Elastic Mounting Member Bezel Stability and Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces with rotatively operated bezels face issues such as bezel wobble and torque regulation due to the deterioration of packing materials, leading to reduced engagement allowance and increased difficulty in mounting and removing the bezel, which requires dedicated packing materials and can result in mechanical scraping of flange portions.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece design incorporating a ring-shaped mounting member with an elastic annular groove and engaging projection that allows for secure bezel attachment and removal without dedicated packing materials, utilizing elastic deformation to maintain engagement and prevent mechanical scraping, and includes a click stop mechanism for precise rotation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a dedicated packing material is used to hold the bezel and prevent wobble, then the bezel stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dedicated packing material from the bezel mounting structure. Instead of using a separate elastic member to hold the bezel and prevent wobble, the invention integrates these functions into the mounting groove itself, which is formed directly in the case body. This extraction of the packing material eliminates the need for separate maintenance of this component while maintaining bezel stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the mounting groove structure. The groove simultaneously provides the elastic holding function (replacing the packing material), the wobble prevention function, and the rotation torque regulation function. By combining these functions into a single integrated structure, the device complexity is reduced while maintaining all necessary stabilizing functions.
2Ease of repair
If the bezel is mounted and removed multiple times for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the engagement allowance between flange portions is reduced and the bezel becomes easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the mounting groove to include an inclined surface that guides the engaged portion during mounting and removal. This inclined surface allows the engaging portion to climb over the engaging projection smoothly, reducing mechanical scraping and maintaining engagement allowance even after multiple mounting and removal cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic climbing mechanism where the engaged portion of the mounting groove actively climbs over the engaging projection during mounting and removal operations. This dynamic action, facilitated by the inclined surface, allows repeated maintenance operations without significantly degrading the engagement reliability, as the climbing motion prevents direct scraping between the flange portions.
3Manufacturing precision
If strong pressing force is applied to mount the bezel, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the mechanical stress on flange portions increases and scraping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a guiding inclined surface in the mounting groove that performs a preliminary guiding action during the mounting process. This inclined surface allows the engaged portion to gradually climb over the engaging projection, distributing the mechanical stress and preventing sudden impacts or scraping that would occur with direct strong pressing. The preliminary climbing action ensures precise engagement while reducing harmful mechanical stress on the flange portions.
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 effectively maintains bezel reliability and prevents wobble while regulating rotation torque without dedicated packing materials, ensuring stable engagement and easy maintenance by minimizing mechanical stress on flange portions during mounting and removal.
Implementation Method 1
an inner peripheral portion with an annular groove enabling elastic deformation in directions close to and away from the outer peripheral portion formed between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion
Implementation Method 2
an inner peripheral portion with an annular groove enabling elastic deformation in directions close to and away from the outer peripheral portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a timepiece. The time piece comprises a ring-shaped mounting member formed of an elastic material and positioned between the annular shell and the ring-shaped bezel. The ring-shaped mounting member includes an engaging portion having a second engagement surface configured to engage with a first engagement surface formed in the annular shell to restrict the ring-shaped bezel from moving relative to the annular shell in a first axial direction to prevent the ring-shaped bezel from separating from the annular shell. The ring-shaped mounting member is deformable with a force, so that the second engagement surface can slide along the first engagement surface to release ring-shaped bezel from the annular shell.