Timepiece component, timepiece, and method for manufacturing timepiece component

Abstract

The invention provides a timepiece component, a timepiece, and a method for manufacturing the timepiece component, and the timepiece component can show a high-grade design. The timepiece component is characterized by comprising: a base material; a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material; a second layer formed by laminating a light-transmitting first resin material on the surface of the first layer; and a third layer formed on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to components for a timepiece, a timepiece, and a method for manufacturing components for a timepiece. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a dial plate on which characters and images are formed by inkjet printing on a plated metal plate is disclosed. In this Patent Document 1, by forming a transparent ink receiving layer on the surface of the plated metal plate, it is possible to produce a multi-variety of dial plates in a short time at low cost in small quantities without the need to produce a film or a printing plate.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-111660

[0004] In Patent Document 1, since characters and images are formed only by inkjet printing, there is a problem that it is difficult to express a design with a high-class feeling.

[0005] Therefore, the present inventors have tried to achieve a design with a high-class feeling by coating the surface of a base material with a colored coating containing a pigment and performing inkjet printing thereon using a metal nano-ink containing metal nanoparticles.

[0006] However, if a metal nano-ink is printed on a colored coating, a new problem of color change of the metal nano-ink occurs. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The component for a timepiece according to the present disclosure is characterized by including: a base material; a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material; a second layer formed by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer; and a third layer formed on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nano-ink containing metal nanoparticles.

[0008] The timepiece according to the present invention is characterized by including the component for a timepiece.

[0009] The method for decorating a component for a timepiece according to the present disclosure is characterized by including: a first step of laminating a decorative material on the surface of a base material to form a first layer; a second step of laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer to form a second layer; and a third step of forming a third layer on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nano-ink containing metal nanoparticles. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 It is a front view showing a timepiece according to a first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a dial plate according to a first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the layer structure of the dial according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the dial according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the layer structure of the dial according to the second embodiment.

[0015] Description of symbols

[0016] 1: watch; 10: dial; 10B: dial; 30: base material; 31: surface; 32: recessed part; 35: concave-convex pattern; 40: first layer; 45: concave-convex pattern; 50: second layer; 55: concave-convex pattern; 60: third layer; 61: dots; 70: fourth layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] [First embodiment]

[0018] Hereinafter, a timepiece 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a front view showing the timepiece 1. In the present embodiment, the timepiece 1 is configured as a wristwatch to be worn on a user's wrist.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the timepiece 1 includes a metal case 2. The case 2 includes a disk-shaped dial 10, a second hand 3, a minute hand 4, an hour hand 5, a crown 7, an A button 8, and a B button 9. The dial 10 is an example of a timepiece component of the present disclosure.

[0021] [dial]

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dial 10 cut along the thickness direction, Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view that decomposes and describes each layer structure of the dial 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the front of the dial 10 refers to the surface on the glass cover side of the watch 1 in the thickness direction of the dial 10, that is, the surface on the side of the dial 10 that is visually viewed. The surface of each layer also refers to the surface on the glass cover side of the watch 1.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the dial 10 is configured to include a substrate 30. The substrate 30 is formed of any one of shells, resins, and metals, or a combination thereof. Thus, the texture of these materials can be expressed. For example, by cutting mother-of-pearl to form the substrate 30, a design in which the color tone changes due to the increase or decrease of light can be expressed. In addition, by forming the substrate 30 from a precious metal such as platinum, a sense of luxury can be obtained.

[0024] The base material 30 may have undergone a specified surface treatment. For example, when using a brass base material 30, a surface treatment for rust prevention such as nickel plating may also be performed.

[0025] A plurality of concave portions 32 are formed on the surface 31 of the base material 30. More specifically, on the surface 31 of the base material 30, texture processing is performed in such a way that the concave portions 32 are formed radially from the center. Thus, in the present embodiment, by forming the concave portions 32, uneven patterns 35 are shown on the surface 31 of the base material 30.

[0026] The thickness dimension of the base material 30 is, for example, about 0.25 mm to 0.50 mm. In addition, the depth dimension of the concave portion 32 is about several tens of μm to 100 μm. Since the height difference of the unevenness of a general mold used for embossing the front surface of the dial 10 is about 50 μm to 60 μm, the concave portion 32 can be formed by embossing using a mold or the like.

[0027] A first layer 40 formed by laminating a decorative material is provided on the surface 31 of the base material 30. The decorative material is, for example, a colored paint containing a pigment, and the first layer 40 is formed by coating or vapor-depositing the colored paint on the surface 31 or the like.

[0028] The thickness dimension of the first layer 40 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm when coating the colored paint, typically about 10 μm to 30 μm. In addition, the thickness dimension of the first layer 40 when formed by vapor deposition is, for example, about 0.3 μm to 1.0 μm.

[0029] When the thickness dimension of the first layer 40 is smaller than the depth dimension of the concave portion 32, as Figure 2 shown, uneven patterns 45 corresponding to the concave portion 32 are also formed on the first layer 40 laminated on the surface 31 of the base material 30.

[0030] A second layer 50 formed by laminating a light-transmissive first resin material is provided on the surface of the first layer 40. The first resin material may be, for example, a resin material that can transmit light such as a transparent resin or a translucent resin, and examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. In the present embodiment, the first resin material is an acrylic resin.

[0031] The thickness dimension of the second layer 50 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm, typically about 10 μm to 30 μm. When the thickness dimension of the second layer 50 is smaller than the depth dimension of the concave portion of the uneven pattern 45, as Figure 2 shown, uneven patterns 55 corresponding to the uneven pattern 45 are also formed on the second layer 50 laminated on the surface of the first layer 40.

[0032] On the surface of the second layer 50, a third layer 60 is formed by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles. The third layer 60 is composed of dots 61 formed by allowing the metal nanoink to land on the surface of the second layer 50 along a preset printing pattern. Thus, dots 61 of a specified pattern are formed on the surface of the second layer 50, and a specified pattern can be printed on the surface of the second layer 50. For example, by radially forming dots 61 from the center of the plane of the dial 10, a radial pattern can be printed. In addition, the surface of the second layer 50 refers to the surface of the second layer 50 that is exposed on the front side of the clock, including the convex and concave portions of the concavo-convex pattern 45. Therefore, dots 61 are formed not only on the convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern 45 but also sometimes on the concave portions.

[0033] Here, the metal nanoink refers to a composition in which metal nanoparticles are dispersed in a dispersion medium. In addition, the metal nanoparticles refer to metal particles having a particle size of 1 nm or more and 1 μm or less, and are preferably composed of any one of gold, silver, copper, and platinum. Thus, in printing using the metal nanoink, a shiny pattern can be exhibited, and a more sophisticated design can be exhibited.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the thickness dimension of the dot 61 is about 2 μm to 5 μm, and the dot diameter (diameter) is about 15 μm to 30 μm.

[0035] On the surface of the third layer 60, a fourth layer 70 formed by laminating a second resin material having translucency is provided. The second resin material is the same as the first resin material, and any resin material that can transmit light, such as a transparent resin, a translucent resin, etc., can be used, and examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. In the present embodiment, the second resin material is the same material as the first resin material, that is, an acrylic resin. In addition, the first resin material and the second resin material may be composed of different resin materials.

[0036] The thickness dimension of the fourth layer 70 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm, as long as it can cover the size of the dot 61.

[0037] [Manufacturing method of the dial]

[0038] Next, with reference to Figure 3 the manufacturing process of the dial 10 will be described.

[0039] As Figure 3 shown, first, a processing step of forming a concave portion 32 on the surface 31 of the base material 30 to process the concavo-convex pattern 35 is performed. Specific processing methods for processing the concavo-convex pattern 35 are, for example, die pressing, laser processing, cutting processing, chemical removal processing, polishing processing, forging / casting processing, etc., and an appropriate processing method can be used according to the material of the base material 30 and the concavo-convex pattern 35.

[0040] Next, the first step is to laminate a color coating as a decorative material on the surface 31 of the substrate 30 to form a first layer 40. The method for laminating the color coating is not particularly limited, and coating methods such as spin coating, dipping, brush coating, spray coating, electrostatic coating, and electrodeposition coating can be used.

[0041] Next, the second step is to laminate the light-transmissive first resin material on the surface of the first layer 40 to form the second layer 50. The method of laminating the first resin material is not particularly limited, similar to the coating method of the color coating, and an appropriate lamination method such as spin coating may be selected.

[0042] Next, a third step is performed to form the third layer 60 on the surface of the second layer 50 by inkjet printing using metal nano ink based on a printing pattern prepared in advance.

[0043] Next, a fourth step is performed in which a light-transmitting second resin material is laminated on the surface of the third layer 60 to form the fourth layer 70. The method for laminating the second resin material is not particularly limited, similar to the method for laminating the first resin material, and an appropriate lamination method such as spin coating may be selected.

[0044] Furthermore, if necessary, a grinding process for grinding and smoothing the surface of the fourth layer 70 may be performed after the fourth process. Thus, the fourth layer 70 is ground as a finishing process, so that the design property can be further improved.

[0045] [Effects of the First Embodiment]

[0046] According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0047] According to the dial 10 as a watch component of the first embodiment, since the first layer 40 formed of the decorative material is formed on the surface of the base material 30, and the third layer 60 formed of the dots 61 by the metal nano ink is provided via the second layer 50 formed of the first resin material having light transmittance, both the third layer 60 and the first layer 40 can be visually seen from the front of the dial 10, so that a complex, original and high-end design can be expressed. In particular, the third layer 60 formed of the dots 61 of the metal nano ink is provided on the surface side of the first layer 40 formed by laminating the color paint containing the pigment, so that the first layer 40 colored with a predetermined color is used as a background, and a glossy pattern expressed by the pattern of the dots 61 is displayed thereon, so that a high-end dial 10 can be realized.

[0048] Since the second layer 50 formed of the first resin material is interposed between the first layer 40 formed of a colored coating containing a pigment and the third layer 60 formed of a metal nanoink, the colored coating of the first layer 40 can be prevented from contacting the metal nanoink of the third layer 60. Therefore, a chemical reaction between the colored coating of the first layer 40 and the metal nanoink of the third layer 60 can be prevented, and discoloration can be avoided.

[0049] In addition, since the fourth layer 70 formed of the second resin material is formed on the surface of the third layer 60, the metal nanoink of the third layer 60 can be prevented from contacting the air, and thus a chemical reaction between the metal nanoink and oxygen and sulfur components in the air can be prevented, and discoloration can be avoided.

[0050] Since the third layer 60 is formed by forming dots 61 by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink, a fine, highly designed, and high-class appearance can be obtained. In addition, since the third layer 60 is formed by inkjet printing, the printing pattern of the dots 61 can be easily changed, and dials 10 with various designs can be easily formed.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the base material 30 is formed of any one of shell, resin, and metal or a combination thereof, so that the texture of these materials can be exhibited.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the metal nanoparticles forming the dots 61 of the third layer 60 are configured to contain any one of gold, silver, copper, and platinum, so that a shiny pattern can be exhibited and a more high-class design can be exhibited.

[0053] [Second Embodiment]

[0054] Next, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 the dial 10B of the clock component as the second embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dial 10B of the second embodiment cut in the thickness direction, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the respective layer structures of the dial 10B separately.

[0055] As Figure 4 shown, the dial 10B of the second embodiment has a base material 30, a first layer 40, a second layer 50, and a third layer 60. These structures are the same as those of the dial 10 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. On the other hand, the fourth layer 70 is not provided on the dial 10B, and the third layer 60 is the outermost surface, and in this respect, the structure is different from that of the dial 10 of the first embodiment.

[0056] Since the fourth layer 70 is omitted from the dial 10B, it is preferable that the point 61 of the third layer 60 is formed of a metal nano ink that does not easily change color even when in contact with air, or that the dial 10B is used in a clock with a relatively high airtightness.

[0057] The manufacturing method of the dial 10B is also the same as that of the dial 10 of the first embodiment. That is, as Figure 5 shown, a processing step is performed to form the concave portion 32 on the surface 31 of the base material 30 by laser processing, stamping, etc. to form the concavo-convex pattern 35.

[0058] Next, a first step is performed: a colored coating as a decorative material is laminated on the surface 31 of the base material 30 to form the first layer 40.

[0059] Next, a second step is performed: a light-transmissive first resin material is laminated on the surface of the first layer 40 to form the second layer 50.

[0060] Next, a third step is performed: on the surface of the second layer 50, based on a pre-prepared printing pattern, the third layer 60 is formed by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink.

[0061] That is, the dial 10B is different from the first embodiment in that the processing step, the first step, the second step, and the third step are performed but the fourth step is not performed.

[0062] [Advantages of the Second Embodiment]

[0063] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the fourth layer 70, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0064] In addition, since the fourth layer 70 is omitted from the dial 10B, the cost can be reduced compared to the dial 10.

[0065] [Modification Example]

[0066] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

[0067] In the above-described embodiments, the concavo-convex pattern 35 is shown on the base material 30, but it is not limited thereto. The surface of the base material 30 may also be formed as a flat surface without concavities and convexities, or may show a pattern other than concavities and convexities.

[0068] The decorative material of the first layer is not limited to a colored coating containing pigments. For example, a metal material laminated on the surface of the base material 30 by plating treatment can also be used as the decorative material. In addition, an ink liquid laminated on the surface of the base material 30 by inkjet printing can also be used as the decorative material. Therefore, the lamination method of the first layer 40 is not limited to painting. For example, it can also be dry plating such as vapor deposition, wet plating, full-surface printing based on inkjet printing, etc. That is, for the decorative material of the first layer 40 and its lamination method, appropriate materials can be selected according to the material of the base material 30, the type of the decorative material, etc.

[0069] In each of the above embodiments, the timepiece component of the present disclosure is configured as the dials 10, 10B, but is not limited thereto. For example, the timepiece component of the present disclosure can also be configured as any one of a case, a dial ring, a glass rim, a movement and its base plate, a pointer, an abbreviation, and a pendulum. For example, in a skeleton type timepiece where the inside can be visually observed from the back cover side, the timepiece component of the present disclosure can also be configured as a gear train support member or a pendulum that can be visually observed from the back cover side. In this case, the surface of the base material becomes the side where the timepiece component can be visually observed, that is, the back cover side.

[0070] [Summary of the Present Disclosure]

[0071] The timepiece component of the present disclosure is characterized by having: a base material; a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material; a second layer formed by laminating a light-transmissive first resin material on the surface of the first layer; and a third layer formed on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink liquid containing metal nanoparticles.

[0072] According to the timepiece component of the present disclosure, since a first layer laminated with a decorative material is formed on the surface of the base material, and a third layer formed by printing dots by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink liquid is provided on the surface of the first layer with a second layer formed of a light-transmissive first resin material interposed therebetween, the third layer can be visually observed not only from the front side of the timepiece component, but also the first layer can be visually observed through the second layer. Therefore, a complex, original, and high-class design can be exhibited.

[0073] In addition, since the second layer formed of the first resin material is interposed between the first layer and the third layer, the components of the decorative material of the first layer can be prevented from coming into contact with the metal nanoparticles of the third layer. Therefore, a chemical reaction between the decorative material of the first layer and the metal nanoparticles of the third layer can be prevented from causing discoloration.

[0074] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, preferably, it further has a fourth layer formed by laminating a light-transmissive second resin material on the surface of the third layer.

[0075] Since a fourth layer formed of a second resin material is formed on the surface of the third layer, even when the front surface of the timepiece component is in contact with air, it is possible to prevent the metal nanoparticles in the third layer from coming into contact with air, thereby preventing the metal nanoparticles from undergoing a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur components in the air and changing color.

[0076] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, it is also possible that the first layer is formed by laminating a colored coating on the surface of the substrate.

[0077] By laminating a colored coating to form the first layer, it is possible to set the background color of the pattern of the third layer formed by dots of the metal nano ink to a color different from that of the substrate, thereby improving the designability.

[0078] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, preferably, the first resin material is any one of an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin.

[0079] By using any one of an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin as the first resin material, it is possible to easily and inexpensively form the second layer having translucency.

[0080] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, it is also possible that uneven patterns are formed on the surface of the substrate.

[0081] If uneven patterns are formed on the surface of the substrate, in addition to the patterns formed by the coating of the first layer and the printing of the third layer, it is possible to exhibit the patterns formed by the unevenness, thereby improving the designability.

[0082] The timepiece of the present invention is characterized by having the timepiece component.

[0083] According to the timepiece using the timepiece component, it is possible to exhibit a complex and original design with a high-class feeling, and it is also possible to prevent the metal nanoparticles in the third layer from undergoing a chemical reaction with the components of the decorative material in the first layer and changing color.

[0084] The manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure is characterized by having: a first step of laminating a decorative material on the surface of a substrate to form a first layer; a second step of laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer to form a second layer; and a third step of forming a third layer on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink containing metal nanoparticles.

[0085] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to exhibit a complex, original, and high-class design for the timepiece component, and further, it is possible to prevent a chemical reaction between the metal nanoparticles in the third layer and the components of the decorative material in the first layer from causing discoloration.

[0086] In the manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure, preferably, there is also a fourth process: a fourth layer is formed by laminating a light-transmissive second resin material on the surface of the third layer.

[0087] Due to the fourth process of forming the fourth layer by laminating the light-transmissive second resin material on the surface of the third layer, it is possible to coat the front surface of the timepiece component with the fourth layer, thereby preventing the metal nanoparticles in the third layer from coming into contact with air, and thus preventing a chemical reaction between the metal nanoparticles and the oxygen or sulfur components in the air from causing discoloration.

[0088] In the manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure, in the first process, a colored coating can be laminated as the above-mentioned decorative material to form the first layer.

[0089] By laminating the colored coating in the first process to form the first layer, it is possible to set the background color of the pattern of the third layer formed by the dots of the metal nanoink to a color different from that of the base material, and thus improve the designability.

[0090] In the manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure, there may also be a processing process: the processing process is performed before the first process, and concavo-convex patterns are formed on the surface of the base material.

[0091] Due to the processing process of forming concavo-convex patterns on the surface of the base material, in addition to the patterns formed by the coating of the first layer and the printing of the third layer, it is possible to exhibit the patterns formed by the concavo-convexity, and improve the designability.

Claims

1. A component for a clock, characterized in that, comprising: a substrate; a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the substrate; a second layer formed by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer; and a third layer formed on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles.

2. The component for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the component for a timepiece further has a fourth layer formed by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer.

3. The component for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is formed by laminating a colored coating on the surface of the substrate.

4. The component for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the first resin material is any one of an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin.

5. The component for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein concavo-convex patterns are formed on the surface of the substrate.

6. A clock, characterized in that, A component for a timepiece having any one of claims 1-5.

7. A method for manufacturing a component for a timepiece, wherein the method for manufacturing the component for a timepiece has the following steps: a first step of forming a first layer by laminating a decorative material on the surface of a substrate; a second step of forming a second layer by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer; and a third step of forming a third layer on the surface of the second layer by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles.

8. The method for manufacturing a component for a timepiece according to claim 7, wherein the method for manufacturing the component for a timepiece further has a fourth step of forming a fourth layer by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer.

9. The method for manufacturing a component for a timepiece according to claim 7, wherein in the first step, the colored coating is used as the decorative material for lamination to form the first layer.

10. The method for manufacturing a component for a timepiece according to claim 7, wherein the method for manufacturing the component for a timepiece further has a processing step, which is performed before the first step, of forming concavo-convex patterns on the surface of the substrate.

Images