Timepiece Display Gearing for Low-Energy Fractional-Second Readout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complicated timepieces face challenges in incorporating multiple displays without increasing energy consumption and size, making it difficult to maintain readability and running time.

Innovation Solution

A display system featuring a wheel with a second toothing modulus of less than 0.05 mm, allowing for reduced component size and torque, enabling continuous display of fractions of a second without excessive energy consumption, and utilizing additive manufacturing and elastic elements to prevent fluttering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple displays are incorporated in a timepiece, then the number of complications increases, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displaysVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the toothing modulus parameter to less than 0.05 mm, which fundamentally alters the size and inertia of the display components. This parameter change enables multiple displays to operate with significantly reduced energy consumption, as the smaller components require less torque to drive while maintaining their display function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display system into multiple independent display organs, each with its own drive mechanism using the fine toothing. This allows each display to be driven separately with minimal energy requirement, enabling the incorporation of multiple complications without proportionally increasing total energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple displays are incorporated in a timepiece, then the number of complications increases, but the size of the timepiece increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displaysVSAvoidsize of timepiece

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the toothing modulus to less than 0.05 mm, the patent dramatically reduces the size of all display components including gears, pinions, and display organs. This parameter change allows multiple displays to be packed into a compact space without proportionally increasing the overall timepiece volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges multiple display organs and their drive mechanisms in a nested or layered configuration within the limited space of the timepiece. The fine toothing enables this compact arrangement by reducing the radial and axial dimensions of each display mechanism, allowing them to be stacked or positioned in close proximity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If displays are arranged on the bottom side or laterally, then the number of displays increases, but readability requires removing the timepiece from the wrist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displaysVSAvoidreadability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple display organs into the main dial area, making them simultaneously visible and readable without removing the timepiece. The fine toothing enables this by allowing all displays to be arranged in a compact configuration that fits within the standard viewing area, providing universal accessibility to all complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If displays are arranged on the bottom side, then the number of displays increases, but the timepiece must be removed from the wearer's wrist to view them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displaysVSAvoidviewing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions all display organs in the main viewing area of the dial, ensuring they are simultaneously accessible and readable while the timepiece is worn. This eliminates the need to remove the timepiece for viewing, as all complications are displayed in the standard field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 construction of timepieces with reduced energy consumption, allowing for more displays and improved running time, while maintaining readability and precision in displaying fractions of a second.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic element being prestressed, for example by dephasing the two pinions in order to tension the elastic element in one direction or the other. This arrangement takes up the meshing play and therefore avoids any fluttering of the display organ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11249442B2Display system for a timepiece

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 GREUBEL FORSEY SA

AI summary

A display system for a timepiece is disclosed. The system includes a mobile arranged to be driven by a drive source by first teeth provided on the mobile. The mobile includes second teeth including a teeth module of less than 0.05 mm, the second teeth being arranged so as to drive a display member either directly or indirectly.