Flexible Blade Oscillator Geometry for Large Angular Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical clock oscillators with flexible guides face challenges in achieving a large angular travel compatible with conventional escapement mechanisms while maintaining isochronism and insensitivity to external factors, as existing solutions often result in inhibition of anticlastic curvature at large amplitudes.

Innovation Solution

The mechanical oscillator design incorporates more than two flexible blades with specific geometric configurations, including a ratio of blade distance to length (D/L) between 0.15 and 0.85 and an apex angle less than or equal to 60°, allowing for a large angular stroke while ensuring isochronism and insensitivity to positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible blades with large angular travel are used, then compatibility with conventional escapement mechanisms is improved, but isochronism deteriorates due to inhibition of anticlastic curvature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with escapement mechanismsVSAvoidisochronism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the geometric parameters of the flexible blades, specifically the ratio D/L between the distance from embedding point to crossing point and the total blade length, and the apex angle at the crossing point. By setting D/L between 0.15 and 0.85 and apex angle ≤ 60°, the blades achieve both large angular travel (≥ 30°) and maintain isochronism, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a third dimension by positioning the crossing point of the blade projections at a specific distance from the rotation axis (between 0.05L and 0.5L). This spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space allows the blades to achieve large angular travel while maintaining proper elastic deformation characteristics, thus preserving isochronism while improving compatibility with escapement mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If flexible guidance with small angular travel is used, then isochronism is maintained, but compatibility with conventional escapement mechanisms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveisochronismVSAvoidcompatibility with escapement mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flexible blades, specifically setting the apex angle at the crossing point to be ≤ 60° and the ratio D/L between 0.15 and 0.85. These parameter modifications enable the blades to achieve large angular travel (≥ 30°) while maintaining isochronism, thus improving compatibility with escapement mechanisms without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic design by creating a flexible guidance system where the blades can undergo large angular deformations. The blades are designed to flex dynamically during operation, accommodating the large angular travel required by conventional escapement mechanisms while maintaining stable elastic characteristics and isochronism through proper geometric configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If the apex angle of flexible blades is increased, then angular stroke is improved, but isochronism deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular strokeVSAvoidisochronism
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the apex angle of the flexible blades to be ≤ 60° and the ratio D/L to be between 0.15 and 0.85. These specific parameter values enable the system to achieve large angular stroke (≥ 30°) while maintaining isochronism, resolving the contradiction between angular stroke and isochronism

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

This configuration enables a mechanical oscillator with a high quality factor, large angular stroke, and improved isochronism, making it compatible with existing escapement mechanisms and reducing sensitivity to external influences.

Implementation Method 1

more than two first flexible blades (31, 32) which support said second inertial element (5) solid and are arranged to return it to a rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3435171B1Timepiece oscillator having flexible guides with wide angular travel
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
  • EP3435171B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3435171B1 patent drawingFigure 4~9
  • EP3435171B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Mechanical clockwork oscillator (100), comprising, between a first element (4) and a second inertial element (5), two separate flexible blades (31; 32) returning the inertial element (5) to a rest position in a plane of oscillation, the projections of these blades intersecting, in the rest position, at a point (P), through which passes the pivot axis of the second solid inertial element (5), and the aspect ratio height to thickness is less than 10 for each blade (31; 32), and the total number of flexible blades (31; 32) is strictly greater than two.