Lunar Phase Indicator Rotating Disc Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Moon phase indicators in watchmaking fail to accurately represent the phases of the Moon, particularly in simulating the appearance of the Moon's growth and decay, and do not account for the phenomenon of lunar libration, offering crude and static representations that do not accurately reflect the observable Moon phases from different hemispheres.
Innovation Solution
A display device that includes a Moon mobile and a wicket, configured to operate in multiple modes, allowing for faithful representation of Moon phases by adjusting the position of the Moon mobile and window based on user input or automatically, incorporating a control unit to simulate the Moon's appearance and libration in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with detailed surface representations and dynamic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating disc with two full moons is used to indicate moon phases, then the mechanism is simple, but the representation accuracy is poor and cannot faithfully reproduce the Moon's appearance and libration
Solution Approach 1:
The Moon's surface is segmented into multiple zones representing different hemispheres (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western), with each zone containing detailed crater and terrain representations. This segmentation allows the single mobile to display accurate Moon phases and libration effects for different viewing angles without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat representation to a three-dimensional convex Moon surface that can be viewed from multiple angles. The mobile features a convex surface with raised crater details that create realistic shadows and depth, enabling faithful reproduction of the Moon's appearance as seen from different hemispheres.
2Loss of information
If static crude representations with only 3-4 phases are used, then the device complexity is low, but the information completeness is insufficient and cannot show the approximately 28 phases of the Moon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mobile that rotates along with the timepiece's time-indicating hand, continuously changing the visible Moon phase representation. This dynamic mechanism replaces static crude illustrations with a moving display that automatically shows all 28 phases in sequence, providing complete information without requiring manual intervention or complex multiple-position mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single mobile serves multiple functions: it displays the current Moon phase, reproduces libration effects, and adapts to show different hemispheric views. This universal design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate indicators into one integrated component, maintaining low complexity while maximizing information completeness.
3Measurement precision
If the curvature of the light side remains constant on moon phase indicators, then the manufacturing is simple, but the visual realism is poor and does not match the observable concave/convex changes in reality
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile features a convex spherical surface with accurately positioned craters and terrain features. This spherical geometry naturally creates the correct curvature effects and shadow patterns that match the real Moon's appearance, including the transition between convex and concave lighting as phases change. The three-dimensional form is achieved through precision molding or machining techniques.
4Measurement precision
If libration phenomenon is completely absent in moon phase representations, then the mechanism is simple, but the fidelity to actual Moon observation is reduced and deplored by amateurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Moon phase indication function with the libration display function into a single integrated mobile. The mobile's rotation along with the time-indicating hand simultaneously accomplishes both tasks: showing the correct phase while reproducing the libration effect through its convex surface geometry and crater positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate libration mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~6B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a display device (100) for a timepiece representing the lunar libration phenomenon by means of at least one moon phase display (110), at least one aperture (120), and at least one drive element (130). Said at least one moon phase display (110) comprises a lunar phase representation assembly (115) including at least three lunar phases with a first surface (118), a second surface (119), and/or a boundary (117) configured to delimit said first surface (118) and said second surface (119). Said at least one aperture (120) is configured to reveal said lunar phase representation assembly (115), and said at least one drive element (130) is configured to move said at least one moon phase display (110) so as to represent the lunar libration phenomenon.