Interlockable Watchwinder Dovetail Modular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watchwinders are either limited to single watch use or are bulky and inflexible, making them inconvenient for users with multiple watches or for travel, and they require retailers to stock multiple units to cater to varying customer needs.
Innovation Solution
A universal watchwinder system that can be used individually or as part of a re-configurable and customizable grouping of interconnected watchwinders, featuring a housing with equidistantly spaced dovetail connectors and interlocking bars for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing for flexible configuration and selective removal of units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple rotator watchwinders are used to accommodate multiple watches, then the capacity to store and wind multiple watches is improved, but the size and weight increase making them difficult to move or store
Solution Approach 1:
The watchwinder system is divided into separate modular rotator units that can be used independently or combined. Each rotator is a self-contained module with its own housing and winding mechanism, allowing users to possess a lightweight single-rotator unit for travel while maintaining a larger multi-rotator system at home.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple rotator watchwinders are permanently mounted in a common housing, then multiple watches can be wound simultaneously, but the configuration becomes fixed and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separable rotator modules rather than a permanently integrated structure. Connectors allow modules to be joined or separated easily, enabling users to reconfigure the system based on needs - whether using all modules together or separating them for different purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The watchwinder system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable one. The connectors enable the structure to change - rotators can be attached or detached without tools or complex procedures, making the system adaptable to varying user requirements.
3Weight of moving object
If a single rotator watchwinder is used, then the device remains compact and easy to move, but it can only accommodate one watch at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The single rotator unit is designed as a universal module that serves multiple functions - it can be used alone for traveling with one watch, or combined with other identical units to create a multi-watch system at home. The same basic unit adapts to different usage scenarios.
4Adaptability or versatility
If retailers stock multiple types of watchwinders to meet varying customer needs, then customer requirements are satisfied, but inventory complexity and storage space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Retailers need to stock only one basic rotator model rather than multiple different types. This single universal design can be configured in various ways to meet different customer requirements - whether a customer wants one, two, or three rotators, the same basic unit serves all purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The watchwinder system is segmented into identical modular units that can be combined in different quantities. This standardization allows retailers to simplify inventory while still providing customized solutions for different customer needs through simple numerical variation rather than design variation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A watchwinder (10) adapted for home use or in a retail store environment includes a horizontal dovetail groove or channel (34) on the top (26), bottom (28) and side surfaces (30) of the watchwinder housing (12) which cooperates with a removable interlocking bar or rail (40) of mating dovetail shape to selectively and detachably interconnect adjacent watchwinders arranged in a vertical or side-by-side relation. The grooves (34) preferably extend across the horizontal dimension of the watchwinder to a point short of the front of the housing for concealment purposes, and are made relatively wide in relation to the dimensions of the housing to improve rigidity of an interlocked grouping of watchwinders and to simplify assembly Preferably, the channels are of equal size and shape and spaced equidistantly apart. An array of interlocked watchwinders (60) can be built up to varying size and shape, and one or more of the watchwinders can be selectively removed from anywhere within the array without disturbing the others.