Double-Sided Timepiece Coaxial Display Mass Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in creating affordable, exclusive timepieces with additional functions is the space constraint and the need to maintain chronometric performance, as conventional displays on one side often require additional thickness and cost when complications are added on the opposite side, and mobiles may not have optimal balancing.
Innovation Solution
A double-sided timepiece design with coaxial, integral displays on both sides of a common axis, where the center of mass of each display is aligned with the axis, minimizing unbalance and using lightweight materials and geometric optimizations to reduce inertia, allowing for visual animations and additional functions without increasing thickness or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional displays and complications are added on the opposite face of the timepiece, then the functionality and visual appeal are improved, but the thickness and cost increase due to additional guides and mechanical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple display functions onto a single planar support structure, integrating the second display with the same support as the first display. This merging approach allows both displays to share common mechanical elements (shaft, support structure) rather than requiring separate thickness layers, thus adding functionality without proportionally increasing thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical stacking of displays (one above the other, requiring guides and increasing thickness) to a planar arrangement where both displays coexist on the same face or adjacent faces without overlapping in the thickness dimension. This dimensional reorganization eliminates the need for additional guides and reduces overall thickness
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional mobile displays are added to the timepiece, then the visual animation capability is improved, but the chronometric performance deteriorates due to suboptimal balancing of the mobile trains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving mechanism for both displays into a single mobile train system, where the first and second displays are driven by the same shaft and mobile elements. This unified approach allows for centralized balancing of the mobile train, ensuring that the added visual animation capability does not compromise chronometric performance through poor balancing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the distribution of mass in the mobile train system by strategically positioning the second display elements to balance the rotational inertia. The mobile train is designed with specific mass distribution characteristics that maintain optimal balancing despite the addition of extra display elements, preserving chronometric accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional display structures are used with additional complications, then the manufacturing process remains simple, but the cost increases due to additional thickness and material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple display functions onto a single planar support structure, integrating the second display with the same support as the first display. This merging approach allows both displays to share common mechanical elements (shaft, support structure) rather than requiring separate thickness layers, thus adding functionality without proportionally increasing material quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and mobile train are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - driving both the first and second displays, providing structural support, and enabling visual animations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, keeping manufacturing simple while reducing overall material requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A double-sided display timepiece (1000) comprising a structure (2000) carrying at least one movement (3000), and comprising on a first side of the structure (2000) first display means (100), and on a second side of the structure (2000) second display means (200), and comprising at least a first fixed pair of displays comprising, coaxial along a first common axis (D1) and fixed to a first common shaft (10), on the first side a first display (1) comprising said first display means (100), and on the second side a second display (2) comprising said second display means (200), the center of mass of the first display (1) and the center of mass of the second display (2) are, in projection onto a plane perpendicular to the first common axis (D1), aligned with the first common axis (D1) or coincident with it.