Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece component (10) with improved tensile strength, the component comprising a substrate (20) made of glass that is transparent to visible light and having a lateral dimension of approximately a few centimetres or less and a thickness of approximately 5 millimetres or less. The substrate (20) is coated with a passivation layer (30) directly in contact with the surface (25) of the substrate (20) having a thickness of less than 1000 nm. The passivation layer (30) comprises a refractory ceramic comprising at least 1 at.% hydrogen. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing this component.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 39/00 - Watch crystalsFastening or sealing crystalsClock glasses
• C03C 15/00 - Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by etching
• G04B 31/004 - BearingsPoint suspensions or counter-point suspensionsPivot bearingsSingle parts therefor characterised by the material used
• G04B 39/02 - Sealing crystals or glasses
• G04B 15/14 - Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel

Abstract

The present invention describes a machining tool (1) comprising an internal part (10) and an electrically conductive coating (20), wherein the internal part (10) and the coating (20) are in direct contact in the cutting zone and electrically insulated by an insulating layer (30) outside the cutting zone. The present invention also describes a method for manufacturing such a tool and to a method for managing the tool. It also describes a machining method involving such a tool.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23Q 17/09 - Arrangements for indicating or measuring on machine tools for indicating or measuring cutting pressure or cutting-tool condition, e.g. cutting ability, load on tool

Abstract

Micromechanical component intended for clock mechanisms. At least one portion of the component includes a crystalline mineral material with a carbon or alumina basis and at least one contact surface is intended to be brought into sliding and/or pivoting contact. The contact surface locally has at least one microstructured area with a three-dimensional texture. The three-dimensional texture is formed of microcavities, making the microstructured area more oleophobic than the non-microstructured contact surface, and/or formed of micro pillars making the microstructured area more oleophilic than the non-microstructured contact surface. The microstructured area is configured to locally confine a lubricant substance to a lubricated portion of the contact surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 31/08 - Lubrication
• G04B 31/008 - Jewel bearings

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a timepiece component (1) made of CuZn42 brass with a hardness of between 120 and 190 HV2, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a semifinished part that has been shaped by deformation, the semifinished part having a hardness of between 130 and 220 HV2 and being made from a CuZn42 brass material, - subjecting the semifinished part to a stress-relieving heat treatment at a temperature of between 170 and 230°C with a holding time at this temperature of between 20 minutes and 10 hours, preferably between 30 minutes and 5 hours, more preferably between 1 hour and 4 hours, - machining and finishing the semifinished part to create the timepiece component (1). The invention also relates to the timepiece component made from a CuZn42 brass.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 1/16 - BarrelsArborsBarrel axles
• G04B 29/02 - PlatesBridgesCocks
• C22C 9/04 - Alloys based on copper with zinc as the next major constituent
• C22F 1/08 - Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of copper or alloys based thereon

Abstract

Micromechanical component (10) intended for clock mechanisms, wherein at least one portion of the component consists of a crystalline mineral material with a carbon or alumina basis and comprises at least one contact surface (100) intended to be brought into sliding and/or pivoting contact; the contact surface (100) locally comprising at least one microstructured area (101) having a three-dimensional texture; the three-dimensional texture being formed of microcavities (20), making the microstructured area (110) more oleophobic than the non-microstructured contact surface (100), and/or formed of micro pillars (30) making the microstructured area (110) more oleophilic than the non-microstructured contact surface (100); the microstructured area (110) being configured to locally confine a lubricant substance to a lubricated portion (120) of the contact surface (100).

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 31/08 - Lubrication
• G04B 15/14 - Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
• G04B 13/02 - WheelsPinionsSpindlesPivots
• G04B 31/008 - Jewel bearings

Abstract

The present invention describes the use of amine molecules (N) and phosphonic compounds (P) for coating surfaces intended to be used in the field of horology. Since these two types of compounds are alkaline and acid in nature, they form pairs of ions that interact with all types of surfaces, whether these are composed of mineral materials such as glass, metal, non-oxidized materials (inter alia gold, rhodium and their alloys), or also polymeric materials. Taking advantage of the surprising complementary nature of these two types of compounds, the present inventors propose a composition and a coating process that enable functionalization layers to be formed on any type of material, in particular those used in clock mechanisms.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 37/22 - Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases
• B05D 1/18 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by dipping
• B05D 1/34 - Applying different liquids or other fluent materials simultaneously
• B82Y 30/00 - Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• B82Y 40/00 - Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• B05D 3/00 - Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be appliedAfter-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
• B05D 7/00 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
• C10M 177/00 - Special methods of preparation of lubricating compositionsChemical modification by after-treatment of components or of the whole of a lubricating composition, not covered by other classes
• C10M 105/62 - Amines, e.g. polyalkylene polyamines, quaternary amines having amino groups bound to an acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atom containing hydroxy groups
• C10M 105/74 - Lubricating compositions characterised by the base-material being a non-macromolecular organic compound containing phosphorus
• B05D 7/14 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to metal, e.g. car bodies

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pneumatic mechanism (1) intended to produce mechanical energy, comprising two hermetically sealed chambers (5, 6) of variable volumes and the internal pressure of which can increase and decrease alternately according to variations in the surrounding temperature. Each hermetically sealed chamber (5, 6) contains a specific mixture of reagents. The mixtures of reagents are chosen so that their ΔP/ΔT coefficients differ from one another by at least 10%. The mechanism (1) comprises a mechanical connection (7) between the two chambers (5, 6) which is arranged in such a way that the volume of one of the hermetically sealed chambers decreases when that of the other increases, and vice versa, the mechanical connection (7) also being connected to a mobile member capable of moving relative to the variations in volume of the chambers.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 5/22 - Automatic winding-up by thermometric, barometric, or like effects or alterations

Abstract

The present invention describes the use of aminated molecules (N) and of phosphonic compounds (P) for covering surfaces intended to be used in the field of clock- and watchmaking. These two types of compounds which are alkaline and acid in nature form ion pairs which interact with all types of surfaces, whether they are composed of mineral materials such as glass, of metal, of non-oxidized materials (inter alia, gold, rhodium, and alloys thereof), or else of polymeric materials. Taking advantage of the surprising complementarity of these two types of compounds, the present inventors provide a covering composition and process which make it possible to form functionalization layers on materials of any type, in particular those used in clock and watch mechanisms.

IPC Classes  ?

• B05D 1/18 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by dipping
• B05D 1/34 - Applying different liquids or other fluent materials simultaneously

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic mechanism for a timepiece comprising a mechanical energy source, which is arranged to recharge the mechanical energy source and which includes a sealed enclosure (20, 30) having a space that is capable of alternately increasing and decreasing depending on variations in the ambient temperature. Said mechanism is characterized in that the sealed enclosure contains a mixture of reactants including a metal alloy arranged so as to contact a gas and capable of causing at least one phase change depending on variations in the ambient temperature. The mixture of reactants advantageously has a ΔΡ/ΔΤ coefficient that is substantially greater than 0.01 bar.°C-1 within an operating temperature range of substantially 0 to 50°C and an operating pressure range of substantially 1 to 50 bars. Further, the mixture is selected such that the minimum possible temperature difference associated with consecutive, opposite variations in the ambient temperature is preferably less than or equal to 4°C.

IPC Classes  ?

• G04B 5/22 - Automatic winding-up by thermometric, barometric, or like effects or alterations