Parts and methods of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a part that can express various textures through decoration formed by laser beams and a manufacturing method thereof. The part of the present invention is a part obtained by laser beam processing a decorative area on the surface, and has a plurality of types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, which are composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction, and the extending direction of the grooves is different for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component and a method for manufacturing the component. Background Art

[0002] Various parts that make up a watch are decorated. In the past, paint and plating were used for decoration, but such decoration has problems such as paint peeling and chipping. Therefore, in recent years, the use of laser beams to decorate the surface of parts has emerged.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of drawing a decorative pattern consisting of multiple lines by irradiating a laser beam onto the surface of a part such as an inner block or an outer block of a watch band. According to the method described in Patent Document 1, a pattern close to the texture of a hairline pattern can be drawn on the surface of the part.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-195979 Summary of the invention

[0007] In the above-mentioned drawing method using a laser beam, the industry is seeking to implement decoration with more diverse textures.

[0008] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a part that can express various textures through decoration formed by a laser beam and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0009] The manufacturing method of the present invention is a manufacturing method for a part having a decorative area on the surface and obtained by performing laser beam processing on the decorative area, which is characterized in that it includes irradiating the laser beam in a manner to form a plurality of types of decorative patterns consisting of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction in the decorative area, and the extension direction of the grooves is different for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns.

[0010] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferred that the outer shapes of the plurality of types of decorative patterns are different from each other.

[0011] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that any one of the plurality of types of decorative patterns overlaps with another type of decorative pattern.

[0012] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the angle difference in the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more.

[0013] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferred that the angle difference in the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is an integral multiple of an angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns.

[0014] The part of the present invention is a part obtained by performing laser beam processing on the decorative area of ​​the surface, and is characterized in that it has multiple types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area and composed of multiple grooves extending in the same direction, and the extension direction of the grooves is different for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns.

[0015] The parts and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention can express various textures through decoration formed by laser beams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the strap 1.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a partially enlarged stereoscopic image of the strap 1.

[0018] Figure 3 A diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern.

[0019] Figure 4 A diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of the groove.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a laser processing device 7 .

[0022] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of decoration processing.

[0023] Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but covers the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a watch band 1 according to an embodiment. The watch band 1 is a member that allows a watch to be worn on a wrist by connecting both ends of the watch body. The watch band 1 has a middle piece 2, an outer piece 3, a shaft member 4, a buckle 5, and a pair of end pieces 6a and 6b.

[0026] A plurality of middle blocks 2 are arranged along the extension direction of the strap 1. A plurality of outer blocks 3 are arranged along the extension direction of the strap 1 in a manner that the middle block 2 is clamped from both sides in the width direction of the strap 1. The middle block 2 and the outer block 3 each have a through hole that penetrates the member in the width direction near both ends in the extension direction of the strap 1. The shaft member 4 is inserted into the through hole of the middle block 2 and the through holes of the outer blocks 3 on both sides thereof, thereby connecting the middle block 2 to the outer blocks 3 on both sides thereof. At this time, the middle block 2 and the outer blocks 3 on both sides thereof are connected in a manner that is staggered in the extension direction of the strap 1, thereby connecting a plurality of middle blocks 2 and outer blocks 3. The middle block 2 and the outer block 3 are formed of titanium, but may also be formed of other metals, or may be formed of synthetic resins such as urethane resins, acrylic resins, and polycarbonate.

[0027] The buckle 5 is a metal member that connects the band 1 connected to the 12 o'clock side of the watch body and the band 1 connected to the 6 o'clock side. The end pieces 6a and 6b are metal members that connect the band 1 to the watch body.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged stereoscopic image of the vicinity of the middle block 2 of the watch band 1. The middle block 2 has a first middle block surface 2a, a second middle block surface 2b, and a third middle block surface 2c. The first middle block surface 2a is a surface extending approximately parallel to the extension direction of the watch band 1 on the front side of the watch band 1. The second middle block surface 2b is a surface extending obliquely relative to the first middle block surface 2a from one side of the first middle block surface 2a that is orthogonal to the extension direction of the watch band 1. The third middle block surface 2c is a surface extending obliquely relative to the first middle block surface 2a from the other side of the first middle block surface 2a that is orthogonal to the extension direction of the watch band 1.

[0029] The outer block 3 has a first outer block surface 3a, a second outer block surface 3b and a third outer block surface 3c. The first outer block surface 3a is a surface extending on the surface side of the watch band 1 substantially parallel to the extension direction of the watch band 1. The second outer block surface 3b is a surface extending obliquely relative to the first outer block surface 3a from one side of the first outer block surface 3a orthogonal to the extension direction of the watch band 1. The third outer block surface 3c is a surface extending obliquely relative to the first outer block surface 3a from the other side of the first outer block surface 3a orthogonal to the extension direction of the watch band 1.

[0030] The first middle block surface 2a is a decorative area to be processed by laser beam. A plurality of types of decorative patterns are formed on the first middle block surface 2a.

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern formed on the first middle block surface 2a. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, a first decorative pattern 100 , a second decorative pattern 200 , and a third decorative pattern 300 of a jungle style are formed so as to overlap each other. Figure 4It is surrounded by a solid white line for easy viewing. Figure 3 The first decorative pattern 100 is shown in the figure, the second decorative pattern 200 is surrounded by a white dotted line, and the third decorative pattern 300 is surrounded by a white dotted line. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first decorative pattern 100 , the second decorative pattern 200 , and the third decorative pattern 300 have different outer shapes.

[0032] Each of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 is composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction. The plurality of grooves are arranged at a fine interval (for example, an interval of 60 μm to 120 μm), so that the area where the decorative pattern is formed looks like a printed area. Furthermore, the so-called same direction is not limited to the strictly same situation. The plurality of grooves may extend in different directions within the manufacturing error range (for example, within the range of ±1 degree).

[0033] The extending direction of the grooves is different for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the extending direction of the plurality of grooves of the first decorative pattern 100 is direction D1, the extending direction of the plurality of grooves of the second decorative pattern 200 is direction D2 orthogonal to direction D1, and the extending direction of the plurality of grooves of the third decorative pattern 300 is direction D3 between directions D1 and D2. Since the extending direction of the grooves differs for each type of decorative pattern, the texture of each type of decorative pattern looks like printing with different colors. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, a plurality of types of decorative patterns each having a jungle-like appearance appear as if printed in mutually different colors, and as a result, a jungle camouflage-like texture is exhibited as a whole.

[0034] Figure 5 Schematic diagram for explaining the shape of the groove. Each of the plurality of grooves C formed on the first middle block surface 2a is formed by sequentially irradiating the first middle block surface 2a with a laser beam while slowly moving the irradiation position of the laser having a circular irradiation surface along each of a plurality of straight lines L extending in the same direction. As a result, the groove C has a shape formed by connecting a plurality of concave portions, such as a scale shape when viewed from above. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , a straight line L indicates the extending direction of the groove. The width of each recess (that is, the diameter D of the irradiation surface of the laser light) is, for example, 40 μm.

[0035] Figure 61 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic structure of a laser processing device 7 for processing the first middle block surface 2a. The laser processing device 7 includes a laser irradiation device 71, a processing table 72, and a control terminal 8. The laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 are connected to the control terminal 8 via a network 9 such as the Internet or an intranet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0036] The laser irradiation device 71 is a device for irradiating the first middle block surface 2a with a laser beam. The laser irradiation device 71 has a laser oscillator such as a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser that generates a laser beam, a galvanometer that reflects the laser beam to an arbitrary position on a specified horizontal plane, and a focusing lens that converges the reflected laser beam for irradiation. The galvanometer determines the position to reflect the laser beam (that is, the irradiation position of the laser beam on the first middle block surface 2a) based on the irradiation control signal received via the network 9. Thus, the laser irradiation device 71 can irradiate the laser beam in a manner of forming a plurality of grooves extending in a specified direction.

[0037] The processing table 72 has a flat plate-shaped placement surface that is arranged within the irradiation range of the laser irradiation device 71 and on which the intermediate block 2 can be placed.

[0038] The control terminal 8 is an information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server. The control terminal 8 sends a control signal to the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 via the network 9. The control terminal 8 includes a storage unit 81, a communication unit 82, and a processing unit 83.

[0039] The storage unit 81 is a structure for storing data and programs, and is provided with a semiconductor memory, for example. The storage unit 81 stores operating system programs, drivers, applications, data, etc. used for processing by the processing unit 83. The storage unit 81 stores data of the decorative pattern to be formed in the decorative area in the form of data. The data of the decorative pattern includes information indicating the shape of the outer shape of the decorative pattern formed on the first middle block surface 2a, the extending direction of the grooves, and the interval between the grooves. The data of the decorative pattern may also include information such as the diameter of the laser irradiation surface.

[0040] The communication unit 82 is a structure for enabling the control terminal 8 to communicate with the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72, and has a communication interface circuit. The communication interface circuit equipped in the communication unit 82 is a communication interface circuit such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 82 sends the data supplied from the processing unit 83 to the laser irradiation device 71.

[0041] The processing unit 83 is a structure that performs overall control of the operation of the control terminal 8, and includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The processing unit 83 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The processing unit 83 controls the operation of each component of the control terminal 8 according to the program stored in the storage unit 81, so that various processes of the control terminal 8 are properly executed, and executes various processes.

[0042] The processing unit 83 includes an acquisition unit 831, an irradiation control unit 832, and a determination unit 833 as functional blocks. These functional blocks are functional modules implemented by programs executed by the processing unit 83. These units can be implemented in the control terminal 8 in the form of firmware.

[0043] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of decorating the first middle block surface 2a by the laser processing device 7. The decorating process is performed in a state where the middle block 2 that has not been processed is placed on the processing table 72. In addition, the storage unit 81 stores in advance a plurality of types of decorative patterns to be applied to the middle block 2 (e.g., Figure 3 The data of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 shown in FIG.

[0044] First, the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of a decorative pattern ( S11 ). The acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any one type of decorative pattern among data of a plurality of types of decorative patterns stored in the storage unit 81 .

[0045] Then, the irradiation control unit 832 irradiates the laser beam in a manner that forms a decorative pattern consisting of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction on the first middle block surface 2a (S12). The irradiation control unit 832 generates an irradiation control signal based on the acquired decorative pattern data, and the irradiation control signal irradiates the laser beam in sequence while slowly moving the irradiation position along the extending direction of the grooves in a manner that forms a plurality of grooves on the first middle block surface 2a. The irradiation control unit 832 sends the generated irradiation control signal to the laser irradiation device 71 via the communication unit 82, thereby irradiating the laser beam in a manner that forms a decorative pattern.

[0046] Then, the determination unit 833 determines whether all the decorative patterns for which data are stored in the storage unit 81 have been formed (S13). When it is determined that all the decorative patterns have been formed (S13-Yes), the decoration process ends.

[0047] When it is determined that all the decorative patterns have not yet been formed (S13-No), the decoration process returns to S11, and the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any type of decorative pattern among the data of the decorative patterns that have not yet been acquired.

[0048] As described above, the middle block 2 has a plurality of decorative patterns formed on the first middle block surface 2a of the surface, each of which is composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction. In addition, the extending direction of the plurality of grooves is different for each decorative pattern. Thus, the middle block 2 can express a variety of textures through the decoration formed by the laser beam.

[0049] That is, the texture of the decorative pattern formed by the plurality of grooves differs depending on the relationship between the extending direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the direction in which the decorative pattern is observed. The middle block 2 has a plurality of decorative patterns formed by grooves extending in different directions for each decorative pattern, so that each decorative pattern has a different texture, and can express a variety of textures similar to multi-color printing.

[0050] In addition, the plurality of decorative patterns are formed in a manner overlapping other decorative patterns. Thus, the middle block 2 can make the appearance of the plurality of decorative patterns different depending on the viewing direction, and can express various textures.

[0051] That is, the degree of emphasis of the decorative pattern formed by the plurality of grooves varies depending on the relationship between the extending direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the direction in which the decorative pattern is viewed. Figure 8 As described later, when a plurality of decorative patterns are formed in an overlapping manner, if any decorative pattern appears to be emphasized, other decorative patterns overlapping with the decorative pattern are not easily visible. On the other hand, when all decorative patterns appear to be emphasized to the same degree, all decorative patterns can be seen. By forming a plurality of decorative patterns composed of grooves extending in different directions in an overlapping manner on the middle block 2, the appearance of the decorative pattern changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., thereby expressing various textures.

[0052] Figure 8 It is a figure which shows an example of the decorative pattern formed on the 1st middle block surface 2a. Figure 8 (a) is from Figure 3 Direction D1 shooting Figure 3 The figure of the first middle block surface 2a shown, Figure 8 (b) is from Figure 3 The image of the first block surface 2b is taken from the direction D2. For easy observation, Figure 8 In the figure, the outer shape of the first decorative pattern 100 is enclosed by a white solid line, but the outer shapes of the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 are not shown.

[0053] Compare Figure 8(a) and Figure 8 (b) Figure 8 In the example shown in (a), the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 appear to be emphasized to the same degree, and as a result, the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapped with the first decorative pattern 100 are relatively easy to see. Figure 8 In the example shown in (b), the first decorative pattern 100 appears to be emphasized over the other decorative patterns, and as a result, the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapped with the first decorative pattern 100 are relatively difficult to see. In this way, by forming a plurality of decorative patterns composed of grooves extending in different directions in an overlapping manner, the appearance of the decorative pattern changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., thereby expressing a variety of textures.

[0054] In the above description, the extending directions of the plurality of grooves constituting the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 have angles of 0, 45, and 90 degrees with respect to the direction D1, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. As long as the extending directions of the grooves are different for each decorative pattern, they can be set arbitrarily. However, the greater the angle difference of the extending directions of the grooves, the greater the change in appearance corresponding to the viewing direction, etc., and the more diverse the texture will be. Therefore, the angle difference of the extending directions of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is preferably 20 degrees or more.

[0055] In addition, the angle difference of the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of decorative patterns can also be set to an integer multiple of the angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns. For example, when three decorative patterns are formed, the extending directions of their grooves have angles of 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 120 degrees with respect to the prescribed direction, respectively. Thus, the changes in appearance between the decorative patterns are roughly uniform, thereby showing a variety of textures.

[0056] In the above description, three decorative patterns are formed, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The number of decorative patterns may be two or more than four. However, when the number of decorative patterns increases, the angle difference in the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of decorative patterns decreases, and therefore, the number of decorative patterns is preferably 9 or less.

[0057] In the above description, the decorative pattern is formed on the first middle block surface 2a of the middle block 2, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The decorative pattern may be formed on the second middle block surface 2b or the third middle block surface 2c, or on the first outer block surface 3a, the second outer block surface 3b or the third outer block surface 3c of the outer block 3, or on the buckle 5. The decorative pattern may also be formed on parts such as the dial, back cover or main plate of the watch that are not included in the watch band 1, or on any metal parts or resin parts other than the watch.

[0058] In the above description, the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 are jungle-style patterns, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Each decorative pattern may also be any pattern such as a block style or a pixel style.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the processing of the above-mentioned parts may also be performed in different orders as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may also be combined and implemented as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0060] Explanation of symbols

[0061] 2…Medium

[0062] 2a…1st middle block

[0063] 2b…2nd middle block

[0064] 2c…3rd middle block

[0065] 7…Laser processing equipment

[0066] 8…Control terminal

[0067] 831…Acquisition Department

[0068] 832…Irradiation control unit

[0069] 833…Judgment department.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a part having a decorative area on its surface and subjected to laser beam processing on the decorative area, characterized in that: The method includes irradiating the laser beam so as to form a plurality of types of decorative patterns consisting of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction in the decorative region. The extending direction of the groove is different for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns. The plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern, wherein the second decorative pattern is composed of grooves extending in a direction different from the grooves constituting the first decorative pattern. The first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern partially overlap each other and have different shapes. The groove has a scale-like shape in a plan view, and has a shape in which a plurality of concave portions are connected.

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of types of decorative patterns further include a third decorative pattern, the third decorative pattern being composed of grooves extending in a direction different from the grooves constituting the first decorative pattern and the grooves constituting the second decorative pattern. The decorative area includes, among the first decorative pattern, the second decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern, an area where only the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, an area where only the second decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap, and an area where only the first decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The angle difference in the extending direction of the groove between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is greater than or equal to 20 degrees.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The angle difference in the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is an integer multiple of an angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns.

5. A part, which is obtained by laser beam processing on the decorative area of ​​the surface, characterized in that: There are a plurality of types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area and consisting of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction, The extending direction of the groove is different for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns. The plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern, wherein the second decorative pattern is composed of grooves extending in a direction different from the grooves constituting the first decorative pattern. The first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern partially overlap each other and have different shapes. The groove has a scale-like shape in a plan view, and has a shape in which a plurality of concave portions are connected.

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