EP3627236A1 - Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic holding member (1) for fixing a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3), comprising an opening (5) into which said element can be inserted. support (3), the holding member (1) comprising rigid arms (6) and elastic arms (7) helping to ensure elastic clamping of the support element (3) in the opening (5) the rigid arms (6) being provided with only the contact zones (8) of the holding member (1) with the support element (3).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component to a support element.

The invention also relates to an elastic retaining member - timepiece component assembly and an assembly of such an assembly with the support element.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such an assembly.

The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such assembly.

The invention finally relates to a timepiece comprising such a movement.

Invention background

In the state of the art, elastic retaining members are known such as clockwork ferrules which participate in assemblies of balance springs on balance shafts in a clockwork movement and this, by elastic clamping.

However, such elastic retaining members have the major drawback of imposing, in the context of the production of such assemblies, complex, long and costly mounting operations because these members have holding torques on these pendulum shafts which are weak. and limited.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above by proposing an elastic holding member which has a high holding torque in particular to facilitate / simplify the assembly operations of an assembly of a member assembly. elastic hold - timepiece component with a support element.

To this end, the invention relates to an elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component to a support element, comprising an opening into which said support element is capable of being inserted, the support comprising rigid arms and elastic arms helping to ensure elastic clamping of the support element in the opening, the rigid arms being provided with the only areas of contact of the support member with the support element.

Thus, thanks to these characteristics, the elastic holding member is then able to store a large amount of elastic energy when it is constrained in order to restore a large holding torque allowing elastic tightening, in particular thanks to a high rigidity. of this elastic holding member induced in particular by volumes (or quantities) of substantial material constituting its rigid arms which include the internal and external structures. It will be noted that these large volumes of material are more precisely included in the zones of contact which are placed under loads (or under constraints) during the insertion of the support element in this holding member.

In addition, it will be noted that this elastic holding member is configured so that this storage of elastic energy remains within admissible stress values with regard to the material which constitutes such a holding member such as silicon.

• l'organe de maintien comprend une structure externe susceptible d'être reliée audit composant d'horlogerie et une structure interne définissant une ouverture dans laquelle est susceptible d'être inséré l'élément de support, ledit organe de maintien comprenant les bras rigides et les bras élastiques reliant les structures externe et interne entre elles ces dits bras rigides étant reliés entre eux par lesdits bras élastiques ;
• l'organe de maintien élastique comprend autant de bras rigides que de bras élastiques ;
• les bras rigides et les bras élastiques sont agencés dans l'organe de maintien de manière successive et alternée ;
• chaque bras rigide est relié en ses deux extrémités opposées à deux bras élastiques différents ;
• chaque bras rigide présente un volume de matière supérieur au volume de matière constituant chaque bras élastique ;
• chaque bras élastique présente une section transversale qui est inférieure à une section transversale de chaque bras rigide ;
• chaque bras élastique présente une section transversale qui est constante dans tout le corps de ce bras élastique ;
• les structures externe et interne comprennent respectivement des parois périphériques externe et interne dudit organe de maintien ;
• les parois périphériques externe et interne sont séparées l'une de l'autre selon un écart variable ;
• ledit écart est un écart maximal lorsqu'il est défini entre des parties de parois périphériques externe et interne comprises dans les bras rigide ;
• ledit écart est un écart maximal lorsqu'il est défini entre des parties de la paroi périphérique externe et les zones de contact définies dans la paroi périphérique interne comprises dans les bras rigides ;
• ledit écart est un écart minimal lorsqu'il est défini entre des parties des parois périphériques externe et interne comprises dans les bras élastiques ;
• les structures externe et interne ont des formes différentes ;
• l'organe de maintien élastique comprend un point d'attache avec le composant d'horlogerie ;
• l'organe de maintien élastique est une virole pour la fixation du composant d'horlogerie tel qu'un spiral à un élément de support tel qu'un arbre de balancier ;
• l'organe de maintien élastique est réalisé en une matière à base de silicium.

In other embodiments:

• the holding member comprises an external structure capable of being connected to said timepiece component and an internal structure defining an opening in which the support element is capable of being inserted, said holding member comprising the rigid arms and the elastic arms connecting the external and internal structures to each other, said rigid arms being connected to each other by said elastic arms;
• the elastic holding member comprises as many rigid arms as there are elastic arms;
• the rigid arms and the elastic arms are arranged in the holding member successively and alternately;
• each rigid arm is connected at its two opposite ends to two different elastic arms;
• each rigid arm has a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting each elastic arm;
• each elastic arm has a cross section which is less than a cross section of each rigid arm;
• each elastic arm has a cross section which is constant throughout the body of this elastic arm;
• the external and internal structures respectively comprise external and internal peripheral walls of said holding member;
• the outer and inner peripheral walls are separated from each other at a variable distance;
• said gap is a maximum gap when it is defined between parts of external and internal peripheral walls included in the rigid arms;
• said gap is a maximum gap when it is defined between parts of the external peripheral wall and the contact zones defined in the internal peripheral wall included in the rigid arms;
• said gap is a minimum gap when defined between parts of the outer and inner peripheral walls included in the elastic arms;
• the external and internal structures have different forms;
• the elastic holding member comprises a point of attachment with the timepiece component;
• the elastic holding member is a ferrule for fixing the timepiece component such as a hairspring to a support element such as a pendulum shaft;
• the elastic holding member is made of a material based on silicon.

The invention also relates to an elastic retaining member - timepiece component assembly for a timepiece movement of a timepiece comprising such a retaining member.

Advantageously, the assembly is in one piece.

The invention also relates to an assembly for a timepiece movement of a timepiece comprising such an assembly of elastic retaining member - timepiece component fixed to a support element.

• une étape d'insertion de l'élément de support dans l'ouverture de l'organe de maintien élastique dudit ensemble, ladite étape comprenant une sous-étape de déformation élastique de l'organe de maintien élastique pourvue d'une phase de déplacement des bras rigides de l'organe de maintien élastique induisant une double déformation élastique des bras élastiques de cet organe de maintien élastique, et
• une étape de fixation de l'organe de maintien sur l'élément de support comprenant une sous-étape d'application par les bras rigides de l'organe de maintien élastique d'un couple de tenue sur ledit élément de support.

The invention further relates to a method of producing an assembly of the elastic retaining member - timepiece component assembly with a support element, comprising:

• a step of inserting the support element into the opening of the elastic holding member of said assembly, said step comprising a sub-step of elastic deformation of the elastic holding member provided with a phase of displacement of the rigid arms of the elastic holding member inducing a double elastic deformation of the elastic arms of this elastic holding member, and
• a step of fixing the holding member to the support element comprising a substep of application by the rigid arms of the elastic holding member of a holding torque on said support member.

The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such assembly.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un organe de maintien élastique pour la fixation d'un composant d'horlogerie sur un élément de support qui est ici dans un état contraint, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en perspective de l'organe de maintien élastique pour la fixation du composant d'horlogerie sur l'élément de support qui sont ici dans un état de repos, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention ;

• la figure 4 représente une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement d'horlogerie pourvu d'au moins un assemblage comportant un ensemble organe de maintien élastique - composant d'horlogerie fixé à un élément de support, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 5 représente un procédé de réalisation d'un tel assemblage d'un ensemble organe de maintien élastique - composant d'horlogerie avec un élément de support.

Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a sectional view of an elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element which is here in a constrained state, according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the elastic holding member for fixing the timepiece component to the support which are here in a state of rest, according to the embodiment of the invention;

• the figure 4 represents a timepiece comprising a timepiece movement provided with at least one assembly comprising a resilient holding member assembly - timepiece component fixed to a support element, according to one embodiment of the invention, and
• the figure 5 shows a method of making such an assembly of an elastic holding member - timepiece component with a support element.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The Figures 1 to 3 present an embodiment of the elastic retaining member 1 for fixing a timepiece component 2 to a support element 3. For example, the elastic retaining member 1 can be a ferrule for the fixing the timepiece component 2 such as a balance spring to a support element 3 such as a balance shaft.

In these embodiments, this holding member 1 can be included in a set 120 of elastic holding member - timepiece component visible on the figure 4 and which is intended to be arranged in a timepiece movement 110 of a timepiece 100. Such an assembly 120 may be a single piece made of a material called "fragile" preferably a micro-machinable material. Such a material can include silicon, quartz, corundum or even ceramic.

It will be noted that in a variant of this assembly, only the elastic holding member 1 can be made of such a material called "fragile", the timepiece component 2 then being made of another material.

This assembly 120 may be part of an assembly 130 for the watch movement 110, by being fixed to the support element 3 for example by elastic tightening. It will be noted that this assembly 130 has been devised for applications in the watchmaking field. However, the invention can perfectly be implemented in other fields such as aeronautics, jewelry, or even the automobile.

Such a holding member 1 comprises an upper face and a lower face 12, preferably planar, included respectively in first and second planes P1 and P2, as well as external and internal structures 4a, 4b. These external and internal structures 4a, 4b respectively comprise external and internal peripheral walls of this holding member 1 and have different shapes. More specifically, with regard to the external structure 4a, it may have a generally hexagonal shape comprising parts having convex shapes. Each of these parts is included in a connection zone 9 connecting an elastic arm to a rigid arm 6. This external structure 4a is in particular intended to be connected to the timepiece component 2 via at least one point of fastener 11 arranged in the external peripheral wall of the holding member 1. With regard to the internal structure 4b, it has a non-triangular shape. This internal structure 4b which comprises the internal peripheral wall of this holding member 1, participates in defining an opening 5 of such a holding member 1 in which is intended to be inserted the support element 3. This opening 5 defines a volume in the holding member 1 which is less than that of a connecting part of one end of the support element 3 which is intended to be arranged there. It will be noted that this connecting part includes all or part of the portions 10 defined on the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3 and which are provided in particular for cooperating with contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6.

• des faces intérieures comprises dans la structure interne 4b et qui participent à définir ensemble la paroi périphérique interne de l'organe de maintien 1 et donc aussi l'ouverture 5 de cet organe de maintien 1, et
• des faces extérieures comprises dans la structure externe 4a et qui définissent ensemble la paroi périphérique externe de cet organe de maintien 1.

This holding member 1 comprises the rigid arms 6 and elastic arms 7 connecting the external and internal structures 4a, 4b between them. It will be noted that this holding member 1 comprises as many rigid arms 6 as there are elastic arms 7. The rigid arms 6 are here non-deformable or almost non-deformable and play the role of stiffening elements of the holding member 1. S ' acting on the elastic arms 7, they are able to deform mainly in tension but also in torsion. These rigid arms 6 and these elastic arms 7 are defined or even distributed successively and alternately in this holding member 1. In other words, these rigid arms 6 are interconnected by said elastic arms 7. More precisely, each elastic arm 7 is connected at its two opposite ends at connection zones 9 to two different rigid arms 6. Such rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 include, without limitation and not being exhaustive:

• inner faces included in the internal structure 4b and which participate in defining together the internal peripheral wall of the holding member 1 and therefore also the opening 5 of this holding member 1, and
• external faces included in the external structure 4a and which together define the external peripheral wall of this holding member 1.

Note that the inner faces of the elastic arms 7 are essentially planar and the inner faces of the rigid arms 6 can be non-planar, for example being wavy. In this context, the inner face of each rigid arm 6 can include at least one contact area 8. The contact area 8 can be rounded or convex or even flat. Alternatively, such an inner face of the rigid arm 6 can comprise two preferably flat contact zones 8.

These rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 connect the external and internal structures 4a, 4b together, moreover each comprising a part of these external and internal structures 4a, 4b. In this holding member 1, these rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 essentially allow a tightening elastic of the support element 3 in the opening 5 formed in this holding member 1 which is defined by the internal structure 4b and in particular by the internal peripheral wall of this holding member 1.

As we have seen, these rigid arms 6 therefore comprise the only contact zones 8 of the holding member 1 with the support element 3 which can be defined in all or part of the interior faces of these rigid arms 6 Each contact area 8, otherwise known as a “contact interface”, is designed to cooperate with a peripheral wall 13 of the connecting part of the support element 3 in particular with the corresponding portion defined in this peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. In this context, the holding member 1 then comprises three contact zones 8 which participate in achieving precise centering of the timepiece component 2, for example a balance spring, in the timepiece movement 110. In this holding member 1, each rigid arm 6 has a volume of material which is substantially greater than or strictly greater than the volume of material constituting each elastic arm 7. It will in fact be noted that the structural es external and internal 4a, 4b, and in particular the internal and external peripheral walls, are separated from each other in this holding member 1 by a variable distance E which then changes according to whether these structures are included for example in a rigid arm 6 or also an elastic arm 7. In fact, this difference E is a maximum difference E1 when it is defined between parts of internal and external peripheral walls included in each rigid arm 6, ie the maximum difference E1 present between the inner and outer faces of this rigid arm 6. In particular for each rigid arm 6, this maximum deviation E1 is defined between each contact zone 8 included in the inner face of the internal peripheral wall and part of the external peripheral wall of this rigid arm 6. Furthermore, this difference E is a minimum difference E2 when it is defined between parts of the external and internal peripheral walls included in the elastic arms 7, so it the minimum distance E2 present between the inner and outer faces of this elastic arm 7.

• la section transversale de chaque bras rigide 6 est de préférence une section pleine ou partiellement pleine qui est perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale selon laquelle s'étend le corps de ce bras rigide 6, et
• la section transversale de chaque bras élastique 7 est de préférence une section pleine ou partiellement pleine qui est perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale selon laquelle s'étend le corps de ce bras élastique 7.

It is therefore understood here that each elastic arm 7 has a cross section which is less than a cross section of each rigid arm 6. In other words, the cross section of each elastic arm 7 has a surface which is less than a surface of the cross section of each rigid arm 6. It will be noted that the cross section of the elastic arm 7 is constant or substantially constant throughout the body of this elastic arm 7 while the cross section of the rigid arm 6 is inconsistent / variable throughout the body of this arm rigid 6. In addition, we note that:

• the cross section of each rigid arm 6 is preferably a full or partially full section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this rigid arm 6 extends, and
• the cross section of each elastic arm 7 is preferably a full or partially full section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this elastic arm 7 extends.

Such a configuration of the rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 allows the holding member 1 to store a greater amount of elastic energy for the same tightening in comparison with the holding members of the prior art. Such a quantity of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1 then makes it possible to obtain a greater holding torque of the holding member on the support element 3 in the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 member holding - timepiece component with this support element 3. In other words, such an excess of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1 therefore increases the holding torque and allows optimal elastic tightening. In addition, it will be noted that such a configuration of the holding member 1 makes it possible to store elastic energy ratios which are 6 to 8 times higher than those of the maintenance bodies of the state of the art.

With reference to the figure 5 , the invention also relates to a method of producing the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component with the support element 3. This method comprises a step 13 of inserting the support element 3 in the opening 5 of the holding member 1. During this step 13, the end of the support element is presented at the entrance to the opening 5 defined in the lower face 12 of the holding member 1 in anticipation of the introduction of the connecting part of this support element 3 into the volume defined in this opening 5. This step 13 comprises a sub-step of elastic deformation 14 of the holding member 1 in particular of a central zone of this holding member 1 comprising said opening 5 resulting from the application of a contact force on the contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6 by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 13 of the part of support element connection 3. This elastic deformation of the central zone in fact generates a deformation of the lower face 12 of the retaining member 1 which then has an essentially concave shape in particular at a part of this face 12 included in the central zone of the holding member 1. In other words, when the central zone of the holding member 1 is deformed, its lower face 12 is no longer flat and is therefore no longer entirely included in the second plane P2.

As we have previously mentioned, this elastic deformation of the holding member 1 results from the application of the contact force on the contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6 by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. Such a deformation sub-step 14 comprises a displacement phase 15 of the rigid arms 6 under the action of the contact force which is applied to them. Such a displacement of the rigid arms 6 is carried out in a direction between a radial direction B1 with respect to a central axis C common to the support element 3 and to the holding member 1, and a direction B2 merged with this central axis C. It will be noted that this direction B2 is perpendicular to the direction B1 and is oriented in a defined direction from the lower face 12 to the upper face. The contact force is preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each contact zone 8. During the course of this phase 12, the rigid arms 6 thus moving under the action of this contact force, generate a double elastic deformation of the arms elastic 7.

A first deformation otherwise called “ elastic torsional deformation” of these elastic arms 7. During this torsional deformation, each elastic arm 7 is driven at its two ends in the same direction of rotation B4 by the rigid arms 6 in movement which such ends are connected. It will be noted that only a part of the body of these elastic arms 7 is torsionally deformable here the ends of these arms 7. Such a first deformation contributes in particular to improving the insertion of the support element 3 into the opening 5 of the holding member 1 by helping to avoid any breakage of the holding member 1 and / or any appearance of a crack in this member 1 during its assembly with the support element 3.

A second deformation otherwise called “ tensile deformation” or “ elastic extension deformation” of the elastic arms 7. During this extension deformation, each elastic arm 7 is pulled at its two ends in the longitudinal direction B3 in opposite directions by the rigid arms 6 in movement to which such ends are connected. Such a second deformation contributes in particular to the fact that the holding member 1 stores a large amount of elastic energy.

This double elastic deformation of the elastic arms 7 can be carried out simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, or alternatively or successively. It will be noted in the context of the implementation of the deformation phase that when this double elastic deformation is carried out successively or substantially successively, the first deformation is then carried out before the second deformation.

This method then comprises a step of fixing 16 of the holding member 1 on the support element 3. Such a fixing step 16 comprises a substep of making 17 of a radial elastic tightening of the holding member 1 on the support element 3. It is therefore understood that in such a state of stress, the holding member 1 stores a large amount of elastic energy which contributes to giving it a substantial holding torque, in particular allowing optimal turning by elastic tightening.

Claims (23)

Elastic holding member (1) for fixing a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3), comprising an opening (5) into which said support element (3) can be inserted , the holding member (1) comprising rigid arms (6) and elastic arms (7) helping to ensure elastic clamping of the support element (3) in the opening (5) the rigid arms (6 ) being provided with only the contact zones (8) of the retaining member (1) with the support element (3). Elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding member (1) comprises an external structure (4a) capable of being connected to said timepiece component (2) and an internal structure (4b ) defining an opening (5) into which the support element (3) can be inserted, said holding member (1) comprising the rigid arms (6) and the elastic arms (7) connecting the external structures and internal (4a, 4b) therebetween said rigid arms (6) being interconnected by said elastic arms (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises as many rigid arms (6) as elastic arms (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid arms (6) and the elastic arms (7) are arranged in the holding member (1) successively and alternately. Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rigid arm (6) is connected at its two opposite ends to two different elastic arms (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rigid arm (6) has a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting each elastic arm (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each elastic arm (7) has a cross section which is less than a cross section of each rigid arm (6). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each elastic arm (7) has a cross section which is constant throughout the body of this elastic arm (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) respectively comprise external and internal peripheral walls of said holding member (1). Elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the external and internal peripheral walls are separated from each other by a variable distance (E). Elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said gap (E) is a maximum gap (E1) when it is defined between parts of external and internal peripheral walls included in the rigid arms (6) . Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said distance (E) is a maximum distance (E1) when it is defined between parts of the external peripheral wall and the zones contact (8) defined in the internal peripheral wall included in the rigid arms (6). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said distance (E) is a minimum distance (E2) when it is defined between parts of the external and internal peripheral walls included in the elastic arms (7). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) have different shapes. Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an attachment point (11) with the timepiece component (2). Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a ferrule for fixing the timepiece component (2) such as a hairspring to a support element (3) such than a pendulum shaft. Elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a material based on silicon. Assembly (120) elastic retaining member - timepiece component for a timepiece movement (110) of a timepiece (100) comprising a holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Assembly (120) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is in one piece. Assembly (130) for a timepiece movement (110) of a timepiece (100) comprising an assembly (120) elastic retaining member - timepiece component according to any one of claims 18 and 19, said assembly (120) being fixed to a support element (3). Method for producing an assembly (130) of an assembly (120) elastic holding member - timepiece component with a support element (3) according to the preceding claim, comprising: a step of inserting (13) the support element (3) into the opening (5) of the elastic retaining member (1) of said assembly, said step (13) comprising a deformation sub-step elastic (14) of the elastic holding member (1) provided with a displacement phase (15) of the rigid arms (6) of the elastic holding member inducing a double elastic deformation of the elastic arms (7) of this elastic retaining member (1), and - A step of fixing (16) of the holding member (1) on the support element (3) comprising an application substep (17) by the rigid arms (6) of the holding member elastic (1) of a holding torque on said support element (3). Clock movement (110) comprising at least one assembly (130) according to claim 20. Timepiece (100) comprising a timepiece movement (110) according to the preceding claim.

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