EP3620867B1 - Uhr, die einen mechanischen oszillator umfasst, dessen durchschnittliche frequenz mit der eines elektronischen referenzoszillators synchronisiert ist - Google Patents

Uhr, die einen mechanischen oszillator umfasst, dessen durchschnittliche frequenz mit der eines elektronischen referenzoszillators synchronisiert ist Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3620867B1
EP3620867B1 EP18192469.7A EP18192469A EP3620867B1 EP 3620867 B1 EP3620867 B1 EP 3620867B1 EP 18192469 A EP18192469 A EP 18192469A EP 3620867 B1 EP3620867 B1 EP 3620867B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mechanical
frequency
coil
oscillation
oscillator
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EP18192469.7A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3620867A1 (de
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Lionel TOMBEZ
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Priority to EP18192469.7A priority Critical patent/EP3620867B1/de
Priority to US16/520,402 priority patent/US11687041B2/en
Priority to JP2019153408A priority patent/JP6951389B2/ja
Priority to CN201910827874.7A priority patent/CN110874049B/zh
Publication of EP3620867A1 publication Critical patent/EP3620867A1/de
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C11/00—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks
    • G04C11/08—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction
    • G04C11/081—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction using an electro-magnet
    • 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
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • 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
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C11/00—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks
    • G04C11/08—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction
    • G04C11/081—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction using an electro-magnet
    • G04C11/084—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction using an electro-magnet acting on the balance

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement the rate of which is improved by a device for correcting a possible time drift in the operation of the mechanical oscillator which rates the rate of the mechanical movement.
  • the timepiece comprises a mechanical oscillator, the average frequency of which is synchronized to a reference frequency determined by an auxiliary electronic oscillator.
  • Timepieces as defined in the field of the invention have been proposed in some prior documents.
  • the patent CH 597 636 published in 1977 , offers such a timepiece in reference to his figure 3 .
  • the movement is equipped with a resonator formed by a sprung balance and a conventional maintenance device comprising an anchor and an escape wheel in kinematic connection with a barrel provided with a spring.
  • This watch movement further comprises a device for regulating the frequency of its mechanical oscillator.
  • This regulation device comprises an electronic circuit and an electromagnetic braking device formed of a flat coil, arranged on a support under the rim of the balance, and two magnets mounted on the balance and arranged close to each other of so that they both pass over the coil when the oscillator is activated.
  • the electronic circuit comprises a time base comprising a quartz resonator and serving to generate a reference frequency signal FR, this reference frequency being compared with the frequency FG of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the detection of the FG frequency of the oscillator is carried out via the electrical signals generated in the coil by the pair of magnets.
  • the comparison between the two frequencies FG and FR is carried out by a bidirectional counter receiving at its two inputs these two frequencies and providing at output a signal determining a difference of periods counted for the two frequencies.
  • the electronic circuit further comprises a logic circuit which analyzes the output signal of the counter to control a brake pulse application circuit as a function of this output signal, so as to brake the balance when the logic circuit has detected a time drift corresponding to a value of the frequency FG of the oscillator greater than the reference frequency FR.
  • the braking pulse application circuit is arranged to be able to generate a momentary braking torque on the balance wheel via an electromagnetic magnet-coil interaction and a switchable load connected to the coil.
  • the document US 2005/036405 describes a mechanical watch movement fitted with an electromagnetic frequency regulation system of oscillation of the mechanical resonator incorporated in this mechanical movement.
  • This regulation system is of the closed loop type and it is suitable only for correcting the rate of the mechanical movement in the case where this rate is too fast, that is to say in the case where this mechanical movement becomes slow. advance.
  • the control circuit determines whether the mechanical resonator oscillates with too high a frequency and, if so, then decreases this frequency by braking pulses applied to the balance wheel via the electromagnetic system.
  • the document FR 2 162 404 describes a mechanical movement and an electromechanical system designed to control the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator to a reference frequency supplied by an auxiliary quartz oscillator.
  • the electromechanical system comprises a stop projecting from the rim of the balance and an actuator whose finger is briefly actuated periodically in the direction of the rim, at the set frequency, so as to allow the stop to abut against this finger in the as this stop passes through the fixed angular position of the finger when the latter is briefly in its position of possible interaction with the balance via the stop.
  • the document EP 3 584 645 B1 explains in more detail, in its section 'Technological background', why the synchronization sought in the document FR 2 162 404 seems unlikely, and at least not sure.
  • An aim of the present invention is to simplify as much as possible the electronic circuit of a synchronization device arranged to control the average frequency of the mechanical oscillator of a mechanical movement on a reference frequency determined by an electronic oscillator. auxiliary, without losing precision in the operation of the timepiece equipped with such a synchronization device.
  • a mechanical watch movement In the context of the present invention, it is generally sought to improve the accuracy of the rate of a mechanical watch movement, that is to say to reduce the maximum daily error of this mechanical movement and more generally to decrease very significantly a possible time drift over a longer period (for example a year).
  • the present invention seeks to achieve such an aim for a mechanical watch movement the rate of which is initially adjusted to the best.
  • a general aim of the invention is to find a device for correcting the rate of a mechanical movement in the event that the natural functioning of this mechanical movement would lead to a certain daily error and consequently to an increasing time drift. (increasing cumulative error), without however renouncing that it can operate autonomously with the best precision that it is possible for it to have thanks to its own characteristics, that is to say in the absence of the correction device or when the latter is inactive.
  • the present invention relates to a timepiece as defined in independent claim 1 attached.
  • Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
  • the mechanical oscillator of the horological movement is slaved to the auxiliary oscillator in an efficient and rapid manner, as will become clear from the detailed description of the invention which will follow.
  • the oscillation frequency of the mechanical oscillator (slave mechanical oscillator) is synchronized to the setpoint frequency determined by the auxiliary oscillator (master oscillator), and this without closed-loop servo-control and without requiring a motion measurement sensor. oscillation of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the synchronization device therefore operates in an open loop and it makes it possible to correct both an advance and a delay in the rate. of mechanical movement, as will be explained later. This result is quite remarkable.
  • the possible temporal distances D T determine the average frequency of the mechanical oscillator and therefore the timing of the operation of the mechanism.
  • the average frequency is determined by this auxiliary oscillator so that the precision of the rate of the mechanism is in direct relation with that of the auxiliary oscillator.
  • the mechanical resonator is formed by a balance oscillating around an axis of oscillation, and the synchronization device is arranged so as to periodically trigger the distinct time intervals T P , which have the same value.
  • the value of the distinct time intervals T P is expected less than a quarter of the setpoint period T0c, i.e. T P ⁇ T0c / 4.
  • a timepiece 2 comprising a mechanical movement 4 which comprises at least one mechanism 12 indicating time data.
  • the mechanism 12 comprises a cog 16 driven by a barrel 14 (the mechanism is shown partially on the Figure 1 ).
  • the mechanical movement further comprises a mechanical resonator 6, formed by a balance 8 and a hairspring 10, which is arranged on a plate 5 defining a support for the mechanical resonator, and a device for maintaining this mechanical resonator which is formed by an escapement. 18, this maintenance device forming with the mechanical resonator a mechanical oscillator which rates the operation of the indicator mechanism.
  • the escapement 18 conventionally comprises an anchor and an escape wheel, the latter being kinematically connected to the barrel via the gear 16.
  • the mechanical resonator is capable of oscillating around a neutral position (position rest / zero angular position) corresponding to its state of minimum potential energy, along a circular axis (the radius of this axis is irrelevant since the position of the balance along this axis is given by an angle).
  • the circular axis defines a general axis of oscillation which indicates the nature of the movement of the mechanical resonator, which may for example be linear in another embodiment.
  • Each oscillation of the mechanical resonator defines an oscillation period which is formed by two alternations, each between two extreme angular positions of the oscillation and with a rotation in the opposite direction of the other.
  • the mechanical resonator reaches an extreme angular position, defining the oscillation amplitude, its speed of rotation is zero and the direction of rotation is reversed.
  • Each half-cycle has two half-cycles (the duration of which may be different depending on disturbing events), i.e. a first half-cycle occurring before the mechanical resonator passes through its neutral position and a second half-cycle occurring after this passage through the neutral position.
  • the timepiece 2 comprises a device 20 for synchronizing the mechanical oscillator, formed by the mechanical resonator 6 and the escapement 18, on a reference time base 22 constituted by an auxiliary oscillator which comprises a quartz resonator 35 and a clock circuit 36 maintaining the quartz resonator and delivering a reference frequency signal S R.
  • the crystal oscillator defines a master oscillator.
  • the reference time base is associated with the control device 24 of the synchronization device to which it supplies the signal S R. It will be noted that other types of auxiliary oscillators can be provided, in particular an oscillator integrated entirely into an electronic circuit with the control circuit.
  • the auxiliary oscillator is by nature or by construction more precise than the mechanical oscillator arranged in the watch movement, this mechanical oscillator defining an oscillator slave in the context of the invention.
  • the synchronization device 20 is arranged to control the average frequency of the mechanical oscillator to a reference frequency determined by the auxiliary oscillator.
  • the synchronization device 20 comprises an electromagnetic braking device 26 of the mechanical resonator 6.
  • electromagnetic braking is understood a braking of the mechanical resonator generated via an electromagnetic interaction between at least one permanent magnet, carried by the mechanical resonator or a support of this mechanical resonator, and at least one coil carried respectively by the support or the mechanical resonator and associated with an electronic circuit in which a current induced in the coil by the magnet can be generated.
  • the electromagnetic braking device is thus formed of at least one coil 28 and at least one permanent magnet which are arranged so that an induced voltage is generated between the two terminals 28A, 28B of the coil 28 in each alternation of the oscillation of the mechanical resonator for a useful operating range of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the coil 28 is of the wafer type (disc having a height less than its diameter), without a ferromagnetic core.
  • annular magnet having an axial magnetization with successive sectors corresponding to the bipolar magnets 30, 32, these successive sectors having alternating polarities and each defining an angle at the center (an angular 'opening') having substantially a same value.
  • the bipolar magnets 30, 32 define eight magnetized annular sectors each having an angular distance of 45 ° with alternating magnetic polarities.
  • the coil 28 is arranged on the plate 5 so as to be traversed by the magnetic flux of the bipolar magnets / magnetized annular sectors when the balance oscillates.
  • the diameter of the coil 28 is provided so that it is substantially included in an angular opening, relative to the axis of oscillation, which is substantially equal to that defined by each bipolar magnet / magnetized annular sector.
  • the diameter of the coil 28 can be made larger and have for example an angular opening corresponding to substantially twice that of a magnetized annular sector.
  • a plurality of wafer coils having between them, taken in pairs, an angular offset corresponding to an integer number of magnetic periods (a magnetic period being given by the angular distance of two annular sectors adjacent magnets).
  • These coils thus not exhibiting any electromagnetic phase shift (that is to say that the phase shifts are integer multiples of 360 °), the voltages induced in these coils each have an identical time variation and simultaneous with the others, so that these induced voltages add up.
  • the plurality of coils can be arranged in series or in parallel. The number of magnetized annular sectors, the number of coils and their characteristic dimensions are selected as a function of the strength of the electromagnetic interaction desired to allow the desired servo-control of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the synchronization device is designed to be able to temporarily reduce the impedance between the two terminals of the coil.
  • the synchronization device is arranged to determine by means of the reference time base 22 the start of each of the distinct time intervals so as to satisfy the aforementioned mathematical relationship between the time distance D T and the reference period T0c.
  • the mechanical resonator is formed by a balance rotating around an axis of oscillation.
  • the distinct time intervals T P have the same value which is expected to be less than the reference half-period, ie T P ⁇ T0c / 2.
  • the synchronization device is arranged so as to generate a short-circuit between the two terminals 28A and 28B of the coil 28 during the distinct time intervals T P in order to reduce the impedance between the two terminals of this coil.
  • the value of the distinct time intervals T P is advantageously less than a quarter of the reference period T0c, ie T P ⁇ T0c / 4.
  • the electromagnetic braking device 26 is arranged so that an induced voltage is generated in the coil 28 substantially without interruption for any oscillation of the mechanical resonator 6 in the useful operating range of the mechanical oscillator formed by this mechanical resonator.
  • the stable phase represented here occurs following a transient phase (initial phase) which will be described below.
  • the stable phase also called synchronous phase
  • the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator is slaved to the reference frequency F0c and the first and second parts T B and T A of the short-circuit pulses 58 exhibit a substantially constant and defined ratio.
  • the synchronization device automatically stabilizes, without a sensor measuring a parameter of the oscillation of the mechanical resonator 6 and without a feedback loop, the oscillation frequency of this mechanical resonator at the setpoint frequency F0c.
  • the Figure 5A corresponds to a situation where the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator of the timepiece is greater than the setpoint frequency F0c, so that this timepiece without the synchronization device would exhibit a positive time drift corresponding to a advance in the march of the timepiece.
  • the short-circuit pulses 58 intervene around an extreme angular position, that is to say that the distinct time intervals T P include a reversal of the direction of the oscillation movement which occurs between an alternation A2 and an alternation A1 of the oscillation while the speed of rotation (angular speed) is zero.
  • the oscillation periods are equal to the reference period T0c, but it is noted that the two vibrations A1 and A2 which constitute each oscillation period are not equal.
  • the alternation A1 lasts here longer than the alternation A2, because more braking occurs in the alternation A1, before the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position (angle 0 °), than in the alternation A2 after the mechanical resonator has passed through its neutral position. It will be noted that no braking torque is applied to the mechanical resonator neither after the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position in the half-wave A1, nor before the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position in the half-wave A2.
  • the braking pulse is formed by two small lobes 50 located respectively on each side of the instant of passage of the mechanical resonator through the extreme angular position, exhibiting central symmetry relative to this instant (the opposite mathematical signs of the two lobes 50 originates from the change of direction in the oscillation movement), and from a lobe 52 of greater amplitude which intervenes in the alternation A1 of each period of oscillation, in the first half-wave before the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position.
  • the effects of the two lobes 50 are compensated for and therefore generally do not generate any phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, while the braking torque caused by the lobe 52 in each alternation A1 causes an increase in the duration of the latter, so that the duration of the oscillation period concerned is equal to that of the reference period T0c.
  • the instantaneous oscillation frequency is thus equal to the reference frequency F0c which is, as indicated, lower than the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the appearance of the lobe 52 only in the halfwaves A1 results from the fact that the mid-instants of the short-circuit pulses 58 occur with a certain delay relative to the passages of the mechanical resonator through a position extreme angular, this resulting from the fact that the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator is greater than the reference frequency F0c.
  • the part T B of the pulses 58 occurring before the passage of the mechanical resonator through an extreme position is less than the part T A of the pulses 58 occurring after this passage.
  • the Figure 5B corresponds to a situation where the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator of the timepiece is lower than the setpoint frequency F0c, so that this timepiece without the synchronization device would exhibit a negative time drift corresponding to a delay in the progress of the timepiece. It is also observed that the short-circuit pulses 58 occur around an extreme angular position and that the alternation A1 lasts longer than the alternation A2, because a greater braking occurs in the alternation A2, here after the passage of the mechanical resonator by its neutral position (angle 0 °), than in the alternation A1 before the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position.
  • the braking pulse is here formed of two small lobes 50 located respectively on each side of the extreme angular position and of a lobe 54 of greater amplitude which occurs in the alternation A2 of each oscillation period, in the second half-wave after the mechanical resonator has passed through its neutral position.
  • the effects of the two lobes 50 are always compensated for, while the braking torque caused by the lobe 54 in each alternation A2 causes a reduction in the duration of the latter, so that the duration of the period of oscillation concerned is equal to that of the setpoint period T0c.
  • the instantaneous oscillation frequency is thus equal to the reference frequency F0c which is, as indicated, greater than the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the appearance of the lobe 54 only in the alternations A2 results from the fact that the mid-instants of the short-circuit pulses 58 occur here with a certain advance relative to the passages of the mechanical resonator through an extreme angular position, this resulting from the fact that the frequency natural F0 of the mechanical oscillator is lower than the reference frequency F0c.
  • the part T A of the pulses 58 occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator through an extreme position is less than the part T B of the pulses 58 occurring before this passage.
  • Figure 5C a situation where the natural frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator of the timepiece is equal to the setpoint frequency F0c. It follows from this situation that the part T A of the pulses 58 occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator through an extreme angular position is equal to the part T B of the pulses 58 occurring before this passage, so that the parts 50A of the braking pulses intervening in the halfwaves A2 just before the passage of the mechanical resonator through an extreme position have the same profile, with an opposite mathematical sign, that the parts 50B of the braking pulses intervening in the halfwaves A1 just after this passage and thus have a central symmetry relative to the instant of passage through the extreme angular position concerned.
  • the Figure 3 is a diagram which shows a first variant embodiment 24A of the control circuit 24 of the synchronization device 20.
  • the control circuit 24A is connected on the one hand to the clock circuit 36 and, on the other hand, to the coil 28.
  • the clock circuit maintains the quartz resonator 35 and in return generates a clock signal S R at a reference frequency, in particular equal to 2 15 Hz.
  • the signal d The clock S R is supplied successively to two dividers DIV1 and DIV2 (these two dividers being able to form two stages of the same divider).
  • Divider DIV2 supplies a periodic signal S D directly to a timer 38 ('Timer').
  • control circuit 24A of the synchronization device is very simple. It can be miniaturized easily and its power consumption is very low. No microcontroller is needed.
  • provision can be made to generate the short-circuit pulses in groups, for example a succession of sequences with four pulses in four successive oscillation periods then no pulse for ten seconds, i.e. for forty periods for a frequency F0c 4 Hz.
  • time intervals T P it is not necessary for the time intervals T P to be measured precisely, that is to say with as much precision as the time distances D T between the beginnings of these time intervals.
  • dividers DIV1 and DIV2 together form a conventional clockwork divider circuit which therefore provides at output a periodic signal S D having a frequency equal to 1 Hz.
  • This signal S D is supplied to a counter at N which defines an additional divider, which generates the periodic signal S P which it supplies to the timer 38.
  • the control signal Sc supplied by the timer to the switch 40 has a frequency of trigger F D equal to that of the periodic signal S P.
  • the trigger frequency F D of the periodic signals S P and Sc is then 1/8 Hz, which means that there is a braking pulse (short-circuit pulse) per 32 setpoint periods T0c, i.e. about one pulse after 32 periods of the mechanical oscillator insofar as its natural frequency F0 is expected to be close to the reference frequency F0c.
  • the synchronization device further comprises a power supply device 44 formed by a rectifier circuit 46 (of the single or full-wave type) and by a storage capacitor C AL connected to ground (reference potential of the synchronization device).
  • the rectifier circuit is constantly connected at the input to a terminal of the coil so that apart from the short-circuit pulses it can rectify a voltage induced in the coil 28 by the permanent magnets 30, 32. This induced voltage, rectified and accumulated in the storage capacity, is used for the power supply of the synchronization device in the useful operating range of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the control circuit 24B of the synchronization device is very simple and autonomous. It consumes little and takes a minimum of energy from the mechanical oscillator to efficiently perform the synchronization according to the invention.
  • the first graph indicates the instant t P1 at which a braking pulse P1, respectively P2 is applied to the mechanical resonator considered in order to correct the rate of the mechanism which is clocked by the mechanical oscillator formed by this resonator.
  • the last two graphs show respectively the angular velocity (values in radians per second: [rad / s]) and the angular position (values in radians: [rad]) of the oscillating member (subsequently also 'the balance ') of the mechanical resonator over time.
  • the curves 90 and 92 correspond respectively to the angular speed and to the angular position of the freely oscillating balance (oscillation at its natural frequency) before the intervention of a braking pulse.
  • the speed curves 90a and 90b are shown corresponding to the behavior of the resonator respectively in the case disturbed by the braking pulse and in the undisturbed case.
  • the position curves 92a and 92b correspond to the behavior of the resonator respectively in the case disturbed by the braking pulse and the undisturbed case.
  • the instants t P1 and t P2 at which the braking pulses P1 and P2 intervene correspond to the temporal positions of the middle of these pulses.
  • the start of the braking pulse and its duration are considered as the two parameters which temporally define a braking pulse.
  • braking pulse By braking pulse, one understands the momentary application of a torque of force to the mechanical resonator which brakes its oscillating member (balance), that is to say which opposes the oscillating movement of this oscillating member.
  • the duration of the pulse is generally defined as the part of this pulse which presents a significant force torque to brake the mechanical resonator. It will be noted that a braking pulse can exhibit a strong variation. It can even be chopped and form a succession of shorter pulses.
  • Each period of free oscillation T0 of the mechanical oscillator defines a first half-wave A0 1 followed by a second half-wave A0 2 each occurring between two extreme positions defining the amplitude of oscillation of this mechanical oscillator, each half-wave having an identical duration T0 / 2 and having a passage of the mechanical resonator through its zero position at a median instant.
  • the two successive alternations of an oscillation define two half-periods during which the balance respectively undergoes an oscillating movement in one direction and then an oscillating movement in the other direction.
  • an alternation corresponds here to a swing of the balance in one direction or the other direction between its two extreme positions defining the amplitude of oscillation.
  • the braking pulse is triggered after a time interval T A1 following the instant t D1 marking the start of the alternation A1.
  • the duration T A1 is less than one half-wave T0 / 4 minus the duration of the pulse of braking P1. In the example given, the duration of this braking pulse is much less than one half-wave T0 / 4.
  • the braking pulse is therefore generated between the start of a half-wave and the passage of the resonator through its neutral position in this half-wave.
  • the angular speed in absolute value decreases at the moment of the braking pulse P1.
  • Such a braking pulse induces a negative time phase shift T C1 in the oscillation of the resonator, as shown in Figure 6 the two curves 90a and 90b of the angular speed and also the two curves 92a and 92b of the angular position, that is to say a delay relative to the theoretical undisturbed signal (shown in broken lines).
  • the duration of the alternation A1 is increased by a time interval T C1 .
  • the oscillation period T1 comprising the alternation A1 is therefore prolonged relative to the value T0. This generates a punctual reduction in the frequency of the mechanical oscillator and a momentary slowing down of the associated mechanism, the operation of which is clocked by this mechanical oscillator.
  • the braking pulse P2 at the instant t P2 which is located in the halfwave A2 after the median instant t N2 at which the resonator passes through its neutral position. Finally, after the braking pulse P2, this alternation A2 ends at the final instant t F2 at which the resonator again occupies an extreme position (maximum positive angular position in the period T2) and therefore also before the final instant corresponding t F0 of the undisturbed oscillation.
  • the braking pulse is triggered after a time interval T A2 following the initial instant t D2 of the alternation A2.
  • the duration T A2 is greater than one half-wave T0 / 4 and less than one half-wave T0 / 2 reduced by the duration of the braking pulse P2. In the example given, the duration of this braking pulse is much less than half a wave.
  • the braking pulse is therefore generated, in an alternation, between the median instant at which the resonator passes through its neutral position (zero position) and the final instant at which this alternation ends.
  • the angular speed in absolute value decreases at the moment of the braking pulse P2.
  • the braking pulse here induces a positive time phase shift T C2 in the oscillation of the resonator, as shown in Figure 4 the two curves 90b and 90c of the angular speed and also the curves 92b and 92c of the angular position, ie an advance relative to the theoretical undisturbed signal (shown in broken lines).
  • T C2 the duration of the alternation A2 is reduced by the time interval T C2 .
  • the oscillation period T2 including the alternation A2 is therefore shorter than the value T0. This consequently generates a punctual increase in the frequency of the mechanical oscillator and a momentary acceleration of the associated mechanism, the operation of which is clocked by this mechanical oscillator. This phenomenon is surprising and not intuitive, which is why those skilled in the art have ignored it in the past. Indeed, obtaining an acceleration of the mechanism by a braking pulse is a priori astonishing, but such is the case when this rate is clocked by a mechanical oscillator and the braking pulse is applied to its resonator.
  • the aforementioned physical phenomenon for mechanical oscillators occurs in the synchronization method implemented in a timepiece according to the invention. Unlike general education in the watchmaking field, it is not only possible to reduce the frequency of a mechanical oscillator by braking pulses, but it is also possible to increase the frequency of such a mechanical oscillator also by braking pulses. Those skilled in the art expects to be able to reduce the frequency of a mechanical oscillator practically only by braking pulses and, as a corollary, to be able only to be able to increase the frequency of such a mechanical oscillator by the application of driving pulses. when energy is supplied to this oscillator.
  • the application of a braking torque during an alternation of the oscillation of a sprung balance causes a negative or positive phase shift in the oscillation of this sprung balance depending on whether this braking torque is applied respectively before or after the sprung balance has passed through its neutral position.
  • the error generated at the Figure 8B can correspond in fact to a correction for the case where the mechanical oscillator has a natural frequency which does not correspond to a reference frequency.
  • the oscillator has a natural frequency that is too low, braking pulses occurring in the second or fourth quarter of the oscillation period can allow a correction of the delay taken by the free oscillation (not disturbed), this correction being more or less strong depending on the instant of the braking pulses within the oscillation period.
  • braking pulses occurring in the first or third quarter of the oscillation period can allow a correction of the advance taken by the free oscillation, this correction being more or weaker depending on the instant of the braking pulses in the oscillation period.
  • the braking frequency is therefore proportional to the reference frequency and determined by this reference frequency, which is supplied by the auxiliary oscillator which is by nature or construction more precise than the main mechanical oscillator.
  • the angular position of the slave mechanical resonator, in particular of the sprung balance of a watch resonator, freely oscillating (curve 100) and oscillating with braking (curve 102) is shown in the top graph.
  • the first braking pulses 104 (hereinafter also called 'pulses') occur here once per period of oscillation in a half-cycle between the passage through an extreme position and the passage through zero. This choice is arbitrary because the system provided does not detect the angular position of the mechanical resonator; it is therefore just one possible hypothesis among others that will be analyzed subsequently. We are therefore here in the case of a slowdown of the mechanical oscillator.
  • the braking torque for the first braking pulse is provided here greater than a minimum braking torque to compensate for the advance that the free oscillator takes over a period of oscillation. This has the consequence that the second braking pulse takes place a little before the first within the quarter period in which these pulses occur.
  • Curve 106 which gives the instantaneous frequency of the mechanical oscillator, in fact indicates that the instantaneous frequency decreases below the setpoint frequency from the first pulse.
  • the second braking pulse is closer to the preceding extreme position, so that the effect of braking increases and so on with subsequent pulses.
  • the instantaneous frequency of the oscillator therefore gradually decreases and the pulses gradually approach an extreme position of the oscillation.
  • the braking pulses include the passage through the extreme position where the speed of the mechanical resonator changes direction and the instantaneous frequency then begins to increase.
  • Braking is unique in that it opposes the movement of the resonator whatever the direction of its movement.
  • the braking torque automatically changes sign at the instant of this reversal.
  • braking pulses 104a which have, for the braking torque, a first part with a first sign and a second part with a second sign opposite to the first sign.
  • the correction then decreases to stabilize finally and relatively quickly at a value for which the instantaneous frequency of the oscillator is equal to the reference frequency (corresponding here to the braking frequency).
  • the transient phase is followed by a stable phase, also called synchronous phase, where the oscillation frequency is substantially equal to the setpoint frequency and where the first and second parts of the braking pulses have a substantially constant and defined ratio.
  • the graphs of the Figure 10 are analogous to those of Figure 9 .
  • the first pulses 104 occur in the same half-wave as at the Figure 9 .
  • the oscillation with braking 108 therefore momentarily takes even more delay in the transient phase, this until the pulses 104b begin to encompass the passage of the resonator. by an extreme position. From this moment, the instantaneous frequency begins to increase until it reaches the setpoint frequency, because the first part of the pulses occurring before the extreme position increases the instantaneous frequency. This phenomenon is automatic.
  • the first part of the pulse increases while the second part decreases and consequently the instantaneous frequency continues to increase until a stable situation where the setpoint period is substantially equal to the oscillation period.
  • the graphs of the Figure 11 are analogous to those of Figure 10 .
  • the major difference comes from the fact that the first braking pulses 114 occur in a different half-wave than at the Figure 10 , namely in a half-cycle between the passage through zero and the passage through an extreme position.
  • an increase in the instantaneous frequency given by the curve 112 is observed here in a transient phase.
  • the braking torque for the first braking pulse is here provided greater than a minimum braking torque to compensate for the braking torque. delay that the free mechanical oscillator takes over a period of oscillation. This has the consequence that the second braking pulse takes place a little after the first within the quarter period in which these pulses occur.
  • Curve 112 in fact indicates that the instantaneous frequency of the oscillator increases above the reference frequency from the first pulse.
  • the second braking pulse is closer to the following extreme position, so that the effect of braking increases and so on with subsequent pulses.
  • the instantaneous frequency of the oscillation with braking 114 therefore increases and the braking pulses gradually approach an extreme position of the oscillation.
  • the braking pulses include passing through the extreme position where the speed of the mechanical resonator changes direction. From that moment, we have a phenomenon similar to the one explained above.
  • the braking pulses 114a then have two parts and the second part decreases the instantaneous frequency.
  • the Figure 12 represents a period of oscillation with the curve S1 of the positions of a mechanical resonator.
  • the natural oscillation frequency F0 of the free mechanical oscillator (without braking pulses) is greater than the reference frequency F0c (F0> F0 c ).
  • the oscillation period conventionally comprises a first alternation A1 followed by a second alternation A2, each between two extreme positions (t m-1 , A m-1 ; t m , A m ; t m + 1 , A m + 1 corresponding to the oscillation amplitude.
  • a braking pulse 'Imp1' whose middle time position occurs at an instant t 1
  • another braking pulse 'Imp2' whose middle temporal position occurs at an instant t 2.
  • the pulses Imp1 and Imp2 have a phase shift of T0 / 2, and they are particular because they correspond, for a given profile of the braking torque, to corrections generating two unstable equilibria of the system As these pulses intervene respectively in the first and the third quarter of the period of oscillation, they therefore brake the mechanical oscillator to an extent which makes it possible to correct exactly the too high natural frequency of the o Free mechanical scillator (with the braking frequency selected for the application of the braking pulses). Note that the pulses Imp1 and Imp2 are both first pulses, each being considered for itself in the absence of the other. It will be noted that the effects of the pulses Imp1 and Imp2 are identical.
  • the pulse will quickly drift towards the extreme position A m .
  • the pulses following will gradually approach the next extreme position A m .
  • the same behavior is observed in the second half-wave A2. If a pulse takes place to the left of the pulse Imp2 in the zone Z2a, the following pulses will gradually approach the previous extreme position A m. On the other hand, if a pulse takes place to the right of the pulse Imp2 in the zone Z2b, the following pulses will gradually approach the next extreme position A m + 1 .
  • the Figure 13 shows the synchronous phase corresponding to a final stable situation occurring after the transient phase described above.
  • this extreme position will lock onto the braking pulses as long as these braking pulses are configured (the force torque and the duration) to be able to sufficiently correcting the time drift of the free mechanical oscillator at least by a braking pulse occurring entirely, as the case may be, just before or just after an extreme position.
  • a first pulse occurs in the first halfwave A1
  • either the extreme position A m-1 of the oscillation is set on the pulses Imp1a, or the extreme position A m of the oscillation is set on the pulses Imp1b.
  • the pulses Imp1a and Imp1b each have a first part the duration of which is shorter than that of their second part, so as to correct exactly the difference between the too high natural frequency of the oscillator main slave and the setpoint frequency imposed by the master auxiliary oscillator.
  • a first pulse occurs in the second half-wave A2
  • either the extreme position A m of the oscillation is set on the pulses Imp2a, or the extreme position A m + 1 of the oscillation is set on Imp2b pulses.
  • the pulses Imp1a, respectively Imp1b, Imp2a and Imp2b occupy stable relative temporal positions. Indeed, a slight deviation to the left or to the right of one of these pulses, due to an external disturbance, will have the effect of bringing a following pulse back to the initial relative temporal position. Then, if the time drift of the mechanical oscillator varies during the synchronous phase, the oscillation will automatically undergo a slight phase shift so that the ratio between the first part and the second part of the pulses Imp1a, respectively Imp1b, Imp2a and Imp2b varies to an extent which adapts the correction generated by the braking pulses to the new frequency difference. Such behavior of the timepiece according to the present invention is truly remarkable.
  • the Figures 14 and 15 are similar to Figures 12 and 13 , but for a situation where the natural frequency of the oscillator is lower than the reference frequency. Consequently, the impulses Imp3 and Imp4, corresponding to an unstable equilibrium situation in the correction made by the braking impulses, are respectively located in the second and the fourth quarter of a period (instants t 3 and t 4 ) where the impulses cause an increase in the oscillation frequency.
  • the explanations in detail will not be given here again because the behavior of the system follows of the preceding considerations.
  • the impulses Imp3a and Imp3b each have a first part the duration of which is longer than that of their second part, so as to correct exactly the difference between the too low natural frequency of the oscillator main slave and the setpoint frequency imposed by the master auxiliary oscillator.
  • the correction device of the invention is efficient and quickly synchronizes the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, timing the operation of the mechanical movement, on the reference frequency which is determined by the reference frequency of the master auxiliary oscillator, which controls the braking frequency at which the pulses braking are applied to the resonator of the mechanical oscillator. This remains true if the natural frequency of the mechanical oscillator varies and even if it is, in certain periods of time, higher than the reference frequency, while in other periods of time it is lower than this reference frequency.
  • the teaching given above and the synchronization obtained by virtue of the characteristics of the timepiece according to the invention also apply to the case where the braking frequency for the application of the braking pulses is not equal to the setpoint frequency.
  • the pulses taking place at unstable positions correspond to corrections to compensate for time drift during a single oscillation period.
  • the planned braking pulses have a sufficient effect to correct a time drift during several oscillation periods, it is then possible to apply a single pulse per time interval equal to these several oscillation periods.
  • the Figures 16 and 17 show the synchronous phase for a variant with a braking frequency F FR equal to a quarter of the reference frequency, a braking pulse therefore occurring every four oscillation periods.
  • the Figures 18 and 19 are partial enlargements respectively of Figures 16 and 17 .
  • the braking pulses generate a phase shift only in the corresponding periods.
  • the instantaneous periods here oscillate around an average value which is equal to that of the setpoint period. It will be noted that, at Figures 16 to 19 , the instantaneous periods are measured from a zero crossing on a rising edge of the oscillation signal at such next pass. Thus, the synchronous pulses which occur at the extreme positions are entirely included in periods of oscillation.
  • the Figure 20 shows the specific case where the natural frequency is equal to the reference frequency.
  • the oscillation periods T0 * all remain equal, the braking pulses Imp5 occurring exactly at the extreme positions of the free oscillation with the first and second parts of these pulses which have identical durations (case of a constant braking torque), so that the effect of the first part is canceled by the opposite effect of the second part.
  • the synchronization device is arranged so that the braking frequency can take several values, preferably a first value in an initial phase of the operation of the synchronization device and a second value, less than the first value, in a normal operating phase following the initial phase.
  • the duration of the initial phase will be selected so that the normal operating phase occurs when the synchronous phase has probably already started.
  • the initial phase includes at least the first braking pulses, following the engagement of the synchronization device, and preferably the major part of the transient phase. By increasing the frequency of the braking pulses, the duration of the transient phase is reduced.
  • this variant makes it possible, on the one hand, to optimize the braking efficiency during the initial phase to ensure the physical process leading to synchronization and, on the other hand, to minimize the braking energy and therefore the energy losses for the main oscillator during the synchronous phase which continues as long as the synchronization device is not deactivated and the mechanical movement is functioning.
  • the first braking pulses can occur near the neutral position of the resonator where the effect of braking is less on the time phase shift generated for the oscillation of the main oscillator.
  • the braking pulses take place near the extreme positions of this oscillation where the braking effect is the greatest.
  • FIG. 21 we will describe a first variant of a second embodiment of the invention which is surprising by the simplicity of its electromagnetic braking device.
  • This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment essentially by the magnetic system of the electromagnetic braking device which consists, in the first variant, of a single bipolar magnet 60 carried by the balance 8A of the mechanical resonator 6A and, in a second variant, by a single pair of bipolar magnets.
  • a reference semi-axis 62 starting from the axis of oscillation 34 and passing through the center of the magnet 60 defines an angular position zero ('0') in a polar coordinate system centered on the axis d oscillation and fixed relative to the plate of the watch movement.
  • the coil 28, which completes the electromagnetic braking device in addition to the magnetic system, is integral with the plate and has an angular offset relative to the zero angular position.
  • the angular offset of the coil is substantially 180 °, as shown in Figure 21 .
  • the distinct time intervals T P defined by the short-circuit pulses 58A generated at the setpoint frequency F0c and thus occurring in each period d oscillation, are substantially equal to or greater (case shown) to the time zones without voltage induced in the coil around the two extreme positions of the mechanical resonator in the useful operating range.
  • this condition is not necessary, the time intervals T P possibly being less than the duration of these time zones without induced voltage.
  • this part d 'watchmaking enters a stable and synchronous phase and where the mechanical oscillator presents the setpoint frequency F0c at which the short-circuit pulses 58A are generated here, and this regardless of the angular position of the balance 8A during a first short-circuit pulse.
  • the Figure 22 corresponds to a situation where the natural oscillation frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator is a little lower than the reference frequency F0c.
  • a first distinct braking pulse which is generated in the initial zone of each short-circuit pulse by an induced voltage pulse 74 A and which occurs in the second half-wave A2 2 of the second half-wave A2 (at the start of the separate time intervals T P ), is stronger than a second separate braking pulse which is generated in the end zone of each short-circuit pulse by a pulse of induced voltage 74 B and which occurs in the first half-wave A1 1 of the first half-wave A1 (at the end of the distinct time intervals T P ).
  • Two braking pulses are distinct when they are separated by a time interval having a non-zero duration.
  • the positive phase shift generated by the voltage pulse 74 B in each half-wave A2 2 is greater than the negative phase shift generated by the voltage pulse 74 A in each half-wave A1 1 , so that a correction of the rate of the timepiece takes place here in each period of oscillation to ensure the synchronization of the mechanical oscillator on the baseline time base.
  • the generation of short-circuit pulses at the reference frequency is a special case.
  • short-circuit pulses are generated with a lower frequency corresponding to a fraction of the reference frequency.
  • F D 2 ⁇ F0c / M
  • the electromagnetic braking device comprises a magnetic system formed by a pair of permanent magnets with axial magnetization and of opposite polarities, these two magnets being arranged symmetrically with respect to a reference semi-axis of the balance and sufficiently close to each other to add two lobes of induced voltage that they generate respectively when this pair of magnets pass in reel look.
  • the reference half-axis defines a zero angular position when the mechanical resonator is in its neutral position.
  • the coil has an angular offset relative to the zero angular position so that a voltage induced in this coil occurs, when the mechanical oscillator oscillates in the useful operating range, at least in one half-wave of each period of oscillation substantially before or after the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position in this alternation.
  • the angular offset of the coil is also preferably equal to 180 °.
  • the extreme angular positions of the mechanical resonator in the useful operating range are, in absolute values, greater than the angular offset which is defined as the minimum angular distance between the zero angular position and the angular position of the center of the coil.
  • This second variant corresponds to the electromagnetic device shown in Figure 23 , but without the second pair of magnets 66, 67 which relates to the third embodiment which will be described below.
  • the magnetic system of the electromagnetic braking device consists of a first pair of bipolar magnets 64, 65 and a second pair of bipolar magnets 66, 67 both carried by the balance 8B of the mechanical resonator 6B, as well as of a coil 28.
  • Each pair of magnets has an axial magnetization of opposite polarities.
  • the two magnets of the first pair are arranged symmetrically with respect to a reference half-axis 62A of the balance 8B, this reference half-axis defining a zero angular position when the mechanical resonator is in its neutral position.
  • Coil 28 as in second embodiment, has an angular offset relative to the zero angular position, this offset being preferably substantially equal to 180; but other angular offsets can be provided in other variants.
  • the induced voltage curve 76 generated in the coil when the mechanical resonator oscillates is shown in figure Figure 24 , superimposed on the curve 70 giving the angular position of the balance 8B.
  • Positioning the coil 28 at an angle of 180 ° is a preferred variant, because the electromagnetic system that the coil forms with the first pair of magnets 64, 65 generates in each half-wave two induced voltage pulses 78 A and 78 B having a symmetry relative to the instant of passage of the resonator 6B by its neutral position. There is therefore a 78 A pulse in each first half-wave A1 1 , A2 1 and a 78 B pulse in each second half-wave A1 2 , A2 2 .
  • the induced voltage pulses 78 A and 78 B have substantially the same amplitude and are each located at the same temporal distance from a passage of the mechanical resonator 6B through an extreme angular position, so that they are all liable to generate, during a coil short-circuit, a braking torque of the same intensity and a phase shift, positive or negative as the case may be, of the same value in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator.
  • an angular offset of 180 ° also has the advantage of high efficiency for the braking pulses generated.
  • the amplitude of the balance in the useful operating range of the mechanical oscillator is conventionally expected to be greater than 180 °, which therefore makes it possible to generate the induced voltage pulses and thus to be able to generate braking pulses. , by reducing the impedance between the two terminals of coil 28 to correct the operation of the timepiece.
  • the value of the distinct time intervals T P is substantially equal to or greater than the duration of a temporal zone without voltage induced in the coil 28 around each extreme angular position of the mechanical resonator in the useful operating range of the mechanical oscillator.
  • this value of the distinct time intervals T P is expected to be less than the reference half-period, ie T P ⁇ T0c / 2.
  • the short-circuit pulses 58B are wedged between two induced voltage pulses 78 A , 78 B surrounding an extreme angular position and two distinct braking pulses occur respectively at the start and at the end of each time interval T P , these two distinct braking pulses corresponding to two quantities of energy taken from the mechanical resonator which are variable (the variation of one being opposed to the variation of the other, so that if one of the two quantities of energy increases or decreases the other respectively decreases or increases), as a function of a positive or negative time drift of the mechanical oscillator in question.
  • the Figure 24 corresponds to the particular case where the natural frequency of the mechanical oscillator is equal to the setpoint frequency, so that the two aforementioned quantities of energy are here identical.
  • a second variant is shown in which the value of the distinct time intervals T P is less than the duration of a time zone without voltage induced in the coil 28 around each extreme angular position of the mechanical resonator.
  • the desired synchronization is also obtained.
  • the short-circuit pulses 58C also remain in a time window which is framed by two induced voltage pulses 78 A , 78 B surrounding an extreme angular position.
  • the temporal position of the distinct time intervals T P can vary within this time window during at least a terminal part of the transient phase (pulse 58C 1 ) or in the synchronous phase if the frequency natural value of the mechanical oscillator is very close to the setpoint frequency, in particular if it varies very slightly around this value.
  • short-circuit pulses 58C 2 or 58C 3 are observed which respectively occur in the half-waves A1 2 and A2 1 of periods of oscillation partially simultaneously with the induced voltage pulses 78 B and 78 A , respectively, so that they generate braking pulses in the respective half-waves. Only the aforementioned electromagnetic system, formed of the coil and the first pair of magnets, intervenes to ensure the desired synchronization in the synchronous phase of the synchronization process, the second pair of magnets then having no influence for this synchronization process.
  • the second pair of bipolar magnets 66, 67 which is momentarily coupled to coil 28 in each half-wave of the mechanical resonator oscillation, serves primarily to supply power to the synchronization device, although it may be involved in an alternation. transient phase (initial phase after activation of the synchronization device) of the synchronization process.
  • the timepiece comprises a supply circuit, formed by a rectifier circuit of a voltage induced in the coil and a storage capacitor, and the second pair of bipolar magnets has a middle half-axis 68 between its two magnets.
  • the supply circuit is connected, on the one hand, to a terminal of the coil and, on the other hand, to a reference potential of the synchronization device at least periodically when the mechanical resonator passes through its neutral position, but preferably constantly.
  • the second pair of magnets generates induced voltage pulses 80 A and 80 B when passing through the balance 8B by the zero angular position, these pulses having a greater amplitude than the pulses generated by the first pair of magnets and serving to supply the storage capacitor, the voltage of which is represented by curve 82 at the bottom.
  • Figure 24 .
  • This fourth embodiment differs from the other embodiments essentially by the arrangement of the magnetic system.
  • the shaft 82 of the balance 8C is pivoted between the plate 5 and a balance bridge 7 about the axis of oscillation 34.
  • a bipolar magnet 84 with radial magnetization is arranged on the shaft 82 and placed in an opening 87 d a plate 86 made of a material with high magnetic permeability, in particular a ferromagnetic material.
  • the plate 86 defines a magnetic circuit with a core 89 around which a coil 28C is arranged, in the manner of a conventional watch motor.
  • the plate 86 has two isthmuses 88 at the opening 87 which partially prevent the magnetic flux of the magnet from closing on itself without passing through the coil core.
  • these isthmuses are made less thin than in the case of a clock motor in order to limit the variation of the magnetic potential energy of the permanent magnet 84 as a function of its angle of rotation.
  • the Figures 28A to 28C are similar to Figures 5A to 5C , but for the fourth embodiment.
  • the voltage curve induced at Figures 28A and 28B corresponds to a particular case where the oscillation amplitude is substantially equal to 180 °.
  • the voltage curve induced in coil 28C corresponds to the curve shown in Figure 28C .
  • This last figure relates to a particular case where the natural oscillation frequency F0 of the mechanical oscillator is equal to the reference frequency. Since the braking generated by the braking pulses 50C is small, the oscillation amplitude of the resonator 6C is a little greater than that occurring at the Figures 28A and 28B where the braking pulses 56, respectively 57 generate more substantial braking.
  • the pulses 50C do not generate a time phase shift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator, given that they have a central symmetry relative to the instant of passage of the resonator 6C through an extreme angular position on the graph of the braking torque. It will be noted that the two parts T B and T A of distinct time intervals T P , occurring respectively on both sides of the instant at which the resonator 6C passes through an extreme angular position, are here equal since the natural frequency is equal to the setpoint frequency. Thus the adjacent half-waves A2 2 and A1 1 have the same duration.
  • the time intervals T P are defined by the short-circuit pulses 58 which have between their respective beginnings a time distance D T determined by the reference time base.
  • the short-circuit pulses 58 are generated with a triggering frequency F D equal to the setpoint frequency, so that the time distances D T are here equal to a setpoint period T0c.
  • the first part T B of the distant time intervals T P is less than the second part T A and the braking pulses 56 generated during these distant time intervals, by the pulses corresponding short-circuits, occur substantially in the first half-waves A1 1 (almost entirely in the specific example shown), so that they reduce the frequency of the mechanical oscillator to synchronize it on the auxiliary oscillator of the reference time base and thus impose the reference frequency F0c on this mechanical oscillator.
  • the first part T B of the distant time intervals T P is greater than the second part T A and the braking pulses 57 generated during these distant time intervals, by the pulses corresponding short-circuits, substantially intervene in second half-waves A2 2 (also almost entirely in the specific example shown), so that they increase the frequency of the mechanical oscillator to synchronize it with the auxiliary oscillator.

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Claims (13)

  1. Teil für die Uhrmacherei (2), umfassend ein mechanisches Werk (4), das umfasst:
    - einen Anzeigemechanismus (12) wenigstens einer Zeitangabe,
    - einen mechanischen Resonator (6, 6A, 6B, 6C), der imstande ist, entlang einer allgemeinen Schwingungsachse um eine neutrale Position zu schwingen, die seinem minimalen potenziellen Energiezustand entspricht,
    - eine Instandhaltungsvorrichtung (18) des mechanischen Resonators, die mit diesem mechanischen Resonator einen mechanischen Oszillator bildet, der angeordnet ist, um den Gang des Anzeigemechanismus zu takten,
    - einen Hilfsoszillator (35), der eine Referenzzeitbasis (22) bildet und eine Sollfrequenz F0c sowie eine Sollperiode T0c bestimmt, die per definitionem gleich dem Kehrwert der Sollfrequenz ist, für den mechanischen Resonator;
    wobei der Teil für die Uhrmacherei weiter eine Synchronisierungsvorrichtung (20) umfasst, die angeordnet ist, um die mittlere Frequenz des mechanischen Oszillators auf die Sollfrequenz F0c zu regeln, wobei die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung eine elektromagnetische Bremsvorrichtung des mechanischen Resonators umfasst, wobei diese elektromagnetische Bremsvorrichtung von wenigstens einer Spule (28, 28C) und von wenigstens einem Permanentmagneten (30, 32; 60; 64, 65; 84) gebildet wird, die so angeordnet sind, dass, in einem Nutzbetriebsbereich des mechanischen Oszillators, eine induzierte Spannung durch die Schwingung des mechanischen Resonators zwischen den zwei Klemmen der Spule bei jeder Halbschwingung dieser Schwingung generiert wird; wobei die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, um die Impedanz zwischen den zwei Klemmen der Spule momentan verringern zu können;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, um die Impedanz zwischen den zwei Klemmen der Spule im Laufe von verschiedenen Zeitintervallen Tp zu verringern und sodass die Anfänge von irgendwelchen zwei aufeinanderfolgenden verschiedenen Zeitintervallen, unter den verschiedenen Zeitintervallen, untereinander eine zeitliche Entfernung DT aufweisen, die gleich einer positiven ganzen Zahl N multipliziert mit der Hälfte der Sollperiode T0c für den mechanischen Oszillator ist, das heißt eine mathematische Gleichung DT = N·T0c/2, wobei die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, um mittels der Referenzzeitbasis den Anfang jedes der verschiedenen Zeitintervalle zu bestimmen, um die mathematische Gleichung zwischen der zeitlichen Entfernung DT und der Sollperiode T0c zu erfüllen.
  2. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, um die verschiedenen Zeitintervalle Tp periodisch auszulösen, die einen gleichen Wert aufweisen, und sodass die Auslösungsfrequenz FD gleich dem Zweifachen der Sollfrequenz F0c, dividiert durch eine positive ganze Zahl M ist, das heißt FD = 2·F0c/M, wobei der Wert der verschiedenen Zeitintervalle Tp kleiner ist als die Hälfte der Sollperiode, das heißt TP < T0c / 2.
  3. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Resonator von einer Unruh (8, 8A, 8B, 8C) gebildet wird, die um eine Schwingungsachse (34) schwingt.
  4. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Unruh den wenigstens einen Permanentmagneten trägt und ein Halter (5) des mechanischen Resonators die wenigstens eine Spule trägt.
  5. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elektromagnetische Bremsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, sodass eine induzierte Spannung in der wenigstens einen Spule im Wesentlichen ohne Unterbrechung für jede Schwingung des mechanischen Resonators in dem Nutzbetriebsbereich des mechanischen Oszillators erzeugt wird.
  6. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wert der verschiedenen Zeitintervalle Tp kleiner ist als das Viertel der Sollperiode T0c, das heißt TP < T0c/4.
  7. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elektromagnetische Bremsvorrichtung ein Magnetsystem umfasst, das von der Unruh getragen wird und von einem Paar bipolarer Magneten (64, 65) mit axialer Magnetisierung und entgegengesetzten Polaritäten gebildet wird, wobei diese zwei bipolaren Magneten symmetrisch in Bezug auf eine Referenzhalbachse (62A) der Unruh angeordnet sind, wobei diese Referenzhalbachse eine Winkelposition null definiert, wenn sich der mechanische Resonator in seiner neutralen Position befindet; und dadurch, dass die Spule eine Winkelverschiebung in Bezug auf die Winkelposition null aufweist, sodass eine in dieser Spule induzierte Spannung im Wesentlichen eintritt, wenn der mechanische Oszillator in seinem Nutzbetriebsbereich schwingt, bei jeder Halbschwingung abwechselnd vor und nach dem Durchgang des mechanischen Resonators durch seine neutrale Position bei dieser Halbschwingung, wobei die Endwinkelpositionen des mechanischen Resonators in dem Nutzbetriebsbereich, in Absolutwerten, größer sind als die Winkelverschiebung, die als minimale Winkelentfernung zwischen der Winkelposition null und der Winkelposition des Mittelpunkts der Spule definiert ist.
  8. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, in dem Nutzbetriebsbereich des mechanischen Oszillators, die verschiedenen Zeitintervalle TP im Wesentlichen gleich oder größer sind als Zeitzonen ohne in der Spule induzierter Spannung um die zwei Endwinkelpositionen des mechanischen Resonators.
  9. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Winkelverschiebung im Wesentlichen gleich 180° ist.
  10. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er eine Speisungsschaltung (44) umfasst, die von einer Speicherkapazität und von einer Gleichrichterschaltung einer Spannung gebildet wird, die in der Spule von wenigstens einem Permanentmagneten induziert wird, wenn der mechanische Resonator schwingt.
  11. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Speisungsschaltung einerseits mit einer Klemme der Spule und andererseits mit einem Referenzpotenzial der Synchronisierungsvorrichtung konstant verbunden ist; und dadurch, dass der wenigstens eine Permanentmagnet, der die induzierte Spannung generiert, die von der Gleichrichterschaltung gleichgerichtet wird, die Spule und die Speisungsschaltung angeordnet sind, sodass, in dem Nutzbetriebsbereich des mechanischen Oszillators, die in der Speicherkapazität akkumulierte elektrische Energie ausreichend ist, um die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung zu speisen.
  12. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er eine Speisungsschaltung (44) umfasst, die von einer Speicherkapazität und von einer Gleichrichterschaltung einer Spannung gebildet wird, die in der Spule von einem weiteren Paar von Permanentmagneten (66, 67) induziert wird, wenn der mechanische Resonator schwingt, wobei das weitere Paar von Permanentmagneten eine Mittelachse (68) zwischen seinen zwei Permanentmagneten aufweist und momentan an die Spule bei jeder Halbschwingung der Schwingung des mechanischen Resonators gekoppelt ist, wobei die Mittelachse im Wesentlichen von der Winkelverschiebung in Bezug auf die Referenzhalbachse (62A) verschoben ist, sodass diese Mittelachse im Wesentlichen auf den Mittelpunkt der Spule ausgerichtet ist, wenn sich der mechanische Resonator in seiner Ruheposition befindet; und dadurch, dass die Speisungsschaltung einerseits mit einer Klemme der Spule und andererseits mit einem Referenzpotenzial der Synchronisierungsvorrichtung wenigstens periodisch bei den Durchgängen des mechanischen Resonators durch seine neutrale Position verbunden ist.
  13. Teil für die Uhrmacherei nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Synchronisierungsvorrichtung angeordnet ist, um einen Kurzschluss zwischen den zwei Klemmen der Spule während der verschiedenen Zeitintervalle zu erzeugen.
EP18192469.7A 2018-09-04 2018-09-04 Uhr, die einen mechanischen oszillator umfasst, dessen durchschnittliche frequenz mit der eines elektronischen referenzoszillators synchronisiert ist Active EP3620867B1 (de)

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EP18192469.7A EP3620867B1 (de) 2018-09-04 2018-09-04 Uhr, die einen mechanischen oszillator umfasst, dessen durchschnittliche frequenz mit der eines elektronischen referenzoszillators synchronisiert ist
US16/520,402 US11687041B2 (en) 2018-09-04 2019-07-24 Timepiece comprising a mechanical oscillator wherein the medium frequency is synchronised on that of a reference electronic oscillator
JP2019153408A JP6951389B2 (ja) 2018-09-04 2019-08-26 中間周波数を参照電子発振器の周波数に対して同期する機械式発振器を備える計時器
CN201910827874.7A CN110874049B (zh) 2018-09-04 2019-09-03 包括中频与基准电子振荡器的频率同步的机械振荡器的钟表

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EP18192469.7A EP3620867B1 (de) 2018-09-04 2018-09-04 Uhr, die einen mechanischen oszillator umfasst, dessen durchschnittliche frequenz mit der eines elektronischen referenzoszillators synchronisiert ist

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EP3620867B1 true EP3620867B1 (de) 2022-01-05

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EP4009119B1 (de) * 2020-12-07 2023-07-05 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhrwerk, das einen generator und eine schaltung zur regulierung der drehfrequenz dieses generators umfasst
EP4020100B1 (de) * 2020-12-24 2023-08-16 Montres Breguet S.A. Uhr, die einen drehbaren aussenring umfasst
EP4296789A1 (de) 2021-02-17 2023-12-27 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Mechanische uhr
EP4063973A1 (de) * 2021-03-23 2022-09-28 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhr mit integriertem stellglied, das eine elektromechanische vorrichtung umfasst
EP4174586B1 (de) * 2021-10-29 2024-05-29 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhreneinheit, die eine armbanduhr und ein uhrzeitkorrektursystem umfasst
WO2023176378A1 (ja) * 2022-03-14 2023-09-21 シチズン時計株式会社 機械式時計

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EP3620867A1 (de) 2020-03-11
CN110874049A (zh) 2020-03-10
US20200073331A1 (en) 2020-03-05
US11687041B2 (en) 2023-06-27
JP6951389B2 (ja) 2021-10-20
JP2020038206A (ja) 2020-03-12
CN110874049B (zh) 2021-06-01

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