Automatic Watch Winder With Watch Identification for Precise Amplitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent watch winders struggle to accurately measure the amplitude of a watch's resonator for precise winding control, especially in noisy environments, leading to potential wear from excessive winding and lack of user feedback on watch condition.
Innovation Solution
A winding device with identification means, such as optical, acoustic, NFC, and field-based methods, to recognize and identify individual watches, accessing their nominal amplitude from internal or external databases, and display information to optimize winding and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic measurement methods are used to measure balance wheel amplitude, then amplitude measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using multiple acoustic sensors to capture escape wheel click sounds, then processing these signals through correlation analysis and peak detection algorithms. This intermediary signal processing chain filters out background noise while preserving the characteristic click patterns that indicate amplitude changes, resolving the contradiction between providing measurement capability and maintaining precision in noisy environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors amplitude by detecting escape wheel clicks and provides feedback to the winding control mechanism. When amplitude reaches a predetermined threshold indicating sufficient winding, the system feedbacks this information to stop further winding, thereby preventing over-winding damage while maintaining accurate amplitude measurement despite background noise through continuous signal processing.
2Productivity
If continuous winding is performed to maintain power reserve, then productivity is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to premature wear from excessive winding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring amplitude through escape wheel click detection and comparing it against predetermined thresholds. When the amplitude indicates sufficient power reserve, the system automatically stops winding, preventing excessive winding and the associated premature wear of the mainspring barrel and other components, while still maintaining the power reserve needed for productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding system serves itself by using the watch's own escape wheel clicks as the measurement signal for controlling the winding process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external measurement devices that could introduce additional wear or complexity, while the amplitude-based control inherently prevents over-winding damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple identification methods are integrated, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple identification methods (acoustic click analysis, RFID tags, optical code reading) within a single winder system, allowing one device to handle various watch types and identification scenarios. This multi-functionality approach enables the system to adapt to different watch models and user preferences without requiring separate specialized devices, managing complexity through integrated design.
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 precise winding control and user feedback on watch condition, reducing wear and extending watch life by accurately determining the necessary winding based on each watch's unique characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the amplitude of the balance wheel and hairspring is advantageously measured using an acoustic method of the escapement noises, performed with a proximity or contact microphone
Implementation Method 2
measuring means, interfaced with said control means, and which are arranged to measure the amplitude of the resonator of a watch
Data Source
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AI summary
Winding device (1000) comprising motorization means (2) driving a watch holder (1) carrying at least one automatic watch (100) with a movable oscillating weight, and measuring means (3) measuring the amplitude of the resonator of each watch (100), and watch identification means (300) providing the identification of a particular watch (100) to control means (200) comprising an internal database (400) with the history of amplitude measurements of the resonator of this particular watch (100) and/or the value of its nominal amplitude, and/or communication means (500) communicating with an external database (600) for the extraction of these values.