EP3140698B1 - Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement - Google Patents

Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3140698B1
EP3140698B1 EP15723856.9A EP15723856A EP3140698B1 EP 3140698 B1 EP3140698 B1 EP 3140698B1 EP 15723856 A EP15723856 A EP 15723856A EP 3140698 B1 EP3140698 B1 EP 3140698B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oscillator
rod
blades
tuning fork
oscillation
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EP15723856.9A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3140698A2 (en
Inventor
Ilan Vardi
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/045—Oscillators acting by spring tension with oscillating blade springs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/22—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature
    • G04B17/227—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature composition and manufacture of the material used

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, a timepiece movement comprising the oscillator as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator.
  • the invention relates to a mechanical timepiece comprising the oscillator.
  • An object of the present invention is to improve the performance of the mechanical movement of a timepiece, in particular of a mechanical timepiece.
  • the balance spring long used as an oscillator in mechanical watches, has proven itself, but despite, or perhaps because of, centuries of research and development, it may be near its limits. . Thus, the best balance springs arrive at a quality factor Q of around 300.
  • the tuning fork is well known for its time base qualities, the tuning fork wrist watches of the 1960s were the most precise in the world until the advent of the quartz watch. Max Hetzel is at the origin of a large number of patented inventions, relating to the use of a tuning fork as an oscillator, which led to the production of the Accutron wristwatch (registered trademark), marketed by Bulova Swiss SA.
  • the Accutron watch however includes an electronic resonator since each branch of the tuning fork carries a permanent magnet associated with an electromagnet mounted fixed on the frame of the watch.
  • the operation of each electromagnet is subject to the vibrations of the tuning fork via the magnets which it carries, in such a way that the vibrations of the tuning fork are maintained by the transmission of periodic magnetic pulses from the electromagnets to the permanent magnets.
  • One of the branches of the tuning fork activates a ratchet making it possible to rotate the moving parts of the watch's final train.
  • a general difference between mechanical wristwatches and electronic watches with acoustic tuning fork is the fact that, in the latter, the oscillator as a time regulator also serves as an energy distributor, i.e. the oscillations are used to activate the movement (Accutron) or to determine the activity of an electric motor which acts on the hands, for example (electronic quartz watch).
  • the oscillator as a time regulator also serves as an energy distributor, i.e. the oscillations are used to activate the movement (Accutron) or to determine the activity of an electric motor which acts on the hands, for example (electronic quartz watch).
  • the regulation is at the end of the energy transmission chain.
  • the patent US 3,208,287 from a deposit dating from 1962, describes a resonator comprising a tuning fork coupled to an escape wheel by means of magnetic interactions. More specifically, the tuning fork carries permanent magnets cooperating with the escape wheel, the latter being made of a magnetic conductive material.
  • the escape wheel is kinematically connected to a source of energy which can be mechanical or take the form of a motor, while it includes openings in its thickness such that it forms a magnetic circuit of variable reluctance when it is rotated, in relation to the magnets carried by the tuning fork.
  • the present invention seeks to solve several technical problems.
  • it is desired to induce an asymmetrical oscillation by acting on a single blade of the tuning fork, therefore without imposing the antisymmetrical oscillation by the simultaneous impulse of the two blades.
  • the use of magnets to distribute energy to an oscillator (pulse by escape) or even to regulate an energy is not strictly spoken "mechanical", for the simple reason that energy is transmitted by magnetic forces and therefore associated with electromagnetic phenomena.
  • the patent FR 1 421 123 describes a tuning fork whose geometry of the blades and of the rod makes it possible to limit an undesired oscillation of the rod.
  • the present invention aims to provide a watch with mechanical movement comprising a more precise time base than that of the conventional balance-spring.
  • an objective of the invention is to provide a wristwatch with entirely mechanical movement using an oscillator of the tuning fork type as time base.
  • An objective of the present invention is to avoid, in a tuning fork oscillator, symmetrical oscillations. More particularly, the present invention aims to avoid symmetrical oscillations in an oscillator comprising a material characterized by low internal friction, so as to make the oscillator capable of effecting said symmetrical oscillations.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a tuning fork on the basis of a material having a low internal friction such as monocrystalline silicon.
  • a material having a low internal friction such as monocrystalline silicon.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an oscillator in which the asymmetric oscillations are favored, even if the pulses are given on one of the two blades only, in other words, in the absence of simultaneous pulses both blades.
  • the present invention seeks to solve the above problems and has other advantages which will become more clearly apparent on reading the description and the claims.
  • the present invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1.
  • the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising an assembly comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a member fixing device connected to a support, said assembly being formed of a material A, characterized by a low internal friction, said oscillator being capable of oscillating in a desired asymmetric mode as well as in an undesired symmetrical mode, characterized in that the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of said oscillator is reduced compared to the quality factor Q 1 of the antisymmetrical oscillation mode.
  • the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, characterized in that, in said oscillator, an oscillation mode symmetrical is damped or prevented by the presence of a selected material in or on said oscillator and / or in or on a fixation of the oscillator.
  • the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a fixing, said oscillator being made of one or more materials making said oscillator capable of performing symmetrical oscillations, and said oscillator or the fixing further comprising another material capable of damping said symmetrical oscillations.
  • the present invention relates to a tuning fork type oscillator, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a fixing, said oscillator comprising or being made of several materials including a material A and a material A ', the material A' being characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion of opposite sign to that of the material A.
  • the present invention relates to a movement for a timepiece comprising the oscillator as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a material having comparatively high internal friction to avoid symmetrical oscillation in an oscillator of the tuning fork type.
  • the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator and also a movement for a timepiece comprising the oscillator.
  • the timepiece according to the invention can be a watch, a pocket watch, a pendant watch, a pendulum, or even a table clock, for example.
  • the timepiece according to the invention is a wristwatch.
  • the timepiece according to the invention may be entirely mechanical and / or may comprise an entirely mechanical movement.
  • a fully mechanical movement can operate in the absence of any electronic circuit, in particular in the absence of a source of electrical energy, such as a battery or a photovoltaic cell, for example.
  • the present invention also makes it possible to produce a timepiece which operates on the basis of mechanical interactions between all of the parts and which excludes magnetic interactions.
  • the pulses to induce and keep the oscillator in oscillation are carried out by a part which acts by direct physical contact on the tuning fork or on a part integral with the tuning fork.
  • the present invention can constitute an improvement of the solutions proposed in patent documents EP 2,466,401 or US 3,208,287 , which disclose a resonator in which the oscillator and the escape wheel carry magnets, for example permanent magnets, so as to constitute a regulation and escape mechanism based on magnetic interactions.
  • the movement of the invention comprises a mechanical impulse member which is connected and / or powered by a source of mechanical energy.
  • Source mechanical energy can be the same as in a classic mechanical watch, for example, the energy can come from a barrel spring which can be wound manually or automatically, for example.
  • the present invention makes it possible, for the first time, to produce a fully mechanical timepiece movement with an oscillator of the tuning fork type.
  • the proposed solution is applicable to any time base on the basis of a tuning fork type resonator or oscillator.
  • the figure 1 shows the general shape of a watch tuning fork.
  • the tuning fork 1 comprises the two blades or branches 3 and 4, connected by the base 5 so as to constitute the general shape of a U.
  • the two blades 2 and 3 are preferably arranged in parallel in a single plane.
  • the two blades 3 and 4 preferably have the same length.
  • On the side opposite the base 5, the ends of the blades 3 and 4 are free. They preferably each carry a mass 8, 9, respectively, which serves to reduce the frequency of the oscillations of the tuning fork 1.
  • the tuning fork comprises a rod 6 by which the base 5 is connected to a fixing member 7. One end of the rod 6 is therefore connected to the base 5 while the other end is connected to the fixing 7.
  • the fixing 7 is preferably made integral with the movement of the watch.
  • the fastener 7 is connected, for example by screwing, to the plate or to a bridge.
  • the fixing 7 can be attached to a support any.
  • the rod 6 is preferably located above the base 5. It could also be located below the base 5, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B which does not change the behavior of the tuning fork.
  • the interest of the tuning fork is mainly due to the fact that its quality factor Q is much higher than that of a simple vibrating blade.
  • the high quality factor Q of the tuning fork compared to that of a simple vibrating plate is related to the configuration in U and the modes of oscillations which result from it.
  • the latter comprises or is preferably made of a material having a low or very low internal friction.
  • a sophisticated model of the explanation of the quality factor takes into account the viscous internal friction of the branches and the base of the tuning fork, as described by Andres Castellanos-Gomez, Nicolas Agrait, Gabino Rubio-Bollinger, "Forcegradient-induced mechanical dissipation of quartz tuning fork force sensors used in atomic force microscopy", Ultramicroscopy (2011) 111 (3), 186-190 .
  • Materials which fulfill the criterion of low internal friction are, for example, monocrystalline silicon or quartz. Of course, other materials having comparable internal friction and / or of the same order of magnitude can also be used. In general, other monocrystalline materials can be used in the manufacture of the oscillator 1 according to the invention.
  • the oscillator 1 as a whole may comprise or be made of several materials.
  • masses 8 and 9 are typically made of gold or another dense material, for example another heavy precious metal.
  • the masses 8 and 9 make it possible to reduce the frequency of the oscillator if this is desired, which may be the case in a mechanical timepiece.
  • the present invention also covers the possibility that the masses 8 and 9 are zero or absent.
  • the masses 8, 9 can be placed or oriented in another way than shown in the figure 1 , as disclosed, for example, in the US patent US 3,447,311 .
  • the masses 8, 9 can be produced in the form of layers deposited on the blades 3 and 4 and / or can be connected close to or in the region of the ends and be oriented as shown in US 3,447,311 , for example.
  • the blades 3, 4 can be formed from several materials having a low internal friction, as will be described below below.
  • the rod 6 and / or the fixing 7 preferably comprises a material with higher internal friction, as will be described later.
  • the oscillator comprises an assembly 2 formed at least of the blades 3 and 4 and of the base 5.
  • This assembly 2 preferably comprises an entity formed of a single continuous material.
  • the oscillator 1 comprises an assembly 2 formed of a material A characterized by a low internal friction.
  • the material A is chosen from the materials with low internal friction described above, such as for example monocrystalline silicon or quartz, or monocrystalline materials in general.
  • said oscillator 1, or at least said assembly 2 comprises or is formed of monocrystalline silicon and / or quartz.
  • the rod 6 comprises and / or is formed from the same material A. According to this embodiment, the rod 6 is part of the assembly 2. According to another embodiment, the rod 6 comprises and / or is made of another material.
  • the quality factor Q of the oscillator is higher than in the case of a metal oscillator, for example. This increase in the quality factor Q also applies to oscillation modes which can be designated as unwanted in an oscillator serving as a time base.
  • the figures 2 A and 2 B illustrate two modes of oscillation of a tuning fork 1 following a pulse.
  • the dotted and solid lines show, respectively, the two positions of the peak-to-peak amplitude of the oscillator, i.e. the two positions which define the maximum deviation from the rest position where the blades 3 and 4 are parallel.
  • the problems associated with the symmetrical oscillation mode arise above all in the case where the oscillator is made of a material with low internal friction, such as quartz or monocrystalline silicon, for example.
  • the symmetrical oscillation mode ( figure 2 B) is not observed in metal tuning forks, for example.
  • the choice of material with low internal friction, for example material A makes said oscillator capable of oscillating not only in the desired asymmetric mode, but also in the undesired symmetrical mode.
  • the symmetrical oscillation mode is favored by mechanical excitation due to a slightly lower quality factor, therefore easier to "find". This last point applies in particular to the pulse on only one of the two blades, whether this pulse is mechanical or other.
  • a difference between the two modes of asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B relates to rod 6.
  • the symmetrical mode induces a transverse oscillation of the rod 6, which corresponds to the oscillation of a simple vibrating blade. This transverse oscillation generally takes place in the plane defined by the two blades 3, 4.
  • the rod 6 performs longitudinal and / or axial oscillations along the axis of the rod 6.
  • the symmetrical oscillations ( figure 2 B) are generally avoided by the simultaneous excitation of the two blades 3 and 4, exploiting the piezoelectric properties of quartz.
  • the simultaneous impulse (at the same time) of the two blades 3, 4 is illustrated by the two arrows 10 in opposite directions in the figure 1 .
  • electrodes are placed on or near the blades to be able to induce an asymmetrical oscillation.
  • electronic methods or algorithms are put in place to prevent symmetrical oscillation in electronic watches.
  • An objective of the present invention is to implement alternative solutions to prevent the symmetrical oscillation mode of an oscillator of the tuning fork type, preferably in a resonator used as a time base.
  • a pulse on only one of the two blades of a tuning fork represents the preferred solution in the case of a mechanical resonator, that is to say time bases in which the oscillations of the tuning fork are induced and maintained mechanically, without the use of electricity, electronics or piezoelectricity.
  • the oscillations are induced and maintained without the use of magnetism.
  • the movement of the invention and / or the timepiece of the invention comprises a mechanical impulse member or mechanism capable of acting on one of the two blades of a tuning fork so as to induce it and keep it in oscillation.
  • a mechanical impulse member or mechanism capable of acting on one of the two blades of a tuning fork so as to induce it and keep it in oscillation.
  • Requirement WO2013 / 045573 discloses a mechanical tuning fork resonator for mechanical watch movement with free escapement.
  • a blade of this tuning fork carries at least a first pin associated with at least a first fork tooth of an anchor, for pivoting said fork between first and second angular positions and alternately lock and release an escape wheel.
  • the resonator comprises a conversion member secured to the ankle, arranged to, on the one hand, transform the oscillations of the blade into rotational movements of the anchor by transmitting pulses from the blade to the anchor, and on the other hand, transmit mechanical energy from said anchor to the blade of the oscillator in the form of pulses.
  • a support carrying pegs is attached to the end of one of the two blades.
  • the pegs cooperate with teeth defining an anchor fork.
  • the anchor has a frame pivotally mounted on the movement as well as a pair of arms, each of which carries a tooth to interact with the pins on the support.
  • the anchor then comprises a second pair of additional arms, each of which carries a pallet arranged to cooperate with an escape wheel.
  • the request resonator WO2013 / 045573 works in a similar way to that of conventional resonators thanks to the fact that the oscillator carries two pegs instead of a single peg as well as by the particular geometry of the anchor fork.
  • the anchor is intended to pivot between a first position in which one of the pallets locks the escaping wheel in rotation and a second position in which the other pallet locks the escapement wheel.
  • the pivoting of the anchor is also used to give impetus to one of the two pins of the support to ensure the maintenance of the oscillations of the blade and thus of the tuning fork as a whole.
  • the conversion member comprises a rocker and operates on the principle of the lever arm. A free end of the rocker is pivotally mounted on the free end of a blade and the other end is engaged between the teeth of the fork of the anchor to cooperate with it and rotate the anchor.
  • WO2013 / 045573 discloses a mechanical impulse member capable of acting on one of the two blades so as to induce and keep said oscillator in oscillation.
  • a mechanical impulse member is preferably used in the timepiece according to the present invention.
  • the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of the oscillator of the invention is actively and targetedly reduced compared to the quality factor Q 1 of the asymmetric oscillation mode.
  • the present invention aims to reduce the quality factor of the symmetrical oscillations, thereby favoring the oscillation in the desired asymmetric mode. This implies, in fact, that each oscillation mode has not only its own frequency, but also its own quality factor.
  • Q 2 represents the quality factor of the undesired symmetrical oscillation mode
  • Q 1 represents the quality factor of the desired asymmetrical oscillation mode.
  • the quality factor Q 2 is reduced in a targeted manner by the construction of the tuning fork and in particular by the choice of materials used in the construction of the tuning fork.
  • the quality factor Q 2 is reduced by the geometry of the tuning fork and / or the choice of the position of different materials having different characteristics.
  • the oscillator of the invention comprises at least one second material which makes it possible to reduce the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode.
  • This second material is generally designated as material B in the present description.
  • the material B is preferably chosen from materials having a higher friction than the material A.
  • the material B is a material having a higher internal friction than that of quartz and / or monocrystalline silicon, by example.
  • the material B is chosen from metals, alloys, polycrystalline materials, amorphous materials, for example.
  • the internal friction of a material is associated with the ability of a solid material to convert its mechanical vibration energy into internal energy. This inevitable degradation or loss of energy manifests itself in several ways, for example by a transformation of the energy of vibration into heat.
  • the quality factor of an oscillator and the internal friction of the material depend on each other, as described in the publication of Clarence Zener, "Internai Friction in Solids," Proceedings of the Physical Society 52 (1940), pp.
  • the inverse of the quality factor 1 / Q is preferably used to determine whether a given material is characterized by low or high internal friction.
  • the quality factor Q of a material can be determined by a person skilled in the art, as described in numerous publications dating from the last 50 years, see the publication references. Ilan Vardi, “The quality factor in mechanical watchmaking”, Bulletin de la cios Métrie 75 (2014), pp. 53-61 .
  • the quality factor Q of a material can be determined on the basis of a simple vibrating plate which is induced in free vibration.
  • the internal friction of a material A can be represented by 1 / Q A
  • the internal friction of a material B can be represented by 1 / Q B .
  • a material A having a low internal friction is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q A ) is ⁇ 0.02, preferably ⁇ 0.01. According to a preferred embodiment, a material having a low internal friction is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q A ) is ⁇ 0.001.
  • the material A In terms of internal friction, the material A 'fulfills the same conditions as the material A.
  • the values of 1 / Q for A' (1 / Q A ' ) are therefore in the same ranges as the values 1 / Q for A (1 / Q A ).
  • a material B having a high friction or higher than the material A is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q B ) is ⁇ 0.02, preferably ⁇ 0.05, for example ⁇ 0.1 or more tall.
  • the materials A and A ' have an internal friction (1 / Q A ) ⁇ 0.01 and the material B an internal friction (1 / Q B )> 0.02.
  • the materials A and B are generally chosen so that 1 / Q A ⁇ 1 / Q B. Defining materials A and B in relation to each other makes it possible to ignore the specific conditions under which the respective quality factor Q (Q A , Q B ) was measured to determine the value of friction internal of the material, as long as the conditions are the same for the determination of Q A and Q B (for example 25 ° C, and two rods, one of material A and one of material B, having identical dimensions).
  • Q B / Q A is ⁇ 0.1, preferably ⁇ 0.02, or even ⁇ 0.01.
  • the present invention contemplates adjusting the internal friction of a material (1 / Q A and / or 1 / Q B ) to obtain a material having the desired characteristics.
  • the materials A and B can be mixtures, for example composites comprising several materials or materials, chosen so as to obtain a material having an internal friction in accordance with the preferred values or proportions indicated above.
  • the inventors have found that it is possible to prevent symmetrical oscillations by the geometric configuration and / or the position of the material B in the tuning fork. Material B is in contact with material A of the oscillator.
  • the tuning fork of the invention comprises a material B which is arranged and / or located so as to prevent or dampen the symmetrical oscillations of the tuning fork.
  • the presence of the material B makes it possible to damp the transverse oscillations of the rod 6. Consequently, according to one embodiment of the invention, the material A is a first material and said factor of quality Q 2 is reduced by the presence of a second material B, this material B being in contact with said material A so that a transverse oscillation of said rod 6 is damped.
  • said quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of said oscillator is reduced so that Q 1 / Q 2 is equal to or greater than 2.
  • Q 1 / Q 2 is equal to or greater than 5, or even equal or greater than 10, equal or greater than 20, equal or greater than 50, or even equal or greater than 100, for example, equal or greater than 200.
  • the quality factor Q 1 is at least an order of magnitude higher than the quality factor Q 2 .
  • order of magnitude is meant a difference of about a factor of 10.
  • the quality factor Q 1 is at least 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than the quality factor Q 2 .
  • the quality factor Q is used both to qualify the two modes of oscillation, antisymmetric and symmetrical, shown in the Figures 2A and 2B (Q 1 and Q 2 ), and as a parameter of the internal friction of a material.
  • the inverse of the quality factor (1 / Q) is used.
  • the state of the art describes several parameters which represent the internal friction of a material, such as the damping or loss factor tan ou, or the loss modulus G ".
  • the inverse of the quality factor Q is chosen, as proposed by C. Zener (1940) and H.-P. Liu et al (1983), in particular because the measurement of this parameter is well known to those skilled in the art in the field of watchmaking.
  • the second material or material B can be placed in the rod 6 of the tuning fork.
  • said material A is a first material and the rod 6 comprises or consists of a second material B in contact with said first material.
  • the rod 6 is entirely made of the material B.
  • the rod 6 comprises such a material B or several materials which, on the whole, fulfill the characteristic of the higher internal friction. It is considered advantageous if the material B is in contact with the material A.
  • the material B is in contact with the base 5 of the tuning fork.
  • the material B is preferably at least at the interface of the material A with the rod 6.
  • the rod 6 consists of a material B which is different from the material A of which the assembly 2 is produced.
  • the assembly 2 comprises in particular the two blades 3,4 and the base 5.
  • Figures 3A to 3C have the same meanings as described above for the figure 1 .
  • the figure 3A shows the tuning fork in the rest position, while the Figures 3B and 3C show the asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations, respectively, following a pulse given on one of the two blades (here on the blade 3) at the level of arrow 11.
  • the assembly 2 is constructed entirely of materials of type A, therefore with low internal friction, but the rod 6 is composed of a material having a greater internal friction (material B), for example, the metal used for the tuning fork classic watchmaker.
  • material B the metal used for the tuning fork classic watchmaker.
  • the asymmetric oscillations of the figure 2A have no loss through the stem, due to its zero transverse movement, while the symmetrical oscillations of the tuning fork ( figure 2 B) are damped due to the energy lost at the level of the attachment or the connection between the rod 6 and the base 5, and between the rod 7 and the fixing 7 of the tuning fork, due to the constraints SI and S2, see the figure 3C .
  • the quality factor (Q 2 ) of symmetrical oscillations would therefore be comparable to the quality factor of a simple vibrating blade embedded at one end made of this material B, therefore very small (for example ⁇ 10).
  • Q 1 quality factor
  • the rod 6 preferably has a certain flexibility or elasticity as a whole, which makes it possible to separate or distance the frequency of the symmetrical oscillations from the frequency of the asymmetrical oscillations.
  • the rod 6 is arranged so as to retain sufficient flexibility and / or elasticity to exclude the frequencies specific to the asymmetric and symmetrical mode.
  • This arrangement can be achieved by the geometry and / or shape of the rod 6 and by the material from which it is made.
  • the natural frequency of the symmetrical and antisymmetric oscillations are different and / or distant.
  • natural frequency is meant the concept of resonant frequency, where the amplitude is maximum with respect to the pulse frequency.
  • the natural frequencies of symmetrical and antisymmetric oscillations are distant from at least 5 Hz, preferably at least 10 Hz, or even at least 20 Hz, and even at least 30 Hz.
  • the rod 6 is part of said assembly 2 comprising the blades 3, 4 and the base 5 and comprises or is made up of said material A.
  • the rod 6, the base 5 and the blades 3, 4 can be made in one piece, for example of a continuous material A, or can comprise a continuous material A.
  • the rod 6, the base 5 and the blades 3, 4 may comprise or be formed of a single crystal.
  • the binding 7 comprises or consists of a material having higher internal friction than that of material A.
  • the rod 6 may or may not include a material with higher internal friction (material B).
  • the Figures 4A to 4C show in particular the possibility where the rod comprises and / or is made of the same material A as the base 5 and the blades 3, 4, and the fixing 7, illustrated by a dark square, is formed of the material B.
  • the present invention does not exclude the possibility that the rod comprises a material other than the material A of the base 5 and the blades 3, 4, this other material having a low internal friction, like material A, or a higher internal friction , like material B.
  • said material A is a first material and said fixing member 7 comprises a second material B in contact with said rod 6.
  • the damping of the symmetrical oscillations is introduced at the fixing 7, by replacing the material A of the fixing 7 by a material which dissipates the oscillations of the rod 6.
  • the rod 6 of material A is therefore embedded in a base formed by the attachment 7 made of a material having a high internal friction, such as the metal of the watch tuning fork, or another material such as a resin (material B).
  • the rod 6 of material A is glued to the fixing 7 by an adhesive which could serve as damping, therefore a loss of energy in the symmetrical mode, and a reduction of the quality factor of the symmetrical mode.
  • the glue then comprises and / or constitutes the material B.
  • the attachment 7 could also be made of a material chosen from materials of type A. The asymmetric oscillations are not damped by the attachment, since it does not '' there are no transverse oscillations of the rod 6 in the dissipative embedding 7, see the figure 4B .
  • the symmetrical oscillations are damped since the oscillations of the rod 6 are damped due to its fixation in the dissipative material 7, as indicated by the arrows D in the figure 4C .
  • the stress S1 'between the rod and the base of the tuning fork does not dissipate more energy than in the case where the tuning fork and its fixing are entirely of material A. The stress S1' therefore does not contribute to the reduction symmetrical oscillations.
  • said fixing member 7 fixes and / or embeds said rod 6 so that a transverse oscillation of said rod is damped.
  • This embedding of the rod 6 is well illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C , where the contact of the binding 7 with the rod 6 causes the energy dissipation of the oscillations.
  • the material B is positioned and / or arranged so as to cause in particular a loss of energy of the symmetrical oscillations to reduce the quality factor Q 2 .
  • the material B is arranged so as to absorb the transverse oscillations of the rod 6.
  • the present invention seeks to exploit the difference between the antisymmetric oscillations of the figure 2A and the symmetrical oscillations of the figure 2B , as it manifests itself at the level of the movement of the rod 6. It will also be noted that the center of gravity of the tuning fork is almost immobile in the antisymmetric case but performs a sensitive movement in the symmetrical case.
  • Said blades 3, 4 of the tuning fork 1 according to the invention comprise a material A ', said material A' being arranged in the form of a layer on at least part of the two blades.
  • said material A ' is characterized by a low internal friction similar to that of material A.
  • the internal friction of material A' is of the same order of magnitude as that of material A.
  • the material A and the material A ' are distinguished with respect to the sign (positive or negative) of their respective coefficient of thermal expansion. Consequently, the coefficient of thermal expansion of said material A 'has a reverse sign compared to the sign of the thermal coefficient of said material A. In other words, if the coefficient of thermal expansion of material A is positive, for example +0.5, that of material A 'is negative, for example -1.0.
  • One aim of choosing two materials, A and A 'with low internal friction is to cancel or at least partially compensate for the effect of temperature on the frequency of the oscillations.
  • the frequency of the oscillations decreases following a deviation of the optimal temperature (generally 25 ° C) of a tuning fork because of the increase or the decrease of the volume of the material of which the tuning fork is made.
  • the material A ' preferably has a coefficient of expansion of opposite sign to that of the material A, the presence of A' reduces the change in the volume of the assembly A and A '.
  • the characteristic of the inverse sign does not imply that the absolute values of the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials A and A 'are identical (see the example of the values +0.5 and -1.0 given above).
  • the quantity of material A ′ is preferably chosen so that a change in volume of the assembly comprising at least the blades 3, 4 and the base 5, and possibly the rod 6 is reduced to the maximum, that is, the dilation or decrease in volume is essentially reduced or absent.
  • the material A ' is also a material with low internal friction.
  • the material A ' preferably has no significant effect on the quality factor Q 1 .
  • Those skilled in the art know the materials with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion.
  • the material A ' is preferably present on at least the two blades 3, 4.
  • the material A' can also be present on the base 5.
  • the rod 6 comprises or consists of the material A, ( Figures 4A to 4C )
  • the material A ' may also be present on the rod. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the way in which the material A 'is associated with the material A.
  • the material A' can be deposited in the form of a layer on at least part of the material A or the 'reverse. Those skilled in the art can envisage other ways of associating the material A 'with the tuning fork according to the invention.
  • Said layer may extend over the whole of one face of the blades 3, 4 and of the base 5 and also over the rod 6, or may be present over part of the assembly 2 only.
  • the material A ' is at least associated with and / or connected to a part of the blades 3, 4.
  • the material A' is arranged equitably and / or symmetrically on the two blades 3, 4.
  • the present invention makes it possible to excite and / or maintain the asymmetric pulses despite the pulses (mechanical or other) on only one of the two branches makes it possible to facilitate the construction of the tuning fork in general, also in the case of a tuning fork induced in oscillation by electronic means and / or by using the piezoelectric effect in the case of the quartz tuning fork, for example.

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Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un oscillateur du type diapason, un mouvement horloger comportant l'oscillateur ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comportant l'oscillateur. En particulier, l'invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique comportant l'oscillateur.The present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, a timepiece movement comprising the oscillator as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator. In particular, the invention relates to a mechanical timepiece comprising the oscillator.

Etat de la technique et problèmes à l'origine de l'inventionState of the art and problems underlying the invention

Un but de la présente invention est d'améliorer les performances du mouvement mécanique d'une pièce d'horlogerie, en particulier d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique. Le balancier-spiral, utilisé depuis longtemps comme oscillateur dans les montres mécaniques, a fait ses preuves, mais en dépit, ou peut-être en raison, de siècles de recherche et de développement, il se peut qu'il soit proche de ses limites. Ainsi, les meilleurs balanciers-spiral parviennent à un facteur de qualité Q d'environ 300. Le facteur de qualité d'un oscillateur étant défini par la formule Q = 2π x (énergie stockée/énergie perdue à chaque période), il représente essentiellement le nombre d'oscillations après lequel l'oscillateur perd toute son énergie et s'arrête.An object of the present invention is to improve the performance of the mechanical movement of a timepiece, in particular of a mechanical timepiece. The balance spring, long used as an oscillator in mechanical watches, has proven itself, but despite, or perhaps because of, centuries of research and development, it may be near its limits. . Thus, the best balance springs arrive at a quality factor Q of around 300. The quality factor of an oscillator being defined by the formula Q = 2π x (stored energy / energy lost in each period), it essentially represents the number of oscillations after which the oscillator loses all its energy and stops.

Le diapason est bien connu pour ses qualités de base de temps, les montres-bracelets à diapason des années 1960 étaient les plus précises du monde jusqu'à l'avènement de la montre à quartz. Max Hetzel est à l'origine d'un grand nombre d'inventions brevetées, relatives à la mise en œuvre d'un diapason comme oscillateur, qui ont conduit à la production de la montre-bracelet Accutron (marque déposée), commercialisée par la société Bulova Swiss SA.The tuning fork is well known for its time base qualities, the tuning fork wrist watches of the 1960s were the most precise in the world until the advent of the quartz watch. Max Hetzel is at the origin of a large number of patented inventions, relating to the use of a tuning fork as an oscillator, which led to the production of the Accutron wristwatch (registered trademark), marketed by Bulova Swiss SA.

La montre Accutron comprend toutefois un résonateur électronique étant donné que chaque branche du diapason porte un aimant permanent associé à un électro-aimant monté fixe sur le bâti de la montre. Le fonctionnement de chaque électro-aimant est asservi aux vibrations du diapason par l'intermédiaire des aimants qu'il porte, de telle manière que les vibrations du diapason sont entretenues par la transmission d'impulsions magnétiques périodiques des électro-aimants aux aimants permanents. Une des branches du diapason actionne un cliquet permettant d'entraîner en rotation les mobiles du rouage de finissage de la montre.The Accutron watch however includes an electronic resonator since each branch of the tuning fork carries a permanent magnet associated with an electromagnet mounted fixed on the frame of the watch. The operation of each electromagnet is subject to the vibrations of the tuning fork via the magnets which it carries, in such a way that the vibrations of the tuning fork are maintained by the transmission of periodic magnetic pulses from the electromagnets to the permanent magnets. One of the branches of the tuning fork activates a ratchet making it possible to rotate the moving parts of the watch's final train.

Le brevet US 2,971,323 , par exemple, issu d'un dépôt datant de 1957, décrit un tel mécanisme qui ne peut toutefois convenir à la réalisation d'une montre purement mécanique, c'est-à-dire dépourvue de circuits électroniques. En effet, un besoin réel existe, en termes de marché, pour des pièces d'horlogerie purement mécaniques présentant une précision de marche accrue par rapport aux pièces connues.The patent US 2,971,323 , for example, from a deposit dating from 1957, describes such a mechanism which cannot however be suitable for the production of a purely mechanical watch, that is to say one devoid of electronic circuits. Indeed, there is a real need, in terms of market, for purely mechanical timepieces with increased running precision compared to known parts.

Une différence générale entre les montres-bracelets mécaniques et les montres électroniques à diapason acoustique est le fait que, dans ces dernières, l'oscillateur en tant que régulateur du temps sert également comme distributeur d'énergie, c'est-à-dire que les oscillations sont utilisées pour actionner le mouvement (Accutron) ou pour déterminer l'activité d'un moteur électrique qui agit sur les aiguilles, par exemple (montre électronique à quartz). En revanche, dans les montres mécaniques, la régulation se trouve à la fin de la chaîne de la transmission de l'énergie.A general difference between mechanical wristwatches and electronic watches with acoustic tuning fork is the fact that, in the latter, the oscillator as a time regulator also serves as an energy distributor, i.e. the oscillations are used to activate the movement (Accutron) or to determine the activity of an electric motor which acts on the hands, for example (electronic quartz watch). On the other hand, in mechanical watches, the regulation is at the end of the energy transmission chain.

Le brevet US 3,208,287 , issu d'un dépôt datant de 1962, décrit un résonateur comprenant un diapason couplé à une roue d'échappement par le biais d'interactions magnétiques. Plus précisément, le diapason porte des aimants permanents coopérant avec la roue d'échappement, cette dernière étant réalisée en un matériau conducteur magnétique. La roue d'échappement est reliée cinématiquement à une source d'énergie qui peut être mécanique ou prendre la forme d'un moteur, tandis qu'elle comprend des ouvertures dans son épaisseur telle qu'elle forme un circuit magnétique de reluctance variable lorsqu'elle est entraînée en rotation, en relation avec les aimants portés par le diapason. Ce brevet mentionne une "oscillation anormale", illustrée à la figure 9. Il s'agit en effet d'une oscillation symétrique qui, selon ce brevet, peut être évitée par le positionnement de la roue d'échappement de façon à agir, en même temps, sur les deux lames de l'oscillateur, comme montré aux figures 2 et 3. Cette solution ressemble à celle utilisée dans les montres à quartz électroniques (ainsi qu'à la montre Accutron mentionnée ci-dessus) dans ce sens que le mode d'oscillation symétrique est imposé par l'impulsion simultanée aux deux lames.The patent US 3,208,287 , from a deposit dating from 1962, describes a resonator comprising a tuning fork coupled to an escape wheel by means of magnetic interactions. More specifically, the tuning fork carries permanent magnets cooperating with the escape wheel, the latter being made of a magnetic conductive material. The escape wheel is kinematically connected to a source of energy which can be mechanical or take the form of a motor, while it includes openings in its thickness such that it forms a magnetic circuit of variable reluctance when it is rotated, in relation to the magnets carried by the tuning fork. This patent mentions an "abnormal oscillation", illustrated in FIG. 9. It is indeed a symmetrical oscillation which, according to this patent, can be avoided by positioning the escape wheel so as to act, in same time, on both blades of the oscillator, as shown in figures 2 and 3 . This solution resembles that used in electronic quartz watches (as well as the Accutron watch mentioned above) in the sense that the symmetrical oscillation mode is imposed by the simultaneous pulse on the two blades.

Par rapport au brevet US 3,208,287 , la présente invention cherche à résoudre plusieurs problèmes techniques. D'une part, il est souhaité d'induire une oscillation antisymétrique en agissant sur une seule lame du diapason, donc sans imposer l'oscillation antisymétrique par l'impulsion simultanée des deux lames. D'autre part, l'utilisation d'aimants pour distribuer de l'énergie à un oscillateur (impulsion par échappement) ou encore pour réguler une énergie n'est pas strictement parlé "mécanique", pour la simple raison que l'énergie est transmise par des forces magnétiques et donc associée à des phénomènes électromagnétiques.Compared to the patent US 3,208,287 , the present invention seeks to solve several technical problems. On the one hand, it is desired to induce an asymmetrical oscillation by acting on a single blade of the tuning fork, therefore without imposing the antisymmetrical oscillation by the simultaneous impulse of the two blades. On the other hand, the use of magnets to distribute energy to an oscillator (pulse by escape) or even to regulate an energy is not strictly spoken "mechanical", for the simple reason that energy is transmitted by magnetic forces and therefore associated with electromagnetic phenomena.

Ce même raisonnement est valable pour l'enseignement de la demande de brevet européen EP 2 466 401 .This same reasoning is valid for the teaching of the European patent application EP 2,466,401 .

Le brevet FR 1 421 123 décrit un diapason dont la géométrie des lames et de la tige permet de limiter une oscillation non souhaitée de la tige.The patent FR 1 421 123 describes a tuning fork whose geometry of the blades and of the rod makes it possible to limit an undesired oscillation of the rod.

Au vu de ce qui précède, la présente invention vise à fournir une montre à mouvement mécanique comportant une base de temps plus précise que celle du balancier-spiral classique.In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a watch with mechanical movement comprising a more precise time base than that of the conventional balance-spring.

Il est un objectif de la présente invention de proposer un oscillateur caractérisé par un facteur de qualité supérieur à celui du balancier-spiral.It is an objective of the present invention to provide an oscillator characterized by a quality factor greater than that of the balance spring.

En particulier, un objectif de l'invention est de fournir une montre-bracelet à mouvement entièrement mécanique utilisant un oscillateur du type diapason comme base de temps.In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide a wristwatch with entirely mechanical movement using an oscillator of the tuning fork type as time base.

Un objectif de la présente invention est d'éviter, dans un oscillateur à diapason, les oscillations symétriques. Plus particulièrement, la présente invention vise à éviter les oscillations symétriques dans un oscillateur comportant un matériau caractérisé par un frottement interne faible, de façon à rendre l'oscillateur susceptible d'effectuer lesdites oscillations symétriques.An objective of the present invention is to avoid, in a tuning fork oscillator, symmetrical oscillations. More particularly, the present invention aims to avoid symmetrical oscillations in an oscillator comprising a material characterized by low internal friction, so as to make the oscillator capable of effecting said symmetrical oscillations.

Un objectif de l'invention est de fournir un diapason sur la base d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne faible tel que le silicium monocristallin. L'emploi d'un tel matériau permet d'augmenter le facteur de qualité Q des oscillations, mais rend le diapason susceptible d'effectuer des oscillations symétriques non-souhaitées dans le contexte d'une base de temps.An object of the invention is to provide a tuning fork on the basis of a material having a low internal friction such as monocrystalline silicon. The use of such a material makes it possible to increase the quality factor Q of the oscillations, but makes the tuning fork liable to perform undesired symmetrical oscillations in the context of a time base.

Un but de la présente invention est de mettre à disposition un oscillateur dans lequel les oscillations antisymétriques sont favorisées, même si les impulsions sont données sur l'une des deux lames seulement, en d'autres termes, en l'absence d'impulsions simultanées aux deux lames.An object of the present invention is to provide an oscillator in which the asymmetric oscillations are favored, even if the pulses are given on one of the two blades only, in other words, in the absence of simultaneous pulses both blades.

La présente invention cherche à résoudre les problèmes ci-dessus et présente d'autres avantages qui apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de description et des revendications.The present invention seeks to solve the above problems and has other advantages which will become more clearly apparent on reading the description and the claims.

Résumé de l'InventionSummary of the Invention

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un oscillateur du type diapason, ledit oscillateur comportant un ensemble comportant deux lames et une base reliant lesdites lames, ledit oscillateur comportant une tige liée à ladite base, l'oscillateur étant connecté par sa tige à un organe de fixation connecté à un support, ledit ensemble étant formé d'un matériau A, caractérisé par un frottement interne faible, ledit oscillateur étant susceptible d'osciller dans un mode antisymétrique souhaité ainsi que dans un mode symétrique non-souhaité, caractérisé en ce que le facteur de qualité Q2 du mode d'oscillation symétrique dudit oscillateur est réduit par rapport au facteur de qualité Q1 du mode d'oscillation antisymétrique.In one aspect, the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising an assembly comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a member fixing device connected to a support, said assembly being formed of a material A, characterized by a low internal friction, said oscillator being capable of oscillating in a desired asymmetric mode as well as in an undesired symmetrical mode, characterized in that the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of said oscillator is reduced compared to the quality factor Q 1 of the antisymmetrical oscillation mode.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un oscillateur du type diapason, ledit oscillateur comportant deux lames et une base reliant lesdites lames, ledit oscillateur comportant une tige liée à ladite base, caractérisé en ce que, dans ledit oscillateur, un mode d'oscillation symétrique est amorti ou empêché par la présence d'un matériau sélectionné dans ou sur ledit oscillateur et/ou dans ou sur une fixation de l'oscillateur.In one aspect, the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, characterized in that, in said oscillator, an oscillation mode symmetrical is damped or prevented by the presence of a selected material in or on said oscillator and / or in or on a fixation of the oscillator.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un oscillateur du type diapason, ledit oscillateur comportant deux lames et une base reliant lesdites lames, ledit oscillateur comportant une tige liée à ladite base, l'oscillateur étant connecté par sa tige à une fixation, ledit oscillateur étant fabriqué d'un ou plusieurs matériaux rendant ledit oscillateur susceptible d'effectuer des oscillations symétriques, et ledit oscillateur ou la fixation comportant en outre un autre matériau susceptible d'amortir lesdites oscillations symétriques.In one aspect, the present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a fixing, said oscillator being made of one or more materials making said oscillator capable of performing symmetrical oscillations, and said oscillator or the fixing further comprising another material capable of damping said symmetrical oscillations.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne oscillateur du type diapason, ledit oscillateur comportant deux lames et une base reliant lesdites lames, ledit oscillateur comportant une tige liée à ladite base, l'oscillateur étant connecté par sa tige à une fixation, ledit oscillateur comportant ou étant fabriqué de plusieurs matériaux dont un matériau A et un matériau A', le matériau A' étant caractérisé par un coefficient de dilation thermique de signe inverse à celui du matériau A.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a tuning fork type oscillator, said oscillator comprising two blades and a base connecting said blades, said oscillator comprising a rod linked to said base, the oscillator being connected by its rod to a fixing, said oscillator comprising or being made of several materials including a material A and a material A ', the material A' being characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion of opposite sign to that of the material A.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un mouvement pour pièce d'horlogerie comportant l'oscillateur ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comportant l'oscillateur.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a movement for a timepiece comprising the oscillator as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne l'utilisation d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne comparativement élevé pour éviter une oscillation symétrique dans un oscillateur du type diapason.In one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a material having comparatively high internal friction to avoid symmetrical oscillation in an oscillator of the tuning fork type.

Description des dessinsDescription of the drawings

Les caractéristiques et les avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture d'une description d'une forme d'exécution préférentielle, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, nullement limitative en se référant aux figures schématiques dans lesquelles:

  • La figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'un diapason horloger.
  • Les figures 2 A et 2 B illustrent l'oscillation antisymétrique et symétrique, respectivement, d'un diapason.
  • La figure 3 A représente une vue schématique d'un diapason selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
  • Les figures 3 B et 3 C représentent des vue schématiques des oscillations antisymétriques et symétriques, respectivement, de l'oscillateur de la figure 3A.
  • La figure 4 A représente une vue schématique d'un diapason selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
  • Les figures 4 B et 4 C représentent des vue schématiques des oscillations antisymétriques et symétriques, respectivement, de l'oscillateur de la figure 4A.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading a description of a preferred embodiment, given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures in which:
  • The figure 1 represents a schematic view of a watch tuning fork.
  • The figures 2 A and 2 B illustrate the asymmetrical and symmetrical oscillation, respectively, of a tuning fork.
  • The figure 3 A represents a schematic view of a tuning fork according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • The figures 3 B and 3 C represent schematic views of the asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations, respectively, of the oscillator of the figure 3A .
  • The figure 4 A represents a schematic view of a tuning fork according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • The figures 4 B and 4 C represent schematic views of the asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations, respectively, of the oscillator of the figure 4A .

Description détaillée des modes de réalisations préférésDetailed description of preferred embodiments

La présente invention concerne un oscillateur du type diapason ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comportant l'oscillateur et encore un mouvement pour pièce d'horlogerie comportant l'oscillateur.The present invention relates to an oscillator of the tuning fork type as well as a timepiece comprising the oscillator and also a movement for a timepiece comprising the oscillator.

La pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention peut être une montre, une montre de poche, une montre pendentif, une pendule, ou encore une horloge de table, par exemple. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention est une montre-bracelet.The timepiece according to the invention can be a watch, a pocket watch, a pendant watch, a pendulum, or even a table clock, for example. According to a preferred embodiment, the timepiece according to the invention is a wristwatch.

La pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention peut être entièrement mécanique et/ou peut comporter un mouvement entièrement mécanique. De préférence, un mouvement entièrement mécanique peut fonctionner en absence de tout circuit électronique, en particulier en l'absence d'une source d'énergie électrique, telle qu'une pile ou une cellule photovoltaïque, par exemple. La présente invention permet également de réaliser une pièce d'horlogerie qui fonctionne sur la base d'interactions mécaniques entre l'ensemble des pièces et qui exclut des interactions magnétiques. Dans un mouvement entièrement mécanique, les impulsions pour induire et maintenir l'oscillateur en oscillation sont effectuées par une pièce qui agit par contact physique direct sur le diapason ou sur une pièce solidaire du diapason. Par exemple, la présente invention peut constituer une amélioration des solutions proposées dans des documents brevets EP 2 466 401 ou encore US 3,208,287 , qui divulguent un résonateur dans lequel l'oscillateur et la roue d'échappement portent des aimants, par exemple des aimants permanents, de façon à constituer un mécanisme de régulation et d'échappement sur la base d'interactions magnétiques.The timepiece according to the invention may be entirely mechanical and / or may comprise an entirely mechanical movement. Preferably, a fully mechanical movement can operate in the absence of any electronic circuit, in particular in the absence of a source of electrical energy, such as a battery or a photovoltaic cell, for example. The present invention also makes it possible to produce a timepiece which operates on the basis of mechanical interactions between all of the parts and which excludes magnetic interactions. In a fully mechanical movement, the pulses to induce and keep the oscillator in oscillation are carried out by a part which acts by direct physical contact on the tuning fork or on a part integral with the tuning fork. For example, the present invention can constitute an improvement of the solutions proposed in patent documents EP 2,466,401 or US 3,208,287 , which disclose a resonator in which the oscillator and the escape wheel carry magnets, for example permanent magnets, so as to constitute a regulation and escape mechanism based on magnetic interactions.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le mouvement de l'invention comprend un organe d'impulsion mécanique qui est relié et/ou alimenté par une source d'énergie mécanique. La source d'énergie mécanique peut être la même comme dans une montre mécanique classique, par exemple, l'énergie peut provenir d'un ressort de barillet qui peut être remonté manuellement ou automatiquement, par exemple.According to one embodiment, the movement of the invention comprises a mechanical impulse member which is connected and / or powered by a source of mechanical energy. Source mechanical energy can be the same as in a classic mechanical watch, for example, the energy can come from a barrel spring which can be wound manually or automatically, for example.

Alors que la présente invention permet le fonctionnement d'un mouvement pour pièce d'horlogerie entièrement mécanique, l'homme du métier saura appliquer les solutions techniques divulguées dans le présent descriptif dans le cas d'une montre électronique ou encore dans une montre mécanique utilisant des interactions magnétiques.While the present invention allows the operation of a movement for a fully mechanical timepiece, those skilled in the art will be able to apply the technical solutions disclosed in this description in the case of an electronic watch or in a mechanical watch using magnetic interactions.

En effet, la présente invention permet, pour la première fois, de réaliser un mouvement de pièce d'horlogerie entièrement mécanique avec un oscillateur du type diapason. Cependant, la solution proposée est applicable à toute base de temps sur la base d'un résonateur ou oscillateur du type diapason.In fact, the present invention makes it possible, for the first time, to produce a fully mechanical timepiece movement with an oscillator of the tuning fork type. However, the proposed solution is applicable to any time base on the basis of a tuning fork type resonator or oscillator.

La figure 1 montre la forme générale d'un diapason horloger. Le diapason 1 comporte les deux lames ou branches 3 et 4, reliées par la base 5 de façon à constituer la forme générale d'un U. Les deux lames 2 et 3 sont de préférence disposées en parallèle dans un seul plan. Les deux lames 3 et 4 ont de préférence la même longueur. Du côté opposé à la base 5, les extrémités des lames 3 et 4 sont libres. Elles portent de préférence chacune une masse 8, 9, respectivement, qui sert à diminuer la fréquence des oscillations du diapason 1. Le diapason comporte une tige 6 par laquelle la base 5 est reliée à un organe de fixation 7. Une extrémité de la tige 6 est donc connectée à la base 5 alors que l'autre extrémité est connectée à la fixation 7.The figure 1 shows the general shape of a watch tuning fork. The tuning fork 1 comprises the two blades or branches 3 and 4, connected by the base 5 so as to constitute the general shape of a U. The two blades 2 and 3 are preferably arranged in parallel in a single plane. The two blades 3 and 4 preferably have the same length. On the side opposite the base 5, the ends of the blades 3 and 4 are free. They preferably each carry a mass 8, 9, respectively, which serves to reduce the frequency of the oscillations of the tuning fork 1. The tuning fork comprises a rod 6 by which the base 5 is connected to a fixing member 7. One end of the rod 6 is therefore connected to the base 5 while the other end is connected to the fixing 7.

Dans le cas d'une montre, la fixation 7 est de préférence rendue solidaire du mouvement de la montre. Par exemple, la fixation 7 est connectée, par exemple par vissage, à la platine ou à un pont. Dans le cas où la pièce d'horlogerie n'est pas une montre, ou dans le cas où l'oscillateur de l'invention, n'est pas associé à une pièce d'horlogerie, la fixation 7 peut être attachée à un support quelconque.In the case of a watch, the fixing 7 is preferably made integral with the movement of the watch. For example, the fastener 7 is connected, for example by screwing, to the plate or to a bridge. In the case where the timepiece is not a watch, or in the case where the oscillator of the invention is not associated with a timepiece, the fixing 7 can be attached to a support any.

Pour minimiser l'encombrement, la tige 6 est située de préférence au-dessus la base 5. Elle pourrait également se trouver au-dessous de la base 5, comme montré aux figures 2A et 2B ce qui ne change rien au comportement du diapason.To minimize space, the rod 6 is preferably located above the base 5. It could also be located below the base 5, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B which does not change the behavior of the tuning fork.

L'intérêt du diapason est principalement dû au fait que son facteur de qualité Q est beaucoup plus élevé que celui d'une lame vibrante simple. Sans vouloir être lié par la théorie, le facteur de qualité Q élevé du diapason comparé à celui d'une lame vibrante simple est en rapport à la configuration en U et les modes d'oscillations qui en résultent. P. Ong, "Little known facts about the common tuning fork", Phys. Educ. 37 (2002), 540-542 .The interest of the tuning fork is mainly due to the fact that its quality factor Q is much higher than that of a simple vibrating blade. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the high quality factor Q of the tuning fork compared to that of a simple vibrating plate is related to the configuration in U and the modes of oscillations which result from it. P. Ong, "Little known facts about the common tuning fork", Phys. Educ. 37 (2002), 540-542 .

Dans le but d'augmenter davantage le facteur de qualité Q de l'oscillateur, ce dernier comprend ou est de préférence constitué d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne faible ou très faible. Un modèle sophistiqué de l'explication du facteur de qualité prend en compte le frottement interne visqueux des branches et de la base du diapason, comme décrit par Andres Castellanos-Gomez, Nicolas Agrait, Gabino Rubio-Bollinger, "Forcegradient-induced mechanical dissipation of quartz tuning fork force sensors used in atomic force microscopy", Ultramicroscopy (2011) 111 (3), 186-190 .In order to further increase the quality factor Q of the oscillator, the latter comprises or is preferably made of a material having a low or very low internal friction. A sophisticated model of the explanation of the quality factor takes into account the viscous internal friction of the branches and the base of the tuning fork, as described by Andres Castellanos-Gomez, Nicolas Agrait, Gabino Rubio-Bollinger, "Forcegradient-induced mechanical dissipation of quartz tuning fork force sensors used in atomic force microscopy", Ultramicroscopy (2011) 111 (3), 186-190 .

Des matériaux qui remplissent le critère d'un frottement interne faible sont, par exemple, le silicium monocristallin ou le quartz. Bien entendu, d'autres matériaux ayant des frottements internes comparables et/ou du même ordre de grandeur peuvent également être utilisés. De manière générale, d'autres matériaux monocristallins peuvent être utilisés dans la fabrication de l'oscillateur 1 selon l'invention.Materials which fulfill the criterion of low internal friction are, for example, monocrystalline silicon or quartz. Of course, other materials having comparable internal friction and / or of the same order of magnitude can also be used. In general, other monocrystalline materials can be used in the manufacture of the oscillator 1 according to the invention.

Il convient de préciser que l'oscillateur 1 dans son ensemble peut comporter ou être fabriqué de plusieurs matériaux. Par exemple, les masses 8 et 9 sont typiquement en or ou en un autre matériau dense, par exemple en un autre métal précieux lourd. Les masses 8 et 9 permettent de réduire la fréquence de l'oscillateur si tel est souhaité, ce qui peut être le cas dans une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique. La présente invention couvre également la possibilité que les masses 8 et 9 soient nulles ou absentes. D'autre part, les masses 8, 9 peuvent être placées ou orientées d'une autre manière que montré à la figure 1, comme divulgué, par exemple, dans le brevet américain US 3,447,311 . Les masses 8, 9 peuvent être réalisées sous forme de couches déposées sur les lames 3 et 4 et/ou peuvent être connectées proches ou dans la région des extrémités et être orientées comme montré dans US 3,447,311 , par exemple.It should be noted that the oscillator 1 as a whole may comprise or be made of several materials. For example, masses 8 and 9 are typically made of gold or another dense material, for example another heavy precious metal. The masses 8 and 9 make it possible to reduce the frequency of the oscillator if this is desired, which may be the case in a mechanical timepiece. The present invention also covers the possibility that the masses 8 and 9 are zero or absent. On the other hand, the masses 8, 9 can be placed or oriented in another way than shown in the figure 1 , as disclosed, for example, in the US patent US 3,447,311 . The masses 8, 9 can be produced in the form of layers deposited on the blades 3 and 4 and / or can be connected close to or in the region of the ends and be oriented as shown in US 3,447,311 , for example.

D'autre part, les lames 3, 4 peuvent être formées de plusieurs matériaux ayant un frottement interne faible, comme sera décrit plus loin ci-dessous. Ensuite, la tige 6 et/ou la fixation 7 comporte de préférence un matériau au frottement interne plus élevé, comme sera décrit plus loin.On the other hand, the blades 3, 4 can be formed from several materials having a low internal friction, as will be described below below. Then the rod 6 and / or the fixing 7 preferably comprises a material with higher internal friction, as will be described later.

Cependant, il est préférable que l'oscillateur comporte un ensemble 2 formé au moins des lames 3 et 4 et de la base 5. Cet ensemble 2 comporte de préférence une entité formée d'un seul matériau continu. Ceci ne doit pas empêcher la présence d'autres matériaux, comme décrit dans ce descriptif. Selon la présente invention, l'oscillateur 1 comporte un ensemble 2 formé d'un matériau A caractérisé par un frottement interne faible. Par exemple, le matériau A est choisi parmi les matériaux à frottement interne faible décrits ci-dessus, comme par exemple le silicium monocristallin ou le quartz, ou des matériaux monocristallins en général. Selon un mode de réalisation, ledit oscillateur 1, ou au moins ledit ensemble 2, comprend ou est formé de silicium monocristallin et/ou de quartz.However, it is preferable that the oscillator comprises an assembly 2 formed at least of the blades 3 and 4 and of the base 5. This assembly 2 preferably comprises an entity formed of a single continuous material. This should not prevent the presence of other materials, as described in this description. According to the present invention, the oscillator 1 comprises an assembly 2 formed of a material A characterized by a low internal friction. For example, the material A is chosen from the materials with low internal friction described above, such as for example monocrystalline silicon or quartz, or monocrystalline materials in general. According to one embodiment, said oscillator 1, or at least said assembly 2, comprises or is formed of monocrystalline silicon and / or quartz.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tige 6 comporte et/ou est formé du même matériau A. Selon ce mode de réalisation, la tige 6 fait partie de l'ensemble 2. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, la tige 6 comporte et/ou est formé d'un autre matériau.According to one embodiment, the rod 6 comprises and / or is formed from the same material A. According to this embodiment, the rod 6 is part of the assembly 2. According to another embodiment, the rod 6 comprises and / or is made of another material.

Comme l'ensemble 2 comprend ou est formé de préférence d'un ou plusieurs matériaux à frottement interne faible (matériaux A et éventuellement matériau A' décrit plus loin ci-dessous), le facteur de qualité Q de l'oscillateur est plus élevé que dans le cas d'un oscillateur en métal, par exemple. Cette augmentation du facteur de qualité Q s'applique également à des modes d'oscillation que l'on peut désigner comme non-souhaités dans un oscillateur servant comme base de temps.As the assembly 2 preferably comprises or is formed from one or more materials with low internal friction (materials A and possibly material A 'described below below), the quality factor Q of the oscillator is higher than in the case of a metal oscillator, for example. This increase in the quality factor Q also applies to oscillation modes which can be designated as unwanted in an oscillator serving as a time base.

Les figures 2 A et 2 B illustrent deux modes d'oscillations d'un diapason 1 suite à une impulsion. Les lignes pointillées et continues montrent, respectivement, les deux positions de l'amplitude crête-à-crête de l'oscillateur, c'est à dire les deux positions qui définissent l'écart maximal par rapport à la position de repos où les lames 3 et 4 sont parallèles.The figures 2 A and 2 B illustrate two modes of oscillation of a tuning fork 1 following a pulse. The dotted and solid lines show, respectively, the two positions of the peak-to-peak amplitude of the oscillator, i.e. the two positions which define the maximum deviation from the rest position where the blades 3 and 4 are parallel.

Dans le mode d'oscillation montré à la figure 2A, les lames 3 et 4 se rapprochent et s'éloignent l'une par rapport à l'autre lors des oscillations. La ligne continue montre le moment et la position de l'oscillation où les extrémités des deux lames sont rapprochées et la ligne pointillée montre la position où les deux lames sont écartées l'une par rapport à l'autre. C'est le mode d'oscillation antisymétrique qui est caractérisé par un facteur de qualité très élevé est qui représente le mode d'oscillation que l'on souhaite obtenir dans une base de temps à diapason.In the oscillation mode shown in figure 2A , the blades 3 and 4 approach and move away from each other during the oscillations. The solid line shows the moment and the position of the oscillation when the ends of the two blades are brought together and the dotted line shows the position where the two blades are moved away from each other. It is the asymmetric oscillation mode which is characterized by a very high quality factor is which represents the mode of oscillation which one wishes to obtain in a time base with tuning fork.

En revanche, dans le mode d'oscillation montré à la figure 2B, les lames 3, 4 bougent en phase, c'est-à-dire oscillent parallèlement et simultanément d'un côté à l'autre dans le même plan. L'oscillation illustrée à la figure 2B et celle du mode d'oscillation symétrique.In contrast, in the oscillation mode shown in figure 2B , the blades 3, 4 move in phase, that is to say oscillate parallel and simultaneously from one side to the other in the same plane. The oscillation illustrated in figure 2B and that of the symmetrical oscillation mode.

Les deux modes d'oscillation, antisymétriques et symétriques, respectivement, sont également illustrés dans le brevet américain US 3,208,287 , dans lequel le mode symétrique non-souhaité (figure 2 A) est considéré comme "oscillation anormale".The two modes of oscillation, asymmetrical and symmetrical, respectively, are also illustrated in the American patent. US 3,208,287 , in which the undesired symmetrical mode ( figure 2 A) is considered "abnormal oscillation".

Dans les deux cas des figures 2A et 2B, les oscillations ont lieu dans le plan de l'oscillateur lui-même, c'est-à-dire dans le plan qui correspond à celui sur lequel le dessin des figures 2 A et 2 B est représenté. Les autres modes d'oscillation qui pourraient exister n'ont pas la même implication dans le contexte de la présente invention.In both cases of Figures 2A and 2B , the oscillations take place in the plane of the oscillator itself, that is to say in the plane which corresponds to that on which the drawing of the figures 2 A and 2 B is shown. The other modes of oscillation which could exist do not have the same implication in the context of the present invention.

Il convient d'ajouter que les problèmes liés au mode d'oscillation symétrique se posent avant tout dans le cas où l'oscillateur est réalisé en un matériau à faible frottement interne, comme le quartz ou le silicium monocristallin, par exemple. En effet, le mode d'oscillation symétrique (figure 2 B) n'est pas observé dans les diapasons métalliques, par exemple. En d'autres termes, le choix du matériau à faible frottement interne, par exemple le matériau A, rend ledit oscillateur susceptible d'osciller non seulement dans le mode antisymétrique souhaité, mais également dans le mode symétrique non-souhaité.It should be added that the problems associated with the symmetrical oscillation mode arise above all in the case where the oscillator is made of a material with low internal friction, such as quartz or monocrystalline silicon, for example. Indeed, the symmetrical oscillation mode ( figure 2 B) is not observed in metal tuning forks, for example. In other words, the choice of material with low internal friction, for example material A, makes said oscillator capable of oscillating not only in the desired asymmetric mode, but also in the undesired symmetrical mode.

En général, le mode d'oscillation symétrique est favorisé par une excitation mécanique en raison d'un facteur de qualité légèrement plus faible, donc plus facile à "trouver". Ce dernier point s'applique en particulier à l'impulsion sur une seule des deux lames, que cette impulsion soit mécanique ou autre.In general, the symmetrical oscillation mode is favored by mechanical excitation due to a slightly lower quality factor, therefore easier to "find". This last point applies in particular to the pulse on only one of the two blades, whether this pulse is mechanical or other.

Une différence entre les deux modes d'oscillations antisymétriques et symétriques illustrés aux figures 2A et 2B concerne la tige 6. Comme on peut le comprendre en comparant les lignes pointillées et continues de la tige 6 à la figure 2B, le mode symétrique induit une oscillation transversale de la tige 6, qui correspond à l'oscillation d'une lame vibrante simple. Cette oscillation transversale a généralement lieu dans le plan défini par les deux lames 3, 4. En revanche, dans le cas de l'oscillation antisymétrique (figure 2 A), la tige 6 effectue des oscillations longitudinales et/ou axiales, le long de l'axe de la tige 6.A difference between the two modes of asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B relates to rod 6. As can be understood by comparing the dotted and continuous lines of rod 6 to the figure 2B , the symmetrical mode induces a transverse oscillation of the rod 6, which corresponds to the oscillation of a simple vibrating blade. This transverse oscillation generally takes place in the plane defined by the two blades 3, 4. On the other hand, in the case of the asymmetric oscillation ( figure 2 A) , the rod 6 performs longitudinal and / or axial oscillations along the axis of the rod 6.

Dans le cas des montres à quartz électriques, les oscillations symétriques (figure 2 B) sont généralement évitées par l'excitation simultanée des deux lames 3 et 4, exploitant les propriétés piézoélectriques du quartz. L'impulsion simultanée (en même temps) des deux lames 3, 4 est illustrée par les deux flèches 10 à direction opposées dans la figure 1. Généralement, dans une montre électronique, des électrodes sont placées sur ou à proximités des lames pour pouvoir induire une l'oscillation antisymétriques. En général, des méthodes électroniques ou des algorithmes sont mis en place pour empêcher une oscillation symétrique dans les montres électroniques.In the case of electric quartz watches, the symmetrical oscillations ( figure 2 B) are generally avoided by the simultaneous excitation of the two blades 3 and 4, exploiting the piezoelectric properties of quartz. The simultaneous impulse (at the same time) of the two blades 3, 4 is illustrated by the two arrows 10 in opposite directions in the figure 1 . Generally, in an electronic watch, electrodes are placed on or near the blades to be able to induce an asymmetrical oscillation. In general, electronic methods or algorithms are put in place to prevent symmetrical oscillation in electronic watches.

Une impulsion simultanée des deux branches est également divulguée dans le document US 3,208,287 . Enfin, dans la montre Accutron mentionnée ci-dessus, l'impulsion du diapason métallique a également lieu sur les deux lames simultanément.A simultaneous pulse from both branches is also disclosed in the document US 3,208,287 . Finally, in the Accutron watch mentioned above, the pulse of the metal tuning fork also takes place on the two blades simultaneously.

Un objectif de la présente invention est de mettre en œuvre des solutions alternatives pour empêcher le mode d'oscillation symétrique d'un oscillateur du type diapason, de préférence dans un résonateur utilisé comme base de temps.An objective of the present invention is to implement alternative solutions to prevent the symmetrical oscillation mode of an oscillator of the tuning fork type, preferably in a resonator used as a time base.

Il est en particulier un objectif de la présente invention de mettre en œuvre un oscillateur du type diapason qui peut être induit en oscillations antisymétriques suite à une impulsion sur une seule lame, donc en l'absence d'une impulsion simultanée sur les deux lames.It is in particular an objective of the present invention to implement an oscillator of the tuning fork type which can be induced in antisymmetric oscillations following a pulse on a single blade, therefore in the absence of a simultaneous pulse on the two blades.

Une impulsion sur l'une seule des deux lames d'un diapason représente la solution préférée dans le cas d'un résonateur mécanique, c'est-à-dire des bases de temps dans lesquels les oscillations du diapason sont induites et entretenues mécaniquement, sans utilisation d'électricité, électronique ou piézoélectricité. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré d'un mouvement mécanique et/ou d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique de l'invention, les oscillations sont induites et entretenues sans utilisation de magnétisme.A pulse on only one of the two blades of a tuning fork represents the preferred solution in the case of a mechanical resonator, that is to say time bases in which the oscillations of the tuning fork are induced and maintained mechanically, without the use of electricity, electronics or piezoelectricity. According to a preferred embodiment of a mechanical movement and / or of a mechanical timepiece of the invention, the oscillations are induced and maintained without the use of magnetism.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le mouvement de l'invention et/ou la pièce d'horlogerie de l'invention comporte un organe ou un mécanisme d'impulsion mécanique susceptible d'agir sur l'une des deux lames d'un diapason de façon à l'induire et le maintenir en oscillation. Un tel organe ou mécanisme est divulgué, par exemple, dans la demande internationale WO2013/045573, déposée le 27 septembre 2012 au nom d'ASGALIUM UNITEC SA sous le numéro de dépôt PCT/EP2012/069122 .In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the invention and / or the timepiece of the invention comprises a mechanical impulse member or mechanism capable of acting on one of the two blades of a tuning fork so as to induce it and keep it in oscillation. Such a body or mechanism is disclosed, for example, in the international application WO2013 / 045573, filed September 27, 2012 in the name of ASGALIUM UNITEC SA under the deposit number PCT / EP2012 / 069122 .

La demande WO2013/045573 divulgue un résonateur mécanique à diapason pour mouvement horloger mécanique à échappement libre. Une lame de ce diapason porte au moins une première cheville associée à au moins une première dent de fourchette d'une ancre, pour faire pivoter ladite fourchette entre des première et seconde positions angulaires et alternativement verrouiller et libérer une roue d'échappement. Le résonateur comporte un organe de conversion solidaire de la cheville, agencé pour, d'une part, transformer les oscillations de la lame en des mouvements de rotation de l'ancre par la transmission d'impulsions de la lame à l'ancre, et d'autre part, transmettre de l'énergie mécanique depuis ladite ancre vers la lame de l'oscillateur sous la forme d'impulsions. Selon un mode de réalisation de l'organe d'impulsion mécanique et/ou de régulation, un support portant des chevilles est attaché à l'extrémité d'une des deux lames. Les chevilles coopèrent avec des dents définissant une fourchette d'ancre. L'ancre comporte un bâti monté pivotant sur le mouvement ainsi qu'une paire de bras dont chacun porte une dent pour interagir avec les chevilles sur le support. L'ancre comporte ensuite une deuxième paire de bras supplémentaires, dont chacun porte une palette agencées pour coopérer avec une roue d'échappement. Le résonateur de la demande WO2013/045573 fonctionne de manière similaire à celui des résonateurs conventionnels grâce au fait que l'oscillateur porte deux chevilles au lieu d'une cheville unique ainsi que par la géométrie particulière de la fourchette d'ancre. Ainsi, l'ancre est destinée à pivoter entre une première position dans laquelle l'une des palettes verrouille la roue d'échappement en rotation et une seconde position dans laquelle l'autre palette verrouille la roue d'échappement. Lorsque l'ancre pivote entre l'une et l'autre position, la roue d'échappement est libérée pour tourner. Le pivotement de l'ancre est également utilisé pour donner une impulsion sur une des deux chevilles du support pour assurer l'entretien des oscillations de la lame et ainsi du diapason dans son ensemble. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'organe de conversion comprend une bascule et fonctionne selon le principe du bras de levier. Une extrémité libre de la bascule est montée pivotante sur l'extrémité libre d'une lame et l'autre extrémité est engagée entre les dents de la fourchette de l'ancre pour coopérer avec elle et faire pivoter l'ancre.Requirement WO2013 / 045573 discloses a mechanical tuning fork resonator for mechanical watch movement with free escapement. A blade of this tuning fork carries at least a first pin associated with at least a first fork tooth of an anchor, for pivoting said fork between first and second angular positions and alternately lock and release an escape wheel. The resonator comprises a conversion member secured to the ankle, arranged to, on the one hand, transform the oscillations of the blade into rotational movements of the anchor by transmitting pulses from the blade to the anchor, and on the other hand, transmit mechanical energy from said anchor to the blade of the oscillator in the form of pulses. According to one embodiment of the mechanical impulse and / or regulating member, a support carrying pegs is attached to the end of one of the two blades. The pegs cooperate with teeth defining an anchor fork. The anchor has a frame pivotally mounted on the movement as well as a pair of arms, each of which carries a tooth to interact with the pins on the support. The anchor then comprises a second pair of additional arms, each of which carries a pallet arranged to cooperate with an escape wheel. The request resonator WO2013 / 045573 works in a similar way to that of conventional resonators thanks to the fact that the oscillator carries two pegs instead of a single peg as well as by the particular geometry of the anchor fork. Thus, the anchor is intended to pivot between a first position in which one of the pallets locks the escaping wheel in rotation and a second position in which the other pallet locks the escapement wheel. When the anchor pivots between one and the other position, the escape wheel is released to turn. The pivoting of the anchor is also used to give impetus to one of the two pins of the support to ensure the maintenance of the oscillations of the blade and thus of the tuning fork as a whole. In another embodiment, the conversion member comprises a rocker and operates on the principle of the lever arm. A free end of the rocker is pivotally mounted on the free end of a blade and the other end is engaged between the teeth of the fork of the anchor to cooperate with it and rotate the anchor.

L'homme du métier comprendra que le dispositif divulgué dans la demande WO 2013/045573 sert à la fois à la distribution de l'énergie au diapason et à la régulation du temps sur la base des oscillations.Those skilled in the art will understand that the device disclosed in the application WO 2013/045573 serves both for energy distribution in tune and for regulating time on the basis of oscillations.

La demande WO2013/045573 divulgue ainsi un organe d'impulsion mécanique susceptible d'agir sur l'une des deux lames de façon à induire et maintenir ledit oscillateur en oscillation. Un organe d'impulsion mécanique est de préférence utilisé dans la pièce d'horlogerie selon la présente invention.Requirement WO2013 / 045573 Thus discloses a mechanical impulse member capable of acting on one of the two blades so as to induce and keep said oscillator in oscillation. A mechanical impulse member is preferably used in the timepiece according to the present invention.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, le facteur de qualité Q2 du mode d'oscillation symétrique de l'oscillateur de l'invention est réduit activement et de manière ciblée par rapport au facteur de qualité Q1 du mode d'oscillation antisymétrique. Selon ce mode de réalisation, la présente invention vise à diminuer le facteur de qualité des oscillations symétriques pour ainsi favoriser l'oscillation en mode antisymétrique souhaité. Ceci implique, en effet, que chaque mode d'oscillation a non seulement sa propre fréquence, mais également son propre facteur de qualité. Dans le contexte de la présente descriptif, Q2 représente le facteur de qualité du mode d'oscillation symétrique non-souhaité, alors que Q1 représente le facteur de qualité du mode d'oscillation antisymétrique souhaité. En général, le facteur de qualité est défini par la formule Q = 2π x (énergie stockée/énergie perdue à chaque période).According to a preferred embodiment, the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of the oscillator of the invention is actively and targetedly reduced compared to the quality factor Q 1 of the asymmetric oscillation mode. According to this embodiment, the present invention aims to reduce the quality factor of the symmetrical oscillations, thereby favoring the oscillation in the desired asymmetric mode. This implies, in fact, that each oscillation mode has not only its own frequency, but also its own quality factor. In the context of the present description, Q 2 represents the quality factor of the undesired symmetrical oscillation mode, while Q 1 represents the quality factor of the desired asymmetrical oscillation mode. In general, the quality factor is defined by the formula Q = 2π x (stored energy / energy lost in each period).

Selon les modes préférés de l'invention, le facteur de qualité Q2 est réduit de manière ciblée par la construction du diapason et en particulier par le choix des matériaux utilisés dans la construction du diapason. De préférence, le facteur de qualité Q2 est réduit par la géométrie du diapason et/ou le choix de la position de différents matériaux ayant des caractéristiques différentes.According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, the quality factor Q 2 is reduced in a targeted manner by the construction of the tuning fork and in particular by the choice of materials used in the construction of the tuning fork. Preferably, the quality factor Q 2 is reduced by the geometry of the tuning fork and / or the choice of the position of different materials having different characteristics.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, l'oscillateur de l'invention comprend au moins un deuxième matériau qui permet de réduire le facteur de qualité Q2 du mode d'oscillation symétrique. Ce deuxième matériau est généralement désigné comme matériau B dans le présent descriptif. Le matériau B est de préférence choisi parmi les matériaux ayant un frottement plus élevé que le matériau A. De préférence, le matériau B est un matériau ayant un frottement interne plus élevé que celui du quartz et/ou du silicium monocristallin, par exemple. Selon un mode de réalisation, le matériau B est choisi parmi les métaux, les alliages, les matériaux polycristallins, les matériaux amorphes, par exemple.According to a preferred embodiment, the oscillator of the invention comprises at least one second material which makes it possible to reduce the quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode. This second material is generally designated as material B in the present description. The material B is preferably chosen from materials having a higher friction than the material A. Preferably, the material B is a material having a higher internal friction than that of quartz and / or monocrystalline silicon, by example. According to one embodiment, the material B is chosen from metals, alloys, polycrystalline materials, amorphous materials, for example.

Le frottement interne d'un matériau est associé à la capacité d'un matériau solide de convertir son énergie de vibration mécanique en une énergie interne. Cette dégradation ou perte d'énergie inévitable se manifeste de plusieurs manières, par exemple par une transformation de l'énergie de vibration en chaleur. Le facteur de qualité d'un oscillateur et le frottement interne du matériau dépendent l'un de l'autre, comme cela a été décrit dans la publication de Clarence Zener, "Internai Friction in Solids," Proceedings of the Physical Society 52 (1940), pp. 152-166 , et également dans la publication plus récente de Hsi-Ping Liu and Louis Peselnick, "Internai Friction in Fused Quartz, Steel, Plexiglass, and Westerley Granite From 0.01 to 1.00 Hertz at 10-8 to 10-7 Strain Amplitude", Journal of Geophysical Research 88 (March 10, 1983), pp. 2367-2379 . Dans ces publications, l'inverse du facteur de qualité Q (c'est-à-dire 1/Q) est utilisé comme mesure du frottement interne.The internal friction of a material is associated with the ability of a solid material to convert its mechanical vibration energy into internal energy. This inevitable degradation or loss of energy manifests itself in several ways, for example by a transformation of the energy of vibration into heat. The quality factor of an oscillator and the internal friction of the material depend on each other, as described in the publication of Clarence Zener, "Internai Friction in Solids," Proceedings of the Physical Society 52 (1940), pp. 152-166 , and also in the more recent publication of Hsi-Ping Liu and Louis Peselnick, "Internai Friction in Fused Quartz, Steel, Plexiglass, and Westerley Granite From 0.01 to 1.00 Hertz at 10-8 to 10-7 Strain Amplitude", Journal of Geophysical Research 88 (March 10, 1983) , pp. 2367-2379 . In these publications, the inverse of the quality factor Q (i.e. 1 / Q) is used as a measure of internal friction.

Dans le contexte de la présente invention, l'inverse du facteur de qualité 1/Q est de préférence utilisé pour déterminer si un matériau donné est caractérisé par un frottement interne faible ou élevé. Le facteur de qualité Q d'un matériau peut être déterminé par l'homme du métier, comme décrit dans de nombreuses publications datant des dernières 50 années, voir les références de la publication Ilan Vardi, « Le facteur de qualité en horlogerie mécanique », Bulletin de la Société Suisse de Chronométrie 75 (2014), pp. 53-61 .In the context of the present invention, the inverse of the quality factor 1 / Q is preferably used to determine whether a given material is characterized by low or high internal friction. The quality factor Q of a material can be determined by a person skilled in the art, as described in numerous publications dating from the last 50 years, see the publication references. Ilan Vardi, “The quality factor in mechanical watchmaking”, Bulletin de la Société Suisse de Chronométrie 75 (2014), pp. 53-61 .

Selon une méthode préférée, le facteur de qualité Q d'un matériau peut être déterminé sur la base d'une lame vibrante simple qui est induite en vibration libre.According to a preferred method, the quality factor Q of a material can be determined on the basis of a simple vibrating plate which is induced in free vibration.

Dans la présente description, de manière cohérente avec les articles cités ci-dessus, le frottement interne d'un matériau A peut être représenté par 1/QA, et le frottement interne d'un matériau B peut être représenté par 1/QB.In the present description, in coherence with the articles cited above, the internal friction of a material A can be represented by 1 / Q A , and the internal friction of a material B can be represented by 1 / Q B .

Selon un mode de réalisation, un matériau A ayant un frottement interne faible est un matériau dont la valeur 1/Q (1/QA) est < 0.02, de préférence < 0.01. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, un matériau ayant un frottement interne faible est un matériau dont la valeur 1/Q (1/QA) est < 0.001.According to one embodiment, a material A having a low internal friction is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q A ) is <0.02, preferably <0.01. According to a preferred embodiment, a material having a low internal friction is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q A ) is <0.001.

En termes de friction interne, le matériau A' remplit les mêmes conditions que le matériau A. Les valeurs de 1/Q pour A' (1/QA') se trouvent donc dans les mêmes fourchettes que les valeurs 1/Q pour A (1/QA).In terms of internal friction, the material A 'fulfills the same conditions as the material A. The values of 1 / Q for A' (1 / Q A ' ) are therefore in the same ranges as the values 1 / Q for A (1 / Q A ).

Selon un mode de réalisation, un matériau B ayant un frottement élevé ou plus élevé que le matériau A est un matériau dont la valeur 1/Q (1/QB) est ≥ 0.02, de préférence ≥ 0.05, par exemple ≥ 0.1 ou plus grand.According to one embodiment, a material B having a high friction or higher than the material A is a material whose value 1 / Q (1 / Q B ) is ≥ 0.02, preferably ≥ 0.05, for example ≥ 0.1 or more tall.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, les matériaux A et A' ont une friction interne (1/QA) ≤ 0.01 et le matériau B une friction interne (1/QB) > 0.02. De préférence, 1/QA < 0.005 et 1/QB ≥ 0.015.According to a preferred embodiment, the materials A and A 'have an internal friction (1 / Q A ) ≤ 0.01 and the material B an internal friction (1 / Q B )> 0.02. Preferably, 1 / Q A <0.005 and 1 / Q B ≥ 0.015.

Dans le contexte de la présente invention, les matériaux A et B sont généralement choisis de façon que 1/QA < 1/QB. Le fait de définir les matériaux A et B l'une par rapport à l'autre permet d'ignorer les conditions particulières dans lesquelles le facteur de qualité Q respectif (QA, QB) a été mesuré pour déterminer la valeur de la friction interne du matériau, pour autant que les conditions sont les mêmes pour la détermination de QA et QB (par exemple 25°C, et deux tiges, une du matériau A et une du matériau B, ayant des dimensions identiques).In the context of the present invention, the materials A and B are generally chosen so that 1 / Q A <1 / Q B. Defining materials A and B in relation to each other makes it possible to ignore the specific conditions under which the respective quality factor Q (Q A , Q B ) was measured to determine the value of friction internal of the material, as long as the conditions are the same for the determination of Q A and Q B (for example 25 ° C, and two rods, one of material A and one of material B, having identical dimensions).

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, (1/QA) /(1/QB) (= QB/QA) est ≤ 0.5, de préférence ≤ 0.2. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, QB/QA est ≤ 0.1, de préférence ≤ 0.02, ou même ≤ 0.01.According to a preferred embodiment, (1 / Q A ) / (1 / Q B ) (= Q B / Q A ) is ≤ 0.5, preferably ≤ 0.2. According to a preferred embodiment, Q B / Q A is ≤ 0.1, preferably ≤ 0.02, or even ≤ 0.01.

Il convient encore de mentionner que la présente invention envisage l'ajustement du frottement interne d'un matériau (1/QA et/ou 1/QB) pour obtenir un matériau ayant les caractéristiques souhaitées. Par exemple, les matériaux A et B peuvent être des mélanges, par exemple des composites comportant plusieurs matières ou matériaux, choisi de façon à obtenir un matériau ayant un frottement interne conformément aux valeurs ou proportions préférées indiquées ci-dessus.It should also be mentioned that the present invention contemplates adjusting the internal friction of a material (1 / Q A and / or 1 / Q B ) to obtain a material having the desired characteristics. For example, the materials A and B can be mixtures, for example composites comprising several materials or materials, chosen so as to obtain a material having an internal friction in accordance with the preferred values or proportions indicated above.

De manière surprenante, les inventeurs ont constaté qu'il est possible d'empêcher les oscillations symétriques par la configuration géométrique et/ou la position du matériau B dans le diapason. Le matériau B est en contact avec le matériau A de l'oscillateur.Surprisingly, the inventors have found that it is possible to prevent symmetrical oscillations by the geometric configuration and / or the position of the material B in the tuning fork. Material B is in contact with material A of the oscillator.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le diapason de l'invention comporte un matériau B qui est agencé et/ou situé de façon à empêcher ou amortir les oscillations symétriques du diapason.According to one embodiment, the tuning fork of the invention comprises a material B which is arranged and / or located so as to prevent or dampen the symmetrical oscillations of the tuning fork.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, la présence du matériau B permet d'amortir les oscillations transversales de la tige 6. Par conséquent, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le matériau A est un premier matériau et ledit facteur de qualité Q2 est réduit par la présence d'un deuxième matériau B, ce matériau B étant en contact avec ledit matériau A de façon qu'une oscillation transversale de ladite tige 6 est amortie.According to one embodiment of the invention, the presence of the material B makes it possible to damp the transverse oscillations of the rod 6. Consequently, according to one embodiment of the invention, the material A is a first material and said factor of quality Q 2 is reduced by the presence of a second material B, this material B being in contact with said material A so that a transverse oscillation of said rod 6 is damped.

Selon un mode de réalisation, ledit facteur de qualité Q2 du mode d'oscillation symétrique dudit oscillateur est réduit de façon que Q1 / Q2 est égal ou supérieur à 2. De préférence, Q1/Q2 est égal ou supérieur à 5, voire égal ou supérieur à 10, égal ou supérieur à 20, égal ou supérieur à 50, ou encore égal ou supérieur à 100, par exemple, égal ou supérieur à 200. Selon un mode de réalisation du diapason selon l'invention, le facteur de qualité Q1 est au moins un ordre de grandeur plus élevé que le facteur de qualité Q2. On entend par "ordre de grandeur" une différence d'environ un facteur de 10. De préférence, le facteur de qualité Q1 est d'au moins 1 à 3 ordres de grandeur plus élevé que le facteur de qualité Q2.According to one embodiment, said quality factor Q 2 of the symmetrical oscillation mode of said oscillator is reduced so that Q 1 / Q 2 is equal to or greater than 2. Preferably, Q 1 / Q 2 is equal to or greater than 5, or even equal or greater than 10, equal or greater than 20, equal or greater than 50, or even equal or greater than 100, for example, equal or greater than 200. According to one embodiment of the tuning fork according to the invention, the quality factor Q 1 is at least an order of magnitude higher than the quality factor Q 2 . By "order of magnitude" is meant a difference of about a factor of 10. Preferably, the quality factor Q 1 is at least 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than the quality factor Q 2 .

L'homme du métier notera que, dans le contexte de la présente invention, le facteur de qualité Q est utilisé à la fois pour qualifier les deux modes d'oscillations, antisymétrique et symétrique, montrés dans les figures 2A et 2B (Q1 et Q2), et comme paramètre de la friction interne d'un matériau. Dans ce dernier cas, l'inverse du facteur de qualité (1/Q) est utilisé. Il convient de mentionner que l'état de la technique décrit plusieurs paramètres qui représentent le frottement interne d'un matériau, tel que le facteur d'amortissement ou de perte tan δ, ou le module de perte G". Cependant, dans le contexte de la présente invention, l'inverse du facteur de qualité Q est choisi, comme proposé par C. Zener (1940) et H.-P. Liu et al (1983), notamment parce que la mesure de ce paramètre et bien connu à l'homme du métier dans le domaine de l'horlogerie.Those skilled in the art will note that, in the context of the present invention, the quality factor Q is used both to qualify the two modes of oscillation, antisymmetric and symmetrical, shown in the Figures 2A and 2B (Q 1 and Q 2 ), and as a parameter of the internal friction of a material. In the latter case, the inverse of the quality factor (1 / Q) is used. It should be mentioned that the state of the art describes several parameters which represent the internal friction of a material, such as the damping or loss factor tan ou, or the loss modulus G ". However, in the context of the present invention, the inverse of the quality factor Q is chosen, as proposed by C. Zener (1940) and H.-P. Liu et al (1983), in particular because the measurement of this parameter is well known to those skilled in the art in the field of watchmaking.

Le deuxième matériau ou matériau B peut être disposé dans la tige 6 du diapason. Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit matériau A est un premier matériau et la tige 6 comprend ou est constituée d'un deuxième matériau B en contact avec ledit premier matériau.The second material or material B can be placed in the rod 6 of the tuning fork. According to one embodiment of the invention, said material A is a first material and the rod 6 comprises or consists of a second material B in contact with said first material.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tige 6 est entièrement fabriquée du matériau B. Alternativement, la tige 6 comporte un tel matériau B ou plusieurs matériaux qui, dans l'ensemble, remplissent la caractéristique du frottement interne plus élevé. Il est considéré comme avantageux si le matériau B est en contact avec le matériau A. Par exemple, le matériau B est en contact avec la base 5 du diapason. Selon ce mode de réalisation, le matériau B se trouve de préférence au moins à l'interface du matériau A avec la tige 6.According to one embodiment, the rod 6 is entirely made of the material B. Alternatively, the rod 6 comprises such a material B or several materials which, on the whole, fulfill the characteristic of the higher internal friction. It is considered advantageous if the material B is in contact with the material A. For example, the material B is in contact with the base 5 of the tuning fork. According to this embodiment, the material B is preferably at least at the interface of the material A with the rod 6.

Ce mode de réalisation est illustré par les figures 3 A à 3 C, dans lesquels la tige 6 est constituée d'un matériau B qui est différent du matériau A dont l'ensemble 2 est réalisé. L'ensemble 2 comporte en particulier les deux lames 3,4 et la base 5.This embodiment is illustrated by the figures 3 A to 3 C , in which the rod 6 consists of a material B which is different from the material A of which the assembly 2 is produced. The assembly 2 comprises in particular the two blades 3,4 and the base 5.

Les numéros de références des figures 3A à 3C ont les mêmes significations comme décrit ci-dessus pour la figure 1. La figure 3A montre le diapason en position de repos, alors que les figures 3B et 3C montrent les oscillations antisymétrique et symétriques, respectivement, suite à une impulsion donnée sur l'une des deux lames (ici sur la lame 3) au niveau de la flèche 11.The reference numbers of Figures 3A to 3C have the same meanings as described above for the figure 1 . The figure 3A shows the tuning fork in the rest position, while the Figures 3B and 3C show the asymmetric and symmetrical oscillations, respectively, following a pulse given on one of the two blades (here on the blade 3) at the level of arrow 11.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré aux figures 3A à 3C, l'ensemble 2 est construit entièrement de matériaux du type A, donc à frottement interne faible, mais la tige 6 est composé d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne plus important (matériau B), par exemple, le métal utilisé pour le diapason horloger classique. Dans ce mode de réalisation, les oscillations antisymétriques de la figure 2A n'ont pas de perte par la tige, en raison de son mouvement transversal nul, tandis que les oscillations symétriques du diapason (figure 2 B) sont amorties en raison de l'énergie perdue au niveau de l'attachement ou la connexion entre la tige 6 et la base 5, et entre la tige 7 et la fixation 7 du diapason, due aux contraintes SI et S2, voir la figure 3C. Le facteur de qualité (Q2) des oscillations symétriques serait donc comparable au facteur de qualité d'une lame vibrante simple encastrée à une extrémité faite de ce matériau B, donc très petite (par exemple < 10).In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A to 3C , the assembly 2 is constructed entirely of materials of type A, therefore with low internal friction, but the rod 6 is composed of a material having a greater internal friction (material B), for example, the metal used for the tuning fork classic watchmaker. In this embodiment, the asymmetric oscillations of the figure 2A have no loss through the stem, due to its zero transverse movement, while the symmetrical oscillations of the tuning fork ( figure 2 B) are damped due to the energy lost at the level of the attachment or the connection between the rod 6 and the base 5, and between the rod 7 and the fixing 7 of the tuning fork, due to the constraints SI and S2, see the figure 3C . The quality factor (Q 2 ) of symmetrical oscillations would therefore be comparable to the quality factor of a simple vibrating blade embedded at one end made of this material B, therefore very small (for example <10).

La tige 6, fabriquée en matériau B ayant un frottement interne plus élevé que le matériau A dont est fabriqué l'ensemble 2, n'amortit pas et ne réduit pas le facteur de qualité (Q1) des oscillations antisymétriques illustrées à la figure 3B. Ceci s'applique également au cas où le diapason 1 est induit en oscillation par une impulsion sur une lame seulement, illustré par la flèche 11.The rod 6, made of material B having a higher internal friction than the material A from which the assembly 2 is made, does not dampen and does not reduce the quality factor (Q 1 ) of the antisymmetric oscillations illustrated in the figure 3B . This also applies to the case where the tuning fork 1 is induced in oscillation by an impulse on one blade only, illustrated by arrow 11.

Il a été indiqué dans le brevet américain US 3,447,311 que la tige présente, de préférence, une certaine souplesse ou élasticité dans son ensemble, ce qui permet d'écarter ou éloigner la fréquence des oscillations symétriques de la fréquence des oscillations antisymétriques. Selon un mode de réalisation, la tige 6 est agencée de façon à retenir suffisamment de souplesse et/ou d'élasticité pour écarter les fréquences propres au mode antisymétrique et symétrique. Cet agencement peut être réalisé par la géométrique et/ou forme de la tige 6 et par le matériau dont elle est fabriquée. En variant la géométrie de la tige, par exemple, en diminuant sa largeur et/ou en augmentant sa longueur, on peut augmenter sa flexibilité et ainsi retenir l'élasticité requise. De préférence, la fréquence propre des oscillations symétriques et antisymétriques sont différentes et/ou éloignées. On entend par " fréquence propre" le concept de fréquence de résonance, où l'amplitude est maximale par rapport à la fréquence d'impulsion.It was stated in the US patent US 3,447,311 that the rod preferably has a certain flexibility or elasticity as a whole, which makes it possible to separate or distance the frequency of the symmetrical oscillations from the frequency of the asymmetrical oscillations. According to one embodiment, the rod 6 is arranged so as to retain sufficient flexibility and / or elasticity to exclude the frequencies specific to the asymmetric and symmetrical mode. This arrangement can be achieved by the geometry and / or shape of the rod 6 and by the material from which it is made. By varying the geometry of the rod, for example, by reducing its width and / or by increasing its length, one can increase its flexibility and thus retain the required elasticity. Preferably, the natural frequency of the symmetrical and antisymmetric oscillations are different and / or distant. By "natural frequency" is meant the concept of resonant frequency, where the amplitude is maximum with respect to the pulse frequency.

Par exemple, les fréquences propres des oscillations symétriques et antisymétriques sont éloignées d'au moins 5 Hz, de préférence d'au moins 10 Hz, voire d'au moins 20 Hz, et même d'au moins 30 Hz.For example, the natural frequencies of symmetrical and antisymmetric oscillations are distant from at least 5 Hz, preferably at least 10 Hz, or even at least 20 Hz, and even at least 30 Hz.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, la tige 6 fait partie dudit ensemble 2 comportant les lames 3, 4 et la base 5 et comprend ou est constituée par ledit matériau A. Selon ce mode de réalisation, illustré aux figures 4A à 4C, la tige 6, la base 5 et les lames 3, 4 peuvent être fabriquées en une pièce, par exemple d'un matériau A continu, ou peuvent comporter un matériau A continu. Dans le cas d'un matériau monocristallin, la tige 6, la base 5 et les lames 3, 4 peuvent comporter ou être formé d'un seul cristal.According to one embodiment of the invention, the rod 6 is part of said assembly 2 comprising the blades 3, 4 and the base 5 and comprises or is made up of said material A. According to this embodiment, illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C , the rod 6, the base 5 and the blades 3, 4 can be made in one piece, for example of a continuous material A, or can comprise a continuous material A. In the case of a monocrystalline material, the rod 6, the base 5 and the blades 3, 4 may comprise or be formed of a single crystal.

Comme montré à la figure 4A, la fixation 7 comprend ou est constituée d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne plus élevé que celui du matériau A. Dans ce cas, la tige 6 peut comporter ou non un matériau à frottement interne plus élevé (matériau B). Comme indiqué, les figures 4A à 4C montrent en particulier la possibilité où la tige comporte et/ou est fabriquée du même matériau A que la base 5 et les lames 3, 4, et la fixation 7, illustrée par une carré foncé, est formée du matériau B. Bien entendu, la présente invention n'exclut pas la possibilité que la tige comprend un autre matériau que le matériau A de la base 5 et des lames 3, 4, cet autre matériau ayant un frottement interne faible, comme le matériau A, ou un frottement interne plus élevé, comme le matériau B.As shown in the figure 4A , the binding 7 comprises or consists of a material having higher internal friction than that of material A. In this case, the rod 6 may or may not include a material with higher internal friction (material B). As noted, the Figures 4A to 4C show in particular the possibility where the rod comprises and / or is made of the same material A as the base 5 and the blades 3, 4, and the fixing 7, illustrated by a dark square, is formed of the material B. Of course, the present invention does not exclude the possibility that the rod comprises a material other than the material A of the base 5 and the blades 3, 4, this other material having a low internal friction, like material A, or a higher internal friction , like material B.

Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit matériau A est un premier matériau et ledit organe de fixation 7 comprend un deuxième matériau B en contact avec ladite tige 6.According to one embodiment of the invention, said material A is a first material and said fixing member 7 comprises a second material B in contact with said rod 6.

Dans le mode de réalisation montré aux figures 4A à 4C, l'amortissement des oscillations symétriques est introduit à la fixation 7, en remplaçant le matériau A de la fixation 7 par un matériau qui dissipe les oscillations de la tige 6. La tige 6 en matériau A est donc encastrée dans une base formée par la fixation 7 faite d'un matériau ayant un frottement interne important, comme le métal du diapason horloger, ou un autre matériau comme une résine (matériau B).In the embodiment shown in Figures 4A to 4C , the damping of the symmetrical oscillations is introduced at the fixing 7, by replacing the material A of the fixing 7 by a material which dissipates the oscillations of the rod 6. The rod 6 of material A is therefore embedded in a base formed by the attachment 7 made of a material having a high internal friction, such as the metal of the watch tuning fork, or another material such as a resin (material B).

On peut aussi imaginer que la tige 6 en matériau A est collée à la fixation 7 par une colle qui pourrait servir d'amortissement, donc une perte d'énergie dans le mode symétrique, et une réduction du facteur de qualité du mode symétrique. La colle comporte et/ou constitue alors le matériau B. Dans ce cas, la fixation 7 pourrait également être fabriqué d'un matériau choisi parmi les matériaux du type A. Les oscillations antisymétriques ne sont pas amorties par la fixation, puisqu'il n'y a pas d'oscillations transversales de la tige 6 dans l'encastrement dissipatif 7, voir la figure 4B. En revanche, les oscillations symétriques sont amorties puisque les oscillations de la tige 6 sont amorties en raison sa fixation dans le matériau dissipatif 7, ainsi qu'indiqué par les flèches D dans la figure 4C. Dans ce cas, la contrainte S1' entre la tige et la base du diapason ne dissipe pas plus d'énergie que dans le cas où le diapason et sa fixation sont entièrement en matériau A. La contrainte S1' ne contribue donc pas à la réduction des oscillations symétriques.One can also imagine that the rod 6 of material A is glued to the fixing 7 by an adhesive which could serve as damping, therefore a loss of energy in the symmetrical mode, and a reduction of the quality factor of the symmetrical mode. The glue then comprises and / or constitutes the material B. In this case, the attachment 7 could also be made of a material chosen from materials of type A. The asymmetric oscillations are not damped by the attachment, since it does not '' there are no transverse oscillations of the rod 6 in the dissipative embedding 7, see the figure 4B . On the other hand, the symmetrical oscillations are damped since the oscillations of the rod 6 are damped due to its fixation in the dissipative material 7, as indicated by the arrows D in the figure 4C . In this case, the stress S1 'between the rod and the base of the tuning fork does not dissipate more energy than in the case where the tuning fork and its fixing are entirely of material A. The stress S1' therefore does not contribute to the reduction symmetrical oscillations.

Dans un mode de réalisation, ledit organe de fixation 7 fixe et/ou encastre ladite tige 6 de façon qu'une oscillation transversale de ladite tige est amortie. Cet encastrement de la tige 6 est bien illustré aux figures 4A à 4C, où le contact de la fixation 7 avec la tige 6 occasionne la dissipation d'énergie des oscillations.In one embodiment, said fixing member 7 fixes and / or embeds said rod 6 so that a transverse oscillation of said rod is damped. This embedding of the rod 6 is well illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C , where the contact of the binding 7 with the rod 6 causes the energy dissipation of the oscillations.

Il convient d'ajouter que la dissipation d'énergie provenant de l'amortissement des oscillations symétriques comme illustré aux figures 3C et 4C peut conduire à un échauffement, c'est-à-dire, l'énergie des oscillations est transformée en chaleur. La perte d'énergie associée à un mode d'oscillation (ici le mode d'oscillation symétrique) explique la réduction du facteur de qualité de ce type d'oscillation. Selon la présente invention, le matériau B est positionné et/ou agencé de façon à occasionner particulièrement une perte d'énergie des oscillations symétriques pour réduire le facteur de qualité Q2. De préférence, le matériau B est agencé de façon à amortir les oscillations transversales de la tige 6. Comme l'homme du métier comprendra, la présente invention cherche à exploiter la différence entre les oscillations antisymétriques de la figure 2A et les oscillations symétriques de la figure 2B, telle qu'elle se manifeste au niveau du mouvement de la tige 6. On notera également que le centre de gravité du diapason est presque immobile dans le cas antisymétrique mais effectue un mouvement sensible dans le cas symétrique.It should be added that the dissipation of energy from the damping of symmetrical oscillations as illustrated in figures 3C and 4C can lead to heating, that is to say, the energy of the oscillations is transformed into heat. The loss of energy associated with an oscillation mode (here the symmetrical oscillation mode) explains the reduction in the quality factor of this type of oscillation. According to the present invention, the material B is positioned and / or arranged so as to cause in particular a loss of energy of the symmetrical oscillations to reduce the quality factor Q 2 . Preferably, the material B is arranged so as to absorb the transverse oscillations of the rod 6. As the skilled person will understand, the present invention seeks to exploit the difference between the antisymmetric oscillations of the figure 2A and the symmetrical oscillations of the figure 2B , as it manifests itself at the level of the movement of the rod 6. It will also be noted that the center of gravity of the tuning fork is almost immobile in the antisymmetric case but performs a sensitive movement in the symmetrical case.

Lesdites lames 3, 4 du diapason 1 selon l'invention comprennent un matériau A', ledit matériau A' étant disposé sous forme de couche sur au moins une partie des deux lames. Selon un mode de réalisation, ledit matériau A' est caractérisé par un frottement interne faible similaire à celui du matériau A. De préférence, le frottement interne du matériau A' est du même ordre de grandeur que celui du matériau A.Said blades 3, 4 of the tuning fork 1 according to the invention comprise a material A ', said material A' being arranged in the form of a layer on at least part of the two blades. According to one embodiment, said material A 'is characterized by a low internal friction similar to that of material A. Preferably, the internal friction of material A' is of the same order of magnitude as that of material A.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le matériau A et le matériau A' se distinguent par rapport au signe (positif ou négatif) de leur coefficient de dilation thermique respectif. Par conséquent, le coefficient de dilatation thermique dudit matériau A' a un signe inverse par rapport au signe du coefficient thermique dudit matériau A. En d'autres termes, si le coefficient de dilation thermique du matériau A est positif, par exemple +0.5, celui du matériau A' est négatif, par exemple -1.0.According to one embodiment, the material A and the material A 'are distinguished with respect to the sign (positive or negative) of their respective coefficient of thermal expansion. Consequently, the coefficient of thermal expansion of said material A 'has a reverse sign compared to the sign of the thermal coefficient of said material A. In other words, if the coefficient of thermal expansion of material A is positive, for example +0.5, that of material A 'is negative, for example -1.0.

Un but du choix de deux matériaux, A et A' à faible frottement interne est d'annuler ou au moins compenser partiellement l'effet de la température sur la fréquence des oscillations. Généralement, la fréquence des oscillations baisse suite à une déviation de la température optimale (généralement 25°C) d'un diapason à cause de l'augmentation ou la diminution du volume du matériau dont le diapason est constitué. Comme le matériau A' a de préférence un coefficient de dilatation de signe inverse à celui du matériau A, la présence de A' réduit le changement du volume de l'ensemble A et A'.One aim of choosing two materials, A and A 'with low internal friction is to cancel or at least partially compensate for the effect of temperature on the frequency of the oscillations. Generally, the frequency of the oscillations decreases following a deviation of the optimal temperature (generally 25 ° C) of a tuning fork because of the increase or the decrease of the volume of the material of which the tuning fork is made. As the material A 'preferably has a coefficient of expansion of opposite sign to that of the material A, the presence of A' reduces the change in the volume of the assembly A and A '.

La caractéristique du signe inverse n'implique pas que les valeurs absolues des coefficients de dilatation thermiques des matériaux A et A' soient identiques (voir l'exemple des valeurs +0.5 et -1.0 donné ci-dessus). Pour cette raison, la quantité du matériau A' est de préférence choisie de façon à ce que un changement de volume de l'ensemble comportant au moins les lames 3, 4 et la base 5, et éventuellement la tige 6 est réduite au maximum, c'est-à-dire, la dilatation ou la diminution du volume sont essentiellement réduites ou absentes.The characteristic of the inverse sign does not imply that the absolute values of the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials A and A 'are identical (see the example of the values +0.5 and -1.0 given above). For this reason, the quantity of material A ′ is preferably chosen so that a change in volume of the assembly comprising at least the blades 3, 4 and the base 5, and possibly the rod 6 is reduced to the maximum, that is, the dilation or decrease in volume is essentially reduced or absent.

De préférence, le matériau A' est également un matériau à faible frottement interne. Ainsi, le matériau A' n'a de préférence pas d'effet significatif sur le facteur de qualité Q1. L'homme du métier connait les matériaux au coefficient de dilatation thermique négatif.Preferably, the material A 'is also a material with low internal friction. Thus, the material A 'preferably has no significant effect on the quality factor Q 1 . Those skilled in the art know the materials with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion.

Le matériau A' est de préférence présent sur au moins les deux lames 3, 4. Le matériau A' peut également être présent sur la base 5. Si la tige 6 comprend ou est constituée du matériau A, (figures 4A à 4C), le matériau A' peut également être présent sur la tige. Il est entendu que la présente invention n'est pas limitée à la manière dont le matériau A' est associé au matériau A. Par exemple, le matériau A' peut être déposé sous forme de couche sur au moins une partie du matériau A ou l'inverse. L'homme du métier peut envisager d'autre manières d'associer le matériau A' au diapason selon l'invention. Ladite couche peut s'étendre sur l'ensemble d'une face des lames 3, 4 et de la base 5 et également sur la tige 6, ou peut-être présent sur une partie de l'ensemble 2 seulement. De préférence, le matériau A' est au moins associé avec et/ou connecté à une partie des lames 3, 4. De préférence, le matériau A' est disposé de manière équitable et/ou symétrique sur les deux lames 3, 4.The material A 'is preferably present on at least the two blades 3, 4. The material A' can also be present on the base 5. If the rod 6 comprises or consists of the material A, ( Figures 4A to 4C ), the material A 'may also be present on the rod. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the way in which the material A 'is associated with the material A. For example, the material A' can be deposited in the form of a layer on at least part of the material A or the 'reverse. Those skilled in the art can envisage other ways of associating the material A 'with the tuning fork according to the invention. Said layer may extend over the whole of one face of the blades 3, 4 and of the base 5 and also over the rod 6, or may be present over part of the assembly 2 only. Preferably, the material A 'is at least associated with and / or connected to a part of the blades 3, 4. Preferably, the material A' is arranged equitably and / or symmetrically on the two blades 3, 4.

L'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour adapter le contenu de la présente divulgation à ses propres besoins et mettre en œuvre un oscillateur différent de celui selon les modes de réalisation décrit ici, mais dans lequel le facteur de qualité des oscillations symétriques est réduit par rapport au facteur de qualité des oscillations antisymétriques, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention. Par exemple, l'homme du métier saura utiliser l'oscillateur selon l'invention dans une pièce d'horlogerie qui n'est pas entièrement mécanique et/ou dans une pièce d'horlogerie électronique, ou encore dans une base de temps électronique quelconque. Par exemple, la présente invention peut être facilement implémentée dans une application qui nécessite une base de temps, tel qu'un ordinateur ou encore un téléphone portable. En particulier, le fait que la présente invention permet d'exciter et/ou de maintenir les impulsions antisymétriques malgré les impulsions (mécaniques ou autres) sur une seule des deux branches permet de faciliter la construction du diapason en général, aussi dans le cas d'un diapason induit en oscillation par moyens électroniques et/ou en utilisant l'effet piézoélectrique dans le cas du diapason en quartz, par exemple.Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing an oscillator different from that according to the embodiments described here, but in which the quality factor of the symmetrical oscillations is reduced compared to the quality factor of the asymmetric oscillations, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, a person skilled in the art will know how to use the oscillator according to the invention in a timepiece which is not entirely mechanical and / or in an electronic timepiece, or even in an electronic time base. any. For example, the present invention can be easily implemented in an application which requires a time base, such as a computer or even a mobile telephone. In particular, the fact that the present invention makes it possible to excite and / or maintain the asymmetric pulses despite the pulses (mechanical or other) on only one of the two branches makes it possible to facilitate the construction of the tuning fork in general, also in the case of a tuning fork induced in oscillation by electronic means and / or by using the piezoelectric effect in the case of the quartz tuning fork, for example.

Claims (13)

  1. Timepiece comprising a mechanical horological movement comprising: an oscillator of the tuning-fork type (1), said oscillator comprising an assembly (2) comprising two blades (3, 4) and a base (5) connecting said blades, said oscillator (1) comprising a rod (6) connected to said base (5), the oscillator being connected by the rod (6) thereof to a fastening member (7) connected to the movement, said assembly (2) comprising or being made of a material A, said material A having a low internal friction, said movement comprising a mechanical impulse member capable of acting on one of the two blades so as to induce and maintain oscillation of said oscillator, said oscillator being capable of oscillating both in a desired antisymmetric mode and in an undesired symmetric mode, the quality factor Q2 of the symmetric oscillation mode of said oscillator being reduced in relation to the quality factor Q1 of the antisymmetric oscillation mode, said material A being a first material and said quality factor Q2 being reduced by the presence of a second material B, that is different from the material A, this material B being in contact with said material A such that lateral oscillation of said rod (6) is damped, and characterised in that said blades (3, 4) comprise a third material A', said material A' being arranged in the form of a layer on at least one portion of the two blades.
  2. Timepiece according to claim 2, wherein said material B is characterised by a higher internal friction than that of said first material.
  3. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said material A is a first material and in that the rod (6) includes or is made of said material B in contact with said first material.
  4. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the rod (6) forms part of said assembly (2) comprising the blades (3, 4) and the base (5) and includes or is made of said material A.
  5. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said material A is a first material and in that said fastening member (7) includes a second material B in contact with said rod (6).
  6. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said fastening member (7) fastens and/or embeds said rod (6) such that lateral oscillation of said rod is damped.
  7. Timepiece according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that said second material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polycrystalline materials and/or amorphous materials.
  8. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said material A is monocrystalline silicon and/or quartz.
  9. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said material A' is characterised by a low internal friction similar to that of the material A.
  10. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of said material A' has an opposite sign (+/-) to the thermal coefficient sign of said material A.
  11. Oscillator of the tuning-fork type (1), said oscillator comprising an assembly (2) comprising two blades (3, 4) and a base (5) connecting said blades, said oscillator (1) comprising a rod (6) connected to said base (5), the oscillator being connected by the rod (6) thereof to a fastening member (7) connected to a support, said assembly (2) being made of a first material A having a low internal friction, said oscillator comprising a second material B, this material B being in contact with said material A such that lateral oscillation of said rod (6) is damped, and characterised in that said material B has an internal friction 1/QB higher than the internal friction 1/QA of the material A, such that QB/QA is ≤ 0.1.
  12. Horological movement comprising the oscillator of the preceding claim, said movement comprising a mechanical impulse member capable of acting on one of the two blades in order to induce and maintain oscillation of said oscillator.
  13. Horological movement according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said mechanical impulse member is connected to and/or powered by a source of mechanical energy.
EP15723856.9A 2014-05-05 2015-05-01 Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement Active EP3140698B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14167078.6A EP2942673A1 (en) 2014-05-05 2014-05-05 Mechanical oscillator with tuning fork for clock movement
PCT/EP2015/059624 WO2015169708A2 (en) 2014-05-05 2015-05-01 Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement

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EP3140698A2 EP3140698A2 (en) 2017-03-15
EP3140698B1 true EP3140698B1 (en) 2020-03-25

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EP14167078.6A Withdrawn EP2942673A1 (en) 2014-05-05 2014-05-05 Mechanical oscillator with tuning fork for clock movement
EP15723856.9A Active EP3140698B1 (en) 2014-05-05 2015-05-01 Tuning fork mechanical oscillator for clock movement

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EP14167078.6A Withdrawn EP2942673A1 (en) 2014-05-05 2014-05-05 Mechanical oscillator with tuning fork for clock movement

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US (1) US10459405B2 (en)
EP (2) EP2942673A1 (en)
CN (1) CN106471429B (en)
CH (1) CH711280B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2015169708A2 (en)

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EP4016193A1 (en) * 2020-12-18 2022-06-22 Omega SA Timepiece resonator mechanism with flexible guide provided with a means for adjusting the rigidity

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NL228637A (en) 1953-06-19
US3208287A (en) 1961-10-21 1965-09-28 Jeco Kk Magnetic escapement
CH58264A4 (en) * 1964-01-20 1965-09-15
CH333565A4 (en) * 1965-03-10 1966-12-15
CH485145A (en) 1966-03-29 1970-01-31 Ebauches Sa Device transforming the oscillating movements of an acoustic resonator into rotary movements of a counting wheel
GB1365543A (en) * 1970-09-14 1974-09-04 Suwa Seikosha Kk Vibrator device for a timepiece
US3760482A (en) * 1972-05-18 1973-09-25 Suwa Seikosha Kk Method of adjusting frequency of tuning fork type vibrator
CH1600774A4 (en) * 1974-12-03 1977-07-29
EP0964319A1 (en) * 1998-06-08 1999-12-15 Manufacture des Montres Rolex S.A. Method for the transmission of mechanical energy pulses from a driving source to an oscillating regulator
FR2842313B1 (en) * 2002-07-12 2004-10-22 Gideon Levingston MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR (BALANCING SYSTEM AND SPIRAL SPRING) IN MATERIALS FOR REACHING A HIGHER LEVEL OF PRECISION, APPLIED TO A WATCHMAKING MOVEMENT OR OTHER PRECISION INSTRUMENT
HK1146455A2 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-06-03 Microtechne Res & Dev Ct Ltd An oscillator system
EP2466401B1 (en) 2010-12-15 2013-08-14 Asgalium Unitec SA Magnetic resonator for mechanical timepiece
EP2574994A1 (en) 2011-09-29 2013-04-03 Asgalium Unitec SA Resonator with tuning fork for mechanical timepiece movement
EP2765705B1 (en) * 2013-02-07 2015-08-19 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Resonator thermocompensated by a shape-memory metal

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CH711280B1 (en) 2022-11-15
US20170108830A1 (en) 2017-04-20
US10459405B2 (en) 2019-10-29
EP3140698A2 (en) 2017-03-15
US20180004160A9 (en) 2018-01-04
EP2942673A1 (en) 2015-11-11
WO2015169708A3 (en) 2016-03-10
WO2015169708A2 (en) 2015-11-12
CN106471429B (en) 2019-05-14
CN106471429A (en) 2017-03-01

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