Watch Elastic Guide via Segmented Planar Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic rotation guides in watch movements suffer from high manufacturing costs, fragility of leaf springs, and difficulty in controlling thickness for optimal flexibility and rigidity, leading to inefficiencies in energy transfer and power reserve.
Innovation Solution
A compact and economical elastic rotation guide device formed by thin plates of crystalline material, with construction blades created through two-dimensional processes, allowing precise control of thickness and interlocking assembly for enhanced rigidity and flexibility, eliminating the need for bearings and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If monolithic three-dimensional structures are used to achieve robust frame and high rotational amplitude, then structural strength and rotational performance are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple planar construction blades (first blade, second blade, etc.) that are assembled together to form the three-dimensional structure. Each blade can be manufactured separately using cost-effective two-dimensional processes, then interconnected through slots and extensions to achieve the required structural robustness without the high cost of monolithic 3D manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The structure combines multiple planar blades made from crystalline material plates into a composite three-dimensional assembly. The blades are interconnected through precisely fitted slots and extensions, creating a composite structure that achieves the mechanical properties of monolithic 3D structures while using simpler, more economical planar manufacturing processes
2Shape
If leaf springs are made by etching in silicon wafer orthogonal to surface, then three-dimensional structure is achieved, but thickness control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from vertical etching (orthogonal to wafer surface) to horizontal planar manufacturing. The blades are created in the plane of the wafer using two-dimensional processes like photolithography and deposition, then assembled to form the three-dimensional structure. This dimensional change allows precise thickness control through layer deposition while achieving the required 3D geometry through assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are pre-manufactured as planar components with precisely controlled thicknesses using two-dimensional processes before assembly. The anchoring zones and connection features are prepared in advance on each blade, allowing for precise thickness control during manufacturing and ensuring optimal flexibility and rigidity properties before the blades are interconnected into the final three-dimensional structure
3Ease of manufacture
If planar two-dimensional processes are used for blade construction, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but structural rigidity in axial direction may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple planar blades are assembled into a composite three-dimensional structure where the blades work together to provide axial rigidity. The interconnection through slots and extensions creates a load-bearing assembly that achieves the required rigidity through the combined action of multiple planar components rather than relying on a single thick component
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into multiple blades with specific thicknesses and geometries that are optimized for their individual functions. The segmentation allows each blade to be manufactured using simple planar processes while the collective assembly provides the necessary axial rigidity through the geometric arrangement and interconnection of the segmented components
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 provides a robust, efficient, and cost-effective elastic guide with improved rotational amplitude and reduced power consumption, enabling high-performance operation in watch mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the assembly attachment portion and the functional portion being separated by at least one slot into at least two extensions elastically connected and which extend in a radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2b
Figure 2c~3
AI summary
A rotationally elastic guide device for a watch mechanism enabling the rotation of one component relative to another component around a rotation axis Z defining an axial direction, comprising construction blades (4a, 4b), each construction blade comprising an assembly fixing part (6) comprising a body (3a, 3b) and a functional part (10) extending from the body to an end (8), the assembly fixing part and the functional part being separated by at least one slot (12) into at least two elastically connected extensions (17) extending in a radial direction (X, Y) transverse to the axial direction, and anchoring zones (9, 11) disposed at opposite axial ends of the flexible guide device, configured to be fixed to said components.