Anodized Titanium Support for Colored Transparent Stones in Timepieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for finer timepieces, such as dials and oscillating weights, set with colored stones that maintain their coloring without increasing thickness, which is typically a challenge with conventional supports.
Innovation Solution
The use of anodized titanium or anodized aluminum supports for flat, colored transparent stones, which enhances their coloring by matching the support's color through the anodizing process, allowing for significant coloration and brilliance even at reduced thicknesses below 1 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional supports (steel, brass, titanium, aluminum) are used with colored transparent stones, then the stones can be set, but the thickness must be increased to maintain color intensity and brilliance
Solution Approach 1:
The support is anodized to change its color properties. The anodizing process creates a colored oxide layer on the metal surface that complements and enhances the color of the transparent stones, allowing the stones to maintain their coloring intensity even at reduced thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining metal support (titanium or aluminum) with an anodized coating layer. This composite material provides both structural support and optical enhancement, where the anodized layer acts as a colored background that intensifies the appearance of the transparent stones
2Length of stationary object
If flat stones (height to width ratio less than 50%) are used to reduce thickness, then the timepiece becomes thinner, but the stones lose brilliance and coloring
Solution Approach 1:
The anodizing process changes the color and optical properties of the support surface. By matching the anodized color with the stone color (e.g., blue stones with blue anodized support), the coloring is intensified and homogenized, compensating for the reduced stone thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The anodizing treatment is applied specifically to the areas surrounding and beneath the stones, creating a localized colored background that enhances only the stone areas. This local quality enhancement allows flat stones to maintain their coloring without requiring increased thickness
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
This approach enables significant coloration and brilliance of colored transparent stones in thinner timepieces, overcoming the limitations of conventional supports by creating a synergistic effect that improves homogeneity and maintains color intensity regardless of stone shape or size.
Implementation Method 1
The support is made of anodized titanium or anodized aluminum
Implementation Method 2
the contrast in the brilliance of the stones and the appearance of titanium or aluminum highlights the stones
Data Source
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AI summary
A timepiece (1) comprising: - at least one coloured transparent stone (10), - a support (20) comprising at least one opening (200) for receiving this coloured transparent stone (10) characterised in that - the ratio between the height (h) and width (L) of the coloured transparent stone (10) is less than 50%, - the support (20) is made from anodised titanium or anodised aluminium. Advantageously, according to the invention, the colour of the coloured transparent stone (10) in the timepiece (1) according to the invention is enhanced by that of the support (20).