Electronic Watch Diving Time Control via Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diver's watches with rotating bezels often fail to accurately indicate diving time due to user error or misalignment, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
An electronic watch with a pressure sensor, motor-driven hands, and a control system that automatically indicates water depth and diving time based on pressure measurements, eliminating the need for a rotating bezel and ensuring accurate timekeeping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating bezel is used to measure diving time, then the diving time can be indicated, but user error or misalignment occurs leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The watch automatically detects diving start through pressure sensor detection of water entry, and automatically aligns the minute hand to the 12 o'clock position, eliminating the need for manual bezel rotation by the user. The system serves itself by autonomously performing the alignment function that previously required user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rotating bezel system is replaced with an electronic control system that uses a pressure sensor to detect water entry and a motor to automatically position the minute hand. This substitutes manual mechanical operation with automated sensor-based control.
2Reliability
If a rotating bezel is used to indicate diving time, then the diving time can be tracked, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The minute hand serves dual functions: indicating current time during normal operation and indicating diving time during diving operations. The pressure sensor serves multiple purposes including detecting water entry and triggering the diving mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate rotating bezel component is extracted and removed from the watch structure. Its function is replaced by the existing minute hand combined with automated control, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining diving time indication capability.
3Measurement precision
If manual rotation of the bezel is required to align graduation, then the diving time can be measured, but user convenience deteriorates due to forgetful or erroneous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The watch automatically detects diving start through pressure sensor detection of water entry, and automatically aligns the minute hand to the 12 o'clock position, eliminating the need for manual bezel rotation by the user. The system serves itself by autonomously performing the alignment function that previously required user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor provides feedback about water entry conditions to the control unit, which then automatically triggers the diving mode and hand alignment. This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate automatic detection and response to diving conditions without user intervention.
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 electronic watch provides accurate and intuitive indication of diving time and water depth without user error, reducing the complexity of the watch design and eliminating the need for a rotating bezel, thus enhancing user convenience and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure
Implementation Method 2
a first motor configured to move the first pointing hand, a second motor configured to move the second pointing hand
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an electronic watch that includes a first pointing hand, a first motor configured to move the first pointing hand, a second pointing hand, a second motor configured to move the second pointing hand, and a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure, the method including, when start of diving is detected based on a pressure measured by the pressure sensor, controlling the first motor and the second motor, and indicating with the first pointing hand and the second pointing hand a water depth based on the pressure and a diving time period.