World Time Watch Automatic Date Synchronization Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional world time timepieces do not automatically display the local date when changing time zones, often showing the home date instead, and manual correction is required, which can lead to incorrect date displays in certain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A world time timepiece with a synchronization mechanism kinematically connected to the date and time zone mechanisms, allowing automatic date adjustment during time zone changes, including cases where the date may advance, remain unchanged, or move back, ensuring the displayed date corresponds to the chosen time zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a world time timepiece displays the home time zone date, then the date display is simple and stable, but the displayed date becomes incorrect when changing to a different time zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the date display window positioned at a specific location on the dial) that automatically receives date information from the time zone mechanism. This intermediary structure enables automatic date synchronization without requiring manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between display accuracy and mechanism complexity by creating a dedicated interface between the time zone and date display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The date display mechanism is designed to automatically adjust the date based on the selected time zone without user intervention. The mechanism self-corrects the date when time zones are changed, particularly handling date line crossings automatically. This self-service capability ensures date accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system performs the date adjustment function autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If manual date correction is required when changing time zones, then the mechanism remains simple, but user convenience deteriorates and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization mechanism automatically performs date adjustments when time zones are changed, eliminating the need for manual date correction by the user. The system detects time zone changes and autonomously updates the date display, including automatic handling of date line crossings. This self-service approach dramatically improves ease of operation while the added complexity is confined to the internal synchronization mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the time zone selection continuously informs the date display mechanism. When the user changes time zones, the system receives feedback about the new time zone position and automatically adjusts the date accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures the date always corresponds to the selected time zone without requiring manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If the date automatically changes with every time zone correction, then date display is always current, but the date may incorrectly advance or retreat in certain scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization mechanism uses continuous feedback from the time zone mechanism to determine when date adjustments are appropriate. The system monitors the relationship between time zone position and date, and only makes date changes when the feedback indicates a genuine date line crossing has occurred. This precise feedback control ensures accurate date synchronization while avoiding erroneous date changes in edge cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements conditional parameter changes in the date mechanism based on the specific time zone transition being made. The system evaluates multiple parameters (current time, direction of time zone change, position relative to date line) and only adjusts the date when the combined parameter analysis indicates a date change is warranted. This selective parameter-based approach ensures precision while maintaining reliability in edge cases.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a world time clock comprising a time display mechanism including an hour hand (2) and a minute hand (3); a time zone mechanism to allow setting the time when changing time zones, this mechanism comprising a rotating city disc (4), a twenty-four hour disc (5) driven in rotation at a rate of one revolution every twenty-four hours, and a time zone correction mechanism kinematically linking the city disc (4), the twenty-four hour disc (5) and the hour hand (2) of the time display mechanism so as to make the two discs (4, 5) complete one 24th of a revolution in the counter-clockwise direction and to advance the hour hand (2) by one hour at each time zone correction, and a date display mechanism comprising a date indicator (6, 7) driven by a date gear (8, 9).The timepiece also includes a synchronization mechanism kinematically linked to the date mechanism and the time zone mechanism, allowing the date to be automatically adjusted at each time zone correction, and in particular when such a time zone correction results in a change of date.