Patents Assigned to ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
  • Patent number: 11520292
    Abstract: There is disclosed a timepiece resonator having an inertia element suspended from a flexible strip deformable in a plane XY parallel to a longitudinal direction Y, and whose transverse extension along a transverse axis X, in projection onto the plane XY, is variable and of positive value on at least one side of the neutral axis (FN) of said strip, which includes, at a distance from its embedments, at least one rib extending along an axis Z perpendicular to the plane XY, each having at least one generatrix which is farther from the neutral axis (FN) than the external surfaces of the sections of the strip located outside the ribs, and the longitudinal extension (LN) of each rib of the strip, along the longitudinal axis Y, is less than one fifth of the length L of the strip between its embedments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Pascal Winkler, Laurent Klinger, Jean-Luc Helfer, Baptiste Hinaux, Gianni Di Domenico, Jean-Bernard Peters
  • Patent number: 11520291
    Abstract: A timepiece resonator including an inertia element suspended from a flexible strip deformable in a plane XY parallel to a longitudinal direction Y, and whose transverse extension along a transverse axis X, in projection onto the plane XY, is variable and of positive value on at least one side of the neutral axis (FN) of the strip, which includes, at a distance from its embedments, at least one rib extending substantially along an axis Z perpendicular to the plane XY, each having at least one generatrix which is farther from the neutral axis (FN) than the external surfaces of the sections of the strip located outside the ribs, and the longitudinal extension (LN) of each rib of the strip, along the longitudinal axis Y, is less than one fifth of the length L of the strip between its embedments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Pascal Winkler, Laurent Klinger, Jean-Luc Helfer, Baptiste Hinaux, Gianni Di Domenico, Jean-Bernard Peters
  • Patent number: 11513475
    Abstract: A timepiece including at least analogue time display device, and an AM-PM display device for displaying day-night information in the dial of the timepiece. The AM-PM display device includes at least two apertures made in the dial of the watch, a rotating display disc bearing at least one first series of inscriptions corresponding to the day and at least one second series of inscriptions corresponding to the night, these two display series being disposed on at least two concentric circles, and a drive mechanism arranged so as to automatically and alternately bring the first series of inscriptions inside a first aperture and the second series of inscriptions inside a second aperture by rotating the display disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Christian Ruefenacht
  • Publication number: 20220373979
    Abstract: Provided is a watch provided with a case comprising at least one pair of horns, a horological movement and a near field communication module configured to perform contactless electronic transactions, said communication module being connected to the movement by being arranged between the horns of said at least one pair of horns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal LAGORGETTE, Xavier STEHLIN
  • Publication number: 20220373973
    Abstract: A device (1), and timepiece having the device, for displaying a succession of periodic events which form an annual cycle, including a periodic events indicator member (2) and a mechanism (4) for managing a duration during which the periodic events are displayed by the periodic events indicator member (2). The management mechanism includes a cam (8) for managing a duration during which the periodic events are displayed, which cam is arranged such that it controls the change from the indication of a periodic event to the indication of a subsequent periodic event by the periodic events indicator member, a periodic driver (10) for driving the management cam (8) and a member (6) disposed between the management cam and the periodic events indicator member and arranged such that it drives the periodic events indicator member (2) during a change in event. The device displays the periods of the zodiac.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventor: Stephane BACHMANN
  • Publication number: 20220373978
    Abstract: Provided is a system for setting an electronic watch, the system includes a portable electronic appliance provided with a near-field communication device and a microcontroller configured to control said device. The watch includes a near-field communication module and a microcontroller configured to exchange electric signals with this module, said watch and said appliance being configured to be connected, in the near field, with one another in order to carry out the setting operation for the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Xavier Stehlin
  • Publication number: 20220373976
    Abstract: An electromechanical horological movement including an analogue time display device and provided with at least one electromechanical motor, to drive at least one indicator of the analogue time display, and a generator including a rotor and associated with an oscillating mass coaxial with the time display device, this horological movement including a first wheel provided with a shaft, coaxial with said indicator, which is guided in rotation, in a main embodiment, by a fixed cylindrical tube around which is rotatably mounted at least one cannon of the time display device. The first wheel is in meshing relation with the rotor of the generator and is fixedly connected to the oscillating mass, on the side opposite the analogue time display, so that this oscillating mass can rotate the rotor of the generator via the first wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Romain BESUCHET, Stéphane BALEON, Pascal LAGORGETTE
  • Patent number: 11493882
    Abstract: Timepiece regulator comprising a detached lever escapement mechanism, and a resonator with a quality factor Q including at least one inertia element including an integral impulse pin cooperating with a fork of the lever, this inertia element being subjected to the action of elastic return means directly or indirectly fixed to the plate and being arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set comprised in the escapement mechanism, this resonator mechanism is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main axis (DP), with a flexure bearing subjected to the return force of at least two flexible strips attached to the plate, defining together a virtual pivot with a main axis (DP), the lever pivoting about a secondary axis (DS), and the fork is enlarged in comparison to the fork of a conventional Swiss lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Patent number: 11487245
    Abstract: Timepiece regulator (300) comprising a detached lever (7) escapement mechanism (200), and a resonator (100) with a quality factor Q including an inertia element (2) comprising an impulse pin (6) integral with an inertia element (2) and cooperating with a fork (8) of the lever (7), this inertia element (2) being subjected to the action of elastic return means (3) directly or indirectly fixed to the plate (1) and being arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set (4) comprised in the escapement mechanism (200), this resonator mechanism (100) is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main axis (DP), with a flexure bearing subjected to the return force of at least two flexible strips (5) attached to the plate (1), defining together a virtual pivot with a main axis (DP), the lever (7) pivoting about a secondary axis (DS), and the fork (8) is enlarged in comparison to the fork of a conventional Swiss lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Publication number: 20220339748
    Abstract: A fitting (20) for holding a flat component (1), including radial support stops (2; 3), and a chamber (40) bordered by jaws (21; 22) including clamping surfaces (310; 320) for holding the component (1), open on one side by a recess (41; 42) to perform an operation on the component (1), this fitting (20) is deformable between an open position and a closed position around the component (1) tightened by said jaws (21; 22) subjected to a closing force exerted by manoeuvring means arranged to bring these jaws (21; 22) closer to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Patric PHAM, Joël RÖTHLISBERGER
  • Patent number: 11480928
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Raphaël Balmer, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 11480926
    Abstract: A balance-spring stud for fixing with a spot of glue a free end of a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring for a timepiece movement, this balance-spring stud includes a base within a plane, first and second arms extending from the plane and free at their end opposite the base, the first and second arms being separated from one another by a gap in which the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring that is trapped in the hardened spot of hardened glue is housed, at least one of the first and second arms being provided with a stop device arranged to prevent the spot of hardened glue in which the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring is trapped from being released from the gap in which the spot of hardened glue is housed when this spot of hardened glue no longer adheres to the balance-spring stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Christan
  • Publication number: 20220334539
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a horological mobile (10) including: depositing a first thin layer (11) with a first material including at least nickel, the periphery of which defines the contour of the geometry of the horological mobile (10); depositing an intermediate layer (12), with a second material including at least nickel and phosphorus, so as to cover a face of the first thin layer (11), the periphery of which corresponds to that of the geometric shape of the first thin layer (11); depositing a second thin layer (13) with the first material, so as to cover a face of the intermediate layer (12), the periphery of which corresponds to that of the geometric shape of the first thin layer (11), wherein the first and the second thin layer (11, 13) are poorer in phosphorus than the intermediate layer (12), or do not contain any phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Serge Nicoud, Sébastien Roder
  • Patent number: 11467537
    Abstract: A timepiece regulator includes a detached lever escapement mechanism, and a resonator with a quality factor Q including an inertia element comprising an impulse pin integral with an inertia element and cooperating with a fork of the lever. This inertia element is subjected to the action of elastic return means directly or indirectly fixed to the plate and is arranged to cooperate indirectly with an escape wheel set comprised in the escapement mechanism. This resonator mechanism is a resonator with a virtual pivot rotating about a main axis (DP), with a flexure bearing subjected to the return force of at least two flexible strips attached to the plate, defining together a virtual pivot with a main axis (DP), the lever pivoting about a secondary axis (DS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Patent number: 11448278
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device including a spring ring able to adopt a mounting position and an attachment position respectively with respect to the support of the shock absorbing device. This spring ring includes, on the external periphery thereof, tabs which engage with a peripheral shoulder of the support of the shock absorbing device provided with recesses which outnumber the tabs. In the attachment position, only some of the tabs are disposed under the peripheral shoulder of the support, the remaining tabs, including locking tabs, respectively housed in locking recesses, of the support. In the attachment position, at least one locking tab housed in a locking recess is surrounded by tabs positioned under the peripheral shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Publication number: 20220276611
    Abstract: A method for attaching a horn to a watch case middle, a case middle/horn connection device and a case middle/horn assembly, the horn comprising a first connector and the case middle comprising a second connector having an undercut groove, the first connector cooperating with the second connector in order to attach the horn to the case middle. The method includes: a placing the first connector of the horn in contact with the second connector of the case middle such that one or more intermediate cavities are formed between the undercut groove and the first connector; a melting one portion of the horn so as to create a molten material; a filling, at least partially, the one or more intermediate cavities by displacement of the molten material; and solidifying the molten material in order to make the horn integral with the case middle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Dohan SCHLICHTIG, Jérôme GROSJEAN
  • Publication number: 20220276610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bonding timepiece components, comprising applying an adhesive to a first and/or second timepiece component to be bonded to one another, and depositing an adhesion layer onto at least one of the first and second components to be bonded by spraying a primer composition in a localised joining area followed by the solidification of the primer composition. The adhesion layer is deposited prior to the application of the adhesive if the adhesive is applied to the one or more same components as the adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Sylvain HUOT-MARCHAND, Marco VERARDO
  • Patent number: 11428298
    Abstract: A device for rotating a toothed wheel, including a linear piezoelectric motor including: a passive element having an elongated shape, a piezoelectric actuator capable of axially moving the passive element in a bidirectional manner, a transmission member fastened to the passive element, meshing with a toothing of the wheel in such a way as to rotate the wheel by one tooth in a first direction of rotation when the passive element is moved axially in a first direction of movement, a jumper mobile between two end positions, including a lowered position in which it blocks a rotation of the wheel in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer
  • Patent number: 11415939
    Abstract: A device for controlling the functions of a watch, which includes a crown connected to a stem, an optical action system actuated in one position of the stem from among three possible positions to determine the direction of rotation of the stem, and an electronic mechanical arrangement for controlling the functions. A guide element can rotate on a support and which has a rounded end in an annular groove of the stem to be driven in rotation, and a selection part can rotate on the support above the annular groove to be driven in rotation. The selection part includes at least one contactor for contacting a first electrical terminal on a printed circuit board in a first position of the stem, with no electrical contact in a second position of the stem, and for contacting a second electrical terminal in a third position of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Damien Porcherie, Louis Hêche
  • Patent number: 11409245
    Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism includes a structure carrying, via a flexible suspension system, an anchor unit to which is suspended an inertia element oscillating about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, in a first rotational degree of freedom RZ, under the action of the return forces of a flexure pivot including longitudinal elastic strips each fixed to this inertia element and to this anchor unit. The flexible suspension system includes, between the anchor unit and a first intermediate mass directly or indirectly fixed to the structure, a transverse translation table with a flexure bearing and including transverse strips or transverse flexible shafts which are rectilinear and extend in this second direction X orthogonal to the first direction Z and symmetrically around a transverse axis crossing this pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Pascal Winkler