Mechanical push-pull digital display clock device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a mechanical push-pull digital display clock device, belonging to the field of electronic clock technology. It includes a time acquisition module, a control module, a drive execution unit, and a segmented mechanical display unit. It aims to solve the problems of existing electronic clocks having a single display form, insufficient positioning accuracy, and limited functionality. The core innovations are: 1. Push-pull segmented display: The drive execution unit (stepper motor + crank / electromagnetic component) controls the protrusion / retraction of multiple rigid telescopic segments, dynamically combining them into a digital display; 2. Closed-loop calibration mechanism: The position calibration module establishes a zero-position reference for the telescopic segments during initialization; 3. Universal control architecture: It does not rely on specific hardware models and covers both mechanical transmission and electromagnetic drive schemes. It solves the problems of traditional electronic clocks lacking mechanical interactivity and having low precision, breaking through traditional display forms and combining creative decoration with practical functionality. It is suitable for artistic time display scenarios, smart homes, creative decorations, electronic teaching, public spaces, and barrier-free facilities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronic clock display technology, and more particularly to a control method, calibration logic, and system for driving a mechanical push-pull digital display clock. Specifically, it is a clock device that dynamically combines digits through a mechanical push-pull mechanism. Its core lies in decomposing the time digits into multiple independently controllable telescopic segments, and controlling the protruding / retracting states of these segments through a drive execution unit to form visible digits. It also includes a multi-motor collaborative control strategy and a closed-loop calibration process, as well as wireless time synchronization technology (WiFi) to achieve dynamic mechanical visualization of time information. Background Technology

[0002] • Current Situation: The current market offers a wide variety of electronic clocks, mainly categorized into traditional digital tube display clocks, LCD screen display clocks, mechanical pointer clocks, and the creative electronic clocks that have emerged in recent years. While traditional digital tube and LCD screen display clocks offer advantages such as clear time display and low cost, their display formats are relatively simple, lacking creativity and visual impact, making it difficult to meet users' personalized and differentiated needs for home décor. Mechanical pointer clocks, while possessing a certain retro aesthetic, suffer from issues such as time accuracy being easily affected by mechanical wear, cumbersome adjustment operations, and large size. Existing creative electronic clocks often use LED light arrays or rotating modules to display time, which improves creativity but generally suffers from complex structures, difficult assembly, insufficient display stability, and limited functionality (only providing basic time display functions, lacking convenient time calibration and adjustment methods). Magnetofluid clocks rely on magnetic fields to attract fluids, making it impossible to achieve rigid structure push-pull operation, resulting in slow response times (>500ms).

[0003] • Existing technological shortcomings:

[0004] Traditional digital tube clock displays and LCD screen clock displays are flat and lack physical interaction; they also have high power consumption and poor visibility in bright light.

[0005] The mechanical page-turning structure relies on a complex gear set, which is noisy and difficult to calibrate. Without position calibration, the cumulative error reaches ±5 minutes / month. Without a closed-loop position calibration mechanism, long-term use will generate cumulative errors.

[0006] The rotating LED clock uses a rotating light array for imaging, which relies solely on the persistence of vision effect and involves no physical mechanical changes; however, high-speed rotation poses a safety hazard.

[0007] •The problem solved by this invention:

[0008] Insufficient mechanical precision: Traditional mechanical clocks lack closed-loop calibration, resulting in uncontrollable cumulative errors. They also lack WiFi automatic time synchronization, requiring users to frequently adjust the time manually, which is inconvenient.

[0009] Lack of interactive experience: Traditional digital tube clock displays and LCD screen clock displays cannot provide feedback on changes in physical form, and the display format is limited; Utility Model Content

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a mechanical push-pull digital display clock device that is compact in structure, accurate in display, and has a long lifespan.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0012] A mechanical push-pull digital display clock device includes a control module, a time acquisition module, a drive execution unit, a segmented mechanical display unit, and a position calibration module. Its core improvement lies in the specific mechanical structure of the drive execution unit and the segmented mechanical display unit, and their combination method.

[0013] The segmented mechanical display unit includes a display substrate and at least four sets of display positions arranged side by side. Each set of display positions is used to display a number. Each set of display positions includes multiple independent and controllable rigid telescopic segments. The telescopic segments are slidably inserted on the display substrate and have a first state of retracting to be flush with the surface of the display substrate and a second state of protruding from the surface of the display substrate. The multiple telescopic segments are arranged in a predetermined topological pattern.

[0014] The drive execution unit includes a drive device corresponding to each group of display positions. The drive device is disposed on the back of the display substrate, and its output end is connected to the proximal end of the telescopic segment through a motion conversion mechanism, for driving one or more telescopic segments to switch between the first state and the second state.

[0015] The position calibration module includes a marker located at a predetermined zero position of the motion conversion mechanism, and a sensor fixedly mounted on the mechanical transmission low plate and corresponding to the marker. The sensor and the driving device are both electrically connected to the control module.

[0016] Preferably, the motion conversion mechanism is a crank-connecting rod mechanism, including a crank fixedly connected to the output shaft of the drive device, a circular sliding end of the connecting rod hinged to the crank, one end of the connecting rod being connected to the groove of the telescopic section via a guide groove on the front mechanical transmission base plate, and the other end of the connecting rod being connected to a guide groove on the rear mechanical transmission base plate, thereby preventing the telescopic section from rotating and sliding.

[0017] Preferably, the motion conversion mechanism is an electromagnetic direct drive mechanism, including an electromagnetic coil electrically connected to the control module, a connecting telescopic rod fixed to the proximal end of the telescopic section, and the moving iron core being magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic coil.

[0018] This invention precisely controls the protrusion and retraction of each telescopic segment through a drive execution unit, thereby combining them to form the desired digital graphics. It boasts advantages such as intuitive mechanical structure, excellent dynamic display effect, strong anti-interference capability, and long service life. The cooperation between the guide groove and the guide block ensures the accuracy of the linear motion of the telescopic segment, while the position calibration module eliminates the cumulative errors that may arise from mechanical transmission, guaranteeing long-term display accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of the overall structure of the display unit in this embodiment of the present invention (showing the arrangement of four 7-segment telescopic segments and the state of the four digits "2, 3, 1, 5" being displayed protrudingly).

[0020] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the device of this utility model, showing the layout of each drive execution unit;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the drive execution unit in an embodiment of the present invention (stepper motor + crankshaft converts rotation into linear push-pull);

[0022] Figure 4 For Figure 3 Enlarged view of the structure at point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic direct drive mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the crank-connecting rod drive mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Reference numerals: 1. Hour tens digit; 2. Hour units digit; 3. Minute tens digit; 4. Minute units digit; 5. Hour tens digit drive execution unit; 6. Hour units digit drive execution unit; 7. Minute tens digit drive execution unit; 8. Minute units digit drive execution unit; 9. Crank; 10. Connecting rod; 11. Guide groove; 12. Crank gear; 13. Magnetic column; 14. Hall sensor; 15. Circular sliding end of connecting rod; 16. Spring; 17. Front base plate of mechanical transmission; 18. Rear base plate of mechanical transmission; 19. Motor gear; 20. Top plate of mechanical transmission; 21. Bottom plate of mechanical transmission; 22. Telescopic section; 23. Display substrate; 24. WiFi button; 25. Connecting telescopic rod; 26. Electromagnetic coil; 27. Moving iron core; 28. Return spring; 29. ​​Electromagnetic drive front substrate; 30. Electromagnetic drive top plate; 31. Electromagnetic drive bottom plate; 32. Electromagnetic drive rear substrate; 33. Drive motor; 34. Housing. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] See Figure 1 and see Figure 2 , for the mechanical push-pull type digital display clock device of the present utility model, it includes a segmented mechanical display unit, a control module (not shown in the figure, such as an MCU), a time acquisition module (such as a clock chip DS3231, not shown in the figure), a driving execution unit, and a position calibration module.

[0028] The segmented mechanical display unit includes four display positions, which are respectively used to drive the execution units 5 for the tens digit of hours, 6 for the units digit of hours, 7 for the tens digit of minutes, and 8 for the units digit of minutes of the time display. Each display position is composed of seven independently controllable connecting rods 10 to drive the telescopic segments. The seven connecting rods 10 are arranged and installed on the front mechanical transmission substrate 17 and the rear mechanical transmission substrate 18 according to the "day" - shaped topological pattern of a classic seven - segment digital tube.

[0029] See Figure 3 , both ends of each connecting rod 10 are embedded in the guide grooves 11 on the front mechanical transmission substrate 17 and the rear mechanical transmission substrate 18, and they are in sliding fit. This structure effectively prevents the connecting rod 10 from sliding during movement, ensuring the linearity and stability of its movement.

[0030] The driving execution unit includes four driving devices corresponding to the four display positions respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, see Figure 3 , 4 , the driving device is a driving motor 34 (such as a stepping motor), which is installed on the back of the mechanical transmission bottom plate 21. The motion conversion mechanism is a crank - connecting rod mechanism, including a crank gear 12 driven by a motor gear 19 on the output shaft of the driving motor 33, with a gear ratio of 1:2.5 to rotate the crank 9 (its eccentricity r is preferably 5 mm). The circular sliding end 15 of the connecting rod 10 on the connecting rod is pressed on the crank 9 by a spring 16, and one end of the connecting rod 10 is connected to the telescopic segment 22 through a groove. When the driving motor 33 rotates, the rotational motion is converted into a linear motion of the connecting rod 10, with a stroke S = 5 mm. Through the crank 9 and the connecting rod 10, the rotational motion is converted into a linear reciprocating motion of the telescopic segment 22, realizing its protrusion and retraction. The corresponding relationship between the rotation angle of the crank 9 and the numerical value can be preset. For example, when displaying the number "5", it corresponds to the motor rotating 450 degrees.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present utility model, see Figure 5The driving device is an electromagnetic drive assembly. It includes an electromagnetic coil 26 electrically connected to the control module, and a hinge pin connecting the telescopic rod 25 to the proximal end of the telescopic section. When the excitation coil 26 is energized, the generated magnetic field attracts the moving iron core 27, overcoming the elastic force of the return spring 28, and drives the telescopic section 22 to move in the convex direction; when the electromagnetic coil 26 is de-energized, the return spring 28 pushes the telescopic section 22 to the retracted state.

[0032] The position calibration module is used to establish a position reference for each drive actuator unit when the device is started or periodically. See also Figure 4 In the crank-connecting rod mechanism embodiment, a magnetic cylinder 13 is embedded as a marker at the zero position of crank 9 (i.e., the position corresponding to the number "0"), and a Hall sensor 14 is fixedly installed at the corresponding position on the mechanical transmission plate 21. During calibration, the control module controls the drive motor 33 to rotate slowly. When the Hall sensor 14 detects the magnetic field signal of the magnetic cylinder 13, the motor is immediately stopped and this position is recorded as the mechanical zero position of the display position, thereby eliminating accumulated errors. For electromagnetic direct drive mechanisms, microswitches or similar sensors can be used to detect the retraction limit position of the telescopic section 22 as the zero position.

[0033] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: The control module obtains the current time through the time acquisition module and decomposes it into four numbers (e.g., 23:15 is decomposed into 2, 3, 1, 5). For each number, the control module calculates the link 10 that needs to be activated according to the preset "number-segment" mapping table (e.g., the number "5" corresponds to segments A, C, D, F, and G protruding). Then, it sends a command to the corresponding drive execution unit to drive the corresponding link 10 to move to the target state, thereby driving the telescopic segment 22 (protruding or retracting), so that the display substrate 23 and the front of the telescopic segment 22 combine to form a complete digital time display.

[0034] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments to fully illustrate the present utility model, and the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model. The protection scope of the present utility model is defined by the claims.

[0035] Industrial applicability

[0036] This invention can be applied to:

[0037] • Art installation clocks: Dynamic mechanical exhibits in museums and exhibition halls;

[0038] • Accessible clock: Visually impaired users can tell time by touching the raised segments;

[0039] • High reliability scenario: power system control room (superior electromagnetic interference resistance to electronic screens).

Claims

1. A mechanical push-pull digital display clock device, comprising a control module, a time acquisition module, a drive execution unit, a segmented mechanical display unit, and a position calibration module, characterized in that: The segmented mechanical display unit includes a display substrate and at least four sets of display positions arranged side by side. Each set of display positions includes multiple independent and controllable rigid telescopic segments. The telescopic segments are slidably mounted on the display substrate and have a first state of retracting to be flush with the surface of the display substrate and a second state of protruding from the surface of the display substrate. The multiple telescopic segments are arranged in a predetermined topological pattern. The drive execution unit includes a drive device corresponding to each group of display positions. The drive device is disposed on the back of the display substrate, and its output end is connected to the proximal end of the telescopic section through a motion conversion mechanism. The position calibration module includes a marker located at a predetermined zero position of the motion conversion mechanism and a sensor fixedly mounted on the mechanical transmission base plate and corresponding to the marker. The sensor and the driving device are both electrically connected to the control module.

2. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motion conversion mechanism is a crank-connecting rod mechanism, including a crank fixedly connected to the output shaft of the drive device, a circular sliding end of the connecting rod hinged to the crank, and the other end of the connecting rod connected to the groove of the telescopic section.

3. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The eccentricity of the crank is 3±0.1mm.

4. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motion conversion mechanism is an electromagnetic direct drive mechanism, including an electromagnetic coil electrically connected to the control module and a permanent magnet fixedly connected to the near end of the telescopic section. The permanent magnet is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic coil, and an elastic reset element that provides a reset force is sleeved on the telescopic section.

5. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: One end of the connecting rod is connected to the groove of the telescopic section through the guide groove of the front mechanical transmission base plate, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the guide groove of the rear mechanical transmission base plate.

6. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width of the guide groove is 4±0.05mm.

7. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The marker is a magnet, the sensor is a magnetic field sensor, and the installation gap between the magnet and the magnetic field sensor is no more than 2mm.

8. The mechanical push-pull digital display clock device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The predetermined topology pattern is a seven-segment display pattern.

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