Timepiece with solar power generation function and dial

Abstract

To provide a timepiece with a solar power generation function and a dial capable of drawing on the dial without reducing power generation capacity.SOLUTION: A timepiece 1 with a solar power generation function includes a dial 3 which has optical transparency and has a display for dividing a first region 31 for prioritizing power generation and a second region 32 for prompting a user to perform drawing, and a solar power generation module 14 which converts light energy transmitted through the dial 3 into electric energy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar-powered timepiece and a dial. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of a watch assembly kit having a watch face, which is a dial that can be changed or created by the customer. The watch face can also be created by the customer by printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-215286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a solar-powered watch is provided as an assembly kit, if the user creates the desired dial as in the prior art, there is a risk that the required power generation capacity may not be achieved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A solar-powered watch has a light-transmitting dial with a display for distinguishing between a first area that prioritizes power generation and a second area that encourages the user to draw, and a solar-powered module that converts light energy that passes through the dial into electrical energy.

[0006] The dial is a dial for a solar-powered watch, is light-transmitting, and has a marking for dividing the first area, which prioritizes power generation, from a second area, which encourages the user to draw. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the general structure of a solar-powered timepiece according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the general structure of a solar-powered watch according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the general structure of a dial of a solar-powered timepiece according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic structure of the dial, the solar power generation module, and the dial support ring 15 taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the general structure of the dial of a solar-powered timepiece according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the general structure of the dial of a solar-powered timepiece according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 1. First embodiment First, a solar-powered watch 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The solar-powered watch 1 of this embodiment is a wristwatch with a solar-powered function that is provided as an assembly kit.

[0009] In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the following figures illustrate three mutually orthogonal axes: the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis as the "Z-direction." The tip of the arrow in each axial direction is referred to as the "plus side," the base end as the "minus side," the plus side of the Z direction as the "upper," and the minus side of the Z direction as the "lower."

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar-powered watch 1 has an outer case 2, a case back 9, a crystal 5, a movement 13, a solar power generation module 14, and a dial 3. The outer case 2 is constructed by fitting a bezel 22 made of ceramic or metal into a cylindrical case 21 made of metal or the like. The disc-shaped dial 3 is positioned on the inner periphery of the bezel 22 via an annular dial ring 6 made of plastic. A crown 7 is provided on the side of the outer case 2 at the 3 o'clock position on the positive X-axis.

[0011] Of the two openings in the case 21 of the solar-powered watch 1, the opening on the front side, which is on the positive side in the Z direction, is covered by the cover crystal 5 via the bezel 22, and the opening on the back side, which is on the negative side in the Z direction, is covered by the back cover 9. Metallic materials such as brass, stainless steel, and titanium are used for the case 21 and back cover 9. However, materials other than metals, such as resin, may also be used for the case 21.

[0012] Next, the internal structure housed in the exterior case 2 of the solar-powered watch 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the space surrounded by the outer case 2, back cover 9, and cover crystal 5 contains a dial ring 6, a time display unit 10 including the dial 3, a solar power generation module 14, and a movement 13.

[0013] The outer edge of the dial ring 6 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the bezel 22, and the dial ring 6 has a flat portion with one surface parallel to the crystal 5 and an inclined portion inclined toward the dial 3. The dial ring 6 has an annular shape in a plan view and a cone shape in a cross section.

[0014] The time display unit 10 is powered by a solar power generation module 14 or a battery (not shown) and displays the time. It has hour hand 4A, minute hand 4B, and second hand 4C, which are hands, between the dial 3 and the cover crystal 5, and is arranged inside the dial ring 6.

[0015] A solar power generation module 14 and a movement 13 are arranged between the dial 3 and the back cover 9, with the solar power generation module 14 and movement 13 arranged in that order below the dial 3. In this embodiment, a dial support ring 15 is arranged between the dial 3 and the movement 13 in a side view, and has the function of supporting the dial 3 and the solar power generation module 14.

[0016] Solar power generation module 14 converts light energy into electrical energy, converting light that passes through dial 3 into electricity and charging a secondary battery located inside movement 13. Therefore, movement 13 can be powered by electricity from the secondary battery. Solar power generation module 14 is a typical film-type solar panel for wristwatches, with an amorphous silicon thin film laminated on a resin film substrate, and includes, for example, a dividing line and three solar cells separated by the dividing line. The area of ​​each solar cell is called the power generation area. In order to efficiently receive the light that has passed through the dial 3, the light-transmitting dial 3 is placed on top of the solar power generation module 14.

[0017] A conventional movement used in wristwatches can be used for the movement 13. In this embodiment, the movement 13 is equipped with a step motor (not shown) on the main plate 12 that is driven by electricity that is converted from light into electricity and charged by the solar power generation module 14, and a wheel train (not shown) that is driven by the step motor.

[0018] The movement 13 drives the hour hand 4A, minute hand 4B, and second hand 4C shown in Fig. 1 via a step motor and a wheel train. The hour hand 4A, minute hand 4B, and second hand 4C are attached to a pointer shaft 11 provided in the center of the plane of the dial 3. A winding stem 8 is attached to the movement 13, and a crown 7 is attached to the end of the winding stem 8.

[0019] Assembly of the solar-powered watch 1 of this embodiment is completed by placing the dial 3, solar power generation module 14, movement 13, etc. inside the exterior case 2 and then fastening the back cover 9. While fastening the back cover 9 is typically achieved using a clamping mechanism or a screw structure, these methods require special tools. Therefore, as a simple method for fastening the back cover 9, this embodiment uses a structure in which screw holes are provided in four locations on the outer periphery of the back cover 9 and the back cover 9 is fastened with four screws.

[0020] Next, the dial 3 of the solar-powered timepiece 1 and the relative positions of the dial 3 and the solar power generation module 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , the dial 3 is disk-shaped and made of a light-transmitting material such as optically transparent plastic. The dial 3 has a central pivot hole 33 for passing the pivot 11 and includes markings for distinguishing the first region 31, which prioritizes power generation, from the second region 32, which encourages the user to draw. The second region 32 of the transparent dial 3 is printed with white paint 40, and then has hour characters 41 and scales 42 printed on top of it, thereby distinguishing the first region 31, which prioritizes power generation, from the second region 32, where drawing is permitted. Therefore, the white-printed second region 32 has lower light transmittance than the transparent first region 31. In this embodiment, the second region 32 is printed in white, and then the hour characters 41 and scales 42 are printed on top of it. However, this is not a limitation. The hour characters 41 and scales 42 do not have to be printed, and the second region 32 may be colored in various colors other than white. Therefore, the display of the dial 3 includes coloring applied to the second area 32.

[0022] Drawing in the second area 32 means, for example, drawing the hour characters 41 in a colorful manner using various colored markers or inks, or drawing stars or hearts between the hour characters 41.

[0023] The first area 31 is located at the center of the dial 3 in plan view and in cross section as shown in Figure 4, and is positioned to overlap with the solar power generation module 14, so that light transmitted through the first area 31 can be sufficiently directed at the solar power generation module 14, thereby achieving the required power generation capacity. Furthermore, because the first area 31 is located at the center of the dial 3, when the user wears the solar-powered watch 1 on their wrist, it is less likely to be hidden by the sleeve of their clothes, etc., causing a decrease in power generation capacity.

[0024] The second region 32 has lower light transmittance than the first region 31, and is disposed around the first region 31 in a plan view, and is disposed at a position overlapping the dial support ring 15.

[0025] As described above, the solar-powered watch 1 according to the embodiment has a light-transmitting dial 3 equipped with a marking for distinguishing between a first area 31 that prioritizes power generation and a second area 32 that encourages the user to draw, and a solar power generation module 14 that converts light energy that passes through the dial 3 into electrical energy. This makes it easy to distinguish between the first area 31, which prioritizes light transmission and in which the user should not draw, and the second area 32, in which the user may draw, and allows sufficient light that passes through the first area 31 to hit the solar power generation module 14, thereby fully satisfying the power generation capacity required to drive the movement 13 and other components.

[0026] 2. Second embodiment Next, the dial 3a of the solar-powered watch according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The solar-powered watch according to this embodiment is the same as the solar-powered watch 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the display on the dial 3a.

[0027] The dial 3a of this embodiment is similar to the dial 3 of the first embodiment except that the display on the dial 3a is different from that of the dial 3 of the first embodiment. Note that the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and a description of similar points will be omitted.

[0028] 5, the dial 3a has a line 34 provided between the first area 31 and the second area 32 as a marking for separating the first area 31 and the second area 32. Therefore, the marking on the dial 3a includes the line 34 provided between the first area 31 and the second area 32.

[0029] With this configuration, the second area 32, which is an area where the user can draw, can be made clearer, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0030] 3. Third embodiment Next, the dial 3b of the solar-powered watch according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The solar-powered watch according to this embodiment is the same as the solar-powered watch 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the surface shape of the dial 3b.

[0031] The dial 3b of this embodiment is similar to the dial 3 of the first embodiment except that the surface shape of the dial 3b is different from that of the dial 3 of the first embodiment. Note that the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and a description of similar points will be omitted.

[0032] 6, the surface of the dial 3b in the second area 32 where the user can draw is roughened. Therefore, the display on the dial 3b includes a roughened surface formed on the surface corresponding to the second area 32.

[0033] With this configuration, the surface of the second region 32 becomes rough and it becomes easier to apply marker, ink, etc., making it easier to draw, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0034] 4. Variations Next, modified examples of the solar power generation function timepieces according to the first to third embodiments will be explained.

[0035] 4.1. Variation 1 The dial 3 of the solar-powered timepiece according to Variation 1 may be a combination of the configurations of the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, coloring or processing of the dial 3 may be performed on either the front surface, which is the surface on the positive side in the Z direction, or the back surface, which is the surface on the negative side in the Z direction.

[0036] 4.2. Variation 2 In the dial 3 of the solar-powered timepiece according to the second modification, as long as the first area 31 and the second area 32 are clearly separated, the first area 31 may also be colored or processed.

[0037] 4.3. Variation 3 In the dial 3 of the solar-powered timepiece according to the third modification, the first area 31 may be offset from the center of the dial 3. The first area 31 only needs to overlap with the power generation area.

[0038] 4.4. Variation 4 In the solar-powered watch according to Variation 4, the second area 32 of the dial 3 overlaps the dial support ring 15, but it may also overlap the power generation area of ​​the solar power generation module 14. For example, the solar power generation module 14 may have approximately the same area as the dial 3 and overlap both the first area 31 and the second area 32. In this case, it is desirable that the first area 31 have a higher light transmittance than the second area 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1... solar-powered watch, 2... outer case, 3, 3a, 3b... dial, 4A... hour hand, 4B... minute hand, 4C... second hand, 5... crystal, 6... dial ring, 7... crown, 8... winding stem, 9... case back, 10... time display section, 11... hand axis, 12... main plate, 13... movement, 14... solar power generation module, 15... dial support ring, 21... case, 22... bezel, 31... first area, 32... second area, 33... axis hole, 34... line, 40... paint, 41... hour markers, 42... scale.

Claims

1. a light-transmitting dial having a mark for distinguishing a first area that prioritizes power generation from a second area that prompts a user to draw; a solar power generation module that converts light energy transmitted through the dial into electrical energy. Solar-powered watch.

2. the indication includes coloring the second region; 2. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1.

3. The second region has a lower optical transparency than the first region.

3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 2.

4. The indication includes a line provided between the first region and the second region.

3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the indicia includes a roughened surface formed on a surface corresponding to the second region; 3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the first region is disposed in the center of the dial; The second region is disposed around the first region.

3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The solar power generation module is disposed so as to overlap the first region.

3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Further, a dial support ring having a function of supporting the dial is provided, In a plan view, the first area is disposed in a center of the dial and overlaps with the solar power generation module; the second region has a lower optical transparency than the first region, is disposed around the first region, and overlaps the dial support ring; 3. The solar-powered watch according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A dial for a solar-powered watch, The display is light-transmitting and has a mark for distinguishing a first area in which power generation is prioritized from a second area in which a user is prompted to draw. Dial.

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