Timepiece Movement Control for Low-Torque Complication Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complicated watches require large sizes and significant torque due to multiple mechanisms, leading to disrupted oscillations of the regulating organ and compromised isochronism, as each complication increases energy demand and varies torque behavior.
Innovation Solution
A movement for a timepiece with a control device and actuator system using reduced-sized components (diameter ≤ 2.5 mm) that influence the rotational transmission between the power source and display unit, minimizing torque requirements and reducing stress on the regulating organ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional-sized components are used in the control mechanism, then the mechanism can provide sufficient torque for driving display organs, but the regulating organ experiences variable torque and disrupted oscillations, compromising isochronism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by miniaturizing the control mechanism components to diameters of 2.5 mm or less, fundamentally changing the physical parameters of the system. This size reduction decreases the moment of inertia and torque requirements of the control mechanism, allowing it to operate with minimal impact on the regulating organ's oscillations, thereby maintaining isochronism while still driving display organs
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complications are incorporated into the watch, then the functionality and versatility increase, but the watch size and power reserve requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent miniaturizes the control mechanism to extremely small dimensions (2.5 mm diameter or less), enabling multiple complication mechanisms to be integrated within a compact space. This parameter change in component size allows the watch to accommodate more complications without proportionally increasing the overall watch size, as each complication's control mechanism occupies minimal space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the control mechanism within the existing finishing gear train structure, nesting the miniaturized control components alongside the power transmission components. This nesting approach allows the control mechanism for multiple complications to share the same spatial envelope as the power transmission system, maximizing space utilization and reducing overall watch size
3Productivity
If complications consume significant energy, then the display functionality is maintained, but the regulating organ's oscillations are disrupted due to variable torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the control mechanism by reducing component sizes to 2.5 mm diameter or less, which fundamentally alters the torque and inertia characteristics. This parameter change enables the control mechanism to operate with minimal torque extraction from the finishing gear train, ensuring that the regulating organ receives consistent torque and maintains stable oscillations even when multiple complications are active
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the control mechanism as an intermediary integrated within the finishing gear train, between the power source and the display organs. This intermediary role allows the control mechanism to efficiently transmit power to display organs while minimizing its impact on the regulating organ, as it draws power from the finishing gear train rather than directly from the mainspring, thereby maintaining the stability of the regulating organ's oscillations
Data Source
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AI summary
A timepiece movement (1) comprising: - at least one power source (3, 3a, 3b); - a finishing gear train (5, 5a, 5b, 5c) kinematically linking the power source (3, 3a, 3b) to a regulating member (7); and - a display member (11) arranged to be driven by said power source. According to the invention, the movement (1) also comprises: - an actuator (9) that acts upon the transmission of rotation between the power source (3, 3a, 3b) and the display unit (11); and - a control device (13) for controlling the actuator (9), said control device (13) comprising wheels that all have a diameter smaller than or equal to 2.5 mm.