JPH0116201Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Present Invention] The present invention relates to an integration counter suitable for being attached to a copying machine or the like.

[Prior art]

For example, in electrical equipment such as copying machines, machine tools, and other various equipment and devices, it is common practice to display numerical values such as the number of uses and operating hours of the equipment using an integrating counter. It plays an important role in determining usage costs, maintenance, and inspection timing.

By the way, the most important specification of this type of integration counter is that it should display a "0" value when the main device starts, and be able to start counting in response to the operation of the main device. In addition, in such integration counters, the zero return mechanism that is attached to normal counters is generally not used to prevent the consumer from intentionally or accidentally canceling the counted value during counting. .

For this reason, when the manufacturer that manufactures the above-mentioned integration counter delivers the counter to the manufacturer that manufactures the main equipment, the displayed value of this counter should be "99980" in the case of a 5-digit display, for example.
Generally, the remaining 20 counts are left for testing, inspection, etc. by the main equipment manufacturer. Therefore, the main equipment manufacturer would conduct a test using these 20 counts and hand the counter to the customer with the displayed value as "00000".

However, with this method, it is not only difficult for the counter manufacturer to manufacture and assemble the counter, but also makes it difficult to achieve automatic assembly.
Even the manufacturer of the main equipment had to set the value of each counter to "00000" for all the main equipment equipped with counters, which was a time-consuming process.

Therefore, even in this type of integration counter,
It is being considered to add a zero return mechanism, but
If such a return-to-zero mechanism is provided, it will be necessary to take measures such as installing a protective cover to prevent erroneous operation by personnel, which will require design changes on the main equipment side, and will also cause damage to the main equipment. There was a problem with the appearance being damaged.

Therefore, the present applicant provided an elastic engagement piece in the zero return button and engaged it with the highest digit number wheel, so that when the highest digit number wheel displayed a value other than a specific value (zero), the button would be in an inoperable state. We have already proposed a counter that maintains a constant value and makes it impossible to return to zero, but in such a counter, the elastic engagement piece easily breaks, and the elastic engagement piece directly presses down on the highest digit number wheel. If the zero return member is pushed in and a load is applied to the number wheel when the highest digit number wheel is operated to carry up (for example, when 099999 is displayed in a 6-digit display), the number wheel will not be able to rotate in steps, resulting in incorrect operation. There were structural problems, such as being unable to use it.

[Summary of the idea]

The present invention was made in view of these points, and in an integration counter equipped with a zero return mechanism,
A heart cam 35 and a zero return prevention protrusion 5 are mounted on the numeral axle 5 adjacent to the highest digit numeral wheel on the side.
0 and a spring 5 that biases this reset prevention member toward the frame side.
3, and a zero return member 26 which is movably supported on the frame and is provided with an engaging protrusion 60 corresponding to the zero return prevention protrusion, and which operates the zero return mechanism when pressed, Manufacturing a counter by allowing the zero return member to operate and perform zero return only at a predetermined position of the reset prevention member without the engagement protrusion and the zero return prevention protrusion engaging;
We provide an integration counter that simplifies the installation work, ensures a "0" start when starting the main equipment, and eliminates the problem of erroneous operation on the part of non-personnel. It is something to do.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the totalizing counter according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the inside of the counter, and Figs. 3 and 4 are a side sectional view and a longitudinal sectional front view of the inside. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part during the reset operation, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the reset prevention member. In these figures, the totalizing counter, designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1, has a cover 2 and a counter frame 3 integrally formed of synthetic resin, and the counter frame 3 has a number wheel, which will be described later, inside. electromagnet,
A zero return member and the like are fitted and housed in the cover 2. The counter frame 3 has a front side,
It is formed into a box shape with an open rear end on the upper surface and a front end on the lower surface, and a number axle 5 that rotatably supports a plurality of number wheels 6, for example, six number wheels 6, is supported between a pair of left and right frame side walls 3a, 3b. has been done. Each number car 6
(However, except for the lowest digit number car) there is a 5th mark on one side.
As shown in the figure, a segment gear 7 and a heart cam 8 are each integrally formed, while a pin gear 9 is also integrally formed on the outer periphery of the other side, and numbers from "0" to "9" are formed on the peripheral surface. is displayed in the circumferential direction. Incidentally, a segment gear 7 and a heart cam 8 are integrally formed on one side of the lowest digit number wheel 6, and a star wheel 10 is integrally formed on the other side. Between each number wheel 6, a plurality of pinions 12 are rotatably supported on pinion shafts 11 and mesh with segment gears 7 and pin gears 9 of each number wheel 6, thereby performing a digit feeding action of these number wheels 6. is mediated.

Further, an electromagnet 1 for swinging the armature 14 is located at the rear of the counter frame 3.
3 is disposed, and the free end of the armature 14 is provided with a pawl 16 integrally provided with twin claws 15a that alternately mesh with the star wheel 10. In this case, the pole 16 moves back and forth once in response to one pulse signal input to the electromagnet 13, and the double claw 15a moves the star wheel 10, in other words, the lowest digit number wheel 6, intermittently by 1/10. Rotate. The rotation of the lowest digit number wheel 6 is sequentially transmitted to the higher digit number wheel 6 via the pinion 12, and the counter 1 then displays the count. Note that this count value is displayed on a display window 20 provided on the front surface of the cover 2.

Now, according to the present invention, the integration counter having the above-mentioned structure has a feature in that it is provided with a zero return mechanism 25 that enables only one return to zero operation and prevents subsequent return to zero operations. ing. That is, the zero return mechanism 25 includes a zero return member 26 that is formed in a substantially shape and is fitted from below the counter frame 3 to the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right side walls 3a and 3b so as to be movable back and forth, and the number axle 5. The reset prevention member 27 is rotatably and axially movably supported and adjacent to the highest digit number wheel 6 (the leftmost number wheel in FIG. 1).

The zero return member 26 has a pair of left and right side walls 26a, 26.
b and a bottom plate 26c connecting the lower ends of these side walls 26a, 26b, and the bottom plate 26c
A push button 29 is integrally provided at the center of the front end surface of the cover 2 and protrudes outward from a push button insertion hole 28 provided on the front surface of the cover 2, and a heart cam 8 of each number wheel 6 is provided on the top surface.
A plurality of heart cam pressing pieces 36, 36A are integrally provided upwardly in correspondence with the heart cams 35 provided on one side of the reset prevention member 27, respectively. On the other hand, each side wall 26a, 26b of the zero return member 26 is formed with a longitudinally long elongated hole 37 through which the shaft end of the numerical axle 5 passes. Elastic holding portions 40 are respectively formed to support the elastic holding portions 40 . As shown in FIG. 3, this elastic holding part 40 is composed of a guide hole 41 and a pair of upper and lower elastic holding pieces 42A and 42B that protrude rearward and forward from the front and rear walls of the guide hole 41,
Protrusions 43a and 43b, which face each other and constitute a pressing part of the pinion shaft 11 during a reset operation, are integrally protruded from the tips of the respective clamping pieces 42A and 42B, and the interval between these protrusions 43a and 43b is set to It is set smaller than the outer diameter of 11. The pinion shaft 11 has a lower elastic clamping piece 41
The zero return member 2 is placed on the base side of the hole 37 and normally comes into contact with the rear wall of the elongated hole 37, and when the push button 29 is pressed, the zero return member 2
6 moves backward, the protrusions 43a, 43b
Long holes 46 that are long in the front-rear direction and are pressed by
retracts integrally with the zero return member 26 within a range of
The pinion 12 is temporarily separated from the number wheel 6. The zero return member 26 is always urged forward by a coil spring 47 (see FIG. 1), and the pinion shaft 11 is also biased by a spring consisting of a pair of left and right elastic pieces integrally provided inside the counter frame 3. 4
8, and normally meshes with the pin gear 9 of each number wheel 6.

The reset prevention member 27 has the same outer diameter as the number wheel 6 as shown in FIG.
That is, the heart cam 35 and a zero return prevention protrusion 50 made of a substantially C-shaped protrusion surrounding the heart cam 35 are integrally provided on the side surface facing the side wall 3a of the counter frame 3, and the other side surface, that is, A pin gear 51 is formed on the outer periphery of the side surface facing the highest digit number wheel 6, and like the number wheel 6, numbers from "0" to "9" are displayed on the peripheral surface. In this case, the reset prevention member 27 is supported by the pinion shaft 11 and the pinion 12 is interposed between the highest digit number wheel 6 and the reset prevention member 27.
A is rotated step by step in the same way as the number wheel 6, but in actual use, the six-digit number wheel 6 can sufficiently cover the counted value, so the display window 20 of the cover 2
Less visible. This reset prevention member 27 is located between the member 27 and the highest digit number wheel 6, and is always biased to the left in FIG. 5 by a compression coil spring 53 mounted on the number axle 5. .

The zero return prevention protrusion 50 is connected to the heart cam 35.
The cam surface 59 is eliminated by lowering the inner surface and is inclined, and the opening portion 50a is formed to correspond to the number "9" displayed on the circumferential surface of the reset prevention member 27. On the other hand, among the heart cam pressing pieces 36 provided on the bottom plate 26c of the zero return member 26, a heart cam pressing piece 36A corresponding to the heart cam 35 of the reset prevention member 27 has a fitting having a triangular cross section on one side. A mating protrusion 60 is integrally provided in correspondence with the zero return prevention protrusion 50, and the engagement of both protrusions 60, 50 makes it impossible to perform a second or subsequent reset operation.

That is, when the push button 29 is pressed and the zero return member 26 is moved rearward while the numbers on the number wheel 6 and the reset prevention member 27 are displaying, for example, "9999800," the zero return prevention protrusion at this time 5
Since the open portion 50a of 0 corresponds to the engagement protrusion 60 of the heart cam pressing piece 36A, the engagement protrusion 60
The opening portion 50 does not come into contact with the blocking protrusion 50.
a into the blocking protrusion 50, and presses the number wheel 6 and the heart cams 8, 35 of the reset prevention member 27 by all the heart cam pressing pieces 36, 36A, and at the same time, as the zero return member 26 moves backward, the pair of heart cams presses. The elastic clamping pieces 42A and 42B work together to move the pinion shaft 11 backward, and the pinion 1
2, 12A to the number wheel 6 and reset prevention member 2
Separate from 7. Therefore, all the number wheels 6 and the reset prevention member 27 are connected to the pinion 12,
12A, and the heart cam pressing pieces 36,3
6A returns to zero all at once. When the reset prevention member 27 returns to zero by this zero return operation,
The opening portion 50a is displaced from the engagement protrusion 60 and prevents the engagement protrusion 60 from withdrawing. Therefore, the engagement protrusion 60 of the zero return member 26 abuts and engages with the cam surface 59 of the zero return prevention protrusion 50 and is prevented from returning to the initial position, but this return force causes the reset prevention member 27 to The engagement protrusion 60 is sufficiently larger than the compression coil spring 53 biasing the left side in FIG. The engaging protrusion 60 is moved to the right to retreat to the outside of the zero return prevention protrusion 50. As a result, the zero return member 26 returns to its initial position, completing the reset operation.

According to such a configuration, when the display value of the reset prevention member 27 is a value other than "9", for example "0", even if the push button 29 is pressed and the zero return member 26 is moved backward. Since the engaging protrusion 60 engages with the outer periphery of the zero return prevention protrusion 50 and its movement is restricted, the heart cam pressing piece 36,
36A indicates each number wheel 6 and reset prevention member 27
The heart cams 8 and 35 are not brought into contact with each other, and these are not returned to zero.

In other words, the zero return operation is possible only when the reset prevention member 27 displays "9", and in the case of any other display value, it is regulated in an inactive state and the zero return operation cannot be performed, and the normal integration is performed. It functions as a counter, and can be reset to zero only once before the main equipment starts to be used, and as a result, the counter can be reliably started with a value of "0".

According to such a configuration, the main equipment manufacturer does not have to perform a 100% inspection only to start the counter from "0", which is a cumbersome operation, and the work such as inspection can be reduced. It is something.

In this case, in actual use of the main equipment, six-digit count values are extremely rare, and the reset prevention member 27 is displaying "0", so the zero return prevention protrusion 5
If 0 is not formed into a C shape but simply formed into a short bar shape that corresponds only to "0", the first reset operation can be performed with any number other than "0", not just "9". be able to. In this case, the counter manufacturer can also set the display value at the time of counter assembly to an arbitrary value, such as "8888888".

What should be noted here is that Figures 2 and 3
As is clear from the figure, the distance d ₁ between the engaging protrusion 60 and the zero return prevention protrusion 50 is equal to
d ₂ (d ₁ <d ₂ ). By doing this, even if the zero return member 26 is moved rearward during the second and subsequent reset operations, the engagement protrusion 60 will not engage with the zero return prevention protrusion 5.
0, the pinion shaft 11 is not moved backward by the protrusions 43a, 43b, and the meshing relationship between each pinion 12, 12A, number wheel 6, and reset prevention member 7 is maintained well. be able to. Therefore, even if the counting operation is performed while the push button 29 is pressed, the counting operation can be performed normally, and unauthorized use can be prevented. In addition, the reset prevention member 27
Since it is meshed with the pinion 12A, it will not rotate due to vibration, and the rotation of the highest digit digit wheel 6 will not be transmitted through the compression coil spring 53 and rotate together.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiments, and the shape, structure, etc. of each part may be modified or changed as appropriate. For example, although the zero return member 26 and the push button 29 are formed integrally, they may be formed separately and the zero return member may be rotatably supported by a shaft. Further, although the reset prevention member 27 displays numerical values for convenience of explanation, since it does not have a display function, it is not necessary to display numerical values, and moreover, a sufficient number of number wheels to cover the expected count value is provided. 6, it is no exaggeration to say that the step circuit will never be used after being subjected to only one reset operation, so the modification shown in FIG. 7 is possible. That is, in the figure, a protrusion 70 is provided protruding from one side of the reset prevention member 27, and this protrusion 70 is provided in the counter frame 3 and engaged with a small hole during the first reset operation to prevent the reset prevention member 27 from rotating. In this case, the highest digit number wheel and reset prevention member 2
There is no need to interpose the pinion 12A between the pinion 7 and the pinion 7.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the engagement protrusion 60 is provided on the heart cam pressing piece 36A, but the engagement protrusion 60 is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the zero return member 26 at a location other than the heart cam pressing piece 36A.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, the totalizing counter according to the present invention has a reset prevention member equipped with a zero return prevention protrusion and a heart cam arranged on the number axle adjacent to the highest digit number wheel, and this reset prevention member is attached to the spring. A heart cam pressing piece is provided on the zero return member corresponding to the heart cam, and an engaging protrusion is provided corresponding to the zero return prevention protrusion, and the reset is performed by disengaging these two protrusions. After that, the two protrusions engage, making the reset operation impossible. This makes manufacturing and assembly work easier for the manufacturer, and also makes it possible to reset the device to "0" when starting the main equipment. Starting can be performed easily and reliably, and its practical effects are very large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the totalizing counter according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the inside of the counter, and Figs. 3 and 4 are a side sectional view and a longitudinal sectional front view of the inside. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part during the reset operation, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the reset prevention member, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reset prevention member showing another embodiment of the present invention. 1... Integration counter, 3... Counter frame, 5... Number axle, 6... Number wheel, 8... Heart cam, 11... Pinion shaft, 12, 12A...
Carry pinion, 25... Zero return mechanism, 26...
...Zero return member, 27...Reset prevention member, 35
... Heart cam, 36, 36A ... Heart cam pressing piece, 48 ... Spring, 50 ... Zero return prevention projection, 53 ... Spring, 60 ... Engagement projection.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a totalizing counter equipped with a zero return mechanism, a heart cam 35 and a zero return prevention protrusion 50 are mounted on the number axle 5 adjacent to the highest digit digit wheel on the side surface.
and a spring 53 that urges the reset prevention member toward the frame.
and a zero return member 26 which is movably supported by the frame and is provided with an engaging protrusion 60 corresponding to the zero return prevention protrusion and operates the zero return mechanism when pressed. An integration counter characterized in that the reset prevention member allows the operation of the zero return member to return to zero without engaging the engagement protrusion and the zero return prevention protrusion only at a predetermined position. .