Oscillating Weight Using Heavy Metal Fibers for Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-winding watch oscillating weights made of plastic or resin are too light, leading to insufficient winding torque, and existing solutions using heavy metal particles result in brittle parts prone to breakage under shock.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of plastic material and heavy metal fibers is injected into a mold in a liquid state, with fiber concentrations between 1.5% and 7% by weight, enhancing shock resistance without compromising moldability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for oscillating weight, then the part is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but the winding torque is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic matrix with dispersed heavy metal particles (density > 7) to create an oscillating weight that maintains the ease of manufacture and lightness of plastic while incorporating the high density of heavy metals to increase winding torque. The composite structure allows injection molding processes to produce complex shapes without correction operations while achieving the required torque through density enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the density parameter of the plastic material by incorporating heavy metal particles with density greater than 7. This parameter change increases the overall density of the oscillating weight from typical plastic density (close to 1) to a higher density range, thereby increasing the winding torque while maintaining the plastic-based manufacturing advantages.
2Force
If heavy metal particles are added to plastic to increase density, then the winding torque increases, but the part becomes brittle and prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of heavy metal particles within the plastic matrix. By controlling the heavy metal content to provide density greater than 7 while maintaining appropriate particle distribution and concentration, the patent achieves increased winding torque without excessive brittleness. The parameter optimization balances density enhancement with structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform dispersion of heavy metal particles throughout the plastic matrix. This even distribution prevents localized stress concentrations that would cause brittleness, while still achieving the required overall density for increased torque. The homogeneous composite structure maintains shock resistance despite the high heavy metal content.
3Strength
If fiber concentration is increased to improve shock resistance, then the shock resistance improves, but the viscosity increases and injection molding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fiber concentration parameter within a specific range (1.5% to 7% by weight) to achieve the desired shock resistance while maintaining acceptable viscosity for injection molding. This parameter optimization ensures that the mixture remains moldable while providing sufficient structural reinforcement for shock resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a relatively low fiber concentration (1.5% to 7%) that is sufficient to provide good shock resistance without excessively increasing viscosity. This partial reinforcement approach achieves the necessary strength improvement while avoiding the manufacturing difficulties that would result from high fiber content.
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 approach allows for the production of robust, lightweight oscillating weights with improved shock resistance and complex shapes, maintaining the advantages of plastic parts while increasing torque through the use of heavy metal fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a mixture formed by a plastic material and a charge of heavy metal fibres is injected into a mould in a liquid state
Data Source
AI summary
The oscillating weight for a self-winding watch mechanism is made by molding a plastic material charged with heavy metal particles. Moreover, the plastic material is also charged with fibers, wherein said fibers form between 1.5% and 7% of the total weight of the charged plastic material, and the density of the charged plastic material is greater than 8.