Watch Indexed Hinge Compact Elastic Rod Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watch hinges with ball-type pawls are bulky and aesthetically detrimental, requiring large boxes to house the pawl, which compromises the design of timepieces.
Innovation Solution
A compact indexing system using a rod with an elastic member, such as a clip spring, interposed between parts of the hinge, allowing for indexed positions without the need for bulky components, enabling rotation along an axis while maintaining aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball-type pawl is used for indexing in the hinge, then the indexing function is achieved, but the hinge becomes bulky and aesthetically detrimental
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing mechanism is segmented into two parts: a rod with cavities in one hinge component and corresponding cavities in the other component. The elastic member is segmented into multiple elastic branches that can be independently deformed. This segmentation allows the indexing function to be distributed across multiple small features rather than requiring a single large ball pawl mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member with its multiple elastic branches is nested within the cavities of the rod and the other hinge component. The elastic branches nest into the cavities when the hinge is between indexed positions, and are contained within the housing formed by cooperating cavities when indexed. This nesting arrangement achieves indexing functionality within a compact volume.
2Reliability
If a ball-type pawl is used for indexing, then the hinge can stabilize positions, but it requires a sufficiently bulky box to house the pawl
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a uniformly bulky box to accommodate a large ball pawl, the invention uses local features: small cavities in the rod and corresponding cavities in the other hinge component. These local cavities are much smaller than a ball pawl housing, allowing the box to maintain its aesthetic design while still achieving position stabilization through the elastic member engaging these localized features.
3Shape
If a compact indexing system is used, then aesthetics are maintained, but the mechanism must be simpler and less cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single elastic member: it provides the indexing action through its elastic branches engaging the cavities, provides the spring force to maintain engagement, and provides the detent action to stabilize indexed positions. This merging of functions into one component achieves compact aesthetics while actually reducing overall mechanism complexity compared to separate spring, pawl, and housing components.
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
The solution provides a simple, aesthetically pleasing, and compact indexing mechanism that stabilizes the relative positions of the watch case and articulated elements, allowing for smooth operation between predefined positions without affecting the watch's design.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member interposed between said parts and carried by one of them... the elastic member is arranged so as to be in the rest position in a housing formed by the cooperation of the cavities of the first and second parts, when the hinge is in an indexed position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a watch comprising a case (10) housing a watch movement, and an element (12) articulated to the case by means of a hinge with indexed positions, said hinge defining an axis of rotation and comprising: - a first part (14) integral with the case (10), and - a second part (20) integral with the element (12), said parts being rotatable relative to each other about the axis of rotation of the hinge. According to the invention, one of the parts comprises a rod (18) disposed along said axis and in that the other part is engaged on said rod (18).To define these indexed positions, the hinge further comprises an elastic element (30) interposed between said parts and carried by one of them, the first part (14) comprising first cavities and the second part (20) comprising second cavities, said first and second cavities being arranged so as to cooperate with each other in such a way as to form a housing when they are positioned opposite each other. The elastic element (30) is arranged so as to: - be in a rest position in a housing formed by the cooperation of the cavities of the first (14) and second (20) parts, when the hinge is in an indexed position, - be constrained in a housing formed by the cavities of only one of the first and second parts, when the hinge is between two indexed positions.