Annual Cycle Display Cam for Precise Unequal Period Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for displaying annual cycles, such as zodiac periods or months, lack precision during transitions due to regular advance mechanisms, are complex and costly, and are typically reserved for high-end timepieces.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a date indicator mechanism and a control cam system that pre-positions a rocker switch to ensure accurate display of periodic events, using fewer components and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a differential mechanism is used to display periodic events with unequal durations, then the display precision and positioning flexibility are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the differential mechanism from the display system, replacing it with a direct cam-driven approach. The cam profile directly encodes the variable duration information, removing the need for complex differential calculations and reducing the number of components while maintaining display precision for periodic events with unequal durations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam as an intermediary element that directly translates the periodic event timing information into display positioning. The cam profile acts as a mediator that converts the variable duration data into mechanical motion, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving the ability to accurately display events with different durations.
2Device complexity
If a regular advance mechanism is used to rotate the display disc, then the device complexity is reduced, but the display precision during period transitions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is designed to pre-position the display indicator before each period transition occurs. By encoding the transition timing directly into the cam profile, the system prepares the display in advance for upcoming changes, ensuring precise positioning at the moment of transition without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static, uniform rotation mechanism to a dynamic cam-driven system where the rotation speed and positioning are continuously adjusted according to the specific timing requirements of each periodic event. This dynamic approach allows the display to adapt its motion characteristics to match the variable durations of different periods, maintaining precision without excessive complexity.
3Loss of information
If time indications of varying lengths are displayed on a timepiece component, then the information completeness is improved, but the perception quality and visual clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into distinct visual zones corresponding to different periodic events, with each event having its designated position and visual indicator. This segmentation allows multiple time indications of varying lengths to be presented simultaneously in an organized manner, improving both information completeness and visual clarity by preventing overlapping and confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes angular positioning around the dial as an additional dimension for displaying time information. By distributing periodic events around the circumference rather than stacking them linearly, the system accommodates variable duration indications while maintaining clear visual separation and readability, effectively using spatial arrangement to resolve the conflict between information density and perception quality.
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
Provides a precise and economical display of unequal duration periodic events, suitable for a wider range of timepieces without requiring extensive modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a cam (26) for managing the display duration of periodic events
Implementation Method 2
whose first point describes a first conchoidal trajectory
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a display device for a succession of periodic events that form an annual cycle, this display device (1) comprising: • a periodic event indicator (49); • a mechanism for managing the display duration of periodic events by the periodic event indicator, this management mechanism comprising: - a management cam (26) for the display duration of periodic events arranged to control the change from the indication of one periodic event to the indication of the next periodic event by the periodic event indicator; - a date indicator mechanism (3) driven by a clockwork movement;- a month finger (6) controlled by the date indicator mechanism so as to advance the management cam (26) one step per month, and - a periodic events finger (39) disposed between the management cam (26) and the periodic events indicator and arranged to drive the periodic events indicator during a change of periodic event. The invention relates in particular to a device for displaying zodiacal periods. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a device for displaying a succession of periodic events.