Notching Spring Elastic Arms for Timepiece Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing notching systems for timepieces face challenges in achieving a compact and reliable design that allows for a large number of notches while maintaining balanced forces and a pleasant user experience, often resulting in premature wear and limited notch size due to independent elastic arm deformations.
Innovation Solution
A notching spring system with at least two elastic arms and a first toothset, featuring a closed loop design with pivot connection elements, where each arm is convex when unloaded and forms a clamp to interact with a second toothset, allowing for increased curvature and abutment force distribution, enabling bidirectional operation and maximizing notch count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a closed loop spring with multiple elastic arms is used to increase the number of notches, then the notch count is maximized, but the complexity of the spring structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple elastic arms (at least two) that are connected in a closed loop configuration. Each elastic arm can independently deform to engage with the toothset, allowing the system to generate multiple notches simultaneously. This segmentation enables the spring to provide multiple notching positions without requiring a single complex arm, thereby maximizing the number of notches while maintaining manageable individual arm complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple elastic arms are merged into a single closed loop spring structure that shares common connection points and works cooperatively to engage with the toothset. The elastic arms are connected through pivot connection elements that allow them to move relative to each other while maintaining structural integrity. This merging approach consolidates multiple notching functions into one integrated spring assembly, maximizing notch count while distributing the mechanical complexity across multiple coordinated components.
2Quantity of substance
If elastic arms are made to deform independently to engage with the toothset, then the number of notches is maximized, but premature wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spring design incorporates local quality variations through the pivot connection elements that connect the elastic arms. These pivot points are specifically engineered to allow controlled relative movement between arms while maintaining precise engagement with the toothset. The local quality of the pivot connections ensures that each elastic arm can deform independently to its optimal engagement position without causing excessive wear, as the pivot mechanism distributes the mechanical stress across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it at single wear-prone locations.
3Device complexity
If a single elastic arm is used for notching, then the spring structure is simple, but the number of notches is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single elastic arm, the spring is segmented into multiple elastic arms (at least two) that are connected in a closed loop. Each elastic arm can independently engage with the toothset at different positions, allowing the system to generate multiple notches simultaneously. This segmentation enables the spring to provide multiple notching positions without requiring a single complex arm, thereby maximizing the number of notches while maintaining manageable individual arm complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the spring arms are made convex when unloaded, then the elastic deformation is optimized for engagement, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic arms are designed with specific geometric parameters that define their convex shape when unloaded. The curvature radius, arm length, and thickness are carefully selected to optimize the elastic deformation characteristics. By pre-configuring these geometric parameters, the spring arms naturally achieve the desired convex configuration without requiring complex manufacturing processes. The parameter optimization ensures that the arms deform smoothly and predictably during operation, balancing ease of operation with achievable manufacturing precision.
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 solution provides a compact and reliable notching system that enhances the number of notches, ensures balanced forces, and reduces wear, offering a pleasant user experience by optimizing elastic arm deformation and interaction with the toothset.
Implementation Method 1
the arms of the spring are made to deform elastically with regard to these fitting connections
Data Source
AI summary
A spring (1) for a notching system, the spring including at least two elastic arms (11, 12), and a first toothset javomg first notching teeth (11a, 12a) disposed on each of the arms, the spring being designed such that, in a position in which one of the arms of the spring is not loaded, the arm is convex as seen from the top of the first notching tooth of this arm.