Segmented Barrel Design for Watch Power Reserve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches face limitations in maximizing energy storage and power reserve within a given volume due to manufacturing constraints on spring height and thickness, and existing solutions like multiple barrels in series or parallel configurations are not optimal for energy performance.
Innovation Solution
A barrel design featuring two superimposed compartments with independent tubular hubs and covers, allowing for increased spring turns and power reserve without increasing diameter, with antifriction coatings and a fixed arbor for rotational guidance, enabling efficient energy transfer and reduced bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the height of the spring coils is increased and the thickness of the spring blade is decreased, then the number of coils increases and energy storage improves, but manufacturing constraints limit the possibilities for increasing height or reducing thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is divided into two separate compartments, each containing its own spring. This segmentation allows each spring to be manufactured with optimal dimensions independent of the other, overcoming the manufacturing constraints that would limit a single large spring. The first compartment contains a first spring and the second compartment contains a second spring, enabling increased total energy storage while maintaining manufacturability of individual components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single spring arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration with two springs arranged in separate compartments within the barrel. This spatial reorganization allows the system to achieve greater energy storage capacity by utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions more effectively, rather than simply increasing the height or reducing the thickness of a single spring
2Quantity of substance
If multiple barrels are associated in parallel or series to improve transmitted torque or power reserve, then energy performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two springs into a single barrel structure with two compartments, combining the energy storage functions of what would traditionally require separate barrels. The first and second springs are housed in the same barrel drum with separate compartments, allowing the system to achieve improved power reserve while maintaining a simpler overall structure than multiple separate barrels would require
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses two separate springs for energy storage, provides a common drum for torque transmission, and includes separate hubs for each spring. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced energy performance without the complexity of multiple independent barrel assemblies
3Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the barrel is increased to accommodate more spring turns, then power reserve increases, but the bulk and size of the timepiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is segmented into two compartments with separate springs, allowing each spring to be wound with a limited number of turns within the same barrel diameter. This segmentation enables increased total energy storage through multiple springs rather than requiring a single large spring that would necessitate a larger barrel diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The two springs are nested within the same barrel drum structure, with each spring occupying its own compartment. This nesting arrangement allows the system to maximize energy storage within the existing barrel volume by efficiently utilizing the internal space with two compact spring assemblies rather than requiring a larger external dimension
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece barrel includes a drum defining a first compartment and a superimposed second compartment; a first tubular hub secured to a first cover and housed at least partially in the first compartment; a second tubular hub secured to a second cover housed at least partially in the second compartment. Each compartment contains a spring wound into a spiral and an inner first end of which collaborates with the first and second hubs respectively and a second end of which collaborates with the drum. The compartments are open on the side of the covers and the first and second covers are free with reference to the drum and are each provided with peripheral teeth, while the drum has no teeth.