Musical Watch Case Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing musical watches face challenges in achieving good sound emission without disturbing the user or compromising water resistance, while minimizing parasitic vibrations from mechanisms like the striking or musical play, which affect the clarity of the sound radiated by gongs or similar resonant organs.
Innovation Solution
A musical watch case design featuring a bezel and a resonant gong integrated with the middle part, utilizing a silent-block joint and a thin elastic median blade to allow vibration and radiation within a specific frequency range, while maintaining water resistance and minimizing parasitic noise transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the gong is rigidly fixed to the case structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the acoustic radiation is deteriorated due to excessive damping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (elastomer, elastic blade, or silent-block joint) between the gong and the case structure. This intermediary allows the gong to vibrate freely for acoustic radiation while still providing mechanical support and stability. The intermediary acts as a mediator that decouples the rigid connection, reducing damping effects on the gong's vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection between the gong and case structure by using elastic materials with specific properties (hardness between 40-90 Shore A, specific thickness ratios). This parameter change allows the connection to provide stability while maintaining the necessary vibration freedom for acoustic radiation.
2Device complexity
If the striking mechanism is directly connected to the case, then the device complexity is reduced, but parasitic vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the same intermediary elements (elastomers, elastic blades, silent-block joints) to isolate the striking mechanism from the case structure. These intermediaries block the transmission path of parasitic vibrations while allowing the necessary mechanical functions to occur, thus reducing harmful vibrations without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vibration isolation function from the structural connection by introducing separate damping elements. This allows the striking mechanism to be connected to the case while simultaneously removing the harmful vibration transmission path, effectively separating the useful mechanical connection from the harmful vibration transmission.
3Reliability
If the bezel is rigidly assembled to the case structure, then the water resistance is improved, but the vibration radiation of the resonator is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the sealing portions rigidly connected to ensure water resistance, while the resonating portions (bezel, lugs) remain elastically connected to allow vibration. This localized differentiation of connection rigidity maintains water resistance at critical interfaces while preserving acoustic radiation where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection parameters by using elastomers with specific hardness (40-90 Shore A) and controlling the thickness ratio between the elastic blade and caseband wall (1:4 to 1:10). These parameter changes enable the connection to maintain water resistance while allowing sufficient vibration for acoustic radiation.
4Reliability
If the seal hardness is increased to improve sealing, then the water resistance is improved, but the damping of resonator vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the seal hardness parameter to a specific range (40-90 Shore A) that balances sealing performance and vibration damping. This parameter optimization ensures adequate water resistance while minimizing the damping effect on resonator vibration, resolving the contradiction between sealing and acoustic radiation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures optimal acoustic radiation of the resonant organ, such as a gong, by controlling vibrations and reducing parasitic noise, thus enhancing the sound quality without compromising the watch's water resistance or user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic blade (74) made of an elastic material and arranged between the middle (10) and the bezel (2), characterized in that the thickness of the elastic blade is less than the smallest thickness of the middle and is less than the smallest thickness of the bezel
Implementation Method 2
allow the vibration and radiation of the cover assembly at frequencies between 4 kHz and 6 kHz
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a silent-block joint and a thin elastic median blade to allow vibration and radiation within a specific frequency range, while maintaining water resistance and minimizing parasitic noise transfer
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
Figure 10~13
AI summary
A musical watch case (100) comprising a case (10) having a first surface (11) for supporting a cover assembly (1) with bezel (2) and crystal (3) or a back (5), a middle surface (14) for supporting a cage ring (4), this case (10) constituting a back or having a second surface (15) for supporting a back (5), the case (100) comprising at least one bell (6) attached and fixed to the case (10) and comprising a resonating portion distinct from the walls of the case (10), which supports the cover assembly (1) by at least one tab (7) comprising the bezel (2) or the case (10) and which is arranged to allow the vibration and radiation of the cover assembly (1) at frequencies between 4 kHz and 6 kHz, these tabs (7) being distinct and not in contact with each other, together with at least one sealing gasket (102), the only direct contacts between the bezel (2) and the case (10).