CH708036A2 - sound generator for watch and clock device equipped with a generator. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sound generator for a watch made of a part integrally made of titanium or a titanium-based alloy, comprising a vibrating stamp (40a, 40b) and a stamp holder (42) at one end of the stamp. One or more holes (43) may be disposed in the vibrating patch (40a, 40b).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking and in particular a clockwork device equipped with a ringtone in which the sound emission is generated by the percussion of a metal stamp of titanium or titanium alloy, such as a repeater watch or an alarm clock, or any other watch, preferably mechanical, arranged to generate audible warnings.

State of the art

There are several examples of watches equipped with an element intended to vibrate under the action of a hammer. In order to limit clutter, stamps are often used. These are blades or metal strands arc approximately circular, surrounding the various parts of the movement, and secured to the plate by one end or both ends.

The hammer, striking the stamp with a force and at a predetermined position, excites elastic oscillations that translate into sound waves. The acoustic qualities of the sound emitted, its height, volume, timbre and duration are determined by the shape and material of the timbre, as well as by its mechanical coupling to the plate, and from the latter to the case.

[0004] The stamps used in watches are generally made of harmonic steel, having excellent elasticity characteristics and that makes it possible to obtain a clear and prolonged sound. The stamp is usually attached to the plate by means of a stamp holder, on which it is crimped or brazed, for example. The stamp holder is a small metal stud screwed to the plate.

[0005] The timbres used in watchmaking generally have a constant section, or have notches at specific positions in order to tune the tone to a desired note, or to modify the sound characteristics or the duration of the sound. In some quality watches, these notches are made manually for each piece.

[0006] EP 2 367 078 discloses a watch comprising a striking mechanism whose acoustic performance is improved by an acoustic membrane made of titanium or amorphous metal.

EP 2 107 438 and EP 1 760 549 describe a stamp comprising a blade formed integrally with its support.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a stamp and a watch mechanism having sonic performance superior to known stamps.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of the subject of the independent claims.

In particular, these objects are achieved by means of a sound generator for a watch consisting of a part integrally formed of titanium or a titanium-based alloy, comprising a vibrating stamp and a stamp holder at one end of the stamp. , said stamp holder being made in the extension of the stamp and forming a single piece with him ..

In one embodiment, the sound generator may further comprise one or more holes in the vibrating stamp.

The vibrating stamp may have an arcuate shape adapted to surround, at least partially a clockwork movement, or extend substantially rectilinear from the stamp holder.

The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising a sound generator and one or more hammers actuated by a striking mechanism and striking the sound generator or timbres.

Brief description of the figures

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: <tb> fig. 1 <SEP> illustrates a first variant of a stamp according to the invention, in a clockwork mechanism shown schematically; and <tb> fig. 2 <SEP> schematically illustrates a second stamp variant according to the invention.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a sound generator for a watch is constituted by a integrally formed part comprising a vibrating stamp connected at one end to a stamp holder, provided with holes for fixing it to the plate of a movement. watchmaking.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the single stamp holder 42 is support two vibrating stamps 40a and 40b, different in length, thickness and sound quality of the note generated. The stamps are struck by two hammers 30a 30b driven by a striking mechanism not shown.

It goes without saying that the shape and position of the hammers 30a and 30b is provided by way of example only and does not limit the claimed invention.

It has been found that the use of titanium in the embodiment of the stamps of the invention leads to superior performance in terms of volume, tonal qualities and duration of the note produced. According to one aspect of the invention, the stamps consist of a part integrally formed of pure titanium or a titanium alloy.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the vibrating stamps 40a and 40b comprise one or more holes 43 for modifying their elastic characteristics and the acoustic qualities of the sound produced. The position and the diameter of the holes are studied and determined in order to obtain, for each timbre, the musical height and the desired duration of sound. Once determined by calculation or empirically, the positions of the holes 43, the stamps of the invention can be produced in a large number of parts with an excellent level of precision and consistent and predictable sound characteristics.

Preferably, the vibrating stamps 40, 40a, 40b have a rectangular section and an arcuate shape adapted to surround, at least partially a clockwork movement. Other forms are possible, however, in the context of the invention. For example, the section of the vibrating stamps 40, 40a, 40b may be round or otherwise. The vibrating timbres 40, 40a, 40b can also extend rectilinearly from the stamp holder 42. In this latter configuration, the sound generator with two vibrating stamps will therefore look like a tuning fork. On the other hand, the sound generator may comprise more than two stamps, each of the stamps having an arc shape or extending rectilinearly from the stamp holder 42. Preferably, the stamp holder 42 is made in the extension of the stamp 40, 40a, 40b, forming a single piece with him.

The holes 43 are preferably through and their axis is orthogonal to the plane of the stamp. One could, however also realize radial holes.

According to a variant of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the sound generator comprises a patch with a first stamp holder at one end 42a and a second stamp holder at the opposite end 42a.

The sound generator of the invention can be made according to a plurality of machining techniques, for example milled from a solid plate, with specific tools, and cutting parameters adapted to the cutting of titanium, or realized by cutting-free machining processes, such as spark erosion, laser cutting, high-pressure water jet cutting, or any other suitable method.

Still according to a variant not shown, the sound generator further comprises a movable finger arranged to move along the vibrating patch 40, 40a, 40b, and come to press the stamp or withdraw. The finger can therefore come to press vibration stamp 40, 40a, 40b to a support position located between the position where the stamp is struck and one of its ends. In this way, only the portion of the vibrating patch 40, 40a, 40b between the position where the finger is pressed and the end will vibrate following the action of the hammer 30a 30b. This portion is shorter than the length of the tone 40, 40a, 40b and the sound emitted will be higher than in the case where the finger is recessed and the tone vibrates throughout its length.

Reference numbers used in the figures

[0025] <Tb> 42 <September> gong carrier <Tb> 42a <September> gong carrier <Tb> 42b <September> gong carrier <Tb> 43 <September> hole <Tb> 30a <September> hammer <Tb> 30b <September> hammer <Tb> 40 <September> stamp <Tb> 40a <September> stamp <Tb> 40b <September> stamp

Claims (10)

1. Sound generator for a watch consisting of a part integrally formed of titanium or a titanium-based alloy, comprising a vibrating stamp (40, 40a, 40b) and a stamp holder (42) at one end of the stamp. 2. Sound generator according to claim 1, further comprising one or more holes (43) in the vibrating stamp. 3. Sound generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibrating stamp (40, 40a, 40b) has a rectangular section. 4. Sound generator according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibrating stamp (40, 40a, 40b) has an arcuate shape adapted to surround, at least partially a watch movement. 5. Sound generator according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibrating patch (40, 40a, 40b) extends substantially straight from the stamp holder (42). 6. Sound generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holes are through holes orthogonal to the plane of the stamp. 7. Sound generator according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first stamp holder at one end (42a) and a second stamp holder at the opposite end (42a). 8. Sound generator according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a stamp holder (42) from which develop two or more stamps (40a, 40b) with one or more holes (43). 9. sound generator according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a movable finger arranged to move along the vibrating patch (40, 40a, 40b) and come to press on or withdraw from it at a bearing position located between the position where stamp (40, 40a, 40b) is struck and one of its ends. 10. Clock mechanism comprising a sound generator according to one of the preceding claims and one or more hammers (30a, 30b) actuated by a striking mechanism and striking the stamp (s) (40a, 40b) of the sound generator.