Dual Disc Timepiece for Simultaneous Multi-Zone Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces with 24 time zones face challenges in displaying multiple zones simultaneously due to limited angular space, especially on smaller wristwatches, and struggle with AM/PM differentiation in 2x12 hour formats, as previous solutions either restrict zone display to one zone or complicate time zone changes.
Innovation Solution
The timepiece employs two discs with doubled angular sectors for geographical names and unidirectional kinematic links between discs and time displays, allowing simultaneous display of two time zones with enhanced angular space and AM/PM indication using dual hands and sector color coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single disc with 24 time zones is used, then the timepiece can display multiple time zones, but the angular space for each time zone sector is limited to 15° making geographical indications difficult to register
Solution Approach 1:
The single disc is divided into two separate discs, each displaying 12 time zones. This segmentation allows each disc to have larger sectors (30° per zone instead of 15°) while still providing comprehensive 24 time zone coverage when both discs are used together. The geographical indications on each disc occupy double the angular space, making them much easier to read and identify.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-dimensional display (one disc) to a two-dimensional arrangement (two discs stacked or positioned together). This dimensional change allows the timepiece to maintain comprehensive time zone coverage while increasing the angular space available for each individual time zone sector on each disc.
2Ease of operation
If a 2x12 hour display format is used, then the timepiece can show hours in a conventional manner, but it becomes difficult to differentiate between AM and PM times in other time zones
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator hands are given different properties: they are either luminous or non-luminous. This local quality difference allows the hands to differentiate between AM and PM times - for example, luminous hands indicate daytime hours while non-luminous hands indicate nighttime hours, or vice versa. This resolves the AM/PM differentiation problem while maintaining the conventional 2x12 hour display format.
Solution Approach 2:
The hands use visual properties (luminosity) to encode time of day information. By making one hand luminous and the other non-luminous, the system uses optical properties to convey AM/PM differentiation, allowing users to easily distinguish between morning/afternoon and evening/night hours in different time zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple time zones are displayed simultaneously, then the timepiece provides comprehensive time information, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the time zone display into two separate discs with 12 zones each, the mechanism for each disc can be simpler and more reliable. Each disc can be driven by independent, simpler gear trains rather than attempting to drive a single complex 24-zone disc. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual mechanisms while achieving the same overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The two discs are combined in a stacked or overlapping arrangement where both displays work together to provide 24 time zone coverage. The hands of both discs operate simultaneously, with one hand indicating hours and the other indicating AM/PM status. This merging of two simpler systems achieves the comprehensive time zone display functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a timepiece comprising a dial provided with means (7a, 7b) for selective and simultaneous analog display of respective hours of several time zones, distributed on two non-coaxial superimposed annular discs (9, 10) of similar diameters, arranged beneath said dial and each of which is divided into twelve sectors each corresponding to a time zone. The dial has two diametrically opposite windows (5, 6), arranged on a diameter passing through the swivel axes of the two annular discs (9, 10), each being located opposite a segment of the trajectory of the respective discs. Each of the discs (9, 10) is linked to a manual selection member (23, 24) and, by a one-way kinematic link (17, 18), to an hour display member (7a, 7b) of the corresponding time zone.