Laser Welding Transparent Dial Plate Typesetting Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fixing fine resin components on dial plates, such as those in timepieces, face challenges in achieving a high-quality finish due to difficulties in stable welding, particularly with resin materials, where heat control is intricate and flaws like deformation and burns are easily noticeable, leading to decreased product quality.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a dial plate made of transparent or semitransparent resin and a typesetting member with laser-absorbing properties, where the dial plate is irradiated with a laser beam from the rear side while under uniform pressure, causing the typesetting member to melt and bond securely to the dial plate, thereby avoiding heat-related flaws on the visible surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If laser welding is used to fix the typesetting member on the dial plate, then the bonding strength is improved, but heat-induced flaws such as deformation and burns occur on the visible surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidheat-induced flaws

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The laser beam is applied from the rear side of the dial plate rather than from the front, reversing the conventional welding approach. This allows the laser energy to be absorbed at the interface between the typesetting member and dial plate without directly heating the visible front surface, thus achieving strong bonding while avoiding heat-induced flaws on the visible surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The dial plate itself acts as an intermediary medium that transmits the laser beam from the rear side to the bonding interface. The transparent or semitransparent dial plate allows the laser energy to reach the typesetting member interface while protecting the visible front surface from direct heat exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If adhesive fixing is used to attach the typesetting member, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and quality control difficulty increase due to adhesive extrusion and fine component handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fixingVSAvoidfixing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical adhesive bonding process is replaced with laser welding. This substitution eliminates the complexity associated with adhesive application, positioning, and cleanup, while providing a more reliable and cleaner fixing method that is particularly suitable for fine components on dial plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach enables precise and stable welding of fine resin components on dial plates, enhancing the quality of the finish and impact resistance while minimizing heat-induced flaws, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and durable product.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating the dial plate with a laser beam from a rear side of the dial plate... welding the typesetting member on the dial plate by absorbing the laser beam at an interface of the typesetting member and by melting at least one of the typesetting member and the dial plate by heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

JP-A-2001-198982, there has been disclosed a method of welding resins by a laser welding technique

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser beam welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 3

irradiating the dial plate with a laser beam from a rear side of the dial plate while the dial plate is uniformly applied a pressure by a heat-resistant jig

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9298165B2Typesetting fixing method, display plate and timepiece

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A typesetting fixing method includes: disposing a typesetting member on a front surface of a dial plate, the dial plate being made of a transparent or semitransparent resin and the typesetting member being made of an opaque or semitransparent resin having a laser absorbing property; irradiating the dial plate with a laser beam from a rear side of the dial plate while the dial plate is uniformly applied a pressure by a heat-resistant jig; and welding the typesetting member on the dial plate by absorbing the laser beam at an interface of the typesetting member and by melting at least one of the typesetting member and the dial plate by heat.