Double-Sided Watch Movement Using Planar Display Disc

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch movements with double-sided displays are bulky, making them unsuitable for certain applications where space constraints are significant, and often require additional components to achieve dual-sided visibility of information.

Innovation Solution

A watch movement design that uses a single display member with a substantially planar shape to display the same information on both sides, reducing overall size and component count, allowing for flexible placement and adaptation to available space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional double-sided display mechanism is used to display information on both sides of the watch movement, then the display functionality is achieved, but the size and complexity of the mechanism increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedouble-sided display functionalityVSAvoidmechanism footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display functions for both sides of the watch movement into a single display member (disc 28) that can be viewed from both faces. This single disc replaces what would traditionally require separate display mechanisms for each side, thereby reducing the overall footprint and complexity while maintaining full double-sided display functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single display member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays information on the first face, displays information on the second face, and can be driven by a single drive mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display components for each side, directly addressing the volume reduction requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate display components are used for each side of the watch movement, then each side can be optimized independently, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent display optimizationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple display functions into a single integrated display member with two faces. Instead of using separate display components for the first and second sides, one disc performs both display functions, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly while still allowing independent optimization of each face's display characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact display mechanism is used to reduce footprint, then space constraints are satisfied, but the display readability and visibility from both sides may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism footprintVSAvoiddisplay readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) by positioning the single display member at a specific location within the movement structure, allowing it to be optimally viewed from both faces. This spatial arrangement ensures that the compact display member maintains full readability from both sides without requiring additional space, effectively using dimensional positioning to resolve the readability concern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3738004B1Timepiece movement comprising a display member simultaneously visible on both sides of the movement.
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 BOVET FLEURIER
  • EP3738004B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3738004B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a timepiece movement (4) comprising a first side intended to be visible through a first glass of a timepiece (1) and a second side intended to be visible through a second glass, said timepiece movement (4) comprising at least one mobile for driving a display member (16, 24) for displaying the current time, as well as a display mobile for displaying an additional magnitude intended to be displayed on the first and second sides of the timepiece movement (4), said display mobile driving a display member (28) displaying the additional magnitude, having a flat general shape and bearing a first indication relating to the additional magnitude on a first of its two faces (40) and an additional indication relating to the additional magnitude on its second face (42), said display member (28) being arranged such that the additional magnitude is displayed simultaneously on the first and second sides of the timepiece movement (4).