Escapement lever for an escapement, escapement and timepiece movement

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of for escapement (50) of escapement fork (21), the escapement fork (21) includes prong head (22), enter tile arm (11) and exit tile arm (12), and mandrel (5), wherein, prong head (22) is designed as and engages with oval component (23) on balance wheel (35), enter tile arm (11) and exit tile arm (12) are designed as and engage with escapement moving element (30), and prong head (22), enter tile arm (11) and exit tile arm (12) are installed on mandrel (5), prong head (22) and enter tile arm (11) and exit tile arm (12) are arranged as two separate parts on mandrel (5), prong head (22) is located at the first height of mandrel (5), enter tile arm (11) and exit tile arm (12) are located at the second height of mandrel (5), the first height and the second height are spaced apart predetermined distance (D0) along the axis of mandrel (5).The utility model further relates to escapement and clock movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an escapement fork for a watch escapement mechanism, as well as an escapement mechanism and watch movement including such an escapement fork. Background Technology

[0002] In most mechanical watches, the energy required to drive the hands (e.g., the hour and minute hands) is stored in the mainspring barrel and then released through the balance spring system. This balance spring system consists of a flywheel called the balance wheel, which is combined with a spring called the hairspring, which is a ribbon wound into a spiral shape.

[0003] The inner end of the hairspring is attached to the spindle that rotates integrally with the balance wheel; the outer end of the hairspring is attached to the hairspring stud mounted on the outer stud retainer, which itself is attached to the fixed bar clamp (or balance clamp).

[0004] The rotation of the balance wheel is maintained by the escapement mechanism, and its oscillations are also counted by the escapement mechanism. This escapement mechanism includes an escape fork driven by low-amplitude oscillating motion. The escape fork has two or three pallets that engage with the teeth of the escapement element / escape wheel. When engaged in this way, the escapement element is forced into a stepping rotational motion, the frequency of which is determined by the oscillation frequency of the escape fork, which itself coincides with the oscillation frequency of the balance wheel system.

[0005] The oscillation frequency of a traditional escapement is about 4 Hz, or approximately 28,800 vibrations per hour (A / h). Skilled watchmakers strive to ensure that the balance wheel system oscillates isochronously and stably (i.e., the time difference remains constant).

[0006] The escapement fork in the escapement mechanism is designed to establish a mechanical connection between the balance wheel and the escapement moving parts. Therefore, the positioning of the escapement fork is crucial to ensure proper engagement with the other two components.

[0007] Typically, the escape fork is molded as a single piece, including a fork head that engages with an elliptical component on the balance wheel, and at least two arms, each typically fitted with an escape fork bearing and engaging with the escapement mechanism. The body of the escape fork is mounted on a spindle with pivots at both ends. During assembly, these pivots are inserted into bearing housings arranged on the bar plate or mainplate.

[0008] Currently, the hairspring can be replaced by a flexible guide as an elastic component to form a virtual pivot. Flexible guides with virtual pivots can significantly improve watch resonators. The simplest is a cross-shaped pivot, consisting of two guides with intersecting straight stripes. These two stripes can be three-dimensional structures in two different planes, or two-dimensional structures in the same plane (in which case they are welded / securely joined together at the intersection). Furthermore, there are RCC (remote center compliance) guides with non-intersecting stripes, where the straight stripes do not intersect. Such resonators are described in documents EP14199039 and EP16155039.

[0009] However, when this flexible guide is used, the amplitude of the balance wheel is much smaller, with a rotation angle of about 20 degrees, while the rotation angle corresponding to the hairspring is 330 degrees, and the oscillation frequency of the balance wheel is much higher than that of the balance wheel equipped with a hairspring.

[0010] Therefore, a new escapement mechanism configuration has been developed to adapt to a speed regulating mechanism with a flexible guide.

[0011] In most mechanical watch movements, the escape wheel pivot, escape fork pivot, and balance wheel pivot are located in the same plane. When viewed from above, the positions of these three axes form a straight line, a configuration known as "straight alignment." However, this arrangement takes up considerable space.

[0012] In some watch movement configurations, the three axes are positioned in a bent shape. In other words, the escapement, pallet fork, and balance wheel are not aligned, but arranged in a triangle, each located at one of the three vertices of the same triangle. This arrangement can reduce the size of the watch movement.

[0013] Typically, the escapement fork head and escapement fork plate are at the same height within the movement. Furthermore, because the fork head engages with the elliptical component on the balance wheel and the fork plate engages with the teeth on the escape wheel, a certain distance must be maintained between the fork head and the fork plate to prevent collision between the elliptical component and the teeth on the escape wheel. This is why a linear "centering" layout is usually adopted.

[0014] Therefore, on the one hand, the relative positions (especially the center distance) between the escape fork and the escape wheel must be precisely defined. On the other hand, the relative positions (especially the center distance) between the escape fork and the balance wheel must also be precisely defined.

[0015] Since the pallet fork bearings and fork head are usually the same component (pallet fork) and are joined at roughly the same height, it is difficult to meet both of the above requirements at the same time. Utility Model Content

[0016] The present invention aims to provide an escapement fork for a novel escapement mechanism to avoid the aforementioned defects, and in particular to facilitate the assembly of the escapement fork and the engagement / cooperation of the escapement fork with the escapement moving parts and the balance wheel.

[0017] Therefore, this utility model relates to an escapement fork for a watch escapement mechanism, the escapement fork including a fork head, a wheel advance arm and a wheel exit arm, and a spindle, wherein the fork head is designed to engage with an elliptical component on the balance wheel, the wheel advance arm and the wheel exit arm are designed to engage with the escapement motion component / escape wheel, and the fork head, the wheel advance arm and the wheel exit arm are mounted on the spindle, characterized in that the fork head and the wheel advance arm and the wheel exit arm are arranged as two separate parts on the spindle, the fork head is located at a first height of the spindle, and the wheel advance arm and the wheel exit arm are located at a second height of the spindle, the first height and the second height being spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the axis of the spindle.

[0018] The significant feature of this utility model is that the fork head and the infeed arm and the outfeed arm are arranged as two separate parts on the spindle, such that the fork head is located at a first height, the infeed arm and the outfeed arm are located at a second height, and the first height and the second height are spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the axis of the spindle.

[0019] Therefore, this type of escapement fork allows the balance wheel and escapement mechanism to be positioned at different heights within the watch movement. For example, the escapement mechanism can be positioned at the bottom of the movement above the mainplate, while the balance wheel is positioned at the top of the movement. In this arrangement, especially when the escapement fork, balance wheel, and escapement wheel are in a compact configuration, the stepped escapement fork enables engagement with the balance wheel and escapement mechanism.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second height is located at the lower end of the mandrel.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance is between one-quarter and three-quarters of the length of the mandrel, preferably between one-third and two-thirds of the length of the mandrel, or even essentially half the length of the mandrel.

[0022] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first height is located substantially at the middle of the mandrel.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the escapement fork includes a fork head for engaging with an elliptical component on the balance wheel, and an inlet and outlet arm designed to engage with the escapement mechanism.

[0024] This utility model also relates to an escapement mechanism, which includes an escapement moving part and the aforementioned escapement fork.

[0025] This utility model also relates to a watch movement, which includes a main plate, a balance wheel, a balance bridge, a flexible guide, and the aforementioned escapement mechanism, wherein the balance wheel is suspended by the flexible guide, and the escapement fork engages with an elliptical component on the balance wheel on one hand and with the escapement mechanism on the other.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the escapement fork is pivotally mounted in the watch movement, the escapement fork including a first pivot at a first end of the escapement fork and a second pivot at a second end of the escapement fork.

[0027] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first pivot is pivotally mounted in the machine plate.

[0028] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second pivot is pivotally mounted in the swing clamp.

[0029] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the balance wheel, the escapement mechanism, and the escape fork are arranged such that the line connecting the center of the escapement mechanism, the center of the balance wheel, and the spindle of the escape fork forms a bent shape, and the bending angle is less than 90°, preferably less than 70°, or even less than 60°. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, provided only as illustrative and not limiting examples, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a clock module including a regulating mechanism and an escapement mechanism;

[0032] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic side view of the clock module in the image;

[0033] Figure 3 For inclusion Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the watch movement of the watch module;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of the escapement fork according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the clock module 10, there is an escapement 50 associated with the speed regulating mechanism 60.

[0036] The speed regulating mechanism 60 includes a balance wheel 35 and a rotating flexible guide 32 for the balance wheel 35, while the escapement mechanism 50 includes an escapement motion 30 and an escape fork 21.

[0037] The balance wheel 35 has a bone-like structure, with a longitudinal portion 36 and arc-shaped transverse portions 37 at both ends of the longitudinal portion 36. The balance wheel 35 also includes a stop / limiter installed in the middle of the longitudinal portion 36 and concentric with the virtual axis of rotation, and screws 39 arranged in the transverse portion 37 for adjusting the moment of inertia of the balance wheel.

[0038] The balance wheel 35 is mounted on the flexible guide 32 so that it can rotate and oscillate about a virtual axis of rotation. The flexible guide 32 is directly connected to the balance wheel 35.

[0039] The flexible guide 32 includes at least two flexible strips 37, which in this example are two pairs of intersecting flexible strips 37 arranged in series to form a double pivot to increase the rotation angle of the balance wheel 35.

[0040] The escapement fork 21 is equipped with two arms, namely the advance arm 11 and the exit arm 12, the ends of which form two escapement fork pads for engaging with the teeth 18 on the escapement movement 30, which is the first movement of the watch.

[0041] The advance arm 11 and the exit arm 12 on the escape fork 21 engage with the escapement movement 30 and alternately interact with the teeth 18 on the escapement movement 30 in order to adjust the time difference.

[0042] The escapement fork 21 also includes a laterally extending longitudinal portion 14, the end of which is provided with a fork head 22 for engaging with the elliptical component 23 on the balance wheel 35.

[0043] The escapement fork 21 includes a spindle 5 that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion 14 and the fork head 22, through which the escapement fork 21 can be rotatably mounted in the movement.

[0044] The escape fork 21 includes a radially extending elongated body 31, which is arranged to engage with a stop (not shown in the figures). The stop serves to prevent the escape fork 21 from over-rotating.

[0045] The slender body 31 is roughly positioned at the height of the entry and exit arms 11 and 12 on the escape fork 21.

[0046] According to this invention, the fork head 22, the infeed arm 11, and the outfeed arm 12 are arranged as two parts on the spindle 5. The fork head 22 is located at a first height of the spindle 5, while the infeed arm 11 and the outfeed arm 12 are located at a second height of the spindle 5.

[0047] Thus, the two heights are spaced apart by a predetermined distance D0 along the axial direction of the mandrel 5. Preferably, the predetermined distance D0 is between one-quarter and three-quarters of the mandrel length, more preferably between one-third and two-thirds of the mandrel length, or approximately half the mandrel length.

[0048] For example, the second height is located roughly at the lower end of the spinal axis, while the first height is located roughly in the middle of the spinal axis.

[0049] Preferably, the length of the spindle 5 roughly corresponds to the height of the watch movement (measured from the movement plate 2).

[0050] The escapement mechanism 50 also includes a second watch movement 20, which meshes with the escapement movement 30, which is the first watch movement. For example, the second watch movement 20 is a second hand movement. The teeth on the second watch movement 20 mesh with the pinion 3 on the escapement movement 30.

[0051] The balance wheel 35 includes an elliptical member 23 extending below it for engaging with the fork head 22 on the escapement fork 21. The elliptical member 23 is attached to the balance wheel 35.

[0052] The center line connecting the balance wheel 35, the escapement component 30, and the escape fork 21 is bent. This is different from the conventional escapement mechanism, in which the line is roughly straight and the escape fork is positioned on this line between the balance wheel and the escapement component.

[0053] Therefore, the balance wheel 35, the escapement mechanism 30, and the escapement fork 21 are located at the three vertices of the triangle.

[0054] The bending angle is less than 90°, preferably less than 70°, or even less than 60°. Therefore, the balance wheel 35, the escapement mechanism 30, and the escape fork 21 are arranged in a compact manner.

[0055] exist Figure 3 middle, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The clock module is arranged in the clock movement 1, which is especially used for watches.

[0056] In addition to the watch module 10, the watch movement 1 also includes a plate 2 and a clamping plate for supporting the various components of the watch module 10.

[0057] Specifically, the watch movement 1 includes a balance bridge 4 arranged above the balance wheel. The balance wheel thus oscillates between the main plate 2 and the balance bridge 4. For example, the balance bridge 4 includes an upper stop for vertically holding the balance wheel 35.

[0058] The watch movement 1 also includes an escapement plate 6 for pivotally supporting the shaft of the escapement movement 30.

[0059] The escapement mechanism 30 is pivotally mounted between the mechanism plate 2 and the escapement clamp 6.

[0060] The spindle 5 includes a first pivot 7 disposed at its first end and a second pivot 8 disposed at its second end.

[0061] The first pivot 7 is pivotally mounted on the plate 2, and the second pivot 8 is pivotally mounted on the balance wheel 4. Therefore, the escapement fork 21 is pivotally mounted between the balance wheel 4 and the plate 2, and the spindle 5 extends beyond the balance wheel 35 (at its height position).

[0062] To this end, the balance plate 4 includes a first bearing seat 13 and a second bearing seat 15 for the escape fork 21. The first bearing seat 13 acts as a stop for the balance wheel 35 in the event of an impact and is concentric with the virtual axis of rotation defined by the flexible guide 32. The distance D1 between the center of the first bearing seat 13 and the center of the second bearing seat 15 is a predetermined value to ensure optimal engagement between the fork tip 22 on the escape fork 21 and the elliptical component 23 on the balance wheel 35.

[0063] The mechanism plate 2 includes a third bearing seat 16 for the balance wheel 35, a fourth bearing seat 17 for the spindle 5 on the escape fork 21, and a fifth bearing seat 9 for the escapement movement 30. The distance D2 between the center of the fourth bearing seat 17 and the center of the fifth bearing seat 9 is a predetermined value to ensure optimal engagement between the pad arm 11 and the pad arm 12 on the escape fork 21 and the escapement movement 30.

[0064] The escapement plate 6 includes a sixth bearing seat 24 for the pivot on the escapement movement 30.

[0065] This arrangement of the escape fork 21 better ensures, on the one hand, the engagement between the pallet arm 11 and the pallet release arm 12 on the escape fork 21 and the escapement movement 30, and on the other hand, better the engagement between the fork head 22 and the elliptical component 23. In reality, the spindle 5 is unlikely to be excessively tilted relative to the plate 2.

[0066] Since the escape fork 21 and the balance wheel 35 are arranged between the plate 2 and the balance plate 4, the center distance D1 defined on the balance plate 4 between the second pivot 8 of the escape fork 21 and the pivot of the balance wheel 35 remains constant and is unlikely to change during assembly.

[0067] Similarly, the center distance D2 defined on the plate 2 between the first pivot 7 of the escapement fork and the pivot of the escapement movement 30 remains constant and does not change during assembly.

[0068] Obviously, this utility model is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various modifications can be conceived without departing from the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An escapement fork (21) for an escapement mechanism (50), said escapement fork (21) comprising a fork head (22), a pallet arm (11) and a pallet arm (12), and a spindle (5), wherein, The fork (22) is designed to engage with the elliptical component (23) on the balance wheel (35), the advance wheel arm (11) and the exit wheel arm (12) are designed to engage with the escapement component (30), and the fork (22), the advance wheel arm (11) and the exit wheel arm (12) are mounted on the spindle (5). The fork (22) and the advance wheel arm (11) and the exit wheel arm (12) are arranged as two separate parts on the spindle (5), the fork (22) is located at a first height of the spindle (5), and the advance wheel arm (11) and the exit wheel arm (12) are located at a second height of the spindle (5). The first height and the second height are spaced apart by a predetermined distance (D0) along the axis of the spindle (5).

2. The escape fork (21) for the escapement mechanism (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second height is located at the lower end of the mandrel (5).

3. The escape fork (21) for the escapement mechanism (50) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The predetermined distance (D0) is between one-quarter and three-quarters of the length of the mandrel (5).

4. The escape fork (21) for the escapement mechanism (50) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first height is located at the middle of the mandrel (5).

5. An escapement mechanism (50), characterized in that, The escapement mechanism (50) includes an escapement movement (30) and an escapement fork (21) for the escapement mechanism (50) according to any one of claims 1-4.

6. A watch movement (1) comprising a main plate (2), a balance wheel (35), a balance bridge (4), and a flexible guide (32), wherein the balance wheel (35) is suspended by the flexible guide (32) so as to oscillate about a virtual axis between the main plate (2) and the balance bridge (4), characterized in that, The watch movement (1) includes an escapement mechanism (50) according to claim 5, wherein the escape fork (21) engages with the elliptical component (23) on the balance wheel (35) on one hand and with the escapement movement (30) on the other hand.

7. The watch movement according to claim 6, characterized in that, The escapement fork (21) spindle (5) is pivotally mounted in the watch movement (1), the spindle (5) including a first pivot (7) at a first end of the spindle (5) and a second pivot (8) at a second end of the spindle (5).

8. The watch movement according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first pivot (7) is pivotally mounted in the plate (2).

9. The watch movement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The second pivot (8) is pivotally mounted in the swing plate (4).

10. The watch movement according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The balance wheel (35), the escapement (30), and the escapement fork (21) are arranged such that the line connecting the center of the escapement (30), the center of the balance wheel (35), and the spindle (5) of the escapement fork (21) forms a bent shape, and the bending angle is less than 90°.

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