Escapement Mechanism Bistable Leaf Spring Self-Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust mechanisms in watchmaking are unable to self-start during periods of low energy or after a shock that has slowed down the spiral pendulum, due to insufficient torque from the exhaust spring to overcome the rest position of the armage rocking and release the motor cog.
Innovation Solution
The proposed exhaust mechanism includes a locking switch with inclined planes that cooperate with corresponding inclined start-up plans on the armage rocking, allowing the mechanism to self-start by positioning the locking switch and regulator oscillating out of the lifting angle, enabling the armage switch to accumulate energy from the motor source and subsequently release it during a pulse phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the escapement mechanism uses only the elasticity of the escapement spring to connect the escapement spring and the balance spring, then the structure is simple, but the mechanism cannot self-start when the driving source is wound or following a shock that has severely slowed the balance spring
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is pre-positioned to block the winding lever before the escapement needs to start. The inclined planes are pre-configured on both the locking lever and winding lever to automatically engage when the winding lever moves, creating the necessary conditions for self-start without requiring additional active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever acts as an intermediary element between the winding lever and the balance. It mediates the energy transfer by using its inclined planes to push the winding lever at the precise moment needed to initiate movement, enabling the escapement to self-start without direct connection between the escapement spring and balance spring.
2Power
If the escapement spring accumulates energy during a rest phase to restore it during the impulse phase, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the mechanism cannot overcome the rest position of the winding lever on the locking lever when energy levels are low
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever transitions from a static blocking position to an active driving position through the dynamic interaction of inclined planes. When the winding lever moves, the inclined planes convert this movement into a pushing action on the locking lever, which then dynamically pushes back to initiate the self-start sequence, enabling the system to overcome its own rest position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever combines multiple functions: it blocks the winding lever during normal operation, stores potential energy in its inclined plane configuration, and actively pushes the winding lever to initiate self-start when needed. This merging of functions allows the mechanism to overcome the rest position using the same component that provides normal operation control.
3Reliability
If the locking lever blocks the winding lever during the locking phase, then the escapement security is improved, but the mechanism cannot release the driving train when the balance spring torque is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever applies preliminary blocking action to prevent accidental unlocking during normal operation. The inclined planes are configured so that this blocking position also serves as a spring-loaded ready position, where the locking lever is prepared to push the winding lever if movement is attempted, thus maintaining security while enabling self-start capability under low energy conditions.
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 solution enables the exhaust mechanism to self-start even when energy levels are low or after a shock, ensuring continuous operation by positioning the components correctly to allow energy accumulation and subsequent release, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring working in buckling around an inflection point... of accumulating the energy from the driving source transmitted by winding wheels during a winding phase, of then remaining in a wound state during a locking phase, then of restoring the accumulated energy to said oscillating regulator during an impulse phase
Implementation Method 2
each locking arm of said locking lever comprises, at its free end, at least one inclined plane configured to cooperate with a starting inclined plane provided in correspondence on the winding lever during a self-start phase during which an activation of the driving source causes an angular movement of the winding lever, the free passage of which is allowed by the locking lever until then positioned by the detent lever under the influence of the oscillating regulator at a standstill
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to an escapement mechanism (1) arranged to supply mechanical impulses from a driving source to an oscillating regulator (2) of a clock movement via a leaf spring (6) operating in buckling around an inflection point (I). The mechanism comprises a winding rocker (10), a release rocker (12), and a locking rocker (14). The leaf spring (6), in normal operation, is capable of accumulating energy from the driving source transmitted by winding elements (40a, 40b) during a winding phase, remaining in a wound state during a locking phase, and then releasing the accumulated energy to the oscillating regulator (2) during a pulse phase preceded by a release phase. The locking rocker (14) comprises two locking arms (56a, 56b), each equipped with a locking member. (58a, 58b) arranged to cooperate with a locking member (46a,46b) respective complement of the cocking lever (10) to block said cocking lever (10) during the locking phase. Each locking arm (56a, 56b) of said locking rocker (14) has, at its free end, an inclined plane (66a, 66b) configured to cooperate with the starting inclined plane (61a, 61b) provided correspondingly on the arming rocker (10) during a self-start phase during which an activation of the drive source causes the arming rocker (10) to move, the free passage of which is permitted by the locking rocker (14) which was previously positioned by the detent rocker (12) under the influence of the oscillating regulator (2) at rest, said angular movement of the arming rocker causing a displacement of the locking rocker (14) by pushing one of the starting inclined planes (61a, 61b) on the corresponding inclined plane (66a, 66b) of the locking rocker (10),so that said locking lever (14) rotates the oscillating regulator (2) out of the lifting angle, the escapement mechanism (1) positioning itself in a position corresponding to a locking phase ready to be followed by an unlocking phase and a pulse phase of normal operation.