EP4332690A1 - Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst - Google Patents

Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4332690A1
EP4332690A1 EP22193716.2A EP22193716A EP4332690A1 EP 4332690 A1 EP4332690 A1 EP 4332690A1 EP 22193716 A EP22193716 A EP 22193716A EP 4332690 A1 EP4332690 A1 EP 4332690A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover
watch case
edge
acoustic membrane
membrane
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22193716.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michaël Huguenin-Virchaux
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
Original Assignee
Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA filed Critical Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Priority to EP22193716.2A priority Critical patent/EP4332690A1/de
Priority to PCT/IB2023/058649 priority patent/WO2024047591A1/fr
Publication of EP4332690A1 publication Critical patent/EP4332690A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/0075—Cases with means to enhance sound transmission
    • 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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/0008—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches
    • G04B37/0016—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches with folding cover or folding bottom (hinge without spring)
    • 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
    • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
    • G04B45/02—Time pieces of which the clockwork is visible partly or wholly

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch case for a wristwatch, provided with a lidded base.
  • the watch case is configured to include an acoustic membrane as well as a movement comprising a musical or striking mechanism.
  • the present invention also relates to a wristwatch with a musical or striking mechanism, comprising the watch case with a lidded back.
  • Covers were used to protect the glasses of pocket watches, but also provided expressive surfaces for engraving or guilloche. When the watch moved from the pocket to the wrist, watchmaking naturally lost the use of covers.
  • Various watch brands nevertheless offer wristwatches with a hinged cover on the back side of the watch case in order to revive this tradition. Pressing the crown releases the cover which hides the transparent back of the watch case and thus reveals the movement.
  • An engraving or other ornamental motif may also be present on the hidden side of the cover. The ornamental pattern is therefore only visible when the lid is opened.
  • the user can thus wear a wristwatch in a discreet and elegant style containing an exceptional mechanical caliber whose artisanal finishes, requiring a high degree of know-how, can be contemplated when the wristwatch is removed from the wrist and the opening of the watch case cover is activated by a simple pressure on the crown.
  • EP3009895 discloses a musical or chiming wristwatch provided with an acoustic radiation arrangement.
  • the wristwatch comprises a watch case comprising a middle part, a back fixed to the middle part and a glass to close the box on the dial side.
  • the acoustic radiation arrangement comprises a support and connection piece fixed in the bottom of the box between a bottom bezel and a bottom glass as well as an annular cavity defined around the entire periphery of the support piece facing an interior surface of the bottom bezel.
  • the bottom window includes several side openings. Membranes with small holes cover the side openings to allow air to pass through while preventing dirt from entering the directory cavity.
  • An aim of the present invention is to propose a watch case for a wristwatch with a musical or striking mechanism offering an alternative solution to the problems linked to dust and dirt, and in particular a solution making it possible to resolve at least in part the aforementioned problems.
  • Another aim of the present invention is to propose a watch case, for a wristwatch with a musical or striking mechanism, configured to sustainably promote the propagation of sound vibrations outside the watch case.
  • a watch case for a wristwatch with a musical or striking mechanism configured to include an acoustic membrane held at its periphery in a bottom of the watch case.
  • the watch box has a cover including a base. The cover is mounted hinged between an open position and a closed position in which the bottom of the cover makes it possible to cover an exterior face of the acoustic membrane to ensure that the membrane can vibrate freely.
  • the watch case further comprises at least one sound diffusion opening.
  • the watch case has several openings distributed around the acoustic membrane.
  • the width of all the openings represents at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, or even at least 95% of the perimeter of the acoustic membrane.
  • the acoustic membrane is held by a bottom edge covering the periphery of the acoustic membrane, more precisely the periphery of the exterior face of the acoustic membrane.
  • the watch case further comprises a seal arranged between the bottom edge of the watch case and the acoustic membrane in order to ensure the tightness of the watch case on the back side.
  • said at least one opening consists of one or more holes of circular or oblong shape, preferably in the shape of a slot.
  • said at least one opening is constituted by one or more gaps located between the bottom edge and the cover in the closed position.
  • said at least one opening is constituted by one or more radial grooves formed on the surface of the bottom edge.
  • the cover further comprises an edge surrounding the bottom and a bottom support configured so that the bottom of the cover is located at a distance from a general plane defined by the edge surrounding the bottom. Said at least one opening is located between the bottom and the edge of the cover.
  • At least one of the bottom of the cover and of the acoustic membrane is opaque, at least partly transparent or at least partly translucent.
  • the watch case further comprises a mechanism for locking the cover in said closed position.
  • the locking mechanism includes an actuable slide for opening the cover.
  • the cover is mounted hinged on the bottom edge.
  • the cover is mounted articulated by means of a pivot, ball or slide joint.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch comprising the aforementioned watch case.
  • the wristwatch with a musical or striking mechanism comprises a watch case 10 inside which a movement is intended to be mounted watchmaker (not illustrated).
  • This watch movement includes a musical or striking mechanism, for example a grande sonnerie or minute repeater movement.
  • the watch case 10 has a middle part 12 and, on the back side, an acoustic membrane 28 which, preferably, is transparent in order to make the movement visible, in particular the hammers and the timbre of the musical or striking mechanism.
  • the acoustic membrane is preferably in the form of a disc whose periphery is typically held between a bottom edge 30 and the middle part 12 of the watch case.
  • the bottom edge 30 is fixed against the middle part 12, preferably by means of several screws 31 which pass right through the acoustic membrane.
  • a seal (not visible in the figures) is arranged between the bottom edge 30 and the periphery of the acoustic membrane 28 so that the assembly comprising the acoustic membrane 28, the bottom edge 30 and the seal ensures the watertightness of the watch case on the back side.
  • the external surface of the membrane 28 as well as the external surface of the bottom edge 30 surrounding the membrane are preferably coplanar. According to another embodiment, the external surface of the membrane 28 could be located in a plane which is closer to the movement, namely the musical or striking mechanism, than is the external surface of the bottom edge 30.
  • the acoustic membrane 28 must be able to vibrate freely to ensure good sound transmission between the interior and exterior of the watch case 10.
  • the acoustic membrane is preferably flat and made of a light and durable material. rigid, for example in the form of a sapphire plate, mineral glass or plexiglass. In the case where the acoustic membrane does not need to be transparent, it can be made from another material, for example example based on metallic glass, titanium, steel or a copper material.
  • the watch case 10 includes for this purpose a cover 14 intended to insulate the membrane 28 from the wrist.
  • the cover 14 comprises one or more sound diffusion openings 24 arranged around the acoustic membrane to promote the diffusion of sound, propagated by the vibration of the membrane, outside the watch case 10
  • the cover 14 also comprises a bottom 20, for example of circular shape, and an edge 22 surrounding the bottom 20 of the cover.
  • the edge 22 of the cover 14 is preferably connected in a tilting manner to the watch case, for example by means of a hinge 16 fixed on the bottom edge 30, so that the cover 14 can occupy a closed position and an open position .
  • the cover can be hingedly mounted on the middle part 12 of the watch case.
  • Other means of articulation can be considered instead of the hinge, for example a ball joint, a sliding joint, or even another pivot joint whose axis of rotation is orthogonal to the general plane of the acoustic membrane in order to allow pivoting of the cover 14 in a plane parallel to the plane of the acoustic membrane.
  • the cover 14 further comprises a bottom support 18 mounted on the external side 14a of the cover 14 and configured so that the bottom 20 of the cover 14 is located at a distance from the general plane defined by the edge 22. In the closed position, the edge 22 of the cover 14 is preferably resting against the bottom edge 30 of the watch case.
  • the bottom 20 of the cover 14 being distant from the edge 22 which is located at the level of the acoustic membrane 28, a space of the order of several tenths of a millimeter can thus be created between the bottom 20 and the acoustic membrane 28. The latter is then protected and can freely vibrate under the action of the musical or ringing mechanism.
  • the bottom support can for example play the role of spacer(s) and comprise several legs 18 spacing the edge 22 of the bottom 20. As illustrated in figure 2 , these tabs 18 are integral with the edge 22 and a circular portion 21 of the bottom 20 of the cover. In the closed position, the cover preferably has a convex shape so that the distance separating the plane of the membrane 28 from the plane of the bottom 20 is greater than that which separates the plane of the membrane 28 from the plane in which the edge is located. 22. Sound diffusion openings in the form of slots 24 are thus created in the thickness of the cover, in particular between the tabs.
  • the number and position of the legs may vary depending on the construction chosen in order to define the number of slots and their respective length around the perimeter of the bottom 20.
  • the different slots could be dimensioned in order to extend along arcs of a circle around of the bottom 20, and therefore around the acoustic membrane 28 when the cover 14 is in the closed position. Together, these slots or openings could represent or extend over at least 200°, preferably at least 300°, or even at least 340° of the circumference of the bottom 20 or of the acoustic membrane. At least one of these slots 24 can extend over at least 30°, even 60° or even 90° of the circumference of the bottom of the cover.
  • the openings 24 have a width representing at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, or even at least 95% of the perimeter of the acoustic membrane 28 or that of the bottom 20.
  • the openings are circular in shape and preferably distributed around the perimeter or the circumference of the bottom 20 or the acoustic membrane 18, preferably in a regular manner.
  • one or more sound openings are formed at the interface between the edge 22 of the cover 14 and the bottom edge 30 of the watch case when the cover is in the closed position.
  • the cover 14 does not have a sound diffusion opening.
  • the surface of the bottom edge 30, intended to come into contact with the edge 22 of the cover 14 when the latter is brought into the closed position may comprise at least one radial groove extending radially from an internal edge at an external edge of the bottom edge 30 and acting as an opening 24 for the diffusion of sound outside the watch case.
  • At least one opening could be created by a gap located between the bottom edge 30 and the cover 14 when the latter is in the closed position.
  • a plurality of bosses or other projections could play the role of spacers preventing the edge 22 of the cover from coming directly into contact with the bottom edge 30. These projections could be integral with the edge 22 and/or the bottom 30.
  • a cover locking mechanism could hold the bottom edge 22 at a distance from the bottom edge 30 in order to create, between these two parts, at least one gap acting as an opening 24 when the cover is, in the closed position, locked to the middle 12 or to another part of the watch case.
  • the edge 22 of the cover 14 is mounted articulated, for example pivotally, on the bottom edge 30 or on the middle part 12 of the watch case.
  • the bottom support 18 could be in the form of a ring provided with at least one radial opening 24 for sound diffusion.
  • the bottom support 18, the edge 22 and the circular portion 21 of the bottom 20 are made in one piece, for example by molding or galvanic growth.
  • the external surface (or external face) of the acoustic membrane 28, the bottom 20 internal side 14b of the cover as well as, where appropriate, the openings 24 formed in the bottom support 18 or on the surface of the bottom edge 30 are advantageously directly accessible by the user.
  • This can thus regularly and easily clean not only these openings 24 but also the interior of the bottom 20 of the cover as well as the external surface of the acoustic membrane 28 in order to avoid an accumulation of dirt particles which would hamper the visual appearance from the bottom of the movement as seen through the bottom of the cover and the membrane.
  • cleaning the acoustic membrane makes it possible to avoid clogging of it over time by the deposit of particles which would prevent optimal vibration of the membrane with an impact on the sound quality of the sound broadcast outside the box. watch through one or more sound openings.
  • the cover 14 can be held in the closed position by a locking mechanism.
  • the locking mechanism comprises a male element 32 and a housing 26.
  • the male element 32 is located on the bottom edge 30, for example at the level of the crown 34 (namely at 3 o'clock).
  • This element male 32 is intended to cooperate with the housing 26 located, opposite, on the edge 22 of the cover, in particular on its internal side 14b. This cooperation makes it possible to lock the cover 14 to the middle part 12, in particular to the bottom edge 30 secured to the middle part.
  • the housing 26 is diametrically opposite the articulation 16 of the cover 14.
  • the opening of the cover 14 can be done for example by means of a slide 35 located at the level of the crown 34. According to a variant , the opening of the cover could be done by operating the crown in a predetermined axial position.
  • the bottom 20 of the cover 14 and the acoustic membrane 28 are transparent or partly transparent, in order to make the movement visible, on the bottom side, without having to open the cover.
  • the back is for example a sapphire crystal.
  • at least one of the bottom 20 and the acoustic membrane could be at least partly translucent or opaque.
  • at least one of the bottom 20 and the acoustic membrane 28 could include an ornament or an engraving for example.
  • the bottom of the cover of the watch case can take on other visual aspects depending on execution variants.
  • the background can for example be a transparent glass with decals, markings preferably made by laser or any other pattern made by different processes.
  • the use for the background of a frosted glass with or without transparent parts in places, a glass having a gradient from opaque to transparent, or even a smoked glass can also be considered.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
EP22193716.2A 2022-09-02 2022-09-02 Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst Pending EP4332690A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22193716.2A EP4332690A1 (de) 2022-09-02 2022-09-02 Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst
PCT/IB2023/058649 WO2024047591A1 (fr) 2022-09-02 2023-09-01 Boite de montre pour montre-bracelet à mécanisme musical ou à sonnerie comportant un fond à couvercle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22193716.2A EP4332690A1 (de) 2022-09-02 2022-09-02 Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4332690A1 true EP4332690A1 (de) 2024-03-06

Family

ID=83192189

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22193716.2A Pending EP4332690A1 (de) 2022-09-02 2022-09-02 Armbanduhrgehäuse für armbanduhr mit musik- oder schlagwerk, die einen boden mit deckel umfasst

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4332690A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2024047591A1 (de)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9415102U1 (de) * 1994-09-17 1994-12-01 Hoffmann Karin Wecker mit externem Klangkörper
EP3009895A1 (de) 2014-10-15 2016-04-20 Montres Breguet SA Armbanduhr mit Spieluhr oder Schlagwerk, die mit einer Schallabstrahlungsanordnung ausgestattet ist
CN111596539A (zh) * 2020-05-15 2020-08-28 王冠龙 表
EP3812845A1 (de) * 2019-10-25 2021-04-28 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhr, die töne erzeugt

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9415102U1 (de) * 1994-09-17 1994-12-01 Hoffmann Karin Wecker mit externem Klangkörper
EP3009895A1 (de) 2014-10-15 2016-04-20 Montres Breguet SA Armbanduhr mit Spieluhr oder Schlagwerk, die mit einer Schallabstrahlungsanordnung ausgestattet ist
EP3812845A1 (de) * 2019-10-25 2021-04-28 Patek Philippe SA Genève Uhr, die töne erzeugt
CN111596539A (zh) * 2020-05-15 2020-08-28 王冠龙 表

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2024047591A1 (fr) 2024-03-07

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