Timepiece Stop Mechanism Prevents Accidental Chime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complexity in managing minute repeaters and chimes in clockwork striking mechanisms, particularly in preventing accidental restarts and ensuring energy-efficient operation, leads to increased mechanical complexity and interference risks.
Innovation Solution
A striking mechanism with a stop mechanism that prevents ringing when energy is insufficient, featuring a ringing inversion rocker and a bell disengagement lever, allowing for safe operation and energy management through a bistable locking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple isolators are added to prevent interference between minute repeater and chime mechanisms, then reliability of preventing accidental restarts is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions into a single integrated stop mechanism that controls both the chime and minute repeater operations. The stop mechanism uses a unified locking system with a stop finger, stop jumper, and bistable element that simultaneously prevents accidental restarts for both chime and repeater functions, eliminating the need for separate isolators for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop mechanism serves multiple functions: it prevents accidental restarts during chime operation, blocks minute repeater activation during chime sequences, prevents timer setting during chimes, and provides energy sufficiency monitoring. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate isolators and safety mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a stop mechanism with bistable locking system is implemented to prevent ringing when energy is insufficient, then reliability of energy management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is self-regulating through its bistable locking system that automatically transitions between stopped and running states based on energy availability. The mechanism uses the energy state itself to control its own operation - when energy is sufficient, the system automatically releases the stop; when energy is insufficient, the stop engages automatically without requiring external control.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop mechanism monitors energy availability by detecting changes in the energy parameter of the mainspring. The bistable system transitions between two stable states (stopped and running) based on the energy threshold, using the physical state of the spring to trigger the locking or releasing action through the stop finger and stop jumper interaction.
3Reliability
If multiple safety features are added to manage chime and repeater operations, then reliability of preventing interference is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism proactively prevents interference conditions before they occur by blocking the chime and repeater pathways during time-setting operations. The preliminary stop action ensures that when the user operates the time-setting mechanism, the chime and repeater functions are already prevented from activating, eliminating the need for complex real-time monitoring and multiple isolators during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stop mechanism (5) for a bell (100) comprising energy storage means including a running element (35), a bell element (2) comprising a release ratchet (22), a main ratchet (85) for executing a ring on passage and/or a repeat trigger ratchet (40), the stop mechanism (5) comprising a disengagement lever (55) moving the ratchets (85; 40) away from the bell element (2), by instantaneous jump of a rocker (17) changing the position of the lever (55), when the energy level of the storage means crosses a predefined threshold, by the cooperation of a finger (30) driven by the running element (35) and a jumper (36) returned by a first spring (38), to bring the finger (30) into contact with a fork (19) of the rocker (17) to control its abrupt pivoting by instantaneous change of position of a ergot (179) in relation to a second spring (39).