MXPA99008761A - Board for mounting display element - Google Patents

Abstract

A board usually resembling a PCB or a PWB mounts a display element, whose appearance in a viewing direction is controlled by the sense of magnetization of a core which extends through a bore in the board. A conducting coil formed on the surface of said board is located so that current in said coil will magnetize the core.

Description

BOARD FOR MOUNTING EXHIBITION ELEMENT The present invention relates to electromagnetically operable display elements, and to a novel means for operating and assembling them. These display elements are exemplified by any of the shown in: US Patents 5,050,235 Browne RE35,357 Browne 5,337,077 Browne 4,566,210 Winrow 5,156,872 Helwig Whose contents are incorporated herein by reference. - The devices in these patents are examples of these elements, where an electromagnetic core is switched in magnetic polarity by a coil surrounding the core. The display element switches between the disconnected (OFF) to on (ON) state, which responds to a change in core polarity. In the OFF state a rotor or other display element presents an 'appearance' (usually dark) and the direction of observation to a contrasting appearance is displayed, which is usually bright in the ON state. For example: Vision direction Vision direction Patent Emergence in the Appearance in the state- ON (ON) OFF (OFF) , 050,235 Brilliant Disc Side Dark Disc Side With LED LED Closed RE35, 357 Brilliant Disc Side Optical Fiber Optic Side Disclose 5,337, 077 Fiber Optic Optical plug 4, 566,210 Side Bright Side Shiny Lever Hidden 5,156,872 One Side of Disk Contrasting Disk Side In each of the above examples, the cores are wound with helical coils to provide the magnetizing turns. A separate means is provided for mounting the display elements either "as simple indicators, rectangular modules or large assemblies or other structures.The mounting means involve a considerable expense.In adance with this invention, an insulating board with paths is provided. Conductors that form on a surface, these trajectories act as a turn or a series of turns with respect to a hole in the board and therefore a turn or series of turns with respect to a core when a pin is inserted through. The final insulating board can be a lamination of a number of sublayers of these boards if the number of turns requires more turns than those that are conveniently placed on a surface.The conductors are arranged with respect to an opening for a core.The "flat coil" so-called, to differentiate it from the usual helical coils can be prefabricated on a surface of the insulated board nte or its layers. Therefore, the winding step is eliminated. A flat coil of more than one turn will include (usually) a spiral that does not need to be geometrically regular. The number of turns relative to a perforation on any surface is limited by the fact that there is a limit for spiral size at the point beyond which the outer turns do not have a successful magnetizing effect. Furthermore, the cost of a module or assembly is reduced since the board can be prefabricated with a set of core openings that can be used to assemble the cores and achieve the arrangement of the display elements in a module or assembly. The display element comprising the stator and rotor can be mounted on the board. The cost of forming assemblies for module or assembly element as found in the prior art is eliminated. By "board" is meant here a relatively flat board of dielectric material (preferably) commonly used to assemble circuits, or circuit components and here used to receive the flat coils. Preferably, the board is of the same material as those commonly used for printed circuit boards ("PCB") or printed wiring boards ("PWV" = Printed Waring Board) and is commonly made of epoxy resin filled with Glass fibers, although boards made of other materials may be used. The board as described here, is used to mount the flat coils and the display elements in desired relation with the coils and with each other. "Board" here includes a lamination of sub-layers of thinner boards. By "flat coil" herein is meant a pattern of thin film or ribbon conductors formed on the surface of a board layer or in sublayers to magnetize a core passing through the board within the magnetic field of the coil. In this way, the magnetization will be in opposite directions for opposite current flow through the coil. A "flat coil" includes a series of coils that encircle a common bore, but arranged in different sublayers of the board.

Returns are defined after reference to the drawings of the specific modality. Commonly, the film or ribbon pattern is formed on the board, by covering it with a layer of attached thin metal sheet and biting off the portion that is not desired for the pattern. The thin metal sheet is usually made of copper. The invention, however, does not depend on the method of forming the conductor laminated on the board. In this way, these driving patterns can be supplied by painting, printing or deposit, when commercially practical methods are available. A conductor of copper or other metal can be provided with a surface of tin or precious metals for better electrical contact. A "pin" is that part of a core that magnetically displaces or retains the movable member of a display element. The first three patents listed on page 1 show display elements that use two pins in the core while these last two elements show display elements with a single pin in the core. The pins may also act as stops for the mobile member on some display elements. . ' In drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 shows a typical display element mounted on a board. The element is in the ON position, Figure 2 shows the same view as in Figure 1, except that the element is in the OFF position, Figure 3 shows a method to mount the display element in a board, Figure 4 shows another method for mounting the display element on a board, Figure 5 shows the arrangement or arrangement of conductors on a board, Figure 5A shows an array of drivers alternately, - Figure 6 shows an enlarged portion of two conductors, connected throa board, Figure 7 is a section of a multilayer board, Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the wiring eh a multilayer board, Figure 9 shows a board with core mounting perforation for a part of an assembly or structure; and Figure 10 shows a board with elements in place for part of a structure.

In the drawings: the display element is exemplified by a stator comprising a housing 10 with mounting posts 12 and stator pins 14 and 24 made of magnetic material forming opposite ends of a core. A rotor 17 is mounted to pivot about a transverse axis 15 to the observation direction V. The rotor in this mode rotates between a position ON (ON) and OFF (OFF) as determined by stops that can be provided separately or can be provided by the ends 14E, 24E of the pins 14 and 24, respectively. The invention includes rotors or movable members that do not require stops. In the ON position the element exhibits a bright face 20 in the observation direction and in the OFF position the element exhibits a dark face 22 (Figure 10). In the element shown, a magnet 16 located on the disc that is activated, when the pin end 14 is positive and the pin end 24 is negative, to move to the ON position; and when the polarities are reversed to move to the OFF position. In the embodiment shown, the two pins 14 and 24 are mounted on the perforations 30 and 32 respectively of Figure 3 and the element can be mounted on the cores. However, the display element that receives the pins 14, 24 as illustrated, can also be mounted on the board by separate means not shown. The pins are connected by the integral extension 32 ', or they can be connected by a further added extension 33 (Figure 4) and can be inserted from the top. (Another display element such as those exemplified on page 1 will provide characteristics analogous to those described). According to the invention, a board 35, preferably of epoxy resin filled with glass fibers, is provided with pairs of perforations 30, 32, (Figure 5) corresponding to positions for the display element as indicated by dashed line squares 34 in the Figure 9 (where the current paths are omitted) to make the set partially shown in Figure 10 (in the form of a dimensional display element or the different shaping of the areas or sizes of the elements on the board will of course be different). The stators can be mounted by pushing the pins 14, 24 in U-shaped member through the board, and the pins can be connected to the housing and the board by friction or adhesive. Preferably, the pins of the U-shaped member are of a sliding fit with the board perforations and a snap fit with the perforations (not shown) in the housing, to thereby mount the stators in the housing. board . Alternatively, the pins can be connected to the board as separate members and provided with a bridge member to form the core. The pin lengths will usually be of sufficiently hard magnetic material, so that their magnetic polarity is retained after an energizing pulse. Figure 8 shows in exploded view, means for combining the board into a laminated board, to provide more associated windings as a given core bore 30 with extensions 30A, 30B, 30C and in a section of the board multiple layers with the sub layers A , B, C as illustrated in Figure 7. As shown, the power supply (pulse) can be carried in a metal foil conductor 41A to the coil inward in a clockwise direction 43A, in the sub-dashboard A to provide a current flow in a clockwise direction relative to the clock. a core 14 in the perforation extension 30A. To add to the turns for a core in the perforation 30A, 30B may be provided in sub-dash B above or below (below) A. Although the "current" paths have an insulating coating 49 (Figure 6) which avoids shorting with the trajectories 47 on a facing face of the adjacent board, it is currently preferred to have a board sublayer between each conductive path According to this, in the board sub-layer A the inner end of the spiral is connected to a connector 46 which is preferably a coated perforation which is known as a "transit hole" extending through the board to a position in the board sub-layer B having the same azimuthal relationship to its opening 30B as the ratio of pins to opening 30A in layer A. In Figure 8, the flat ribbon shape of the conduction path is omitted.To add the magnetizing field in sublayer A to sublayer B, layer B as well it can provide a spiral path in a clockwise direction relative to the perforation 30B to the current of the direction shown. At the outward end of the layer B spiral, the conductor is connected to the connector 46B, preferably a transit hole, which passes through the layer B to connect in the same azimuthal position to the outer end of the spiral in the layer C.

In this way, the board C can provide a spiral inward clockwise * for the addition of the coil turns of layer C to those of A and B. Since the spiral of layer C has spiral Inwardly clockwise and downward clockwise, it will be evident that it represents a repetition of the layer A cycle so that the drawing represents one and a half stages. In this way, the stages can be continued and the number of turns as desired accumulate as required. With the flat coils in the various sub-layers connected in series the magnetization effects in the various sub-layers can be added if the sub-layers are arranged in such a way that the current in the flat coils connected in series travels in the same direction (ie clockwise or counterclockwise) relative to the core, regardless of whether an individual coil spirals inward or outward. In this way, the current flow in one direction through the coils connected in series will create a north pole at the end of the pin 14E in the housing of the display element while the current flow in the opposite direction will create a south pole on pin 14E. If the display element requires two impulse pins (as in the display element of Figure 1 and the first three patents on page 1), the coils arranged in the board layers surrounding the perforation 32 will create the opposite magnetism. to the end of pin 24E to the end of pin 14E in bore 30. In this way, the direction of the turns is the same for coils with respect to pin 24 which can be threaded through aligned sub-layers, if any. In this way, the layers shown will have spirals connected analogously with respect to perforations aligned as in Figure 1, but directed for current flow in the direction -opposed for the other pin 24. The winding current directions discussed are those for one of the positions on (ON) or disconnected (OFF) of the display element. For the other of the positions on (ON) or disconnected (OFF), the current direction will of course be reversed. In Figure 5, a metallic thin-leaf conductor 41A directs the spiral in clockwise direction 43D, where current flows in a clockwise spiral looking downwardly relative to the clockwise direction. the perforation 32 and a pin 24 that is not illustrated here, located there. At the inward end of the spiral, the metal foil conductor is connected to the connector 46A extending through the board 35 to the metal foil connector 47 at the bottom of the board 35. At the left-hand end of the connector 47, the connector 47® is connected over the connector 45B to the metal foil path 41B of the spiral outwardly counterclockwise 43C, where the metal foil path 41A goes to the source of voltage or current. It will be seen that the coils are arranged and connected in such a way that the current in the direction of the arrows shown will magnetize the pin - in the bore 30 in one direction and the pin in the bore 32 in the opposite direction. In this way, if the current in the thin sheet metal paths is reversed, both pins will switch to opposite polarity but will still be of opposite polarity to each other. It will be noted that if the flat spiral coils 43C and / or 43D are replaced by coils connected in series as illustrated in Figure 8, that these coils connected in series will connect respectively to the voltage source at one end and at the other end to the connector 47. Figure 6 shows an enlarged somewhat schematic view of the metal foil paths 41A and 47 connected by the connector 45A, preferably a transit hole through the thickness of the board 35. The flat coils are as shown in FIG. established isolated but their innermost extensions are adjusted backwards from perforations 30 to 32 to avoid risk of shorting the coils. Flat coils are considered to be arranged approximately in a plane corresponding to the middle plane of the board, either arranged as a single board surface or in series of coils in a plurality of sub-layers. The invention has potential use for all applications where a coil is currently employed to magnetize a core, to "adjust", "readjust" or toggle an exhibit element. Other characteristics of a typical display element may be added to the structure shown without change or at least without undue modification. Illustrating this by reference to the exemplary patents listed on page 1: with reference to the US patent. No. 5,050,235 the structure shown can replace the wound coil with the flat coils for an element that is provided with the LEDs, to increase the appearance of "on" (ON). Similarly, the structure of the invention will adjust optical fibers as illustrated in patents RE35,357 or 5,337,077 where a fiber is combined with a disk or a shutter, US Pat. No. 4,566,210 wherein a single pin can be energized by flat coils arranged with respect to a simple bore where the core displaces the bright face of a lever between an exposed and occluded position. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 5,156,872 exemplifies an element operated by disk using a simple pin. For use with the flat winding, each space on a board corresponding to one display element will have a single core-hole and flat winding. "Returns" will be defined here according to the following discussion. The stream transporting turns shown here forms the turns of those ampere turns that magnetize the cores and pins present. These turns to be effective must be within an effective distance to effect the desired magnetization. The diagrams are not quantitatively precise but in terms of a turn of approximately 360 ° of travel with respect to the magnetic core, the coil of Figure 5 will represent two turns plus a fraction for the straight outer patio and each layer of Figure 8 will be approximately 3% turns. A straight conductor that runs perpendicular to a conductor and in proximity, approaches% turn. The shape of the spiral or coil can be a spiral with continuously curved trajectories or a series of straight stretches that can be square, hexagonal, octagonal or another shape. Figure 5A shows a spiral turn constituted by eight straight sections that can be considered a spiral octagonal shape. The coil can be defined generally by any shaped paths that provide turns within the proper proximity to the core.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS .1. A board, means for mounting an exhibition element there, wherein the display element presents different appearances in an observation direction in response to the magnetization direction of a magnetizable core, means for causing the core to extend through a drilling in the board, a conduction coil formed on a board surface configured and located to magnetize the core in a direction determined by the direction of current flow in the coil.
2. 2. A board, a through hole, a thin conduction layer on the board that provides a current path, the path is configured and located, in response to current along, to magnetize a core located in the borehole.
3. A board according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a display element mounted on the board, adapted to exhibit one or other appearance in an observation direction, in response to the sense of magnetization of the core.
4. 4. A board according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil forms at least one turn with respect to the bore.
5. 5. A board according to claim 2, characterized in that the path is configured to provide at least one turn with respect to the core.
6. 6. A board according to claim 3, characterized in that it has a display element mounted on the board, adapted to exhibit one or another appearance in an observation direction, in response to the sense of magnetization of the core.
7. 7. A board according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of sub-layers, wherein the coil is formed of extensions located in different layers of the board, adjacent to the perforation and where the extensions are connected in series, in such a way that the current of both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
8. A board according to claim 2, characterized in that the board is constituted by a plurality of layers and wherein the path is configured to provide at least extensions located in different layers of the board, adjacent to the bore and where both At least extensions are connected in series in such a way that the current in both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
9. 9. A board according to claim 3, characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of sub-layers, wherein the coil is formed of extensions located in different layers of the board, adjacent to the perforation located in different layers of the board, adjacent to the board. the perforation and where the extensions are connected in series in such a way that the current in both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
10. 10. A board according to claim 5, characterized in that it is constituted by a plurality of sub-layers, wherein the coil is formed of extensions located in different layers of the board, adjacent to the perforation and where the extensions are connected in series, in such a way that the current in both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
11. A board according to claim 4, characterized in that the board is constituted by a plurality of layers and wherein the path is configured to provide at least extensions located in different layers of the board adjacent to the perforation and where at least two Extensions are connected in series, so that the current in both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
12. 12. A board according to claim 6, characterized in that the board is constituted by a plurality of layers and wherein the path is configured to provide at least extensions located in different layers of the board adjacent to the piercing and wherein the two extensions at least they connect in series, so that the current in both extensions magnetizes the nucleus in the same direction.
13. A board according to claim 1, characterized in that the display element has two pins and a coil corresponding to each pin is provided, the coils are connected in series and configured in such a way that the magnetization of each pin is opposite to that of the pin. the other for any direction of current flow.
14. A board according to claim 2, characterized in that the display element has two pins received in spaced bores and a trajectory corresponding to each pin is provided, the paths are connected in series and configured in such a way that the magnetization of each pin is opposite to the other for any direction of current flow.
15. 15. A board, a display element that presents different appearances in an observation direction in response to the magnetization direction of a magnetizable core, the display element and the core are mounted on the board, a coil to magnetize the core applies at least a surface on the board.
16. 16. Means for mounting on a board a display element, which presents different appearances in an observation direction in response to the magnetization direction of a magnetizable core, the core has a U-shape defining two pins, mounting the member on U-shape on the board with the crossbar of the U on one side of the board and the pins that extend across the board to connect to the display element. i
17. 17. Means of compliance with the claim 16, characterized in that the pins make a snap fit with perforations in the housing.