EP2463733A1 - Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover - Google Patents

Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2463733A1
EP2463733A1 EP10194005A EP10194005A EP2463733A1 EP 2463733 A1 EP2463733 A1 EP 2463733A1 EP 10194005 A EP10194005 A EP 10194005A EP 10194005 A EP10194005 A EP 10194005A EP 2463733 A1 EP2463733 A1 EP 2463733A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
electrically conductive
battery
user
finger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10194005A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
André Kaltenrieder
Jean-Luc Bovet
Christian Racine
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
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ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA filed Critical ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority to EP10194005A priority Critical patent/EP2463733A1/en
Priority to RU2013131073/28A priority patent/RU2564042C2/en
Priority to EP11770446.0A priority patent/EP2616888B1/en
Priority to US13/878,517 priority patent/US9016935B2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2011/068118 priority patent/WO2012076225A1/en
Priority to JP2013538114A priority patent/JP5503812B2/en
Priority to CN201180058711.9A priority patent/CN103238121B/en
Publication of EP2463733A1 publication Critical patent/EP2463733A1/en
Priority to HK14100685.4A priority patent/HK1187696A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G04G21/08—Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece of the wristwatch type with capacitive touch zones comprising a battery door closed by an electrically conductive battery cover. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a watch comprising a battery door closed by an electrically conductive cover for improving the operation of the watch.
  • a capacitive touch zone wristwatch includes, in particular, a watch glass made of an organic or mineral transparent material disposed over a time indicating device.
  • the time indication device may be of the analog type. In this case, it is formed by a dial above which eg hour and minute hands move.
  • the time indicating device may also be of the digital type. In this case, it comprises a display cell whose optical properties are modified by applying a voltage or an appropriate electric current.
  • To form the tactile zones it is possible, for example, to structure on the face of the ice opposite the device for indicating the time electrodes made of a transparent conductive material such as tin-indium oxide, a better material. known under its name Anglo-Saxon indium-tin oxide or ITO.
  • the tactile zones form, with the air from which they are separated by the watch glass, the two plates of a capacitor which has a certain value of capacitance.
  • This capacity value is fixed by the sum of the various parasitic capacitances towards the mass of the electronic system seen by an electrode forming a tactile zone.
  • This capacity value will be modified when the user places his finger on the outer surface of the ice, opposite the electrode forming the selected touch zone. The effect of the finger is added to the parasitic capacitances and thus modifies the total capacity seen by the electronic control system of the watch.
  • the electronic control system housed in the watch case will detect this variation of capacity and deduce the corresponding instruction. In response to the introduction of this data, the electronic control circuit will perform the required operations.
  • the detection by the electronic control circuit of the variation of the capacitance of the tactile zones must be done as precisely as possible.
  • the variation in the capacity induced by the user is very low compared to the value of the parasitic capacitances and is therefore difficult to detect.
  • the detection sensitivity of the electronic control circuit must be greater and the detection threshold is closer to the noise level generated by the operation of the electronic control circuit. The electronic control circuit may therefore be triggered inadvertently and perform operations not desired by the user, which may for example disrupt the functions of the watch.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by providing a capacitive type touch zone wristwatch comprising an electrically conductive battery cover making it possible to fix the detection system to the same electrical potential. and the wearer of the watch.
  • the present invention relates to a capacitive-type touch-zone wristwatch comprising a box made of a non-electrically conductive material, this box comprising a battery door in which a battery is housed and which is closed by an electrically conductive battery cover, characterized in that the electrically conductive battery cover is mounted on the watch case with the interposition of an electrically conductive seal between the battery cover and an electrode of the battery.
  • the present invention provides a wristwatch whose capacitive type touch zones are brought to the same electrical potential, which not only avoids fluctuations in the value of the capacity but also and especially ensure correct operation of the watch. Indeed, thanks to the presence of the conductive gasket of electricity, when the user puts his finger on the ice of the watch, it forms a closed loop between the finger of the user, the watch glass, the tactile zone opposite which the user's finger is placed, the printed circuit board on which the electronic control circuit of the tactile zones is mounted, the battery, the battery cover with which the battery is in contact via the seal and the wrist of the user with whom the battery cover is in contact.
  • the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of equipping the battery door with a seal made of an electrically conductive material such as an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles so that when the user of the watch puts a finger on the ice of the watch, all the components of the watch involved in the detection of the capacitance variation are brought to the same electrical potential. It is thus possible to fix the detection system and the wearer of the watch at the same electrical potential, which makes it possible to significantly improve the additional capacitive effect induced by the user's finger and thus to optimize the variation of the value of the capacity seen by the detection system to ensure reliable operation of the watch.
  • an electrically conductive material such as an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles
  • FIG. 1 The single figure appended to the present patent application is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capacitive-type touch-zone wristwatch according to the invention.
  • this watch comprises a transparent ice 2 made of an organic or mineral material.
  • This ice covers an analog time display device 4 comprising a dial 6 above which move an hour hand 8 and a minute hand 10.
  • On the face 12 of the watch glass 2 opposite the time display device 4 is structured at least one electrode forming a touch zone 14.
  • This touch zone 14 is made of a transparent electrically conductive material such as tin-indium oxide better known under the name Anglo-Saxon indium-tin oxide or ITO.
  • the touch zone 14 forms with the air from which it is separated by the watch glass 2 the two plates of a capacitor C1 which has a determined capacitance value.
  • This value of external capacitance C1 is formed by the left forearm around which the user has fixed his watch, the trunk of the user, his right forearm, the right hand and finally the finger 16 of the user. .
  • the value of the capacitor C1 is modified when the user places his finger 16 on the watch glass 2, next to the touch zone 14.
  • This touch zone 14 is connected to a control integrated circuit 18 by means of a connector 20 which extends vertically between the watch glass 2 and a printed circuit support 22 on which the integrated control circuit 18 is mounted.
  • the connector 20 is a "zébra" type connector which conducts electricity in the only direction vertical.
  • the housing plays the role of an electrically insulating element and prevents the electric loop between the finger, the various components involved in the detection of the capacitance variation of the touch zone and the wrist of the user closes on the finger of the latter.
  • the various components playing a role in the detection of capacitance variation are at floating potentials and the additional capacitive effect induced by the finger of the user is difficult to discern by the detection system.
  • one solution would be to charge the plastic with conductive particles. In this case, however, the resulting plastic material would be dark in color and the designer would enjoy no freedom in choosing the color of the watch case.
  • the box 24 of the watch 1 comprises a battery door 26 in which is housed a battery 28.
  • This battery door 26 is closed by a lid 30 which is electrically conductive with the interposition of a gasket.
  • sealing 32 made of an electrically conductive material between the electrically conductive cover 30 and the battery 28.
  • This seal 32 which seals the battery door 26 also ensures the continuity of the electrical conduction between the one of the poles of the battery 28 and the cover 30 conducting electricity.
  • This seal 32 may for example be made of an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles.
  • the electrical contact between the battery cover 30 and the battery 28 can be further improved by arranging a layer of conductive fat between these two elements.
  • the other pole of the battery 28 is connected to the printed circuit support 22 for supplying the control integrated circuit 18 and the touch zone 14.
  • the electrically conductive gasket 32 serves to close a loop 34 between the user's finger 16 placed on the window 2 of the watch 1, the window 2, the touch zone 14, the integrated circuit 18, the battery 28, the seal 32, the battery cover 30 and the wrist of the user 36.
  • a capacitance C2 is thus formed between the wrist of the user 36, the battery cover 30, the seal 32, the battery 28, the printed circuit support 22, the electrical connector 20, the touch zone 14 and the ice 2 of the watch 1.

Abstract

The strap-watch (1) has a case (24) made of non-conductive material of electricity. The case includes a housing in which a battery (28) is housed. The housing is closed by an electrically conductive battery cover (30). The cover is made of electrically conductive metallic material, and mounted on the strap-watch with the interposition of an electrically conductive sealing joint (32) between the cover and one out of a set of terminals of the battery, where the sealing joint is made of elastomer material charged of conductive particles.

Description

La présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie du type montre-bracelet à zones tactiles capacitives comprenant une trappe de pile fermée par un couvercle de pile conducteur de l'électricité. Plus précisément, la présente invention concerne une telle montre comprenant une trappe de pile fermée par un couvercle conducteur de l'électricité permettant d'améliorer le fonctionnement de la montre.The present invention relates to a timepiece of the wristwatch type with capacitive touch zones comprising a battery door closed by an electrically conductive battery cover. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a watch comprising a battery door closed by an electrically conductive cover for improving the operation of the watch.

Une montre-bracelet à zones tactiles capacitives comprend, en particulier, une glace de montre réalisée en un matériau transparent organique ou minéral disposée au-dessus d'un dispositif d'indication de l'heure. Le dispositif d'indication de l'heure peut être de type analogique. Dans ce cas, il est formé par un cadran au-dessus duquel se déplacent par exemple des aiguilles d'heures et de minutes. Le dispositif d'indication de l'heure peut également être de type numérique. Dans ce cas, il comprend une cellule d'affichage dont les propriétés optiques sont modifiées par application d'une tension ou d'un courant électrique approprié. Pour former les zones tactiles, on peut par exemple structurer sur la face de la glace en regard du dispositif d'indication de l'heure des électrodes réalisées en un matériau conducteur transparent tel que de l'oxyde d'étain-indium, matériau mieux connu sous sa dénomination anglo-saxonne indium-tin oxyde ou ITO.A capacitive touch zone wristwatch includes, in particular, a watch glass made of an organic or mineral transparent material disposed over a time indicating device. The time indication device may be of the analog type. In this case, it is formed by a dial above which eg hour and minute hands move. The time indicating device may also be of the digital type. In this case, it comprises a display cell whose optical properties are modified by applying a voltage or an appropriate electric current. To form the tactile zones, it is possible, for example, to structure on the face of the ice opposite the device for indicating the time electrodes made of a transparent conductive material such as tin-indium oxide, a better material. known under its name Anglo-Saxon indium-tin oxide or ITO.

Au repos, les zones tactiles forment avec l'air dont elles sont séparées par la glace de montre les deux armatures d'un condensateur qui présente une certaine valeur de capacité. Cette valeur de capacité est fixée par la somme des diverses capacités parasites vers la masse du système électronique vues par une électrode formant une zone tactile. Cette valeur de capacité va être modifiée lorsque l'utilisateur pose son doigt sur la surface extérieure de la glace, en regard de l'électrode formant la zone tactile sélectionnée. L'effet du doigt s'ajoute aux capacités parasites et modifie ainsi la capacité totale vue par le système électronique de commande de la montre. Le système électronique de commande logé dans la boîte de la montre va détecter cette variation de capacité et en déduire l'instruction correspondante. En réponse à l'introduction de cette donnée, le circuit électronique de commande va effectuer les opérations requises.At rest, the tactile zones form, with the air from which they are separated by the watch glass, the two plates of a capacitor which has a certain value of capacitance. This capacity value is fixed by the sum of the various parasitic capacitances towards the mass of the electronic system seen by an electrode forming a tactile zone. This capacity value will be modified when the user places his finger on the outer surface of the ice, opposite the electrode forming the selected touch zone. The effect of the finger is added to the parasitic capacitances and thus modifies the total capacity seen by the electronic control system of the watch. The electronic control system housed in the watch case will detect this variation of capacity and deduce the corresponding instruction. In response to the introduction of this data, the electronic control circuit will perform the required operations.

On comprendra que, pour un bon fonctionnement d'une montre à zones tactiles de type capacitif, la détection par le circuit électronique de commande de la variation de la capacité des zones tactiles doit se faire de manière aussi précise que possible. Or, selon le type de matériau utilisé pour fabriquer la montre, il peut arriver que la variation de la capacité induite par l'utilisateur soit très faible en regard de la valeur des capacités parasites et soit donc difficile à détecter. Par suite, la sensibilité de détection du circuit électronique de commande doit être plus grande et le seuil de détection se retrouve plus proche du niveau du bruit généré par le fonctionnement du circuit électronique de commande. Le circuit électronique de commande risque donc de se déclencher de manière intempestive et d'effectuer des opérations non souhaitées par l'utilisateur, ce qui peut par exemple dérégler les fonctions de la montre.It will be understood that, for a good functioning of a capacitive type touch zone watch, the detection by the electronic control circuit of the variation of the capacitance of the tactile zones must be done as precisely as possible. However, depending on the type of material used to make the watch, it may happen that the variation in the capacity induced by the user is very low compared to the value of the parasitic capacitances and is therefore difficult to detect. As a result, the detection sensitivity of the electronic control circuit must be greater and the detection threshold is closer to the noise level generated by the operation of the electronic control circuit. The electronic control circuit may therefore be triggered inadvertently and perform operations not desired by the user, which may for example disrupt the functions of the watch.

Dans le cas d'une montre comprenant un boîtier métallique, ce problème ne se rencontre pas car l'utilisateur, en portant la montre à son poignet, fixe à son propre potentiel la masse de la montre qui est reliée à la masse interne du système électronique. Ainsi, lorsque l'utilisateur pose un doigt sur la glace de la montre, tous les composants impliqués dans la détection de la variation de capacité sont portés à un même potentiel. En effet, ces composants sont compris dans une boucle électrique fermée qui se forme entre le doigt de la main droite de l'utilisateur et le poignet gauche de celui-ci. Par conséquent, tous les composants sont au même potentiel, ce qui permet d'améliorer significativement l'effet capacitif additionnel induit par le doigt de l'utilisateur et ainsi d'optimiser la variation de la valeur de la capacité vue par le système de détection.In the case of a watch comprising a metal case, this problem is not encountered because the user, by wearing the watch on his wrist, sets at his own potential the mass of the watch which is connected to the internal mass of the system electronic. Thus, when the user places a finger on the ice of the watch, all the components involved in the detection of the variation of capacity are brought to the same potential. Indeed, these components are included in a closed electrical loop that is formed between the finger of the right hand of the user and the left wrist of it. Consequently, all the components are at the same potential, which makes it possible to significantly improve the additional capacitive effect induced by the user's finger and thus to optimize the variation of the value of the capacitance seen by the detection system. .

Le problème se pose avec des boîtes de montre réalisées en un matériau non conducteur de l'électricité tel qu'un matériau plastique. Pour obvier à ce problème, une solution consisterait par exemple à charger la matière plastique avec des particules conductrices. Mais dans ce cas, les particules conductrices impartissent au matériau plastique une couleur sombre et privent le concepteur de la montre de toute liberté au niveau du choix de la couleur de la boîte de montre.The problem arises with watch cases made of a non-electrically conductive material such as a plastic material. To obviate this problem, a solution would for example to charge the plastic with conductive particles. But in this case, the conductive particles impart to the plastic material a dark color and deprive the designer of the watch of any freedom in the choice of the color of the watch case.

La présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients susmentionnés ainsi que d'autres encore en procurant une montre-bracelet à zones tactiles de type capacitif comprenant un couvercle de pile conducteur de l'électricité permettant de fixer au même potentiel électrique le système de détection et le porteur de la montre.The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by providing a capacitive type touch zone wristwatch comprising an electrically conductive battery cover making it possible to fix the detection system to the same electrical potential. and the wearer of the watch.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne une montre-bracelet à zones tactiles de type capacitif comprenant une boîte réalisée en un matériau non conducteur de l'électricité, cette boîte comportant une trappe de pile dans laquelle est logée une pile et qui est fermée par un couvercle de pile conducteur de l'électricité, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle de pile conducteur de l'électricité est monté sur la boîte de montre avec interposition d'un joint d'étanchéité conducteur de l'électricité entre le couvercle de pile et une électrode de la pile.For this purpose, the present invention relates to a capacitive-type touch-zone wristwatch comprising a box made of a non-electrically conductive material, this box comprising a battery door in which a battery is housed and which is closed by an electrically conductive battery cover, characterized in that the electrically conductive battery cover is mounted on the watch case with the interposition of an electrically conductive seal between the battery cover and an electrode of the battery.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la présente invention procure une montre-bracelet dont les zones tactiles de type capacitif sont portées à un même potentiel électrique, ce qui permet non seulement d'éviter des fluctuations de la valeur de la capacité mais aussi et surtout d'assurer un fonctionnement correct de la montre. En effet, grâce à la présence du joint d'étanchéité conducteur de l'électricité, lorsque l'utilisateur pose son doigt sur la glace de la montre, il se forme une boucle fermée entre le doigt de l'utilisateur, la glace de montre, la zone tactile en regard de laquelle le doigt de l'utilisateur est posé, la plaquette de circuit imprimé sur laquelle est monté le circuit électronique de commande des zones tactiles, la pile, le couvercle de pile avec lequel la pile est en contact via le joint d'étanchéité et le poignet de l'utilisateur avec lequel le couvercle de pile est en contact.Thanks to these features, the present invention provides a wristwatch whose capacitive type touch zones are brought to the same electrical potential, which not only avoids fluctuations in the value of the capacity but also and especially ensure correct operation of the watch. Indeed, thanks to the presence of the conductive gasket of electricity, when the user puts his finger on the ice of the watch, it forms a closed loop between the finger of the user, the watch glass, the tactile zone opposite which the user's finger is placed, the printed circuit board on which the electronic control circuit of the tactile zones is mounted, the battery, the battery cover with which the battery is in contact via the seal and the wrist of the user with whom the battery cover is in contact.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description détaillée qui suit d'un exemple de réalisation d'une montre à zones tactiles de type capacitif selon l'invention, cet exemple étant donné à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif seulement en liaison avec le dessin annexé sur lequel la figure unique est une représentation schématique en coupe transversale d'une montre à zones tactiles de type capacitif équipée d'une trappe de pile selon l'invention.Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an example embodiment of a capacitive type tactile zone watch according to the invention, this example being given for purely illustrative purposes and not limiting only in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a capacitive type touch zone watch equipped with a battery door according to the invention.

La présente invention procède de l'idée générale inventive qui consiste à équiper la trappe de pile d'un joint d'étanchéité réalisé en un matériau conducteur de l'électricité tel qu'un matériau élastomère chargé de particules conductrices de façon que, lorsque l'utilisateur de la montre pose un doigt sur la glace de la montre, l'ensemble des composants de la montre impliqués dans la détection de la variation de capacité soient portés au même potentiel électrique. Il est ainsi possible de fixer au même potentiel électrique le système de détection et le porteur de la montre, ce qui permet d'améliorer significativement l'effet capacitif additionnel induit par le doigt de l'utilisateur et ainsi d'optimiser la variation de la valeur de la capacité vue par le système de détection pour garantir un fonctionnement fiable de la montre.The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of equipping the battery door with a seal made of an electrically conductive material such as an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles so that when the user of the watch puts a finger on the ice of the watch, all the components of the watch involved in the detection of the capacitance variation are brought to the same electrical potential. It is thus possible to fix the detection system and the wearer of the watch at the same electrical potential, which makes it possible to significantly improve the additional capacitive effect induced by the user's finger and thus to optimize the variation of the value of the capacity seen by the detection system to ensure reliable operation of the watch.

La figure unique annexée à la présente demande de brevet est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une montre-bracelet à zones tactiles de type capacitif selon l'invention. Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 1, cette montre comprend une glace transparente 2 réalisée en un matériau organique ou minéral. Cette glace recouvre un dispositif analogique 4 d'affichage de l'heure comprenant un cadran 6 au-dessus duquel se déplacent une aiguille des heures 8 et une aiguille des minutes 10. Sur la face 12 de la glace de montre 2 en regard du dispositif d'affichage de l'heure 4 est structurée au moins une électrode formant une zone tactile 14. Cette zone tactile 14 est réalisée en un matériau transparent conducteur de l'électricité tel que de l'oxyde d'étain-indium mieux connu sous sa dénomination anglo-saxonne indium-tin oxyde ou ITO.The single figure appended to the present patent application is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capacitive-type touch-zone wristwatch according to the invention. Designated as a whole by the general numerical reference 1, this watch comprises a transparent ice 2 made of an organic or mineral material. This ice covers an analog time display device 4 comprising a dial 6 above which move an hour hand 8 and a minute hand 10. On the face 12 of the watch glass 2 opposite the time display device 4 is structured at least one electrode forming a touch zone 14. This touch zone 14 is made of a transparent electrically conductive material such as tin-indium oxide better known under the name Anglo-Saxon indium-tin oxide or ITO.

La zone tactile 14 forme avec l'air dont elle est séparée par la glace de montre 2 les deux armatures d'un condensateur C1 qui présente une valeur de capacité déterminée. Cette valeur de capacité externe C1 est formée par l'avant-bras gauche autour duquel l'utilisateur a fixé sa montre, le tronc de l'utilisateur, son avant-bras droit, la main droite et enfin le doigt 16 de l'utilisateur.The touch zone 14 forms with the air from which it is separated by the watch glass 2 the two plates of a capacitor C1 which has a determined capacitance value. This value of external capacitance C1 is formed by the left forearm around which the user has fixed his watch, the trunk of the user, his right forearm, the right hand and finally the finger 16 of the user. .

La valeur de la capacité C1 est modifiée lorsque l'utilisateur pose son doigt 16 sur la glace de montre 2, en regard de la zone tactile 14. Cette zone tactile 14 est reliée à un circuit intégré de commande 18 au moyen d'un connecteur 20 qui s'étend verticalement entre la glace de montre 2 et un support à circuits imprimés 22 sur lequel est monté le circuit intégré de commande 18. Le connecteur 20 est un connecteur de type "zébra" qui conduit l'électricité selon la seule direction verticale.The value of the capacitor C1 is modified when the user places his finger 16 on the watch glass 2, next to the touch zone 14. This touch zone 14 is connected to a control integrated circuit 18 by means of a connector 20 which extends vertically between the watch glass 2 and a printed circuit support 22 on which the integrated control circuit 18 is mounted. The connector 20 is a "zébra" type connector which conducts electricity in the only direction vertical.

Lorsque l'utilisateur pose son doigt 16 sur la glace 2 en regard de la zone tactile 14, il modifie la valeur de la capacité de cette zone tactile 16. Cette variation de capacité est détectée par le circuit intégré de commande 18 qui, en réponse à l'introduction de cette donnée, va exécuter les opérations correspondantes.When the user puts his finger 16 on the window 2 opposite the touch zone 14, he modifies the value of the capacitance of this touch zone 16. This capacitance variation is detected by the control integrated circuit 18 which, in response at the introduction of this data, will perform the corresponding operations.

Dans le cas d'une boîte de montre métallique, tous les composants entrant dans la détection de la variation de la capacité d'une zone tactile sont à un même potentiel électrique correspondant au potentiel du porteur de la montre. En effet, ces composants font partie d'une boucle électrique qui se referme sur le doigt de l'utilisateur via le poignet de ce dernier. Par conséquent, tous les composants sont au même potentiel électrique, ce qui empêche des fluctuations parasites de la valeur de la capacité et permet d'améliorer significativement l'effet capacitif additionnel induit par le doigt de l'utilisateur. La variation de la valeur de la capacité vue par le système de détection entre le doigt de l'utilisateur et la zone tactile considérée est ainsi optimisée, de sorte que les risques que le circuit électronique de commande interprète de manière erronée une variation de capacité d'une zone tactile et exécute une opération non souhaitée par l'utilisateur sont évités.In the case of a metal watch case, all the components involved in the detection of the variation of the capacitance of a touch zone are at the same electrical potential corresponding to the potential of the wearer of the watch. Indeed, these components are part of an electric loop that closes on the user's finger via the wrist of the latter. Therefore, all components are at the same electrical potential, which prevents parasitic fluctuations in the value of the capacitance and makes it possible to significantly improve the additional capacitive effect induced by the finger of the user. The variation in the value of the capacitance seen by the detection system between the user's finger and the touch zone in question is thus optimized, so that the risks that the electronic control circuit misinterprets a variation in capacitance a touch zone and perform an unwanted operation by the user are avoided.

Il n'en va pas de même dans le cas d'une montre à zones tactiles capacitives dont le boîtier est réalisé en un matériau non conducteur de l'électricité tel qu'un matériau plastique. En effet, le boîtier joue le rôle d'un élément électriquement isolant et empêche que la boucle électrique entre le doigt, les différents composants impliqués dans la détection de la variation de capacité de la zone tactile et le poignet de l'utilisateur se referme sur le doigt de ce dernier. Par suite, les différents composants jouant un rôle dans la détection de variation de capacité sont à des potentiels flottants et l'effet capacitif additionnel induit par le doigt de l'utilisateur est difficile à discerner par le système de détection. Pour remédier à ce problème, une solution consisterait à charger la matière plastique avec des particules conductrices. Dans ce cas toutefois, le matériau plastique résultant serait de couleur sombre et le concepteur ne jouirait d'aucune liberté sur le choix de la couleur de la boîte de montre.This is not the case in the case of a capacitive touch zone watch whose housing is made of a non-electrically conductive material such as a plastic material. Indeed, the housing plays the role of an electrically insulating element and prevents the electric loop between the finger, the various components involved in the detection of the capacitance variation of the touch zone and the wrist of the user closes on the finger of the latter. As a result, the various components playing a role in the detection of capacitance variation are at floating potentials and the additional capacitive effect induced by the finger of the user is difficult to discern by the detection system. To remedy this problem, one solution would be to charge the plastic with conductive particles. In this case, however, the resulting plastic material would be dark in color and the designer would enjoy no freedom in choosing the color of the watch case.

Conformément à l'invention, la boîte 24 de la montre 1 comprend une trappe de pile 26 dans laquelle est logée une pile 28. Cette trappe de pile 26 est fermée par un couvercle 30 conducteur de l'électricité avec interposition d'un joint d'étanchéité 32 réalisé en un matériau conducteur de l'électricité entre le couvercle 30 conducteur de l'électricité et la pile 28. Ce joint 32 qui assure l'étanchéité de la trappe de pile 26 assure également la continuité de la conduction électrique entre l'un des pôles de la pile 28 et le couvercle 30 conducteur de l'électricité. Ce joint 32 peut être par exemple réalisé en un matériau élastomère chargé avec des particules conductrices. Le contact électrique entre le couvercle de pile 30 et la pile 28 peut encore être amélioré en disposant une couche de graisse conductrice entre ces deux éléments. L'autre pôle de la pile 28 est relié au support à circuits imprimés 22 pour l'alimentation du circuit intégré de commande 18 et de la zone tactile 14.According to the invention, the box 24 of the watch 1 comprises a battery door 26 in which is housed a battery 28. This battery door 26 is closed by a lid 30 which is electrically conductive with the interposition of a gasket. sealing 32 made of an electrically conductive material between the electrically conductive cover 30 and the battery 28. This seal 32 which seals the battery door 26 also ensures the continuity of the electrical conduction between the one of the poles of the battery 28 and the cover 30 conducting electricity. This seal 32 may for example be made of an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles. The electrical contact between the battery cover 30 and the battery 28 can be further improved by arranging a layer of conductive fat between these two elements. The other pole of the battery 28 is connected to the printed circuit support 22 for supplying the control integrated circuit 18 and the touch zone 14.

Ainsi, grâce à la présente invention, tous les éléments intervenant dans la détection de la variation de capacité d'une zone tactile sont inclus dans une boucle conductrice fermée entre le doigt de l'utilisateur et le poignet de ce dernier. Plus précisément, le joint d'étanchéité 32 conducteur de l'électricité sert à fermer une boucle 34 entre le doigt 16 de l'utilisateur posé sur la glace 2 de la montre 1, la glace 2, la zone tactile 14, le circuit intégré de commande 18, la pile 28, le joint d'étanchéité 32, le couvercle de pile 30 et le poignet de l'utilisateur 36. Il se forme ainsi une capacité électrique C2 entre le poignet de l'utilisateur 36, le couvercle de pile 30, le joint d'étanchéité 32, la pile 28, le support à circuits imprimés 22, le connecteur électrique 20, la zone tactile 14 et la glace 2 de la montre 1. Tous ces éléments étant fixés au même potentiel électrique, cela permet d'améliorer significativement l'effet capacitif additionnel C1 induit par le doigt de l'utilisateur et ainsi d'optimiser la variation de la valeur de la capacité vue par le système de détection. On évite ainsi l'interprétation erronée des fluctuations de capacité par le circuit intégré de commande de la montre.Thus, thanks to the present invention, all the elements involved in the detection of the capacitance variation of a touch zone are included in a closed conductive loop between the user's finger and the wrist of the latter. More specifically, the electrically conductive gasket 32 serves to close a loop 34 between the user's finger 16 placed on the window 2 of the watch 1, the window 2, the touch zone 14, the integrated circuit 18, the battery 28, the seal 32, the battery cover 30 and the wrist of the user 36. A capacitance C2 is thus formed between the wrist of the user 36, the battery cover 30, the seal 32, the battery 28, the printed circuit support 22, the electrical connector 20, the touch zone 14 and the ice 2 of the watch 1. All these elements being fixed to the same electrical potential, this allows to significantly improve the additional capacitive effect C1 induced by the finger of the user and thus to optimize the variation of the value of the capacity seen by the detection system. This avoids the misinterpretation of capacity fluctuations by the integrated control circuit of the watch.

Claims (4)

Montre-bracelet à zones tactiles (14) de type capacitif comprenant une boîte (24) réalisée en un matériau non conducteur de l'électricité, cette boîte (24) comportant un logement dans lequel est logée une pile (28) et qui est fermé par un couvercle de pile (30) conducteur de l'électricité, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle de pile (30) conducteur de l'électricité est monté sur la boîte de montre (24) avec interposition d'un joint d'étanchéité (32) conducteur de l'électricité entre le couvercle de pile (30) conducteur de l'électricité et l'une des bornes de la pile (28).Capacitive-type touch-zone wristwatch (14) comprising a box (24) made of a non-electrically conductive material, this box (24) having a housing in which is housed a battery (28) and which is closed by an electrically conductive battery cover (30), characterized in that the electrically conductive battery cover (30) is mounted on the watch case (24) with the interposition of a seal ( 32) conducts electricity between the electrically conducting battery cover (30) and one of the terminals of the battery (28). Montre-bracelet selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle de pile (30) est réalisé en un matériau métallique conducteur de l'électricité.Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery cover (30) is made of an electrically conductive metal material. Montre-bracelet selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que le joint d'étanchéité (32) est réalisé en un matériau élastomère chargé de particules conductrices.Wristwatch according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (32) is made of an elastomeric material loaded with conductive particles. Montre-bracelet selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en qu'une couche de graisse conductrice est disposée entre le couvercle de pile (30) et le joint d'étanchéité (32).Wristwatch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a layer of conductive grease is disposed between the battery cover (30) and the seal (32).
EP10194005A 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover Withdrawn EP2463733A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10194005A EP2463733A1 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover
RU2013131073/28A RU2564042C2 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Wristwatch with tactile capacity-type areas comprising storage battery compartment covered by electrically conducting cover
EP11770446.0A EP2616888B1 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover
US13/878,517 US9016935B2 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover
PCT/EP2011/068118 WO2012076225A1 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover
JP2013538114A JP5503812B2 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Wristwatch with a capacitive tactile area with a battery hatch sealed with a conductive cover
CN201180058711.9A CN103238121B (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 There is Capacitive touch district and comprise the table of the battery hatch closed by the cap seal conducted electricity
HK14100685.4A HK1187696A1 (en) 2010-12-07 2014-01-22 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover

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EP10194005A EP2463733A1 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover

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EP2463733A1 true EP2463733A1 (en) 2012-06-13

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EP10194005A Withdrawn EP2463733A1 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 Watch with capacitive touch-sensitive areas including a battery compartment sealed by an electrically conductive cover
EP11770446.0A Active EP2616888B1 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover

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EP11770446.0A Active EP2616888B1 (en) 2010-12-07 2011-10-17 Watch with tactile zones of capacitive type comprising a battery hatch closed by an electrically conducting cover

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EP (2) EP2463733A1 (en)
JP (1) JP5503812B2 (en)
CN (1) CN103238121B (en)
HK (1) HK1187696A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2564042C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012076225A1 (en)

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WO2012076225A1 (en) 2012-06-14
CN103238121B (en) 2016-03-02
US20130201803A1 (en) 2013-08-08
HK1187696A1 (en) 2014-04-11
EP2616888A1 (en) 2013-07-24
JP5503812B2 (en) 2014-05-28
JP2013542444A (en) 2013-11-21
US9016935B2 (en) 2015-04-28
CN103238121A (en) 2013-08-07
EP2616888B1 (en) 2014-09-24
RU2564042C2 (en) 2015-09-27
RU2013131073A (en) 2015-01-20

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