JP2006226867A - Timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a timepiece, equipped with a dial of diverse designs, without limitation on the base material of the dial and having visibility, even under dark conditions and having diverse colored ability. <P>SOLUTION: The watch 10 is equipped with a dial 60 mounted on a movement 30, a windshield glass 40 covering the dial 60, a rim 20 holding at least the dial 60 and the windshield glass 40, a ring-shaped optical guiding body 70 having a light-emitting surface 72, facing to a space formed between the dial 60 and the windshield glass 40, prepared along the internal perimeter of the rim 20 and a light-incident plane 73, prepared at the end facet of a guide portion 71 penetrating the direction of cross section of the dial 60, and LED 35 facing the light-incidence plane 73. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a timepiece, and more particularly to the structure of an illuminated timepiece.

  Conventionally, a timepiece device (movement) having an hour hand and a minute hand is provided with a display plate (a dial plate) based on a light guide plate, a reflective layer is formed on the back side of the light guide plate, and a plurality of coloring layers on the front side. There is known a watch that has a light emitting diode as a light emitting element in the opening of the reflective layer, and the light emitting diode emits light to develop the plurality of coloring layers to display the background, characters, patterns, etc. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in a timepiece having an analog movement having an hour hand and a minute hand and a liquid crystal display element, a dial plate made of a transparent substrate and coated with a phosphor on its surface, and a parting as a light guide provided on an outer peripheral portion of the dial surface. The timepiece is provided with a member and an ultraviolet light emitting element provided on the back of the parting member. When the ultraviolet light emitting element emits light, the phosphor emits light and the ultraviolet light emitting element does not emit light. Those are known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-356964 A (7th and 8th pages, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-98988 (pages 5, 6 and 1, 3)

  In such Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the dial is both light-transmitting, and a color-developing layer, a phosphor or the like is applied to the surface thereof, and the light-emitting element emits light so that the character, background, In order to display patterns and the like, the dial base material is limited to a transparent resin substrate, the dial cannot be made of a metal texture, and various surface treatments such as a metal dial cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a problem that design diversity cannot be obtained.

  In addition, since the dial base material is a resin substrate, in order to obtain the structural strength of the dial as a watch, it must be thicker than a metal dial and the watch becomes thick. There is also a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the dial base material is not limited, and the dial can be visually recognized in various designs and the time can be seen even in a dark environment. It is to realize a watch having characteristics.

The timepiece of the present invention includes a dial mounted on a movement, a windshield covering the dial, a case holding at least the dial and the windshield, and an inner peripheral surface of the case. A ring having a light incident surface provided on an end surface of a guide portion that has a light emission surface facing a space formed between the dial and the windshield and passes through a cross-sectional direction of the dial. A timepiece comprising: a light guide having a shape; and a light emitting element disposed to face the light incident surface.
Here, the light guide body corresponds to, for example, a general dial ring shape of a watch, and a light emitting element such as a lamp or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) can be employed.

  According to the present invention, since the light is emitted from the light emitting element, the light passes through the light guide and irradiates the surface of the dial plate. Therefore, the surface of the dial plate is visually recognized and the time is read even in the dark environment. There is an effect that can be.

  Moreover, since it is a structure where the surface of the dial plate is irradiated with a light emitting element, the base material of the dial plate can be made of metal, resin, etc., the material is not limited, and if metal is selected, Various designs can be provided by using metal texture and surface treatment. In addition, the structural strength is higher than that of resin, and it is not necessary to use a dial as a light guide as in the above-described prior art, so that the timepiece can be thinned.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the luminous paint is apply | coated to the one part or the whole surface of the said dial.

  Thus, since the phosphorescent paint is applied to the dial, a novel timepiece can be provided by mixing the light of the light emitting element and the phosphorescent paint.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the reflection layer provided in the inner surface of the said windshield glass covers the upper part of the said light guide, and the range which can visually recognize the time indication part of the said dial is opened.

  Thus, since the windshield is provided with the reflective layer, the light emitted from the light guide is reflected by the reflective layer and directly emitted from the light guide to irradiate the surface of the dial. This makes it easier to visually recognize the time.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the light reflection layer is provided in parts other than the light emission surface and the light incident surface provided in the light guide.

  The light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted through the light guide and is emitted from the light emission surface. At this time, since the reflection layer is provided in addition to the light entrance / exit part, the light incident surface is changed to the light emission surface. It is possible to reduce the leakage of light from the middle and increase the amount of transmitted light.

  Further, it is preferable that a light reflecting layer is provided on at least one of an end face of the dial plate surrounding a peripheral surface of the guide portion of the light guide and an inner peripheral surface of the body.

  In this way, light leaked from the light guide can be made incident on the light guide again by the reflection layer on the end face of the dial and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, so that the amount of transmitted light can be further increased. it can.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that a concave portion is formed on the light incident surface of the light guide, and the light emitting element is disposed inside the concave portion.

  Accordingly, the distance between the light guide and the light emitting element is reduced, and light leakage between the light emitting element and the light guide can be reduced.

  Moreover, if the above-described windshield inner surface, the structure in which the light guide is provided with the reflective layer, and the structure in which the light guide is provided with the light emitting element are combined, the light irradiation efficiency can be further improved, and the surface of the dial is improved. Can be illuminated brightly.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show a timepiece and a light guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment.
(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is an external plan view of a timepiece according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the timepiece 10 of the present embodiment includes a case 20 constituting a timepiece case, a dial 60 housed in the case, an hour hand 45 and a minute hand 46 for displaying time, and an outer peripheral portion of the dial 60. A ring-shaped light guide 70 is provided, and a crown 80 for adjusting the time and a button 81 for turning on an LED 35 as a light emitting element to be described later are provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the trunk 20. Is provided.
In addition, the hour hand 45, the minute hand 46, and the surface of the dial 60 may be expressed as a time indicating unit.

A ring-shaped light guide 70 is attached to the outer periphery of the dial 60. The light guide 70 also has a function corresponding to a dial ring used in a general timepiece.
The structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part according to the illumination of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the timepiece 10 of the present embodiment includes a movement 30, a dial 60 attached to the movement 30, a light guide 70 attached to the outer periphery of the dial 60, and a rotation planted from the movement 30. An hour hand 45 and a minute hand 46 mounted on the shaft are provided, and an outer peripheral portion of the movement 30 is sandwiched by a middle frame 53 and a stepped portion 21 of the trunk 20 by a back cover 50.

  A windshield 40 is adhered to the upper surface of the step portion 21 of the case 20 with an adhesive or the like, and the inside of the timepiece 10 is sealed. A packing 55 is provided at the joint between the back cover 50 and the body 20 to ensure waterproofness.

  A light guide mounting hole 61 for restricting the position of the light guide 70 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the dial 60, and a guide portion 71 protruding to the back side of the light guide 70 is a cross-sectional direction of the dial 60. It is installed through. The light guide mounting hole 61 and the guide portion 71 are set in a loose fitting relationship such that the light guide 70 is stably mounted at a predetermined position.

The inner peripheral surface of the light guide mounting hole 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the stepped portion 21 of the body 20 are provided with a mirror surface (total reflection layer) or fine unevenness (diffuse reflection layer), and a light reflection layer that efficiently reflects light. Formed (not shown).
The light guide mounting hole 61 may form a notched light guide guide portion on the outer peripheral portion of the dial 60.

  The light guide body 70 is made of acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, or the like having high light transmittance. The light guide body 70 projects between the windshield 40 and the surface of the dial 60 and faces the clock display section. A light emission surface 72 provided and a light incident surface 73 provided on the end surface of the guide portion 71 are formed, and are sandwiched between the inner surface 41 of the windshield 40 and the surface of the dial 60.

  An LED 35 serving as a light emitting element is provided on the outer periphery of the movement 30 at a position facing the light incident surface 73. The LED 35 is connected to a circuit board 31 extending from the movement 30 and is disposed in a space 32 formed in the movement. The circuit board 31 is equipped with a power source (not shown), an LED lighting control circuit, an input terminal for inputting a switch by pressing the button 81, and the like.

  Here, when the button 81 is pressed, the LED 35 is turned on, and the light emitted from the LED 35 enters from the light incident surface 73 of the light guide 70, passes through the light guide 70 and passes through the light exit surface 72. A scale 65, an hour hand 45, and a minute hand formed on a dial plate 60 as a time indicating unit, which are injected into a time display unit (in the direction of arrow A in the figure) disposed in a space formed by the windshield glass 60 and the windshield 40. The time can be visually recognized even in a dark environment. Since the light guide 70 is made of a material having a high light transmittance, the light attenuation is small.

  Note that a plurality of LEDs 35 can be provided, and the colored light is not limited to one color, but can be arbitrarily selected from red, yellow, green, and the like, and can be used in combination. Moreover, as a light emitting element, a lamp, organic EL, etc. other than LED can be adopted.

  At this time, the LED 35 can be turned on when the button 81 is being pressed, or can be provided with a timer function and continuously turned off for a certain period of time after the button 81 is pressed.

Subsequently, the light guide 70 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the shape of the light guide 70. Here, the relationship between the dial 60 and the light guide 70 will be described. In FIG. 3, the light guide 70 is formed in a ring shape along the outer peripheral shape of the dial 60.

The light guide 70 is formed with a cylindrical guide portion 71 inserted into the light guide mounting hole 61 provided in the dial 60, and has a dial placement surface 75 (see FIG. 4A). The dial 60 is mounted on the surface of the dial 60.
In FIG. 3, the guide portion 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the planar shape of the guide portion 71 is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangle or a wall shape along the outer periphery of the dial. Is not to be done. At this time, the shape of the light guide mounting hole 61 is also set to a shape corresponding to the shape of the guide portion 71.
In FIG. 3, one guide portion 71 is provided, but the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of guide portions 71 may be provided.
The shape of the light guide 70 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional shape of the light guide 70 according to the present embodiment (XX cross section in FIG. 3), and FIG. 4 (a) shows the first example in FIG. 4 (b). A second embodiment is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4A, in the light guide 70, a light emission surface 72 is formed on the inner peripheral surface toward the time display unit (see FIG. 2), and a light incident surface 73 is formed on the end surface of the guide unit 71. Has been.

  Here, a light reflecting layer 76 made of Al (aluminum), Ag (silver), or the like is formed on a surface other than both the light emitting surface 72 and the light incident surface 73. The light reflecting layer 76 is formed of a mirror surface or a diffusely reflecting surface, and prevents light incident from the LED 35 from diffusing from parts other than the light emitting surface 72.

  As described above, after the guide portion 71 is inserted into the light guide mounting hole 61 provided in the dial plate 60, the top surface 74 and the dial plate mounting surface 75 are made of the wind guide glass 70. 40 and the dial 60.

Next, the light guide 70 in the second embodiment will be described. The basic shape of the light guide 70 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is given the same reference numerals. In FIG. 4B, a light reflection layer 76 having fine irregularities is formed on the surface of the light guide 70 other than the light exit surface 72 and the light incident surface 73. Light that has entered the light guide 70 is diffusely reflected by the light reflecting layer 76, and light is prevented from being diffused from the light incident surface 73 to the light exit surface 72.
In addition, it is possible to make the light emission from the light emission surface 72 uniform by forming fine irregularities on the surface of the light emission surface 72.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment described above, by emitting the LED 35, this light passes through the light guide 70 and irradiates the surface of the dial plate 60, so that the surface of the dial plate is also illuminated in an environment such as darkness. There is an effect that it is possible to visually recognize and read the time.

  In addition, since the surface of the dial 60 is structured to irradiate light from the LED 35, the base material of the dial 60 can be made of metal or resin, and the material is not limited. Various designs can be provided by metal texture and surface treatment. In addition, since the structural strength is higher than that of resin and it is not necessary to use a dial as a light guide as in the above-described prior art, the timepiece 10 can be made thinner.

  In addition, since the light reflecting layer 76 is provided in a portion other than the light emitting surface 72 and the light incident surface 73 of the light guide 70, the light emitted from the LED 35 is transmitted through the light guide 70 and the light emitting surface. In this case, since the reflective layer 76 is provided in addition to the light entrance / exit part, light leakage from the middle of the light guide 70 can be reduced, and the amount of transmitted light can be increased. .

Further, the light is reflected by the dial end face (inner peripheral surface of the light guide mounting hole 61) surrounding the light incident surface of the light guide 70 (around the guide portion 71) and the inner peripheral surface of the step portion 21 of the body 20. Since the layers are provided, the light leaked from the light guide 70 can be incident on the light guide 70 again by these reflective layers, so that the amount of transmitted light can be further increased.
(Embodiment 2)

  Next, Embodiment 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is characterized in that a light reflecting layer is applied to the inner surface of the windshield glass and a phosphorescent paint is applied to the surface of the dial plate 60 or the scale surface for the purpose of further illuminating the time display unit. Since the constituent elements are the same as those of the first embodiment (see FIG. 2) described above, description thereof will be omitted, and description will be given with the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the timepiece 10 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, a ring-shaped light reflecting layer 42 made of a metal thin film such as Al or Ag is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the inner surface 41 of the windshield 40. The light reflecting layer 42 is formed in a range that covers the upper part of the light guide 70 from the outer periphery of the windshield 40. In FIG. 5, the light reflecting layer 42 is formed in a range where the scale 65 provided on the dial 60 and the minute hand 46 can be visually recognized from the windshield 40 side from the outer periphery of the windshield 40.

  Here, the light incident from the LED 35 is emitted from the light emitting surface 72, and at this time, the light is reflected by the light reflecting layer 42 provided on the windshield 40 and irradiates the time indicating unit.

  In FIG. 5, the light reflecting layer 42 is formed in a ring shape in the above-described range. However, the light reflecting layer 42 may be provided with characters, patterns, symbols, and the like in a range that does not prevent light reflection. Good.

In addition, a phosphorescent paint is applied to the surface of the scale 65 and irradiates light accumulated in a dark environment. If the phosphorescent paint is applied to the hour hand 45 and the minute hand 46, the visibility can be further improved. Further, it may be applied to the entire surface of the dial 60 or may be applied to a part of the surface of the dial 60 including the scale 65. As the phosphorescent paint, N night light (N night light is a trademark of Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.) having SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy as main components can be employed.
The color of the luminous paint can be selected from a plurality of colors and can be used in combination.

  The light emitted from the LED 35 is mixed with the light emission color of the phosphorescent paint, and emits a light emission color different from the individual color of the LED 35 or the phosphorescent paint.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, by providing a light reflection layer 42 on the windshield 40, the light emitted from the light emission surface 72 is reflected by the light reflection layer 42 and has a scale 65 coated with a phosphorescent paint. The peripheral edge is irradiated (FIG. 5, arrow B) and combined with the light in the direction of arrow A to increase the visibility of the scale 65.

  Note that the light reflecting layer 42 and the phosphorescent paint can be employed in combination as shown in FIG. 5 or independently.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment described above, since the phosphorescent paint is applied to a part (including the scale 65) or the entire surface of the dial 60, the novel color mixing of the light of the LED 35 and the phosphorescent paint described above is innovative. It is possible to provide a watch with a unique color.

In addition, since the light reflecting layer 42 is provided on the windshield 40, the light emitted from the LED 35 is reflected by the light reflecting layer 42 and directly radiates the surface of the dial 60 from the light guide 70. Combined with the emitted light, it is possible to make the time easier to see, and the amount of light irradiation on the surface of the scale 65 and dial 60 to which the phosphorescent paint is applied can be increased. Can increase the sex.
(Embodiment 3)

  Next, Embodiment 3 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment (see FIG. 2) in that the arrangement of the light guide 70 and the LED 35 is changed to further increase the light transmittance. Description of the parts is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given for explanation.

  FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of the timepiece 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, an LED insertion recess 77 is formed in an end surface of the light guide 70 (corresponding to the light incident surface 73 of the first embodiment) of the guide portion 71. The LED 35 is disposed inside the LED insertion recess 77, and the opening of the LED insertion recess 77 is closed by the circuit board 31.

  Therefore, according to Embodiment 3 described above, since the LED insertion recess 77 is further formed in the light incident surface of the light guide 70 and the LED 35 is disposed in the LED insertion recess 77, the light guide 70. And the distance between the LED 35 and the light leakage between the LED 35 and the light guide 70 can be reduced.

  Further, by combining the third embodiment and the above-described second embodiment, the light irradiation efficiency can be further improved and the surface of the dial 60 can be illuminated brightly.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, in the above-described first to third embodiments, a timepiece has been described as an example.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the light guide having a circular shape in plan view is described as an example, but the shape of the light guide is limited to a circular shape in plan view corresponding to the planar shape of the watch. In addition, it is possible to correspond to an ellipse, a rectangle, a triangle, and the like.

  Further, in the present invention, the button 81 is provided as means for lighting the LED 35 as the light emitting element. However, the crown 80 can be provided with an LED lighting function, and the watch is provided with a posture sensor and an acceleration sensor. The LED 35 can be turned on by changing the posture to a predetermined posture or shaking the clock.

  Therefore, according to the above-described first to third embodiments, the dial base material is not limited, and the dial can be visually recognized even in a dark environment with various designs and various color development properties. It is possible to realize a watch having the same.

FIG. 3 is an external plan view showing the timepiece according to the first embodiment of the invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the principal part of the timepiece which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The partial top view which shows the shape of the light guide which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the light guide of the 1st Example which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the light guide of the 2nd Example. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the principal part of the timepiece which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the principal part of the timepiece which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Clock, 20 ... Body, 30 ... Movement, 35 ... LED as light emitting element, 40 ... Windshield, 60 ... Dial, 70 ... Light guide, 72 ... Light emission surface, 73 ... Light incident surface.

Claims (6)

A dial attached to the movement;
A windshield covering the dial,
A cylinder holding at least the dial and the windshield;
A guide portion disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the body, having a light emission surface facing a space formed between the dial and the windshield, and penetrating a cross-sectional direction of the dial A ring-shaped light guide having a light incident surface provided on the end face of
A light emitting element disposed to face the light incident surface;
A watch comprising: The timepiece according to claim 1,
A timepiece in which a phosphorescent paint is applied to a part or the entire surface of the dial. The timepiece according to claim 1 or 2,
A timepiece in which a reflection layer provided on an inner surface of the windshield covers an upper portion of the light guide, and a range in which a time indicating portion of the dial is visible is opened. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A timepiece wherein a light reflecting layer is provided at a portion other than the light exit surface and the light incident surface provided on the light guide. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A timepiece wherein a light reflecting layer is provided on at least one of an end surface of the dial plate surrounding a peripheral surface of the guide portion of the light guide and an inner peripheral surface of the case. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A timepiece in which a concave portion is formed on a light incident surface of the light guide, and the light emitting element is disposed inside the concave portion.

Images