Large Date Calendar Mechanism Using Stacked Discs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large date calendar mechanisms for timepieces often require complex components and limited display dimensions, making them inefficient for showing all 31 days of a month through a single aperture.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism employs three superposed discs (upper, intermediate, and lower) with each disc divided into 11 sectors, driven by a cannon pinion integral to a star wheel, and a control movement that selectively meshes with the star wheels to advance the discs one step per day, allowing all 31 days to be displayed through a large aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If two display rings are used to show calendar days, then the display function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the display dimension is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The calendar display is segmented into three separate discs, each responsible for displaying a specific range of days (1-10, 11-20, 21-31). This segmentation allows the complex 31-day display to be divided into simpler, manageable segments, reducing the overall mechanism complexity while expanding the display capability beyond what two rings could achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional ring structure to a three-dimensional stacked disc structure. By adding the vertical dimension with three superposed discs, the mechanism can display all 31 days simultaneously through the aperture, overcoming the dimensional limitation of flat two-ring systems.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple rings are used for calendar display, then the display range is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism employs a dynamic driving system where only one disc is actively driven at any given time, while the other two discs remain stationary. The control movement selectively engages different star wheels based on the current day, creating a dynamic energy-efficient operation mode that minimizes unnecessary movement and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control movement operates periodically, advancing one disc by one position at a time as days progress. This periodic action ensures that energy is consumed only when necessary for display updates, rather than continuously driving all display elements, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact calendar mechanism is used, then the device size is reduced, but the display dimension is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The three display discs are nested vertically one above the other, with each disc containing a portion of the day numerals. This nesting arrangement allows the mechanism to maintain a compact horizontal footprint while expanding the vertical display area, enabling all 31 days to be displayed through a single aperture without significantly increasing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
By stacking the display elements vertically in three layers rather than arranging them horizontally, the patent achieves a compact mechanism volume while maximizing the effective display area. The vertical stacking allows the aperture to access numerals from all three discs sequentially, expanding display capacity without increasing horizontal dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
The large date mechanism comprises three superposed indicator discs (1, 2, 3). The lower disc (3) bears eleven numerals (8) and the upper (1) and intermediate (2) discs each bear ten numerals (4, 6) and a window (5, 7). Each of the discs is integral to a star wheel (12, 13, 14) with cannon pinions (9, 10, 11). The cannon pinion star wheels are selectively driven by a control movement (15) comprising three toothed sectors (19, 18, 17) integral to a calendar day wheel (16) that advances one step per day. The mechanism can be supplemented by a safety device ensuring blocking of the star wheels when they should be stationary.