Watch Differential Drive for Variable Tourbillon Motion Modes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches face challenges in customizing the display and animation modes, as existing systems do not allow for easy adjustment or modification to suit user preferences or circumstances, and they often disrupt the normal operation of the watch.
Innovation Solution
A system for watch movement that controls the speed and direction of a mechanism using a differential system with perpendicular and parallel shafts, allowing for variable and selectable operating modes, including a variable-speed shaft and a constant-speed shaft, to manage the rotation of components like a tourbillon without affecting time display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical device transforms continuous rotation into jerky rotation of an animation disc, then the animation images can be frozen and displayed sequentially, but the display mode cannot be varied or controlled between different modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the animation disc rotation speed variable rather than fixed. The motor speed control unit dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the animation disc based on different working modes (first working mode with first rotation speed, second working mode with second rotation speed), enabling flexible control over animation display characteristics without requiring complex mechanical switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the rotation speed parameter of the animation disc to achieve different display effects. By changing the rotational speed parameter controlled by the motor speed control unit, the system can switch between different working modes, allowing users to adjust animation playback speed and display characteristics through electrical control rather than mechanical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual winding of moving parts is implemented on demand, then customization is possible, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by implementing automatic control of the animation disc rotation through the motor speed control unit. The system automatically adjusts rotation speeds according to different working modes without requiring manual intervention from the user. The control unit autonomously manages the motor speed based on pre-set parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually wind or adjust mechanical components while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical winding system with an electrical motor-driven system. Instead of requiring users to manually wind the animation disc mechanism, the invention uses a motor controlled by an integrated circuit to automatically rotate the animation disc at controlled speeds, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with simplified electrical control for enhanced user convenience.
3Productivity
If the rotation speed of the animation disc is increased to display more images, then animation coverage improves, but the ability to freeze and display individual images is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing variable rotation speeds for the animation disc. The motor speed control unit enables the system to operate at different rotational speeds depending on the working mode: faster rotation to display more images sequentially, or slower rotation to allow longer freeze duration for individual image viewing. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and duration by making both parameters adjustable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the rotation speed parameter of the animation disc to balance image display rate and freeze duration. By controlling the motor speed parameter, the system can optimize the trade-off between showing more images quickly or displaying fewer images with longer停留 time, allowing flexible adjustment of this parameter pair based on user needs and different working modes.
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
Enables customizable animation and display modes without disrupting the watch's normal operation, providing impressive speed variations and direction control of mechanisms like a tourbillon.
Implementation Method 1
a differential system, in which the finishing gear train is arranged to drive a first input and the variable-speed gear train is arranged to drive a second input
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a watch movement control system for controlling the speed and/or direction of movement of a driven mechanism, thus defining several operating modes. It comprises a power source arranged to drive a constant-speed finishing gear train. The finishing gear train cooperates with a constant-speed shaft whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the power source. The constant-speed shaft cooperates with a first input of a differential system. The system further comprises a variable-speed shaft whose axis is perpendicular to the power source. The variable-speed shaft cooperates with a second input of said differential system. The variable-speed shaft is arranged to define a variable output speed.The differential system is arranged to control the ratio, for example by averaging, between the rotational speed of the finishing gear and the rotational speed of the intermediate gear train so as to control, at the output of the differential, the speed and/or direction of movement of a mechanism to be driven, the system keeping a constant speed on the finishing gear.