US3428879A - Oscillator device for timepiece mechanisms - Google Patents

Oscillator device for timepiece mechanisms Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3428879A
US3428879A US585129A US3428879DA US3428879A US 3428879 A US3428879 A US 3428879A US 585129 A US585129 A US 585129A US 3428879D A US3428879D A US 3428879DA US 3428879 A US3428879 A US 3428879A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
torsion
timepiece
arms
support member
secured
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
Application number
US585129A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Fritz Marti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Portescap SA
Original Assignee
Portescap SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Portescap SA filed Critical Portescap SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3428879A publication Critical patent/US3428879A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/10—Oscillators with torsion strips or springs acting in the same manner as torsion strips, e.g. weight oscillating in a horizontal plane
    • 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
    • G04C3/04—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 balance
    • G04C3/06—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 balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance
    • G04C3/065—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 balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance the balance controlling gear-train by means of static switches, e.g. transistor circuits
    • G04C3/066—Constructional details, e.g. disposition of coils
    • 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
    • G04C3/102—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 of the mechanical oscillator or of the coil

Definitions

  • An oscillator constructed in accordance with the present invention includes two parallel torsion blades fastened rigidly at their ends to a single support member and arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support member. Secured to each torsion blade near its center is an arm which is provided at one of its ends with a magneto-electric vibrations-ustaining device, and at the other end with a counterweight. The two arms oscillate in opposite directions, and the entire assembly is shaped and constructed in a manner such that .at all times and regardless of the position of the mechanism, the torques on the torsion blades are of the same magnitude but are oppositely directed. Also, the torques are applied in the same plane or in parallel planes. As a result, substantially no torque is transmitted by the support member to the timepiece mechanism or its case.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment
  • FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a partially cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a transistorized circuit for sustaining the oscillation of the oscillator device
  • FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the second embodiment.
  • FIGURE 6 is a partially cross-sectional structure shown in FIGURE 5 taken along line VIVI.
  • the oscillator device shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 includes two parallel torsion blades 1 and 2, each of the same length and fastened rigidly (e.g., welded) at its ends to a support member 3.
  • the support member is fastened to a mounting plate 4 of a timepiece mechanism.
  • the two torsion blades 1 and 2 are arranged in a single plane parallel to the plane of the support member 3. Alternatively, the blades also could be arranged in two mutually parallel planes.
  • the blades 1 and 2 are arranged symmetrically with and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central bar 3a of the support member 3.
  • the central bar 3a has two relatively narrow end portions 3b each of which is fastened to a post 5 or 6 which is secured to the plate 4.
  • the central bar 3a has, near each of its ends 3b,.a bent arm 30 on one side and a U-shaped arm 3d on the other side.
  • the bent arm 30 at one end is arranged on the same side of the central bar as the U-shaped arm 3d at the other end so that the points of attachment of the torsion blades 1 and 2 to the ends of the arms 30 and 3d are staggered longitudinally with respect to the transverse axis of the support member 3.
  • the arms 3c and 3d are bent in order to permit a certain amount of tension to be applied to the blade 1 at the time it is fastened onto the support member. This tension increases the resistance of the blade to bending, and also compensates for differences in temperature expansion between the blade and the support.
  • the two torsion blades 1 and 2 are flat, thin metallic blades each of which has a central portion 1a or 2a of a length approximately equal to half of the total length of the blade. Each of the central portions 1a and 2a is twisted so as to form an angle of with the remainder of the blade. This arrangement has the advantage of offering great resistance to longitudinal bending. The detailed features and advantages of this blade are more fully described in my copending US. patent application filed on the same date as this application and entitled Vibrator Device.
  • each torsion blade 1 and 2 there is fastened an oscillating arm 7 or 7'.
  • an electromagnetic oscillation sustaining device and of the counterweight are located at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the arm to which they are secured. Also, the positions of the oscillation sustaining device 8 and the counterweight 9 with respect to the axes of oscillation of the arms 7 and 7' is opposite to to the corresponding positions of the oscillation sustaining device 8 and the counterweight 9.
  • Arms 7 and 7' are driven so as to oscillate in opposite directions.
  • the elastic torques of the two torsion blades and the opposing mechanical torques of the two oscillating arms are oppositely directed, of the same magnitude, and are located in the same or parallel planes.
  • all of these torques substantially cancel each other.
  • the oscillator structure transmits very little if any force or vibration to the timepiece mechanism or its case. This very effectively prevents the timepiece mechanism from going into undesirable parasitic vibration, as sometimes happens in prior art devices.
  • this balancing of forces prevents the loss of energy usually caused in prior art devices due to unwanted vibration of the timepiece mechanism and its case.
  • FIGURE 3 shows the details of construction of the oscillation sustaining device 8'.
  • the other device 8 is identical to the device 8'.
  • Oscillation sustaining device 8 includes a permanent magnet 10 fastened to the inside of a cylindrical case 11 which is open at the bottom.
  • a coil 12 which has two separate windings B and B (see FIGURE 4) is wound on the upper end of a cylindrical member 13 which is secured to the plate 4.
  • each of the windings B, and B is connected in a well-known transistorized oscillator circuit in which Tr is a transistor, C is a capacitor, B represents the signal windings, B represents the pulse windings, and S is a source of direct current.
  • FIGURE 4 shows each of the windings B, and B as a single winding.
  • each winding sh-own represents the two windings B or B of the separate oscillation sustaining devices 8 or 8' connected to one another in series. By means of this series interconnection, synchronization of the oscillations is maintained.
  • This circuit operates in a known manner to move the magnet 10 and case 11 upwardly and downwardly in a timed cyclical movement so as to sustain the oscillation of the arms 7 and 7'.
  • An oscillating device in accordance with the present invention constitutes the regulating and driving device of the timepiece mechanism of which it is a part.
  • the torsion blades replace the usual hairspring and the oscillating arms replace the usual balance wheel.
  • one arm 7 or 7 can be coupled mechanically to a ratchet mechanism in a known manner so that the oscillatory movement of the arm operates the ratchet which turns the hands the hands of the timepiece.
  • a ratchet mechanism highly suitable for this purpose is described in my copending US. patent application filed on the same date as this patent application and entitled Ratchet Mechanism.
  • two of such ratchet mechanisms can be used, with each coupled to a different one of the arms 7 and 7, and with appropriate gearing to drive the hands of the timepiece.
  • the oscillator mechanism of the present invention can be used in many other known arrangements for regulating the operation of timepieces.
  • the support member and blades can be formed as a single unit.
  • two flat torsion blades 21 and 22 are fastened to a rectangular frame 23 which has two transverse cross-members 23a fastened by means of screws 25 and posts 26 to a base plate 24 of a timepiece mechanism.
  • the blades 21 and 22 are arranged parallel to one another in a single plane which is parallel to the plane of the supporting frame 23, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame.
  • Each torsion blade supports an oscillating arm 27 or 27'.
  • Each arm 27 or 27' has an electromagnetic oscillation sustaining device 28 or 28 at one end outside the frame 23, a counterweight 29, 29' at the other end inside the frame 23.
  • the oscillating arm 27 passes through a slot in the counterweight 29, and the oscillating arm 27 similarly passes through a slot in the counterweight 29.
  • the centers of gravity of the oscillation sustaining devices and the counterweights are at the same distance from the arm which supports them.
  • the two arms 27 and 27 oscillate in opposite directions.
  • Each oscillation sustaining device 28 or 28' includes a permanent magnet fastened to a U-shaped part 30 rigidly connected to the oscillating arm and cooperating with a double-winding coil 31 wound inside a U-shaped support 32 fastened to the plate 24.
  • the two windings of the coil 31 are connected in series in a transistorized circuit such as that shown in FIGURE 4, and the operation of the device shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that of the device shown in FIGURES 1 through 4.
  • torsion blades having twisted central portions like blades 1 and 2 can be used, and the two torsion blades and the support frame can be made integral, all within the scope of the present invention.
  • an oscillator device comprising, in combination, at least one pair of elongated torsion fiexure members, a support member, said torsion flexure members being secured to said support member,
  • Apparatus as in claim 1 including means for securing each of said torsion flcxure members to said support member, said securing mean comprising an elongated flexible member secured at one end to said support member and at its other end to one of said torsion flexure members adjacent one of its ends, said flexible member being aligned transversely with respect to said torsion fiexure member.
  • each of said torsion flexure members comprises a relatively thin strip of resilient material.
  • each of said torsion flexure members has a central portion which is twisted angularly with respect to the plane of the remainder of said fiexure member.
  • said cyclical oscillating means comprises two magnets and two counterweights, with the magnets and counterweights arranged in opposing pairs, each secured to one end of one of said arms, the centers of gravity of each electromagnet and counterweight being located equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the arm to which they are attached.
  • Apparatus as in claim 7 including two pairs each comprising a separate magnet and counterweight secured at opposite ends to one of said arms, the counterweights being positioned adjacent one another, each having a slot embracing the arm to which it is not attached.
  • Apparatus as in claim 5 including a pair of dualwinding coils, means for mounting each of said coils with the windings encircling one of said magnets with the magnet being free to move longitudinally within said coil, and a pair of transistorized electrical oscillator circuits each connected to one of said coils.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US585129A 1965-10-07 1966-10-07 Oscillator device for timepiece mechanisms Expired - Lifetime US3428879A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1385765A CH461377A (fr) 1965-10-07 1965-10-07 Dispositif oscillant à torsion pour mouvement d'horlogerie électronique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3428879A true US3428879A (en) 1969-02-18

Family

ID=4395928

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US585129A Expired - Lifetime US3428879A (en) 1965-10-07 1966-10-07 Oscillator device for timepiece mechanisms

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3428879A (xx)
CH (1) CH461377A (xx)
FR (1) FR1486631A (xx)
GB (1) GB1154349A (xx)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3534468A (en) * 1968-08-05 1970-10-20 Motorola Inc Method of making an electromechanical frequency responsive device with armature supported on torsion band
US4044283A (en) * 1975-10-22 1977-08-23 Schiller Industries, Inc. Electromechanical resonator

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3277643A (en) * 1961-05-24 1966-10-11 Favre Robert Electronic watch
US3351788A (en) * 1966-02-01 1967-11-07 Movado Montres Apparatus for mechanically converting the oscillating movement of an electro-mechanical oscillator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3277643A (en) * 1961-05-24 1966-10-11 Favre Robert Electronic watch
US3351788A (en) * 1966-02-01 1967-11-07 Movado Montres Apparatus for mechanically converting the oscillating movement of an electro-mechanical oscillator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3534468A (en) * 1968-08-05 1970-10-20 Motorola Inc Method of making an electromechanical frequency responsive device with armature supported on torsion band
US4044283A (en) * 1975-10-22 1977-08-23 Schiller Industries, Inc. Electromechanical resonator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH461377A (fr) 1968-03-29
FR1486631A (fr) 1967-06-30
CH1385765A4 (xx) 1968-03-29
GB1154349A (en) 1969-06-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3462939A (en) Mechanical vibrator for timepiece
US3515914A (en) Mechanical oscillator including a torsion bar
US3214662A (en) Electro-mechanical oscillation sustaining drive system
US3316708A (en) Mechanical resonator for normal frequency oscillators in time measuring device
US3428879A (en) Oscillator device for timepiece mechanisms
US3491258A (en) Oscillatory system with two turning mass bodies
US3360704A (en) Spring-type electromechanical oscillator
US3269106A (en) Mechanical resonator for normal frequency oscillators in time-keepers
US3469389A (en) Electromechanical vibrator assembly for a timepiece
US3308313A (en) Torsion oscillator
US3308361A (en) Electromagnetic vibrator
US3201932A (en) Vibratory frequency standard for a timekeeping device
US3448304A (en) Vibrator device
US3581126A (en) Mounting device for flexion vibrators
US3277644A (en) Tuning fork timepiece
US3528308A (en) Mechanical resonator of rotation
US3070951A (en) Frequency-adjustable tuning fork type vibrator for an electrically energized timepiece
US3192701A (en) Vibratory motion converter for an electric timepiece
GB1227173A (xx)
US3548585A (en) Flexion-type symmetrical oscillator
US3162006A (en) Tuning fork for electronic timepiece
US3501655A (en) Speed controlled clock motor
US3474270A (en) Vibrators
US3343365A (en) Oscillator for time-pieces
US3310757A (en) Decoupling mounting plates for tuning fork oscillators