Watch Crystal Fixing via Central Support Studs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-flat timepieces, the thin glass is prone to deformation under external pressure, risking contact with the movement or hands, which can disrupt the timepiece's operation or damage the movement. Additionally, the glass may become weakened and susceptible to breakage due to deformation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an arrangement for fixing the glass to the case using support studs that connect to the glass at its central region, away from the periphery. These support studs interact with the glass to prevent deformation and ensure the glass remains securely fixed without coming into contact with the movement or hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the glass is reduced to achieve ultra-flat timepiece, then the overall thickness of the timepiece is reduced, but the glass becomes prone to deformation under external pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning support studs at specific locations (central region and/or vicinity of movement components) rather than uniformly across the glass. This localized support provides targeted reinforcement where deformation is most likely to occur, allowing the glass to remain thin overall while maintaining stability in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the thin glass with support studs that extend from the movement components. This composite system allows the glass to maintain its thin profile while the stud-glass assembly provides the necessary structural support and deformation resistance.
2Length of moving object
If the glass is brought closer to the movement to reduce thickness, then the overall timepiece thickness is reduced, but the glass may come into contact with the movement or hands and disrupt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support studs perform preliminary anti-action by providing continuous support to the glass from below, preventing it from deforming downward toward the movement. This preemptive support ensures that even when the glass is positioned very close to the movement, contact is prevented before it can disrupt operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support studs act as intermediaries between the movement and the glass. They transmit support forces from the movement structure to the glass, allowing the glass to be positioned close to the movement while maintaining a controlled separation and preventing direct contact that would disrupt operation.
3Reliability
If a stop is added to the frame to prevent glass contact with hands, then glass contact is prevented in extreme cases, but the device complexity increases and the stop has no effect in normal configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the frame structure and implements it through separate support studs. This separates the primary support function from the frame, allowing the frame to remain simple while the studs provide targeted support where needed, reducing overall device complexity compared to modifying the frame itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The support studs serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to prevent deformation, maintain spacing between the glass and movement, and prevent contact with hands. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stops, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection.
4Length of moving object
If the glass thickness is reduced, then the timepiece achieves ultra-flat profile, but the glass becomes weaker and more susceptible to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The support studs provide localized reinforcement at critical points on the glass surface. This local support compensates for the reduced overall thickness, distributing loads and preventing stress concentration that would lead to breakage, thereby maintaining strength despite reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of thin glass with support studs creates a composite structure with enhanced strength-to-thickness ratio. The stud-glass assembly provides the necessary mechanical strength and breakage resistance that would be impossible to achieve with thin glass alone.
Data Source
AI summary
The timepiece includes a case and a crystal delimiting an interior volume in which a watch movement is arranged, a device for fastening the crystal to the case at the periphery of the crystal, and a device for connecting the crystal, including at least one support stud arranged in the interior volume in a fixed manner relative to the case and engaging with the crystal outside its periphery fastened by the fastening device, by contact with the lower surface of the crystal, particularly in a central zone of the crystal.