Patent classifications
G04B17/063
INERTIAL MASS EQUIPPED WITH A FLEXIBLE INERTIAL ELEMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR HOROLOGY
An inertial mass (1) intended to be mounted on a regulating organ (10), particularly of a horological movement, the inertial mass being configured to be subjected to a rotary oscillation movement at a predetermined frequency, the inertial mass including a rigid main body (2), characterised in that it comprises a flexible inertial element (3) assembled with the main body (2), the flexible inertial element (3) being configured to modify the geometry of the inertial mass (1) according to the oscillation amplitude. Also, a regulating organ and a horological movement comprising such an inertial mass.
TIMEPIECE PROVIDED WITH A MECHANICAL MOVEMENT AND A DEVICE FOR CORRECTING A DISPLAYED TIME
A watch is formed by a mechanical movement incorporating a mechanical resonator. The watch comprises a display displaying the time and a correction device for correcting the displayed time, which is formed by a receiver for receiving an external correction signal which is supplied by an external electronic device (in particular a mobile phone), a braking device for braking the mechanical resonator and an electronic controller. The correction device is arranged such that it can correct the time displayed as a function of a time error (loss or gain) contained in the external correction signal. For this purpose, the correction device is arranged such that the braking device can act on the mechanical resonator during a correction period to vary the running of the drive mechanism of the display, in order to correct at least for the most part the time error in the time displayed.
Paramagnetic hard stainless steel and manufacturing process thereof
A paramagnetic stainless steel with a chemical composition including by weight: 26≤Cr≤40%, 5≤Ni≤20%, 0≤Mn≤5%, 0≤Al≤5%, 0≤Mo≤3%, 0≤Cu≤2%, 0≤Si≤5%, 0≤Ti≤1%, 0≤Nb≤1%, 0≤C≤0.1%, 0≤N≤0.1%, 0≤S≤0.5%, 0≤P≤0.1%, the remainder consisting of iron and any impurities each having a content less than or equal to 0.5%, the steel having a hardness HV10 between 500 and 900. It also relates to a part particularly a horological component made of this steel and to the process for manufacturing the part.
OSCILLATOR FOR TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT
The invention concerns an oscillator for a timepiece movement, comprising a staff rigidly connected to a balance carrying first and second bipolar magnets spaced apart from the staff and capable, depending on the angular position of the balance, of being positioned alternately within range of a magnetic field produced by a fixed bipolar magnet, the latter being located on the trajectory of the first and second bipolar magnets and being arranged in such a way that, when one of the bipolar magnets approaches the fixed bipolar magnet, identical polarities are located opposite each other in order to produce a repulsive force. The oscillator further comprises a pallet assembly and an escape wheel for establishing a kinematic connection between a source of energy of the timepiece movement and the balance staff, and arranged in such a way that the balance is capable of having a sustained periodic oscillating movement of an amplitude greater than 90 degrees.
Method for manufacturing a balance spring for a horological movement
A method for manufacturing a balance spring intended to equip a balance of a horological movement, including a step of producing a blank made of a niobium and hafnium alloy including between 5 and 60 wt %, preferably between 5 and 30 wt %, and more preferably between 8 and 12 wt % hafnium, a step of annealing and cooling the blank, at least one step of deforming the annealed blank in order to form a wire. The method includes, before the deformation step, a step of depositing, on the blank, a layer of a ductile material chosen from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cupronickel, cupro-manganese, gold, silver, nickel-phosphorus Ni—P and nickel-boron Ni—B, in order to facilitate the wire shaping operation. A balance spring can be produced by the manufacturing method.
OSCILLATOR FOR A TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT AND TIMEPIECE COMPRISING SUCH AN OSCILLATOR
The invention relates to a balance wheel-hairspring oscillator (10) comprising: a balance wheel shaft (18) intended to be pivotably mounted on a frame of a timepiece; a balance wheel (12) secured to the balance wheel shaft (18); a hairspring (14) comprising an inner end (14a) secured to the balance wheel shaft and an outer end (14b) intended to be connected to a connecting member (16) to said frame, and a transmission member (20, 22) arranged to interact with an escapement. The balance wheel (12) and the hairspring (16) are arranged on either side of the transmission member.
Self-adjustable horological oscillator
A horological movement (6) including: a plate (7); a mechanical resonator (8) including an oscillating balance (11) rotatably mounted relative to the plate (7), and a spiral spring (22) coupled to the balance (11); an electromagnetic regulator (29) coupled to the mechanical resonator (8) to regulate the frequency of the oscillations of the balance (11), and including at least one permanent magnet (30) fixedly mounted relative to the plate (7), at least one coil (31), a quartz or silicon resonator (32) and an electronic circuit (33) connected to the resonator (32) and to the coil (31), all mounted on the balance (11) while being completely included in an inner cavity (18) delimited by the latter.
Timepiece balance
A balance for a horological movement, including rigid parts constituted by a hub defining the pivot axis of the balance, at least one felloe sector, at least one arm connecting the at least one felloe sector to said hub, and including a slot for receiving and gripping in position an inertia-block, the slot opening into a housing delimited on the one hand by a rigid part of the balance, and on the other hand an elastic arm including a first end integral with a rigid part of the balance, and a second free distal end. The elastic arm can have a body of a non-constant section, a part of the body having a greater thickness than the rest of the elastic arm so as to have a larger volume of material under stress and store a maximum of elastic energy.
Regulator device for a watch movement
A regulator device (200) for a watch movement has (a) an inertial element (11) of a resonator (10) of inertia I, pivoted about a first axis (A1) and inscribed within a cylinder of diameter D centered on the first axis; (b) an escapement mobile (30) of inertia I3, pivoted about a second axis (A3) and inscribed within a cylinder of diameter D3 centered on the second axis; and (c) a blocking member having (i) a first blocking lever mobile (20a) of inertia I2a, pivoted about a third axis (A2a) and inscribed within a cylinder of diameter D2a centered on the third axis; and (ii) a second blocking lever mobile (20b) of inertia I2b, pivoted about a fourth axis (A2b), inscribed within a cylinder of diameter D2b centered on the fourth axis, the axes (A3, A2a, A2b) contained within a cylinder centered on the first axis (A1) and of diameter D′<D.
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TIMEPIECE SHAFT
The method of manufacturing a timepiece shaft (1) includes grinding a ceramic piece, especially to form a balance shaft (1), having a functional portion (2a; 2b) including at least one part (221a; 221b) of a pivot-shank (22a; 22b) and/or at least one part (211a; 211b) of a pivot (21a; 21b), the first functional portion being made of ceramic and a first outer diameter (D1) of the first functional portion being less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.4 mm, or less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm.