Horological Movement With Variable-Inclination Movable Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical watches with movable members, such as regulating members, have fixed inclinations that cannot be adjusted during use, limiting their orientation and visibility, especially when affected by gravity.
Innovation Solution
A horological movement with variable adjustment means, including transmission gears with concave spherical toothing, allows the movable member to be inclined relative to the plate, ensuring optimal meshing and actuation regardless of orientation, with adjustable angles ranging from 0° to 45° or 0° to 90°.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the movable member is inclined at a fixed angle during construction, then the aesthetic appeal and viewing visibility are improved, but the adaptability to different orientations and the ability to counteract gravity effects are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed inclination mechanism into a variable one. The movable member can now be adjusted to different inclination angles after assembly, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different orientations and viewing preferences. This is achieved through a variable adjustment means that enables continuous or discrete modification of the inclination angle, resolving the contradiction between fixed aesthetic positioning and adaptive versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the inclination angle parameter to be modified after construction. Instead of being fixed during assembly, the inclination angle can be adjusted to optimal values based on viewing requirements and orientation needs. This parameter variability directly addresses the contradiction by enabling both aesthetic optimization and adaptability to different conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If the movable member is inclined to improve viewing visibility, then the aesthetic appeal is enhanced, but the complexity of the adjustment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable adjustment means serves multiple functions: it enables inclination adjustment for aesthetic purposes, allows adaptation to different orientations, and provides a mechanism to counteract gravity effects. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single adjustment mechanism, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired viewing visibility enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adjustment mechanism that mediates between the movable member and the plate. This intermediary component provides the inclination adjustment capability without requiring complex modifications to either the movable member itself or the plate structure. The adjustment mechanism acts as a flexible intermediary that enables variable inclination while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing overall complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the transmission gear uses conventional toothing, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the meshing efficiency and actuation reliability are worsened when the member is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using spherical toothing on the transmission gear instead of conventional straight or helical teeth. The spherical tooth profile is specifically designed to maintain proper meshing contact regardless of the inclination angle of the movable member. This curved geometry ensures that the contact points between mating gears remain optimal across the full range of inclination angles, maintaining high meshing efficiency and actuation reliability without sacrificing manufacturability significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
A horological movement including a plate (33) configured to support other parts of the movement, such as a movable member, the member extending at least in part along a second plane and including drive means provided with a gear train (98), an activation toothing, and variable adjustor (30, 40, 130) for variably adjusting the inclination of the member relative to the plate (33), so that the second plane forms an angle of variable value with the first plane of the plate (33).