Watch Crown Tilt Control via Proximity Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch designs with additional electronic features face challenges in aesthetic and economic complexity due to separate control members, and difficulty in achieving good sealing, particularly when incorporating a 'joystick' or 'trackball' type control systems with mechanical watches.
Innovation Solution
A watch with a control member mounted on an elongated element that can be tilted in two dimensions, utilizing proximity sensors to generate signals for controlling electronic functions, allowing users to interact with menus and digital displays, while maintaining the stem-crown mechanism for mechanical functions and ensuring proper sealing with a resilient ball joint and O-rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate control member (joystick or trackball) is added to control electronic functions, then the electronic features can be controlled, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control member with the crown assembly, making the crown serve dual purposes: traditional time-setting function and electronic feature control function. The control member is integrated into the crown structure, eliminating the need for separate control devices and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the traditional time-setting control and the control member for electronic features. By making the crown universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated control members, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate control member is added to control electronic functions, then the electronic features can be controlled, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is merged with the existing crown assembly, which is already a standard component in watch manufacturing. This integration avoids the need to manufacture and assemble separate control members, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining electronic control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the crown universal (serving both traditional and electronic control functions), the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated control members, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a joystick or trackball control member is used, then electronic functions can be controlled, but good sealing of the watch case becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is merged with the crown assembly, which is already an integrated and sealed component in traditional watch design. By reusing this existing sealed structure for electronic control, the patent maintains the reliability of the watch case sealing while adding electronic control capability.
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
The solution provides a unified control mechanism that enhances user interaction with electronic features while maintaining the mechanical functionality and aesthetic simplicity, ensuring effective sealing and reducing the complexity of the watch case.
Implementation Method 1
At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this sensor to generate a signal that represents the tilting of the member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element
Data Source
AI summary
A watch includes a control member, for example a crown or a head of a push-piece, which is mounted in a resilient manner on the outer end of an elongated element projecting outside the middle, such that a user can tilt in a self-reverting manner the control member in two dimensions orthogonal and perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element. At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this proximity sensor to produce an electric signal that represents the tilting of the control member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. A processor generates at least one instruction on the basis of the electric signal provided by at least one proximity sensor, for example to allow the user to browse a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.