Retrograde Jumping Display Drive Without a Jumper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive mechanisms for jumping displays require excessive energy consumption due to the need for a jumper to overcome holding forces, leading to oversized watch movements, and lack precision and security in maintaining the indicator's position.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism utilizing a cam and rake system with a freely rotating cam and pivotable rake, combined with a toothed wheel and drive cam, eliminates the need for a jumper by ensuring precise and secure display through minimal energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jumper is used to hold the indicator firmly in position, then the position stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the watch movement becomes oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the jumper component from the drive mechanism. Instead of using a jumper to hold the indicator firmly, the invention uses a cam mechanism where the cam profile itself provides the positioning and holding function through its geometric shape, eliminating the need for the jumper and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional jumper-based mechanical holding system with a cam-based geometric constraint system. The cam profile provides automatic positioning and holding through its shape, substituting the need for active jumper engagement and reducing the energy required to maintain position
2Reliability
If a jumper is used to prevent unintentional movement of the indicator, then the position security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the jumper component from the mechanism. The positioning and security functions previously performed by the jumper are integrated into the cam mechanism itself, simplifying the overall device by eliminating unnecessary components
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism performs multiple functions: it drives the indicator to the correct position, holds it securely there, and prevents unintentional movement. This multi-functional cam replaces the separate jumper component, reducing device complexity while maintaining position security
3Productivity
If the watch movement is sized to supply maximum energy for advancing the indicator, then the productivity of the display function is improved, but the weight and size of the watch movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides periodic positioning and holding actions as it rotates, with the cam profile automatically engaging and disengaging at specific points in the rotation cycle. This periodic action eliminates the need for continuous energy supply to maintain position, allowing the watch movement to be smaller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive jumper engagement system with a passive cam-based geometric constraint system. The cam profile provides automatic positioning and holding through its shape without requiring additional energy input, reducing the power requirements of the watch movement
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A drive mechanism (1) for a retrograde jumping display comprising a cam (2) mounted to rotate freely about a cam rotation axis (20) and a rake (3) mounted to pivot freely about a pivot axis (30), the cam (2) comprising at least one series of steps having different levels from each other, the rake (3) comprising a feeler (31) for contacting a step of at least one series of steps at a cam reading point to read information to be displayed, the rake (3) meshing with an indicator drive member (4) to display the information to be displayed, the cam (2) and the rake (3) being configured to drive the indicator drive member (4) in a retrograde jumping display movement during the rotation of the cam (2) in the same direction of rotation, the mechanism (1) comprising a toothed wheel (7) fixed in rotation to the cam (2),and a drive cam (8) mounted to rotate freely about an axis of rotation of the drive cam (80) and comprising at least one finger (81) intended to mesh with the teeth of the gear (7) to drive the gear (7) by one pitch as at least one finger (81) passes opposite the gear (7), the drive cam (8) being configured to block the rotation of the gear (7) between two pitches of the gear (7).