Timepiece comprising a capacitive sensing device
First Claim
1. A timepiece including a rotating member and an electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and/or movements of said rotating member, wherein said detection device includes at least one capacitive sensor, having a fixed portion provided with one or more fixed electrodes and a mobile portion provided with an electrically conductive rotor driven by said rotating member, and electronic detection means which are sensitive to variations in said sensor'"'"'s capacitance,wherein each fixed electrode is disposed opposite a peripheral surface of said rotor, said surface including teeth arranged to pass close to each fixed electrode during rotation of said rotor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A timepiece includes a rotating member (1) and a contactless electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and/or movements of the member. In order to avoid the problems posed by conventional systems with electric switches, the detection device includes at least one capacitive sensor (2), having one or more fixed electrodes (6, 7) and a toothed rotor (5) driven by the member, and an electronic detection apparatus (3) sensitive to variations in the sensor capacitance. The device may include two capacitive sensors whose output signals are in quadrature, in order to be able to indicate the direction of rotation of the member. The rotating member may be a time-setting control stem or another component such as the shaft of a watch hand.
102 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A timepiece including a rotating member and an electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and/or movements of said rotating member, wherein said detection device includes at least one capacitive sensor, having a fixed portion provided with one or more fixed electrodes and a mobile portion provided with an electrically conductive rotor driven by said rotating member, and electronic detection means which are sensitive to variations in said sensor'"'"'s capacitance,
wherein each fixed electrode is disposed opposite a peripheral surface of said rotor, said surface including teeth arranged to pass close to each fixed electrode during rotation of said rotor.
Specification