JP2002520626A - Clock with mechanical adjustment function - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a timepiece including a mainspring with a constant torque having a hairspring and a flywheel, wherein the vibration of the flywheel (7) is controlled when the vibrator passes a vibrator impulse point. ) Is maintained via the escape movable element (2) by moving the fixed point of the mainspring (6) in a circular motion around the vibrator, whereby the main spring-escape assembly (2, 2) 6, 7) are rotated at the correct tempo.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a timer with a mechanical adjustment function according to the provisions of the claims. Such a timepiece is particularly adapted for use in watches. This is a type having a balance wheel and hairspring with constant torque,
Vibration is maintained through the escapement by displacing the fixed point of the hairspring as the transducer passes through the impulse point of the transducer.

The invention belongs to what is called a so-called "vortex" timer. An example of an older type of such a timepiece is the 1795 "Breguet vortex". In this device, a balance wheel, a hairspring, and an escapement are mounted inside a rotating cage, and the rotating speed of the cage is 60 seconds per rotation. The entire cage rotates around the gearing.

One object of the present invention is to correct for defects in the dynamic and static balance of the main spring-escape assembly due to geometry or manufacturing problems, or asymmetrical beating of the hairspring. That is.

[0004] This object is achieved by the present invention as defined by the claims. The present invention relates to a timepiece of the type having a constant torque balance wheel and a hairspring, in which the oscillator displaces a fixed point of the hairspring as it passes through the impulse point of the oscillator. Vibration is maintained via the movable element. This fixed point moves in a circle around the axis of the transducer, causing the main spring-escapement assembly to rotate. A substantial part of the energy is transferred by the movement of the fixed point. The escapement anchor is directly supported on the escapement bridge.

The present invention offers the following advantages over a conventional so-called “vortex” type timer having a mechanical adjustment function having a balance wheel and a hairspring.

This timepiece has a structure without a rotating cage and a pair of axes, which allows a particularly simple and strong structure and requires fewer elements.

[0007] Thin structures that are easy to obtain and that are particularly aesthetically pleasing are possible. Unlike conventional "vortices" with visible cages, thin structures are difficult to achieve.

[0008] This timepiece can reduce mass and momentum. This structure is adapted for both large and small internal diameters.

[0009] The rotation speed of the "vortex" is faster (2 to 30 seconds per rotation). The higher power of the escapement allows the use of weaker barrel springs or achieves a higher working reserve.

[0010] Any mechanical effort and wear can be reduced. The present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional timer with an adjusting device including a balance wheel and a hairspring. In such a timepiece with an adjusting device, the vibration of the balance wheel is maintained through the escapement by the couple F directly applied to the vibrator G when the vibrator G passes through its impulse point. This couple transmission can be transmitted to the balance wheel either alternately or in a single direction, depending on the type of escapement.

In order to reduce the disturbance in the vibrator, the duration of the impulse must be minimized. The quality factor of the transducer is directly proportional to the frequency of the transducer.
As the speed at the impulse point increases, it becomes more difficult to transfer a constant torque to the transducer. Thus, the output of the escapement may fluctuate, for example, between 20 and 50%. Further, any variation in the driving couple in the escapement is directly transmitted to the vibrator, which may affect the amplitude of the vibrator. Defects in the dynamic and static balance of the main spring-escape assembly due to geometry or manufacturing problems, or asymmetric beating of the hairspring are not corrected. For all of these reasons, special care must be taken during the manufacture and assembly of the components of the time adjustment device to ensure its reliability.

The present invention is characterized in that the transmission of energy for maintaining the vibration of the balance wheel is achieved by the displacement X of the fixed point A of the hairspring. The displacement of the fixed point A of the hairspring occurs when the vibrator passes through the impulse point G of the vibrator. 2 and 3 show views of a timer with an adjusting device according to the invention, wherein the escapement movable element is displaced in two directions when the oscillator passes through the impulse point of the oscillator (FIG. 2), When the vibrator passes the impulse point of the vibrator,
(FIG. 3).

In order to displace the escapement movable element in two directions, according to FIG. 2, the transducer receives an impulse, for example, each time the transducer passes the transducer impulse point, ie, every half cycle. . FIG. 2 shows the interval of two periods of oscillator movement, during which the oscillator receives four impulses, represented by four arrows. The vibrator receives one impulse when approaching the impulse point and one impulse when moving away from the impulse point. Taking into account the mass of the oscillator, this energy transfer shown in FIG. 2 is asymmetric.

According to FIG. 3, in order to displace the escape movable element in a single direction, the vibrator receives an impulse, for example, every time it passes the impulse point for the second time, that is, every period. FIG. 3 shows an interval of two periods of oscillator movement, during which the oscillator receives two impulses, represented by two arrows. The vibrator receives one impulse when approaching or away from the impulse point of the vibrator. Taking into account the mass of the oscillator, this energy transfer shown in FIG. 3 is symmetric. Of course, it is also possible to select other intervals for transmitting the transducer impulse without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is possible to transmit the first impulse every time the second time passes the transducer impulse point, and transmit the subsequent impulse while the third time passes the transducer impulse point. In this way, it is possible to change the number of displacements of the escape movable element 2 during each interval.

The position of the transducer impulse point may be at any point on the waveform curve. Figure 1
According to the third embodiment, the impulse point corresponds to the inflection point of the waveform curve at which the oscillator has the maximum speed, that is, the zero point. Since the speed of the vibrator at the inflection point on the waveform curve is relatively high, the detection of this vibrator (using a drive pallet (see below)) and the displacement of the fixed point must be performed quickly. The output of the escapement is relatively weak (on the order of 20%). The transducer can receive impulses in either direction along which the impulse approaches or along which the impulse moves away from the inflection point. The oscillator turbulence is minimal when energy is transferred to the oscillator at the inflection point.

It is practically possible to set any other point on the waveform curve as the impulse point of the oscillator. Therefore, for example, the impulse point can coincide with the maximum point of the waveform curve at which the oscillator has the minimum speed. Since the speed of the vibrator at the maximum point of the waveform curve is low, it is not necessary to detect the vibrator and displace the fixed point quickly. Transducer turbulence is minimized when energy is thus transferred to the transducer at the maximum point of the waveform curve. The transducer can be easily detected. The output of the escapement is very high (about 50%). It is also possible that the impulse point coincides with the point closest to the maximum point of the waveform curve where the speed of the transducer has already slowed down or is still slow. The output when energy is transferred to the oscillator at a point near the maximum point of the waveform curve is still very high. Since the speed of the vibrator at the maximum point of the waveform curve is low, it is not necessary to quickly detect the vibrator and displace the fixed point, and the disturbance of the vibrator is minimized.

Energy is transferred by the movement of the fixed point and the movement of the escapement pallet.
The distribution of this transmission is essentially a function of the angle of rotation of the fixed point. The first part of this energy (which varies between 10 and 100%) is transmitted by the movement of the fixed point through applying impulses to the oscillator. The second part of this energy (0-
(Varying between 90%) is transmitted by the movement of the escapement pallet through the application of an impulse to the driving pallet (see description below).
Thus, either providing a "pure" embodiment, where 100% of the energy is transmitted by the movement of the fixed point, or by transferring 10-100% of the energy by the movement of the fixed point, Some "mixed" embodiments may be provided that deliver 0-90%.

The fluctuation of the driving couple in the escapement is not transmitted to the vibrator, and thus does not affect the amplitude of the vibration. Defects in the dynamic and static balance of the main spring-escape assembly due to geometry or manufacturing problems, or asymmetric beating of the hairspring are not corrected (by the vortex principle). For all these reasons, care during the manufacture and assembly of the components of the time adjustment device has only a limited influence on the guarantee of its reliability.

This energy transmission is performed by displacing a fixed point of the hairspring. This X displacement causes potential energy to be generated in the hairspring, which maintains the vibration of the balance wheel. This maintenance energy is a function of many parameters. This depends in particular on the dynamic and geometrical characteristics of the balance wheel and hairspring, the angular value of the displacement of the hairspring fixing point, the point of application of this displacement in the oscillating circle, and the time required for this fixing point to displace. are doing.

In order to displace above the minimum value of the displacement of the fixed point, a driving couple is generated at the fixed point. The effect of the fluctuation of the driving couple on the maintenance energy can be considered to be negligible. Therefore, the vibration of the adjusting device can be maintained at a constant torque.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are various views showing in detail one embodiment of the timer with adjusting device according to the invention. 4 is an upper sectional view, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view.

According to this embodiment, an intermediate wheel 1 is provided for transmitting a driving couple from the barrel spring to the escape movable element 2. The escapement bridge 4 can function as a bearing for the intermediate wheel 1. The escapement bridge 4 has a special shape which is hollow and concentric with the balance wheel 7 and has an escapement gearing 10 which acts as a support and restricts the rotation of the escapement movable element 2.

A first end of the hairspring 6 is fixed to the escape movable element 2 by a fixing pin 5. The other end of the hairspring 6 is fixed to the balance wheel 7 at a point 11.

The escape movable element 2 has a bearing arranged concentrically with the balance wheel 7. The escape movable element 2 drives the escapement pallet 3 and the fixing pin 5 of the hairspring 6 together. The escapement ankle 3 can pivot about its axis and can rotate the escapement movable element 2 in only one direction. Preferably, the escapement ankle 3 turns and advances through the teeth of the escapement bridge 4. The escapement ankle 3 is arranged, for example, at the bottom so as to pass below the teeth of the escapement bridge 4. The escapement gearing 10 of the escapement bridge 4 acts as a support point for the escapement ankle 3,
The rotation angle of the movable escape element 2 is limited via the escapement ankle 3. The escapement ankle 3 is supported on an escapement bridge 4 and directly frees the rotational movement of the escapement movable element 2.

The fixing pin 5 of the hairspring 6 is fixedly mounted on the escapeable movable element 2, which transmits the just received angular movement to the hairspring 6 and subsequently causes the balance wheel 7 to vibrate. A certain amount of potential energy is stored in the hairspring 6.

The pin 8 for driving the escapement pallet 3 is fixedly attached to a plate on the axis of the balance wheel 7. This pin 8 is positioned so as to pivot the escapement pallet 3 as the balance wheel 7 passes through the point of impulse of vibration. By turning the escapement ankle 3 in this way, the support point of the escapement gearing 10 on the escapement gearing 10 becomes free, and the next position of the escapement ankle 3 on the escapement gearing 10 is set. It enables angular rotation of the escapement movable element 2 limited by the support points. Since the fixing pin 5 of the hairspring 6 is fixedly attached to the escape movable element 2, the fixing pin 5 transmits the just-received angular movement to the hairspring 6 and maintains the vibration of the balance wheel 7 later. A certain amount of potential energy is stored in the hairspring 6. The frequency of oscillation of the balance wheel can be adjusted, for example, by displacing at least one adjustment mass 9 arranged in an elliptical recess machined in the balance wheel 7. This displacement changes the moment of inertia of the balance wheel and the adjusting mass assembly, and thus the frequency of vibration. Main Spring-Escapement Assembly 2, 6
And 7 are very fast, 2-30 seconds per revolution. Those skilled in the art having the teachings of the present invention will, of course, understand that other main springs having a higher rotational speed, for example, 1 to 2 seconds per revolution, or a slower rotational speed of 30 to 60 seconds per revolution,
It would also be possible to realize an escapement assembly.

The value of the rotation angle of the escapement movable element 2 depends on the path direction of the drive pin 8 of the escapement pallet fork 3, the geometry of the escapement pallet fork 3, the escapement gearing 10 and the escapement movable element. 2
Is a function of the free angle of the escapement ankle 3 at. This rotation angle varies according to the path direction of the balance wheel 7 as energy is transferred as it passes through the impulse point, allowing symmetrical or asymmetrical energy transfer, and also deviates for each interval of balance wheel oscillation. It can change according to the number of displacements of the movable movable element 2.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional timer with an adjusting device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a timer with an adjusting device according to the invention, in which the resulting escaped movable element displaces in two directions in asymmetric energy transfer to the transducer.

FIG. 3 shows another example of a timer with an adjusting device according to the invention, in which the resulting escapeable movable element displaces in a single direction in the transfer of the symmetric energy to the transducer.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a timer with an adjusting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the timer with the adjusting device according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view of an embodiment of a timer with an adjusting device according to FIGS. 4 and 5;

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Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A constant-torque hairspring with balance hairspring and balance wheel--a timepiece of the balance wheel type, wherein a fixed point of a hairspring (6) is displaced when a vibrator passes through a vibrator impulse point. Thereby, the vibration of the balance wheel (7) is maintained via the escapement movable element (2), and the fixed point of the hairspring (6) is moved in a circle around the axis of the vibrator. A timepiece characterized by rotating a spring-escapement assembly (2, 6, 7). 2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the fixed point of the hairspring moves in a single direction around the axis of the vibrator in a circular motion. 3. The fixed point of the hairspring (6) causes the movement of the corners to move.
The spring spring (6) stores a certain amount of potential energy, which is driven together by the escapement movable element (2) for transmitting to the balance wheel, and which maintains the oscillation of the balance wheel (7). 3. The timepiece according to 1 or 2. 4. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the energy that varies between 10% and 100% is transmitted by the movement of the fixed point. 5. The value of the angle of rotation of the movable element can be varied according to the direction of the path of the balance wheel (7) when energy is transmitted on the path of the impulse point, enabling symmetric or asymmetric energy transfer. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the value may vary according to the number of displacements of the escapement movable element for each interval of vibration of the balance wheel. Timer. 6. An escapement ankle (3) directly supported by an escapement bridge (4).
2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a part of the energy fluctuating between 0 and 90% is transmitted by movement of the escapement pallet. 8. The escapement pallet (3) pivots around its axis to allow the movable element (2) to rotate freely, and the escapement pallet (3) allows the escapement pallet (3) to rotate.
In order to limit the rotation angle of 2), the escapement gearing (1) of the escapement bridge (4)
7. The timepiece according to claim 6, wherein the timepiece is directly supported by 0). 9. An escapement fixedly mounted on the balance wheel (7) and positioned to pivot the escapement ankle (3) as the balance wheel (7) passes the point of transducer impulse. Drive ankle (3) Ankle (8)
The timer according to claim 6 or 8, wherein: 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the main spring-escapement assembly is between 2 and 30 seconds per revolution. Timer. 11. The timer according to claim 1, wherein the position of the impulse point of the oscillator can be located at any point on the waveform curve. 12. The balance wheel (7) characterized by at least one adjustment mass (9) having an elliptical recess machined in the balance wheel (7), wherein said adjustment mass is displaced in the balance wheel. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the frequency of vibration of the timepiece can be adjusted. 13. Use of the timepiece according to claim 1, as a timepiece with a mechanical adjustment in a wristwatch.