US3070951A - Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece - Google Patents
Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3070951A US3070951A US615329A US61532956A US3070951A US 3070951 A US3070951 A US 3070951A US 615329 A US615329 A US 615329A US 61532956 A US61532956 A US 61532956A US 3070951 A US3070951 A US 3070951A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vibrator
- timepiece
- oscillation
- tines
- natural frequency
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 claims description 33
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 25
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- OCDRLZFZBHZTKQ-NMUBGGKPSA-N onetine Chemical compound C[C@@H](O)[C@@]1(O)C[C@@H](C)[C@@](C)(O)C(=O)OC\C2=C\CN(C)CC[C@@H](OC1=O)C2=O OCDRLZFZBHZTKQ-NMUBGGKPSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03H—IMPEDANCE NETWORKS, e.g. RESONANT CIRCUITS; RESONATORS
- H03H9/00—Networks comprising electromechanical or electro-acoustic devices; Electromechanical resonators
- H03H9/24—Constructional features of resonators of material which is not piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/08—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically
- G04C3/10—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by electromagnetic means
- G04C3/101—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by electromagnetic means constructional details
- G04C3/107—Controlling frequency or amplitude of the oscillating system
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrically energized timepiece wherein the oscillatory movement of an electrically driven mechanical vibrator is converted into rotary movement which drives the timepiece mechanism.
- the timepiece may be of the type disclosed in the copending patent applications, which are now issued as Patents 2,888,582; 2,900,786; 2,929,196; 2,949,727; 2,960,817, and 2,971,323.
- the pawl reciprocates with a stroke the length of which is dependent upon the amplitude of oscillation of the tines
- the electrical means for oscillating the tines are capable of normally maintaining the amplitude of oscillation of the tines within a range wherein the stroke or reciprocation of the pawl, in a direction substantially tangent to the ratchet wheel at the point of contact or engagement between the pawl and the ratchet wheel, is at least as great as the pitch of the ratchet teeth but is not greater than twice this pitch.
- each oscillation of the tines causes the ratchet wheel to be rotated throughout an angular distance which corresponds to the pitch of the ratchet teeth.
- the rotational speed of the ratchet wheel is exactly proportional to the frequency of oscillation of the tines, and since the latter may be maintained constant with an extremely high degree of accuracy, the rotational speed of the ratchet wheel and of the timepiece mechanism which it drives is similarly maintained constant with the same high degree of accuracy.
- the vibrator When the timepiece is first manufactured, the vibrator is so constructed that the natural frequency of the tines is such as to cause the vibrator to drive the timepiece o mechanism with an accuracy of approximately plus or minus three minutes per day, i.e., while the vibrator will drive the timepiece mechanisms at a constant rate which is exactly proportional to the natural frequency of the tines, this natural frequency will probably be such that the timepiece mechanism is driven either slightly too fast or slightly too slow so that the timepiece will gain or lose a certain constant amount each day.
- the present invention mainly resides in that improvement in a timepiece having a timepiece mechanism which includes mechanical vibrator means operatively associated with the timepiece mechanism for driving the same at a rate proportional to the natural frequency of oscillation of the vibrator means, and means operatively associated with the vibrator means for varying the natural frequency thereof.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a vibrator carrying an adjusting means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified vibrator carrying an adjusting means according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- a tuning fork 102 having a pair of tines 103 and 104 each of which carries a magnetic drum. These drums are associated with drive and phase-sensing coils in a transistor circuit, described for example in Patent 2,971,323, which serves to excite and maintain the tuning fork in vibration.
- the vibrator is adapted to be secured to the base plate of a timepiece by means of a member 105, the latter being screwed onto the base plate by means of screws 105a, and the time 104 carries a pawl which cooperates with a ratchet wheel (not shown) whereby the oscillatory motion of the vibrator is transformed into rotation.
- the arrangement of the parts is such that the center of gravity G of each drum 106 is spaced a distance D from the plane of symmetry XX of the vibrator which is substantially equal to the distance D which the axis of oscillation of each respective tine is spaced from this plane.
- Each of the drums carries a deformable element which may be in the form of an elongated wire 15% connected at one of its ends to the drum.
- the wire is capable of assuming different configurations, two of which are shown in dotted lines at a and 15%, wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by each drum and wire is spaced diiferent distances from the axis of oscillation T of the respective time.
- the wire may readily be bent in such a manner that irrespective of its configuration, when the tines are at rest the center of gravity of the oscillatable portion of the vibrator remains spaced from the plane XX substantially the same distance D
- the tines 263 and 204 of the tuning fork 202 are inclined toward each other and converge toward each other as they approach their free ends so that the tuning fork has a substantially triangular configuration.
- a pair of magnetic drums 206 are fixed at their end faces to the outer faces of the free ends of the tines, respectively, the arrangement of the parts being such that the center of gravity G of each drum is spaced a distance D from the plane of symmetry XX of the vibrator, this distance being substantially equal to the distance D which the axis of oscillation T of each respective time is spaced from this plane.
- the vibrator is adapted to be secured to the base plate of a timepiece by means of a member 205, the latter being fixedly secured to the base plate, as, for example, by means of screws 205a.
- the tine 204 carries a pawl 220 which cooperates with a ratchet wheel (not shown) whereby the oscillation of the vibrator is transformed into the rotary movement of the timepiece mechanism.
- Each drum carries a deformable element which may be in the form of an elongated wire 250 which is connected at one of its opposite ends to the drum and at the other of its ends either to the drum or to the free end of the tine itself.
- the wire is capable of assuming different configurations, two of which are shown in dotted lines at 250a and 250b, wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by each drum and wire is spaced different distances from the axis of oscillation T of the respective tine.
- the wire may readily be bent in such a manner that irrespective of its configuration, when the tines are at rest the center of gravity of the oscillatable portion of the vibrator remains spaced from the plane XX substantially the same distance D It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of vibrators differing from the types described above.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used in conjunction with a tuning-fork type vibrator wherein one tine carries a balance weight as in Patent 2,929,196.
- the abutment means may be constructed differently, for example, as disclosed in Patent 2,929,196.
- Wires or other deformable elements shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 need not of necessity be secured to the magnetic drums or balance weight carried by the tines. Instead, these deformable elements may be attached directly to any oscillatable portion of the tines, the term oscillatable portion as used throughout the specification and claims being deemed to include any portion of each tine which is spaced from the axis of oscillation of that tine.
- a timepiece having a timepiece mechanism and provided with a tuning-fork type vibrator having a pair of tines each of which is capable of oscillating about its own axis of oscillation, said vibrator being operatively associated with the timepiece mechanism for driving the same at a rate proportional to the natural frequency of oscillation of said vibrator and a pair of oscillating components carried by said tines at the respective free ends thereof and fixedly secured thereto; regulating means operatively associated with at least one of said components for varying the distance between the center of gravity thereof and the axis of oscillation of the respective tine carrying said one component, said regulating means including a deformable element attached to said one component and forming part thereof, said element being capable of being manually bent to assume different configurations wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by said one component and said element thereof is spaced different distances from said axis of oscillation of said respective tine, whereby the natural frequency of said respective time and consequently the natural frequency of said vibrator may be varied so that the rate at which
- a timepiece having a timepiece mechanism and provided with a tuning-fork type vibrator having a pair of tines each of which is capable of oscillating about its own axis of oscillation, said vibrator being operatively associated with the timepiece mechanism for driving the same at a rate proportional to the natural frequency of oscillation of said vibrator and a pair of oscillating components carried by said tines at the respective free ends thereof and fixedly secured thereto; regulating means operatively associated with at least one of said components for varying the distance between the center of gravity thereof and the axis of oscillation of the respective tine carrying said one component, said regulating means including an elongated deformable element attached at one end thereof to said one component and forming part thereof, said element being capable of being manually bent into different configurations wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by said one component and said element thereof is spaced different distances from said axis of oscillation of said respective tine, whereby the natural frequency of said respective tine and consequently the natural frequency of said vibrator may be varied
- a timepiece having a timepiece mechanism and provided with a tuning-fork type vibrator having a pair of tines each of which is capable of oscillating about its own axis of oscillation, said vibrator being operatively associated with the timepiece mechanism for driving the same at a rate proportional to the natural frequency of oscillation of said vibrator and a pair of oscillating components carried by said tines at the respective free ends thereof and fixedly secured thereto; regulating means operatively associated with at least one of said components for varying the distance between the center of gravity thereof and the axis of oscillation of the respective tine carrying said one component, said regulating means including an elongated deformable element attached at its ends to said one component and forming part thereof, the mid-portion of said element being capable of being manually bent into different configurations wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by said one component and said element is spaced different distances from said axis of oscillation of said respective tine, whereby the natural frequency of said respective tine and consequently the natural frequency of said vibrator
- a timepiece having a timepiece mechanism and provided with a tuning-fork type vibrator having a pair of tines each of which is capable of oscillating about its own axis of oscillation, said vibrator being operatively associated with the timepiece mechanism for driving the same at a rate proportional to the natural frequency of oscillation of said vibrator and a pair of oscillating components carried by said tines at the respective free ends thereof and fixedly secured thereto; regulating means operatively associated with said components for varying the distance between the center of gravity of each and the axis of oscillation of the respective tine, said regulating means including a pair of deformable elements attached to said components, respectively, each of said elements forming part of the respective component and being capable of being manually bent to assume different configurations wherein the center of gravity of the combined mass constituted by each respective component and element thereof is spaced difierent distances from the axis of oscillation of the respective tine, respectively, whereby the natural frequency of said tines and consequently the natural frequency of said vibrator may be varied so
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT567576D IT567576A (xx) | 1956-10-11 | ||
DENDAT1049314D DE1049314B (xx) | 1956-10-11 | ||
CA577140A CA577140A (en) | 1956-10-11 | Electric timepiece | |
US615329A US3070951A (en) | 1956-10-11 | 1956-10-11 | Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece |
FR731735A FR1218410A (fr) | 1956-10-11 | 1957-02-14 | Perfectionnements aux montres ou horloges |
GB9078/57A GB828357A (en) | 1956-10-11 | 1957-03-20 | Improvements in or relating to a watch or clock |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US615329A US3070951A (en) | 1956-10-11 | 1956-10-11 | Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3070951A true US3070951A (en) | 1963-01-01 |
Family
ID=24464902
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US615329A Expired - Lifetime US3070951A (en) | 1956-10-11 | 1956-10-11 | Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3070951A (xx) |
CA (1) | CA577140A (xx) |
DE (1) | DE1049314B (xx) |
FR (1) | FR1218410A (xx) |
GB (1) | GB828357A (xx) |
IT (1) | IT567576A (xx) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3202848A (en) * | 1961-01-19 | 1965-08-24 | Bulova Watch Co Inc | Tuning fork frequency adjuster |
US3322016A (en) * | 1963-06-24 | 1967-05-30 | Jeco Kk | Added mass type circular tuning fork |
US6617576B1 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2003-09-09 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Cycloidal mass spectrometer with time of flight characteristics and associated method |
US6624410B1 (en) | 2002-02-25 | 2003-09-23 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Cycloidal mass spectrometer |
US6815674B1 (en) | 2003-06-03 | 2004-11-09 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Mass spectrometer and related ionizer and methods |
CN115838112A (zh) * | 2023-02-21 | 2023-03-24 | 中铁建工集团第二建设有限公司 | 一种建筑吊装装置及其使用方法 |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1254089B (de) * | 1962-10-31 | 1967-11-09 | United States Time Corp | Antriebsanordnung zum Antreiben eines Zahnrades eines zeithaltenden Geraetes |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1560056A (en) * | 1923-05-01 | 1925-11-03 | Western Electric Co | Source of waves of constant frequency |
FR767359A (fr) * | 1933-04-10 | 1934-07-17 | Appareil horaire synchrone | |
US2015410A (en) * | 1934-02-05 | 1935-09-24 | Continental Oil Co | Vibrating system |
US2036917A (en) * | 1934-03-06 | 1936-04-07 | Favre-Bulle Maurice Philippe | Electric timepiece |
US2411444A (en) * | 1942-07-13 | 1946-11-19 | Maistre Marcel | Balance wheel |
US2433160A (en) * | 1945-09-06 | 1947-12-23 | Honeywell Regulator Co | Tuning fork construction |
-
0
- IT IT567576D patent/IT567576A/it unknown
- CA CA577140A patent/CA577140A/en not_active Expired
- DE DENDAT1049314D patent/DE1049314B/de active Pending
-
1956
- 1956-10-11 US US615329A patent/US3070951A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1957
- 1957-02-14 FR FR731735A patent/FR1218410A/fr not_active Expired
- 1957-03-20 GB GB9078/57A patent/GB828357A/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1560056A (en) * | 1923-05-01 | 1925-11-03 | Western Electric Co | Source of waves of constant frequency |
FR767359A (fr) * | 1933-04-10 | 1934-07-17 | Appareil horaire synchrone | |
US2015410A (en) * | 1934-02-05 | 1935-09-24 | Continental Oil Co | Vibrating system |
US2036917A (en) * | 1934-03-06 | 1936-04-07 | Favre-Bulle Maurice Philippe | Electric timepiece |
US2411444A (en) * | 1942-07-13 | 1946-11-19 | Maistre Marcel | Balance wheel |
US2433160A (en) * | 1945-09-06 | 1947-12-23 | Honeywell Regulator Co | Tuning fork construction |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3202848A (en) * | 1961-01-19 | 1965-08-24 | Bulova Watch Co Inc | Tuning fork frequency adjuster |
US3322016A (en) * | 1963-06-24 | 1967-05-30 | Jeco Kk | Added mass type circular tuning fork |
US6617576B1 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2003-09-09 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Cycloidal mass spectrometer with time of flight characteristics and associated method |
US6624410B1 (en) | 2002-02-25 | 2003-09-23 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Cycloidal mass spectrometer |
US6815674B1 (en) | 2003-06-03 | 2004-11-09 | Monitor Instruments Company, Llc | Mass spectrometer and related ionizer and methods |
CN115838112A (zh) * | 2023-02-21 | 2023-03-24 | 中铁建工集团第二建设有限公司 | 一种建筑吊装装置及其使用方法 |
CN115838112B (zh) * | 2023-02-21 | 2023-05-02 | 中铁建工集团第二建设有限公司 | 一种建筑吊装装置及其使用方法 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE1049314B (xx) | |
FR1218410A (fr) | 1960-05-10 |
GB828357A (en) | 1960-02-17 |
CA577140A (en) | 1959-06-02 |
IT567576A (xx) |
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