Acoustic Winding Stop for Watch Barrel Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch winders face challenges in accurately determining when an automatic watch is completely wound, leading to potential wear due to continued winding after maximum coiling, as existing methods rely on noisy amplitude measurements that are difficult to stabilize.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent winder that detects complete winding by identifying the characteristic noise of the sliding flange interacting with non-return notches in the barrel drum through acoustic measurement, allowing immediate cessation of winding and minimizing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic measurement of escapement noises is used to estimate balance-spring amplitude, then winding completion can be detected, but the measurement is very noisy and difficult to stabilize
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the specific acoustic signature of the sliding flange interaction with non-return notches from the overall escapement noise. By focusing on this particular noise component rather than measuring general escapement noise, the system achieves more reliable and stable detection of winding completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by identifying and analyzing a specific local characteristic (the sliding flange noise signature) within the broader noise environment. This localized approach allows the system to detect winding completion with higher reliability by focusing on the distinctive acoustic fingerprint of the flange-notch interaction.
2Measurement precision
If the winder waits for amplitude to stabilize at high value before stopping, then accurate detection is possible, but this takes time during which the flange slides and creates wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary identification of the sliding flange acoustic signature during the winding process. By detecting the characteristic noise of the flange interacting with non-return notches, the system can determine winding completion without waiting for amplitude stabilization, thereby preventing excessive flange sliding and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time acoustic feedback from the sliding flange noise to continuously monitor winding status. This feedback mechanism allows the winder to respond immediately when the barrel is fully wound, stopping the winding action before significant flange wear occurs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the winder stops winding when completely wound, then flange wear is avoided, but existing methods cannot reliably detect complete winding due to noisy measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses acoustic signal processing to identify the distinctive 'acoustic color' or signature of the sliding flange interacting with non-return notches. This acoustic fingerprint serves as a reliable indicator of winding completion, enabling the winder to stop at the precise moment when the barrel is fully wound, thereby avoiding flange wear.
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
This approach allows for precise identification of maximum winding, reducing wear and optimizing power reserve, while also enabling continuous energy efficiency and differentiation from escapement noise, allowing for robust detection and validation of the acoustic signature.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic means, for the acoustic monitoring of the coiling of a barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A coiling limitation device for a timepiece barrel includes at least one non-return notch arranged to cooperate with a sliding flange of the spring of the barrel, which is integrated in a watch including a resonator cooperating with an escapement mechanism. This device includes an acoustic device for the acoustic monitoring of the coiling of the barrel of a watch positioned on a receptacle included by the device, which acoustic devices are arranged to identify a click noise during each start of cooperation between the sliding flange and a notch. The device includes piloting devices arranged to stop the coiling of the barrel at the instant of the perception of the click noise or the repetition of the click noise.