Three-Disc Date Calendar Mechanism for Large Aperture Timepieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing date mechanisms in timepieces often require complex drive systems and additional components, which can lead to mechanical instability and energy consumption, making them less efficient and prone to errors in displaying the date through a large aperture.
Innovation Solution
A date calendar mechanism using three superimposed discs with a control wheel system that selectively drives each disc, allowing for a simple and efficient display of all thirty-one days of the month through a large window, with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental disc movement and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If two superposed display rings are used with selective drive means, then the date can be displayed through a large aperture, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive means and abutment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The date display is segmented across three separate discs (first disc with digits 1-10, second disc with digits 11-20, third disc with digits 21-31), each independently rotatable on the same axis. This segmentation allows each disc to be driven separately by a simplified control mechanism rather than requiring complex selective drive means for two rings, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining large aperture display capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having a single complex drive mechanism that selectively drives one of two rings, the invention inverts the approach by using three simple discs that are each independently driven in sequence. The control wheel rotates the first disc for dates 1-10, then the second disc for dates 11-20, and finally the third disc for dates 21-31, eliminating the need for abutment mechanisms and selective drive means
2Ease of operation
If complex drive systems with abutment mechanisms are used, then selective disc driving is achieved, but mechanical stability decreases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into three simple toothed sectors (first sector with 10 teeth for dates 1-10, second sector with 10 teeth for dates 11-20, third sector with 11 teeth for dates 21-31) that sequentially engage with the corresponding discs. Each sector is positioned at a different radial distance from the axis, allowing simple sequential engagement without complex abutment mechanisms, thereby improving mechanical stability while maintaining selective driving capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control wheel acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the power source and the three display discs. The toothed sectors on the control wheel sequentially engage with the discs through intermediate positioning (first sector at greater radial distance, second sector at intermediate distance, third sector at lesser distance), providing reliable selective driving without direct complex mechanisms between the drive source and each disc
3Productivity
If multiple drive mechanisms are provided for two rings, then date display is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The date display functionality is achieved by segmenting the display across three simple discs that rotate independently on the same axis. Each disc is driven by a simple toothed sector on the control wheel, eliminating the need for multiple complex drive mechanisms. This segmentation reduces energy consumption while maintaining full date display capability from 1 to 31
Solution Approach 2:
All three discs share a common rotation axis and are controlled by a single control wheel with three toothed sectors. This merging of the drive system into a single control mechanism rather than separate drive mechanisms for each disc reduces energy consumption while achieving complete date display functionality
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The mechanism has indicators to which a portion of numerals of days of a month is affixed. An upper disk (1), an intermediate disk (2) and a lower disk (3) of the indicators are respectively, divided into eleven sectors. A control movement (15) fitted with a calendar day wheel (16) is arranged to mesh with star wheels (12-14) to drive the upper disk while the other discs remain stationary, to drive the intermediate disk when the upper disk runs through all numerals (4) of the upper disk and to drive the lower disk when the intermediate disk runs through numerals (6) of the intermediate disk.