Flexible strip for horology and method for manufacturing the same

US10579020B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd · CH

Inventors

• Gianni Di Domenico · Neuchâtel, CH
• Jerome Favre · Neuchâtel, CH
• Dominique Lechot · Les Reussilles, CH
• Baptiste Hinaux · Lausanne, CH
• Olivier Matthey · Mauborget, CH
• Pierre Cusin · Yverdon-les-Bains, CH
• Alex Gandelhman · Colombier, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B81B2203/0163
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a flexible strip, including forming a plate of the required thickness with one or more micromachinable substrate wafers; affixing, on either side of the plate, an upper mask with an upper window and a lower mask with a lower window, of identical geometry; etching the plate, at least to mid-thickness, from the upper side of each upper etching window, and from the side of each lower etching window; removing the upper mask and the lower mask, to delimit a flexible strip having a height equal to the thickness of the plate, and whose edges are as-etched. A flexible strip made of micromachinable material, including, between two parallel upper and lower surfaces, two peripheral, tapered and reverse-tapered edge surfaces, for a flexible pivot, a resonator, a movement or a watch.