Timepiece Bezel Edge Thinning via Axial Screw Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece designs face challenges in edge thinning of the bezel while maintaining gasket exchangeability and glass fixation selectivity, as the bezel's width is limited by the need for threaded holes that accommodate screws deviated within the gasket, leading to insufficient edge thinning and potential deformation during screwing.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring an armor case with a case band having an inner periphery convex part with fit holes and a tubular fit part, using an elastic seal gasket between the edge member and case band, and a threaded-axle-like connection member that screws into threaded holes from the back side, allowing for edge thinning without compromising gasket exchangeability or glass fixation options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the screw is disposed inside the gasket and screwed to the female thread part in the bezel, then the gasket can be exchanged and waterproofness is ensured, but the bezel width cannot be sufficiently reduced due to the required dimension for the threaded hole
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is extracted from the bezel structure and relocated to the case band. The female thread part is formed in the case band instead of the bezel, separating the fastening function from the edge member. This allows the bezel to be thinner since it no longer needs to accommodate threaded holes, while the screw remains positioned inside the gasket area to maintain waterproofness.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded hole is repositioned from the radial dimension (affecting bezel width) to the axial dimension (thickness direction of case band). The female thread part is formed in the thickness direction of the case band, allowing the screw to engage without increasing the bezel's radial width.
2Ease of repair
If the screw is disposed inside the gasket, then the gasket exchangeability is improved, but the glass fixation part may be deformed by screwing stress
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is extracted from the bezel structure and relocated to the case band. The female thread part is formed in the case band instead of the bezel, separating the fastening function from the edge member. This allows the bezel to be thinner since it no longer needs to accommodate threaded holes, while the screw remains positioned inside the gasket area to maintain waterproofness.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded hole is repositioned from the radial dimension (affecting bezel width) to the axial dimension (thickness direction of case band). The female thread part is formed in the thickness direction of the case band, allowing the screw to engage without increasing the bezel's radial width.
3Strength
If the threaded hole is formed in the bezel to accommodate the screw, then the screw can be screwed to fix the bezel, but the edge thinning of the bezel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is extracted from the bezel structure and relocated to the case band. The female thread part is formed in the case band instead of the bezel, separating the fastening function from the edge member. This allows the bezel to be thinner since it no longer needs to accommodate threaded holes, while the screw remains positioned inside the gasket area to maintain waterproofness.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded hole is repositioned from the radial dimension (affecting bezel width) to the axial dimension (thickness direction of case band). The female thread part is formed in the thickness direction of the case band, allowing the screw to engage without increasing the bezel's radial width.
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 solution promotes edge thinning by eliminating the need for internal screw placement, ensuring the bezel's width reduction without impairing gasket exchangeability or glass fixation reliability, and allows for easy maintenance of the seal gasket, enhancing waterproof performance and visual appeal.
Implementation Method 1
an annular seal gasket (26) comprising an elastic material, which has been provided in an outside than the fit hole and nipped between the edge member (35) and the case band (22)
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a timepiece in which it is possible to promote an edge thinning of an edge member without impairing an exchangeability of a gasket between the edge member to which a glass has been fixed and a case band, and a selectivity of a fixation means of the glass to the edge member. In a case band of an armor case in which a timepiece movement with a dial has been built in, there is provided an inner periphery convex part forming a fit hole while protruding to a case band inside. In an annular edge member which is overlapped to a front side of the case band and to which a glass has been fixed, there are provided a tubular fit part fitted to a fit hole, and a dial cover site covering a peripheral part surface of the dial. An annular seal gasket made of an elastic material is nipped, in an outside than the fit hole, between the edge member and the case band. Plural threaded holes are formed over the inner periphery convex part and the fit part, and there is made such that one part of each of the respective threaded holes is included in a projected region of the seal gasket to a back side. The edge member is retained to the case band by detachably screwing a threaded-axle-like connection member to each of the respective threaded holes from back sides of the inner periphery convex part and the fit part.