Watch Movement Control Stem with Pivoting Actuating Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch movement selection and actuation devices are complex and user-unfriendly, particularly in grand complication watches, requiring multiple control stems that complicate aesthetics and increase the risk of tightness issues, and are limited to selecting and actuating only three functions.

Innovation Solution

A selection and actuation device using a translationally and rotationally movable control stem that occupies distinct axial positions, with an actuating lever bearing wheels and pinions to kinematically link functions, allowing bidirectional actuation and enabling the selection and actuation of up to eight functions without modifying the basic three-position mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control stems are used to select and actuate multiple functions, then the number of functions can be increased, but the device complexity and risk of tightness issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of functionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control functions into a single control stem by introducing an actuating lever that can pivot between different driving positions. Each driving position engages different wheel and pinion combinations, allowing one control stem to selectively actuate multiple functions that previously required separate control stems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control stem is designed with universal capability to perform multiple functions through the actuating lever mechanism. The same control stem can engage different functions by pivoting the actuating lever to different driving positions, making the control stem multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control stems are used to select and actuate multiple functions, then the number of functions can be increased, but aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of functionsVSAvoidaesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By consolidating multiple control stems into one, the patent improves the aesthetic appearance of the timepiece. The single control stem with actuating lever mechanism maintains a cleaner, more elegant design while still providing access to multiple functions through selective engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single control stem is used to select and actuate multiple functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control mechanism into distinct functional components: the control stem, the actuating lever with multiple driving positions, and separate wheel and pinion sets for different functions. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, making the complex mechanism easier to produce despite its multifunctional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the control stem is limited to three positions, then the mechanism is simple, but only three functions can be selected and actuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidnumber of functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating lever introduces dynamic reconfiguration capability to the three-position control stem. While the control stem maintains its simple three-position structure, the actuating lever dynamically pivots between different driving positions based on which function needs to be actuated, enabling more than three functions to be selected and actuated through the same three positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12147196B2Selection and actuation device for a plurality of functions of a watch movement

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 DE LA MFG DHORLOGERIE AUDEMARS PIGUET & CIE

AI summary

A selection and actuation device for at least a first and second function of a watch movement includes a translationally and rotationally movable control stem respectively selecting and actuating at least one of the functions. The control stem occupies at least first, second and third distinct, successive axial positions. An actuating lever bears first and second wheels and pinions. The actuating lever occupies a neutral position when the control stem is in one of its first and third positions, and pivots, on either side of the neutral position, between a first driving position actuating the first function responsive to control stem rotation in a first direction, and a second driving position actuating the second function responsive to a control stem rotation in a second direction. Also disclosed is a movement including such a selection and actuation device as well as to a timepiece including such a movement.