Watch Winding Device with Movable Support and Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for winding and setting mechanical watches with automatic or electromechanical winding lack the ability to view the watch from outside the device without measurement, and are often bulky or imprecise due to the integration of communication means and light exposure issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a vision system that allows the watch to be placed in a measurement position within the device, where it can be reset to the correct time, and then moved to a position without measurement, where an optical or electronic shutter allows external viewing through a transparent state, ensuring accurate time correction and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the watch is placed in a chamber sheltered from outside light for time verification, then measurement precision is improved, but external visibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable support that can position the watch in different locations within the case: a first position for time verification (sheltered from light) and a second position for external viewing. The support's ability to move between these positions dynamically resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to achieve both measurement precision and external visibility at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the internal space into distinct functional zones: a verification zone with light shielding for accurate time measurement, and a viewing zone that allows external observation. The movable support enables the watch to be positioned in either zone, segmenting the functions of verification and display to resolve the contradiction between precision and visibility.
2Extent of automation
If communication means and hand-moving means are integrated into the watch movement, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera, processing unit, and mechanical actuation mechanism that operates externally to the watch movement. This intermediary system captures images of the watch hands, processes the time information, and mechanically adjusts the hands to the correct time, thereby achieving automatic time correction without modifying the internal structure of the watch movement itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic communication means and complex hand-moving mechanisms with a simpler mechanical system: a camera for optical detection, a processing unit for data analysis, and a mechanical actuator (such as a small motor or solenoid) to physically move the watch hands. This substitution achieves automation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
3Measurement precision
If a computer and camera system are used for time correction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create an optical copy (image) of the watch dial and hands. This visual copy is then processed by a computing device to determine the displayed time. By working with an optical copy rather than directly reading the physical hands, the system achieves high measurement precision while keeping the physical interaction with the watch minimal and the overall system relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is disclosed for verifying the state of a watch and resetting it to the correct time. In a case of the device, a watch can be disposed on a watch support, which can be moved from a position without measurement to a measurement position in a vision system, or vice versa. In a position without measurement, the watch on its support can be observed from the outside of the case of the device through at least one electronic shutter activated or an optical valve activated to be in a transparent state, whereas in the measurement position, the electronic shutter or the optical valve is deactivated to be made opaque.