Horological Movement Escapement Gravity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-winding watch movements are challenged by the influence of gravity on the operation of the mechanical oscillator, with complex constructions like double tourbillons and cardan joints attempting to mitigate this, but seeking a simpler and more effective solution.
Innovation Solution
The mechanical oscillator and escape wheel are pivotally mounted on the oscillating mass, utilizing a differential gear system with a planet carrier, planet gear, and output wheel to transmit energy and compensate for the oscillating weight's movements, ensuring the oscillator remains in a horizontal plane and reducing gravity's impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the mechanical oscillator is mounted on a secondary frame connected by a cardan joint to maintain horizontal plane, then the influence of gravity on the oscillator is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oscillating weight and escape wheel onto a single movable support structure that rotates with the oscillating weight. This integration eliminates the need for separate cardan joints and secondary frames, reducing structural complexity while maintaining the ability to counteract gravity's influence on the oscillator throughout its rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic configuration where the escape wheel and oscillating weight are both mounted on a movable support that rotates synchronously with the oscillating weight. This dynamic arrangement ensures the oscillator maintains a consistent orientation relative to gravity, eliminating timing errors without requiring complex fixed cardan joint mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a double tourbillon is mounted on a secondary plate performing a turn on itself to limit gravity influence, then the oscillator operation is improved, but the device complexity and construction difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the oscillating weight and escape wheel mounting into a single rotating support structure. This merger simplifies the overall construction by eliminating the need for nested tourbillon mechanisms and multiple rotating plates, while still achieving the goal of maintaining oscillator stability against gravitational variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the oscillator on a complex multi-layered tourbillon structure that rotates independently, the patent inverts the approach by mounting both the oscillator and escape wheel on the oscillating weight's support structure itself. This inversion simplifies the mechanical hierarchy while achieving the same gravitational compensation effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If two differentials with bevel gear satellites are used to mount the escape wheel on the oscillating mass, then the gravity influence is compensated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the escape wheel directly onto the movable support of the oscillating weight, eliminating the need for separate differential transmission mechanisms with bevel gear satellites. This direct mounting simplifies the transmission system while maintaining the oscillator's stability against gravitational forces through the synchronous rotation of the support structure.
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 configuration allows the mechanical oscillator to maintain smooth operation across various positions, reducing the influence of gravity and providing a compact, original construction that ensures consistent timekeeping.
Implementation Method 1
a differential gear having a first input, kinematically connected to the motor member, a second input, kinematically connected to the oscillating weight, and an output, kinematically connected to the escape wheel
Implementation Method 2
the differential gear comprises a planet carrier rotatably mounted on the frame, a planet gear rotatably mounted on the planet carrier forming the first input, the planet carrier carrying a toothing kinematically connected to the oscillating mass for forming the second input
Implementation Method 3
an automatic winding mechanism comprising an oscillating weight arranged to supply the motor member with energy
Data Source
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AI summary
This is a horological movement of the type with automatic winding and comprising a frame (4, 24, 42) carrying a drive member, connected kinematically to a mechanical oscillator (9, 10) to maintain its oscillations, notably by means of an escape wheel (8), and an automatic winding mechanism comprising an oscillating mass (1) designed to supply the drive member with energy. In accordance with the features of the invention, the mechanical oscillator and the escape wheel are pivoted on the oscillating mass. The movement preferably also comprises differential gearing (14) which has a first input (17) connected kinematically to the drive member, a second input (18) connected kinematically to the oscillating mass (1), and an output (19) connected kinematically to the escape wheel (8) in order both to transmit energy to the latter from the drive member and to compensate for the movements of the oscillating mass relative to the frame (4, 24, 42).