US3589600A - Electromagnetic counter with switching means - Google Patents

Abstract

An electromagnetic counter of repeated operations provided with switching means for performing after a predetermined number of operations a certain action. A ratchet wheel with pawl means, with an oscillating crank arm actuated by an electromagnet is provided which transmits to the ratchet wheel the movement by way of a pawl. A circular plate with a radial slot is connected with the ratchet wheel cooperating with a bolt actuating a switch which for instance disconnects a supply circuit after a predetermined number of operations.

Description

United States Patent [72) Inventors Bohuslav Vavrinec;

Frantisck Jagos, both of Prague, Czechoslovakia Mar. 27, 1970 June 29, 1971 Tesla, narodni poduik Prague. Czechoslovakia [21 1 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73.] Assignec [54] ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTER WITH SWITCHING MEANS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI 235/132 [51] 1nt.C1 t G061 15/18 [50] Field of Search 235/91 M,

132; 200/38 D, 38 DA; 235/91 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,528 10/1934 Anderson 235/132 X 2,030,988 2/1936 Hofstetter 235/132 X 2,266,862 12/1941 Hardey 235/132 2,406,726 8/1946 Weimont 235/132 2,868,456 1/1959 King 235/132 2,917,939 12/1959 200/38 X 3,035,190 5/1962 Hughes 200/38 X Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerStanley A. Wal Attorneys-Richard Low and Murray Schaffer ABSTRACT: An electromagnetic counter of repeated operations provided with switching means for performing after a predetermined number of operations a certain action. A ratchet wheel with pawl means, with an oscillating crank arm actuated by an electromagnet is provided which transmits to the ratchet wheel the movement by way of a pawl. A circular plate with a radial slot is connected with the ratchet wheel cooperating with a bolt actuating a switch which for instance disconnects a supply circuit after a predetermined number of operations.

PATENTEDJUNZSIBH 3,589,600

sum u 0F 4 fioH V VHVR/NEC ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTER WITH SWITCHING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION means for automatic disconnecting the drive of the winding machine after a preselected number of turns has been wound. So far they are provided with similar means, they use relatively complicated elements so that their application with smaller units such as coil winding machines of miniature cores is questionable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a counter of repeated operation, where the number of these operations could be preselected.

It is another object of this invention to provide a counter, which would be simple in operation and in design and which could be easily mounted on a panel of the machine where it is applied. i

The counter according to this invention uses a ratchet wheel with pawls performing a step-by-step movement derived from an oscillating crank arm actuated at each counted operation by an electromagnet. A plate with a radial slot is fixed to the ratchet wheel, with a bolt, sliding along the surface of this disc until it reaches this slot to actuate a switch by entering this slot. The counter is adjusted by turning the ratchet wheel with the plate to a position corresponding to the number of required operations prior to start these operations.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An exemplary embodiment of the object of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where FIG. 1 is a top view of the counter with parts in section along the line 1-1 in FIG. 2.

FIG. la is a detailed side view of a slot of the circular plate.

FIG. 2 a side view with parts in section along the line 11-11 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a detailed view of the catch.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A main frame 1, preferably of U shape, is fixed by means of an auxiliary frame 4 of the flange type to a panel 29 supporting the machine with which the counter is cooperating, in the case given with a coil winding machine. A shaft 5 provided with a collar 30 is passing through the auxiliary frame 4, the collar 30 resting with its upper face against the lower extremity of the flange type auxiliary frame 4, whereby the position of the shaft 5 is secured in the upper part of the auxiliary frame 4 by a snap ring 28 engaging into an annular groove of the shaft 5. On the lower part of the shaft 5 below the collar 30 is fixed a ratchet wheel 6 with its hub extending in both directions; A circular plate 7 with a radial slot 14 is fixed on the upper part of the hub of the ratchet wheel 6 facing the collar 30 of the shaft 5, in close contact with the upper surface of the ratchet wheel 6. The radial slot 14 is on one side limited by an inclined wall, on the other side with a steep wall as shown in detail in FIG. 1a. A bolt 15 actuating contacts 17 of a switch is adapted to slide on the upper surface of the circular plate 7, to drop into the radial slot 14 and to be again lifted by the inclined wall to the upper surface of the circular plate 7. A crank arm 8 supporting roller 22 secured by a snap ring 13 and in addition a pawl 27 is freely rotatably mounted on the opposite part of the hub of the ratchet wheel 6. The movement of the armature 3 of an electromagnet 2 is transmitted via the roller 22 to the crank-arm 8, the oscillating motion of which causes by means of the pawl 27 the advance of the ratchet wheel 6. An extension 9 of the crank arm 8 passes through an opening of the lateral wall of the U-shaped frame 1 between regulating limiting screws 11, which are adjustable in stable nuts 10. The regulating limiting screws 11 determine the stroke of the ratchet wheel 6, the stop pawl 23 of which is mounted on a bolt 24 fixed to the frame. In order to improve the accuracy of the counter, the right regulating limiting screw 11 is replaced in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 by an angular stop 30. This stop 30 simultaneously presses the pawl 27 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 6 preventing thus any unwanted advance of the ratchet wheel 6 due to inertia. The position of the angular stop 30 with respect to the pawl 27 can be adjusted within the width of the longitudinal slots for its fastening screws. The axial clearance of the crank arm 8 on the hub of the ratchet wheel 6 is determined by a fastening plate 16. The band-shaped contact springs of a changeover contact unit 17 are mounted on the U-shaped main frame 1 on the opposite side of the shaft of the ratchet wheel 6 than the electromagnet 2. A control knob 19 is fixed by a bolt 20 on the shaft 5 above the snap ring 28. A scale 18 is below the control knob 19, the number of index lines being equal to the number of teeth of the ratchet wheel 6. The scale 18 for the counter can be directly engraved on the panel of the respective machine, for instance of the coil winding machine or it can be independent, whereby it is centered on the hub of the flange-shaped auxiliary frame 4 and is fixed to the panel for instance by some adhesive or by screws. A setscrew 25 for the adjustment of the extreme position of the armature 3 of the electromagnet 2 with a safety nut 26 is provided on the lateral wall of the main frame 1 opposite to the armature 3'. A bolt 12 is fixed on the same wall of the main frame supporting one end of a spring 21, the other end of which is fixed on the crank arm 8.

An electric impulse supplied to the electromagnet 2 causes the attraction of its armature 3, which by pressure against the roller 22 forces the crank arm 8 back against the force of the pull spring 21 to the extreme left position determined by the left limiting screw 11. The pawl 27 forced into engagement with the ratchet wheel 6 by a spring, slides in the course of this movement of the crank arm 8 along the teeth of the ratchet wheel, whereby the ratchet wheel remains stable, as it is secured against rear movement permanently by the stop pawl 23. After the electromagnet becomes deenergized, the crank arm 8 is returned into its original position by the force of the spring 21 until it strikes the right limiting screw 11, whereby the pawl 27 takes along the ratchet wheel 6 and the stop pawl 23 slides thereby over the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The zero position of the scale corresponds to the position of the circular plate 7, where the control bolt 15 of the contact unit 17 just enters the slot portion 14 of the circular plate 7.

In FIG. 3, showing a more detailed view of the counter, the limiting screw 11 for the right extreme position of the crank arm 8 is replaced by an angular stop 30, against which the face of the pawl 27 rests due to pressure of the spring 21 so that not only the crank arm 8 but also the ratchet wheel 6 is secured against unwelcomed overtravel due to inertia.

Prior to operation, the position of the ratchet wheel 6 is first adjusted to the required number of turns indicated on the scale 18 by turning the knob 19 to the left, whereby the pawl 23 jumps over the teeth of the ratchet wheel and the bolt 15 can slide over the inclined edge of the slot 14 to remain on the upper surface of the circular plate 7, where it causes the closing of contacts of the contact unit 17 which prepare the circuit for driving the coil winding machine. The pawl 27 is in the course of this adjustment raised out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 6 by energizing the electromagnet 2 for instance by a pushbutton. After starting this machine, the electromagnet 2 receives at each turn wound on the core of the coil an impulse, the armature 3 of the electromagnet 2 is attracted and causes via the roller 22 a turning of the crank arm 8 to the left until its extension 9 strikes the left limiting screw 11. The

pawl 27 slides thereby over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 6, which remains stationary due to the action of the stop pawl 23. As soon as the electromagnet 2 becomes deenergized, the spring 2! pulls the crank arm 8 back until its extension 9 strikes the right limiting screw 11 whereby the pawl 27 takes along the ratchet wheel 6. This operation is repeated, whereby the bolt 15 slides on the upper surface of the circular plate 7.

, As soon as the bolt 15 reaches the steep edge of the slot 14 it drops on the surface of the ratchet wheel 6 and cuts out the driving circuit of the coil winding machine by opening the contacts 17 and the machine comes to a stop.

The electromagnetic counter according to this invention enables an easy and simple adjustment of the required number of turns to be wound by a single control knob, whereby the further operation is quite automatic and after the preselected number of turns is wound, the winding machine is automatically stopped.

We claim:

1. An electromagnetic counter with switching means reacting automatically after a predetermined number of operations has taken place comprising:

a frame,

a shaft supported by said frame,

a ratchet means mounted rotatably on said shalt,

an actuator means adapted to perform an oscillating movement around the axis of said shaft,

adjustable stop means to determine both extreme positions of said actuator means,

biasing means urging said actuator means into the first as treme position,

electromagnetic means urging said actuator means against said biasing force into the second extreme position,

first stationary pawl means allowing unidirectional movement of the ratchet means,

second pawl means mounted on said actuator means to cause incremental movement of the ratchet means,

plate means with a radial slot fixed to said ratchet means,

actuating switch means adapted to slide along the surface of said plate means,

a scale means on said frame, and

a control knob fixed on said shaft cooperating with said scale means.

2. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means to determiner said first extreme position of said crank arm engages said second pawl means and urges said second pawl means into engagement with said ratchet wheel.

3. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 provided with additional switching means to energize the'electromagnetic means for urging the crank arm into its extreme position against the spring force.

4. And electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate means is circular and said actuating switch means comprises a bolt, said radial slot having an inclined radial edge forming a track for said bolt, said track being inclined to raise said bolt, from said slot to the surface of said circular plate means on movement thereof.

Claims (4)

1. An electromagnetic counter with switching means reacting automatically after a predetermined number of operations has taken place comprising: a frame, a shaft supported by said frame, a ratchet means mounted rotatably on said shaft, an actuator means adapted to perform an oscillating movement around the axis of said shaft, adjustable stop means to determine both extreme positions of said actuator means, biasing means urging said actuator means into the first extreme position, electromagnetic means urging said actuator means against said biasing force into the second extreme position, first stationary pawl means allowing unidirectional movement of the ratchet means, second pawl means mounted on said actuator means to cause incremental movement of the ratchet means, plate means with a radial slot fixed to said ratchet means, actuating switch means adapted to slide along the surface of said plate means, a scale means on said frame, and a control knob fixed on said shaft cooperating with said scale means.

2. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means to determiner said first extreme position of said crank arm engages said second pawl means and urges said second pawl means into engagement with said ratchet wheel.

3. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 provided with additional switching means to energize the electromagnetic means for urging the crank arm into its extreme position against the spring force.

4. And electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate means is circular and said actuating switch means comprises a bolt, said radial slot having an inclined radial edge forming a track for said bolt, said track being inclined to raise said bolt, from said slot to the surface of said circular plate means on movement thereof.

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