Timepiece Movement With Rail-Guided Balance Shaft Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical watch movements, particularly those with tourbillon or carousel-type regulating mechanisms, are limited in their ability to freely choose the balance shaft's position and orientation, leading to restricted movement paths and similar appearances, which are not suitable for wristwatches with varying positions.
Innovation Solution
A clockwork movement with a sprung balance that can move to any chosen position and orientation, featuring a locking member to momentarily connect or separate two kinematic chains, a moving assembly with a guide assembly, and a drive mechanism to move along rails, allowing independent operation of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tourbillon or carousel-type regulating mechanisms are used, then isochronism improvement is achieved, but the balance shaft movement is restricted to specific geometric paths (cones, spheres, or parallel planes)
Solution Approach 1:
The movement is divided into two independent kinematic chains: a first chain for time indication and a second chain for regulating mechanism movement. This segmentation allows each chain to function independently, enabling the balance shaft to move along arbitrary paths defined by the second chain without affecting the time indication function of the first chain.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking member acts as an intermediary that momentarily connects or separates the two kinematic chains when actuated. This intermediary mechanism enables controlled interaction between the chains, allowing the balance shaft to be positioned freely while maintaining the integrity of both kinematic functions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the balance shaft is constrained to move along geometric paths (cones, spheres, or parallel planes), then the regulating mechanism structure is simplified, but the aesthetic appearance becomes similar across different timepieces
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating mechanism is designed to move the balance shaft dynamically along arbitrary three-dimensional paths rather than being constrained to fixed geometric loci. This dynamic positioning capability allows for diverse aesthetic appearances while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular kinematic chain design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the balance shaft movement from two-dimensional geometric paths (cones, spheres) to three-dimensional arbitrary paths. By adding dimensional freedom, the design achieves unique aesthetic appearances while the modular kinematic structure maintains ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate kinematic chains are used for time indication and regulating mechanism movement, then independent operation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two kinematic chains are merged through the locking member that can momentarily connect them. This combining approach allows the chains to operate independently when separated but can be integrated when needed, achieving versatile operation without permanent complexity of fully integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it acts as a connector between kinematic chains, a positioning mechanism for the balance shaft, and a control element for transitioning between independent and integrated operation modes. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single component.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a movement for a timepiece comprising a counting assembly (10) comprising a first energy source (14) and a gear train (16) kinematically linked to at least one time indicator; and a control assembly (11) comprising a control member (35). This timepiece movement is characterised in that it further comprises a blocking member (56) for said gear train (16); a mobile unit (33) supporting said control assembly (11); a guide assembly (12) for said mobile unit (33), comprising at least one rail (30, 32); a drive mechanism for said mobile unit (33) which is arranged to move this mobile unit along the guide assembly (12); and a release mechanism (13) for said blocking member (56). The invention also relates to a timepiece containing such a movement.