Coplanar Display Wheels With Ball Bearings for Legible Dates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing date-display mechanisms in timepieces face challenges with legibility due to small indication sizes and friction-related issues between superimposed or coaxial discs, leading to readability problems and increased torque requirements.
Innovation Solution
A display mechanism featuring coplanar and coaxial display discs with ball bearings to reduce friction, allowing for larger indications and independent wheel operation, thus enhancing readability and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If superimposed or coaxial discs are used for date display, then the indication size can be enlarged, but friction between the discs increases and causes braking or driving by friction at inopportune moments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from superimposed/coaxial disc arrangements to a linear lateral arrangement of display elements. Instead of stacking discs vertically or rotating them around the same axis, the invention places tens and units indicators side-by-side in a horizontal sequence, eliminating the friction problem while maintaining large indication sizes.
2Shape
If coplanar and coaxial discs are used, then the appearance is improved, but the torque required to pivot the discs simultaneously increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the date display into separate tens and units indicators that are laterally arranged rather than coaxially superimposed. Each indicator can be pivoted independently on its own axis, segmenting the rotational movement and reducing the torque required compared to simultaneous pivoting of coaxial discs.
3Area of moving object
If separate wheels for tens and units digits are used, then the size of digits can be considerably enlarged, but the mechanism complexity increases with additional pivoting constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the tens and units indicators laterally in a horizontal dimension rather than stacking them vertically or rotating them coaxially. This dimensional change simplifies the support structure and pivoting mechanism while maintaining large digit sizes, as each indicator rotates on its own independent axis without interfering with the other.
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 solution provides legible and attractive date, day, and month displays without superimposition, eliminating friction constraints and reducing energy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A display mechanism featuring coplanar and coaxial display discs with ball bearings to reduce friction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a display mechanism for a timepiece movement including a first display wheel and a second display wheel, which are arranged to be coplanar, characterised in that the first and second display wheels are further arranged to be pivoted with respect to each other by way of at least one ball bearing.