Electronic devices and watches

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus and a timepiece which can prevent the backlash of a dial plate.SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus comprises a wrist-watch case 1 with a switch part 6 provided on the outer circumference, and a dial plate 11 arranged inside this wrist-watch case 1. The dial plate 11 is provided with a projection piece 20 projecting from the outer circumference of a point opposite the switch part 6 and coming into contact with the inner circumference of the wrist-watch case. Therefore, the projection piece 20 provided projecting from the outer circumference of the dial plate 11 is diagonally opposite the switch part 6 provided on the wrist-watch case 1, so that the projection piece 20 can be brought into contact with the inner circumference of the wrist-watch case 1 when the switch part 6 is operated from the outside, thereby making it possible to prevent the backlash of the dial plate 11 in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices such as wristwatches or measuring instruments such as meters, and timepieces. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the case of a watch, as described in Patent Document 1, a structure is known in which, when positioning the dial in the watch frame, which is the watch case, the dial is positioned in the watch frame by engaging a positioning tongue that protrudes from the outer periphery of the dial with a positioning hole that is provided on the inner periphery of the watch frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-22983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such watches, the positioning tabs on the dial are engaged with the positioning holes in the watch frame, so while it is possible to prevent the dial from rattling in the circumferential direction relative to the watch frame, it is difficult to reliably prevent the dial from rattling in the radial direction.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a timepiece that can prevent rattle of the dial. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a case having a switch portion provided at a predetermined location on the outer periphery, a module main body housed in the case; and a module main body disposed on one surface of the module main body. Projections are provided at a plurality of locations on the outer periphery, and the projecting pieces are protruding from the outer periphery of the module body,This electronic device is characterized by comprising a dial that abuts against the inner periphery of the case, and the protrusion piece at the point facing the switch section is formed so that its circumferential length is longer than that of the other protrusion pieces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this invention, rattle of the dial can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an enlarged front view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the arrow BB. [Figure 4] 3 shows the timepiece module shown in FIG. 2, where (a) is an enlarged front view, (b) is an enlarged perspective view of the timepiece module disassembled into the dial and module body, seen from diagonally above, and (c) is an enlarged perspective view of the timepiece module disassembled from diagonally below. [Figure 5] 5A, 5B, and 5C show the module body shown in FIG. 4, with (a) being an enlarged front view thereof, (b) being an enlarged side view thereof, and (c) being an enlarged rear view thereof. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B show the dial shown in FIG. 4, with FIG. 5A being an enlarged front view and FIG. 5B being an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 5A. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the main parts of the wristwatch shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an enlarged rear view showing the dial of the timepiece module placed inside the wristwatch case shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 5 is an exploded perspective view of a disassembly jig for disassembling the watch module shown in FIG. 4, seen obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 10] 5 is an exploded oblique view of a disassembly jig used to disassemble the watch module shown in FIG. 4, seen obliquely from below. [Figure 11]10 shows the disassembly jig shown in FIG. 9, where (a) is an enlarged oblique view showing the first jig part with the watch module placed therein, and (b) is an enlarged bottom view showing the second jig part pressing the watch module towards the first jig part. [Figure 12] 10A shows the first jig part shown in FIG. 9, where (a) is an enlarged front view thereof, (b) is an enlarged side view thereof, and (c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in (a). [Figure 13] 10A and 10B show the second jig part shown in FIG. 9, in which (a) is an enlarged front view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow EE in (a). [Figure 14] 7A and 7B show a first modified example of the dial shown in FIG. 6, in which (a) is an enlarged front view and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow FF in (a). [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view showing a second modified example of the dial shown in FIG. 14(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will now be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1. This wristwatch case 1 has a main case 2 made of a metal such as stainless steel, and an exterior case 3 also made of a metal such as stainless steel.

[0010] 1 to 3, main case 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, with band attachment portions 2a formed integrally on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of its outer periphery. Exterior case 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with substantially the same size as main case 2, and is integrally fixed to the top of main case 2 by welding such as laser welding or brazing.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a crystal 4 is attached via a crystal packing 4a to the upper opening of this wristwatch case 1, i.e., the opening of the outer case 3. A back cover 5 is attached via a waterproof ring 5a to the lower part of this wristwatch case 1, i.e., the lower part of the main case 2.

[0012] 1 and 2, switch units 6 are provided on the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 4 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1, i.e., the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 4 o'clock sides of the main case 2. In this case, each of the switch units 6 on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the main case 2 is a push button switch, and the switch unit 6 on the 3 o'clock side of the main case 2 is a switch device such as a crown.

[0013] 2, each of the switch sections 6 on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the main body case 2, which are push button switches, includes an operating shaft 6a and a head 6b, which are slidably provided within a pipe section 6c fixed within a through-hole 2c of the main body case 2. In this case, the operating shaft 6a is positioned within the small diameter hole of the pipe section 6c, with the inner end protruding into the main body case 2 and the outer end protruding into the large diameter hole of the pipe section 6c.

[0014] 2, head 6b is arranged so as to be able to appear and disappear within a large diameter hole in pipe 6c provided at the outer end of operating shaft 6a. As a result, the two switch units 6 are configured so that when head 6b is pressed from outside main body case 2, the inner end of operating shaft 6a is pushed into main body case 2, and this pushed-in inner end of operating shaft 6a presses a contact point (not shown) of timepiece module 8, which will be described later, to operate the switch.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a parting member 7 and a watch module 8 are provided inside this wristwatch case 1. The parting member 7 is formed in a ring shape and is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the exterior case 3, with the parting member 7 positioned below the crystal 4. On the top surface of this parting member 7, multiple hour characters 7a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the watch module 8 includes a module main body 10 and a dial 11, and is formed in a generally circular disk shape overall. This watch module 8 is inserted into the main body case 2 from the back side (bottom side) and is positioned within the main body case 2 by an inner frame 9. In this case, the inner frame 9 is a ring-shaped member made of synthetic resin, and is positioned between the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the module main body 10 of the watch module 8, and is configured to fix the watch module 8 within the main body case 2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the module main body 10 includes a substantially disk-shaped base member 12. A solar panel 13 is provided on the front side (upper surface) of this base member 12. A circuit board 14 is attached to the back side (lower surface) of this base member 12 by a presser plate 15, and a battery 16 is attached by an electrode plate 17. In addition, although not shown, this base member 12 is provided with a plurality of timepiece movements for moving the hands and a plurality of sub-hands, a display unit for displaying information such as the date and day of the week, and the like.

[0018] In this case, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pointer axis 10a that moves the hands using one of the multiple clock movements is provided in the center of the module main body 10 and protrudes from the surface side (top side) of the module main body 10 through the axis insertion hole 13a of the solar panel 13.

[0019] 4 and 5, a plurality of sub-hand shafts 10b that move a plurality of sub-hands by one of a plurality of timepiece movements are provided between the 12 o'clock side of module body 10 and pivot 10a, between the 6 o'clock side and pivot 10a, and between the 9 o'clock side and pivot 10a, and protrude from the front side of module body 10 through a plurality of pivot insertion holes 13b in solar panel 13. Furthermore, on the 4 o'clock side of module body 10, i.e., on the 4 o'clock side of solar panel 13, a rectangular display window 13c is provided corresponding to a display unit (not shown) provided on the 4 o'clock side of module body 10.

[0020] 2 to 4 and 6, dial 11 is made by laminating a highly decorative metal plate 18 such as aluminum and a light-transmitting resin sheet 19, and is configured to be attached to the surface (top surface) of module main body 10. Metal plate 18 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape with an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of module main body 10. Resin sheet 19 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape with an outer diameter the same as that of metal plate 18.

[0021] 4 and 6, a main shaft hole 19a into which the pointer shaft 10a of the module body 10 is inserted is provided in the center of the resin sheet 19, corresponding to the shaft insertion hole 13a of the solar panel 13. Between the 12 o'clock side of this resin sheet 19 and the main shaft hole 19a, between the 6 o'clock side and the main shaft hole 19a, and between the 9 o'clock side and the main shaft hole 19a, secondary hand shaft holes 19b into which the secondary hand shaft 10b of the module body 10 is inserted are provided so as to correspond to the multiple shaft insertion holes 13b of the solar panel 13, respectively.

[0022] 4 and 6, a display window 19c is provided on the 4 o'clock side of the resin sheet 19, corresponding to the display window 13c of the solar panel 13 which corresponds to the display portion of the module main body 10. The outer periphery of the resin sheet 19 is provided with a plurality of positioning protrusions 19d for positioning with respect to the module main body 10.

[0023] 4 and 6, a main shaft hole 18a, into which the pointer shaft 10a of the module body 10 is inserted, is provided in the center of the metal plate 18 of the dial 11, corresponding to the main shaft hole 19a of the resin sheet 19. In addition, a plurality of hand movement openings 18b, through which a plurality of sub-hands moved by a plurality of timepiece movements respectively move, are provided between the 12 o'clock side of the metal plate 18 and the main shaft hole 19a, between the 6 o'clock side and the main shaft hole 19a, and between the 9 o'clock side and the main shaft hole 19a.

[0024] In this case, of the multiple hand movement openings 18b, the hand movement openings 18b on the 12 o'clock side and the 9 o'clock side are each formed in a substantially circular shape centered on each sub-hand shaft 10b of the module main body 10 and each sub-hand shaft hole 19b of the resin sheet 19, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The hand movement opening 18b on the 6 o'clock side is formed in a substantially semicircular shape centered on the sub-shaft hole 10b of the module main body 10 and the sub-hand shaft hole 19b of the resin sheet 19. A one-step higher scale portion 18c is provided in a semicircular arc shape on the outer periphery of this hand movement opening 18b on the 6 o'clock side.

[0025] 4 and 6, the portions of resin sheet 19 corresponding to the plurality of hand movement openings 18b are configured to transmit external light and irradiate it onto solar panel 13 of module main body 10, causing solar panel 13 to generate electricity. Also, on the 4 o'clock side of this metal plate 18, display window 18d is provided in correspondence with display window 13c of solar panel 13 and display window 19c of resin sheet 19, which correspond to the display portion of module main body 10.

[0026] 4 and 6, multiple protrusions 20 are provided on the outer periphery of the dial 11, i.e., the outer periphery of the metal plate 18, protruding from the outer periphery of the module body 10. These multiple protrusions 20 are rattle prevention features that regulate the radial position of the dial 11 relative to the watch case 1, and are provided in five locations: on the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock sides, and on the 5 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides.

[0027] 1, 4, and 6, of the multiple protrusions 20, the two protrusions 20 on the 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock sides are provided at positions diagonally opposite two switch units 6 located on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the multiple switch units 6 provided on the watch case 1. Also, of the multiple protrusions 20, the three protrusions 20 located on the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock sides, and on the 5 o'clock side are provided at positions that do not diagonally oppose the multiple switch units 6 provided on the watch case 1.

[0028] As a result, when the dial 11 is incorporated into the watch case 1 together with the module main body 10, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, the multiple protrusions 20 are configured to contact or approach the inner periphery of the watch case 1, i.e., the inner periphery of the main body case 2, thereby regulating the radial position of the dial 11 relative to the watch case 1.

[0029] In this case, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, when the dial 11 is incorporated into the watch case 1 together with the module main body 10, that is, when there is no middle frame 9 on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, and the switch unit 6 is pressed from the outside, the protrusions 20 located on the 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock sides abut against the inner periphery of the watch case 1, thereby regulating the radial position of the dial 11 relative to the watch case 1.

[0030] 2, 4, and 6, each of the multiple protrusions 20 has a mounting portion 20a that is arranged overlapping the surface (top surface) of the module body 10, and a protrusion 20b that protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the module body 10 (see FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)), and no resin sheet 19 is arranged on the back surfaces (undersides) of the mounting portion 20a and protrusion 20b. As a result, each of the multiple protrusions 20 is configured so that the outer peripheral edge of protrusion 20b is in contact with or close to the inner periphery of the watch case 1.

[0031] 2, 4, and 8, the inner periphery of the watch case 1, i.e., the inner periphery of the main case 2, is provided with a plurality of regulating recesses 2b into which the protrusions 20b of the plurality of protrusions 20 engage from the rear surface (underside) of the watch case 1. These plurality of regulating recesses 2b regulate the radial position of the dial 11 relative to the watch case 1, and like the plurality of protrusions 20 of the dial 11, they are provided in five locations on the inner periphery of the watch case 1: on the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock sides, and on the 5 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides.

[0032] 4 and 6, each of the mounting portions 20a of the two protrusions 20 located on the 5 o'clock and 10 o'clock sides, i.e., each of the mounting portions 20a arranged to overlap the module body 10, is provided with a fixing pin 21. These two fixing pins 21 are configured to be press-fit into two fixing holes 22 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the module body 10, thereby fixing the dial 11 to the module body 10.

[0033] 4 and 6, the two fixing pins 21 are formed to have a length equal to or slightly shorter than the vertical length (thickness) of the module body 10. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the two fixing holes 22 are provided at two locations, one on the 5 o'clock side and the other on the 10 o'clock side, on the edge of the outer periphery of the base member 12 of the module body 10, penetrating or not penetrating the front and back (top and bottom) of the base member 12.

[0034] Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, when the dial 11 is placed on the module main body 10, the two fixing pins 21 provided on each mounting portion 20a of the two protrusions 20 are press-fitted into two fixing holes 22 in the module main body 10, thereby fixing the dial 11 on the module main body 10.

[0035] 9 to 13, the watch module 8, in which the dial 11 is fixed onto the module body 10, is configured so that the dial 11 and the module body 10 can be disassembled using a disassembly jig 23. That is, the disassembly jig 23 comprises a first jig part 24 on which the front side of the watch module 8, i.e., the front side (top side) of the dial 11, is placed, and a second jig part 25 on which the back side of the watch module 8, i.e., the back side (bottom side) of the module body 10, is placed.

[0036] 9 to 12, first jig part 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of watch module 8. One end face of first jig part 24, that is, the end face of first jig part 24 facing second jig part 25, has an installation recess 24a in the center where dial 11 side of watch module 8 is to be placed.

[0037] As shown in Figures 9 to 12, this first jig part 24 is structured so that, on the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a, there are provided a plurality of support parts 26 that support the outer periphery of the module main body 10 while avoiding the areas corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 20 of the dial 11, two regulating pins 27 that regulate the position of the watch module 8, and two guide pins 28 that guide the second jig part 25 relative to the first jig part 24.

[0038] 9 to 12, the multiple support parts 26 are provided on the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24 at locations that do not correspond to the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11. That is, the multiple support parts 26 are provided at five locations on the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24, located between the 1 o'clock side and the 2 o'clock side, between the 3 o'clock side and the 5 o'clock side, between the 6 o'clock side and the 7 o'clock side, between the 8 o'clock side and the 10 o'clock side, and between the 11 o'clock side and the 12 o'clock side, and are configured to support the outer periphery of the module body 10 without coming into contact with the dial 11.

[0039] 9 to 12, a plurality of first relief recesses 29 are provided on the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24, respectively, between the plurality of support parts 26. That is, the plurality of first relief recesses 29 are provided at five locations on the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24, located between the 12 o'clock side and the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock side and the 3 o'clock side, between the 5 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side, between the 7 o'clock side and the 8 o'clock side, and between the 10 o'clock side and the 11 o'clock side.

[0040] In this case, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, the axial lengths of the installation recess 24a, the multiple support portions 26, and the multiple first relief recesses 29 are formed to be slightly longer (depth and height) than the vertical length of the dial 11, that is, the sum of the thickness of the metal plate 18 of the dial 11 and the length of the fixing pin 21. As a result, the dial 11 is configured so that the multiple protrusions 20, together with the fixing pin 21, are positioned within the multiple first relief recesses 29 without coming into contact with each other.

[0041] 9 to 12, two of the first relief recesses 29 located on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side are each provided with a restriction pin 27. These two restriction pins 27 are formed so that their length (height) is slightly longer than the sum of the length (thickness) of the module main body 10 in the front-to-back direction and the length (depth) of the first relief recess 29 in the axial direction.

[0042] In this case, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, two regulating pins 27 of the first jig part 24 are respectively arranged on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, i.e., the outer periphery of the base member 12, so that a regulating groove 30 that regulates the position of the watch module 8 on the first jig part 24 is formed while avoiding the protrusion piece 20 of the dial 11 and the outer periphery of the dial 11.

[0043] That is, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 9 to 11, the two restriction grooves 30 of the module body 10 are each grooves with a semicircular cross section, and are provided in two locations, on the 12 o'clock side and 6 o'clock side of the module body 10, so as not to overlap with the dial 11. As a result, when the watch module 8 is placed in the first jig part 24, the two restriction pins 27 of the first jig part 24 are inserted into the respective restriction grooves 30 of the module body 10 from the front side (top side) of the watch module 8, avoiding the dial 11, and the position is restricted by the first jig part 24.

[0044] 9 to 13, the two guide pins 28 of the first jig part 24 are provided on two support parts 26 located on the 4 o'clock and 9 o'clock sides of the outer periphery of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24. These two guide pins 28 are configured to be slidably inserted into two guide holes 31 provided in the second jig part 25, thereby guiding the sliding movement of the second jig part 25 in the direction toward and away from the first jig part 24.

[0045] 9 to 11 and 13, second jig part 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape of the same size as first jig part 24. An installation hole 25a is provided in the center of one end face of second jig part 25, that is, the end face of second jig part 25 facing first jig part 24, into which the back side (lower surface side) of module main body 10 of watch module 8 is positioned.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 to 11 and 13, this second jig part 25 has a structure in which, in addition to the two guide holes 31 mentioned above, a plurality of pressing parts 32 are provided on the outer periphery of the installation hole part 25a, which press each of the protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusion pieces 20 of the dial 11 protruding from the outer periphery of the module main body 10 toward the first jig part 24, thereby separating the dial 11 from the module main body 10.

[0047] As shown in Figures 9 to 11 and 13, these multiple pressing portions 32 are provided on the outer periphery of the installation hole portion 25a of the second jig portion 25 at locations corresponding to the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11, i.e., locations corresponding to the multiple first escape recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24, while avoiding the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24.

[0048] 9 to 11 and 13, the multiple pressing portions 32 are provided at approximately the same positions on the outer periphery of the installation hole 25a of the second jig part 25, and are approximately the same size as or slightly smaller than the multiple first relief recesses 29 of the first jig part 24. In other words, the multiple pressing portions 32 are provided at five locations on the outer periphery of the installation hole 25a of the second jig part 25, located between the 12 o'clock side and the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock side and the 3 o'clock side, between the 5 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side, between the 7 o'clock side and the 8 o'clock side, and between the 10 o'clock side and the 11 o'clock side.

[0049] 9 to 11 and 13, a plurality of second relief recesses 33 are provided on the outer periphery of the installation hole 25a of the second jig part 25, positioned between the plurality of pressing parts 32 and corresponding to the plurality of support parts 26 of the first jig part 24. That is, the plurality of second relief recesses 33 are provided at five locations on the outer periphery of the installation hole 25a of the second jig part 25, located between the 1 o'clock side and the 2 o'clock side, between the 3 o'clock side and the 5 o'clock side, between the 6 o'clock side and the 7 o'clock side, between the 8 o'clock side and the 10 o'clock side, and between the 11 o'clock side and the 12 o'clock side.

[0050] Of these multiple second relief recesses 33, two second relief recesses 33 located on the 4 o'clock side and the 9 o'clock side are each provided with a guide hole 31 into which two guide pins 28 of the first jig part 24 are inserted, as shown in Figures 9 to 13. In this case, the installation hole part 25a, the multiple pressing parts 32, and the multiple second relief recesses 33 are formed so that their axial lengths are longer than the axial lengths of the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24, the multiple support parts 26, and the multiple first relief recesses 29.

[0051] As a result, as shown in Figures 9 to 13, when placing the watch module 8 with the dial 11 attached to the module body 10 in the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24, the disassembly jig 23 is configured so that the watch module 8 is positioned and restricted in position in the first jig part 24 by inserting the two regulating pins 27 into the regulating grooves 30 of the module body 10 with the dial 11 facing the bottom side of the installation recess 24a.

[0052] That is, as shown in Figures 9 to 13, this disassembly jig 23 is configured so that when the watch module 8 is positioned in the first jig part 24, each of the protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusion pieces 20 of the dial 11 corresponds to the multiple first escape recesses 29, and the outer periphery of the module main body 10 is supported by the multiple support parts 26 while avoiding the dial 11.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 to 13, this disassembly jig 23 is configured such that when the second jig part 25 is pressed against the first jig part 24, the two guide pins 28 of the first jig part 24 are inserted into the two guide holes 31 of the second jig part 25, so that the first jig part 24 and the second jig part 25 are guided relative to each other and move closer to each other.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 to 13, this disassembly jig 23 is configured so that when the first jig portion 24 and the second jig portion 25 approach each other and the multiple pressing portions 32 of the second jig portion 25 are pressed against each of the protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11, the multiple pressing portions 32 press each of the protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11 into each of the multiple first escape recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24 while the outer periphery of the module main body 10 is supported by the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24.

[0055] As a result, as shown in Figures 9 to 13, the disassembly jig 23 is configured so that when the multiple pressing portions 32 press each of the protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusion pieces 20 of the dial 11 into the multiple first escape recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24, the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24 are pressed into the multiple second escape recesses 33 of the second jig portion 25, thereby pulling out the fixing pins 21 of the dial 11 from the fixing holes 22 of the module main body 10 and separating the dial 11 from the module main body 10.

[0056] Next, the operation of such a wristwatch will be described. When assembling this wristwatch, first the watch module 8 is assembled. In this case, the dial 11 is aligned with the front (top) surface of the module body 10, and two fixing pins 21 provided on the mounting portions 20a of two of the multiple protrusions 20 provided on the outer periphery of the dial 11, one located between the 5 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides and the other on the 10 o'clock side, are inserted by press fitting into two fixing holes 22 provided on the outer periphery edge of the module body 10.

[0057] At this time, by simply pressing only the mounting portions 20a of two of the multiple protrusions 20, each of which has two fixing pins 21, toward the surface (top surface) of the module body 10, the two fixing pins 21 of the dial 11 can be press-fitted into the two fixing holes 22 of the module body 10. This makes assembly easy, and the dial 11 can be securely fixed to the module body 10 without damaging the surface (top surface) of the dial 11.

[0058] In this state, each of the protruding portions 20b of the multiple protruding pieces 20 on the dial 11 protrudes from the outer periphery of the module body 10. Also, in this state, the outer periphery of the module body 10 protrudes from the outer periphery of the dial 11 and is exposed, except for the areas corresponding to the multiple protruding pieces 20 on the dial 11.

[0059] As a result, two restriction grooves 30 provided on the outer periphery of module body 10 are exposed on the outer periphery of dial 11. In this state, hands (not shown) are attached to pointer shaft 10a of module body 10, and sub-hands (not shown) are attached to each of the multiple sub-hand shafts 10b. In this way, timepiece module 8 is assembled.

[0060] This watch module 8 is then assembled into the watch case 1. In this case, the exterior case 3 is first integrally fixed to the top of the main case 2 by welding such as laser welding or brazing, and the watch case 1 is then assembled. A parting member 7 is placed inside the exterior case 3 of this watch case 1, and the watch crystal 4 is fitted into the upper opening of the exterior case 3 together with the crystal packing 4a and fixed in place.

[0061] In this state, the watch module 8 is inserted into the main case 2 of the wristwatch case 1 from the rear side (bottom side). At this time, as shown in Figure 8, the multiple protrusions 20 on the dial 11 are matched and engaged with the multiple restriction recesses 2b provided on the inner periphery of the main case 2. In this state, the outer ends of the protrusions 20b on the multiple protrusions 20 are positioned in contact with or close to the inner periphery of the main case 2 within the multiple restriction recesses 2b.

[0062] As a result, the dial 11 is disposed within the main body case 2 without any rattle in the radial direction relative to the main body case 2, and accordingly the module body 10 is also disposed within the main body case 2 without any rattle in the radial direction relative to the main body case 2. In this case, of the multiple hand movement openings 18b provided in the metal plate 18 of the dial 11, the end of a one-step higher scale portion 18c provided on the outer periphery of the hand movement opening 18b located on the 6 o'clock side is disposed with a gap S from the inner circumferential surface of the parting member 7 (see FIG. 7).

[0063] Furthermore, both sides of each protrusion 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 are placed in contact with or close to both sides of the multiple restriction recesses 2b, thereby restricting the radial position of the dial 11 and, accordingly, the radial position of the module body 10. In this state, the switch units 6 are assembled to the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 4 o'clock sides of the watch case 1.

[0064] In other words, when the switch units 6 are assembled on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the watch case 1, even if the watch module 8 is pressed by the operating shaft 6a of each switch unit 6, the protrusions 20b of each protrusion piece 20 of the dial 11 located diagonally across from these switch units 6 will abut against the inner surface of the main body case 2, so even if an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, the watch module 8 will not rattle inside the watch case 1.

[0065] Similarly, when the switch unit 6 is assembled on the 3 o'clock side of the watch case 1, the protrusions 20b of the protrusions 20 of the dial 11 located diagonally opposite each switch unit 6 located on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides of the watch case 1 abut against the inner surface of the main body case 2, so that even if an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, the watch module 8 will not rattle within the watch case 1.

[0066] For this reason, when assembling the multiple switch units 6 to the wristwatch case 1, the raised scale unit 18c provided on the outer periphery of the hand movement opening 18b located on the 6 o'clock side of the multiple hand movement openings 18b provided in the metal plate 18 of the dial 11 does not come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the parting member 7, preventing damage to the scale unit 18c. This allows the multiple switch units 6 to be assembled smoothly to the wristwatch case 1.

[0067] In this state, there is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of module body 10 of watch module 8 placed inside watch case 1 and the inner peripheral surface of main body case 2. Therefore, inner frame 9 is placed in the gap between the outer peripheral surface of module body 10 and the inner peripheral surface of main body case 2. This secures watch module 8 inside main body case 2. After this, back cover 5 is attached to the bottom of main body case 2 together with waterproof ring 5a. This completes the assembly of the watch.

[0068] Next, disassembly of the watch module 8 will be described. In this case, first, the watch module 8 is removed from inside the wristwatch case 1. At this time, the back cover 5 is removed from the bottom of the main case 2 of the wristwatch case 1, and then the multiple switch units 6 are removed from the main case 2 of the wristwatch case 1.

[0069] In this state, the watch module 8 is removed from the wristwatch case 1 together with the inner frame 9, and the inner frame 9 is removed from the module body 10. After this, the hands (not shown) are removed from the hand shaft 10a of the module body 10, and the sub-hands (not shown) are removed from the multiple sub-hand shafts 10b.

[0070] The watch module 8 is then disassembled using a disassembly jig 23. In this case, the watch module 8 is placed in the installation recess 24a of the first jig part 24 of the disassembly jig 23. At this time, with the dial 11 facing the bottom side of the installation recess 24a, the two restriction pins 27 are inserted into the restriction grooves 30 provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10. In this way, the watch module 8 is positioned and restricted in place in the first jig part 24.

[0071] When the watch module 8 is positioned relative to the first jig part 24 in this manner, the outer periphery of the module body 10 is supported by the multiple support parts 26 of the first jig part 24, avoiding the dial 11, with each protrusion 20b of the multiple protrusion pieces 20 of the dial 11 protruding from the outer periphery of the module body 10 corresponding to the multiple first escape recesses 29 of the first jig part 24.

[0072] In this state, the second jig part 25 is pressed against the first jig part 24. At this time, the two guide pins 28 of the first jig part 24 are inserted into the two guide holes 31 of the second jig part 25, respectively, and the first jig part 24 and the second jig part 25 are brought closer to each other while guiding them relative to each other.

[0073] Then, the multiple pressing portions 32 of the second jig portion 25 are pressed against the respective protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11. At this time, the outer periphery of the module body 10 is supported by the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24, avoiding the dial 11, with the respective protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11 corresponding to the multiple first relief recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24. In this state, the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24 correspond to the multiple second relief recesses 33 of the second jig portion 25, and the multiple pressing portions 32 of the second jig portion correspond to the multiple first relief recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24.

[0074] Therefore, when the multiple pressing portions 32 of the second jig portion 25 are pressed against the respective protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11, the multiple pressing portions 32 press the respective protrusions 20b of the multiple protrusions 20 of the dial 11 into the multiple first relief recesses 29 of the first jig portion 24, and the multiple support portions 26 of the first jig portion 24 are pressed into the multiple second relief recesses 33 of the second jig portion 25. As a result, the fixing pins 21 of the dial 11 come out of the fixing holes 22 of the module body 10, and the dial 11 can be easily separated from the module body 10.

[0075] Thus, this wristwatch comprises a wristwatch case 1 with a switch section 6 on its outer periphery, and a dial 11 placed within this wristwatch case 1, and the dial 11 has a protruding piece 20 that protrudes from the outer periphery at a point opposite the switch section 6 and abuts against the inner periphery of the wristwatch case, thereby preventing radial rattle of the dial 11.

[0076] In other words, in this wristwatch, the protrusion 20 protruding from the outer periphery of the dial 11 faces the switch section 6 provided on the wristwatch case 1, so that when the switch section 6 is pressed from the outside, the protrusion 20 can be brought into contact with the inner periphery of the wristwatch case 1, thereby reliably preventing radial rattle of the dial 11 even though an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10.

[0077] In addition, in this wristwatch, a regulating recess 2b is provided on the inner periphery of the wristwatch case 1, with which a protrusion 20 on the dial 11 engages to regulate the radial position of the dial 11. Therefore, when the dial 11 is placed inside the wristwatch case 1, the protrusion 20 on the dial 11 can be engaged with the regulating recess 2b provided on the inner periphery of the wristwatch case 1, thereby preventing radial rattling of the dial 11 relative to the wristwatch case 1.

[0078] Furthermore, in this wristwatch, the dial 11 is placed on the surface (top surface) of the module body 10 housed within the wristwatch case 1, and the protrusion 20 protrudes from the outer periphery of the module body 10. This means that the protrusion 20 on the dial 11 can position the module body 10 within the wristwatch case 1 so that the module body 10 does not come into contact with the inner periphery of the wristwatch case 1, thereby preventing damage to the module body 10 even if the wristwatch case 1 is subjected to an impact or the like.

[0079] In this case, since the protruding piece 20 of the dial 11 protrudes from the outer periphery of the module body 10, even if the fixing pin 21 of the dial 11 is pressed into the fixing hole 22 of the module body 10 and the dial 11 is firmly fixed to the module body 10, the protruding piece 20 of the dial 11 protruding from the outer periphery of the module body 10 allows the dial 11 to be easily removed from the module body 10 without being damaged.

[0080] In addition, in this wristwatch, switch sections 6 are provided at multiple locations on the wristwatch case 1, and protrusions 20 are provided at locations diagonally opposite at least two of the multiple switch sections 6, so that the protrusions 20b of each protrusion 20 on the dial 11 located diagonally opposite these two switch sections 6 can be abutted against the inner surface of the main body case 2, thereby reliably preventing the watch module 8 from rattling within the wristwatch case 1.

[0081] In other words, in this wristwatch, switch sections 6 are provided at three locations on the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 4 o'clock sides of the wristwatch case 1, and protrusions 20 are provided at locations diagonally opposite at least two of these switch sections 6, on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides.Therefore, even if these two switch sections 6 are pressed from the outside to press the watch module 8, the protrusions 20b of each protrusion 20 on the dial 11 located diagonally opposite these two switch sections 6 can be abutted against the inner surface of the main body case 2, so that even if an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, the watch module 8 can be reliably prevented from rattling within the wristwatch case 1.

[0082] In this case, even if the switch section 6 located on the 3 o'clock side of the watch case 1 is pressed from the outside, the protrusions 20b of the protrusions 20 of the dial 11 located diagonally across from each switch section 6 located on the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock sides can be abutted against the inner surface of the main body case 2, so that even if an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, the watch module 8 can be prevented from rattling inside the watch case 1.

[0083] Therefore, in this watch, even if a higher scale portion 18c is provided on the outer periphery of the hand movement opening 18b located, for example, on the 6 o'clock side among the multiple hand movement openings 18b provided in the dial 11, the higher scale portion 18c will not abut the inner surface of the parting member 7, thereby preventing damage to the scale portion 18c and allowing the watch module 8 to be smoothly incorporated into the watch case 1.

[0084] In this case, in this wristwatch, since the protrusions 20 are provided in places other than those facing the multiple switch units 6, even if the dial 11 is pressed in a place other than those facing the multiple switch units 6, the protrusions 20 provided in places other than those facing the multiple switch units 6 can abut against the inner surface of the wristwatch case 1.Therefore, even if an inner frame 9 is not provided on the outer periphery of the module main body 10, the dial 11 can be reliably and effectively prevented from rattling within the wristwatch case 1, thereby allowing the watch module 8 to be stably positioned within the wristwatch case 1.

[0085] Furthermore, in this wristwatch, the dial 11 is incorporated into the wristwatch case 1 from the back side of the wristwatch case 1, which is located on the back (bottom) side of the module main body 10, so that the dial 11 can be easily and satisfactorily incorporated into the wristwatch case 1 together with the module main body 10, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the watch module 8.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the circumferential lengths of the multiple protrusions 20 provided on the outer periphery of the dial 11 are all the same length, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the circumferential lengths of the multiple protrusions 20, 35 may be different lengths, as in the first modified example shown in Figure 14.

[0087] 14(a), in the first modified example of the dial 11, of the multiple protrusions 20, 35, the two protrusions 35 provided with the fixing pins 21 are formed so that their lengths in the circumferential direction of the dial 11 are shorter than the other multiple protrusions 20 that are not provided with the fixing pins 21. As a result, the two protrusions 35 provided with the fixing pins 21 are more likely to bend than the other multiple protrusions 20 that are not provided with the fixing pins 21.

[0088] In this case, as shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b), notches 36 are provided in the dial 11 at locations on both sides of the base of the two protrusions 35 on which the fixing pins 21 are attached, and they extend toward the center of the dial 11. In other words, these notches 36 are provided in the metal plate 18 and resin sheet 19 of the dial 11 to make the radial length of the two protrusions 35 on which the fixing pins 21 are attached longer than the other protrusions 20 on which the fixing pins 21 are not attached, thereby making the protrusions 35 more flexible.

[0089] As a result, of the multiple protrusions 20, 35, the two protrusions 35 with fixed pins 21 are formed so that their circumferential length around the dial 11 is shorter than that of the other multiple protrusions 20 that are not provided with fixed pins 21, and the cutouts 36 make their radial length around the dial 11 longer than that of the other multiple protrusions 20 that are not provided with fixed pins 21, making them more flexible than the other multiple protrusions 20 that are not provided with fixed pins 21, and making it easier for the fixed pins 21 to come out of the fixing holes 22 in the module body 10.

[0090] Furthermore, of the multiple protrusions 20, 35 on the dial 11, the two protrusions 35 on which the fixing pins 21 are provided are easily flexible, so even if there is some error in the positions of the fixing pins 21 and the fixing holes 22, the fixing pins 21 can be easily pressed into the fixing holes 22 of the module body 10.

[0091] 14(a) and 14(b) have been described with cutouts 36, the two protrusions 35 with the fixing pins 21 may simply be formed so that their length in the circumferential direction of the dial 11 is shorter than the other protrusions 20 that do not have fixing pins 21, and they may not be formed with cutouts 36. The two protrusions 35 with the fixing pins 21 may also be formed so that their length in the circumferential direction of the dial 11 is the same as the other protrusions 20 that do not have fixing pins 21, and they may be formed with cutouts 36.

[0092] Furthermore, in the second variant of this dial 11, as shown in Figure 15, of the multiple protrusions 20, 35, and 37 that act as rattle prevention parts, the protrusion 37 (on the 8 o'clock side) that faces the switch part 6 is formed so that its length in the circumferential direction of the dial 11 is longer than that of the other multiple protrusions 20 and 35.

[0093] As a result, the protruding piece 37 facing the switch part 6 is Wristwatch When it abuts against the inner periphery of the watch case 1, it has improved impact resistance compared to the other multiple protrusions 20, 35. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 35 (10 o'clock side) facing the switch unit 6 may be formed so that its length in the circumferential direction of the dial 11 is longer than the other multiple protrusions 20, 35, just like the protrusion 37. In this case, it is sufficient to form a protrusion 35 with a fixing pin 21 in place of the protrusion 20 on the 1 o'clock side.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fixing pins 21 are provided on two of the multiple protrusions 20 provided on the outer periphery of the dial 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a structure in which fixing pins 21 are provided on all of the multiple protrusions 20 may be used. In this case, a plurality of fixing holes 22 into which all of the fixing pins 21 are press-fitted may be provided on the outer periphery edge of the module body 10.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fixing pin 21 is provided on the protrusion 20, but the fixing pin 21 may be provided near the protrusion 20. For example, the fixing pin 21 may be provided on the outer periphery of the dial 11 at a position closer to the 10 o'clock protrusion 20 than the midpoint between the 9 o'clock side, between the 10 o'clock side protrusion 20 and the 8 o'clock side protrusion 20, and the 10 o'clock side protrusion 20. Alternatively, the fixing pin 21 may be provided closer to the center of the dial 11 than the 10 o'clock side protrusion 20.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the switch units 6 are provided on the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 4 o'clock sides of the watch case 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the switch units 6 may also be provided on the 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides, for example. In this case, protrusions 20 may be provided on the dial 11 at locations opposite the switch units 6 on the 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a wristwatch, but it does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, and can be applied to various types of timepieces, such as travel watches, alarm clocks, table clocks, wall clocks, etc. Also, the present invention does not necessarily have to be a timepiece, and can be applied to instruments such as meters.

[0098] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and includes the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the claims of this application are as follows:

[0099] (Addendum) The invention described in claim 1 is an electronic device comprising a case having a switch section on its outer periphery and a dial placed within the case, wherein the dial has a protruding piece that protrudes from the outer periphery at a point opposite the switch section and abuts against the inner periphery of the case.

[0100] The invention described in claim 2 is an electronic device characterized in that, in the electronic device described in claim 1, a regulating portion is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the case, with which the protrusion of the dial engages to regulate the radial position of the dial.

[0101] The invention described in claim 3 is an electronic device characterized in that, in the electronic device described in claim 1 or claim 2, the dial is arranged on one surface of the module body housed in the case, and the protruding piece protrudes from the outer periphery of the module body.

[0102] The invention described in claim 4 is an electronic device characterized in that, in the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the switch units are provided at multiple locations on the case, and the protrusion pieces are provided at locations diagonally opposite at least two of the multiple switch units.

[0103] The invention as set forth in claim 5 is the electronic device as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the protruding piece is provided in a location other than the location facing the switch portion.

[0104] The invention described in claim 6 is an electronic device characterized in that, in the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the protrusion comprises a protrusion provided at a position facing the switch unit and a protrusion provided at a position other than the position facing the switch unit, and the protrusion provided at the position facing the switch unit has a longer length in the circumferential direction of the dial than the protrusion provided at a position other than the position facing the switch unit.

[0105] The invention described in claim 7 is an electronic device characterized in that, in the electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the dial is incorporated into the case from one side of the case that is located opposite the one side of the module body.

[0106] The invention described in claim 8 is a timepiece characterized by being an electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1 watch case 2 Main unit case 2b Restriction recess 3 Outer case 6 Switch section 7. Trim material 7a Jiji 8 Clock Module 9 Middle Frame 10 Module body 11 Dial 18 metal plate 19 Resin sheet 20, 35, 37 protruding piece 20a Placement section 20b Protrusion 21 Fixing pin 22 fixing hole 23 Disassembly tool 24 First Jig Section 24a Installation recess 25 Second Jig Section 25a Installation hole 26 Support part 27 Regulator pin 28 Guide pin 29 First recess 30 Regulating groove 31 Guide hole 32 Presser foot 33 Second recess 36 Cutout

Claims

1. a case having a switch provided at a predetermined location on the outer periphery; a module main body housed in the case; a dial disposed on one surface of the module body, the dial having protrusions at a plurality of locations on its outer periphery, the protrusions protruding from the outer periphery of the module body and abutting against the inner periphery of the case; Equipped with 10. An electronic device, comprising: a protrusion portion facing the switch portion, the protrusion portion being formed so that the protrusion portion has a length in the circumferential direction of the dial that is longer than the other protrusion portions.

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are provided at a plurality of locations on at least one of the 1 o'clock side, between the 2 o'clock side and the 3 o'clock side, the 5 o'clock side, the 8 o'clock side, and the 10 o'clock side.

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the protruding piece on the 8 o'clock side is provided at a position facing the switch portion located on the 2 o'clock side of the case.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion on the 1 o'clock side, the protrusion between the 2 o'clock side and the 3 o'clock side, and the protrusion on the 5 o'clock side are provided in positions that do not face the switch portion.

5. An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner periphery of the case is provided with a restricting portion that engages with the protrusion of the dial to restrict the radial position of the dial.

6. A watch characterized by being an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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