ATYPICAL GONG, WATCH WITH STRIKING MECHANISM COMPRISING THE SAME AND GONG MANUFACTURING METHOD

Abstract

The gong is made with a wire or a strip having an atypical shape for a watch striking mechanism. The gong includes a rectilinear part connected to a curved part. The rectilinear part and/or the curved part are connected to the same gong-carrier. The gong includes several notches made at defined geometric points on a portion of the length of the gong to adapt the natural vibration frequencies within an audible range between 1 kHz and 5 kHz, so that the sound produced by the vibrating gong is harmonious.

Claims

1. An atypical shaped gong for a striking mechanism of a watch, the gong in the form of a wire or a strip including a rectilinear part connected to a curved part, wherein the gong includes at least two notches or hollows or grooves at defined geometric points on a portion of the length thereof so as to adapt at least two natural vibration frequencies within an audible range between 1 kHz and 5 kHz, and wherein the ratio between these two frequencies is a number N+d, where N is an integer number greater than or equal to 2, and d/N is comprised between −0.01 and +0.01, so that the sound produced by the vibrating gong is harmonious.

2. The gong according to claim 1, wherein the two notches or hollows or grooves are made in the rectilinear part.

3. The gong according to claim 1, wherein at least two notches or hollows or grooves are made in the curved part.

4. The gong according to claim 1, wherein at least two notches or hollows or grooves are made in the rectilinear part, and wherein at least three notches or hollows or grooves are made in the curved part of circular shape in order to tune at least two natural vibration frequencies within the audible range from 1 kHz to 5 kHz to obtain a desired note or sound.

5. The gong according to claim 1, wherein one notch or hollow or groove is made in the rectilinear part and wherein two notches or hollows or grooves are made in the curved part.

6. The gong according to claim 1, wherein each notch or groove is made over the entire width of the gong.

7. The gong according to claim 1, wherein two ends of the gong are intended to be attached to a single gong-carrier of the striking mechanism, and wherein the gong with the rectilinear part and the curved part thereof takes the form of a letter of the alphabet, a modified portion being defined in a median portion of the curved part.

8. The gong according to claim 1, wherein each notch is placed on the gong length in correspondence with one of the antinodes of one and only one of the mode shapes whose frequency is comprised between 1 kHz and 20 kHz.

9. The gong according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the gong is identical over the entire length thereof, and wherein the depth of each notch or hollow or groove in the general thickness of the gong is identical.

10. A striking watch including a striking mechanism provided with at least one gong of atypical shape according to claim 1, the striking mechanism including at least one gong-carrier, to which the gong is connected, and at least one hammer capable of striking, at determined moments, the gong from below in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane including the gong, the gong-carrier being integral with a plate or disposed in contact with an inner wall of a case middle or a bezel or a watch case back.

11. The striking watch according to claim 10, wherein the gong-carrier is attached in contact with an inner wall of a case middle or a bezel or a watch case back, wherein at least one end of the rectilinear part or of the curved part of the gong is attached to the gong-carrier, and wherein at least an upper surface of the gong is visible through a crystal of the watch with the notches or hollows or grooves made in an undersurface of the gong.

12. The striking watch according to claim 10, wherein the striking mechanism includes a first gong capable of being struck by a first hammer from below and a second gong capable of being struck by a second hammer from below, wherein the first gong has two ends attached to at least one gong-carrier, wherein the second gong has one end of the rectilinear part or of the curved part attached to the same gong-carrier or to a second gong-carrier disposed in contact with the inner wall of the case middle.

13. The striking watch according to claim 12, wherein the first gong and the second gong form only one piece with the gong-carrier, wherein the rectilinear part of the first gong is disposed parallel to the rectilinear part of the second gong, the end of which is attached to the gong-carrier, and wherein the two gongs are disposed in the same plane with the notches, or hollows or grooves made in an undersurface of each gong.

14. The striking watch according to claim 13, wherein the first gong includes at least two notches or grooves in the rectilinear part and at least three notches in the curved part, and wherein the second gong includes at least one notch or groove in the rectilinear part and at least two notches in the curved part.

15. A method for manufacturing at least one atypical shaped gong according to claim 1, for a striking mechanism of a watch, wherein the method includes the steps of determining the active lengths of the rectilinear part and of the curved part of the gong by dimensioning each part independently of the other to produce natural frequencies close to selected target values when the gong vibrates, refining the natural frequencies of the gong by forming notches or hollows or grooves in an undersurface of the gong at defined geometric points on the length of the gong to produce a harmonious sound from the vibrating gong.

16. The method for manufacturing at least one gong according to claim 15, wherein the notches or hollows or grooves are made by milling in the general thickness of the gong over the entire width of the gong.

17. The method for manufacturing at least one gong according to claim 15, wherein the method includes another step consisting in modifying the shape of the curved part of the gong on a median portion so as to define a structure in the shape of a letter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The objects, advantages and features of the atypical-shaped gong for a watch striking mechanism, and of the watch with a striking mechanism will appear more clearly in the following description, particularly with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an atypical-shaped gong of a striking mechanism, with vibration frequency adaptation according to the invention,

[0032] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the gong represented in FIG. 1 with a modified portion from an aesthetic point of view according to the invention,

[0033] FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the gong of FIG. 2 notably of the rectilinear part showing the fine adjustment notches for several frequencies to produce a harmonious sound according to the invention,

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of gongs forming part of the striking mechanism according to the invention, and

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a watch with a striking mechanism which includes at least one gong as shown in FIG. 2 according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In the following description, all those elements of the watch with a striking mechanism, which includes at least one gong intended to be struck by a hammer, which are well known in this technical field, will be only briefly described.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an atypical-shaped gong 3, which normally forms part of a watch striking mechanism (not represented). Gong 3 takes the form of a wire or strip of a certain length, width and thickness. Gong 3 is configured and made to be capable of producing a harmonious sound without dissonance, when it is struck by a hammer of the striking mechanism. Gong 3 is shown in a top view, as it can be seen, for example, through a watch crystal. It may be attached by one of its ends to a gong-carrier 2 of the striking mechanism, or as shown, attached by both ends to gong-carrier 2. Gong 3 comprises a rectilinear part 3a connected to a curved part 3b, which may be of partially circular shape. Dashed lines in the Figures show the connection boundary between rectilinear part 3a and curved part 3b. Rectilinear part 3a and curved part 3b are preferably in the same plane, which may be parallel to the watch dial once mounted.

[0038] Gong 3 may be obtained from a moulding or wire rolling or wire cutting operation or by stamping a plate of metal material in a machining device. Gong 3 can be made in one-piece with gong-carrier 2, but may also be secured by welding or soldering to said gong-carrier 2. Preferably, the gong has a rectangular cross-section, but may also be circular. Preferably, the cross-section is identical throughout the length of the gong prior to adjustment of the vibration frequencies. The gong can be made of amorphous metal or metallic glass, or also of gold or platinum, or even of brass, titanium, aluminium or another material or metal alloy with a similar density, Young's modulus and elastic limit. The metallic glass may, for example, be made from a base of zirconium, gold, platinum, or gold with palladium, platinum and silver or another metal capable of solidifying in amorphous form.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, gong 3 may also comprise a modified portion 3c made on curved part 3b. This modified portion 3c is made on a median portion of curved part 3b to represent a letter seen from above, for example a B. This B-shaped gong can be seen through the watch crystal once mounted inside the watch case and defines a symbol of the watch brand.

[0040] The dimensioning of this type of gong 3 with a rectilinear part 3a, curved part 3b and possibly modified portion 3c on curved part 3b occurs in three main production steps.

[0041] The first step consists in determining the active lengths of the gong independently of each other so that the parts can produce natural frequencies, which are close to target values selected for the desired musical tuning. To achieve this, rectilinear part 3a is dimensioned alone, and curved part 3b is also dimensioned alone. The two parts 3a and 3b joined together give the roughly dimensioned gong 3. The two parts 3a and 3b can be connected to the same gong-carrier 2, but it is also possible to have only rectilinear part 3a connected to gong-carrier 2 or curved part 3b connected to gong-carrier 2.

[0042] The second step consists in slightly modifying the shape of the gong to define a particular structure with a desired aesthetic appearance. This particular structure may be the shape of a letter, such as the letter B representing a symbol of a watch brand. In this regard, as previously mentioned, a modified portion 3c is made on curved part 3b, for example on a median portion of said curved part 3b.

[0043] Finally, the third step consists in refining the natural frequencies of gong 3 by making notches 5a, 5b, as represented in FIG. 3, or hollows or grooves. Notches 5a and 5b represented in FIG. 3 are made in rectilinear part 3a, but other notches or hollows or grooves can also be made on curved part 3b. These notches 5a and 5b are made on an undersurface of gong 3, so as not to be directly visible through a watch crystal once the gong is mounted inside the watch case.

[0044] Each notch 5a, 5b is machined, notably by milling, by a machining robot programmed to define a hollow of a certain depth in the thickness of the gong and over the entire width of the gong. The first notch 5a or groove can be machined over a length d1 in rectilinear part 3a of the gong and to a defined depth in the general thickness of the gong. The second notch 5b can be machined over a length d2 in rectilinear part 3a of the gong and to a defined depth in the general thickness of the gong. The two notch depths may preferably be similar, but it is possible to envisage making them with a different depth in the general thickness of the gong. The two notches 5a, 5b can be machined over the entire width of gong 3.

[0045] It it is to be noted that notches 5a, 5b or hollows or grooves reduce the local stiffness of gong 3. The duration of vibration of gong 3 after a strike by a hammer is also increased, without thereby reducing resistance to external shocks, which is advantageous. As shown, the first notch 5a in rectilinear part 3a is made close to gong carrier 2, whereas second notch 5b is made close to the connection of rectilinear part 3a to curved part 3b. Notches 5a, 5b or hollows or grooves allow the gong frequencies to be finely tuned to obtain the desired frequencies and at geometric points, which are the nodes and/or antinodes of certain natural frequencies of the gong.

[0046] This also makes it possible to significantly increase the number of partials of a vibrating gong within the audible range without thereby modifying its size, i.e. its length. The sound produced by the gong vibration and radiated by the external watch parts can then be true and rich from the melodic point of view.

[0047] In the conventional and simple prior art geometries for dimensioning a gong, there can be no selective tuning of the frequencies produced by the gong. A geometric modification causes a significant overall drift, for example more than 100 Hz, of all the frequencies produced, or of most of such frequencies.

[0048] As a non-limiting example of the dimensioning and tuning of such a gong, the gong is configured to produce, for example, a note similar to an F sharp. To produce this tonality within a multi-frequency sound, gong 3 must have natural frequencies equal to at least 1480 Hz, which corresponds to the note F sharp 5 and 2960 Hz, which corresponds to the note F sharp 6 as shown in the table below.

[0049] Of course, other musical notes can be selected according to the length, width and thickness of gong 3, its shape and the material of which it is composed. It is possible to ensure that the main vibration frequencies of gong 3 are in tune with each other in Western music chords, i.e. C minor, C major, D major, G major, or other, or also in Oriental or African music.

[0050] Although not represented by the Figures for a gong 3, it is possible to define the mode shape and frequency of one of the natural frequencies of rectilinear part 3a and those of curved part 3b of the gong. This is defined for the simply supported boundaries conditions at the free end of the two parts 3a, 3b, so that there is mode shape continuity, i.e. with a node present at the end. The geometry of these two parts 3a, 3b is independently optimised so that their frequencies are close to the desired frequency. With gong 3 formed by rectilinear part 3a and curved part 3b both connected to gong-carrier 2, the mode shape of rectilinear part 3a may have two antinodes, whereas the mode shape of curved part 3b may have three antinodes. In these conditions, a notch can be provided on each antinode of the mode shape of each part of gong 3.

[0051] The procedure described above is reproduced to obtain another natural frequency, which is close to the desired frequency of 2960 Hz. By way of example, the following table sets out natural frequencies within the audible range of a gong according to FIG. 1 without a modified portion and without notches, according to FIG. 2 with modified portion 3c but without notches, and according to FIGS. 2 and 3 with modified portion 3c and notches 5a, 5b.

TABLE-US-00001 Gong without Gong with modified modified portion and portion and without Gong with modified In Hz without notches notches portion and notches f.sub.1  85 85 62 f.sub.2  268 270 227 f.sub.3  562 563 431 f.sub.4  884 886 659 f.sub.5  1529 1532 1205 f.sub.6  1967 1975 1471 = F#5 f.sub.7  2880 2900 2567 f.sub.8  3554 3554 2961 = F#6 f.sub.9  4602 4621 3502 f.sub.10 5632 5613 4750 f.sub.11 6737 6720 5391 f.sub.12 8125 8148 7443 f.sub.13 9357 9358 7988 f.sub.14 10964 10912 9100 f.sub.15 12488 12177 11125 f.sub.16 14134 14027 12040 f.sub.17 15798 14513 12112 f.sub.18 16473 16633 12949 f.sub.19 17104 17202 13340 f.sub.20 18478 19206 14964 f.sub.21 — — 15133 f.sub.22 — — 16512 f.sub.23 — — 17483 f.sub.24 — — 18250 f.sub.25 — — 18651 f.sub.26 — — 19654

[0052] As previously mentioned, the notches or hollows or grooves allow for fine tuning of the gong frequencies to obtain the desired frequencies. These are the frequencies marked in bold in the above table. A significant increase in the number of partials of a gong within the audible range is also obtained as shown in the 3rd column of the table, notably between 0 and 5 kHz, since the tonality of the sound is determined by its frequency content within this audible range. For frequencies higher than 5 kHz, this adds intensity, richness and brightness to the sound. This allows the gong to vibrate with a harmonious, melodic sound and without dissonance.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an arrangement of two gongs 3, 3′, which form part of the striking mechanism of a watch. Only the two gongs 3, 3′ are represented in a bottom view and attached to a respective gong-carrier 2, 2′, or to the same gong-carrier 2. The first gong 3 was described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 above and is the hour gong. The second gong 3′ also includes a rectilinear part 3a′ and a curved part 3b′ and is the minute gong. First gong 3 is, for example, made longer than second gong 3′.

[0054] The two rectilinear parts 3a, 3a′ of the two gongs 3, 3′ of the striking mechanism are preferably arranged parallel to each other. However, the two rectilinear parts 3a, 3a′ may also be disposed at a certain angle with respect to each other. The curved part 3b of first gong 3 extends from a free end of rectilinear part 3a in an opposite direction to the curved part 3b′ of second gong 3′, which extends from a free end of its rectilinear part 3a′. Rectilinear parts 3a, 3a′ and curved parts 3b, 3b′ are preferably disposed in the same plane, which is parallel to a watch dial, as shown below.

[0055] First gong 3 is preferably attached by both ends to gong-carrier 2, whereas second gong 3′ is only attached to gong-carrier 2′ by one end of rectilinear part 3a′. The other end of second gong 3′, which is an end of curved part 3b′, is free. However, it is also possible to envisage attaching second gong 3′ by its curved part 3b′ to gong-carrier 2′ and leaving one end of rectilinear part 3a′ free.

[0056] As a non-limiting example embodiment of such an arrangement of two gongs 3, 3′ for a watch striking mechanism, it is possible to make these gongs 3, 3′ in a precious metal, for example grey gold. Gongs 3, 3′ are preferably made in the form of a strip with a rectangular cross-section. They may form one piece with gong-carrier 2.

[0057] First gong 3 may have a rectilinear or linear part 3a of a length comprised between 25 mm and 35 mm, for example around 30.1 mm, and a curved part 3b in the shape of an arc of a circle of a radius comprised between 15 mm and 20 mm, for example around 17.3 mm. The portion 3c modified purely from an aesthetic point of view is made in two radii of 7 mm and 3.7 mm in the median portion of curved part 3b. The width of gong 3 may be comprised between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, preferably 0.6 mm and is preferably identical from one end of first gong 3 to the other. The general thickness of gong 3 may also be identical over its entire length and comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, for example 0.25 mm for first gong 3.

[0058] For first gong 3, two notches 5a and 5b are made in rectilinear part 3a, and three notches 5c, 5d and 5e in curved part 3b. Notches 5a to 5e or grooves are made over the entire width of first gong 3 and all have a length comprised between 1 and 2 mm, preferably 1.2 mm each. Each notch can be made with the same depth between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm, preferably 0.15 mm for the first gong with a thickness of 0.25 mm.

[0059] The first notch 5a made in rectilinear part 3a is disposed between 3 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3.9 mm, away from the attachment to gong-carrier 2 of rectilinear part 3a, whereas second notch 5b is disposed between 22 mm and 26 mm, preferably 24.1 mm away. Third notch 5c made in curved part 3b is disposed between 22 mm and 26 mm, preferably 24.7 mm away from the attachment to gong-carrier 2 of rectilinear part 3a according to a perpendicular view from the rectilinear part 3a. Fourth notch 5d is made on modified portion 3c of curved part 3b and disposed between 14 mm and 17 mm, preferably at 15.4 mm from the attachment to gong-carrier 2 of rectilinear part 3a according to a perpendicular view from the rectilinear part 3a. Finally, fifth notch 5e is disposed between 8 mm and 12 mm, preferably at 9.9 mm from the attachment to gong-carrier 2 of rectilinear part 3a according to a perpendicular view from the rectilinear part 3a.

[0060] Depending on their positions in first gong 3, the purpose of notches 5a to 5e is to tune the gong so that its frequencies are close to those of the desired note, for example F sharp. This also allows the number of frequencies to be increased with the partials to enrich the sound produced by the vibrating gong. Their positions are optimised so that the frequency deviation between two consecutive frequencies of the gong is sufficient to prevent any risk of beats and/or dissonance in the sound produced.

[0061] As a result of this geometry of first gong 3, two frequencies comprised between 1.5 kHz and 5 kHz were optimised to approach F#5 and F#6 as mentioned in the above table. These frequencies are selected between 1 kHz and 5 kHz so that watch wearer's ear can differentiate the tone of a sound. Thus, at least two natural vibration frequencies are adapted within an audible range between 1 kHz and 5 kHz. Further, the ratio between these two frequencies is a number N+d, where N is an integer number greater than or equal to 2, and d/N is comprised between −0.01 and +0.01, so that the sound produced by the vibrating gong is harmonious.

[0062] For second gong 3′, one notch 5a′ is made in rectilinear part 3a′, and two notches 5b′ and 5c′ in curved part 3b′. Notches 5a′ to 5c′ or grooves are made over the entire width of second gong 3′. Each notch can be made with the same depth of between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm for second gong 3′ which has a thickness of 0.3 mm. Rectilinear part 3a′ of second gong 3′ may have a length comprised between 8 mm and 12 mm, for example around 10.3 mm, and a curved part 3b′ in the shape of at least one arc of a circle with a radius comprised between 10 mm and 13 mm, for example around 11.7 mm. Preferably, the curved part is made with several radii and is not completely circular.

[0063] First notch 5a′ made in rectilinear or linear part 3a′ is disposed directly after the attachment to gong-carrier 2′ of rectilinear part 3a′. This first notch 5a′ may have a length of between 1 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1.6 mm. A second notch 5b′ made in curved part 3b′ is disposed between 6 mm and 8 mm with respect to the rectilinear part away from the connection of curved part 3b′ to rectilinear part 3a′. The length of this second notch 5b′ is between 1 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1.25 mm. Finally, the third notch 5c′ is made at the free end of curved part 3b′ and has a length comprised between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, for example 0.5 mm.

[0064] The lengths, depths and positions of these notches 5a′ to 5c′ of second gong 3′ are coupled parameters to ensure proper tuning and a good vibrational response of the gong. In this configuration of second gong 3′, there are two natural frequencies, which are optimised within the frequency band comprised between 1.5 kHz and 5 kHz, to approach the frequencies corresponding to B 5 and B 6.

[0065] It is also to be noted that the melodic tuning obtained between first hour gong 3 and second minute gong 3′ thus corresponds exactly to a fourth.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional top view of a watch 1 with a striking mechanism. The watch includes a well-known watch or clock movement (not represented), which is disposed underneath a watch dial 6. Hands 7 for indicating the time rotate on said watch dial 6. The watch also includes a striking mechanism which may form part of the watch movement. This striking mechanism includes at least a first gong 3 attached to a gong-carrier 2, which is generally fixed on a main plate of the watch movement or arranged in contact with an inner wall of case middle 8 or the bezel or the back cover of watch case 1. The gong is generally a metal or metallic glass wire or strip. Gong 3 extends above the watch movement or parallel to watch dial 6. The mechanism also includes at least a first hammer 4 for striking gong 3 from below in a vertical direction Z, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the gong or the watch movement on a watch plate.

[0067] Preferably, two gongs 3, 3′ may be provided, attached to the same gong-carrier 2 or respectively to two gong-carriers 2, 2′. These first and second gongs 3, 3′ are each intended to be struck by a respective hammer 4, 4′. The first hammer 4 is intended to strike the first gong 3 from below and in a vertical direction and preferably close to gong-carrier 2 on rectilinear part 3a of the gong. The second hammer 4′, which is parallel to first hammer 4, is intended to strike the second gong 3′ from below and in a vertical direction and preferably also close to gong-carrier 2′ on rectilinear part 3a′ of the gong.

[0068] As shown in detail in FIG. 5 of striking mechanism watch 1, the two hammers 4, 4′ can be arranged to rotate about the same axis of rotation parallel to watch dial 6. These hammers 4, 4′ can strike each gong 3, 3′ at different or identical moments depending on the actuation thereof in the striking mechanism.

[0069] The two gongs 3, 3′ can thus have two rectilinear parts 3a, 3a′ extending in a diametral direction or a direction slightly offset from the centre of the watch, from the gong-carrier or gong-carriers 2, 2′. These gong-carriers 2, 2′ are disposed close to or in direct contact with an inner wall of a case middle 8 or the bezel or the watch case back. These gong-carriers 2, 2′ are preferably bonded to each other. Each gong 3, 3′ includes a curved part 3b, 3b′ starting at the free end of each rectilinear part 3a, 3a′ and extending in an opposite direction to that of the other gong.

[0070] Of course, although not represented in FIG. 5, notches or hollows or grooves are made in an undersurface of each gong 3, 3′ to tune the desired frequencies and produce a harmonious sound. These notches or hollows or grooves are advantageously not visible through a crystal of watch 1 (not represented) to maintain a good aesthetic appearance of visible gongs 3, 3.

[0071] From the description that has just been given, several variants of the unusual or atypical gong and the striking watch that contains it can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. There may be a first gong attached to a first gong-carrier and a second gong attached to a second gong-carrier remote from the first gong-carrier and with both gongs in the same plane or in a different plane. The notches or hollows or grooves can be made in an undersurface of the gong or on the sides of the gong.