Watch Bracelet Attachment Device with Offset Control Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch bracelets are difficult to handle and may have control members that are visible and prone to catching or snagging, and the attachment bars are fragile, making them challenging to change without tools.

Innovation Solution

An attachment device with a control member that moves vertically within the bracelet, offset from the sliding axis of the pins, using connecting elements to transform vertical movement into lateral sliding, allowing for easy operation and increased robustness, with the control member and pins being embedded within the bracelet for invisible operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control member is positioned on the sliding axis of the pins, then the structure is simpler, but the guiding precision and robustness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidguiding precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control member is deliberately positioned offset from the sliding axis of the pins, creating an asymmetric configuration. This offset positioning improves guiding precision and robustness by providing better mechanical leverage and more stable force distribution during the attachment and detachment operations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the control member is visible and accessible from outside the bracelet, then it is easier to operate, but it is prone to catching or snagging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidsnagging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control member is nested within the bracelet structure, specifically positioned within a recess or cavity in the bracelet body. This nesting approach allows the control member to be operated by the user while remaining protected from external snagging hazards, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and resistance to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the attachment bars are made more robust, then they are stronger, but they become more difficult to manipulate for attachment changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment bar strengthVSAvoidattachment change ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is segmented into distinct functional components: robust attachment bars for strength, and a separate control mechanism with articulating arms and connecting rods for manipulation. This segmentation allows the attachment bars to be made strong and rigid while the control mechanism remains lightweight and easy to operate, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If specific tools are required to change the bracelet, then the attachment is more secure, but the user cannot easily change it without specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtool-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is designed as a self-service system where the user can attach and detach the bracelet using only the integrated control member and articulating mechanism. The robust attachment bars provide secure connection, while the user-friendly control mechanism enables tool-free operation, simultaneously achieving both attachment security and ease of operation without requiring specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution provides a user-friendly, robust, and precise attachment mechanism that can be operated without tools, ensuring easy bracelet changes while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding snagging issues.

Implementation Method 1

connecting elements between the control member and the attachment bar which transform the vertical movement of translation of the control member into a lateral sliding motion of the bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Lever

Implementation Method 2

the connecting elements comprise two arms articulated about an arbor arranged at a proximal end of said arms, the two pins being respectively connected to the distal end of the articulated arms via connecting rods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArticulated mechanism: Four-Bar Linkage

Data Source

PatentUS11019889B2Removable bracelet for a watch or equivalent and device for attaching the same

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

A device for attaching an end of a bracelet to an object, including a support plate, a control member, two pins slidably mounted on the same axis, called the sliding axis, wherein the control member is mounted to move in translation on an arbor, called the translation arbor, which is substantially perpendicular to the support plate, and wherein the control member is offset with respect to the sliding axis of the pins and connected to the latter by connecting elements able to transform the translational movement of the control member into a sliding movement of the pins when the control member is actuated.