Layered Watch Dial Acoustic Detection for Timekeeping Resynchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical watches are prone to disruptions in timekeeping due to external impacts, causing inaccuracies in the hour and minute hands' positioning, necessitating resynchronization.
Innovation Solution
A watch dial with an autonomous device for determining acoustic events, comprising a receiver element, reporting module, stand-alone power supply, and control unit, integrated in a stack of thin layers, allowing for visual, vibration, or sound signals to correct timekeeping inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical or electromechanical watch mechanism is used to drive the hands, then the watch can display time, but external impacts can disrupt the mechanism causing timekeeping inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where acoustic sensors continuously monitor the watch mechanism for disruption signals (abnormal sounds indicating impacts). When disruptions are detected, the system automatically triggers resynchronization of the hands with the accurate time signal from the internal clock, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains timekeeping reliability despite external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The watch system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by using acoustic sensors to detect mechanism disruptions and automatically resynchronizing the hands without external intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and correcting inaccuracies autonomously.
2Reliability
If an autonomous acoustic detection device is added to the dial, then timekeeping accuracy can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acoustic detection device, power supply, control unit, and reporting module directly into the dial structure itself. The dial becomes an integrated assembly containing multiple functional elements (acoustic sensors, photovoltaic cells, energy accumulators, control electronics) rather than separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining autonomous timekeeping correction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the time display surface, acoustic sensor housing, photovoltaic power generation surface, energy storage container, and control unit carrier. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single structure, avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Extent of automation
If a stand-alone power supply unit is integrated into the dial, then the acoustic detection device can operate autonomously, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dial into multiple thin functional layers (visible face layer, acoustic sensor layer, photovoltaic layer, energy accumulator layer, control unit layer, hidden face layer) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through precise stacking. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured independently with standard tolerances, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating a monolithic integrated structure.
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 autonomous dial ensures consistent timekeeping by detecting and correcting disruptions through acoustic event detection, maintaining accuracy without relying on the watch's main power source.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer comprising a photovoltaic module constituting the stand-alone power supply unit; the photovoltaic module is arranged on an active area of said second layer, said area being configured to receive light radiation originating from the first layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one receiver element for receiving at least one acoustic wave originating from the watch
Data Source
AI summary
A dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1) including an autonomous device for determining an acoustic event (3). The dial includes a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (20b), the dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material extending between these two faces (20a, 20b), each of the layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) including one or more of the functional elements including: a receiver element (23) for receiving an acoustic wave originating from the watch (1); a module (4) for reporting the acoustic event; a stand-alone power supply unit (21); and a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the reporting module (4) and the at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one acoustic wave.