Timepiece Assembly Mechanical Oscillator Frequency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces with mechanical oscillators face challenges in efficiently correcting temporal drifts due to complex electronic circuits that consume energy, reducing oscillation amplitude and operating time.
Innovation Solution
A simplified control circuit that generates periodic digital signals to activate a braking device, applying series of braking pulses at specific frequencies to synchronize the mechanical oscillator with correction frequencies, either higher or lower than the set point frequency, depending on the detected temporal drift, to correct temporal deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex electronic circuits are used to correct temporal drift in mechanical oscillators, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but energy consumption increases and oscillation amplitude decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of temporal drift correction from complex electronic control systems. The control circuit is simplified to perform only the necessary operations: detecting temporal drift through basic timing comparison and applying corrective braking pulses when drift exceeds thresholds. This extraction of core functionality eliminates energy-consuming complex circuitry while maintaining effective drift correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit operates periodically by monitoring the mechanical oscillator's period and applying corrective braking pulses only when temporal drift exceeds predetermined thresholds. This periodic correction approach, rather than continuous complex control, reduces energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision for drift detection.
2Measurement precision
If complex electronic circuits are used to correct temporal drift, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control function from complex electronic systems, retaining only the necessary components for temporal drift detection and correction. The control circuit compares the mechanical oscillator's period with a reference period and applies braking pulses only when drift exceeds thresholds, eliminating the need for complex processing while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit uses the mechanical oscillator's own oscillation signals to detect temporal drift, comparing its period against a reference. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external complex measurement systems, as the oscillator's inherent signals provide the necessary information for accurate drift detection and correction.
3Measurement precision
If continuous electronic control is applied to maintain oscillation frequency, then temporal drift is corrected, but oscillation amplitude decreases and operating time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit applies corrective braking pulses periodically only when temporal drift exceeds predetermined thresholds, rather than continuously. This intermittent correction approach maintains frequency synchronization accuracy while minimizing energy extraction from the mechanical oscillator, thereby preserving oscillation amplitude and extending operating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit applies partial correction by intervening only when drift exceeds thresholds rather than continuously adjusting. This partial action approach maintains sufficient frequency synchronization accuracy while reducing the total corrective energy applied, thus preserving more mechanical energy for extended operation.
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 approach effectively corrects temporal drifts while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining oscillation amplitude, thereby extending the operating time of the timepiece without the need for complex electronic circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
a braking device which is arranged to be capable of momentarily applying a braking force to the mechanical resonator
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece is provided with a mechanical movement which includes a mechanical resonator, a sensor detecting oscillations of the mechanical resonator, and a braking device arranged to generate braking pulses in response to a control signal provided by a control circuit associated with an auxiliary oscillator. The control circuit is arranged to be capable of detecting a negative or positive temporal drift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator and to generate, in a correction period, in association with the braking device, when the temporal drift corresponds to at least a certain loss, a series of braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at a frequency FSUP in a given range of values which is preferably higher than a frequency FZ (N)=2·F0c/N, F0c being a set point frequency for the mechanical resonator and N a positive integer number.