Watch Crystal Micro-Louvers for Temperature and Readability Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Timepieces, particularly watches, face operational challenges due to temperature fluctuations, which affect oscillator performance and display readability, especially in extreme temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control device within the timepiece, comprising a first part allowing light to pass through and a second part defining an intermediate chamber of variable dimensions, utilizes micro-louvers with different spatial distributions to vary light transmission and reflection, thereby regulating temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external insulating devices are used to control temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but device bulk and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature control function with the existing watch crystal and protective cover structure. The micro-louver arrays are integrated directly into these components, eliminating the need for separate external insulating devices while maintaining temperature stability through light transmission control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin micro-louver structures integrated into the watch crystal and cover. These thin film-like structures can dynamically adjust light transmission to control temperature without adding significant bulk, unlike rigid external insulators.
2Temperature
If reflective crystals are built into the watch to provide insulation, then temperature control is improved, but display readability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable micro-louver arrays that can change their orientation and light transmission properties in response to temperature conditions and viewing requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain both temperature control and display readability, unlike static reflective crystals.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-louver arrays are positioned and configured with specific spatial distributions to provide temperature control in certain regions while maintaining light transmission for display readability in other regions. The selective positioning allows simultaneous achievement of both functions.
3Device complexity
If the intermediate chamber dimensions are fixed, then structural simplicity is improved, but temperature adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the intermediate chamber dimensions variable through the movement of the first part relative to the second part. This dynamic adjustment allows the chamber volume to change with temperature, providing thermal expansion compensation and enhanced temperature adaptability while maintaining relatively simple structural components.
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 device effectively stabilizes or varies the temperature inside the timepiece, ensuring consistent operation and display readability across a wide range of temperatures, including extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first micro-louvers and the second micro-louvers are arranged to overlap partially or totally in certain relative positions between the first part and the second part, to vary the transmission and/or the reflection of the light incident on the first part between a maximum and a minimum
Implementation Method 2
defining with it an intermediate chamber (9) of variable dimensions in an axial direction A and/or a radial direction R depending on the temperature of the first part (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~9
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a temperature control device (100) for a watch part (1000), comprising a first part (1) allowing light to pass through, defining with an adjacent second part (2) an intermediate chamber (9) of variable dimensions according to the temperature of the first part (1), the first part (1) comprising first micro-louvers (10) according to a first spatial distribution, the second part (2) comprising second micro-louvers (20) according to a second spatial distribution and substantially facing the first micro-louvers (10), to overlap partially or totally in certain relative positions between the first part (1) and the second part (2), to vary the transmission and/or reflection of the incident light on the first part (1) between a maximum and a minimum.