Resonance mechanism for timepiece striking mechanism, striking mechanism comprising such resonance mechanism, and method for manufacturing such resonance mechanism

Abstract

A resonant mechanism for a timepiece striking mechanism, a striking mechanism comprising such a resonant mechanism, and a method for manufacturing such a resonant mechanism. One aspect of the invention relates to a resonance mechanism (100) for a striking mechanism (200), comprising a gong (110a, 110b) attached to a gong holder (120), characterized in that said gong (110a, 110b) comprises a notch (117) in which a gemstone (1) is embedded and fixed, said gemstone (1) comprising a table top (3) having an impact surface adapted to be struck by a hammer (210a, 210b) of the striking mechanism (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a resonant mechanism comprising at least one reed for a timekeeping striking mechanism of a timepiece.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a striking mechanism including such a resonance mechanism, and to a watch movement including a striking mechanism.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement equipped with a striking mechanism, and to a method for manufacturing a resonance mechanism for the striking mechanism of the timepiece. Background Technology

[0004] In the field of watchmaking, a watch movement may include a striking mechanism. This can be achieved by providing at least one gong, which is, for example, a metal wire of a typically circular shape made of steel.

[0005] This wire is typically arranged around the movement inside the watch case in a plane parallel to the dial. The gong is attached to a gong retainer, for example, by brazing or soldering, and the gong retainer itself is attached to the watch case's plates or intermediate components. The gong can also be manufactured as a single unit, together with the gong retainer.

[0006] The vibration of the reed is produced by the impact of at least one hammer, typically located near the reed retainer. This vibration consists of several natural frequencies and overtones, the number and intensity of which, particularly in the audible range between 1 kHz and 20 kHz, depend on the geometry of the reed and the physical properties of the materials used.

[0007] To tune the reeds, it is usually necessary to adjust the length of each reed or to cut recesses in the mounting base to change the pitch of the sound. This typically has the effect of shifting the frequencies of all modes. The frequency of one mode can be set as the target frequency, but other overtones will usually be synthesized and uncontrolled.

[0008] Further work has been done on the reed material to alter the generated sound, affect overtones, or increase the amplitude of the sound, thereby improving the external sound perception of the timepiece.

[0009] In recent years, efforts have been made to produce reeds that produce clear sound, particularly in terms of their pitch and frequency composition, by selecting reed materials or reed geometry.

[0010] Specifically, patent EP 2 107 436 B1 implements the use of gold reeds to increase the overtones in the sound vibrations generated by the striking of the hammer. The gold reeds add significant richness to the sound generated when the hammer strikes the striking mechanism. However, if several gold reeds are used in the striking mechanism to generate different notes, dissonances may still exist when the reeds are tuned or in the continuous sound from reeds struck by the hammer repeatedly; this is a drawback.

[0011] Patent application CH 707078 A1 describes adding different materials to an opening in a reed to alter the generated sound. To do this, each reed is configured to generate a specific sound with a specific pitch and frequency composition. For example, to adjust frequency deviations or control its vibrational behavior, the reed may include at least one opening in its body, which is filled with a material other than the reed's base material.

[0012] However, filling the openings in each reed with another material makes setting the vibration frequency more complicated, which is a drawback.

[0013] The solutions currently known in the prior art are either too complex to produce correctly (which prevents the proper production of the reeds) or they are unable to produce the reeds with all the desired characteristics in terms of the quality of the produced sound.

[0014] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the resonance mechanism used in the timekeeping mechanism of a clock. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a resonance mechanism for a timekeeping striking mechanism that can produce audible vibrations, a stronger and more harmonious sound without dissonances, and greater resonance over time for at least certain frequency modes.

[0016] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a resonant mechanism for a time-telling mechanism, the resonant mechanism comprising a reed attached to a reed holder, characterized in that the reed includes a notch in which a gemstone is embedded and fixed, the gemstone including a platform having an impact surface adapted to be struck by a hammer of the time-telling mechanism.

[0017] According to the present invention, the resonant mechanism of the gemstone at the point of impact enables a stronger and louder sound, which improves the perception and perceived quality of the timekeeping mechanism equipped with such a resonant mechanism.

[0018] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the resonance mechanism according to the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics derived from the following, which may be employed individually or in any technically possible combination: - The hardness of the gemstone is greater than 7 on the Mohs scale; - The gemstone is a precious, semi-precious, or synthetic gemstone; - The gemstone is a diamond, ruby, or sapphire; - The gemstone is fixed in the notch by closed setting, grain setting or long step setting; - The gemstone is glued or driven into the notch; - The gemstone is ultrasonically driven into the notch; - The gemstone has a bell-shaped cap and a girdle, the bell-shaped cap being at least partially embedded in a notch; - The tabletop has a flat impact surface or a curved impact surface; - The reed is at least partially circular in shape; for example, the diameter of the reed corresponds to the diameter of a watch crystal, while forming part of a circle at an angle that can be between 150° and 360°. - The reed has a circular or rectangular cross-section; - The reed is a first reed, and the resonance mechanism includes a second reed; - The second reed is attached to the reed retainer.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a timekeeping mechanism comprising a resonance mechanism and a hammer according to the invention, the hammer comprising a striking pin configured to strike an impact surface of a jewel table.

[0020] Preferably, the firing pin is made of carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a clock mechanism comprising a striking mechanism according to the present invention.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a timepiece (e.g., a wristwatch) comprising a watch movement according to the present invention.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a resonance mechanism according to the present invention. The manufacturing method includes: - The step of providing a resonance mechanism includes a reed attached to a reed retainer; - The step of machining notches in the material of the reed; - The step of positioning the gemstone in the notch; - The step of fixing the gemstone in the notch on the reed.

[0024] Preferably, the notch is machined by milling during the machining step.

[0025] Preferably, the step of securing the gemstone is performed by setting the gemstone in the notch, for example, using a closed setting or a grain setting. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Referring to the following figures and specific embodiments, the object, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent: - Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of the resonance mechanism according to the invention for a striking mechanism of a watch movement; - Figure 2 Is it like this? Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the resonance mechanism according to the present invention. - Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a close-up view of a portion of the resonant mechanism, which more specifically shows the setting of gemstones in the material of the resonant mechanism. - Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of axis AA shown in the figure illustrates the cross-section of the resonant mechanism inlaid with the gemstone. - Figure 5 This is a partial schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of the timekeeping mechanism according to the present invention, which includes, as shown in the figure... Figures 1 to 3 The resonant mechanism illustrated in the figure; - Figure 6 Is it like this? Figure 5 The illustration shows a perspective view of the time-telling mechanism according to the present invention; - Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A close-up view, which more specifically illustrates the impact zone of the resonant mechanism being struck by the hammer of the chiming mechanism. - Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a timepiece incorporating a clock movement including a striking mechanism according to the present invention; - Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps in a method for manufacturing a resonance mechanism according to the present invention; - Figure 10 It is a spectrogram of sound generated by striking a reed in the impact zone without a gemstone, using existing technology. - In comparison, Figure 11 It is a spectrogram of the sound generated by striking a reed according to the invention, which includes a gemstone in the impact zone.

[0027] In all figures, unless otherwise specified, common elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of the resonance mechanism 100 of the striking mechanism 200 of the watch movement 300 according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 Is it like this? Figure 1 The figure shows a perspective view of the resonance mechanism 100 according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 A closer view of the resonance mechanism 100 is shown in more detail, wherein the gemstone 1 is set in the material of the resonance mechanism 100 and is located in the impact zone of the resonance mechanism 100 being struck by the hammer of the timekeeping mechanism.

[0031] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the axis AA of the resonance mechanism 100, which shows the cross-section of the resonance mechanism 100 with the gemstone 1 inlaid.

[0032] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The resonance mechanism 100 according to the present invention has a resonance portion 110 formed by one or more reeds 110a, 110b and an attachment portion 120, the attachment portion 120 being referred to as a reed retainer, in a continuation at at least one end of the reeds 110a, 110b of the resonance mechanism 100.

[0033] The second ends of the reeds 110a and 110b are usually free, allowing the reeds 110a and 110b to vibrate more easily. However, the reeds 110a and 110b may be attached to the attachment portions 120 at both ends.

[0034] The resonance mechanism 100 may include a plurality of reeds 110a and 110b, which may be connected to one or more reed retainers 120. Each reed of the resonance mechanism 100 may also have a dedicated reed retainer 120.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the resonance mechanism 100 includes two reeds 110a and 110b, each of which is connected at one end to the same reed retainer 120.

[0036] For example, the attachment portion 120 and the resonant portion 110 of the resonant mechanism 100 form a single piece, which means that the two parts are made of the same material as a single piece.

[0037] However, the attachment portion 120 and the resonant portion 110 of the resonance mechanism 100 can also be manufactured separately and then joined together by a connection method known to those skilled in the art (e.g., by brazing or soldering). This allows reeds made of different materials to be combined on the same reed holder. This method is particularly advantageous when the resonance mechanism 100 includes several reeds to generate melodies with different tones. In this way, the sound of the reeds can be altered using the properties of the reed material.

[0038] Each reed 110a and 110b is in the form of a wire or blade, with a predetermined length, width, and thickness according to the desired sound. The dimensions of each reed 110a and 110b are determined based on the constraints and the desired sound.

[0039] Each reed 110a, 110b is configured and shaped to produce a harmonious sound without any dissonance. Preferably, each reed 110a, 110b is configured to produce a sound different from that of the other reed 110b, 110a constituting the resonance mechanism 110.

[0040] The two reeds 110a and 110b are parallel to each other. Figure 1 The plane marked P1 (plane P1 is the reference plane of the watch movement 300) has an overall curved shape, such as a circle; however, other shapes are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The two gongs 110a and 110b can be in different planes.

[0041] Preferably, the diameter of the circle formed by the gongs 110a and 110b corresponds approximately to the diameter of the watch crystal on the timepiece 10. The gongs 110a and 110b are formed in arcs extending on a circular sector between 150° and 360°, preferably between 185° and 220°. Each gong is designed to surround at least a portion of the watch movement 300.

[0042] As shown in the figure, each reed 110a, 110b can extend along one or more circles with different diameters that are defined in the same plane parallel to plane P1.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, each reed 110a, 110b includes a first proximal portion 111a, 111b of a reed retainer 120 extending along a first circle C1 having a diameter d1, and a second distal portion 112a, 112b of a reed retainer 120 extending along a second circle C2 having a diameter d2 or along a third circle C3 having a diameter d3, wherein the diameter d1 of circle C1 is smaller than the diameters d2 and d3 of the second circle C2 and the third circle C3. Preferably, circles C1, C2, and C3 are concentric.

[0044] The reeds 110a and 110b may have a curved cross-section (e.g., a circle) or a polygonal cross-section (e.g., a parallelepiped, preferably a rectangle).

[0045] The cross-sections of the reeds 110a and 110b can also have sector shapes and / or sizes that are different.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reeds 110a and 110b are in the form of blades with a rectangular cross-section. For this purpose, the reeds 110a and 110b include a radially inner vertical surface 115 (relative to the center of the reeds 110a and 110b) and a radially outer vertical surface 116, both of which are oriented perpendicular to the plane P1.

[0047] The reed retainer 120 is shown in the form of a plate, but other forms of reed retainers are possible. The thickness of the reed retainer 120 is preferably approximately the same as the thickness of the reeds 110a and 110b.

[0048] The reed retainer 120 includes an opening 121 for attaching the resonance mechanism 100 thereto, for example by means of screws, to a plate (not shown) on which the watch movement 300 is placed. According to a variant embodiment, the reed retainer 120 may also be attached to the edge or wall of the middle part of the case 11 of the timepiece 10 (such as a watch).

[0049] The resonance mechanism 100 is part of the timekeeping mechanism 200, which preferably includes at least one hammer 210a, 210b for each reed 110a, 110b, the hammers 210a, 210b being configured and shaped to strike the reeds 110a, 110b at predetermined times and in precise zones of the reeds 110a, 110b.

[0050] The striking hammers 210a and 210b of the time-telling mechanism 200 are shown in more detail in... Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 middle.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of the timekeeping mechanism 200 according to the present invention, including the above-described resonance mechanism 100.

[0052] Figure 6 Is it like this? Figure 5 The figure shows a perspective view of the timekeeping mechanism 200 according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A close-up view, which more specifically illustrates the portion of the resonance mechanism 100 struck by the hammer 210a of the timekeeping mechanism 200.

[0054] Together with the reeds 110a and 110b of the resonance mechanism 100, the timekeeping mechanism 200 includes two hammers 210a and 210b.

[0055] Each hammer 210a, 210b includes a striking pin 211, which is designed to strike the reeds 110a, 110b, and upon impact, the reeds 110a, 110b generate sound and vibration. This vibration consists of several natural frequencies or overtones, the number and intensity of which, particularly in the audible range between 1 kHz and 20 kHz, depend on the geometry of the reeds and the physical properties of the materials used.

[0056] Preferably, the firing pin 211 is made of hardened steel and has a hardness greater than 600 HV, preferably greater than 1600 HV.

[0057] For example, the firing pin 211 is made of carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

[0058] The hammers 210a and 210b are rotatably mounted on the clamp and are configured to strike each corresponding reed 110a and 110b at predetermined times to generate sound and melody.

[0059] The hammers 210a and 210b are normally triggered by the watch movement 300 using a dedicated power source or a power source shared with the watch movement 300's timekeeping system.

[0060] According to the present invention, each reed 110a, 110b has a gem 1, which is positioned to face the striking pin 211 of the hammers 210a, 210b so as to be struck by them.

[0061] Preferably, the gem 1 is positioned in the proximal portions 111a and 111b of the reeds 110a and 110b near the reed retainer 120.

[0062] refer to Figure 3 Gem 1 is, for example, a cut gem with a table 3, a crown 4, a girdle 5, and a bell-shaped cap 6. The table 3 forms the striking surface of the striking pin 211 that receives the hammers 210a and 210b.

[0063] For example, countertop 3 is flat, such as... Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0064] The countertop 3 can also have any shape; for example, the countertop 3 can be a curved surface, such as a spherical or cylindrical shape.

[0065] Preferably, the shape of the platform 3 is selected to minimize the range of the impact surface between the platform 3 and the striking pin 211 of the hammers 210a and 210b.

[0066] In the example shown, the gemstone 1 has a conventional cut gemstone shape with a conical bell-shaped cap 6. However, the gemstone 1 can have other shapes, as long as the table 3 has an impact surface that is configured to receive the striking pin 211 of the hammers 210a, 210b.

[0067] According to an alternative embodiment, gemstone 1 may have a parallelepiped shape.

[0068] For setting the gemstone 1, the reeds 110a and 110b have non-through notches 117, which are machined in the thickness of the reeds 110a and 110b, for example by milling, micromachining or laser ablation, and are configured to at least partially receive and embed the bell cap 6 of the gemstone 1.

[0069] The geometry and shape of the notch 117 are adapted to the shape of the bell cap 6 of the gemstone 1 to be attached.

[0070] Preferably, the geometry and shape of the notch 117 are designed to maximize the contact surface at the interface between the bell cap 6 of the gem 1 and the notch 117 on the reeds 110a and 110b.

[0071] Preferably, the gemstone 1 is fixed to the reeds 110a and 110b by inlay. According to an alternative embodiment, the gemstone 1 may be glued into the notch 117.

[0072] Preferably, the gemstone 1 is fixed to the reeds 110a and 110b by a closed setting, a grain setting, or a long step setting.

[0073] According to an alternative embodiment, the gemstone 1 is driven into the notch 117 of the reeds 110a, 110b, for example, using an ultrasonic driving method.

[0074] The platform 3 of the gem 1 protrudes relative to the surface of the reeds 110a and 110b with notches 117, thereby forming an impact surface for the firing pin 211 that protrudes relative to the radial inner surface 115 of the reeds 110a and 110b.

[0075] Preferably, the hardness of gemstone 1 is greater than 7 on the Mohs scale.

[0076] Preferably, gemstone 1 is a precious, semi-precious, or synthetic gemstone, such as a diamond, ruby, or sapphire.

[0077] According to an alternative embodiment, gemstone 1 may be a metallic glass gemstone.

[0078] The resonance mechanism 100, or more specifically the reeds 110a and 110b, can be made of amorphous metal or metallic glass.

[0079] The resonant mechanism 100, or more specifically the reeds 110a and 110b, can be made of gold, platinum, brass, titanium, aluminum, or another metal or alloy.

[0080] Metallic glasses can be, for example, zirconium-based, gold-based, platinum-based, gold containing palladium, platinum, or silver, or another metal that can be solidified in an amorphous state.

[0081] This invention results in better vibration of the reeds and an increase in perceived sound level. Therefore, with the gem 1 providing the impact surface for the firing pin 211 of the hammers 210a and 210b, the sound generated by the vibration of the reeds 110a and 110b has a higher sound level, increasing by at least 1 dB.

[0082] When the test was performed using a closed-set diamond gemstone, it produced a gain of 1.8 dB compared to a reed of the same shape and material but without gemstones.

[0083] Using Gem 1 as the impact point of striker 211 enables the enhancement of low-frequency modes, thereby strengthening perception through the use of sound generated by the vibration of the reed.

[0084] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Two acoustic spectra are shown, produced by impacting a reed according to the prior art and a reed according to the invention. The same striking pin was used and the tests were performed with the same reed material and geometry.

[0085] Figure 10 More specifically, a spectrogram of the sound vibrations of a reed according to the prior art is shown, and Figure 11 The acoustic spectrum of the sound vibration of the reed according to the invention, which includes a gemstone at the point of impact of the striking pin 211, is shown.

[0086] A spectrogram typically illustrates sound vibrations in three dimensions, where the y-axis represents the different frequencies that constitute the sound vibrations, the x-axis represents time, and the intensity shown in black and white represents the intensity or power of various modes of sound vibrations.

[0087] In particular, it can be seen that the low-frequency modes are more pronounced in the acoustic spectrum of the reed according to the invention. For example, the resonance of the 1.6 kHz mode is twice that of the prior art, and the resonance of the 2.2 kHz mode is three times that of the prior art.

[0088] Therefore, the present invention enables an increase in both the duration and power of certain modes of sound vibration, thereby allowing the user to better perceive the vibration of the reed.

[0089] The present invention also relates to a method 400 for manufacturing a resonance mechanism 100 according to the present invention. Figure 9 The main steps in manufacturing method 400 are illustrated using a flowchart.

[0090] Manufacturing method 400 includes the step of manufacturing a resonance mechanism 100, which includes reeds 110a and 110b attached to a reed retainer 120. The resonance mechanism 100 can be produced by molding, rolling, wire cutting, stamping sheet metal, milling, laser machining, electrical discharge machining, casting, or hot pressing.

[0091] Manufacturing method 400 further includes: - Step 410, in which a notch 117 is machined in the material of the reeds 110a and 110b; for example, the machining is performed by milling, micromachining or laser ablation; - Step 420, in which the gem 1 is positioned in the notch 117 such that the bell-shaped cap of the gem 1 is at least partially embedded in the notch 117; - Step 430, in which the gem 1 is fixed in the notch 117 in the reeds 110a, 110b to hold it in place.

[0092] Preferably, the fixing step is performed by setting the gemstone 1, for example, using a closed setting, a grain setting, or a long step setting.

[0093] However, according to an alternative embodiment, gemstone 1 may be glued or driven into notch 117.

[0094] For example, gem 1 is ultrasonically driven into notch 117.

Claims

1. A resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200), the resonance mechanism comprising a reed (110a, 110b) attached to a reed holder (120), characterized in that, The sound spring (110a, 110b) comprises a recess (117) in which a gemstone (1) is embedded and fixed, the gemstone (1) comprising a table (3) having a striking surface adapted to be struck by a hammer (210a, 210b) of the timepiece movement (200).

2. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) has a hardness greater than 7 Mohs.

3. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) is a precious, semi-precious or synthetic gemstone.

4. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) is a diamond, a ruby or a sapphire.

5. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) is fixed in the recess (117) by closed setting, table setting or long step setting.

6. The resonance mechanism (100) for a time announcing mechanism (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The gemstone (1) is glued or driven into the recess (117).

7. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) is ultrasonically driven into the recess (117).

8. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The gemstone (1) has a bell cap (6) and a girdle (5), the bell cap (6) being at least partially embedded in the recess (117).

9. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The table (3) has a flat striking surface or a curved striking surface.

10. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sound spring (110a, 110b) has a shape which is at least partially circular.

11. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sound spring (110a, 110b) has a circular or rectangular cross section.

12. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sound spring (110a, 110b) is a first sound spring and the resonance mechanism comprises a second sound spring (110b, 110a).

13. Resonance mechanism (100) for a timepiece mechanism (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The second sound spring (110b, 110a) is attached to the sound spring holder (120).

14. A timepiece movement (200) comprising a resonance mechanism (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a hammer (210a, 210b) comprising a striker (211) configured to strike a striking surface of a table (3) on the gemstone (1).

15. Timepiece (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The striker (211) is made of carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

16. A watch movement (300) comprising a timepiece movement (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 15.

17. A timepiece (10) comprising a watch movement (300) according to the preceding claim.

18. A method (400) for manufacturing a resonating mechanism (100) comprising a reed (110a, 110b) attached to a reed holder (120), characterized in that, The manufacturing method (400) comprises: - a step (410) in which a recess (117) is machined in the material of the sound spring (110a, 110b); - a step (420) in which a gemstone (1) is positioned in the recess (117); - a step (430) in which the gemstone (1) is fixed in the recess (117) on the sound spring (110a, 110b).

19. The method for manufacturing (400) a resonator mechanism (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, In the machining step (410), the recess (117) is machined by milling, micro-machining or laser ablation.

20. The method (400) for manufacturing a resonant mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 18 to 19, characterized in that, The step (430) in which the gemstone (1) is fixed is performed by setting, by gluing or by driving. The step (430) in which the gemstone (1) is fixed is performed by setting, by gluing or by driving.

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