Linear Elastic Drive Member for Constant Force Watch Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clockwork motors in watchmaking, such as those using spiral springs, suffer from inefficiencies due to friction, complex manufacturing processes, and non-constant force delivery, affecting the isochronism of watch mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A clockwork motor with a support, elastic member, and drive element that utilizes a rectilinear translation of a drive element to deliver energy, eliminating the need for turns and incorporating elastic blades working in buckling and flexion to provide a substantially constant force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional spiral spring barrel is used as the driving force, then the timepiece can be powered, but energy losses of approximately 15% occur due to friction between spring coils and the barrel drum
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the spiral spring component entirely, replacing it with a linear elastic element that operates without coils. This removes the source of friction between spring coils and the barrel drum, reducing energy losses from 15% to approximately 0-1% as stated in the patent.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional spiral spring mechanical system with a linear elastic element that stores and releases energy through elastic deformation rather than coil unwinding. This substitution eliminates the frictional mechanical interaction between spring coils and the barrel drum.
2Ease of manufacture
If a spiral spring is shaped from inverted S-form to spiral form, then the spring can be manufactured, but the manufacturing process must carefully consider the elastic limit of the material and requires extensive watchmaking experience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex spiral spring shaping process entirely, replacing it with a linear elastic element that can be manufactured using simpler processes. This eliminates the need to carefully control the elastic limit during complex coil formation while maintaining the necessary elastic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of shaping a linear element into a spiral form (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using a linear elastic element that remains linear throughout its operation. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process from complex spiral forming to simpler linear component fabrication.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an intermediate spiral spring is introduced between the driving element and the escapement, then the torque can be made more constant, but the movement is complicated by introducing an additional component
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for an intermediate spiral spring by using a linear elastic element that inherently delivers more constant torque. This removes the additional component while maintaining or improving the isochronism of the movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the elastic element from spiral geometry to linear geometry, which alters the torque delivery characteristics. The linear elastic element provides a more constant force output throughout its stroke, improving isochronism without requiring additional intermediate springs.
4Ease of manufacture
If a spiral spring barrel is used, then the driving element can be assembled, but the assembly requires numerous handling steps and relies on extensive watchmaking experience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spiral spring assembly process entirely, replacing it with a linear elastic element that requires fewer handling steps. This simplifies the assembly process while reducing the dependency on extensive watchmaking experience for proper installation.
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
This design significantly reduces energy loss to less than 1%, improves isochronism by delivering a constant force, and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for intermediate springs and complex assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (6) connecting said drive element (5) to said support (7)... said elastic element comprising at least one elastic blade (6a, 6b, 6c)
Implementation Method 2
said elastic element comprising at least one elastic blade (6a, 6b, 6c) working in buckling and/or flexion
Implementation Method 3
said elastic element comprising at least one elastic blade (6a, 6b, 6c) working in buckling and/or flexion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a driving member (1) of a timepiece, comprising a support element (7), an elastic member (6) and a drive element (5), characterised in that said drive element (5) can be moved and guided translationally with respect to the support element (7) by means of said elastic member (6), wherein this translation allows a force to be transmitted to a timepiece mechanism (2, 3). The invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising a driving member of this type, a timepiece such as a wrist watch comprising a timepiece mechanism of this type, and the use of such a driving member as a source of power for a timepiece mechanism that is independent of the finishing gear train.