Detent Escapement Shock Resistance and Release Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detent escapement mechanism in clock movements experiences significant energy loss and lacks sufficient shock resistance, particularly in wristwatches, due to the high energy required to release the escape wheel and the risk of disturbance from shocks, which affects the balance-spring system and chronometric performance.
Innovation Solution
A direct impulse escapement with a detent rocker featuring a stop element and a sliding surface that alternately enters the path of the escape wheel toothing, providing additional security and preventing premature return, along with a safety surface outside the tooth path to enhance shock resistance, and an inertial member that ensures energy-efficient release without overcoming any obstacle during oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second flexible element is made sufficiently rigid to maintain locking, then the escape wheel can be kept locked securely, but the energy required to release the escape wheel increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic release mechanism where the detent rocker pivots about a fulcrum during the release process. The release finger interacts with the release element in a controlled pivoting motion, allowing the system to transition from a locked to unlocked state with minimal energy input. This dynamic pivoting action converts a small input force into the necessary release torque without requiring excessive energy storage in rigid flexible elements.
2Measurement precision
If the detent mechanism is designed for precise chronometric performance, then adjustment precision is improved, but the system becomes more delicate and vulnerable to shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a safety surface on the detent rocker that extends beyond the tooth path. This safety surface acts as a protective feature that prevents the stop element from prematurely entering the tooth path during shock events. The safety surface is positioned to engage with the escape wheel tooth before the stop element could be displaced into the critical locking position, thereby cushioning against shock-induced disturbances while maintaining precise chronometric adjustment capabilities.
3Reliability
If the stop element is positioned to provide maximum locking reliability, then the escape wheel is securely held, but the risk of premature return to the tooth path increases during shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a safety surface as an intermediary protective feature between the stop element and the escape wheel tooth path. This safety surface acts as a mediator that prevents direct interaction between the stop element and the tooth path during shock events. The safety surface is positioned to engage with the escape wheel tooth before the stop element could be displaced into the critical locking position, thereby preventing shock-induced disturbances while maintaining locking reliability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the release mechanism is made more robust to resist shocks, then shock resistance is improved, but the energy loss during release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic release mechanism where the detent rocker pivots about a fulcrum during the release process. The release finger interacts with the release element in a controlled pivoting motion, allowing the system to transition from a locked to unlocked state with minimal energy input. This dynamic pivoting action converts a small input force into the necessary release torque without requiring excessive energy storage in rigid flexible elements, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining shock resistance.
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 solution enhances safety against shocks and reduces energy loss during the release process, maintaining precise oscillation and improving the overall chronometric performance by minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure and maintaining the balance-spring system's stability.
Implementation Method 1
this sliding surface being shaped so that the force exerted on it by a tooth of the escape wheel causes the stopper of the trigger lever to return to the trajectory of the escape wheel toothing
Implementation Method 2
the system must overcome the pull of the escape wheel and the second flexible element, which causes a considerable loss of energy because the energy supplied to the second flexible element to deform it
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 9~11
AI summary
The escapement has arresting element inserted into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel comprising a sliding surface integral with the detent rocker, so as to move into the path of the teeth. The arresting element of the detent rocker comprises a safety surface (4e) situated outside the path of the teeth and adjacent to the path, when the detent rocker is in the unlocking position. The movement of the arresting element into the path of the teeth is prevented, when the escape wheel communicates the movement impulse to the balance wheel.