Watch Barrel Spring Structuring for Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current watch barrel springs face limitations in energy storage capacity and power reserve without increasing size, primarily due to friction losses and sensitivity to magnetic fields, which existing coatings and surface hardening methods have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A method of controlled micron or submicron structuring on the blade surface of the spring element, creating regions with different elastic limits and potentially filled with a different material, to enhance energy storage and adjust elasticity, allowing for increased energy storage and reduced size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the surface of the barrel spring is coated with lubricating material to reduce friction, then energy loss is reduced, but the elastic limit and energy storage capacity are not significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy loss due to frictionVSAvoidelastic limit

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different treatments to different regions of the blade: the surface is coated with lubricating material in low-stress zones, while the high-stress zones undergo controlled structuring to create cavities filled with material having different elastic properties, thus optimizing both friction reduction and elastic limit enhancement locally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by filling cavities in the structured region with material different from the blade material, forming a composite that combines the low-friction properties of the coating with the enhanced elastic limit of the structured core region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If the barrel spring size is increased to store more energy, then power reserve increases, but the volume of the barrel must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidbarrel volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the blade material by creating controlled micron or submicron structuring with cavities filled with different material, which modifies the elastic limit and energy density, allowing more energy to be stored in the same volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a porous structure with cavities in the high-stress regions of the blade, which are then filled with material having different elastic properties, creating a porous composite structure that enhances energy storage capacity without increasing volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Force

If surface hardening is applied to increase rigidity, then bending rigidity improves, but the elastic limit remains unchanged or magnetic sensitivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity to bendingVSAvoidmagnetic field sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies controlled structuring only to specific high-stress regions of the blade rather than the entire surface, creating local zones of enhanced rigidity where needed while preserving the magnetic properties of the bulk material in non-critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by filling cavities with material different from the blade material, forming a composite that enhances rigidity in high-stress zones while using non-magnetic materials that do not increase magnetic sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach increases the energy storage capacity of the spring element, enhancing the power reserve and reducing size, while also minimizing magnetic sensitivity, allowing for finer elasticity adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

a controlled micron or submicron structuring is carried out in or on at least one structured region of the blade in order to modify the elastic and motor properties of the blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cavities or holes are partially or completely filled with a material different from that forming the blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3002635B8Method for producing a spring element for a clock movement or another precision instrument

Publication Date: 2019.05.22 RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL SA

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a spring element (1) intended for use in a watch movement or other precision instrument, comprising: providing a blade (10) having a first elastic limit (σ1), and performing controlled micron or submicron structuring (60) in or on at least one structured region (2) of the blade (10), in order to modify the elastic and driving properties of the blade. The invention also relates to a spring element (1) manufactured by the method.