Ceramic Watch Casing with Machined Pigment Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing ceramic casing elements in horology and jewelry often result in products with uniform appearances, lacking unique and original designs, and struggle with reproducibility of colors and hues, especially in larger dimensions or complex products.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of multiple basic compositions with similar but distinct reagents, including pigments, that are sintered together to create a homogeneous ceramic product with varying hues and colors, followed by machining to expose these variations randomly on the surface, allowing for unique and original designs without predefined patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple basic compositions with pigments are sintered together to create color variations, then the appearance uniqueness is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reproducibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance uniquenessVSAvoidcolor reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the pigment composition and concentration in different basic compositions while maintaining similar sintering characteristics. This allows control over color variations (improving appearance uniqueness) while keeping sintering parameters consistent across all compositions (maintaining manufacturing precision and reproducibility).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the ceramic product into multiple portions, each made from different basic compositions with distinct pigment combinations. This segmentation enables each portion to have unique color characteristics while the overall manufacturing process remains controlled and reproducible through standardized composition formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple basic compositions with different pigments are used, then the color variation is improved, but the structural homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor variationVSAvoidstructural homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures structural homogeneity by formulating all basic compositions with similar ceramic matrices and sintering characteristics, despite using different pigments. This homogeneity in base composition ensures uniform microstructure and mechanical properties throughout the final product, while color variations arise only from pigment differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining ceramic powders with various pigments in different basic compositions. Each composition is designed as a composite where the ceramic matrix provides structural homogeneity while the pigment components provide color variation, achieving both goals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If a predefined pattern is applied during manufacturing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the appearance uniqueness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern precisionVSAvoidappearance uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not imposing predefined patterns during manufacturing. Instead, it allows the unique appearance to emerge naturally from the arrangement and interaction of different basic compositions during sintering, followed by machining that reveals these inherent variations rather than concealing them with predefined patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the color distribution and pattern formation to occur naturally during the sintering process through diffusion and interaction of different compositions, rather than fixing patterns statically during manufacturing. The final appearance is determined by both the initial composition arrangement and the dynamic sintering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 method achieves a ceramic casing element with a unique appearance and homogeneous mechanical properties, simplifying the manufacturing process while enhancing reproducibility and allowing for varied color distributions between components, even in complex products.

Implementation Method 1

a powder intended to undergo a sintering operation aiming to produce a ceramic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS20230413961A1Method for manufacturing a ceramic casing element, particularly for horology, and corresponding casing element

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 DE LA MFG DHORLOGERIE AUDEMARS PIGUET & CIE

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a casing element made of ceramic, for the fields of watchmaking or jewelry making, which enables a casing element to be obtained that is substantially homogeneous in terms of its structure and mechanical properties and that has variations of hue and/or color that are both original and unique on its surface. The manufacturing method includes, in particular, a machining step intended to make different layers, of different respective natures, visible on the surface of the casing element.