Patent classifications
G04B17/04
METHOD FOR MAINTAINING AND REGULATING THE FREQUENCY OF A TIMEPIECE RESONATOR
A method for maintaining and regulating frequency of a timepiece resonator mechanism around its natural frequency, the method including: at least one regulator device acting on the resonator mechanism with a periodic motion, to impose a periodic modulation of resonant frequency or quality factor or a position of a point of rest of the resonator mechanism, with a regulation frequency between 0.9 times and 1.1 times the value of an integer multiple of the natural frequency, the integer being greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 10, and the periodic motion imposes a periodic modulation of the quality factor of the resonator mechanism, by acting on losses and/or damping and/or friction of the resonator mechanism.
TIMEPIECE RESONATOR MECHANISM
Watch or movement including a timepiece resonator movement including two RCC flexural pivots mounted in series about an intermediate rotary support and having the same virtual pivot axis, each comprising two straight flexible strips of the same length, whose clamping points opposite to this pivot axis are at the same distance with respect to this axis, and which define linear directions, forming angles, in pairs, with this virtual pivot axis, whose value expressed in degrees is comprised between:
109.5+5/[(D/L)−(2/3)] and 114.5+5/[(D/L)−(213)],
or more particularly between 107+5/((D/L)−(2/3)) and 112+5/((D/L)−(2/3)), this timepiece resonator mechanism is in an advantageous variant a one-piece temperature-compensated silicon resonator.
TIMEPIECE RESONATOR MECHANISM
Watch or movement including a timepiece resonator movement including two RCC flexural pivots mounted in series about an intermediate rotary support and having the same virtual pivot axis, each comprising two straight flexible strips of the same length, whose clamping points opposite to this pivot axis are at the same distance with respect to this axis, and which define linear directions, forming angles, in pairs, with this virtual pivot axis, whose value expressed in degrees is comprised between:
109.5+5/[(D/L)−(2/3)] and 114.5+5/[(D/L)−(213)],
or more particularly between 107+5/((D/L)−(2/3)) and 112+5/((D/L)−(2/3)), this timepiece resonator mechanism is in an advantageous variant a one-piece temperature-compensated silicon resonator.
Shock protection for a strip resonator with RCC pivots
A timepiece resonator mechanism including a structure and an inertia element oscillating about an axis, subjected to return forces exerted by a RCC flexure pivot with elastic resonator strips, which are each fixed to the structure and to the inertia element and essentially deformable in a plane perpendicular to the axis, straight and extending in parallel or coincident planes, the crossing, in projection onto a plane perpendicular to the axis, of their directions defining this axis, these strips are fixed on the inertia element side to a stiff element, comprised in an anti-shock element and on which are fixed the strips and which is integral with anti-shock flexible elements arranged to keep suspended the inertia element, the anti-shock element providing shock protection for the strips of the flexure pivot.
Method for making a flexure bearing mechanism for a mechanical timepiece oscillator
A method for making a flexure bearing for an oscillator with an inertial element oscillating in a plane supported by flexible strips fixed to a stationary support returning it to a rest position includes: forming the bearing with basic strips in superposed levels, each having an aspect ratio of less than 10; breaking down the number of basic levels into a plurality of sub-units, each including one or two strips joining a basic support and a basic inertial element, which are made by etching substrates; assembling the sub-units by joining their basic inertial elements; and fixing the basic supports to the support, directly or via translational tables along one or two in-plane translational degrees of freedom, of lower translational stiffness than that of the sub-unit.
Timepiece Regulator, Timepiece Movement And Timepiece Having Such A Regulator
A timepiece regulator comprising an inertial regulating member which is mounted on a support by an elastic suspension so as to be able to oscillate in translation, along a main direction of translation.
Monolithic Timepiece Regulator, Timepiece Movement and Timepiece Having Such a Timepiece Regulator
A monolithic timepiece regulator made in a single plate, comprising an external rigid element, an internal rigid element, and elastic suspensions connecting the external rigid element to the internal rigid element and enabling oscillatory rotating movements between them. The internal rigid element has arms which are rigidly connected with one another, leaving between each other free angular spaces, and the elastic suspensions are located in these free angular spaces.
TIMEPIECE ROTATING REGULATOR MECHANISM
A timepiece rotating regulator mechanism for regulating the rotational speed of a mechanism subjected to the action of a motor device through a transmission device, including an oscillator mechanism indirectly connected to the transmission device by a movement transformation device including a connecting-rod-crank-handle system, with a crank-handle rotated about a crank-handle axis by the transmission device, and a connecting-rod angularly moveable on the one hand in relation to the crank-handle, and on the other hand in relation to an inertial mass that this oscillator mechanism includes, to ensure the maintenance of the oscillator mechanism by the energy supplied by the motor device, and to ensure the speed regulation of a train that the transmission device include in relation to the frequency of the oscillator mechanism.
Spherical Oscillator for a Timepiece Mechanism
The oscillator for a regulator of a timepiece mechanism comprises a frame, a rigid body and a mechanism) for connecting the rigid body to the frame enabling oscillations of the rigid body relative to the frame. The connecting mechanism comprises at least one first and one second rigid parts, and a first and a second flexible elements, in the form of angular sectors of rings. The first and second flexible elements extend mainly in separate non-parallel planes. The first and second flexible elements are concentric. The first and second flexible elements each connect the first and second rigid parts together.
TIMEPIECE RESONATOR MECHANISM WITH FLEXIBLE GUIDE EQUIPPED WITH MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE STIFFNESS
A rotating resonator mechanism (60) including a flexible guide (5) and an oscillating mass (2), the flexible guide (5) including two main flexible strips (4, 6) and a rigid portion (7). The flexible strips are joined to the rigid portion and the oscillating mass. An adjustment means adjusts the stiffness of the resonator mechanism, and includes a flexible element connected to the rigid portion and to a fixed support (11), so that the flexible guide (5) is suspended by the flexible element (12), the flexible guide (5) and the flexible element (12) extending substantially in the same plane so that the oscillating mass (2) performs a rotating movement about a virtual pivot. The adjustment means also includes pre-stressing means (15) to apply a variable force or torque on the flexible element (12) or the flexible guide (5), to vary the stiffness of the flexible element (12).