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US 11,067,838 B2Granted
External element with temperature sensor
AssigneeThe Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
InventorNicolas Francois
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermochromic element including a thermochromic layer including a binder and a thermochromic pigment chosen to react at a specific temperature so that the pigment passes from a first color to a second color when the specific temperature is reached. The thermochromic layer coats a thermally conductive layer, and is protected by an optically transparent layer that protects it from chemical and physical degradation.
Claims16
An external element of a timepiece comprising:
- a supporting structure made of a first material;
- at least one device that reacts to temperature variations, wherein the device that reacts to temperature variations includes at least one thermochromic element that includes a thermochromic layer that includes a binder and a thermochromic pigment chosen to react at a specific temperature so that the pigment passes from a first color to a second color when the specific temperature is reached;
- wherein the thermochromic element further includes a carrier layer having an upper surface on which the thermochromic layer is deposited and a protective layer that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation,
- wherein the protective layer covers and is in direct physical contact with each of a top surface of the thermochromic layer and a side surface of the thermochromic layer,
- wherein a portion of the protective layer is deposited directly on the upper surface of the carrier layer to be in direct physical contact with the upper surface of the carrier layer, and
- wherein an area of the entire upper surface of the carrier layer is larger than an area of the entire surfaces of the thermochromic layer and protective layer deposited thereon.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.