Wristwatch Cushion Assembly for Looped and Flat Band Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wristwatch designs fail to provide adequate protection for watches with and without a loop, as traditional cushion configurations are limited to watches with loops, leaving watches without loops unprotected.

Innovation Solution

A wristwatch design featuring a cushion system with multiple interconnected cushions that can be adapted to both looped and flat watches, including a first cushion longer in one direction than another, and a second cushion that surrounds the band, providing comprehensive protection by sandwiching the watch components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cushion is inserted into the loop of a watch to protect it, then protection for watches with loops is improved, but watches without loops cannot be protected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecushion adaptabilityVSAvoidprotection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both looped and non-looped watches. The first cushion (201) with its elongated shape and connection to the second cushion (202) creates a flexible protective system that adapts to different watch band configurations, making a single cushion design suitable for multiple watch types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion is divided into multiple segments - the first cushion (201) and the second cushion (202) - that are connected but can independently adjust to different watch configurations. This segmentation allows the cushion system to flexibly adapt to both looped and non-looped watches while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional single cushion design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot protect both looped and flat watches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecushion versatilityVSAvoidcushion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first cushion (201) and second cushion (202) are merged into a single integrated cushion structure that functions as one protective unit. This merging approach achieves versatility for different watch types while maintaining relative structural simplicity compared to using entirely separate cushion components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first cushion is made longer in one direction to accommodate flat watches, then adaptability to flat watches is improved, but the cushion may not fit looped watches properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecushion flexibilityVSAvoidcushion fitting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion design incorporates dynamic adaptability where the first cushion (201) and second cushion (202) can adjust their configuration based on the watch type. The elongated shape of the first cushion provides flexibility for flat watches, while the connection to the second cushion allows the system to adapt to looped watch configurations, maintaining fitting precision across different watch types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4686429A1Wristwatch and method of producing wristwatch
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP4686429A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686429A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686429A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wristwatch includes: a case; an annular metal band connected to the case; and a first cushion and a second cushion that protect at least the metal band, the first cushion is longer in a first direction than in a second direction, is connected to the second cushion at a portion of an end portion of the first cushion in the second direction, and supports an inner side of the annular metal band, and the second cushion supports an outer side of the annular metal band.