Inertial Mobile Magnetic Balancing for Watch Resonator
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical resonators in watchmaking are sensitive to external magnetic fields, causing variations in performance due to magnetic disturbances from magnets used in synchronization and escapement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic compensation element and a balancing magnet to align the total magnetic moment of the resonator with the oscillation axis, and using permanent magnets devoid of ferromagnetic components to minimize perpendicular magnetic components and interaction forces, thereby reducing sensitivity to external magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If magnets are used in the resonator for direct synchronization with the escape wheel, then synchronization efficiency is improved without rubbing contact, but sensitivity to external magnetic fields increases causing rate variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a compensation magnet with magnetic moment oriented opposite to the resultant magnetic moment of the resonator's operational magnets. This compensation magnet is positioned to create an equal and opposite magnetic torque that counterbalances the disturbing torque from external magnetic fields, thereby neutralizing the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial magnetic synchronization function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of external magnetic fields into a beneficial compensation mechanism. The compensation magnet, initially just a counterbalancing element, is strategically positioned and oriented to interact with the external magnetic field in a way that produces a torque that precisely counteracts the disturbing torque, transforming the harmful external field interaction into a useful stabilization mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic compensation elements are added to cancel external field disturbances, then insensitivity to external magnetic fields is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation magnet is designed as a simple single-magnet element that provides the necessary magnetic moment compensation. By using a single magnet rather than a complex multi-component system, the patent achieves external field insensitivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation magnet serves multiple functions: it compensates for external magnetic field disturbances, maintains the magnetic balance of the resonator, and can be integrated into existing resonator designs without requiring entirely new mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
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 solution effectively cancels disruptive torques from external magnetic fields, ensuring the resonator's insensitivity and maintaining precise operation, with minimal increase in component volume and cost, applicable to both new and existing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a magnetic compensation element and a balancing magnet to align the total magnetic moment of the resonator with the oscillation axis
Implementation Method 2
The solution effectively cancels disruptive torques from external magnetic fields
Implementation Method 3
using permanent magnets devoid of ferromagnetic components to minimize perpendicular magnetic components and interaction forces
Implementation Method 4
permanent magnets devoid of ferromagnetic components
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~10
Figure 11
AI summary
A clockwork resonator (100) comprising an inertial wheel (1) oscillating about an oscillation axis (D1) and comprising at least one magnetic zone (10) arranged to cooperate with an escapement wheel (2), and whose total resulting magnetic moment of all the magnetic zones (10) is aligned in the direction of the oscillation axis (D1), characterized in that, among the magnetic zones (10), a first set of magnetic zones (11, 12, 13, 14) is arranged to cooperate with the escapement wheel (2) or with a structural element (3) of said resonator (100), and a second set of magnetic zones is arranged to compensate the resultant of the magnetic moments of all the magnetic zones of said first set. The second assembly includes at least one magnetized area or at least one balancing magnet (6) whose direction of magnetic moment crosses the axis of oscillation (D1) to achieve magnetic balancing of said inertial mobile (1).