Watch Movement Component Lockable Pivot Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watchmaking movement components face challenges in occupying limited volume, ensuring mechanical resistance, ease of assembly and disassembly, and maintaining dimensional tolerances while allowing for deployment and folding positions.
Innovation Solution
A watchmaking movement component with two arms connected through a pivot bond, capable of occupying deployed and folded positions, featuring a coupling mechanism with elastic pitfall elements to immobilize the arms in the deployed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the component allows deployment and folding positions to save space, then the volume utilization is improved, but the structural complexity increases due to the need for coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The component employs dynamic positioning with two distinct states: deployed position for space utilization and folded position for compact storage. The articulation allows the component to transition between these states, optimizing volume utilization while maintaining functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates elastic interlocking elements that automatically engage and disengage based on the component's position. The elastic tabs and recesses create self-locking functionality that maintains the deployed position without additional actuators, reducing structural complexity while enabling dynamic positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling mechanism uses elastic interlocking elements to immobilize arms, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tabs are designed with specific geometric parameters including thickness, length, and recess dimensions that allow controlled deformation. By optimizing these parameters, the mechanism achieves reliable interlocking while accommodating normal manufacturing tolerances, balancing mechanical stability with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tabs concentrate the coupling function at specific locations rather than requiring precision throughout the entire component. The interlocking elements are localized to specific regions where dimensional control is most critical, allowing other areas to have relaxed tolerances, thus reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the component is designed for easy assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to potential loosening of connections
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tabs provide self-locking functionality that maintains reliable connections during operation. When the component is assembled, the elastic tabs automatically engage with the recesses, creating a self-sustaining locked position that maintains reliability without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism allows controlled movement during assembly and disassembly phases while maintaining rigid locking during operation. The elastic elements deform to accommodate assembly movements and then lock into place, providing ease of operation during maintenance while ensuring connection reliability during normal use.
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 component effectively utilizes space by allowing deployment and folding, ensuring mechanical stability, and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, while maintaining precise dimensional tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient tab is configured to apply a resilient restoring force against the lug
Implementation Method 2
the disengagement of the lug from the recess is caused by the biasing of the elastic tab against an elastic restoring force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a component (10) of a watch movement comprising two arms (11) connected to each other by means of a pivot link, the component (10) being able to occupy a deployed position and a folded position in which the arms (11) form a smaller angle than when the component (10) occupies the deployed position, the component (10) further comprising a coupling mechanism configured to prohibit any relative mobility between the two arms (11) when the component (10) occupies the deployed position.