Date Mechanism Single-Level Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing date mechanisms for timepieces, such as those described in EP 1 596 261 A1 and EP 1 666 991 A1, occupy excessive space due to separate components for rotational drive, including internal toothing and month satellites or lugs, which are located at different levels, making them inefficient in displaying dates accurately at the end of months with either 30 or 31 days.
Innovation Solution
A date mechanism with a display crown featuring internal teeth on a single level, where a month cam and rocker with a feeler and pawl system allow for precise rotation, enabling correct date indication by incrementing or decrementing the display crown based on the number of days in the month, using a unique tooth configuration and positioning device to manage the rotation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate means for rotational drive (internal teeth and month satellite) are located on different levels, then the date mechanism can achieve correct date transition at month end, but the space occupied by the mechanism increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the internal teeth and month satellite onto the same level of the display crown, integrating functions that were previously separated into different spatial levels. This consolidation reduces the overall volume occupied by the mechanism while maintaining the ability to achieve correct date transitions at month end through coordinated action of the integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions components from a multi-level vertical arrangement to a single-level planar arrangement. By transitioning from utilizing vertical space (multiple levels) to utilizing horizontal space (single level with radial distribution), the mechanism achieves compactness without sacrificing functional capability for accurate date transition.
2Ease of operation
If separate means for rotational drive are used including internal teeth and lugs on different levels, then the mechanism can drive the display crown, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the internal teeth and lugs onto the same level of the display crown, reducing structural complexity by eliminating the need for multi-level component arrangement. The integrated single-level design simplifies the overall mechanism structure while preserving the drive capability for the display crown through coordinated interaction of the merged components.
3Device complexity
If a single pawl is used to actuate the display crown, then the mechanism requires fewer components and is more compact, but the mechanism must handle both date increment and month-end transition functions
Solution Approach 1:
The single pawl is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the date increment actuator and the month-end transition trigger. Through its interaction with the integrated internal teeth and lugs on the same level, the universal pawl handles both regular date advancement and special month-end date transitions, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms while maintaining full functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed so that the single pawl automatically distinguishes between regular date increment operations and month-end transition operations through its interaction with the positioned lugs and internal teeth. The system self-regulates the pawl's action based on the current date position, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or additional components to manage the different functional modes.
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 allows for accurate date display at the end of the month without manual intervention, reduces space usage by integrating all necessary components at a single level, and requires only a single pawl for actuation, enhancing efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a month cam whose angular position is indicative of the number of days in the current month, and a rocker comprising a feeler and a ratchet, said rocker being intended to be driven in rotation from a position in which its feeler is in contact with said month cam
Implementation Method 2
a rocker comprising a feeler and a ratchet, said rocker being intended to be driven in rotation... the pawl cooperates with a tooth of the inner teeth of the display crown, to cause the rotation of said display crown by one step
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a date mechanism (1) comprising a display ring (2) with internal teeth bearing date indications (7) from one to thirty-one, intended to be successively indicated to show the day of the month. One tooth of the internal teeth of the display ring (2) is replaced by a drive member (13) of a different shape from the teeth of said teeth. The mechanism also includes a month cam (3) whose angular position indicates the number of days in the current month, and a rocker (4) comprising a feeler (4a) and a ratchet (4b). The date mechanism (1) allows the correct transition of the date display at the end of the month, whether the month is thirty days or thirty-one days. In thirty-day months, on the night of the thirtieth to the first, the thirtieth of the month is followed by the first without manual intervention.