Layered Watch Crystal With Floating Decorative Stone Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch crystals with decorative elements often suffer from instability due to microcracks propagating through multiple cutouts, leading to potential breakage, and the decorative elements are not effectively secured, affecting visual appeal and durability.
Innovation Solution
A watch crystal design comprising two glass layers bonded by an intermediate layer, with decorative elements securely attached through a base area in a recess of the first glass, eliminating traditional mountings and distributing impact energy across both layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional settings are used to attach decorative elements to the watch crystal, then the decorative elements are securely held, but the visual appeal is reduced and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional setting component entirely, extracting only the essential function of securing the decorative element. The decorative element is held in place solely by the bonding interlayer material that bonds the first and second glass layers, eliminating the need for separate setting structures and achieving a cleaner, more appealing appearance while maintaining security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cutouts are made in a single glass layer for decorative elements, then the design flexibility increases, but the glass becomes more susceptible to microcrack propagation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the watch crystal into two separate glass layers (first and second glass layers) bonded together. The decorative elements are positioned in the first glass layer while the second glass layer remains substantially intact without cutouts. This segmentation allows design flexibility in the first layer while the continuous second layer provides structural strength and prevents microcrack propagation across the entire crystal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional design to a three-dimensional layered structure. By adding the second glass layer behind the first, the design achieves vertical dimensionality that allows decorative cutouts in the front layer without compromising the integrity of the rear layer, effectively solving the conflict between design flexibility and structural strength.
3Device complexity
If a single glass layer is used for the watch crystal, then the structure is simpler, but the decorative elements do not appear to float and the visual appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a second glass layer behind the first, the patent creates a three-dimensional layered structure that allows light to interact with the decorative elements from multiple paths. Light can pass through the first glass layer, reflect off or refract through the decorative elements, and interact with the second glass layer, creating depth and the floating appearance that enhances visual appeal beyond what a single layer can achieve.
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 design enhances stability by preventing crack propagation and ensures a secure, visually appealing arrangement where decorative elements appear to float, providing a break-resistant and aesthetically superior watch crystal.
Implementation Method 1
The first glass and the second glass are connected to one another via a bonding interlayer
Implementation Method 2
the impact energy is distributed via the bonding interlayer to the second pane and absorbed by it
Implementation Method 3
the bonding intermediate layer can compensate for potential surface deviations of the glasses, resulting in a very stable bond between the glasses
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a watch glass (10) which comprises a first piece of glass (1), a second piece of glass (2), and a decorative element (3), in particular a decorative stone. The first piece of glass (1) and the second piece of glass (2) are connected together via a connecting intermediate layer (5). The first piece of glass (1) has a through-hole (4), and the decorative element (3) has a base region (31) which is arranged in the through-hole (4) of the first glass (1) without the use of a mounting and is in direct contact with the connecting intermediate layer (5). The invention further relates to a watch (100) having such a watch glass (10).