Solar Timepiece Dial Plate Light Condensing Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar timepieces face challenges in achieving sufficient power generation due to the miniaturization of components and the aesthetic constraints of placing solar batteries, which often result in inadequate light utilization for power generation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dial plate with grooves or ridges on its rear surface to condense incident light, ensuring efficient power generation while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance, with options for concentric, spiral, or V-shaped grooves/ridges, and the use of a color film to enhance the stereoscopic effect and light transmittance.
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 dial plate incorporates convex curved portions that redirect incident light toward the solar battery. These curved surfaces act as optical elements that bend light paths, ensuring that light entering through the transparent dial plate is focused onto the solar battery area, thereby improving power generation efficiency while preserving aesthetic design
Solution Approach 2:
The dial plate features localized convex curved portions at specific regions rather than a uniform structure. This allows light redirection to be concentrated where most beneficial for solar battery illumination, while other areas of the dial plate maintain their aesthetic properties. The local modification optimizes the balance between appearance and functionality
2Shape
If the dial plate area is made larger than the solar battery to encompass it in planar view for aesthetic purposes, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the light utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The convex curved portions on the dial plate serve as optical concentrators that take advantage of the larger dial plate area. By curving the light paths, these structures ensure that even light incident on peripheral areas of the large dial plate is redirected toward the central solar battery, converting the larger area from a potential disadvantage into an advantage for light collection
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 allows for efficient light utilization and improved power generation in solar timepieces, maintaining an excellent aesthetic appearance and preventing the visibility of the solar battery, while allowing for easier manufacturing and durability of the dial plate.
Implementation Method 1
the dial plate has grooves or ridges which have a function of condensing incident light
Implementation Method 2
solar timepieces which are provided with a solar battery
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes a dial plate and a solar battery which is disposed on a rear surface side of the dial plate. The dial plate has an area larger than the solar battery. The solar battery is encompassed by the dial plate in a planar view. The dial plate is provided with grooves or ridges which have a function of condensing incident light.