Calendar Drive Mechanism Preventing Indicator Racing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing date display mechanisms in timepieces are prone to indicator 'racing' due to inconsistent manual force during date correction, leading to desynchronization, which can only be restored by opening the timepiece, and existing solutions like using a ratchet and pins are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
The drive mechanism employs a return spring to control the rocker's engagement with the date wheel, ensuring a consistent and adjustable force for date changes, eliminating the risk of indicator racing without additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pusher is used to manually correct the date, then date correction can be performed, but the inconsistent manual force causes indicator racing and desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
A rocker arm is introduced as an intermediary between the pusher and the date wheel. The rocker arm converts the inconsistent pusher force into a controlled motion that engages and disengages the date wheel teeth systematically, preventing indicator racing while maintaining manual date correction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a static direct-drive system to a dynamic system where the rocker arm oscillates between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic behavior allows the system to absorb force variations and maintain reliable indicator synchronization during manual correction
2Reliability
If a ratchet and pins are added to prevent indicator racing, then reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker arm performs multiple functions: it acts as a force amplifier, a motion converter, and a locking mechanism. By making the rocker arm multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate ratchet and pin components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of force transmission, motion control, and indicator protection into a single rocker arm mechanism. This merging of functions replaces the need for multiple separate components (pusher, ratchet, pins), thereby reducing device complexity and cost
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
This solution prevents indicator desynchronization during date changes, ensuring precise and synchronized date display without the need for additional components, and allows for instantaneous date transitions, unlike traditional mechanisms which take several minutes.
Implementation Method 1
by the effect of a return spring acting on the rocker
Data Source
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AI summary
A calendar date display comprises a ten-day pointer (2) and a unit pointer (1) driven by a program drive (8), which is provided with a calendar date display (9) whose toothing is engaged with the nose (15) of a lever (16) in such a way that a wheel is moved one step forward by one calendar number change. Between each calendar number change, the nose (15) is engaged between the first and second teeth (11, 12) of the wheel (9). At the time of the calendar number change, the nose (15) is disengaged from said first and second teeth (11, 12) in such a way that it is engaged between the second and third (12, 13) teeth of the wheel (9), thereby moving said wheel one step forward.