This application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2018/029983 filed on Aug. 9, 2018, which claims priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2017-222747 filed in the Japa Patent Office on Nov. 20, 2017. Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a band device, a wristwatch, and an end piece.
A wristwatch includes a watch head, a band wound around an arm, and end pieces connecting the watch head and the band. There is also known a structure in which attachment and detachment between a watch head and each end piece are performed without using a tool, and according to this structure, a watch head of a wristwatch can be easily replaced with another watch head.
In recent years, wearable terminals having an information processing function have been increasingly widely used. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device which includes a circuit board in a band, and in which attachment and detachment between each end piece and a watch head can be performed. The watch head can be easily replaced with another watch head with respect to the band and each end piece in the electronic device, as well.
However, in the electronic device described in Patent Document 1, a watch head having a lug width corresponding to the size of the end piece can be attached to the end piece, but a watch head having a lug width not corresponding to the size of the end piece cannot be attached to the end piece. That is, other watch heads that can be attached to the band and the end pieces are limited in the electronic device described in Patent Document 1.
Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a band device, a wristwatch, and an end piece that are novel and improved, and can realize attachment of more various types of watch heads.
According to the present disclosure, a band device is provided that includes an annular band portion that forms a hollow portion, in which the band portion includes: a sensor module; and an engaging portion detachably engaged with end pieces to which a watch head is attached.
Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, a wristwatch is provided that includes: a band portion including a sensor module; end pieces attachable to and detachable from the band portion; and a watch head attached to the end pieces.
Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, an end piece is provided that includes: a piece housing portion including a back surface located on a wearer's skin side and a front surface on a side opposite to the back surface; and a connecting portion protruding from the back surface of the piece housing portion and detachably engaged with the band portion.
The band device, the wristwatch and the end piece according to the present disclosure described above realize attachment of more various types of watch heads.
Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects shown in the present description, or other effects that can be known from the present description may be achieved together with or in place of the effects described above.
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the present description and drawings, the same reference numeral is added to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
Furthermore, in the present description and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration are sometimes distinguished from each other by adding different alphabets after the same reference numeral. However, in a case where there is no need to particularly distinguish each of the multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is added to each of the multiple components.
Furthermore, the present disclosure will be described according to the following item order.
1. Overview of Wristwatch
2. Configuration of Buckle Portion
3. Configuration of Engaging Portion
4. Configuration of End Piece and Attachment Thereof to Band Portion
5. Working Effects
6. Modifications
7. Supplement
<1. Overview of Wristwatch>
(Overview of Configuration of Wristwatch)
The watch head 10 includes a display surface 110 and lugs 112. The display surface 110 is configured to display a time. The display surface 110 includes a dial, an hour hand, and a minute hand, and a time may be displayed by the hour hand and the minute hand pointing any position on the dial.
Alternatively, the display surface 110 may be configured with a liquid crystal display, and a screen indicating a time may be displayed on the liquid crystal display. The screen may be a screen that simulates an analog watch or a screen that provides a digital representation of a time. Furthermore, the watch head 10 may have a function of a smartwatch. The lugs 112 protrude along an extending direction of the band portion 30, and two opposing lugs 112 are provided on both sides (hereinafter sometimes referred to as upper and lower sides) in the extending direction of the band portion 30. The two opposing lugs 112 are separated from each other in a width direction.
The end piece 20 is attached to an interval between the two opposing lugs 112 of the watch head 10 on each of the upper and lower sides of the watch head 10. The end pieces 20 also engage with the band portion 30. The watch head 10 and the band portion 30 are connected by the end pieces 20.
The band portion 30 is an example of a band device that is annular and forms a hollow portion S. Although the band portion 30 is not illustrated on a back surface side of the watch head 10 in
(Connection Between Watch Head and Band Portion)
Subsequently, the above-described connection between the watch head 10 and the band portion 30 will be described with reference to
Next, attachment of the end pieces 20 to the band portion 30 will be described. As illustrated in
(Significance of Wristwatch According to Embodiment of Present Disclosure)
As described above, the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the band portion 30 that is annular, and in which the sensor function, the wireless communication function, and the like are implemented. Then, the end pieces 20 can be detached from and attached to the band portion 30. Consequently, the wearer can use the band portion 30 alone as a wearable terminal, or use the wristwatch 1 in which the end pieces 20 and the watch head 10 are attached to the band portion 30.
Furthermore, various types of end pieces 20 having different sizes can be detached from and attached to the band portion 30. That is, the end pieces 20 having sizes corresponding to various types of watch heads 10 having different lug widths can be detached from and attached to the band portion 30. Thus, it is possible to easily attach the watch head 10 having a different lug width to the band portion 30 via the different end pieces 20.
The overview of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Hereinafter, the configuration of the wristwatch 1 will be described more specifically.
<2. Configuration of Buckle Portion>
First, a configuration of the buckle portion 32 which is a part of the band portion 30 will be described with reference to
The first movable blade 324A includes links 326A and 328A, and the second movable blade 324B includes links 326B and 328B. The link 326A of the first movable blade 324A is connected to one end of the central blade 322 via a joint 327A, and the link 326B of the second movable blade 324B is connected to the other end of the central blade 322 via a joint 327B. The links 326A and 328A of the first movable blade 324A are connected via a joint 329A, and the links 326B and 328B of the second movable blade 324B are connected via a joint 329B.
In the closed state of the buckle portion 32, the links 326A and 328A of the first movable blade 324A are folded on one end side of the central blade 322, and the links 326B and 328B of the second movable blade 324B are folded on the other end side of the central blade 322. The first movable blade 324A and the second movable blade 324B are provided such that there is an interval therebetween in this closed state. Consequently, as illustrated in an upper view of
The buckle portion 32 transitions from the closed state to the open state by the first movable blade 324A and the second movable blade 324B being unfolded. Specifically, the first movable blade 324A and the second movable blade 324B are unfolded by the link 326A of the first movable blade 324A rotating around the joint 327A and the link 328A thereof rotating around the joint 329A, as well as the link 326B of the second movable blade 324B rotating around the joint 327B and the link 328B thereof rotating around the joint 329B. In the open state of the buckle portion 32, the band portion 30 has a longer outer peripheral length, so that the wearer can put his/her arm through the band portion 30, and can remove the band portion 30 from his/her arm.
(Circuit Board)
In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a circuit board in which a sensor function, a wireless communication function, and the like are implemented is included in the central blade 322 of the buckle portion 32 described above. Hereinafter, a configuration of the circuit board included in the central blade 322 of the buckle portion 32 will be described.
The battery 410 is a secondary battery that supplies power to each configuration of the circuit board 40.
The sensor module 420 is a module for detecting one or two or more physical quantities. In the example illustrated in
The contactless communication unit 430 is an interface for performing contactless communication with another communication device. Examples of use cases of contactless communication between the contactless communication unit 430 and another communication device include payment for goods at a retail store, payment for a fare at a station ticket gate, authentication, and the like.
The wireless communication unit 440 is an interface for performing wireless communication, which has a communicable range wider than contactless communication, with another communication device. The wireless communication unit 440 may perform wireless communication by a wireless LAN or may perform wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 440 is used, for example, when the wearer transmits information detected by the sensor module 420 to a smartphone used by the wearer.
The storage unit 450 stores information used for operations of the circuit board 40. For example, the storage unit 450 stores a program for causing the control unit 460 to operate and information detected by the sensor module 420.
The control unit 460 controls the overall operations of the circuit board 40. For example, the control unit 460 controls start and stop of the sensor module 420, contactless communication performed by the contactless communication unit 430, wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 440, and the like.
<3. Configuration of Engaging Portion>
Next, a configuration of the engaging portion 34 provided in the band portion 30 will be described.
The engaging portion 34B includes the opening 342, abutment surfaces 344, step portions 347, and inclined surfaces 348, as illustrated in
The engaging portion 34A includes multiple recesses 346 as illustrated in
Protrusions 225, which will be described later, of the end piece 20 are fitted into any one pair of the recesses 346 among the multiple pairs of the recesses 346 described above, and thereby the end piece 20 and the watch head 10 are positioned with respect to the band portion 30. On the other hand, since the recesses 346 are not provided in the engaging portion 34B, the end piece 20 can be engaged at any position along the engaging portion 34B and the opening 342. Thus, it is possible to steplessly adjust an interval between the positions where the two end pieces 20 are engaged with the band portion 30 while positioning the one end piece 20 and the watch head 10 with respect to the band portion 30.
<4. Configuration of End Piece and Attachment Thereof to Band Portion>
Next, a configuration of the end piece 20 and attachment of the end piece 20 to the band portion 30 will be described.
(Configuration of End Piece)
The piece housing portion 210 includes a back surface 21 facing the wearer's skin side, and a front surface 22 facing a side opposite to the back surface 21. The piece housing portion 210 includes the pins 213, cylinders 214, and the operating levers 215. The pins 213 are provided one at each end in a width direction of the piece housing portion 210, and protrude to an outside in the width direction. The pins 213 are each urged by an urging member (not illustrated) in a direction protruding to the outside in the width direction. The cylinders 214 cover the outer peripheries of the pins 213 and guide reciprocation of the pins 213. The operating levers 215 can reciprocate along the width direction of the piece housing portion 210, and the pins 213 move in conjunction with the movement of the operating levers 215. Specifically, if the wearer moves the operating levers 215 to an inside in the width direction, the pins 213 are pulled in against an urging force, and if the wearer releases his/her hand from the operating levers 215, the pins 213 return to the position where the pins 213 protrude to the outside in the width direction by the urging force.
The connecting portion 220 includes a shaft portion 222 and an overhang portion 224. The shaft portion 222 is formed along a thickness direction of the piece housing portion 210 from the back surface 21 of the piece housing portion 210. The overhang portion 224 overhangs from an end portion of the shaft portion 222 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piece housing portion 210. The protrusions 225 protruding to a piece housing portion 210 side are formed at both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the overhang portion 224. Such a connecting portion 220 is urged to a front surface 22 side of the piece housing portion 210. Hereinafter, the urging of the connecting portion 220 will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
(Attachment of End Piece to Band Portion)
The configuration of the end piece 20 has been described above. Subsequently, attachment of the end piece 20 to the band portion 30 will be described.
The wearer inserts the connecting portion 220 into the opening 342 of the band portion 30 in a state where the sliding portion 226 is fitted in the locking portion 27 of the guide portion 24 as illustrated in
Thereafter, the wearer releases the fitting of the sliding portion 226 in the locking portion 27 by pulling the connecting portion 220, and rotates the connecting portion 220 such that the longitudinal direction of the overhang portion 224 matches the width direction of the band portion 30.
In the state illustrated in
<5. Working Effects>
The configuration of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Hereinafter, working effects of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be summarized.
As described above, the band portion 30 is annular, and the sensor function, the wireless communication function, and the like are implemented in the band portion 30. Then, the end pieces 20 can be detached from and attached to the band portion 30. Consequently, the wearer can use the band portion 30 alone as a wearable terminal, or use the wristwatch 1 in which the end pieces 20 and the watch head 10 are attached to the band portion 30. That is, the wearer can easily switch between use of the wristwatch 1 as illustrated in
Furthermore, various types of end pieces 20 having different sizes can be detached from and attached to the band portion 30. For example, as illustrated in
Furthermore, an interval between the positions where the two end pieces 20 are engaged with the band portion 30 can be adjusted steplessly. For example, as illustrated in
<6. Modifications>
The embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Hereinafter, some modifications of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that each of the modifications described below may be applied to the embodiment of the present disclosure alone, or may be applied to the embodiment of the present disclosure in combination. Furthermore, each of the modifications may be applied instead of the configuration described in the embodiment of the present disclosure, or may be additionally applied to the configuration described in the embodiment of the present disclosure.
For example, the example has been described above in which the band portion 30 includes the two engaging portions 34, but the band portion 30 may include more engaging portions 34. According to such a configuration, the interval between the two end pieces 20 can be made different depending on which engaging portion 34 the two end pieces 20 are engaged with, and therefore, more various types of watch heads 10 having different longitudinal lengths can be attached to the band portion 30.
Furthermore, the example has been described above in which the two engaging portions 34 are provided separately from each other, but one engaging portion 34 may be formed in the band portion 30, the engaging portion 34 including the opening 342 having a length equal to or longer than a longitudinal length of the watch head 10 assumed to be used. According to such a configuration, it is possible to engage the two end pieces 20 with the one engaging portion 34.
Furthermore, the engaging portion 34 may include metal or resin, and a portion of the band portion 30 other than the engaging portion 34 and the buckle portion 32 may include rubber. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress coming off, which occurs against the intention of the wearer, of the connecting portion 220 from the engaging portion 34 by securing the rigidity of the engaging portion 34.
Furthermore, the example has been described above in which the connecting portion 220 and the engaging portion 34 are engaged with each other by rotation of the connecting portion 220, but the connecting portion 220 may be formed slidably with respect to the end piece 20, and the connecting portion 220 and the engaging portion 34 may be engaged with each other by sliding of the connecting portion 220.
Note that although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A person having ordinary knowledge in a technical field of the present disclosure may obviously find various alterations and modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the appended claims, and it should be understood that they will naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, the effects stated in the present description are merely explanatory or illustrative ones, and are not limitative ones. That is, the technique according to the present disclosure can achieve other effects that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the statement in the present description in addition to or instead of the effects described above.
Furthermore, the following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1)
A band device including an annular band portion that forms a hollow portion,
in which the band portion includes:
a sensor module; and
an engaging portion detachably engaged with end pieces to which a watch head is attached.
(2)
The band device according to the above-described (1),
in which the end pieces each include a piece housing portion including a back surface located on a wearer's skin side and a front surface on a side opposite to the back surface, and a connecting portion protruding from the back surface of the piece housing portion to a side of the band portion, and
the engaging portion includes an opening into which the connecting portion of the end piece is inserted.
(3)
The band device according to the above-described (2),
in which the connecting portion includes a shaft portion formed along a thickness direction of the piece housing portion, and an overhang portion overhanging from an end portion of the shaft portion in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and
the engaging portion includes abutment surfaces that abut the overhang portion on a back surface of the band portion.
(4)
The band device according to the above-described (3),
in which a protrusion is formed at each end portion of the overhang portion, the protrusion protruding to a side of the piece housing portion,
the abutment surfaces of the engaging portion each abut the protrusion of the overhang portion, and
the engaging portion includes a step portion at an edge of each of the abutment surfaces on a side of the opening, the step portion protruding to a side of the wearer.
(5)
The band device according to the above-described (4),
in which the band device further includes a plurality of the engaging portions,
a plurality of recesses capable of being fitted with the protrusions of the overhang portion is formed on the abutment surfaces of a first engaging portion along an extending direction of the band portion, and
the recesses are not formed on the abutment surfaces of a second engaging portion.
(6)
The band device according to any one of the above-described (3) to (5), in which the end pieces each include an elastic portion that urges the connecting portion to a side of the front surface.
(7)
The band device according to the above-described (6), in which the shaft portion is provided rotatably with respect to the piece housing portion.
(8)
The band device according to the above-described (7),
in which the piece housing portion includes a guide portion formed along an edge of a hole into which the shaft portion is inserted,
the guide portion includes an inclined surface whose height from a back surface of the piece housing portion continuously changes along a circumferential direction of the hole, and
the shaft portion includes a sliding portion that slides on the inclined surface when the shaft portion rotates.
(9)
The band device according to any one of the above-described (1) to (8),
in which the sensor module includes a pulse sensor,
the band portion includes a buckle portion including a central blade, a first movable blade, and a second movable blade,
the first movable blade is connected to one end of the central blade, and is folded on one end side of the central blade,
the second movable blade is connected to another end of the central blade, and is folded on another end side of the central blade, and
the pulse sensor is disposed at an interval portion between the first movable blade and the second movable blade folded on the central blade.
(10)
The band device according to any one of the above-described (1) to (9), in which the band device further includes the end pieces.
(11)
The band device according to the above-described (10), in which the band device further includes the watch head.
(12)
A wristwatch including:
a band portion including a sensor module;
end pieces attachable to and detachable from the band portion; and
a watch head attached to the end pieces.
(13)
An end piece including:
a piece housing portion including a back surface located on a wearer's skin side and a front surface on a side opposite to the back surface; and
a connecting portion protruding from the back surface of the piece housing portion and detachably engaged with the band portion.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2017-222747 | Nov 2017 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2018/029983 | 8/9/2018 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2019/097779 | 5/23/2019 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6619835 | Kita | Sep 2003 | B2 |
9152129 | Modaragamage | Oct 2015 | B2 |
9292008 | Ahamed et al. | Mar 2016 | B1 |
9380949 | Schuessler | Jul 2016 | B2 |
9720376 | Tsushima | Aug 2017 | B2 |
9723899 | Modaragamage | Aug 2017 | B2 |
9768628 | Fish | Sep 2017 | B2 |
9897974 | Nicolas | Feb 2018 | B2 |
10042326 | Nicolas | Aug 2018 | B2 |
10136857 | Nuovo | Nov 2018 | B2 |
10143272 | Fostinis | Dec 2018 | B2 |
10278592 | Fish | May 2019 | B2 |
10455907 | Fernandes Demetrio | Oct 2019 | B2 |
20030182770 | Koshoji | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20150085623 | Modaragamage | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150378312 | Modaragamage | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20160070393 | Sharma | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20160143403 | Pluemer | May 2016 | A1 |
20160206056 | Pluemer et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
20160231712 | Ahamed et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20160324277 | Modaragamage | Nov 2016 | A1 |
20160334759 | Modaragamage | Nov 2016 | A1 |
20170006977 | Modaragamage | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170017785 | Rice et al. | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170127773 | Modaragamage | May 2017 | A1 |
20170339137 | Vanoni et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
20190129363 | Modaragamage | May 2019 | A1 |
20200125035 | Modaragamage | Apr 2020 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1446501 | Oct 2003 | CN |
104635919 | May 2015 | CN |
105935185 | Sep 2016 | CN |
107072361 | Aug 2017 | CN |
107402627 | Nov 2017 | CN |
107430384 | Dec 2017 | CN |
3118762 | Jan 2017 | EP |
3118764 | Jan 2017 | EP |
3160287 | May 2017 | EP |
3254160 | Dec 2017 | EP |
3516980 | Jul 2019 | EP |
2742893 | Feb 2020 | ES |
2522510 | Jul 2015 | GB |
024233 | Jul 1913 | JP |
56-083217 | Jul 1981 | JP |
57-146518 | Sep 1982 | JP |
3029022 | Sep 1996 | JP |
10-127318 | May 1998 | JP |
3051839 | Sep 1998 | JP |
2002-143107 | May 2002 | JP |
2003-275005 | Sep 2003 | JP |
2017-027594 | Feb 2017 | JP |
2017-073429 | Apr 2017 | JP |
2017-520314 | Jul 2017 | JP |
2020-114457 | Jul 2020 | JP |
3160287 | Jul 2019 | PT |
201629649 | Aug 2016 | TW |
2015200688 | Dec 2015 | WO |
WO-2016038058 | Mar 2016 | WO |
2016081913 | May 2016 | WO |
2016125034 | Aug 2016 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Office Action for CN Patent Application No. 201880073500.4, issued on Dec. 28, 2021, 11 pages of English Translation and 08 pages of Office Action. |
Office Action for JP Patent Application No. 2019-553695 issued on Jul. 5, 2022, 03 pages of English Translation and 03 pages of Office Action. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2018/029983, issued on Oct. 2, 2018, 09 pages of ISRWO. |
Extended European Search Report of EP Application No. 18878459.9, issued on Jan. 14, 2021, 07 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20200329833 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |