US3852691A - Motorized radio search tuner - Google Patents

Motorized radio search tuner Download PDF

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Publication number
US3852691A
US3852691A US00436794A US43679474A US3852691A US 3852691 A US3852691 A US 3852691A US 00436794 A US00436794 A US 00436794A US 43679474 A US43679474 A US 43679474A US 3852691 A US3852691 A US 3852691A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
drive
lever
drive wheel
tuning
wheel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00436794A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Kell
E Yeager
A Manteghian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Space Systems Loral LLC
Ford Motor Co
Original Assignee
Philco Ford Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philco Ford Corp filed Critical Philco Ford Corp
Priority to US00436794A priority Critical patent/US3852691A/en
Priority to CA212,683A priority patent/CA1020675A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3852691A publication Critical patent/US3852691A/en
Priority to BR10940/74A priority patent/BR7410940A/pt
Priority to AR257379A priority patent/AR208688A1/es
Assigned to FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A CORP. OF DE reassignment FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: FORD AEROSPACE CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
    • H03J7/00—Automatic frequency control; Automatic scanning over a band of frequencies
    • H03J7/18—Automatic scanning over a band of frequencies
    • H03J7/30—Automatic scanning over a band of frequencies where the scanning is accomplished by mechanical means, e.g. by a motor

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Radio receiving apparatus having an adjustable search tuner operable over a predetermined band of frequencies, and drive means for moving the tuner at a rela- MOTORIZED RADIO SEARCH TUNER Inventors: Howard A. Kell, Jr.; Eugene W.
  • the drive means comprises a tuner drive shaft, a unidirectionally rotatable motor, a
  • first and second solenoid means coupled with the lever, each selectively energizable to rock the 74/1035, lever in one or the other direction.
  • drive wheel means of different diameters are driven by the motor, and a pair of spaced idler wheels are 23, 24, 25; mounted for rotation on the lever.
  • a first one of the 10-5, 10-85 idler wheels is in driven engagement with the larger diameter drive wheel means and'the second one of the idler wheels is in driven engagement with the lesser diameter drive wheel means.
  • Energization of the first solenoid means rocks the lever in one direction to en- 325/471, 334/23 [51] Int. H03j 1/08, H03j 1/12 [58] Field of Search........ Vietnamese 334/19, 20,
  • Clark .llllll the other direction to engage the first idler wheel with the tuner drive shaft and effect rapid drive of the tuner drive shaft.
  • This invention relates to radio tuning apparatus, and more particularly to improved means for driving a radio search tuner at a relatively slow rate for searching in one direction, and for driving the tuner at a relatively rapid rate for repositioning in the opposite direction.
  • One well known apparatus of the foregoing type comprises an automobile radio receiver of the kind incorporating a so-called stop-on-signal search tuning system.
  • a tuning carriage is caused to move automatically, upon initiation by an operator, to search for a strong radio signal in a particular area.
  • the tuning carriage Upon receiving such a signal, the tuning carriage will be halted in its travel, consequently tuning-in the station.
  • the tuning carriage will be automatically returned, at a relatively rapid rate, to the opposite end of the tuning band where it will stand repositioned for an ensuing search operation.
  • the invention contemplates the provision, in radio receiving apparatus having adjustable means for tuning over a predetermined band of frequencies, of improved drive means for moving said tuning means at a relatively slow rate in one direction of travel for search tuning and at a relatively rapid rate in the opposite direction for repositioning, which drive means comprises: a unidirectionally rotatable motor;a
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of radio receiver apparatus including a tuner drive embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1, but on a larger scale and with portions fragmented or removed for convenience of illustration of elements of the tuner drive;
  • FIG. 3 is an elevational showing of the right hand portion of the apparatus seen in FIG. 2, looking generally in the direction of the axis of pivot P, and showing an operational feature of the invention;
  • FIG. 4 is 'a view similar to FIG. 3, and illustrating a further operational feature of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of electrical control circuitry associated with the tuner and its drive.
  • a radio receiver includes a frame structure designated generally by the numeral 1 1 and which supports slides 12 actuatable, by pushbutton 12a, between the illustrated extended position and a retracted operative position.
  • a treadle bar 13 is operable by a slide 12, only one of which is shown for convenience of illustration.
  • Treadle bar 13 is rotatable about pivots 14 on frame structure 11 conveniently formed from sheet metal of suitable thickness to ensure its rigidity.
  • a cam 15 is provided on each of slides 12, and is positioned operably to engage treadle bar 13 upon movement of a slide to retracted position, in response to manual pressure on a pushbutton 12a.
  • Each of slides 12 is returned to and held in its extended position by suitable spring means'(not shown) of conventional design.
  • a core carriage 16 is mounted in-slots 16a, 16b on frame 11 for sliding movements in the direction of movement of the pushbutton slides 12.
  • Carriage l6 is vmoved by treadlebar 13 through linkage means including pin-and-slot interconnections 17, 18 between the core carrage and treadle bar.
  • Coil cores, one of which is seen at 20 are affixed to carriage 16 by suitable known means, so that the cores extend into coil forms 21 disposed in core shield means 21a, in the direction of movement of carriage 16.
  • the cores 20 together with coils wound about 'coil forms 21 comprise variable permeability tuning elements for an AM broadcast band receiver.
  • a pointer L operable, in known manner, by carriage 16 is movable across dial M (FIG. 1) in upscale and down-scale directions.
  • treadle bar 13 is capable also of being driven by a tuner drive shaft 22 through a spur gear 23 on the shaft meshed with a sector gear 24 on treadle bar 13.
  • each slide 12 is so constructed that upon its movement to retracted position,
  • a lever is linked to the operating plate of clutch 31 and is operable by edge-cam 29 to declutch tuner drive shaft 22 from crown gear 27 upon operating of a slide 12.
  • tuner drive shaft 22 extending beyond clutch 31 is provided with a friction wheel 33.
  • a lever 35 is pivoted on frame portion lla about a pivot P having an axis extending generally parallel to the axis of wheel 33.
  • a pair of solenoids 36 and 37 are coupled with the lever 35, through springs 41, 42, and are selectively energizable to rock lever 35 in one direction (L.H. arrow, FIG. 3) or the other direction (RH. arrow, FIG. 4) about its pivot P.
  • First and second drive wheel means 43 and 44 are concentrically journalled for rotation on frame 1 1a and are driven by a unidirectionally rotatable motor 45 through a worm 46 and worm gear teeth 47 on wheel means 43.
  • a pair of idler wheels 48 and 49 are mounted for rotation on lever 35, about parallel axes disposed to opposite sides of pivot P of the lever.
  • Idler wheel 48 includes a gear portion 48a continuously meshed with a flanged inner gear portion 43a of larger drive wheel means 43, and a friction tire portion 48b disposed in the plane of tuner wheel 33.
  • Idler wheel 49- includes a gear portion 490 continuously meshed with a gear portion 44a of small wheel 44, and a friction tire portion 49b disposed in the plane of tuner wheel 33.
  • Wheel means 43, 44, idler wheels 48, 49, tuner wheel 33, and lever 35 are so cooperably disposed that when lever 35 is rocked in one direction (left hand arrow, FIG. 3) from its rest, or neutral, position as shown in FIG. 2, tire portion 49b of idler wheel 49 is moved into frictional driving engagement with tuner wheel 33 in provision of low speed tuning drive, and when lever 35 is rocked in the other direction (right hand arrow, FIG. 4) tire portion 48a of idler wheel 48 is moved into frictional driving engagement with tuner wheel 33 in provision of high speed repositioning.
  • Neutral position of lever 35 is maintained by opposed coil springs 38, 39, connected between frame 11a and an arm on lever 35 as is best seen in FIG. 2.
  • anelectrically grounded limit switch arm 51 is affixed to tuner shaft 22 for rotation therewith.
  • the tuner shaft 22 and switch arm 51 are rotatable through an angle of about 270 in the course of full scale tuning, i.e., movement of pointer L from one end of the dial M to the other (FIG. 1).
  • Switch arm 51 is electrically engageable, at either end of its rotational travel, with a corresponding one of switch contacts 52 and 53 carried by and insulated from frame Ila.
  • clutch lever 30 is actuatable, in the search tuning mode to be described below, by plunger 54a of a solenoid 54 linked thereto through a pin-and-slot connection designated generally by the numeral 55 (FIG. 2).
  • one terminal of battery B is connected to a suitable ground, for example the frame of an automobile, and its other terminal is connected in series electrical circuit with a pushbutton switch 56, a relay switch 57, and one terminal of a relay coil 58, the other terminal of which is grounded.
  • a normallyopen relay switch 59 operated by relay coil 58 is disposed in parallel electrical circuit with pushbutton switch 56.
  • a second normally-open relay switch 60 operated by coil 58, and one terminal of drive motor 45, the other terminal of which is grounded.
  • Clutch solenoid 54 is disposed in parallel electrical circuit with motor 45.
  • a third normally-open relay switch 61 operated by coil 58 is connected to the receiver in known manner to serve as a muting switch.
  • a Power Flip Flop of conventional design has its inputs electrically connected to switch contacts 52 and 53 as shown, and its outputs are electrically connected,
  • lever actuating solenoids 36 and 37 having a common ground terminal.
  • manually operable switch 56 is closed momentarily by an operator, energizing relay coil 58 from battery B through normally closed relay switch 57.
  • Energization of relay coil 58 closes normally-open switches 59, 60, and 61.
  • Closure of switch 59 maintains energization, i.e., locks in, relay coil 58, and closure of switch 60 energizes motor and clutch solenoid 54, the latter operation disengaging manual tuning knob and shaft assembly 25.
  • Closure of switch 61 mutes the receiver.
  • limitswitch arm 51 will be in the region intermediate contacts 52 and 53, and the Power Flip Flop will be conditioned to energize tuning solenoid 36.
  • energization of solenoid 36 rocks lever 35 in a left-hand direction urging tire portion 49b of the rotating slow-speed idler wheel 49 into driving engagement with tuner friction drive wheel 33.
  • the tuner is operated up-scale until such time the Station Detector senses a strong signal, and operates to energize relay coil 62 and open relay switch 57. Opening of switch 57 de-energizes relay coil 58, thereby opening switches 59, 60, and 61.
  • the invention affords an improved search-tune drive mechanism featured by simplicity of construction and by capability of ready assembly with tuning mechanism of known design. While the invention has been disclosed in connection with an automotive AM receiver, it will be understood that it has utility also in connection with automotive AM-FM receivers.
  • radio receiving apparatus including adjustable means for tuning over a predetermined band of frequencies, improved drive means for moving said tuning means at a relatively slow rate for tuning in one direction of travel and at a relatively rapid rate for re positioning in the opposite direction, said drive means comprising: a unidirectionally rotatable motor; a lever; first and second solenoid means coupled with said lever, each selectively energizable to rock said lever in one or the other direction; first and second drive wheel means, of different diameters, driven by said motor;v
  • tuning means includes wheel means selectively engageable by said idler wheels to effect the recited movement of said tuning means.
  • Drive means according to claim 2, and further characterized by the inclusion of a worm driven by said motor, and a worm gear concentric with and coupled to said first and second drive wheel means, said worm gear being drivingly meshed with said worm, and in that said first and second drive wheel means are journalled for concentric rotation.
  • Drive means according to claim 4 and furthe characterized in that the recited driving engagements of said idler wheels with said first and second drive wheel means comprise meshed gear teeth provided on respective ones of the idler wheels and drive wheel means.
  • Drive means according to claim 5, and further characterized by the inclusion of a worm driven by said motor, and a worm gear on the radially outwardly facing surface of said peripheral flange on said first drive wheel means, said worm being drivingly meshed with said worm gearin provision of the recited drive of said first and second drive wheel means by said motor.
  • improved drive means for moving such a tuning means at a relatively slow rate for tuning in one direction of travel and at a relatively rapid rate for repositioning in the opposite direction, said drive means comprising: a unidirectionally rotatable motor; a lever; first and second solenoid means coupled with said lever, each selectively energizable to rock said lever in one or the other direction; first and second drive wheel means, of different diameters,
  • Drive means according to claim 8 and further characterized in that the recited driving engagements of said idler wheels with said first and second drive wheel means comprise meshed gear teeth provided on respective ones of the idler wheels and drive wheel means.
  • Drive means according to claim 9, and further characterized by the inclusion of a worm driven by said motor, and a worm gear on the radially outwardly facing surface of said peripheral flange on said first drive wheel .means, said worm being drivingly meshed with said worm gear in provision of the recited drive of said first and second drive wheel means by said motor.

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US00436794A 1974-01-25 1974-01-25 Motorized radio search tuner Expired - Lifetime US3852691A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00436794A US3852691A (en) 1974-01-25 1974-01-25 Motorized radio search tuner
CA212,683A CA1020675A (en) 1974-01-25 1974-10-30 Motor driven search tuner
BR10940/74A BR7410940A (pt) 1974-01-25 1974-12-30 Mecanismo de acionamento aperfeicoado para aparelho sintonizador de radio-receptor
AR257379A AR208688A1 (es) 1974-01-25 1975-01-22 Mejoras en un aparato sintonizador de receptor de radio

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US00436794A US3852691A (en) 1974-01-25 1974-01-25 Motorized radio search tuner

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US3852691A true US3852691A (en) 1974-12-03

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US00436794A Expired - Lifetime US3852691A (en) 1974-01-25 1974-01-25 Motorized radio search tuner

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US (1) US3852691A (es)
AR (1) AR208688A1 (es)
BR (1) BR7410940A (es)
CA (1) CA1020675A (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4555958A (en) * 1984-07-09 1985-12-03 Ford Motor Company Flip-down pushbutton end caps for a radio tuner

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2751503A (en) * 1952-02-27 1956-06-19 Gen Motors Corp Solenoid powered tuner
US2852944A (en) * 1956-03-09 1958-09-23 Gen Motors Corp Combined signal seeking push button and manual tuner
US2924980A (en) * 1958-02-04 1960-02-16 Gen Motors Corp Means for tuning a radio receiver
US2996612A (en) * 1953-07-13 1961-08-15 Gen Motors Corp Stop-on-signal radio tuning means
US3745469A (en) * 1971-06-28 1973-07-10 Motorola Inc Automatic tuning apparatus for a radio receiver

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2751503A (en) * 1952-02-27 1956-06-19 Gen Motors Corp Solenoid powered tuner
US2996612A (en) * 1953-07-13 1961-08-15 Gen Motors Corp Stop-on-signal radio tuning means
US2852944A (en) * 1956-03-09 1958-09-23 Gen Motors Corp Combined signal seeking push button and manual tuner
US2924980A (en) * 1958-02-04 1960-02-16 Gen Motors Corp Means for tuning a radio receiver
US3745469A (en) * 1971-06-28 1973-07-10 Motorola Inc Automatic tuning apparatus for a radio receiver

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4555958A (en) * 1984-07-09 1985-12-03 Ford Motor Company Flip-down pushbutton end caps for a radio tuner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR208688A1 (es) 1977-02-28
BR7410940A (pt) 1975-12-02
CA1020675A (en) 1977-11-08

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A CORP. OF DE, DELAWARE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FORD AEROSPACE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005377/0188

Effective date: 19900612