EP3671364A1 - Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) for fixing a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3) comprising 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 elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) comprising elastic arms (6a, 6b, 6c) connecting the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) together and helping to secure the support element (3) in the opening (5), each arm (6a , 6b, 6c) comprising: - at least one perforation (7a, 7b, 7c) defined in whole or in part along the body of said arm (6a, 6b, 6c), - an elastic contact zone (8a) with the support element (3), and- elastic peripheral zones (8b) which extend between this contact zone (8a) and the ends of this elastic arm (6a, 6b, 6c), the contact zone (8a) having a q quantity of material greater than the quantity of material constituting each of its peripheral zones (8b).

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

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

Invention background

In the state of the art, elastic holding 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.

• au moins un ajourage défini en tout ou partie le long du corps dudit bras,
• une zone de contact élastique avec l'élément de support, et
• des zones périphériques élastiques qui s'étendent entre cette zone de contact et des extrémités de ce bras élastique,

la zone de contact comprenant une quantité de matière supérieure à la quantité de matière constituant chacune de ses zones périphériques.To this end, the invention relates to an elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component to a support element comprising an external structure capable of being connected to said timepiece component and an internal structure defining an opening. into which the support element is capable of being inserted, said elastic holding member comprising elastic arms connecting the external and internal structures to each other and helping to ensure the tightening of the support element in the opening, each arm including:

• at least one openwork defined in whole or in part along the body of said arm,
• a zone of elastic contact with the support element, and
• elastic peripheral zones which extend between this contact zone and the ends of this elastic arm,

the contact zone comprising an amount of material greater than the amount of material constituting each of its peripheral zones.

Thus, thanks to these characteristics, the elastic holding member is then able to withstand a substantial elastic tightening and therefore to store a large amount of elastic energy when it is constrained in order to restore a large holding torque, in particular thanks to a significant 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 understood in the contact zones which are placed under loads (or under stresses) 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 leads to stresses which are admissible with regard to the material which constitutes such a holding member such as silicon.

• la zone de contact comprend au moins deux poutres notamment inclinées agencées dans un ajourage principal dudit au moins un ajourage défini en tout ou partie le long du corps du bras élastique ;
• lesdits au moins deux poutres relient les structures externe et interne entre elles ;
• l'ajourage principal a une forme essentiellement d'un demi-cercle ;
• l'ajourage principal est divisé en au moins trois parties évidées par lesdites au moins deux poutres ;
• au moins deux parties évidées parmi lesdites au moins trois parties évidées présentent des volumes sensiblement similaires ;
• la partie évidée comprise dans son intégralité dans la zone de contact présente un volume qui est sensiblement inférieur à celui des autres parties évidées de l'ajourage principal ;
• lesdites au moins trois parties évidées présentent des volumes sensiblement similaires ;
• des axes centraux des poutres forment avec un axe longitudinal du bras élastique des angles aigus ;
• l'organe de maintien élastique comprend un unique ajourage qui est un ajourage principal ;
• organe de maintien élastique comprend un ajourage principal et des ajourages supplémentaires définis aux extrémités de cet ajourage principal ;
• les structures externe et interne ont des formes différentes ;
• les structures externe et interne présentent respectivement des formes essentiellement circulaire et triangulaire ;
• 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, et
• l'organe de maintien élastique est réalisé en une matière à base de silicium.

In other embodiments:

• the contact zone comprises at least two in particular inclined beams arranged in a main openwork of said at least one openwork defined in whole or in part along the body of the elastic arm;
• said at least two beams connect the external and internal structures together;
• the main openwork has a shape essentially of a semicircle;
• the main openwork is divided into at least three parts hollowed out by said at least two beams;
• at least two recessed parts among said at least three recessed parts have substantially similar volumes;
• the recessed part included in its entirety in the contact zone has a volume which is substantially less than that of the other recessed parts of the main perforation;
• said at least three recessed parts have substantially similar volumes;
• central axes of the beams form acute angles with a longitudinal axis of the elastic arm;
• the elastic holding member comprises a single perforation which is a main perforation;
• elastic retaining member comprises a main openwork and additional openings defined at the ends of this main openwork;
• the external and internal structures have different forms;
• the external and internal structures respectively have essentially circular and triangular shapes;
• the elastic holding member comprises a point of attachment with the timepiece component;
• the elastic retaining member is a ferrule for fixing the timepiece component such as a hairspring to a support element such as a balance shaft, and
• the elastic holding member is made of a material based on silicon.

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

Advantageously, this assembly is in one piece.

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

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 perspective 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 premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'organe de maintien élastique pour la fixation du composant d'horlogerie sur l'élément de support qui est ici dans un état de repos, selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un organe de maintien élastique pour la fixation du composant d'horlogerie sur l'élément de support, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un organe de maintien élastique pour la fixation du composant d'horlogerie sur l'élément de support, selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique d'une pièce d'horlogerie pourvue d'un mouvement d'horlogerie comprenant un assemblage comportant l'élément de support et un ensemble organe de maintien élastique - composant d'horlogerie, selon les modes de réalisation de l'invention.

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 perspective view of an elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element which is here in a constrained state, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the elastic holding member for fixing the timepiece component on the support element which is here in a state of rest, according to the first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of an elastic holding member for fixing the timepiece component to the support element, according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of an elastic holding member for fixing the timepiece component to the support element, according to a third embodiment of the invention, and
• the figure 5 is a schematic view of a timepiece provided with a timepiece movement comprising an assembly comprising the support element and an elastic holding member assembly - timepiece component, according to the embodiments of the invention .

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The Figures 1 to 5 have several embodiments of the elastic retaining member 1a, 1b, 1c for fixing a timepiece component 2 to a support element 3. For example, the elastic retaining member 1a, 1b , 1c can be a ferrule for fixing the timepiece component 2 such as a hairspring to a support element 3 such as a balance shaft.

In these embodiments, this elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c can be included in a set 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component provided for a timepiece movement 110 of a timepiece 100. A such an assembly 120 may be a single piece made of a so-called “fragile” material based for example on silicon. In other variants, this material may be based on quartz or corundum or more generally on ceramic.

It will be noted that in a variant of this assembly, only the elastic retaining member can be made of such a material called "fragile", the timepiece component 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 an elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c comprises upper and lower faces, preferably planar, as well as internal and external peripheral walls. It further comprises external and internal structures 4a, 4b having different shapes. More specifically, with regard to the external structure 4a, it preferably has an essentially circular shape. This external structure 4a comprises the external peripheral wall of the elastic retaining member 1a, 1b, 1c. Such an external structure 4a is intended to be connected to the timepiece component 2 by comprising at least one attachment point 11 intended to be connected to this timepiece component 2. This attachment point 11 preferably projects from the outer peripheral wall. Regarding the internal structure 4b, it has an essentially triangular shape, in particular a shape of an equilateral triangle. This internal structure 4b comprises the internal peripheral wall of this elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c which participates in defining an opening 5 into which the support element 3 is intended to be inserted.

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

The elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c also comprises elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c, in particular three elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c. These arms 6a, 6b, 6c include, without limitation and not being exhaustive:

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

It is therefore understood that in this elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c, such elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c connect the external and internal structures 4a, 4b to each other, each comprising a part of these internal and external structures. In this elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c, these elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c essentially allow the elastic clamping of the support element 3 to be carried out in the opening 5.

In this configuration, each arm 6a, 6b, 6c comprises at least one perforation 7a, 7b, 7c distributed in whole or in part along the body of said arm. In addition, it comprises an elastic contact zone 8a as well as elastic peripheral zones extending between this contact zone 8a and the ends of this elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c. The elastic contact zone 8a is provided to cooperate with a peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. The peripheral zones 8b are preferably juxtaposed with the contact zone 8a. Such a contact area 8a includes an interface for contact 12 also called “point of contact” between the elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c and the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. In this context, the elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c then comprises three zones contact 8a which participate in achieving a precise centering of the timepiece component 2, for example a balance spring, in the timepiece movement 110. In this elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c, each contact area 8a has a quantity of material which is appreciably greater than the quantity of material of the peripheral zones 8b. Such a configuration of the elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c allows the elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c to store a greater amount of elastic energy for the same tightening in comparison with the state holding members. of technique. Such a quantity of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1a, 1b, 1c then makes it possible to obtain a greater holding torque of the member on the support element in the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component with this support element 3. In other words, such an excess of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1a, 1b, 1c therefore increases the holding torque. In addition, it will be noted that such a configuration of the elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c makes it possible to store elastic energy ratios which are 6 to 8 times higher than those of the members for maintaining the state of the technical.

• un diamètre qui s'étend sensiblement de manière parallèle à la partie de la paroi périphérique interne comprise dans chaque bras élastique 6a, 6b, 6c, et
• un rayon qui est sensiblement inférieur au plus grand écart compris entre les structures interne et externe d'un bras élastique 6a, 6b, 6c.

In the various embodiments of the elastic retaining member 1a, 1b, 1c, each arm 6a, 6b, 6c comprises a main openwork 7a included in the openwork (s) 7a, 7b, 7c which each arm 6a to 6c can include . This main perforation 7a is preferably distributed in whole or in part along the body of the elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c. In other words, this main openwork 7a which essentially has the shape of a semicircle has:

• a diameter which extends substantially parallel to the part of the internal peripheral wall included in each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c, and
• a radius which is substantially less than the largest gap between the internal and external structures of an elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c.

It will be noted in particular that this main perforation 7a extends in the contact zone 8a as well as in the peripheral zones 8b of each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c.

The main openwork 7a can be divided by at least two beams 9 into at least three recessed parts 10a, 10b. In these embodiments, the main openwork 7a is divided by two beams 9 into three recessed parts 10a, 10b.

In the first and third embodiments illustrated on the figures 1, 2 and 4 , two recessed parts 10b among the three 10a, 10b have substantially similar volumes. It will be noted with regard to the third embodiment, that each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c comprises, unlike the other embodiments, a single openwork which is the main openwork 7a. In this context, the hollowed out part 10a included in its entirety in the contact area 8a has a volume which is substantially less than that of the other hollowed out parts 10b of the main openwork 7a.

In the second embodiment, illustrated on the figure 3 , the three recessed parts 10a, 10b have substantially similar volumes and shapes, in particular essentially triangular shapes.

In these different embodiments of the elastic retaining member 1a, 1b, 1c, it will be noted that the hollowed-out part 10a entirely included in the contact area 8a has essentially a triangular shape.

The beams 9 carrying out the division of the main openwork 7a into recessed parts 10a, 10b are preferably inclined. In the various embodiments, these inclined beams 9 are two in number and are included in the contact zone 8a of each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c. These beams 9 participate in connecting together the external and internal structures 4a, 4b. Central axes A1, A2 of the beams 9 form with a longitudinal axis A3 of the elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c acute angles α1, α2. It will be noted that this longitudinal axis A3 extends over the largest dimension of this arm 6a, 6b, 6c. Such angles α1, α2 can be substantially similar and then between 45 and 70 degrees, and are preferably 55 degrees.

The central axes A1, A2 of the beams 9 also form an acute angle α3 between them. Such an angle α3 can be between 40 and 90 degrees, and is preferably 70 degrees.

This elastic holding member 1a, 1b may include additional openings 7b, 7c making it possible to adjust the elasticity of the arms 6a, 6b, 6c of such a member 1a, 1b. For example in the first embodiment, the elastic holding member 1a comprises three additional openings 7b of essentially circular shape which are located in each end of each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c. In another example, the second embodiment of the holding member 1b comprises in each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c two additional openings 7c bordering the main openwork 7a and which are defined at the ends of this main openwork 7a. In other words, these two openings additional 7c are respectively included in the two peripheral zones of each elastic arm 6a, 6b, 6c.

The invention also relates to a method for producing the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component with the support element 3. This method comprises a step of fixing the assembly 120 member holding element - timepiece component with the support element 3. During this step, the support element 3 is inserted into the opening 5 of the elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c. During this insertion, portions of the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3 come into contact with the contact interfaces 12 of the elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c. Such an insertion then generates a deformation of the elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c in a radial direction B relative to a central axis C of the support element 3 and this, under the action of a constraint force exerted by these portions on the contact interfaces 12. The effect generated by this insertion is visible on the figure 1 which relates to the first embodiment of the elastic holding member 1a which is in a constrained state. This deformation of the elastic arms 6a, 6b, 6c is essentially carried out in the contact areas 8a of these arms 6a, 6b, 6c. In these contact zones 8a, the inclined beams 9 which act as a stiffening element for these arms 6a, 6b, 6c contribute to putting under stress / tension an external portion 20 of the shell visible on the figure 1 when this ferrule is mounted on the axis contributing to elastic tightening. In this context, it will be noted that these beams are stressed in compression in particular according to the direction / direction of the arrows D visible on the figure 1 . Thus in such a state of stress, the elastic holding member 1a, 1b, 1c stores a large amount of elastic energy which contributes to giving it a substantial holding torque, in particular allowing optimal turning by elastic clamping.

Claims (21)

Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) for fixing a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3) comprising 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 elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) comprising elastic arms (6a , 6b, 6c) connecting the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) together and helping to ensure the tightening of the support element (3) in the opening (5), each arm (6a, 6b, 6c) including: - at least one perforation (7a, 7b, 7c) defined in whole or in part along the body of said arm (6a, 6b, 6c), - an elastic contact zone (8a) with the support element (3), and - elastic peripheral zones (8b) which extend between this contact zone (8a) and the ends of this elastic arm (6a, 6b, 6c), the contact zone (8a) having an amount of material greater than the amount of material constituting each of its peripheral zones (8b). Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact zone (8a) comprises at least two beams (9) in particular inclined arranged in a main openwork (7a) of said at least one openwork (7a, 7b, 7c) defined in whole or in part along the body of the elastic arm (6a, 6b, 6c). Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least two beams (9) connect the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) together. Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the main perforation (7a) has a shape essentially of a semicircle. Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the main perforation (7a) is divided into at least three recessed parts (10a, 10b) by said at least two beams (9). Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two recessed parts (10b) among said at least three recessed parts (10a, 10b) have substantially similar volumes. Elastic holding member (1a, 1c) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the hollowed-out part (10a) included in its entirety in the contact zone (8a) has a volume which is substantially less than that of the other hollowed out parts (10b) of the main openwork (7a). Elastic holding member (1b) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least three recessed parts (10a, 10b) have substantially similar volumes Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that central axes (A1, A2) of the beams (9) form with a longitudinal axis (A3) of the elastic arm (6a, 6b, 6c) acute angles (α1, α2). Elastic holding member (1c) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single openwork which is a main openwork (7a). Elastic holding member (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a main openwork (7a) and additional openings (7b, 7c) defined at the ends of this main openwork ( 7a). Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) have different shapes. Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external and internal structures (4a, 4b) respectively have essentially circular and triangular shapes. Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) 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 (1a, 1b, 1c) 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 as a pendulum shaft. Elastic holding member (1a, 1b, 1c) 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 an elastic retaining member (1a, 1b, 1c) 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 17 and 18, said assembly (120) being fixed to a support element (3). Clock movement (110) comprising at least one assembly according to the preceding claim. Timepiece (100) comprising a timepiece movement (110) according to the preceding claim.

Images