JP2003270365A - Clock - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clock having a freely rotational simple bezel structure. <P>SOLUTION: When a spring tip shape in each of plate springs 57 and 58 is rounded, normal rotation and reverse rotation can be carried out smoothly. When a shape memory alloy is used as a material for the plate spring or hardening processing is applied to the surface of the plate spring, strength resistible stress generated in the rotational bezel and the plate springs can be realized. Consequently, the freely rotational bezel structure can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timepiece having a bezel which can be turned freely.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is a timepiece in which a ring-shaped rotary bezel is rotatably provided around a time display such as a dial for displaying the current time.

If such a rotating bezel is provided, the elapsed time from the set time can be easily grasped, so that the diver watch used by the diver who grasps the amount of air remaining in the cylinder based on the dive time can be used. Has been adopted.

There is also known a timepiece in which an index indicating the time from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock is provided on the rotating bezel and the rotating bezel is rotated according to the time difference so that the current time in various parts of the world can be grasped. ing.

There are two structures of the rotating bezel in the timepiece, a click ball type (bidirectional rotating type) and a leaf spring (unidirectional rotating type). FIG. 3 shows a detailed sectional view of a click ball type rotating bezel structure.

Case 4 for covering the periphery of the movement of the timepiece
1 is provided with a collar portion protruding from its side surface.
On the other hand, the rotating bezel 5 is provided with a protrusion that is locked to the collar portion of the case. As a result, the rotating bezel is rotatable along the peripheral edge of the case while being prevented from coming off from the case.

Further, the bottom surface of the rotating bezel is provided with a click groove having a large number of concave and convex engaging teeth. On the other hand, in the case of the watch, a click pin 52 protruding toward the uneven portion of the rotating bezel is fixed to the case.
The click pin is composed of a steel ball 53, a pipe 54, and a compression coil spring 55. When you rotate the rotating bezel,
The steel ball is pushed by the engaging teeth and the spring deforms, allowing the rotating bezel to rotate.

Further, the spring deformed by being pressed by the engaging teeth is
When it is rotated by a predetermined angle, it is inserted again between the engaging teeth of the click groove, so that the position is determined for each predetermined rotation angle, and a click operation with moderation can be performed.

The click ball type is also characterized in that it can rotate in both directions when the bezel is rotated.

Therefore, when the rotating bezel is set after 5 minutes, it can be rotated counterclockwise by 30 degrees, and when it is set after 55 minutes, it can be rotated clockwise by 30 degrees. Is good.

Further, between the case and the rotating bezel,
An elastic packing 51 is interposed. With this packing, when rotating the rotating bezel, rattling in the radial direction of the rotating bezel and uneven operation torque are eliminated.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed sectional view of a leaf spring type rotating bezel structure.

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view showing the fixation of the leaf spring and the case.

The leaf spring type rotating bezel structure is a click ball type structure, and instead of the click pin 52, the leaf spring 5 is used.
It is a structure using 6.

FIG. 6 shows the shape of the leaf spring. The leaf spring type structure uses only one leaf spring part for the engaging part of the rotating bezel and the case. To adjust the click feeling, only the three parts of the case, rotating bezel and leaf spring are combined. The adjustment in step 3 is relatively easy.

[0016]

However, the structure used in the click ball type uses three parts of a steel ball, a spring, and a pipe in the engaging portion of the rotating bezel and the case,
In order to adjust the click feeling, it is a combination of five parts such as a case, a rotating bezel, a steel ball, a spring, and a pipe, and it is very difficult to adjust in assembly.

Further, the leaf spring type rotating bezel has a problem that it can rotate only in one direction. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece having a simple bezel structure that can be turned freely in order to solve the above problems.

[0018]

A timepiece of the present invention is a timepiece which is arranged around a display portion for displaying the time and has a ring-shaped rotating bezel rotatably provided in a case, Between the rotating bezel and the case,
A ring-shaped leaf spring, which is formed in a substantially O shape and is made of an elastic body, is arranged, and the leaf spring is provided with one or more curved protrusion-shaped portions, and one of the rotating bezel and the case is provided. Has a plurality of engaging protrusions arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating bezel, and the engaging protrusions are brought into contact with the protrusion-shaped portions to position the rotating bezel in the rotating direction for intermittent feeding. It is characterized by being done.

According to the present invention, since the engaging convex portion is brought into contact with the curved protrusion portion, the rotating bezel can be smoothly rotated regardless of which direction the rotating bezel is rotated.

Further, the timepiece of the present invention is characterized in that a hardened coating layer is provided on the protrusion-shaped portion. According to the present invention, since the hardened coating layer is provided on the protrusion-shaped portion, it is possible to improve the wear resistance of the leaf spring.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A simple and rotatable bezel structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show a timepiece 1 having a rotating bezel according to this embodiment.

The timepiece 1 has a circular dial 2, a hour hand 21, a minute hand 22 and a second hand 23 as a display unit for displaying the time, and a movement (not shown) for driving these hands 21 to 23. The case 4 that houses the movement inside and the dial 2 are arranged around the
The case 4 is provided with a ring-shaped rotating bezel 5 rotatably provided, a band 6 for mounting, and a crown 7 for performing clock setting and the like.

Here, the dial 2 is provided with a square index 24 and a round index 25 indicating the respective times from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock. These index 2
4, 25 and pointers 21, 22 are coated with phosphorescent paint. A notch 8 is partially formed in the peripheral edge of the rotary bezel 5 so that a tool for disassembly can be easily inserted into the gap between the case 4 and the rotary bezel 5 at the time of disassembly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the case 4 has an annular case 41 that surrounds the periphery of the dial 2, a lid 42 that covers the back of the dial 2, and a glass 43 that covers the front of the dial 2. It is equipped with. Here, the glass 43 is fitted into the annular case 41 of the case 4 from the front side, and is fixed by the packing 44.

On the other hand, on the back lid 42 on the back side of the case 41, a protrusion 45 formed along the inner peripheral surface of the case 41.
Is provided. On the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 45, a male screw portion 47, which is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case 41 and is engaged with the screw portion 46, is provided on the entire circumference. Accordingly, when the back lid 42 is screwed into the case 41, the male thread portion 47 of the back lid 42 is locked to the female thread portion 46 of the case 41,
The back lid 42 is attached to the case 41.

A packing 48 as a waterproof member is interposed between the case 41 and the lid 42 to ensure the waterproofness of the case 4. The rotating bezel structure of the present embodiment is the same as the conventional leaf spring type rotating bezel structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, except that the shape of the leaf spring is changed. 7 and 8 show detailed sectional views of the structure.

FIG. 9 shows a leaf spring used in this structure. Figure 1
Reference numeral 0 indicates a bottom view and a click groove sectional view of the rotating bezel. FIG. 11 shows a planar shape in which the leaf spring and the ratchet of the rotating bezel are engaged with each other.

The material of the leaf spring 57 formed in a substantially O shape is stainless steel, beryllium steel, shape memory alloy or the like. The leaf spring can be manufactured by electroforming, forging, pressing or the like, but for integrally manufacturing, forging or casting is preferable.

There is also a manufacturing method in which only the spring shape is formed by electroforming and then brazed or bonded to the leaf spring of the main body. As a manufacturing method, a spring-shaped master made of stainless steel or the like is carved with an NC lathe or an NC milling machine, and a plastic mold is injection-molded based on the carved master. The mold becomes a spring-shaped mold.

Electroless Ni was attached to the mold, and Ni, Cu,
Various metals such as Fe and Ti, and at least one of these
Put it in the plating layer of the metal material in the alloy including the seed,
Creates a spring shape electrically. This spring shape is brazed or adhered to the leaf spring of the main body. The surface of the leaf spring 57 is hardened.

The hardening treatment preferably has corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. The hardening treatment method is dry plating.
N, TiC, TiCN, SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , ZrO
_2. Form a diamond hardened film. The thickness of the cured coating is preferably 1 μm to 2 μm. TiN, T
Ion plating of iC, TiCN, SIO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , ZrO ₂ , etc. is preferably performed under the following conditions, for example.

The ionization voltage during ion plating is preferably 20 to 600 V, for example.
More preferably, it is 0 to 300V. The ionization current during ion plating is, for example, 20 to 10
It is preferably 0 A, more preferably 40 to 70 A. When the ionization voltage and the ionization current are within the above ranges, it is possible to form a coating layer having excellent adhesion to the base material. Further, the formed cured coating layer has a small variation in the film thickness at each site, has a small internal stress, and is unlikely to cause cracks. Also,
It also has excellent wear resistance.

The average thickness of the cured coating layer formed by the dry plating method is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 to 0.1.
The thickness is preferably 0.5 μm, more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 μm. If the average thickness of the cured coating layer is less than the above lower limit, pinholes are likely to occur in the cured coating layer, and wear resistance and corrosion resistance will be reduced.
If the average thickness of the cured coating layer exceeds the above upper limit, the variation in the film thickness at each portion of the cured coating layer tends to increase. Furthermore, the internal stress becomes high, and as a result,
Adhesion between the cured coating layer and the substrate is likely to deteriorate, and cracks are likely to occur. Examples of methods for forming a diamond hardened film include an ionization vapor deposition method and a plasma CVD method.

The diamond hardened film of this embodiment uses a plasma CVD method. The reason is that the film forming area can be wide and therefore the mass productivity is excellent, and the surface roughness is excellent. Microwave discharge plasma is used for synthesizing a diamond hardened film by the plasma CVD method, but in addition, there are inductively coupled RF discharge, direct current discharge, ECR discharge and the like.

For example, among the microwave plasma CVD methods, the most widely used for diamond vapor phase synthesis is a type called an inorganic material polishing type in which a quartz discharge tube is penetrated through a rectangular waveguide, and a metal type US AS that excites a specific resonance mode in a vacuum container to generate plasma around the substrate.
It is a type represented by a CVD device manufactured by TEX. The typical discharge condition of the unmachined laboratory type is a discharge tube diameter of 30 to 100 m.
The electric power of microwave of m, pressure 2 to 5 kPa, and 2.45 GHz is several 100 W to 1 kW, and plasma with a diameter of several 10 mm is generated.

A CVD apparatus manufactured by ASTEX Co., Ltd. designs a stainless steel vacuum container as a microwave cavity, introduces microwaves through a quartz window after mode conversion from a waveguide. By designing the cavity so that it does not discharge at the quartz window, a maximum of 8 kW, 915 M at 2.45 GHz
Power up to 75 to 100 kW at Hz and several kPa
Uniform plasma generation is realized in a high pressure region of up to several tens of kPa. In either case, the raw material gas is methane diluted to about 1% with a total flow rate of 100 to 1000 scc.
It is preferable to supply at about m.

By the above treatment, the surface of the substrate can be hardened. In addition, it is possible to obtain far superior results in terms of wear resistance, slidability, and corrosion resistance as compared with those not subjected to hardening treatment. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, since the protrusion-shaped portion 57a provided on the leaf spring 57 is engaged with the rotating bezel in a curved shape, it is possible to obtain a structure that smoothly rotates against reverse rotation.

By using this leaf spring in a rotating bezel structure, a simple bezel structure that can be rotated freely can be obtained.

Further, the following effects can be obtained. The torque can be the same for both rotations. Since the tip of the leaf spring is not sharp, there are no chips. Since no chips are generated, it will not damage the packing by entering the packing box.

In addition, by making the material of the leaf spring super-elastic, the plastic deformation of the leaf spring that occurs when the bezel is rotated can be returned to the original state. For super elastic materials,
There are Ti alloys and the like. As a method of manufacturing this click spring, forging, casting or the like is used. With this, until now SUS
In the material, the spring part was set and broken at 1,000 rotations, but it was able to hold up to 6000 rotations.

FIG. 12 shows a leaf spring 58 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the first embodiment, this is a further rounded spring shape 58a. This can prevent stress concentration in the spring portion.
As a result, an appropriate click feeling can be obtained without difficulty, and a simple bezel structure that can be turned freely can be obtained.

Since the leaf springs of the first and second embodiments are surface-treated, the heat radiation performance is improved and the movement of heat becomes active. Can be obtained. It can also be used in combination with photovoltaics, such as solar clocks.

[0043]

As described above, according to the leaf spring type rotatable bezel structure of the present invention, it becomes easy to adjust the click feeling when rotating the bezel, and the number of parts is reduced and manufactured. It is possible to achieve cost reduction and the like.

[0044]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view of a click type rotating bezel currently in use.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a leaf spring rotary bezel currently in use.

5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a fixed portion of the leaf spring and the case of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the leaf spring shape of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a fixed portion of the leaf spring and the case of FIG.

9 is a plan view of the leaf spring shape of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view and a click groove cross-sectional view of the rotating bezel of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the engagement between the rotary bezel and the leaf spring according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045]

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a leaf spring shape used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Clock, 2 ... Dial, 4, 41 ... Case, 5 ... Rotating bezel, 6 ... Band, 7 ... Crown, 8 ... Notch, 21 ...
Hour hand, 22 ... minute hand, 23 ... second hand, 24 ... square index, 25 ... round index, 42 ... back lid, 43 ...
Glass, 44 ... Glass plastic packing, 45 ... Back lid projection, 46 ... Female thread portion, 47 ... Male thread portion, 48 ... Back lid packing, 51 ... Rotating bezel packing, 52 ... Click pin, 53 ... Steel ball, 54 ... Pipe, 55 ... Compression coil spring, 56, 57, 58 ... Leaf spring

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A timepiece provided with a ring-shaped rotating bezel that is arranged around a display unit that displays the time and is rotatably provided in a case, and the ring-shaped rotating bezel is provided between the rotating bezel and the case. Has a ring-shaped leaf spring formed in an approximately O-shape and made of an elastic body, and the leaf spring is provided with one or more curved protrusion-shaped portions,
A plurality of engaging protrusions are arranged on one of the rotating bezel and the case along a rotation direction of the rotating bezel, and the engaging protrusions are brought into contact with the protrusion-shaped portions to form an intermittent portion of the rotating bezel. A timepiece characterized in that it is rotationally positioned to effect the feeding. 2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion-shaped portion is provided with a hardened coating layer.