Method for manufacturing a pallet fork
By simplifying the manufacturing method of the escapement fork and reducing machining steps and equipment, the problem of expensive and time-consuming escapement fork manufacturing in the existing technology has been solved, achieving more efficient and economical production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511797406.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-12-04
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies require multiple machines for machining when manufacturing escapement forks, resulting in expensive and time-consuming operations. Furthermore, the stamping method is costly for small-batch production and is not economically viable.
The multi-step manufacturing method includes obtaining metal strip, milling to form guide holes and bevels, milling the escapement fork body, milling notches and forks, correcting the notches using broaching tools, and separating the escapement fork from the strip by laser punching or stamping, thereby reducing the number of machining steps and equipment.
It simplifies the manufacturing process of the escapement fork, reduces the number of correction parts and machine requirements, and improves production efficiency and economy.
Smart Images
Figure CN122151466A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of horology. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing watch components, particularly escapement forks for timepieces. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of horology, some applications require the use of complex components that involve numerous machining operations.
[0003] For example, this is the case with escapement forks, which require numerous machining operations using several machines during laser die-cutting. This method necessitates post-manufacturing corrections, which are expensive and time-consuming.
[0004] Escape forks can also be manufactured by stamping, but this method is very expensive and therefore of little use for small-batch production operations.
[0005] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a simpler manufacturing method that makes it possible to limit the number of parts to be modified while keeping the number of machines required for machining the escapement fork to one. Summary of the Invention
[0006] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an escapement fork for an escapement system.
[0007] According to the present invention, the method includes the following steps: a) Obtain a metal or metal alloy strip and form guide holes in the strip to guide the strip; b) Milling into the strip to form the corner; c) A ramp is made to form the body of the escapement fork, wherein a first end portion includes a corner and a second end portion includes two arms, the ramp being made on a portion of the thickness of the strip such that the body of the escapement fork remains attached to the strip. d) Mill the outer shell of the escapement fork body in this portion of the strip thickness, as in the previous step. e) Milling a notch in each of the arms, each of these notches being used to receive the escapement fork stone, and milling a fork in the same step. f) Use a broaching tool to correct the notches and forks; g) Laser-cut the resulting escapement fork in the remaining strip thickness to separate the escapement fork from the strip.
[0008] Other advantageous variations according to the invention: - In step f), broaching is performed only in the axial direction; - In step f), perform at least two lateral cuts to produce a specific width; - In step e), the shaft hole and the dart hole are also pierced; - In step e), milling is performed across the entire thickness of the strip; - The method includes step h), in which the escapement fork stone and shaft are assembled to the escapement fork; - Broaching tools are made of hard metal.
[0009] The present invention also relates to an escapement fork for an escapement system, which is obtained using the method according to the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 An escapement fork obtained by the method according to the invention is shown; - Figures 2 to 6a The illustrations depict various steps in the manufacturing method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0011] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an escapement fork for an escapement system.
[0012] The escapement fork 1 typically includes a lever 2 formed of a metal material, which may be, for example, carbon steel (e.g., 20AP, 15P, Ck75 or Ck101), titanium, aluminum, austenitic cobalt-based alloys, brass alloys (e.g., CuZn42) or copper alloys (e.g., CuBe2 or German silver (CuNi1820)).
[0013] The lever 2 includes arms 20 and 21, which are provided to support the escape fork stone for engagement with at least one escape wheel (not shown) in the escapement system. Between the two arms 20 and 21, the escape fork shaft is fitted into a hole 22 for pivotally mounting the escape fork 1. Finally, at the ends opposite to the arms 20, 21, the lever 2 includes a fork 5 with two corners 50, 51.
[0014] exist Figure 1 The example shown in the diagram illustrates a standard escapement fort used in timepieces. Of course, other types of escapement forks, such as side escapement forks, can be manufactured using the methods described below.
[0015] Now refer to Figures 2 to 6a A method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to the present invention is described 1.
[0016] In this method Figure 2 The first step a) shown in the figure is to obtain a metal or metal alloy strip 10 of thickness e, wherein guide holes 11 are punched out to guide and move the strip 10 along a conveyor (not shown in the figure).
[0017] exist Figure 3 The next step b) shown in the diagram is: milling 12 into the strip 10, the milling 12 being performed to a depth less than the strip thickness e and at least half the strip thickness e, to form the corners 50, 51 of the escapement fork.
[0018] In this method Figure 4 and Figure 4a The third step c) shown in the diagram involves: creating a ramp to form the body of the escapement fork, wherein the first end includes corners 50, 51 and the second end includes two arms 20, 21. The ramp is made to a depth equal to half the strip thickness e, such that the body of the escapement fork is still attached to the strip at the end of this step.
[0019] The fourth step d) in this method is to mill the outer shell of the escapement fork body to a depth less than the strip thickness and through at least two-thirds of the strip thickness e, so as to keep the escapement fork body attached to the strip.
[0020] exist Figure 5 and Figure 5a The fifth step e) shown in the diagram involves milling semi-finished products with notches 3 and 4 in each of arms 20 and 21, and milling semi-finished products with forks 5 in the same step. In this step, notches 3 and 4 and forks 5 are milled through the entire thickness e of the strip 10. In step e), shaft holes 22 and dart holes 23 are also pierced.
[0021] exist Figure 6 Step f) in the diagram involves using a broaching tool to correct notches 3 and 4 and fork 5. Broaching is performed only in the axial direction, with at least two lateral passes to create a predetermined width for notches 3 and 4. This step makes it possible to obtain the desired angle at the rear of the notches, since milling with a cutter radius that is too large would not have resulted in the desired angle.
[0022] Finally, step seven (g) involves laser-cutting the resulting escapement fork within the remaining strip thickness to separate the escapement fork from the strip. Alternatively, a stamping process can be used to separate the escapement fork from the strip.
[0023] The method may also include step h), in which the escapement fork stone and shaft are assembled to the escapement fork.
[0024] The present invention also relates to an escapement fork obtained according to the method of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing an escapement fork (1) for an escapement system, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: a) Obtain a metal or metal alloy strip (10) having a thickness (e) and form a guide hole (11) in the strip (10) to guide the strip; b) Mill (12) through at least half of the thickness (e) of the strip (10) into the strip (10) to form corners (50, 51). c) A bevel is made to form the body (2) of the escapement fork, wherein a first end portion includes the corner portion (50, 51) and a second end portion includes two arms (20, 21), the bevel being made at least half the thickness (e) of the strip such that the body of the escapement fork remains attached to the strip. d) The outer shell of the body (2) of the escapement fork is milled, the milling being carried out through two-thirds of the thickness (e) of the strip; e) Milling a semi-finished notch (3, 4) through the entire thickness (e) of the strip in each of the arms (20, 21), each of the notches (3, 4) for receiving the escapement fork stone, and milling a semi-finished fork (5) in the same step. f) Use a broaching tool to correct the notches (3, 4) and the fork (5); g) Laser-cut the obtained escapement fork in the remaining strip thickness to separate the escapement fork from the strip.
2. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step f), broaching is performed only in the axial direction.
3. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step f), at least two lateral cuts are performed to produce a specific width.
4. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to any one of the preceding claims (1), characterized in that, In step e), the shaft hole (22) and the dart hole (23) are also pierced.
5. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to any one of the preceding claims (1), characterized in that, In step e), milling is performed across the entire thickness of the strip.
6. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to any one of the preceding claims (1), characterized in that, It includes step h), in which the escapement fork and shaft are assembled.
7. The method for manufacturing an escapement fork according to any one of the preceding claims (1), characterized in that, The broaching tool is made of hard metal.
8. An escapement fork (1) obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.