Horological Carriage-Stop with Dual Resilient Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches with tourbillons or karussels face challenges in maintaining chronometric precision due to variations in oscillator rate across different positions, and existing mechanisms are inadequate for precise hand-setting, especially stopping the oscillator or carriage during hand-setting operations.
Innovation Solution
A horological limiting device that includes a tourbillon or karussel carriage with a mechanism featuring an engaging rod, intermediate drive wheels, and resilient elements to stop the oscillator or carriage during hand-setting, ensuring precise alignment to the nearest second, using a gear train and escapement mechanism to engage with the oscillator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional stop element is used to stop the carriage during hand-setting, then the carriage can be stopped, but the oscillator cannot be stopped precisely to the nearest second
Solution Approach 1:
The stop function is divided into two independent components: a first stop element that stops the carriage and a second stop element that stops the oscillator. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, enabling precise oscillator stopping to the nearest second while maintaining ease of carriage stopping during hand-setting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism involving the escape pinion and intermediate wheels that transmit the stopping action from the control member to both the carriage and oscillator. This intermediary transmission system enables precise control of the oscillator's stopping moment, achieving second-level precision while keeping the operation simple through a single control member.
2Measurement precision
If a resilient element is added to stop the oscillator, then the oscillator can be stopped precisely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stopping function with the existing escape mechanism by integrating the second stop element into the escape pinion assembly. The resilient element is positioned to interact with the balance arm through the existing escape arc, combining the stopping function with the regular escapement structure. This merging approach achieves precise oscillator stopping while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.
3Volume of moving object
If the mechanism is made compact within the dial pipe, then the watch remains compact, but the mechanism becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the second stop element and its associated resilient element are positioned within the existing escape mechanism structure. The escape pinion, intermediate wheels, and stop elements are nested within the dial pipe and carriage assembly, utilizing available space efficiently. This nesting approach achieves compactness while managing complexity through hierarchical organization of components within constrained spaces.
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 device allows for instantaneous stopping and restarting of the oscillator, ensuring precise time-setting to the nearest second, while being compact and cost-effective, with the mechanism concealed within the dial pipe, maintaining chronometric precision without overloading the carriage.
Implementation Method 1
Each resilient element (71, 72) is arranged so as to bear against a mobile component of the oscillator (200)
Data Source
AI summary
A limiting device for a watch, including an oscillator, and capable of blocking this oscillator carried by the carriage of a tourbillon or karussel, with two intermediate drive wheels integral with arbors pivoted in a plate and rotating in opposite directions to one another, one whereof is driven in rotation by an engaging rod engaging with a control member external to the tourbillon or karussel, each of the intermediate wheels carries at least one resilient element, is arranged so as to bear against a mobile component of the oscillator in order to stop same upon passage of the control member from a rest position to an active position wherein each resilient element bears against this mobile component of the oscillator, or against the carriage, and so as to remain remote from the carriage and from any mobile component of the oscillator when the control member is in the rest position thereof.