Peripheral Mechano-Electric Watch Generator for Hidden Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical watches with micro-generators for lighting systems occupy significant space, disrupt the mechanical appearance, and introduce electronic components into the horology movement, which is undesirable for high-end watches.
Innovation Solution
A mechano-electric generator is designed with a rotor and stator arrangement that occupies a peripheral space within the watch movement, using ball bearings to guide the rotor's rotation and minimize its axial dimension, with electrical components located outside the movement, and a lighting system powered by the generator without additional optical means in the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a micro-generator is incorporated into the horology movement to power a lighting device, then the lighting function is achieved, but the generator occupies significant space and increases the volume of the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the generator entirely within the periphery of the movement, nesting it within the existing movement structure. The rotor is positioned within the periphery of the movement, and the stator is arranged around the rotor, creating a compact nested configuration that utilizes the peripheral space without increasing the overall movement volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the generator configuration by arranging the rotor and stator in a planar configuration within the periphery of the movement. The rotor has a reduced axial dimension and is positioned in the periphery, while the stator surrounds it, creating an efficient two-dimensional layout that minimizes volume occupation
2Use of energy by moving object
If a micro-generator with visible components is used, then the lighting function is provided, but the mechanical appearance of the horology movement is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the generator components from the central viewing area of the movement and places them entirely within the periphery. The rotor is positioned within the periphery of the movement, and the stator is arranged around it, ensuring that the generator components are hidden from the central viewing area and do not disrupt the mechanical appearance of the horology movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent confines the generator components to specific peripheral locations within the movement, creating a local configuration that preserves the central mechanical appearance. The rotor and stator are arranged in the periphery, allowing the central area to maintain its traditional mechanical aesthetic while the generator provides lighting functionality in the peripheral zone
3Power
If the rotor has a large axial dimension with superimposed magnets and coils, then the generator produces sufficient electrical energy, but the height of the generator increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking configuration to a planar arrangement. The rotor is positioned in the periphery of the movement with a reduced axial dimension, and the stator is arranged around the rotor in a radial configuration. This planar arrangement produces sufficient electrical energy while minimizing the axial height of the generator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the stator around the rotor in a radial configuration, with the stator coils arranged circumferentially around the rotor magnets. This nested radial arrangement maximizes the magnetic coupling and electrical energy production within a compact axial space, reducing the generator height while maintaining power output
4Use of energy by moving object
If electrical components and energy accumulators are arranged on a support in the movement, then the lighting system functions, but electronic-type devices are introduced into the horology movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical components and energy accumulators from the central movement area and places them within the periphery. The generator components, including the rotor with magnets and the stator with coils, are positioned in the periphery, thereby introducing electronic-type devices into the horology movement in a concealed manner that preserves the mechanical appearance
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
The solution maintains the mechanical integrity of the watch movement, provides discreet and aesthetic lighting, and does not increase the watch's volume or visibility of electronic components, suitable for high-end watches.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor carries permanent magnets and the stator carries coils, the permanent magnets and the coils being arranged such that, when the rotor is rotated, the permanent magnets move in a reference frame connected to the coils, successively opposite each coil with their respective magnetic axes running through the coil
Data Source
AI summary
A watch including, in a case (6b), a movement (44a) and a mechano-electric generator (88) including a stator (106a, 106b, 18a, 18b) and a rotor (92), one carrying permanent magnets (18a, 18b) and the other carrying coils (14). The rotor has an annular structure and is rotationally guided by at least one ball bearing (100a), the rotor having over its entire height a free internal space (130) through which the geometric axis of rotation of the rotor moves and in which the movement is at least partially located. The watch has a barrel forming a rotor drive device that can be activated on command. The watch may also have a lighting device (64) powered by the coils. The rotor (92) may carry the coils, which are connected, via an electrical circuit with no accumulators, to the lighting device which is securely arranged on the rotor.