Hybrid Clockwork with Motor-Driven Gear and Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical clockworks face issues with precision, requiring regular manual winding, potential for time deviation due to aging and wear, need for external adjustments which can introduce moisture and dust, and lack of automatic time synchronization with daylight saving or travel zone changes.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid clockwork incorporating a mechanical driving gear with an additional motor-driven gear and electronic controller, allowing parallel or series operation with the mechanical gear, enabling automatic time synchronization using internal or external precise clock signals, including atomic clocks, and wireless adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a mechanical clockwork is used to maintain aesthetic appeal, then the mechanical image and traditional design are preserved, but precision deteriorates due to aging, wear, and time variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a mechanical driving gear with an additional motor-driven gear operating in parallel. The mechanical gear maintains the traditional aesthetic appeal while the motor-driven gear provides precise time indication. Both gears work together on the same clock face, with the motor gear correcting deviations caused by mechanical wear and aging.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the mechanical and motor-driven systems. It receives signals from both driving gears, compares their indications, and controls the motor gear to correct any deviations. This mediator coordinates the two systems to achieve both aesthetic and precision goals.
2Ease of operation
If manual winding is used to power the mechanical clockwork, then the mechanical operation is maintained, but the operation becomes inconvenient and requires regular user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven gear system performs automatic time indication and correction without requiring user intervention. The controller automatically compares signals from both gears and adjusts the motor gear accordingly, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual winding or adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If external connections are provided for time adjustment, then the setting function is enabled, but moisture and dust infiltration and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for external adjustment connections by implementing an internal automatic correction system. The controller automatically compares the mechanical and motor-driven gear indications and makes corrections internally, eliminating the crown wheel and external adjustment mechanisms that would allow moisture and dust entry.
4Device complexity
If a purely mechanical system is used, then the simplicity of the system is maintained, but the precision and automatic synchronization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it receives signals from both driving gears, compares their indications, controls the motor gear for precision correction, and can automatically synchronize with external time sources. This multi-functional component enables the system to achieve high precision without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
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
Enhances precision to match quartz or atomic clock accuracy, eliminates need for manual winding and external adjustments, and automatically adapts to time zone changes and daylight savings, maintaining accuracy without exposing the clockwork to moisture or dust.
Implementation Method 1
an additional driving gear (8) with a motor (9) that can be supplied by a battery (10) or similar
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a clockwork with pointers or with a pointer module driven by a mechanical driving gear, wherein the clockwork is a hybrid clockwork that in addition to the mechanical driving gear, also at least includes an additional driving gear with a motor and an electric or electronic controller that is internal and which is equipped to be able to drive and/or adjust the pointers or the pointer module in parallel or in series with the mechanical driving gear.