Dual-Axis Watch Indicator for Simultaneous Information Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional watch displays are limited in providing simultaneous information due to the restriction of a single indicator moving along a plane or axis, preventing the display of multiple information types at once.

Innovation Solution

A display mechanism for a watch that includes an indicator organ capable of rotating around two distinct axes, allowing for the simultaneous display of multiple information types through a set of drive organs that animate a rotary element to indicate secondary information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an indicator is restricted to moving in a plane or along a single axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of information displayed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of information displayedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator organ is enabled to rotate around two distinct axes of rotation (first axis and second axis) instead of being confined to a single plane or axis. This dimensional expansion allows the indicator to display multiple pieces of information simultaneously by orienting different portions of the indicator toward the user through dual-axis movement, directly resolving the contradiction between information quantity and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The single indicator organ is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating around two axes, allowing it to indicate different information types (e.g., time, date, lunar phase) at different orientations. This multi-functionality enables one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate indicators, increasing information display capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If a single indicator displays only one piece of information at a time, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of information displayedVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

By adding a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis, the indicator can simultaneously present multiple information types in different spatial orientations. The user can view multiple pieces of information at once by observing the indicator from different angles or having multiple information elements arranged around the indicator's path, eliminating the need to switch between single-information displays and reducing information loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator organ is effectively segmented into multiple information-displaying portions that can be oriented independently through dual-axis rotation. Each portion of the indicator can carry different information (e.g., time markers, date indicators, lunar phase symbols), and the segmentation allows these to be presented simultaneously or sequentially without losing any information, as all segments remain accessible through the expanded rotational freedom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3792703B1Rotary needle around two axes
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
  • EP3792703B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3792703B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3792703B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a watch display mechanism (100) comprising at least one indicator (110) and a drive assembly (120). The indicator (110) is mounted to rotate about a first axis of rotation (101) and is configured to indicate the time. The indicator (110) also includes a second axis of rotation (102) extending along the indicator (110) and a rotating element (111) mounted to rotate about the second axis of rotation (102). The drive assembly comprises a first drive element (121) and a second drive element (122) such that the first drive element (121) drives the rotating element (111) when it rotates about the first axis of rotation (101).