Wristwatch Dial Integrated Liquid Crystal Display Solar Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital wristwatches with liquid crystal cells face issues of unsightly spacing and shadow obstruction due to the placement of the display cell, and economic inefficiencies in replacing faulty components, particularly the dial and solar cell.
Innovation Solution
A modular design where a flexible liquid crystal display cell is integrated directly onto a circular or shaped dial with a solar cell housed underneath, allowing for easy replacement of defective parts and improved aesthetics through a transparent or partially transparent dial with a carbon fiber texture imitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the liquid crystal cell is placed at a distance from the dial, then the display components can be separately housed and assembled, but this creates unsightly spacing and shadow obstruction that degrades aesthetic appearance and readability
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal cell is integrated directly onto the dial surface, eliminating the spacing and shadow issues while maintaining the functional separation of components through modular design. The display cell and dial are combined into a single assembly unit that can be manufactured separately but functions as an integrated whole.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dial and solar cell are fixed together as a single unit, then assembly is simplified, but replacement of faulty components requires replacing the entire expensive dial assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The watch assembly is segmented into distinct modular components: the dial with integrated liquid crystal cell, the solar cell, and the movement. The solar cell is designed to be replaceable independently from the dial, allowing faulty components to be replaced individually rather than requiring replacement of the entire expensive dial assembly.
3Strength
If glass substrates are used for the liquid crystal cell, then durability and protection are improved, but the substrates must be square or rectangular which limits design flexibility and increases waste
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal cell uses flexible plastic substrates instead of traditional rigid glass substrates. This parameter change in material properties allows the display cell to be manufactured in various shapes including circular and irregular forms that match the dial design, eliminates material waste from cutting, and maintains sufficient durability for wristwatch applications.
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 readability and aesthetics by eliminating spacing and shadow issues, and reduces economic waste by enabling part-for-part replacement of faulty components, while maintaining efficient solar cell functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell (22) which is arranged under and at a short distance from the dial (2)
Data Source
AI summary
Display module for a timepiece, this display module (1) comprising a dial (2) on an underside (6) of which a digital information display device is fixed, a solar cell (22; 220) and a bottom plate (24), the solar cell (22; 220) being housed in the bottom plate (24) in such a way that the solar cell (22; 220) lies underneath and a small distance away from the dial (4), the assembly formed by the dial (2) and the digital information display device being positioned on top of the solar cell (22; 220).