Arrangement for holding and vibration transmission of an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case

Abstract

An arrangement is provided for retaining and transmitting vibrations of an acoustic radiating diaphragm (10) within a musical or chiming watch case (1) (2). The case comprises at least one crystal (3) mounted on a case middle (4) and a case back (5) mounted on a side opposite the case middle. The acoustic radiating diaphragm is retained within a portion of the watch case, such as the case middle, by at least one connecting piece (12) disposed between a peripheral edge of the diaphragm or an edge element (11) of the diaphragm and the case middle, acting to maintain the diaphragm in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch. The connecting piece may be a screw threaded into a tapped opening (14) in the case middle and contacting the edge element of the diaphragm.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for maintaining and transmitting vibration of an acoustic radiation membrane in a musical or chiming watch case.

[0002] The invention also relates to a musical or chiming watch comprising an arrangement for holding and vibratory transmission of an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] In a traditional striking mechanism for a watch, one or more gongs, attached to at least one gong holder, are struck by one or more hammers in the same horizontal plane as the mainplate carrying the watch movement. A diaphragm of the striking mechanism is further incorporated into the case to amplify the sound of the struck gong(s). The diaphragm is typically clamped perpendicularly or vertically to the plane between a movement support and a portion of the case middle to secure it within the watch case. In one particular example, the diaphragm is positioned between the case back and the movement on the mainplate. It is secured or clamped between the case back and a portion of the case middle. However, it is observed that there is insufficient vibrational transfer from a struck gong to the diaphragm for adequate acoustic amplification of the generated sound.

[0004] In the case of a musical watch, the sound is produced by the vibrations of the keys of a striking mechanism, and an acoustic radiating membrane may also be incorporated into the watch case. This membrane is also clamped in a direction perpendicular to the plane between a movement support and a part of the case middle to secure it within the watch case.

[0005] Patent EP 2 367 078 B1 describes a watch equipped with a striking mechanism. An acoustic membrane is fitted and connected to the watch case to emit a sound produced by the striking mechanism. The membrane is held within the watch case by being pinched between a movement support and the case back in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the watch. This method of membrane support prevents efficient vibrational transfer of the generated sound to the membrane for adequate acoustic radiation.

[0006] Patent CH 311 296 A describes a wristwatch alarm. The watch includes a sounding element, which consists of an acoustic radiating membrane located on the back of the watch case. This membrane has a mounting tab around its periphery, which is notched onto the case to ensure radial support. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an arrangement for maintaining and transmitting vibration of an acoustic radiation membrane in a chiming watch case, or even a musical one, to obtain good acoustic performance during the operation of a chiming mechanism in the watch case.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an arrangement for retaining and transmitting vibration of an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case comprising the characteristics defined in independent claims 1, 5 and 8.

[0009] Particular embodiments of the vibrational support and transmission arrangement of an acoustic radiation membrane are defined in dependent claims 2 to 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10.

[0010] An advantage of the acoustic radiating membrane arrangement according to the present invention lies in the fact that the acoustic radiating membrane is held in place within the watch case by at least one connecting element acting in a horizontal, rather than vertical, direction on an edge of the membrane or on a border element of the membrane. The connecting element may be a coil spring bearing against a gong holder, for example, between an inner wall of the case and an edge or border element of the membrane. The connecting element may also be a screw, which is screwed into a tapped opening, for example, in the case to laterally support the edge or border element of the membrane, or a combination of a screw and a coil spring.

[0011] Advantageously, according to a first embodiment and compared to a coil spring, the use of a screw allows for a significant increase in the diaphragm's contact force compared to a spring, while also allowing for its control. By applying pressure to the diaphragm's periphery, a compression effect is achieved. It is also possible to adapt the diaphragm's acoustic radiation frequency to a struck timbre that produces a specific note, or to at least one activated key on a musical keyboard. Thus, this allows the diaphragm's primary acoustic radiation frequency to be adjusted by the holding force applied to it, making it easier to adapt to a timbre that is more difficult to tune and produces a specific note when struck.

[0012] Advantageously, according to another embodiment, at least two screws are provided, each passing through a separate opening and extending through a peripheral edge of the diaphragm, so that each screw is threaded into a respective hole in a wall of the watch case, for example, the case middle. This allows for a significant increase in the tension force exerted on the diaphragm when it is held in place, thus adapting the diaphragm's fundamental acoustic radiation frequency to a struck gong producing a particular note or to at least one activated key of a musical keyboard. According to this other embodiment, the frequency adaptation is the inverse of that in the first embodiment mentioned above.

[0013] To this end, the invention also relates to a chiming or musical watch with an acoustic radiation membrane arrangement in a watch case, and which includes the features defined in dependent claim 11.

[0014] One embodiment of the chiming or musical watch is defined in dependent claim 12.

[0015] Advantageously, several acoustic membranes can be incorporated. A first membrane can be positioned at the dial level, and a second membrane can act as a double base above the watch case back. Alternatively, several acoustic membranes can be mounted either spaced apart or overlapping. All the membranes are held within a portion of the watch case by a connecting piece in contact with a peripheral edge or border element of each membrane, either bearing against or acting in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch, i.e., parallel to a watch dial or a plate supporting the watch movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The aims, advantages, and characteristics of the arrangement for maintaining and transmitting vibration of the acoustic radiation membrane in the watch case will become clearer in the following description, based on non-limiting embodiments illustrated by the drawings in which: THE Figures 1a and 1b represent, in a simplified manner, a top view of a first embodiment of a support and vibration transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane, and a partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the support and vibration transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case according to the invention, figures 2a and 2brepresent in a simplified manner a top view of a second embodiment of a vibrational support and transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane, and a partial cross-section of a second embodiment of the vibrational support and transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case according to the invention, figure 3 represents, in a simplified manner, a partial cross-section of a third embodiment of a vibrational support and transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case according to the invention, the figure 4 represents, in a simplified manner, a partial cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a vibrational support and transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case according to the invention, and the figure 5represents a graph of the acoustic level of each vibrational mode of the membrane of the arrangement, held in the watch case with and without fixing screws or constraint according to the invention and with reference to Figures 1a and 1b . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In the following description, all parts relating to the maintenance of an acoustic radiation membrane in a watch case, which are well known to a person skilled in this technical field, are described only in a simplified manner.

[0018] THE Figures 1a and 1bThey represent a simplified top view without the watch movement 6 and watch movement support 7, and a simplified partial cross-section of a first embodiment of a watch case 2 comprising a retaining and vibrational transmission arrangement for at least one acoustic radiating membrane 10 within the watch case 2. The acoustic radiating membrane 10 of the retaining arrangement is held within the watch case 2 by at least one connecting piece 12 acting in a horizontal direction parallel to a watch plane on an edge of the membrane 10 or on an edge element 11 of the membrane 10.

[0019] In this first embodiment, the connecting piece is at least one screw 12 screwed through a threaded opening 14 in a part of a watch case 2, for example, a case middle 4 of a watch case 2. The inner end of the screw 12 bears against a peripheral edge of the diaphragm 10 or against an outer part of the rim element 11 fixed to the periphery of the diaphragm 10 as shown in Figures 1a and 1b . The screw 12 preferably bears against a cylindrical surface of the edge of the membrane or the edge element 11. The screw 12 must have a length greater than the tapped opening 14 and preferably one and a half times the length of the tapped opening 14 to allow the membrane to be held in the watch case 2, and a compression force determined for the adjustment of a radiation frequency.

[0020] If only one screw 12 is provided for retaining the membrane 10 in the watch case 2, the peripheral edge of the membrane 10 or of the edge element 11 of the membrane 10, shown in Figures 1a and 1bThe diaphragm 10 is held against an internal cylindrical surface, for example, of the case 4, once the screw 12 is held against the opposite edge or border element 11 of the diaphragm 10. The more the screw 12 is screwed into the threaded opening 14 of the case 4, the more the diaphragm 10 is compressed, which has the effect of modifying its acoustic radiation frequency. This frequency can thus be adjusted, for example, to match the note generated by a gong struck by a hammer in a striking mechanism within the watch movement 6. According to the present invention, the diaphragm 10 is held in the watch case 2 in a plane parallel to the dial or support 7 of the watch movement 6 by means of at least one connecting piece, such as a screw 12 screwed into a threaded opening 14 in the case 4, for example.

[0021] As shown in the figure 1bThe watch 1 essentially comprises a watch case 2, which consists of a case middle 4, on which at least one crystal 3 is fixed in a watertight manner on one upper side, and a case back 5 fixed on another lower side of the case middle 4. The case back 5 is mounted by known means not shown and in a removable and watertight manner on the case middle 4. The case back 5 may also include openings 15 distributed evenly on a coaxial circle inside the edge of the case back 5. These openings 15 allow the notes generated or the melody generated in the watch case and radiated by the acoustic membrane 10 to be transmitted out of the watch case 2.

[0022] The watch 1 also includes a clockwork movement 6 or an electronic clockwork module 6 mounted on a support 7, such as a plate. A striking mechanism in the clockwork movement 6 may, in a first variant, include at least one gong mounted on a gong holder fixed to a plate 7 or to the case 4, and at least one hammer mounted for rotation or linear motion on the plate to strike said gong at predetermined intervals. The striking mechanism may, in a second variant, include a keyboard with a set of blades connected to a heel, which is fixed to the plate, and pins attached to a cylinder or disc rotating on the plate to activate the blades for the generation of a melody.

[0023] The watch 1 also includes a dial (not shown) above the watch movement 6, which is held at the edge on or against the case 4 and positioned below the watch crystal 3. In the case of a mechanical chiming or musical watch 1, hour-indicating hands (not shown) are provided on the dial, which generally bears hour markers around its periphery.

[0024] In the following description, reference will be made primarily to a striking mechanism with at least one gong fixed to a gong holder mounted on a plate or in connection with the case 4 of the watch case 2 and capable of being struck by a hammer to generate a particular note.

[0025] A mechanical or electronic chiming or musical watch 1 essentially comprises at least one acoustic diaphragm 10 to improve the acoustic performance of the sound produced by the chiming mechanism. In addition to its well-defined geometric shape, the acoustic diaphragm 10 can be made of a material chosen to control and optimize the density of modes in the audible frequency range. Generally, the chosen material can be steel, an amorphous metal, a polymer, or another metallic material. Preferably, the chosen material can also be, for example, wood or a composite material, which may be a wood composite, but without any limitations.

[0026] The thickness of membrane 10 can be close to 1 mm in this case. According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 1a and 1bAn annular edge element 11 can be fixed to the peripheral edge of the membrane 10. The diameter of the membrane 10 with its edge element 11 can be similar to the diameter of the watch crystal 3, and can be between 20 and 40 mm. The metallic or amorphous metal edge element 11, in cross-section, has a T-shape with an annular inner side fixed to the periphery of the edge of the membrane 10 and with an annular outer side bearing against an inner portion of the base 5 fixed to the case 4. This annular outer side includes, for example, a cylindrical surface for the bearing of each screw 12 for retaining the membrane 10.

[0027] As previously indicated, at least one screw 12 is provided, but there may be several other screws 12 normally evenly distributed around the membrane 10 or the edge element 11. These various screws 12 are arranged so that each comes into contact with a peripheral edge of the membrane 10 or as shown in the Figures 1a and 1b of the edge element 11, once each screw is inserted into its respective threaded opening 14 in the frame 4. At least two screws 12 may be provided at 180° intervals, or three screws 12 at 120° intervals, or four screws 12 at 90° intervals, as shown in the diagrams. Figures 1a and 1b, or even more screws 12. These four screws 12 are each screwed into their corresponding threaded opening 14 in the frame 4 to come into contact with the edge element 11. Depending on the contact force of each screw 12 against the outer portion of the edge element 11 following the screwing operation, an adaptation of the radiation frequency of the membrane 10 is obtained more easily than with a single screw 12 to adapt to the vibration frequency of at least one gong once struck by the hammer.

[0028] There figure 5 shows the influence of using such a screw 12 on the acoustic level of each acoustic radiation mode compared to a standard screwless mounting. The graph of the figure 5This represents the acoustic level of each radiated mode with and without a screw (connecting piece). Various measurement points are shown between 0 and 14 kHz (X-axis) and with the values ​​mentioned in the table below, where the abbreviation Lq ("level equivalent" in English terminology) defines the acoustic level in decibels (dB) (Y-axis). Generally, the acoustic radiation intensity is much better with the screw pressed against the peripheral edge of the diaphragm or against the edge element than without the screw. An even better result can typically be expected if multiple screws are used to secure the diaphragm in the watch case. mode [Hz] Lq without screws [dB] Lq with screw [dB] 1850 11,43 12,59 2955 17,85 26,46 4345 30,96 26,5 5979 24,61 31,9 6815 27,59 31,09 10200 13,64 22,21 12620 17,65 27,34

[0029] THE figures 2a and 2brepresent a simplified top view without watch movement 6 and watch movement support 7, and a simplified partial cross-section of a second embodiment of a watch case 2 comprising a retaining and vibrational transmission arrangement for at least one acoustic radiating membrane 10. The only difference of this second embodiment compared to the first embodiment concerns the retaining arrangement of the acoustic radiating membrane 10, which is held in the watch case 2 by at least one connecting piece 13. This connecting piece 13 is a coil spring bearing between a cylindrical surface of the edge of the membrane or the edge element 11 and an internal part of the watch case 2, which is preferably the case middle 4.

[0030] As before, if a single compressed coil spring 13 is used for the support and vibration transmission of the acoustic membrane 10, the peripheral edge of the membrane 10 or the edge element 11 of the membrane 10 comes to rest against an internal surface of cylindrical shape, for example of the frame 4 opposite the coil spring 13.

[0031] However, it may preferably be provided with several coil springs 13 for holding the membrane 10 or the membrane 10 with its edge element 11. At least two coil springs 13 may be provided at 180° to each other, or three coil springs 13 at 120° to each other, or four coil springs 13 at 90° to each other, as shown in figures 2a and 2b , or even more coil springs 13.

[0032] It should be noted that with such an arrangement of support and vibrational transmission of an acoustic radiation membrane 10 in the watch case 2, there cannot be an adaptation of an acoustic radiation frequency of the membrane 10 in tune with a struck timbre generating a particular note or with at least one activated blade of a musical keyboard.

[0033] There figure 3represents a partial cross-section of a third embodiment of a retaining and vibrational transmission arrangement for an acoustic radiation membrane 10 in a watch case 2 1. This third embodiment differs from the two previous embodiments only in that the retaining of the acoustic radiation membrane is achieved by a combination or assembly of a first connecting piece 12 and a second connecting piece 13. The first connecting piece 12 is a screw, which can be screwed into a threaded opening 14 in a part of the watch case 2, which is, for example, the case middle 4 as described with reference to Figures 1a and 1bof the first embodiment. The second connecting piece 13 is a coil spring, which is traversed by the stem of the screw 12. The coil spring 13 bears between a cylindrical surface of the edge of the membrane 10 or the border element 11 and an inner part of the watch case 2.

[0034] As previously described for the first and second embodiments, several sets of screws 12 and coil spring 13 may be provided regularly distributed around the membrane 10 or the edge element 11 of the membrane 10. At least two sets of screws 12 and coil spring 13 may be provided at 180° to each other or three sets of screws 12 and coil spring 13 at 120° to each other or four sets of screws 12 and coil spring 13 at 90° to each other, or even more sets of screws 12 and coil spring 13.

[0035] There figure 4represents a partial cross-section of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for retaining and transmitting vibration of an acoustic radiation membrane 10 in a watch case 2 1. In this fourth embodiment, the acoustic radiation membrane 10 is shown not connected to a rim element, but has a bowl shape with a peripheral rim rising from a bowl bottom of the membrane 10.

[0036] An opening 10' is made in the peripheral rim for the passage of a connecting piece 12, which is preferably a screw 12, to be screwed into a threaded opening 14 in a part of the watch case, such as the case middle 4, for example. The head of the screw 12 is located on the inner side of the rim of the diaphragm cup. In this fourth embodiment of the arrangement for retaining and transmitting vibrations of the acoustic radiation diaphragm 10 in the watch case 2, it is necessary to provide at least two screws 12 for retaining the diaphragm 10 in the watch case 2.A first screw 12 passing through a first opening 10' in the edge of the membrane 10 is screwed into a first threaded opening 14 for example in the case 4 of the watch case 2, and a second screw 12 passing through a second opening 10' in the edge of the membrane 10 for example at 180° to the first opening 10' is screwed into a second threaded opening 14 for example in the case 4 of the watch case 2 and distant from the first threaded opening 14. The two threaded openings 14 for the two screws 12 are therefore in this case at 180° to each other. It may also be provided three screws 12 each passing through a respective opening 10' in the peripheral border of the membrane 10 to be screwed each into a respective threaded opening 14 for example in the case 4. These threaded openings 14 are preferably spaced 120° apart from each other.For four screws 12 each passing through a respective opening 10' in the peripheral border of the membrane 10 to be screwed each into a respective threaded opening 14 for example in the case 4, they are spaced 90° apart from each other, and so on for more than four screws to be screwed into respective threaded openings 14 of the case 4.

[0037] In this fourth embodiment of the support arrangement, the acoustic radiating membrane is no longer compressed, but stretched, which reverses the acoustic radiating frequency matching compared to the first and third embodiments. However, this also allows for easier matching of the membrane's radiating frequency to the vibration frequency of at least one gong once struck by a hammer.

[0038] It should also be noted that the material of the acoustic membrane 10 can also be precious or noble wood, such as mahogany, oak, or cherry, which is known for its excellent acoustic radiance properties. Spruce, maple, rosewood, violet wood, cherry, or ebony, commonly used in the construction of violins or guitars, can also be chosen. Other woods, such as poplar, willow, walnut, fir, and even certain fruit trees, can also be selected. However, for secure placement within the watch case, the membrane 10 can also be made of a material such as steel, gold, platinum, an amorphous metal, a polymer, or another metallic material.

[0039] Based on the above description, several embodiments of the arrangement for retaining and transmitting vibration of the acoustic radiation membrane within the watch case can be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. At least one connecting piece can be positioned near a gong holder fixed to the case.

Claims

1. An arrangement for holding and transmitting vibration from an acoustic radiation membrane (10) in a case (2) of a musical or striking watch (1), said case (2) comprising at least one glass (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle (4), the arrangement comprising the watchcase (2), the acoustic radiation membrane (10) being held in a part of the watchcase (2) by at least one connection piece (12, 13) arranged between a peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or an edge element (11) of the membrane (10) and a part of the watchcase (2) so as to keep the membrane in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch, characterised in that the connection piece is at least one screw (12) screwed through a tapped opening (14) in a part of the watchcase (2), an inner end of the screw bearing against the peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or against an outer part of the edge element (11) fastened on the periphery of the membrane (10).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of connection pieces for holding the acoustic radiation membrane (10) are screws (12), and in that the screws (12) are arranged to each come into contact with the peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or with the edge element (11) of the membrane once each screw has been screwed through a respective tapped opening (14) in a part of the watchcase (2), the tapped openings (14) being evenly distributed around the membrane (10) or the edge element (11) of the membrane.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the screws (12) are two in number arranged 180° from each other or three in number arranged 120° from each other or four in number arranged 90° from each other.

4. The arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the part of the watchcase (2) that comprises the tapped opening or openings (14) is a middle (4) of the watchcase (2).

5. An arrangement for holding and transmitting vibration from an acoustic radiation membrane (10) in a case (2) of a musical or striking watch (1), said case (2) comprising at least one glass (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle (4), the arrangement comprising the watchcase (2), the acoustic radiation membrane (10) being held in a part of the watchcase (2) by at least one connection piece (12, 13) arranged between a peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or an edge element (11) of the membrane (10) and a part of the watchcase (2) so as to keep the membrane in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch, characterised in that the connection piece is a helical spring (13) arranged between a part of the watchcase (2) and the peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or the edge element (11) of the membrane (10).

6. The arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that a plurality of connection pieces for holding the acoustic radiation membrane (10) are helical springs (13) arranged between a part of the watchcase (2) and the peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or the edge element (11) of the membrane (10), and evenly spaced apart from each other on the periphery of the membrane (10) or of the edge element (11) of the membrane (10).

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the part of the watchcase (2) is a middle (4).

8. An arrangement for holding and transmitting vibration from an acoustic radiation membrane (10) in a case (2) of a musical or striking watch (1), said case (2) comprising at least one glass (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle (4), the arrangement comprising the watchcase (2), said holding being in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch, characterised in that the acoustic radiation membrane (10) is held by an assembly of a first connection piece (12), which is a screw, and of a second connection piece (13), which is a helical spring, in that the screw (12) is screwed into a tapped opening (14) in a part of the watchcase (2), in that the helical spring (13) is arranged between a part of the watchcase (2) and the peripheral rim of the membrane (10) or the edge element (11) of the membrane (10) and the shaft of the screw (12) runs through the spring.

9. The arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that the acoustic radiation membrane (10) is held by a plurality of screw (12) and helical spring (13) assemblies evenly spaced around the membrane (10) or the edge element (11) of the membrane (10), each screw (12) being screwed into a respective tapped opening (14) in the part of the watchcase (2), which is the middle (4).

10. The arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the acoustic radiation membrane (10) is shaped like a dome with a peripheral edge rising from a dome base of the membrane (10), said screws (12) each passing through a respective opening (10') in the peripheral edge of the membrane (10) in order to each be screwed down, a head of each screw (12) being located on the inner side of the edge of the dome of the membrane (10).

11. A striking or musical watch (1) that comprises an acoustic radiation membrane arrangement in a watchcase according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the watch (1) comprises at least one horology movement (6) with a striking mechanism, mounted on a support (11).

12. The striking or musical watch (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the striking mechanism comprises at least one gong mounted on a gong carrier and which can be struck by a hammer to generate a particular note, the acoustic radiation membrane (10) being compressed or stretched by a connection piece, such as a screw (12) in order to adapt an acoustic radiation frequency of the membrane in tune with the note generated by the vibrating gong.

Images