Coplanar Calendar Discs with Outer Day Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calendar devices in timepieces face challenges in providing clear and ergonomic display of both date and day indications, with issues such as axial shift, limited surface area, and abbreviated day indications due to the arrangement of indicators on distinct planes or small surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A calendar device design where the date and day display discs are coplanar, with the day indicator positioned on the outer periphery of the date indicator, using a kinematic chain to minimize angular play and ensure both indicators are on the same plane, allowing for full-day indication and improved readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the day indicator is positioned on the inner periphery of the date indicator to arrange both on the same plane, then the coplanar arrangement is achieved, but the day indicator's small size prevents full day display and requires abbreviated display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked arrangement with angular offset. The day indicator is positioned on a different plane and rotated by a specific angle relative to the date indicator, allowing both indicators to be fully displayed without abbreviation while maintaining compact space utilization.
2Shape
If the day indicator is positioned on the inner periphery of the date indicator, then both indicators can be arranged on the same plane, but the day display is duplicated and makes setting cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric positioning where the day indicator is offset from the date indicator both in terms of plane position and angular orientation. This asymmetric arrangement eliminates the duplication issue and allows for more intuitive setting operations through the crown mechanism.
3Loss of information
If the day and date indicators are arranged on separate planes with superimposition, then excellent readability is achieved, but axial misalignment between indicators is observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a rotated copy of the indicator arrangement. Instead of superimposing indicators on the same plane or stacking them vertically with alignment issues, the day indicator is positioned as an angularly offset copy on a different plane, eliminating axial misalignment while maintaining readability through the rotated perspective.
Data Source
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AI summary
Clock calendar device (100) comprising: - a first date display disc (1) having a first face (11) bearing date indications (10) and movable around an axis (A), and - a second day display disc (2) having a second face (21) bearing day indications (20) and movable around the axis (A), the first and second discs being arranged so that the first and second faces are coplanar, the second face being arranged around the first face.