Watch exterior parts and watches

Abstract

To improve the appearance of an exterior member formed of a material transmitting visible light.SOLUTION: A bezel 3 is formed of sapphire glass that transmits visible light, and has an opaque layer L that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light on an inner surface facing a body case 2. and the opaque layer L is visible through an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. This makes it possible to improve the appearance of the bezel 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch exterior member. and time In total Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, some watches and the like have exterior components made of transparent materials that transmit visible light, such as sapphire glass (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, if foreign matter such as dust gets into the gap between the exterior member and a certain member on which the exterior member is attached, the foreign matter can be seen through the exterior member, which transmits visible light, significantly damaging the appearance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-70939 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is directed to a method for manufacturing a display panel formed of a material that transmits visible light. clock To improve the appearance of an exterior member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention Watch exterior materials teeth, A watch exterior member having an annular shape including a through hole and made of a material that transmits visible light, an inner surface including an inner surface and a lower surface that define the through hole and that faces another member; At least a part of the inner surface has an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light, and the opaque layer is visible through an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. the law of nature , the exterior surface includes an outer surface and an upper surface; a chamfered surface at a corner formed by the outer surface and the lower surface; The chamfered surface has the opaque layer, The inclination angle of the chamfered surface relative to the lower surface is preset to an angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the chamfered surface with a certain reflectance. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a light source formed of a material that transmits visible light is clock This improves the appearance of the exterior member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a timepiece according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the timepiece taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining a method for manufacturing a bezel according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a method for manufacturing a bezel according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining another bezel holding structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a watch 100 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the watch 100 taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged views of parts B and C in FIG. 2. In the following description, the X, Y, and Z directions refer to the directions shown in each figure. That is, the X direction refers to the 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock direction in an analog watch, the Y direction refers to the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction, and the Z direction refers to the front-to-back direction of the watch 100 (main body case 2). Also, in Figure 2, the contents contained within the main body case 2 are not shown.

[0010] 1 and 2, a timepiece 100 according to this embodiment is a wristwatch worn on the user's wrist. Specifically, the timepiece 100 comprises a main case 2 and a bezel 3. The main body case 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the opening on the front side (viewing side) is closed by a transparent windshield member 23 that transmits visible light, and the opening on the rear side is closed by a back cover 24. On both sides of the main body case 2 in the Y direction, there are provided band attachment portions 25 to which a band (not shown) is attached.

[0011] The main body case 2 houses a clock module (not shown). A time display unit 26 that displays the time is located at the frontmost side of the time module. If the time display unit 26 is analog, it includes a dial and multiple hands that rotate around the center on the dial to display the time. The time display unit 26 is visible from the front side through the crystal member 23. The timepiece module also houses a battery as a power source, a circuit board on which a control circuit is mounted, a hand movement mechanism for moving the multiple hands, and the like.

[0012] The bezel 3 is an example of an exterior component according to the present invention and is made of a material that transmits visible light, such as sapphire glass. The bezel 3 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape when viewed from the front and is attached to the front side of the case body 2. More specifically, an annular recess 21 with an L-shaped cross section is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front side of the case body 2. A central through-hole defined by an inner surface 34 of the bezel 3 (described later) is fitted from the front side into a fitting portion 21a (opposed portion) of the recess 21. A small gap is provided between the circumferential surface of the fitting portion 21a and the inner surface 34 of the bezel 3, and the circumferential surface of the fitting portion 21a and the inner surface 34 of the bezel 3 face each other. This is because, since the bezel 3 is made of sapphire glass, a brittle material, if the through-hole of the bezel 3 were to be press-fitted into the fitting portion 21a, the bezel 3 or the fitting portion 21a could be damaged. In the following, the "radial direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax of the bezel 3 along the Z direction, and the "circumferential direction" refers to the rotation direction around the central axis Ax. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer sides in the radial direction around the central axis Ax.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 3, the bezel 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having an upper surface (front surface) 31, a lower surface (rear surface) 32, an outer surface 33, and an inner surface 34. This cross-sectional shape has a ratio of height (thickness) in the Z direction to width in the radial direction of approximately 1:1. Therefore, light is easily reflected by each surface of the bezel 3, and color variations depending on the position are unlikely to occur. The corner formed by the upper surface 31 and the outer surface 33 is chamfered to form a chamfered surface (upper tapered surface) 35. The corner formed by the lower surface 32 and the outer surface 33 is also chamfered, and the chamfered surface (lower tapered surface) 36 has a predetermined inclination angle θ (approximately 30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the lower surface 32. The inclination angle θ is preset to an angle at which, when light traveling along the Z direction inside the bezel 3 enters the lower tapered surface 36, it is reflected with a certain reflectance by the lower tapered surface 36 (so that almost no light escapes outside the bezel 3). In other words, the inclination angle θ is preset so that the incident angle θI at which light traveling along the Z direction enters the lower tapered surface 36 is equal to or greater than a critical angle (e.g., 34 degrees) determined by the refractive index of the sapphire glass, which is the material of the bezel 3, and the refractive index of air, or is within a certain angle range including this critical angle (critical angle ±5 degrees). The upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the Z direction. The above angle range is set so as to ensure a high reflectance on the lower tapered surface 36 while also achieving a good design of the lower tapered surface 36. In addition, all surfaces of the bezel 3 are mirror-finished to a predetermined smoothness.

[0014] Of the faces of the bezel 3, the top face 31, outer face 33, and upper tapered face 35 are located on the outside (outside of the timepiece 100) and are the faces that are visible. Hereinafter, the top face 31, outer face 33, and upper tapered face 35 will be collectively referred to as the "outer faces." Meanwhile, the bottom face 32, inner face 34, and lower tapered face 36 are located on the inside and are visible through the outer faces such as the top face 31. Hereinafter, the bottom face 32, inner face 34, and lower tapered face 36 will be collectively referred to as the "inner faces." An opaque layer (opaque film) L visible to humans is formed over the entire surface of the inner surfaces of the lower surface 32, inner surface 34, and lower tapered surface 36. The opaque layer L reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light, and in this embodiment is a blue thin film. Of these, the opaque layer L1 formed on the lower surface 32 and lower tapered surface 36 is a vapor deposition layer (vapor deposition film) formed by vapor deposition, and the opaque layer L2 formed on the inner surface 34 is a sputtering layer (sputtering film) formed by sputtering. The opaque layer L formed on the inner surface is visible through the outer surface.

[0015] The underside 32 of the bezel 3 is fixed to a fixed portion of the seat 22 (the upper surface within the recess 21) of the main body case 2 by a strip-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both sides, with the adhesive layer on one side of the double-sided tape 5 being adhered to the underside 32 and the adhesive layer on the other side being adhered to the seat 22. A portion of the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2 outside the fixed portion has a protrusion 22a that protrudes to face the lower tapered surface 36. The protrusion 22a is formed to a height that is approximately one-third of the height of the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3, and prevents foreign matter such as dust from getting between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2, and prevents the fixed portion of the seating surface 22 (the double-sided tape 5 that fixes the lower surface 32 and the seating surface 22) from being visible from the side. The protrusion 22a is formed on at least a portion of the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2 except for a portion in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, only a portion of the seating surface 22 in the 3 o'clock direction does not have the protrusion 22a formed over a predetermined angular range around the central axis Ax, and is flat. Therefore, a jig (not shown) can be inserted between the underside 32 of the bezel 3 and the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2 from this flat portion, and the double-sided tape 5 can be peeled off from the underside 32 or the seating surface 22 to remove the bezel 3 from the main body case 2.

[0016] Next, a method for manufacturing the bezel 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing the bezel 3, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of the method for manufacturing the bezel 3.

[0017] 5 and 6, in manufacturing the bezel 3, first, the material, transparent sapphire glass that transmits visible light, is formed into a ring shape (step S1 (processing step): FIG. 5(a)). Here, the sapphire is processed into its final shape having facets 31 to 36, and then each of the facets 31 to 36 is mirror-finished. In this way, a blank (transparent) bezel 3A is produced.

[0018] Next, a blue opaque layer L1 is formed by vapor deposition on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3A after the processing step (step S2 (first surface treatment step): FIG. 5(b)). In this way, the bezel 3B is produced, in which the opaque layer (evaporated layer) L1 is formed on the lower surface 32 and the lower tapered surface .

[0019] Next, a blue opaque layer L2 is formed by sputtering on the inner surface 34 of the bezel 3B after the first surface treatment step (step S3 (second surface treatment step): FIG. 5(c)). At this time, the lower surface 32 on which the opaque layer L1 is formed is masked in advance. In this way, an opaque layer (sputtering layer) L2 is formed on the inner surface 34, and the bezel 3 is completed.

[0020] As described above, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3, which is made of a material that transmits visible light, has an opaque layer L on the inner surface facing the main case 2 that reflects light in a certain wavelength range contained in visible light, and the opaque layer L is visible through the outer surface opposite the inner surface. As a result, even if foreign matter such as dust gets into the gap between the lower surface 32 and / or the inner surface 34 and the main body case 2, the foreign matter cannot be seen from the viewing side through the bezel 3. Therefore, the appearance of the bezel 3 can be improved compared to conventional cases where foreign matter was visible from the viewing side. Furthermore, because the opaque layer L on the inner surface of the bezel 3 is visible through the outer surface, it is possible to color the bezel 3 with depth, further improving the appearance of the bezel 3. Furthermore, in this case, by making the opaque layers L on the entire inner surface of the bezel 3 (bottom surface 32 and inner surface 34) the same color (blue), it is possible to obtain an appearance as if the entire bezel 3 were colored, that is, as if the bezel 3 were made of colored sapphire.

[0021] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 has an annular shape including a through hole, and its inner surface includes an inner surface 34 that defines the through hole and a lower surface 32 that is fixed to the fixed portion (seat surface 22) of the main body case 2, and the mating portion 21a of the main body case 2 is fitted into the through hole. This makes it possible to appropriately obtain the above-described effects for the inner surface 34 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 that fit into the main body case 2.

[0022] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 has, as the opaque layer L, a sputtering layer on the inner surface 34 and a vapor deposition layer on the lower surface 32. This allows the opaque layer L to be suitably formed on each of the inner surface 34 and the lower surface 32.

[0023] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the corner formed by the outer surface 33 and the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 is chamfered, and the inclination angle θ that the lower tapered surface 36, which is the chamfered surface, makes with respect to the lower surface 32 is preset to an angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the lower tapered surface 36 with a certain reflectance. As a result, when light traveling in the Z direction from the front side is guided through the bezel 3 and enters the lower tapered surface 36, it can be reflected at a predetermined reflectance. In particular, when the inclination angle θ is equal to or greater than the critical angle (or close to it), this light is almost totally reflected by the lower tapered surface 36. Therefore, the appearance of the bezel 3 can be made to look even more like the color of the opaque layer L.

[0024] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 is made of sapphire glass, and all of its surfaces, including the inner and outer surfaces, are mirror-finished. Brittle materials like sapphire are prone to cracking on uneven surfaces, such as those with a matte finish. In this regard, this embodiment of the invention mirror-finishes all surfaces of the bezel 3 to a specified smoothness, thereby reducing the occurrence of cracks and improving strength. It also improves the appearance. Furthermore, because the strength of the bezel 3 is improved, more of the bezel's surface can be exposed to the outside of the watch 100, compared to conventional bezels that are positioned inside other components (see FIG. 7).

[0025] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 has the lower surface 32 opposite the viewing side fixed to the main case 2 with a strip-shaped double-sided tape 5 having adhesive layers on both sides. This allows the bezel 3 to be fixed to the main case 2 with sufficient adhesive strength. Also, unlike when fixing with an adhesive, the liquid agent does not spill out from the fixing portion, and the two can be separated relatively easily.

[0026] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the outer portion of the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 has a chamfered surface (lower tapered surface 36) that connects the lower surface 32 and the outer side surface 33, and the main body case 2 has a protrusion 22a that protrudes from at least a portion of the seating surface 22 that is outside the fixing portion that fixes the bezel 3, and that faces the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from getting between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2, and to prevent this fixing portion from being visible from the side. Furthermore, this protrusion 22a is formed on at least a portion of the circumference, rather than on the entire portion outside the fixed portion of the main body case 2. This makes it possible to insert a jig (not shown) between the lower surface 32 of the bezel 3 and the seating surface 22 of the main body case 2 from a portion of this seating surface 22, and peel off the double-sided tape 5 to remove the bezel 3 from the main body case 2. That is, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, in a structure in which the bezel is dropped into a recess in the main case (or other exterior member) and fitted and fixed to the main case with adhesive, the bezel is only visible from the front side, and it is difficult to separate the bezel from the main case. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the bezel 3 can be seen from the side (outer diameter side), can be firmly fixed, and can also be separated. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the chamfered surface (lower tapered surface 36) makes it easier to insert the jig.

[0027] It goes without saying that the embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0028] For example, in the above embodiment, the lower surface 32, the outer surface 33, and the lower tapered surface 36 of the bezel 3 are non-visible side surfaces having the opaque layer L, but this non-visible side surface is not limited to these, and it is sufficient if there is at least one. For example, the bezel may not have the chamfered surface 36 (is not chamfered). The shape of the bezel 3 is not particularly limited, and it may be, for example, arc-shaped rather than annular with a through hole. The material of the bezel 3 is also not limited to sapphire glass, and any material that transmits visible light may be used. Depending on the material of the bezel 3, it may be fixed by other appropriate fixing methods such as adhesive rather than by double-sided tape. Furthermore, the main body case 2 does not necessarily have to have the protrusion 22a.

[0029] Furthermore, the color of the opaque layer L may be other than blue. Furthermore, when forming multiple opaque layers L corresponding to multiple non-visible sides, the colors do not need to be exactly the same, as long as they are similar colors. Furthermore, the method for forming the opaque layer L is not limited to sputtering and vapor deposition.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the time display unit is an analog type, but it may be a digital type, or two time display units, one analog type and one digital type, may be provided.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the case member according to the present invention is provided on a watch. However, the case member according to the present invention is not limited to a case member provided on a watch, and can be suitably applied to any case where a transparent material is used and an attractive appearance is desired.

[0032] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application. [Note] <Claim 1> formed of a material that is transparent to visible light, An opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light is provided on an inner surface facing a certain member, and the opaque layer is visible through an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. An exterior member characterized by: <Claim 2> the inner surface includes an inner side surface facing the opposed portion of the certain member and a lower surface fixed to a fixed portion different from the opposed portion of the certain member, The opaque layer has a sputtering layer on the inner surface and a vapor deposition layer on the lower surface. 2. The exterior member according to claim 1. <Claim 3> the exterior surface includes an outer surface and an upper surface; the inner surface includes a lower surface fixed to a fixed portion of the certain member, a chamfered surface at a corner formed by the outer surface and the lower surface; The chamfered surface has the opaque layer, an inclination angle of the chamfered surface with respect to the lower surface is preset to an angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the chamfered surface with a certain reflectance; 2. The exterior member according to claim 1. <Claim 4> the exterior member has an annular shape including a through hole, the inner surface includes an inner surface that defines the through hole and a lower surface that is fixed to a fixing portion of the certain member, an opposed portion of the certain member is fitted into the through hole, and the inner surface faces the opposed portion; 2. The exterior member according to claim 1. <Claim 5> The certain material is sapphire glass. 5. The exterior member according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, and tungsten. <Claim 6> All surfaces including the inner and outer surfaces are mirror-finished. 6. The exterior member according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, and tungsten. <Claim 7> An exterior member according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and a case as the certain member that houses the time display unit. A watch characterized by <Claim 8> the case has a fixed portion to which the lower surface of the exterior member is fixed by a strip-shaped member, the belt-shaped member has adhesive layers on one surface and the other surface, the adhesive layer on the one surface being adhered to the lower surface of the exterior member, and the adhesive layer on the other surface being adhered to the fixed portion; Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that it relies on at least one of claims 2 to 4. <Claim 9> the outer surface of the sheath member includes an outer side surface, the exterior member has a chamfered surface on an outer portion of the lower surface, the chamfered surface being continuous with the lower surface and the outer surface, the case has a protrusion provided on at least a portion outside the fixing portion to which the lower surface of the exterior member is fixed, the protrusion facing the chamfered surface, A timepiece according to claim 7 which cites at least claim 2 or claim 4. <Claim 10> forming a ring of a material that is transparent to visible light; a first surface treatment step of forming an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light by vapor deposition on the lower surface of the certain material that has been formed into a ring shape by the processing step; a second surface treatment step of forming the opaque layer by sputtering on the inner surface of the material on whose lower surface the opaque layer has been formed by the first surface treatment step; A method for manufacturing an exterior member, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100 Clocks 2 Main body case (a certain component, case) 21a Mating part (opposed part) 22 Seat (fixed part) 22a Convex part 26 Time display section 3 Bezel (exterior part) 31 Top surface 32 Bottom surface 33 External surface 34 Inner surface 35 Upper tapered surface 36 Lower tapered surface 5 double-sided tape Ax center axis L Opaque layer L1 Opaque layer (deposited layer) L2 Opaque layer (sputtering layer) θ Tilt angle

Claims

1. A watch exterior member having an annular shape including a through hole and made of a material that transmits visible light, an inner surface including an inner surface and a lower surface that define the through hole and that faces another member; an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light is provided on at least a part of the inner surface, and the opaque layer is visible through an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; the exterior surface includes an outer surface and an upper surface; a chamfered surface at a corner formed by the outer surface and the lower surface; The chamfered surface has the opaque layer, an inclination angle of the chamfered surface with respect to the lower surface is preset to an angle at which light from the upper surface side is reflected by the chamfered surface with a certain reflectance; Watch exterior parts.

2. An opposed portion of another member is fitted into the through hole, and the inner surface faces the opposed portion. The watch exterior member according to claim 1.

3. The certain material is sapphire glass. The watch exterior member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. All surfaces including the inner and outer surfaces are mirror-finished. The watch exterior member according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A watch exterior member having an annular shape including a through hole and formed of a material that transmits visible light, the watch exterior member including an inner surface and a bottom surface that define the through hole, and an inner surface facing another member, at least a part of the inner surface having an opaque layer that reflects light in a certain wavelength range included in visible light, the opaque layer being visible through the outer surface opposite the inner surface; a case that houses the time display unit, The inner surface faces a facing portion of another member, The lower surface is fixed to a fixed portion of another member, The outer surface of the watch exterior member includes an outer surface, The watch exterior member has a chamfered surface that is continuous with the lower surface and the outer surface, The case has a protrusion that protrudes from at least a portion outside the fixed portion to which the lower surface of the watch exterior member is fixed, and that protrudes so as to face the chamfered surface. clock.

6. The case has a fixed portion to which the underside of the watch exterior member is fixed by a belt-shaped member, The belt-shaped member has adhesive layers on one surface and the other surface, the adhesive layer on the one surface being adhered to the lower surface of the watch exterior member, and the adhesive layer on the other surface being adhered to the fixed portion.

6. The watch according to claim 5.

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