Diving Watch Pressure Indicator Reset Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diving watches and depth gauges face calibration issues due to gas permeability in seals, leading to inaccurate pressure readings caused by atmospheric pressure changes, which affect the precision of depth measurements during dives.

Innovation Solution

A timepiece mechanism with a reset mechanism that allows for manual reindexing of the pressure indicator, using a disengageable connection between two mobiles to adjust the relative position of the pressure display, ensuring accurate calibration before dives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gas-permeable seals are used to waterproof the timepiece, then the timepiece can be worn during diving and other water activities, but the seals allow gas permeation over time causing pressure indicator drift from the theoretical zero position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof capabilityVSAvoidpressure indicator accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pressure indication function from the sealed internal environment by introducing a reference pressure chamber that communicates with the external environment through a controlled opening. This allows the pressure indicator to reference external atmospheric pressure rather than internal trapped pressure, eliminating the drift caused by gas permeation through seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reference pressure chamber as an intermediary element between the internal pressure-indicating mechanism and the external environment. This chamber receives external atmospheric pressure through a controlled opening and transmits it to balance against the internal pressure, serving as a mediator that compensates for seal permeation effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pressure indicator is allowed to drift due to atmospheric pressure changes during trips, then the seals maintain pressure balance, but the depth measurements during subsequent dives become erroneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal pressure balanceVSAvoiddepth measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference pressure chamber continuously receives external atmospheric pressure and transmits it to the pressure indicator system. This creates a real-time feedback loop that automatically compensates for atmospheric pressure changes, ensuring the pressure indicator remains accurately referenced to current environmental conditions rather than drifting from previous calibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calibration action by designing the system to automatically reference external pressure before each diving activity. The reference pressure chamber is continuously connected to the external environment, ensuring the pressure indicator is pre-calibrated to current atmospheric conditions before the diver enters the water, eliminating the need for manual waiting periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a display trick with an extended zero zone is used to mask misalignments, then the appearance of zero alignment is maintained, but the actual pressure measurement precision is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay simplicityVSAvoidpressure indication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of masking the problem with a visual trick, the patent inverts the approach by actively compensating for pressure differences through the reference pressure chamber. Rather than hiding the misalignment issue, the system fundamentally solves it by balancing internal and external pressures, providing accurate readings without requiring visual deception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enhances the precision of pressure measurements by allowing users to reset the pressure indicator to zero, mitigating the impact of atmospheric pressure variations and ensuring accurate depth readings during dives.

Implementation Method 1

the hydrogen particles end up passing through the seals, then more slowly the oxygen particles, so as to rebalance the pressures between the inside and the outside of the diving watch or the depth gauge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4134758B1Timepiece mechanism indicating information about a surrounding pressure comprising a reset mechanism and timepiece, such as a diving watch, comprising such a mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 BLANCPAIN SA
  • EP4134758B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134758B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4134758B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a clockwork mechanism (1, 1') indicating information relating to the surrounding pressure, said mechanism comprising: a device for measuring the surrounding pressure (20) having an element configured to deform mechanically under the effect of a variation in the surrounding pressure; a first moving part (31) kinematically connected to the device for measuring the surrounding pressure (20), so as to be driven in rotation under the effect of a variation in the surrounding pressure; a mechanism for indicating the measured pressure (40) having a measured pressure indicator member (44) kinematically connected to a gear for displaying the measured pressure (41);said clockwork mechanism (1, 1') being characterized in that it comprises: a second moving part (33) configured to be in disengageable connection with the first moving part (31), so that the second moving part (33) is driven in rotation by the rotation of the first moving part (31) under the effect of a pressure variation, when the second moving part (33) is engaged with the first moving part (31); said second moving part (33) being kinematically linked to the measured pressure display gear (41) of the measured pressure indication mechanism (40);a reset mechanism (100) for positioning, on demand, said measured pressure indicator (44) in a reference position, said reset mechanism (100) being configured to disengage the second moving part (33) from the first moving part (31) and to modify the relative position of the second moving part (33) with respect to the first moving part (31), so as to position said measured pressure indicator (44) in said reference position.;