Timepiece Manual Corrector Locking Lever for Wheel Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece mechanisms with counteracting manual corrector actuators, such as those used in time zone correction, risk damage when both actuators are simultaneously activated, leading to potential breakage of the correction wheel teeth.
Innovation Solution
A locking lever mechanism is introduced to prohibit simultaneous action of counteracting manual corrector actuators on the same correction wheel set, ensuring that only one actuator can engage the wheel at a time, preventing damage by limiting the travel of the other actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two counteracting manual corrector actuators are provided for correcting time zones in both directions, then the timepiece can be adjusted in both forward and backward directions, but simultaneous activation of both actuators can cause the teeth of the correction wheel to break and/or damage within the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A locking lever is introduced as an intermediary element between the two manual corrector actuators and the correction wheel. This locking lever prohibits simultaneous engagement of both actuators by mechanically blocking one actuator when the other is engaged, thereby preventing tooth breakage while maintaining bidirectional correction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful simultaneous activation of both actuators before it can cause damage to the correction wheel teeth. The system proactively blocks the second actuator's engagement when the first actuator is already engaged, eliminating the risk of tooth breakage
2Reliability
If a safety lock is used to neutralise simultaneous activation of the two manual actuators, then the mechanism is protected from damage, but the proposed architecture gives priority or precedence to one of the manual corrector actuators over the other
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed with asymmetric geometry that allows it to respond equally to both actuators regardless of which one is activated first. The lever's shape and positioning ensure that both actuators are treated symmetrically, eliminating any inherent priority bias while maintaining protection against simultaneous activation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a system where one actuator has inherent priority, the locking lever mechanism inverts the approach by creating a symmetric protection system where neither actuator has priority over the other. Both actuators are equally blocked when engaged simultaneously, removing the bias present in prior art solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A device for manually controlling a timepiece mechanism includes two counteracting manual corrector actuators to be operated by a user and to control a correction wheel set in opposing movements. Each actuator sets in motion an associated corrector having a beak to bear against a relief of the correction wheel set and to cause the correction wheel set to move when the actuator is moved over its full path of travel. The manual control device includes a locking lever mechanism arranged to prohibit an action of one of the actuators on the correction wheel set when the other actuator is engaged and interacting with the correction wheel set. The locking lever mechanism includes a locking lever driven in rotation during the engagement of one of the actuators to limit the travel of the other actuator and to prevent the corrector associated therewith from accessing the correction wheel set.