Horological Receptacle for Automated Watch Movement Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In watchmaking, fine settings such as frequency setting of oscillators require manual, labor-intensive processes, leading to high costs and limited automation, making it difficult to achieve high chronometric quality.
Innovation Solution
A compact workstation with a receptacle for horological assemblies is designed to automate fine settings on watch heads or movements, incorporating modules for precise positioning, measurement, and adjustment, ensuring cleanliness, sensitivity, precision, and ergonomics, particularly suited for setting screws in horological movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual processes are used for fine settings of oscillators, then high chronometric quality can be achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system consisting of a receptacle, positioning module, and setting module. The setting module automatically actuates setting screws on the oscillator through the receptacle, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the receptacle and positioning module work together to automatically position and adjust the oscillator components without human intervention. The setting module autonomously performs the fine-setting operations based on programmed parameters, making the process self-sufficient and highly productive.
2Productivity
If automation is introduced for fine settings, then productivity increases, but achieving high precision and sensitivity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the positioning module that uses measurement means (such as optical sensors or laser interferometry) to detect the position of the oscillator components. This feedback information is used to adjust the setting module's actions in real-time, ensuring high precision is maintained during automated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses precision mechanical components with controlled degrees of freedom that can be actuated with high repeatability. The receptacle design with specific bearing surfaces and the setting module's screw actuation mechanism provide mechanical precision that maintains chronometric quality while enabling automation.
3Loss of time
If a compact workstation is designed for automated settings, then cycle times are reduced, but ensuring cleanliness and preventing contamination becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the workstation with enclosed chambers and controlled environments that protect the oscillator and setting components from contamination. The receptacle acts as a barrier between the external environment and the sensitive horological assembly, preventing dust and particles from affecting the precision components during automated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The workstation is segmented into distinct functional modules (receptacle, positioning module, setting module, measurement module) that can be independently maintained and cleaned. This modular design allows for easier contamination control and reduces the risk of cross-contamination between different operational zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle (10) for receiving a horological assembly (1) and handling same on a setting machine (1000), this receptacle (10) is a support which includes, for receiving such an assembly (1), a substantially planar bearing surface (190), and which includes, below the bearing surface (190), a spring mechanism (180) for receiving such an assembly (1), and, above said bearing surface (190), locking wedges (102) of such an assembly (1), and, between the bearing surface and the locking wedges (102), angular orientation means (103) for the angular orientation in abutment pressure of an edge of such an assembly (1) on this support.