Pivoting Stinger for Robin Escapement Overturning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a Robin escapement into a wristwatch is hindered by the impossibility of effectively using a fixed dart due to the stinger, which prevents overturning of the locking lever, requiring an increased tilting angle that reduces efficiency, and no simple and effective alternative security system has been proposed to address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting stinger is introduced, allowing its angular movement to be amplified without modifying the locking rocker's or anchor's tilting angle, thereby increasing safety against overturning, even at low tilting angles, by creating a kinematic connection between the stinger's pivoting and the locking lever's tilting, ensuring the stinger's safety without compromising the low tilting angle of the Robin escapement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed dart is used to prevent overturning of the locking lever, then safety against shocks is improved, but the tilting angle of the locking lever must be increased which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed dart into a movable dart that pivots on a fulcrum. This allows the dart to dynamically adjust its position and amplify its angular movement in response to shocks, providing effective protection against overturning without requiring an increased tilting angle of the locking lever, thereby preserving the efficiency of the Robin escapement.
2Reliability
If the tilting angle of the locking lever is increased to accommodate a fixed dart, then safety is improved, but the efficiency of the Robin escapement is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable dart pivots on a fulcrum positioned below the fork, enabling it to dynamically amplify its angular displacement during shock events. This dynamic mechanism provides effective safety protection while maintaining the low tilting angle (3-4°) required for high efficiency operation of the Robin escapement, thus resolving the trade-off between safety and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of movement by allowing the dart to pivot vertically on a fulcrum rather than merely rotating with the locking lever. This additional degree of freedom enables the dart to achieve greater angular displacement for shock protection without constraining the locking lever to larger tilting angles, thereby preserving escapement efficiency.
3Reliability
If a fixed stinger is used to secure the locking lever, then overturning prevention is improved, but the integration of Robin escapement into wristwatch becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The movable dart, pivoting on a fulcrum mounted on the fork, provides a dynamic solution that simplifies integration into wristwatch cases. The dart can be freely positioned and pivots independently, eliminating the need for complex fixed stinger arrangements and accommodating the compact dimensions required for wristwatch integration while maintaining effective overturning prevention.
4Ease of manufacture
If the dart is made fixed to maintain simple construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to amplify angular movement for safety is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves a balance between manufacturing simplicity and safety effectiveness by introducing a single pivot fulcrum mechanism. This simple addition enables the dart to dynamically amplify its angular movement during shocks, providing reliable protection against overturning while maintaining relatively simple construction that is easy to manufacture.
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 pivoting stinger enhances safety against overturning while maintaining the low tilting angle of the Robin escapement, reducing amplitude losses and ensuring reliable operation, with minimal stoppages and no reversals observed during testing, even under severe shocks.
Implementation Method 1
The pivoting stinger allows its angular movement to be amplified without modifying the angular movement of the locking rocker or the anchor. The solution which resolves the problem posed is also very simple in design, which is a guarantee of reliability.
Implementation Method 2
by creating a kinematic connection between the stinger's pivoting and the locking lever's tilting, ensuring the stinger's safety without compromising the low tilting angle of the Robin escapement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This timepiece is equipped with a direct impulse escapement, comprising a locking lever (2) for the escape wheel fitted with two locking pallets (2a, 2b), a fork (2c), and a dart (2d). The dart is pivotally mounted on the fork around an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the locking lever (2). It includes movement means (2di, 2d2, 2d3) configured to engage with drive means fixed to the frame, so as to amplify the angular displacement of the dart (2d) generated by the movement of the locking lever (2) from one of its two positions to the other. This principle can also be applied to the dart of an anchor in an indirect impulse escapement.