Chronograph Lever Mechanism Bidirectional Rotation Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chronograph timepieces face challenges with complex structures, poor assemblability, high costs, and usability issues due to the complexity of reset-to-zero mechanisms, particularly in electrically and electronically driven models with mechanical reset functionality.
Innovation Solution
A chronograph timepiece design featuring a start-stop button and reset-to-zero button with a common rotation center, a start-stop lever, and a reset-to-zero instruction lever, where the hammer operating lever rotates in different directions for each button action, allowing for self-alignment and minimal lever count, and includes a clicked sense mechanism for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional reset-to-zero mechanism with operating cam and multiple levers is used, then the chronograph can be reset to zero, but the structure becomes complex and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the start-stop lever and reset-to-zero instruction lever into a single integrated lever structure that shares a common rotation center. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining both start-stop and reset-to-zero functionalities through different rotation directions of the same lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both the start-stop lever (when rotated in one direction) and the reset-to-zero instruction lever (when rotated in the opposite direction). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate levers and reduces overall mechanism complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate levers are used for start-stop and reset actions, then each function can be performed independently, but the space required increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the start-stop lever and reset-to-zero instruction lever into one physical component that rotates around a common center. This spatial merging reduces the area required for the lever mechanism while maintaining independent operational capabilities through bidirectional rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever operates in two rotational directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise) to perform different functions. This use of dimensional variation (rotation direction) allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, reducing spatial requirements.
3Reliability
If the start-stop button is pressed during chronograph measurement, then the stop action is performed, but the button does not engage with the lever and provides no tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a clicked sense mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user when the start-stop button is pressed. This feedback mechanism ensures the user can confirm the button press and the corresponding lever action, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable stop function execution.
4Device complexity
If the hammer lever position is not precisely controlled, then the mechanism is simpler, but the reset-to-zero accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-alignment mechanism where the hammer lever automatically positions itself correctly through its interaction with the integrated lever and button press actions. This self-aligning capability achieves precise hammer lever positioning without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A chronograph timepiece includes heart cams, a start-stop button, a reset-to-zero button, and a start-stop lever and a reset-to zero instruction lever operated by the start-stop button and the reset-to-zero button, respectively, for undergoing rotation around a common rotation center. A hammer operating lever rotates in a first direction when the start-stop lever rotates and rotates in a second direction when the reset-to-zero instruction lever rotates. When the hammer operating lever rotates in the second direction, a hammer lever causes the heart cams to be reset to zero by bringing hammer portions of the hammer lever into engagement with respective ones of the heart cams. When the hammer operating lever rotates in the first direction, the hammer lever causes the hammer portions to be disengaged from the heart cams.