Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon
  • G04B17/285—Tourbillons or carrousels

Definitions

• the present invention describes a time indicator with mechanical regulator according to the definition of the claims.
• This time indicator is particularly suitable for use in wristwatches. It is of the constant torque spiral balance type, the oscillation of which is maintained through an escapement by the displacement of a point of attachment of a spiral spring at the time of passing to the point of impulse of the oscillator.
• the present invention belongs to the family of so-called “vortex” time indicators.
• the classic type of such a time indicator is represented by the “Bréguet tourbillon” from 1795.
• a balance, its spiral spring and its escapement are assembled inside a rotating cage, the speed of rotation of the cage is 60 sec. per turn.
• the whole cage revolves around a gear.
• the present invention aims to compensate for the dynamic and static balancing errors of the balance-spiral-escapement assembly due to geometry, manufacturing problems or due to the asymmetrical beating of the spiral spring.
• the present invention relates to a time indicator of the balance-spiral balance type with constant torque, the oscillation of which is maintained through an exhaust mobile by the displacement of an attachment point of a spiral spring at the time of transition to the oscillator pulse point
• the attachment point makes a circular movement around the axis of the oscillator, thereby causing the balance-spiral-escapement assembly to rotate over time
• the essentials energy is transmitted by the movement of the attachment point
• An escape anchor rests directly on an escape bridge
• the invention Compared to a time indicator with a mechanical regulator of the traditional so-called “tourbillon” balance-spiral type, the invention has the following advantages
• the time indicator has a construction without a rotating cage and without double bearings, thus allowing a particularly simple and robust construction, requiring fewer elements
• fig 1 shows a diagram of an indicator with traditional regulator
• FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an example regulator indicator according to the invention with displacement in two directions of the exhaust mobile resulting in an asymmetrical energy transmission to the oscillator
• FIG. 3 shows a diagram of another example regulator indicator according to the invention with displacement in one direction of the exhaust mobile resulting in a symmetrical energy transmission to the oscillator
• FIG. 4 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a regulator indicator according to the invention
• FIG. 5 shows a side view in section of an exemplary embodiment of a regulator indicator according to FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows a side view in section of an enlarged detail of an exemplary embodiment of an indicator with regulator according to Fig 4 and Fig 5
• Fig 1 shows a diagram of an indicator with regulator of the traditional balance-spiral type
• the oscillation of the balance is maintained through the escapement by a pulse force F applied directly to the oscillator G at the time of its passage at the point of impulsion
• This transmission of an impulse force to the balance can be done alternately or unidirectionally depending on the type of exhaust
• the pulse time must be minimal.
• the quality factor of the oscillator is directly proportional to the frequency of said oscillator. The higher the speed of passage of the oscillator at the pulse point, the more difficult it is to transmit a constant pulse force to it.
• the efficiency of the exhaust can for example vary from 20 to 50%.
• any variation in the drive torque at the exhaust is directly transmitted to the oscillator and can have an influence on the amplitude of the oscillation.
• the dynamic and static balancing errors of the balance-spiral-escapement assembly due to geometry, manufacturing or asymmetrical beats of the spiral spring are not compensated. For all these reasons, special care is therefore necessary during the manufacture and assembly of the constituent elements of the time regulator to guarantee reliability.
• FIGS. 2 and 3 show a diagram of an indicator with regulator according to the invention with displacement of the exhaust mobile in two directions during the passage of the oscillator at its pulse point (fig. 2) and with displacement of the mobile d exhaust in one direction when passing from the oscillator to its pulse point (fig. 3).
• the oscillator receives a pulse for example during each passage to its point of pulse or once every half period according to fig. 2.
• FIG. 2 shows an interval of two periods of the movement of the oscillator during which it receives four pulses, represented by four arrows.
• the oscillator receives a pulse when it approaches and it receives a pulse when it moves away from its point of pulse. Taking into account the mass of the oscillator, this energy transmission shown in fig. 2 is asymmetrical.
• the oscillator receives a pulse for example during each second pass at its point of pulse or once per period according to fig 3
• Fig 3 shows an interval of two periods of the oscillator movement during which it receives two pulses, represented by two arrows
• the oscillator receives a pulse when it approaches or when it moves away from its point of pulse Taking into account the mass of the oscillator, this energy transmission shown in fig 3 is symmetrical It is of course possible without departing from the scope of the invention, to choose other intervals to transmit a pulse to the oscillator II is for example possible to transmit a first pulse to the oscillator during each second pass at its pulse point and to transmit a next pulse during a third pass to its pulse point and so on Ai n if it is possible to vary the number of movements of the exhaust mobile by interval
• the position of the oscillator pulse point can be in any point of the sine curves.
• the pulse point corresponds to the inflection points or points 0 of the sine curves, where l oscillator has a maximum speed
• the detection of the oscillator The detection of the oscillator (using a training pin, see description lower) and the movement of the attachment point must be done quickly
• the exhaust efficiency is relatively low (around 20%)
• the oscillator can receive a pulse in both directions, in the direction in which it approaches or in the direction in which it moves away from a point of inflection
• the disturbances on the oscillator during such a transmission of energy to the oscillator at the points of inflection are minimal is quite possible to sit Generate any other point of the sine curves as the oscillator's impulse point So it is for example possible that the impulse point corresponds to the maxima of the sine curves, where the oscillator has a minimum speed
• the disturbances on the oscillator during such transmission of energy to the oscillator at the maxima of the sine curves are minimal. Detection of the oscillator is easy. The exhaust efficiency is very high (around 50%). It is also possible that the pulse point corresponds to a point near the maxima of the sine curves, where the oscillator already has or a low speed. The efficiency during a transmission of energy to the oscillator at a point near the maxima of the sine curves is still very high. As the speed of the oscillator at the maximums of its sine curve is low, the detection of the oscillator and the displacement of the attachment point must not be done quickly, the disturbances on the oscillator are minimal.
• Energy is transmitted by the movement of the attachment point and by a movement of the escape anchor.
• the distribution of this transmission depends essentially on the angle of rotation of the attachment point.
• a first part of the energy (varying from 10 to 100%) is transmitted by the movement of the attachment point by giving a pulse to the oscillator.
• a second part of the energy (varying from 0 to 90%) is transmitted by the movement of the escape anchor by giving an impulse to a drive pin (see description below). It is thus possible to create a “pure” realization transmitting 100% of the energy by the movement of the attachment point or to create “mixed” realizations transmitting 10 to 100% of the energy by the movement of the point of attaches and 0 to 90% of the energy by the movement of the exhaust anchor.
• Figs 4 to 6 show different views of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a regulator indicator according to the invention
• Fig 4 shows a top view in section
• fig 5 shows a side view and in section
• fig 6 shows a side and sectional view of an enlarged detail
• an intermediate wheel 1 is provided for transmitting a driving torque of a barrel spring to an exhaust mobile 2
• An exhaust bridge 4 can serve as a bearing for said intermediate wheel 1
• the exhaust bridge 4 has an exhaust gear 10 of special shape, hollowed out and concentric with a balance 7, serving as support and limitation to a rotation of the exhaust mobile 2
• a first end of this spiral spring 6 is fixed by a fixing peg 5 to the exhaust mobile 2.
• Another end of this spiral spring 6 is fixed by a point 11 to the balance 7.
• the exhaust mobile 2 has a bearing arranged concentrically with the balance 7.
• This exhaust mobile 2 integrally drives an exhaust anchor 3 and the fixing peg 5 of the spiral spring 6.
• the exhaust anchor 3 can tilt around its axis, allowing rotation of the exhaust mobile 2 in one direction.
• the escape anchor 3 makes a rocking movement to find its way through the teeth of the escape bridge 4.
• the escape anchor 3 is for example arranged in a low manner, to pass below the teeth of the exhaust bridge 4.
• the exhaust gear 10 of the exhaust bridge 4 serves as a point of support for the exhaust anchor 3 and limits the angle of rotation of the exhaust mobile 2 through the exhaust anchor 3.
• the exhaust anchor 3 bears directly on the exhaust bridge 4 and directly releases the rotary movement of the exhaust mobile 2.
• the fixing stud 5 of the spiral spring 6 being integral with the exhaust mobile 2. It transmits to the spiral spring 6 the angular movement with which it has just been animated, storing potential energy in the spiral spring 6 which will initiate the oscillation balance 7.
• a pin 8 driving the escape anchor 3 is fixed in an integral manner on a plate of the pendulum axis 7.
• This pin 8 is positioned in such a way, which initiates the tilting of the escape anchor 3 at the moment from the passage of the pendulum 7 to the point of oscillation.
• Said tilting of the escape anchor 3 releases the point of support on said exhaust gear 10 of the exhaust anchor 3 and allows angular rotation of the exhaust mobile 2 limited by a next point of support of the exhaust anchor 3 on the exhaust gear 10.
• the fixing pin 5 of the spiral spring 6 being integral with the exhaust mobile 2. Said fixing pin 5 transmits to the spiral spring 6 the angular movement with which it has just been animated, storing potential energy in the spiral spring 6 which will maintain the oscillation of the balance 7.
• the oscillation frequency of the balance can be adjusted by moving at least one adjustment mass 9 being arranged for example in an oval shaped gouge machined in the balance 7 This displacement modifies the moment of inertia of the balance-adjustment mass assembly and thereby the oscillation frequency.
• the speed of rotation of the balance-spiral-escapement assembly 2,6,7 is very fast and takes between 2 to 30 seconds per revolution. Those skilled in the art, knowing the present invention, can of course make other balance-spiral-escapement assemblies having higher rotational speeds, for example between 1 to 2 seconds per revolution, or lower, for example between 30 to 60 seconds per revolution.
• the value of the angle of rotation of the exhaust mobile 2 depends on the direction of passage of the drive pin 8 of the exhaust anchor 3, the geometry of the exhaust anchor 3, the exhaust gear 10 and the angle of freedom of the exhaust anchor 3 on the exhaust mobile 2. It can be variable depending on the direction of passage of the balance 7 during an energy transmission at the time of its passage to the pulse point allowing a symmetrical or asymmetrical energy transmission and it can be variable depending on the number of movements of the exhaust mobile 2 per interval of the pendulum oscillation.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Exhaust Silencers (AREA)
• Springs (AREA)
• Micromachines (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (2)

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• 1999
  • 1999-07-14 JP JP2000560489A patent/JP2002520626A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-07-14 EP EP99927647A patent/EP1097408B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-14 AU AU44959/99A patent/AU4495999A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-07-14 DE DE69925128T patent/DE69925128D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-14 WO PCT/CH1999/000321 patent/WO2000004424A1/fr active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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