Elastic Timepiece Hand with Discontinuous Flexible Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece display mechanisms face challenges in providing a reliable and robust variable radial extension indicator that adapts to its position, ensuring optimal readability and functionality, especially with thin elastic needles prone to deformation and interference with watch case components.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece display mechanism featuring an elastic needle with a first and second drive barrel secured to a flexible blade, where the angular position of the second barrel relative to the first barrel and the radial position of the display index are varied using distinct drive means, incorporating flexible segments with discontinuous elements for enhanced visibility and shock resistance, allowing for customizable and adaptive display configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the elastic needle is made thin to reduce interference with watch case components, then the interference with watch components is reduced, but the shock resistance and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic needle incorporates discontinuous elements (such as beads, cylinders, or plates) distributed along its length, creating local variations in mass and stiffness. These localized structural modifications enhance shock resistance and structural integrity at critical points while maintaining the overall thin profile of the needle to minimize interference with watch case components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic needle is made thin to improve readability and adaptability, then the adaptability to dial shapes is improved, but the reliability and robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Discontinuous elements are strategically positioned along the elastic needle to provide localized reinforcement without increasing the overall thickness. This allows the needle to maintain its adaptability to various dial shapes while incorporating sufficient mass and structural features to ensure reliability and robustness during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic needle combines different materials or structural configurations - the base elastic material provides flexibility and adaptability, while the discontinuous elements (made of denser or more rigid materials) provide reinforcement and reliability, creating a composite structure that achieves both adaptability and robustness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate drive means are used for first and second barrels to enable variable radial extension, then the adaptability and display functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second drive means, while separate, are integrated into a unified transmission system that controls both the angular position and radial extension of the elastic needle. This multi-functional arrangement allows a single coordinated mechanism to achieve variable radial extension and angular positioning, reducing the practical complexity despite the presence of separate drive components.
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
The solution provides improved readability and functionality by allowing the elastic needle to adapt its radial extension and angular position, minimizing interference with watch components while maintaining flexibility and shock resistance, enabling the display of multiple information types on a single hand.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible blade, according to claim 1
Data Source
Figure 1~6
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Figure 12~22
AI summary
The invention relates to a resilient timepiece hand (1) with driving hour wheels (2; 4) at the ends thereof, including a display index (99) at a variable distance from the hour wheels (2; 4), and comprising flexible segments (501; 502) between each hour wheel (2; 4) and the index (99), each with a core (601; 602) having a substantially constant cross-section, of which at least one flexible segment (501; 502) comprises discontinuous elements (701; 702) projecting from the core (601; 602) thereof in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hour wheels (2; 4) and defining, along this core (601; 602), an alternation of sections in which the rigidity per unit length differs from one to another, and/or in that at least one core (601; 602) includes a succession of areas of opposite recesses, projecting on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hour wheels (2; 4).