Timepiece exterior member, timepiece, and method for manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention improves the appearance of an exterior decoration member formed from a visible light-transmitting material. The bezel (3) is formed of sapphire glass that transmits visible light, and has an opaque layer (L) that reflects light included in a certain wavelength region of the visible light on an inner surface facing the main body case (2), and the opaque layer (L) can be visually confirmed through an outer surface on the opposite side from the inner surface. Therefore, the appearance of the bezel (3) can be improved.

Description

[0001] This patent application for invention is a divisional application of the patent application with the application number 202211101388.5 and the invention-creation name "External decorative component, clock, and manufacturing method of external decorative component".

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-154080 filed on September 22, 2021, and incorporates the entire content of the base application into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an external decorative component, a clock, and a manufacturing method of an external decorative component. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, as an external decorative component for a clock or the like, there is a component using a transparent material that transmits visible light such as sapphire glass (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0005] However, if foreign substances such as dust are mixed in the gap between the external decorative component and a certain component provided with the external decorative component, the foreign substances can be visually confirmed through the external decorative component that transmits visible light, significantly impairing the aesthetics.

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-70939 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the appearance of an external decorative component formed of a material that transmits visible light.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an external decorative component, characterized in that

[0013] the external decorative component is formed of a certain material that transmits visible light,

[0014] an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light is provided on the inner surface facing a certain component, and the opaque layer can be visually confirmed through the outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the appearance of an external decorative component formed of a material that transmits visible light. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 is the front view of the clock in the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the clock at the A-A line of

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged view of part B of

[0020] Figure 4 is Figure 2 an enlarged view of part C of

[0021] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method of the bezel in the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the manufacturing method of the bezel in the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining another bezel holding structure. Detailed Embodiment

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 , an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0025] In addition, in the embodiments described below, various technically preferred limitations are added for implementing the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0026] Figure 1 is the front view of the clock 100 in the present embodiment, Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the clock 100 at the A-A line of Figure 3 and Figure 4 is Figure 2 an enlarged view of part B and part C of

[0027] In addition, in the following description, the XYZ directions refer to the orientations shown in the respective figures. That is, the X direction is the 3 o'clock - 9 o'clock direction in an analog clock, the Y direction is the 12 o'clock - 6 o'clock direction, and the Z direction is the front - back direction of the clock 100 (main body housing 2). In addition, in Figure 2 , the illustration of the contents accommodated in the main body housing 2 is omitted.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the clock 100 of the present embodiment is a wristwatch worn on the user's wrist. Specifically, the clock 100 includes a main body case 2 and a bezel 3.

[0029] The main body case 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the opening on the front side (the side for visual confirmation) is closed by a transparent windproof member 23 that transmits visible light, and the opening on the back side is closed by a back cover 24.

[0030] At both side portions of the main body case 2 in the Y direction, there are provided band mounting portions 25 to which bands (not shown) are mounted.

[0031] Inside the main body case 2, a clock module (not shown) is housed.

[0032] At the very front side of the clock module, a time display portion 26 for displaying the time is arranged.

[0033] In the case of an analog type, the time display portion 26 includes a dial and a plurality of hands that rotate around the center on the dial to display the time. The time display portion 26 can be visually confirmed from the front side through the windproof member 23.

[0034] In addition, inside the clock module, a battery as a power supply portion, a circuit board on which a control circuit is mounted, a movement mechanism for driving the plurality of hands to move, and the like are housed.

[0035] The bezel 3 is an example of the external decorative member of the present invention and is formed of a certain material that transmits visible light, such as sapphire glass. The bezel 3 is formed in a substantially circular ring plate shape when viewed from the front and is mounted on the front side of the main body case 2. More specifically, on the outer peripheral surface side of the front side of the main body case 2, a ring-shaped concave portion 21 having an L-shaped cross section is formed, and a central through hole defined by an inner side surface 34 (to be described later) of the bezel 3 is fitted into a fitting portion 21a (the opposed portion) of the concave portion 21 from the front side. A plurality 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 face each other. This is because, since the bezel 3 is made of sapphire glass, which is a brittle material, when the through hole of the bezel 3 is temporarily press-fitted into the fitting portion 21a, the bezel 3 or the fitting portion 21a may be damaged.

[0036] In addition, hereinafter, the "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax of the bezel 3 along the Z direction, and the "circumferential direction" refers to a rotational direction centered on the central axis Ax. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction centered on the central axis Ax.

[0037] As Figure 3As shown, the bezel 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having an upper surface (the surface on the front side) 31, a lower surface (the surface on the back side) 32, an outer side surface 33, and an inner side surface 34. The ratio of the height (thickness) in the Z direction to the width in the radial direction of this cross-sectional shape is approximately 1:1. Therefore, light is likely to be reflected on each surface of the bezel 3, and unevenness in hue due to position is less likely to occur.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The corner formed by the lower surface 32 and the outer side surface 33 is also chamfered, and its chamfered surface (lower tapered surface) 36 has a predetermined inclination angle θ (about 30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the lower surface 32. The inclination angle θ is preset such that when light incident in the Z direction within the bezel 3 hits the lower tapered surface 36, it is reflected by the lower tapered surface 36, i.e., the reflectance (the light hardly escapes outside the bezel 3). That is, the inclination angle θ is preset so that the incident angle θI of the light incident in the Z direction on the lower tapered surface 36 becomes an angle equal to or greater than the critical angle (e.g., 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 an angle within a certain angular 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 angular range is set to obtain good appearance of the lower tapered surface 36 while ensuring high reflectance of the lower tapered surface 36.

[0040] In addition, all surfaces of the bezel 3 are mirror-finished to a predetermined smoothness.

[0041] Among the surfaces of the bezel 3, the upper surface 31, the outer side surface 33, and the upper tapered surface 35 are the surfaces on the outer side (the outer side of the timepiece 100) that can be visually confirmed. 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 the surfaces on the inner side that can be visually confirmed through the outer surfaces such as the upper surface 31. Hereinafter, these lower surface 32, inner side surface 34, and lower tapered surface 36 are collectively referred to as the "inner surface".

[0042] An opaque layer (opaque film) L that can be visually confirmed by a person is formed over the entire surface of the lower surface 32, the inner side surface 34, and the lower tapered surface 36, which are the inner surfaces. The opaque layer L is a layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light, and is a blue thin film in this embodiment. Among them, the opaque layer L1 formed on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface 36 is an evaporated layer (evaporated film) formed by evaporation, 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.

[0043] The lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 is fixed to the fixing portion of the base surface 22 (the upper surface within the recess 21) of the main body case 2 by a strip-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both sides. The adhesive layer on one surface of the double-sided tape 5 is adhered to the lower surface 32, and the adhesive layer on the other surface is adhered to the base surface 22.

[0044] On a portion of the main body case 2 outside the fixing portion of the base surface 22, a convex portion 22a is provided so as to protrude in a manner opposed to the lower conical surface 36. The convex portion 22a is formed to have a height of about 1 / 3 of the lower conical surface 36 of the bezel 3, preventing foreign matters such as dust from entering between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the seat surface 22 of the main body case 2, or visually confirming the fixing portion of the base surface 22 (the double-sided tape 5 fixing the lower surface 32 and the base surface 22) from the side. In addition, the convex portion 22a is formed on a portion other than at least a circumferential part of the base surface 22 of the main body case 2. In the present embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, only a part of the base surface 22 in the 3 o'clock direction does not form the convex portion 22a but is a flat portion within a specified angular range around the central axis Ax. Therefore, a jig (not shown) can be inserted between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body case 2 from this flat portion, 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.

[0045] Next, a method for manufacturing the bezel 3 will be described.

[0046] Figure 5 is a view for explaining the manufacturing method of the bezel 3, Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the manufacturing method of the bezel 3.

[0047] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 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 step): 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.

[0048] In this way, a bezel 3A in a blank state (transparent) is manufactured.

[0049] Next, for the lower surface 32 and the lower conical surface 36 of the bezel 3A after the processing step, an opaque blue layer L1 is formed by vapor deposition (step S2 (first surface treatment step): Figure 5 (b)).

[0050] In this way, a bezel 3B having an opaque layer (vapor deposition layer) L1 formed on the lower surface 32 and the lower conical surface 36 is manufactured.

[0051] Next, an opaque layer L2 of blue color is formed on the inner side surface 34 of the bezel 3B after the first surface treatment process by sputtering (Step S3 (second surface treatment process): Figure 5 (c)). At this time, the lower surface 32 on which the opaque layer L1 is formed is shielded in advance.

[0052] In this way, an opaque layer (sputtering layer) L2 is formed on the inner side surface 34, and thus the bezel 3 is completed.

[0053] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 formed of a material that transmits visible light has an opaque layer L on the inner surface facing the main body case 2 that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light, and the opaque layer L can be visually confirmed through the outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface.

[0054] Accordingly, for example, even in the case where foreign matters such as dust are mixed in the gap between the lower surface 32 and / or the inner side surface 34 and the main body case 2, the foreign matters cannot be observed from the visual confirmation side through the bezel 3. Therefore, compared with the case where foreign matters are observed from the visual confirmation side in the past, the aesthetic appearance of the bezel 3 can be improved.

[0055] 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, and the appearance of the bezel 3 can be improved better. Further, in this case, by making the opaque layer L on the entire inner surface (the lower surface 32 and the inner side surface 34) of the bezel 3 the same color (blue), an appearance can be obtained as if the entire bezel 3 is colored, that is, as if the bezel 3 is formed of colored sapphire.

[0056] 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 that divides the through hole and a lower surface 32 that is fixed to the fixing portion (base surface 22) of the main body case 2, and the fitting portion 21a of the main body case 2 is fitted into the through hole.

[0057] Accordingly, the above-described effects can be appropriately obtained for the inner side surface 34 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 fitted to the main body case 2.

[0058] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the bezel 3 has a sputtering layer on the inner side surface 34 as the opaque layer L and a vapor deposition layer on the lower surface 32.

[0059] Accordingly, the opaque layer L can be appropriately formed on the inner side surface 34 and the lower surface 32, respectively.

[0060] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the corner formed by the outer side surface 33 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 is chamfered, and the inclination angle θ formed by the lower conical surface 36, which is the chamfered surface, with respect to the lower surface 32 is preset to the angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the lower conical surface 36 at a certain reflectance.

[0061] Thereby, when the light traveling along the Z direction from the front side is guided within the bezel 3 and incident on the lower conical surface 36, it can be reflected at a specified reflectance. In particular, when the inclination angle θ is equal to or greater than the critical angle (or near it), this light is substantially totally reflected on the lower conical surface 36. Therefore, the appearance of the bezel 3 can be further made to look like the color of the opaque layer L.

[0062] In addition, 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.

[0063] For brittle materials such as sapphire, cracks may occur on a surface with irregularities such as a pear-skin-like surface. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, by mirror-finishing all surfaces of the bezel 3 to a specified smoothness, the generation of cracks can be suppressed and the strength can be improved. In addition, the appearance can be further improved. And since the strength of the bezel 3 is increased, compared with the conventional case of disposing the bezel inside other components (refer to Figure 7 ), it can be configured such that more surfaces are exposed to the outside of the timepiece 100.

[0064] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the lower surface 32 on the side of the bezel 3 opposite to the visual confirmation side is fixed to the main body case 2 by a strip-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both sides.

[0065] Thereby, the bezel 3 can be fixed to the main body case 2 with sufficient adhesive strength. In addition, different from the case of fixing with an adhesive, the liquid agent does not protrude from the fixing portion, and the two can be separated relatively simply.

[0066] In addition, according to the present embodiment, a chamfered surface (lower conical surface 36) connected to the lower surface 32 and the outer side surface 33 is provided in a portion outside the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3, and the main body case 2 has a convex portion 22a protruding in a manner opposed to the lower conical surface 36 of the bezel 3 in at least a part of the base surface 22 outside the fixing portion for fixing the bezel 3. Thereby, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body case 2, or from visually confirming the fixing portion from the side.

[0067] Moreover, the convex portion 22a is not formed over the entire portion outside the fixed portion of the main body housing 2, but is formed in a portion other than at least a part of the circumferential direction. Thus, a jig (not shown) can be inserted between a part of the base surface 22 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the base surface 22 of the main body housing 2, and the double-sided tape 5 can be peeled off to remove the bezel 3 from the main body housing 2.

[0068] That is, for example, as Figure 7 shown, in a structure where the bezel is fitted into a recess of the main body housing (or other external decorative member) and fixed to the main body housing using an adhesive, it is difficult to separate the bezel from the main body housing based on visual confirmation only in one direction, which is 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), can be firmly fixed, and can also be separated. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the above-described jig can be easily inserted through the chamfered surface (lower tapered surface 36).

[0069] In addition, the embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, which goes without saying.

[0070] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lower surface 32, the outer side surface 33, and the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3 are non-visual confirmation side surfaces having the opaque layer L, but the non-visual confirmation side surfaces are not limited thereto, and at least one is sufficient. For example, the bezel may not have the chamfered surface 36 (not chamfered).

[0071] In addition, the shape of the bezel 3 is not particularly limited, and it may not be a ring shape including a through hole, but may be, for example, an arc shape or the like. The material of the bezel 3 is not limited to sapphire glass, and any material that transmits visible light can be used. In addition, depending on the material of the bezel 3, it may not be fixed using a double-sided tape, but may be fixed by other appropriate fixing methods such as adhesion.

[0072] In addition, the main body housing 2 may not have the convex portion 22a.

[0073] In addition, the color of the opaque layer L may also be a color other than blue. In addition, in the case of forming a plurality of opaque layers L corresponding to a plurality of non-visual confirmation side surfaces, these colors may not be exactly the same and may be similar colors to each other.

[0074] In addition, the method of forming the opaque layer L is not limited to sputtering and evaporation.

[0075] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the time display portion is analog, but it may also be digital, or two time display portions, an analog one and a digital one, may be provided.

[0076] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the exterior decorative member of the present invention is a clock has been described as an example. However, the exterior decorative member of the present invention is not limited to the member provided in the clock, and is particularly suitable for application to an appearance using a transparent material.

[0077] As described above, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Claims

1. An external decorative component of a clock, characterized in that, The external decorative member is formed of a material that transmits visible light, and has an opaque layer on its inner surface facing the housing that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light. The opaque layer can be visually confirmed through the outer surface on the side opposite to the inner surface. The outer surface includes a lateral surface and an upper surface, and the inner surface includes a lower surface. A chamfered surface is provided at the corner formed by the lateral surface and the lower surface. The opaque layer is provided on the chamfered surface.

2. The external decorative component of a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inclination angle of the chamfered surface with respect to the lower surface is preset to an angle such that light from the upper surface side is reflected by the chamfered surface at a certain reflectance.

3. The external decorative component of a clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external decorative member has an annular shape including a through-hole. The inner surface includes an inner side surface that defines the through-hole and a lower surface of a fixing portion fixed to the housing. The opposed portion of the housing is fitted into the through-hole, and the inner side surface faces the opposed portion.

4. The external decorative component of a clock according to claim 3, characterized in that, In a cross-sectional view of the external decorative member, the dimension of the inner side surface in the direction along the central axis of the external decorative member is equal to the dimension of the lower surface in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the external decorative member.

5. The external decorative component of a clock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The material is sapphire glass.

6. The external decorative component of a clock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, All surfaces including the inner surface and the outer surface are mirror-finished.

7. A clock, characterized in that, Comprising: The external decorative member of the clock according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and The housing that houses the time display portion.

8. The clock according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing has the fixing portion, and the lower surface of the external decorative member of the clock is fixed to the fixing portion by a strip member. The strip member has adhesive layers on one surface and the other surface. The adhesive layer on the one surface is adhered to the lower surface of the external decorative member, and the adhesive layer on the other surface is adhered to the fixing portion.

9. The clock according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer surface of the external decorative member includes a lateral surface. The external decorative member has a chamfered surface connected to the lower surface and the lateral surface at a portion outside the lower surface. The housing has a convex portion protruding in a manner opposed to the chamfered surface at at least a part outside the fixing portion where the lower surface to which the external decorative member is fixed is located.

10. A manufacturing method of an external decorative component of a clock, characterized in that, Comprising: A processing step of forming a ring-shaped member from a material that transmits visible light; A first surface treatment step of forming, by vapor deposition, an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength region included in visible light on the lower surface of the material formed into a ring shape by the processing step; And A second surface treatment step of forming, by sputtering, the opaque layer 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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