TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of horology. Particularly, but not
exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a watch. Further, embodiments of the
present disclosure relate to a movement of the watch with reduced thickness
dimensioned at 0.75mm. Additionally, further embodiments of the present
10 disclosure may be limited to the watch being made from titanium material.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Timepieces can either be an analog or digital display. Such analog or digital
displays, such as wristwatches, wall clocks and the like, have evolved from mere
15 time keeping devices to a multifunctional instrument for daily use. In recent past,
the timepieces have been developed indicate parameters such as time in various
time-zones, alarms, altitude, barometric pressure, speed and fitness parameters such
as calories burnt, step count and the like.
20 The advent of modern technology, however, tends to have shifted focus of users not
only on functionality of the timepiece, but also to its weight and aesthetic appeal.
One of the parameters for weight and aesthetic appeal, that is recently gaining
popularity is the thickness of the watch. That is, the users are focusing on the
compactness of the timepiece without compromising on its functionalities. To cater
25 such requirements, significant contribution towards both functionality and aesthetic
appeal of the timepieces have been developed over time. One such approach has
been by adding multiple components such as multiple setting gears in the watch
movement, to indicate various functional parameters. Also, additional subcomponents such as a yoke, a jumper setting lever, and a Centre Second Stop Lever
30 [CSSL] need to be added, as a means for adjusting the parameters, as per user’s
requirement. Such additional mechanical components may makes the watch bulky,
which is aesthetically undesirable.
Generally, it may not be possible to bulk manufacture thinner, lighter and more
35 functional timepieces having a movement with a thickness less than 2.5 mm, as
components such as coil, battery, gears and rotor among others, that constitute
3
5 a wrist worn timepiece such as a wristwatch are difficult to be accommodated.
Further, as assembly of such components within the movement may be complicated
and require more volume to accommodate such components, it may be difficult to
reduce overall size, let alone thickness of the wristwatch.
10 The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above
or any other limitations associated with the conventional mechanisms.
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional
techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and
15 the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in
the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may
also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the
conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
20 SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a movement and a watch
as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the movement and the
watch as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are
25 realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and
aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of
the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a movement of a watch
30 is disclosed. The movement includes a base plate defining a first major surface and
a second major surface. The first major surface defines a plurality of grooves
including a first set of grooves, a second set of grooves and a third set of grooves.
The movement includes a gear assembly disposable in the third set of grooves and
the gear assembly includes a plurality of gears operatively coupled to each other.
35 The movement includes a driving mechanism disposable in the second set of
grooves. The driving mechanism includes a rotor, operatively coupled to at least
one gear of the plurality of gears and a stepper motor disposable in the second set
4
5 of grooves and operatively coupled to the rotor to drive the rotor and the gear
assembly. The movement includes a battery disposable in the first set of grooves,
configured to supply power to the driving mechanism. The movement includes an
printed circuit board (PCB) disposable in the second set of grooves to the first major
surface and operatively coupled to the battery and the driving mechanism. The first
10 set of grooves and the second set of grooves are defined adjacent to each other and
the third set of grooves are defined abutting the first set of grooves and the second
set of grooves. The thickness of the movement on accommodating the gear
assembly and the driving mechanism is 0.75mm.
15 In an embodiment, the base plate is defined with a plurality of pivot pins to receive
the plurality of gears.
In an embodiment, the plurality of gears of the gear assembly are directly fastened
on the base plate and are adapted to rotate relative to the plurality of pivot pins.
20
In an embodiment, the movement comprises a hand setting mechanism is disposed
in a fourth set of grooves defined abutting the third set of grooves of the movement,
wherein the hand setting mechanism is operatively coupled to the gear assembly.
25 In an embodiment, the hand setting mechanism includes a setting lever pivotally
disposable in the fourth set of grooves, the setting lever is defined with a first end
and a second end.
In an embodiment, the hand setting mechanism includes a yoke which is pivotally
30 disposable in the fourth set of grooves and operatively coupled to the setting lever
at the second end.
In an embodiment, the yoke is configured to pivot based on pivotal displacement of
the setting lever to selectively engage at least one gear of the gear assembly.
35
5
5 In an embodiment, the hand setting mechanism includes at least one biasing
member disposable adjacent to the setting lever and operatively coupled to the
setting lever at the second end to selectively bias the setting lever.
In an embodiment, the hand setting mechanism comprises a stem operatively
10 coupled to the first end of the setting lever and extending outward from a portion
of the base plate.
In an embodiment, thickness of the base plate is in a range of 0.55mm to 0.65mm.
15 In an embodiment, the the base plate is made of titanium.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a watch is disclosed.
The watch includes a back plate and a movement disposable in the back plate. The
movement includes a base plate defining a first major surface and a second major
20 surface. The first major surface defines a plurality of grooves including a first set
of grooves, a second set of grooves and a third set of grooves. The movement
includes a gear assembly disposable in the third set of grooves and the gear
assembly includes a plurality of gears operatively coupled to each other. The
movement includes a driving mechanism disposable in the second set of grooves.
25 The driving mechanism includes a rotor, operatively coupled to at least one gear of
the plurality of gears and a stepper motor disposable in the second set of grooves
and operatively coupled to the rotor to drive the rotor and the gear assembly. The
movement includes a battery disposable in the first set of grooves, configured to
supply power to the driving mechanism. The movement includes an printed circuit
30 board (PCB) disposable in the second set of grooves to the first major surface and
operatively coupled to the battery and the driving mechanism. The first set of
grooves and the second set of grooves are defined adjacent to each other and the
third set of grooves are defined abutting the first set of grooves and the second set
of grooves. The thickness of the movement on accommodating the gear assembly
35 and the driving mechanism is 0.75mm. The watch includes a dial connectable to the
second major surface of the movement.
6
5
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described
above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended
claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further
15 objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in
conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now
described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures
wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
20
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a watch depicting a movement, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 2a to 2o illustrate sequence of assembling components of the movement, in
25 accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a hand setting mechanism of the watch,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
30 Figure 3b illustrates the movement of the watch depicting a hand setting mechanism
in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3c illustrates the movement of the watch depicting the hand setting
mechanism in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
35 disclosure.
Figure 3d illustrates a sectional view of the movement depicting configuration of
dial and movement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
7
5
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that
alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be
10 employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and
15 alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example
in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that
it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative
falling within the scope of the disclosure.
20
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the
disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device,
assembly, and mechanism, that comprises a list of components does not include
only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or
25 inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more
elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more
constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the
system or method.
30 Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a movement of a watch. The
movement includes a base plate defining a first major surface and a second major
surface. The first major surface defines a plurality of grooves including a first set
of grooves, a second set of grooves and a third set of grooves. The movement
includes a gear assembly disposable in the third set of grooves and the gear
35 assembly includes a plurality of gears operatively coupled to each other. The
movement includes a driving mechanism disposable in the second set of grooves.
The driving mechanism includes a rotor, operatively coupled to at least one gear of
8
5 the plurality of gears and a stepper motor disposable in the second set of grooves
and operatively coupled to the rotor to drive the rotor and the gear assembly. The
movement includes a battery disposable in the first set of grooves, configured to
supply power to the driving mechanism. The movement includes an printed circuit
board (PCB) disposable in the second set of grooves to the first major surface and
10 operatively coupled to the battery and the driving mechanism. The first set of
grooves and the second set of grooves are defined adjacent to each other and the
third set of grooves are defined abutting the first set of grooves and the second set
of grooves. The thickness of the movement on accommodating the gear assembly
and the driving mechanism is 0.75mm. With such configuration, the movement
15 reduces thickness and weight of the watch and enhances aesthetics of the watch.
The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1
to 3d. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are
indicated by the same reference signs. One skilled in the art would appreciate that
20 the movement as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any mechanical
watch including but not liming to wristwatch, stopwatch, pocket watch and the like.
The system and the method of the present disclosure may also be implemented in
watches having a base plate without deviating from the principles of the present
disclosure.
25
Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a
watch (200). The watch (200) may be a wristwatch (200), a pocket watch (200), a
stop watch (200) and the like. For sake of explanation, the watch (200) is depicted
as a wristwatch and the same shall not be construed as a limitation. In the illustrative
30 embodiment, the watch (200) is a quartz watch (200) and the movement (100) is
structured for the quartz watch (200). The watch (200) comprises a back plate (201)
which is structured to receive a movement (100) of the watch (200). The movement
(100) includes a base plate (2) defining a first major surface (2a) and a second major
surface (2b). The first major surface (2a) is defined along length and width of the
35 base plate (2) on one side, while the second major surface (2b) is defined on
opposite side of the first major surface (2a) along the length and width of the base
9
5 plate (2). In an embodiment, the first major surface (2a) defines a plurality of
grooves (10a), while the second major surface (2b) is defined opposite to the first
major surface (2a) to receive a dial (202) defined with a plurality of indications and
a cover (203) positioned over the dial (202) to prevent external ingress into the
watch (200) as can be seen in Figure 1.
10
Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, the movement (100) includes a base plate (2)
structured to define a plurality of grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) in a predefined
configuration. In an embodiment, the plurality of grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) may not
be through holes extending along depth of the movement (100). The plurality of
15 grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) are defined adjacent to each other and extending along the
first major surface (2a) to reduce overlap of the components and thereby reduce
thickness of the movement (100). Such configuration reduces thickness of the
movement (100), while without compromising on functionality of the watch (200)
and with enhanced aesthetics. The base plate (2) is defined by one of a circular
20 profile, an elongated profile, rounded square profile and the like based on profile of
the watch (200). For sake of explanation, the profile of the base plate (2) is depicted
as an elongated profile as can be seen in Figure 2a and the same shall not be
construed as a limitation. The plurality of grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) on the first major
surface (2a) are configured to accommodate a gear assembly (4), a driving
25 mechanism (6) and a printed circuit board [PCB] (8) as can be seen in Figure 2a.
Referring now to Figures 2b to 2d, the plurality of grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) include
a first set of grooves (10a), a second set of grooves (10b) and a third set of grooves
(10c). For sake of illustration, the number of groovesin the base plate (2) is depicted
30 as three sets of grooves and the same shall not be considered a limitation as the
number of grooves may be varied based on design requirements. The first set of
grooves (10a) are defined proximal to a top end (21a) and away from a bottom end
(21b) of the base plate (2) to receive a battery (12) of the watch (200). The profile
of the first set of grooves (10a) may be defined based on profile of the battery (12).
35 In an embodiment, number of grooves in the first set of grooves (10a) is varied
based on number of batteries required for the watch (200). For sake of explanation,
10
5 the first set of groves is depicted to be a single first groove (10a) [hereinafter
referred to as “first groove (10a)”] and the same shall not be construed as a
limitation, as the number of first set of grooves may be varied based on the number
of batteries incorporated within the movement (100). In the illustrative
embodiment, the battery (12) is a lithium ion battery (12) with thickness in a range
10 of 0.4 mm to 0.5mm to reduce thickness of the movement (100). Further, depth of
the first groove (10a) is around 0.5 mm resulting in 0.1 mm wall margin to
accommodate the battery (12) within the first groove (10a). The second set of
grooves (10b) are defined adjacent to the first groove (10a) and along an edge of
the base plate (2) to receive the printed circuit board (PCB) (8). In the illustrative
15 embodiment, the second set of grooves (10b) are depicted towards one end of the
base plate (2) without overlapping with the first set of grooves (10a). In an
embodiment, the first groove (10a) also accommodate wiring of the battery (12) as
can be seen in Figure 2c to avoid increase in thickness of the assembled movement
(100) due to wiring. The base plate (2) is made of titanium material to withstand
20 load of components of the watch (200) with thickness in a range of 0.55mm to
0.65mm.
Further, the second set of grooves (10b) is defined adjacent to the first groove (10a)
and is structured to accommodate a driving mechanism (6) operatively coupled to
25 a gear assembly (4) of the movement (100) and configured to drive the gear
assembly (4). The gear assembly (4) includes a plurality of gears disposable in the
third set of grooves (10a) and operatively coupled to the driving mechanism (6).
The driving mechanism (6) includes a rotor (14) operatively coupled to the plurality
of gears. The driving mechanism (6) includes a stepper motor (13) operatively
30 coupled to drive the rotor (14) and the gear assembly (4). The rotor (14) is
configured to rotate at least one gear from the plurality of gears of the gear assembly
(4). The third set of grooves (10c) is defined abutting the first set of grooves (10a)
and the second set of grooves (10b) to receive the plurality of gears of the gear
assembly (4). The first set of grooves (10a), the second set of grooves (10b) and the
35 third set of grooves (10c) are defined on the base plate (2) in a predetermined
11
5 configuration i.e., the first groove (10a) and the second set of grooves being
adjacent to each other while the third set of grooves is abutting the first groove (10a)
and the third set of grooves as can be clearly seen in Figure 2c to have minimal
and/or no interference to avoid overlap of components of the movement (100) and
thereby reduce thickness of movement (100) of the watch (200). Such configuration
10 of the first set of grooves (10a) and the second set of grooves (10a) are configured
to accommodate the gear assembly (4), the battery (12) and the driving mechanism
(6) on the first major surface (2a) without any extension on to the second major
surface (2b) to reduce the thickness of the movement (100) as can be seen clearly
in Figure 2c. In an embodiment, the third set of grooves includes grooves
15 corresponding to number of gears in the gear assembly (4). The third set of grooves
are fluidly coupled to each other, while at least a portion of one groove is
overlapping with another groove, while depth of each groove may vary based on
number of grooves in the third set of grooves. For example, if two gears are
overlapping each other in a range of 10 to 40%, depth of the first groove (10a)
20 accommodating one gear is lower than depth of adjacent groove of the third set of
groove to accommodate overlapping portion within the movement (100) and avoid
increase in thickness of the movement (100). Furthermore, some of the grooves of
the third set of grooves (10c) are defined to overlap such that one gear is positioned
on the base plate (2), while one or more gears can be located overlapping with such
25 gear positioned on the base plate (2). Such configuration of the gear assembly may
not be collinear or being in mesh engagement to reduce the thickness of the
movement.
Referring now to Figures 2e to 2g, the base plate (2) is defined with a plurality of
30 pivot pins (5) to receive the plurality of gears as can be seen in Figure 2e. In an
embodiment, the plurality of pivot pins (5) are defined to extend vertically upwards
from the third set of grooves to receive and the plurality of gears and allow rotation
of the plurality of gears relative to the pivot pins (5). Each gear of the plurality of
gears is directly fastened on the base plate (2) and is adapted to rotate relative to the
35 plurality of pivot pins (5). Each gear of the gear assembly (4) is defined with a
12
5 plurality of teeth (5b) and slot defined at center portion to pivot about the pivot pins
(5). Such configuration of the gears reduces gap between overlapping gears and
overall thickness of the gear assembly (4) and in turn the movement (100).
Referring now to Figures 2g to 2o, the plurality of gears include a first offset idle
10 gear (18), an idle setting gear (20), a setting gear (22), a second idle gear (24), an
intermediate gear (26), an Hour gear (28), a Minute gear (28), a cannon gear (32),
a third gear (34) and a second offset gear (36) and the like. The number of gears
may be varied based on design requirement of the watch (200) and the same shall
not be considered a limitation. The third set of grooves (10c) are defined by a
15 continuous groove formed by overlapping multiple grooves corresponding to the
plurality of gears as can be seen in Figure 2a. The third set of grooves (10c) is
defined by a predefined profile as can be seen in Figure 2g to accommodate the
plurality of gears within the thickness of the base plate (2) i.e., within 0.65mm.
20 Referring again to Figures 2g to 2i, the battery (12) is disposed in the first set of
grooves (10a), while the printed circuit board (PCB) (8), and a stator (16) are the
second set of grooves (10b) as can be seen in Figure 2g. In an embodiment, a portion
of the stator (16) may be covered by the printed circuit board (PCB) (8) or may be
structured to extend around the stator (16) as can be seen in Figure 3b. In the
25 illustrative embodiment, the printed circuit board (PCB) (8) may be a flexible
circuit board made of a flexible film to reduce thickness and weight of the
movement (100) and extending around the stator (16) as can be seen in Figure 3b
to avoid overlap of the stator (16) and the PCB. In the illustrative embodiment, the
printed circuit board (PCB) (8) is of 0.1mm thickness. The first offset idle gear (18)
30 may be positioned in a portion of the third set of grooves (10c), followed by the idle
setting gear (20) and the setting gear (22) as can be seen in Figure 2i. In the
illustrative embodiment, the idle setting gear (20) and the setting gear (22) may be
positioned towards an end of the base plate (2) to allow setting hours, minutes,
seconds and the like of the watch (200).
35
13
5 Referring again to Figures 2e to 2g, the rotor (14) is positioned in the second set of
grooves (10b) proximal to the third set of grooves as can be seen in Figure 2j. The
rotor (14) may be defined with a permanent magnet and a pinion rotatable about a
vertical axis defined perpendicular to the base plate (2) as can be seen in Figure 2j.
In the illustrative embodiment, the magnet may be a thin magnet made of
10 Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) material with a thickness of 0.20 mm to reduce
weight and thickness of the movement (100). The Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)
magnets provide higher magnetic strength, temperature stability, and higher energy
density. The rotor (14) is rotated based on regulation of supply of power from the
battery (12) to the stepper motor (13). The second idle gear (24) is rotatably
15 positioned in the third set of grooves (10c) proximal to the rotor (14) as can be seen
in Figure 2j. Upon positioning the second idle gear (24), the intermediate gear (26)
is positioned, where a portion of the intermediate gear (26) may overlap with the
second idle gear (24) as can be seen in Figure 2k. The intermediate gear (26) is
configured to engage with the rotor (14) as can be seen in Figure 2k and rotate based
20 on rotation of the rotor (14). The second idle gear (24) engages with the
intermediate gear (26) to rotate based on rotation of the intermediate gear (26).
Referring now to Figures 2l to 2o, the hour gear (28) is positioned in the third set
of grooves (10c) proximal to the battery (12) as can be seen in Figure 2h. The hour
25 gear (28) may be configured to drive an hour hand of the watch (200) to indicate
hours of time. Further, the minute gear (28) is positioned beside the hour gear (28)
as can be seen in Figure 2l. The minute gear (28) is configured to drive a minute
hand of the watch (200) to indicate minutes of time in the watch (200). In an
embodiment, the hour gear (28) is defined with a cavity to rotatably receive a
30 cannon gear (32) as can be seen in Figure 2o. The cannon gear (32) is defined with
a pinion configured to engage with the minute gear (28) as clearly seen in Figure
2o.
Further, the third gear (34) is rotatably positioned proximal to the cannon gear (32).
35 The third gear (34) is defined with a pinion to engage with the cannon gear (32).
The third gear (34) may also engage with the second idle gear (24) as can be seen
14
5 in Figure 2o. The second offset gear (36) is positioned rotatably in the third set of
grooves (10c) and the second offset gear (36) engages with the first offset gear (28)
to rotate based on rotation of the first offset gear (28). Lastly a fitting member (38)
is connected to the base plate (2) to cover (203) a portion of the gear assembly (4),
and retain the rotor (14), the gear assembly (4) within the movement (100). The
10 fitting member (38) may include a thin plate fastened to the base plate (2) by a
plurality of fasteners as can be seen in Figure 2a. Such configuration of the gear
assembly reduces the thickness of the movement on accommodating the gear
assembly (4) and the driving mechanism (6) to 0.75mm. In the illustrative
embodiment, the thickness of the movement is reduced to 0.75mm.
15
Referring now to Figures, 3a to 3c, the movement (100) is defined with a fourth set
of grooves (10d) defined abutting the third set of grooves (10c) to receive a hand
setting mechanism (7). The hand setting mechanism (7) is operatively coupled to
the gear assembly (4). The hand setting mechanism (7) includes a setting lever (72)
20 pivotally disposable in the fourth set of grooves (10d). The setting lever (72) is
defined with a first end (72a) and a second end (72b). The hand setting mechanism
(7) includes a stem (71) operatively coupled to the first end (72a) of the setting lever
(72) and extending outward from a portion of the base plate (2) as can be seen in
Figure 3b. In an embodiment, the fourth set of grooves (10a) are defined with pivot
25 pins (5) to allow pivoting of the setting lever (72) about the pivot pins (5). The hand
setting mechanism (7) includes a yoke (73) pivotally disposed in the fourth set of
grooves (10d) and operatively coupled to the setting lever (72) at the second end
(72b). The yoke (73) is configured to pivot based on pivotal displacement of the
setting lever (72) to selectively engage at least one gear of the gear assembly (4).
30 The hand setting mechanism (7) includes at least one biasing member (75) disposed
adjacent to the setting lever (72) and operatively coupled to the setting lever (72) at
the second end (72b) to selectively bias the setting lever (72). In an embodiment,
the stem (71) is linearly displaced to selectively engage and disengage the hand
setting mechanism (7) with the gear assembly (4) to allow setting of time in the
35 watch (200). The biasing member is configured to pivot the setting lever (72) about
15
5 the pivot pins (5) of the hand setting mechanism (7) to disengage the hand setting
mechanism (7) from the gear mechanism.
Referring now to Figure 3d, the watch (200) includes a center tube (6) disposed
between the dial (202) and the base plate (2), where wheels (7) corresponding to
10 the minute hand, second hand and hour hand [not shown explicitly in figures] are
coupled to the center tube (6) and are rotated based on rotation of the center tube
(6). The center tube (6) is operatively coupled to the gear assembly (4) to move the
hands of the watch (200) for indicating time on the dial (202). Here, the wheels (7)
of the hour hand, second hand and the minute hand are disposed on the center tube
15 (6) to reduce space between the wheels (7) and thereby reduce the thickness of the
movement (100) to 0.75mm in a three hand configuration of the watch (200). In an
embodiment, the center tube (6) is configured to accommodate three wheels
corresponding to the hour hand, minute hand and second hand to reduce gap
between the wheels (7) as can be clearly seen in Figure 3d.
20
In an embodiment, the base plate (2) may be made of brass material or titanium
material or bulk metallic glass material and the like to obtain required thickness of
the movement (100).
25 In an embodiment, the plurality of gears of the gear assembly (4) may be made with
silicon material and may be of a thickness of 80 to 90 microns to fit within thickness
of the base plate (2) and thereby reduce thickness of the movement (100). The
plurality of gears may be manufactured using Micro Machines, Laser cutting
machines, Advanced CNC machines and the like.
30
In an embodiment, the predetermined sequence of arrangement of the plurality of
gears, battery (12), the printed circuit board (PCB) (8) and the integrated stepper
motor (13) result in reduction of thickness of the movement (100) of the watch
(200).
35
16
5 In an embodiment, the thickness of the movement (100) may be varied by varying
the position and number of gears of the gear assembly (4) based on design
requirements to add additional dials or indicators to the watch (200).
In an embodiment, the movement (100) of the present disclosure is simple in design,
10 easy to assemble and provides enhanced reliability, while being easily
maintainable.
EQUIVALENTS
15 With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein,
those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from
the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of
clarity.
20
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are
generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted
as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having
25 at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited
to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be
explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
30 may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to
introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
35 claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and
indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use
17
5 of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more
10 recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at
least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in
the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to
systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
15 B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a
convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand
the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but
not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A
20 and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or
phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims,
or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one
of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B”
25 will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of
Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also
thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of
30 the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects
and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects
and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not
35 intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.
18
5
Referral Numeral:
Component Referral numeral
Movement 100
Watch 200
Back plate 201
Dial 202
Cover 203
base plate 2
Gear assembly 4
Driving mechanism 6
Hand setting mechanism 7
Stem 71
Setting lever 72
Yoke 73
Key wheel 74
At least one biasing member 75
Printed circuit board (PCB) 8
Plurality of grooves 10a, 10b, 10c
First set of grooves 10a
Second set of grooves 10b
Third set of grooves 10c
Fourth set of grooves 10d
Battery 12
Rotor 14
stator 16
First offset idle gear 18
Idle setting gear 20
Setting gear 22
Second idle gear 24
Intermediate gear 26
Hour gear 28
Minute gear 30
Cannon gear 32
Third gear 34
Second offset gear 36
Fitting member 38
Provisions 5
Center tube 6
Wheels 7
19
5 We Claim:
1. A movement (100) of a watch (200), the movement (100) comprising:
a base plate (2) defining a first major surface (2a) and a second major
surface (2b), the first major surface (2a) defining a plurality of grooves,
wherein the plurality of grooves comprises a first set of grooves (10a), a
10 second set of grooves (10b) and a third set of grooves (10c);
a gear assembly (4) disposable in the third set of grooves (10c), the
gear assembly (4) comprising a plurality of gears operatively coupled to
each other;
a driving mechanism (6) disposable in the second set of grooves (10b),
15 the driving mechanism (6) comprising:
a rotor (14), operatively coupled to at least one gear of the
plurality of gears; and
a stepper motor disposable in the second set of grooves (10b)
and operatively coupled to the rotor (14) to drive the rotor (14) and
20 the gear assembly (4);
a battery (12) disposable in the first set of grooves (10a), configured
to supply power to the driving mechanism (6);
an printed circuit board (PCB) (8) disposable in the second set of
grooves (10b) to the first major surface (2a) and operatively coupled to the
25 battery (12) and the driving mechanism (6); and
wherein the first set of grooves (10a) and the second set of grooves
(10b) are defined adjacent to each other and the third set of grooves (10c)
are defined abutting the first set of grooves (10a) and the second set of
grooves (10b), and
30 wherein thickness of the movement (100) on accommodating the gear
assembly (4) and the driving mechanism (6) is 0.75mm.
2. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate (2) is
defined with a plurality of pivot pins (5) to receive the plurality of gears.
35
20
5 3. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of gears
of the gear assembly (4) are directly fastened on the base plate (2) and are
adapted to rotate relative to the plurality of pivot pins (5).
4. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a hand setting
10 mechanism (7) disposed in a fourth set of grooves (10d) defined abutting
the third set of grooves (10c) of the movement (100), wherein the hand
setting mechanism (7) is operatively coupled to the gear assembly (4).
5. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hand setting
15 mechanism (7) comprises:
a setting lever (72) pivotally disposable in the fourth set of grooves
(10d), the setting lever (72) is defined with a first end (72a) and a second
end (72b);
a yoke (73) pivotally disposable in the fourth set of grooves (10d) and
20 operatively coupled to the setting lever (72) at the second end (72b), the
yoke (73) is configured to pivot based on pivotal displacement of the setting
lever (72) to selectively engage at least one gear of the gear assembly (4);
at least one biasing member (75) disposable adjacent to the setting
lever (72) and operatively coupled to the setting lever (72) at the second end
25 (72b) to selectively bias the setting lever (72).
6. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand setting
mechanism (7) comprises a stem (71) operatively coupled to the first end
(72a) of the setting lever (72) and extending outward from a portion of the
30 base plate (2).
7. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein thickness of the base
plate (2) is in a range of 0.55mm to 0.65mm.
35 8. The movement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate (2) is
made of titanium.
21
5 9. A watch (200), comprising:
a back plate (201);
a movement (100) disposable in the back plate (201), comprising:
a base plate (2) defining a first major surface (2a) and a second
major surface (2b), the first major surface (2a) defining a plurality of
10 grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves comprises a first set of
grooves (10a), a second set of grooves (10b) and a third set of grooves
(10c);
a gear assembly (4) disposable in the third set of grooves (10c),
the gear assembly (4) comprising a plurality of gears operatively
15 coupled to each other;
a driving mechanism (6) disposable in the second set of grooves
(10b), the driving mechanism (6) comprising:
a rotor (14), operatively coupled to at least one gear of the
plurality of gears; and
20 a stepper motor disposable in the second set of grooves
(10b) and operatively coupled to the rotor (14) to drive the rotor
(14) and the gear assembly (4);
a battery (12) disposable in the first set of grooves (10a),
configured to supply power to the driving mechanism (6);
25 an printed circuit board (PCB) (8) disposable on a top portion of
the first major surface (2a) and operatively coupled to the battery (12)
and the driving mechanism (6); and
wherein the first set of grooves (10a) and the second set of
grooves (10b) are defined adjacent to each other and the third set of
30 grooves (10c) are defined abutting the first set of grooves (10a) and
the second set of grooves (10b), and
wherein thickness of the movement (100) on accommodating
the gear assembly (4) and the driving mechanism (6) is 0.75mm; and
a dial (202) connectable to the second major surface (2b) of the
35 movement (100).