Direct Impulse Escapement Eliminates Intermediate Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing escapements for timepieces typically require intermediate elements to transmit impulses to the balance, reducing efficiency due to the use of additional parts.

Innovation Solution

An escapement design featuring first and second impulse pallet stones directly secured to the balance, cooperating with the escape wheel set, and a brake lever with locking pallet stones to directly impart impulses and lock the wheel set, eliminating intermediate elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intermediate elements (lever assembly, pallet stones on rollers) are used to transmit impulses to the balance, then the escapement can achieve balance launching and wheel set locking functions, but the efficiency is reduced due to additional parts and energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveescapement efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of intermediate elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the intermediate lever assembly and roller components from the traditional escapement system. The pallet stones are directly secured to the balance, removing the need for intermediate transmission elements and directly imparting impulses to the balance, thereby reducing energy loss and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of the impulse pallet stones and locking pallet stones directly onto the balance and brake lever respectively. This consolidation eliminates multiple separate components and creates a more direct, efficient impulse transmission path from the escape wheel set to the balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a lever assembly is inserted between the escape wheel set and the balance, then the balance can receive impulses, but the operating reliability is reduced due to additional friction and energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating reliabilityVSAvoidenergy loss through intermediate parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the lever assembly and roller intermediate elements that cause friction and energy loss. By directly securing pallet stones to the balance, the system eliminates the energy loss associated with multiple friction points in the intermediate transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If pallet stones are arranged on the balance roller instead of directly on the balance, then the balance can be launched, but the contact angle between pallet stones and wheel teeth is reduced, decreasing operating security

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating securityVSAvoidpallet stone arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the roller component that mediates between the pallet stones and the escape wheel teeth. By directly securing pallet stones to the balance, the system achieves larger contact angles and improved operating security without the complexity of roller-based arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7708455B2Direct impulse escapement for timepiece

Publication Date: 2010.05.04 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

The timepiece escapement includes first (3) and second (4) impulse pallet stones secured to the balance (2) directly cooperating with the teeth of the escape wheel set (1) and a brake lever (5) periodically driven by the balance, the brake lever being provided with first (6) and second (7) locking pallet stones arranged for cooperating with the teeth of the escape wheel set (1).