Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse

The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd

Damien Schmutz

Pascal Lagorgette

Raphael Balmer

Vittorio Zanesco

Pascal Meyer

Yvan Ferri

Francois Klopfenstein

Martin Jufer

Thierry Altenhoven

David Hoover

François Klopfenstein

Raphael Haenni

Raphaël Balmer

Matthieu Tardivon

Joel Maridor

Raphaël Haenni

Raphäel Haenni

Stéphane Leoni

A device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object, in particular a timepiece, includes a control stem capable of moving axially between at least a first and a second stable position, or between at least a stable position and an unstable position. The control device also includes an actuation element made from an electrically insulating material rigidly connected to the control stem, as well as at least one flexible electrical switching element provided to be mechanically actuated by the actuation element when the control stem is moved axially, the at least one flexible electrical switching element being capable of moving between a closing position in which the at least one flexible electrical switching element closes an electrical circuit of the control device, and an opening position in which the at least one flexible electrical switching element opens the electrical circuit.

Device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object

A portable object including a control stem, actuation of which in rotation can control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring driven in rotation by the control stem, rotation of the magnetized ring and position of the magnetized ring being detected by two inductive sensors configured to be sensitive to a variation in magnetic induction in only two directions in space that are parallel to each other or that converge on a same point, with exception of a case in which these two directions are perpendicular to each other.

Portable object comprising a rotating control stem whose actuation is detected by means of two inductive sensors

A device for controlling at least two electronic and/or mechanical functions of a portable object of small dimensions includes a control stem that is axially movable between at least a first and a second position. The control stem is provided at a first end with an actuation member, and is provided towards a second end with a position indexing plate arranged to cooperate with an elastic member in order to match each of the first and second positions of the control stem with one of the mechanical or electronic functions.

Device for controlling at least two electronic and/or mechanical functions of a portable object

A push-piece winding button control device is for a portable object of small dimensions. This device includes a pivoting control stem axially movable between at least a transitory first position and a stable second position. The device further includes a position indexing plate arranged to be integral in translation with the control stem, while keeping the same orientation relative to the frame. The device also includes a cam follower arranged to cooperate with a longitudinal cam path formed in the position indexing plate. The cam path includes a recess defining the stable position of the control stem, and a ramp-shaped profile portion which rises from the recess towards the transitory position.

Push-piece winding button control device for a portable object of small dimensions

A method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern.

Optical position detection of a timepiece crown stem

Portable object comprising a frame arranged to serve as a cradle for a control stem, the actuation in rotation of which makes it possible to control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring being driven in rotation by the control stem, the rotation of the magnetized ring being detected by at least one inductive sensor disposed inside a housing of the frame inside which the inductive sensor is held by elastic means.

Portable object comprising a rotating control stem whose actuation is detected by measuring magnetic induction

Movable assembly for a timepiece display device, with a display member pivoting about an axis and having a first off-center center of inertia positioned in a direction of unbalance, and a mobile element pivoting about the axis integrally with the display member and having a second center of inertia in the direction of unbalance on the opposite side to that of the first center of inertia and including at least one cutout on the opposite side to that of the second center of inertia with respect to the axis, and/or at least one inertia block situated entirely on the side of the second center of inertia, and any bore or recess or cutout comprised in the mobile element, other than a bore around the axis, is situated entirely on the side opposite to that of the second center of inertia with respect to the axis.

Timepiece display device with high unbalance

A capacitive sensor to determine instantaneous angular position of a rotatable element in a timepiece, such as a setting stem of a wristwatch. Static electrodes are configured to form, in conjunction with rotor electrodes of the rotatable element, a first differential capacitance pair and a second differential capacitance pair. A sensor calculation unit is configured to sense difference values from the differential capacitances pairs and to evaluate the angular position of the rotatable element from the difference values using predetermined information relating the differential capacitance values to angular position values.

Position sensor for a timepiece setting stem

Electromechanical apparatus including a wheel set and an analogue indicator member which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, including a rotor, a stator and an electronic measuring circuit, the stator including a first pair of electrodes having a first capacitance and a second pair of electrodes having a second capacitance, the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first and of the second capacitance.

Electromechanical apparatus comprising a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of a wheel set, and method for detection of the angular position of a wheel set

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La Neuveville, Switzerland

Damien Schmutz