Watch Animation Mechanism Using Maltese Cross Intermittent Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watches with animations suffer from jerky movements and low rotational frequencies, resulting in a lackluster animation effect that fails to provide a real impression of animation.
Innovation Solution
A watch design that utilizes a mechanical device to transform continuous rotational movement into a jerky scrolling motion of distinct images, achieving a frame rate of 2 to 24 images per second to create the illusion of continuous animation, with the mechanical device ensuring longer immobilization phases and shorter movement phases to enhance the animation effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the animation mobile is driven directly by the watch movement, then the structure is simple, but the animation effect is poor due to low rotational frequency and jerky movement
Solution Approach 1:
A Maltese cross mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the continuous rotation of the watch movement and the animation mobile. This intermediary converts continuous rotation into intermittent rotation with controlled immobilization phases, achieving a frame rate of 2-24 images per second that creates the illusion of continuous animation while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
2Reliability
If the rotational frequency is increased to improve animation effect, then the animation becomes smoother, but the jerky movement becomes more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The Maltese cross mechanism implements periodic action by creating regular cycles of rotation and immobilization. Each cycle presents a sequence of distinct images at controlled intervals (2-24 images per second), allowing the human eye to perceive continuous motion through persistence of vision while the mechanical jerky movement occurs at a frequency that is less perceptible.
3Speed
If the animation mobile rotates continuously, then the movement is smooth, but the illusion of animation is lost due to lack of discrete image presentation
Solution Approach 1:
The animation mobile is segmented into distinct image portions around its circumference. Instead of continuous rotation presenting a single image, the mobile is divided into multiple discrete image segments that are presented sequentially during rotation. This segmentation, combined with controlled immobilization phases, creates the animation illusion by showing distinct frames in sequence.
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
The watch achieves a real animation effect similar to cartoons, providing a spectacular and immersive experience with the animation, overcoming the limitations of jerky movements and low rotational frequencies in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical device comprises a Maltese cross which transforms the continuous rotational movement of the mechanical movement into a jerky rotational movement of the animation mobile
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The watch (11) has an animation mobile driven by a mechanical movement and comprising a series of distinct images. An aperture (4) allows display of a single image (3) carried by the animation mobile. A mechanical device is arranged for transforming a continuous rotation movement of the mechanical movement into a jerky rotational movement of the animation mobile so as to give impression of animated image across the aperture. The animation mobile is stationary in a position to display the image behind the aperture. An independent claim is also included for a method for animation on a wrist watch with mechanical movement.