Bidirectional Date Correction Mechanism for Timepieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing date correction mechanisms in timepieces are complex, often requiring tedious manual intervention and wear out the winding mechanism, and they typically only allow date advancement, not reversal, especially near midnight.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional date corrector mechanism controlled by an operating pull rod, featuring a correction star wheel that meshes with a date drive star wheel and is disengageably mounted on a date updating finger, allowing date correction in both directions with a minimal number of components and a small footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing date correction mechanisms are used, then date advancement is enabled, but the mechanism is complex and only allows one-way correction
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a correction star wheel with teeth for bidirectional correction, a disengageable mounting system with first and second positions, and a control mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component for both forward and backward date correction while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction star wheel is disengageably mounted on the date updating finger, allowing it to be engaged in a first position for normal operation and disengaged in a second position for correction. This dynamic mounting enables bidirectional correction by allowing the correction star wheel to rotate freely in both directions when disengaged, while maintaining a simple engaged state for normal date advancement.
2Ease of operation
If manual date correction is performed using existing mechanisms, then date setting is possible, but wear on the winding mechanism occurs and the process is tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The date correction function is extracted from the winding mechanism by providing a separate correction star wheel that disengageably mounts on the date updating finger. This allows correction operations to be performed independently without involving the winding mechanism, eliminating wear on the winding system while enabling easy bidirectional date adjustment through a dedicated correction interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction star wheel acts as an intermediary component between the user's correction input and the date display system. It provides a dedicated correction interface that mediates all date adjustment operations, protecting the winding mechanism from wear while enabling straightforward bidirectional correction through the intermediary correction star wheel component.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact date correction mechanism is designed, then the footprint is reduced, but the number of components must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The correction star wheel combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides bidirectional date correction teeth, serves as a disengageable mounting element with engaged and disengaged positions, and interfaces with the date updating finger. This merging of functions into one integrated component reduces the total number of parts while maintaining a compact footprint for the entire date correction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction star wheel is designed as a multi-functional component that enables both forward and backward date correction, provides engagement and disengagement states, and interfaces with the existing date updating finger mechanism. This universality allows a single component to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate elements, reducing overall component count and mechanism footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bidirectional date corrector mechanism (100) operated by a pull-tab (1) for a date mechanism (2). It is characterized in that it comprises a 24-hour wheel (4), a date-setting finger (5) pivotally fixed to the wheel, a date-driving star wheel (6), and a correction star wheel (7) meshing with the latter and located between the latter and the finger (5). This correction star wheel (7) is disengaged from the finger (5) by a disengagement mechanism (8) operated by the pull-tab (1). The disengagement mechanism (8) has an engaged position in which the correction star wheel (7) meshes with the finger (5), and a disengaged position in which it is released from the finger (5) to allow for date correction. The invention relates to a date mechanism (2) equipped with such a date corrector mechanism (100).The invention relates to a timepiece (3) comprising such a date correcting mechanism (100).