Wrist Watch Case Strap Attachment Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wrist watch cases with large sizes are uncomfortable for individuals with smaller wrist diameters due to increased distance between strap attachment points, and they often have complex, multi-part designs that compromise water tightness, robustness, and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A watch case with attachment points positioned higher and closer together, allowing for a single-piece, robust construction with a gasket for water tightness, and an inner volume that extends laterally beyond the strap attachment points to accommodate electronic components without traversing the internal space, ensuring comfortable wear and optimal sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the watch case is made larger to accommodate electronic components, then the device functionality is improved, but the comfort for persons with small wrist diameter deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic componentsVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the strap attachment points from the lateral ends to the upper portion of the watch case, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of the horizontal dimension. This allows the inner volume to extend laterally beyond the attachment points, providing space for electronic components while keeping the attachment points close together for comfort on small wrists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the watch case is made larger to accommodate electronic components, then the device functionality is improved, but the distance between strap attachment points increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic componentsVSAvoiddistance between attachment points
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the strap attachment points from the lateral ends to the upper portion of the watch case, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of the horizontal dimension. This allows the inner volume to extend laterally beyond the attachment points, providing space for electronic components while keeping the attachment points close together for comfort on small wrists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the watch case is made up of several parts to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the water tightness reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidwater tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a watch case made up of a single piece rather than multiple assembled parts. This merging of parts eliminates the need for gaskets and sealing interfaces, thereby ensuring water tightness while still allowing for manufacturing through processes like injection molding or metal forming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the watch case is made up of several parts to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the robustness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrobustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a watch case made up of a single piece rather than multiple assembled parts. This merging of parts eliminates the need for gaskets and sealing interfaces, thereby ensuring water tightness while still allowing for manufacturing through processes like injection molding or metal forming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Ease of manufacture

If the watch case is made up of several parts to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a watch case made up of a single piece rather than multiple assembled parts. This merging of parts eliminates the need for gaskets and sealing interfaces, thereby ensuring water tightness while still allowing for manufacturing through processes like injection molding or metal forming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2579107B1Watchcase and wrist watch device
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 SUUNTO OY
  • EP2579107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2579107B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2579107B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3b

AI summary

The present invention is related to a watch case (1, 2) adapted to be integrated into a wrist watch device, the watch case comprising an inner volume (2.1) for housing internal components of said wrist watch device and attachment means (2.2) for attaching at least one watch strap (7, 8) of said wrist watch device, wherein at least one portion (2.1.2) of said inner volume (2.1) of the watch case extends laterally beyond the points of attachment (2.2.6) of said at least one watch strap (7, 8). The present invention is also directed to a corresponding watch strap (7, 8) as well as to a wrist watch device comprising such a watch case (1, 2).