CH710200A2 - watch bezel for musical shows. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a telescope (1) for a musical watch, and a sub-assembly ice-glasses, a box (10) and a musical watch. The telescope (1) carries directly a stamp (6) or constitutes a stamp (6). The bezel (1) comprises according to one embodiment a torus receiving a watch crystal (2), and a lug (11) fine perpendicular to the plane of said torus having means for attachment to a structure. The box (10) carries such a telescope (1) in indirect support on a main surface of a caseband (4) via a first O-ring (51), said middle part (4) and said bezel (1) being held together in a position where, in the free state of said bezel (1) in the absence of overpressure, said bezel (1) is distant from said main surface by a value corresponding to a predetermined clearance and not zero. The watch comprising such a box (10) may be a musical watch, a bell watch, an alarm clock or the like.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch bezel for musical watch comprising at least one stamp.

The invention also relates to a subset ice-glasses with such a bezel.

The invention also relates to a musical watch case comprising such a subassembly comprising at least one stamp and having a middle part which comprises a main receiving surface and a lower receiving surface.

The invention also relates to a musical watch comprising such a box.

The invention relates to the field of dressing watches, and, more particularly, boxes for movements comprising a sound display mechanism such as ringing, alarm clock, music box, or the like.

Background of the invention

In a musical watch or bell, the noise level is a constant concern, since it is to ensure a sound signal of sufficient intensity to be well perceived by the user, while ensuring purity of its at the level of this complication.

The acoustic level can be improved by the use of additional trim elements. The frequency content of the sound produced by a bell watch must be rich in a frequency range between 1 kHz and 6 kHz.

The traditional trim elements do not allow effective radiation in this band, while the higher frequency radiation, typically more than 6 kHz, does not generally pose any problems.

A radiating element may be able to radiate in the frequency band 1-6 kHz only if very strict geometric and dimensional constraints are met, and in particular a low rigidity and / or a small thickness, or the presence of perforated surfaces.

These constraints are generally in contradiction with the rules of mechanical watchmaking, which are intended to ensure sealing, including dust and water, and the mechanical resistance of a watch to shocks and pressures important externalities, due, for example, to immersion at great depth, so as to ensure the maintenance and protection of the watch movement.

Solutions are known for directly integrating sound generation elements to trim components, to facilitate the transmission of vibrations. However, these solutions can bring only a small improvement if these components of dressing are not free to vibrate according to their own modes.

Patent EP 2 367 079 B1 of the same applicant describes a solution to allow the free vibration of the ice according to its own modes of vibration. This solution is acoustically effective, but difficult to produce and requires highly qualified personnel. The first vibrations of the ice (of lower frequency) correspond to a source of dipole sound, which is effective especially above 5 kHz.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to further improve the frequency response.

The invention improves the acoustic level of a musical watch, especially on the frequency band of 1 to 6 kHz, while ensuring, on the one hand a simple and waterproof assembly of the ice-glasses system, and other share a very good resistance to shocks. The invention proposes a mechanical system that allows an integrated subassembly, formed by the bezel and the upper glass, to vibrate freely according to its own eigen modes, acoustically effective.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch bezel for musical watch comprising at least one stamp, characterized in that said bezel is arranged to directly carry at least one said stamp or at least one said stamp.

According to a feature of the invention, said bezel comprises a torus having a receiving surface arranged to receive a watch crystal, and comprises at least one thin tab extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of said torus and the side of said torus. opposite to the carrier side of said receiving surface, said at least one lug having, at a solid distal end, a distal support face arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment on a structure, and fixing means arranged to the rigid attachment of said at least one leg by said distal support surface on a structure.

According to one characteristic of the invention, each said tab comprises, between said toroid and said massive distal end, a thin median elastic blade, more flexible than said massive distal end, said thin blade extending in a substantially perpendicular direction. at the plane of said torus.

The invention also relates to a sub-assembly ice-bezel comprising such a bezel, characterized in that said subset ice-bezel comprises an ice bearing on a receiving surface that includes said bezel, and a second O-ring sealing between said bezel and said ice, and in that said subset ice-bezel carries at least one stamp.

The invention also relates to a musical watch case comprising such a subassembly comprising at least one stamp and having a middle part which comprises a main receiving surface and a lower receiving surface, characterized in that said watch case door, or such a bezel carrying at least one stamp, or such a set ice-glasses, with said bezel in indirect support on said main receiving surface through a first O-ring seal, and what said middle and said bezel are held together by the cooperation of fastening means that includes said bezel and complementary fixing means that includes said middle, in a position where, in the free state of said bezel in the absence of pressure other than atmospheric pressure, said telescope is distant from said main receiving surface by a corresponding value to a predetermined game and not zero.

The invention further relates to a musical watch comprising such a box.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <tb> figs. 1A and 1B <SEP> represent, schematically and in perspective from above and from below, a musical watch bezel according to the invention; <tb> fig. 2A <SEP> represents, schematically, partially and in section, and with two magnifying details in FIG. 2B and 2C, a musical watch case having an ice-bezel subassembly according to the invention; <tb> fig. 3 <SEP> is a diagram illustrating, as a function of the frequency on the abscissa, the ordinate the axial acceleration of the ice during a harmonic vibration for a dressing with a conventional telescope (dashed line) and for the lunette- ice with uncoupled bezel according to the invention (in solid line); <tb> fig. 4 <SEP> is a block diagram representing a musical watch equipped with a box according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of dressing watches, and, more particularly, boxes for movements comprising a sound display mechanism such as ringing, alarm clock, music box, or the like.

Hereinafter interchangeably "watch musical" are called watches equipped with any type of sound display.

Here, the term "torus" is a closed solid, not necessarily regular, developed around an axis, and developing on either side of a substantially flat surface, or cylindrical, or paraboloid, or ellipsoid, or hyperboloid, or the like. Such a torus may be constituted by a ring, or by a volume of revolution, or by a left solid. The plane on which the projections of said torus have the largest dimensions is referred to herein as "torus plan". We call, according to the same logic, "toric" a surface that describes the turn of such a torus.

These sound display mechanisms include one or more vibrating and resonant elements, such as timbres, gongs, bells, blades, keyboards. The present description generalizes under the name of "stamp" such a vibrating and resonant element.

In a conventional manner, a watch case 10 has a caseband 4 which carries one or more stamps 6, a bezel 1 is assembled on the caseband 4, and serves as a support for an ice 2 which transmits the sound vibration towards the external environment.

The invention relates to a watch bezel 1 for a musical watch 100 having at least one stamp 6. According to the invention, the bezel 1 is arranged to directly carry at least one such stamp 6, or constitutes at least one such stamp 6.

To improve the acoustic performance, the watch bezel 1 thus directly carries at least one stamp 6, and preferably all of the stamps constituting the sound display means.

In a particular embodiment, the bezel is made integrally with at least one stamp. More particularly, the bezel 1 is monobloc with all the timbres 6 that includes a musical watch 100.

In a particular embodiment, the bezel 1 comprises at least one flange 14 for direct attachment of a stamp 6.

In a particular embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2C, the bezel 1 comprises a torus 18 having a receiving surface 19 arranged to receive a watch crystal 2.

This torus 18 comprises at least one lug 11 which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the core 18, and the side of the torus 18 opposite the carrier side of the receiving surface 19.

This at least one lug 11 comprises, at a massive distal end 13, at least one bearing face 15, in particular but not limited to a distal bearing face, which is arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment. on a structure, including a middle 4, and fastening means 17, such as a tapping, arranged for the rigid attachment of the at least one lug 11 by its at least one bearing surface 15 on a structure. This rigid attachment is combined with a support or with a pinch. In particular, such a tab 11 can be sandwiched laterally and held firmly in this position. The fastening means 17 are designed to cooperate with complementary fixing means 47, such as a visible screw in FIG. 2C.

More generally, this at least one tab 11 comprises at least one abutment bearing surface.

Preferably, the bezel 1 comprises a plurality of such lugs 11 extending in directions substantially parallel to each other and having parallel or coplanar bearing faces 15.

In the particular and nonlimiting variant illustrated by the figures, the bezel 1 comprises three said tabs 11 extending in directions parallel to each other and having coplanar distal support faces 15.

Advantageously, each said tab 11 comprises, between the torus 18 and its massive distal end 13, a thin median thin blade 12, more flexible than the massive distal end 13, this thin blade 12 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the torus 18.

Preferably, the bezel 1 comprises, on the side of the torus 18 opposite the carrier side of the receiving surface 19, a main bearing surface 150 which is arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment with a structure, particularly a middle 4, and an O-groove 151 in which is housed a first O-ring seal 51.

This first O-ring seal 51 is salient with respect to the main bearing surface 150 or at least tangent with it, the side of the torus 18 opposite the carrier side of the receiving surface 19, in all positions crushing the first O-ring seal 51.

Alternatively, the first O-ring seal 51 is replaced or supplemented by an elastic membrane, or by a plate with micrometer sized holes.

Advantageously, the bezel is made of gold alloy and / or platinum. It can still be bronze, titanium alloy, or in certain grades of stainless steel.

The invention also relates to a subset ice-telescope 3 having such a window 1. This subset ice-telescope 3 comprises a mirror 2 resting on a receiving surface 19 that includes the bezel 1, and a second O-ring 52, or an elastic membrane, or a plate with holes of micrometric size, between the bezel 1 and the ice 2, and this subset ice-glass 3 carries at least one stamp 6. This under -All ice-glasses 3 is perfectly autonomous, and wears only the radiating element.

The invention also relates to a musical watch box 10 comprising at least one stamp 6 and having a middle part 4.

This middle 4 comprises a main receiving surface 40 and a lower receiving surface 45, which is arranged to cooperate in abutment with the distal support face or faces 15 of the tabs 11.

The watch case 10 carries, or such a bezel 1 carrying at least one stamp 6, or such a set ice-glasses 3, with the bezel 1 in indirect support on the main receiving surface 40 by the intermediate of a first sealing O-ring 51.

And the middle part 4 and the bezel 1 are held together by the cooperation of fastening means 17 that includes the bezel 1 and complementary attachment means 47 that includes the middle part 4, in a position where, in the free state of the bezel 1 in the absence of pressure other than the atmospheric pressure, the bezel 1 is distant from the main receiving surface 40 by a value corresponding to a predetermined clearance J and not zero.

Preferably, the bezel 1 comprises at least one such lug 11, which lug 11 comprises a thin median thin blade 12.

And the clearance J is calculated according to the maximum overpressure provided on the bezel 1 so that, in case of maximum pressure on the bezel 1 or in case of shock, each such thin median blade 12 remains in the deformation field elastic, under the effect of a direct support between the bezel 1 and the main receiving surface 40 during the complete crushing of the first O-ring seal 51, thus preventing any irreversible plastic deformation of the thin median blade 12.

The invention also relates to a musical watch 100 comprising such a box 10.

In the proposed innovative construction, the upper window 2 is driven into the bezel 1, or glued on a receiving surface 19 of the bezel 1, or welded, especially in a traditional manner. The bezel 1 is then screwed to the middle 4 by means of at least one lug 11. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the telescope has three thin tabs 11. In a particular embodiment, the subset ice-telescope 3 is monobloc. In a particular embodiment, the subset ice-telescope 3 is sapphire.

Compared to a conventional ice-glasses system completely secured to the box by a connection on the entire periphery of the bezel, the fastening made by three thin legs 11 is here called "uncoupled", and allows: lowering the eigenfrequencies of the mechanical subassembly solidarized ice-window 3; select vibrational modes almost mono-polar, that is to say, corresponding to a vibration consistent with the entire surface of the ice 2.

The number of tabs 11, their thicknesses and their lengths and the constituent materials are parameters that make it possible to modify the effective radiation frequency band of the system.

In a particular embodiment, the bezel 1 has a flange 14 on which is fixed the stamp 6, or the vibration generating element of a bell watch (for example, the stamps of a repetition- minutes or even a keyboard of a musical watch), which guarantees an optimal vibratory transfer between the vibratory source and the radiating element, without the solidarization of the vibratory source affecting the modes of vibration of the lunette sub-assembly. ice cream 3.

In fact, from a vibratory point of view, the subset ice-window 3 is almost decoupled from the rest of the dressing, which therefore remains almost immobile during the vibration of the subset ice-glasses 3.

Unlike a system with telescope or radiating ice or a traditional system, for which the radiant vibration is provided by the individual vibration of the ice, which therefore plays the double role of reactance (return spring) and of mechanical impedance (inertia), for the subassembly of ice-glass 3.désolidarisé object of the present invention, the role of return spring is played by the thin legs 11 of attachment of the bezel 1, while the ice 2 plays only the role of inertia of the mechanical system: its piston-type movement creates a single-polar acoustic source, and allows to generate a very effective acoustic wave in terms of sound perception.

FIG. 2 represents the assembly of the telescope 1 said disengaged on the middle part 4.

The clearance J between the bezel and the middle part is an essential feature of the invention, and is necessary to ensure the complete mobility of the bezel 1. This game J is also sized so that in case of extreme shocks, the Bezel 1 is based on the periphery of the caseband 4, to prevent the thin tabs 11 deform too much and plasticize.

For this construction solution, the seal is assured up to 3 bar, since the increase in the external pressure increases the adhesion of the walls of the bezel 1 and the middle 4 of the box 10 against the first O-ring seal 51.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as a function of frequency, the axial acceleration of the glass 2 during a simulated harmonic vibration for a standard bezel covering (in dotted line) and for the bezel-ice 3 subassembly with bezel 1 disengaged according to the invention (in solid line).

The finite element simulations allow the mechanical system of the ice-bezel to be sized together with the transfer of vibration between this system and the rest of the cladding. Fig. 3 represents the frequency responses of the vibratory acceleration (off-plan of the watch) of two claddings composed on the one hand of a separated lunette 1 (in continuous line) and on the other hand a standard bezel clipped on the middle part ( dashed line). Both skins are similar in terms of size and impact resistance. According to this graph, the first clean mode of a cover consisting of a standard bezel has a frequency of 12 kHz. That composed of a telescope 1 detached has eigen modes in the frequency band between 2 and 10 kHz and in particular three frequencies where the sensitivity of the ear is maximum, above 2 kHz and below 6 kHz .

The cladding comprising a subset ice-rim 3 with bezel 1 disconnected has a vibratory response greater than that of a standard dressing in the frequency band 2-10 kHz which ensures effective acoustic radiation of the alarm.

In addition, the presence of several resonances (peaks) allows the simultaneous tuning of several partials of a stamp or several blades of a keyboard. On the other hand, this system vibrates less for frequencies higher than 13 kHz which is beneficial because generally the noise generated by the striking mechanism has broadband components at very high frequencies: the bezel-ice system with uncoupled bezel is able to filter the sound of the mechanism and prevent the radiation.

The invention has many advantages: improvement of the acoustic level in the frequency band between 1 kHz and 6 kHz. possibility of defining the typology of the acoustic source, for example activation of a quasi-monopolar source of sound (vibration of the ice-window in piston mode). multi-part radiation. improving the vibratory transfer between the vibration generating element and the radiating element. This solution makes it possible to fix the vibrating element directly on the radiating element, without affecting the modes of vibration of the ice-window. system to maintain the seal of the musical watch and to ensure sufficient mechanical strength to prevent deterioration of the ringing movement under external pressure. possibility of reducing the noise of the ringing mechanism composed of high frequencies (above 13 kHz). possibility of a monobloc realization.

Claims (12)

1. Bezel (1) for a watch for a musical watch (100) comprising at least one stamp (6), characterized in that said bezel (1) is arranged to directly carry at least one said stamp (6) or constitutes at least one said stamp (6). 2. Bezel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises at least one flange (14) for direct attachment of a stamp (6). 3. Bezel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises a torus (18) having a receiving surface (19) arranged to receive a watch crystal (2), and comprises at at least one thin tab (11) extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said torus (18) and the side of said torus (18) opposite the carrier side of said receiving surface (19), said at least one tab (11) including, at a solid distal end (13), at least one bearing face (15) arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment on a structure, and fastening means (17) arranged for the rigid attachment of said at least one a tab (11) by said at least one support surface (15) supported or pinched on a structure. 4. Bezel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises a plurality of said tabs (11) extending in directions substantially parallel to each other and having said bearing faces ( 15) parallel or coplanar. 5. Bezel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises three said tabs (11) extending in directions parallel to each other and having said distal bearing faces (15). coplanar. 6. Bezel (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each said tab (11) comprises, between said torus (18) and said solid distal end (13), a median thin blade (12) elastic, more flexible than said massive distal end (13), said thin blade (12) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said torus (18). 7. Bezel (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises, on the side of said torus (18) opposite the carrier side of said receiving surface (19), a main surface support member (150) arranged to cooperate in abutment abutment with a structure, and an O-ring groove (151) in which is housed a first O-ring seal (51) projecting from said main bearing surface (150) or at least tangent with it, the side of said torus (18) opposite the carrier side of said receiving surface (19), in all crushing positions of said first O-ring seal (51). 8. Bezel (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said bezel (1) is made of gold alloy and / or platinum. 9. sub-assembly ice-telescope (3) comprising a telescope (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said subset ice-telescope (3) comprises an ice (2) resting on a receiving surface (19). ) that comprises said bezel (1), and a second O-ring seal (52) between said bezel (1) and said ice (2), and in that said subset ice-bezel (3) carries at least a stamp (6). 10. A musical watch box (10) comprising at least one stamp (6) and having a middle part (4) which comprises a main receiving surface (40) and a lower receiving surface (45), characterized in that said box watch (10) carries, or a bezel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 carrying at least one stamp (6), or a set ice-glasses (3) according to claim 9, with said bezel (1) in indirect support on said main receiving surface (40) via a first O-ring seal (51), and in that said middle part (4) and said bezel (1) are held jointly and severally by the cooperation of fixing means (17) that comprises said bezel (1) and complementary fastening means (47) that comprises said middle part (4), in a position where, in the free state of said bezel (1) in the absence of pressure other than atmospheric pressure, said telescope (1) is distant from e said main receiving surface (40) of a value corresponding to a set (J) predetermined and not zero. 11. musical watch box (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that said bezel (1) comprises at least one lug (11) according to one of claims 3 to 6, which lug (11) comprises a thin blade median (12) elastic, and in that said clearance (J) is calculated according to the maximum overpressure provided on said bezel (1) so that, in case of maximum overpressure on said bezel (1) or in case of shock, each said median thin blade (12) remains in the elastic deformation range, under the effect of a direct support between said bezel (1) and said main receiving surface (40) during the complete crushing of said first O-ring sealing member (51), preventing irreversible plastic deformation of said median thin blade (12). 12. A musical watch (100) comprising a said box (10) according to claim 10 or 11.