Oscillating Weight With Secondary Impulse Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscillating weight mechanisms for automatic winding in portable instruments, such as mechanical watches, are complex and cumbersome, and have not been successfully integrated into market-ready timepieces, as they rely heavily on the wearer's activity and initial impulse, which is difficult to achieve without excessive agitation.
Innovation Solution
A simple and economical oscillating weight design comprising a primary weight and a secondary weight, where the secondary weight provides an initial impulse through shocks generated by travel along guide means at the periphery of the primary weight, allowing for adaptation to existing single-piece oscillating weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing oscillating weight mechanisms are used to provide initial impulse, then the winding function can be activated, but the device becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating weight is divided into two distinct parts: a primary weight that performs the winding function and a secondary weight that provides the initial impulse. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability. The secondary weight can be a separate element that slides or moves independently within the primary weight structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The initial impulse generation function is extracted from the main oscillating weight structure and assigned to a dedicated secondary weight. This extraction simplifies the primary weight design and allows the impulse mechanism to be implemented through a simple movable element that can be a separate component or an integrated feature with minimal structural complexity.
2Reliability
If existing oscillating weight mechanisms are used, then winding can be achieved, but excessive wearer agitation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary weight is pre-positioned within the primary weight structure, ready to provide impulse without requiring wearer action. The design incorporates guide means and stop members that automatically enable the secondary weight to move and strike the primary weight when the device is worn, eliminating the need for excessive wearer agitation. The impulse is generated automatically through the interaction between the secondary weight and the guide means.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple oscillating weight designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to existing single-piece weights is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary weight design incorporates guide means that can be integrated into various existing oscillating weight structures. The guide means with stop members at their ends provides a universal interface that can accommodate different primary weight designs, allowing the simple secondary weight mechanism to be adapted to existing single-piece oscillating weights with minimal modifications.
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 design effectively initiates the winding process with minimal wearer agitation, maintaining movement through natural activity while being easy to integrate and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
at least one secondary weight mobile relative to the primary weight for giving the initial impulse to the primary weight by shocks
Data Source
AI summary
The oscillating weight includes a primary oscillating weight (10) secured to a drive arbor (6) and at least one secondary oscillating weight (20), which is mobile relative to the primary weight to cause the initial impulse. The secondary weight (20) is formed by a part assembled to the primary weight (10) from the exterior, while being able to have a travel between two stop members (12a, 12b) of a guide means (14, 18) located on the periphery of the primary weight (10).