Diving Watch Safety Valve Pressure Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety valves in diving watches are unreliable due to the loss of elasticity of O-ring seals over time, leading to variations in opening pressure during ascent and potential internal overpressure issues, which can cause the watch case to burst.

Innovation Solution

A safety valve system with a pressure regulator comprising a ball and ball seat, and a piston with an elastic member, which controls fluid evacuation by establishing fluidic communication when internal pressure exceeds a predetermined value, reducing stress on seals and regulating pressure inside the watch case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional safety valve with O-ring seals is used, then the valve can provide initial sealing, but the reliability decreases over time due to loss of elasticity of the seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve reliabilityVSAvoidservice duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the sealing mechanism from elastic deformation (O-rings) to rigid mechanical contact (conical surface to flat surface). This parameter change in the sealing principle eliminates time-dependent elasticity loss, providing consistent sealing performance throughout the service life of the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The conical seat and flat sealing surface design creates a simple, wear-resistant sealing interface that does not require replacement like elastic seals. The rigid surfaces maintain their sealing capability throughout the operational life without degradation from elastic memory loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stress or pressure

If the valve opening pressure varies due to seal elasticity loss, then the valve may fail to prevent internal overpressure, but reducing seal stress is needed to maintain tightness during dives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal stressVSAvoidpressure regulation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes from elastic sealing to rigid mechanical sealing, fundamentally altering how the valve maintains both tightness and pressure regulation. The conical-to-flat surface contact provides stable, predictable pressure characteristics without the variability introduced by elastic deformation and relaxation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the watch case is subjected to high external pressure during diving, then water penetration is prevented, but internal overpressure builds up during ascent that can cause the case to burst

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater penetration preventionVSAvoidinternal overpressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the excess internal pressure from the watch case through the safety valve mechanism. The valve opens at a predetermined pressure threshold, actively removing the harmful overpressure that would otherwise build up during ascent and potentially cause case failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety valve provides preliminary protection against internal overpressure by automatically opening when the pressure reaches a critical level. This preemptive action prevents the overpressure from reaching levels that could cause case bursting, glass ejection, or seal failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

The solution provides reliable long-term performance by stabilizing opening pressure and maintaining tightness during dives, reducing the risk of watch case bursting upon pressure changes, and minimizing seal stress, thus preventing damage to watch components.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (34) arranged inside the central pipe (23) and configured to move axially in accordance with pressure variations inside the case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressure regulator further comprises a piston mounted inside the central pipe and an elastic member designed to cooperate with the piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

The ball is dislodged from its seat when said internal pressure exceeds the predetermined value in order to establish said fluidic communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10871747B2Safety valve for a timepiece

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 MECO SA

AI summary

An automatic safety valve for a timepiece, especially for a diving watch. The valve includes a valve head, a tube designed to be secured in a case of the timepiece, and an evacuation channel arranged so as to be in fluidic communication with the inside of the case when the safety valve is in an open configuration so as to evacuate an excess of fluid. The safety valve further includes a pressure regulator arranged inside the evacuation channel to maintain the outlet speed of the fluid.