Timepiece Date Display Pinion Positioning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional date display mechanisms in timepieces, particularly large date calendar displays, face challenges in maintaining precise angular positioning of the units drive pinion during the transition from the last day of a month with 31 days to the first day of the following month, leading to potential obstruction and inaccurate date indication due to the temporary uncoupling from the horological movement.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced that allows for the precise adjustment of the angular position of a toothed wheel set, specifically a pinion, relative to a support using an adjustable toothed adjusting member, ensuring optimal meshing and correct positioning during the transition period by using a dual jumper that pivots and engages with both the units drive pinion and the date indicator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the units drive pinion is temporarily uncoupled from the drive wheel during the transition from the last day of a 31-day month to the first day of the following month, then the date indication can be maintained without obstruction, but the angular positioning precision of the pinion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedate indication accuracyVSAvoidangular positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dual jumper as an intermediary element that simultaneously engages with both the units drive pinion and the date indicator. This mediator maintains the angular positioning relationship between the pinion and indicator even when the pinion is uncoupled from the drive wheel, preventing both obstruction and positioning drift during the transition period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dual jumper is pre-configured to engage with the units drive pinion and date indicator before the transition occurs. This preliminary engagement ensures that the angular positioning is maintained in advance, preventing any potential obstruction or positioning errors during the critical transition from the last day of a 31-day month to the first day of the following month.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the angular position of the units drive pinion is not precisely adjusted, then the mechanism structure remains simple, but the meshing quality between the pinion and wheel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjusting mechanism complexityVSAvoidmeshing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dual jumper serves a dual function: it both engages with the units drive pinion and date indicator, and simultaneously maintains the precise angular positioning relationship. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate adjusting mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring high meshing quality between the pinion and wheel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11899402B2System for adjusting the position of a first toothed wheel set relative to a support on which the first toothed wheel set is pivotably mounted and timepiece comprising such a system

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 MONTRES BREGUET SA

AI summary

A system adjusts the angular position of a first toothed wheel set relative to a support on which the first toothed wheel set is mounted such that it can pivot. The adjusting system includes an adjusting member allowing an action to be applied to an angular position of the first toothed wheel set to adjust the angular position of the first toothed wheel set relative to the support. The invention adjusting system can be incorporated into a timepiece.