Recording timer, method of controlling the same, and program for controlling the same

Abstract

To provide a recording timer capable of preventing errors in inter-point distance measurement for every predetermined number of points.SOLUTION: A recording timer 1 is provided, comprising a pair of discharge plates 12 configured to allow points to be recorded on a recording tape 2 passing between the pair through discharge, and a discharge control unit 11 configured to cause the discharge plates 12 to discharge at a predetermined recording cycle. The discharge control unit 11 changes the magnitude of discharge by the discharge plates 12 every predetermined times.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording timer, a method for controlling the recording timer, and a control program for the recording timer.

Background Art

[0002] A recording timer is a device capable of recording dots on a recording tape at a predetermined recording period. As an example, it is used for measuring the speed of a dynamics trolley in a physics class in school education. The recording period of the recording timer is constant and is 1 / 50 second or 1 / 60 second when it is equal to the frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) of the alternating current power of the public power grid. Therefore, if a recording tape is attached to a moving dynamics trolley, the distance between the dots recorded on the recording tape can be measured and divided by the time interval between the dots, so that the speed of the dynamics trolley at any time can be calculated.

[0003] Devices for automatically aggregating the recording results of recording timers have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that substitutes a recording timer by automatically measuring the position of a dynamics trolley without using a recording tape by utilizing electronic components such as sensors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a recording timer is used for measuring the speed of a dynamics trolley, the speed of the dynamics trolley at any timing can be obtained by measuring the distance between the dots and dividing it by the time interval between the dots. However, since the recording interval of the dots is 1 / 50 second or 1 / 60 second, a large number of dots are recorded on the recording tape, and it is a high workload to measure the distances between all the dots.

[0006] Therefore, when recording points every 1 / 50 second, the distance is measured every 5 points, and when recording points every 1 / 60 second, the distance is measured every 6 points. Since the distance for every 5 or 6 points corresponds to the distance traveled by the mechanical trolley in 0.1 second, by multiplying the measured distance by 10, the average speed per second of the mechanical trolley in that section can be obtained.

[0007] However, when obtaining the speed change of the mechanical trolley, etc., since it is necessary to repeatedly measure the distance every 5 or 6 points many times, there is a possibility of measurement errors due to counting mistakes of the points. Although the measurement error of the distance can be prevented by using the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, such a system uses many sensors and tends to be expensive. Therefore, a recording timer that can prevent measurement errors of the distance between points for a predetermined number (5 or 6) with a simpler configuration is desired.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a recording timer that prevents measurement errors of the distance between points for a predetermined number, a control method of the recording timer, and a control program of the recording timer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The recording timer of the present invention is configured in a pair, and includes a discharge plate capable of recording points by discharging to a recording tape passing between the pair, and a discharge control unit that discharges the discharge plate at a predetermined recording cycle. The discharge control unit changes the magnitude of the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate every predetermined number of times, as compared with other cases.

[0010] The control method of the recording timer of the present invention controls a recording timer including a discharge plate configured in a pair and capable of recording points by discharging to a recording tape passing between the pair. In this control method, the discharge plate is discharged at a recording cycle, and the magnitude of the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate is changed every predetermined number of times, as compared with other cases.

[0011] The control program of the recording timer of the present invention is used for controlling a recording timer provided with a discharge plate capable of recording dots by discharging to a recording tape passing between a pair. This control program discharges the discharge plate in a recording cycle, and changes the magnitude of the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate every predetermined number of times to be different from other cases.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the recording timer, the control method of the recording timer, and the control program of the recording timer of the present invention, the discharge plate is discharged in a recording cycle, and the magnitude of the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate is changed every predetermined number of times to be different from other cases. As a result, the dots formed by discharging on the recording tape are different (become larger or smaller) every predetermined number of times, so it becomes easier to check the dots for each predetermined number, and it is possible to prevent measurement errors when measuring the distance between dots for each predetermined number.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3A

Fig. 3B

Fig. 3C

Fig. 3D

Fig. 4

Fig. 5A

Fig. 5B

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0015] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a recording timer and peripheral devices according to the present embodiment. The recording timer 1 is configured to be able to record dots on a recording tape 2 at a predetermined recording period. An example of the usage mode of the recording timer 1 is shown in this figure, and a mechanical trolley 3 is connected to one end of the recording tape 2. Further, the recording period of the recording timer 1 is determined by the frequency of the supplied AC power.

[0016] In such a configuration, the temporal change in the position of the mechanical trolley 3 is recorded as dots on the recording tape 2. Therefore, the average speed of the mechanical trolley 3 between arbitrary times can be obtained by dividing the distance between two points by the time interval between the two points. Note that the recording timer 1 can be used for various applications not limited to the speed measurement of the mechanical trolley 3.

[0017] Generally, in eastern Japan, AC power of 50 Hz is supplied from the public power grid, and in western Japan, AC current of 60 Hz is supplied. The dot recording period of the recording timer 1 corresponds to the frequency of the AC power of the public power grid supplied via the outlet, and is 1 / 50 second or 1 / 60 second depending on the usage area. Then, by measuring the distance between dots and dividing the distance between dots by the recording period, the average speed of the mechanical trolley 3 between arbitrary times can be measured.

[0018] However, since there are a large number of recorded dots, it is highly laborious to measure the distance between all dots. Therefore, for example, in the area where 50 Hz AC power is supplied, the distance between dots is measured every 5 dots, and in the area where 60 Hz AC power is supplied, the distance between dots is measured every 6 dots. In this case, since the distance between dots measured corresponds to the distance that the mechanical trolley 3 moves in 0.1 second, by dividing (multiplying by 10) the interval between every 5 / 6 dots by 0.1 second, the change in the speed of the mechanical trolley 3 over time can be measured.

[0019] It is assumed that the dot recording method of the recording timer 1 in this embodiment is a discharge type. In the case of the discharge type, the recording timer 1 is provided with a pair of discharge plates 12 (121, 122) that discharge at a predetermined recording cycle by the discharge control unit 11, and the recording tape 2 is disposed between the pair of discharge plates 12.

[0020] When the discharge control unit 11 receives the input of AC power from the public power grid and causes the pair of discharge plates 12 to discharge at a recording cycle corresponding to the cycle of the AC power, dots are recorded on the recording tape 2 by the discharge generated between the discharge plates 12. Note that the recording tape 2 is made of a material that can be recorded by discharge, for example, thermal paper.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the discharge control unit 11 of the recording timer 1. The discharge control unit 11 receives the supply of AC power from the public power grid (AC power source 13) and controls the transformer 14 to repeat discharging at the cycle of the AC power. Each component (resistor, capacitor, etc.) included in this circuit diagram is determined by appropriate design. Further, the discharge control unit 11 may include components other than the illustrated components, or may not include some components as long as it performs a predetermined operation.

[0022] The transformer 14 is configured such that the primary winding 141 and the secondary winding 142 are magnetically coupled via the iron core 143. Therefore, even if the current flowing through the primary winding 141 is not so large, it can be stepped up to the secondary winding 142 via the iron core 143, and thus a high voltage is generated at both ends of the secondary winding 142. As a result, dots are recorded on the recording tape 2 passing between the discharge plates 121 and 122 connected to both ends of the secondary winding 142 due to the generated high voltage.

[0023] For convenience of explanation, with respect to the supply path of the AC power from the AC power source 13, the wiring extending in the left-right direction on the upper side of the figure is referred to as the first wiring L1, and the wiring extending in the left-right direction on the lower side of the figure is referred to as the second wiring L2. Between the first wiring L1 and the second wiring L2, a first capacitor C1 and a second capacitor C2 for storing charges used for discharging are provided in parallel. In this embodiment, the second capacitor C2 has a larger capacitance than the first capacitor C1, but the capacitance of each can be arbitrarily set by design.

[0024] A first diode D1 and a first resistor R1 are provided between the AC power source 13 and the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 on the first wiring L1. The first diode D1 is provided closer to the AC power source 13 side than the first resistor R1, and the direction from the AC power source 13 toward the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 is the forward direction.

[0025] A second diode D2 is provided between the AC power source 13 and the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 on the second wiring L2. The direction from the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 toward the AC power source 13 is the forward direction for the second diode D2.

[0026] Between the first wiring L1 and the second wiring L2, a third diode D3 and a first thyristor SCR1 connected in series are further provided at a position in the vicinity of the transformer 14 on the right side of the figure and in parallel with the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2.

[0027] The third diode D3 is arranged such that the direction from the second wiring L2 toward the first wiring L1 is the forward direction. And the primary winding 141 of the transformer 14 is provided to be connected in parallel with the third diode D3, that is, between the first wiring L1 and the connection point of the third diode D3 and the first thyristor SCR1. In this way, by providing the third diode D3, the generation of the back electromotive force of the primary winding 141 of the transformer 14 can be suppressed.

[0028] The first thyristor SCR1 is connected to a first control wiring CTR1 branched from the second wiring L2. The branching point of the first control wiring CTR1 from the second wiring L2 is on the AC power supply 13 side of the second diode D2. The first thyristor SCR1 blocks the circuit in its normal state, but becomes conductive when power is supplied from the first control wiring CTR1. When the first thyristor SCR1 becomes conductive, current flows in the direction from the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 toward the transformer 14.

[0029] A second resistor R2 and a fourth diode D4 are provided on the first control wiring CTR1. The fourth diode D4 is provided on the first thyristor SCR1 side of the second resistor R2, and the direction from the branching point from the second wiring L2 toward the first thyristor SCR1 is the forward direction.

[0030] A second thyristor SCR2 and a fifth diode D5 connected in parallel are arranged on the second wiring L2 side of the second capacitor C2. The second thyristor SCR2 is connected to the microcomputer M via the second control wiring CTR2. The second thyristor SCR2 blocks the circuit in its normal state, but becomes conductive when power is supplied from the second control wiring CTR2. The second thyristor SCR2 conducts power in the direction from the first wiring L1 to the second wiring L2 in its conductive state.

[0031] The microcomputer M has its CLK terminal connected to the first control wiring CTR1 and further connected to the second wiring L2. Although a resistor may be provided between the second wiring L2 and the first control wiring CTR1 for voltage division, it is omitted in this embodiment. The microcomputer M is equipped with a counter. When it acquires the period of the AC power of the AC power supply 13 through the CLK terminal, it counts the period, and when the count reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times / 6 times), it outputs a signal (power) from the OUT terminal. The second thyristor SCR2 becomes conductive upon receiving the signal (power) from the OUT terminal.

[0032] Incidentally, the predetermined number of times for determining the output timing of the OUT terminal can be set by the SET terminal. When the SET terminal is connected to the first terminal, a signal is output when the count reaches 5 times, and when the SET terminal is connected to the second terminal, a signal is output when the count reaches 6 times. Therefore, for example, according to the cycle of the alternating current in the public power grid, the SET terminal is set to the first terminal in the supply area of 50 Hz, and to the second terminal in the supply area of 60 Hz. Note that the setting of the SET terminal may be recorded in the microcomputer M and set at the time of shipment, or may be variably set by an external operation.

[0033] A sixth diode D6 is provided between the first wiring L1 and the second wiring L2. The sixth diode D6 connects the AC power supply 13 side to the first diode D1 of the first wiring L1 and the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 side to the second diode D2 of the second wiring L2. A bridge circuit is formed by the diodes D1, D2, D4, D6 and the resistors R1, R2, and thus full-wave rectification can be realized as described later.

[0034] Figs. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing the operation of the present embodiment. In each of Figs. 3A to 3D, the first to fifth cycles of the AC power supplied from the AC power supply 13 are shown at the top, and the operation of the discharge control unit 11 corresponding to a part of the time at the top is shown at the bottom. In these figures, assuming that the frequency of the AC power supply 13 is 50 Hz, the operations of Figs. 3A to 3D are repeated every five cycles of the alternating current supplied from the AC power supply 13. Note that when the frequency is 60 Hz, the operations of Figs. 3A to 3D are repeated every six cycles of the AC power. The outline of Figs. 3A to 3D is as follows.

[0035] Figures 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the charge control and discharge control of the first capacitor C1, respectively. Figure 3A is an explanatory diagram of the charge control of the first capacitor C1 in the first half (t1a to t1b) of the first cycle, and Figure 3B is an explanatory diagram of the discharge control of the first capacitor C1 in the second half (t1b to t2a) of the first cycle. The operations in Figures 3A and 3B are not limited to the first cycle (t1a to t2a), but are also performed in other cycles (the second to fourth AC cycles) excluding the final fifth cycle.

[0036] Figures 3C and 3D are explanatory diagrams of the charge control and discharge control of the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2, respectively. Figure 3C is an explanatory diagram of the charge control of the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 in the first half (t5a to t5b) of the fifth cycle, and Figure 3D is an explanatory diagram of the discharge control of the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 in the second half (t5b to t6a) of the fifth cycle.

[0037] When the recording cycle is 50 Hz, the operation is repeated every five cycles of the AC power. In these five cycles, after the control in Figures 3A and 3B is repeated in the first four cycles, the control in Figures 3C and 3D is performed in the last one cycle. When the recording cycle is 60 Hz, the operation is repeated every six cycles of the AC power. In these six cycles, after the control in Figures 3A and 3B is repeated in the first five cycles, the control in Figures 3C and 3D is performed in the last one cycle.

[0038] Here, the operation of full-wave rectification by the bridge circuit composed of diodes D1, D2, D4, D6, and resistors R1, R2 will be described. Since the technology of full-wave rectification by the bridge circuit is well-known, a detailed description will be omitted. In the first half of each cycle (for example, in Figure 3A (t1a to t1b), Figure 3C (t5a to t5b)), a half-wave is output in the circuit passing through the first diode D1 and the second diode D2. In the second half of each cycle (for example, in Figure 3B (t1b to t2a), Figure 3D (t5b to t6a)), a half-wave is output in the circuit passing through the fourth diode D4 and the sixth diode D6.

[0039] In the second half of each cycle, the output of the AC power reverses in polarity (positive / negative). Therefore, in the second half, positive half-wave power with the same polarity as the first half is output, so a positive half-wave is output in any of FIGS. 3A to 3D, and as a result, full-wave rectification is achieved. Hereinafter, the details of the operations of FIGS. 3A to 3D will be described.

[0040] FIG. 3A shows the control in the first half (t1a to t1b) of the first cycle. On the first wiring L1 side of the AC power supply 13, half-wave rectified AC power as shown in the figure of the first resistor R1 is output throughout the first cycle. In the illustrated waveform, in the first half (t1a to t1b), a positive half-wave is output as shown by the solid line, and in the second half (t1b to t2a), there is no output, so for convenience, the negative half-wave is shown by the dashed line.

[0041] As a result, in the first half (t1a to t1b) of the first cycle, the first capacitor C1 is charged. Also, the microcomputer M monitors the AC power via the CLK terminal, but since the predetermined count number has not been reached, there is no output. Therefore, the second thyristor SCR2 is off, and since the fifth diode D5 is provided in the reverse direction, the second capacitor C2 is not charged.

[0042] FIG. 3B shows the control in the second half (t1b to t2a) of the first cycle. On the second wiring L2 side of the AC power supply 13, half-wave rectified AC power as shown on the right side of the figure of the third resistor R3 is output throughout the first cycle. On the second wiring L2 side of the AC power supply 13, the polarity is reversed from that on the first wiring L1 side. Therefore, in the first half (t1a to t1b), there is no output, so for convenience, the negative half-wave is shown by the dashed line, and in the second half (t1b to t2a), a positive half-wave is output as shown by the solid line.

[0043] As a result, in the latter half of the first cycle (t1b~t2a), power is shared from the AC power supply 13 to the circuits indicated by the medium thick line and the double line. Since power is supplied to the first thyristor SCR1, the first thyristor SCR1 becomes conductive. As a result, in the circuits indicated by the thick line and the double line, the charge charged in the first capacitor C1 is discharged, and a current flows through the primary winding 141 of the transformer 14. Then, a voltage boosted to the secondary winding 142 is supplied via the iron core 143, and finally, a discharge can be generated between the pair of discharge plates 12.

[0044] Fig. 3C shows the operation in the first half (t5a~t5b) of the fifth cycle. In this section, similar to the first half (t1a~t1b) of the first cycle shown in Fig. 3A, a positive half-wave is output on the first wiring L1 side of the AC power supply 13, and the first capacitor C1 is charged.

[0045] Furthermore, since the microcomputer M outputs a signal because the count reaches a predetermined number (5), the second thyristor SCR2 becomes conductive, and a voltage is applied across the second capacitor C2. As a result, in addition to the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2 is charged.

[0046] Fig. 3D shows the operation in the latter half (t5b~t6a) of the fifth cycle. In this section, similar to the latter half (t1b~t2a) of the first section shown in Fig. 3B, since power is supplied from the AC power supply 13 to the circuits indicated by the medium thick line and the double line, a positive half-wave is output on the second wiring L2 side of the AC power supply 13, and the first thyristor SCR1 conducts.

[0047] As a result, in the circuits indicated by the thick line and the double line, the charges charged in the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are discharged, and a current flows through the primary winding 141 of the transformer 14. As a result, a voltage boosted to the secondary winding 142 is supplied via the iron core 143, and finally, a discharge can be generated between the pair of discharge plates 12.

[0048] In the fifth cycle (t5a to t6a) shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, compared with other cases (the second to fourth cycles) including the first cycle (t1a to t2a) shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in addition to the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2 also discharges. In this way, the discharge plate 12 is discharged in each cycle determined by the alternating current power, and the discharge amount becomes larger every predetermined number of times (the fifth cycle) than in other cases (the first to fourth cycles). As a result, the points recorded by the discharge plate 12 can be made larger every predetermined number.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the recording result of the recording tape 2 recorded by the recording timer 1 of the present embodiment actually created. In this figure, the case where the recording cycle is 50 Hz (every 1 / 50 second) is shown at the top, and the case where the recording cycle is 60 Hz (every 1 / 60 second) is shown at the bottom. The illustrated recording result is by the recording timer 1 configured with the first capacitor C1 being 0.15 μF and the second capacitor C2 being 1.0 μF. When the recording cycle is 50 Hz, large points are recorded every five, and when the recording cycle is 60 Hz, large points are recorded every six.

[0050] In the example shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, an example of making the recorded points larger by making the discharge amount larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases has been described, but it is not limited to this. For example, the discharge amount may be made smaller every predetermined number of times than in other cases. By doing so, the points recorded every predetermined number can be made smaller, so that measurement errors in the distance between points due to miscounting of a predetermined number of points can be prevented.

[0051] For example, in a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer M is configured to generally output during the recording period and not output when the counter reaches a predetermined number (5 when the recording period is 50 Hz, 6 when the recording period is 60 Hz). By doing so, in principle, during the recording period, the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are charged and discharged, and every predetermined number of times (every 5 times when the recording period is 50 Hz, every 6 times when the recording period is 60 Hz), the first capacitor C1 is charged and discharged without using the second capacitor. By configuring it in this way, the discharge amount becomes smaller than in other cases every predetermined number of times, and the recorded dots can be made smaller.

[0052] In this way, the recording timer 1 of the present embodiment records dots at a predetermined recording period (50 Hz / 60 Hz), and every predetermined number of times (every 5 times when it is 50 Hz, every 6 times when it is 60 Hz), it records dots of a different size from other cases. As a result, it becomes difficult to miscount the dots every 5 / 6, so the measurement of the distance between dots can be facilitated.

[0053] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the discharge control unit 11 discharges the discharge plate 12 at a predetermined recording period, and changes the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate 12 every predetermined number of times to a different size from other cases. For example, when the recording period is 50 Hz, every 5 times, the size of the discharge amount from the discharge plate 12 is changed to be different from the other 4 times. As a result, the dots recorded on the recording tape 2 are recorded in different sizes every predetermined number.

[0054] When using the recording result of the recording tape 2, instead of the distance between individual dots, the distance between dots every predetermined number may be used. According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, since the size of the dots is different every predetermined number, it is possible to suppress the measurement error of the distance between dots caused by miscounting the number of dots every predetermined number.

[0055] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the discharge control unit 11 makes the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate 12 larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases. For example, when the recording period is 50 Hz, every five times, the discharge amount from the discharge plate 12 is made larger than in the other four times, so the points recorded on the recording tape 2 become larger every predetermined number. As a result, it is possible to suppress the measurement error of the distance between points caused by a counting error of a predetermined number of points.

[0056] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the discharge control unit 11 includes a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, and a first thyristor SCR1. The first thyristor SCR1 is configured to be able to discharge the charges charged in the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 to the discharge plate 12 by conducting.

[0057] When making the discharge amount larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases, the first capacitor C1 is charged every recording period, and the second capacitor C2 is charged every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number. When making the discharge amount smaller every predetermined number of times than in other cases, in principle, the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are charged every recording period, and the first capacitor C1 is charged without using the second capacitor C2 every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number. Then, the first thyristor SCR1 conducts every recording period.

[0058] In this way, the second capacitor C2 that is charged or not charged at a period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number is provided. Thereby, when making the discharge amount larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases, when the first thyristor SCR1 conducts, the first capacitor C1 discharges, and furthermore, every predetermined number of times, the second capacitor C2 also discharges, so the discharge amount can be made larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases. When making the discharge amount smaller every predetermined number of times than in other cases, when the first thyristor SCR1 conducts, in principle, the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 discharge, and furthermore, every predetermined number of times, the second capacitor C2 is not used and the first capacitor C1 discharges, so the discharge amount can be made smaller every predetermined number of times than in other cases.

[0059] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, a second thyristor SCR2 different from the first thyristor SCR1 provided in the charging path of the second capacitor C2 is provided. When the discharge amount is made larger than in other cases every predetermined number of times, since the second thyristor SCR2 is turned on every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times, the second capacitor C2 can be charged every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times. When the discharge amount is made smaller than in other cases every predetermined number of times, the second thyristor SCR2 is normally turned on in the recording period and is not turned on every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times. As a result, the second capacitor C2 can be prevented from being used every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times. As a result, the discharge amount can be made smaller than in other cases every predetermined number of times.

[0060] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the recording period is the AC period (60 Hz / 50 Hz) of the AC power supplied from the public power grid. And the discharge control unit 11 includes a bridge circuit constituted by diodes D1, D2, D4, D6, and resistors R1, R2. Further, the microcomputer M includes a counter that counts the number of waves of the AC period of the bridge circuit.

[0061] The first capacitor C1 is charged by the output in the first half of the AC period of the bridge circuit. The first thyristor SCR1 is turned on by the output in the second half of the AC period of the bridge circuit. And when the discharge amount is made larger than in other cases every predetermined number of times, as an example, when the count of the AC power period reaches the predetermined number of times, the microcomputer M outputs a signal to the second thyristor SCR2. As a result, the second thyristor SCR2 is turned on and the second capacitor C2 is charged. When the discharge amount is made smaller than in other cases every predetermined number of times, as an example, the microcomputer M normally outputs a signal to the second thyristor SCR2 to turn on the second thyristor SCR2, and when the count of the power period reaches the predetermined number of times, the output of the signal to the second thyristor SCR2 may be stopped to make the second thyristor SCR2 in a non-conductive state.

[0062] By configuring in this way, when the amount of discharge is made larger than in other cases every predetermined number of times, since the second capacitor C2 is charged at the conduction timing of the second thyristor SCR2, the second capacitor C2 can be charged every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times. As a result, every predetermined number of times, in addition to the first capacitor C1, discharge also occurs from the second capacitor C2, so that the amount of discharge can be made larger than in other cases.

[0063] When the amount of discharge is made smaller than in other cases every predetermined number of times, the microcomputer M outputs a signal to the second thyristor SCR2 in principle during the recording period, and the second thyristor SCR2 is made conductive. On the other hand, when the count of the cycle of the alternating current power reaches the predetermined number of times, no signal is output to the second thyristor SCR2. By configuring in this way, the second capacitor C2 is charged in principle during the recording period, but the second capacitor C2 is not charged every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times. As a result, every predetermined number of times, since the second capacitor C2 is not used, the amount of discharge can be made smaller than in other cases.

[0064] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the microcomputer M is configured such that the predetermined number of times for determining the output timing of the signal to the second thyristor SCR2 can be changed according to the recording period by switching the SET terminal. For example, when the recording period is 50 Hz, the predetermined number of times is set to 5 times, and when the recording period is 60 Hz, the predetermined number of times is set to 6 times.

[0065] Since the recording period is determined according to the frequency of the alternating current power of the public power grid, it varies depending on the place where the recording timer 1 is used. However, according to this embodiment, by configuring the predetermined number of times for determining the output timing to be settable, the design of the recording timer 1 can be easily changed even if the place of use is different, so that the manufacturing cost of the recording timer 1 can be reduced.

[0066] According to the recording timer 1 of the first embodiment, the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 is larger than that of the first capacitor C1. Here, the dots recorded on the recording tape 2 increase in size as the discharge amount increases. However, in order to visually recognize the change in size, the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 is larger than that of the first capacitor C1, preferably three times or more. The recording result shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by the recording timer 1 configured with the first capacitor C1 being 0.15 μF and the second capacitor C2 being 1.0 μF. Thus, by making the capacitance of the second capacitor C2 larger than that of the first capacitor C1, the visibility of the dots recorded in larger sizes at predetermined intervals can be improved.

[0067] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, in the recording timer 1 using two capacitors C1 and C2, an example of changing the magnitude of the discharge amount at predetermined intervals has been described. However, the mode of changing the magnitude of the discharge amount at predetermined intervals is not limited to the example of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, an example of changing the magnitude of the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 at predetermined intervals in a recording timer that discharges at a predetermined cycle under the control of a microcomputer without using a capacitor will be described.

[0068] FIG. 5A is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording timer 1A according to an aspect of the second embodiment. The recording timer 1A of this embodiment includes a power supply 21, a discharge control unit 11, a transformer 14, and a discharge plate 12. The discharge control unit 11 includes a boost circuit 22, a switch unit 23A, and a controller 24. Then, by boosting the output from the switch unit 23A via the transformer 14, discharge occurs between the pair of discharge plates 12. The schematic waveforms of the output voltage A from the power supply 21, the output voltage B from the boost circuit 22, and the output voltage C from the switch unit 23A over time are shown at the bottom of the figure.

[0069] The power supply 21 is a DC power supply such as a battery, etc., and it only needs to be finally capable of outputting DC power. Therefore, the power supply 21 may be configured to receive the supply of AC power from, for example, a public power grid, convert the AC power by AC / DC (Alternating Current / Direct Current) conversion to generate and output DC power. A predetermined voltage output from the power supply 21 is indicated at the lower output A.

[0070] The boost circuit 22 is, for example, a DC-DC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converter and has a function of boosting the DC voltage supplied from the power supply 21. The magnitude of the voltage output from the boost circuit 22 only needs to be large enough to supply the primary side winding 141 of the transformer 14. Note that at the lower output B from the power supply 21, the voltage obtained by boosting the output A from the power supply 21 by the boost circuit 22 is indicated.

[0071] The switch section 23A is composed of a switching element capable of relatively high-speed operation such as a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor), etc. The switch section 23A is provided between the boost circuit 22 and the transformer 14, and outputs a voltage to the transformer 14 for a predetermined time length by switching on / off. At the lower output C, an example is shown in which a voltage is repeatedly output for a predetermined time length by the operation of the switch section 23A.

[0072] The controller 24 controls the operation of the switch section 23A by executing a control program recorded in the memory. When increasing the discharge amount every predetermined number of times. The controller 24 turns on the switch section 23A for only the first time at a predetermined recording period (50Hz / 60Hz) (Y in the output C). Then, the controller 24 turns on for only the second time, which is longer than the first time, every predetermined number of times (5 times / 6 times) (X in the output C). When reducing the discharge amount every predetermined number of times, the second time may be made shorter than the first time.

[0073] As an example, the controller 24 may perform PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control that compares a carrier wave and a duty command value. In PWM control, in principle, the first duty value corresponding to the first time is used as the command value, and the second duty value corresponding to the second time is used as the command value every predetermined number of times. By doing so, every predetermined number of times (5 times / 6 times), the power output time from the switch unit 23A becomes the time corresponding to the second time. As a result, the magnitude of the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be changed.

[0074] As a result, the discharge plate 12 discharges due to the voltage output in the recording cycle, and dots are recorded on the recording tape 2. However, by being turned on only for the second time every predetermined number of times, the discharge time can be changed compared to the case of being turned on only for the first time in other cases. As a result, the dots recorded on the recording tape 2 are different in size every predetermined number of times from those in other cases. Note that the controller 24 may generate a predetermined cycle (50 Hz / 60 Hz) by itself, or may obtain it from an AC power supply input from the public power grid.

[0075] FIG. 5B is a schematic configuration diagram of the recording timer 1B according to another aspect of the second embodiment. The recording timer 1B according to another aspect is provided with a switch unit 23B instead of the switch unit 23A as compared with the recording timer 1A, and two first boosting circuits 31 and second boosting circuits 32 are provided between the power supply 21 and the switch unit 23B instead of one boosting circuit 22.

[0076] The first boosting circuit 31 and the second boosting circuit 32 are, for example, DC-DC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converters similar to the boosting circuit 22, and have a function of boosting the DC voltage supplied from the power supply 21. When increasing the discharge amount every predetermined number of times, the second boosting circuit 32 has a higher boosting ratio than the first boosting circuit 31, and the voltage output from the second boosting circuit 32 is larger than the voltage output from the first boosting circuit 31. At the bottom of this figure, the output D from the first boosting circuit 31 and the output E from the second boosting circuit 32 are shown.

[0077] The switch unit 23B is configured to be able to select the output to the transformer 14 from any one of no output, the output of the first boost circuit 31, and the output of the second boost circuit 32. During a predetermined recording period (1 / 50 second corresponding to 50 Hz, 1 / 60 second corresponding to 60 Hz), the switch unit 23B outputs the voltage from the first boost circuit 31 or the second boost circuit 32 to the transformer 14 during a predetermined conduction period, and has no output during other non-conduction periods.

[0078] Furthermore, during the conduction period, the switch unit 23B outputs the output of the second boost circuit 32 to the transformer 14 every predetermined number of times (6 times / 5 times) (X in output F), and in other cases different from every predetermined number of times, outputs the output of the first boost circuit 31 to the transformer 14 (Y in output F). By doing so, the output voltage to the transformer 14 becomes larger every predetermined number of times (6 times / 5 times) than in other cases, so the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be increased.

[0079] When reducing the discharge amount every predetermined number of times, the second boost circuit 32 may have a lower boost ratio than the first boost circuit 31, and the voltage output from the second boost circuit 32 may be made smaller than the voltage output from the first boost circuit 31. With this configuration, the output voltage to the transformer 14 becomes smaller every predetermined number of times (6 times / 5 times) than in other cases, so the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be reduced.

[0080] In this way, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, even in the recording timers 1A and 1B that record dots by a discharge method without using a capacitor, it is possible to record dots at a predetermined recording period (60 Hz / 50 Hz) and record dots of a different size every predetermined number of times (5 / 6 times) than in other cases.

[0081] According to the recording timers 1A and 1B of the second embodiment, the discharge control unit 11 includes switch units 23A and 23B, and a controller 24 that controls the switch units 23A and 23B. During a partial conduction period of the recording cycle, the controller 24 supplies power from the boost circuit 22 to the discharge plate 12 via the transformer 14, and during a non-conduction period, controls the switch units 23A and 23B to stop the power supply.

[0082] Furthermore, the controller 24 controls the switch units 23A and 23B so that the amount of power supplied to the discharge plate 12 during the conduction period is different in magnitude from other cases every predetermined number of times. By configuring in this way, the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be changed every predetermined number of times. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress a measurement error of the distance between predetermined points caused by a counting error of a predetermined number of points.

[0083] According to the recording timer 1A of one aspect of the second embodiment, the switch unit 23A switches between supplying power from the boost circuit 22 to the transformer 14 and not supplying power. When making the discharge amount larger than other cases every predetermined number of times, the controller 24 controls the switch unit 23A so that the conduction period becomes longer than other cases every predetermined number of times. When making the discharge amount smaller than other cases every predetermined number of times, the controller 24 controls the switch unit 23A so that the conduction period becomes shorter than other cases every predetermined number of times. By configuring in this way, the magnitude of the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be changed every predetermined number of times.

[0084] According to the recording timer 1B of another aspect of the second embodiment, the switch unit 23B is configured to be able to switch between supplying first power from the first boost circuit 31 to the discharge plate 12, supplying second power from the second boost circuit 32, and stopping the power supply. Then, during a partial conduction period of the recording cycle, the controller 24 supplies the first power or the second power, and during a non-conduction period, controls the switch unit 23B to stop the power supply.

[0085] Furthermore, during the conduction period, the controller 24 controls the switch unit 23B to supply the second power every predetermined number of times and supply the first power otherwise. By configuring in this way, the second power is supplied every predetermined number of times, and since the second power is different from the first power supplied in other cases, the magnitude of the discharge amount of the discharge plate 12 can be changed.

[0086] The present invention can be implemented in various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, the above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1, 1A, 1B Recording timer 2 Recording tape 11 Discharge control unit 12 Discharge plate 22 Boost circuit 23A, 23B Switch unit 24 Controller 31 First boost circuit 32 Second boost circuit C1 First capacitor C2 Second capacitor M Microcomputer (with counter) SCR1 First thyristor (switch) SCR2 Second thyristor (other switch)

Claims

1. A discharge plate configured in a pair and capable of recording dots by discharging against a recording tape passing between the pair; A discharge control unit that discharges the discharge plate at a predetermined recording period, and The discharge control unit is a recording timer that changes the magnitude of the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate every predetermined number of times, compared to other cases.

2. The discharge control unit is the recording timer according to claim 1, wherein the discharge amount when discharging the discharge plate is made larger every predetermined number of times than in other cases.

3. The discharge control unit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a switch capable of discharging the charges charged in the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the discharge plate by conducting, The first capacitor is charged every recording period, The second capacitor is charged every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times, The switch is the recording timer according to claim 2, which conducts every recording period.

4. Further includes another switch different from the switch provided in the charging path of the second capacitor, The other switch is the recording timer according to claim 3, which is conducted every period obtained by multiplying the recording period by the predetermined number of times.

5. The recording period is an AC period of AC power supplied from a public power grid, The discharge control unit is a circuit including a plurality of diodes, which realizes full-wave rectification by inverting the polarity of the second half of the AC period of the AC power and outputting it with the same polarity as the first half of the AC period, and a counter that counts the first half of the AC period of the bridge circuit, The first capacitor is charged by the output of the first half of the AC period of the bridge circuit, The switch is conducted by the output of the second half of the AC period of the bridge circuit, The other switch is the recording timer according to claim 4, which is conducted to charge the second capacitor by the output of the first half of the AC period of the bridge circuit when the count by the counter reaches the predetermined number of times.

6. The counter is configured to be able to change the predetermined number of times according to the recording period, and is the recording timer according to claim 5.

7. The capacitance of the second capacitor is larger than the capacitance of the first capacitor, and is the recording timer according to claim 5.

8. The discharge control unit includes a switch unit capable of switching between power supply to the discharge plate and stop of power supply to the discharge plate, and a controller that controls the switch unit. The controller In some conduction periods of the recording period, the discharge plate is discharged by supplying power to the discharge plate, and in non-conduction periods that are not the conduction periods of the recording period, the switch unit is controlled to stop power supply to the discharge plate. The recording timer according to claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the discharge plate during the conduction period is controlled to be different in magnitude from that in the other cases every predetermined number of times.

9. The controller The recording timer according to claim 8, wherein the switch unit is controlled so that the conduction period is different in length from that in the other cases every predetermined number of times.

10. The switch unit is configured to be capable of switching between supply of first power to the discharge plate, supply of second power having a magnitude different from that of the first power to the discharge plate, and stop of power supply to the discharge plate. The controller In some conduction periods of the recording period, the discharge plate is discharged by supplying the first power or the second power to the discharge plate, and in the non-conduction periods that are not the conduction periods of the recording period, the switch unit is controlled to stop power supply to the discharge plate. The recording timer according to claim 8, wherein the power supply to the discharge plate during the conduction period outputs the second power every predetermined number of times, and outputs the first power in the other cases different from every predetermined number of times, and the switch unit is controlled accordingly.

11. A control method for a recording timer including a discharge plate configured in a pair and capable of recording dots by discharging with respect to a recording tape passing between the pair, discharging the discharge plate in a recording period, A control method for a recording timer, wherein the amount of discharge when discharging the discharge plate is changed in magnitude from that in other cases every predetermined number of times.

12. A control program for a recording timer including a discharge plate configured in a pair and capable of recording dots by discharging with respect to a recording tape passing between the pair, The control program discharges the discharge plate in a recording period, A control program for a recording timer that operates so that the amount of discharge when discharging the discharge plate is changed in magnitude from that in other cases every predetermined number of times.

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