Modular Ball Bearing Coupling for Watch Movement Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball bearings in watchmaking and related fields are limited by their need for specific designs for each host movement, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and cost, and are susceptible to magnetic interference due to their magnetic materials.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical part with a ball bearing system that includes a coupling crown on the outer ring and a coupling core within the inner ring, both made from non-magnetic materials, allowing for rotation and reducing magnetic sensitivity, and featuring a toothed outer wall for gear meshing, which can be assembled using various methods for flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ball bearing is designed with specific attachment means for each host movement, then the bearing can be properly integrated into the movement, but the number of bearing references increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized ball bearing with a universal attachment interface (the toothed crown on the outer ring) that can be integrated into multiple different host movements. Instead of creating unique bearing designs for each movement, the invention uses a single bearing type that can accommodate various movements through the standardized coupling mechanism, thereby reducing the number of bearing references needed.
2Strength
If magnetic materials are used in the ball bearing, then the bearing provides satisfactory mechanical properties, but the bearing disrupts the operation of movements equipped with these bearings after magnetic field exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the magnetic properties of the bearing materials. Specifically, the invention uses non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials (such as ceramic balls and non-magnetic steel rings) instead of traditional strongly magnetic materials. This parameter change in material magnetic permeability eliminates the harmful magnetic interference effect while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity through alternative material selections.
3Ease of operation
If the outer wall of the outer ring is toothed for gear meshing, then the bearing can rotate and transmit motion, but the bearing requires precise alignment and increases manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the self-aligning nature of the toothed crown mechanism. The crown teeth are designed to automatically align with the corresponding gear teeth during assembly through simple insertion, eliminating the need for complex pre-alignment procedures. The modular design allows the bearing to self-adjust to minor misalignments, and the standardized interface enables easy replacement without requiring precision alignment tools or procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a mechanical part comprising a ball bearing, said bearing comprising: * a plurality of balls (1); * an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3) that are concentric, the inner ring and the outer ring together defining a race for said balls such that said each ball is in contact with said rings at a plurality of points of contact, said mechanical part being characterised in that it also comprises a coupling ring (10) attached to the outer ring, said coupling ring being suitable for cooperating with a corresponding coupling means of an external functional element in order to allow the outer ring to rotate relative to the inner ring. The invention is applicable to the production of bearings for timepiece movements.