Watch Input Dial Laser Texturing for Hidden Optical Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical cutting and drilling methods face difficulties in forming small, precise texture features on surfaces that alter optical properties without being visually detectable, and they struggle to create partial features adjacent to full features without changing tools.
Innovation Solution
The use of laser-based processes for forming geometric, color, and surface finish elements on surfaces, allowing for precise creation of texture features, including partial shapes, using laser ablation, black-marking, and white-marking techniques, enabling the formation of patterns and designs that are visually and tactically distinct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical cutting or drilling is used to form texture features, then the process is simple and well-established, but the precision and small size of features are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting and drilling operations with laser-based processes to form texture features. The laser beam can create precisely controlled small features through ablation without mechanical contact, achieving manufacturing precision that mechanical methods cannot attain while avoiding the complexity of specially-shaped bits and tool changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses laser parameters (power, pulse duration, wavelength, scan speed) to control the formation of texture features. By adjusting these parameters, the system can precisely control feature size, shape, and depth, enabling manufacturing precision at scales unachievable with mechanical methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical texturing operations are used to form small features, then the process is straightforward, but the features cannot be sufficiently small to be visually undetectable while altering optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical texturing with laser-based processes that can create features at the micrometer and sub-micrometer scale. These laser-formed features are small enough to be visually undetectable while still altering optical properties through controlled surface modification and light scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial texture features at boundaries and selective laser application to achieve the desired optical effect with minimal visible impact. The laser can precisely control where features are formed, creating partial features only where needed to alter optical properties without creating visually detectable patterns across the entire surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specially-shaped bits or cutters are used to form texture features, then the process can create specific shapes, but it is difficult or impossible to form partial features next to full features without changing tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal laser beam that can form any texture feature shape by controlling beam parameters and scan patterns. The same laser system can create full features, partial features, and various geometries without physical tool changes, enabling both full and partial features to be formed adjacent to each other in a single continuous process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of laser parameters (power, focus, scan speed, pulse frequency) to adaptively form different feature types. The system can transition between creating full circular features and partial arc features by dynamically adjusting exposure parameters, allowing seamless formation of mixed feature patterns without tool changes.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser-based processes are used to form geometric, color, and surface finish elements, then the precision and quality of features are improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser-based processes (geometric feature formation, color marking, surface finish modification) into an integrated system. By merging these processes and coordinating them through centralized control, the system achieves high feature quality with geometric precision, color consistency, and surface finish control while managing overall process complexity through unified operation.
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
Enables the creation of intricate patterns and designs on surfaces with precise control, allowing for aesthetic and tactile enhancements while maintaining surface integrity, with the ability to form features that are visually and tactically distinct without the need for tool changes.
Implementation Method 1
the geometric element is formed using a laser ablation process
Implementation Method 2
the color element is formed using one of a black-marking or white-marking process
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~5B
AI summary
An electronic wrist-watch comprising a housing and an input dial (600) that is rotatable, about a rotation axis of the input dial, relative to the housing. Said input dial comprises a first portion defining a circular hub feature (625) and a second portion surrounding the first portion. Said second portion defines one or more rib features (620) each having an arcuate surface that extends radially from the first portion and an array of groove features (621), wherein each adjacent pair of groove features of the array of groove features is separated by a respective rib feature.