Head-to-Tail Flexible Guide Assembly for Compact Retrograde Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible guide mechanisms for horological movements, such as those used in retrograde displays, suffer from complexity, assembly issues, and occupy a large volume, leading to increased dimensions and a risk of blockage.
Innovation Solution
A head-to-tail flexible guide assembly with two flexible guides arranged in series, where the elongate flexible bodies extend in the same plane, allowing for increased angular travel while maintaining compactness by nesting the guides within a single plane, and incorporating stop mechanisms to prevent overextension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple flexible guides are arranged in series in a z-shaped arrangement to increase angular working range, then the angular travel is increased, but the overall dimensions of the device are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by arranging two flexible guides in series within the same plane, where the second flexible guide is positioned to follow the path of the first guide. This allows the guides to be nested head-to-tail, increasing the angular working range without significantly increasing the overall dimensions, as one guide is effectively nested within the spatial envelope of the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional z-shaped stacked arrangement to a two-dimensional planar arrangement. By confining both flexible guides to the same plane and arranging them head-to-tail, the solution achieves increased angular travel while minimizing the increase in overall device dimensions, effectively utilizing dimensional optimization to resolve the contradiction.
2Loss of time
If flexible guides are arranged to occupy larger surface area within the plane of the watch, then the angular working range is increased, but the device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spatial utilization of multiple flexible guides by arranging them in the same plane in a head-to-tail configuration. This combining approach allows both guides to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces within the same plane, achieving increased angular travel while avoiding the complexity of multi-layer stacking and reducing assembly complexity through a more straightforward planar arrangement.
3Volume of moving object
If flexible guides are arranged in a compact configuration, then the overall dimensions are reduced, but the angular working range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compactness while maintaining angular travel by nesting the second flexible guide within the spatial envelope of the first guide. The head-to-tail arrangement in the same plane allows the guides to be compactly organized, with the second guide effectively following the path of the first, thereby maximizing angular working range within a minimized spatial footprint.
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 provides a flexible guide assembly with enhanced angular travel and reduced overall dimensions, minimizing the risk of blockage and assembly complexity, thus optimizing space utilization in horological movements.
Implementation Method 1
a first elongate, flexible body connecting the support to the first movable element, such that the first movable element can move by bending the first elongate, flexible body in a circular motion
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible guide assembly for a horological movement, in particular for a display device of the horological movement, the assembly including two flexible guides arranged in series in a substantially head-to-tail manner, the first flexible guide including a support and a first movable element that is capable of moving relative to the support, as well as a first elongate, flexible body connecting the support to the first movable element, such that the first movable element can move by bending the first elongate, flexible body in a circular motion, the second flexible guide including a second movable element capable of moving relative to the first movable element and to the support of the first flexible guide, a second elongate, flexible body connecting the second movable element to the first movable element.