Flexible Guide Resonator With Temperature-Compensating Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches with flexible guides are susceptible to frequency variations due to external parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and gravity, leading to time measurement errors, and existing correction mechanisms are not adaptable or precise enough for flexible guides.
Innovation Solution
A horological regulating member with a flexible guide equipped with an elastic device that adjusts its stiffness according to temperature changes, using prestressing means to modify the force or torque on the elastic element, thereby maintaining precise running by adjusting the resonator's frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible guide is used as an elastic return spring to form a virtual pivot, then the horological resonator performance is substantially improved, but the resonator becomes susceptible to frequency variations due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the stiffness of the elastic compensation device according to temperature. The device includes an elastic element whose stiffness varies with temperature, allowing the system to adapt to thermal conditions. This is achieved through a prestressing means that applies a variable force or torque to the elastic element, changing its mechanical properties to compensate for temperature-induced frequency variations in the resonator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of temperature changes into a beneficial compensation mechanism. The elastic compensation device is designed to be mechanically impacted by temperature variations, transforming these environmental disturbances into a corrective action. The device uses the temperature changes themselves to adjust the stiffness of the flexible guide, thereby compensating for the frequency variations caused by the same temperature changes.
2Measurement precision
If existing correction mechanisms are applied to flexible guides, then some temperature compensation is achieved, but the precision and adaptability requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the elastic compensation device that automatically adjusts its stiffness in response to temperature changes without requiring external control systems. The prestressing means is designed to be mechanically impacted by temperature variations, causing the device to self-regulate the stiffness of the flexible guide. This autonomous adjustment mechanism achieves precise temperature compensation while maintaining relatively simple construction, avoiding the need for complex external correction systems.
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 elastic device compensates for temperature effects by modifying the resonator's rigidity, ensuring precise timekeeping despite significant temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device for compensating for the temperature arranged so as to connect the support to means for securing the regulating member on the horological movement, the elastic compensation device being configured to adapt its stiffness according to the temperature
Implementation Method 2
the prestressing means exert a variable force or torque on the elastic element according to the temperature, so that the regulating member substantially keeps precise running despite significant changes in the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A member for a horological movement including an oscillating mass, for example a balance, a flexible guide including at least two main flexible blades connecting a movable support to the oscillating mass to enable the oscillating mass to make a rotary movement about a virtual pivot, wherein the regulating member includes an elastic device for compensating for the temperature arranged so as to connect the movable support to a securing device for securing the regulating member on the horological movement, the elastic compensation device being configured to adapt its stiffness according to the temperature in order to compensate for the effect of temperature on the regulating member.