Timepiece Escape Wheel Axial Runout Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece mechanisms face issues with axial runout of the rotating member when the axle turns, particularly due to limitations in the design of the pinion and fixing members, which restrict the angle of the rotating member to the axis, leading to increased runout and potential mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece part design featuring a rotating axle with a first shaft and a coaxially disposed second shaft of greater diameter, a guide member with a larger opening, a flat member with a silicon composition, and a fixing member made from copper or its alloys, where the guide member and fixing member are positioned to support the flat member at a distance from the axis, allowing for a more perpendicular orientation and reducing axial runout through a specialized rib and groove structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pinion is formed on the axle member by a turning process, then the maximum diameter of the axle member is limited to the outside diameter of the teeth of the pinion, but the plane direction of the rotating member to the axis of the axle member cannot approach a right angle, resulting in increased axial runout
Solution Approach 1:
The axle member is divided into two separate components: a pinion shaft (first shaft) and a rotating axle (second shaft). The pinion is formed on the first shaft by turning process, while the second shaft has a larger diameter to provide proper support for the rotating member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the constraints of a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinion shaft acts as an intermediary component between the rotating member and the driving mechanism. It transfers rotational motion from the pinion teeth to the rotating axle, enabling the rotating member to be supported at a larger diameter while the pinion is formed on a smaller diameter shaft through turning process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the outside diameter of the pinion teeth is small, then the size of the first surface is determined by the size of the outside diameter of the teeth of the pinion, but the plane direction of the rotating member to the axis of the axle member cannot approach a right angle
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces are segmented into two distinct interfaces: the first surface between the pinion and rotating member, and the second surface between the rotating member and fixed member. This allows the second surface to be positioned at a larger radius from the axis, providing adequate contact area for perpendicularity even when the pinion teeth diameter is small.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the critical perpendicularity constraint from the first contact surface (determined by pinion size) to the second contact surface (determined by rotating member size). By establishing the perpendicular relationship at the second surface where larger dimensions are available, the system overcomes the limitation imposed by small pinion tooth diameter.
3Volume of moving object
If the rotating member is held close to the axis of the axle member, then the structure is compact, but the plane direction of the rotating member to the axis of the axle member cannot approach a right angle when pinion diameter is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The axle system is segmented into a pinion shaft for driving and a rotating axle for support. This allows the rotating member to be positioned at the optimal location on the rotating axle (at a distance from the axis) to achieve proper perpendicularity, while the pinion shaft remains compact for driving functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a timepiece part that reduces axial runout of a flat member when the rotating axle thereof turns. A escape wheel and pinion 18 includes an axle member having a first shaft 44 and a second shaft 45 that is larger in diameter than the first shaft, and a seat 48 disposed outside the position where the first shaft and the second shaft connect; a guide member 49 disposed in contact with the seat, having a first hole in which the first shaft is inserted, and having a diameter greater than the second shaft; an escape wheel 23 disposed in contact with the guide member and having a second hole in which the first shaft is inserted; and a fixing member 50 disposed in contact with the escape wheel, having a third hole in which the first shaft is inserted.