JP7481964B2 - Parts and their manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a part and a method for manufacturing the part.

The various parts that make up a watch are decorated. Traditionally, decoration using paint or plating has been known, but this type of decoration has the problem of the paint peeling off or chipping. As a result, in recent years, decoration processing has been done on the surfaces of parts using laser light.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for drawing a decorative pattern made up of multiple lines by irradiating the surface of a part, such as the inner and outer links of a wristwatch band, with laser light. The method described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to draw a pattern that resembles the texture of a hairline pattern on the surface of the part.

JP 2019-195979 A

In the above-mentioned laser light drawing method, there is a demand for decorations with a wider variety of textures.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a part and a manufacturing method thereof that allows for the expression of a variety of textures in decoration using laser light.

The manufacturing method according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a part having a decorative area on its surface, the decorative area being processed with laser light, and includes irradiating the decorative area with laser light to form multiple types of decorative patterns composed of multiple grooves extending in the same direction, the extension direction of the grooves being different for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns.

In addition, in the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the external shapes of the multiple types of decorative patterns are different from each other.

In addition, in the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that any one of the multiple types of decorative patterns is formed so as to overlap with another type of decorative pattern.

In addition, in the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more.

In addition, in the manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple types of decorative patterns is an integer multiple of the angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns.

The component according to the present invention is a component in which a decorative area on the surface has been processed with laser light, and is characterized in that it has multiple types of decorative patterns formed in the decorative area, each of which is made up of multiple grooves extending in the same direction, and the extension direction of the grooves differs for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns.

The parts and manufacturing methods of the present invention make it possible to express a variety of textures in decoration using laser light.

FIG. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of a groove. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a laser processing device 7. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a decoration process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a band 1 according to an embodiment. Band 1 is a component that allows the watch to be worn on the wrist by connecting both ends to the watch body. Band 1 has a center link 2, an outer link 3, an axis member 4, a clasp 5, and a pair of end pieces 6a and 6b.

The center link 2 is arranged in a plurality of rows along the extension direction of the band 1. The outer link 3 is arranged in a plurality of rows along the extension direction of the band 1 so as to sandwich the center link 2 from both sides in the width direction of the band 1. Each of the center link 2 and the outer link 3 has a through hole that penetrates the member in the width direction near both ends in the extension direction of the band 1. The shaft member 4 is inserted into the through hole of the center link 2 and the through holes of the outer link 3 on both sides, thereby connecting the center link 2 and the outer link 3 on both sides. At this time, the center link 2 and the outer link 3 on both sides are connected so that they are stepped in the extension direction of the band 1, thereby connecting the multiple center links 2 and the outer link 3. The center link 2 and the outer link 3 are made of titanium, but may be made of other metals, or may be made of synthetic resins such as urethane resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, etc.

The clasp 5 is a metal member that connects the band 1 connected to the 12 o'clock side of the watch body with the band 1 connected to the 6 o'clock side. The end pieces 6a and 6b are metal members that connect the band 1 to the watch body.

Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the center piece 2 of the band 1. The center piece 2 has a first center piece surface 2a, a second center piece surface 2b, and a third center piece surface 2c. The first center piece surface 2a is a surface that extends on the front side of the band 1, approximately parallel to the extension direction of the band 1. The second center piece surface 2b is a surface that extends from one side of the first center piece surface 2a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, and is inclined relative to the first center piece surface 2a. The third center piece surface 2c is a surface that extends from the other side of the first center piece surface 2a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, and is inclined relative to the first center piece surface 2a.

The outer link 3 has a first outer link surface 3a, a second outer link surface 3b, and a third outer link surface 3c. The first outer link surface 3a is a surface that extends on the front side of the band 1, approximately parallel to the extension direction of the band 1. The second outer link surface 3b is a surface that extends from one side of the first outer link surface 3a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, at an angle relative to the first outer link surface 3a. The third outer link surface 3c is a surface that extends from the other side of the first outer link surface 3a that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the band 1, at an angle relative to the first outer link surface 3a.

The first center piece surface 2a is a decorative area that is processed with laser light. Multiple types of decorative patterns are formed on the first center piece surface 2a.

Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of a decorative pattern formed on the first center piece surface 2a. In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, a first decorative pattern 100, a second decorative pattern 200, and a third decorative pattern 300, all of which have a woodland look, are formed to overlap each other. For ease of viewing, Figure 4 shows the outline of the first decorative pattern 100 in Figure 3 surrounded by a white solid line, the outline of the second decorative pattern 200 surrounded by a white dashed line, and the outline of the third decorative pattern 300 surrounded by a white dashed line. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outlines of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are different from each other.

Each of the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 is composed of multiple grooves extending in the same direction. By arranging the multiple grooves at small intervals (e.g., intervals of 60 μm to 120 μm), the area in which the decorative pattern is formed is visually perceived as if it had been printed. Note that the same direction does not necessarily mean strictly the same. The multiple grooves may extend in different directions from each other within a range that is considered to be a manufacturing error (e.g., within a range of ±1 degree).

The extension direction of the grooves is different for each of the multiple types of decorative patterns. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extension direction of the multiple grooves of the first decorative pattern 100 is direction D1, the extension direction of the multiple grooves of the second decorative pattern 200 is direction D2 perpendicular to direction D1, and the extension direction of the multiple grooves of the third decorative pattern 300 is direction D3 intermediate between directions D1 and D2. Since the extension direction of the grooves is different for each type of decorative pattern, each type of decorative pattern is visually perceived as if it were printed in different colors. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple types of decorative patterns each having a woodland-like outer shape are visually perceived as if they were printed in different colors, resulting in an overall woodland camouflage-like texture.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of the grooves. Each of the multiple grooves C formed on the first middle piece surface 2a is formed by sequentially irradiating the first middle piece surface 2a with laser light while gradually moving the irradiation position of a laser having a circular irradiation surface along each of multiple straight lines L extending in the same direction. As a result, the grooves C have a shape in which scale-shaped recesses are connected when viewed in a plan view. Here, the straight lines L correspond to the extension direction of the grooves. The width of each recess (i.e., the diameter D of the laser irradiation surface) is, for example, 40 μm.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a laser processing device 7 that processes the first center piece surface 2a. The laser processing device 7 has a laser irradiation device 71, a processing table 72, and a control terminal 8. The laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 are connected to the control terminal 8 via a network 9 such as the Internet or an intranet so that they can communicate with each other.

The laser irradiation device 71 is a device that irradiates the first center piece surface 2a with laser light. The laser irradiation device 71 has a laser oscillator such as a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser that generates laser light, a galvanometer scanner that reflects the laser light to any position on a predetermined horizontal plane, and a focusing lens that focuses and irradiates the reflected laser light. The galvanometer scanner determines the position at which to reflect the laser light based on an irradiation control signal received via the network 9. This allows the laser irradiation device 71 to irradiate the laser light so as to form multiple grooves extending in a predetermined direction.

The processing table 72 is positioned within the irradiation range of the laser irradiation device 71 and has a flat mounting surface on which the center piece 2 can be placed.

The control terminal 8 is an information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server. The control terminal 8 transmits control signals to the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72 via the network 9. The control terminal 8 has a memory unit 81, a communication unit 82, and a processing unit 83.

The memory unit 81 is configured to store data and programs, and includes, for example, a semiconductor memory. The memory unit 81 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing by the processing unit 83. The memory unit 81 stores data of the decorative pattern formed in the decorative area. The decorative pattern data includes information indicating the external shape of the decorative pattern formed on the first middle piece surface 2a, the extension direction of the grooves, the spacing between the grooves, etc. The decorative pattern data may also include information such as the diameter of the laser irradiation surface.

The communication unit 82 is configured to enable the control terminal 8 to communicate with the laser irradiation device 71 and the processing table 72, and includes a communication interface circuit. The communication interface circuit included in the communication unit 82 is a communication interface circuit such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 82 transmits data supplied from the processing unit 83 to the laser irradiation device 71.

The processing unit 83 is configured to comprehensively control the operation of the control terminal 8, and includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The processing unit 83 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The processing unit 83 controls the operation of each component of the control terminal 8 so that various processes of the control terminal 8 are executed appropriately based on the programs stored in the memory unit 81, and executes various processes.

The processing unit 83 has an acquisition unit 831, an irradiation control unit 832, and a determination unit 833 as functional blocks. These functional blocks are functional modules realized by a program executed by the processing unit 83. Each of these units may be implemented in the control terminal 8 as firmware.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of the decoration process of the first middle link surface 2a performed by the laser processing device 7. The decoration process is performed in a state where the middle link 2, which has not been processed, is placed on the processing table 72. The memory unit 81 stores in advance data of multiple types of decorative patterns to be applied to the middle link 2 (for example, the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 shown in Figure 3).

First, the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of a decorative pattern (S11). The acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any one of the multiple types of decorative pattern data stored in the storage unit 81.

Then, the irradiation control unit 832 irradiates the laser light so as to form a decorative pattern on the first middle piece surface 2a, which is composed of multiple grooves extending in the same direction (S12). Based on the acquired decorative pattern data, the irradiation control unit 832 generates an irradiation control signal that causes the laser light to be sequentially irradiated while gradually moving the irradiation position along the extension direction of the grooves, so as to form multiple grooves on the first middle piece surface 2a. The irradiation control unit 832 transmits the generated irradiation control signal to the laser irradiation device 71 via the communication unit 82, thereby irradiating the laser light to form the decorative pattern.

Then, the determination unit 833 determines whether or not all decorative patterns whose data are stored in the memory unit 81 have been formed (S13). If it is determined that all decorative patterns have been formed (S13-Yes), the decoration process ends.

If it is determined that all decorative patterns have not been formed (S13-No), the decoration process returns to S11, and the acquisition unit 831 acquires data of any of the decorative patterns that have not yet been acquired.

As described above, the center piece 2 has a decorative pattern consisting of a number of grooves formed on the first center piece surface 2a on the front surface, each of which extends in the same direction. In addition, the extension direction of the grooves differs for each decorative pattern. This allows the center piece 2 to express a variety of textures when decorated with laser light.

In other words, the decorative pattern formed by multiple grooves is perceived to have different textures depending on the relationship between the extension direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the direction in which the decorative pattern is viewed. By having multiple decorative patterns composed of grooves with different extension directions for each decorative pattern, the decorative patterns are perceived to have different textures, making it possible to express a variety of textures similar to multi-color printing.

In addition, the multiple decorative patterns are formed so that they overlap with other decorative patterns. This allows the appearance of the multiple decorative patterns on the center piece 2 to differ depending on the viewing direction, making it possible to express a variety of textures.

That is, the decorative pattern formed by multiple grooves is perceived with different degrees of emphasis depending on the relationship between the extension direction of the grooves, the direction of the light source, and the direction in which the decorative pattern is viewed. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, when multiple decorative patterns are formed to overlap, if any decorative pattern is perceived to be emphasized, the other decorative patterns overlapping that decorative pattern will be difficult to see. On the other hand, when all decorative patterns are perceived with the same degree of emphasis, all decorative patterns will be visible. In the middle piece 2, multiple decorative patterns composed of grooves with different extension directions are formed to overlap, so that the appearance of the decorative pattern changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., making it possible to express a variety of textures.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a decorative pattern formed on the first center piece surface 2a. Figure 8(a) is a diagram of the first center piece surface 2a shown in Figure 3 photographed from direction D1 in Figure 3, and Figure 8(b) is a diagram of the first center piece surface 2b photographed from direction D2 in Figure 3. For ease of viewing, in Figure 8, the outline of the first decorative pattern 100 is shown surrounded by a solid white line, but the outlines of the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 are not shown.

8(a) and 8(b), in the example shown in FIG. 8(a), the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are viewed with the same degree of emphasis, so that the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapping the first decorative pattern 100 are relatively easy to see. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8(b), the first decorative pattern 100 is viewed with more emphasis than the other decorative patterns, so that the second decorative pattern 200 and the third decorative pattern 300 overlapping the first decorative pattern 100 are relatively difficult to see. In this way, by forming a plurality of decorative patterns composed of grooves with different extension directions so as to overlap, the appearance of the decorative patterns changes depending on the viewing direction, etc., and a variety of textures are expressed.

In the above description, the extension directions of the multiple grooves constituting the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are at angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees, respectively, with respect to the direction D1, but this is not limited to such an example. The extension direction of the grooves may be set arbitrarily as long as it is different for each decorative pattern. However, since the larger the angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves is, the greater the change in appearance depending on the viewing direction, etc., and the more diverse the textures expressed, it is preferable that the angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more.

The angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple decorative patterns may be set to be an integer multiple of the angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of decorative patterns. For example, when three decorative patterns are formed, the extension directions of those grooves have angles of 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 120 degrees, respectively, with respect to the specified direction. This makes the change in appearance between each decorative pattern roughly uniform, and creates a variety of textures.

In the above description, three decorative patterns are formed, but this is not limited to this example. The number of decorative patterns may be two, or four or more. However, since the angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between multiple decorative patterns becomes smaller as the number of decorative patterns increases, it is preferable that the number of decorative patterns is nine or less.

In the above description, the decorative pattern is formed on the first link surface 2a of the link 2, but this is not limited to the example. The decorative pattern may be formed on the second link surface 2b or the third link surface 2c, or on the first outer link surface 3a, the second outer link surface 3b or the third outer link surface 3c of the outer link 3, or on the clasp 5, etc. The decorative pattern may be formed on a part that is not included in the band 1, such as the dial, back cover or main plate of the watch, or on any metal or resin part other than the watch.

In the above description, the first decorative pattern 100, the second decorative pattern 200, and the third decorative pattern 300 are woodland-style patterns, but this is not limited to this example. Each decorative pattern may be any pattern, such as a block pattern or a pixel pattern.

Those skilled in the art should understand that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the processing of each part described above may be performed in a different order as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented in combination as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

2 Center piece 2a First center piece surface 2b Second center piece surface 2c Third center piece surface 7 Laser processing device 8 Control terminal 831 Acquisition unit 832 Irradiation control unit 833 Determination unit

Claims (5)

A manufacturing method for a component having a decorative area on a surface thereof, the decorative area being processed by laser light, comprising:
irradiating the decorative area with the laser light so as to form a plurality of types of decorative patterns each composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction;
an extension direction of the groove differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns;
the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern configured by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves configuring the first decorative pattern;
The first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern partially overlap each other and have different outer shapes .
A manufacturing method comprising the steps of: the plurality of types of decorative patterns further include a third decorative pattern formed by grooves that extend in a direction different from the grooves that constitute the first decorative pattern and the grooves that constitute the second decorative pattern;
the decorative region includes, among the first decorative pattern, the second decorative pattern, and the third decorative pattern, a region where only the first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern overlap, a region where only the second decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap, and a region where only the first decorative pattern and the third decorative pattern overlap,
The method of claim 1 . The angle difference between the extension directions of the grooves among the plurality of types of decorative patterns is 20 degrees or more.
The method according to claim 1 or 2 . an angle difference in the extension direction of the grooves between the plurality of types of decorative patterns is an integer multiple of an angle obtained by dividing 180 degrees by the number of the decorative patterns;
The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A part having a decorative area on its surface processed with laser light,
A plurality of types of decorative patterns are formed in the decorative area, the decorative patterns being constituted by a plurality of grooves extending in the same direction;
an extension direction of the groove differs for each of the plurality of types of decorative patterns;
the plurality of types of decorative patterns include a first decorative pattern and a second decorative pattern configured by grooves extending in a direction different from that of the grooves configuring the first decorative pattern;
The first decorative pattern and the second decorative pattern partially overlap each other and have different outer shapes .
A part characterized by:

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