Diver Watch Valve Seal Segmentation for Helium Gas Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diver's watches with automatic degassing valves face issues with helium gas transmission into the case and water ingress during degassing operations, leading to pressure imbalances and potential water entry into the watch.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece exterior assembly with a valve member mounting hole and multiple seal surfaces, equipped with a valve member and seal members that move between sealing and exhaust positions to mitigate gas transmission and water entry, utilizing a coil spring or plate spring for urging, and an annular groove for water accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single waterproof packing is used in the automatic degassing valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing helium gas transmission into the case deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single waterproof packing is segmented into multiple waterproof packings (first and second waterproof packings) arranged in series within the through-hole of the case. This segmentation allows each packing to handle a portion of the sealing task, thereby improving overall reliability against helium gas transmission while maintaining relatively simple device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple waterproof packings are installed in advance within the through-hole to create redundant sealing layers before helium gas transmission becomes a problem. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if one packing fails or has variations in urging force, the other packings will prevent gas transmission, thereby improving reliability
2Reliability
If the urging force of the coil spring is increased to improve sealing, then the reliability of preventing gas transmission is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented across multiple waterproof packings, each requiring lower individual urging force from the coil spring. This reduces the overall urging force requirement compared to relying on a single packing, thereby simplifying spring selection and reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
Different waterproof packings are positioned at different locations within the through-hole (first packing near the inner surface, second packing near the outer surface), allowing each packing to operate under optimized local conditions with moderate urging force, rather than requiring one high-force packing
3Stress or pressure
If the automatic degassing valve is opened to discharge gas, then the pressure balance is restored, but the risk of water entering the case increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waterproof packings are installed in advance within the through-hole to create redundant sealing layers. When the valve opens for degassing, these pre-installed packings ensure that water cannot easily enter through the valve mechanism, thereby cushioning against the harmful effect of water entry while allowing pressure balance restoration
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple waterproof packings act as intermediary sealing elements between the interior and exterior of the case at the degassing valve location. They allow gas to pass through during controlled degassing while preventing water from entering, serving as a mediator that permits beneficial gas discharge while blocking harmful water intrusion
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
Effectively reduces gas transmission into the watch and prevents water ingress during degassing, maintaining pressure balance and ensuring the watch's internal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member provided between the valve member head portion and the timepiece exterior assembly and urging the valve member toward the inner side of the timepiece exterior assembly
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of seal members mounted to the valve member shaft portion in correspondence with the plurality of seal surfaces, moved between a sealing position where they are held in contact with the seal surfaces while exhibiting interference
Implementation Method 3
When the inner pressure of the case is enhanced by the helium gas entering the case with the saturation diving operation, so that, under the atmospheric pressure, the valve is moved toward the outer side of the case against the urging force of the coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A portable timepiece has a timepiece exterior assembly with a mounting hole having seal surfaces and escape portions. A valve member has a shaft portion movably inserted into the mounting hole and a head portion connected to the shaft portion. An urging member is provided between the head portion and the assembly for urging the valve member toward the interior of the assembly. Seal members are mounted to the shaft portion in correspondence with the seal surfaces. The seal members are configured to be moved between a sealing position in which the seal members are held in contact with the seal surfaces, and an exhaust position in which the seal members are opposed to the respective escape portions. In the sealing position, the seal members define a closed space together with an outer periphery of the shaft portion and the escape portions opposed to the outer periphery.