Timepiece Mechanism with Correction Mobile for Compact Date Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece mechanisms for date display are bulky due to the large diameter required for the month wheel to accommodate the maximum travel of the actuating pawl, and require precise manufacturing and assembly to function properly.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece mechanism with a correction mobile that can alter the path of the pawl, allowing it to move the mobile by two steps on each actuation, featuring a design with two states for the correction mobile that modifies the pawl's path, enabling a more compact structure and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a large diameter month wheel is used to accommodate the maximum travel of the actuating pawl, then the pawl can define the longest travel path for February with 28 days, but the overall device size increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the travel path of the pawl dynamic by varying it according to the length of the current month. The pawl's travel path is no longer fixed but adapts to the specific month being displayed, allowing the mechanism to use a smaller month wheel diameter while still accommodating the maximum required travel of 4 steps for February with 28 days.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the pawl's travel path length based on the month length. By adjusting the travel path parameter dynamically according to whether the month has 28, 29, 30, or 31 days, the mechanism achieves compact dimensions while maintaining full functionality for all month lengths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the month wheel is designed to accommodate maximum pawl travel for all month lengths, then all months can be displayed, but the manufacturing precision and assembly precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism dynamically adjusts the pawl's travel path based on the month length rather than being designed for the maximum travel in all cases. This dynamic adaptation reduces the stringency of manufacturing and assembly precision requirements while maintaining the ability to display all months correctly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the pawl's travel path into different lengths corresponding to different month lengths (28, 29, 30, or 31 days). By dividing the operation into distinct segments rather than requiring a single fixed path for all months, the manufacturing and assembly precision requirements are reduced.
3Area of stationary object
If the pawl travel path is reduced for months with more than 28 days, then the month wheel diameter can be smaller, but the device complexity increases due to the need for correction mobile and multiple paths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a correction mobile as an intermediary element that enables the pawl to define different travel paths based on the month length. This intermediary component facilitates the dynamic adjustment of the pawl's path, allowing compact dimensions to be achieved while managing the complexity through a dedicated control element.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction mobile enables the system to dynamically select between different pawl travel paths (first path for 28-day February, second path for other months), making the mechanism adaptive rather than static. This dynamic capability allows the use of a smaller month wheel while accommodating varying month lengths.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a timepiece mechanism which has a mobile including a tooth of a first type and a tooth of a second type, and a pawl that is intended to move the mobile by at least one step on each actuation and has a travel that is liable to move the mobile by two steps on each actuation. This timepiece mechanism has a correction mobile designed to define different paths of the pawl, depending on the state thereof, the pawl and the correction mobile being designed such that, on each actuation of the pawl: the pawl moves the mobile by one step; and the pawl moves the mobile by an additional step only when the correction mobile is in a predefined state and the tooth of the second type is situated along the travel of the pawl.