Mechanical Watch Calendar Display with Automatic Month Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calendar display devices for mechanical watches require manual adjustment at the start of each month and do not allow an extended view of calendar data towards the end of the month, making them complex, costly, and aesthetically less appealing.
Innovation Solution
A calendar display device with a correction mechanism that includes a gear train and direct kinematic link between the disk of months and the rotary disk, allowing bidirectional modification of the month displayed, enabling automatic indexing of days and dates, and allowing an extended view of calendar data at any time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a calendar display device shows calendar data for an entire month, then the user can view the entire current month conveniently, but the device requires manual intervention at the start of each month to readjust the inscriptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the calendar display automatically readjusts the relationship between the disk of days and disk of dates at the start of each month without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the existing gear train that drives the disk of months to automatically detect month transitions and trigger the readjustment of the rotary disk, making the system self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the position of the disk of months serves as input to control the positioning of the rotary disk. The system continuously monitors the month indicator and automatically adjusts the calendar display configuration based on the current month, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy without user intervention.
2Extent of automation
If a perpetual calendar mechanism is used to automatically readjust calendar inscriptions, then the device provides automatic calendar correction, but the design becomes complex with multiple drive trains and complicated kinematics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the automatic readjustment function with the existing gear train that drives the disk of months. Instead of creating a separate perpetual calendar mechanism with independent drive trains, the invention integrates the month-transition detection and disk readjustment functions into the existing monthly indication mechanism, sharing common components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing gear train multi-functional by having it serve both to drive the disk of months for indication purposes and to trigger the automatic readjustment of the rotary disk. This universal component performs multiple functions: indicating the current month, detecting month transitions, and initiating the calendar correction sequence, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated separate mechanisms.
3Extent of automation
If a complex kinematic chain with multiple drive trains is implemented, then automatic calendar correction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the existing gear train structure, eliminating the need for separate drive trains for month indication and calendar correction. By merging these functions into a single integrated mechanism, the number of parts to manufacture and assemble is reduced, simplifying production while maintaining automatic correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing components (the gear train that already drives the month indicator) to perform the correction function, rather than requiring external or additional specialized mechanisms. This self-service approach leverages already-manufactured components for dual purposes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
4Loss of information
If the disk of days is fixed and the disk of dates is rotary, then the calendar display can show extended view towards the end of the month, but the device requires complex mechanisms to coordinate the rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional calendar display configuration by making the disk of days fixed and the disk of dates rotary, opposite to conventional designs. This inversion, combined with using the disk of months' drive train to control the rotary disk, simplifies the coordination mechanism while enabling extended calendar viewing capability towards the end of the month.
Data Source
AI summary
A calendar display device for a mechanical watch piece including a first disk, the disk of days, carrying multiple series of inscriptions symbolizing the seven days of the week, a second disk, the disk of dates, carrying inscriptions symbolizing the date of the month, a third disk, the disk of months, carrying 12 inscriptions symbolizing the months of the year. One of the disk of days and the disk of dates acts as a dial by being fixed, whereas the other acts as a rotary disk by being arranged concentrically and rotatably in relation to the dial. The dial includes an aperture making it possible to see the inscription of the current month on the disk of months. A hand indicates simultaneously the date and the day of the week. The device includes a correction mechanism cooperating at least with a gear train bidirectionally driving the disk of months.