Oscillating Weight with Stone-Set Connecting Element for Automatic Watch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oscillating weights for automatic watches are not aesthetically visible, do not contribute to the watch's design, and lack durable and reliable machining of decorative elements, restricting visual arrangements and visibility of diamonds.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating weight with a massive peripheral ring and a connecting element made of a chain of stones set in a metallic support base, allowing the dial and other elements to be seen through, positioned in front of or behind the dial, with stones such as diamonds providing visual effects and mechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oscillating weight is positioned at the bottom of the case, then the mechanical structure is simple and reliable, but the aesthetic visibility and design contribution are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating weight is repositioned from the traditional bottom position to the front of the dial, utilizing the two-dimensional space of the watch face. This dimensional change allows the weight to serve both mechanical functions and aesthetic purposes simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating weight is designed to fulfill multiple functions: it maintains its mechanical role in winding the watch while simultaneously serving as a decorative element visible through the dial. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same component serve both reliability and aesthetic visibility purposes.
2Shape
If the arms are highly hollowed-out to reduce mass, then the aesthetic design flexibility increases, but the mechanical integrity and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element features localized hollowed-out sections with precise cutouts that provide aesthetic design flexibility while maintaining structural integrity in the critical load-bearing areas. This local quality approach allows aesthetic modification without compromising overall mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element combines metallic material with integrated stone inlays, creating a composite structure where the metal provides mechanical strength and the stones provide aesthetic value. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between design flexibility and mechanical integrity.
3Illumination intensity
If diamonds are mounted on the peripheral ring, then the aesthetic appeal increases, but the visibility and visual arrangement possibilities are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is segmented into multiple sections with strategic cutouts and openings, allowing diamonds to be positioned at various locations including the center, edges, and intermediate areas. This segmentation provides diverse visual arrangement possibilities while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The diamond arrangement extends from the traditional one-dimensional peripheral ring to a two-dimensional distribution across the connecting element's surface, utilizing the vertical and horizontal dimensions. This enables creative visual patterns and significantly increases visibility through the dial.
4Illumination intensity
If the connecting element is made transparent to see through, then the visibility of dial elements increases, but the mechanical strength and rigidity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element uses a composite construction combining transparent or translucent material with metallic reinforcement structures. This allows light to pass through for visibility while the metal components provide the necessary mechanical strength and rigidity to withstand operational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element has varying opacity and thickness in different regions, with transparent sections for visibility and reinforced opaque sections for mechanical strength. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between transparency and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Oscillating weight for automatic watch movement, having a massive peripheral ring in the shape of an arc of circle, a connecting element connecting the peripheral ring to the weight's pivoting center, wherein the connecting element is set with a plurality of stones.