On-Demand Clock Display with Stop Rocker Animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-demand time display devices require manual and immediate activation to show the current time, lacking an automatic mechanism for visually engaging animation and maintaining time display after the pusher is released.
Innovation Solution
The on-demand display device incorporates a stop rocker that moves between retracted and active positions, interrupting the rake's stroke to allow the display member to stop in an intermediate indication position, and timing means to maintain this position after the pusher is released, enabling animation and prolonged time display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display member returns immediately to the rest position when the pusher is released, then the mechanism operates simply and reliably, but the visual engagement and animation effect are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stop rocker is pre-positioned to engage with the cam at a specific location that corresponds to a predetermined position of the display member. When the pusher is activated, the display member is driven past this predetermined position and then automatically stopped by the pre-positioned stop rocker, creating the animation effect without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop rocker acts as an intermediary element between the cam-driven display member and the final indication position. It translates the continuous motion from the cam into a controlled stop at the predetermined position, enabling the animation effect while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
2Extent of automation
If the display member stops at an intermediate position determined by the cam, then the time display is maintained automatically, but the mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cam serves a dual function: it drives the display member to indicate the current time and simultaneously determines the predetermined position where the stop rocker should engage. This self-service approach allows the mechanism to maintain automatic time display functionality while minimizing the number of separate control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop rocker is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a stop for the display member, engages with the cam at a position determined by the current time, and enables the animation effect. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while achieving automatic time display maintenance.
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
This solution provides a visually engaging animation and maintains the time display for a duration after the pusher is released, enhancing user experience by adding an automatic mechanism for time indication.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means arranged to return the rack and the display member towards a rest position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The on-demand display device for a timepiece includes a cam (3) arranged to be driven by the movement of the timepiece, a retrograde display member (5), a pinion (15) kinematically connected to the display member, a rack (11) arranged to mesh with the pinion so as to control the display member, elastic means (b) arranged to return the rack (11) and the display member (5) towards a rest position (Figures 1 and 6), and a manually operated mechanism (9) including a pusher and arranged to cause a displacement of the display member (5) from the rest position to a predefined position (Figure 2) when the pusher is actuated, and to allow the elastic means to push the display member (5) from the predefined position to the indication position (Figures 3, 4 and 5). when the button is then released.