JP2008076326A - Radio controlled timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio controlled timepiece having high reception sensitivity, wherein a timepiece armor and a cover member are constituted of a metal, and the cover member such as a back lid is a screw type. <P>SOLUTION: This timepiece has an inner extension part inside the timepiece armor and a middle frame independently of the timepiece armor, and the cover member is fitted with the middle frame by a screw mechanism part, and the inner extension part is inserted therebetween. Each pair of the inner extension part and the cover member, and the inner extension part and the middle frame is in contact with each other respectively through an insulating body. When the cover member is used as the back lid, even if a screw type back lid constituted of a metal is adopted, complete electric insulation between the timepiece armor and the back lid can be acquired by this constitution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece having a function of receiving a predetermined radio wave including time information and correcting the time based on the information, and more particularly to a wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece.

  A radio-controlled timepiece is a function that corrects the time error by receiving a standard radio wave (eg, 40 kHz radio wave) containing time information and date information from a cesium atomic clock with an accuracy of 1 second per million years. It is a watch equipped with. For this reason, it is possible to always display an accurate time as compared with a quartz timepiece in which an error of about 20 seconds per month is generated, and it is possible to save time adjustment time.

In the radio-controlled timepiece, reception performance is determined by antenna characteristics and reception circuit characteristics.
As the type of receiving antenna, the standard radio wave has a long wavelength of around 5 km, and it is difficult to resonate in the direction of the wavelength inside the wristwatch. Is. An electromotive force is obtained in the coil by the magnetic flux passing through the bar antenna.

  The receiving circuit detects time information based on the output of the receiving antenna and transmits it to the watch movement. A timepiece movement is a composite part in which circuit elements such as a battery and a time measuring circuit necessary for timepiece operation are combined into one unit. In some cases, time display means such as a dial or a liquid crystal display device may be included.

  A wristwatch-type radio-controlled watch has a function as a watch in addition to its function as a watch, so design and texture are important. In particular, a high-class feeling as a watch is an important factor, and there is a demand for a metal exterior in which the exterior of the watch body is made of metal.

  However, when the output of the receiving antenna is housed in a metal exterior, it extremely decreases. This is because eddy currents are generated on the metal exterior surface, making it difficult for standard radio waves to enter the inside of the watch, and that the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the antenna is hindered by the antimagnetic flux generated by the eddy current generated on the metal exterior surface. This is because the current flowing through the receiving antenna is hindered.

  In particular, this effect is significant when the watch exterior and the back cover are made of metal and are electrically connected to each other. This is because eddy current with respect to the external magnetic flux mainly flows through the back cover, so that the watch exterior and the back cover become an obstacle integrated with the magnetic flux.

  Therefore, in many cases, a method of reducing the electrical coupling degree between the back cover and the watch exterior by screwing or the like and a method of forming the back cover with an insulator such as glass or plastic are used.

However, a decrease in the degree of coupling between the back cover and the watch exterior also reduces the waterproofness and strength of the watch, which is inherently undesirable.
In addition, it is not preferable that the back cover is made of an insulator because the material of the back cover is fixed because it imposes design restrictions from the viewpoint of a wristwatch.
In addition, when the back cover is made of an insulating material such as glass or plastic, the strength of the back cover is generally increased because the strength is lower than that of metal. As a result, the entire watch becomes thicker.
This is also unfavorable because it goes against the current trend of portable devices where small size and light weight are desired.

  Among the back covers of watches, the screw type back cover that is particularly preferred for high-end models is the back cover itself that becomes a huge screw and fits tightly into the watch exterior. If the back cover is made of metal, the screw type back cover has an excellent structure that can simultaneously have high aesthetics, waterproofness, strength, and maintainability.

  However, the screw-type back cover is not preferable in that the watch exterior and the back cover are firmly coupled to each other through the screw mechanism portion, so that eddy currents are generated and the sensitivity of the radio-controlled timepiece is secured.

  Therefore, many proposals have heretofore been made in order to realize a metal screw back cover while ensuring sensitivity in a radio timepiece. For example, a part of the watch exterior and the back cover is electrically insulated to reduce the generation of eddy currents and improve sensitivity (for example, see Patent Document 1).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the prior art shown in Patent Document 1 and has been rewritten so as not to depart from its gist for easy explanation, and FIG. 6 is a side view. It is sectional drawing which shows this typically.
In FIG. 6, 1 is a watch exterior, 2 is a back cover, 4 is an O-ring, 100 is a surface treatment film made of an insulating material provided on a contact surface of the back cover 2 with the watch exterior 1, and 10 is a screw mechanism. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, the prior art shown in Patent Document 1 is provided with a surface treatment film 100 between the watch exterior 1 and the back cover 2 to prevent them from coming into direct contact with each other. Prevent the generation of eddy currents. For this reason, reception sensitivity is improved.

JP 2006-112866 (page 13, FIG. 19)

  The prior art shown in Patent Document 1 can prevent the watch exterior 1 and the back cover 2 from being electrically connected to each other on all contact surfaces. 10, the case back 2 and the watch case 1 are firmly engaged with each other, and the eddy current flows between the watch case 1 and the case cover 2 through the screw mechanism 10.

For a watch, it is important to attach the back cover 2 firmly from the viewpoint of waterproofness. However, the conventional technique shown in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the reception sensitivity of the standard radio wave is not improved if the waterproofness is to be maintained.
Therefore, a radio-controlled timepiece having a screw type back cover and sufficient reception performance has been strongly desired.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a radio-controlled timepiece that can solve such a problem and is a screw-type back cover made of metal and can ensure a sufficient standard radio wave reception level.

  In order to achieve the above object, the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention employs the following configuration.

A radio-controlled timepiece in which a time display means, a circuit board necessary for clock operation, and an antenna for receiving radio waves are mounted on the watch exterior,
It has a cover member that covers the opening provided in the watch exterior,
The interior of the watch exterior includes an inward extending portion that protrudes toward the interior direction, and a middle frame that is formed of a member that is independent of the watch exterior.
The cover member is fitted to the middle frame by a screw mechanism, covers the opening by sandwiching the inner extension portion between the cover member and the middle frame,
The cover member and the inward extending portion are insulated by the first insulating means, and the inward extending portion and the inner frame are insulated by the second insulating means.

  The first insulating means and the second insulating means are different from each other.

  The first insulating means is an O-ring, and the second insulating means is a film-shaped insulating sheet or insulating plate.

The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention has an inwardly extending portion and an inner frame independent of the watch exterior, and the cover member is fitted to the inner frame by a screw mechanism portion, thereby sandwiching the inwardly extending portion. Come on. The inwardly extending portion, the cover member, and the inwardly extending portion and the middle frame are in contact with each other via an insulator.
When the cover member is a back cover, this configuration makes it possible to electrically completely insulate the watch exterior from the back cover even if a screw-type back cover made of metal is adopted.
Therefore, it is possible to increase the sensitivity while improving the degree of freedom, strength, waterproofness, and maintainability of the radio-controlled timepiece design.

The timepiece exterior used in the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention has an inward extending portion that protrudes into the inside thereof. The inward extending portion and the cover member are in contact with each other through the first insulating means, and the inward extending portion is in contact with the inner frame fitted by the cover member and the screw mechanism portion and the second insulating means. In contact.
The opening of the watch exterior will be described by taking the part where the back cover is mounted as an example, and the cover member will be described using the back cover as an example. The first insulating means is described as an O-ring, and the second insulating means is described as an example of a film-shaped insulating sheet.

[Description of watch exterior structure: Fig. 1]
The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode when a timepiece is seen from the side surface, Comprising: The part which especially a timepiece exterior and a back cover connect is expanded. Unless otherwise specified, notifying means such as a dial and a liquid crystal display device are provided above the drawing, but they are omitted for easy explanation.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a watch exterior, 2 is a back cover that is a cover member, 3 is an inner frame, 4 is an O-ring that is a first insulating means, 5 is a collar of the O-ring 4, and 8 is an interior of the watch exterior 1. The extending portion, 9 is an insulating sheet as a second insulating means, and 10 is a screw mechanism portion.
The watch exterior 1, the back cover 2 and the middle frame 3 are all made of metal. On the other hand, the O-ring 4, the collar 5 of the O-ring 5, and the insulating sheet 9 are all made of an insulator.

The timepiece exterior 1 has an inward extending portion 8 protruding in the center direction of the timepiece exterior 1. The inward extending portion 8 and the back cover 2 are in contact via an O-ring 4. Further, the inward extending portion 8 is in contact with the inner frame 3 fitted by the back cover 2 and the screw mechanism portion 10 via the insulating sheet 9.
When the back cover 2 is mounted from the opening of the watch exterior 1, the middle frame 3 is engaged with the screw mechanism 10 of the back cover 2, and the middle frame 3 is tightened in the direction of the back cover 2. Since there is an inward extension 8 between the middle frame 3 and the back cover 2, the back cover 2 and the middle frame 3 fasten the inward extension 8 at both sides.
The back cover 2, the middle frame 3, and the inward extending portion 8 are insulated from each other by the O-ring 4 and the insulating sheet 9.

  The back cover 2 and the inward extension 8 have the O-ring 4 having a flange 5 so that the watch exterior 1 and the back cover 2 are in direct contact with each other even when the back cover 2 is completely attached to the watch exterior 1. There is no. Also, the inward extending portion 8 and the middle frame 3 are separated by the insulating sheet 9 and are not in direct contact with each other.

  As a material of the insulating sheet 9, an insulating material rich in compression resistance and wear resistance is suitable. Although it does not specifically limit, For example, a vinyl film etc. can be used. Of course, an insulating plate made of a similar material may be used.

  With such a configuration, when the back cover 2 is tightened, the back cover 2 and the watch exterior 1 are electrically insulated from each other by the O-ring 4, while the back cover 2 and the inner frame 3 are One inner extension 8 is sandwiched and fastened together. The inner extension 8 made of a high-strength metal is sandwiched between the metal back cover 2 and the inner frame 3 so that it has high strength and can receive exactly the same benefits as a conventional screw-type back cover. It can be done.

  Once the inner frame 3 is engaged with the case back 2 by the screw mechanism 10, the inner extension 8 is sandwiched between them. When the case 2 starts to be fastened to the watch exterior 1, the case 3 is attached to the case back 2. It is easier to tighten if it does not move according to the movement. Therefore, at that time, the middle frame 3 is preferably fixed. In other words, if the middle frame 3 is not fixed, it will rotate with the back cover 2 when the back cover 2 is opened or closed, or will float on the notification means side, making it difficult to engage the screw mechanism portion 10. This causes maintenance problems. Therefore, the middle frame 3, the insulating sheet 9, and the insulating sheet 9 and the inward extending portion 8 may be bonded to each other.

  Further, if the middle frame 3 is made of an insulating member such as plastic, the insulating sheet 9 is not required electrically, and the number of parts is reduced, so that the manufacture becomes easy. However, in that case, the strength of the middle frame 3 is lowered and the fitting strength with the back cover 2 is lowered, and deterioration such as loosening of engagement of the screw mechanism portion 10 occurs during maintenance. From the viewpoint of the performance of the watch, it is not desirable.

[Description of O-ring and insulating sheet shape; Fig. 2]
The O-ring 4, the flange 5 and the insulating sheet 9 are not limited to the shapes already described. It is important that the watch exterior 1 and the back cover 2, and the watch exterior 1 and the middle frame 3 are not in contact with each other, and various modifications are possible. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the shapes of the first insulating means and the second insulating means, and is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state when the watch is viewed from the side as in FIG. . The same numbers are assigned to the configurations already described.

FIG. 2A shows a configuration in which two O-rings 4 are provided above and below the inward extending portion 8. Here, the upper part of the inward extension 8 is the notifying means side (not shown) of the middle frame 3, and the lower part is the back cover 2 side.
The O-ring 4 on the lower side of the inner extension 8 that is the first insulating means is not different from the configuration already described, but the O-ring 4 on the upper side of the inner extension 8 that is the second insulating means is The one with no shape is used. In this configuration, the insulating sheet 9 plays the role of the flange 5 instead of the flange 5.

The waterproofing between the back cover 2 and the watch exterior 1 is basically performed by the O-ring 4 on the side where the back cover 2 and the watch exterior 1 are in contact, and the insulating sheet 9 is the main factor of the waterproof performance of the watch. is not. However, in the present invention, since the screw mechanism portion 10 can be tightened with a high torque, the screw mechanism portion 10 can also have some waterproof performance. At this time, if the waterproof property of the portion of the insulating sheet 9 is low, this characteristic is not utilized.
For this reason, the O-ring 4 on the side where the inward extending portion 8 and the inner frame 3 are in contact, that is, the portion of the upper O-ring 4 has a waterproof performance by combining the O-ring 4 and the insulating sheet 9. To make it happen. Of course, the upper O-ring 4 may be further used with a collar 5 in combination.

2 (b) and 2 (c) are examples in which the groove for the O-ring 4 provided in the watch exterior 1 (inner extension 8) or the back cover 2 is not provided. Since there is no such groove, the strength of the inner extension 8 or the back cover 2 is increased.
Such a configuration is suitable when a material having inferior strength is used for either the watch exterior 1 or the back cover 2.

  FIG. 2D shows an example in which a wide O-ring 4 without a flange 5 is used in the first insulating means on the lower side of the inward extending portion 8, and the width direction of the O-ring 4 is widened. Improves. Further, since the O-ring 4 having the flange 5 is easier to insert into the groove for the O-ring 4 provided in the inward extending portion 8 or the back cover 2, there is an advantage that the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is easy to manufacture. .

  FIG. 2E shows an example in which the O-ring 4 without the flange 5 is used in the first insulating means on the lower side of the inward extending portion 8 and the insulating sheet 9 is used as a separate body instead of the flange 5. In the waterproof design in this part, since the waterproof function as the O-ring and the insulating function as the insulating sheet can be designed separately, there is an advantage that it is possible to cope particularly when it is desired to enhance the waterproof property.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2B to FIG. 2E, the shape of the first insulating means on the lower side of the inner extension 8 will be described. Needless to say, the second insulating means may be applied.

[Description of the shape of the back cover, middle frame, inward extension: Fig. 3]
Next, an example in which the shape of the inward extending portion 8 is different will be described. The shape of the back cover 2, the middle frame 3, and the inner extension 8 is not limited to the shape already described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining these shapes. Like FIG. 1, FIG. 2, it is sectional drawing which shows a mode when a timepiece sees from the side, and has already provided the same number to the already demonstrated structure.

FIG. 3 (a) shows an inclined contact surface between the inward extending portion 8 and the middle frame 3, and the cross section of the middle frame 3 is processed into an L shape as shown in FIGS. Since it is not necessary, there is an advantage that the middle frame 3 can be easily manufactured.
However, in this configuration, since the inward extending portion 8 is tapered, the strength is lowered as compared with the configuration already described. In order to prevent this, the watch casing 1 may be made of a strong material.

In FIG. 3B, the screw mechanism 10 of the back cover 2 is extended to the notifying means side (not shown). Similar to the configuration of FIG. 3A, there is an advantage that the shape of the middle frame 3 can be simplified.
Even in this configuration, since the screw mechanism portion 10 of the back cover 2 is elongated, the back cover 2 may be made of a strong material in order to ensure strength.

  In FIG. 3C, the inward extending portion 8 is reduced in size, and the screw mechanism portion 10 of the middle frame 3 is provided as far as possible from the center of the watch. Since the screw mechanism portion 10 of the back cover 2 that meshes with the inner frame 3 is on the outer side, the space inside the watch exterior 1 can be widened.

The configuration described above can be selected according to the design and function of the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention and the shape of the constituent members.

[Explanation of middle frame fixing method: FIGS. 4 and 5]
As already described, when the back cover 2 starts to be tightened, the middle frame 3 may float to the notification means side. An example of means for preventing this has already been described. For example, the middle frame 3, the insulating sheet 9, and the insulating sheet 9 and the inward extending portion 8 are bonded to each other. Next, a different means will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the timepiece as viewed from the side as in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 5A shows the timepiece exterior 1 and the middle frame 3. FIG.

  In FIG. 4, 20 is a C-ring, 21 is an O-ring for fixing a middle frame, 30 is a bezel, 31 is a bezel lower extension, and 32 is a bezel packing. In FIG. 5, 50 is an inner frame insertion groove, and 51 is an inner frame fixing extension. The same numbers are assigned to the configurations already described.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), after the middle frame 3 is inserted into the watch exterior 1, the bezel 30 is press-fitted into the watch exterior 1 through the bezel packing 32 from the notifying means side (not shown), and the bezel extension 31 is placed in the middle. The middle frame 3 can be fixed by being brought close to the frame 3.
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the bezel 30 is press-fitted through the bezel packing 32, but may be fixed by other methods such as a screw mechanism and is not necessarily insulated from the watch exterior 1. It doesn't matter.

  The bezel 30 and the middle frame 3 need not be in contact with each other after the back cover 2 is tightened, and may be in contact with each other when the back cover 2 starts to be tightened. Of course, although not shown, an insulating material may be inserted between the bezel extension 31 of the bezel 30 and the middle frame 3.

  4 (b) and 4 (c), a cutout portion and a groove portion are provided in the watch exterior 1, and a C ring 20 and an intermediate frame fixing O-ring 21 are inserted therein, and the intermediate frame 3 is fixed thereby. Is. The C ring 20 can be made of a hard elastic insulating material such as plastic.

  The C ring 20 and the middle frame fixing O-ring 21 need only have a sufficient fixing force to prevent the middle frame 3 from moving when the back cover 2 starts to be tightened. Therefore, it is not necessary to endure a strong force as in the final stage of tightening the back cover 2, and many known materials such as rubber can be used.

FIG. 5 shows that the inner frame 3 is divided into several parts such as an inner frame 3a and an inner frame 3b, and each is inserted into an inner frame insertion groove 50 provided in the watch exterior 1 to provide an inner frame fixing extension provided in the watch exterior 1. 51 restricts the movement of the middle frame 3.
By dividing the middle frame 3 according to the shape of the parts mounted on the watch exterior 1, the shape of the middle frame 3 can be made more suitable. That is, the space inside the watch exterior 1 can be utilized more effectively.

  In the configuration described above, the cover member is exemplified as the back cover, but may be a battery cover. Of course, the cover member may be a windshield or a bezel provided on the side of the notification means such as a dial. In short, the cover member can be applied to all members that cover the opening provided in the watch exterior.

  In the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention, even if a cover member such as a back cover and the watch exterior are made of metal, the sensitivity of the radio-controlled timepiece is not reduced. Therefore, it is suitable for a wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece that requires a beautiful appearance.

It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the back cover periphery in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating another structure of the back cover periphery in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating another structure of the back cover periphery in the radio-controlled timepiece of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating fixation of the inner frame in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating fixation of the inner frame in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the prior art shown in patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Watch exterior 2 Back cover 3 Middle frame 4 O-ring 5 O-ring brim 8 Inner extension 9 Insulation sheet 10 Screw mechanism part 20 C ring 21 O-ring 30 for fixing inner frame Bezel 31 Bezel lower extension 32 Bezel packing 40 Bezel Side screw mechanism 50 Middle frame insertion groove 51 Middle frame fixing inward extension

Claims (3)

A radio-controlled timepiece in which a time display means, a circuit board necessary for clock operation, and an antenna for receiving radio waves are mounted on the exterior of the watch,
A cover member covering an opening provided in the watch exterior;
The inside of the timepiece exterior includes an inwardly extending portion that protrudes toward the inner direction, and a middle frame that is formed of a member independent of the timepiece exterior.
The cover member is fitted to the middle frame by a screw mechanism, and covers the opening by sandwiching the inward extending portion by the cover member and the middle frame.
The radio wave correction, wherein the cover member and the inward extending portion are insulated by a first insulating means, and the inward extending portion and the inner frame are insulated by a second insulating means. clock.   The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the first insulating means and the second insulating means are different insulating means.   The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the first insulating means is an O-ring, and the second insulating means is a film-shaped insulating sheet or insulating plate.

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