Lockable Pusher With Angled Groove Prevents Accidental Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece pushers are prone to inadvertent actuation due to their protruding design, which can be activated by accidental movements, and existing locking solutions either fail to lock in the inactive position or complicate the design with additional parts and increased cost.
Innovation Solution
A lockable pusher design featuring a tube with a screw and a spring, where the head has guide members cooperating with angled locking grooves on the tube, requiring a combined rotational and axial movement to unlock and actuate the pusher, preventing accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protruding pusher design is used to activate timepiece functions, then the pusher can be easily accessed and operated, but it becomes prone to inadvertent actuation by accidental movements
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher requires a preliminary rotational movement before axial actuation can occur. The angled locking groove prevents axial movement until the guide member rotates the pusher head, ensuring intentional activation. This preliminary rotational action filters out accidental bumps while maintaining ease of deliberate operation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent actuation, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the pusher assembly itself. The angled locking groove is integrated into the pusher tube, and the guide member is part of the pusher head, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This integration maintains reliability while reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled locking groove serves multiple functions: it provides the locking mechanism, guides the unlocking rotation, and prevents inadvertent actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If a locking ring or cage is added to lock the pusher, then inadvertent actuation is prevented, but the pusher becomes bulkier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from a separate bulky component (locking ring or cage) and embedded directly into the pusher tube structure through the angled locking groove. This integration eliminates the need for additional external locking components, maintaining a compact pusher design while providing reliable locking.
4Reliability
If a compression ring is added to lock the pusher head, then inadvertent actuation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking groove is merged directly into the pusher tube manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate compression rings or additional assembly steps. This integration simplifies production while maintaining the locking function that prevents inadvertent actuation.
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 effectively locks the pusher in its inactive position, preventing inadvertent actuation while maintaining a simple and cost-effective structure with minimal additional parts, ensuring the user must intentionally unlock and rotate the pusher to activate the mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged between the tube and the head tending to move them away from each other
Data Source
Figure 1~14
Figure 3~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
A lockable pusher comprising a tube (5) and a screw (7) passing through and guided by this tube (5), screwed into a head (6), and a spring (8) disposed between the tube (5) and the head (6) tending to move them apart. This pusher is distinguished in that the head (6) has at least one guide member (6c) cooperating with a longitudinal groove (5f) of the tube and with a locking groove (5g) of the tube forming an angle α with the axis of the longitudinal groove (5f).