US3591774A - Mechanical counters - Google Patents

Mechanical counters Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3591774A
US3591774A US726171A US3591774DA US3591774A US 3591774 A US3591774 A US 3591774A US 726171 A US726171 A US 726171A US 3591774D A US3591774D A US 3591774DA US 3591774 A US3591774 A US 3591774A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
bistable
counting
counter
switching means
electromagnet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US726171A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Manfred Huber
Norbert Klimek
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
English Numbering Machines Ltd
Original Assignee
English Numbering Machines Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by English Numbering Machines Ltd filed Critical English Numbering Machines Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3591774A publication Critical patent/US3591774A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M3/00—Counters with additional facilities
    • G06M3/12—Counters with additional facilities for preventing incorrect actuation, e.g. for preventing falsification
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M1/00—Design features of general application
    • G06M1/08—Design features of general application for actuating the drive
    • G06M1/10—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means
    • G06M1/102—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means by magnetic or electromagnetic means
    • G06M1/104—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means by magnetic or electromagnetic means electromagnets, clicks
    • G06M1/105—Design features of general application for actuating the drive by electric or magnetic means by magnetic or electromagnetic means electromagnets, clicks electronic circuits for actuating the electromagnets

Definitions

  • a mechanical counter comprises an electromagnet, an armature controlled by the electromagnet, a number wheel rotatable in steps and actuatable by the armature for indicating a count, a check signal means for providing a check signal on completion of each step.
  • FIGS. 2, A, B, and C, assembled as shown in FIG. 1 show'a counter arrangement comprising three banks of counters 1, 2 and 3. Each bank has ten single digit counters a to j. Each counter has an electromagnet 4, an armature 5, and a number wheel driven by the armature in any suitable manner for example by a pawl and ratchet mechanism. Such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically for the counter 3j.
  • Each electromagnet for the counters is connected by one of a plurality of rectifiers 10 to on'e of a plurality of selector transistors 11 which when conducting connect the electromagnet to earth as indicated by the -volts line 12. Operation of the selector transistors 11 is controlled by one of three program units l4, l and 16 by way of NoR gates 18 coupled to the base of the respective transistor 11.
  • the electromagnets 4 of the counters are connected together in each of the groups 1, 2 or 3 as at 13 and are further.
  • switching means 20 controllable by a bank selection NAND-gate 21 through an inverter 22.
  • switching means 20 When the switching means 20 are conducting, one side of the electromagnets are connected to a voltage supply VI of, for example, +40.
  • the switching means 20 are operated by the NAND- gate 21, the two inputs of which are the output of a monostable device 23 and a select-bank input 24.
  • the monostable device 23 is connected to one output of a bistable device 25 and through a NAND-gate 26 to a counting pulse input 27 when operation of the NAND-gate is selected by a select counting input 28.
  • the bistable device is also connected to a voltage supply V2 of, for example, +5.
  • Each of the number wheels 6 of the counting units is mechanically connected to a rotary wiper 30 which is rotatable with its respective number wheel.
  • This wiper slides across a printed circuit pad, which includes a bus pad 31 and contact elements 32.
  • the arrangement is such that the wiper moves between one nonconducting area between two contact elements 32 to an adjacent nonconducting area each time a count of one digit is recorded by the counter unit. It will be appreciated that one wiper set is provided for each counter unit in each bank, only one being shown for each bank for purposes of simplicity.
  • a warning circuit consisting of a loudspeaker or horn 36 and indicator lamp 57.
  • the lamp or loudspeaker are controlled by a switch circuit 38 whichis in turn controlled by a NAND-gate 39 through an inverter 40, one
  • a time delay for the operation of the warning circuit is provided by capacitor 44 to prevent warning being given during normal working.
  • the program unit is set to select the counter j which will feed a signal (FIG. 3 at a) to the NOR-gate l8 to'the base of the selector transistor 11]. This will select all of the counters lj, 2j, 3 by connecting the electromagnets 6 to earth (i.e. 0 volts).
  • the bank required is selected by means of the bank selection signal (indicated at b in FIG. 3) which in this case will select the bank 3 and will provide an initial input to the respective NAND-gate 21 enabling the NAND-gatc to pass counting pulses from the monostable device 23.
  • a select counting signal is fed to the NAND-gate 26 which will admit counting pulses for example, of microseconds in length, which are fed to the other input of the NAND-gate. The pulses may be repeated, for example, at intervals of 20 milliseconds.
  • These counting pulses from the input 27 are passed to the bistable device 25 which will be set to the condition a providing a pulse output to the monostable 23 as indicated at d in FIG. 3.
  • the setting of the bistable device to the a condition prevents further counting pulses from passing therethrough until it is reset to the b condition. Movement of the number wheel 6 in response to the counting impulse passing through the electromagnet 4 will also move the associated wiper 30 from its position between the contacts 32, across one contact 32 and into the space between it and the next contact. This will provide for a reset signal by connecting the voltage V2 to earth by way of resistance 34 and the point indicated at 35 will be at zero potential. This will reset the bistable device 25 to the b condition permitting the bistable to receive a further counting pulse.
  • FIG. 3 is a pulse formation controlling operation of the electromagnet and It shows the form of the reset pulse which resets the bistable device 25.
  • the pulses will continue to operate the counter until 5 has been set up thereon, whereupon the program unit will deenergize the transistor llj and energizes the transistor Ill for four pulses. Thereafter the transistor 11h is energized for two pulses, thus setting up the required number in the counter bank.
  • the wiper 32 will not move correctly from its position between two contacts 32 to its next position between contacts 32 and therefor the bistable device will not be reset.
  • This operates the warning device by providing an output from the monostable device 23 and bistable device 25 through the NAND-gate 39 and inverter 40 to the switch circuit 38 to operate the warning lamp 37 and horn 36.
  • FIG. 4 shows a system of relays instead of the electronic con,- trol which is used inthe first embodiment.
  • the counter unit is indicated at 100 and is coupled to a pulse input 101 by means of switch contact 102.
  • the counter is also connected to an earthline 103 across which is positioned a relay coil 105 provided with a time delay circuit 106.
  • Means inside the counter 100 provide for a checking signal which passes to a relay coil 107. Both of the relay coils 105 and 107 control the operation of the switch 103 which is thus operated on the double acting principle.
  • the pulses fed down the line 101 pass through the switch to the counter to cause a count of one digit to be registered.
  • This pulse also operates a relay coil 105 to open the switch after the delay has taken place allowing for the pulse to reach the counter. If the counter counts correctly a check signal is provided by the counter and energizes the relay coil 107 to close the switch 103 ready for the next pulse. Should the counter fail to count correctly the check signal would not be provided and the switch 103 would remain open, thus preventing any further pulses from passing to the counter.
  • the checking circuit as describedin the first embodiment may be used to check any number of banks of single digit counters with certain limitations. For example, if there is a number of program units which control the selector transistors, only one program unit may be used in any counting cycle. Similarlyonly one bank may be selected in any counting cycle and the number of single digit counters per bank is directly related to the number of controlling positions of each program unit and there must not be more counter units than thosecontrolling positions. Where a number of banks of single digit counters are required to be used simuldigit counter.
  • a mechanical counter comprising a gate element for receiving a counting signal, a bistable element fed with counting signals by said gate element and being settable into a first condition by a counting signal in which condition it is unafr fected by a succeeding counting signal, a monostable element actuatable through said bistable element when in said first condition, an electromagnet whose energization is controlled by said monostable element, an armature controlled by said electromagnet, a number wheel rotatable in steps and actuatable by said armature for indicating a count, a contact element movable in steps with said number wheel, an electric circuit for initiation of a check signal checking each counting step taneously it is, of course, necessary to provide duplication of circuits in order that this may be done.
  • the counter of the invention could also be used as a multidigit counter the number wheels for each digit counter unit and controlled by movement of said contact element, said circuit providing a signal to said bistable element for setting said bistable element from said first condition to a second condition in which said bistableelement receives further counting signals.
  • An electromechanical counter comprising a source of counting pulses, an electromagnet, a bistable switching means coupling said counting pulse source to said electromagnet, an armature actuated by the electromagnet in response to each pulse passed through said bistable switching means, circuit means to apply each pulse passed by said bistable switching means to render said bistable switching means nonconductive, a number wheel rotatable in steps by means of said armature, a contact element movable in steps with said number wheel, an electric circuit responsive to each stepping movement of said contact element to generate a transient check signal, circuit means to apply said check signal to an input of said bistable switching means to return said bistable switching element to its conductive state.
  • bistable switching means comprises switch means actuable by a double-acting relay.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Relay Circuits (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Testing Electric Properties And Detecting Electric Faults (AREA)
US726171A 1967-05-09 1968-05-02 Mechanical counters Expired - Lifetime US3591774A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB21395/67A GB1171673A (en) 1967-05-09 1967-05-09 Improvements in or relating to Mechanical Counters

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3591774A true US3591774A (en) 1971-07-06

Family

ID=10162202

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US726171A Expired - Lifetime US3591774A (en) 1967-05-09 1968-05-02 Mechanical counters

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3591774A (de)
JP (1) JPS5233466B1 (de)
CH (1) CH470720A (de)
DE (1) DE1774218B1 (de)
FR (1) FR1561823A (de)
GB (1) GB1171673A (de)
SE (1) SE349168B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4125762A (en) * 1976-07-16 1978-11-14 Veeder Industries Inc. Rotary electromagnetic indicator system

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58190670U (ja) * 1982-06-12 1983-12-17 昭和木工株式会社 教習具

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2597428A (en) * 1950-01-07 1952-05-20 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Checking means for pulse counting circuit
US2973145A (en) * 1956-01-31 1961-02-28 Sperry Rand Corp Counter
US3051855A (en) * 1959-09-23 1962-08-28 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Self-correcting ring counter
US3442422A (en) * 1966-05-26 1969-05-06 Vendo Co Merchandise vending machine

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE485206C (de) * 1926-06-25 1929-10-29 Zwietusch E & Co Gmbh Staffelzaehler mit Nullstellung, insbesondere fuer Fernsprechaemter
GB957641A (en) * 1962-03-13 1964-05-06 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Improvements in or relating to electrical fault detection circuits for counting circuits
US3238359A (en) * 1963-05-16 1966-03-01 Durant Mfg Co Electro-mechanical counter
DE1236572B (de) * 1964-07-10 1967-03-16 Siemens Ag Zaehlanordnung fuer Impulse, die aus verschiedenen Quellen regellos eintreffen

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2597428A (en) * 1950-01-07 1952-05-20 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Checking means for pulse counting circuit
US2973145A (en) * 1956-01-31 1961-02-28 Sperry Rand Corp Counter
US3051855A (en) * 1959-09-23 1962-08-28 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Self-correcting ring counter
US3442422A (en) * 1966-05-26 1969-05-06 Vendo Co Merchandise vending machine

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4125762A (en) * 1976-07-16 1978-11-14 Veeder Industries Inc. Rotary electromagnetic indicator system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5233466B1 (de) 1977-08-29
SE349168B (de) 1972-09-18
CH470720A (de) 1969-03-31
DE1774218B1 (de) 1972-03-09
FR1561823A (de) 1969-03-28
GB1171673A (en) 1969-11-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3633016A (en) Apparatus and method for testing electrical systems having a plurality of terminals
US2446643A (en) Selective control system for dispensing apparatus
US3098187A (en) Control system
US3286240A (en) Channel status checking and switching system
US3000555A (en) Digital computer input
US2910685A (en) Binary to decimal translator
US3372379A (en) System for reading, recording and resetting registered data
US3230508A (en) System for the simultaneous step-by-step setting of a number of movable elements
US3223785A (en) Electronic telephone switching system
US3780939A (en) Selective punch
US1709031A (en) Supervisory control system
US3317894A (en) Automation of working machines
US3944980A (en) Electronic sequence control system
US3566040A (en) Device for selectively actuating switching network electromagnetic relays
US2885146A (en) Electronic checking device
US2013671A (en) Electrical system and apparatus for transmitting intelligence
US3508201A (en) Translator circuit
US2922141A (en) Switching devices
US3474956A (en) Operation checking arrangement
US3375497A (en) Matrix control circuitry using gate controlled unidirectional signalling devices
US3634950A (en) Electrical arrangement for use in teaching machine
US2856125A (en) Bi-directional tabulating mechanism
US2452052A (en) Selectively responsive device
US3725906A (en) Self-timing code keyer
US2904726A (en) Thyratron actuated pawl circuit