Elastic Retaining Member with Plano-Convex Contact for High Holding Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic retaining members in horological movements, such as timepiece collets, face challenges with low holding torque, leading to complex and expensive mounting operations due to limited clamping capabilities on balance shafts.
Innovation Solution
An elastic retaining member with rigid and elastic arms, featuring a plano-convex contact configuration and significant material volume in contact areas, allowing for high rigidity and elastic clamping, which increases holding torque and simplifies assembly by storing elastic energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If elastic retaining members are used with traditional elastic clamping, then the mounting operations can be performed, but the holding torque is low and limited, leading to complex and expensive mounting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is divided into rigid arms and elastic arms, with each rigid arm containing multiple contact areas. This segmentation allows the rigid arms to provide structural support and multiple contact points for increased holding torque, while the elastic arms provide the necessary flexibility for mounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact areas on the rigid arms are arranged in different planes forming obtuse angles, transitioning from a single-plane contact to a multi-dimensional contact configuration. This dimensional change increases the holding torque by distributing contact forces across multiple planes and preventing component dislodgment.
2Reliability
If elastic retaining members with low holding torque are used, then the mounting operations can be simplified, but the component retention in position and angular position cannot be guaranteed during the life of the component
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the retaining member have different properties: rigid arms with multiple contact areas provide high holding torque and reliable retention, while elastic arms provide flexibility for easy mounting. This local differentiation of rigidity and elasticity ensures both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are pre-configured to deform during insertion, automatically engaging the rigid arms with their multiple contact areas. This preliminary elastic deformation action ensures that the high holding torque is established automatically during mounting, guaranteeing reliable retention without complex procedures.
3Strength
If rigid arms with significant material volume are used to increase holding torque, then the rigidity and elastic clamping are improved, but the stress on materials increases which could cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into rigid arms that bear the clamping load and elastic arms that deform to accommodate insertion. This segmentation concentrates stress in the elastic arms during mounting, protecting the rigid arms from damage while still achieving high holding torque through their significant material volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions and material distribution in the rigid arms are optimized to provide sufficient rigidity and holding torque while controlling stress levels. The elastic arms' cross sections are designed to deform within safe stress limits during insertion, preventing material damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a significant increase in holding torque, simplifying mounting operations and ensuring the retention of components in position over the component's life, with reduced stress on materials to prevent damage.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic retaining member is then able to withstand a significant elastic clamping and therefore to store a large amount of elastic energy when it is constrained in order to restore a large holding torque
Implementation Method 2
each rigid arm being provided with two flat contact areas of the retaining member able to cooperate with corresponding convex contact portions of the support element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an elastic retaining member (1) for fixing a timepiece component (2) on 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 connection areas (9) contributing to ensure elastic clamping of the support element (3) in the opening (5) each rigid arm (6) being provided with two flat contact areas (8) of the retaining member (1) able to cooperate with corresponding convex contact portions (10) of the support element (3).