Analog Watch Hand Position Detection Cycle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analog electronic watches face challenges in detecting and correcting hand position displacements caused by shocks, external magnetism, and other environmental factors, leading to unnatural user experiences and prolonged correction times due to limitations in existing hand position detection methods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that includes a hand position detection mechanism with adjustable detection cycles, allowing for natural hand movement detection and correction, utilizing a stepper motor with piezoelectric shock detection and other environmental factor sensors to efficiently correct hand positions in both forward and reverse directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the hand position detection means operates continuously at a high detection cycle to accurately detect hand position displacements, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases and the natural movement of the hand is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehand position detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hand position detection means operates intermittently at a predetermined first detection cycle rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capability. The detection is triggered periodically or based on specific conditions rather than running continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection cycle is dynamically changed from a first detection cycle to a second detection cycle with higher frequency when a detection cycle changing condition is met. This allows the system to adapt detection frequency to actual needs, balancing accuracy and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the detection cycle is increased to detect hand position displacements caused by shocks or external magnetism, then the detection speed is improved, but the natural movement of the hand is disrupted and user uncertainty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidnatural hand movement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the detection cycle based on detected conditions. When a detection cycle changing condition is detected (such as abnormal hand position), the system switches to a second detection cycle with higher frequency, while maintaining the normal hand drive cycle. This ensures high detection speed only when needed, preserving natural hand movement during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the hand position detection means operates at a fixed detection cycle, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different operational conditions (shock, magnetism, manual adjustment) is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to operational conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detection cycle is made dynamic and adjustable based on operational conditions. The system can switch between a first detection cycle and a second detection cycle with higher frequency when specific conditions are met, such as when shock is detected, external magnetism is detected, or manual time adjustment is performed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects detection cycle changing conditions in advance (such as shock, magnetism, or manual adjustment operations) and proactively changes the detection cycle before hand position displacement occurs or worsens, enabling prepared response to various operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enables efficient and accurate detection and correction of hand position displacements in real-time, reducing user uncertainty and power consumption while maintaining high accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element for detecting shock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1998237B1Analog electronic watch
Publication Date: 2011.09.07 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD
  • EP1998237B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1998237B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1998237B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(e)

AI summary

An analog electronic watch of the present invention includes: a display unit (2) for displaying time with a position of a hand; a stepper motor (3) for driving the hand; a motor drive unit (4) for controlling driving of the stepper motor at a predetermined hand drive cycle at normal time; hand position detection means (5) for detecting a position of the hand; a hand position detection means control unit (6) for intermittently controlling driving of the hand position detection means (5) at a first detection cycle which is longer than the hand drive cycle; and a detection cycle changing unit (7) for instructing the hand position detection means (5) to change the detection cycle. When detecting a predetermined detection cycle changing condition, the detection cycle changing unit (7) changes a cycle at which the hand position detection means (5) detects a position of the hand, from the first detection cycle to a second detection cycle, while maintaining the hand drive cycle at which the stepper motor (3) drives the hand.