Inertial Motion Control for Mechanical Display Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece correction mechanisms, particularly in mechanical and digital watches, lack intuitive and efficient methods for adjusting display parameters, often requiring repetitive and jerky movements due to constant correction speeds and lack of acceleration or deceleration phases, leading to inconvenient user experience.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that transforms the rotational speed of a control member, such as a crown, into non-proportional angular speeds of display hands using a microcontroller and Newtonian equations to simulate inertia, allowing for continuous and fluid movement with variable speed control, enabling simultaneous adjustment of multiple display parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If constant correction speed is used in digital timepieces, then the adjustment process becomes predictable and simple to control, but the movement becomes jerky and requires repetitive user input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant correction speed to variable correction speed. The system dynamically adjusts the scrolling speed based on the duration of crown actuation - longer actuation produces faster scrolling, while shorter actuation produces slower scrolling. This dynamic speed adjustment eliminates jerky movements and creates fluid, natural hand motion during time setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter dynamically during the correction process. Instead of maintaining a fixed correction speed, the system varies the scrolling speed as a function of actuation duration, allowing the parameter to adapt during operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both smooth motion and simple control through intuitive crown manipulation.
2Measurement precision
If prolonged activation of control member is used to achieve fine adjustment, then the correction precision is improved, but the adjustment time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts correction speed based on actuation characteristics. Users can achieve fine adjustment precision quickly by using brief, controlled crown actuations that trigger slow scrolling only when needed, rather than requiring prolonged continuous actuation. This dynamic response optimizes both precision and time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sampling of crown position to determine correction speed. Rather than continuous monitoring, the system periodically evaluates actuation duration and adjusts scrolling speed accordingly. This allows fine precision adjustments to be achieved through short, periodic user inputs rather than continuous prolonged actuation, significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical crown actuation is used for time setting, then the user interface is intuitive and familiar, but the correction speed cannot be varied continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical crown-to-hand connection with an electronic sensing and control system. Sensors detect crown actuation characteristics, and electronic circuits process this information to generate variable correction speeds. This substitution maintains the intuitive mechanical interface while enabling continuous speed variability that would be impossible with purely mechanical gear trains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic control system between the mechanical crown and the display hands. This intermediary layer senses crown actuation, processes the signal duration and intensity, and translates it into appropriate correction speeds. This mediator enables the mechanical interface to control variable-speed electronic correction, combining the best of both mechanical intuitiveness and electronic versatility.
4Productivity
If rapid correction is implemented without acceleration or deceleration phases, then the adjustment speed is improved, but the movement appears abrupt and lacks fluidity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls correction speed with acceleration and deceleration phases. When the crown is actuated, the hands accelerate smoothly rather than jumping instantly. When actuation stops, the hands decelerate gradually rather than stopping abruptly. This dynamic speed control maintains high correction productivity while eliminating abrupt movements through programmed acceleration and deceleration profiles.
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 a faster, more intuitive, and efficient adjustment process with minimal user input, ensuring smooth and continuous movement of display hands, reducing jerky movements and allowing simultaneous adjustment of multiple parameters, thus enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (4) making it possible to characterise the movement of the activation means (1)
Implementation Method 2
an electronic circuit (31) having a processing unit (5) and a motor control circuit (6)
Implementation Method 3
The coupling device creates a relationship of interdependence for the mutual functioning of these parts; it is thus possible to generate the movement of a part, unilaterally or bilaterally from that of the other
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
AI summary
The device (3) has an electronic circuit (31) for simulating and controlling an inertial motion of mechanical display units (2), where the device applies variable velocity of motion to the display units in response to activation of an activation unit (1), and generates inertial motion of the display units. A motor (61) drives the display units and defines a maximum velocity of motion for the display units. A sensor (4) detects impulse frequency (401), where acceleration and/or deceleration of the activation unit are calculated according to the frequency. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting display parameters visualized using mechanical display units.