JPH0453319A - Annunciator for wrist watch type pager - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To integrate an annunciator to a subminiature pager of wrist watch type by employing a small-sized light-weight shape memory element as an actuator. CONSTITUTION:An annunciator 2 loaded to a wrist watch pager receiver 1 is provided with a base member 3 made of a synthetic resin in common use of a casing, and a thin long opening 4 is provided to the end face 3a of the base member 3, that is, the side of the base member in touch with the skin of wrist of a pager carrier. Movement elements 16, 17 provided in a direction reciprocatingly sensing the skin of the pager carrier to the base member 3 are driven by a shape memory element 30 as an actuator. The shape memory element 30 is made of a shape memory alloy formed to be a wire whose electric resistance causes heating up to the transposition temperature through power application. Thus, the annunciator for the subminiature pager of wrist watch type provided with a silence annunciation function of subminiature structure is realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pager notification device for silently notifying a pager wearer of an incoming call from a wristwatch-type pager.

[Prior Art] As a notification means for notifying the pager carrier of an incoming call from a wireless pager, there are known methods that sound an alarm when a call arrives, and methods that vibrate the pager itself. Vibration-type alarms are not only suitable for use in quiet environments where you do not want to sound an alarm, but also suitable for places where it is difficult to notify incoming calls by sound, such as in a noisy factory. ing.

A conventional pager equipped with a vibration-type notification means has an eccentric weight attached to the output shaft of a motor built into the pager, so that the motor rotates when an incoming signal is received. In this case, the person carrying the pager becomes aware of the incoming call when the pager placed in the person's pocket or the like vibrates along with the case as the eccentric weight rotates.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional vibration-type notification means, the vibration generation mechanism including the motor becomes loud and large, so it is difficult to incorporate such a vibration generation mechanism into a wristwatch-type ultra-small beijer. were difficult technically and cost-wise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch-type pager notification device having a silent notification function that can be constructed in an ultra-small size.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The device of the present invention developed to achieve the above object includes a base member provided in a wristwatch-shaped pager receiver, and a base member provided with a base member arranged in a direction that can be sensed by the skin of the pager wearer. Equipped with a movable element that is capable of reciprocating movement, and a shape memory element that is tempered so that a shape memory alloy that generates heat when energized generates a shape restoring force in a direction that moves the movable element when energized and generates heat. are doing.

[Operations] The pager notification device of the present invention repeatedly energizes and stops energizing the shape memory element when receiving a call. When the shape memory element is energized, the shape memory element generates heat to a transformation temperature, thereby generating a shape restoring force and causing the mover to move in one direction. When power to the shape memory element is stopped and heat generation stops, the shape restoring force of the mover is reduced or eliminated. By repeatedly moving the movable element in this manner, the pager wearer can feel through his/her skin that there is an incoming call.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, a wristwatch-shaped pager receiver 1
The notification device 2 is attached to the. This notification device 2 includes a base member 3 that also serves as a casing made of synthetic resin.

End surface 3a of base member 3.

That is, an elongated opening 4 is provided on the side of the pager wearer's wrist that touches the skin.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of guide members 6 and 7 are provided inside the base member 3 at positions spaced apart from each other. The guide members 6, 7 each have a semi-cylindrical shape, for example. Guide grooves 8.9 are provided on the outer peripheries of the guide members 6, 7 along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the guide member 6.7 is provided with a power supply terminal plate 11.12 made of a metal plate having spring properties or the like.

The power supply terminal plates 11 and 12 are connected to lead wires (not shown), and are configured to receive power from a battery built into the pager receiver 1.

A support shaft 15 is provided on the base member 3, and the support shaft 15 allows a pair of movable elements 1 that are symmetrical to each other to be connected to each other.
6.17 is rotatably attached. Each mover 16
．． 17 is a boss portion 20.21 through which the support shaft 15 is inserted;
Arm portion 22 integrally molded with this boss portion 20.21
．． 23 and an operating lever part 24,25. A low-friction spacer 26 is interposed between the end faces of the boss portions 20 and 21 to ensure smooth relative rotation of the movers 16 and 17.

The movers 16 and 17 are capable of reciprocating rotation from an initial position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 to a lifting position shown by a two-dot chain line. When the movable elements 16 and 17 are in the initial position, the distal end portions of the arm portions 22 and 23 are retracted inside the opening 4 of the base member 3. The end of the stroke in the direction of the initial position is regulated by the upper ends of the guide members 6 and 7.

When the mover 16.17 is in the lifting position, the tip of the arm portion 22.23 is in the opening 4 of the base member 3.
It protrudes by 28 minutes outward from the pager, that is, in a direction that touches the skin of the pager wearer.

The arm portions 22, 23 are urged toward the initial position by the elasticity of a return spring 27 using a torsion spring or the like.

The opening 4 of the base member 3 is closed by a flexible elastic sheet 28 made of a rubber-like elastic material, and the movable elements 16 and 17 are housed inside this elastic sheet 28. The elastic sheet 28 is attached to the arm portion 22 of the movable element 16.17.
．． Follow the movement of 23.

The movable element 16,17 is driven by a shape memory element 30 as an actuator. The shape memory element 30 is formed into a wire shape from a shape memory alloy having electrical resistance that generates heat up to a transformation temperature when energized. This shape memory element 30 is tempered by known means so that its length when it is energized and generates heat is shorter than its length when it is in a cold state.

As shown in FIG. 6 or 7, conductive terminal portions 4A'31.
32 is fixed. This terminal member 31.32 is brought into contact with the aforementioned power supply terminal plate 11.12.

The shape memory element 30 is formed by the guide grooves 8 of the guide members 6 and 7.
, 9, and is wound around the guide members 6, 7. More specifically, the illustrated shape memory element 30 is wound around the guide members 6 and 7 so as to have a substantially S-shape in plan view in order to increase its overall length. The locking portion 33 is attached to the operation lever part 24.25 of the movable member 16°]7.
34 is provided, and the terminal members 31, 32 of the shape memory element 30 are latched to these latching portions 33, 34.

The length of the shape memory element 30 is such that the shape memory element 30 is wound around the guide members 6 and 7 as described above and the end portion +
The dimensions are such that 4'31 and 32 do not sag when they are locked in the locking parts 33 and 34.

Next, the operation of the pager notification device 2 having the above configuration will be explained.

When the shape memory element 30 is cold, the movable elements 16 and 17 are in the initial position due to the elasticity of the return spring 27. When the pager receiver 1 receives an incoming signal, the power supply terminal board 11.12
When a current is sent between the terminal members 31 and 32 to cause the shape memory element 30 to generate heat above its transformation temperature, a shape restoring force is generated in the direction in which the length of the shape memory element 30 becomes shorter. For this reason, the actuating lever parts 24.25 of the armature 16.17 move towards each other, and the arm parts 22.23 project into the lifting position shown in FIG. 1 by dashed lines. When the arm portions 22.23 protrude to the lifting position, the distal end portions of the arm portions 22.23 irritate the skin of the pager wearer via the elastic sheet 28. This operation is performed for a touching time A shown in FIG.

After the touching time A has elapsed, when the power supply to the shape memory element 30 is stopped, the heat generation of the shape memory element 30 stops, and the movable element 1.6.17 returns to the initial position by the elasticity of the return spring 27. . The above is the operation for one cycle, and B in FIG. 8 indicates the cycle time.

By repeating the above operations, the pager wearer can know that there is an incoming call by the feel of the skin on the wrist.

Note that FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment uses a cylindrical plunger-shaped mover 4.
It is equipped with 0. A guide pin 42 is provided on a base member 41 that also serves as a bottomed housing. The above movable element 4
0 indicates that the guide pin 42 is movable over a stroke S in the axial direction. The movable element 40 is urged in the direction of protruding from the opening 44 of the base member 41 by the elasticity of a return spring 43 using a compression coil spring or the like. The opening 44 is covered with a flexible elastic sheet 45 made of a soft rubber material, and the movable element 40 is housed inside the elastic sheet 45. The elastic sheet 45 follows the movement of the end face of the movable element 40.

Two shape memory elements 50 drive the movable element 40.
．． It is 51. The intermediate portion in the length direction of each shape memory element 50° 51 is hung on locking portions 52 and 53 provided on the movable element 40 and hooks 54 and 55 provided on the base member 41. Conductive terminal members 61 and 62 are fixed to both ends of one shape memory element 50. Conductive terminal portions t4'63.6 are also provided at both ends of the other shape memory element 51.
4 is fixed. These terminal members 61 to 64 each have a fixed base 6566 provided on the base member 41.
is maintained.

The shape memory element 50.51 is formed into a wire shape from a shape memory alloy that generates heat above its transformation temperature when energized, and is tempered so that the length when energized generates heat is shorter than the length when cold. ing.

The locking portions 52.53 provided on the movable element 40 are located at a higher position than the hooks 54.55 and the fixed base 65.66 on the base member 41 side.

Therefore, the shape memory element 50. When the shape memory element 50.51 is made to generate heat by energizing it, the length of the shape memory element 50.51 becomes shorter than when it is cold.
tries to straighten, so the movable element 40 is pulled down against the elasticity of the return spring 43. This operation is
This is carried out for the time A shown in FIG.

When the power supply to the shape memory element 50.51 is stopped, the heat generation of the shape memory element 50.51 is stopped, and the movable element 40 returns to its original height by the elasticity of the return spring 43. The above is the operation for one cycle. B in Figure 12
indicates the cycle time. When the movable element 40 returns to its original position, the distal end surface of the movable element 40 stimulates the skin of the pager wearer via the elastic sheet 45.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a notification device 70 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a movable member 72 made of elastomer such as heat-resistant rubber is provided on a base member 71 that also serves as a casing. The movable element 72 integrally includes a plurality of cylindrical protruding movable parts 73 and a flexible thin wall part 74, and a linear shape memory element 75 on the bottom side of the movable part 73.
has been established. This shape memory element 75 is also tempered so that its length when it is energized and generates heat is shorter than its length when it is in a cold state. When the shape memory element 75 is energized through the electrodes 76 and 77 to generate heat, the length of the shape memory element 75 becomes shorter than when it is cold, so that the movable part 73 is lifted by the stroke S. When the power supply to the shape memory element 75 is stopped, the movable part 73 returns to its original height due to the elastic restoring force of the movable element 72 itself.

FIG. 15 shows a notification device 80 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a movable member 82 made of elastomer such as heat-resistant rubber is provided on a base member 81 that also serves as a casing, as in the third embodiment. This movable element 82 has a plurality of rows of cylindrical protrusion-shaped movable parts 83, 8.
4.85 and a flexible thin section 86 are integrally molded. Then, on the bottom side of each row of movable parts 83, 84, 85, linear shape memory elements 87.
88.89 are provided. This shape memory element 87,
88 and 89 are also tempered so that the length when energized generates heat is shorter than the length when cold, and the movable part 8 when energized generates heat.
3,84.85 is designed to lift toward the wearer's skin.

In this embodiment, each shape memory element 87.
Depending on the transformation point of 88.89, each movable part 83.84.8
Since a shift occurs in the movement of 5, it can be more effectively sensed by the wearer's skin.

When the energization is stopped, the movable parts 83, 84, 85 return to their original heights due to the elastic restoring force of the movable element 82 itself.

Note that the shape of the shape memory element is not limited to those in each of the embodiments described above, and may be any shape as long as it generates an elastic restoring force sufficient to drive the movable element when electricity is generated and heat is generated. Furthermore, the specific aspects of the shape and structure of the base member and the movable element can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, an alarm device using a small and lightweight shape memory element as an actuator can be incorporated into a wristwatch-type elevating pager, and the structure is simple and cost-effective. It has great effects, such as being able to implement it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pager notification device, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the notification device shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a wristwatch-type Beija receiver, and Figure 4 shows an elastic sheet. A plan view of the removed state, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the V-v line in FIG. 1,
6 is a sectional view taken along the line Vl-Vl in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the guide member and the shape memory element, FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation timing of the shape memory element, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the notifying device shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the notifying device shown in FIG. 9. Plan, 1st
2 is a time chart showing the operation timing of the notification device shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a pager notification device showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a pager notification device showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 1... wristwatch type pager receiver, 2... notification device,
3... Base member, 4... Opening, 16.17...
- Mover, 27... Return spring, 28... Elastic sheet, 30... Shape memory element, 39... Notification device,
40... Mover, 4]... Base member, 43...
Return spring, 45... Elastic sheet, 50.51...
- Shape memory element, 70... Notification device, 71... Base member, 72... Mover, 75... Shape memory element,
80... Notification device, 81... Base member, 87,8
8.89...Shape memory element. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Engraving of drawings (no changes to the contents) No. 3, 77, 14, 15, procedural amendment July 19, 1990

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A wristwatch-shaped pager receiver includes a base member, a movable member provided on the base member so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction that can be detected by the skin of the pager wearer, and a shape memory alloy that generates heat when energized. 1. A wristwatch-type pager notification device comprising a shape memory element that has been tempered so as to generate a shape restoring force in the direction of moving the movable element when energized and generates heat. (2) The shape memory element has a wire shape, and its shape is memorized so that its length becomes shorter when it generates electricity, and the tensile force caused by the shape memory element shrinks when it generates electricity. 2. The wristwatch-type pager notification device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured to move said movable element by using said movable member.