Magnetic Escapement Mechanism for Watch Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical contact forces in traditional escapement mechanisms impair efficiency, isochronism, power reserve, and lifespan of timepieces, and contactless magnetic or electrostatic systems fail to reliably lock and release the escape wheel in jerks, leading to desynchronization after shocks.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece escapement mechanism using a stop member with magnetized or ferromagnetic tracks and pole shoes creates a periodic magnetic or electrostatic field to reliably lock and release the escape wheel in jerks, replacing mechanical contact with a contactless force, ensuring reliable operation and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical contact forces are used between the escape wheel and pallet fork, then the escape wheel can be reliably locked and released in jerks, but the efficiency, isochronism, power reserve and working life of the watch are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact force between the escape wheel and pallet fork with a contactless force of magnetic or electrostatic origin. The magnetic or electrostatic interaction between the pole shoe and the escape wheel track enables energy transfer and control of the escape wheel's motion without physical contact, thereby reducing friction and wear while maintaining the locking and releasing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic or electrostatic field as an intermediary between the pole shoe and the escape wheel track. This field acts as a mediator to transfer energy and control the motion of the escape wheel without direct mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between reliable mechanical control and energy loss from friction.
2Loss of energy
If contactless magnetic or electrostatic forces are used to drive the escape wheel, then friction and wear are reduced, but the escape wheel cannot be reliably locked and released in jerks, leading to desynchronization after shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pole shoe movable in a transverse direction relative to the direction of travel of the escape wheel track. This dynamic adjustment allows the magnetic or electrostatic field to be modulated in real-time, enabling the system to provide both continuous energy transfer and discrete locking/releasing actions necessary for reliable jerk-based operation and shock resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic transverse motion of the pole shoe actuated by the resonator to create periodic magnetic or electrostatic field variations. This periodic action enables the escape wheel to be reliably locked and released in jerks at the correct moments, maintaining synchronization even after shocks while continuing to benefit from contactless operation.
3Loss of energy
If a movable pole shoe creates a magnetic or electrostatic field in an air-gap with a track, then contactless energy transfer is achieved, but the system complexity increases compared to traditional mechanical contact systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pole shoe and track system to perform multiple functions: creating the magnetic or electrostatic field for contactless energy transfer, providing the periodic motion for jerk-based control, and enabling both locking and releasing of the escape wheel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of the escapement mechanism by reducing friction, increasing power reserve, and maintaining synchronization, while minimizing wear and maximizing the operating life of the timepiece.
Implementation Method 1
at least said pole shoe or said track creating a magnetic or electrostatic field in an air-gap between said at least one pole shoe and said at least one surface
Implementation Method 2
at least said pole shoe or said track creating a magnetic or electrostatic field in an air-gap between said at least one pole shoe and said at least one surface
Implementation Method 3
just before each transverse motion of said stop member actuated by the periodic action of said resonator
Data Source
AI summary
An escapement mechanism including a stop member between a resonator and two escape wheel sets each subjected to a torque, and each including a magnetized or ferromagnetic track over a period. The stop member includes at least one magnetized or ferromagnetic pole shoe, transversely movable with respect to travel of a surface of the track. The pole shoe or the track creates a magnetic field between the pole shoe and the surface, and the pole shoe is confronted by a magnetic field barrier on the track just before each transverse motion of the stop member actuated by the period action of the resonator. The escape wheel sets are each arranged to cooperate alternately with the stop member, and are connected to each other by a direct kinematic connection.