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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Watch band comprising lower and upper half band portions connected at a fold portion to surround a watch lug at the fold portion, each comprising a drilled hole for the passage of a double rivet comprising lower and upper bodies, either inserted one inside the other or each inserted into a common tube, the band including, at each double rivet, a snap means for ensuring a reversible axial stop for the lower body with respect to the upper body, comprising either a holding plate aligning lower and upper grooves of the lower and upper bodies, or two lower and upper clip lips of the common tube each clip fitted onto a complementary lower or upper lip of the lower or upper body.
Abstract:
The invention pertains to a method of detecting and calculating height of a jump performed by an individual, comprising the following steps:A detection of a reception subsequent to the jump, this step comprising a sub-step of detecting a pressure spike of amplitude greater than a first threshold amplitude, within pressure measurements provided by a pressure sensor embedded aboard a watch worn on the wrist of the individual,A calculation of a height of the jump by differencing a starting altitude corresponding to a last stable pressure measured before the pressure spike and a finishing altitude corresponding to a first stable pressure measured after the pressure spike via the pressure sensor, a stable pressure being defined as a pressure whose variations do not exceed 0.1 hectopascals for at least 2 seconds.
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.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for detecting and calculating the duration of a jump effected by an individual, comprising the following steps: Detection of a moment associated with a landing following the jump, this step comprising a sub-step of detecting an acceleration peak of an amplitude greater than a first threshold amplitude, within the acceleration measurements provided by a three-axis accelerometer, on board a watch worn on the wrist of the individual. Detection of a jump phase, by detection, in a temporal window finishing at the moment of landing, of a succession of acceleration measurements between 0 g and 0.5 g during a duration greater than a first threshold duration.
Abstract:
A position sensor and method for determining an axial and/or an angular position of a setting stem of a timepiece. A magnet is provided on the setting stem, and at least one magnetic field sensor is configured to detect changes in magnetic field strength along at least a first axis and a second axis as the rotatable element rotates; the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The changing magnetic field sensed by the magnetic sensor is converted into a characteristic signature path which may then be mapped onto a circular signature path in two dimensions to derive the angular position of the setting stem.
Abstract:
Altitude measurement device including an atmospheric pressure sensor arranged to be compressed or to expand in a rectilinear direction as a function of the atmospheric pressure to be measured which increases or decreases, wherein the movements of deformation of the atmospheric pressure sensor are transformed, via a transmission system, into a pivoting motion, in a plane perpendicular to the rectilinear direction of deformation of the atmospheric pressure sensor, of an activation system which drives the pivoting of an indicator hand, wherein the indicator hand moves over a graduated circular scale, wherein the atmospheric pressure sensor is arranged to be able to be moved in one direction or in the opposite direction depending on the rectilinear direction of deformation thereof relative to the other components of the altitude measurement device, wherein the atmospheric pressure sensor is mounted on a seat which is fixed in a support, which forms a case with a cover.
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.
Abstract:
A watch includes a control member which makes it possible to manage one or more electronic functions. The control member includes an optical guide, which extends between a proximal face and a distal face with respect to the middle. A light source is arranged such that it can illuminate the distal face through the optical guide, and an imaging device, including a photodetector, is arranged to capture an image of a portion of the finger of a user of the watch, when they touch the distal face. A processor generates commands based on signals generated by the photodetector, in the way of an optical mouse, for example, to make it possible for the user to browse in a menu displayed on a digital screen.