Watch Case Light Guide Illumination for Aesthetic Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces lack innovative aesthetic effects, particularly in utilizing light leakage from digital display back lighting to enhance the attractiveness of translucent or transparent external elements, as conventional practices aim to minimize light leakage for maximum display luminosity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light source within the watch case that uses a light guide to illuminate transparent or translucent external elements, allowing light to escape and create attractive effects, such as diffused lighting through optical fibers or fluorescent particles, while maintaining acceptable display readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light leakage is minimized for maximum display luminosity, then display readability is improved, but aesthetic appeal of transparent/translucent external elements is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful light leakage from the light guide into a beneficial aesthetic feature by designing transparent or translucent external elements that intentionally allow light to escape and illuminate external components, creating attractive visual effects while maintaining acceptable display readability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transparency qualities to different parts of the watch case - certain external elements are made transparent or translucent in specific regions to allow light escape, while other parts remain opaque to maintain display luminosity and structural integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If light is allowed to escape through external elements, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but display luminosity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows partial light escape through strategically designed transparent/translucent external elements rather than complete transparency, enabling aesthetic illumination effects while maintaining sufficient light intensity for display readability through careful positioning and material selection
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 approach enhances the aesthetic appeal of timepieces by utilizing light leakage to illuminate external elements, providing a unique and attractive appearance without compromising display luminosity, and allowing for varied lighting effects through different materials and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide, into which is injected the light produced by a light source for back lighting the digital display, the light which escapes through the sides of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
the external element is made of plastic material charged with fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles. Consequently, the fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles absorb the emitted radiation and re-emit a homogeneous visible light
Implementation Method 3
the external element is made of plastic material charged with fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles. Consequently, the fluorescent and/or phosphorescent particles absorb the emitted radiation and re-emit a homogeneous visible light
Implementation Method 4
The optical fibre may be an optical fibre which diffuses the injected light over its entire length
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece which, in addition to a crystal, includes the following external elements: a back cover, a middle part, a dial, a bezel, and two wristband strands. At least one of these external elements is at least partially transparent or translucent. The back cover, the middle part, and the bezel define an internal volume of the watch case that houses a timepiece movement. At least one light source is housed within the internal volume and produces a light that passes through the transparent or translucent part of the external element.