Tower Clock Hand Position Sensing for Accurate Timekeeping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for mechanical clocks, particularly mechanical clock mechanisms, fail to provide a reliable and efficient method for maintaining accurate timekeeping in tower clocks, especially in the presence of external influences such as wind loads, deformations, and mechanical aging, leading to systematic time display errors.
Innovation Solution
A tower clock system utilizing a stepper motor controlled by a control computer, which adjusts the clock hands based on gravitational tilt measurements from a 2D or 3D accelerometer attached to the clock hands, ensuring accurate time display through contactless and wireless communication, and a self-calibration routine to compensate for aging and temperature effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clock mechanisms are used to drive clock hands, then the clock can display time mechanically, but systematic time display errors occur due to external influences such as wind loads, deformations, and mechanical aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical clock mechanism with an electronic control system consisting of a control computer and stepper motor. The control computer calculates the required hand positions based on time signals and controls the stepper motor to move the hands accurately, eliminating systematic errors from mechanical aging, deformations, and wind loads that affect traditional mechanical clockwork systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-calibration routine where the accelerometer determines its own orientation relative to gravity, and the control computer automatically adjusts the clock hands to correct positions based on calculated deviations. This self-correcting mechanism continuously compensates for errors without external intervention, improving timekeeping reliability
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical clock mechanisms are used, then the clock operates continuously, but maintenance needs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic correction cycles where the control computer calculates hand position deviations at intervals and activates the stepper motor only when corrections are needed. This periodic action replaces continuous mechanical operation with intermittent electronic adjustments, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining accurate timekeeping
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of continuous mechanical clockwork with an electronic system using a control computer and stepper motor enables precise control of energy consumption. The stepper motor consumes energy only during position corrections rather than continuous operation, and the system can enter low-power states between corrections
3Measurement precision
If accelerometers are attached to clock hands to determine position, then accurate position measurement is achieved, but the accelerometer must be continuously read and positioned precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RFID technology as an intermediary between the accelerometer and the control computer. The accelerometer is equipped with an RFID transponder that wirelessly transmits position data to the control computer, eliminating the need for direct physical connections or continuous contactless reading mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement precision
4Device complexity
If the accelerometer is read contactlessly using RFID technology, then the accelerometer design can be compact, but the reading unit must maintain continuous reading range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RFID technology to create a wireless copy of the accelerometer data transmission. Instead of requiring direct physical contact or line-of-sight continuous reading, the RFID transponder creates a wireless copy of the position information that can be read at a distance, ensuring continuous data availability while simplifying the accelerometer design and maintaining reading reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate timekeeping with minimal mechanical effort, reducing maintenance needs and energy consumption, while effectively correcting for external influences and maintaining precision.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerometer is specifically designed as a passive RFID sensor transponder. This accelerometer makes it possible to determine the orientation, i.e., in particular the tilt or angular position, by reference to the Earth's acceleration g of 9.81 m/s2 in two or three dimensions
Implementation Method 2
The use of RFID technology, i.e., the accelerometer designed as an RFID sensor transponder and the RFID reading unit, enables wireless and contactless reading of the accelerometer
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tower clock (1) comprising: - a time display unit (2) with a dial (3) and at least two hands, - a stepper motor (4) connected to the first hand (Z1) via a first clock shaft (W1), - an accelerometer (5) designed as a 2D accelerometer or as a 3D accelerometer, attached to the first hand (Z1) or to the first clock shaft (W1), - a reading unit (6) for reading the accelerometer (5), and - a control computer (7) coupled to the reading unit (6) and to the stepper motor (4), which is configured to receive a time signal (ZS), to receive a hand position signal (PS) of the accelerometer (5) read by the reading unit (6), and to control the stepper motor (4) depending on the time signal (ZS) and the hand position signal (PS). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the tower clock (1).