Mechanical Watch Oscillator Using Flexural Links for Shock Robustness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical watches face challenges in achieving robustness against shocks and accuracy without compromising on the design complexity.
Innovation Solution
The mechanical watch incorporates flexural members that connect vibratory masses without directly attaching to the frame, supporting a movable rigid portion that is separate and suspended, allowing for tailored operational frequency and improved robustness against shocks, with parallel or single flexural members providing connections between the vibratory masses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexural members connect vibratory masses directly to the frame, then structural simplicity is maintained, but robustness against shocks and accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is divided into separate functional components: vibratory masses, flexural members, and a movable rigid portion. The flexural members connect the vibratory masses to the movable rigid portion rather than directly to the frame, creating modular segments that can independently absorb shocks while maintaining overall structural integrity and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable rigid portion acts as an intermediary element between the vibratory masses and the frame. It suspends the vibratory masses through flexural members, providing a buffer that absorbs external shocks before they reach the critical oscillator components, thereby improving robustness without requiring direct rigid connections.
2Measurement precision
If flexural members connect vibratory masses directly to the frame, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but accuracy of the mechanical watch deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The flexural members allow controlled movement and vibration of the vibratory masses while maintaining their functional connection to the movable rigid portion. This dynamic connection enables the oscillator to adapt to external disturbances, improving timekeeping accuracy without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a movable rigid portion is added to the oscillator, then robustness against shocks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable rigid portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a shock-absorbing buffer, provides a mounting structure for the anchor teeth, and maintains the operational frequency of the oscillator. By combining these functions into a single component, the design achieves improved robustness without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable rigid portion is designed with specific mass and stiffness parameters that can be tailored to achieve desired operational frequency. By adjusting these physical parameters rather than adding complex control systems, the design improves shock resistance while maintaining simplicity in the overall structure.
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 design enhances the mechanical watch's accuracy and robustness against external shocks while optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
flexural members that provide connections between the vibratory masses without said flexural members connecting directly to the frame
Implementation Method 2
a movable rigid portion that is separate from the flexural members, which movable rigid portion is suspended from the movable masses through said flexural members
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical watch comprising an oscillator (1) embodied with a frame (5) supporting a vibratory mass or masses (2, 3), wherein each vibratory mass (2, 3) connects to at least one flexural member (6-13), the watch further comprising an escape wheel (14), and anchor teeth (15, 16) that are indirectly connected with the vibratory mass or masses (2, 3), which anchor teeth (15, 16) cooperate with the escape wheel (14), wherein motions of the anchor teeth (15, 16) depend on motions of one or more of the flexural members (10, 11, 12, 13) that provide connections between the vibratory masses (2, 3) without said flexural members (10, 11, 12, 13) connecting directly to the frame (5). Said flexural members (10, 11, 12, 13) provide connections between the vibratory masses (2, 3) without connecting directly to the frame (5) are free from rigid sections and support a movable rigid portion (4) of the oscillator (1) that is separate from the flexural members (10, 11, 12, 13), which movable rigid portion (4) is suspended from the movable masses (2, 3) through said flexural members (10, 11, 12, 13) that are free from rigid sections.