Flexible Watch Wheel Spokes with Interlocking Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible watch wheels with thin blades have limited resistance to shocks and stresses during handling and manipulation, which can exceed their structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hooking or attachment means on the flexible arms of the watch wheel spokes allows for force distribution between adjacent spokes during bending, enhancing resistance to deformation and shock absorption by enabling cooperative contact in pulling or pushing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thin flexible blades are used to create flexible watch wheels, then backlash and friction losses are improved, but resistance to shocks and handling stresses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into multiple independent flexible blades (at least three blades) that can deflect independently. Each blade is equipped with hooking means that can engage with neighboring blades, creating a segmented structure that maintains flexibility while distributing shock loads across multiple elements rather than concentrating stress on a single thin blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel combines flexible blade elements with reinforcing hooking means to create a composite structure. The flexible blades (made of elastic material) provide the necessary flexibility and backlash characteristics, while the hooking means (which may be made of more rigid material or have different mechanical properties) provide enhanced strength and shock resistance when engaged.
2Productivity
If thin flexible blades are used to create flexible watch wheels, then good performance with minimal friction losses is achieved, but resistance to deformation during handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hooking means are designed to dynamically engage and disengage based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the flexible blades move independently to maintain performance. During handling or shock events, the hooking means engage to provide additional structural support, creating a dynamic system that adapts its stiffness characteristics to the operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooking means are positioned and designed to engage beforehand to prevent excessive deformation during handling. The reinforcement elements are pre-positioned to provide protective engagement before critical deformation occurs, cushioning the thin flexible blades against handling stresses and manipulation forces.
3Strength
If hooking means are added to distribute bending forces, then resistance to shocks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hooking means are merged with the existing blade structure rather than being completely separate components. The reinforcement elements are integrated into the blade design, with hooking features formed as part of the blade geometry or attached directly to the blade body, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying assembly while still providing the desired force distribution and shock resistance.
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
This solution significantly improves the resistance of flexible watch wheels to deformation and shocks, reducing stress on individual teeth and maintaining performance and backlash properties.
Implementation Method 1
each said spoke comprises hooking means or complementary hooking means, which are arranged to cooperate respectively, in pulling or pushing contact, with said complementary attachment means or said attachment means that a said immediately adjacent spoke has, in certain bending positions of at least one of said arms of at least one of said adjacent spokes, to distribute the bending forces between a said spoke whose said arm is bent, and at least one of its said neighboring spokes
Data Source
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AI summary
Time piece wheel (1) with flexible tooth set, comprising a plurality of spokes (2) each having at least one tooth (3) at the distal end of an arm (4) that is flexible and projects from a hub (5) about an axis (D) of pivoting of said wheel (1). Each said spoke (2) comprises attachment means (6) and complementary attachment means (7) which are designed to collaborate respectively with said complementary attachment means (7) or/and with said attachment means (6) borne by an immediately adjacent said spoke (2), in pulling or pushing contact in certain positions of flexing of at least one of said arms (4) of at least one of said adjacent spokes (2), in order to spread the bending forces between said spoke (2) said arm (4) of which is flexed, and at least one of its adjacent said spokes (2).