Optical Time-Measuring Device for Precision Clock Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time-measuring devices, such as quartz and mechanical timepieces, face precision issues due to unstable electronic components and mechanical oscillations, which affect clock frequency and accuracy, particularly in navigation devices relying on crystal oscillators.
Innovation Solution
A light-controlled time-measuring device utilizing an electro-optical converter, opto-electric converter, and control device to generate clocked light signals with different transit times, eliminating signal delays from electronic components and allowing clock frequency determination based solely on light transit time through a waveguide, independent of movement or position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If crystal oscillators are used for time measurement in navigation devices, then time measurement function is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unstable electronic components and aging effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic crystal oscillator system with an optical time measurement system. Light signals propagate through optical waveguides with different path lengths, and the time measurement is based on the transit time difference of light rather than electronic oscillations. This substitution eliminates the instability and aging problems inherent in electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical waveguides as intermediaries to transmit light signals between the light source and detectors. The waveguides with different path lengths serve as the measuring medium, replacing the direct electronic oscillation measurement approach. This intermediary optical path enables precise time measurement based on light propagation time.
2Measurement precision
If electronic components are used for signal processing, then signal processing function is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal delays from electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic signal transmission with optical signal transmission. Light signals travel through optical waveguides instead of electronic signals through circuit boards and components. This substitution eliminates the signal delays introduced by electronic components while maintaining the necessary signal processing functions through optical detection and electronic conversion only at the measurement points.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical oscillations are used for timekeeping, then time measurement function is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to movement and position dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical oscillation-based timekeeping with optical propagation-based time measurement. Instead of using mechanical oscillators that are sensitive to movement and position, the system uses light propagation through optical waveguides, which are immune to mechanical disturbances. The time measurement is derived from the transit time of light rather than mechanical oscillation periods.
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 approach results in a more precise time measurement, reducing the influence of mechanical oscillations and aging effects, enhancing accuracy in both timepieces and navigation devices by isolating clock frequency from electronic and mechanical instabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optical converter device (1), in particular comprising one or two parallel electro-optical converter(s) (10, 11), configured for generating and feeding a first clocked light signal into the waveguide (61) and a second clocked light signal into the second signal path (4)
Implementation Method 2
an opto-electric converter device, in particular comprising one or two parallel opto-electric converter(s) (21, 22), configured for generating a first electrical signal based on the first clocked light signal and a second electrical signal based on the second clocked light signal
Implementation Method 3
The first signal path (3) comprises a waveguide (61) and leads from the electro-optical converter device (1), via the waveguide (61), to the opto-electric converter device (2)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising an electro-optical converter device with at least one electro-optical converter, an opto-electric converter device, a first signal path which leads into the opto-electric converter device via a first waveguide, a second signal path which leads into the opto-electric converter device directly or via a second waveguide, a control device, and a useful-signal generating device. The first signal path and the second signal path are designed such that the propagation time of the first clocked light signal in the first signal path and the propagation time of the second clocked light signal in the second signal path differ from each other.