WO1984003981A1

WO1984003981A1 - Method for use primarily at information panels and arrangement for carrying out the method

Info

Publication number: WO1984003981A1
Application number: PCT/SE1984/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Otto Bruhn
Original assignee: Otto Bruhn
Priority date: 1983-03-30
Filing date: 1984-03-26
Publication date: 1984-10-11
Also published as: SE8301818D0; GB8429614D0; GB2147727A; EP0142521A1; DE3490160T1; SE448792B; JPS60500977A; SE8301818L

Abstract

A method of producing indication points (10) or the like primarily at information panels or the like, where each point (10) is produced by an individually actuated indication element (11), which in a predetermined way assumes a state of indication (9) constituting one of at least two different states (9, 9'), and where signs, such as letters or the like, are formed in that predetermined elements of a panel assume said indication state. The method according to the invention is especially characterized in that an indication point (10) on the panel is produced in that an indication plate (11) or the like is transferred to a predetermined position (9) on the panel (1, 4) from a corresponding position (9'), which at least at the transfer is located adjacent the position (9) on the panel (1, 4), on a plate magazine (5, 6) corresponding to the panel (1, 4), or vice versa, by at least one electromagnetic (12, 13), pneumatic or mechanical device and is retained in said position (9, 9'), for example, by magnetic devices (17, 1, 5). The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Description

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1

Method for use primarily at information panels and arrangement for carrying out the method

This invention relates to a method of producing indic¬ ation points primarily at information panels or the like, where each point is produced by an individually actuated indication element, which in a predetermined way assumes a state of indication constituting one of at least: two different sτates, and signs are formed in that predeterm¬ ined elements of a panel assume said state of indication. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carry¬ ing out the method.

Methods and arrangements for the aforesaid purposes are known previously. Arrangements, for example, are known where each individual indication point consists of a light source. Mechanical arrangements are also known where a certain predetermined indication is exposed by leafing through a bundle or the like of indications.

Known methods and arrangements are characterized in that they involve high costs and/or substantial maintenance demand. The dating-up speed, moreover, often is low.

The present invention relates to a method and an arrange¬ ment, by which at low cost an information panel or the like can be established which is very reliable in oper¬ ation and can be dated-up very rapidly. The present invention, thus, relates to a method of producing indication points or the like primarily at information panels or the like, where each point is produced by an individually actuated indication element, which in a predetermined way assumes a state of indicat- ion constituting one of at least two different states, and where signs,^' such as letters or the like, are form¬ ed, in that predetermined elements of a panel assume said state of indication.

OMPI The method is especially characterized, in that an indic¬ ation poin -is produced on.the- anel,in that an indicat¬ ion plate or the like is transferred to a predetermined position on the panel from a corresponding, position, which at least at the transfer is located adjacent the position on the panel, on a plate magazine corresponding to the panel, or vice versa, by at least one electro¬ magnetic, pneumatic or mechanical device and is retained in said position, for example, by magnetic devices. The invention also relates to an arrangement for produc¬ ing indication points or the like primarily at inform¬ ation panels or the like, where each point is intended to be produced by an individually actuated indication element capable in a predetermined way to assume a state of indication constituting one of at least two different states, and signs, such as letters, are intended to be formed in that predetermined elements of a panel assume said state of indication, and devices for predetermined actuation of said elements are provided. The arrangement is especially characterized in that each indication point on the panel is intended to be produced by an indication plate or the like, which by at least one electromagnetic, pneumatic or mechanical device is capable to be transferred to a predetermined position on the panel from a corresponding position, which at least at the transfer is located adjacent the position on the panel, on a plate magazine corresponding to the panel, or vice versa, and at said positions devices for retaining the plate are provided. The invention is described in greater detail in the foll¬ owing, with reference to an embodiment thereof and to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a schemat¬ ically shown section A-A according to Fig. 2 through a first embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a view of the arrangement according to F g. 1 seen from ■below in Fig.l, Fig- 5 is a section corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 1 where an arrangement according to the invention for producing an indication point is shown in greater detail, Fig. -4 shows an indication point according to Fig. 3, seen in the way it is intended to be observed on the panel, Fig. 5 shows schematically a perforated position for an indication plate according to the invention seen by way of a section corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 shows schematic¬ ally an embodiment where compartments for retaining an indication plate are provided.

In Fig. 1 the numeral 1 designates a first endless driv¬ en strip running over end rolls 2 and constituting the informing part of the arrangement, the panel, of which strip two parallel webs 3,*+ are formed, one 3 of which is intended to be observed, and the second one <-*. is in¬ tended to run synchronous along a corresponding web β of a second strip 5 arranged in a corresponding manner to strip 1, which second strip 5 by means of end rolls 2 forms two parallel webs 6,7 and constitutes a magazine for indication plates, which will be dealt with below.

Each strip 1,5 comprises a two-dimensional grid of well- defined positions for information points 9 and, respect¬ ively, 9' preferably rows of .poiitions 9 arranged along and across the strip. Each indication point 10 on the panel 1, marked black in Fig. 2, is intended to be produced by a permanent ferro -agnetic indication plate 11 or the like, as shown schematically in Fig. 1 and in greater detail in Fig. 3. Said plate 11 is capable, by means of at least one electromagnet 12,13 of a suitable kind comprising a coil I**-, and iron core 15, to be transferred to a predetermined position 9 on the panel^" 1 from a corresponding position 9' on the plate magazine 5, or vice versa. The electromagnets 12,13 are arranged at a dating-up ^'position 16, in such a manner, that two rows of magnets 12 and, respectively, 13 run

OMPI in the width direction of the strip 1,5, and one magnet is located at each position 9 and, respectively, 9' nd on the remote side 1' and, respectively, 5' of the strip in relation to said positions. It is imaginable to use only one row of electromagnets 12,13. The panel 1 and magazine 5 comprise portions of ferromagnetic material whereby the plate 11 is retained in said position 9,9'. The strips 1,5 are made, for example, of a suitable steel. The permanent erromagnetic portion 17 of the plate 11 is polarized so that its two sides 18,19 in parallel with the plane of the plate have different polarity.

At the embodiment, shown in Fig. 3, each position 9,9' is defined by a holder 20, which is provided with an edge and located at the strip 1,5. The plate 11 has a configuration corresponding to the holder 20, so that movement of the plate in parallel with its plane is pre¬ vented. The holder preferably is of flexible plastic, and the plate is given a suitable configuration by means of a casing 21 preferably of plastic enclosing the portion 17-

Between the portion 17 and the portions of ferromagnetic material, the strip, preferably a gap is formed to fac¬ ilitate the removal of the plate 11 from the ferromagn- etic portion. The gap is formed according to Fig. 3 by the holder 20 and parts of the casing 21.

An indication point can be produced either by a plate 11 being in a position 9 on the panel 1 or by the abs¬ ence of the plate in said position. It is also possible to imagine embodiments, Fig. 5, where each position comprises an aperture 22, and the web 3 intended to be observed is. lightened up from beh¬ ind, marked by the lamp 23, whereby an indication point is brought about in that there is a plate 11 covering

OMPI the aperture 22, or that there is no plate and the apert¬ ure remains open.

Embodiments can also be imagined where only two webs •-.,6, strip portions or the like in parallel with each other are provided, as shown in Fig. 3, which webs are stationary, and only one web <-*. constitutes a panel, and the second web 5 constitutes a magazine, and where the panel is to be observed from below in Fig. 3. Here are only magnets 13 provided which are located on a ramp extending across the web 6 and movable in a suitable way along the web β, whereby the panel can be dated-up in that the plates either are attracted or repelled by the magnets and thereby assume a position on the magazine β and, respectively, on the panel 4. Each position on the panel comprises an aperture 22, as according to Fig. 5, which is intended to be covered or to remain open by means of a plate 11, whereby indication points can be produced by lightening up the panel 6 from behind, from within. Means of a substantially known type_}*,not shown; are provided, of course, for supplying information concern¬ ing desired "writing out" on the panel and for guiding the current to the coils of the magnets 12,13, so that a predetermined polarity prevails when a predetermined ^"position 9 , 9' moves past the magnet, or vice versa.

Embodiments can also be imagined where each plate 11 or the like is transferred to the panel from^" the magazine, or vice versa, in^' a way other than by electromagnets, for example pneumatically, in which case at least one compressed-air nozzle or the like is provided at each position 9,9', by which nozzle the plate can be blown in the direction away from the nozzle. It is also imag¬ inable that the plate is sucked in the direction to the nozzle. Even mechanical movement of each plate can be imagined, for example by control means operated electro- magnetically. It is also possible to imagine embodiments where each plate is not permanently ferromagnetic and retained in position 9,9' by means of portions of ferromagnetic mat¬ erial of the panel and, respectively, magazine, but where, 5 instead, a compartment 2 or the like is provided at each position, and the plate is inserted into the compart¬ ment when it is transferred to the position comprising the compartment, and is removed out of the compartment when it is transferred from the position comprising the compart- lOment, as shown schematically in Fig. 6.

The method and the mode of operation of the arrangement according to the invention substantially should have become apparent from the aforesaid. At the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3, thus, an indication point is produced

15in that the magnetic plate 11 is transferred from the magazine to the panel, or vice versa, and by the direct¬ ion of the current in the coil of each electromagnet the polarity of the magnets is controlled so that by attract¬ ion and repulsion the plate is moved as desired. By succ-

ZOessively dating-up each row of positions 9,9' which extend in the width direction of the strips and corres¬ pond to each other, by means of the rows of electromagnets 12,13 when the rows of positions 9,9' synchronously move past the dating-up position 16, desired signs are produc-

25ed on the panel 1. The movement of the strips preferably is sensed, and after the entire strip length has been dated-up, the strips can continue to run without being affected by the magnets 12,13, whereby desired writing- out passes at equal intervals of time the web 3 of the

30panel 1 intended to be observed. Alternatively, after the dating-up of a certain strip length corresponding to the portion 3 intended to be observed, this strip length can be caused to stand still in "visible" position.

The mode of operation at strips or the like standing 35still and movable magnet ramp should be obvious in view of the above description.

OMPI As should have appeared from the aforesaid, the method and arrangement according to the invention render it possible to produce an information panel at. low cost, due to its simplicity combined with a very high operational reliability because of the absence of complicated mechan¬ ical or shining indication elements. The maintenance demand is low. Essential is also the high speed, at which dating-up can be carried out.

The invention has been described above with reference substantially to one embodiment. Of course, several embodiments and minor alterations can be imagined without abandoning the idea of the invention.

At the embodiment according to Fig. 1, for example, more dating-up positions with rows of magnets 12,13 can be provided adjacent the strips, whereby the dating-up speed can be increased.

The configuration, in which the strips 1,5 run, of course, can be varied within wide limits, with the accessory condition that the strips shall run synchronous along each other at least at said dating-up position.

The size of the plates 11, of course, can be varied within wide limits, which is an essential advantage of the method and arrangement according to the invention. The_ permanent ferromagnetic portion 17 can be substantially smaller than the plate.

It is also possible to imagine embodiments with stationary panel 4 and magazine 6, where an electromagnet or the like is provided at each position, plate position, instead of providing a movable ramp as described above. Embodiments can also be imagined which are simpler than the one shown in Fig. 3, for example substantially of the type as shown schematically in Figs. 1 and 2. The strips 1,5 can consist of very thin steel strips, e.g. 0,1 mm thick, which are entirely smooth and, thus, have no holder 20 or the like. The plates 11 can consist of thin discs containing permanent magnetic material in plastic, which discs consist of disc-shaped flexible mat¬ erial of the kind used for so-called decals and the like 5 intended to be attached on a ferromagnetic metallic surface. A very simple and inexpensive arrangement is hereby obtained.

The invention, thus, must not be regarded restricted to the embodiments referred to above, but can be varied ° within its scope defined in the attached claims.

-^~ IΪE

Claims

1. A method of producing indication points or the like primarily at information panels or the like, where each point is produced with an individually actuated indicat- 5 ion element, which in a predetermined way assumes an indication state constituting one of at least two differ¬ ent states, and where signs, such as letters or the like, are formed in that predetermined elements of a panel assume said indication state, c h a r a c t e r i z e d

10 i n that an indication point (10) on the panel is produced in that an indication plate (11) or the like is transferred to a predetermined position (9) on the panel (1,4) from a corresponding position (9'), which at least ar the transfer is located adjacent the position

15 (9) on the panel (l,!4),on a plate magazine (5,6) corres¬ ponding to the panel (1,4), or vice versa, by means of at least one electromagnetic (12,13), pneumatic or mech¬ anical device and is retained in said position (9,9'), for example, by magnetic devices (17,1,5).

202. A method as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that the plate (11) is permanent ferro¬ magnetic and is- transferred by at least one electromagn¬ et (12,13) and retained in said positions (9,9') by panel and, respectively, magazine portions (1,5) of

25 ferromagnetic material.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t¬ e r i z e d i n that the panel (1) consists of an endless driven strip (1) comprising a plurality of pre¬ determined plate positions (9), such as rows of plate 0 positions (9) running along and across the strip, that said magazine (5) consists of a- corresponding endless driven strip (5), that said strips (1,5) are caused to run synchronous adjacent each other at least at one dat-

OMPI ing-up position (16), and that each indication plate is caused at said dating-up position in a predetermined way to assume one of said positions (9,9') corresponding to each other of the panel (1) and, respectively, magazine 5 (5) by means of at least one of preferably two opposed electromagnets (12,13) or the like, one at each position (9,9') and on the remote side (l',5') of the strip (1,5).

4. A method as defined in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t ¬ e r i z e d i n that the panel (4) consists of a lOstationary strip portion (4) or the like located in par¬ allel with a corresponding stationary strip portion (6) or the like constituting a magazine (6), and that elect¬ romagnets (13) or the like are moved along the remote side (5') of the magazine (6), relative to the plates

15(11), for transferring plates (11) between said positi¬ ons (9,9').

5. A method as defined in claim 1,2,3 or 4, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d i n that an indication point (10) is produced in that a plate (11) either is in a position

20(9) on the panel (1,4) or is not in said position.

6. A method as defined in claim 1,2,3,4 or 5, c h a r- a c t e r i z e d i n that each position (9) on the panel (1,4) comprises an aperture (22), which is cover¬ ed or remains open by a plate (11), and that the panel

25is lightened up from behind, from within, whereby a dark and, respectively, lightened indication point (10) is produced.

7. An arrangement for producing indication points or the like primarily at information panels or the like, 0where each point is intended to be produced by an indiv¬ idually actuated indication element capable in a predeterm¬ ined way to assume a state of indication constituting one of at least two different states, and where signs, such as letters, are intended to be formed in that pre- determined elements of a panel assume said state of in¬ dication, and where devices are provided for actuating said elements in a predetermined way, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that each individual indication point (10) on the panel (1,4) is intended to be produced by an indication plate (11) or the like, which by at least ' one electromagnetic (12,13), pneumatic or mechanical device is capable t. be transferred to a predetermined position (9) on the panel (1,4) from a corresponding position (.9'), which at least at the transfer is locat¬ ed adjacent the position (9) on the panel (1,4), on a plate magazine (5,6) corresponding to the panel- (1,4), or vice versa, and that at said positions (9,9') devices (1,5) are located for retaining the plate (11).

8. An arrangement as defined in claim 7, c h r ¬ a c t e r i z e d i n that the plate (11) is perm¬ anent ferromagnetic and intended to be transferred betw¬ een said positions by at least one electromagnet (12, 13), and that the panel (1,4) and magazine (5,6) com- prise portions (1,5) of ferromagnetic material for ret¬ aining the plate (11).

9. An arrangement as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h r¬ a c t e r i z e d i n that the panel (1) consists of an endless driven strip (1) comprising a plurality of predetermined plate positions (9), that said magaz¬ ine (5) consists of a corresponding endless driven strip (5), and that said strips (1,5) are capable to run syn¬ chronous adjacent each other at least at a dating-up pos¬ ition (16), at which at least one but preferably two opposed electromagnets (12,13) or the like are located for transferring each plate (11) between said positions. (9,9' )-. one magnet at each position and on the remote side (l',5') of the strip (1,5) in relation to said position (9,9' ) .

10. An arrangement as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises two strip portions (4,6) or the like in parallel with each other, which are stationary, and one (4) of which is a panel (4), and the second one (6) is a plate magazine (6), and that a ramp extending across the magazine with electromagnets (13) or the like in positions correspond¬ ing to said plate positions (9,9') is provided, which ramp is movable in a suitable way along the remote side (5') of the magazine (6), in relation to the plates (11), for transferring plates (11) between the magazine (6) and panel (4) .

11. An arrangement as defined in claim 7,8,9 or 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each position (9) on the panel (1,4) comprises an aperture (22) intended to be covered or remain open by a plate (11), and that devices (23) are provided for lightening up the panel (1,4) from behind, from within, whereby a dark or light¬ ened indication point (10) can be produced.

12. An arrangement as defined in claim 7,8,9,10 or 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each position (9,9') is defined by a holder (20) provided with an edge, and that said plate (11) has a configuration corr¬ esponding to the holder (20), so that movement of the plate (11) in parallel with its main extension plane is prevented.

13. An arrangement as defined in claim 8,9,10,11 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that a gap is formed between the permanent ferromagnetic portion (17) of each plate (11) and. said portion of ferromagnetic material, for example by a casing (21) enclosing said portion (17), whereby the removal of the plate from the portion of ferromagnetic material is facilitated.

OMPI