Watch Component Locking Arm for Reversible Shaft Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watchmaking components, such as toothed wheels, display discs, and cams, face challenges in irreversible fixation on a tree, leading to limitations in adjustment and potential disruption during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A watchmaking component with a cylindrical passage and a locking arm that moves between a rest and locked position, tightening the tree against the passage wall to achieve secure rotation and translation, while allowing for reversible assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional driving (plastic deformation) or gluing/riveting/brazing is used to fix the watch component to the shaft, then the component is securely fixed, but the assembly becomes irreversible and adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed as an elastic element that can dynamically change its position between a locked state (providing strong fixation) and an unlocked state (allowing removal). This dynamic capability enables the system to provide both strong fixation and reversibility, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: the locking arm (elastic element), the retaining element (stop), and the shaft. This segmentation allows the locking arm to be moved independently to achieve locked or unlocked states, enabling reversible assembly while maintaining strong fixation when locked.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a locking mechanism is added to enable reversible assembly, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the locking mechanism (providing fixation) and the elastic element (enabling reversible assembly). The retaining element on the shaft combines the functions of a stop and a engagement surface. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the added complexity of the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If the locking arm applies strong clamping force to secure the shaft, then fixation strength is improved, but adjustment precision during assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process is divided into two distinct phases: first, the shaft is inserted and positioned with precision while the locking arm is in its unlocked state (allowing free movement); second, after precise positioning is achieved, the locking arm is moved to the locked state to apply strong clamping force. This preliminary positioning before locking ensures both precision and strong fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking arm provides a dynamic fixation force that can be applied only when needed. During the positioning phase, the locking arm remains unlocked and exerts no force, allowing precise adjustment. Once positioning is complete, the locking arm is engaged to provide strong clamping force, thus separating the positioning and fixation functions in time.
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 high tightening force for secure fixation, allowing for precise adjustment of the component's position relative to the tree before locking, and enabling reversible assembly without disrupting the relative position.
Implementation Method 1
the wall of this passage is configured to deform elastically in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the passage, and the locking arm is arranged so that, when it moves from its rest position to its locked position, it tightens said passage
Implementation Method 2
The wheel described in this patent application has a circular central hole whose inner surface is bordered by elastic arms undergoing only elastic deformation when the axle is driven into the hole
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a watch component (1) selected from a toothed wheel, a display disc, and a cam comprising a passage (2) for receiving a shaft (10). The component (1) according to the invention includes a retaining element (6) and a locking arm (4) capable of moving between a rest position and a locked position in which it cooperates with said retaining element (6). During its movement from its rest position to its locked position, said locking arm (4) is designed to clamp the shaft (10) against the wall (3) of the passage (2) so as to secure it to said watch component and, once in its locked position, to maintain it in a clamped configuration. The invention also relates to a watch assembly comprising such a watch component (1) and a shaft (10) passing through said passage, said component and said shaft (10) being fixed to each other both axially and rotationally.The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a watch component (1) with a shaft (10) and a watch part comprising a watch assembly according to the invention.