Portable Timepiece Winding Stem Removal via Side Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In portable timepieces with a one-piece armor case, the design is restricted by the need to remove the winding stem and crown, which impairs the visual thinness of the peripheral part due to thickness requirements for waterproofing and interference with oscillating weights, and limits dial size.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece armor assembly with a monolithic case structure featuring a taper face, where the winding stem is insertable/removable and the engagement/disengagement operation body is positioned in the case barrel part, allowing operation from the side to disengage the stopper member from the winding stem, enabling removal without increasing the case thickness or interfering with the oscillating weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement/disengagement operation body is attached to the case bottom wall with a penetrated accommodation hole for waterproofing, then the waterproofness is ensured, but the case bottom wall thickness increases and the visual thinness of the peripheral part is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The operation body attachment structure transitions from a vertical thickness-direction penetration (affecting case bottom wall thickness) to a radial direction operation through the case barrel part (not affecting thickness). The operation body is operated from the side through the case barrel part rather than from the back through the case bottom wall, changing the dimensional approach and eliminating the conflict between waterproofing requirements and visual thinness.
2Ease of repair
If the operation body is operated from the back face side through the case bottom wall, then the winding stem can be removed, but the case bottom wall must be thick enough to accommodate the operation body and waterproof gasket
Solution Approach 1:
The operation direction changes from the thickness direction (back face side through case bottom wall) to the radial direction (through case barrel part from side). This dimensional change allows the operation body to be operated through the case barrel part without increasing case bottom wall thickness, while still enabling winding stem removal through the same radial operation path.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the engagement/disengagement operation body is positioned near the case barrel part to avoid oscillating weight interference, then the oscillating weight rotation is not interfered with, but the case barrel part wall thickness must be sufficient for operation body attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The case is segmented into distinct functional zones: the case barrel part for operation body attachment and the case bottom wall for aesthetic thinness. The operation body is attached to the case barrel part which has sufficient radial wall thickness, while the case bottom wall maintains minimal thickness for visual thinness. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its thickness independently based on functional requirements.
4Ease of operation
If the lever for setting lever protrudes in planar form from the dial external shape, then the setting lever can be operated, but the dial size is restricted by the need for sufficient case size
Solution Approach 1:
The operation body operation transitions from a planar protrusion from the dial face to a radial operation through the case barrel part. This dimensional change eliminates the need for planar protrusion that would restrict dial size, allowing the dial to maintain its external shape while the operation body is accessed through the side of the case barrel part.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable timepiece has a timepiece movement and a movement interlock axle that undergoes linear movement and undergoes rotational movement to transmit a rotational force to the timepiece movement. An external operation body is operable to linearly move and rotate the movement interlock axle. A stopper member undergoes movement between a first position in which the stopper member is engaged with an engagement part of the movement interlock axle to prevent linear movement thereof and a second position in which the stopper member is not engaged with the engagement part to permit linear movement. An operation body undergoes movement in a first direction to engage the stopper member and cause the stopper member to move to the first position to engage the engagement part of the movement interlock axle, and undergoes movement in a second direction in which the operation body is disengaged from the stopper member to cause the stopper member to move to the second position to disengage from the engagement part of the movement interlock axle.