Dial and watch

Abstract

To provide a dial with a sheet-like decorative member that enables expression of stereographic effect and depth, and to provide a timepiece having the same.SOLUTION: A dial provided herein comprises a tabular base material and a sheet-like decorative member lying on a surface of the base material and comprising laminated multiple fibers, the decorative member having undulations formed on a surface thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dial and a clock.

Background Art

[0002] Dials of clocks with various decorations are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a display plate in which Japanese paper is sandwiched between a translucent upper plate and a reflector.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the display plate as described above, since thin Japanese paper is used, it has been difficult to express a three-dimensional effect and depth.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a dial and a clock that can express a three-dimensional effect and depth by a sheet-like decorative member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The dial according to the present invention has a plate-like base material and a sheet-like decorative member in which a plurality of fibers are laminated, disposed on the surface of the base material, and undulations are formed on the surface of the decorative member.

[0007] Further, in the dial according to the present invention, the undulations on the surface of the decorative member preferably include undulations formed by bending the decorative member to deform a part of the fibers.

[0008] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the unevenness on the surface of the decorative member includes unevenness formed by pressing a part of the decorative member to deform a part of the fiber.

[0009] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member is a member colored by being immersed in a liquid containing a dye in a state where the fiber is deformed.

[0010] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member is a member colored by being immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye.

[0011] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member is paper.

[0012] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member is Japanese paper.

[0013] Further, it is preferable that the dial plate according to the present invention further has a translucent protective plate that covers the surface of the decorative member.

[0014] Further, in the dial plate according to the present invention, it is preferable that the decorative member has translucency.

[0015] The timepiece according to the present invention is characterized by having the dial plate according to the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] The dial plate and the timepiece according to the present invention enable the expression of three-dimensionality and depth by the sheet-like decorative member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the clock 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clock 1 taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. The clock 1 is a solar-powered clock that operates by sunlight. The clock 1 includes an outer case 11, a windproof glass 12, a dial plate 13, hands 14, and a drive mechanism 15.

[0020] The outer case 11 houses each component of the clock 1. The outer case 11 has a cylindrical body portion 111, an annular bezel 112 provided at one opening of the body portion 111, and a back cover 113 that closes the other opening of the body portion 111. The outer case 11 is formed of stainless steel. The outer case 11 may be formed of other metals such as titanium or resin.

[0021] The windproof glass 12 is attached so as to be surrounded by the bezel 112 of the outer case 11. The windproof glass 12 has a disc shape and is formed of glass such as sapphire glass or mineral glass having translucency. The windproof glass 12 covers the dial plate 13, the hands 14, etc. so that they can be visually recognized from the outside of the clock 1.

[0022] The dial 13 is a flat circular member on which time characters H such as numbers and bar indices indicated by the pointer 14 are formed. The dial 13 is housed in the outer case 11 and is disposed between the pointer 14 and the drive mechanism 15. As will be described later, a predetermined pattern is expressed on the surface of the dial 13 (the surface on the windshield glass 12 side) by the technique of indigo dyeing, which is a traditional Japanese dyeing method. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a regular hexagonal pattern is expressed as the predetermined pattern. Since the structure of the dial 13 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, the details of the cross-sectional structure of the dial 13 are omitted in FIG. 2.

[0023] The pointer 14 includes an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, and displays the time by indicating the time characters H on the dial 13. The pointer 14 is connected to the drive mechanism 15 through a through hole formed in the dial 13. The pointer 14 is driven by the rotational force transmitted from the drive mechanism 15.

[0024] The drive mechanism 15 is a configuration for driving the pointer 14, and includes a solar cell 16, a movement 17, a secondary battery 18, and an inner frame 19. In FIG. 2, the details of the cross-sectional structures of the solar cell 16, the movement 17, and the secondary battery 18 are omitted.

[0025] The solar cell 16 generates electric power by the photovoltaic effect and charges the secondary battery 18 with the generated electric power. The solar cell 16 is disposed on the front surface of the drive mechanism 15 so as to face the dial 13. The solar cell 16 generates electric power by the light that enters the clock 1 and passes through the dial 13.

[0026] The movement 17 is a configuration for generating a rotational force for driving the pointer 14, and includes, for example, a crystal oscillator, a stepping motor, and a wheel train. The crystal oscillator generates a signal of a predetermined frequency by being supplied with electric power from the secondary battery 18. The stepping motor generates a rotational force at a predetermined cycle based on the signal generated by the crystal oscillator. The wheel train is composed of a plurality of gears and transmits the rotational force generated by the stepping motor to the pointer 14 while changing the rotational speed.

[0027] The secondary battery 18 is a member for supplying power to the movement 17 and is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The secondary battery 18 is charged by being supplied with power from the solar cell 16 via a charging circuit (not shown). Further, the secondary battery 18 supplies power to a crystal oscillator or the like of the movement 17 via a power supply circuit (not shown).

[0028] The middle frame 19 is formed of resin or the like and holds the movement 17 and the secondary battery 18 so as not to move relative to the outer case 11.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dial 13. In FIG. 3, the surface of the dial 13 is shown on the upper side and the back surface of the dial 13 is shown on the lower side. The dial 13 has a base material 131, an adhesive 132, a decorative member 133, and a protective plate 134.

[0030] The base material 131 is formed in a flat plate shape from a translucent resin. The translucent resin is, for example, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, or the like. Preferably, the base material 131 is formed from a colorless and transparent resin. The base material 131 has, for example, a thickness of 100 μm.

[0031] The adhesive 132 adheres the front surface of the base material 131 and the back surface of the decorative member 133. The adhesive 132 is, for example, a hot melt adhesive containing ethylene vinyl acetate. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the front surface of the base material 131 and the back surface of the decorative member 133 are separated by the adhesive 132, but a part or all of the back surface of the decorative member 133 may be in contact with the front surface of the base material 131.

[0032] The decorative member 133 is a sheet-like member in which a plurality of fibers such as plant fibers are laminated. The decorative member 133 is, for example, a paper (referring to Japanese paper and Western paper) in which a plurality of fibers are laminated irregularly. Preferably, the decorative member 133 is Japanese paper in which a plurality of fibers are intertwined irregularly and laminated. The decorative member 133 has translucency in order to transmit light through the gaps between the fibers. Since Japanese paper has more gaps between a plurality of fibers compared to Western paper, when the decorative member 133 is Japanese paper, the transmittance of the light incident on the clock 1 increases, and the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 16 is improved. Further, since the decorative member 133 is Japanese paper, the texture such as the roughness peculiar to Japanese paper and the intertwined fibers improves the aesthetic appearance of the clock 1. The decorative member 133 may be a cloth laminated by weaving a plurality of fibers bundled in a thread-like manner. When the decorative member 133 is Japanese paper, the decorative member 133 has a thickness of, for example, 30-50 μm.

[0033] Unevenness is formed on the surface of the decorative member 133. The unevenness on the surface of the decorative member 133 includes unevenness formed by deforming a part of the fibers of the decorative member 133, in addition to the unevenness generally possessed by the decorative member 133. For example, the unevenness on the surface of the decorative member 133 includes unevenness formed by bending the decorative member 133 to deform a part of the fibers. The unevenness on the surface of the decorative member 133 may include unevenness formed by pressing a part of the surface of the decorative member 133 to deform a part of the fibers. By doing so, a three-dimensional effect and depth are expressed by the sheet-like decorative member 133. Since Japanese paper, which is an example of the decorative member 133, has fibers intertwined irregularly and laminated, generally, small unevenness with a height difference of 5 μm or less is formed on its surface. However, by bending or pressing the Japanese paper, large unevenness with a height difference of 10 μm or more is formed.

[0034] The unevenness on the surface of the decorative member 133 may include unevenness formed using a technique called resist dyeing, which is used to express patterns in indigo dyeing. In the technique called resist dyeing, the decorative member 133 is colored by being immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye while the fibers are deformed.

[0035] For example, in the technique of folding and squeezing, the decorative member 133 is immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye in a folded state. Since the dye hardly penetrates into the region corresponding to the fold line, a colored region and an uncolored region are formed in a geometric arrangement according to the folding method, and a pattern is expressed. At this time, when the decorative member 133 is folded, the fibers in the region corresponding to the fold line are deformed, and unevenness is formed on the surface of the decorative member 133. Further, in the technique of plate clamping and squeezing, the decorative member 133 is immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye in a state of being sandwiched and pressed by a plate having a predetermined shape. Since the dye hardly penetrates into the region pressed by the plate, a colored region and an uncolored region are formed in such an arrangement that the uncolored region corresponding to the shape of the plate is surrounded by the colored region, and a pattern is expressed. At this time, when a part of the decorative member 133 is pressed, the fibers in the pressed region are deformed so that the pressed region becomes thinner, and unevenness is formed on the surface of the decorative member 133. By doing so, unevenness is easily formed on the surface of the decorative member 133 in the process of coloring the decorative member 133.

[0036] The protective plate 134 is formed in a flat plate shape from a translucent resin such that the decorative member 133 is visible to the user, and is arranged to cover the upper surface of the decorative member 133. The translucent resin is, for example, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, or the like. Preferably, the protective plate 134 is formed from a colorless and transparent resin. The protective plate 134 has, for example, a thickness of 100 μm.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the pattern expressed on the dial 13.

[0038] The decorative member 133 has a colored region 133a and an uncolored region 133b. The decorative member 133 is colored by indigo dyeing. That is, the decorative member 133 is colored by being immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye. Thereby, the color tone peculiar to indigo improves the aesthetic appearance of the watch 1.

[0039] The dial plate 13 expresses a predetermined pattern by the arrangement of the colored region 133a and the non-colored region 133b of the decorative member 133. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the colored region 133a has the central region C1 of the decorative member 133 and its vicinity, the regions L1-L3 on three straight lines extending from the center toward the outer periphery, and the region E1 along the outer periphery. Thereby, a regular hexagonal pattern as shown in FIG. 1 is expressed on the dial plate 13.

[0040] The solar cell 16 arranged to face the dial plate 13 has a plurality of cell portions 161 that generate electric power by the photovoltaic effect and a connection portion 162 that connects the plurality of cell portions 161. In the decorative member 133, when the dial plate 13 is housed in the exterior case 11, the colored region 133a is arranged so as to cover the connection portion 162. That is, when the dial plate 13 is housed in the exterior case 11, the connection portion 162 faces the colored region 133a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 162 has the region D1 near the center of the solar cell 16, the three linear regions M1-M3 extending from the center toward the outer periphery, and the region F1 along the outer periphery. The region C1 of the decorative member 133 covers the region D1 of the connection portion 162, the regions L1-L3 of the decorative member 133 cover the regions M1-M3 of the connection portion 162 respectively, and the region E1 of the decorative member 133 is arranged so as to cover the region F1 of the connection portion 162. Further, the non-colored region 133b is arranged so as to cover the cell portion 161.

[0041] Thus, by arranging the colored region 133a so as to cover the connection portion 162 of the solar cell 16, it becomes difficult for the connection portion 162 to be visually recognized through the dial plate 13, so that a decrease in the appearance quality of the timepiece 1 due to the use of the decorative member 133 is prevented. That is, since the cell portion and the connection portion of the solar cell are formed of different materials, their textures and color tones are different from each other. Therefore, there has been a possibility that the connection portion having partially different textures and color tones is visually recognized through the dial plate, deteriorating the appearance quality of the timepiece. In particular, when a member in which a plurality of fibers are laminated is used as the decorative member, there are gaps between the fibers, so that the connection portion may be more easily visually recognized.

[0042] In contrast, on the dial 13, in the decorative member 133, the colored region 133a is arranged so as to cover the connection portion 162. Since the light transmittance of the colored region 133a is low, the connection portion 162 is concealed, preventing a deterioration in the appearance quality of the watch 1. Note that the connection portion 162 is an example of a concealed portion on the front surface of the drive mechanism.

[0043] Also, by arranging the non-colored region 133b having a high light transmittance so as to cover the cell portion 161 of the solar cell 16, most of the light incident on the watch 1 reaches the cell portion 161, improving the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 16. Note that the non-colored region 133b is not limited to a region that is not colored at all, and may include a region where the degree of coloring is smaller than that of the colored region 133a. Generally, the non-colored decorative member 133 is white or a color close thereto. In this case, the non-colored region 133b includes a region having a higher brightness than the colored region 133a.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the pattern represented on the dial 13. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the colored region 133a has a region C2 at the center of the decorative member 133 and in the vicinity thereof, regions L4-L9 on six straight lines extending from the center toward the outer periphery, and a region E2 along the outer periphery. Thereby, a pattern composed of the sides and diagonals of a regular hexagon is represented. Also, similar to the example shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 162 of the solar cell 16 has a region D1 near the center of the solar cell 16, three linear regions M1-M3 extending from the center toward the outer periphery, and a region F1 along the outer periphery.

[0045] The area C2 of the decorative member 133 covers the area D1 of the connecting portion 162, the areas L4, L6, and L8 of the decorative member 133 cover the areas M1 - M3 of the connecting portion 162 respectively, and the area E2 of the decorative member 133 is arranged to cover the area F1 of the connecting portion 162. The areas L5, L7, and L9 of the decorative member 133 are arranged to cover the cell portion 161. Thus, the colored area 133a may be arranged to cover the connecting portion 162 and a part of the cell portion 161. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion 162 from being visually recognized through the dial 13, and the aesthetic appearance of the clock 1 is improved. Further, since a part of the cell portion 161 is covered by the non - colored area 133b, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 16 is improved to some extent.

[0046] Note that the pattern expressed on the dial 13 is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and may be arbitrarily determined based on the shape of the connecting portion 162 of the solar cell 16.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of manufacturing the dial 13. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method in the case where the decorative member 133 is Japanese paper will be described, but the same applies to the manufacturing method in the case where the decorative member 133 is an arbitrary sheet - shaped member in which a plurality of fibers are laminated.

[0048] First, Japanese paper is prepared as the decorative member 133 (step S11). The prepared Japanese paper is larger than the dial 13, for example, of A4 size.

[0049] Next, unevenness is formed on the surface of the decorative member 133 (step S12). The decorative member 133 is folded into a predetermined shape so that a predetermined pattern can be expressed when it is colored. The decorative member 133 may be sandwiched between plates of a predetermined shape so that a predetermined pattern can be expressed when it is colored. By these means, unevenness is formed on the surface of the decorative member 133.

[0050] Next, the decorative member 133 is dyed (step S13). The decorative member 133 is immersed in a liquid containing indigo, and then colored by the oxidation of indigo in the air. The coloring may be repeated a plurality of times until the color of the colored region 133a reaches a desired concentration. The colored decorative member 133 is dried in the air.

[0051] Note that, before step S12 or S13, konnyaku paste having waterproofness may be applied to one surface of the decorative member 133. Thereby, the water resistance of the decorative member 133 is improved, and the decorative member 133 is less likely to be torn when immersed in a liquid containing a dye.

[0052] Next, the decorative member 133 is adhered to the base material 131 (step S14). The adhesive 132 is applied to the surface of the base material 131 in a heated state, and the decorative member 133 is disposed so as to cover the adhesive 132. Then, the adhesive 132 is cooled. Thereby, the decorative member 133 is adhered to the base material 131.

[0053] In step S14, the adhesive 132 is preferably applied so as to be thinner than the thickness of the decorative member 133. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the adhesive 132 to impregnate the surface of the decorative member 133, so that the sense of expansion and three-dimensionality of the fibers of the decorative member 133 are visually recognized, and the aesthetic appearance of the watch 1 is improved.

[0054] Next, the base material 131 and the decorative member 133 are cut into a circular shape which is the shape of the dial 13 (step S15). Preferably, the base material 131 and the decorative member 133 are cut by irradiating laser light. Thereby, compared with the case of cutting by pressing or the like, fraying of the fibers hardly occurs at the outer peripheral portion of the decorative member 133. Note that the base material 131 and the decorative member 133 that have been cut into the shape of the dial 13 in advance may be prepared. In this case, step S15 is omitted.

[0055] Next, a protective plate 134 is arranged so as to cover the upper surface of the decorative member 133 (step S16). Thus, the nameplate 13 is manufactured. Note that an adhesive may be further applied to the surface of the decorative member 133, and the decorative member 133 and the protective plate 134 may be adhered to each other. Thereby, the protective plate 134 is prevented from separating from the decorative member 133.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the protective plate 134 is removed from the nameplate 13 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the decorative member 133 colored by folding and squeezing. As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the decorative member 133 is raised due to being bent, and large undulations are formed.

[0057] As described above, the nameplate 13 has a plate-shaped base material 131 and a sheet-shaped decorative member 133 in which a plurality of fibers are laminated and arranged on the surface of the base material 131, and undulations are formed on the surface of the decorative member 133. Thereby, the nameplate 13 can express a three-dimensional effect and depth by the sheet-shaped decorative member.

[0058] In addition, the undulations on the surface of the decorative member 133 are formed by deforming a part of the fibers by bending the decorative member 133 or by pressing a part of the upper surface of the decorative member 133. Thereby, undulations can be easily formed on the surface of the decorative member 133.

[0059] In addition, the decorative member 133 is colored by being immersed in a liquid containing a dye in a state where the fibers are deformed. Thereby, undulations on the surface of the decorative member 133 can be formed in the process of coloring the decorative member 133.

[0060] In addition, the decorative member 133 is colored by being immersed in a liquid containing indigo as a dye. Thereby, the hue peculiar to indigo improves the aesthetics of the clock 1.

[0061] Further, the decorative member 133 is made of paper. As a result, the unevenness formed on the surface of the decorative member 133 is preserved as the deformation of the fibers, so that the three-dimensional effect and depth of the decorative member 133 are preserved over a long period of time.

[0062] Further, the decorative member 133 is made of Japanese paper. Thereby, the texture peculiar to Japanese paper, such as roughness or entanglement of fibers, improves the aesthetic appearance of the clock 1.

[0063] Further, the dial 13 has a translucent protective plate 134 that covers the upper surface of the decorative member 133. This prevents the fibers of the decorative member 133 from fraying and degrading the aesthetic appearance of the clock 1, or from getting caught in the hands 14 and affecting the driving of the hands 14.

[0064] Further, the decorative member 133 has translucency. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 16 included in the clock 1 is improved.

[0065] The embodiment of the clock 1 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the clock 1 may be implemented by applying the following-described modification examples.

[0066] In the above description, the clock 1 is assumed to be a solar-powered clock having the solar cell 16, but it may be a quartz clock or a mechanical clock that does not have the solar cell 16. In this case, a colored region 133a may be arranged on the decorative member 133 so as to cover the middle frame 19 as a concealed portion in front of the drive mechanism 15. Further, a colored region 133a may be arranged on the decorative member 133 so as to cover the rotating parts of the movement 17 exposed on the front surface of the drive mechanism 15 as a concealed portion in front of the drive mechanism 15. Further, when the clock 1 does not have the solar cell 16, the base material 131 does not necessarily have translucency.

[0067] In the above description, the dial 13 is assumed to have the protective plate 134, but it is not limited to such an example. The dial 13 may not have the protective plate 134. Thereby, the depth and three-dimensional effect of the decorative member 133 are more directly visible to the user.

[0068] In the above description, the decorative member 133 was assumed to be colored by indigo dyeing, but it is not limited to such an example and may be colored by any dye or pigment in any manner.

[0069] In the above description, the decorative member 133 was assumed to have a colored region 133a and an uncolored region 133b, but it is not limited to such an example. The decorative member 133 may have no uncolored region 133b and may have only the colored region 133a. That is, the entire surface of the decorative member 133 may be colored. Since the decorative member 133 transmits light through the gaps between the fibers, even in this case, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 16 is maintained to a certain extent. Also, the decorative member 133 may have no colored region 133a and may have only the uncolored region 133b.

[0070] In the above description, the dial 13 was assumed to be circular, but it is not limited to such an example. The dial 13 may have any shape such as a polygonal shape or the like according to the design of the clock 1.

[0071] The above description was an embodiment regarding the dial of a clock, but it is not limited to such an example. The present invention may be applied to any display board.

[0072] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be added thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented in appropriate combination within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1 Clock 13 Dial 131 Base Material 133 Decorative Member ​

Claims

1. A plate-shaped base material, and a sheet-shaped decorative member in which a plurality of fibers are laminated and arranged on the surface of the base material, wherein undulations are formed on the surface of the decorative member, and the undulations on the surface of the decorative member include undulations formed by bending the decorative member to deform a part of the fibers. A nameplate characterized by the above.

2. The undulations on the surface of the decorative member include undulations formed by pressing the decorative member to deform a part of the fibers. The nameplate according to Claim 1.

3. The decorative member is a member colored by being immersed in a liquid containing a dye in a state where the fibers are deformed. The nameplate according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The decorative member is a member colored by being immersed in a liquid containing indigo as the dye. The nameplate according to Claim 3.

5. The decorative member is paper. The nameplate according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The decorative member is Japanese paper. The nameplate according to Claim 5.

7. Further comprising a light-transmitting protective plate covering the surface of the decorative member. The nameplate according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The decorative member has light-transmitting properties. The nameplate according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. A clock having the nameplate according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

Images