Acoustic Watch Movement Testing Case with Noise-Cancelling Compartments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing mechanical watch movements are either cost-ineffective due to expensive equipment or suffer from signal interference when measuring multiple movements simultaneously, as acoustic measurements require expensive microphones and optical methods are complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A measuring case with compartments for watch movements, equipped with noise-cancelling contact microphones and a PCB for independent measurement of each movement, allowing for cost-effective and interference-free acoustic testing by positioning winding buttons to face dedicated microphones and using noise-cancelling structures to prevent signal disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If acoustic measurements are performed using microphones to determine regularity of mechanical watch movements, then measurement capability is provided, but signal interference occurs when measuring multiple movements simultaneously due to mutual disturbance of acoustic signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of movements that can be measured simultaneouslyVSAvoidaccuracy of acoustic measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into multiple compartments, each containing a single watch movement with its own dedicated microphone. This segmentation isolates the acoustic signals from different movements, preventing mutual interference while enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A noise-cancelling structure is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent compartments. This structure actively reduces or dampens the acoustic signals from neighboring movements, further preventing signal interference and improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If expensive microphones are used for acoustic measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of acoustic measurementsVSAvoidcost-effectiveness of the measuring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs standard, inexpensive microphones rather than expensive specialized microphones. By using affordable components and relying on the noise-cancelling structures to maintain measurement quality, the system achieves cost-effectiveness without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If optical measurement methods are used to avoid acoustic interference, then signal interference is eliminated, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of measurements without interferenceVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the simple acoustic measurement approach using microphones and sound waves, rather than replacing it with complex optical measurement systems. The noise-cancelling structures enable the acoustic method to achieve the desired measurement quality without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, cost-effective testing of multiple mechanical watch movements by minimizing noise interference and using affordable, contact microphones with spiral-shaped noise-cancelling structures, allowing for accurate measurement of parameters like running state and beat without external noise contamination.

Implementation Method 1

The microphones are configured such that they cancel or damp the noises detected, such that the acoustic measurements of each of the movements are essentially not disturbed by the noises produced by the adjacent movements.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic detection: Sound

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic damping: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS12032336B2Measuring system for a plurality of mechanical horological movements

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

A case configured to receive a plurality of mechanical watch movements in the wound state, each movement being housed inside a compartment, configured to receive and maintain the movement according to a predefined orientation. In this position, the winding buttons of the movements are positioned facing respective microphones which are mounted inside the case. The microphones are configured such that they cancel the noises detected, such that the acoustic measurements of each of the movements are essentially not disturbed by the noises produced by the adjacent movements. Also, a method for testing a plurality of mechanical movements installed in the case, and to a testing system which includes the case. The movements are measured by a plurality of cycles of consecutive and successive measurement periods.