Patent classifications
G04B17/045
FLEXIBLE GUIDE WITH TRANSLATION TABLE FOR A ROTATING RESONATOR MECHANISM, IN PARTICULAR FOR A HOROLOGICAL MOVEMENT
A flexible guide for a rotating resonator mechanism, in particular of a horological movement, the guide including a fixed support, an element that is capable of moving relative to the fixed support, at least two main flexible blades allowing the movable element to move relative to the fixed support by bending the main flexible blades via a rotary motion about a centre of rotation, the flexible guide being arranged substantially in one plane, the flexible guide including at least two translation tables, each joined to one end of a main flexible blade, such that each translation table is configured to move in translation at least in part under the effect of the bending of the corresponding main flexible blade, the flexible guide including at least one tertiary flexible blade connecting the two translation tables.
Mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge
A mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge fixed to a structure, including, coaxial and able to move one with respect to the other by sliding and/or rotation on a common axis, and returned one towards the other by an elastic return or clamping means, a first component fixed to the structure and a second component fixed to the bridge, the first component including a first relief facing a second relief that the second component includes, the first relief and the second relief having variable cooperation depending on the relative angular position between the first component and the second component, each the particular relative angular position defining a particular distance between reference surfaces of the first component and the second component.
Mechanical Watch
A mechanical watch including an in-plane oscillator (1) with a tuning mass (2), the oscillator (1) including a receptacle (3) for the tuning mass (2), the tuning mass (2) having a first portion (2′) snugly fitting in the receptacle (3), a second portion (2″) with a thickness that is equal or substantially equal to a thickness of the first portion (2′), and a length as seen at right angles with reference to said thickness that is substantially greater than said thickness so as to provide that the tuning mass (2) is substantially planar and extends outside the receptacle (3) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the oscillator (1).
Anti shock protection for a resonator mechanism with rotary flexure bearing
A timepiece resonator mechanism including a structure carrying, via a flexible suspension system, an anchor unit to which is suspended an inertia element oscillating with a first rotational degree of freedom RZ, under the action of return forces exerted by a flexure pivot including first elastic strips each fixed to the inertia element and to the anchor unit, the flexible suspension system being arranged to allow the anchor unit some mobility in every degree of freedom except the first rotational degree of freedom RZ wherein only the inertia element can move to avoid any disturbance to its oscillation, and the stiffness of the suspension system in the first rotational degree of freedom RZ is very considerably higher than the stiffness of the flexure pivot in this same rotational degree of freedom RZ.
TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT ESCAPEMENT, RETURN COMPONENT FOR TIMEPIECE ESCAPEMENTS, TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT AND TIMEPIECE COMPRISING SUCH A MOVEMENT
The invention relates in particular to a return member for a balance wheel of a timepiece, replacing a spiral spring. This return member comprises a rake provided with a toothed sector arranged to work together with a balance wheel pinion. The rake has an axis of rotation allowing it to move between two extreme positions, called working positions, separated by a rest position. The return member also comprises two springs arranged to press the rake towards its rest position. Each spring is made up of an elastic blade arranged to store energy, then to return it to the rake. Each elastic blade works alternately so that they never work simultaneously. The invention also relates to an escapement comprising such a return member, a clockwork movement comprising this return member and a timepiece comprising such a movement.
Pivoting guide device for a pivoting mass and timepiece resonator mechanism
A device (10) for guiding a pivoting mass in rotary pivoting, in particular for a horological movement comprising, arranged in series substantially in the same plane, a first support (2), a first pair of uncrossed strips (5, 6), a second support (3), a pair of crossed strips (7, 8), and a third support (4), the pair of uncrossed strips including, a first (5) and a second (6) flexible strip connecting the first support (2) to the second support (3) without crossing each other, the pair of crossed strips including a third (7) and a fourth (8) flexible strip connecting the second support (3) to the third support (4), the third (7) and fourth (8) flexible strips crossing each other between the second (3) and the third (4) support.
Method for manufacturing a one-piece silicon device with flexible blades, in particular for timepieces
A one-piece silicon device with flexible blades (2, 3), in particular for timepieces, for example a pivot with crossed blades, and to a method for manufacturing the device (1). The method includes: forming (21) a one-piece silicon device (1) blank from a wafer of the SOI type, the device (1) including two flexible blades (2, 3), each formed in a different layer of the SOI wafer, the blades (2, 3) being arranged in two different substantially parallel planes, the blades (2, 3) being separated by a clearance (7); growing a first silicon oxide layer on the surface of at least one of the blades (2, 3) bordering the clearance, the first silicon oxide layer being formed from a first sub-layer of silicon of the one or more blades (2, 3); and removing the first silicon oxide layer to increase the clearance (7) between the two blades (2, 3).
Horological regulator mechanism with high quality factor and minimal lubrication
A horological regulator mechanism including a resonator mechanism having a virtual pivot and flexure bearing, with a quality factor greater than 1,000, the inertial element whereof indirectly cooperates with a free escapement mechanism, during the operating cycle whereof the resonator mechanism has at least one phase of freedom wherein it is not in contact with the escapement mechanism, this regulator mechanism comprises a pair of components including rubbing surfaces arranged to cooperate and be in contact with one another, whereby the first rubbing surface is formed by the surface of an element comprising silicon carbide.
FLEXIBLE GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR A ROTARY HOROLOGICAL RESONATOR MECHANISM
A flexible guide assembly (10) including a fixed support (22) and three flexible guides arranged in series, the first flexible guide including a first movable element (23) relative to the fixed support (22), a first pair of uncrossed flexible blades (26, 27) connected to the first movable element (23), the second flexible guide including a second movable element (24) relative to the first movable element (23), a second pair of uncrossed flexible blades (28, 29) connecting the second movable element (24) to the first movable element (23), the third flexible guide including a third movable element (25) and a third pair of uncrossed flexible blades (31, 32) connecting the third movable element (25) to the second movable element (24), the third movable element (25) forming a balance or a balance support of the rotary resonator mechanism.
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. An impulse pin is integral with an inertia element and cooperates with a fork of the lever. The inertia element is subjected to the action of an elastic return directly or indirectly fixed to the plate and arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set included in the escapement mechanism. The resonator mechanism is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main axis, 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. The lever pivots about a secondary axis. The lever is made of silicon added to an arbor pivoted with respect to the plate.