Clamp for a timepiece component

Abstract

The invention relates to a holder (100) for a timepiece component, with radial clamping, comprising a plurality of jaws distributed around an axis (D) defining an insertion direction and / or an extraction direction of the timepiece component, the plurality of jaws being connected to a support (2) of the holder, each jaw comprising a bearing surface (10) arranged to ensure radial contact with a corresponding surface of the timepiece component with respect to said axis and able to exert a radial clamping force on this corresponding surface, at least one of said jaws being able to move radially with respect to said axis and having a substantially radial stroke with respect to said axis (D). According to the invention, each movable jaw is connected to said support by a radial elastic return means (3) extending in a general plane (P) perpendicular to said axis and preferably arranged between the movable jaw and said axis (D).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of manipulating and / or holding watch components during the manufacture and / or assembly of watch components, particularly as part of automated production.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a radially clamping gripper for a watch component, the gripper comprising a plurality of support jaws distributed in an opposing manner around an axis defining an insertion direction and / or an extraction direction, the plurality of support jaws being fixed to a support member included in the gripper, each support jaw including a support surface arranged to ensure radial contact with a corresponding surface of the watch component in the same plane perpendicular to the axis, and at least one of the plurality of support jaws being capable of substantially radial movement relative to the axis. Background Technology

[0003] Manipulating and holding watch components during manufacturing is always challenging. For a long time, manual labor was the only reliable solution. The development of automated production necessitates the implementation of processes that ensure manipulation and holding functions without deforming the watch components, especially in the final stages of component preparation, where the cross-section of the material may be significantly reduced and the clamping area sometimes difficult to reach. The most common industrial solution is the use of vacuum; however, this effective solution results in substantial energy consumption and leads to audible disturbances. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention proposes the development of a clamp for watch components that allows for manipulation and / or holding of watch components without the use of negative pressure, and requires no additional energy beyond the energy already provided to the manipulator carrying the clamp for its movement in space. Another objective is to provide a compact and small clamp. A further objective is to provide a robust clamp that effectively protects relatively fragile components.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to a clamp for a watch component, the clamp having radial clamping, the clamp comprising a plurality of jaws distributed about an axis defining an insertion direction and / or extraction direction of the watch component, the plurality of jaws being connected to a support member of the clamp, each jaw including a support surface arranged to ensure radial contact with a corresponding surface of the watch component relative to the axis, and the support surface being capable of applying a radial clamping force on the corresponding surface, at least one of the jaws being capable of radial movement relative to the axis and having a substantially radial travel relative to the axis. According to the invention, each movable jaw is connected to the support member by a radially resilient return device extending in a general plane perpendicular to the axis.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the radially resilient return device is arranged between the movable gripper connected to the support and the axis.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment, the support also extends in the overall plane.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment, the substantially radial travel relative to the axis is within the elastic deformation range of the radially elastic return device and is defined by the cooperation between the movable stop surface included in the movable jaw and the fixed stop surface included in the support.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, each movable gripper includes two movable stop surfaces, a first movable stop surface facing the axis and a second movable stop surface facing away from the axis, and the support includes two fixed stop surfaces, a first fixed stop surface facing away from the axis and a second fixed stop surface facing the axis, the first fixed stop surface being arranged abutting a centrifugal radial travel end stop portion of the first movable stop surface, and the second fixed stop surface being arranged abutting a centrifugal radial travel end stop portion of the second movable stop surface.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the movable stop surface is supported by a post contained in each movable gripper, and the fixed stop surface is the surface of a slot contained in the support member, or arranged in the opposite manner.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the movable jaws is guided in a guide slot included in the support.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the movable gripper is guided strictly radially relative to the axis in the guide slot.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the radially elastic return device has a serpentine shape in the projection of the total plane, wherein the strips form zigzag loops extending radially from the axis.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the strip has a varying cross-section.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the grippers of the holder includes a protrusion projecting relative to the support member on a first axial side of the holder, i.e., the insertion side, the protrusion being arranged for cooperation between the holder and the watch component, the protrusion including at least one chamfered and / or rounded lead surface at a distal end to facilitate insertion of the watch component into or onto the holder, or to facilitate insertion of the holder onto or into the watch component.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the gripper includes a limiting surface in a plane parallel to the total plane, the limiting surface being located on the side opposite to the protrusion of the at least one of the grippers with respect to the total plane, and the distance of the limiting surface from the radially resilient deformation device of each movable gripper is a non-zero interval value defined by the limiting surface, so as to allow slight axial bending of the radially resilient return device along the axis by limiting axial friction during insertion of the watch component into the gripper or insertion of the gripper onto the watch component, the interval value being limited to a predetermined threshold to prevent any permanent deformation of the radially resilient return device.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamp is a single piece.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the protrusion is removable and attached to an integrated gripper body that extends in the overall plane and includes the support, the radially resilient return device, and a support platform that includes or is associated with an assembly mechanism arranged to cooperate with a complementary assembly mechanism included in the protrusion. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0020] - Figure 1A plan view of a gripper with radial clamping for holding and / or manipulating a watch component according to the present invention is shown. The gripper includes a plurality of jaws assembled on a support member. The jaws are in the form of movable jaws capable of movement in a plane perpendicular to an axis about which the watch component to be held and / or manipulated extends. The movement of the movable jaws relative to this axis is radial, provided that the axis corresponds to a relative insertion or extraction direction between the gripper and the watch component. The movable jaws are elastically connected to the support member by at least one resilient connector, which, in the specific case of this figure, is a resilient return device in the form of a serpentine spring. The movable jaws can move within a slot in the support member, which forces the movable jaws to move in a radial plane passing through the axis. The centrifugal and radial travel of the movable jaws is limited by a stop mechanism, which, here, is non-limitingly ensured by the cooperation of a set of posts integral with the movable jaws and a slot integral with the support member. In this non-limiting example, the clamp is a single piece.

[0021] - Figure 2 Showing with Figure 1 A perspective view of a gripper similar to the one described above; the gripper, comprising multiple parts, includes a one-piece gripper body including a support member, at least one resilient return device, and at least one support platform supporting a protruding portion, particularly a removable portion, which allows for the production of a one-piece gripper body with a constant height H. The protruding portion of the movable jaw includes, on the support surface side of the watch component, a particularly cylindrical surface, a chamfered and / or rounded lead-in surface, and a front stop surface. The lead-in surface facilitates insertion of the watch component into or onto the gripper, or vice versa. The front stop surface is arranged to cooperate with the watch component in an axially supported manner, so that the watch component stops in a precise axial position.

[0022] - Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The integrated gripper is shown in cross-section along section line AA of the figure. The movable grippers are designed for external clamping of the component to be held and / or manipulated.

[0023] - Figure 4 With Figure 3 A similar approach is shown Figure 1 A variant of the integrated gripper, wherein movable jaws are designed for internal clamping of the component to be held and / or manipulated;

[0024] - Figure 5 With Figure 3 and Figure 4 A similar approach is shown Figure 1A variant of the integrated gripper, wherein the movable gripper is designed for internal or external gripping of the component to be held and / or manipulated;

[0025] - Figure 6 Show Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a gripper consisting of multiple parts, wherein movable jaws are designed for external clamping of a component to be held and / or manipulated; the movable jaws include removable protruding protrusions assembled on a platform integrated with an integral support block, here being pins.

[0026] - Figure 7 Show Figure 2 and Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of the gripper, wherein the protrusion of the movable gripper is not installed, and two pins protrude from the table and are provided for receiving the additional protrusion.

[0027] - Figure 8 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another gripper in multiple parts through the axis is shown, wherein the support is divided into two plates, the upper plate supports the movable jaw and includes an elastic return device, and the lower plate is fixed to the upper plate and includes a limiting surface at a non-zero distance from the suspension elastic return device of the movable jaw to prevent any permanent deformation and any damage to the elastic return device;

[0028] - Figure 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another integrated gripper is shown, which includes a limiting surface at a non-zero distance from the suspension resilient return mechanism of the movable jaw to prevent any permanent deformation and damage to the resilient return mechanism.

[0029] - Figure 10 A plan view showing details of another embodiment of a multi-part gripper is provided, wherein the suspension of the platform of the movable gripper is ensured by a region radially located on either side of the platform that has radial elastic deformation capability.

[0030] - Figure 11 A plan view showing the details of the cooperation between the movable grippers (which include multiple posts in this case) and the support members (which include multiple slots in this case);

[0031] - Figure 12 A plan view showing the details of the cooperation between the movable grippers (which include multiple slots in this case) and the support members (which include multiple posts in this case);

[0032] - Figures 13 to 18A side view shows a transfer step performed by a manipulator, which includes a gripper according to the invention for extracting the watch component from a first production or conveying station, more specifically from a first assembly unit, and transferring it toward another production or conveying station.

[0033] - Figure 13 The clamp is shown moving downward toward the watch component held on the first assembly, with the clamp's jaws in a minimum radial centrifugal position.

[0034] - Figure 14 The diagram shows the relative pushing between the jaws and the clockwork component, which is guided on the insertion surface and abuts against the support surface of the jaws, which is parallel to the axis.

[0035] - Figure 15 The completion of the vertical stroke is shown, wherein the clock component is axially stopped and positioned in the jaws, which are at the maximum radial centrifugal position E2;

[0036] - Figure 16 This illustrates the release of the clamp, as the watch component separates from the first assembly that has supported the watch component up to this point.

[0037] - Figure 17 This illustrates the transfer of the gripper toward another production or conveyor station;

[0038] - Figure 18 The illustration shows details of the clock component being ejected by ejection fingers inserted between the support of the holder and the clock component, for example, into a slot provided in the holder for this purpose. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a clamp according to the invention is shown. The invention relates to a clamp 100 with radial clamping for a watch component 200.

[0040] Here, a watch component refers to any basic component or sub-component integrated into a watch (such as a wristwatch, clock, or similar device). The accompanying drawings illustrate a non-limiting application of the invention to a watch component 200, which is a blank, plate, intermediate component, case, oscillating mass block, or similar watch component whose size and mass are on par with those of a coin. These specific examples form rigid elements to which reasonable radial clamping forces can be applied without causing permanent deformation. However, the invention is also designed to clamp other types of watch components, particularly those with very thin material cross-sections, such as balance wheels or similar devices, for which it is sufficient to adapt the mechanical features of the clamp to control the application of clamping forces without causing permanent deformation of the watch component 200.

[0041] A radially clamping gripper 100 for a watch component 200 includes a plurality of jaws 1 distributed about an axis D and connected to a support 2 of the gripper, the axis D defining the insertion and / or extraction direction of the watch component. Each jaw 1 includes a support surface 10 configured to ensure radial contact with a corresponding surface of the watch component relative to the axis, and to be able to apply a radial clamping force and thus a radial pressure on the corresponding surface. Advantageously, at least one of the jaws is radially movable relative to the axis D and has a substantially radial travel relative to the axis.

[0042] According to the present invention, each movable gripper 1 is connected to the support member 2 by a radial elastic return device 3, which extends in a general plane P perpendicular to the axis D.

[0043] According to a preferred variant, each radial elastic return device 3 is arranged between axis D and the movable gripper that connects the radial elastic return device 3 to the support 2.

[0044] According to an advantageous variation, the support member 2 also extends in the general plane P.

[0045] In a particular variant, at least one movable jaw 1, and more specifically, each movable jaw 1, has a radial travel defined by the radial elastic deformation of at least one radial elastic return device 3, which suspends the movable jaw 1 on the support member 2, or the radial travel is defined by the radial elastic deformation of at least one radially elastic deformable region 5 included in the support member 2 and integral with the movable jaw 1. The radial elastic return device 3 may be an attachment member, such as a spring, or may be integral with the movable jaw 1 and / or the support member 2.

[0046] More specifically, at least one such movable jaw 1, and preferably each movable jaw, has a substantially and especially strictly radial travel relative to the axis D. This substantially and especially strictly radial travel is within the elastic deformation range of the radial elastic return device 3.

[0047] In particular, the strictly radial travel relative to axis D is defined by the cooperation between the movable stop surface 6 included in the movable jaw 1 and the fixed stop surface 7 included in the support 2.

[0048] In one of the variations shown, such as Figure 11As can be seen, the movable gripper 1 includes two movable stop surfaces 6, namely, a first movable stop surface 61 facing the axis D, and another movable stop surface 62 facing away from the axis D; and the support member 2 includes two fixed stop surfaces 7, namely, a first fixed stop surface 71 facing away from the axis D, and a second fixed stop surface 72 facing the axis D. The first fixed stop surface 71 is arranged to abut against the centripetal radial travel end stop portion of the first movable stop surface 61, and the second fixed stop surface 72 is arranged to abut against the centrifugal radial travel end stop portion of the second movable stop surface 62.

[0049] More specifically, the movable stop surface 6 is supported by the post 60 included in the movable gripper 1, and the fixed stop surface 7 is the surface of the slot 70 included in the support member 2, as particularly in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 11 As can be seen in, or vice versa, as in Figure 12 As seen in the picture.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the movable stop surface 6 and the fixed stop surface 7 are arranged to cooperate in the overall plane P.

[0051] In particular Figure 1 and Figure 11 In one variant shown, at least one such movable jaw 1 is suspended on the support 2 by at least one radially elastic return device 3, and in particular each movable jaw 1 is guided in a guide slot 4 contained in the support 2.

[0052] More specifically, the movable gripper 1 is thus guided strictly radially relative to the axis D in the guide slot 4.

[0053] In an advantageous variation, at least one radially elastic return device 3, preferably all radially elastic return devices, has a serpentine shape in the total plane P in which the radially elastic return devices extend, wherein the elastic strips 8 form zigzag loops 9 extending from the axis D along the radius R. In other words, the strips are zigzag due to the fact that the strips define the curved longitudinal lines. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 11 The radial elastic return device 3 is shown to have a serpentine / zigzag configuration.

[0054] Figure 10 Another advantageous variation is shown, wherein at least one region 5 with radial elastic deformation capability has a series of pouch-like portions separated by relatively thin flexible strips in the overall plane P, which are symmetrical about the plane passing through axis D and in the direction of radius R from axis D.

[0055] Advantageously, when the strip 8 is serpentine / zigzag, the cross-section of the strip 8 is varied. Even more specifically, the ring 9 is narrower at radius R than at its lateral edges away from radius R, and each ring is closer to the next and / or the previous ring near the lateral edges 91, 92 than the middle portion 93 located at radius R.

[0056] Advantageously, at least one gripper 1 is a gripper 1 that is radially movable about axis D, and more specifically, each gripper 1 is a gripper 1 that is radially movable about axis D.

[0057] More specifically, all the radially elastic return devices 3 and the radially elastic deformation-capable regions 5 included in the clamp 100 are arranged such that the force applied by the jaws 1 to the watch component 200 results in zero at axis D. In one illustrated variant, three identical radially elastic return devices 3 are spaced 120° apart. In another variant, a total of N identical radially elastic return devices 3 or radially elastic deformation-capable regions 5 are separated about axis D by the same angle value of 360° / N. In yet another variant, identical radially elastic return devices 3 or radially elastic deformation-capable regions 5 are arranged symmetrically about axis D in pairs. Other variants may also combine these various configurations.

[0058] To facilitate the insertion of the clamp 100 onto or into the watch component 200, the clamp 100 advantageously includes at least one jaw 1, and more specifically, each jaw 1, comprising at least one protrusion 11. The protrusion 11 protrudes relative to the support 2 on a first axial side (i.e., the insertion side) of the clamp 100. The protrusion 11 is configured for cooperation between the clamp 100 and the watch component 200, and at its distal end includes at least one chamfered and / or rounded guide surface 12 to facilitate the insertion of the watch component 200 into or onto the clamp 100, or the clamp 100 onto or into the watch component 200. In particular, the guide surface 12 is a slightly inclined chamfer, for example, at an angle of 15° to 35° over a height of several tens of millimeters.

[0059] In fact, it can be understood that clock component 200 can be solid. Figure 3 The configuration is maintained from the outside, or is ring-shaped or similar in shape, in Figure 4 The clamp 100 is held in place from the inside within the configuration. The clamp 100 can also be general-purpose, for example, as... Figure 5 As shown, it is used for external or internal retention of the watch component 200.

[0060] At least one gripper, and preferably each gripper 1 includes a front stop surface 13, which is configured to cooperate with the watch component 200 in an axially supporting manner so that the watch component 200 stops in a precise axial position along axis D.

[0061] The support surface 10 is advantageously a support surface 15 parallel to the axis D, especially in the form of a cylindrical sector.

[0062] exist Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the specific configuration that can be seen, the gripper 100 includes a limiting surface 35 in a plane parallel to the general plane P. The limiting surface 35 is located on the side opposite to the gripper with respect to at least one radially elastic return device 3 included in the gripper, and more specifically, on the side opposite to the protrusion 11 with respect to at least one region 5 with radial elastic deformation capability included in the gripper. The limiting surface 35 is preferably at a non-zero interval value E from the at least one radially elastic return device 3, and more specifically from each radially elastic return device 3 or from the at least one radially elastic deformable region 5, and more specifically from each radially elastic deformable region 5, so as to allow slight bending along the axis D of the at least one radially elastic return device 3, and more specifically from each radially elastic return device 3 or the at least one radially elastic deformable region 5, or more specifically from each radially elastic deformable region 5, by limiting axial friction during the insertion of the watch component 200 into or onto the holder 100, or during the insertion of the holder 100 into or onto the watch component 200. For each type of holder 100, the interval value E is limited to a predetermined threshold to prevent any permanent deformation and any damage to the radially elastic return device 3, and more specifically from each radially elastic return device 3 or from each radially elastic deformable region 5, or more specifically from each radially elastic deformable region 5.

[0063] In a particular embodiment, the clamp 100 is integral. The clamp 100 can be made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel, spring steel, or other alloys, and machined by electro-erosion and / or by sinking, particularly for the radial elastic return mechanism 3 and / or areas with radial elastic deformation capability included in the clamp; this embodiment is well-suited for holding solid watch components 200 by high clamping force and high-stiffness elastic return mechanisms. The clamp 100 has a diameter of 40 mm and three serpentine springs spaced 120° apart, with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of 0.65 mm, made of 1.4301 or 1.4310 stainless steel, and a support height of 6 mm, for clamping watch components with a diameter of 34 mm; therefore, the stiffness of each jaw is between 25 N / mm and 45 N / mm, particularly between 30 N / mm and 40 N / mm. Depending on the type of the clock component 200 to be manipulated, the axial thrust can be adjusted to a value between 6N and 30N to insert the clock component 200 to be manipulated into the gripper.

[0064] For clamping watch components 200 with more fragile characteristics, the clamp 100 can be produced by stereolithography using "LIGA", "DRIE" or similar methods, and is particularly made of nickel, nickel-phosphorus alloys, silicon and / or at least one silicon oxide, or an amorphous or at least partially amorphous material; of course, the clamping force applied here is very small, and the radial travel of the jaws is also very small. This clamp constitutes a good solution for manipulating or holding very fragile watch components 200, for example, by mounting an inertia block on the balance wheel.

[0065] The accompanying drawing shows a gripper 100 equipped with a radially elastic return device 3 composed of serpentine springs. The serpentine springs are shown in the operating position of the gripper, extending and stopping through the cooperation of the post and slot. These grippers are generated in a free state, wherein each serpentine spring extends radially in a guide slot 4, with its distal end extending beyond the support member 2; subsequently, the serpentine spring is compressed out of plane until it reaches a radially holding position via the post-slot system. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 11 In the non-limiting example shown, the radial extension of the serpentine spring in the free state is 2.5 to 4.0 times that in the compressed state, and particularly 3.1 to 3.5 times that in the compressed state. In the compressed state, the radial extension of the serpentine spring is 0.10 to 0.24 times the maximum diameter of the support 2, and particularly 0.15 to 0.19 times the maximum diameter of the support.

[0066] More specifically, the cross-sectional dimensions (minimum dimensions) of strip 8 are between 0.090 and 0.126 times its own height, and more specifically, between 0.103 and 0.113 times its own height.

[0067] More specifically, the cross-sectional dimensions of strip 8 are between 0.090 and 0.126 times the height of support 2, and more specifically, between 0.103 and 0.113 times the height of support 2.

[0068] More specifically, the cross-sectional dimensions of the strip 8 are between 0.175 and 0.211 times the maximum diameter of the largest watch component 200 to be clamped, and more specifically, between 0.185 and 0.201 times the maximum diameter of the largest watch component 200. To avoid any angular deformation of the gripper 1 and its elastic return mechanism, it is important that it abuts against the column-slot assembly or any other equivalent mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The illustrated embodiment ensures deformation only in the radial direction, thereby ensuring optimal retention of the watch component 200.

[0069] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one gripper 1 of the clamp 100, and more specifically each gripper 1, includes at least one protrusion 11 projecting relative to the support 2 at the insertion side. This protrusion 11 is removable and attached to an integral clamp body, which includes: the support 2; at least one radially resilient return device 3, and more specifically each radially resilient return device 3, or at least one region with radially resilient deformability, and more specifically each region with radially resilient deformability 5; and a support platform 110, which includes an assembly mechanism configured to cooperate with a complementary assembly mechanism 111 included in the protrusion 11. This complementary assembly mechanism 111 is, for example, a pin or similar mechanism. Other pins or similar positioning elements can be mounted on the clamp 100 for adjusting the position of the watch components. This arrangement allows for the production of an integral clamp body with a constant height H, greatly facilitating its manufacture and enabling the clamp 100 to be produced at a low manufacturing cost.

[0070] The accompanying diagram illustrates a specific case of the highly versatile clamp 100, which allows a circular watch component 200 to be clamped by three jaws offset at 120° and deforming within an elastic range. This principle can be adapted to various diameters. For example, for a watch component with a diameter of 34 mm, the travel of each jaw is advantageously ±0.2 mm; a clearance of 0.1 mm may already be sufficient. Therefore, a stop with a travel of 0.2 mm or ±0.1 mm for each jaw is suitable for many watch components to be held, facilitating their machining. Clearly, this is within conventional tolerances for blanks of the same type of watch to be machined, which also have this travel / clearance.

[0071] The stop prevents excessive movement of the grippers, and thus avoids damage to the grippers or radial elastic elements included in the clamp. A particular embodiment of the elastic return element in the form of a serpentine spring allows for clamping of watch components with non-constant diameters without energy contribution. Furthermore, the mechanism requires no maintenance and has a long lifespan, comparable to that of the actuators designed to integrate the clamp.

[0072] Aside from the axial push that forces the watch components into the jaws, the clamp forming the gripper requires no energy, where the axial push corresponds to a movement performed by a manipulator or a production machine in any case. This solution is economical and also has the advantage of being able to be implemented on a small scale.

[0073] The choice of material for the clamps depends on the nature of the watch component to be manipulated or held and its resistance. Stainless steel (e.g., 1.4301, 1.4310) or spring steel is well-suited for solid watch blanks, movement plates, oscillating mass blocks, and similar parts. For watch components with smaller cross-sections, clamps made of lower-density materials such as nylon or other materials are conceivable.

[0074] The integrated gripper body, including the support members, the elastic return device, and the support platform for supporting the removable protrusion, greatly simplifies machining and provides a great deal of design freedom in the shape of the protrusion of the gripper.

[0075] One advantageous aspect of the invention lies in the arrangement of the spring in the plane forming the base of the clamp. The specific concept of the invention can be summarized as forming a clamp on a support member having radial elastic deformation capability.

[0076] It should be noted that a gap of 0.1 mm may be sufficient to apply adequate radial force. Everything depends on the spring constant: the spring constant K is selected based on the specific application and the required radial clamping force.

[0077] Many variations can be envisioned:

[0078] - The axial stop surface / front stop surface 13 can be integrated into a one-piece sub-assembly or arranged separately as an accessory;

[0079] - The principle of this invention applies to axial stop systems, but not to radial stop systems, which are unique to this invention.

[0080] The present invention also relates to a manipulator 1000 for extracting a watch component 200 from a production or conveying station 500, 600, particularly from an assembly device 510 included in the production or conveying station 500, 600, or for placing the watch component 200 on the production or conveying station 500, 600.

[0081] The manipulator 1000 includes at least one such clamp 100, and the manipulator 1000 includes, in particular, a motorized mechanism, to move at least one clamp 100, and more specifically each clamp 100, toward the watch component 200 in the direction of the gravitational field, by elastically deforming at least one of the radially elastic return devices 3 of the clamp 100, and more specifically by elastically deforming each of the radially elastic return devices 3, or by elastically deforming at least one of the radially elastic deformable regions 5 of the clamp 100, and more specifically by elastically deforming each of the radially elastic deformable regions 5, thereby axially pushing the clamp 100 onto the watch component 200 along axis D. Pushing the watch component 200 into the axial stop position releases the holder 100 that elastically holds the watch component 200, allowing it to be transported toward another production or transport station 600, where the operator 1000 is configured to cooperate with a discharge mechanism included in the other production or transport station 600 or the operator 1000 itself, particularly and non-limitingly with a discharge finger 650, such that the discharge mechanism, particularly the discharge finger 650, is radially inserted between the support 2 and the watch component 200, allowing the watch component 200 to be placed on a container or assembly included in the other production or transport station 600.

[0082] Figures 13 to 18 The steps of the transmission are shown:

[0083] - Figure 13 The clamp 100 moves downward toward the watch component 200 held on the assembly device 510 of the first production or conveying station 500, with the clamp jaws 1 in the minimum radial centrifugal position E1.

[0084] - Figure 14 The relative pushing between the gripper 1 and the clock component 200, the clock component 200 being guided on the insertion surface 12 and abutting against the support surface 15 parallel to the axis D;

[0085] - Figure 15 The clock component 200 is axially stopped and positioned in the jaw 1, which is in the maximum radial centrifugal position E2;

[0086] - Figure 16 The release of the clamp 100, and the separation of the watch component 200 from the assembly device supporting the watch component up to this point;

[0087] - Figure 17 : To move the gripper 100 toward another production or conveyor station 600;

[0088] - Figure 18 : The discharge of clock component 200.

Claims

1. A clamp (100) for a watch component (200), the clamp (100) having radial clamping, the clamp (100) comprising a plurality of jaws distributed about an axis (D) defining an insertion direction and / or extraction direction of the watch component, the plurality of jaws being connected to a support (2) of the clamp (100), each jaw including a support surface (10) arranged to ensure radial contact with a corresponding surface of the watch component (200) relative to the axis, and the support surface (10) being capable of applying a radial clamping force on the corresponding surface, at least one of the jaws being capable of radial movement relative to the axis (D) and having a substantially radial travel relative to the axis; characterized in that, Each movable gripper is connected to the support via a radially elastic return device (3) that extends in a general plane (P) perpendicular to the axis.

2. The clamp (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radial elastic return device (3) is arranged between the movable jaw connected to the support and the axis (D).

3. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support member (2) also extends in the general plane (P).

4. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The substantially radial travel relative to the axis (D) is within the elastic deformation range of the radial elastic return device (3) and is defined by the cooperation between the movable stop surface (6) included in the movable jaw (1) and the fixed stop surface (7) included in the support (2).

5. The clamp (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each movable gripper (1) includes two movable stop surfaces (6), a first movable stop surface (61) facing the axis (D) and a second movable stop surface (62) facing away from the axis. The support (2) includes two fixed stop surfaces (7), a first fixed stop surface (71) facing away from the axis and a second fixed stop surface (72) facing the axis. The first fixed stop surface (71) is arranged to abut against the centripetal radial travel end stop of the first movable stop surface (61), and the second fixed stop surface (72) is arranged to abut against the centrifugal radial travel end stop of the second movable stop surface (62).

6. The clamp (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The movable stop surface (6) is supported by the post (60) contained in each movable gripper (1), and the fixed stop surface (7) is the surface of the slot (70) contained in the support (2), or arranged in the opposite manner.

7. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the movable grippers (1) is guided in the guide slot (4) contained in the support (2).

8. The clamp (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The movable gripper (1) is guided in the guide slot (4) in a strictly radial manner relative to the axis (D).

9. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radial elastic return device (3) has a serpentine shape in the projection of the total plane (P), wherein the strip (8) forms a zigzag ring (9) extending from the axis (D) along the radius (R).

10. The clamp (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The strip (8) has a varying cross-section.

11. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the jaws (1) of the clamp (100) includes a protrusion (11) protruding relative to the support (2) on a first axial side of the clamp (100), i.e., the insertion side, the protrusion (11) being arranged for cooperation between the clamp (100) and the watch component (200), the protrusion (11) including at least one chamfered and / or rounded lead surface (12) at its distal end to facilitate insertion of the watch component (200) into or onto the clamp, or to facilitate insertion of the clamp onto or into the watch component.

12. The clamp (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The clamp (100) includes a limiting surface (35) in a plane parallel to the total plane (P), the limiting surface (35) being located on the side opposite to the protrusion (11) of the at least one of the jaws with respect to the total plane (P), and the limiting surface (35) being at a distance from the radial elastic return device (3) of each movable jaw by a non-zero interval value (E) defined by the limiting surface, so as to allow the radial elastic return device to slightly axially bend along the axis (D) by limiting axial friction during insertion of the watch component (200) into the clamp or insertion of the clamp onto the watch component, the interval value (E) being limited to a predetermined threshold to prevent any permanent deformation of the radial elastic return device.

13. The clamp (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The clamp (100) is a single piece.

14. The clamp (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The protrusion (11) is removable and attached to an integral clamp body that extends in the overall plane and includes the support (2), the radially resilient return device (3), and a support platform (110) that includes or is associated with an assembly mechanism arranged to cooperate with a complementary assembly mechanism (111) included in the protrusion (11).

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