Removable Acoustic Membrane for Musical Watch Pressure Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic radiation membranes in musical watches are prone to deformation and damage under significant environmental pressures, such as deep diving conditions, due to their thinness, and existing solutions like support members can lead to sound damping and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A removable acoustic radiation membrane with a retaining member housed in an internal abutment member of the watch case, maintaining the membrane's flexibility while preventing deformation, using a metal-to-metal connection that avoids dirt accumulation and allows for unobstructed sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin acoustic membrane is used for good acoustic transmission, then sound quality is improved, but the membrane cannot withstand significant overpressures or depressions
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the membrane itself - a separate retaining member with retaining elements is introduced to provide structural support while the thin membrane maintains its acoustic properties. The membrane and support structure are separated into distinct functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements act as intermediary structures between the membrane and the external environment. These elements transfer and distribute pressure loads away from the thin membrane, allowing it to maintain its thinness for acoustic purposes while gaining pressure resistance through the intermediary support structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a support member is fixed through an opening in the bottom to limit membrane bending, then membrane deformation is prevented, but dirt accumulates and sound is dampened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the support structure pass through the bottom from the outside (which creates openings for dirt accumulation), the retaining elements are positioned on the inside of the bottom, inverting the traditional support arrangement. This eliminates the need for external openings while maintaining support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements are nested within the hollow protrusions of the bottom structure, with the retaining elements fitting inside the protrusions. This nested arrangement provides support while keeping the structure closed and preventing dirt accumulation.
3Strength
If the membrane is fixed securely to prevent deformation, then pressure resistance is improved, but the membrane cannot be removed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the membrane and support structure is made dynamic rather than static. The retaining elements can engage with the protrusions to provide secure fixation during normal use and pressure conditions, but can be disengaged when needed for removal or maintenance, allowing the system to transition between fixed and removable states.
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 solution effectively prevents membrane deformation during high-pressure conditions, maintains sound quality by minimizing damping, and ensures user comfort by being removable and securely fixed, thus enhancing the watch's durability and acoustic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The removable acoustic radiation membrane is held between a middle part and a back of the watch case with side openings for the transmission of sound to the outside of the membrane in vibration
Implementation Method 2
a retaining member (7) having a number of retaining elements (8) arranged on its periphery, said retaining elements (8) being arranged to cooperate with hollow protrusions (28) of the bottom (15), in order to prevent a bending of the membrane (1) towards the inside of the watch case
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The musical or striking watch (10) comprises a watch case, which consists of a case middle (14) and a case back (15) with lateral openings (16), and is securely and removably attached to the case middle. A crystal (12) seals the case tightly. A watch movement (20) is housed inside the watch case and is equipped with a striking mechanism, which can be activated at predetermined intervals to produce one or more notes or a musical piece. The watch further comprises at least one removable acoustic radiating diaphragm (1), which is disposed within the watch case. The removable diaphragm includes, in a central position, a retaining element (7). This retaining element (7) is disposed with some clearance in a recess (37) of an internal stop (27) of the case back (15).Thanks to the cooperation of the retaining element (7) and the stop element (27), the flexion of the membrane is limited following a significant overpressure or depression depending on the environmental conditions.