Watch Disassembly Bench Using Pressure and Centrifugal Unlocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-quality watches with secured fastening, such as dive watches, cannot be opened by unskilled personnel without compromising their tightness, cleanliness, or adjustment, necessitating specialized tools and factory-based repairs to maintain functionality and aesthetic integrity.

Innovation Solution

A disassembly bench equipped with handling, centrifuging, and pneumatic or hydraulic devices that apply centrifugal force or pressure variations to overcome the secured locking mechanism, allowing for controlled disassembly of watch components without damaging the watch, while also enabling assembly functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secured fastening mechanism with slides is used to prevent unauthorized opening, then the watch's tightness and security are improved, but the device complexity increases and requires specialized tools for disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetightnessVSAvoiddisassembly mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized disassembly bench as an intermediary device that mediates between the secured fastening mechanism and the disassembly process. This bench provides controlled environments with specific tools and mechanisms to manipulate the slides and indexing means without requiring complex field disassembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical disassembly attempts with a controlled mechanical system consisting of the disassembly bench, which uses precision mechanisms to manipulate the slides and indexing means. This substitution transforms an otherwise complex manual process into a controlled mechanical operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If specialized disassembly tools and factory-based procedures are required, then the watch's integrity is maintained, but the ease of operation for authorized personnel decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveintegrityVSAvoiddisassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the disassembly process into distinct stages performed on the specialized bench: initial positioning, slide manipulation, indexing means engagement, and component separation. This segmentation transforms a complex single-step problem into manageable sequential operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disassembly bench is designed to guide authorized personnel through the disassembly process with built-in mechanisms that automatically position components and provide feedback, reducing the skill level required while maintaining integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the watch is designed to be unopenable without factory tools, then unauthorized opening is prevented, but the productivity of authorized service decreases due to specialized equipment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddisassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-configuring the disassembly bench with all necessary tools, fixtures, and guidance mechanisms before the disassembly process begins. This preparation eliminates time-consuming setup procedures and streamlines the authorized service workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables secure and controlled disassembly of watch components, preventing unauthorized opening and maintaining the watch's integrity, while simplifying the production and maintenance processes by allowing authorized personnel to disassemble and assemble watches without complex tools.

Implementation Method 1

centrifuging devices (510) for simultaneous application of a centrifugal force to the watch (100)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

pneumatic or hydraulic devices (520) for simultaneous application of an overpressure or an underpressure to the watch (100)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure variation: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11003140B2Bench for disassembling a watch with secured fastening

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

A disassembly bench is for unlocking and disassembling a first component and a second component of a watch with secured fastening including handling devices to transmit a relative disassembly movement between this first component and this second component. The bench also includes centrifuging devices and/or pneumatic or hydraulic devices for simultaneous application of a centrifugal force and/or an overpressure or an underpressure to such a watch to press into a position of free passage one or more slides arranged to immobilize this first component and this second component in a locked position. A watchmaking set includes such a disassembly bench and such a watch with secured fastening.