Seiko Instruments Inc

Kitagawa Industries Co., Inc.

The Foundation: the Research Institute for Electric and Magnetic Materials

Research Institute for Electromagnetic Materials

Koichiro Jujo

Takeshi Tokoro

Takashi Niwa

Hiroyuki Hoshina

Morinobu Endo

Shigeo Suzuki

Akio Yamaguchi

Tetsuo Uchiyama

Hiroshi Aoyama

Masato Takenaka

Kazutoshi Takeda

Matsuo Kishi

Susumu Ichihara

Yasuo Kondo

Katsuyoshi Takizawa

Osamu Takahashi

Saburo Manaka

Masafumi Hoshino

Yuetsu Murakami

Takashi Takahashi

Teruaki Yuoka

Ryo Sugawara

Mitsuru Ishii

Akihiro Matoge

Jun Tsuneyoshi

Yoshifumi Maehara

Takeshi Takano

Norio Shibiya

In a method of manufacturing an electroforming mold, a first photoresist layer is formed on an upper surface of a bottom conductive film of a substrate, and the first photoresist layer is divided into a first soluble portion and a first insoluble portion. A conductive material is thermally deposited on an upper surface of the first photoresist layer within a predetermined temperature range, to thereby form an intermediate conductive film. An intermediate conductive film is patterned. A second photoresist layer is formed on an exposed upper surface of the first photoresist layer after the intermediate conductive film is removed, and on an upper surface of the intermediate conductive film remaining after patterning. The second photoresist layer is divided into a second soluble portion and a second insoluble portion. Next, the first and second photoresist layers are developed, and the first and second soluble portions are removed.

Method manufacturing electroforming mold

A constant-modulus alloy, which has a low saturation magnetic flux density to provide weakly magnetic properties, a high Young's modulus, a low temperature coefficient of Young's modulus, and high hardness, is provided. A hairspring, a mechanical driving apparatus and a watch and clock, in which the alloy is used, are provided. The alloy consists of Co, Ni, Cr, Mo. and Fe. The alloy is healed and cooled before being subjected to repeated wiredrawing and intermediate annealing, forming a wire with a fiber structure having a &#x3c;111&#x3e; fiber axis. The wire is then cold rolled into a sheet and heated to obtain optimal magnetic insensitivity and hardness.

Magnetically insensitive, highly hard and constant-modulus alloy, and its production method, as well as hair spring, mechanical driving apparatus and watch and clock

Method of manufacturing electroforming mold, electroforming mold, and method of manufacturing electroformed component

To provide an electroforming mold for manufacturing a multi-step structure minute component and a method for manufacturing the same, for which height control is possible and manufacturing process does not become complicated. On the upper face of a film of an electroconductive layerformed on the upper face of a substrate, a resistis formed in which a first soluble portionand a first insoluble portionare formed. Next, a light-absorbing bodyis formed on the upper face of the resist, exposure and development are carried out, in addition a film of an electroconductive layeris formed on the upper face thereof, and a light-absorbing bodyand an electroconductive layeron the upper face of the light-absorbing bodyare removed by liftoff. Further, a resist is formed on the upper face thereof, in which a second soluble portionand a second insoluble portionare formed. Next, the first resist and the second resist are developed to remove the first soluble portionand the second soluble portion, thereby giving an electroforming moldhaving an electroconductive layer on the basal part of respective steps.

Electroforming mold and method for manufacturing the same, and method for manufacturing electroformed component

An electroforming mold has a first negative type photosensitive material formed on an electroconductive substrate, and a first through-hole extends through the firs photosensitive material to expose the electroconductive substrate. An electroconductive layer formed on an upper face of the first photosensitive material surrounds the first through-hole. A second negative type photosensitive material formed on an upper face of the electroconductive layer has a second through-hole that overlies and exposes both the first through-hole and a peripheral part of the electroconductive layer that surrounds the first through-hole. Because the electroconductive substrate and the electroconductive layer are separated from one another, the first and second through-holes precipitate an electroformed object independently during use of the electroforming mold resulting in a uniform electroformed object.

The present invention relates to sliding parts, precision parts and timepieces and electronic equipment using those parts. Sliding parts are composed by a resin in which the degree of orientation of a fibrous filler is higher at the portion serving as the sliding surface than inside the sliding part, and the fibrous filler is oriented along the sliding surface on the sliding surface. Alternatively, precision parts are composed by a resin to which has been added carbon fibers for which a carbon compound is thermally decomposed to carbon in the vapor phase and simultaneously grown directly into fibers simultaneous to this thermal decomposition. Moreover, timepieces and electronic equipment are composed by these sliding parts or these precision parts.

Sliding parts, precision parts and timepieces and electronic equipment using the same

A speed control mechanism has a balance with hairspring mounted to undergo oscillation movement and a regulator structure for adjusting a position of the balance with hairspring. The regulator structure is formed of a nonmagnetic material to prevent reduction of an oscillation angle of the balance with hairspring during oscillation movement thereof.

Speed control mechanism and mechanical timepiece having the same

The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin bearing section. Moreover, the invention relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin bearing section. The invention is constituted by the timepiece provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by the wheel train apparatus provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin.

Timepiece, having bearing portion formed of resin and wheel train

The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin substrate, rotors, and wheel trains, and relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin substrate, bearing members, gear wheel, and the like. The invention is constituted by a timepiece comprising; a gear wheel, and a substrate which supports a shaft of a rotor and/or a shaft of the gear wheel, the substrate being formed from a filled resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by a wheel train apparatus comprising: a gear wheel; a substrate which supports one shaft section of the gear wheel, and a bridge which rotatably supports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, the substrate and the bridge being formed from a filled resin.

Timepiece including base plate formed of resin and wheel train

An analog electronic timepiece has a rotor mounted to undergo rotation. A first indicator wheel has a first cylindrical portion and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the rotor. A second indicator wheel is coaxial with the first indicator wheel and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the first indicator wheel. The second indicator wheel has a second cylindrical portion extending through the first cylindrical portion of the first indicator wheel. A third indicator wheel is coaxial with the first and second indicator wheels and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the second indicator wheel. The third indicator wheel having a shaft portion extending through the second cylindrical portion the second indicator wheel.

Analog electronic timepiece including plural indicator wheels

According to a rate adjusting method, the movement of a mechanical timepiece is first assembled. The assembled movement is then disposed in a vertical position, and the rate is measured with respect to a plurality of vertical positions. On the basis of the result of this rate measurement, the magnitude and direction of the positional difference vector are calculated. On the basis of the result of this calculaton, the amount of weight to be added to or subtracted from the annular balance of the movement is calculated and the positions on the annular balance where this amount of weight is to be added to or to be subtracted from is calculated. Based on the results of these calculations, the amount of weight is added to or subtracted from the annular balance at the calculated positions.

Rate adjusting method of mechanical timepieces

A mechanical time piece has a mainspring for generating a rotational force and a front train wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with a rotational force generated by the mainspring. An escapement and speed control apparatus controls rotation of the front train wheel and has a timed annular balance for undergoing reciprocal rotational movement, an escape wheel and pinion for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the front train wheel, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion in accordance with rotational movement of the timed annular balance. A switch mechanism outputs an ON signal when a rotational angle of the timed annular balance becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold angle and outputs an OFF signal when the rotational angle of the timed annular balance does not exceed the threshold angle. A balance rotational angle control mechanism applies a force to the timed annular balance to restrain rotation of the timed annular balance when the switch mechanism outputs the ON signal. The balance rotational angle control mechanism has a balance magnet disposed on the timed annular balance and a plurality of coils for exerting a magnetic force to the balance magnet to thereby restrain rotation of the timed annular balance when the switch mechanism outputs the ON signal and for not exerting a magnetic force to the balance magnet when the switch mechanism outputs the OFF signal.

Mechanical timepiece with timed annular balance rotating angle control mechanism

A power reserve mechanism has a ratchet wheel having a winding stem, a first winding stem train wheel connected to the winding stem of the ratchet wheel and having a first power reserve wheel, and a barrel member having a winding stem. A spring member is mounted in the barrel member. A second winding stem train wheel independent from the first winding stem train wheel is connected to the winding stem of the barrel member and has a second power reserve wheel. A first indicator is disposed on the first power reserve wheel. A second indicator is disposed on the second power reserve wheel. An amount of spring power stored by the spring member is indicated utilizing a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators.

Power reserve mechanism

A mechanical timepiece has a power source comprised of a mainspring for undergoing rewinding movement to generate a rotational force. A front train wheel undergoes rotation in accordance with a rotational force generated during rewinding movement of the mainspring. An escapement/speed-control device controls rotation of the front train wheel. The escapement/speed-control device has a balance with a hairspring for undergoing alternately repeating rotational movement in left and right directions. An escape wheel and pinion undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the front train wheel. A pallet fork controls rotation of the escape wheel and pinion in accordance with rotational movement of the balance. A switch mechanism outputs an ON signal when a rotation angle of the balance reaches a predetermined threshold angle or greater, outputs an OFF signal when the rotation angle of the balance does not exceed the predetermined threshold angle. A rotation angle control mechanism supresses rotation of the balance when the switch mechanism outputs an ON signal.

A transmission wheel comprises a gear having a hole and a pinion having a plurality of teeth and being removably mounted in the hole of the gear. The hole of the gear has at least one chord-shaped stop portion engaging two adjacent teeth of the pinion to prevent relative rotation between the pinion and the gear.

Growing community of inventors

Kisarazu, Japan

Koichiro Jujo