Analog Timepiece Second Hand Interval Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analog electronic timepieces with chronograph functions often require users to determine whether a single second hand indicates current time or measured time, which can be confusing due to the need for additional hands or power-intensive chronograph hands, and existing solutions fail to clearly distinguish between these modes.

Innovation Solution

An analog electronic timepiece uses a second hand that moves at different intervals to indicate current time (e.g., one second) and measured time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), allowing users to distinguish between modes based on hand movement time intervals, with the second hand moving every second for current time and every 0.5 seconds for measured time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single second hand is used to indicate both current time and measured time, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to distinguish whether the second hand indicates current second or measured second

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of handsVSAvoidmode indication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the movement parameter (time interval) of the second hand to indicate different modes. In normal time mode, the second hand moves every 1 second, while in stopwatch mode, it moves every 0.5 seconds. This parameter change allows a single hand to convey mode information without requiring additional hands or indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If chronograph hands (1/10-second or 1/100-second hands) are provided to indicate measured time, then the measurement precision is improved, but the use of energy increases due to frequent hand movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime measurement precisionVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the movement frequency parameter of the second hand based on the operating mode. In stopwatch mode, the second hand moves every 0.5 seconds instead of every 1 second, providing sufficient measurement precision for timekeeping while consuming less power than faster-moving chronograph hands would require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If chronograph hands are stopped after a predetermined time to save electric power, then the use of energy is reduced, but the ability to determine the operating mode is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidmode determination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the movement time interval parameter of the second hand to convey mode information. Even when the second hand is stopped, the user can determine the operating mode by observing the hand's position and the known movement interval that was active, eliminating the need for additional mode-indicating hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9354610B2Analog electronic timepiece

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An analog electronic timepiece including: a second hand; a driver configured to drive the second hand; a current time display processor configured to control the driver to move the second hand at a first time interval such that the second hand indicates a second of a current time; and a measured time display processor configured to control the driver to move the second hand at a second time interval different from the first time interval such that the second hand indicates a second of a measured time.