Mechanical Timepiece Regulation via Periodic Braking Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical timepieces face challenges in maintaining precision due to time drift caused by mismatch between the natural oscillation period of the mechanical oscillator and a set-point period, with existing solutions involving electrical or electromechanical systems that are either inefficient or prone to wear and limited in aesthetic and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical timepiece with a slave oscillator and a mechanical regulation device that applies periodic braking pulses at a set-point frequency, allowing synchronization with a master oscillator without the need for electrical components, enabling correction of both advance and delay in the natural running of the timepiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic regulation device with magnet-coil electromagnetic system is used to regulate the frequency of the mechanical oscillator, then the timekeeping precision is improved, but the magnetic flux causes harmful effects on magnetic material elements and increases wear of pivoted elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic magnet-coil electromagnetic regulation system with a purely mechanical regulation system. The mechanical oscillator is regulated through mechanical interactions between components such as the balance wheel, hairspring, and escapement mechanism, eliminating the need for permanent magnets and coils. This substitution removes the source of harmful magnetic flux while maintaining frequency regulation capability through mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the electromagnetic components (permanent magnets and coils) from the timepiece movement. By eliminating these components entirely, the harmful magnetic flux is removed from the system, and the regulation function is achieved through remaining mechanical components only.
2Power
If permanent magnets are arranged on the balance for electromagnetic coupling, then frequency regulation is achieved, but the balance size and weight increase due to required screening elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic frequency regulation system with a mechanical one, eliminating permanent magnets from the balance. The mechanical regulation system uses the existing balance wheel and hairspring components along with mechanical actuators to achieve frequency control without adding magnetic elements that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes permanent magnets and associated screening elements from the balance assembly. This elimination directly reduces the weight of the moving components while maintaining the essential frequency regulation function through mechanical means.
3Power
If permanent magnets are arranged on the balance for electromagnetic coupling, then frequency regulation is achieved, but the aesthetic configuration possibilities for the balance-hairspring are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic regulation system with a mechanical one, removing permanent magnets and coils that constrain the visual design. The mechanical balance-hairspring assembly can be configured freely in terms of aesthetics while the frequency regulation is achieved through mechanical interactions of visible components.
4Measurement precision
If a mechanical braking device applies periodic braking pulses to synchronize the slave oscillator, then time drift is corrected and synchronization is achieved, but the braking mechanism introduces additional mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical braking device is integrated into the existing escapement mechanism of the mechanical oscillator. The braking action is performed by components that are already part of the timepiece movement, such as the pallet fork or escape wheel, which naturally provide periodic braking during each oscillation cycle. This self-service approach achieves synchronization without adding separate complex braking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the frequency regulation function with the existing timekeeping mechanism. The braking device is combined with the escapement system, so that the same components that control the oscillation also provide the periodic braking pulses for synchronization. This integration reduces overall complexity by eliminating separate regulation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The mechanical timepiece is equipped with a movement which includes an indicator mechanism of at least one time data item, a mechanical resonator forming a slave oscillator which paces the running of the indicator mechanism, and a mechanical correction device to prevent a possible time drift in the running of the indicator mechanism. The mechanical correction device is formed by a master mechanical oscillator and a mechanical braking device of the mechanical resonator, this braking device arranged to apply periodically to the mechanical resonator mechanical braking pulses at a braking frequency determined by the master mechanical oscillator. Then, the mechanical system, formed by the mechanical resonator and the braking device, is configured to enable the braking device to be able to start the braking pulses preferably at any position of the mechanical resonator. Preferably, the braking pulses have a duration of less than one quarter of a set-point period.