IP Library Granted Patent US 11,327,441
Granted Patent B2
US 11,327,441 · App. 15/889,833 · Granted May 10, 2022

Mechanical component, mechanism module, movement, and timepiece

Inventors: Takahiko Nakamura (Chiba, JP); Natsuki Ebihara (Chiba, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
G04B31/08C09D4/00F16C3/035F16C17/026F16C33/10F16C33/103F16C33/664G04B31/04F16C2202/60F16C2361/61
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,327,441
App. No.
15/889,833
Granted
May 10, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mechanical component, a mechanism module, a movement, and a timepiece superior in lubricating oil retaining performance are to be provided. A mechanical component includes: a first component having a first surface region; a second component having a second surface region on which the first surface region can slide; and an oil retaining film formed on at least one of the first surface region and the second surface region and more lipophilic than the region.

Claims (17)

1. A mechanical component comprising:

a first component having a first surface region;

a second component having a second surface region on which the first surface region can slide; and

an oil retaining film on at least one of the first surface region and the second surface region and more lipophilic than the at least one surface region; and

wherein the oil retaining film contains a chemical compound expressed by the following formula (1):

(M 1 is one of Si, Ti, and Zr, R is a hydrocarbon radical, Y 1 and Y 2 are hydrocarbon radicals, hydroxyl groups, or functional groups generating hydroxyl groups through hydrolysis or the like, and Z 1 is a polar group;

wherein the polar group is not an amino group; and

wherein the hydrocarbon radicals are each, independently, an alkyl group or an aryl group containing from 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

2. The mechanical component according to claim 1 , further comprising an oil repellent film on at least one of the first component and the second component that is less lipophilic than the at least one surface region adjacent to the oil retaining film.

3. The mechanical component according to claim 2 , wherein the oil repellent film contains a chemical compound expressed by the following formula (2):

(M 2 is one of Si, Ti, and Zr, Rf is a fluorine containing radical, Y 3 and Y 4 are hydrocarbon radicals, hydroxyl groups, or functional groups generating hydroxyl groups through hydrolysis or the like, and Z 2 is a polar group).

4. The mechanical component according to claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a shaft rotatable around an axis, and the second component comprises a bearing rotatably supporting the shaft body.

5. The mechanical component according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining portion in at least one of the first surface region and the second surface region, the retaining portion capable of retaining a lubricating oil.

6. The mechanical component according to claim 5 , wherein the retaining portion comprises a recess in the at least one surface region.

7. A mechanism module equipped with the mechanical component of claim 1 .

8. A movement equipped with the mechanical component of claim 1 .

9. A timepiece equipped with the movement of claim 8 .

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2024
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
To: SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069183/0051 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: NAKAMURA, TAKAHIKO; EBIHARA, NATSUKI
To: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Reel/Frame 044846/0678 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP JP2017-023161 · Feb 10, 2017 · national
JP JP2017-214949 · Nov 7, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180231938A1 · Aug 16, 2018