Timepiece Dial Positioning via Nested Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunctional timepieces face challenges in making time indications visible while maintaining a slim profile, as combining multiple dials complicates manufacturing and increases thickness, and existing designs struggle to position dials effectively for optimal visibility and thickness reduction.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design featuring a first dial with a ring having upper and lower projections for positioning, a transparent second dial above, and additional rings for supporting and positioning, with hands strategically placed between or above dials to enhance visibility and reduce thickness, incorporating a second dial ring with a circular slide rule and indices made of a luminous resin and inorganic particles for improved readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent second dial is provided above the first dial to make indices conspicuous, then visibility of time indications is improved, but the overall thickness of the timepiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the first dial and second dial are superposed in an overlapping manner. The second dial is positioned above the first dial with their centers aligned, creating a compact layered arrangement. This nesting approach allows both dials to occupy the same radial space, minimizing the increase in overall thickness while maintaining the visibility benefits of the transparent second dial with conspicuous indices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking the first and second dials at different heights above the movement. The first dial is disposed above the movement and the second dial is disposed above the first dial, creating a three-dimensional layered structure. This dimensional arrangement allows both dials to coexist in a compact space, improving time indication visibility without proportionally increasing the radial footprint or overall thickness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the second dial and dial ring are combined into a single component to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but positioning and fixation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dial assembly into separate components: the second dial and the second dial ring are manufactured as distinct parts. The second dial is disposed above the first dial and the second dial ring is disposed above the second dial, with each component having its own positioning features. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing and assembly, enabling reliable positioning through dedicated positioning structures while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces positioning structures as intermediary elements between the dial components. The first dial ring has a positioning projection that fits into a positioning recess of the first dial, and similarly, the second dial ring has positioning features that secure the second dial. These intermediary positioning structures ensure precise relative positioning and secure fixation without requiring the components to be permanently bonded or combined into a single complex part.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dials are superposed to display various information, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of positioning and fixing dials relative to each other increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal positioning structures that can be applied repeatedly across multiple dial components. The positioning projection-recess mechanism is used consistently between the first dial and first dial ring, and between the second dial and second dial ring. This universal positioning approach allows the same fixing principle to be applied to multiple dial layers, simplifying the overall assembly process while supporting the display of various information through multiple dials with different functions and indices.
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
The design enhances time indication visibility, reduces overall thickness, and allows for easy positioning of dial components, while the separate dials prevent radio signal interference and maintain efficient charging, offering a creative and functional solution for multifunctional timepieces.
Implementation Method 1
indices made of a luminous resin and inorganic particles for improved readability
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a timepiece including: hands being an hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand; a movement for driving the hands; a first dial; a first dial ring having upper and lower surfaces provided with an upper projection and a lower projection, respectively, the first dial ring being disposed on the first dial and positioned relative to the first dial by the lower projection; and a transparent second dial disposed on the first dial ring and positioned relative to the first dial ring by the upper projection, wherein one of the hands is disposed between the first dial and the second dial, while the others of the hands are disposed above the second dial.