Balance Spring Assembly Device Elastic Arm Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for assembling and adjusting balance springs often cause mechanical stress, leading to deterioration of the fragile balance spring, particularly due to the interaction with striated rotating organs and guide pins, which compromises chronometric precision and increases the risk of damage during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A device with a second arm supporting a sabot that can be moved elastically to adjust the distance from the support surface, allowing for precise positioning and adjustment of the balance spring without causing mechanical stress, using a control organ that pivots to deform the arm and a locking organ supported by an elastic arm to apply fine pressure, reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a striated rotating organ is used to drive the balance spring, then the balance spring can be driven and adjusted, but mechanical stress is applied to the balance spring causing damage and deterioration of chronometric precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the elastic arm with locking organ) between the driving mechanism and the balance spring. This intermediary allows the balance spring to be driven and adjusted while minimizing direct mechanical stress from striated rotating organs, thereby protecting chronometric precision while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional striated rotating organ mechanical system with an elastic arm-based system. This substitution eliminates the need for striated surfaces that cause friction and stress, using elastic deformation and controlled locking instead, thus reducing damage to the balance spring.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide pins are used to position the terminal coil, then positioning can be achieved, but manual intervention is required and friction occurs leading to loss of chronometric precision
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arm with locking organ provides self-positioning capability for the terminal coil. The system automatically maintains proper positioning through the elastic arm's natural deformation characteristics and the locking organ's engagement, eliminating the need for manual intervention to adjust pin positions while preventing friction-induced precision loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly mechanisms are used to position the balance spring, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and increases risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the elastic arm (deformation state) to achieve positioning functionality. By transitioning the elastic arm between deformed and relaxed states, the system achieves precise positioning and release of the balance spring without complex mechanical structures, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining positioning precision.
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 device enables simplified assembly and adjustment of the balance spring, maintaining its integrity and chronometric precision by minimizing mechanical stress, allowing for precise positioning and easy adjustment without compromising the balance spring's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a control organ movable between first and second configurations and arranged such that it may be able to act on the second arm and deform it elastically to move the sabot in reference to the base
Implementation Method 2
a first arm extending from the base and supporting a locking organ for locking the terminal coil arranged to keep the latter bearing against the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device for assembling and adjusting a balance spring, including a base joined to a balance bridge with an adjustable angular orientation, and having a bearing surface and a bearing plate adjacent to the bearing surface, both defining a service position of the end turn of the balance spring. A first arm extends from the base and bears a locking member for the end turn, the locking member being designed to keep the terminal coil in abutment against the bearing surface. A second arm of the device extends from the base and bears a shoe that is able to be arranged at a predefined distance from the bearing surface so as to cooperate with the end turn. A movable control member is able to act on the second arm in order to deform it elastically and move the shoe with respect to the base in order to free the end turn.