Watch Dial Recess Geometry for Subtle Black Brightness Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch dial designs struggle to create black patterns with slight brightness differences while maintaining intended irregularity patterns, as seen in JP-A-2022-11410.
Innovation Solution
A watch component with a substrate featuring first and second regions of recesses, each with distinct angles of inclination, covered by a multilayer film composed of chromium and aluminum oxide layers, to achieve black colors with varying brightness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If laser processing is used to form protrusions with irregularity patterns, then decorative properties are enhanced, but it is difficult to form black patterns with slight brightness differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating two distinct types of recesses (first recesses with first inclination angles and second recesses with second inclination angles) within different regions of the substrate. Each region has locally optimized surface characteristics that control light reflection differently, enabling both irregularity patterns and brightness differentiation. The multilayer film is also applied with varying thicknesses in different regions to enhance the local optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the inclination angles of the recess sides (first inclination angles vs. second inclination angles) and the thickness of the multilayer film in different regions. These parameter variations control the reflectivity and brightness of different areas, allowing the formation of black patterns with subtle brightness differences while maintaining overall irregularity patterns.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer film is used to cover the substrate, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot achieve black colors with varying brightness levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by using a multilayer film structure consisting of multiple layers (including chromium layers and aluminum oxide layers) with different optical properties. This composite structure enables sophisticated control over light reflection and absorption, achieving black colors with varying brightness levels that cannot be obtained with a single-layer film.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the film structure by implementing multiple layers with varying thicknesses. The thickness of the multilayer film is controlled to differ between regions, creating a dimensional variation that directly influences the optical appearance and brightness of different areas, thereby achieving the desired brightness variation.
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 allows for the formation of black patterns with subtle brightness differences by adjusting the angles of recesses and using a multilayer film, enhancing decorative and design properties.
Implementation Method 1
the multilayer film includes three or more layers of a color absorption film composed of a material including Cr
Implementation Method 2
an angle of an inclination of the second side with respect to a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate and an angle of an inclination of the fourth side with respect to the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate are different from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A watch component includes a substrate including a first region where a plurality of first recesses is formed in a surface, and a second region where a plurality of second recesses is formed in the surface, and a multilayer film covering at least a part of the first region and the second region. In a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the substrate in a thickness direction, the plurality of first recesses is defined by a first side, and a second side tilted with respect to the first side and being in contact with the first side at an end portion. In the cross-sectional view, the plurality of second recesses is defined by a third side, and a fourth side tilted with respect to the third side and being in contact with the third side at an end portion. In the cross-sectional view, an angle of an inclination of the second side with respect to a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate and an angle of an inclination of the fourth side with respect to the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate are different from each other. In plan view as viewed from the thickness direction of the substrate, the first region and the second region have a value of a brightness L* in a L*a*b* color space of 5 or greater and 20 or less.