Timepiece Crown Coupling With Stable Two-Position Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece control devices suffer from rapid wear, large size, poor aesthetics, and difficulty in manipulation due to the crown head's uncoupled and coupled positions, which are also ungainly when engaged.
Innovation Solution
A compact control device with a crown head movable in translation and a locking element that stabilizes it in two positions, utilizing coupling and indexing means to ensure stable uncoupled and coupled states, preventing wear and enhancing ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the crown head is made movable between coupled and uncoupled positions to enable mechanism actuation, then the functionality of the timepiece is improved, but the device becomes large and ungainly
Solution Approach 1:
The crown head is nested within a recess of the crown body, allowing it to move between coupled and uncoupled positions without significantly increasing the overall volume. The crown head fits into the crown body's recess, creating a compact integrated structure that maintains functionality while minimizing size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown head is designed to be movable relative to the crown body, transitioning between coupled and uncoupled positions. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve multiple functions (time adjustment and winding) without requiring separate fixed components, thereby improving functionality without proportionally increasing size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the crown head is made movable between coupled and uncoupled positions to enable mechanism actuation, then the functionality of the timepiece is improved, but the control device becomes ungainly when the crown head occupies one or other of the coupled or uncoupled positions
Solution Approach 1:
The crown head is nested within a recess of the crown body, creating a streamlined integrated appearance. When coupled, the crown head sits flush within the recess; when uncoupled, it extends smoothly. This nesting arrangement maintains elegant proportions and avoids the ungainly appearance that would result from separate protruding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic positioning of the crown head within the recess allows it to adapt its configuration based on operational needs while maintaining aesthetic appeal. The smooth transitions between coupled and uncoupled positions within the recessed structure preserve the elegant contours of the control device throughout operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the crown head is made movable between coupled and uncoupled positions to enable mechanism actuation, then the functionality of the timepiece is improved, but the control device wears rapidly due to intentional or unintentional actuation
Solution Approach 1:
A locking element with elastic properties is provided to cushion and absorb the impacts and wear associated with repeated coupling and uncoupling of the crown head. The elastic locking element deformablely engages with formations on the crown body, providing a compliant connection that reduces mechanical stress and wear on the coupling interfaces during frequent actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the crown head and crown body, mediating the coupling and uncoupling actions. This elastic intermediary component absorbs the mechanical stresses of repeated actuation, protecting the primary coupling surfaces from rapid wear while enabling frequent functional transitions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the crown head is made movable between coupled and uncoupled positions to enable mechanism actuation, then the functionality of the timepiece is improved, but the crown head becomes difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic locking element provides a compliant connection that facilitates smooth engagement and disengagement of the crown head. The elastic properties allow the locking element to deform during manipulation, reducing the force required to transition between coupled and uncoupled positions while maintaining secure locking when engaged, thereby improving ease of manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves as a mediator that simplifies the manipulation of the crown head. By providing a compliant, deformable connection, it reduces the mechanical resistance during transitions between positions, making the crown head easier to manipulate while ensuring stable coupling during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The control device (1) for a timepiece has a body (4) intended to rotate about a rotation axis (X) in a case middle (2) of a timepiece to drive a mechanism of the timepiece, and a crown head (5) movable in translation relative to the body, parallel to the rotation axis, between a first position and a second position. The body has a first coupling (46) and the crown head has a second coupling (53), arranged so that in the first position, the body and the crown head are uncoupled, and in the second position, the body and the crown head are coupled. The control device has a first formation (47A) and a second formation (47B), and a locking element able to cooperate with the first formation to stabilize the first position, and with the second formation to stabilize the second position.