Monolithic Rocker Mechanism for Thin Reliable Timepiece Jumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clockwork mechanisms for driving display wheels in fine watchmaking are bulky and require multiple components, making them incompatible with thin watch components.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic rocker mechanism with flexible blades and interaction portions, driven by two actuators, allows for a reduced component count and thickness, enabling instantaneous jumps and torque variations for display wheel operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional clockwork mechanisms are used to drive display wheels, then reliable instantaneous jumps can be achieved, but the number of components and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of instantaneous jumpsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple traditional components (rocker, flexible blades, actuators, interaction portions) into a single monolithic structure. The monolithic rocker integrates the rocker body, first flexible blade, second flexible blade, first interaction portion, and second interaction portion into one piece, reducing component count while maintaining the reliability of instantaneous jumps through the integrated mechanical design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The monolithic rocker serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the rocker body, provides flexible blades for motion transmission, creates interaction portions for actuator engagement, and enables instantaneous jump functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while preserving the reliable operation of display wheels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional clockwork mechanisms are used to drive display wheels, then reliable instantaneous jumps can be achieved, but the thickness increases making them incompatible with fine watchmaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of instantaneous jumpsVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple thin components into a single monolithic rocker, the overall thickness is reduced. The integrated structure eliminates the need for separate rocker bodies, flexible blades, and interaction portions that would accumulate thickness in traditional multi-component designs, while maintaining reliable instantaneous jump functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible blades as thin film elements that provide the necessary mechanical flexibility and motion transmission with minimal thickness. The flexible blades are integrated into the monolithic rocker, allowing the mechanism to achieve reliable instantaneous jumps while maintaining a thin profile suitable for fine watchmaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If multiple components are used in clockwork mechanisms, then functional reliability is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The monolithic rocker is manufactured as a single piece, eliminating the need for assembly operations. This integration maintains functional reliability through the preserved mechanical relationships between components while dramatically simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the overall structure is monolithic, the design incorporates segmented functional zones (first flexible blade, second flexible blade, first interaction portion, second interaction portion) that can be manufactured as integrated features. This segmentation within unity allows for simplified manufacturing while maintaining the functional reliability of the instantaneous jump mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 mechanism achieves efficient and compact operation of display wheels with fewer components and reduced thickness, ensuring precise and reliable instantaneous jumps without double jumps.

Implementation Method 1

at least one flexible blade, having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4425275B1Timepiece mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 LVMH SWISS MFG SA

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Figure 2B

AI summary

A clockwork mechanism (1) for driving a part (40), comprising: a monolithic rocker (10) with a rigid body (13) and at least one flexible blade (14, 15), having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame (90), a first interaction portion (11) and a second interaction portion (12), the two interaction portions being connected by the rigid body (13), a first actuator (50), a second actuator (30), wherein when the first actuator (50) interacts with the first interaction portion (11), the rigid body (13) rotates about a virtual axis (X) so as to drive the part (40) with a first winding torque with respect to the external virtual axis (X), and when the second actuator (30) interacts with the second interaction portion (12), the rigid body (13) rotates substantially about said axis (X) so as to drive the part (40) with a second couple.