A method for setting the rate of a timekeeping device's adjustment mechanism using laser light.

Abstract

This allows settings to be made from outside the closed timekeeping case without requiring major changes to the configuration of the adjustment mechanism. [Solution] The present invention relates to a method for setting the rate of an adjustment mechanism (10) in a timekeeping movement, the adjustment mechanism (10) comprising an inertial weight (5) such as a balance and an elastic means (2) such as a balance spring for returning the inertial weight (5), the elastic means (2) being configured to allow the inertial weight (5) to perform oscillating motion. The method includes an addition or removal step of adding material to and / or removing material from the inertial weight (5) by projecting the material (9) using a laser beam (7).

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to the field of timepieces, and more particularly to the field of mechanical portable timepieces (such as wristwatches and pocket watches) whose driving energy is adjusted by an adjusting mechanism. 【0002】 In particular, the present invention relates to a method for setting the rate of an adjusting mechanism using laser light. 【Background Art】 【0003】 In most mechanical portable timepieces, the energy required to rotate the hands (e.g., the minute hand and the hour hand) is stored in a barrel and consumed by a spring balance system. In this spring balance system, a flywheel called a balance and a spiral strip-shaped spring called a balance spring are combined. 【0004】 The balance spring is attached at its inner end to an axis that rotates with the balance. The balance spring is attached at its outer end to a balance spring stud attached to a stud holder, and the stud holder is attached to a fixed rod-shaped body (or cock). 【0005】 The rotation of the balance is maintained by an escapement mechanism, and the vibrations are counted. This escapement mechanism includes an anchor driven by a low-amplitude oscillatory motion and two pallets that mesh with the teeth of an escape wheel. When meshed in this way, the escape wheel is forced into a stepwise rotational motion at a frequency determined by the vibration frequency of the pallets, and the vibration frequency of the pallets itself is set to the vibration frequency of the spring-loaded balance. 【0006】 In a traditional escapement mechanism, the frequency is approximately 4 Hz, i.e., approximately 28,800 vibrations per hour (A / h). Excellent watchmakers aim to ensure that the balance vibrates isochronously and stably (i.e., the rate is kept constant). 【0007】 To set the balance rate, adjust the effective length of the balance. The effective length is defined as the curved length between the inner end of the balance and a measurement point near the outer end of the balance, and is typically defined by a pair of stops held in place by keys attached to the index assembly. 【0008】 An assembly including a rod-shaped body, index assembly, key, stud holder, balance spring stud, shaft, spring, and balance is commonly called an "adjustment mechanism." Examples of adjustment mechanisms are described in both the international application WO2016 / 192957 and the European patent EP2876504 by the watchmaker ETA. 【0009】 Another way to set the balance rate is to change the balance inertia. This inertia can be changed using radial screws and eccentric inertia blocks. The balance inertia can be changed by tightening or loosening one or more screws or eccentric inertia blocks. 【0010】 Another way to adjust the settings is to change the inertia by adding or removing material from the balance. This allows you to set the rate of the adjustment mechanism. 【0011】 However, in most cases, the setting device needs to be integrated into the movement, which means that the configuration of the adjustment mechanism needs to be significantly altered. Such changes incur substantial manufacturing and development costs. 【0012】 Furthermore, using these setting devices requires opening the timer's case. Opening the case introduces pressure changes that negatively affect rate measurement and setting. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0013】 The present invention aims to improve all or part of the above-mentioned problems by providing a method for setting the rate of an adjustment mechanism that does not require significant changes to the configuration of the adjustment mechanism and allows the setting to be made from outside the closed timekeeping case. [Means for solving the problem] 【0014】 In this context, the present invention relates to a method for setting the rate of an adjustment mechanism in a timekeeping movement, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an inertial weight such as a balance and an elastic means such as a balance spring for returning the inertial weight, and the elastic means is configured to allow the inertial weight to perform oscillating motion. 【0015】 A notable feature of the present invention is that the method includes an addition or removal step of adding material to and / or removing material from the inertial mass by laser projection. 【0016】 This invention provides a method for setting the rate of an adjustment mechanism with unprecedentedly high precision. Furthermore, because the components do not occupy a large amount of space within the movement, there is no need to make major changes to the movement. 【0017】 Furthermore, this method can be used from the outside of the timer case by specifically irradiating it with laser light so that it penetrates the case. 【0018】 In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the laser light removes material by removing material deposited in the material layer downstream of the inertial weight. 【0019】 In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the inertial weight is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light, thereby allowing the laser light to pass through the inertial weight and reach the material layer of the soluble material. 【0020】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the laser light adds material from a support that includes the material deposited in the layer, and the support is disposed upstream of the inertial mass with respect to the laser light source. 【0021】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the support is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light. 【0022】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the material is selected from gold, platinum, tungsten, rhenium, rhodium, or iridium. 【0023】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the addition or removal step is performed while the inertial mass is vibrating, and the laser light is synchronized with the vibration of the inertial mass. 【0024】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the method includes a preliminary step of measuring the frequency and / or amplitude of the inertial mass and determining the deviation of the rate with respect to a predetermined value. 【0025】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the frequency is measured optically using a camera or acoustically using a microphone. 【0026】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the additional or removal step of adding material to the inertial mass and / or removing material from the inertial mass is performed through the back of the timepiece case, the adjustment mechanism is disposed within the case closed by the back, and the back surface is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light. 【0027】 In certain embodiments of the present invention, the additional or removal step of adding material to the inertial mass and / or removing material from the inertial mass is performed through a transparent material of a timepiece that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light. 【0028】 The present invention further relates to an adjustment mechanism for a timepiece movement, including an inertial weight such as a balance, and elastic means for returning the inertial weight, and the elastic means is configured to enable the inertial weight to perform an oscillatory motion. 【0029】 A remarkable feature of this adjustment mechanism includes a first component and a second component. The first component has at least a partially layer made of a soluble material, and the first component is transparent to the wavelength of a laser beam capable of transferring material to the second component. 【0030】 In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first component is the inertial weight in the adjustment mechanism, and the second component is a support disposed downstream of the inertial weight. 【0031】 In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first component is a support disposed upstream of the inertial weight, and the second component is the inertial weight. 【0032】 The present invention further relates to a timepiece movement provided with such an adjustment mechanism. 【0033】 The present invention further relates to a timepiece, such as a portable watch, including a case and a timepiece movement disposed within the case. 【0034】 In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a back portion that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser beam is attached to the case. 【0035】 The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become clear by reading the following detailed description while referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it is not limited thereto. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0036】 [Figure 1] It shows a schematic top view of a prior art adjustment mechanism. [Figure 2]Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the adjustment mechanism located within the timekeeping movement. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view showing a part of the first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism being set by the method according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing a part of a second embodiment of an adjustment mechanism being set by the method according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view showing a part of a third embodiment of an adjustment mechanism being set by the method according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This shows a side view of a timekeeping device equipped with an adjustment mechanism being set according to the method of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0037】 The present invention relates to a method for setting the rate of adjustment mechanism 1 in a timekeeping movement. 【0038】 In Figures 1 and 2, such an adjustment mechanism 1 comprises an inertial weight 5, such as a balance, and an elastic means 2, such as a balance spring, for returning the inertial weight 5. The elastic return means 2 is configured to allow the inertial weight 5 to perform oscillating motion. Such an adjustment mechanism 1 needs to be configurable to change the rate of the movement to which it is attached. 【0039】 According to the present invention, the method includes an addition or removal step of adding material to or removing material from an inertial mass by laser projection. 【0040】 For example, a LIFT (Laser Induced Forward Transfer) device is used to project the material. 【0041】 This type of device utilizes the principle of irradiating a material with laser light through a substrate, causing the material to deposit in layers on the substrate. This process removes at least a portion of the material from the substrate and projects it onto another object. Such methods are described in the following literature. 【0042】 - Printing Method for Long Flight Distance by Laser-Induced Forward Transfer, H. Suhara, J. Aoto, M. Iwata, Journal of Laser Micro / nanoengineering Vol 15, No 2, 2020 - Laser-Induced Forward Transfer: A high-resolution additive manufacturing technology, P. Delaporte, AP. Alloncle, Optics & Laser Technology 78 (2016) 33-41 - Laser-Induced Forward Transfer: A method for Printing Functional Inks, JM Fernandez-Pradas, P. Serra - Selective metallization of surfaces using laser light, A. Bahouka, Techniques de l'ingenieur, 10 Dec 2017, M 1 643 V2 【0043】 This method allows for changing the properties of inertia by adding or removing material from the inertial weight 5, thereby changing the rate of the adjustment mechanism 1. 【0044】 In fact, adding or removing material from the inertial weight 5 changes the inertia of the inertial weight 5, and therefore, the frequency also changes. This induces a change in the rate of the adjustment mechanism. 【0045】 Figure 3 shows a part of a first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism 10, which can be used in the method according to the present invention, particularly when adding material to the inertial weight 5. 【0046】 When material is added to the inertial weight 5, it is added from the support 6 containing the soluble material. In addition to the inertial weight 5, the adjustment mechanism 10 includes a support 6 that supports the soluble material. 【0047】 The support 6 is composed of a body that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light, with a material layer 8 deposited downstream of it. The transparent body can be made of synthetic sapphire such as Al2O3, silicon glass, quartz, or single-crystal silicon. The support 6 is placed between the laser light source and the inertial weight 5. Therefore, the laser light passes through the support 6 to the material layer 8, and fragments of the material 8 detach from the support 6 and reach the inertial weight 5. 【0048】 Preferably, the distance between the support 6 and the inertia weight 5 is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and more preferably less than 2 mm. 【0049】 The support 6 is, for example, a plate whose shape corresponds at least partially to the shape of the inertial weight 5. 【0050】 Instead, the support 6 is a rod-shaped body, such as a balance cock, and the adjustment mechanism 1 is attached to this rod-shaped body. 【0051】 For example, the support 6 is inserted into a balance cock, and the adjustment mechanism 1 is attached to this balance cock. 【0052】 Preferably, the material 9 is selected from gold, platinum, tungsten, rhenium, rhodium, or iridium. 【0053】 For example, laser light has frequencies ranging from the infrared spectrum through the visible spectrum to the ultraviolet spectrum. Therefore, the body of the support 6 is transparent to the infrared spectrum and / or the visible spectrum and / or the ultraviolet spectrum. The wavelength of the laser light is in the range of 350 to 1100 nm, preferably 500 to 1000 nm, and more preferably 1000 to 1100 nm. 【0054】 For example, the laser beam 7 is directed toward the upper surface of the support 6, passes through the translucent body, and reaches the material layer 8. Depending on the laser beam and the material used, the laser beam 7 may cause the material to melt, evaporate, or break apart into fragments. 【0055】 As a result, material 9 is projected, separated from the support 6, and deposited on the inertial weight 5. The laser beam 7 is moved along the layer 8 to transfer a desired amount of material onto the inertial weight 5. For example, the material is deposited on the circular portion of the balance. As a result, the balance becomes heavier due to the deposited material, and the frequency changes. 【0056】 Support 6 can contain multiple layers of different densities, which makes it easier to select the amount of material to be transferred. In variant forms, support 6 can also be replaced by multiple supports, each containing layers of material of different densities. 【0057】 The support 6 may consist of a single layer 8, but it can also consist of multiple laminated layers to improve the adhesion of the material being transferred to the inertial weight 5. For example, a layer of Au or Pt may be used as an adhesive layer on top of a layer of Ti or Cr. 【0058】 When the material is removed using the laser beam 7, the material 9 deposited on the lower part of the inertia weight 5 in the adjustment mechanism 20 is removed, as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the inertia weight 5 includes a body that is translucent to the laser beam, and a material layer 12 is deposited downstream thereof. 【0059】 In this case, the laser beam 7 passes through the translucent body and reaches the material layer 12 deposited downstream of the translucent body. A portion of the material 9 in the material layer 12 is projected onto the support 11 that supports the adjustment mechanism 20, which is located downstream of the inertial weight 5. Thus, in this variant of the method, the inertial weight 5 becomes lighter, the frequency of the inertial weight 5 changes, and the rate of the adjustment mechanism 20 is set. 【0060】 The embodiment shown in Figure 5 combines the two previous embodiments so that material can be added to or removed from the inertial weight 5 as needed. 【0061】 In this case, the adjustment mechanism 30 includes a first support 6 positioned upstream of the inertial weight 5 and a second support 11 positioned downstream of the inertial weight 5. The inertial weight 5 and the first support 6 each have a body that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light 7. They also each have material layers 8 and 12 positioned downstream of the transparent body. 【0062】 Preferably, the material layers 8 and 12 do not overlap so that the laser beam 7 can reach them separately. 【0063】 Therefore, by selecting whether to direct the laser beam 7 onto the first support 6 or onto the inertial weight 5, it is possible to add material to the inertial weight 5 or remove material from the inertial weight 5. 【0064】 In this configuration, the balance frequency can be set by changing the inertia of the inertial weight 5 to increase or decrease it. 【0065】 In a first exemplary embodiment of this method, a nanosecond laser is used. The material is gold deposited on a sapphire support, and the balance is made of brass coated with a layer of CuBe. 【0066】 The laser light 7 is driven by pulses having a duration in the range of, for example, 1 fs to 500 ns, preferably 1 ns to 400 ns. 【0067】 The fluence of a laser pulse is 0.1 to 100 J / cm². 2 Preferably 0.5 to 50 J / cm² 2 Preferably 1 to 15 J / cm² 2 It is within the range of ,. 【0068】 The laser output is in the range of 5W to 30W, preferably 10W to 20W. 【0069】 The laser frequency is, for example, within the range of 50kHz to 300kHz, preferably 150kHz to 250kHz. 【0070】 These parameters allow for the material deposition in the longitudinal direction to be within the range of 0.05 g / mm to 1 g / mm over a width of 20 to 80 m. 【0071】 Femtosecond lasers can also be used, with an output in the range of 0.1W to 2W, preferably 0.2W to 1W, but the resulting layer is broader. For example, the duration of the laser pulse is 260 fs. 【0072】 The frequency of the laser light is within the range of 10kHz to 250kHz, preferably 150kHz to 250kHz. 【0073】 For example, the material is gold placed on a sapphire support. As a result, a layer is formed on a brass balance where the material has been transferred. 【0074】 Preferably, the position of the laser beam 7 is adjustable relative to the support 6 and / or inertial weight 5. This allows for the selection of unirradiated areas in layers 8 and / or 12 to be illuminated by the laser beam 7. 【0075】 Preferably, the addition or removal step is performed when the inertial weight 5 is stationary. In this case, the inertial weight 5 is not vibrated, thereby facilitating the addition or removal of material by the laser beam 7. 【0076】 In another modified embodiment, the addition or removal step is performed while the inertial mass 5 is vibrating. For this purpose, the laser pulse is synchronized with the vibration of the inertial mass 5. 【0077】 Instead, the laser pulses are dispersed over the entire oscillation period of the inertial mass 5, without any particular synchronization. 【0078】 Preferably, the method includes a preliminary step for measuring the frequency and / or amplitude of the inertial mass 5. For example, the frequency is measured optically using a camera, acoustically using a microphone such as a Witschi microphone, or by other measurement methods known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the frequency is measured at all four standard positions in order to correct for any potential imbalance in the inertial mass 5. 【0079】 Furthermore, this method includes a step of determining the deviation of the rate from a predetermined value. This determines the difference between the actual rate of the movement and the desired rate. 【0080】 These two steps are used to determine the amount of material to be added to or removed from the inertial weight 5 in order to set the desired rate. 【0081】 Furthermore, the addition or removal steps of adding material to and / or removing material from the inertial weight 5 can be performed through the back 16 of the watch component case (not shown), as shown in Figure 6. The case houses a timekeeping movement 15 to which the adjustment mechanism according to the present invention is attached. 【0082】 The case is closed by a back panel 16, which is preferably removable. In order to allow the laser light 7 to pass through, the back panel 16 has a translucent material that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light 7, at least partially. 【0083】 This eliminates the need to open the case to change the rate of the adjustment mechanism. The case contains a bed for the timekeeping movement, on which the adjustment mechanism is located. 【0084】 Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism described with reference to the drawings, and variations can be conceived without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0085】 1, 10, 20, 30 adjustment mechanism 2 Elastic means 5 inertia weight 6, 11 Support 7. Laser light 8, 12 layers 9 Material 16 Back

Claims

[Claim 1] A method for setting the rates of the adjustment mechanism (10, 20, 30) in a timekeeping movement, The adjustment mechanism (10, 20, 30) comprises an inertial weight (5) such as a balance and an elastic means (2) such as a balance spring for returning the inertial weight (5). The elastic means (2) is configured to enable the inertial weight (5) to perform oscillating motion. The method includes an addition or removal step of adding material to the inertial weight (5) and / or removing material from the inertial weight (5) by projecting the material (9) using a laser beam (7). method [Claim 2] The laser light (7) removes the material (9) deposited on the material layer (12) downstream of the inertial weight (5). The method according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The inertial weight (5) is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light (7), thereby allowing the laser light (7) to pass through the inertial weight (5) and reach the material layer (12). The method according to claim 2. [Claim 4] The laser light (7) adds material from the support (6) containing the material (9) deposited in the layer (8), The support (6) is positioned upstream of the inertia weight (5) with respect to the laser light source (7). The method according to claim 1. [Claim 5] The support (6) is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light (7). The method according to claim 4. [Claim 6] The material (9) is selected from gold, platinum, tungsten, rhenium, rhodium, or iridium. The method according to claim 1. [Claim 7] The addition or removal step is performed while the inertial weight (5) is vibrating. The laser light (7) is synchronized with the vibration of the inertial mass (5). The method according to claim 1. [Claim 8] The preliminary step includes measuring the frequency and / or amplitude of the inertial mass (5) and determining the rate deviation from a predetermined value. The method according to claim 1. [Claim 9] The addition or removal step of adding material to and / or removing material from the inertial weight (5) is performed through the back (16) of the timer case (15). The adjustment mechanisms (1, 10, 20) are located within the case (15), which is closed by the back portion (16). The aforementioned back surface (16) is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light. The method according to claim 1. [Claim 10] A timekeeping movement adjustment mechanism, It includes an inertial weight (5) like a balance and an elastic means (2) for returning the inertial weight (5), The elastic means (2) is configured to enable the inertial weight (5) to perform oscillating motion. The adjustment mechanism includes a first component comprising at least partial layers (8, 12) of the material (9), The first component is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light (7) that enables the transfer of the material (9) to the second component. Adjustment mechanism. [Claim 11] The first component is the inertial weight (5) located in the adjustment mechanism (10, 30), The second component is a support (11) positioned downstream of the inertial weight (5). The adjustment mechanism according to claim 10. [Claim 12] The first component is a support (6) positioned upstream of the inertial weight (5), The second component is the inertial weight (5). The adjustment mechanism according to claim 10. [Claim 13] The adjustment mechanism (10, 20, 30) described in claim 10 is provided. Timekeeping movement. [Claim 14] It is a timekeeping device like a portable one. Equipped with a case, The timekeeping movement (15) according to claim 13 is provided, The aforementioned timekeeping movement (15) is arranged inside the case. clock. [Claim 15] The case is fitted with a backing (16) that is transparent to the wavelength of the laser light (7). The timer according to claim 14.

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