Conical Watch Case Sealing for Deep-Dive Pressure Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof watch cases fail to maintain effective sealing during deep-water dives due to insufficient stress distribution and pressure resistance, as traditional gaskets and sealing mechanisms are inadequate against high water pressures.
Innovation Solution
The watch case design features conical bearing surfaces on the back and crystal, inclined at specific angles, which distribute pressure evenly and utilize a dual-part seal made from amorphous metal and polymer to ensure a tight seal, preventing water ingress and maintaining structural integrity under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gaskets and sealing mechanisms are used, then the watch case can be assembled easily, but the sealing effectiveness deteriorates under high water pressure during deep dives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs conical bearing surfaces instead of flat or cylindrical surfaces. The case back and crystal are mounted on inclined conical surfaces that distribute water pressure forces evenly across the sealing interface, preventing localized stress concentration that would compromise the gasket seal under deep-water pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system uses a dual-part seal comprising amorphous metal and polymer materials. This composite sealing structure combines the dimensional stability and pressure resistance of amorphous metal with the elastic sealing properties of polymer, ensuring effective sealing under extreme water pressure while maintaining structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If simple gaskets are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure resistance deteriorates under high water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism uses a dual-part seal comprising amorphous metal and polymer materials. This composite sealing structure combines the dimensional stability and pressure resistance of amorphous metal with the elastic sealing properties of polymer, ensuring effective sealing under extreme water pressure while maintaining structural integrity.
3Stress or pressure
If conical bearing surfaces are used, then the pressure distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the conical bearing surfaces are inclined at a specific angle less than 90° relative to the central axis perpendicular to the watch case plane. This optimized angle parameter ensures effective pressure distribution while balancing manufacturing feasibility. The dual-part seal design also provides tolerance compensation, reducing the impact of minor dimensional variations.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The water-resistant watch case (1) of a diving watch comprises at least one case back (4) mounted on the lower side of a case middle (2), and a crystal (3) mounted via a gasket (5, 5') on the upper side of the case middle. The case back includes an annular bearing surface (24) for contacting an annular inner surface (32) of the case middle, the shape of which is complementary to the bearing surface when the case back is mounted on the case middle. The annular bearing surface and the annular inner surface are inclined inward toward the watch case at a predetermined angle less than 90° with respect to a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the watch case, so as to distribute stresses between the case back and the case middle due to water pressure during a dive. The annular bearing surface and the annular inner surface are conical in shape.