Oscillating Weight Power Reserve Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic winding watches face challenges in integrating a reliable and compact power reserve display within the oscillating weight due to high operating stress and limited space, deterring designers from using the oscillating weight for this purpose.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating weight with a power reserve indicator device featuring a friction differential display mechanism, where display means and complementary display means are rotatably mounted synchronously relative to a common axis, including a movable and stationary input with disconnectable drive means, ensuring reliable and legible power reserve indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power reserve indicator device is integrated in the oscillating weight, then the space utilization is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to high operating stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making both the display means and complementary display means rotatable relative to the oscillating weight, allowing them to rotate synchronously with the oscillating weight's movements. This dynamic mounting solution accommodates the high operating stress and millions of movements annually, preventing reliability deterioration while maintaining space efficiency through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power reserve indicator device with the oscillating weight structure, integrating the display means and complementary display means within the oscillating weight's volume. This combining approach maximizes space utilization by using the oscillating weight's volume for housing the power reserve indicator function, reducing overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the power reserve indicator device is integrated in the oscillating weight, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making the display means and complementary display means rotatable rather than fixed, the patent reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements. The synchronous rotation capability allows for acceptable tolerances in mounting positions, as the system is designed to accommodate movement and maintain functional alignment through its dynamic nature rather than requiring precise static positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the display means and complementary display means are fixed in the oscillating weight, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from fixed mounting to rotatable mounting of the display means and complementary display means. This dynamic approach distributes mechanical stress throughout the rotation mechanism rather than concentrating it at fixed mounting points, thereby improving reliability under high operating stress while maintaining achievable manufacturing precision standards.
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 robust, simple, and compact power reserve display mechanism integrated within the oscillating weight, ensuring excellent reliability and clear indication of the mainspring's energy reserve, regardless of the winding level, while withstanding the high operational stress of automatic winding mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a friction differential display mechanism with two inputs, one stationary and the other movable
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an oscillating weight (1) for an automatic winding watch, including a power reserve indicator device (100) integrated in said oscillating weight (1) and including means (20) for displaying the power reserve by comparison to complementary display means (30), said display means (20) and complementary display means (30) being integrated in said oscillating weight (1).Said display means (20) and complementary display means (30) are movably mounted to rotate synchronously, at a given moment, relative to said oscillating weight (1).The invention also concerns an automatic winding watch including an oscillating weight (1) of this type, whose movements are transmitted to a mainspring of said watch.