Watch Acoustic Membrane Side Clamping for Better Vibration Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watch mechanisms face inefficiencies in vibrational transfer from gongs to acoustic radiation membranes due to perpendicular clamping, which hampers adequate acoustic amplification and tuning of sound frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The acoustic radiation membrane is held in a horizontal direction within the watch case using connecting elements such as screws or coil springs, allowing for adjustable tension and improved vibrational transfer, enhancing acoustic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the acoustic radiation membrane is clamped perpendicularly between the movement support and case back, then the membrane is securely held within the watch case, but insufficient vibrational transfer occurs from the gong to the membrane for adequate acoustic amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from perpendicular clamping (vertical dimension) to horizontal clamping parallel to the movement support plane. This dimensional change allows the membrane to be secured while maintaining its vibrational freedom in the vertical direction, enabling effective coupling with the gong vibrations without the constraint of perpendicular mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of clamping the membrane from above (perpendicular to the movement support), the patent inverts the approach by clamping it from the sides (parallel to the movement support). This inversion of the clamping direction resolves the conflict between securing strength and vibrational transfer efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is clamped perpendicularly to secure it within the case, then structural stability is achieved, but adequate acoustic amplification and frequency tuning capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the clamping direction from vertical to horizontal, the patent maintains positional stability through side mounting while freeing the vertical vibrational dimension. This enables the membrane to respond to gong vibrations and allows for frequency tuning by adjusting the horizontal clamping force without compromising structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable clamping mechanisms (such as adjustable screws or springs) that allow dynamic adjustment of the membrane tension. This enables frequency tuning and adaptation to different acoustic requirements while maintaining stable positioning, combining both stability and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If perpendicular clamping is used to hold the membrane, then installation simplicity is maintained, but acoustic radiation performance and sound amplification are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the clamping approach from perpendicular to horizontal mounting. While this requires slight modifications to the mounting structure, it significantly improves acoustic radiation effectiveness by enabling proper vibrational coupling between the gong and membrane, justifying the increased manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable clamping mechanisms that, while slightly more complex to manufacture, provide the ability to optimize acoustic performance through tension adjustment. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for the increased manufacturing complexity by ensuring reliable acoustic radiation effectiveness.
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
This arrangement significantly improves acoustic radiation and frequency adjustment, enabling better sound amplification and tuning of notes produced by the watch's chiming mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
An acoustic radiating membrane (10) held within a watch case (2) by at least one connecting piece (12, 13) acting in a horizontal direction, parallel to a plane of the watch, on an edge of the membrane (10) or on a border element (11) of the membrane
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
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.