Watch assembly parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece assembly. In one aspect, the invention relates to an assembly (20) for holding a flat component (1), comprising a radial support stop (2; 3) and a chamber (40) delimited by jaws (21; 22), the jaws (21; 22) comprising a clamping surface (310; 320) for holding the component (1), the chamber (40) being open on one side by a notch (41; 42) for performing operations on the component (1), the assembly (20) being deformable between an open position and a closed position around the component (1) tightened by the jaws (21; 22), the jaws (21; 22) being subjected to a closing force exerted by operating means arranged to bring the jaws (21; 22) closer to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fitting for holding a substantially flat component in a machining and / or assembly position, the component having a thickness less than or equal to a predetermined maximum thickness and the component extending on either side of a median plane.

[0002] The invention also relates to a production installation comprising a processing and / or assembly device carrying such an assembly.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of manufacturing tools for micromechanics, in particular for watchmaking. Background Art

[0004] In the related art, regarding the production of horological movement blanks, the referencing of the part to be processed is ensured by pins (on the assembly side) which are to be housed in holes (on the part side). This requires vertical insertion movements along the axis of the pins when loading and unloading the part. The part is held on point supports by a rather large blanking press, which is a movable fixture that forms a local support on some surfaces of the part and can cause deformation of the part in the event of excessive support forces.

[0005] In order to allow this vertical insertion, the press must be released. This is usually achieved by a 90° rotation of each rotatably mounted press. The rotation is produced by a cam, which is coupled to the vertical movement of the press. The vertical movement of the press therefore has a relatively large amplitude, since it combines two different movements: the vertical tightening movement and the movement of the rotating vertical combination that pivots the press.

[0006] This large stroke makes it impossible to use the flexible hinge technology, because the stroke is limited in this type of technology. Therefore, these assemblies of the related art cannot be formed as a single piece, they usually consist of many parts that slide into each other, giving them a certain operating clearance and therefore necessarily rigidity and reduced precision. The large stroke, the large number of parts and the operations required for assembling the whole make these assemblies relatively bulky, complex, heavy and expensive. Therefore, the formation of groups of several assemblies on the same pallet or the same support is hindered by the same considerations.

[0007] This also results in very limited access for machining, with usually only one side being accessible and even then in a restricted manner. For double-sided machining, it is necessary to perform disassembly, inversion and new positioning and locking operations of the component before machining the other side. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention proposes to develop an assembly to improve the machining accuracy of components in a single step through a simpler process.

[0009] Prior art assemblies are often large, heavy, complex and expensive.

[0010] The invention also enables a one-piece assembly that allows improving the performance of the assembly (rigidity, precision) to reduce complexity and weight, making it more capable of meeting the conditions for very high speed machining (HSM) and / or for miniaturization in the micro-machinery / "micro-factory" trend.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates, according to claim 1 , to a fitting for holding a substantially flat component having a thickness less than or equal to a predetermined maximum thickness and extending on either side of a mid-plane in a machining and / or assembly position.

[0012] According to claim 18, the invention also relates to a production device comprising at least one processing and / or assembly device carrying such an assembly part and such a drive to control the movement of the assembly part between its open position and its closed position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] - Figure 1 The usual centering of a blank by means of pins in micromachining is shown schematically and in plan view, the blank being held positively by a fixture, called a blank press, which is not shown here and which significantly encroaches on the machining field;

[0015] - Similar to Figure 1 , Figure 2 A positioning mode specific to the implementation of the invention is shown, in which the blank is radially supported on stops situated outside the machining zone; some frontal and radial machining to be performed are shown on this blank;

[0016] - Figure 3 Schematically and in perspective, an assembly according to the invention is shown, comprising two jaws, one of which is intended to be fastened to a machine and the other of which is movable relative to the first jaw; an insertion slot between these jaws allows the blank to be inserted into the Figure 2the stop shown in (not visible here); on the side of the fitting a flexible hinge with elastic leaves is shown, which constitutes a paralleltable system between the two jaws and whose small space requirement allows (in the example shown above and below and on several sides) to form wide recesses for machining;

[0017] - Figure 4 Similar to Figure 3 and showing the same assembly from another angle;

[0018] - Figure 5 Similar to Figure 3 and the same assembly is shown from yet another angle (on the side of a fastening bottom comprised by one of the jaws);

[0019] - Figure 6 Schematically and in cross-section, Figures 3 to 5 An assembly, in a variant, comprising: a retaining insert between the jaws and the blank; the jaws fastened to the machine are located in the lower part, the upper jaw being movable parallel to the previous jaw; comprising an abutment surface ensuring travel limitation;

[0020] - Figure 7 Schematically and in a top view (from the upper jaw side) Figures 3 to 6 Assembly parts;

[0021] - Figure 8 Schematically and in side view Figures 3 to 7 The upper jaw is at the bottom of the figure;

[0022] - Fig. 9 Schematically and in a bottom view (from the lower jaw side) Figures 3 to 8 Assembly parts;

[0023] - Fig.10 Schematically and in side view Figures 3 to 9 The lower jaw is at the bottom of the figure;

[0024] - Fig.11 The blank and its maximum space requirement in thickness are shown schematically and in cross section;

[0025] - Fig.12 Details of the flexible hinge are schematically shown;

[0026] - Fig.13Schematically shows a production device comprising a processing and / or assembly device carrying such an assembly and such a drive to control the movement of the assembly between its open and closed positions; here, the drive is carried by one of the jaws;

[0027] - Fig.14 Similar to Fig.13 Such a production arrangement is schematically shown in which the drive is carried by a processing and / or assembly device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention relates to an assembly / tightening for machining and / or assembling flat / thin parts (of the watch movement blank type), allowing access to all the faces of such parts. In the remainder of the present disclosure, the term "assembly" will be used solely to define the device according to the invention, which is studied for holding a part during machining and / or assembly operations. The term "machining" here very broadly means any operation performed on a part, in particular but not limited to machining with a cutting tool, laser, water jet, plasma or the like, or heat or surface treatment, screen printing, coating, etc.; the term "assembling" means in the same way any operation of connecting parts, such as driving, heading, brazing, soldering, gluing, etc.

[0029] The invention is primarily intended for substantially flat parts 1 (also called flats) having a thickness less than or equal to a predetermined maximum thickness E and extending on either side of a median plane (PM); Fig.11 As shown, subject to compliance with the maximum thickness dimension E, the blank of the movement of such a part 1 is not necessarily symmetrical and may include male or female reliefs, like a coin to be inserted into a coin tester.

[0030] More specifically, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fitting is formed in one piece with the flexible hinge.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The differences between the prior art and the present invention are highlighted.

[0032] Figure 1The diagram shows the vertical insertion of the component on two pins in the usual prior art. This is the traditional tightening, with the vertical insertion of the component 1. In this conventional positioning, the pin is inserted vertically (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) into the hole, or vice versa. In order to allow the insertion of the component 1 on its assembly, several (usually four) presses distributed over the surface of the component must be raised and pivoted in order to release the channel for mounting the component 1 and then to release the component 1 at the end of the operation. This usually involves a tightening stroke of several millimeters or even several centimeters of the press, since the rotation of the press is carried out by a cam, which converts the vertical movement into a rotation (usually 90°).

[0033] Figure 2 The clamping mode proposed during the implementation of the invention is shown, in which the component 1 is inserted horizontally to the adjacent support. This type of insertion requires a specific type of assembly 20, object of the invention.

[0034] According to the invention, the assembly 20 comprises stops 2, 3 defining at least two radial abutment support surfaces S1, S2, S3, the radial abutment support surfaces comprising a generator substantially perpendicular to a reference plane PR of the assembly 20, and the stops 2, 3 being arranged to cooperate in an abutment support manner with the peripheral edge support surfaces 11, 12, 13 of the component 1.

[0035] Of course, the clamping chosen depends on the type of workpiece blank prior to the operation, and on the peripheral machining operations that can be performed during dispensing, stamping operations or even machining operations prior to the operation on the assembly 20: it is quite obvious that the number, shape and position of the contact surfaces depend on the specific workpiece blank geometry. For example, part 1 may comprise two surfaces defining a V-shape, thereby cooperating with two complementary abutment surfaces defining a complementary V-shape. Figure 2 The non-limiting variant shown involves a balanced positioning with three contact points, allowing horizontal insertion in the plane of the figure: a first stop 2 cooperates in a supporting manner with a first notch of component 1, comprising two surfaces 11 and 12 on which two radial abutment support surfaces S1, S2 abut; a second stop 3 cooperates in a supporting manner with a recess of component 1, comprising a flat surface 13 on which the radial abutment support surface S3 bears. In a specific and non-limiting manner, and as shown in the embodiment shown, these radial notches can be obtained by stamping or by pre-machining of component 1.

[0036] The fitting 20 is arranged so that, in the machining and / or assembly position, the median plane PM of the component 1 is parallel or coincident with the reference plane PR.

[0037] Thanks to the horizontal insertion, the tightening stroke performed over the thickness of the component 1 can be very low, in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter, and this can advantageously be achieved by means of a flexible joint.

[0038] According to the invention, the assembly 20 comprises a chamber 40 delimited, on either side of the reference plane PR, by jaws 21 and 22 comprising clamping surfaces 310, 320 for holding the component 1. Advantageously, these clamping surfaces 310, 320 are substantially annular in order to evenly distribute the tightening forces on the component 1 and in order to prevent any harmful deformations.

[0039] The chamber 40 is open on at least one side of the reference plane PR by at least one notch 41, 42, 43; this notch 41 or 42 or 43 is able to allow the passage of a tool or another component or a machining and / or assembly device to perform an operation on the component 1. Advantageously, on either side of the reference plane PR, the assembly 20 comprises two notches 41 and 42, one on each side, so that it is possible to perform operations on both sides of the same component 1 in a single tightening, simply by controlling the rotation of the assembly 20, for example but not limited to Figure 2 The embodiment shown in the figures also includes a lateral notch 43, which has the advantage of being able to perform processing on the edge of the component 1, such as Figure 2 Processing 109 in, for example, the housing of a control lever or the buttons on a watch dial.

[0040] The fitting 20 comprises a single insertion hole 30 capable of allowing the component 1 to be inserted into the cavity 40 in a unidirectional direction towards the radial abutment support surfaces S1 , S2 , S3 of the fitting 20 .

[0041] The assembly 20 is deformable between an open position on the one hand and a closed position on the other hand. The figures show a non-limiting embodiment in which each jaw 21, 22 comprises a reference surface 35, 34 respectively parallel to a reference plane PR of the assembly 20 and in a preferred kinematics these two reference planes 35 and 34 remain parallel to each other during the closing and opening maneuvers.

[0042] In the open position, the insertion hole 30 has a maximum opening on either side of the midplane PM of the component 1 in the thickness direction of the component 1 with a width equal to the predetermined maximum thickness E. In this open position, the component 1 can be inserted into the cavity 40 up to an abutment position on the radial abutment support surfaces S1, S2, S3.

[0043] In the closed position, the fitting 20 is deformed around the component 1 which is held supported on the radially abutting support surfaces S1, S2, S3 and tightened over its entire thickness by the jaws 21, 22 which are subjected to a closing force exerted by a manipulation device arranged to bring the jaws 21, 22 closer to each other.

[0044] In the advantageous example shown, one jaw 21 is movable relative to another jaw 22 fastened to the production device. Of course, each of the jaws could also be movable relative to a fixed structure, but this makes the mechanism more expensive and increases its space requirements.

[0045] Advantageously, the switching movement from the open position to the closed position tends to reinforce the support of the part 1 on its adjacent supports.

[0046] In a variant, at least one of the jaws 21 , 22 comprises friction means arranged to tend to the abutment bearing of the drive member 1 on the radial abutment bearing surfaces S1 , S2 , S3 during the closing maneuver.

[0047] The assembly 20 comprises means allowing to impart (in French imprimer) an oblique relative travel of the jaws 21 and 22 relative to each other, while maintaining the parallelism between the reference surfaces 35 and 34 .

[0048] It will be understood that the design of the assembly 20 makes it possible to clamp and tighten (for holding parts 1 of different configurations), provided that the thickness of these parts 1 is less than the maximum thickness E, and that it is still possible to hold these parts 1 by the clamping surfaces 310, 320; in this regard, the figures show a particular embodiment in which the clamping surfaces 310, 320 form part of removable inserts 31 and 32 that together define the insertion hole 30. Naturally, the assembly 20 could also include clamping surfaces 310, 320 located directly at the jaws 21, 22. The use of removable inserts 31, 32 brings versatility to the assembly, allowing the support of workpiece blanks of different sizes and geometries, and also allowing good maintenance while guaranteeing always a clean contact surface. However, the assembly 20 is designed to operate without such an insert.

[0049] The fitting 20 can be realized in different ways, in particular by means of a conventional but expensive hinge.

[0050] In the spirit of machining a number of components simultaneously (for example in sets on a pallet), it would be advantageous to minimise the manufacturing costs of such an assembly which can then be dedicated to a range of components.

[0051] Figures 3 to 10An advantageous non-limiting embodiment is shown in which, apart from the removable insert described above, the fitting 20 is formed in a single piece.

[0052] Figure 3 Such a one-piece assembly 20 is shown which may be fastened directly to a pallet, to an axle of a machine or the like.

[0053] More specifically, the manipulation device comprises a flexible hinge 200 formed in the assembly 20 and arranged to generate, by elastic deformation, a relative movement between the jaws 21, 22. Here, the upper jaw 21 is held to the lower jaw 22 only by its flexible hinge 200, and the groove 25 separates it from a bottom 29 comprised by the lower jaw 22 and used to fasten the assembly 20 to the machine.

[0054] Still more specifically, each flexible hinge 200 comprises a chamber 26 cut out both in the upper jaw 21 and in the lower jaw 22, in which chamber 26 a lever mass 23 attached to each of the jaws 21, 22 by means of an elastic blade 24 or by means of a neck is movable to form a parallel table with the other flexible hinges 200 in order to monitor the relative parallel displacement of the reference surfaces 35 and 34.

[0055] Thus, the assembly 20 comprises flexible hinges 200 cut in the section. These flexible hinges 200 are designed to generate, by elastic deformation, a relative movement between the upper and lower parts of the tightening element constituting the jaws 21 and 22. In this particular embodiment, each flexible hinge comprises a chamber 26 cut both in the upper jaw 21 and in the lower jaw 22, in which a lever mass 23 attached to each of the jaws 21 and 22 by means of an elastic blade 24 is movable; in a variant not shown, each elastic blade 24 could be replaced by a neck; this design explains the short travel of the jaws 21 and 22 relative to each other, but in turn it guarantees a perfect repeatability of the kinematics, as well as a good resistance over time. This configuration is known as a "parallel table", which is also used in mechanical watch oscillators.

[0056] To protect the elastic blade 24, the assembly 20 advantageously comprises at least one travel limiter device 28, represented in the figure by a capital S-shaped groove, and whose reaction surfaces 281 and 282 cooperate in abutment support at the end of the useful travel of the jaws 21 and 22, so as to avoid any dangerous deformation of the flexible hinge 200 (and in particular the elastic blade 24) beyond their normal operating range. Thus, the force loop passes through the stop, not the blade. It will be understood that the parallel stage technology with thin elastic blades, which can be achieved by "LIGA" or similar methods, ensures a completely parallel movement, but on very short travels, which is completely compatible with the tightening function provided by the assembly according to the invention. Therefore, the safety device (safety) constituted by the travel limiter device 28 and by the multiple faces of the groove 25, which constitute additional safety support for the end-of-travel stop, is essential for good resistance and repeatability of performance over time.

[0057] More specifically, one of the jaws 21, 22 is an upper jaw 21 moved by a driver 100, the driver 100 is inside the assembly 20 or outside the assembly 20, and the operating device includes the driver 100, and the other of the jaws 21, 22 is a lower jaw 22, the lower jaw 22 includes a bottom 29, and the bottom 29 is arranged to fasten the assembly 20 to a device 300 for processing and / or assembly within a production device 1000.

[0058] In a first variant, if Fig.13 As shown, the drive member 100 is located inside the fitting 20 and is fastened to the base 29 .

[0059] In a second variation, if Fig.14 As shown, the driver is external to the assembly 20 and is secured to the processing and / or assembly equipment to which the assembly 20 is secured.

[0060] The upper jaw 21 may be actuated by a driver 100 , such as a piston or the like.

[0061] In a variant, each lever 23 is inclined but not perpendicular to the reference plane PR.

[0062] In another variant, each lever 23 is inclined but passes through a vertical position relative to the reference plane PR during its travel between its open position and its closed position.

[0063] The rest angle of the lever 23 (not limited to the four in the figure) can be optimized according to the application. The closer the lever 23 is to the vertical position (that is to say the normal to the reference plane PR), the greater the amplification effect of the tightening force obtained. By horizontal actuation (that is to say parallel to the reference plane PR), a vertical tightening force is obtained and the part 1 to be processed is clamped between the upper jaw 21 and the lower jaw 22 of the assembly 20.

[0064] Advantageously, the assembly 20 comprises a one-piece component consisting of the jaws 21, 22 and a flexible hinge 200, which connects the jaws 21, 22 to each other and is arranged to produce a relative tightening movement between the jaws 21, 22 by elastic deformation (under the action of the drive 100 on at least one of the jaws).

[0065] The present invention also relates to a production device 1000, which includes at least one processing and / or assembly device 300 carrying at least one such assembly part 20 and at least one such drive 100, and also includes a control device for each drive 100 to control the movement of the corresponding assembly part 20 between its open position and closed position.

[0066] In this article, the present invention is described in the application as a one-way clamping actuator. Naturally, the present invention can also be used to form a two-way actuator. Therefore, force and travel limiters should be provided in each operating direction.

[0067] In short, the invention allows to have an ultra-compact assembly, allowing easy access to all faces of the component 1 and therefore allowing machining to be completed in a single setup. Machining the part in a single setup has a very positive effect on the accuracy of the component 1, since this arrangement does not accumulate the repositioning errors that always exist during repeated machining.

[0068] The assembly according to the invention is simple, it consists of a single-piece part, is very precise, has no play or hysteresis, has a completely linear behavior. This assembly is still very strong, because it is formed in one piece. Likewise, the assembly is light, which enables it to be used in highly dynamic applications (such as high-speed turning or milling operations or other operations), thus requiring little energy or force to be displaced according to the movement of the machining machine.

[0069] Finally, the development of the assembly is advantageously dimensioned for integration into a multi-axis machine.

Claims

1. A fitting (20) for holding a substantially flat component (1) having a thickness less than or equal to a predetermined maximum thickness (E) and extending on either side of a median plane (PM) in a processing and / or assembly position, characterized in that The assembly (20) comprises a stopper (2; 3), the stopper (2; 3) defining at least two radial abutment support surfaces (S1; S2; S3), the radial abutment support surfaces comprising generatrixes substantially perpendicular to a reference plane (PR) of the assembly (20), in the processing and / or assembly position, the middle plane (PM) of one of the components (1) being parallel or coincident with respect to the reference plane (PR), and the stopper (2; 3) being arranged to cooperate in an abutment support manner with a peripheral edge support surface (11; 12; 13) of one of the components (1), and in that , the assembly (20) comprising a chamber (40) delimited, on either side of the reference plane (PR), by jaws (21; 22) comprising clamping surfaces (310; 320) for holding one of the components (1), the chamber (40) being open on at least one side by a recess (41; 42) capable of allowing the passage of a tool or another component or a machining and / or assembly device in order to perform an operation on one of the components (1), in that the assembly (20) comprises a single insertion hole (30) capable of allowing The invention relates to a method for allowing one of the components (1) to be inserted into the chamber (40) toward the radially adjacent support surface (S1; S2; S3), and wherein the assembly (20) is deformable between an open position and a closed position around one of the components (1), in which the insertion hole (30) has a maximum opening having a width equal to the predetermined maximum thickness (E) on either side of the middle plane (PM) of one of the components (1) in the thickness direction of one of the components (1), and in which the one of the components (1) can be inserted into the chamber (40) until the predetermined maximum thickness (E) is reached. An adjacent support position on a radially adjacent support surface (S1; S2; S3), in which in the closed position, one of the components (1) is maintained supported on the radially adjacent support surface (S1; S2; S3) and is tightened by the jaws (21; 22), and the jaws (21; 22) are subjected to a closing force applied by an operating device arranged to bring the jaws (21; 22) closer to each other, wherein the operating device includes a flexible hinge (200) formed in the assembly (20), and the flexible hinge is arranged to produce relative movement between the jaws (21, 22) by elastic deformation.

2. The assembly (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the jaws (21; 22) comprises friction means arranged to tend to drive one of the components (1) into abutment against the radial abutment support surface (S1; S2; S3) during a closing operation.

3. The assembly (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The chamber (40) is open on at least one side of the reference plane (PR) by a notch (41; 42) which enables access to one of the components (1).

4. The assembly (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chamber (40) is open on each side of the reference plane (PR) by means of recesses (41; 42) which allow bilateral access to one of the components (1).

5. The assembly (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chamber (40) is open by at least one notch (43) which enables lateral access to an edge of the component (1).

6. The assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: One of the jaws (21; 22) is an upper jaw (21) moved by a drive (100), the drive (100) being inside the assembly (20) or outside the assembly (20), and the operating device comprises the drive (100), and the other of the jaws (21; 22) is a lower jaw (22) comprising a bottom (29), the bottom (29) being arranged for fastening the assembly (20) to a processing and / or assembly device.

7. The assembly (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driver (100) is inside the assembly (20) and is fastened to the base (29).

8. The assembly (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driver (100) is external to the assembly (20) and is fastened to a processing and / or assembly device (300) to which the assembly (20) is fastened.

9. The assembly (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The manipulation device comprises a flexible hinge (200) formed in the assembly (20), which is arranged to generate relative movement between the jaws (21, 22) by elastic deformation, each of the flexible hinges (200) comprising a cavity cut out in both the upper jaw (21) and the lower jaw (22), in which a lever mass attached to each of the jaws (21, 22) by an elastic blade (24) or by a neck is movable to form a parallel platform with the other flexible hinges (200).

10. The assembly (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that Each of the levers (23) is inclined but not perpendicular relative to the reference plane (PR).

11. The assembly (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that: Each of said levers (23) is arranged to pass through a position perpendicular to said reference plane (PR) during its travel between its open position and its closed position.

12. The assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The assembly (20) comprises at least one stroke limiting device (28), which comprises a reaction surface (281; 282) arranged to cooperate in an abutting support at the end of the effective stroke of the jaws (21; 22) to avoid any dangerous deformation of the flexible hinges (200) beyond their normal operating range.

13. The assembly (20) according to claim 12, characterized in that Between the jaws (21; 22), the fitting comprises a groove (25), the faces of which constitute an additional safety device for the end-of-travel abutment support.

14. The assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The clamping surface (310; 320) forms part of the jaws (21; 22).

15. The assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The clamping surface (310; 320) forms part of a removable insert (31; 32) which is received in the jaws (21; 22) and which together define the insertion aperture (30).

16. The assembly (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The assembly (20) comprises a one-piece component consisting of the jaws (21; 22) and a flexible hinge (200), wherein the flexible hinge (200) connects the jaws (21; 22) to each other and is arranged to generate a relative tightening movement between the jaws (21, 22) by elastic deformation, wherein the elastic deformation is an elastic deformation under the action of a driver (100) on at least one of the jaws (21, 22).

17. A production device (1000), comprising at least one processing and / or assembly device (300) carrying at least one assembly part (20) according to claim 6 and at least one said drive (100), and also comprising a device for controlling each of said drives (100) to control the movement of the corresponding assembly part (20) between its open position and closed position.

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