Magnetic Shock Absorber for Watch Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional watchmaking shock absorbers fail to provide precise radial recentering after impacts and rely on mechanical friction, which reduces component quality during normal operation.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic anti-shock device with movable pole masses and damping mechanisms, utilizing magnetic attraction and viscous friction to absorb shock energy and maintain component integrity, allowing for exact radial recentering without mechanical contact during normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mechanical shock absorbers are used, then shock absorption function is provided, but precise radial recentering cannot be guaranteed and mechanical friction reduces component quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial recentering precisionVSAvoidmechanical friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical friction-based shock absorbers with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic polar masses generate magnetic fields that interact with magnetizable components to provide both shock absorption and precise radial recentering without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating mechanical friction during normal operation while ensuring exact recentering after shocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic polar masses as intermediary elements between the shock-absorbing component and the component being protected. These polar masses generate magnetic fields that mediate the shock absorption process, providing both protective function and precise positioning without direct mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical friction is used for shock absorption, then shock protection is achieved, but component efficiency and quality factor decrease during normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock protectionVSAvoidenergy dissipation through friction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical friction with magnetic field interactions for shock absorption. The magnetic polar masses create magnetic fields that interact with magnetizable components to provide shock protection without the energy-dissipating friction that characterizes traditional mechanical systems, thereby maintaining higher component efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental interaction parameter from mechanical friction to magnetic field strength. By adjusting the magnetic field parameters of the polar masses, the system achieves shock absorption through magnetic interactions rather than friction, reducing energy loss while maintaining protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 magnetic anti-shock device ensures precise radial recentering and enhanced shock resistance with minimized friction and energy dissipation, maintaining high component quality and independence from mechanical friction.

Implementation Method 1

comprising on the one hand in the vicinity of said first end magnetic attraction means between said first end and said first polar mass on which said first end is held in support, and on the other hand in the vicinity of said second polar mass magnetic attraction means between said second end and said second polar mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A magnetic anti-shock device with movable pole masses and damping mechanisms, utilizing magnetic attraction and viscous friction to absorb shock energy and maintain component integrity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous friction: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2450759B1Magnetic shock absorber
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 MONTRES BREGUET SA
  • EP2450759B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2450759B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2450759B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The device (10) has a guiding unit or attracting unit provided on two sides of ends (2, 3), where the guiding or attracting unit guides pivoting of one of the ends or attracts the end to maintain the end abutting on a pole piece (4). Another guiding unit or attracting unit is provided in proximity to another pole piece (6) for guiding the pivoting of another end or attracting the latter end towards the latter pole piece. The former and latter guiding or attracting units move along an axial direction (D) between stop members. A viscous friction damping unit dampens the movement of the pieces. An independent claim is also included for a magnetic and/or electrostatic pivot, comprising a timepiece component.