Watch Movement with Partial Rotation Tourbillon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch movements with multi-axis tourbillons face challenges in complexity, thickness, and energy consumption, and those with single-axis tourbillons suffer from limited angular displacement and undesirable shocks.
Innovation Solution
A watch movement with a mobile support that pivots between predetermined angles, driven by a separate power take-off system independent of the going train, allowing for reduced thickness and improved isochronism without additional torque load on the going train.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-axis tourbillon is implemented, then the tourbillon effect is enhanced, but the thickness and complexity of the movement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tourbillon mechanism where the mobile support performs only partial rotations (angular displacements less than 360 degrees) around the second and third axes, rather than complete rotations. This partial action achieves the desired tourbillon effect while significantly reducing the vertical space required, thereby decreasing movement thickness without sacrificing the chronometric benefits of the tourbillon configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the power transmission paths by introducing a second independent power take-off that drives the pivoting control gear independently from the finishing gear train. This segmentation allows the tourbillon mechanism to be driven without additional torque load on the finishing gear, reducing complexity in the gear train design and enabling a more compact arrangement that reduces overall movement thickness.
2Reliability
If a multi-axis tourbillon is implemented, then the tourbillon effect is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into two independent paths: the finishing gear train that drives the regulating organ, and a separate pivoting control gear driven by a second power take-off. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity by allowing each subsystem to be optimized independently, with the pivoting control gear receiving direct power without needing to extract torque from the finishing gear train.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing partial rotations around the second and third axes rather than complete 360-degree rotations, the patent reduces the complexity of the pivoting control mechanism. The limited angular displacement requirements allow for simpler gear arrangements and control mechanisms compared to full multi-axis rotations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the tourbillon effect.
3Power
If the finishing gear drives the pivoting control gear, then the tourbillon mechanism is powered, but additional torque load disturbs the finishing gear operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second independent power take-off that directly powers the pivoting control gear, completely separating it from the finishing gear train. This segmentation eliminates the torque interaction between the two systems, allowing the finishing gear to operate without disturbances while the pivoting control gear receives dedicated power for driving the mobile support through its limited angular displacements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a timepiece movement (1) comprising: - at least one driving member (3; 3a, 3b); - a first power take-off (3c) and a second power take-off (3d), each kinematically connected to said at least one driving member; - a regulating member (7) kinematically connected to said first power take-off (3c) via a going train (5). According to the invention, the movement (1) also comprises: - a movable support (11) carrying said regulating member (7) and designed to be pivotable between two limiting pivoting angles with reference to a frame element (12); - a pivot control device (13) designed to reciprocally pivot said movable support (11) between said limiting pivoting angles; and - a control gear train (15a) connecting said pivot control device (13) to said second power take-off (3d), said pivot control gear train (15b) being distinct from said going train (5).