JPH01253686A - Apparatus and timepiece for indicating worldwide sunshine condition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a quick indication of current range of sunshine on the earth, by setting a world map member and a sunshine range indicating member at a relational position corresponding to current time automatically and manually to view through a world map together with a graphic indicating a sunshine range. CONSTITUTION:This timepiece device has a world map member 20 and a sun shine range indicating member 30. Graphics 35 and 38 indicating a sunshine range correspond to different terms in a year respectively. Regions on a map contained in the inside of an oval of the summer solstice sunshine range graphic 35 show that sunshine exists as of near the summer solstice, namely, in several days after and before June 22. To find time of sunrise or sunset, a map display plate is moved manually in such a manner that a desired region overlaps any line on the graphics 35-38 indicating sunshine ranges. Then, the intersection should be read between a longitude line indicating standard time at the desired region and a world time graduation 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device and a solar monitor for displaying sunlight conditions around the world.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, devices that indicate areas within the sunshine range at a certain time and season have used the principle that a hemispherical part of the earth's surface, which is half g in size, is illuminated by the distant sun and becomes the sunshine area. The inventors of the present invention recognize that only a device has been proposed in which a ring having the same diameter as a globe is attached to indicate the boundary of the sunlight range. The applicant is aware that, as a related technology, a world time display that has a world map that rotates around the poles is publicly known.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention 1] Although the above conventional example has the advantage that the sunlight range is shown on the globe faithfully to the principle, it is large and not portable, which is a major inconvenience in that it is restricted in the place of use. was there. Many people are interested in information such as the range of sunlight on Earth at any given date and time, sunrise/sunset times and sunshine hours in various parts of the world, astronomical twilight zones and twilight duration, and the altitude of the sun. It is estimated that there are a large number of potential users who would like to be able to obtain information using a compact or portable device.

In order to meet such latent needs, the present invention can essentially be incorporated as a part of the clock mechanism, and therefore has a configuration that is significantly superior in terms of compactness and portability. The purpose is to provide a device that displays the worldwide sunshine status.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, in the device of the present invention,
A substantially flat world map member displayed as a world map by a projection method in which longitude lines are radial and latitude lines are concentric with the pole as the center, and a figure indicating the sunlight range and a time scale, with the pole as the axis. The timepiece of the present invention is configured to include a sunlight range indicating member that overlaps with the world map division system and rotates relatively, and an angle specifying means that specifies the relative angle of the two parts depending on the time of the day. In this method, one of the world map member and the sunlight range indicating member is fixed to a clock, and the other is linked to the time display mechanism of the clock and driven at a speed of 1 rotation for 24 hours; The configuration includes manual correction means including a slip mechanism that arbitrarily shifts and sets the starting angle position of the member.

[Effect]

(1) l (by manually or automatically (using a clock mechanism) setting the i world map member and the sunshine range indicating village at the relative positions corresponding to the current time, 1+A, and seeing through the world map together with the figure showing the sunshine range. , you can see the current range of sunlight on Earth.

(2) Find out the sunrise or sunset time by manually overlapping an arbitrary point on the north part of the world map with the outline of the figure showing the sunshine range and read the corresponding local time, or find out the sunshine duration as the difference between the two. be able to.

(3) Use a graphic showing the range of astronomical twilight instead of the graphic showing the sunlight range.By this, the start, end, and duration of astronomical twilight in various parts of the world can be known.

(4) By providing a figure indicating the solar altitude (for example, a solar altitude of 80 degrees or more) together with a figure indicating the sunlight range, it is possible to know the point or region on the earth where the sun is currently located at the zenith or y-zenith.

〔Example〕

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a timepiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is a plan view of the world map member used in the same example.
The figure is a plan view of the village with sunlight range indication used in the same example.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Figures (Q and (b) are sectional views of essential parts of the watch of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 11 is a wristwatch-shaped watch case, 12 is its display surface, and within the display area are a black mark 116, a minute hand 14,
In addition to the second hands 1 and 5, a sunlight range display member (transparent and fixed to the watch case 11), which will be described later, and a world map member rotating behind the member are visible using substantially the entire surface. The clock of this embodiment also serves as a so-called world clock, which has the function of reading local standard time in major cities around the world.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a crown which is an external operating member for correction, and when it is pushed in the most, the normal carrying position A, rotating the crown has no effect. At position B, where the world map member is pulled out one step, the initial cent of the world map member is performed by rotating it left and right. (
Details will be explained later. ) Furthermore, at the second pull-out position C, the phase-opening drive circuit is reset and the second hand wheel is braked.
By rotating the crown 16 left and right, the hour hand 16 and minute hand 140 hands are brought together, but the last mentioned operation and mechanism are the same as those of a general electronic wristwatch, so no further explanation will be given.

In FIG. 2, 20 is the aforementioned world map member. This is disc-shaped, located further back from the hour hand 16, and is located behind the clock train (
(described later) is rotated counterclockwise at a speed of one rotation per 24 hours. The axis of rotation is the center of the disk, and tense 1
6. The pointer shaft of the dividing layer 14 etc. passes through the center/hole. World maps are drawn using a projection method called the Kitakusu-centered equidistant projection method. Specifically, the center of the disk is the north pole, longitude lines are arranged on radial lines, and latitude lines are concentrically arranged around the center. The latitude angle measured from the North Pole is made equal to the radial distance from the center of the disk to the corresponding latitude line, and under these projection conditions, the world's continents, topography, and major cities (dots) are It is painted. A total of 24 longitude lines 21 are drawn around London, with integer time differences from the local standard time GM'T (Greenwich Mean Time), and each longitude line 21 (') is drawn, and the outer side is GM 'J'.
Representative city or place name with an integer time difference from 2
2 is listed. Each longitude line 21 is drawn so as to pass through or be close to each city or region on the map. Furthermore, only a small number of latitude lines 26 are drawn to simplify the design. Tropic of Cancer 2-1, Equator 26
2. Tropic of Capricorn 26 is illustrated.

Also, this map does not show latitudes up to 90° south, but only from 70' to 80° south latitudes. Although it is possible that there is no image up to 90° south latitude, the South Pole and Antarctic Continent would then spread out over the entire circumference, making it extremely unnatural, so I would limit it to the extent described above. Since the southern hemisphere has a relatively small population, this embodiment is suited to the convenience of the greatest number of people.

In FIG. 3, 60 is a sunlight range indicating member.

This overlaps with the world map member 20, is placed in front of it, and is fixed to the case 11 of the watch.

This is made of a transparent substrate in order to see through the map display part of the world map member 20, and necessary figures and symbols are printed on the "-", and the map display member 20 and the map display part 20 are printed to minimize parallax with the map display. The surfaces are parallel and close together. sunshine 1
1) A ring-shaped opaque printed part 61 is provided on the outermost side of the surrounding indicator member 20, and a tense 16, a dividing layer 14, and a sand layer 15 are provided on the ring-shaped opaque printed part 61.
A finger time scale 62 for reading the time in the normal way is overprinted. The transparent part 66 inside shows 24 hours of local standard time! A universal time scale 4 for reading with fill is printed on an appropriate radius band.

The local time of any city can be read by examining the intersection of the longitude line 21 passing through the city and the universal time scale 64. For example, returning to Figure 1, the time is drawn on the assumption that it is set in Tokyo, and the hands are 10:10:35.
The line of longitude 211 at 135° east longitude (which passes through the Japanese archipelago on the world map) corresponding to the T O, T (Y O indication) is between 10 and 11 on the world time scale 64. Therefore, we can say that the current time is around 10 am.At the same time, for example, we can read that it is around 1 am in London and around 8 pm (8 pm) in New York. I know about the tense function. Now let's explain Figure 3. 65 to 68 are figures showing the range of sunlight, each corresponding to a different time of the year.6
5 is a summer solstice sunshine range figure, which indicates that the various places on the map included within the approximate ellipse are currently receiving sunlight in the vicinity of the summer solstice, that is, for several days around June 22nd.

66 is the vernal equinox sunshine range figure, and 67 is around March 21st of the vernal equinox.
are the autumnal equinox sunshine range figures, indicating that the sunshine range around the autumnal equinox, September 23rd, is above these figures.

Each of these is shown as a straight line passing through the North Pole,
Strictly speaking, as seen in the other embodiments, the curve is slightly curved at the ends at higher southern latitudes.

68 is a winter solstice sunshine range figure, and around the winter solstice on December 22nd, the outside of the approximately elliptical shape becomes the sunshine range. That is, at any time, the noon side of the figure or line indicating the sunshine range (the area including the 64012 hour scale of the 24-hour universal time scale) is the side with sunlight. In addition, when a point on the map crosses the figures 65 to 68 indicating the sunlight range, the sunrise or sunset occurs at that point, but if the front 12 rotates counterclockwise at that point and enters the sunlight area. When the sun rises and you leave the sunny area, it is sunset. To know the time of sunrise or sunset, locate the required point using figures 65 to 68 that indicate the sunlight range.
111 on one of the lines.'' Manually move the map display board. Pull Lease 16 one step and rotate it.)
At that time, it is sufficient to read the intersection of the longitude line 21 representing the standard time at that point with the universal time scale 4. For example, if this operation is performed for Tokyo on the winter solstice, the sunrise will be around 6:45 and the sunset will be around 16:35. Spring/autumn equinox, summer/
If you want to know the time of sunrise or sunset at a time far from the winter solstice, you need to read the time using two figures that sandwich the time, and divide the time appropriately between them to determine the time.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment in which the figure indicating the sunlight range is made more detailed and the display surface is enlarged.・In this example, the time is read by manually rotating the world map member and the sunlight range indicating member relative to each other, excluding the clock mechanism, but essentially Once installed, one side can be driven and shifted by a clock mechanism in the same way as in the first embodiment.

The feature of the display method in this embodiment is that, in addition to the detail of the display, unlike the first embodiment, the 0 o'clock scale of the 24-hour system and the 12 o'clock scale of the 12-hour system are aligned, so that at 271 hours 11i11 Noon is directly below the center, and the sunlight range includes the area below the shape. In a normal map, the north is in the old direction, but in this example, the top of the sunlight range is also in the north. In the first embodiment, the upper direction in the sunlight range was south, so in that sense, many people may feel that the display method of this embodiment is more natural. In FIG. 4, numeral 41 is a sunlight range indicating member made of a transparent thin plate. 12 hours on its periphery! fill
A finger time scale 411 and a 24-hour time scale 412 are printed on an opaque printed background.

In the transparent area 416 inside the transparent area 416, there are a sunlight range figure 414, an astronomical twilight limit figure 415 on the non-sunshine side of the figure, and a solar altitude 80° figure 4160 group at the center of the sunny side. is depicted. Astronomical fading 1 is a state in which the center of the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon after sunset, and there is still some brightness in the sky.

After this time, the sky becomes dark and becomes suitable for astronomical observation. In addition, the solar altitude 80° figure 416 indicates that the sun is at
Shows the area visible overhead. The sun is located in the middle claw of this oval shape. Each group of shapes corresponds to the vernal equinox, autumnal equinox, summer solstice, and winter solstice, and each is ■. E,・A, ,E,・
The symbols S, S, ・W, S, are attached. Furthermore, for the convenience of interpolative reading, 2J (February 1st), 5.
], (5511th, 81 (August 1st),], 1.
], (], January 1st) are provided. The group of figures with +Tl added following the date and time symbol are astronomical twilight limit figures 415, and the group of figures without this are sunshine range figures 414 or solar altitude 80° figures 4.
It is 16. Since the latter two are significantly different in size, there is no risk of confusion even if they are given the same symbol. 42 is a world map member, which is located behind the sunlight range indicating member 51 and is located on the center axis 4.
It is rotatably supported at 6. On the world map member 42, there are radial longitude lines 42'1 (1,5°) and concentric latitude lines 422 (N60°, N30', equator, S
30', 5fiO°) and world map 4 centered on North Eve
26 is depicted with a city mark and city name and month. Further, on the outermost periphery of the transparent area 413, a city name or place name 424 representing each local standard time is written. In this figure, only TOKYO and LONDON are shown, and J and others are omitted. The place name 424 and the triangular mark 425 in the center thereof, together with the world time scale 412, are the constituent elements of the present invention. It constitutes a "designation means". Triangle mark 42 belonging to a certain place name
5 on the universal time scale 41, which corresponds to the local standard time of the area.
You can immediately see the world's sunshine range on the map by aligning it with the one point in 2, and then move the point on the map so that it overlaps with the figure showing the sunshine range, and then point to the triangular mark 425 that corresponds to the place name of that point. By reading the universal time scale 412 at the location, one can know the sunrise or sunset time at that location.

Next, various functions added to this embodiment will be described. Part 2 is a function to calculate local sidereal time, and Part 2 is a function to calculate the hour angle of 1 Hypolar star, etc. For example, find the local sidereal time in Tokyo, shown in Figure 4, where local marker A←hour (-1?-uniform solar time) is noon^1''] 0 o'clock.

First of all, there is a universal time scale 4 corresponding to the black dot 426 near the T OK Y O character part, not the three rabbit mark 425.
12 and read the time as approximately 10:20.

The difference between this time and 10 o'clock in Japan Standard Time is that the city "Tokyo 11" is not on the 135° east longitude line, which is one of the longitude lines dividing the total longitude angle into 24 equal parts, and is slightly shifted. (This is a correction value depending on each city, so although it is not shown, the triangle mark 425 of other cities
The positions of the black circles 426, which are correction marks for each image, are different from each other. Since London is on the meridian of y longitude O, the black circle is not shown because it coincides with the triangular mark. ) Next, if today is August 1st, the number 8 on the sidereal time calculation scale 427
20:40 can be read by looking at the world time scale 412 corresponding to the position of (this scale is marked at intervals of 10 days, and the scale with a number indicates the first day of the month of that number). This read value is added to the average solar time of 10:20 in Tokyo with the above-mentioned longitude correction, and 21:55 becomes the local sidereal time in Tokyo at 10:00 a.m. on August 1st. (The addition result is 24
If the time is exceeded, subtract 24 hours. ) Next, we will describe how to obtain the hour angle of the North Star, which is necessary data for polar alignment of equatorial ceremonial telescopes. First, attention is paid to the series of polar star hour angle marks 428 consisting of black circles and triangles. These five marks correspond to the five years counterclockwise: 1990, 2000 (only this one is a triangle), 2010, 2020, and 2030. The reason why this does not become a - point is because the trajectory of the diurnal movement of the North Star gradually shifts due to the precession of the Earth's axis. Assuming the current year is 1988, use the nearest 1990 mark and the corresponding universal time scale 41
If it is 2, read 2:20 and subtract this from the local sidereal time that you have already found. Applying the above example (21:55 local sidereal time in Tokyo at 10 am on August 1), the hour angle of the North Star at that time is determined to be 19:35. In the southern hemisphere, there is a star extremely close to the south celestial pole, σ Hebrantis, and you may want to know the hour angle of this star. For this purpose, there is the hour angle mark 429 of σ Hemobranchis, and the meaning and usage of the mark are exactly the same as for Polaris. -Next, describe the figure that shows the sunlight range.

The sunlight range figure 414 indicating sunrise and sunset is the boundary where the top of the sun rises and sets from the horizon, so it is determined by the geometric relationship between the astronomically determined direction of the center of the sun depending on the season and the approximately spherical earth. The position of the boundary line forming the determined great circle is further corrected for the sun's visual diameter and the effect of light refraction by atmospheric layers (atmospheric difference), converted to coordinates in the polar center equidistant projection, and then calculated by computer. It is obtained using a drawing method, and a block for printing is created using this method. In the case of astronomical twilight limit figure 415, the angle of elongation from the zenith of the sun is 108
The figure 416 is a drawing of a point that satisfies the condition that the angle is 10° from the sun's zenith, and the 80° solar altitude figure 416 is also a drawing of a point that has an elongation of 10° from the zenith of the sun.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the watch of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), but the limit map member and the sunlight range indicating member can be replaced with those shown in the second embodiment (FIG. 4). It is also possible. The same figure (aJ is a sectional view of the meshing of the map gear 57 and the pinion of the adjustment wheel and the correction mechanism of the world map member, (b
) is a sectional view showing the meshing of the hour wheel pinion 54, the idler gear 55, and the adjustment gear 56.

51 is the main plate of the clock mechanism, and 52 is a back plate fixed to the dial side thereof. 54 is hour wheel kana, and hour wheel 5 is the tense axis.
It is fixed to B, rotates once every 12 hours, and idler gear 5
5 and the direction of rotation is changed. Reference numeral 56 denotes an adjustment gear which meshes with the idler gear 55 and transmits its rotational force to the coaxial adjustment pinion 57. The adjustment gear 56 and the adjustment pinion 57 are connected to each other so that they can be rotated, and a frictional force is applied so that the normal drive torque transmitted from the hour wheel does not cause slip between the two, and slip occurs only when a corrective operating force is applied. is set. The map gear 58 is fixed to the polar axis portion of the world map member 20, and the number of teeth of the associated gear is selected so that it rotates once in 24 hours in the counterclockwise direction.

Regarding the correction mechanism for setting the world map member at an arbitrary angle, reference numeral 59 is a winding stem that is rotated by the crown 16, and when the winding stem is pulled out, the flat part of its large diameter prismatic portion becomes a small protrusion in the hole of the correction wheel 60. The rotational torque transmitted by the engagement acts on the pinion portion of the adjusting valve wheel 61 in which the pinion and gear are integrally fixed. The gear portion of the intermediate correction wheel 61 meshes with the adjustment pinion 57 to provide rotational torque for manual correction.

When the winding stem 69 is pushed in, the 1st joint part with the correction wheel 60 moves to the small diameter part, the frictional connection is released, and the torque due to external operation is not transmitted, and the correction wheel 60 and the correction intermediate wheel 60 are moved. 61 means just idling.

In addition, the sunshine range indication figure 60 is a transparent member, and the sunshine range figure is printed on the top surface (the surface located on the upper side of the figure) or the bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the back plate 52 is printed like a bungeo board at a normal time. Stay fixed at λt. The world map member 20 rotates within the gap between the back plate 52 and the sunlight range indicating member 60.

Next, other embodiments or modifications of the present invention will be described.

(1) World map display section (fix the scale so that, for example, the country to which the user belongs is centered at the bottom), sunlight range indicator A2
Rotate by clock mechanism or manually.

(2) Different colors or light transmittances on the inside and outside (station side and visual observation side) of the sunlight range indicating figure, or cast shadows, make it easier to distinguish between the visual observation side and the station side, and improve the aesthetic appearance.

(3) Arrange the sunlight range indicating member as opaque on the back side, and the world map member as transparent on the front side.

(/I) -shi! The J world map component is placed behind the clock phase, and the sunlight range indicating component is placed in front of the phase, for example, so that it can also be used as a windshield for the time without reducing the number of components. Or this arrangement and shift in reverse order.

(5) If it is not fixed, it can be rotated and held in any direction by means of a bezel ring or other crown provided around the windshield, for example.

This eliminates the need to slip the movable part A driven by the clock mechanism from the drive system when you want to know the state at a time other than the current time. After confirming the situation at the non-current time, return the bezel ring to the old position to return to the display state at the current time.

(6) Corresponding to the case where the altitude of the observation point at sunrise/sunset is higher than the average sea level, calculations are performed that take into account the geometric relationship, and the correction is made to be closer to the sunshine range figure that is 1'6 above the sea level. You can mark it.

For example, add a short mark corresponding to the summit of Mt. Fuji near the latitude of Tokyo.

(7) The direction of the sun at sunset or sunrise is
It is a function of the position of the observation point on the sunshine range figure. Therefore, by placing a cut or [ ] mark on the figure in the direction of the sun (due east, due west, ○○ degrees south, etc.), you can roughly determine the direction in which the sun enters and exits. A readable function can be added.

(8) Although it is necessary for world maps to be based on the Hinoki point-centered projection method, it is not always necessary that the latitude lines be expressed at equal distances (measured in the radial direction), and they can be reduced or enlarged depending on the latitude. It is good as long as it is easy to see.

Also, it is natural for longitude lines to be straight lines, but they may also have a somewhat spiral shape. The effect of increasing the aesthetic appearance of the design can be expected by changing the f''L etc.

(9) Map members, etc. do not need to be completely flat either.

It may be a gently concave or convex surface, or a conical surface.

(10) The "angle specifying means for specifying the relative angle between the world map member and the sunlight range indicating member according to the daytime time" is not limited to the triangular mark attached to the place name and the universal time scale. Various marks and scales are conceivable, and positioning may be performed via other intermediate members.

(11) Using a projection method centered on the South Pole, both sides are configured in the same way, except that the movable side rotates in the opposite direction to the case where the center is at the North Pole), for users living in the rainy hemisphere. On the other hand, it is also possible to create a product that is more convenient in terms of less distortion of the topography.

(12) Changes in the placement or shape of city names, place names, or related marks.

(13) Use multicolor printing to make it easier to distinguish sunlight range figures, auxiliary marks, and other symbols, and associate them with the same color or near green.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Although the device of the present invention is a simple dog-shaped structure mainly consisting of two members that can rotate relative to each other, it can be used to measure the current or arbitrary date and time, the sunlight range on the earth, the sunrise/sunset times and sunlight hours in various parts of the world. Furthermore, other information (related to astronomical twilight zone, solar altitude, sunrise/sunset direction mark, observation point altitude correction mark, local sidereal time calculation function, polar star hour angle calculation function, etc.) can also be included. . Moreover, this structure is suitable for being incorporated as an additional mechanism in a watch, and is extremely useful as it not only provides the above-mentioned information, but also functions as a world training course where you can directly read the time of each region's marks. This is a great invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of "Ankun" which is the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a world map member used in the same embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a sunlight range indication used in the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11...Watch case, 16...S-Z, 20 and 42...World map component, 21 and 42
1...Longitude line, 22 and 424...City name or place name, 26 and 4
22...Latitude line, 60 and 41...Sunlight range indicator, 64 and 412...Universal time scale, 65-68 and 414
...Sunshine range figure, 415...Astronomical twilight figure, 416...Sun altitude 80' figure, 56...
... Hour wheel, 54... Hour wheel pinion, 55... Idler gear, 56... Adjustment gear, 57... Adjustment pinion, 58... Map gear, 59... winding stem, 60... correction wheel, 61... correction intermediate car. Patent applicant: Citizen Toki 1 Kokuyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A world map member in which a world map is displayed on a substantially flat substrate surface using a projection method in which longitude lines are radial and latitude lines are concentric with the north or south pole as the center, and the world map member is adjacent to the world map member. A member arranged and capable of relative rotation along the display of the world map member with the pole as an axis, and an angle of 15° with respect to the axis and a figure indicating a sunlight range corresponding to the world map is one hour. A world characterized by comprising: a sunshine range indicating member on which a time scale is displayed; and an angle specifying means for specifying a relative angle between the world map member and the sunlight range indicating member according to the time of the day. A device that displays the sunlight status. (2) A timepiece comprising the device according to claim 1 as an additional mechanism, in which one of the world map member and the sunlight range indicating member is fixedly provided to the timepiece, and the time display mechanism of the timepiece is The present invention is characterized by comprising a power mechanism that rotates the other member at a speed of one revolution per 24 hours in conjunction with the other member, and a manual correction means including a slip mechanism that arbitrarily sets the starting angle position of the other member. A clock that displays the sunlight status around the world.