Pivoting Watch Case Tilting Chronograph Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional timepieces with external push-buttons are cumbersome, difficult to operate with gloves, and prone to water and dirt ingress, especially in humid environments, due to their protruding design which increases the watch size and compromises aesthetics and durability.

Innovation Solution

A timepiece design featuring a case with a fixed and movable part that pivots on a central axis, allowing tilting movements to activate control members without external push-buttons, utilizing actuating mechanisms to transform tilting movements into functional actions, and incorporating a selection mechanism to prevent unintended activations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external push-buttons are used to activate control functions, then the timepiece can perform chronograph functions, but the overall size of the watch increases and the appearance becomes massive and unattractive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechronograph function activationVSAvoidwatch case appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The control functions are merged into the case structure itself. The case includes a fixed part and a movable part that can be tilted relative to each other about a pivot axis, eliminating the need for separate external push-buttons while maintaining chronograph functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding protruding buttons to activate functions, the invention inverts the approach by making the case itself movable. The movable part of the case is tilted to activate control members, reversing the conventional design where stationary case with movable buttons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external push-buttons are used to activate control functions, then the timepiece can perform chronograph functions, but the push-buttons are difficult to handle when the user is wearing gloves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechronograph function activationVSAvoidpush-button handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If external push-buttons are used to activate control functions, then the timepiece can perform chronograph functions, but the protection against water and dirt penetration is difficult to guarantee

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechronograph function activationVSAvoidwater and dirt resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control members are nested within the case structure rather than being external. The movable part of the case tilts to activate control members that are integrated into the movement, keeping all components contained within the sealed case volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If external push-buttons are used to activate control functions, then the timepiece can perform chronograph functions, but the protruding shape is unpleasant to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechronograph function activationVSAvoidwearing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1742120B1Timepiece

Publication Date: 2010.07.07 RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL SA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

The watch has a case (9) with a fixed part (10) and a mobile part (11) comprising a middle (21) and a movement (23) that are pivotably mounted on the part (10) along a swivel axis (32) by a pivot (31) for performing a tilting movement of the part (11) along two opposite directions. The movement activates start/stop and zero reset chronograph functions and has control units controlling the functions of the movement, where the units are accessible from the exterior of the movement. Actuating mechanisms (44, 45) mounted in the middle transform the tilting movement into an action on the units.