Chronograph Cover Element Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chronographs have protruding operating elements that can lead to unintentional actuation and an aesthetically unpleasing design, as they protrude from the housing and are not intuitively operated.
Innovation Solution
A chronograph design featuring a cover element that is essentially rigid and arc-shaped, allowing operating elements to be actuated intuitively by pivoting, with the cover element being flush with the housing and providing secure, space-compact guidance, ensuring that controls do not protrude and are visually recognizable for actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operating elements are arranged at an angle to the crown axis and protrude from the housing, then the chronograph can be operated, but unintentional activation occurs and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a closed position (flush with housing) and an open position (actuating the operating element). This dynamic design enables intentional operation while preventing unintentional activation, as the cover must be deliberately moved to access the controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element serves as an intermediary between the user and the operating element. Instead of direct contact with the protruding control, the user interacts with the cover, which then transfers the actuation force to the operating element through a bearing mechanism. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for protruding controls while maintaining operability.
2Ease of operation
If operating elements protrude from the housing, then they are accessible for operation, but the appearance becomes aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element transitions from a closed aesthetic state (flush with housing) to an open operational state (pivoted to actuate controls). This dynamic design allows the chronograph to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance when not in use while remaining fully accessible for operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging operating elements in the radial plane (protruding from the housing), the solution moves the operating elements to the axial dimension (inside the housing along the crown axis). The cover element pivots along the crown axis to access these controls, changing the operational dimension from radial to axial and eliminating protrusions while maintaining accessibility.
3Reliability
If operating elements are arranged inside the housing along the crown axis, then aesthetics are improved and unintentional activation is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover, a user interface element, and an actuation mechanism. By integrating these functions into a single component that pivots along the crown axis, the design achieves reliability and aesthetics without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element's pivoting motion along the crown axis automatically aligns with the chronograph's existing axis of symmetry and operation. This self-aligning design simplifies the overall structure by utilizing the chronograph's inherent geometry rather than requiring additional alignment mechanisms or complex mounting arrangements.
4Ease of operation
If the cover element is movable and pivotable, then operating elements can be actuated without protruding, but the mechanism requires precise guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed to pivot along a defined arc-shaped path around the crown axis, creating a periodic motion pattern. This arc-shaped guidance ensures that the cover element consistently engages with the operating element at the correct position and angle, providing intuitive operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a simple curved trajectory.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
Chronograph, in particular a chronograph watch, having a housing and a crown, which is arranged along a crown axis, wherein the chronograph has operating elements for operating the time-measuring function of the chronograph, wherein the operating elements are arranged at an angle to the crown axis, wherein the operating elements are arranged within the chronograph, wherein the chronograph has a covering element for covering the operating elements, wherein the covering element, in a starting position, is arranged flush with the housing, wherein the covering element can be pivoted about an axis, wherein the axis is arranged perpendicularly to the crown axis, and so as to intersect the latter, and wherein the covering element, in a pivoted position, is in contact with one of the operating elements such that the covering element actuates one of the operating elements.