EP3002639B1 - Musical watch bezel with improved acoustic performance - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch bezel for a musical watch comprising at least one vibrating and resonant stamp, wherein said bezel is arranged to directly carry at least one said stamp or constitutes at least one said stamp.

The invention also relates to a set ice-bezel comprising such a bezel.

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

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

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

Background of the invention

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

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

Traditional trim elements do not allow effective radiation in this band, while higher frequency radiation, typically above 6 kHz, is generally not a problem.

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

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

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

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

The document CH700102 A2 on behalf of FREDERIC PIGUET describes a watch case with a stamp and a stamp holder coming directly from the case with the middle part or the bottom of the case.

The document WO00 / 36473 in the name of BUENTER-SANZ-MULET discloses a box having a sealed inner chamber containing the movement and the acoustic mechanism, and an outer chamber which has an opening communicating with the outside of the watch. These two chambers are separated by a sealed wall arranged to transmit the sound waves to the outer chamber.

The document EP2228693A1 in the name of ROTH & GENTA-BULGARI describes a stamp holder attached to the ice, through at least one hole in the ice. A shoe is arranged to wear the stamps.

The document CH706079B1 on behalf of RICHEMONT discloses a sealed housing, a sound device with an oscillating assembly comprising a first vibrating member placed inside the sealed housing, and an excitation mechanism for vibrating the first vibrating member. The oscillating assembly comprises a second vibrating member placed outside the sealed housing, and connected to the first vibrating member by a median portion of the oscillating assembly which passes through the sealed housing, the vibration being transmitted from the first to the second vibrating member of to emit an audible sound outside the waterproof case.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to further improve the frequency response.

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

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch bezel according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a set of glasses and bezel comprising such a window, characterized in that said set ice-bezel comprises an ice bearing on a receiving surface that includes said bezel, and a second O-ring seal between said bezel and said ice, and in that said set ice-bezel carries at least one stamp.

The invention also relates to a musical watch case comprising such an assembly comprising at least one stamp and having a middle part which comprises a main receiving surface and a lower receiving surface, characterized in that said watch case carries, or a such a bezel carrying at least one stamp, or such a set ice-glasses, with said bezel in indirect support on said main receiving surface via a first O-ring seal, and in that said middle and said bezel are held together by the cooperation of fastening means that includes said bezel and complementary fixing means that includes said middle, in a position where, in the free state of said bezel in the absence of pressure other than the atmospheric pressure, said telescope is spaced from said main receiving surface by a value corresponding to a predetermined clearance and no n null.

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

Brief description of the drawings

• les figures 1A et 1B représentent, de façon schématisée et en perspective de dessus et de dessous, une lunette de montre musicale selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2A représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en coupe, et avec deux détails en loupe en figures 2B et 2C, une boîte de montre musicale comportant un ensemble glace-lunette selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est un diagramme illustrant, en fonction de la fréquence en abscisse, en ordonnée l'accélération axiale de la glace lors d'une vibration harmonique pour un habillage avec une lunette classique (en trait pointillé) et pour le système lunette-glace avec lunette désolidarisée selon l'invention (en trait continu) ;
• la figure 4 est un schéma-bocs représentant une montre musicale équipée d'une boîte selon l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figures 1A and 1B represent, schematically and in perspective from above and from below, a musical watch bezel according to the invention;
• the Figure 2A represents, schematically, partially and in section, and with two details in Figures 2B and 2C , a musical watch box comprising an ice-glasses assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 3 is a diagram illustrating, as a function of the abscissa frequency, the ordinate the axial acceleration of the ice during a harmonic vibration for a dressing with a conventional telescope (in dashed line) and for the bezel-ice system with uncoupled telescope according to the invention (in solid line);
• the figure 4 is a schematic diagram representing a musical watch equipped with a box according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

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

Hereinafter referred to indifferently "musical watch" watches equipped with any type of sound display.

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

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

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

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

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

In a particular embodiment, the bezel is made integrally with at least one stamp. More particularly, the bezel 1 is monoblock with all the timbres 6 that includes a musical watch 100. According to the invention the bezel 1 comprises at least one flange 14 for the direct attachment of a stamp 6.

According to the invention, and as illustrated by the Figures 1A to 2C the bezel 1 comprises a torus 18 having a receiving surface 19 arranged to receive a watch crystal 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• abaisser les fréquences propres de l'ensemble mécanique solidarisé lunette-glace 3;
• sélectionner des modes propres de vibration quasiment mono-polaires, c'est-à-dire correspondant à une vibration concorde de toute la surface de la glace 2.

Compared to a conventional bezel-ice system completely secured to the box by a connection all around the bezel, the fastening made by three thin tabs 11 is here called "uncoupled", and allows:

• lower the eigenfrequencies of the mechanical assembly secured ice-glasses 3;
• select vibrational modes almost mono-polar, that is to say, corresponding to a vibration consistent with the entire surface of the ice 2.

The number of lugs 11, their thicknesses and their lengths and the constituent materials are parameters that make it possible to modify the effective radiation frequency band of the system. According to the invention the bezel 1 has a flange 14 on which is fixed the stamp 6, or the vibration-generating element of a bell-watch (for example, the timbres of a repetition-minutes or a keyboard of a musical watch), which guarantees an optimal vibratory transfer between the vibratory source and the radiating element, without the solidarization of the vibratory source affecting the modes of vibration due to the entire ice-glasses 3.

In fact, from a vibratory point of view, the entire ice-window 3 is almost uncoupled from the rest of the cladding, which therefore remains almost immobile during the vibration of the entire ice-window 3.

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

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

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

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

The figure 3 illustrates, as a function of frequency, the axial acceleration of the ice 2 during a simulated harmonic vibration for a standard bezel dressing (dashed line) and for the entire ice-glasses 3 with bezel 1 disengaged according to the invention (in solid line).

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

The cladding comprising a bezel-ice unit 3 with a separated bezel 1 has a vibratory response greater than that of a standard cladding in the frequency band 2-10 kHz, which makes it possible to guarantee effective acoustic radiation of the buzzer.

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

• amélioration du niveau acoustique dans la bande de fréquences entre 1 kHz et 6 kHz.
• possibilité de définir la typologie de la source acoustique, par exemple activation d'une source quasi-monopolaire du son (vibration de la lunette-glace en mode piston).
• rayonnement multi-partiels.
• amélioration du transfert vibratoire entre l'élément générateur de vibration et l'élément rayonnant. Cette solution permet de fixer l'élément vibrant directement sur l'élément rayonnant, sans affecter les modes de vibration de la lunette-glace.
• système permettant de conserver l'étanchéité de la montre musicale et de garantir une résistance mécanique suffisante pour éviter la détérioration du mouvement de sonnerie sous une pression extérieure.
• possibilité de diminuer le bruit du mécanisme de sonnerie composé de hautes fréquences (supérieures à 13 kHz).
• possibilité d'une réalisation monobloc.

The invention has many advantages:

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

Claims (12)

1. Watch bezel (1) for a musical watch (100) including at least one vibrating resonant gong (6), wherein said watch bezel (1) is arranged to directly carry at least one said gong (6) or forms at least one said gong (6), said watch bezel (1) including at least one flange (14) for direct attachment of a gong (6),
   characterized in that said watch bezel (1) includes a toroid (18) including a receiving surface (19) arranged to receive a watch glass (2) and includes at least one thin lug (11) projecting with respect to said toroid (18) and extending beyond said toroid (18) in the axial direction (A) of said toroid (18), and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said toroid (18) and on the side of said toroid (18) opposite to the side carrying said receiving surface (19), said at least one lug (11) including, at a solid distal end (13), at least one bearing face (15) arranged to cooperate in abutment on a structure, and securing means (17) arranged for the rigid attachment of said at least one lug (11) by said at least one bearing face (15) thereof pressed or clamped onto a structure.
2. Watch bezel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) includes a plurality of said lugs (11) extending in directions substantially parallel to each other and including said parallel or coplanar bearing faces (15).
3. Watch bezel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) includes a three said lugs (11) extending in directions parallel to each other and including said distal coplanar bearing faces (15).
4. Watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each said lug (11) includes, between said toroid (18) and said solid distal end (13), a thin median resilient strip (12), which is more flexible than said solid distal end (13), said thin strip (12) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said toroid (18).
5. Watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) includes, on the side of said toroid (18) opposite to the side carrying said receiving surface (19), a main bearing surface (150) arranged to cooperate in abutment with a structure, and a toric groove (151) which houses a first O-ring sealing gasket (51), which protrudes with respect to said main bearing surface (150) or is at least tangent therewith, on the side of said toroid (18) opposite to the side carrying said receiving surface (19), in every compressed position of said first O-ring sealing gasket (51).
6. Watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) is made in one piece with at least one said gong (6).
7. Watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) is made of gold and/or platinum alloy.
8. Glass/bezel assembly (3) including a watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said glass/bezel assembly (3) includes a glass (2) bearing on a receiving surface (19) included in said watch bezel (1), and a second O-ring sealing gasket (52) between said watch bezel (1) and said glass (2), and in that said glass/bezel (3) assembly carries at least one gong (6).
9. Musical watch case (10) including at least one gong (6) and including a case middle (4) which includes a main receiving surface (40) and a lower receiving surface (45), characterized in that said watch case (10) carries either a watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7 carrying at least one gong (6), or a glass/bezel assembly (3) according to claim 8, with said watch bezel (1) bearing indirectly on said main receiving surface (40) by means of a first O-ring sealing gasket (51), and in that said case middle (4) and said watch bezel (1) are held secured to each other by the cooperation of securing means (17) included in said watch bezel (1) and complementary securing means (47) included in said case middle (4), in a position where, in the free state of said watch bezel (1) and with no pressure other than atmospheric pressure, said watch bezel (1) is at a distance from said main receiving surface (40) having a value corresponding to a predetermined and non-zero play (J).
10. Musical watch case (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said case (10) comprises a watch bezel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said lug (11) includes a thin median resilient strip (12), and in that said play (J) is calculated as a function of the maximum anticipated excess pressure on said watch bezel (1) so that, in the event of maximum excess pressure on said watch bezel (1) or in the event of a shock, each said thin median strip (12) remains within the elastic deformation range, under the effect of direct abutment between said watch bezel (1) and said main receiving surface (40) when said first O-ring sealing gasket (51) is completely compressed, preventing any irreversible plastic deformation of said thin median strip (12).
11. Musical watch case (10) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that said watch bezel (1) is made in one piece with all said gongs (6) included in said musical watch (100).
12. Musical watch (100) including one said watch case (10) according to any of claims 9 to 11.

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