Watch Winder Support With Folding Wings for Wide Size Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch supports for winders are limited in their ability to accommodate a broad range of watch sizes, as they either cannot contract sufficiently for child-sized watches or expand enough for adult-sized watches, due to their single-axis adjustable design and limited grip points.
Innovation Solution
A watch support with a pair of movable wings that adjust between extended and folded positions, allowing for two-axis expansion and contraction, and additional grip points, along with a removable shoe for size adjustment, enabling secure fitting of various watch sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a watch support is designed with fixed expansion and contraction range, then it can grip watches of a specific size range, but it cannot accommodate watches of different sizes (e.g., child's watch vs. adult's watch)
Solution Approach 1:
The watch support is divided into an upper part and a lower part that can move relative to each other along the compression axis. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the distance between the parts, enabling the support to accommodate different watch sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The watch support transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the upper part can move relative to the lower part. This dynamic capability allows the support to adjust its grip range to match different watch sizes, improving versatility without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a watch support bears against the watch at only two locations, then the structure remains simple, but the grip on the watch is insufficient for secure holding
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surfaces are segmented into multiple locations: the upper part provides a first bearing surface, the lower part provides a second bearing surface, and each wing provides additional bearing surfaces. This segmentation of contact points improves grip security without requiring a completely complex new structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings combine the functions of structural support and additional bearing surfaces. By integrating the wings into the existing upper part structure, the patent achieves multiple grip points without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If both hands are needed to adjust the watch support between expanded and contracted orientations, then the adjustment mechanism remains simple, but the ease of operation is reduced as the other hand cannot hold the watch
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism merges the movement of the wings with the movement of the upper and lower parts. As the user compresses the support along the compression axis, both the distance between parts and the wing positions are adjusted simultaneously through the coordinated action of the biasing means and connection means, enabling one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts itself automatically during compression. The connection means and biasing means work together to automatically coordinate the wing folding and part movement, eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment of each component and enabling ease of operation with one hand.
Data Source
AI summary
A watch support suitable for use with a watch winder. A watch support comprises an upper part operatively connected to a lower part for movement between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation, and biasing means for biasing the upper and lower parts into the expanded orientation. The upper part comprises a pair of adjustable wings that are moveable relative to the upper part between an extended position and a folded position, wherein each wing is operatively connected to the lower part such that movement of the two parts into a contracted orientation effects movement of the wings into a folded position and movement of the two parts into an expanded orientation effects movement of the wings into an extended position.