Annual Calendar Date Ring Direct Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Annual calendar devices require unnecessary energy consumption due to an indirect kinematic chain for driving the date ring at the end of months with less than thirty-one days, which could be optimized for energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A direct driving mechanism where a second finger on the date drive wheel, activated by a toothing on a second level of the date ring, drives the date ring through an additional step at the end of months with less than thirty-one days, eliminating the need for intermediate parts and reducing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a kinematic chain with intermediate parts (annual wheel, intermediate wheel, plate with catches) is used to drive the date ring at the end of months with less than thirty-one days, then the calendar function is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary intermediate transmission elements (annual wheel, intermediate wheel, plate with catches) from the kinematic chain. The second finger is made to act directly on the date ring at the appropriate moment, removing the intermediate parts that consume energy without adding functional value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam as a temporary intermediary element that activates the second finger only when needed (at the end of months with less than thirty-one days). This cam-mediated activation allows the second finger to engage the date ring directly only during the necessary moment, avoiding continuous engagement of complex intermediate mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a kinematic chain with multiple intermediate parts is used to drive the date ring indirectly, then the calendar function is achieved, but the number of jumper springs increases to three
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary intermediate transmission components that require additional jumper springs for their operation. By eliminating the annual wheel and intermediate wheel mechanisms, the patent reduces the jumper spring requirement from three to two, simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate mechanisms into a single integrated system where the second finger, activated by the cam, directly performs the date correction function. This merging eliminates redundant components and reduces the number of jumper springs needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The annual calendar device carries a date ring (1) and a drive wheel (5) for said ring. The drive wheel (5) carries a mechanism (10) including a first finger (6) driving the ring (1) through one step each day and a second finger (7) which is inserted, at the end of the months of less than thirty-one days, into the trajectory of the teeth (4) of the ring (1) to move said ring forward one additional step. The second finger (7) is inserted into said trajectory by a kinematic chain (9) controlled by a toothing (8) carried by the ring (1).