US3529768A - Digit wheels and preset counters utilizing the same - Google Patents

Digit wheels and preset counters utilizing the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US3529768A
US3529768A US768485A US3529768DA US3529768A US 3529768 A US3529768 A US 3529768A US 768485 A US768485 A US 768485A US 3529768D A US3529768D A US 3529768DA US 3529768 A US3529768 A US 3529768A
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United States
Prior art keywords
digit
wheel
preset
wheels
magnet
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Expired - Lifetime
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US768485A
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English (en)
Inventor
Tsunemoto Nakanishi
Masahiro Maeta
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Tamura Electric Works Ltd
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Tamura Electric Works Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Tamura Electric Works Ltd filed Critical Tamura Electric Works Ltd
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/0006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M1/00—Design features of general application
    • G06M1/27—Design features of general application for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum
    • G06M1/274—Design features of general application for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum using magnetic means; using Hall-effect devices

Definitions

  • FIG. I PRIOR ART F'G. 2 PRlOR ART So s
  • This invention relates to digit wheels utilized in read out counters or preset counters and preset counters utilizing such digit wheels.
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 A conventional digit wheel utilized in read out counters or preset counters is constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, contact rings 2 each including a pair of contact pieces 3 and 3 are attached on the opposite sides of a digit wheel 1. As the digit wheel 1 rotates, contact pieces 3 and 3 engage contacts formed on a printed circuit board, for example, to form an electric circuit. This electric circuit is shown in FIG. 2 wherein contact piece 3 corresponds to the center SN while contact piece 3 slides along a plurality of contacts S S S and S disposed on a circle around the center. In the case of a read out counter connections established between one terminal TN and either one of contacts T0, T1, T8, T9 successively display indications of the digit Wheel. Whereas in the case of a preset counter output between one particular terminal corresponding to a preset digit and terminal TN is utilized to sense arrival of the preset digit.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates another type of a conventional digit wheel for preset counters.
  • the digit wheel is shown as comprising a main body 11 of the digit wheel and a setting wheel 12.
  • digits 1, 2, .9, 0 are provided around the periphery of the main body 11 and as is well known in the art the setting wheel 12 is mounted coaxially with the main body and can rotate in one direction alone with respect thereto.
  • the setting wheel 12 is provided with a single set mark 13 and a single notch 14 on its periphery.
  • this digit wheel When this digit wheel is utilized as a preset digit wheel, the set digit on the periphery of the main body 11 is positioned on a reading line (the position of a display window) and then the setting wheel 12 is rotated to align said set digit with the set mark 13. Indicating digit 0 is set on the reading line by means of a zero reset means, for example a heart shaped cam, on
  • the digit wheel is started from this state to move stepwise from one digit to the other.
  • a roller 17 shown in FIG. 4 mounted on the free end of a lever 16 pivoted at 15 is urged against the periphery of the setting wheel 12 under a bias of a spring 18.
  • a reading line R the roller 17 will be received in notch 14 of the setting wheel 12. Consequently, the other end of lever 16 will rotate in the direction of arrow A to close contact 19. Closure of this contact shows that the digit wheel is then indicating a preset value.
  • roller 17 on lever 16 is always in contact with the periphery of the setting wheel 12 comprising the digit wheel.
  • this contacting force imposes a load upon the rotation of the digit wheel.
  • the electrical contact 19 is exposed to the atmosphere, oxidation thereof may result in poor electric contact.
  • the principal object of this invention is to provide a novel digit wheel which can cooperate with electrical contacts without utilizing any mechanical contact piece.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a combination of a novel digit wheel and a reed switch wherein closure of electrical contacts does not impose any load upon the counter driving power thus obinating poor electric contact.
  • Still further object of this invention is to provide a novel preset counter wherein independent reed switches are disposed to oppose discrete digit wheels and cooperation of respective digit wheels and reed switches generates a signal upon arrival of a preset indicating value.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a novel preset counter wherein a single reed switch is disposed to commonly oppose a group of digit wheels and cooperation of respective digit wheels and the reed switch generates a signal upon arrival of a preset indicating value.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art digit wheel and a simplified electric circuit cooperating therewith
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show another type of a conventional digit wheel and a simplified electrical circuit cooperating therewith;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a digit wheel embodying this invention.
  • FIG. 6 shows one application of the digit wheel shown in FIG. 6
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate two types of preset counters embodying this invention
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view helpful to explain the operation of this invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a modified preset digit wheel of this invention.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic representations of preset counters including the digit wheel shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of a digit wheel 4 embodying this invention and including a permanent magnet 5 near its periphery.
  • a shaft 7 is extended through a shaft bore 6 of the digit wheel 4 and a reed switch 8 is disposed close to the periphery thereof as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the contacts of the reed switch will be closed when they come to oppose the magnet 5.
  • current will flow therethrough when contacts of the switch are closed to provide a signal indicating that the digit 1 and magnet on the digit wheel are opposing the reed switch 8.
  • FIG. 6 shows that the preset value is the digit 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preset counter embodying this invention.
  • the counter has three orders comprised by three digit wheels shown in FIG. 5.
  • the digit wheel 4 corresponding to the first order includes a magnet 5 on the side surface near its digit 9.
  • the digit wheel 4 of the second order includes a magnet 5 on the side surface near the digit 1 while the digit wheel 4 of the third order is provided with a magnet 5 on the side surface near its digit 1.
  • the present value of the preset counter shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to 119.
  • Reed switches 8 8 and 8 are disposed to respectively oppose digit wheels 4 4 and 4 which are connected in series.
  • Shaft 7 is provided in common to respective digit wheels.
  • suitable shift means such as pinions, are provided between respective digit wheels.
  • each of reed switches employed in this counter may be an extremely small reed switch that can be operated by a single magnet. Further, the provision of independent reed switches for respective orders enables to check the cooperation between the reed switch and the magnet for respective orders.
  • FIG. 8 shows a modified preset counter of this invention employing a single reed switch 8 which is constructed such that its contacts are closed only when all magnets 5 5 and 5 of digit wheels 4 4 and 4 for respective orders come to oppose the reed switch at the same time.
  • a single reed switch which is constructed to be closed only when all magnets come to oppose it, it is possible to reduce the member of component parts as well as the physical dimension of the device.
  • magnets are provided at positions corresponding to preset digits
  • preset counters are generally constructed to observe by eyes the indicating digits.
  • magnets are not located adjacent digits to be preset, but instead, as shown in FIG. 9, may be located as a position of A from the preset digit where 0 represents an angle subtended by a display window 9 and the magnet 5.
  • FIG. 10a shows a side elevation of a modified digit wheel comprising a main body 11 and a setting wheel 12' which is coaxial with the main body and can rotate in one direction alone with respect thereto.
  • this setting wheel 12' is not provided with any notch on its periphery.
  • a magnet I110 is provided on its side surface near the periphery of the setting wheel as shown in FIG. 10b.
  • a heart shaped cam -111 is provided on one side surface of the main body 11 of the digit wheel in the same manner as the well known digit wheel.
  • Presetting of the novel preset digit wheel can be performed by positioning a digit to be set (for example a digit 7) on the reading line R and then rotating the setting wheel 12' until the magnet 110 comes to coincide with the set digit 7 in the same manner as in the prior digit wheel.
  • the digit wheel is restored to zero by means of the heart shaped cam 111, and the counting operation is commenced starting from the digit 0, to provide digits 1, 2, successively on the reading line R.
  • a reed switch 112 on the reading line R and close to the periphery of the setting wheel 12', when the set digit 7 comes to the reading line R, magnet 110 will also be brought to the reading line R thus closing reed switch 112 by the action of magnet 110. Closure of the reed switch provides a signal.
  • the digit wheel constructed according to this invention can be used as a preset counter.
  • a preset mark I13 acting as a preset point may be provided on the periphery of the setting wheel 12' and the reed switch 112 may be positioned at a position displaced by an angle 0 from said set mark 13, where 0 represents the angle subtended by the magnet and the set mark 13 with respect to the axis of the digit wheel.
  • the novel digit wheel operates electrical contacts without utilizing any mechanical means as has been the prior practice; it is able to greatly reduce the mechanical load imposed upon the digit wheel.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram to show an elevation of a modified preset counter of this invention.
  • three digit wheels shown in FIG. 10 are mounted on a common shaft 113 which are combined with shift means, illustrated as pinions 114 and 114.
  • FIG. 11 shows a digit counter of three orders and a numeral of three orders can be set by rotating three setting wheels for respective digits in the same manner as has been described in connection with FIG. 10.
  • the peripheries of three setting wheels 12',, 12' and 12' for digit wheels of the first, second and third orders are associated with reed switches 112 112 and 112 respectively closed by magnets 110 110 and 110 on setting wheels, and these reed switches are connected in series.
  • each of the reed switches employed in this preset counter may be very small one operated by a single magnet and the provision of a reed switch for each order enables to check the operation of the reed switch and magnet for each order.
  • FIG. 12 shows a still further modification of the novel preset counter which is identical to that shown in FIG. 11 except that a single reed switch 114 is employed which is arranged to be closed only when three magnets 110 110 and 110 on digit wheels for respective orders simultaneously come to oppose it.
  • this modification can reduce the number of component parts as well as the physical size of the preset counter.
  • the magnets are secured to the side surface of setting wheels, it should be understood that these magnets may be embedded in the periphery or side surface of the setting wheels.
  • the novel preset counter utilizes digit wheels which are quite free from the load caused by the mechanical contact and one or more reed switches operated by the magnet carried by the digit wheel. Accordingly, proper selection of the actuating force of the reed switch and the magnetic force provided by the magnet assures accurate operation of the counter. Further, different from conventional design absence of poor contact and the mechanical load on the digit wheel enables rapid operation of the counter with small force.
  • the novel counter is more simple in construction and more inexpensive than prior counters. Thus, the novel counter finds many applications such as telemetering.
  • a manually operated preset counter comprising:
  • each said wheel for producing a localized field extending from the periphery of said wheel and individual to a selected one of said peripheral indicia;
  • reed switch means located adjacent said periphery having contacts which are spring biased to normally open position and actuable to closed position when magnetized by said localized field of all of said digit wheels in predetermined position corresponding to a particular selected position of all said Wheels representing said predetermined count for completing a conductive circuit through said contacts which is operable to switch an external circuit connected thereto independent of the nature of said external circuit, said contacts reopening under the influence of the 6 spring bias when any of said magnetic means moves out of said predetermined position.
  • said reed switch means comprises a plurality of reed switches one for each said digit wheel and said contacts of said plurality of reed switches are connected in series.
  • said digit wheels each comprise a main body display wheel having said indicia thereon, a setting wheel rotatable with respect to said main body display wheel to establish predetermined relative position and a magnet on said setting wheel.
  • said reed switch means comprises a single reed switch adjacent to said plurality of digit Wheels and operable to close the contacts of said single reed switch only when all of said magnetic means of said digit wheels are opposed to said single reed switch.
  • said digit wheels each comprise a main body display wheel having said indicia thereon, a setting wheel rotatable with respect to said main body display wheel to establish predetermined relative position and a magnet on said setting wheel.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transmission And Conversion Of Sensor Element Output (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
US768485A 1967-10-23 1968-10-17 Digit wheels and preset counters utilizing the same Expired - Lifetime US3529768A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP6781467 1967-10-23
JP6781367 1967-10-23

Publications (1)

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US3529768A true US3529768A (en) 1970-09-22

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US768485A Expired - Lifetime US3529768A (en) 1967-10-23 1968-10-17 Digit wheels and preset counters utilizing the same

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US (1) US3529768A (cs)
BE (1) BE722777A (cs)
CH (1) CH498454A (cs)
FR (1) FR1599009A (cs)
GB (1) GB1211925A (cs)
NL (1) NL6814858A (cs)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4160900A (en) * 1978-01-11 1979-07-10 General Motors Corporation Mileage switch and latch means

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2200486B (en) * 1987-01-31 1990-12-19 Birt Electronic Systems Limite Multiple revolution angle sensor unit
CN116537768A (zh) * 2023-05-09 2023-08-04 北京首钢矿山建设工程有限责任公司 一种实时测量牙轮钻钻孔深度装置及测量方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2559723A (en) * 1947-05-21 1951-07-10 Anthony R Litrell Signaling counter
US3182908A (en) * 1961-11-30 1965-05-11 Wahli Ag W Control device
US3244366A (en) * 1963-05-09 1966-04-05 Elmeg Control mechanism for preselection counter
US3268167A (en) * 1964-03-06 1966-08-23 Smith Corp A O Electrical pulse generator and transmitting means
US3344986A (en) * 1966-02-07 1967-10-03 Smith Corp A O Register driven transmitter

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2559723A (en) * 1947-05-21 1951-07-10 Anthony R Litrell Signaling counter
US3182908A (en) * 1961-11-30 1965-05-11 Wahli Ag W Control device
US3244366A (en) * 1963-05-09 1966-04-05 Elmeg Control mechanism for preselection counter
US3268167A (en) * 1964-03-06 1966-08-23 Smith Corp A O Electrical pulse generator and transmitting means
US3344986A (en) * 1966-02-07 1967-10-03 Smith Corp A O Register driven transmitter

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4160900A (en) * 1978-01-11 1979-07-10 General Motors Corporation Mileage switch and latch means
FR2414718A1 (fr) * 1978-01-11 1979-08-10 Gen Motors Corp Compteur kilometrique perfectionne pour vehicule

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1804312A1 (de) 1969-05-14
CH498454A (de) 1970-10-31
NL6814858A (cs) 1969-04-25
BE722777A (cs) 1969-04-01
FR1599009A (cs) 1970-08-21
GB1211925A (en) 1970-11-11
DE1804312B2 (de) 1973-09-06

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