Dial structure of timepiece

Abstract

To provide a dial structure of a timepiece which suppresses deformation of a decorative member.SOLUTION: A dial structure of a timepiece includes a dial, a decorative member disposed on a viewing side with respect to the dial, an exterior member disposed on the viewing side with respect to the decorative member, and a reinforcing member that reinforces the decorative member, wherein the reinforcing member includes a support portion that supports the exterior member while separating the decorative member and the exterior member from each other, and the reinforcing member has higher rigidity than the decorative member. In the dial structure of a timepiece, the toughness of the reinforcing member is higher than the toughness of the decorative member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dial structure of a timepiece. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] Conventionally, timepieces equipped with a dial, also called a display plate, have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a timepiece equipped with a display plate 10 and a crystal 222. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-244107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need to use decorative members in the dial structure of a timepiece to improve the aesthetic appearance of the timepiece. However, when a brittle material is used as a decorative member in a timepiece, there is a risk that the decorative member will be excessively deformed by the load of the crystal, etc., if the timepiece is dropped, for example.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a timepiece dial structure that suppresses deformation of decorative members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The dial structure of a timepiece according to the present invention comprises a dial, a decorative member arranged on the visible side of the dial, an exterior member arranged on the visible side of the decorative member, and a reinforcing member that reinforces the decorative member, wherein the reinforcing member has a support portion that supports the exterior member while keeping the decorative member and the exterior member separated, and the rigidity of the reinforcing member is higher than the rigidity of the decorative member.

[0007] Furthermore, in the timepiece dial structure according to the present invention, it is desirable that the toughness of the reinforcing member be higher than the toughness of the decorative member.

[0008] In addition, in the dial structure of the timepiece according to the present invention, it is preferable that the reinforcing member is a dial ring arranged on the outer edge of the dial, and the decorative member is an annular member arranged on the visible side of the reinforcing member.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the timepiece dial structure according to the present invention further comprises a buffer material disposed between the decorative member and the reinforcing member.

[0010] Furthermore, in the timepiece dial structure according to the present invention, it is preferable that the exterior member includes at least a crystal, and that the support portion supports the crystal.

[0011] In addition, in the timepiece dial structure according to the present invention, it is preferable that the exterior components are the crystal and waterproof packing, and that the support part supports the crystal via the waterproof packing.

[0012] In addition, in the timepiece dial structure according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member is made of mother-of-pearl and has a thickness of 0.2 mm or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a timepiece dial structure that suppresses deformation of decorative members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a timepiece according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a timepiece according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the timepiece taken along line AA' shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a timepiece according to a first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following describes the dial structure of a timepiece according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described therein, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a front view of a timepiece 1 according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the timepiece 1 according to embodiment 1. The timepiece 1 includes a housing 202, an annular member 205, a dial ring 206, a waterproof gasket 208, a movement 216, and a dial 300. In the following description, the stacking direction of the movement 216 and dial 300 is referred to as the height direction X.

[0017] The housing 202 includes an outer case 204 that forms a roughly cylindrical frame, a back cover 210 that is attached in a sealed state to cover the bottom opening of the outer case 204, and a crystal 222 that is attached in a sealed state to cover the top opening of the outer case 204.

[0018] In one example, the exterior case 204 is made of metal. Although the illustration of the exterior case 204 is simplified in FIG. 2 to avoid cluttering the drawing, it further includes a bezel 204A and a case 204B (see FIG. 3). The bezel 204A is formed in an annular shape and fixes the crystal 222 to the case 204B. The case 204B has an opening and holds the movement 216 and other components in the space inside the opening, and is also formed in an annular shape. In one example, the back cover 210 is formed of metal.

[0019] The crystal 222 is an example of an exterior member, and is made of a transparent material such as glass. The crystal 222 is positioned on the viewing side of the annular member 205. Because the crystal 222 is made of a transparent material such as glass, the dial structure of the timepiece 1 allows the annular member 205 and other components to be seen, even though the crystal 222 is positioned on the viewing side of the annular member 205.

[0020] Bezel 204A and case 204B that make up exterior case 204 are sealed with elastic member 209A, and case 204B and back cover 210 are sealed with elastic member 209B (see FIG. 3).

[0021] The annular member 205 is an example of a decorative member, and is positioned closer to the viewer than the dial 300. In this embodiment, the annular member 205 is made of mother-of-pearl, a type of shell. Because mother-of-pearl has a glossy finish, positioning the annular member 205 closer to the viewer than the dial 300 improves the aesthetics of the timepiece 1.

[0022] The annular member 205 has a Young's modulus, which is an index indicating the level of rigidity, of 18 gigapascals or more and 90 gigapascals or less. The annular member 205 also has a Vickers hardness of 260 or more and 400 or less. Vickers hardness is an index indicating the level of hardness of a material. Generally, hardness and toughness are inversely proportional, so a material with a high Vickers hardness has low toughness, and a material with a low Vickers hardness has high toughness. In other words, Vickers hardness can be treated as an index indicating the level of toughness. Based on the Young's modulus and Vickers hardness, the annular member 205 can also be called a brittle member formed from a brittle material.

[0023] The Young's modulus is measured according to a predetermined standard. The predetermined standard may be selected depending on the object to be measured. For example, if the annular member 205 is made of metal, the Young's modulus may be measured according to JIS Z 2241:2011 "Method of tensile testing for metallic materials." Furthermore, if the annular member 205 is formed of a brittle material, the Young's modulus may be measured according to JIS K 7161-1:2024 "Plastics - Determination of tensile properties."

[0024] The Vickers hardness is measured according to a predetermined standard. The predetermined standard may be any standard, and for example, the Vickers hardness may be measured according to JIS Z 2244-1:2020 "Vickers Hardness Test." The measurement conditions can be appropriately selected depending on the material of the object to be measured, and for example, the test force F may be 0.010 N.

[0025] The annular member 205 has a thickness of 0.2 mm or less in the height direction X. Since the annular member 205 has a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, it can also be called a film-like ring member.

[0026] As shown in this embodiment, the annular member 205 may have an information display section 205A on the viewing side. In one example, the information display section 205A displays any characters, such as a city name, by forming a recess using a laser. Even if the annular member 205 has a recess formed therein, deformation of the annular member 205 is suppressed because the annular member 205 is reinforced by the inside cover ring 206, as described below.

[0027] The dial ring 206 is an example of a reinforcing member, and is a circular ring-shaped member that is located on the outer edge 300A of the dial 300. In this embodiment, the dial ring 206 is made of brass, and by placing the dial ring 206 on the outer edge 300A, the aesthetic appearance of the timepiece 1 is further improved. The dial ring 206 may also be painted and / or surface treated. This can further improve the aesthetic appearance of the timepiece 1.

[0028] The rigidity of the face cover ring 206 is higher than the rigidity of the annular member 205. In one example, the Young's modulus of the face cover ring 206 is 110 gigapascals. In another example, the Vickers hardness of the face cover ring 206 is 100, which is lower than the Vickers hardness of the annular member 205. In other words, the toughness of the face cover ring 206 is higher than the toughness of the annular member 205. Note that the face cover ring 206 only needs to have a rigidity higher than that of the annular member 205. The Young's modulus and Vickers hardness of the face cover ring 206 are merely examples, and the Young's modulus and Vickers hardness of the face cover ring 206 may be any value as long as the rigidity of the face cover ring 206 is at least higher than that of the annular member 205.

[0029] Waterproof gasket 208 is an example of an exterior member, and is a ring-shaped member that seals the spaces between windshield 222, exterior case 204, and dial ring 206. Waterproof gasket 208 is arranged on the viewing side of ring member 205. In this embodiment, waterproof gasket 208 has an L-shaped cross section (see FIG. 3), which prevents contact between windshield 222 and support portion 206B (see FIG. 3), which will be described later.

[0030] The movement 216 drives the hour, minute, and second hands (not shown) to point to hour digits 301 displayed on the dial 300. The rotating shafts of the hour, minute, and second hands are inserted into respective coaxial pipes and connected to the movement 216. The movement 216 drives the hour, minute, and second hands by transmitting its rotational force via the rotating shafts. A solar power generation device 218 and other components are disposed on the top surface of the movement 216 for driving the movement 216 using the electromotive force of light. The dial 300 is disposed on the top surface of the solar power generation device 218. An antenna 220 for receiving standard radio waves is attached to the lower side of the movement 216.

[0031] Dial 300 is a translucent, circular member with hour characters 301 displayed on its front surface, which are indicated by hour, minute, and second hands (not shown). Dial 300 may be provided with a calendar hole 302 that allows the calendar to be viewed, as shown in Figure 1. Dial 300 is housed within exterior case 204 so as to be parallel to crystal 222.

[0032] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the timepiece taken along line A-A' shown in Figure 2. Note that in Figure 3, the movement 216, solar power generation device 218, and antenna 220 are omitted to avoid cluttering the drawing.

[0033] Annular member 205 is positioned on the visible side of dial ring 206. By positioning annular member 205 made of mother-of-pearl and dial ring 206 made of brass on the visible side, the beauty of watch 1 is further enhanced by combining mother-of-pearl and brass.

[0034] The dial ring 206 is positioned on the inner circumferential surface of the bezel 204A. The surface of the dial ring 206 opposite the viewing side is shaped to follow the inner circumferential surface of the bezel 204A. While a shape that follows the inner circumferential surface of the bezel 204A can be complex, the dial structure of the timepiece 1 of this embodiment uses the dial ring 206 shaped to follow the inner circumferential surface of the bezel 204A instead of the annular member 205, which could be considered a brittle member. This allows the dial structure of the timepiece 1 to have a simple shape without having to make the annular member 205 follow the inner circumferential surface of the bezel 204A. This also helps to prevent deformation of the annular member 205.

[0035] The inside cover ring 206 has a joint portion 206A and a support portion 206B. The joint portion 206A is joined to the annular member 205. Joining includes bonding, adhesion, fastening, welding, crimping, or joining, crimping, or fastening the annular member 205 and the inside cover ring 206 (joint portion 206A). In this embodiment, the annular member 205 and the inside cover ring 206 are joined with double-sided adhesive tape 207. The inside cover ring 206 reinforces the annular member 205 by being joined to the annular member 205.

[0036] Support portion 206B is disposed on the viewing side of joint portion 206A, and supports annular member 205 while keeping an outer casing (waterproof packing 208 and windshield 222) spaced apart. In this embodiment, inside cover ring 206 supports windshield 222 via waterproof packing 208.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the dial ring 206 is interposed between the annular member 205 and the exterior case 204 (bezel 204A) to separate the annular member 205 and the exterior case 204 (bezel 204A).

[0038] The double-sided adhesive tape 207 is an example of a cushioning material, and is disposed between the annular member 205 and the end cover ring 206 in the height direction X. The double-sided adhesive tape 207 bonds the annular member 205 and the end cover ring 206 together by adhesion. The material of the double-sided adhesive tape 207 is not particularly limited as long as it has adhesive surfaces on both sides, and it may be any adhesive tape (sheet).

[0039] The dial structure of the timepiece 1 according to this embodiment comprises a dial 300, an annular member 205 (decorative member) arranged on the viewing side of the dial, a waterproof gasket 208 and crystal 222 (exterior members) arranged on the viewing side of the annular member 205, and a dial ring 206 (reinforcing member) that reinforces the annular member 205. In the dial structure of the timepiece 1, the dial ring 206 reinforces the annular member 205, making it possible to prevent deformation of the annular member 205, which is a decorative member.

[0040] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the dial ring 206 has a support portion 206B that supports the waterproof gasket 208 and the crystal 222 while keeping the annular member 205 separated from the waterproof gasket 208 and the crystal 222. In the dial structure of timepiece 1, the support portion 206B separates the annular member 205 from the exterior member, preventing the annular member 205 from coming into contact with the exterior member even if the watch 1 is dropped, for example. Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the dial ring 206 supports the load of the exterior member, preventing the load of the exterior member from being transmitted to the annular member 205. Therefore, the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to prevent deformation of the annular member 205.

[0041] Furthermore, in the dial structure of the timepiece 1, the rigidity of the dial ring 206 is greater than the rigidity of the annular member 205, which reinforces the annular member 205 and prevents deformation of the annular member 205.

[0042] Furthermore, in the dial structure of the timepiece 1, the toughness of the dial ring 206 is greater than that of the annular member 205, so the annular member 205 can be reinforced and deformation of the annular member 205 can be suppressed.

[0043] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the reinforcing member that reinforces the decorative member is dial ring 206, which is located on the outer edge 300A of the dial 300, and the decorative member is annular member 205, which is located on the visible side of dial ring 206. In other words, the decorative member is located around the entire circumference of the dial 300. In such cases, the decorative member (annular member 205) is prone to receiving excessive load from the exterior member if the watch 1 is dropped, for example. However, because the reinforcing member that reinforces the decorative member is the annular-shaped dial ring 206, the dial ring 206 reinforces the annular member 205 all around. As a result, the dial structure of timepiece 1 can suppress deformation of the annular member 205.

[0044] The dial structure of timepiece 1 also includes double-sided adhesive tape 207 (buffer material) placed between the annular member 205 and the dial ring 206. The double-sided adhesive tape 207 buffers the force from the dial ring 206 to the annular member 205 when the dial ring 206 is subjected to the load of an exterior member. This allows the dial structure of timepiece 1 to suppress deformation of the annular member 205. Furthermore, because the double-sided adhesive tape 207 joins the annular member 205 and the dial ring 206, by placing the double-sided adhesive tape 207 between the annular member 205 and the dial ring 206, the dial structure of timepiece 1 can easily reinforce the annular member 205 with the dial ring 206 while buffering the force from the dial ring 206 to the annular member 205.

[0045] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the exterior components are crystal 222 and waterproof gasket 208, and support part 206B supports crystal 222 via waterproof gasket 208. As a result, the dial structure of timepiece 1 receives the load from crystal 222 via waterproof gasket 208 and dial ring 206, preventing deformation of annular member 205.

[0046] Furthermore, with the dial structure of timepiece 1, even if a load is applied to the side of exterior case 204, because dial ring 206 reinforces annular member 205, it is possible to prevent deformation of annular member 205 caused by that load. In particular, because dial ring 206 is interposed between annular member 205 and exterior case 204 (bezel 204A) and separates annular member 205 from exterior case 204 (bezel 204A), the dial structure of timepiece 1 can further prevent deformation of annular member 205 caused by load applied to the side of exterior case 204.

[0047] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, annular member 205 is made of mother-of-pearl and is 0.2 millimeters or less thick. In such a case, while annular member 205 can improve the aesthetic appearance of timepiece 1, its thin thickness makes it prone to excessive deformation if timepiece 1 is dropped, etc. However, because support portion 206B separates annular member 205 from the exterior member, and because the rigidity of dial ring 206 is greater than that of annular member 205, the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of annular member 205. In particular, in this embodiment, annular member 205 can also be referred to as a film-like ring member, and even in such a case, the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of annular member 205.

[0048] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the annular member 205 has a Young's modulus of 18 gigapascals or more and 90 gigapascals or less. Even in such a case, the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of the annular member 205. In particular, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the rigidity of the dial ring 206 is 110 gigapascals, which is greater than the rigidity of the annular member 205, so the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of the annular member 205.

[0049] Furthermore, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the annular member 205 has a Vickers hardness of 260 or greater and 400 or less. Even in such cases, the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of the annular member 205. In particular, in the dial structure of timepiece 1, the Vickers hardness of the dial ring 206 is 100, which is lower than the Vickers hardness of the annular member 205. In other words, the toughness of the dial ring 206 is higher than the toughness of the annular member 205, so the dial structure of timepiece 1 is able to suppress deformation of the annular member 205.

[0050] (Variation 1) 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a timepiece 1' according to Modification 1. Timepiece 1' differs from timepiece 1 in the structure of the waterproof packing and the relative positioning of the crystal and support part. Note that the same components as those in the above-described Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0051] Similar to the first embodiment, the waterproof packing 208' is an annular member that provides a hermetic seal between the windshield 222, the exterior case 204, and the dial ring 206. However, in this modification, the waterproof packing 208' has an I-shaped cross section and does not prevent contact between the windshield 222 and the support portion 206B.

[0052] In this modified example, the support portion 206B of the dial ring 206 supports the crystal 222 without using waterproof packing 208'. The support portion 206B supports the annular member 205 while keeping the annular member 205 and the crystal 222 spaced apart. This allows the dial structure of the timepiece 1' to prevent deformation of the annular member 205.

[0053] (Other variations) In the first embodiment and the first modified example, the reinforcing member is the dial ring 206 and the decorative member is the annular member 205; in other words, the dial ring 206 reinforces the entire circumference of the annular member 205. However, the reinforcing member may reinforce only a portion of the decorative member. For example, the reinforcing members may be arranged at equal intervals around the outer edge 300A of the dial 300, and their total length may be only half or a quarter of the outer edge 300A or the outer edge of the decorative member.

[0054] Furthermore, the decorative member does not have to be annular member 205. For example, the decorative members may be arranged at equal intervals on outer edge 300A of dial 300 to display hour characters or the like, or may be arranged on part of outer edge 300A of dial 300 to display abbreviated characters and / or a logo.

[0055] Furthermore, the cushioning material need only be placed between the decorative member (annular member 205) and the reinforcing member (end cover ring 206), and does not have to be double-sided adhesive tape 207. In one example, the cushioning material may be an adhesive. Even in this case, the cushioning material can easily reinforce the annular member 205 with the end cover ring 206 while reducing the force from the reinforcing member to the decorative member.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first embodiment and the first modification, a configuration in which a cushioning material is placed between the decorative member (annular member 205) and the reinforcing member (flip ring 206) has been described, but a cushioning material need not be placed. In this case, a known joining means can be used appropriately depending on the materials of the decorative member and the reinforcing member. In one example, the decorative member and the reinforcing member may be joined by crimping.

[0057] Furthermore, the decorative member may be made of a material other than white mother-of-pearl, such as shells other than white mother-of-pearl, glass, ceramic, or wood.

[0058] The reinforcing member may be made of a material other than brass, as long as its rigidity is at least higher than that of the decorative member. For example, the reinforcing member may be made of a material such as resin, gold or an alloy, or stainless steel. The resin may be a fiber-reinforced resin reinforced with reinforcing fibers such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber.

[0059] Furthermore, the thickness of the decorative member does not have to be 0.2 millimeters or less, as long as the decorative member and the exterior member are spaced apart.

[0060] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1, 1' Clock 205 Circular members (decorative members) 206 End cover ring (reinforcement member) 206B Support part 207 Double-sided adhesive tape (cushioning material) 208, 208' Waterproof packing (exterior material) 222 Windshield (exterior component) 300 dial 300A outer edge

Claims

1. The dial and a decorative member disposed on the visible side of the dial; an exterior member arranged on the visible side of the decorative member; a reinforcing member that reinforces the decorative member, the reinforcing member has a support portion that supports the exterior member while keeping the decorative member and the exterior member separated from each other, The rigidity of the reinforcing member is higher than the rigidity of the decorative member. Watch dial structure.

2. The toughness of the reinforcing member is higher than the toughness of the decorative member. The timepiece dial structure according to claim 1.

3. the reinforcing member is a dial ring disposed on the outer edge of the dial; The decorative member is an annular member arranged on the visible side of the reinforcing member.

3. The timepiece dial structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Further, a cushioning material is disposed between the decorative member and the reinforcing member. The timepiece dial structure according to claim 3.

5. The exterior member includes at least a windshield, The timepiece dial structure according to claim 4, wherein the support portion supports the crystal.

6. The exterior member is a windshield and a waterproof packing, 5. The timepiece dial structure according to claim 4, wherein the support portion supports the crystal via the waterproof packing.

7. The decorative member is made of mother-of-pearl and has a thickness of 0.2 mm or less.

3. The timepiece dial structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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