Spring Ring Angular Locking for Shock-Resistant Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbing devices for micromechanical devices, such as timepiece movements, face challenges in preventing the uncoupling of components during axial or lateral shocks, particularly due to insufficient locking mechanisms that can lead to accidental disassembly and failure.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing device with a spring ring that adopts a mounting position and an attachment position, featuring tabs that engage with a peripheral shoulder and recesses, where only some tabs are under the shoulder in the attachment position, causing a curved deformation of the spring ring to immobilize it, preventing rotation and ensuring secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tabs engage with peripheral shoulder and recesses for mounting, then the spring ring can be assembled on the support, but the spring ring may pivot on itself and become uncoupled from the support in the event of shock
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is segmented into two distinct functions: mounting recesses for assembly and locking recesses for retention. The spring ring has multiple tabs that can engage with different recesses depending on their position, allowing separation of mounting and locking functions to prevent uncoupling during shock
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is activated automatically during the assembly process itself. When the spring ring is assembled and pressed into its final position, the locking tabs are automatically pushed into the locking recesses, so the locking action occurs preliminarily during assembly rather than requiring a separate step
2Stability of the object's composition
If all tabs are under the peripheral shoulder, then the spring ring is held in position, but the spring ring can rotate accidentally and become uncoupled
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution of tabs and recesses is asymmetric: not all tabs engage with the peripheral shoulder, but rather only some tabs are positioned under the shoulder while others engage with locking recesses. This asymmetric arrangement creates a locking effect that prevents rotational movement while maintaining positioning stability
3Device complexity
If the spring ring is held in the same plane without curvature, then assembly is simple, but the locking mechanism is insufficient to prevent uncoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The spring ring is intentionally curved rather than flat, with sections of the ring having different radii of curvature. This curvature creates mechanical leverage that enhances the locking effect when tabs engage with recesses, providing sufficient retention force to prevent uncoupling during shock while maintaining relatively simple assembly
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 design significantly reduces the risk of components becoming uncoupled during shocks, providing enhanced stability and preventing accidental disassembly, thus ensuring the reliability of micromechanical devices like timepieces.
Implementation Method 1
The tabs positioned under the peripheral shoulder of the support are subjected to a force applied by said peripheral shoulder. The application of this force causes a curved deformation of the section of the spring ring disposed between the two points of application of the force.
Implementation Method 2
Following this deformation, the locking tab arranged on this section changes shape slightly, which causes the immobilisation thereof inside the locking recess and thereby prevents any rotation of the spring ring with respect to the support.
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorbing device including a spring ring able to adopt a mounting position and an attachment position respectively with respect to the support of the shock absorbing device. This spring ring includes, on the external periphery thereof, tabs which engage with a peripheral shoulder of the support of the shock absorbing device provided with recesses which outnumber the tabs. In the attachment position, only some of the tabs are disposed under the peripheral shoulder of the support, the remaining tabs, including locking tabs, respectively housed in locking recesses, of the support. In the attachment position, at least one locking tab housed in a locking recess is surrounded by tabs positioned under the peripheral shoulder.