Adjustable Tourbillon with Balance Stop for Precise Time Setting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical watches with a minute tourbillon face difficulties in accurately stopping the seconds display, making it challenging to set the time precisely and adjust the tourbillon's angular orientation.
Innovation Solution
A balance stop device that can engage with the balance wheel, combined with a switchable fixed wheel unit allowing angular alignment of the tourbillon frame, and a coupling device for decoupling the tourbillon drive from the energy storage, enabling independent movement and adjustment of the tourbillon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional balance stop is used to stop the seconds display, then the time can be set accurately, but the angular orientation of the tourbillon cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tourbillon system into separable components: the balance stop device that can engage with the balance wheel independently, and the switchable fixed wheel unit that can engage with the frame independently. This segmentation allows the balance to be stopped for time setting while the frame can be independently rotated to adjust angular orientation, resolving the contradiction between stopping accuracy and orientation adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching capability through the switchable fixed wheel unit that can alternately engage with either the frame or the circuit board. This dynamic engagement allows the system to transition between different operational states: when engaged with the frame, the tourbillon can be rotated for orientation adjustment; when engaged with the circuit board, the tourbillon runs normally. This dynamic flexibility enables both precise time setting and angular orientation adjustment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tourbillon frame is rotated to adjust angular orientation, then the range of functions is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable fixed wheel unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a engagement mechanism for the tourbillon drive during normal operation, serves as a rotation control for angular orientation adjustment, and provides a decoupling mechanism when needed. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex mechanisms for each function, thus increasing adaptability while limiting the growth of device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable fixed wheel unit acts as an intermediary between the tourbillon frame and the circuit board. Instead of directly connecting or disconnecting complex drive mechanisms, the patent uses this intermediate switching component to control engagement and disengagement. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single control point for multiple operational modes
3Ease of operation
If the tourbillon drive is decoupled from the energy storage device, then the tourbillon can be independently adjusted, but the energy transmission is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic engagement and disengagement of the switchable fixed wheel unit to control energy transmission. When the unit is engaged with the frame, the tourbillon can be independently adjusted without energy transmission. When engaged with the circuit board, normal energy transmission resumes. This dynamic switching allows the system to alternate between independent adjustment mode and normal operation mode, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and energy transmission continuity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A clockwork movement with a tourbillon unit, including a base plate, a mobile cage mounted rotatably on the base plate and connected to a second pinion, a balance mounted on the mobile cage and an escape wheel mounted on the mobile cage and being in operative connection with the balance, a balance wheel stop mechanism being capable to be brought into engagement with the balance, wherein it further includes a setting mechanism controlled by an external actuating device for any angular orientation of the mobile cage.