Instant-Jump Timepiece Mechanism to Prevent Display Wheel Double Jumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clockwork mechanisms for instantaneous jump displays in watchmaking are bulky and require multiple components, making them unsuitable for fine watchmaking applications.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic rocker mechanism with flexible blades and actuators that drive a display wheel using a single piece design, minimizing components and thickness, and incorporating a double hook and jumper system to prevent double jumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-component clockwork mechanisms are used for instantaneous jump displays, then the display function is achieved, but the mechanism becomes bulky and incompatible with fine watchmaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (rocker arm, flexible blade, actuator elements) into a single monolithic rocker component. This integration eliminates the need for multiple discrete parts while maintaining the instantaneous jump display function, directly resolving the contradiction between component count and functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic rocker serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the rocker arm for instantaneous jumps, incorporates the flexible blade for elastic energy storage, and includes the actuator elements for both automatic and manual operation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining full display functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-component clockwork mechanisms are used for instantaneous jump displays, then the display function is achieved, but the mechanism thickness increases making it unsuitable for fine watchmaking
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the rocker arm, flexible blade, and actuator elements into a single monolithic component, the patent eliminates the thickness accumulated by stacking multiple separate components. The integrated design achieves the same functional depth with a single element, reducing overall mechanism thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic rocker design allows functional elements to be nested within each other spatially rather than stacked sequentially. The flexible blade and actuator elements are integrated within the rocker body structure, creating a compact arrangement that minimizes the overall thickness of the mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If conventional clockwork mechanisms are used, then the display wheel can be driven, but the mechanism requires several components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving elements for both automatic and manual actuation into the single monolithic rocker structure. The first and second actuators are integrated portions of the same component, allowing dual operation modes without requiring separate mechanism sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic rocker is designed to accept both automatic winding input and manual correction input through its integrated actuator portions. This universal design allows a single component to handle multiple actuation methods, reducing the need for separate component systems.
4Reliability
If known solutions with multiple components are used to prevent double jumps, then double jump prevention is achieved, but the mechanism thickness and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The double jump prevention mechanism is integrated into the monolithic rocker structure rather than being a separate component. The geometric constraints and mechanical interlocks are built into the rocker's own geometry, eliminating the need for additional prevention components.
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 reduces the number of components and thickness, enabling compatibility with fine watchmaking while preventing double jumps and ensuring precise display transitions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible blade, having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A clockwork mechanism to prevent double jumps of an instantaneous jump display wheel, comprising: the display wheel, including display teeth, a coding wheel (40), including coding teeth (41), and arranged to advance the display wheel with instantaneous jumps, wherein at least one coding tooth (41) has a profile including a slope (P), wherein the display wheel has an external diameter arranged so that at least one tooth of the display wheel comes into contact with said slope (P) after an instantaneous jump, and wherein said slope (P) is arranged such that the angle (α) between the normal (N) to the slope (P) corresponding to the point of contact (C) and the radius (R) of the coding wheel (40) corresponding to the point of contact (C) is within the range of 5° to 25°, so as to prevent a double jump of the display wheel