Electronic Timepiece Hand Movement Control for Power Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic timepieces struggle to comprehensively display remaining power storage capacity without interfering with time information display, particularly when using a second hand to indicate energy levels, which prevents the display of seconds during energy amount indication.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a display controller that uses an indicating hand to move to a preset reference position and then switch directions to display the remaining capacity, allowing users to differentiate between time and capacity display based on hand movement, and utilizing a common counter circuit for both functions to minimize circuit scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the second hand is used to display the energy amount of the large-capacity capacitor, then the energy amount can be displayed, but the second hand cannot display seconds in time information simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hand's movement characteristics changeable based on display mode. When displaying energy amount, the hand moves in a specific pattern (e.g., rotating in one direction then reversing), while when displaying time, it follows standard clock movement. This dynamic movement differentiation allows a single hand to convey multiple types of information without confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single indicating hand that can perform multiple functions: displaying time information (seconds, minutes, hours) and displaying energy amount of the capacitor. The hand's movement patterns are controlled to indicate different information types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hands for each function.
2Loss of information
If a chronograph hand is used to display the energy amount, then the energy amount can be displayed simultaneously with time information, but it becomes difficult for users to recognize whether the hand displays measurement time or energy amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of visual differentiation by changing the hand's movement characteristics (analogous to color changes in visual perception). The hand displays energy amount by moving in a distinctive pattern (e.g., rotating clockwise then counterclockwise, or stopping at specific positions) that differs from normal time-display movement. This creates an easily recognizable visual distinction that helps users immediately identify what information is being displayed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing specific movement patterns for energy display that differ from continuous time progression. The hand may rotate in one direction, pause, then rotate in the opposite direction, or follow a predetermined sequence of positions that periodically repeats. This periodic, non-linear movement clearly distinguishes energy display from the continuous, unidirectional movement of time display.
3Loss of information
If the indicating hand moves to display remaining capacity, then the capacity can be displayed, but the user must easily recognize that the hand indicates capacity rather than time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through movement patterns. When the indicating hand displays remaining capacity, it follows a distinctive movement pattern (such as rotating in reverse direction, pausing at reference positions, or following a specific trajectory) that is clearly different from normal time-indicating movement. This creates immediate visual recognition for users that the hand is displaying capacity information rather than time.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timepiece includes a power generator that generates electric energy, a power storage that stores the electric energy, a capacity detector that detects remaining capacity of the power storage, an operation unit, an operation detector that detects a measurement display operation for instructing the operation unit to display a measurement time, and a capacity display operation for instructing the operation unit to display the remaining capacity, an indicating hand that is used in displaying the measurement time and the remaining capacity, a drive unit that drives the indicating hand, and displays the remaining capacity after moving the indicating hand so as to indicate a preset reference position.