Magnetic Actuation Tool for Watch Push Button

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing push buttons in high-end watches and smartphones are prone to damage when activated with sharp instruments, posing a risk to the aesthetic and structural integrity of the device, and there is a need for a safer method to actuate these buttons without risking injury to the watch case.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic actuation tool that utilizes ferromagnetic materials to attract and guide the tool to the center of the push button, eliminating the need for sharp instruments and reducing the risk of damage by leveraging magnetic attraction for activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pointed instrument is used to actuate the push button, then the push button can be operated, but the watch case may be damaged and its aesthetic appearance altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepush button operationVSAvoiddamage to watch case
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic intermediary system is introduced between the user and the push button. The user operates a magnetic tool that attracts to the push button via magnetic field, eliminating direct contact between sharp instruments and the watch case. The magnetic field serves as the mediating force that transmits the actuation command without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical direct-contact actuation method is replaced with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using sharp instruments that physically touch and press the button, a magnetic tool creates magnetic attraction to move the button's magnetic component, substituting mechanical contact with magnetic field interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If the push button is made very small to save space, then space is conserved, but the risk of damage increases when using pointed instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepush button sizeVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that allows actuation of tiny buttons without requiring the user to make precise mechanical contact. The magnetic attraction automatically centers the tool on the button, making the size of the button irrelevant to the safety of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a pointed instrument is used to press the push button, then the button can be actuated, but the case middle may be scratched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton actuationVSAvoidcase middle surface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Mechanical contact and potential scratching are completely replaced by magnetic field interaction. The magnetic tool attracts to the button and transmits force through magnetic attraction, ensuring that the tool's contact point is precisely centered on the button and cannot wander to scratch the case middle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 magnetic actuation tool ensures safe and precise activation of push buttons, minimizing the risk of damaging the watch case or smartphone, while allowing users to easily operate complex functions without risking injury or altering the device's appearance.

Implementation Method 1

at least the front end of the actuating tool being magnetized... at least one element of the corrector or at least one area of the case middle of the portable object which immediately surrounds the corrector being made of a ferromagnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

at least one element of the corrector or at least one area of the case middle of the portable object which immediately surrounds the corrector being made of a ferromagnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3483661B1Assembly comprising a small portable object and a tool for actuating a corrector push-button provided on said small portable object, such as a timepiece
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 MONTRES BREGUET SA
  • EP3483661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3483661B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3C
  • EP3483661B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5C

AI summary

The invention relates to an actuation tool for a corrective push button (1) equipping a small portable object, this actuation tool (30) comprising a body (32) which extends between a rear end (32a) which defines a gripping area of ​​the actuation tool (30) and a front end (32b) which defines an actuation area of ​​the actuation tool (30), at least the front end (32b) of the actuation tool (30) being magnetized.