Watch Winder Illumination Using UV Recharge and Shutter Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch winding devices struggle with accurately recognizing and illuminating diverse watch displays under varying lighting conditions, leading to potential reflections and difficulty in maintaining optimal working condition for demonstration and time correction.

Innovation Solution

An illumination device using ultraviolet light sources to recharge luminescent materials on watch displays, combined with a control system to selectively illuminate and capture images, and a shutter mechanism to manage light entry, ensuring clear visibility and efficient energy recharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a matte white dome is used to eliminate reflections, then image quality is maximized and unwanted reflections are minimized, but the user cannot see their watch when it is placed on the winder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiduser visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a controllable shutter mechanism that dynamically opens to allow user viewing of the watch and closes during imaging operations to eliminate reflections. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by providing both user visibility and optimal image quality at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic action by alternating between open shutter state for user viewing and closed shutter state for imaging. This temporal separation allows the matte white dome to function effectively for reflections elimination during imaging while maintaining user accessibility during viewing periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If high-intensity LEDs are used to illuminate luminescent material, then energy recharge is maximized, but reflections and optical interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy rechargeVSAvoidreflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic illumination with high-intensity LEDs, activating them only during specific recharge intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maximizes energy transfer to the luminescent material while minimizing reflection issues by limiting illumination to controlled time windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by implementing multiple recharge cycles over time, ensuring the luminescent material is consistently recharged without requiring constant high-intensity illumination that would cause reflections. The cumulative effect of periodic illumination achieves full recharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If the shutter is closed to prevent light entry during imaging, then reflections are eliminated, but the watch cannot be showcased to customers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical monitoringVSAvoiddemonstration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controllable shutter provides dynamic adaptability by switching between closed state for optical monitoring/imaging and open state for customer demonstration. This allows the same device to fulfill multiple functions: maintaining optimal working condition through imaging and showcasing watches to customers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by combining the shutter mechanism with the matte white dome and periodic illumination, allowing it to perform both protective imaging (with shutter closed) and demonstrative viewing (with shutter open) within the same device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances optical condition monitoring and energy synchronization of watches by providing clear visibility and precise time tracking, reducing reflections and ensuring watches are ready for immediate use.

Implementation Method 1

An illumination device using ultraviolet light sources to recharge luminescent materials on watch displays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3985445B1Device for illuminating luminescent watch displays
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 MONTRES BREGUET SA
  • EP3985445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3985445B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3985445B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Illumination device (100) for luminescent watch displays with luminescent material, comprising a housing (10) arranged to receive at least one receptacle (1) for receiving at least one watch (200), said device (100) comprising illumination means (20) arranged to illuminate said displays of each said watch, characterized in that said illumination means (20) comprise control means (30) and a time base (40), and at least one light source (50) capable of exciting said luminescent material for a predetermined charging time or corresponding to a wearing time selected by the user at the level of a control means (60) comprising said device (100), and automatic watch winding device (1000), comprising at least one such illumination device (100), and universal device (2000) for winding and resetting the time of a watch,including such an automatic watch winding device (1000).