JP4349701B2 - Watch exterior parts and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a timepiece exterior component and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a timepiece exterior component that can be molded with a high specific gravity resin material and that can obtain a feeling of weight and texture equivalent to titanium metal and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, portable watches made of titanium alloy have been widely used because they are effective against metal allergy and are lightweight. This portable watch made of titanium alloy is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-62466 and 9-194982 as one of methods for forming exterior parts such as cases, bezels, back covers and bands. There is. That is, this method generally adopts the following forming method. Other metal powders are mixed with titanium powder as the main material, filled in a mold, and sintered under pressure to form a desired shape.
[0003]
The exterior parts made of this titanium alloy have a specific gravity of about 4.5, and feel much lighter than parts made of metals such as zinc and brass. In addition, it has strong corrosion resistance and is effective against metal allergies. Of course, it can withstand high atmospheric pressure and can withstand pressure of 10 atm guaranteed as a watch.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described titanium alloy exterior parts have the following problems. That is, in the molding method by sintering, a portion requiring a complicated shape or a portion requiring high accuracy in dimensions cannot be molded as it is, and secondary processing such as cutting or grinding is performed after molding. It was necessary and the processing was difficult to cut, so it required processing and experience.
[0005]
Moreover, since the material cost is high and the above-mentioned secondary processing cost is incurred, the part cost is high, so the watch has a high price range.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to have a feeling of weight and texture equivalent to those of the titanium metal watch and can be formed at a low cost, and is resistant to atmospheric pressure, corrosion resistance, It is an object of the present invention to provide a watch exterior part having excellent metal allergy resistance and a method for producing the same.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the timepiece exterior component in the present invention is a timepiece exterior component such as a case, bezel, back cover, etc., and the material composition is about 400 to 580 tungsten powder with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. An exterior part for a watch, characterized in that it is formed by injection molding with a material composed of a weight part, glass fiber and inorganic powder and having a specific gravity of about 4 to 5.
[0008]
In addition, in watch exterior parts such as cases, bezels and back covers, the material composition is about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder are blended with 100 parts by weight of nylon resin, and the specific gravity Is molded integrally by insert molding so that a part of the ring-shaped metal reinforcing member having a flange portion with a substantially L-shaped cross section is exposed when molding is made of a material consisting of approximately 4-5. It is characterized by being formed.
[0009]
Further, the metal reinforcing member is characterized in that an end portion (non-exposed portion) having a substantially L-shaped cross section is provided with a protruding portion bent upward so as to increase the contact surface area with the molding resin.
[0010]
Further, the metal reinforcing member is characterized in that a large number of uneven portions are provided at the contact portion with the molding resin to increase the contact surface area with the molding resin.
[0011]
In addition, the timepiece exterior part is characterized by being subjected to a metal color surface treatment.
[0012]
Moreover, the manufacturing method of the exterior parts for timepieces of the present invention has a material composition of about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder, and a specific gravity of about 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. The step of pelletizing a material consisting of 4-5, the step of drying the pellet, and the molding conditions are as follows: cylinder temperature is approximately 260-280 ° C, mold temperature is approximately 80-100 ° C, injection pressure is approximately And a step of injection-molding the material in a mold attached to an injection molding machine under the condition of 1200 to 1600 kg / cm <2>.
[0013]
Further, the material composition is a step of pelletizing a material having a specific gravity of about 4 to 5 by blending about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. A step of drying the pellet, a step of inserting a ring-shaped metal reinforcing member having a flange portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section in a mold attached to an injection molding machine, and molding conditions In the mold in which the metal reinforcing member is inserted, the cylinder temperature is about 260 to 280 ° C., the mold temperature is about 80 to 100 ° C., and the injection pressure is about 1200 to 1600 kg / cm 2. And a step of injection-molding the material.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A timepiece exterior component according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially assembled cross-sectional view of a portable timepiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The portable timepiece 1 includes a case 2 of the present invention, a metal reinforcing member 3 formed integrally with the case 2, a crown 4 inserted into a lateral hole of the case 2, and a glass mounted on the case 2 A turn ring 5 made of stainless steel that fixes 11 and engages with the click spring 7, a register ring 6 that is mounted on the case 2 and rotates, and a case 2 and a turn on the top of the case 2. A click spring 7 fixed to the ring 5 and engaged with the register ring 6, a move 8 attached to the inside of the case 2 via a fixing member, a solar cell 9 attached on the move 8, and a solar cell 9 The dial 10 is attached to the dial plate 10 and the glass 11 is fixed to the dial ring 5 and attached to the dial 10. Although not shown in the figure, the pointer is disposed between the dial plate 10 and the glass 11 by being attached to a pointer mounting shaft protruding from the move 8. A move 8, a solar cell 9, a dial plate 10, and a pointer disposed inside are a packing 12 sandwiched between the case 2 and the crown 4, and a packing sandwiched between the case 2 and the facing ring 5. 13 and a packing 14 or the like sandwiched between the turning ring 5 and the glass 11, and is in a completely sealed state, and has a completely waterproof structure.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A shown in FIG. 1 (a portion in which a metal reinforcing member is insert-molded in the case). The metal reinforcing member 3 has a flange portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section and is formed in a ring shape. A part 3 a thereof is exposed from the case 2. The metal reinforcing member 3 is made of stainless steel and has good corrosion resistance.
[0016]
The material composition of case 2 is formed by injection molding a material in which approximately 400 parts by weight of tungsten powder, 80 parts by weight of glass fiber and 40 parts by weight of inorganic powder are blended with 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. . In the injection molding, the metal reinforcing member 3 is first inserted into the mold, and then the material is injection molded into the mold to be integrally formed with the metal reinforcing member 3.
[0017]
The specific gravity of the case molded with the above blended material is about 4th, which is slightly lighter than the specific gravity of about 4.5 parts made of the titanium alloy described above. As a result, the weight and texture were not so faint.
[0018]
The metal reinforcing member 3 is formed of stainless steel as described above, and has a function of reinforcing the case 2 against high pressure. The metal reinforcing member 3 has a flange shape with a substantially L-shaped cross section so that the contact surface area with the case 2 is increased. When the contact surface area becomes large in this way, even if a shrinkage change occurs due to the difference in the thermal shrinkage rate of both parts, the release phenomenon can be suppressed to a very low level, and the penetration of moisture and the like is prevented.
[0019]
3 and 4 are partial cross-sectional views showing the second and third embodiments of the present invention in which the shape of the metal reinforcing member is changed. In FIG. 3, the metal reinforcing member 3 </ b> A is provided with a protruding portion 3 c in which an end portion (non-exposed portion) having a substantially L-shaped cross section is bent upward. In FIG. 4, the metal reinforcing member 3 </ b> B is provided with a large number of concave and convex portions 3 d on the surface of the contact portion with the molding resin, and all have a large contact surface area with the molding resin.
[0020]
As described above, by making the metal reinforcing member 3 (3A, 3B) into the shape shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the contact surface area with the molding resin becomes very large and the penetration of moisture and the like is prevented. Can enhance the waterproof effect.
[0021]
The outer surface 2a of the case 2 is subjected to a surface treatment. In this surface treatment, a reny primer paint is applied to a thickness of about 10 to 12 μm, and then a nickel metal color metallic paint (for example, manufacturer: Nippon Kasei, paint name: effect rack, paint color: nickel # 11365). Is coated to a thickness of about 5 μm, and a hard film of silicon oxide is further applied thereon to a thickness of about 10 μm.
[0022]
This is because the primer paint improves the adhesion of the metallic paint. The hard coating prevents damage such as scratches. In this embodiment, a metallic coating with a nickel metal color tone is applied to produce a metal color tone equivalent to that of titanium metal.
[0023]
Even in recent titanium metal watches, various metal colors with different appearance colors have appeared due to surface treatment technology. Also in the present embodiment, a desired metallic appearance color tone can be obtained by using metallic paints having different color tones, and the same feeling of weight and texture as titanium metal can be felt.
[0024]
In the present embodiment described above, metallic coating is applied. Similarly, a metal appearance can be obtained by roughening the surface of the case 2 by a honing process or the like and then performing wet plating. In the plating process, it is preferable to perform copper plating or nickel plating on the base and to perform desired finish plating thereon. Nickel plating as the base copper plating improves the adhesion of the plating with the nylon resin. Similarly, a metal appearance can be obtained by metal deposition on the surface of the case 2.
[0025]
Now, the material composition of case 2 of this embodiment is composed of about 400 parts by weight of tungsten powder, about 80 parts by weight of glass fiber, and 40 parts by weight of inorganic powder made of graphite with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. A blended material having a specific gravity of about 4 was obtained, and about 100 parts by weight of nylon resin was blended with about 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, about 100 parts by weight of glass fiber, and 50 parts by weight of inorganic powder made of graphite. Even if it is a compounding material having a specific gravity of about 5, a case with an inferior texture similar to that of a titanium metal case can be obtained. Although it is a little heavy in terms of weight, if only the case with the appearance color texture of titanium metal is taken up, a significant difference in weight will not be felt, giving a weight texture that is not much different from the case of titanium metal. The range where the weight is almost the same as that of titanium metal is in the range of specific gravity of about 4-5. When the specific gravity is less than 4, the lightness is obvious, and when the specific gravity is greater than 5, the clear weight is apparent. It makes me feel the suspicion of being titanium metal.
[0026]
The register ring 6 which is an exterior part is formed by injection molding with a material in which the same specific gravity as that of the case 2 described above is blended in about 4. This does not contain a metal reinforcement member. In addition, the appearance color tone of Case 2 is the same with the same surface treatment. The timepiece incorporating the case 2 and the register ring 6 formed in this way feels almost the same texture as a titanium metal timepiece.
[0027]
The effect | action is demonstrated by the said structure. First, as for the characteristics of the high specific gravity resin composed of the above-described material composition, nylon resin is suitable for high pressure resistance because it is strong in tensile strength and bending strength and also has impact resistance. Moreover, since it has strong chemical resistance, it is suitable for exterior parts. Further, by adding glass fiber, the mechanical strength is increased, and the heat resistance and dimensional stability are also increased, so that it can be suitably used as a precision part.
[0028]
Furthermore, metal plating can be directly applied, and a metal film can be formed to give a metallic feeling.
[0029]
Tungsten is very heavy with a specific gravity of 19, and the blending capacity may be small in order to produce a weight texture equivalent to that of titanium. If there is little compounding capacity, moldability can be improved. In addition, irregularly shaped powder is used as the tungsten powder, and the strength of the molded product can be increased by strengthening the degree of bonding with the resin. Furthermore, it has little effect on metal allergy.
[0030]
As described above, the glass fiber increases the bonding strength of the molded structure and increases the strength of the molded product.
[0031]
The inorganic powder is added for the purpose of facilitating coloring and roughening the surface, and various shades can be adjusted. In addition, the surface can be easily roughened. Surface roughening (fine irregularities on the surface) is an indispensable process for plating, and roughening is performed by the honing method, etc., but the inorganic powder peels off during honing, so that the irregularities can be made faster and rougher. It becomes easier to surface.
[0032]
As the inorganic powder, graphite powder is selected as the inorganic powder, and nickel powder is selected as the other powder. A gray color can be obtained by adding nickel powder.
[0033]
Setting the blending amount so that the specific gravity is about 4 to 5 is because the specific gravity of titanium is 4.5, so if the specific gravity is in the range of about 4 to 5 in terms of weight, the texture will be dark. Because there is no.
[0034]
Moreover, insert-molding the metal reinforcing member described above can take a structure that can withstand high atmospheric pressure. Moreover, since stainless steel is used as the material of the metal reinforcing member, the corrosion resistance is also good. Furthermore, when the shape of the metal reinforcing member is as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 and the contact surface area with the molding resin is increased, a very high waterproof effect can be obtained. Further, for example, it is possible to adopt a structure in which a part of the exposed surface of the metal reinforcing member is cut to finish smoothly and engaged with the turn ring via the packing.
[0035]
In addition, the above-described surface treatment of metal plating, metallic coating, and metal vapor deposition can produce a texture that is comparable to the appearance of titanium. Metal plating is performed by roughening the surface of the nylon resin. When precious metal plating is applied to the base by copper plating or nickel plating, a high-quality metal plating can be obtained.
[0036]
Metallic paint can be applied with various metallic appearances. When metallic coating is applied, adhesion is improved by applying a primer to the base. In addition, it is preferable to apply a glass-coated top coat on the metallic coating in order to maintain the hardness. Various metal colors can be produced by metal deposition. The above metal plating, metallic coating, etc. can be made inexpensively.
[0037]
By the above method, a metallic appearance can be obtained, and a surface appearance having the same texture as titanium can be obtained at a low cost.
[0038]
Next, a method for manufacturing a watch exterior part according to the present invention will be described.
First, the manufacturing method of case 2 has a material composition of about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, 80 to 100 parts by weight of glass fiber, and 40 to 50 parts by weight of inorganic powder with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. Then, a step of pelletizing a material having a specific gravity of approximately 4 to 5, a step of drying the pellet, and a mold attached to the injection molding machine by placing the material in the material supply unit (hopper) of the injection molding machine The step of inserting the ring-shaped metal reinforcing member 3 having a flange portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section into a predetermined position and the molding conditions are that the cylinder temperature is approximately 260 to 280 ° C., gold Mold temperature is about 80-1
A step of injection-molding the material into a mold having the metal reinforcing member 3 inserted thereon under the conditions of 00 ° C. and an injection pressure of about 1200 to 1600 kg / cm 2, and opening the mold and taking out a molded part Thus, Case 2 is obtained.
[0039]
Similarly, the manufacturing method of the register ring 6 is the same as the other steps except for the step of inserting the metal reinforcing member 3 in the manufacturing process of the case 2 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a part is formed by injection molding with a nylon resin containing tungsten powder, and a surface treatment that is almost the same quality as titanium metal can be obtained by applying a simple surface treatment such as plating or painting. Can be formed.
[0041]
Further, by using a strong nylon resin and inserting glass fiber, the pressure resistance of 10 atm guaranteed as a watch can be sufficiently satisfied. Furthermore, the further pressure-resistant improvement effect can be acquired by inserting a metal reinforcement member.
[0042]
Moreover, a sufficient waterproof effect can be exhibited by forming the metal reinforcing member in a flange shape or enlarging the contact surface between the metal reinforcing member and the resin.
[0043]
In addition, the use of tungsten powder with a high specific gravity makes it possible to increase the amount of nylon resin, which improves the fluidity of the material in injection molding and enables the molding of parts with high accuracy, as well as the cylinders and molds of molding machines. Can reduce wear.
[0044]
As described above, a watch exterior part having the same weight and texture as a titanium metal watch and can be formed at a low cost, and excellent in pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and metal allergy resistance, and its manufacture A method can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial assembly sectional view of a portable timepiece according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part A shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which a metal reinforcing member is inserted into a case showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which a metal reinforcing member is insert-molded in a case showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile watch 2 Case 2a Case outer surface 3 Metal reinforcement member 6 Register ring
13 packing

Claims (7)

In watch exterior parts such as cases, bezels and back covers, the material composition is approximately 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder, and specific gravity is approximately 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. An exterior part for a watch, which is formed by injection molding with a material consisting of 4-5. In watch exterior parts such as cases, bezels and back covers, the material composition is approximately 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder, and specific gravity is approximately 100 parts by weight of nylon resin. When molding with a material consisting of 4-5, injection molding is integrally performed by insert molding so that a part of the ring-shaped metal reinforcing member having a flange portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section is exposed. A watch exterior part characterized by being formed. 3. The timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the metal reinforcing member is provided with a protrusion having a substantially L-shaped section (non-exposed portion) bent at an upper portion to increase a contact surface area with the molding resin. Exterior parts. The timepiece exterior component according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the metal reinforcing member is provided with a large number of uneven portions at a contact portion with the molding resin to increase a contact surface area with the molding resin. The timepiece exterior component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the timepiece exterior component has been subjected to a surface treatment of a metal color tone. In the method of manufacturing a watch exterior part such as a case, bezel, and back cover, the material composition is about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder are blended with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin, A step of pelletizing a material having a specific gravity of about 4 to 5, a step of drying the pellet, and molding conditions are a cylinder temperature of about 260 to 280 ° C., a mold temperature of about 80 to 100 ° C., and injection. Manufacturing a watch exterior part characterized by comprising: a step of injection molding the material in a mold attached to an injection molding machine under a pressure of about 1200 to 1600 kg / cm @ 2. Method. In the method of manufacturing a watch exterior part such as a case, bezel, and back cover, the material composition is about 400 to 580 parts by weight of tungsten powder, glass fiber and inorganic powder are blended with respect to 100 parts by weight of nylon resin, A step of pelletizing a material having a specific gravity of about 4 to 5, a step of drying the pellet, and a ring having a substantially L-shaped flange in the mold attached to the injection molding machine The step of inserting the metal reinforcing member and the molding conditions are such that the cylinder temperature is approximately 260 to 280 ° C., the mold temperature is approximately 80 to 100 ° C., and the injection pressure is approximately 1200 to 1600 kg / cm 2. And a step of injection-molding the material into a mold having the metal reinforcing member inserted therein.

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