Pendulum spring

Pendulum springs, clamped in metal jaws

A pendulum spring , also known as a suspension spring, serves as a spring suspension for hanging a pendulum in stationary clocks with a pendulum as a rate regulator ( pendulum clocks ).

Pendulum spring

From a technical point of view, this involves one or two leaf springs that are fixed at the suspension point of the clock and at the end of the pendulum rod, where they form a springy end. This reduces the pendulum's friction losses on its suspension .

Alternatively, in pendulum clocks, thread and blade suspensions are used to suspend the pendulum , the latter consisting of a blade made of agate that rocks in a pan .

The shape and strength of a pendulum spring are determined by the weight of the pendulum. The pivot point of the spring (point of greatest bend) should be at the level of the anchor bearing .

This type of pendulum suspension is used for all types of pendulum clocks. The pendulum spring works with almost no loss of friction and allows the pendulum to swing more freely. The use of a second spring reduces the swaying of the pendulum (rotation around the vertical axis).

The complete pendulum spring consists of two parallel leaf springs that are clamped at their ends between metal jaws. One end is connected to the movement frame or the case of the clock, while the pendulum is suspended from the other via an intermediate piece. The spring is made from thin spring steel strips (thickness approx. 0.05 to 0.1 mm, width approx. 2 mm).

Torsion pendulum spring

Torsion pendulum spring

In the case of rotary pendulum clocks , torsion pendulums with a spring leaf with a round cross-section are usually used so that the rotary movement runs smoothly.

literature

• Georges-Albert Berner: Illustrated specialist dictionary of watchmaking. Electronic version, keyword pendulum. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
• Hermann Brinkmann: Introduction to watchmaking (= The watchmaking school. Vol. 2). 10th unchanged edition. Wilhelm Knapp, Düsseldorf 2005, ISBN 3-87420-010-8 .
• Otto Böckle, Wilhelm Brauns: Textbook for the watchmaking trade. Work skills and materials. 8-10 Edition. Wilhelm Knapp, Halle (Saale) 1951, (reprint, edited by Michael Stern. Heel, Königswinter 2010, ISBN 978-3-86852-288-4 ).

Web links

Commons : Pendulum Spring  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ^ Carl Schulte: Lexicon of watchmaking art. Handbook for all professionals and artists in the watchmaking industry. 2nd revised, greatly increased edition. Emil Huebners Verlag, Bautzen 1902, p. 40.
2. ↑ Fritz von Osterhausen: Callweys lexicon. Callwey, Munich 1999, ISBN 3-7667-1353-1 , p. 241.
3. ↑ Pendulum spring. In: UhrenHanse. Retrieved January 10, 2015.