Timepiece Movement Layout Using Planetary Gears and Nested Barrels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical timepiece movements with multiple barrel systems and power reserve indicators face challenges in minimizing thickness and plane size due to the large thickness of differential gears and barrel systems, which necessitate inefficient wheel placement.
Innovation Solution
The timepiece employs a planetary gear mechanism and power reserve wheel train with non-overlapping wheel configurations, utilizing the second barrel arbor as a pivot for the barrel planetary transmission wheel and positioning the second barrel between the first barrel and the planetary gear mechanism to optimize layout, reducing overall size and thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the differential gear is located at a position superimposed with the barrel system in plan view, then the thickness of the movement is increased, but the plane size can be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by moving the differential gear and associated wheels from a superimposed position (increasing thickness) to a non-superimposed position in the plan view (reducing thickness). The wheels are arranged in a sequential chain along the thickness direction, with each wheel positioned at a different depth, thereby converting a two-dimensional layout problem into a three-dimensional solution that reduces the movement's plane size while managing thickness through vertical stacking.
2Length of stationary object
If the differential gear is located at a position not superimposed with the barrel system in plan view, then the thickness of the movement is reduced, but the plane size of the movement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nesting by positioning multiple wheels (first wheel, second wheel, third wheel, fourth wheel) in a nested arrangement where each subsequent wheel is placed at a different depth along the thickness direction. The first wheel is positioned at a first depth, the second wheel at a second depth, and so on, creating a nested configuration that compactly packs the gear train within the movement's thickness, thereby reducing the required plane size while maintaining functional integrity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If multiple wheels are positioned to transfer rotation between barrels and planetary gear mechanism, then the power reserve function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the wheel train such that the same series of wheels (first wheel, second wheel, third wheel, fourth wheel) serves dual purposes: transferring rotation from the first barrel to the planetary gear mechanism for power reserve indication, and simultaneously transferring rotation from the second barrel to the same planetary gear mechanism. This unified wheel train configuration reduces device complexity compared to having separate wheel trains for each barrel, while still achieving the power reserve function.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece having multiple springs while reducing the plane size of the movement. The timepiece has a first barrel including a first barrel arbor, a first spring, and a first barrel wheel; and a second barrel including a second barrel arbor, a second spring, and a second barrel wheel, disposed to a position not superimposed with the first barrel in a plan view from the axial direction of the first barrel arbor and the second barrel arbor, and having rotation of the first barrel transferred thereto; a planetary gear mechanism having a display pivot that turns in a first direction when rotation of the first ratchet wheel that turns in unison with the first barrel arbor is transferred, and turns in a second direction opposite the first direction when rotation of the second barrel wheel is transferred, and is disposed to a position not superimposed with the first barrel and the second barrel in plan view; and a power reserve wheel train including multiple wheels that transfer rotation of the first ratchet wheel to the planetary gear mechanism, and having one of the multiple wheels axially supported by the second barrel arbor.