Watch Band Link Member Sheet Wrapping for Seam Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch bands struggle to achieve high-quality design variations and a solid feel while minimizing seam visibility and processing costs, as previous methods either fail to conceal seams or require complex and costly manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A watch band design featuring link members connected by pivot shafts, where at least one link member has a sheet member wrapped around it, with the sheet member's end parts arranged between the top and bottom end parts in the thickness direction, allowing for independent surface treatment and reduced seam visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sheet members are wrapped around link members to reduce manufacturing costs and enable design variations, then processing costs are reduced and design flexibility is improved, but seams become visible and scratch the arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the sheet member ends in the thickness direction (between top and bottom end parts) rather than having them exposed on the outer surface. This spatial repositioning in the thickness dimension conceals the seams from visual detection while preventing skin contact, resolving both the visibility and irritation issues while maintaining the cost benefits of sheet wrapping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful exposed ends of sheet members into a beneficial configuration by arranging them between the top and bottom end parts in the thickness direction. This transforms what would be harmful exposed edges into a concealed, aesthetically pleasing feature that maintains the solid member appearance while eliminating skin irritation and seam visibility problems
2Manufacturing precision
If outside link parts and middle link parts are treated by separate surface treatment to create luxury feel, then design quality is improved, but processing costs become high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the link member into an integrally formed base member and a wrapped sheet member. This allows independent surface treatment of each component - the base member can receive one type of treatment while the sheet member receives another - enabling high-quality differentiated surface finishes while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining an integrally formed base member with a wrapped sheet member. This composite structure enables different surface treatments on different materials (base member and sheet member), achieving luxury quality feel through material and finish differentiation while keeping processing costs manageable through the modular composite approach
3Manufacturing precision
If separate type link members combining solid members are used to achieve heavy appearance, then solid feel is improved, but processing processes become numerous and troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the outside link parts and middle link part into an integrally formed base member. This eliminates the need for separate fabrication and assembly of multiple solid members, reducing the number of processing steps while maintaining the heavy, solid appearance through the monolithic base structure that supports the wrapped sheet member
Data Source
AI summary
A band comprised of a plurality of link members connected to each other to be able to pivot by pivot shafts, in the band, at least one of the plurality of link members has a sheet member and a wrapped member around which the sheet member is wrapped, the wrapped member has a side part facing an adjoining link member, andat least one end part of the sheet member is arranged between a top end part and bottom end part of the side part in the thickness direction.