JP3397874B2 - Mobile watch lighting system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device used for a portable timepiece.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional illuminating device used for a portable timepiece, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-125583 is known. This aims to improve the brightness on the surface of the light guide ring by forming a diffuse reflection layer for diffusing the light on the surface of the light guide ring for guiding the light from the light source to the periphery of the dial.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional illuminating device, since the area of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring is uniform over the entire circumference, it is located at a position far from the light source. The brightness of the light emitting surface is reduced. This is because, when the light guided from the light source into the light guide ring is transmitted through the light guide ring, a part of the light reflected in the light guide ring is emitted from the light emitting surface to be attenuated. Is. In order to compensate for this phenomenon of decrease in brightness, the light intensity of the light source itself must be increased, which causes a decrease in the life of the light source, and also increases the capacity of the power source for the light source to reduce the brightness. There is a problem that the weight of the power source increases if it is attempted to compensate.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to obtain uniform luminance over the entire circumference of the light guide ring even if the light intensity of the light source is low. It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminating device for a portable timepiece, which can secure the above-mentioned characteristics and does not increase the power source capacity for the light source.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable timepiece having an illuminating device which guides light from a light source to the periphery of a dial through a light guide ring.
A light source is disposed in the light guide ring, and the thickness of the light guide ring in the radial direction is formed to be larger than the diameter of the light source, and the outer surface of the light guide ring excluding the light emitting surface is moved away from the light source. A first layer having a diffusion layer of which the area is gradually increased;
It is characterized in that a shielding film made of a second layer made of a reflective film for preventing light leakage is formed.

In the light guide ring of the present invention, it is preferable that the area of the light emitting surface at a position far from the light source is smaller than the area of the light emitting surface near the light source.

Further, in the light guide ring of the present invention, it is preferable to form a light diffusing means or an inclined portion on the light emitting surface on the inner side surface.

Further, the light guide ring of the present invention has
It is preferable to form a diffusion layer whose area is gradually increased as the distance from the light source increases.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the light source is arranged in the light guide ring so that the thickness of the light guide ring in the radial direction is made larger than the diameter of the light source, and the light guide surface of the light guide ring is excluded. A first layer having a diffusing layer whose surface area is gradually increased as the distance from the light source increases, and a second layer having a reflecting film for blocking light leakage.
By forming a shielding film consisting of a layer and the light leakage in the vicinity of the light source is suppressed to a minimum, diffuse reflection of the light in the light guide ring as it moves away from the light source, and a part of the diffusely reflected light. By reliably emitting light from the light emitting surface, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the luminance of the light emitting surface due to a decrease in the light guide amount (the amount of light guided from the light source into the light guide ring) at a position far from the light source, I will make up for it. In addition, the area of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring at a position far from the light source,
By making the size smaller than the vicinity of the light source, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the brightness of the light emitting surface even if the amount of light guide at the position far from the light source is small. Also, by forming a light diffusing means or an inclined portion on the light emitting surface on the inner side surface of the light guide ring, the light is diffusely reflected on the inner side surface and the emission angle of the light emitted from the light emitting surface is changed. It is possible to increase the brightness of the light emitting surface on the inner side surface and to emit most of the light from the light emitting surface to the dial side. Further, by forming a diffusion layer on the light emitting surface of the light guide ring, the area of which gradually increases as the distance from the light source increases, diffuse reflection of light on the light emitting surface increases as the distance from the light source increases.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of a portable timepiece equipped with a lighting device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a light guide ring of the lighting device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along line B, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are main-part cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the light guide ring, and FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are vertical cross-sectional views showing still another embodiment of the light guide ring. 9 to 13 are enlarged cross-sectional views of a main part showing still another embodiment of the inner surface of the light guide ring, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring. .

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a body of a portable timepiece, and an analog module 2 is built in the body 1. A dial 3 is placed on the module 2 to display the time based on the indicated positions of the second hand 4, minute hand 5 and hour hand 6 provided on the module 2. Reference numeral 7 denotes a light guide ring placed on the dial plate 3 and is made of transparent plastic such as acrylic. The light guide ring 7 is provided with a recess 7a for accommodating a lamp 9 as a light source which is electrically connected to the module 2 with a lead 8 at the 12 o'clock side, and a step portion 7 provided on the outer circumference of the light guide ring 7.
b is held by the fixing ring 10 fixed to the body 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a cover glass to which the fixing ring 10 is fixed, and between the cover glass 11 and the light guide ring 7, a parting plate 12 through which numbers and the like are transmitted is provided.

The light guide ring 7 is for guiding the light emitted from the lamp 9 to the periphery of the dial plate 3,
As shown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter portion 7c is formed eccentrically with respect to the outer diameter portion 7d, and the radial thickness on the lamp 9 side is formed larger than the diameter of the lamp 9. There is. The radial thickness L2 of the light guide ring 7 on the side facing the lamp 9 is smaller than the radial thickness L1 of the light guide ring 7 on the lamp 9 side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, from the outer surface to the lower surface of the light guide ring 7, a first diffusion layer 13a is formed on the outer surface of the light guide ring 7 to diffusely reflect light. The second layer 14 composed of the layer 13 and the reflective film 14a formed on the outer surface side of the first layer 13 and formed by sticking a white tape having an excellent function of blocking light leakage.
A shielding film 15 composed of is formed. This shielding film 1
The upper surface and the inner side surface where 5 is not formed become the light emitting surface. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the area of the diffusion layer 13a is formed to be small in the vicinity of the lamp 9 and gradually increases as the distance from the lamp 9 increases, as shown in the graduation of the photograph. That is, the plurality of diffusion layers 13 a are scattered on the outer surface of the light guide ring 7 to form the first layer 13, and the diffusion layers 13 a are formed as the distance from the lamp 9 increases.
The number of a is gradually increased, or the size of the area of each diffusion layer 13a is gradually increased.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The light emitted from the lamp 9 is guided around the dial 3 through the inside of the light guide ring 7. At this time, the lamp 9 becomes the light guide ring 7.
Since the light guide ring 7 is housed and arranged in the recess 7a formed in the above, and the radial thickness of the light guide ring 7 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the lamp 9, the light emitted from the lamp 9 can be reliably emitted. The light can be received by, and the light leakage in the vicinity of the lamp 9 can be suppressed to the minimum, and the light can be efficiently guided into the light guide ring 7. In addition, the shielding film 1 formed from the outer surface to the lower surface of the light guide ring 7
5, the area of the diffusion layer 13a of the first layer 13 is set to the lamp 9
Since it is formed so as to be gradually increased as it goes away from, the amount of diffused reflection of light on the first layer 13 can be increased as it goes away from the lamp 9. Then, although some of the light reflected by the reflective film 14a is not emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface and the upper surface of the light guide ring 7, most of the light diffusely reflected by the diffusion layer 13a is surely emitted. Since the light is emitted from the surface, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting surface due to irregular reflection gradually increases as the distance from the lamp 9 increases. Therefore, in combination with the function of preventing the leakage of light due to the reflective film 14a of the second layer 14, the decrease in the brightness of the light emitting surface due to the amount of light guide that decreases as the distance from the lamp 9 decreases, and the position far from the lamp 9 is compensated. The brightness of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring 7 in FIG. That is, the luminance of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring 7 can be made uniform regardless of the distance from the lamp 9.

Since the radial thickness L2 of the light guide ring 7 on the side facing the lamp 9 is smaller than the radial thickness L1 of the light guide ring 7 on the lamp 9 side, The area of the light emitting surface on the upper surface side of the light ring 7 is formed to be smaller as the distance from the lamp 9 increases. Where the lamp 9
The amount of light emitted from the light emitting surface (light emitting amount) naturally decreases as the distance from the light emitting surface increases, but if the light emitting surface is made smaller, the light emitting amount per unit area of the light emitting surface can be increased. Even if there is, the brightness of the light emitting surface can be increased. Therefore, on the light emitting surface of the light guide ring 7, particularly on the light emitting surface on the upper surface side, the light emission amount per unit area of the light emitting surface increases as the distance from the lamp 9 increases so as to compensate for the light guide amount that decreases as the distance from the lamp 9 as a light source increases. Since the amount can be gradually increased, the brightness of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring 7 at a position far from the lamp 9 can be secured. That is, the luminance of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring 7 can be made uniform regardless of the distance from the lamp 9.

The recess formed in the light guide ring may be formed with a radial recess 27a in the light guide ring 27 as shown in FIG. 5, or as shown in FIG. Ring 37
The recess 37a in the thickness direction may be formed. Even with such a concave shape, the light emitted from the lamp 9 can be reliably received. Further, as the reflection film formed on the light guide ring, in addition to the above-mentioned white tape attached,
It may be formed by printing or vapor-depositing a metal such as silver, aluminum or nickel. The reflectance of light is highest in white, but the color tone is not limited to white.

Another example of forming the light emitting surface of the light guide ring at a position far from the lamp 9 as a light source is smaller than the area of the light emitting surface near the lamp 9 is shown in FIG. As shown, the height H2 of the inner surface of the light guide ring 47 on the opposite side of the lamp 9 is made smaller than the height H1 near the lamp 9. With such a shape, the area of the light emitting surface on the inner side surface of the light guide ring 47 is formed smaller as the distance from the lamp 9 increases. Therefore, in particular, the amount of light emission per unit area of the inner side surface is gradually increased as the distance from the lamp 9 increases, and the brightness of the inner side surface of the light guide ring 47 that decreases as the distance from the lamp 9 increases can be compensated. In this way, it is possible to make the brightness of the light guide ring 47 uniform over the entire circumference, even if the amount of light guide decreases as the distance from the lamp 9 as the light source increases. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, if the radial thickness of the light guide ring 57 and the height of the inner side surface are L1> L2 and H1> H2, the light emitting surface of the light guide ring described above is obtained. Since the area of is smaller at the position opposite to the lamp 9 on both the upper surface side and the inner side surface, the brightness of the light emitting surface is made uniform on both the upper surface side and the inner side surface of the light guide ring 57 .

Next, another embodiment of the light emitting surface on the inner surface of the light guide ring will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. In FIG. 9, a knurl 67a as a light diffusing means is continuously formed on the inner surface of the light guide ring 67. This is because when the light guided by the light guide ring 67 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface, the light is diffused in a substantially circumferential direction, and the brightness on the light emitting surface on the inner side surface is reduced. To be enhanced. Further, in FIG. 10, a convex lens 77a as a light diffusing means is formed on the inner side surface of the light guide ring 77. This is because when the light guided by the light guide ring 77 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface, the light is widely diffused in the vertical direction by the lens effect, and this is also on the inner side surface. In addition to increasing the brightness on the light emitting surface, it is possible to illuminate a wide range from the upper surface of the dial plate (not shown) to above the cover glass (not shown). Further, in FIG. 11, a satin-finished surface 87a as a light diffusing means is formed on the inner side surface of the light guide ring 87. This is because, when the light guided by the light guide ring 87 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface, the light diffuses irregularly. This also applies to the light emitting surface on the inner side surface. The brightness of is increased. FIG. 12 shows an inner surface of the light guide ring 97 having a first inclined surface 97a facing upward and a second inclined surface 97 facing downward.
b is formed, and by providing such an inclined surface, when the light guided by the light guide ring 97 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface, the light is directed upward and downward. Disperse into and. This allows the cover glass and the dial outside the drawing to be illuminated at the same time. FIG. 13 shows that the light guide ring 107 has a downwardly inclined surface 107a formed on the inner side surface thereof, whereby the light guided by the light guide ring 107 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the inner side surface. In addition, the upper surface of the dial outside the figure is illuminated more brightly. By providing the inner surface of the light guide ring 77 with the above-described shape, it is possible to give the appearance of the portable watch an unprecedented and interesting appearance.

Next, a further different embodiment of the light guide ring will be described.
Description will be made based on FIG. In FIG. 14, the light guide ring 1
From the outer surface to the lower surface of 17, the first layer 13 having the diffusion layer 13a and the reflective film 14a are formed as in the above-described embodiment.
The shielding film 15 including the second layer 14 is formed. In addition to this, the same diffusion as that of the diffusion layer 13a is applied to the light emitting surface from the inner side surface to the upper surface of the light guide ring 117. The layer 117a is formed. Moreover, the area of the diffusion layer 117a is small in the vicinity of the lamp (not shown),
As the distance from the lamp increases, it gradually increases like the gradation in the photograph. Thus, the light emitted from the light emitting surface is diffused by the diffusion layer 117a to increase the brightness of the light emitting surface, and the amount of light diffused by the diffusion layer 117a is gradually increased as the distance from the lamp increases. be able to. As a result, it is possible to deal with the amount of light guide that decreases as the distance from the lamp as the light source increases, and to compensate for the decrease in the brightness of the light emitting surface at the position far from the lamp, and to make the brightness uniform over the entire circumference of the light guide ring 117. It is a thing. Further, when the light emitted from the light emitting surface is applied to the other light emitting surface, for example, the light emitting surface on the opposite side, the light is diffusely reflected by the diffusion layer 117a, which further improves the brightness. .

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a portable timepiece having an illuminating device for guiding light from a light source to the periphery of a dial through a light guide ring, the light source is provided in the light guide ring. A diffusion layer in which the thickness of the light guide ring in the radial direction is made larger than the diameter of the light source, and the area of the outer surface of the light guide ring excluding the light emitting surface is gradually increased as the distance from the light source increases. Since the shielding film composed of the first layer having the and the second layer composed of the reflective film for blocking the leakage of light is formed, the light emitted from the light source can be guided into the light guide ring without leaking, It is possible to compensate for the decrease in brightness that accompanies a decrease in the amount of light guide in the light guide ring at a position away from the light source, and it is possible to make the brightness uniform over the entire circumference of the light guide ring.

By forming the area of the light emitting surface of the light guide ring at a position far from the light source to be smaller than the area of the light emitting surface near the light source, the light guide ring at a position far from the light source. The amount of light emission per unit area of the light emitting surface of can be increased. As a result, the brightness on the light emitting surface at a position far from the light source can be compensated for even with a reduced light guide amount, and the brightness can be made uniform over the entire circumference of the light guide ring.

Further, since the light diffusing means or the inclined portion is formed on the light emitting surface on the inner side surface of the light guide ring, diffuse reflection of light is caused on the light emitting surface on the inner side surface of the light guide ring to enhance the brightness. The incident light from other parts of the light emitting surface can be reflected to further increase the brightness, and the light emitting angle can be set in a desired direction.
Further, the design variation of the mobile watch can be expanded.

By forming a diffusion layer on the light emitting surface of the light guide ring, the area of which gradually increases as the distance from the light source increases, diffuse reflection of light occurs on the light emitting surface to increase the brightness, and in particular, the distance from the light source increases. By compensating for the decrease in brightness on the light emitting surface of the light guide ring at the position, the brightness can be made uniform over the entire circumference of the light guide ring. Due to these, even with a light source with low luminous intensity, it is possible to obtain a uniform luminance over the entire circumference of the light guide ring, which makes it possible to prolong the life of the light source and reduce the capacity of the power source for the light source. As a lighting device for a portable timepiece, it has a very excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of a portable timepiece equipped with a lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a light guide ring of a lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing still another embodiment of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment in which the inner surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention is different.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the inner surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the inner surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the inner surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the inner surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment in which the light emitting surface of the light guide ring according to the present invention is different.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Light guide ring 9 lamps (light source) 13 First layer 13a diffusion layer 14 Second layer 14a reflective film 15 Shielding film 27 Light guide ring 37 Light guide ring 47 light guide ring 57 Light guide ring 67 Light guide ring 67a Knurl (light diffusing means) 77 Light guide ring 77a Convex lens (light diffusing means) 87 Light guide ring 87a satin treated surface (light diffusing means) 97 Light guide ring 97a First inclined surface 97b Second inclined surface 107 light guide ring 107a inclined surface 117 Light guide ring 117a Diffusion layer

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G04B 19/30 G01D 11/28 G12B 11/00

Claims (19)

(57) [Claims] 1. A lighting device for a portable timepiece, which guides light from a light source to a dial through a light guide ring, wherein a light emitting surface for emitting light from the light source is provided on an upper surface of the light guide ring. An illumination device for a portable timepiece in which the radial thickness of the light guide ring at a position far from the light source is smaller than the radial thickness of the light guide ring in the vicinity. 2. A lighting device for a portable timepiece, which guides light from a light source to a dial through a light guide ring, wherein a light emitting surface for emitting light from the light source is provided on an inner surface of the light guide ring. An illumination device for a portable timepiece in which the height of the light guide ring at a position far from the light source is smaller than the height of the light guide ring near the light source. 3. A lighting device for a portable timepiece, which guides light from a light source to a dial through a light guide ring, wherein a light emitting surface for emitting light from the light source is provided on an upper surface and an inner side surface of the light guide ring. The radial thickness of the light guide ring at a position farther from the light source is made smaller than the radial thickness of the light guide ring near the light source, and at a position farther from the light source than the height of the light guide ring near the light source. A lighting device for a portable watch with a light guide ring that has a small height . 4. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
An illumination device for a timepiece, comprising a light diffusing means for diffusing light on a light emitting surface of a light guide ring for emitting light from a light source, the light diffusing means comprising a knurl. 5. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
An illuminating device for a timepiece, comprising a light diffusing means for diffusing light on a light emitting surface of a light guide ring that emits light from a light source, and the light diffusing means includes a lens. 6. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
What lighting apparatus der watches, in the light guide ring, the light emitting surface for emitting light from the light source comprises a light diffusing means for diffusing the light, the light diffusing means, the illumination of the watch comprising a downwardly inclined surface apparatus. 7. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
An illumination device for a watch, wherein the light guide ring has a light emitting surface for emitting light from a light source and a diffusion layer for diffusing the light, and the area of the diffusion layer gradually increases as the distance from the light source increases. . 8. The illumination device of portable timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 3, the outer surface of the light guide rings except the light-emitting surface, comprising a first layer having a diffusion layer for diffusing light Lighting device for mobile watches. 9. The illumination device of portable timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 3, the outer surface of the light guide rings except the light-emitting surface, the illumination device of a portable timepiece comprising a reflective film. 10. The illuminating device for a portable timepiece according to claim 8 , wherein the first layer is a layer for gradually increasing the amount of diffused light as the distance from the light source increases. 11. The illumination device for a portable timepiece according to claim 10 , wherein the area of the diffusion layer gradually increases as the distance from the light source increases. 12. A lighting device of a portable timepiece according to any one of claims 8 11, the lighting device of a portable timepiece comprising a reflecting film on the outside of the first layer. 13. A lighting device of a portable timepiece according to any one of claims 9 or 12, the reflection film, the illuminating device of the watch which is formed by sticking the tape to the guide ring. 14. The illuminating device for a portable timepiece according to claim 4, wherein the knurling is formed continuously with the light guide ring. 15. The illumination device for a portable timepiece according to claim 5, wherein the lens has a convex shape on the light guide ring. 16. The illumination device for a portable timepiece according to claim 6, wherein the light diffusing means further includes an upward inclined surface. 17. A lighting device of a portable timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, on the light emitting surface for emitting light from the light source, the illumination device of a portable timepiece comprising a parting plate. 18. The illuminating device for a portable timepiece according to claim 17 , wherein the parting plate has a numeral through which light is transmitted. 19. A portable timepiece having a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 18.