Diamond Pivot Organ for Clockwork Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivot organs in clockwork movements require lubrication to reduce frictional torque, which deteriorates over time, and previous modifications to shape the pivot and bearing surfaces do not fully address the issue without the need for lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A pivot organ design featuring elements with circular and non-circular cross-sections made of materials with low friction and wear coefficients, such as diamond, to minimize contact surfaces and eliminate the need for lubrication, utilizing diamond-on-diamond friction for reduced frictional torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional steel pivot and brass/bronze/ruby bearing materials are used, then axial and radial positioning is ensured, but frictional torque is not sufficiently reduced and lubrication is required which deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the pivot and bearing from traditional steel/brass/bronze/ruby combinations to diamond-based materials. This parameter change fundamentally alters the friction and wear characteristics, enabling extremely low frictional torque without lubrication while maintaining reliable positioning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures, specifically diamond coatings applied to steel substrates for pivots and diamond coatings on brass/bronze substrates for bearings. This composite approach combines the low-friction properties of diamond with the mechanical strength and manufacturability of traditional materials, resolving the contradiction between reducing friction and maintaining reliability.
2Loss of energy
If diamond or sapphire bearings are used with steel pivots, then frictional torque is reduced, but lubrication is still required which deteriorates with time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-lubricating surfaces by coating both the pivot and bearing with diamond materials that inherently possess extremely low friction coefficients. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external lubrication systems and their associated durability issues, as the diamond surfaces maintain low friction throughout their service life without deterioration.
3Loss of energy
If pivot and bearing contact surfaces are reduced by shaping modifications, then friction is reduced, but lubrication is still required and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the geometric shape of pivot and bearing surfaces, the patent changes the material parameters by applying diamond coatings. This approach achieves friction reduction through material properties rather than geometric modifications, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing complexity associated with specialized shapes while still attaining the desired low-friction performance.
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 design significantly reduces frictional torque without the need for lubrication, ensuring reliable axial and radial positioning of rotating pieces in clockwork movements, while maintaining low wear and easy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
at least the contact surfaces of the two elements against each other are made of at least one material intrinsically having a low coefficient of friction and a low wear coefficient
Implementation Method 2
at least the contact surfaces of the two elements against each other are made of at least one material intrinsically having a low coefficient of friction and a low wear coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
A pivot organ (5a, 5b) designed to allow the rotation of a piece (3) of a clockwork movement around an axis of rotation, includes two elements: a pivot (7a, 7b) and a bearing (6a, 6b) receiving the pivot (7a, 7b), one being integral with the piece (3) and the other being integral with the frame (1) of the movement. The elements (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) have shapes at their opposite surfaces such that the section of one of the elements along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation is circular, the section of the other element along the plane being non-circular, so as to reduce the contact surface between the pivot (7a, 7b) and the bearing (6a, 6b). At least the contact surfaces of the two elements against each other are made from at least one material intrinsically having a low coefficient of friction and a low wear coefficient.