Timepiece Auxiliary Hand for Non-Overlapping Dual Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic timepieces face difficulties in displaying both time of day and duration time simultaneously due to overlapping display hands and scales, making it hard for users to read the time accurately.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design featuring an hour hand, minute hand, a dial with cutout portions, a plate member on the back, and an auxiliary hand member positioned corresponding to the cutout, which functions as a scale to indicate time of day and additional information like battery residual amount, without overlapping with time scales.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a display hand and scale plate are provided in an overlapping manner to display duration time, then both time of day and duration time can be simultaneously checked, but scales for indicating the time of day cannot be partially displayed on the dial making it difficult for users to read the time accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The scale display is segmented into two separate locations: time of day scales are displayed on the dial periphery while duration time scales are displayed on the plate member. This segmentation eliminates the overlapping problem by distributing different time information to different spatial locations, allowing both to be clearly read without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is extended from a single two-dimensional dial surface to a multi-layered three-dimensional structure by placing the plate member beneath the dial. This allows duration time scales to be displayed on the plate member while time of day scales remain on the dial, utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the overlap conflict.
2Loss of information
If multiple display elements are added to show both time of day and duration time, then more information is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate member serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a display surface for duration time scales, and a background layer that allows the dial to be mounted while still providing visible information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The time of day and duration time display systems are merged into a single integrated assembly where the plate member and dial work together as a unified display mechanism. Both time information types are presented simultaneously through coordinated hands and scales on different layers of the same structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes an hour hand and a minute hand, a dial in which a cutout portion is formed, time scales for indicating the time of day disposed at the dial, a plate member disposed at a back side of the dial, and an auxiliary hand member disposed at a position of the plate member corresponding to the cutout portion of the dial in a plan view. The auxiliary hand member functions as another time scale for indicating the time of day and indicates information other than the time of day. The auxiliary hand member as another time scale is located farther away from the plate member than the time scales.