Watch Regulating Ferrule with Elastic Holding Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional method of fixing a ferrule onto a shaft in watchmaking is challenging for brittle materials, as it requires excessive stress and is difficult to maintain manufacturing tolerances, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in the assembly of regulating members in timepieces.
Innovation Solution
A regulating member design featuring a ferrule with a reception zone and holding surfaces that allow for direct contact and automatic indexing with the axis, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing wear during assembly, using a non-circular section of the shaft that interacts with the ferrule to secure it in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional driving-in method is used to fix ferrule onto shaft, then integration of components is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to excessive stresses and difficulty in maintaining tolerances with brittle materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the ferrule by introducing an elastic structure that can deform reversibly. The ferrule transitions from a rigid, brittle component to one with controlled elasticity, allowing it to undergo temporary deformation during assembly and then return to its original shape, thereby achieving secure integration without excessive stresses that would compromise manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The ferrule is designed with dynamic characteristics through its elastic structure that can flex and deform during the driving-in process. This dynamic behavior allows the ferrule to adapt to the shaft during assembly, absorbing stresses and maintaining positioning accuracy while achieving reliable integration, unlike static rigid ferrules that would fracture under similar conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment by experienced watchmaker is performed to ensure correct indexing, then positioning accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficiency and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule's elastic structure enables self-adjustment and self-indexing during the assembly process. As the ferrule is driven onto the shaft, the elastic deformation automatically positions the components relative to each other, and the material's elastic recovery ensures correct angular indexing without requiring manual intervention by skilled watchmakers, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic structure of the ferrule acts as an intermediary mechanism between the driving-in force and the final positioned state. It mediates the transformation of assembly forces into precise angular positioning, automatically establishing correct indexing relationships without requiring human operators to perform complex manual adjustments
3Strength
If traditional ferrule design is used with brittle materials, then material hardness and strength are maintained, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty in driving ferrule onto shaft while maintaining tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the mechanical parameters of the ferrule by incorporating an elastic structure that changes the stress distribution and deformation characteristics. This allows brittle materials to be manufactured into ferrules that can undergo controlled elastic deformation during assembly, making the manufacturing process feasible while maintaining the inherent strength and hardness properties of the brittle material
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 design enhances manufacturing precision and reduces costs by allowing tight manufacturing tolerances and eliminating the need for experienced watchmakers to adjust the angular relationship, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing wear on components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of which is movable against a restoring force, provided, for example, by an elastic arm having a free end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5
AI summary
Regulating organ (1) for watch movement, comprising: - a flywheel fixed in rotation to an axis (3) extending along an axial direction (Z); - a spiral spring (9) fixed to said axis by means of a ferrule (7) fixed to one end of said spiral spring (9); in which said ferrule (7) has a receiving area (11) arranged to receive said axis (3), this receiving area (11) being delimited at least partially by a positioning surface (13) as well as at least two holding surfaces (15) of which at least one is movable against a restoring force, the holding surfaces (15) being arranged to clamp said axis (3) against said positioning surface (13). According to the invention, said axis comprises a section (5) of non-circular cross-section, said retaining surfaces (15) and said positioning surface (13) cooperating with said section (5) in order to clamp the latter.