Date Wheel Drive Mechanism for Low-Loss Instantaneous Calendar Jumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clockwork calendar systems face challenges in achieving efficient, compact, and energy-efficient instantaneous date jumps, particularly in annual, semi-perpetual, or perpetual calendar systems, due to energy consumption issues and torque fluctuations that can cause amplitude drops in the oscillator.
Innovation Solution
A clockwork calendar system with a drive device comprising a finger and tooth configuration that allows for instantaneous date changes, utilizing a desmodromic system and a spring-loaded rocker to minimize energy loss and torque fluctuations, enabling multiple angular steps with a single action of the drive finger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive wheel is used in a perpetual calendar system, then the device complexity is reduced, but torque fluctuations occur that cause amplitude drops in the oscillator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive mechanism into two separate drive wheels (first drive wheel and second drive wheel) instead of using a single drive wheel. Each wheel has its own drive finger that acts on the date wheel at different angular positions. This segmentation allows the torque delivery to be distributed and optimized, reducing fluctuations while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a month programming cam is placed coaxially with the second drive wheel, then the device structure is simplified, but the positioning of the second drive wheel's axis is limited which affects drive optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the month programming cam (7) on the frame at a location that is not coaxial with the second drive wheel (2). The cam is positioned such that its axis is offset from the drive wheel's axis, allowing the second drive finger (21) to act on the movable tooth (51) of the date wheel (4) at an optimized angular position. This dimensional repositioning enables better drive geometry and efficiency.
3Reliability
If the second drive finger completes a full rotation around the month programming cam every day, then the calendar system functions correctly, but premature wear of the drive mechanism occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monthly programming function from the daily rotation cycle of the second drive finger. The movable tooth (51) on the date wheel is engaged by the second drive finger (21) only at specific moments (at the end of months with 30 or fewer days), rather than requiring continuous engagement throughout the entire daily rotation. This reduces the frequency and intensity of interactions, thereby reducing wear on the drive mechanism while maintaining correct calendar functionality.
4Reliability
If a return spring is used to elastically return the second drive finger against the cam, then the drive mechanism operates reliably, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs that conflicts with instantaneous jump drive requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the return spring mechanism entirely. Instead of using a spring to elastically return the second drive finger (21) against the cam (7), the system relies on the natural geometry of the cam profile and the gravitational force acting on the date wheel assembly. The cam profile is designed to guide the drive finger through its required motion path, and gravity provides the returning force, converting what would have been an energy-consuming spring mechanism into a passive, energy-neutral system that still achieves reliable operation.
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 efficient, compact, and energy-efficient instantaneous date jumps, reducing energy losses and torque fluctuations, while allowing for seamless transitions in annual, semi-perpetual, or perpetual calendar systems.
Implementation Method 1
the cooperation of the cam and the rocker allows an instantaneous rotation of the drive wheel, which allows an instantaneous change of date regardless of the number of jumps made by the date disc
Data Source
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AI summary
Abbreviation: Clock calendar system (200), the system comprising: - a date wheel (4) movable step by step relative to a frame (199); - a first finger (21) for driving the date wheel (4); - a first tooth (51) for driving the date wheel (4), the first tooth (51) being mounted movable on the date wheel (4) between a deactivated or retracted position and an activated or driving position; - an activation system (6, 7) for the first tooth (51); the first drive finger (21) and the first tooth (51) being arranged so that a single action of the first drive finger (21) on the first tooth (51) causes, depending on the time of the activation of the first tooth (51) by the activation system (6, 7), a displacement of the mobile (4) of n steps, with n an integer taking any value between 1 and N, N being an integer such that N>1, in particular N=2 or N=3.