Optical Watch Rate Adjustment via Thermomechanical Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the rate of a mechanical watch is a time-consuming and precise process that requires opening the case and accessing components, often resulting in shifts that necessitate re-adjustment, and existing methods lack the ability to make fine adjustments without opening the watch.
Innovation Solution
A microsystem that uses optical energy, specifically a thermomechanical actuator driven by a light beam, to reversibly deform the oscillator's components, allowing for the adjustment of inertia and stiffness without opening the watch case, utilizing a flyweight wheel with an eccentric unbalance and a thermomechanical actuator to modify the angular position of the flyweight wheel and thus the center of inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rate adjustment methods are used, then the rate can be adjusted, but the case must be opened and components accessed, which is time-consuming and may cause rate shifts requiring re-adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical adjustment mechanisms (screws, levers requiring case opening) with an optical system. A light beam is transmitted through the case back to activate a microsystem that mechanically adjusts the balance wheel inertia, enabling rate adjustment without opening the case and eliminating time loss from disassembly/reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (light beam transmission through the case back) that connects the external adjustment interface with the internal mechanical adjustment components. This intermediary enables indirect actuation of the balance wheel inertia modification without direct mechanical access to the movement components.
2Measurement precision
If traditional rate adjustment methods are used, then the rate can be adjusted, but opening the case and refitting the movement often produces shifts requiring redoing the adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the case-opening mechanical adjustment process with an optical actuation system, the patent eliminates the destabilizing effect of movement disassembly and reassembly. The adjustment is performed in-situ on the already-installed movement, ensuring that the rate setting remains stable without shifts caused by refitting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the watch to adjust its own rate in-situ without external intervention requiring case opening. The optical actuation system allows the movement to self-correct its rate while remaining installed in the case, eliminating the instability introduced by removing and refitting the movement.
3Ease of operation
If existing adjustment methods are used, then rate adjustment is possible, but fine adjustments cannot be made without opening the watch case
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional mechanical adjustment tools requiring case opening with an optical actuation system. The light beam can be transmitted through the case back to activate the microsystem, enabling fine adjustment operations to be performed remotely without compromising accessibility or precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimensional approach to adjustment accessibility by using optical transmission through the case back. This creates a new access dimension (through the transparent case back) that allows fine adjustment operations without the need to open the case, combining ease of operation with 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
Enables precise, fine adjustments to the watch's rate without opening the case, reducing the need for re-adjustment and allowing for discreet, reproducible settings, suitable for high-end watches and applications like diving watches.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator driving at least a first so-called active pawl (38) arranged to drive the toothing in rotation, wherein at least one actuator is a thermomechanical actuator (30) arranged to transform a flow of energy of light origin into a movement of a mechanical control member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~10
AI summary
A microsystem (10) for regulating the rate of a clockwork oscillator, comprising a counterweight wheel (20) having an eccentric counterweight (22) and teeth (21) and arranged to pivot relative to a base plate (60) of the microsystem (10), which includes an actuator driving a first active pawl (38) arranged to drive the teeth (21), and includes a means for stopping the teeth (21) in position. This actuator is preferably a thermomechanical actuator (30) arranged to transform a flux of light energy into a displacement of a distal end (380) of this thermomechanical actuator (30) which carries a first active pawl (38) or directly controls a movement of a first active pawl (38). Watch (1) comprising a glass (2) transparent to predetermined wavelength ranges and allowing the passage of a light beam (3) for the adjustment of such a microsystem (10) comprising this watch (1).