Dive Watch Depth Variation Indicator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dive watches available in the market do not account for the stability of a diver's depth during decompression stops, which is crucial for efficient nitrogen elimination from the bloodstream, posing a safety risk if not managed properly.
Innovation Solution
A dive watch equipped with a depth variation indicator hand that provides real-time feedback on depth fluctuations relative to the decompression stop depth, using a differential gear mechanism to lock and unlock hands during different phases of diving and decompression, ensuring the diver maintains stability at the required depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a dive watch provides instantaneous depth indication, then the diver can avoid exceeding maximum dive depth, but the watch does not provide information on depth stability during decompression stops
Solution Approach 1:
The depth indication function is segmented into two separate hands: a depth indicator hand showing absolute depth and a depth variation indicator hand showing deviations from decompression depth. This segmentation allows simultaneous display of both absolute position and stability information without cluttering the dial or requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth variation indicator hand acts as an intermediary that translates depth stability information into a visually distinct format. By using a separate hand that oscillates around a central position, it mediates the transmission of stability data to the diver, making depth variations immediately recognizable without interfering with the primary depth indication.
2Reliability
If a depth variation indicator hand is added to show depth fluctuations, then decompression stop stability can be monitored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both depth indication and depth variation functions are merged into a single differential gear mechanism. The mechanism integrates the depth indicator hand and depth variation indicator hand sharing common components (housing, gear train, locking mechanism), allowing two functions to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential gear mechanism serves multiple functions: it drives both the depth indicator hand and depth variation indicator hand, provides locking capability for both hands during different dive phases, and enables automatic resetting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
3Ease of operation
If the depth variation indicator hand is locked at zero during descent, then the indicator is ready to show variations, but the mechanism requires complex locking and unlocking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The differential gear mechanism automatically locks and unlocks the hands based on dive phase without requiring manual intervention. During descent, the depth variation hand is automatically locked at zero; during decompression stops, it automatically unlocks to show variations; and after stops, it automatically resets. This self-service operation eliminates complex manual locking/unlocking controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is dynamic rather than static, automatically transitioning between locked and unlocked states based on dive conditions. The mechanism responds to depth changes and timer signals to dynamically adjust the locking state of the hands, providing ease of operation without requiring complex manual control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a mechanical or electromechanical dive watch including hour (4) and minute (6) hands, a pressure sensor (42), a depth indicator hand (14) and a depth variation indicator hand (22), the depth indicator hand (14) providing a diver with an indication of the instantaneous value of the depth at which he is situated when diving, the depth variation indicator hand (22) being at that moment locked at zero, the depth indicator hand (14) being locked in turn when the diver reaches a required decompression stop and the depth variation indicator hand (22) being released to indicate to the diver any variations in his depth relative to the decompression stop depth, the depth variation indicator hand (22) then being returned to zero and locked while the depth indicator hand (14) is released and again indicates the exact dive depth when the diver resumes his ascent towards the surface.