Rotary Disk Time-Interval Display With Multi-Window Number Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in remembering significant dates and time intervals effectively and consistently, as people often struggle to recall milestones and the time remaining until events.

Innovation Solution

A rotary disk arrangement comprising a carrier disk with viewing windows and rotatable disks displaying numbers, integrated with a machine-readable code linking to a time difference calculator, allowing users to set and visualize time intervals, and optionally featuring Braille representation for accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotary disk arrangement with multiple rotatable disks is used to display time intervals, then the ability to track and remember important dates and events is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to simple calendar methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory retention of time intervalsVSAvoidstructure of time tracking device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The time tracking function is segmented into multiple independent rotary disks, each representing a different time unit (days, weeks, months, years). This segmentation allows complex time interval tracking to be broken down into simple, manageable rotational adjustments, improving reliability while keeping each individual component simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary disks are nested within a common carrier disk structure, with each disk containing smaller functional elements (number indicators, viewing windows). This nesting allows multiple time units to be integrated in a compact arrangement, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive time tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If multiple rotatable disks with numbers are added to display time intervals, then the precision of time interval tracking is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple components to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime interval tracking precisionVSAvoidadjustment of time tracking device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary disks are pre-configured with standard time unit divisions (0-9 on each disk representing days, weeks, months, years). This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex calculations or custom configurations during operation, allowing users to simply rotate disks to set time intervals, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier disk serves as an intermediary structure that organizes and presents the numbers from multiple rotary disks in a unified, readable format. This intermediary layer simplifies the user interface by consolidating information from multiple complex components into a single coherent time interval display, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If viewing windows are added to the carrier disk to display numbers from rotatable disks, then the clarity of time interval display is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of time interval dataVSAvoidstructure of display mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The viewing windows extract and isolate only the relevant numerical information from the rotary disks, presenting it clearly through the carrier disk. This extraction of essential information improves display clarity by eliminating visual clutter, while the simple window structure avoids adding significant device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The viewing windows create a new visual dimension by allowing users to see through the carrier disk to the numbers on the rotary disks behind it. This dimensional approach improves information visibility without requiring complex display mechanisms, as the carrier disk itself becomes the display interface.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4704069A1Rotating disk assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 MEISSNER JAN
  • EP4704069A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4704069A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4704069A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary disk arrangement (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is described, comprising a carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) with a back (4R) and a front (4V) and at least one viewing window (10, 11, 12, 13) and with several rotary disks (9a, 9b, 9c) arranged on the back (4R) of the carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), each carrying a number of numbers (Z).The rotating disks (9a, 9b, 9c) are each rotatably mounted on the carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) about a rotation axis (A) perpendicular to the carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) relative to the carrier disk (4), and the carrier disk (4) and the rotating disks (9a, 9b, 9c) are designed such that, depending on the rotational position of the rotating disks (9a, 9b, 9c), at least one of the numbers (Z) arranged on each of the rotating disks (9a, 9b, 9c) is visible from the front (4V) of the carrier disk (4) through a viewing window (10, 11, 12, 13) of the carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein numbers (Z) from different rotating disks (9a, 9b, 9c) are visible side by side in a common viewing window (10, 12). are, so that together they make up a total number.The rotary disk arrangement (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprises a code (3) linked to a website or app which includes a time difference calculator (ZDR) and/or a program (DVP) for selecting and/or designing and downloading a print template for an information carrier for the carrier disk (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d). The invention further relates to a set comprising a rotary disk arrangement, a method for setting, a method for manufacturing, and a use of a rotary disk arrangement.