Watch Dial Conductive Paths Eliminate Printed Circuit Boards

Solution Overview

Problem

Electromechanical and digital watches face challenges due to the additional production costs and space requirements of printed circuit boards, which are necessary for housing electronic components underneath the dial surface.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dial made from electrically non-conductive materials such as glass, plastic, or ceramic, where electrically conductive paths are structured on the surfaces to connect electronic components, reducing the need for printed circuit boards by allowing surface-level electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If printed circuit boards are used to house electronic components underneath the dial surface, then electronic components can be connected and housed, but production costs increase and space within the watch case is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic component connectionVSAvoidprinted circuit boards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function with the dial structure itself. The dial, which is normally just a display surface, is integrated with conductive paths and electronic components directly into it, eliminating the need for separate printed circuit boards. This combining of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dial is transformed into a multi-functional component that serves both as the display surface and as the electrical connection medium. By incorporating conductive paths and electronic components directly into the dial structure, it performs multiple functions (display, electrical connection, component mounting) that previously required separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If printed circuit boards are used to house electronic components, then electronic components can be connected, but the space required within the watch case increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic component connectionVSAvoidwatch case volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function with the dial structure itself. The dial, which is normally just a display surface, is integrated with conductive paths and electronic components directly into it, eliminating the need for separate printed circuit boards. This combining of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of components on separate printed circuit boards to a three-dimensional integration where conductive paths and electronic components are embedded within or on the dial structure itself. This dimensional change allows for more compact packaging within the watch case while maintaining all necessary electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If printed circuit boards are used for mounting electronic components, then components can be housed, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic component mountingVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function with the dial structure itself. The dial, which is normally just a display surface, is integrated with conductive paths and electronic components directly into it, eliminating the need for separate printed circuit boards. This combining of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the printed circuit board component entirely from the watch assembly. By removing this intermediate component and directly integrating electrical connections into the dial structure, the manufacturing process is simplified and production time is reduced while still achieving reliable component mounting and connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9829864B2Electromechanical or digital watch including a dial and method of manufacturing such a dial

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

An electromechanical or digital watch includes a middle part that delimits with a glass a watch case. The glass includes an upper surface oriented upwardly, and a lower surface oriented towards the watch case. The watch also includes a dial made of an electrically non-conductive material. The dial includes a lower surface and an upper surface located opposite the watch case. Electrically conductive paths for the connection of one or more electronic components are structured on at least one of the lower or upper surfaces of the dial. The watch includes a flange that ensures, via the electrically conductive paths, the electrical connection between an electronic device arranged on the lower surface of the glass and the electronic components. The flange supports the dial or is made in one-piece with the dial.