Elastic Casing Ring Positioning for Watch Movement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece configurations face precision issues in positioning the casing ring and dial receiving ring due to dimensional errors, leading to variations in the height and in-plane positioning of the movement, which affects the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of producing timepieces with different case sizes.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design featuring a casing ring with elastically deformable spring sections that sandwich the casing ring between the case and case back, and a dial receiving ring with ring spring sections that sandwich the dial receiving ring between the dial and casing ring, utilizing spring force to precisely set the positions of the casing ring and dial receiving ring, allowing for precise positioning of the movement and reducing the number of parts needed for different case sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dial, receiving ring, and casing ring are positioned by pressing against the exterior case via intermediate components, then the timepiece can be assembled with standard components, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to accumulated dimensional errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spring sections as intermediary elements between the casing ring and the exterior case, and between the dial receiving ring and the casing ring. These spring sections act as mediators that transmit positioning forces while compensating for dimensional errors, allowing precise positioning without requiring extremely tight tolerances on intermediate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring sections utilize elastic deformation to change the physical state of the system. By allowing controlled elastic deformation in the spring sections, the patent transforms rigid dimensional constraints into flexible force-based positioning, enabling precise positioning even when component dimensions have variations within standard tolerances.
2Ease of manufacture
If common movements and casing rings are used for different case sizes, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates due to accumulated errors in multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The spring sections provide elastic compliance that allows a single common casing ring design to accommodate different case sizes while maintaining positioning precision. The elastic deformation of the spring sections compensates for the dimensional variations introduced by using common components across different timepiece sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring sections are designed beforehand to provide error compensation capability. By incorporating these elastic elements in advance, the patent cushions against the accumulated dimensional errors that would otherwise result from using common components across different sizes, ensuring consistent positioning precision without requiring size-specific components.
3Ease of operation
If the casing ring is lifted and positioned via the dial and receiving ring, then the structure allows for ease of assembly, but the height position of the movement varies due to dimensional errors
Solution Approach 1:
The spring sections serve as intermediary elements that directly connect the casing ring to the exterior case and the dial receiving ring to the casing ring. These intermediaries provide elastic compliance that decouples the positioning function from the rigid dimensional constraints, allowing easy assembly while maintaining precise height positioning through force-based contact.
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 design ensures precise positioning of the movement in both height and in-plane directions, enabling cost-effective production of various timepiece sizes using common parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing precision.
Implementation Method 1
a casing ring spring section that is formed to be elastically deformable in a thickness direction of the timepiece and comes into contact with the case back
Implementation Method 2
a ring spring section that is formed to be elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the timepiece and comes into contact with the support section of the casing ring
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes an exterior case having a protruding section, a case back, a dial receiving ring, a dial, a dial ring, and a casing ring disposed around the outer circumference of the dial receiving ring. The casing ring includes a casing-ring-side contact section that comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the exterior case, a front-surface-side contact section that comes into contact with the protruding section, a casing ring spring section that is formed to be elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the timepiece and comes into contact with the case back, and a support section that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the casing ring.