Time-Limiting Delay Hook Mechanism for Striking Timepiece

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complicated timepieces, such as those with striking mechanisms, face challenges in duplicating sound functions within a limited space, often requiring a choice between sound and musical complications, and existing mechanisms lack efficient time-limiting features for secondary ringing triggers.

Innovation Solution

A time-limiting mechanism that incorporates a delay mobile and clutch means to control the duration of secondary ringing triggers, allowing for the use of a main ringing mechanism to play a secondary tone, with a clutch mechanism that disengages the main ringing during secondary ringing and re-engages it afterwards, ensuring exclusive sound emission and preventing untimely commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a main ringing mechanism is used for secondary tones, then the sound function is improved, but the risk of interference and untimely commands increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound functionVSAvoidinterference prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A delay mobile mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the secondary ringing trigger and the main ringing mechanism. This delay mobile includes a delay wheel with ratchet teeth and a control lever that must be held in a specific position for a predetermined time period before the main ringing mechanism can be activated. This intermediary device prevents untimely commands and ensures proper sequencing of sound emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control lever must be preliminarily positioned and held in the activation position for a predetermined time period before the main ringing mechanism can execute. This preliminary action ensures that the system is properly prepared and prevents accidental or premature activation, thereby preventing interference between different ringing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If the space inside the timepiece is limited, then the compactness is improved, but the ability to duplicate sound functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespaceVSAvoidsound function duplication
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The main ringing mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it can execute both primary ringing operations and secondary ringing operations triggered by different inputs. By making the main ringing mechanism universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate sound emission mechanisms, thereby saving space while maintaining the ability to duplicate sound functions through temporal separation controlled by the delay mobile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If clutch means are used to disengage the main ringing during secondary ringing, then the sound emission control is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound emission controlVSAvoidclutch mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch control function is merged with the delay mobile mechanism. The same control lever that provides the time delay also controls the clutch engagement and disengagement. This integration means that while the functionality is enhanced (better sound emission control), the additional complexity is minimized by combining control functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding separate clutch control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2498149B1Duration limiter mechanism for timepiece mechanism
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 MONTRES BREGUET SA
  • EP2498149B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2498149B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2498149B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A delay mechanism (130) for a clockwork mechanism is described, designed to limit the execution time of a function after its activation. It is arranged to cooperate with a triggering element, the initial movement of which initiates the activation of said function, and further arranged to cooperate with clutching means (600) for said function. The delay mechanism (130) forms part of a time-limiting mechanism for the execution time of said function. The mechanism includes a delay hook (141) arranged to be operated by said clutching means (600) for its engagement with a ratchet (133) or for its disengagement from said ratchet (133). Said ratchet (133) is pivotally mounted on an axis coaxially with a delay wheel (132), towards which it is pivotally returned by elastic return means (135). Said delay wheel (132) is arranged to cooperate, directly or indirectly, with said triggering element.