Timepiece Movement Day Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timepiece movements require users to pull out and reengage the day adjustment knob to set the day, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece movement design that includes a day adjustment mechanism with a first actuating shaft and a transmission gear system, allowing the day to be adjusted without pulling out the day adjustment knob, by converting the transmission gear to a relative rotation state to drive the day gear and hand independently of the hour mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the day adjustment knob is pulled out to adjust the day, then the day can be adjusted independently of the time mechanism, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission gear is designed to dynamically switch between two states: co-rotation with the hour shaft (when normal time setting is needed) and relative rotation (when day adjustment is needed). This dynamic state change allows the same mechanism to serve dual purposes without requiring the user to pull out the knob, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional engagement parameter between the inner ring segment and the tubular hour shaft is carefully controlled to allow transition between co-rotation and relative rotation states. By adjusting the frictional force threshold, the system enables seamless switching between time setting and day adjustment modes through simple rotational input, eliminating the need for knob extension and improving user convenience
2Reliability
If the transmission gear is engaged with the hour gear, then the time mechanism drives the hour shaft, but the day adjustment is affected when setting the time
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission gear's dynamic engagement state allows it to be driven by the hour gear during normal time setting (maintaining reliability of time mechanism) while simultaneously allowing independent day adjustment when in relative rotation state. The frictional engagement automatically maintains appropriate coupling based on the adjustment mode, ensuring both time mechanism reliability and independent day adjustment capability
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
Enables seamless adjustment of the day of the week without the need to pull out the day adjustment knob, simplifying the process and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission gear co-rotates with the tubular hour shaft through a frictional engagement between the inner ring segment and the tubular hour shaft
Implementation Method 2
The first coupling end is configured to transmit a first force exerted on the first operating end to the transmission gear through the day gear set such that when the exerted first force is sufficient to generate a torque overcoming the frictional engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece movement includes a movement case, a drive mechanism, a time mechanism driven by the drive mechanism, a day mechanism, and a day adjustment mechanism. The day mechanism is driven by the time mechanism through a frictional engagement therebetween. Once a torque generated by the day adjustment mechanism overcomes the frictional engagement, the day mechanism is permitted to be driven by the day adjustment mechanism. Therefore, an indicated day of the timepiece movement can be adjusted without pulling out of a day adjustment knob or an actuating shaft of the day adjustment mechanism.