Tourbillon Cage Zero-Setting Mechanism for Precise Time Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical watch clockwork movements with a minute-tourbillon face difficulties in implementing a balance stop for precise second-hand indication, making time setting complicated and challenging.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical watch clockwork movement with a tourbillon unit featuring a balance stop device and a zero-setting device that allows temporary fixation of the balance and angular orientation of the cage, enabling precise time setting by engaging the balance stop device with the balance and zero-setting device to stop and reset the tourbillon mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional balance stop is used in a tourbillon mechanism, then the balance can be stopped to set time, but the implementation becomes extremely difficult and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The balance stop mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: a balance stop device that stops the balance oscillations, and a zero-setting device that independently sets the cage to a predetermined angular position. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized separately, simplifying the overall implementation while maintaining both stopping and zero-setting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The zero-setting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cage and the base plate. It includes a setting lever that can engage with the cage's setting gear, allowing the cage to be rotated to a predetermined position without directly modifying the balance stop mechanism. This intermediary approach simplifies the coupling between time setting and tourbillon control.
2Measurement precision
If the balance is stopped using a conventional balance stop, then the tourbillon mechanism stops, but the seconds hand indication becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the balance stopping function from the cage positioning function, the patent ensures that when time setting is required, the balance can be stopped while the cage (with seconds hand) can still be independently positioned. This segmentation maintains seconds hand accuracy during time setting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The zero-setting device performs a preliminary action by pre-positioning the cage at a predetermined angular position (typically 12 o'clock position) before the balance is stopped. This preliminary positioning ensures that the seconds hand starts from an accurate reference point, improving measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the cage is fixed to the base plate, then the tourbillon cannot rotate, but if it rotates freely, then zero-setting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The zero-setting device implements a dynamic coupling mechanism where the setting lever can engage or disengage from the cage's setting gear. When engaged, the cage can be rotated to the predetermined position; when disengaged, the cage maintains its rotational freedom during normal operation. This dynamic approach balances ease of zero-setting with operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting lever serves as an intermediary that temporarily couples the base plate to the cage during zero-setting operations. It allows controlled rotation when needed while maintaining cage independence during normal tourbillon operation, resolving the contradiction between fixity and rotational freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece with a tourbillon unit, including a base plate, cage placed rotatably on the base plate and being connected to a fourth pinion, a balance placed on the cage, and an escape wheel that is placed on the cage and that is in work connection with the balance, a balance stop device being capable to be brought into engagement with the balance, wherein it further includes a zero-setting device for the angular orientation of the cage.