Machines and clocks

Abstract

To provide a device and watch capable of obtaining excellent sound pressure characteristics.SOLUTION: A device (watch case 10) comprises: a case body (11) including a cylindrical peripheral wall portion (111); a cover frame (121) provided on one side of the peripheral wall portion (111) of the case body (11) and having an opening (121a); a cover plate (122) formed to have a plate shape and arranged in the opening (121a) of the cover frame (121); and a vibration plate (123) joined to the cover plate (122) by a third joining member (128). The vibration plate (123) and the cover plate (122) are spaced apart from each other with the third joining member (128) interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to devices and clocks.

Background Art

[0002] In various devices such as clocks, a module having various components such as a circuit board and a dial plate is housed inside a case device (device). For example, Patent Document 1 describes a case device including an annular case body that houses a module and an antenna, and a glass back cover that covers the back side of the case body and the clock module, and the back cover is fixed to the case body.

[0003] In such a case device, the reception sensitivity of the antenna can be improved as compared with the case where the back cover is formed of metal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in a device in which a back cover that covers the back side of a clock module as in Cited Document 1 is fixed to a case body, there is a problem that the sound pressure becomes low when a piezoelectric plate is attached to the back cover.

[0006] The present invention is for solving such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a device and a clock capable of obtaining excellent sound pressure characteristics.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case body having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, a lid frame provided on one side of the peripheral wall portion of the case body and having an opening, a plate-shaped lid plate disposed in the opening of the lid frame, and a diaphragm joined to the lid plate by a third joining member, wherein the diaphragm and the lid plate are spaced apart by the third joining member, The lid plate is disposed in the opening, and has an outer peripheral surface that is disposed opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the opening via a first joining member, and a main surface that is supported via a second joining member formed in an annular shape on one surface of a protruding portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the opening. The lid plate covers one side of the opening, and the first joining member and the second joining member are continuously arranged so that at least a part of them is in contact with each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus and a timepiece that are excellent in shock resistance and radio wave sensitivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0010] A timepiece 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the timepiece 1, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the watch case, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the back cover of the watch case. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the back cover of the watch case. Note that in each figure, the configuration is shown schematically, enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clock 1 is, for example, a wristwatch. The clock 1 includes a clock case 10 as a device, a clock module 20 (module) provided in the clock case 10, and a cover 30 that covers the front side of the clock module 20. Further, the clock 1 includes a clock band connected to two locations on the outer peripheral portion of the clock case 10 and a plurality of switches arranged on the outer periphery of the clock case 10.

[0012] The clock case 10 is configured in a circular shape and has a case body 11 arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the clock module 20, a back cover portion 12 arranged on the back side of the clock module 20, and an outer case 13. The clock case 10 forms an accommodation space 11a (accommodation portion) in which the clock module 20 is arranged by the case body 11 and the back cover portion 12.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the clock 1 will be described with the side where the main surface of the lid plate 122, which constitutes the bottom of the clock case 10 on one side in one direction and faces away from the clock module 20, faces being the back side, and the side where the outer surface of the cover 30, such as a windshield member, faces on the other side in one direction being the front side. For example, the main surface of the clock 1 on the side of the lid plate 122 that is the back side and faces away from the clock module 20 faces the wrist of the wearer. For example, the clock 1 is configured in a circular shape having a central axis along one direction as an example, and the case body 11, the back cover portion 12, the outer case 13, and the cover 30 that constitute the clock case 10 are each configured in a concentric or nearly concentric shape. Note that the shapes of the clock 1 and each member are not limited to circular, and may be square or other shapes.

[0014] The case body 11 is configured in a cylindrical shape from a metal material such as titanium. The case body 11 includes a peripheral wall portion 111 having an accommodation space 11a (accommodation portion) in which the clock module 20 is arranged inside. The case body 11 has a front opening 11b covered by the cover 30 on the front side, which is the other side, and a back opening 11c covered by the back cover portion 12 on the back side, which is one side, in one direction along the central axis of the circle, for example. The peripheral wall portion 111 is configured in a cylindrical shape with the axial direction along one direction. The peripheral wall portion 111 is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the clock module 20.

[0015] On the front end and the back end of the peripheral wall portion 111, steps or recesses for engaging with the outer case 13 and the back cover portion 12 are formed. For example, on the back edge of the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral wall portion 111, a fastening portion 112 is formed where the engaging cylinder portion 1213 of the screw-back type back cover portion 12 is arranged. For example, the fastening portion 112 has a step and an engaging structure such as a screw groove for engaging with the engaging cylinder portion 1213. Also, the corner portions at the front and back ends of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 111 are chamfered to form tapered surfaces that are inclined with respect to the radial direction and the axial direction of the circle.

[0016] The peripheral wall portion 111 houses the timepiece module 20 in the accommodation space 11a provided at the center. Also, a part (inner peripheral side) of the front side of the peripheral wall portion 111 is covered by the outer case 13, and a part (inner peripheral side) of the back side of the peripheral wall portion 111 is covered by the back cover portion 12. Also, a cover 30 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the outer case 13 arranged on the front side of the peripheral wall portion 111 via a waterproof member such as a packing.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the back cover portion 12 includes a cover frame 121, a cover plate 122, a diaphragm 123, a piezoelectric plate 124, and a cover plate 125. The back cover portion 12 further includes a first joining member 126 and a second joining member 127 provided between the cover frame 121 and the cover plate 122, a third joining member 128 provided between the diaphragm 123 and the cover plate 122, and a fourth joining member 129 provided between the piezoelectric plate 124 and the cover plate 125.

[0018] As an example, the members of each part such as the cover 30, the case body 11, the lid frame 121, the lid plate 122, the diaphragm 123, the piezoelectric plate 124, and the cover plate 125 are concentric, or in the case of a rectangular shape such as an octagon, they have the same shape and are shaped along the outer shape of the target members to be assembled with each other. For example, the outer shape of the cover 30 is shaped to follow the shape of the front opening 11b of the exterior case 13 disposed on the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 111, and the frame of the back lid portion 12 is shaped to follow the back opening 11c. Note that the outer shape of the cover 30 may be square in addition to circular. Further, the lid plate 122 is configured to have a smaller diameter while following the inner peripheral surface of the lid frame 121 with a slight gap G1 therebetween. Further, the diaphragm 123 is configured to have a smaller diameter with a slight gap G3 between it and the inner peripheral surface of the inner flange portion 1212.

[0019] The lid frame 121 is made of metal and is configured in a circular frame shape having an opening 121a at the center.

[0020] For example, the lid frame 121 integrally has an annular frame base 1211 disposed on the outer periphery of the lid plate 122, an inner flange portion 1212 protruding inward from the front end of the frame base 1211, and an engagement cylinder portion 1213 standing upright from the frame base 1211 to the front side.

[0021] The frame base 1211 is provided on the back side of the peripheral wall portion 111 and is configured in an annular shape. The frame base 1211 has an opening 121a which is a through hole where the lid plate 122 is disposed. The inner peripheral surface of the frame base 1211 is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the lid plate 122 and supports the outer periphery of the lid plate 122. The outer peripheral edge portion 1214 of the frame base 1211 extends outward in the peripheral direction from the base end portion of the engagement cylinder portion 1213 and is disposed opposite to, for example, the back surface of the peripheral wall portion 111.

[0022] Inner flange portion 1212 is formed in the shape of a thin plate. Inner flange portion 1212 is provided around the entire periphery of a portion of the opening of frame base 1211, and is disposed facing and overlapping the front surface of the outer periphery of cover plate 122 with a predetermined gap between them. Specifically, the periphery of cover plate 122 is adhered to the back surface of inner flange portion 1212 via second bonding member 127 such as double-sided adhesive tape. As shown in FIG. 4 , the inner diameter of inner flange portion 1212 is configured to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of diaphragm 123, and a gap G3 is formed between the inner periphery of inner flange portion 1212 and the outer periphery of diaphragm 123.

[0023] A recess 121b, which is a circumferential groove formed along the circumferential direction, is formed in a corner portion (angular portion) at the base end of the inner flange portion 1212. The recess 121b serves as a relief portion where a packing or adhesive can be placed.

[0024] The engaging cylindrical portion 1213 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the frame base 1211 to the front side. For example, the engaging cylindrical portion 1213 is configured in a cylindrical shape. The engaging cylindrical portion 1213 has a fastening portion 121c that is fastened to the peripheral wall portion 111 of the case body 11. The fastening portion 121c has, for example, a threaded portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging cylindrical portion. The engaging cylindrical portion 1213 is inserted into the back opening 11c of the case body 11 and fastened to the case body 11.

[0025] The cover plate 122 is a plate-like member that covers the back side of the case body 11 and the watch module 20. The cover plate 122 is made of a material that has higher magnetic transparency than the cover frame 121. For example, the cover plate 122 is made of translucent sapphire glass, and forms the bottom of the watch case 10. A light-shielding layer may be formed on the outer surface of the cover plate 122 by a process such as vapor deposition.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the lid plate 122 is circular and has a pair of front and back circular main surfaces 122a and 122b and a circular outer peripheral surface 122c. The lid plate 122 has a uniform thickness, for example. The outer peripheral surface 122c faces the inner peripheral surface of the opening 121a via a first joining member 126. For example, the outer diameter of the lid plate 122 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 121a of the lid frame 121, and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 121a of the lid frame 121 is spaced from the outer peripheral surface 122c of the lid plate 122, forming a gap G1 through which the first joining member 126 is disposed. The first joining member 126 is disposed in this gap G1, and the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the opening 121a of the lid frame 121 and the outer peripheral surface 122c of the lid plate 122 is sealed by the first joining member 126. The first joining member 126 is, for example, a packing member or adhesive material formed in a ring shape from rubber or elastic resin.

[0027] The outer peripheral edge of the main surface 122a on the front side of the lid plate 122 is supported on the back surface of the inner flange portion 1212 via a second joining member 127 formed in an annular shape. That is, the main surface 122a of the lid plate 122 and the back surface of the inner flange portion 1212 are spaced apart, forming a gap G2 through which the second joining member 127 is interposed. The second joining member 127 is disposed in this gap G2, and the gap between the main surface 122a of the lid plate 122 and the back surface of the inner flange portion 1212 is sealed by the second joining member 127. The second joining member 127 is, for example, a circular double-sided adhesive tape or a circularly disposed adhesive. The gap G2 is formed continuous with the gap G1. Furthermore, within the continuous gaps G1 and G2, the second joining member 127 and the first joining member 126 may be disposed continuous with each other, with some of them overlapping or contacting each other.

[0028] Diaphragm 123 is disposed on the surface side of cover plate 122. Diaphragm 123 is a circular plate made of metal such as SUS. Diaphragm 123 has the same shape as the inner peripheral edge of the inner flange portion, but is configured with a smaller diameter than the inner peripheral edge of inner flange portion 1212. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer peripheral surface of diaphragm 123 and the inner peripheral surface of inner flange portion 1212 are slightly separated in the radial direction, forming gap G3. Gap G3 is formed continuous with gap G2 on the inner peripheral side.

[0029] The outer periphery of diaphragm 123 is joined to the surface of lid plate 122 by third joining member 128, which is formed, for example, from a ring-shaped double-sided adhesive tape. Since diaphragm 123 and lid plate 122 are bonded together via ring-shaped third joining member 128, they are slightly spaced apart in the axial direction. Therefore, a gap G4 is formed between diaphragm 123 and lid plate 122, the entire periphery of which is surrounded by third joining member 128. In other words, the central vibration area of diaphragm 123 is floating above lid plate 122.

[0030] The third bonding member 128 is an annular double-sided adhesive tape. For example, the third bonding member 128 is disposed between the front main surface 122a of the cover plate 122 and the rear main surface of the diaphragm 123. The outer diameter of the third bonding member 128 is smaller than the inner diameter of the annular second bonding member 127, and the second bonding member 127 and the third bonding member 128 are disposed to be spaced apart in the radial direction.

[0031] The piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is provided on the main surface of the diaphragm 123. For example, the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is provided in the central vibration area inside the part of the diaphragm 123 where the third bonding material is attached, in a region corresponding to the opening of the annular third bonding member. That is, the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is configured in a circular shape with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the third bonding material. For example, the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is attached to the central vibration area of the diaphragm 123 with an adhesive. The piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 includes a piezoelectric member, and is connected to, for example, a spring provided in the clock module 20, and vibrates with a signal (current) from the clock module 20 to generate sound. A cover plate 125 is attached to the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 via a fourth bonding member 129.

[0032] In this way, the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 provided on the main surface of the diaphragm 123 is disposed inside the lid plate 122. Note that, different from this configuration, there is also known a structure in which the diaphragm is provided at the position where the lid plate is originally provided without providing the lid plate, instead of inside the lid plate. However, this diaphragm has a structure in which a motor is directly disposed on the diaphragm to vibrate with minimum power consumption, and is a component that simply transmits vibration, so it is different from the piezoelectric ceramic plate for generating sound. In the case of the piezoelectric ceramic plate, in order to prevent it from being broken during impact, it is required to be disposed inside the back lid.

[0033] The cover plate 125 is a metal plate made of, for example, SUS or the like. The cover plate 125 is configured in a circular shape of the same shape so as to cover the surface side of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124. By covering the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124, when the screw-back type lid frame 121 is attached to the case body 11 and rotates, rubbing between the spring in contact with the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 and the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is suppressed, and the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is prevented from being scraped.

[0034] The fourth bonding member 129 shown in FIG. 5 is, for example, a conductive adhesive tape. The fourth bonding member is provided between the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 and the cover plate 125, and adhesively supports the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 and the cover plate 125 in a conductive manner.

[0035] The outer case 13 is formed in an annular shape and is disposed in a circular region on the front side of the peripheral wall portion 111 inside the edge of the front side of the outer wall portion. For example, the outer case 13 protects various components such as the cover 30 and supports the cover 30. The outer case 13 is fixed to the case body 11, for example, by adhesion or by various fastening members.

[0036] The clock module 20 includes various components necessary for the clock function, such as a display unit for displaying information such as time and date, a movement for operating the display unit, a circuit board on which electronic components such as an IC and an antenna are mounted, and a battery. For example, the display unit may be a digital display unit having a liquid crystal display panel or the like with a digital display function, or an analog display unit having a dial and hands or the like. Also, a plurality of display units may be provided.

[0037] The cover 30 is a transparent member formed of, for example, inorganic glass such as SiO2 glass. For example, the cover 30 is a transparent disk-shaped watch glass, is disposed on the front side of the clock module 20, and covers the clock module 20. For example, the cover 30 is supported by the inner peripheral edge of the front opening of the case body 11. A packing is interposed between the outer periphery of the cover 30 and the inner peripheral edge of the case body 11.

[0038] In the assembling process of the back cover portion 12, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the back surface of the inner flange portion 1212 of the cover frame 121, and after setting the first joining member 126 such as a packing member on the cover frame 121, the cover plate 122 is press-fitted and fixed to the cover frame 121.

[0039] Also, a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the cover plate 122, the diaphragm 123 is attached, and further, after the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 is adhesively fixed on the diaphragm 123, the cover plate 125 is attached via the fourth joining member 129.

[0040] In the watch 1 and watch case 10 configured as described above, the back cover 12 includes a cover frame 121 with a central opening 121a, and a cover plate 122 secured to it via a first connecting member 126 on the periphery and a second connecting member 127 on the edge, improving impact resistance. For example, a structure with a gasket or other connecting member only on the periphery makes it difficult to restrict vertical movement. However, by attaching a second connecting member 127, such as double-sided adhesive tape, to the opposing surface, movement can be restricted while maintaining radio wave sensitivity, improving impact resistance. Furthermore, by sealing the periphery with a gasket and attaching double-sided adhesive tape to the edge, improved sealing and radio wave sensitivity can be achieved without compromising assembly. Furthermore, by constructing the back cover 12 from multiple components assembled with connecting members, radio wave sensitivity can be improved compared to a single, integrated metal structure.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, by attaching the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 via the diaphragm 123 rather than directly attaching it to the cover plate 122, the vibration characteristics of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 124 can be ensured and the sound pressure can be maintained.

[0042] Furthermore, a gap G4 is formed between diaphragm 123 and cover plate 122, the entire circumference of which is surrounded by third bonding member 128, and the vibration area in the center of diaphragm 123 is raised above cover plate 122, thereby improving vibration characteristics. The shape of third bonding member 128 is not limited to a circular shape and may be rectangular or the like.

[0043] Furthermore, by using sapphire glass for the cover plate 122, the module's breaking strength against a drop impact is increased, and impact resistance can be improved.

[0044] The above-described embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0045] For example, although the lid frame has been shown as having a screw-back structure that is fastened to the case body 11, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lid frame 121 may be configured to be fastened to the case body 11 with screws. Also, although sapphire glass is used as the lid plate 122 in one example, it may be made of glass other than sapphire, or may be made of metal.

[0046] In the above embodiment, gap G4 is formed between diaphragm 123 and cover plate 122, surrounded all around by third bonding member 128. However, this is not limited to this. For example, third bonding member 128 may have a C-shape or other shape that is not connected all around, rather than a circumferential shape. Alternatively, third bonding member 128 may be disposed at multiple locations on the outer periphery of diaphragm 123.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the watch case 10 is used as an example of the device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to various devices that do not have a timekeeping function.

[0048] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is encompassed within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Clock 10...Watch case 11...Case body 111…Peripheral wall part 11a...Containment space 11b…front opening 11c...Back opening 12...Back cover 121...lid frame 122...Lid plate 123...Diaphragm 124...Piezoelectric ceramic plate 125...Cover plate 126...first joining member 127...Second joining member 128...Third joining member 129...Fourth joining member 13... Outer case 20... Clock module 30... Cover

Claims

1. a case body having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion; a lid frame provided on one side of the peripheral wall portion of the case body and having an opening; a plate-shaped lid plate disposed in the opening of the lid frame; a diaphragm joined to the cover plate by a third joining member; Equipped with the vibration plate and the cover plate are spaced apart by the third bonding member, the cover plate is disposed in the opening, and has an outer peripheral surface that is disposed opposite to an inner peripheral surface of the opening via a first bonding member, and a main surface that is supported on a surface on one side of a protrusion that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the opening via a second bonding member that is formed in an annular shape, and covers one side of the opening; The device, wherein the first joint member and the second joint member are arranged continuously so as to be in at least partial contact with each other.

2. a piezoelectric ceramic plate provided on a main surface of a diaphragm; The device of claim 1 , wherein the third joining member is circumferential in shape.

3. The first joining member has a contact portion that contacts and faces one side surface of the protrusion, and a non-contact portion that faces the one side surface of the protrusion with a gap therebetween, The device according to claim 1 , wherein the second joining member is located between the non-contact portion and one side surface of the protrusion.

4. the first joining member is an annular packing member or an adhesive; The device of claim 1 , wherein the second and third joining members are double-sided adhesive tapes configured in an annular shape.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lid frame includes an engaging cylindrical portion having a fastening portion that is fastened to an inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion of the case body.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein an inner periphery of the opening in the lid frame is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the lid plate.

7. the lid frame has an annular frame base disposed opposite an outer periphery of the lid plate, and an inner flange portion protruding from the frame base toward the inside of the opening and disposed opposite a peripheral edge of the lid plate, an outer peripheral edge of the cover plate is disposed opposite one side of the inner flange portion via a second joining member; The device according to claim 6 , wherein a circumferential groove is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the frame base, in which a portion of the second joining member can be placed.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein a gap is formed between the main surface of the lid plate and the back surface of the inner flange portion of the lid frame, and the second joining member is interposed in the gap.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the inner flange portion of the lid frame and the outer peripheral surface of the diaphragm are separated in the radial direction, and a gap is formed.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a clock module disposed in a housing portion formed inside the peripheral wall portion of the case body, and a cover covering the other side of the clock module.

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