Translation Frame Resonator Gravity Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical watches with flexible guidance systems are sensitive to gravity, leading to variations in chronometric performance due to the orientation of the pendulum's center of mass relative to its rotation center, and existing solutions like adding a balourd induce energy loss and adjustment issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a standard translation table between the flexible guidance and the oscillating mass, which is attached to the flexible blades and pendulum, allowing for adjustable flexibility to compensate for gravity's effect by modifying the resonator's step and serving as shock protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a flexible guide is used to pivot the balance wheel, then the chronometric performance is improved, but the mechanism becomes sensitive to gravity direction causing rate variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechronometric performanceVSAvoidgravity sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The translation table acts as an intermediary element between the flexible guide and the balance wheel. It introduces additional flexibility through secondary blades that can translate and rotate, mediating the interaction between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass to reduce gravity's direct impact on the balance wheel's rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The translation table introduces dynamic adaptability to the system. The secondary flexible blades allow the translation table to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to gravitational forces, enabling the mechanism to adapt to different gravity directions and maintain consistent chronometric performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an unbalance is added between the center of mass and center of rotation to counteract gravity, then the gravity sensitivity is reduced, but the balance wheel becomes heavier causing energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegravity sensitivityVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The translation table serves as a mediator that reduces gravity's effect on the balance wheel without requiring additional mass. Instead of adding an unbalance that would increase weight and energy consumption, the translation table uses its flexible blade structure to mechanically compensate for gravitational variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The translation table changes the system's flexibility parameters through its secondary blades. By adjusting the flexibility and orientation of these blades, the system can counteract gravitational effects without changing the mass distribution, thereby avoiding the energy loss associated with added weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the translation table adds flexibility in a particular direction, then the rate is increased in that direction, but the rate decreases in the perpendicular direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonator rateVSAvoidrate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The translation table intentionally introduces asymmetric flexibility through its secondary blades. This asymmetric design allows the system to compensate for gravity's directional effects by having different flexibility characteristics in different directions, thereby maintaining overall rate consistency despite directional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The translation table provides a form of mechanical feedback where the deformation of secondary blades in response to gravitational forces automatically adjusts the balance wheel's effective rate. This passive feedback mechanism compensates for gravity-induced rate variations without requiring external control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 translation table enhances the resonator's resistance to gravity, stabilizing the movement and reducing the risk of flexible guidance rupture by dynamically adjusting the center of mass relative to the rotation center, thereby improving chronometric accuracy and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible guide (4) comprising at least two flexible strips (4) connected to a stationary support (3)... enabling the oscillating mass (2) to perform a rotary movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the translation table (5) comprises at least one secondary flexible blade (7) and a rigid part (6)... moving the center of mass (13) closer to or further away from the center of rotation (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The flexible guide enables the oscillating mass (2) to perform a reciprocating rotary movement in the plane of the oscillator mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoration: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4012506B1Timepiece resonator mechanism provided with a translation frame
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
  • EP4012506B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4012506B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4012506B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotating resonator mechanism (1) comprising an oscillating mass (2), a flexible guide comprising at least two flexible blades (4) connecting a fixed support (3) to the oscillating mass (2), the resonator mechanism (1) extending substantially in the same plane to allow the oscillating mass to rotate about a virtual pivot, the flexible guide (1) extending along a principal axis of symmetry (14). The mechanism (1) also comprises a translation table (5) arranged between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass (2), the translation table (5) being attached to the flexible blades (4) and/or to the oscillating mass (2). The invention also relates to a clockwork movement comprising such a resonator (1).