External decorative part of a timepiece, timepiece, and method for manufacturing the external decorative part of a timepiece

Abstract

The present invention improves the appearance of an external decorative component formed of a material that transmits visible light. The bezel (3) is formed of sapphire glass that transmits visible light, and has an opaque layer (L) that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light on the inner surface opposite to the main body shell (2), and the opaque layer (L) can be visually confirmed through the outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface. Thus, the appearance of the bezel (3) can be improved.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on application No. 2021-154080 filed in Japan on September 22, 2021, and all the contents of the basic application are incorporated into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to an exterior decorative component, a clock, and a method for manufacturing the exterior decorative component. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, as exterior decorative parts of watches and the like, there are parts made of a transparent material that transmits visible light, such as sapphire glass (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, if foreign matter such as trash is mixed into a gap between an exterior component and a component on which the exterior component is provided, the foreign matter is visually recognized through the exterior component that transmits visible light, significantly impairing the appearance.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-70939 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the appearance of an exterior decorative part formed of a material that transmits visible light.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an exterior decorative component, characterized in that:

[0012] The exterior decorative component is formed of a material that transmits visible light,

[0013] An opaque layer that reflects light included in a certain wavelength region of visible light is provided on an inner surface facing a certain member, and the opaque layer can be visually confirmed through an outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the appearance of an exterior decoration part formed of a material that transmits visible light can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a front view of the timepiece according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the clock taken along line AA.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of part B.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of section C.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the bezel which concerns on embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of the method for manufacturing a bezel according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining another bezel holding structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 7 , an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0024] In addition, in the embodiment described below, various technically preferred limitations are added in order to implement the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and the illustrated examples.

[0025] Figure 1 is a front view of the timepiece 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the timepiece 100 taken along line AA, Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of part B and part C.

[0026] In the following description, the directions of XYZ refer to the directions shown in the respective figures. That is, the X direction is the 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock direction in the analog clock, the Y direction is the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction, and the Z direction is the front-back direction of the clock 100 (main body case 2). Figure 2 In the figure, the contents contained in the main body casing 2 are omitted.

[0027] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the timepiece 100 of the present embodiment is a wristwatch worn on a user's wrist. Specifically, the timepiece 100 includes a main body case 2 and a bezel 3 .

[0028] The main body case 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the opening on the front side (visual confirmation side) is closed by a transparent windshield member 23 that transmits visible light, and the opening on the rear side is closed by a back cover 24 .

[0029] Belt attachment portions 25 to which belts (not shown) are attached are provided on both sides of the main body case 2 in the Y direction.

[0030] A timepiece module (not shown) is accommodated inside the main body case 2 .

[0031] A time display unit 26 for displaying the time is arranged on the frontmost side of the timepiece module.

[0032] In the case of an analog type, the time display unit 26 includes a dial and a plurality of hands that rotate around the center of the dial to display the time. The time display unit 26 can be visually confirmed from the front side through the windshield member 23.

[0033] Furthermore, a battery as a power source, a circuit board on which a control circuit is mounted, a movement mechanism for moving a plurality of hands, and the like are accommodated inside the timepiece module.

[0034] The bezel 3 is an example of an external decorative component of the present invention, and is formed of a material that transmits visible light, such as sapphire glass. The bezel 3 is formed into a roughly annular plate shape when viewed from the front, and is mounted on the front side of the main body shell 2. In more detail, an annular recess 21 with an L-shaped cross section is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the front side of the main body shell 2, and a central through hole divided by the inner side surface 34 of the bezel 3 described later is engaged with the fitting portion 21a (opposed portion) of the recess 21 from the front side, and a number of gaps are provided between the peripheral surface of the fitting portion 21a and the inner side surface 34 of the bezel 3, and the peripheral surface of the fitting portion 21a and the inner side surface 34 are opposed to each other. This is because, since the bezel 3 is made of sapphire glass, that is, a brittle material, when the through hole of the bezel 3 is temporarily pressed into the fitting portion 21a, the bezel 3 or the fitting portion 21a may be damaged.

[0035] In addition, hereinafter, "radial direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax of the bezel 3 along the Z direction, and "circumferential direction" refers to the direction of rotation around the central axis Ax. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "inside" and "outside" refer to the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction around the central axis Ax.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the bezel 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having an upper surface (front surface) 31, a lower surface (back surface) 32, an outer surface 33, and an inner surface 34. The ratio of the height (thickness) in the Z direction to the width in the radial direction of the cross-sectional shape is substantially 1:1. Therefore, light is easily reflected on each surface of the bezel 3, and unevenness in color tone is less likely to occur due to position.

[0037] The corner formed by the upper surface 31 and the outer side surface 33 is chamfered to form a chamfered surface (upper tapered surface) 35 .

[0038] The corner formed by the lower surface 32 and the outer surface 33 is also chamfered, and the chamfered surface (lower tapered surface) 36 has a predetermined inclination angle θ (about 30 degrees in this embodiment) relative to the lower surface 32. The inclination angle θ is preset to an angle at which, when light along the Z direction in the bezel 3 is incident on the lower tapered surface 36, the light is reflected by the lower tapered surface 36, i.e., the reflectivity (the light hardly escapes from the outside of the bezel 3). That is, the inclination angle θ is preset so that the incident angle θI of the light along the Z direction incident on the lower tapered surface 36 becomes an angle greater than a critical angle (for example, 34 degrees) determined by the refractive index of the material of the bezel 3, i.e., sapphire glass, and the refractive index of air, or becomes an angle within a certain angle range (critical angle ±5 degrees) including the critical angle. In addition, the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the Z direction. The above-mentioned angle range is set so that the lower tapered surface 36 can have a good appearance while ensuring a high reflectivity.

[0039] In addition, the entire surface of the bezel 3 is mirror-finished to a predetermined smoothness.

[0040] The upper surface 31, the outer side surface 33, and the upper tapered surface 35 of the bezel 3 are surfaces located on the outside (outside of the timepiece 100) and visually recognized. Hereinafter, the upper surface 31, the outer side surface 33, and the upper tapered surface 35 are collectively referred to as the "outer surface". On the other hand, the lower surface 32, the inner side surface 34, and the lower tapered surface 36 are surfaces located on the inside and visually recognized via the outer surfaces such as the upper surface 31 described above. Hereinafter, these lower surface 32, the inner side surface 34, and the lower tapered surface 36 are collectively referred to as the "inner surface".

[0041] On the lower surface 32, the inner side surface 34, and the lower tapered surface 36, which are the inner surfaces, an opaque layer (opaque film) L that can be visually confirmed by a person is formed over the entire surface. The opaque layer L is a layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light, and in this embodiment, it is a blue thin film. Among them, the opaque layer L1 formed on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface 36 is a vapor-deposited layer (vapor-deposited film) formed by vapor deposition, and the opaque layer L2 formed on the inner side surface 34 is a sputtered layer (sputtered film) formed by sputtering. The opaque layer L formed on the inner surface can be visually confirmed through the outer surface.

[0042] The lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 is fixed to a fixed portion of the base surface 22 (the upper surface within the recess 21) of the main body shell 2 by a strip-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both sides, wherein the adhesive layer on one surface of the double-sided tape 5 is bonded to the lower surface 32, and the adhesive layer on the other surface is bonded to the base surface 22.

[0043] The main body shell 2 has a convex portion 22a protruding in a manner opposite to the lower tapered surface 36 at a portion outside the fixed portion of the base surface 22. The convex portion 22a is formed to be about 1 / 3 of the height of the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from being mixed between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the seat surface 22 of the main body shell 2, or to prevent the fixed portion of the base surface 22 (the double-sided tape 5 that fixes the lower surface 32 and the base surface 22) from being visually confirmed from the side. In addition, the convex portion 22a is formed on a portion other than at least a portion of the circumferential direction of the base surface 22 of the main body shell 2. In this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, only a portion of the base surface 22 in the 3 o'clock direction has no convex portion 22a formed within a predetermined angle range around the central axis Ax, but is a flat portion. Therefore, a jig (not shown) can be inserted from the flat portion between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body case 2, and the double-sided tape 5 can be peeled off from the lower surface 32 or the base surface 22 to remove the bezel 3 from the main body case 2.

[0044] Next, a method for manufacturing the bezel 3 will be described.

[0045] Figure 5 2 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing the bezel 3. Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of a method for manufacturing the bezel 3 .

[0046] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when manufacturing the bezel 3, first, a transparent sapphire glass that transmits visible light as a raw material is formed into a ring shape (step S1 (processing process): Figure 5 (a) Here, after the sapphire is processed to have the final shape of each surface 31 to 36, each surface 31 to 36 is mirror-finished.

[0047] In this way, the blank (transparent) bezel 3A is produced.

[0048] Next, a blue opaque layer L1 is formed by vapor deposition on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3A after the processing step (step S2 (first surface treatment step): Figure 5 (b)).

[0049] In this way, the bezel 3B having the opaque layer (evaporated layer) L1 formed on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface 36 is manufactured.

[0050] Next, a blue opaque layer L2 is formed on the inner side surface 34 of the bezel 3B after the first surface treatment step by sputtering (step S3 (second surface treatment step): Figure 5 (c)) At this time, the lower surface 32 on which the opaque layer L1 is formed is masked in advance.

[0051] In this way, the opaque layer (sputtered layer) L2 is formed on the inner side surface 34 , and the bezel 3 is completed.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 formed of a material that transmits visible light has an opaque layer L that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in the visible light on the inner surface opposite to the main body shell 2, and the opaque layer L can be visually confirmed through the outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface.

[0053] Thus, even if foreign matter such as dust is mixed in the gap between the lower surface 32 and / or the inner surface 34 and the main body case 2, the foreign matter will not be observed from the visual confirmation side through the bezel 3. Therefore, the aesthetics of the bezel 3 can be improved compared to the conventional method of observing foreign matter from the visual confirmation side.

[0054] In addition, since the opaque layer L on the inner surface of the bezel 3 can be visually confirmed through the outer surface, the bezel 3 can be colored with depth, which can further improve the appearance of the bezel 3. In addition, in this case, by making the opaque layer L on the entire inner surface of the bezel 3 (the lower surface 32 and the inner side surface 34) a common color (blue), it is possible to obtain an appearance as if the entire bezel 3 is colored, that is, as if the bezel 3 is formed of colored sapphire.

[0055] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 has an annular shape including a through hole, and its inner surface includes an inner side surface 34 dividing the through hole and a lower surface 32 fixed to a fixed portion (base surface 22) of the main body shell 2, and the fitting portion 21a of the main body shell 2 is fitted into the through hole.

[0056] Thus, the above-mentioned effects can be appropriately obtained on the inner side surface 34 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 fitted with the main body case 2 .

[0057] According to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 has a sputtered layer as the opaque layer L on the inner surface 34 and a vapor-deposited layer on the lower surface 32 .

[0058] Thereby, the opaque layer L can be appropriately formed on each of the inner surface 34 and the lower surface 32 .

[0059] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the corner formed by the outer surface 33 of the bezel 3 and the lower surface 32 is chamfered, and the inclination angle θ of the lower conical surface 36 serving as the chamfered surface relative to the lower surface 32 is pre-set to be the angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected at a certain reflectivity on the lower conical surface 36.

[0060] Thus, when light from the front side along the Z direction is guided in the bezel 3 and incident on the lower tapered surface 36, it can be reflected at a predetermined reflectivity. In particular, when the inclination angle θ is greater than the critical angle (or in the vicinity thereof), the light is substantially totally reflected on the lower tapered surface 36. Therefore, the appearance of the bezel 3 can be further made to look like the color of the opaque layer L.

[0061] According to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 is formed of sapphire glass, and all surfaces including the inner surface and the outer surface are mirror-finished.

[0062] For brittle materials such as sapphire, cracks may occur on a surface with unevenness such as pear skin. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, by mirror-finishing the entire surface of the bezel 3 to a predetermined smoothness, the generation of cracks can be suppressed and the strength can be improved. In addition, the appearance can be further improved. In addition, since the strength of the bezel 3 is improved, it is easier to manufacture than in the past where the bezel is arranged inside other components (see Figure 7 ), it can be configured so that more of the surface is exposed to the outside of the timepiece 100.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 on the side opposite to the visual confirmation side is fixed to the main body case 2 by the tape-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both surfaces.

[0064] This allows the bezel 3 to be fixed to the main body case 2 with sufficient adhesive strength. Also, unlike the case of fixing with an adhesive, the liquid agent does not protrude from the fixing portion, and the two can be separated relatively easily.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, a chamfered surface (lower tapered surface 36) connected to the lower surface 32 and the outer side surface 33 is provided at a portion outside the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3, and the main body case 2 has a convex portion 22a protrudingly provided so as to face the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3 in at least a portion of the base surface 22 outside the fixed portion to which the bezel 3 is fixed. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from being mixed between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body case 2, or prevents the fixed portion from being visually confirmed from the side.

[0066] Furthermore, the convex portion 22a is not formed in the entire portion outside the fixed portion of the main body case 2, but is formed in a portion other than at least a portion in the circumferential direction. Thus, a jig (not shown) can be inserted from a portion of the base surface 22 between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body case 2, and the double-sided tape 5 can be peeled off to remove the bezel 3 from the main body case 2.

[0067] That is, for example Figure 7As shown, in a structure where the bezel is dropped into a recess of the main body case (or other external decorative parts) and fitted therein, and fixed to the main body case by an adhesive, it is difficult to separate the bezel from the main body case, based on the fact that the visual confirmation direction is only one direction of the front side. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 can also be visually confirmed from the side (outer diameter side), and can be firmly fixed and can also be separated. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the above-mentioned clamp can be easily inserted through the chamfered surface (lower tapered surface 36).

[0068] In addition, it is needless to say that the embodiment to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the lower surface 32, the outer side surface 33, and the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3 are non-visually confirmed side surfaces having the opaque layer L, but the non-visually confirmed side surfaces are not limited thereto, as long as there is at least one. For example, the bezel may also have no chamfered surface 36 (no chamfering).

[0070] In addition, the shape of the bezel 3 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an arc shape instead of a ring shape including a through hole. The material of the bezel 3 is also not limited to sapphire glass, as long as it is a material that transmits visible light. In addition, depending on the material of the bezel 3, it may be fixed by other appropriate fixing methods such as bonding instead of using double-sided tape.

[0071] In addition, the main body case 2 may not include the convex portion 22 a .

[0072] The color of the opaque layer L may be a color other than blue. When a plurality of opaque layers L are formed corresponding to a plurality of non-visually-confirmed side surfaces, the colors may not be completely the same, but may be similar colors to each other.

[0073] In addition, the method of forming the opaque layer L is not limited to sputtering and vapor deposition.

[0074] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the time display unit is an analog time display unit, but it may be a digital time display unit, or two time display units of both an analog time display unit and a digital time display unit may be provided.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the case where the exterior decoration component of the present invention is a watch is described as an example. However, the exterior decoration component of the present invention is not limited to a component included in a watch, and is particularly suitable for use in an exterior using a transparent material.

[0076] As mentioned above, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. An external decorative component of a watch, characterized in that: The exterior decorative component is formed of a material that transmits visible light, An opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength region of visible light is provided on an inner surface opposite to the housing, and the opaque layer can be visually confirmed through an outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface. The inner surface includes: an inner side surface, which is opposite to the opposed portion of the housing; and a lower surface, which is fixed to a fixing portion different from the opposed portion of the housing, The opaque layer has a sputtered layer on the inner side surface and a vapor-deposited layer on the lower surface.

2. The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface includes an outer side surface and an upper surface, The inner surface includes a lower surface of a fixed portion fixed to the housing, A chamfered surface is provided at a corner formed by the outer side surface and the lower surface, The opaque layer is provided on the chamfered surface, The inclination angle of the chamfered surface with respect to the lower surface is set in advance to an angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the chamfered surface at a certain reflectivity.

3. The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exterior decorative component has a ring shape including a through hole, The inner surface includes an inner side surface that divides the through hole and a lower surface of a fixed portion fixed to the housing, The opposed portion of the housing is fitted into the through hole, and the inner side surface is opposed to the opposed portion.

4. The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The material is sapphire glass.

5. The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: All surfaces including the inner surface and the outer surface are mirror-finished.

6. The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that: All surfaces including the inner surface and the outer surface are mirror-finished.

7. A timepiece, characterized in that: have: The exterior decoration component of a timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and The housing that houses the time display unit.

8. The timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that The housing has the fixing portion, and the lower surface of the exterior decoration member is fixed to the fixing portion by a belt-shaped member. The belt-shaped member has adhesive layers on one surface and the other surface, the adhesive layer on the one surface is bonded to the lower surface of the exterior member, and the adhesive layer on the other surface is bonded to the fixing portion.

9. The timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that The outer surface of the exterior decorative component includes an outer side surface, The outer decorative component has a chamfered surface connected to the lower surface and the outer side surface at a portion outside the lower surface. The housing has a convex portion protrudingly provided so as to face the chamfered surface at least in a portion outside the fixing portion of the lower surface to which the exterior member is fixed.

10. A method for manufacturing an exterior decorative component of a watch, characterized in that: have: a processing step of forming the material that transmits visible light into a ring shape; a first surface treatment step of forming an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light on the lower surface of the material formed into a ring shape by the processing step by vapor deposition; as well as A second surface treatment step is to form the opaque layer by sputtering on the inner side surface of the material having the opaque layer formed on the lower surface by the first surface treatment step.

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