Musical Timepiece Plucking Disk Blade Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing disc-keyboard assemblies in musical timepieces inefficiently utilize mechanical energy due to non-optimal adaptation of blade and pin geometry, leading to excessive torque consumption and energy loss, particularly in activating high and low notes, resulting in poor acoustic performance.

Innovation Solution

The disc-keyboard assembly optimizes energy usage by progressively increasing blade width and pin width, with inclined activation surfaces aligned radially to minimize torque and avoid torsion and bending deformations, allowing for efficient sound generation without increasing rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a rotating disc with pins is used to activate keyboard blades, then the vertical bulk is reduced, but the activation energy of reeds producing lowest notes is greatly limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical bulkVSAvoidactivation energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by progressively increasing the height of pins corresponding to lower notes on the rotating disc. This allows the disc to provide sufficient activation energy for low notes while maintaining a compact vertical profile, resolving the contradiction between reduced bulk and adequate energy delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If all blades have the same stroke regardless of length, then the release is abrupt to avoid over-damping, but the section of blades should be progressively increasing from shortest to longest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease abruptnessVSAvoidblade section progression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving each blade a specific section profile matched to its length and function. Shorter blades have smaller sections while longer blades have progressively larger sections, allowing each blade to be optimally tuned for its specific note while maintaining abrupt release through proper pin positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If torque setting is excessive for activating shortest keys, then high notes can be activated, but mechanical energy consumption is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation capabilityVSAvoidmechanical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by progressively increasing pin heights corresponding to lower notes on the keyboard. This allows each pin to apply appropriate torque for its specific blade, optimizing energy consumption across the entire keyboard range rather than using excessive torque for all notes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If blades are stiffened to reduce incorrect spatial deformations, then torsion and bending deformations are reduced, but mechanical stresses increase causing energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation controlVSAvoidmechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing blade thickness and section profiles to achieve the right balance between flexibility and rigidity. Blades are designed with progressive section increases that provide sufficient stiffness to minimize parasitic deformations while maintaining low enough mechanical stresses to avoid energy loss through over-damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration enhances acoustic performance by maximizing energy storage in the first blade flexion mode, improving the acoustic level, uniformity, and power reserve of musical timepieces, while maintaining a low torque consumption.

Implementation Method 1

said pin having an activation surface arranged to cooperate with a complementary receiving surface at the level of a distal end of a corresponding said blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 2

maximize the energy in the first mode of flexion of each blade of the keyboard

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2881936B1Optimised musical plucking disk for timepiece

Publication Date: 2017.12.13 MONTRES BREGUET SA

Figure 1~5

AI summary

A disc-keyboard assembly (1) for a musical or striking timepiece (1000), comprising at least one disc (2) rotating about an axis (D) and equipped with projecting pins (3) substantially parallel to said axis (D), and arranged to cooperate with blades (4) comprising at least one keyboard (5) of said assembly (1), each said pin (3) having an activation surface (30) arranged to cooperate with a complementary receiving surface (40) of a corresponding said blade (4). The cross-section of said blades (4) of said keyboard (5) is progressively increasing from said shortest blade (4C), which is the highest pitch, to said longest blade (4L), which is the lowest pitch. The said additional receiving surface (40) has an end rim (42), which, at the end of activation of said blade (4), is on the same radius as an additional end rim (32) that has said pin (3).