JP2740952B2 - Watches - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wristwatch equipped with a watch case and a band made of a shape memory alloy.

(2) Prior Art In the case where a shape memory alloy is used for a wristwatch band, it is used for the purpose of integrally connecting a case and a band using a spring bar or the like. On the other hand, it has been widely used to recover a desired shape by body temperature by using a shape memory alloy for a product to be worn on the human body such as underwear and eyeglass frames.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In a conventional invention using a shape memory alloy for a so-called ornament, such as a wristwatch, a shape memory alloy that returns to its original shape by body temperature, that is, the Af point is slightly lower than the body temperature. Since the material having the composition and processing history set in was used, it was returned to the original shape by attaching it to the body, even at room temperature below body temperature, that is, even in a free shape below the Ms point. I will. Therefore, it was difficult for the user to adjust the shape to the optimum shape. In addition, when permanent deformation is repeatedly applied to a general metal material, it is often broken by several to several hundred deformations.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the wristwatch is worn on the wrist, the wristwatch maintains a free shape different from the original shape of strain within several percent, and even if the shape is changed after the wrist is worn, the wristwatch or an external device such as hot water is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wristwatch provided with a band which returns to its original shape even after being worn or removed after heating by heating.

(4) Means for solving the problem In order to solve these problems, in the present invention, the Af point is set to 40 ° C.
Using a Ni-Ti-based shape memory alloy within the range not exceeding 90 ° C for the wristband of the watch, and screwing the wristwatch case and band together to recover the shape by heating the shape memory alloy On the other hand, we adopted a linking system with followability.

(5) Action Shape memory alloys, especially Ni-Ti shape memory alloys, have excellent reproducibility of the shape memory effect, and are deformed below the Ms point and manifest the shape memory effect by heating above the Af point, resulting in the original shape. It is characterized in that it is hard to be fatigued even when it is repeatedly returned, and that it can be repeatedly deformed in a martensitic state. Based on this finding, the Af point of a watch band, especially a bracelet type watch band, is between 40 and 90 ° C.
By using a Ni-Ti shape memory alloy, when worn on the human body, the band does not return to the Af point, so it does not return to its original shape above the Af point, but deforms to a free shape below the body temperature. Even if the shape fits easily when worn on the arm or a shape that expresses individuality, in a hair dryer or hot air device that can heat above the Af point, heat it in a furnace, or in a waterproof case, The band can be returned to its original shape by immersing it in warm water above the Af point. Normally, heating to about + 15 ° C higher than the Af temperature sufficiently returns to the original shape. In addition, a material having a low Af point requires a large force for deformation near room temperature, and from the above, the lower limit of the Af point is set at 40 to set the Af point higher than the body temperature.
° C. On the other hand, when the Af point is high, it is easy to be deformed at room temperature and easily formed. However, when the Af point is too high, the deformation resistance at room temperature is too small, and it is deformed by a small force. In particular, when the Af point exceeds 90 ° C, it is necessary to heat to a temperature exceeding about 100 ° C to return to the original shape,
At this time, it becomes difficult to return the band shape to the original shape with hot water or a hair dryer. This is why the upper limit of the Af point is set to 90 ° C.

In the wristwatch of the present invention, since the band is detachably connected to the back of the watch case by screwing, the band can be easily removed from the watch case, and only the band can be heated to return to the original shape. Since the end ball or end piece for safety is fixed to both ends of the band,
It is also excellent in terms of safety during use and design.

As a shape memory alloy material, in the case of a wire, a band having a diameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm can be formed by twisting or weaving.

Those having a diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 mm can be used by coating a polymer film thereon or by coating a polymer cylinder by heat shrinkage.

Those having a diameter of 1.0 to 3.0 mm can be used in a single wire state.

From the above, a wire having a diameter of 0.2 to 3.0 mm is desirable as the wire.

As a more preferable state, a single wire can be used, and a diameter of 1.0 to 2.2 mm is good in terms of shape recovery speed and strength.

This is because the larger the diameter, the slower the shape recovery speed, and the smaller the diameter of the wire, the more stranded the wire is, so the above range is appropriate.

On the other hand, in the case of a plate material, when the plate thickness is 0.1 to 1.0 mm, a band can be formed by plain weaving.

When the thickness is 0.1 to 1.5 mm, a polymer film having an increased thickness by coating a polymer film thereon can be used.

Further, as the polymer material to be coated on the surface thereof in some cases, a stretchable material such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, and tetrafluoroethylene resin is preferable.

(6) Example An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a wristwatch according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a wristwatch case containing a movement. Reference numeral 2 denotes a coil made of a Ni-Ti-based 2mm diameter shape memory alloy (made by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.) having an Af point of 46 ° C and having an inner diameter of 70mm, a pitch of 20mm, and 5 turns. It is a band. The conditions for storing the coil shape were as follows: heating at 400 ° C. for 30 minutes and air cooling. At both ends of the coil, from the viewpoint of safety and design, an end ball 4 made of brass having a diameter of 6 mm with a coating of a mixture of TiN and TiC by ion plating is swaged and further improved in adhesiveness. For this reason, it is reinforced with an epoxy adhesive.
Of course, the ball did not fall off in the test of dropping it from a height of 1m onto an oak board. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection between the watch case 1 and the shape memory alloy coil band 2 is made by screwing. Central part of wire diameter of coil band 2 A hole having a diameter of 0.90 mm is made to pass through, a rotation-stop groove 10 is formed, and a screw 9
Fix using. Due to the detent groove 10, the case did not bend with respect to the coil band. Table 1 shows the results of evaluating this wristwatch.

As shown in Table 1, the wristwatch band of Example 1 has practically sufficient performance. With this alloy with an Af point of 46 ° C, it is possible to restore the alloy to its original shape by heating it with a hair dryer while wearing it on the arm.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 shows the appearance of a wristwatch showing still another embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a watch case containing a movement. No. 2 is Ni-Ti whose Af point of shape memory alloy is 58 ℃
This is a coil band with an inner diameter of 80 mm, a pitch of 20 mm, and 5 turns made using a 2 mm diameter shape memory alloy (made by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.). The conditions for storing the coil shape were as follows: heating at 500 ° C. for 30 minutes and air cooling. No. 4 is the same as in Example 1 except that T
The iN was subjected to ion plating. For fixing to the coil band, an internal thread of M2 is cut in the ball and connected to external threads of M2 cut at both ends of the shape memory alloy coil band of No. 2. At this time, the screw of the ball is not penetrated, and by injecting epoxy-based adhesive into the screw part,
Screw fixing was able to be strengthened. Further, the case and the coil band were fixed to each other with a screw as in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 5 denotes a stainless steel ball attached to the coil band. The coil band was passed through a through hole of a stainless steel ball, and fixed by injecting an epoxy-based adhesive. Reference numeral 6 denotes an SiC ball, which is fixed to the coil band 2 in the same manner as the stainless steel ball 5. In a test in which this product was dropped on a oak board from a height of 1 m, none of the balls 4, 5, and 6 came off or moved. Table 2 shows the results of evaluating this wristwatch.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 4 shows the appearance of a wristwatch showing still another embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a watch case containing a movement. No. 3 is Ni-Ti whose Af point of the shape memory alloy is 43 ° C.
A band made of a coil made of a shape memory alloy with a thickness of 0.9 mm and a width of 12 mm, a coil with two turns of 75 mm inside diameter, 25 mm pitch and covered with a heat-shrinkable tube made of vinyl chloride. 7 is an end piece made of stainless steel. 7 and 3
Was fixed with an epoxy-based adhesive, and did not come off in a test in which it was dropped on an oak board from a height of 1 m. The case and the band are fixed with screws.
When a wristwatch was evaluated by the same method as in Examples 1 and 2, it was found that all of the corrosion resistance, the wearability on the arm, the shape memory effect, and the like were sufficiently practical.

(7) Effect of the Invention As described above, the wristwatch according to the present invention has a band containing Ni of 46 to 55%, Ti of 45 to 54% and other unavoidable elements, and an Af point of 40 to 90 ° C. -A Ti-shaped shape memory alloy processed into a spiral wire (claim 1) or a spiral plate (claim 2) is used.

Thus, in the present invention, the Af point of the coiled band is set to 40 ° C.
As described above, the band can be relatively easily deformed into an appropriate shape at room temperature and worn on the arm, so that there is no sense of incongruity after being worn on the arm, and the band shape does not return to its original shape due to body temperature. In particular, by setting the Af point to 40 ° C. or higher and 50 ° C. or lower, by heating with a hair dryer,
It is also possible to restore the watch to its original shape while wearing it on your wrist. Also, since the Af point is set to 90 ° C or less, the band does not deform at room temperature even if it collides with any hard material or is gripped with strong force at room temperature, making it relatively simple and convenient. It can be easily returned to the original shape by the heating device.

Further, in the wristwatch of the present invention, since the wrist is worn through the coiled band, there is no need to provide a buckle (clamp for the watch band) unlike a watch band generally used in the past.

In addition, the band is detachably connected to the back of the watch case by screwing, so the band can be easily removed from the watch case, only the band can be heated and returned to its original shape, and both ends of the band are safe. Since the end ball (claim 1) or the end piece (claim 2) for use is fixed, the safety in use and the design are excellent.

Further, in the wristwatch of the present invention, by applying a polymer film to the surface of the band, there is an effect that a variety of colors and textures can be enriched, and the coldness during carrying can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a wristwatch showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a structure of a wristwatch mounting portion showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of a wristwatch showing still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an external view of a wristwatch showing still another embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case with movement 2 ... Wire coil band 3 ... Plate coil band 4 ... End ball 5 ... Stainless steel ball 6 ... SiC ball 7 ... End piece 8 ... Back cover 9 ... Screw 10: Rotation stop groove

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wristwatch provided with a watch case and a band made of a shape memory alloy, wherein the band is made of 46% to 55% of Ni,
Includes 45-54% and other unavoidable elements, and Af point of 40
A Ni-Ti shape memory alloy having a temperature of ~ 90 ° C is processed into a spiral wire, and the spiral inner diameter of the band is such that an arm can be inserted therein. A wristwatch, which is detachably connected to a back surface of a watch case by a screw at a center portion, and safety end balls are fixed to both ends of the band. 2. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein said helical wire has a wire diameter of 0.2 to 3.0 mm. 3. The band includes a polyvinyl chloride, a tetrafluoroethylene resin, a polyethylene,
3. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the wristwatch is coated with a polymer material having elasticity at room temperature, such as polypropylene. 4. A wristwatch having a watch case and a band made of a shape memory alloy, wherein the band is made of 46% to 55% of Ni,
Includes 45-54% and other unavoidable elements, and Af point of 40
A Ni-Ti shape memory alloy having a temperature of ~ 90 ° C is processed into a spiral plate material, and the spiral inner diameter of the band is such that an arm can be inserted therein, and the band is substantially in the longitudinal direction of the plate material. A wristwatch wherein a center portion is detachably connected to a back surface of a watch case by screwing, and safety end pieces are fixed to both ends of the band. 5. The helical plate material has a thickness of 0.1 to 2.5 mm and a width of 1 to 5.5 mm.
Watch described in the section. 6. The band is made of polyvinyl chloride, ethylene tetrafluoride resin, polyethylene,
6. The wristwatch according to claim 4, wherein the wristwatch is coated with a polymer material having elasticity at room temperature, such as polypropylene.