Watch Component Blade-Pattern Design via Coating Peeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a watch component with a blade-pattern design symbolizing a Japanese sword that can be mass-produced for wristwatches, as existing designs often require actual Japanese sword materials and are not applicable to smaller watch components.

Innovation Solution

A watch component is created using a metal member, such as stainless steel, titanium, or silver, with a coated region and an exposed region to form a blade-pattern-like design, where the boundary between the two regions mimics the pattern of a Japanese sword, achieved through coating and peeling techniques like laser treatment, blasting, or polishing, without requiring tempering or changing the metal composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If actual Japanese sword materials and tempering processes are used, then authentic blade-pattern design is achieved, but mass production becomes impossible and rust prevention becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade-pattern design authenticityVSAvoidmass production capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by replicating the visual appearance of traditional Japanese sword blade patterns through coating and peeling processes on metal members, rather than using actual sword materials. The coating material is applied to the metal member surface, then selectively peeled to create the characteristic blade pattern design, achieving visual authenticity without the limitations of genuine sword materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by transforming the physical and chemical properties of the metal member surface through coating application and removal processes. By controlling the coating material composition, application parameters, and peeling conditions, the invention creates authentic-looking blade patterns while maintaining the base metal's corrosion resistance properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If actual Japanese sword materials are used, then authentic blade-pattern design is achieved, but rust prevention becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade-pattern design authenticityVSAvoidrust resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different surface characteristics in different regions of the metal member. The coating material is applied locally to specific areas, then selectively peeled to create the blade pattern design. This allows the base metal surface to maintain its inherent rust-resistant properties while the coated regions provide the desired aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention copies the visual appearance of traditional sword blade patterns without using actual sword materials. The coating material replicates the aesthetic qualities of authentic sword surfaces, while the underlying metal member retains modern corrosion-resistant properties, achieving both visual authenticity and material reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

This method allows for the mass production of watch components with a Japanese sword motif, providing high additional value and practicality, while avoiding the need for actual Japanese sword materials and tempering processes, ensuring the components can be accurately treated and remain rust-free.

Implementation Method 1

a coated region being coated with a coating material having a color different from a material color of the metal member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

peeling a part of the coating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

peeling a part of the coating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 4

peeling a part of the coating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4293429A1Watch component, watch, and method for manufacturing watch component
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4293429A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293429A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293429A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A watch component is formed of a metal member formed into a component shape. A surface of the metal member includes a coated region being coated with a coating material having a color different from a material color of the metal member and an exposed region from which the material color of the metal member is exposed. A boundary part between the coated region and the exposed region forms a blade-pattern-like design.