element (2) is suspended, the at least one inertial element (2) being configured to oscillate with a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, the inertial element (2) being subjected to a return force exerted by a flexible guide (200) forming a virtual pivot, the tethering unit (30) being suspended from the structure (1) by a flexible suspension (300), the flexible suspension (300) being configured to oscillate with the tethering unit (30) in a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, the at least one inertial element (2) being subjected to a return force exerted by a flexible guide (200) forming a virtual pivot, the tethering unit (30) being suspended from the structure (1) by a flexible suspension (300), the flexible suspension (300) being configured to oscillate with the tethering unit (30) in a first rotational degree of freedom RZ about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, the at least one inertial element (2) being subjected to a return force exerted by a flexible guide (200) forming a virtual pivot, the at least one inertial element (2 ...

1. A timepiece resonator mechanism (100) in which an inertial element (2) is configured to be movable with a plurality of degrees of freedom, at least two of the plurality of degrees of freedom lying in a plane XY in a second direction X and in a third direction Y perpendicular to the second direction X, characterized in that the timepiece resonator mechanism (100) comprises holding means (10) for the flexible suspension (300), the holding means (10) being configured to restrain the rotation of the inertial element (2) and the flexible suspension (300) about the second direction X and / or about the third direction Y.

2. 2. The resonator mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible guide comprises a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic strips (3), each of which is fastened at a first end to the anchoring unit (30) and at a second end to the inertial element (2), and each of which is essentially deformable in the plane XY perpendicular to the first direction Z.

3. 2. The resonator mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (10) comprises a connection body (13) rigidly connected to the flexible suspension (300), the connection body (13) being movable in the first direction Z.

4. 4. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection body (13) comprises an arm extending from the flexible suspension (300).

5. 4. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding means (10) comprise an elastically deformable damping element (15) configured to damp the displacement of the connecting body (13).

6. 6. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the damping element (15) is arranged on a first intermediate plate (303) of the flexible suspension (300).

7. 6. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the suppression element (15) comprises a movable comb (16) and a non-movable comb (17).

8. 8. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the suppression element (15) comprises a dissipative liquid (14) arranged between the movable comb (16) and the non-movable comb (17).

9. 6. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the restraining element (15) comprises a spring (21) in contact with the connecting body (13).

10. 10. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the spring (21) comprises a bent flexible strip (22).

11. 6. A resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the suppression element (15) comprises a stop (34) and preferably a viscous liquid.

12. 6. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the suppression element (15) comprises an elastic body (27), for example made from a polymer material.

13. 2. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting body (13) extends substantially in said plane XY.

14. 2. The resonator mechanism (100) of claim 1, wherein the flexible suspension (300) comprises a transverse translation stage (32) between the anchoring unit (30) and the first intermediate plate (303), the transverse translation stage (32) comprising a transverse strip extending in the second direction X.

15. 15. The resonator arrangement (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the flexible suspension (300) comprises a second intermediate mass (305) and a longitudinal translation stage (31), the longitudinal translation stage (31) being arranged between the mooring unit (30) and the second intermediate mass (305), the longitudinal translation stage (31) comprising a longitudinal strip extending in the third direction Y, and the transverse translation stage (32) being between the second intermediate mass (305) and the first intermediate plate (303).

16. 2. The resonator mechanism of claim 1, wherein the mobility of the tethering unit is enabled by five degrees of freedom of the flexible suspension, comprising: a first translational degree of freedom in the first direction Z; a second translational degree of freedom in the second direction X orthogonal to the first direction Z; a third translational degree of freedom in the third direction Y orthogonal to the second direction X and the first direction Z; a second rotational degree of freedom Rx about an axis extending in the second direction X; and a third rotational degree of freedom Ry about an axis extending in the third direction Y.

17. A timepiece movement comprising at least one resonator mechanism (100) according to claim 1.

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