Integrated Surprise Isolator Jumper for Clockwork Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional striking timepieces experience wear and mechanical inefficiency due to continuous friction between the surprise jumper and the surprise mechanism, particularly during quarter-hour transitions, leading to slowed clockwork operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact surprise isolator device integrated with the surprise jumper, featuring a locking member with cams and a spring mechanism that keeps the jumper apart from the surprise mechanism in its rest position, reducing wear and simplifying the system by requiring fewer parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surprise isolator device with an additional lever is used to hold the jumper away from the surprise, then wear and friction are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surprise isolator function with the existing surprise jumper into a single integrated component. The isolator lever is made as one piece with the jumper, eliminating the need for separate isolator components while maintaining the wear-reduction benefit. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by achieving reliability improvement without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated isolator jumper serves multiple functions: it acts as both the surprise jumper that pivots the surprise on the cochlea and the isolator that holds the jumper away from the surprise when not in use. This multi-functionality allows a single component to perform what previously required multiple separate parts, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining wear protection.
2Reliability
If continuous pressure is applied by the jumper on the surprise during quarter-hour transitions, then the striking mechanism operates reliably, but friction increases causing wear and slowing the clockwork
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated isolator jumper implements periodic action by alternating between two states: holding the jumper away from the surprise during rest periods (reducing friction to zero) and allowing contact during active striking operations (maintaining reliability). This periodic engagement rather than continuous pressure resolves the contradiction by eliminating unnecessary friction while preserving required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator function extracts and separates the jumper from the surprise mechanism during non-operational periods. By actively holding the jumper away from the surprise when not needed, the system removes the source of continuous friction, thereby reducing energy loss and wear while maintaining striking reliability when actually required.
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 minimizes wear on components and enhances mechanical efficiency by reducing friction and maintaining a simple, compact design, thereby improving the operational reliability of the striking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a surprise jumper arranged to rest against the surprise under the effect of a spring for pivoting the surprise with respect to the first cochlea
Implementation Method 2
a locking member arranged to cooperate with the hour piece so as to keep the surprise jumper apart when the hour piece is in its position rest
Implementation Method 3
The friction of the jumper on the surprise during this period produced noticeable wear of the parts in contact and tended to slow down the clockwork
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a striking mechanism for a clockwork mechanism comprising a striking mechanism mounted coaxially to a first snail and a second snail, an hour piece connected to a striking control and arranged to pivot from a rest position when the control is activated, a striking mechanism jumper arranged to bear against the striking mechanism by means of a spring to pivot the striking mechanism relative to the first snail, and a striking mechanism isolating device arranged to keep the striking mechanism jumper away from the striking mechanism when the hour piece is in its rest position. According to the invention, the striking mechanism isolating device is integral with the jumper and includes a locking member arranged to cooperate with the hour piece so as to keep the jumper away from the striking mechanism when the hour piece is in its rest position.