Watch Case Cover Adhesive Escape Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method of using a groove on the inner surface of a watch case to absorb excess adhesive increases manufacturing costs due to the need for cutting the case.

Innovation Solution

A device with a case and a cover, featuring a first recessed portion on the bottom surface of the case or the cover, and a second recessed portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cover, which together form an adhesive escape structure to prevent adhesive protrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a groove is provided on the inner surface of the case to absorb excess adhesive, then adhesive protrusion is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases due to cutting processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive protrusion preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming a groove in the case (which requires costly cutting), the invention inverts the approach by forming a protrusion on the case that corresponds to a recess in the cover. The adhesive escape path is created through the cover's recess rather than the case's groove, eliminating the need for expensive case cutting while achieving the same adhesive containment effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating a localized recess only in the specific region of the cover where adhesive escape is needed, rather than modifying the entire case structure. This localized modification on the cover is less costly than cutting the case while still providing effective adhesive management at the critical bonding interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a groove is cut into the case to create an adhesive escape path, then adhesive is contained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive containmentVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by placing the adhesive escape structure on the cover rather than the case. The recess is formed in the cover and the protrusion on the case fits into it, reversing which component bears the escape structure complexity. This reduces case processing complexity while maintaining adhesive containment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive escape function is segmented between two components: a recess in the cover and a corresponding protrusion on the case. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with simpler processes, then assembled together to achieve the complete adhesive escape function, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to cutting a groove directly in the case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4498180A1Device, watch, and method for manufacturing the device

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

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AI summary

A device (1) includes: a case (11) having an accommodation portion (15); and a cover (13) arranged in the accommodation portion (15) of the case (11), in which a first recessed portion (21h) is formed in any one of a bottom surface portion in the accommodation portion (15) of the case (11) and a surface of the cover (13) facing the bottom surface portion, and in which a second recessed portion (13f) is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the cover (13). The device (1) has an adhesive escape structure.