Watch Case Humidity Sensing With Folded Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity measurement devices in watch cases require a power source, making them unsuitable for mechanical watches and impacting battery life in electronic watches, and they are not compatible with the limited space within watch cases.
Innovation Solution
A humidity measurement device using an optical system with a light beam emitter and receiver, a multi-reflective cell, and a processing unit outside the watch case, which measures humidity via light beam absorption without a power source inside the case, utilizing a surface-emitting laser and reflective elements to enhance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a power source is integrated into the watch case for humidity measurement, then humidity measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the watch case internal volume and places it in an external docking station. The optical module inside the watch case communicates with the external station, which contains the power source and processing unit. This allows the watch to maintain humidity measurement capability without integrating a power source internally, thus reducing device complexity while preserving measurement functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a battery is added to electronic watches for power, then measurement functionality is improved, but battery life is reduced and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is extracted from the moving object (watch) and placed in a stationary external docking station. The optical module in the watch draws power wirelessly or through contact when docked, eliminating the need for an internal battery. This extends the effective operational duration by allowing the watch to be recharged whenever docked, without being constrained by internal battery capacity.
3Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased within the limited watch case space, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but the available space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a multi-reflective cell with mirrors arranged at 45-degree angles to fold the optical path. Instead of a straight linear path that would require significant space, the light beam reflects multiple times between mirrors, creating an extended effective optical path length within a compact three-dimensional volume. This allows high measurement sensitivity to be achieved without increasing the physical footprint beyond the limited watch case space.
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
Enables precise humidity measurement in watch cases without the need for a power source inside, suitable for both mechanical and electronic watches, and enhances measurement sensitivity by increasing the optical path length.
Implementation Method 1
a processing unit configured to communicate with the optical system and to process data transmitted by the latter in order to determine the degree of humidity present in the internal volume of the case from the absorption of the light beam by the water vapor likely to be present in said internal volume of the case
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for measuring the degree of humidity in the internal volume (210) of a watch case (21) (20) comprising: - a watch (20) comprising a case (21) in which is housed an optical system (22), said optical system (22) comprising an emitter (220) of a light beam (221), a multi-reflection cell (222) which the light beam (221) is intended to pass through, and a receiver (223) of the light beam (221) intended to receive said beam once it has passed through the multi-reflection cell (222);- an external management module (30) to said box (21), comprising a processing unit (31) configured to communicate with the optical system (22) and to process data transmitted by the latter in order to determine the degree of humidity present in the internal volume (210) of the box (21) from the absorption of the light beam (221) by the water vapor likely to be present in said internal volume (210) of the box (21).;