Arm-mounted device, timepiece, front ear member, and method for manufacturing arm-mounted device

Abstract

The invention provides an arm wearing device, a timepiece, an anterior ear member, and a method for manufacturing the arm wearing device. An arm-mounted device is provided with: a cylindrical case main body along a first direction; a frame-shaped member disposed on one side in the first direction with respect to the housing main body; and an exterior member disposed on the one side with respect to the frame-shaped member and the case main body, the case main body and the exterior member being fixed by a fastening member, and at least a portion of the frame-shaped member being fixed by being sandwiched between the case main body and the exterior member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an arm-worn device, a timepiece, a lug member, and a manufacturing method of an arm-worn device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In an arm-worn device such as a wristwatch, a configuration is known in which a lug member that supports a band is fixed to a case by a fastening member such as a threaded member or a spring bar (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-84387). However, in the case where an exterior member such as a bezel is mounted in such a configuration, a fastening member for fixing the exterior member to the case is also required. SUMMARY

[0003] An object of the present application is to fix a lug member and an exterior member to a case with a small number of components.

[0004] To achieve the above object, an arm-worn device of the present application includes a case main body that is cylindrical along a first direction; a frame member that is disposed on one side of the first direction with respect to the case main body; and an exterior member that is disposed on the one side with respect to the frame member and the case main body, the case main body and the exterior member being fixed by a fastening member, at least a portion of the frame member being fixed by being sandwiched by the case main body and the exterior member.

[0005] Effects of the present application are as follows.

[0006] According to the present application, a lug member and an exterior member can be fixed to a case with a small number of components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a main portion of a timepiece of an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of a timepiece of an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a 12 o'clock-6 o'clock direction of a timepiece of an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a lug member of an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 is a view for explaining a first step of an assembly step of a timepiece of an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 is a view for explaining a first step of an assembly step of a timepiece of an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating the first step of assembling a clock according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the first step of assembling a clock according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the second step of assembling a clock according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the second step of assembling a clock according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the third step in the assembly process of a clock according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the third step in the assembly process of a clock according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the fourth step of the clock assembly process in the implementation method.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the main parts of the clock in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-3 As shown, the clock 100 of this embodiment is a wristwatch worn on a user's wrist, and is an example of the arm-wearing device of the present invention. Specifically, the clock 100 includes a housing body 2, a frame-shaped member 3, a front lug member 4, and an outer member 5. It should be noted that in the following description, the XYZ directions of the clock 100 refer to the orientation shown in the figures. That is, the X direction refers to the 3 o'clock-9 o'clock direction of an analog clock, the Y direction (second direction) refers to the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock direction, and the Z direction (first direction) refers to the front-back (inside) direction of the clock 100 (housing body 2). In the Z direction, the front side, which serves as the visual confirmation side, is referred to as the "upper side (above)," and the back side is referred to as the "lower side (below)." In addition, the direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax of the housing body 2 along the Z direction is called "radial", the direction of rotation centered on the central axis Ax is called "circumferential", the side closer to the central axis Ax in the plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax is called "inner side (inner diameter side)", and the side farther away is called "outer side (outer diameter side)".

[0022] The main body 2 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape along the Z direction, and the opening on the back side (lower side) is closed by the back cover 24. The material (raw material) of the main body 2 is, for example, a metal such as titanium or stainless steel, or a hard resin such as carbon or diamide. A clock module 10 is housed inside the main body 2. The clock module 10 includes, for example, a time display unit for displaying the time, a battery for power supply, and a circuit board on which control circuitry is installed. It should be noted that the top view shape of the main body 2 is not limited to a circle; for example, it can also be a polygon such as a quadrilateral.

[0023] Multiple protrusions (three in this embodiment) 25b are formed on both sides 25a in the Y direction of the housing body 2. Each side 25a is formed as a generally planar shape orthogonal to the Y direction, and the multiple protrusions 25b are arranged side by side on each side 25a generally along the X direction. Each protrusion 25b is formed, for example, in a triangular cross-section shape and extends along the Z direction. As will be described later, each protrusion 25b presses and fixes the frame member 3 and the front ear member 4.

[0024] The frame-shaped member 3 is a component that supports the front ear component 4. The frame-shaped member 3 is formed in a ring shape that corresponds to the shape of the shell body 2 when viewed from above, and is disposed on the upper side of the shell body 2. The material (raw material) of the frame-shaped member 3 is a hard resin such as carbon or diamide. It should be noted that, preferably, the frame-shaped member 3 is formed of a material that is softer than the front ear component 4.

[0025] The two ends of the frame member 3 in the Y direction become support portions 31 supporting the front ear member 4. The support portions 31 are formed in a rod shape generally along the X direction. The central portion in the Y direction and the two ends in the X direction of the frame member 3 become side portions 32 generally along the Y direction when viewed from above. The side portion 32a at the 9 o'clock position is formed in a rod shape generally along the Y direction, and the side portion 32b at the 3 o'clock position is formed in a curved rod shape that bulges upward, corresponding to the crown 71. The part of the frame member 3 that connects the support portion 31 and the side portion 32 becomes a curved portion 33 that bulges upward and is formed in a curved rod shape. The curved portion 33 protrudes upward from the support portion 31 and the side portion 32, and the frame member 3 as a whole is formed in a shape that undulates in the vertical direction. The curved portion 33 extends obliquely in a manner that gradually moves towards the outside in the Y direction and towards the inside in the X direction when viewed from above. In addition, the curved portion 33 is located in the housing body 2 at a position corresponding to the button mounting portion 26 that supports the operation button 72, and protrudes outward from the outer peripheral side of the outer component 5.

[0026] The front ear component 4 supports the watch strap 6 and is mounted on both ends of the frame-shaped component 3 in the Y direction. The material (raw material) of the front ear component 4 is, for example, metals such as titanium or stainless steel. Specifically, such as... Figure 4As shown, the front ear component 4 has a base 41, two first legs 42, two protrusions 43, two second legs 44, and two base portions 45.

[0027] The base 41 is shaped to extend generally along the X direction. At least a portion of each of the two first legs 42 extends obliquely from both ends of the base 41 in the X direction. Specifically, each first leg 42 extends such that, when viewed from above, it gradually moves outward in the X direction towards the inner side of the Y direction, and when viewed from the X direction, it gradually moves downward in the Y direction towards the inner side. Two protrusions 43 are provided at the front ends of the two first legs 42. Each protrusion 43 protrudes outward in the X direction from the front end (lower end) of the first leg 42. An upwardly protruding locking portion 43a is provided at the front end of each protrusion 43 on the outer side in the X direction. Two second legs 44 extend downward from both ends of the base 41 in the X direction, on the outer side of the first legs 42 in the Y direction. Two base portions 45 are provided at the front ends of the two second legs 44. Regarding the two base portions 45, spring rods (not shown) are mounted along the X direction on their inner surfaces facing each other in the X direction, and watch straps 6 are fixed to these spring rods. Each base portion 45 protrudes approximately parallel to the X direction from the front end (lower end) of the second leg portion 44 outwards in the X direction. The specific assembly state and assembly steps of the front ear component 4 will be described later.

[0028] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the outer component 5 is formed into a ring shape corresponding to the shape of the housing body 2 when viewed from above, and is disposed on the upper side of the housing body 2. The material (raw material) of the outer component 5 is, for example, metals such as titanium and stainless steel, or hard resins such as carbon. A retaining member 51 is disposed on the inner diameter side of the outer component 5, with a cushioning member 53 such as a pad and a windproof member 23 fitted between it and the housing body 2. The retaining member 51 is disposed on the upper side of the housing body 2 with a cushioning member 52 such as an O-ring sandwiched between it and the housing body 2. The outer component 5 clamps the retaining member 51 in the vertical direction between itself and the housing body 2. In addition, the outer component 5 clamps the side portion 32 of the central part in the Y direction of the frame member 3 in the vertical direction between itself and the housing body 2. However, it is sufficient for the outer component 5 and the housing body 2 to clamp at least a part of the frame member 3. In addition, the outer component 5 is located above the stepped portion 41a at the inner end of the base 41 in the front ear member 4, restricting the upward movement (rotation) of the front ear member 4. It should be noted that the top view shape of the external component 5 only needs to correspond to the shell body 2.

[0029] Next, the assembly steps of the clock 100 will be explained. It should be noted that the installation of the clock module 10, back cover 24, crown 71, and operation buttons 72, etc., will be omitted. First, the front lug component 4 is assembled to each support portion 31 of the frame member 3 (first step). Here, as...Figure 5 As shown, while the two first legs 42 are inserted into the lower sides of the two curved portions 33 of the frame member 3, the base 41 is positioned on the upper side of the support portion 31, thereby assembling the front ear component 4 from the inside of the frame member 3 to the support portion 31. Then, as... Figure 6 As indicated by the arrow, the front ear component 4 rotates in the direction that moves the second leg 44 downward about the X-axis. Thus, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the front ear component 4 is assembled to the frame member 3 with the upper surface of each convex portion 43 abutting against the lower surface of the curved portion 33, or the inner side of each base portion 45 abutting against the outer side of the support portion 31, and the lower surface of the base portion 41 abutting against the upper surface of the support portion 31. Furthermore, at this time, the locking portion 43a at the front end of each convex portion 43 is locked to the outer side of the curved portion 33.

[0030] Next, as Figure 9 As shown, a frame-shaped member 3 with two front ear components 4 is assembled onto the housing body 2 (second step). Here, with the two front ear components 4 positioned at both ends in the Y direction, the frame-shaped member 3 is installed onto the housing body 2 from above (front side). At this time, as... Figure 10 As shown, multiple protrusions 25b formed on both sides 25a of the housing body 2 press the support portion 31 of the frame member 3 and the base portion 41 of the front ear member 4 outward. Thus, with the frame member 3 and the front ear member 4 pressed against both ends in the Y direction, the frame member 3 and the front ear member 4 are firmly fixed (temporarily fixed) to the housing body 2.

[0031] Next, as Figure 11 As shown, the outer component 5 is assembled onto the housing body 2 (third step). Here, the retaining member 51, which is fitted with the windproof member 23, is pre-installed onto the outer component 5. Then, the buffer member 52 (in...) Figure 11 (Illustrations omitted) With the outer component 5 mounted on the housing body 2, it is installed from above (front side) onto the housing body 2 and the frame member 3. As a result, the side portion 32 of the central part in the Y direction of the frame member 3 is clamped and fixed in the vertical direction between the outer component 5 and the housing body 2. Furthermore, as... Figure 12 As shown, the outer component 5 is located above the stepped portion 41a of the front ear component 4, restricting the upward movement (rotation) of the front ear component 4. It should be noted that, at this time, the outer component 5 can also be temporarily fixed to the housing body 2 by adhesive or the like.

[0032] Next, as Figure 13 As shown, the housing body 2 and the outer component 5 are secured from the rear side using multiple fastening members 74 (fourth step). The fastening members 74 are, for example, screws. Thus, as... Figure 14As shown, the main parts of the clock 100 are assembled. Then, the watch strap 6 is attached to the two front lug parts 4 via a spring bar (not shown). Thus, the main parts of the clock 100 are assembled.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, the housing body 2 and the outer component 5 are fixed by the fastening member 74, and at least a portion of the frame-shaped member 3 is clamped and fixed by the housing body 2 and the outer component 5. That is, the housing body 2 and the outer component 5 are fixed by the fastening member 74, thereby clamping and fixing the frame-shaped member 3, and the front ear component 4 is fixed to the frame-shaped member 3. Thus, unlike the case where the front ear component and the outer component are separately fixed to the housing by the fastening member, the fastening member for fixing the front ear component is not required. Therefore, the front ear component 4 and the outer component 5 can be fixed to the housing body 2 with a smaller number of parts. Furthermore, since the fastening member is not required, cost reduction, increased design freedom, and miniaturization of the front ear component 4 can be expected.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the side portion 32 of the frame member 3 located at the center in the Y direction is clamped by the housing body 2 and the outer member 5. This allows for appropriate shock mitigation. Specifically, in the event of an impact from the front side, such as when the watch 100 is dropped, a greater impact is transmitted to the frame member 3 towards the two ends in the Y direction where the front lug member 4, which supports the watch strap 6, is mounted. In this case, the side portion 32 of the frame member 3 located at the center in the Y direction is supported, allowing for overall vertical deformation around this side portion 32, thus appropriately mitigating the impact.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the frame member 3 is formed in a shape that undulates in the vertical direction. Therefore, for example, in the event of an impact from the front side due to the falling of the clock 100, the frame member 3 can deform appropriately vertically, thereby further mitigating the impact.

[0036] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the forearm component 4 includes a portion located inside the frame member 3 when mounted on it, and a protrusion 25b is formed on the Y-direction side 25a of the housing body 2 to press the frame member 3 and the forearm component 4 outward in the Y-direction. This allows the forearm component 4 to be pressed against the frame member 3 while the frame member 3 protrudes outward in the Y-direction, thereby pressing the frame member 3 and the forearm component 4. Therefore, the frame member 3 and the forearm component 4 can be properly secured.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the frame member 3 is formed of a material softer than the front ear member 4. This allows for proper support of the front ear member 4, and for example, improves the assemblability of the frame member 3 and the front ear member 4 compared to the case where the frame member 3 is made of the same metal as the front ear member 4. Additionally, according to this embodiment, since the front ear member 4 is made of metal, it can firmly support the watch strap 6.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the front ear member 4 includes: a base 41; a first leg 42, at least a portion of which extends obliquely from both ends of the base 41 along its length; a convex portion 43 disposed at the front end of the first leg 42; a second leg 44 extending from both ends of the base 41 along its length towards a direction intersecting the length direction; and a base portion 45 disposed at the front end of the second leg 44, parallel to the length direction of the base 41. Thus, for example, the base 41 can be positioned along the frame member 3 while the first leg 42 and the second leg 44 intersect the frame member 3, and the convex portion 43 and the base portion 45 abut or engage with the frame member 3, thereby properly mounting the front ear member 4 onto the frame member 3. Furthermore, while the frame member 3 may not directly support the watch strap 6 in terms of strength, the front ear member 4 can be properly mounted onto it, thus enabling proper support of the watch strap 6 by means of the front ear member 4.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, with the front ear component 4 mounted on the frame member 3, the base 41 is disposed on the front side of the frame member 3, and the protruding portion 43 is disposed on the back side of the frame member 3. Therefore, the base 41 and the protruding portion 43 of the front ear component 4 can be wrapped around the top and bottom of the frame member 3, thereby more appropriately mounting the front ear component 4 on the frame member 3.

[0040] It should be noted that the embodiments applicable to this invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. For example, in the above embodiments, a watch was described as an example of the arm-wearing device of this invention. However, this invention is not limited to watches, and can be widely applied to various smartwatches, sports watches, and other electronic devices, as well as wearable devices that acquire biological information such as heart rate and blood flow in addition to time.

Claims

1. An arm-worn device, characterized by comprising: Possessing: a cylindrical housing main body which is along a first direction; a frame-shaped member which is disposed on one side of the first direction with respect to the housing main body; and an outer member which is disposed on the one side with respect to the frame-shaped member and the housing main body, the housing main body and the outer member are fixed by a fastening member, at least a part of the frame-shaped member is fixed by being sandwiched by the housing main body and the outer member.

2. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a central portion of the frame-shaped member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is sandwiched by the housing main body and the outer member.

3. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the frame-shaped member is formed in a shape which undulates in the first direction.

4. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, characterized in that, further possessing a front ear member which is attached to portions of the frame-shaped member on both end sides in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the front ear member includes a portion which is located inside the frame-shaped member in a state of being attached to the frame-shaped member, a protrusion is formed on a side surface of the housing main body in the second direction, and in a state where the front ear member and the frame-shaped member are attached to the housing main body, the protrusion presses the frame-shaped member and the front ear member to an outside of the frame-shaped member in the second direction.

5. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the frame-shaped member is formed of a material which is softer than the front ear member.

6. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the front ear member is formed of metal.

7. A timepiece possessing the arm-worn device according to claim 1, the timepiece being characterized in that, the housing main body houses a timepiece module, the frame-shaped member and the outer member are disposed on a front surface side of the housing main body.

8. A front ear member which is a front ear member of an arm-worn device which is attached to a frame-shaped member and supports a watch band, the front ear member being characterized by possessing: a base; a first leg portion which at least a part thereof extends obliquely from both ends in a length direction of the base; a convex portion which is provided to a front end of the first leg portion; a second leg portion which extends from both ends in the length direction of the base to one side in a direction different from an extending direction of the first leg portion; and a pedestal portion which is provided to a front end of the second leg portion and protrudes substantially in parallel with the length direction of the base.

9. The front ear member according to claim 8, characterized in that, in a state of being attached to the frame-shaped member, the frame-shaped member is located between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and the convex portion and the pedestal portion abut at least a part of the frame-shaped member.

10. The front ear member according to claim 9, characterized in that, in a state where the front ear member is attached to the frame-shaped member, the base is disposed on a front surface side of the frame-shaped member, the convex portion is disposed on a back surface side of the frame-shaped member. ​ 11. A manufacturing method of an arm-worn device provided with a cylindrical housing main body along a first direction, the manufacturing method of the arm-worn device characterized by comprising: a first process of mounting a front ear member to portions of a frame member on both end sides in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second process of mounting the frame member with the front ear member mounted thereto to one side of the first direction with respect to the housing main body; a third process of disposing an outer member to the one side of the housing main body with respect to the frame member, and sandwiching at least a portion of the frame member with the housing main body and the outer member; and a fourth process of fixing the housing main body and the outer member with a fastening member. ​

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