Adjustable Threaded Crown With Indexing Profile
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw-down crown assembly methods for watches do not allow for angular indexing adjustment after screwing, which is aesthetically undesirable, especially for luxury products, and are not suitable for crowns with patterns or non-revolutionary designs.
Innovation Solution
An orientable screw-down crown system featuring a tube with an indexing profile that cooperates with a complementary indexing profile in the watch case housing, allowing for axial movement and angular adjustment, combined with a removable axial stop mechanism for secure sealing, enabling the crown to be positioned and sealed in a desired orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional screw-down crown assembly methods are used, then the crown can be securely screwed into the watch case, but the crown cannot be positioned in a specific orientation relative to the case
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is pre-equipped with indexing means (such as grooves, ridges, or asymmetric features) before the crown is screwed into the case. This preliminary preparation allows the crown to be automatically indexed to a specific orientation during the screwing operation, eliminating the need for post-assembly adjustment while maintaining simple assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Indexing means are introduced as an intermediary element between the crown and the case. These indexing features (such as asymmetric grooves, ridges, or shaped surfaces on the tube) mediate the orientation relationship, guiding the crown into the correct angular position relative to the case during assembly without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
2Shape
If the crown is designed with patterns or non-revolutionary shapes, then aesthetic value is improved, but the ability to adjust angular indexing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing means incorporated into the tube utilize asymmetric features (such as non-circular grooves, ridges, or shaped surfaces) that are specifically designed to mate with corresponding asymmetric features on the crown. This asymmetric design allows crowns with patterns or non-revolutionary shapes to be securely indexed in specific orientations, maintaining both aesthetic design freedom and angular positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The tube is pre-equipped with indexing means that are designed to accommodate various crown shapes and patterns. This preliminary preparation ensures that when any crown (regardless of its aesthetic design) is screwed into the case, it will automatically assume the correct angular orientation, preserving adaptability across different crown designs
3Reliability
If the crown is screwed down tightly to improve water resistance, then sealing performance is improved, but the ability to adjust orientation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing means are incorporated into the tube structure before the crown is assembled. As the crown is screwed down tightly to achieve water resistance, the indexing features guide and lock the crown in the desired orientation simultaneously. This preliminary integration ensures that the tight sealing position and the correct angular orientation are achieved together in a single operation
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing means act as an intermediary mechanism that reconciles the conflicting requirements of tight sealing and orientability. By incorporating these indexing features into the tube, the system enables the crown to be both securely sealed and precisely oriented during the single action of screwing the crown down, eliminating the need for separate adjustment steps
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
watch case (100), comprising a screw-mounted orientable crown (10) having axially movable parts, a subassembly (20) comprising an operating body (1) having a motif (19), a tube (8) axially insertable into a housing (90) of the case and comprising an axial indexing profile (82) cooperating complementarily with a complementary axial indexing profile (92) of the housing (90), and the indexing profile (82) is a cone with an apex angle less than 15°, or is a beveled tooth, or is a straight spline, or is a conical spline, and is arranged to cooperate by friction with the complementary indexing profile (92) of the housing (90).