Inner Rotating Ring Click Mechanism for Timepiece Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepieces with inner rotating rings that provide a click feeling through elastic deformation suffer from durability issues due to concentrated loads on components during reverse rotation.
Innovation Solution
A rotation mechanism that includes a rotation restriction member with an engagement gear, a restriction portion, and a biasing portion to allow one-directional rotation while generating a click feeling by repeating engagement and disengagement with the gear teeth, distributing the load across different components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic piece is used to restrict reverse rotation and generate click feeling, then the operation member can rotate in one direction with tactile feedback, but the durability of the elastic piece deteriorates due to concentrated load
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation restriction mechanism is divided into multiple functional components: a rotation restriction member with engagement portion for one-way restriction, a separate biasing portion for generating click feeling, and a restriction portion for preventing reverse rotation. This segmentation distributes the functional loads across different components rather than concentrating them on a single elastic piece, improving durability while maintaining operational feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion with teeth and corresponding engagement structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operation member and the rotation restriction. Instead of directly loading the elastic piece, the intermediary tooth engagement transmits and distributes forces, reducing stress concentration on the elastic component and enhancing overall system reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single elastic piece restricts reverse rotation, then the structure remains simple, but the load concentration on one position reduces component durability
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation restriction member is segmented into distinct functional portions: an engagement portion for reversible engagement with gear teeth, a biasing portion for elastic deformation and click feeling, and a restriction portion for one-way rotation control. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity while distributing mechanical loads across multiple portions, preventing load concentration and improving component durability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rotation restriction member are designed with locally optimized properties: the engagement portion has tooth structures for meshing, the biasing portion has elastic characteristics for deformation, and the restriction portion has geometric constraints for one-way blocking. This local differentiation allows each portion to handle specific loads efficiently, enhancing overall reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
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
Improves the durability of the timepiece components by preventing concentration of load on a single position, allowing smooth one-directional rotation with a click feeling.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing portion that biases the engagement portion toward the first side in a state where the rotation restriction member is moved from the restriction position toward the second side to a biasing position
Data Source
AI summary
In a timepiece including an operation portion that rotates an inner rotating ring only in one direction while generating a click feeling, durability of components is improved. The timepiece includes a rotation operation portion having a second gear that rotates in synchronization with the inner rotating ring, and a rotation restriction member that restricts an operation of the rotation operation portion. The rotation restriction member includes an engagement portion engaged with an engagement tooth of the second gear so as to move to a first side in a movement direction by counterclockwise rotation of the second gear and move to a second side in the movement direction by clockwise rotation of the second gear, a restriction wall portion that allows the movement of the rotation restriction member, which is located at a restriction position, to the second side while restricting the movement of the rotation restriction member to the first side, and a biasing portion that biases the engagement portion to the first side in a state where the rotation restriction member is moved from the restriction position toward the second side to a biasing position. The engagement portion is configured to be disengaged from the engagement tooth of the second gear rotating clockwise in a state where the rotation restriction member is located at the biasing position.