Timepiece Pivoting Member Diamond-Like Carbon Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pivoting members in timepieces, made from materials like steel and brass or ruby, experience unsatisfactory frictional torque and wear, requiring lubrication that deteriorates over time, and are difficult to manufacture using complex materials like diamond with low coefficients of friction and wear.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design featuring pivoting members with contact surfaces made from materials like diamond, where the bearing and pivot are integral with the wheel and frame, eliminating the need for lubrication, and using alternative manufacturing methods such as CVD to create complex pieces like a wheel arbor with integrated pivot-shanks and shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials (steel, brass, ruby) are used for pivoting members, then manufacturing is easier, but frictional torque is high and wear occurs requiring lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating applied to traditional pivot and bearing materials. This composite structure combines the mechanical strength of metal substrates with the low friction and wear properties of diamond-like carbon surfaces, achieving both low frictional torque and ease of manufacture without requiring complex diamond machining
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for lubrication (mechanical intervention) with an intrinsically low-friction surface treatment. The DLC-coated surfaces provide self-lubricating properties through their material characteristics rather than requiring external lubricants, eliminating lubrication maintenance while keeping manufacturing processes simple
2Reliability
If diamond material is used for contact surfaces, then coefficient of friction and wear rate are low, but manufacturing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into two distinct stages: first, manufacturing the pivot and bearing components using traditional metalworking techniques on metal substrates; second, applying diamond-like carbon coating to the contact surfaces. This segmentation avoids the need to manufacture complex diamond pieces directly while achieving diamond-level friction and wear properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter (friction coefficient and wear rate) of traditional materials through DLC coating rather than changing the bulk material to diamond. This parameter transformation allows achieving diamond-like surface properties while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of metal substrates
3Reliability
If lubricant is added to reduce friction, then frictional torque decreases, but lubricant deteriorates over time requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pivoting members self-lubricating through DLC coating. The coated surfaces inherently provide low-friction properties without requiring external lubricants. This self-service mechanism eliminates lubricant deterioration issues while maintaining low frictional torque throughout the component's service life
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
The design achieves low friction and wear without lubrication, allowing for easier assembly and manufacturing of complex timepiece components, ensuring long-term reliability and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
They can for example be obtained by the method described in patent EP 1 622 826... such pieces are extremely difficult to manufacture using the regular machining techniques
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes a frame (1a, 1b) and a gear pivotably mounted on the frame (1a, 1b) via at least one pivoting member (5a, 5b) which includes a bearing and a pivot inserted in the bearing, at least the contact surfaces of the bearing and the pivot being made from at least one material with an intrinsically low friction coefficient and a low wear rate, the gear including at least one plate (2a, 2b) provided with a first hole (3a, 3b). The pivoting member includes a first plate (6a, 6b) provided with a second hole (8a, 8b) and forming the bearing, and a second plate (7a, 7b) provided with a small rod (9a, 9b) inserted in the first and second holes and forming the pivot, one of the first (6a, 6b) and second (7a, 7b) plates being rigidly connected to the gear and the other to the frame (1a, 1b).