Watch Movement Angular Positioning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watchmaker movements with multiple functions face challenges in easily and quickly adjusting display positions, particularly beyond three distinct axial positions, which becomes tedious and complex, leading to increased dimensions due to additional training mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A watchmaker movement with a mobile leading mechanism cinematically linked to first and second display mechanisms, featuring a ratchet mechanism with a clip wheel and display wheel, allowing the user to pivot the control organ to adjust display positions simply by rotating in different directions, minimizing the number of components and movement dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple axial positions are provided for the winding stem to select different functions, then the watch can correct multiple functions, but it becomes tedious to find the desired position when beyond three distinct axial positions are available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of functionsVSAvoidease of positioning winding stem
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from axial positioning (one dimension) to angular positioning (another dimension). Instead of moving the winding stem along the axial direction to select functions, the stem is pivoted angularly around its axis. Each angular position corresponds to a different function, allowing multiple functions to be selected easily without increasing the number of axial positions beyond three.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the winding stem is kinematically connected with specific components in each axial position to correct specific functions, then multiple functions can be corrected, but the correction mechanism becomes relatively complex to produce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of correctable functionsVSAvoidcomplexity of correction mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The winding stem is designed as a universal control organ that can correct multiple functions through angular positioning rather than requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each function. By pivoting the stem to different angular positions, a single control organ accesses different correction functions, reducing the overall complexity of the correction mechanism while maintaining the ability to correct multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If specific functions are added to a watch movement, then the watch gains additional capabilities, but the dimensions of the movement increase since each function generally has its own drive mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of functionsVSAvoiddimensions of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple function-specific correction mechanisms into a single universal correction mechanism. Instead of having separate drive mechanisms for each function that would increase movement dimensions, the invention combines them into one pivoting winding stem that accesses different functions through angular positioning, thereby adding capabilities without proportionally increasing the movement's volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4546056A1Clock movement comprising a mechanism for adjusting the position of displays
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE
  • EP4546056A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4546056A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4546056A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a clockwork movement (10) comprising a driving element (11) kinematically linked to a first and a second display mechanism (200, 300) respectively intended to drive a first and a second display (20, 30) of a time value, a mechanism for adjusting the position of these displays (20, 30) comprising a sliding element (40) and a control member (50) adapted to assume an adjustment position in which it is engaged with the sliding element (40) and in which: - when it is actuated in a first direction of rotation, it drives the sliding element (40) into a first correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the first display mechanism (200) so as to modify the position of the first display (20), and - when it is actuated in a second direction of rotation,It drives the slider (40) into a second correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the second display mechanism (300) so as to modify the position of the second display (30), the first display mechanism (200) comprising a ratchet mechanism (210) equipped with a ratchet wheel (211) able to kinematically link the driving element (11) and a display wheel (21) carrying the first display (20) so as to transmit the rotation of the driving element (11) to the first display (20), said ratchet wheel (211) being movable in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation when the control member (50) is activated to modify the position of the first display (20), so as to interrupt the kinematic link between the first display mechanism (200) and the driving element (11).