Energy storage system for mechanical watch

Abstract

An energy storage system (1) for a mechanical timepiece, the energy storage system comprising a spring (2) for storing mechanical energy to drive a mechanism of the mechanical timepiece, where the spring (2) comprises two or more layers (3, 4, 5), each layer comprising a plurality of movable rigid portions (6, 7, 8), where the rigid portions (6, 7, 8) are connected to the spring (2). The plurality of rigid portions in any one layer (3, 4, 5) are not directly connected to other rigid portions in the same layer (3, 4, 5), and wherein a flexure (9) directly connects each of the plurality of rigid portions (6, 7, 8) in any one layer (3, 4, 5) to one or more rigid portions (3, 4, 5) in another layer or layers (3, 4, 5), the flexure (9) connects the rigid portions in the different layers (3, 4, 5) to form a spring (2) as an integral unit, which spring enables each rigid portion (6, 7, 8) in the layers (3, 4, 5) to move relative to the other rigid portions in the same layer and / or relative to the rigid portions in the other layers.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage system for a mechanical watch, said energy storage system comprising a mainspring for storing mechanical energy to drive the mechanism of the mechanical watch.

[0002] Such an energy storage system can be used in the barrel of a mechanical watch, or can be used to supply energy to another mechanism of the watch - such as a following barrel: the barrel is used to drive an additional or complex mechanism such as a repeater or an alarm clock, or is used to drive a specific mechanism such as a date or month or year or moon phase indication (for example, the instantaneous jump in a perpetual calendar), or even is used for the balance spring in a balance spring oscillator. The system can also drive a shaft or a rake for partial rotation, or perform a linear displacement.

[0003] EP 2 705 271 B1 / US 8,950,552 discloses an energy storage system in the form of a barrel, which is intended to provide a more compact mainspring at rest, and the torque of which is less dependent on the winding degree of the mainspring. For this purpose, the just-mentioned publication teaches the application of an energy storage bend integrated with the mainspring, and the bend having a substantially rectangular cross-section forms an alternating change portion about a spiral trajectory on at least a part of the turns of the mainspring.

[0004] EP 3 580 618 B1 discloses a driving member for a timepiece, which driving member comprises at least two integral units stacked and connected in series, and each of these units comprises a hub and a rim, and the hub and the rim are connected by at least one elastic arm.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to increase the energy density of the mainspring as applied in the energy storage system of the present invention, and for this purpose, the features of one or more of the appended claims are applied in the present invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the mainspring comprises two or more layers, each layer comprising a plurality of movable rigid parts, wherein the plurality of rigid parts in any one layer are not directly connected to other rigid parts in the same layer, and wherein a flexure directly connects each of the plurality of rigid parts in any one layer to one or more rigid parts in another layer or layers, and the flexure connects the rigid parts in different layers to form a mainspring as an integral unit, and the mainspring enables each rigid part in the layer to move relative to other rigid parts in the same layer and / or relative to rigid parts in other layers. This arrangement provides a compact and efficient tool for storing mechanical energy.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the rigid parts of any one layer are connected to the rigid parts of different layers by at least two flexures, preferably at least four flexures, and most preferably at least eight flexures.

[0008] Preferably, the spring is in a circular shape such that the spring can occupy a space or volume that is substantially independent of the amount of energy stored after spring tensioning or compression.

[0009] Preferably, adjacent rigid parts of adjacent layers are arranged in the same plane as the plane in which the flexure deflects. This structure enables a very flat design of the mechanical watch.

[0010] The versatility of the application of the energy storage system of the present invention is supported by arranging to connect at least the first rigid part to the input of the energy storage system and / or to connect at least the second rigid part to the output of the energy storage system.

[0011] By arranging to have a predetermined number of additional rigid parts between the first rigid part and the second rigid part, the energy density of the energy that can be stored in the system of the present invention can be simply adjusted.

[0012] Preferably, the spring has a brickwork structure, which means an assembly of repeating elements arranged in a staggered pattern, which enables an embodiment in which the energy to be stored can be evenly distributed in the system of the present invention.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the spring is in a circular shape, which not only provides for the energy to be stored to be evenly distributed in the system of the present invention, but also advantageously the volume of the space occupied by the spring is to a large extent independent of the amount of energy stored. In this structure, the spring can be loaded, for example, by moving the rigid parts of the layer with the smallest radius towards each other to form an almost closed loop, and unloaded by reversing the movement of the rigid parts of the layer with the smallest radius.

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0015] In the drawings:

[0016] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a circular energy storage system according to the present invention with a spring in an unloaded form and a loaded form, respectively; and

[0017] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 show a linear energy storage system according to the present invention with a spring in an unloaded form and a loaded form, respectively.

[0018] Whenever the same reference numerals are used in the figures, these reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0019] Figure 1 The general concept of a circular-shaped energy storage system 1 for a mechanical watch or clock is shown in the stage of unwinding its mainspring 2. Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 the circular-shaped energy storage system 1, in which its mainspring is in the winding stage.

[0020] Similarly, Figure 3 the general concept of a linear-shaped energy storage system 1 for a mechanical watch or clock is shown in the stage of unwinding its mainspring 2. Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 the linear-shaped energy storage system 1, in which its mainspring is in the winding stage.

[0021] Basically, the energy storage system 1 includes a mainspring 2, which includes two or more layers 3, 4, 5, each layer including a plurality of movable rigid parts 6, 7, 8, wherein the plurality of rigid parts in any one layer 3, 4, 5 are not directly connected to other rigid parts in the same layer 3, 4, 5, and wherein a flexure 9 directly connects each of the plurality of rigid parts 6, 7, 8 in any one layer 3, 4, 5 to one or more rigid parts 3, 4, 5 in another layer or layers 3, 4, 5, the flexure 9 connecting the rigid parts in different layers 3, 4, 5 to form the mainspring 2 as an integral unit, which enables each rigid part 6, 7, 8 in layers 3, 4, 5 to move relative to other rigid parts in the same layer and / or relative to rigid parts in other layers. For the circular configuration, this is illustrated by the difference between Figure 2 and Figure 1 and for the linear configuration, this is illustrated by the difference between Figure 4 and Figure 3

[0022] Figure 1 And Figure 2 show preferred embodiments in which the mainspring 2 has a circular shape, which enables the mainspring to occupy a space or volume that is substantially independent of the amount of energy stored after the mainspring 2 is tensioned or compressed. Due to its smaller space requirements, the embodiments of Figure 1 and 2 are superior to the embodiments shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 in which the mainspring 2 has a linear brickwork structure. Figure 3 and Figure 4

[0023] ​​In all embodiments, preferably, the adjacent layers 3, 4, 5 of the rigid portions are arranged in the same plane as the plane in which the flexure 9 deflects. This plane may be parallel to the plane formed by the watch, in particular the plane formed by the main board of the watch movement.

[0024] Referring to these figures, it is noted that at least a first rigid portion 6' forming part of layer 3 will be connected to the input of the energy storage system and / or at least a second rigid portion 6'' will be connected to the output of the energy storage system. It is clearly shown that there are a plurality of additional rigid portions between the first rigid portion 6' and the second rigid portion 6'', and the first rigid portion 6' connected to the input and the second rigid portion 6'' connected to the output are part of the same layer 3. Alternatively, the input and output of the energy storage system may be connected to rigid portions located in different layers. For example, at least a first rigid portion 8' located on the outer layer 5 will be connected to the input of the energy storage system and / or at least a second rigid portion 6'' located on the inner layer 3 will be connected to the output of the energy storage system. It is clearly shown that there are a plurality of additional rigid portions between the first rigid portion 8' and the second rigid portion 6'', and optionally, a part of the plurality of additional rigid portions even forms part of the intermediate layer 4. Of course, the positions of the input and output may be interchanged.

[0025] As Figure 1 shown, in embodiments in which the mainspring 2 is in a circular shape, each layer is formed by rigid portions that are in a circular shape and are positioned along concentric circles of a given radius. In Figure 1 the case of the three layers, the inner layer 3 has the smallest radius, the intermediate layer 4 has a radius larger than that of the inner layer 3, and the outer layer 5 has the largest radius. Similarly, as Figure 3 shown, in embodiments in which the mainspring 2 is in a linear shape, each layer is formed by rigid portions that are in a linear shape and are positioned along lines that are parallel to each other.

[0026] By comparing Figure 1 and Figure 2 , it can be seen that the mainspring 2 is loaded by moving the rigid portions 6 of the layer 3 with the smallest radius towards each other to form an almost closed loop, as depicted in Figure 2 , and the mainspring 2 is unloaded by reversing the movement of the rigid portions 6 of the layer 3 with the smallest radius, as depicted in Figure 1 . Alternatively, the loading and unloading of the mainspring may be reversed, i.e., the mainspring may be loaded by moving from the position as in Figure 2The structure depicted therein starts to load a structure of equivalent configuration, and winds the spring by moving the rigid portions 6 of layer 3 with the smallest radius away from each other, and unwinds the spring by reversing said movement. This arrangement enables the energy density to be maximized by winding the spring in compression. Alternatively, the spring can be wound by moving the rigid portions of the intermediate layer 7 or the outer layer 8 towards or away from each other, or can be wound by moving the rigid portions of different layers towards or away from each other. A preload can also be applied to the spring and / or the system.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, the flexure 9 is formed from a single blade or strip. Alternatively, the flexure can have a different cross-section, and / or have varying dimensions along its length and / or height, and / or have slits along a portion of its length to optimize the deformation and / or stress distribution, particularly during tension or compression of the flexure.

[0028] Different types of flexures and / or rigid components can also be applied in the same spring in order to optimize the storage of energy. For example, the dimensions of the flexure can vary along the circumference and / or from the inner part to the outer part of the structure. One possibility is to arrange the dimensions of the flexure 9 and / or the rigid components 6, 7, 8 to have varying stiffnesses such that, for example, the stiffness of the outer element 8 is less than the stiffness of the inner element 6 to promote uniform or equivalent deformation of the various flexures 9 and elements during tension or compression, and thus optimize the energy storage.

[0029] Figures 1 to 4 A spring formed from a single layer of material is shown. To increase the amount of energy that can be stored in the system, the height of the spring can be increased. Alternatively, multiple identical or equivalent springs can be stacked and assembled at their respective ends to form a spring that extends over multiple different layers stacked on top of each other. This assembly can be done by stacking and assembling the springs in series (series means that the input of the spring is connected to the output of the previous spring) or in parallel (parallel means that some or all of the inputs and the corresponding some or all of the outputs of the springs are connected together).

[0030] As a material for the spring, materials that can be formed by micromachining and / or by etching and / or by additive manufacturing can be suitable. In particular, materials such as silicon or silicon carbide, optionally with an additional coating (such as silicon oxide), can be particularly suitable. Combinations of multiple materials and / or manufacturing techniques can also be used.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention may include every combination of features disclosed herein independently of one another. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and these specific embodiments can be varied in various ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to strictly construe the appended claims accordingly. On the contrary, the embodiments are only intended to interpret the language of the appended claims and are not intended to limit the claims to these exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be construed only in accordance with the appended claims, in which these exemplary embodiments should be used to resolve possible ambiguities in the language of the claims.

[0032] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents in the appended claims. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated above as "necessary", the various components or the interrelationships of the various components are not necessary for the operation of the present invention. Rather, the desired results can be achieved by substituting various components and / or reconfiguring the relationships between the various components.

Claims

1. An energy storage system (1) for a mechanical watch, the energy storage system including a mainspring (2) for storing mechanical energy to drive the mechanism of the mechanical watch, characterized in that, The spring (2) comprises two or more layers (3, 4, 5), each layer comprising a plurality of movable rigid parts (6, 7, 8), wherein the plurality of rigid parts in any one layer (3, 4, 5) are not directly connected to other rigid parts in the same layer (3, 4, 5), and wherein flexures (9) directly connect each of the plurality of rigid parts (6, 7, 8) in any one layer (3, 4, 5) to one or more rigid parts (3, 4, 5) in one or more other layers (3, 4, 5), the flexures (9) connecting the rigid parts in different layers (3, 4, 5) to form the spring (2) as an integral unit, the spring (2) enabling each rigid part (6, 7, 8) in the layers (3, 4, 5) to move relative to other rigid parts in the same layer and / or relative to rigid parts in other layers.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein The rigid parts (6, 7, 8) in any one layer (3, 4, 5) are connected to rigid parts (6, 7, 8) in different layers (6, 7, 8) by at least two flexures (9), preferably at least four flexures, most preferably at least eight flexures.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plurality of rigid parts (6, 7, 8) of all the layers (3, 4, 5) are arranged in a plane that is the same plane in which the flexures (9) deflect.

4. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that At least a first rigid part (6', 8') is connected to the input of the energy storage system and / or at least a second rigid part (6") is connected to the output of the energy storage system.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, There are a plurality of additional rigid parts between the first rigid part (6', 8') and the second rigid part (6").

6. The energy storage system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The input and the output of the energy storage system are connected to rigid parts located in different layers.

7. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The spring (2) has a masonry structure or an interleaved structure.

8. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The spring (2) has a circular shape.

9. The energy storage system according to claim 4 and 8, characterized in that, The spring (2) is loaded by moving the rigid parts (6) of the layer (3) having the smallest radius towards each other to form an almost closed loop, and is unloaded by reversing the movement of the rigid parts (6) of the layer (3) having the smallest radius.

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