Carbon Fiber Textile Pointer for Timepiece Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pointers in timepieces face challenges in achieving both reduced weight and sufficient rigidity, as the thickness of the pointer body needs to be large to maintain rigidity, limiting further weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
A pointer body formed using a carbon fiber textile sheet with carbon fibers woven in, specifically using a UD prepreg sheet where carbon fibers are combined and interwoven in various weaving patterns, and coated with a synthetic resin, allowing for a thinner structure while maintaining rigidity through enhanced flexural durability and impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a plurality of fiber sheets having carbon fibers arranged in one direction are laminated to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the rigidity is not sufficiently secured and the thickness becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fibers with a synthetic resin matrix to form a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This composite structure provides both weight reduction and sufficient rigidity, resolving the contradiction between lightweight design and structural strength. The carbon fibers provide high strength-to-weight ratio while the resin matrix binds them together to form a rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the arrangement directions of carbon fibers in different layers of the laminate. Specifically, the carbon fibers are arranged in different directions (e.g., 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) in different sheets to optimize rigidity in multiple directions while maintaining overall weight reduction. This anisotropic fiber arrangement allows the structure to have different mechanical properties in different directions, providing sufficient rigidity where needed while keeping weight low.
2Strength
If the thickness of pointer body is increased to secure rigidity, then the rigidity is improved, but the weight cannot be further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material which provides high rigidity per unit weight. This allows the pointer body to achieve sufficient rigidity with reduced thickness compared to conventional materials, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using carbon fiber reinforced plastic with specific fiber arrangements and resin impregnation. This material parameter change enables the pointer body to achieve high rigidity-to-weight ratio, allowing thickness reduction without sacrificing rigidity.
3Strength
If carbon fiber textile sheet with woven structure is used, then rigidity and impact resistance are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon fiber textile sheets with woven structures combined with synthetic resin impregnation to create a composite material that provides enhanced rigidity and impact resistance. The woven structure of the carbon fibers inherently provides bidirectional strength while the resin matrix binds the fibers together, creating a structurally sound composite that is both strong and manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
A pointer including a pointer body formed using a carbon fiber textile sheet having a carbon fiber woven thereinto.