EP1925997B1 - Chiming mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of mechanical watchmaking. More particularly, it relates to a striking mechanism comprising a power source for driving rakes and a gear train connecting the energy source to a regulating member, the rakes being kinematically connected to the power source via a power source. a ringing drive device arranged in the train and actuated by a control member.

State of the art

We know this kind of device, especially in watches called big ringtones. In conventional mechanisms, the drive comprises a detent ratchet, a drive plate carrying a first pawl. The trigger ratchet is actuated by a second ratchet mounted on a rocker. When triggering, the rocker makes a sudden jump and the second pawl causes the trigger ratchet, which causes the lifting of the first ratchet and gives freedom to a barrel ratchet, mounted freely and without play on the barrel of the tray. training. Running parts such as a ratchet of hours, a rack pinion and a quarter room finger are squared fitted on the barrel ratchet.

Such a device will not be explained in detail here, but we can refer to the book " Complicated watches "by F. Lecoultre, at Horloger's Editions, pages 182-205 .

Like the device presented in the previously mentioned work, the document CH 689337 proposes a striking mechanism in which the passing ringtones are actuated by arms arranged rigidly on a nut mounted on the roadway and which act, every quarter of an hour, on a release lever which will act further on a similar ratchet at the second pawl of the device described above.

Such devices are particularly difficult to adjust, since the lever arms of the rockers are important, to allow the second pawl to have a sufficient stroke. In addition, both a trip trigger and a manual trigger should cause a similar drive of the trigger ratchet, which is very difficult to obtain. A first object of the invention is to provide a system for facilitating the setting of the triggering of the ring.

In addition, the conduct of a ring has three stages, a first in which the rakes fall on their respective snail to take information on the current time, a second during which the rakes are driven by the source of energy to operate the lifts and hammers, and a third, resting, in which the rakes and the energy source are blocked. The sequence of these steps must of course be coordinated for proper operation of the ring. In conventional mechanisms, it is a pin disposed on the rake minutes that activates the locking and unlocking of the power source. It is important that it is released only after the rakes have fallen on their snail. It is also very difficult to coordinate the action of the first pawl on the trigger ratchet and the unlocking of the energy source by the pin. A second object of the invention is to facilitate the coordination of the various stages of the course of a ring.

Disclosure of the invention

The striking mechanism according to the invention is defined by claim 1.

The drive device may be conventional, of the type comprising a trigger ratchet, a drive plate carrying a pawl. The element of link is then arranged to act on the trigger ratchet when triggering the ring.

The driving device can also be a differential. In this case, the connecting element is arranged to act on a differential input when triggering the ring.

The drive mobiles are arranged to allow the camshaft to advance one step when triggering the ring to allow the rakes to fall on their respective snail.

According to a preferred embodiment, the camshaft comprises a second cam for actuating the locking and unlocking of the energy source, the two cams being indexed relative to each other.

In order to facilitate access to the camshaft for its drive, it may be provided with a second drive wheel, for distributing, in the thickness of the mechanism, the various members cooperating with these mobiles.

Thus, the drive mobiles are arranged to allow the camshaft to advance a first step during the triggering ring to allow the rakes to fall on their respective snail, a second step after that the rakes fell on their snail, to pass to a second stage of the course of the ringing during which the rakes are driven by the energy source, and of a third step, after the ringing took place, to proceed to a third step in which the rakes and the energy source are blocked.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue globale du mécanisme de sonnerie, de sa source d'énergie et du rouage qui les relie,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du différentiel préférentiellement utilisé dans le mécanisme selon l'invention,
• les figures 3 à 6 sont des vues de l'organe de commande qui régit les différentes positions du différentiel,
• la figure 7 montre différentes possibilités et dispositifs de sécurité que le système peut comporter, et
• la figure 8 illustre schématiquement un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 is a global view of the striking mechanism, its energy source and the gear train that connects them,
• the figure 2 is a sectional view of the differential preferably used in the mechanism according to the invention,
• the Figures 3 to 6 are views of the controller that governs the different positions of the differential,
• the figure 7 shows different possibilities and safety features that the system can have, and
• the figure 8 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The various elements described and / or shown are mounted on a frame consisting of a plate and bridges. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, the plate, the bridges and the pivots were not represented.

The figure 1 shows a barrel 10 whose winding system has not been shown, which drives a reduction gear train 12, which ends with a regulating member, for example a flywheel 14 provided with a flyweight brake as the knows the skilled person.

• une série de limaçons 16 entraînés par le mouvement de base de la pièce d'horlogerie dans laquelle le mécanisme est monté, et fournissant des informations sur le temps courant, et
• des râteaux 18 agencés pour coopérer avec ces limaçons 16 pour actionner des marteaux frappant sur des timbres afin de produire une sonnerie identifiant le temps courant.

The figure 1 also represents ringing parts comprising:

• a series of snails 16 driven by the basic movement of the timepiece in which the mechanism is mounted, and providing information on current time, and
• rakes 18 arranged to cooperate with these snails 16 to operate hammers striking stamps to produce a ring identifying the current time.

This mechanism is not directly the object of the invention, it will not be described in detail. We can refer to the request EP 06121650.3 who explains it completely. The rakes could also be part of a more conventional mechanism as described in the aforementioned work or in the book " Theory of Watchmaking "by Reymondin et al, Federation of Technical Schools, 1998, ISBN 2-940025-10-X, pages 219-224 .

In the embodiment illustrated on the Figures 1 to 7 , the ring driving device is a differential 20 kinematically connecting the gear 12 to the rakes so that they are driven during the ring by the barrel 10.

An example of a differential 20 particularly adapted to the invention is represented on the figure 2 . On a shaft AA axis, it comprises a first sun gear 22 constituting a first differential input and kinematically connected with a wheel of the train 12. According to the example, the differential 20 is coaxial and integral with the wheel of the gear 12. This sun gear 22 meshes with at least one, typically three, lower satellites 24 rotatably mounted on a first level of a planet carrier wheel 26 provided with a peripheral toothing. The latter constitutes a second differential input. It is free in rotation and coaxial with the sun gear 22. The three lower satellites 24 are each mounted coaxial and integral in rotation with at least one, typically three, upper satellites 28 rotatably mounted on a second level of the planet carrier wheel. 26. The upper satellites 28 meshes with an upper solar wheel 30, coaxial and rotationally integral with a reference 32. This upper sun gear 30 is the output of the differential.

As can be seen on the figure 1 this return 32 is engaged with a toothed sector 34 of an hours probe, intended to cooperate with the snail hour. A ratchet hour 36, for activating a lift to ring the hours, is also integral in rotation of the reference 32. The ratchet hours 36 is therefore directly kinematically connected to the feeler hours.

• Une première configuration dans laquelle la roue porte-satellites 26 est libre en rotation et dans laquelle la roue solaire inférieure 22 est bloquée : la roue solaire supérieure 30 et les éléments qui lui sont solidaires sont libres de tourner. Les satellites 24 et 28 tournent en effet autour de l'axe A-A du différentiel 20, car les satellites inférieurs 24 roulent sur la roue solaire inférieure 22 qui est bloquée.
• Une deuxième configuration dans laquelle la roue porte-satellites 26 est bloquée en rotation et la roue solaire inférieure 22 est libre d'être entraînée par le rouage 12 : la roue solaire supérieure 30 est alors libre d'être entraînée par le rouage. En effet, dans ce cas, les satellites se comportent comme un simple renvoi vertical et transmettent la rotation de la roue solaire inférieure 22 à la roue solaire supérieure 30.
• Une troisième configuration dans laquelle la roue porte-satellites 26 et la roue solaire inférieure 22 sont bloquées en rotation : la roue solaire supérieure 30 est elle aussi bloquée, de ce fait, en rotation. Les satellites 24 et 28 ne peuvent, dans ce cas, ni tourner sur eux-mêmes, ni tourner autour de l'axe A-A du différentiel.

Thus, it appears that the differential can occupy three different useful configurations by acting on the two inputs corresponding to the three phases of the ringing sequence mentioned above.

• A first configuration in which the planet carrier wheel 26 is free to rotate and in which the lower sun gear 22 is locked: the upper sun gear 30 and the elements which are integral therewith are free to rotate. The satellites 24 and 28 rotate around the axis AA of the differential 20 because the lower satellites 24 roll on the lower sun gear 22 which is blocked.
• A second configuration in which the planet wheel 26 is locked in rotation and the lower sun gear 22 is free to be driven by the gear 12: the upper sun gear 30 is then free to be driven by the gear train. Indeed, in this case, the satellites behave as a simple vertical reference and transmit the rotation of the lower sun gear 22 to the upper sun gear 30.
• A third configuration in which the planet wheel 26 and the lower sun gear 22 are locked in rotation: the upper sun gear 30 is also locked, thereby, in rotation. The satellites 24 and 28 can not, in this case, turn on themselves or turn around the axis AA of the differential.

It is thus clear that, in the first configuration above, the rakes 18 kinematically connected to the hour sensor, can move independently of the gear train 12 and the cylinder 10. This configuration is the one that is used, when the bell is triggered, for allow the feelers of the different rakes, to fall on their respective snail to take information relative to the current time. The second configuration makes it possible to kinematically connect the barrel 10 to the rakes 18. This is the one that is used during the course of the ringing so that the rakes move relative to their lifting to operate the hammers. Finally, the third configuration corresponds to the situation in which the rakes 18 are stopped and kept at rest.

As will be better understood in the following description, the blocking of the lower sun gear 22 is, according to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, by blocking the unwinding of the ringer barrel 10. Advantageously, this lock is obtained by a stop element 38 arranged to move between a first and a second extreme position, the stop element 38 crossing, in one of these extreme positions, the stroke of a pin 40 projecting on the This is where the torque is the least important and the locking can be done with optimum safety. These elements are visible on the figure 6 and their actuation will be described below.

We can see on the figure 3 that the locking planet wheel 26 is made directly via a latch 42, having the shape of a hook 42a disposed on a latch 42b and capable of changing between a first and a second extreme positions, the hook 42a cooperating with the toothing of the planet carrier wheel 26 when it is in one of these extreme positions.

It is particularly important that these different phases are precisely coordinated. The invention provides a particularly advantageous solution to achieve this by controlling how the stop element 38, on the one hand, and the latch 42, on the other hand, each evolve between their first and second extreme positions.

A camshaft 50, particularly visible on.la figure 3 , is pivotally mounted in the frame and has a first cam 52 for controlling the locking of the lower sun gear 22 and a second cam 54 controlling the locking of the planet wheel 26.

Cams and stars are represented individually at figure 4 . The camshaft 50 is positioned by a first star 56 having a first level 56a ( figure 4a ) provided with twelve teeth cooperating with a jumper 58 and a second level 56b ( figure 4b ) having only four teeth, regularly distributed on a cut of twelve teeth and superimposed with the teeth of the first level. This star 56 also performs the function of driving mobile shaft 50, as will be described in detail later.

The operation of the differential involving three configurations, the positioning star 56 is numbered in a multiple of three, twelve having an angular pitch between two consecutive advantageous positions with respect to the size of these parts and the available space.

The first cam 52 shown in FIG. figure 4c , has a succession of projecting parts and hollow parts. As mentioned above and illustrated by the figure 6 , the locking of the lower sun wheel 22 is at the level of the regulating member 14. The stop element 38 can be disposed at the end of a double rocker 58, comprising two rocker bars 58a and 58b hinged one with the other by a pin 58c secured to one of them 58a and cooperating with a housing 58d formed in the other 58b. A spring 60 is arranged to support the end of the rocker 58a against the first cam 52. The pivot points of the double rocker 58 are arranged, in the example, so that when the rocker 58a supports against a protruding part of the cam 52, the stop element 38 cooperates with the regulating member 14, which blocks the lower sun gear 22. Conversely, when the cam 52 has a hollow portion at the rocker 58a, the lower sun wheel 22 is free. Thus, for a ringing cycle, the cam 52 is provided with a succession of a protruding part, a hollow part and a protruding part, this series being repeated four times according to the example of a shaft. cams 50 to twelve positions.

The second cam 54 ( figure 4d ) also has a succession of projecting parts and hollow parts. A spring 62 is arranged to support the end of the latch 42 not carrying the hook 42a against the cam 54. In the example, the pivot point of the latch 42 is arranged so that when the Cam 54 has a protruding portion at the latch 42, the hook 42a is outside the toothing of the planet carrier wheel 26 which is free to rotate. Conversely, when the rocker 42 presses against a hollow of the cam, the planet wheel 26 is blocked. Thus, for a ringing cycle, the cam 54 is provided with a succession of a protruding part and two hollow parts, this series being repeated four times according to the example of a twelve-position camshaft.

Those skilled in the art will know how to coordinate the two cams so as to have the following positions: Configuration First cam Lower solar wheel Second cam Satellite carrier wheel 1 projection blocked projection Free 2 Hollow Free Hollow blocked 3 projection blocked Hollow blocked

Advantageously, the shaft comprises a flat part with which a complementary structure 52a, 54a which has the inside diameter of the cams cooperates. Thus, they are directly machined so that their protruding and hollow portions are coordinated when they are arranged on the shaft. It may be the same for the training mobile. Another type of indexing, for example by a pin passing through the cams, can be envisaged.

In order to explain how the camshaft 50 is driven to move from one configuration to another, one will start from the configuration 3 in which the rakes 18 are at rest. The transition to configuration 1 is done when triggering a ring, that is to say, either on the way or on demand.

For triggering in passing, we can refer to the figure 3 which shows a flexible finger 70 intended to cooperate with the second level 56b of the star 56 and rotated by the basic movement of the timepiece. For example, the finger 70 moves back and forth under the action of a sleeve 72 whose periphery defines a kind of spiral and has an inclined plane 72a. The finger 70 is held against the cam by a spring 74 at a lug 70a which it is provided. The bushing is driven counter-clockwise from the figure 3 , by the minute wheel of the basic movement, at a rate of one revolution per hour, which rotates the finger 70 counterclockwise and loads the spring 74. Every hour, at the passage of time, the lug passes the inclined plane and the finger 70, under the effect of the spring 74, rotates clockwise and drives the star 56 one step, thus passing the differential to the configuration 1.

The sleeve 72 could also include a plurality of inclined planes so as to actuate the finger every quarter of an hour, to ring quarters, an isolator can then be provided if it is desired that the hours are not ringed during the quarter ringing.

For manual triggering, reference is made to figure 5 . It is proposed that the user operates a bolt 76 integral with a rack 78, like a conventional minute repeater. The rack 78 meshes with an external toothing of a ring 80, coaxial with the striking barrel 10. This ring 80 is connected to the shaft of the barrel 10 by a radial spring 82 having a hub 82a mounted squarely on the shaft and typically two resilient blades 82b, exerting a radial pressure towards the outside of the wheel and ending in a toothed portion cooperating with an internal toothing that includes the ring 80. The spring 82 and the internal toothing of the ring 80 are arranged so as to form a snap between the shaft of the barrel 10 and the rack 78. Thus, the pivoting of the ring 80 in one direction drives the barrel shaft in rotation, but neither the pivoting of the barrel shaft in the other direction, for example during the disassembly of the movement, nor the drive of the shaft during the manual winding of the barrel of ringing causes displacement of the bolt 76.

The outer toothing of the ring 80 transmits the movement of the bolt to a wheel 84 with which it meshes. This wheel 84 is provided with a return system 86, for example a spiral spring, allowing the return of the bolt 76 to its rest position since the latching system mentioned above does not allow this return to be ensured by the energy provided by the barrel 10, as is the case in conventional repetitions. The wheel 84 also carries an arm 88 mounted on its axis and ending with a bearing zone 88a intended to cooperate with a second star 90 ( figure 4e ), also acting as drive element of the shaft 50, to advance the camshaft 50 by one step and pass the differential to the configuration 1. This star 90 is cut to the number twelve but do not has only four teeth, that is one per ringing cycle. It is also clearly visible on the figure 7 .

This manual engagement device is the subject of a patent application no. EP 06124462.0 in which it is described in more detail.

In a simplified version, it could be provided that a simple rocker driven by a pusher disposed in the middle part of the watch, drives the star 90 by one step, without rearming the barrel.

For the passage of the camshaft to the configuration 2, the teeth of the star 90 are likely to cross the path of a transmission wheel 92, permanently rotated by the main wheel of the movement. Typically, this wheel is driven by the wheel of small average at the rate of one turn in thirty seconds approximately. The skilled person will determine the shape of the teeth of the star 90 and the transmission wheel 92 to ensure good torque transmission.

More particularly, the teeth of the star 90 are disposed on the camshaft so as to cross the path of the transmission wheel 92 when the differential is in its first configuration. The camshaft 50 is thus driven slowly by one step and passes the differential 20 to the configuration 2.

It will be recalled that, in configuration 2, the rakes 18 are kinematically connected to the barrel 10 so as to allow the ringing to proceed as such. The shaft 50 must therefore move one step further than the end of the ring.

To do this, one of the rakes 18, preferably the minute rake 18a, because it is he who intervenes last in the ring, or a piece which is kinematically related thereto, allows the displacement of a transmission element to the end of the ring. With reference to the figure 5 , this element may be a finger 94 arranged to cooperate with the first star 56 to advance the camshaft 50 by one step. In this case, the minute rake 18a carries a pin 96 intended to drive the finger 94. Advantageously, this finger 94 is located at the end of an elastic portion of a rocker 98, which which improves the security of the device. A spring 99 holds the rocker 98 against the pin 96. Thus, at the end of the ring, the camshaft 50 advances by one step, which allows the differential to move to the configuration 3. A new ringing cycle can start.

To summarize, when the ring is at rest, the differential 20 is in its configuration 3, the barrel 10 being locked, and the rakes 18 thus being held in position. When triggering the ring, either manually or in passing, the camshaft 50 is driven one step, which allows to bring the differential 20 in its configuration 1. The rakes are then disengaged from the ring gear 12 and they can then fall freely, under the effect of their respective spring, on their snail to take information relative to the current time. This step is very fast and is done while the transmission wheel 92 drives the second star 90 and passes the differential 20 in its configuration 2. The rakes are then kinematically connected to the barrel 10 which is released. The direction of movement of the rakes is then reversed and their toothed sector activates the levies and hammers to produce the ring. Finally, at the end of the ring, the pin 96 causes the advance of an additional step of the camshaft 50 so that the mechanism is again in its rest position.

Note that the use of a camshaft to control the ring driver is very interesting for the safety of the mechanism. Thanks to the fact that the finger 70 cooperates with the second level 56b of the star 56, if a trip trigger occurs during the course of a ring that has just been triggered manually, then the finger 70 will not find on his way that a space devoid of teeth and will not abut against the camshaft. This security is particularly advantageous because trying to trigger a ringing in passing while a ringing is already in progress would cause serious damage to the mechanism.

The same effect is obtained for manual triggering thanks to the structure of the star 90. If a manual trigger occurs during the course of a ring that has just been triggered manually or by the way, then the arm 88 will not find on its way a toothless space and will not abut against the shaft 50. Combined with the manual winding system described above, it is even possible to refit the barrel 10 only by the bolt, or during a ring, or by adjusting the stroke of the bolt so as not to sound a bell.

Alternatively, the unlocking of the energy source can be managed in a conventional manner, as described in the aforementioned work. In this case, the camshaft may have only one cam for triggering the ring.

In this embodiment, the camshaft makes it possible to centralize in one place of movement all the controls of the striking mechanism. It is thus possible, in a very simple way, to have the mechanisms for blocking the ringing or other allowing, on the contrary, to trigger the ring at scheduled times.

Thus, the mechanism according to the invention may, in addition, comprise a silencer device 100 represented on the figure 7 and allowing the user to prevent the triggering of the ringing. For this purpose, a pusher or corrector not shown is arranged in the middle part of the watch and makes a slide 102 evolve between a first rest position and a second position. This slide 102 is mounted movably in translation on the plate of the striking mechanism and comprises, for this purpose, two oblongs 102a in which pass screws.

The slide 102 cooperates with a pin 104 disposed on a rocker 106. A latch 108 is pivotally mounted, coaxial with the rocker 106. The latch 108 is arranged to be able to move between a first rest position and a second position in which it cooperates with the second star 90, to prevent rotation of the shaft 50. More particularly, the lock 108 has a notch that substantially matches the circumference of the camshaft. The notch defines a finger 108a capable of interacting with the teeth of the star 90. These teeth are shaped so as to bear substantially orthogonally on the finger 108a, to obtain an effective locking.

The lock 108 is provided with a rod 110 capable of cooperating with a bearing surface 106a that the rocker 106 presents. A first spring 112 keeps the rod 110 in abutment against the surface 106a. The force exerted by this spring 112 on the lock tends to move it away from the camshaft 50 and bring it back to its first position. A second spring 114 is arranged to press the rocker 106 against the slide 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the finger 108a blocks the rotation of the shaft 50 when the slide 102 is pulled, that is to say when it is in its furthest position relative to the shaft 50. The extreme positions of the slide 102 may be marked by a notch system, advantageously obtained at the level of the corrector or the pusher. Thus, when the user actuates the corrector so as to pull the slide 102, the rocker 106 pivots and, the spring 112 being less strong than the spring 114, the lock 108 is brought into its second position and blocks the pivoting of the Conversely, when the slide 102 is pushed, the lock 108 returns to its first position under the effect of the spring 112, releasing the camshaft 50.

Due to the fact that the lock 108 and the rocker 106 are not integral, the lock 108 can be brought into its second position by another device. Thus, a second flip-flop 116 is also mounted coaxial with respect to the first. This second flip-flop 116 is provided with a feeler 116a held by a third spring 118 in abutment against a cam 120 rotating one round, substantially in a time equal to the power reserve of the striking barrel 10. The cam 120 has a hollow arranged so as to occur at the level of the rocker when the power reserve of the barrel is below a predetermined threshold.

When the power reserve of the barrel 10 becomes lower than this predetermined threshold, the flip-flop 116 pivots and, the spring 112 being less strong than the spring 118, the latch 108 is brought into its second position and blocks the pivoting of the shaft. 50. Conversely, when the power reserve reverts above the predetermined threshold, the latch returns to its first position under the effect of the spring 112, releasing the camshaft 50.

In the case where the manual triggering system for ringing can reset the barrel 10, it is useful to provide that the ringing can take place, even if the silencer device 100 is engaged. For this purpose, during manual tripping, the arm 88 actuating the star 90 is arranged to intersect, in its race, the latch 108 if it is in its second position, so as to bring it into its first position. position the time necessary to advance the shaft 50. This clearance must be done before the arm 88 exerts a thrust on the star 90. Then, once the shaft has rotated, since the lock is in Looking at the toothless portions of the star 90, it no longer locks until, at the end of the ring, it cooperates with a next tooth.

The skilled person may provide other cams to actuate the silencer device. For example, a cam driven by the base gear wheel at a rate of one revolution per twenty-four hours may define parts of the day during which the ringing pass is engaged and others, for example during the night, during which time she is stuck.

Like the arm 88 actuated by the manual triggering mechanism, the skilled person can arrange a programmable triggering device of the ring which can find its place as well in a mechanism of large ring that in a mechanism of repetition to minutes managed by a camshaft. This programmable triggering device may consist of an arm intended to cooperate with a driving mobile, such as star 56. The arm is actuated via a GMT type system or by a twenty-four hour wheel. driven by the main movement. An adjustment system coupled with a display by a lanternage makes it possible to define the time at which the arm will cross the driving mobile and trigger a ringing. It is thus possible, very simply, to combine an alarm clock and a repetition.

The use of a camshaft to manage the different phases of the running of a ring can also be integrated with a conventional ring-type mechanism, as shown in FIG. figure 8 . A rocker 120 actuates, via a pawl 120a, a trigger ratchet 122 of a conventional drive device 124, further comprising a drive plate 126 carrying a pawl 128 cooperating with a second ratchet 130. Reference may be made to the aforementioned work entitled "Complicated Watches" for a full description of the operation of a conventional bell driver.

A cam similar to the cam 54 manages the triggering of the ring. Flip-flop 120 is held in abutment on the cam, the hollow and protruding parts of which impart a forward and backward movement to the pawl 120a which, in its movements, can drive trigger ratchet 122 and trigger the ringing, in a similar manner to the conventional operation of this drive mechanism. The pivoting of the camshaft can be controlled as previously described.

The unlocking of the energy source can be managed in a conventional manner, as described in the aforementioned work. In this case, the camshaft may have only one cam for triggering the ring. Unlocking the barrel can also be managed by a second cam blocking and unlocking the gear through a rocker, as in the previous embodiment.

Thus is proposed a new ringing mechanism for managing the various stages of the course of the ring, especially in a large ring, that is to say, in a ringing ring to ring the hours in passing or on demand. The embodiment presented above is only a non-limiting illustration of the invention whose essential is to use a camshaft to handle the steps of the ring. The skilled person can easily adapt various connecting elements between the control member and the differential inputs without departing from the scope of the invention. He may also find other solutions than those proposed to advance the camshaft. Thus, instead of using a transmission wheel to move the shaft from its first to its second configuration, it can be provided to carry out this drive via a transmission element connected to the rake, to the 94, dragging the tree once the rakes have fallen on their snail.

Claims (8)

1. Striking mechanism having an energy source (10) to drive racks (18) and a train (12) connecting the energy source (10) to a regulator organ (14), the racks (18) being kinematically connected to the energy source (10) via a striking driving device (20, 124) arranged in the train (12) and actuated by a control organ, said racks (18) being designed to cooperate with snails to acquire information on the current time, the control organ being a cam shaft (50) equipped with:

   - at least one cam cooperating with the driving device by means of at least one connecting element, and

   - a first drive wheel (56) arranged to pivot the cam shaft during triggering upon passage of the striking,
   characterized in that the cam shaft (50) is also equipped with a second drive wheel (90) arranged to pivot the cam shaft (50) upon manual triggering of the striking.
2. Striking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving device is a device comprising a detente ratchet, a driving plate bearing a click, and in that said connecting organ is arranged to act on the detente ratchet during triggering of the striking.
3. Striking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving device is a differential and in that said connecting organ is arranged to act on an input of the differential upon triggering of the striking.
4. Striking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first drive wheel (56) and the second drive wheel (90) are arranged so as to allow said camshaft to advance by one pitch during passage striking triggering or manually so as to allow the ratchets to fall on their respective snails.
5. Striking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that camshaft comprises a second cam to actuate the locking and unlocking of the energy source, the two cams being indexed relative to one another.
6. Striking mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first drive wheel (56) and the second drive wheel (90) are arranged so as to allow said camshaft to advance by one pitch during striking triggering so as to allow the ratchets to fall on their respective snails,
   by one pitch, after the ratchets have fallen on their snails, to go to a second step of the progression of the striking during which the ratchets are driven by the energy source, and
   by one pitch, after the striking has taken place, to go to a third step in which the ratchets and the power source are blocked.
7. Striking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a silencing device (100) provided with a bolt (108) capable of going between a first position and a second position, in which it cooperates with the second drive wheel (90) to block the control organ (50).
8. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises adjustable triggering means to cooperate with the drive wheel and trigger striking at a selected time.

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