US3022943A - Electric impulse-type counter - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 27, 1962 M. J. DUNN 3,022,943

ELECTRIC IMPULSE-TYPE COUNTER Filed Feb. 19, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 |11] :if 22a. A /7 N l; III Y* 20 esame-MIE Z6 I I 22 INVENT OR.

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ELECTRIC IMPULSE-TYPE COUNTER Filed Feb. 19, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A rromvsyf Feb. 27, 1962 M. J. DUNN 3,022,943

ELECTRIC IMPuLsE-TYPE COUNTER Filed Feb; 19, 1960 s sheets-sheet :s

Corn-Rol. CIQculT INVEN TOR. /W/cH/Qz J DUNN BY Mfg/51,@ yf/Me United States Patent Oilee 3,022,943 Patented F eb, 27, 1962 3,022,943 ELECTRIC IMPULSE-TYPE COUNTER Miehael .lames Dunn, Menomonee Falls, Wis., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Precision Products & Controls, Inc., a corporation of Oklahoma Filed Feb. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 10,000 Claims. (Cl. 23S-92) The present invention relates to counter mechanism in general and more particularly to those of the impulse type.

This application is a continuation-impart application of my co-pending application Serial Number 777,422, now abandoned, tiled December l, 1958.

In resetting type counters, an undesirable delay occurs at the end of a count while the mechanism returns to the zero or starting position, and in certain counting operations, it is necessary to be able to count continually without any such time lag between cycles. It is also desirable to be able to readily vary the control circuit to provide ashort interval transfer such as 1, 3A or 5 counts at `the end of each cycle, orto alternate the control circuit between its two positions, holding each position for a complete cycle. The latter often is used in hatching op.

erations. Furthermore, in other counting operations, it is desirable to provide a differential count, such as for example, to control the number of partsentering a given area by adding the number of parts entering the area and subtracting the-number of parts leaving the area. Heretofore, at least two separate counting devices were usually necessary to perform these three types of counting operations.

Accordingly, this` invention provides an improved mechanism which can be used either as a ,continual counter having zero time between cycles with short interval or complete cycle. control switching, or as a differential counter.

The present invention provides an impulse-type mechanism which is continually reversing in cycle and which provides a continuous count with Zero time lag between cycles.

Another more specific aspect of the invention contemplates that this counter is also capable of func- AtioninU as a differential or add-subtract countin mechanisrn with no changes being required to the counter.

These and other objects andadvantages will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a counter mechanism made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan viewof the counter shown in FIG- URE 1, certain parts being shown in section, broken away or removed for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the counter, parts shown in section, broken away or removed;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally through the center of the counter, certain parts removed for clarity;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail view taken generally on line 5-5 ofVFIGURE 3, but on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the counter when it is used with a 1-count, 3-count, or 5- count switching interval in which the external or control A4circuit is activated at or`near the end of each cycle.

FIGURE 7 is similar to FIGURE 6 but shows the circuit when the counter is used with a one-cycle switching interval in which the external circuit alternates between two positions but remains in one or the other for an entire cycle, and

external or control circuit is activated when the algebraic sum of the add and the subtract pulses is equal to the count setting. This provides a maximum signal. For controlling between limits, a minimum voltage signal is available at terminals 64 and 68.

' Referring in greater detail to the drawings, a rectangular base support 1 is fabricated from sheet metal and has a front angc 2 and rear flange 3 along its opposite sides. A generally channel-shaped support frame 4 issecured by bolts 5 to the base support. Angle support members 6 and 7, respectively, are also secured by bolts 8 to the hase 1 at opposite sides of the frame 4.

Electrical solenoids RR and RL are carried on their respective members 6 and 7 and include swingable flapper arms 10 and 11 respectively.

A main shaft 15 is rotatably mounted in the channelshaped frame 4 and its front end extends forwardly therefrom and through the stationary indicating dial 16 Secured to the rigid structure by bolts 17.

A pointer 18 is secured to shaft 15 (FIGURE 4) by a pin 19 and includes a serrated side 20. An adjustable pointer 22 is mounted onthe end of shaft 15 and `is adjustable by its knob 23 in respect to the shaft. A spring 24, which bears against cap bolt 25 threaded into the shaft end, acts against pointer22 to urge its serrated side 26 into engagement with the complementary serrated side 20. Thus, pointer 22 may he adjusted relative to pointer 13 fixed on shaft 15 to indicate a certain count ori nurnber on the dial face. Pointers 18 and 22 form adjustable limits between which the shaft may oscillate by means to be presently described.

A differential gear drive is mounted on shaft 15 within the frame 4 as follows. A stub shaft 30 is iixed by set screw 31 (FIGURE 4) to the shaft 15 and has a bevel gear 32 rotatably mounted on its end. A bevel gear and ratchet wheel unit 33 is rotatably mounted on shaft 15 on one side of bevel gear 32 and a similar unit 34 is mounted on the other side of gear 32, both units of which are in constant mesh with gear 32. Units 33 and 34 have a set of ratchet teeth 33a and 34a, respectively, around their periphery. The shaft 15 is driven in either direction through units 33 and 34.

Solenoids RL and RR furnish the power for driving the units 34 and 33, respectively, through their rocker arms and pawls as follows.

A rocker arm 36 is pivotally mounted on stub shaft 37 secured in the frame 4. One end of this arm is in contact with the swingable solenoid arm 10 and the other end of this arm has a spring-biased drive pawl 38 pivoted thereto for engagement with teeth 33a. A holding pawl 39 is mounted on shaft 37 yand 4is also spring-loaded for engagement with teeth 33a. A drive spring 40 is connected to the one end of rocker arm 36 and is also connected to an anchor pin 41 mounted in the base 1.

Solenoid RL is similarly connected with the ratchet wheel-bevel gear unit 34a through rocker arm 43, drive pawl 44, holding pawl 45 and drive spring 46.

Thus, when either one of the solenoids receives an impulse, it acts to cock its drive pawl against the bias of its drive spring, and the latter then urges the rocker arm and d rive pawl to advance its ratchet wheel unit. This unit, in turn, reacts through bevel gear 32 against the other unit, the latter at that time being stationary, and

of pulses permits very rapid operation of the mechanism, for example, approximately 1,000 pulses per minute.

When the solenoids RL and RR are not energized, the system is locked and the counter cannot be reset to zero. For the purpose of being able to set the counter to a starting or zero position, a zero setting switch 50 (FIGURE 2) is provided which is manually pushed to thereby cause energization of both solenoids, permitting the drive pawls to be lifted free of the ratchets and the fixed pointer 18 returned to the zero dial setting. The adjustable pointer is then set to any number desired for the particular operation.

Means are provided for directing the impulses to either one of the solenoids to drive the shaft in either direction. This means comprises a reversing switch 52 secured to the frame 4 and located at the zero mark on the dial 16 through which it extends via dial opening 53. This reversing switch is of the set type; that is to say, it will remain in either one of the two positions to which it is moved by pointer 1S or pointer 22. Whenever this switch is actu ated, it causes the shaft to reverse its direction of rotation.

An external control switch 54 is mounted on the dial at the zero mark and terminates at its free end in the form of a roller 54a which also protrudes through the dial opening. Switch 54 controls an external circuit through relay 55 and is a one-way switch that is actuated by either one of the pointers as it hits the zero dial mark. When the projecting lug 22a of pointer 22 pushes inwardly on switch 54, the latter is momentarily closed thereby energizing an external control circuit relay 55. When engaged by the projection 18a of pointer 18, the switch 54 is likewise closed again causing momentary energization of the external control circuit relay 55. Switch 54 returns to its normally open position as soon as the pointer disengages it. Relay 55 is mounted by its bracket 56 to the frame 4 and forms part of the counter.

In the wiring diagrams shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the heavy lines indicate that wiring which the purchaser of the counter would install for his particular use of the counter. The lighter weight wires indicate the circuitry in the counter itself and which is supplied as a complete package therewith. The terminal strip 57 secured on the base 1, and containing terminals 61 to 72 inclusive, provides a convenient means for converting the counter from one type of counting operation to another without modifying the counter.

The direct current power pack D.C. is provided to give improved operation at higher speeds than is possible with alternating current. This direct current improves reliability in that it gives a more steady tractive force.

Assume a counting operation is desired which has a one-count switching interval, that is, one in which the external or control circuit is made active on the last count of a cycle and inactive on the succeeding count. For example, suppose a strip of stock is to be perforated with a series of holes, say I in number, after which it is cut olf by the punch press. This operation is illustrated by the FIGURE 6 wiring diagram, for example, in which a pulse switch 74 of a punch press or the like is operated by movement of the press and a pulse is thereby sent to one of the solenoids RL or RR for each perforating stroke of the press. The adjustable pointer is initially set to the number 10 on the dial face. The reversing switch 52 is shown for the beginning of a cycle in which the solenoid RR will be actuated, moving the pointer 22 counterclockwise (FIGURE 1). After l0 impulses have been received, the pointer 22 has returned to zero where it actuated the reversing switch 52 which then directed the impulse to solenoid RL and caused the pointers to then begin their clockwise movement. At the same time that it contacted the reversing switch 52, the pointer 22 momentarily closed the external control switch 54 which caused energization of the external circuit relay 55. As a result, relay 55 then operated a cut-oli device (not shown) on the press to sever a piece from the strip of stock.

The next cycle occurs by the pointers rotating in the clockwise direction for 10 counts until pointer 18 engages both of the switches 52 and S4, which, respectively, again directs the impulse to solenoid RR, causing rotation in the counterclockwise direction, and momentarily activates the external circuit relay S5 to again operate the press cut-off device.

As a result, each swing of the pointers in one direction or the other represents one counting cycle, the end of which is terminated by actuation of the external control circuit.

It is important to note that the counter does not needto be reset to a zero position after each cycle with a consequent time delay, but instead, it counts in both directions with zero time lag between cycles.

FIGURE 7 shows the circuit for the counter when used with a one-cycle switching interval. In this situa tion, the double-pole double throw external circuit switch 58 having pairs of contacts 58a and 58b alternates between its two positions but remains in one or the other for an entire cycle, the relay 55 being energized during one cycle and de-energized during the next cycle. An example of such a use is in hatching operations wherein a number of containers travel along a conveyor to a fork in the conveyor where they are diverted by a gate to one series of machines or another. The gate would be operated by switch 58 to stay in one position so a counted batch of containers is diverted to one series of machines and then the gate is moved while another counted batch of containers is diverted in the other direction to the other series of machines. The pair of contacts 58b of relay 55 are required only in the circuit ot FIGURE 7. These contacts open the circuit to solenoid RL during the counterclockwise rotation cycle of the counter to serve the important function of preventing feedback through solenoid RL.

In other words, the pole between contacts 58b serves to break the circuit to one solenoid during one of its positions, so as to alternately cut the coil out of the circuit to prevent feedback to it. The contacts 58a may also be used in a second control circuit, if desired, in FIG. 6 or 8, and have been indicated in FIGURE 8 as having a pair of leads 59 for that purpose.

FIGURE 8 shows a circuit with which the counter is used as an add-subtract or differential counting device. As used in a car parking lot, for example, when a predetermined number (as determined by the adjustable pointer settting) of cars have entered the parking area, it is desirable to close the entrance gate. Here the external control circuit is made active for one count when the algebraic sum of the add pulses and subtract pulses equal the count setting on the dial. In this operation, a pair of customer-operated pulse switches or photorelay pulse units 75, 76 act as the reversing means and send pulses to the subtract solenoid RL or to the add solenoid RR, respectively. tIn operation, the entering cars operate the photo-relay unit 76 to send the predetermined number of pulses to the add solenoid RR which cause pointer 22 to rotate counterclockwise to close switches 52 and 54 and thereby energize the external circuit relay 5S which, in turn, causes the entrance gate (not shown) to close, and which will remain closed as long as the pointer 22 is at Zero to hold switch 54 closed. lf, before the parking lot lls up, a number of cars leave the lot, upon leaving they will each activate photo-relay 75 which, in turn, energizes the subtract solenoid RL, thereby rotating the pointer 22 in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the external circuit relay 55 will not be energized until the algebraic sum of the add and subtract pulses equals the count set by pointer 22, and a maximum signal will be provided at this time. Thus. full condition in the parking lot will cause the counter to signal the maximum external circuit, whereas empty condition of the lot will cause the counter to signal the minimum external circuit.

With the present counter mechanism three separate functions are obtainable:

(1) Recycling with a signal of say 1, 3, or 5 counts at the end of each cycle. k

(2) A batch type operation in which there is a1- ternate closing and opening of the control circuit, and each opening or closing remaining for a complete cycle. This operation can be accomplished without any rewiring of the counter to accommodate an additional relay.

(3) Differential counting with one signal showing maximum and another showing minimum, that is to say, it is possible to distinguish between maximum and miniln either the (l) recycling operation or the (2) batching operation, the present counter permits a single source of impulses to be directed to either` solenoid and this is accomplished by the reversingswitch 52.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. An electric impulse-type counter comprising, a reversible count indicating means including a single shaft having circumferentially spaced pointers secured thereto for rotation therewith, said means adapted to count while moving in either rotational direction, drive means'for moving said indicating means, first solenoid means for advancing said drive means and thereby said indicating means in one direction, second solenoid means for advancing said drive means and thereby said indicating means in another direction, and a single switch actuated by said pointers when said indicating means reaches the end of its rotative movement in either direction, said switch directing impulses from a single source to either of said solenoids.

2. A reversible electric impulse-type counter comprising, a count indicating means movable in one direction and another and registering a count when moving in either direction, said means including a single shaft having circumferentially spaced pointers secured thereto for rotation therewith, drive means for moving said indicating means, first solenoid means being adapted when energized 4to advance said drive means and thereby said indicating means in `one direction, second solenoid means being adapted when energized to advance said drive means and thereby said indicating means in another direction, a single switch for directing electrical impulses issuing from a single source to one solenoid or the other to cause actuation thereof, and another switch for actuating an external circuit, said switches both being actuated by said indicating means at the limit of the latters movement in either direction of rotation,

3. An electrical impulse-type counter comprising, a reversibly rotatable shaft, relatively adjustable members on said shaft to define Ithe limits of rotation thereof, differential drive means for rotating-said shaft in either di-- rection, first solenoid means being adapted when energized to move said drive means and thereby said shaft in one direction, second solenoid means being adapted when energized to move said drive means and thereby said shaft in another direction, ratchet means between each solenoid and said drive means for step-by-step movement thereof, and a single switch for directing impulses from a single source to either of said solenoids, said switch being actuated by said members at said limits of rotation thereof.

4. A continually reversing electric impulse-type counter which is capable of registering a count when moving in either direction, said counter comprising, count indicating means including a single shaft having circumferentially spaced pointers secured thereto for rotation therewith, drive meansfor moving said indicating means in one direction and another, first solenoid means for advancing said drive means and thereby said indicating means in one direction, second solenoid means for advancing said drive means and thereby said indicating means in another direction, and a reversing switch adapted when in one position to cause impulses to be fed to said first solenoid means and when in another position to cause impulses from the same source as said first said impulses to be fed to said second solenoid means, one of said pointers at the limit of .the movement of said indicating means in either direction being adapted to actuate said switch.

5. A continually reversing electric impulse-type counter which has a counting cycle during each direction of movement, said counter comprising, a reversibly rotatable shaft, relatively adjustable pointers secured to said shaft and which define the limits of shaft movement, differential drive means for rotating said shaft in either direction, tirs-t solenoid means for operating said drive means and thereby said shaft in one direction, second solenoid means for operating said drive means and thereby said shaft in another direction, ratchet means between each solenoid and said differential drive means to effect a step-by-step counting movement thereof, a reversing switch adapted when in one position to cause impulses to he fed to said first solenoid means and when in another position to cause impulses from the same source as said first said impulses to be fed to said second solenoid means, and an external control switch, said pointers being adapted to actuate both said switches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,269,043 Spaunburg Jan. 6, 1942 2,383,702 Berck Aug. 28, 1945 2,441,767 Johansson May 18, 1948 2,588,107 Grabau Mar. 4, 1952 2,644,150 Burn June 30, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES A Mechanism That Will Reverse at Any Predetermined Number of Revolutions from Machinery, October 191i, pp. 11S-11,9.-

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