Horological Pallet Composite Mass for Regulating Mechanism Inertia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-manufactured watch components, such as those produced via LIGA, are lightweight and lack sufficient inertia, which affects their functionality and durability under mechanical stress, particularly in regulating mechanisms with space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A composite component is created by integrating a denser mass with a maximum radial dimension equal to or smaller than the pallets, made of materials like gold or platinum, to enhance inertia and mechanical resistance while maintaining compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If micro-manufacturing processes such as LIGA are used to produce timepiece components, then manufacturing precision and functional contacts are optimized, but the components become very light and lack sufficient inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a base material (such as titanium, ceramic, or cupro-beryllium) with a dense material (such as gold, platinum, or their alloys) to create a composite pallet. This composite structure allows the component to maintain the precise geometry and functional contacts achieved through micro-manufacturing processes while simultaneously possessing sufficient inertia for reliable operation in the regulating mechanism.
2Reliability
If the inertia of pallets is increased to maintain motion and provide pulse, then mechanical stresses are reduced, but the radial dimension of the component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material density parameter by introducing a dense material with a density greater than 15 g/cm³ (preferably greater than 19 g/cm³) into the pallet structure. This parameter change allows the inertial mass to be increased significantly within the same radial dimensions, as the dense material provides higher mass per unit volume compared to traditional lightweight materials.
3Strength
If denser materials are used to increase inertia, then mechanical stress resistance improves, but the component weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the dense material specifically in the regions where high inertia and stress resistance are needed, such as the pallet body and interaction surfaces, while the overall component geometry remains optimized for minimal weight. The dense material is strategically positioned to provide mechanical strength and inertia where required, rather than uniformly distributing mass throughout the entire component.
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 composite component effectively withstands mechanical stress and controls inertia, ensuring reliable operation in space-restricted horological movements.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the inertia of components of timepiece mechanisms, and in particular of components of regulating mechanisms, is essential because the dynamic behaviour of these components depends on their inertia
Implementation Method 2
said mass being made of a denser material than that constituting the pallets so that the mass has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to a maximum radial dimension of the pallets
Data Source
AI summary
A composite timepiece component of a regulating mechanism of a watch, including pallets having a staff on which is arranged an axial shoulder, the pallets being provided with pallet-stones intended to interact intermittently with an escape wheel set, the composite component further including a mass fastened to the pallets, the mass being made of a denser material than that constituting the pallets, so that the mass has a maximum radial dimension smaller than or identical to the maximum radial dimension of the pallets.