JP3609955B2 - Contact mechanism of an alarm clock - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a contact mechanism for an hour clock that generates a code signal at every hour hour applied to an hour clock that performs an hour hour operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The time clock has a contact mechanism for generating a code signal corresponding to each time of the hour in order to perform a time action at every hour.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional contact mechanism.
In FIG. 10, the contact mechanism is disposed opposite to the hour hitting wheel 203 provided rotatably around the support shaft 202 a of the lower plate 202, the contact plate 204 fixed on the hour hitting wheel 203, and the contact plate 204. Substrate 207.
The hour driving wheel 203 has a gear 203a and meshes with an hour hand wheel (not shown). The hour driving wheel 203 is also rotated by the rotation of the hour hand wheel and rotates once in 12 hours.
[0003]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the contact plate 204 and the electrode pattern formed on the substrate 207.
As shown in FIG. 11, on the substrate 207, electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are formed on concentric circles at different radial positions around the circular electrode pattern Pe.
The electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in correspondence with code signals that represent each hour.
The contact plate 204 has arm-shaped contact portions 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d and 204e corresponding to the positions where the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd and Pe are formed.
Each contact portion 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, 204 d and 204 e is bent with respect to the electrode pattern forming surface of the substrate 207 and is in contact with the electrode pattern forming surface of the substrate 207.
When the hour driving wheel 203 rotates with the passage of time, the contact portions 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d slide on the electrode pattern forming surface of the substrate 207. The electrode pattern for the code signal corresponding to the time and time comes into contact. The contact portion 204e is always in conduction with the circular electrode pattern Pe.
[0004]
Therefore, 12 types of hour from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock are detected by detecting the conduction / non-conduction state between the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc and Pd and the contact portions 204a, 204b, 204c and 204d by a circuit (not shown). A code signal composed of 4-bit data can be obtained. This code signal is output for about 10 minutes before and after the hour, for example.
The hour clock further includes another contact mechanism that is driven by a cam provided on the minute hand wheel and that conducts at every hour, for example, by detecting the conduction of the contact mechanism and detecting the code signal. Outputs a warning sound or melody corresponding to the time.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the contact mechanism described above, in order to stabilize the contact state between the contact portions 204a to 204e of the contact plate 204 and the electrode patterns Pa to Pe formed on the substrate 207, the contact portions 204a to 204e and the electrode patterns Pa to Pe are stabilized. For example, a gold clad or gold plating finish is applied, or, for example, a slit is formed along the longitudinal direction from the tip of each contact portion 204a to 204e, and each contact portion 204a to 204e is formed as a double contact structure. 204a-204e is made into the structure which contacts each electrode pattern Pa-Pe reliably.
However, in the contact mechanism described above, the contact plate 204 rotates while the contact portions 204a to 204e slide on the substrate 207, so that the finished surfaces of the contact portions 204a to 204e and the electrode patterns Pa to Pe wear. For this reason, there is a disadvantage in that it is necessary to finish the gold clad and gold plating finish thickly, resulting in high cost.
In addition, since each of the contact portions 204a to 204e slides on the substrate 207, if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the sliding portions of the contact portions 204a to 204e, conduction failure may occur.
On the other hand, in the double contact structure of each contact portion 204a to 204e, a slit is formed by pressing with a mold. However, since the width of the slit is relatively narrow, each contact portion 204a to 204e has a problem in strength of the mold. It is difficult to form a slit having a sufficient length in the longitudinal direction, and the effect of the double contact structure may not be sufficiently exhibited.
In addition, when the hour driving wheel 203 and the hour hand wheel are reduced in size, it is necessary to narrow the interval between the contact portions 204a to 204e, and the condition in the double contact structure becomes worse.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, can suppress contact wear, can maintain a good contact state between the electrode pattern and the contact, and can easily cope with downsizing. An object of the present invention is to provide a contact mechanism for an alarm clock.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a substrate on which an electrode pattern is formed, a contact plate that is formed of a conductive material, is formed in a comb-like shape, and includes a contact portion that can be independently contacted with the electrode pattern; A holding arm having a driven portion that holds the contact portion in the longitudinal direction from the back surface side of the contact plate and protrudes to the opposite side of the holding side of the contact plate, and the contact of the holding arm The plate is disposed opposite to the holding side of the plate, is rotated with the passage of time around a predetermined axis, and engages with a follower of the holding arm on a surface facing the holding arm, and A rotating body having a plurality of engaging portions arranged at positions corresponding to the respective times to push up the driven portion toward the substrate side, and depending on whether the contact portion and the electrode pattern are in contact or not in contact with each other at that time Generate the corresponding code signal
[0009]
In the present invention, the rotating body rotates with the passage of time, and the engaging portion of the rotating body engages with the driven portion of the holding arm.
As a result, the holding arm bends and is pushed up toward the substrate side, and the contact portion of the contact plate held by the holding arm moves toward the substrate and comes into contact with the electrode pattern formed on the substrate.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a contact mechanism of an alarm clock according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
1 to 4, the contact mechanism according to the present embodiment includes an hour driving wheel 2, a holding member 6, a contact plate 10, and a substrate 15.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, the hour driving wheel 2 is rotatably provided on a shaft portion 65a formed on the lower plate 65, and a gear 2f is formed on the outer periphery. The gear 2 f of the hour driving wheel 2 meshes with an hour hand wheel 53 held by a center screw 65 d press-fitted and fixed to the lower plate 65.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, engaging portions 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are formed on the upper surface 2 g of the hour driving wheel 2.
The engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are formed on concentric circles having different radii around the center hole 2h fitted and inserted into the shaft portion 65a of the lower plate 65, and the engaging portion 2a is formed on the outermost periphery. The engaging portions 2d and 2b are formed in this order, and the engaging portion 2c is formed on the innermost periphery.
In FIG. 5, a single engaging portion 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d is shown, but in actuality, each engaging portion 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d is arranged in accordance with the code signal in the circumferential direction. A plurality of each is formed.
Each of the engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is formed in a convex portion having a triangular cross section.
[0012]
The holding member 6 is formed of, for example, an insulating material such as plastic, and as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion hole 6f is formed near the center, and the insertion holes 6h are formed at two places on the right side of the drawing. The insertion holes 6j are formed in two places on the left side of the drawing.
As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft portion 65a formed on the lower plate 65 is fitted and inserted into the insertion hole 6f of the holding member 6, and the lower plate is inserted into the insertion holes 6h and 6j as shown in FIG. Boss portions 65 b and 65 c formed on 65 are respectively fitted and inserted, and the holding member 6 is fixed on the lower plate 65.
[0013]
The holding member 6 has four holding arm portions 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d. At the tip of each holding arm portion 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, driven portions 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d is formed.
The four holding arm portions 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are flexible, and the driven portions 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are connected to each of the hourly hitting vehicles 2, as shown in FIG. The joint portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are located on the respective circumferences where they are formed.
The driven portions 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are formed in a shape protruding from the upper and lower surfaces of the holding arm portions 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d as shown in FIGS. The engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d can be engaged with each other.
Further, by adjusting the shapes of the driven portions 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d and the engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, the driven portions 8a by engagement with the engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, The push-up amount and push-up timing of 8b, 8c and 8d can be arbitrarily adjusted.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate 15 has insertion holes 15j formed at two positions on the left side of the drawing, and insertion holes 15f formed near the center. As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft 65a formed on the lower plate 65 is fitted and inserted into the insertion hole 15f, and a boss formed on the lower plate 65 is inserted into the insertion hole 15j as shown in FIG. The portion 65 c is fitted and inserted, and the substrate 15 is placed on the holding member 6.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the top surface of the rib 61 a of the cover member 61 is in contact with the upper surface of the substrate 15, and the substrate 15 is held by the lower plate 65 and the cover member 61.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the substrate 15 has a plurality of electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd and Pe formed on the surface facing the contact plate 10, and the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd and Pe are formed on the surface. Is connected to a wiring pattern L. The wiring pattern L is connected to a circuit (not shown).
[0016]
The contact plate 10 is made of a conductive material such as a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion hole 10f is formed near the center, and the insertion holes 10j are formed at two places on the left side of the drawing. Has been. As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft portion 65a formed in the lower plate 65 is fitted and inserted into the insertion hole 10f, and a boss formed in the lower plate 65 is inserted into the insertion hole 10j as shown in FIG. The portion 65 c is fitted and inserted, and the contact plate 10 is held on the holding member 6.
The contact plate 10 has a plurality of convex portions 10k protruding from the surface of the contact plate 10 at the same height, and the tips of the convex portions 10 are in contact with the electrode pattern forming surface of the substrate 15.
[0017]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact plate 10 has contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e formed in a comb shape.
Two contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are formed, and the contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tips of the contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are in positions where they can contact the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd formed on the substrate 15.
As shown in FIG. 2, the contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are formed on the back side by the driven portions 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d formed at the tips of the holding arm portions 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d of the holding member 6. Is retained from.
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the two contact portions 10e are bent toward the substrate 15 and are always in contact with the opposing electrode patterns Pe.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the driven portion 8c of the holding member 6 and the engaging portion 2c of the hour driving wheel 2 are not engaged, the electrode pattern formed on the tip portion of the contact portion 10c and the substrate 15 It is not in contact with Pc. The same applies to the other contact portions 10a, 10b, and 10d and the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, and Pd.
[0019]
Next, an example of the operation of the contact mechanism of the timepiece having the above configuration will be described.
The state of FIG. 3 above shows the state before the hour, and when the hour wheel 2 rotates by the rotation of the hour hand wheel 53 as time passes from such a state, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the engaging portion 2 c of the hour driving wheel 2 is engaged with the driven portion 8 c formed at the tip of the holding arm portion 7 c of the holding member 6, and the driven portion 8 c is pushed up toward the substrate 15.
[0020]
When the driven portion 8c is pushed up toward the substrate 15, the holding arm portion 7c is also bent toward the substrate 15 as shown in FIG.
At the same time, the two contact portions 10 c and 10 c of the contact plate 10 held on the upper portion of the driven portion 8 c are bent toward the substrate 15. As a result, the tip portions of the two contact portions 10 c and 10 c come into contact with the electrode pattern Pc formed at the position facing the substrate 15.
The other contact portions 10a, 10b, and 10d are brought into contact with the electrode patterns Pa, Pb, and Pd by the same operation.
Further, the engaging portions 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d of the hour driving wheel 2 are formed in an array corresponding to the code signal at every hour on the hour, whereby the electrode patterns Pa to Pe are routed through the wiring pattern L. Thus, a code signal corresponding to the hour on the hour can be generated by the connected circuit.
[0021]
Furthermore, the shapes of the driven portions 8a to 8d of the holding member 6 and the engaging portions 2a to 2d of the hourly driving wheel 2 can be adjusted so that the push-up amounts and push-up timings of the driven portions 8a to 8d can be arbitrarily adjusted. It is possible to adjust the contact pressure and conduction time between the contact portions 10a to 10d and the electrode patterns Pa to Pd to some extent.
For example, by adjusting the shapes of the driven portions 8a to 8d of the holding member 6 and the engaging portions 2a to 2d of the hour driving wheel 2, the contact portions 10a to 10d and the electrode patterns for about 10 minutes before and after the hour. Pa to Pd are made conductive, and the code signal can be continuously generated during this period.
[0022]
Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the contact mechanism described above, a contact mechanism that conducts at every hour by a cam formed on the minute hand wheel 56 is provided. It is possible to generate a melody or time signal according to the time.
[0023]
As described above, according to the contact mechanism of the timepiece clock according to the present embodiment, the contact portions 10a to 10d of the contact plate 10 slide relative to the electrode patterns Pa to Pd formed on the substrate 15. However, since contact is made by pressing by the engaging portions 2a to 2d of the hour hitting vehicle 2, wear of the contact portions 10a to 10d can be significantly suppressed, and reliability as a contact point is greatly improved. Can do.
Further, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the gold plating process applied to the surfaces of the contact portions 10a to 10d, and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, since each of the contact portions 10a to 10d and the electrode patterns Pa to Pe are formed in two and are held by the driven portions 8a to 8d of the holding member 6, a complete double contact structure can be obtained. Yes, even if a contact failure occurs between one of the two contact portions 10a to 10d and the electrode pattern, the other contact portion can be in contact with the electrode pattern. It can be further increased.
[0024]
Further, for example, even if the hour hand wheel 53 is reduced in diameter and the distance between the centers of the hour wheel 2 and the center is reduced, the two contact portions 10a to 10d are formed by the driven portions 8a to 8d of the holding member 6. Since it is held, a double contact structure can be easily adopted.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the contact portion does not slide with respect to the electrode pattern, the wear of the contact can be suppressed, the contact state between the electrode pattern and the contact can be kept good, and the reliability of the contact is improved. Can do.
In addition, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to rotate the contact plate, it is possible to easily cope with the downsizing of the gear.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the contact plate is not rotated and is held by the holding arm, it is easy to divide the contact portion along the longitudinal direction and adopt a double contact structure.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the contact portion does not slide with respect to the electrode pattern, it is not necessary to thicken the gold plating process or the like applied to the surface of the contact portion, and the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a contact mechanism of an alarm clock according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of line CC in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the hour driving vehicle.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a structure of a holding member.
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a substrate.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a structure of a contact plate.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which the engaging portion of the hourly driving vehicle and the driven portion of the holding arm portion are engaged.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional contact mechanism.
11 is a perspective view showing a relationship between an electrode pattern and a contact plate in the contact mechanism of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 ... hour driving wheel 6 ... holding members 7a-7d ... holding arm portions 8a-8d ... driven portion 10 ... contact plate 10a-10e ... contact portion 15 ... substrate Pa-Pe ... electrode pattern

Claims (1)

A substrate on which an electrode pattern is formed;
A contact plate that is formed of a conductive material and has a contact portion that is formed in a comb-like shape and is arranged so as to be independently contactable with the electrode pattern;
A holding arm having flexibility, holding the contact portion in the longitudinal direction from the back surface side of the contact plate, and having a driven portion projecting to the opposite side of the holding side of the contact plate;
The holding arm is disposed opposite to the holding side of the contact plate, is rotated with the passage of time about a predetermined axis, and is driven on the surface facing the holding arm. And a rotating body having a plurality of engaging portions arranged at positions corresponding to each time, and pushing the driven portion toward the substrate side.
A contact mechanism of an alarm clock that generates a code signal corresponding to the time according to a contact state or a non-contact state between the contact portion and the electrode pattern.

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