Crown Pusher Assembly for Wristwearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wristworn electronic device crown assemblies often require separate pushers for auxiliary functions like backlighting, limiting versatility and user friendliness, and are not compatible with all watch movements.
Innovation Solution
A universal crown assembly that allows auxiliary function initiation through electrical contact between specific contacts, utilizing a rotatable stem assembly and sleeve assembly to mimic the axial displacement of a pusher, enabling functions like backlighting without the need for additional pushers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pushers are used for auxiliary functions like backlighting, then the device can achieve auxiliary functionality, but the device complexity increases and versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the auxiliary function initiation mechanism with the existing crown assembly. The crown pusher assembly integrates the pusher function into the crown structure, allowing the crown to perform both its traditional time-setting function and the auxiliary function initiation through axial displacement. This merging eliminates the need for separate pusher buttons, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: time-setting through rotational movement and auxiliary function initiation through axial pushing movement. The universal crown pusher assembly can be used with a wider range of electronic device movements, making the crown a multi-functional component that serves both traditional and auxiliary purposes, thereby improving versatility without adding separate dedicated pushers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If axial displacement of the setting stem is required to initiate auxiliary functions, then auxiliary functionality can be achieved, but compatibility with various watch movements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a crown pusher assembly that acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pushing action and the setting stem. The crown pusher assembly includes a crown, a crown pusher, and a crown pusher spring that together transmit the axial pushing force to initiate auxiliary functions without requiring direct axial displacement of the setting stem. This intermediary mechanism maintains compatibility with various watch movements that may not support direct stem displacement while preserving ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If separate pushers are eliminated and crown assembly is used for auxiliary functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the crown assembly structure must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The crown pusher assembly is segmented into distinct components: the crown itself, the crown pusher, and the crown pusher spring. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the modified crown structure. The modular design enables easier production and assembly while achieving the goal of reduced overall device complexity by eliminating separate pusher buttons.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A crown assembly for an electronic device. The crown assembly includes a crown, coupled to a rotatable stem assembly, and a sleeve assembly coupled to the crown and the rotatable stem assembly, wherein the sleeve assembly causes the rotatable stem assembly to be axial displaceable in a first axial direction from the "run" stem position to a "setting" stem position and causes electrical contact between two contacts upon a pushing of the crown in a second axial direction to a "pushed" crown position, while the rotatable stem assembly is not axial displaceable in the second axial direction passed its normal "run" stem position.