US3638416A - Tuning fork drive for clocks - Google Patents

Tuning fork drive for clocks Download PDF

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Publication number
US3638416A
US3638416A US27470A US3638416DA US3638416A US 3638416 A US3638416 A US 3638416A US 27470 A US27470 A US 27470A US 3638416D A US3638416D A US 3638416DA US 3638416 A US3638416 A US 3638416A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tuning fork
extending
drive
magnetic
tines
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
US27470A
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English (en)
Inventor
Klaus Kaltenbach
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.)
JAHRESUNHREN FABRIK AUG S GmbH
Original Assignee
JAHRESUNHREN FABRIK AUG S GmbH
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • 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
    • G04C3/104—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 pawl or the ratched-wheel
    • G04C3/105—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 pawl or the ratched-wheel pawl and ratched-wheel being magnetically coupled

Definitions

  • a timepiece is provided with a drive mechanism comprises a 1969 Germany 19 795'9 tuning fork having an electromagnetic oscillator located 52] U S Cl 58/23 TF 310/37 between the bight thereof, energized by an electronic amplify- [51] In. .Cl 66 3/00 g system Connected to a battery Source of current one tine [58] Fieid TF H 6 of the tuning fork is magnetically connected to a spoked 58/ll6 gearwheel forming in combination therewith an escapement mechanism for the timepiece.
  • the other tine is provided with [56] References Cited a permanent magnet extending transversely to the direction of oscillation and which cooperates with a magnetic polar piece UNITED STATES PATENTS to create an isochronous compensator for the tuning fork. 2,743,614 5/1956 Clifford ..74/1.5
  • the escapement mechanism is driven by a tuning fork oscillated by an electromagnetic assembly comprising a pair of spool or wire coils each having a permanently magnetized core.
  • the assembly is located between the tines of the fork and the coils connected to an electronic amplifier which derives an energizing signal from the battery or other source of voltage.
  • the tuning fork is caused to vibrate and its oscillations transmitted to the escapement mechanism to run the timepiece.
  • the tuning fork when the tuning fork is impressed with a signal having a frequency greater than 300 lHz., it combines with the escapement mechanism to accurately drive the timepiece no matter what signal variations occur.
  • the frequency on the tuning fork falls below this level, as when the battery or source of energy decreases in voltage or its circuitry changes the operating characteristics due to wearing or other features, the isochronism between the respective parts is adversely affected and the operating oscillating amplitude of the tuning fork fails to be truly representative of the frequency change. As a result the regulation and accuracy of the timepiece is severely affected. This is a particularly significant drawback in the operation of the battery driven clocks especially when the frequency falls to a level between 30 and 300 Hz.
  • a timepiece is provided with a drive mechanism comprises a tuning fork having an electromagnetic oscillator located between the bright thereof, energized by an electronic amplifying system connected to a battery source of current.
  • One tine of the tuning fork is magnetically connected to a spoked gearwheel forming in combination therewith an escapement mechanism for the timepiece.
  • the other tine is provided with a permanent magnet extending transversely to the direction of oscillation and which cooperates with a magnetic polar piece to create an isochronous compensator for the tuning fork.
  • the first mentioned tine of the tuning fork also includes a permanent magnet extending transversely to the direction of oscillation and is similar to and symmetrically arranged on the tuning fork relative to the electromagnet of the isochronous compensator. It is also preferred that the supporting member for the permanent magnets be made of nonmagnetic material and be located at the end of the tine.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially sectioned and in schematic form of the tuning fork drive mechanism of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a section through the wound coils and permanent magnets forming the electromagnetic oscillating mechanism for the tuning fork
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged, inverted and reversed, section of the polar member of the present invention.
  • the device comprises a tuning fork having a pair of tines l1 and 12 between the bight of which is located a pair of wire wound spools l3 and 14, one of which comprising the driving electromagnetic coil the other comprising the control or pickup electromagnet coil.
  • the tine ll cooperates with a switch or escapement mechanism generally numbered 15 while the other tine l2 cooperates with an isochronous oscillating compensating mechanism generally depicted by numeral 16.
  • the electromagnetic devices 13 and 14 are seen in detail in FIG. 2 and comprise a cantilevered wire wound outer coil body, in each of which is coaxially located a permanent magnet 27 and 28 respectively.
  • the magnets 27 and 28 are placed with their polarities in opposed directions and are axially located within the wire spools with one of their cross-sectional faces abutting against a portion of the interior windings of the spool.
  • the windings overlap the ends of the core members 27 and 28 so that when mounted between the tines of the tuning fork the cores do not come in contact with the respective tines and provide efficient oscillatory energy to the tines without interference or feedback.
  • the wire wound spools l3 and 14 are connected to an electronic amplifier which is itself connected to a source of current such as a battery. Neither the electronic amplifier, the battery or the connecting circuitry are shown in the drawings since each is conventional in this art and will be well known to those skilled therein.
  • the escapement mechanism comprises a spoked wheel 25 made of highly magnetic material mounted about a rotatable axle secured within the body or frame of the timepiece. Aligned in parallel with the axis of the wheel 25 is a permanent magnet 17 which is adjustably secured within a nonmagnetic holder 18 located in pendulum fashion at the end of the tine 11. The holder 18 may also be adjustably secured to the end of the tine.
  • the permanent magnet 17 is generally cylindrical in shape and of the bar type and has an outer end cooperating with the spoked wheel 25.
  • the permanent magnet 17 is clamped in any usual manner within a slot in the holder 18 so that it may be adjustably secured in its extended position.
  • the spoked wheel 25 and the permanent magnet 17 cooperate between them to provide a magnetic switch or escapement mechanism which on oscillation of the tine 11 causes the wheel 25 to rotate.
  • the isochronous compensating mechanism associated with the other tine 12 comprises a polar piece 19 made of highly magnetic material in the shape ofa right angle.
  • One leg of the right angle member is positioned adjacent the upper end of the tine l2 and extends in the plane normal to the vertical run of the tine. This portion forms a pole shoe in which is formed a slot 26.
  • Mounted at the end of the tine I2 is a nonmagnetic holder 21 similar to the holder I8 holding the permanent magnet 17.
  • the nonmagnetic holder 21 is also provided with a slot in which is adjustably clamped a permanent magnet 20 similar to that of the previously mentioned magnet 17.
  • the permanent magnet 20 extends into the slot 26 of the pole shoe formed by the pole piece 19.
  • the axis of the slot 26 extends positioned generally along the axis of the magnet 20. It is noted that both support 18 and 21 and the extending bar magnets l7 and 20 are similar, and are symmetrically located at the ends of the tines with respect to a longitudinal central axis passing through the center of the tuning fork.
  • the pole piece 19 is mounted by its vertical portion to a vertical supporting plate 22 as seen in FIG. 3. (Note that FIG. 3 is an inverted and reversed view of the portion shown in FIG. I.)
  • This support 22 is provided with a slot and a screw 23 which extends through and into engagement with the vertical portion of the pole piece 19. By adjusting the screw 23 the symmetrical position of the pole piece along the axis of the cooperating magnet 20 is easily obtained.
  • a second screw 24 extends into a bore in the support 22 and abuts against the pole piece 19 securing the pole piece against any movement.
  • the gap formed by the slot 26 in the pole piece 19 is so arranged with respect to the permanent magnet 20 by adjustment of the screws 23 and 24, that with even a varying battery potential (i.e., between 1.6 volts and 1.1 volt) the tuning fork will be caused to oscillate with a uniform frequency.
  • the final tuning of the fork, at its correct frequency, is made by merely positioning the mass formed by the permanent magnet 20 and its holder 21 toward and away with respect to the end of tine 12.
  • the tuning fork When the electromagnetic oscillators l3 and 14 of the tuning fork are then connected to the electronic amplifying device the tuning fork is caused to resonate, working the permanent magnet 17 in conjunction with the spoked wheel 25 which then turns at the rate dictated by the frequency of the tuning fork.
  • the effects of isochronism failure are automatically compensated for by the arrangement of the permanent magnet 20 at the end of the second tuning fork tine 12 which in cooperation with the highly magnetic pole piece corrects the amplitude of the oscillations causing the regular tuning fork resonating system to return to its initial predefined position.
  • the present invention provides a tuning fork drive mechanism particularly adaptable for frequencies under 300 Hz. and for example as low as 100 Hz.
  • the apparatus is selfregulating even for small isochronous failures.
  • the present device is simply constructed and can be made of component parts which in the main are similar to apparatus for driving the escapement mechanism. By symmetrically and similarly forming the various parts of the present device extraneous factors are eliminated in its operation.
  • a drive mechanism for a timepiece comprising an electromagnetically oscillated tuning fork having a pair of tines, a magnetic escapement mechanism and a magnetic isochronous compensating device respectively associated with the tines of said tuning fork, means mounted on one tine and extending outwardly therefrom into cooperation with and providing the sole drive for said escapement mechanism, means mounted on the other tine and extending outwardly therefrom in sole cooperation with said isochronous compensating mechanism, said extending means cooperating to maintain said tuning fork in uniform frequency.
  • each extending means comprises a permanent bar magnet and includes nonmagnetic holder means mounting said bar magnet to the end of each of the associated tines.
  • each of said extending magnets are adjustably secured within said holder.
  • each of said magnets and holders are similar and are symmetrically arranged on their associated tines with respect to the central axis of the tuning fork.
  • the isochronous compensating device comprises a magnetic pole piece having a slot formed therein, said pole piece being suitably mounted with respect to its associated magnet and having the axis of said slot positioned along the axis of said extending magnet.
  • the escapement mechanism comprises a magnetic wheel having a plurality of spokes extending about the circumference thereof, said spokes cooperating with the extending magnet associated with it so as to cause said wheel to turn on oscillation of said magnet.
  • tuning fork is driven by an electromagnetic assembly comprising a control and drive coil having a magnetic core, said magnetic core being located axially within said coil, said coil extending over each end of said core, said control and drive coils being located between the tines of said tuning fork.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microwave Tubes (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US27470A 1969-04-29 1970-04-13 Tuning fork drive for clocks Expired - Lifetime US3638416A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691921795 DE1921795A1 (de) 1969-04-29 1969-04-29 Stimmgabelantrieb fuer Uhren

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3638416A true US3638416A (en) 1972-02-01

Family

ID=5732745

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US27470A Expired - Lifetime US3638416A (en) 1969-04-29 1970-04-13 Tuning fork drive for clocks

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3638416A (xx)
CH (2) CH513444A (xx)
DE (1) DE1921795A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2040350B1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1248179A (xx)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150166398A1 (en) * 2010-06-23 2015-06-18 Japan Display Inc. Glass cutting machine, glass cutter, and glass cutting method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2743614A (en) * 1950-07-15 1956-05-01 Clifford Cecil Frank Mechanical oscillators
CA704477A (en) * 1965-02-23 Nomura Yasuo Tuning fork clock
US3207965A (en) * 1962-08-11 1965-09-21 Lavet Marius Jean Adjustable mechanical oscillator for time-measuring apparatus
US3338047A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-08-29 Gen Time Corp Frequency regulator for tuning fork drive system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1044830A (fr) * 1950-07-15 1953-11-20 Horstmann Magnetics Ltd Oscillateur mécanique et mécanisme d'échappement magnétique comportant cet oscillateur
FR1395583A (fr) * 1963-10-17 1965-04-16 Perfectionnements aux petits appareils magnétoélectriques régularises par les combinaisons d'organes vibrants

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA704477A (en) * 1965-02-23 Nomura Yasuo Tuning fork clock
US2743614A (en) * 1950-07-15 1956-05-01 Clifford Cecil Frank Mechanical oscillators
US3207965A (en) * 1962-08-11 1965-09-21 Lavet Marius Jean Adjustable mechanical oscillator for time-measuring apparatus
US3338047A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-08-29 Gen Time Corp Frequency regulator for tuning fork drive system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150166398A1 (en) * 2010-06-23 2015-06-18 Japan Display Inc. Glass cutting machine, glass cutter, and glass cutting method
US9458048B2 (en) * 2010-06-23 2016-10-04 Japan Display Inc. Glass cutting machine, glass cutter, and glass cutting method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1248179A (en) 1971-09-29
FR2040350B1 (xx) 1974-07-12
FR2040350A1 (xx) 1971-01-22
CH412070A4 (xx) 1971-03-31
DE1921795A1 (de) 1970-12-03
CH513444A (de) 1971-03-31

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