Improvements in or relating to counting devices for the automatic control of the advancement of a movable structure

摘要

777,092. Machine-tool details. WERNER, H. H., and RUDIGER, F., [trading as WOHLENBERG KOMM.-GES., H.]. June 22, 1955 [June 25, 1954], No. 18052/55. Class 83 (3). [Also in Groups XIX; XXXVII, XL (b)] A predetermining-counter for controlling a machine-part comprises means for setting said counter forwardly to a selected number, and other means for rotating said counter rearwardly to zero. The counter comprises four numeraldrums 10, Fig. 1, each having a set of ten spirally-disposed projections 15. Below each drum are ten stops 16, each carried by a spring- member 35, Fig. 2, on a spindle 18. Each stop 16 can be raised to an active position by depression of a corresponding key 21 of a keyboard. Upon depression of a push-button 59, Fig. 4, a relay 42 is energized to close the circuit of a motor 54 which, through a belt-drive and individual-clutches 81, rotates each drum to the position determined by the selected stop 16 engaging the appropriate stop 15, Fig. 2, whereupon a relay 41, Fig. 4, is energized to close the circuit of an electromagnet 37 which moves a bar 38 and retracts the actuated stops 16, Fig. 2, thereby stressing the associated springs 25. The motor 51, Fig. 4, is energized and, through a belt 50 and a coupling 49, drives the machinepart 48, whose movement is to be controlled by the counter. The drums 10 are thus driven backwardly to zero via the belt 57, shaft 58 and gears 52. When the drums reach zero, slots 14 therein are aligned so that light from a lamp 13 strikes a photo-cell 11. An additional slot 14, or a single double-size slot 14, is provided on the second-order drum so that the photo-cell 11, or a second such cell, receives the light from the lamp 13 or a second lamp before the counter reaches zero. Upon the first energization of the photo-cell 11 a thyratron 56 fires and energizes a relay 44 which causes the thyratron to extinguish and actuates switches which effect, e.g., reduction of the speed of the driving-motor 51. When the photo-cell 11 is energized for the second time the thyratron 56 again fires to energize a relay 45 which disconnects the coupling 49 and stops the part 48. The first order of the counter may comprise a transparent drum, Fig. 3, which is connected via gears 34, 33 to a cam 31 whose follower is carried by a shaft 29 which also carries a disc 27 having an aperture 28 and the photo-cell 11 and light source 13. The arrangement is such that when the counter is set the aperture 28, cell 11 and lamp 13 are rotated to the appropriate angular position. The setting of the stops 16 may be effected by a punched card 17, Fig. 2, the columns of which have holes in positions corresponding to the selected stops 16, above which the card is located.