clock

Abstract

To provide a clock that maintains its design and sense of luxury while also providing sufficient illumination for the display. [Solution] The device comprises a light-emitting member and a trim member. The light-emitting member is substantially annular in shape. The trim member, in a plan view from above, covers at least a portion of the light-emitting member and has a slope at its lower part that slopes upward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the device. In a cross-sectional view from a plan direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the slope of the trim member includes a first slope portion having a straight shape and a second slope portion having a curved shape located below the first slope portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clock.

Background Art

[0002] In order to make the display portion such as a dial visible even in a dark place, a clock having a function of illuminating the display portion with a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In a clock having such a function, if a portion with particularly high light emission intensity among the light sources is directly in a position where it is easily visible to the user, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the time due to the strong light emission, and furthermore, the design or the sense of luxury of the clock is impaired. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the portion with high light emission intensity at a position where it is not visible to the user as much as possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, if a portion with particularly high light emission intensity among the light sources is arranged at a position where it is difficult for the user to see, the optical path is easily blocked, and there is a problem that it becomes difficult to sufficiently illuminate the display portion (display part).

[0005] The present disclosure provides a clock that can sufficiently illuminate a display portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A clock according to one embodiment comprises a light-emitting member and a trim member. The light-emitting member is substantially annular in shape. The trim member, in a plan view from above, covers at least a portion of the light-emitting member and has a slope at its lower part that slopes upward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the clock. In a cross-sectional view from a plan direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the slope of the trim member includes a first slope portion having a straight shape and a second slope portion having a curved shape located below the first slope portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a clock is provided that can adequately illuminate the display portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a clock according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an external view of the Nissha in the embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an external view of the solar panel in the embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of the watch and part of the optical path of light from the solar panel. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a diagram comparing the optical paths of reflected light relative to the emitted light from the solar panel, depending on the shape of the slope of the trim member. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a diagram comparing the optical paths of reflected light relative to the emitted light from the solar panel, depending on the shape of the slope of the trim member. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is a diagram comparing the optical paths of reflected light relative to the emitted light from the solar panel, depending on the shape of the slope of the trim member. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows how light reflected by the trim piece is further reflected by the hour marker. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the clock according to the embodiment. Figure 1 is a plan view of the clock as seen from above. Hereafter, the face of the clock shown in Figure 1 will be described as the front face. In addition, the configuration of the clock shown in each figure described below may be enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate for the sake of explanation. Note that the term "ring" in the embodiments does not necessarily mean "circular." In the embodiments, the term "ring" means a closed shape and may include shapes other than rings, such as rectangles. Also, the term "horizontal direction" in the embodiments is not necessarily limited to the horizontal direction with respect to the ground, but may also include the direction (planar direction) as if viewing the clock from directly to the side.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the watch 10 is, for example, an analog wristwatch and comprises a case 11 that forms the outer casing. The case 11 is a roughly annular case that houses the watch module 30 inside, and a protective glass (crystal) 20 is attached to the front side of the case 11. The protective glass 20 is a colorless, transparent glass material that has a relatively high light transmittance in at least the visible light band, for example, sapphire glass. Therefore, light from the outside (external light) can pass through the protective glass 20 and enter the inside of the case 11.

[0011] A trim member 18 is positioned on the inner periphery of the front side of the case 11 to determine the trim shape of the display section of the clock 10 (the area inside the inner periphery of the front side of the case 11 in Figure 1). In this embodiment, the trim member 18 is substantially annular in shape, at least when viewed from above. The trim member 18 is made of brass and has a bevel 180 at the bottom that faces inward towards the clock 10 (sloping upward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the clock 10), as shown in Figure 4. Here, it is desirable that the bevel 180 be mirror-finished, and for example, plating with a material that has relatively high reflectivity, is resistant to corrosion, and reflects light in the red light band, as described later (for example, gold) is used. However, any metal material with relatively high reflectivity is acceptable, and it does not have to be gold plating; for example, silver plating is also acceptable. However, since the silver plating layer is more prone to discoloration and corrosion than the gold plating layer, a clear coat such as a urethane coating may be applied on top of the silver plating layer. This prevents a decrease in the reflectivity of the slope due to aging and other factors.

[0012] At least one reflective member is provided on the upper part of the trim member 18. In this embodiment, twelve hour markers 14 are arranged at equal intervals at positions corresponding to 1 to 12 o'clock as reflective members. Each hour marker 14 is positioned to protrude toward the center (inward) of the clock 10 so as to cover a part of the date wheel 30a, which will be described later, when viewed from above as shown in Figure 1. Each hour marker 14 may have a slightly different shape to avoid decorative members, etc., which are not shown and are placed on the display section. On the side of each hour marker 14 as viewed from above, a slope 14a is formed as a third sloped surface that is inclined toward the center of the ring forming the trim member 18, i.e., the center of the clock 10 (sloping downward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the clock 10), in order to reflect light with a surface, for example, as described later. The angle between the slope 14a of each hour marker 14 and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (the planar direction or horizontal direction in Figure 1 of the clock 10) is preferably about 45-60°. Furthermore, it is desirable that at least the inclined surface 14a be made of a material such as gold, silver, or stainless steel to increase the reflectivity of light on the surface, and that it be further polished to a mirror finish by polishing or plating. In addition, if surface treatment such as mirror polishing is applied, there may be design irregularities. Moreover, not only the inclined surface 14a, but also the side surface 14b of the hour marker 14 (the surface that the vertical direction meets the planar or horizontal direction in the hour marker 14) may be polished to a mirror finish. In addition, the hour marker 14 itself may be made of a material such as gold, silver, or stainless steel.

[0013] As a result, as will be described later, almost all of the visible surfaces of the hour markers 14 can suitably reflect light from inside the clock 10, and the reflected light from the sloped surface 14a and the side surface 14b reaches the user's eye E, causing almost all of the visible surfaces of each hour marker 14 to appear to emit light.

[0014] Furthermore, the hour marker 14 at the 6 o'clock position has a smaller slope area 14a than the other hour markers 14 due to the placement of a plate 19 for the user to recognize the date by the date wheel 30a. However, if the position of the plate 19 is slightly shifted along the circumferential direction of the clock 10 (date wheel 30a), the hour marker 14 at the 6 o'clock position can have the same shape as the other hour markers 14.

[0015] Inside the case 11, a substantially annular date wheel 30a, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is arranged to allow the user to recognize the date of the portion overlapping the plate 19 when viewed from above. The date wheel 30a is arranged below the hour markers 14 so as to be covered by a plurality of hour markers 14 when viewed from above. Further, a tooth portion 30a1 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the date wheel 30a and is driven by a drive source and gears (not shown). Also, a substantially annular solar panel 31, which will be described later, is provided below the date wheel 30a, and the date wheel 30a is arranged at a predetermined interval from the solar panel 31 by a support portion 30a5 provided on the inner peripheral side of the date wheel 30a.

[0016] Also, the date wheel 30a is hollowed out leaving the outer peripheral frame 30a2, the inner peripheral frame 30a3, and the character portion 30a4. In other words, the date wheel 30a penetrates vertically leaving the outer peripheral frame 30a2, the inner peripheral frame 30a3, and the character portion 30a4. Here, the outer peripheral frame 30a2 and the inner peripheral frame 30a3 each include a portion connecting the character portion from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side and a portion connecting the character portion from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. Thereby, when the clock 10 is viewed from above, at least a part of the solar panel 31 can be visually recognized through the hollowed-out portion of the date wheel 30a. Although the date wheel 30a is preferably made of a metal material or a resin material for ease of processing, etc., the surface is preferably not mirror-finished in order to avoid reflection of light from the solar panel 31, which will be described later.

[0017] On the outer periphery of the case 11, one or more, in the example of FIG. 1, four switches 17 are provided so as to be exposed. Each switch 17 is electrically connected to the clock module and realizes a predetermined function.

[0018] Also, on the outer periphery of the case 11, along the 12 o'clock - 6 o'clock direction of the clock 10, a band for wearing on the user's wrist is provided.

[0019] When the clock 10 is an analog wristwatch, the clock module 30 includes hands and a movement having a wheel train mechanism and its drive source. In FIG. 1, a state where the three hands of the minute hand 21, the hour hand 22, and the second hand 23 overlap is shown. Further, although not shown in the figure, the clock module 30 includes a circuit board on which electronic components such as an antenna are mounted and a secondary battery that supplies power for driving the electronic components.

[0020] Furthermore, on the front side of the clock module 30, at least a part of a dial plate may be attached as long as it does not prevent the view from above the date wheel 30a. In order to allow external light to enter the solar panel 31, when a dial plate is attached to the clock module 30, it is desirable that the dial plate is made of a light-transmissive material such as polycarbonate.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an external view of the solar panel 31 in the embodiment as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the solar panel 31 in the embodiment has a substantially annular shape following the parting member 18. The solar panel 31 is, for example, a solar panel of InGaP.

[0022] The solar panel 31 is disposed in the case 11, and when external light such as sunlight or indoor light enters the solar panel 31 (PN junction layer 31a), a current is generated, and the secondary battery is charged by this current. In this embodiment, since at least a part of the date wheel 30a penetrates in the vertical direction, the solar panel 31 can be charged by the external light passing through the penetration portion. As will be described later, in order that light with high emission intensity does not directly enter the user's eyes E or does not impair the design or luxury feeling, the date wheel 30a is preferably provided so that the current collecting electrode 31b is as much as possible in the shadow of the date wheel a even when trying to view the current collecting electrode 31b from an oblique direction.

[0023] The solar panel 31 comprises three solar cells of approximately equal area, a PN junction layer 31a provided on each solar cell, a current collector electrode 31b formed on the upper surface of the PN junction layer, and an electrode layer (not shown) on at least a portion of the lower surface of the PN junction layer 31a. The solar panel 31 includes a structure in which the current collector electrode 31b, PN junction layer 31a, and electrode layer are stacked in that order from top to bottom. In this case, when viewed from above, there is a portion where the current collector electrode 31b, PN junction layer 31a, and electrode layer all overlap. A colorless, transparent protective film having a relatively high light transmittance in at least the visible light band may be provided on the upper surface of the PN junction layer 31a to prevent degradation, etc.

[0024] The current collector electrode 31b is formed near the outer circumference of the roughly annular solar panel 31 and is connected, for example, to the secondary battery of the clock module 30 via a connection changeover switch. The current collector electrode 31b can also be connected from the secondary battery to the light source drive circuit of the clock module 30 by switching the connection changeover switch.

[0025] The solar panel 31 generates electricity when light enters its PN junction layer 31a. If the current collector electrode 31b of the solar panel 31 is connected to a secondary battery, the secondary battery is charged by the current generated by the solar panel 31. The electronic components of the clock module 30 can then operate using the power stored in this secondary battery. On the other hand, if the current collector electrode 31b of the solar panel 31 is connected to a light source drive circuit, the solar panel 31 emits light due to the current supplied from the light source drive circuit to the PN junction layer 31a via the current collector electrode 31b. For example, if the PN junction layer 31a is an InGaP layer, the solar panel 31 emits light in the red band with a peak wavelength of approximately 660 nm.

[0026] Here, light emission occurs in the PN junction layer 31a where current flows (where bonding between electrons and holes occurs). At this time, current flows easily near the current collector electrode 31b (the current density is high), so the PN junction layer 31a emits light particularly strongly along the part corresponding to the current collector electrode 31b, and the further away from the current collector electrode 31b the emitting light becomes, the weaker the PN junction layer 31a emits light. In other words, the solar panel 31 emits light particularly strongly in the areas closer to the outer edge, and the other parts emit light weaker than the areas closer to the outer edge.

[0027] A portion of the PN junction layer 31a of the solar panel 31 is exposed inward so as to protrude from the trim member 18 towards the center of the clock 10 when viewed from above (it is visible from at least above), while the entire circumference of the current collector electrode 31b of the solar panel 31 is obscured from view from at least above by the trim member 18. Strictly speaking, the current collector electrode 31b of the solar panel 31 is roughly arc-shaped, but since the three roughly arc-shaped current collector electrodes 31b are arranged to form a roughly ring shape, the current collector electrode 31b will be described as roughly ring-shaped.

[0028] Furthermore, a slope 180 is formed on the lower part of the trim member 18 that overlaps with the solar panel 31 (PN junction layer 31a and current collector electrode 31b) when viewed from above. This slope 180 has a first slope portion 180a and a second slope portion 180b, which are continuous surfaces and have different shapes from each other. The current collector electrode 31b is positioned so as to overlap with the second slope portion 180b when viewed from above. Note that the first slope portion 180a and the second slope portion 180b do not necessarily have to be continuous surfaces, and may be slightly separated at their boundary.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of the clock 10 and part of the optical path of light from the solar panel 31. Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-section as seen when cut along the line IV-IV in Figure 1. Of the light emitted from the solar panel 31, the solid arrow L2 represents light from near the current collector electrode 31b, and the dashed arrow L1 represents light penetrating from the PN junction layer 31a to the sun wheel 30a. In Figure 1, the hands (minute hand 21, hour hand 22, and second hand 23) are shown pointing to the 12 o'clock position, but for the sake of explanation, in Figure 4, the hands are shown as being on the line IV-IV.

[0030] The first inclined surface 180a is an inclined surface formed on the upper side of the inclined surface 180 at the lower part of the trim member 18, and is a tapered inclination that slopes at an angle of approximately 45° from the outside to the inside of the trim member 18 when viewed in cross-section from a planar or horizontal direction (the angle between the planar or horizontal direction and the first inclined surface 180a is approximately 45°). In other words, the first inclined surface 180a has a straight shape when viewed in cross-section from a planar or horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0031] The second inclined surface 180b is a slope formed continuously from the first inclined surface 180a on the lower side of the inclined surface 180 at the lower part of the trim member 18, and in cross-sectional view, the angle between the second inclined surface 180b and the planar or horizontal direction changes continuously from approximately 45° to approximately 90°, forming a rounded slope. In other words, the second inclined surface 180b has a curved shape in cross-sectional view from the planar or horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The end of the second inclined surface 180b on the side not continuous with the first inclined surface 180a has an angle of approximately 90° (about 80°-90°) and is brought as close as possible to the solar panel 31. The distance between the solar panel 31 and the second inclined surface 180b may be as small as possible, provided that insulation between the solar panel 31 and the second inclined surface 180b is ensured. Furthermore, an insulating spacer may be placed between the solar panel 31 and the second inclined surface 180b to ensure insulation between the solar panel 31 and the second inclined surface 180b. By minimizing the distance between the solar panel 31 and the second inclined surface 180b as much as possible (to the point of near-contact), and by setting the end of the second inclined surface 180b that is not continuous with the first inclined surface 180a at an angle of approximately 90°, it is expected that the leakage of light from the solar panel 31 (especially near the current collection electrode 31b) to the outer periphery of the clock 10 will be reduced. In other words, it is possible to prevent the light emission on the display from appearing weak.

[0032] As described above, the sunshade 30a is positioned above the solar panel 31. It is desirable that the position of the rotation axis and the outer diameter of the sunshade 30a be determined so as not to obstruct the light emitted from the solar panel 31 (especially near the current collector electrode 31b), that is, so that the sunshade 30a is located outside the optical path of the light emitted from near the current collector electrode 31b. For example, if the outer diameter of the sunshade 30a is smaller than the inner diameter of the current collector electrode 31b, the sunshade 30a can be positioned outside the optical path of the light emitted from near the current collector electrode 31b. Note that the light emitted from near the current collector electrode 31b includes the light emitted from the PN junction layer 31a that emits light at the position corresponding to the current collector electrode 31b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the light L1 and L2 (including incident and reflected light) emitted from the solar panel 31 is reflected in the optical path by the first inclined surface 180a or the second inclined surface 180b. The first inclined surface 180a is an inclined surface provided such that the angle between the first inclined surface 180a and the planar or horizontal direction is approximately 45°. Therefore, the first inclined surface 180a reflects the light from the PN junction layer 31a mainly in a diagonally downward direction, that is, towards the area of ​​the clock 10 that is inside the approximately annular solar panel 31. This allows the area near the center of the clock 10 to be illuminated.

[0034] On the other hand, the second inclined surface 180b is an inclined surface provided such that the angle between the second inclined surface 180b and the planar or horizontal direction is continuously approximately 45° to approximately 90°. Therefore, the second inclined surface 180b reflects light from near the current collector electrode 31b mainly in an oblique upward direction, that is, towards the center (inward) of the clock 10 and toward the hands (minute hand 21, hour hand 22, and second hand 23). When light from near the current collector electrode 31b irradiates the hands, the hands appear to emit light. Also, since the light emission intensity from near the current collector electrode 31b is greater than that from the PN junction layer 31a, the area near the center of the clock 10 appears to emit a relatively weak light, while the hands appear to emit a relatively strong light. As a result, the entire display area becomes brighter, and the hands appear to be emphasized. Furthermore, the curvature of the second inclined surface 180b may be set so that more light is incident on the hour markers 14.

[0035] Conventionally, light-emitting diode (LED) light sources used for clock illumination are typically point sources embedded in the bezel. This allows the time to be barely recognized in dark environments, but results in a situation where a part of the display (for example, only at the 5 o'clock position) is brightly lit while the rest is unevenly illuminated. In contrast, in this embodiment, light incident from the position corresponding to the current collector electrode 31b is reflected via the first inclined surface 180a or the second inclined surface 180b and incident on the pointer, indirectly incident on the user's eye E. Furthermore, because the solar panel 31 and the bezel 18 are substantially annular, the display of the clock 10 can be illuminated with substantially uniform illuminance along the annular shape of the bezel 18, and the pointer can be further highlighted.

[0036] Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C compare the optical paths of reflected light from the solar panel 31 to the light emitted by the trim member 18, depending on the shape of the slope of the trim member 18. Here, Figure 5A shows the optical path of reflected light when only a tapered slope is formed on the trim member 18. Figure 5B shows the optical path of reflected light when only a rounded slope is formed on the trim member 18. Figure 5C shows the optical path of reflected light when both a tapered slope (first slope 180a) and a rounded slope (second slope 180b) are formed on the trim member 18. Note that in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C, for the sake of explanation, only a portion of the light emitted from the solar panel 31 is schematically shown.

[0037] In the case of Figure 5A, some of the light La1 from the PN junction layer 31a is directed towards an area inside the roughly annular solar panel 31 by the upper part of the slope, thus illuminating the area near the center of the clock 10. On the other hand, some of the light La2 from near the current collector electrode 31b is directed at a relatively low (downward) position by the lower part of the slope, and is therefore blocked by the sides of components such as the sun wheel 30a, resulting in a relatively small amount of light directed towards the hands. In addition, light leakage towards the outer circumference of the clock 10 may also occur.

[0038] In other words, providing a tapered shape on the upper part of the slope is desirable for illuminating the display, while providing a tapered shape on the lower part of the slope is undesirable for illuminating the display.

[0039] In the case of Figure 5B, a portion of the light Lb2 from near the current collector electrode 31b travels to a relatively high (upward) position due to the lower part of the slope, and is therefore not blocked by components such as the sunshade 30a, resulting in a relatively large amount of light heading towards the pointer. On the other hand, a portion of the light Lb1 from the PN junction layer 31a, even if reflected by the upper part of the slope, does not travel to the center of the clock 10, but instead travels downward again, and therefore cannot illuminate the area near the center of the clock 10.

[0040] In other words, providing a rounded shape on the lower part of the slope is preferable for illuminating the display, while providing a rounded shape on the upper part of the slope is undesirable for illuminating the display.

[0041] In contrast, in the case of Figure 5C, a portion of the light Lc1 from the PN junction layer 31a, as shown in Figure 5A, is directed towards an area inside the roughly annular solar panel 31 by the upper part of the slope, thus illuminating the area near the center of the clock 10. On the other hand, a portion of the light Lc2 from near the current collector electrode 31b, as shown in Figure 5B, is directed at a relatively high (upward) position by the lower part of the slope, so it is not blocked by components such as the sun wheel 30a, and a relatively large amount of light is directed toward the hands. Therefore, the amount of light that reaches the user's eyes without being blocked by the sun wheel 30a, etc., can be increased. In other words, by providing a tapered shape above the slope 180 and a rounded shape below it, the display part including the hands can be sufficiently illuminated. Furthermore, by arranging it in a way that minimizes the exposure of the current collector electrode 31b, which has a high light emission intensity, a decrease in design or sense of luxury can be prevented.

[0042] Furthermore, in the case of Figure 5C, as shown in Figure 6, reflected light can also be delivered to the hour marker 14 approximately opposite the trim member 18. This reflected light is further reflected by the inclined surface 14a of each hour marker 14, which is set at an angle of approximately 45-60°, allowing the reflected light from the inclined surface 14a to reach the user's eye E. In other words, since the 12 hour markers 14, which are arranged at equal intervals, are illuminated mainly by light (reflected light) from near the current collector electrode 31b, which has a strong luminescence intensity, the position of each hour marker 14 can be recognized in a short time even in a dark environment, and the user can instantly recognize the time. In addition, it is preferable that the angle that the inclined surface 14a of each hour marker 14 makes with the planar or horizontal direction is approximately 45-60°. Also, when the angle is approximately 60°, the reflected light from the inclined surface 14a of each hour marker 14 travels further towards the center of the clock 10 than in the case of 45°, so the hour markers 14 appear more emphasized.

[0043] On the other hand, light penetrating the sunshade 30a from the PN junction layer 31a and light from near the current collector electrode 31b can be incident on the side surface 14b of the hour marker 14. Therefore, almost the entire visible surface of each hour marker 14 appears luminous, and the user can clearly recognize each hour marker 14 even in a dark environment.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the upper surface of the trim member 18, specifically the area between each hour marker 14, is printed with black paint (a light-absorbing layer). In this case, in a dark environment, each hour marker 14 appears to glow, while the light-absorbing layer appears dark, making it seem as if each hour marker 14 protrudes from the outside of the clock 10. This also emphasizes each hour marker 14 in a dark environment, allowing the user to recognize the time more quickly.

[0045] Furthermore, it is expected that light reflected from the rounded slope (second slope 180b) will be reflected again outward from the trim member 18 by being obliquely incident on the tapered slope (first slope 180a). This also tends to increase the amount of light that reaches the user's eyes.

[0046] While each hour marker 14 and the solar panel 31 (the part visible from above the PN junction layer 31a) are brightly illuminated, the sun wheel 30a itself remains dark. In this case, since each hour marker 14 protrudes toward the center of the clock 10, parts of the sun wheel 30a and the solar panel 31 are obscured by each hour marker 14 as shown in Figure 1. The contrast between the hour marker 14, which shines due to reflected light, and the sun wheel 30a, which remains dark even when the solar panel 31 is emitting light, makes the hour marker 14 stand out more. This is even more pronounced when combined with the aforementioned light-absorbing layer. As a result, the position of each hour marker 14 can be recognized in a short time even in a dark environment, allowing the user to instantly recognize the time.

[0047] As described above, according to the embodiment, by arranging the substantially annular solar panel 31 as a light source member so that it partially overlaps with the substantially annular trim member 18 when viewed from above, and by forming a first slanted portion 180a and a second slanted portion 180b on the lower part of the trim member 18, the solar panel 31 can be hidden, maintaining the design and sense of luxury of the clock while providing sufficient illumination of the display. Furthermore, the part hidden by the trim member 18 is the part of the solar panel 31 near the current collector electrode 31b, which emits particularly strong light. The part near the current collector electrode 31b emits strong light but contributes almost nothing to power generation. By deliberately not hiding a part of the part that contributes to power generation, such as the PN junction layer 31a, with the trim member 18, a decrease in power generation efficiency can also be suppressed.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, a substantially annular solar panel 31 is used as the light source member. On the other hand, the light source member does not necessarily have a power generation function. In other words, the light source member may consist of LEDs arranged in a substantially annular shape and an annular light guide member housing each LED. Furthermore, the light source member does not necessarily have to be formed in an annular shape. For example, the light source member may consist of multiple point light sources arranged as closely together as possible in a substantially annular shape.

[0050] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment used an analog wristwatch as an example of the clock 10, it could also be a digital wristwatch equipped with a liquid crystal display surface such as a segment type or dot matrix type inside the solar panel 31. This allows the entire area surrounding the display part, including the liquid crystal display surface, to be illuminated. Also, in the case of a digital wristwatch, the date wheel 30a and hour markers 14 are not required.

[0051] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, it was explained that reflected light can reach the hour markers 14 almost directly opposite the trim member 18. However, if, for example, a member with height (thickness) along the vertical direction (e.g., a gear, a large decorative member, an anti-magnetic plate, etc.) is placed in the inner region of the solar panel 31, the reflected light will not reach the hour markers 14 almost directly opposite the trim member 18, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the solar panel 31 (the part visible from above the PN bonding layer 31a) will emit light, but the sloped surface 14a of each hour marker 14 will become particularly dark. However, as in the embodiment described above, each hour marker 14 protrudes toward the center of the clock 10. Therefore, even in this case, a part of the sun wheel 30a and the solar panel 31 (PN bonding layer 31a) is covered by each hour marker 14. The contrast between the emitting solar panel 31 (PN bonding layer 31a) and the hour markers 14 and sun wheel 30a, which remain dark even when the solar panel 31 emits light, can conversely make the hour markers 14 stand out. This allows users to instantly recognize the time even in a dark environment. Furthermore, in this case, the hour digits 14 can be recognized even without the day marker 30a.

[0052] Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these constituent elements deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Clock, 11 Case, 14 Hour marker, 14a Slanted surface, 14b Side, 17 Switch, 18 Trim, 180 Slanted surface, 180a First slanted surface section, 180b Second slanted surface section, 20 Protective glass, 21 Minute hand, 22 Hour hand, 30 Clock module, 30a Sun wheel, 31 Solar panel, 31a PN junction layer, 31b Current collector electrode.

Claims

1. A roughly annular light-emitting member, A substantially annular trim member is positioned above the light-emitting member and has a slope at its lower part that inclines upward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the machine, The upper part of the trim member includes at least one hour mark, which is made of a metal material or has a mirrored surface and slopes downward as it extends from the outside to the inside of the machine, The upper part of the trim member and the region adjacent to the hour character have a light-absorbing layer. clock.

2. The aforementioned hour characters are arranged along the circumferential direction of the trim member in a plan view from above. The clock according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned hour characters are arranged in a 12-unit pattern at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the trim member in a plan view from above. The clock according to claim 2.

4. The upper part of the trim member and the region between each of the twelve hour characters have the light-absorbing layer, The clock according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned hour character has a side portion that is aligned with the plane formed by the vertical direction and the planar direction, The aforementioned side surface is made of a metal material or has a mirror-like surface. The clock according to claim 1.

6. Above the light-emitting member and below the hour character, there is a roughly annular day wheel that penetrates vertically, leaving the outer frame, inner frame, and character portion intact. At least a portion of the aforementioned hour marker protrudes inward from the trim member so as to cover the sun wheel in a plan view from above. The clock according to claim 1.

7. The hour marker is adjacent to the light-absorbing layer and the sunshade region in a plan view from above. The clock according to claim 6.

8. The light-emitting member has at least a substantially annular current-collecting electrode at its upper part, The current collection electrode is positioned so as to overlap the slope of the trim member when viewed from above in a plan view. The clock according to claim 6.

9. The outer diameter of the outer frame of the aforementioned Nippon Sharyo is smaller than the inner diameter of the current collector electrode. The clock according to claim 8.

10. The end of the slanted surface of the trim member on the side of the light-emitting member is in substantially contact with the light-emitting member. The inclined surface of the trim member is tilted such that the angle it makes with the planar direction approaches approximately 90° as it approaches the light-emitting member. The clock according to claim 1.

Images