JPH11142539A - Light emission member and timepiece using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a light storage layer to emit light at a dark place, to allow an emission panel such as an EL(electro luminescence) to emit light when the light storage layer does not emit light, and to suppress the wearout of a battery as compared with a case where the light storage layer is not provided. SOLUTION: A light storage layer 11 is provided on the surface of the light emission side of an EL panel 10. Therefore, light energy can be stored by the light storage layer 11 at a light place, and emission is made at a dark place corresponding to the light energy being stored by the light storage layer 11 at a dark place, thus lighting a dial 3. Also, when the luminance of the light storage layer 11 is reduced at the lapse of time, and the light storage layer 11 does not emit light, the EL panel 10 emits light by pressing a push button for lighting, and the dial 3 can be illuminated, thus greatly suppressing the consumption of a battery as compared with a case when the light storage layer 11 is not provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light-emitting member used for a timepiece dial and the like, and a timepiece using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a timepiece dial, a luminous layer which stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place is provided on the surface of the dial so that the time can be visually recognized in a dark place such as at night. Which emits light when an electric field is applied to a light-emitting element made of a light-emitting substance as a dial or a dial.
Examples include those using an L (electroluminescence) panel.

[0003]

However, in the former dial having a luminous layer, when the luminous layer accumulates light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, it takes 5 to 6 even if the long one is long.
This is about time, and there is an inconvenience that it is not always possible to visually recognize the time when it is desired to check the time. In particular, in such a dial, since the entire luminous layer is formed with a substantially uniform layer thickness, the luminance of the entire luminous layer gradually decreases over time, and eventually the entire luminous layer becomes dark at once. There is also an inconvenience. In the case of using the latter EL panel, the time can be visually recognized by emitting light when necessary. However, since electricity is used, there is a disadvantage that the battery is consumed much and the life of the battery is shortened. .

[0004] An object of the present invention is to make a light-storing layer emit light in a dark place, and to make a light-emitting panel such as an EL panel emit light when the light-storing layer stops emitting light. It is to try to suppress. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to partially turn off the light storage layer with a time lag, without the entire light storage layer becoming dark at once.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A light-storing layer is provided on the light-emitting side surface of the light-emitting panel. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light storage layer can store light energy in a bright place and emit light in a dark place, and when the light storage layer stops emitting light, the light emitting panel can emit light. Thus, the consumption of the battery can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the light storage layer is not provided. In this case, as described in claim 4, if the light storage layer has a structure in which the light storage characteristics of the light storage layer are different in a plurality of regions on the light emission side surface of the light emitting panel, the light storage layer is formed in accordance with the different light storage characteristics in each of the plurality of regions. Light emission can be performed, whereby the entire light storage layer is not turned off at once, but can be partially turned off with a time difference. Further, as described in claim 7, if the optical storage layer has a structure in which optical layers having different transmittances of incident light of a specific wavelength in a plurality of regions are provided on the surface of the light storage layer, light energy stored in the light storage layer by the optical layer is reduced. Since the light-storing layer differs in a plurality of regions, the entire light-storing layer does not darken at once, and the light-storing layer can be partially turned off with a time difference.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a luminous layer having luminous characteristics different from each other in a plurality of regions is provided on the surface of the base panel. Therefore, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the luminous layer can emit light in accordance with the luminous characteristics different for each of the plurality of regions.
The light-storing layer can be partially turned off with a time difference without turning off the entire light-storing layer at one time, and it can be used as a guide to know the afterglow time. In this case, if the layer thickness of the luminous layer changes stepwise or continuously in a plurality of regions as described in claim 11, a region where the layer thickness of the luminous layer is large is compared with a region where the layer thickness is small. As a result, a large amount of light energy can be stored, so that the entire light storage layer is not turned off at once, but can be partially turned off with a time difference. Further, as described in the twelfth aspect, in a structure in which the density of the luminous material of the luminous layer is different for each of the plurality of regions, more light energy can be stored in the region where the density of the luminous material is higher than in the region where the density is lower. As a result, it is possible to partially turn off the light storage layer with a time difference without turning off the entire light storage layer at once.

Further, according to the present invention, a light storage layer is provided on the surface of the base panel, and an optical layer having different transmittances of incident light of a specific wavelength in a plurality of regions is provided on the surface of the light storage layer. Features. Therefore, according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the light energy stored in the luminous layer differs depending on the optical layer in a plurality of regions, the entire luminous layer is not turned off at once but is partially turned off with a time difference. It can be used as a guide to know the afterglow time. In this case, as described in claim 15, the luminous layer is 2
Reacts with light having a wavelength of 00 to 450 nm, preferably 36
It is desirable that the optical layer be made of an ultraviolet cut layer that is most responsive to ultraviolet light of about 0 nm and that cuts the ultraviolet light incident on the light storage layer, and that the transmittance of the ultraviolet cut layer be different in a plurality of regions.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of a wristwatch, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part thereof. This wristwatch is a pointer-type timepiece. A watch glass 2 is mounted on an upper surface of a watch case 1 constituting a watch body, and a dial 3 is disposed below the watch glass 2. The hands 4 such as an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand are arranged so as to be movable between them. A crown 5 for adjusting the hands of the hands 4 and a lighting push button 6 for illuminating the dial 3 are provided on the side surface of the watch case 1. In addition, “12:00” and “6
A band mounting portion 7 is provided on a side surface at a location corresponding to “hour”, and a watch band 8 is mounted on each band mounting portion 7. Further, a back cover 1b is attached to a lower surface of the watch case 1 via a waterproof packing 1a, and an analog pointer mechanism 4b is provided inside the watch case 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dial 3 has a luminous layer 11 on the upper surface of an EL (electroluminescence) panel 10.
Is provided on the upper surface of the dial 3,
An hour character portion 12 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the dial 3 is provided with a through hole 3a through which a pointer shaft 4a to which the pointer 4 is attached is inserted. The EL panel 10 applies an electric field to a light-emitting element made of a light-emitting substance to excite the light-emitting element, thereby causing the light-emitting element to emit light. For example, a transparent electrode is provided on the lower surface of a transparent substrate, and the transparent electrode is provided. A light emitting element is provided on the lower surface, a back electrode made of metal or the like is provided on the lower surface of the light emitting element, and light emitted by the light emitting element is reflected by the back electrode and emitted from the transparent substrate side.

[0010] In this case, the light emitting element includes an inorganic compound and a thin film organic compound. Light-emitting elements made of inorganic compounds include ZnS and ZnSe having M
n, Cu, etc. are added. A light-emitting element including an organic compound has a one-layer structure, a two-layer structure, a three-layer structure, or the like. A one-layer structure includes a mixture of a hole transporting agent, a luminescent agent, and an electron transporting agent. The two-layer structure includes a hole transport layer and a light-emitting layer, a light-emitting layer and an electron transport layer, or a hole-transport layer and an electron transport layer. The structure has a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer. The light emitting layer is, for example, a fluorescent organic solid such as anthracene and phthaloperin, and the hole transport layer is
For example, for polymers, polyvinyl carbazole (PVC)
Z), a triphenylamine derivative or the like in the case of a low molecule, and an electron transporting layer include, for example, a perinone derivative, a quinoline complex derivative, a tris (8-quinolylate) aluminum complex (Alq3).

The light-storing layer 11 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place. For example, the light-storing layer 11 is made of alumina or a ceramic powder mainly containing a rare earth element.
Responds to light of a specific wavelength of 200 to 450 nm, especially 36
It reacts best to ultraviolet light of about 0 nm and has an afterglow time of about 5 hours. This luminous layer 11 is used for the EL panel 1
On the upper surface of the EL panel 10, that is, the surface on the light emission side of the EL panel 10, a thin film is applied with a substantially uniform layer thickness, so that light from the EL panel 10 is transmitted. The luminous layer 1
On the upper surface of 1, an hour character portion 12 is provided.

In the dial 3 of such a wristwatch, since the luminous layer 11 is provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 10, the luminous layer 11 can store light energy in a bright place.
Light is emitted according to the light energy stored in the light storage layer 11 in a dark place, whereby the dial 3 can be illuminated. When the luminance of the luminous layer 11 decreases with the passage of time and the luminous layer 11 stops emitting light, the EL panel 10 is caused to emit light by pressing the lighting push button 6 and the dial 3 is turned on.
Can be illuminated, so that the consumption of the battery can be largely suppressed as compared with the case where the light storage layer 11 is not provided. When the EL panel 10 is turned off, the luminous layer 11 emits light for a short time immediately thereafter.

In the first embodiment, the luminous layer 11 is provided directly on the upper surface of the EL panel 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the first modification shown in FIG. An organic sheet 13 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or the like may be provided between the light-storing layer 11 and the light-storing layer 11. In this manner, the hour character portion 12 can be easily provided on the upper surface of the dial 3 by printing or the like without damaging the EL panel 10. In the first embodiment,
Although the structure in which the luminous layer 11 is provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 10 is not limited to this, for example, a metal mesh 14 may be provided on the surface of the luminous layer 11 as in a second modified example shown in FIG. . In this way, the surface of the dial 3 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained.

Further, in the first embodiment, the luminous layer 11 is provided on the entire upper surface of the EL panel 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the luminous layer 11 may be formed in a pattern, a figure, a symbol, or the like. good. In this way, when the device is used in a bright place, or when the luminous layer 11 emits light,
When the panel 10 is lit, the visual design of the surface of the dial 3 is different, and the design variations are abundant.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
This wristwatch has the same structure as that of the first embodiment except that a dial 20 arranged below a watch glass 2 mounted on the upper surface of a wristwatch case 1 is different as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the dial 20 has a configuration in which a luminous layer 23 is provided on an upper surface of a base panel 21 with a base layer 22 interposed therebetween. The hour character 12 is provided on the upper surface of the dial 20 by printing or the like. The base panel 21 is made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like. The center of the base panel 21 is a through hole 21a through which the pointer shaft (not shown) of the pointer 4 is inserted.
Is provided.

The light storage layer 23 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the first embodiment. For example, the light storage layer 23 is made of ceramic powder mainly composed of alumina and rare earth elements. It responds to light having a specific wavelength of 450 nm, and most particularly responds to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 360 nm, and has an afterglow time of about 5 hours. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the luminous layer 23 has four concentric circular regions a through centered on the center of the base panel 21.
The base panel 21 is formed so that the layer thickness is gradually increased from the center to the outer periphery of the base panel 21. Note that a circle 24 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7 is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 24 is visible from the outside.

In the dial 20 of such a wristwatch, the luminous layer 23 is divided into four concentric areas a to d centered on the center of the base panel 21 and the base panel 2
1 is formed so that the layer thickness of the luminous layer 23 gradually increases in the four regions a to d from the center toward the outer periphery. More light energy can be stored as compared with the central region “a” having a small layer thickness. Therefore, the light storing characteristics are different in the four regions “a” to “d”. 23 can emit light, so the luminous layer 23
The light-emitting layer 23 can be partially turned off sequentially with a time difference for each of the regions a to d from the central portion to the outer peripheral portion without turning off the whole at once. can do.

In the second embodiment, the luminous layer 23 is formed such that the luminous layer 23 gradually increases in thickness in four regions a to d from the center of the base panel 21 toward the outer periphery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a modified example shown in FIG. 9, the luminous layer 25 has a sloping surface shape in which the luminous layer 25 continuously increases in thickness from the center to the outer periphery of the base panel 21. May be formed. In this way, the light storage layer 25 can be turned off continuously from the center toward the outer periphery without turning off the light storage layer 25 stepwise. In the second embodiment, the structure in which the light storage layer 23 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 21 is not limited thereto. For example, a metal mesh may be provided on the surface of the light storage layer 23. By doing so, the surface of the dial 20 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment] Next, FIG. 10 and FIG.
A third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the same portions as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The dial 30 of this watch
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a light storage layer 33 is provided on an upper surface of a base panel 31 with a base layer 32 interposed therebetween. The upper surface of the dial 30 has a time character 1
2 is provided by printing or the like. Base panel 3
Reference numeral 1 is made of metal or synthetic resin or the like as in the second embodiment, and has a configuration in which a through hole 31a through which a pointer shaft (not shown) of the pointer 4 is inserted is provided at the center. In this case, the upper surface of the base panel 31 is divided into four concentric areas a to d centered on the center thereof, and each area a
To d, and the thickness is gradually reduced from the center to the outer periphery.

The light storage layer 33 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the second embodiment. The light storage layer 33 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 31 via a base layer 32, and the upper surface is It is formed on a flat surface. Therefore, the luminous layer 33 is formed of the respective regions a to
The layer thicknesses of the respective regions a to d are formed stepwise differently so that the layer thickness on the central portion side becomes thinner and the layer thickness on the outer peripheral side becomes thicker according to the thickness of d. A circle 34 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 34 is visible from the outside.

In the dial 30 of such a wristwatch, the luminous layer 33 is formed such that the luminous layer 33 gradually increases in thickness in four regions a to d from the center of the base panel 31 toward the outer periphery. Since it is formed, more light energy can be stored in the region d on the outer peripheral side where the layer thickness of the luminous layer 33 is thicker than in the region a on the central portion side where the layer thickness is smaller, as in the second embodiment. Therefore, the light storage characteristics are different in the four regions a to d, and the light storage layer 33 can emit light in accordance with the different light storage characteristics in each of the regions a to d. , The light-storing layer 33 can be partially turned off sequentially with a time difference for each of the regions a to d toward the outer peripheral side, thereby providing an indication of the afterglow time.

In the third embodiment, the luminous layer 33 is formed such that the luminous layer 33 gradually increases in thickness in the four regions a to d from the center of the base panel 31 toward the outer periphery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a modification shown in FIG. 12, the thickness of the base panel 35 is formed on an inclined surface that becomes thinner continuously from the center to the outer periphery. The light storage layer 36 may be formed on the upper surface so that the upper surface is flat. By doing so, the light-storing layer 36 can be formed in an inclined surface shape in which the layer thickness of the light-storing layer 36 increases continuously from the center to the outer periphery, so that the light-storing layer 36 is not turned off stepwise. And the luminous layer 36 continuously from the center to the outer periphery.
Can be turned off. In the third embodiment, the structure in which the light storage layer 33 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 31 is not limited to this. For example, a metal mesh may be provided on the surface of the light storage layer 33. In this way, the surface of the dial 30 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, FIG. 13 and FIG.
A fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The dial 40 of this watch
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a light-storing layer 43 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 41 via a base layer 42, and a diffusion layer 44 for diffusing light emitted by the light-storing layer 43 is provided on the upper surface of the light-storing layer 43. Is provided. An hour character (not shown) is also formed on the upper surface of the dial 40. As in the second embodiment, the base panel 41 is made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like, and has a configuration in which a through hole 41a through which a pointer shaft (not shown) of the pointer 4 is inserted is provided at the center.

The luminous layer 43 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the second embodiment, and a luminous material is formed by dots on a base layer 42 provided on the upper surface of the base panel 41. And the dot density of the phosphorescent material is different for each of the regions a to d. That is, the luminous layer 43 has four concentric regions a to d centered on the center of the base panel 41.
Of the regions a to d, the dot density of the region a on the central portion side is low and the dot density of the region d on the outer peripheral side is high.
Are formed with different dot densities. Note that FIG.
A circle 45 shown by a two-dot chain line is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 45 is visible from the outside.

In the dial 40 of such a wristwatch, the luminous layer 43 is arranged such that the dot density of each of the areas a to d increases from the center of the base panel 41 toward the outer periphery.
Are formed, more light energy can be stored in the outer peripheral region d where the density of the luminous material is higher than in the lower central region a where the density is low, so that the entire luminous layer 43 is turned off at once. Instead, the light storage layer 43 can be partially turned off with a time difference for each of the regions a to d, and this can be used as a guide to know the afterglow time. in this case,
Since the diffusion layer 44 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 43,
The light emitted from the light storage layer 43 can be diffused by the diffusion layer 44, and therefore, even if the light storage layer 43 is printed in a dot shape, it seems that light is emitted almost uniformly in each of the regions a to d. In other words, a favorable design can be obtained.

In the fourth embodiment, the light storage layer 43 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 41, and the diffusion layer 44 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a metal mesh may be provided on the upper surface of the diffusion layer 44. By doing so, the surface of the dial 40 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, FIG. 15 and FIG.
A fifth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The dial 50 of this watch
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a light storage layer 53 is provided on the upper surface of a base panel 51 via a base layer 52, and an ultraviolet cut layer (optical layer) 54 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 53. I have. In addition, also on the upper surface of this dial 50,
An hour character (not shown) is formed. Base panel 5
Reference numeral 1 is made of metal or synthetic resin or the like as in the second embodiment, and has a configuration in which a through hole 51a through which a pointer shaft (not shown) of the pointer 4 is inserted is provided at the center thereof.

The light storage layer 53 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the second embodiment. The light storage layer 53 responds to light having a specific wavelength of 200 to 450 nm, and is particularly sensitive to ultraviolet light of about 360 nm. It reacts best and has an afterglow time of about 5 hours. The light storage layer 53 is formed with a substantially uniform thickness on a base layer 52 provided on the base panel 51. The ultraviolet ray cut layer 54 is for cutting ultraviolet rays incident on the luminous layer 53 from the outside, and has four concentric circular regions a centered on the central part of the luminous layer 53.
Ｄd are provided with different ultraviolet transmittances. That is, the ultraviolet cut layer 54 is formed such that the transmittance of the region a on the central portion side of the light storage layer 53 is low and the transmittance of the region d on the outer peripheral side is high. Note that FIG.
A circle 55 shown by a dashed line is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 55 can be seen from the outside.

In the dial 50 of such a wristwatch, the ultraviolet cut layer is formed such that the transmittance corresponding to the central area a of the luminous layer 53 is low and the transmittance corresponding to the outer peripheral area d is high. The light energy stored in the luminous layer 53 by the ultraviolet ray cut layer 54 is different in each of the regions a to d because the region 54 is formed. Can store a larger amount of light energy as compared with the above, so that the entire light storage layer 53 can not be turned off at once, but can be partially turned off with a time difference, thereby providing an indication of the afterglow time. be able to.

In the fifth embodiment, the light storage layer 53 is provided on the upper surface of the base panel 51 and the ultraviolet cut layer 54 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A metal mesh may be provided on the upper surface of the cut layer 54. By doing so, the surface of the dial 50 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, FIG. 17 and FIG.
A sixth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The dial 60 of this watch
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a transparent organic sheet 62 is provided on the upper surface of an EL panel 61.
A base layer 63 is printed on the upper surface of the substrate, and a luminous layer 64 is provided on the base layer 63. Also in this case, an hour character (not shown) is formed on the upper surface of the dial 60 by printing or the like. As in the first embodiment, the EL panel 61 applies an electric field to a light-emitting element made of a light-emitting substance to excite the light-emitting element, thereby causing the light-emitting element to emit light. A light emitting element is provided on the lower surface of the transparent electrode, a back electrode made of metal or the like is provided on the lower surface of the light emitting element, and light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the back electrode and emitted from the transparent substrate side. It is configured. In the center of the EL panel 61, a through-hole 61a through which a pointer shaft (not shown) of the pointer 4 is inserted is provided.

The transparent organic sheet 62 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin,
The through hole 62a is formed at the center of the through hole 6a of the EL panel 61.
1a. Phosphorescent layer 6
Numeral 4 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place as in the second embodiment, and is divided into four concentric areas a to d centered on the center of the organic sheet 62. The layer thickness differs in each of the regions a to d, and the organic sheet 62
Is formed so that the layer thickness gradually increases from the center to the outer periphery. A circle 65 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17 is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 65 can be seen from the outside.

With the dial 60 of such a wristwatch, the first
As in the embodiment, since the luminous layer 64 is provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 61 via the transparent organic sheet 62, the luminous layer 64 can store light energy in a bright place,
In a dark place, light is emitted according to the light energy stored by the light storage layer 64, whereby the dial 60 can be illuminated. When the luminance of the luminous layer 64 decreases with the passage of time and the luminous layer 64 stops emitting light, pressing the lighting push button 6 causes the EL panel 61 to emit light and the dial 6
0 can be illuminated, so that the consumption of the battery can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the light storage layer 64 is not provided. When the EL panel 61 is turned off, the luminous layer 64 glows for a short time immediately thereafter.

In the dial 60, similarly to the second embodiment, the luminous layer 64 is divided into four concentric areas a to d centered on the center of the organic sheet 62. Phosphorescent layer 6 from the center to the outer periphery
4 is formed so as to increase in thickness stepwise in each of the four regions a to d, so that the region d on the outer peripheral side where the layer thickness of the luminous layer 64 is large is the region a on the central portion side where the layer thickness is small. Light energy can be stored more than in the above case. Therefore, the light storage characteristics are different in the four regions a to d, and the light storage layer 64 can emit light in accordance with the different light storage characteristics in each of the regions a to d. The entire layer 64 is not turned off at once, but the light storage layer 64 can be turned off sequentially with a time difference for each of the regions a to d from the center to the outer periphery, thereby providing an indication of the afterglow time. be able to.

In the sixth embodiment, the luminous layer 64 is formed such that the luminous layer 64 gradually increases in thickness in the four regions a to d from the center of the organic sheet 62 toward the outer periphery. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a modified example shown in FIG. 19, the luminous layer 67 has a sloping surface shape in which the luminous layer 67 continuously increases in thickness from the center to the outer periphery of the organic sheet 66. May be formed. With this configuration, the light storage layer 67 can be turned off continuously from the center toward the outer periphery without turning off the light storage layer 67 stepwise. Further, in the sixth embodiment and its modification, the structure in which the luminous layers 64 and 67 are provided on the upper surfaces of the organic sheets 62 and 66 is not limited thereto.
A metal mesh may be provided on the surfaces of 4, 67. In this way, the surface of the dial 60 looks metallic in a bright place, so that a metal-like one can be obtained. Further, in the sixth embodiment and its modifications, in each case, the organic sheets 62 and 66 are provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 61, and the light-storing layer 64 is provided on the upper surfaces of the organic sheets 62 and 66 via the base layer 63. , 67 are provided, but not limited to this, EL
The luminous layer 6 is directly provided on the upper surface of the panel 61 via the underlayer 63
4, 67 may be provided.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, FIGS.
With reference to FIG. 1, a seventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described. In this case, the same parts as those in the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the dial 70 of this wristwatch is provided with an organic sheet 71 on the upper surface of an EL panel 61.
The light storage layer 73 is provided on the upper surface of the light emitting device 1 via a base layer 72. Also in this case, on the upper surface of the dial 70,
A time character portion (not shown) is formed by printing or the like.

The organic sheet 71 is similar to the sixth embodiment,
It is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, and has a configuration in which a through-hole 71 a is provided at the center thereof in correspondence with the through-hole 61 a of the EL panel 61. Further, the upper surface of the organic sheet 71 is divided into four concentric regions a to d centered on the center thereof,
The thickness is different for each of the regions a to d, and the thickness is gradually reduced from the center to the outer periphery.

The light storage layer 73 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the sixth embodiment. The light storage layer 73 is provided on the upper surface of the organic sheet 71 via a base layer 72. It is formed on a flat surface. Therefore,
The light-storing layer 73 is formed such that the thickness of each region a to d is smaller according to the thickness of each of the regions a to d of the organic sheet 71 such that the layer thickness on the central portion side is thinner and the layer thickness on the outer peripheral side is thicker. Are formed stepwise differently. A circle 74 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 20 is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 74 is visible from the outside.

In the dial 70 of such a wristwatch, the sixth
As in the embodiment, the light storage layer 73 can store light energy in a bright place, emit light in a dark place according to the light energy stored by the light storage layer 73, and thereby illuminate the dial 70, When the light-storing layer 73 stops emitting light, pressing the lighting push button 6 allows the EL panel 61 to emit light and illuminate the dial 70. Therefore, compared with the case where the light-storing layer 73 is not provided, the battery Consumption can be greatly reduced. Further, in the dial 70, the luminous layer 73 is formed such that the luminous layer 73 gradually increases in thickness in the four regions a to d from the center of the organic sheet 71 toward the outer periphery. As in the third embodiment, more light energy can be stored in the outer peripheral region d where the luminous layer 73 is thicker than in the central region a where the luminous layer 73 is thinner. ~ D
And the light storage layer 73 can emit light in accordance with the different light storage characteristics in each of the regions a to d. Therefore, the entire light storage layer 73 is not turned off at once, and goes from the center toward the outer periphery. The light-storing layer 73 can be sequentially turned off with a time difference for each of the regions a to d, so that the afterglow time can be used as a guide.

In the seventh embodiment, the light-storing layer 73 is formed such that the thickness of the light-storing layer 73 gradually increases in the four regions a to d from the center to the outer periphery of the organic sheet 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a first modified example shown in FIG. 22, the organic sheet 75 is formed on an inclined surface that becomes thinner continuously from the center to the outer periphery. The light storage layer 76 may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 75 such that the upper surface thereof is flat. With this configuration, the light storage layer 76 can be formed in an inclined surface shape in which the thickness of the light storage layer 76 increases continuously from the center to the outer periphery, so that the light storage layer 76 does not turn off stepwise. ,
The light storage layer 76 can be continuously turned off from the center toward the outer periphery.

The seventh embodiment and its first embodiment
In the modification, the luminous layer 7 is provided on the upper surfaces of the organic sheets 71 and 75.
Although the structure provided with 3, 76 is not limited to this, for example, a metal mesh may be provided on the upper surfaces of the light storage layers 73, 76. By doing so, the surface of the dial 70 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metal-like one can be obtained.
Further, in the first modification of the seventh embodiment, the luminous layer 7
The upper surface of the light-storing layer 76 having a flat upper surface is provided with a transparent sheet 77 as in the second modification shown in FIG. 23, for example. May be provided. By doing so, the light storage layer 76 can be protected by the transparent sheet 77, and the hourly character (not shown) can be easily provided on the transparent sheet 77 by printing or the like.

[Eighth Embodiment] Next, FIG. 24 and FIG.
An eighth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the dial 80 of this wristwatch is provided with a luminous layer 81 via an underlayer 63 on the upper surface of an organic sheet 62 provided on the upper surface of an EL panel 61. Diffusion layer 82 for diffusing the light emitted by luminous layer 81 on the upper surface
Is provided. Also in this case, the dial 80
Is formed on the upper surface by printing or the like.

The luminous layer 81 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place, as in the sixth embodiment, and a luminous material is formed on the underlayer 42 provided on the upper surface of the organic sheet 62 by dots. And the dot density of the phosphorescent material is different for each of the regions a to d. That is, the luminous layer 43 is formed of the base panel 4
Four concentric areas a to d centered on the center of the first area
Of the regions a to d, the dot density of the region a on the central portion side is low and the dot density of the region d on the outer peripheral side is high.
Are formed with different dot densities. Note that FIG.
A circle 83 indicated by a two-dot chain line is a parting circle formed by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 83 can be seen from the outside.

In such a watch dial 80, the sixth
As in the embodiment, the light storage layer 81 can store light energy in a bright place, emit light in a dark place according to the light energy stored by the light storage layer 81, and thereby illuminate the dial 80, When the light-storing layer 81 stops emitting light, pressing the lighting push button 6 allows the EL panel 61 to emit light and illuminate the dial 80. Therefore, compared to the case where the light-storing layer 81 is not provided, the battery Consumption can be greatly reduced. Further, in the dial plate 80, since the luminous layer 81 is formed such that the dot density of each of the regions a to d increases from the central portion toward the outer peripheral side, the luminous layer 81 on the outer peripheral side where the density of the luminous material is higher. In the area d, more light energy can be stored than in the area a on the central part side where the density is low. Therefore, the entire light storage layer 81 cannot be turned off at once, and the light storage layer 81 can be partially turned off with a time difference. It can be used as a guide to know the afterglow time. In this case, since the diffusion layer 82 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 81, the light emitted from the light storage layer 81 can be diffused by the diffusion layer 82. Therefore, the light storage layer 81 is printed in a dot shape. Also, each region a ~
It seems that the light is emitted almost uniformly every d, so that a favorable design can be obtained.

In the eighth embodiment, the luminous layer 81
Although the structure in which the diffusion layer 82 is provided on the upper surface of the diffusion layer 82 is not limited to this, for example, a metal mesh may be provided on the upper surface of the diffusion layer 82. By doing so, the surface of the dial 80 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metallic one can be obtained. Further, in the eighth embodiment, the organic sheet 62 is provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 61, and the luminous layer 81 is provided on the upper surface of the organic sheet 62 via the underlayer 63. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The light storage layer 81 may be provided directly on the upper surface of the substrate via the underlayer 63.

[Ninth Embodiment] Next, FIG. 26 and FIG.
A ninth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, a dial 90 of this wristwatch is provided with a luminous layer 91 via an underlayer 63 on the upper surface of an organic sheet 62 provided on the upper surface of an EL panel 61. The structure is such that an ultraviolet cut layer (optical layer) 92 is provided on the upper surface. Also in this case, an hour character (not shown) is formed on the upper surface of the dial 90.

As in the fifth embodiment, the light storage layer 91 stores light energy in a bright place and emits light in a dark place. The light storage layer 91 responds to light having a specific wavelength of 200 to 450 nm, and is particularly sensitive to ultraviolet light of about 360 nm. It reacts best and has an afterglow time of about 5 hours. This luminous layer 91 is formed with a substantially uniform layer thickness on a base layer 63 provided on the organic sheet 62. The ultraviolet ray cut layer 92 cuts ultraviolet rays incident on the luminous layer 81 from the outside, and has four concentric circular regions a to を centered on the central part of the luminous layer 91.
The transmittance of ultraviolet light is different for each d.
That is, the ultraviolet cut layer 92 is formed so that the transmittance of the region a on the central portion side of the light storage layer 91 is low and the transmittance of the region d on the outer peripheral side is high. A circle 93 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 26 is a parting circle by a parting member (not shown), and the inside of the circle 93 is visible from the outside.

In such a wristwatch dial 90, the sixth
As in the embodiment, the light storage layer 81 can store light energy in a bright place, emit light in a dark place according to the light energy stored by the light storage layer 81, and thereby illuminate the dial 80, When the light-storing layer 81 stops emitting light, pressing the lighting push button 6 allows the EL panel 61 to emit light and illuminate the dial 80. Therefore, compared to the case where the light-storing layer 81 is not provided, the battery Consumption can be greatly reduced. Further, in the dial 90, the ultraviolet cut layer 92 is formed so that the transmittance corresponding to the region a on the central portion side of the light storage layer 91 is low and the transmittance corresponding to the region d on the outer peripheral side is high. Because
The light energy stored in the light storage layer 91 by the ultraviolet cut layer 54 is different in each of the regions a to d, and the light energy is stored more in the region d on the outer peripheral side having a high transmittance than in the region a on the central portion having a low transmittance. And thus the luminous layer 91
It is possible to partially turn off the light storage layer 91 with a time lag without turning off the whole at once, thereby providing an indication of the afterglow time.

In the ninth embodiment, the organic sheet 62 is provided on the upper surface of the EL panel 61, and the organic sheet 6
2, the light-storing layer 91 is provided via the underlayer 63.
Not limited to this, for example, as in a modification shown in FIG.
A light storage layer 91 is provided directly on the upper surface of the L panel 61 via an underlayer 63, and an ultraviolet cut layer 9 is provided on the upper surface of the light storage layer 91.
2, and a transparent sheet 94 may be provided on the upper surface of the ultraviolet cut layer 92. Even in this case, in addition to the same operation and effect as the ninth embodiment, the ultraviolet ray cut layer 92 and the luminous layer 91 can be protected by the transparent sheet 94, and the transparent sheet 94 has a time character (not shown). )
Can be easily provided by printing or the like.

In the ninth embodiment, the luminous layer 91 is used.
Although the structure is such that the ultraviolet cut layer 92 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate, the present invention is not limited to this. In this way, the surface of the dial 90 looks metallic in a bright place, and a metal-like one can be obtained. Further, in the first to ninth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a dial of a wristwatch has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, travel watches, table clocks, wall clocks, and the like, and can be widely applied to advertising members such as neon signs and signboards.

[0051]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the luminous layer is provided on the surface of the light emitting panel on the light emitting side, the luminous layer stores light energy in a bright place, and in a dark place. When the light emitting panel emits light and the light storing layer stops emitting light, the light emitting panel can emit light, whereby the consumption of the battery can be largely suppressed as compared with the case where the light storing layer is not provided. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the light-storing layer having different light-storing characteristics in each of the plurality of regions is provided on the surface of the base panel, the light-storing layer can emit light in accordance with the light-storing characteristics different in each of the plurality of regions. Thus, the entire light storage layer is not turned off at once, but the light storage layer can be partially turned off with a time difference, which is an indication of the afterglow time. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the light-storing layer is provided on the surface of the base panel, and the light-storing layer is provided with the optical layer having different transmittances of incident light of a specific wavelength in a plurality of regions. The light energy stored in the luminous layer varies depending on the layer in a plurality of regions. Therefore, the luminous layer can be partially turned off with a time difference without turning off the entire luminous layer at once, which is a guide to know the afterglow time. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wristwatch showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the wristwatch of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the dial of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a first modification of the first embodiment in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the first embodiment in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a wristwatch showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the dial of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the second embodiment in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of a dial showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the third embodiment in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of a main part of a dial showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of a dial showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged front view of a dial showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the sixth embodiment in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of a dial showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an essential part enlarged cross sectional view showing a first modification of the seventh embodiment in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a second modification of the seventh embodiment in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged front view of a main part of a dial showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged front view of a dial showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along line HH of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the ninth embodiment in FIG. 27;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Wristwatch case 3, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 Dial 10, 61 EL panel 21, 31, 41, 51 Base panel 11, 23, 25, 33, 36, 43, 53, 64, 67, 73, 76, 81, 91 Luminescent layer 12 Hourly character 13, 62, 66, 71, 75 Organic sheet 14 Metal mesh 54, 92 UV cut layer ad area

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI G09F 13/22 G09F 13/22 M (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Sonoda 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Inside the Technology Center (72) Inventor Junro Yano 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Inside Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Abe 3-2-1, Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Stock (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Enda 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A light-emitting member, wherein a light-storing layer is provided on a light-emitting side surface of a light-emitting panel. 2. A timepiece comprising: the light emitting member according to claim 1; and a timepiece body in which the light emitting member is disposed. 3. The light emitting member according to claim 1, wherein an organic sheet is interposed between said light emitting panel and said luminous layer. 4. The light-emitting member according to claim 1, wherein the light-storing layer has different light-storing characteristics in a plurality of regions on a light-emitting side surface of the light-emitting panel. 5. The luminous layer according to claim 4, wherein the layer thickness changes stepwise or continuously in the plurality of regions.
The light emitting member according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The light-emitting member according to claim 4, wherein the light-storing layer has a different density of the light-storing material for each of the plurality of regions. 7. The light emitting member according to claim 1, wherein an optical layer having different transmittances of incident light of a specific wavelength in a plurality of regions is provided on a surface of the light storage layer. 8. The light-storing layer is responsive to light having a wavelength of 200 to 450 nm, and is most preferably responsive to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 360 nm. 8. The light emitting member according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of layers, wherein the transmittance of the ultraviolet cut layer is different in a plurality of regions. 9. The light emitting member according to claim 1, wherein a metal mesh is disposed on a surface of said light storage layer or a surface of said optical layer. 10. A light-emitting member having a light-storing layer having different light-storing characteristics in a plurality of regions on a surface of a base panel. 11. The light emitting member according to claim 10, wherein the light storage layer has a layer thickness that changes stepwise or continuously in the plurality of regions. 12. The light-emitting member according to claim 10, wherein the light-storing layer has a different density of the light-storing material in each of the plurality of regions. 13. The light emitting member according to claim 10, wherein a metal mesh is disposed on a surface of said light storage layer. 14. A light-emitting member comprising: a light-storing layer provided on a surface of a base panel; and an optical layer having different transmittances of incident light having a specific wavelength in a plurality of regions on the surface of the light-storing layer. 15. The light-storing layer is responsive to light having a wavelength of 200 to 450 nm, and is most preferably responsive to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 360 nm. 15. The light emitting member according to claim 14, wherein the light emitting member comprises a layer, and the transmittance of the ultraviolet cut layer is different in a plurality of regions. 16. The optical layer according to claim 14, wherein a metal mesh is disposed on the surface of the optical layer.
The light emitting member according to any one of the preceding claims. 17. A timepiece, wherein the light emitting member according to claim 1, 10 or 14 is used as a timepiece dial, and a time character portion indicating time is formed on an upper surface of the timepiece.