Removable Pivoting Watch Strap Attachment Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bracelet attachment devices for watches require simultaneous mounting on the middle part and have limitations such as needing through holes and stop surfaces, which restrict axial movement and increase material waste, manufacturing costs, and affect aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A modular attachment device with a removable pivoting part connected via a hinge, allowing independent assembly of the bracelet on the attachment part without a through hole, using a titanium rod and screws for secure and compact attachment, optimizing wearing comfort and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a through hole is used to mount the pivoting attachment part, then the attachment part can be mounted on the middle, but material waste increases and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment part mountingVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the mounting function from a through hole configuration and implements it through a blind hole with a retention mechanism. The attachment part is mounted in a blind hole rather than requiring a through hole, eliminating the need for material to pass completely through the middle component. This reduces material waste while maintaining the mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If stop surfaces are provided on the axis of the pivoting horn to prevent axial movement, then axial movement is restricted, but the device complexity increases and wearing comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial movement controlVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a retention mechanism as an intermediary element that provides axial constraint without requiring direct stop surfaces on the pivoting horn axis. The retention mechanism mediates between the attachment part and the middle component, preventing axial emergence while allowing natural pivoting motion, thereby maintaining wearing comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the attachment device is made compact to hide under the case, then aesthetics improve, but the clearance for rotation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidrotation clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the spatial arrangement of the pivoting attachment part by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The blind hole configuration and retention mechanism are arranged to allow sufficient rotation clearance within a compact footprint, enabling the device to be hidden under the case while maintaining adequate articulation range for wrist comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If the bracelet is mounted on the attachment part after the attachment part is mounted on the middle, then the assembly sequence is fixed, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly sequenceVSAvoidbracelet replacement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the assembly process into independent stages: the attachment part can be mounted on the middle first, and the bracelet can be mounted on the attachment part afterward. This segmentation allows flexible assembly sequences and enables easy bracelet replacement without requiring disassembly of the entire watch assembly, improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2672337B1Removable, pivoting attachment device for watch strap
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 GLASHUTTER UHRENBETRIEB GMBH
  • EP2672337B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The device has a removable attachment part (1) connected to a case (2) in a swiveling manner. The part includes a hinge (5) assembled onto the case. A rod (4) is inserted in the hinge, and ends of the rod are placed in pins (6) interdependent of the case. The pins are arranged in housings (32) of the case according to an axis perpendicular to that of a plane of the case. The pins include shoulders defining a bearing surface that co-operates with attaching parts i.e. screws (7) to the case.