Electro-mechanical drive mechanism for watches and related devices

Claim 2

An electro-mechanical transducer actuable through an electrical current applied thereto to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, and comprising: an escapement wheel rotatively supported on a drive shaft, a control arm, and means supporting said control arm for shifting movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft of said escapement wheel, clutch means intercoupling said control arm with said escapement wheel for driving said escapement wheel through said control arm, magnetic means including electro-magnetic means operationally coupled to said control arm, said magnetic means being responsive to electrical energy applied thereto to provide electro-magnetic pulses at timespaced intervals, said pulses acting upon said control arm to effect displacement thereof, said displacement of said control arm being effective to actuate said clutch mechanism; thereby to rotate said escapement wheel and to produce incremental angular advancement of said escapement wheel at corresponding said time-spaced intervals.

Claim 3

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises: first and second wound spring means encircling and embracing said drive shaft, said first and second spring means being axially spaced and coaxially mounted on said drive shaft for tensioned gripping engagement therewith, means coupling said control arm to the first said spring means to constitute said spring means a drive spring for said drive shaft, means securing said second spring means against rotAtion relative to said drive shaft, said second spring means being a fixed spring and comprising shaft gripping means wound about said drive shaft in a direction to prevent rotation of said drive shaft during unwinding of said first spring means and to permit rotational advancement of said drive shaft during winding of said first spring means.

Claim 4

The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first spring means is wound in a sense to slip relative to said drive shaft during unwinding and to grasp and rotate said drive shaft during winding, and said second spring means is wound in a sense to grip and hold said drive shaft during unwinding of said first spring means and to slip relative to said drive shaft during winding of said first spring means.

Claim 5

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said escapement wheel is formed with an encircling array of teeth about the periphery thereof, and wherein said control arm periodically to interject into interdental spaces between said teeth of said escapement wheel to abut and bear against said teeth to serve as means to regulate stepwise angular advancement of said escapement wheel and to provide exact, incremental rotative steps.

Claim 6

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means includes permanent magnet means operatively disposed to impress a magnetic force upon said control arm to hold said control arm at a rest position and to retain said control arm in said rest position in a mechanically stressed state, and wherein a current pulse applied to said electro-magnetic means produces an electro-magnetic force effectively opposing said magnetic force of said permanent magnet means to overcome said magnetic force and to release said control arm, said control arm being responsive to said electro-magnetic force and being operable to shift from and then to return to said rest position to effect an annular incremental rotative advancement of said escapement wheel.

Claim 7

The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electro-magnetic force opposing said magnetic force of said permanent magnet means serves as well to urge said control arm from said rest position.

Claim 8

An electro-mechanical transducer comprising the combination with a rotatively supported escapement wheel of toothless ratchet means coupled to said escapement wheel and operable to advance said escapement wheel in incremental steps at controlled time-spaced intervals, said toothless ratchet means comprising drive means rotatively shifting said escapement wheel, cooperating clutch means restricting rotative shifting of said escapement wheel to only one annular direction, and electro-mechanical means for actuating said drive means.

Claim 9

An electro-mechanical transducer comprising the combination with a rotatively supported escapement wheel of toothless ratchet means coupled to said escapement wheel and operable to advance said escapement wheel in incremental steps at controlled time-spaced intervals, said toothless ratchet means comprising drive means rotatively shifting said escapement wheel, cooperating clutch means restricting rotative shifting of said escapement wheel to only one annular direction, and electro-mechanical means for actuating said drive means.

Claim 10

The structure as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising a control arm and electro-mechanical means to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, said electro-mechanical means including electro-magnetic means operative periodically to shift said control arm from a quiescent rest position to an electro-magnetically established displaced position, means operative to return said control arm to its quiescent rest position upon cut-off of electro-magnetic forces applied thereto, and mechanical means coupling said control arm to said drive means to effect stepped incremental annular advancement of said escapement wheel at cessation of said electro-magnetic forces and during ensuing shifting of said control arm in returning from its electro-magnetically established displaced position to its quiescent rest position.

Claim 11

The structure as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising a control arm and electro-mechanical means to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, said electro-mechanical means including electro-magnetic means operative periodically to shift said control arm from a quiescent rest position to an electro-magnetically established displaced position, means operative to return said control arm to its quiescent rest position upon cUt-off of electro-magnetic forces applied thereto, and mechanical means coupling said control arm to said drive means to effect stepped incremental advancement of said escapement wheel at initiation of said electro-magnetic forces and during ensuing displacement of said control arm from its quiescent rest position to its electro-magnetically established displaced position.

Claim 12

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonant element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, and an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer; the improvement wherein said electro-mechanical transducer comprises, in combination: an escapement wheel rotationally supported on a drive shaft, first and second spring means encircling and embracing said drive shaft, said first and second spring means being axially spaced and coaxially mounted on said drive shaft for tensioned gripping engagement therewith, a control arm and means supporting said control arm for angular movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft, means coupling said control arm to said first spring means to constitute said first spring means a drive spring for said drive shaft, magnetic means including electro-magnetic means responsive to electrical energy applied thereto to provide magnetic pulses at time-spaced intervals to effect angular displacement of said control arm, means securing said second spring means against rotation relative to said drive shaft, said second spring means being a fixed spring and comprising clutch means wound about said drive shaft in a direction to prevent rotation of said drive shaft during unwinding of said first spring means and to permit rotational advancement of said drive shaft during winding of said first spring means.

Claim 13

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonant element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, and an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer; the improvement wherein said electro-mechanical transducer comprises, in combination: an escapement wheel rotationally supported on a drive shaft, first and second spring means encircling and embracing said drive shaft, said first and second spring means being axially spaced and coaxially mounted on said drive shaft for tensioned gripping engagement therewith, a control arm and means supporting said control arm for angular movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft, means coupling said control arm to said first spring means to constitute said first spring means a drive spring for said drive shaft, magnetic means including electro-magnetic means responsive to electrical energy applied thereto to provide magnetic pulses at time-spaced intervals to effect angular displacement of said control arm, means securing said second spring means against rotation relative to said drive shaft, said second spring means being a fixed spring and comprising clutch means wound about said drive shaft in a direction to prevent rotation of said drive shaft during unwinding of said first spring means and to permit rotational advancement of said drive shaft during winding of said first spring means.

Claim 14

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises a fiber clutch assembly including: a clutch element and means securing said clutch element to said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, said clutch element having an irregular surface defining abutment means adapted to engage ends of cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm at an outwardly extending end portion thereof and shiftable therewith, said fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said abutment means and angled in a direction to effect rotation of said clutch element upon actuation of said control arm; whereby displacement of said control arm presents projecting free ends of said fiber means into driving contact with said abutment means to effect rotative shifting of said clutch element and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 15

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises a fiber clutch assembly including: a disc-like rotatable clutch plate coaxial with and secured to said drive shaft of said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, a principal surface of said clutch plate extending generally normally of said drive shaft and carrying a plurality of elements defining facets extending generally upwardly from said clutch plate and constituting abutment means adapted to engage cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm at an outwardly extending end portion thereof and shiftable therewith, said fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said facets of said clutch plate, and angled forwardly with respect to a direction of rotation of said clutch plate; whereby displacement of said control arm presents projecting free end portions of said fiber means into stressing abutment contact with said facets of said clutch plate to effect rotative shifting of said clutch plate and said escapement wheEl about said drive shaft.

Claim 16

The structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fiber means presented to said clutch plate lie in planes defining angles in the range of about 20* to 45* with said principal surface of said clutch plate.

Claim 17

The structure as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising fixed fiber means and means supporting said fixed fiber means with free projecting ends thereof in contact with said clutch plate at facets thereof, said fixed fiber means being angled in a direction to permit annular advance of said clutch plate and said escapement wheel secured thereto, whereby said fixed fiber means allow sliding passage of said elements of said clutch plate defining said facets, and constitute check means limiting rotation of said clutch plate to one direction only.

Claim 18

The structure as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising fixed fiber means and means supporting said fixed fiber means with free projecting ends thereof in contact with said clutch element, said fixed fiber means being angled in a direction to permit annular advance of said clutch element and said escapement wheel secured thereto, whereby said fixed fiber means allow sliding passage of said clutch element in contact therewith and constitute check means limiting rotation of said clutch element to one direction only.

Claim 19

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises a fiber clutch assembly including: a drum-like rotatable cylinder encircling, secured to, and coaxial with and drive shaft to said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, an enveloping surface of said cylinder being surfaced to define abutment means adapted to engage cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm at an outwardly extending end portion thereof and shiftable therewith, said fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said abutment means of said cylinder and angled in a direction to effect rotation of said cylinder upon actuation of said control arm; whereby displacement of said control arm presents projecting free ends of said fiber means into driving contact with said abutment means to effect rotative shifting of said cylinder and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 20

The structure as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising fixed fiber means and means supporting said fixed fiber means with free projecting ends thereof in contact with said rotatable cylinder, said fixed fiber means being angled in a direction to permit annular advance of said rotatable cylinder and said escapement wheel secured thereto, whereby said fixed fiber means allow sliding passage of said rotatable cylinder in contact therewith and constitute check means limiting rotation of said rotatable cylinder to one direction only.

Claim 21

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises first and second cooperating clutch elements, means coupling said first of said clutch elements to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, means coupling said second of said clutch elements to said control arm for energization thereby, said first and said second clutch elements being disposed to interengage upon actuation of said control arm; whereby displacement of said control arms upon application of electro-magnetic pulses thereto effects incremental angular advancement of said drive shaft and of said escapement wheel supported thereon.

Claim 22

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises a fiber clutch assembly including: cooperating first and second clutch elements for interengaging mechanically, rotatably to advance said drive shaft and said escapement wheel carried thereby in response to actuation of said control arm, means securing said first of said clutch elements to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, means securing said second of said clutch elements to said control arm for shifting movement therewith, one of said clutch elements having an irregular surface defining abutment means for engaging ends of cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, the other of said clutch elements comprising fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said abutment means for stressing engagement therewith during actuation of said control arm to effect stepped advancement of said escapement wheel at said time spaced intervals.

Claim 23

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonant element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer, a drive shaft and an escapement wheel rotatively supported thereon, a control arm, and means supporting said control arm for shifting movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft of said escapement wheel, and clutch means intercoupling said control arm with said escapement wheel for driving said escapement wheel through said control arm; the improvement wherein said clutch means comprises, in combination: a disc-like rotatable clutch plate coaxial with and secured to said drive shaft of said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, a principal surface of said clutch plate extending generally normally of said drive shaft and carrying a plurality of elements defining facets extending generally upwardly from said clutch plate and constituting abutment means adapted to engage cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm and extending outwardly therefrom, said fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said facets of said clutch plate; whereby shifting displacement of said control arm presents projecting free end portions of said fiber means into stressing abutment contact with said facets of said clutch plate effects annular shifting of said clutch plate and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 24

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonant element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer, a drive shaft and an escapement wheel rotatively supported thereon, a control arm, and means supporting said control arm for shifting movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft of said escapement wheel, and clutch means intercoupling said control arm with said escapement wheel for driving said escapement wheel through said control arm; the improvement wherein said clutch means comprises, in combination: a disc-like rotatable clutch plate coaxial with and secured to said drive shaft of said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, a principal surface of said clutch plate extending generally normally of said drive shaft and carrying a plurality of elements defining facets extending generally upwardly from said clutch plate and constituting abutment means adapted to engage cooperating fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm and extending outwardly therefrom, said fiber means projecting in planes intersecting said facets of said clutch plate; whereby shifting displacement of said control arm presents projecting free end portions of said fiber means into stressing abutment contact with said facets of said clutch plate effects annular shifting of said clutch plate and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 25

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonent element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer, a drive shaft and an escapement wheel rotatively supported thereon, a control arm, and means supporting said control arm for shifting movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft of said escapement wheel, and clutch means intercoupling said control arm with said escapement wheel for driving said escapement wheel through said control arm; the improvement wherein said clutch means comprises, in combination: a drum-like rotatable clutch coaxial with and secured to said drive shaft of said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, an outer, bounding, generally cylindrical surface of said clutch being faced to define irregularities consisting abutment means adapted to engage fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm and extending outwardly therefrom, said fiber means engaging in stressing and driving contact said abutment means of said clutch; whereby shifting displacement of said control arm effects annular shifting of said clutch and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 26

In an electrical watch mechanism and the like including: an electric power cell, an electrical transmitter having a resonent element as a frequency stabilizer, an electro-mechanical transducer to convert electrical energy to rotative motion, an electronic frequency divider interposed functionally between the transmitter and the electro-mechanical transducer, a drive shaft and an escapement wheel rotatively supported thereon, a control arm, and means supporting said control arm for shifting movement in a plane substantially normal to a rotational axis of the drive shaft of said escapement wheel, and clutch means intercoupling said control arm with said escapement wheel for driving said escapement wheel through said control arm; the improvement wherein said clutch means comprises, in combination: a drum-like rotatable clutch coaxial with and secured to said drive shaft of said escapement wheel for rotation therewith, an outer, bounding, generally cylindrical surface of said clutch being faced to define irregularities consisting abutment means adapted to engage fiber means presented thereagainst, fiber means carried by said control arm and extending outwardly therefrom, said fiber means engaging in stressing and driving contact said abutment means of said clutch; whereby shifting displacement of said control arm effects annular shifting of said clutch and said escapement wheel about said drive shaft.

Claim 27

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said escapement wheel is formed with a plurality of radial teeth disposed in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said drive shaft, and further comprising: an indexing pawl, means securing said indexing pawl to said control arm for movement therewith, whereby upon actuation of said control arm said indexing pawl shifts into and out of successive interdental spaces about said escapement wheel and into abutting contact with faces of said teeth to provide positive, precise, incremental stepping of said escapement wheel.

Claim 28

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means comprises a non-resonant, polarized assembly including, in combination, both permanent and electro-magnetic elements.

Claim 29

The structure as set forth in claim 18 wherein one of said clutch elements comprises abutment means disposed to engage fiber means presented thereagainst, and the other of said clutch elements comprises fiber means disposed to engage said abutment means in driving relation therewith.