Watch Crystal Press With Adjustable Jaws for Universal Case Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watchmaking tools require multiple removable supports of different dimensions to accommodate various watch case sizes, leading to complexity and inefficiency in driving a watch bezel or crystal into the case middle.

Innovation Solution

A press with a single support that uses movable jaws and a resilient member to securely hold the watch case middle in position, allowing the bezel or crystal to be driven in regardless of size, through a mechanism of adjustable radial dimensions and kinematic connections enabling clamping forces without damaging the case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple removable supports of different dimensions are used to accommodate various watch case sizes, then the press can handle different watch sizes, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different watch case sizesVSAvoidnumber of different supports required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is designed with movable jaws that can adjust their position along rectilinear grooves, allowing a single support structure to accommodate multiple watch case sizes. The jaws can be positioned at different locations depending on the size of the watch case middle, making the support universal rather than requiring multiple specialized supports for different sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the jaws can move along the rectilinear grooves. This mobility allows the support to adapt its configuration to match different watch case dimensions, enabling one support to replace multiple fixed-size supports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple removable supports are used, then different watch sizes can be accommodated, but the storage and management of multiple supports becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various watch case dimensionsVSAvoidtime required to select and change supports

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A single support structure with movable jaws serves multiple watch case sizes, eliminating the need to store and select from multiple different supports. The user simply adjusts the jaw positions on the same support rather than changing entire support components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable jaws are pre-positioned along the rectilinear grooves at various possible locations, allowing quick selection and adjustment to the appropriate position for the specific watch case size without requiring complex setup or support changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single support is used with movable jaws, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism for adjusting jaw positions must be designed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of support componentsVSAvoidmechanism design for jaw adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into discrete components: the base with rectilinear grooves, the movable jaws, and the connecting member with helical grooves. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, simplifying production despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The helical grooves in the connecting member provide a curved, self-guiding path for jaw movement. This geometric feature simplifies the adjustment mechanism by using the groove geometry itself to guide and constrain jaw motion, eliminating the need for additional guides or complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 quick and simple driving of bezels or crystals into watch case middles of any size using a single support, eliminating the need for multiple supports and simplifying storage and use, while ensuring stability and precise positioning.

Implementation Method 1

each jaw being movable in a plane P orthogonal to the axis A-A... the jaws are designed to bear against an internal surface of the middle and tend to move away from each other, i.e. from the axis A-A, when solicited by a resilient member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240126213A1Press for driving in a bezel or crystal of a watch

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 OMEGA SA

AI summary

A press for driving a crystal or a bezel into a watch case middle, including a support designed to hold the middle in position, and a bracket supporting a tool-holder to which a tool is attached, the tool-holder being movable in translation and cooperating with a handling member so as to slide relative to the bracket along an axis A-A when solicited by the handling member, the support including at least two jaws intended to cooperate with the middle so as to ensure that it is held in position, each jaw being movable in a plane P orthogonal to the axis A-A.