TWI703418B - Watch with improved seal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable object (1) comprising a case forming a chamber, in which a clock movement is housed, characterised in that said case (2) is closed by at least one cover (3) made from a sapphire material, wherein said cover is fixed by means of an intermediate piece (6) made from an at least partially amorphous metal alloy.

Description

Table with improved sealing

The present invention relates to a wearable article, which includes a case forming a cavity, and a timepiece movement is accommodated in the cavity.

In the field of watchmaking, traditional structures are used to embody the movement, which can also include percussion mechanisms. This percussion mechanism can be activated at a clearly determined time to send out a programmed alarm or minute repeats signal. In the case of the traditional configuration of the percussion table, the percussion mechanism may include a gong. Such gongs are generally round-shaped metal wires that surround the part of the timepiece movement in the watch frame. Such a gong is fixed to a gong holder, and the gong holder is fixed to a watch plate. The vibration of the gong is generated by the impact of at least one hammer that strikes the gong at a certain time.

In the case of a percussion watch, such as a music watch, the sound is generated by the vibration of the tongue of the pin-barrel. The tongue of the needle tube is formed together with the heel of the needle tube mounted on the dial. For example, in order to produce tones in stylized time, the tongue of the needle is lifted, and then by The pin fixed to the rotating column or disc is released. Due to the action of the needle of the corresponding post or disc, each tongue can be bent accordingly, and as long as it is released, it oscillates mainly at its first natural frequency. The music needle tube is enclosed in the case. Therefore, the vibration generated by the activated tongue is transmitted to the outer part of the watch.

The outer part of the watch is, for example, the middle part, the bezel, the glass or the base of the case. When sound is produced by a gong striking, or by a hammer, or by vibrating one or more tongues of the needle tube, these external parts can radiate the generated sound into the air. In the traditional percussion table, the acoustic efficiency of vibro-acoustic transduction based on the compound of the external part is low. In order to increase and increase the volume perceived by the user of the percussion meter, the material, geometry and extreme conditions of the outer part must be taken into consideration. The configuration of these external parts will also depend on the aesthetic appearance and operating stress of the watch, which may limit the possibility of adaptation.

Known in the technology of watch making is the use of acoustic membranes, which are dedicated to vibration-acoustic conversion in watches, especially in electronic watches. In order to actuate such a film in an electronic watch, for example, a piezoelectric element is placed on the film to vibrate. In order to ensure that the sound emission of the film does not disappear in the watch that must be sealed, the watch case can be provided with a double base, which is open to the outside. In this case, the base of the watch case has one or more openings for the transmission of sound from the diaphragm.

In the construction of such electronic watches with acoustic membranes, problems of tightness and corrosion of membranes are often encountered.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to remedy the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a watch equipped with a timepiece mechanism that allows perfect sealing.

To this end, the present invention relates to a wearable article, which includes a case forming a chamber in which a timepiece movement is housed, and is characterized in that the case includes a middle part enclosed by at least one cover, wherein the cover The body is fixed by means of a middleware, which is separated from the middle part, which is made of an at least partly amorphous metal alloy.

In the first advantageous embodiment, the timepiece movement includes a striking mechanism that can be activated at a certain time to produce sound, wherein the cover body is made of a material that emits sound waves.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the shell includes a middle part enclosed by glass and by a base.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the base is made of sapphire material that emits sound waves, wherein the base is fixed by means of an intermediate piece, which is made of at least partially amorphous metal material.

In a fourth advantageous embodiment, the middle piece is a sealing piece arranged between the middle part and the watch glass.

In a fifth advantageous embodiment, the intermediate piece is a sealing piece arranged between the intermediate part and the base.

In the sixth advantageous embodiment, the middle piece is a support piece, which is fixed on the middle part containing the structure having a central opening, and the glass is installed in the central opening, wherein the structure is suitable for enabling the bezel system to be installed Installed.

In another advantageous embodiment, the intermediate piece comprises an annular base from which the peripheral edge extends, the annular base forming an inner side wall and a shoulder, wherein the shoulder is intended to accommodate the bezel system.

In another advantageous embodiment, the middle piece is a structure that functions as a support for glass and also functions as a watch frame.

In another advantageous embodiment, the intermediate piece is made of a completely amorphous metal alloy.

In another advantageous embodiment, the metal alloy includes at least one noble element, and the noble element is included in a list including gold, platinum, palladium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, iridium, or osmium.

In another advantageous embodiment, the housing additionally comprises a recess, which allows the seal to be contained therein.

In another advantageous embodiment, the cover is made of sapphire.

1‧‧‧Percussion table

2‧‧‧Case

3‧‧‧Glass

4‧‧‧Middle part

5‧‧‧Pedestal

6‧‧‧Middleware

7‧‧‧Bezel

8‧‧‧Ring seal, O-ring

14‧‧‧Board

20‧‧‧Timepiece Movement

40‧‧‧The middle part of the frame

41‧‧‧Middle part

42‧‧‧Part

43‧‧‧The next part

44‧‧‧Outer side

45‧‧‧Inside

46‧‧‧Around the shoulders

47‧‧‧Gap

60‧‧‧Seal

61‧‧‧ring

400‧‧‧Middle part

401‧‧‧Recess

600‧‧‧Support, middleware

601‧‧‧Base

602‧‧‧ Surrounding edge

603‧‧‧Inner wall

604‧‧‧Shoulder

605‧‧‧Anchor

4000‧‧‧Middle part

4001‧‧‧Concave

6000‧‧‧Middleware

The goals, advantages, and features of the tapping table will become clearer from the following description based on at least one non-limiting exemplary embodiment depicted by the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a typical performance in a simplified view Wear things.

Figures 2a, 2b, and 3 show a first exemplary embodiment of a wearable article according to the present invention in simplified views.

4 to 7 show in simplified views a second exemplary embodiment of the wearable article according to the present invention.

8 and 9 show a simplified view of a third exemplary embodiment of a wearable article according to the present invention.

Therefore, FIG. 1 is a simplified view of a partial cross-section of a wearable article according to the present invention, and the wearable article is tapping table 1 in this case. The watch includes a watch case 2. In fact, the texture is composed of a middle part 4, which is closed by a glass 3 acting as a cover and a base 5.

This unit formed by the middle part, glass, and base forms a chamber, and the timepiece movement 20 is arranged in the chamber, and the timepiece movement 20 is generally mounted on the plate 14. The plate 14 is usually made of a metal material.

The timepiece movement may include a striking mechanism (not shown). One type of striking mechanism includes at least one gong mounted on a gong holder, the gong holder is fixed to the plate 14, and at least one hammer is rotatably mounted on the plate to strike the gong at a determined time. The general circular gong surrounds the different parts of the timepiece movement. This percussion mechanism is set to send out a programmed alarm or a minute-repeating signal.

This percussion mechanism is therefore arranged to generate sound, that is, sound waves. The sound wave is thus directed towards the divergent element, that is, an element that contributes to the diffusion of the sound wave, especially towards the user.

It is known that materials like sapphire allow good diffusion of sound waves. Therefore, the glass 3 used to close the middle portion 4 is also used to radiate sound waves.

Appropriately, according to the present invention, the sapphire glass 3 acts as a seal The middleware 6 is installed in a sealed manner. The intermediate piece is therefore made of a metal material that includes at least one metal element or an at least partially amorphous metal alloy, for example, an at least partially amorphous metal alloy. The metal element may be a precious metal element, for example, gold, platinum, palladium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, iridium, or osmium. A material that is at least partially amorphous will be understood to mean a material that is capable of at least partially solidifying in the amorphous phase, that is, it is subjected to a temperature that rises above its melting temperature, which enables it to locally lose all All of its crystalline structure, and the elevated temperature after that is cooled below its glass transition temperature, which makes it at least partially amorphous. This material is advantageous because once it is heated to a temperature between the glass transition temperature (glass transition temperature) Tg and the crystallisation temperature (Tx) of the material, its viscosity will be greatly reduced. Will not lose its amorphous structure. The amorphous material then becomes easier to shape, because it can then perfectly adopt all the details of the mold in which it is pressed.

In addition, this amorphous metal material allows better sound transmission. In fact, sound propagation depends on the rigidity of the material through which the sound wave is passing. Rigidity is related to stiffness and is defined by the modulus of elasticity E. Compared with polymer seals, when it ensures good tightness, its lack of rigidity will cause sound loss, which leads to poor sound. For example, a material called polyoxymethylene or POM is about 3 GPa.

In fact, amorphous metals or metal alloys are those metals that have high rigidity in nature. For example, Zr41Ti14Cu12Ni10Be23 type alloy has a Young's modulus E equivalent to 105 GPa, while Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.3 The type of alloy has a Young's modulus E of 98 GPa, that is, a value that is thirty times higher than that of the POM type of polymer material.

In the first embodiment of the present invention that can be seen in Figures 2a and 2b, the middle part is the middle part 40 of the bezel, and the middle part 6 made of amorphous metal alloy is positioned between the middle part 40 and the glass of the bezel. 3 between the seal 60. The middle portion 40 of the bezel is configured to, for example, have a trapezoidal profile in cross section, thus forming a middle portion 41 between the upper portion 42 and the lower portion 43. The middle part 40 of the bezel additionally includes an outer side 44 and an inner side 45. The glass 3 is fixed at the level of the upper part 42. For this purpose, the inner side 45 of the middle part 40 of the bezel has a peripheral shoulder 46 at the level of the upper part 42. The size of the shoulder 46 is such that the glass 3 can abut against it, and at the same time forms a gap between the glass 3 and the middle portion 40 of the bezel. This gap 47 is used as a seal. In fact, an amorphous metal seal 60 is inserted into this gap to ensure tightness.

For the placement of this seal 60, several methods are possible. One method involves using the shape properties of amorphous metals. The amorphous metal preform is therefore heated to reach a temperature in the range of the glass transition temperature Tg and crystallization temperature Tx of the material, so that the viscosity is reduced. Therefore, the viscous amorphous metal can be pressed to perfectly adopt all the details of the mold in which it is pressed, in this case the gap 46 between the glass 3 and the middle part 40 of the bezel.

Another method includes using the shape characteristics of an amorphous metal to form a ring 61 surrounding the glass 3, wherein the ring 61 functions as a seal 60. The glass 3 and its ring 61 are then placed at the level of the surrounding shoulder 46 It is installed by pressing into the position, as can be clearly seen in Figure 3. This method advantageously uses the mechanical properties of amorphous metals, where the latter has a higher elastic deformation and a higher elastic limit. Therefore, it is possible to press it into positioning without plastic deformation and achieve significant elastic deformation, allowing better tightness to be ensured.

In the second embodiment, the middle part 400 is used so that the bezel 7 can be fixed to the top, as shown in FIG. 4. For this purpose, the intermediate member 6 made of an amorphous metal alloy is shaped to function as the support member 600. An example of the support member 600 is a ring structure formed by a base 601 and a peripheral edge 602 placed on the top of the base 601, wherein the base 601 and the edge 602 then form an inner side wall 603 and a shoulder 604. This support 600 therefore includes a central opening.

This structure 600 is fixed to the middle part 400 by a fastening device. These fastening devices can be screws or welding or glue or press fit. The fastening device may also be an anchor point 605 made of amorphous metal as shown in FIG. 5, which is locally heated to be inserted into the recess arranged on the middle part. In addition, the annular seal 8 can be used and inserted into the recess 401 to improve the tightness, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 6.

When the middle piece 600 is fixed in position, the inner side wall 603 is used to assemble the glass, while the shoulder 604 is used to fasten the bezel system 9, which can be fixed or rotated, as shown in Figure 7 . This watch frame system 9 is fixed using typical fastening elements (not shown) for watch frames.

The glass 3 can be fixed into the central opening by pressing in, or by partial The middle part 600 is heated to make the local material more viscous and facilitate the insertion of the glass 3, and the shape characteristics of the amorphous metal are used to fix the glass 3 in the central opening.

It may be possible to perform the manufacturing stage of the intermediate piece 600 and the assembly stage with the glass 3 at the same time, so as to have a good and strong fixation between the two elements.

In the third embodiment, the middle part 4000 is used so that the bezel can be fixed on the top. Appropriately, according to this embodiment, the middle piece 6000 is used as a support for glass and also as a structure of the watch frame, as shown in FIG. 8. The middle piece 6000 therefore includes a shoulder that enables the glass 3 to be installed. By locally heating the middle piece, it can be pressed into position or inserted, or it can be assembled during the formation of the middle piece 6000.

Figure 9 shows that the O-ring 8 can be additionally used to increase the tightness. This O-ring 8 is arranged in the recess 4001 of the middle part 4000.

In fact, the shape characteristics of amorphous metals allow these to be used in the manufacture of precision pieces.

For assembly, it is possible to provide a middle piece that acts as a watch frame, which is manufactured in advance and then fixed to the middle part, and the glass can be fixed by pressing and positioning, or the middle piece can be heated locally to make The local material is more viscous and facilitates the insertion of the glass, and the shape characteristics of the amorphous metal are used to fix the glass.

Of course, these embodiments can be applied to a transparent base made of sapphire. In this case, the latter is also used as, for example, a pocket watch (pocket watch) divergent element. In this case, intermediate parts made of amorphous metal alloys are also used.

In addition, the middle part itself may also be made of materials such as sapphire.

In the deformation, it is conceivable that the structured part is formed at the level of the diffuser and/or the middle part, so that the amorphous metal adopts these configurations and makes better attachment possible.

Of course, these embodiments are obviously not limited to percussion watches, and can be widely used in typical watches. In fact, the intermediate piece according to these embodiments allows it to have a good sealability, and allows the glass or the base to be held in place.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements and/or combinations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made as described above without departing from the framework of the present invention defined in the scope of the appended patent application. Different embodiments of the invention described.

In fact, it is conceivable to obtain a wearable article in which the middle part bears a fixed or rotating bezel system, and provides glass installed at the level of the bezel system. Therefore, the middle piece made of amorphous metal alloy will be arranged between the glass and the bezel system. This bezel system can be installed on the middle part by means of a typical seal.

1‧‧‧Percussion table

2‧‧‧Case

3‧‧‧Glass

5‧‧‧Pedestal

6‧‧‧Middleware

40‧‧‧The middle part of the frame

41‧‧‧Middle part

42‧‧‧Part

43‧‧‧The next part

44‧‧‧Outer side

45‧‧‧Inside

60‧‧‧Seal

Claims (13)

A wearable article (1) comprising a shell forming a cavity in which a timepiece movement is contained, characterized in that the shell (2) includes a middle part enclosed by at least one cover (3) , Wherein the cover is fixed by means of an intermediate piece (6), the intermediate piece (6) is separated from the intermediate part and made of at least partly amorphous metal alloy. For example, the wearable article in the scope of the patent application, wherein the timepiece movement includes a striking mechanism that can be activated at a certain time to produce sound, wherein the cover is made of a material that emits sound waves production. For example, the wearable article of the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the shell (2) includes the glass (3) that acts as the cover and the middle part (4, 40, 400, 4000). For example, the wearable article of item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the base (5) is made of a material that emits sound waves, wherein the base is fixed by the device of the middle piece (6), the middle piece (6) Made of at least partially amorphous metal material. For example, the wearable article of item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the intermediate piece for fixing the cover is a sealing piece (60) arranged between the intermediate part (40) and the glass (3) acting as the cover. ). For example, the wearable article according to item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the middle piece fixing the base is a sealing piece (60) arranged between the middle part (40) and the base. For example, the wearable article of item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the middle piece (600) that fixes the cover is a support piece, and the support piece is fixed on The middle part includes a structure with a central opening, the glass (3) is installed in the central opening, wherein the structure is suitable for enabling the watch frame system to be installed. For example, the wearable article of item 7 of the scope of patent application, wherein the middle piece (600) that fixes the cover includes an annular base (601), and a peripheral edge (602) extends from the annular base (601). The base (601) forms an inner side wall (603) and a shoulder (604), wherein the shoulder is intended to accommodate the bezel system. For example, the wearable article of item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the middle piece (6000) that fixes the cover body functions as a support piece for the glass and also functions as a structure of a watch frame. For example, the wearable article in the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the middle piece (6, 60, 600, 6000) is made of a completely amorphous metal alloy. For example, the wearable article of the first item of the patent application, wherein the metal alloy includes at least one precious element, and the precious element is included in a list including gold, platinum, palladium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, iridium, and osmium . For example, the wearable article of item 7 or 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the shell additionally includes a recess (401, 4001), and the recess (401, 4001) allows the seal (8) to be contained therein. For example, the wearable article in the first item of the patent application, wherein the cover is made of sapphire.

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