Frustoconical Rotating Bezel for Low-Bulk Reliable Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating bezels for timepiece cases have bulk that is not minimized, and there is a need for a more efficient and reliable design that reduces radial bulk while maintaining effective guidance and indexing.
Innovation Solution
A rotating bezel with a single frustoconical surface centered on an axis, acted upon by pressing elements, and a shaft cooperating with indexing or actuation elements, minimizing radial bulk and enhancing guidance and indexing through mechanical forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional bezel design with annular section and multiple components is used, then reliable rotational guidance and indexing are achieved, but radial bulk is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guiding function and indexing function into a single integrated frustoconical surface structure. The frustoconical surface simultaneously provides the rotational guidance interface for pressing elements and the indexing interface for actuation elements, eliminating the need for separate annular sections and multiple discrete components, thereby minimizing radial bulk while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The frustoconical surface serves multiple functions: it acts as the guiding surface for pressing elements to ensure rotational stability, provides the indexing interface for actuation elements to achieve precise angular positioning, and eliminates the need for separate braking mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the overall radial bulk while maintaining system reliability
2Volume of moving object
If the annular section is minimized to reduce radial bulk, then the bezel fits better in compact cases, but the surface extent for reliable operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional annular (two-dimensional radial) design to a frustoconical (three-dimensional) design. By utilizing the axial dimension and creating a conical surface, the invention maintains sufficient contact area for reliable operation while minimizing radial bulk, as the frustoconical surface distributes contact forces across both radial and axial dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
The rotating bezel (10) for a timepiece case includes: a first axis (A10), and a single frustoconical surface (1a) centered on the first axis and to be acted on by at least one press element (51) at an interface (110) between the bezel (10) and the middle (3) of the timepiece case.