Moon Phase Display Device with Differential Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moon phase display mechanisms in watchmaking fail to provide a precise and realistic representation of the moon's phases throughout its lunation, particularly when the moon is gibbous.
Innovation Solution
A moon phase display device comprising a first disk with a rotating representation of the moon and a second disk with moon covers that rotate at different speeds, allowing for simultaneous visibility of all moon covers to indicate phases through adjacent apertures, along with a drive mechanism and disk corrector mechanism for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single disk with a fixed opening is used to display moon phases, then the structure is simple, but the display precision and realism are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single disk is segmented into two separate disks: a first disk carrying the moon representation and a second disk carrying multiple moon covers. This segmentation allows each disk to perform its specific function independently, improving display precision while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The second disk is made mobile and rotates at a different speed than the first disk, creating dynamic interaction between the two disks. This differential rotation enables the moon covers to sequentially reveal different portions of the moon representation, providing accurate phase display throughout the lunation cycle.
2Measurement precision
If a single disk with fixed moon representation is used, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot display realistic moon phases throughout the lunation
Solution Approach 1:
The second disk with moon covers is made mobile and rotates at a different speed than the first disk. This differential rotation creates the necessary dynamic interaction to display realistic moon phases throughout the lunation cycle, with each moon cover revealing different portions of the moon representation at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The moon covers on the second disk act as intermediaries between the fixed moon representation on the first disk and the observer's view. These covers selectively reveal portions of the moon representation, enabling accurate phase display while maintaining a clear visual interface for the user.
3Measurement precision
If all moon covers are visible simultaneously through one opening, then the structure is simple, but adjacent phases cannot be indicated
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing aperture is segmented into multiple adjacent openings, with each opening associated with specific moon covers. This segmentation allows different moon covers to be visible through different openings simultaneously, enabling precise indication of adjacent phases while maintaining overall structural simplicity through the superimposed disk arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a moon phase display device for a timepiece, the device comprising: - a first disc (1) bearing a representation of the moon (1A) and arranged to rotate about an axis with a first non-zero speed; - a second disc (2) superimposed on the first disc (1) and arranged to rotate about the axis with a second speed different from the first speed. The second disc (2) has several moon shields (2A) defining a series of apertures (2B), revealing the representation of the moon (1A) in order to successively indicate the phases of the moon of a lunar month through one of the apertures (2B). All the moon shields (2A) are visible simultaneously. The device is arranged such that the phases of the moon of successive lunar months are indicated through adjacent apertures (2B).