Nested Roller Jumping Display for Compact Dual-Time Watches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating different displays, such as hands or discs for main displays and roller displays for secondary displays, in a compact timepiece like a watch is challenging due to space constraints, and ensuring easy distinction between them without confusion, especially when units differ, requiring complex conversion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A roller-based jumping clock display mechanism with cams and rockers that allows for instantaneous jumps, integrating a main display for Earth time and a secondary roller display for Martian time, using a combination of inner and outer rollers with specific coding and synchronization mechanisms to ensure clear differentiation and efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a roller display is used for a secondary display in a watch, then the display clarity and readability are improved, but the space required and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested rollers where an inner roller is positioned within an outer roller, both visible through a single aperture. The inner roller displays one quantity (e.g., Martian time) while the outer roller displays another quantity (e.g., Earth time), allowing multiple displays to coexist in a compact arrangement that minimizes space while maintaining clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar display arrangements to a three-dimensional nested roller configuration. By stacking rollers in the depth dimension and viewing them through a single aperture, the design accommodates multiple displays without increasing the watch face area, effectively utilizing vertical space
2Loss of information
If conventional displays (hands or discs) are used for main display and roller display for secondary display, then the distinction between displays is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs roller displays for both the main display (Earth time on outer roller) and secondary display (Martian time on inner roller), eliminating the need for mixed display types. This universal approach maintains clear distinction between displays through their different functions while using a standardized roller mechanism for both, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple display functions into a single nested roller assembly visible through one aperture. The outer roller and inner roller are mechanically integrated, sharing common mounting and viewing space, which simplifies the overall construction compared to separate display mechanisms while maintaining clear functional distinction
3Adaptability or versatility
If different units are used for main and secondary displays, then the information provided is improved, but the need for conversion mechanisms increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timekeeping function into independent display units: the outer roller displays Earth time in hours and minutes, while the inner roller displays Martian time in hours and minutes. Each roller is driven by independent cam mechanisms that directly encode the respective time units, eliminating the need for complex real-time conversion mechanisms while providing both time systems simultaneously
Data Source
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AI summary
A roller-type jumping clockwork display mechanism (100), each display comprising a roller (1, 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 3A, 3B, 4) and/or a combination roller (10) comprising two rollers (1A, 1B, 3A, 3B) internal to one another, held in the rest position by first elastic return means (311, 312, 313, 314, 316), at least one display being rotatable by the movement of at least one rocker (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) whose fall is controlled or prevented by at least one cam (21, 22, 23, 24, 244, 245, 246, 247) driven by a movement (500), and at least one triggering or correction rocker (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) is arranged to cooperate simultaneously in support with two cams (21, 22, 23, 24, 244, 245, 246, 247) towards which it is recalled by second elastic return means (119, 129, 139, 149, 159, 169).