Magnetic erasure system

Abstract

To provide a magnetic erasing system that facilitates the movement of a magnetic eraser.SOLUTION: A magnetic erasing system 100 of the present invention includes a magnetic sheet 110 on which characters, figures, symbols, etc. can be drawn by applying a magnetic field; a magnetic eraser 170 that extends in a Y direction of the magnetic sheet 110 and makes it possible to erase drawn characters, figures, symbols, etc. by applying a magnetic field from a magnet 176 disposed between an upper end 172 and a lower end 174 to the magnetic sheet 110; and movement mechanisms 180 and 190 that move the magnetic eraser 170 so that the upper end 172 and lower end 174 of the magnetic eraser 170 move in an X direction in synchronization.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic erasing system for erasing characters, figures, symbols, etc. drawn on a magnetic sheet or magnetic panel. [Background technology]

[0002] With regard to magnetic writing systems, there are disclosed a magnetic pen (Patent Document 1) for applying a magnetic field to a magnetic sheet to draw letters, figures, symbols, etc. according to the movement trajectory, a magnetic eraser (Patent Document 2) for erasing letters, figures, and symbols drawn on a magnetic sheet, and a magnetic sheet or magnetic panel in which multiple microcapsules containing magnetic material are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern (Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6179788 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6213886 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6986791 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As the size of the magnetic sheet increases, the area that can be drawn with a magnetic pen becomes larger, and accordingly, the area that can be erased with a magnetic eraser also becomes larger. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a large area can be erased relatively easily by moving a magnetic eraser 20 horizontally on a magnetic sheet 10. The magnetic sheet 10 is provided with an upper guide 12 and a lower guide 14 for guiding the horizontal movement of the magnetic eraser 20, and the upper end 22 and the lower end 24 of the magnetic eraser 20 can slide on the upper guide 12 and the lower guide 14.

[0005] When erasing magnetic sheet 10, a user presses magnetic eraser 20 in direction F and moves it horizontally, but depending on the position and direction in which the user operates magnetic eraser 20, magnetic eraser 20 may tilt, causing scratches at corners P of upper end 22 and lower end 24, making it difficult to move magnetic eraser 20 horizontally. This also causes unevenness in the erasing area and leaves some areas unerased.

[0006] As a solution to this problem, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the magnetic eraser 20 by sufficiently increasing the horizontal width L of the magnetic eraser 20 and increasing the area over which the upper end 22 and lower end 24 slide against the upper guide 12 and lower guide 14. However, if the width L is increased, the area S1 of the magnetic eraser 20 increases, and the ratio of the area S1 to the drawing area S2 of the magnetic sheet 20 (effective drawing area ratio = S1:S2) increases, which effectively limits the area that can be drawn, causing practical problems. Furthermore, increasing the width L can be an obstacle to making magnetic writing implements smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve such conventional problems, and aims to provide a magnetic erasure system that makes it easy to move a magnetic erasure tool and enables the magnetic erasure tool to be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The magnetic erasure system of the present invention includes a magnetophoretic magnetic sheet on which letters, figures, symbols, etc. can be drawn by applying a magnetic field; a magnetic erasure tool extending in a first direction of the magnetic sheet and having one end and another end opposite the one end, which makes it possible to erase drawn letters, etc. by applying a magnetic field from a magnet arranged between the one end and the other end to the magnetic sheet; and a moving means for moving the magnetic erasure tool in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the moving means further including a synchronization means for synchronizing the movement of the one end and the other end in the second direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the magnetic erasing system further includes a rotating means for rotating the magnet in conjunction with the movement of the magnetic erasing tool by the moving means. In one embodiment, the magnetic sheet includes a plurality of microcapsules containing a magnetic material, and the magnetic particles are aggregated and stationary in the center of the microcapsules in response to a magnetic field from the magnet of the magnetic erasing tool. In one embodiment, the synchronizing means includes a rack-and-pinion mechanism. In one embodiment, the rack-and-pinion mechanism includes a synchronization shaft extending from the one end to the other end, a first pinion gear attached to a first end of the synchronization shaft, a second pinion gear attached to a second end of the synchronization shaft, a first rack attached to an upper end of the magnetic sheet, and a second rack attached to a lower end of the magnetic sheet, and the first pinion gear engages with the first rack and the second pinion gear engages with the second rack. In one embodiment, a first gear is connected to the synchronous shaft, a second gear engaged with the first gear is connected to the magnet, and the magnet is rotated by the synchronous shaft. In one embodiment, the rotation speed of the magnet is adjusted by a gear ratio between the first gear and the second gear. In one embodiment, the synchronous shaft includes a first portion connected to a first pinion gear and a second portion separated from the first portion and connected to a second pinion gear, the first gear is connected to the first portion, a second gear identical to the first gear is connected to the second portion, a third gear engaged with the first gear is connected to one end of the magnet, and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear is connected to the other end, the third gear and the fourth gear have the same configuration, and the magnet is rotated by the first and second portions. In one embodiment, the moving means includes a motor and a transmission member that transmits the rotation of the motor to the synchronous shaft. In one embodiment, the moving means includes a mechanism for moving the transmission member between a first position and a second position, the transmission member engaging the synchronization shaft when in the first position, and the transmission member not engaging the synchronization shaft when in the second position. In one embodiment, the synchronizing means includes a wire mechanism.In one embodiment, the wire mechanism includes a first wire attached to the upper end of the magnetic sheet and a second wire attached to the lower end of the magnetic sheet, the wire mechanism moves the first and second wires in the same direction at the same speed, one end of the magnetic eraser is fixed to the first wire and the other end is fixed to the second wire. In one embodiment, the wire mechanism includes a first pulley and a second pulley provided at each corner of the upper side of the magnetic sheet, and a third pulley and a fourth pulley provided at each corner of the lower side, and a wire is wound between the first to fourth pulleys so that the movement of the first wire between the first and second pulleys is synchronized with the movement of the second wire between the third and fourth pulleys. In one embodiment, the moving means further includes a first motor for driving the wire. In one embodiment, the moving means further includes a second motor in the magnetic writing instrument for rotating the magnet. In one embodiment, the moving means further includes a fifth pulley rotated by a wire between the first and second pulleys or between the third and fourth pulleys, the fifth pulley being connected to the rotation axis of the magnet. In one embodiment, the moving means includes a user input for instructing the motor to be on / off. In one embodiment, the moving means includes a detection means for detecting a position of the magnetic eraser, the detection means controlling the motor in response to a result of the detection means. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when the magnetic eraser is moved in the second direction, the movement of one end and the other end in the second direction is synchronized, so that the magnetic eraser is prevented from galling or tilting, and the magnetic eraser can be easily moved parallel to the second direction. This makes it possible to perform uniform erasure without unevenness in the erasure range or residual erasure. In addition, the width of the magnetic eraser in the second direction can be reduced, improving the effective drawing range ratio of the magnetic sheet (the drawing area of ​​the magnetic sheet is not limited), and the magnetic eraser can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating problems with a conventional magnetic erasing system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] Figure 3(A) is a perspective view seen from the front to show the internal structure of the magnetic erasure tool, Figure 3(B) is a perspective view seen from the side to show the internal structure of the magnetic erasure tool, and Figure 3(C) is a front view showing the rack and pinion mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing details of the wire mechanism and magnetic eraser according to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 9(B) is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper end support portion, and FIG. 9(C) is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower end support portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the configuration of a magnetic erasure system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper end support portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The magnetic erasure system of the present invention includes a thin magnetophoretic magnetic sheet (or magnetic panel) in which microcapsules containing magnetic particles are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern; when a magnetic writing instrument (e.g., a magnetic pen containing a magnet at the tip, as shown in Patent No. 6179788) is moved over the drawing surface of this magnetic sheet, magnetic field or lines of force from the magnetic writing instrument are applied to the magnetic sheet, causing the magnetic particles in the microcapsules to aggregate and remain stationary near the surface, making it possible to draw letters, figures, pictures, etc. according to the movement trajectory of the magnetic writing instrument; and magnetic field or lines of force from a magnetic eraser (e.g., a magnetic eraser that changes the magnetic field by rotating a magnet, as shown in Patent No. 6213886) are applied to the drawing surface or back surface of the magnetic sheet, making it possible to erase the drawn letters, etc., by causing the magnetic particles in the microcapsules to aggregate and remain stationary in the center.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings referred to in the following embodiments have exaggerated parts to facilitate understanding of the invention, and are not necessarily the same in size or shape as the actual products. EXAMPLES

[0014] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic erasing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a magnetic sheet is viewed from the front (drawing surface). As shown in the figure, the magnetic erasing system 100 of this embodiment includes a thin magnetic sheet 110, a magnetic sheet holding plate 120 for holding the back side of the magnetic sheet 110, an upper frame 130 for fixing the front side of the magnetic sheet 110, a lower frame 140, side frames 150 and 160, a magnetic erasing tool 170 for erasing characters, figures, etc. drawn on the magnetic sheet 110, and movement mechanisms 180 and 190 for moving the magnetic erasing tool 170 in the horizontal direction (X direction). The movement mechanisms 180 and 190 include a synchronization mechanism for synchronizing the horizontal movements of an upper end 172 and a lower end 174 of the magnetic erasing tool 170, as described below.

[0015] The magnetic erasing system 100 does not require power to draw characters or the like on the magnetic sheet 110 or to hold the drawn characters or the like. Furthermore, the erasure of drawn characters or the like is performed by magnetic force and does not necessarily require power. Even if power is required, it is only a small amount of power required to move the magnetic eraser 180. Furthermore, no erasure residue or dust is generated during erasure. Therefore, the magnetic erasing system 100 is a very economical and environmentally friendly device compared to writing systems using liquid crystal panels that require power and electronic whiteboards that use markers for drawing.

[0016] The magnetic sheet 110 may have, but is not limited to, a rectangular shape, and may be, for example, 50 inches or larger in size. Such a magnetic sheet 110 may be used as a magnetic display system or magnetic erasure system for hanging on the wall in an office or home.

[0017] As shown in Japanese Patent No. 6986791, for example, the magnetic sheet 110 is configured by arranging a plurality of microcapsules containing magnetic particles and the like two-dimensionally between an upper sheet and a lower sheet made of a transparent non-magnetic material (e.g., resin). One surface (e.g., the upper sheet) of the magnetic sheet 110 provides a drawing surface for a magnetic pen (not shown here). When the magnetic pen is moved over the drawing surface, the magnetic field or magnetic field generated by the magnetic pen acts on the magnetic particles in the microcapsules, causing the magnetic particles to move to the surface of the microcapsules, and drawing is performed according to the trajectory of the magnetic pen.

[0018] The entire back surface of the magnetic sheet 110 is supported by a magnetic sheet holding plate 120. The magnetic sheet holding plate 120 is made of a non-magnetic material. The outer edge of the front surface side of the magnetic sheet 110 is fixed by four frames: an upper frame 130, a lower frame 140, and side frames 150 and 160.

[0019] The magnetic erasing tool 170 is a member extending in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the magnetic sheet 110, and has an upper end 172 and a lower end 174. The upper end 172 is connected to a moving mechanism 180 provided in the upper frame 130, and the lower end 174 is connected to a moving mechanism 190 provided in the lower frame 140. These moving mechanisms 180, 190 enable the magnetic erasing tool 170 to move horizontally above the magnetic sheet 110.

[0020] A magnet is housed inside the magnetic eraser 170. The magnet may be of a rotating type or a stationary type. FIG. 2(B) shows a magnet 176A that is attached so as to be rotatable with the horizontal movement of the magnetic eraser 170, and FIG. 2(C) shows a magnet 176B that is fixed inside the magnetic eraser 170. The shape, size, and arrangement of the magnets 176A and 176B are not particularly limited, but preferably, the magnet 176A is magnetized with a north pole and a south pole in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 178, and is applied to the magnetic sheet 110 so that when the magnetic eraser 170 is moved horizontally, the magnetic field lines from the north pole to the south pole of the magnet 176A move horizontally while rotating. On the other hand, magnet 176B has its north and south poles arranged horizontally, and when magnetic eraser 170 is moved horizontally, magnetic field lines extending from the north pole to the south pole of magnet 176B are applied to magnetic sheet 110 so as to move horizontally, thereby erasing characters and other images drawn on magnetic sheet 110.

[0021] Next, the details of the magnetic eraser and the moving mechanism of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3(A) is a perspective view of the magnetic eraser and the moving mechanism when viewed from the front, Figure 3(B) is a perspective view of the magnetic eraser and the moving mechanism when viewed from the side to show the internal configuration of the magnetic eraser and the moving mechanism, and Figure 3(C) is a front view showing the rack and pinion mechanism. It should be noted that the same hatching is used for the same parts to make the configuration of each part easier to understand.

[0022] The magnetic sheet 110 is held by a magnetic sheet holding plate 120, an upper frame 130 is attached to the upper end of the magnetic sheet holding plate 120, and a lower frame 140 is attached to the lower end.

[0023] The upper frame 130 has a generally U-shaped cross section with a groove formed in the X direction. The lower frame 140 is configured in the same manner as the upper frame 130. A rack 182 extending in the X direction is formed on the inner side of the side wall 132 of the upper frame 130, and similarly, a rack 192 extending in the X direction is formed on the inner side of the side wall 142 of the lower frame 140. The rack 182 of the upper frame 130 engages with a pinion gear 184 provided at the upper end of the magnetic eraser 170, and the rack 192 of the lower frame 140 engages with a pinion gear 194 provided at the lower end of the magnetic eraser 170. The pinion gear 184 is configured in the same manner as the pinion gear 194. FIG. 3(C) shows the rack and pinion configuration. That is, the moving mechanisms 180 and 190 move the magnetic eraser 170 in the horizontal direction by a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0024] The magnetic erasure tool 170 has a generally rectangular housing 200 made of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. The housing 200 includes an upper end 202 that fits into a groove in the upper frame 130, a lower end 204 that fits into a groove in the lower frame 140, and a central portion 206 connected to the upper end 202 and the lower end 204, forming a space therebetween.

[0025] A synchronous shaft 210 extending from the upper end 202 to the lower end 204 is accommodated inside the housing 200. One end of the synchronous shaft 210 is rotatably attached to the end face of the upper end 202, and the other end is rotatably attached to the end face of the lower end 204, and the synchronous shaft 210 is arranged to be parallel to the Y direction. Furthermore, a pinion gear 184 is connected to one end of the synchronous shaft 210, and a pinion gear 194 is connected to the other end. The pinion gear 184 engages with a rack 182 through an opening formed in a side surface of the upper end 202 of the housing 200, and similarly, the pinion gear 194 engages with a rack 192 through an opening formed in a side surface of the lower end 204 of the housing 200. When a horizontal operating force is applied to the magnetic eraser 170, the upper end 202 and the lower end 204 of the housing 200 move synchronously in the horizontal direction by a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0026] Furthermore, a magnet 220 is accommodated inside the central portion 206 of the housing 200. A rotating shaft 222 attached to one end of the magnet 220 is rotatably supported by a vertical partition wall 208 connecting the central portion 206 and the upper end portion 202, and a rotating shaft 224 attached to the other end is rotatably supported by a vertical partition wall 209 connecting the central portion 206 and the lower end portion 204. A gear (spur gear) 226 is attached to the rotating shaft 222, and this gear 226 engages with a gear (spur gear) 212 attached to the synchronous shaft 210. As a result, when the synchronous shaft 210 rotates, the magnet 220 is rotated via the gears 212 and 226. The rotation speed of the magnet 220 is adjusted by the gear ratio between the gear 212 and the gear 226. The magnet 220 is configured, for example, like the magnet 176A in FIG. 2(B).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3B, the rear surface of the housing 200 is spaced a certain distance from the magnetic sheet 110, that is, it is not in contact with the magnetic sheet 110. The distance between the magnet 220 and the magnetic sheet 110 is adjusted so that the magnetic field or magnetic field generated by the magnet 220 acts appropriately on the magnetic material in the microcapsules. The magnetic eraser 170 may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the magnet 220. In addition, in order to suppress wobbling of the housing 200 in the Y direction, a cushioning material 230 with excellent sliding properties may be attached between the lower end 204 of the housing 200 and the lower frame 140, or a rotating roller or roller may be attached instead of the cushioning material 230. When the cushioning material 230 is used, dust and the like are generated, but the generation of dust and the like can be suppressed by using a roller or roller.

[0028] When erasing characters or the like drawn on magnetic sheet 110, the user operates magnetic eraser 170 to move magnetic eraser 170 in the horizontal direction (X direction). At this time, the horizontal movements of the upper and lower ends of magnetic eraser 170 are synchronized by a rack-and-pinion mechanism including synchronous shaft 210, so magnetic eraser 170 can be easily moved horizontally without tilting. By maintaining the posture of magnetic eraser 170, the magnetic field lines rotating while moving horizontally are uniformly applied to magnetic sheet 110, and characters or the like can be neatly erased without causing erasure unevenness.

[0029] Furthermore, by providing a synchronization mechanism for the movement mechanisms 180, 190 of the magnetic erasing tool 170, it is possible to further reduce the horizontal width of the magnetic erasing tool 170. This prevents a reduction in the effective drawing area of ​​the magnetic sheet 110, and at the same time makes it possible to reduce the size, weight, and cost of the magnetic erasing tool 170.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the magnet 220 is rotated, but the magnet 220 may be stationary or fixed within the magnetic eraser 170, as shown by magnet 176B in Fig. 2(C). In this case, the rotating shafts 222, 224 of the magnet 220 are fixed to the partition walls 208, 209, and the gear 226 and the gear 212 of the synchronous shaft 210 are not necessary.

[0031] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The same reference numbers are used for the same components as in Fig. 3. In the first embodiment, the horizontal movements of the upper end 202 and the lower end 204 of the housing 200 are synchronized by a single synchronization shaft 210. In the second embodiment, however, the synchronization shaft 210 is divided into two, an upper one and an lower one, and the two synchronization shafts are synchronized by a magnet 220.

[0032] As shown in the figure, a first synchronous shaft 210A connected to the pinion gear 184 and a gear 212 is attached to an upper end 202 of the housing 200. Similarly, a second synchronous shaft 210B connected to the pinion gear 194 and a gear 214 is attached to a lower end 204 of the housing 200. The second synchronous shaft 210B is connected to a gear 214 like the first synchronous shaft 210A, and a gear 228 is connected to the other rotating shaft 214 of the magnet 220, and the gear 214 engages with the gear 228. The gear 214 has the same configuration as the gear 212, and the gear 228 has the same configuration as the gear 226.

[0033] According to the second embodiment, by dividing the synchronization shaft 210 into synchronization shafts 210A and 210B, the internal space of the housing 200 is expanded, and the size and layout of the magnet 220 can be designed with greater freedom.

[0034] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments, an example was shown in which the user manually operated the magnetic eraser 170 in the X direction. In this case, if there is variation in the user's operation speed in the X direction, erasure irregularities may occur. In addition, it is cumbersome and inconvenient for the user to operate the magnetic eraser 170. Therefore, in the third embodiment, it is possible to electrically move the magnetic eraser 170 in the X direction at a constant speed.

[0035] Figure 5(A) is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic erasure system 100A of the third embodiment, Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of an electronic component mounting section 300 mounted in a magnetic erasure tool 170, and Figures 6(A) and (B) are diagrams showing the internal configuration of the magnetic erasure tool 170, with the same reference numbers being used for configurations that are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6(A), a gear box 240, a motor 250, and an electronic component mounting unit 260 are further accommodated within the housing 200. The gear box 240 includes a gear 242 on an output shaft, and the gear 242 engages with the gear 212 of the synchronous shaft 210. The gear box 240 includes a plurality of gears therein and transmits the rotation of the motor 250 to the gear 242 on the output shaft at a constant gear ratio. The electronic component mounting unit 260 controls the rotation of the motor 250 in response to an external user input and / or sensor input.

[0037] The gear box 240 and the motor 250 are configured to be movable in the Y direction using, for example, a slide mechanism, and are positioned at the position shown in Fig. 6(A) or the position shown in Fig. 6(B). The slide mechanism may be operated by the user or may be electrically operated.

[0038] 6(A), the gear 242 of the gear box 240 meshes with the gear 212 of the synchronous shaft 210, and when the motor 250 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the synchronous shaft 210 via the gears 242 and 212, causing the synchronous shaft 210 to rotate. This causes the magnetic eraser 170 to move in the X direction by the motor 250. At the same time, the rotation of the synchronous shaft 210 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 222 of the magnet 220 via the gears 212 and 226, causing the magnet 220 to rotate.

[0039] 6(B), the gear 242 of the gear box 240 is separated from the gear 212 of the synchronous shaft 210, and the gear 242 is not engaged with the gear 212. At this time, the rotation of the motor 250 is not transmitted to the gear 212, and the magnetic erasing tool 170 is not moved in the X direction by the motor 250. In the state of FIG. 6(B), the magnetic erasing tool 170 can be moved in the X direction by a user operation, as in the first embodiment.

[0040] 5(B) shows an example of the configuration of electronic component mounting section 260. Electronic component mounting section 260 includes an input section 300 that receives instructions from a user, a motor driving section 310 that drives motor 250, a position detection sensor 320 that detects the position of magnetic eraser 170, and a controller 330. These electronic devices are powered by a battery installed in housing 200.

[0041] The input unit 300 is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a movement start button for starting erasure by the magnetic eraser 170, a movement end button for ending erasure by the magnetic eraser 120, a button for selecting the movement speed in the X direction of the magnetic eraser 170 (e.g., selecting either high, medium, or low speed), a button for selecting the movement direction of the magnetic eraser 170 (e.g., selecting right or left), etc., and the instructions received by the input unit 300 are provided to the controller 330.

[0042] In response to a drive signal from the controller 330, the motor drive unit 310 rotates the motor 250 (forward or reverse), varies the rotation speed of the motor 250, or starts or stops the motor 250.

[0043] The position detection sensor 320 detects the position of the magnetic eraser 170. The detection method is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in FIG. 5(A), mechanical button switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on both sides of the magnetic eraser 170 (housing), and protruding stoppers ST1 and ST2 that can contact the button switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on the left and right side frames 150 and 160. When the button switch SW1 contacts the stopper ST1, the leftmost position of the magnetic eraser 170 is detected, and when the button switch SW2 contacts the stopper ST2, the rightmost position of the magnetic eraser 170 is detected. In another embodiment, the position of the magnetic eraser 170 may be detected using an optical sensor that pairs a light emitting element and a light receiving element, an imaging camera, or the like. The detection result of the position detection sensor 320 is provided to the controller 330.

[0044] The controller 330 is composed of, for example, a microcontroller including ROM / RAM, and controls the movement of the magnetic eraser 170 according to a program stored in the ROM / RAM. For example, when a user presses an erase start button, the controller 330 rotates the motor 250, and rotates the magnet 220 while moving the magnetic eraser 170 in the X direction, thereby erasing drawn characters and the like. When a user presses an erase end button, or when the position detection sensor 320 detects a predetermined position of the magnetic eraser 170, the controller 330 stops the rotation of the motor 250 and stops the magnetic eraser 170.

[0045] In one embodiment, the battery B contained within the housing 200 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and when the magnetic erasure unit 170 is located in the home position (when the button switch SW1 contacts the stopper ST1), the terminal T of the battery B may be connected to the power supply terminal 152 attached to the side frame 150, so that the battery B is charged (see FIG. 5(A)).

[0046] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve user convenience by electrically moving the magnetic erasing tool 170. Also, since the magnetic erasing tool 170 is moved at a constant speed in the X direction while the magnet 220 is rotated at a constant speed, it is possible to apply uniform magnetic lines of force or a magnetic field to the magnetic sheet 110, thereby enabling uniform erasure.

[0047] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. A magnetic erasing system 100B according to the fourth embodiment has a magnetic sheet attachment / detachment function. As shown in the figure, the drawing surface of the magnetic sheet 100 can be easily expanded in size by adding a magnetic sheet 110A. Conversely, the size can be easily reduced by removing the magnetic sheet 110A.

[0048] The expanded magnetic sheet 110A has the same length in the Y direction as the magnetic sheet 100, and has an upper frame 130A attached to its upper end, a lower frame 140A attached to its lower end, and a side frame 160 attached to its right side. This side frame 160 has been detached from the right side of the magnetic sheet 110.

[0049] The right end 116 of the magnetic sheet 110 and the left end 118 of the expanded magnetic sheet 110A are joined by adhesive or other mechanical means, and the magnetic sheet 110A is joined to the magnetic sheet 110. In addition, the upper frame 130A and the lower frame 140A are fitted with expanded racks such that the racks 182, 192 are extended. This allows the moving mechanisms 180, 190 to be extended to the expanded magnetic sheet 110A, and the magnetic eraser 170 to be moved horizontally over the expanded magnetic sheet 110A by the moving mechanisms 180, 190.

[0050] In addition, in one embodiment, the added magnetic sheet 110A may be configured to be foldable. The magnetic sheet 110A is rotatably attached to the magnetic sheet 110 by, for example, a hinge, and when the magnetic erasing system is carried, the magnetic sheet 110A can be rotated by approximately 180 degrees to reduce the size of the magnetic sheet and improve portability.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example in which one magnetic sheet 110A is expanded is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to expand multiple magnetic sheets in the X direction. In this case, the expanded racks are attached to the upper and lower frames of the expanded magnetic sheet, respectively.

[0052] Furthermore, when one or more magnetic sheets are expanded, the drawing surface is expanded, and the erasure range is expanded accordingly. To deal with this, magnetic erasers may be added and multiple magnetic erasers may be installed. This can shorten the erasure time, and partial erasure can be easily performed by using any one of the multiple magnetic erasers.

[0053] According to this embodiment, even when the magnetic sheet is expanded, the horizontal movements of the upper end 172 and the lower end 174 of the magnetic eraser 170 can be synchronized using a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0054] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic erasing system according to the fifth embodiment. The magnetic erasing system 100C has a roughly rectangular magnetic sheet 400, a magnetic erasing tool 410 that can move in the X direction on the magnetic sheet 400, and legs 420 that support the magnetic sheet 400.

[0055] Magnetic sheet 400 has a rectangular drawing surface 402 in the center, and a frame 404 is attached around magnetic sheet 400. Four pulleys P1, P2, P3, and P4 around which wire W is wound are attached to the corners of frame 404. The wire W between pulley P1 and pulley P2 is fixed to an upper end 412 of magnetic eraser 410, and the wire W between pulley P3 and pulley P4 is fixed to a lower end 414 of magnetic eraser 410.

[0056] A cylindrical driving roller R is disposed between pulleys P1 and P3, and a wire W from pulleys P1 and P2 and a wire W from pulleys P3 and P4 are wound around the roller R. A motor M1 is connected to the rotation shaft of the roller R, and when the roller R is rotated (forward or reverse) by the motor M1, the wire W between the pulleys P1 and P2 and the wire W between the pulleys P3 and P4 move at the same speed in the same direction for a distance according to the rotation angle of the roller R. This synchronizes the movement of the upper end 412 and the lower end 414 of the magnetic eraser 410 in the X direction (horizontal direction).

[0057] An operation button B for receiving instructions from a user is attached to the frame 404. The user can instruct the motor M1 to start (forward or reverse) or stop via the operation button B. The instruction received by the operation button B is provided to a microcontroller (not shown), which controls the drive of the motor M1.

[0058] Furthermore, switches SW1 and SW2 for detecting the position of the magnetic eraser 410 are provided on the left and right sides of the frame 404. When the switches SW1 and SW2 detect that the magnetic eraser 410 has come into contact with the frame 404, they provide the detection result to the microcontroller.

[0059] The microcontroller drives the motor M1 based on user input from the operation button B and / or the detection results of the switches SW1 and SW2, and moves the wire W between the pulleys P1 and P2 and the wire W between the pulleys P3 and P4 in the X direction, so that the magnetic eraser 410 erases characters, figures, etc. drawn on the drawing surface 402.

[0060] In the fifth embodiment, a wire mechanism is used to move the magnetic eraser 410 in the X direction, and the details will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in the figure, a single wire W runs from a roller R through pulleys P1 and P2, returns to pulley P1, is wound around the roller R, returns to pulley P3 through pulleys P3 and P4, and then returns to the roller R where it is wound again.

[0061] The roller R is rotated forward or reverse by the motor M1. For example, when the motor M1 is rotated forward, the wire portion W1 between the pulleys P1 and P2 and the wire portion W2 between the pulleys P3 and P4 move in the Xa direction, and when the motor M1 is rotated reversely, the wire portion W1 between the pulleys P1 and P2 and the wire portion W2 between the pulleys P3 and P4 move in the Xb direction.

[0062] The magnetic erasure tool 410 includes, within a housing not shown here, a magnet 430 extending in the Y direction, an upper end support portion 440 that rotatably supports the upper end of the magnet 430, a lower end support portion 450 that rotatably supports the lower end of the magnet 430, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the magnet 430.

[0063] 9(B), the upper end support part 440 is, for example, a member having an L-shaped cross section, and an opening 442A is formed in the vertical part 442 for rotatably supporting one rotating shaft 432 of the magnet 430. In addition, a fixture 446 for fixing the wire part W1 is attached to the horizontal part 444.

[0064] 9(C), the lower end support part 450 includes a vertical part 452 and a horizontal part 454 having an L-shaped cross section configured in the same manner as the upper end support part 440, and an opening 452A for rotatably supporting the other rotating shaft 434 of the magnet 430 is formed in the vertical part 452. In addition, a fixture 456 for fixing the wire part W2 is attached to the horizontal part 454.

[0065] Furthermore, a gear 460 is attached to the rotating shaft 434, and the gear 460 is meshed with the rotating shaft of the motor M2. As in the third embodiment, the magnetic eraser 410 can be equipped with an electronic component mounting section 260 (see FIG. 5(B)) for controlling the driving of the motor M2, and these components are operated by power from a battery.

[0066] In one embodiment, a spring mechanism 470 is connected to the pulley P2 to elastically pull the axis of the pulley P2 in the horizontal direction to provide a constant tension to the wire W. Other pulleys (e.g., pulley P4) may also be connected to such spring mechanisms. Furthermore, in one embodiment, one or more tensioning pulleys 472 may be provided to provide a constant tension to the wire W. The tensioning pulleys 472 may be provided together with the spring mechanism 470.

[0067] It should be noted here that upper end support part 440 and lower end support part 450 fix wire part W1 and wire part W2 so that the positions in the X direction above and below magnet 430 are equal. As a result, when magnetic erasing tool 410 moves in the X direction, the positions in the X direction of upper end 412 and lower end 414 are synchronized. In this way, magnetic field lines or a magnetic field that rotates while moving in the X direction is uniformly applied to magnetic sheet 400 by magnetic erasing tool 410.

[0068] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the motor M2 is used as a power source for rotating the magnet 430 of the magnetic eraser 410, but in the sixth embodiment, the movement of a wire is used as a power source for rotating the magnet 430.

[0069] Fig. 10 shows the configuration of the wire mechanism of the magnetic erasure system 100D of the sixth embodiment, and the same reference numbers are used for the same components as in Fig. 9. As shown in the figure, the magnet 430 is not rotated by a motor, but by a pulley P5 arranged between pulleys P1 and P2. The rotation shaft of the pulley P5 is connected to the rotation shaft 432 of the magnet 430, and the wire portion W3 between the pulleys P1 and P2 is wound around the pulley P5. When the wire portion W3 moves in the X direction, the pulley P5 rotates, and the magnet 430 rotates at the same time.

[0070] Preferably, the wire portion W3 is wound around the pulley P5 once, and the movement of the wire portion W3 is accurately transmitted to the pulley P5. The pulley P5 can be sized to give a certain tension to the wire portion W3. In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the pulley P5 and the magnet 430 have the same rotation speed, but one or more gears may be interposed between the pulley P5 and the rotating shaft 432 of the magnet 430 to make the rotation speed and direction of the magnet 430 different from those of the pulley P5. Furthermore, another pulley of the same size as the pulley P5 may be provided between the pulley P3 and the pulley P4, and the other pulley may be connected to the other rotating shaft 434 of the magnet 430 to rotate both ends of the magnet 430.

[0071] According to this embodiment, since no motor is required to rotate the magnet 430, the configuration of the magnetic eraser 410 can be simplified, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0072] In the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention described above, the magnetic eraser uses one cylindrical magnet, but the present invention is not limited to this. The magnet may have another shape, for example, a rectangular column shape with the south and north poles magnetized in the axial direction. The magnetic eraser may also include multiple magnets, for example, three cylindrical magnets connected in series so that their rotation axes coincide.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the Y-direction length of the magnet was configured to be equal to or greater than the Y-direction length of the drawing surface, but this is not limited to this, and the Y-direction length of the magnet may be smaller than the Y-direction length of the drawing surface.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the magnetic eraser is placed on the drawing surface (front side) of the magnetic sheet, but the magnetic eraser may be placed on the back side of the magnetic sheet so that erasure can be performed from the back side.

[0075] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D: Magnetic erasure system 110, 110A, 400: Magnetic sheet 170, 410: Magnetic eraser 172: Upper end 174: Bottom end 180, 190: Movement mechanism 200, 200A: Housing 210: Synchronous axis 220, 430: Magnet 250:Motor 260: Electronic component mounting section

Claims

1. A magnetophoretic magnetic sheet that can draw letters, figures, symbols, etc. by applying a magnetic field; a magnetic eraser that extends in a first direction of the magnetic sheet, includes one end and another end opposite the one end, and that applies a magnetic field from a magnet disposed between the one end and the other end to the magnetic sheet, thereby enabling erasure of written characters, etc.; a moving means for moving the magnetic erasure tool in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The magnetic erasure system, wherein the moving means further includes a synchronizing means for synchronizing the movement of the one end and the other end in the second direction.

2. 2. The magnetic erasure system according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating means for rotating the magnet in conjunction with the movement of the magnetic erasure tool by the moving means.

3. The synchronizing means includes a rack and pinion mechanism, the rack and pinion mechanism including a synchronization shaft extending from the one end to the other end, a first pinion gear attached to the first end of the synchronization shaft, a second pinion gear attached to the second end of the synchronization shaft, a first rack attached to the upper end of the magnetic sheet, and a second rack attached to the lower end of the magnetic sheet; 2. The magnetic erasure system of claim 1, wherein the first pinion gear engages the first rack and the second pinion gear engages the second rack.

4. 4. The magnetic erasure system of claim 3, wherein a first gear is connected to the synchronization shaft, a second gear is connected to the magnet and engages with the first gear, and the magnet is rotated by the synchronization shaft.

5. the synchronous shaft includes a first portion connected to a first pinion gear and a second portion separated from the first portion and connected to a second pinion gear, a first gear being connected to the first portion, and a second gear identical to the first gear being connected to the second portion; a third gear engaged with the first gear is connected to one end of the magnet, and a fourth gear engaged with the second gear is connected to the other end of the magnet, the third gear and the fourth gear having the same configuration; The magnetic erasure system of claim 3 , wherein the magnet is rotated by first and second portions.

6. The synchronizing means includes a wire mechanism, the wire mechanism including a first wire attached to an upper end of the magnetic sheet and a second wire attached to a lower end of the magnetic sheet, the wire mechanism moving the first and second wires in the same direction at the same speed, 2. The magnetic erasure system of claim 1, wherein one end of the magnetic erasure tool is fixed to a first wire and the other end is fixed to a second wire.

7. The magnetic writing system of claim 6, wherein the wire mechanism includes a first pulley and a second pulley provided at each corner of the upper side of the magnetic sheet, and a third pulley and a fourth pulley provided at each corner of the lower side, and the wire is wound between the first to fourth pulleys so that movement of the first wire between the first pulley and the second pulley is synchronized with movement of the second wire between the third pulley and the fourth pulley.

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