Timepiece Regulating Mechanism Shock Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Robin anchor escapement mechanism is sensitive to sudden accelerations, leading to uncontrolled tilting and operational disturbances, whereas existing solutions like the Swiss anchor mechanism effectively secure operation but require lubrication, and there is a need to combine the advantages of both mechanisms without lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A regulating mechanism with an anchor comprising two functional elements, where the first element cooperates with the balance wheel and the second element with the escape wheel, featuring an articulated connection that allows different tilting amplitudes, enabling the mechanism to securely operate like the Swiss lever while avoiding lubrication like the Robin lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the Robin anchor mechanism is used, then lubrication is not required, but the mechanism is sensitive to sudden accelerations causing uncontrolled tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into two separate elements: a first element that pivots on a first axis and cooperates with the balance wheel, and a second element that pivots on a second axis and cooperates with the escape wheel. This segmentation allows each element to have optimized tilting amplitudes independent of each other, resolving the contradiction between shock resistance and lubrication-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new degree of freedom by allowing the first and second elements to pivot on different axes with different tilting amplitudes. The first element can have a larger tilting amplitude for shock absorption, while the second element maintains the appropriate amplitude for escape wheel cooperation, effectively adding dimensional independence to the anchor mechanism.
2Reliability
If the Swiss anchor mechanism is used, then secure operation during sudden accelerations is achieved, but lubrication is required
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the anchor into two elements with independent pivot axes, the invention achieves the shock resistance characteristics of the Swiss mechanism (through the first element's movement) while maintaining the lubrication-free advantage of the Robin mechanism (through the second element's design).
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the anchor mechanism are given different qualities: the first element is designed with characteristics optimized for shock absorption and larger tilting movements, while the second element is designed with characteristics optimized for precise escape wheel interaction and smaller tilting movements. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If the Robin anchor mechanism is used with reduced tilting amplitude, then the dart can engage in the notch, but manufacturing tolerances and clearances make the function random
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the anchor into two elements allows the first element to provide a larger tilting amplitude that ensures reliable dart engagement with the notch on the small plate, overcoming the limitations of manufacturing tolerances and clearances. The second element simultaneously maintains the precise movement needed for escape wheel cooperation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic independence between the two anchor elements, allowing the first element to have greater movement freedom for reliable dart-notch engagement, while the second element maintains controlled movement for precise escapement function. This dynamic differentiation ensures both manufacturing tolerance compensation and operational consistency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The mechanism (2) has a pallet that is constituted of operational elements (41, 42), where the operational elements include a first functional part (410) that is cooperated with a balance. The functional part is tiltingly mounted on an axis (411). The operational elements comprise second and third functional parts (430, 440), respectively, and articulated connection (6) ensures transmission of tilting movement from one of the operational elements to the other operational element and vice versa.