Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic retaining member (1) for attaching a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3), comprising an opening (5) into which said support element (3) can be inserted, the retaining member (1) comprising rigid arms (6) and elastic arms (7) defined between connecting zones (9), helping to ensure elastic clamping of the support element (3) in the opening (5), and the rigid arms (6) being provided with the only contact zones (8) of the retaining member (1) with the support element (3).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to an elastic holding member for fixing a watch component to a support element.

[0002] The invention also relates to an elastic holding member - watch component assembly and an assembly of such an assembly with the support element.

[0003] The invention also relates to a method of producing such an assembly.

[0004] The invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such assembly.

[0005] The invention finally relates to a timepiece comprising such a movement. Background of the invention

[0006] In the state of the art, elastic holding members such as watch collets are known which participate in the assembly of hairsprings on balance shafts in a watch movement, by elastic tightening.

[0007] However, such elastic holding members have the major disadvantage of requiring complex, long and costly assembly operations when producing such assemblies because these members have holding torques on these balance shafts which are low and limited. The relevant state of the art is disclosed in these documents: U

[0008] EP3309625, WO2011026725, CH706526. Summary of the invention

[0009] The aim 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 an elastic holding member - watch component assembly with a support element.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an elastic holding member according to claim 1, for fixing a timepiece component to a support element, comprising an opening into which said support element is capable of being inserted, the holding member comprising rigid arms and elastic arms defined between connecting zones contributing to ensuring elastic clamping of the support element in the opening, the rigid arms being provided with only the contact zones of the holding member with the support element.

[0011] Thus, thanks to these characteristics, the elastic holding member is then able to store a significant quantity of elastic energy when it is stressed in order to restore a significant holding torque allowing elastic tightening, in particular thanks to a significant rigidity of this elastic holding member induced in particular by significant volumes (or quantities) of material constituting its rigid arms which comprise the internal and external structures. It will be noted that these significant volumes of material are more precisely included in the contact zones which are placed under load (or under stress) during the insertion of the support element into this holding member.

[0012] Furthermore, it will be noted that this elastic holding member is configured so that this storage of elastic energy remains within admissible stress values ​​with regard to the material which constitutes such a holding member such as silicon.

[0013] In other embodiments: the holding member comprises an external structure capable of being connected to said timepiece component and an internal structure defining an opening into which the support element is capable of being inserted, said holding member comprising the rigid arms and the elastic arms connecting the external and internal structures together, said rigid arms being connected together by said elastic arms; the elastic holding member comprises as many rigid arms as there are elastic arms; the rigid arms and the elastic arms are arranged in the holding member in a successive and alternating manner; each rigid arm is connected at its two opposite ends to two different elastic arms; each rigid arm has a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting each elastic arm; each elastic arm has a cross-section which is less than a cross-section of each rigid arm;each elastic arm has a cross-section which is constant throughout the body of this elastic arm; the external and internal structures respectively comprise external and internal peripheral walls of said holding member; the external and internal peripheral walls are separated from each other by a variable gap; said gap is a maximum gap when it is defined between parts of external and internal peripheral walls included in the rigid arms; said gap is a maximum gap when it is defined between parts of the external peripheral wall and the contact zones defined in the internal peripheral wall included in the rigid arms; said gap is a minimum gap when it is defined between parts of the external and internal peripheral walls included in the elastic arms; the external and internal structures have different shapes;the elastic holding member comprises an attachment point with the timepiece component; the elastic holding member is a ferrule for fixing the timepiece component such as a hairspring to a support element such as a balance shaft; the elastic holding member is made of a silicon-based material.;

[0014] The invention also relates to an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly for a timepiece movement of a timepiece comprising such a holding member.

[0015] Advantageously, the whole thing is a single piece.

[0016] The invention also relates to an assembly for a watch movement of a timepiece comprising such an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly fixed to a support element.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for producing an assembly of the elastic holding member assembly according to claim 15, - timepiece component with a support element, comprising: a step of inserting the support element into the opening of the elastic holding member of said assembly, said step comprising a sub-step of elastic deformation of the elastic holding member provided with a phase of displacement of the rigid arms of the elastic holding member inducing a double elastic deformation of the elastic arms of this elastic holding member, and a step of fixing the holding member on the support element comprising a sub-step of application by the rigid arms of the elastic holding member of a holding torque on said support element.

[0018] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such assembly.

[0019] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement. Summary description of the drawings

[0020] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a sectional view of an elastic holding member for fixing a watch component to a support element which is here in a stressed state, according to one embodiment of the invention; figures 2 And 3 are perspective views of the elastic holding member for fixing the watch component to the support element which are here in a rest state, according to the embodiment of the invention; figure 4represents a timepiece comprising a timepiece movement provided with at least one assembly comprising an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly fixed to a support element, according to one embodiment of the invention, and the Figure 5 represents a method of producing such an assembly of an elastic holding member - watch component assembly with a support element. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0021] THE figures 1 to 3 present an embodiment of the elastic holding member 1 for fixing a watch component 2 to a support element 3. For example, the elastic holding member 1 may be a collet for fixing the watch component 2 such as a hairspring to a support element 3 such as a balance shaft.

[0022] In these embodiments, this holding member 1 can be included in an assembly 120 elastic holding member - watchmaking component visible on the figure 4 and which is intended to be arranged in a timepiece movement 110 of a timepiece 100. Such an assembly 120 may be a single-piece part made of a so-called “fragile” material, preferably a micro-machinable material. Such a material may comprise silicon, quartz, corundum or even ceramic.

[0023] It will be noted that in a variant of this assembly, only the elastic holding member 1 can be made of such a so-called “fragile” material, the watch component 2 then being made of another material.

[0024] This assembly 120 may be part of an assembly 130 for the watch movement 110, being fixed to the support element 3 for example by elastic clamping. It will be noted that this assembly 130 was designed for applications in the watchmaking field. However, the invention can be perfectly implemented in other fields such as aeronautics, jewelry, or even the automobile industry.

[0025] Such a holding member 1 comprises an upper face and a lower face 12 preferably planar comprised respectively in first and second planes P1 and P2, as well as external and internal structures 4a, 4b. These external and internal structures 4a, 4b respectively comprise external and internal peripheral walls of this holding member 1 and have different shapes. More precisely, with regard to the external structure 4a, it may have a generally hexagonal shape comprising parts having convex shapes. Each of these parts is comprised in a connecting zone 9 connecting an elastic arm to a rigid arm 6. The elastic arms 7 and rigid arms 6 are each an elongated part which connects parts of the holding member 1 together. In other words, a rigid arm or an elastic arm extends longitudinally between two connecting zones 9.In this context, when speaking of the elastic arms 7, the parts of the member 1 which are connected together are the rigid arms 6, this connection being made at the connection zones 9. Similarly, when speaking of the rigid arms 6, the parts of the member 1 which are connected together are the elastic arms 7, this connection being made evidently at the connection zones 9. This external structure 4a is in particular intended to be connected to the timepiece component 2 by means of at least one attachment point 11 arranged in the external peripheral wall of the holding member 1. Concerning the internal structure 4b, it has a non-triangular shape. This internal structure 4b which comprises the internal peripheral wall of this holding member 1, participates in defining an opening 5 of such a holding member 1 in which the support element 3 is intended to be inserted.This opening 5 defines a volume in the holding member 1 which is less than that of a connecting part of one end of the support element 3 which is intended to be arranged there. It will be noted that this connecting part comprises in whole or in part portions 10 defined on the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3 and which are intended in particular to cooperate with contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6.

[0026] This holding member 1 comprises the rigid arms 6 and elastic arms 7 connecting the external and internal structures 4a, 4b together. It will be noted that this holding member 1 comprises as many rigid arms 6 as elastic arms 7. The rigid arms 6 are here non-deformable or almost non-deformable and play a role as stiffening elements of the holding member 1. With regard to the elastic arms 7, they are capable of deforming mainly in tension but also in torsion. These rigid arms 6 and these elastic arms 7 are defined or distributed successively and alternately in this holding member 1. In other words, these rigid arms 6 are connected to each other by said elastic arms 7. More precisely, each elastic arm 7 is connected at its two opposite ends at the level of connection zones 9 to two different rigid arms 6. Such rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: internal faces included in the internal structure 4b and which together participate in defining the internal peripheral wall of the holding member 1 and therefore also the opening 5 of this holding member 1, and external faces included in the external structure 4a and which together define the external peripheral wall of this holding member 1.

[0027] It will be noted that the inner faces of the elastic arms 7 are essentially flat and the inner faces of the rigid arms 6 may be non-flat, for example being wavy. In this context, the inner face of each rigid arm 6 may comprise at least one contact zone 8. The contact zone 8 may be rounded or convex or even flat. Alternatively, such an inner face of the rigid arm 6 may comprise two contact zones 8, preferably flat.

[0028] These rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 connect the external and internal structures 4a, 4b together, each comprising a part of these external and internal structures 4a, 4b. In this holding member 1, these rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 essentially make it possible to achieve elastic clamping of the support element 3 in the opening 5 formed in this holding member 1 which is defined by the internal structure 4b and in particular by the internal peripheral wall of this holding member 1.

[0029] As we have seen, these rigid arms 6 therefore comprise the only contact zones 8 of the holding member 1 with the support element 3 which can be defined in all or part of the inner faces of these rigid arms 6. Each contact zone 8, otherwise called “contact interface”, is provided to cooperate with a peripheral wall 13 of the connecting part of the support element 3, in particular with the corresponding portion defined in this peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. In this context, the holding member 1 then comprises three contact zones 8 which participate in achieving precise centering of the timepiece component 2, for example a balance spring, in the timepiece movement 110. In this holding member 1, each rigid arm 6 has a volume of material which is substantially greater or strictly greater than the volume of material constituting each elastic arm 7.It is understood that the more material there is, the more rigid an arm is. Furthermore, it will be noted that the elasticity or rigidity of an arm in this holding member 1 is defined relative to the contact zones 8 of this member 1, more precisely relative to the intensity of the deformation of these rigid or elastic arms when a force is applied to these contact zones 8. It will be noted that the external and internal structures 4a, 4b, and in particular the internal and external peripheral walls, are separated from each other in this holding member 1 by a variable gap E which then changes depending on whether these structures are included, for example, in a rigid arm 6 or an elastic arm 7. Indeed, this gap E is a maximum gap E1 when it is defined between parts of internal and external peripheral walls included in each rigid arm 6, i.e. the maximum gap E1 present between the internal and external faces of this rigid arm 6.In particular for each rigid arm 6, this maximum gap E1 is defined between each contact zone 8 included in the inner face of the internal peripheral wall and a part of the external peripheral wall of this rigid arm 6. Furthermore, this gap E is a minimum gap E2 when it is defined between parts of the external and internal peripheral walls included in the elastic arms 7, i.e. the minimum gap E2 present between the internal and external faces of this elastic arm 7.

[0030] It is therefore understood here that each elastic arm 7 has a cross-section which is less than a cross-section of each rigid arm 6. In other words, the cross-section of each elastic arm 7 has a surface area which is less than a surface area of ​​the cross-section of each rigid arm 6. It will be noted that the cross-section of the elastic arm 7 is constant or substantially constant throughout the body of this elastic arm 7 whereas the cross-section of the rigid arm 6 is inconstant / variable throughout the body of this rigid arm 6. In addition, it will be noted that: the cross-section of each rigid arm 6 is preferably a solid or partially solid section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this rigid arm 6 extends, and the cross-section of each elastic arm 7 is preferably a solid or partially solid section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this elastic arm 7 extends.

[0031] Such a configuration of the rigid and elastic arms 6, 7 allows the holding member 1 to store a greater quantity of elastic energy for the same tightening compared to the holding members of the state of the art. Such a quantity of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1 then makes it possible to obtain a greater holding torque of the holding member on the support element 3 in the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 holding member - timepiece component with this support element 3. In other words, such a surplus of elastic energy stored in the holding member 1 therefore increases the holding torque and allows optimal elastic tightening. In addition, it will be noted that such a configuration of the holding member 1 makes it possible to store elastic energy ratios which are 6 to 8 times higher than those of the holding members of the state of the art.

[0032] In reference to the Figure 5, the invention also relates to a method for producing the assembly 130 of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - watchmaking component with the support element 3. This method comprises a step 13 of inserting the support element 3 into the opening 5 of the holding member 1. During this step 13, the end of the support element is presented at the entrance of the opening 5 defined in the lower face 12 of the holding member 1 in anticipation of the introduction of the connecting part of this support element 3 into the volume defined in this opening 5. This step 13 comprises a sub-step 14 of elastic deformation of the holding member 1 in particular of a central zone of this holding member 1 comprising said opening 5 resulting from the application of a contact force on the contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6 by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 13 of the connecting part of the element support 3.This elastic deformation of the central zone in fact causes a deformation of the lower face 12 of the holding member 1 which then has an essentially concave shape, in particular at the level of a part of this face 12 included in the central zone of the holding member 1. In other words, when the central zone of the holding member 1 is deformed, its lower face 12 is no longer flat and is then no longer entirely included in the second plane P2.

[0033] As previously mentioned, this elastic deformation of the holding member 1 results from the application of the contact force to the contact zones 8 of the rigid arms 6 by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 13 of the support element 3. Such a deformation sub-step 14 comprises a phase of displacement 15 of the rigid arms 6 under the action of the contact force applied to them. Such a displacement of the rigid arms 6 is carried out in a direction between a radial direction B1 relative to a central axis C common to the support element 3 and to the holding member 1, and a direction B2 coinciding with this central axis C. It will be noted that this direction B2 is perpendicular to the direction B1 and is oriented in a defined direction from the lower face 12 towards the upper face. The contact force is preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each contact zone 8.During the course of this phase 12, the rigid arms 6 thus moving under the action of this contact force, generate a double elastic deformation of the elastic arms 7.

[0034] A first deformation otherwise called “ elastic torsional deformation » of these elastic arms 7. During this torsional deformation, each elastic arm 7 is driven at its two ends in the same direction of rotation B4 by the rigid arms 6 in movement to which such ends are connected. It will be noted that only a part of the body of these elastic arms 7 is deformable in torsion here the ends of these arms 7. Such a first deformation contributes in particular to improving the insertion of the support element 3 into the opening 5 of the holding member 1 by helping to avoid any breakage of the holding member 1 and / or any appearance of a crack in this member 1 during its assembly with the support element 3.

[0035] A second deformation otherwise called " tensile deformation » or even "elastic deformation in extension" elastic arms 7. During this extension deformation, each elastic arm 7 is pulled at its two ends in the longitudinal direction B3 in opposite directions by the rigid arms 6 in movement to which such ends are connected. Such a second deformation contributes in particular to the holding member 1 storing a significant quantity of elastic energy.

[0036] This double elastic deformation of the elastic arms 7 can be carried out simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, or even successively or substantially successively. It will be noted in the context of the implementation of the deformation phase that when this double elastic deformation is carried out successively or substantially successively, the first deformation is then carried out before the second deformation.

[0037] This method then comprises a step 16 of fixing the holding member 1 to the support element 3. Such a fixing step 16 comprises a sub-step 17 of performing radial elastic clamping of the holding member 1 to the support element 3. It is therefore understood that in such a state of stress, the holding member 1 stores a significant quantity of elastic energy which contributes to giving it a substantial holding torque, in particular allowing optimal turning by elastic clamping.

Claims

1. Resilient retaining member (1) for attaching a timepiece component (2) to a support element (3), which retaining member comprises an opening (5) into which said support element (3) is capable of being inserted, the retaining member (1) comprising rigid arms (6) and resilient arms (7) defined between connecting zones (9) helping resiliently clamp the support element (3) in the opening (5), such a retaining member (1) comprising an outer structure (4a) capable of being connected to said timepiece component (2) and an inner structure (4b) defining an opening (5), the rigid arms (6) and the resilient arms (7) connecting the outer and inner structures (4a, 4b) together and the outer structure (4a) having an overall hexagonal shape comprising portions having convex shapes, these rigid arms (6) being provided with the only zones (8) of contact between the retaining member (1) and the support element (3) and wherein said rigid arms (6) or resilient arms (7) each extend longitudinally between connecting zones (9), these rigid arms (6) and these resilient arms (7) being arranged in the retaining member (1) successively and alternately and each rigid arm (6) has a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting each resilient arm (7), each resilient arm (7) being capable of deforming according to: - a first resilient torsional deformation, and - a second resilient extension or tensile deformation, - in this retaining member (1) when the support element (3) is inserted into the opening (5), this support element (3) applies a contact force to the contact zones (8) of the rigid arms (6), so that the rigid arms (6) are displaced, and the displacement of these rigid arms (6) causes the twofold resilient deformation of the resilient arms (7).

2. Resilient retaining member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the cross-section of each resilient arm (7) is smaller than the cross-section of each rigid arm (6).

3. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cross-section of each resilient arm (7) is constant throughout the body of this resilient arm (7).

4. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer and inner structures (4a, 4b) respectively comprise outer and inner peripheral walls of said retaining member (1).

5. Resilient retaining member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the outer and inner peripheral walls are separated from one another by a variable gap (E).

6. Resilient retaining member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said gap (E) is a maximum gap (E1) when defined between portions of the outer and inner peripheral walls included in the rigid arms (6).

7. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said gap (E) is a maximum gap (E1) when defined between portions of the outer peripheral wall and the contact zones (8) defined in the inner peripheral wall and comprised in the rigid arms (6).

8. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that said gap (E) is a minimum gap (E2) when defined between portions of the outer and inner peripheral walls included in the resilient arms (7).

9. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer and inner structures (4a, 4b) have different shapes.

10. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a collet for attaching the timepiece component (2), such as a balance spring, to a support element (3), such as a balance-staff.

11. Resilient retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is made of a silicon-based material.

12. Combined resilient retaining member - timepiece component unit (120) for a horological movement (110) of a timepiece (100) comprising a retaining member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Unit (120) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it is made in one piece.

14. Assembly (130) for a horological movement (110) of a timepiece (100) comprising a combined resilient retaining member - timepiece component unit (120) according to any one of claims 12 and 13, said unit (120) being attached to a support element (3).

15. Method for producing an assembly (130) of a combined resilient retaining member - timepiece component unit (120) with a support element (3) according to the preceding claim, which method comprises: - a step (13) of inserting the support element (3) into the opening (5) of the resilient retaining member (1) of said unit, said step (13) comprising a sub-step (14) of resiliently deforming the resilient retaining member (1) provided with a phase (15) of displacing the rigid arms (6) of the resilient retaining member inducing a twofold resilient deformation of the resilient arms (7) of this resilient retaining member (1), and - a step (16) of attaching the retaining member (1) to the support element (3), comprising a sub-step (17) of applying, by way of the rigid arms (6) of the resilient retaining member (1), a resistive torque to said support element (3).

16. Horological movement (110) comprising at least one assembly (130) according to claim 14.

17. Timepiece (100) comprising a horological movement (110) according to the preceding claim.

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