Adjustable Tourbillon Lever for Balance Wheel Brake Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tourbillon mechanisms in timepieces face challenges in setting the balance wheel due to inconsistent brake force, which can lead to either damage from excessive movement or displacement from overly strong forces, making it difficult to arrest the balance wheel effectively during hand-setting.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable lever mechanism is introduced, comprising a first member, a second member, and an adjustment member, allowing for precise adjustment of the brake force by rotating around an axis and using eccentric screws to adjust the position of these components, thereby controlling the brake force applied to the balance wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring arm is used to arrest the balance wheel, then the balance wheel can be blocked during setting, but the brake force is either too strong causing displacement or too weak causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the brake force adjustable rather than fixed. The lever mechanism allows the brake force to be dynamically adjusted to match different operating conditions, enabling precise control over the balance wheel during setting operations while preventing both excessive force and insufficient force scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by introducing an adjustable lever that modifies the brake force parameter. This lever can be positioned at different locations along its length to change the mechanical advantage and thus the brake force applied to the balance wheel, allowing optimization of the arresting action for different setting requirements
2Reliability
If the brake force is increased to securely arrest the balance wheel, then the balance wheel is firmly blocked, but the tourbillon may be displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable lever provides dynamic control over brake force application. By allowing the operator to adjust the lever position, the system can apply just enough force to securely arrest the balance wheel without exceeding the threshold that would cause tourbillon displacement, adapting to different operational requirements
3Stability of the object's composition
If the brake force is decreased to prevent tourbillon displacement, then the tourbillon remains stable, but the balance wheel may move further causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable lever enables parameter changes in brake force to precisely match the requirements of different operational phases. During setting operations, the lever can be positioned to provide stronger braking to prevent damage, while during normal operation, it can be adjusted to provide gentler braking to maintain tourbillon stability
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 solution enables precise control of the brake force, preventing damage to the tourbillon mechanism by ensuring the balance wheel is arrested securely without being too loose or too strong, thus maintaining the integrity of the timepiece during hand-setting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one adjustment member configured to adjust a position of the at least one second member with respect to the at least one first member between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
adjustable lever of a tourbillon mechanism for stopping at least one tourbillon unit
Implementation Method 3
the brake force applied on balance wheel is too loose, the tourbillon may move further and damage the mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable lever (100) of a tourbillon mechanism for stopping at least one tourbillon unit (200). The adjustable lever (100) includes at least one first member (110) configured to be actuated, at least one second member (120) configured to actuate at least one brake element (240) and at least one adjustment member (130) configured to adjust a position of the at least one second member (120) via a method of adjustment.