Sensor device and timepiece

Abstract

To provide a sensor device with which it is possible to prevent the lowering of design flexibility, and a timepiece that comes with the same.SOLUTION: A sensor device comprises: a wrist watch case 1 that has a sensor fitting part 14; a sensor part 15 that is attached to the sensor fitting part 14; and a flow path 16 that has at least one first flow port 21 and at least one second flow port 22 that are flow ports formed in the wrist watch case 1 at positions not facing the sensor part 15 or the sensor fitting part 14, and in which fluid can flow from the first flow port 21 or the second flow port 22 to the sensor section 15, the first flow port 21 and the second flow port 22 being provided at positions not facing each other. Therefore, the sensor fitting part 14 and the sensor part 15 can be hidden by the wrist watch case 1 without being exposed to the outside of the wrist watch case 1. Consequently, the outer appearance and design of the wristwatch case 1 are not subject to constraints due to the sensor fitting part 14 and the sensor part 15, making it possible to prevent the lowering of design flexibility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor device for use in electronic devices such as wristwatches, and to a timepiece equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a wristwatch that has a sensor device attached to the side of the wristwatch case and uses this sensor device to detect pressure such as water pressure or air pressure outside the wristwatch case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-151229 A

[0004] This type of sensor device comprises a sensor accommodating section provided on the side of the watch case, a sensor accommodating body arranged within the sensor accommodating section, a sensor accommodated in the sensor accommodating body, a foreign object intrusion prevention member arranged on the outer side of the sensor accommodating body via a gasket, and a sensor cover arranged on the outer side of the foreign object intrusion prevention member.

[0005] Such a sensor device is configured so that a sensor housing containing a sensor, a foreign object intrusion prevention member, and a sensor cover are aligned in that order on the same axis within the sensor mounting portion of the wristwatch case and attached using a number of screws. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in such a sensor device, the sensor housing containing the sensor, the foreign object intrusion prevention member, and the sensor cover are all screwed together on the same axis within the sensor mounting portion of the wristwatch case.However, with this type of structure, there are restrictions on the position and shape of the internal and external parts of the wristwatch, which reduces design freedom.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device and a timepiece equipped with the same that can suppress a decrease in design freedom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a sensor device comprising a case having a sensor mounting portion, a sensor portion mounted on the sensor mounting portion, at least one first circulation port and at least one second circulation port which are circulation ports provided in the case at a position not facing the sensor portion or the sensor mounting portion, and a flow passage through which a fluid can flow to the sensor portion via the first circulation port or the second circulation port, wherein the first circulation port and the second circulation port are provided at positions not facing each other. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom in design. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an enlarged front view showing an embodiment of a wristwatch to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged side view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1, seen from the 3 o'clock side. [Diagram 3] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing part A of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line BB. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged side view of the decorative member of the watch case shown in FIG. 5, viewed from the outside of the watch case. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged plan view of the decorative member shown in FIG. 6, seen from above. [Figure 8] 7A and 7B show the decorative member shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the inside of the watch case, with (a) being an enlarged side view and (b) being an enlarged perspective view showing the main parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE DISCLOSURE Hereinafter, one embodiment of a wristwatch to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Figs. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1 which is the watch body. Band attachment parts 2 for attaching a watch band (not shown) are provided on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1. Push button switches 3 which are switches are provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1.

[0012] 1 to 3, a sensor device 4 (described later) is provided on the 3 o'clock side of wristwatch case 1. A clock module 5 is provided inside wristwatch case 1. Although not shown, clock module 5 includes various components necessary for the clock function, such as a clock movement that moves hands to indicate and display the time, a display unit that electro-optically displays information necessary for the clock function, such as the time, day of the week, and date, and a circuit unit that electrically drives and controls these components.

[0013] In this case, wristwatch case 1, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, comprises a main case 6 and an exterior member 7. The main case 6 is formed from a highly rigid synthetic resin or metal. A watch crystal 8 is attached to the upper opening of the main case 6. A back cover 10, which serves as a lid, is attached to the lower part of the main case 6 via a packing 10a. The exterior member 7 is disposed to cover the outer periphery of the main case 6, and comprises an exterior case 11 and a decorative member 12, which is an exposed member.

[0014] 1 to 3, exterior case 11 is made of a resilient synthetic resin such as urethane resin. This exterior case 11 is attached to the outer surface of main case 6 with a number of screws 13, covering it. Button recesses 9a of switch attachment portion 9, in which button heads 3a of push button switches 3 are disposed, are provided at the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of exterior case 11.

[0015] 2 to 5, the decorative member 12 is made of soft synthetic resin such as urethane resin. The decorative member 12 is colored to accentuate the watch case 1. When positioned on the 3 o'clock side of the main case 6, the decorative member 12 is arranged across the button recess 9a of the switch mounting portion 9 located on the 2 o'clock side of the exterior case 11 and the button recess 9a of the switch mounting portion 9 located on the 4 o'clock side of the exterior case 11.

[0016] 6 and 8, button notch recesses 12a are provided on both sides of this decorative member 12, i.e., at the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides, in which approximately the lower half of the button head 3a of the push button switch 3 is disposed. Within these button notch recesses 12a, there are provided shaft insertion notches 12b into which the button shaft 3b of the push button switch 3 is inserted, and temporary fastening parts (fixing parts) 12c that temporarily fasten (temporarily fix) the decorative member 12 to the outer surface of the main body case 6.

[0017] 6 and 8, the temporary fastening portion 12c includes a boss portion 6a provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6 and a hole portion into which the boss portion 6a is inserted, and the hole portion is configured to be formed by an elongated hole portion 12d and a circular hole portion 12e. In this case, the circular hole portion 12e of the temporary fastening portion 12c is formed so that its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the boss portion 6a of the main body case 6 and larger than the groove width perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole portion 12d, and is provided in the middle of the elongated hole portion 12d.

[0018] As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the temporary fixing portion 12c is configured such that the boss portion 6a provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6 is inserted into the circular hole portion 12e, pushing open the circular hole portion 12e together with the elongated hole portion 12d, and this pushed-out circular hole portion 12e elastically clamps the boss portion 6a, thereby temporarily fixing the decorative member 12 to the outer surface of the main body case 6.

[0019] 2 to 5, the decorative member 12 is pressed against the outer surface of the main case 6 by a pressing portion 10b provided on the back cover 10. The pressing portion 10b is provided at an angle obliquely upward from the 3 o'clock side of the back cover 10. In this case, the outer surface of the decorative member 12 is provided with an inclined portion 12f against which the pressing portion 10b of the back cover 10 is pressed, inclined at approximately the same angle as the pressing portion 10b.

[0020] 4, when the back cover 10 is attached to the lower part of the main case 6 with the decorative member 12 temporarily attached to the outer surface of the main case 6 and the pressing portion 10b of the back cover 10 is pressed against the inclined portion 12f of the decorative member 12, the decorative member 12 is pressed and fixed to the outer surface of the main case 6 by the pressing portion 10b. In other words, the decorative member 12 is sandwiched and fixed between the main case 6 and the pressing portion 10b.

[0021] 3 to 5, each of the switch attachment portions 9 includes a button recess 9a and a button attachment hole 9b. The button recess 9a is provided in the exterior case 11, and is configured so that the button head 3a of the push button switch 3 is slidably disposed therein. The button attachment hole 9b is provided so as to penetrate from the bottom of the button recess 9a through the inside and outside of the main case 6, and is configured so that the button shaft 3b of the push button switch 3 can be slidably inserted therein.

[0022] Each of the multiple push button switches 3 includes a button head 3a, a button shaft 3b, and a spring member 3c, as shown in Fig. 3. The button shaft 3b is provided with multiple waterproof rings 3d on its outer circumferential surface, and is configured to be slidably inserted together with the multiple waterproof rings 3d into a button mounting hole 9b that penetrates from the bottom of the button recess 9a of the exterior case 11 to the inside and outside of the main case 6. The button head 3a is provided integrally with the outer end of the button shaft 3b, and is configured to be slidably disposed within the button recess 9a of the exterior case 11.

[0023] 3, the spring member 3c is a coil spring whose outer diameter is smaller than that of the button head 3a and whose inner diameter is larger than that of the button shaft 3b. As a result, when the spring member 3c is arranged on the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b, one end of the spring member 3c elastically contacts the inner surface of the button head 3a and the other end of the spring member 3c elastically contacts the bottom of the button recess 9a, and in this state, the spring member 3c is configured to urge the button head 3a in a direction pushing it outward from the watch case 1.

[0024] 3, each of the multiple push button switches 3 has a retaining member 3e such as an E-ring attached to the inner end of the button shaft 3b that protrudes inside the main body case 6. Each of the multiple push button switches 3 is configured such that when the button head 3a is urged toward the outside of the watch case 1 by the spring force of the spring member 3c, the retaining member 3e attached to the inner end of the button shaft 3b movably abuts against the inner surface of the main body case 6, preventing the button shaft 3b from slipping out of the watch case 1 from the button mounting hole 9b.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the multiple push button switches 3 is configured to operate as a switch when the button head 3a is pressed against the spring force of the spring member 3c, causing the inner end of the button shaft 3b to be pushed into the main body case 6 and pressing the contact plate of the watch module 5 against the contact portion of the watch module 5 (neither shown).

[0026] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the sensor device 4 is equipped with a sensor mounting portion 14 provided on the 3 o'clock side of the main body case 6 of the wristwatch case 1, a sensor portion 15 attached to this sensor mounting portion 14, and a flow passage 16 having a first flow port 21 which is a flow port provided in the wristwatch case 1 at a position offset from the sensor mounting portion 14, i.e., a position not facing the sensor mounting portion 14, and through which fluids such as gases and liquids outside the wristwatch case 1 flow to the sensor portion 15 via the first flow port 21.

[0027] 3 to 5, the sensor attachment portion 14 is an attachment hole in which the sensor unit 15 is housed and attached. The sensor attachment portion 14 is located on the lower side of the 3 o'clock side of the main case 6, that is, on the back cover 10 side lower than the middle in the up-down direction on the 3 o'clock side of the main case 6, and in this state penetrates the main case 6 from the outside to the inside.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, sensor section 15 detects pressure such as air pressure or water pressure outside watch case 1. This sensor section 15 comprises a detection tube section 17, a sensor element 18, and a sensor pressing member 19. Detection tube section 17 is into which fluids such as gas and liquid outside watch case 1 flow, and has a small diameter tube section 17a and a large diameter tube section 17b, which are configured to be arranged within sensor attachment section 14 of main body case 6.

[0029] 4 and 5, the detection tube portion 17 is configured such that a waterproof ring 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter tube portion 17a, and is disposed together with the waterproof ring 20 in the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6. As a result, the detection tube portion 17 is configured such that the waterproof ring 20 is in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the small diameter tube portion 17a and the inner periphery of the sensor attachment portion 14, thereby waterproofing the area between the outer periphery of the small diameter tube portion 17a and the inner periphery of the sensor attachment portion 14.

[0030] 4 and 5, sensor element 18 is a pressure sensor that detects pressures such as atmospheric pressure and water pressure, and is provided at the end of detection tube portion 17, that is, at the end of large diameter tube portion 17b located inside main body case 6. This sensor element 18 is configured to be electrically connected to a circuit portion (not shown) of watch module 5 provided inside main body case 6 by flexible wiring board 18a.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sensor pressing member 19 is intended to press the sensor element 18 against the sensor mounting portion 14 of the main body case 6, and is configured to prevent the detection tube portion 17 and the sensor element 18 from slipping out from the sensor mounting portion 14 toward the inside of the main body case 6 due to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the sensor mounting portion 14.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor pressing member 19 is formed in an approximately plate-like shape, with engagement portions 19a provided on both sides of the plate. These engagement portions 19a are each engaged with hook portions 19b provided on the inner surface of the main body case 6 located near both sides of the sensor element 18, thereby pressing and fixing the sensor element 18 against the sensor mounting portion 14.

[0033] 3 to 5, flow passage 16 guides fluids such as gas and liquid outside watch case 1 to sensor section 15 in sensor attachment section 14. This flow passage 16 is provided between main case 6 of watch case 1 and exterior member 7, i.e., between main case 6 and decorative member 12 of exterior member 7, with first flow port 21, which is a flow port, provided in exterior member 7 at a position offset from (not facing) sensor attachment section 14.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, this flow passage 16 has a first flow port 21 that is positioned offset from the sensor mounting portion 14 of the main body case 6, two second flow ports 22 that are positioned differently from the first flow port 21, and a flow path 23 that is positioned between and communicates with the first and second flow ports 21, 22 and communicates with the sensor mounting portion 14.

[0035] 2 to 4, the first flow port 21 is provided in the exterior member 7 at approximately the middle in the vertical direction on the 3 o'clock side of the watch case 1. That is, this first flow port 21 is provided in a position offset in the front-to-back direction of the watch case 1 (the vertical direction which is the thickness direction) with respect to the sensor attachment part 14, that is, in a position offset above (not facing) the sensor attachment part 14. This first flow port 21 has multiple recessed grooves 21a, which are provided between the bottom end of the exterior case 11 on the 3 o'clock side of the watch case 1 and the top end of the decorative member 12 facing it.

[0036] In this case, as shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8, the multiple grooves 21a of the first flow port 21 are provided at a position shifted upward from the sensor attachment portion 14, that is, at the upper end of the decorative member 12 corresponding to the lower end of the exterior case 11. This first flow port 21 is formed by one groove 21a located in the middle of the multiple grooves 21a and a communication groove 21b provided along the vertical direction on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 corresponding to this one groove 21a located in the middle.

[0037] Of these multiple grooves 21a, the two grooves 21a on both sides, except for one groove 21a located in the middle, are dummy grooves that are blocked by the main body case 6 and do not communicate with the flow path 23 of the flow passage 16, as shown in Figures 4, 6 to 8. Therefore, the first flow port 21 is configured to have design and decorativeness by the multiple grooves 21a.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the communicating groove 21b of the first flow port 21 is provided along the vertical direction on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 corresponding to one of the multiple grooves 21a that is located in the middle, thereby providing communication between the one of the multiple grooves 21a located in the middle and the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16.

[0039] For this reason, as shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8, the flow passage 16 is configured to take in fluids such as gases and liquids outside the watch case 1 from one of the multiple grooves 21a located in the middle of the first flow port 21 through the communicating groove 21b of the first flow port 21 into the flow path 23, and then send this taken-in fluid from the flow path 23 to the sensor mounting portion 14.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4, 6 to 8, this flow passage 16 is configured to send fluid sent to the sensor mounting portion 14 from the flow path 23 through the communicating groove 21b of the first flow port 21 to a single groove 21a located in the middle of the first flow port 21, and to discharge this sent fluid from the single groove 21a located in the middle to the outside of the watch case 1.

[0041] In this case, the first circulation port 21 is configured such that only a plurality of grooves 21a provided at the upper end of the decorative member 12 corresponding to the lower end of the outer case 11 are visible from the outside of the watch case 1, as shown in Figure 2, and the sensor mounting portion 14, the sensor portion 15, the second circulation port 22 of the circulation passage 16, and the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16 are not visible from the outside of the watch case 1, as shown in Figure 4.

[0042] That is, sensor attachment portion 14, sensor portion 15, and flow passage 16 excluding first flow port 21 are covered and hidden by decorative member 12, as shown in Fig. 4. For this reason, even if sensor device 4 is provided in watch case 1, only multiple recessed grooves 21a are visible from the outside of watch case 1, and sensor device 4 is not visible from the outside of watch case 1, so that sensor device 4 does not impair the appearance and design.

[0043] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, the two second flow ports 22 are positioned at a position offset from the sensor mounting portion 14 in a direction along the outer periphery of the watch case 1, that is, by extending toward the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock directions in the outer periphery direction perpendicular to the up-down direction that is the front and back direction of the watch case 1, so that they are positioned at a position offset from the sensor mounting portion 14 (positions that do not face each other).

[0044] 5, these two second circulation ports 22 are two grooves provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6 from the two switch mounting portions 9 located on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side toward the sensor mounting portion 14. These two second circulation ports 22 are provided in communication with the button recess 9a of the switch mounting portion 9 provided on the 2 o'clock side of the main body case 6 and the button recess 9a of the switch mounting portion 9 provided on the 4 o'clock side of the main body case 6, respectively.

[0045] As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the flow passage 16 is configured to take in fluids such as gases and liquids outside the watch case 1 from each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 located on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides through the two second flow ports 22 into the flow passage 23, and then send this taken-in fluid from the flow passage 23 to the sensor mounting portion 14.

[0046] In addition, this flow passage 16 is configured to send the fluid sent to the sensor mounting portion 14 from the flow path 23 through two second flow ports 22 to each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 located on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side, and to discharge this sent-in fluid to the outside of the watch case 1 from each of the button recesses 9a on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side.

[0047] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the two second circulation ports 22 reaches and communicates with each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 provided on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides to which the push button switches 3 are attached, and is therefore covered by the button heads 3a of the push button switches 3 arranged in each of these button recesses 9a and is configured not to be visible from the outside of the watch case 1.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16 includes a first flow path 23a extending from the first flow port 21 to the sensor mounting portion 14 of the main body case 6, and two second flow paths 23b extending from the sensor mounting portion 14 of the main body case 6 to two second flow ports 22 located on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side.

[0049] 4, 5 and 8, the first flow path 23a is a groove provided in the lower part of the inner surface of the decorative member 12, and is provided from the first flow port 21 to the sensor attachment part 14 of the main body case 6. The groove width of the first flow path 23a is formed to be approximately the same as the groove widths of the recessed groove 21a and the communication groove 21b of the first flow port 21.

[0050] As a result, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, when a foreign matter such as a particle having a diameter equal to or smaller than the groove width of first flow path 23a enters through first flow port 21, the foreign matter passes through first flow path 23a and is taken into sensor mounting portion 14 of main body case 6, and this taken in foreign matter is discharged from first flow path 23a to the outside of watch case 1 through first flow port 21.

[0051] 5 and 8, each of the two second flow paths 23b is formed by a groove provided in the lower part of the inner surface of the decorative member 12 and a groove provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6. In this case, the groove provided on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 extends from the first flow path 23a corresponding to the sensor attachment part 14 of the main body case 6 toward the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side of the main body case 6, and is formed with a length such that each extended end approaches each of the second flow ports 22 on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side.

[0052] 5, the grooves on the outer surface of the main body case 6 in the second flow path 23b extend from the first flow path 23a corresponding to the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6 toward the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the main body case 6, and are formed with a length such that each extended end reaches each of the second flow ports 22 on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides. As a result, the second flow path 23b is formed by overlapping the grooves on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 and the grooves on the outer surface of the main body case 6.

[0053] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, when a foreign matter such as a particle having a diameter smaller than the groove width of the second flow port 22 and smaller than the groove width of the first flow port 23a enters through the two second flow ports 22, the foreign matter passes through the two second flow ports 23b and is taken into the sensor mounting portion 14 of the main body case 6 from the first flow port 23a.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, this flow path 23 is configured so that foreign matter taken into the sensor mounting portion 14 is discharged from the first flow path 23a through the first flow path 21 to the outside of the watch case 1, and is also sent from the first flow path 23a through the two second flow paths 23b to the two second flow paths 22, and is discharged from the two second flow paths 22 to the outside of the watch case 1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, when a foreign matter such as a particle having a diameter smaller than the groove width of the second flow port 22 and larger than the groove width of the first flow port 23a enters through the two second flow ports 22, the foreign matter passes through the two second flow ports 23b and is blocked by the first flow port 23a, and the blocked foreign matter is discharged to the outside of the watch case 1 from the two second flow ports 22 through the two second flow ports 23b.

[0056] Next, the assembly of such a wristwatch will be described. In this case, first, the watch crystal 8 is attached to the upper opening of the main case 6. In this state, the exterior case 11 of the exterior member 7 is placed around the outer periphery of the main case 6 to cover it and attached with a number of screws 13. At this time, the button recesses 9a of the multiple switch mounting parts 9 provided on the exterior case 11 are arranged to correspond coaxially to the button mounting holes 9b of the switch mounting parts 9 provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the main case 6.

[0057] In this state, the decorative member 12 of the exterior member 7 is placed on the 3 o'clock side of the main case 6 to cover and conceal the sensor mounting portion 14. At this time, the button notch recesses 12a provided on both sides of the decorative member 12 are made to correspond to the lower side of the button recesses 9a of the switch mounting portion 9 of the exterior case 11, and the shaft insertion notch portions 12b corresponding to the button notch recesses 12a are made to correspond coaxially to the button mounting holes 9b of the switch mounting portion 9 provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the main case 6.

[0058] Then, the decorative member 12 is temporarily fixed to the outer surface of the main case 6 by the temporary fixing portion 12c. At this time, the boss portion 6a of the temporary fixing portion 12c provided on the outer surface of the main case 6 is inserted into the circular hole portion 12e. As a result, the circular hole portion 12e is pushed open together with the elongated hole portion 12d by the boss portion 6a of the main case 6, and the pushed open circular hole portion 12e elastically sandwiches the boss portion 6a, temporarily fixing the decorative member 12 to the outer surface of the main case 6 on the 3 o'clock side.

[0059] As a result, a flow passage 16 that guides fluids such as gas and liquid outside the watch case 1 to the sensor attachment portion 14 is formed between the inner surface of the temporarily fixed decorative member 12 and the outer surface of the main case 6, excluding the first flow port 21. In this case, the first flow port 21 of the flow passage 16 is formed by a plurality of grooves 21a provided at the upper end portion located on the 3 o'clock side of the decorative member 12, and a communication groove 21b that communicates with a flow path 23 of the flow passage 16 from one groove 21a located in the middle of the plurality of grooves 21a.

[0060] In addition, the second flow port 22 of the flow passage 16 is formed by covering grooves provided at respective locations near the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side of the decorative member 12 and communicating with each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side of the main body case 6.

[0061] Additionally, a first flow path 23a of the flow path 23 of the flow passage 16 is formed by a groove provided on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 from the first flow port 21 to the sensor attachment portion 14. Additionally, a second flow path 23b of the flow path 23 of the flow passage 16 is formed by a groove provided on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 and a groove provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6 overlapping each other.

[0062] Then, the push button switches 3 are attached to the switch attachment parts 9 on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the wristwatch case 1. At this time, multiple waterproof rings 3d are attached to the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b of the push button switch 3, and a spring member 3c is placed on the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b. In this state, the button shaft 3b of the push button switch 3 is inserted from inside the button recess 9a of the exterior case 11 into the button attachment hole 9b of the main case 6, and the inner end of the button shaft 3b protrudes into the main case 6.

[0063] At this time, multiple waterproof rings 3d provided on the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b are pressed against the inner periphery of the button mounting hole 9b of the main case 6, thereby achieving waterproofing between the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b and the inner periphery of the button mounting hole 9b. Also, at this time, one end of the spring member 3c arranged on the outer periphery of the button shaft 3b elastically contacts the inner surface of the button head 3a, and the other end of the spring member 3c elastically contacts the bottom of the button recess 9a of the exterior case 11, so that the button head 3a is urged in a direction to be pushed out towards the outside of the wristwatch case 1 by the spring force of the spring member 3c. In this state, a stopper member 3e is attached to the inner end of the button shaft 3b protruding into the main case 6.

[0064] Also at this time, the sensor unit 15 is attached to the sensor attachment portion 14 provided on the 3 o'clock side of the main body case 6. At this time, the sensor element 18 is attached in advance to the end of the large diameter cylindrical portion 17b of the detection cylindrical portion 17 of the sensor unit 15, and the flexible wiring board 18a is electrically connected to this sensor element 18 and attached.

[0065] In this state, a waterproof ring 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter cylindrical portion 17a of the detection cylindrical portion 17, and the detection cylindrical portion 17 is fitted into the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6. At this time, the waterproof ring 20 attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter cylindrical portion 17a of the detection cylindrical portion 17 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6, thereby achieving waterproofing between the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter cylindrical portion 17a of the detection cylindrical portion 17 and the inner circumferential surface of the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6.

[0066] In this state, the sensor element 18 and the detection tube portion 17 are pressed against the main body case 6 by the sensor pressing member 19 of the sensor portion 15. At this time, the engagement portions 19a on both sides of the sensor pressing member 19 are respectively engaged with the hook portions 19b provided on the inner surface of the main body case 6. As a result, the sensor pressing member 19 presses the sensor element 18 against the main body case 6, and the small diameter tube portion 17a and the large diameter tube portion 17b of the detection tube portion 17 are pressed into the sensor attachment portion 14 of the main body case 6 and fixed.

[0067] Then, the sensor element 18 of the sensor section 15 is electrically connected to the circuit section (not shown) of the watch module 5 by the flexible wiring board 18a, and in this state the watch module 5 is inserted from below into the main body case 6. At this time, the inner ends of the button shafts 3b of the multiple push button switches 3 attached to the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the wristwatch case 1 are brought into contact with the contact plates (not shown) of the watch module 5, respectively.

[0068] In this state, back cover 10 is attached to the bottom of main case 6 together with packing 10a. At this time, pressing portion 10b, which is provided slantingly upward from the 3 o'clock side of back cover 10, is pressed against inclined portion 12f of decorative member 12, and decorative member 12 is pressed and fixed by pressing portion 10b against the outer surface of main case 6. In other words, decorative member 12 is temporarily fixed to main case 6 by temporary fastening portion 12c, and is sandwiched and fixed between main case 6 and pressing portion 10b. In this way, watch case 1 is assembled, and the watch is assembled.

[0069] Next, how to use the wristwatch thus assembled will be described. In this wristwatch, when normal mode is selected by selectively operating a plurality of push button switches 3 provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the wristwatch case 1, the clock module 5 operates normally.

[0070] That is, in the normal mode of this wristwatch, the clock movement (not shown) of the clock module 5 moves the hands to indicate the time, and the display unit (not shown) displays information such as the time, date, day of the week, etc. This allows information such as the time, date, day of the week, etc. to be seen from outside the wristwatch case 1 through the clock glass 8.

[0071] In addition, when the sensor mode of this wristwatch is selected by selectively operating multiple push button switches 3 provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the wristwatch case 1, the sensor device 4 detects pressure such as air pressure or water pressure outside the wristwatch case 1. At this time, fluid such as gas or liquid outside the wristwatch case 1 is taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor portion 15 in the sensor attachment portion 14 from the first circulation port 21 of the circulation path 16 through the flow path 23 of the circulation path 16.

[0072] At this time, fluids such as gas and liquid outside the watch case 1 are taken into the two second flow ports 22 of the flow passage 16 from each button recess 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides, and this taken-in fluid is taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor portion 15 provided in the sensor mounting portion 14 through the flow path 23 of the flow passage 16 from the two second flow ports 22.

[0073] The pressure of the fluid taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor portion 15 is detected by the sensor element 18 of the sensor portion 15. Pressure information detected by this sensor element 18 is provided to a circuit portion (not shown) of the clock module 5 by a flexible wiring board 18a, and the pressure information provided to this circuit portion is indicated by the hands of the clock movement of the clock module 5 and displayed by a display portion (neither of which are shown), etc.

[0074] In this way, fluids such as gas and liquid taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor portion 15 in the sensor mounting portion 14 are discharged to the outside of the watch case 1 from the first flow path 23a of the flow path 23 through the first circulation port 21, and are also sent from the first flow path 23a through two second flow paths 23b to two second circulation ports 22, and are discharged to the outside of the watch case 1 from each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides through these two second circulation ports 22.

[0075] In this case, when the arm on which the wristwatch is attached (for example the left arm) is lowered, the 3 o'clock side of the wristwatch case 1 on which the sensor device 4 is mounted is positioned downward, making it easier for fluids such as gas and liquid that have been taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor unit 15 to be discharged to the outside of the wristwatch case 1.

[0076] Furthermore, when the arm on which the wristwatch is attached is swung while walking, etc., the number of times that the 2 o'clock side becomes downward increases. In other words, fluids such as gas and liquid taken into detection tube part 17 of sensor part 15 are reliably discharged to the outside of wristwatch case 1 through first circulation port 21 or second circulation port 22.

[0077] Furthermore, even if the wristwatch is worn on the right arm, the 2 o'clock side will often be positioned almost at the bottom as a result of walking, etc., and fluids such as gas and liquid that have been taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor unit 15 will be more likely to be discharged to the outside of the wristwatch case 1 through the second flow port 22.

[0078] In other words, fluids such as gas and liquid taken into the detection tube portion 17 of the sensor portion 15 are reliably discharged from the first flow path 23a through the first circulation port 21 to the outside of the watch case 1, and are also sent from the first flow path 23a through two second flow paths 23b to two second circulation ports 22, and are reliably discharged from each button recess 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9 to the outside of the watch case 1 through these two second circulation ports 22.

[0079] In this case, when a foreign object such as a particle having a diameter equal to or smaller than the groove width of first flow path 23a enters through first flow port 21, the foreign object passes through first flow path 23a and is taken into sensor attachment portion 14 of main body case 6. This taken-in foreign object is discharged from first flow path 23a to the outside of watch case 1 through first flow port 21, and is sent from first flow path 23a to two second flow ports 22 through two second flow paths 23b, and is discharged from these two second flow ports 22 to the outside of watch case 1 through each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch attachment portions 9.

[0080] Similarly, when a foreign object such as a particle having a diameter equal to or smaller than the groove width of first flow path 23a enters through second flow port 22, the foreign object passes through second flow path 23b and is taken into sensor mounting portion 14 of main body case 6 from first flow path 23a. The foreign object taken into sensor mounting portion 14 is discharged from first flow path 23a through first flow port 21 to the outside of watch case 1, and is sent from first flow path 23a through two second flow paths 23b to two second flow ports 22, and is discharged from these two second flow ports 22 to the outside of watch case 1 through each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9.

[0081] Furthermore, when a foreign object such as a particle having a diameter larger than the groove width of first flow path 23a enters through first flow port 21, the foreign object is blocked by first flow path 23a and is not sent into sensor mounting portion 14. The foreign object blocked by first flow path 23a is discharged from first flow port 21 through first flow path 23a to the outside of watch case 1, and is sent from first flow path 23a through two second flow paths 23b to two second flow ports 22, and is discharged from these two second flow ports 22 to the outside of watch case 1 through each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9.

[0082] Similarly, when foreign matter such as particles having a diameter larger than the groove width of first flow path 23a and smaller than the groove width of second flow path 22 enters through two second flow paths 22, the entering foreign matter is blocked by first flow path 23a and is not sent into sensor mounting portion 14. The foreign matter blocked by first flow path 23a is sent from first flow path 23a through two second flow paths 23b to two second flow paths 22, and is discharged from these two second flow paths 22 to the outside of watch case 1 through each of the button recesses 9a of the two switch mounting portions 9.

[0083] Furthermore, even if the foreign matter particles are large and clog either the first flow path 23a or the two second flow paths 23b, preventing the foreign matter from being discharged outside the watch case 1, by utilizing the remaining flow path 23, it is less likely to affect the detection of the sensor unit 15 or the discharge of fluids such as gas and liquid.

[0084] In this way, the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1 having a sensor mounting portion 14, a sensor portion 15 attached to the sensor mounting portion 14, and at least one first circulation port 21 and at least one second circulation port 22 which are circulation ports provided in the wristwatch case 1 at a position not facing the sensor portion 15 or the sensor mounting portion 14, and is provided with a flow passage 16 through which fluid can flow to the sensor portion 15 via the first circulation port 21 or the second circulation port 22, and by providing the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22 at positions not facing each other, a reduction in design freedom can be suppressed.

[0085] That is, in sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, first flow port 21 of flow passage 16, which guides fluids such as gas and liquid outside wristwatch case 1 to sensor section 15, is provided in wristwatch case 1 at a position offset from sensor mounting section 14, so sensor mounting section 14 and sensor section 15 are not exposed to the outside of wristwatch case 1 and can be hidden by wristwatch case 1. As a result, wristwatch case 1 is not restricted in appearance or design by sensor mounting section 14 and sensor section 15, and a decrease in design freedom can be suppressed, thereby improving the appearance and design of wristwatch case 1.

[0086] In this case, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the flow passage 16 is provided with a first flow port 21, which is a flow port that is positioned offset from the sensor mounting portion 14, and a second flow port 22 that is positioned differently from the first flow port 21, so that fluids such as gases and liquids outside the wristwatch case 1 can be efficiently taken in through the first flow port 21 and the second flow port 22, and the taken-in fluid can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the wristwatch case 1 through the first flow port 21 and the second flow port 22.

[0087] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the first circulation port 21 is offset in the vertical direction, which is the front and back direction of the wristwatch case 1, relative to the sensor portion 15 or the sensor mounting portion 14, and the second circulation port 22 is offset in the outer circumferential direction of the wristwatch case 1, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction of the wristwatch case 1, relative to the sensor portion 15 or the sensor mounting portion 14. This allows the positions of the first and second circulation ports 21, 22 to be reliably offset in correspondence with the sensor mounting portion 14, and thereby allows the sensor mounting portion 14 and the sensor portion 15 to be reliably and effectively hidden by the wristwatch case 1 so as not to be exposed to the outside of the wristwatch case 1.

[0088] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the second circulation port 22 is provided on the side of the wristwatch case 1 and is connected to the switch mounting portion 9 to which the push button switch 3, which is a switch, is attached. Therefore, the push button switch 3 attached to the switch mounting portion 9 can reliably and effectively hide the second circulation port 22 so that it is not visible from the outside of the wristwatch case 1.

[0089] In this case, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the push button switch 3 has a button head 3a and a button shaft 3b, and the button head 3a is arranged so as to be slidable within the button recess 9a of the switch mounting portion 9, so that the second circulation port 22 communicating with this button recess 9a can be reliably and effectively hidden so as not to be seen from the outside of the wristwatch case 1 by the button head 3a arranged within the button recess 9a.

[0090] In addition, in this wristwatch sensor device 4, the wristwatch case 1 comprises a main case 6 and an exterior member 7, and a first circulation port 21, which is a circulation port that is shifted in position in the front-to-back direction of the wristwatch case 1, i.e., in the vertical direction, is provided in the exterior member 7 relative to the sensor section 15 or the sensor mounting section 14, and the circulation passage 16 is provided between the main case 6 and the exterior member 7 excluding this first circulation port 21.Therefore, the second circulation port 22 and the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16 can be well arranged within the wristwatch case 1, so that only the first circulation port 21 is visible from the outside of the wristwatch case 1, and the second circulation port 22 and the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16 are not visible from the outside of the wristwatch case 1.

[0091] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the exterior member 7 is provided with at least a decorative member 12 which is an exposed member, and the decorative member 12 is arranged on the outer surface of the main body case 6 in correspondence with the flow passage 16, thereby allowing the decorative member 12 to be attached to the outer surface of the main body case 6, and the flow passage 16 except for the first flow port 21 can be reliably covered and formed well by this decorative member 12.

[0092] In this case, because the decorative member 12, which is the exposed member, has decorative properties, the decorative member 12 can also improve the design of the watch case 1. That is, the decorative member 12 is colored to accentuate the watch case 1, thereby improving the appearance and design of the watch case 1. In addition, because the decorative member 12 is formed as a separate part from the exterior member 7, the structure of the exterior case 11 can be simplified, and this makes it possible to easily manufacture the exterior case 11 and the decorative member 12, as well as the exterior member 7.

[0093] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, a first circulation port 21 is provided between the outer case 11 and the decorative member 12, which is a circulation port that is shifted in the front-to-back direction of the wristwatch case 1, i.e., in the vertical direction, relative to the sensor mounting portion 14, so that the first circulation port 21 can be easily provided in the wristwatch case 1.

[0094] That is, in this sensor device 4, the first flow port 21 is formed by a groove 21a provided in the upper end of the decorative member 12 corresponding to the lower end of the outer case 11, and a communicating groove 21b provided on the inner surface of the decorative member 12 corresponding to the groove 21a, so that the first flow port 21 can be easily formed by the decorative member 12.

[0095] In this case, the first circulation port 21 has a plurality of grooves 21a, and of these grooves 21a, the two grooves 21a on both sides, except for one groove 21a located in the middle, are dummy groove portions that are blocked by the main body case 6 and do not communicate with the flow path 23 of the circulation passage 16, thereby improving the design and decorativeness of the first circulation port 21 by the plurality of grooves 21a.

[0096] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the decorative member 12 is temporarily fixed to the outer surface of the main body case 6 by temporary fastening portion 12c, so that when the decorative member 12 is placed on the outer surface of the main body case 6, the decorative member 12 can be temporarily fixed to the outer surface of the main body case 6 by temporary fastening portion 12c.

[0097] In other words, this temporary fixing portion 12c has a boss portion 6a provided on the outer surface of the main body case 6 and a hole portion into which this boss portion 6a is inserted, and this hole portion is formed by an elongated hole portion 12d and a circular hole portion 12e, and when the boss portion 6a is inserted into the circular hole portion 12e of this hole portion, the circular hole portion 12e is expanded together with the elongated hole portion 12d, and this expanded circular hole portion 12e elastically clamps the boss portion 6a, thereby temporarily fixing the decorative member 12 to the outer surface of the main body case 6.

[0098] Furthermore, in the sensor device 4 of this wristwatch, the decorative member 12 is sandwiched and fixed between the pressing portion 10b of the back cover 10, which is a cover attached to the underside of the main case 6, and the main case 6, so that the decorative member 12, which is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing portion 12c, can be pressed down by the pressing portion 10b of the back cover 10 and fixed securely and firmly.

[0099] In other words, the pressing portion 10b is inclined diagonally upward from the 3 o'clock side of the back cover 10, so that when the back cover 10 is attached to the lower part of the main body case 6, the inclined pressing portion 10b is pressed against the inclined portion 12f of the decorative member 12 that is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing portion 12c, and the pressing portion 10b presses the decorative member 12 against the outer surface of the main body case 6, thereby securely fixing it.

[0100] In addition, in this wristwatch, the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22 of the sensor device 4 are provided on the side of the wristwatch case 1 located in a radial direction from the center of the wristwatch case 1, which is the watch body, so that by tilting the wristwatch case 1 so that the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22 face downward, the fluid taken into the flow path 23 of the sensor device 4 and the sensor section 15 can be efficiently discharged from the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22.

[0101] In addition, in this wristwatch, the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22 are provided on the side of the wristwatch case 1 from approximately the 2 o'clock side to approximately the 4 o'clock side, so that when the arm to which the wristwatch case 1 is attached is hung, the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22 can be faced downward, and therefore the fluid taken into the flow path 23 of the sensor device 4 and the sensor section 15 can be reliably and effectively discharged from the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22.

[0102] Furthermore, in this watch, the first circulation port 21 is provided on the side surface of the watch case 1 at approximately the 3 o'clock side, and the second circulation port 22 is provided on a side surface of the watch case 1 different from the first circulation port 21. Therefore, when the watch case 1 is tilted so that the first circulation port 21 faces downward, the fluid taken into the flow path 23 of the sensor device 4 and the sensor section 15 can be reliably and effectively discharged from the first circulation port 21 and the second circulation port 22.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the decorative member 12 is formed as a separate part, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the decorative member 12 and the outer case 11 may be formed as a single unit.

[0104] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the second circulation port 22 of the circulation passage 16 is provided at two locations, on the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side of the watch case 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured, for example, such that the second circulation port 22 is provided at only one of the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side of the watch case 1.

[0105] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor device 4 is described as being provided on the 3 o'clock side of the watch case 1, but in this invention, it does not necessarily have to be provided on the 3 o'clock side, and the sensor device 4 may be provided anywhere around the entire circumference of the watch case 1 from the 1 o'clock side to the 12 o'clock side.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor element 18 of the sensor device 4 is a pressure sensor that detects pressure. However, in the present invention, the sensor element does not necessarily have to be a pressure sensor, and may be a temperature sensor that detects temperature.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a wristwatch, but this invention does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, and can be applied to various types of clocks, such as travel watches, alarm clocks, table clocks, wall clocks, etc. Also, this invention does not necessarily have to be a clock, and can be applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 watch case 2 Band attachment part 3 Push button switch 3a Button head 3b Button axis 3c Spring material 3d waterproof ring 3e Anti-pullout member 4 Sensor device 5. Clock Module 6 Main unit case 6a Boss part 7 Exterior materials 8. Watch Glass 9 Switch mounting part 9a Button recess 9b Button mounting hole 10 Back cover 10a Gasket 10b Presser section 11 Outer case 12 Decorative materials 12a Button notch recess 12b Shaft insertion notch 12c Temporary fastening 12d Long hole part 12e Circular hole 14 Sensor mounting part 15 Sensor section 16 Distribution path 17 Detector tube 17a Small diameter cylinder part 17b Large diameter cylinder 18 Sensor element 18a Wiring board 19 Sensor holding member 19a Engagement part 19b Hook part 20 Waterproof Ring 21 First distribution outlet 21a Groove 21b Communication groove 22 Second distribution outlet 23 Flow Path 23a First flow path 23b Second flow path

Claims

1. A main body case, a sensor unit provided in the main body case; an exterior member provided around the main body case and having at least one first flow port at a position not facing the sensor unit; at least one second flow port different from the first flow port is provided between the main body case and the exterior member at a position not facing the sensor unit, a flow path is formed between the main body case and the exterior member, through which a fluid can flow to the sensor unit via the first flow port or the second flow port; A sensor device characterized by:

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, the first flow port is offset in position from the sensor unit in a front-to-back direction of the main body case, the second flow port is offset in position from the sensor unit in the outer circumferential direction of the main body case; A sensor device characterized by:

3. In the sensor device according to claim 1, the first flow port and the second flow port are located so as not to face each other; A sensor device characterized by:

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, The second flow port is provided on a side surface of the main body case and communicates with a switch mounting portion to which a switch is attached. A sensor device characterized by:

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, the exterior member includes at least an exposed member, the exposed member is disposed on the outer surface of the main body case in correspondence with the flow passage; A sensor device characterized by:

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, The exposure member is sandwiched and fixed between a pressing portion of a lid provided below the main body case and the main body case. A sensor device characterized by:

7. A timepiece comprising the sensor device according to claim 1.

8. 8. The timepiece according to claim 7, the first and second flow ports of the sensor device are each located radially relative to the center of the timepiece body and on a side surface of the timepiece body; A watch characterized by

9. 9. The timepiece according to claim 8, the first and second circulation ports are located on the side surface of the timepiece body from approximately the 2 o'clock side to approximately the 4 o'clock side, A watch characterized by

10. 10. The timepiece according to claim 9, The first circulation port is located on the side surface of the timepiece body at approximately the 3 o'clock position, The second circulation port is located on a different side of the watch body from the first circulation port. A watch characterized by

11. The timepiece according to claim 9, The second circulation ports are located on the side surfaces of the timepiece body at approximately the 2 o'clock side and the 4 o'clock side. A watch characterized by

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