Constant force escapement for a timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a kind of escapement for mechanical clock, the mechanism includes escapement wheel (1), it is cooperated with swing lever (2) and wheel group (3), the swing lever (2) is cooperated with escapement wheel by locking device, and it is cooperated with balance disc (4) by release device, the wheel group (3) includes elastic device and is cooperated with the tooth (1.2) of escapement wheel (1) by winding device, it is cooperated with balance disc (4) by pushing device, and the small escapement mechanism can provide almost constant power to balance wheel in the variable torque range of bar box wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a constant-force escapement mechanism for mechanical watches. This escapement mechanism provides a nearly constant force to the balance wheel within a variable torque range of the barrel wheel. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that for the frequency of a mechanical oscillator to be as stable as possible, the amplitude of the balance wheel must also be as stable as possible. A constant-force escapement can achieve this without external interference.

[0003] Known constant-force escapement mechanisms.

[0004] Charles Gros's book, *Escapements for Clocks and Watches*, Watchmakers January 2013 edition, pp. 349-359, describes several constant-force escapements used in watches.

[0005] These constant-force escapement mechanisms have the following drawbacks:

[0006] - Requires a large number of components, resulting in high manufacturing costs.

[0007] - The escapement mechanism has a large surface area and / or height, making it difficult to integrate into a small watch.

[0008] Patent FR1009853A describes a constant-force escapement mechanism comprising two stacked fork escapements; the escape wheels rotate independently around the same axis of rotation and are connected together by a hairspring (Figure 3).

[0009] Patent CH704764A2 also describes a constant-force escapement mechanism, which includes multiple stacked wheels that rotate about the same axis of rotation. Figure 1 ).

[0010] The mechanisms in the two patents mentioned above have the same drawbacks as the escapement mechanisms described in Charles Gros's book. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel escapement mechanism that provides a nearly constant power to the balance wheel within the variable torque range of the watch barrel wheel, and that requires only a limited number of components and occupies a small space.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical clock equipped with the escapement mechanism.

[0013] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to an escapement mechanism for a mechanical clock, the mechanism comprising:

[0014] - A toothed escape wheel,

[0015] - A joystick

[0016] - A wheelset

[0017] - At least one component that makes up the oscillator of a clock, such as the balance wheel.

[0018] The escape wheel cooperates with the rocker arm and the wheel assembly.

[0019] The rocker arm engages with the escape wheel via a locking device and with the components that make up the oscillator via a release device.

[0020] The wheel assembly includes an elastic device for storing elastic power and engages with the escape wheel via a winding device, and with the components constituting the oscillator via a pushing device.

[0021] Its features are:

[0022] The winding device can wind the elastic device along a first rotation direction of the balance wheel, and the pushing device is designed to push the wheel assembly onto the components of the oscillator, at least when the balance wheel rotates along a second rotation direction.

[0023] and:

[0024] - The wheel assembly directly drives the components that make up the oscillator, in particular without going through intermediate parts.

[0025] According to the above embodiment, the winding device is assembled to tighten the elastic device, that is, to transmit power from the escapement wheel (which cooperates with the watch's power storage device, barrel wheel, and its spring) to the wheel assembly and its elastic device. The actuating device is used to distribute or release the power (stored in the elastic device) from the wheel assembly to the components of the oscillator (balance wheel). Therefore, the rocker arm does not directly participate in maintaining the oscillation of the oscillation system (balance wheel). Similarly, it can be noted that the power transmitted to the balance wheel is stored in the elastic device of the wheel assembly, and this power depends only on the winding of the wheel assembly's elastic device, and is therefore constant and unaffected by the winding of the mainspring barrel spring.

[0026] Specifically, the winding direction of the elastic device is consistent with the first rotation direction of the balance wheel, and the pushing direction applied by the wheel assembly to the constituent oscillator parts is consistent with the second rotation direction of the balance wheel.

[0027] Furthermore, it is possible to consider winding under the action of the rotating balance wheel.

[0028] In one embodiment, the wheel assembly is movable between a rest position and a ready-to-launch position. Specifically, the wheel assembly is moved from the rest position to the ready-to-launch position by the escape wheel. The displacement of the wheel assembly caused (preferably directly caused) by the escape wheel can tighten the elastic device, i.e., allow the elastic device to store power. Furthermore, under the action of the elastic device, the wheel assembly is moved from the rest position to the ready-to-launch position. The displacement of the wheel assembly caused by the elastic device can simultaneously apply a pushing force (power transfer) to the balance wheel while moving the wheel assembly. It can be noted that when the wheel assembly moves between the rest position and the ready-to-launch position, regardless of the torque applied to the escape wheel by the box wheel, the power received and stored by the elastic device is always the same.

[0029] In one embodiment, the wheel assembly is held in a stationary and / or ready-to-launch position by a mechanical stop. The mechanical stop holding the wheel assembly in the ready-to-launch position is retractable. The mechanical stop holding the wheel assembly in the ready-to-launch position is part of the escape wheel, specifically a tooth of the escape wheel.

[0030] In one embodiment, the rocker arm in a first braking position (or stationary position) after the spring is wound is different from its braking position (or stationary position) after the wheel assembly pushes the oscillator components.

[0031] In one embodiment, after the elastic device is wound, the wheel assembly is braked by the teeth of the escape wheel.

[0032] In one embodiment, the actuating device includes:

[0033] - At least one pin or a stop protruding on the components of the oscillator, and / or

[0034] - At least one arm protruding from the wheelset. The actuation device is distributed or located between the wheelset and the components of the oscillator: the rocker arm does not directly participate in this operation.

[0035] In one embodiment, the winding device includes:

[0036] - at least one tooth of the escape wheel, and / or

[0037] - At least one winding arm of the wheel assembly. The winding mechanism is distributed or located between the escape wheel and the wheel assembly: the rocker arm does not directly participate in this operation.

[0038] In one embodiment, the locking device includes:

[0039] - At least two of the arms of the aforementioned rocker, and / or

[0040] - At least one tooth of the escape wheel. The locking device is distributed or located between the rocker arm and the escape wheel: the wheel assembly does not directly participate in this operation.

[0041] In one embodiment, the release device includes:

[0042] - at least one fork of the said rocker arm, and / or

[0043] - At least one pin or stop of the component of the oscillator. The release device is distributed or located between the rocker arm and the component of the oscillator (ballast wheel): the wheel assembly does not directly participate in this operation.

[0044] In one embodiment, the components of the oscillator have a double-lifting structure, which can receive power from the wheel assembly in both directions of the balance wheel's rotation.

[0045] In one embodiment, the elastic device of the wheel assembly is composed of a hairspring.

[0046] In one embodiment, the elastic device of the wheel assembly is composed of leaf springs.

[0047] In one embodiment, the elastic device of the wheelset is composed of leaf springs to form a flexible guiding system without or without an actual axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the wheelset includes a static component and a moving component connected by a flexible sheet, wherein the moving component rotates without an axis of rotation and without sliding or relative frictional rotation: thus creating a virtual axis of rotation.

[0048] In summary, it can be noted that the elastic device of the wheel set may be:

[0049] - A hairspring and a leaf spring, the wheel assembly can rotate about an axis or an actual rotation axis.

[0050] One or more leaf springs or levers operate in a bent state to allow the freely moving part to move relative to the fixed part, preferably allowing the freely moving part to rotate relative to the fixed part about a virtual axis of rotation.

[0051] In one embodiment, the component of the oscillator is a balance wheel.

[0052] In one embodiment, the rocker arm may engage with a first component of the oscillator (typically a pendulum wheel) or a first part of the oscillator (typically a first part of the pendulum wheel), and the wheel assembly may engage with a second component of the oscillator or a second part of the oscillator (typically a second part of the pendulum wheel).

[0053] In other words, the present invention relates to an escapement mechanism for a mechanical watch, the mechanism comprising:

[0054] - A toothed escape wheel or a toothed escape wheel,

[0055] - A joystick

[0056] - A wheelset

[0057] - At least one component that makes up the oscillator of a clock, such as the balance wheel.

[0058] The escape wheel cooperates with the rocker arm and the wheel assembly.

[0059] The rocker arm engages with the escape wheel via a locking device and with the components that make up the oscillator via a release device.

[0060] Its features are:

[0061] The wheel assembly includes an elastic device for storing elastic power and engages with the escape wheel via a winding device, and with the components constituting the oscillator via a pushing device.

[0062] in:

[0063] The winding device can wind the elastic device along a first rotation direction of the balance wheel, and the pushing device is designed to push the wheel assembly onto the components of the oscillator, at least when the balance wheel rotates along a second rotation direction.

[0064] in:

[0065] - The wheel assembly directly drives the components that make up the oscillator.

[0066] In other words, the present invention relates to an escapement mechanism for a mechanical watch, the mechanism comprising:

[0067] - A toothed escape wheel or a toothed escape wheel,

[0068] - A joystick

[0069] - A wheelset

[0070] - At least one component that makes up the oscillator of a clock, such as the balance wheel.

[0071] The escape wheel cooperates with the rocker arm and the wheel assembly.

[0072] The rocker arm engages with the escape wheel via a locking device and with the components that make up the oscillator via a release device.

[0073] Its features are:

[0074] The wheel assembly includes an elastic device for storing elastic power, and:

[0075] The power is transmitted from the escape wheel to the wheel assembly via a winding device that cooperates with the escape wheel, and the power is stored via the elastic device.

[0076] The driving device cooperates with the components of the oscillator to transmit the power stored in the elastic device from the wheel assembly to the components of the oscillator.

[0077] in:

[0078] The winding device can wind the elastic device along a first rotation direction of the balance wheel, and the pushing device is designed to push the wheel assembly onto the components of the oscillator, at least when the balance wheel rotates along a second rotation direction.

[0079] in:

[0080] - The wheel assembly directly drives the components that make up the oscillator.

[0081] Another aspect of the invention relates to a clock equipped with the escapement mechanism described in the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0082] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description:

[0083] - Figure 1 This invention demonstrates one mode of operation of the escapement mechanism.

[0084] - Figure 2a Showing Figure 1 The first locking position of the escapement mechanism.

[0085] - Figure 2b This demonstrates what happens when the balance wheel rotates in the first direction of rotation, specifically counterclockwise. Figure 1 The state of the escapement mechanism after it is released, as described in the text.

[0086] - Figure 2c This demonstrates what happens when the balance wheel rotates in the first direction of rotation. Figure 1 The second locking position of the escapement mechanism described herein.

[0087] - Figure 3a This demonstrates what happens when the balance wheel rotates in the second direction of rotation, specifically clockwise. Figure 1 The second locking position of the escapement mechanism described herein.

[0088] - Figure 3b This demonstrates what happens when the balance wheel rotates in the second rotational direction. Figure 1The state of the escapement mechanism after it is released, as described in the text.

[0089] - Figure 3c This demonstrates what happens after the wheel assembly 3 pushes the balance wheel. Figure 1 The positions of the various wheel assemblies in the escapement mechanism described herein.

[0090] - Figure 4a Showing Figure 1 The balance wheel of the escapement mechanism described in the text,

[0091] - Figure 4b Showing Figure 1 A variation of the escapement mechanism's balance wheel described in the text,

[0092] - Figure 4c Showing with Figure 4b The winding stage of spring 3.4 in the variation of the balance wheel described herein.

[0093] - Figure 5 A second variation of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown.

[0094] - Figure 6 A third variation of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0095] One operating mode of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 As shown. Figure 1 The escapement mechanism shown includes:

[0096] - Escape wheel 1, including teeth 1.2 that make up the winding device, the escape wheel is driven by the bar wheel through a transfer wheel or finishing wheel not shown in the figure; the escape wheel 1 rotates counterclockwise about axis 1.1.

[0097] - The rocker arm 2 rotates about axis 2.1, and includes a locking device and a releasing device. The movement of the rocker arm is limited by limit pins B1 and B2.

[0098] - The wheel assembly 3 rotates about axis 3.1. The wheel assembly includes a spring 3.4 installed between the watch static component and the wheel assembly 3, a first push arm 3.2 of the push device, and a second winding arm 3.3 of the aforementioned winding device. The movement of the wheel assembly 3 is limited by a limiting pin B3.

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, the rocker arm 2 is typically an asymmetrical escapement fork equipped with a fork body and an escapement fork head 2.4 at the fork end. The locking device may correspond to the two arms 2.2 and 2.3 of the escapement fork or be part of the two arms of the escapement fork (and may also be provided with an insert plate), while the release device may correspond to the escapement fork head 2.4 or particularly to the protrusion of the escapement fork head 2.4.

[0100] In this application, the balance wheel 4 is considered to be included in the escapement mechanism, although in some documents it is not considered a direct component of the escapement mechanism. Therefore, Figure 1 The balance wheel 4 is also shown. The balance wheel 4 rotates about axis 4.1 and includes a release device (here, a pin or stop 4.2) and a power receiving device 4.3, which is part of the aforementioned actuating device. In this embodiment, the release device may be a pin or stop 4.2, which is a protrusion on the periphery of the balance wheel 4. The power receiving device 4.3, which forms part of the actuating device, may form another pin or stop protruding from the periphery of the balance wheel 4. It should be noted that the balance wheel 4 is also part of the watch oscillator mechanism, specifically, it is part of the watch's balance wheel-hairspring assembly.

[0101] The following figure illustrates the main operating stages of the escapement mechanism of this invention.

[0102] Figures 2a to 2c The different stages of winding or the different stages of providing elastic potential energy to the spring 3.4 of the wheel assembly 3 via the escape wheel are shown.

[0103] Figure 2a Showing Figure 1 The first locking position of the escapement mechanism.

[0104] In this position, the teeth of the escape wheel abut against the locking device (arm 2.3 of rocker arm 2), and the movement of the rocker arm is restricted by the limiting pin B1. Under the restoring torque of the spring 3.4, the push arm 3.2 of the wheel assembly 3 abuts against the limiting pin B3. The balance wheel 4 rotates in the first rotation direction, i.e. Figure 2a The balance wheel is rotated counterclockwise, and at this point, it is in the position before release.

[0105] Figure 2b The state after release is shown. Under the torque of the escape wheel 1, the wheel assembly 3 rotates clockwise and provides elastic potential energy to the spring 3.4. It should be noted that in this example, when the spring 3.4 is wound, the arm 3.2 is not in contact with the balance wheel 4.

[0106] Figure 2c Showing Figure 1 The second locking position of the escapement mechanism.

[0107] In this position, the tooth of the escape wheel 1 abuts against the locking device (arm 2.2 of rocker 2) and the movement of the rocker is restricted by the limiting pin B2. The arm 3.3 of the wheel assembly 3 is blocked by another tooth of the escape wheel 1.

[0108] Between the two locked positions, the wheel assembly 3 moves by an angle α, and the escape wheel provides power to the spring 3.4.

[0109] E = 1 / 2 kα 2

[0110] k is the stiffness coefficient.

[0111] Figures 3a to 3c This demonstrates the different stages in which power is transmitted from the spring 3.4 to the balance wheel.

[0112] Figure 3a (as Figure 2c ) showed Figure 1 The second locking position of the escapement mechanism. However, with Figure 2c In contrast, the balance wheel 4 rotates in the second rotation direction, i.e., clockwise, at which point the balance wheel is in the position before release.

[0113] Figure 3b The state after release is shown. The rocker arm 2 moves from the second locked position to the first locked position, releasing the escape wheel 1 and the arm 3.3 of the wheel assembly 3. Under the torque of the spring 3.4, the arm 3.2 of the wheel assembly 3 provides a driving force to the power receiving device 4.3 of the balance wheel 4. It should be noted that this driving force is direct, that is, the arm 3.2 directly transmits the torque to the balance wheel 4 without going through intermediate components.

[0114] Figure 3c The positions of the various wheel sets of the escapement mechanism are shown after the wheel set 3 provides a driving force to the balance wheel 4.

[0115] Therefore, if the torque of the escape wheel is greater than or equal to the torque of spring 3.4, the balance wheel will always receive the same power from spring 3.4 with the same transmission efficiency. In other words, the driving force is transmitted directly by spring 3.4, without being transmitted through rocker arm 2 (escape fork).

[0116] It can be seen that the intended goal has been achieved: the escapement mechanism of the present invention can provide a nearly constant force to the balance wheel within the variable torque range of the barrel wheel. Compared with known devices in the prior art, the device of the present invention requires fewer components and occupies less space, thus making it easy to integrate into small clocks.

[0117] Figure 4b and Figure 4c A variation of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown.

[0118] Figure 4a Showing Figure 1The balance wheel 4 of the escapement mechanism is equipped with a release device (pin or stop 4.2) and a power receiving device (pin or stop 4.3), which, as mentioned above, are pins or stops protruding from the periphery of the balance wheel 4.

[0119] exist Figure 4b and Figure 4c In this configuration, the power receiving device of the balance wheel 4 includes two pins or levers 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 to form a "double lifting structure". The receiving device of the escapement mechanism remains unchanged, still consisting of the protruding pins or levers 4.2 on the periphery of the balance wheel 4.

[0120] Figure 2b This demonstrates that when the spring 3.4 is wound, the arm 3.2 is not in contact with the balance wheel 4. Due to the lower inertia of the wheel assembly 3, the escape wheel 1 moves faster when the spring 3.4 is wound than the rocker arm 2, which is in contact with the balance wheel 4. This asynchrony can lead to instability in the escape mechanism when it is in the second locked position.

[0121] To synchronize the movement of the escape wheel 1 with the movement of the rocker arm 2, priority can be given to using... Figure 4b The balance wheel 4 is shown. In this variation, when the spring 3.4 is wound, i.e., when the balance wheel rotates in the first direction of rotation, the first pin or stop 4.3.1 contacts the arm 3.2 of the wheel assembly 3. When the balance wheel rotates in the second direction of rotation, the second pin or stop 4.3.2 is used to receive the force after the spring is released.

[0122] Figure 4c The escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown, with the spring 3.4, which has the new variant of the balance wheel 4, in a wound state.

[0123] Figure 5 A second variation of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown.

[0124] In this new example, the hairspring spring 3.4 is replaced by a leaf spring 3.5 embedded in the groove of the wheel set 3.

[0125] Figure 6 A third variation of the escapement mechanism of the present invention is shown.

[0126] In the third variation, the wheel assembly 3, which rotates about axis 3.1 in the aforementioned figures, is replaced by a flexible guide system 3a that does not have an actual axis of rotation. The arms 3.2 and 3.3 of the wheel assembly 3 are connected to the static components of the clock via leaf springs to perform the aforementioned winding and pushing.

[0127] It is understood that those skilled in the art can make modifications and / or improvements to the various embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0128] In particular, the clutch lever can be of various shapes and is not limited to an escapement fork.

[0129] Finally, the wheel assembly can transmit the driving force to any part of the balance wheel, or even to the components that make up the oscillator, without necessarily transmitting it to the pins or stops on the balance wheel disc. For example, a toothed sector or toothed component can be provided. In other words, the driving device is used to transmit the driving force from the wheel assembly to the components of the oscillator (preferably the oscillating component), such as the balance wheel or balance wheel disc.

Claims

1. The escapement mechanism used in mechanical clocks and watches includes: - An escape wheel (1), the escape wheel including teeth (1.2). - Joystick (2) - Wheelset (3) - At least one component that makes up a clock oscillator The escape wheel (1) cooperates with the rocker arm (2) and the wheel assembly (3). The rocker arm (2) engages with the escape wheel via a locking device and with the components that make up the watch oscillator via a releasing device. The wheel assembly (3) includes an elastic device for storing elastic power and engages with the escape wheel (1) via a winding device, and with the components constituting the watch oscillator via a pushing device. Its features are: - The winding device is capable of winding the elastic device along the first rotation direction of the balance wheel, and the driving device is designed to enable the wheel assembly (3) to drive the components of the clock oscillator at least when the balance wheel rotates along the second rotation direction. and: - The wheel assembly (3) directly drives the components that make up the clock oscillator. - The components that make up the clock oscillator include two pins or levers (4.3.1, 4.3.2) that are capable of forming a double lifting structure to receive power from the wheel assembly (3) in both rotational directions.

2. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the elastic device is wound, the first locking position of the rocker (2) is different from the second locking position of the rocker (2) after the wheel assembly (3) pushes the components that make up the clock oscillator.

3. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, After the elastic device is wound, the wheel assembly (3) is stopped by one tooth (1.2) of the escape wheel (1).

4. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The propulsion device includes: At least one protruding pin (4.3) or a stop bar on the component constituting the watch oscillator, and / or At least one push arm (3.2) protruding on the wheel assembly (3).

5. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The winding device includes: At least one tooth (1.2) of the escape wheel (1), and / or At least one of the winding arms (3.3) of the wheel set (3).

6. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic device of the wheel assembly (3) consists of a hairspring (3.4).

7. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic device of the wheel assembly (3) consists of leaf springs (3.5).

8. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic device of the wheel assembly (3) consists of leaf springs to form a flexible guide system (3a) that does not have an actual axis of rotation.

9. The escapement mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The component that makes up the clock oscillator is the balance wheel (4).

10. A clock equipped with an escapement according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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