Pocket Watch Cover Opening Mechanism with Segmented Pendant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pocket watches with tilting pendant ring mechanisms have a high risk of accidental cover opening, which is unacceptable for premium models.
Innovation Solution
A device with a fixed pendant and a movable pendant that slides and pivots within axial and circumferential guide grooves, using pins and helical grooves to securely open the cover only when intentionally manipulated by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple tilting pendant ring mechanism is used to open covers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to high risk of accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The pendant ring mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a tilting pendant ring for direction selection, a push button for activation, and a locking spring mechanism for security. This segmentation allows the system to separate the functions of direction indication (improving ease of operation) from the actual cover release (ensuring reliability through intentional activation only).
Solution Approach 2:
A push button is introduced as an intermediary element between the user's tilting action and the cover release. The push button must be deliberately pressed after tilting the pendant ring in the desired direction, creating an intentional two-step activation sequence that prevents accidental opening while maintaining ease of intended operation.
2Reliability
If a locking spring mechanism is used to hold the cover closed, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional unlocking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically engage with the cover, providing secure retention without requiring any user action. The spring is preliminarily configured to hold the cover closed, and the unlocking mechanism simply needs to release the spring's engagement point, simplifying the opening operation while maintaining strong retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring mechanism is designed to automatically lock the cover in the closed position without user intervention. The spring self-engages with the cover structure, providing reliable retention. For opening, the user only needs to tilt the pendant ring and press the button, allowing the spring to self-release and assist the cover opening motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece including a device for opening a cover including a fixed pendant mounted inside a middle part and a movable pendant for sliding within the fixed pendant towards the center of the case, the movable pendant having a guide element for moving along an axial guide groove, then in a circumferential guide groove into which the axial guide groove opens out and which is delimited by a boundary, such that, when the movable pendant is pushed, this movable pendant can be firstly displaced axially, then pivoted by an angle defined by the place at which the guide element abuts against the boundary, the movable pendant having a helical groove which comes into contact with at least one pin arranged with a clearance between the movable pendant and the locking spring and which is axially displaced towards the locking spring when the movable pendant is pushed, then pivoted, such that the pin presses against the locking spring and releases the cover.