Horological Oscillator with Non-Coplanar Coupling Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical watches with Swiss lever escapements have low energy efficiency due to jerky movements and friction between inclined planes, leading to suboptimal performance and sensitivity to shocks.
Innovation Solution
A horological oscillator design featuring phase-shifted primary resonators with elastic return means and a coupling mechanism that allows continuous interaction without jerks, replacing the traditional escapement wheel and incorporating non-coplanar articulation axes to enhance rotational compensation and reduce shock sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a Swiss lever escapement is used, then the timepiece can maintain basic timekeeping function, but energy efficiency is low (around 30%) due to jerky movements and friction between inclined planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous interaction between the resonator and escape wheel through phase-shifted resonators that eliminate jerky movements. The coupling means enable smooth, continuous energy transfer from the resonators to the escape wheel, replacing the discontinuous impulse transmission of traditional escapements and achieving significantly higher energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mobile coupling means with articulated axes that can dynamically adjust their configuration. The non-coplanar arrangement of articulation axes allows the coupling mechanism to adapt continuously during operation, maintaining optimal engagement between resonators and escape wheel while minimizing friction and energy loss.
2Reliability
If traditional escapement mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the mechanism is sensitive to shocks and prone to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric, non-coplanar arrangement of articulation axes in the coupling means. This asymmetric configuration provides inherent stability against shocks from different directions and prevents jamming by ensuring that no two axes lie in the same plane, thereby eliminating problematic interference patterns while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from coplanar to non-coplanar articulation axes, adding a dimensional aspect to the coupling mechanism. This three-dimensional arrangement of axes provides additional spatial freedom that enhances shock resistance and prevents the mechanism from locking up under various operational conditions.
3Duration of action of moving object
If phase-shifted resonators with non-coplanar articulation axes are implemented, then energy efficiency and quality factor improve significantly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oscillation function into multiple phase-shifted resonators rather than using a single resonator. This segmentation allows each resonator to contribute independently to the overall energy transfer, extending the total vibration duration through phased operation while distributing the mechanical complexity across modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple resonators with their respective coupling means into an integrated oscillator system. The mobile coupling means merge the functions of multiple resonators and escape wheel interactions into a unified mechanism, where the non-coplanar articulation axes coordinate the combined output to achieve extended vibration duration with managed 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
This design achieves higher energy efficiency and longer vibration duration, with improved quality factors and reduced sensitivity to shocks, enabling a more robust and precise timekeeping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
each comprising at least one inertial mass returned to said structure or to said frame by a return means elastic
Implementation Method 2
said coupling means comprising a mobile arranged to be subjected to a torque or a driving force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~11
AI summary
Clock oscillator (1) comprising a structure (2) and separate resonators, out of phase temporally and geometrically, each comprising a mass (5) returned to the structure (2) by an elastic return means (6), this clock oscillator (1) comprises coupling means (11) for the interaction of the resonators, comprising a moving part (13) subjected to a torque or driving force, this moving part (13) comprising drive and guide means (14) arranged to drive and guide a control means (15) articulated with transmission means (16) each articulated, at a distance from the control means (15), with a mass (5) of a resonator, and these resonators and this moving part (13) are arranged in such a way that the axes of the articulations of any two of the resonators and the axis of articulation of the control means (15) are never coplanar.