Timepiece Mechanism Function Selection Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece mechanisms with a three-position control stem face challenges in selecting and adjusting additional functions due to difficulties in reaching the intermediate position, leading to increased complexity and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A device for selecting timepiece functions that includes a setting lever device with two movable levers and indexing devices, allowing for four distinct configurations with a single interface element, enabling easier and more reliable selection of timepiece functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a three-position control stem is used to select timepiece functions, then the structure is simple, but the intermediate position is difficult to reach and the mechanism cannot reliably select additional functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control stem is divided into multiple axial positions (first, second, third, and fourth positions) with distinct functions. Each position segment corresponds to specific operational modes: winding, date adjustment, day adjustment, and time setting. This segmentation allows the user to reliably select different functions by positioning the stem at different axial locations, resolving the difficulty of reaching and stabilizing the intermediate position.
Solution Approach 2:
Setting levers are introduced as intermediary elements that translate the axial position of the control stem into specific operational configurations. The setting levers act as mediators between the user's input (stem position) and the timepiece functions, enabling reliable function selection through the intermediate positions that would be difficult to access directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional interface means (pushbutton or selection bezel) are added to adjust multiple functions, then function selection capability is improved, but the design complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control stem is designed to perform multiple functions through its different axial positions. A single interface element (the control stem) provides access to winding, date adjustment, day adjustment, and time setting functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pushbuttons or selection bezels, reducing design complexity and space requirements while maintaining full function selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple function selection capabilities are merged into a single control stem mechanism. The various timepiece functions (winding, date, day, time) that would traditionally require separate interface elements are combined and accessed through the different axial positions of one unified control stem, simplifying the overall interface design.
3Length of moving object
If the travel between axial positions of the stem is reduced to save space, then space requirements are improved, but function selection becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control stem utilizes the axial dimension (depth) rather than increasing radial or lateral dimensions. By arranging the four positions along the axial direction of the stem, the design achieves compact space utilization while maintaining sufficient travel distance for reliable function selection. The axial positioning allows each function to be accessed at a distinct depth, providing clear tactile feedback and easy selection without requiring excessive space.
Data Source
AI summary
The timepiece mechanism (800; 800′) for correcting a timepiece function, includes a first lever (14) including a first cam desmodromic connecting element (14a), a correcting mobile (404), and a second lever (402), the second lever (402) including: at least one first element (402d) for guiding the correcting mobile (404), at least one first friction element (402b) in contact with the correcting mobile (404), and a second cam desmodromic connecting element (402a) provided to cooperate by contact with the first cam desmodromic connecting element (14a).