Intermediate Part for Laser Welding Silicon Timepiece Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for welding timepiece components using silicon-based or ceramic-based materials face challenges in achieving reliable joints due to stringent gap requirements, where gaps exceeding 0.5 micrometers prevent successful welding.
Innovation Solution
A fabrication method involving the use of an intermediate part with a perfectly flat and perpendicular surface, allowing for precise laser electromagnetic radiation welding between the intermediate part and the silicon-based or ceramic-based components, ensuring improved surface flatness and secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct welding is used between silicon-based/ceramic-based parts and metal parts, then welding speed and productivity are improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to gap control requirements exceeding 0.5 micrometers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate part made of metal or metal alloy between the silicon-based/ceramic-based part and the metal part. This intermediate part serves as a mediator that facilitates welding while compensating for gap variations. The intermediate part has a first surface for welding to the silicon-based/ceramic-based part and a second surface for welding to the metal part, thereby enabling reliable assembly without requiring extremely tight gap control between the original components.
2Manufacturing precision
If an intermediate part is introduced to improve gap tolerance, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate part is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides a welding interface for both silicon-based/ceramic-based materials and metals, compensates for gap variations, and ensures proper alignment through its geometric features. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate elements, thereby managing complexity while achieving improved gap tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate part enables relaxation of the stringent gap control parameter (from <0.5 micrometers to larger tolerances) by providing a compliant interface. The metal or metal alloy material of the intermediate part allows for thermal expansion and dimensional variations, effectively changing the dimensional stability parameter of the assembly to accommodate manufacturing variations.
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
Enables reliable welding of timepiece components by maintaining the integrity of the assembly with improved surface flatness, allowing for the use of fragile and brittle materials in various timepiece parts, such as balance springs and staffs, while ensuring secure joints and enhanced isochronism.
Implementation Method 1
welding, by laser electromagnetic radiation, the surface of the second part mounted on the surface of the intermediate part, in order to secure them to each other
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fabrication method including an assembly step for inserting an intermediate part intended to ensure the flatness of the face to be welded.