Timepiece Case Flange Isolates Reflected Laser Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser welding of small members for timepieces, the reflection of laser light can cause melting and roughness on internal surfaces, leading to inaccurate positioning and contamination, especially when welding from the inner side.
Innovation Solution
A reflected-light receiving part is formed at a specific position on the lower surface of the flange part to capture and contain the reflected laser light, preventing it from affecting the module receiving surface, which maintains high surface accuracy and stability for precise module positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If laser welding is performed from the inner side to join small members, then the number of components is reduced and the case can be made thinner and smaller, but the reflected laser light causes melting and roughness on internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful reflected laser light is extracted and isolated from the module receiving surface by providing a dedicated reflected-light receiving part. This separates the welding function from the surface quality requirement, allowing laser welding to proceed without compromising the precision of the module receiving surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflected-light receiving part acts as an intermediary structure between the welding area and the module receiving surface. It intercepts the reflected laser light before it can reach the module receiving surface, protecting the precision surface from thermal damage while maintaining the benefits of inner-side welding.
2Ease of manufacture
If laser light is irradiated at a slant angle to weld small members, then welding can be performed from the inner side, but the reflected light arrives at internal surfaces causing melting
Solution Approach 1:
The reflected laser light, which would normally be harmful, is redirected to a dedicated reflected-light receiving part. This converts the harmful reflected light into a controlled phenomenon that occurs in a designated area, protecting the precision surfaces while maintaining welding accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of reflected light is extracted from the module receiving surface and isolated in a separate reflected-light receiving part. This allows the welding process to proceed with slant-angle irradiation without compromising the quality of the module receiving surface.
3Productivity
If the module receiving surface is exposed to reflected laser light, then the surface becomes rough and modules cannot be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The reflected-light receiving part serves as an intermediary barrier that protects the module receiving surface from reflected laser light. This ensures the module receiving surface maintains its smooth finish and dimensional accuracy, enabling precise module positioning while allowing efficient laser welding to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal damage from reflected light is extracted and isolated in a dedicated receiving part, preventing it from affecting the module receiving surface. This maintains the positioning accuracy of modules while allowing productive laser welding operations.
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 solution ensures precise and stable positioning of modules within the case, preventing surface roughness and contamination, allowing for high-accuracy assembly and airtight sealing without the need for additional components, thus enhancing the design and functionality of the timepiece.
Implementation Method 1
The exterior member is welded to the main case body with laser light
Implementation Method 2
laser light is irradiated onto a welding part
Implementation Method 3
the laser light is irradiated onto a welding part of the main case body and the exterior member and reflected at an irradiation surface
Data Source
AI summary
A case includes a main case body and an exterior member. The exterior member is welded to the main case body with laser light. The laser light is irradiated onto a welding part of the main case body and the exterior member and reflected at an irradiation surface, and a reflected-light receiving part is formed at a position where the reflected laser light is irradiated according to an incidence angle of the laser light to the irradiation surface. The exterior member includes a flange part which is disposed on an upper side of the main case body and which protrudes toward an inner side of the main case body. A lower surface of the flange part includes a module receiving surface which receives a module to be disposed inside the main case body, and the reflected-light receiving part is formed at a part of the module receiving surface.