JPH11326549A - Dial for clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metallic, three-dimensional, and advanced dial for clock that has a decorative pattern in one piece with metal and is rich in variation. SOLUTION: A dial for clock is provided with a first metal (film) layer 6 where a compartment 6b where a number of small holes 6a are provided on a transparent substrate 5 and a plurality of island-shaped compartments 6c without the small hole 6a are formed, and a second metal layer 7 where a time character, a mark, or the like is created on a plurality of island-shaped compartments 6c. The size of the small hole 6a is set to 5-30 μm, and at the same time the ratio of the small hole 6a is arranged by an area rate of 20-50% of parting area. A pattern 6b is formed on the surface of the first metal (film) layer 6. A transmission color coating 8 is provided on the first metal (film) layer 6. The surface of the second metal layer 7 is glossy. The small hole cannot be visually recognized and there is no feeling of wrongness. Dial lighting due to EL light emission and a solar generation function are sufficient, thus obtaining a metallic, three-dimensional, and advanced dial for clock that is rich in variation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timepiece such as a timepiece provided with electroluminescence (hereinafter abbreviated as EL) and a timepiece such as a solar clock.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a timepiece dial incorporating an EL luminous body in a timepiece or a timepiece dial incorporating a solar cell body, a plastic plate has been used in many cases because light transmission is required. Was. Various methods have been adopted to give various decorations to this plastic plate to give it a decorative variation and a sense of quality. A dial having a structure in which an EL light emitting member is arranged below the plastic plate is used. Since the dial is illuminated by the light emission of the EL light emitting member, the dial becomes bright and enables reading of time at night and in darkness.

[0003] However, there is a limit to the appearance of high-class feeling without the appearance of metal. In addition, since it is a plastic plate, the processing method is inevitably limited, and a wide variety of dials cannot be obtained. For this reason, attempts have been made to form a dial using a metal plate and to produce a high-quality appearance and a wide variety of variations due to the metallic appearance. Under such circumstances, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-78486 discloses one of the techniques for forming a dial using this metal plate. The outline will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the internal structure of a wristwatch. FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a display plate having a radial exit. FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a display plate having a small-diameter arc-shaped emission port. 5 to 7, on the upper surface of the main body portion of the analog pointer mechanism, a plate-shaped EL light-emitting member 1 and a display plate 2 are placed as a dial 3 in a stacked state. . Further, through holes 1a and 2a into which the pointer shafts are inserted are formed in the central portions of the EL light emitting member 1 and the display panel 2.

The display plate is formed of a material giving a metallic feeling. As shown in FIG. 6, a large number of emission ports 4 are formed radially around the through hole 2a, and the emission ports 4 have a small diameter. And extends in the radial direction of the display panel 1 in an intermittent state. As shown in FIG. 7, the emission port 4 is formed in an arc shape having a small diameter, and many of them are arranged concentrically around the through hole 2a. The exit 4 is formed with a uniform density so that the exit 4 itself forms a recognizable design. In addition, the light-transmissive film decorated here is attached to a display panel for decoration. In addition, display patterns, pictures, such as time characters and marks,
The characters and the like are formed by printing a paint.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. In other words, although the metallic appearance appears, the emission opening forms a design, but the emission opening is visually observed, so that a sense of strangeness as a dial is felt.

[0007] In addition, time characters, marks, and the like do not have a three-dimensional appearance because the display plate is flat and has no irregularities due to printing of paint.
Naturally, the sense of metal does not appear in the time characters, marks, etc., and thus lacks a sense of quality.

In addition, since the decorating method is performed using a transparent film, there are various problems such as a lack of sense of quality due to lack of sense of unity between the metal and the decor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object the appearance of a metallic appearance on the entire dial and the appearance of a three-dimensional appearance. Therefore, it is intended to provide a timepiece dial that can provide a sense of quality and a wide variety of variations.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a timepiece dial according to the present invention is a watch faceplate such as a timepiece with electroluminescence or a solar timepiece, in which a number of small clocks are formed on a transparent substrate. A first metal (film) layer in which a section in which holes are provided, and a plurality of island-shaped sections in which the small holes are not provided, and the first metal (film) layer And a second metal layer forming a time character, a mark, and the like on a plurality of island-shaped sections where the small holes are not provided.

Further, in a timepiece dial such as a timepiece or a solar timepiece having electroluminescence, a first metal (film) layer having a large number of small holes disposed on a transparent substrate; A metal (film) layer and a second metal layer partially forming a time character, a mark, or the like.

[0012] The small holes provided in the first metal (film) layer may have a diameter of 5 to 30 µm.

The small holes provided in the first metal (film) layer occupy 20 to 50% of the area where the dial can be seen from the table (partition area). It is characterized by having. .

Further, a pattern is formed on the surface of the first metal (film) layer.

Further, a transparent color coating film is provided on the first metal (film) layer.

Further, the surface of the second metal layer has a gloss.

Further, the surface of the first metal (film) layer and the surface of the second metal layer are coated with a clear coating film.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A timepiece dial according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 FIG. 1 is a plan view of a timepiece dial, and FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the timepiece dial of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
Has an EL luminous body 1 (or a solar cell body) disposed below the timepiece dial 3. The configuration of the timepiece dial 3 is such that a thin first metal (film) layer 6 having a large number of small holes 6a formed thereon is provided on a transparent substrate 5, and furthermore, the first metal (film) is provided. A time character on a part of the upper surface of the layer 6;
A second metal layer 7 forming a mark is provided, and the entire surface thereof is covered with a transparent clear coating film 8.

The transparent substrate 5 is formed of a transparent resin plate, but is not particularly limited to a resin plate. Those which are not deformed by heat or external force are preferable. The thin first metal (film) layer 6 is made of a thin metal film, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a section 6b in which a large number of small holes 6a are formed, and a plurality (12 in FIG. 1) of island-shaped sections 6c in which the small holes 6a are not formed are formed. is there.

The diameter of the small holes 6a is 5 to 30 μm, and is formed at a uniform density that cannot be visually recognized, and the total area occupied by the small holes 6a is such that the dial can be seen from the front. It is formed within a range of 20 to 50% of the area of the portion (within the partition). The shape of the small hole 6a may be a round hole, a square hole or a long hole, and the shape is not particularly limited.

The thin first metal (film) layer 6 has a pattern 6d formed on the surface thereof. Various patterns such as a sunrise pattern, a stripe pattern, a radiation pattern, and a lattice pattern can be formed on the pattern 6d. Further, the thickness of the first metal (film) layer 6 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that the first metal (film) layer 6 has a thickness enough to provide the pattern 6d.

The thin first metal (film) layer 6
A layer in which different layers of metal are stacked may be used. The thin first metal (film) layer 6 described above is bonded and fixed to the transparent substrate 5 via an adhesive.

The second metal layer 7 serves as an index such as a time character and a mark, and is formed at a predetermined position of the island-shaped section 6 c of the first metal (film) layer 6. The second metal layer 7 may be formed by adhering and fixing a pre-manufactured one, or may be formed integrally with the first metal (film) layer 6.

In the first embodiment, the clear coating film 8
Is formed on the upper surfaces of the first metal (film) layer 6 and the second metal layer 7, and the surfaces are smooth. The formation of the clear coating film 8 provides the effect of preventing corrosion and damage of the metal layer and, when the surface is smooth, the entire dial is beautifully finished, and the second metal layer 7 such as a time character has a three-dimensional appearance. come.

Here, a method of manufacturing the thin first metal (film) layer and a method of manufacturing the timepiece dial having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing a first metal (film) layer. In FIG. 3A, a resist film 10 is printed on a flat stainless steel flat plate 9 by a printing apparatus. In FIG. 3B, the resist film 10 is exposed by a photographic exposure apparatus, and the portion other than the position of the small hole 6a, that is, the stripped and removed portion 10
a is removed by a resist stripper. In FIG. 3C, a release agent 11 is applied to the portion 10a where the resist film has been peeled off. In FIG. 3D, Ni plating 12 is applied on the release agent 11 by a plating apparatus.
Is applied. When the first metal (film) layer 6 may be a metal film of, for example, copper or nickel metal, which is relatively inexpensive, a single metal layer (film) may be used. In addition, when it is desired to provide a metal film of gold, silver, or the like having a high material cost, FIG.
With Ni plating 12 and gold plating 1 with plating equipment
3 (or silver plating) is applied. It is economical to use two metal layers of nickel and gold (or silver). FIG. 3 (f)
Then, the resist film 10 in the small holes 6a is removed by a resist stripper. In FIG. 3G, the first metal (film) layer 6 is peeled from the stainless steel flat plate 9.

The first metal (film) layer 6 formed by the above method can be fixed on the transparent substrate 5 by bonding the first metal (film) layer 6 to the transparent substrate 5 with an adhesive. Thereafter, a pattern is formed on the surface of the first metal (film) layer 6 by performing various patterns such as a sunshine pattern, a stripe pattern, a radial pattern, and a lattice pattern on the surface by a mechanical processing method or the like.

Next, the second metal layer 7, which forms a time character, a mark, etc., is made of a metal part having a glossy surface made in advance by the first metal layer.
Of the metal (film) layer 6 at a predetermined position of the island-shaped section 6c with an adhesive. Alternatively, after forming the above pattern, a resist film is formed on the entire upper surface, the resist film is removed at portions such as a character and a mark by a photographic exposure method, and the peeled portion is plated with a thick metal, and then the resist film is formed again Is completely removed, the second metal layer 7 can be integrally formed on the first metal (film) layer 6. This second metal layer 7 may be formed in two layers, similarly to the first metal (film) layer 6 formed in two layers. For example,
By applying gold (or silver) plating after nickel plating, a glossy gold (or silver) metal layer can be formed.
Finally, by applying the clear coating film 8, the timepiece dial 3 of this configuration is manufactured.

The operation and effect of the above configuration will be described. The first metal (film) layer has a size of 5 to 3
By arranging the small hole of 0 μm, the small hole is invisible and the light can be transmitted through the small invisible hole, and the lighting function of the dial and the power generation function of the solar cell can be performed. .

The small holes can be formed in a state where the dimensions are sufficiently controlled by the above-described manufacturing method using the electroforming method. Of course, the invention is not limited to the electroforming method.

Further, by setting the opening area of the small holes to 20 to 50%, that is, by making the opening area smaller than 50%, the metal reflecting surface becomes more than 50%, and the entire surface looks like a metal surface, and the hole is completely bright. It looks like a metal plate that is not in place. Also, 2
By making the value larger than 0%, the light emitted from the EL is transmitted to sufficiently illuminate the dial and the dial can be clearly recognized, or external light is transmitted through the dial to generate solar cell power. Functions can be fully satisfied. As a matter of course, a metal color unique to the metal appears due to the metal (film) layer, giving a metallic feeling and a luxurious feeling.

Here, if the small holes are formed uniformly in the dial, uniform EL illumination can be obtained as a whole.
Also, if the inner peripheral portion of the dial is formed with a coarse density and the outer peripheral portion having a time character or the like is formed with a fine density (less than 50%), the inner peripheral portion can be darkened and the outer peripheral portion can be brightly illuminated. In this way, it is possible to arbitrarily change the formation density of the small holes to give a change in brightness.

In the case of the above-mentioned solar cell, since the cell layers are formed to be evenly １ ／ in circumference, it is possible to generate electric power efficiently by irradiating a uniform amount of light to each of the four cell layers. Therefore, it is preferable to form the small holes such that the opening density of the small holes is equal to the density of each of the 1/4 circles.

By forming a pattern on the surface of the first metal (film) layer, it is naturally easy to process because it is a metal film, and various patterns can be formed by various methods, thereby enhancing the decorativeness of the dial. At the same time, it is possible to enrich the decoration variations.

Further, by forming a second metal layer forming a time character, a mark, and the like, and by giving a gloss to the surface, a three-dimensional appearance appears on the dial, and the dial has a noble metallic luster. Therefore, a sense of quality appears.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a timepiece dial showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The clock dial 3
The difference from the above-described first embodiment is that the first metal (film) layer 6 has no island-shaped section where the small holes 6a are not formed. That is, a large number of small holes 6 a are formed on the entire surface of the first metal (film) layer 6. A pattern 6d is formed on the surface of the first metal (film) layer 6, and a transparent color coating layer 14 is provided thereon. The color coating layer 14 has a structure in which a second metal layer 7 forming a time character, a mark, or the like is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface.

The small hole 6a here is a small hole having a hole diameter of 5 to 30 μm, as in the first embodiment described above, and the opening area is the parting display area (the area visible from the table). Is formed entirely in the range of 20 to 50%. The pattern 6d on the surface of the first metal (film) layer 6
Is a pattern similar to that of the first embodiment.

The color coating layer 14 is provided in order to add various color tones to the single metal tone of the first metal (film) layer 6 so as to bring out a variety of decorative properties and color variations. By providing a color coating of a single color or a color coating of a multi-color pattern, a variety of decorations and variations can be provided. The color coating layer 14 has a light transmission property, and the emitted EL light passes through the color coating layer 14 to irradiate the dial surface. Alternatively, light from the outside world is transmitted and enters the solar cell. The color coating layer 14 can be formed uniformly by dispersing and blending a color pigment into a transparent resin to form a coating material and by means such as screen printing.

The above-mentioned color coating layer 14 comprises
The metal (film) layer 6 also has an effect of preventing corrosion. The second metal layer 7 forming a time character, a mark, etc. is manufactured in advance,
It is formed by bonding and fixing a metal part having a glossy surface to a predetermined position via an adhesive.

With the configuration described above, the first
In addition to the effects described in the embodiment, the effect of enhancing the decorativeness and enriching the color variations is obtained. In addition, since the color coating layer is provided directly on the metal (film) layer, the metal film and the color coating layer have a sense of unity and give a high decorative value. Further, the effect of preventing corrosion of the metal layer can be obtained.

[0041]

As described above, by providing a metal (film) layer having a large number of invisible small holes,
Light is transmitted through the small holes, and satisfies the dial illumination and the solar power generation function by EL emission.

Further, since the metal film can be easily subjected to various processes on its surface, various desired patterns can be formed and the decorativeness can be enhanced. Naturally, it gives a sense of metal, so you can also have a sense of quality.

Further, by setting the size of the small holes to 5 to 30 μm, a dial plate which does not make the user feel uncomfortable because the small holes are invisible can be obtained.

By setting the area ratio of the small holes to 20% or more, sufficient illumination for visual recognition can be obtained, and a sufficient power generation function can be obtained. Further, when the area ratio is set to 50% or less, metal reflection appears strongly and a metal tone appears on the entire surface.

Further, by providing a transparent color coating layer, color variations can be enriched.

When a second metal layer forming a time character, a mark or the like is provided on a thin first metal (film) layer, and the surface is made glossy, a three-dimensional appearance appears on the dial. At the same time, a shiny metallic color appears, giving the appearance of luxury as a watch.

As described above, as a timepiece dial incorporating an EL or a solar, a watch character that can provide a rich color variation without a sense of incongruity, has a three-dimensional effect in a metallic tone, and has a high-quality appearance as a watch. The board could be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a timepiece dial according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the timepiece dial of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a process chart showing a method for manufacturing a first metal (film) layer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a timepiece dial according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional wristwatch.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a conventional display panel having a radial emission port.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a conventional display panel in which a small-diameter arc-shaped emission port is formed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 EL luminous body (or solar cell body) 3 Clock face plate 5 Transparent substrate 6 First metal (film) layer 6a Small hole 6b Section with many small holes 6c Island-shaped section without small holes 6d pattern 7 second metal layer 8 clear coating 14 color coating

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A clock dial such as a clock or a solar clock provided with electroluminescence, a section in which a number of small holes are provided on a transparent substrate, and an island-like form in which the small holes are not provided. The first section in which a plurality of sections are formed
And a second metal layer forming a time character, a mark, and the like on a plurality of island-shaped sections in which the small holes of the first metal (film) layer are not provided. A timepiece dial characterized by the above. 2. A timepiece dial such as a timepiece or a solar clock with electroluminescence, comprising: a first metal (film) layer having a large number of small holes arranged on a transparent substrate;
A timepiece dial, comprising: a second metal layer partially forming a time character, a mark, and the like on the first metal (film) layer. 3. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein said small holes provided in said first metal (membrane) layer have a diameter of 5 to 30 μm. . 4. The ratio of the small holes provided in the first metal (film) layer is such that the small holes are arranged at an area ratio of 20 to 50% of an area (partition area) where the dial can be seen from the table. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein a pattern is formed on a surface of the first metal (film) layer. 6. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein a transparent color coating film is provided on the first metal (film) layer. 7. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the second metal layer has gloss. 8. The timepiece dial according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the first metal (film) layer and the second metal layer are coated with a clear coating film.