US2004324A - Automatic tuning device - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1935. R, L HEEREN 2,004,324

AUTOMATIC TUNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MMB.5QWW

%#M v akm ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC TUNING DEVI GE Filed Feb. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED sures PATasr OFFICE My invention relates to an automatic tuning device for radio sets. It is theprincipal object of the present invention to provide automatic means operated by a 6 clock, for use with radio receiving sets, for tuning in on previously selected stations at previously selected times, and which requires no personal attention whatever at the times when the tuning operations are'accomplished,

- means operated by a clock for discontinuing radio reception at previously selected times, and which requires no personal attention whatever at the times when the discontinuing operations are accomplished.

Other, objects and features of the invention will be pointed out or will become apparent upon a reading of the specification.

In the drawings which show, for illustrative aurposes only, a preferred formof the inven- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an automatic Lining device embodying features of my inven- Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a tuning condenser showing a station block and a station contactor;

Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of certain Pie.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a clock, partially broken away to show the time contactor.

In said illustrative drawings I 0 indicates generally a tuning mechanism, preferably in the parts shown in form of a variable condenser, the movable plates of whichare mounted on a shaft II. The shaft II is operated by an electric motor I. In the form shown in the drawings there is fixed to the shaft I I a worm wheel it, which meshes with a worm l3. Worm II is fixed to a shaft II, which is operable by hand by turning a dial l5 and which is also operable by the motor It, the armature oi which carries a spur gear II, which meshes with a spur gear I! fixed to the shaft H.

28 represents a clock. One or more switches which are operable by the mechanism of the clock are provided for controlling the motor I6, 80. as to cause the motor to move the condenser ll to tune in selected stations at selected times.

These switches also will operate at selected times to discontinue reception by cutting of! the current from the tube filaments. In the form shown It is a further object to provide automatic- 1 cum. ((31. 250-2.

hour hand 3|. Attached to supports "-36 made 0! insulating material and adjacent to the path of the time contactor II are a number of sets of time contacts 31-38-49. Each set consists of three contacts, which are positioned so as to contact with the contacts 32-43-34 when the contactor II is in the proper position. In the drawings I show three sets of these time contacts, the contacts of. the first set being numbered 31, 31, 31, the contacts of the second 0 set being numbered 38, a, 38, and the contacts of the third set being numbered 39, 89', 38. In the form shown the insulating support 36 carrying the outer contacts of each set, viz., 31*, 38, 39, is made in the form of a ring, which is preferably rotatably adjustable slightly about its center.

One or more switches for stopping the motor it are provided, which are operable'by the motor when it has moved the condenser Hi to points at which selected stations are tuned in. In the form shown irf the drawings these switches are the station blocks 2l-22. Rigidly attached to the tuning condenser shalt l I, but insulated thereirom, is a station contactor, preferably in the form of a radial arm 19. The stationblocks Zl-M are attached to a fixed current conducting support 20 adjacent to the path of the contactor I 9. These station blocks are adjustable in position, preferably by providing means, such as screws 23, for clamping them in any desired position in a circular groove 24 in the support 20. In the form shown each station block comprises a body part 25 made of insulating material, to which is connected two contacts 28-21. One of these contacts is preferably made of spring material, this being the contact 21 in the form shown in the drawings. Contact is made between the contacts 28, 21 when the contactor I9 coacts with the spring contact 21. In the form shown, one oi the contacts on each station block is electrically connected to the support 2..

ill-l0 are double pole single throw manually operated tuning switches, and "-4! are single pole single throw manually operated stop switches. All of these switches are mounted preferably on the outside of the radio cabinet, so as to be conveniently accessible. It will usually be most convenient to arrange the switches 40 in diflerent rows, each row corresponding to a different broadcasting station. 42 is a solenoid switchin the motor circuit. This switch is normally spring closed unless held open by the solenoid.

43 represents generally the main switch, which can be operated manually, or magnetically, by

tacts 3'! is provided for each separate program which it is desired to receive and for each dis-' continuance of reception during a given cycle of automatic control. For instance, if there are six desirable broadcasting stations available and each broadcasts a one-hour program every twelve hours so that there is a one-hour gap between successive programs, six station blocks 2! and twelve sets time contacts 37 wouldbe required for providing complete automatic control for receiving all the programs and discontinuing reception alter each program during the twelvehour cycle. Generally it is desirable to provide the clock 28 with sets of time contacts 31 which are arranged at hourly or half hourly intervals.

The number or tuning switches 40 to be provided will be equal to the product of the number of station blocks 2i and the maximum number of times it-will be desired to tune in during a cycle. The number or stop switches 48 to be provided will be equal to the maximum number of discontinuances of reception which will be desired during a cycle.

The switches 48 are arranged so that when one is closed one contact of one or the sets of time contacts 31, 38 or 39 is connected to one side 50 or the incoming power circuit, and another contact of the same set of time contacts is connected to one of the contacts of one of said station blocks. The third contact of said set of time contacts is connected to the other side SI of the incoming power circuit through the switch 42 and the motor 85. The other contact of said station block is also connected to the side II of the power circuit through the solenoid oi. the switch 82.

The switches 49 are arranged so that when one is closed one contact of one of the sets of time contacts 31 is connected through the solenoid 45 to one side so of the incoming power circuit.

The method of operation of this device is as follows: a

If it is desired to operate the receiving set manually, all the switches 40 and ll should be open. The switch 43 should be closed and the desired station should be selected by means of the tuning dial It. To stop receiving, open switch 83.

If automatic operation is desired; all the switches 40 and M are first opened. The condenser lll is then set by means of the tuning dial l so as to tune in a given station at a given time. A station block 2! is then set so that the contactor l9 makes contact between the contacts 28 and 21. Other station blocks are similarly set to correspend to such other stations as it may be desired to receive from. The set is then connected to a source of electrical energy. Care should be taken to see that the condenser i0 is free to revolve continuously in one direction. The proper tuning switches in and stop switches ii are then closed to provide for the automatic reception of the desired programs at the desired times.

For example, let us assume that it is desired to tune in automatically at 3 P. M. on the station represented by station block 22 and to stop the set at 4 P. M. Any time within twelve hours prior to 3 P. M., the tuning switch 40 and the stop switch 4i, which are, shown closed in Fig. 1, may be closed, and the receiving set is then set for the desired automatic operation. At 3 P. M., the time contactor 3| will be in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the interconnected contacts 32, 33 and 34 will make contact with the time contacts 38 38 and 38, respectively. Current will flow from line wire 50 through solenoid M, closed switch 40, contact 38*, contact 33, contact 34, contact 38", switch 42, motor 6, to line wire 5|. The flow of current through the solenoid 44 will close the switch 83 and light the tube filaments. The flow of current through the motor I6 will operate the motor, which will turn the shaft II and the tuning condenser ill to the position shown in Fig. "1, at which position the receiving set will be tuned in on the station represented by the station block 22. When the tuning condenser It has reached this position, the motor IE will be automatically stopped, as will now be described. At this position of the condenser ID, the station contactor l9 will come into contact with the spring contact 21 of the station block 22 and will close a circuit through the contacts 26 and El of this station block. Current will then flow from line wire 50 through solenoid 44,

closed switch fill, contact 38, contact 83, contact 32, contact 38 closed switch 4d. station block 22, support 20, the solenoid of switch 42, to line wire 5!. The flow of current through the solenoid of switch 32-. will open the switch and stop the flow of current through the motor IS. The motor it will then stop and the station contactor l9 and condenser It will remain in the position shown in Fig. 1. By slightly moving ring 38 angularly about its center adjustment can be made so that-the contactor 3! will make contact long enough so that current will flow the proper length of'time to operate the circuit but will be cut oil shortly after operation is complete. When the contactor 3i driven by the mechanism of clock 28 leaves contact set 38 the circuit through the solenoid of the switch 42 which has Just been de-' scribed will be broken, allowing the switch S2 to close. The motor I 6 will not operate again atthis time, however, because the motor circuit has also been broken by the movement of the time contactor away from contact set 38.

When 4 P. M. arrives the contacts on the time contactor 3! will contact with contact set 31. Current will flow from line wire 50 through con tact 47, solenoid 45, closed stop switch 4! contact 31, contact 32, contact 3, contact 31, switch 42, motor i8, to line wire 5|. The flow of current through solenoid 45 will open the switch 48 and cut on the current from the tube filaments, thereby effecting a discontinuance of radio reception. The opening or the switch 48 will open the contact M and stop the flow or current through the motor !6.

Similarly, by closing several 0! the switches 4| corresponding to diflerent times and diil'erent stations, a consolidated program made up from the programs from several stations can be. ar-

ranged in advance andv played automatically at the proper times without the necessity of givingany personal attention to tuning in at the times when the tuning operations are accomplished. 1

Unless the tuning switches 40 are opened after the end or the cycle, the same tuning operations tacts, each set including three contacts, and having a contactor operated by said clock mechanism for interconnecting the contacts of any one or said sets, a plurality of timing switches, each of said tuning switches connecting one of said contacts to the other side of the incoming power circuit and connecting another contact 01' the same set oi contacts to said first mentioned switch, the'third contact of the same set of contacts being connected to said one side of the in- 10 coming power circuit through said motor.

REINHARD L. HIEEREN.

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