Patents Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11619910
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed by a balance and a piezoelectric balance spring, and a control device for controlling the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This control device is arranged to be capable of generating time-separated control pulses, each including a momentary decrease in an electrical resistance applied by the control device between two electrodes of the piezoelectric balance spring relative to a nominal electrical resistance. The control device is arranged to be capable of applying a plurality of control pulses during each time of a series of distinct correction times or without interruption in a continuous time window, in order to respectively synchronize the mechanical oscillator at a correction frequency whose value depends on a detected positive or negative temporal drift or at a desired frequency for the mechanical oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Lionel Tombez, Laurent Nagy, Alexandre Haemmerli
  • Publication number: 20230101719
    Abstract: A correction method (500) for a super-regenerative receiver (100) being configured to resonate at at least one oscillator resonant frequency reference value (111) and comprising at least one control stage (130), at least one varactor (140), at least one reference system (150) and, at least one oscillator (110). The method includes at least one setup (510) of at least one reference signal value (158) by the at least one reference system (150), at least one comparison (560) of at least one oscillator frequency actual value (112) of the at least one oscillator (110) with the at least one reference signal value (158) by the at least one reference system (150) and at least one adjustment (570) of at least one gain of the at least one control stage (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Arnaud CASAGRANDE, Jean-Luc AREND
  • Publication number: 20230099987
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing the detection of the start time of a reference oscillator (4) of a super-regenerative receiver (1), which includes the reference oscillator, a bias current generator (7), an oscillation detector (6), and an impedance matching unit (3). Following the supply of the bias current (i_vco) after receiving the activation control signal (Sosc), an oscillation detection is performed by the oscillation detector (6), and once oscillation is detected, an additional amplification current (iboost) dependent on the envelope of the detected oscillation, of an amplification current generation circuit is supplied to the reference oscillator (4) in addition to the bias current to amplify the oscillation signal to be above a critical oscillation start threshold so as to precisely define the start time of the oscillator, and enable the oscillation detector (6) to order the stoppage of oscillation of the reference oscillator (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Arend, Arnaud CASAGRANDE
  • Publication number: 20230082088
    Abstract: An oscillating winding mass (1) for a movement of a timepiece, the oscillating winding mass (1) being intended to be rotatably mounted on an axis of the movement. The winding mass includes a main element (2) and a decorative element (10), for example a logo or an acronym, a part of the winding mass (1) forming a heavy part (3) allowing the oscillation of the mass (1) in response to the movement of the timepiece and to the force of gravity, the main element (2) giving the general shape of the oscillating winding mass (1), the decorative element (10) being mechanically linked to the main element (2), the decorative element (10) being rotatably mounted on the main element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Yves WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20230072234
    Abstract: A recharging device for an electronic or electromechanical watch equipped, on the one hand, with a device for the storage of electrical energy for powering electronic components of the watch and, on the other hand, with an auxiliary source of electrical energy adapted to power the device for the storage of electrical energy for recharging thereof. The device includes a casket provided with a support for receiving the watch. The device further includes at least one source of energy configured to supply energy to the auxiliary source of electrical energy, when the watch is placed on the receiving support, so that the auxiliary source of electrical energy converts the received energy into electrical energy and delivers a charge for maintaining a predetermined level of power supply voltage to the device for the storage of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre HAEMMERLI, Lionel TOMBEZ
  • Patent number: 11599065
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator, and a device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This regulation device includes an auxiliary oscillator, an electromechanical device for stopping the mechanical resonator, a sensor arranged to detect the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof, and a measuring device arranged to measure a time drift of the mechanical oscillator. The regulation device is arranged to stop, during a given alternation, the natural oscillation movement of the mechanical resonator selectively either momentarily during a first half-alternation occurring before the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain gain, or prematurely during a second half-alternation occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11599066
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member capable of managing a primary function of the watch, such as a rotating crown or a push-piece, as well as a magnetic ball that can be manually pivoted by the user about the centre thereof. A 3D magnetic sensor is arranged in the watch to detect the orientation of the magnetic field emitted by the magnetic ball, in addition to a processor for converting an electric signal generated by the magnetic sensor into an instruction for managing one or more other electronic functions of the watch. The magnetic ball is partially arranged inside the control member such that it is accessible to a user. The watch can further comprise a proximity sensor for detecting the axial position of the control member relative to the middle of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Simon Bourquin, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 11599064
    Abstract: Horological resonator (100) including an inertia mobile component (1) oscillating about an axis of oscillation (D1) and including at least one magnetic area (10), the total resultant magnetic moment of all of the magnetic areas (10), included in the inertia mobile component (1), is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1), this inertia mobile component (1) bearing at least one balancing magnet (6), the direction of the magnetic moment thereof crosses the axis of oscillation (D1) to obtain magnetic balancing of the inertia mobile component (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Jérôme Favre, Olivier Matthey, Dominique Lechot, Baptiste Hinaux, Laurent Nagy, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Publication number: 20230068766
    Abstract: A watch case includes a middle having a first opening receiving a crystal, opposite a second opening receiving a back. The back is held such that it bears against an annular bearing surface of the middle by a threaded ring cooperating, by screwing, with the middle. The back includes a first indexing element to cooperate with a second indexing element with which the middle is provided so as to immobilise the back in a single angular position such that it cannot rotate relative to the middle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Philipp TSCHUMI, Philippe SCHERRER
  • Publication number: 20230062527
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6B) and a second wheel (6C) provided with a first magnetic toothing (10) and a second magnetic toothing (12) respectively. The first and second magnetic toothings are respectively formed by first and second teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material; and the magnetic gear (2) further includes a third wheel (6A) arranged between the first and second wheels (6B, 6C) and provided with a third magnetic toothing (8) formed by permanent magnetic poles, in particular by bipolar magnets. In general, the first wheel is a drive wheel, whereas the second wheel is driven into order to carry out a function or transmit a torque. The third intermediate wheel is preferably mounted such that it can rotate freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20230062088
    Abstract: A horological resonator mechanism includes a structure and an anchoring unit from which at least one inertial element arranged to oscillate along a first degree of freedom in rotation about a pivoting axis extending along a first direction is suspended. The inertial element is subjected to return forces exerted by a return to make the inertial element oscillate. The mechanism includes a stopper to stop the inertial element that can be actuated on demand to prevent the oscillations of the inertial element. The stopper moves the inertial element between a pivoting position and a stopping position in which the inertial element cannot oscillate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Dominique LECHOT
  • Publication number: 20230060562
    Abstract: A mechanism including a magnetic gear including a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel. The first wheel is provided with permanent magnetic poles which are arranged so as to form the magnetised teeth of a first magnetic toothing. The second wheel and the third wheel are provided with teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material respectively defining a second magnetic toothing and a third magnetic toothing, each with a number of teeth that is greater than that of the first magnetic toothing and having a magnetic coupling with this first magnetic toothing. The second magnetic toothing is directly coupled with the first magnetic toothing and with the third magnetic toothing thanks to the magnetic fluxes provided by the magnetised teeth of the first toothing and the teeth of the second magnetic toothing are magnetically separated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Patent number: 11591663
    Abstract: A paramagnetic stainless steel with a chemical composition including by weight: 26?Cr?40%, 5?Ni?20%, 0?Mn?5%, 0?Al?5%, 0?Mo?3%, 0?Cu?2%, 0?Si?5%, 0?Ti?1%, 0?Nb?1%, 0?C?0.1%, 0?N?0.1%, 0?S?0.5%, 0?P?0.1%, the remainder consisting of iron and any impurities each having a content less than or equal to 0.5%, the steel having a hardness HV10 between 500 and 900. It also relates to a part particularly a horological component made of this steel and to the process for manufacturing the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Joel Porret
  • Patent number: 11591672
    Abstract: A grey gold alloy which is nickel-free, cobalt-free, iron-free, silver-free, copper-free, zirconium-free, niobium-free, chromium-free and manganese-free, including, expressed in weight percent, from 75.0 to 76.5% of Au, from 15 to 23% of Pd, from 0.5 to 5% of Rh, from 0 to 7% of Pt, and from 0 to 5% of at least one of the alloying elements Ir, Ru, Ti, In, Ga, B and Re, the respective percentages of all the alloying elements adding up to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Denis Vincent, Polychronis Nakis Karapatis, Gregory Kissling, Stephane Lauper, Gaetan Villard, Alban Dubach
  • Publication number: 20230058767
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a part by alloying a precious metal with boron, wherein: a quantity of precious metal reduced to powder form is provided; a quantity of a nano-structured micrometric boron powder is provided; the precious metal powder is mixed with the nano-structured micrometric boron powder to obtain a mixture; the mixture is compacted by applying a uniaxial pressure; the mixture is subjected to a spark plasma sintering or flash sintering treatment, or to a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment, to obtain an ingot of a precious metal/boron alloy, and the ingot is machined to obtain the part, or the ingot is reduced to powder form by a micronisation treatment and the powder is treated to obtain the part. Additionally, a gold/boron alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Csilla MIKO, Rémi GROSJEAN, Jean-Luc BAZIN, David PORTEHAULT, Yann LE GODEC, Simon DELACROIX, Fernando IGOA SALDANA
  • Patent number: 11583044
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an external component for watches or jewellery, especially a bracelet, includes the steps of: providing a substrate including a first face opposite to a second face and co-extrusion coating the first face and the second face of the substrate respectively with a first and a second band of synthetic material. The first band forms on the first face a transparent or translucent layer so that all or part of the substrate remains visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Claire Rannoux, Nicolas Francois
  • Patent number: 11586150
    Abstract: A watch formed by a mechanical movement incorporating a mechanical resonator, including a display displaying the actual time, a correction device formed by a device for detecting the passage of at least one hand through at least one reference time position and by an electronic correction circuit allowing an overall time error for the display to be determined, and a device for braking the mechanical resonator. The correction device is arranged such that it can correct the actual time displayed as a function of the overall time error (loss or gain) previously determined. For this purpose, the correction device is arranged such that the braking device can act on the mechanical resonator during a correction period to vary the running of the drive mechanism of the display, in order to correct the actual time displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gérard Surmely, Matthias Imboden, Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11583042
    Abstract: An adjustable link (10) for watch or jewellery bracelet (100), including a first element (1) and second element (2) assembled by spacing adjustment means (30) according to discrete positions, the first element (1) including a transverse chamber (15) enclosing two jaws (12A; 12B) returned one towards the other by springs (13A; 13B) and including notches (120A; 120B) for immobilising in various longitudinal positions (D) a stop element (5) integral with the second structural element (2), these jaws (12A; 12B) being disengageable by transverse push-buttons (3A; 3B), each including a protrusion or recess (31) continuously engaging with an complementary protrusion or recess (131) of the first structural element (1) for protecting the spacing adjustment means (30) against the insertion of foreign bodies, and for hiding same from the view of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Sophie Lachat, Paulo Bravo
  • Patent number: 11583045
    Abstract: A piece, in particular for jewellery or timepieces, is made of a material comprising a synthetic matrix loaded with particles of a precious or semi-precious stone. The particles have a particle size d90 between 50 ?m and 2 mm, preferably between 100 ?m and 1 mm, and more preferably between 150 ?m and 500 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Stephane Lauper, Gregory Kissling, Stewes Bourban, Agnes Marlot Doerr
  • Patent number: 11585748
    Abstract: An assembly (1) for measuring a relative humidity level inside a watch (2), the watch (2) provided with a movement (10) and a device (4) for determining the humidity level present in the enclosure (9) of a case (3) of this watch (2). The determination device (4) includes a receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c) for receiving at least one acoustic signal from a timepiece component (11) of said movement (10), and a control unit (7) connected to said receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c). The control unit (7) is configured to run a model for evaluating a water vapour content of a gaseous fluid contained inside the enclosure (9) based on the at least one acoustic signal received by the receiver module (6a, 6b, 6c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Dominique Dubugnon, Cédric Blatter