Timepiece Testing Device Acoustic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing horological movements and watch heads are inefficient due to the fragility of the winding stem and crown, varying crown sizes and positions, and noise pollution from surrounding movements during acoustic testing.
Innovation Solution
A device with cases designed to enclose calottes or watch heads, featuring resilient elements for acoustic isolation and standardized measuring supports that orient and secure the movements, allowing for precise testing and adjustment without damaging the delicate components and minimizing noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the crown is used as the contact point for the microphone, then the measurement is easier to implement, but the fragile crown may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient element acts as an intermediary between the microphone and the crown. The resilient element transmits acoustic vibrations from the crown to the microphone while protecting the fragile crown from direct contact and potential damage. This mediator allows the measurement function to be maintained while eliminating the harmful direct contact.
2Productivity
If multiple movements are tested simultaneously in the same case, then productivity increases, but noise pollution from surrounding movements interferes with acoustic measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into multiple independent compartments, each containing a movement to be tested. Each compartment is acoustically isolated from the others, allowing simultaneous testing of multiple movements without noise interference. This segmentation maintains high productivity while eliminating the harmful noise pollution effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient elements that could potentially transmit noise between movements are instead configured to provide acoustic isolation. The same material properties that allow vibration transmission for measurement purposes are used to block noise transmission between adjacent movements, converting a potential harm into a beneficial isolation mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If different crown positions are accommodated for each case, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single case design with a standardized microphone position and resilient element configuration can accommodate multiple crown positions. The resilient element is designed to effectively transmit vibrations regardless of the specific crown position, making the case universal for testing different movement configurations without requiring case-specific modifications.
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 device enables reliable and efficient testing and adjustment of horological movements by protecting and isolating each movement, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing noise pollution, thus improving the final testing phase of the manufacturing cycle.
Implementation Method 1
at least one upper resilient element interposed between said frame and said cover is compressed to hold each said calotte and/or each said watch head contained in said case
Data Source
AI summary
A device (100) for testing a timepiece, including a case (1) receiving calottes (200) or watch heads (300), each calotte (200) enclosing a movement (400) and its projecting control member. The case (1) includes, removable and stackable on top of one another, a back, a frame (90) including at least one measuring support (500) forming a lower support for a calotte (200) or watch head (300), and an upper portion including a cover (10) with a locking element (16) for compressing an upper resilient element (80, 83) and holding each calotte (200) and/or each watch head (300). Each measuring support (500) is supported by a sole made of a resilient material (921) and carries an internal running sensor (510). Each movement (400) of the case (1) is phonically isolated from the other movements (400) by other resilient elements in the case (1).