Barrel Spring Nitrogen Steel Power Reserve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical watch movements have limited power reserve due to the constraints of barrel spring dimensions and material properties, making it difficult to enhance the duration of operation without modifying the barrel or regulating organ.
Innovation Solution
The use of a metal alloy with a specific composition, such as steel 1.4452, for barrel springs, which offers improved elasticity, strength, and fatigue resistance, allowing for increased power reserve without altering the barrel dimensions or regulating organ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If Nivaflex® barrel spring is used in existing movement, then the spring provides required force and durability, but the power reserve cannot be significantly improved without resizing the barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters of the barrel spring by using steel 1.4452 with specific composition (0.1-1% carbon, 5-25% manganese, 16-20% chromium, 0.1-5% nitrogen, ≤0.25% niobium, 2.5-4.2% molybdenum, balance iron) instead of conventional Nivaflex®. This material substitution enables increased power reserve while maintaining the same barrel dimensions, as the new alloy provides superior elastic properties and energy storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite alloy formulation combining multiple elements (carbon, manganese, chromium, nitrogen, niobium, molybdenum, and iron) to create steel 1.4452. This composite material achieves an optimal balance of elasticity, strength, and fatigue resistance that allows the barrel spring to store more energy within the same spatial constraints, thereby increasing power reserve without modifying barrel size
2Duration of action of moving object
If the number of winding turns is increased to improve power reserve, then the energy storage capacity increases, but the barrel size must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameters to steel 1.4452 with optimized alloy composition, the invention achieves higher energy density in the spring. This allows the same barrel volume to accommodate sufficient winding turns for extended power reserve, or alternatively, reduces the number of turns needed for the same power reserve, thereby reducing barrel volume requirements
3Duration of action of moving object
If barrel spring material is changed to improve elasticity and power reserve, then the power reserve increases, but the material selection becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies a detailed composite alloy composition (steel 1.4452) with precise ranges for each element (carbon: 0.1-1%, manganese: 5-25%, chromium: 16-20%, nitrogen: 0.1-5%, niobium: ≤0.25%, molybdenum: 2.5-4.2%, balance iron). This standardized composite material formulation provides consistent elastic properties and can be produced through conventional metallurgical processes, making it adaptable for industrial manufacturing while achieving superior power reserve performance
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 solution results in a significant increase in power reserve, up to 38% improvement, with enhanced torque stability and reduced manufacturing costs, while maintaining constant torque and external barrel dimensions, and allows for a broader working temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a barrel spring must combine several fundamental qualities. It must be stainless, non-magnetic, tireless, and have a very high coefficient of elasticity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a barrel spring for a watch part characterized in that it is made of a metallic alloy comprising nitrogen in a proportion between 0.1% by mass and the limit of its solubility in the metallic alloy, and iron.