Segmented Solar Panel Layout for Luxury Timepiece Dials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-powered timepieces face challenges in efficiently generating power and maintaining a beautiful appearance without requiring special processing on the dial side, due to the need for optical transparency and the limitations of materials like plastics.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel design that includes power generation areas and a connection area which generates a smaller amount of power, allowing for efficient power generation and integration with a dial made of materials that do not transmit light, such as metal or ceramics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a solar panel is disposed below a dial made of transparent material, then light can be transmitted to the solar panel for power generation, but the solar panel becomes visible through the dial which spoils the beautiful appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is segmented into power generation areas and connection areas. The connection areas are positioned to correspond to opaque portions of the dial, allowing the solar panel structure to be divided into functional zones that serve different purposes: power generation and structural/connection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the solar panel have different properties. The power generation areas are optimized for light absorption and electricity generation, while the connection areas are optimized for structural support and electrical connections, allowing each zone to perform its specific function effectively.
2Shape
If dark color coating is applied to the dial to hide the solar panel, then the appearance is improved, but the surface becomes dark and hard to read
Solution Approach 1:
The dial is segmented into transparent portions and opaque portions. The transparent portions allow light to pass through to the solar panel while maintaining visibility and brightness. The opaque portions hide the connection areas of the solar panel, achieving aesthetic concealment without requiring dark coating that would reduce overall brightness.
3Shape
If a prism and semitransparent reflector are provided to maintain optical transparency and brighten the dial surface, then appearance is improved, but the configuration becomes complicated and product price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel and dial are merged into an integrated structure where the connection areas of the solar panel correspond to the opaque portions of the dial. This eliminates the need for separate prisms and reflectors, simplifying the overall structure while achieving both aesthetic appearance and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque portions of the dial serve multiple functions: they provide aesthetic concealment of the solar panel's connection areas, maintain structural integrity, and allow the solar panel's connection areas to perform both structural support and electrical connection functions simultaneously.
4Shape
If plastics are coated to reproduce luxurious material look, then appearance is improved, but it is difficult to completely reproduce the same luxurious look as actual metal and ceramics
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to make transparent plastic look like luxurious material, the invention inverts the approach by making the dial opaque in specific portions using actual luxurious materials like metal or ceramics. This allows the dial to exhibit authentic luxurious appearance where needed while remaining transparent in other areas for solar panel functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient power generation and a beautiful appearance in solar-powered timepieces without the need for special processing on the dial side, allowing for the use of various luxurious materials.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel generates power to charge a secondary battery
Data Source
AI summary
A solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells. Each of the solar cells includes a plurality of power generation regions, and connection regions that connect the plurality of power generation regions and have a lower power generation capacity than the plurality of power generation regions. A plurality of power generation functional units are formed in which the connection regions are disposed adjacent to each other.