EP2720091A1 - Gong for striking-work device of a timepiece - Google Patents

Gong for striking-work device of a timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2720091A1
EP2720091A1 EP13185296.4A EP13185296A EP2720091A1 EP 2720091 A1 EP2720091 A1 EP 2720091A1 EP 13185296 A EP13185296 A EP 13185296A EP 2720091 A1 EP2720091 A1 EP 2720091A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stamp
opening
main body
spring
blade
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP13185296.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2720091B1 (en
Inventor
Lucas Raggi
Jean-Daniel Lüthi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
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Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
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Publication of EP2720091A1 publication Critical patent/EP2720091A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2720091B1 publication Critical patent/EP2720091B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
    • G04B21/08—Sounding bodies; Whistles; Musical apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B23/00—Arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times
    • G04B23/02—Alarm clocks
    • G04B23/028—Sounding bodies; boxes used as sounding cases; fixation on or in the case
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K1/00—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs
    • G10K1/06—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs the resonating devices having the shape of a bell, plate, rod, or tube
    • G10K1/08—Details or accessories of general applicability
    • G10K1/10—Sounding members; Mounting thereof; Clappers or other strikers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a stamp for a striking device of a timepiece, the stamp comprising a spring blade forming a main body of said stamp and being intended to serve as a vibrating member to produce a sound following a actuation.
  • This type of device is in principle known for a long time, the clock timepieces having been once common because to deliver auditory information on the current time during the night or in the dark. Since the advent of radium, fluorescent dials, and other means of illumination of the dial allowing a proper reading of the hour even in the dark, thus simplifying the construction, production, and use of watches. Integration of striking mechanisms has become, through the complication of the corresponding movements and the watchmaking mastery necessary for their manufacture, an object reserved for high-end timepieces. Thus, the manufacture of striking mechanisms, including stamps, until recently was almost undeveloped and was based on a mainly empirical know-how, which resulted in a sound variability of bell watches produced.
  • a striking mechanism of a watch consists of at least one stamp and a hammer which strikes, following its actuation, on the stamp to put it in vibration.
  • the stamp often has the shape of a circular arc in order to advantageously surround the movement of the watch by being placed in a plane parallel to the dial of the watch.
  • it is made by a wound wire, one of its ends being fixed to a stud itself rigidly mounted on a platen of the watch, while the other end remains. generally free.
  • the stud is bonded to the middle part to promote sound transmission.
  • the timbre thus serves as a resonator and the stud transmits the vibration of the stamp to the watch plate, thus allowing radiation of sound waves that are audible to the user in the form of a generated sound.
  • a bell watch usually includes two stamps, the hour and minute stamp, but it can also have three or four stamps, which is known as a chime, or even more stamps.
  • the corresponding conventional timbres differ mainly in diameter and in length so that the generated sound is different, for example serious for the timbre of the hours, and acute for the timbre of the minutes.
  • the amplitude, the duration of the vibrations, as well as the length of the stamp should be carefully adjusted. Indeed, if the rigidity of the timbre is too important, the timbre will not vibrate enough If on the contrary the tone is too soft, then the sound produced will not be satisfactory.
  • the spectrum of a musical sound is generally composed of a fundamental frequency, the first harmonic, and of several harmonics which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
  • the sound produced by an instrument may also include frequencies that are not integer multiples of the fundamental, called partials.
  • the vibration of the timbre respectively the frequency composition of the sound thus produced, normally comprises several partials.
  • the fundamental perceived during the actuation of a ring does not correspond to the first natural frequencies of the stamp.
  • fundamental, perceived pitch This results from a combination of the spectral components contained in the vibratory behavior of the timbre and the elements associated with it in the wave propagation chain at the origin of the sound.
  • the presence of partials in a sound can be felt by a human as well as pleasant and unpleasant depending on the number of partials and their respective positions in the spectrum.
  • the whole spectrum consisting of different harmonics and partial determines the pitch of the sound as perceived by a human.
  • the human perception of sound depends not only on the number and position of the partials but also on their amplitude. This can create dissonance or the opposite of harmony in the human perception of sound produced.
  • the first three partials contribute to fix the pitch and the following determine the timbre of the sound, which is commonly called the richness, beauty or color of the sound.
  • the frequency composition of a sound produced by a timbre can be influenced by the choice of the material, that is to say the physical properties, as well as by the choice of the geometry of the stamp.
  • the choice of material makes it possible to modify the position of the perceived fundamental and the color of the sound.
  • the position of a harmonic changes the vibration of the timbre.
  • the damping of one or more modes of vibration may be affected.
  • the frequency distribution of the partials follows in this case always the same law.
  • the choice of the geometry of the stamp makes it possible to modify the relations between the partials, for example by modifying the stiffness of the stamp
  • the document EP 2,107,437 proposes the use of precious materials such as gold or silver for the manufacture of stamps, because of the physical properties of these materials at the level of the modulus of elasticity with respect to their density, thus allowing the production of a sound with a high number of partials.
  • the choice of material does not allow the frequency distribution of the partials relative to each other and therefore remains a parameter having relatively little potential to obtain, on its own, all the desirable characteristics of the material. 'a stamp.
  • Such a stamp has a variable cross section at least partially along its longitudinal axis, for example continuously or by a succession of increases and decreases in its cross section. If the quality of sound can be improved, the manufacture of such a stamp remains quite complicated and unsuitable for production on an industrial scale.
  • a stamp as proposed in this document comprises a median portion having at least two sections of different cross-section.
  • This stamp is based on the same principle as the document US7,746,732 , the variation of the cross section of the stamp, presumably by simplifying the realization of the corresponding stamp.
  • this proposal makes it possible to obtain an improvement in the sound produced simultaneously with a simplification of production, moreover because the sections of different cross-section are formed by metal wires of different diameters assembled by brazing or welding. This should indeed cause either a fairly complex manufacturing process at the solder or welding, or a decrease in the quality of the stamp obtained.
  • a timbre for a ringing device of a timepiece of the above-mentioned kind whose structure is relatively uncomplicated and which nevertheless makes it possible to generate a sound that has been determined beforehand, particularly at the level of its pitch and frequency composition, as the amplitude and duration of the vibrations of the timbre that will occur following actuation under predetermined conditions and carefully adjusted during its production.
  • such a tone can not only have predefined properties in the pitch and frequency composition of the generated sound, but that it is also possible to adjust the deviation of the sound generated by to the sound produced by other timbres present in the watch, that is to say, to adjust the agreement between different stamps provided in a given striking mechanism, or even taking into account the wishes of an individual user who is normally the buyer of the corresponding timepiece.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of known stamps and to achieve the aforementioned advantages, in particular to allow the realization of a ring tone which is simple in its design, which has an amplitude and a duration of predetermined vibrations during its manufacture, thereby producing a sound of a pitch, a frequency composition, and a deviation from other previously set tones.
  • the present invention proposes a stamp of the above-mentioned kind, in particular for integration into a striking device of a mechanical timepiece, which is distinguished by the features set forth in claim 1, as well as a coin of corresponding watchmaking including such a stamp.
  • the spring blade of a stamp according to the present invention comprises at least one opening formed inside its main body. These openings may be through or blind. The shape and size of these openings can be adapted as needed, as well as the plane in which they are arranged.
  • the openings are preferably machined by means of a cutting or ablation laser, by electro-erosion, by micro-machining, or by water jet, or by any other suitable method.
  • At least one of these openings may be at least partially filled by adding a material other than the material in which the main body of the spring blade is made.
  • the filler material may for example consist of gold, silver, platinum, or a metal alloy.
  • the shape of the cross-section of the main body of the blade springs from the stamp, the shape of the stamp itself, as well as the material of the main body of the spring blade can be chosen as needed.
  • the geometry and the material composition of the stamp is modified locally, thus its rigidity, which makes it possible to influence the vibratory behavior of the stamp following an actuation. Because a stamp according to the present invention can then be adapted to the needs both by varying the geometry of the stamp and, where appropriate, by applying a modification to the material forming the stamp, it is possible to influence with high accuracy the sound produced by the timbre.
  • the figure 1a shows a schematic top view of a traditional architecture of a striking mechanism comprising timbres and hammers, mounted on the frame of a timepiece;
  • the figure 1b is a perspective view of an embodiment with two superimposed timbres, in their state fixed to a stud.
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b represent schematically and by way of example, in perspective views from above, two embodiments of a stamp for striking mechanism according to the present invention, the patch having openings within its main body.
  • FIGS 3a and 3b show schematically and by way of example, by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b two embodiments of a striking mechanism stamp according to the present invention, the patch having openings within its main body of which at least one is filled with a material other than that of the main body.
  • FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate schematically and by way of example, by perspective views from above, several embodiments of a striking mechanism stamp according to the present invention, the stamp having openings within its main body and at least one feeder mounted on the leaf spring of the stamp, and in some embodiments at least one opening being filled with a material other than that of the main body.
  • the figure 5 shows a block diagram of a step in producing a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention via a cutting laser.
  • a ring tone according to the present invention is intended to be integrated in a timepiece, in particular in a mechanical wristwatch.
  • the schematic top view of the figure 1a shows the traditional architecture of a striking mechanism comprising two stamps 1a, 1b and two hammers 2a, 2b corresponding, mounted on the frame of a timepiece.
  • Each stamp 1a, 1b is fixed at one of its ends to a stud 3 serving as a stamp holder and itself integral with a plate 4 of the timepiece, which is at the figure 1a illustrated as an example as a wristwatch.
  • the other end of each stamp 1a, 1b is free.
  • each stamp 1a, 1b is arranged in a plane parallel to the dial of the watch, located above the plate 4, and extends in an arc around the movement of the watch which is not illustrated in FIG. figure 1a , in order to simplify it.
  • each stamp 1a, 1b is formed by a wound wire forming said arc.
  • each hammer 2a, 2b During its movement, each hammer 2a, 2b normally performs a partial rotation in the plane of the corresponding stamp 1a, 1b and strikes the latter, thus producing a vibration of the stamp 1a, 1b.
  • the propagation of the vibration of the tone 1a, 1b through the stud 3 to the plate 4 then produces sound waves, part of which is in the audible spectrum for a human.
  • the figure 1b is a perspective view of an embodiment with two superposed timbres, in their state fixed to the stud 3.
  • the stamps 1a, 1b may for example have the same diameter at their arc and be located in two superimposed planes, at a safe distance to ensure that they do not touch during their vibration.
  • their diameters formed by the corresponding circular arc may be different so as to allow the two stamps to be arranged in the same plane, as shown in FIG. figure 1a .
  • a stamp 1 according to the present invention may have any shape, whether in a partial or straight arc in a linear generator, or even another specific geometry.
  • a stamp 1 according to the present invention comprises a spring blade 1.1 forming a main body of said stamp 1 and being intended for serve as a vibrating member to produce a sound after an actuation, for example by means of a hammer 2.
  • a stamp 1 is distinguished by the fact that the leaf spring 1.1 has at least one opening 1.2 formed inside its main body.
  • the stamp 1 has two openings 1.2 passing oblong located about the middle and at the end of the first quarter along the arc formed by the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1.
  • the two openings 1.2 have about the same length along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1, but this is not necessary, their respective lengths being chosen according to the needs.
  • the width of these openings 1.2 is identical in the example illustrated, without this being necessary.
  • This width of the openings 1.2 formed inside the main body of the leaf spring 1.1 may, in general, be chosen in a range between about 10% and 85%, preferably between 10% and 40%, of the diameter of the spring. blade spring 1.1, also according to the needs.
  • the stamp 1 has three oblong through openings 1.2, two of which substantially correspond to the openings formed in the first embodiment of the stamp 1 and the third opening of a much smaller length is located towards the end of the stamp 1 mounted to the stud 3, this area following the embedding of the stamp 1 in the stud 3 is conventionally called the heel of the stamp.
  • a stamp 1 comprising at least one such opening 1.2 has the advantage that it is possible to modify locally and precisely its geometry so as to determine beforehand the vibratory behavior of the stamp 1 ,.
  • the openings 1.2 increase the radiating surface during the vibrations of the tone 1, which may also be favorable to producing a tone of a pitch and a tone as desired.
  • the targeted modification of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 by creating openings 1.2 then makes it possible to influence the amplitude and the duration of its vibration, thus making it possible to determine during a production stage commonly called the setting sound of the timbre 1 the production of a sound of a pitch, a frequency composition, and a deviation from any other timbres.
  • At least one opening 1.2 of the stamp 1 is through, in other variants of a stamp 1 not shown in the figures, at least one opening 1.2 could be blind.
  • a blind opening 1.2 has a variable depth, especially along the longitudinal axis of the spring blade 1.1.
  • the latter may comprise one or more through openings 1.2 and / or one or more blind openings 1.2, without it being necessary to illustrate or to describe explicitly all the possible combinations.
  • each opening 1.2 can have a different shape that will be chosen generally according to the concrete needs. given a given stamp.
  • An oblong shape of variable length as illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b is yet one of the preferred forms of openings 1.2. The same applies to the location of each opening 1.2 along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1, in the sense that this location will be chosen at will according to the needs for a given stamp 1.
  • each opening formed inside the patch may also be formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the movement of the stamp 1, as is the case in the forms of execution of a stamp 1 according to the present invention which are illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2a and 2b .
  • openings 1.2 have the advantage of being neutral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 during its vibrations, as long as the width of the opening is arranged symmetrically with respect to this axis and that it is through openings. These openings then change the course of the longitudinal axis of the stamp 1 during its vibrations that minimally. However, it is also conceivable to form these openings 1.2 at an angle different from 0 °, or even 90 °, relative to the plane of the movement of the stamp 1 during its vibrations, for example at an angle of 30 ° or 45 °, as long as it allows to obtain the desired vibratory behavior.
  • FIG. 3a Two other embodiments of a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention are illustrated schematically and by way of example to Figures 3a and 3b , by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b .
  • the stamp 1 represented at figure 3a has an opening 1.2 inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 which is filled with a material 1.3 other than that in which the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 is manufactured.
  • the stamp 1 represented, for example, at the figure 3b has a plurality of openings 1.2, one of which is filled with a material 1.3 other than that in which the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 is manufactured.
  • the filling 1.3 of the openings can further influence by two other parameters, namely through the rigidity of the filling material and its density, locally and precisely the rigidity and weight of the stamp 1.
  • the vibration behavior of a stamp 1 according to the present invention can then be parameterized both by means of its geometry and its physical properties, namely the material of the main body and the filler material 1.3.
  • each opening 1.2 formed inside the main body of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 can be filled only partially by adding a material 1.3 other than that of the main body of the stamp 1, instead of being filled completely and homogeneously with respect to the outer surface of the stamp 1 as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3a and 3b .
  • the addition of material 1.3 may exceed slightly outward the volume of the cavities formed by the openings 1.2.
  • Said other material 1.3 used for filling the openings is preferably gold, silver, platinum or a metal alloy whose Young's modulus and density can be adapted.
  • the addition of the filling material 1.3 into the openings 1.2 may, for example, be carried out by conventional assembly or by growth of material or any other method of depositing equivalent material. In general, it should also be noted in this context that many combinations with respect to the location as well as the nature of the filling material are possible, without it being necessary to illustrate or even explicitly describe them here.
  • FIG. 4a to 4c Several other embodiments of a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention are further illustrated, schematically and by way of example. for example, Figures 4a to 4c , likewise by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b or 3a and 3b.
  • the stamp 1 of the form of execution according to the figure 4a has openings 1.2 inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 and a flyweight 1.4 mounted on the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1.
  • the stamp 1 of the embodiment according to the figure 4b comprises openings and two weights 1.4 different masses mounted on the stamp 1.
  • the stamp 1 of the embodiment according to the figure 4c comprises several openings 1.2 whose opening is filled with a material 1.3 other than that of the main body and a feeder 1.4 mounted on the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1. Again, the location and the size of the weights 1.4 are chosen as required.
  • a stamp 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one opening 1.2 formed inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1, which can be filled with a material 1.3 other than that of the main body, and may also include at least one feeder 1.4 mounted on the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1.
  • the openings 1.2 are machined from the outer surface of said leaf spring 1.1 of the patch 1 by means of a cutting laser 6, as schematically illustrated in FIG. figure 5 .
  • the openings 1.2 can however also be formed by electro-erosion, by micromachining, or by water jet, or by any other equivalent material removal process. It is also conceivable to use an ablation laser or another suitable method in order to achieve a specific structuring of the material on the surface of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1.
  • the machining of the openings 1.2 is realized from the outer surface of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 by creating a cavity whose depth is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 and which extends along this longitudinal axis.
  • the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 its cross section may be substantially circular, oval, rectangular, or polygonal. Normally, it will be chosen, for reasons of simplicity of manufacture, a wire as spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1. The diameter of this wire is most often in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. Also, as mentioned above, in a traditional architecture of a clock mechanism, the stamp 1 conventionally present at least partially in the form of an arc, and consists of a wound wire.
  • the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 can form an incomplete circle, but it can also form an arc of more than 360 °.
  • the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 is straight or has another specific geometry, the openings 1.2 proposed and formed inside can indeed be machined from the outer surface of the blade spring 1.1 regardless of its geometry.
  • the material of the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1. Preferably, however, it is made of a metallic material, for example hardened steel.
  • the present invention relates to any timepiece which comprises a stamp 1 according to the present invention.
  • it may be a mechanical timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, which is equipped with a bell, an alarm clock, an alarm, and / or a repetition, or any other mechanism requiring a stamp.
  • a stamp according to the present invention may be declined in many variants and allows flexible use. It is clear that a striking mechanism stamp having the features mentioned above has the important advantage that the geometry and the material composition of such a stamp can be modified locally and precisely, thus influencing its rigidity, which allows determine at the stage of sounding the vibratory behavior of the stamp following an actuation so as to obtain the best relationship between the vibration time and the sound volume, that is to say the richness and beauty of the its according to human perception.
  • a stamp according to the present invention can be adapted to the needs both by varying the geometry of the stamp and, where appropriate, by applying a modification to the material forming the stamp, it is possible to influence with High accuracy the sound produced by the timbre, including the pitch, the frequency composition, and the duration of sound generated.
  • Such a stamp may cooperate in a conventional manner with the other parts of the timepiece in which it is intended to be integrated, in particular with the striking mechanism and the rest of the movement, so that the mechanism can easily be integrated into existing timepieces without the need for specific adjustments.
  • a stamp according to the present invention has the same size as a corresponding conventional stamp, without causing any change in its external dimensions, provided that the addition of material does not exceed the volume of the cavities formed by the openings and that no flyweight is used, either at the diameter of its cross section or the diameter of the circular arc of the stamp, in the case of a traditional architecture of striking mechanisms.
  • This advantage is very interesting because any increase in the physical size of the stamp would result, due to its movement during its vibration, an even larger increase in the volume occupied in the watch case.
  • stamps because of the relatively simple structure of the stamp, these advantages are obtained by reducing the volume occupied in comparison with similar stamps of the prior art, and having available stamping processes capable of offering both the desired quality in terms of the sound produced by the stamp as well as a real industrial feasibility of production.
  • another advantage of a stamp according to the present invention consists in the fact that it can be applied to all kinds of clock-making timepieces, repeater watches, alarm clocks, alarms, clocks, clocks etc.
  • the invention is not limited to stamps intended to be actuated by striking, in particular by striking a hammer, but may also be used for spring blades actuated by friction, for example for spring blades used in mechanical music boxes.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
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Abstract

The gong (1) has a spring blade (1.1) forming a main body of the gong, and intended to act as a vibrating element, so as to produce a sound following an actuation. The spring blade is formed of a wound wire having partially the shape of a circular arc. The spring blade includes an opening (1.2) formed inside the main body, where the opening is a through-opening or a blind opening. The opening is filled partially by addition of a material (1.3) selected from gold, silver, platinum, or metal alloy. An inertia-block is mounted on the spring blade. An independent claim is also included for a timepiece.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un timbre pour un dispositif de sonnerie d'une pièce d'horlogerie, le timbre comportant une lame ressort formant un corps principal dudit timbre et étant destinée à servir d'organe vibrant afin de produire un son suite à un actionnement.The present invention relates to a stamp for a striking device of a timepiece, the stamp comprising a spring blade forming a main body of said stamp and being intended to serve as a vibrating member to produce a sound following a actuation.

Ce genre de dispositif est en principe connu depuis longtemps, les pièces d'horlogerie à sonnerie ayant été jadis courantes car permettant de délivrer une information auditive sur l'heure actuelle pendant la nuit ou dans l'obscurité. Depuis l'apparition du radium, des cadrans fluorescents, et d'autres moyens d'illumination du cadran permettant une lecture convenable de l'heure même dans l'obscurité, simplifiant ainsi la construction, la réalisation, et l'utilisation des montres l'intégration de mécanismes de sonnerie est devenue, de par la complication des mouvements correspondants ainsi que la maîtrise horlogère nécessaire à leur fabrication, un objet réservé à des pièces d'horlogerie haut de gamme. Ainsi, la fabrication des mécanismes à sonnerie, notamment des timbres, jusqu'il y a peu de temps ne faisait quasiment pas l'objet de développements et était basée sur un savoir-faire principalement empirique, ce qui avait pour conséquence une variabilité sonore des montres à sonnerie produites.This type of device is in principle known for a long time, the clock timepieces having been once common because to deliver auditory information on the current time during the night or in the dark. Since the advent of radium, fluorescent dials, and other means of illumination of the dial allowing a proper reading of the hour even in the dark, thus simplifying the construction, production, and use of watches. integration of striking mechanisms has become, through the complication of the corresponding movements and the watchmaking mastery necessary for their manufacture, an object reserved for high-end timepieces. Thus, the manufacture of striking mechanisms, including stamps, until recently was almost undeveloped and was based on a mainly empirical know-how, which resulted in a sound variability of bell watches produced.

En général, un mécanisme à sonnerie d'une montre est constitué d'au moins un timbre et d'un marteau qui frappe, suite à son actionnement, sur le timbre pour le mettre en vibration. Le timbre présente souvent la forme d'un arc de cercle afin d'entourer, de façon avantageuse, le mouvement de la montre en étant placé dans un plan parallèle au cadran de la montre. Habituellement, il est réalisé par un fil métallique enroulé, une de ses extrémités étant fixée à un plot lui-même monté rigidement sur une platine de la montre, tandis que l'autre extrémité reste généralement libre. Dans certaines exécutions, le plot est lié à la carrure afin de favoriser la transmission sonore. Le timbre fait donc office de résonateur et le plot transmet la vibration du timbre à la platine de la montre, permettant ainsi un rayonnement des ondes sonores qui sont audibles à l'utilisateur sous forme d'un son généré.In general, a striking mechanism of a watch consists of at least one stamp and a hammer which strikes, following its actuation, on the stamp to put it in vibration. The stamp often has the shape of a circular arc in order to advantageously surround the movement of the watch by being placed in a plane parallel to the dial of the watch. Usually, it is made by a wound wire, one of its ends being fixed to a stud itself rigidly mounted on a platen of the watch, while the other end remains. generally free. In some embodiments, the stud is bonded to the middle part to promote sound transmission. The timbre thus serves as a resonator and the stud transmits the vibration of the stamp to the watch plate, thus allowing radiation of sound waves that are audible to the user in the form of a generated sound.

Habituellement, une montre à sonnerie comprend deux timbres, le timbre des heures et des minutes, mais elle peut également comporter trois ou quatre timbres, ce qui est connu sous le nom de carillon, voire encore plus de timbres. Les timbres conventionnels correspondants diffèrent principalement en diamètre et en longueur afin que le son généré soit différent, par exemple grave pour le timbre des heures, et aigu pour le timbre des minutes.Usually, a bell watch includes two stamps, the hour and minute stamp, but it can also have three or four stamps, which is known as a chime, or even more stamps. The corresponding conventional timbres differ mainly in diameter and in length so that the generated sound is different, for example serious for the timbre of the hours, and acute for the timbre of the minutes.

Afin de produire le son souhaité, notamment en ce qui concerne sa hauteur tonale, sa composition fréquentielle, et son écart par rapport au son produit par d'autres timbres présents dans la montre, l'amplitude, la durée des vibrations, ainsi que la longueur du timbre doivent être soigneusement réglés. En effet, si la rigidité du timbre est trop importante, le timbre ne vibrera pas suffisamment Si au contraire le timbre est trop souple, alors le son produit ne sera pas satisfaisant.In order to produce the desired sound, particularly with regard to its pitch, its frequency composition, and its deviation from the sound produced by other timbres present in the watch, the amplitude, the duration of the vibrations, as well as the length of the stamp should be carefully adjusted. Indeed, if the rigidity of the timbre is too important, the timbre will not vibrate enough If on the contrary the tone is too soft, then the sound produced will not be satisfactory.

Ces problèmes n'ont été étudiés plus en détail que récemment dans l'industrie horlogère et des efforts moins empiriques ont été entrepris afin de développer des timbres qui produisent un son dont la composition fréquentielle est déterminée auparavant.These problems have only recently been studied in detail in the watch industry and less empirical efforts have been made to develop timbres that produce sound whose frequency composition is previously determined.

En effet, le spectre d'un son musical est généralement composé d'une fréquence fondamentale, le premier harmonique, et de plusieurs harmoniques qui sont des multiples entiers de la fréquence fondamentale. Le son produit par un instrument peut également comprendre des fréquences qui ne sont pas des multiples entiers de la fondamentale, appelées des partiels. En ce qui concerne le domaine de l'horlogerie, respectivement les timbres des mécanismes à sonnerie, la vibration du timbre, respectivement la composition fréquentielle du son ainsi produit, comprend normalement plusieurs partiels. En particulier, la fondamentale perçue lors de l'actionnement d'une sonnerie ne correspond pas aux premières fréquences propres du timbre. Par la suite, nous entendons par fondamentale, la hauteur tonale perçue. Celle-ci résulte ainsi d'une combinaison des composantes spectrales contenues dans le comportement vibratoire du timbre et des éléments qui lui sont associés dans la chaîne de propagation d'onde à l'origine du son.Indeed, the spectrum of a musical sound is generally composed of a fundamental frequency, the first harmonic, and of several harmonics which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The sound produced by an instrument may also include frequencies that are not integer multiples of the fundamental, called partials. As regards the field of watchmaking, respectively the timbres of striking mechanisms, the vibration of the timbre, respectively the frequency composition of the sound thus produced, normally comprises several partials. In particular, the fundamental perceived during the actuation of a ring does not correspond to the first natural frequencies of the stamp. Subsequently, we mean by fundamental, perceived pitch. This results from a combination of the spectral components contained in the vibratory behavior of the timbre and the elements associated with it in the wave propagation chain at the origin of the sound.

La présence de partiels dans un son peut être ressentie par un humain aussi bien comme agréable que désagréable en fonction du nombre de partiels et de leurs positions respectives dans le spectre. L'ensemble du spectre constitué des différents harmoniques et partiels détermine la hauteur tonale du son telle que perçue par un humain. En outre, la perception humaine du son dépend non seulement du nombre et de la position des partiels mais également de leur amplitude. Cela peut créer de la dissonance ou au contraire de l'harmonie au niveau de la perception humaine du son produit. En général, on considère que les trois premiers partiels contribuent à fixer la hauteur tonale et les suivants déterminent le timbre du son, ce qui est couramment appelé la richesse, beauté ou couleur du son.The presence of partials in a sound can be felt by a human as well as pleasant and unpleasant depending on the number of partials and their respective positions in the spectrum. The whole spectrum consisting of different harmonics and partial determines the pitch of the sound as perceived by a human. In addition, the human perception of sound depends not only on the number and position of the partials but also on their amplitude. This can create dissonance or the opposite of harmony in the human perception of sound produced. In general, we consider that the first three partials contribute to fix the pitch and the following determine the timbre of the sound, which is commonly called the richness, beauty or color of the sound.

En particulier, la composition fréquentielle d'un son produit par un timbre, donc la position fréquentielle des harmoniques et des partiels, peut être influencée par le choix du matériau, c'est-à-dire les propriétés physiques, ainsi que par le choix de la géométrie du timbre. Pour une géométrie donnée du timbre, le choix du matériau permet de modifier la position de la fondamentale perçue et la couleur du son. La position d'un harmonique modifie la vibration du timbre. L'amortissement d'un ou de plusieurs modes de vibration peut en être affecté. La répartition fréquentielle des partiels suit dans ce cas toujours la même loi. Le choix de la géométrie du timbre, quant à lui, permet de modifier les rapports entre les partiels, par exemple en modifiant la rigidité du timbreIn particular, the frequency composition of a sound produced by a timbre, and therefore the frequency position of the harmonics and the partials, can be influenced by the choice of the material, that is to say the physical properties, as well as by the choice of the geometry of the stamp. For a given geometry of the timbre, the choice of material makes it possible to modify the position of the perceived fundamental and the color of the sound. The position of a harmonic changes the vibration of the timbre. The damping of one or more modes of vibration may be affected. The frequency distribution of the partials follows in this case always the same law. The choice of the geometry of the stamp, meanwhile, makes it possible to modify the relations between the partials, for example by modifying the stiffness of the stamp

Sur la base de ces faits, les efforts mentionnés ci-dessus qui ont été entrepris dans les années récentes par l'industrie horlogère afin de permettre la production de timbres générant un son bien déterminé auparavant, notamment au niveau de sa hauteur tonale et de sa composition fréquentielle, concernaient soit le choix du matériau soit le choix de la géométrie du timbre.Based on these facts, the efforts mentioned above that have been undertaken in recent years by the watch industry to allow the production of timbres generating a sound well determined before, especially in terms of its pitch and its Frequency composition, concerned either the choice of the material or the choice of the geometry of the stamp.

Par exemple, le document EP 2 107 437 propose l'utilisation de matériaux précieux comme de l'or ou de l'argent pour la fabrication de timbres, ceci à cause des propriétés physiques de ces matériaux au niveau du module d'élasticité par rapport à leur masse volumique, permettant ainsi la production d'un son avec un nombre élevé de partiels. Comme mentionné ci-dessus, le choix du matériau ne permet pourtant pas la répartition fréquentielle des partiels les un par rapport aux autres et reste de ce fait un paramètre ayant relativement peu de potentiel d'obtenir, à lui seul, toutes les caractéristiques souhaitables d'un timbre.For example, the document EP 2,107,437 proposes the use of precious materials such as gold or silver for the manufacture of stamps, because of the physical properties of these materials at the level of the modulus of elasticity with respect to their density, thus allowing the production of a sound with a high number of partials. As mentioned above, however, the choice of material does not allow the frequency distribution of the partials relative to each other and therefore remains a parameter having relatively little potential to obtain, on its own, all the desirable characteristics of the material. 'a stamp.

Par conséquent, d'autres efforts ont été dirigés vers la modification de la géométrie du timbre, par exemple tel qu'exposé dans le document US 7,746,732 . Un tel timbre comporte une section transversale variable au moins partiellement le long de son axe longitudinal, par exemple en continu ou par une succession d'accroissements et de diminutions de sa section transversale. Si la qualité du son peut ainsi être améliorée, la fabrication d'un tel timbre reste assez compliquée et peu convenable pour une production à une échelle industrielle.Consequently, other efforts have been directed towards the modification of the geometry of the stamp, for example as explained in the document US7,746,732 . Such a stamp has a variable cross section at least partially along its longitudinal axis, for example continuously or by a succession of increases and decreases in its cross section. If the quality of sound can be improved, the manufacture of such a stamp remains quite complicated and unsuitable for production on an industrial scale.

Un autre exemple d'un effort visant une géométrie de timbre particulière est divulgué dans le document CH 702 145 . Un timbre tel que proposé dans ce document comporte une partie médiane ayant au moins deux tronçons de section transversale différente. Ce timbre est basé sur le même principe que le document US 7,746,732 , la variation de la section transversale du timbre, vraisemblablement en simplifiant la réalisation du timbre correspondant. Il n'est pourtant pas évident que cette proposition permette d'obtenir une amélioration au niveau du son produit simultanément avec une simplification de la production, en outre car les tronçons de section transversale différente sont formés par des fils métalliques de diamètres différents assemblés par brasure ou soudage. Cela devrait en effet entraîner soit un procédé de fabrication assez complexe au niveau de la brasure voire le soudage, soit une diminution de la qualité du timbre obtenu.Another example of an effort for a particular stamp geometry is disclosed in the document CH 702 145 . A stamp as proposed in this document comprises a median portion having at least two sections of different cross-section. This stamp is based on the same principle as the document US7,746,732 , the variation of the cross section of the stamp, presumably by simplifying the realization of the corresponding stamp. However, it is not obvious that this proposal makes it possible to obtain an improvement in the sound produced simultaneously with a simplification of production, moreover because the sections of different cross-section are formed by metal wires of different diameters assembled by brazing or welding. This should indeed cause either a fairly complex manufacturing process at the solder or welding, or a decrease in the quality of the stamp obtained.

Les solutions de l'art antérieur actuellement connues ont alors soit une structure assez complexe empêchant la production convenable des timbres correspondant, soit ne permettent pas d'obtenir un timbre ayant toutes les caractéristiques souhaitables au niveau de la qualité du son produit.The solutions of the prior art currently known then have either a fairly complex structure preventing the proper production of the corresponding stamps, or do not make it possible to obtain a stamp having all the desirable characteristics in terms of the quality of the sound produced.

Il existe alors toujours le besoin de disposer d'un timbre pour un dispositif de sonnerie d'une pièce d'horlogerie du genre susmentionné dont la structure est relativement peu complexe et qui permette néanmoins de générer un son bien déterminé auparavant, notamment au niveau de sa hauteur tonale et de sa composition fréquentielle, du fait que l'amplitude et la durée des vibrations du timbre qui se produiront suite à un actionnement sous des conditions prédéterminées et soigneusement réglées lors de sa production. De plus, il est souhaitable qu'un tel timbre ne puisse pas seulement avoir des propriétés prédéfinies au niveau de la hauteur tonale et de la composition fréquentielle du son généré, mais qu'il est également possible de régler l'écart du son généré par rapport au son produit par d'autres timbres présents dans la montre, c'est-à-dire de régler l'accord entre différents timbres prévus dans un mécanisme à sonnerie donné, voire même en tenant compte des souhaits d'un utilisateur individuel qui est normalement l'acheteur de la pièce d'horlogerie correspondante. Ces objectifs devraient être achevés tout en garantissant des coûts de production modérés et une intégration simple dans des mécanismes à sonnerie connus.There is therefore still a need for a timbre for a ringing device of a timepiece of the above-mentioned kind whose structure is relatively uncomplicated and which nevertheless makes it possible to generate a sound that has been determined beforehand, particularly at the level of its pitch and frequency composition, as the amplitude and duration of the vibrations of the timbre that will occur following actuation under predetermined conditions and carefully adjusted during its production. In addition, it is desirable that such a tone can not only have predefined properties in the pitch and frequency composition of the generated sound, but that it is also possible to adjust the deviation of the sound generated by to the sound produced by other timbres present in the watch, that is to say, to adjust the agreement between different stamps provided in a given striking mechanism, or even taking into account the wishes of an individual user who is normally the buyer of the corresponding timepiece. These objectives should be completed while guaranteeing moderate production costs and simple integration into known bell mechanisms.

Le but de la présente invention est donc de remédier aux inconvénients des timbres connus et de réaliser les avantages susmentionnés, notamment de permettre la réalisation d'un timbre de sonnerie qui est simple dans sa conception, qui dispose d'une amplitude et d'une durée de vibrations prédéterminées lors de sa fabrication, produisant ainsi un son d'une hauteur tonale, d'une composition fréquentielle, et d'un écart par rapport à d'autres timbres réglés auparavant.The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of known stamps and to achieve the aforementioned advantages, in particular to allow the realization of a ring tone which is simple in its design, which has an amplitude and a duration of predetermined vibrations during its manufacture, thereby producing a sound of a pitch, a frequency composition, and a deviation from other previously set tones.

A cet effet, la présente invention propose un timbre du genre susmentionné, notamment pour intégration dans un dispositif de sonnerie d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique, qui se distingue par les caractéristiques énoncées à la revendication 1, ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie correspondante comportant un tel timbre. En particulier, la lame ressort d'un timbre selon la présente invention comporte au moins une ouverture formée à l'intérieur de son corps principal. Ces ouvertures peuvent être traversantes ou borgnes. La forme et la taille de ces ouvertures peuvent être adaptées selon les besoins, de même que le plan dans lequel elles sont agencées. Les ouvertures sont, de préférence, usinée par l'intermédiaire d'un laser de découpe ou d'ablation, par électro-érosion, par micro-usinage, ou par jet d'eau, voire par tout autre procédé adapté.For this purpose, the present invention proposes a stamp of the above-mentioned kind, in particular for integration into a striking device of a mechanical timepiece, which is distinguished by the features set forth in claim 1, as well as a coin of corresponding watchmaking including such a stamp. In particular, the spring blade of a stamp according to the present invention comprises at least one opening formed inside its main body. These openings may be through or blind. The shape and size of these openings can be adapted as needed, as well as the plane in which they are arranged. The openings are preferably machined by means of a cutting or ablation laser, by electro-erosion, by micro-machining, or by water jet, or by any other suitable method.

Dans une forme d'exécution préférée du timbre selon la présente invention, au moins une de ces ouvertures peut être remplie au moins partiellement par ajout d'un matériau autre que le matériau dans lequel est fabriqué le corps principal de la lame ressort. Le matériau de remplissage peut par exemple consister en de l'or, de l'argent, du platine, ou un alliage métallique.In a preferred embodiment of the patch according to the present invention, at least one of these openings may be at least partially filled by adding a material other than the material in which the main body of the spring blade is made. The filler material may for example consist of gold, silver, platinum, or a metal alloy.

La forme de la section transversale du corps principal de la lame ressort du timbre, la forme du timbre lui-même, ainsi que le matériau du corps principal de la lame ressort peuvent être choisi selon les besoins.The shape of the cross-section of the main body of the blade springs from the stamp, the shape of the stamp itself, as well as the material of the main body of the spring blade can be chosen as needed.

Par ces mesures, la géométrie et la composition matérielle du timbre est modifié localement, donc sa rigidité, ce qui permet d'influencer le comportement vibratoire du timbre suite à un actionnement. Du fait qu'un timbre selon la présente invention peut alors être adapté aux besoins à la fois en variant la géométrie du timbre et, le cas échéant, en appliquant une modification au niveau du matériau formant le timbre, il est possible d'influencer avec une précision élevée le son produit par le timbre.By these measurements, the geometry and the material composition of the stamp is modified locally, thus its rigidity, which makes it possible to influence the vibratory behavior of the stamp following an actuation. Because a stamp according to the present invention can then be adapted to the needs both by varying the geometry of the stamp and, where appropriate, by applying a modification to the material forming the stamp, it is possible to influence with high accuracy the sound produced by the timbre.

D'autres caractéristiques, ainsi que les avantages correspondants, ressortiront des revendications dépendantes, ainsi que de la description exposant ci-après l'invention plus en détail.Other features, as well as the corresponding advantages, will emerge from the dependent claims, as well as from the description which sets forth the invention in more detail.

Les dessins annexés représentent schématiquement et à titre d'exemple plusieurs formes d'exécution d'un timbre selon la présente invention.The accompanying drawings show schematically and by way of example several embodiments of a stamp according to the present invention.

La figure 1a montre une vue de dessus schématique d'une architecture traditionnelle d'un mécanisme à sonnerie comportant des timbres et des marteaux, monté sur le bâti d'une pièce d'horlogerie; la figure 1b est une vue en perspective d'une forme d'exécution avec deux timbres superposés, dans leur état fixé à un plot.The figure 1a shows a schematic top view of a traditional architecture of a striking mechanism comprising timbres and hammers, mounted on the frame of a timepiece; the figure 1b is a perspective view of an embodiment with two superimposed timbres, in their state fixed to a stud.

Les figures 2a et 2b représentent de façon schématique et à titre d'exemple, par des vues en perspective de dessus, deux formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention, le timbre comportant des ouvertures à l'intérieur de son corps principal.The Figures 2a and 2b represent schematically and by way of example, in perspective views from above, two embodiments of a stamp for striking mechanism according to the present invention, the patch having openings within its main body.

Les figures 3a et 3b montrent de façon schématique et à titre d'exemple, par des vues en perspective de dessus similaires aux figures 2a et 2b, deux formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention, le timbre comportant des ouvertures à l'intérieur de son corps principal dont au moins une est remplie d'un matériau autre que celui du corps principal.The Figures 3a and 3b show schematically and by way of example, by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b two embodiments of a striking mechanism stamp according to the present invention, the patch having openings within its main body of which at least one is filled with a material other than that of the main body.

Les figures 4a à 4c illustrent de façon schématique et à titre d'exemple, par des vues en perspective de dessus, plusieurs formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention, le timbre comportant des ouvertures à l'intérieur de son corps principal ainsi qu'au moins une masselotte montée sur la lame ressort du timbre, et dans certaines formes d'exécution au moins une ouverture étant remplie d'un matériau autre que celui du corps principal.The Figures 4a to 4c illustrate schematically and by way of example, by perspective views from above, several embodiments of a striking mechanism stamp according to the present invention, the stamp having openings within its main body and at least one feeder mounted on the leaf spring of the stamp, and in some embodiments at least one opening being filled with a material other than that of the main body.

La figure 5 montre par un schéma de principe une étape lors de la production d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention par l'intermédiaire d'un laser de découpe.The figure 5 shows a block diagram of a step in producing a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention via a cutting laser.

L'invention sera maintenant décrite en détail en référence aux dessins annexés illustrant à titre d'exemple plusieurs formes d'exécution de l'invention.The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example several embodiments of the invention.

Un timbre de sonnerie selon la présente invention est destiné à être intégré dans une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment dans une montre bracelet mécanique. La vue de dessus schématique de la figure 1a montre l'architecture traditionnelle d'un mécanisme à sonnerie comportant deux timbres 1a, 1b et deux marteaux 2a, 2b correspondants, monté sur le bâti d'une pièce d'horlogerie. Chaque timbre 1a, 1b est fixé à une de ses extrémités sur un plot 3 servant de porte-timbre et lui-même solidaire d'une platine 4 de la pièce d'horlogerie, qui est à la figure 1a illustrée à titre d'exemple en tant que montre bracelet. L'autre extrémité de chaque timbre 1a, 1b est libre. Chaque timbre 1a, 1b est agencé dans un plan parallèle au cadran de la montre, situé au-dessus de la platine 4, et s'étend selon un arc de cercle autour du mouvement de la montre qui n'est pas illustré à la figure 1a, afin de la simplifier. De préférence, chaque timbre 1a, 1b est formé par un fil métallique enroulé formant ledit arc de cercle. Une fois le mécanisme de sonnerie armé au moyen d'un poussoir 5, la sonnerie est déclenchée. À cet effet, les marteaux 2a, 2b, servant par exemple de marteau des heures 2a et de marteau des minutes 2b et pouvant avoir des masses différentes, sont tour à tour mis en mouvement par le mécanisme à sonnerie. Ce dernier ne sera pas décrit ici car ne formant pas l'objet de la présente invention. Lors de son mouvement, chaque marteau 2a, 2b effectue normalement une rotation partielle dans le plan du timbre 1a, 1b correspondant et frappe ce dernier, produisant ainsi une vibration du timbre 1a, 1b. La propagation de la vibration du timbre 1a, 1b à travers le plot 3 jusqu'à la platine 4 produit ensuite des ondes sonores dont une partie se trouve dans le spectre audible pour un humain.A ring tone according to the present invention is intended to be integrated in a timepiece, in particular in a mechanical wristwatch. The schematic top view of the figure 1a shows the traditional architecture of a striking mechanism comprising two stamps 1a, 1b and two hammers 2a, 2b corresponding, mounted on the frame of a timepiece. Each stamp 1a, 1b is fixed at one of its ends to a stud 3 serving as a stamp holder and itself integral with a plate 4 of the timepiece, which is at the figure 1a illustrated as an example as a wristwatch. The other end of each stamp 1a, 1b is free. Each stamp 1a, 1b is arranged in a plane parallel to the dial of the watch, located above the plate 4, and extends in an arc around the movement of the watch which is not illustrated in FIG. figure 1a , in order to simplify it. Preferably, each stamp 1a, 1b is formed by a wound wire forming said arc. Once the ringing mechanism armed by means of a pusher 5, the ringing is triggered. For this purpose, the hammers 2a, 2b, for example hammer hours 2a and hammer minutes 2b and may have different masses, are in turn set in motion by the striking mechanism. The latter will not be described here because it does not form the subject of the present invention. During its movement, each hammer 2a, 2b normally performs a partial rotation in the plane of the corresponding stamp 1a, 1b and strikes the latter, thus producing a vibration of the stamp 1a, 1b. The propagation of the vibration of the tone 1a, 1b through the stud 3 to the plate 4 then produces sound waves, part of which is in the audible spectrum for a human.

La figure 1b est une vue en perspective d'une forme d'exécution avec deux timbres superposés, dans leur état fixé au plot 3. Tel que cela ressort de la figure 1b, les timbres 1a, 1b peuvent par exemple avoir le même diamètre au niveau de leur arc de cercle et être situés dans deux plans superposés, à une distance de sécurité garantissant qu'ils ne se touchent pas lors de leur vibration. Alternativement, leurs diamètres formés par l'arc de cercle correspondant peuvent être différents de façon à permettre d'agencer les deux timbres dans un même plan, comme représenté à la figure 1a. En général, en partant de l'architecture traditionnelle d'un mécanisme à sonnerie telle qu'illustré aux figures, respectivement d'un timbre correspondant, un timbre 1 selon la présente invention peut avoir toute forme, que ça soit en arc de cercle partiel ou droit selon une génératrice linéaire, voire encore une autre géométrie spécifique.The figure 1b is a perspective view of an embodiment with two superposed timbres, in their state fixed to the stud 3. As is apparent from the figure 1b , The stamps 1a, 1b may for example have the same diameter at their arc and be located in two superimposed planes, at a safe distance to ensure that they do not touch during their vibration. Alternatively, their diameters formed by the corresponding circular arc may be different so as to allow the two stamps to be arranged in the same plane, as shown in FIG. figure 1a . In general, starting from the traditional architecture of a striking mechanism as illustrated in the figures, respectively of a corresponding stamp, a stamp 1 according to the present invention may have any shape, whether in a partial or straight arc in a linear generator, or even another specific geometry.

En effet, tel que cela ressort de façon schématique et à titre d'exemple des figures 2a et 2b qui représentent par des vues en perspective de dessus deux formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention, un timbre 1 selon la présente invention comporte une lame ressort 1.1 formant un corps principal dudit timbre 1 et étant destinée à servir d'organe vibrant afin de produire un son suite à un actionnement, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un marteau 2. En particulier, un tel timbre 1 se distingue par le fait que la lame ressort 1.1 comporte au moins une ouverture 1.2 formée à l'intérieur de son corps principal.Indeed, as is apparent schematically and by way of example of Figures 2a and 2b which represent, in perspective views from above, two embodiments of a ring mechanism stamp according to the present invention, a stamp 1 according to the present invention comprises a spring blade 1.1 forming a main body of said stamp 1 and being intended for serve as a vibrating member to produce a sound after an actuation, for example by means of a hammer 2. In particular, such a stamp 1 is distinguished by the fact that the leaf spring 1.1 has at least one opening 1.2 formed inside its main body.

Dans une première forme d'exécution illustrée à la figure 2a, le timbre 1 a deux ouvertures 1.2 oblongues traversantes situées environ au milieu et à la fin du premier quart le long de l'arc de cercle que forme la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. Les deux ouvertures 1.2 possèdent environ la même longueur le long de l'axe longitudinal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1, mais cela n'est pas nécessaire, leurs longueurs respectives étant choisies en fonction des besoins. De même, la largeur de ces ouvertures 1.2 est identique dans l'exemple illustré, sans que cela soit nécessaire. Cette largeur des ouvertures 1.2 formées à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 peut, en général, être choisie dans une plage située entre environ 10 % et 85 %, de préférence entre 10 % et 40 %, du diamètre de la lame ressort 1.1, également en fonction des besoins. Dans une deuxième forme d'exécution illustrée à la figure 2b, le timbre 1 possède trois ouvertures oblongues traversantes 1.2 dont deux correspondent sensiblement aux ouvertures formées dans la première forme d'exécution du timbre 1 et dont la troisième ouverture d'une longueur bien moins élevée est situé vers l'extrémité du timbre 1 montée au plot 3, cette zone consécutive à l'encastrement du timbre 1 dans le plot 3 étant conventionnellement appelée le talon du timbre. Un timbre 1 comportant au moins une telle ouverture 1.2 présente l'avantage que l'on peut modifier localement et précisément sa géométrie de manière à déterminer au préalable le comportement vibratoire du timbre 1,. De plus, les ouvertures 1.2 augmentent la surface rayonnante lors des vibrations du timbre 1, ce qui peut également être favorable à une production d'un son d'une hauteur tonale et d'un timbre tels que désirés. Ainsi, la modification ciblée de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 en créant des ouvertures 1.2 permet alors d'influencer l'amplitude et la durée de sa vibration, permettant ainsi de déterminer lors d'une étape de la production appelée couramment la mise en son du timbre 1 la production d'un son d'une hauteur tonale, d'une composition fréquentielle, et d'un écart par rapport à d'éventuels autres timbres.In a first embodiment illustrated in figure 2a , the stamp 1 has two openings 1.2 passing oblong located about the middle and at the end of the first quarter along the arc formed by the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1. The two openings 1.2 have about the same length along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1, but this is not necessary, their respective lengths being chosen according to the needs. Similarly, the width of these openings 1.2 is identical in the example illustrated, without this being necessary. This width of the openings 1.2 formed inside the main body of the leaf spring 1.1 may, in general, be chosen in a range between about 10% and 85%, preferably between 10% and 40%, of the diameter of the spring. blade spring 1.1, also according to the needs. In a second embodiment illustrated in figure 2b , the stamp 1 has three oblong through openings 1.2, two of which substantially correspond to the openings formed in the first embodiment of the stamp 1 and the third opening of a much smaller length is located towards the end of the stamp 1 mounted to the stud 3, this area following the embedding of the stamp 1 in the stud 3 is conventionally called the heel of the stamp. A stamp 1 comprising at least one such opening 1.2 has the advantage that it is possible to modify locally and precisely its geometry so as to determine beforehand the vibratory behavior of the stamp 1 ,. In addition, the openings 1.2 increase the radiating surface during the vibrations of the tone 1, which may also be favorable to producing a tone of a pitch and a tone as desired. Thus, the targeted modification of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 by creating openings 1.2 then makes it possible to influence the amplitude and the duration of its vibration, thus making it possible to determine during a production stage commonly called the setting sound of the timbre 1 the production of a sound of a pitch, a frequency composition, and a deviation from any other timbres.

Si dans les deux formes d'exécution décrites ci-dessus,au moins une ouverture 1.2 du timbre 1 est traversante, dans d'autres variantes d'un timbre 1 non-illustrées aux figures, au moins une ouverture 1.2 pourrait être borgne. De même, il est possible qu'une telle ouverture borgne 1.2 présente une profondeur variable, notamment le long de l'axe longitudinal de la lame ressort 1.1. Par ailleurs, en fonction du nombre d'ouvertures 1.2, cette dernière peut comporter une ou plusieurs ouvertures traversantes 1.2 et/ou une ou plusieurs ouvertures borgnes 1.2, sans qu'il soit nécessaire d'illustrer voire de décrire explicitement toutes les combinaisons possibles.If in the two embodiments described above, at least one opening 1.2 of the stamp 1 is through, in other variants of a stamp 1 not shown in the figures, at least one opening 1.2 could be blind. Similarly, it is possible that such a blind opening 1.2 has a variable depth, especially along the longitudinal axis of the spring blade 1.1. Furthermore, depending on the number of openings 1.2, the latter may comprise one or more through openings 1.2 and / or one or more blind openings 1.2, without it being necessary to illustrate or to describe explicitly all the possible combinations.

Tel que cela ressort des explications ci-dessus, du fait que la longueur et la largeur de chaque ouverture 1.2 peuvent être choisies selon les besoins, ces ouvertures 1.2 peuvent présenter une forme différente que l'on choisira de façon générale en fonction des besoins concrets au vu d'un timbre donné. Une forme oblongue d'une longueur variable telle qu'illustrée aux figures 2a et 2b est pourtant une des formes préférées des ouvertures 1.2. La même remarque s'applique à l'emplacement de chaque ouverture 1.2 le long de l'axe longitudinal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1, au sens que cet emplacement sera choisi au gré selon les besoins pour un timbre 1 donné.As is apparent from the explanations above, because the length and the width of each opening 1.2 can be chosen according to the needs, these openings 1.2 can have a different shape that will be chosen generally according to the concrete needs. given a given stamp. An oblong shape of variable length as illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b is yet one of the preferred forms of openings 1.2. The same applies to the location of each opening 1.2 along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1, in the sense that this location will be chosen at will according to the needs for a given stamp 1.

En ce qui concerne finalement l'orientation des ouvertures 1.2 formées à l'intérieur du corps principal formé par la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1, elles peuvent être usinées dans le plan du mouvement du timbre 1 lors de ses vibrations, c'est-à-dire dans les exemples illustrés aux figures 1a et 1b dans un plan parallèle au plan du cadran, respectivement de la platine 4. Chaque ouverture formée à l'intérieur du timbre peut aussi être formée dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan du mouvement du timbre 1, tel que c'est le cas dans les formes d'exécution d'un timbre 1 selon la présente invention qui sont illustrées aux figures 2a et 2b. Ces deux variantes en ce qui concerne l'orientation des ouvertures 1.2 ont l'avantage d'être neutres par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 lors de ses vibrations, pour autant que la largeur de l'ouverture soit disposée symétriquement par rapport à cet axe et qu'il s'agit d'ouvertures traversantes. Ces ouvertures ne modifient alors le parcours de l'axe longitudinal du timbre 1 lors de ses vibrations que de façon minimale. Il est pourtant aussi imaginable de former ces ouvertures 1.2 à un angle différent de 0 °, voire de 90 °, par rapport au plan du mouvement du timbre 1 lors de ses vibrations, par exemple à un angle de 30 ° ou de 45 °, pour autant que cela permette d'obtenir le comportement vibratoire souhaité.Finally, as regards the orientation of the openings 1.2 formed inside the main body formed by the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1, they can be machined in the plane of the movement of the stamp 1 during its vibrations, that is to say to say in the examples illustrated at Figures 1a and 1b in a plane parallel to the plane of the dial, respectively of the plate 4. Each opening formed inside the patch may also be formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the movement of the stamp 1, as is the case in the forms of execution of a stamp 1 according to the present invention which are illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2a and 2b . These two variants with regard to the orientation of the openings 1.2 have the advantage of being neutral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 during its vibrations, as long as the width of the opening is arranged symmetrically with respect to this axis and that it is through openings. These openings then change the course of the longitudinal axis of the stamp 1 during its vibrations that minimally. However, it is also conceivable to form these openings 1.2 at an angle different from 0 °, or even 90 °, relative to the plane of the movement of the stamp 1 during its vibrations, for example at an angle of 30 ° or 45 °, as long as it allows to obtain the desired vibratory behavior.

Deux autres formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention sont illustrées schématiquement et à titre d'exemple aux figures 3a et 3b, par des vues en perspective de dessus similaires aux figures 2a et 2b. Le timbre 1 représenté à la figure 3a comporte une ouverture 1.2 à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 qui est remplie d'un matériau 1.3 autre que celui dans lequel la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 est fabriqué. Le timbre 1 représenté, à titre d'exemple, à la figure 3b comporte plusieurs ouvertures 1.2 dont une est remplie d'un matériau 1.3 autre que celui dans lequel la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 est fabriqué. Le remplissage 1.3 des ouvertures permet d'influencer encore par deux autres paramètres, à savoir par l'intermédiaire de la rigidité du matériau de remplissage ainsi que sa masse volumique, localement et précisément la rigidité et le poids du timbre 1. Le comportement vibratoire d'un timbre 1 selon la présente invention peut alors être paramétré à la fois à l'aide de sa géométrie et de ses propriétés physiques, à savoir le matériau du corps principal et le matériau de remplissage 1.3.Two other embodiments of a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention are illustrated schematically and by way of example to Figures 3a and 3b , by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b . The stamp 1 represented at figure 3a has an opening 1.2 inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 which is filled with a material 1.3 other than that in which the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 is manufactured. The stamp 1 represented, for example, at the figure 3b has a plurality of openings 1.2, one of which is filled with a material 1.3 other than that in which the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 is manufactured. The filling 1.3 of the openings can further influence by two other parameters, namely through the rigidity of the filling material and its density, locally and precisely the rigidity and weight of the stamp 1. The vibration behavior of a stamp 1 according to the present invention can then be parameterized both by means of its geometry and its physical properties, namely the material of the main body and the filler material 1.3.

Par ailleurs, chaque ouverture 1.2 formée à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 ne peut être remplie que partiellement par ajout d'un matériau 1.3 autre que celui du corps principal du timbre 1, au lieu d'être remplie complètement et de manière homogène par rapport à la surface extérieure du timbre 1 tel qu'illustré aux figures 3a et 3b. Aussi, l'ajout de matière 1.3 peut dépasser légèrement vers l'extérieur le volume des cavités formées par les ouvertures 1.2. Ledit autre matériau 1.3 servant pour le remplissage des ouvertures est, de préférence, de l'or, de l'argent, du platine, ou un alliage métallique dont le module de Young et la densité peuvent être adaptés. L'ajout du matériau de remplissage 1.3 dans les ouvertures 1.2 peut, par exemple, être effectué par assemblage classique ou par croissance de matière ou toute autre méthode de dépôt de matière équivalente. En général, il est à noter aussi dans ce contexte que de nombreuses combinaisons par rapport à l'emplacement ainsi qu'à la nature du matériau de remplissage sont possibles, sans qu'il soit nécessaire de les illustrer voire de les décrire explicitement ici.Furthermore, each opening 1.2 formed inside the main body of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 can be filled only partially by adding a material 1.3 other than that of the main body of the stamp 1, instead of being filled completely and homogeneously with respect to the outer surface of the stamp 1 as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3a and 3b . Also, the addition of material 1.3 may exceed slightly outward the volume of the cavities formed by the openings 1.2. Said other material 1.3 used for filling the openings is preferably gold, silver, platinum or a metal alloy whose Young's modulus and density can be adapted. The addition of the filling material 1.3 into the openings 1.2 may, for example, be carried out by conventional assembly or by growth of material or any other method of depositing equivalent material. In general, it should also be noted in this context that many combinations with respect to the location as well as the nature of the filling material are possible, without it being necessary to illustrate or even explicitly describe them here.

Plusieurs autres formes d'exécution d'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie selon la présente invention sont encore illustrées, de façon schématique et à titre d'exemple, aux figures 4a à 4c, de même par des vues en perspective de dessus similaires aux figures 2a et 2b, voire 3a et 3b. Le timbre 1 de la forme d'exécution selon la figure 4a comporte des ouvertures 1.2 à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 ainsi qu'une masselotte 1.4 montée sur la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. Le timbre 1 de la forme d'exécution selon la figure 4b comporte des ouvertures ainsi que deux masselottes 1.4 de masses différentes montées sur le timbre 1. Le timbre 1 de la forme d'exécution selon la figure 4c comporte plusieurs ouvertures 1.2 dont une ouverture est remplie d'un matériau 1.3 autre que celui du corps principal ainsi qu'une masselotte 1.4 montée sur la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. De nouveau, l'emplacement et la taille des masselottes 1.4 sont choisis selon les besoins. L'homme du métier comprendra que, en général, un timbre 1 selon la présente invention comporte au moins une ouverture 1.2formée à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1, qui peut être remplie d'un matériau 1.3 autre que celui du corps principal, et peut aussi comporter au moins une masselotte 1.4 montée sur la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1.Several other embodiments of a bell mechanism stamp according to the present invention are further illustrated, schematically and by way of example. for example, Figures 4a to 4c , likewise by perspective views from above similar to Figures 2a and 2b or 3a and 3b. The stamp 1 of the form of execution according to the figure 4a has openings 1.2 inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 and a flyweight 1.4 mounted on the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1. The stamp 1 of the embodiment according to the figure 4b comprises openings and two weights 1.4 different masses mounted on the stamp 1. The stamp 1 of the embodiment according to the figure 4c comprises several openings 1.2 whose opening is filled with a material 1.3 other than that of the main body and a feeder 1.4 mounted on the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1. Again, the location and the size of the weights 1.4 are chosen as required. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, a stamp 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one opening 1.2 formed inside the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1, which can be filled with a material 1.3 other than that of the main body, and may also include at least one feeder 1.4 mounted on the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1.

De préférence, les ouvertures 1.2 sont usinées à partir de la surface extérieure de ladite lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 par l'intermédiaire d'un laser de découpe 6, tel que cela est illustré schématiquement à la figure 5. Les ouvertures 1.2 peuvent pourtant aussi être formées par électro-érosion, par micro-usinage, ou par jet d'eau, voire par tout autre procédé d'enlèvement de matière équivalent. Il est aussi envisageable d'utiliser un laser d'ablation ou une autre méthode adéquate afin de réaliser une structuration spécifique de la matière se trouvant en surface de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. En général, l'usinage des ouvertures 1.2 est réalisé à partir de la surface extérieure de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 en créant une cavité dont la profondeur est orientée sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 et qui s'étend le long de cet axe longitudinal.Preferably, the openings 1.2 are machined from the outer surface of said leaf spring 1.1 of the patch 1 by means of a cutting laser 6, as schematically illustrated in FIG. figure 5 . The openings 1.2 can however also be formed by electro-erosion, by micromachining, or by water jet, or by any other equivalent material removal process. It is also conceivable to use an ablation laser or another suitable method in order to achieve a specific structuring of the material on the surface of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1. In general, the machining of the openings 1.2 is realized from the outer surface of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1 by creating a cavity whose depth is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 and which extends along this longitudinal axis.

En ce qui concerne la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1, sa section transversale peut être de forme sensiblement circulaire, ovale, rectangulaire, ou polygonale. Normalement, on choisira, pour des raisons de simplicité de fabrication, un fil en tant que lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. Le diamètre de ce fil est le plus souvent compris dans la plage allant de 0,2 mm à 1,2 mm, de préférence dans la plage allant de 0,4 mm à 0,8 mm. Aussi, comme mentionné ci-dessus, dans une architecture traditionnelle d'un mécanisme à sonnerie d'horlogerie, le timbre 1 présentera conventionnellement au moins partiellement la forme d'un arc de cercle, et consiste en un fil enroulé. La lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 ne peut former qu'un cercle incomplet, mais elle peut aussi former un arc de plus de 360 °. Tel que mentionné également ci-dessus, il est aussi possible que la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1 soit droit ou possède une autre géométrie spécifique, les ouvertures 1.2 proposées et formées à son intérieur pouvant en effet être usinées à partir de la surface extérieure de la lame ressort 1.1 indépendamment de sa géométrie. La même remarque s'applique en ce qui concerne le matériau du corps principal de la lame ressort 1.1 du timbre 1. De préférence, il est pourtant fabriqué en un matériau métallique, par exemple en acier trempé.Regarding the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1, its cross section may be substantially circular, oval, rectangular, or polygonal. Normally, it will be chosen, for reasons of simplicity of manufacture, a wire as spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1. The diameter of this wire is most often in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. Also, as mentioned above, in a traditional architecture of a clock mechanism, the stamp 1 conventionally present at least partially in the form of an arc, and consists of a wound wire. The blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 can form an incomplete circle, but it can also form an arc of more than 360 °. As mentioned also above, it is also possible that the blade spring 1.1 of the stamp 1 is straight or has another specific geometry, the openings 1.2 proposed and formed inside can indeed be machined from the outer surface of the blade spring 1.1 regardless of its geometry. The same applies with respect to the material of the main body of the spring blade 1.1 of the stamp 1. Preferably, however, it is made of a metallic material, for example hardened steel.

Finalement, il reste à noter que la présente invention concerne toute pièce d'horlogerie qui comprend un timbre 1 selon la présente invention. Notamment, il peut s'agir d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique, en particulier d'une montre bracelet, qui est équipée d'une sonnerie, d'un réveil, d'un alarme, et/ou d'un mécanisme de répétition, voire de toute autre mécanisme nécessitant un timbre.Finally, it remains to note that the present invention relates to any timepiece which comprises a stamp 1 according to the present invention. In particular, it may be a mechanical timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, which is equipped with a bell, an alarm clock, an alarm, and / or a repetition, or any other mechanism requiring a stamp.

Au vu de la description détaillée de la structure d'un timbre selon la présente invention figurant ci-dessus, il est clair pour l'homme du métier que, tout en étant de structure relativement simple et peu complexe par rapport à l'art antérieur, un timbre selon la présente invention peut être décliné dans de nombreuses variantes et permet une utilisation flexible. Il est clair qu'un timbre pour mécanisme à sonnerie comportant les caractéristiques mentionnées ci-dessus présente l'avantage important que la géométrie et la composition matérielle d'un tel timbre peuvent être modifiées localement et précisément, influençant donc sa rigidité, ce qui permet de déterminer à l'étape de la mise en son le comportement vibratoire du timbre suite à un actionnement de façon à obtenir le meilleur rapport entre le temps de vibration et le volume sonore, c'est-à-dire la richesse et la beauté du son selon la perception humaine. Du fait qu'un timbre selon la présente invention peut être adapté aux besoins à la fois en variant la géométrie du timbre et, le cas échéant, en appliquant une modification au niveau du matériau formant le timbre, il est possible d'influencer avec une précision élevée le son produit par le timbre, notamment au niveau de la hauteur tonale, de la composition fréquentielle, ainsi que de la durée du son généré. Un tel timbre peut coopérer de manière conventionnelle avec les autres parties de la pièce d'horlogerie dans laquelle il est destiné à être intégré, notamment avec le mécanisme à sonnerie et le reste du mouvement, de sorte que le mécanisme peut facilement être intégré dans des pièces d'horlogerie existantes sans nécessiter d'ajustements spécifiques. En particulier, un timbre selon la présente invention dispose du même encombrement qu'un timbre conventionnel correspondant, en ne provoquant aucune modification de ses dimensions extérieures, pour autant que l'ajout de matière ne dépasse pas le volume des cavités formées par les ouvertures et qu'aucune masselotte ne soit utilisée, que ce soit au niveau du diamètre de sa section transversale ou du diamètre de l'arc de cercle du timbre, dans le cas d'une architecture traditionnelle de mécanismes à sonnerie. Cet avantage est très intéressant car toute augmentation de l'encombrement physique du timbre aurait pour conséquence, du fait de son mouvement lors de sa vibration, une augmentation encore plus importante du volume occupé dans la boîte de montre. Par ailleurs, du fait de la structure relativement simple du timbre, ces avantages sont obtenus en diminuant le volume occupé en comparaison à des timbres similaires de l'art antérieur, et en ayant à disposition des procédés de fabrication du timbre aptes à offrir à la fois la qualité souhaitée en termes du son produit par le timbre ainsi qu'une réelle faisabilité industrielle de la production. Il est encore à remarquer qu'un autre avantage d'un timbre selon la présente invention consiste en le fait qu'il peut être appliqué à tous genres de pièces d'horlogerie à sonnerie, montres à répétition, réveils, alarmes, pendules, horloges, etc.. De même, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux timbres destinés à être actionnés par frappe, notamment par la frappe d'un marteau, mais peut également être utilisée pour des lames ressort actionnées par frottement, par exemple pour des lames ressort utilisées dans des boîtes de musique mécaniques.In view of the detailed description of the structure of a stamp according to the present invention above, it is clear to the skilled person that, while being relatively simple in structure and not complex compared to the prior art , a stamp according to the present invention may be declined in many variants and allows flexible use. It is clear that a striking mechanism stamp having the features mentioned above has the important advantage that the geometry and the material composition of such a stamp can be modified locally and precisely, thus influencing its rigidity, which allows determine at the stage of sounding the vibratory behavior of the stamp following an actuation so as to obtain the best relationship between the vibration time and the sound volume, that is to say the richness and beauty of the its according to human perception. Because a stamp according to the present invention can be adapted to the needs both by varying the geometry of the stamp and, where appropriate, by applying a modification to the material forming the stamp, it is possible to influence with High accuracy the sound produced by the timbre, including the pitch, the frequency composition, and the duration of sound generated. Such a stamp may cooperate in a conventional manner with the other parts of the timepiece in which it is intended to be integrated, in particular with the striking mechanism and the rest of the movement, so that the mechanism can easily be integrated into existing timepieces without the need for specific adjustments. In particular, a stamp according to the present invention has the same size as a corresponding conventional stamp, without causing any change in its external dimensions, provided that the addition of material does not exceed the volume of the cavities formed by the openings and that no flyweight is used, either at the diameter of its cross section or the diameter of the circular arc of the stamp, in the case of a traditional architecture of striking mechanisms. This advantage is very interesting because any increase in the physical size of the stamp would result, due to its movement during its vibration, an even larger increase in the volume occupied in the watch case. Moreover, because of the relatively simple structure of the stamp, these advantages are obtained by reducing the volume occupied in comparison with similar stamps of the prior art, and having available stamping processes capable of offering both the desired quality in terms of the sound produced by the stamp as well as a real industrial feasibility of production. It should also be noted that another advantage of a stamp according to the present invention consists in the fact that it can be applied to all kinds of clock-making timepieces, repeater watches, alarm clocks, alarms, clocks, clocks etc. In the same way, the invention is not limited to stamps intended to be actuated by striking, in particular by striking a hammer, but may also be used for spring blades actuated by friction, for example for spring blades used in mechanical music boxes.

Claims (15)

Timbre (1) pour un dispositif de sonnerie d'une pièce d'horlogerie, le timbre (1) comportant une lame ressort (1.1) formant un corps principal dudit timbre et étant destinée à servir d'organe vibrant afin de produire un son suite à un actionnement, la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) consistant en un fil enroulé présentant au moins partiellement la forme d'un arc de cercle, caractérisé par le fait que la lame ressort (1.1) comporte au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur de son corps principal.Stamp (1) for a striking device of a timepiece, the stamp (1) comprising a spring blade (1.1) forming a main body of said stamp and intended to serve as a vibrating member to produce a sound. at one actuation, the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) consisting of a wound wire having at least partially the shape of a circular arc, characterized in that the spring blade (1.1) comprises at least one opening ( 1.2) formed inside its main body. Timbre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est traversante.Stamp according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the main body of the leaf spring (1.1) of the stamp (1) is through. Timbre selon les revendications précédentes 1 ou 2, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est borgne.Stamp according to the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the body of the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) is blind. Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) présente une forme oblongue d'une longueur variable.Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the body of the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) has an oblong shape of variable length. . Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est formée dans le plan du mouvement de la lame ressort (1.1).Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the body of the leaf spring (1.1) of the stamp (1) is formed in the plane of the movement of the leaf spring (1.1). Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 5, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est formée dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan de mouvement du la lame ressort (1.1).Stamp according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the body of the blade spring (1.1) of the stamp (1) is formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement of the leaf spring (1.1). Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est remplie au moins partiellement par ajout d'un matériau (1.3) autre que celui du corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1).Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the main body of the leaf spring (1.1) of the stamp (1) is filled at least partially by adding a material (1.3) other than that of the main body of the spring blade (1.1). Timbre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé par le fait que ledit autre matériau servant pour le remplissage des ouvertures (1.2) est choisi parmi le groupe de matériaux comprenant l'or, l'argent, le platine, un alliage métallique.Stamp according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said other material used for filling the openings (1.2) is selected from the group of materials comprising gold, silver, platinum, a metal alloy. Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une ouverture (1.2) formée à l'intérieur du corps de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est usinée par l'intermédiaire d'un laser de découpe ou d'ablation (6), par électro-érosion, par micro-usinage, ou par jet d'eau.Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (1.2) formed inside the body of the blade spring (1.1) of the stamp (1) is machined via a laser cutting or ablation (6), electro-erosion, micromachining, or water jet. Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une masselotte (1.4) est montée sur la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1).Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one feeder (1.4) is mounted on the leaf spring (1.1) of the stamp (1). Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que la section transversale du corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est de forme sensiblement circulaire, ovale, rectangulaire, ou polygonale.Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the main body of the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) is substantially circular, oval, rectangular, or polygonal. Timbre selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé par le fait que le diamètre de la section transversale du corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est compris dans la plage allant de 0,2 mm à 1,2 mm, de préférence dans la plage allant de 0,4 mm à 0,8 mm.Stamp according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the diameter of the cross section of the main body of the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm. Timbre selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le corps principal de la lame ressort (1.1) du timbre (1) est fabriqué en un matériau métallique, de préférence en acier.Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body of the spring blade (1.1) of the stamp (1) is made of a metallic material, preferably steel. Pièce d'horlogerie, caractérisé par le fait qu'elle comprend un timbre (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes.Timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a stamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé par le fait qu'il s'agit d'une pièce d'horlogerie mécanique, notamment d'une montre bracelet, équipée d'une sonnerie, d'un réveil, d'un alarme, et/ou d'un mécanisme de répétition.Timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is a mechanical timepiece, including a wristwatch, equipped with a bell, an alarm clock, an alarm , and / or a repetition mechanism.
EP13185296.4A 2012-10-15 2013-09-20 Gong for striking-work device of a timepiece Active EP2720091B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH02002/12A CH707078A1 (en) 2012-10-15 2012-10-15 Stamp for striking work of a timepiece.

Publications (2)

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EP2720091A1 true EP2720091A1 (en) 2014-04-16
EP2720091B1 EP2720091B1 (en) 2015-08-05

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US (1) US9292004B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2720091B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6247070B2 (en)
CN (1) CN103728869B (en)
CH (1) CH707078A1 (en)

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EP2942674A1 (en) * 2014-05-06 2015-11-11 Blancpain SA. Assembly for generating a chime of a chiming mechanism
EP3211488A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-30 Montres Breguet S.A. Atypical gong, watch with chiming mechanism comprising same, and method for manufacturing the gong
EP3832399A1 (en) * 2019-12-06 2021-06-09 Blancpain SA Set of gongs for a striking mechanism of a watch

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EP3156854A1 (en) * 2015-10-13 2017-04-19 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Mechanical wristwatch with an electronic function associated thereto
CH714716B1 (en) * 2018-03-05 2024-05-15 Montres Breguet Sa Ringing mechanism comprising a device for adjusting the vibration frequency of a gong.
EP3657267A1 (en) 2018-11-22 2020-05-27 Blancpain SA Resonant member for a chiming mechanism of a watch or a music box
EP3657268A1 (en) * 2018-11-22 2020-05-27 Blancpain SA Resonant member for a chiming mechanism of a watch or a music box
EP3663869B1 (en) * 2018-12-06 2021-06-16 Montres Breguet S.A. Timepiece chiming mechanism with suspended hammer
EP4012511B1 (en) 2020-12-11 2023-08-23 Montres Breguet S.A. Method for harmonic tuning of at least one gong for a chiming mechanism of a watch
IT202200002861A1 (en) * 2022-02-16 2023-08-16 Milano Politecnico STAMP FOR A CLOCK CHIME DEVICE

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US9292004B2 (en) 2016-03-22
CH707078A1 (en) 2014-04-15
CN103728869A (en) 2014-04-16
EP2720091B1 (en) 2015-08-05
CN103728869B (en) 2018-03-30
JP2014081374A (en) 2014-05-08
JP6247070B2 (en) 2017-12-13
US20140104994A1 (en) 2014-04-17

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