US3528237A - Horological hairspring - Google Patents

Horological hairspring Download PDF

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Publication number
US3528237A
US3528237A US725275A US3528237DA US3528237A US 3528237 A US3528237 A US 3528237A US 725275 A US725275 A US 725275A US 3528237D A US3528237D A US 3528237DA US 3528237 A US3528237 A US 3528237A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
hairspring
balance wheel
spring
section
cross
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
US725275A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jean G Suard
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.)
Timex Group USA Inc
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Timex Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
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Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3528237A publication Critical patent/US3528237A/en
Assigned to CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE reassignment CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREDERIKSPLEIN HOLDING 1970 B.V., TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP., TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP., TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP., TIMEX ENTERPRISES, INC., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX GROUP LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX MEDICAL PRODUCTS LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX N.V.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/066—Manufacture of the spiral spring
    • 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

Definitions

  • a horological movement includes a balance wheel fixed to a balance wheel staff.
  • a hairspring, attached between the balance wheel assembly and the frame, permits oscillation of the balance wheel.
  • the hairspring is formed in an irregular convolute, i.e., with a non-uniform pitch, and is round in cross-section.
  • the present invention relates to horology and more particularly to the spiral hairspring and balance wheel assembly of a watch.
  • a horological instrument requires some device to provide a regular beat.
  • the beat may be provided by a swinging pendulum.
  • Watches for many years have used a circular balance wheel for that function.
  • the balance wheel is fixed to a staff which is free to pivot in bearings or jewels.
  • the balance wheel is oscillated by means of a spiral hairspring and an impulsing means.
  • the hairspring is usually wound in a number of turns and formed from spring steel having a rectangular crosssection.
  • Mechanical watches use a single hairspring.
  • Electrical watches also use a single hairspring which, when the coil is carried by balance, carries electrical current to the cor
  • a hairspring in a watch is critical to its timekeeping. If the spring force of the hairspring changes, for example, with temperature variations, the passage of time and the inlilfuence of magnetism, the accuracy of the watch may su er.
  • the usual watch hairspring as a result of research efforts over many years, is often constructed of the high quality and expensive steel alloys.
  • the cleaning and heat treatment of the hairspring is carefully controlled.
  • the hair spring is, in practice, exactly wound so that its pitch, i.e., degree of curvature, is constant, following an Archimedes spiral formula.
  • This type of hairspring winding presents a problem in that the outer turns may be close enough together to clash against each other during the movement of the balance wheel which winds up the hairspring. Such clashing causes a loss of accuracy.
  • the height of the hairspring i.e., its dimension parallel to the axis of the balance wheel staff, may present a problem.
  • the height of the hairspring adds to the thickness of the watch, particularly if the watch is an electronic watch which uses two hairsprings.
  • a balance wheel and hairspring assembly is provided for a Watch.
  • the hairspring is wound with a certain formula in which its curve is not a simple function, that is, its pitch is not constant.
  • the hairspring wire, in cross-section, is round.
  • the hairspring is wound with its turns toward the center more tightly wound than its outer turns, which avoids clashing of the outer turns.
  • the round cross-section of the hairspring requires less vertical space, i.e., parallel to the axis of the balance wheel staff. The saving in vertical space may be of particular importance in electronic watches using two hairsprings arranged in different parallel planes.
  • a hairspring which is round in cross-section, compared to one having a rectangular section of the same force and length, would Weigh less.
  • the lighter spring, of round cross-section will sag less when the watch is in its normal position, i.e., normal relative to the balance wheel axis. This will result in improved timekeeping, due to less position error, as there will be less harmful effect on timekeeping in the vertical position.
  • the sagging which may occur in the horizontal position of the watch will not affect the timekeeping of the watch.
  • the hairspring having a round cross-section may be comparatively less affected by stray magnetic flux and by air pressure changes.
  • the round hairspring may be formed from relatively inexpensive and round drawn wire.
  • the hairspring having a round cross-section if wound with the conventional constant pitch, would require a larger outside diameter than is attainable by using a nonconstant pitch.
  • FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a prior art watch hairspring
  • FIG. 1B is a cross-section along lines AA of the hairspring of FIG. 1A;
  • FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the hairspring of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a cross-section along line B--B of the hairspring of FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hairspring of FIGS. 2A and 2B connected in a balance wheel assembly.
  • the conventional prior art watch hairspring of FIGS. 1A and 1B consists of a strip of spring steel whose crosssection is rectangular and uniform along its length.
  • the height of the spring is the long part of the rectangular cross-section parallel to the axis of the balance wheel staff.
  • the conventional spring having a constant pitch, is wound according to the following formula:
  • A a constant giving the inside radius of the hairspring
  • K a constant providing the pitch, i.e., degree of curvature, of the hairspring:
  • the Archimedes curve has a long history, particularly in the later Middle Ages, as possessing almost magical properties. On a more practical basis, the Archimedes curvehas been considered relatively simple to measure to a selected tolerance and relatively simple to manufacture.
  • the rectangular cross-section has been utilized as it presented a stilfness against the drooping of the hairspring, i.e., deflection parallel to the axis of the balance wheel staif.
  • the rectangular cross-section when compared to a hairspring of round section, requires a larger cross-section to obtain the same spring force. In other words, in a given space, more force may be obtained from a spring of round cross-section than a spring of rectangular cross-section.
  • the moment of elasticity (return torque) Mr is where E is the modulus (coeoflicient) of elesticity, w is the width and H the height of the cross-section.
  • a Spring of round cross-section has its moment of elasticity where E is the modulus of elesticity, and r is the radius of the cross-section.
  • E is the modulus of elesticity
  • r is the radius of the cross-section.
  • One may compare a spring having a round cross-section with one having a rectangular crosssection; and, using the following assumptions, it is found that a rectangular spring, delivering the same force as a round spring, has a cross-sectional area Ar which is more than twice as large as the cross-sectional area Ad of a round spring, i.e., Ar:Ad 1.00:0.46.
  • Ar:Ad 45 X 10- :20.6' 10- Therefore, Ar'zAdl: 1.00: .46
  • a spring may be wound according to a preselected curvature, i.e., a variable pitch, according to the following formula, in accordance with the present invention:
  • the function G[0, i, k 1 provides the pitch for the outside coil turn of the hairspring coil.
  • the outside turn is selected to match the regulator so that the rate may be set.
  • the interior convolutions (windings) of the hairspring 10, as shown in FIG. 2 are at a relatively lesser pitch than the outer windings. The clashing of the outer windings is avoided by spacing them further apart.
  • a hairspring having twelve coils (complete turns) is wound with a pitch of two thicknesses of the hairspring starting at the first coil, to a final pitch of 3 or 4 or 5, the pitch continuously growing from 2 to 3 or 4 or !5.
  • This type of hairspring may, compared to hairsprings having a constant pitch, be of greater length within a given volume or, alternatively, a given length of hairspring would have a smaller outside diameter.
  • the hairspring of the present invention having a nonregular pitch and a round cross-section, finds particular application in an electronic watch.
  • a balance wheel 20 is mounted on a balance wheel staff 21.
  • the balance wheel carries a round coil 24 having two terminal wires 26 and 26a.
  • the coil 24 interacts with a series of three north-south-north permanent magnets 25 fixed to the shunt plate 25a.
  • a circuit 27 having terminals 30 and 31 is connected to a battery (not shown).
  • the circuit 27 pulses the coil 24 with current during its passage through the magnetic fields of magnets 25.
  • a suitable detailed circuit and magnet structure is explained in Zemlas U.S. Pat. 3,046,460, issued July 24, 1962.
  • the coil terminals 26 and 26a are connected to their respective circuit terminals 30 and 31 through the hairsprings 32 and 33.
  • the hairsprings are round in crosssection and are wound with a non-regular pitch.
  • One hairspring 32 is connected to terminal 26 of the coil and is on one side of the balance wheel, and the other hairspring 33 is connected to terminal 26a on the other side of the balance wheel.
  • the hairspring outer ends are fixed in insulated posts 34, 35 in the frame and bridge. Their other ends are fixed in hairspring hubs on the balance wheel stafl.
  • a drive 36 fixed to the balance wheel interacts with the arms of a fork lever 37 to oscillate the lever 37.
  • the lever 37 is pivoted on staif 38 and has banking pins (not shown) which limit its movement.
  • a pin 39 on the opposite end of the lever engages in the teeth of ratchet (index) wheel 40 and indexes the wheel.
  • the movement of wheel 40 is transmitted by a conventional gear train to the hands of the watch.
  • the hairspring of the present invention is also adapted for use in a mechanical watch, which is powered by a mainspring.
  • the mainspring is housed in a barrel having exterior gear teeth and is wound by a crown, through one or more gears.
  • the barrel meshes with a set of gears to drive the time indicating hands.
  • the release of the mainspring power is controlled by an escapement which includes a lever and a balance wheel assembly, the lever being pivoted and providing an impulse to the balance wheel.
  • the balance wheel assembly pivots between the movement frame and a bridge.
  • a hairspring, of round cross-section and non-uniform in its Winding pitch, is connected between the bridge and a hub on the balance wheel staff.
  • An electronic watch including a frame, a bridge connected to the frame, a balance wheel assembly rotatably positioned between said frame and said bridge, an electronic circuit including means to be connected to a battery, a coil carried on the balance wheel, means to create at least one magnetic field positioned to be interacted with the coil, a first hairspring connected between the frame and the balance wheel assembly, and a second hairspring connected between the bridge and the balance wheel assembly, wherein the first and second hairsprings each are electrical connections between the circuit and the coil, and wherein at least one of the hairsprings has a plurality of its windings in a common plane, is round in cross-section and non-uniform in winding pitch.
  • both hairsprings have a plurality of windings in a common plane, are round in cross-section and non-uniform in winding pitch.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
  • Magnetic Treatment Devices (AREA)
US725275A 1968-04-30 1968-04-30 Horological hairspring Expired - Lifetime US3528237A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72527568A 1968-04-30 1968-04-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3528237A true US3528237A (en) 1970-09-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US725275A Expired - Lifetime US3528237A (en) 1968-04-30 1968-04-30 Horological hairspring

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US3528237A (fr)
FR (1) FR2007280A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1196579A (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3641761A (en) * 1970-06-17 1972-02-15 Hamilton Watch Co Watch transducer
US3934403A (en) * 1974-05-06 1976-01-27 Timex Corporation Fixation of double conducting hairspring
US3950938A (en) * 1974-05-06 1976-04-20 Timex Corporation Two conductor hairspring-hub arrangement for electric watches
EP1473604A1 (fr) * 2003-04-29 2004-11-03 Patek Philippe S.A. Organe de régulation à balancier et spiral plan pour mouvement d'horlogerie
DE102006052245A1 (de) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-08 Lange Uhren Gmbh Schwingsystem für eine Uhr
US20100002548A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-07 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonators for a timepiece
US20110069591A1 (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-24 Rolex S.A. Flat balance spring for horological balance and balance wheel/balance spring assembly
US20130028056A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-01-31 Rolex S.A. Balance wheel assembly with optimized pivoting
US20170255163A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-07 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Reduced dimension balance spring of constant double section

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2196866A (en) * 1937-07-31 1940-04-09 Rech S Etudes Applic Tech Reat Dead beat cylinder escapement
FR1217857A (fr) * 1958-12-11 1960-05-06 Ct Tech De L Ind Horlogere Perfectionnement apporté à l'organe régulateur des mouvements d'horlogerie
US3186157A (en) * 1961-08-24 1965-06-01 United States Time Corp Balance wheel assembly for an electric timepiece

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2004814A (en) * 1934-08-29 1935-06-11 Knobel Max Clock movement
US2209172A (en) * 1938-09-19 1940-07-23 Waterbury Clock Company Hairspring for time instruments
FR1332835A (fr) * 1962-07-24 1963-07-19 United States Time Corp Régulateur de marche

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2196866A (en) * 1937-07-31 1940-04-09 Rech S Etudes Applic Tech Reat Dead beat cylinder escapement
FR1217857A (fr) * 1958-12-11 1960-05-06 Ct Tech De L Ind Horlogere Perfectionnement apporté à l'organe régulateur des mouvements d'horlogerie
US3186157A (en) * 1961-08-24 1965-06-01 United States Time Corp Balance wheel assembly for an electric timepiece

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3641761A (en) * 1970-06-17 1972-02-15 Hamilton Watch Co Watch transducer
US3934403A (en) * 1974-05-06 1976-01-27 Timex Corporation Fixation of double conducting hairspring
US3950938A (en) * 1974-05-06 1976-04-20 Timex Corporation Two conductor hairspring-hub arrangement for electric watches
CN100465820C (zh) * 2003-04-29 2009-03-04 帕特尔菲利普公司 用于钟表机芯的包括摆轮和平面游丝的调节装置
EP2224293A3 (fr) * 2003-04-29 2011-03-02 Patek Philippe SA Genève Organe de régulation à balancier et à spiral plan pour mouvement d'horlogerie
JP2006525504A (ja) * 2003-04-29 2006-11-09 パテック フィリップ ソシエテ アノニム 時計ムーブメント用てん輪及び平面状ひげぜんまい付き調節装置
US20060262652A1 (en) * 2003-04-29 2006-11-23 Jean-Pierre Musy Control member with a balance wheel and a planar spiral for a watch or clock movement
US7344302B2 (en) 2003-04-29 2008-03-18 Patek, Philippe Sa Control member with a balance wheel and a planar spiral for a watch or clock movement
WO2004097534A1 (fr) * 2003-04-29 2004-11-11 Patek Philippe S.A. Organe de regulation a balancier et spiral plan pour mouvement d'horlogerie
JP4763595B2 (ja) * 2003-04-29 2011-08-31 パテック フィリップ ソシエテ アノニム ジュネーブ 時計ムーブメント用てん輪及び平面状ひげぜんまい付き調節装置
EP1473604A1 (fr) * 2003-04-29 2004-11-03 Patek Philippe S.A. Organe de régulation à balancier et spiral plan pour mouvement d'horlogerie
DE102006052245A1 (de) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-08 Lange Uhren Gmbh Schwingsystem für eine Uhr
US7648265B2 (en) * 2006-11-03 2010-01-19 Lange Uhren Gmbh Regulatorless oscillating system for a watch
US20080117721A1 (en) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-22 Lange Uhren Gmbh Regulatorless oscillating system for a watch
US20100002548A1 (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-07 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonators for a timepiece
US7950846B2 (en) * 2008-07-04 2011-05-31 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonators for a timepiece
US20110069591A1 (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-24 Rolex S.A. Flat balance spring for horological balance and balance wheel/balance spring assembly
US8348497B2 (en) * 2009-09-21 2013-01-08 Rolex S.A. Flat balance spring for horological balance and balance wheel/balance spring assembly
US20130028056A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-01-31 Rolex S.A. Balance wheel assembly with optimized pivoting
US9016933B2 (en) * 2011-07-29 2015-04-28 Rolex S.A. Balance wheel assembly with optimized pivoting
US20170255163A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-07 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Reduced dimension balance spring of constant double section
US10012954B2 (en) * 2016-03-04 2018-07-03 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Reduced dimension balance spring of constant double section

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1915711B2 (de) 1973-02-08
FR2007280A1 (fr) 1970-01-02
GB1196579A (en) 1970-07-01
DE1915711A1 (de) 1969-11-20

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP.;TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004181/0596

Effective date: 19830331