Astronomical Watch Gear Train with 3D Sphere Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Astronomical watches face challenges in accurately displaying the cycles of certain stars, particularly lunar cycles, due to space constraints that limit the number of wheels needed for precise duration representation, and often neglect the indication of astral days, with existing mechanisms providing approximate precision and inconvenient visualization.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism comprising a gear train for constant frequency drive connection, featuring a three-dimensional display of the day and phase of a star using a first mobile sphere driven by a phase shaft and a day shaft, with disengagement means to adapt the period, allowing for precise representation of lunar days and months, and attractive user visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of wheels are used to ensure accurate approximation of lunar days and months, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and volume requirements exceed available space in the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display of lunar phase and lunar day into a single integrated mechanism. The sphere serves dual purposes: its position along the arc indicates lunar phase while its rotation indicates lunar day. This merging eliminates the need for separate wheel trains for each function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sphere is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously performs multiple display functions. It indicates both the phase of the moon (through its position) and the lunar day (through its rotation), making a single component serve where traditionally multiple components would be needed.
2Ease of operation
If traditional two-dimensional displays are used for star phases, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and user visibility deteriorate due to inconvenient visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat displays to a three-dimensional representation using a sphere that moves along an arc and rotates. This adds spatial dimension to the display, making lunar phases and days visually intuitive and attractive while maintaining mechanical simplicity through clever use of the sphere's degrees of freedom.
3Loss of information
If the indication of astral day is neglected in most horological displays, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs regarding complete astronomical data
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism merges the indication of lunar phase and lunar day into a single unified display system. The sphere's position and rotation work together to convey both pieces of astronomical information simultaneously, ensuring complete astronomical data is presented without requiring separate mechanisms for each parameter.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
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AI summary
The mechanism (1) has a gear train (2) provided for constant frequency gear driving on an output of a timepiece movement. A three-dimensional display unit (3) displays day and phase of a celestial body that is represented by a mobile component (5) i.e. sphere, which is driven by the gear train. The gear train includes a phase wheel (10) and a day wheel (20) meshed on the output of the timepiece movement. The phase wheel or the day wheel includes an uncoupling unit located between an input and an output, where uncoupling unit of the day wheel includes a jumper spring (25). An independent claim is also included for a timepiece movement.