Timepiece Carousel with Planar Ball Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carousels for watch movements are too thick to be integrated into smaller or thinner movements, limiting their application in compact timepieces.
Innovation Solution
A carousel design featuring two ball bearings arranged in the same plane, eliminating the need for bearings at the ends of the intermediate wheel shaft, thereby reducing the carousel's thickness and allowing it to be adapted for smaller movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional carousel design with intermediate wheel shaft and end bearings is used, then the escapement mechanism can be actuated, but the carousel thickness increases making it unsuitable for smaller movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate ball bearings into a single integrated ball bearing component. The first ball bearing supports the cage rotation while the second ball bearing simultaneously supports the intermediate wheel shaft, eliminating the need for separate end bearings and reducing overall carousel thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ball bearing is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the cage rotation and supporting the intermediate wheel shaft actuation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining all necessary mechanical functions.
2Length of moving object
If two ball bearings are arranged in the same plane, then the carousel thickness is reduced, but the bearing support structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing support structure is designed with nested elements where the first ball bearing and second ball bearing are arranged concentrically or in a nested configuration within the same plane. This nesting approach allows both bearings to occupy the same spatial plane while maintaining structural integrity and reducing overall thickness.
3Volume of moving object
If the carousel is designed for smaller movements, then the timepiece compactness is improved, but the carousel must be made thinner which complicates the bearing arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the support functions into a single integrated ball bearing, the design achieves the compactness required for smaller movements without sacrificing structural support capabilities. This consolidation reduces the space required while maintaining all necessary mechanical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional ball bearing design allows the carousel to be scaled down for smaller movements while maintaining adequate support structures. The single bearing performs multiple support roles that would otherwise require multiple separate components, enabling compact 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
The reduced thickness of the carousel enables its integration into smaller movements, enhancing the versatility and compactness of timepiece designs while maintaining the functionality of the carousel mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first ball bearing allowing the cage to rotate
Implementation Method 2
a second ball bearing allowing the escapement mechanism to be actuated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a carousel (1) for a timepiece movement (10), the carousel comprising an inertial mass (3), a guide and an elastic return element (4) for the inertial mass (3), configured to make it oscillate in a plane, as well as an escapement mechanism (25) cooperating with the inertial mass (3), the carousel (1) comprising a cage (2) intended to be rotatable, the inertial mass (3), the guide, the elastic return element (4) and the escapement mechanism (25) being arranged inside the cage (2), the carousel comprising a first ball bearing (30) allowing the rotation of the cage (2) when it is mounted in a timepiece movement (10), and a second ball bearing (31) allowing the actuation of the escapement mechanism (25), the first ball bearing (30) and the second ball bearing (31) being arranged roughly in the same plane.The invention also relates to a clockwork movement comprising such a carousel, as well as a timepiece comprising such a clockwork movement.