Patents Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
  • Patent number: 12045011
    Abstract: A horological movement including a mechanical resonator and a hybrid escapement including an escapement wheel and a pallet assembly with at least one magnetic pallet-stone formed of a magnet and associated with a mechanical banking, the escapement wheel including a periodic magnetised structure defining increasing gradients of magnetic potential energy for the magnetic pallet-stone, and protruding parts associated with the increasing gradients of magnetic potential energy. When the force torque is equal to a nominal force torque or has a value within at least an upper part of a given range of values, one of the protruding parts of the escapement wheel is subjected to at least one shock on the mechanical banking of the pallet assembly after the magnetic pallet-stone has climbed any one of the increasing gradients of magnetic potential energy, thus dissipating at least partially a kinetic energy of the escapement wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Dominique Lechot, Marc Stranczl, Benoît Légeret
  • Publication number: 20240228796
    Abstract: A substrate comprising a surface at least a portion of which is covered with an epilame agent, comprising at least one compound in the form of a copolymer comprising units M and units N, associated by covalent bonds via their main chains, where M is N is where R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are H, a C1-C10 alkyl group, a C2-C10 alkenyl group; X and Y, which may be identical or different, are spacer arms consisting of a heteroatom or a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain containing at least one heteroatom and comprising at least one carbon atom; A, which may be identical or different, forms an anchoring group to the substrate; L, which may be identical or different, is a halogenated ether group according to formula (I) where Q is a halogen atom; P, which may be identical or different, is a C1-C10 alkyl group or a C2-C10 alkenyl group comprising at least one halogen atom and being linear or branched; p is chosen between 1 and 4; and n is chosen between 1 and 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Mathieu AYER, Christophe LETONDOR
  • Patent number: 12032336
    Abstract: A case configured to receive a plurality of mechanical watch movements in the wound state, each movement being housed inside a compartment, configured to receive and maintain the movement according to a predefined orientation. In this position, the winding buttons of the movements are positioned facing respective microphones which are mounted inside the case. The microphones are configured such that they cancel the noises detected, such that the acoustic measurements of each of the movements are essentially not disturbed by the noises produced by the adjacent movements. Also, a method for testing a plurality of mechanical movements installed in the case, and to a testing system which includes the case. The movements are measured by a plurality of cycles of consecutive and successive measurement periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Hundzinger, Luca De Rosa, Thierry Scordilis, Yoann Mosteiro Vazquez, José Lehmann, Giuseppe Zamuner
  • Patent number: 12025955
    Abstract: An intermittent display mechanism for a timepiece includes a mobile component in motion, an energy source for supplying a light emission source coupled with a light guide, and light emission control means. The light emission control means includes a flexible body bearing a flexible piezoelectric film or coating coated in an electrically insulating shell and attached to a fixed structure and including a distal zone overhanging with respect to the structure, arranged to interfere mechanically, at periodic or random times, with the mobile component during the travel thereof and move away from the rest position thereof before starting vibration of the flexible body and the piezoelectric film or coating, which constitutes an energy source, to convert the mechanical energy supplied by the mobile component into electrical energy supplied to the light emission source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierpasquale Tortora, Cédric Blatter
  • Publication number: 20240210891
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator, in particular for a rotary piezoelectric motor, the resonator including a stationary base and an oscillating mass extending around a longitudinal axis, the oscillating mass being provided with at least one flyweight, preferably two opposing flyweights, wherein the resonator includes a flexible guide connecting the oscillating mass to the base, so as to be able to cause the oscillating mass to oscillate about a centre of rotation in a pendulum movement, the flexible guide comprising at least a first flexible blade connecting the base to the oscillating mass, the first flexible blade comprising at least in part an electrically actuatable piezoelectric material for deforming the first flexible blade and causing the oscillating mass to oscillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Mohammad Hussein KAHROBAIYAN, Yvan FERRI, Alexandre DIDIER, Lionel PARATTE, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20240210890
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator for a rotary motor, the resonator including a stationary base and an oscillating mass extending around a longitudinal axis, the oscillating mass having an inertia-block. The resonator includes a flexible blade guide connecting the oscillating mass to the base, so as to be able to cause the oscillating mass to oscillate about a centre of rotation in a balance movement, the flexible guide including a first RCC-type pivot provided with an intermediate moving element, a first pair of flexible blades connecting the base to the intermediate moving element, and a second pair of flexible blades forming a second RCC-type pivot connecting the intermediate moving element to the oscillating mass, the piezoelectric resonator including a first flexible blade connecting the intermediate moving element to the base, the first flexible blade including at least in part a piezoelectric material that can deform the first flexible blade and cause the oscillating mass to oscillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Mohammad Hussein KAHROBAIYAN, Yvan FERRI, Alexandre DIDIER, Lionel PARATTE, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20240206607
    Abstract: A method for coating an external part (1) used in the horology, fashion, jewellery and gemstone jewellery fields, the coating method comprising the steps of at least partially overmoulding the external part (1) with an overmoulding layer (4) made of a plastic polymer material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers of the polyurethane family and thermosetting polymers of the epoxy polymer family, or from the group consisting of thermoplastic acrylic resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas FRANÇOIS, Margarita LESIK, Ahmad ODEH
  • Publication number: 20240210889
    Abstract: A rotary piezoelectric motor, in particular for a timepiece, the motor including: a rotor configured to rotate and actuate a mechanical device, a stator configured to rotate the rotor, the stator including a piezoelectric actuator, the piezoelectric actuator including a moving element whose movement causes the rotor to rotate in a first direction, the piezoelectric actuator including only two electrically actuatable resonators, the two resonators being connected to the moving element to move it against the rotor to cause it to rotate, the two resonators being arranged relative to the moving element so as to cause the moving element to oscillate in first and second directions different from each other, each resonator including a centre of rotation, the two resonators being disposed relative to the moving element so that, around each centre of rotation, the torque resulting from all the acceleration forces being applied in the plane of each resonator is zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Mohammad Hussein KAHROBAIYAN, Yvan FERRI, Alexandre DIDIER, Lionel PARATTE, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20240206600
    Abstract: A bracelet including an upper strip and a lower strip forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet includes a flexible intermediate layer disposed between the upper strip and the lower strip, the flexible intermediate layer being formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature of between 0° C. and 40° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas FRANÇOIS, Sophie NAPOLI
  • Publication number: 20240213953
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator, in particular for a rotary piezoelectric motor, the resonator including a stationary base and an oscillating mass extending about a longitudinal axis, the oscillating mass being provided with at least one inertia-block, preferably two opposing inertia-blocks, wherein the resonator includes a flexible blade guide connecting the oscillating mass to the base, so that the oscillating mass can be oscillated about a centre of rotation in a pendulum movement, the flexible guide including at least one first flexible blade connected to the base and/or to the oscillating mass to allow the displacement of the oscillating mass relative to the base, the flexible blade guide including a spiral spring connected to the base and/or to the oscillating mass, the spiral spring including at least partially an electrically actuatable piezoelectric material to deform the spiral spring and oscillate the oscillating mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Mohammad Hussein KAHROBAIYAN, Yvan FERRI, Alexandre DIDIER, Lionel PARATTE, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Patent number: 12021579
    Abstract: A watch case including a hollow pivoting bezel formed of first and second external elements including a near-field communication device provided with at least one microcircuit connected to an antenna, the case including a device for remotely controlling the communication device configured to activate or deactivate the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Zoran Randjelovic, Jean-Daniel Etienne, Thierry Scordilis
  • Patent number: 12019405
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for verifying the state of a watch and resetting it to the correct time. In a case of the device, a watch can be disposed on a watch support, which can be moved from a position without measurement to a measurement position in a vision system, or vice versa. In a position without measurement, the watch on its support can be observed from the outside of the case of the device through at least one electronic shutter activated or an optical valve activated to be in a transparent state, whereas in the measurement position, the electronic shutter or the optical valve is deactivated to be made opaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Cédric Nicolas, Jérôme Favre, Jean-Jacques Born, Hicham Farah
  • Publication number: 20240201628
    Abstract: A mechanical part (2, 3) including a functional surface intended to come into frictional contact with another functional surface, wherein the functional surface of the mechanical part (2, 3) is made of polyethylene furanoate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Christophe VINCENT, Adrien CORNILLE
  • Patent number: 12013668
    Abstract: A timepiece (2) includes an actuator, which applies braking pulses to the balance, which has an electromechanical device (6) and an electric control circuit (8). The device (6) includes a flexible member (16), formed by an elastic blade (20) and a mechanical element (22) defining a braking pad, and an electromagnetic system (10) formed by a coil carried by the flexible member and by a permanent magnet rigidly connected to a support (18) of the electromechanical device. When an electric pulse is provided to the coil, an electromagnetic force of repulsion is engendered between the coil and the permanent magnet so the mechanical element moves to a position of contact with the balance. To stabilise the rest position of the flexible member, a magnetic element (26) is rigidly connected to the coil to exert a magnetic return force complementary to the force of the elastic blade is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias Imboden, Jean-Pierre Mignot
  • Publication number: 20240192641
    Abstract: A horological component including a first part having a body provided with a first and a second cavity, the second cavity receiving a second part by engagement therewith, the first and second cavities being connected to each other by a capillary channel configured to allow the capillary flow of an adhesive from the first cavity to the second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Dominique LECHOT, Pierre CUSIN, Alex GANDELHMAN, Nicolas LIVAT
  • Patent number: 12007633
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, the display device including: two facing transparent substrates designated respectively front substrate and rear substrate, the front substrate being same disposed on the observer side, the front and rear substrates being provided on the inner faces thereof with transparent structured electrodes whereof the superposition defines shape pixels switchable between two optical states, the electrodes being connected to a voltage source via a control circuit, forming a cell closed by a sealing frame for receiving in the spaced delimited by the substrates and the sealing frame a liquid crystal composition; and a decorative pattern in direct contact with the front substrate or the rear substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel Sagardoyburu, Loïc Curchod
  • Patent number: 12007723
    Abstract: A testability method (500) for testing the operation of a thermoelectric element (110) of a thermoelectric watch (100) including the thermoelectric element (110), a power circuit supplied by primary storage elements (101) and secondary storage elements (102) so as to move at least one moveable element (190) or display information on an electro-optical display device. The testability method (500) includes steps of applying a heat source (540) to the thermoelectric element (110) so as to make it possible to electrically charge (550) or recharge (550) the secondary storage elements (102) in order to move at least one moveable element (190) or display information on an electro-optical display device, and thus check the functionality of the thermoelectric element (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alain Jornod, François Gueissaz, David Benjamin Kraehenbuehl
  • Patent number: 12007716
    Abstract: A flexible timepiece component, in particular for an oscillator mechanism or for a barrel of a horological movement, the component extending along a main plane (P) and including at least a part made of a composite material (1), the composite material (1) including a matrix (2) and a multitude of nanowires (3) distributed in the matrix (2), the nanowires (3) being juxtaposed, the matrix (2) including a material (4) for filling the interstices between the nanowires (3) to join them to each other, each nanowire (3) forming a solid one-piece tube, the nanowires (3) being disposed substantially parallel to an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the main plane (P) of the component (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierre Cusin, Christian Charbon, Alexandre Haemmerli, Lionel Paratte, Matthias Imboden
  • Patent number: 11994659
    Abstract: A magnifying device (100) with multiple magnifications including: an outer shell (10) forming a body of revolution with an axis of revolution (X-X) and having an inner cavity (5), a first lens (30) mounted at a first end (13) of said outer shell (10), and a second lens (20) capable of moving between a retracted position and an extended position in which said second lens (20) is superimposed on said first lens (30) so as to change the optical characteristics of the magnifying device (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Dario Greco, Pierpasquale Tortora, Michel Willemin
  • Patent number: 11987869
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an alloy formed from a boride of a precious metal, may involve reacting a source of the precious metal with a source of boron in a salt or a mixture of salts in the molten state. An alloy formed from a boride of a precious metal may include crystalline nanoparticles of MxBy with M being a precious metal, distributed in an amorphous matrix of B or in an amorphous matrix of B and of MzBa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Csilla Miko, Rémi Grosjean, Jean-Luc Bazin