Timepiece Dial Plate Grooves for Solar Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar timepieces often fail to generate sufficient power even in bright environments due to inefficient light utilization by the solar battery, as the light is primarily incident from a normal line direction, leading to decreased power generation efficiency when the angle between the light incidence and the dial plate surface increases.
Innovation Solution
The dial plate is designed with grooves or ridges that have varying inclination angles relative to the normal line, allowing light to be incident from multiple directions, thereby enhancing power generation efficiency and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the solar battery is arranged on the rear surface side of the dial plate to prevent adverse effects on aesthetics, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the power generation efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient light utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a flat, single-direction light reception surface to a three-dimensional micro-structured surface with grooves and ridges. This dimensional change creates multiple light incident angles and paths, allowing the solar battery to capture light more effectively while maintaining the aesthetic requirement of hiding the battery behind the dial plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces curved surfaces through grooves and ridges with varying inclination angles on the dial plate. These curved micro-structures refract and reflect light in multiple directions, increasing the probability of light reaching the solar battery while preserving the visual aesthetic of the dial plate surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dial plate has a flat surface for simple manufacturing, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the light utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dial plate surface is segmented into multiple micro-regions with grooves and ridges of different inclination angles. This segmentation creates diverse light reception zones that collectively improve power generation efficiency. The segmented structure can be manufactured using standardized molding or machining processes, balancing complexity with manufacturability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If grooves or ridges with varying inclination angles are provided on the dial plate to improve light utilization, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes specific parameters of the grooves and ridges (inclination angles, depths, spacing) to achieve effective light trapping. By carefully selecting and standardizing these parameters, the structure achieves high power generation efficiency while remaining manufacturable through conventional processes, thus controlling device complexity.
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 configuration ensures stable and efficient power generation across varying light conditions without compromising the timepiece's aesthetics, preventing uneven power generation and ensuring the solar battery remains hidden from view.
Implementation Method 1
the grooves or the ridges have portions where inclination angles with regard to a normal line of the dial plate are different, and due to this, light which is transmitted through the dial plate is incident from a plurality of directions with angles which are different with regard to the solar battery
Implementation Method 2
light which is transmitted through the dial plate is incident from a plurality of directions with angles which are different with regard to the solar battery
Implementation Method 3
efficiently utilize light which is incident on a dial plate for power generation using a solar battery
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes a dial plate, and a solar battery which is disposed on a rear side of the dial plate. The dial plate is provided with grooves or ridges. The grooves or the ridges have portions where inclination angles with regard to a normal line of the dial plate are different, and due to this, light which is transmitted through the dial plate is incident from a plurality of directions with angles which are different with regard to the solar battery.