Single Barrel Chiming Timepiece Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large strike watches require modifications to the barrel structure to accommodate dual use, leading to increased axial size and complex assembly processes, making it difficult to use a standard barrel for both timing and striking gears.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism with a single barrel that uses an intermediate mobile with an offset axis to connect the winding ratchet to the striking gear, allowing disengagement during spring charging, and incorporating a ratchet device for compactness and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single barrel is used to drive both timing gear and striking gear, then the number of elements is reduced and space is saved, but the barrel structure must be modified which increases axial size and complicates assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into separate functional paths: the barrel drives the timing gear directly through its drum, while the striking gear is driven through a separate winding ratchet and intermediate mobile mechanism. This segmentation allows the barrel to maintain its standard structure without modifications, while still achieving the goal of using a single barrel for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate mobile mechanism with offset axis that acts as a mediator between the winding ratchet and the striking gear. This intermediate mechanism allows the winding ratchet to drive the striking gear without requiring direct connection to the barrel, thus preserving the standard barrel structure while enabling dual functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional ratchets and ratchet systems are arranged on the barrel, then dual use is enabled, but the axial size of the barrel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the striking gear drive mechanism from the axial dimension to the radial dimension by using an intermediate mobile with offset axis. The winding ratchet is positioned radially offset from the barrel axis, and the intermediate mobile transfers motion in this different dimensional plane, thereby avoiding axial bulk while enabling dual functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the winding ratchet is integral in rotation with the barrel drive shaft, then space is saved, but disengagement during charging becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging and striking functions by introducing a disengageable connection between the winding ratchet and the intermediate mobile. During charging, the winding ratchet can be disengaged from the intermediate mobile, allowing independent operation of the charging mechanism without affecting the striking gear, thus simplifying assembly and maintenance operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If a standard barrel is used without modification, then production references are reduced, but driving both gears becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal solution by designing an intermediate mobile mechanism that can be added to any standard barrel without modification. This intermediate mechanism provides the adaptability needed to drive both timing and striking gears, making the solution universally applicable across different timepiece models while maintaining standard barrel production.
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 the use of a standard barrel to drive both timing and striking gears, reducing axial bulk and simplifying assembly, while maintaining a compact and efficient drive system that minimizes the risk of inadvertent triggering during arming phases.
Implementation Method 1
a barrel comprising a barrel spring, a toothing which meshes with the timer gear
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate mobile comprises a ratchet device making it possible to disengage the winding ratchet relative to the striking gear during the phase of charging the spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The time piece has a timer wheel (12) driving a display unit e.g. needle, and driven by a barrel (20). A ringing wheel (16) drives a ringing mechanism, and a winding ratchet (38) is integrated in rotation of a driving shaft (26) of the barrel. The ratchet drives the wheel (16) in rotation via an intermediate mobile (45), whose axis (A2) is offset with respect to an axis (A1) of the barrel. The mobile has a device (47) with a latch to release the ratchet with respect to the wheel (16) during a loading phase of a spring. The ratchet is meshed with a setting wheel (56) engaged with the mobile.