Timepiece Cam Coordination for Offset Animation and Time Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces lack precise coordination between time indication and animation functions, with animations often occurring simultaneously with time indication, limiting their ability to serve as event warnings or choreographed sequences.
Innovation Solution
A device for coordinated actuation of two timepiece mechanisms, utilizing a snail cam and transmission members with cam followers and return means, ensures that one function triggers at the desired moment in the unfolding of the other, achieved through precise angular positioning and synchronized pivoting of toothed sectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the animation mechanism and time indication mechanism are actuated by the same mechanism, then the time indication and animation take place at the same time, but the animation cannot serve to warn the viewer of an event relating to the time indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuation mechanism into two independent transmission paths: a first transmission member for time indication and a second transmission member for animation. Both members share a common snail cam but have separate toothed sectors and cam followers, allowing independent control and timing of each function while maintaining coordinated operation through the shared cam profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing the animation mechanism to be triggered at a specific moment during the time indication cycle. The second transmission member is designed to activate the animation at a predetermined point in the snail cam rotation, enabling the animation to serve as a warning before or during the time indication event.
2Measurement precision
If the animation occurs simultaneously with time indication, then the time information is displayed, but the coordination between time indication and animation is limited to simultaneous movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic coordination by allowing the animation to occur at different phases relative to the time indication. The second transmission member can be positioned to trigger the animation at various points during the snail cam rotation cycle, creating dynamic timing relationships rather than fixed simultaneous operation. This enables choreographed sequences where the animation and time indication are coordinated but not necessarily simultaneous.
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
Enables synchronized triggering of time indication and animation functions, allowing for precise choreographed sequences and ensuring that time-related events are highlighted at the appropriate moments.
Implementation Method 1
a cam referred to as a 'snail' arranged to be driven by the movement of the timepiece and comprising a rising profile terminating in a drop
Implementation Method 2
the toothed sectors being respectively kinematically connected to the two mobiles; the toothed sector of each of the transmission members being arranged in order, during each revolution of the snail, to pivot alternately in one direction and the other
Implementation Method 3
return means arranged for returning the cam followers of the first and second transmission members against the profile of the snail
Data Source
AI summary
The device for coordinated actuation of two functions of a timepiece comprises one or a plurality of cams (7; 51, 53) arranged to be driven by the movement of the timepiece and of which the respective profile or profiles each comprise a discontinuity (9; 52, 53); and a first (11a, 11b; 49, 61) and a second (13a, 13b; 63) transmission member each comprising a cam follower (11a, 13a; 61, 64), the cam follower (11a; 61) of the first transmission member being arranged to cooperate with the profile of the cam (7) or of a first (51) of the cams (51, 53) and to fall periodically into the discontinuity (9; 52) of the profile of the cam (7) or of said first (51) of the cams (51, 53), the cam follower (13a; 64) of the second transmission member being arranged to cooperate with the profile of the cam (7) or of a second (53) of the cams (51, 53) and to fall periodically, with the same period as the falls of the cam follower (11a; 61) of the first transmission member, into the discontinuity (9; 54) of the profile of the cam (7) or of the second (53) of the cams (51, 53), the falls of the cam follower (11a; 61) of the first transmission member being offset in time with respect to those of the cam follower (13a; 64) of the second transmission member.