Watch Movement Upgrade via Reduction Gear and High-Frequency Oscillator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch movements, despite being reliable and cost-efficient, lack the capability for modernization and upgrading to achieve higher frequency and longer autonomy without significant redesign or machining.
Innovation Solution
The method involves mounting a high-frequency oscillator and a reduction gear between the mainspring and the escape wheel, using an adaptor to optimize the position of these components on the base plate, allowing for the upgrade of existing movements to achieve higher frequency and lower torque, thereby extending the watch's autonomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing watch movements are used as designed, then they maintain reliability and cost-efficiency, but they cannot achieve higher frequency operation or extended autonomy without significant redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the movement upgrade into separate modular components: a reduction gear mechanism and a high-frequency oscillator can be independently selected and installed on existing base plates. This segmentation allows different frequency upgrades (e.g., 8Hz, 10Hz, 16Hz, 32Hz) to be applied to the same base movement without redesigning the entire system, thus improving adaptability while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate design is made universal to accommodate both traditional escapement configurations and the new reduction gear with high-frequency oscillator. The base plate includes standardized mounting positions that can serve multiple functions: traditional escape wheel mounting or the new reduction gear mounting, allowing a single base plate design to support both legacy and upgraded movement configurations.
2Speed
If a high-frequency oscillator is mounted without a reduction gear, then the oscillator frequency is achieved, but the torque at the escape wheel becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction gear acts as an intermediary mechanism between the high-frequency oscillator and the escape wheel. It includes a pinion connected to the oscillator shaft and a wheel that drives the escape wheel, creating a gear reduction that lowers the frequency transmitted to the escape wheel while simultaneously reducing the torque. This intermediary gear train allows the system to benefit from high-frequency oscillation without subjecting the escape wheel to excessive forces.
3Manufacturing precision
If the base plate is redesigned to accommodate high-frequency components, then optimal positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed in advance with pre-defined mounting positions and standardized hole patterns that accommodate both traditional escapement components and the new reduction gear with high-frequency oscillator. This preliminary design includes predetermined pillar locations, bearing positions, and mounting holes that enable precise component positioning without requiring custom machining operations when the upgrade is implemented.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of and a kit for assembling a movement (35) for a watch, in particular a wristwatch, which method comprises the steps of: - providing a base plate (1) that defines positions (for accommodating a mainspring (2), a gear train (3-5), an escape wheel, an anchor, and an oscillator, - mounting an oscillator (20) having a natural frequency of at least 8 Hz in and/or on the base plate (1), and - mounting at least one reduction gear (6) between the mainspring and the oscillator (20).