Watch Striking Mechanism Governor Trigger for Safe Time Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing safety features in complex timepiece striking mechanisms, especially in watches with high inertia components, is challenging due to space constraints and the need to prevent interference between strike or alarm functions and time setting operations.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that synchronizes and sequences the locking and unlocking of the striking work governor with the motion work setting mechanism, ensuring the motion work is properly positioned before the governor stops, using a governor trigger piece and governor stop jumper to control the rotational speed and position of the motion work lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the governor mechanism is used to regulate rotational speed during striking functions, then the striking function operates reliably, but the time setting operation cannot be performed during the striking function
Solution Approach 1:
The motion work lever is uncoupled from the time setting means before the governor mechanism stops the motion work, ensuring that the time setting mechanism is already disengaged and ready for operation when the striking function completes. This preliminary uncoupling action prevents any potential interference between the governor mechanism and time setting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion work lever acts as an intermediary component between the time setting means and the motion work. By controlling the coupling and uncoupling of this lever, the system mediates between the governor mechanism's need to regulate speed and the user's need to set time, allowing both functions to operate reliably without interference.
2Ease of operation
If the motion work lever is uncoupled early to allow time setting, then time setting accessibility is improved, but the motion work may not be properly positioned when the governor stops
Solution Approach 1:
The governor mechanism provides feedback control by monitoring the rotational speed of the motion work and automatically controlling the uncoupling and recoupling of the motion work lever. This feedback ensures that the motion work lever is uncoupled at the appropriate moment (when speed needs regulation) and recoupled when properly positioned, maintaining both accessibility and positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The governor mechanism automatically manages the coupling and uncoupling of the motion work lever based on the operational state of the striking function, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates to ensure the motion work lever is in the correct position when the governor stops the motion work, while keeping the time setting mechanism accessible.
3Reliability
If additional safety components are added to prevent interference between striking and time setting functions, then safety is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motion work lever serves multiple functions: it transmits motion from the time setting means to the motion work, acts as a coupling mechanism that can be engaged or disengaged, and provides a control point for the governor mechanism. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate safety components while still achieving the required safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the safety control function with the existing motion work lever and governor mechanism, rather than adding separate safety components. The governor mechanism integrates its control function directly into the motion transmission path, merging the safety control with the operational mechanism to minimize component count.
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 allows for safe and reliable time setting during striking functions, preventing interference and ensuring proper operation of the watch's mechanisms, with a simple and efficient implementation of safety features that avoids component collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a governor mechanism arranged to regulate the rotational speed of at least one striking function actuator to a substantially constant value
Data Source
AI summary
Watch with a time setting mechanism with an uncouplable motion work lever, with a striking mechanism having a governor, including at least one control piece set in motion by a movement or on user command, and a governor mechanism arranged to regulate to a substantially constant value the rotational speed of a strike function actuator, this striking mechanism including, for at least one control piece, a governor trigger piece arranged, according to the angular position of this control piece, to operate a governor stop jumper able to block or allow the rotation of this governor mechanism, and, by means of an articulated connection, to isolate the motion work lever in an uncoupling position or place it in a coupling position.