Crown Lock Mechanism for Timepiece with Direct Stem Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing crown lock mechanisms in timepieces require a strong pushing force to screw and couple the crown to the winding stem pipe, which complicates the operation and reduces operability due to the need for a strong elastic force to transmit the pushing force effectively.
Innovation Solution
A crown lock mechanism that integrates the crown with the winding stem, eliminating the need for an elastic member between them, allowing the crown to directly push the winding stem and utilize a simpler operation by forming screws in the crown and lock portion, and using a regulator to hold the crown at the normal hand operation position with a weaker biasing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the crown is screwed and coupled to the screw portion of the winding stem pipe using a strong biasing force from the elastic member, then the lock mechanism can regulate the crown operation, but the operation becomes complex and operability deteriorates due to the need for strong pushing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic member from between the crown and winding stem pipe, extracting the source of strong biasing force. The crown is instead directly fixed to the winding stem pipe, eliminating the need for strong pushing force during operation while maintaining the lock mechanism's ability to regulate crown movement through its geometric constraint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown and winding stem pipe are merged into a single integrated structure by directly fixing the crown to the winding stem pipe. This eliminates the elastic member interface and allows the crown to move smoothly without requiring strong pushing force, while the lock portion and regulator maintain the locking function through their geometric arrangement.
2Power
If the elastic member is configured to provide strong biasing force, then the pushing force can be transmitted to the corrector lever, but the crown requires strong pushing force to be screwed and coupled, reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is completely removed from the system. Instead of relying on strong biasing force for power transmission, the patent uses the direct mechanical connection between the crown and winding stem pipe, combined with the lock portion's geometric constraint, to achieve both power transmission and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides geometric constraint and force transmission without requiring strong elastic biasing. The lock portion's movement along the groove and engagement with the regulator creates a mechanical advantage that transmits force efficiently while maintaining easy operability.
3Ease of operation
If the crown is integrated with the winding stem by direct fixing, then the operation is simplified and operability improves, but the elastic member is eliminated changing the force transmission mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is extracted from the system, eliminating the biasing force mechanism. The patent compensates for this by using the lock portion's geometric constraint and the regulator's positioning to provide the necessary force control and movement regulation without requiring elastic biasing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member's mechanical force transmission is replaced with a geometric constraint system. The lock portion moving along the groove and engaging with the regulator creates a deterministic mechanical relationship that replaces the stochastic elastic force transmission, providing controlled force without the need for elastic materials.
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 configuration simplifies the operation of the crown lock mechanism, reducing the required pushing force and improving operability by allowing the crown to be easily switched between modes without the need for a strong elastic force, enhancing the usability and reliability of the timepiece.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that biases the lock portion toward the crown
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a crown lock mechanism-installed timepiece which enables a lock mechanism to regulate an operation of a crown by using a simple operation. A crown lock mechanism includes a winding stem, a crown, a lock screw ring, an extrusion spring, and a regulator. The winding stem is connected to a corrector lever of a movement. The crown is fixed to the winding stem. The crown is capable of engaging with the lock screw ring, and the crown is supported by the lock screw ring so as to be movable in an axial direction. The extrusion spring biases the lock screw spring toward the crown. The regulator regulates the lock screw ring to be located at a predetermined position against a biasing force of the extrusion spring, and holds the crown engaging with the lock screw ring so as to stay at a normal hand operation position.