Cam-Controlled Watch Indicator Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical watches lack flexibility in displaying multiple functions and are limited by continuous rotation of gear trains, restricting the number of functions that can be displayed on a small dial.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical watch movement utilizing multiple cams to control the position of rotating indicators, allowing selection of functions via a crown and push-button, enabling the display of various indications such as date, month, year, power reserve, and week through a combination of tens and units cams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical watches use continuous rotation gear trains to drive indicators, then the mechanical drive mechanism is simple, but the flexibility in controlling indicator position and displaying multiple functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the static continuous rotation gear train with dynamic cam mechanisms that can selectively control indicator positions. The cams can be engaged or disengaged to provide different display functions, allowing the system to adapt between displaying date, month, year, or power reserve information as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the drive mechanism into multiple independent cam components, each responsible for a specific display function. This segmentation allows individual cams to be selected and engaged based on the desired function, providing versatility while maintaining mechanical simplicity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single cam is fixed to each indicator for retrograde displays, then the mechanical structure is simple, but the ability to select different functions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a selecting mechanism that can engage different cam pairs with the same indicator assembly. The selecting means, actuated by the crown, allows a single indicator system to perform multiple functions (displaying date, month, year, or power reserve) by switching between different cam pairs, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate indicator mechanisms for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cam pairs are provided for different functions, then the versatility of display options increases, but the complexity of the cam selection mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the crown-actuated selecting mechanism that automatically engages the appropriate cam pair based on the crown's position. The system serves itself by using the existing crown operation (which the user already performs for time setting) to control function selection, eliminating the need for separate controls and making operation intuitive and easy.
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 provides flexibility in displaying multiple functions on a small dial, allowing the watch wearer to select and display different information, such as date, month, year, and power reserve, by using cams to control the position of indicators, enhancing the functionality of mechanical watches.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam and a second cam arranged for controlling the angular position of the rotating indicator or indicators
Data Source
AI summary
Watch movement having a display mechanism with: several rotating indicators (12, 15), for displaying a two-digit number in an aperture, cams (5, 6) arranged to control the angular position of the rotating indicator or indicators (12), selection means actuated by the crown (34) for selecting the cam acting on each indicator (12, 15).