Articulated Shuttle Clockwork Control Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shuttle mechanisms for controlling clockwork mechanisms in timepieces are complex and pose safety risks due to the engagement of the rocker with notches, leading to potential harm during function changes.
Innovation Solution
A control device featuring an actuating rocker with a jumper and a shuttle mounted articulated on a control, utilizing support members and stops to safely alternate between two stable positions, simplifying the mechanism and enhancing operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional shuttle mechanism with notches is used to control the clockwork mechanism, then the mechanism can switch between different functions, but the degree of safety between the rocker arm and shuttle notches becomes very low, impairing proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the notch engagement mechanism from the traditional shuttle design. Instead of using notches on the shuttle for the rocker arm to engage, the patent employs a jumper on the rocker arm that clears the shuttle entirely during actuation, removing the source of safety issues while preserving function switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the actuation path into distinct phases: the rocker arm actuates the shuttle to one stable position, then the jumper clears the shuttle and is redirected by an inclined plane to actuate the rocker arm to its next position. This segmentation eliminates the need for continuous notch engagement and improves safety
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional shuttle mechanism with multiple notches is used, then various chronograph functions can be controlled, but the device complexity increases compared to simpler control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the shuttle universal by enabling it to control multiple chronograph functions (start/stop, reset, split-seconds) through a single articulated connection to the control. The shuttle's ability to be actuated in different directions and its interaction with multiple stops and inclined planes allows one component to perform multiple functions, reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a control device (1) for a clockwork mechanism which includes an actuating rocker (2) provided with a jumper (4) and arranged to move between two positions by actuating said clockwork mechanism, a first position when said clockwork mechanism is in a first position and a second position when said clockwork mechanism is in a second position, said control device including a pusher (8) operable by a user, a control (10) actuated by said pusher (8) and a shuttle (12) cooperating with said actuating rocker (2) and arranged to be controlled by said control (10) to move between two stable positions, namely a first position in which said clockwork mechanism and its actuating rocker (2) are in their first position and a second position in which said clockwork mechanism and its actuating rocker (2) are in their second position.The shuttle (12) is mounted articulated on the control (10), and the actuating rocker (2) includes a support member (18) arranged to cooperate with the shuttle (12) and with the jumper (4) to alternately move the actuating rocker (2) from one to the other of its first and second positions by an action on the pusher (8), as well as first and second stops (20a, 20b) arranged to cooperate with said shuttle (12) in order to define the first and second positions of the shuttle (12) respectively.