Wrist mounting device and timepiece

Abstract

To provide an arm mounting device and a timepiece capable of preventing breakage of a brittle member.SOLUTION: The wrist watch includes a wrist watch case 1, a watch module 10 having a liquid crystal display panel 13 which is a brittle member and provided in the wrist watch case 1, and a plurality of support parts 24 for supporting the watch module 10 in the wrist watch case 1 so as to limit bending deformation of the watch module 10 to a direction along a longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. Therefore, since the flexural deformation of the timepiece module 10 can be limited to the direction along the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 by the plurality of support sections 24, even if the timepiece module 10 is flexurally deformed in the vertical direction when the wristwatch case 1 receives an impact from above, damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be prevented by the plurality of support sections 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to wristwatches and other wrist-worn devices and timepieces. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the case of a wristwatch, as described in Patent Document 1, a structure is known in which multiple spring members are provided on the inner surface of the wristwatch case, and these multiple spring members elastically clamp the watch module within the wristwatch case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-35982

[0004] In such a wristwatch, when the wristwatch case receives an impact from the side, the impact can be cushioned by the elasticity of multiple spring members, thereby protecting the watch module installed inside the wristwatch case from being damaged by the impact. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such a watch, when the watch case receives an impact from the front or back, i.e., from the thickness direction, the impact can cause the watch module inside the watch case to bend and deform in the thickness direction. In such cases, the bending and deformation of the watch module can cause damage to brittle components such as the liquid crystal display panel built into the watch module, which is a problem.

[0006] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a wristwatch and a timepiece that can prevent breakage of brittle members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention is a wrist-worn device comprising: a case; a module having a brittle member and disposed within the case; and a plurality of support parts that support the module within the case so as to limit the bending deformation of the module to a deformation centered on a third imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the brittle member; wherein the brittle member is rectangular and is located in a position that does not overlap with the third imaginary line, and the long side of the brittle member is approximately parallel to the third imaginary line at an inclination of ±5 degrees or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, damage to the brittle member can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line AA. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the watch module installed inside the main body case of the watch case in the watch shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the watch module of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the top side of the housing of the timepiece module when it is installed inside the main body case of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the arrow BB. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing the positions of multiple support parts in the wristwatch shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 10]FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing the positions of multiple support parts in the wristwatch shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will now be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1. Band attachment sections 2, to which a watch band (not shown) is attached, are provided on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1. Push button switches 3 are also provided on the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 3, this wristwatch case 1 comprises a main case 4 and an outer case 5. The main case 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from a metal such as stainless steel or a highly rigid synthetic resin. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, a main body portion 2a of a band attachment portion 2 is provided on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the main case 4. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a ring-shaped flange portion 4a is provided on the inner periphery of the main case 4.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the exterior case 5 includes a first exterior member 5a (shock absorber) disposed on the outer periphery of the main case 4, and a second exterior member 5b disposed on top of the first exterior member 5a and the main case 4 to cover them. The first exterior member 5a (shock absorber) is made of synthetic resin. The second exterior member 5b, like the main case 4, is made of metal such as stainless steel or a highly rigid synthetic resin. In this case, a cover portion 2b of the band attachment portion 2 that covers the main portion 2a of the band attachment portion 2 provided on the main case 4 is provided on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side of the first exterior member 5a and the second exterior member 5b.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 3, a crystal 6 is attached to the upper opening of the main case 4 via a packing 6a. In this case, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a parting member 7 having hour characters 7a is provided below the crystal 6, positioned on the flange 4a inside the main case 4. A back cover 8 is attached to the bottom of the main case 4 via a waterproof ring 8a. A watch module 10 is also provided inside the main case 4 via an inner frame 9 (see Fig. 8).

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, this timepiece module 10 has a housing 11 placed within the inner frame 9. Inside this housing 11 are provided a first timepiece movement 12 that drives hands 12a such as hour and minute hands to indicate the time, a liquid crystal display panel 13 that is a display member and also a brittle member that electro-optically displays information such as the time, date, and day of the week, a second timepiece movement 14 that drives sub-hands 14a that indicate sub-function information such as the remaining battery power, and a battery (not shown). A circuit board 15 is provided below this housing 11.

[0015] 3, 7, and 8, first and second timepiece movements 12, 14, liquid crystal display panel 13, and a battery (not shown) are electrically connected to circuit board 15. In this case, liquid crystal display panel 13, which is a brittle member, is formed into a substantially rectangular shape that is long from the 3 o'clock side to the 6 o'clock side, as shown in Fig. 6. Liquid crystal display panel 13 is disposed in correspondence with rectangular display opening 11a provided in housing 11, extending from the 3 o'clock side to the 6 o'clock side of the housing.

[0016] 3 and 7, the liquid crystal display panel 13 includes a display element in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of upper and lower transparent glass substrates, with polarizing plates arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the pair of glass substrates, and a backlight device arranged below the display element to illuminate the lower surface side of the display element. The liquid crystal display panel 13 is electrically connected to the circuit board 15 by the interconnector 13a, and in this state is configured to be supported on the circuit board 15 by the interconnector 13a and placed inside the housing 11.

[0017] In this case, a base plate 26 is provided below circuit board 15, as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8. This base plate 26 is used to attach circuit board 15 to the underside of housing 11, and is made of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. This base plate 26 has a plurality of hook portions 26a provided on its outer periphery so as to stand along the outer periphery of housing 11 (see Figure 8), and these plurality of hook portions 26a are releasably engaged with a plurality of protrusions 11b provided on the outer periphery of housing 11, thereby pressing circuit board 15 against the underside of housing 11 to attach it.

[0018] 3, 5, 7, and 8, each of the hook portions 26a of the base plate 26 is provided with a contact spring 26b. These contact springs 26 are leaf springs that extend along the outer periphery of the housing 11, and are provided corresponding to each of the push button switches 3. In other words, these contact springs 26b bias the push button switches 3 in a direction that pushes them outward from the watch case 1, and are configured to come into releasable contact with a contact (not shown) on the circuit board 15 when the push button switch 3 is pressed against this biasing force.

[0019] 3 to 5, a first dial 17 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 11 via a ring-shaped presser plate 16. The outer periphery of this first dial 17 is formed to be approximately the same size as the outer periphery of the housing 11 and also approximately the same size as the outer periphery of the presser plate 16. As a result, when the outer periphery of the first dial 17 is disposed on the presser plate 16, it is configured to be disposed in correspondence with the underside of the flange 4a of the main body case 4.

[0020] In this case, as shown in Figure 3, second dial 18 and solar panel 19 are stacked and arranged inside ring-shaped pressing plate 16. Solar panel 19 is arranged on the upper surface of housing 11, and the outer periphery of this solar panel 19 is arranged on stepped portion 16a provided on the underside of the inner periphery of pressing plate 16. Second dial 18 is formed with its outer periphery approximately the same size as the inner periphery of pressing plate 16, and is arranged on solar panel 19 with it positioned within the inner periphery of pressing plate 16.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the first dial 17, above which the hands 12a of the first timepiece movement 12 move, is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin such as polycarbonate (PC). As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, the second dial 18, above which the sub-hands 14a of the second timepiece movement 14 move, is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin such as polycarbonate (PC) like the first dial 17.

[0022] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the solar panel 19 is configured so that external light that enters the watch case 1 from outside the watch case 1 through the watch crystal 6 is irradiated through the first dial 17 and the second dial 18 in sequence, and this irradiated external light generates an electromotive force, thereby generating electricity.

[0023] 3 to 5, display windows 20 corresponding to the display areas of the liquid crystal display panel 13 are provided on the 5 o'clock side of the first dial 17, the 5 o'clock side of the second dial 18, and the 5 o'clock side of the solar panel 19, corresponding to the display openings 11a of the housing 11. Furthermore, through holes 21 are provided in the center of the first dial 17, the center of the second dial 18, the center of the solar panel 19, and the center of the housing 11, penetrating vertically, into which are inserted pivot posts 12b to which hands 12a of the first timepiece movement 12 are attached.

[0024] 4, 5, and 8, a circular sub-display opening 17a is provided on the 9 o'clock side of the first dial 17, corresponding to the sub-display area where the sub-hand 14a of the second timepiece movement 14 moves. An insertion hole 22 into which the sub-hand axis 14b to which the sub-hand 14a of the second timepiece movement 14 is attached is inserted at the 9 o'clock side of the second dial 18, the 9 o'clock side of the solar panel 19, and the 9 o'clock side of the housing 11, and the insertion hole 22 penetrates vertically in a state corresponding to the center of the sub-display opening 17a of the first dial 17.

[0025] In this case, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 8, a decorative portion 23 is provided in a roughly semicircular arc shape on the outer periphery of the secondary display opening 17a of the first dial 17. This decorative portion 23 is decorative and displays a scale (not shown) indicating secondary function information such as the remaining battery power according to the indication of the secondary hand 14a. Furthermore, this decorative portion 23 is made of a highly rigid synthetic resin. This configuration prevents bending deformation of the area of ​​the timepiece module 10 corresponding to the decorative portion 23.

[0026] 3 and 5, this watch module 10 is provided with multiple supports 24 for supporting the watch module 10 within the wristwatch case 1 so that flexural deformation of the watch module 10 is limited to deformation centered on an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the brittle member. These multiple supports 24 are made of rigid synthetic resin, and are provided on the upper surface of the outer periphery of the first dial 17, protruding upward.

[0027] 3, 5, and 7, when the first dial 17 is placed under the ring-shaped flange 4a provided inside the main case 4 of the wristwatch case 1, the multiple support parts 24 are configured to press against the underside of the flange 4a. As a result, the watch module 10 is configured so that only the multiple support parts 24 provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17 press against the flange 4a inside the main case 4, and is held within the main case 4.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5, 9 and 10, the multiple support parts 24 are provided at three locations: two locations P1 and P2 near the point where a first virtual straight line S1 extending in approximately the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17 of the watch module 10, and one location P3 where a second virtual straight line S2 perpendicular to the first virtual straight line S1 intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17 of the watch module 10.

[0029] 9, an imaginary line S0 is positioned between the liquid crystal display panel 13 and the decorative portion 23, and this imaginary line S0 does not overlap with the liquid crystal display panel 13 or the decorative portion 23. The imaginary line S0 is a line that is substantially parallel to an imaginary line (not shown) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. A substantially parallel line is a line that has an inclination of, for example, ±5 degrees or less with respect to the parallel line.

[0030] 9 and 10, the first imaginary line S1 extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, is substantially parallel to the imaginary line S0, and is located on the opposite side of the center of the watch module 10 from the liquid crystal display panel 13. As shown in Fig. 9, the third imaginary line S3, like the first imaginary line S1, also extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, is substantially parallel to the imaginary line S0, and is located on the liquid crystal display panel 13 side of the center of the watch module 10. The imaginary line S0 is located between the first imaginary line S1 and the third imaginary line S3.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second imaginary line S2 is a line that intersects approximately perpendicularly with the imaginary line S0 and the first imaginary line S1 and passes through approximately the center of the watch module 10.

[0032] 5, 9, and 10, the liquid crystal display panel 13, which is a brittle member, is positioned so that it overlaps with a second imaginary line S2 that is perpendicular to the first line S1. Two intersection points P1 and P2 are located near the point where the first imaginary line S1 intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10, and flexural deformation of the watch module 10 occurs such that the point of the watch module 10 corresponding to the imaginary line S0 has the greatest amount of displacement. The watch module 10 is provided with multiple support parts 24 so that the imaginary line S0, which corresponds to the point where stress concentrates during this flexural deformation, is positioned so that it does not overlap the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0033] That is, as shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10, the multiple support parts 24 are provided in three locations: location P1 near the 12 o'clock side and location P2 near the 9 o'clock side near the point where the first imaginary line S1 intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17, and location P3 near the 5 o'clock side where the second imaginary line S2 intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17. Furthermore, these multiple support parts 24 are provided along the outer periphery of the timepiece module 10, i.e., the outer periphery of the first dial 17. The multiple support parts 24 are not arranged at equal intervals, but are arranged at slightly different intervals. Therefore, when the outer periphery of the first dial 17 is divided into thirds at the position of each support part 24, the central angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 relative to each arc are slightly different.

[0034] 3, a buffer member 25 is disposed between the bottom of the watch module 10 and the inner surface (top surface) of the bottom of the inner frame 9. As a result, the watch module 10 is disposed within the main body case 4 via the inner frame 9, and when the back cover 8 is attached to the bottom of the main body case 4, the buffer member 25 presses the multiple support members 24 provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17 against the underside of the flange 4a inside the main body case 4.

[0035] Next, the assembly of such a wristwatch will be described. In this case, the watch module 10 is assembled in advance. At this time, the first and second watch movements 12, 14 and the liquid crystal display panel 13 are first placed in the housing 11. That is, the first watch movement 12 is aligned with approximately the center of the housing 11, and the pivot 12b is inserted into the through-hole 21 of the housing 11.

[0036] Similarly, the second clock movement 14 is aligned with approximately the 9 o'clock side of the housing 11, and the sub-hand axis 14b is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the housing 11. In this state, the first and second clock movements 12 and 14 are placed inside the housing 11. Furthermore, when placing the liquid crystal display panel 13, the liquid crystal display panel 13 is tilted from the 3 o'clock side toward the 6 o'clock side of the housing 11, and in this state the liquid crystal display panel 13 is placed inside the housing 11 so as to correspond to the display opening 11a of the housing 11.

[0037] Then, the circuit board 15 is placed on the underside of the housing 11. At this time, the first and second timepiece movements 12, 14 are electrically connected to the circuit board 15. At this time, the liquid crystal display panel 13 is also electrically connected to the circuit board 15 by the interconnector 13a, and the liquid crystal display panel 13 is placed inside the housing 11 while being supported on the circuit board 15 by the interconnector 13a.

[0038] In this state, the main plate 26 is placed below the circuit board 15, and the multiple hook portions 26a provided upright on the outer periphery of the main plate 26 are engaged with the multiple protrusions 11b provided on the outer periphery of the housing 11. As a result, the circuit board 15 is pressed against the underside of the housing 11 and attached, and the first and second timepiece movements 12, 14 and the liquid crystal display panel 13 are assembled inside the housing 11. At this time, the contact springs 26b provided on the multiple hook portions 26a are positioned at the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock sides of the housing 11, respectively.

[0039] Then, the solar panel 19 is placed on the top surface of the housing 11, and the second dial 18 is placed on this solar panel 19. In this state, a ring-shaped presser plate 16 is placed on the top surface of the housing 11 on the outer periphery of the solar panel 19 and second dial 18, and the first dial 17 is placed on this presser plate 16. At this time, the pointer shaft 12b of the first timepiece movement 12 is inserted into through-holes 21 provided in the center of the solar panel 19, the center of the second dial 18, and the center of the first dial 17, corresponding to each other on the same axis.

[0040] At this time, the display opening 11a of the housing 11 is aligned with the display window portions 20 provided on the same axis at approximately the 5 o'clock side of the solar panel 19, the second dial 18, and the first dial 17, so that the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display panel 13 corresponds to them. Furthermore, at this time, the sub-hand shaft 14b of the second timepiece movement 14 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 provided on the same axis at approximately the 9 o'clock side of the solar panel 19 and the second dial 18, and the inserted sub-hand shaft 14b is positioned within the circular sub-display opening 17a provided on the first dial 17 at approximately the 9 o'clock side.

[0041] In this state, when the hand 12a is attached to the hand stem 12b of the first timepiece movement 12, the hand 12a becomes able to move above the first dial 17. Also, in this state, when the sub-hand 14a is attached to the sub-hand stem 14b of the second timepiece movement 14, the sub-hand 14a is positioned within the circular sub-display opening 17a of the first dial 17, and becomes able to move above the second dial 18. In this way, the timepiece module 10 is assembled.

[0042] Next, the process of incorporating the thus assembled watch module 10 into the wristwatch case 1 will be described. In this case, the parting member 7 is inserted from above into the upper part of the main case 4 of the wristwatch case 1, and is placed on the ring-shaped flange 4a provided inside the main case 4. In this state, the crystal 6 together with the packing 6a is fitted into the upper opening of the main case 4 from above, and the fitted crystal 6 presses the parting member 7 onto the flange 4a of the main case 4 to fix it in place.

[0043] Then, cushioning member 25 is placed on the underside of watch module 10, and watch module 10 is placed inside inner frame 9. In this state, watch module 10 together with inner frame 9 is inserted into main body case 4 from below, and multiple support parts 24 provided on the outer periphery of first dial 17 of watch module 10 are brought into contact with the underside of flange 4a of main body case 4.

[0044] In this case, the support parts 24 at two points P1 and P2 near the point where a first straight line S1, which extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17 of the timepiece module 10 are located near the 12 o'clock side and the 9 o'clock side of the housing 11. Also, in this case, the support part 24 at one point P3 where a second imaginary line S2, which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line S1, intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17 of the timepiece module 10 is located near the 5 o'clock side of the housing 11.

[0045] As a result, the watch module 10 is supported within the main case 4 by the multiple supports 24 so that its flexural deformation is limited to deformation centered on an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. In this state, the back cover 8 is attached to the bottom of the main case 4 together with the waterproof ring 8a. As a result, the multiple supports 24 provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17 are pressed against the underside of the flange 4a inside the main case 4.

[0046] In this state, push button switches 3 are attached to the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of the main case 4. At this time, the multiple push button switches 3 correspond to the multiple contact springs 26b provided on the main plate 26 of the watch module 10. The exterior case 5 is then attached to the outer periphery of the main case 4. At this time, the first exterior member 5a of the exterior case 5 is attached to the outer periphery of the main case 4, and the second exterior member 5b of the exterior case 5 is attached to the outer periphery of this first exterior member 5a and to the top of the main case 4. In this way, the wristwatch is assembled.

[0047] Next, a case where such a wristwatch is worn on the wrist and used will be described. In this wristwatch, the current time, information such as the time, date, and day of the week, as well as secondary function information such as the remaining battery power, can usually be known through the clock module 10. That is, the first clock movement 12 of the clock module 10 moves the hands 12a above the first dial 17 to indicate the time, so the time can be known through the hands 12a.

[0048] At this time, the liquid crystal display panel 13 of the time module 10 electro-optically displays information such as the time, date, and day of the week, making it possible to see such information through the display window 20 and the display opening 11a. Furthermore, the second timepiece movement 14 of the time module 10 causes the sub-hand 14a to move above the second dial 18 within the sub-display opening 17a of the first dial 17 to indicate sub-function information such as the remaining battery power, making it possible to know such sub-function information by means of the sub-hand 14a.

[0049] In this state, if the wristwatch receives an impact from above, the watch module 10 incorporated within the watch case 1 may bend and deform in the vertical direction. The watch module 10 is incorporated within the main case 4 by pressing a plurality of support parts 24 on the outer periphery of the first dial 17, which is attached via a retaining plate 16 to the top of the housing 11 of the watch module 10, against the underside of a ring-shaped flange 4a attached within the main case 4 of the watch case 1. For this reason, the position at which the watch module 10 may bend is limited by these multiple support parts 24.

[0050] That is, the watch module 10 is supported within the main body case 4 by multiple support parts 24 so that flexural deformation of the watch module 10 is limited to deformation centered on an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. Because the watch module 10 flexes with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line, the force that flexes the liquid crystal display panel 13, which is a brittle member, due to flexural deformation of the watch module 10 can be suppressed, and as a result, damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be prevented.

[0051] In this case, it is sufficient that no bending line, i.e., imaginary straight line S0, is interposed on the liquid crystal display panel 13, and multiple support members 24 are provided at three locations: two locations P1 and P2, near the 12 o'clock side and the 9 o'clock side, near where a first imaginary straight line S1, which extends in approximately the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 and is located on the opposite side of the center of the watch module 10 from the liquid crystal display panel 13, intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17; and one location P3, near the 5 o'clock side, where a second imaginary straight line S2, perpendicular to the first imaginary line S1, intersects with the outer periphery of the first dial 17, which is located closer to the liquid crystal display panel 13 than the center of the watch module 10. This makes it possible to limit bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation centered on the imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. By increasing the distance between the first imaginary straight lines S1 and P3, the watch module 10 is more reliably made to bend easily. This makes it possible to limit the flexural deformation of the timepiece module 10 to deformation with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.

[0052] In this case, the multiple support parts 24 are arranged at locations P1 to P3 on the outer circumference of the first dial 17 near the 12 o'clock side, the 9 o'clock side, and the 5 o'clock side, at slightly different intervals along the outer circumference of the first dial 17, so that the central angles θ1, θ2, θ3 relative to each arc when the outer circumference circle of the first dial 17 is divided into thirds are slightly different at each position.This makes it possible to reliably and effectively limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.As a result, the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 is limited to the force generated by deformation of the watch module 10 with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line, thereby reliably preventing damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0053] Thus, this wristwatch comprises a wristwatch case 1, a watch module 10 having a liquid crystal display panel 13 made of a brittle material and mounted within the wristwatch case 1, and a plurality of support parts 24 that support the watch module 10 within the wristwatch case 1 so as to limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation centered on an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, thereby preventing damage to the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0054] In other words, in this wristwatch, the multiple support parts 24 can limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.Therefore, even if the watch case 1 receives an impact from above and the watch module 10 bends and deforms in the vertical direction, the multiple support parts 24 can limit the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 to the force generated by the deformation of the watch module 10 with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.Since the bending position does not affect the liquid crystal display panel 13, damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be prevented.

[0055] In this case, in this wristwatch, multiple support parts 24 are provided at three locations: two locations P1 and P2 near the point where a first straight line S1, which extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 and is located on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display panel 13 from the center of the watch module 10, intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10; and one location P3 where a second straight line S2, which is perpendicular to the first straight line S1, intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10, which is located closer to the liquid crystal display panel 13 than the center of the watch module 10.Therefore, the multiple support parts 24 can reliably and effectively limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation with a virtual straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.

[0056] That is, in this wristwatch, multiple support parts 24 are provided at three locations: two locations P1 near the 12 o'clock side and location P2 near the 9 o'clock side near the point where a first straight line S1 extending in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10; and location P3 near the 5 o'clock side where a second straight line S2 perpendicular to the first straight line S1 intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10 located closer to the liquid crystal display panel 13 than the center of the watch module 10.

[0057] Therefore, in this wristwatch, the watch module 10 does not flex and deform around a virtual line that is perpendicular to the virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, and the flexing deformation of the watch module 10 can be limited so that the virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 is the center line.This means that the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be limited to the force generated by the deformation of the watch module 10 around the virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, thereby reliably and effectively preventing damage such as cracks to the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0058] In addition, in this wristwatch, the liquid crystal display panel 13, which is a brittle member, is positioned so that it overlaps with the second virtual straight line S2, and two intersection points P1 and P2 are located near the point where the first virtual straight line S1 intersects with the outer circumference of the watch module 10. The virtual straight line S0 corresponds to the point in the watch module 10 that has the largest amount of displacement during flexural deformation, and multiple support parts 24 are provided so that the virtual straight line S0 corresponding to the point where the amount of displacement is largest during flexural deformation does not overlap with the liquid crystal display panel 13.As a result, the multiple support parts 24 can reliably and effectively limit the flexural deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation with the virtual straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.

[0059] In other words, in this wristwatch, the multiple support parts 24 make it possible to position the imaginary straight line S0 corresponding to the point in the watch module 10 that has the maximum amount of displacement when the watch module 10 is flexurally deformed so that it does not overlap with the liquid crystal display panel 13.This also makes it possible to limit the flexural deformation of the watch module 10 so that the deformation is centered around the imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, thereby reliably and effectively preventing damage such as cracks to the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0060] In addition, in this wristwatch, by providing multiple support parts 24 at slightly different intervals along the outer circumference of the watch module 10, the multiple support parts 24 can be provided at three locations P1 to P3 on the outer circumference of the first dial 17, near the 12 o'clock side, the 9 o'clock side, and the 5 o'clock side, so that the central angles θ1, θ2, θ3 relative to each arc when the outer circumference circle of the first dial 17 is divided into thirds are slightly different.This allows the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to be reliably and effectively limited to deformation with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line, and therefore the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be limited to the force generated by deformation of the watch module 10 with an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 as its center line.This allows the liquid crystal display panel 13 to be reliably and effectively prevented from cracking or other damage.

[0061] Furthermore, in this wristwatch, the watch module 10 is equipped with a decorative section 23 which is a reinforcing member, and multiple support sections 24 are arranged so that an imaginary line which serves as the center line when the watch module 10 flexes and deforms is located between the liquid crystal display panel 13 and the decorative section 23. The multiple support sections 24 allow the imaginary line which serves as the center line when the watch module 10 flexes and deforms to be located between the liquid crystal display panel 13 and the decorative section 23. This also makes it possible to reliably and effectively prevent damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0062] Furthermore, in this wristwatch, the brittle member is the liquid crystal display panel 13, which is the display member, and even if the liquid crystal display panel 13 is approximately rectangular, the multiple support parts 24 can limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation centered on an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13. Therefore, the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 can be limited to the force generated by deformation of the watch module 10 centered on an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, thereby effectively preventing damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0063] In this case, even if the approximately rectangular liquid crystal display panel 13 in this wristwatch is positioned from the 3 o'clock side to the 6 o'clock side of the watch module 10, the multiple support parts 24 provided at three locations P1 to P3, near the 12 o'clock side, the 9 o'clock side, and the 5 o'clock side, can reliably and effectively limit the bending deformation of the watch module 10 to deformation having a center line that is an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13.This makes it possible to limit the force applied to the liquid crystal display panel 13 to the force generated by the deformation of the watch module 10 having a center line that is an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13, thereby preventing damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0064] In addition, in this wristwatch, the watch module 10 comprises a housing 11 equipped with an LCD display panel 13 and a first dial 17 arranged on the upper surface of the housing 11, and a plurality of support parts 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17, so that when the watch module 10 is incorporated into the wristwatch case 1, the plurality of support parts 24 provided on the first dial 17 can be reliably and properly pressed against a ring-shaped flange part 4a provided inside the main case 4 of the wristwatch case 1, thereby allowing the watch module 10 to be properly positioned and held inside the main case 4.

[0065] In other words, in this wristwatch, the first dial 17 is located on the top surface of the watch module 10, so when the watch module 10 is inserted into the main body case 4 from below, the multiple support portions 24 provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17 located on the top surface of the watch module 10 are reliably and properly pressed against the underside of the flange portion 4a inside the main body case 4, allowing the watch module 10 to be reliably and properly positioned and held within the main body case 4.

[0066] Furthermore, in this wristwatch, the first dial 17 is provided with a decorative portion 23, which is, for example, a reinforcing member, and this decorative portion 23 can improve the decorativeness and design.In addition, since this decorative portion 23 is formed from a highly rigid synthetic resin, or is formed to be thick even if it is not highly rigid, the decorative portion 23 can suppress bending deformation of the watch module 10, which also prevents damage such as cracking of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, a liquid crystal display panel 13 is used as the brittle member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a flat display panel such as an EL (electroluminescence) display panel may also be used as the brittle member.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which multiple support parts 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the first dial 17 of the timepiece module 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple support parts 24 may be provided, for example, on the ring-shaped retaining plate 16 of the timepiece module 10. In this case, it is sufficient that the outer periphery edge of the first dial 17 is formed smaller than the outer periphery edge of the retaining plate 16, and that the upper surface of the retaining plate 16 is configured to face and abut against the underside of the flange 4a inside the main case 4.

[0069] The present invention may also have a structure in which multiple support portions 24 are provided on the outer periphery of housing 11. In this case, first dial 17 and presser plate 16 may be formed smaller than the outer periphery of housing 11, and the outer periphery of housing 11 may be configured to face and abut against the underside of flange 4a inside main case 4.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 13 is positioned from the 3 o'clock side toward the 6 o'clock side of the watch module 10, and multiple support parts 24 are provided at three locations P1 to P3, near the 12 o'clock side, 9 o'clock side, and 5 o'clock side of the watch module 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid crystal display panel 13 may be positioned in any position on the watch module 10. In this case as well, the multiple support parts 24 should support the watch module 10 within the watch case 1 so that flexural deformation of the watch module 10 is limited to the direction along the length of the liquid crystal display panel 13.

[0071] In other words, the multiple support parts 24 may be arranged at slightly different intervals along the outer periphery of the watch module 10 at three locations: two locations where a first straight line S1, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal display panel 13 and located on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display panel 13 from the center of the watch module 10, intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10; and one location where a second straight line S2, which is perpendicular to the first straight line S1, intersects with the outer periphery of the watch module 10 located closer to the liquid crystal display panel 13 than the center of the watch module 10.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a ring-shaped flange 4a is provided inside the main case 4 of the wristwatch case 1, and a parting member 7 is inserted into the upper part of the main case 4 and positioned on the flange 4a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the flange 4a inside the main case 4 may be removed, and the parting member 7 may be inserted from the bottom of the main case 4 and abutted against the underside of the outer periphery of the watch crystal 6, and in this state the watch module 10 may be inserted from the bottom of the main case 4 and the multiple support members 24 may abut against the underside of the parting member 7.

[0073] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described as being applied to a wristwatch, the present invention does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, but can be applied to various types of timepieces, such as travel watches, alarm clocks, table clocks, wall clocks, etc. Furthermore, the present invention does not necessarily have to be a timepiece, but can be widely applied to electronic devices such as wrist-worn devices, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants that are worn on the wrist.

[0074] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and includes the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the claims of this application are as follows:

[0075] (Addendum) The invention described in claim 1 is a wrist-worn device characterized by comprising a case, a module having a brittle member and disposed within the case, and a plurality of support parts that support the module within the case so as to limit the bending deformation of the module to a direction along the longitudinal direction of the brittle member.

[0076] The invention described in claim 2 is an arm wearing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the multiple support parts are provided at three locations: near two locations where a first straight line that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the brittle member and located on the opposite side of the brittle member from the center of the module intersects with the outer periphery of the module, and near one location where a second straight line that is perpendicular to the first straight line intersects with the outer periphery of the module that is located on the brittle member side from the center of the module.

[0077] The invention described in claim 3 is an arm wearing device described in claim 2, characterized in that the brittle member is arranged at a position overlapping with the second straight line which is a perpendicular line from the first straight line, the deflection deformation of the module is a line where the amount of deflection deformation of the module is maximum, and the multiple support parts are arranged so that the line where the amount of deflection deformation is maximum does not overlap with the brittle member.

[0078] The invention described in claim 4 is an arm wearing device characterized in that, in the arm wearing device described in claim 1, the module is provided with a reinforcing member, and the multiple support parts are arranged so that the bending deformation of the module is located between the brittle member and the reinforcing member.

[0079] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the wrist-worn device of the first aspect, wherein the brittle member is a substantially rectangular display member.

[0080] The invention described in claim 6 is a wrist-worn device described in claim 1, characterized in that the module comprises a housing in which the brittle member is provided and a dial arranged on the upper surface of the housing, and the multiple support parts are provided on the outer periphery of the dial.

[0081] The invention as set forth in claim 7 is the wrist-worn device as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the dial plate is provided with a decorative reinforcing member.

[0082] The invention described in claim 8 is an arm wearing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the module comprises a housing in which the brittle member is provided and a pressure plate arranged on the upper surface of the housing, and the multiple support parts are provided on the outer periphery of the pressure plate.

[0083] The invention described in claim 9 is a timepiece characterized by being equipped with the wrist-worn device described in claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 watch case 2 Band attachment part 3 push button switch 4 Main unit case 4a Tsuba 5. Outer case 5a First exterior member 5b Second exterior member 6. Watch Glass 6a Gasket 7. Trim material 7a Jiji 8. Back cover 8a Waterproof ring 9 Middle Frame 10 Clock Module 11. Housing 11a Display aperture 11b Protrusion 12 The First Clock Movement 12a Guidelines 12b Pointer shaft 13 LCD display panel 14 Second Clock Movement 14a Secondary needle 14b Secondary needle shaft 15 Circuit Board 16 Presser plate 16a Step 17 First Dial 17a Sub-display opening 18 Second dial 19. Solar Panels 20 Display window 21 Through hole 22 Insertion hole 23 Decoration section 24 Support part 25 Cushioning material 26 Main plate 26a Hook part 26b Contact spring S0 straight line S1 First line S2 Second line S3 Straight Line

Claims

1. Case and a module having a brittle member and disposed within the case; a plurality of support portions that support the module in the case so as to limit the deflection deformation of the module to a deformation having a center line that is a third imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the brittle member; Equipped with The arm-worn device is characterized in that the brittle member is rectangular, is located in a position that does not overlap with the third imaginary line, and the long side of the brittle member is approximately parallel to the third imaginary line at an inclination of ±5 degrees or less.

2. The arm-worn device according to claim 1, The module has two movements arranged substantially parallel to the third imaginary line. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

3. The arm-worn device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, The module includes a housing in which the brittle member is provided, and a dial disposed on an upper surface of the housing, and the plurality of support portions are provided on an outer periphery of the dial. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

4. The arm-mounted device according to claim 3, The dial is provided with a decorative reinforcing member. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

5. The arm-worn device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, The plurality of support parts are provided at three locations: two locations near a location where a first imaginary line, which extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the brittle member and is located on the opposite side of the center of the module from the brittle member, intersects with the outer periphery of the module; and one location where a second imaginary line, which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, intersects with the outer periphery of the module and is located on the side of the brittle member from the center of the module. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

6. The arm-worn device according to claim 5, the brittle member is provided at a position overlapping with the second imaginary line, The plurality of support parts are provided so that the deflection deformation of the module occurs in a manner that a portion of the module corresponding to the third imaginary straight line has a maximum amount of displacement, and the third imaginary straight line is positioned so as not to overlap the brittle member. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

7. The arm-worn device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the module includes a reinforcement member; The plurality of support parts are arranged so that the imaginary line is located between the brittle member and the reinforcing member. A wrist-worn device characterized by:

8. A timepiece comprising the wrist-worn device according to any one of claims 1 and 2.

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