Functional Routine of the Escapement
Compared to the graphic motions
of a precision pendulum clock,
observation is clearly more difficult
with an escapement. Here, some
of the components are much
smaller and positioned in a much
smaller space. Additionally, the
oscillation frequency of 18,000
semi-oscillations per hour (2.5
Hertz) makes precise observation
more difficult. In order to
understand the complex interplay of
the escapement components in a
Swiss club-tooth lever escapement,
the following illustrations A-K
display the details of the functional
routine of the escapement across a
full cycle. A short description of
each event is completed by listing
of the current state of the:
◊
Balance
*
◊
Balance spring
*
◊
Pallet lever
*
◊
Escape wheel
*
To precisely observe the real
movements of your M2, you will
find a watchmaker’s loupe in
your kit.
Lift and Impulse
The escape wheel tooth leaves the locking
plane of the exit pallet and glides to the
impulse plane. The balance thereby receives
an impulse to keep oscillating from the
rotational motion of the escape wheel via
the pallet lever and impulse pallet.
Balance:
0°, clockwise rotation, max speed,
Max dynamic energy
Balance spring:
Center position, dead center, tension released
Pallet lever:
Lift, center position
Escape wheel:
Rotating
Illustration A
Drop
The impulse pallet leads the pallet fork to
the left banking stud. At the same time, the
exit pallet releases the escape wheel tooth.
After a small rotation of the escape wheel,
the next escape wheel tooth drops onto the
locking surface of the entry side and pushes
the pallet fork to the left banking stud.
Beginning of Left Complementary Arc
The impulse pallet disengages from the
pallet fork, the balance oscillates further
and completes the outbound
complementary arc.
Balance:
+20°,
clockwise rotation
Balance spring:
Gathers energy from the balance.
Pallet lever:
Drop, left locking point
Escape wheel:
Stationary
Balance:
+30°, clockwise rotation, completes
the left outbound complementary arc
Balance spring:
Takes on the energy from the balance
thereby decelerating it
Pallet lever:
Free, left locking point
Escape wheel:
Stationary
Illustration B
Illustration C
