EP1797483A2 - Dispositif d'entrainement, notamment pour mécanisme horloger - Google Patents
Dispositif d'entrainement, notamment pour mécanisme horlogerInfo
- Publication number
- EP1797483A2 EP1797483A2 EP05792146A EP05792146A EP1797483A2 EP 1797483 A2 EP1797483 A2 EP 1797483A2 EP 05792146 A EP05792146 A EP 05792146A EP 05792146 A EP05792146 A EP 05792146A EP 1797483 A2 EP1797483 A2 EP 1797483A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- driven
- drive
- driven member
- wafer
- comb
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 12
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- PCTMTFRHKVHKIS-BMFZQQSSSA-N (1s,3r,4e,6e,8e,10e,12e,14e,16e,18s,19r,20r,21s,25r,27r,30r,31r,33s,35r,37s,38r)-3-[(2r,3s,4s,5s,6r)-4-amino-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-19,25,27,30,31,33,35,37-octahydroxy-18,20,21-trimethyl-23-oxo-22,39-dioxabicyclo[33.3.1]nonatriaconta-4,6,8,10 Chemical compound C1C=C2C[C@@H](OS(O)(=O)=O)CC[C@]2(C)[C@@H]2[C@@H]1[C@@H]1CC[C@H]([C@H](C)CCCC(C)C)[C@@]1(C)CC2.O[C@H]1[C@@H](N)[C@H](O)[C@@H](C)O[C@H]1O[C@H]1/C=C/C=C/C=C/C=C/C=C/C=C/C=C/[C@H](C)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](C)[C@H](C)OC(=O)C[C@H](O)C[C@H](O)CC[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)C[C@H](O)C[C@](O)(C[C@H](O)[C@H]2C(O)=O)O[C@H]2C1 PCTMTFRHKVHKIS-BMFZQQSSSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/08—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically
- G04C3/12—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by piezoelectric means; driven by magneto-strictive means
Definitions
- the invention relates to the field of electromechanical microsystems (MEMS), and more particularly, the application of these microsystems to the watch industry.
- MEMS electromechanical microsystems
- the movements of watches or electromechanical clocks are generally generated by an electric motor such as a progressive air gap micromotor (called Lavet motor), which rotates a series of wheels.
- Lavet motor progressive air gap micromotor
- These watches or clocks require complex reduction mechanisms to adapt the movement of the rotor to the different rotational speeds required needles.
- Another concern is the decrease in the number of components used in the mechanisms.
- the reduction in the number of components as well as the reduction in the number of assembly operations required to form the mechanism make it possible to increase the efficiency of the mechanisms, to improve the autonomy of the clock devices and to reduce the production costs.
- a problem to be solved by the invention is to limit the number of parts necessary for the realization of the reduction mechanisms in the devices of watches or clocks.
- a drive device formed by etching in a wafer, the drive device comprising a drive element able to mesh sequentially with a driven element and an actuator element adapted to moving the driving element in a hysteresis movement to drive the driven element, characterized in that the driving element is disposed on an outer edge of the plate to allow an interface of the drive element with a driven element placed opposite.
- the invention makes it possible to replace the engines traditionally used in the field of watchmaking, such as the Lavet motors, by clock mechanisms associating a MEMS-type drive device (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), formed by techniques plate etching, and a driven element, without stroke limitation, realized by means of any alternative microtechnology (chemical etching, micro-molding).
- MEMS-type drive device Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
- the MEMS type drive device proposed in the context of the present invention is capable of generating driving forces at least an order of magnitude higher than those generated by existing Lavet motors. This device makes it possible in particular to eliminate the first reduction stage of the watch movements of the prior art and thus leads to a significant improvement in their efficiency.
- a wafer refers to a substrate in which is etched the drive device.
- the wafer is generally formed in a portion of a semiconductor material block (called wafer).
- wafer semiconductor material block
- the semiconductor material forming the wafer is, for example, silicon.
- the proposed drive device can be obtained by a collective process of simultaneously etching a large number of drive devices in a block of semiconductor material (wafer).
- the drive element is disposed on an outer edge of the wafer, that is to say it is at the periphery of the wafer. Coupling the drive device to any driven member allows the construction of a modular watchmaking drive mechanism. Indeed, the mechanical performance of the watch mechanism depends on the characteristics of the driven element (diameter).
- the invention also relates to a clock mechanism comprising a drive device as defined above and a driven element, which can be related to a pinion or a wheel of any diameter, adapted to be rotated by the device of the invention. 'training.
- the mechanical performance of the clockwork drive mechanism (motor torque, speed) is thus modulated according to the radius of the driven element associated with the drive device.
- the driven element is interfaced with the input gear of the clockwork train, the wheelwork comprising several output wheels integral with the needles to be driven, so that the driven element and the input gear are assembled on the same tree by means of a complete and coaxial connection.
- This first embodiment makes it possible, in view of the useful forces developed by the MEMS-type drive device, to advantageously replace the traditional Lavet motor as well as the first stage of reduction of the clockwork wheels of the prior art by a mechanism of FIG. Simplified watchmaking training.
- the element (s) driven (s) is (are) directly integral (s) of the needle (s) to lead.
- the clock mechanism is simplified compared to the mechanisms of the prior art.
- the mechanism requires no intermediate gear, the movement of the needle being directly generated by the drive device of the type
- the mechanism comprises a plurality of devices MEMS-type drive and a plurality of respectively driven elements integral with a needle to be driven.
- the driving devices may be identical to each other.
- the invention also relates to a watchmaking training mechanism, characterized in that it comprises:
- a second subassembly including a micro-machined driven element; a plate on which the first and second subassemblies are fixed to allow an interface of the driving element with the driven element placed opposite, in which the subassemblies are modular and interchangeable.
- the coupling of the drive device formed by etching on a wafer and an independent driven element makes it possible to construct a modular mechanism, that is to say "in kit". Indeed, the mechanical performance of the clockless drive mechanism without stroke limitation are directly modulated according to the characteristics of the driven element with which it is coupled. This feature allows flexibility in the choice of subassemblies according to the construction constraints of the watchmaking training mechanism.
- FIG. 1 schematically represents a Lavet motor quartz watch mechanism according to the prior art
- FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the reduction elements of the mechanism of FIG. 1, the input gear of the watch train being integral with the rotor of the Lavet motor,
- FIG. 3 schematically represents a quartz watch mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention, which consists in replacing the Lavet motor and the first reduction stage by a MEMS-type clockwork training mechanism,
- FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically represent the subassemblies constituting the MEMS type drive mechanism of FIG. 3, as well as the mechanical interfacing mode of the drive mechanism with a conventional clockwork wheel (FIG. respectively in plan view and in section along a section line AA),
- FIG. 5 schematically shows, in section, the connection between the driving device and an input wheel in a quartz watch mechanism according to the first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 6 schematically shows a quartz watch mechanism according to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 7 schematically represents the actuator element of the training device and FIG. driving element as obtained by a technique of monolithic etching in a silicon wafer
- FIG. 8 schematically represents the actuator element of FIG. 7 attached to a substrate, after having made the cutout making it possible to separate the addressing electrodes from the elementary actuation modules,
- FIG. 9 schematically represents a driving device and a driving element as they are directly obtained by etching in an SOI substrate
- FIG. 10 shows in detail the structure of the actuator element of the driving device, as well as a driving element
- FIG. 11 represents in detail the structure of an indexing actuator, as well as an indexing element,
- FIG. 12 schematically represents a simplified quartz watch mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 13 schematically shows, in section, the connections between the drive devices and the respective output wheels, directly integral with the needles to be driven in a quartz watch mechanism according to the second embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 14 schematically represents a quartz watch mechanism according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 15 schematically illustrates obtaining the actuator element from a silicon wafer
- FIG. 16 schematically represents a micro-machined driven element having means of catching up the clearance between the wheel and the axis;
- FIG. 17 represents the catch-up means of the game which makes it possible to spontaneously center the driven element on the axis on which it is mounted.
- the mechanism comprises a Lavet 1 engine including a rotor 2 and a stator 3.
- the rotor 2 is integral with a pinion 90 which meshes with a driven element in the form of a wheel toothed 100.
- the driven member 100 is integral with a plurality of concentric input wheels with the driven member 100. Only one of the input wheels 102 is shown in FIG. 1. Each input wheel meshes with a wheel output integral with a needle to drive. Only one output wheel 120 driven by the input wheel 102 and the associated needle 12 appear in FIG. 1.
- the mechanism also comprises a control electronics 4, a quartz 5, a battery 7 and a winding 8.
- first embodiment shown in Figure 1 a single motor 1 and a single driven member 100 control a plurality of output wheels, each output wheel being associated with a needle to be driven.
- the combination of the pinion 90 and the wheel 100 forms a first reduction stage.
- the combination of the input wheel 102 and the output wheel 120 form a second reduction stage.
- the combination of the two stages of reductions makes it possible to convert the rotational speed of the rotor 2 into a speed of rotation adapted to the driving of the needle 12.
- the ratio of the diameters of the wheels of the reduction mechanism regulates the speed of rotation of the rotor. the needle associated with each output wheel.
- FIG. 3 shows a quartz watch mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- the watch mechanism is identical to the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, except that the Lavet motor and the pinion 90 have been replaced by a drive device 10 formed by etching in a wafer made of semi-material -driver.
- the driving device 10 comprises a driving element 250 able to mesh sequentially with the driven element 100 and an actuating element 20 able to move the driving element 250 in a hysteresis movement so that it drives a driven member 100 formed by a gear wheel.
- the drive element 250 is disposed on a wafer of the wafer 11 to allow interfacing with the driven element 100 placed opposite.
- the first reduction stage has been eliminated with respect to the mechanism of FIG. 1. Due to a direct coupling between the driving element 250 and the driven member 100, the drive mechanism requires only one reduction stage per needle to be driven, each reduction stage for converting the rotational movement of the driven member 100 into a rotational movement one of the needles (seconds, minutes or hours).
- FIG. 5 shows in section, the connection between the drive device 10 and the driven member 100 in a quartz watch mechanism according to the first embodiment of the invention.
- the watch mechanism comprises a plate 18 on which are fixed the assembly formed by the driving device 10 and a support 6 and an axis 21 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate 18.
- the support 6 is fixed to the plate 18 of the watch mechanism via a layer 56 of insulation.
- the shaft 21 supports a toothed input wheel 100 with a triangular tooth profile and a hub 22 rotatably mounted on the axis 21.
- the drive device 10 and the input wheel 100 are arranged relative to each other. to the other so that at rest, when the drive device 10 is not powered, the drive member 250 is in the engaged position between two teeth of the driven member 100.
- the drive device 10 When the drive device 10 is powered, it rotates the driven member 100.
- the driven member 100 is connected to one or more input wheel (s) by a complete and coaxial connection.
- the input wheel (s) 102 meshes with one or more output wheels (120), each output wheel being secured to a needle.
- the driven element 100 formed of a toothed wheel and the hub 22 can be obtained by a traditional machining technique or by a microfabrication technique, such as for example by a Deep Plasma Engraving Technique (Deep RIE). in a monolithic monocrystalline silicon wafer or in an SOI wafer.
- the technique chosen is a technique making it possible to obtain a tooth pitch compatible with the amplitude of displacement of the driving element 250.
- Figure 6 illustrates a variant of the first embodiment of the invention.
- the driving device 10 also comprises an indexing element 550 able to be inserted sequentially between teeth of the driven element 100 and a neural indexing action element 50 able to move the indexing element. reciprocatingly reciprocating so that it fits between the teeth of the driven member 100.
- the drive element 250 and the indexing element 550 are arranged on an outer edge of the wafer 11, so that they are projecting from the wafer 11 and can be coupled to the driven member.
- Figure 12 schematically shows a quartz watch mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- one or more drive device (s) meshes each with one or more driven element (s).
- the driving device 10 meshes with the driven element 100 formed by a wheel, the wheel being directly integral with a needle 12.
- FIG. 13 shows, in section, the connections between drive devices 10, 30 and 50 and driven elements 100, 104 and 106 formed by toothed wheels, in a quartz watch mechanism according to the second embodiment of FIG. the invention.
- each driving device 10, 30 and 50 is similar to the driving device 10 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6.
- Each driving device 10, 30 and 50 comprises a driving element, referenced respectively 250, 270 and 290, and an actuator element, referenced respectively 20, 40 and 60.
- the driving devices 10, 30 and 50 can be obtained by a deep plasma etching technique (Deep RIE) in a monolithic monocrystalline silicon wafer or in an SOI type wafer.
- Each drive device 10, 30 and 50 meshes with a driven member 100, 104, 106, each driven member 100, 104, 106 being integral with a needle 12, 14 or 16.
- the needles 12, 14 and 16 are hands that indicate seconds, minutes and hours, respectively. Each needle 12, 14 and 16 is thus rotated individually by a dedicated actuating device 10, 30 and 50.
- This second embodiment does not require any reduction mechanism.
- FIG. 10 shows in more detail the drive device 10 including the actuator element 20 and the drive element 250 in the form of a tooth 250.
- the actuator element 20 consists mainly of a first elementary module actuator 201 adapted to move the drive member 250 in a first direction relative to the driven member 100 (radial direction) and a second elementary actuating module 202 adapted to move the drive member 250 in a second direction relative to the driven member 100 (tangential direction).
- the actuating modules 201 and 202 are able to be controlled simultaneously to generate a combined hysteresis movement of the drive element 250.
- the drive tooth 250 has a triangular shape. It extends near the driven member 100 with the tip directed towards the wheel, in a radial direction relative thereto. The drive tooth 250 is thus able to mesh with the teeth of the input wheel 100.
- the expression “radial” qualifies any element extending in a radial direction with respect to the driven element 100 and the expression “tangential” qualifies any element extending along a tangential direction with respect to the wheel, the radial and tangential directions being considered at the point of the wheel where the driving tooth is located.
- fixed qualifies any fixed element relative to the support of the training device and the expression “mobile” qualifies any element maintained at a certain altitude relative to the support, by means of elastic suspensions.
- the driving tooth 250 is connected by a radial flexible rod 211 to the radial actuating module 201 and by a tangential flexible rod 212 to the tangential actuating module 202.
- the radial actuating modules 201 and tangential 202 are electrostatic modules having a comb structure (known as the Anglo-Saxon "comb drive"). This type of structure includes pairs of interdigitated combs.
- the radial actuation modules 201 and tangential 202 of the structure of the actuator element 20 will be described more precisely.
- the radial actuating module 201 is formed of a fixed part 221 and a movable part 231 to which the radial rod 211 is connected.
- the fixed portion 221 comprises a radial electrode 223 from which a set of parallel fixed combs 225 extend in a tangential direction.
- Each comb 225 is formed of a main stem and a series of parallel fingers or eyelashes connected to the rod and extending perpendicularly thereto.
- the movable portion 231 comprises a movable frame 233 having a generally U-shaped and extending around the fixed portion 221.
- the movable frame 233 is connected at each of its ends to the substrate by means of recess connections 237, 239 constituting suspensions elastic.
- Combs 235 extend from the movable frame 233 in a generally radial direction. These combs 235 are formed of a main stem and a series of parallel fingers or eyelashes connected to the rod and extending perpendicular thereto.
- the combs 225 of the fixed part 221 and the combs 235 of the movable part 231 are arranged parallel to each other and interposed with each other.
- each mobile comb 235 is arranged opposite a fixed comb 225 so that their fingers are interposed between each other, thus forming a pair of interdigitated combs.
- the tangential actuating module 202 has a structure similar to that of the radial actuating module 201, except that it is oriented perpendicular to the latter. It is formed of a fixed part 222 and a movable part 232 to which is connected the tangential rod 211.
- the fixed portion 222 comprises a tangential electrode 224 from which extend in a radial direction a set of parallel fixed combs 226.
- the movable portion 232 comprises a movable frame 232 connected at each of its ends to the substrate by means of flush connections.
- Combs 236 extend from the movable frame 232 in a tangential general direction.
- each mobile comb 236 of the movable part 232 is arranged parallel to each other and interposed with each other.
- each mobile comb 236 is arranged in a fixed comb 226 so that their fingers are interposed between each other, thus forming a pair of interdigitated combs.
- interposed fingers interdigitated combs are similar to planar capacitors, one of the plates is connected to the electrode 223 or 222 and the other armature is connected to the ground via the recess connections 237, 239 or 238, 240.
- the tangential electrostatic force exerted between the comb fingers causes deformation of the frame 233 and consequently the translation of the driving tooth 250 by action of the rod 211 in a radial direction with respect to the driven element 100.
- frame 233 allows movement of movable combs 235 only in the direction of the fingers.
- the same phenomenon occurs when a voltage is applied to the electrode 224.
- the electrostatic force created causes the deformation of the frame 232 and the translation of the drive tooth 250 by action of the rod 212 in a tangential direction relative to the driven member 100.
- the frame 232 allows movement of the moving combs 236 only in the direction of the fingers.
- the tangential actuating module 202 comprises a stop 260 making it possible to limit the amplitude of the movement of the movable frame in order to keep the moving part 232 at a distance from the fixed part 222 and to prevent the mobile combs 236 from coming into contact with the fixed combs 226. Indeed, the placing in contact of the fixed and mobile combs 226 and 236, brought to different electrical potentials would necessarily generate an electrical short circuit in the device.
- the displacement of the frame of the radial actuating module 201 is limited by the presence of a stop 270 which limits the movement of the drive tooth 250 in the radial direction.
- each of the rods allows the deformation thereof under the action of the other rod.
- the two radial and tangential flexible rods 211 and 212 provide a mechanical decoupling of the two actuating modules 201 and 202.
- the flexibility of the rods allows a displacement of the drive tooth 250 independently according to two elementary degrees of freedom, to know: according to the two directions of radial and tangential translation.
- the decoupling of the actuating modules 201 and 202 makes it possible to arrange them in a parallel configuration.
- the parallel configuration of the two actuating modules 201 and 202 improves the accessibility of the electrodes 223 and 224 for the installation of supply connectors.
- the electrodes 223 and 224 are controlled by alternating voltages V r and V t which are phase-shifted, for example having a quarter-period phase shift relative to each other, so that the tooth 250 is displaced in a motion hysteresis (ABCD movement).
- the hysteresis movement of the drive tooth 250 alternates the drive (AB movement) and disengagement (BCD-A displacement) phases. This movement allows the drive tooth 250 to mesh with the successive teeth of the driven member 100 and to drive the driven member 100 in a clockwise rotational movement.
- the driven member 100 is rotated through reduced amplitude excursions of the drive member.
- the watch mechanism may advantageously comprise control means intended to apply periodic addressing voltages V r and V t with a frequency greater than 10 Hz.
- a frequency makes it possible to obtain rotational movements of the hands which appear continuous to the eye.
- the training frequency of needles gives the optical illusion of a continuous movement of needles.
- Such an effect is related to the retinal persistence which does not allow tracking in real time the stepwise movement of the needles. It is thus possible to equate the watch mechanism or quartz clock with a mechanical device.
- the drive device 10 makes it possible to vary the speed of rotation of the needles.
- the control means are able to vary the frequency of the addressing signals V r and V t . This feature is particularly advantageous since it allows to quickly change the position of the needles, for example in case of setting the time or setting the watch or the clock.
- the drive device 10 is reversible since it drives the driven member 100 in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction.
- the control means are able to reverse the phase shift between the addressing signals V r and V t to reverse the hysteresis movement of the drive element 250 and thus reverse the direction of rotation of the driven element 100.
- the drive device 10 is arranged relative to the driven element 100 so that at rest, when the drive device is not powered, the drive element 250 is meshed with the driven member 100.
- the drive member 250 is in the engaged position (position A) when no signal is applied to the electrodes 224 and 223. This feature allows that when the device is not energized, the indexing of the wheel is provided by the element 250. As a result, the device generates a lower energy consumption.
- FIG. 11 shows an indexing actuator element 50 which can be used in the embodiments of the clock mechanisms of FIGS. 6 and 14.
- the indexing actuator element 50 consists of a single radial actuation module 501 and a drive element in the form of a tooth 550.
- the radial actuating module 501 is similar to the radial actuating module 201 of the driving actuator element 20.
- the radial actuating module 501 is formed of a fixed part 521 and a movable part 531 to which is connected a radial rod 511.
- the fixed part 521 comprises a radial electrode 523 from which extend in a tangential direction a set of parallel fixed combs 525.
- Each comb 525 is formed of a main stem and a series of parallel fingers or eyelashes connected to the rod and extending perpendicularly thereto.
- the movable portion 531 comprises a movable frame 533 having a generally U-shaped and extending around the fixed portion 521.
- the movable frame 533 is connected at each of its ends to the substrate by means of recess connections 537, 539 constituting suspensions elastic.
- Combs 535 extend from the movable frame 533 in a generally radial direction. These combs 535 are formed of a main stem and a series of parallel fingers or eyelashes connected to the rod and extending perpendicularly thereto.
- the combs 525 of the fixed part 521 and the combs 535 of the movable part 531 are arranged parallel to each other and interposed with each other.
- each mobile comb 535 is arranged facing a fixed comb 525 so that their fingers are interposed between each other, thus forming a pair of interdigitated combs.
- the drive tooth 550 has a triangular shape. It extends near the driven member 100 with the point directed towards the driven member, in a radial direction relative thereto. The drive tooth 550 is thus able to mesh with the teeth of the driven element 100.
- the actuator element 50 further comprises a stop 560 making it possible to keep the mobile part 531 away from the fixed part 521 so as to prevent the mobile combs 535 from coming into contact with the fixed combs 525.
- the indexing module 501 of the The indexing actuator element 50 is controlled in synchronism with the elementary radial actuating modules 201 and tangential 202 of the driving actuator element 20.
- the indexing actuator element 50 has the function of keep the driven member 100 in position when the tooth 250 of the drive device is disengaged.
- the conjunction of the drive actuator element and the indexing actuator element allows precise control of the positioning of the driven member 100.
- the indexing actuator element 50 is controlled to move the tooth 550 in a motion alternating radial with the driven member 100.
- the movement of the tooth 550 is synchronized with that of the tooth 250.
- the indexing tooth 550 is disengaged (in position F).
- the indexing tooth 550 is inserted between teeth of the driven member 100 (in position E) to maintain the driven member in its position.
- the wafer 11 in which the drive device is formed consists of a portion of a wafer 18.
- a large number of elementary training devices can thus be etched simultaneously in the same wafer by a collective process.
- Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a first technique for obtaining a drive device.
- the actuating modules 201 and 202, the driving element 250, as well as possibly the indexing module and the indexing element (not shown), are produced by deep-plasma etching ( Deep RIE) in a solid wafer 11.
- the wafer 11 is for example a wafer monobloc silicon monocrystalline whose thickness is between 200 and 300 microns.
- the wafer is etched through its entire thickness to form the various components of the actuating device.
- all the constituent elements of the actuating device (fixed parts 221, 222 and moving parts 231, 232) are connected to a common linkage backbone 270 formed in the wafer.
- the actuating device is in a monolithic form.
- the wafer 11 is hybridized on a support 6 (FIG. 8) and the linkage backbone 270 is removed.
- the suppression of the backbone makes it possible to electrically isolate the fixed parts 221 and 222 and mobiles 231 and 232 from each other.
- the support 6 provides a function of electrical insulation and anchoring for the fixed and mobile parts of the elementary actuating modules 201 and 202.
- Figure 9 schematically illustrates a second technique for obtaining an actuating device.
- the drive device 10 is made by deep Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) in a wafer 11 of the SOI (Silicon On Insulator) type.
- RIE deep Reactive Ion Etching
- a wafer 11 comprises a silicon substrate layer 15 of thickness of the order of 380 ⁇ m, a sacrificial layer 16 of silicon oxide having a thickness of about 2 ⁇ m and a layer of silicon 17 having a thickness of in the order of 50 to 100 ⁇ m.
- the indexing module 250 are made by deep RIE plasma etching in the thickness of the silicon layer 15, up to the oxide layer of silicon 16 which constitutes a barrier layer. Then the silicon oxide layer 16 is zoned by wet etching. The dissolved zones release the moving parts of the driving device (moving combs, rods, driving element).
- the portions 16 of the silicon oxide layer which remain after dissolution provide connections between the substrate layer 15 and the actuating modules 201 and 202.
- the moving parts 231, 232 of the actuating modules are in elevation by relative to the substrate layer 15 at an altitude equal to the thickness of the sacrificial layer of silicon oxide.
- the silicon oxide layer provides a function of electrical insulator and anchoring support for the fixed and mobile parts of the elementary actuating modules 201 and 202.
- the drive device obtained can then be hybridized on an insulating support 6.
- Other techniques for obtaining the actuating device can of course be used.
- HARPSS High Aspect Ratio combined PoIy and Single-Crystal Silicon
- Figure 16 schematically shows a gear wheel 100 formed by etching in a substrate.
- the driven member 100 comprises a bore 600 formed at its center, the bore being adapted to receive an axis 21, around which the driven member 100 is rotatably mounted.
- the mechanism includes backlash means between the driven member 100 and the axis 21.
- the play compensating means comprise a plurality of resilient flexible blades 601, 602 and 603 disposed between the driven member 100 and the axis. 21. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the blades 601, 602 and 603 are formed integrally with the driven member 100 during the etching step. The blades 601, 602 and 603 are formed during the etching of the central bore 600.
- Each resilient blade 601, 602 and 603 extends from the driven member 100 and engages the axis 21.
- FIG. 17 more precisely represents the position of the bore 600 of the driven element 100 with respect to the axis 21 when the axis 21 is centered with respect to the bore 600.
- the blades 601, 602 and 603 are formed in one piece with the driven element 100 during the etching of the bore 600.
- the bore made in the driven element 100 is not circular but is cut to form reliefs constituting the means of catching play between the 100 and the axis 21.
- the reliefs include in particular the flexible blades 601, 602 and
- the flexible blades allow to maintain the driven member 100 on the axis of rotation 21 despite a clearance existing between the bore 600 of the driven member 100 and the axis of rotation 21. In addition, the flexible blades compensate the decentering of the axis and / or the bore relative to the driven element.
- the reliefs formed by the bore 600 also comprise stops 611, 612 and 613 formed by protuberances, each stop being disposed between one of the blades 601, 602 and 603 and the driven element 100. These stops 611, 612 and 613 are intended to limit the movement of the blades 611, 612 and 613 when they are bent.
- the reliefs also comprise stops 621, 631, 622, 632, 623 and 633 formed by larger protuberances located on either side of the blades 601, 602 and 603.
- the stops 621, 631, 622, 632, 623 and 633 are disposed between the axis 21 and the driven member 100.
- the stops 621, 631, 622, 632, 623 and 633 are intended to limit the decentering of the axis 21 relative to the bore 600.
- the stops 621 , 631, 622, 632, 623 and 633 thus limit the deformation of the blades 601, 602 and 603 and guarantee a permanent contact of the axis 21 with all the blades.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Micromachines (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0409333A FR2874907B1 (fr) | 2004-09-03 | 2004-09-03 | Dispositif d'entrainement, notamment pour mecanisme horloger |
PCT/EP2005/054298 WO2006024651A2 (fr) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-09-01 | Dispositif d'entrainement, notamment pour mécanisme horloger |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1797483A2 true EP1797483A2 (fr) | 2007-06-20 |
EP1797483B1 EP1797483B1 (fr) | 2013-10-02 |
EP1797483B9 EP1797483B9 (fr) | 2014-02-26 |
Family
ID=34949137
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05792146.2A Active EP1797483B9 (fr) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-09-01 | Dispositif d'entrainement, notamment pour mécanisme horloger |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7636277B2 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP1797483B9 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP4928455B2 (fr) |
FR (1) | FR2874907B1 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2006024651A2 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (20)
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US8915158B2 (en) * | 2006-06-02 | 2014-12-23 | MicroZeus, LLC | Methods and systems for micro transmissions |
WO2007143623A2 (fr) | 2006-06-02 | 2007-12-13 | Stalford Harold L | Procédés et systèmes pour micromachines |
US8134276B2 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2012-03-13 | MicroZeus, LLC | Methods and systems for positioning micro elements |
US8282284B2 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2012-10-09 | MicroZeus, LLC | Methods and systems for micro bearings |
US8159107B2 (en) | 2006-06-02 | 2012-04-17 | Microzeus Llc | Micro rotary machine and methods for using same |
US8884474B2 (en) * | 2006-06-02 | 2014-11-11 | MicroZeus, LLC | Method of fabricating a micro machine |
US9156674B2 (en) * | 2006-06-02 | 2015-10-13 | MicroZeus, LLC | Micro transport machine and methods for using same |
EP1921042A1 (fr) * | 2006-11-10 | 2008-05-14 | ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse | Procédé de fabrication de pièces de micromécanique multiniveaux en silicium et pièces ainsi obtenues |
DE602006005058D1 (de) | 2006-11-13 | 2009-03-19 | Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse | Einen MEMS-Mikromotor umfassendes Antriebsmodul, Verfahren zur Herstellung dieses Moduls und mit diesem Modul ausgerüstete Uhr |
ATE495481T1 (de) | 2006-11-13 | 2011-01-15 | Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse | Mems-mikromotor und mit diesem mikromotor ausgerüstete uhr |
DE602006015662D1 (de) | 2006-11-13 | 2010-09-02 | Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse | Anordnung zur mechanischen Verbindung eines MEMS-Mikromotors mit einem Uhrrädchen und diese Anordnung umfassende Uhr |
US8122973B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2012-02-28 | Stalford Harold L | Three dimensional (3D) robotic micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) arm and system |
EP2226689A1 (fr) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-09-08 | Montres Breguet SA | Pont ou platine pour un mouvement d'horlogerie |
FR2985721B1 (fr) | 2012-01-12 | 2017-04-07 | Silmach | Indexation passive d'un element mobile presentant des dents |
US8926465B2 (en) * | 2013-01-07 | 2015-01-06 | Timex Group Usa, Inc. | Bidirectional MEMS driving arrangement |
JP2016059191A (ja) * | 2014-09-11 | 2016-04-21 | ソニー株式会社 | 静電型デバイス |
FR3102577B1 (fr) | 2019-10-28 | 2021-12-17 | Silmach | Systeme horloger a entraînement direct |
FR3123061B1 (fr) | 2021-05-21 | 2023-08-11 | Silmach | Procédé de commande d’un microsystème électromécanique |
FR3123062B1 (fr) | 2021-05-21 | 2023-08-11 | Silmach | Microsystème électromécanique permettant de deplacer une piece mécanique selon deux sens opposes |
FR3123063B1 (fr) | 2021-05-21 | 2023-04-21 | Silmach | Microsystème électromécanique permettant de deplacer une piece mécanique selon deux sens opposes |
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FR2700012B1 (fr) * | 1992-12-28 | 1995-03-03 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | Accéléromètre intégré à axe sensible parallèle au substrat. |
US5631514A (en) * | 1994-06-09 | 1997-05-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Microfabricated microengine for use as a mechanical drive and power source in the microdomain and fabrication process |
US5998906A (en) * | 1998-01-13 | 1999-12-07 | Seagate Technology, Inc. | Electrostatic microactuator and method for use thereof |
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SG112865A1 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2005-07-28 | Sony Corp | Mems based motor |
FR2852111B1 (fr) * | 2003-03-05 | 2005-06-24 | Univ Franche Comte | Dispositif d'horloge utilisant la technologie mems |
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- 2004-09-03 FR FR0409333A patent/FR2874907B1/fr active Active
-
2005
- 2005-09-01 WO PCT/EP2005/054298 patent/WO2006024651A2/fr active Application Filing
- 2005-09-01 JP JP2007528878A patent/JP4928455B2/ja active Active
- 2005-09-01 US US11/662,017 patent/US7636277B2/en active Active
- 2005-09-01 EP EP05792146.2A patent/EP1797483B9/fr active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See references of WO2006024651A3 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1797483B1 (fr) | 2013-10-02 |
EP1797483B9 (fr) | 2014-02-26 |
WO2006024651A3 (fr) | 2006-07-27 |
JP4928455B2 (ja) | 2012-05-09 |
US20080316871A1 (en) | 2008-12-25 |
WO2006024651A2 (fr) | 2006-03-09 |
FR2874907A1 (fr) | 2006-03-10 |
US7636277B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 |
JP2008512075A (ja) | 2008-04-17 |
FR2874907B1 (fr) | 2006-11-24 |
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