Watch Solar Cell Light-Piping Structure for Opaque Case Aesthetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watches with solar cells behind translucent or transparent intermediate portions suffer from limited light capture and aesthetic issues, particularly when the dial is not highly reflective, and the translucent nature of the intermediate portion can detract from the conventional opaque appearance of metal or ceramic cases.
Innovation Solution
The watch design incorporates a translucent or transparent gasket and intermediate portion surrounding the analogue display, forming a continuous medium that collects and directs visible and infra-red light to the solar cell, while maintaining an opaque appearance by using semi-transparent films or reflective layers to mask the cell from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the intermediate portion is made of translucent or transparent material to allow light to reach the solar cell, then light capture is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates (loss of opaque metal/ceramic look)
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion is divided into two distinct segments: an inner portion made of translucent or transparent material for light transmission, and an outer portion made of opaque material for aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the intermediate portion are assigned different optical properties: the inner portion (facing the dial) uses translucent/transparent material to maximize light transmission to the solar cell, while the outer portion (visible through the glass) uses opaque material to maintain the conventional aesthetic appearance of metal or ceramic cases.
2Shape
If the intermediate portion is made of opaque material to maintain aesthetic appearance, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but light capture by solar cell deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion is divided into two distinct segments: an inner portion made of translucent or transparent material for light transmission, and an outer portion made of opaque material for aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the intermediate portion are assigned different optical properties: the inner portion (facing the dial) uses translucent/transparent material to maximize light transmission to the solar cell, while the outer portion (visible through the glass) uses opaque material to maintain the conventional aesthetic appearance of metal or ceramic cases.
3Shape
If the solar cell is arranged behind the intermediate portion to maintain aesthetic appearance, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but light capture efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extends the light collection path from a single direct path to multiple paths by utilizing both the inner and outer portions of the intermediate portion. Light can reach the solar cell through the translucent inner portion directly, or through the opaque outer portion after being reflected or transmitted through the translucent inner portion, effectively using spatial dimensions to maximize light capture while maintaining aesthetics.
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 solution significantly increases light capture by the solar cell and maintains a conventional aesthetic appearance, ensuring sufficient power supply for the watch movement without compromising on the watch's visual design.
Implementation Method 1
make it possible for the visible and/or infra-red light passing through the glass from the outside of the watch to propagate in said translucent or transparent material and to subsequently reach the solar cell
Implementation Method 2
solar cell (being understood its active area capturing visible and/or infra-red light) extending at least mostly between the movement and the glass
Data Source
AI summary
A watch including a gasket (18) arranged at the periphery of the glass (14), an intermediate portion (20) laterally surrounding the analogue display and defining a radial surface forming an axial stop for the glass, a solar cell (30) extending at least mostly between the lower level of the dial and the glass and being arranged behind the intermediate portion, which is formed at least partially by a translucent or transparent material and configured to make it possible for the incident light to propagate in the intermediate portion and to subsequently reach the solar cell. The gasket is also formed at least mostly by a translucent or transparent material and it forms with the intermediate portion axially a continuous medium. In variants, the gasket is arranged axially adjacent to the intermediate portion or it is axially separated from the intermediate portion by a translucent or transparent intermediate medium.