Device for displaying time point

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for displaying time points, which are given in shorter time units and longer time units, having the following: a track, which forms a closed loop and has a plurality of loops, which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation such that the track can be brought into a rotational movement; the invention relates to a device for measuring the time point of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a track, a plurality of loops, and a marking which is movably guided along the track and which enters an adjacent loop from one of the loops when the track completes a full circle about an axis of rotation, the loop provided with the marking showing a longer unit of time of the time point, and the rotation position of the ring shows a shorter time unit of the time point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for displaying a time point, which is given in a shorter time unit and a longer time unit. The time point can in particular be a clock time, for example given in hours and minutes, or a calendar date, for example given in months and days. Background Art

[0002] Corresponding clocks or calendars are known in countless different designs. Besides digital displays that display two items of information as digits (such as the hour and minute or the month and day), there are also classic dials with digital or pointer displays for the hour and minute hands and the date. These displays typically have separate display elements for each of the two items of information, each consisting of a fixed element and a movable element. For example, there are dials with two windows or fixed scales, behind which two discs or rollers displaying the month and day digitally move, while two movable hands indicate the scales.

[0003] EP 0 813 124 A1 discloses a timepiece whose dial has a groove curved in the form of an epicycloid. A transmission mechanism comprising a sun gear and planetary gears is located behind the dial. The transmission mechanism has a pin laterally offset relative to the axes of the planetary gears, which engages in the groove and penetrates the dial, visible from the front. The pin moves along the groove by driving the transmission mechanism. The forward movement of the pin along the groove indicates the clock time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for displaying a point in time which meets high design requirements while having a simple movement sequence.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] The device is used to display a time point, wherein the time point is given in a shorter time unit and a longer time unit. The device has the following characteristics:

[0007] • a track, which forms a closed loop and has a plurality of loops, which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation so that it can be set into a rotational movement; and

[0008] • A marker, which is movably guided along the track and passes from one ring to an adjacent ring when the track completes a full circle around the rotation axis, wherein the ring in which the marker is set shows a longer time unit of a time point and the rotational position of the ring or the rotational position of the marker in the ring shows a shorter time unit of a time point.

[0009] The track forms a closed loop, which can in principle have any geometric shape. The track can be arranged in a plane or approximately in a plane. The track can have a circular basic shape. The track can be designed with a curved shape so that it is not arranged in a plane or is arranged only approximately in a plane.

[0010] As the track rotates about the axis of rotation, the marker moves along the track, first along the circle in which it is currently located, then, when a full circle is completed about the axis of rotation, the marker enters the adjacent circle, continues to move along this circle, enters the next circle adjacent to this circle, and so on, until the marker returns to its starting point and restarts the process in the continued rotational movement.

[0011] The rings can have the same geometric shape, which results in a particularly harmonious design. However, rings of different shapes and / or sizes can also be used, for example, to make the rings used to determine the time points (for example, the o'clock hours: 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 12 o'clock) stand out visually compared to the rings used for the other time points. The number of rings corresponds to the number of longer time units to be displayed.

[0012] In this device, the rotation of the track corresponds to the passage of time. If the track continues to rotate through a specific angle (which can be one or more full circles or just a fraction of a full circle) from a specific starting point, the position of the marker along the track indicates the distance the track has rotated and, therefore, the time corresponding to this rotation. Due to the track's special geometry, which includes loops, the marker reaches the "next loop" for each full circle of the rotational movement. Thus, the loop in which the marker is positioned at a specific time provides information about the full circle completed since the starting point. The rotational position of the loop, or the rotational position of the marker within the loop, indicates a shorter time unit at a point in time. The rotational position of the marker within the loop refers to the position of the marker relative to the track's rotational movement, not the rotation of the marker itself around its own axis, which may occur in some cases. For example, if the device is a calendar that displays months as longer time units and the days of the month as shorter time units, then one full rotation of the track corresponds to the passage of one month. Accordingly, the marker, starting from the circle in which it was initially located, rotates through a full circle to reach the next circle, thereby advancing the indicated time point by one month. The rotational position of the ring follows this rotational movement and, by selecting the rotational speed accordingly, advances by a fraction of a full circle for each shorter time unit. Thus, the shorter time unit of the time point can always be read based on the rotational position of the ring or the rotational position of the marker arranged in the ring. Thus, in the example of the calendar briefly described, a rotational movement covering a specific fraction of a full circle, for example, 360° divided by 31 calendar days, can correspond to the passage of one day.

[0013] The track does not necessarily rotate at a uniform speed about the axis of rotation. For example, the device can be used as a desk calendar in which the rotation is performed manually, so that the rotational position of the track is manually adjusted forward by one day each day. This allows for a great deal of freedom in the design of the scale, on which, in particular, shorter time units of time are read.

[0014] Overall, the device constitutes an aesthetically pleasing article that displays the progression of time in an interesting manner and format.

[0015] In one embodiment, the device includes a drive that causes the track to rotate about an axis of rotation so that the track traverses a full circle within a longer time unit. The drive can be, for example, a stepper motor or other electric drive. The drive can drive the track at a uniform speed. However, the rotational speed can also be varied. In particular, a uniform speed can be selected within the longer time unit so that the rotational position of the track (including the ring in which the marker is currently located) advances by the same angle within each shorter time unit. If the last shorter time unit is passed within the current longer time unit, the track can be driven at a different rotational speed, in particular a higher rotational speed. This allows the marker to quickly move from the relevant ring to the adjacent ring upon completing a full circle or at the end of the longer time unit. This process thus occurs particularly smoothly and at a precisely determined time. In the example of a calendar, this is particularly applicable when crossing a month boundary, such as at the end of March 31st. At this point, the rotational movement can be performed at a relatively high speed to quickly "jump" the display to April 1st.

[0016] In one embodiment, the track is arranged in a vertical plane and the axis of rotation is arranged horizontally. In this case, the device has a particularly clear shape that is well suited to wall mounting or an upright position. To move the marker forward along the track, gravity can optionally be optimally utilized (see below). However, in principle, it is not necessary to arrange the track in a plane or to arrange the axis of rotation horizontally. In particular, the axis of rotation can be arranged at an angle. A prerequisite for the correct function of the device is that the track with loops is shaped in such a way that the marker enters the corresponding adjacent loop when completing a full circle.

[0017] In one embodiment, the track describes a curve in the area of each loop, the angle of which is 360° minus 360° divided by the number of loops present. The curve can be designed in particular to be circular along the angle spanned, but can also have a geometric shape different from a circle, for example an ellipse or an oval.

[0018] In a design, the ring is arranged on a circle and is interconnected and has entrance and exit respectively by the midsection of the track, so that each outlet is connected with the entrance of adjacent ring by a said midsection. The said midsection can be designed to be straight or have a certain curvature. What the said ring is arranged on a circle is not the shape of a single ring, but the overall arrangement of each ring. For example, the midpoint of each single ring or the point closest to the inside or the outside can be arranged on a circle. The entrance and exit of a ring can be arranged adjacently, especially staggered in the direction of the axis of rotation. In any case, the entrance and exit of the said ring and the geometry of the ring are designed to so that the said mark arrives at the entrance of the next ring via the midsection that matches from the outlet of a ring, thereby guarantees to smoothly switch to the next ring from a ring.

[0019] In one design, the intermediate section is arranged on a circle, and the ring points inwardly or outwardly from this circle. As long as the intermediate section itself has a bend / curvature, the intermediate section can accurately follow / meet a circular trajectory, but the intermediate section also can only be approximately arranged on an imaginary circle. For example, if the intermediate section itself has a geometry that is different from a circular track, for example, is straight or partially straight, then the latter case is applicable. If the entrance and exit of the ring are arranged on the same point or are arranged in close proximity about rotational motion, the basic shape of the track is mainly determined by the layout of the intermediate section. According to the ring, whether to point inwardly or outwardly, the approximate circle described by the intermediate section can constitute the inner boundary or outer boundary of the track. For the ring pointing outwardly, the intermediate section can constitute the inner boundary of the track. In this case, the entrance and exit of the ring are particularly located on the inner boundary of the track, and especially always when the current ring is roughly in the highest point, the mark is carried out the transition / conversion from a ring to the adjacent ring. For the ring pointing inwardly, the intermediate section can constitute the outer boundary of the track. In this case, the inlet and outlet of the loops are located in particular at the outer limits of the track, and in particular the marking always makes the transition from one loop to the adjacent loop when the current loop is approximately at its lowest point.

[0020] In one design, the track has a stop element on the exit of the ring, and the stop element is configured so that the mark stops when it reaches the stop element and only continues to move when the track has continued to rotate a certain angle. For example, the track can have a projection or a protuberance that the mark must cross. Through this measure, by correspondingly controlling the rotational movement of the track, the time point at which the mark "jumps" from the corresponding ring to the adjacent ring can be particularly accurately predetermined.

[0021] In one design, the marker is free to move along the track due to gravity, so that the marker is always at a local low point in the track. The local low point corresponds to the lowest point of the loop where the marker is currently located in most cases. In this design, the middle section connecting two adjacent loops will not be a local low point, or it will be a local low point only in a short period of time, that is, during the movement of the marker toward the next loop. In this way and form, the movement of the marker by means of gravity is particularly simple and can be interesting and entertaining for the observer to observe. But in principle, other possibilities can also be considered to make the marker move along the track, for example, by means of a special drive and / or by means of elastic force and / or magnetic force.

[0022] In one embodiment, the marker has a body that rolls on the track, and the track has a geometry that matches the body and guides the body laterally. For example, the marker can be a sphere or a roller or a more complex object with wheels. The track can be configured in particular as a groove or a recess or a guide rail so as to allow the body to roll on the track while being guided laterally. A track particularly suitable for this purpose can have two wires / metal wires arranged at a uniform horizontal distance from each other, the distance being dimensioned so that the body arranged between the two wires does not fall through and is guided laterally by the two wires. The use of a sphere is particularly attractive due to its simplicity and aesthetic simplicity. At the same time, the sphere can move along the track without any problems with minimal resistance and even with manufacturing tolerances.

[0023] In one embodiment, the marker has a body that slides along the track. The sliding movement of the body along the track can be achieved, for example, using a body with a through hole, such as a sphere or a cube. The track can have a wire or similar guide element extending through the through hole. This solution is also particularly simple and is distinguished by the fact that the body remains securely on the track and thus cannot be lost.

[0024] In one embodiment, the device comprises a scale on which the rotational position of the ring in which the marking is arranged or the rotational position of the marking arranged in the ring can be read, the scale having sectors with a central angle corresponding to the rotation angle representing one of the shorter time units. The scale makes it particularly easy to read the rotational position of the track that is relevant for reading the shorter time units.

[0025] In one embodiment, the scale has a starting point and an end point, and a blank / free sector between the starting point and the end point, the center angle of the blank sector corresponding to the angle formed by two adjacent rings with respect to the axis of rotation of the track. Slightly smaller or slightly larger dimensions of the center angle of the blank sector are also included. In any case, the blank sector provides a sufficiently large movement space for the mark to enter the adjacent ring. Next, the mark automatically locates approximately at the starting point of the scale. In the example of a calendar marked with a sphere, this means, for example, that at the end of March 31, the sphere passes through the blank sector along the middle section and enters the adjacent ring for the next month, i.e. April, and the mark is approximately at the starting point of the scale at the "switching time point", i.e. at the first calendar day.

[0026] In one embodiment, the time is a clock time, the shorter time unit is a minute, and the longer time unit is an hour. In this case, the device functions as a clock that displays the time in minutes and hours. For example, 12 or 24 rings can be used to display the clock time in a 12-hour or 24-hour format, respectively.

[0027] In one embodiment, the time points are calendar dates, the shorter time units are days, and the longer time units are months. In this case, the device includes 12 rings for months. It is also conceivable to use 52 rings to display the calendar week as the longer time unit, in particular the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) as the shorter time unit.

[0028] In one embodiment, the time point is a calendar date, the shorter time unit is a month, and the longer time unit is a year. In this case, for example, 12 rings can be used to represent 12 years, corresponding to the zodiac signs that are the basis of the definite Chinese calendar.

[0029] In one embodiment, the track includes markings, by which each loop can be assigned a specific element for a longer time unit, such as a specific hour, a specific month, or a specific year. The markings can include a single marking element or multiple marking elements. Each marking element can be, for example, a character, a color code, a unique geometric shape, or a decorative feature of the track. The marking elements move with the track. The marking elements can be fixed to the track itself, in particular to the loops of the track, or to other elements that move with the track. For example, if the element used as the longer time unit is a calendar month, the loop representing the month January can be marked as such an element. This also means that the next loop corresponds to the next month February, and so on. If multiple marking elements are used, multiple or all loops can be provided with a marking element. If the device is, for example, a clock, and the longer time unit is the hour, then, for example, only the loops representing the elements 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 12 o'clock can be marked, for example, with Roman numerals or Arabic numerals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples.

[0031] in:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a device with tracks and markings;

[0033] Figure 2 Shown in top view as Figure 1 The basic device;

[0034] Figure 3 Show the basis Figure 1 An enlarged part of

[0035] Figure 4 A portion of another device is shown having a ring and a ball disposed in the ring;

[0036] Figure 5 A further device is shown in front view, and

[0037] Figure 6 Show the basis Figure 5 An enlarged view of a portion of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] according to Figure 1The device is used as a calendar for displaying dates, with the longer time unit representing the month and the shorter time unit representing the day. The schematically illustrated track therefore includes 12 loops, designated by Roman numerals I to XII, representing the calendar months from January to December. Loops I to XII are each approximately circular and arranged with their center points on a circle. Loops I to XII all have the same shape and size and are interconnected by twelve intermediate segments 10. The track, including intermediate segments 10 and loops I to XII, lies approximately in a vertically arranged plane and is arranged about an axis of rotation 12, which is arranged horizontally (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) and is located at the track's center point.

[0039] The track is rotatably mounted on three rollers 14, which rest against the inside of the track, causing it to rotate about an imaginary axis of rotation 12. A marking in the form of a sphere 16 is located within ring IV. This indicates that the current calendar month is April. Inside the track is a scale with 31 points, corresponding to the 31 calendar days. Calendar days 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 are not marked with points but are instead numbered accordingly. Each pair of two adjacent scale points forms a sector 18 with a central angle α.

[0040] The device has a drive 20, shown only schematically, which in this example acts on the inner side of the track and rotates the track about the axis of rotation 12. The drive 20 is controlled so that the track's rotational movement covers the central angle α of a sector within one day, i.e., within a relatively short time unit. As a result, the track, and therefore especially the ring IV in which the ball 16 is located, moves one calendar day on the scale within 24 hours.

[0041] If the ball 16 or the ring in which the ball 16 is currently located is at the last day of the calendar month, for example April 30, the drive 20 is controlled so that the track continues to move around the axis of rotation 12 until the ring IV is finally located at the top to such an extent that the ball 16 leaves this ring IV and enters the ring V along the intermediate section 10 leading to the ring V. The ring V is then at the scale mark for the first calendar day, or the track is moved forward to this point so that the calendar shows May 1. In this way, the marking 16 enters the respectively adjacent ring when completing each full circle, so that the displayed time point is accordingly moved forward by one month.

[0042] Figure 2 The specific design is shown in Figure 1In the schematically shown arrangement of FIG, in this embodiment, the balls 16 serve as markers and the track is formed by a metal profile 32 which forms the loops I to XII and the middle section 10.

[0043] exist Figure 3 and 4 In the enlarged view of FIG, the design of each single ring I to XII can be best seen. Metal profile 32 forms grooves, in which sphere 16 is guided. Each ring I to XII has an entrance 22 and an outlet 24 arranged on the end of the corresponding ring, and the entrance is located at the definite position of the metal profile. Entrance 22 and outlet 24 are arranged adjacent to each other and are roughly located at the same position in the direction of the rotational motion of the track. The lateral spacing between entrance 22 and outlet 24 is large enough so that sphere 16 can pass through the "intersection point". At this time, sphere 16 rolls on the track and is guided laterally by the groove-shaped profile of metal profile 32.

[0044] exist Figure 2 and 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the track has markings: each of the rings I to XII has Roman numerals I to XII fixed on the corresponding ring as marking elements, according to which the corresponding calendar month can be assigned to each ring.

[0045] Figure 5 Another device with a track that also serves as a calendar is shown, such as Figure 1 and 2 Like the device in FIG. 1 , this device also has twelve rings I to XII and twelve intermediate segments 10. The rings I to XII are arranged on a circle, as are the intermediate segments 10. Figure 1 and 2 The difference is that here the loops I to XII point inwards and the middle section 10 does not form the inner boundary of the track, but the outer boundary of the track. Figure 1 and 2 As in the example, the marking is designed as a ball 16. In the rotational position shown by the track, ball 16 is located in ring VIII, indicating the month of July. The rotational position of ball 16, or rather the marking "VIII" of the current ring, is close to the number 1 on a scale from 1 to 31 fixed along the inside of the track, which corresponds to the day. The device thus displays the date August 1st.

[0046] On the previous day, July 31, the ball 16 was still in the ring VII, which is shown on the left next to the ring VIII and is located near the scale mark 31. When this ring is approximately at its lowest point during the rotational movement of the track, the ball 16 rolls from the outlet 24 of the ring VII to the adjacent intermediate section 10 and then continues to roll on the intermediate section 10 as far as the inlet 22 of the ring VIII, where it is Figure 5 The sphere is shown in this position. This process corresponds to the transition from July 31 to August 1.

[0047] exist Figure 6 In the enlarged view of FIG, the arrangement of the balls, for example, at the entrance of loop VIII, can again be clearly seen. The track has two wires 34, which are arranged at a uniform horizontal distance from each other along the entire track. The distance is approximately half the diameter of the ball 16, so that the ball cannot fall between the wires 34 and is guided laterally along the track by the wires 34.

[0048] The arrangement of the marking elements on the track can also be seen, which are also designed as Roman numerals I to XII. In the present example, the track is connected to a component (annular in the example shown), which is arranged on the side of the track facing away from the observer and moves with the track. The marking elements are arranged on the component, each of which is located in the area of one of the loops I to XII, in this example within one of the loops I to XII. List of reference numerals

[0049] I, II, III, IV,…,XII rings

[0050] 10 middle section

[0051] 12Rotation axis

[0052] 14 rollers

[0053] 16 spheres

[0054] Sector 18

[0055] 20 drives

[0056] Entrance 22

[0057] 24 exits

[0058] 26 starting point

[0059] 28 End

[0060] 30 blank sectors

[0061] 32 metal profiles

[0062] 34 silk threads

[0063] α center angle

[0064] β central angle.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a point in time, said point in time being given in a shorter time unit and a longer time unit, said device comprising: • a track, which forms a closed loop and has a plurality of loops (I to XII), which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (12) so that it can be set into rotational motion, and • a marker which is movably guided along the track and which passes from one of the rings (I to XII) into an adjacent ring (I to XII) when the track completes a full circle around the axis of rotation (12), wherein • the rings (I to XII) provided with the markings at a specific point in time provide information about the full circle completed since the starting point and display the longer time unit of the said point in time, and • The rotational position of this ring (I to XII) or the rotational position of the marking arranged in this ring (I to XII) shows a shorter time unit of a point in time.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device has a drive (20) which sets the rail in a rotational motion about an axis of rotation (12) so that the rail travels a full circle in a relatively long time unit.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The rails are arranged in a vertical plane and the axis of rotation (12) is arranged horizontally.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The track describes, in the region of each loop (I to XII), a curve whose angle is 360° minus 360° divided by the number of loops (I to XII) present.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The rings (I to XII) are arranged on a circle and connected to each other through the intermediate sections (10) of the track, and each has an inlet (22) and an outlet (24), so that each outlet (24) is connected to the inlet (22) of the adjacent ring (I to XII) through one of the intermediate sections (10).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that The intermediate section (10) is arranged on a circle, from which the rings (I to XII) point inwards or outwards.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The rail has a stop element at the exit of a loop (I to XII), which is designed so that the marker stops when it reaches the stop element and does not move further until the rail has been rotated further by a defined angle.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The marker is free to move along the track due to gravity, so that the marker is always at a local low point of the track.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The marker has a body that rolls on the track, the track having a geometry that matches the body and guides the body laterally.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The marker has a body that slides along the track.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device has a scale on which the rotational position of the ring (I to XII) in which the marking is arranged or the rotational position of the marking arranged in the ring (I to XII) can be read, the scale having sectors (18) having a central angle (α) corresponding to the rotation angle representing one of the shorter time units.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The scale has a starting point (26) and an end point (28), and a blank sector (30) between the starting point and the end point, the central angle (β) of the blank sector corresponding to the angle formed by two adjacent rings (I to XII) with respect to the axis of rotation of the track.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The time point is a clock time, the shorter time unit is minute, and the longer time unit is hour.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The time point is a calendar date, the shorter time unit is a day, and the longer time unit is a month.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The time point is a calendar date, the shorter time unit is a month, and the longer time unit is a year.

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The track has markings, based on which a specific element of a longer time unit, for example a specific hour, a specific month or a specific year, can be assigned to each loop.

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