GB2104262A - Counter mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

In a counter mechanism of the type having at least three rolls (3) on an axis and between each pair of rolls a bearing plate (5) supporting a rotatably mounted stepping gear (10) for stepping up the roll (3) assigned to the higher decimal with each revolution of the roll (3) assigned to the lower decimal, means are provided for interconnecting the bearing plates (5) so that these plates are only able to turn together. As shown these means comprise plugs 16 engaging sockets 17. In this way no unintentional relative turning movement during assembly is possible and also a falsification of the counter indication is impeded. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Counter mechanism The invention relates to a counter mechanism of the type described in the introductory part of claim 1.

Such counter mechanism are common, especially in motor vehicles, as a display for the level of the kilometers or miles passed through. The constructions known until now, however, have the disadvantage that the individual rolls of the counter mechanism are able to turn relative to each other unintentionally during assembly so that after the assembly a fictive level of kilometers or miles is indicated.

Furthermore, it is possible after the removal of the counter mechanism to turn the individual rolls relative to each other so that there is a possibility of a falsification of the level of kilometers or miles by turning back some rolls.

It is an object of the invention to avoid these disadvantages and to improve a counter mechanism of the type described in such a way that on the one hand there is a lock for the desired level of kilometers or miles during assembly and on the other hand a falsification of the indication of the counter mechanism is impeded. This object is attained according to the invention by means interconnecting the bearing plates for common turning motion thereof. In that way an unintentional turning of some rolls during assembly is no longer possible so that assembling is faciliated and the adjustment of the desired kilometer indication during assembly, parti cularlyofthezero position of all cipher rolls, is ensured.As long as the interconnection for common turning motion of the individual rolls is maintained, it is also impossible after removal of the counter mechanism to turn some cipher rolls intentionally relative to each other so that falsification of the counter indication is impeded.

In principle it would be imaginable to establish the interconnection for common turning motion of the bearing plates via the axis supporting the rolls and the bearing plates. The construction is simpler, however, if in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the interconnecting means for the bearing plates are arranged outside peripherie of the rolls. Furthermore, this connection is better visible than a connection within the range of the axis so that it is easier to examine whether this interconnection for common turning motion is still undamaged whereby adulterations of the counter indication is further impeded.An other advantage resides in that the range of the axis of the rolls is free for other purposes so that in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is possible to pivot each of the bearing plates on a central collar of the adjacent cipher roll. This construction has the advantage of a reduction of the total tolerance for the axial length of the counter mechanism, because then only the axial tolerances of the individual rolls of the counter mechanism have to be considered, but no longer the axial tolerances of the bearing plates.

According to a particularly simple embodiment of the invention the interconnecting means comprise a plug on at least one of the bearing plates and a socket on at least the other one of the bearing plates, having an opening facing the plug. Such plugs or sockets may easily be formed integrally with the bearing plates during their manufacture so that the later mounting of coupling members onto the bearing plates for avoiding of a relative turning motion of the bearing plates can be saved. Within the scope of the invention, preferably these plugs or sockets are arranged in such a way that longitudinal axis of the plugs and the sockets extend parallellyto the axis of the rolls whereby each of said plugs protruds from its bearing plate in an other direction than the socket and especially is arranged coaxially with it.The coaxial arrangement has the advantage that all plug connections between adjacent bearing plates are in alignment so that the connection is clearly arranged.

Within the scope of the invention it may also be advantageous, of all rolls are urged in axial direction by a spring means. Thereby not only the maintenance of the interconnection for common turning motion between the individual bearing plates is ensured but also diminished rattle noise of the counter mechanism, especially when driving over a uneven runway, is achieved. Furthermore a friction contact of all rolls is ensured so that with stepping up of the next decimal or of a plurality of decimals the ciphers of the individual cipher rolls remain better in alignment. In this way the clarity of the counter indication is also ensured in the moment of stepping up onto a higher decimal.

An embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through the axis of the counter mechanism, and Figure 2 shows a cross-section along the line II - II of Figure 1.

The counter mechanism according to Figure 1 and 2 has a central axis 1 provided on one of its ends with a flange 2 on which a series of rolls 3 mounted on the axis 1 of the counter mechanism abuts, said rolls corresponding to the different decimals of the counter indication and having on their periphery the equidistant ciphers 0 to 9 as known per se. Between each pair of adjacent rolls 3 a bearing plate 5 is mounted pivoted with a central opening 6 on a central hub like collar 7 of the roll 3. Each bearing plate 5 supports a journal pin 9 within a recess 8 on which pin a stepping gear 10 is mounted being in engagement with an internal gear 11 of that adjacent roll 3 assigned to the higher decimal. This stepping gear 10 ist stepped up by a stepping tooth of that adjacent roll 3 corresponding to the lower decimal with each revolution of this roll 3.The roll 3 corresponding to the lowermost decimal is driven by a driving gear 12 the toothed rim 13 of which being in engagement in a manner know per se with drive means (not shown). The whole set of rolls 3 together with the drive gear 12 is secured against stripping off from the axis 1 on the one hand by the flange 2, on the other hand by a sealed stripping - off protection 22 held in position by a ring 15 pressed on the axis 1.

Each bearing plate 5 supports a plug 16 on one of its sides outside the periphery 4 of the rolls 3. This plug 16 fits with small clearance within a socket 17 arranged on the side facing the plug 16 of the adjacent bearing plate 5. When mounted, all plugs with exception of the one shown on the extreme left side of Figure 1 engage the adjacent sockets 17 whereby all bearing plates 5 are interconnected for common turning motion. This connection for common turning motion is as long not non - destructively detachable as the sealed stripping - off protection 22 is maintained. Therefore it is not possible to falsify the counter indication after removal of the counter mechanism without to demolishing perceptibly either the interconnection of the bearing plates 5 for common turning motion formed by the plugs 16 and the sockets 17 or the stripping - off protection 22.

Furthermore, the interconnection between the individual bearing plates 5 for common turning motion simplifies the maintenance of the desired counter indication when assembling the counter mechanism.

Each bearing plate has also at least one bowl shaped recess 18 extending into an annular groove 23 of the adjacent roll 3 and causing on the one hand a stiffening of the bearing plate 5 and on the other hand a better seating thereof on the adjacent roll 3.

Furthermore, each bearing plate 5 has two pairs of extensions 19 (Figure 2) on its periphery each of which defining a groove 20 which is engaged by a projection of the housing (not shown) receiving the counter mechanism after assembly of the same.

On the axis 1 between the roll 3 corresponding to the lowermost decimal and the drive gear 12 a compression spring is inserted surrounding the collar 7 of that roll 3 and pressing all rolls 3 against the flange 2. Thereby all rolls 3 are pressed against one another diminishing so the rattle noise and causing a friction contact with the adjoining roll during the stepping up of a roll 3 so that the ciphers on the rolls are always in alignment.

The longitudinal axis of the plugs 16 as well as the lingitudinal axis of the sockets 17 are parallel relative to the axis 1, each plug 16 being coaxial to the sockets 17 of its bearing plate 5. The plug 16 and the socket 17 of each bearing plate 5 as also the journal pin 9 and the extensions 19 thereof may be formed integrally with the main body of the bearing plate 5, e.g. as a sprayed die casting of plastic.

The resetting of the roll 3 may be effected, if necessary, by heart cams provided on the rolls 3 (not shown) and known per se that are actuated by a resetting comb.

Claims (9)

1. In a counter mechanism an axis; at least three rolls arranged on said axis adjacent each other, each one of said rolls being assigned to one order of numbers; drive means for one of said rolls; stepping gear means arranged intermediately between each pair of said rolls for stepwise driving the roll assigned to the higher order with each revolution of the roll assigned to the lower order; at least two bearing plates, each for bearing one of said stepping gear means; the improvement comprising: means interconnecting the bearing plates for common turning motion thereof.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1,wherein said interconnection means are arranged outside periphery of said rolls.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a central collar member at least on two of said rolls and surrounding said axis; said bearing plates having a central opening and each being pivoted with this opening on one of said collar members.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said interconnecting means comprise a plug on at least one of said bearing plates and a socket on at least the other one of said bearing plates, having an opening facing said plug.

5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said bearing plates comprise a plug and a socket, the longitudinal axis of said plugs and said sockets being parallel to said axis of said rolls, each of said bearing plates having two surfaces opposite each other and each facing one roll, said plug protruding from one of said surfaces whereas said socket protrudes from the other one of said surfaces.

6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plug and said socket on each of said bearing plates are coaxially arranged.

7. A mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: spring means urging said rolls together in axial direction.

8. A mechanism as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, being mounted on a vehicle for counting dimensions of distance.

9. A mechanism substantially as shown and described.