US3690144A - Piezoelectric microphone - Google Patents

Piezoelectric microphone Download PDF

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Publication number
US3690144A
US3690144A US63710A US3690144DA US3690144A US 3690144 A US3690144 A US 3690144A US 63710 A US63710 A US 63710A US 3690144D A US3690144D A US 3690144DA US 3690144 A US3690144 A US 3690144A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
watch movement
watch
vibrations
piezoelectric element
end portion
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US63710A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Bonny
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.)
PORTESCOP LE PORTE ECHAPPEMENT
Original Assignee
PORTESCOP LE PORTE ECHAPPEMENT
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Application filed by PORTESCOP LE PORTE ECHAPPEMENT filed Critical PORTESCOP LE PORTE ECHAPPEMENT
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Publication of US3690144A publication Critical patent/US3690144A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D1/00—Gripping, holding, or supporting devices
    • G04D1/06—Supporting devices for clockworks or parts of time-pieces
    • G04D1/063—Supporting devices for clockworks or parts of time-pieces provided with a pick-up means, e.g. microphone
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G04D7/002—Electrical measuring and testing apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/46—Special adaptations for use as contact microphones, e.g. on musical instrument, on stethoscope
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H04R17/02—Microphones

Definitions

  • Apparatus of the above type has been proposed in the past which includes a sound microphone and a sound pick up device such as a crystal or piezoelectric microphone which is adapted to transform the mechanical vibrations of the watch movement, caused by the release, drive and dropping impacts of the escapement mechanism, into electrical vibrations and an output voltage which is utilized in examining the accuracy of the movement. Transformation of watch vibrations into electrical output voltage by a piezoelectric crystal has been effected in a variety of ways, the most common of which consists in operatively connecting the crystal to the watch movement ina position such that the crystal will be vibrated in flexure to produce the deformation of the piezoelectric crystal element and thereby generate a varying output voltage between the faces of the element.
  • the crystal used in the microphone must be selected in such a manner that its resonant frequency is within the frequency spectrum of the vibrations generated by the watchmovements being inspected.
  • the frequency of these vibrations is generally within a range of between and kilocycles, and the crystals are therefore paratus and the stem of a watch movement.
  • the piezoelectric microphone is connected to a pre-amplifier, as for example an integrated circuit amplifier, which chosen in accordance with this range.
  • a pre-amplifier as for example an integrated circuit amplifier, which chosen in accordance with this range.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the inspection of watch movements which is both economical and simple in construction.
  • an apparatus for inspecting watch movements includes a piezoelectric element mounted for operation in compression between a support member on the apis adapted to match the impedance of the piezoelectric element to the impedance of the line and thus substantially improve sensitivity and accuracy of the watch movement inspection apparatus.
  • the preamplifier will amplify the electric signal produced by the element to a level, which for example may be approximately one volt peak to peak, sufficient to decrease the effects of noise in the transmission line on the output of the piezoelectric element.
  • the use of an intermediate pre-amplifier also avoids a direct electric coupling between the output of the piezoelectric element and the input of the amplifier used in the inspection apparatus because the gain and input impedance of the inspection apparatus is thereby substantially reduced.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the principal of operation of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an elevational view, with parts broken away, of a device of a type in which the present invention may be employed.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the support housing for the piezoelectric microphone utilized in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • a piezoelectric element 10 of the type used in conjunction with the present invention is held, in accordance with the present invention, in axial compression against a support member 12 by a force 14, which is, in one embodiment, applied by direct contact with a watch movement 16.
  • the amplitude of force 14 varies in accordance with the vibrations of the watch movement as caused by the release drive and dropping impacts of the escapement mechanisms and when applied to element 10, the force vibrates the element in compression and causes the piezoelectric element to generate a varying electrostatic voltage between the opposed faces 18 and 20 of the element.
  • the opposed element faces 18 and 20 are connected by output leads 22 for transmission of the voltage signal to a device (not shown) which utilizes the voltage to determine the accuracy of the watch movement 16 being tested.
  • element 10. for operation in compression in this manner, it isadapted to vibrate within a relatively large frequency range to accommodate a wide range of watch movements having varying vibration frequency spectrums in order to facilitate inspection of numerous types of watch movements.
  • Piezoelectric element 10 is formed of a ceramic material, as for example, barium titanate. This material is not particularly sensitive to temperature variations in the normal temperature range at which the inspection apparatus is normally used. As a result the inspection apparatus of the present invention gives highly accurate readings as compared to the previously proposed devices using crystal piezoelectric elements. Further, element 10 is formed as an elongated cylindrical member. This configuration provides a high degree of sensitivity when the device is operating in compression.
  • the force 14 is applied to compress element 10 by direct contact with stem 24 of watch movement 16.
  • Stem 24 is urged axially against element 10 by compression spring 26 which is operatively engaged at its ends between a support member 28 and crown 25.
  • compressive force 14 may be applied to piezoelectric element 10 indirectly by a lever mechanism 30 which is operatively engaged between crown 25 of watch movement 16 and element 10.
  • lever 30 is pivotally mounted at 32 on a support member 34 and has a first end 36 operatively engaged with end 20 of element 10 and a second, opposed, end 38 in contact with crown 25.
  • resilient compression spring 26 is operatively engaged between support member 28 and crown 25; in this embodiment, however, spring 26 urges stem 24 and crown 25 against lever end 38. In this manner, lever end 36 is moved into engagement with face 20 of element 10 to compress the element against support portion 12 and thereby transmit vibrations of the watch movement to element 10 in an axial direction to vary the compressive forces applied thereto.
  • lever 30 may be utilized in accordance with the location of pivot point 32 to amplify or decrease the vibrations produced by watch movement 16 prior to transmission thereof to element 10.
  • leads 22 are respectively connected at their opposed ends to pre-amplifier 40, which may, for example be formed as an integrated circuit amplifier.
  • Amplifier 40 receives the output voltage produced across the faces of element l and serves to match the impedance of the piezoelectric element to the impedance of the output lines 42.
  • Lines 42 are connected in the conventional manner to an inspection apparatus (not shown) which is utilized in examining the accuracy of the watch movement.
  • Pre-amplifier 40 also serves to amplify the electric signal produced by the piezoelectric element to a level of about 1 volt, peak to peak, to decrease the effects of noise in transmission line 42 on the output of element 10, and moreover, avoids a direct electric coupling between element and the amplifier used in the inspection apparatus itself whereby the gain in the input impedance of the latter may be substantially reduced.
  • FIG. 4 A detailed illustration of a watch support mechanism 50, adapted for use in conjunction with the present invention, is shown in FIG. 4 wherein a support plateform or base 52 is provided for watch movement 16 which includes a housing 54 containing piezoelectric element 10.
  • Watch movement 16 is seated on a slide member 56 adapted to move laterally within support member 52 and urged towards the left in FIG. 4 by spring 26 which acts in compression between abutment surface 58 of element 56 and wall portion 12 of support platform 52.
  • Slide 56 includes an abutment member 60 which engages watch crown 24 and, by its rigid construction with slide 56, cooperates with spring 26 to urge watch movement 16 against housing 54 and piezoelectric element 10, as will be more fully described hereinafter.
  • a finger piece 62 is provided on slide 56 to facilitate movement of watch movement 16 away from housing 54in order to remove the watch from the device.
  • Housing 54 for piezoelectric element 10 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein it is seen that the housing includes a wall portion 64 rigidly attached to support platform 52. Piezoelectric element 10, which is provided with conductive supporting caps 66 and 68 fixed at its ends 18 and 20 respectively, is rigidly held at end 18 by engagement of cap 66 with abutment members 70 contained within support wall 64. Housing 54 is completed by a second support wall 72 which encloses element 10 and includes an inner annular bore 74. As seen in FIG. 5, an annular ring 76 is seated within bore 74 against surface 78 of member 64.
  • Support wall 72 includes an annular flange 80 enclosing one end of bore 74 opposite watch movement 16 and defines an aperture 81 through which a contact piece 82 extends for engagement with the winding stem 24 of watch movement 16.
  • Contact piece 82 receives end 20 of element 10 and supporting caps 68 therein whereby the vibratory forces from watch movement 16 are transmitted directly to piezoelectric element 10.
  • Member 82 includes an annular flange portion 84 which is retained between a pair of annular rubber rings 86 and 88, which permit movement of contact piece 10 with respect to support portion 72. As seen in FIG.
  • Ring 86 is engaged between flange 84 and surface of ring 76 to limit the movement of contact piece 82 and ring 88 is engaged between flange 84 and flange 80 to further limit movement of contact piece 82 and also provide support therefore in the manner illustrated.
  • Rings 86 and 88 serve to isolate vibrations transmitted through contact piece 82 from the ring 76 and frame member 72 during transmission to element 10 to assure their complete transmission to the piezoelectric ele ment through metal supporting caps 66 and 68. These caps provide electrical connection between the ends 18 and 20 of element 10 and wires 22, which in turn are connected to pre-amplifier 40 to transmit the varying voltages produced by vibration of element 10.
  • one of the wires 42 leading from preamplifier 40 is connected to support platform 52 as a ground lead, whereas the other lead extends through the housing to a point of connection with the inspection apparatus.
  • apparatus for use in determining the accuracy of a variety of watch movements.
  • Construction of apparatus in accordance with the present invention facilitates the use of a piezoelectric element, which is held in compression to increase the relative frequency spectrum thereof in order to permit inspection and testing of a large range of watch movements.
  • a device for inspecting watch movements having operating stems comprising a base for supporting a watch movement in a relatively fixed position, a piezoelectric element having first and second end portions and adapted to produce an output voltage when vibrated in compression along the axis between said ends, a rigid support member engaging said first end portion of said piezoelectric element and holding said first end portion in a relatively fixed position against axial movement thereof, means operatively engaged between a watch movement on said base and said second end portion-of said element for holding said element in compression against said rigid support member and for transmitting vibrations from said watch movement to said element to thereby vary the compressive stresses against said element, and resilient means urging said watch into contact with said means operatively engaged between said watch movement and said second end portion of said element, whereby said element produces an output signal representative of said vibrations.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 including a pre-amplifier operatively connected to said piezoelectric element.
  • a device as defined in claim 3 wherein said ceramic material is barium titanate.
  • said resilient means comprises a compression spring operatively engaged between the crown of said watch movement and a portion of said base.
  • said means operatively engaged between said watch movement and said second end portion of said piezoelectric element includes a pivotally mounted arm member operatively engaged between said second end portion of the element and the watch movement, said resilient means being positioned to urge said watch movement into contact with said arm member to pivot said arm and compress said piezoelectric element, whereby vibrations of said watch movement are transmitted to said element through pivotal movements of said arm b mg
  • said resilient means comprises a compression spring operatively engaged between said watch movement and a portion of said base.
  • a device as defined in claim 1 including a housing mounted on said base member, with said rigid support member forming one wall of said housing and said element being contained therein, said means for transmitting vibrations comprising a contact member slidably mounted in said housing and having one end engaged with said second end portion of said element and the opposite end thereof positioned toengage the stem of the watch movement.
  • a device as defined in claim 11 wherein said contact member is generally cylindrical and has an annular flange formed thereon adjacent said one end thereof, said housing including a first resilient ring surrounding said contact member adjacent, said flange and a second resilient ring surrounding said element on the other side of said flange to isolate vibrations transmitted through said contact member from said housing and assure their transmission to said element.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)
US63710A 1969-08-27 1970-08-14 Piezoelectric microphone Expired - Lifetime US3690144A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1310169A CH541183A (fr) 1969-08-27 1969-08-27 Microphone piézo-électrique à contact pour appareil de contrôle d'un mouvement d'horlogerie

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3690144A true US3690144A (en) 1972-09-12

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ID=4389302

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US63710A Expired - Lifetime US3690144A (en) 1969-08-27 1970-08-14 Piezoelectric microphone

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3690144A (xx)
CH (2) CH541183A (xx)
DE (1) DE7031753U (xx)
FR (1) FR2059696B1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1320576A (xx)
SU (1) SU471743A3 (xx)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802251A (en) * 1971-10-28 1974-04-09 Becker Kg H Method and apparatus for testing a watch for tightness
FR2318401A1 (fr) * 1975-07-15 1977-02-11 Gao Ges Automation Org Dispositif de mesure de differences d'epaisseur de supports de symboles graphiques, notamment des billets de banque
US4224820A (en) * 1979-02-23 1980-09-30 Sitkewich W Jorge Frequency deviation meter for timepieces
US4665735A (en) * 1985-12-02 1987-05-19 Dittmar Norman R Device for detecting metallic ticking sounds
US20030046554A1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2003-03-06 Leydier Robert A. Voice activated smart card
CH698384B1 (de) * 2003-08-21 2009-07-31 Elma Hans Schmidbauergmbh & Co Verfahren zum automatischen Aufziehen einer Uhr.
US20140013846A1 (en) * 2012-07-13 2014-01-16 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating using external excitation
US9285777B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2016-03-15 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a timepiece
US9772607B2 (en) 2013-08-23 2017-09-26 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a device
US10331086B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2019-06-25 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a timepiece
US20200057414A1 (en) * 2018-08-14 2020-02-20 Invoxia Computer-Implemented Method And System For Diagnosing Mechanical Default Of A Mechanical Watch, And Mechanical Watch For Implementing Said Method
US20210116869A1 (en) * 2019-10-21 2021-04-22 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Measuring system for a plurality of mechanical horological movements
US11372375B2 (en) * 2019-10-21 2022-06-28 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Measuring device for a mechanical watch

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2175021A (en) * 1937-02-08 1939-10-03 Thomas B Gibbs Microphonic apparatus
US2561084A (en) * 1946-05-01 1951-07-17 Borg George W Corp Piezoelectric microphone
US3026708A (en) * 1957-08-13 1962-03-27 Marti Frederic Microphone for apparatus to check the rate of timepieces
US3395566A (en) * 1964-08-31 1968-08-06 Le Portescap S A Timepiece tester and method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2175021A (en) * 1937-02-08 1939-10-03 Thomas B Gibbs Microphonic apparatus
US2561084A (en) * 1946-05-01 1951-07-17 Borg George W Corp Piezoelectric microphone
US3026708A (en) * 1957-08-13 1962-03-27 Marti Frederic Microphone for apparatus to check the rate of timepieces
US3395566A (en) * 1964-08-31 1968-08-06 Le Portescap S A Timepiece tester and method

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Acoustics by Beranek, copyright 1954, pages 164 to 177 *

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802251A (en) * 1971-10-28 1974-04-09 Becker Kg H Method and apparatus for testing a watch for tightness
FR2318401A1 (fr) * 1975-07-15 1977-02-11 Gao Ges Automation Org Dispositif de mesure de differences d'epaisseur de supports de symboles graphiques, notamment des billets de banque
US4224820A (en) * 1979-02-23 1980-09-30 Sitkewich W Jorge Frequency deviation meter for timepieces
US4665735A (en) * 1985-12-02 1987-05-19 Dittmar Norman R Device for detecting metallic ticking sounds
US20030046554A1 (en) * 2001-08-31 2003-03-06 Leydier Robert A. Voice activated smart card
US8266451B2 (en) * 2001-08-31 2012-09-11 Gemalto Sa Voice activated smart card
CH698384B1 (de) * 2003-08-21 2009-07-31 Elma Hans Schmidbauergmbh & Co Verfahren zum automatischen Aufziehen einer Uhr.
US9285777B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2016-03-15 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a timepiece
US20140013846A1 (en) * 2012-07-13 2014-01-16 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating using external excitation
US9465367B2 (en) * 2012-07-13 2016-10-11 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating using external excitation
US10331086B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2019-06-25 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a timepiece
US9772607B2 (en) 2013-08-23 2017-09-26 Sicpa Holding Sa Method and system for authenticating a device
US20200057414A1 (en) * 2018-08-14 2020-02-20 Invoxia Computer-Implemented Method And System For Diagnosing Mechanical Default Of A Mechanical Watch, And Mechanical Watch For Implementing Said Method
US11619913B2 (en) * 2018-08-14 2023-04-04 Invoxia Computer-implemented method and system for diagnosing mechanical default of a mechanical watch, and mechanical watch for implementing said method
US20210116869A1 (en) * 2019-10-21 2021-04-22 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Measuring system for a plurality of mechanical horological movements
US11372375B2 (en) * 2019-10-21 2022-06-28 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Measuring device for a mechanical watch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2059696A1 (xx) 1971-06-04
CH1310169A4 (xx) 1973-04-30
FR2059696B1 (xx) 1973-12-21
CH541183A (fr) 1973-04-30
GB1320576A (en) 1973-06-13
SU471743A3 (ru) 1975-05-25
DE7031753U (de) 1970-11-26

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