Timepiece Universal Time Display Correction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces with universal time display mechanisms face issues such as parasitic torques during hour correction, which can disturb the movement's operation and prevent bidirectional hour correction, due to the need to overcome the force of a jumper mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design incorporating a planet carrier and satellite forming a differential mechanism, allowing independent correction of time zone indications without disturbing the normal operation, and enabling bidirectional time zone changes by immobilizing the planet carrier during normal operation and driving it during correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hour star is moved by the correction mechanism to change time zones, then the time zone can be corrected, but parasitic torques are generated that disturb the movement's operation
Solution Approach 1:
The correction mechanism is segmented into independent components: the planet carrier for time zone correction, the satellite for differential motion, and the hour star for hour indication. This segmentation allows the planet carrier to rotate independently during correction without generating parasitic torques in the main movement train, while the satellite compensates for the motion to maintain accurate time display.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite acts as an intermediary element between the planet carrier and the hour star. When the planet carrier rotates to change time zones, the satellite transmits compensated motion to the hour star, ensuring that the hour indication remains accurate while isolating the correction mechanism from the main movement and preventing parasitic torque transmission.
2Ease of operation
If the jumper mechanism is used to attach the hour star to the hour wheel, then the hour hand is driven during normal operation, but the force of the jumper prevents bidirectional correction and may stop the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the planet carrier and the hour star is made dynamic rather than fixed. The satellite carrier provides a flexible mechanical linkage that allows the planet carrier to rotate in either direction for correction while automatically compensating for the motion. This dynamic connection eliminates the rigid jumper constraint that prevented bidirectional correction and potential movement stopping.
3Reliability
If the planet carrier is immobilized during normal operation, then the timepiece operates reliably, but the correction mechanism cannot function
Solution Approach 1:
The planet carrier operates in two distinct periodic modes: during normal operation it is immobilized by the jumper to ensure reliable timekeeping, and during correction it is freed to rotate by the correction mechanism while the satellite compensates for the motion. This periodic switching between immobilized and mobile states allows both reliable operation and functional correction without interference.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The timepiece has a time switch wheel (15), time switch pinion (16) and satellite (19) for driving a kinematic chain formed of pinions (22, 25, 27) and wheels (23, 24, 26, 28) from a barrel (11). A correction mechanism formed of satellite carrier, correction mobile (46, 47), jumper (49), time setting rod (50), gear train (51) and sliding pinion (53) corrects angular position of disks (2, 3) to change a time zone. The carrier is kinematically connected to one of the disks, immobilized during normal operation of timepiece and driven in rotation during actuation of the mechanism.