Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on different support elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining member (1) for attaching a timepiece component (2) to support elements (3a, 3b) having different cross-sections, comprising an opening (5) into which each support element (3a, 3b) can be inserted, the retaining member (1) comprising structural elements (6) which jointly form the body of this retaining member (1) and contribute to ensuring that each support element (3a, 3b) fits in the opening (5), each of these structural elements (6) comprising a first structural sub-element (7a) and a second sub-element (7b), the first structural sub-element (7a) comprising a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting the second structural sub-element (7b), the retaining member (1) comprising a connection portion (19) which ensures that each of the support elements (3a, 3b) fits in the retaining member (1), the portion (19) being defined on an internal face of the first structural sub-element (7A).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to an elastic holding member for fixing a watch component to support elements of different types such as a balance shaft or even a false axis.

[0002] The invention also relates to an elastic holding member - watch component assembly and assemblies comprising such an assembly and a support element.

[0003] The invention finally relates to a watch movement comprising at least one of these assemblies as well as to a timepiece comprising such a movement. Background of the invention

[0004] In the state of the art, elastic holding members such as watch collets are known which participate in assemblies of hairsprings on balance shafts or axles of regulating members such as resonators of watch movements, by elastic tightening. Such hairsprings are conventionally each wound around a hairspring shaft and are provided with a collet at their inner end. This collet has an opening, the inner face of which comprises holding parts which are arranged to cooperate with a shaft of revolution around said hairspring shaft, contributing to the centering of said hairspring on such a shaft.

[0005] Before making such assemblies, it is common to carry out torque and / or stiffness measurements of these hairsprings, particularly during a so-called classification operation. To do this, the collet of a given hairspring is then driven onto a false axis of circular cross-section which helps to ensure that it is held in an angular and vertical position. The diameter of this false axis is defined as a function of the diameter of the opening of the hairspring collet, so that the maintenance of this collet in an angular and vertical position, during the measurement of the hairspring torque, is obtained by tightening this collet on this false axis. Such tightening, which results from the elastic deformation of the collet, has a value defined as a function of the diameter of the false axis.Subsequently, once the sorting operation is completed, the hairspring collet is then separated / driven out of the false axis with a view to its assembly by driving onto the balance shaft so that the holding parts of the collet cooperate with this balance shaft in order to ensure elastic tightening.

[0006] However, such a filing operation may be the cause of "product defects" due to the fact that the collet may break / become chipped during multiple and repetitive stresses related to its driving in, driving out on / from the false axis and then "re-driving" on the balance shaft, or during the operation of the resonator in which it is included, particularly during movement. Indeed, during the filing operation, the tightening carried out between the false axis and the collet causes shearing forces which may damage this collet by generating micro-breaks at at least one edge of this collet.In other words, the driving on the false axis of this collet, classically made of a very fragile material under mechanical stress such as silicon, can generate tensions in the material of this hairspring and cause a risk of chipping which can prove very critical because it induces an incipient breakage at the level of the collet with a risk of breakage of the latter which will be detected later when it is put into motion. Notable state of the art: EP3401740, WO2011 / 026725. Summary of the invention

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above by proposing an elastic holding member comprising several specific holding parts, each designed to cooperate exclusively with a given type of support element and in particular with the peripheral wall of this support element when mounting this member on the latter.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an elastic holding member according to claim 1 for fixing a timepiece component to support elements of different cross-section, comprising an opening into which each support element can be inserted, the holding member comprising structural elements together forming the body of this holding member and contributing to ensuring mounting of each support element in said opening, each of these structural elements comprising a first structural sub-element and a second structural sub-element, the first structural sub-element comprising a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting the second structural sub-element, the holding member comprising a connecting portion ensuring mounting in the holding member of each of said support elements, said portion being defined on an inner face of said first structural sub-element.

[0009] Thus, in this holding member, the same connecting portion of a first structural sub-element of each structural element of the holding member, thanks to its characteristics, is stressed both during the mounting of this member on the false axle and during the driving of the latter onto a support element such as the balance shaft, regardless of the geometric shape of the cross-section of this support element. In addition, the connecting portions of the first structural sub-elements of such a holding member make it possible to ensure mounting of this member on the false axle by carrying out a positioning and a coupling of this holding member with this false axle, without this mounting requiring a driving operation as is the case in the prior art.This installation provides for the installation of this holding member in an angular and vertical position on the false axis, in particular when measuring the torque of a hairspring, without elastic clamping, that is to say without deformation of the structural elements or without deformation of this holding member. In other words, such a coupling between the holding member and the false axis necessary for carrying out the classification operation is obtained without elastic clamping, thanks in particular to the complementarity of their shape which thus allows cooperation between the latter when they are driven in a rotational movement during the carrying out of the classification operation, and also thanks to the distribution of the volume / quantity of material between the first and second structural sub-elements of each structural element constituting this holding member.It is therefore understood that when carrying out a classification operation, the holding member is no longer subjected to shear forces which can damage it by causing micro-breaks in its structure.

[0010] In other embodiments: the connecting portion is defined only on the inner face of said first structural sub-element; the connecting portion comprises first and second holding parts ensuring the mounting in the holding member of each of said support elements; said first and second holding parts each comprise at least one contact zone configured to cooperate with the corresponding support element; at least one contact zone of the first and second holding parts is included in the connecting portion of each first structural sub-element of the holding member by extending over all or part of a thickness of this holding member; each contact zone of the first and second holding parts is capable of cooperating with a corresponding contact portion of the corresponding support element by being in a plano-convex type contact configuration;the first holding part comprises two convex contact zones delimiting a connecting portion of each first structural sub-element; the second holding part comprises two flat contact zones distributed disjointly over a connecting portion of each first structural sub-element between the two contact zones of the first holding part; the two flat contact zones of the second holding part of each first structural sub-element are respectively included in different planes together forming an obtuse angle; the second holding part of each first structural sub-element comprises a single flat contact zone arranged equidistant from the two convex contact zones of the first holding part; the holding member comprises as many first structural sub-elements as second structural sub-elements;the first structural sub-elements and the second structural sub-elements are arranged in the holding member in a successive and alternating manner; each first structural sub-element is connected at its two opposite ends to two different second structural sub-elements; each second structural sub-element has a cross-section which is smaller than a cross-section of each first structural sub-element; each second structural sub-element has a cross-section which is constant throughout the body of this second structural sub-element; the holding member comprises an attachment point with the timepiece component; the holding member is a collet for fixing the timepiece component such as a hairspring to a support element such as a balance shaft or a false axis;the holding member is made of micro-machinable material comprising silicon, quartz, corundum, silicon and silicon dioxide, DLC, metallic glass, ceramic or any other at least partially amorphous material, or the like.;

[0011] The invention also relates to an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly for a timepiece movement of a timepiece comprising a holding member.

[0012] Advantageously, this set is a single piece.

[0013] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an elastic holding member - watch component assembly and a support element, in particular a false axle, said assembly being held on said support element from a first holding part of said holding member, said first holding part being configured to cooperate with a peripheral wall of said support element.

[0014] In particular, the assembly comprises an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly and a support element, in particular a balance shaft, said assembly being held on said support element from a second holding part of said holding member, said second holding part being configured to cooperate with a peripheral wall of said support element.

[0015] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such assembly.

[0016] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement. Summary description of the drawings

[0017] 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 1is a view of an elastic holding member for fixing a watch component assembled to a support element such as a false axis, according to one embodiment of the invention; figure 2 is a view of an elastic holding member for fixing a watch component assembled to a support element such as a balance shaft, according to the embodiment of the invention; figure 3 is a view of the elastic holding member for fixing the watch component to the support element, according to the embodiment of the invention; figure 4 represents a larger scale view of part A of the figure 3 from another angle of view, according to the embodiment of the invention, and the Figure 5represents an assembly comprising an elastic holding member assembly - watchmaking component fixed to a support element such as a false axle included in a device for carrying out a classification operation, according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 6 represents 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 such as a balance shaft, according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figure 7 represents a method of producing such assemblies of an elastic holding member assembly - watchmaking component with a support element of the false axis or balance shaft type. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0018] THE figures 1 to 4present an embodiment of the elastic holding member 1 for fixing a timepiece component 2 on a support element 3a, 3b. For example, the elastic holding member 1 may be a collet for fixing the timepiece component 2 such as a balance spring to a support element 3a, 3b such as a “false axis” 3a and a balance shaft 3b visible respectively on the Figures 1 and 2 This false axis 3a, also called adjustment axis, false shaft or classification axis, is specifically used in the context of adjusting a balance-spring assembly using various known techniques such as the so-called omegametric technique consisting of classifying the hairsprings, classifying the balances, pairing a balance chosen from a particular class, with a hairspring also chosen from a particular class, these classes being compatible with each other.

[0019] It should be noted that with regard to the balance shaft 3b, it can also be called by its synonym balance shaft and is in particular designed to receive the collet.

[0020] This elastic holding member 1 is made of a so-called “fragile” material, preferably a micro-machinable material. Such a material may comprise silicon, quartz, corundum, silicon and silicon dioxide, DLC, metallic glass, ceramic, other at least partially amorphous material, or the like.

[0021] In this embodiment, this holding member 1 can be included in an assembly 120 elastic holding member - watchmaking component visible on the Figures 5 and 6 . Such an assembly 120 is intended to be arranged in a clockwork movement 110 of a timepiece 100 visible in the figure 6, and also to be driven onto a support element 3a such as the balance shaft or to be placed on a support element 3b such as the false axle when carrying out a classification operation. Such an assembly 120 may be a single-piece part and be made from a “fragile” material similar to that of the ferrule.

[0022] It will be noted that in a variant of this assembly 120, only the elastic holding member 1 can be made of such a so-called “fragile” material, the timepiece component 2 then being made of another material.

[0023] This assembly 120 may be part of an assembly 130a, 130b for the watch movement 110 or for a device 140 for carrying out a classification operation, by being mounted on the support element 3a, 3b, here the balance shaft or the false axis. Such a device 140 visible on the Figure 5, includes in particular a measuring module 150 and the support element 3a here the false axis 3a. It will be noted that this assembly 130a, 130b 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.

[0024] Such a holding member 1 comprises external and internal structures 4a, 4b as well as an upper face and a lower face 12, preferably planar, which are both respectively included in first and second planes P1 and P2. These external and internal structures 4a, 4b, hereinafter called external and internal peripheral walls 4a, 4b, respectively delimit the external and internal contours of this holding member 1, the internal contour defining an opening 5 of this holding member. The external and internal peripheral walls 4a, 4b define different shapes of the holding member 1. This holding member 1 has a thickness which extends from the upper face to the lower face 12. As we mentioned previously, this holding member 1 can correspond to any type of ferrule by comprising arms 6 each comprising an elastic sub-arm or rigid and elastic sub-arms 7a, 7b.These arms 6 are subsequently called “structural elements 6” of this holding member 1. Such structural elements 6 together form the body of this holding member 1. Effectively, each structural element 6 comprises a portion of the external and internal peripheral walls 4a, 4b as well as a portion of the upper and lower faces 12. These structural elements 6 are preferably solid. In other words, these structural elements 6 are preferably not hollow. Under these conditions, the rigid sub-arms 7a and the elastic sub-arms 7b are subsequently called respectively first structural sub-elements 7a and second structural sub-elements 7b.

[0025] The outer peripheral wall 4a of such a holding member 1 may have any shape, for example being essentially triangular, circular or even a shape similar to that of a quadrilateral. As previously mentioned, the inner peripheral wall 4b of this holding member 1 helps to define the opening 5 of this holding member 1 into which the support element 3a, 3b 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 3a, 3b 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 21 of the support element 3a, 3b and which are provided in particular to cooperate with first and second specific and / or dedicated holding parts 20a, 20b of the structural elements 6.These first and second holding parts 20a, 20b are each intended to ensure mounting of said holding member 1 on different support elements 3a, 3b, here a balance shaft and a false axle. As will be seen later, these first and second holding parts 20a, 20b each comprise at least one contact zone 8a, 8b configured to cooperate with the corresponding support element 3a, 3b. Each contact zone 8a, 8b of the first and second holding parts 20a, 20b is capable of cooperating with a corresponding contact portion 10 of the corresponding support element 3a, 3b, preferably being in a plano-convex type contact configuration.

[0026] With regard to the external peripheral wall 4a, it is in particular intended to be connected to the timepiece component 2 via at least one attachment point 11 arranged in the external peripheral wall of the holding member 1.

[0027] For a better understanding, the invention will be described below for a holding member 1 such as a ferrule illustrated in the figures 1 to 4, comprising structural elements 6 each comprising a first structural sub-element 7a and a second structural sub-element 7b. This holding member 1 comprises an internal surface 4b having a generally hexagonal shape comprising parts having convex shapes. Each of these parts is included in a connecting zone 9 connecting a second structural sub-element 7b to a first structural sub-element 7a. The internal peripheral wall 4b of this holding member 1 has a non-triangular shape. It will be noted that the connecting part comprises in whole or in part portions 10 defined on the peripheral wall 21 of the support element 3a, 3b and which are provided in particular to cooperate with first and second specific and / or dedicated holding parts 20a, 20b of the first structural sub-elements 7a.

[0028] This holding member 1 therefore comprises the first structural sub-elements 7a and second structural sub-elements 7b connecting the outer and inner peripheral walls 4a, 4b together. It will be noted that this holding member 1 comprises as many first structural sub-elements 7a as second structural sub-elements 7b. The first structural sub-elements 7a are here non-deformable or almost non-deformable and play a role as stiffening elements of the holding member 1. With regard to the second structural sub-elements 7b, they have elasticity properties, in particular in comparison with the first structural sub-elements 7a. Indeed, these second sub-elements 7b are capable of deforming mainly in tension but also in torsion. These first structural sub-elements 7a and these second structural sub-elements 7b are defined or distributed in a successive and alternating manner in this holding member 1.In other words, these first structural sub-elements 7a are connected to each other by said second structural sub-elements 7b. More precisely, each second structural sub-element 7b is connected at its two opposite ends at the level of connecting zones 9 to two different first structural sub-elements 7a. As we have already mentioned previously, such first and second structural sub-elements 7a, 7b comprise, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: . internal faces included in the internal peripheral wall 4b and which also participate in defining the opening 5 of this holding member 1, and external faces included in the external peripheral wall 4a of this holding member 1.

[0029] It will be noted that the inner faces of the second structural sub-elements 7b are essentially planar and the inner faces of the first structural sub-elements 7a may be non-planar, for example by being corrugated. In this context, the inner face of each first structural sub-element 7a comprises a connecting portion 19 provided with first and second holding parts 20a, 20b visible on the figure 4 and which are intended for mounting said holding member 1 respectively on support elements 3a, 3b each having a different cross section. It will be noted that this connecting portion 19 is also called “mounting portion 19” or “assembly portion 19”.

[0030] These first and second holding parts 20a, 20b which can also be called “mounting parts” or “assembly parts” or even “connecting parts”, are included in a connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a, said portion 19 being included in the inner face of the holding member 1 by extending over all or part of the thickness of this holding member 1. In other words, each first and second holding part 20a, 20b therefore extends over all or part of the thickness of the holding member 1.

[0031] The first and second holding parts 20a, 20b each comprise at least one contact zone 8a, 8b with the corresponding support element 3a, 3b. Each contact zone 8a, 8b may be rounded or convex or even flat. The contact zone 8a, 8b of each first and second holding parts 20a, 20b is capable of cooperating with the peripheral wall 21 of a connecting part of the support element 3a, 3b, in particular with a corresponding contact portion 10 defined in this peripheral wall 21, while being in a plano-convex contact configuration.

[0032] These first structural sub-elements and these second structural sub-elements 7a, 7b connect the external and internal peripheral walls 4a, 4b of the holding member 1 to each other. In this holding member 1, these first and second structural and elastic sub-elements 7a, 7b essentially make it possible to produce an elastic clamping type coupling of the support element 3a, 3b in the opening 5 formed in this holding member 1 which is defined by the internal peripheral wall 4b of this holding member 1.

[0033] As we have seen, these first structural sub-elements 7a therefore comprise the only contact zones 8a, 8b of the holding member 1 with the support element 3a, 3b which can be defined in all or part of the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a.

[0034] In this context, the first holding portion 20a comprises at least one contact zone 8a. This first holding portion 20a is intended to cooperate with the peripheral wall 21 of the support element 3a, for example here the false axis 3a. Such a support element 3a has a cross-section different from that of another support element 3b such as the balance shaft 3b whose peripheral wall is intended to cooperate only with the second holding portion 20b of each first structural sub-element 7a of the holding member 1. The difference(s) in this cross-section may relate to the shape of this section, in particular its geometric shape, but not exclusively.

[0035] It will be noted that the shape and / or dimensions of this section are specifically defined so that said at least one contact zone 8a is the only contact zone 8a of the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a which is configured to cooperate exclusively with the peripheral wall 21 of this support element 3a.

[0036] Indeed, in the present embodiment and with reference to the figure 1 , the section of this support element 3a is non-circular, preferably mainly triangular, being formed of three essentially flat faces. In this context, the flat faces of this support element 3a comprise the contact portions 10 of this element 3a, portions 10 which are therefore also flat. With reference to the figure 4, the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a comprises a substantially hollow or substantially concave part and two contact zones 8a defined at its ends and extending substantially over all or part of the thickness of the holding member 1. These two contact zones 8a are specifically defined so as to cooperate with the corresponding contact portions 10 included in the peripheral wall 21 of this support element 3a. Such contact zones 8a each have a preferably convex surface and delimit the ends of the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a. The convex surface of each of these contact zones 8a thus allows them to produce with the contact portions 10 a plano-convex type contact configuration.Let us specify here that the flat face of each contact portion 10 of the support element 3a is assessed relative to the convex surface of each corresponding contact zone 8a with respect to which this portion 10 is arranged. In this configuration, the presence of two convex contact zones 8a in the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a makes it possible to produce a contact pressure between the holding member 1 and the support element 3a when producing a mechanical connection between them, while significantly reducing the intensity of the stresses at these contact zones 8a and the corresponding contact portions 10a of the support element 3a during the assembly and / or fixing of this holding member 1 with the support element 3a, here the false axis, which stresses are likely to damage the holding member 1 by the appearance of breaks / fractures or even cracks.In other words, since there is no driving of the support element 3a, which in this embodiment has an increasing triangular section defining a cone in the axial direction of this element 3a and since the connecting member 1 simply locks onto the maximum section of this cone, the stresses are then almost zero or even zero.

[0037] As regards the second holding part 20b, it also comprises at least one contact zone 8b. This second holding part 20b is intended to cooperate with the peripheral wall 21 of a support element 3b such as the balance shaft 3b. Such a support element 3b has a cross-section different from that of another support element 3a such as the false axle 3a whose peripheral wall is intended to cooperate only with the first holding part 20a of each first structural sub-element 7a of the holding member 1. The difference(s) in this cross-section may relate to the shape of this section but not exclusively.

[0038] It will be noted that the shape and / or dimensions of this section are specifically defined so that said at least one contact zone 8b is the only contact zone 8b of the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a which is configured to cooperate exclusively with the peripheral wall 21 of this support element 3b.

[0039] Indeed, in the present embodiment, with reference to the figure 2 , the section of this support element 3b is preferably circular. On the figure 4, the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a comprises a substantially hollow or substantially concave part in which two contact zones 8b are included. These two contact zones 8b are capable of cooperating with the corresponding contact portions 10 of the support element 3b. Such contact zones 8b are defined in the connecting portion 19, in particular in the concave part of this connecting portion 19, extending substantially over all or part of the thickness of the holding member 1. In addition, these contact zones 8b are flat, each comprising a surface which is wholly or partly flat. In the connecting portion 19, the two contact zones 8b of each first structural sub-element 7a, otherwise called flat contact zones 8b, are respectively included in different planes together forming an obtuse angle.These two contact zones 8b of each first structural sub-element 7a are disjointed by being spaced from one another. In other words, the connecting portion 19 comprises a separation zone 18 of the two contact zones 8b of each first structural sub-element 7a visible on the . figure 4 .

[0040] The contact zones 8b of the first structural sub-elements 7a are provided in particular to cooperate with the contact portions 10 according to a planar-convex type contact configuration in which configuration the planar surface of each contact zone 8b cooperates with the corresponding convex contact portion 10 of the support element 3. It should be noted here that this convex shape of each contact portion 10 is assessed relative to the planar surface of each corresponding contact zone 8b with respect to which this portion 10 is arranged. It will be noted that this planar surface of each contact zone 8b forms a plane tangent to the diameter of the support element. In other words, the planar surface is perpendicular to the diameter and therefore to the radius R1 of the support element.

[0041] In this configuration, the presence of two flat contact zones 8b in the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a makes it possible to apply contact pressure between the holding member 1 and the support element 3b when a mechanical connection is made between them, while at the same time significantly reducing the intensity of the stresses at these contact zones 8b and the corresponding contact portions 10 of the support element 3b during the assembly and / or fixing of this holding member 1 with the support element 3b, which stresses are likely to damage the holding member 1 by the appearance of breaks / fractures or even cracks.

[0042] It will be noted that these two flat contact zones 8b are preferably distributed in a disjointed manner on the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a and this, between the two contact zones 8a of the first holding part 20a.

[0043] In a variant, the second holding part 20b comprises a single flat contact zone 8b included on the connecting portion 19 of each first structural sub-element 7a and this, equidistant from the two contact zones 8b of the first holding part 20a.

[0044] The holding member 1 then comprises twelve contact zones 8a, 8b, six of which, referenced 8a, are configured to cooperate exclusively with a support element 3a, for example of the false axis 3a type, in the context of classification operations, and six others with a support element 3b, for example of the balance shaft type, to achieve precise centering of the timepiece component 2, for example a balance spring, in the timepiece movement 110. In this holding member 1, each first structural sub-element 7a has a volume or quantity of material which is substantially greater or strictly greater than the volume or quantity of material constituting each second structural sub-element 7b.It will be noted that the outer and inner peripheral walls 4a, 4b are separated from each other in this holding member 1 by a variable gap E which then changes depending on whether these peripheral walls 4a, 4b are included for example in a first structural sub-element 7a or a second structural sub-element 7b. Indeed, this gap E is a maximum gap E1 when it is defined between parts of the inner and outer peripheral walls included in each first structural sub-element 7a, i.e. the maximum gap E1 present between the inner and outer faces of this first structural sub-element 7a.In particular for each first structural sub-element 7a, this maximum gap E1 is defined between a portion of the outer peripheral wall of this first structural sub-element 7a and each contact zone 8a dedicated to cooperating with the peripheral wall 21 of the support element 3b such as the false axis, this contact zone 8a being included in the inner face of the inner peripheral wall of this first structural sub-element 7a. It will also be noted that this maximum gap E1 is greater than a gap E3 defined between a portion of the outer peripheral wall of the first structural sub-element 7a and each contact zone 8b dedicated to cooperating with the peripheral wall 21 of the support element 3b such as the balance shaft 3b, this contact zone 8b being included in the inner face of the inner peripheral wall 4b of this first structural sub-element 7a.

[0045] Furthermore, this gap E is a minimum gap E2 when it is defined between parts of the outer and inner peripheral walls 4a, 4b included in the second structural sub-elements 7b, i.e. the minimum gap E2 present between the inner and outer faces of this second structural sub-element 7b. Such a minimum gap E2 is constant or substantially constant over the entire length over which these second structural sub-elements 7b extend. This length is here parallel or substantially parallel to the outer and inner peripheral walls 4a, 4b included in these second structural sub-elements 7b. In addition, the gap E2 is in this holding member 1, less than the smallest gap defined in the first structural sub-element 7a. In other words, the gap E2 is the smallest gap which is defined between the outer and inner peripheral walls 4a, 4b of this holding member 1.

[0046] It is therefore understood here that each second structural sub-element 7b has a cross-section that is less than a cross-section of each first structural sub-element 7a. In other words, the cross-section of each second structural sub-element 7b has a surface area that is less than a surface area of ​​the cross-section of each first structural sub-element 7a. It will be noted that the cross-section of the second structural sub-element 7b is constant or substantially constant throughout the body of this second structural sub-element 7b while the cross-section of the first structural sub-element 7a is inconstant / variable throughout the body of this first structural sub-element 7a. In addition, it will be noted that: the cross-section of each first structural sub-element 7a is preferably a solid or partially solid section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this first structural sub-element 7a extends, and the cross-section of each second structural sub-element 7b is preferably a solid or partially solid section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the body of this second structural sub-element 7b extends.

[0047] Such a configuration of the first structural sub-elements and the second structural sub-elements 7a, 7b 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 3a, 3b in the assembly 130a, 130b of the assembly 120 holding member - timepiece component with this support element 3a, 3b. 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.

[0048] It will be noted that the arrangement of the first structural sub-elements and these second structural sub-elements 7a, 7b in the holding member 1 allows, during insertion with tightening, a deformation of each second structural sub-element 7b making it possible to accommodate the deformation of the entire holding member 1 with the geometry of the connecting part of the support element 3a, 3b on which it is assembled. In addition, the mode of deformation that each second structural sub-element 7b undergoes is a toroidal torsion coupled with a radial expansion.

[0049] In reference to the figure 7, the invention also relates to a method for producing the assembly 130a, 130b of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component with the support element 3a, 3b for example the balance shaft 3b or the false axis 3a. This method comprises a step 13 of mounting the support element 3a, 3b on the holding member 1. During this step 13, the support element 3a, 3b is inserted into the opening 5 of the holding member 1 more precisely the end of this support element 3a, 3b is presented at the entrance of this opening 5 defined by the internal peripheral wall 4b of the holding member 1 in anticipation of the introduction of the connecting part of this support element 3a, 3b into the volume defined in this opening 5.

[0050] When it comes to the assembly 130a of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - watchmaking component with the support element 3a such as a false axle 3a, this step 13 comprises a sub-step of installation 14a during which the collet is put in place on this false axle 3a in anticipation for example of carrying out the filing operation. This step 13 also comprises a sub-step of coupling 16a of this holding member 1 with the support element 3a here the false axle 3a. During this sub-step 16a, the coupling is carried out without elastic clamping and this, thanks to the complementarity of their shape which thus allows cooperation between the latter when they are driven in a rotational movement during the carrying out of the filing operation. It will be noted that this complementarity of their shape results in particular from the fact that this holding member 1 and the support element 3a have different shapes.Furthermore, during this assembly step 13 only the contact zones referenced 8a cooperate with the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 21 of the connecting part of the support element 3a.

[0051] When it comes to the assembly 130b of the assembly 120 elastic holding member - timepiece component with the support element 3b such as a balance shaft 3b, this step 13 comprises a sub-step 14b of elastic deformation of the holding member 1 in particular of a central zone of this holding member 1 whose contour comprises said opening 5, which deformation results from the application of a contact force on the contact zones 8b of the first structural sub-elements 7a by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 21 of the connecting part of the support element 3b.

[0052] As previously mentioned, this elastic deformation of the holding member 1 results from the application of the contact force to the contact zones 8b of the first structural sub-elements 7a by the portions 10 of the peripheral wall 21 of the support element 3b. Such a deformation sub-sub-step 14b comprises a phase 15 of displacement of the first structural sub-elements 7a under the action of the contact force applied to them. Such a displacement of the first structural sub-elements 7a is carried out in a direction between a radial direction B1 relative to a central axis C common to the support element 3b 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 area 8b.

[0053] It will be noted that in the context of the embodiment of the holding member 1 described and illustrated in the figures 1 to 4 , during the course of this phase 15, the first structural sub-elements 7a thus moving under the action of this contact force, generate a double elastic deformation of the second structural sub-elements 7b.

[0054] A first deformation otherwise called “ elastic torsional deformation» of these second structural sub-elements 7b. During this torsional deformation, each second structural sub-element 7b is driven at its two ends in the same direction of rotation B4 by the first structural sub-elements 7a in displacement to which such ends are connected. It will be noted that only a part of the body of these second structural sub-elements 7b is deformable in torsion here the ends of these second structural sub-elements 7b. Such a first deformation contributes in particular to causing a deformation of each structural element 6 in torsion. This first deformation makes it possible to improve the insertion of the support element 3b 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 3b.

[0055] A second deformation otherwise called " tensile deformation» or even « elastic deformation in extension » of the second structural sub-elements 7b. During this extension deformation, each second structural sub-element 7b is pulled at its two ends in the longitudinal direction B3 in opposite directions by the first structural sub-elements 7a in displacement to which such ends are connected. Such a second deformation of the second structural sub-element 7b, contributes in particular to each structural element 6 storing a significant quantity of elastic energy. In other words, the holding member 1 also stores a significant quantity of elastic energy

[0056] This double elastic deformation of the second structural sub-elements 7b 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 this phase 15, when this double elastic deformation is carried out successively or substantially successively, the first deformation is then carried out before the second deformation.

[0057] This assembly step 13 then comprises a sub-step 16b of fixing the holding member 1 on the support element 3b. Such a fixing sub-step 16b comprises a phase 17 of performing radial elastic clamping of the holding member 1 on the support element 3b. 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. An elastic holding member (1) for fixing a timepiece component (2) on support elements (3a, 3b) of different cross section, comprising an opening (5) into which each support element (3a, 3b) can be inserted, the holding member (1) includes structural elements (6) together forming the body of this holding member (1) and helping to ensure mounting of each support element (3a, 3b) in said opening (5) each of these structural elements (6) comprising a first structural sub-element (7a) and a second structural sub-element (7b), the first structural sub-element (7a) including a volume of material greater than the volume of material constituting the second structural sub-element (7b), the holding member (1) comprising a connecting portion (19) ensuring the mounting of each of said support elements (3a, 3b) in the holding member (1), said portion (19) being defined on an inner face of said first structural sub-element (7a), said portion (19) comprises first and second holding parts (20a, 20b) ensuring the mounting of each of said support elements (3a, 3b) in the holding member (1), characterised in that the said second holding part (20b) comprises two flat contact areas (8b) distributed disjointly over a connecting portion (19) of each first structural sub-element (7a) between the two contact areas (8a) of the first holding part (20a).

2. The elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the connecting portion (19) is defined only on the inner face of said first structural sub-element (7a).

3. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first and second holding parts (20a, 20b) each comprise at least one contact area (8a, 8b) configured to cooperate with the corresponding support element (3a, 3b).

4. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one contact area (8a, 8b) of the first and second holding parts (20a, 20b) is comprised in the connecting portion (19) of each first structural sub-element (7a) of the holding member (1) extending over all or part of a thickness of this holding member (1).

5. The elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each contact area (8a, 8b) of the first and second holding parts (20a, 20b) is able to cooperate with a corresponding contact portion (10) of the corresponding support element (3a, 3b) by being in a contact configuration of the plano-convex type.

6. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the first holding part (20a) comprises two convex contact areas (8a) defining a connecting portion (19) of each first structural sub-element (7a).

7. The elastic holding member (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the two flat contact areas (8b) of the second holding part (20b) of each first structural sub-element (7a) are respectively comprised in different planes together forming an obtuse angle.

8. The elastic holding member (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the second holding part (20b) of each first structural sub-element (7a) comprises a single flat contact area (8b) arranged equidistant from the two convex contact areas (8a) of the first holding part (20a).

9. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises as many first structural sub-elements (7a) as second structural sub-elements (7b).

10. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first structural sub-elements (7a) and the second structural sub-elements (7b) are arranged successively and alternately in the holding member (1).

11. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each first structural sub-element (7a) is connected at its two opposite ends to two second different structural sub-elements (7b).

12. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each second structural sub-element (7b) has a cross section which is less than a cross section of each first structural sub-element (7a).

13. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each second structural sub-element (7b) has a cross section which is constant throughout the body of this second structural sub-element (7b).

14. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a point (11) of attachment with the timepiece component (2).

15. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a collet for fixing the timepiece component (2) such as a spiral to a support element (3) such as a balance shaft or a stub axle.

16. The elastic holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is made of a micromachinable material comprising silicon, quartz, corundum, silicon and silicon dioxide, DLC, metallic glass, ceramic or any other at least partially amorphous material, or the like.

17. An elastic holding member - timepiece component (2) assembly (120) for a horological movement (110) of a timepiece (100) comprising a holding member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. The assembly (120) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it is made in one piece.

19. An assemblage (130a) comprising an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly (120) according to any one of claims 17 and 18 and a support element (3a), said assembly (120) being held on said support element (3a) from a first holding part (20a) of said holding member (1), said first holding part (20a) being configured to cooperate with a peripheral wall (21) of said support element (3a).

20. The assemblage (130b) comprising an elastic holding member - timepiece component assembly (120) according to any one of claims 17 and 18 and a support element (3b), said assembly (120) being held on said support element (3b) from a second holding part (20b) of said holding member (1), said second holding part (20b) being configured to cooperate with a peripheral wall (21) of said support element (3b).

21. A horological movement (110) comprising at least one assemblage (130b) according to claim 20.

22. A timepiece (100) comprising a horological movement (110) according to the preceding claim.

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