Rotating display element and display unit using the same

• US 4,615,131 A
• Filed: 04/13/1984
• Issued: 10/07/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yoshimasa Wakatake
• Original Assignee: Yoshimasa Wakatake
• Inventors: Wakatake, Yoshimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/600,287
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 40/449, 40/473, 40/446, 40/447, 40/451, 340/764, 340/783, 340/815.29, 340/815.27, 340/815.08, 340/815.09, 340/763
• US Class Current: 40/473
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/375 the position of the elements being controlled by the application of a magnetic field

Abstract

A rotating display element which is provided with a display surface member having a plurality of display surfaces which are selected by rotating the display surface member, and a display unit which uses the display element. The display surface member of the rotating display element has incorporated therein a permanent magnet type motor mechanism and is driven by the permanent magnet type motor mechanism. The rotor of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism has first and second double-pole permanent magnet members, and its stator has first and second magnetic members having wound thereon first and second exciting windings, respectively. The display unit has first and second power supply means for supplying power to the first exciting winding of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism and third and fourth power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding. The plurality of display surfaces of the display surface member can selectively be directed to the front by supplying power to the first exciting winding via the first or second power supply means and by supplying power to the second exciting winding via the third or fourth power supply means. A display panel can be constituted by arranging, in a matrix form, a number of such display units each employing the rotating display element.

Claims

1. A display unit comprising:

a rotating display element; and

a drive unit for driving the rotating display element;

wherein the rotating display element is provided with a display surface member having four display surfaces, and a permanent magnet type motor mechanism;

wherein the display surface member is mounted on the rotor of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism so that it incorporates therein the permanent magnet type motor mechanism;

wherein the four display surfaces of the display surface member are arranged side by side around the axis of the rotor;

wherein either one of the rotor or the stator of the permanet magnet type motor mechanism has first and second double-pole permanent magnet members respectively having north and south magnetic poles and disposed side by side in the direction of extension of the axis of the rotor;

wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180°

from each other;

wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±

α

°

(where α

°

includes 0°

) from the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member and at an angular distance of 180°

from each other;

wherein the other of the rotor and the stator of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism has a first magnetic member provided with first and second magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member, a second magnetic member provided with third and fourth magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member, a first exciting winding wound on the first magnetic member in manner to excite the first and second magnetic poles in reverse polarities, and a second exciting winding wound on the second magnetic member in a manner to excite the third and fourth magnetic poles in reverse polarities;

wherein the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180°

;

wherein the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±

90°

±

α

°

from the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and at an angular distance of 180°

from each other;

wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the first and second double-pole permanent magnet members each extend over an effective angular range of about 90°

around the axis of the rotor; and

wherein the drive unit has first power supply means for supplying power to the first winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively;

second power supply means for supplying power to the first exciting winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively;

third power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively; and

fourth power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively.