Timepiece

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a timepiece (1) including a dial (6) provided with a first indicator (61) indicating first display content and a second indicator (62) indicating second display content different from the first display content, and a hand (11, 12) that moves on the upper side of the dial, the hand (11, 12) having a through-hole (11c, 12c) for visually confirming the dial provided on the lower side of the hand, the first indicator and the second indicator being provided at a position through which the through-hole passes when the hand moves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to clocks and watches. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, the following technology was disclosed: in pointer and pointer instruments, hour hand windows and minute hand windows are provided in the hour hand and minute hand, so that the scale recorded on the dial can be visually confirmed through each window (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-148665). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In recent years, in addition to the hour markers, various markings indicating different information have been displayed on watch dials. However, in the art described in the background section, there is a problem that the markings on the dial are obscured by the minute and hour hands, thus impairing their visibility.

[0005] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to improve the visibility of markings on the dial.

[0006] Methods for solving problems

[0007] The clock disclosed herein is characterized by comprising: a dial having a first identifier indicating a first display content and a second identifier indicating a second display content different from the first display content; and a hand that moves on the upper side of the dial, the hand having a through hole for visually confirming the dial disposed on the lower side of the hand, the first identifier and the second identifier being disposed at a position through which the through hole passes when the hand moves.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] According to this disclosure, the visibility of markings on the dial can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the clock in this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the general functional structure of a clock.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the structure of a magnetic needle.

[0013] Figure 4 This diagram shows an example of the light-emitting portion of the minute and hour hands. Figure 4 (a) is a diagram showing the case where the minute and hour hands do not overlap. Figure 4 (b) is a diagram showing the case where the minute hand overlaps with the hour hand.

[0014] Figure 5 (a) is a diagram showing the state when the minute hand overlaps with the first indicator. Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing the state when the hour hand overlaps with the first mark.

[0015] Figure 6 (a) is a diagram showing the state when the minute hand overlaps with the second indicator. Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing the state when the hour hand overlaps with the second mark.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a first marker positioned where the hour and minute hands overlap.

[0017] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates a situation where the hour and minute hands overlap, making it difficult to observe a portion of the first indicator. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following description uses the accompanying drawings to illustrate methods for implementing this disclosure. However, various technically preferred limitations are added to the embodiments described below for the purpose of implementing this disclosure. Therefore, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0019] First, the structure of the clock 1 disclosed herein will be described. In this application, "upper" and "lower" are determined based on the orientation of the dial 6 with its surface facing upwards. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, clock 1 is a wristwatch-type clock. Figure 2 As shown, clock 1 is configured to include: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 with at least one processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, an oscillation circuit 44, a frequency divider circuit 45, and a timing circuit 46. Furthermore, clock 1 is configured to include motors 31-33, a gear train mechanism 21-23, a minute hand 11, an hour hand 12, a function hand 13, an operation unit 50, a digital display unit 60, and a battery 70.

[0020] CPU 41 loads the program from ROM 42 to RAM 43 and executes the program, thereby controlling the operation of clock 1, providing time display and other functions, and switching between these functions. CPU 41 functions as the control unit.

[0021] ROM42 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and various data that control the operation of clock 1, such as the time display function. RAM43 is either a volatile or non-volatile memory that temporarily stores the programs stored in ROM42 or temporary data required for controlling the operation of clock 1.

[0022] The oscillation circuit 44 generates a predetermined frequency signal, for example, using a quartz oscillator, and outputs it to the frequency divider circuit 45. The frequency divider circuit 45 divides the frequency signal and outputs it to the timing circuit 46 and the CPU 41. The timing circuit 46 counts the signal input from the frequency divider circuit 45 and adds it to the initial value to calculate the current date and time, and outputs the calculation result to the CPU 41. The oscillation circuit 44, the frequency divider circuit 45, and the timing circuit 46 constitute the timing unit.

[0023] Operation unit 50 is equipped with Figure 1 Buttons B1 to B4, as shown, accept press operations from the user and output signals corresponding to those press operations to CPU 41. Additionally, the operation unit 50 includes a crown C1.

[0024] Motors 31-33 rotate according to instructions from CPU 41. Motor 31 causes the minute hand 11 to rotate around axis O1 via gear train 21, which is a gear train of multiple gears. Motor 32 causes the hour hand 12 to rotate around axis O1 via gear train 22. Motor 33 causes the function hand 13 to rotate around axis O2 via gear train 23.

[0025] The digital display unit 60 consists of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-luminescent) display, or other display screens, and performs various displays according to the instructions of the CPU 41. The battery 70 supplies power to various parts of the clock 1. The battery 70 is, for example, a secondary battery charged by a solar cell (not shown).

[0026] exist Figure 1 Inside the casing 2 of the clock 1 shown, there is a dial 6 whose upper surface is covered by a transparent windproof glass (not shown). Figure 1 As shown, the dial 6 of this embodiment is circular, with time characters 64 (indexes) and scales (not shown) arranged along its circumference. A minute hand 11 and an hour hand 12 are positioned at the center of the dial 6, along with an axis O1 serving as their axis of rotation. The minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 move by rotating around the axis O1 on the upper side of the dial 6, and the time is displayed by appropriately indicating the time characters 64 or scales.

[0027] The clock 1 features a larger minute hand 11 and hour hand 12. Conventionally, when increasing the size of the minute hand 11 and hour hand 12, it is necessary to increase the rear end (tail) of the hand relative to the axis of rotation to maintain weight balance and prevent the hands from tilting and affecting rotation. In this embodiment, since the minute hand 11, which has a larger length, is a magnetic needle with a magnetic element, the necessity for weight balance between the front end 11a (relative to the axis O1) and the rear end 11b (relative to the axis O1) of the minute hand 11 is lower. Therefore, the rear end 11b of the minute hand 11 is shortened so that the markings displayed near the axis O1 on the dial 6 (e.g., the first marking 61, etc.) are not obstructed by the rear end 11b. That is, the markings displayed near the axis O1 on the dial 6 (e.g., the first marking 61, etc.) are positioned in a position not obstructed by the rear end 11b. Alternatively, the hour hand 12 can also be a magnetic needle.

[0028] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 (a) Figure 3 As shown in (b), the clock 1 has a driven magnet 111 (first magnetic body) and a driving magnet 112 (second magnetic body) located below the driven magnet 111 (downward in the axial direction) and opposite to it. The driven magnet 111 and the driving magnet 112 are made of a strong magnetic material such as samarium cobalt. The driven magnet 111 and the driving magnet 112 are ring-shaped magnets arranged around an axis O1, magnetized radially, and have two different poles in the circumferential direction. For example, with the radial polarization line L1 passing through the center as the boundary, one direction is polarized as the S pole and the other direction is polarized as the N pole.

[0029] A driven magnet 111 is fixed to the minute hand 11. The driven magnet 111 and the drive magnet 112 are supported by the support member 211 so that they can rotate about the axis O1. The drive magnet 112 is fixed to the gear train mechanism 21 via the support member 211 and the shaft 213. The minute hand 11 is maintained in a balanced state by the attraction between the S pole and N pole of the driven magnet 111 and the drive magnet 112, thus keeping the front end 11a and the rear end 11b in balance. As a result, the rear end 11b of the minute hand 11 can be shortened, and the mark can be placed in a position near the axis O1 without being obstructed by the rear end 11b. In addition, even if the minute hand 11 is deflected due to impact or the like, no rotational torque greater than the constraint force based on the magnetic force of the drive magnet 112 and the driven magnet 111 will be applied, thus preventing damage to the internal parts of the movement such as the gear train mechanism 21 due to external forces. Furthermore, even if the positional relationship between the driven magnet 111 and the driving magnet 112 is shifted due to an impact or the like, resulting in a repulsive force between the like poles, the driven magnet 111 will not detach from the shaft O1 and will return to its original positional relationship because the driven magnet 111 is restricted by the restricting member 212.

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figures 4-8As shown, the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 have through holes 11c and 12c that allow the dial 6 to be visually confirmed when viewed from above. This allows the user to visually confirm, through the through holes 11c and 12c, the markings (e.g., first marking 61, etc.) along the sections passed by the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 on the dial 6. Since the hour hand 12 moves slower than the minute hand 11, it takes longer to pass over a marking. Therefore, the through hole 12c of the hour hand 12 is made larger than the through hole 11c of the minute hand 11. This prevents the markings located below the hour hand 12 from being obscured for extended periods. On the other hand, it is believed that if the through hole 12c is too large, the durability of the hour hand 12 will decrease. Therefore, a support structure 12e supporting the through hole 12c is provided on the hour hand 12 (see reference). Figure 4 ), improve the durability of the 12-inch hand.

[0031] Furthermore, the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 have light-emitting portions 11d and 12d coated with a light-emitting paint, allowing the user to visually confirm the position of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 even in the dark. The shapes of the light-emitting portions 11d and 12d are different. For example, as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the light-emitting portion 11d of the minute hand 11 is annular and is located at the front end of the minute hand 11. The light-emitting portion 12d of the hour hand 12 is located at the front end and is trapezoidal. The light-emitting portions 11d and 12d have different shapes, thus allowing the user to distinguish the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 even in the dark. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a through hole 11e (window hole) is provided in the light-emitting portion 11d of the minute hand 11, such as... Figure 4 As shown in (b), the light-emitting portion 12d of the hour hand 12 is positioned so that it can be visually confirmed through the through-hole 11e of the light-emitting portion 11d when the minute hand 11 overlaps with the hour hand 12. Thus, even if the minute hand 11 overlaps with the hour hand 12, the user can visually confirm the light-emitting portion 12d of the hour hand 12.

[0032] The dial 6 has a digital display unit 60 that can display various information besides the time. The digital display unit 60 is, for example, a display area capable of digitally displaying various information via an LCD or similar device. Figure 5As shown, the digital display unit 60 is provided with multiple markers of different shapes and display content, and these markers are markers of a size that can enter the through holes 11c and 12c. These markers can be lit and turned off, and are icons displayed at predetermined time intervals. For example, the digital display unit 60 is provided with a first marker 61 that lights up in a silent state to indicate a silent state (first display content), a second marker 62 indicating AM / PM (second display content), and a third marker 63 indicating the number of seconds. These markers are positioned at the positions (on the circumference) through which the through holes 11c and 12c pass when the minute hand 11 and hour hand 12 are moved to positions corresponding to these markers. Therefore, as Figures 5-6 As shown, even when the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 pass over these markers, the user can visually confirm these markers through the through-holes 11c or 12c. Furthermore, the first marker 61 is positioned at the 6 o'clock position on the dial 6, the second marker 62 is positioned at the 3 o'clock position on the dial 6, and the third marker 63 is positioned at the 9 o'clock position on the dial 6. Thus, by positioning the first marker 61 to the third marker 63 in mutually separated positions, it is possible to prevent multiple markers from being obscured at once, even if the markers are obscured by the hands.

[0033] It should be noted that, as Figure 7 As shown, it is also possible that when the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 overlap, the first mark 61 to the third mark 63 are arranged at the position where the through hole 11c of the minute hand 11 overlaps with the through hole 12c of the hour hand 12.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positions of the first marker 61 to the third marker 63 are fixed, but their positions can be changed according to the positions of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12. For example, in Figure 8 Although the first marker 61 can be visually confirmed, it is difficult to observe because a portion of it overlaps with through holes 11c and 12c. Therefore, the CPU 41 infers the positions of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 based on the current time information output from the timing circuit 46. Then, the CPU 41 controls the digital display unit 60 to offset the positions of the first to third markers 61 based on the inferred positions. For example, if the CPU 41 determines, based on the inferred positions of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12, that a portion of any of the first to third markers 63 is obscured by the minute hand 11 or the hour hand 12, it controls the digital display unit 60 to move the obscured marker of the first to third markers 61 to below the through hole 11c or the through hole 12c. Thus, the first to third markers 63 can be displayed in a manner that makes them easily observable at all times.

[0035] Furthermore, the CPU 41 can also infer the positions of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 based on the current time information output from the timing circuit 46, and set the display of the portion of the digital display unit 60 covered by the minute hand 11 or the hour hand 12 to be off. This reduces power consumption. Additionally, it suppresses situations where observation is difficult due to useless displays, thus improving visibility.

[0036] As described above, the clock 1 includes: a dial 6 with markings, including a first marking 61 indicating a first display content and a second marking 62 indicating a second display content different from the first display content; and a minute hand 11 and an hour hand 12 that move on the upper side of the dial 6. The minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 have through holes 11c and 12c for visual confirmation of the dial 6 disposed on their lower side. The first marking 61 and the second marking 62 are disposed at positions through which the through holes 11c and 12c pass when the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 move to positions corresponding to the first marking 61 or the second marking 62, respectively. Therefore, the markings on the dial 6 are not obstructed by the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12, thus improving the visibility of the markings on the dial 6.

[0037] The first identifier 61 and the second identifier 62 have different shapes. Therefore, the visibility of the display content and the different shapes of the first identifier 61 and the second identifier 62 arranged on the dial 6 can be improved.

[0038] For example, a driven magnet 111 is fixed to the minute hand 11, arranged around the axis O1. The driven magnet 111 is positioned opposite a drive magnet 112, which is located lower than the driven magnet 111 and is also arranged around the axis O1. The S and N poles of the driven magnet 111 and the drive magnet 112 attract each other, thereby maintaining the balance between the front end 11a and the rear end 11b of the minute hand 11. Therefore, the rear end 11b of the minute hand 11 can be shortened, allowing the marking to be positioned near the axis O1 without being obstructed by the rear end 11b.

[0039] Additionally, for example, the first mark 61 and the second mark 62 are positioned at the point where the through hole 12c of the hour hand 12 overlaps with the through hole 11c of the minute hand 11 when the minute hand 11 overlaps with the hour hand 12, so that the user can visually confirm the marks even when the minute hand 11 overlaps with the hour hand 12.

[0040] Additionally, for example, by making the through hole 12c of the hour hand 12 larger than the through hole 11c of the minute hand 11, the time the marker is obscured can be shortened.

[0041] In addition, for example, the hour hand 12 can ensure its durability even if the through hole 12c is enlarged by the support structure 12e having the support through hole 12c.

[0042] In addition, for example, the CPU 41 infers the position of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 based on the current time information obtained by the timing circuit 46, and controls the digital display unit 60 according to the position of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 to change the position of the first mark 61 or the second mark 62. Thus, the first mark 61 and the second mark 62 can be displayed in a way that makes it easy to observe the first mark 61 and the second mark 62 at all times.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, the CPU 41 estimates the positions of the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 based on the current time information obtained from the timing circuit 46, and controls the digital display unit 60 to not display information on the portion covered by the minute hand 11 or the hour hand 12, thereby reducing power consumption. Additionally, it can suppress situations where observation is difficult due to useless displays, thus improving visibility.

[0044] In addition, for example, the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 have light-emitting portions 11d and 12d with different shapes, so that the user can identify the minute hand 11 and the hour hand 12 even in the dark.

[0045] Additionally, for example, the minute hand 11 has a light-emitting portion 11d with a through hole 11e (window), and the hour hand 12 has a light-emitting portion 12d at a position that can be visually confirmed through the through hole 11e of the light-emitting portion 11d when it overlaps with the minute hand 11. Thus, even if the minute hand 11 overlaps with the hour hand 12, the user can visually confirm the light-emitting portion 12d of the hour hand 12.

[0046] It should be noted that the descriptions in the above embodiments are preferred examples of the embodiments disclosed herein and are not limited thereto. For example, in the above embodiments, the case where the first identifier 61 and the second identifier 62 are displayed on the digital display section 60 of the dial 6 has been described, but the first identifier 61 and the second identifier 62 may also be printed on the dial 6. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the type or number of the multiple identifiers displayed on the dial 6.

[0047] Furthermore, the detailed structure and operation of clock 1 can be appropriately modified without departing from the main purpose of the invention.

[0048] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, but is determined based on the description in the claims. Furthermore, equivalent scopes that are unrelated to the essence of this disclosure and are implemented according to the description in the claims are also included within the technical scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A clock, characterized in that, have: The dial is configured with a first identifier indicating a first display content and a second identifier indicating a second display content different from the first display content; and The hands move on the upper side of the dial. The pointer has a through hole for visually confirming the dial located below it. The first and second identifiers are positioned at the locations through which the through hole passes when the pointer moves.

2. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dial has a digital display section that displays information including the first identifier and the second identifier. The first and second identifiers are icons that are displayed at a specified time.

3. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first identifier and the second identifier have different shapes.

4. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first identifier and the second identifier are configured in separate positions.

5. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pointer has an hour hand and a minute hand. The first identifier and the second identifier are configured at positions where the through hole of the hour hand overlaps with the through hole of the minute hand when the hour hand overlaps with the minute hand.

6. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dial has a digital display section that displays information including the first identifier and the second identifier. The clock includes: a timing unit that acquires current time information; and a control unit that estimates the position of the pointer based on the current time information acquired by the timing unit, and controls the digital display unit based on the estimated position of the pointer to change the position of the first indicator or the second indicator.

7. The clock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dial has a digital display section that displays information including the first identifier and the second identifier. The clock includes: a timing unit that acquires current time information; and a control unit that estimates the position of the pointer based on the current time information acquired by the timing unit, and controls the digital display unit to not display the information covered by the pointer.

8. The clock or watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, A first magnetic body, configured with an axis about which the pointer rotates, is fixed to the pointer. The first magnetic body is positioned opposite a second magnetic body located below the first magnetic body and arranged around the axis of rotation.

9. The clock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first and second identifiers are positioned on the dial in a location not obscured by the rear end of the pointer.

10. The clock or watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The pointer has an hour hand and a minute hand. The through hole of the hour hand is larger than the through hole of the minute hand.

11. The clock according to claim 10, characterized in that, The hour hand has a support structure with a through hole supporting the hour hand.

12. The clock or watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The pointer has an hour hand and a minute hand. The hour hand and the minute hand have light-emitting parts with different shapes.

13. The clock according to claim 12, characterized in that, The upper hand of the hour and minute hands has a window. The lower hand of the hour and minute hands has the light-gathering part at a position that can be visually confirmed through the window of the upper hand when it overlaps with the upper hand.

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