Constant-Energy Escapement With Integrated Elastic Impulse Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constant energy escapements for mechanical timepieces have high manufacturing costs and large size, making them unsuitable for integration into small-volume watches due to their numerous components and complex spatial requirements.
Innovation Solution
A new escapement device with a reduced number of components that stores and distributes energy directly from a mobile element to the balance, using elastic means without an intermediate element, allowing for a constant energy supply across varying torque ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional constant energy escapement devices are used, then constant energy delivery to the balance is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the winding function and impulse delivery into a single mobile element with integrated arms. The first arm winds the elastic element while the second arm delivers the impulse to the balance, eliminating the need for separate winding and impulse mechanisms found in conventional escapements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile element serves multiple functions: it acts as both a winding mechanism (first arm winding the elastic element) and an impulse delivery mechanism (second arm impinging on the balance). The elastic element itself stores and releases energy to provide constant impulse regardless of barrel torque variations.
2Reliability
If conventional constant energy escapement devices are used, then constant energy delivery to the balance is achieved, but the escapement surface area and height increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the oscillation dimension of the balance to differentiate between winding and impulse phases. The mobile element's first arm engages for winding during one direction of balance oscillation, while the second arm delivers impulse during the opposite direction, effectively using temporal separation within the oscillation cycle to reduce spatial requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile element is designed with nested functional arms where the first arm (winding) and second arm (impulse delivery) are part of the same moving component. The elastic element is nested within the mobile element structure, allowing compact integration of multiple functions in a reduced footprint.
3Device complexity
If a mobile element with elastic means is used for direct energy transfer, then component count is reduced, but the mechanism must handle variable torque ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile element's first arm performs preliminary action by winding the elastic element during the balance's oscillation cycle. This pre-stores energy in the elastic element, which then reliably delivers constant impulse through the second arm regardless of variations in barrel torque, effectively preparing the system in advance for consistent energy delivery.
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 escapement device provides a practically constant energy supply to the balance with fewer components and a reduced footprint, facilitating integration into small-volume timepieces while maintaining stability.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile element (3) comprising elastic means (3.4) arranged to store elastic energy
Data Source
AI summary
An escapement device for a mechanical timepiece having an escapement wheel cooperating with a rocker and a mobile element, the rocker cooperates with the escapement wheel by blocking arms and with the balance plate by a release fork, the mobile element having a spring cooperating with the teeth of the escapement wheel by a winding arm and with the balance wheel plate by an impulse arm. This space-saving escapement device is able to supply the balance wheel with an almost constant quantity of energy within a variable barrel torque range.