U.S. patent application number 17/079589 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for bidirectional mems driving arrangements with a force absorbing system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Timex Group USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wolfgang Burkhardt, Heiko Hellriegel, Michail Subarew, Helmut Zachmann.
Application Number | 20210041837 17/079589 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005170324 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210041837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burkhardt; Wolfgang ; et
al. |
February 11, 2021 |
BIDIRECTIONAL MEMS DRIVING ARRANGEMENTS WITH A FORCE ABSORBING
SYSTEM
Abstract
A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement for
an electronic device, the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
driving arrangement including a driven wheel; a driving actuation
assembly for causing rotation of the driven wheel; an indicator
assembly including an indicator; and a force absorbing assembly
coupled intermediate the indicator assembly and the driven wheel;
whereby a force acting upon the indicator assembly is absorbed by
the force absorbing assembly so as to inhibit rotation of the
driven wheel relative to the driving actuation assembly.
Inventors: |
Burkhardt; Wolfgang;
(springen, DE) ; Subarew; Michail;
(Graben-Neudorf, DE) ; Hellriegel; Heiko;
(Bruchsal, DE) ; Zachmann; Helmut; (Remchiningen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Timex Group USA, Inc. |
Middlebury |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005170324 |
Appl. No.: |
17/079589 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15704405 |
Sep 14, 2017 |
10838366 |
|
|
17079589 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04B 43/002 20130101;
G04B 13/00 20130101; B81B 2203/056 20130101; G04B 37/04 20130101;
B81B 7/0016 20130101; B81B 2201/033 20130101; B81B 5/00 20130101;
G04G 17/00 20130101; B81B 2201/035 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G04B 43/00 20060101
G04B043/00; B81B 5/00 20060101 B81B005/00; G04B 13/00 20060101
G04B013/00; G04B 37/04 20060101 G04B037/04; B81B 7/00 20060101
B81B007/00; G04G 17/00 20060101 G04G017/00 |
Claims
1. A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) driving arrangement for
an electronic device comprising: a driven wheel; a driving
actuation assembly for causing rotation of the driven wheel; an
indicator assembly comprising an indicator; and a force absorbing
assembly coupled intermediate the indicator assembly and the driven
wheel; whereby a force acting upon the indicator assembly is
absorbed by the force absorbing assembly so as to inhibit rotation
of the driven wheel relative to the driving actuation assembly.
2. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force
absorbing assembly physically connects the indicator assembly to
the driven wheel.
3. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force
absorbing assembly comprises one or more springs coupling the
indicator assembly to the driven wheel.
4. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the
one or more springs has a respective first end and second end, and
wherein the first end of the each of the one or more springs is
coupled to the driven wheel and the second end of the each of the
one or more springs is coupled to the indicator assembly.
5. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the driven
wheel is in the form of a ring having an inner edge and an outer
edge and wherein the driving actuation assembly engages the outer
edge of the driven wheel; and the indicator assembly comprises an
outer wheel edge and the force absorbing assembly is coupled
between the inner edge of the driven wheel and the outer wheel edge
of the indicator assembly.
6. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
indicator assembly comprises an indicator wheel and wherein the
force absorbing assembly couples the inner edge of the driven wheel
to an outer edge of the indicator wheel.
7. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the force
absorbing assembly is coupled between the inner edge of the driven
wheel and the outer edge of the indicator wheel.
8. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
indicator assembly comprises an indicator wheel and the force
absorbing assembly is coupled intermediate the driven wheel and the
indicator wheel.
9. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the force
absorbing assembly comprises one or more springs coupling the
indicator wheel to the driven wheel.
10. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first end
of the one or more springs is coupled to the indicator wheel and a
second end of the one or more springs is coupled to the driven
wheel.
11. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force
absorbing assembly is the only structure that completes the direct
coupling between the indicator assembly and the driven wheel.
12. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the force
absorbing assembly comprises one or more springs, and but for the
one or more springs, the indicator assembly would not rotate when
the driven wheel rotates.
13. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
as claimed in claim 12, comprising: a first attachment member
intermediate the driven wheel and a first end of the force
absorbing assembly; and a second attachment member intermediate the
indicator assembly and the second end of the force absorbing
assembly.
14. The micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) driving arrangement
for an electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the force
absorbing assembly comprises a first spring and at least a second
spring, and wherein the micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
driving arrangement comprises: a first attachment member
intermediate the driven wheel and a first end of the first spring,
and a second attachment member intermediate the indicator assembly
and the second end of the first spring; and a third attachment
member intermediate the driven wheel and a first end of the at
least second spring, and a fourth attachment member intermediate
the indicator assembly and the second end of the at least second
spring.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed generally to motor
arrangements that drive display hands, rings and other indicators
for small (e.g., wearable) electronic devices, and in particular,
to a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) driving arrangement for
an electronic device, and in a preferred embodiment, for driving
hands, rings and/or other indicators in a timepiece, such as a
wristworn device. In particular, the present invention is directed
to embodiments that absorb forces and thus mitigate impacts for
and/or to the MEMS driving arrangement.
[0002] Micro-electromechanical systems that are used as
unidirectional and bidirectional drive units are known in the art.
Currently, it is believed that the state of the art for
bidirectional MEMS driving arrangements for timepieces is defined
by that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,926,465, which generally
describes a MEMS driving arrangement for an electronic device that
comprises a driven wheel, an actuator ring and a driving actuation
assembly for driving the actuator ring in a hysteresis motion so as
to cause rotation of the driven wheel, wherein the driven wheel
rotates in response to engagements and disengagements between
selective subsets of the teeth of the driven wheel with selective
subsets of the teeth of the actuator ring. Other known wheel
driving actuator designs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,592,737
and 7,505,373.
[0003] However, it is now believed that further advances to the
state of the art are both desirable and achievable. For example,
the inventors have discovered that MEMS driving arrangements for
electronic devices, particularly those for wristworn devices as
described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 8,926,465, are susceptible
to unwanted and undesirable effects of forces created by jostles,
bumps, knocks and impacts. Specifically, MEMS driving arrangements
often include small and/or fragile parts, structures, functions and
features and are thus susceptible to the forces and impacts
associated with a wristworn device. Thus, the inventors have
discovered that impact mitigation is a desirable objective in the
aforementioned MEMS arrangements in order to mitigate, reduce
and/or eliminate the unwanted or undesirable effects thereof.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a driving
arrangement including a force absorbing and impact mitigation
arrangement that can meet and/or exceed all of the needed
objectives and advantages envisioned by the present inventors,
including for use in the MEMS driving arrangements as disclosed
herein.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is thus an objective of the present invention to overcome
the perceived deficiencies in the prior art.
[0006] Specifically, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide an improved driving arrangement for an electronic device
that utilizes the advantages afforded by the use of MEMS
technology.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an
improved driving arrangement for an electronic device that utilizes
the advantages afforded by the use of MEMS technology and includes
a force absorbing and impact mitigation system.
[0008] For example, and with regard to the incorporation of an
impact mitigation arrangement, an objective of the present
invention is to maintain the integrity of the electronic device and
achieve other functional benefits of MEMS technology as would be
achieved with traditional gears with metal or plastic wheels, yet
using lighter, smaller and more miniaturized components that are
found in and/or associated with MEMS structures.
[0009] Still a further objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved driving arrangement for an electronic device
that utilizes the advantages afforded by the use of MEMS technology
and which overcomes, is made resistant to and/or at least minimizes
the effect of common forces that can be applied to timepieces and
their components and that otherwise might cause a misalignment or
other unwanted or undesirable displacement of the display
indicator(s).
[0010] By example only and not limitation, another objective of the
present invention is to provide for a certain temporary rotation
angle of a display indicator, such as a display hand (e.g. an hour
or minute hand), which may be caused by a sudden rotation stop or
impact applied to the system, without losing the integrity (e.g.
without losing hand position, etc.) of the driving arrangement or
indicator assembly.
[0011] For example, an objective of the present invention is to
ensure or at least minimize against the likelihood that a force
against and/or temporary angular rotation elongation/movement of
the indictor assembly and/or the indicator hand or wheel does not
cause or result in an unintended or undesirable disengagement of
the MEMS actuator(s) (i.e. the driving actuation assembly) with the
MEMS rotating parts (e.g. the driven wheel).
[0012] Yet a further objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved driving arrangement for an electronic device
that utilizes the advantages afforded by the use of MEMS technology
in a timepiece, and in particular, in a wristwatch.
[0013] Yet a further objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved MEMS driving arrangement for a timepiece, and
an analog wristwatch in particular.
[0014] Still another objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved MEMS driving arrangement for an electronic
device that prevents or at least minimizes the likelihood of an
undesired rotation of the MEMS wheel, which ensures proper function
of the timepiece without the need to calibrate or recalibrate the
indicator hand(s).
[0015] Still another objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved MEMS driving arrangement that preferably does
not disengage from the driven wheel and thus prevents slippage or
loss of calibration or accuracy of the display indicators
controlled by the driving actuation assembly.
[0016] Still another objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved MEMS driving arrangement that permits for the
construction and use of a smaller and stronger MEMS driving
assembly than heretofore seen in the art.
[0017] Still a further objective of the present invention is to
provide methodologies for carrying out and/or facilitating the
foregoing.
[0018] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become
more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
[0019] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, arrangement of parts and
sequence of steps which will be exemplified in the construction,
illustration and description hereinafter set forth, and the scope
of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
[0020] Therefore, and generally speaking, in accordance with a
first preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to a MEMS
driving arrangement for an electronic device, the MEMS driving
arrangement comprising a driven wheel; a driving actuation assembly
for causing rotation of the driven wheel; an indicator assembly
comprising an indicator; and a force absorbing assembly coupled
intermediate the indicator assembly and the driven wheel; whereby a
force acting upon the indicator assembly is absorbed by the force
absorbing assembly so as to inhibit a rotation of the driven wheel
relative to the driving actuation assembly. In a preferred
embodiment, the wristworn device is a timepiece in the form of a
wristwatch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The above set forth and other features of the invention are
made more apparent in the ensuing Description of the Preferred
Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings,
wherein:
[0022] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C each illustrate a bidirectional MEMS
driving arrangement constructed in accordance with preferred
embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 2-36 each illustrate various and/or alternative
embodiments of a force absorbing assembly coupled intermediate the
indicator assembly and the driven wheel, each and all being
constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 37 illustrates a timepiece comprising any one or more
of the bidirectional MEMS driving arrangements disclosed and
illustrated herein.
[0025] Identical reference numerals in the figures are intended to
indicate like parts, although not every feature in every figure may
be called out with a reference numeral.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Reference is generally first made to FIGS. 1A, 1B and IC,
each of which illustrate various bidirectional MEMS driving
arrangements for which the present invention is particularly
applicable and in which the features of the present invention are
incorporated. Because the present invention is equally applicable
to each/all of the disclosed MEMS driving arrangements, references
will generally be made to "MEMS driving arrangement 10" and it
should be understood that such reference indicates applicability of
the present invention to each of the embodiments disclosed herein
as well as the remaining embodiments disclosed in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,926,465, 7,592,737 and 7,505,373,
the subject matter and disclosures of which are each and all
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
[0027] As would be understood by those skilled in the art, each of
the disclosed MEMS driving arrangements 10 comprise a driven wheel,
generally indicated at 20, and a driving actuation assembly,
generally indicated at 30, for causing rotation of the driven wheel
20. The driving of the driven wheel 20 may be achieved directly by
the driving actuation assembly 30 of FIGS. 1B, 1C, or in the case
of the embodiment of FIG. 1A, via an actuation ring 25 as disclosed
in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 8,926,465. For example, in the
embodiment of FIG. 1A, the driving actuation assembly 30 drives
actuator ring 25 in a hysteresis-type motion so as to cause
rotation of the driven wheel 20, again, details of which can be
found in the aforementioned '465 patent.
[0028] In each of the preferred embodiments, the driving actuation
assembly 30 comprises one or more driving actuators, each generally
indicated at 40, with the driving actuation assembly 30 being
coupled directly to the driven wheel 20 (FIGS. 1B, 1C) or coupled
to the driven wheel 20 via the actuator ring 25 (FIG. 1A). Again,
details of the mechanisms and arrangements for rotating the driven
wheel 20 may be found in the respective aforementioned patents.
[0029] Common to each/all of the MEMS driving arrangements 10 is an
indicator assembly, generally indicated at 50, which in each of the
exemplary embodiments comprises an indicator wheel or disc 52 and
coupled thereto being an indicator 54 (see FIGS. 2-36). Indicator
54 is preferably an indicator hand that can provide information by
its position and directional pointing on the face of a wristworn
device, e.g. hours, minutes, seconds, compass settings, moon
position, just to name a few, with many other alternative uses of
such an indicator being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,450, the
subject matter of which is incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth herein. In the drawings, nothing of significance is
intended by the particular shading of wheel 52, as such shading is
simply to ensure an understanding of where one wheel begins and
another ends. Wheel/disc 52 in each of the embodiments is
preferably made out of conventional material known in the art for
such MEMS driving wheels.
[0030] However, it should also be understood that indicator 54
could also be a ring and/or other types of indicators that are
subject to rotational forces and misalignment thereby, with such
other types of indicators also disclosed in the aforementioned U.S.
Pat. No. 7,113,450.
[0031] Furthermore, and common to each/all of the MEMS driving
arrangements 10 is a force absorbing assembly, generally indicated
at 100, coupled intermediate the indicator assembly 50 and the
driven wheel 20. With the inclusion of a force absorbing assembly
100 in the driving arrangements, a force acting upon the indicator
assembly 50 is absorbed by the force absorbing assembly 100 so as
to inhibit a rotation of the driven wheel 20 relative to the
driving actuation assembly 30 due to the force acting upon the
indicator assembly 50.
[0032] Disclosed herein are a plurality of force absorbing
assemblies 100 suitable for use in connection with each/all of the
MEMS driving arrangements 10.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2-36, each of the force absorbing
assemblies 100 may take on a plurality of shapes and
configurations, each of which are constructed to meet the specific
torque, force, resiliency, absorption and other criteria that would
be considered by one skilled in the art.
[0034] For example and preferably in each of the disclosed
embodiments, the force absorbing assembly comprises one or more
springs 110 coupling the indicator assembly 50 to the driven wheel
20. FIG. 7 as but just an example, illustrates a plurality of
optional yet contemplated attachment members 150 between which the
respective springs 110 may be coupled. The attachment members 150
may come in various sizes and shapes.
[0035] Preferably, and as illustrated in each of the FIGS. 2-36 but
shown in greater particularly for example in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of
the one or more springs has a respective first end 110A and second
end 110B, and wherein the first end 110A of the each of the one or
more springs is coupled to the driven wheel 20 and the second end
110B of the each of the one or more springs 110 is coupled to the
indicator assembly 50, and preferably to wheel 52. Again, preferred
embodiments of the present invention contemplate the use of
attachment members 150, although again, such members are optional
as disclosed and would be understood herein.
[0036] Preferably, the one or more springs 110 in any one of the
disclosed embodiments is the only structure that completes the
direct coupling between the indicator assembly 50 and the driven
wheel 20. That is, the indicator assembly 50 would not rotate but
for the physical coupling to the driven wheel 20 by the one or more
springs 110. That is, preferably, it is only the one or more
springs 110 that "bridges" the direct coupling between the driven
wheel 20 and the indicator assembly 50. It should be understood
that the foregoing disclosure and interpretation is intended to
contemplate the use of one or more attachment members 150 as
disclosed herein.
[0037] Preferably, and as shown with particularity in FIG. 1B, the
driven wheel 20 is in the form of a ring having an inner edge 20A
and an outer edge 20B and wherein the driving actuation assembly 30
engages the outer edge 20B of the driven wheel 20. Complementary is
that the indicator assembly 50 comprises an outer wheel edge 52A
and the force absorbing assembly 100 is connected between the inner
edge 20A of the driven wheel 20 and the outer wheel edge 52A of the
wheel 52 and/or between respective attachment members 150 as the
case may be.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 2 by way of example and not limitation,
it can thus be seen that a force acting upon the indicator assembly
50, and in particular, upon indicator hand 54 sufficient to rotate
indicator hand 54 .alpha. degrees, will be absorbed by the force
absorbing assembly 100 (and in particular the one or more springs
110), so as to inhibit a rotation of the driven wheel 20 relative
to the driving actuation assembly 30 due to the force acting upon
the hand 54. By disclosing that the driven wheel 20 is inhibited
from rotating relative to the driving actuation assembly 30, the
embodiments disclosed in each of the FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C are
contemplated whether or not an intermediate actuator ring 25 is
incorporated therein.
[0039] Preferred dimensions of the driven wheel 20 and the
indicator assembly 50, for example, would be known by those skilled
in the art and are thus of routine design choice. Preferably, the
outer circumference of the driven wheels 20 have teeth (although
not all teeth are shown in each of the figures) with the shape of
the teeth on the outer circumference of driven wheel 20 (and/or the
inner circumference of the actuator ring in the case of FIG. 1A)
may be triangular, but they could also be other shapes, such as
trapezoidal to possibly reduce the likelihood of interference
between the respective teeth as they mesh as disclosed herein
and/or implied herein with reference to the constructions with
which they are used. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1A for
example, the number of teeth for the driven wheel 20 may be three
hundred (300) and/or six hundred (600) and the preferred number of
teeth for the actuator ring 25 is one more than the number of teeth
for the driven wheel 20, thus, being 301 and/or 601
respectively.
[0040] The particulars of the driving actuators 100 are also more
particularly described in the respective patents incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
[0041] Additionally, it should be understood that some of the
figures, e.g. FIGS. 4-6 and 13 may not be illustrating the entire
force absorbing assembly configuration, but this is only for
purposes of brevity in illustration. Lastly, FIG. 37 illustrates a
timepiece, generally indicated at 1000, comprising any one or more
of the bidirectional MEMS driving arrangements 10 disclosed and
illustrated herein.
[0042] As should also now be appreciated, the present invention is
well suited for applications, such as for the motor(s) of a
timepiece for example. For example, the present invention enables a
driving gear train to be simplified by replacing the stepping
motors with a driven wheel. Alternatively, and even in further
simplification, the wheel trains can be replaced with driven wheel
20, which as disclosed herein, can be coupled to indicator assembly
50, which in turn is coupled to the display hand 54 to be driven.
This coupling of the driven wheel to the display indicator could
further simplify the construction and results in the elimination or
reductions of the gears previously deemed necessary.
[0043] Moreover and importantly, the present invention provides an
improved driving arrangement for an electronic device that utilizes
the advantages afforded by the use of MEMS technology and includes
an impact mitigation arrangement. For example, the present
invention maintains the integrity of the electronic device and
achieve other functional benefits of MEMS technology as would be
achieved with traditional gears with metal or plastic wheels, yet
using lighter, smaller and more miniaturized components that are
found in and/or associated with MEMS structures. In particular, the
present invention overcomes, is made resistant to and/or at least
minimizes the effect of common forces and loads that can be applied
to timepieces and that otherwise might cause a misalignment or
other unwanted or undesirable displacement of the display
indicator(s), all as disclosed and discussed above.
[0044] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0045] It should also be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention described herein and all statements of the scope of the
invention that as a matter of language might fall therebetween.
* * * * *