US3910029A - Liquid crystal timepiece with improved display panel - Google Patents

Liquid crystal timepiece with improved display panel Download PDF

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Publication number
US3910029A
US3910029A US384866A US38486673A US3910029A US 3910029 A US3910029 A US 3910029A US 384866 A US384866 A US 384866A US 38486673 A US38486673 A US 38486673A US 3910029 A US3910029 A US 3910029A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
display panel
strips
base
notch
circuitry
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US384866A
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English (en)
Inventor
Satoshi Yamazaki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suwa Seikosha KK
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Suwa Seikosha KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3910029A publication Critical patent/US3910029A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings
    • G04G17/02—Component assemblies
    • G04G17/04—Mounting of electronic components
    • G04G17/045—Mounting of the display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C17/00—Indicating the time optically by electric means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings
    • G04G17/02—Component assemblies
    • G04G17/04—Mounting of electronic components
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0035—Details constructional

Definitions

  • the number of leads from the electronic circuitry to the display panel may be as large as 40 or even greater, depending on whether such features as the day and the date are to be shown,'and also due to the fact that timepieces when in the form of Wristwatches, particularly for ladies, are limited in size, it becomes very difficult to establish solder connections between the connecting strips and the segment leads. Consequently, it is highly desirable that effective and reliable electrical connection be made mechanically between the conductive strips and the segment leads. Further, it is essential that the conductive leads be guided into place as the watch is assembled in order to insure proper correspondence between the conductive leads and the segment leads.
  • the display panel For maximum legibility, it is necessary that the display panel occupy as large a portion of the outer surface of the timepiece as is possible. Consequently, an arrangement must be provided wherein the battery and the electronic circuitry lie behind the display panel and the frame holding same to the case body.
  • a liquid crystal display panel is held to the base of a timepiece by a frame having an opening such that it narrowly overlaps the spacer separating the plates of said display panel and also overlaps the filling hole by which liquid crystal is introduced into said display panel.
  • One of the'plates of said display panel overlaps the spacerand the other plate.
  • Leads from the segments activatable to display digits are brought out of has output leads in the form of resilient conductive strips.
  • the resilient metal strips make I the outer wall of the notch is metallic,'insulating means the liquid crystal chamber along the inner face of the overlapping plate.
  • the base on which said panel and said frame are mounted has a notch therein, said notch having an outer wall which slopes inwardly from the rear of the watch toward the front surface of the watch.
  • the electronic circuitry which is powered by a battery are provided for preventing short circuiting between the leads.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an improved display panel for an electronic timepiece wherein the display panel has maximized area for increased legibility of indicia displayed thereon.
  • Another object of the present invention is an improved electronic timepiece using a liquid crystal chamber for a display panel where the spacer and the filling hole are concealed by a frame.
  • a further object of the present invention is an improved electronic timepiece using a liquid crystal display panel wherein electrical contact between the electronic circuitry and the display panel is made mechanically and wherein guidance of the leads is provided as the electronic circuitry is inserted into the base so that the proper sequence of contacts between the circuitry elements and the display elements is insured.
  • the invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional liquid crystal display panel held in a frame
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a panel, base and circuitry in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2a is a view taken along line 2a2a of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 3 is a panel, base and circuitry in accordance with the present invention represented during the course of assembly;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a panel, base and ciruitry in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention showing how the frame can be used for the display of characters.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a timepiece incorporating the panel, base and'circuitry of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 A conventional liquid crystal display panel for a timepiece is shown in FIG. 1 wherein liquid crystal material .5- is held in a space defined by upper panel 1', lower tive of a plurality of segments supplied with leads (not shown) traversing the spacer 3 so that electrical connection can be made to the segments 4.
  • Liquid crystal material is introduced into the display panel through passage 6 which is then sealed with a stopper 7 which may be of a suitable resistant rubber or may be a metallic pin.
  • Frame 8 holds the display panel to the timepiece case or wristwatch case. As can be seen from FIG. 1, frame 8 extends only a short distance over plate 1, so that spacer 3 and filling hole 6 are visible from the exterior of the timepiece, Since spacer 3 may have rough edges and filling hole 6 with its stopper are not conducive to an attractive appearance, such an arrangement is relatively unappealing to the eye.
  • FIG. 2 shows an arrangement in accordance with the present invention wherein the disadvantages of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are eliminated.
  • frame 11 overlaps filling hole 6 and the stopper 7 therein minimally, i.e., by as small an amount as is con sistent with hiding same and simultaneously hiding spacer 3 from view.
  • This arrangement of the panel frame and the panel itself allows for maximum display space commensurate with hiding from view the extraneous components 3, 6 and 7.
  • FIG. 2 also shows in some detail how the frame and the panel mounted in a recess therein are held in a base.
  • Frame 11 is secured to base 13 by means of screws 14.
  • the central portion of base 13 lies between the display panel and encasement 17.
  • Encasement 17 holds within it portions of circuit elements where the totality of said circuit elements includes a battery, a time standard high frequency oscillator and frequency divider and a decoder (not shown). Said circuit elements including encasement 17 are mounted on signal distributor 12.
  • Base 13 has a notch 16 therein through which pass conductive strips 15 which are of resilient metal. Conductive strips 15 are soldered to signal distributor l2 and make electrical contact mechanically with leads which serve to impose a voltage on conductive segments 4 on the interior of the two plates of which the display panel is formed.
  • the base 13 is of conductive material
  • insulation a be introduced to prevent short circuiting of conductive strips 15 due to contact with base 13.
  • the insulation consists of a perforated strip 15a, preferably of a flexible rubber material or of a plastic.
  • Conductive metal strips 15 pass through perforations in strip 150 and make contact with segment leads 10 which are in the form of conductive coatings on the interior surface of upper plate 9.
  • FIG. 3 shows the panel, base and circuitry in the process of assembly, namely at the step wherein the electronic circuitry is being brought into position.
  • the movement of the panel 24 and the electronic circuitry 17 toward each other is indicated by the arrows 23 and 26.
  • Conductive strips 15 are so mounted on chips 12 that they bear against inclined surfaces 21. strips 15, being of resilient metal are forced inwardly toward the central portion of case 19 as the panel and the circuitry are moved toward each other. As circuitry 17 is seated in recess 19b, resilient metal strips 15 make mechanical and thereby electrical contact with segment leads 10 (FIG. 2A).
  • base 19 is of electrically conductive material
  • insulating strips 19a are provided on the upper portion of outer wall 21 of notch 16. As is the case with strip 15a, strips 19a serve to prevent short circuiting between the flexible metal strips 15. The assembly is held together by screws 25 and screw pins 22.
  • FIG. 4 The appearance of a display panel in accordance with the present invention as mounted in a wristwatch and as seen by the wearer is shown in FIG. 4, where, as can be seen, frame 11 overlaps spacer 3 and filling hole 6 minimally in order to provide maximum area for display of time.
  • a segment lead 10 is also shown as is the end of a conductive strip 15 making contact therewith.
  • the width of the frame 11, necessary in order to shield from view filling hole and spacer 3 as well as to provide an adequate recess for overlapping upper plate 9, may be used for imprinting characters such as the name of the manufacturer as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the peripheral area 28 is used for inscription 27.
  • the display area is indicated by the reference numeral 29.
  • FIG. 6 The manner in which display panel 9, frame 11 and the circuitry of the present invention fit within a watch case 30 is shown in FIG. 6.
  • An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the time, said panel including an upper plate, a lower plate, a spacer between said plates and around the periphery of said lower plate, one of said plates having a passage therethrough proximate said spacer for introducing liquid crystal into the space defined by said plates and said spacer, and a stopper in said passage; a base; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel, and an opening through which said panel may be viewed, said frame overlapping said spacer and said passage minimally, thereby providing maximum space on said display panel for display of time while hiding from view said spacer and said passage; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; electrical connecting means connecting the output of said electronic circuitry to said display panel for actuating said display panel and displaying the time; and holding means for holding said circuitry and said frame to said base, wherein said base has a notch therein, the shape of said notch being such as to provide for transit therethrough of said connect-- ing means between said
  • said insulating means consists of insulating material affixed to said strips so positioned as to hold said strips away from said outer wall of said notch.
  • An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal crystal display panel including an upper plate and a lower plate, at least one of said plates having conductive leads on a surface thereof, said leads being accessible suitably for connection to an exterior source of voltage; a base having a notch therein; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; resilient, electrically-conductive metal strips for connecting said circuitry to said conductive leads and making mechanical contact with said leads, said strips traversing said notch in said base; holding means for holding together said frame, base and circuitry, said notch having an outer wall sloping inwardly in passing from the rear of said timepiece toward said panel and said metal strips being attached to said electronic circuitry so that said strips bear against said sloping wall and are forced inwardly with respect to same as said circuitry is brought into place in said base.
  • said insulating means is an insulating liner affixed to the outer wall of said notch.
  • said insulating means consists of insulating ma-- terial affixed to said strips so positioned as to hold said strips away from said outer wall of said notch.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
US384866A 1972-08-03 1973-08-01 Liquid crystal timepiece with improved display panel Expired - Lifetime US3910029A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP7779872A JPS5616393B2 (zh) 1972-08-03 1972-08-03

Publications (1)

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US3910029A true US3910029A (en) 1975-10-07

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US (1) US3910029A (zh)
JP (1) JPS5616393B2 (zh)
GB (1) GB1409006A (zh)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3983689A (en) * 1975-03-31 1976-10-05 Hughes Aircraft Company Electronic watch construction
US4075825A (en) * 1974-06-28 1978-02-28 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece substratum
US4083177A (en) * 1973-09-25 1978-04-11 Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Liquid crystal display wrist watch
US4226509A (en) * 1978-01-10 1980-10-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Display device comprising a liquid display medium
US4281406A (en) * 1978-11-22 1981-07-28 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Water-proof case for digital electronic timepieces
US4348751A (en) * 1977-06-20 1982-09-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Electronic device and method of fabricating the same
US4391531A (en) * 1980-12-19 1983-07-05 Timex Corporation Electrooptical display/lead frame subassembly and timepiece module including same
US4756105A (en) * 1986-02-28 1988-07-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Display means comprising contacting display element
US4796977A (en) * 1987-03-17 1989-01-10 Drake George M Unitary LCD display holder
US5793452A (en) * 1995-09-13 1998-08-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Display device with jig and cooling means
US6091474A (en) * 1997-06-26 2000-07-18 Ericsson, Inc. Display assembly
US6847415B1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2005-01-25 Fujitsu Limited Flat display unit and method fabricating same
US20050285990A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-29 Havelka Steven E Non-ruggedized COTS display packaging for severe environment applications
US20120320625A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2012-12-20 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Edge light type planar light source device and liquid crystal display device
US20130141894A1 (en) * 2011-12-01 2013-06-06 Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd. Slim Bezel Backlight Module of Liquid Crystal Display Device
US20170373411A1 (en) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-28 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Connection device and timepiece
US11051415B2 (en) * 2015-09-03 2021-06-29 Acer Incorporated Method for assembling an electronic device

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5218200A (en) * 1975-08-01 1977-02-10 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Liquid crystal display
JPS5545350Y2 (zh) * 1975-12-02 1980-10-24
JPS5732978U (zh) * 1980-07-31 1982-02-20

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3672155A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-06-27 Hamilton Watch Co Solid state watch
US3680037A (en) * 1970-11-05 1972-07-25 Tech Wire Prod Inc Electrical interconnector
US3718842A (en) * 1972-04-21 1973-02-27 Texas Instruments Inc Liquid crystal display mounting structure
US3771855A (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-11-13 Texas Instruments Inc Liquid crystal display panel

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS48101145A (zh) * 1972-04-03 1973-12-20

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3672155A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-06-27 Hamilton Watch Co Solid state watch
US3680037A (en) * 1970-11-05 1972-07-25 Tech Wire Prod Inc Electrical interconnector
US3718842A (en) * 1972-04-21 1973-02-27 Texas Instruments Inc Liquid crystal display mounting structure
US3771855A (en) * 1972-05-01 1973-11-13 Texas Instruments Inc Liquid crystal display panel

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4083177A (en) * 1973-09-25 1978-04-11 Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Liquid crystal display wrist watch
US4075825A (en) * 1974-06-28 1978-02-28 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece substratum
US3983689A (en) * 1975-03-31 1976-10-05 Hughes Aircraft Company Electronic watch construction
US4348751A (en) * 1977-06-20 1982-09-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Electronic device and method of fabricating the same
US4226509A (en) * 1978-01-10 1980-10-07 U.S. Philips Corporation Display device comprising a liquid display medium
US4281406A (en) * 1978-11-22 1981-07-28 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Water-proof case for digital electronic timepieces
US4391531A (en) * 1980-12-19 1983-07-05 Timex Corporation Electrooptical display/lead frame subassembly and timepiece module including same
US4756105A (en) * 1986-02-28 1988-07-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Display means comprising contacting display element
US4796977A (en) * 1987-03-17 1989-01-10 Drake George M Unitary LCD display holder
US5793452A (en) * 1995-09-13 1998-08-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Display device with jig and cooling means
US6091474A (en) * 1997-06-26 2000-07-18 Ericsson, Inc. Display assembly
US6847415B1 (en) * 1998-12-18 2005-01-25 Fujitsu Limited Flat display unit and method fabricating same
US20050285990A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-29 Havelka Steven E Non-ruggedized COTS display packaging for severe environment applications
US7173678B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2007-02-06 Northrop Grumman Corporation Non-ruggedized COTS display packaging for severe environment applications
US20120320625A1 (en) * 2010-03-04 2012-12-20 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Edge light type planar light source device and liquid crystal display device
US8801257B2 (en) * 2010-03-04 2014-08-12 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Edge light type planar light source device and liquid crystal display device
US20130141894A1 (en) * 2011-12-01 2013-06-06 Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd. Slim Bezel Backlight Module of Liquid Crystal Display Device
US11051415B2 (en) * 2015-09-03 2021-06-29 Acer Incorporated Method for assembling an electronic device
US20170373411A1 (en) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-28 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Connection device and timepiece
US10103461B2 (en) * 2016-06-22 2018-10-16 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Connection device and timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4935049A (zh) 1974-04-01
JPS5616393B2 (zh) 1981-04-16
GB1409006A (en) 1975-10-08

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