Watch Exterior Member Fixing Structure for Secure Interchangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wristwatches face issues with exterior members detaching easily due to loose fittings or damaging the case with tight fittings, and the process of attaching and detaching exterior members is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An exterior member with fixing projection sections on its lower edge portions that project outward and are secured to a case main body using a fixing member, which covers the case's outer peripheral surface, ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exterior member is attached to the case by the decorative section being arranged on the upper surface and fitting sections being fitted together with the peripheral surface, then the exterior member can be attached to the case, but the exterior member tends to come off when the fitting is loose or the case may be damaged when the fitting is tight
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior member is divided into a decorative section and a fixing section, with the fixing section further segmented into multiple fixing projection sections. This segmentation allows the decorative section to be separated from the fixing function, enabling the decorative section to be designed without considering attachment strength, while the fixing section provides secure attachment through distributed projection sections that reduce stress concentration on the case.
Solution Approach 2:
A fixing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the exterior member and the case. The fixing member includes holding sections that engage with the fixing projection sections, creating a three-party connection system. This intermediary distributes the attachment forces and provides a buffer that prevents direct stress transmission to the case, thereby preventing case damage while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If the exterior member is attached using fitting sections on the peripheral surface, then the exterior member can be fixed to the case, but the attachment and detachment process becomes bothersome and the exterior member cannot be easily switched
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is designed with elastic holding sections that can dynamically adjust between engaged and disengaged states. The holding sections are configured to elastically deform during attachment and detachment operations, allowing the exterior member to be easily installed by simple insertion and removed by applying minimal force to disengage the elastic holding sections from the fixing projections.
3Reliability
If fixing projection sections are formed on the exterior main body to project toward outer peripheral sides, then the exterior member can be securely fixed by a fixing member, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing projection sections serve multiple functions: they provide attachment points for the fixing member, distribute mechanical stresses across multiple locations, and define the positional relationship between the exterior member and case. By consolidating these functions into a single structural feature, the design achieves reliable attachment without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior member including an exterior main body which covers a whole periphery of a portion of an outer surface of a case main body in a peripheral direction; and fixing projection sections which are formed on predetermined lower edge portions of the exterior main body while projecting toward outer peripheral sides and fix the exterior main body to the case main body by a fixing member attached covering an outer peripheral surface of the case main body.