Rotating Bezel With Through Passage For Channel Flushing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diving watches often experience bezel jamming due to the accumulation of sea salt and pollutants, leading to corrosion and unidirectional non-return system failure, which necessitates frequent repairs and cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A watch design featuring a bezel with a through passage for permanent access to an internal annular channel, allowing water circulation for cleaning and preventing pollutant accumulation, combined with a non-return mechanism using a spring and toothing for unidirectional rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bezel is mounted with play on the middle part to enable rotation, then the bezel can rotate for time measurement, but sea salt and pollutants accumulate between the bezel and middle part causing corrosion and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebezel rotationVSAvoidbezel operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful accumulation zone by creating an internal annular channel between the bezel and middle part, with a through passage that opens to the outside. This channel takes out the pollutant accumulation problem from the sealed space and allows continuous flushing by water circulation, preventing salt and particle buildup while maintaining rotation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic flushing by allowing water to circulate through the internal annular channel via the through passage. This water flow continuously cleans the channel and prevents pollutant accumulation, using the hydraulic action of water to maintain reliability without affecting the mechanical rotation function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If the bezel is tightly mounted on the middle part to prevent pollutant accumulation, then corrosion is reduced, but the bezel cannot rotate freely for time measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidbezel rotation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the mounting structure into distinct functional zones: the internal annular channel separates the rotation interface from the sealing interface. The holding means and non-return means are positioned within this channel, allowing the bezel to rotate freely while the channel walls prevent pollutant intrusion into critical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the non-return system and holding means are placed close to the rotation interface, then the structure is compact, but they are highly sensitive to salt accumulation and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidnon-return system
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal annular channel acts as an intermediary protective space that surrounds the holding means and non-return means. This channel serves as a mediator that allows water circulation to continuously flush away salts and pollutants before they can reach and jam the sensitive mechanical components, while still allowing compact positioning of these components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents pollutant accumulation and corrosion, ensuring reliable operation by maintaining the bezel's unidirectional rotation and reducing the need for frequent repairs through effective cleaning and flushing.

Implementation Method 1

this through passage constitutes a flow means to prevent the accumulation of pollutants in said channel by circulation of water and therefore the cleaning of this channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater circulation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3234700B1Frame with rotating glass
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ZUCCOLO ROCHET FRANCE
  • EP3234700B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3234700B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3234700B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Frame comprising a case body (3) and a glass (13) rotatably mounted on said case body, in which at least one interior annular channel (26) is arranged between the glass and the case body and comprising at least one holding means (32) of the glass on the case body and, between the glass and the case body, a non-return means (35, 38), said means being arranged at least partially in said interior annular channel (26), in which frame the glass has at least one through passage (39), left free, for access to said interior annular channel (26), providing permanent communication of said channel with the exterior.