EP3525045A1 - Chiming timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

Timepiece (1) comprising:
- A watch case having a middle part (3) and a bottom (9) integral with said middle part (3);
a movement (17) housed in said watch case and comprising a frame (19, 25);
- A striking mechanism comprising at least one stamp (23) housed in said middle part (3);
- a membrane (15) arranged between said striking mechanism and said bottom (9), said membrane (15) serving to seal the middle part (3) bottom side and the sound transmission between the interior and the outside the timepiece (1);
characterized in that
said membrane (15) cooperates with a member (19, 25) of said frame via a transmission element (29; 25b, 39) cooperating with both said membrane (15) and said element (19; , 25) of said frame, said transmission member (29; 25b, 39) cooperating with said membrane (15) at a point remote from the periphery thereof.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, a timepiece comprising a striking mechanism.

State of the art

Portable timepieces, such as pocket watches and wristwatches, can be equipped with a striking mechanism that provides an acoustic signal to indicate the time on demand and / or by the way (repeating watches) , or at a predetermined time by the user (clock-clocks). For this purpose, they typically include at least one wire or bell-shaped stamp, which is struck by a hammer to emit audible sounds.

Since portable watches are typically sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture and dust to their interior, they typically incorporate a waterproof membrane arranged on the bottom side between the movement and the bottom, this membrane ensuring both the seal as well as the transmission to the outside of the sounds produced by the stamp (s). However, this transmission is limited as regards not only the transmitted loudness, but also in terms of its quality.

Various solutions have been proposed to overcome this defect.

The document CH285202 describes a striking timepiece in which the membrane is in contact with the bottom via a pad or the like, in order to transmit vibrations to the bottom. The latter being in contact with the wearer's wrist or, if the piece is placed, with the surface on which it rests, this touch dampens the vibration of the bottom. The result of this damping is that the vibrations of the bottom are muffled, which decreases the loudness as well as the quality of the sound.

The document EP3220210 reveals a striking watch in which the ice-glasses assembly is arranged to vibrate, and that the gap between the bezel and the middle part is sealed by means of one or more joints arranged in order to promote the transmission of sound . The ice-glasses assembly is relatively heavy, and therefore its natural vibration frequency is relatively low. This is far from optimal for sound transmission, and the arrangement of side seals is relatively fragile.

The document CH712080 describes a striking timepiece comprising hollow portions, such as tubes or cavities, which open laterally outside the middle to transmit sounds. These arrangements are complex and cumbersome, which complicates the construction of the middle part and takes up space inside the case. In addition, the waterproofness of the watch is also made more difficult to ensure, and the cavities are likely to accumulate dust and dirt.

The document EP2367078 describes a striking watch in which an annular support, which carries the plate, is sandwiched between the middle and the bottom, the edge of the membrane being interposed between the support and the bottom. The interaction between the annular support and the membrane is therefore performed at the periphery of the latter, which is not optimal for the sound transmission and limits the amplitude of vibration that can be reached by the membrane.

The document EP2942675 describes a watch in which the heel bearing the stamp cooperates with a membrane, lateral openings being provided in the bottom of the piece. Again, this arrangement is not optimal at the sound transmission.

Finally, the document EP3009895 discloses a bell watch comprising a bottom window which is suspended via a support and connection piece, so that said window can vibrate axially. A cavity is formed between said support and connection piece and the bottom bezel, the latter comprising lateral openings which open into this cavity. It goes without saying that ice cream Vibrating bottom is less than a membrane at the level of sound transmission because of its relatively high inertia, which limits its amplitude and frequency of vibration.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a timepiece in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention

More specifically, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case having a middle and a bottom mounted on said middle, and a movement housed in said watch case. The movement includes a frame as generally known.

The timepiece also comprises a striking mechanism comprising at least one stamp housed in said middle part, the striking mechanism being integrated in the movement or forming a module distinct from the movement. The stamp may for example be carried by the frame, by the middle part, or by another element integral with one or the other of these elements.

In order to ensure the sealing of the middle side and the sound transmission between the inside and outside of the timepiece, a membrane is provided between said striking mechanism and said bottom.

According to this aspect of the invention, said membrane cooperates directly or indirectly with an element of said frame (such as a bridge, a plate or other similar element) via a transmission element cooperating with both each of these two elements. This transmission element may be made of material from said frame member or said membrane, or may comprise one or more separate parts, its cooperation with the membrane being at a point remote from the periphery of the latter. Preferably, said point is remote from the periphery of the membrane by at least one-sixth of its width (i.e., at least one-third of its radius for a circular membrane, the width of a circle being of course its diameter), preferably from less than a quarter of its width. More preferably, this contact is substantially in the center of said membrane, that is to say spaced from said center at a maximum of 5% (or even 2.5%) of said width.

The direct or indirect contact between, for example, a plate or a bridge and the membrane ensures excellent transmission of sound to the membrane (and therefore to the outside) when actuating the stamp by means of a hammer or other ad hoc means. Not only the intensity, but also the sound quality perceived by the user, are increased, without attenuation due to contact between for example the bottom and the wrist of the user.

Advantageously, said transmission element is a stud which is integral with a frame element or the membrane.

Advantageously, said element of said frame is a sound transmission bridge, which may be integral with the other elements of the frame and may for example be used to transmit vibrations of the frame around other components of the movement.

Advantageously, said sound transmission bridge defines, together with a plate that includes said frame, a volume housing a clock mechanism such as an automatic winding system, said striking mechanism or any other clock mechanism.

Advantageously, said pad is directly integral with a plate that includes said frame, or the membrane.

Advantageously, a gutter is provided inside the middle part, in particular extending at least in part to the inner periphery of the middle part, this gutter being open towards the bottom. It can, moreover, be at least partially around or above said movement. This gutter acts as a sound box, which improves all the more the sound properties of the arrangement.

Advantageously, said channel is interposed between said sound transmission bridge and another element of said frame to which it is secured, such as a plate. In doing so, the gutter is exposed to a maximum of vibrations transmitted by the stamp which can be integral with the gutter and in permanent contact only with the latter.

Advantageously, said membrane is prestressed by said transmission element, which maximizes the transmission of sound between the transmission element and the membrane.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case which comprises a middle part and a base integral with said middle part, a movement housed in said watch case comprising a frame, a striking mechanism comprising at least a stamp housed in said middle and a membrane arranged for the transmission of sound.

According to this aspect of the invention, the middle part is pierced laterally with a through opening, said membrane is arranged in or on a side wall of said middle part, and said stamp is fixed to said membrane.

By these means, a maximum of vibrations are transmitted directly to the membrane, which is free to oscillate without impediment. The intensity and the sound quality are thus improved. The fact that the membrane is arranged on the side wall of the middle part instead of being on its lower face prevents the wearer's wrist from muffling the sound.

Advantageously, said membrane is attached to said middle through a flange.

Advantageously, said stamp is carried by a stamp holder which is fixed to said membrane.

Finally, it is noted that the sound properties of a metal glass membrane, that is to say a substantially amorphous metal alloy, are very good, and therefore this material can be used for the membrane in each of the aspects of the membrane. 'invention. Alternatively, other materials are possible, such as brass, steel, nickel, or the like.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe 12h-6h d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon le premier aspect de l'invention ;
• Fig. 2 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe 12h-6h d'une variante d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon le premier aspect de l'invention ;
• Fig. 3 a-c sont des vues isométriques respectivement en coupe, vu de l'intérieur de la carrure et vu de l'extérieur d'une partie d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon le deuxième aspect de l'invention ; et
• Fig. 4 a et b sont des vues isométriques respectivement de l'extérieur et en coupe selon une variante d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon le deuxième aspect de l'invention.

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 is a sectional view along the axis 12h-6h of a timepiece according to the first aspect of the invention;
• Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the axis 12h-6h of a variant of a timepiece according to the first aspect of the invention;
• Fig. 3 ac are isometric views respectively in section, seen from the inside of the middle part and seen from the outside of a part of a timepiece according to the second aspect of the invention; and
• Fig. 4 a and b are isometric views respectively of the outside and in section according to a variant of a timepiece according to the second aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

The figure 1 illustrates a timepiece 1 according to the first aspect of the invention.

This timepiece 1 comprises a watch case composed of a middle part 3, an ice cream 5 carried by a bezel 7 and a bottom 9. The latter is provided with a plurality of discrete openings 13 distributed around around the bottom 9, the latter constituting sound conduits for the passage of sounds emanating from the inside of the box as generally known.

Side dial, the sealing of the box is provided in a conventional manner with seals 11; side bottom, since the latter is provided with openings 13, the seal is provided by a membrane 15 which is fixed on the underside of the middle part 3 by ad hoc means, and which is arranged to promote the sound transmission. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane 15 is sandwiched between the bottom 9 and a pre-bottom 10 which is fixed to the middle part 3 by means of screws 14 or by cooperation between a thread and a tapping that comprise the pre-background 10 and the middle part 3, in a conventional manner. Alternatively, the bottom 9 can be mounted directly on the middle part 3. The seal between the membrane 15 and the pre-base 10 is provided by another peripheral seal 11, also sandwiched between these two elements, and the pre-bottom 10 is rendered waterproof to the middle 3 by an ad hoc means such as a conventional seal 12.

The membrane 15 may have a section of uniform thickness, or may have thicker or thinner portions 15a for modifying the elastic properties of the membrane 15 to optimize sound transmission. The membrane 15 may advantageously be made of metal glass, which has interesting mechanical and sonic properties, but other materials such as conventional metal (such as brass or steel), polymer (such as Aramid or Gore -Tex) or similar are also usable. Regarded in its plane, the membrane 15 may be for example circular, oval, square, rectangular, or the like.

Inside the box is housed, in a conventional manner, a watch movement 17 comprising any striking mechanism, which may be a repetitive mechanism, an alarm mechanism or any other similar mechanism. The set of moving components that comprises the movement is supported by a frame comprising a plate 19 and bridges 21 in a known manner. It is also possible that the striking mechanism is not integrated in the movement, being provided as a separate module housed in the caseband 3.

The striking mechanism comprises a wire-shaped patch 23 which extends along a cavity around at least a portion of the movement 17 and is intended to be struck by a hammer (not shown). The stamp 23 is mounted on a gutter 31 (see below) via a stamp holder (not shown) which is fixed to this channel 31, for example by means of screws. The stamp holder may be a patch on the gutter, or may be integral with the gutter. Alternatively, the stamp holder can be fixed directly to the frame or the middle part 3, or indirectly via any part. Moreover, the stamp 23 may alternatively be bell-shaped arranged in a suitable manner. In the case of a wire stamp, the latter may have any shape of section, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular, in "U" shape, or the like. Its section may be constant or may vary along the timbre.

The frame further comprises a sound transmission bridge 25, which is mounted on the plate 19 by means of a plurality of screws 27. The bridge 25 may have a folded blade shape, or alternatively may be in the form of cupola or bowl, full or openwork. The bridge 25 is in contact with the center of the membrane 15, via a transmission element 29 in the form of a pad which is integral with the bridge 25 and which applies a prestress to the membrane 15. This prestressing being indicated diagrammatically by means of the overlap between these two elements, which is due to the limitations of the drawing software not making it possible to model the resultant shape of the membrane 15. Alternatively, the stud 29 may be integral with the membrane 15 , or may be an element attached to either the membrane 15 or the bridge 25. In any case, the stud 29 cooperates with both the membrane 15 and the bridge 25.

Since the patch 23 is mounted integral with the frame, directly or via a gutter 31 (if present), when it vibrates following the impact of a hammer, the sound transmission bridge also vibrates, and transmits this vibration to the membrane. The bridge 25 contributes to the displacement of a larger volume of air than is typically the case, which increases the intensity as well as the sound quality. Moreover, since the vibration is transmitted to the membrane 15 by intimate contact through the stud 29, the vibration amplitude of the latter is increased, which also contributes to an increased sound transmission. Note also that the pad 29 may be off-center with respect to the membrane 15, and that several pads 29 may be provided. The contact between the stud 29 and the membrane 15 is thus remote from the periphery of the latter, and is therefore not at its periphery. More specifically, the distance between the periphery of the membrane and this point of contact is preferably at least one sixth of the width (that is to say the diameter in the case of a circular membrane) of the latter, again preferably at least a quarter of its width / diameter.

The sound transmission bridge 25 may be directly mounted on the plate 19 or on a bridge 21, but a channel 31 may advantageously be interposed between the rim of the sound transmission bridge 25 and the frame.

This channel 31 extends at least partially around the inner periphery of the middle part 3 and is therefore at least partially annular, and has a "U" profile, the bottom of which is sandwiched between the edge of the bridge 25 and the plate , the walls extending on either side of the adjacent portion of the bridge 25. The gutter 31 serves as a sound box, whose dimensions can be adapted to the sound properties (especially at its resonance frequency) of the stamp 23. Of course, the channel 31 may extend inside the perimeter of the middle part 3 and thus form a closed ring.

Note also that the bottom of the channel 31 is separated from the plate 19 by washers 33 which each surround a screw 27 corresponding. The washers 33 may be separate pieces, or may be of material either with the plate or with the gutter. In doing so, the gutter and the transmission bridge 25 can vibrate more freely, and air can enter the space formed between the plate 19 and the channel 31, which also improves the sound properties of the assembly. It is noted that the use of three fixing points between the trough 31 and the plate 19 gave excellent results. For the rest, it is further noted that it is not mandatory to fix the bridge 25 to the gutter 31 by means of screws or the like; prestressing the membrane 15 may be sufficient to hold the bridge 25 in place, if necessary.

However, the gutter 31 and / or the washers 33 may be optional. In the absence of the gutter 31, the sound box is formed by the middle part 3, the movement 17 as well as the sound transmission bridge 25.

It should also be noted that this construction is compatible with a self-winding movement 17, an oscillating weight system 35 being disposed between the sound transmission bridge 25 and the plate 19. This oscillating mass system 35 can be of any size. what kind, and is illustrated only schematically in relation to the space it occupies. The bridge 25 Thus, it is possible to transmit vibrations coming from other elements of the frame around this mechanism 35 towards the membrane 15.

The figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a timepiece 1 according to the first aspect of the invention. In this figure, only the reference signs mentioned explicitly have been reproduced in the figure, the other elements remaining substantially unchanged from the figure 1 .

In this variant, the transmission bridge 25 is relatively small in size and comprises a plate 25a which seats against the plate 19 and is fixed on the latter and a pad 25b extending from the plate 25a towards the membrane The tray 25a also has a hollow portion 25c for providing space for a portion of the timer 37.

This stud 25b cooperates with the membrane 15 via a connecting element 39 which, together with the stud 25b, act as a transmission element. In the illustrated variant, the latter is in the form of a tube placed on said stud 25b, but may also have a solid shape. Furthermore, it is also possible that the pad 25b is longer and comes into direct contact with the membrane 15 and / or that the plate 25a is removed. The pad 25b may be centered or off-center with respect to the movement 17 and / or the membrane 15, as also mentioned above in connection with the figure 1 . In yet another variant, the connecting element 39 may be in direct contact with the plate 19 or any bridge, and may also possibly be integral with the membrane 15. For example, the connecting element 39 may be a pillar integral with or integral with the membrane 15 or any element of the frame.

This construction is particularly advantageous when no automatic winding system 35 is present, or if, as in the part illustrated on the figure 2 , the latter has a central opening through which the stud 25b can pass.

The Figures 3a to 3c illustrate a part of an embodiment of a timepiece 1 according to the second aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, the membrane 15 is located on the outer side wall of a middle part 3 which is part of the watch case of the timepiece 1. The other elements of the timepiece located in the the inside of the watch case (movement, striking mechanism, etc.) as well as the other elements of the covering (bottom, bezel, ice) have not been represented in these figures, and may be identical to those of the figures 1 and 2 . It goes without saying that the outer side wall of the middle part is one that carries neither the glass nor the bottom and extends perpendicularly to the plane of movement and therefore to that of the timepiece.

The membrane 15 covers and seals an opening 3a formed in said side wall, the opening extending through the entire thickness of the middle part. It is fixed to the middle part 3 by a flange 43 which has an opening 43a; the membrane 15 is then sandwiched between the flange 43 and the middle part 3, and its central part can vibrate freely. The flange 43 is secured to the middle part by means of a pair of screws 45 or other suitable means, but may alternatively be welded, brazed, glued or the like, and / or the membrane 15 may also be welded brazed, glued or the like in place. In the latter case, the flange 43 is optional. It is also possible to provide a seal between the membrane 15 and the middle part 3 if necessary, and it is also possible that the membrane 15 act as a seal.

In this embodiment, the patch 23 is in the form of a wire having any cross-section (as mentioned above), and is carried by a stamp holder 41 which is fixed directly or indirectly to the membrane 15. In the illustrated variant a screw 47 is used to attach the stamp holder 41 to the center of the diaphragm 15, a tubular spacer 49 for determining the separation between the stamp holder 41 and the diaphragm 15. Alternatively, the stamp holder 41 may be extend towards the membrane 15 to cooperate directly with the latter. An appropriate seal may be provided between the membrane 15 and the screw 47 to make this assembly waterproof, if necessary. Furthermore, a channel having a "U" profile can be fixed between the stamp holder 41 and the membrane 15, the bottom of the "U" profile of the channel being in direct or indirect contact with the membrane 15. In a such case, the gutter is open towards the inside or outside of the middle part 3, and serves to vibrate a larger volume of air.

By these means, the vibrations of the stamp 23 following a strike received from a hammer (not shown) are transmitted directly and mechanically to the membrane 15, which is located at a location on the outer wall of the middle part which is free from contact with the wrist of the wearer. The intensity of the sound transmission is thus improved.

The Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a variant of the embodiment of Figures 3a to 3c , which differs from the latter in that the membrane 15 is not placed directly on the surface of the outer wall of the middle part 3, but is recessed relative thereto.

For this purpose, the middle part 3 comprises a recessed flange 3b which surrounds the opening 3a and which defines a shoulder on which the membrane 15 is placed. In the variant shown, the shape of the flange 3b and the flange 43 has been chosen so that at least a portion of the thickness of the flange 43 is folded relative to the surface of the side wall of the middle part 3 It is also possible for the flange 43 to be fully folded with respect to the surface of the middle part 43, or that its surface may be in line with the latter. It is also possible that the depth of the rim 3b corresponds to the thickness of the membrane 15, so that the membrane 15 is in the extension of the surface of the middle part 3. This last option is particularly interesting in the case where the membrane 15 is welded to the caseband 3, or if the membrane 15 is integral with the caseband 3.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with specific embodiments, additional variants are also can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (14)

Timepiece (1) comprising: - A watch case having a middle part (3) and a bottom (9) integral with said middle part (3); a movement (17) housed in said watch case and comprising a frame (19, 25); - A striking mechanism comprising at least one stamp (23) housed in said middle part (3); - a membrane (15) arranged between said striking mechanism and said bottom (9), said membrane (15) serving to seal the middle part (3) bottom side and the sound transmission between the interior and the outside the timepiece (1); characterized in that said membrane (15) cooperates with a member (19, 25) of said frame via a transmission element (29; 25b, 39) cooperating with both said membrane (15) and said element (19; , 25) of said frame, said transmission member (29; 25b, 39) cooperating with said membrane (15) at a point remote from the periphery thereof. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1, wherein said transmission element (29; 25b, 39) cooperates with said membrane (15) at a point which is at a distance from the periphery thereof which is d at least one sixth of the width of said membrane (15), preferably at least one quarter of said width, more preferably substantially at the center of said membrane. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said transmission element (29; 25b, 39) is a stud which is integral with a frame member (25) or the membrane (15). . Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said frame member is a sound transmission bridge (25). Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said sound transmission bridge (25) together with a plate (19) that includes said frame, a volume housing a clock mechanism (35). Timepiece (1) according to claim 3, wherein said stud (25b) is directly integral with a plate (19) that comprises said frame or said membrane (15). Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gutter (31) located inside the middle and open towards the bottom (9), said gutter (31) extending along at least a portion of the inner periphery of said middle (3). Timepiece (1) according to claim 7 and one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said channel (31) is interposed between said sound transmission bridge (25) and another element of said frame (19) to which it is secured, such as a plate (19). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein said stamp (23) is in permanent contact only with said gutter (31). Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is prestressed by said transmission element (29; 25b, 39). Timepiece (1) comprising: - A watch case comprising a middle part (3) and a bottom (9) integral with said middle part (3); - a movement (17) housed in said watch case and comprising a frame (19); - A striking mechanism comprising at least one stamp (23) housed in said middle part (3); a membrane (15) arranged for the transmission of sound; characterized in that - said middle (3) has a through opening (3a) formed in its side wall; said membrane (15) is arranged to close said opening (3a) while being located in or on the outer surface of said side wall of said middle part, and said stamp (23) is fixed to said membrane (15). Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said membrane (15) is fixed to said middle by means of a flange (43). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 11 and 12, wherein said stamp (23) is carried by a stamp holder (41) which is fixed to said membrane. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is made of metal glass.

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