Timepiece Oscillator Pairing Through Vibration-Based Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing watch components, such as balance wheels and hairsprings, are complex, costly, and prone to errors due to lengthy and tedious classification processes, leading to high scrap rates and the need for extensive part stocks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving partial manufacturing of inertial and elastic return members, followed by uncoupled vibration excitation and prediction of essential characteristics, allowing for tailored manufacturing of complementary components to achieve a predetermined oscillation frequency and thermal stability, reducing the need for pre-classification and stockpiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional classification and pairing methods are used for watch components, then assembly performance can be guaranteed, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming with high scrap rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical classification process with acoustic resonance frequency measurement. By measuring the resonance frequency of components individually, the system automatically determines the appropriate pairing without manual classification, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining assembly performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Each component is measured individually for its acoustic resonance frequency, and this measurement automatically determines its pairing requirements. The system uses the component's own characteristics to guide its pairing, eliminating the need for external classification processes and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional classification and pairing methods are used for watch components, then assembly performance can be guaranteed, but the process is lengthy and tedious leading to high scrap rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the tedious manual classification process with automated acoustic resonance frequency measurement. This allows for rapid measurement of each component's characteristics, automatically determining pairing requirements without the lengthy and tedious steps of traditional classification, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining assembly performance.
3Reliability
If traditional classification and pairing methods are used for watch components, then matching components can be identified, but extensive part stocks must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the acoustic resonance frequency of each component and uses this feedback information to determine the exact pairing requirements. This allows for precise matching without needing to maintain extensive inventories of pre-classified parts, as the measurement results directly guide the pairing process and reduce the need for buffer stocks.
4Reliability
If traditional classification and pairing methods are used for watch components, then component pairing can be achieved, but the process is prone to errors and breakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual classification and pairing operations with automated acoustic resonance frequency measurement. This eliminates the human error and physical handling issues associated with traditional methods, providing more precise and reliable component matching while reducing the risk of breakages during the pairing process.
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 approach simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces scrap rates, and ensures precise operation by custom-manufacturing components that meet specific oscillation and thermal requirements, eliminating the need for extensive part stocks and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
imposing a vibration excitation on said at least one: of the inertial element in an uncoupled state and of the elastic return member in an uncoupled state
Implementation Method 2
measuring a vibration response: of the uncoupled inertial element and predicting an inertia of the inertial element with an inertia prediction machine
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of manufacturing a clock oscillator (10) comprising the steps of: - (E10) manufacturing one of the inertial element and the elastic return member, - (E20) imposing a vibrational excitation and measuring a vibrational response on said manufactured component, - (E30) predicting an inertia of the manufactured inertial element or a stiffness of the manufactured elastic return member: - (E40) providing a pairing: • of the inertial element having the inertia predicted in the previous step, by deducing a target stiffness of an elastic return member to be paired, or • of the elastic return member having the stiffness predicted in the previous step, by deducing a target inertia of an inertial element required to be paired.