Elastic Holding Member for Timepiece Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic holding members for timepiece components, such as ferrules, are prone to breakage due to shearing forces during the classification process, which can cause micro-breaks and increase the risk of breakage, especially when made from fragile materials like silicon.
Innovation Solution
An elastic holding member with specific structural sub-elements that allow mounting on support elements without elastic tightening, featuring a connecting portion defined on the interior face of a first structural sub-element, enabling cooperation with the support element's peripheral wall, reducing stress and the risk of breakage by distributing material volume differently between sub-elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the collet is driven onto a false axis during classification operation, then the collet can be positioned and held in angular and vertical position for measurement, but shearing forces are generated that may cause micro-breaks and damage the collet
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is divided into multiple structural elements (first and second structural sub-elements) that can independently engage with the support element. This segmentation distributes the mounting stresses across multiple contact points, reducing the shearing forces that would otherwise concentrate on single edges of the collet during false axis engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different structural elements are designed with different volumes of material and geometries optimized for specific functions. The first structural sub-element has greater volume for providing connecting portions that engage the false axis, while the second sub-element provides additional support. This local differentiation allows each part to handle stresses appropriately without causing micro-breaks.
2Manufacturing precision
If the collet is made of fragile material like silicon for precision, then the material properties are suitable for timepiece applications, but the collet becomes susceptible to breakage during repetitive driving operations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the holding member into multiple structural elements that distribute engagement forces, the design allows fragile materials like silicon to be used without compromising strength. The segmentation ensures that no single point bears excessive stress during repetitive driving operations on the false axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be engaged with different types of support elements (false axis during classification, balance shaft during assembly), and the same structural elements serve both purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate collets for different operations, reducing the risk of damage from repetitive handling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same connecting portion is stressed during both false axis mounting and balance shaft assembly, then the holding member can be used for both classification and assembly operations, but the accumulated stress increases breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is divided into multiple structural elements that independently engage with support elements. This segmentation distributes the cumulative stress from repeated operations across multiple contact points and material volumes, preventing stress concentration that would lead to breakage while maintaining versatility for both false axis and balance shaft applications.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
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).