Electronic timepiece

Abstract

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an electronic timepiece having a protruding portion capable of positioning a sheet-shaped component while reducing friction generated with respect to an annular member when the annular member rotates.SOLUTION: An electronic timepiece (1) includes a rotatable annular member (date indicator 60), a substrate (main plate 20) having at least one protrusion (32 or 39), and a sheet-like component (solar panel 50) disposed between the substrate and the annular member. The position of the sheet-like component is regulated by the at least one protrusion, and the annular member is supported by the protrusion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices such as watches include a case and a number of components mounted inside the case. Projections or pins are used to position the components relative to one another.

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a main plate, a magnetic shield as a sheet-like component, a date indicator, and a solar panel are housed in a case, stacked in this order. Multiple protrusions are formed on the main plate, and multiple holes are formed on the magnetic shield, with the protrusions fitting into the holes to determine the position of the magnetic shield. These protrusions are arranged along the inner periphery of the date indicator, and the solar panel is supported from below by a convex portion. This allows the protrusions to fulfill two roles: positioning the magnetic shield (sheet-like component) and supporting the solar panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-37057 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the date wheel is placed on top of a magnetically insulated plate, which posed the problem of large friction occurring between the date wheel and the magnetically insulated plate that supports it when the date wheel rotates.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece having a protrusion that can restrict the position of a sheet-like component while reducing friction that occurs with respect to the annular member when the annular member rotates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic watch is provided, comprising a rotatable annular member, a base material having at least one protrusion, and a sheet-like component arranged between the base material and the annular member, wherein the sheet-like component is positionally restricted by the at least one protrusion, and the annular member is supported by the protrusion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic timepiece can be provided that has a protrusion that can regulate the position of a sheet-like component while reducing the friction that occurs with the annular member when the annular member rotates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of an electronic timepiece. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main plate and spacer inside the electronic timepiece. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main plate and solar panel inside the electronic watch. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the electronic timepiece. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the back of the date plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main plate and a solar panel according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main plate and a solar panel according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the location where the date display plate is installed in the comparative example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the location where the date display plate is installed in the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Features and technical effects of the embodiments will be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. Because the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples in the drawings.

[0011] In the following description, when ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are attached to common names, the ordinal numbers are used to identify the objects to which they are attached. They do not limit the objects to which they are attached to a specific object, and they do not specify the order, rank, order, hierarchy, priority, or subordination of the objects to which they are attached.

[0012] <1. Electronic Clock> FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of an electronic watch 1. The electronic watch 1 is a watch that displays the time. The electronic watch 1 has a case in which the components of the electronic watch 1 shown in FIG. 1 are housed. The case is worn on the user's wrist with an armband or arm belt. The case has a flat, cylindrical or frame-shaped metal or resin case body, a transparent resin or glass crystal, and a metal or resin back cover. The crystal is fixed to the front of the case body so as to cover the hollow interior of the case body, and the back cover is fixed to the back of the case body so as to cover the hollow interior of the case body.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic timepiece 1 comprises, from back to front, a circuit board 10, a main plate 20, a spacer 40, a solar panel 50, a date wheel 60, a date wheel holder 70, and a dial 80. The electronic timepiece 1 also comprises a frame 45, a date display plate 90, and double-sided adhesive tape 93. These components will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Here, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main plate 20 and spacer 40. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main plate 20 and solar panel 50. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the case. The view direction in FIG. 4 is from the crystal toward the back cover. The dial 80 is not shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line V shown in FIG. 4, seen in the direction of the arrow. .

[0014] (1) Circuit board The circuit board 10 has electrical components mounted thereon, such as an antenna, a transceiver with an antenna, a light emitting element, a terminal, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, and a secondary battery.

[0015] (2) Main plate (base material) 2, the main plate 20 is placed on the front side of the circuit board 10. The front side of the main plate 20 refers to the surface facing the windshield. The back side of the main plate 20 refers to the surface facing the back cover.

[0016] The shape of the main plate 20 is basically a circular plate around a central axis that passes through the center of the main plate 20. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the central axis that passes through the center of the main plate 20 will be referred to as the axial direction, the direction along the circle around the central axis will be referred to as the circumferential direction, and the direction along the diameter perpendicular to the central axis will be referred to as the radial direction. The direction from the front to the back of the main plate 20 and the reverse direction are parallel to the axial direction. The thickness direction of the main plate 20 is parallel to the axial direction.

[0017] The main plate 20 is a base material on which components such as multiple motors 21, multiple gear train mechanisms 23, crown 25, solar panel 50, and spacer 40 are attached. The main plate 20 has pins, protrusions, ribs, recesses, holes, notches, grooves, and internal threads so that these components can fit comfortably and be attached, mounted, affixed, fixed, supported, held, or positioned on the main plate 20. One of the multiple motors 21, motor 22, is connected to one of the multiple gear train mechanisms 23, and this gear train mechanism 24 is connected to a date wheel 60, which is rotationally driven by the motor 22 and gear train mechanism 24. Other motors 21 and other gear train mechanisms 23 rotate hands such as a second hand, minute hand, hour hand, or function hand.

[0018] In order to allow the solar panel 50, spacer 40, date display plate 90, etc. to fit well and to position the solar panel 50 and spacer 40 on the front surface of the main plate 20, the front surface of the main plate 20 is formed as follows.

[0019] The main plate 20 has a protrusion 31 on the outer periphery of the front surface of the main plate 20. The protrusion 31 is formed along the outer periphery of the front surface of the main plate 20. The protrusion 31 is interrupted in places on the outer periphery of the front surface of the main plate 20.

[0020] The main plate 20 has a plurality of first protrusions 32 on the front surface of the main plate 20. These first protrusions 32 are formed in the shape of concentric arcs extending circumferentially radially inward of the convex portion 31. The radial width of the first protrusions 32 is smaller than the width from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the date wheel 60, which will be described later. The radial width of the first protrusions 32 refers to the dimension from the radially inner edge to the radially outer edge of the first protrusions 32.

[0021] The main plate 20 has a first arrangement region 33 on the front surface of the main plate 20. The first arrangement region 33 faces the windshield. The first arrangement region 33 extends in the circumferential direction between the convex portion 31 and the first protrusion 32. A portion of the first arrangement region 33 extends radially inward from between the first protrusion 32 and further inward than the first protrusion 32, and these portions are referred to as extensions 34a and 34b. In this embodiment, the number of extensions 34a and 34b is two, but it may be three or more, or may be one. The first extensions 34a and the second extensions 34b are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the center of the main plate 20. The height of the first arrangement region 33 is lower than the height of the apex of the convex portion 31. Therefore, the convex portion 31 protrudes from the first arrangement region 33, and there is a step between the first arrangement region 33 and the apex of the convex portion 31. Similarly, the height of the first arrangement region 33 is lower than the height of the apex of the first protrusion 32. Here, the height refers to the position in the axial direction.

[0022] The main plate 20 has a second arrangement region 35 in the center of the front surface of the main plate 20. Like the first arrangement region 33, the second arrangement region 35 faces toward the windshield. Therefore, the second arrangement region 35 faces in the same direction as the first arrangement region 33. The second arrangement region 35 extends radially inward of the first arrangement region 33. The height of the second arrangement region 35 is higher than the height of the first arrangement region 33, and there is a step between the second arrangement region 35 and the first arrangement region 33. The first protrusion 32 extends in the circumferential direction at the boundary between the first arrangement region 33 and the second arrangement region 35. The height of the second arrangement region 35 is lower than the height of the first protrusion 32. Therefore, the first protrusion 32 protrudes from the second arrangement region 35, and there is a step between the second arrangement region 35 and the top of the first protrusion 32.

[0023] The main plate 20 has a circular boss 38 formed in the second extension portion 34b of the first arrangement area 33. The boss 38 protrudes from the second extension portion 34b of the first arrangement area 33. The height of the apex of the boss 38 is higher than the height of the second arrangement area 35. The height of the apex of the boss 38 is higher than the height of the apex of the first protrusion 32. The boss 38 is arranged radially inward of a circle that passes through the first protrusion 32 and a second protrusion 39 (described below). The boss 38 is used to position the solar panel 50.

[0024] The main plate 20 has a second protrusion 39 formed on the first extension 34a of the first arrangement area 33. The second protrusion 39 protrudes from the first extension 34a of the first arrangement area 33. The second protrusion 39 is formed in an arc shape extending circumferentially. The radial width of the second protrusion 39 is smaller than the width from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the date indicator 60 (described below). The radial width of the second protrusion 39 refers to the dimension from the radially inner edge to the radially outer edge of the second protrusion 39. The second protrusion 39 and the first protrusion 32 are concentric, and the second protrusion 39 and the first protrusion 32 are arranged on the same circumference. The height of the apex of the second protrusion 39 is higher than the height of the second arrangement area 35. The height of the apex of the second protrusion 39 is approximately equal to the height of the apex of the first protrusion 32. The height of the apex of the second protrusion 39 is lower than the height of the apex of the boss 38. The second protrusion 39 is used to prevent the solar panel 50 from rotating.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the main plate 20 has a pair of guide portions 94, a pair of guide portions 95, and an adhesive portion 96 formed in the first arrangement region 33. When the positions of the guide portions 94, 95, and the adhesive portion 96 are expressed in clock positions, the guide portions 94, 95, and the adhesive portion 96 are located at the 4.5 o'clock position. The guide portions 94, 95, and the adhesive portion 96 protrude from the first arrangement region 33, and the tops of the guide portions 94, 95 are higher than the top of the adhesive portion 96. The adhesive portion 96 is provided in a rectangular shape. The guide portions 94, 95 surround the adhesive portion 96. The guide portions 94 are radially spaced apart with the adhesive portion 96 between them and are arranged along one opposite side of the adhesive portion 96. The guide portions 95 are circumferentially spaced apart with the adhesive portion 96 between them and are arranged along the other opposite side of the adhesive portion 96. Guide portion 94 and guide portion 95 are spaced apart so as not to form a corner. The planar shape of guide portion 94, guide portion 95, and attachment portion 96 combined is a rectangle with the four corners cut off. Guide portions 94, 95, and attachment portion 96 are intended to identify the attachment position of date display plate 90.

[0026] The guide portions 94, 95 and the affixing portion 96 may be disposed at the 3 o'clock position, similar to the crown 25. In this case, the backs of the guide portions 94, 95 and the affixing portion 96 may be recessed, and the components of the crown 25 may be disposed on the back of the main plate 20 so as to fit into the recesses on the backs of the guide portions 94, 95 and the affixing portion 96.

[0027] (3) Frame 1 and 4, the frame 45 is provided in a ring shape and is attached to the outer periphery of the main plate 20.

[0028] (4) Spacer 1, 2, and 5, the spacer 40 is provided in the form of a thin sheet. The spacer 40 is placed in the center of the front surface of the main plate 20. Specifically, the spacer 40 is placed in the second placement area 35 of the main plate 20. The spacer 40 may be fixed to the main plate 20 with adhesive, adhesive tape, or screws. The spacer 40 may have holes into which protrusions formed on the front surface of the main plate 20 are fitted.

[0029] (5) Date display board and double-sided adhesive tape Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the back of the date plate 90. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the date plate 90 is made of a metal material. The date plate 90 has a rectangular recess 91 on the back of the date plate 90 and a frame 92 surrounding the recess 91. Because adjacent sides of the frame 92 form corners, the corners of the frame 92 are more rigid than the sides of the frame 92. The back surface of the date plate 90 faces the guide portions 94, 95, and attachment portion 96 of the main plate 20, which are fitted into the recess 91, and the date plate 90 is placed on the guide portions 94, 95. The date plate 90 is adhered to the attachment portion 96 with double-sided adhesive tape 93. When the positions of the date display plate 90, guide portions 94, 95 and attachment portion 96 are expressed in clock positions, the date display plate 90, guide portions 94, 95 and attachment portion 96 are positioned at the 4.5 o'clock position.

[0030] Even if the outer dimensions of the guide portions 94 and 95 become larger or the recessed portion 91 becomes smaller due to manufacturing errors, the planar shape of the guide portions 94, 95, and the affixing portion 96 is rectangular with the four corners cut off, so the guide portions 94, 95, and the affixing portion 96 can easily fit into the recessed portion 91 when the date display plate 90 is attached. A comparative example will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of the comparative example. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the comparative example, a rectangular protrusion 196 is formed in place of the guide portions 94, 95, and the affixing portion 96. As shown in FIG. 10, if the recessed portion 91 and the rectangular protrusion 196 have almost no manufacturing errors, the rectangular protrusion 196 can easily fit into the recessed portion 91. However, as shown in Figure 11, if recess 91 is smaller than the designed size due to a manufacturing error, or if rectangular protrusion 196 is larger than the designed size due to a manufacturing error, the corners of frame 92 are less likely to deform when rectangular protrusion 196 is fitted into recess 91, making it difficult for rectangular protrusion 192 to fit into recess 91. Therefore, it can be seen that the absence of corners between guide portions 94 and 95 contributes to the ease of attachment of date display plate 90.

[0031] (6) Solar panels As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the solar panel 50 is a sheet-like component formed in the shape of a thin sheet. The solar panel 50 is arranged in a ring shape (annular shape) having an imaginary center position, and the imaginary center position refers to the center of the area surrounded by the solar panel 50. Hereinafter, the imaginary center position will also be referred to as the center of the solar panel 50. The solar panel 50 is placed in the first placement area 33 of the main plate 20 around the spacer 40. The first protrusions 32 are arranged along the inner periphery of the solar panel 50, and the inner periphery of the solar panel 50 is in contact with the first protrusions 32. The first protrusions 32 serve as a guide or reference for the placement of the solar panel 50, and the radial position of the solar panel 50 relative to the main plate 20 is determined by the first protrusions 32. In other words, the position of the solar panel 50 is restricted by the first protrusions 32. The circumferential position of the solar panel 50 cannot be determined by the first protrusions 32 alone. A gap may exist between the inner periphery of the solar panel 50 and the at least one first protrusion 32. The solar panel 50 may be adhered to the first placement area 33 with double-sided adhesive tape.

[0032] The solar panel 50 has one or more photovoltaic elements that receive light and generate electromotive force. The solar panel 50 is electrically connected to the circuit board 10 via contacts or the like, and the electromotive force of the solar panel 50 is supplied to the circuit board 10 or charged to a secondary battery.

[0033] The solar panel 50 has a plurality of sheet-like extending portions 51a, 51b extending radially inward from its inner periphery. In this embodiment, the number of extending portions 51a, 51b is two, but it may be three or more, or may be one. The first extending portion 51a and the second extending portion 51b are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the centers of the solar panel 50 and the main plate 20. The first extending portion 51a is placed on the first extending portion 34a of the first arrangement area 33, and the second extending portion 51b is placed on the second extending portion 34b of the first arrangement area 33.

[0034] The solar panel 50 has a circular hole 58 formed in the second extending portion 51b. The hole 58 penetrates the second extending portion 51b from the front to the back. The position of the solar panel 50 is determined by fitting the boss 38 into this hole 58. In particular, the radial position of the solar panel 50 is determined by the first protrusion 32 (after the position of the solar panel 50 is restricted by the first protrusion 32), and then the circumferential position is determined by the boss 38 and the hole 58. However, since the solar panel 50 may rotate around the boss 38 if only the first protrusion 32, boss 38, and hole 58 are used, the rotation is prevented by the second protrusion 39 and hole 59, which will be described later. The thickness of the solar panel 50 is thinner than the height from the first placement area 33 to the top of the boss 38 , and the boss 38 passes through the hole 58 and protrudes from the surface of the solar panel 50 .

[0035] The solar panel 50 has an arc-shaped hole 59 formed in the first extending portion 51a. The hole 59 penetrates the first extending portion 51a from the front to the back. The hole 59 and the hole 58 are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the centers of the solar panel 50 and the main plate 20. The second protrusion 39 is fitted into this hole 59. Because the hole 59 and the second protrusion 39 are arc-shaped, fitting the second protrusion 39 into the hole 59 determines the radial and circumferential position of the solar panel 50 relative to the main plate 20. Fitting the second protrusion 39 into the hole 59 prevents the solar panel 50 from rotating around the boss 38, with the boss 38 as the center. Even if the fit tolerance between hole 59 and second protrusion 39 is loose, the fit tolerance between hole 58 and boss 38 is stricter than the fit tolerance between hole 59 and second protrusion 39, and therefore, by fitting second protrusion 39 into hole 59 and boss 38 into hole 58, the radial and circumferential position of solar panel 50 is firmly determined relative to main plate 20. In other words, second protrusion 39 not only restricts the position of solar panel 50, but also positions it. The thickness of the solar panel 50 is thinner than the height from the first placement area 33 to the top of the second protrusion 39, and the second protrusion 39 passes through the hole 59 and protrudes from the surface of the solar panel 50. The thickness of the solar panel 50 is thinner than the height from the first placement area 33 to the top of the first protrusion 32.

[0036] The solar panel 50 has a rectangular opening 52. The opening 52 penetrates the solar panel 50 from the front to the back. A date display plate 90 is fitted into the opening 52.

[0037] If the solar panel 50 is a gallium solar panel with high power generation efficiency, it is expected that the solar panel 50 will generate sufficient power even if its light-receiving area is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, the solar panel 50 may be provided in an arc-shaped configuration with a missing ring, such as a C-shape or a half-ring shape. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, an arc-shaped decorative sheet 150 having a color similar to that of the solar panel 50 may be placed in the missing portion, and the arc-shaped solar panel 50 and the decorative sheet 150 may be combined to form a ring shape. Furthermore, to make the boundary between the arc-shaped solar panel 50 and the decorative sheet 150 less noticeable, a ring-shaped light diffusion sheet may be placed on the front of the arc-shaped solar panel 50 and the decorative sheet 150.

[0038] When the solar panel 50 is arc-shaped, as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, the number of extension portions 51b of the solar panel 50 is one. When the decorative sheet 150 is provided as shown in FIG. 8, the decorative sheet 150 has a sheet-shaped extension portion 151 extending radially inward from its inner periphery, and the position of the extension portion 151 is the same as the position of the above-mentioned extension portion 51a. In the example shown in FIG. 8, holes 159 into which the second protrusions 39 are fitted are formed in the extension portion 151 of the decorative sheet 150. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the number of second protrusions 39 is two, and these second protrusions 39 are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the centers of the solar panel 50 and the main plate 20. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the extension portion 51b of the solar panel 50 has holes 58 into which the bosses 38 are fitted, as well as holes 59 into which the second protrusions 39 are fitted. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the number of second protrusions 39 is one, and this second protrusion 39 does not contribute to the positioning of the solar panel 50.

[0039] (7) Niksha As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the date indicator 60 is an annular member, and its shape is based on a ring shape (annular) around a central axis passing through the center of the main plate 20. The date indicator 60 is supported by the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 while floating above the solar panel 50, and the date indicator 60 can rotate around a rotation axis coaxial with the central axis passing through the center of the main plate 20. Therefore, when the date indicator 60 is rotated, no friction occurs between the date indicator 60 and the solar panel 50. Because the radial width of the arc-shaped second protrusion 39 is smaller than the radial width of the date indicator 60, friction occurring between the second protrusion 39 and the date indicator 60 is small. Similarly, the radial width of the arc-shaped first protrusion 32 is smaller than the radial width of the date indicator 60. The radial width of the date indicator 60 refers to the width from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the date indicator 60. The radial width of the second protrusion 39 refers to the dimension from the radially inner edge to the radially outer edge of the second protrusion 39. The radial width of the first protrusion 32 refers to the dimension from the radially inner edge to the radially outer edge of the first protrusion 32.

[0040] The date wheel 60 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or titanium alloy. The date wheel 60 has been subjected to cut-out processing such as mechanical cutting, pressing, etching, laser beam irradiation cutting, sandblasting, or water jet processing. The metallic luster of the date wheel 60 gives the date wheel 60 a sense of solidity and luxury. The cut-out processing gives the date wheel 60 a sense of three-dimensionality and luxury.

[0041] The date indicator 60 has an inner ring 61, an outer ring 62, multiple spokes 63, multiple openings 64, multiple lettering portions 65, and an internal gear 66. The inner ring 61 is positioned inwardly and spaced apart from the outer ring 62, and the inner ring 61 and outer ring 62 are concentric. The inner ring 61 is a portion of the date indicator 60 located closer to the inner circumference. Multiple spokes 63 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction between the inner ring 61 and the outer ring 62. These spokes 63 extend radially and bridge the inner ring 61 and outer ring 62. Openings 64 are formed between adjacent spokes 63. The openings 64 penetrate the date indicator 60 from the front to the back. The openings 64 allow sunlight to pass through to the solar panel 50. A lettering portion 65 is located in each opening 64. The lettering portion 65 is connected to the inner ring 61, outer ring 62, or spokes 63 by a thin link. The internal gear 66 is formed on the inner periphery of the inner ring 61. The internal gear 66 meshes with the output gear 24a of the train wheel mechanism 24.

[0042] The inner peripheral portion of the date indicator 60, i.e., the inner ring 61, rests on the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 and is in contact with the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39. Therefore, the resistance torque applied to the date indicator 60 from the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 is minimized. Because the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 are arc-shaped, the area where the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 come into contact with the inner ring 61 of the date indicator 60 is minimized, and the resistance torque applied to the date indicator 60 from the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 39 is minimized.

[0043] One of the character portions 65 of the date wheel 60 overlaps the date display plate 90. The character portion 65 overlapping the date display plate 90 indicates the current date.

[0044] (8) Date wheel holder As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the date indicator holder 70 is placed on the spacer 40. The date indicator holder 70 is provided in a disk shape. The outer periphery of the date indicator holder 70 covers the internal gear 66 of the date indicator 60 from the crystal side. The outer periphery of the date indicator holder 70 is either separated from the internal gear 66 or is in soft contact with the internal gear 66. Soft contact means that the outer periphery of the date indicator holder 70 comes into contact with the internal gear 66 to the extent that almost no friction is generated between the outer periphery of the date indicator holder 70 and the date indicator 60.

[0045] The date indicator holder 70 protrudes from the spacer 40 and the edge of the second arrangement area 35 into the extended portion 34. The protruding portion is floating above the extended portion 34. The protruding portion covers the extending portions 51a, 51b of the solar panel 50 from the windshield side, and holds down the extending portions 51a, 51b. As mentioned above, the front surface of the solar panel 50 is flush with the front surface of the spacer 40, so even when the date indicator holder 70 is placed over the spacer 40 and the extending portion 51 of the solar panel 50, the date indicator holder 70 does not rattle.

[0046] (9) Dial As shown in FIG. 1 , the dial 80 is placed on the date indicator holder 70 and the date wheel 60. Because the dial 80 is supported by the date indicator holder 70, the dial 80 is spaced away from the date wheel 60 toward the crystal. The dial 80 is made of a metal material or a resin material. The dial 80 is opaque. The dial 80 has a plurality of openings 81 arranged circumferentially radially outward from the outer periphery of the date indicator holder 70. The openings 81 penetrate the dial 80 from the front to the back. These openings 81 allow sunlight to pass through toward the date wheel 60 and the solar panel 50. The openings 81 formed in the dial 80 give the dial 80 a three-dimensional appearance. The dial 80 may be transparent. In this case, the openings 81 do not have to be formed in the dial 80.

[0047] <2. Summary> Because the arc-shaped first protrusions 32 are arranged along the outer periphery of the sheet-like solar panel 50, the radial position of the solar panel 50 is restricted by the first protrusions 32. Furthermore, because the arc-shaped second protrusions 39 are fitted into holes 59 in the solar panel 50, the position of the solar panel 50 is restricted and positioned in the radial and circumferential directions by the second protrusions 39. Because such first protrusions 32 and second protrusions 39 support the date indicator 60, friction generated against the date indicator 60 when the date indicator 60 rotates is reduced.

[0048] The solar panel 50 is placed on a first placement surface 53 on the front side of the main plate 20. A second protrusion 39 is formed on the front side of the main plate 20, a hole 59 is formed in the solar panel 50, and the second protrusion 39 is fitted into the hole 59. The date indicator 60 is supported from below by the second protrusion 39. Therefore, the second protrusion 39 has both the function of positioning the solar panel 50 and the function of supporting the date indicator 60. This eliminates the need to provide separate protrusions for positioning the solar panel 50 and for supporting the date indicator 60 on the front side of the main plate 20. In other words, even if there is not enough space to provide separate protrusions for positioning the solar panel 50 and protrusions for supporting the date indicator 60 on the front side of the main plate 20, both the positioning of the solar panel 50 and the support of the date indicator 60 can be achieved by the second protrusion 39.

[0049] Although the radial position of the solar panel 50 can be determined by the first protrusion 32 alone (although the position of the solar panel 50 is restricted by the first protrusion 32), the circumferential position cannot be determined. Even if the fit tolerance between the boss 38 and the hole 58 is tight, the solar panel 50 will rotate around the boss 38 with the boss 38 as the center if only the boss 38 and the hole 58 are used. Although the circumferential and radial positions of the solar panel 50 can be determined by fitting the second protrusion 39 into the hole 59, if the fit tolerance between the second protrusion 39 and the hole 59 is loose, the solar panel 50 will become misaligned if only the second protrusion 39 and the hole 59 are used. Even so, by combining the engagement between the second protrusion 39 and the hole 59, the engagement between the boss 38 and the hole 58, and the contact of the outer periphery of the solar panel 50 with the first protrusion 32, the solar panel 50 is firmly positioned and no displacement or rattle of the solar panel 50 occurs.

[0050] The first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 do not come into contact with the tooth tip of the internal gear 66 of the date indicator 60, but support the date indicator 60 from below. This makes it possible to reduce friction that occurs between the date indicator 60 and the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 when the date indicator 60 rotates.

[0051] The portion of the ring-shaped date indicator 60 closest to the inner circumference, i.e., the inner ring 61, is supported by the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39. This minimizes the area over which the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 come into contact with the date indicator 60, minimizing friction that occurs between the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 and the date indicator 60. Furthermore, the torque of the output gear 24a required to rotate the date indicator 60 can also be reduced.

[0052] The first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 are formed in an arc shape that extends circumferentially, and the width of the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 in the radial direction is smaller than the width from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the date indicator 60. This minimizes the area where the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 come into contact with the date indicator 60, making it possible to reduce friction that occurs between the first protrusion 32 and the third protrusion 39 and the date indicator 60.

[0053] The holes 58 and 59 are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the centers of the solar panel 50 and the main plate 20, and the boss 38 and the third protrusion 39 are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to the centers of the solar panel 50 and the main plate 20. This makes it possible to stably fix the solar panel 50.

[0054] A circular boss 38 is formed on the front surface of the main plate 20, a circular hole 58 is formed in the solar panel 50, and the boss 38 is fitted into the hole 58. In addition, by fitting the third protrusion 39 into the hole 59, rotational displacement of the solar panel 50 around the boss 38 is prevented (positioned).

[0055] The tight fit tolerance between hole 58 and boss 38 allows the position of solar panel 50 to be precisely determined, and the loose fit tolerance between hole 59 and third protrusion 39 allows third protrusion 39 to fit securely into hole 59. This allows for both precise positioning of solar panel 50 and prevention of rotation of solar panel 50.

[0056] Since the planar shape of the pair of guide portions 94 and the pair of guide portions 95 combined is a rectangular frame with the four corners cut off, the guide portions 94, 95 and the attachment portion 96 can be easily fitted into the recess 91 when the date display plate 90 is attached.

[0057] <3. Modifications> (1) The electronic watch 1 may have a magnetic shield that has the same planar shape as the solar panel 50. The magnetic shield is a sheet-like component that is placed in the first placement area 33 of the main plate 20 in place of the solar panel 50. Therefore, the third protrusion 39 fits into a hole formed in the first extension of the magnetic shield, and the boss 38 fits into a hole formed in the second extension of the magnetic shield. The hole formed in the first extension of the magnetic shield corresponds to the hole 59 in the solar panel 50, and the hole formed in the second extension of the magnetic shield corresponds to the hole 58 in the solar panel 50. The magnetic shield is made of a magnetically collecting material such as cold-rolled steel or permalloy, and by covering the motor 21, the motor 21 is magnetically shielded. If the magnetic shield and solar panel 50 are thin, both the solar panel 50 and the magnetic shield may be used, with the magnetic shield placed in the first placement area 33 of the main plate 20 and the solar panel 50 placed on the magnetic shield. Even when both the solar panel 50 and the magnetic shield are used, the boss 38 is fitted into both the hole 58 in the solar panel 50 and the hole in the magnetic shield, and the third protrusion 39 is fitted into both the hole 59 in the solar panel 50 and the hole in the magnetic shield.

[0058] (2) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one second protrusion 39 is formed on the front surface of the main plate 20. Alternatively, multiple second protrusions 39 may be formed on the front surface of the main plate 20. In this case, the solar panel 50 has multiple first extensions 51a, multiple holes 59 are formed in each of the multiple first extensions 51a, and the multiple second protrusions 39 are fitted into the multiple holes 59, respectively. Alternatively, multiple holes 59 are formed in one first extension 51a of the solar panel 50, and the multiple second protrusions 39 are fitted into the multiple holes 59, respectively.

[0059] (3) The above changes in (1) and (2) may be applied in combination. Although the embodiments and their modifications have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or modifications, but is defined by the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention also includes equivalents to the claims that are not related to the essence of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Electronic Clock 20 Main plate (base material) 32 1st protrusion 38 Boss 39 Second protrusion 50 Solar panel (sheet-shaped part) 51a 1st extension part 51b 2nd extension part 58 holes 59 holes 60 Day indicator (annular component) 61 Inner circle 150 decorative sheets

Claims

1. a rotatable annular member; a substrate having at least one protrusion; a sheet-like part disposed between the base material and the annular member; Equipped with the position of the sheet-like component is restricted by the at least one protrusion, The annular member is supported by the protrusion. Electronic clock.

2. a dimension of the protrusion in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the annular member is smaller than a width from an inner periphery to an outer periphery of the annular member; 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

3. The at least one protrusion is disposed at a position corresponding to an inner circumferential region of the annular member.

2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

4. the annular member is supported by the at least one protrusion and is arranged so as not to come into contact with the sheet-like component.

3. The electronic watch according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The at least one protrusion is formed in an arc shape with respect to the center of the annular member.

3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The protrusion is a first protrusion that determines the position of the sheet-like component in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the annular member; a second protrusion that determines the position of the sheet-like component in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the annular member and in the radial direction; have 3. The electronic watch according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The sheet-like part is It has a hole, the second protrusion is fitted into the hole, thereby positioning the sheet-like component with respect to the base material.

7. The electronic watch according to claim 6.

8. the substrate has a boss; The sheet-like part is a hole corresponding to the boss; The boss is fitted into the hole, thereby being positioned relative to the base material.

8. The electronic watch according to claim 7.

9. the second protrusion and the boss are disposed at positions that are approximately symmetrical to each other with respect to a virtual center position of the sheet-like component.

9. The electronic timepiece according to claim 8.

10. a presser for pressing the annular member; the sheet-like part has an annular region and an extension portion extending from the annular region, The extension portion is pressed by the presser foot.

3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.

11. a presser for pressing the annular member; The sheet-like part is an annular region; a first extension portion extending from the annular region at a position corresponding to the second protrusion portion and the hole; a second extension portion extending from the annular region at a position corresponding to the boss and the hole, The first extension portion and the second extension portion are pressed by the presser foot.

9. The electronic timepiece according to claim 8.

12. The sheet-like part is a solar panel or a magnetic shield.

3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.

13. the annular member is a date wheel; 3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.

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