Amorphous Alloy Substrate for Setting Aesthetic Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting aesthetic elements, such as precious stones, in wearable objects are limited to ductile metals and fail to provide reliable retention in materials lacking plastic deformation, like ceramics or silicon, due to the inability to use cold plastic deformation techniques.

Innovation Solution

A decorative piece with a support made from a material without plastic deformation, featuring hollows filled with an amorphous alloy that can be shaped to create housings and catching means for retaining aesthetic elements, allowing for setting through deformation or thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cold plastic deformation is used to set aesthetic elements, then secure retention is achieved, but the method is limited to ductile metals and cannot be applied to materials like ceramics or silicon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of aesthetic elementsVSAvoidapplicability to different materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into two distinct parts: the base support made of non-ductile material (ceramics, silicon, etc.) and an inserted substrate made of ductile amorphous metal alloy. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the support provides structural integrity while the substrate enables plastic deformation for setting aesthetic elements securely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining non-ductile support material with ductile amorphous metal alloy substrate. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit properties of both materials: the hardness and stability of ceramics/silicon combined with the plastic deformability of amorphous metals, thereby achieving both secure retention and material versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If glueing is used to set aesthetic elements on non-ductile materials, then material versatility is improved, but retention reliability deteriorates due to exposure to external environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to non-ductile materialsVSAvoidlong-term retention of aesthetic elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ductile amorphous metal alloy substrate acts as an intermediary between the non-ductile support material and the aesthetic elements. It provides the mechanical deformation capability needed for secure setting while being bonded to the non-ductile support, thereby enabling both material versatility and reliable mechanical retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of glueing with a mechanical deformation system using the amorphous metal substrate. The catching means formed by plastic deformation of the substrate provide mechanical retention that is superior to adhesive bonding, especially in environments exposed to humidity, perspiration, UV, and air pollution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the secure retention of aesthetic elements in materials that do not typically allow for plastic deformation, providing a reliable and long-term solution for quality products by using amorphous alloys that can be easily shaped and deformed to house and retain stones.

Implementation Method 1

The cold plastic deformation of crystalline metals is possible thanks to the movements of dislocations present in the crystal lattices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

The cold plastic deformation of crystalline metals is possible thanks to the movements of dislocations present in the crystal lattices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDislocation movement:

Implementation Method 3

allowing for setting through deformation or thermal expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10772396B2Decorative piece produced by setting on amorphous metal

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 OMEGA SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a decorative piece comprising a support produced in a material which does not include plastic deformation and in which at least one hollow is provided, characterised in that said hollow being filled with a first material being an at least partially amorphous alloy forming a substrate in which at least one housing is provided, said at least one housing being designed so that at least one aesthetic element can be housed therein.