Electronic Timepiece Bezel Attachment Within Compact Outer Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional timepiece structures result in increased size due to outward protruding locking mechanisms, compromising the compactness of the timepiece design.

Innovation Solution

The timepiece incorporates inwardly connected protrusions and deformable bezel components that engage with the timepiece main body, allowing for a smaller external size and secure attachment without protruding locking elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If outward protruding locking mechanisms are used to attach exterior members, then secure attachment is achieved, but the timepiece size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtimepiece size

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the timepiece main body protrude outward to engage the exterior member, the invention inverts the approach by making the exterior member protrude inward to engage with recesses on the timepiece main body. This reversal allows the locking mechanism to be contained within the overall silhouette of the timepiece, maintaining compact size while achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusions on the exterior member are designed to nest within recesses formed on the timepiece main body. This nesting arrangement allows the engagement mechanism to be embedded within the existing structure rather than adding external protrusions, thereby securing the exterior member without increasing the timepiece's external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of stationary object

If inwardly connected protrusions are used for attachment, then compact size is achieved, but attachment security may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimepiece sizeVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple discrete engagement points around the periphery of the timepiece main body. Multiple locking protrusions and corresponding recesses are distributed circumferentially, creating multiple independent locking zones. This segmentation allows the compact inward-nesting design to be replicated at multiple locations, collectively providing robust attachment security through cumulative engagement strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement features are strategically positioned at specific locations where the exterior member interfaces with the timepiece main body. The recesses and protrusions are localized at critical attachment zones to maximize engagement effectiveness within the compact form factor, ensuring that security is concentrated where most needed rather than uniformly distributed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250284250A1Electronic timepiece and electronic timepiece main body

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an electronic timepiece including a timepiece main body; and an exterior member attachable to the timepiece main body. The timepiece main body includes: a plurality of protrusions and a first protruding part. The plurality of protrusions which protrude outward on an outer periphery of the timepiece main body and whose apexes on extending sides form an outermost shape of the timepiece main body. The first protruding part that is formed to connect adjacent ones of the plurality of protrusions and do not protrude outward more than apexes on extending sides of the connected ones of the plurality of protrusions. The exterior member has an engaging part that is engaged with the first protruding part when the exterior member is attached to the timepiece main body.