EP3432082B1 - Regulating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates more particularly to a regulating member for a timepiece.

State of the art

A horological regulating member typically comprises a flywheel mounted on an axis, this flywheel being for example a balance or some other form of oscillating mass. In order to provide a return torque to make the flywheel oscillate, a spiral spring is also fixed to the same axis, typically by means of a ferrule integral with the spring or which is integral with its inner end. The integration of the ferrule with the axis is usually carried out by driving the axis into a receiving zone which the ferrule comprises, said zone being conformed to this aim. This driving-in deforms the material of the ferrule elastically and the stresses thus generated serve to tighten the axis. The two elements are thus made integral with one another. During driving in, the component material typically undergoes a slight plastic deformation in addition. A split ring ferrule may be cited as a traditional example of a ferrule serving this purpose.

This method of attachment is ideally suited for metal or polymer components which are relatively elastic and can undergo plastic deformation without breaking.

More recently, brittle materials have become common in watchmaking. These materials have little or no plastic domain and are therefore extremely fragile. As such, mention may be made of hard steels, ceramics, glasses, glass-ceramics, mono- or polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, oxides, nitrides or silicon carbides under any crystalline regime, alumina, synthetic diamond. and the like.

Since these materials are brittle, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to drive out a ferrule made of such a material on an axis in a traditional manner, while keeping acceptable manufacturing tolerances.

For these reasons, watch manufacturers have developed several solutions for mounting components made of such materials on axes. One of these solutions is to provide elastic structures at the level of the component mounting zone, these elastic structures allowing driving in without developing excessive stresses in the material of the component. These structures are typically formed in the component body and flex upon insertion of the pin.

As such, we can cite the document WO2011 / 116486 which describes a split ferrule comprising two resilient tongues which constrain and position the axis against a substantially rigid positioning surface when the axis is driven into the receiving area, defined by the tongues and the positioning surface.

However, this ferrule of the prior art requires an experienced watchmaker to adjust the angular relationship of the ferrule with respect to the axis in order to ensure the correct indexing of the ferrule with respect to the plate of the balance. A bad adjustment of this angular relationship is harmful for walking and for the isochronism of the regulating organ and should be avoided. However, using an experienced watchmaker to perform this task is inefficient for production and uneconomical.

The document JP S49 23889 describes a ferrule in which the spiral spring is interposed between the latter and a slightly trapezoidal axis. This solution is certainly simple, but does not allow fine adjustment of the internal curve of the hairspring and its position relative to the ferrule. Furthermore, it will be very difficult to ensure the correct relative positioning between the three elements in each direction, in particular as regards the position in the plane of the spring. This arrangement therefore does not represent a solution for a precision watch. For the rest, this document is silent on whether the spring is clamped by the ferrule against the axis, or if it is glued, welded or similar.

Finally, the document JP 2014/190816 describes a ferrule comprising an opening adapted to receive a non-circular section of the axis of the pendulum. Immediately adjacent to the protruding part of this axis are blades delimited by slots made in the body of the ferrule. These slats form embedded beams at each of its respective ends. However, the document specifies that there is a space, and therefore a clearance, between the non-circular part of the axis and the ferrule. The presence of these blades seems to be for the purpose of damping shocks, but this document is not entirely clear on this point.

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a watch component in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention

More precisely, the invention relates to a regulating member for a clockwork movement. This regulating member comprises a flywheel such as a balance wheel, integral in rotation with an axis extending in an axial direction as well as a spiral spring attached to said axis by means of a ferrule integral with 'one end of said spring. The ferrule can thus be fixed to the end of the spring or integrally formed with the latter.

The ferrule comprises a receiving area arranged to receive said axis, this receiving area being delimited at least partially by a positioning surface as well as at least two retaining surfaces, at least one of which is movable against a restoring force, provided, for example, by an elastic arm having a free end, or the like. These retaining surfaces are arranged to clamp said axis against said positioning surface in order to make the ferrule and the axis integral with one another. It should be noted that the clamping thus defined involves direct contact between the holding surfaces and the positioning surface, without the interposition of other elements. In doing so, the manufacture tolerances can be very tight since there are only two elements involved, which maximizes the manufacturing precision as well as the relative positioning of the two elements.

The axis has a section of non-circular cross section, said holding surfaces as well as said positioning surface cooperating with said section in order to tighten the latter. The section is thus the part of the axis which interacts with the shell in order to make these two elements integral with one another.

This section of non-circular section (considered at a non-zero angle to said axial direction) can occupy part or even the whole of the length of the axis, and provides a reference making it possible to index the shell automatically with respect to the 'axis. Any subsequent step of manual adjustment of the angular orientation of the ferrule relative to the axis is thus made superfluous, which simplifies manufacture and thus reduces the associated costs. Alternatively, other non-circular shapes (angular, curved, polygonal, oval, irregular and any combination thereof) can be used in combination with a complementary shaped positioning surface.

According to a first variant of the invention, said reception zone comprises a first sub-zone shaped so as to allow the insertion of said axis in said axial direction as well as a second sub-zone adjacent to and in communication with said first sub-area, said second sub-area being arranged to clamp said section, said holding surfaces and said section being arranged so as to allow said axis to be displaced laterally (i.e. at a non-zero angle , in particular perpendicular to said axial direction) in translation from said first sub-zone in order to bring it into said second sub-zone and to be clamped therein. The pin can thus be inserted without (or with little) contact with the ferrule and is secured to the section by means of clipping in the second sub-zone. This arrangement results in less wear of these components during assembly compared to a conventional drive-in.

According to a second variant of the invention, said section and said receiving zone are shaped so as to allow the insertion of the axis in said axial direction when said axis and said ferrule have a first relative angular orientation, and to be tightened. said section against said positioning surface when said ferrule and said axis have a second relative angular orientation distinct from said first orientation. An insertion of the axis in the zone without (or with little) friction is thus possible, the securing of the ferrule to the axis flowing following a relative rotation between these two components. In doing so, the retaining surfaces clamp the section against the positioning surface. Again, this arrangement generates less friction and therefore less wear of the two components compared to a conventional drive.

Advantageously, the section comprises at least one flat which cooperates with one of said surfaces, preferably with said positioning surface. A flat is easier to manufacture than other more complex non-circular shapes, and thus provides a simple solution for the automatic indexing of the ferrule relative to the section.

Advantageously, at least one, preferably each, of said holding surfaces is carried by an elastic arm which said ferrule comprises. Preferably, at least some (ideally all) of the elastic arms each have a free end, and are therefore linked to the ferrule at only one of its respective ends.

Advantageously, said holding surfaces are each carried by a finger, the fingers extending towards each other from respective ends of each of said elastic arms. At least one of said elastic arms can be folded inwards, which gives them increased elasticity and allows the ferrule to act as a shock absorber to absorb shocks in certain directions.

Advantageously, the ferrule is integral with said spring. The ferrule-spring assembly is thus optimized for a one-piece manufacture by the micromechanical machining processes commonly used.

Advantageously, the first sub-zone is shaped such that said axis can take place inside this sub-zone without causing movement of said holding surfaces. Any risk of wear when inserting the axis into the reception area is thus avoided.

Advantageously, said first sub-zone is defined by said support surfaces as well as two horn-shaped bodies extending preferably symmetrically from the support surfaces.

Advantageously, the axis carries a locking element arranged to pass through said reception zone when said axis and said ferrule are oriented according to said first relative angular orientation as well as to block said ferrule axially on said axis when said axis and said ferrule are oriented according to said second relative angular orientation. Axial locking of the ferrule on the axis in the direction limited by said lug is thus ensured, regardless of the shape and length of the section. This locking element advantageously has at least one lug arranged to block said ferrule axially on said axis when the axis and the component are oriented according to said second relative angular orientation. A substantially polygonal shape the vertices of which constitute said lugs is particularly suited to this function.

Advantageously, said section has a height parallel to said axial direction which is between 100% and 120%, preferably between 101% and 115%, of the thickness of said shell considered in the same direction. If the section is machined in a cylindrical portion of the axis, the edges of the section can act as shoulders to position the component along the axis.

Advantageously, the regulating member further comprises a balance plate mounted on said axis, said plate being indexed relative to said axis by means of an additional section of non-circular shape which said axis comprises. The indexing of the entire regulating member can thus be ensured without subsequent adjustment by an experienced watchmaker.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a regulating member according to one of the preceding claims.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 est une représentation schématique en coupe d'une partie d'un organe réglant selon un exemple ne faisant pas partie de l'invention en position de service ;
• Fig. 2 est une représentation schématique en coupe d'une partie d'un organe réglant selon une variante de l'invention en position de service ;
• Fig. 3a et 3b sont deux représentations schématiques en coupe illustrant le principe de la variante de la figure 2, en position d'insertion de l'axe et en position de service respectivement ;
• Fig. 4a et 4b sont deux représentations schématiques en coupe d'une partie d'un organe réglant selon une variante de l'invention, en position d'insertion de l'axe et en position de service respectivement ,
• Fig. 5 est une représentation schématique en coupe d'une sous-variante de l'invention qui se base sur celle des figures 4a et 4b, et
• Fig. 6 est une vue isométrique qui illustre plus complètement une partie d'un organe réglant selon l'invention.

Other details of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional representation of part of a regulating member according to an example not forming part of the invention in the service position;
• Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional representation of part of an adjusting member according to a variant of the invention in the service position;
• Fig. 3a and 3b are two schematic cross-sectional representations illustrating the principle of the variant of the figure 2 , in the axis insertion position and in the service position respectively;
• Fig. 4a and 4b are two schematic cross-sectional representations of part of an adjusting member according to a variant of the invention, in the position of insertion of the pin and in the service position respectively,
• Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional representation of a sub-variant of the invention which is based on that of the figures 4a and 4b , and
• Fig. 6 is an isometric view which more fully illustrates part of a regulating member according to the invention.

Embodiment of the invention

The figure 1 shows an example of a part of a regulating member 1 not forming part of the invention, seen in partial section.

The regulating member 1 comprises a flywheel such as a balance (not shown in order not to overload the figures) mounted integral in rotation with an axis 3 extending in an axial direction Z, of which only the section 5 which cooperates with a ferrule 7 integral with a spiral spring 9 is shown here. The section can be machined in the body of the axis 3, or can extend all along the latter according to the wishes of the manufacturer. Furthermore, only the root 9a of the spiral spring 9 has been shown here, the rest of the latter taking any known shape.

The ferrule 7 comprises a hollow receiving area 11 arranged to receive and clamp the section 5 of the axis 3. This area 11 is at least partially delimited on the one hand, by a positioning surface 13, on the other hand, by at least two retaining surfaces 15 which are subjected to an elastic restoring force. The positioning surface 13 is formed on a part of the ferrule 7 which is adjacent to said root 9a, which may be hollow or solid. In the variant shown, the retaining surfaces 15 are carried by resilient arms 17 which extend from the root 9a of the spring 9, and the positioning surface 13 is substantially rigid. In other words, the positioning surface is substantially displaceable with respect to the root of the hairspring.

In this example, the elastic arms 17 are folded inwards in order to give them increased elasticity, and can thus admit certain shocks in the plane of the ferrule 7 in a direction other than towards the positioning surface 13. This s' also applies to the embodiments of figures 4a, 4b and 5 described below.

The ferrule 7 is thus formed by at least the root 9a of the spring 9 and the elastic arms 17 and is advantageously integral with the spring 9.

The section 5 of the axis 3 has a shape designed to be clamped by the holding surfaces 15 against the positioning surface 13 following an elastic driving of the ferrule 7 on the axis 3. This section 5 is also arranged for s 'index angularly with respect to the positioning surface 13. To do this, it has a shape complementary to that of the positioning surface 13, these complementary shapes ensuring the indexing of the section 5 relative to the ferrule 7. In the mode of illustrated embodiment, the section 5 comprises at least one flat 19 intended to be in contact with said surface 13. However, other non-circular shapes are possible, such as a lug or a finger which cooperates with a notch of complementary shape constituting the positioning surface 13, irregular shapes or any other shape allowing such indexing. This generally applies to all of the embodiments of the invention.

The rest of the periphery of the section 5 is shaped to cooperate with the retaining surfaces 15 in order to allow the ferrule 7 to be driven out on the axis 3 in a known manner.

The indexing of section 5 and therefore of axis 3 with respect to the ferrule allows the latter to also be indexed with respect to a balance plate (see below) without requiring manual adjustment of the angular relationship of these components. The assembly of the regulating organ is thus simplified and any subsequent fine-tuning by a qualified watchmaker is avoided.

The figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a regulating member 1 according to the invention, which has the same advantages as the example of figure 1 .

In this variant, the reception zone 11 is shaped so as to allow the section 5 to be clipped in a direction perpendicular to said axial direction Z, that is to say in the plane of the shell 7.

The receiving zone 11 of the ferrule 7 is defined by the distal parts 17a of the elastic arms 17 which extend from the root 9a of the spring 9 and are divided into two sub-zones. The first sub-zone 11a is the furthest from the root 9a of the spiral spring 9 and is shaped to allow the insertion without driving out of the axis 3 and of its section 5 in said axial direction Z. For this purpose, it is delimited by horn-shaped bodies extending symmetrically from the support surfaces 15, this symmetry not being compulsory. The second sub-area 11b is adjacent to, and in communication with, the first 9a. The latter is at least partially delimited by the holding surfaces 15, which are formed as jaws extending towards each other from the distal parts 17a of the elastic arms 17 as well as by the holding surfaces 13. In this variant, the positioning surfaces 13 are carried by tabs 17b extending from the distal parts 17a of the elastic arms in the direction of the root 9a of the spring 9, and which are bent to form stops for the flat 19 of the section. It goes without saying that other forms of positioning surface are also possible, more or less rigid, which extend from the root 9a or from the elastic arms 17, according to the wishes of the manufacturer. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide only one support surface 13, having an ad hoc shape.

The arrangement of positioning 13 and holding 15 surfaces as well as the resilient arms 17 are configured such that when the axis 3 is inserted into the first sub-area 11a and is moved in translation towards the root 9a , the shape of the section causes the retaining surfaces 15 to move apart and bends the elastic arms 17. The section 5 can thus enter the second sub-zone 11b. In doing so, the elastic arms remain flexed in order to provide a clamping force which tends to clamp the section 5 against the positioning surfaces 13. It is emphasized here that this clamping is by definition direct, without the interposition of other elements whose presence would prevent the two surfaces from positioning themselves. 'against each other. Manufacture tolerances can therefore be reduced to a minimum value.

The figures 3a and 3b illustrate more clearly this principle of clipping in a different form. Rather, these drawings serve to schematically illustrate the principle applied in the variant of figure 2 and thus have shapes less suitable for a ferrule 7, the latter comprising a rigid part represented simply by a rigid frame.

In these figures, the first sub-zone 11a is defined by curved ends of a pair of elastic arms 17 extending symmetrically from the frame of the ferrule 7 towards a positioning surface 13 which is, in the variant shown, a notch curved but which may be flat. The distal ends of the elastic arms 17 are free, in order to provide sufficient elasticity to the latter. As can be seen clearly from the figures, this also applies to each embodiment of the present application.

As mentioned above, the pin 3 can be inserted into the first area 11a with play (or with slight contact with the elastic arms 17). Then, by moving the axis towards the positioning surface 13, the shape of the section 5 spreads the ends of the elastic arms and bends the arms 17 (see figure 3b ). A stop surface 21 having a shape complementary to that of the positioning surface 13 abuts against the latter when the section 5 is located in the second sub-zone 11b. The ends of the elastic arms 17 are fingers which constitute the holding surfaces 15 and act on the flats 19 in order to position the section 5 angularly and to clamp the latter against the positioning surface 13. Alternatively, the section 5 may comprise a single flat 19 intended to cooperate with a positioning surface 13, the retaining surfaces 15 thus cooperating with surfaces of section 5, which may or may not be curved. Of course, three flats, each cooperating with one said surfaces 13, 15 can also be used and a large number of other shapes of the section, regular or irregular, are also possible.

The ferrule 7 can also be detached from the axis 3 by moving the latter in translation towards the first sub-zone and by removing it in the axial direction Z.

The figures 4a and 4b illustrate yet another embodiment of a regulating member 1 according to the invention which has the same advantages as the example of figure 1 .

In this variant, the receiving zone 11 and the section 5 are shaped so that the axis 3 can be inserted therein in said axial direction Z and is subsequently clamped against the positioning surface 13 by the support surfaces 15 while pivoting. axis 3 with respect to the shell 7.

In this variant, the positioning surface 13 forms part of the root 9a of the spring and is substantially rigid and the elastic arms 17 which carry the retaining surfaces 15 extend on either side of the root 9a in order to surround partially the zone 11. In order to give them increased elasticity, each of the arms 17 is folded inwards and the folded parts carry the retaining surfaces 15.

The receiving zone 11 as well as the shape of the section 5 are complementary and have a relationship such that, in a first angular orientation relating to these two elements, the axis 3 can be inserted into the zone 11 in said axial direction Z. This relation is illustrated on the figure 4a in solid lines and shows that there is sufficient play so that the section 5 does not come into contact with the ferrule 7 during its insertion into said zone in a direction parallel to the axis 5. Alternatively, a slight contact between axis 5 and surfaces 11 and 13 can be allowed.

Subsequently, by pivoting the axis 3 relative to the ferrule 7, the periphery of the section 5 abuts against the retaining surfaces 15, which are displaced against the return force supplied by the elastic arms 17. The angular relation between these components at this time is illustrated on the figure 4a in dotted lines, in which a corner of section 5 is in contact with the positioning surface 13. In order to limit the stresses undergone by the elastic arms 17, the positioning surface 13 may include a notch 23 which allows a corner of the section 5 to enter it during the rotation of the axis 3 relative to the ferrule 7. The movement of the retaining surfaces 15 and also the stresses generated in the arms 17, can thus be limited.

By pivoting the axis 3 even further relative to the ferrule 7, the axis 3 adopts a stable position in a second relative angular orientation illustrated in solid lines on the figure. figure 4b , this angular orientation being distinct from the first angular orientation mentioned above. In this position, the retaining surfaces 15 have been raised by the shape of the section 5 and the elastic arms 17 are thus constrained (solid lines; the initial position of the elastic arms 17 as well as of the section 5 is illustrated in dotted lines), and clamp section 5 against positioning surface 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the section has a shape comprising a flat 19 which is positioned against the positioning surface 13 (which is also flat except for the notch 23) in the service position as well as two rounded corners. 25 arranged to be in contact with the retaining surfaces 15. The flat 19 is connected to the rounded corners 25 by flat surfaces.

However, it goes without saying that a large number of shapes of positioning surfaces 13, of retaining surfaces 15 and of section 5 fulfill the desired aim, the illustrated embodiment is therefore not limiting. One could imagine that the section 5 could have angular, curved, polygonal, oval, irregular shapes and any combination thereof. The support surfaces 15 can take the form of jumpers, fingers, tongues or any other suitable shape. As for the elastic return force for these surfaces, it can be provided by elastic elements of any kind which are integral with said surfaces 15 or which are constituted by additional elements provided on the ferrule 7. Furthermore, the positioning surface 13 may be curved, angular, irregular or any other suitable shape. Indeed, any combination of shapes of the surfaces 13, 15 and of the section 5 which allows a stable tight angular position as well as an angular position allowing the axis 5 to return. in the receiving area 11, substantially without displacement of the holding surfaces 15, is suitable for the implementation of the invention.

The figure 5 further illustrates a variant of a regulating member 1 according to the invention, which operates in a manner analogous to that of the figures 4a and 4b .

This embodiment differs from that of figures 4a and 4b in that only a first of the holding surfaces 15a, 15b is movable against an elastic restoring force. The other of the retaining surfaces 15b is carried by a substantially rigid arm 17b which extends from the root 9a of the spring 9 and is adjacent to the positioning surface 13. The first retaining surface 15a is carried by the end d an elastic arm 17a which extends from the root 9a of the spring 9 and which partially surrounds the section 5 and the substantially rigid arm 17b; it should be noted that the resilient arm 17a could also not partially surround the substantially rigid arm 17b if it sprang from the root 9a in the other direction. The end of this elastic arm 17a therefore forms a finger which carries the first holding surface 15a, the latter pressing against the section 5 in order to clamp the latter against the positioning surface 13 as well as against the second holding surface. 15b. Indeed, the latter serves as a guide stop which has the effect that the section 5 is clamped against the positioning surface 13, which is oblique with respect to the direction of the force supplied by the only elastic arm 17a and therefore requires a guiding of the section 5 by means of the second retaining surface to effect the tightening.

Again, the reception zone 11 is defined at least partially by the surfaces 13, 15a and 15b, the section 5 having a cross-section of complementary shape allowing the insertion of the axis 3 in said zone 11 in the axial direction Z when the axis 3 and the ferrule 7 are in a first relative angular orientation (illustrated in dotted lines). By pivoting the axis in the direction of the arrow, the rounded corner 25 of the section 5 lifts the first retaining surface 15a and bends the elastic arm 17a. When the axis 3 and the ferrule 7 have reached their second relative angular orientation (shown in solid lines), the elastic arm 17a remains flexed and clamps the section against the positioning surface 13 as well as against the second surface of hold 15b. By returning the ferrule 7 and the axis 3 to their first angular orientation, these components are thus detached from one another and the axis can be removed in the axial direction Z.

In the variants shown on the figures 4a, 4b and 5 , the angle between the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation is 60 °, but any suitable angle can be used.

In the embodiments of figures 2 to 5 , if the section 5 is machined in the body of the axis 3, the edges of the section 5 (considered along the axis 3) can constitute shoulders which serve as stops to prevent the displacement of the ferrule 7 the along the axis when the latter is tight. In such a case, the section 5 does not extend all along the axis 3 but occupies a length lying between 100% and 120%, preferably between 101 and 115% of the thickness of the shell 7. Alternatively, larger size stops can be used (see above).

The figure 6 illustrates more fully a part of a regulating member 1 according to the invention, the flywheel (such as a balance) not being illustrated in order not to overload the drawing.

On one side of the axis 3 is mounted the spiral spring 9 as illustrated by the figures 4a and 4b . It goes without saying that the use of any variant of ferrule 7 described above is also possible.

In order to guarantee the correct positioning and axial retention of the ferrule 7 on the axis 3, the section 5 is delimited on the one hand by a conventional shoulder 27, and on the other hand by a locking element 29. This element 29 is shaped to form at least one axial stop when the axis 3 and the shell 7 are in their second relative angular orientation, and to be able to pass through said zone 11 when the pin 3 and the shell 7 are in their first relative angular orientation. The same is true for the embodiments of the figures 1 to 3 , in which the locking element 29 forms an axial stop when the axis 3 and the ferrule 7 are in a first position 11a and to be able to pass through the receiving zone 11 when the axis 3 and the ferrule 7 are in a second position 11b.

To this end, the locking element 29 illustrated has a triangular shape with truncated vertices 31. These vertices 31 constitute lugs which can pass through said zone 11 in said first angular orientation, and which serve as stops to prevent the removal of the ferrule 7 from the axis 5 when these components are in their second orientation. The locking element 29 as well as the shoulder 27 thus block the component 3 axially on the axis 5. It goes without saying that other forms of locking element 29 are possible, which comprise at least one lug 31 or projecting projection arranged to form an axial stop when the axis 3 and the ferrule 7 are in their second angular orientation.

The other end of the axis 3, opposite to that carrying the ferrule 7, has an additional flat 31 (or any other suitable non-circular shape provided on an additional section of the axis) which serves for the indexing of a balance plate 33. This plate 33 is attached to the axis in the same way as the ferrule 7 in the embodiment of the figure 2 , the flat 31 indexing the axis relative to the plate 33 by its interaction with the positioning surfaces 13. However, the plate 33 can also be fixed on the axis in the same way as the ferrule in any other variant of the invention described above.

The plate 33 comprises an ankle 35 whose sides are continued by elastic arms 17 which provide the restoring force so that the retaining surfaces 15 clamp the axis 3. The ends of the elastic arms 17 which define the reception zone 11 y including the sub-areas 11a and 11b have a greater height than that of the ankle 5, which serves to position the plate 33 relative to an additional shoulder 36, and to give the ends increased rigidity.

In the illustrated embodiments, the section 5 always has at least one line of symmetry, but it is also possible that its shape is irregular. Furthermore, the elastic arms 17, 17a, 17b of the variants of figures 1-4b and 6 , which have been shown in symmetrical shapes, can also be different from each other and asymmetric. Indeed, it is not important whether the forces exerted by the holding surfaces are identical or are exerted symmetrically.

Even if the principle of the invention is particularly advantageous when component 2 is made of a brittle material as mentioned in the preamble, it also applies to components 3 of metal or metal composite or of conventional polymer.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, other variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (13)

1. Regulating member (1) for a timepiece movement, comprising:

   - a flywheel rotationally secured to an arbor (3) extending in an axial direction (Z);

   - a hairspring (9) fixed to said arbor via a collet (7) fixed to one end of said hairspring (9); wherein said collet (7) comprises a receiving zone (11) arranged to receive said arbor (3), this receiving zone (11) being delimited at least partially by a positioning surface (13) and at least by two holding surfaces (15), at least one of which is movable against a return force, the holding surfaces (15) being arranged to clamp said arbor (3) against said positioning surface (13),

   wherein said arbor comprises a portion (5) of non-circular cross section, said holding surfaces (15) and said positioning surface (13) cooperating with said portion (5) in order to clamp this latter, characterized in that said receiving zone (11) comprises a first sub-zone (11a) shaped so as to allow the insertion of said arbor (3) in said axial direction (Z), and a second sub-zone (11b) adjacent to, and in communication with, said first sub-zone (11a), said second sub-zone (11b) being arranged to clamp said portion (5), said holding surfaces (15) and said portion (5) being arranged so as to allow said arbor (3) to be moved laterally in translation from said first sub-zone (11a) in order to enter into said second sub-zone (11b).
2. Regulating member (1) for a timepiece movement, comprising:

   - a flywheel rotationally secured to an arbor (3) extending in an axial direction (Z);

   - a hairspring (9) fixed to said arbor via a collet (7) fixed to one end of said hairspring (9); wherein said collet (7) comprises a receiving zone (11) arranged to receive said arbor (3), this receiving zone (11) being delimited at least partially by a positioning surface (13) and at least by two holding surfaces (15), at least one of which is movable against a return force, the holding surfaces (15) being arranged to clamp said arbor (3) against said positioning surface (13),

   wherein said arbor comprises a portion (5) of non-circular cross section, said holding surfaces (15) and said positioning surface (13) cooperating with said portion (5) in order to clamp this latter, characterized in that said portion (5) and said receiving zone (11) are shaped so as to allow the insertion of the arbor (3) in said axial direction (Z) when said arbor (3) and said collet (7) have a first relative angular orientation, and to clamp said portion (5) against said positioning surface (13) when said collet (7) and said arbor (3) have a second relative angular orientation different from said first orientation.
3. Regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said portion (5) comprises at least one flat (19) that cooperates with one of said surfaces (13, 15), preferably with said positioning surface (13).
4. Regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, preferably each, of said holding surfaces (15) is carried by an elastic arm (17) comprised by said collet (7).
5. Regulating member (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said holding surfaces (15) are carried by fingers that each extend one towards the other from respective ends of each of said elastic arms (17).
6. Regulating member (1) according to Claim 4, wherein at least one of said elastic arms (17) is folded towards the interior.
7. Regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said collet (7) is formed integrally with said spring (9).
8. Regulating member (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the first sub-zone (11a) is shaped such that said arbor (3) can fit therein without causing said holding surfaces (15) to move.
9. Regulating member (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first sub-zone (11a) is defined by said holding surfaces (15) and by two bodies (17a) in the form of horns that extend symmetrically from the holding surfaces (15).
10. Regulating member (1) according to Claim 2, wherein the arbor (3) carries a locking element (29) arranged to pass through said receiving zone (11) when said arbor (3) and said collet (7) are oriented in said first relative angular orientation and to lock said collet (7) axially on said arbor (3) when said arbor (3) and said collet (7) are oriented in said second relative angular orientation.
11. Regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said portion (5) comprises a height parallel to said axial direction (Z) that is between 100% and 120%, preferably between 101% and 115%, of the thickness of said collet (7) considered in the same direction.
12. Regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims, also comprising a balance roller (33) mounted on said arbor (3), said roller (33) being indexed with respect to said arbor (3) via an additional portion (31) of non-circular shape that is comprised by said arbor (3).
13. Timepiece having a regulating member (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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