Mechanical Component Forcing-In Portion Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical components with metal films formed by plating for stress mitigation in mechanical timepieces face issues such as small plastic deformation, breakage, axial deviation, and rotation looseness, especially when using brittle materials, due to thin metal films and potential separation from the inner surface of through-holes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical component design featuring a retaining recess on the inner surface of the through-hole to anchor the forcing-in portion, formed of metal material through electroforming, which enhances fixation strength and prevents separation, allowing for increased radial dimension without increasing the outer diameter, thus improving dimensional precision and timekeeping accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thin metal film is formed by plating over the entire surface, then the forcing-in portion can mitigate stress, but the plastic deformation amount is small and the component is subject to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming the forcing-in portion only at specific locations where stress mitigation is needed, rather than plating the entire surface. This localized metal deposition provides sufficient stress buffering while avoiding the brittleness issues associated with thin full-surface plating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of metal film thickness from thin (in conventional plating) to thick (in the forcing-in portion). This parameter change enables sufficient plastic deformation and stress mitigation capability while maintaining reliability, as the thicker metal portion can deform plastically to absorb stress without breaking.
2Strength
If the metal film is made thick to increase plastic deformation, then stress mitigation improves, but the outer diameter of the mechanical component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by concentrating the thick metal forcing-in portion only at the through-hole region where shaft insertion occurs, rather than increasing the metal layer thickness across the entire component surface. This localized approach provides the necessary plastic deformation capability without increasing the overall outer diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending the metal forcing-in portion in the radial direction (thickness) specifically at the through-hole area, while maintaining the original outer diameter dimensions. This selective radial extension in a localized zone allows thick metal for deformation without affecting the component's overall dimensional envelope.
3Ease of manufacture
If a metal film is formed by plating, then the forcing-in portion can be formed, but the film may separate from the inner surface of the through-hole causing axial deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the forcing-in portion as an integral part of the mechanical component during the same manufacturing process (electroforming), rather than adding a separate metal film layer that could detach. The metal portion is formed concurrently with the component body, ensuring permanent attachment and eliminating axial deviation caused by film separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the forcing-in portion with the component main body by forming both in a single electroforming process. The metal forcing-in portion and the component body become a unified structure, eliminating the interface between separate layers that would otherwise be prone to separation and axial deviation.
4Strength
If the forcing-in portion is formed with sufficient thickness, then the buffer effect enhances, but the outer diameter increases affecting relationships with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the thick metal forcing-in portion only at the specific location where shaft insertion and torque transmission occur, rather than uniformly increasing the component thickness everywhere. This localized thickening provides the necessary buffer effect for stress absorption while maintaining the original outer diameter dimensions for compatibility with other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the component into two functional zones: the forcing-in portion with thick metal for stress buffering at the through-hole, and the rest of the component body with original dimensions for component compatibility. This segmentation allows the buffer effect and dimensional compatibility to coexist by assigning different thickness characteristics to different functional regions.
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 solution effectively enhances the fixation strength of the forcing-in portion, prevents breakage and rotation looseness, and maintains dimensional precision, leading to improved torque transmission and timekeeping accuracy in mechanical timepieces, even when using brittle materials.
Implementation Method 1
When the metal film is thin, the plastic deformation amount of this metal film is small
Implementation Method 2
there is formed a retaining recess constituting an anchor structure regulating displacement of the forcing-in portion with respect to the component main body by retaining at least a part of the forcing-in portion
Implementation Method 3
the forcing-in portion can be formed through electroforming. As a result, it is possible to form the forcing-in portion without allowing the metal material to adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the component main body
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a mechanical component, a mechanical component manufacturing method, a movement, and a timepiece allowing the forcing-in portion to be firmly fixed to the shaft member, providing a sufficient buffer effect, and capable of precisely determining the outer diameter dimension. Provided is a mechanical component rotating around a shaft member. This mechanical component includes: a component main body having a through-hole through which the shaft member is passed; and a forcing-in portion formed on the inner surface of the through-hole and fixed to the shaft member through the forcing-in of the shaft member. The component main body has a retaining recess constituting an anchor structure regulating displacement of the forcing-in portion with respect to the component main body. The forcing-in portion is formed of a metal material.