Elastic Crimped Bezel Assembly for Blind-Hole Stone Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for setting decorative elements like precious stones on non-deformable materials, such as ceramics or composites, are inadequate due to the lack of plastic deformation capacity, leading to unreliable gluing methods that fail to ensure long-term retention under environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
A bezel with elastic deformation capabilities is inserted into a recess in the substrate, utilizing oblique surfaces and crimping elements to securely fasten the decorative element through mechanical anchoring, allowing for effective compression and reversible deformation for secure fixation without the need for pre-mounting or rear access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cold-pressing setting method is used, then decorative elements can be securely fixed on ductile metal supports, but the method cannot be applied to non-deformable materials such as ceramic, silicon, sapphire, intermetallic alloys or composites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ductile metal bezel as an intermediary component between the non-deformable support and the decorative element. The bezel can be cold-pressed to crimp the decorative element securely, while the support itself remains non-deformable. This mediator enables the setting operation on materials that would otherwise be incompatible with traditional setting methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting system is divided into three separate components: the non-deformable support, the ductile metal bezel, and the decorative element. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the support provides structural integrity, the bezel provides deformability for crimping, and the decorative element is securely held without requiring the support itself to be deformable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gluing operation is used to replace setting on non-deformable materials, then setting can be performed on any material, but the stones are not guaranteed to hold due to lack of mechanical retention and exposure to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The ductile metal bezel serves as a mechanical intermediary that provides true setting retention rather than relying on adhesive bonding. The bezel's crimping action creates permanent mechanical retention of the decorative element, eliminating the reliability issues associated with gluing while maintaining compatibility with non-deformable support materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hot forming methods are used to fill cavities with ductile material, then decorative elements can be set on non-deformable supports, but the process induces complex thermal stresses and requires specific tooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (hot forming methods) with a mechanical field (cold-pressing). Instead of using heat to form the ductile material, the bezel is cold-pressed directly into the cavity and then crimped using mechanical force. This substitution eliminates complex thermal stresses and the need for specialized hot forming tooling while achieving the same goal of securing the decorative element.
4Reliability
If bezel with plastic deformation is used for riveting fixation, then the fixation stability is improved, but the stone must be pre-mounted and rear access is essential which makes it unsuitable for blind holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sequence of operations. Instead of pre-mounting the stone and then accessing from the rear for fixation, the bezel is first inserted into the cavity in a compressed state, then expanded to engage with the support, and finally the decorative element is crimped from the front. This inversion eliminates the need for rear access and pre-mounting, making the process suitable for blind holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bezel is designed with dynamic deformation capabilities - it can be compressed for insertion, expanded for fixation to the support, and then crimped for securing the decorative element. This dynamic behavior allows the same component to perform multiple functions at different stages of the setting process, accommodating blind hole configurations without requiring rear access.
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 reliable mechanical anchoring system that ensures the decorative element is securely fixed, even in blind holes, without compromising the integrity of the substrate, and allows for precise angular positioning and interlocking of bezels, enhancing the durability and quality of the decorative assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic ring ( 22) can be compressed, before insertion, using a suitable tool, such as circlip pliers or seeger pliers. However, when the setting is small, as is often the case for jewelry stones, the setting and/or the hollow preferably comprises an inclined surface ( 5, 15, 16, 19) making it possible to compress the setting ( 1) when the setting ( 1) is driven into the hollow ( 6).
Implementation Method 2
The central part of the bezel includes a cavity capable of receiving a decorative element such as a precious stone. The upper part of the setting comprises plastically deformable crimping elements so as to be able to crimp the decorative element.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chaton (1) comprising an open elastic ring supporting crimping elements (4, 12) of a decorative element (10), this chaton being arranged to be placed in a radially compressed state in a recess formed in a substrate of an article to be decorated (6)