Watch Case Exterior Member Locking With Dual-Hardness Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wristwatch designs face issues with exterior members detaching unintentionally due to loose fittings or damaging the case with tight fittings, and there is a need for a secure and easy attachment mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A wristwatch case design featuring catching sections on the device case and engaging sections on the exterior member, with support areas made of a softer material than adjacent areas, allowing for easy attachment and detachment while preventing unintentional detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exterior member is tightly fitted to the device case, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the exterior member gets damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior member is designed with dual hardness: the engaging portion has lower hardness to provide elasticity and absorb stress during attachment/detachment, while the adjacent area has higher hardness to maintain structural strength and prevent damage. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and member integrity.
2Strength
If the exterior member is loosely fitted to the device case, then the exterior member is protected from damage, but the exterior member detaches unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion is made with lower hardness to create elastic deformation capability, enabling reliable engagement with the catching portion while the higher hardness adjacent areas maintain overall structural integrity. This prevents both unintentional detachment and damage.
3Strength
If the engaging portion is made of hard material, then the structural strength is improved, but the attachment and detachment process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion uses lower hardness material to enable easy elastic deformation during attachment and detachment operations, while the higher hardness adjacent areas provide the necessary structural strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If the engaging portion is made of soft material, then the ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portion is made with lower hardness for ease of attachment and detachment through elastic deformation, while the higher hardness adjacent areas compensate for the reduced strength by providing structural support. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A case including a device case, and an exterior member which is attached covering an outer circumferential surface of an upper part of the device case, in which the device case has a catching portion formed in an outer circumferential portion thereof, the exterior member has an engaging portion which is formed on an inner side portion thereof, engages with the catching portion when the exterior member is attached to the device case, and prevents the exterior member from being detached from the device case, and a support area which supports the engaging portion of the exterior member is formed of a material whose hardness is lower than hardness of a material of an area adjacent to the support area.