Push Button Valve for Timepiece Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diving watches face the risk of explosion due to overpressure when decompressing, as existing pushers and valves compromise the sealing of the watchcase, requiring separate devices that weaken the overall sealing and are prone to similar sealing issues.
Innovation Solution
A pusher-valve combination where a cylindrical frame houses a pusher with a head, a rod, and two springs, one for return and another acting as a valve, ensuring sealing and pressure equalization by using deformable spacers and O-rings to manage internal pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate valve is installed on the caseband to prevent explosion during decompression, then the watch can safely manage pressure differences, but the sealing of the caseband is weakened due to multiple drilling holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve function with the existing pusher device by integrating a valve element into the pusher's rod structure. The valve element is positioned within the pusher assembly and operates through the same sealing interface, eliminating the need for a separate valve penetration in the caseband. This merging approach maintains caseband sealing integrity while providing pressure equalization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher device is given dual functionality: it serves both as a correction mechanism for the timepiece and as a valve for pressure equalization. The rod of the pusher houses a valve element that can open to allow gas passage when pressure differences occur during decompression, while the pusher simultaneously performs its traditional correction function. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pushers are installed to correct multiple functions, then each function can be corrected independently, but the sealing of the caseband is compromised due to multiple openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve function with the pusher correction function by integrating the valve element into the pusher rod. This allows the same structural opening to serve both correction and pressure equalization purposes, reducing the total number of separate openings needed in the caseband while maintaining full functionality for both operations.
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
The pusher-valve combination effectively maintains watchcase sealing while allowing pressure equalization, preventing explosions by allowing overpressure helium to escape, ensuring the watch remains watertight and functional during decompression phases.
Implementation Method 1
rod around which is wound a first plunger return spring
Implementation Method 2
a second spring arranged to flex and act as a valve in the event that the pressure prevailing inside the timepiece is greater than the pressure prevailing outside
Implementation Method 3
a second spring arranged to flex and act as a valve
Implementation Method 4
using deformable spacers and O-rings to manage internal pressure differences
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The button has a spring (10) arranged between a bottom face (58) of a head (9) and a retaining unit (54) partially derived from a cylindrical armature (50). Another spring (13) is wound around a push button stem (8). The latter spring has an end resting on the retaining unit and another end resting on another retaining unit (55). The latter spring is bent, and acts as a valve i.e. push button valve, if a pressure prevailing inside the timepiece is higher than a pressure prevailing outside the timepiece. A cylindrical spacer is made of a deformable material.