Intermittent Tangential Brake for Timepiece Kinematic Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watchmaking devices face issues with excess energy leading to oscillations, double jumps, or blocking of kinematic chains due to uneven energy distribution when driving multiple display members, particularly in devices with rapid pace and instantaneous steps.
Innovation Solution
A braking device with a tangential brake and a mobile featuring a braking element that comes into contact by friction during certain steps to absorb excess energy, integrated into the kinematic chain to brake intermittently and selectively, ensuring balanced energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drive wheel set drives multiple display members simultaneously or intermittently, then the energy distribution becomes unbalanced, but this causes excess energy leading to oscillations, double jumps, or blocking of the kinematic chain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the energy transmission path by introducing separate braking devices for each kinematic chain driving different display members. Each braking device independently regulates energy in its respective chain, preventing energy imbalance from affecting the entire system. This segmentation allows reliable operation when driving multiple display members simultaneously or intermittently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy parameter dynamically by applying friction braking force only when needed. The braking devices are configured to engage selectively based on the driving requirements of different display members, adjusting the energy transmission parameter in real-time to prevent excess energy accumulation while maintaining reliable kinematic chain operation.
2Reliability
If a braking device is introduced to absorb excess energy, then kinematic chain stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the braking function with the existing drive wheel set structure. The braking devices are integrated into the kinematic chains at strategic points, combining energy absorption functionality with the display driving mechanism. This merging approach improves reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking devices act as intermediary elements between the drive wheel set and the display members. These intermediaries selectively absorb excess energy while allowing normal energy transmission when needed, providing a simple yet effective solution to the energy imbalance problem without requiring complex control systems.
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 braking device effectively absorbs excess energy, preventing oscillations and blocking, ensuring smooth operation by braking only when necessary, thus maintaining kinematic chain stability and preventing malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
the tangential brake and the braking element being configured to come into contact by friction during at least one step at each revolution of the wheel set
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A braking device (1) for braking a kinematic chain of a timepiece, the braking device (1) comprising a tangential brake (2) and a moving part (4) comprising a braking element (42) fixed to or forming part of the moving part (4), the moving part (4) being intended to be part of a kinematic chain of a timepiece and to be driven step-by-step by taking several steps per revolution, the tangential brake (2) and the braking element (42) being configured to come into contact by friction for at least one step on each revolution of the moving part (4) and not to come into contact with each other for at least one step on each revolution of the moving part (4). A timepiece comprising such a braking device (1). A timepiece comprising such a timepiece.