Escapement Non-Return Device Rebound Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic or electrostatic escapement mechanisms in watches face inefficiencies due to uncontrolled rebounds of the escape wheel, which dissipate excess energy and lead to unstable operation, especially at high torque values, resulting in significant energy loss and reduced power reserve.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a non-return device, such as a pawl, to prevent the escape wheel from rebounding and store energy in the magnetic or electrostatic potential, allowing it to be reused during the escapement function, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If magnetic or electrostatic field barriers are used in the escapement mechanism, then contact losses are reduced, but uncontrolled rebounds occur leading to energy dissipation and unstable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact lossesVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A non-return device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the escape wheel and the magnetic/electrostatic barriers. This device mediates the interaction by allowing controlled energy transfer while preventing harmful rebounds, thus maintaining both low contact losses and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by controlling the duration and characteristics of rebounds. By ensuring rebound duration is less than the half-period of the resonator, the system transforms uncontrolled harmful rebounds into controlled energy transfer events, maintaining stability while preserving the low-contact advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional mechanical Swiss lever escapement is used, then rebounds are effectively prevented through intense shock, but excess kinetic energy is dissipated during the fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebound controlVSAvoidkinetic energy dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the previously harmful rebound phenomenon into a beneficial energy recycling mechanism. By controlling rebounds to last less than the half-period, the excess kinetic energy that would have been dissipated is now stored in the magnetic or electrostatic potential and reused during the escapement function, improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of dissipating excess kinetic energy through intense shock as in traditional mechanisms, the system recovers this energy by storing it in the magnetic or electrostatic potential field during controlled rebounds. This recovered energy is then reused to drive the escapement function, transforming waste energy into useful work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of energy

If rebound duration is extended to store energy in magnetic or electrostatic potential, then energy recycling efficiency increases, but operational stability decreases due to prolonged oscillations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy recycling efficiencyVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The critical parameter controlling this contradiction is the rebound duration. By optimizing this parameter to be less than the half-period of the resonator, the system achieves the optimal balance: energy is effectively stored and recycled in the magnetic or electrostatic potential while the rebound is sufficiently brief to maintain operational stability and prevent excessive oscillations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 non-return device minimizes energy loss by controlling rebounds and increasing the efficiency of the escapement mechanism, particularly at high torque values, leading to improved power reserve and operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic or electrostatic field barriers arranged on escape wheel tracks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

magnetic or electrostatic field barriers arranged on escape wheel tracks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field interaction: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

Incorporating a non-return device, such as a pawl, to prevent the escape wheel from rebounding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

at least one resonator and at least one escape wheel arranged to cooperate with said resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3128379B1Escapement with escape wheel with field rramps and a non-return device

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A clockwork escapement mechanism (200) comprising at least one resonator (100) and at least one escape wheel (1) arranged to cooperate with such a resonator mechanism (100), either directly or indirectly through a stop (2) in the escapement mechanism (200), the escape wheel (1) having a series of tracks (4) carrying ramps (6) of magnetic or electrostatic field potential, these ramps (6) being arranged to cooperate with the resonator (100) or respectively with the stop (2). This escapement mechanism (200) includes a non-return device (5) arranged to oppose the recoil of the escape wheel (1).