Bidirectional Timepiece Correction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timepiece correction devices allow only one-directional correction of time indication members, making the correction process lengthy and tedious.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a selector arm that independently drives the corrector mobile from a first correction position to a second, enabling corrections in both directions of rotation, independent of the winding stem's rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the corrector mobile is mounted on a rocker or movable axis driven by the winding stem, then the correction device can correct time indication members, but each member can only be corrected in one direction of rotation making the correction process lengthy and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The correction device is segmented into two independent correction paths: one for forward rotation and one for backward rotation. Each path has its own corrector mobile (10, 10') that can be independently engaged with the winding stem (2), allowing the user to correct different time indication members in different rotation directions without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction device achieves multi-functionality by enabling the same winding stem to correct multiple time indication members (date, day of week, striking time, local time) in both rotation directions. The selector arm (21) with positioning elements (43, 44) allows switching between different correction functions, making the device universal rather than limited to single-direction correction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the winding stem drives the corrector mobile directly in one direction, then the correction is simple, but the device lacks flexibility for correcting multiple time indication members in both directions
Solution Approach 1:
The selector arm (21) acts as an intermediary mechanism between the winding stem and the corrector mobiles. It translates the user's rotational input into selective engagement of either the first corrector mobile (10) for forward rotation or the second corrector mobile (10') for backward rotation, through the use of positioning elements (43, 44) that can be selectively positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction device employs dynamic switching between two correction modes based on the direction of winding stem rotation. The selector arm and positioning elements can be moved to different positions (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) to engage different correction paths, making the system adaptable rather than static.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) has a correction position selecting mechanism including a selector arm (21) that is pivotably mounted and cooperates with a corrector mobile (10) for driving the corrector mobile from one correction position (A) to another correction position. An angular positioning unit e.g. column-wheel (26), positions the arm. A control unit i.e. push-button (27), controls the angular positioning unit and is arranged independent of a winding stem (2). The mechanism has a position indicator hand that is rotatably integrated with an indicator arm of the mechanism.