Degassing Valve Mechanism for Diver Watch Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diver's watches face issues with water ingress during degassing operations due to the design of the exhaust valve, which can lead to abnormal pressure increases and potential water entry into the timepiece exterior assembly.
Innovation Solution
A degassing valve system with a valve casing, valve member, exhaust button, and dual coil springs that automatically open and close to manage pressure and prevent water ingress, allowing controlled gas release while maintaining a sealed position to prevent water from entering the timepiece exterior assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust valve is opened to discharge gas from the timepiece exterior assembly, then the inner pressure is reduced, but water may enter the timepiece exterior case through the stepped hole
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust valve is segmented into two separate functional components: a valve member that opens/closes the communication hole for gas discharge, and a packing member that provides waterproof sealing. This segmentation allows the valve member to perform degassing while the packing member prevents water ingress, resolving the contradiction between ease of degassing and waterproofing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The packing member acts as an intermediary element between the communication hole and the timepiece exterior case. It provides a sealing interface that allows gas to pass through when needed while blocking water from entering the case, thus mediating between the need for pressure release and the requirement for waterproof protection
2Productivity
If the button is pushed in to open the exhaust valve, then gas can be discharged, but water accumulated in the large diameter hole portion may enter the timepiece exterior case
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is positioned to close the communication hole before the packing member is displaced during button pushing. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing path is established in advance, preventing water from entering the case during the gas discharge operation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the packing member lead during button insertion (which would allow water entry), the valve member leads and closes the hole first, inverting the expected sequence of events. This ensures gas discharge occurs through a controlled path while water is blocked by the sealing surface
3Ease of operation
If the exhaust valve is designed with a stepped hole for button operation, then the button can be pushed to discharge gas, but the design creates a potential entry point for water
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the exhaust valve structure are assigned different functional qualities: the valve member provides a sealing surface for reliable closure, the packing member provides elastic sealing contact, and the communication hole provides gas passage. This local differentiation of qualities allows each component to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall sealing reliability during operation
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
The system effectively reduces the risk of water entering the timepiece during degassing, maintains pressure balance, and ensures reliable gas discharge, enhancing the waterproofing and operational safety of the timepiece.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil spring urging the exhaust button and the valve member away from each other
Implementation Method 2
a second coil spring urging the exhaust button toward the exterior of the timepiece exterior assembly
Implementation Method 3
when the inner pressure is larger than the spring force of the first coil spring, the valve member is opened
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece has a valve that discharges gas from an exterior assembly and includes a casing, a valve member that moves from a closed position to an open position in accordance with an inner pressure of the assembly, an exhaust button movable into the casing, a first spring urging the button and valve member away from each other, and a second spring urging the button toward the exterior of the assembly. When an inner pressure of the assembly is greater than a force of the first spring, the valve member is moved to the open position and a portion of the gas accumulates between the valve member and the button. When the button is moved into the casing, the accumulated gas is discharged to the exterior of the assembly by which the valve member is maintained at the closed position by the spring force of the first spring.