Timepiece Seconds Hand Reset Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing time-setting devices for timepieces often reset the seconds hand automatically when the manual control member is in the time-setting position, lacking user control over the resetting process.

Innovation Solution

A time-setting device for a timepiece that includes a mechanism with a push-button control rocker, hammer, and lever system, allowing the seconds hand to be reset to zero only when the user intentionally activates the push button, while maintaining linkage to the winding stem's axial position for controlled operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the seconds hand is automatically reset when the manual control member is in the time-setting position, then the time-setting function is simplified, but the user loses control over whether resetting should occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime-setting functionVSAvoiduser control over resetting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The manual control member is divided into multiple axial positions (first position for time-setting, second position for resetting). This segmentation allows the user to separately control the time-setting function and the resetting function, enabling them to perform time-setting without automatically triggering the reset, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the seconds hand is automatically reset during time-setting, then the display is consistently standardized, but inadvertent resetting may occur when not desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay consistencyVSAvoidinadvertent resetting

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The user must deliberately move the control member to a specific second axial position to activate the resetting function. This preliminary action requirement prevents inadvertent resetting while maintaining display consistency, as the reset only occurs when the user intentionally performs the additional action of moving to the second position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a push-button mechanism is added to control the resetting, then user control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over resettingVSAvoidcontrol mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resetting function is merged with the existing axial movement mechanism of the manual control member. The control member's axial displacement serves dual purposes: selecting the operational mode (time-setting or resetting) and triggering the corresponding function. This merging reduces the need for separate complex control mechanisms while maintaining user control over the resetting function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1840677B1Return-to-zero of the seconds hand in a timepiece

Publication Date: 2011.10.26 CHOPARD TECH

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AI summary

The device has a manual control element (2) occupying a neutral position and a position for setting the time indicating elements. A mechanism (3) is provided for resetting an indicating element (1) to zero. The mechanism is connected to the manual control element. The mechanism resets the indicating element to zero that comprises the another manual control element. The later manual control element resets the indicating element to zero when the former manual control element is in the position for setting the other time-indicating element.