Patent classifications
G04B17/045
Rotating resonator with flexure bearing maintained by a detached lever escapement
A timepiece regulator includes a detached lever escapement mechanism, and a resonator with a quality factor Q including an inertia element comprising an impulse pin integral with an inertia element and cooperating with a fork of the lever. This inertia element is subjected to the action of elastic return means directly or indirectly fixed to the plate and is arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set comprised in the escapement mechanism. This resonator mechanism is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main axis (DP), with a flexure bearing subjected to the return force of at least two flexible strips attached to the plate, defining together a virtual pivot with a main axis (DP), the lever pivoting about a secondary axis (DS).
Method for manufacturing a mechanism
A method for manufacturing at least a part of a timepiece is disclosed. The method comprises a first step of assembling flat layers together to from a substantially flat multilayer structure, Wherein at least a first layer of said layers is designed to form one flexible blade in the timepiece. Then, the multilayer structure is deployed in a direction substantially normal to the flat layers. Then at least one mass is fixed to the flexible blade, the mass being more rigid than the flexible blade.
METHOD FOR ADJUSTMENT OF A FLEXUTE PIVOT TIMEPIECE OSCILLATOR
Disclosed is an adjustment method for a timepiece oscillator including a balance, a support and a flexure pivot connecting the balance to the support and guiding the balance in rotation as to the support about a virtual axis of rotation, the flexure pivot having, in orthogonal projection in a plane perpendicular to the virtual axis of rotation, an axis of symmetry which is also an axis of symmetry for the points where the flexure pivot joins the balance. In the method, the unbalance of the balance is adjusted so, in orthogonal projection in the plane, the center of mass of the balance is substantially on the axis of symmetry and at a position distinct from that of the virtual axis of rotation and chosen to reduce, and preferably render minimal, the dependency of the oscillation frequency with respect to the orientation of gravity for a predetermined amplitude of oscillation.
Rotating resonator with flexure bearing maintained by a detached lever escapement
Timepiece regulator (300) comprising a detached lever (7) escapement mechanism (200), and a resonator (100) including an inertia element (2), which includes an impulse pin (6) cooperating with a fork (8) of the lever (7), and which is subjected to the action of elastic return means (3) fixed to the plate (1) and is arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set (4), this resonator (100) is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main direction (DP), with a flexure bearing returned by flexible strips (5) attached to the plate (1), defining a virtual pivot having a main axis (DP), the resonator (100) is attached to an elastic suspension strip (9) attached to the plate (1), allowing displacement in the main direction (DP), the plate (1) comprising shock absorber stops (11, 12), in the main direction (DP), cooperating with at least one stiff element of the inertial element (2).
Mechanical timepiece regulator
The mechanical timepiece regulator of the invention comprises a flexure bearing oscillator and a double detent escapement, the oscillator comprising a balance wheel (1) connected to an elastic suspension (2a, 2b) arranged to guide and apply a restoring force to the balance wheel (1) in a plane of oscillation. The escapement comprises an escape wheel (3) and an anchor (4) integrated into the balance wheel (1) and having two arms (5, 6) arranged to receive alternately the impulses of the escape wheel (3). The escapement furthermore comprises two detents (7, 8) alternately locking the escape wheel (3) between two impulses and interacting with the arms (5, 6) of the anchor to release the escape wheel (3) before each impulse, without direct interaction between the anchor and the escape wheel.
DEVICE COMPRISING INTERLOCKED MONOLITHIC FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS AND CORRESPONDING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING METHOD
Disclosed is a device including a compliant mechanism including: a first monolithic flexible element, having first and second ends defining a first longitudinal direction, arranged such that it is able to be subjected to an elastic deformation involving a relative movement between its first and second ends; and at least a second monolithic flexible element, having first and second ends defining a second longitudinal direction distinct from the first longitudinal direction, arranged such that it is able to be subjected to an elastic deformation involving a relative movement between its first and second ends. At least one of the first and second monolithic flexible elements includes at least one opening located between its first and second ends and defining a passage for a portion of the other monolithic flexible element such that the first and second monolithic flexible elements are interlocked.
SILICON TIMEPIECE COMPONENT FOR A TIMEPIECE
The method for manufacturing a timepiece component is capable of thermocompensating a functional assembly including the timepiece component. The method includes at least the following actions: a) providing (e1) a substrate (1) of semiconductor or metallic material; b) proceeding with the deposition (e2) of a polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon layer (5) on the substrate (1); c) releasing (e4) the timepiece component (10) from the substrate (1).
HEAD-TO-TAIL FLEXIBLE GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR A HOROLOGICAL MOVEMENT, IN PARTICULAR FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE
A flexible guide assembly for a horological movement, in particular for a display device of the horological movement, the assembly including two flexible guides arranged in series in a substantially head-to-tail manner, the first flexible guide including a support and a first movable element that is capable of moving relative to the support, as well as a first elongate, flexible body connecting the support to the first movable element, such that the first movable element can move by bending the first elongate, flexible body in a circular motion, the second flexible guide including a second movable element capable of moving relative to the first movable element and to the support of the first flexible guide, a second elongate, flexible body connecting the second movable element to the first movable element.
Device comprising interlocked monolithic flexible elements and corresponding additive manufacturing method
Disclosed is a device including a compliant mechanism including: a first monolithic flexible element, having first and second ends defining a first longitudinal direction, arranged such that it is able to be subjected to an elastic deformation involving a relative movement between its first and second ends; and at least a second monolithic flexible element, having first and second ends defining a second longitudinal direction distinct from the first longitudinal direction, arranged such that it is able to be subjected to an elastic deformation involving a relative movement between its first and second ends. At least one of the first and second monolithic flexible elements includes at least one opening located between its first and second ends and defining a passage for a portion of the other monolithic flexible element such that the first and second monolithic flexible elements are interlocked.
Rotating resonator with flexure bearing maintained by a detached lever escapement
Timepiece regulator comprising a detached lever escapement mechanism, and a resonator with a quality factor Q including an inertia element including an impulse pin cooperating with a fork of the lever, subjected to the return force of two flexible strips attached to the plate, defining a virtual pivot having a main axis (DP), the lever pivoting about a secondary axis (DS), and the lift angle (β) of the resonator, during which the impulse pin is in contact with the fork, is less than 10°, and the ratio I.sub.B/I.sub.A between the inertia I.sub.B of the inertia element with respect to the main axis (DP) and the inertia I.sub.A of the lever with respect to the secondary axis (DS) is greater than 2Q.Math.α.sup.2/(0.1.Math.π.Math.β.sup.2), where α is the lift angle of the lever corresponding to the maximum angular travel of the fork.