Laser-Patterned Timepiece Dial With Controlled Surface Roughness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timepiece dials face challenges in creating regular and quantitatively controlled uneven patterns due to material viscosity, flat plate properties, and processing variables, leading to inconsistent decorativeness and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A timepiece dial with a base having three distinct regions: a first region with a coating film, a second region formed by laser removal of the coating film, and a third region with a recessed surface, where the surface roughness of the third region is smaller than the second, achieved through laser processing and plating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat plate is pressed against an adhesive resin layer and pulled to form uneven patterns, then the dial achieves a three-dimensional effect, but the pattern positions, sizes, shapes, and heights cannot be quantitatively controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional effect of uneven patternVSAvoidquantitative control of pattern positions, number, size, shape, and height

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressing and pulling method with laser processing. Instead of using a flat plate mechanically pressed against the resin layer and pulled to create uneven patterns, the invention uses laser beams to directly form precise uneven patterns on the dial surface. This substitution of mechanical processes with optical processes enables quantitative control of pattern parameters while maintaining the three-dimensional effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the controlling parameters from mechanical variables (viscosity, pressing force, pulling speed) to optical parameters (laser power, scanning speed, beam diameter). By using laser processing parameters such as laser intensity, scanning velocity, and beam focus position, the invention achieves precise quantitative control over the positions, sizes, shapes, and heights of uneven patterns, eliminating the variability inherent in mechanical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the uneven pattern is formed by mechanical pressing and pulling, then the process is simple, but the decorativeness and appearance consistency are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of forming processVSAvoidconsistency of decorativeness and appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressing and pulling process with laser processing to improve appearance consistency. The laser method eliminates dependence on material viscosity, pressing force uniformity, and pulling speed control, thereby achieving reliable and consistent decorative patterns while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control in the laser processing system to ensure consistent decorative quality. By using sensors to monitor the forming process and adjusting laser parameters in real-time, the system maintains precise control over pattern formation, ensuring uniform decorativeness and appearance across all produced dials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If laser light is radiated to remove the coating film, then the pattern positions and shapes are precisely controlled, but the surface roughness increases compared to recessed regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of pattern positions and shapesVSAvoidsurface roughness of laser-processed region

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface treatments to different regions of the dial to achieve local quality optimization. The laser-processed regions with higher surface roughness are compensated by applying coating films or applying different finishing treatments to specific areas. This allows the precise pattern positioning and shaping benefits of laser processing to be maintained while mitigating the unwanted increased surface roughness in specific locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The dial achieves enhanced decorativeness with controlled pattern positions, sizes, and shapes, providing varied visual effects and stable quality by differentiating surface finishes and optical reflectance across regions.

Implementation Method 1

a second region where laser light is radiated to the first region to remove the coating film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12360495B2Timepiece dial, timepiece, and method for manufacturing timepiece dial

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A timepiece dial including a base having a first region having a coating film provided at the surface of the base, a second region where laser light is radiated to the first region to remove the coating film, and a third region, in part of the first region, where the coating film is penetrated and the base is dug down, and the surface roughness of the third region is smaller than the surface roughness of the second region.