Electronic Watch Crown Assembly for Compact Dual-Input Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electronic devices face challenges in optimizing the design of crowns to minimize space usage while maintaining high performance for both rotational and translational inputs, often leading to increased device size and reduced battery life due to the occupation of internal volume by crown components.
Innovation Solution
The described crowns feature compact designs with brackets that support the distal end of the crown shaft, positioning translation sensing components along the shaft length and using optical sensing systems to detect rotational inputs, reducing overall length and optimizing internal space for other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If crown components are designed to provide both rotational and translational inputs, then the functionality and performance of the input system is improved, but the internal volume occupied by crown components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch element is positioned within the housing and defines a first opening through which the shaft assembly extends. The bracket assembly positions the switch element such that the crown shaft passes through it, nesting the translation sensing component within the rotational input path. This nested arrangement allows both rotational and translational sensing without requiring separate external components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown assembly utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by extending the shaft assembly through the housing wall rather than placing all components within a single plane. The bracket assembly positions components at different depths, allowing the crown to provide both rotational and translational inputs within a compact volumetric footprint.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the crown assembly is made more compact to reduce device size, then the battery life is improved, but the alignment and stability of the crown may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly extracts and positions the switch element at a specific location along the shaft assembly, separating the translation sensing function from the rotational input path. This extraction allows the crown to be made more compact while maintaining stability, as the bracket provides a fixed reference point for the switch element regardless of the overall crown size.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly acts as an intermediary structure between the crown shaft and the switch element. It provides a stable mounting platform that maintains precise alignment of the switch element relative to the shaft, ensuring that the crown remains stable even when made more compact to extend battery life.
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 design maintains high alignment and stability with reduced length, providing more space for other device components and potentially longer battery life by minimizing the footprint of the crown assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an optical rotation sensing system configured to detect the rotational input based at least in part on light reflected from a surface of the crown
Implementation Method 2
the rotation sensing system may determine a speed and a direction of the rotational input using self-mixing laser interferometry
Implementation Method 3
the processing system may be conductively coupled to the conductive surface through the shaft assembly and may be configured to determine a biological parameter of a user based at least in part on a voltage detected at the conductive surface
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic watch may include a housing defining a side wall, a display, a front cover positioned over the display, and an input system configured to receive a rotational input and a translational input. The input system may include a switch element positioned within the housing and defining a first opening along a top of the switch element, a crown including a knob external to the housing, and a shaft assembly coupled to the knob and extending through a second opening in the side wall of the housing and through the first opening in the switch element, the shaft assembly defining an actuation feature configured to actuate the switch element in response to the translational input, and a rotation sensing system configured to detect the rotational input.