Timepiece Display System with Dynamic Graduation and Instant Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current time display systems, such as chronographs, are limited in their ability to accurately and efficiently display timed times, particularly in freezing and resetting functions, leading to insufficient capacity for displaying extended time periods like thirty minutes or twelve hours.

Innovation Solution

A compact display system for a timepiece that includes a modifiable graphic element, an indicator member, and a drive mechanism allowing instantaneous configuration changes and resets, utilizing a spiral spring energy accumulator and a locking disk mechanism to enable precise and readable time display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a thirty-minute graduation is used for minute totalizer, then the display capacity is limited to thirty minutes, but the graduation allows clear distinction of markings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadability of graduationsVSAvoiddisplay capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the graduation modifiable rather than fixed. The electronic display dynamically changes the graduation markings based on the measured time duration, allowing the same physical space to accommodate different time scales (e.g., switching between 30-minute and 12-hour graduations). This resolves the contradiction by enabling the display to adapt its capacity while maintaining readability through electronic rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by electronically modifying the graduation parameters (time scale, marking intervals, numerical values) based on the measured duration. When the measured time exceeds the fixed graduation capacity, the system automatically adjusts the graduation parameters to provide appropriate scaling, thus expanding display capacity without sacrificing readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a twelve-hour graduation is used for hour totalizer, then the display capacity is limited to twelve hours, but the graduation allows clear distinction of markings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadability of graduationsVSAvoiddisplay capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the hour totalizer graduation electronically modifiable. The system dynamically adjusts the graduation display based on the measured time duration, allowing transitions from 12-hour to 24-hour or other extended scales. This enables the display to maintain clear markings while expanding its adaptive capacity for longer duration measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by electronically modifying the hour graduation parameters (time scale, marking intervals, numerical values) based on the measured duration. When the measured time exceeds twelve hours, the system automatically adjusts the graduation parameters to provide appropriate scaling for extended periods, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed readability and adaptive capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If manual resetting is required for timed time display, then the system can be simple in structure, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidresetting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by implementing automatic resetting functionality. The system automatically resets the timed time display without requiring manual user intervention, thereby improving ease of operation. The automatic reset mechanism is integrated into the chronograph's existing structure, minimizing the increase in device complexity while significantly enhancing operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the display system uses fixed configurations, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability for different time periods deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay system structureVSAvoiddisplay capacity for different time periods
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a modifiable electronic graduation system that can dynamically adjust to different time periods. The display system transitions from fixed physical graduations to electronically controlled, programmable graduations that can be adapted for various time scales (30 minutes, 12 hours, 24 hours, or custom durations) without changing the physical structure, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the graduation parameters (time scale, marking intervals, numerical values) to be electronically modified based on the measured time duration. This enables the same physical display structure to accommodate different time periods by changing its display parameters, thereby achieving high adaptability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides improved readability and functionality by allowing instantaneous configuration changes and resets, enabling the display of timed times over extended periods without manual intervention, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a spiral spring energy accumulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral spring energy accumulation: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a device 2, 8, 22, 71 for modifying the graphic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP3564760B1Timepiece display system
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ROLEX SA
  • EP3564760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3564760B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3564760B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

System (100) for displaying time information or information derived from time, in particular a timed time, the system comprising: - a limb (10) comprising at least one modifiable graphic element (20a-f) forming a time reference information or information derived from time, - a device (1) for indicating the time information or information derived from time in cooperation with the limb, - a device (2, 8, 22, 71) for modifying the graphic element, and - a device (3, 4, 34) for resetting, by action of a user, to a predetermined configuration, in particular resetting, the time information or information derived from time displayed by cooperation of the indicating device and the limb.