Music box drive mechanism

Abstract

This invention provides a music box drive device that allows for easy control of the music box's playing time by connecting the power supply and the music box via a timer circuit with a self-holding function. [Solution] An electric music box is provided with a single operating switch and a timer circuit that, in response to the operation of the operating switch, starts supplying power to the drive source and starts measuring time, and stops supplying power to the drive source after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The timer circuit is characterized in that if the operating switch is operated again while power is being supplied to the drive source, it stops supplying power to the drive source even before the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model relates to a device that solves the problems of conventional hand-cranked music boxes and spring-driven music boxes, which have short playing times: when listening for a long time, the hand-cranked music box causes hand fatigue, the spring-driven music box requires the trouble of rewinding, and the electric music box cannot easily control the length of the playing time.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the timbre of a music box, which produces a musical sound by directly plucking metal comb teeth (vibrating plates), contains rich high-frequency and low-frequency resonances that are inaudible to humans. It stimulates the brain's "brainstem" to promote blood circulation, which in turn regulates the balance of the autonomic nervous system, and its healing effects that relax the mind and body, relieve stress, and improve sleep quality have attracted scientific attention.

Prior Art Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Utility Application No. 2022-976 proposes a motor-driven electric music box, but it has no function to control the length of playing time, and hand-cranked music boxes and spring-driven music boxes have the problem that they require manual operation for long-time playing, which is not practical.

[0005] When using existing electric music box playback to expect healing and stress-relieving effects, or to obtain effects of inducing sleep and improving sleep quality, the music continues to play because it cannot be stopped midway even after the user has fallen asleep completely or the stress has been relieved. This not only wastes power, but also causes the problem of conversely inducing stress and preventing comfortable sleep.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This invention relates to a music box drive device that allows the power to be turned on and the electric music box to start playing with just one press of an operation button, and after a set time (30 minutes / 1 hour, etc.) has elapsed, a timer automatically cuts off the power and stops the music box playing, and furthermore, if the operation button is pressed again even in the middle of playing, the music will stop immediately. [Effects of the Invention] This invention addresses the problems of conventional music boxes. When you want to listen to a music box, you can start playing with simple operation. Furthermore, when you want to relax, relieve stress, or before going to sleep, you can easily obtain the optimal amount of music box music with simple operation. You can also easily stop the music even before it automatically stops, thus resolving the problems of existing music boxes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a circuit block diagram of an electric music box device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a time chart showing the operation of each part when the operation switch is pressed once in an electric music box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a time chart showing the operation of each part when the operation switch is pressed again during a performance in an electric music box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention will be explained with reference to the circuit block diagram in Figure 1. The power supply unit comprises a DC power supply (6V) formed by connecting four AA batteries in series, an AC adapter terminal that supplies DC power converted from an external power supply, and a toggle switch that selectively switches between these. The timer circuit with a self-holding function is operated by turning the power supply ON / OFF via an operation switch. Furthermore, the timer circuit is configured as an electric music box driven by a motor via a speed controller that can change the playing speed.

[0009] The electric music box is operated by a commercially available timer circuit with a self-holding function, which receives the first press signal (trigger) from the control switch to start the timer count and power supply to the motor, and if a second press signal is received during the count, it resets the count and stops power supply to the motor.

[0010] The timer circuit has a pre-set playback duration (up to 999 minutes), so users do not need to perform complex time setting operations before going to bed. With just the press of a single push switch, it is possible to play music for the optimal amount of time for stress relief and sleep induction.

[0011] The typical time required for relaxation, stress relief, or falling asleep is said to be about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the timer is set based on this value. If the goal is achieved midway through, the music will stop playing, and if not, pressing the switch again will reset the timer and restart it.

[0012] The power supply unit features a DC power supply (6V) consisting of four AA batteries connected in series, an AC adapter terminal that supplies DC power converted from an external power source, and a toggle switch to selectively switch between these. This allows for stable, constant power supply via the AC adapter in places with nearby outlets, such as a bedside table in a bedroom, and cordless playing using batteries in places without outlets or while traveling. [Examples]

[0013] The operation of the electric music box according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2, showing the operation (Pattern A) from when the user starts playing before going to bed, etc., until it automatically stops. When a single operation switch (push switch) is pressed for just a moment by the user, the signal of the operation switch switches from "OFF" to "ON".

[0014] The timer circuit starts operating in response to the signal from this operation switch, beginning its internal timer count (time measurement) and supplying power to the drive motor, which is the driving source. As a result, the state of the timer circuit and the drive motor changes to "ON / operating state".

[0015] Once power is supplied to the drive motor, the electric music box begins to play. The user then releases their hand from the control switch, but the timer circuit's self-holding function maintains power to the drive motor and keeps the music playing.

[0016] Subsequently, the timer circuit detects a predetermined time interval, and upon reaching the end of the time limit, it automatically cuts off power to the drive motor. The timer circuit and drive motor then switch to the "OFF / stopped" state, and the electric music box automatically stops playing.

[0017] Next, referring to Figure 3, we will explain the operation (Pattern B) when forcibly stopping the music box performance midway through. Assuming the same operation as in Figure 2, the timer circuit and drive motor are activated by the first press of the operation switch, and the music box continues to play.

[0018] If the user presses the same operation switch again before the aforementioned certain period of time has elapsed (during performance), the signal of the operation switch will switch back from "OFF" to "ON".

[0019] When the timer circuit receives the signal from this second operation switch while power is being supplied to the drive motor (during playback), it forcibly resets (shuts off) the internal timer count even before the aforementioned fixed time has elapsed, and at the same time immediately stops the power supply to the drive motor.

[0020] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the timer circuit and drive motor immediately switch to the "OFF / stopped state" in sync with the timing of the second press of the operation switch, and the music box performance is forcibly stopped.

[0021] Furthermore, since a speed controller is connected between the timer circuit and the electric music box, the playing speed of the music box can be freely adjusted as desired.

Claims

1. An electric music box drive device comprising a single operating switch and a timer circuit that, in response to the operation of the operating switch, starts supplying power to the drive source and starts measuring time, and stops supplying power to the drive source after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the timer circuit stops supplying power to the drive source even before the predetermined period of time has elapsed if the operating switch is operated again while power is being supplied to the drive source.

2. The music box drive device according to claim 1, comprising a power supply unit for supplying power, the power supply unit comprising a battery compartment for housing dry cell batteries, an external power supply connection unit for receiving power from an external power source, and a changeover switch for switching between power from the battery compartment and power from the external power supply connection unit and outputting the result.

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