Clockwork Actuation Rocker with Swingable Ratchet for Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In watchmaking mechanisms with toothed wheels having 20 or more teeth, it is challenging to achieve optimal torque transmission while avoiding the tooth closest to the center line due to tight spacing between the tooth to be engaged and the previous tooth, often resulting in reduced force transmission quality and potential slipping.
Innovation Solution
An actuation device with a ratchet and guidance system that positions the ratchet to avoid the previous tooth, allowing engagement with the tooth closest to the center line, ensuring optimal torque transmission and secure avoidance of the previous tooth, featuring a swing-up-on-rotation ratchet with a beak and guide that adjusts its position to maintain clearance without slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a toothed wheel with 20 or more teeth is actuated by a tilt or long lever, then the arrangement can accommodate the required passage time and angular amplitude, but it becomes difficult or impossible to work with the tooth closest to the line of centers, resulting in suboptimal torque transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet is made swingable on the actuating switch, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between an avoidance position (when approaching the tooth) and an engagement position (when taking the tooth). This dynamic positioning enables the system to maintain optimal torque transmission by engaging the tooth closest to the line of centers while avoiding collision with the previous tooth, resolving the contradiction between lever length and torque transmission quality
2Productivity
If the number of teeth on the wheel is increased to 20 or more, then the wheel can provide the required counting functions (hours, minutes, seconds), but the spacing between consecutive teeth becomes tight, making it difficult to both engage the target tooth and avoid the previous tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into two independent functional components: the actuating switch that provides the driving motion, and the ratchet that performs the actual tooth engagement. This segmentation allows the ratchet to be independently positioned and controlled, enabling it to navigate the tight spacing between teeth on wheels with 20 or more teeth while maintaining reliable engagement and avoidance functions
3Reliability
If one works with a tooth located one or two steps before the ideal tooth to be carried out, then the tooth can be engaged, but the quality of force transmission deteriorates due to unfavorable lever arms and negative fitting shift occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet acts as an intermediary element between the actuating switch and the toothed wheel. It is swingable on the switch, allowing it to mediate the engagement process by positioning itself optimally relative to the target tooth. This intermediary role enables the system to engage the ideal tooth (closest to the line of centers) without compromising force transmission quality, eliminating the need to work with suboptimal previous teeth
Data Source
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AI summary
Actuating device (1) of a toothed wheel (2) of a clockwork mechanism by driving a driven tooth (3) of said toothed wheel (2), said actuation device comprising an actuation rocker (4) arranged to pivot at a first pivot point (A) between an initial position and a maximum driving position of said driven tooth (3). It includes a pawl (6) mounted freely for rotation on said actuating rocker (4) at a second pivot point (B), said pawl (6) comprising a beak (8) arranged to drive said driven tooth (3) and a guide (10), as well as guiding means arranged to cooperate with said guide (10) when the actuating rocker (4) moves between its initial position and its maximum drive position, said guiding means being configured to position the pawl (6) in a position to avoid a front tooth (12) which precedes the driven tooth (3),according to which the distance from the pawl (8) to the first pivot point (A) is strictly less than the distance from the top of said front tooth (12) to the first pivot point (A), at least when the pawl (8) exceeds the top of the front tooth (12), and then to pivot the pawl (6) relative to the second pivot point (B) in the direction of the gear (2) in an engagement position between the front tooth (12) and the driven tooth (3), according to which the distance from the pawl (8) to the first pivot point (A) has increased relative to the avoidance position, in order to engage the driven tooth (3) with the pawl (8) for its drive.