Pivotless Mechanical Oscillator Elastic Blade Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical oscillators with pivots in watches face limitations in reducing friction and are not adaptable to conventional escapements, especially those of the Swiss lever type, due to their design which restricts oscillation amplitude and frequency.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical oscillator without a pivot, featuring a rim centered on the axis of oscillation, attached to a frame via elastic systems of return members, including pairs of elastic blades connected to an intermediate attachment portion, allowing for adjustable positioning and reduced friction, enabling adaptation to conventional escapements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a pivotless oscillator with U-shaped springs is used, then friction is reduced, but the oscillation amplitude and frequency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is divided into multiple independent elastic arms (first elastic arm, second elastic arm, third elastic arm, fourth elastic arm) that can deform independently during oscillation. This segmentation allows each arm to contribute to the overall oscillation amplitude while maintaining low friction at the central pivot point, resolving the contradiction between reduced friction and adequate oscillation amplitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane oscillation model to a three-dimensional oscillation system where the elastic arms can deform in multiple directions. The arms are arranged radially around the oscillation axis, allowing oscillation in both horizontal and vertical planes, thereby increasing adaptability to different escapement mechanisms while maintaining the pivotless low-friction design.
2Ease of manufacture
If a pivotless oscillator is used, then lubrication is eliminated, but the design is not adaptable to conventional escapements
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator design incorporates a universal mounting structure with adjustable elastic arms that can accommodate different escapement mechanisms. The radial arrangement of multiple elastic arms with adjustable positioning allows the same pivotless oscillator to work with both conventional and high-frequency escapements, eliminating the need for lubrication while maintaining broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are designed with adjustable stiffness and positioning characteristics that can be dynamically configured to match different escapement requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the oscillator to optimize its performance for specific escapement types while maintaining the lubrication-free advantage of the pivotless design.
3Device complexity
If the oscillator is connected to the frame by point zones, then the structure is simplified, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple elastic arms are merged into a single integrated oscillator assembly that radiates from a central pivot point. This merging creates a stable structural configuration where the combined effect of multiple arms provides both simplicity in the attachment structure and enhanced stability through distributed load bearing and redundant support paths.
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 pivotless oscillator achieves reduced friction and wear, allowing for wider adaptability to various escapements and movements, with adjustable frequency and amplitude, and eliminates the need for lubrication, enhancing the visibility and reliability of the watch mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of systems elastic connecting the serge and the fastening portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The oscillator has an annular felloe (18) centered on an oscillation axis and mounted on an attachment portion (32) that is located on the axis. A fixation portion (10) is fixed to a frame along a clockwise direction. Elastic systems connect the felloe and the fixation portion, where the systems are suspended and free from the frame. The fixation portion is equipped with two elastic blades (34) that are connected by another attachment portion (36). Return bodies include other elastic blades (22) and are made of synthetic polycrystalline diamond or silicon covered with an oxide layer. The felloe is made of metallic material.