Watchmaking Indicator Device Using Cycloidal Satellite Gear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing perpetual calendar mechanisms in watchmaking are complex, large, and costly due to the use of gear trains, which increase friction and wear, making them less precise and more difficult to read, especially as they require multiple components and lubrication to operate effectively.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical device utilizing a cycloidal satellite gear to actuate a reduction of motion with a predetermined transmission ratio, allowing for the display of calendar information such as days, months, and years with a limited number of components, eliminating the need for additional hands or discs and reducing friction through shape-type toothed couplings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gear trains are used to actuate calendar indicators, then the mechanism can provide variable indications with different periodicity, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable indications with different periodicityVSAvoidnumber of mechanical members

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism divides the calendar indication function into separate modules: a programme wheel for day/week/month/year indications and a separate hand mechanism for hour/minute display. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and reduces the overall complexity by eliminating the need for complex integrated gear trains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional planar gear train arrangements to a three-dimensional configuration using a vertical programme wheel that rotates independently of the traditional horizontal gear train. This dimensional change allows for more compact packaging and reduced mechanical complexity while maintaining the same functional output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If gear trains with multiple components are used, then the mechanism can control multiple functions, but friction and wear increase requiring lubrication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functionsVSAvoidfriction and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the traditional gear train components (gears, pinions, and associated lubrication systems) from the mechanism. Instead, it uses a simplified programme wheel system that achieves the same multiple functions (day, week, month, year indications) without requiring the friction-prone gear train components, thereby removing the source of harmful friction and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hands and concentric discs are used to display calendar information, then the mechanism can provide comprehensive calendar indications, but the size and difficulty of reading increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive calendar indicationsVSAvoidreadability of calendar information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple calendar indication functions (day, week, month, year) into a single integrated programme wheel display. Instead of using separate hands and concentric discs for each function, all indications are consolidated on one wheel, reducing the number of moving parts and improving readability by eliminating the need to track multiple simultaneous movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If traditional gear train mechanisms are used for perpetual calendar, then the mechanism can be precise, but the assembly and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of calendar indicationVSAvoidassembly and production costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a programme wheel with printed or stamped indications rather than precision-machined gear teeth and components. This approach uses simpler, more economical manufacturing techniques (printing/stamping vs. precision machining) while maintaining the necessary functional precision through the mechanical design of the wheel and its driving mechanism, thereby reducing assembly and production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12181839B2Indicator device for watchmaking

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 LA VALLEE SRL

AI summary

An indicator device for watchmaking has a drive toothed wheel which rotates a driven programme wheel is substantially a circular crown with an external toothing and an internal toothing. The latter meshes with an eccentric internal toothed wheel whose cycloidal rotary movement with a suitable transmission ratio allows the information given on the programme wheel to be indicated. The device is suitable for making perpetual calendars of the clocks.