Cam-Driven Longitudinal Displacement in Watch Movements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical timepieces lack dynamic visual appeal as their moving parts typically move only in a rotational motion around a perpendicular axis, failing to create a sense of approach and retreat, which limits their aesthetic and functional complexity.
Innovation Solution
A watch movement is designed with components that can move longitudinally or perpendicularly to the plane of rotation, utilizing a cam and follower mechanism driven by a motor system, allowing for unconventional movement of horological complications and decorations, creating a 'living' aesthetic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If moving parts are arranged in parallel planes and move only in rotation around a perpendicular axis, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the visual appeal and aesthetic complexity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces longitudinal movement along the axis of rotation, transitioning from two-dimensional rotational motion to three-dimensional motion. This adds a new dimension to the movement, allowing components to approach and recede from the viewer, thereby enhancing visual appeal while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic integration of the longitudinal guidance mechanism.
2Reliability
If conventional rotational movement is used, then the mechanism is reliable and easy to manufacture, but it fails to create dynamic visual appeal and 'living' aesthetic effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static rotational movement into dynamic three-dimensional movement by adding longitudinal displacement along the rotation axis. This creates a living, evolving visual effect where components continuously approach and recede, enhancing aesthetic complexity while preserving the reliability of the underlying rotational mechanism through systematic integration.
3Device complexity
If manual push button operation is used for mobile displacement, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot generate continuous displacement and beat effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the motor system's own rotational motion to automatically generate longitudinal displacement through the cam-follower mechanism. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, enabling continuous automatic displacement and beat effect while maintaining relative mechanism simplicity through the integration of the cam profile into the existing motor assembly.
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 design generates a continuous, motor-driven displacement that creates a visual effect like a moiré pattern, enhancing the timepiece's aesthetic appeal and functional complexity by allowing components to approach and recede from the user, providing a unique and engaging visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
a cam; at least one follower member forming part of the movable assembly and arranged to follow said cam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clockwork movement comprising a mainplate (11), a drive system (12), and a gear train (14) driven in rotation by the drive system (12). This clockwork movement (10) is characterized in that it comprises a moving assembly (15), a cam (17), at least one follower (21) forming part of the moving assembly (15) and arranged to follow said cam (17), and at least one drive element (16) kinematically linked to the drive system (12) on the one hand, and on the other hand to at least one of the components of the moving assembly (15) and the cam (17). The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a clockwork movement as defined above.