Balance Spring Index Assembly for Adjustable Stiffness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional regulating organs in mechanical watches face challenges in precisely controlling the balance spring's play and stiffness, leading to anisochronism and chronometric errors, especially when adjusting the balance spring's rate, which is sensitive to manual intervention and stress, and incompatible with integrated adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A racket system with a peg holder mechanically linked to an elastic element, allowing for adjustable stiffness by moving a first peg relative to a second peg, applying a variable force or torque to the spiral spring, and incorporating an eccentric screw or cam for easy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the balance spring is tightened with the regulator key to eliminate play, then the chronometric accuracy is improved, but the balance spring is stressed and misaligned causing rate errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the functions of eliminating play and adjusting the rate by introducing a dedicated play-elimination mechanism distinct from the regulator key. This segmentation allows the balance spring to be tightened without using the regulator key, preventing stress and misalignment while maintaining chronometric accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (the play-elimination device with its own key or tool) that mediates between the need to eliminate play and the need to avoid stressing the balance spring. This intermediary system provides a controlled method to remove play without the harmful effects of using the regulator key for tightening.
2Reliability
If the play in the racket key is reduced to improve rate stability, then anisochronism is reduced, but the regulator key cannot be moved to fine-tune the rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the adjustment functions into two separate mechanisms: one for eliminating play (improving rate stability) and another for fine-tuning the rate (maintaining adjustment capability). This segmentation allows both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator key is designed to serve its primary function of rate fine-tuning without being burdened by the play-elimination function. The play-elimination mechanism provides the universal capability to tighten the balance spring, while the regulator key maintains its specialized function for precise rate adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to adjust the regulator system, then the rate can be fine-tuned, but chronometric errors occur due to stress on the balance spring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dedicated play-elimination mechanism as an intermediary that handles the tightening function, freeing the regulator key to perform only rate fine-tuning. This separation ensures that manual intervention for rate adjustment does not inadvertently stress or misalign the balance spring, maintaining chronometric accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the adjustment operations into distinct phases: first eliminating play through the dedicated mechanism, then fine-tuning the rate through the regulator key. This segmentation prevents the combined action of previous systems that caused stress and misalignment, preserving chronometric accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
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 system provides precise control over the balance spring's stiffness, reducing anisochronism and chronometric errors, while being compatible with integrated adjustment mechanisms and requiring minimal modification to the watch movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element arranged in series with the balance spring... allowing for adjustable stiffness by moving a first peg relative to a second peg, applying a variable force or torque to the spiral spring
Implementation Method 2
the energy needed to rotate the hands is stored in a barrel and then released by a balance-spring system
Implementation Method 3
The balance wheel's rotation is maintained—and its oscillations counted—by an escapement mechanism comprising an anchor with a low-amplitude oscillating motion, equipped with two pallets that engage the teeth of an escape wheel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a regulating organ (1) for a clockwork movement comprising an inertial mass, for example an annular balance wheel (23), a balance spring (25), and a regulator system (20) for adjusting the rate of the balance spring (25). The balance spring (25) comprises a wound ribbon (2) and means for adjusting the stiffness of the balance spring having an elastic element (5) arranged in series with the wound ribbon (2). The regulator system (20) comprises a stud holder (31) having a first stud (34) and a second stud (35). The elastic element (5) is arranged between the first stud (34) and the second stud (35), the first stud (34) being movable relative to the second stud (35), the movement of the first stud (34) modifying the stiffness of the balance spring (25).