Timepiece Strike Mechanism Blade Design for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing striking mechanisms in timepieces experience parasitic noises due to stresses exerted on blades in multiple directions, leading to torsion and reduced sound quality, which are not effectively addressed by increasing the section of the blades.
Innovation Solution
The design allows for the blades to be freely arranged with respect to the disc, featuring a recessed portion and a free end with separate arms that can be oriented in various shapes, including triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular, with adjustable protrusions to enhance sound production and reduce parasitic vibrations by increasing rigidity and precise attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the section of the blades is increased to reduce parasitic noises, then the strength and rigidity of the blade is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into multiple arms (typically three) that are arranged radially around the rotation axis. Each arm can be independently designed and optimized, allowing the blade to maintain high strength while keeping the overall structure efficient and manageable. This segmentation enables the blade to resist multi-directional stresses without requiring a uniformly thick, complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade structure transitions from a simple planar form to a three-dimensional radial arrangement with arms extending from the center. This dimensional change allows the blade to effectively counteract stresses from multiple directions simultaneously, as the radial configuration provides structural support in all azimuthal directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall geometry.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the blades are constrained to specific orientations relative to the disc to reduce torsion, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the adaptability and freedom of arrangement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radial arrangement of multiple arms provides a universal structural solution that maintains mechanical stability regardless of the specific number of blades or their angular positions. This configuration inherently resists torsional stresses from any direction, allowing the mechanism to adapt to different blade configurations without requiring complex orientation constraints, thereby providing both stability and versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the blade structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to resist multi-directional stresses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the blade into multiple radial arms creates a structure that naturally resists multi-directional stresses through its geometry rather than requiring excessive material or complex features. Each arm acts as an independent load-bearing element, and the overall structure can be manufactured using standard processes while maintaining high stress resistance capability.
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 significantly reduces parasitic vibrations, maintaining sound quality while allowing for independent adjustment and tuning of each blade, resulting in improved mechanical behavior and sound production.
Implementation Method 1
the blade undergoes stresses which are exerted in several directions: along the z axis, of course, but also parallel to the plane P, of the fact of the trajectory described by the lugs. These stresses can, in certain embodiments, induce a torsion at the attachment of the blade.
Implementation Method 2
after the passage of the lug which generates a sound vibration by the elastic return of the blade to the rest position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The timepiece has a striking mechanism including a disk (10) rotated by a power source i.e. barrel, around an axis (z) and in a plane (P). The disk is provided with a projecting spigot (12) on one of its faces. A prong (18) has a recessed portion and a free end (18b). The prong cooperates with the spigot. The prong has width greater than its thickness at the level of the recessed portion, where the width is a dimension orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the prong in the plane, and the thickness is a dimension orthogonal to the plane. The disk and the spigot are made of nickel. The prong is made of metallic glass.