CH714635A1 - Timepiece with bell. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising: a watch case having a middle part (3) and a base (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 (3) bottom side and the sound transmission between the inside and the outside the timepiece (1); characterized in that: said membrane (15) cooperates with a member (19, 25) of said frame via a transmission member (29; 25b, 39) cooperating with both said membrane (15) as well as said element (19, 25) of said frame. The invention also relates to a timepiece in which said middle part comprises a through opening formed in its side wall, said membrane is arranged to close said opening being located in or on the outer surface of said side wall and said stamp is fixed to said membrane.

Description

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a timepiece comprising a striking mechanism.

STATE OF THE ART Portable timepieces, such as pocket watches and wristwatches, can be fitted with a striking mechanism which provides an acoustic signal to indicate the time on demand and / or by the way (repeating watches), or at a time predetermined by the user (alarm watches). For this purpose, they typically comprise at least one timbre in the form of a wire or bell, which is struck by a hammer in order to emit audible sounds.

[0003] Since portable watches are typically waterproof in order to avoid the penetration of moisture and dust towards their interior, they typically incorporate a waterproof membrane arranged on the bottom side between the movement and the bottom, this membrane ensuring both the sealing as well as the transmission towards the outside of the sounds produced by the stamp (s). However, this transmission is limited as regards not only the sound intensity transmitted, but also in terms of its quality.

Various solutions have been proposed in order to overcome this defect.

Document CH 285 202 describes a striking timepiece in which the membrane is in contact with the bottom by means of a stud or the like, in order to transmit vibrations to the bottom. The latter being in contact with the wearer's wrist or, if the part is placed, with the surface on which it rests, this contact dampens the vibration of the bottom. The result of this damping is that the background vibrations are muffled, which decreases the loudness as well as the quality of the sound.

Document EP 3 220 210 discloses a striking watch in which the glass-bezel assembly is arranged to vibrate, and that the gap between the bezel and the middle part is made waterproof by means of one or more seals arranged to promote sound transmission. The glass-bezel assembly is relatively heavy, and therefore its natural frequency of vibration is relatively low. This is far from optimal for sound transmission, and the arrangement of side seals is relatively fragile.

Document CH 712 080 describes a striking timepiece comprising hollow parts, such as tubes or cavities, which open laterally outside the middle to transmit sounds. These arrangements are complex and bulky, which complicates the construction of the middle part and takes up space inside the case. In addition, the water resistance of the watch is also made more difficult to ensure, and the cavities are liable to accumulate dust as well as dirt.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a timepiece in which the above-mentioned 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 comprising a middle part and a back mounted on said middle part, as well as a housed movement. in said watch case. The movement includes a frame as generally known.

The timepiece also includes a striking mechanism comprising at least one stamp housed in said middle, the striking mechanism being integrated into the movement or forming a module separate from the movement. The stamp can 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 part on the back side as well as the sound transmission between the inside and the outside of the timepiece, a membrane is provided between said striking mechanism and said back.

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 another similar element) via a transmission element cooperating in the times with each of these two elements. This transmission element may have come from the material of said element of the frame or of said membrane, or may comprise one or more separate parts.

Direct or indirect contact between, for example, a plate or a bridge and the membrane provides excellent sound transmission to the membrane (and therefore to the outside) during actuation of the stamp through 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 cooperates with said membrane at a point remote from the edge of the latter, in particular at its center.

CH 714 635 A1 Advantageously, said transmission element is a stud which is integral with a frame element or with the membrane.

Advantageously, said element of said frame is a sound transmission bridge, which can be integral with the other elements of the frame and can 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 comprises said frame, a volume housing a timepiece mechanism such as an automatic winding system, said striking mechanism or any other timepiece mechanism.

Advantageously, said pad is directly secured to a plate that includes said frame, or the membrane.

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

Advantageously, said gutter is interposed between said sound transmission bridge and another element of said frame to which it is secured, such as for example a plate. In doing so, the gutter is exposed to a maximum of vibrations transmitted by the gong 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 bottom secured to said middle part, a movement housed in said watch box comprising a frame, a striking mechanism comprising at least one timbre housed in said middle as well as 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 hindrance. The sound intensity and quality are thus improved.

Advantageously, said membrane is fixed to said middle by means of a flange.

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

Finally, we note that the sound properties of a metallic 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 invention. Alternatively, other materials are possible, such as brass, steel, nickel, or the like.

Brief description of the drawings [0028] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying 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. 3a-3c 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. 4a and 4b are isometric views respectively of the exterior and in section according to a variant of a timepiece according to the second aspect of the invention.

Modes of carrying out the invention [0029] FIG. 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, a crystal 5 carried by a bezel 7 and a back 9. The latter is provided with a plurality of openings 13 discrete distributed around the periphery of the bottom 9, the latter constituting sound conduits for the passage of sounds emanating from inside the box as generally known.

CH 714 635 A1 [0031] On the dial side, the box is sealed in a conventional manner with seals 11; on the bottom side, since the latter is provided with openings 13, the seal is ensured by a membrane 15 which is fixed to the underside of the middle part 3 by ad hoc means, and which is arranged to promote sound transmission. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane 15 is held in sandwich 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 thread which comprise the pre-bottom 10 and 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-bottom 10 is ensured by another peripheral seal 11, also held in sandwich between these two elements, and the pre-bottom 10 is made waterproof to the middle part 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 parts 15a used to modify the elastic properties of the membrane 15 in order to optimize the sound transmission. The membrane 15 can advantageously be made of metallic glass, which has interesting mechanical and sound properties, but other materials such as conventional metal (such as brass or steel), polymer (such as Aramid or Gore -Tex) or similar can also be used.

Inside the case is housed, in a conventional manner, a timepiece movement 17 comprising any striking mechanism, which may be a repeating mechanism, a wake-up mechanism or any other similar mechanism. All of the mobile components that comprise the movement are supported by a frame comprising a plate 19 as well as bridges 21 in a known manner. It is also possible that the striking mechanism is not integrated into the movement, being provided as a separate module housed in the middle part 3.

The striking mechanism includes a stamp 23 in the form of a wire which extends along a cavity around at least part of the movement 17 and is intended to be struck by a hammer (not illustrated). The stamp 23 is mounted on a gutter 31 (see below) by means of a stamp holder (not illustrated) which is fixed to this gutter 31, for example by means of screws. The stamp holder can be an insert on the gutter, or can be made in one piece with the latter. Alternatively, the stamp holder can be fixed directly to the frame or to the middle part 3, or indirectly by means of any part. Furthermore, the stamp 23 may alternatively also be in the form of a bell, arranged in an appropriate manner. In the case of a wire stamp, the latter can have any cross-sectional shape, for example circular, oval, square, rectangular, U-shaped, or the like. Its section can be constant or can vary along the stamp.

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

Since the stamp 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 25 also vibrates, and transmits this vibration to the membrane. 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. Furthermore, since the vibration is transmitted to the membrane 15 by intimate contact via the pad 29, the amplitude of vibration of the latter is increased, which also contributes to an increased sound transmission. It should also be noted that the stud 29 can be off-center relative to the membrane 15, and that several studs 29 can be provided. It should also be noted that the contact between the pad 29 and the membrane 15 is distant from the periphery of the latter, and is therefore not at its periphery.

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

This gutter 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 part of the bridge 25. The gutter 31 serves as a resonance chamber, the dimensions of which can be adapted to the sound properties (in particular at the level of its resonant frequency ) of the stamp 23. Of course, the gutter 31 can extend inside the periphery of the middle part 3 and thus form a closed ring.

Note also that the bottom of the gutter 31 is separated from the plate 19 by washers 33 which each surround a corresponding screw 27. The washers 33 may be separate parts, or may have come in one piece 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 gutter 31, which also improves the sound properties of the assembly. It is noted that the use of three fixing points between the gutter 31 and the plate 19 has given excellent results. For the rest, it should also be noted that it is not compulsory to fix deck 25 to the

CH 714 635 A1 gutter 31 by means of screws or the like; the prestressing of the membrane 15 may be sufficient to keep 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.

We also note that this construction is compatible with a movement 17 with automatic winding, an oscillating mass system 35 being disposed between the sound transmission bridge 25 and the stage 19. This oscillating mass system 35 can be any genre, and is only illustrated schematically in connection with the space it occupies. The bridge 25 therefore makes it possible to transmit vibrations coming from other elements of the frame around this mechanism 35 towards the membrane 15.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a timepiece 1 according to the first aspect of the invention. In this figure, only the reference signs explicitly mentioned have been reproduced in the figure, the other elements remaining substantially unchanged from FIG. 1.

In this variant, the transmission bridge 25 is of relatively small size and comprises a plate 25a which takes place against the plate 19 and is fixed on the latter as well as a stud 25b extending from the plate 25a in the direction of the membrane 15. The plate 25a also includes a hollow part 25c serving to provide space for part 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 eliminated. The stud 25b can be centered or off-center relative to the movement 17 and / or to the membrane 15, as also mentioned above in the context of FIG. 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 have come integrally with the membrane 15. For example, the connecting element 39 may be a pillar integral with, or come in 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 in FIG. 2, the latter has a central opening through which the stud 25b can pass.

Figs. 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 being located inside the watch case (movement, striking mechanism etc.) as well as the other elements of the covering (case back, bezel, glass) have not been shown in these figures, and may be identical to those of FIGS . 1 and 2.

The membrane 15 covers and seals an opening 3a made 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 made integral with the middle by means of a pair of screws 45 or other suitable means, but it can alternatively be welded, brazed, glued or the like, and / or the membrane 15 can also be welded , brazed, glued or similar 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 acts as a seal.

In this embodiment, the stamp 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 variant illustrated, a screw 47 is used to attach the stamp holder 41 to the center of the membrane 15, a tubular spacer 49 used to determine the separation between the stamp holder 41 and the membrane 15. Alternatively, the stamp holder 41 can extend towards the membrane 15 in order to cooperate directly with the latter. An ad hoc seal can be provided between the membrane 15 and the screw 47 in order to make this assembly watertight, if necessary. Furthermore, a gutter having a “U” profile can be fixed between the stamp holder 41 and the membrane 15, the bottom of the “U” profile of the gutter being in direct or indirect contact with the membrane 15. In a in this case, the gutter is open towards the inside or the 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 which is free from contact with the wearer's wrist. The intensity of the sound transmission is thus improved.

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 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 embedded relative to the latter.

To this end, the middle part 3 has a recessed rim 3b which surrounds the opening 3a and which defines a shoulder on which the membrane 15 is placed. In the illustrated variant, the shape of the rim 3b and the flange 43 has been chosen to

CH 714 635 A1 such that at least part of the thickness of the flange 43 is folded down relative to the surface of the side wall of the middle part 3. It is also possible that the flange 43 can be fully folded down relative to on the surface of the middle part 43, or that its surface may be in the extension of 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 line with the surface of the middle part 3. This latter option is particularly advantageous in the case where the membrane 15 is welded to the middle part 3, or if the membrane 15 has come integrally with the middle part 3.

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

claims

Claims (14)

1. 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, 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) on the bottom side as well as the sound transmission between the interior and the exterior of the timepiece (1); characterized in that: - said membrane (15) cooperates with an element (19, 25) of said frame via a transmission element (29; 25b, 39) cooperating both with said membrane (15) and said element (19 , 25) of said frame. 2. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1, wherein said transmission element (29; 25b, 39) cooperates with said membrane (15) at a point distant from the periphery of the latter. 3. 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 element (25) or the membrane ( 15). 4. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said frame member is a sound transmission bridge (25). 5. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said sound transmission bridge (25) defines together with a plate (19) that comprises said frame, a volume housing a clockwork mechanism (35). 6. 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). 7. 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) s' extending along at least part of the inner periphery of said middle part (3). 8. Timepiece (1) according to claim 7 and one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said gutter (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). 9. Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein said stamp (23) is in permanent contact only with said gutter (31). 10. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is prestressed by said transmission element (29; 25b, 39). 11. 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 part (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 external surface of said side wall of said middle, and - Said stamp (23) is fixed to said membrane (15). 12. Timepiece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said membrane (15) is fixed to said middle by means of a flange (43). 13. 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. 14. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said membrane (15) is made of metallic glass.