Modular Watch Magnetic Coupling for Waterproof Time Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular watches face issues with unreliable watertightness and desynchronization of hands during module replacement, requiring complex adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A modular watch design featuring magnetic gearing means between interchangeable modules, ensuring waterproof sealing and synchronized timekeeping without manual adjustment, using magnetic wheels and elastic locking mechanisms to secure the timekeeping module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modular watch design with detachable display module and movement module is used, then ease of customization is improved, but water resistance reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of customizationVSAvoidwater resistance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sealing systems with magnetic sealing. Magnetic O-rings and magnetic gears create water-tight seals through magnetic attraction forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sealing components and allowing reliable water resistance while maintaining modular detachable connections between display and movement modules

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If detachable display module is used, then ease of customization is improved, but hand synchronization reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of customizationVSAvoidhand synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical gear connections with magnetic gear coupling. The magnetic gears transmit rotational motion and maintain synchronization between display hands and movement module without requiring physical mechanical connections that would complicate assembly and disassembly operations

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

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic gear mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits rotational motion, maintains hand synchronization, and provides water-tight sealing all through a single integrated component system, eliminating the need for separate mechanical connection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple axes extend outside the watch module, then modularity is improved, but water resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemodularityVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magnetic O-rings to seal around axes and connection points where modules detach. The magnetic sealing system maintains water resistance even with multiple external axes and connection points, as the magnetic attraction creates continuous sealing contact without requiring complex mechanical seal arrangements

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

Enables easy customization with reliable water resistance and synchronized timekeeping, simplifying module replacement by eliminating the need for manual reassembly and additional seals.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic gearing means between the modules, ensuring waterproof sealing and synchronized timekeeping without manual adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic gearing: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

elastic locking mechanisms to secure the timekeeping module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic locking: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4300212B1Modular watch
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
  • EP4300212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4300212B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular watch (1) comprising at least one case (10), a case back (11), a display module (12) including a dial, time display means, a crystal, and first magnetic gearing means, a watch movement module (13) including a watch movement with second magnetic gearing means arranged to cooperate with the magnetic gearing means of the display module (12), and first and second strap strands attached to the case (10) at a pair of lugs (20, 30). According to the invention, the display module (12) and the watch movement module (13) are mounted one on top of the other, said display module (12) being fixedly mounted against the case (10) and the watch movement module (13) being movably mounted for rotation between the case back (11) and the display module (12) to set the time.