Portable Watch Measuring Device Using Contact Piezoelectric Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for testing mechanical watch movements are expensive, complex, and not designed for user-friendly, portable use, particularly for wearers to assess their own watches.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a contact microphone, piezoelectric element, battery, microprocessor, memory, and touch screen, shaped like a watchmaker's loupe, allowing users to easily measure watch parameters by contacting the watch case and displaying results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical or acoustic measurement methods are used for mechanical watch testing, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical measurement systems with a simple mechanical contact microphone system. The contact microphone uses a piezoelectric element that directly contacts the watch case to detect vibrations, eliminating the need for complex optical equipment while maintaining measurement capability for mechanical watch parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive piezoelectric elements and simple electronic components instead of expensive microphones or optical sensors. This approach uses cost-effective materials that can be easily replaced if needed, significantly reducing device cost while achieving functional equivalence.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory testing devices are used, then measurement accuracy is achieved, but portability and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measuring device that combines multiple functions: the contact microphone detects vibrations, the microprocessor analyzes signals, and the display shows results. This multi-functional integration allows the device to perform accurate measurements while being portable and user-friendly, unlike specialized laboratory equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the microphone, signal processing unit, power source, and display into a single handheld device. This consolidation maintains measurement accuracy while enabling portability and ease of operation, allowing users to test watches anywhere without requiring laboratory environments.
3Measurement precision
If expensive microphones are used for acoustic measurements, then measurement quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive piezoelectric elements instead of expensive microphones. These simple piezoelectric sensors provide sufficient measurement quality for mechanical watch testing while dramatically reducing cost, making the device economically viable for consumer use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes acoustic microphones with a mechanical contact system using piezoelectric elements. This replacement maintains measurement quality by directly sensing vibrations through contact, while eliminating the need for expensive microphone components.
4Measurement precision
If contact piezoelectric microphones are used, then measurement capability is achieved, but device portability and user-friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the contact piezoelectric microphone with a microprocessor, power source, and display into a single portable unit. This merging maintains the measurement capability of contact piezoelectric sensors while adding portability and user-friendly features like wireless communication and visual display, making the device suitable for field use.
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 cost-effective, user-friendly, and portable testing of mechanical watch movements, allowing wearers to assess their watches' operation with ease and precision, providing essential diagnostic data.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring device includes a vibration circuit, which is a microphone or a piezoelectric plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a portable device (1) for measuring the values of one or more parameters characterizing the operation of a mechanical watch. The device is equipped with a contact microphone comprising a contact piece (10) and a piezoelectric element (20). The contact piece is brought into physical contact with the case of a watch during a measurement period. The device also includes a power source, such as a replaceable (26) or rechargeable battery, a microprocessor, memory, and a display (6) for showing the measured values, preferably a touchscreen. Preferably, the dimensions of the device are of the same order of magnitude as the case of a wristwatch. In a specific form, the device (1) has the shape of a watchmaker's loupe. The invention also relates to a measurement method using the device of the invention.