Selective Stopping Mechanism for Timepiece Power Reserve Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timepiece power reserve control mechanisms fail to effectively manage energy consumption of complications, leading to untimely stoppages and requiring adjustments upon restarting, as they cannot estimate energy levels based on complication consumption or successively stop functionalities according to their energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A selective stopping mechanism that uses a blocking rocker and a power reserve control mechanism with an output shaft indicating available power reserve, allowing for controlled stopping and restarting of chimes and movement based on torque availability, ensuring each complication returns to a rest mode before complete cessation, thereby ensuring seamless restarts without adjustments when energy is replenished.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the chime mechanism is allowed to operate continuously, then the timepiece provides complete striking functionality, but the power reserve is depleted faster causing untimely stoppages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation reliabilityVSAvoidpower reserve duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism performs preliminary assessment of power reserve levels through the output shaft position, and proactively stops the chime mechanism before complete power depletion occurs. The blocking rocker is positioned in advance to intercept the chime train at different stages based on available energy, preventing untimely stoppages during chime execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the chime mechanism based on real-time power reserve conditions. The blocking rocker can assume different positions (blocking or non-blocking) depending on the angular position of the output shaft, creating a dynamic response to changing energy availability rather than a fixed operational mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the striking mechanism is stopped to conserve energy, then power reserve is extended, but the timepiece loses its striking functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower reserve durationVSAvoidstriking functionality availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chime mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously, with the blocking rocker allowing intermittent operation based on power reserve thresholds. The system cycles between operational and blocked states as energy is consumed and replenished, maintaining functionality when energy permits while conserving power when reserves are low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of the chime mechanism from fully operational to blocked based on the power reserve parameter indicated by the output shaft position. This parameter-based control allows the mechanism to adapt its functionality level to the available energy, maintaining ease of operation when possible while extending duration when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the movement is stopped to prevent complete power depletion, then restart reliability is improved, but the timepiece loses timekeeping functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestart reliabilityVSAvoidtimekeeping functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking rocker performs a preliminary protective action by intercepting the movement before complete power depletion occurs. By positioning the blocking rocker to engage with the movement at critical power reserve levels, the system prevents the movement from entering a state that would require complex restart adjustments, ensuring reliable restart when power is replenished.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking rocker acts as an intermediary between the power reserve control mechanism and the movement. It translates the power reserve status (indicated by output shaft position) into appropriate blocking actions on the movement, mediating the interaction between energy management requirements and timekeeping functionality to ensure smooth transitions and reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2503405B1Timepiece comprising a striking mechanism and a mechanism for selectively stopping said striking mechanism.

Publication Date: 2014.07.30 MONTRES BREGUET SA

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Selective stop mechanism (760) based on the available motor torque of the motor means (120) of a timepiece (1000) comprising a movement (200), a power reserve control mechanism (750) of said motor means (120) with a shaft (751) whose angular position indicates said available torque, a striking mechanism (100) controlled by a striking control mechanism (1), and a locking rocker (771) arranged to block said movement (200). Said mechanism (760) manages said available torque by limiting or not the operation of all or part of the ringing of said ringing mechanism (100), by a transmission mechanism (755) controlling an isolation mobile (770) controlling the position of said blocking rocker (771) and arranged to release or prohibit the movement of a ringing control linkage (700) and/or to authorize or prohibit a hammer striking a bell.