Timepiece Hour Hand Split Time Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Analog timepieces that measure split time require additional chronograph hands and a complex drive mechanism, leading to increased device size and complexity, making miniaturization challenging.

Innovation Solution

A timepiece with a control unit that manages the operation of hour, minute, and second hands to simultaneously display split and total elapsed time using a single set of hands, employing multiple motors and a train wheel mechanism with shared steps, allowing for efficient switching between timepiece and chronograph modes without the need for additional hands or drive sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two chronograph hands are provided to display both split time and total elapsed time, then the time measurement function is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime measurement functionVSAvoidnumber of hands and drive mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the hour hand serve dual functions: indicating the current time in timepiece mode and displaying the split time in chronograph mode. The control unit switches the hour hand between these two functions based on the selected mode, eliminating the need for a separate chronograph hand while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically changes the function of the hour hand based on the selected mode (timepiece mode or chronograph mode). In timepiece mode, the hour hand indicates current time; in chronograph mode, it displays split time. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single hand to perform multiple roles without requiring additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two chronograph hands are provided to display both split time and total elapsed time, then the time measurement function is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime measurement functionVSAvoidtimepiece size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the hour hand serve dual functions: indicating the current time in timepiece mode and displaying the split time in chronograph mode. The control unit switches the hour hand between these two functions based on the selected mode, eliminating the need for a separate chronograph hand while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the function of the second chronograph hand with the existing hour hand. By merging these two functions into a single physical component (the hour hand), the patent reduces the total number of moving parts and decreases the overall timepiece size while maintaining the ability to display both split time and total elapsed time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional motors and train wheel mechanism are provided for chronograph hands, then the chronograph function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechronograph functionVSAvoiddrive mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the hour hand serve dual functions: indicating the current time in timepiece mode and displaying the split time in chronograph mode. The control unit switches the hour hand between these two functions based on the selected mode, eliminating the need for a separate chronograph hand while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing motor and train wheel mechanism that drives the hour hand in timepiece mode is reused to drive the hour hand in chronograph mode. The control unit manages the switching between different operational states of the same drive mechanism, allowing the system to serve itself by utilizing existing components for multiple purposes without adding new drive sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10712712B2Timepiece

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 SEIKO WATCH CORP

AI summary

A timepiece capable of selecting a timepiece mode and a chronograph mode includes an hour hand and a minute hand which indicate current time in a case where the timepiece mode is, selected. A main control unit performs control so as to start measuring time by simultaneously starting hand operations of the hour hand and the minute hand in a case where the chronograph mode is selected. When the hand operation of one of the hands is stopped, the control unit performs control so as to indicate the time when the hand operation of the one hand is stopped, and to continue to measure the time by continuing the hand operation of the other hand.