Precision improving device for mechanical timepiece

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a precision improving device which solves the problem of the precision of a conventional mechanical timepiece without significantly changing the existing timepiece structure, and which achieves high precision comparable to a quartz timepiece.　An external oscillator, separate from the balance, is built into the mechanical timepiece, and the beats thereof are converted into mechanical vibrations by a piezo element, and this vibration energy is transmitted to the balance. Thus, the mechanical vibrations are transmitted to the balance of the mechanical timepiece, and the balance is resonated by using the pull-in phenomenon. Due to this resonance, the oscillation of the balance is forcibly synchronized with the frequency of the quartz transmitter, and the precision is significantly improved.

Description

Device for Improving the Accuracy of Mechanical Watches 【0001】 The present invention relates to a technology for significantly improving the accuracy of mechanical watches. In particular, a high-precision external oscillator (e.g., quartz oscillator) is built into a mechanical watch while retaining the escapement and balance wheel, and the oscillation signal is converted into a mechanical vibration and transmitted to the balance wheel, thereby obtaining an accuracy improvement device for achieving quartz-like accuracy. 【0002】 Mechanical watches have continued to be supported by the high-end watch market and enthusiasts due to their aesthetics and the charm of traditional mechanisms. However, due to the characteristics of their structure, it is difficult for mechanical watches to achieve the same high precision as quartz watches. Although many efforts have been made, the accuracy limit of general mechanical watches is considered to be several seconds to dozens of seconds per day difference. On the other hand, quartz watches can achieve timekeeping within several seconds per day difference, and in some cases, even higher precision, due to a stable reference frequency using an internal crystal oscillator. 【0003】 Conventionally, various attempts have been made to improve the accuracy of mechanical watches. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3006593) discloses a "spring drive" method that controls the rotation period with electronic control means while using a mechanical energy source (mainspring). However, this method virtually eliminates the escapement and equalizes the mainspring drive with a unique control system, making it difficult to maintain the unique structure and aesthetics of the escapement, which is a symbolic element of conventional mechanical watches. 【0004】 On the other hand, as described in Non-Patent Document 1 (the article "How watchmakers try to make two balances better than one" on the Hodinkee homepage), as a pure mechanical approach, technologies such as averaging errors using two balance wheels are also known. Although such technologies improve accuracy through resonance and synchronization phenomena between mechanical elements, the improvement is still within the mechanical limits, and it is difficult to reach the stability and accuracy of quartz watches. 【0005】Therefore, in order to give a mechanical watch the same level of accuracy as a quartz watch while retaining the balance wheel and escapement, a new approach is needed that involves appropriately introducing high-precision electronic reference signals to the mechanical elements to forcibly synchronize and control the balance wheel. 【0006】 Patent No. 3006593 【0007】 Jack Forster, "How watchmakers try to make two balances better than one," [online], May 19, 2022, Hodinkee, [Retrieved December 17, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.hodinkee.jp / articles / how-watchmakers-try-to-make-two-balances-better-than-one> 【0008】 The present invention aims to solve the above problems and to provide a precision improvement device that achieves high precision comparable to a quartz watch by utilizing the reference frequency of an external oscillator (e.g., a quartz oscillator) while retaining the balance wheel and escapement in a mechanical watch and maintaining the traditional structural beauty and the unique dynamic feel of a mechanical watch. 【0009】 In a first aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for improving the accuracy of a clock, which incorporates an external oscillator operating separately from the balance wheel into a mechanical clock, converts its pulse into mechanical vibrations using an actuator, and transmits the vibrational energy to the balance wheel, characterized in that the frequency and waveform of the balance wheel and the oscillation interval, frequency, and waveform of the external oscillator are pre-adjusted or dynamically set so that forced synchronization occurs due to the pull-in phenomenon. Here, the actuator may be at least one selected from a piezoelectric element, a transducer other than a piezoelectric element, and a micromachine. 【0010】 The above synchronization allows the balance wheel's oscillation to match the oscillation signal of an external oscillator, which serves as an external reference signal, making it possible to achieve accuracy at the level of a quartz oscillator. 【0011】The pulse of the external oscillator may be assumed to be emitted at intervals that are integer multiples of the balance wheel's period. 【0012】 The vibration sensor attached to the mechanical clock may be used to detect the pulse of the balance wheel and detect the loss of synchronization, and based on the results of the detection, the frequency of the actuator, the waveform of the actuator, or the oscillation interval of the external oscillator may be feedback controlled. 【0013】 The power supply for the device may consist of one or more combinations selected from primary batteries, secondary batteries, supercapacitors, vibration generators, barrel generators, and solar panels. 【0014】 To efficiently synchronize the actuator and the balance wheel, the actuator and the balance wheel may share a highly rigid mount. Alternatively, to efficiently synchronize the actuator and the balance wheel, the actuator and the balance wheel may be connected by a vibration transmission arm. 【0015】 Furthermore, in order to promote resonance between the actuator and the balance wheel, the balance unit may have a structure that isolates the total inertia of the vibrating components, including the actuator and the balance wheel, from the inertia of the entire watch. By providing an environment favorable to resonance, such as inertial isolation of the balance unit from the entire watch, smooth engagement with an external oscillator is supported. At this time, the actuator's own natural resonant frequency and orientation to the balance wheel are also optimized. 【0016】 Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram showing the precision-improving device of this embodiment incorporated into the body of a mechanical watch. Figure 2 is a detailed diagram showing the components around the balance wheel. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a modified installation of the actuator. Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram showing the balance wheel and escapement of a mechanical watch incorporating the precision-improving device of this embodiment. 【0017】The goal of achieving high accuracy comparable to quartz watches without significantly altering the structure of existing mechanical watches was achieved by incorporating an external oscillator separate from the balance wheel of the watch to be installed. This oscillator's pulse is converted into mechanical vibrations using a piezoelectric element, and this vibrational energy is transmitted to the balance wheel. 【0018】 Figure 1 is an image diagram showing the accuracy improvement device of this embodiment incorporated into the mechanical watch body. The accuracy improvement device is configured as a system built into the mechanical watch body 1001, consisting of a controller 1002, a piezoelectric element 1004, a vibration sensor 1005, a quartz oscillator 1006, a secondary battery 1007, a barrel generator 1008 that controls the rotation of the barrel to generate power, a vibration generator 1009, and a solar panel 1010. The controller 1002 is electrically connected to the other components to receive detection signals, transmit control signals, and supply power. 【0019】 The balance wheel unit 1003, a component of the mechanical watch itself into which the system is to be incorporated, is fitted with a piezoelectric element 1004 and a vibration sensor 1005. The piezoelectric element 1004 is an actuator that generates mechanical vibrations in response to a drive signal and power supply from the controller 1002. The vibration sensor 1005 measures the vibration of the balance wheel and transmits the frequency and waveform to the controller 1002. The controller detects the loss of synchronism from the transmitted balance wheel frequency and waveform and performs feedback control. 【0020】 The quartz oscillator 1006 is an external oscillator that incorporates an oscillator that oscillates separately from the balance wheel that makes up the mechanical clock, and transmits its oscillation signal to the controller 1002. The controller drives the piezoelectric element 1004 with a drive signal generated according to the oscillation signal, and controls it to generate mechanical vibrations at the frequency and waveform of the oscillation signal. 【0021】 The quartz oscillator 1006 operates at intervals that are integer multiples of the balance wheel period. This allows for power savings. 【0022】Here, a quartz oscillator is used as an external oscillator that operates separately from the balance wheel. However, the external oscillator that can be used in this invention is not limited to this; any high-precision oscillator can be used as appropriate. 【0023】 The mechanical watch body 1001 further incorporates a secondary battery 1007, a barrel generator 1008 that generates electricity by controlling the rotation of the barrel, a vibration generator 1009, and a solar power generation panel 1010 that generates electricity from sunlight 1011. 【0024】 Here, primary batteries, supercapacitors, etc., may be added or modified and built into the watch body. Multiple power sources can be appropriately selected and combined to employ one or more combinations of primary batteries, secondary batteries, supercapacitors, vibration generators, barrel generators, and solar panels. By comprehensively utilizing multiple power sources in this way, flexibility in environmental application can be increased. In other words, the optimal power source can be used according to specific situations and applications. 【0025】 Figure 2 is a detailed diagram showing the components around the balance wheel, including the balance unit. The balance unit 1003 is attached to the mechanical watch body 1001 via a balance unit damper 2001. The balance unit 1003 consists of a balance bridge 2002 to which a piezoelectric element 1004, a vibration sensor 1005, and a bearing 2003 are attached, the bearing 2003, and a balance wheel 2004 supported by the bearing 2003. 【0026】The piezoelectric element 1004, installed in the balance bridge 2002, receives the pulse, which is an oscillation signal from the quartz oscillator 1006 that operates independently of the balance wheel, via a controller. It converts this pulse into mechanical vibrations and transmits the vibrational energy to the balance wheel 2004 via the balance bridge 2002 and the bearing 2003. In this invention, a high-precision oscillator such as a quartz oscillator is used as an external oscillator that operates independently of the balance wheel, and the piezoelectric element is driven at its frequency. The mechanical vibrations generated by this drive are transmitted to the balance wheel of the mechanical watch, and the balance wheel is pre-adjusted or dynamically adjusted to resonate using the pull-in phenomenon. This resonance forces the vibration of the balance wheel to synchronize with the frequency and waveform of the quartz oscillator, significantly improving accuracy. Here, adjustment refers to fine-tuning the balance wheel's moment of inertia and the hairspring's rigidity to bring the balance wheel's natural oscillation frequency closer to the output frequency of the external oscillator, thereby matching the balance wheel's natural oscillation frequency to the external oscillator's frequency, and shaping the external oscillator's waveform to suit the balance wheel's operation. Furthermore, to reduce energy consumption such as electricity, the external oscillator's pulse is controlled at intervals that are integer multiples of the balance wheel's period. 【0027】 The balance bridge 2002 is shared as a mount for the piezoelectric element, as shown here, and is structured to promote resonance between the balance wheel and the piezoelectric element. Furthermore, as a result of this resonance, the vibration of the balance wheel and the pulse of the external oscillator are synchronized. Here, a titanium alloy is used as the material for the mount as a high-rigidity material, but the high-rigidity material that can be used in this invention is not limited to this, and stainless steel, ceramic, etc. can be used as appropriate. 【0028】 Here, the piezoelectric element is mounted on the balance bridge, but the mounting method of the piezoelectric element in the present invention is not limited to this, and any mounting method that efficiently transmits vibrational energy near the balance wheel to the balance wheel can be appropriately adopted. Furthermore, although the piezoelectric element is used as an actuator driven by the pulse of an external oscillator, the actuator in the present invention is not limited to this, and other transducers or micromachines can be used. 【0029】 The balance unit damper 2001 employs spring isolation, which isolates the total inertia of the oscillating components of the balance unit 1003, including the balance wheel 2004, from the inertia of the entire watch. While spring isolation is used as the balance unit damper here, the balance unit damper that can be used in this invention is not limited to this, and bearing isolation, roller isolation, slip isolation, etc., can be used as appropriate. 【0030】 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a modified installation of the actuator. The piezoelectric element 1004, which serves as the actuator, is mounted on the actuator receiver 3002, which is attached to the mechanical watch body 1001 via the actuator unit damper 3001. The piezoelectric element 1004 and the balance wheel 2004 are connected by a vibration transmission arm 3004, which is connected to the balance wheel 2004 via a bearing 2003. The material of the vibration transmission arm is a titanium alloy, a high-rigidity material, to improve vibration transmission. Although a titanium alloy is used as this high-rigidity material, the high-rigidity material that can be used in this invention is not limited to this, and stainless steel, ceramic, etc. can be used as appropriate. As a result of improving vibration transmission, resonance between the actuator and the balance wheel is promoted, and synchronization with an external oscillator is promoted. 【0031】 (Configuration of Balance Wheel and Escapement) Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram showing the interlocking of the balance wheel and escapement in a mechanical watch incorporating the accuracy-enhancing device of this embodiment. The escapement includes a lever 4001 and an escape wheel 4002, which are not shown in Figure 1, and utilizes the vibration of the balance wheel 2004 to generate regular vibrations, converting the energy transmitted from the mainspring into a constant rhythm suitable for measuring time, and adjusting the force that advances the hands of the watch. 【0032】The piezoelectric element 1004, mounted on the balance bridge 2002, operates independently of the balance wheel 2004 of the mechanical watch as an external oscillator, driven at the frequency of a high-precision oscillator such as a quartz oscillator. The mechanical vibrations generated by this drive are transmitted to the balance wheel 2004, causing it to resonate through the pull-in phenomenon. The vibrations of the balance wheel 2004 are forcibly synchronized with the frequency and waveform of the quartz oscillator, and furthermore, the vibrations of the escapement, which are generated using the vibrations of the balance wheel, are also synchronized with the frequency and waveform of the quartz oscillator, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of the mechanical watch. 【0033】 By providing the accuracy-enhancing device described above, it becomes possible to improve the accuracy of existing mechanical watches to a level comparable to quartz watches without removing the balance wheel or escapement. Furthermore, it is possible to significantly improve convenience and reliability without compromising the aesthetics or traditional mechanism of the watch. 【0034】 This invention is applicable to the watch industry, the luxury watch industry, the fashion industry, or the hobby watch industry. 【0035】 1001 Mechanical watch body 1002 Controller 1003 Balance unit 1004 Piezo element 1005 Vibration sensor 1006 Quartz oscillator

Claims

1. A device for improving the accuracy of a watch, which incorporates an external oscillator operating separately from the balance wheel into a mechanical watch, converts the pulse of the external oscillator into mechanical vibrations using an actuator, and transmits the vibrational energy of the mechanical vibrations to the balance wheel, characterized in that the frequency and waveform of the balance wheel and the oscillation interval, frequency, and waveform of the external oscillator are adjusted or set in advance or dynamically so that forced synchronization occurs due to the pull-in phenomenon.

2. The device for improving the accuracy of a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator is at least one selected from a piezoelectric element, a transducer other than a piezoelectric element, and a micromachine.

3. The accuracy improvement device for a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the pulse of the external oscillator is emitted at intervals that are integer multiples of the period of the balance wheel.

4. The accuracy improvement device for a clock according to claim 3, characterized in that it detects the pulse of the balance wheel using a vibration sensor attached to the mechanical clock, detects a state of being out of step, and provides feedback control of the frequency of the actuator, the waveform of the actuator, or the oscillation interval of the external oscillator based on the result of the detection.

5. The accuracy-improving device for a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply for the accuracy-improving device consists of one or more combinations selected from a primary battery, a secondary battery, a supercapacitor, a vibration generator, a barrel generator, and a solar panel.

6. The accuracy improvement device for a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator and the balance wheel share a highly rigid mount in order to efficiently synchronize the actuator and the balance wheel.

7. The accuracy improvement device for a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator and the balance wheel are connected by a vibration transmission arm in order to efficiently synchronize the actuator and the balance wheel.

8. The accuracy improvement device for a clock according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it has a structure that isolates the total inertia of the vibrating components of the balance unit, including the actuator and the balance wheel, from the inertia of the entire clock, in order to promote resonance between the actuator and the balance wheel.

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