Ringer Block Mechanism for Independent Alarm and Repeater Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Repeater striking mechanisms in timepieces are complex and often require a choice between sound functions due to limited space, making it difficult to duplicate certain functions like alarm and minute repeater complications within a single case.
Innovation Solution
A striking block mechanism that allows for a secondary chime, such as a wake-up chime, by using a drive plate with a pawl and ratchet system, where a trigger wheel and trigger ratchet are independent and controlled by different means to trigger distinct sound emissions, enabling the execution of both main and secondary ring tones without simultaneous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a timepiece includes both alarm and minute repeater complications as separate functions, then the sound functionality is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alarm and minute repeater complications into a single integrated striking mechanism. The alarm trigger wheel and minute repeater trigger wheel share common components including the striking train, hammers, gongs, and control linkage. This merging allows both sound functions to operate within the same mechanical framework, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The striking mechanism is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions. The single hammer can strike different gongs (alarm gong or repeater gong) depending on which trigger wheel is activated. The control linkage system can route energy to the same striking train for either alarm or minute repeater functions, making the mechanism multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems.
2Reliability
If separate striking mechanisms are used for alarm and minute repeater, then the reliability of each function is improved, but the volume and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm triggering mechanism is nested within the existing minute repeater striking mechanism. The alarm trigger wheel is positioned alongside the minute repeater trigger wheel, and both engage with the same pawl and ratchet system. The alarm components are effectively nested within the larger repeater mechanism structure, allowing space-efficient integration while maintaining independent reliability of each function through separate triggering paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent trigger wheels control alarm and minute repeater, then the adaptability for different sound emissions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into independent trigger wheels for alarm and minute repeater functions. Each trigger wheel can be activated separately by its own control means, allowing independent adaptation for different sound emissions. This segmentation provides versatility in control while the shared striking train reduces overall complexity compared to completely separate mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bell block (2) comprising a drive plate (3) with a barrel (4) carrying a ratchet (5) with a beak (6A) pulled against a return spring (7) by a pin (8) of a detent ratchet (9) cooperating with a main bell control mechanism (10), and comprising a ratchet (11) pivoting on said barrel (4) and cooperating by means of teeth (12) with said beak (6A) allowing or preventing the pivoting of said ratchet (11), integral with a ratchet (13) driving a repeating bell mechanism (100) to trigger a grand bell. It comprises a trigger wheel (118) for triggering an alarm, independent of said detent ratchet (9), and each of them being controlled by different control means to trigger the execution of said alarm or said main alarm respectively, and both arranged to cooperate, but never at the same time, on said hook (5) to execute said alarm or said main alarm respectively.