EP3570118B1 - Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin - Google Patents

Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3570118B1
EP3570118B1 EP18172195.2A EP18172195A EP3570118B1 EP 3570118 B1 EP3570118 B1 EP 3570118B1 EP 18172195 A EP18172195 A EP 18172195A EP 3570118 B1 EP3570118 B1 EP 3570118B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
free end
spiral spring
outside
gap
glue
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EP18172195.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3570118A1 (en
Inventor
Julien Christan
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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Priority to EP18172195.2A priority Critical patent/EP3570118B1/en
Priority to JP2019065797A priority patent/JP6892888B2/en
Priority to US16/379,009 priority patent/US11480926B2/en
Priority to CN201910393205.3A priority patent/CN110488592B/en
Publication of EP3570118A1 publication Critical patent/EP3570118A1/en
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Publication of EP3570118B1 publication Critical patent/EP3570118B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
    • G04B17/325—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton for fastening the hairspring in a fixed position, e.g. using a block

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a stud for fixing a spiral spring of a clock movement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stud in which a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring of a clock movement is fixed by gluing. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a stud.
  • a spiral spring associated with a balance wheel forms a time base for mechanical timepieces.
  • the spiral spring comes in the form of a very thin spring wound in concentric turns.
  • a first end of the spiral spring, called the first coil on the inside, is fixed to a ferrule, and a second end of the spiral spring, called the last coil on the outside, is fixed to a stud.
  • the time base for mechanical timepieces also called an oscillating system, comprises a balance wheel-hairspring couple and an escapement.
  • the balance comprises a balance shaft pivoted between a first and a second bearing and connected to a balance rim by means of radial arms.
  • the spiral spring is fixed via its first turn on the inside to the axis of the balance, for example by means of a ferrule.
  • the spiral spring is fixed via its last turn on the outside to an attachment point formed by a stud carried by a stud holder if necessary.
  • the escapement for its part, comprises a double plate system consisting of a large plate which carries a plate peg and a small plate in which a notch is made.
  • the escapement also comprises an anchor whose anchor axis is pivoted between a first and a second bearing.
  • the anchor consists of a rod that connects a fork to an input arm and an output arm.
  • the fork consists of an entry horn and an exit horn between which extends a stinger.
  • the travel of the fork is limited by an entry limiting pin and an exit limiting pin which can be made in one piece with an anchor bridge.
  • the input arm and the output arm respectively carry an input pallet and an output pallet.
  • the lever cooperates with an escape wheel comprising an escape wheel axis pivoted between a first and a second bearing.
  • the spiral spring takes the form of a spiral wound in a horizontal plane, parallel to the plane of the clock movement, it serves only one function: once associated with a balance wheel, it must turn in one direction, then in the opposite direction. other, that is to say oscillate around its equilibrium position at a frequency that is as constant as possible.
  • the spiral spring is said to breathe. However, everything contributes to prevent a spiral spring from oscillating always at the same frequency.
  • the spiral spring must in particular resist oxidation and magnetism which stick the turns together and stop the watch.
  • the influence of atmospheric pressure on the other hand, is weak. For a long time, it was the temperature that was the heart of the problem, because the heat expands the metal, while the cold shrinks it.
  • the spiral spring must also be elastic in order to deform and yet always regain its shape.
  • spiral springs The material used for the production of spiral springs is usually steel. Ductile, such an alloy must resist corrosion. Recent developments suggest making the spiral springs out of silicon. Silicon hairsprings, in particular because they are insensitive to magnetism, are more precise than their steel predecessors. On the other hand, their cost price is higher and they are more difficult to assemble.
  • a spiral spring must be isochronous. No matter how far the spiral spring rotates, it should always take the same amount of time to oscillate. If the spiral spring contracts only a few degrees, it accumulates little energy and slowly returns to its equilibrium position. If the spiral spring is moved far away from its equilibrium position, it goes very quickly in the opposite direction. The important thing is that these two trips take place in the same duration. The underlying idea is that the energy available to the balance spring is not constant and that it must nevertheless operate whether the watch is fully wound or in its last hours of power reserve.
  • the Applicant has already proposed a method for attaching a spiral spring which does not induce mechanical stress in such a spiral spring and does not move it away from its rest position.
  • This method consists in gluing the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring in a stud by means of a drop of polymerizable fluid adhesive, for example by means of ultraviolet radiation.
  • a drop of polymerizable fluid adhesive for example by means of ultraviolet radiation.
  • the document CH 622 149 A describes a stud which has a diametrical slot intended to receive the glue which is used to fix the hairspring to the stud.
  • the hairspring is engaged in a radial hole formed in the peak and which opens into the diametral slot.
  • the glue consisting of a polymerizable resin, is then placed in the slot from where it spreads into the hole.
  • the document FR 2 051 170 A5 discloses the use of a sheet enclosing a spring at the entrance to a hole in order to prevent glue from escaping from a stud.
  • the object of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above as well as others still by providing a new type of stud whose geometry makes it possible to guarantee that the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn is imprisoned on the outside of the spiral spring will not separate from the eyebolt even if this glue pad no longer adheres to the eyebolt.
  • the present invention relates to a stud used to fix a free end of a last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clockwork movement, this stud comprising a base which extends in a plane and on which stand a first arm and a second arm which are free at their end opposite the base, the first and the second arm being separated from each other by a gap in which is housed the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring which is trapped in a pad of hardened glue, at least one of the first and second arms being provided with a stopping means arranged to prevent the pad of glue in which is trapped the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring to disengage from the gap in which it is housed when this patch of glue no longer adheres to the eyebolt, characterized in that at least the first arm (6 ) comprises a groove (38) at a distance of its free end, this groove (38) extending in a plane which forms an angle with the plane (P) of the base (4) and which delimits for at least the first arm
  • At least one of the first and second arms is pierced right through with a hole.
  • the stopper means protrudes into the gap provided to receive the hardened glue pad in which the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring is trapped.
  • the stopping means is at least one bead which is made of material with the corresponding arm of the piton.
  • the present invention provides a piton used to fix the free end of the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clock movement, this piton being provided with a stopping means provided to prevent the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring is trapped from coming out of the gap in which this pad is housed when the latter no longer adheres to the eyebolt.
  • the present invention applies to all known types of spiral springs. These may in particular be metal hairsprings typically made of steel. It can also be spiral springs made of silicon.
  • the present invention is also not limited to a particular type of glue.
  • the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring can for example be glued in the interstice of the peak by means of the adhesive well known under its name "shellac" (adhesive known under the same name or under the name “shellac” in Anglo-Saxon terminology), or else be glued using a liquid adhesive which can, for example, be polymerized using UV radiation.
  • shellac lies essentially in the fact that it adheres well and durably to the piton.
  • the bonding of the hairsprings to the studs using shellac has never been automated and its success remains entirely dependent on the dexterity of the operator responsible for this operation.
  • Shellac is a resin and the operator takes a small shaving which he places in the gap intended to receive the free end of the last outer turn of the spiral spring. After having placed this end of the spiral spring in the interstice of the eyebolt, the operator briefly heats the chip of shellac which melts and traps the free end of the last outer turn of the spiral spring. The operator then leaves the shellac to cool and, after visual inspection, decides whether to add an additional quantity of shellac or whether to move on to the next balance spring/eyebolt assembly. It is understood that such a succession of operations is difficult to automate.
  • the disadvantage of the photo-polymerizable glue is that its adhesion to the stud is not very satisfactory and that the risks that the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn turns outside the spiral spring is imprisoned detaches from the piton are raised. It is to respond to these problems that the present invention proposes to provide a watch stud with a stopper means of the type of a groove to prevent the glue pad in which is trapped the free end of the last coil on the outside of the spiral spring to detach from this eyebolt.
  • the peak is typically in the form of a base which extends in a plane from which two arms separated from each other by a gap provided to receive the free end of the last turn on the outside extend.
  • the stopper means can take various forms, among which mention may be made, in a non-limiting manner, of a hole which passes right through at least one of the two arms and which is not part of the invention.
  • the stopping means can also be provided in the form of an element, for example a bead, which does not form part of the invention and which protrudes into the gap of the stud in which the free end of the the last coil on the outside of the spiral spring. Also in this case, if the glue pad in which the free end of the spiral spring is trapped separates from the peak, this hardened glue pad will not be able to escape from the gap.
  • at least one of the first and second arms of the stud comprises a groove which extends in a plane which forms an angle with the plane of the base. This groove delimits a hook which acts as a means of stopping the glue pad.
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a stud used for fixing a free end of a last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clockwork movement, this stud comprising a base which is extends in a plane and a first and a second arm which extend from this plane, the first and the second arm being separated from each other by a gap in which the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring which is trapped in a pad of hardened glue, the gap being initially made with a first width, the method comprising the step of widening the gap by stamping and creating by upsetting of material a stopper means which protrudes into the gap provided to receive the hardened glue pad in which is trapped the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring.
  • the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in providing a stud intended for fixing a spiral spring of a clockwork movement with a stopper means of the type of a groove provided to prevent one end free of a last turn outside the spiral spring to decouple from the eyebolt and cause the clockwork movement to stop immediately.
  • the peak comprises a base which extends in a plane from which extend a first and a second arm separated from each other by a gap. This gap is provided to receive the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring which will be immobilized by means of a pad of glue hardened by ultraviolet radiation.
  • At least one of the two arms of the eyebolt is provided with a groove provided to prevent the glue pad, and therefore the free end of the turn outside the spiral spring, from slipping. escape from the interstice in the event that the patch of glue should become detached from the eyebolt.
  • This stopping means is in the form of a groove which delimits a hook.
  • the peak 2 comprises a base 4 which extends in a plane P on which stand a first arm 6 and a second arm 8 which are free at their end opposite the base 4.
  • the first and second arms 6 and 8 extend perpendicular to the plane P of the base 4 and are separated from each other by a gap 10 substantially parallelepipedic.
  • the eyebolt 2 is provided with a stopper means provided to prevent a glue pad 16 in which is trapped a free end 18 of a last turn outside of a spiral spring 20 from escaping from the gap 10 in the case where the glue pad 16 separates from the peak 2.
  • this stopping means is in the form of a hole 22 pierced right through in at least one of the first and second arms 6, 8. In the example illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B , a hole 22 is drilled in each of the two arms 6 and 8.
  • spiral spring 20 in silicon more particularly visible on the figures 6A and 6B is conventionally made up of a very thin spring wound in concentric turns and whose section is constant over substantially its entire length.
  • This spiral spring 20 is fixed via a free end 24 of a first coil inside to a balance shaft of the watch movement (not shown) for example by means of a ferrule 28, and via the free end 18 of its last turn on the outside at the peak 2.
  • the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring 20 slightly thicker than the other turns over part of its length, can be provided at its free end 18 with a plate 30 made in one piece with the spiral spring 20.
  • the presence of the plate 30 is dictated by considerations specific to the technique of manufacturing the spiral springs 20 in silicon only. It is important to understand that the presence of this plate 30 is in no way made necessary by the needs of the present invention and that it is quite possible to fix a spiral spring without such a plate on the peak 2 according to the invention.
  • a hole 22 is drilled right through in each of the two arms 6 and 8.
  • the latter diffuses into the holes 22 by capillarity, holes 22 in which the liquid glue will remain trapped and harden after insolation by means of UV radiation or in contact with air.
  • the patch of glue 16 will not be able to come out of the gap 10, in particular in the region where the liquid glue will have hardened in the holes 22.
  • a groove 38 which extends in a plane which forms an angle with the plane P of the base 4 is machined in at least one of the first and second arms 6, 8.
  • a groove 38 is machined in the two arms 6 and 8 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane P of the base.
  • the groove 38 delimits for each of the first and second arms 6 and 8 a hook 40 which, once the glue pad 16 has hardened, for example by insolation by means of UV radiation or in contact with the air, will retain the resulting glue pad 16 and prevent it from coming out of the gap 10 in the event that the glue pad 16 separates from the peak 2.
  • the hooks 40 form two bearing surfaces 42 on which the liquid adhesive will be deposited by capillary action before hardening to form the glue pad 16 and which will prevent any possible shrinkage of this glue pad 16.
  • the 2D figure is a view analogous to those of figures 2A to 2C on which we see the spiral spring 20 in silicon fixed on the peak 2 by the free end 18 of its last turn on the outside by means of a glue pad 16.
  • the stopper means protrudes into the gap 10 provided to receive the pad of hardened glue 16 in which the free end 18 of the last turn outside the spring is imprisoned. hairspring 20.
  • the stopping means is in the form of a bead 46 made in one piece with each of the internal side surfaces 48 which face each other of the first and second arms 6 and 8.
  • FIG. 3B is a view analogous to that of Figure 3A on which we see the spiral spring 20 in silicon fixed by the free end 18 of its last turn to the outside on the eyebolt 2 by means of a glue pad 16.
  • a possible technique for making the beads 46 is illustrated in figures 4A and 4B .
  • This technique consists in providing a piton 2 having a gap 10 whose initial width is d1 , then introducing into this gap 10 a stamping tool 50 whose width d2 is greater than the width d1 and corresponds to the final width of the interstice 10 sought.
  • the stamping tool 50 By forcing the stamping tool 50 into the gap 10, the material is pushed back and a bead 46 is created on each of the internal side surfaces 48 of the first and second arms 6, 8.
  • the beads 46 correspond to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment. Indeed, to obtain a stopper means projecting into the gap 10, it can also be envisaged, for example, to pierce right through at least one of the two arms 6, 8, then to introduce into the orifice thus obtained a pin which protrudes into the gap 10.
  • FIG. 5A Another possible technique for creating an annular flange 52 is illustrated in figures 5A to 5D .
  • This technique consists of providing a piton 2 having a gap 10, then introducing into this gap 10 a drilling tool 54 whose end is conical. By advancing the drilling tool 54 in the gap 10 from the free end of the arms 6, 8 towards the base 4, a first hole 56 is created in the peak 2 ( figure 5A ). Conversely, a second hole 58 is machined in the peak 2 from the base 4 towards the free end of the first and second arms 6, 8 ( figure 5B ). The machining is carried out so that the second hole 58 partially opens into the first hole 56, locally retaining an annular flange 52 on the internal side surfaces 48 of the first and second arms 6 and 8 ( Fig. 5C ).
  • This drop of liquid adhesive 32 is for example deposited by means of a dispensing device 60 automated such as a syringe still known by its Anglo-Saxon name “dispenser”. Exposing the drop of liquid glue 32 to ultraviolet light allows it to polymerize and harden completely. It will be noted that the example of the liquid adhesive polymerizable by exposure to ultraviolet light is given by way of example only, and that other types of liquid adhesives such as an adhesive hardening in contact with air can be envisaged. .

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Standing Axle, Rod, Or Tube Structures Coupled By Welding, Adhesion, Or Deposition (AREA)

Description

Domaine technique de l'inventionTechnical field of the invention

La présente invention concerne un piton pour la fixation d'un ressort spiral d'un mouvement d'horlogerie. Plus précisément, la présente invention concerne un piton dans lequel une dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral d'un mouvement d'horlogerie est fixée par collage. L'invention concerne également un procédé de fabrication d'un tel piton.The present invention relates to a stud for fixing a spiral spring of a clock movement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stud in which a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring of a clock movement is fixed by gluing. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a stud.

Arrière-plan technologique de l'inventionTechnological background of the invention

Dans le domaine de l'horlogerie, un ressort spiral associé à un balancier forme une base de temps pour les pièces d'horlogerie mécaniques. En première approche, le ressort spiral se présente sous la forme d'un très fin ressort enroulé en spires concentriques. Une première extrémité du ressort spiral, appelée première spire à l'intérieur, est fixée à une virole, et une seconde extrémité du ressort spiral, appelée dernière spire à l'extérieur, est fixée à un piton.In the field of watchmaking, a spiral spring associated with a balance wheel forms a time base for mechanical timepieces. At first glance, the spiral spring comes in the form of a very thin spring wound in concentric turns. A first end of the spiral spring, called the first coil on the inside, is fixed to a ferrule, and a second end of the spiral spring, called the last coil on the outside, is fixed to a stud.

Plus précisément, la base de temps pour les pièces d'horlogerie mécaniques, encore appelée système oscillant, comprend un couple balancier-ressort spiral et un échappement. Le balancier se compose d'un axe de balancier pivoté entre un premier et un second palier et relié à une serge de balancier au moyen de bras radiaux. Le ressort spiral est fixé via sa première spire à l'intérieur à l'axe du balancier par exemple au moyen d'une virole. Le ressort spiral est fixé via sa dernière spire à l'extérieur à un point d'attache formé par un piton porté par un porte-piton le cas échéant. L'échappement, quant à lui, comprend un système de double plateau constitué d'un grand plateau qui porte une cheville de plateau et d'un petit plateau dans lequel est ménagée une encoche. L'échappement comprend également une ancre dont un axe d'ancre est pivoté entre un premier et un second palier. L'ancre se compose d'une baguette qui relie une fourchette à un bras d'entrée et à un bras de sortie. La fourchette est constituée d'une corne d'entrée et d'une corne de sortie entre lesquelles s'étend un dard. Le débattement de la fourchette est limité par une goupille de limitation d'entrée et une goupille de limitation de sortie qui peuvent être faites d'un seul tenant avec un pont d'ancre. Le bras d'entrée et le bras de sortie portent respectivement une palette d'entrée et une palette de sortie. Enfin, l'ancre coopère avec une roue d'échappement comprenant un axe de roue d'échappement pivoté entre un premier et un second palier.More specifically, the time base for mechanical timepieces, also called an oscillating system, comprises a balance wheel-hairspring couple and an escapement. The balance comprises a balance shaft pivoted between a first and a second bearing and connected to a balance rim by means of radial arms. The spiral spring is fixed via its first turn on the inside to the axis of the balance, for example by means of a ferrule. The spiral spring is fixed via its last turn on the outside to an attachment point formed by a stud carried by a stud holder if necessary. The escapement, for its part, comprises a double plate system consisting of a large plate which carries a plate peg and a small plate in which a notch is made. The escapement also comprises an anchor whose anchor axis is pivoted between a first and a second bearing. The anchor consists of a rod that connects a fork to an input arm and an output arm. The fork consists of an entry horn and an exit horn between which extends a stinger. The travel of the fork is limited by an entry limiting pin and an exit limiting pin which can be made in one piece with an anchor bridge. The input arm and the output arm respectively carry an input pallet and an output pallet. Finally, the lever cooperates with an escape wheel comprising an escape wheel axis pivoted between a first and a second bearing.

Le ressort spiral prend la forme d'une spirale enroulée dans un plan horizontal, parallèle au plan du mouvement d'horlogerie, il ne sert qu'une fonction : une fois associé à un balancier, il doit tourner dans un sens, puis dans l'autre, c'est-à-dire osciller autour de sa position d'équilibre à une fréquence la plus constante possible. On dit que le ressort spiral respire. Or, tout contribue à empêcher un ressort spiral d'osciller toujours à la même fréquence. Le ressort spiral doit notamment résister à l'oxydation et au magnétisme qui collent les spires entre elles et arrêtent la montre. L'influence de la pression atmosphérique, par contre, est faible. Longtemps, c'est la température qui a été le cœur du problème, car la chaleur dilate le métal, tandis que le froid le rétrécit. Le ressort spiral doit aussi être élastique pour se déformer et cependant toujours retrouver sa forme.The spiral spring takes the form of a spiral wound in a horizontal plane, parallel to the plane of the clock movement, it serves only one function: once associated with a balance wheel, it must turn in one direction, then in the opposite direction. other, that is to say oscillate around its equilibrium position at a frequency that is as constant as possible. The spiral spring is said to breathe. However, everything contributes to prevent a spiral spring from oscillating always at the same frequency. The spiral spring must in particular resist oxidation and magnetism which stick the turns together and stop the watch. The influence of atmospheric pressure, on the other hand, is weak. For a long time, it was the temperature that was the heart of the problem, because the heat expands the metal, while the cold shrinks it. The spiral spring must also be elastic in order to deform and yet always regain its shape.

Le matériau utilisé pour la réalisation des ressorts spiraux est habituellement un acier. Ductile, un tel alliage doit résister à la corrosion. Des développements récents proposent de réaliser les ressorts spiraux en silicium. Les spiraux en silicium, notamment parce qu'ils sont insensibles au magnétisme, sont plus précis que leurs prédécesseurs en acier. Par contre, leur prix de revient est plus élevé et ils sont plus difficiles à assembler.The material used for the production of spiral springs is usually steel. Ductile, such an alloy must resist corrosion. Recent developments suggest making the spiral springs out of silicon. Silicon hairsprings, in particular because they are insensitive to magnetism, are more precise than their steel predecessors. On the other hand, their cost price is higher and they are more difficult to assemble.

Un ressort spiral doit être isochrone. Peu importe jusqu'à quel point le ressort spiral tourne, il doit toujours mettre le même temps à osciller. Si le ressort spiral se contracte de quelques degrés seulement, il accumule peu d'énergie et revient lentement à sa position d'équilibre. Si le ressort spiral est écarté de beaucoup de sa position d'équilibre, il part très vite en sens inverse. L'important est que ces deux déplacements se fassent dans la même durée. L'idée sous-jacente est que l'énergie dont dispose le ressort spiral n'est pas constante et qu'il doit malgré tout fonctionner que la montre soit remontée à fond ou qu'elle soit dans ses dernières heures de réserve de marche.A spiral spring must be isochronous. No matter how far the spiral spring rotates, it should always take the same amount of time to oscillate. If the spiral spring contracts only a few degrees, it accumulates little energy and slowly returns to its equilibrium position. If the spiral spring is moved far away from its equilibrium position, it goes very quickly in the opposite direction. The important thing is that these two trips take place in the same duration. The underlying idea is that the energy available to the balance spring is not constant and that it must nevertheless operate whether the watch is fully wound or in its last hours of power reserve.

En raison de leurs faibles dimensions, les ressorts spiraux sont difficiles à assembler. Or, la façon dont les deux extrémités d'un ressort spiral sont fixées influe également beaucoup sur la précision de la marche du mouvement d'horlogerie. Dans la plupart des mouvements d'horlogerie mécaniques, les deux extrémités du ressort spiral sont insérées dans une pièce percée et sont immobilisées au moyen d'une goupille montée en force manuellement à l'aide d'une pince. Il peut alors se produire une légère rotation du ressort spiral, ce qui est préjudiciable à la précision de la marche du mouvement. Pour pallier ce problème, la manufacture horlogère française Lip a, dans les années 1960, proposé de coller un ressort spiral avec un grain de colle thermo-fusible, c'est-à-dire une colle dure à température ambiante, mais fondant sous l'action de la chaleur.Due to their small dimensions, spiral springs are difficult to assemble. However, the way in which the two ends of a spiral spring are fixed also has a great influence on the accuracy of the operation of the clock movement. In most mechanical clock movements, the two ends of the spiral spring are inserted into a drilled part and are immobilized by means of a pin mounted manually by force using pliers. There may then occur a slight rotation of the spiral spring, which is detrimental to the accuracy of the rate of the movement. To overcome this problem, the French watch manufacturer Lip, in the 1960s, proposed gluing a spiral spring with a grain of hot-melt glue, that is to say a glue that is hard at room temperature, but melts under the heat. action of heat.

Néanmoins, même la technique consistant à coller l'extrémité des ressorts spiraux au moyen d'une colle thermo-fusible a montré ses limites. Il a en effet été observé qu'en raison de sa viscosité, la colle thermo-fusible, en fondant, exerce par capillarité une force de traction sur le ressort spiral et peut plaquer l'extrémité du ressort spiral contre les parois du piton dans lequel cette extrémité est engagée. La déformation résultante du ressort spiral induit dans celui-ci des contraintes mécaniques qui sont très préjudiciables à la régularité de sa marche.Nevertheless, even the technique of gluing the end of the spiral springs using a hot-melt glue has shown its limits. It has in fact been observed that due to its viscosity, the hot-melt adhesive, on melting, exerts a tensile force on the spiral spring by capillarity and can press the end of the spiral spring against the walls of the peak in which this end is engaged. The resulting deformation of the spiral spring induces therein mechanical stresses which are very detrimental to the regularity of its operation.

Pour remédier à ces problèmes, la Demanderesse a déjà proposé un procédé de fixation d'un ressort spiral qui n'induise pas de contrainte mécanique dans un tel ressort spiral et ne l'écarte pas de sa position de repos. Ce procédé consiste à coller la dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral dans un piton au moyen d'une goutte de colle fluide polymérisable par exemple au moyen d'un rayonnement ultraviolet. Ainsi, même si, au moment du dépôt de la goutte de colle, par exemple au moyen d'un distributeur de colle du type seringue, l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire du spiral se déplace un peu sous l'effet du poids de la goutte colle, ce qui induit dans le ressort spiral des contraintes mécaniques non désirées, la colle est, avant durcissement, suffisamment fluide pour permettre à l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire du spiral de retrouver spontanément sa position de repos. Les contraintes mécaniques induites dans le ressort spiral au moment du dépôt de la goutte de colle liquide disparaissent donc d'elles-mêmes, de sorte que la régularité de la marche du ressort spiral n'est pas affectée par l'opération de collage de ce dernier.To remedy these problems, the Applicant has already proposed a method for attaching a spiral spring which does not induce mechanical stress in such a spiral spring and does not move it away from its rest position. This method consists in gluing the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring in a stud by means of a drop of polymerizable fluid adhesive, for example by means of ultraviolet radiation. Thus, even if, when depositing the drop of glue, for example by means of a syringe-type glue dispenser, the free end of the last turn of the hairspring moves a little under the effect of the weight of the drop sticks, which induces unwanted mechanical stresses in the spiral spring, the glue is, before hardening, sufficiently fluid to allow the free end of the last turn of the balance spring to spontaneously return to its rest position. The mechanical stresses induced in the spiral spring at the time of depositing the drop of liquid adhesive therefore disappear by themselves, so that the regularity of the operation of the spiral spring is not affected by the operation of bonding this last.

La solution ci-dessus permet ainsi de fixer un ressort spiral par l'extrémité libre de sa dernière spire à l'extérieur dans un piton en éliminant totalement ou du moins pour la plus grande part les contraintes mécaniques qui sont habituellement induites dans un tel ressort spiral lors de son montage. La régularité de marche du ressort spiral en est ainsi grandement améliorée. A l'usage, la Demanderesse s'est néanmoins rendu compte que le plot de colle durcie formé lorsque l'on polymérise la goutte de colle liquide dont on se sert pour fixer l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral avait parfois tendance à se désolidariser du piton, ce qui, bien sûr, entraîne la panne immédiate du mouvement d'horlogerie dans lequel est installé ce ressort spiral. Une telle situation dans laquelle le bloc de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral se détache du piton est notamment due à des problèmes d'état de surface du piton qui empêchent le plot de colle d'adhérer parfaitement au piton.The above solution thus makes it possible to fix a spiral spring by the free end of its last turn on the outside in a peak by eliminating totally or at least for the most part the mechanical stresses which are usually induced in such a spring. hairspring during assembly. The running regularity of the spiral spring is thus greatly improved. In use, the Applicant has nevertheless realized that the hardened glue pad formed when the drop of liquid glue which is used to fix the free end of the last turn to the outside of the spring is polymerized. balance spring sometimes had a tendency to separate from the peak, which, of course, leads to the immediate failure of the clock movement in which this balance spring is installed. Such a situation in which the block of glue in which the free end of the last turn is trapped outside the spiral spring detaches from the eyebolt is in particular due to surface condition problems of the eyebolt which prevent the stud from glue to adhere perfectly to the stud.

Le document CH 622 149 A décrit un piton qui présente une fente diamétrale destinée à recevoir la colle qui sert à la fixation du spiral au piton. Le spiral est engagé dans un trou radial ménagé dans le piton et qui débouche dans la fente diamétrale. La colle, constituée par une résine polymérisable, est alors mise en place dans la fente d'où elle se répand jusque dans le trou.The document CH 622 149 A describes a stud which has a diametrical slot intended to receive the glue which is used to fix the hairspring to the stud. The hairspring is engaged in a radial hole formed in the peak and which opens into the diametral slot. The glue, consisting of a polymerizable resin, is then placed in the slot from where it spreads into the hole.

Le document FR 2 051 170 A5 divulgue l'utilisation d'une feuille enserrant un ressort à l'entrée d'un perçage afin d'éviter que de la colle ne s'échappe d'un piton.The document FR 2 051 170 A5 discloses the use of a sheet enclosing a spring at the entrance to a hole in order to prevent glue from escaping from a stud.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention a pour but de résoudre les problèmes mentionnés ci-avant ainsi que d'autres encore en procurant un nouveau type de piton dont la géométrie permet de garantir que le plot de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral ne se dissociera pas du piton même si ce plot de colle n'adhère plus au piton.The object of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above as well as others still by providing a new type of stud whose geometry makes it possible to guarantee that the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn is imprisoned on the outside of the spiral spring will not separate from the eyebolt even if this glue pad no longer adheres to the eyebolt.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne un piton utilisé pour fixer une extrémité libre d'une dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral pour un mouvement d'horlogerie, ce piton comprenant une embase qui s'étend dans un plan et sur lequel se dressent un premier bras et un second bras qui sont libres à leur extrémité opposée à l'embase, le premier et le second bras étant séparés l'un de l'autre par un interstice dans lequel est logée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral qui est emprisonnée dans un plot de colle durcie, l'un au moins des premier et second bras étant muni d'un moyen d'arrêtage agencé pour empêcher le plot de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral de se dégager de l'interstice dans lequel il est logé lorsque ce plot de colle n'adhère plus au piton, caractérisé en ce que au moins le premier bras (6) comprend une rainure (38) à distance de son extrémité libre, cette rainure (38) s'étendant dans un plan qui forme un angle avec le plan (P) de l'embase (4) et qui délimite pour au moins le premier bras (6) un crochet (40) formant une surface d'appui (42) qui va retenir le plot de colle (16) durcie.To this end, the present invention relates to a stud used to fix a free end of a last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clockwork movement, this stud comprising a base which extends in a plane and on which stand a first arm and a second arm which are free at their end opposite the base, the first and the second arm being separated from each other by a gap in which is housed the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring which is trapped in a pad of hardened glue, at least one of the first and second arms being provided with a stopping means arranged to prevent the pad of glue in which is trapped the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring to disengage from the gap in which it is housed when this patch of glue no longer adheres to the eyebolt, characterized in that at least the first arm (6 ) comprises a groove (38) at a distance of its free end, this groove (38) extending in a plane which forms an angle with the plane (P) of the base (4) and which delimits for at least the first arm (6) a hook (40) forming a support surface (42) which will retain the glue pad (16) hardened.

Dans une réalisation qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention, l'un au moins des premier et second bras est percé de part en part d'un trou.In an embodiment which does not form part of the invention, at least one of the first and second arms is pierced right through with a hole.

Selon l'invention, le moyen d'arrêtage fait saillie dans l'interstice prévu pour recevoir le plot de colle durcie dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral.According to the invention, the stopper means protrudes into the gap provided to receive the hardened glue pad in which the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring is trapped.

Selon une autre réalisation de l'invention, le moyen d'arrêtage est au moins un bourrelet qui est fait de matière avec le bras correspondant du piton.According to another embodiment of the invention, the stopping means is at least one bead which is made of material with the corresponding arm of the piton.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la présente invention procure un piton utilisé pour fixer l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral pour un mouvement d'horlogerie, ce piton étant pourvu d'un moyen d'arrêtage prévu pour empêcher le plot de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral de se dégager de l'interstice dans lequel est logé ce plot lorsque ce dernier n'adhère plus au piton.Thanks to these characteristics, the present invention provides a piton used to fix the free end of the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clock movement, this piton being provided with a stopping means provided to prevent the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring is trapped from coming out of the gap in which this pad is housed when the latter no longer adheres to the eyebolt.

La présente invention s'applique à tous les types de ressorts spiraux connus. Il peut notamment s'agir des spiraux métalliques typiquement réalisés en acier. Il peut également s'agir des ressorts spiraux réalisés en silicium.The present invention applies to all known types of spiral springs. These may in particular be metal hairsprings typically made of steel. It can also be spiral springs made of silicon.

La présente invention n'est également pas non plus limitée à un type de colle en particulier. En effet, l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral peut par exemple être collée dans l'interstice du piton au moyen de l'adhésif bien connu sous sa dénomination « gomme laque » (adhésif connu sous le même nom ou sous le nom « shellac » en terminologie anglo-saxonne), ou bien être collée au moyen d'une colle liquide pouvant, par exemple, être polymérisée au moyen d'un rayonnement UV. L'avantage de la gomme laque réside essentiellement dans le fait qu'elle adhère bien et durablement au piton. Par contre, à la connaissance de la Demanderesse, le collage des spiraux sur les pitons au moyen de gomme laque n'a jamais pu être automatisé et sa réussite reste entièrement dépendante de la dextérité de l'opérateur ou de l'opératrice chargé de cette opération. La gomme laque est une résine et l'opérateur en prélève un petit copeau qu'il place dans l'interstice destiné à recevoir l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire extérieure du ressort spiral. Après avoir placé cette extrémité du ressort spiral dans l'interstice du piton, l'opérateur chauffe brièvement le copeau de gomme laque qui fond et emprisonne l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire extérieure du ressort spiral. L'opérateur laisse ensuite la gomme laque refroidir et, après contrôle visuel, décide s'il faut rajouter une quantité de gomme laque supplémentaire ou bien s'il peut passer à l'ensemble ressort spiral/piton suivant. On comprend qu'une telle succession d'opérations est difficile à automatiser. C'est pourquoi il a été proposé de coller les ressorts spiraux, notamment ceux réalisés en silicium, au moyen d'une colle liquide polymérisable à l'aide d'un rayonnement UV ou bien apte à durcir au contact de l'air. Comme déjà mentionné ci-dessus, la fluidité d'un tel type de colle est telle qu'après dépôt d'une goutte de cette colle, l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire extérieure du ressort spiral peut revenir spontanément à sa position de repos dont elle a été écartée lors du dépôt de la colle. Surtout, la quantité de colle liquide déposée peut être contrôlée de manière très précise et entièrement automatisée à l'aide d'un distributeur de colle tel qu'une seringue encore connu sous sa dénomination anglo-saxonne « dispenser ». Après dépôt de la goutte de colle liquide, celle-ci est durcie par insolation au moyen d'une lampe UV. On comprend bien qu'un tel procédé est aisément automatisable. Par contre, l'inconvénient de la colle photo-polymérisable est que son adhérence au piton n'est pas très satisfaisante et que les risques que le plot de colle dans lequel l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral est emprisonnée se détache du piton sont élevés. C'est pour répondre à ces problèmes que la présente invention propose de munir un piton d'horlogerie d'un moyen d'arrêtage du type d'une rainure pour empêcher le plot de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral de se détacher de ce piton. Le piton se présente typiquement sous la forme d'une embase qui s'étend dans un plan à partir duquel deux bras séparés l'un de l'autre par un interstice prévu pour recevoir l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur s'étendent. Le moyen d'arrêtage peut prendre des formes variées parmi lesquelles on peut citer de manière non limitative un trou qui traverse de part en part l'un au moins des deux bras et qui ne fit pas partie de l'invention. Une fois l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral positionnée dans l'interstice du piton, on dépose la goutte de colle liquide. Par capillarité, celle-ci va notamment diffuser dans le trou dans lequel elle va rester prisonnière et durcir après insolation au moyen d'un rayonnement UV. Par conséquent, si, en cours de vie, le plot de colle vient à se désolidariser du piton, il ne parviendra toutefois pas à se dégager de l'interstice dans lequel il est logé, de sorte que cela ne se ressentira pas sur le fonctionnement du mouvement d'horlogerie. Le moyen d'arrêtage peut aussi être prévu sous la forme d'un élément, par exemple un bourrelet, qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention et qui fait saillie dans l'interstice du piton dans lequel est logée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral. Dans ce cas aussi, si le plot de colle dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre du ressort spiral se désolidarise du piton, ce plot de colle durcie ne pourra s'échapper de l'interstice. Selon l'invention, l'un au moins des premier et second bras du piton comprend une rainure qui s'étend dans un plan qui forme un angle avec le plan de l'embase. Cette rainure délimite un crochet qui fait office de moyen d'arrêtage du plot de colle.The present invention is also not limited to a particular type of glue. Indeed, the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring can for example be glued in the interstice of the peak by means of the adhesive well known under its name "shellac" (adhesive known under the same name or under the name "shellac" in Anglo-Saxon terminology), or else be glued using a liquid adhesive which can, for example, be polymerized using UV radiation. The advantage of shellac lies essentially in the fact that it adheres well and durably to the piton. On the other hand, to the Applicant's knowledge, the bonding of the hairsprings to the studs using shellac has never been automated and its success remains entirely dependent on the dexterity of the operator responsible for this operation. Shellac is a resin and the operator takes a small shaving which he places in the gap intended to receive the free end of the last outer turn of the spiral spring. After having placed this end of the spiral spring in the interstice of the eyebolt, the operator briefly heats the chip of shellac which melts and traps the free end of the last outer turn of the spiral spring. The operator then leaves the shellac to cool and, after visual inspection, decides whether to add an additional quantity of shellac or whether to move on to the next balance spring/eyebolt assembly. It is understood that such a succession of operations is difficult to automate. This is why it has been proposed to bond the spiral springs, in particular those made of silicon, by means of a liquid adhesive which can be polymerized using UV radiation or else capable of hardening on contact with air. As already mentioned above, the fluidity of such a type of glue is such that after depositing a drop of this glue, the free end of the last outer turn of the spiral spring can spontaneously return to its rest position. from which it was removed during the deposition of the glue. Above all, the quantity of liquid adhesive deposited can be controlled very precisely and entirely automatically using an adhesive dispenser such as a syringe also known by its English name “dispenser”. After depositing the drop of liquid glue, it is hardened by exposure using a UV lamp. It is well understood that such a process can easily be automated. On the other hand, the disadvantage of the photo-polymerizable glue is that its adhesion to the stud is not very satisfactory and that the risks that the glue pad in which the free end of the last turn turns outside the spiral spring is imprisoned detaches from the piton are raised. It is to respond to these problems that the present invention proposes to provide a watch stud with a stopper means of the type of a groove to prevent the glue pad in which is trapped the free end of the last coil on the outside of the spiral spring to detach from this eyebolt. The peak is typically in the form of a base which extends in a plane from which two arms separated from each other by a gap provided to receive the free end of the last turn on the outside extend. The stopper means can take various forms, among which mention may be made, in a non-limiting manner, of a hole which passes right through at least one of the two arms and which is not part of the invention. Once the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring is positioned in the gap of the eyebolt, the drop of liquid adhesive is deposited. By capillarity, it will in particular diffuse into the hole in which it will remain trapped and harden after insolation by means of UV radiation. Consequently, if, during its lifetime, the glue pad comes to separate from the eyebolt, it will however not succeed in freeing itself from the interstice in which it is housed, so that this will not be felt on the operation. of the clockwork. The stopping means can also be provided in the form of an element, for example a bead, which does not form part of the invention and which protrudes into the gap of the stud in which the free end of the the last coil on the outside of the spiral spring. Also in this case, if the glue pad in which the free end of the spiral spring is trapped separates from the peak, this hardened glue pad will not be able to escape from the gap. According to the invention, at least one of the first and second arms of the stud comprises a groove which extends in a plane which forms an angle with the plane of the base. This groove delimits a hook which acts as a means of stopping the glue pad.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de fabrication d'un piton utilisé pour la fixation d'une extrémité libre d'une dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral pour un mouvement d'horlogerie, ce piton comprenant une embase qui s'étend dans un plan et un premier et un second bras qui s'étendent à partir de ce plan, le premier et le second bras étant séparés l'un de l'autre par un interstice dans lequel est logée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral qui est emprisonnée dans un plot de colle durcie, l'interstice étant initialement réalisé avec une première largeur, le procédé comprenant l'étape qui consiste à élargir l'interstice par étampage et à créer par refoulement de matière un moyen d'arrêtage qui fait saillie dans l'interstice prévu pour recevoir le plot de colle durcie dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral.The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a stud used for fixing a free end of a last turn to the outside of a spiral spring for a clockwork movement, this stud comprising a base which is extends in a plane and a first and a second arm which extend from this plane, the first and the second arm being separated from each other by a gap in which the free end of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring which is trapped in a pad of hardened glue, the gap being initially made with a first width, the method comprising the step of widening the gap by stamping and creating by upsetting of material a stopper means which protrudes into the gap provided to receive the hardened glue pad in which is trapped the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of figures

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description détaillée qui suit d'un exemple de réalisation d'un piton selon l'invention, cet exemple étant donné à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif seulement en liaison avec le dessin annexé sur lequel :

  • les figures 1A et 1B sont des vues respectivement en élévation et en perspective d'une première forme d'exécution non comprise dans l'invention, dans laquelle les premier et second bras du piton sont percés d'un trou de part en part ;
  • la figure 1C est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1B sur laquelle on voit un ressort spiral en silicium dont l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur est fixée sur le piton au moyen d'un plot de colle ;
  • les figures 2A, 2B et 2C sont des vues en élévation et en perspective de la forme d'exécution de l'invention dans laquelle une rainure usinée dans les premier et second bras du piton selon l'invention délimite deux crochets ;
  • la figure 2D est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2C sur laquelle on voit un ressort spiral en silicium dont l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur est fixée sur le piton au moyen d'un plot de colle ;
  • la figure 3A est une vue en perspective dans laquelle un bourrelet ménagé sur chacune des surfaces latérales internes en regard des premier et second bras du piton fait saillie dans l'interstice ;
  • la figure 3B est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 3A sur laquelle on voit un ressort spiral en silicium dont l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur est fixée sur le piton au moyen d'un plot de colle ;
  • les figures 4A et 4B illustrent schématiquement une première variante du procédé d'usinage des bourrelets sur les surfaces latérales internes en regard des premier et second bras du piton ;
  • les figures 5A à 5D illustrent schématiquement une seconde variante du procédé d'usinage des bourrelets sur les surfaces latérales internes en regard des premier et second bras du piton, et
  • les figures 6A et 6B illustrent schématiquement le procédé de collage de l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral sur le piton au moyen d'un plot de colle.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment of a peak according to the invention, this example being given purely by way of illustration and not limitation only in connection with the attached drawing on which:
  • the figures 1A and 1B are elevational and perspective views respectively of a first embodiment not included in the invention, in which the first and second arms of the peak are pierced with a hole right through;
  • the figure 1C is a view analogous to that of figure 1B on which we see a silicon spiral spring, the free end of the last turn on the outside of which is fixed to the eyebolt by means of a glue pad;
  • the figures 2A, 2B and 2C are views in elevation and in perspective of the embodiment of the invention in which a groove machined in the first and second arms of the peak according to the invention delimits two hooks;
  • the 2D figure is a view analogous to that of Fig. 2C on which we see a silicon spiral spring, the free end of the last turn on the outside of which is fixed to the eyebolt by means of a glue pad;
  • the Figure 3A is a perspective view in which a bead formed on each of the internal side surfaces facing the first and second arms of the peak projects into the gap;
  • the Figure 3B is a view analogous to that of Figure 3A on which we see a silicon spiral spring, the free end of the last turn on the outside of which is fixed to the eyebolt by means of a glue pad;
  • the figures 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a first variant of the process for machining the beads on the internal side surfaces facing the first and second arms of the peak;
  • the figures 5A to 5D schematically illustrate a second variant of the process for machining the beads on the internal side surfaces facing the first and second arms of the peak, and
  • the figures 6A and 6B schematically illustrate the method of gluing the free end of the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring on the peak by means of a glue pad.

Description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation de l'inventionDetailed description of an embodiment of the invention

La présente invention procède de l'idée générale inventive qui consiste à munir un piton destiné à la fixation d'un ressort spiral d'un mouvement d'horlogerie d'un moyen d'arrêtage du type d'une rainure prévue pour empêcher une extrémité libre d'une dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral de se découpler du piton et de provoquer l'arrêt immédiat du mouvement d'horlogerie. Plus précisément, le piton comprend une embase qui s'étend dans un plan à partir duquel s'étendent un premier et un second bras séparés l'un de l'autre par un interstice. Cet interstice est prévu pour recevoir l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral qui va être immobilisée au moyen d'un plot de colle durcie par rayonnement ultraviolet. Conformément à l'invention, l'un au moins des deux bras du piton est muni d'une rainure prévue pour empêcher le plot de colle, et donc l'extrémité libre de la spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral, de s'échapper de l'interstice pour le cas où le plot de colle viendrait à se désolidariser du piton. Ce moyen d'arrêtage se présente sous la forme d'une rainure qui délimite un crochet.The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in providing a stud intended for fixing a spiral spring of a clockwork movement with a stopper means of the type of a groove provided to prevent one end free of a last turn outside the spiral spring to decouple from the eyebolt and cause the clockwork movement to stop immediately. More specifically, the peak comprises a base which extends in a plane from which extend a first and a second arm separated from each other by a gap. This gap is provided to receive the free end of the last turn outside the spiral spring which will be immobilized by means of a pad of glue hardened by ultraviolet radiation. According to the invention, at least one of the two arms of the eyebolt is provided with a groove provided to prevent the glue pad, and therefore the free end of the turn outside the spiral spring, from slipping. escape from the interstice in the event that the patch of glue should become detached from the eyebolt. This stopping means is in the form of a groove which delimits a hook.

Dans la description détaillée qui suit, on s'intéressera au collage d'un spiral en silicium au moyen d'une colle liquide destinée à être polymérisée au moyen d'un rayonnement ultraviolet. On comprendra cependant que l'invention n'est pas limitée à ce mode de réalisation particulier et qu'elle s'applique de manière identique à tout type de ressort spiral comme les ressorts spiraux métalliques réalisés par exemple au moyen d'un alliage d'acier.In the following detailed description, attention will be paid to the bonding of a silicon hairspring by means of a liquid adhesive intended to be polymerized by means of ultraviolet radiation. It will however be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment and that it applies identically to any type of spiral spring such as the metal spiral springs made for example by means of a steel alloy.

Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique 1, une première forme particulière d'exécution d'un piton 2 non comprise dans l'invention est représentée aux figures 1A et 1B annexées à la présente demande de brevet. Comme on peut le voir à l'examen de ces deux figures 1A et 1B, le piton 2 comprend une embase 4 qui s'étend dans un plan P sur lequel se dressent un premier bras 6 et un second bras 8 qui sont libres à leur extrémité opposée à l'embase 4. Dans l'exemple représenté au dessin, les premier et second bras 6 et 8 s'étendent perpendiculairement au plan P de l'embase 4 et sont séparés l'un de l'autre par un interstice 10 sensiblement parallélépipédique. Toujours sur les figures 1A, 1B, on voit que les surfaces extérieures 12 et 14 des premier et second bras 6 et 8, c'est-à-dire les surfaces de ces deux bras 6 et 8 qui ne délimitent pas l'interstice 10, ont tendance à converger l'une vers l'autre au fur et à mesure que ces deux bras 6 et 8 s'éloignent de l'embase 4, de sorte que l'on comprend immédiatement que si l'interstice 10 était comblé et les deux bras 6 et 8 réunis l'un à l'autre, ces deux bras 6 et 8 s'inscriraient dans une enveloppe extérieure de forme tronconique. Cette géométrie pour le piton 2 est préférée notamment pour des questions d'encombrement et de facilité de réglage de la raquette (non représentée) qui appartient au mouvement d'horlogerie. Néanmoins, cette géométrie n'est nullement imposée et d'autres formes extérieures du piton 2 peuvent être envisagées.Designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1, a first particular form of execution of a peak 2 not included in the invention is shown in figures 1A and 1B appended to this patent application. As can be seen from examining these two figures 1A and 1B , the peak 2 comprises a base 4 which extends in a plane P on which stand a first arm 6 and a second arm 8 which are free at their end opposite the base 4. In the example shown in the drawing, the first and second arms 6 and 8 extend perpendicular to the plane P of the base 4 and are separated from each other by a gap 10 substantially parallelepipedic. Always on the Figures 1A, 1B , we see that the outer surfaces 12 and 14 of the first and second arms 6 and 8, that is to say the surfaces of these two arms 6 and 8 which do not delimit the gap 10, tend to converge the towards each other as these two arms 6 and 8 move away from the base 4, so that one immediately understands that if the gap 10 were filled and the two arms 6 and 8 joined together to each other, these two arms 6 and 8 would be part of an outer casing of frustoconical shape. This geometry for the piton 2 is preferred in particular for questions of size and ease of adjustment of the racket (not shown) which belongs to the clockwork movement. Nevertheless, this geometry is in no way imposed and other external shapes of the piton 2 can be envisaged.

Le piton 2 est muni d'un moyen d'arrêtage prévu pour empêcher un plot de colle 16 dans lequel est emprisonnée une extrémité libre 18 d'une dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral 20 de s'échapper de l'interstice 10 dans le cas où le plot de colle 16 se désolidarise du piton 2. Selon la première forme particulière d'exécution, qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention ce moyen d'arrêtage se présente sous la forme d'un trou 22 percé de part en part dans l'un au moins des premier et second bras 6, 8. Dans l'exemple illustré aux figures 1A, 1B, un trou 22 est percé dans chacun des deux bras 6 et 8.The eyebolt 2 is provided with a stopper means provided to prevent a glue pad 16 in which is trapped a free end 18 of a last turn outside of a spiral spring 20 from escaping from the gap 10 in the case where the glue pad 16 separates from the peak 2. According to the first particular embodiment, which does not form part of the invention, this stopping means is in the form of a hole 22 pierced right through in at least one of the first and second arms 6, 8. In the example illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B , a hole 22 is drilled in each of the two arms 6 and 8.

L'exemple de ressort spiral 20 en silicium plus particulièrement visible sur les figures 6A et 6B est classiquement constitué d'un très fin ressort enroulé en spires concentriques et dont la section est constante sur sensiblement toute sa longueur. Ce ressort spiral 20 est fixé via une extrémité libre 24 d'une première spire à l'intérieur à un axe de balancier du mouvement horloger (non représenté) par exemple au moyen d'une virole 28, et via l'extrémité libre 18 de sa dernière spire à l'extérieur au piton 2. A cette fin, la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral 20, légèrement plus épaisse que les autres spires sur une partie de sa longueur, peut être munie à son extrémité libre 18 d'une plaquette 30 faite d'une seule pièce avec le ressort spiral 20. La présence de la plaquette 30 est dictée par des considérations propres à la technique de fabrication des ressorts spiraux 20 en silicium seulement. Il est important de comprendre que la présence de cette plaquette 30 n'est nullement rendue nécessaire par les besoins de la présente invention et qu'il est tout à fait possible de fixer un ressort spiral dépourvu d'une telle plaquette sur le piton 2 selon l'invention.The example of spiral spring 20 in silicon more particularly visible on the figures 6A and 6B is conventionally made up of a very thin spring wound in concentric turns and whose section is constant over substantially its entire length. This spiral spring 20 is fixed via a free end 24 of a first coil inside to a balance shaft of the watch movement (not shown) for example by means of a ferrule 28, and via the free end 18 of its last turn on the outside at the peak 2. To this end, the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring 20, slightly thicker than the other turns over part of its length, can be provided at its free end 18 with a plate 30 made in one piece with the spiral spring 20. The presence of the plate 30 is dictated by considerations specific to the technique of manufacturing the spiral springs 20 in silicon only. It is important to understand that the presence of this plate 30 is in no way made necessary by the needs of the present invention and that it is quite possible to fix a spiral spring without such a plate on the peak 2 according to the invention.

Dans l'exemple illustré aux figures 1A à 1C, un trou 22 est percé de part en part dans chacun des deux bras 6 et 8. Ainsi, lorsque l'on dépose la colle liquide dans l'interstice 10, celle-ci diffuse dans les trous 22 par capillarité, trous 22 dans lesquels la colle liquide va rester prisonnière et durcir après insolation au moyen d'un rayonnement UV ou bien au contact de l'air. Il se forme ainsi un plot de colle 16 dans lequel l'extrémité libre 18 de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral 20 se retrouve emprisonnée. Par conséquent, si, en cours de vie, le plot de colle 16 vient à se désolidariser ou se décoller du piton 2, il ne parviendra toutefois pas à se dégager de l'interstice 10 dans lequel il est logé et à se découpler du piton 2, de sorte que cela ne rejaillira pas sur le fonctionnement du mouvement d'horlogerie. En effet, le plot de colle 16 ne parviendra pas à se dégager de l'interstice 10 notamment dans la région où la colle liquide aura durci dans les trous 22.In the example shown in figures 1A to 1C , a hole 22 is drilled right through in each of the two arms 6 and 8. Thus, when the liquid adhesive is deposited in the gap 10, the latter diffuses into the holes 22 by capillarity, holes 22 in which the liquid glue will remain trapped and harden after insolation by means of UV radiation or in contact with air. This forms a glue pad 16 in which the free end 18 of the last turn outside the spiral spring 20 is trapped. Consequently, if, during its lifetime, the glue pad 16 comes to separate or peel off from the peak 2, it will however not manage to emerge from the gap 10 in which it is housed and to decouple from the peak 2, so that it will not affect the operation of the clockwork. In fact, the patch of glue 16 will not be able to come out of the gap 10, in particular in the region where the liquid glue will have hardened in the holes 22.

Dans ce qui suit, les éléments identiques à ceux décrits en liaison avec les figures 1A à 1C seront désignés par les mêmes références numériques.In what follows, the elements identical to those described in connection with the figures 1A to 1C will be designated by the same reference numerals.

Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 36, une forme particulière d'exécution d'un piton 2 conforme à l'invention est représentée aux figures 2A à 2C annexées à la présente demande de brevet. Conformément à cette forme d'exécution, une rainure 38 qui s'étend dans un plan qui forme un angle avec le plan P de l'embase 4 est usinée dans l'un au moins des premier et second bras 6, 8. Dans l'exemple illustré sur les figures 2A à 2C, une rainure 38 est usinée dans les deux bras 6 et 8 et s'étend dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan P de l'embase. Ainsi usinée, la rainure 38 délimite pour chacun des premier et second bras 6 et 8 un crochet 40 qui, une fois le plot de colle 16 durci par exemple par insolation au moyen d'un rayonnement UV ou au contact de l'air, va retenir le plot de colle 16 résultant et l'empêcher de se dégager de l'interstice 10 dans le cas où le plot de colle 16 se désolidarise du piton 2. En effet, combinés avec le dégagement formé par la rainure 38, les crochets 40 forment deux surfaces d'appui 42 sur lesquelles la colle liquide va se déposer par capillarité avant de durcir pour former le plot de colle 16 et qui vont empêcher tout retrait éventuel de ce plot de colle 16.Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 36, a particular form of execution of a peak 2 in accordance with the invention is shown in figures 2A to 2C appended to this patent application. In accordance with this embodiment, a groove 38 which extends in a plane which forms an angle with the plane P of the base 4 is machined in at least one of the first and second arms 6, 8. In the example illustrated on the figures 2A to 2C , a groove 38 is machined in the two arms 6 and 8 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane P of the base. Thus machined, the groove 38 delimits for each of the first and second arms 6 and 8 a hook 40 which, once the glue pad 16 has hardened, for example by insolation by means of UV radiation or in contact with the air, will retain the resulting glue pad 16 and prevent it from coming out of the gap 10 in the event that the glue pad 16 separates from the peak 2. Indeed, combined with the clearance formed by the groove 38, the hooks 40 form two bearing surfaces 42 on which the liquid adhesive will be deposited by capillary action before hardening to form the glue pad 16 and which will prevent any possible shrinkage of this glue pad 16.

La figure 2D est une vue analogue à celles des figures 2A à 2C sur laquelle on voit le ressort spiral 20 en silicium fixé sur le piton 2 par l'extrémité libre 18 de sa dernière spire à l'extérieur au moyen d'un plot de colle 16.The 2D figure is a view analogous to those of figures 2A to 2C on which we see the spiral spring 20 in silicon fixed on the peak 2 by the free end 18 of its last turn on the outside by means of a glue pad 16.

Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 44, une troisième forme particulière d'exécution d'un piton 2 est représentée à la figure 3A annexée à la présente demande de brevet. Conformément à cette troisième forme particulière d'exécution, le moyen d'arrêtage fait saillie dans l'interstice 10 prévu pour recevoir le plot de colle 16 durcie dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre 18 de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral 20. A titre d'exemple illustratif et non limitatif seulement, le moyen d'arrêtage se présente sous la forme d'un bourrelet 46 venant de matière avec chacune des surfaces latérales internes 48 qui se font face des premier et second bras 6 et 8. On comprend bien qu'une fois le plot de colle 16 dans lequel est emprisonnée l'extrémité libre 18 de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral 20 durci, les bourrelets 46 qui font saillie dans l'interstice 10 interdisent définitivement au plot de colle 16 de s'échapper de cet interstice 10 pour le cas où ce dernier viendrait à se décoller du piton 2.Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 44, a third particular form of execution of a peak 2 is shown in Figure 3A appended to this patent application. In accordance with this third particular embodiment, the stopper means protrudes into the gap 10 provided to receive the pad of hardened glue 16 in which the free end 18 of the last turn outside the spring is imprisoned. hairspring 20. By way of illustration and not limiting only, the stopping means is in the form of a bead 46 made in one piece with each of the internal side surfaces 48 which face each other of the first and second arms 6 and 8. It is understood that once the stud of glue 16 in which the free end 18 of the last turn is trapped outside the hardened spiral spring 20, the beads 46 which protrude into the gap 10 definitively prevent the glue pad 16 from escaping from this interstice 10 in the event that the latter should become detached from peak 2.

La figure 3B est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 3A sur laquelle on voit le ressort spiral 20 en silicium fixé par l'extrémité libre 18 de sa dernière spire à l'extérieur sur le piton 2 au moyen d'un plot de colle 16.The Figure 3B is a view analogous to that of Figure 3A on which we see the spiral spring 20 in silicon fixed by the free end 18 of its last turn to the outside on the eyebolt 2 by means of a glue pad 16.

Une technique possible pour réaliser les bourrelets 46 est illustrée aux figures 4A et 4B. Cette technique consiste à se munir d'un piton 2 présentant un interstice 10 dont la largeur initiale est d1, puis à introduire dans cet interstice 10 un outil de matriçage 50 dont la largeur d2 est supérieure à la largeur d1 et correspond à la largeur finale de l'interstice 10 recherchée. En forçant l'outil de matriçage 50 dans l'interstice 10, on refoule la matière et l'on crée sur chacune des surfaces latérales internes 48 des premier et second bras 6, 8 un bourrelet 46. On notera que les bourrelets 46 correspondent à un mode de réalisation préféré mais non limitatif. En effet, pour obtenir un moyen d'arrêtage faisant saillie dans l'interstice 10, il peut également être envisagé, par exemple, de percer de part en part l'un au moins des deux bras 6, 8, puis d'introduire dans l'orifice ainsi obtenu une goupille qui fasse saillie dans l'interstice 10.A possible technique for making the beads 46 is illustrated in figures 4A and 4B . This technique consists in providing a piton 2 having a gap 10 whose initial width is d1 , then introducing into this gap 10 a stamping tool 50 whose width d2 is greater than the width d1 and corresponds to the final width of the interstice 10 sought. By forcing the stamping tool 50 into the gap 10, the material is pushed back and a bead 46 is created on each of the internal side surfaces 48 of the first and second arms 6, 8. It will be noted that the beads 46 correspond to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment. Indeed, to obtain a stopper means projecting into the gap 10, it can also be envisaged, for example, to pierce right through at least one of the two arms 6, 8, then to introduce into the orifice thus obtained a pin which protrudes into the gap 10.

Une autre technique possible pour créer une collerette annulaire 52 est illustrée aux figures 5A à 5D. Cette technique consiste à se munir d'un piton 2 présentant un interstice 10, puis à introduire dans cet interstice 10 un outil de perçage 54 dont l'extrémité est conique. En faisant avancer l'outil de perçage 54 dans l'interstice 10 depuis l'extrémité libre des bras 6, 8 vers l'embase 4, on crée un premier trou 56 dans le piton 2 (figure 5A). Inversement, on usine un second trou 58 dans le piton 2 depuis l'embase 4 vers l'extrémité libre des premier et second bras 6, 8 (figure 5B). L'usinage est effectué de façon que le second trou 58 débouche partiellement dans le premier trou 56, en conservant localement une collerette annulaire 52 sur les surfaces latérales internes 48 des premier et second bras 6 et 8 (figure 5C). Après avoir engagé le ressort spiral 20 par l'extrémité libre 18 de sa dernière spire à l'extérieur dans l'interstice 10 et avoir déposé une goutte de colle liquide, cette dernière est durcie de façon à former un plot de colle 16 (figure 6D). Le plot de colle 16 ainsi formé est retenu par la collerette annulaire 52, de sorte que même si ce plot 16 se détache du piton 2, il sera retenu à l'intérieur de l'interstice 10 d'où il ne pourra s'échapper.Another possible technique for creating an annular flange 52 is illustrated in figures 5A to 5D . This technique consists of providing a piton 2 having a gap 10, then introducing into this gap 10 a drilling tool 54 whose end is conical. By advancing the drilling tool 54 in the gap 10 from the free end of the arms 6, 8 towards the base 4, a first hole 56 is created in the peak 2 ( figure 5A ). Conversely, a second hole 58 is machined in the peak 2 from the base 4 towards the free end of the first and second arms 6, 8 ( figure 5B ). The machining is carried out so that the second hole 58 partially opens into the first hole 56, locally retaining an annular flange 52 on the internal side surfaces 48 of the first and second arms 6 and 8 ( Fig. 5C ). After having engaged the spiral spring 20 by the free end 18 of its last turn on the outside in the gap 10 and having deposited a drop of liquid glue, the latter is hardened so as to form a patch of glue 16 (figure 6D). The glue pad 16 thus formed is retained by the annular collar 52, so that even if this pad 16 detaches from the peak 2, it will be retained inside the gap 10 from which it cannot escape. .

Il va de soi que la présente invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit et que diverses modifications et variantes simples peuvent être envisagées par l'homme du métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. En particulier, en liaison avec les figures 6A et 6B, on illustre schématiquement le procédé de collage de l'extrémité libre de la dernière spire à l'extérieur d'un ressort spiral sur un piton conforme à l'invention. A la figure 6A, l'extrémité libre 18 de la dernière spire à l'extérieur du ressort spiral 20 est disposée par sa plaquette 30 dans l'interstice 10 du piton 2 et est collée au moyen d'une goutte de colle liquide 32 apte à être polymérisée au moyen d'une source de rayonnement ultraviolet 34. Cette goutte de colle liquide 32 est par exemple déposée au moyen d'un dispositif de distribution 60 automatisé tel qu'une seringue encore connu sous sa dénomination anglo-saxonne « dispenser ». L'exposition de la goutte de colle liquide 32 à la lumière ultraviolette permet sa polymérisation et son durcissement complet. On notera que l'exemple de la colle liquide polymérisable par exposition à une lumière ultraviolette est donné à titre d'exemple seulement, et que d'autres types de colles liquides tels qu'une colle durcissant au contact de l'air peuvent être envisagés.It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various simple modifications and variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined. by the appended claims. In particular, in connection with the figures 6A and 6B , there is a schematic illustration of the method of gluing the free end of the last turn to the outside of a spiral spring on a stud according to the invention. To the Figure 6A , the free end 18 of the last turn outside the spiral spring 20 is placed by its plate 30 in the gap 10 of the peak 2 and is glued by means of a drop of liquid adhesive 32 capable of being polymerized in the means of a source of ultraviolet radiation 34. This drop of liquid adhesive 32 is for example deposited by means of a dispensing device 60 automated such as a syringe still known by its Anglo-Saxon name "dispenser". Exposing the drop of liquid glue 32 to ultraviolet light allows it to polymerize and harden completely. It will be noted that the example of the liquid adhesive polymerizable by exposure to ultraviolet light is given by way of example only, and that other types of liquid adhesives such as an adhesive hardening in contact with air can be envisaged. .

NomenclatureNomenclature

  • 1. Première forme particulière d'exécution1. First particular form of execution
  • 2. Piton2. Peak
  • 4. Embase4. Base
  • P. Plan P. Plan
  • 6. Premier bras6. First arm
  • 8. Second bras8. Second arm
  • 10. Interstice10. Gap
  • 12, 14. Surfaces extérieures12, 14. Exterior surfaces
  • 16. Plot de colle16. Glue pad
  • 18. Extrémité libre18. Free end
  • 20. Ressort spiral20. Spiral spring
  • 22. Trou22. Hole
  • 24. Extrémité libre24. Free End
  • 28. Virole28. Ferrule
  • 30. Plaquette30. Wafer
  • 32. Goutte de colle32. Glue drop
  • 34. Source de rayonnement ultraviolet34. Source of ultraviolet radiation
  • 36. Deuxième forme particulière d'exécution36. Second particular form of execution
  • 38. Rainure38. Groove
  • 40. Crochets40. Hooks
  • 42. Surfaces d'appui42. Support surfaces
  • 44. Troisième forme particulière d'exécution44. Third particular form of execution
  • 46. Bourrelets46. Rolls
  • 48. Surfaces latérales internes48. Internal side surfaces
  • 50. Outil de matriçage50. Die-cutting tool
  • d1. Largeur initialed1. Initial width
  • d2. Largeur finaled2. Final width
  • 52. Collerette annulaire52. Ring collar
  • 54. Outil de perçage54. Drilling tool
  • 56. Premier trou56. First hole
  • 58. Second trou58. Second Hole
  • 60. Distributeur de colle60. Glue dispenser

Claims (3)

  1. Balance-spring stud used for fixing a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring (20) for a timepiece movement, this balance-spring stud (2) comprising a base (4) that lies in a plane (P), a first arm (6) and a second arm (8) that extend from said plane (P) being free at their end opposite to the base (4), the first and second arms (6, 8) being separated from one another by a gap (10) in which the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) which is intended to be trapped in a hardened spot of glue (16) is intended to be housed, at least one of the first and second arms (6, 8) being provided with a stop means arranged to prevent the spot of hardened glue (16) in which the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) is intended to be trapped from being released from the gap (10) in which said spot of hardened glue (16) is housed when this spot of hardened glue (16) no longer adheres to the balance-spring stud (2), characterised in that at least the first arm (6) comprises a groove (38) at a distance from the free end thereof, this groove (38) lying in a plane that forms an angle with the plane (P) of the base (4) and which delimits, for at least the first arm (6), a hook (40) forming a support surface (42) that holds the spot of hardened glue (16).
  2. Method for manufacturing a balance-spring stud (2) for fixing a free end (18) of a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring (20) for a timepiece movement, this balance-spring stud (2) comprising a base (4) that lies in a plane (P) and a first and second arm (6, 8) that extend from this plane (P), the first and second arms (6, 8) being separated from one another by a gap (10) intended to house the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) that is trapped in a spot of hardened glue (16), the gap (10) being initially produced with a first width (d1), the method comprising the step of widening the gap (10) by stamping and creating, by upsetting, a bead (46) that projects in the gap (10) designed to receive the spot of hardened glue (16) in which the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) is trapped.
  3. Method for manufacturing a balance-spring stud (2) for fixing a free end (18) of a last turn on the outside of a spiral spring (20) for a timepiece movement, this balance-spring stud (2) comprising a base (4) that lies in a plane (P) and on which first and second arms (6, 8) are erected, which are free at their end opposite to the base (4), the first and second arms (6, 8) being separated from one another by a gap (10) in which the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) is trapped in a spot of hardened glue (16) is housed, the method comprising the step of machining a first hole in the balance-spring stud (2) from the free end of the first and second arms (6, 8) towards the base (4), and machining a second hole in the stud (2) from the base (4) towards the free end of the first and second arms (6, 8), the machining being carried out so that the first hole emerges partially in the second hole in order to locally preserve a collar that projects in the gap (10) provided for receiving the spot of hardened glue (16) in which the free end (18) of the last turn on the outside of the spiral spring (20) is trapped.
EP18172195.2A 2018-05-14 2018-05-14 Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin Active EP3570118B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18172195.2A EP3570118B1 (en) 2018-05-14 2018-05-14 Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin
JP2019065797A JP6892888B2 (en) 2018-05-14 2019-03-29 Balanced spring studs that secure the spiral springs of the timekeeping movement and methods of manufacturing such balanced spring studs.
US16/379,009 US11480926B2 (en) 2018-05-14 2019-04-09 Balance-spring stud for fixing a spiral spring of a timepiece movement and method for manufacturing such a balance-spring stud
CN201910393205.3A CN110488592B (en) 2018-05-14 2019-05-13 Balance spring stud and method for producing a balance spring stud

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18172195.2A EP3570118B1 (en) 2018-05-14 2018-05-14 Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3570118A1 EP3570118A1 (en) 2019-11-20
EP3570118B1 true EP3570118B1 (en) 2022-01-12

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EP18172195.2A Active EP3570118B1 (en) 2018-05-14 2018-05-14 Pin for attaching a hairspring of a clockwork movement and method for manufacturing such a pin

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US (1) US11480926B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3570118B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6892888B2 (en)
CN (1) CN110488592B (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6757481B1 (en) * 2020-01-29 2020-09-16 セイコーウオッチ株式会社 Governor, escapement, movement and watch
EP4386490A1 (en) * 2022-12-13 2024-06-19 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Timepiece component resulting from the assembly of two parts and method for manufacturing said component

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2141622A1 (en) * 1971-06-15 1973-01-26 Lip Horlogerie
FR2283475A1 (en) * 1973-12-21 1976-03-26 Epsilon Sarl Fixing timepiece balance spring to bolt - using fusible material for holding end of spring

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CH499804A (en) * 1965-04-21 1969-04-15 Virola Sa Device for fixing a watch balance spring to the balance axis
DE1932432A1 (en) * 1969-06-26 1971-01-07 Kienzle Uhrenfabriken Gmbh Device for attaching one end of an oscillating spring
CH559382A (en) * 1973-01-12 1975-02-28
JPS521172U (en) * 1975-06-23 1977-01-06
CH600404B5 (en) * 1975-12-02 1978-06-15 Hormec Sa
CH622149GA3 (en) * 1977-12-23 1981-03-31 Device for fixing the outer end of a hairspring to the framework of the movement of a timepiece and method for manufacturing this device
EP0942337B1 (en) * 1997-08-28 2006-11-15 Seiko Epson Corporation Timepiece or music box
EP1515200A1 (en) * 2003-09-10 2005-03-16 Patek Philippe S.A. Hairspring for timepiece
EP3118692B1 (en) * 2015-07-16 2018-12-26 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Timepiece hairspring to hairspring-stud attachment by gluing
EP3211486B1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2018-09-26 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method for attaching a hairspring for mechanical clock movement
CH711473B1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2017-03-15 Eta Sa Mft Horlogère Suisse A method of fixing a hairspring for a mechanical horological movement by means of an adhesive in a piton.

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2141622A1 (en) * 1971-06-15 1973-01-26 Lip Horlogerie
FR2283475A1 (en) * 1973-12-21 1976-03-26 Epsilon Sarl Fixing timepiece balance spring to bolt - using fusible material for holding end of spring

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JP6892888B2 (en) 2021-06-23
JP2019200199A (en) 2019-11-21
CN110488592A (en) 2019-11-22
US20190346812A1 (en) 2019-11-14
US11480926B2 (en) 2022-10-25
CN110488592B (en) 2021-03-16
EP3570118A1 (en) 2019-11-20

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