EP1195662A1 - Clock and method for representing the time - Google Patents

Abstract

The 2-dimensional display includes elements (2a, 2b) designed to register one unit of time (hours) along a first dimension (3) and another (minutes) along a second dimension (4), An Independent claim is included for a corresponding method of display.

Description

The invention relates to a watch according to the preamble of claim 1. Die The invention further relates to a method for representing the time according to the Preamble of claim 12.

A large number of clocks are known which represent the time allow.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an advantageous display propose.

This problem is solved with a watch having the characteristics of Claim 1. The sub-claims 2 to 11 relate to further advantageous Configurations. The task is further solved with a method for Representation of time having the features of claim 12. Die Subclaims 13 to 15 relate to further advantageous method steps.

The task is solved in particular with a watch comprising a at least two-dimensional display device with display means which are arranged and can be changed as a function of time so that in the first dimension a first time unit and in the second dimension one second time unit can be represented.

In a preferred embodiment, the display device of the watch is such flat that time in a Cartesian coordinate system can be represented. The first dimension is preferably the hours and in in the second dimension, the minutes are preferably shown.

The second dimension preferably extends in the vertical direction shown, preferably using slidably mounted Ribbons, balls or a liquid. For the flat representation of the time in however, a Cartesian coordinate system is also controllable Screen for example with liquid crystals or a field with electrical controllable lamps such as light emitting diodes.

The clock according to the invention allows two temporal dimensions at the same time to represent, for example the time pairs seconds / minutes or Minutes / hours or hours / days or days / weeks or days / months.

The task is also carried out in particular with a method for flat Representation of time in a Cartesian coordinate system solved by in a first time unit in the first dimension and in the second dimension a second time unit is shown, in particular as the first Time unit shows the minutes and the second time unit shows the hours become. In this way, the display device becomes a continuous or in discrete incremented area. The inventive two-dimensional display device must at certain times, for example at 12 p.m. or midnight. This Reset to zero, i.e. an empty area is displayed preferably very quickly, for example during a discrete step, so the exact time after resetting to zero very quickly is represented exactly.

The watch according to the invention is preferably driven by a motor, which can be controlled continuously or step by step, so that the Display on the display device either continuously or gradually changed. For example, a synchronous motor is used for the drive suitable, the speed of which is determined by the mains frequency. Likewise a stepper motor is suitable, the timing of which is controlled by a Quartz crystal or a radio signal, such as the standardized DCF 77 signal, is determined. However, the drive could also be completely mechanical, e.g. With a spring and restlessness, be formed.

The display device can, for example, with a single motor be driven, for example a switchable clutch is provided is around each band slidably mounted in the direction of the second dimension to drive individually.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Anzeigevorrichtung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispieles;

Fig. 2

ein Schnitt durch die Anzeigevorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1 entlang der Schnittlinie A-A;

Fig. 3

eine Detailansicht der Anzeigevorrichtung aus Richtung B-B;

Fig. 4

eine Ansteuervorrichtung für die Anzeigevorrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Anzeigevorrichtung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht der Anzeigevorrichtung gemäss Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

eine Detailansicht der Anzeigevorrichtung gemäss dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 8

ein Detail der Anzeigevorrichtung gemäss Fig. 7.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a display device of a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a section through the display device of Figure 1 along the section line AA.

Fig. 3

a detailed view of the display device from the direction BB;

Fig. 4

a drive device for the display device;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the display device of a second embodiment;

Fig. 6

a side view of the display device of FIG. 5;

Fig. 7

a detailed view of the display device according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 8

a detail of the display device according to FIG. 7.

The clock 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a two-dimensional, flat Display device 2 with a plurality spaced apart than Endless bands of display means 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The Display device 2 enables a first in a first dimension 3 Represent time unit and in a second dimension 4 a second Time unit. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first time unit comprises the hours 1 to 12 and the second time unit the minutes between 0 and 60. Each endless band has a light color along a section, for example white, and along a second section dark color, for example blue. To represent the passage of time the belts are moved in their direction. To that in FIG. 1 time shown, the belt 2e is moved from the bottom upwards, so that the color transition 2n between white and blue within 60 Minutes from bottom to top. The one to the left of volume 2e arranged bands 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d already have a blue surface moving from the bottom up completely, so that their dark Area is visible. In contrast, those to the right of volume 2e were shown Bands have not yet moved up at the time shown. Consequently can on the flat, two-dimensional display device 2 shown time can be read. The display device 2 shows as time about 4:30 p.m. The display device 2 must be every 12th Hours are reset to zero, for example by that with the exception of band 2a, all bands 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e between 12 noon 00 and 12 01 to be moved to the lower starting position, and that Band 2a is moved to the 1 minute position so that the Display device 2 again shows the correct time at 12:01.

2 shows a section along the line A-A. The Clock 1 has a housing 5, within which the straps 2a, 2b, 2c Deflection rollers 6c, 7c are slidably mounted. The housing has an opening 5a so that the bands 2a, 2b, 2c are visible from the outside are. A drive device 24 for driving the deflection roller 6c is in one Interior 25 arranged, which is essentially by the endless Bands 2a, 2b, 2c is limited. This interior is above and below 25 also limited by the pulleys 6c, 7c. So that is Drive device 24 between the circulating belts 2a, 2b, 2c arranged and not visible from the outside. This arrangement of Drive device 24 between the belts 2a, 2b, 2c has the advantage that this is not visible, and that the clock 1, as shown in Fig. 1, on the front has a very narrow housing 5, which is also a large area display device 2 enables. The drive device 24 comprises a control device 10, which via an electrical Connection line 11a is connected to an electric motor 9, which via a gear 8 engages in the lower guide roller 7c and drives it. The Electric motor 9 is preferably designed as a stepper motor, each Deflection roller 7a, 7b, 7c is driven by a separate stepper motor. The Stepper motor is preferably controlled using a power saving method, by the stepper motor only while executing the movement with current is supplied, but is otherwise kept de-energized. So it is For example, the stepper motor can only be used every minute To provide current pulse package to shift the deflection roller 7a, 7b, 7c or to move the belt 2a, 2b, 2c.

The opening 5a is preferably made of a transparent material such as glass covers, which is preferably dust-proof connected to the housing 5 is.

FIG. 3 shows detail aspects in the region of the view B-B according to FIG lower deflection rollers 7a, 7b, 7c, the actually over the deflection rollers 7a, 7b, 7c extending bands 2a, 2b, 2c only shown in part are. The deflection rollers 7a, 7b, 7c, which are spaced apart from one another are rotatably mounted about a common axis 13. The electric drives 9a, 9b, 9c are firmly connected to the housing 5 via a holding device 12. Each electric drive 9a, 9b, 9c is via a shaft 13, each with a gear 8a, 8b connected. The surface of each lower deflection roller 7a, 7b, 7c has an area 7e with a serration, in each of which a Gear 8a, 8b engages, so that the respective electric drive 9a, 9b, 9c generated driving force on the corresponding lower deflection roller 7a, 7b, 7c is transferable. The toothing is very finely designed around the deflection of the respective band 2a, 2b, 2c not to hinder and a low-friction To effect leadership.

The deflection rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c preferably have a slight curved or cambered surface on what the advantage shows that the respective band 2a, 2b, 2c automatically with respect to the deflection roller 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c is centered. In a preferred embodiment, that the greater the elasticity of the bands 2a, 2b, 2c, the greater the elasticity Curvature of the surface of the deflection rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c must be so that the belts 2a, 2b, 2c with respect to the deflection rollers Center 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c automatically. It can also prove beneficial the deflection rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c prove to be arranged and / or design the curved surface in such a way that between the individual Bands 2a, 2b, 2c an optically clearly recognizable gap arises, so that the individual bands 2a, 2b, 2c, as shown in Fig. 1, for example by a resulting black dividing line clearly from each other are delimited. Thus, the individual bands 2a, 2b, 2c, which the Show hours, be clearly distinguished from each other.

In a preferred embodiment, all deflection rollers 7a, 7b, 7c are on one common rigid axis 13 mounted, the bands 2a, 2b, 2c in this Arrangement preferably have highly elastic properties, what for example the friction between band 2a, 2b, 2c and deflection roller 7a, 7b, 7c reduced.

For the exact representation of the time it is important to put the bands 2a, 2b, 2c in one bring defined starting position. The bands 2a, 2b, 2c can for example with a mechanical stop in a predetermined End position to be stopped. The bands 2a, 2b, 2c could for example also have markings on the inside, which with can be scanned by a sensor to convert the tapes 2a, 2b, 2c into one to drive to a predetermined position. All bands 2a, 2b, 2c are, for example moved to this predetermined position at 12 noon and midnight to Example synchronized by a DCF77 radio clock signal. Should the tapes 2a, 2b, 2c an inaccurate time due to imprecise driving movements display, the display would be in one again after 12 noon and midnight defined starting position, so that accumulation of errors is prevented.

4 shows a detail of those located in the control device 10 Drive electronics. A time module 10c receives the exact time by radio representing reference signal, which is converted and via a electrical connecting line 10d supplied to a control device 10b becomes. This control device 10b generates the signals for the corresponding one Control of the stepper motors 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and passes them on electrical connecting line 10d to an actuating device 10a. The Actuator 10a is connected to the electrical conductors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Electric drives 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d connected. There are additional ones, not Input means shown such as switches with the control device 10b connected to, for example, the control device 10b, which Time unit is displayed in the first and in the second dimension.

5 shows a top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a Clock 1 according to the invention. The display device 2 consists of twelve juxtaposed, columnar, transparent hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c, in which a fluid, for example provided with a dye Water can be filled. The first hollow body 2a is completely filled with water filled, the second hollow body 2b is a third filled with water, and the remaining hollow bodies 2c are still empty. The water can over Reservoir 21 arranged valves and pumps in different Are fed to the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c as a function of time, For example, such that in the first dimension 3 the hours and in the second dimension 4 the minutes can be displayed. Time is in a variety combinations can be represented by the first and second dimensions 3, 4, for example, such that in the first dimension 3 the months and in the second dimension 4 shows the days of the respective month.

FIG. 6 shows the clock 1 shown in FIG. 5 in a side view. The Storage container 21 is fixedly connected to a wall 22. Instead of one The hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c could also be charged with a solid fluid e.g. in which sand is supplied to the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c from above, or in the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c from below a flexible band or rigid body is supplied, or in which the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c of balls are fed up or down, with the help of which an indication in the Hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c is effected. Instead of a hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c could another means of guiding or directing the display provided means are used, for example a linkage or a single rod on which e.g. the rigid body or the balls are slidably mounted. For example, a new one every minute Sphere of the display 2 are fed.

Fig. 7 shows the structure of a fluid operated clock 1 in detail. Each hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m is a controllable valve 14 and subsequently assigned a drain pipe 17a-17l. The drain pipes 17a-17l open into the reservoir 21, in which a liquid level 20 formed. The valves 14 are connected to one another via electrical lines 19a-19m Control device 19 connected and controlled by this. The first Hollow body 2a is fluid of this type via a feed pipe 16 and a pump 15 conductively connected to the reservoir 21 that by pressing the Pump 15 part of the fluid in the reservoir 21 in the Hollow body 2a is pumped. Each hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m is over one Overflow 23 connected to the next hollow body 2b, 2c, 2m. As soon as the liquid within a hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m the height of the Has reached overflow 23, the liquid flows into the next one Hollow body 2b, 2c, 2m, so that time in turn in a first dimension 3 and can be represented in a second dimension 4. In the last hollow body is 2m an overflow pipe 18 is arranged which the fluid when reaching the feeds the corresponding height to the reservoir 21. The amount of supplied liquid is controlled by controlling the speed of the pump 15 metered in such a way that the first hollow body 2a is located, for example, inside of 60 minutes completely filled with water. For a timely signal, for example at 12 o'clock, all valves 14 are opened and that in fluid in the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m into the reservoir 21 emptied.

In order to avoid an incorrect display of time, the pump 15 should be preferred have a very low flow rate variation and the Reproducibility of the delivery rate can be very high. As a pump 15 particularly suitable for a wobble piston metering pump, such as this one is disclosed for example in the publication US 4,941,809. This Valveless pumps have a very high reproducibility of for example 99.9%.

In an advantageous embodiment, the clock 1 shown in FIG. 7 has additional sensors, which are connected to the control device 19 and which are used to monitor the level in the hollow bodies 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m serve.

8 shows another embodiment of the first hollow body 2a with Supply pipe 16, drain pipe 17a and valve 14. The inlet opening of the Drain pipe 17a is opposite to the bottom of the first hollow body 2a the height H is offset. This arrangement has the advantage that immediately after emptying the hollow body 2a Liquid column is located at the precisely determined height H. In a preferred operating mode, the pump 15 is operated continuously, so that liquid is constantly pumped into the hollow body 2a. When emptying everyone Hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m, which is preferably between 12 noon and 12 noon 01 takes place, the hollow bodies 2b, 2c, 2m become complete and the hollow body 2a emptied to height H. At 12 01 all valves 14 are closed. The height H corresponds to the fill level of the hollow body 2a after a single one Minute. Thereupon the hollow body 2a is replaced by the continuously running one Pump 15 slowly filled with liquid again. The one shown in Fig. 8 This arrangement has the advantage that the time is already one minute after the empty the hollow body 2a, 2b, 2c, 2m is correctly displayed again. The Transition from a full flat representation to an empty representation is preferably done in less than a minute.

In the case of a discrete display, the transition takes place from a full area Display to an empty display preferably faster than the shortest gradual change of the first dimension (3). Is the shortest If the first dimension (3) is changed, for example 1 minute, then the Transition to blank display in less than a minute.

The clock according to the invention is particularly suitable as a wall clock. The The clock according to the invention could also be designed such that it only has the first two bands 2a, 2b of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the first volume 2a being the hours, for example divided into 12 or 24 Hours, and the second volume 2b represents the date divided into 31 days. Three bands 2a, 2b, 2c could also be provided, the first Volume 2a the hours, the second volume 2b the days and the third volume 2c represents the month. The clock designed in this way could be very high and be designed narrowly by the first dimension 3 very short and the second dimension 4 is very long. The second dimension 4 could For example, they are room height and 3 meters high, whereas the first dimension 3, for example, is only 10 cm, so the clock is rod-shaped.

Claims (15)

Clock (1) comprising an at least two-dimensional Display device (2) with display means (2a, 2b) which arranged and changeable depending on the time that in the first dimension (3) a first time unit and in the second Dimension (4) a second time unit can be represented. Clock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device (2) is designed such that the time can be represented in a Cartesian coordinate system. Clock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second time unit are each a size from the group seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years. Clock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means are designed as endless bands (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2k, 2l, 2m), which are provided via deflection rollers (6c, 7c) are movably mounted and individually controllable. Clock (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a drive device (24) for driving the deflection rollers (6c, 7c) in one essentially by the endless belts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h , 2i, 2k, 21.2m) limited interior (25) is arranged. Clock (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the deflecting rollers (6c, 7c) have a curved running surface. Clock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display means are designed as a liquid-storing hollow body (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2k, 2l, 2m) , in particular as a columnar hollow body. Clock (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a fluid pump (15) conveys the liquid, and that the fluid pump (15) is designed in particular as a wobble piston pump. Clock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display means are designed as liquid crystals, which are illuminated in particular from behind. Clock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an electrical or completely mechanical drive. Clock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, designed as Wall clock. Process for the flat representation of time in a Cartesian Coordinate system by adding a first in the first dimension (3) Unit of time and in the second dimension (4) a second unit of time is shown, the minutes being the first time unit in particular and the hours are displayed as the second time unit. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first dimension (3) is changed continuously or step by step. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the transition from a full flat representation to an empty representation takes place faster than the shortest step-by-step change of the first dimension (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after certain time periods, in particular after every 12 hours, the arrangement of the first and second dimensions (3, 4) is brought into a defined position in order to synchronize the arrangement with a reference time.

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