Clock Calendar Mechanism for Instantaneous Date and Month Jumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch calendar systems face challenges with complex kinematic chains, energy inefficiency, and non-instantaneous jumps, leading to architectural constraints and inaccurate date and month indications.
Innovation Solution
A clock calendar system with an energy accumulation and restitution device, featuring a date wheel, month wheel, and indexing elements, allows for instantaneous jumps by using a cam and energy accumulator to synchronize date and month indications, with the month wheel having a reduced holding torque and a simplified kinematic chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complete calendar system with instantaneous jumps is implemented, then measurement precision of date and month indications is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cams and racks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the month programming cam and date wheel into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate cams and racks. The month programming cam is arranged concentrically with the date wheel, and the cam follower is integrated into the date wheel structure, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining instantaneous jump functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The date wheel serves multiple functions: it displays the date, receives driving input from the hour wheel, and simultaneously programs the month indication through its interaction with the month programming cam. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the calendar system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a long kinematic chain is used to connect date wheel to month programming cam, then adaptability of calendar system is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the month programming cam into the date wheel structure, the patent eliminates multiple intermediate components in the kinematic chain. The direct concentric arrangement allows energy transfer from the hour wheel to the month indication through a shortened path, reducing energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes unnecessary intermediate cams and racks from the traditional long kinematic chain. By extracting these redundant components and directly coupling the month programming cam to the date wheel, the system maintains adaptability while significantly reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the month wheel is driven with the same holding torque as the date wheel, then reliability of calendar system is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional indexing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different holding torque characteristics to different wheels based on their specific functions. The date wheel, which requires precise daily positioning, receives full holding torque from its indexing element, while the month wheel, which changes less frequently, operates with reduced holding torque, simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full holding torque to both wheels, the patent uses partial action by providing reduced holding torque to the month wheel. This is sufficient for the month wheel's slower changing requirement and eliminates the need for additional indexing elements, reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate reliability.
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
The system achieves compact, efficient, and accurate date and month displays with instantaneous jumps, minimizing energy consumption and reducing architectural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an energy accumulation and restitution device comprising an energy accumulator (4) and a cam (33)
Implementation Method 2
a cam (33)... a first indexing element (7) for the date wheel set (1), a second indexing element (8) for the month wheel set (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
Clock calendar system (100), the system comprising: - a calendar wheel (1) pivoted around a first axis (A1);- a first element (32) for driving the date wheel, such as a finger, - a second element (12) for driving the date wheel, comprising for example a tooth (12a) for driving the date wheel, the second driving element (12) being mounted so as to be movable on the date wheel (1) between a retracted position and a driving position, and - a month cam (22) pivoted about a second axis (A2), the month cam (22) being arranged to cooperate with the second element (12) for driving the date wheel so as to, depending on the position of the month cam (22), authorize or prohibit the retraction of the second element (12) for driving the date wheel, and the first and second axes being distinct, the system comprising a frame (99) and the first and second axes are fixed axes relative to the frame (99).;