Chronograph State Indicator Integrated With the Coordinating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chronograph mechanisms in watches complicate design, assembly, and maintenance due to complex status indicator solutions like rotating needles and hands, which are not entirely satisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A chronograph mechanism with a status indicator device integrated into the chronograph cam or column wheel, providing visual information through a fixed plate with alternating information portions visible through a mask, simplifying the mechanism and eliminating the need for additional moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a rotating needle or hand is used to indicate chronograph status, then visual information is provided, but the design, assembly and maintenance of the watch movement is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the status indicator function with the existing chronograph cam by fixing a plate to it, eliminating the need for separate rotating indicator mechanisms. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the information display function.
Solution Approach 2:
The chronograph cam serves dual functions: controlling the chronograph mechanism and displaying status information through the attached plate. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated indicator components, simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Loss of information
If additional moving parts are added to provide status indication, then visual feedback is improved, but the positioning accuracy decreases due to play in the kinematic chain
Solution Approach 1:
By fixing the indicator plate directly to the chronograph cam, the invention eliminates intermediate moving parts and their associated play. The plate rotates with the cam as a unified component, ensuring precise positioning without cumulative errors from multiple joints.
3Loss of information
If a complex indicator mechanism is implemented, then chronograph status is visible, but the ease of operation and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chronograph cam performs both its control function and indicator function, eliminating the need for separate operating mechanisms. This reduces the number of components the user interacts with and simplifies maintenance requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising a timekeeping movement (100) housed in a case, said timekeeping movement (100) comprising a timekeeping gear (5) dedicated to the division of time and a chronograph mechanism (200) comprising a chronograph gear (230) configured to be coupled to the timekeeping gear (5) on demand by means of a chronograph start/stop control device (210), the chronograph mechanism (200) comprising a coordinating member (18) rotated about a pivot axis (P2) at each activation of the chronograph start/stop control device (210) and directly actuating a set of control levers to ensure the different operating states of the chronograph mechanism (200), characterized in that the chronograph mechanism (200) comprises a state indicator device (50) rotationally fixed to the coordinating member (18),the status indicator device (50) comprising a first portion presenting a first piece of information and a second portion presenting a second piece of information, different from the first piece of information, each portion of the status indicator (50) being positioned alternately opposite a window of a mask comprising the timepiece (1), at each activation of said chronograph start/stop control device (210).