Gourmette Chain Links With Reinforced Undulated Sheet Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing gourmette jewellery articles result in heavy and costly products with complex manufacturing processes, lacking a lightweight and anatomically adaptable design.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cutting links from a metal sheet, creating a reinforcing edge, pressing into a mould for an undulated shape, making specific cuts in the links, and alternately attaching intact and cut links to form a chain, which is then closed by welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional methods using extruded round wire or microcasting are used to produce gourmette jewellery articles, then the structure is stable and strong, but the articles become heavy and require large quantities of expensive raw material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using thin metal sheets (0.2-0.5mm thickness) to create the gourmette links instead of traditional thick extruded wire or cast structures. The thin sheet material is formed into links with reinforced edges and undulated surfaces that provide structural stability while maintaining lightweight properties, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional extruded wire structures to two-dimensional thin sheet structures. By cutting links from metal sheets and creating undulated surfaces through pressing, the invention achieves the necessary structural stability in a lower-dimensional form, significantly reducing material consumption and weight while maintaining strength
2Shape
If traditional pressing methods are used to flatten rings, then the classic flattened shape is achieved, but the structure remains massive and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first cutting the links from metal sheets in the desired flattened shape, then reinforcing the edges, and finally pressing only specific portions to create undulations. This sequence allows the links to achieve the classic flattened shape while maintaining light weight, avoiding the need to press entire thick rings as in traditional methods
3Reliability
If complex multi-step processes are used to produce chains with linked rings, then the connections are secure, but the manufacturing process becomes long and wasteful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traditional steps into a more integrated process: links are cut from continuous metal sheets, edges are reinforced, undulated shapes are pressed, and connections are made by inserting links through each other and welding. This combined approach maintains secure connections while reducing the number of separate operations and material waste compared to traditional multi-step processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into distinct stages (cutting, reinforcement, shaping, connection) that can be performed sequentially on flat links before final assembly. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall process compared to traditional methods that require forming, pressing, and connecting three-dimensional rings
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 method produces gourmette jewellery articles with a lightweight structure that is easier to adapt to the user's anatomy, while reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining by cutting a series of links from a metal sheet
Implementation Method 2
creating a reinforcing edge around said links
Implementation Method 3
pressing said reinforced links into a mould to give them an undulated shape
Implementation Method 4
closing the cuts previously made in the reinforced links provided with cut
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A description is given of a method for the production of gourmette jewellery articles comprising the steps consisting of: forming by cutting a series of links (10) starting from a metal plate; creating a reinforcing edge around said links; pressing in a mould said reinforced links to confer thereto an undulated shape; making a cut (41) which develops from the outer perimeter to the inner perimeter on some of said reinforced links (30), obtaining in this way a series of reinforced links provided with cut (40); attaching in sequence two reinforced links provided with cut (40) to an intact reinforced link (30), or two intact links to a link provided with cut, obtaining a chain wherein a reinforced link (30) alternates with a reinforced link provided with cut (40); and closing the cuts (41) previously formed in the reinforced links provided with cut (40).