Timepiece Part Differential Escapement Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches face challenges in maintaining consistent rate due to variations in orientation, leading to instability in the escapement mechanism, which is exacerbated by the complexity and volume occupied by existing gear train and differential correction systems.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design featuring a frame with coaxial shafts in the first pivoting system and a second pivoting system perpendicular to the first, with a differential that averages rotations to isolate energy from the power source, reducing the number of parts and volume while maintaining a constant escapement orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a differential correction device and inverter system are added to cancel support movements, then the escapement orientation is stabilized, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the differential correction device and inverter system into a single integrated differential mechanism. The two input shafts of the differential directly receive movements from the two supports, and the output shaft automatically provides the averaged movement that stabilizes the escapement. This eliminates the need for separate inverter systems and complex gear trains, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining orientation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it receives inputs from two pivoting supports, averages their rotational movements, and provides a stabilized output to the escapement. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate correction devices and inverter systems, reducing the number of parts carried by the supports.
2Stability of the object's composition
If two sets of gears, inverter system, and differential correction device are carried by supports, then escapement orientation is stabilized, but the volume occupied by supports increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple correction mechanisms into a single compact differential device mounted on the support. Instead of carrying separate gear trains, inverter systems, and differential correction devices, the support only needs to carry the differential mechanism itself, significantly reducing the volume occupied while maintaining the ability to stabilize escapement orientation through movement averaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex gear trains and correction devices are used, then orientation variations are compensated, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by integrating the correction function into a single differential mechanism rather than requiring multiple separate gear trains and correction devices. This reduction in part count directly decreases assembly complexity and the cumulative precision requirements, while the differential's inherent movement-averaging property maintains full orientation compensation capability.
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 simplifies the construction, reduces the volume occupied, and stabilizes the escapement mechanism by canceling out rotational movements, thereby minimizing the impact of orientation changes on the watch's rate, resulting in improved compactness and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a differential correction device which makes it possible to cancel all the movements of the supports in order to bring to the exhaust only the energy resulting from the energy source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a timepiece part, comprising a frame having a power source, a housing (50) including a first pivotal movement system (52) and a second pivotal movement system (152); - an escapement set up on said mounting (64), a first kinematic linkage including a first wheel (76a) borne by the first half-shaft (54a) from the first pivotal movement system (52) and a second wheel (176a) borne by the first half-shaft (154a) from the second pivotal movement system (152, and a second kinematic linkage including a first wheel (76b) borne by the second half-shaft (54b) from the first pivotal movement system (52) and a second wheel (176b) borne by the first (154a) or the second (154b) half-shaft of the second pivotal movement system (152). To simplify the construction, one of the wheels (176a, 176b) borne by the second pivotal movement system is kinematically linked to the power source, and the other wheel borne by said pivotal movement system is stationary relative to the frame. Both wheels borne by the first pivotal movement system are kinematically linked to an input of a differential (200) set up such as to transmit, to the output thereof, the mean of the rotations received at the inputs thereof. Said output is kinematically linked to the escapement.