Deformable Silicon Frame for Leaf Spring Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing escapement mechanism for mechanical watches faces challenges in adjusting the tension and position of the leaf spring, making it difficult to achieve correct operation.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism incorporates a deformable silicon frame with adjustable holding surfaces and levers to precisely position and tension the leaf spring, allowing for symmetric deformation and improved energy transmission, featuring a monocrystalline silicon leaf spring with open cells and fingers for precise interaction with the rocker, and a stiffening portion for mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the leaf spring is mounted in compression between two recesses or by means of pivot members, then the mechanism can transmit energy from the driving source to the oscillating regulator, but the adjustment of the tension and position of the leaf spring becomes particularly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the frame deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to change shape during operation. The frame includes deformable arms that can flex to adjust the position and tension of the leaf spring dynamically, enabling easy adjustment of the leaf spring's mounting position and tension without complex separate adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the frame material to achieve deformability. By using a deformable material or structure for the frame, the system can alter its geometric parameters (shape, position) to accommodate leaf spring adjustment, transforming a static mounting structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
2Ease of operation
If the frame is made deformable to facilitate adjustment, then the tension and position of the leaf spring can be easily adjusted, but the mechanical strength of the structure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction where the frame combines deformable elements with stiffening components. The frame includes both flexible arms for adjustment and reinforcing portions (such as stiffening ribs or thicker sections) that maintain structural integrity. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of deformability for adjustment and sufficient strength for mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into distinct functional segments: deformable arms for adjustment and stiffening portions for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the deformable portions enable adjustment while the stiffening portions maintain overall frame strength and rigidity where needed.
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
This design simplifies the adjustment of the leaf spring tension and position, ensuring correct operation and efficient energy transmission, reducing downtime and inertia in the escapement mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring working in buckling around a inflection point. The leaf spring is capable of accumulating the energy from the driving source between two pulses and of transmitting it to said oscillating regulator at each pulse
Implementation Method 2
a leaf spring working in buckling around a inflection point
Implementation Method 3
the frame 50 is elastically deformable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an escapement mechanism arranged to transmit mechanical energy pulses from a driving source to an oscillating regulator of a timepiece via a leaf spring (12) operating in buckling around an inflection point. The leaf spring (12) is capable of accumulating energy from the driving source between two pulses and transmitting it to the oscillating regulator at each pulse via a first (18) and a second (26) rocker arm. To optimize the tension adjustment of the leaf spring (12), the latter is mounted on a frame (50) that is symmetrically deformable about a first axis (AA) passing through the axes of rotation of the regulator, the rocker arms (18, 26), and the inflection point, and about a second axis (BB) perpendicular to the first and passing through the ends of the leaf spring (12).