Animation Triggering Mechanism with Irregular Control Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animation mechanisms in timepieces lack the ability to generate random and quasi-random movements for animated objects, limiting their entertainment value and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that utilizes a self-winding oscillating weight to power an animation barrel, connected through a planetary gear system and control cam with irregular teeth, allowing for random triggering of animations based on the weight's speed and direction, ensuring unpredictable movement patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional animation mechanism is used with fixed timing or demand-based triggering, then the mechanism is simple and reliable, but the animation lacks randomness and entertainment value
Solution Approach 1:
The control mobile is designed with irregular teeth distributed non-uniformly around its circumference, creating dynamic and unpredictable animation triggering based on the oscillating weight's random movements and speed variations, rather than fixed periodic intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating weight simultaneously performs two functions: it powers the animation barrel through the transmission mobile and control mobile, and its own random movements directly control the animation triggering timing through the irregular teeth, eliminating the need for separate randomization mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the oscillating weight controls animation timing directly, then the animation is random and entertaining, but the mechanism becomes more complex with additional transmission components
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mobile combines multiple functions into a single component: it transmits power from the oscillating weight to the control mobile, and simultaneously allows the control mobile's irregular teeth to be influenced by the oscillating weight's random movements for animation triggering
Solution Approach 2:
The control mobile serves multiple purposes: it is powered by the oscillating weight through the transmission mobile, and its irregular tooth configuration simultaneously provides the random triggering mechanism for animation, eliminating the need for separate timing and randomization devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If irregular teeth are used on the control mobile for random triggering, then animation unpredictability increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control mobile features asymmetric irregular teeth distributed non-uniformly around its circumference, creating unpredictable animation triggering patterns that enhance entertainment value while the asymmetry itself becomes the functional design rather than a precision challenge
4Use of energy by moving object
If the animation barrel is powered by the oscillating weight, then energy efficiency improves, but the mechanism complexity increases due to additional power transmission paths
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mobile merges the power transmission function with the animation triggering control function, allowing a single component to serve both purposes and reduce overall mechanism complexity despite the dual functionality requirement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of entertaining and unpredictable animations in timepieces, enhancing user engagement by providing random and quasi-random movements of animated objects, adaptable for various applications in jewelry and watchmaking.
Implementation Method 1
a self-winding oscillating weight to power an animation barrel
Implementation Method 2
connected through a planetary gear system and control cam with irregular teeth
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an animation triggering mechanism (100) for setting an object to be animated in motion. The mechanism comprises a control unit (2) for triggering the animation of the object at quasi-random intervals, a drive element (1) kinematically connected to the control unit (2), and an unbalanced oscillating mass (10) mounted to rotate freely relative to the animation triggering mechanism (100). The control unit (2) is kinematically connected to the drive element (1) to impart a basic rotational speed. The control unit (2) is also kinematically connected to a transmission unit (16) to which movements of the unbalanced oscillating mass (10) are transmitted, so that the speed of the control unit (2), and thus the triggering moments of the object's animation, vary according to the movements of the unbalanced oscillating mass (10).