EP0899635B1 - Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0899635B1
EP0899635B1 EP19970114986 EP97114986A EP0899635B1 EP 0899635 B1 EP0899635 B1 EP 0899635B1 EP 19970114986 EP19970114986 EP 19970114986 EP 97114986 A EP97114986 A EP 97114986A EP 0899635 B1 EP0899635 B1 EP 0899635B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
membrane
case
deformation chamber
transducer
exterior
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
EP19970114986
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0899635A1 (de
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Mignot
Paul Dinnissen
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.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab AG
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 Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to DE69721524T priority Critical patent/DE69721524T2/de
Priority to EP19970114986 priority patent/EP0899635B1/de
Publication of EP0899635A1 publication Critical patent/EP0899635A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0899635B1 publication Critical patent/EP0899635B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/11—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of the back cover of pocket or wrist watches
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus likely to be immersed in a liquid such as water, such as devices worn on the wrist such as than watches. More particularly, the invention relates to such apparatus in the case of which is mounted a sound transducer.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for type indicated above fitted with a sound transducer so that we can work with a broad spectrum sound, in particular the sound spectrum corresponding to the speech, while ensuring a high degree of tightness.
  • the sound transducer can receive or emit sound energy by through the membrane which, being suspended only by its peripheral edge in the case, can vibrate freely without hindering the transmission / reception of this sound energy to or from the transducer.
  • the membrane can be kept pressed against the bearing surface of the housing by means of a member elastic bearing on the bottom of the deformation and acting on the edge of the membrane.
  • the membrane may be kept pressed against its bearing surface by virtue of its own elasticity by being mounted taut in the housing.
  • the invention will be illustrated in its application to a timepiece such as a wristwatch. It is clear, however, that the invention can be applied to any other apparatus, usually portable and small, and in front include at least one sound transducer, the switchgear being further capable of being immersed in a liquid such as water to a predetermined depth.
  • the sound transducer is a speaker, however a transducer microphone can also be used to advantage with the invention.
  • FIG. 1 a sectional view of a wristwatch 1 which is guaranteed sealing up to a predetermined water depth, a depth of 30 m being a predicted value often in convenient.
  • the apparatus according to the invention provided with the microphone or speaker transducer may advantageously be a watch forming a telephone portable.
  • the housing 2 has a bottom 8 doubled by a support disc 9 superimposed on this bottom 8 in the housing 2 and secured to it by any means suitable, for example by gluing or clipping.
  • the bottom 8 has a cavity or inlet chamber 10 generally circular in shape and connected to outside through a channel 11 which leads to it laterally.
  • the bottom 8 has a circular bearing surface 12 which, in the present example, is slightly inclined to the axis of the cavity 10.
  • the disc of support 9 Opposite the bottom cavity 10, the disc of support 9 has a recess 13 of general shape circular and roughly coaxial to cavity 10 while having a slightly larger diameter.
  • This recess 13 constitutes a deformation chamber. It is bordered by a peripheral rib 14 with rounded edge and contiguous with a annular groove 15 located inside with respect at rib 14.
  • a sound transducer assembly 16 In the volume constituted by the cavity 10 at the bottom 8 and the recess 13 of the support disc 9 is arranged a sound transducer assembly 16.
  • This assembly includes a membrane 17 formed of a circular disc which is came from forming a peripheral rim 18 whose surface outside is fixed by gluing to a side wall peripheral 19 formed around the bearing surface 12 respectively on the bottom 8 and the support disc 9.
  • the membrane 17 seals the interior of the watch 1 vis-à-vis the outside.
  • the membrane 17 is free to deform. It is pressed against this support surface by an elastic member 20 in order to allow the mode lower frequency vibration of the active part of the transducer 16.
  • the latter is formed for example of a ring housed in the groove 15 of the support disc 9 and provided with elastic legs 21 in the form of a Z (FIG. 3), for example ten in number for a diameter of about 25 mm from membrane 17, which are cut out and folded out from its plane towards the membrane 17.
  • the legs elastic 21 are under stress and therefore apply the membrane against the bearing surface 12 delimiting strictly the area of the membrane that can vibrate freely.
  • the elastic ring 20 develops a total strength of the order of 250 to 600 g. We understands that this force depends on the diameter of the membrane, its thickness and the sound frequencies that you want to send or receive.
  • the transducer assembly 16 also includes a transducer element 22 (forming the active part of the transducer) which, in the case shown, is a loudspeaker piezoelectric type. It can also be receiver (microphone function). In the case shown here, it has a metal blade interposed between two piezoelectric discs (not visible in Figure 1), the assembly being suitably connected to a circuit of control or an operating circuit (not detailed) housed in the housing 2.
  • the transducer element 22 is bonded to the membrane 17 on the side of the recess 13 in the area of free vibration of it. It is available in the trade with the Murata Company, Japan. According to one variant, the transducer element 22 can also be secured to the membrane during molding thereof, either by being partially incorporated therein, or by being overmolded by the membrane material.
  • the legs 21 exert their pressure preferably on the extreme edge of the element transducer 22 so that it can transmit a frequency as low as possible for a given diameter.
  • the tabs 21 bear against the edge of the blade metal of the transducer element 22 by through which they support the membrane 17 on the surface 12.
  • the recess 13 forms an internal chamber which is in communication with the interior of the housing 2 through through holes 23 formed in the bottom 13a of the recess 13.
  • the membrane 17 can therefore deform in this internal chamber or recess 13 until applied against its bottom 13a. This thus constitutes a surface stop for diaphragm 17 if the differential pressure on both sides of the membrane exceeds a value predetermined.
  • the membrane 17 is preferably made of silicone and can have a thickness of around 300 ⁇ m, its diameter may be 25 mm, for example.
  • the bottom 8 and the support disc 9 have a through passage 24 having a shoulder 25 against which is disposed a compensation disc 26 pressure.
  • This is waterproof, but breathable provided that the variation in pressure difference on either side of this pastille varies very slowly. It can be done in Sintered Teflon® for example.
  • This tablet can be assimilated to a low-pass filter allowing air to pass through the pressure varies at very low frequency (1/10 Hz, for example).
  • This structure allows adaptation to variations in static pressure resulting for example variations in altitude and / or climatic conditions, when the watch is worn.
  • the membrane 17 itself can be designed in such a way that it fulfills the function pressure compensation in place of the pad 26.
  • this membrane must be made in one flexible and semi-permeable gas material whose pressure static varies at very low frequency.
  • the behavior of the membrane 17 is as follows.
  • the membrane 17 When the watch is worn out of the water, the membrane 17 has a flat configuration in which it is free to vibrate so to transmit to outside without disturbing sound vibrations produced by element 22.
  • the membrane 17 will deform due to an abrupt variation of the differential pressure which prevails two sides. It will then assume a domed shape in bottom direction 13a, the compensation path of pressure through passage 26 not reaching enough quickly to balance the difference in pressures. AT from a certain hydrostatic pressure value, the deformation of membrane 17 will be such that it will apply against the bottom 13a of the recess 13, which thus provides effective support preventing any deterioration of the membrane 17 and of the element transducer 22.
  • FIG. 2 very schematically shows a variant of the invention in which an apparatus 1A has a 2A box with an inlet chamber circular 27. This can be arranged in the same way than that formed by the cavity 10 in FIG. 1.
  • an annular rib 28 Around from the edge of this chamber 27 is formed, facing inside, an annular rib 28 which defines a bearing surface 12A.
  • the apparatus also includes a 17A membrane whose outer edge is received in the second groove 30 to be securely attached, for example by gluing.
  • the membrane 17A has inherent elasticity and is fixed in the groove 30 so as to be under a slight constraint. Because of this, it is stretched over the surface support 12A formed on the annular rib 28 which protrudes from a certain distance the bottom of the first groove 29.
  • a sound converter element 22A is fixed on the membrane 17A.
  • a passage 24A can be provided in the wall of the box 2A and be closed by a balancing disc pressure 26A, as in the embodiment of the figure 1.
  • Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 in that it does not include any elastic means special to ensure the application of the membrane against an element of the housing, the elasticity necessary for this purpose being due to that inherent in the membrane itself.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Dichte tragbare Vorrichtung, die bis zu einer vorgegebenen Tiefe in eine Flüssigkeit wie etwa Wasser eingetaucht werden kann, insbesondere eine dichte Uhr, die ein Gehäuse (2; 2A) aufweist, in dem ein Schallwandler (22; 22A) in der Weise angebracht ist, daß er fluiddicht mit der äußeren Umgebung des Gehäuses (2; 2A) über Schallenergie kommuniziert, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    an dem Schallwandler (22; 22A) eine verformbare Membran (17; 17A) befestigt ist, die ihn in dichter Weise von einem Eintrittshohlraum (10, 11; 27) trennt, der in dem Gehäuse (2; 2A) ausgebildet ist und mit der äußeren Umgebung in einer direkten Verbindung steht, daß die Membran (17; 17A) an ihrem Umfang elastisch gegen eine Abstützoberfläche (12; 12A) gepresst ist, die um den Hohlraum ausgebildet ist, wodurch dieser in dichter Weise von einer Verformungskammer (13; 13A) getrennt ist, die in dem Gehäuse (2; 2A) auf seiten der Membran (17; 17A) gegenüber dem Hohlraum (10, 11; 27) ausgebildet ist und dabei mit dem Innenraum dieses Gehäuses in Verbindung steht, und daß der Boden (13a; 31) der Verformungskammer (13; 13A) eine Halteoberfläche für die Membran (17; 17A) bildet, wenn auf sie ein äußerer statischer Druck ausgeübt wird, der größer als ein vorgegebener Wert ist.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie ein elastisches Organ (20, 21) aufweist, das sich auf dem Boden (13a) der Verformungskammer (13) abstützt und den Umfang der Membran (17) gegen die Abstützfläche (12) abgestützt hält.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das elastische Organ ein Ring (20) aus einem elastischen Werkstoff ist, der auf dem Umfang der Membran (17) angeordnet ist und mehrere Abstützansätze (21) umfaßt, die aus seiner Ebene gebogen sind und sich auf diesem Umfang abstützen.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Membran (17A) auf der Abstützoberfläche (12A) aufgrund ihrer eigenen Elastizität gehalten wird, indem sie in dem Gehäuse (2A) gespannt angebracht ist.
  5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Membran (17) eine Umfangskante (18) aufweist, die sich über ihre Ebene hinaus erstreckt und mittels derer sie an die Seitenwand der Verformungskammer (13) geklebt ist.
  6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verformungskammer (13; 13A) mit der äußeren Umgebung über Mittel (24, 25, 26; 24A, 26A) für den Ausgleich der langsamen differentiellen Druckänderungen beiderseits der Membran (17; 17A) in Verbindung steht.
  7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ausgleichsmittel durch die Membran selbst gebildet sind.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Druckausgleichsmittel ein Plättchen (26; 26A) aufweisen, das in einem Durchlaß (24; 24A) angeordnet ist, der in der Wand des Gehäuses (2; 2A) ausgebildet ist und einerseits mit der äußeren Umgebung und andererseits mit der Verformungskammer (13; 13A) in Verbindung steht, und daß das Plättchen (26; 26A) aus einem Werkstoff hergestellt ist, das nur in Gegenwart langsamer Änderungen des differentiellen Drucks auf seinen beiden Seiten eine Luftzirkulation zuläßt.
  9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Plättchen (26; 26A) aus gesintertem Teflon® oder aus Keramik hergestellt ist.
  10. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schallwandler (22) ein Mikrophon oder ein Lautsprecher ist.
  11. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Membran (17; 17A) aus Silikon hergestellt ist.
  12. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Membran eine Dicke von 300 µm bei einem Durchmesser von 25 mm aufweist.
  13. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Boden (31) der Verformungskammer (13A) ein durchlochtes Gitter ist.
EP19970114986 1997-08-29 1997-08-29 Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler Expired - Lifetime EP0899635B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69721524T DE69721524T2 (de) 1997-08-29 1997-08-29 Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler
EP19970114986 EP0899635B1 (de) 1997-08-29 1997-08-29 Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19970114986 EP0899635B1 (de) 1997-08-29 1997-08-29 Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0899635A1 EP0899635A1 (de) 1999-03-03
EP0899635B1 true EP0899635B1 (de) 2003-05-02

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ID=8227288

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EP19970114986 Expired - Lifetime EP0899635B1 (de) 1997-08-29 1997-08-29 Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler

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EP (1) EP0899635B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69721524T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6321868B1 (en) 1999-06-23 2001-11-27 Asulab S.A. Watertight apparatus capable of being immersed and including an acoustic transducer
DE69936448T2 (de) 1999-06-23 2008-03-06 Asulab S.A. Wasserdichte Vorrichtung zur Verwendung unter Wasser und mit einem Schallwandler
EP1113346B1 (de) 1999-12-29 2009-08-12 Asulab S.A. Armbanduhr mit Antenne
TW503629B (en) 2000-03-02 2002-09-21 Asulab Sa Device for implanting a microphone and a pressure compensating member in a telephone watch
DE60007504T2 (de) * 2000-03-02 2004-11-18 Asulab S.A. Armbanduhr-Telefon mit einem Mikrofon und einem Druckausgleichselement
US7414922B2 (en) 2003-01-08 2008-08-19 Asulab S.A. Water-resistant portable apparatus comprising an electroacoustic transducer

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH1127360A4 (de) * 1960-10-07 1963-11-15
JPS5520464A (en) * 1978-08-01 1980-02-13 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Portable watch with acoustic device
JPS5697792U (de) * 1979-12-26 1981-08-03
JPS58206998A (ja) * 1982-05-27 1983-12-02 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd 圧力センサ付電子腕時計

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DE69721524D1 (de) 2003-06-05
DE69721524T2 (de) 2004-04-08
EP0899635A1 (de) 1999-03-03

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