Monolithic Timepiece Regulator with Segmented Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monolithic timepiece regulators experience deformations and stress in elastic suspensions when fixing internal rigid elements, affecting the oscillator's frequency and rotation axis, leading to unsuitable characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The internal rigid element is designed with a plurality of rigid arms distributed over 360 degrees, with elastic suspensions located in free angular spaces, allowing for a configuration with multiple elastic branches that connect to intermediate rigid elements, enhancing off-axis stiffness and rotational stiffness, and enabling oscillations with minimal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two internal rigid elements are fixed on a common support, then the oscillating mechanism can be formed, but deformations and stresses are created in the elastic suspensions, modifying the oscillator characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The internal rigid element is segmented into multiple arms (at least three) that are rigidly connected and distributed over 360 degrees. This segmentation allows the elastic suspensions to be positioned in the free angular spaces between arms, reducing mutual interference and stress concentration while maintaining structural integrity and oscillation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic suspensions are arranged in a radial distribution around the rotation axis, utilizing the angular dimension to space suspensions apart. This dimensional arrangement reduces stress and deformation by distributing the mechanical loads across different angular positions rather than concentrating them
2Ease of operation
If elastic suspensions are arranged to connect internal rigid elements, then oscillating rotational movements are enabled, but deformations occur affecting frequency and rotation axis
Solution Approach 1:
The internal rigid element has different structural characteristics at different locations: arms with T-shaped outer heads for suspension connection, and intermediate rigid elements positioned at specific radial distances. This local differentiation optimizes both the oscillation capability and the precision by placing connection points and structural reinforcements where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The design specifies precise geometric parameters including the angular distribution of arms (360 degrees), the radial positioning of intermediate elements, and the configuration of elastic branches. These parameter optimizations ensure minimal deformation during oscillation while maintaining accurate frequency and rotation axis stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple elastic branches are used to connect intermediate rigid elements, then off-axis stiffness is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple elastic branches are merged into integrated elastic suspension assemblies that connect the external rigid element to intermediate rigid elements. This merging approach achieves high off-axis stiffness through the combined action of multiple branches while reducing overall structural complexity by consolidating connection functions into unified 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
This design mitigates the deformation issues, maintaining the oscillator's frequency and rotation axis stability, allowing for larger oscillation amplitudes with good linearity and precision, reducing time deviation to less than 6 seconds per day.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic suspensions connecting the external rigid element to the internal rigid element and enabling oscillating rotational movements
Data Source
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AI summary
Monolithic timepiece regulator (7) made in a single plate (9), comprising an external rigid element (10), an internal rigid element (11), and elastic suspensions (12) connecting the external rigid element to the internal rigid element and enabling oscillatory rotating movements between them. The internal rigid element has arms (13) which are rigidly connected with one another, leaving between each other free angular spaces (14), and the elastic suspensions are located in these free angular spaces.