Dial Applique Foot With Plastically Deformable Locking Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for affixing appliques to timepiece dials, such as riveting, welding, and adhesive bonding, face challenges including damage to fragile dials, limited material choices, inability to inspect assembly quality non-destructively, and complexity in automated visual inspection due to deformation variability.

Innovation Solution

An applique with a foot portion featuring a plastically deformable area that forms a locking area upon insertion into the dial, allowing for secure, reversible fastening and non-destructive visual inspection, and enabling the use of various materials without applying excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If riveting is used to affix appliques to the dial, then the applique is securely fastened, but the dial may be damaged and excessive force is applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoiddamage to dial

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foot portion is divided into distinct functional zones: an insertion portion for entering the hole, a plastically deformable area for forming the locking structure, and a locking area that engages with the dial. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the dial.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the foot portion are specifically designed to be plastically deformable, allowing it to be inserted easily and then permanently deformed to form locking structures. This parameter change enables secure fastening through controlled deformation rather than forceful riveting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If welding is used to affix appliques to the dial, then strong bonding is achieved, but material choices are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidmaterial compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces welding (a thermal/chemical process with material compatibility constraints) with a mechanical deformation process. The plastically deformable area is mechanically deformed to form locking structures that engage with the dial, eliminating the need for material compatibility between the applique and dial materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive bonding is used to affix appliques to the dial, then assembly is simple, but assembly quality cannot be inspected non-destructively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidassembly quality inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The locking area creates a visible structural feature on the dial surface that indicates successful assembly. This visual feature allows for non-destructive inspection of assembly quality, as the presence and configuration of the locking area can be observed to confirm proper fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Strength

If riveting is used to affix appliques to the dial, then secure fastening is achieved, but automated visual inspection is complex due to deformation variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinspection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foot portion is pre-formed with a specific plastically deformable area designed to create a standardized locking area configuration. This preliminary design ensures that the deformation process produces consistent, predictable results that are easy to inspect, reducing the complexity of automated visual inspection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides a robust, stable, and reversible fastening method that allows for automated quality inspection of the assembly, ensuring secure attachment without damaging the dial and offering flexibility in material choices, while enhancing the pull-off force and stability compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

the foot portion of the applique comprises, on the free end side thereof, a plastically deformable area arranged to form, after deformation, once the foot portion is inserted into the hole in the dial, at least one locking area of the foot portion on the dial

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10996630B2Dial applique for a timepiece

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

An applique is intended to be affixed to a timepiece dial, and includes at least one foot portion having a first end attached to the applique and a second, free end, the foot portion being arranged to be capable of insertion into a hole provided in the dial. The foot portion includes, on the side of the free end thereof, a plastically deformable area arranged to form, after deformation, once the foot portion is inserted into the hole in the dial, at least one locking area of the foot portion on the dial.