JP7342925B2 - How to manufacture pointers and watches - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a pointer used in instruments such as a wristwatch or a meter, and a method for manufacturing a timepiece including the same.

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, wristwatch hands have a structure in which a recess or hole with a decorative pattern is formed in the main body of the hand using a laser beam.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-95892

However, since the hands of such watches have a structure in which the needle body is provided with a recess or hole with a decorative pattern, even if the weight of the needle body can be reduced by using the recess or hole, the strength of the needle body is reduced. The problem is that it is not possible to secure the

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pointer that can reduce weight and ensure strength, and a method for manufacturing a timepiece including the same.

This first invention includes a first step of cutting out a metal plate-like material along the outer shape of the needle body; a second step of forming a recessed portion while leaving an edge of the needle main body, and forming a reinforcing portion on the edge of the needle main body ; The wall thickness of the needle body in the plane direction is thicker than the wall thickness of the needle body at a portion corresponding to the dug portion, and is formed to be equal to or thinner than the thickness of the plate-like material of the needle body. This is a method for manufacturing a guideline, which is characterized by the following.
This other invention includes a first step of cutting out a metal plate material along the outer shape of the needle body, and at least one of the front and back surfaces of the plate material of the needle body cut out in the first step. a second step of forming a dug portion leaving an edge of the needle body and forming a reinforcing portion on the edge of the needle body; The recessed portion is formed so as to become gradually deeper from the other end of the needle body toward the tip, which is one end, so that the center of gravity of the needle body is located at the center of the attachment portion. This is a method for producing guidelines.

According to this invention, it is possible to reduce the weight and ensure sufficient strength.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of essential parts of a timepiece module in an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. The pointer shown in FIG. 1 is shown, in which (a) is an enlarged back view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the pointer shown in FIG. 2 , showing a state in which the pointer is processed with a laser beam. A first modified example of the pointer to which the present invention is applied is shown, in which (a) is an enlarged back view showing the main parts thereof, and (b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB. A second modified example of the pointer to which the present invention is applied is shown, in which (a) is an enlarged back view showing the main parts thereof, and (b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC. A third modified example of the pointer to which the present invention is applied is shown, in which (a) is an enlarged back view showing the main parts thereof, and (b) is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line DD. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a pointer according to a fourth modification to which the present invention is applied, showing a state in which the pointer is processed with a laser beam. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a pointer according to a fifth modification to which the present invention is applied, showing a state in which the pointer is processed with a laser beam. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a pointer according to a sixth modification to which the present invention is applied, showing a state in which the pointer is processed with a laser beam. Other modifications of the guide to which this invention is applied are shown, (a) is an enlarged sectional view of the main part showing the seventh modification, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view of the main part showing the eighth modification. It is a diagram.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
This wristwatch includes a timepiece module 1, as shown in FIG. This watch module 1 is installed inside a watch case (not shown) and includes a housing 2. A dial plate 3 is arranged on the upper surface of the housing 2, and a timepiece movement 4 is provided inside the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, this timepiece movement 4 includes a pointer shaft 5 that protrudes above the dial 3 through a through hole 3a of the dial 3, and a pointer 6 is attached to the upper end of the pointer shaft 5. It is configured. Thereby, the timepiece movement 4 is configured to indicate the time by rotating the pointer shaft 5 and moving the pointer 6 above the dial 3.

The pointer 6 includes a needle body 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The needle body 7 includes a needle attachment portion 8 called a hook and a decorative portion 9, and is configured such that the needle attachment portion 8 is attached to the upper end portion of the pointer shaft 5. In this case, the needle body 7 is formed into an elongated shape from a plate-shaped metal material such as aluminum or brass.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the needle body 7 has a tip end 7a (right end in FIG. 2(a)) that is one end tapered, and the other end is tapered. 7b (the left end in FIG. 2(a)) is formed wide. The needle attachment part 8 is the center of rotation of the needle body 7, and is provided penetrating through the front and back surfaces of the needle body 7 at a position biased towards the other end 7b side from the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7. It has a mounting hole 8a which is a circular opening. The decorative portion 9 includes an elongated hole 9a that is an opening provided at a portion of the needle body 7 located between the tip portion 7a of the needle body 7 and the needle attachment portion 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the back surface of the needle body 7 includes an edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7, an edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8, and a decoration. A dug portion 10 is provided by laser machining, leaving the edge of the elongated hole 9a of the portion 9. As a result, reinforcing portions 11 are formed as side wall portions at the edges located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7, the edges of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8, and the edges of the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9. ing.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3, the reinforcing portion 11 is formed in a frame shape at an edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7 so as to surround the needle body 7. At the same time, a cylindrical frame is formed at the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8 so as to surround the attachment hole 8a, and a rectangular frame is formed at the edge of the long hole 9a of the decorative part 9 so as to surround the long hole 9a. It is formed in the shape of

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3, the needle body 7 has a wall thickness t1 at a portion of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10. The needle body 7 is formed thinner than half the thickness T of the plate material of the needle body 7 before being provided (t1<T). For example, the wall thickness t1 of the portion of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10 is approximately 1/2T to 4/5T of the thickness T of the plate-like material of the needle body 7.

In other words, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3, the grooved portion 10 of the needle body 7 is formed in consideration of heat damage caused by laser processing when the surface of the needle body 7 is mirror-finished. For example, the plate thickness T of the plate material is 0.18 mm, the depth S of the dug portion 10 is 0.07 mm, and the wall thickness t1 of the portion of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10 is 0.11 mm. It is formed of. The wall thickness t1 of the portion of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10 is the limit thickness by laser processing in the case of mirror finishing.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the carved portion 10 of the needle body 7 is designed in consideration of heat damage caused by laser processing when the surface of the needle body 7 is not mirror-finished. For example, the thickness T of the plate material is 0.13 mm, the depth S of the dug portion 10 is 0.05 mm, and the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10 is 0.08 mm. has been done. The wall thickness t1 of the portion of the needle body 7 corresponding to the dug portion 10 is the limit thickness by laser processing when the needle body 7 is not mirror finished.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3, the length t2 (height) of the reinforcing portion 11 in the thickness direction of the needle body 7 is It is formed to have the same length (t2=S) as the depth S of 10. In this case, the recessed part 10 of the needle body 7 is extended from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 to one end so that the center of the needle attachment part 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7, is the center of gravity of the needle body 7. It is desirable that the depth be gradually deepened toward the tip 7a.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 3, this reinforcing portion 11 has a length W (wall thickness) in the plane direction of the needle body 7 corresponding to the digging portion 10. The length is thicker than the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 at the location (W>t1), and is the same as the thickness T of the plate-like material of the needle body 7 (W=T), or shorter than that (t1<W<T ) is formed. For example, the wall thickness W of the reinforcing portion 11 is approximately half the thickness T of the plate-like material of the needle body 7 (W=1/2T).

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the overall volume of the needle body 7 is reduced by the dug portion 10, so that the weight of the needle main body 7 as a whole is reduced and Even if the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 corresponding to the recessed portion 10 is small, the reinforcement portion 11 is configured to ensure the strength of the needle body 7 as a whole.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), this needle body 7 has a needle attached to the center of the needle mounting portion 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7, through the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9. It is configured such that the center of gravity of the main body 7 is located. In this case, the needle body 7 can also be formed by forming the recessed part 10 of the needle body 7 so that it gradually becomes deeper from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 toward the tip 7a that is one end. The center of gravity of the needle body 7 is located at the center of the needle mounting portion 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7.

Further, the surface of the needle body 7 is subjected to surface treatment. This surface treatment includes mirror finish, hairline finish, matte finish, etc., as well as alumite treatment when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of aluminum, and when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of metal such as aluminum or brass. This includes plating with gold, silver, etc.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the decorative portion 9 may include a luminous material (not shown) enclosed in the elongated hole 9a. In this case, the length from the upper surface of the needle body 7 to the lower end of the reinforcing portion 11 in the elongated hole 9a is the same length as the thickness T of the plate-like material of the needle body 7, for example 0.15 mm to It may be formed to have a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

Next, the case of manufacturing this pointer 6 will be explained.
First, a metal plate material such as aluminum or brass is cut out along the outer shape of the needle body 7 by laser processing or press processing. At this time, the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8 and the long hole 9a of the decorative part 9 are formed in the needle body 7 at the same time.

A recessed portion 10 is formed on the back surface of the cut out plate-like material of the needle body 7 by laser processing. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. , the laser beam R is scanned while being irradiated with constant energy.

At this time, the plate-like material at the location irradiated with the laser beam R instantly melts and scatters, thereby forming the dug portion 10. In this case, in order to prevent heat damage such as oxidation on the surface of the needle body 7, it is desirable to process in an atmosphere of an inert gas such as argon, helium, or nitrogen. This provides the effect of cooling the surface of the needle body 7, which is a non-processed surface.

In addition, at this time, when scanning while irradiating the laser beam R with a constant energy, the laser beam R is reflected by a mirror (not shown) and while the needle body 7 is irradiated, the angle of the mirror is slightly adjusted. By changing the distance in increments, the laser beam R can be scanned accurately and precisely. Therefore, the dug portion 10 is reliably and satisfactorily formed at an accurate depth in accordance with the scanning of the laser beam R.

As a result, the dug portion 10 is formed with a uniform depth, and the edges located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7, the edges of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8, and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9 are formed. Reinforcements 11 are formed at each edge. In this case, the digging portion 10 of the needle body 7 may be formed with a uniform depth S, but it may be formed so that the depth gradually increases from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 to the tip 7a, which is one end. It is desirable to form.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the reinforcing part 11 is formed in a frame shape at the edge located on the outer periphery of the needle main body 7 so as to surround the needle main body 7. , a cylindrical frame is formed at the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8 so as to surround the attachment hole 8a, and a rectangular frame is formed at the edge of the long hole 9a of the decorative part 9 so as to surround the long hole 9a. It is formed. In this state, even if the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 is made thin due to the digging portion 10, the overall strength of the needle body 7 is ensured by the reinforcing portion 11.

In this case, the needle body 7 is formed by the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9 such that the center of gravity of the needle body 7 is located at the center of the needle attachment portion 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7. Further, the needle body 7 can also be formed by forming the recessed part 10 of the needle body 7 so that it gradually becomes deeper from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 toward the tip 7a that is one end. The center of gravity of the needle body 7 is located at the center of the needle attachment portion 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7.

Further, when surface-treating the needle body 7, the surface treatment may be performed before forming the dug portion 10 on the needle body 7, or the surface treatment may be performed after forming the dug portion 10. . This surface treatment includes mirror finish, hairline finish, matte finish, etc., as well as alumite treatment when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of aluminum, and when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of metal such as aluminum or brass. This includes plating with gold, silver, etc.

Next, the action of such a pointer 6 will be explained.
When attaching this pointer 6 to the pointer shaft 5 of the timepiece movement 4, attach the upper end of the pointer shaft 5 to the cylindrical reinforcing portion 11 provided at the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8 of the needle body 7. It is fitted from the back side of the needle body 7. As a result, the pointer 6 is attached to the pointer shaft 5.

At this time, even if the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 is thin due to the digging portion 10, the cylindrical reinforcing portion 11 provided at the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8 provides sufficient attachment strength to the pointer shaft 5. Since this is ensured, the pointer 6 can be securely and firmly attached to the pointer shaft 5. Thereby, the pointer 6 rotates reliably and favorably as the pointer shaft 5 rotates.

In this case, the needle body 7 is formed by the elongated hole 9a of the decorative part 9 and the digging part 10 that gradually becomes deeper from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 toward the tip 7a, which is one end. Since the center of gravity of the needle body 7 is located at the center of the needle attachment part 8, which is the center of rotation, the needle body 7 rotates about the pointer shaft 5 in a well-balanced manner.

That is, the volume of the needle body 7 is reduced by the digging portion 10 and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9, so that the weight of the needle body 7 is reduced, and the center portion of the needle attachment portion 8 is Since the center of gravity of the needle body 7 is located, when the needle body 7 rotates with the rotation of the pointer shaft 5, the load on the motor of the watch movement 4 can be kept small, thereby extending the battery life. .

As described above, the pointer 6 of this wristwatch includes the needle body 7 made of a plate-shaped material, the recessed part 10 provided on the back side of the needle body 7 leaving the edge of the needle body 7, and the recessed part 10. By providing the reinforcing part 11 provided at the edge of the needle body 7 by the insertion part 10, the weight of the needle body 7 can be reduced, and the strength of the needle body 7 can be ensured. . For this reason, the needle main body 7 can be formed to have a wide width, and the needle main body 7 can be formed into a long needle, so that the needle main body 7 can be made large.

That is, in this pointer 6, the volume of the needle body 7 can be reduced by providing the hollow part 10 in the needle body 7, so that the weight of the needle body 7 as a whole can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the entire needle body 7. Therefore, the load on the motor of the timepiece movement 4 caused by the hand body 7 can be suppressed to a small extent, so that the battery life can be extended.

In addition, in this pointer 6, since the reinforcing part 11 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the needle body 7, even if the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 is made thin by the digging part 10, the entire needle body 7 is Strength can be ensured. Therefore, the needle body 7 can be securely attached to the pointer shaft 5, and bending and twisting of the needle body 7 can be prevented. The needle body 7 can be moved smoothly.

In addition, in this pointer 6, the needle body 7 is provided with the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8 and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative part 9 penetrating the front and back surfaces of the needle body 7. By providing the reinforcing portions 11 at each edge of the attachment hole 8a and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9, the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8 and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9 can be connected to the needle body 7. Even if a needle is provided, the strength of the entire needle body 7 can be ensured by the reinforcing portions 11 provided at each edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8 and the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9.

Therefore, in this pointer 6, the upper end of the pointer shaft 5 can be fitted into the cylindrical reinforcing portion 11 provided at the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment portion 8, so that the needle body 7 can be attached to the pointer shaft. 5 can be firmly attached. Further, in this pointer 6, the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9 makes it possible to further reduce the weight of the needle body 7, and to improve the decorativeness and design.

In this case, the center of gravity of the needle body 7 can be located at the center of the needle mounting portion 8, which is the center of rotation of the needle body 7, by the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9. Therefore, when the needle body 7 is attached to the pointer shaft 5 and the needle body 7 moves as the needle shaft 5 rotates, the needle body 7 can be rotated in a well-balanced manner around the needle attachment part 8. This also allows the battery life to be extended.

In addition, in this pointer 6, the depth S of the recessed portion 10 is deeper than half the thickness T of the plate-like material of the needle body 7, and is formed at a depth that is at the machining limit. The wall thickness t1 can be formed to the minimum thickness, thereby making it possible to further reduce the weight of the needle main body 7, so that the needle main body 7 can be further reduced in weight.

In this case, the center of rotation of the needle body 7 can be maintained by forming the recessed part 10 so that it gradually becomes deeper from the other end 7b of the needle body 7 toward the tip 7a, which is one end. Since the center of gravity of the needle body 7 can be located at the center of a certain needle attachment part 8, the needle body 7 can be rotated with good balance around the needle attachment part 8.

In addition, in this pointer 6, the wall thickness W of the reinforcing portion 11 in the surface direction of the needle body 7 is thicker than the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 at a portion corresponding to the dug portion 10, and the needle body 7 has a plate-like shape. By forming the material to be the same as the thickness T or thinner than that, even if the wall thickness t1 of the needle body 7 is made thinner by forming the recessed portion 10 in the needle body 7, the reinforcing portion 11 will prevent the needle from forming. Sufficient strength of the main body 7 can be ensured, and thereby bending and twisting of the needle main body 7 can be reliably and well prevented.

Furthermore, in this pointer 6, the dug portion 10 is processed by the laser beam R, which is an energy beam, so that the dug portion 10 can be formed with high precision. That is, by scanning the laser beam R while irradiating it with a constant energy, it is possible to form the dug portion 10 with a uniform depth and to form the groove 10 well, and also to form the grooves 10 on the outer periphery of the needle body 7 and the needle attachment area. The reinforcing portions 11 can be precisely formed at the edges of the attachment hole 8a of the portion 8 and the edge of the elongated hole 9a of the decorative portion 9, respectively.

In this case, when processing the dug portion 10 with the laser beam R, the processing is performed in an atmosphere of an inert gas such as argon, helium, or nitrogen, so that the unprocessed surface of the needle body 7 is processed by the inert gas. Since the effect of cooling the surface can be obtained, thermal damage such as oxidation on the surface of the needle body 7 can be prevented, and processing can be performed with even higher precision.

In addition, when scanning while irradiating the laser beam R with a constant energy, the laser beam R is reflected by a mirror (not shown) and irradiated onto the needle body 7, so that the angle of the mirror can be simply changed. Since the laser beam R can be scanned accurately and the laser beam R can be easily controlled, this also allows for highly accurate processing.

Further, in this pointer 6, the needle body 7 is surface-treated, so that the decorativeness can be enhanced. In other words, this surface treatment includes mirror finishing, hairline finishing, satin finishing, etc., as well as alumite treatment when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of aluminum, and when the plate-like material of the needle body 7 is made of metal such as aluminum or brass. In this case, plating with gold, silver, etc. can provide excellent corrosion resistance and enhance decorativeness.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, when the reinforcing part 11 is provided at the edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7, the edge of the attachment hole 8a of the needle attachment part 8, and the edge of the elongated hole 9a of the decorative part 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, the first modification shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), or the second modification shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). For example, as shown in the third modified example shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the reinforcing portion 11 may be provided.

That is, the reinforcing portion 11 of the first modified example shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) includes, in addition to the edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7, the reinforcing portion 11 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7. It is provided along the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7 at the intermediate portion in the width direction. By providing the reinforcing portion 11 in this manner, the strength of the needle body 7 can be further increased than in the embodiment described above.

In addition, the reinforcing portion 11 of the second modified example shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) has an edge portion located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7 as well as an edge portion perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7. A plurality of needles are provided along the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7 at predetermined intervals in the width direction. By providing a plurality of reinforcing portions 11 at predetermined intervals in this manner, the strength of the needle body 7 can be further increased than in the first modification described above.

Furthermore, the reinforcing portions 11 of the third modified example shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7, in addition to the edge portion located on the outer periphery of the needle body 7. For each needle body 7, a plurality of needles are provided along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the needle body 7. By providing a plurality of reinforcing portions 11 at predetermined intervals in this manner, the strength of the needle body 7 can be further increased than in the embodiment described above.

Further, in the embodiment and the first to third modifications described above, the case where the dug portion 10 provided on the back surface of the needle body 7 is formed in a flat concave shape is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dug portion may be formed, for example, as shown in the fourth modification shown in FIG. 7, the fifth modification shown in FIG. 8, or the sixth modification shown in FIG.

That is, in the fourth modified example shown in FIG. 7, the recessed portion 16 of the needle main body 15 is formed in a mountain shape in which the middle portion of the needle main body 15 in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is deeply dug. In this case, when processing the dug portion 16 on the back surface of the needle body 15 with the laser beam R, the laser beam R may be scanned while changing the energy of the laser beam R.

For example, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 15, from the reinforcing part 11 of the edge on one end side (left end side in FIG. 7) of the needle body 15 to the intermediate part of the needle body 15. The energy of the laser beam R is gradually increased (from level 1 to level 4) to form the dug portion 16 gradually deeper.

Then, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually weakened (from level 3 to level 1) from the middle part of the needle body 15 toward the edge reinforcement part 11 on the other end side (right end side in FIG. 7) of the needle body 15. ) to gradually make the depth of the dug portion 16 shallower. As a result, a mountain-shaped digging portion 16 with a deep middle portion is formed on the back surface of the needle body 15.

In this case, when forming the upper surface of the needle body 15 into a mountain shape, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 15 made of a plate-like material, one end side of the needle body 15 is The energy of the laser beam R is gradually weakened (from level 3 to level 0) from the edge (left end side in FIG. 7) toward the middle part of the needle body 15. Then, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually strengthened (from level 0 to level 3) from the middle part of the needle body 15 toward the edge of the other end (the right end in FIG. 7) of the needle body 15. good. As a result, the upper surface of the needle body 15 is formed into a mountain shape.

Further, in the fifth modification shown in FIG. 8, the recessed portion 18 of the needle main body 17 is formed in a step shape in which the intermediate portion in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the needle main body 17 is deeply dug. In this case as well, when processing the dug portion 18 on the back surface of the needle body 17 with the laser beam R, the laser beam R may be scanned while changing the energy of the laser beam R.

For example, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 17, from the reinforcing part 11 of the edge on one end side (left end side in FIG. 8) of the needle body 17 to the intermediate part of the needle body 17. The energy of the laser beam R is uniformly irradiated with a constant intensity (level 1) toward one end (the left end in FIG. 8) of the recess 17a. When the needle body 17 is located at one end of the concave portion 17a in the intermediate portion, the energy of the laser beam R is increased (level 3) to uniformly irradiate the needle.

After this, the energy of the laser beam R is kept constant from the other end of the recess 17a (the right end in FIG. 8) toward the reinforcing part 11 at the edge of the needle body 17 on the other end side (the right end in FIG. 8). It is sufficient to uniformly irradiate the light at the intensity (level 1). As a result, a recessed portion 18 is formed on the back surface of the needle body 7, with the intermediate portion being deeply recessed.

In this case as well, when forming the convex portion 17b on the upper surface of the needle body 17, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 17 made of a plate-like material, The energy of the laser beam R is directed from the edge of one end (left end in FIG. 8) to one end (left end in FIG. 8) of the convex portion 17b in the middle of the needle body 17 at a constant intensity (level). 2) Achieve uniform irradiation.

Then, the energy of the laser beam R is directed from the other end of the convex portion 17b of the needle body 17 (right end side in FIG. 8) to the edge of the other end side of the needle body 7 (right end side in FIG. 8). It is sufficient to irradiate uniformly with a constant intensity (level 2). As a result, a convex portion 17b is formed on the upper surface of the needle body 17.

Furthermore, in the sixth modification shown in FIG. 9, the dug portion 21 of the needle body 20 has a shape in which the intermediate portion in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the needle body 20 is deeply dug into a mountain-shaped recess 20a. It is formed. In this case as well, when processing the dug portion 21 on the back surface of the needle body 20 with the laser beam R, the laser beam R may be scanned while changing the energy of the laser beam R.

For example, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 20, from the reinforcing part 11 of the edge on the one end side (left end side in FIG. 9) of the needle body 20 to the middle part of the needle body 20. The energy of the laser beam R is uniformly irradiated with a constant intensity (level 1) toward one end (the left end in FIG. 9) of the recess 20a.

When the needle body 20 is located at one end of the concave portion 20a in the intermediate portion, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually increased (from level 1 to level 3) to dig toward the intermediate portion of the concave portion 20a. The portion 21 is formed gradually deeper. After that, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually weakened (from level 3 to level 1) from the middle part of the recess 20a of the needle body 20 toward the other end (right end in FIG. 9) of the recess 20a. The dug portion 21 is formed to become gradually shallower.

Then, the energy of the laser beam R is kept constant from the other end of the recess 20a (the right end in FIG. 9) toward the reinforcing portion 11 of the edge of the needle body 20 at the other end (the right end in FIG. 9). irradiate uniformly at the intensity (level 1). As a result, a dug portion 21 is formed on the back surface of the needle body 20, with the intermediate portion being deeply recessed in the shape of a mountain.

Also in this case, when forming the mountain-shaped convex portion 20b on the upper surface of the needle body 20, when scanning the laser beam R along the width direction of the needle body 20 made of a plate-like material, the needle The energy of the laser beam R is directed from the edge of one end of the main body 20 (the left end in FIG. 9) to one end of the protrusion 20b in the middle of the needle main body 20 (the left end in FIG. 9). Irradiate uniformly at intensity (level 2).

When the laser beam R reaches one end of the convex portion 20b of the needle body 20, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually weakened (from level 2 to level 0) from the one end toward the apex of the convex portion 20b. Thereafter, the energy of the laser beam R is gradually increased (from level 0 to level 2) from the apex of the convex portion 20b of the needle body 20 toward the other end (right end side in FIG. 9) of the convex portion 20b.

Then, the energy of the laser beam R is directed from the other end of the convex portion 20b of the needle body 20 toward the edge of the other end (the right end in FIG. 9) of the needle body 20 at a constant intensity (level 2). It is best to irradiate it evenly. As a result, a mountain-shaped convex portion 20b is formed on the upper surface of the needle body 20.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and the first to sixth modifications described above, but also includes, for example, the seventh modification shown in FIG. 10(a) or the eighth modification shown in FIG. 10(b). The needle body may be formed as shown in FIG.

That is, the seventh modification shown in FIG. 10(a) has a structure in which dug portions 23a and 23b are provided on the front and back surfaces of the needle body 23. That is, this needle body 23 is provided with a reinforcing portion 24 on the edge of the back surface located on the outer periphery, and two dug portions 23a are provided on the surface of the needle body 23 along the longitudinal direction of the needle body 23. Three grooved portions 23b are provided on the back surface of the needle body 23 in a groove shape along the longitudinal direction of the needle body 23.

In this case, the two grooves 23a on the front surface of the needle body 23 and the three grooves 23b on the back surface of the needle body 23 are provided at positions shifted from each other. Even if the recessed portions 23a and 23b are provided on the front and back surfaces of the needle body 23 in this way, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above can be obtained. , 23b, the design quality can be improved.

Further, the needle main body 25 of the eighth modification shown in FIG. It has a structure in which the outer surface is formed into an undercut shape. Further, the dug portion 26 may be provided in accordance with the undercut shape of the outer surface of the reinforcing portion 27. That is, the outer surface of the reinforcing part 27 of the needle main body 25 is inclined upwardly from the lower end of the reinforcing part 27 toward the upper surface, which is the surface of the needle main body 25. Thereby, the shape of the needle body 25 becomes sharp, so that the design quality can be improved.

In addition, although the above-mentioned embodiment and each modification example described the case where it was applied to a pointer-type wristwatch, this invention does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, and can be applied to, for example, a travel watch, an alarm clock, a table clock, a wall clock, etc. It can be applied to various pointer type watches. Further, the present invention does not necessarily have to be applied to a watch, but can also be applied to instruments such as a meter.

Although one embodiment of this invention has been described above, this invention is not limited to this, but includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
Below, the inventions described in the claims of the present application will be additionally described.

(Additional note)
The invention according to claim 1 provides a needle body made of a plate-like material, a recessed portion provided with an edge of the needle body left on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the needle body, and the recessed portion. A reinforcing portion provided at the edge of the needle body by a portion.

The invention according to claim 2 is the pointer according to claim 1, in which the needle body is provided with an opening that penetrates through the front and back surfaces, and the reinforcing portion is provided at the edge of the opening. These guidelines are characterized by the fact that they have been established.

The invention according to claim 3 is the pointer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the depth of the dug portion is deeper than half the thickness of the plate material of the needle body. These guidelines are characterized by the fact that

The invention according to claim 4 is the pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing portion has a wall thickness in a plane direction of the needle body at a portion corresponding to the digging portion. The pointer is characterized in that it is thicker than the wall thickness of the needle body and is formed to be the same as or thinner than the thickness of the plate-like material of the needle body.

The invention according to claim 5 is the pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dug portion is processed by an energy beam.

The invention according to claim 6 is a timepiece characterized in that it is equipped with the pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

1 Clock module 2 Housing 3 Dial plate 4 Clock movement 5 Pointer shaft 6 Pointers 7, 15, 17, 20, 23, 25 Needle body 8 Needle mounting portion 8a Mounting hole 9 Decoration portion 9a Long hole 10, 16, 18, 21, 23a, 23b, 26 digging portion 11, 24, 27 reinforcing portion R laser beam

Claims (9)

A first step of cutting out a metal plate material along the outer shape of the needle body;
A dug portion is formed on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the plate-like material of the needle body cut out in the first step, leaving an edge of the needle body, and a reinforcing portion is formed on the edge of the needle body. a second step of forming;
including;
In the second step, the reinforcing portion is formed such that the wall thickness in the surface direction of the needle body is thicker than the wall thickness of the needle body at a portion corresponding to the dug portion, and the plate-like material of the needle body A method for manufacturing a pointer, characterized in that the pointer is formed to have a thickness equal to or thinner than that of the pointer. A first step of cutting out a metal plate material along the outer shape of the needle body;
A dug portion is formed on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the plate-like material of the needle body cut out in the first step, leaving an edge of the needle body, and a reinforcing portion is formed on the edge of the needle body. a second step of forming;
including;
In the second step, the digging portion is gradually deepened from the other end of the needle body toward the tip, which is one end, so that the center of gravity of the needle body is located at the center of the needle attachment portion. A method for manufacturing a pointer, characterized in that the recessed portion is formed as shown in FIG. The method for manufacturing a pointer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first step includes a step of forming an opening that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the needle body. . In the method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The edge includes an edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body and an edge of an opening penetrating the front and back surfaces of the needle body,
The method for manufacturing a pointer, wherein the second step includes a step of forming the dug portion by laser processing in a region other than the edge. In the method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in the second step, the depth of the dug portion is formed to be deeper than half the thickness of the plate-like material of the needle body. A method for manufacturing a guideline, which is characterized by: The method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a third step of performing a surface treatment before or after the second step. Method. In the method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the second step includes forming an edge located on the outer periphery of the needle body and an edge of an opening penetrating the front and back surfaces of the needle body. A method for manufacturing a pointer, comprising the steps of: forming the reinforcing portion on the reinforcing portion. In the method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in the second step, the reinforcing portion is attached to an edge portion located on the outer periphery of the needle body in a frame shape so as to surround the needle body. 1. A method for manufacturing a pointer, comprising: forming an opening penetrating through the front and back surfaces of the needle body, and forming an edge portion of the opening so as to surround the opening. A method for manufacturing a timepiece, comprising the method for manufacturing a pointer according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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