One-Piece Oscillator Escapement for Wristwatch Shock Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detent escapement systems in timepieces are sensitive to shocks and difficult to adjust, making them unsuitable for wristwatches due to issues like galloping and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compact, one-piece oscillator design using a resonator with a flexible guide and a one-piece trigger with a release spring, eliminating the need for pivots and reducing thickness, which enhances precision and reliability by preventing galloping and allowing increased resonator frequency without efficiency loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional detent escapement system is used, then precision timing is achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to shocks and difficult to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator is divided into separate functional components: an inertia member and a flexible guide, each performing specific functions. This segmentation allows optimization of each component for its specific role while reducing overall shock sensitivity and adjustment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible guide provides dynamic elasticity and forms a virtual pivot axis that adapts to shocks rather than rigidly resisting them. This dynamic response reduces shock sensitivity while maintaining timing precision.
2Reliability
If marine chronometers are mounted under vacuum or on gimbal suspensions to avoid shocks, then galloping is prevented, but the size and complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guide inherently provides the necessary shock absorption and galloping prevention through its elastic properties, eliminating the need for external protection mechanisms like vacuum chambers or gimbal suspensions. The system serves itself by using the flexible guide's natural elasticity to prevent galloping.
3Speed
If pivots are used in the escapement system, then rotation is enabled, but the thickness and overall size of the oscillator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical pivot is replaced by a virtual pivot axis formed through the flexibility of the guide. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical pivot point, reducing the oscillator's thickness while maintaining rotational capability through the flexible guide's elastic deformation.
4Measurement precision
If the resonator frequency is increased, then timekeeping precision is improved, but the efficiency of the oscillator may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guide's elasticity parameters are optimized to maintain efficient energy transfer at higher resonator frequencies. By adjusting the flexibility and geometric parameters of the guide, the system achieves high-frequency operation with minimal energy loss, preserving oscillator efficiency.
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 provides a reliable, compact, and precisely positioned oscillator suitable for wristwatches, eliminating galloping and requiring fewer parts for assembly, with improved frequency and efficiency compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible guide forming the elasticity of the resonator and a virtual pivot axis of the resonator
Implementation Method 2
a second flexible guide forming a virtual pivot axis of the trigger
Implementation Method 3
a release spring cooperating with an abutment formed at one end of the body of the trigger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an oscillator (1, 101) comprising an inertia-elasticity type resonator (5, 105) cooperating with a detent escapement including a detent (7, 107) cooperating with an escape wheel (9, 109). According to the invention, the resonator (5, 105) is a single piece and comprises an inertia element (11, 111) and a first flexible guide (13, 113) forming the elasticity and a virtual pivot axis (A1, A3) of said resonator, and the detent (7, 107) is a single piece and comprises a release spring (37, 137) and a second flexible guide (35, 135) forming a virtual pivot axis (A2, A4) of said detent.