PAEK Guiding Surfaces for Movable Watch Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watch devices with movable components face issues such as wear, friction, seizure, corrosion, and dirt accumulation due to mechanical and environmental stress, which affect their performance and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
The use of polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) materials, particularly PEEK, for guiding elements in watch components to reduce wear, friction, and corrosion, and to prevent dirt accumulation, combined with indexing and lubrication systems for optimal component guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional guiding elements are used in movable watch components, then the device can be manufactured with standard materials, but the guiding elements are subject to wear, friction, and corrosion from mechanical stress and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal substrate with a polymer coating (PTFE, polyurethane, or polyamide) to create a guiding element that benefits from both the structural strength of metal and the low-friction, corrosion-resistant properties of the polymer. This composite structure directly addresses the wear and corrosion issues while maintaining mechanical integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the guiding element by applying a polymer coating with different friction and corrosion resistance properties than the metal substrate. This parameter change transforms the surface characteristics to reduce friction and prevent corrosion without altering the overall mechanical properties of the guiding element.
2Strength
If guiding elements are designed to accommodate mechanical loading and environmental stress, then they can maintain structural integrity, but dirt and grime can accumulate in the guiding elements over time
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer coating layer in the composite guiding element creates a smooth, non-porous surface that prevents dirt and grime from penetrating into the material. The coating acts as a protective barrier that maintains structural integrity while preventing contamination accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical metal-to-metal guiding system with a hybrid system incorporating polymer materials that provide self-lubricating properties. This substitution reduces the need for additional lubrication and prevents dirt accumulation that would otherwise occur in mechanical contact surfaces.
3Strength
If metal guiding elements are used to ensure structural strength, then they can withstand mechanical stress, but they are prone to corrosion from pollution and perspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite guiding element with a metal substrate providing structural strength and a polymer coating (PTFE, polyurethane, or polyamide) providing corrosion resistance. This composite structure allows the element to withstand mechanical stress while being protected from corrosion by the chemically inert polymer layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer coating acts as an intermediary layer between the metal guiding element and the corrosive environment (pollution and perspiration). This intermediate layer protects the metal substrate from direct contact with corrosive substances while maintaining the mechanical functionality of the guiding element.
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
PAEK materials enhance the durability and comfort of watch devices by minimizing wear, friction, and corrosion while maintaining smooth operation and cleanliness, thereby improving the overall performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to a watch device... the first guiding element (10) comprises a guiding surface (13) in contact at least partially with the second guiding element (30)... this guiding surface (13) comprising a polymer material belonging to the family of polyaryl ether ketones (PAEK)... making it possible to limit the wear on the guiding elements, to reduce their friction
Implementation Method 2
environmental stresses, such as pollution or the wearer's perspiration, which could possibly give rise to degradation by corrosion or oxidation... making it possible to limit the wear on the guiding elements, to reduce their friction, and to lower the risk of seizure and their corrosion
Data Source
AI summary
A watch device, more particularly an external watch device comprising two components (1, 21) linked to one another, the first component (1) comprising a first guiding element (10) and the second component (21) comprising a second guiding element (30), the two components being linked to one another in a movable manner by the cooperation of their respective guiding elements (10, 30), wherein the first guiding element (10) comprises a guiding surface in contact at least partially with the second guiding element (30), said guiding surface comprising a polymer material belonging to the family of polyaryl ether ketones (PAEK).