Moon And Earth Phase Display Ring With Shared Watch Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moon and Earth phase displays in watchmaking add significant complexity to horological movements, and concomitant display of both phases is desired for aesthetic reasons but complicates the kinematics.
Innovation Solution
A display device comprising a ring with graphical representations of Moon and Earth phases, driven by a mechanism that allows sequential movement, with apertures to distinguish between the phases and minimal adaptation to existing watch designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Moon phase and Earth phase displays are integrated into a horological movement, then aesthetic value and functionality are improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Moon phase and Earth phase displays into a single integrated mechanism. A single display ring contains both Moon phase indications (first set of markings) and Earth phase indications (second set of markings), which are viewed through respective apertures. This merging approach allows both displays to share common components including the drive mechanism, display ring, and aperture structure, thereby achieving dual functionality while controlling overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If concomitant display of Moon and Earth phases is implemented, then aesthetic value is improved, but kinematic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display ring is segmented into distinct functional zones: one portion displays Moon phase markings visible through a first aperture, while another portion displays Earth phase markings visible through a second aperture. The dial is also segmented with separately positioned apertures. This segmentation allows each phase display to operate independently through its own viewing aperture while sharing the common drive mechanism, enabling concomitant display without requiring separate kinematic systems.
3Device complexity
If a single drive mechanism is used for both Moon and Earth phases, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing aperture-specific optical elements: the first aperture includes a first aperture glass with specific optical properties for viewing Moon phase, while the second aperture includes a second aperture glass with different optical properties for viewing Earth phase. This allows each viewing position to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a simple single-drive-mechanism architecture. The localized optimization at each aperture compensates for the simplified overall mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A Moon phase and Earth phase display device (100) for a horological movement, which device includes a display (110) including a plurality of graphical representations (120) symbolising respectively different successive phases of a celestial body, a dial (130) provided with two apertures (131) arranged so as to concomitantly display two diametrically opposed graphical representations (120), one of which symbolises a Moon phase and the other of which symbolises an Earth phase, and a drive mechanism (140) configured to drive the display (110) in sequential movement.