Writing Implement Housing Mechanical Watch Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing writing instruments have not been able to integrate a completely functional mechanical watch movement within their tubular bodies due to construction, ergonomics, or functionality constraints.

Innovation Solution

A writing instrument with a tubular gripping body housing an ink supply, a writing tip, and a mechanical watch mechanism that includes an energy source, balance-spring, escapement mechanism, and gear train for displaying time information, with the display visible on the circumference of the tubular body, allowing for a functional mechanical movement that provides time indications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical watch movement is integrated into the tubular gripping body, then time indication functionality is added, but the internal space for ink supply is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime indication functionalityVSAvoidinternal space for ink supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the mechanical watch movement components (barrel, balance-spring assembly, escapement mechanism, gear train) within the tubular gripping body by nesting them in a compact arrangement. The display members are mounted on the circumference of the tubular body, allowing the time indication function to be added without requiring additional external space, thus resolving the space conflict between ink supply and movement components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If display members are mounted on the circumference of the tubular gripping body, then time information is visible during writing, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime reading visibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular gripping body serves multiple functions: it houses the ink supply, contains the mechanical watch movement components, and displays time information through circumferential display members. This multi-functionality allows the time display to be integrated into the existing structure without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.

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

3Measurement precision

If a complete mechanical movement is housed in the tubular body, then functional precision is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical watch movement is divided into separate functional modules (barrel for energy storage, balance-spring assembly for timekeeping, escapement mechanism for energy transmission, gear train for time indication) that can be manufactured and assembled independently within the tubular gripping body. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of each component while simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2988951B1Writing implement
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 MONTRES BREGUET SA
  • EP2988951B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2988951B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2988951B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The present invention relates to a writing implement comprising: - a tubular gripping body (10) inside which there is a housing for holding a reserve of ink, - a writing nib (12) at one end of the tubular gripping body (10), said writing nib (12) being able to be connected to a reserve of ink, - a clock mechanism (14) housed in the tubular gripping body (10). According to the invention, the clock mechanism (14), housed in the tubular gripping body (10), is a mechanical movement comprising an energy source (16), a spring balance (18), an escapement mechanism intermittently transmitting the energy supplied by the energy source (16) to the spring balance (18), and a gear-train (20) designed to drive a device for displaying time information (22), said display device being visible on a circumferential part of the tubular gripping body (10) at a position between the two ends thereof.