Parts and their manufacturing methods

Abstract

To express various feelings in ornament by a laser beam.SOLUTION: A component, which is a component in which processing by a laser beam is applied to a surface decorative region, has multiple kinds of decorative patterns formed on a decorative region, constituted of multiple grooves extending in the same direction. The extension direction of the groove is different in each of multiple kinds of decorative patterns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a component and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Various components that make up a watch are decorated. Conventionally, decorations using paint or plating have been known, but these decorations have had the problem of the paint peeling or chipping. Therefore, in recent years, decorations have been applied to the surfaces of components using laser light.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for drawing a decorative pattern made up of multiple lines by irradiating the surface of a part such as the inner links and outer links of a wristwatch band with laser light. The method described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to draw a pattern that resembles a hairline texture on the surface of the part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-195979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned drawing method using laser light, there is a demand for applying decorations with a wider variety of textures.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a part that allows a variety of textures to be expressed in decoration with laser light, and a method for manufacturing the part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The manufacturing method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a part having a decorative area on its surface, the decorative area having been processed with laser light, and is characterized in that it includes irradiating the decorative area with laser light to form multiple types of decorative patterns composed of multiple grooves extending in the same direction, and the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns.

[0008] In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the outer shapes of the plurality of types of decorative patterns are different from one another.

[0009] In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that any one of the plurality of types of decorative patterns is formed so as to overlap another type of decorative pattern.

[0010] In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, the angular difference in the extending direction of the grooves among the plurality of types of decorative patterns is preferably 20 degrees or more.

[0011] In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, the angular difference in the extending direction of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is preferably an integer multiple of an angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns.

[0012] The part of the present invention is a part in which a decorative area on the surface has been processed using laser light, and is characterized in that it has multiple types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, each consisting of multiple grooves extending in the same direction, and the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The component and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention make it possible to express a variety of textures in decoration using laser light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the band 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of a groove. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a laser processing device 7. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of decoration processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0016] 1 is a perspective view of a band 1 according to an embodiment. Band 1 is a component whose ends are connected to the body of a wristwatch, allowing the wristwatch to be worn on the wrist. Band 1 has center links 2, outer links 3, a shaft member 4, a clasp 5, and a pair of end pieces 6a and 6b.

[0017] A plurality of center links 2 are arranged along the extension direction of the band 1. A plurality of outer links 3 are arranged along the extension direction of the band 1 so as to sandwich the center link 2 from both sides in the width direction of the band 1. Each of the center links 2 and outer links 3 has a through-hole that penetrates the member in the width direction near both ends in the extension direction of the band 1. The shaft member 4 is inserted into the through-hole of the center link 2 and the through-holes of the outer links 3 on both sides, connecting the center link 2 to the outer links 3 on both sides. At this time, the center link 2 and the outer links 3 on both sides are connected so that they are staggered in the extension direction of the band 1, thereby connecting the plurality of center links 2 and outer links 3. The center links 2 and outer links 3 are made of titanium, but may be made of other metals or synthetic resins such as urethane resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, etc.

[0018] Clasp 5 is a metal component that connects band 1 connected to the 12 o'clock side of the watch body with band 1 connected to the 6 o'clock side. End pieces 6a and 6b are metal components that connect band 1 to the watch body.

[0019] 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the link 2 of the band 1. The link 2 has a first link surface 2a, a second link surface 2b, and a third link surface 2c. The first link surface 2a is a surface on the front side of the band 1 that extends substantially parallel to the extension direction of the band 1. The second link surface 2b is a surface that extends from one side of the first link surface 2a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, and is tilted relative to the first link surface 2a. The third link surface 2c is a surface that extends from the other side of the first link surface 2a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, and is tilted relative to the first link surface 2a.

[0020] The outer link 3 has a first outer link surface 3a, a second outer link surface 3b, and a third outer link surface 3c. The first outer link surface 3a is a surface that extends on the front side of the band 1, approximately parallel to the extension direction of the band 1. The second outer link surface 3b is a surface that extends from one side of the first outer link surface 3a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, at an angle relative to the first outer link surface 3a. The third outer link surface 3c is a surface that extends from the other side of the first outer link surface 3a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, at an angle relative to the first outer link surface 3a.

[0021] The first center link surface 2a is a decorative area that is processed with laser light. A plurality of types of decorative patterns are formed on the first center link surface 2a.

[0022] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of a decorative pattern formed on the first center link surface 2a. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first decorative pattern 100, a second decorative pattern 200, and a third decorative pattern 300, all of which have a woodland design, are formed to overlap one another. For ease of viewing, FIG. 4 shows the outline of the first decorative pattern 100 in FIG. 3 surrounded by a white solid line, the outline of the second decorative pattern 200 by a white dashed line, and the outline of the third decorative pattern 300 by a white dashed line. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outlines of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are different from one another.

[0023] Each of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 is composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction. By arranging the plurality of grooves at small intervals (for example, intervals of 60 μm to 120 μm), the area where the decorative pattern is formed appears visually as if it were printed. Note that the "same direction" does not necessarily mean that the grooves are strictly in the same direction. The plurality of grooves may extend in different directions from each other within a range that is considered to be a manufacturing error (for example, within a range of ±1 degree).

[0024] The extension direction of the grooves varies for each of the multiple decorative patterns. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the extension direction of the multiple grooves in the first decorative pattern 100 is direction D1, the extension direction of the multiple grooves in the second decorative pattern 200 is direction D2 perpendicular to direction D1, and the extension direction of the multiple grooves in the third decorative pattern 300 is direction D3 intermediate between directions D1 and D2. Because the extension direction of the grooves varies for each type of decorative pattern, each type of decorative pattern appears as if it were printed in a different color. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the multiple types of decorative patterns, each with a woodland-like outer shape, appear as if they were printed in a different color, resulting in an overall woodland camouflage-like appearance.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the shape of the grooves. Each of the multiple grooves C formed on the first center piece surface 2a is formed by sequentially irradiating the first center piece surface 2a with laser light while gradually moving the irradiation position of a laser having a circular irradiation surface along multiple straight lines L extending in the same direction. As a result, the grooves C have a shape in which scale-shaped recesses are connected together when viewed from above. Here, the straight lines L correspond to the extension direction of the grooves. The width of each recess (i.e., the diameter D of the laser irradiation surface) is, for example, 40 μm.

[0026] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a laser processing device 7 that processes the first center piece surface 2a. The laser processing device 7 has a laser irradiation device 71, a processing table 72, and a control terminal 8. The laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 are connected to the control terminal 8 via a network 9 such as the Internet or an intranet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The laser irradiation device 71 is a device that irradiates the first center piece surface 2a with laser light. The laser irradiation device 71 has a laser oscillator such as a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser that generates laser light, a galvanometer scanner that reflects the laser light to any position on a predetermined horizontal plane, and a focusing lens that collects and irradiates the reflected laser light. The galvanometer scanner determines the position at which to reflect the laser light based on an irradiation control signal received via the network 9. This allows the laser irradiation device 71 to irradiate the laser light so as to form multiple grooves extending in a predetermined direction.

[0028] The processing table 72 is disposed within the irradiation range of the laser irradiation device 71, and has a flat plate-shaped mounting surface on which the center piece 2 can be placed.

[0029] The control terminal 8 is an information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server. The control terminal 8 transmits control signals to the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 via the network 9. The control terminal 8 has a memory unit 81, a communication unit 82, and a processing unit 83.

[0030] The memory unit 81 is configured to store data and programs, and includes, for example, a semiconductor memory. The memory unit 81 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc. used in processing by the processing unit 83. The memory unit 81 stores data on the decorative pattern to be formed in the decorative area. The decorative pattern data includes information indicating the outer shape of the decorative pattern to be formed on the first center link surface 2a, the extension direction of the grooves, the groove spacing, etc. The decorative pattern data may also include information such as the diameter of the laser irradiation surface.

[0031] The communication unit 82 is configured to enable the control terminal 8 to communicate with the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72, and includes a communication interface circuit. The communication interface circuit included in the communication unit 82 is a communication interface circuit for a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 82 transmits data supplied from the processing unit 83 to the laser irradiation device 71.

[0032] The processing unit 83 is configured to comprehensively control the operation of the control terminal 8, and includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The processing unit 83 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. Based on the programs stored in the storage unit 81, the processing unit 83 controls the operation of each component of the control terminal 8 so that various processes of the control terminal 8 are executed appropriately, and also executes various processes.

[0033] The processing unit 83 has, as functional blocks, an acquisition unit 831, an irradiation control unit 832, and a determination unit 833. These functional blocks are functional modules realized by a program executed by the processing unit 83. Each of these units may be implemented in the control terminal 8 as firmware.

[0034] 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the decoration process for the first center link surface 2a executed by the laser processing device 7. The decoration process is executed in a state where the center link 2, which has not been subjected to any processing, is placed on the processing table 72. The memory unit 81 stores in advance data of multiple types of decoration patterns to be applied to the center link 2 (for example, the first decoration pattern 100, the second decoration pattern 200, and the third decoration pattern 300 shown in FIG. 3).

[0035] First, the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of a decorative pattern (S11). The acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any one of the multiple types of decorative pattern data stored in the storage unit 81.

[0036] Next, the irradiation control unit 832 irradiates the first center piece surface 2a with laser light so as to form a decorative pattern consisting of multiple grooves extending in the same direction (S12). Based on the acquired decorative pattern data, the irradiation control unit 832 generates an irradiation control signal that causes the laser light to be sequentially irradiated while gradually moving the irradiation position along the extension direction of the grooves so as to form multiple grooves on the first center piece surface 2a. The irradiation control unit 832 transmits the generated irradiation control signal to the laser irradiation device 71 via the communication unit 82, thereby irradiating the laser light so as to form the decorative pattern.

[0037] Next, the determination unit 833 determines whether or not all decorative patterns whose data is stored in the storage unit 81 have been formed (S13). If it is determined that all decorative patterns have been formed (S13-Yes), the decoration process ends.

[0038] If it is determined that all decorative patterns have not been formed (S13-No), the decoration process returns to S11, and the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any of the decorative patterns that have not yet been acquired.

[0039] As explained above, the center link 2 has a decorative pattern formed on the first center link surface 2a of the front surface, which is made up of multiple grooves that extend in the same direction. The extension direction of the multiple grooves varies for each decorative pattern. This allows the center link 2 to express a variety of textures when decorated with laser light.

[0040] That is, the decorative pattern formed by multiple grooves is perceived as having different textures depending on the relationship between the extension direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the direction in which the decorative pattern is viewed. By having multiple decorative patterns made up of grooves with different extension directions for each decorative pattern, the respective decorative patterns are perceived as having different textures, making it possible to express a variety of textures similar to multi-color printing.

[0041] Furthermore, the multiple decorative patterns are formed so as to overlap with other decorative patterns, which allows the appearance of the multiple decorative patterns on the center link 2 to vary depending on the viewing direction, thereby enabling the expression of a variety of textures.

[0042] That is, a decorative pattern formed by multiple grooves is perceived with different degrees of emphasis depending on the relationship between the extension direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the viewing direction of the decorative pattern. Furthermore, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, when multiple decorative patterns are formed to overlap, if one decorative pattern is perceived as being emphasized, the other decorative patterns overlapping that decorative pattern will be less visible. On the other hand, if all decorative patterns are perceived with the same degree of emphasis, all decorative patterns will be visible. By forming multiple decorative patterns composed of grooves with different extension directions to overlap in the center piece 2, the appearance of the decorative patterns changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., making it possible to express a variety of textures.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows an example of a decorative pattern formed on the first center link surface 2a. Fig. 8(a) is a photograph of the first center link surface 2a shown in Fig. 3 taken from direction D1 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 8(b) is a photograph of the first center link surface 2b taken from direction D2 in Fig. 3. For ease of viewing, Fig. 8 shows the outline of the first decorative pattern 100 surrounded by a white solid line, but does not show the outlines of the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300.

[0044] 8(a) and 8(b), in the example shown in Fig. 8(a), the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are visually emphasized to an equal degree, which makes the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapping the first decorative pattern 100 relatively easy to see. On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 8(b), the first decorative pattern 100 is visually emphasized more than the other decorative patterns, which makes the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapping the first decorative pattern 100 relatively difficult to see. In this way, by forming a plurality of decorative patterns each composed of grooves with different extension directions so as to overlap, the appearance of the decorative patterns changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., and a variety of textures are expressed.

[0045] In the above description, the extension directions of the multiple grooves constituting the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are angled at 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees, respectively, with respect to the direction D1, but this is not limited to this example. The extension directions of the grooves may be set arbitrarily as long as they are different for each decorative pattern. However, since the greater the angular difference in the extension directions of the grooves, the greater the change in appearance depending on the viewing direction, etc., and the more diverse textures can be expressed, it is preferable that the angular difference in the extension directions of the grooves between multiple types of decorative patterns be 20 degrees or more.

[0046] Furthermore, the angular difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple decorative patterns may be set to be an integer multiple of the angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns. For example, if three decorative patterns are formed, the extension directions of the grooves will be at angles of 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 120 degrees relative to the predetermined direction, respectively. This makes the changes in appearance between each decorative pattern roughly uniform, and creates a variety of textures.

[0047] In the above description, three decorative patterns are formed, but this is not limited to this example. The number of decorative patterns may be two, four, or more. However, since the angular difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple decorative patterns decreases as the number of decorative patterns increases, it is preferable that the number of decorative patterns be nine or less.

[0048] In the above description, the decorative pattern is formed on the first link surface 2a of the link 2, but this is not limited to this example. The decorative pattern may also be formed on the second link surface 2b or the third link surface 2c, or on the first link surface 3a, the second link surface 3b, or the third link surface 3c of the link 3, or on the clasp 5, etc. The decorative pattern may also be formed on a part not included in the band 1, such as the dial, back cover, or main plate of the watch, or on any metal or resin part other than the watch.

[0049] In the above description, the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are woodland patterns, but they are not limited to this example. Each decorative pattern may be any pattern such as a block pattern or a pixel pattern.

[0050] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the processes of the above-described parts may be executed in a different order as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 2 middle piece 2a 1st middle piece side 2b 2nd middle piece side 2c 3rd middle piece side 7 Laser processing equipment 8 Control Terminal 831 Acquisition Department 832 Irradiation control unit 833 Judgment section

Claims

1. A part in which a decorative area on the surface has been processed with laser light, a plurality of types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, the decorative patterns being constituted by a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction; the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns; the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern formed by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves forming the first decorative pattern; the decorative region includes an area where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, the plurality of types of decorative patterns further include a third decorative pattern formed by grooves that extend in a direction different from the grooves that form the first decorative pattern and the grooves that form the second decorative pattern; the decorative region includes, among the first decorative pattern, the second decorative pattern, and the third decorative pattern, a region where only the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, a region where only the second decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap, and a region where only the first decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap, A part characterized by:

2. A part in which a decorative area on the surface has been processed with laser light, a plurality of types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, the decorative patterns being constituted by a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction; The groove has a shape in which a plurality of recesses are connected to each other and has a scale shape when viewed in a plane, the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns; the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern formed by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves forming the first decorative pattern; the decorative region includes a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern do not overlap and a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, the angular difference in the extension direction of the grooves among the plurality of types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more; A part characterized by:

3. A part in which a decorative area on the surface has been processed with laser light, a plurality of types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, the decorative patterns being constituted by a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction; The groove has a shape in which a plurality of recesses are connected to each other and has a scale shape when viewed in a plane, the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns; the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern formed by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves forming the first decorative pattern; the decorative region includes a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern do not overlap and a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, an angular difference in the extension direction of the grooves among the plurality of types of decorative patterns is an integer multiple of an angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of the decorative patterns; A part characterized by:

4. A method for manufacturing a component having a decorative area on a surface, the decorative area being processed with laser light, comprising: irradiating the decorative area with the laser light so as to form a plurality of types of decorative patterns each composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction, The groove has a shape in which a plurality of recesses are connected to each other and has a scale shape when viewed in a plane, the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns; the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern formed by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves forming the first decorative pattern; the decorative region includes a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern do not overlap and a region where the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, the angular difference in the extension direction of the grooves among the plurality of types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more; A manufacturing method characterized by:

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