Watch Case Side Support for Shock Protection and Easy Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch cases make it difficult to easily place and remove the watch while providing adequate protection from impacts, as the support often rests on the watch strap, causing potential damage and limiting ease of handling.

Innovation Solution

The watch case design features a support that is positioned on the sides of the box, using interstices and modified shoulders to secure the support, preventing movement and allowing easy installation and removal, while maintaining protection from shocks through integral design and optional transparent materials for aesthetic and visual effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support is dimensioned to fit the interior width of the box, then the article is protected from impacts, but it becomes difficult to grip and remove the watch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from impactsVSAvoidease of gripping and removing watch
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support is segmented into a main body portion and protruding portions that extend into the interstices. This segmentation allows the support to be mechanically divided into functional zones: the main body provides shock protection while the protruding portions provide grip points, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portions act as intermediary elements between the user's fingers and the watch. Instead of gripping the watch directly (which risks damage), the user grips the protruding portions of the support, which serve as a safe intermediary interface for force application during removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the support is placed at the bottom of the box, then the article is protected from shocks, but the watch strap may be damaged by resting on the support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from shocksVSAvoiddamage to watch strap
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the support at the bottom of the box (conventional arrangement), the support is inverted to rest on the side walls via protruding portions. This inversion changes the support's orientation and contact points, allowing it to provide shock protection while eliminating direct contact with the watch strap that causes damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The support exhibits local quality differentiation: the main body portion has dimensions for shock absorption while the protruding portions have specific geometries for wall engagement. This localized functional differentiation allows different parts of the support to serve different purposes - protection versus secure positioning without strap damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the support is made movable in the box, then it is easier to access, but the article becomes vulnerable to shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of articleVSAvoidprotection from shocks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portions are preliminarily positioned to engage with the interstices before the box undergoes shocks. This preliminary engagement establishes a pre-configured mechanical constraint that prevents support movement during impact events, ensuring protection is already in place before the harmful event occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support and box are merged through the engagement of protruding portions with interstices, creating a unified structural system. This merging eliminates relative movement between support and box, ensuring that shocks transmitted to the box are also transmitted to the support in a controlled manner, protecting the article

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2344933B1Watch case
Publication Date: 2012.09.19 SWATCH SA
  • EP2344933B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2344933B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a box for receiving an article secured onto a holder (5) in a fixed position. The box (1) includes a lower portion (3) defining the bottom and an upper portion (2) defining the cover. The lower (3) and upper (2) portions are intended to interact with each other so as to define a closed gap in the closed position. The holder (5) includes a supporting means (6) which prevents the article from bearing against the bottom or the cover.