Chronograph Barrel Winding Mechanism With Multiplicative Gear Train
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chronograph watches require significant time and effort to wind the mainspring barrel, especially for chronograph functions, which can disrupt timing and require precise measurement, and existing independent power sources offer limited power reserves and inefficient winding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A watch design with a first actuating member that slides and rotates through a small angle for quick and ergonomic winding, utilizing a multiplicative winding train to achieve full winding in few actions, independent of the movement's operation, and a unidirectional drive device for seamless integration with the chronograph mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional winding mechanism is used for the chronograph barrel, then the chronograph can be wound independently of its operation, but a large number of turns (15-30 turns) are required to fully wind the barrel, making it time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary multiplicative winding gear train between the actuating member and the chronograph barrel. This gear train acts as a mechanical mediator that converts a small rotation angle of the actuating member (less than 360°, preferably less than 90°) into multiple rotations of the chronograph barrel, achieving rapid winding without requiring the user to perform many manual turns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rotational parameter relationship between the actuating member and the chronograph barrel through the multiplicative winding gear train. The gear train is designed with specific tooth ratios that multiply the rotation, allowing the actuating member to rotate through a small angle while the chronograph barrel completes multiple full rotations, thereby reducing the time and effort required for winding
2Quantity of substance
If the chronograph barrel is wound by rotating the actuating member through multiple full turns, then the barrel can be fully wound, but it becomes difficult to simultaneously manage winding and monitor the event being timed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplicative winding gear train serves as an intermediary mechanism that decouples the winding action from the chronograph operation. The user can quickly wind the barrel through a small rotation of the actuating member without needing to count multiple turns, and the gear train ensures precise transmission of motion, allowing accurate time measurement to be maintained while winding occurs
3Device complexity
If a leaf spring is used as the power source for the chronograph, then the winding mechanism can be simple (pressing a reset pusher), but the energy output is much lower resulting in a very short power reserve of approximately 20 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the winding function from the reset pusher mechanism, making them independent. The actuating member is dedicated solely to winding the chronograph barrel, while the reset pusher handles only the reset function. This separation allows the winding mechanism to be optimized for efficiency (using the multiplicative gear train) without being constrained by the simplicity requirements of the reset mechanism, thereby achieving both adequate power reserve and operational simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a watch (1) comprising a watch case (18) containing at least one movement arranged to produce a time measurement function, said movement comprising a barrel (4) arranged to supply energy to at least said movement, a regulating system (6) comprising an escapement mechanism (8) and an oscillator (10), a gear train (12) connecting the barrel (4) to the regulating system (6), and a winding mechanism (14) for the barrel (4) comprising an actuating member (16) actuable by a user, said winding mechanism (14) for the barrel (4) being arranged so that the winding of said barrel (4) is independent of the operation of the function of the movement.The actuating member (16) is arranged to slide on an element of the watch case (18) and to rotate in a transverse plane of the watch case (18) through an angle preferably less than or equal to 90°, with each actuation, between an initial neutral position and a maximum winding position to at least partially wind the barrel (4). The winding mechanism (14) also includes a multiplicative winding train (20) connecting the actuating member (16) to the barrel (4), said winding train (20) being arranged to achieve maximum winding of the barrel (4) in at least one actuation of the actuating member (16), and preferably in at most five actuations of said actuating member (16).