A resonator for a clock striking mechanism, a striking mechanism including such a resonator, a clock movement including such a striking mechanism, a clock including such a clock movement, and a method for manufacturing such a resonator.

Abstract

The present invention provides a resonator for a clock striking mechanism that can generate stronger, more harmonious, and non-dissonant audible vibrations, and that has greater resonance over time for at least certain frequency modes. [Solution] The present invention relates to a resonator 100 for a bell-striking mechanism, which includes gongs 110a and 110b attached to a gong holder 120, wherein the gong includes a notch into which a stone is embedded and fixed, and the stone includes a table having a striking surface suitable for being struck by a hammer of the bell-striking mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a resonator including at least one gong for a striking mechanism of a clock.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a striking mechanism including such a resonator and a timepiece movement including the striking mechanism.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a timepiece including a timepiece movement provided with a striking mechanism and a method for manufacturing a resonator for a striking mechanism of a timepiece.

Background Art

[0004] In the field of timepiece manufacturing, a timepiece movement may include a striking mechanism. This can be achieved by providing at least one gong. The gong is, for example, a metal wire made of steel and is usually circular.

[0005] This wire is usually arranged around the movement in the timepiece case in a plane parallel to the dial. This gong is attached to a gong holder, for example, by soldering or brazing. The gong holder itself is attached to the floor or the middle part of the timepiece case. The gong can also be made as a single unit integral with the gong holder.

[0006] The vibration of the gong is usually caused by the impact of at least one hammer near the gong holder. This vibration is composed of several natural frequencies and overtones, the number and intensity of which depend on the geometric arrangement of the gong and the physical properties of the material used, particularly in the audible range from 1 kHz to 20 kHz.

[0007] In order to tune the gong, it is usually necessary to adjust the length of each gong or to cut recesses in the setting to change the pitch. This usually has the effect of shifting the frequencies of all modes. Although the frequency of one mode can be set to a target frequency, the other overtones are usually the resulting ones and are not controlled.

[0008] Other research on gong materials has been conducted to improve the perception of sound outside the clock by altering the sound produced, influencing the harmonics, or improving the amplitude of the sound.

[0009] In recent years, efforts have been made to enable the manufacture of gongs that produce clearly defined sounds, particularly in terms of their pitch and frequency configuration, through either the selection of gong materials or the selection of gong geometric arrangement.

[0010] In particular, Patent Document 1 specifies the use of a gold gong to increase the harmonics in the acoustic vibrations produced by the hammer strike. The production of a gold gong adds considerable richness to the sound produced when the hammer strikes the striking mechanism. However, when multiple gold gongs are used in the striking mechanism to produce different sounds, the problem of dissonance may still exist when the gongs are tuned or in the sequence of sounds from the gongs struck sequentially by the hammer, which is a drawback.

[0011] Patent Document 2 describes adding different materials to the openings of a gong to alter the sound produced. To this end, each gong is configured to produce a specific sound having a specific pitch and frequency configuration. For example, to adjust frequency deviations or control their vibration behavior, a gong may include at least one opening in its body that is filled with a material other than the gong's basic material.

[0012] However, creating openings in each gong that are filled with a different material complicates the setting of the vibration frequency, which is a drawback.

[0013] The solutions currently known in the prior art are either so complex to achieve that they prevent the gong from being properly manufactured, or they do not allow for the manufacture of a gong that possesses all the desirable characteristics in terms of the quality of the sound produced.

[0014] Therefore, the resonator for the clock's striking mechanism needs to be improved. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2107436 [Patent Document 2] Swiss Patent Application Publication No. 707078 [Overview of the project]

[0016] Therefore, the present invention aims to correct at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a resonator for a clock striking mechanism that can generate stronger, more harmonious, and non-dissonant audible vibrations and has greater resonance over time for at least certain frequency modes.

[0017] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a resonator for a striking mechanism including a gong mounted on a gong holder, characterized in that the gong includes a notch into which a stone is embedded and fixed, the stone including a table having a striking surface suitable for being struck by a hammer of the striking mechanism.

[0018] The resonator provided by the present invention, with a stone placed at the point of impact, makes it possible to achieve a stronger and more resonant sound. This improves the perception and perceived quality of a bell-striking mechanism equipped with such a resonator.

[0019] In addition to the features mentioned above, the resonator according to the present invention may have one or more of the following supplemental features, which may be employed individually or in any technically possible combination. The aforementioned stone has a hardness greater than 7 Mohs. The aforementioned stone is a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, or a synthetic stone. The stone in question is a diamond, ruby, or sapphire. · The stone is fixed to the notch by being recessed, bezel-set or baguette-set. · The stone is adhered or press-fitted into the notch. · The stone is ultrasonically press-fitted into the notch. · The stone has a bell-shaped part and a girdle, and the bell-shaped part is at least partially embedded in the notch. · The table has a flat striking surface or a curved striking surface. · The gong is at least partially circular. For example, the gong forms part of a circle at an angle between 150° and 360° and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the windscreen glass of a clock. · The gong has a circular or rectangular cross-section. · The gong is a first gong, and the resonator includes a second gong. · The second gong is attached to the gong holder.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a bell-striking mechanism including a resonator according to the present invention and a hammer including a striker configured to strike the striking surface of the table of the stone.

[0021] Preferably, the striker is made of carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism including a bell-striking mechanism according to the present invention.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, including a timepiece movement according to the present invention.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a resonator according to the present invention. The manufacturing method · includes a step of supplying a resonator including a gong attached to a gong holder; · a step of machining a notch in the material of the gong; · a step of placing a stone in the notch; · and a step of fixing the stone to the notch in the gong.

[0025] Preferably, in the machining process, the notch is machined by milling.

[0026] Preferably, the step of fixing the stone is carried out by setting the stone in the notch, for example, using a bezel or a beading technique. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] The object, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the following drawings.

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a resonator according to the present invention for a striking mechanism of a clock movement. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the resonator according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a magnified view of a part of the resonator, showing in more detail the inlay of stone into the material of the resonator. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along axis AA, illustrating the cross-section of a resonator inlaid with stone. [Figure 5] Figures 1 to 3 are partial schematic plan views of an exemplary embodiment of a bell-striking mechanism according to the present invention, including the resonator shown. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bell-striking mechanism according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of Figure 6, which more specifically shows the impact zone of the resonator struck by the hammer of the bell-striking mechanism. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a clock incorporating a clock movement including a striking mechanism according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the main steps in the method for manufacturing a resonator according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a spectrogram of the sound produced by the striking of a gong using earlier technology, where there is no stone in the impact zone. [Figure 11]For comparison, this is a spectrogram of the sound produced by striking a gong according to the present invention, which contains a stone in the impact zone.

[0029] In all figures, common elements share the same reference number unless otherwise specified. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a resonator 100 according to the present invention for the striking mechanism 200 of a clock movement 300.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the resonator 100 according to the present invention shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a more detailed enlarged view of the resonator 100. Stone 1 is inlaid into the material of the resonator 100, which is positioned in the impact zone of the resonator 100 that is struck by the hammer of the bell striking mechanism.

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resonator 100 shown in Figure 3 along axis AA, and shows the cross-section of the resonator 100 in which the stone 1 is inlaid.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the resonator 100 according to the present invention has a resonant section 110 formed by one or more gongs 110a, 110b, and a mounting section 120 called a gong holder. The gong holder 120 is on the extension of at least one end of the gongs 110a, 110b of the resonator 100.

[0035] The second ends of the gongs 110a and 110b are usually free to allow the gongs 110a and 110b to vibrate more easily. However, the gongs 110a and 110b may also be attached to the mounting portion 120 at both ends.

[0036] The resonator 100 may include a plurality of gongs 110a, 110b. The plurality of gongs 110a, 110b may be connected to one or more gong holders 120. Each gong of the resonator 100 may also have its own dedicated gong holder 120.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the resonator 100 includes two gongs 110a and 110b, each gong 110a and 110b having one end connected to the same gong holder 120.

[0038] For example, the mounting portion 120 and the resonant portion 110 of the resonator 100 form a single component, meaning both parts are integrally made from the same material.

[0039] However, the mounting portion 120 and the resonating portion 110 of the resonator 100 may also be made separately and then joined together by joining methods known to those skilled in the art (e.g., by brazing or soldering). This makes it possible to combine gongs made of different materials on the same gong holder. This approach is particularly advantageous when the resonator 100 contains multiple gongs to generate melodies with different timbres. In this way, the properties of the gong material can be utilized to change the sound of the gongs.

[0040] Each gong 110a, 110b is in the form of a wire or blade having a predetermined length, width, and thickness according to the desired sound. The dimensions of each gong 110a, 110b are determined according to constraints and the desired sound.

[0041] Each gong 110a, 110b is configured and shaped to produce a harmonious sound without dissonance. Preferably, each gong 110a, 110b is configured to produce a different sound from the other gongs 110b, 110a that make up the resonator 110.

[0042] The two gongs 110a and 110b have an overall curved (e.g., circular) shape in a plane parallel to the plane referenced in P1 of Figure 1, which is the reference plane of the clock movement 300. However, other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The two gongs 110a and 110b may be in different planes.

[0043] Preferably, the diameters of the circles formed by the gongs 110a, 110b substantially correspond to the diameter of the crystal of the watch 10. The gongs 110a, 110b form arcs extending across a sector that includes between 150° and 360°, preferably between 185° and 220°. Each gong is designed to surround at least a portion of the watch movement 300.

[0044] As shown in the figure, each gong 110a, 110b may extend along one or more circles having different diameters defined in the same plane parallel to plane P1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, each gong 110a, 110b includes a first proximal portion 111a, 111b of a gong holder 120 extending along a first circle C1 with diameter d1, and a second distal portion 112a, 112b of a gong holder 120 extending along a second circle C2 with diameter d2 or a third circle C3 with diameter d3, where the diameter d1 of circle C1 is smaller than the diameters d2, d3 of the second and third circles C2, C3. Preferably, circles C1, C2, and C3 are concentric.

[0046] The gongs 110a and 110b may have a curved (e.g., circular) cross-section or a polygonal (e.g., parallelepiped, preferably rectangular) cross-section.

[0047] Gongs 110a and 110b may also have cross-sections with sectors of different shapes and / or dimensions.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the gongs 110a and 110b are in the form of blades having a rectangular cross-section. For this purpose, the gongs 110a and 110b include a radially inward vertical surface 115 and a radially outward vertical surface 116 with respect to the center of the gongs 110a and 110b, and the two vertical surfaces are oriented perpendicular to the plane P1.

[0049] The gong holder 120 is shown in the form of a plate, but other forms of gong holders are also possible. Preferably, the thickness of the gong holder 120 is approximately the same as the thickness of the gongs 110a and 110b.

[0050] The gong holder 120 includes an opening 121 for attaching the resonator 100 to a base plate (not shown) on which the clock movement 300 is mounted, for example, by screws. According to a modified embodiment, the gong holder 120 may also be attached to the edge or wall of the middle section of the case 11 of a clock 10, such as a wristwatch.

[0051] The resonator 100 is part of the striking mechanism 200, which preferably includes at least one hammer 210a, 210b for each gong 110a, 110b. The hammers 210a, 210b are configured and shaped to strike the gongs 110a, 110b at a predetermined time in the precise zone of the gongs 110a, 110b.

[0052] The hammers 210a and 210b of the bell striking mechanism 200 are specifically shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7.

[0053] Figure 5 is a partial schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the bell-striking mechanism 200 according to the present invention, including the resonator 100 described above.

[0054] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bell-striking mechanism 200 according to the present invention shown in Figure 5.

[0055] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of Figure 6, and more specifically shows the portion of the resonator 100 that is struck by the hammer 210a of the bell striking mechanism 200.

[0056] Along with the gongs 110a and 110b of the resonator 100, the striking mechanism 200 includes two hammers 210a and 210b.

[0057] Each hammer 210a, 210b includes a striker 211 designed to strike the gongs 110a, 110b and generate sound and vibration from the gongs 110a, 110b upon impact. This vibration consists of several natural frequencies or harmonics, the number and intensity of which depend on the geometric arrangement of the gongs and the physical properties of the materials used, particularly in the audible range from 1 kHz to 20 kHz.

[0058] Preferably, the striker 211 is made from hardened steel and has a hardness greater than 600 HV, preferably greater than 1,600 HV.

[0059] For example, the Striker 211 is made from carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

[0060] The hammers 210a and 210b are rotatably mounted on the floor and are configured to strike the gongs 110a and 110b, each corresponding to a given time, in order to generate sound and melody.

[0061] The hammers 210a and 210b are operated conventionally by the clock movement 300, either by a dedicated energy source or by an energy source shared with the gear train of the clock movement 300.

[0062] According to the present invention, each gong 110a, 110b is positioned opposite the striker 211 of the hammers 210a, 210b and has a stone 1 that is struck by it.

[0063] Preferably, stone 1 is positioned near the gong holder 120, on the proximal portions 111a and 111b of the gongs 110a and 110b.

[0064] Referring to Figure 3, stone 1 is, for example, a cut stone having a table 3, a crown 4, a girdle 5, and a bell-shaped section 6. Table 3 forms the striking surface that receives the strikers 211 of the hammers 210a, 210b.

[0065] For example, Table 3 is flat, as shown in Figure 3.

[0066] Table 3 may also have any shape. For example, Table 3 may be a curved surface, such as a sphere or a cylinder.

[0067] Preferably, the shape of the table 3 is selected to minimize the range of the striking surface between the table 3 and the strikers 211 of the hammers 210a and 210b.

[0068] In the example shown, stone 1 has the shape of a traditional cut stone with a conical bell-shaped section 6. However, stone 1 may have other shapes, as long as it has a striking surface directed toward the striker 211, with the table 3 configured to receive the striker 211 of the hammers 210a, 210b.

[0069] According to an alternative embodiment, stone 1 may have the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0070] To inlay the stone 1, the gongs 110a and 110b have non-penetrating notches 117 that are machined to the thickness of the gongs 110a and 110b, for example by milling, micro-machining, or laser ablation. The non-penetrating notches 117 are configured to at least partially receive and embed the bell-shaped portion 6 of the stone 1.

[0071] The geometric arrangement and shape of the notches 117 are adapted to the shape of the bell-shaped portion 6 of the stone 1 to which they are attached.

[0072] Preferably, the geometric arrangement and shape of the notches 117 are designed to maximize the contact surface at the interface between the bell-shaped portion 6 of the stone 1 and the notches 117 in the gongs 110a and 110b.

[0073] Preferably, the stone 1 is fixed to the gongs 110a and 110b by a stone set. According to an alternative embodiment, the stone 1 may be bonded to the notch 117.

[0074] Preferably, stone 1 is fixed to gongs 110a and 110b by bezel setting, bead setting, or baguette setting.

[0075] According to an alternative embodiment, stone 1 is pressed into the notches 117 of gongs 110a and 110b, for example, using an ultrasonic press-fitting method.

[0076] The table 3 of stone 1 protrudes toward the surfaces of gongs 110a and 110b, which have notches 117, thereby forming a striking surface for the striker 211 that protrudes toward the radial inner surface 115 of the gongs 110a and 110b.

[0077] Preferably, stone 1 has a hardness greater than 7 Mohs.

[0078] Preferably, stone 1 is a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, or a synthetic stone. For example, it may be a diamond, a ruby, or a sapphire.

[0079] According to an alternative embodiment, stone 1 may be a metallic glass stone.

[0080] The resonators 100, more specifically the gongs 110a and 110b, may be made from amorphous metal or metallic glass.

[0081] The resonator 100, more specifically the gongs 110a and 110b, may be made of gold, platinum, brass, titanium, aluminum, or other metallic materials or alloys.

[0082] Metallic glass may be, for example, a zirconium-based, gold-based, platinum-based, or other metals that can solidify in an amorphous form, such as gold, platinum, silver, or palladium.

[0083] The present invention results in better vibration and improved perceived acoustic level of the gong. Specifically, the stone 1 that provides the striking surface for the strikers 211 of the hammers 210a and 210b results in a higher acoustic level, with an increase of at least 1 dB, produced by the vibration of the gongs 110a and 110b.

[0084] The test was conducted using a diamond stone set with a bezel. The results showed a gain of 1.8 dB compared to a gong of the same shape and material without the stone.

[0085] By using Stone 1 as the impact point of Striker 211, it becomes possible to emphasize the low-frequency mode, and perception is enhanced through the use of sound generated by the vibration of the gong.

[0086] Figures 10 and 11 show two spectrograms generated by striking a prior art gong and a gong according to the present invention. The tests were conducted using the same striker, with the same gong material and geometric arrangement.

[0087] Figure 10 shows, more specifically, a spectrogram of the acoustic vibration of a gong according to the prior art, and Figure 11 shows a spectrogram of the acoustic vibration of a gong according to the present invention, which includes a stone at the impact point of the striker 211.

[0088] A spectrogram traditionally represents acoustic vibrations in three dimensions. The y-axis represents the different frequencies that constitute the acoustic vibrations, the x-axis represents time, and the intensity, shown in black and white, represents the intensity or power of the various modes of acoustic vibration.

[0089] In particular, the spectrogram of the gong according to the present invention shows that the low-frequency modes are more pronounced. 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.

[0090] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to increase both the duration and power of specific modes of acoustic vibration, resulting in a better perception of the gong's vibrations by the user.

[0091] The present invention also relates to a method 400 for manufacturing the resonator 100 according to the present invention. Figure 9 shows the main steps of the manufacturing method 400 using a flowchart.

[0092] The manufacturing method 400 includes a step of manufacturing a resonator 100, which includes gongs 110a and 110b attached to a gong holder 120. The resonator 100 can be manufactured by molding, rolling, punching wire, stamping sheets of metal material, milling, laser processing, electrical discharge machining, casting, or hot pressing.

[0093] Manufacturing method 400 further involves continuous, Step 410 is a process in which notches 117 are machined into the material of gongs 110a and 110b, wherein the machining is performed, for example, by milling, micro-machining or laser ablation. Step 420 involves positioning stone 1 in the notch 117 such that the bell-shaped portion of stone 1 is at least partially embedded in the notch 117, - Step 430 involves fixing stone 1 to the notches 117 in the gongs 110a and 110b so that it is held in place. Includes.

[0094] Preferably, the fixing step is performed by setting stone 1, for example, using a bezel setting, bead setting, or baguette setting.

[0095] However, according to an alternative embodiment, stone 1 may be bonded or press-fitted into the notch 117.

[0096] For example, stone 1 is ultrasonically pressed into notch 117.

Claims

1. A resonator (100) for a bell striking mechanism (200) including gongs (110a, 110b) attached to a gong holder (120), A resonator (100) for a bell striking mechanism (200), characterized in that the gong (110a, 110b) includes a notch (117) into which a stone (1) is embedded and fixed, and the stone (1) includes a table (3) having a striking surface suitable for being struck by the hammers (210a, 210b) of the bell striking mechanism (200).

2. The resonator (100) for the striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone (1) has a hardness greater than 7 Mohs.

3. The resonator (100) for the bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone (1) is a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, or a synthetic stone.

4. A resonator (100) for a striking mechanism (200) according to claim 3, characterized in that the stone (1) is a diamond, ruby, or sapphire.

5. The resonator (100) for the striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone (1) is set in place and fixed to the notch (117) by a bead stopper or baguette setting.

6. A resonator (100) for a bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone (1) is bonded or press-fitted into the notch (117).

7. A resonator (100) for a bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that the stone (1) is ultrasonically pressed into the notch (117).

8. A resonator (100) for a bell-striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone (1) has a bell-shaped portion (6) and a girdle (5), and the bell-shaped portion (6) is at least partially embedded in the notch (117).

9. The resonator (100) for the bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the table (3) has a flat striking surface or a curved striking surface.

10. A resonator (100) for a bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gongs (110a, 110b) are at least partially circular.

11. The resonator (100) for the bell striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gongs (110a, 110b) have a circular or rectangular cross-section.

12. A resonator (100) for a bell-striking mechanism (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gongs (110a, 110b) are first gongs, and the resonator includes a second gong (110b, 110a).

13. A resonator (100) for a bell-striking mechanism (200) according to claim 12, characterized in that the second gongs (110b, 110a) are attached to the gong holder (120).

14. The resonator (100) described in claim 1, A hammer (210a, 210b) including a striker (211) configured to strike the striking surface of the table (3) on the stone (1) and A bell-striking mechanism (200) including the bell-striking mechanism.

15. The striking mechanism (200) according to claim 14, characterized in that the striker (211) is made of carbon steel or tungsten carbide.

16. A clock movement (300) comprising the striking mechanism (200) according to claim 14 or 15.

17. A clock (10) including the clock movement (300) described in claim 16.

18. A method for manufacturing a resonator (100) including gongs (110a, 110b) attached to a gong holder (120), (400) - A step (410) in which notches (117) are machined into the material of the gong (110a, 110b), - A step (420) in which a stone (1) is placed in the notch (117), - Step (430) in which the stone (1) is fixed to the notch (117) in the gong (110a, 110b) and A method for producing a resonator (100) (400), characterized by including the following.

19. The method for manufacturing a resonant body (100) according to claim 18, characterized in that in the machining step (410), the notch (117) is machined by milling, micro-machining or laser ablation.

20. A method for manufacturing a resonator (100) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the step (430) of fixing the stone (1) is performed by stone setting, bonding, or press-fitting.

Images