JP2020137626A - Manufacturing method of case, case and watch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of a case that has rich variation in decorativeness and excellent designability, and to provide the case, and a watch including the case.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a case includes: a first step of attaching metal masks 8 to first and second connection parts 6a, 6b of first and second cases 4, 5 connected each other followed by subjecting to surface-treatment so as to form first and second decorative coats on the first and second cases 4, 5; and a second step of removing the metal masks 8 from the first and second cases 4, 5 on which the first and second decorative coats are formed, and welding the first and second connection parts 6a, 6b of the first and second cases 4, 5. Therefore, the first and second decorative coats can be formed from a same material and in a same color, and also the first and second decorative coats can be formed from different materials and in different colors so as to make variation in decorativeness rich and improve designability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a case used in an electronic device such as a wristwatch, a mobile phone, or a mobile terminal, the case thereof, and a watch including the case.

For example, in the case of a wristwatch, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a method of manufacturing a case in which two members are welded at a joint portion and then a coating film is formed on the two members by thin film deposition. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-137581

In such a case manufacturing method, after welding the two members, a coating film is formed on the two members by vapor deposition, so that each coating film of the two members has the same material and the same color. For this reason, there is a problem that there are few variations in decorativeness and it is not possible to improve the design.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a case having abundant variations in decorativeness and excellent design, the case, and a watch provided with the case.

The present invention is a first step of forming a decorative coating on one of two members to be joined to each other by attaching a mask to the first joint of at least one member and performing surface treatment. A second step of welding the first joint portion in which the mask is removed from the one member and the second joint portion in which the surface treatment of the other member is not applied is provided. It is a feature and the manufacturing method of the case.

Further, in the present invention, of the two members to be joined to each other, at least one member that has been surface-treated except for the joint portion and the other member to be joined to the joint portion are subjected to laser beam at the joint portion. This case is characterized by being welded by irradiation.

According to the present invention, there are abundant variations in decorativeness, and designability can be improved.

It is an enlarged front view which showed one Embodiment which applied this invention to a wristwatch. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the wristwatch case shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow AA. The first step in the method of manufacturing a wristwatch case shown in FIG. 2 is shown, FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a mask is attached to a joint portion of the first case and surface treatment is performed, and FIG. An enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a mask is attached to a joint portion of the second case and surface treatment is performed, and (c) is an enlarged perspective view showing a metal mask attached to the first case and the second case. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a second step of removing a metal mask from the first case and the second case shown in FIG. 3 and welding a joint portion between the first case and the second case. ..

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, this wristwatch includes a wristwatch case 1. Band attachment portions 2 to which a watch band (not shown) can be taken are provided on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side of the wristwatch case 1, respectively. Further, switch portions 3 are provided on the 2 o'clock side, 3 o'clock side, and 4 o'clock side of the wristwatch case 1, respectively.

Although not shown, a watch glass is provided in the upper opening of the wristwatch case 1, and a back cover is provided in the lower portion of the wristwatch case 1. A watch module is provided inside the wristwatch case 1. This clock module is required for clock functions such as a clock movement that moves the pointer to indicate the time, a display unit that electro-optically displays information such as the time and date, and a circuit board that drives and controls these. It is equipped with various electronic components.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the wristwatch case 1 includes a first case 4 and a second case 5 which are two members joined to each other. The first case 4 is a main body case, which is made of a metal such as titanium or a titanium alloy, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, band attachment portions 2 are provided on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side of the first case 4, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, through holes 4a into which the operation shaft (not shown) of the switch unit 3 is inserted are provided on the 2 o'clock side, 3 o'clock side, and 4 o'clock side of the first case 4, respectively. Has been done. A first joint portion 6a located at a boundary with the second case 5 is provided on the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first case 4. Further, a recess 4b in which a back cover (not shown) is arranged is formed in an annular shape in the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first case 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer surface and the inner surface of the first case 4, the first decorative coating film 7a is formed on the first joint portion by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering, or surface treatment such as plating or coating of paint. It is provided except for 6a. In this case, in this embodiment, it is desirable that the first decorative coating film 7a made of highly decorative metal is formed by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering.

On the other hand, the second case 5 is an exterior case as shown in FIG. 2, and is formed of a metal such as titanium or a titanium alloy like the first case 4, and is formed on the upper part of the first case 4 via a packing 1a. It is configured to be joined. The second case 5 is formed in a ring shape having substantially the same size as the first case 4. That is, the outer shape of the second case 5 is formed into a dodecagonal polygonal shape. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the second case 5 is formed to have the same size as the inner peripheral surface of the first case 4.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the second case 5 is a second joint located at the boundary with the first case 4 and corresponding to the first joint portion 6a of the first case 4. A portion 6b is provided. On the inner peripheral surface of the second case 5 located above the second joint portion 6b, a ring-shaped pressing protrusion 5a for pressing the watch module (not shown) in the wristwatch case 1 is provided so as to project like a brim. Has been done.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer and inner surfaces of the second case 5 are subjected to surface treatment such as ion plating, vapor deposition such as sputtering, plating, or coating of paint, as in the case of the first case 4. , The second decorative coating film 7b is provided except for the second joint portion 6b.

Also in this case, in this embodiment, it is desirable that the second decorative coating film 7b made of highly decorative metal is formed by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering. Further, the second decorative coating film 7b may be made of the same material as the first decorative coating film 7a and may have the same color, or may be made of a different material from the first decorative coating film 7a and have a different color.

As a result, in the wristwatch case 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the packing 1a is arranged between the first case 4 and the second case 5, and the second case 5 is superposed on the first case 4. When this is done, the first joint portion 6a of the first case 4 and the second joint portion 6b of the second case 5 are overlapped and correspond to each other, and the corresponding first and second joint portions 6a and 6b are lasers. It is configured to be welded and joined by irradiation with a light beam R.

Next, a method of manufacturing the wristwatch case 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In this manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, a metal mask 8 is attached to the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 which are two members to be joined to each other and surface treatment is performed. The metal mask 8 is removed from the first step and the surface-treated first and second cases 4 and 5, and the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 are removed. It includes a second step of welding.

In this case, the two metal masks 8 attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 in the first step are each of FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c). ), And is configured to be detachably attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively.

That is, each of these two metal masks 8 is a discontinuous ring-shaped spring member having a cut portion 8a, that is, a C-shaped spring member, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c). Its inner diameter is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5.

As a result, each of the two metal masks 8 is attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c). At that time, the cut portion 8a, which is a discontinuous portion, is expanded to make the inner diameter of the metal mask 8 larger than the outer diameter of the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b. In this state, the first and second cases 4 5 is attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), in a state where the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8 correspond to each other, the first of the first and second cases 4 and 5 It may be arranged anywhere in the circumferential direction of the second joint portions 6a and 6b, but in this embodiment, for example, each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is arranged in each of the first and second cases 4 and 5. It is desirable to arrange it so as to correspond to the through hole 4a of the switch portion 3 provided on the 3 o'clock side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, these metal masks 8 are attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively. The inner diameter of the metal mask 8 contracts and becomes smaller due to the spring force of each of the two metal masks 8, so that the metal mask 8 comes into close contact with the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5. It is attached.

When the inner diameters of the two metal masks 8 are contracted in this way, both ends of the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8 are brought close to each other, and the distance between the cut portions 8a is narrowed. In this case, both ends of the cut portions 8a may come into contact with each other and the gap between the cut portions 8a may be eliminated. As a result, except for the cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 are covered by the metal masks 8, respectively.

In this state, the first and second cases 4 and 5 are surface-treated, respectively, and the first and second cases 4 except for the first and second joints 6a and 6b to which the metal mask 8 is attached, respectively. The first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed on the outer and inner surfaces of No. 5. In this surface treatment, metal first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b may be formed by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering, or plating, and the first and second decorative coatings 7a may be formed by applying a paint. , 7b may be formed.

In this case, in this embodiment, it is desirable to form the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b made of highly decorative metal by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering. As a result, on the outer and inner surfaces of the first case 4 and the second case 5, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b made of metal having excellent decorativeness are covered with the metal mask 8. It is formed except for the second joint portions 6a and 6b.

On the other hand, in the second step, first, the metal mask 8 is removed from the first case 4 and the second case 5, respectively, and the packing 1a is arranged between the first case 4 and the second case 5. The second case 5 is superposed on the upper part of the first case 4. Then, the first joint portion 6a provided on the upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the first case 4 and the second joint portion 6b provided on the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the second case 5 overlap each other and correspond to each other. .. When the first case 4 and the second case 5 are overlapped, the portion corresponding to the cut portion 8a of the metal mask 8 of the first joint portion 6a and the portion corresponding to the cut portion 8a of the metal mask 8 of the second joint portion 6b correspond to the cut portion 8a. Overlay the parts so that they do not match.

In this state, the first and second joints 6a and 6b that overlap each other are melted and welded by irradiation with the laser beam R. At this time, since the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are not formed on the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, the laser is used regardless of the type of surface treatment. By irradiation with the light beam R, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b are surely and satisfactorily melted and joined.

In this case, in the welding by irradiation with the laser beam R, the first and second welding start points P are different from the portions corresponding to the cut portions 8a of the metal masks 8 in the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b. Weld over the entire circumference of the joints 6a and 6b. At this time, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are present at the first and second joints 6a and 6b corresponding to the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8.

Therefore, the portions of the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b corresponding to the respective cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8 are obstructed by the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b, so that the laser beam R is irradiated. As a result, the first and second joints 6a and 6b are not sufficiently melted and are not welded in a perfect state, and the fixing strength is slightly lowered.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is made to correspond to the 3 o'clock side of the wristwatch case 1 in the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b, and these cuts are formed. A portion different from the portion corresponding to the portion 8a, for example, a portion on the 9 o'clock side located on the diagonal line of each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is set as the welding start point P, for example, the first and second joints counterclockwise. Welding is performed over the entire circumference of the portions 6a and 6b.

That is, since the output of the laser beam R is weak and unstable at the start of welding, each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is arranged in a region where the output of the laser beam R is stable. As a result, the first and second joints 6a and 6b corresponding to the cuts 8a of the two metal masks 8 are welded in a state where the output of the laser beam R is stable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the welding range due to the irradiation of the laser beam R is longer than the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the first and second joints 6a and 6b, for example, welding is performed in an angle range of 365 degrees. It is an overlapping portion K that passes through the welding start point P and overlaps, for example, a range that overlaps in an angle range of about 5 degrees. As a result, even if the output of the laser beam R is weak and unstable at the start of welding, the output of the laser beam R becomes stable after an angle of about 5 degrees from the welding start point P, and the first and first laser beams R become stable. 2 The joint portions 6a and 6b are melted and joined in a stable state.

Further, when the overlapping portion K in this welding range, that is, the angle range of 360 degrees from the welding start point P is passed, the output of the laser beam R is gradually reduced as shown in FIG. 1, and the welded portions overlap. Prevents excessive welding of the overlapping portion K. That is, in the angle range of about 5 degrees from the welding start point P, the output of the laser beam R is unstable, and the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b are not sufficiently welded.

Therefore, the insufficiently welded portion in the range of about 5 degrees from the welding start point P becomes the overlapping portion K to be welded again after the irradiation of the laser beam R goes around. In this overlapping portion K, the output of the laser beam R is gradually reduced, so that excessive welding is not performed, so that welding is performed satisfactorily.

As a result, the first case 4 and the second case 5 are welded substantially uniformly around the entire periphery of the first and second joints 6a and 6b by irradiation with the laser beam R. Therefore, the joint strength between the first case 4 and the second case 5 is ensured in a substantially uniform state. As a result, the thickness of the wristwatch case 1 can be made thinner than in the case where the first and second cases 4 and 5 are joined by caulking, so that the entire wristwatch case 1 can be made thinner.

As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the metal masks 8 are attached to the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 to be joined to each other to perform surface treatment. The first step of forming the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b in the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively, and the first step of forming the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b by the application. , The second step of removing the metal mask 8 from the second cases 4 and 5, and welding the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively. As a result, the variety of decorativeness can be increased and the design can be improved.

That is, in this method of manufacturing the wristwatch case 1, in the first step, except for the first and second joints 6a and 6b to which the metal mask 8 is attached, the first and second cases 4 are surface-treated. Since the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed on the fifth, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are surely formed on the first and second cases 4 and 5 regardless of the type of surface treatment. Moreover, it can be formed well, and the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b can be well welded in the second step.

Therefore, in this manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the first decorative coating 7a of the first case 4 and the second decorative coating 7b of the second case 5 can be formed of the same material and in the same color, and the first Since the first decorative coating 7a of the case 4 and the second decorative coating 7b of the second case 5 can be formed in different colors with different materials, a wide variety of decorativeness can be obtained and the design can be improved. it can.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the first and second joint portions 6a of the first and second cases 4 and 5 in which the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are not formed in the second step. , 6b are welded, so even if the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed in the first and second cases 4 and 5 in the first step, these first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed. It is possible to prevent the welding of the first and second joints 6a and 6b from being affected.

Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed in the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively, regardless of the type of surface treatment in the first step. In addition, the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 can be welded reliably and satisfactorily, whereby the wristwatch case 1 can be made thinner and the first The decorativeness can be enhanced by the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b.

In this case, in the manufacturing method of the watch case 1, the two metal masks 8 in the first step have elasticity and the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 have elasticity. The two metal masks 8 can be easily attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b, and the first and second joints 6a and 6b can be attached to the metal masks, respectively. 8 can be reliably and satisfactorily covered, whereby the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b can be prevented from being formed on the first and second joints 6a and 6b, respectively.

That is, in the method of manufacturing the wristwatch case 1, the two metal masks 8 are discontinuous ring-shaped spring members having a cut portion 8a, that is, a C-shaped spring member, whereby the first and second cases 4 Since the metal mask 8 can be easily and easily attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of No. 5 by the spring force of the metal mask 8, the metal mask 8 with respect to the first and second joints 6a and 6b can be attached. Good attachment / detachment workability.

In this case, each of the metal masks 8 is formed so that the inner diameter thereof is the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5. When mounting on the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, the cut portion 8a, which is a discontinuous portion, is expanded to adjust the inner diameter of the metal mask 8 to the first and second joints. Since the outer diameter of the joints 6a and 6b can be made larger, the metal mask 8 can be easily and easily attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 respectively. be able to.

Further, when these two metal masks 8 are attached to the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively, the metal masks are subjected to the spring forces of the two metal masks 8. Since the inner diameters of 8 are contracted and reduced, the metal mask 8 can be attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 in close contact with each other.

In this case, since the inner diameters of each of the two metal masks 8 are contracted, both ends of the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8 can be brought close to each other, whereby each of the cut portions 8a can be brought close to each other. The interval can be narrowed. In this case, both ends of the cut portions 8a may come into contact with each other and the gap between the cut portions 8a may be eliminated. As a result, except for the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 are surely and satisfactorily covered with the respective metal masks 8. Can be hidden.

Further, in the method for manufacturing the watch case 1, even if the surface treatment in the first step forms the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b made of metal by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering, or plating. It is good, and the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b may be formed by applying a paint, but the first and second decorative coatings 7a, which are made of highly decorative metal by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering, It is desirable to form 7b.

As a result, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b made of metal are formed by vapor deposition such as ion plating and sputtering, so that the first metal first with excellent decorativeness is formed. Since the second decorative coatings 7a and 7b can be formed, the decorativeness can be enhanced and the design can be improved.

Also in this case, in this manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the first decorative coating 7a of the first case 4 and the second decorative coating 7b of the second case 5 can be formed of the same material and in the same color. Since the first decorative coating 7a of the first case 4 and the second decorative coating 7b of the second case 5 can be formed in different colors with different materials, the variation of the decorativeness is further enriched and the design is improved. Can be improved.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the welding in the second step involves joining the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 by irradiating the laser beam R. The first case 4 and the second case 5 can be reliably and satisfactorily joined. That is, since the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are hardly provided on the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5, when the laser beam R is irradiated. , 1st and 2nd joints 6a and 6b can be reliably melted and welded to each other to be joined.

In this case, in the welding in the second step, the first and first welding start points P are different from the portions corresponding to the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8 in the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b. By welding over the entire circumference of the two joints 6a and 6b, even if the output of the laser beam R at the start of welding is weak and unstable, a predetermined angle, for example, about 5 degrees from the welding start point P can be obtained. After that, the output of the laser beam R becomes stable, and the first and second welding portions 6a and 6b can be melted and joined in a stable state.

In this case, in the welding in the second step, a portion different from the portion corresponding to each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8, that is, each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is formed, for example, in the first and second cases 4, By arranging them on each 3 o'clock side of 5 and setting the 9 o'clock side located diagonally to the 3 o'clock side as the welding start point P, even if the output of the laser beam R at the start of welding is weak and unstable. Since the output of the laser beam R can be stabilized at the portion on the 3 o'clock side corresponding to each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8, the position corresponding to each cut portion 8a of the two metal masks 8 is the first. The first and second joining portions 6a and 6b can be joined in a state where the output of the laser beam is stable.

That is, since the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are present in the first and second joints 6a and 6b at the portions corresponding to the cut portions 8a of the two metal masks 8, the laser beam R When welding the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the portion corresponding to the cut portion 8a by the irradiation of, the welding by the irradiation of the laser beam R is affected by the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b. Also, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b can be satisfactorily joined while the output of the laser beam R is stabilized.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the welding range at the first and second joints 6a and 6b is longer than the entire circumference of the first and second joints 6a and 6b and partly overlaps. Within the range, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b can be reliably and satisfactorily welded and joined over the entire circumference thereof.

In this case, the overlapping portion K in the welding range due to the irradiation of the laser beam R can prevent excessive welding of the overlapping portion K in which the welded portions overlap by gradually reducing the output of the laser beam R. The entire periphery of the first and second joints 6a and 6b can be welded substantially uniformly by irradiation with the laser beam R.

That is, the welded portion has an insufficient angle range of about 5 degrees from the welding start point P, and the insufficient welded portion becomes an overlapping portion K to be welded again after the irradiation of the laser beam R goes around. Therefore, in the overlap portion K, by gradually reducing the output of the laser beam R, excessive welding is not performed and good welding can be performed.

As a result, in the manufacturing method of the wristwatch case 1, the entire periphery of the first and second joints 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 can be welded substantially uniformly by irradiation with the laser beam R. Therefore, the joint strength between the first case 4 and the second case 5 can be ensured in a substantially uniform state.

Further, according to the wristwatch case 1, the first and second cases that have been surface-treated except for the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 that are joined to each other. The first and second decorations 4 and 5 are formed in the first and second cases 4 and 5 by surface treatment because they are welded at the first and second joints 6a and 6b by irradiation with a laser beam. Since the coatings 7a and 7b are not affected by welding, the decorativeness can be ensured by the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b.

Also in this case, in the wristwatch case 1, the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b formed by the surface treatment on the first and second cases 4 and 5 can be formed of the same material and in the same color. Since the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b can be formed in different colors with different materials, a wide variety of decorativeness can be obtained and the design can be improved.

Further, in the wristwatch case 1, the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 in which the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are not formed are welded, so that the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are welded. Even if the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b are formed in the first and second cases 4 and 5, respectively, welding is hardly affected by these first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b, so that the first , The first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the second cases 4 and 5 can be welded reliably and satisfactorily, whereby the wristwatch case 1 can be made thinner.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the metal masks 8 are attached to both the first and second cases 4 and 5 to provide the first and second decorative coatings 7a and 7b, respectively, has been described. For example, after attaching the metal mask 8 to only one of the first and second cases 4 and 5 to provide a decorative coating, the first and second joints 6a of the first and second cases 4 and 5 6b may be welded. Even in this way, there is an action effect similar to that of the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the metal mask 8 which is a spring member is attached to the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 is described, but the present invention is not necessarily the same. The metal mask 8 does not have to be, and any mask may be used as long as it has elasticity and is detachably attached to the first and second joints 6a and 6b.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the first and second joint portions 6a and 6b of the first and second cases 4 and 5 are welded by irradiation with the laser beam R has been described, but the present invention does not necessarily mean the laser beam R. It is not necessary to weld by irradiating the above, and the first and second joints 6a and 6b may be welded by other welding such as gas welding.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where it is applied to a wristwatch has been described, but the present invention does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, and can be applied to various clocks such as a travel watch, an alarm clock, a table clock, and a wall clock. .. Further, the present invention does not necessarily have to be a watch, and can be applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones and mobile terminals.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes the invention described in the claims and the equivalent range thereof.
Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims of the present application will be added.

(Additional note)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a decorative coating is formed on one of the two members to be joined to each other by attaching a mask to the first joint of at least one member and performing surface treatment. The first step of welding the first joint portion from which the mask is removed from the one member and the second joint portion which has not been surface-treated on the other member. It is a method of manufacturing a case that is characterized by being equipped with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the method for manufacturing a case according to claim 1, wherein the mask in the first step has elasticity and is attached to the first joint portion of at least one of the members. The case is manufactured so that it can be attached and detached.

The invention according to claim 3 is the method for manufacturing a case according to claim 2, wherein the mask is a ring-shaped spring member having a cut portion.

The invention according to claim 4 is the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the surface treatment in the first step, at least one of the decorative coatings is vapor-deposited. In addition, it is a method of manufacturing a case characterized in that the mask is formed except for the corresponding first joint portion.

The invention according to claim 5 is the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the welding in the second step, the welding of the two members is performed by irradiation with a laser beam. A method of manufacturing a case is characterized in that the joint portion of 1 and the second joint portion are joined.

The invention according to claim 6 is the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the welding in the second step is a cut portion of the mask in the first joint. A method of manufacturing a case is characterized in that welding is performed over the entire circumference of the joint portion, with a portion different from the portion corresponding to the above as a welding start point.

The invention according to claim 7 is the method for manufacturing a case according to claim 6, wherein the welding range at the first joint portion and the second joint portion is the first joint portion and the second joint portion. It is a manufacturing method of a case characterized in that it is welded longer than the entire circumference of the joint and a part of the joint is overlapped.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the method for manufacturing a case according to claim 7, the output of the laser beam is gradually reduced at the overlapping portion in the welding range. Is.

The invention according to claim 9 is the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the first step, the first joint of the two members and the second. By attaching the masks to the joints and applying the surface treatments to the two members, a decorative coating is formed on the two members, and in the second step, the masks are removed from the two members. It is a method of manufacturing a case characterized by welding the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the two members.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, of the two members to be joined to each other, at least one member that has been surface-treated except for the joint and the other member to be joined to the member are formed at the joint. This case is characterized in that it is welded by irradiation with a laser beam.

The invention according to claim 11 is a timepiece including a case formed by the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

1 Wristwatch case 2 Band mounting part 3 Switch part 4 1st case 5 2nd case 6a, 6b 1st and 2nd joints 7a, 7b 1st and 2nd decorative coating 8 Metal mask 8a Cut part R Laser ray K Overlap part

Claims (11)

A first step of forming a decorative coating on one of the two members to be joined to each other by attaching a mask to the first joint of at least one member and performing surface treatment.
A second step of welding the first joint portion from which the mask has been removed from the one member and the second joint portion having no surface treatment on the other member.
It features and how to manufacture the case. The case manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the mask in the first step has elasticity and is detachably attached to the first joint portion of at least one of the members. And how to make the case. The method for manufacturing a case according to claim 2, wherein the mask is a ring-shaped spring member having a cut portion. In the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the surface treatment in the first step is such that the decorative coating is bonded to at least one member by vapor deposition, and the mask corresponds to the first member. A method of manufacturing a case, which is characterized by forming except for the joint portion of 1. In the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the welding in the second step is performed by irradiating the two members with the first joint and the second. The manufacturing method of the case is characterized by joining the joints. In the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the welding in the second step welds a portion different from the portion corresponding to the cut portion of the mask in the first joint portion. A method of manufacturing a case, characterized in that welding is performed over the entire circumference of the joint as a starting point. In the case manufacturing method according to claim 6, the welding range in the first joint portion and the second joint portion is longer than the entire circumference of the first joint portion and the second joint portion. The case is characterized by the fact that it is in a range where some parts are overlapped. The method for manufacturing a case according to claim 7, wherein the output of the laser beam is gradually reduced at the overlapping portion in the welding range. In the case manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in the first step, the mask is attached to the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the two members, respectively. By applying the surface treatment to each of the two members, a decorative coating is formed on each of the two members.
The second step is a method of manufacturing a case, characterized in that the mask is removed from each of the two members, and the first joint and the second joint of the two members are welded. Of the two members to be joined to each other, at least one member that has been surface-treated except for the joint and the other member to be joined to the member are welded at the joint by irradiation with a laser beam. A case characterized by that. A timepiece comprising a case formed by the method for manufacturing a case according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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