Elastic Hammer Stop for Clock Striking Mechanism Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clock striking mechanisms have a high number of parts and complex assembly, making adjustments to the rest position of hammers delicate and difficult, as they require disassembly of hands and dial for counterspring adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A hammer with an elastic stop and an eccentric mechanism replaces the conventional counterspring and fastening screw, allowing adjustment from the rear side of the plate, reducing parts and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional counterspring and fastening screw arrangement is used to adjust the hammer rest position, then the hammer can be positioned correctly, but the number of parts increases and the assembly becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the counterspring function and the adjustment mechanism into a single integrated component. The adjusting screw is directly integrated with the hammer assembly, eliminating the need for a separate counterspring and its fastening screw. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to precisely adjust and maintain the hammer rest position.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting screw serves multiple functions: it acts as both the adjustment mechanism for positioning the hammer and as the retaining element that maintains the adjusted position. This multi-functional component replaces the conventional separate counterspring and fastening screw assembly, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the same operational goals.
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional counterspring with fastening screw is used, then the hammer position can be adjusted, but the adjustment process requires disassembly of hands and dial making it difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism from the main hammer body by providing a separate adjusting screw that can be accessed independently. The adjusting screw is positioned such that it can be operated without removing the hands or dial, allowing maintenance personnel to adjust the hammer rest position during routine servicing without extensive disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting screw acts as an intermediary element that provides access to the hammer positioning mechanism from the rear of the movement. This intermediary component transmits the adjustment force to the hammer while being accessible from a location that does not require removal of the hands or dial, thus facilitating easier maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for hammer positioning, then adjustment is possible, but the overall assembly length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting screw is nested within or integrated with the hammer assembly structure. The adjustment mechanism is contained within the existing spatial envelope of the hammer, rather than adding external components that would increase the overall assembly length. This nested arrangement maintains full adjustability while minimizing the increase in assembly dimensions.
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 configuration simplifies the adjustment and correction of the hammer's rest position without disassembling the clock's hands and dial, reducing the complexity and number of parts in the striking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an element with elastic properties (so-called elastic stop) has been added to the hammer
Implementation Method 2
the conventional counterspring and the associated fastening screw can be omitted. Therefore, the number of parts of the striking mechanism is reduced and the assembly simplified in this case. As previously, a striking mechanism, which contains a hammer according to the invention, allows the adjustment of its rest position to be conducted by means of an eccentric.
Data Source
AI summary
A striking mechanism is provided, including a hammer including an elastic stop that is needle-shaped, and an eccentric supporting the stop in a rest position of the hammer.