Universal Timepiece Dial Shifting for Seasonal Time Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Universal timepieces fail to accurately display time zones during transitions from winter to summer time due to varying time differences, especially when places in different hemispheres or observing daylight saving time, leading to inaccurate readings in atypical situations.
Innovation Solution
A universal timepiece design featuring a programming disc and movable dial sectors that allow for selective shifting of geographical indications by 1/24th of a turn, enabling correct time zone adjustments for seasonal time changes, even when dates vary between locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed 24-hour dial with geographical indications is used, then the time zone indications are simple to read, but the accuracy deteriorates during seasonal time changes when time differences vary
Solution Approach 1:
The geographical indications are divided into multiple groups based on their seasonal time change characteristics. Different groups are placed on different rotating dials (first, second, and third dials), allowing each group to be adjusted independently for its specific seasonal transitions, thereby maintaining accuracy without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire dial structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotating dials that can be manually adjusted to reposition geographical indications. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the timepiece to adapt to varying time differences during seasonal changes, transforming a static inaccurate system into a dynamic accurate one while managing complexity through controlled mobility
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of geographical indications is allowed, then accuracy during seasonal changes is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional adjustment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the time zone indication function with the seasonal adjustment function into an integrated system. The same rotating dial mechanism that displays geographical indications also enables seasonal adjustments, merging two functions into one operation sequence and reducing the overall complexity of user interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-organizes geographical indications into predetermined groups based on their seasonal time change patterns. This preliminary classification allows users to automatically locate and adjust the correct group without needing to understand or calculate seasonal variations, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If all geographical indications are placed on a single rotating dial, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different seasonal time change patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments geographical indications into multiple distinct groups based on their seasonal time change characteristics (e.g., Northern Hemisphere DST, Southern Hemisphere DST, no DST regions). Each group is placed on a separate rotating dial, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific temporal pattern while the overall system maintains manageable complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
Different dials are assigned different local characteristics - each dial is configured with specific geographical indications that share common seasonal behavior patterns. This local differentiation allows each dial to be optimized for its specific region's time change rules, improving overall adaptability while keeping individual dial designs simple and consistent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a universal timepiece, comprising manual means (27, 29, 31, 25, 19, 19H, 19E, 20, 20H, 20E, 21, 21E, 21H, 22, 22E, 22H, 23, 23E, 23H, 11, 11A, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 14, 14A, 15, 15A, 17) arranged so as to selectively shift some of the geographical indications on the dial (3) by a 1/24thturn, so as to change, by one hour, the local time associated with said geographical indications during a switch from standard time to summer time, or from summer time to standard time.