Off-Center Ring Aperture for Large Date Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional timepieces with a single disc for displaying the date result in small, difficult-to-read date indications, and using two concentric rings to display the last two numerals of the year reduces the size of the numerals, compromising readability.

Innovation Solution

The use of two rings with substantially equal dimensions, where the first ring is placed on top of the second and off-centre relative to it, allowing the outer edge of the first ring to border the inner edge of the second, creating a larger aperture display with increased numeral size without the need for smaller numerals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two concentric rings are used to display the last two numerals of the year, then the display capacity is improved (can show 100 positions), but the numeral size is reduced, compromising readability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capacityVSAvoidnumeral size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing one ring inside another (concentric arrangement), where the first ring with tens numerals is nested within the second ring with units numerals. This allows both rings to share the same aperture space while maintaining their individual display functions, achieving 100 distinct positions without requiring a larger overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-plane display to a multi-dimensional arrangement by stacking two rings at different depths (one inside the other). This vertical/dimensional stacking allows the display to utilize the third dimension (depth), enabling 100 positions to be displayed within the same aperture area while maintaining readable numeral sizes through proper dimensional distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single disc is used for displaying the date, then the device complexity is reduced, but the date indication size is small and difficult to read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidindication size

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the date display function into two separate rings: the first ring displays the tens digit (0-3) and the second ring displays the units digit (0-9). This segmentation allows each ring to have larger, more readable numerals compared to a single disc, while the combined display of both rings provides the complete date information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges two separate display rings into a unified display system that functions as a single date indicator. By combining the tens digit display (first ring) and units digit display (second ring) within the same aperture, the system achieves both improved readability and compact integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8730767B2Large aperture display for a timepiece

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-center in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).