Timepiece component, watch, and method of manufacturing timepiece component

Abstract

To provide a timepiece component that enables luxurious-looking designs, a timepiece, and a method of manufacturing the timepiece component.SOLUTION: A timepiece component is provided, having: a substrate; a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on a surface of the substrate; a second layer formed by laminating a translucent first resin material on a surface of the first layer; and a third layer formed on a surface of the second layer through inkjet printing using a metal nano-ink containing metal nanoparticles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dial plate in which letters and images are formed on a plated metal plate by inkjet printing. In this patent document 1, a transparent ink-receiving layer is formed on the surface of the plated metal plate, eliminating the need to produce films or printing plates and enabling high-mix, low-cost production of dial plates in a short time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-111660 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, since letters and images are simply formed by inkjet printing, there is a problem in that it is difficult to express a design with a luxurious feel. Therefore, the inventor attempted to achieve a luxurious design by painting the surface of the substrate with a colored paint containing a pigment and then inkjet printing on top of that using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles. However, when metal nanoink was printed on top of colored paint, a new problem arose: the metal nanoink discolored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The timepiece component of the present disclosure includes a base material, a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material, a second layer formed by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer, and a third layer formed by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer.

[0006] The timepiece of the present disclosure is characterized by having the timepiece component.

[0007] The method for decorating the timepiece component of the present disclosure includes a first step of forming a first layer by laminating a decorative material on the surface of a base material, a second step of forming a second layer by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer, and a third step of forming a third layer by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the timepiece 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the timepiece 1. In the present embodiment, the timepiece 1 is configured as a wristwatch to be worn on the user's wrist. As shown in Fig. 1, the clock 1 includes a metal case 2. Inside the case 2, there are a disc-shaped dial 10, a second hand 3, a minute hand 4, an hour hand 5, a dragon head 7, an A button 8, and a B button 9. Note that the dial 10 is an example of a clock component of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Dial] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dial 10 cut in the thickness direction, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the layered structure of the dial 10 disassembled. In the present embodiment, the surface of the dial 10 means the surface on the cover glass side of the clock 1 in the thickness direction of the dial 10, that is, the side where the dial 10 is visible. Similarly, the surface of each layer means the surface on the cover glass side of the clock 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the dial 10 is configured to include a base material 30. The base material 30 is formed by any one of shell, resin, and metal, or a combination thereof. Thereby, the texture of these materials can be expressed. For example, by cutting out nacre to form the base material 30, a design in which the color tone changes depending on the light can be expressed. Also, by forming the base material 30 with a noble metal such as platinum, a high-class feeling can be obtained. The base material 30 may be subjected to a predetermined surface treatment. For example, when using a brass base material 30, a surface treatment for rust prevention such as nickel plating may be performed.

[0011] A plurality of recesses 32 are formed on the surface 31 of the base material 30. More specifically, the surface 31 of the base material 30 is subjected to graining so that the recesses 32 are formed radially from the center. Thus, in the present embodiment, by forming the recesses 32, an uneven pattern 35 is displayed on the surface 31 of the base material 30. The thickness dimension of the base material 30 is, for example, about 0.25 mm to 0.50 mm. Also, the depth dimension of the recess 32 is about several tens of μm to 100 μm. Since the uneven step of a general mold used for embossing on the surface of the dial 10 is about 50 to 60 μm, the recess 32 can be formed by embossing using a mold or the like.

[0012] A first layer 40 formed by laminating a decorative material is provided on the surface 31 of the base material 30. The decorative material is, for example, a colored paint containing a pigment, and the first layer 40 is formed by applying or vapor-depositing this colored paint on the surface 31. The thickness dimension of the first layer 40 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm when the colored paint is applied, and typically about 10 to 30 μm. Also, the thickness dimension of the first layer 40 when formed by vapor deposition is, for example, about 0.3 μm to 1.0 μm. When the thickness dimension of the first layer 40 is less than the depth dimension of the recess 32, as shown in FIG. 2, an uneven pattern 45 corresponding to the recess 32 is also formed on the first layer 40 laminated on the surface 31 of the base material 30.

[0013] A second layer 50 formed by laminating a light-transmissive first resin material is provided on the surface of the first layer 40. The first resin material may be, for example, a resin material that can transmit light, such as a transparent resin or a translucent resin, and examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. In this embodiment, the first resin material is an acrylic resin. The thickness dimension of the second layer 50 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm, and typically about 10 to 30 μm. When the thickness dimension of the second layer 50 is less than the depth dimension of the recess of the uneven pattern 45, as shown in FIG. 2, an uneven pattern 55 corresponding to the uneven pattern 45 is also formed on the second layer 50 laminated on the surface of the first layer 40.

[0014] On the surface of the second layer 50, a third layer 60 is formed by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles. The third layer 60 is composed of dots 61 formed by landing the metal nanoink on the surface of the second layer 50 along a preset printing pattern. Thereby, dots 61 of a predetermined pattern are formed on the surface of the second layer 50, and a predetermined pattern can be printed on the surface of the second layer 50. For example, a radial pattern can be printed by forming dots 61 radially from the plane center of the dial 10. Note that the surface of the second layer 50 is the surface that is exposed on the clock face side in the second layer 50 and includes the convex and concave portions of the concavo-convex pattern 45. Therefore, the dots 61 may be formed not only on the convex portions but also on the concave portions of the concavo-convex pattern 45.

[0015] Here, the metal nanoink is a composition in which metal nanoparticles are dispersed in a dispersion medium. The metal nanoparticles are intended to be metal particles having a particle size of 1 nm or more and 1 μm or less, and preferably include any one of gold, silver, copper, and platinum. Thereby, in printing with the metal nanoink, a glossy pattern can be expressed, and a more luxurious design can be expressed. In this embodiment, the dots 61 have a thickness dimension of about 2 to 5 μm and a dot diameter (diameter) of about 15 to 30 μm.

[0016] On the surface of the third layer 60, a fourth layer 70 formed by laminating a second resin material having translucency is provided. The second resin material may be a resin material that can transmit light, such as a transparent resin or a translucent resin, like the first resin material, and examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. In this embodiment, the second resin material is the same material as the first resin material, that is, an acrylic resin. Note that the first resin material and the second resin material may be composed of different resin materials. The thickness dimension of the fourth layer 70 is, for example, 1 μm to 100 μm, as long as it can cover the dots 61.

[0017] [Method for manufacturing a dial] Next, the manufacturing process of the front panel 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, first, a processing step of forming a concave portion 32 on the surface 31 of the base material 30 to process an uneven pattern 35 is executed. Specific processing methods for processing the uneven pattern 35 include, for example, embossing, laser processing, cutting, chemical removal, polishing, forging and casting, etc. An appropriate processing method may be used according to the material of the base material 30 and the uneven pattern 35.

[0018] Next, a first step of forming a first layer 40 by laminating a colored paint, which is a decorative material, on the surface 31 of the base material 30 is executed. The lamination method of the colored paint is not particularly limited, and coating methods such as spin coating, dipping, brush coating, spray coating, electrostatic coating, electroplating, etc. can be used.

[0019] Next, a second step of forming a second layer 50 by laminating a light-transmissive first resin material on the surface of the first layer 40 is executed. The lamination method of the first resin material is also not particularly limited, and an appropriate lamination method such as spin coating may be selected in the same manner as the coating method of the colored paint. Next, a third step of forming a third layer 60 by inkjet printing using metal nanoink is executed on the surface of the second layer 50 based on a previously prepared printing pattern. Next, a fourth step of forming a fourth layer 70 by laminating a light-transmissive second resin material on the surface of the third layer 60 is executed. The lamination method of the second resin material is also not particularly limited, and an appropriate lamination method such as spin coating may be selected in the same manner as the lamination method of the first resin material. Furthermore, if necessary, after the fourth step, a lapping process of polishing and smoothing the surface of the fourth layer 70 may be executed. Thereby, since the fourth layer 70 is polished as a finishing process, the design can be further enhanced.

[0020] [Operation and Effect of the First Embodiment] According to such a first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. According to the dial 10 which is a timepiece part of the first embodiment, a first layer 40 made of a decorative material is formed on the surface of the base material 30, and further, a third layer 60 in which dots 61 are formed by metal nanoink is provided via a second layer 50 made of a first resin material having translucency. Therefore, both the third layer 60 and the first layer 40 can be visually recognized from the surface of the dial 10, and a complex, original, and luxurious design can be expressed. In particular, since the third layer 60 formed by dots 61 of metal nanoink is provided on the surface side of the first layer 40 laminated with a colored paint containing a pigment, with the first layer 40 colored in a predetermined color as a background, and a shiny pattern represented by the pattern of the dots 61 being displayed thereon, a luxurious dial 10 can be realized.

[0021] Since the second layer 50 made of a first resin material is interposed between the first layer 40 made of a colored paint containing a pigment and the third layer 60 made of metal nanoink, contact between the colored paint of the first layer 40 and the metal nanoink of the third layer 60 can be prevented. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the colored paint of the first layer 40 and the metal nanoink of the third layer 60 from chemically reacting and discoloring. Furthermore, since a fourth layer 70 made of a second resin material is formed on the surface of the third layer 60, the metal nanoink of the third layer 60 can be prevented from coming into contact with air, and thereby it is possible to prevent the metal nanoink from chemically reacting with oxygen or sulfur components in the air and discoloring.

[0022] Since the dots 61 are formed by inkjet printing using metal nanoink to constitute the third layer 60, a delicate, highly designed, and luxurious appearance can be obtained. Also, since the third layer 60 is formed by inkjet printing, the printing pattern of the dots 61 can be easily changed, and dials 10 with various designs can be easily formed.

[0023] In this embodiment, since the base material 30 is formed by any one of shell, resin, and metal, or by combining these, the texture of these materials can be expressed. In this embodiment, since the metal nanoparticles forming the dots 61 of the third layer 60 are composed of any one of gold, silver, copper, and platinum, a shiny pattern can be expressed, and a more sophisticated design can be expressed.

[0024] [Second Embodiment] Next, the dial 10B, which is a timepiece part of the second embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dial 10B of the second embodiment cut in the thickness direction, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the layer structure of the dial 10B decomposed. As shown in FIG. 4, the dial 10B of the second embodiment includes a base material 30, a first layer 40, a second layer 50, and a third layer 60. Since these configurations are the same as those of the dial 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. On the other hand, the fourth layer 70 is not provided on the dial 10B, and the third layer 60 is the outermost surface, and in this respect, the configuration is different from that of the dial 10 of the first embodiment. Since the fourth layer 70 is omitted from the dial 10B, it is preferable to form the dots 61 of the third layer 60 with a metal nanoink that is difficult to discolor even when exposed to air, or to use the dial 10B in a timepiece with high airtightness.

[0025] The manufacturing method of the dial 10B is also the same as that of the dial 10 of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a processing step of forming a concave portion 32 on the surface 31 of the base material 30 by laser processing, die stamping, or the like to form an uneven pattern 35 is performed. Next, a first step of forming the first layer 40 by laminating a colored paint, which is a decorative material, on the surface 31 of the base material 30 is performed. Next, a second step of forming the second layer 50 by laminating a translucent first resin material on the surface of the first layer 40 is performed. Next, a third step of forming the third layer 60 by inkjet printing using metal nanoink based on a previously prepared printing pattern is performed on the surface of the second layer 50. That is, the dial 10B differs from the first embodiment in that it performs the processing step, the first step, the second step, and the third step, but does not perform the fourth step.

[0026] [Operation and Effect of the Second Embodiment] According to such an embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained except for the effect of the fourth layer 70. In addition, since the dial 10B omits the fourth layer 70, the cost can be reduced compared to the dial 10.

[0027] [Modification Example] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. In each of the above-described embodiments, the uneven pattern 35 is displayed on the base material 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The surface of the base material 30 may be a flat surface without providing unevenness, or may display a pattern other than unevenness.

[0028] The decorative material of the first layer is not limited to a colored paint containing a pigment. For example, a metal material laminated on the surface of the base material 30 by plating may be used as the decorative material. Also, ink laminated on the surface of the base material 30 by inkjet printing may be used as the decorative material. Therefore, the lamination method of the first layer 40 is not limited to painting, and may be, for example, dry plating such as vapor deposition, wet plating, solid printing by inkjet printing, etc. That is, the appropriate decorative material and its lamination method of the first layer 40 may be selected according to the material of the base material 30, the type of the decorative material, etc.

[0029] In each of the above-described embodiments, the timepiece parts of the present disclosure are configured as the dials 10 and 10B, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the timepiece parts of the present disclosure may be configured as any one of a case, a dial ring, a glass edge, a movement and its floor plate, a hand, an abbreviation, and a balance weight. For example, in a skeleton type timepiece in which the inside can be visually recognized from the back cover side, the timepiece parts of the present disclosure may be configured as a wheel train receiver or a balance weight that can be visually recognized from the back cover side. In this case, the surface of the base material is the side where the timepiece parts can be visually recognized, that is, the back cover side.

[0030] [Summary of the Present Disclosure] The timepiece part of the present disclosure has a base material, a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material, a second layer formed by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer, and a third layer formed by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer. According to the timepiece part of the present disclosure, a first layer in which a decorative material is laminated on the surface of the base material is formed, and dots are printed by inkjet printing using metal nanoink on the surface of the first layer via a second layer made of a first resin material having translucency. Since the third layer is provided, not only the third layer but also the first layer can be visually recognized from the surface side of the timepiece part through the second layer, so that a complex, original, and luxurious design can be expressed. In addition, since the second layer made of the first resin material is interposed between the first layer and the third layer, it is possible to prevent the components of the decorative material of the first layer from coming into contact with the metal nanoparticles of the third layer. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the decorative material of the first layer and the metal nanoparticles of the third layer from chemically reacting and discoloring.

[0031] In the timepiece part of the present disclosure, it is preferable to further include a fourth layer formed by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer. Since the fourth layer made of the second resin material is formed on the surface of the third layer, even when the surface of the timepiece part is in contact with air, it is possible to prevent the metal nanoparticles of the third layer from coming into contact with the air, thereby preventing the metal nanoparticles from chemically reacting with oxygen or sulfur components in the air and discoloring.

[0032] In the timepiece part of the present disclosure, the first layer may be formed by laminating a colored paint on the surface of the base material. By laminating the colored paint to form the first layer, the background color of the pattern of the third layer formed by the dots of the metal nanoink can be set to a color different from that of the base material, so that the design property can be improved.

[0033] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the first resin material is any one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. By using any one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin as the first resin material, a second layer having translucency can be easily and inexpensively formed.

[0034] In the timepiece component of the present disclosure, an uneven pattern may be formed on the surface of the base material. If an uneven pattern is formed on the surface of the base material, in addition to the pattern by the coating of the first layer and the printing of the third layer, the pattern by the unevenness can also be expressed, so that the design property can be improved.

[0035] The timepiece of the present disclosure is characterized by having the timepiece component. According to the timepiece using the timepiece component, a complicated, original and high-class design can be expressed, and it is also possible to prevent the components of the metal nanoparticles in the third layer and the decorative material in the first layer from chemically reacting and discoloring.

[0036] The manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure includes: a first step of forming a first layer by laminating a decorative material on the surface of a base material; a second step of forming a second layer by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer; and a third step of forming a third layer by inkjet printing using a metal nanoink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer. According to the present disclosure, a complicated, original and high-class design can be expressed for the timepiece component, and it is also possible to prevent the components of the metal nanoparticles in the third layer and the decorative material in the first layer from chemically reacting and discoloring.

[0037] In the manufacturing method of the timepiece component of the present disclosure, it is preferable to further include a fourth step of forming a fourth layer by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer. Since it has a fourth step of laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer to form a fourth layer, the surface of the timepiece part can be coated with the fourth layer, and the metal nanoparticles in the third layer can be prevented from coming into contact with air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the metal nanoparticles from chemically reacting with oxygen or sulfur components in the air and discoloring.

[0038] In the method for manufacturing a timepiece part of the present disclosure, in the first step, a colored paint may be laminated as the decorative material to form the first layer. In the first step, since a colored paint is laminated to form the first layer, the background color of the pattern of the third layer formed by dots of metal nanoink can be set to a color different from that of the base material, so that the design property can be improved.

[0039] In the method for manufacturing a timepiece part of the present disclosure, a processing step of forming an uneven pattern on the surface of the base material, which is performed before the first step, may be further included. Since it has a processing step of forming an uneven pattern on the surface of the base material, in addition to the pattern by painting the first layer and printing the third layer, the pattern by the unevenness can also be expressed, and the design property can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1... Timepiece, 10... Dial, 10B... Dial, 30... Base material, 31... Surface, 32... Recess, 35... Uneven pattern, 40... First layer, 45... Uneven pattern, 50... Second layer, 55... Uneven pattern, 60... Third layer, 61... Dot, 70... Fourth layer.

Claims

1. A base material, a first layer formed by laminating a decorative material on the surface of the base material, a second layer formed by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer, a third layer formed by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer, and a timepiece part characterized by having the above.

2. In the timepiece part according to Claim 1, the timepiece part further characterized by further having a fourth layer formed by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer.

3. In the timepiece part according to Claim 1, the first layer is formed by laminating a colored paint on the surface of the base material, and the timepiece part is characterized by this.

4. In the timepiece part according to Claim 1, the first resin material is any one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin, and the timepiece part is characterized by this.

5. In the timepiece part according to Claim 1, an uneven pattern is formed on the surface of the base material, and the timepiece part is characterized by this.

6. A timepiece characterized by having the timepiece part according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. A first step of forming a first layer by laminating a decorative material on the surface of a base material, a second step of forming a second layer by laminating a first resin material having translucency on the surface of the first layer, a third step of forming a third layer by inkjet printing using a metal nano ink containing metal nanoparticles on the surface of the second layer, and a method for manufacturing a timepiece part characterized by having the above.

8. In the method for manufacturing a timepiece part according to Claim 7, the method for manufacturing a timepiece part further characterized by further having a fourth step of forming a fourth layer by laminating a second resin material having translucency on the surface of the third layer.

9. In the method for manufacturing a timepiece part according to Claim 7, the first step is a method for manufacturing a timepiece part characterized by forming the first layer by laminating a colored paint as the decorative material.

10. In the method for manufacturing a timepiece part according to Claim 7, the method for manufacturing a timepiece part further characterized by further having a processing step that is performed before the first step and forms an uneven pattern on the surface of the base material.

Images