Abstract: A method of improving pivoting of a wheel set for a scientific instrument, including an arbor pivoting or oscillating about an axis, in which: static balancing of the wheel set is performed to bring the center of gravity onto the axis; a desired value is determined for resulting unbalance moment of the wheel set about the axis, corresponding to a predetermined divergence between a first principal longitudinal axis of inertia of the wheel set, and the axis; at a predetermined speed about the axis, the resulting unbalance moment is measured with regard to the axis; and an adjustment of the resulting unbalance moment is made within a given determined tolerance with regard to the desired value, and performed by machining both sides of a median plane including the two secondary axes of inertia of the wheel set.

Abstract: A balance spring with two pairs each formed of adjacent coils respectively including a stopping device and a complementary stopping device defining together, for each pair, a respective, relative, maximum angular travel of the coils during the local coupling thereof. The stopping device and the complementary stopping device define different maximum angular travel values, to gradually limit the amplitude of pivoting between the ends of the balance spring during accelerations greater than desired values, one of the pairs cooperating in abutment before the other, to gradually modify the resulting rigidity of the balance spring by the successive deactivation or reactivation of the coils thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pivot pin for a timepiece movement including at least one pivot at at least one of the ends thereof, characterized in that said at least one pivot is formed of a composite material having a metallic matrix including at least one metal selected from among nickel, titanium, chromium, zirconium, silver, gold, platinum, silicon, molybdenum, aluminium or an alloy of the above metals, said matrix being charged with hard particles selected from among WC, TiC, TaC, TiN, TiCN, Al2O3, ZrO2, Cr2O3, SiC, MoSi2, Al N or a combination thereof, so as to limit the sensitivity of the pin to magnetic fields. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal pivot pin including a pivot at each of its ends, wherein the metal is an austenitic steel, an austenitic cobalt alloy or an austenitic nickel alloy in order to limit the sensitivity of the pin to magnetic fields and in that at least the outer surface of one of the two pivots is hardened to a predetermined depth relative to the rest of the pin in order to harden the pivot(s). The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: A method adjusting oscillation frequency of a sprung balance assembly formed at random from balance springs and balance wheels. A production mechanism is set to limit a sample standard deviation of a single batch of balance springs to a predetermined maximum value, and to limit a sample standard deviation of a single batch of balance wheels to a predetermined maximum value within a given unbalance tolerance. The mean of the balance population is classified according to the mean of the balance springs, to obtain a difference corresponding to a maximum inertia decrease value of the balances, between extreme gaussian distribution values of balances and of balance springs. A random balance spring sample is taken from the single batch of balance springs and a random balance from among the single batch of balances. The inertia of the balance is adjusted according to a torque value of the balance spring sample.

Abstract: A method of assembling a member made of a first material in a part made of a second material having no plastic domain, including forming the part with an aperture; inserting an intermediate part, which is made of a third material and includes a hole into the aperture without any stress; introducing the member into the hole without any stress; elastically and plastically deforming the intermediate part by moving two tools towards each other axially, respectively on the top and bottom parts of the intermediate part, so as to exert a radial stress against the member and against the wall of the part surrounding the aperture by causing the elastic deformation of the part, in order to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for the part. The member can be a time piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece, including the following steps: (a) forming a body using first and second metallic materials secured to each other; (b) decreasing the section of the body; and winding the body to form the spring. The invention also relates to the spring obtained via the method. The invention concerns the field of regulating members for timepieces.

Abstract: A method of assembling a member made of a first material in a part made of a second material having no plastic domain, includes forming the part with an aperture, inserting a radially flared portion of the member into the aperture, without any stress, and elastically and plastically deforming the flared portion of the member in the aperture by moving two tools towards each other axially, respectively on the top and bottom parts of the flared portion, so as to exert a radial stress against the wall of the part surrounding the aperture, causing the elastic deformation of the part, to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for said part. The member can be a timepiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1) of fabricating a micro-mechanical component that includes the following step: b) forming (3) at least one plate that includes a frame connected by at least one bridge of material to a part of said component, wherein said part has a hole. According to the invention, the method (1) also includes the following steps: e) stacking (5) said at least one plate against a support; f) securing (7) a pin in the hole of said at least one stacked part so as to form the component; g) releasing (9) the component formed from each plate. The invention concerns the field of watchmaking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece, including the following steps: (a) forming a body using first and second metallic materials secured to each other; (b) decreasing the section of the body; and winding the body to form the spring. The invention also relates to the spring obtained via the method. The invention concerns the field of regulating members for timepieces.

Abstract: Balance spring (1) comprising two pairs (50) each formed of adjacent coils (51; 52) respectively comprising stopping means (11) and quincuncial staggered complementary stopping means (12) defining together, for each pair (50), a respective, relative, maximum angular travel (CA) of these coils during the local coupling thereof during accelerations of the balance spring (1) which are greater than desired values, in order to limit the number of active coils. The stopping means (11) and complementary stopping means (12) of these pairs (50) define different maximum angular travel values (CA), to gradually limit the amplitude of pivoting between the ends (3; 4) of the balance spring (1) during accelerations greater than these desired values, one of said pairs (50) cooperating in abutment before the other, to gradually modify the resulting rigidity of the balance spring (1) by the successive deactivation or reactivation of the coils (5) thereof.

Abstract: Anti-trip mechanism (1) for a timepiece regulating member (100) comprising a balance spring (2) with a strip (20) wound in coils (2), wherein an inner coil (4) is fixed to a collet (6) coaxial to this balance spring (2) relative to a pivot axis (D) and an outer coil (5) is fixed to a hooking element (7). At least one coil (3) of this balance spring (2) includes at least one finger (8) integrally mounted with this coil (3) and moveable without any contact, during the normal extension or contraction of the balance spring (2), in a travel limiting channel (10) comprised in a flange (11) of the anti-trip mechanism (1), and this channel (10) is configured to limit the travel of the finger (8) relative to the pivot axis (D) when the pivoting angle imparted to the collet (6) is greater than a determined nominal value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece hairspring (21, 21?) including, a balance spring (25, 25?) coaxially mounted on a collet (27, 27?), made in the same layer of silicon-based material. According to the invention, the hairspring includes an elevation device (2, 2?) for the outer coil of the balance spring above the layer of silicon-based material so as to improve the concentric development of the hairspring. The invention also relates to a timepiece including a hairspring of this type and the method of manufacturing the same. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: An assembly of a member, made of a first material in an aperture of a part, made of a second material having no plastic domain, using an intermediate part made of a third material, mounted between the member and the part. The intermediate part includes a hole for receiving the member. The part includes pierced holes forming a deformation mechanism distributed around the aperture thereof. The elastically and plastically deformed intermediate part radially grips the member and stresses the elastic deformation mechanism of the part so as to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for the part. Such an assembly can for example be used in the field of timepieces.

Abstract: Method of adjusting the oscillation frequency of a timepiece regulating assembly with no index assembly, formed of a balance and balance spring assembly, to a predetermined oscillation frequency: a particular balance spring assembly is randomly taken from a production of toleranced products; the return torque of said balance spring assembly is measured; a balance is randomly taken from a production of toleranced products; a calculation is made of the theoretical inertia (IT) of said particular balance required to achieve said predetermined oscillation frequency, according to said measured return torque of said balance spring; the real inertia (IR) of said particular balance is measured; by direct action on said particular balance, the inertia of said particular balance is corrected to said calculated theoretical inertia value (IT) in order to obtain said predetermined oscillation frequency for said regulating assembly formed by said particular balance, and by said particular balance spring assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of an axially extending member, made of a first material, in an aperture of a part, made of a second material having no plastic domain. The part includes pierced holes forming an elastic deformation mechanism distributed around the aperture thereof. Further, the member includes an elastically and plastically deformed, radially flared portion that radially grips a wall of the part surrounding the aperture by stressing the elastic deformation mechanism, so as to secure the assembly in a manner that is not destructive for the part. The assembly can be used in the field of timepieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1) of manufacturing a silicon-metal composite micromechanical component (51) combining DRIE and LIGA processes. The invention also relates to a micromechanical component (51) including a layer wherein one part (53) is made of silicon and another part (41) of metal so as to form a composite micromechanical component (51). The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: A method for adjusting oscillation frequency of a spring balance assembly. A removal and/or an addition and/or a displacement of material is/are conducted on a component of the assembly under effect of a pulse of a transformation mechanism to conduct a micromachining and/or microfusion operation on the material of the component or of an addition material to vaporize and/or displace and/or weld the material. The pulse is controlled by a controller configured to generate, sequence, interrupt any pulse and to control movements of a beam of the transformation mechanism, wherein the controller is connected to or automatically controlled by a measuring or comparing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite balance (45, 45?) formed in a layer of silicon-based material (21) and including a hub (39, 39?) connected to a felloe (37, 37?) by at least one arm (40, 41, 42, 43). According to the invention, the felloe (37, 37?) includes at least one additional part approximately in the shape of a notched ring (23, 23?) of higher the than the silicon-based material, which increases the inertia of the balance. The invention also relates to a method 1 of manufacturing this type of balance. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece regulating member including a balance cooperating with a hairspring made in a layer of silicon-based material and including a balance spring coaxially mounted on a collet. According to the invention, the collet includes one extending part that projects from the balance spring and which is made in a second layer of silicon-based material and is secured to the balance.