Watch Head Assembly With Top Load and Bottom Battery Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch assembly and disassembly methods are limited to the same direction, lacking flexibility and complicating access to internal components like batteries in battery-powered watches.

Innovation Solution

A watch head design allowing assembly from the top and disassembly/reassembly from the bottom, utilizing a pre-assembled case with a reversible fastening mechanism, such as a bayonet connection, enabling the watch to be turned over for easy access to internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If assembly and disassembly are performed from the same direction (top or bottom), then the design is simple and straightforward, but flexibility is limited and access to internal components like batteries is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of assembly and disassembly directionsVSAvoidcomplexity of watch head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The watch head is divided into separable components: a case, a back, and a movement assembly. The back can be detached from the case, allowing disassembly from the bottom while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This segmentation enables flexible access to internal components without requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by enabling disassembly from the bottom (back side) rather than only from the top. The back is designed with reversible fastening means that allow it to be removed from the bottom, providing flexible access to the movement and battery while maintaining design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the battery is placed in a battery compartment at the back, then access is easy during disassembly, but the design lacks innovation and flexibility for secure internal mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of battery accessVSAvoiddesign flexibility for battery mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is integrated directly into the movement assembly rather than being housed in a separate battery compartment. This merging of the battery with the movement allows the battery to be securely mounted inside the watch head while still being accessible when the back is removed, eliminating the need for a dedicated battery compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery is pre-positioned and secured within the movement assembly during manufacturing. This preliminary securing of the battery allows for easy access during disassembly (by removing the back) while maintaining secure internal mounting, without requiring a separate battery compartment design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If the middle is made small to accommodate only essential components, then the watch head is compact, but the dial and movement cannot be properly housed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of the middleVSAvoidease of assembling dial and movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movement and dial are nested within the middle in a space-efficient arrangement. The movement is positioned on the movement rest at the bottom of the middle, and the dial is mounted on the movement, creating a compact nested structure that fits within the limited volume of the middle while allowing proper assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The design utilizes the vertical dimension of the middle effectively. The movement rest is mounted flush with the lower face of the middle, allowing the movement to be positioned at the bottom and the dial to extend upward, maximizing the use of available space while maintaining ease of assembly from the bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260072408A1Watch head configured for assembly and disassembly in opposite directions

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

A watch head (1) which can be assembled from the top and disassembled from the bottom, the watch head (1), including: a case (2) having a middle (3) delimiting an inner bed (3a), the back (4) fitted with reversible fastener on the middle (3) and a movement rest (5) mounted flush with a lower face on the middle (3); a movement (7) mounted on the movement rest (5) within the pre-assembled case (2); a dial (8) mounted on the movement (5); and a glass (10) closing the pre-assembled case (2) at the end opposite to the back (4). The dial (8) and the movement (7) have dimensions less than or equal to the dimensions of the bed (3a) inside the middle (3) so that the middle (3) can be traversed from above and from below.