Coplanar Date Disc Mechanism for Wristwatch Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing date display mechanisms for timepieces, such as wristwatches, face challenges in readability due to small marker sizes and aesthetic issues with coplanar or superimposed tens and units discs, leading to complex and cumbersome designs.
Innovation Solution
A date display mechanism featuring coplanar first and second date discs with truncated sectors, arranged to pivot in opposite directions, allowing for simultaneous or sequential display of date markers through a single aperture without visible separation or height differences, using a driving wheel set connected to the timepiece's going train for precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate discs are used for units and tens digits, then readability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the units and tens digits onto a single circular track, eliminating the need for separate discs. The track is divided into two zones: a first zone for units digits (0-9) and a second zone for tens digits (0-5), allowing both to be displayed simultaneously on one disc structure, thus reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining readability
Solution Approach 2:
The circular track is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first zone containing markers for units digits and a second zone containing markers for tens digits. This segmentation allows the single disc to effectively perform the function of multiple discs by spatially separating different digit types within one unified structure
2Device complexity
If coplanar display discs are used, then construction simplicity is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible space between digits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of digits to a circular arrangement, utilizing the radial dimension of a clock face. Digits are positioned at different angular positions around the circumference, with the aperture strategically located to display only the relevant digit based on its radial position, thereby eliminating visible gaps while maintaining a simple coplanar structure
3Measurement precision
If superimposed display discs are used, then readability is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to height differences visible through aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines what would traditionally require separate superimposed discs into a single coplanar disc structure. By arranging all digits (both units and tens) on one flat surface at different radial positions, the invention eliminates the height differences and visual discontinuities that plague superimposed disc designs, while still providing clear readability through strategic aperture placement
4Quantity of substance
If more markers are distributed on display, then information completeness is improved, but marker size decreases affecting readability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the circular geometry of a clock face to distribute markers along the circumference rather than linearly. This allows 31 date markers to be arranged around the circle with adequate spacing, maintaining readable marker size while accommodating all necessary date information. The circular arrangement effectively uses the radial and angular dimensions to optimize marker distribution
Data Source
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AI summary
A display mechanism for a timepiece comprising a first display disc (1) and a second display disc (2) arranged to be coplanar, each bearing markers (10, 20) and an aperture (3) located on the center line of the first and second display discs (1, 2). The display mechanism is arranged to rotate the first and second display discs (1, 2) in opposite directions and in the same plane so as to successively display the markers of the first display disc (1) and then the markers of the second display disc (2) through the aperture (3).