Adjustable Inertia Balance Wheel for Watch Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch resonator mechanisms face disruptions due to secondary oscillations around axes other than the primary XY plane, which can have frequencies that are multiples of the reference frequency, leading to precision issues if not carefully managed.
Innovation Solution
A balance wheel with adjustable inertia, featuring lateral weights that can be positioned to modify the balance's inertia, specifically to avoid secondary oscillations around axes like X and Y, ensuring these oscillations do not coincide with the reference frequency in the XY plane, thereby maintaining precision without affecting primary oscillations around the Z direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the balance wheel uses a fixed inertia design, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the secondary oscillations cannot be controlled to avoid multiples of the reference frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The balance wheel employs adjustable lateral inertia weights that can be positioned at different locations along the balance arm. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the inertia distribution to be optimized for controlling secondary oscillations, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and oscillation control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the inertia parameters of the balance wheel by repositioning the lateral weights. By adjusting the position of these weights, the moment of inertia about different axes can be modified to ensure secondary oscillation frequencies do not coincide with multiples of the reference frequency, thereby improving precision without requiring a completely complex design.
2Manufacturing precision
If lateral inertia adjustment weights are added to control secondary oscillations, then the precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balance wheel is segmented into functional components: the main balance structure and separate adjustable lateral inertia weights. This segmentation allows the weights to be independently positioned to control secondary oscillations without redesigning the entire balance wheel, thus improving precision while limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral inertia weights serve multiple functions: they adjust the moment of inertia about the X-axis to control secondary oscillations, and can potentially be positioned to influence other oscillation modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive oscillation control from a single adjustable component system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lateral weights are positioned far from the main arm, then the inertia adjustment range is increased, but the balance structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral weights are positioned in the lateral dimension (perpendicular to the balance arm's longitudinal axis) rather than extending the arm length. This dimensional approach allows for effective inertia adjustment about the X-axis without increasing the balance arm length or requiring complex extended structures, thus achieving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable inertia balance wheel effectively controls and minimizes significant secondary oscillations, ensuring the resonator mechanism operates with enhanced precision by allowing the secondary oscillation frequency to differ from the reference frequency, thus improving the overall accuracy of the clock movement.
Implementation Method 1
the first lateral weight being mounted movably on the main arm of the balance to be able to take a plurality of positions more or less close to the main arm in order to adjust the inertia of the balance
Implementation Method 2
the inertial element being subjected to return forces exerted by a virtual pivot comprising first elastic blades each fixed to said inertial element and to said anchor block
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a balance wheel (15) for a resonator mechanism (1) in watchmaking, comprising a main arm (6) arranged along a longitudinal axis, the balance wheel (15) including at least one first lateral weight (11) for adjusting the inertia of the balance wheel, the first lateral weight (11) being movably mounted on the main arm (6) of the balance wheel (15) so as to be able to assume a plurality of positions more or less close to the main arm (6) in order to adjust the inertia of the balance wheel (15). The invention also relates to a method for fine-tuning said resonator mechanism.