Clockwork Resonator Suspension Tuning for Secondary Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch resonator mechanisms suffer from shock sensitivity and secondary oscillations that disrupt the oscillator's operation, particularly in directions perpendicular to the primary oscillation plane, which current shock-absorbing systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method to develop a clockwork resonator mechanism by measuring and adjusting the flexible suspension's configuration to ensure secondary oscillation frequencies differ significantly from the reference frequency, using transverse and longitudinal translation tables with adjustable blades or rods to manage torsional stiffness and prevent disruptive secondary oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the frequency of secondary oscillations is close to or equal to a multiple of the reference frequency, then the secondary oscillations are larger and disrupt the oscillator's operation, but adjusting the flexible suspension to change frequencies increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts physical parameters of the flexible suspension (blade dimensions, material properties, geometric configuration) to modify the secondary oscillation frequency, ensuring it differs from multiples of the reference frequency. This resolves the contradiction by changing frequency parameters rather than adding complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active control systems or complex mechanical devices to suppress secondary oscillations, the patent uses passive frequency tuning through flexible suspension design. The natural frequency characteristics of the elastic blades are optimized to avoid resonant conditions, replacing complex control systems with simple frequency matching.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock-absorbing systems are added to protect blades from impacts, then shock resistance improves, but the systems allow slight movement of the virtual pivot's mounting which reduces manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic shock-absorbing mechanisms that remain rigid during normal operation to maintain mounting precision, but become compliant during impact events. The flexible suspension and shock absorbers are designed with nonlinear characteristics that provide stiffness when needed and compliance when subjected to shocks, resolving the contradiction between stability and shock resistance.
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 method results in a more precise resonator mechanism by controlling secondary oscillations, enhancing shock resistance and maintaining the reference oscillation frequency, thus improving the resonator's operational stability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic blades, each fixed, at a first end to said anchor block, and at a second end to said inertial element, each said elastic blade being deformable essentially in a plane XY perpendicular to said first direction Z
Implementation Method 2
said anchor block being suspended from said structure by a flexible suspension arranged to allow the mobility of said anchor block
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for developing a clockwork resonator mechanism (100), comprising a structure (1) and an anchor block (30) from which is suspended at least one inertial element (2) subjected to restoring forces exerted by a flexible pivot (200) comprising a plurality of elastic blades (3) deformable essentially in an XY plane perpendicular to said first direction Z, said anchor block (30) being suspended from said structure (1) by a flexible suspension (300), the method comprising a first step of measuring a reference oscillation frequency of the inertial element (2) around the direction Z in the XY plane, a second step (42) of measuring at least one secondary oscillation frequency of the inertial element (2) around the direction X in the YZ plane or around the direction Y in the XZ plane, a third step of comparing the secondary oscillation frequency to the reference oscillation frequency,to verify that the secondary oscillation frequency has a value substantially different from a multiple of the reference oscillation frequency, and in the case where the secondary oscillation frequency has a value close to or substantially equal to a multiple of the reference oscillation frequency, a fourth step of adapting the flexible suspension (300) or substituting the flexible suspension (300) with another flexible suspension, so as to have a modified flexible suspension configuration (300) such that the secondary oscillation frequency is substantially different from a multiple of the reference oscillation frequency.