Timepiece Bezel Retention Mechanism with Dynamic Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bezel retention mechanisms in timepieces, such as the click ball and leaf spring types, suffer from low reliability in maintaining the desired rotation position and restrict bezel rotation to one direction, leading to potential careless rotation during wear.
Innovation Solution
A bezel retention system featuring an annular bezel disposition groove, a click member, a biasing body, and a lock member that allows easy alignment and secure locking of the bezel in a desired position, enabling bidirectional rotation and preventing careless rotation through a vertically movable lock mechanism operated by an external manual operation member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a click ball type mechanism is used, then the bezel can rotate in any direction, but the reliability of retaining the bezel to the desired rotation position is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic lock member that can switch between locked and unlocked states. When locked, the lock member engages with the click member to securely retain the bezel position. When unlocked, the bezel can rotate freely in any direction. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing both bidirectional rotation capability and high position retention reliability through the locked state mechanism.
2Reliability
If a leaf spring type mechanism is used, then the bezel rotation is regulated to one direction, but it becomes impossible to reversely rotate the bezel when slightly deviating from the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member provides a dynamic locking mechanism that secures the bezel at desired positions while allowing intentional rotation in both directions when unlocked. The user can rotate the bezel clockwise or counterclockwise by approximately one rotation to reach the desired position, then lock it in place. This eliminates the unidirectional rotation restriction of the leaf spring type while maintaining position retention reliability through the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If conventional retention mechanisms are used, then the bezel can be retained to a desired position, but the bezel may be carelessly rotated by external forces during carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member provides preliminary anti-action by preemptively locking the click member in place before external forces can cause careless rotation. The locking mechanism creates a pre-established restraint that counteracts potential harmful external forces during carrying, preventing unwanted bezel rotation while allowing intentional rotation when unlocked.
4Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent careless rotation, then the bezel position retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member and click member are integrated within the same accommodation hole in the case band, sharing a common structural space. The lock member vertically moves to engage or disengage with the click member, combining the locking function with the existing click mechanism. This merging approach provides reliable position retention while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the existing structural framework.
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
The system allows easy alignment and secure locking of the bezel, preventing careless rotation even under external forces, while enabling smooth click operations and easy operation without tools, enhancing user handling and bezel position retention.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing body pushing the click member to the engagement part while being accommodated in the accommodation hole
Implementation Method 2
a lock member accommodated in the accommodation hole so as to be vertically movable by an operation from an outside of the case band, and moved between a retention position retaining the click member to a state in which the click member engages with the engagement part and a retracted position allowing a click operation of the click member by releasing the retention
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a timepiece in which a position alignment of a bezel is easy, and a position-aligned bezel can be made so as not to be carelessly rotated. A portable timepiece possesses a case band, an annular bezel, a click member, a coil spring, and a lock member. In the case band, there are provided an annular bezel disposition groove opening upward and to an outer periphery face, and an accommodation hole extending in a vertical direction while opening to a bottom face of this groove. Bezel is disposed, while being fitted to the disposition groove, so as to be rotatable in both directions of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in regard to the case band. A click member engaging with and disengaging from an engagement part comprising plural irregularities juxtaposed in a rotation direction in a back face of the bezel facing on the bottom face is accommodated in the accommodation hole so as to be vertically movable. In the accommodation hole, there are accommodated the spring pushing the click member to the engagement part, and the lock member. The lock member moves between a retention position retaining the click member to a state in which this member engages with the engagement part and a retracted position allowing a click operation of the click member, by an operation from an outside of the case band.